In the Midst of a Very Busy Summer
As we approach the end of our second course closure, I feel it is a good time to bring everyone up to date on what we have accomplished so far, what we are in the process of and what we have on the schedule for the remainder of the summer months.
During the July closure we tend to be a bit more aggressive with all of our cultural practices. This includes bigger, deeper aerification holes on the greens, complete aerification of all playing surfaces, more aggressive verti-cutting on all short grass areas and a heavy topdressing on all tees, fairways and greens. We have also lowered the height of cut to promote a more prostrate growth. This lower height will carry through to our last closure where we will gradually raise the height as we head into season. As you can imagine, the byproduct of verti-cutting and a lower height of cut is a multitude of grass clippings. This, coupled with the 25 truck loads of sand that was applied to the tees, fairways and greens, is quite a mess to clean up. Now throw in the fact that it has rained nearly every day, it really becomes a chore. My staff has done an admirable job of keeping the drains clear of washed down clippings and staying on tasks as much as possible. All scheduled cultural practices will have been completed before our opening on Saturday, however the inclement weather has effected our recovery timetable. The good news is, the greens are always the first to be worked on and they should be in good shape by Saturday.
As for the on going projects in and around the property. The directive to correct the "bottleneck" exit points on holes #2, #3 and #4 are still on our agenda. The work on #2 is well under way and should be near completion towards the first of August. Some minor earth moving is required for #3 and #4 to accomplish the recommended solution. I have met with our contractor and we are scheduled to reshape and re-sod these areas in our September closure. All three of these areas were brought to the attention of our consulting Architect and we are closely following his recommendations. We have a long list of on course improvements we would like to get to this summer and we will start from the top and work our way down. Mother Nature willing, we will check all the boxes.
Two other projects that are currently being tended to. The parking lot is open for business but not quite complete. We have some minor landscaping left to install and a couple of lampposts to put back in place. Once this is complete, the next step will occur during the September closure when our contractor will return to seal coat and re-stripe the entire parking lot. The other project involves the landscaped area as you drive from the Airport entrance to the clubhouse. The Master Association will soon assume the maintenance responsibility of this area. In anticipation of this change over from the Condo Associations, it was decided that the entire hedge would be replaced and additional perennial and annual color will be added to enhance the entry drive. This project will be completed in stages. Hedge removal, hedge installation, re-establish sod lines, create perennial beds and finally add annuals in the fall.
There is more to come to this non stop summer. I want to thank you all for your patience and understanding. Once the dust settles, I believe that you will all agree that the end result was worth seemingly endless summer.
