End of the year wrap-up

Despite some of the coldest days of the year, the Grounds staff has been very busy. A common misconception regarding turf maintenance is that there isn’t anything to do over the winter since we aren’t maintaining the grass. However, the jobs may change, but the work doesn’t stop.

We have had several projects ongoing at once over the last few weeks. Although the weather has been cold at times, we have had some warmer days mixed in, but more importantly for our work, it has still been dry. Early frost delays are still part of the equation at this time of year, but once we’re past that, if the ground is dry, we can get out and accomplish our goals.

Here is a wrap-up of some of our recent work:

We are down to our last bunker renovation-the chipping green bunker - after having completed the renovations of the bunkers at 13 green, plus all of holes 14, 15, and 16. Due to the enormous amount of action the chipping green bunker gets, we must renovate it on a tighter schedule, having last completed work on it back in 2020. The sand blasted out of the bunker accumulates on the face at an accelerated rate and we must keep up or the integrity of the bunker suffers

Our annual winter tree work has also been in full swing. This, more than any other project, has benefited from the dry ground the most. Getting heavy tree maintenance equipment on the course can be a challenge, but when the ground is this dry (or frozen!) makes it much easier. We are working across the lower section of the course- holes 2, 3, 13, 14, and 17. Believe it or not, most of the work we are doing is still cleanup from the storm back in July that was a lower priority at the time, and we decided could wait until after the season.

Along with bunker renovation work, one of our recurring winter projects is adding additional drainage. Every winter since the Master Plan renovations were completed, we have added new drains, some of which you can read about here and here. We monitor areas throughout the season, noting how well they perform when we get heavy rain, and keeping a list of where work is needed. We have already completed drains on 4, 13, and 18. Work is still upcoming on 14 approach. The drains are out of site, buried in the ground, but this work is some of the most impactful for golfers as well as the turf. By adding these drains in wet areas, we improve the playability overall, as well as increasing our ability to allow carts off the path.

#18 fairway work

Drainage work on #4

#4

#13 work

Drainage on #13

More from #13

Lastly, back in the summer, the Golf Committee recommended the practice bunker to the left of the driving range tee be moved near the lower driving range tee. This is a project we can handle in-house, but it was not practical to try and do the work during the season. However, now is an ideal time. The old bunker near the upper driving range tee will be filled in completely and nothing new will be built in its place. A brand-new bunker is under construction down at the new practice tee area that will be much more accommodating to the Golf Professional staff giving lessons. This bunker will be finished soon, but we likely will not open it until closer to spring.

Preparing the location of the new bunker

Rough shaping of the new bunker

Another angle of new bunker

As you can see, winter only brings a shift in priorities, not a lack of work. Getting these projects finished now allows us to return our focus to the grass when it is time.

 

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please do not try and remove a flagstick that is frozen into the cup. Turf damage may occur.

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

Deep tine and collar sod

We have had another busy stretch of work. The weather cooperated perfectly to complete our deep tine aeration as well as complete some sod work on the collars.

It may seem late in the season to be performing an aggressive aerification of the turf, but this is a critical practice for the health of the greens. Just as the name implies, deep tine aeration penetrates much deeper into the soil profile than the other aeration events that we perform. Reaching down 5-7” inches, this aeration is perfect for heading into winter. Plant growth is just strong enough to send roots down these deep channels. Strong deep roots grown now, will only help during the stress of the summer. Also, the depth of the aeration creates a place for water to drain down through the profile. Water from rain or melting snow will have an avenue to escape the surface, which will keep the surface from staying saturated for too long. Not only is this better for winter time golf, it is also much better for the plant.

We were also able to complete some collar sod work on holes 6-13 and the chipping green. 3 years ago we renovated all of the collars on the entire course. The old collars were not a consistent type of turf and struggled mightily in the heat of the summer. The new collars perform much better, but Bermuda grass especially still encroaches. This is the goal of these smaller sod projects that we have done the last two years: punching out spots of Bermuda grass and redefining the collars, especially across the front where the collar meets the approach. Last year we finished the putting green and holes 1-5, and so we picked up from there this year. The goal will be to finish next year and likely start back over at that point. This will be an ongoing program that we will stick to.

Both the green aeration and the sod work have been virtually uninterrupted by weather concerns. These were important steps to complete before heading into winter and everything went very smoothly.

 

 

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please do not scrape snow or ice off the green to clear your line for putting. Turf damage may occur.

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

Halloween Harvest update

Bretton Woods is unique in many ways, from our membership demographics, location, and events. Some of these events require the Grounds department to perform unique jobs. Such is the case with our Halloween Harvest event last weekend. Here is a post from several years ago, that describes our involvement and how it differs from a regular day:

As we turn towards fall, another task for the Grounds department is helping with the club’s Halloween Harvest event. While this is an event that requires all departments to execute, the Grounds department manages the wagon rides and pumpkin patch portions of the activities.

Each year we host a large event for families centered on Halloween. There are many things for families to do including the wagon rides and pumpkin patch. Leading up to the occasion, we mow a trail out through the back field for the wagons to follow. This loop winds through some interesting terrain and fall colors.

