Day 2: 18 Green Renovation

We had great weather today and made some major progress.  Day 2 of our renovation of 18 green involved staking out measurements for the new lower level, removing the rootzone mix on the lower level, and adding native soil to bring the front of the green to its new subgrade.  The rootzone mix is being stored near the cart storage barn until we can add it back to the new subgrade.  As with saving the existing sod, reusing this soil mix ensures that 18's rootzone will be consistent with the other 17 greens on the course.

Our plans tomorrow include compacting the new subgrade material to its final measurement and adding the rootzone mix back to the lower level.  Work will also be done on feathering out the new transitions within the design plans and rototilling the upper rootzone mix to final specifications. 

Ryan

Removing rootzone from lower shelf

Measuring grade and staking new subgrade level

Native soil raising lower level

Front look at raised subgrade level

Aerification Update and Day 1 of 18 Green Renovation

Crew clearing plugs off of 10

 

A huge thank you to my staff on their hard work completing back 9 greens aerification today.  We had great weather and a successful day.  All greens (except for 18) will be available and open for play tomorrow.  As the week progresses, we will continually be brushing, rolling and mowing the greens as needed to further their healing. 

 

 



Oliphant Golf began removing sod off of #18 green today as well.  As the pictures below show, the sod was placed on pallets and moved to the south end of the range tee, where it will be spread over the tee.  The plan for tomorrow is to finish sod removal, stripping the topsoil/sand mix on the top 8-10" of the complex, and begin roughing in the new green.  A great start to this project.  I will have another update tomorrow.  Have a great night!

Ryan

Stripping the green perimeter first

Oliphant's crew discussing strategy

Day 1's progress

Sod on pallets and spread on range tee

Preferred Traffic Pattern From #17 to #9

 

It looks like we will finally have some great weather to aerify the back 9 greens today, and that is good news too for the beginning of the 18 green project.  When the back 9 opens for play tomorrow, I wanted to remind everyone of the preferred traffic pattern to get from 17 green to 9 tee for your 18th hole.  There will be ropes and arrows designating this route, which runs north from the path on 17 green, past our sod nursery, and to the path leading to 11 tee.  This is routed for your safety as CR 21 can become quite busy with other traffic. 

 

 

Preferred traffic pattern from 17 to 9

 

Also, as in 2011 when 18 was closed for renovation, #9 green will have two holes for play.  The left pin on the green will be your front 9 hole location, and the pin on the right will be your back 9 location.  I am as excited as you to get this project going and cannot wait to see the finished result.  If you have any questions about the project, email me at ryan@elconacc.com or call at 574-295-6374.  I will email out daily updates on the project to keep everyone up to speed on the progress.  Have a great rest of your week!

 

 

Ryan

Aerification and 18 Green Update

Due to a pop up storm around 1:30 p.m., we are currently in a holding pattern in finishing our aerification on the front 9 greens.  To clean and fill the holes as best as possible, we need the sand to be absolutely dry.  We will do our best to have the front 9 cleaned and filled as soon as the weather dictates, and those holes will be closed for play until we can achieve this.  It is a frustrating feeling for everyone when this happens. 

Also, with the bad weather last Friday and Saturday, our contractor for the 18 green project got held up on his job last week in Chicago, and his start at Elcona will be later Tuesday or possible Wednesday.  I will provide updates on the progress on these two projects throughout the week.  Thanks for your understanding!

Ryan