As we’re all aware, the Arborvitae hedge to the right of the first tee was removed this spring due to severe damage from heavy snow over the winter. As Jim and Nick have mentioned, we’ll not be immediately replacing the hedge until it’s determined that a hedge is needed there in the first place. At it's size (over 12 feet), the hedge was weakening the south edge of the putting green from shade and root competition. Although it's sad to see a plant outgrow its 'spot', we're hopeful that what we have in store for the area instead, will be as functional as it is attractive and unique.
What we’ve decided on, in the interim, is a gradual slope connecting the tee to the practice green. This slope will be mowed at collar height (0.5”)and will look similar to the size and slope that goes down to the chipping green/practice bunker area.
The monument rock shall remain in position and will have perennial flowers and shrubs surrounding it. The small boxwood hedge opposite the monument rock, although finally filling in, looks out of place now that it’s big-sister hedge is gone. They'll likely be removed at some point this year and replaced with a low-rise curb of some type. The boxwoods were put in to guide foot traffic and give the tee a more traditional looking design.
We think the new look of the tee is unique and reminiscent of traditional golf courses that had a more open and communal feel to their first tee/clubhouse area instead of a ‘cordoned-off’ feel. The slope was planted to creeping bentgrass and is coming along nicely. It should be completely filled in a week or two now that the heat and humidity are here and we can rely on warmer temperatures. Comments about it have been varied but seem to be tipping in the positive column as players get used to it.
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