Approach replacement #1/#2 green fairway expansion

Our bunker renovations of #17 required some additional bentgrass to replace some of the collar that was removed during the construction.  Both our collar and greens nursery have soil structure issues that can grow bentgrass adequately but when transferred to an green on the course, it normally fails.  Over the last couple of years, we have begun the process to remove the false bent grass fronts on the greens.  An explanation of my reasoning regarding this removal is listed below.   

• Provide a consistent playing surface of Zoysia on the fairway, approach until reaching the collar/green.
• Bentgrass requires many more inputs of water, fertilizer, fungicide and insecticides.  Also, it must be walk mowed which requires additional labor.  It also must be hand watered during the summer to reduce stress.
• USGA agronomists in site visits to the course since I have been at Glen Echo has recommended that the bentgrass approaches be removed for the reasons listed above as well.  Other clubs in the area have removed or have been in the process of removing the false fronts.  My staff has informed me that the false fronts have been drastically reduced in size over the last 10 years or so. 

The green committee evaluated a recommendation made by Kye Goalby before the bunker project that included the removal of a few trees near #2 green and providing an expanded approach/fairway and green side fairway area.  The committee agreed with the recommendation and during our bunker tree removal, we removed the trees on #2.  To insure we had adequate money for the bunker project, we delayed the work until after the project was completed.  The committee gave us the go ahead on Tuesday and we began stripping away the sod.  A majority of the sod was laid on Thursday and we will finish this area today.

Sod being removed from the front of #1.

Zoysia being laid on the approach.

The finished product.

Sod being stripped away from the right of #2.

Big roll sod being laid on #2.

More sod.

Near complete.  We have about 2 rolls of sod to finish the job and some additional cool season turf along the edge of the area.

BEAUTIFUL WEATHER(AN OFFER YOU CAN'T REFUSE!)

With beautiful weather scheduled the next few days, I making an offer you can't refuse.  Carts will be allowed off the paths for Friday November 30th, Saturday December 1st, and Sunday December 2nd.  Come one, come all, bring a guest or two and enjoy some food and drinks in the clubhouse afterward as well as some college championship games!!.

Black Friday 2012 Special offer ! CARTS OFF THE PATHS

One day special offer on Black Friday!!!  

CARTS WILL BE OFF THE PATHS 

for the Turkey Day Scramble so come out, buzz around the course and enjoy a beverage or two after the round in McGrew's Pub!

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving. Thanks for all you do for us!!

Joe Wachter
Sent from my LG phone

Day 39 Bunker Restoration, ALL BUNKERS ARE FINISHED, TERMINADO, TERMINEE, FINITO!!!

The staff finished the practice bunker on Tuesday which is the last bunker in our overall project.  We had 45 bunkers when we started last season and now have 37 bunkers to maintain.

The project has come in at or near our budget.  There were a few surprises along the way but most everything went as planned.  The staff faced some pretty difficult circumstances with the rain we experienced in the first half of the project but some dry weather over the last half allowed us to get the project completed fairly close to schedule.

Plans for the next couple weeks include:

• Cleaning up out flow trenches and sodding as needed.
• Sod the bentgrass collar back in place along #17 
• Hand watering the new sod to push root growth before winter sets in.
• Trimming sod edges along the bunker edge.  
• Back filling settled trenches and seeding areas next to construction which were disrupted but did not      require new sod.
• We will also be expanding the targets that Kye shaped before he left the project and will be seeding them with rye grass and covering them with straw.  We intend to sprig the targets with bermuda grass in mid-spring so that they can be mowed tightly giving them a green surface appearance.  

Staff edging the practice bunker.

Forming an edge which will allow the new sod to tie into the existing area.  

Removing the old sod along the new edge.

Sodding the new practice bunker.

The finished practice bunker!!

Day 38 Bunker Restoration, THE GOLF COURSE BUNKERS ARE FINISHED!!!

With great anticipation and excitement, our bunker project began on September 17th.

 At the end of the day today, I am relieved and very happy to announce that we have completed the bunkers on the golf course!!  

The remaining sod was placed around #17.  The soil was removed from the trenches of #1 and drainage was  installed.  Sand was hauled into the bunker and sod was placed around it.  We plan to complete the practice bunker on Tuesday.

At this time, the following bunkers have been opened for play.  Bunkers that are open for play have no ropes around them.  As the sod continues to mature, we will open additional bunkers to play.  

#3 left bunker                     #6 left bunker     #13 left bunker
#4 left bunker                     All of #7             All of #16
#5 left approach bunker      All of #9             All of #18.

The staff removing the soil from the trenches on #1.

Sand being added to the bunker.

Sod being laid around the bunker.

The bunker completed.

A view from along the fairway of #1.

Last Bunker On Course Being Prepped

The last bunker on the course is being completed hopefully by the end of today if the rain stays away. We still have the practice to finish and some cleanup on various holes.
Joe Wachter
Sent from my LG phone