May 23rd

No. 14 tee cart path paved yesterday.  Topsoil and sod next step to complete project when weather clears.

The course in now totally soaked as thunderstorms and showers rolled through the area the last couple of days setting off our lightning detection system several times.  In total we have received  67mm of rainfall in the last few days totally saturating the course.

Use of golf carts is RESTRICTED at this time while the course drains.  Drainage pumps are working around the clock to dry up the course.

The rain is welcomed after the recent dry spell.  Maybe not this much rain, but the warm rain will do wonders to kick-in the bentgrass to start growing and recovering in damaged areas.  The newly laid sod amongst the tree beds could certainly use the water. 

These warmer nights are also what the recovering greens need to bring on a surge of growth.  The cold night-time temperatures over the last couple weeks haven't helped with the recovery process.  There will be a noticeable difference in the greens when golfers return this weekend.

Unfortunately a few greens have been less responsive to our efforts of overseeding.  There is germination and young seedlings emerging, but weather forecast calling for cold weather for the next week down to 0 degrees will further delay rapid recovery in these areas.  With this in mind we have decided to be proactive and sod the worst sections on No. 2, 14 and 17 with bentgrass.  The problems with surface drainage that caused the problem can then be corrected as well, rather then taking a bandaid approach.  The sodding will ensure the greens are back in play much quicker for summer season play.  The greens can be re-opened up immediately after sodding and marked GUR until the sod knits.  And in 10-14 days will be playable rather than 21-28 days depending on the weather if we wait. 

No. 5 green was put back in play this week and No. 18 will be in play for the weekend with No. 17 and No. 2 after sodding Friday.



PTO Pump running at driving range to help drain the low area

Now that the high lake levels have subsided, a temporary PTO pump is hooked up to our tractor pumping excess water at the driving range to the pipe outlet at the docks. We hope to have the range open for play by June 1st (weather permitting).

The paving on No. 13 green and No. 14 tee was completed yesterday. The placement of topsoil and sod to the path is the final step in the project, but has been postponed due to saturated ground conditions.  We may not be able to complete the tee project until next week with the wet weather and the inability to grade the soil properly prior to sodding.

The 8" irrigation leak on No. 2/8 fairway is now fixed and we are waiting for the rain to stop to pour a cement support and backfill hopefully before the weekend.

8" leak near 2/8 fixed yesterday

Never a dull moment!...