Metrolink work

The first three box culvert's have been laid in place in the driving range ditch.  I've also included a video of the tub grinder as it is chewing up the trees, stumps and brush that were removed from the ditch as well as some material that we have dropped in the last few days.  There were also some larger logs in our splitting pile that were probably a little to big for us to handle that we placed in the pile as well.

The first three boxes in place in the driving range ditch.  You can see the severe erosion near the metrolink tracks in the background that could cause a catastropic failure if the repair is not made.  The boxes will be covered with soil that will bring the level of the ditch almost to the level of the driving range.



The skid steer in the ditch helps to position the pipe in place.





The trackhoe preparing to bring another box into the ditch.  They weight about 15,000 lbs a piece.













Pearl Harbor Day 70 years later

A day we should never forget.  

December 7, 1941

Metrolink Project

Pipe being installed in the driving range section of the project.  Tub grinder is to arrive this week to grind up the mound of  trees, brush and stumps that were removed from the construction area.  The ground material will be hauled off to a composting facility.  I would use some of the chips but there was a tremendous amount of junk trees and brush that were pulled out so the material would not be good for our use.  Once mixed and properly composted at a facility, it will be reused by people throughout the metro area.

The beginning of the box culvert being readied for installation into the ditch.  The large trackhoe is preparing the ditch bottom where the pipe will be laid.

2011 Missouri Green Industry Conference and Expo

Horticulturist Becky Edwards and I were asked to speak at the Missouri Green Industry Conference and Expo at the St. Charles Convention Center yesterday.  The event was attended by well over 400 golf, athletic field turf, irrigation, mechanic, and horticultural professionals and vendors who attended over 25 sessions regarding their particular work interest.  Our topic was "Managing and Maintaining a Golf Course Greenhouse".  Always a little anxious in preparing a presentation but it was great to share part of the hour with Becky.  She did a great job and I got through it. 

Becky's part of the presentation.

The relieved presenters and star of the show Lady somehow showed up in a couple of pictures.

Metrolink work

The trees have been cleared from #1 as a part of the metrolink repair project along the ditch.  There is a 350' section that has been exposed at the turn on #1.  Orange construction fence has been put up for your protection.  We asked that openings be placed in the fence in case a ball lands just on the other side of the fenced area in the turf.  The graded or no turfed area should be considered off limits for your own safety during this project. 

The box culvert and rock fill will rise up about 10' from the bottom of the creek.  The box will be covered with soil near level to the grade that was along the fence before the construction began.  I realize the area has been opened to view from the metrolink tracks but the newly expanded fairway(completed after box is installed) and improved rough should be beautiful.  The health of the turf in the fairway and rough should improve dramatically due to increased sunlight and improved drainage in the fairway.
Below are a few pictures of the completed work over the last couple of days. 

Trees removed in preparation of the work.  This view is looking  back from near the green.  The two pin oaks to the right side approach of the green will not be disturbed.

 

Another view of the work.



Brush removed and the logs being cut to where the trackhoe can load them onto a dump truck.  The crew is standing near our old fence line.

The trackhoe working near the culvert that goes underneath the tracks.  The right side of the road is next to where our existing fence was located.



Another view from the 160-180 yard mark from the first mound on the right..  The mounds will be flattened and dirt pushed toward the fence line.  A gradual incline will be put in place to  help slow balls and direct water toward the new drain catch basins we intend to install.



The two large oaks that were located to the right of #1 tee were removed and stumps ground in about 4 hours.  It would have taken my crew at least 3 days to remove these and about $300 for stump grinding.  Hiring a tree company would have probably cost about $ 2,500 so this was a good deal to include this in the project.



The cleared area looking from the area between 1-18.  To the far left is the construction fencing being put in place.



A closer view of the fencing going in to protect our turf area as well as protecting you from the construction zone.





The cross under in the metro link tracks where the new culvert pipe will dump its water.



This view is looking back toward the tee.  Once the culvert box is put in place on the left and the fill dirt will be put in place, the area should be near level with the right side of the disturbed area.









Sewer line repair

MSD cleaned the sanitary sewer line and placed a video camera throught the system to check for damaged and or blocked pipes.  They located one and the repairs are being made today in the left rough of #8 about 100 yards from #8 green.  A contractor is digging the hole and replacing the damaged clay tile with a new pipe.  They will backfill the hole (8'x 3') with dirt over and we will sod it in later winter once we are sure it has settled completely.   

Beginning the week of December 19th, Insituform is being contracted by MSD to place a liner inside the sanitary pipe throughout the length of our property.  There will be some large trucks on property installing the liner.  The surface is not disrupted during this process except possibly by the trucks moving around the property but this damage will be repaired by the contractor if it occurs. 

Contractor digging up a 10' section of sanitary sewer pipe that was broken.

Irrigation shutdown

The irrigation system was blown out on Tuesday.  We hooked a compressor into the system at the pump house and spent the next 6 hours turning on heads and allowing air to push water through the system and out through the irrigation heads until air comes out of each head.  A good day to complete this task since it was cold and blustery.

Air compressor being fueled after completion of the work.

Irrigation heads in the club lawn being blown out.