Winter Update

Happy New Year from the Grounds Department! We're well into the freeze here which means the grinders are sparking away down at the shop and every machine that's let out on the course is being serviced and outfitted for the upcoming golfing season.  We'll be busy right up to the snow melt with rebuilding and servicing the mower fleet.  

The daily grind - 30 to go

 Irrigation upgrade
We will be updating our computerized irrigation system this winter with a new operating system and new software and hardware from Rainbird.  Our old system was 16 years old and support for both the OS and irrigation software had been discontinued.  We'll be using Atlantic Irrigation, our new Rainbird distributor.  In preparation, we're making a "clean room" to house the electronics to mitigate the dust and dirt that is inherent with the grounds building.  

Pete Jacobs putting on the finishing touch

Fall/Winter Projects
Since the last blog update we've been busy on the golf course.  The Greens Committee and BOD met in the fall and decided new tees on 3 and 16 would be added. Tree removal was also on the project list with take-downs focusing on diseased Ash trees, storm damaged trees or dangerous/rotting trees, dying Austrian Pines, and trees that were either casting shade onto tees and greens or causing growth problems due to root encroachment.  
In total, we've removed over 50 trees this winter. 

3 tee before reconstruction

 

half way there

final grade

16 tee looking to 10 green

16 final grade

 Memorial Trees
6 trees went in this fall around the course.  We hope this trend continues as it's a great way to repopulate the course with species that thrive in our soils.  It's a positive and timeless way to add beauty to the property.  If you're interested in purchasing a memorial tree, contact the Superintendent, Steve Kurta, at the shop or by email through this blog.

American Beech on #10

 Ski tracks
We've groomed the ski track just once this winter with our new snowmobile that Scott Lewis generously supplied.  All we need is more snow!  Thanks, Scott.  It runs like a beast!

Running a track down 1 fairway

 

440 Panther - groomer duty

Course conditions
After last winter, all Superintendents are a little jumpy when it comes to watching their grass go under snow cover.  Happily, we're having an uneventful winter.  We haven't had any major melting events, no rain or subzero temps for longer than a few days.  Temperatures have been stable and we've avoided the freeze/thaw cycles that played havoc with the greens last year.  Fingers are crossed for the rest of the season.