At 7:30AM, the sod for #11 tee complex rolled into the parking lot! The Green Committee first voted to sod this area with fine fescue, in order to make it a no-mow area that turned to seedhead. However, the sod farm in Maryland, that we've been getting fine fescue sod from was sold out, with none being ready for sale until mid-May at the earliest. Because of this, we are sodding the tee complex with Kentucky Bluegrass.
In the next 2 weeks, we'll be resurfacing the bridge on #10, just like the bridge on the 18th hole, where the boards run length wise, reducing the "roller coaster" noise you've come to know. Also, the 6x6 post curbing will be replaced for safety. Once the lumber has a couple weeks to dry, we'll stain the bridge a dark color.
This morning, we are mowing the entire golf course out and it is looking great!
Below, this shows how effective our drainage projects have been! This is a photo looking down into one of the basin inlets in the middle of #1 fairway. There is a 4" pipe below a 2" pipe above it, and both run non-stop, every day of the year. This is water we captured from a spring under the 1st fairway. If we had not directed this water into a pipe, the same water would be coming to the surface, making this area of the fairway unplayable. The water in the 2" pipe, is from this winter's drainage project.
Click above for an article appearing in the April 4th edition of the Wall Street Journal regarding the history of bunkers and the cost to build and maintain.
Are you in Highlands and want to hit some balls at the practice facility? I've gone ahead and opened the practice tee a week early. The stations are on the artificial mats however, if you'd like to hit from grass, please fee free to. I'm grateful to have James back and he is anxiously awaiting your return. The range tee will not be staffed this weekend, but it is open. Starting Friday, April 10th, the range will be staffed most hours. Enjoy!
The only exception: we will have the practice area closed on Monday and Tuesday for maintenance.
This afternoon, paving on #11 tee complex is going down! This will allow us the ability to complete the #11 tee box project. We are attempting to line up a load of sod for later this week but the weather isn't looking promising. Rain is expected and that is a good thing for the area because Highlands is currently in severe drought with burn bans in effect.
The photo above is a soil thermometer placed in #1 green. The magical temperature for creeping bentgrass and Poa annua growth is 65*F. You can see above, we are just a bit shy of that by about a couple degrees. Once our soil temps hit a minimum of 65*F, growth really picks up. Based on the weather we've experienced over the past month, I estimate we are 2 weeks ahead of where we normally are for this time of year. Today, the high temperature didn't get out of the 40's. The starting and stopping temperatures don't help the situation but once we are nailing 65*F on a daily basis, it's off to the races!
