With a small staff and a lot to do our decisions with our priority of projects is sometimes difficult to make. Our assistant superintendent Tom and I at any one time probably have a list of 100 projects big and small that need to be accomplished. Most of the time it comes down to budget and time constraints as we try to make the best decision on what we can accomplish.
So now comes our issues on #6 fairway. I will start by saying that the soil in and around holes 5 and 6 is horrible. Ever since the golf course was redesigned, we have had problems with these two fairways mainly due to the soil and the addition of the mounds in between these holes. When the holes were redesigned the architect took the topsoil from the the old fairways and created the mounding between the fairways so he could create some separation of the holes. Doing so created some issues that we are still dealing with 3 years later. We started a ways back with some drainage in two areas of #5 fairway which has produced great results with better turf coverage throughout and less puddling after it rains. Now we have started to fix the worst area in #6 fairway with some drainage and new sod. Below is a picture timeline of the first bad area that we have needed to fix for some time. We plan to continue in the next month or two as budget, time and weather allow.
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The area on #6 before prepping and drainage |
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| Old sod removed and ready for drainage |
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Tom trenching all of the drain lines |
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| Drain lines are ready to be cleaned out |
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| Final touches before the sod shows up |
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| Sod is down and getting watered for the first time. |
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| Tom finishing up the next morning with an aerification of the surrounding area. |
Tom and the guys did an awesome job on this project. After the sod takes hold and we can mow this area we will remove the rope line. Until then we ask that all players take relief and drop your ball outside of the white line.
