Showing posts with label wildlife. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wildlife. Show all posts

Sunday, May 31, 2015

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

Friday, July 1, 2011

Break out the Hiking Boots: The new trails are open!


Looking south from the beginning of new trail

After a drive through our property to the far east of the clubouse earlier this spring, I realized we had the potential to grow our ever-expanding trail system even more.  The new trails will take you around our fields that are leased for farming and allow you to access the highest point of the club's property.  The view to the south on a clear day is spectacular and I encourage all of you to take advantage of our beautiful surroundings.  A new trail map has been made by using a handheld gps unit and is available at the clubhouse.


Updated trail map
 Elcona's trails can be used year round for hiking, jogging, biking, skiing or simply taking your dog for a walk. Please remember: No motorized vehicles are allowed.  During my inspection of the trails earlier this week, I was able to witness all sorts of wildlife such as: deer, turkey, groundhogs and several different species of birds.  I'm quite certain that you will see the same thing on your tour.  All totaled, our trail system now measures over 5 miles in length, but can be shortened depending on how many trails you choose to take.  These trails are a tremendous asset to the club and only enhances our status as a member of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program.

New trail around and through woods on north end of property