Diesel leak

The warmer temperatures and low wind today gave us a great opportunity to spray our greens, giving us protection against snow mold.  Unfortunately, while spraying the 12th green a diesel line broke loose and stopped the machine in the middle of 12 green while leaking fuel.  The sprayer was quickly pushed off the green, preventing further damage, but a 2' x 2' area will need to be repaired.

Damaged spot in the middle of 12 green.  This will be sodded out before we open next spring. 

 

Pins removed from greens, minor flooding

Yesterday, the pins were removed from the greens, the official closing of the course for the season.  As usual, we placed a few pins in the approaches if you get the urge to walk a few holes on warm day over the winter. 

Evan is happy this is the last pin he has to move in 2015.

 

We placed pins on holes 1, 2 and 7.  In the past we've typically also placed pins on 10, 11 and 12 but we frequently see these winter pins on the ground due to the freezing/thawing and high winds.  Because I don't like the messy look of pins laying on the ground that are in view of all to see over the winter, I've opted to leave out a few pins.  If you decide to hit a few balls around over the winter, feel free to traverse some other areas of the course, we just ask that you stay off the greens.  Also, please keep in mind that over the winter the ground may freeze, please do not walk on any turf that is froze.

We are experiencing minor flooding from the rains over the last few days.  Portions of 8, 9 and 18 are underwater.  As soon as the water recedes we will begin our clean-up efforts.  Flooding during this time of year poses little to no risk of turf loss.

Bottom of 1 fairway looking towards 18

 

Course closing update

The course will remain open through the weekend, the course will then close for the season on Monday, December 28.  It looks as though the temperatures will then drop slightly and a wetter weather pattern will be on us.  With cold temps and rain, conditions will not be conducive for golf or towards maintaining a healthy stand of turf.

Carts will be allowed this Tuesday and Wednesday, effective Thursday - carts will no longer be allowed on the course.

Please note, the Golf shop will be closed over the Christmas weekend, if you wish to walk a few holes over the weekend, make sure you have your clubs out of the bag room before Thursday.

Merry Christmas!

Tree trimming

One of the perennial winter tasks we take on is tree trimming.  This week was the start of that month long project. 

 

This is one of those tasks I really enjoy doing.  After completing an area, I stand on the tee and admire the change and cleanliness that is now present.  There are many reasons why we try to keep trees trimmed, they include:

• Improved access by golf carts
• More space for that perfect swing if you happen to be under a tree
• Less damage to trees due to hitting branches with a rough mower roll-bar
• Improved turf growth around and under the tree
• Easier access by string trimmers
• More air circulation through the course which improves turf health
• And, a more professional/clean appearance to the grounds

 

Fence removal, creek cleaning

One of the prominent things I noticed on the FCC property when I toured the course before my interview in November of 2011, was the ugly mesh screens along the range and along 12 tee.  Nothing says 'bad design' like a well placed mesh shield in the middle of the course.  These fences took away from the beauty of the property - drawing your attention to their rusty, large and unnatural forms.  We removed the screen on the range in 2012, I am pleased to announce we have now removed the eyesore on 12 tee, and it looks great.  With the recent completion of the new 10th tee, the mesh screen will no longer be needed.

We tore down the screen, selling the posts for scrap metal, then dug up the concrete foundations. 

 

The view of the area improved dramatically.

 

Another project we are working on is the dredging of the creek bottom.  Over the years, large amounts of leaves find there way into the creek, decompose and raise the level of the creek bed.  Due to the dry conditions lately, we are able to get the heavy machinery out to the creek to dig it out

We are working on 18 today, tomorrow we will tackle 6 and 7.

 

October, I mean December projects

What a great stretch of weather, it was nice to see a few groups of golfers out on the course today soaking up the sun.  This weather has been a relief for us also, allowing us to get caught up on a few things that we were behind on due the recent project on #10.  We mowed greens today, for the second time during the month of December.  I doubt that has ever happened before.

The leaves on all the Pears are finally off, allowing us to clean-up a few spots on the course one last time, making sure we go into winter clean without leaf piles laying around.  Most of the equipment has been power washed and are now going through 'Wayne's World' of machine detailing - applying a generous coat of wax and Armor All.

The last three days, myself and few staff members spent time in Columbus for our regional conference.  I always enjoy these - catching up with Superintendents from around the region, hearing the latest and greatest news/research/ideas that are out there.  We listened to seminars with a plethora of topics - equipment repair, flower arrangements, ornamental care, algae blooms, renovations, USGA report, insect update, fungicide trials, poa annua control, growth regulators, seed research, and the list goes on.  Thank you for supporting continuing education and allowing us to grow, providing you with the best product in the area.

