Bunker Drainage

After heavy rains, many of the club's old bunkers have washouts.  Sand erosion is caused by poor perimeter grading on the outside of the bunker, internal drainage and severity of slope issues.  As the sand fines it's way to the bottom of the bunker, the underlying topsoil  now starts to erode and mixes with sand causing the contamination.  When sand and soil are mixed together the bunker sand becomes hard making it difficult to play a sand shot.

Creek Bank Restoration

Creek banks are being restored on holes 5-8-17 and 14, these improvements will help with playability and aesthetics.

Improving Site Conditions

 Establishing a new grade along the 6th tee will allow for a smoother transition when mowing along the tee and cart path.

 

 

 

After the initial grow in last fall there are areas on the new sixteenth fairway that need additional topsoil and seed.  Hand spreading topsoil is a slow process but it needs to be done this way to improve a smooth playing surface.

 

 

 

 

A gravel path is being put in along side the new comfort station.  The adjacent areas will be seeded to

natural grasses, giving the entire area a minimalistic look.

 

 

 

 

 

New course renovations

Installing sod on a new tee deck in the rain is very taxing.  The grounds staff will be putting the finishing touches on holes #10-14-15-16 in the next few weeks.  Weather is always a determining factor on the success of any projects we do on the golf course.  It is my hope to open these four holes for play by mid to late May.

Green Covers

The fall of 2012 the 15th green was covered to protect the newly seeded green from dessication and cold temperatures.  This cover creates warmer temperatures under the blanket, helping to promote growth while air temperatures start to lower spring or fall and going dormant or coming out of dormancy.  By looking at the picture one can tell where the cover was positioned on the green.   That said covers can also be a hindrance, covers must be removed if temperatures rise above the mid 40s for just a few days in a row and put back on the green each time temperatures go below mid 30s.  I believe covers have their place but are not a panasea to having healthy greens every spring.

New Renovations

With the beginning of 2013 spring fast approching, the grounds department will be working hard to finish the grow in on the 14th, 15th and 16th.  Cold rainy weather in the early fall has set back some of the newly seeded areas.  These areas will need special care to become playable by Memorial Day.

Brush Removal

   Over time, under growth on the stream banks behind 5 green has become so entangled that good air flow has been jepordized.  From in front of 6 tee to the cross over on 8, brush has been removed to improve the over-all growing conditions.  Good air flow and light were being blocked making for poor growing conditions on tightly mowed turfgrass. With much of the brush now cleared along the entire length of the stream, hole 6 through 15, low growing plants may need to be established in some areas for bank stabilization.

Winter Equipment Service

This past summer bunkers were raked using two different tine lengths.  The 3 3/4" tine length were used in bunkers near greens to promote a loose sand, where as the 2 3/4 length provided a firm lie in fairway bunkers.  Unfortunately the longer tines would grab the bunker liner and pull it out in many areas.  The longer tines would also pull gravel out of the drain lines in the bunker floor and cause a stone issue.  Presently there are a dozen or so bunkers contaminated with pea size gravel found throughout the sand profile that will need removed.  

The 15th

Construction on hole 15 went well through late summer and fall of 2012.  Many drainage and function concerns were met.  This area of the course had to be in the most need of renovation.  Both 15 now has five tees and 16 has four, allowing for different levels of playing abilities to enjoy the game.

New restroom behind the 14th.

This view taken from above shows the fifteenth tee complex.  The larger tees will provide a level stance and a much improved sight line to the flag.

Plantings around the club house are always enjoyable.                                                                                                                                                                                         

New Course Renovation 2012

 

The new forward tee on hole 15 presents the golfer the same challenge and yardage, as well as a great elevated view.  The golfer will now be able walk onto the tee without going up steps.  This tee has dropped some 10 to 12  feet lower in elevation.

 

A new extension is being added to the front of 15 green., the extension adds another 35 feet of length.   Both greenside bunkers were rebuilt with new drain lines installed.

 

The original green was slightly reshaped and a slight grade change has been made from left to right to promote positive surface run-off. 

 

The 4 foot drain pipe shows much deterioration, the first 150 feet pipe was removed which ran under 14th approach.  The last 150 feet was capped at both ends, this section runs under the blue and white tees.

 

 

The 14th green and the 15th tees under construction.

Bumpy Fairways

The last few weeks, fairways have become noticeably bumpy.  Thatch is the culprit which causes this situation the areas become hydrophobic and are hard to wet, even with in-ground irrigation.  A wetting agent and spiking will help lessen the bumpiness temporarily but de-thatching is the more permenent solution. 

Pool Drainage

Grounds Staff installing a French drain in the pool lawn.  This drain line will help to eliminate surface water from running into the stairwell.

Color of Grasses

Fairways were sprayed earlier this spring to stop Poa annua from going to seed, this control product also slows growth and creates a bronzing look to the fairways.  This off color will last two to three weeks and eventually turn back to normal green.  Bronzing is only a side affect and doesn't harm the grass. Again the reason for spraying fairways is to eliminate the formation of poa seed heads and increase a better root system in the grass plant.   No seed heads will result in better playing conditions.

Another major color difference in the grass is where new bluegrass rough sod has been laid next to existing poa/ bent rough. This color change will continue until all renovation work is completed on the course.  Bronzing of fairways accentuates everything.

In April of 2012 greens 3 - 4 - 10 - 12  had new drainage put in by Golf Preservations of Middlesboro, Kentucky.  Each green took approximately one and half days to complete and drain lines were put on six foot centers.  The new lines were tied into existing drains near the green's lower side.  One or two clean outs were placed on the high side of each green, these will be used to keep the entire drain system clean and working freely. 

Lower Range Tee Re-level

Every few years tees become crowned from topdressing divots again and again.  The range is no exception to the crowned tee affect.  Exsisting sod is stripped, area will be leveled and sloped for proper grade and and re-seeded.  This area will be ready for play by mid May.  

Winter Injury Concerns

With the wide swings in temperatures and no snow cover for most of the winter, I'm concerned whether Wanakah's greens will survive if temperatures plumet. After reaching daytime highs in the forties and many days with rain, should temperatures go down into the teens at night, the Bent/Poa turfgrass on greens could be history.

Greens Drainage

Winter drainage, low areas on several putting greens collect water because of poor surface slope and internal drainage. To help water move off and avoid heavy ice build up, sod is removed prior to our first snow fall. The dark channel absorbs the sunlight helping to melt snow and ice when temperatures rise.