Our two big capital improvements this winter are one, dredging the portion of the lake behind the tennis courts and two, installing drainage on fairways #1, #6, #9 and #11. We'll also be installing drainage below two approaches on the golf course, #15 and #17. Here are specifics about each project:
1. Dredging
This project is scheduled to begin during the first week of November and involves removing sediment in the lake from the Hummingbird Lane bridge to the east (towards #10). Unfortunately this work has to be done before the lake begins to freeze. Ideally, I'd love to accomplish this when no one is here, but that just isn't feasible. We'll be dredging the lake using a hydraulic pump, that will move the water to a machine located in the lower parking lot of the Hudson House. There, the slurry of water and sediment will drain off, allowing the sediment to be hauled off-site. A lane for vehicular traffic will be left open but you'll need to proceed through this area with extreme caution. Please see the diagram below that was created for the permitting process. In the next 2 weeks, you'll begin to see equipment being brought in for this project. It takes two weeks to setup before they begin pumping. To be ready to go by November 1, requires the setup to begin as soon as possible. After October 16th, the dredging contractor has the green light to begin bringing in equipment. I will also warn you that there will be some noise associated with this project. Because of that, we will not work Wednesday-Sunday of Thanksgiving week.
2. Drainage
The drainage project will begin on November 10th. This is also important to get a jump start on before the ground freezes. We'll be installing drainage on fairways #1, #6, #9 and #11. We'll also be installing drainage below two approaches on the golf course, #15 and #17. We will work on one hole at a time to minimize disruption to play. Golfers will need to skip the hole being worked on. The spoils from the trenching will be hauled to #11 tee complex, where we are planning to raise the level of the ground to improve drainage. Currently, water is trapped below the 2 tee, making it difficult to maintain.
Both projects will improve the campus and golf course alike. We are hoping for great weather during the early part of the winter to help us get these projects completed as efficiently as possible!