I "googled" something about Highlands this afternoon while working on another project and a few older photos popped up that made me smile. Look at our new Clubhouse in 2005! Look how small the landscaping was! I recall working with a smaller budget on landscaping initially but after that year, we went back and planted what you see today. If you recall, in 2005, when members were coming into the clubhouse for the Welcome Back party, construction crews were leaving through the back door. Little time was given to get the initial landscaping done. Our mature landscape adds to the wonderful character of the building. I can't tell you how much I learned during that year. Working with landscape architects was a great experience but what I remember the most was the professional scheduler the Club hired. I remember sitting in meetings looking at how organized he was and thinking to myself, "that is an actual job?!" I felt like I missed my calling as that is one of my better traits and I enjoy it. That project alone makes every other project we do here at HCC, small. I always tell myself, if I could landscape a 20,000 plus square foot building at the same time I am getting the golf course ready for the season, there isn't anything I can't do with my staff! We did all of the drainage, gutter drains and finish grading in-house. This included modifying the soil for planting and then of course, all new landscaping.
Below, is #18 of course. This photo was taken in 2004 after I made the executive decision to stain the bridge because it looked a little worn. Unfortunately the stain was not the color I intended and the bridge had a tint of orange to it that fortunately faded quickly in the sun. Incidentally, this winter there is a very good chance we will be replacing the decking boards which will give it a better look. Structurally, it is very sound but the decking itself is worn from traffic and UV degradation. I am reminded of the days when all golfers wore metal spikes and structures like these never held up because there was a worn trough where golfers walked. That rubber matting later became popular to save the wood.