Next week we will be fixing a drain near 10 approach, removing the covers surrounding 10 tee to harden off the grass before winter, removing the fence along 12 tee, and begin tree trimming.  Speaking of the covers on 10, I'm glad we made the call to seed those areas this fall, we had a successful catch and will be looking great going into next season.

December is the typical month for our staff to use up any unused vacation time, therefore most of us have been in and out this month.  We will all be back in January and start the task of tree removals and more tree trimming.

One last note - we are out of firewood, if you regularly request firewood deliveries, please note that we will be unable to fulfill your order for the remainder of the winter.  If you need firewood for the winter, contact me and I will help you in your search. 

Course remains open

Notice – due to the unseasonably warm weather this upcoming week, the golf course will remain open.  We will continue to monitor the temperatures and notify the membership at a later date about the course closing.  Please note that tee times will be limited in the morning hours due to frost delays, we ask that you do not walk onto the course until the frost has burned off.  We hope to see you out enjoying another round or two.

Thanksgiving weekend

The course will remain open through the holiday, including Friday.  Please note: the Golf Shop will be closed on Thursday, if you wish to walk off your overindulgence, please make plans to acquire your clubs before Thursday.

 

Enjoy the holiday!

 

Productive day

Although the weather has turned cold, the grounds staff still has a lot on our plate to wrap up before the end of the season.  We had a productive day, here's what we spent our time on today:

• Mowed greens
• Mowed rough
• Mowed range banks
• Mowed intermediate around fairways
• Removed seasonal flowers and pumpkins from the front entrance
• Stored the tennis court benches for the season
• Picked up all the leaves around the tennis courts
• Fertilized all the fairways and range
• Picked up sticks
• Picked up bags of salt for the upcoming winter weather
• Oil changes on equipment
• Hung Christmas lights around the clubhouse

Thanks to the crew for a job well done!

Sod installed

On Monday we removed sod from the 10th fairway that will no longer be in use and placed it on the new tees.

Sod being removed from the front of the old 10 fairway.

Being shuttled and laid on the new tee.

 

Below is a look at some of the work we did for the new tees

Removed the trees from the area.

Added soil to create the desired height.

Sodded the surface and seeded the surrounds.

 

I'm happy to note that the grass has germinated on the tee surrounds.  We have placed covers around the tee to promote more growth before the winter.  I am optimistic that the juvenile turf will survive the winter and give us a great head start coming into next season. 

 

This will be the end of the work on #10 for 2015, we will open it back up in 2016 with some minor adjustments around the green to finish off the project.

End of the season

Today was the unofficial end to the 2015 season as we cleared the irrigation lines in preparation for the oncoming winter. 

Tree planting

Last week, 16 trees were planted on the property, bringing the total to 37 trees planted over the last 4 years.  Most of the trees planted this fall were around the tennis courts, breaking up the industrial look of the tennis court fencing.

Near the courts we planted - Black Gum, Crabapple and Spruce.  On the course we planted a Beech, Maple and Honey Locust. 

 

As areas open up through tree removals, we evaluate the spot to determine if a new tree needs to be planted.  Our goal is to maintain the look and feel of FCC and it's many mature trees into the next century.  Tree planting is the ultimate 'long term' strategy to beautify the course.  Someday, your grandkids will benefit from the trees that we are planting today.

Bunker sand installation

Yesterday we started the installation of sand in the bunkers on 10, we have one half of a bunker left.  The sand was installed at 6" in depth, by spring the sand will have had a chance to compact and will be around 4" in depth.

The guys left for the day quite tired and sore, having moved 40 tons of sand around by hand on Thursday.  We have another 15 tons left to install.

 

 

Below shows the progression of the 10th hole over the last few weeks.

Pre-project, October 14

After sand removal, October 16

Bunker shaping, October 21

Sod installation, October 23

Sand Installation, November 5

 

If we dry out later today, we may be able to finish the sand installation.  Next week we hope to tackle the task of sodding the tee surface, the sod for this will be coming off the 10th fairway that will no longer be needed due to the shortened hole. 

Seeding 10 tee surrounds

Due to the great weather this week, we decided to seed the surrounds of the new 10th tee box.  We are hopeful that we can get the seed to germinate this year yet, speeding up the recover process next spring.

The area was raked smooth, seeded, then covered with straw to keep the seed moist.

 

Tomorrow, another load of sod is coming in, we will be finishing the sod work around the bunkers.

10 Tee irrigation

Before any sod can be laid on the new 10th tee, a new irrigation line servicing the tee had to be installed. During the last few days, we tackled that piece of the renovation project. 

A water line was run from the existing fairway, communication wire was laid from the satellite box between 10/11 and two heads were installed to water the new tee.