With the winter months almost behind us, we thought we'd give everyone an update on our winter progress. Much like the past couple of years the weather has been mild and a bit unpredictable. Its hard to trust or say what will happen.
We started winter with a good blanket of snow, and turned our focus to grooming ski trails. We started with approximately 6" of snow which is the minimum needed to groom and set trails. With no additional snow, it was difficult to groom without the trail becoming to thin. When the snow thins out we back off of grooming so that we do not damage the ground or turf underneath. Unfortunately after Christmas it got warm out, and we have not had good snow or weather for snow to even consider skiing.
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| The "Sand Pro" or bunker machine completely disassembled |
Since winter started staff has been busy getting all of our equipment ready for the upcoming season. All of our mowers and other specialty equipment gets a complete overhaul. All engines, cutting units, and mechanical components are taken apart, cleaned, and put back together.
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| Greens Mower engines ready for inspection |
This process of preventative maintenance gives our Equipment Technician the ability to address problems before they arise, preventing unwanted expenses and down time during the summer months.
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| Fairway mower cutting units pulled apart and getting cleaned. |
It takes a team of five staff members to get through the equipment this thoroughly within 3 1/2 months to insure that we are ready for the upcoming season.
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| Trenching the drain lines |
With the mild weather outside, projects have continued. Most recently we continued working on a drainage project located on #14 Fairway.
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| Staff cleaning the trench debris |
The goal of this project was to address the ample surface saturation that occurs between 20 yards and 100 yards in front of the 14th green. The drain lines that we are installing will insure that daily conditions are dry and playable.
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| Drain lines in-front of #14 Green |
We plan to have this project completed within the next couple of weeks, weather pending, and then get this area sodded closer to spring when the sod farms are open.
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| Nursery Green Area (Day 1) |
The nursery green project has been underway as well, located between hole #'s 6 and 8. The nursery green project will allow our staff the ability to get grass as needed during the season for plugging and patch work that is sometime needed.
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| Breaking ground |
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| The green cavity taking shape |
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| The Greens drain lines have been trenched |
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| The drain lines and bottom of the green have been covered in Gravel |
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| The greens mix or sand getting installed |
We will be completing this project as spring continues, the goal is to have the green seeded and grow in in during the 2017 season.
Future updates on projects and course conditions will be coming soon, with the weather getting nice, we know you will be wondering what is happening on the golf course. As mentioned before the weather is unpredictable one warm week could be followed by cold and snow. Lets keep our fingers crossed.
Respectfully,
Golf Course Superintendent
Nick Marfise
