The late-Spring like weather has finally run its course and we are back to 30*F mornings in Highlands. Today's high is barely predicted to top 40*F but we're still out in full force. All of the tees and approaches are being fertilized this morning with an 18-9-18 fertilizer that will give the turf a good kick to start growing. The entire golf course will be fertilized along with a crabgrass/goosegrass pre-emergent during the 1st or 2nd week of April. This application of fertilizer will give the tees and approaches a head start.
The 7-Day Forecast:
I spent the afternoon getting drone shots for an upcoming green committee meeting and here are some of those. Despite the cold, it was such a beautiful, sunny day for taking photos. The photos are in no particular order.
On #18, the approach was shortened to prevent golf balls from rolling back into the water.
A nice shot of the 13th hole.
#2 new sod and bunkers.
New bunkers on #6.
On #16, we rerouted the stream in the wetland and hauled in a lot of soil to soften the banks. You can see the maintenance path behind the green is different. When this is competed later this week, the path will become a "2-track path" with a strip of sod down the center. The goal is to hide it the best we can from the tee. Right now, it stands out a little too much.
#4 bunkers after some tweaks.
New curbing around the 11th tee boxes.
View of #13 from the new tee.
New bunker on the 9th hole.
New sod and approach shaping on the 3rd hole.
New bunkers on the 6th hole.
#5 tree thinning and Rhododendron removal.
#5 looking back at the tees showing the Rhododendron removal.
Tee expansion on the #16th hole is still needing some sod.
Clearing on the 11th hole to expose more creek.
A shot of the 2nd hole with all new rough and bunkers.
New pond bank on the 1st hole, along the cart path.
Graden verticutting continues as the team is halfway done #4 green.
#1 bunkers.
New tees on #13.
New bunkers on the 6th hole.
Culvert extension on #15 to fix the safety hazard along the cart path. This project beautified this area.
The current condition of the greens post-verticutting. Consistent warm weather will allow them to heal.
#14 fairway extension on the left side of the photo will really open up some options on this hole.
This is what a golf ball sees on the 2nd hole, just before landing in the pond.
#7 drainage is complete and no more "bird baths!"
On #3, we trimmed and removed about 5 trees that really narrowed the fairway.
New tees on #13 still waiting for sod.
The irrigation system is complete and operational. You can see we no longer have just a single row system in areas like previous years.
Hap is cooling off on a 40*F day in #10 creek.