On #11, we stripped a good portion of sod in our 25,000ft2 drainage footprint. We are hauling our croquet project spoils and subsoil to #11 to create a raised base. To fix the drainage on #11, 25,000ft2 of the fairway is being raised up over 12". A herringbone pattern of 4" drain tile will be installed and then capped off with several inches of greens mix that formally was the rootzone of the old croquet lawn. It was smart to combine these projects because they complement one another, making them cost effective and efficient.
Above, this bridge/culvert will also be removed from the creek on the right side of #11. During heavy rain events, it can't hold enough water, causing it to back up and flood the fairway. That's is when water became trapped in the 'bird baths' in the lower portion of #11 fairway. A combination of raising the fairway 12"-18" further above the water table, internal drainage and then containing storm water to the stream, will fix the drainage problems on #11.
Here are a number of croquet lawn photos that help you develop an understanding of how this project will fit in the landscape of the Clubhouse grounds.
We started underbrushing this area below #12 green. When you return to Highlands CC this spring, this area will consist of playable turf, right down to the waters edge. This will bring another beautiful creek into play as well as adding to the aesthetics of the green surround. Stay tuned to the Blog while this project develops.
Above, on #3, you may recall this tree snapped in half last fall during one of several storm fronts that came through. We left the trunk standing until we could safely remove it. Today was the perfect day because the ground was frozen and we knew we wanted it to roll down the hill without creating any damage. The tree did just that- rolled to the bottom of the fairway where it could be sawed up and hauled off. Note the yellow arrow is pointing to the stump of this tree! The tree came to rest in the desired landing area on the fairway; a good 6 iron from the Jones tee.
Above, on #10 we removed a dead white pine on the left side of the hole. I counted the rings and believe it or not, this tree is only 78 years old. Most people think these white pines are 200 years old or more. However, I havee yet to see a white pine come off Highlands CC that was older than 90 years. This tree was just a sapling in 1943.
These larva fell out of a rotten portion of the white pine on #3 (shown above). This is the larval stage of a Stag Beetle. If these aren't ugly enough, check out the adult beetle, two photos below!
The adult stag beetle.