New mulch areas

Over the last few weeks, we have been adding some new wood chip mulch areas around trees in various locations. A combination of poor turf conditions, rough terrain for our mowers, and aesthetics, drove us to make the changes.

We are lucky enough to have a vast supply of wood chips on site. All the tree work that we do during the year is deposited in the large area out to the left of holes #5 and #6. Everything from the small sticks we collect after a storm to the large branches and small trees that we remove through the season gets piled. Once a year, our tree contractor comes in and chips all the debris for us to reuse. This is the mulch we use across the course in the spring. And now, we have added a few more locations to our list.

Trees and turf compete for the same resources- light, water, and food. Most times the trees win for food and water due to their extensive root system. They also catch most of the light, only leaving filtered sun to reach the grass below. These factors can lead to instances of poor turf quality beneath trees.

Sometimes part of the extensive root system of the tree can
be right at the surface also. Continually mowing over these roots is very rough on our machines. Bent blades, broken bolts, and general above-normal wear and tear can lead to premature deterioration of the mower components. Any chance that we have to minimize this damage is a positive step to prolonging the life of these very expensive machines.

The new mulch also looks nice. Mixed areas of dirt, thin grass, and roots can be unsightly. Covering all of that up with wood chips can really clean an area up nicely. We can create beds that flow with the line of trees, or fit into the existing terrain, and make it seem as though the bed should have always been there.

We aren’t planning to mulch around every tree. Not only is that a daunting task, but golfers don’t prefer to play from mulch in most instances. We are focusing on trees that are not in play at all, or far enough offline that if a ball were to get in the mulch, it would count as a proper penalty for a poor shot. Once we have determined a tree or group of trees as candidates for mulch, we strip one line of turf away as our border. Cutting and removing this strip allows the new mulch to set right against the grass that is remaining and gives the new bed a nice clean edge. Some trees that we have done recently include around both practice greens, #10 tee, and several trees on #6.

We are progressing at a slow pace adding new mulch beds. We finish a few trees and let those settle in and see how they look before moving on to the next group. So far, we are happy with the improvements.

Happy Mother's Day from Bretton Woods

 

 

 

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

We appreciate everyone’s effort to fill divots on tees and fairways. Please remember to smooth the sand after filling the divot. Do not leave a pile because it damages the cutting units on our mowers.

 

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

Golf Cart tips

 

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org

Entrance sign update

Several weeks ago, we wrote about the new entrance sign near River Road. Since that post, we have now added flowers to brighten up the space.

The new entrance sign has been a great improvement. One feels like the sign now matches the beauty of the property. Our goal for the flowers was to enhance the overall appearance of the entrance, without being flashy.

Our first step was plant selection. Although it is a highly visible part of the property, it is not an easily managed place on the property. It has no irrigation and is very near the main road. The plant material needed to be very hardy and tolerant of all conditions. We chose all native Maryland perennial flowers and shrubs knowing they could handle all the different seasons and temperature swings. And choosing perennials allows the planting to mature and grow into a nice long-term accent to the sign.

Secondly, we wanted interest across all four seasons. The club is certainly busiest from April through October, but there is still steady traffic in the colder months as well. No one wants a bare, drab planter in the off-season, nor do we want to be out planting different flowers all the time. We do switch out annual flowers in other parts of the property, but doing this sometimes causes intervals between planting where a bed may be empty. We did not want this particular bed to be empty at any point. And we did not want it to be boring at any point either. We planted different flowers that all bloom at different times, allowing for something to be in season from March through November. Then to carry over the coldest months, the shrubs we placed on each side of the sign itself will have bright red berries all winter.

Although it will take time for the planter to mature, the new plants seem to be settling into their new location well. As they get established, we expect many years of success and beauty at the entrance to the club.

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

We appreciate everyone’s effort to fill divots on tees and fairways. Please remember to smooth the sand after filling the divot. Do not leave a pile because it damages the cutting units on our mowers.

 

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

Golf Cart tips

 

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org