Sod review and next steps

The sod worked that was discussed last week was completed this past Friday. 1.5 truckloads, 15,000 square feet, of sod was laid on holes 1, 8, 11, 17, and 18.

On #1, we replaced the areas in the fairway that were about 80 yards out from the green. 3 small spots in the approach, just short of the front green bunker, were also fixed. #8 repairs consisted of the long, narrow strips along the cart path about 200 yards off the tee and several pockets about 150 yards from the green. #11 had 1 high priority area to be repaired in the approach. Holes 17 and 18 had the most extensive work completed. With each bad area on both holes being repaired and any low areas being leveled off with sand.

We do have a very small amount of sod leftover from the project. It was too small to continue to have the contractors drive around the course and put in tiny pieces. It was also too small to tackle any large trouble areas that remained. Therefore, we laid the sod out at the shop and we will be taking pieces of it to replace several other high profile, but small, areas. These areas include: #6 approach, #7 approach, #9 approach, and #15 approach. Once those are complete, we will take the remainder and finish bad areas on #3 and 4 fairways.

We selected #3 and 4 fairways over other areas for a couple of reasons. First, the remaining damage on those holes is small and we expect to finish all of it, thereby completing repair on those holes. If we took the small remaining sod and worked on #15, we would finish a few bad areas, but they would hardly be noticeable because of the glaring bad areas that would remain. Secondly, #3 and 4 were the best candidates because of the location of the damage. On both holes, the damage is on slopes that water flows heavily down during rain. Not only does this water erode the soil underneath, but it also would be especially difficult to get seed to establish in these areas, more so than in some other damaged areas on other holes.

After all the sod is exhausted, we will shift to the next step of the recovery process: seeding. Starting as soon as we can, we will aerate the bad areas, level off any low spots with sand, and then seed into the sand and soil. Last year we had mixed results seeding Bermuda grass in the bad areas, but we made some adjustments and will continue to work to improve the situation.

While it was necessary to repair the areas we did, we also know that there are plenty of other bad spots that still remain. We did as much as we could and used the sod in the most efficient way possible. Having these areas fixed, especially 17 and 18 will help tremendously, but it will also make other holes, like #15, seem even worse now in comparison. However, we are not stopping our work to improve conditions in the fairways.

Although the scope of work this year is nothing compared to last year, we are as dissatisfied with the Bermuda grass conditions as anyone. We will continue to work through the year to make each day better than the last. Thank you for your patience.

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please obey all signs on the course. Cart exit posts, “No carts” signs, “Please keep off” signs, “Ground under repair” signs, and others are there for the benefit of the turf and to help keep the course in the best condition possible.

Also, as part of a Golf Committee initiative to improve course etiquette, we have included links to videos teaching proper on course etiquette. Please take a moment to watch:

Ball Marks - How to properly repair

Bunker etiquette

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org