Course Notes, 5/30/17

Compared to a typical May, 2017’s version was colder, wetter, and busier than normal (the latter being a good thing!).  Our staff is doing a wonderful job with projects, both on and off the golf course.  Here is a quick recap of our observations and activities in the last month:

A low of 28 on May 8th

Orange tinge to fairway turf

Close up of 17 fairway turf showing tip burn/old leaves

The cold weather in early May (including morning lows below 30 degrees on May 5th and 8th) was not a welcome sight for the turfgrass in the fairways and green surrounds.  Many of you have asked me about the orange tinge you saw when looking at a fairway from afar, while it looked green when on the fairway.  The pictures of 17 fairway close up showed the orange is actually the tips of the leaf blades and the old leaf blades, with greener, healthier turf growing below.  The variety of bentgrass we have in our fairways is an older variety that is quite susceptible to cold temperatures.  The two freezes we had earlier in the month stunted the turf’s growth, and would not push new growth until more consistent warmer weather returned, which in the last few days has.  Green surrounds have finally shown growth and have received their 2nd fertility application to provide consistent food for the next 90 days.

The staff also has concentrated on detail work in the bunkers and tees.  We rented a plate compactor to further firm up bunkers that have had new sand installed within the last 2 years, and sifted through the sand to remove as many rocks as possible.  It continues to amaze me the amount of rocks that consistently make their way up from the subsoil to the surface through washouts, frost heaving in the winter, and maintenance practices.  Four 5 gallon pails were removed on the bunkers on holes 7 and 16 alone.  Removal of these impediments will continue to be a priority for our staff.  Tees were verticut last week to remove excess growth and thatch. We will continue to work on firming up these playing surfaces.

Plate compacting bunker edges

Tees after verticut and regular mow

Rocks removed from 1 bunker on 7

Lots of material removed from tees!

Finished bunker on 5

The Fiesta Hut project is completed and I couldn't be happier on the resulting product.  With the wet weather, our concrete contractor has fallen a bit behind on his work and as soon as he can, they will be out to finish patching the walkway around the new stone wall. When you see him, please thank Greg Stump for his efforts on this project, and his other transformations around Elcona.  He is currently in full planting mode, adding tremendous color to the Elcona landscape.

Finally, NiBlock was out earlier in the month to refurbish the cart paths in the woods, 7,11, and Halfway House, and did a wonderful job.  The staff is currently planting grass seed and landscaping around the Halfway House, and as course needs allow, we will be adding soil and seed to the shoulder areas that need raised up.

If you have any questions, please contact me at ryan@elconacc.com.  Thank you, and I will see you out on the golf course!

Ryan

Cart Path Paving

Today, tomorrow, and possibly Thursday, NiBlock will be out paving cart paths in the following locations:

4 Green, 5 Tee, 6 Green, 7 Tee, 7 Green, 11, 16 Green, and around the new Halfway House.

If during the course of your round you encounter fresh asphalt in these areas, please stay off of the paths.  Please drive around 8 Green to access 11 Tee.

Also, their crew is aware that the course is open for play while they are out here.  However, please be aware that they cannot move easily out of the field of play and you may have to wait or skip an area if they are working in the area.

I thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation in this matter.  When finished, these paths will be a great improvement to the golf course and your enjoyment of it.  If you have any questions, please let me know at ryan@elconacc.com.  Thanks, and I will see you out on the course!

Ryan

Cart Path Paving Complete!

The cart paths along 2 green, 15 green, 3 tee and green, 8 green, 12 green, 14 green, and 15 tee have all been completed today by NiBlock.  I appreciated their hustle and hard work getting all of these done in a day.

Over the next few days, our staff will be replacing the sod along the sides that were removed to get all paths back to an 8' width and smoothing any entry and exit points so that the transition from path to sod is consistent with the other paths on the golf course.  Until we can reach all of these areas, please use caution when driving onto and off of the new paths to save both your body and Elcona's golf carts.  Thank you for your consideration.

Also, we do have some truck ruts to repair in front of 2 tee.  In looking at all the possible ways to route the asphalt trucks to 2 green and 15 green, this way was the best case scenario.  I did not want these extremely heavy trucks on the paths near 3 and 16 tee that were paved 2 years ago and risk damaging them with all the weight.  Our staff will be filling in these ruts with soil tomorrow, and sodding them later this week.  If you have any questions, please contact me.  Thank you, and have a great week!

