Golf Course Superintendent

Tim Barrier, CGCS

This has been an extremely busy summer for my staff as we took on some projects that hopefully translate into more enjoyment of the golf course. On June 13th we began construction to rebuild many of our forward green tees as well as #10 tee complex and two of our blue black tees. These surfaces had become too small over the years to support the play they were getting. We added a slightly elevated theme to these new tees and the player should have a better perspective of the hole.

We also completed a bunker renovation project on a number of our greenside bunkers. Since our major course renovation in 2002 the bunkers have gradually changed as the sand moved with raking and traffic in and out. The exit side of some of these bunkers had come up 14” making it difficult to get out. One of our members told me he couldn’t get of the bunkers. I told him maybe his wedge had too much bounce and it was time for an equipment change. He said” no Tim, I physically can’t get out of your bunkers”! I knew it was time for a renovation. I hope you all find the bunkers easier to escape without the help of a Sherpa. While these two projects were occurring we also took on the installation of a new sewer line from the snack bar eliminating the odor and the need for a tired lift station. It appears for the foreseeable future that our projects have been completed.

We do have some things coming up like greens aeration of September 26th. This is major core aeration with heavy sand topdressing and the greens will take about two weeks to recover. Also scheduled in October my staff will be spraying kikuyu grass. This invasive grassy weed would take over the entire course were we not to keep it in check every few years. You will notice some dead areas in the rough that will be reseeded and green in just a few weeks.

Tim