Golf Course Report

October 2018

Well that was a busy summer!  A stark contrast to what we endured last year, but an eerie reminder of how fickle Mother Nature can be.  Our goal this summer was to enhance the golf course and restore the carnage left behind by Irma.  We still have a long journey to complete restoration but the amount of work and significance of its impact was impressive.

Let’s tackle the re-planting that affects the golf course.  #3 was clearly the hardest hit perimeter buffer.  In the planning process, it was determined that the best course of action would be to remove all non-native plant material and start over with a landscape plan that would be functional, presentable and maintainable.  We accomplished this by densely populating the apex of the berm with a plethora of native plants.  This also allowed us to recapture about a half an acre of playable surface along the right side of #3.  Our second major area of planting occurred along the fence line on #15.  A great deal of damage had opened up sight lines to our neighboring property.  After researching site plans and determining that this area is not a protected preserve, I devised a plan to plant a buffer on the fence line to create a more affective buffer.  This left us with close to ¾ acre of usable turf.  My goal during this restoration project, both accomplished and ongoing, is to enhance, simplify and protect the property’s integrity.  We still have plenty of re-planting to do but we are well on our way to complete recovery. 

We did get to work on the golf course this off season.  A few projects that may or may not be noticed include; new concrete paths on #11, the transition from #13 to #14 and the crossover from #15 to #16.  Our contractor did a wonderful job of coordinating and communicating every detail during the project.  We also incorporated a couple of new agronomic practices that will ensure a better playing surface throughout the season.  We topdressed the fairways 3 times this summer.  The goal is to minimize the effect of heavy traffic during the slow growing months that occur during Season. Our Tee, Fairway and Greens fertility program also experienced a significant change.  Without getting into scientific details, we have morphed into a more Organic product application.  These micro-organisms have a huge effect on the microbial activity in the soil.  This produces a heathier rooting medium and a more sustainable playing surface.  

We have a few environmental challenges with our property.  The goal is to eliminate all undesirable areas.  The trick is to make a grass species grow on a green that receives 4 hours of sunlight when the standard calls for 8 hours of sunlight.  We are slowly eliminating the worst of the worst, I am sure everyone remembers what #17 looked like a few years ago.  We will apply this determination to every issue presented.  My goal is and always has been: Perfection.  You deserve that effort.