Using boulders excavated from the golf course, we reinforced some creek banks on the 10th hole that have been prone to heavy erosion. This particular area has been an eyesore for the better part of a year.
Greens received a heavy application of sand today. Next week, we'll make a second application of sand and follow that up with a quarter inch tine aeration in the next two weeks. Based on results from our 246 organic matter testing, we are not having to be as aggressive this spring compared to years past. That does mean the golf course will be in good shape earlier than usual, although we are always at the mercy of Mother Nature!
Today's most glamorous project was the moving of the steps behind #16 green. If you used these steps in the past, you know there were gaps in the steps in two areas because of large tree roots. Cutting these large roots would most certainly lead to the Hemlock trees either dying or falling over during heavy winds. In order to make the steps safer, we decided to move them further to the right, as you can see above. This wasn't possible in the past because of the heavy vegetation that surrounded this green. I really think you'll find these new steps safer and more convenient.
Speaking of steps... we also spent the better part of the day on #8 as well, grading and re-grading soil around these new stairs. I want it to look just right, like the steps were recessed into the bank and have been there a long time. On Tuesday, we'll be getting another 10,000ft2 of sod; I even found fine fescue turf in Maryland. That's exciting to me because the we'll be able to sod these in fine fescue, which is what the rest of the bank is comprised of. They will immediately blend into the surrounds.