Ryan

Course and Project Update, 5/31/15

A soggy end to the month of May

What a way to end the month of May.  As I am writing this, we have received 3.25" of rain in the past 24 hours.  With exception of the bunkers, the course took this rain very well.  The sandy soil that Mr. Sims gave Elcona is some of the best draining in the region and I am fortunate to have it.

The green, tee, and bunker surrounds I wrote about here are slowly pushing new growth and coming back from their injury.  In select areas where growth is not at the rate that I was expecting, we will be aerifying small holes into the surface to break the preemergent herbicide barrier, and slit seeding to try and fill those areas better.  I appreciate everyone's patience with the recovery of these areas.

The terrace project is reaching its final days.  Work focused this past week on construction of the fire pit.  This required over 100 cuts into the stone to make the 6 foot diameter circle for the insert, as well as some custom cutting to make vents and the valves fit seamlessly into the stone.  When, finished, the fire feature will be 18" tall.  The fire insert itself is a 36" penta-style burner with a layer of lava rock topped with realistic-looking logs.  Stay tuned for pictures of the final look!

One of the neat sights around the property each May are the new additions to the wildlife families on course.  The new litters of turkeys have started to roam the course, and the above picture was taken by our head golf professional, Tom Thome.  We think this fawn was born the night before out near the halfway house.  This demonstrates another example of the sanctuary golf courses can be in providing safe, quality habitats for native wildlife.  

Finally, Niblock will be here on Monday to start resurfacing cart paths along 2 and 15 green, hole # 3 and 4 tee, hole #8, around 12 green, and from 14 green to 15 tee.  You may have noticed our staff removing sod along these paths over the last couple of days.  Over the years, turf growth has narrowed paths from their original 8 foot width.  Niblock will be overlaying these areas with an additional 2" of asphalt. This work is expected to leak into Tuesday and if there is a need to re-route traffic, we will communicate that to you.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.  Have a great week and I will see you out on the golf  course!

Ryan

Cart Path Resurfacing Complete!

          Our cart path resurfacing project was completed yesterday.  The new paths around 1 green, 9 tee, 10 green, 13 and 14, and 18 tee turned out great and are a great improvement to the golf course.  The NiBlock crew was finished by 3:45 with the asphalt laying, and the paths were rolled completely smooth by 5:45. 

          The paths cured nicely yesterday, and will be available for use today unless otherwise marked. Our crew in the next few days will be buttoning up the edges around the paths with soil and sod.   Below are some pictures of the process and the finished look on these holes. 

Ryan

Crew paving new extension on 18 tee

13/14 path

14 tee path

14 loop

13 from the tee

10 green

9 tee

9 tee

18 new extension

1 green

1 green

Cart Path Resurfacing

13 after tree work

On Monday, July 7th, NiBlock will be on property to resurface and repair cart paths.  The path work will be at 1 green, 9 tee, 10 green, 18 tee, and the entire path from 13 tee to the end of 14 tee.  This work was originally scheduled for late fall 2014, but with the increasingly deteriorating condition of 13 and 14's path, the work was moved up. 

This work will take approximately a day and a half to complete.  If you come out to enjoy the golf course, you will notice different traffic routings along these areas.  Please watch your step and your surroundings for their crews. 

When finished, the new paths will remain closed for a couple days to cure the asphalt and ready them for cart traffic.  If we have inclement weather on the 7th, NiBlock will return to complete this work at the earliest possible date.  Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in advance and once completed, these paths will be a welcome improvement to the golf course! 

Ryan

Our staff clearing out trees near new path on 13

Cartpath Renovation Complete

Yesterday, 10/24, the renovation of the cart paths along the clubhouse, #9 green, #10 tee and the bumpy section of path by the practice tee were all renovated and/or resurfaced. Niblock Excavation arrived early Thursday morning and was able to complete the project in one day.  Because of the cooler temperatures, the paths will be open for use beginning today, 10/25.

The path along the clubhouse has been significantly widened to accommodate cart traffic in two different directions. Enjoy the new paths! Below are some pictures from the project.

Cartpath Renovations at the Clubhouse

Work is now well underway on the widening of the cartpath along the clubhouse. Beginning tomorrow, 10/22 the crew from Niblock Excavating will be here to complete the final prep work for the project.  A majority of the prep work has been done by our staff already and the photos below will give you and idea of the work they have completed as well as provide you with in idea of how wide the new path will be in comparison to the old path.

Paving is scheduled for Thursday, 10/24. Given the weather forecast, I don't assume there will be much golf being played, but please check with the staff in the Pro Shop to obtain instructions on how to access the Practice Facility. All carts will need to stay off of the paved areas for a day or two.