We also mow a large area for our pumpkin patch. We purchase pumpkins and spread them throughout this open area. As part of the wagon ride, we stop at the pumpkin patch; everyone gets out, picks a pumpkin and then finishes the ride back to the clubhouse.

In addition to the mowing and prep work, Grounds staff employees are also the wagon drivers. We rent 2 hay wagons and use our tractors to pull them. The two tractors run pretty much non-stop for a few hours, giving everyone a chance to ride to the pumpkin patch.

One of the unique challenges at Bretton Woods is being able to handle different tasks that can be completely unrelated to turf maintenance. Driving wagons and setting up a pumpkin patch is just one of those instances. So, on the day of Halloween Harvest, the Grounds department’s day is not finished after the morning course setup.

Starting in November, we will reduce new posts to once per month. Thank you

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please stay off all grass surfaces during a frost delay.

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

Fall fertilizer

Fall is a critical time of year for turfgrass. Some of the best root growth occurs in the fall as the plant prepares to survive the winter. To aid this physiological process as much as possible, we also fertilize almost all the cool season turf on the course at this time.

The top growth of the cool season turf has slowed dramatically now that we have had some seasonably cold weather. Mowing frequencies have decreased and clipping yield has dropped as well. However, this is not an indication that the plant has stopped growing. Under the soil, the plant is working hard to grow and develop its roots as much as possible, both to make up for lost ground during the summer, but also to prepare itself for the winter. This root enhancement takes a lot of energy.

To make sure the plant does not run out of energy for this critical process of root growth, now is the time we also provide another feeding to the plant. We fertilize nearly all the cool season turf: greens, surrounds, rough, and the soccer field. Since the temperatures are still warm, but not hot, and the soil temperatures are cool, but not cold, the plant will use most of the food right away. But the product we use also provides a steady stream of food for the plant over the next several weeks also, so that the plant has access to energy when it needs it.

Building strong roots now aids in winter survival, which is paramount. But another key to the fall fertilizer is that those strong roots built now will help give the plant a jump coming out of the cold in spring. Having plants that come out of winter strong helps them withstand the stress of summer and leads to healthy turf all season long.

 

 We will reduce down to one post per month starting in November. Thank you

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please stay off all grass surfaces during a frost delay.

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

Yearly leaf and frost reminder

Now fall feels like it has officially arrived- we had our first sub-40-degree morning. This time of year brings with it two key issues: leaves and frost.

The changing leaves make this time of year the favorite of many. The weather is typically still comfortable, and it is perfect for outside activities. Another aspect of autumn is that leaves begin to fall. Leaf cleanup can be very time consuming and, especially when the wind blows, it can be frustrating also. We spend time cleaning a particular hole and five minutes later the wind blows a new round of leaves across everywhere and it looks as though we did nothing! Nevertheless, here are a few key points to remember about our leaf cleanup efforts:

• If it is frosty or wet, we may have to wait until later in the day or for another day entirely before we can resume cleanup. Similarly, if it is windy, trying to corral the leaves is nearly impossible. We may choose to skip trying to clean the playing surfaces until a calmer day. So, playing through leaves may happen.
• Blowers will be running for several hours or more each day. They cannot stop for every golfer that is within earshot or we would never finish. The same is true for the vacuum. Please be patient.
• We make piles for the vacuum in the most efficient places. For example, blowing a large amount of leaves the entire length of a hole does not make sense. We make piles where most of the leaves are already located. Sometimes this will be near the line of play and balls can easily be lost in the piles. Unfortunately, this is a fact of fall golf. We will make every attempt to keep our piles away from play as much as possible.
• Lastly, while leaf cleanup overwhelmingly dominates our course prep attention, we do have other tasks we are trying to accomplish. We must balance our efforts. So, there may be days where there are clearly leaves to be blown, but the Grounds staff is working on other things also.

The second scourge of fall is frost! There is not a single good aspect to frost or frost delays. However, just because no one likes frost, doesn’t mean we can keep it away.  Just like with leaves, there are a few key points that everyone must remember:

·         There will be more than one occasion where golfers may leave their house and have no frost, but we can easily have frost here at the course. Our temperatures can get colder than in town.

 

·         The coldest part of the morning is just before sunrise, so frost can set right at the last minute.

 

·         During the delay, all areas of the course are closed. While frost can form in some areas but not others, trying to direct people to frost or no frost areas would be too difficult. A frost delay equals a full closure. This means no mingling in the grass around the putting green or first tee.

 

·         Walking on frost can cause damage or death to the plant, but carts are especially destructive because they are heavier. We must consider the cart traffic that will occur on the course when managing a delay, which can sometimes add a small amount of time to the delay.

 

·         Lastly, after most frost delays, some form of course preparation must take place. Anything from a full setup to a minimum of changing cups and blowing leaves, takes time. Here is the tricky part: we can’t go do that setup until after the frost- the Grounds staff is delayed too. So, we must balance allowing the golfers out onto the course as soon as possible, while also leaving time for some work. Frost may be clear near the clubhouse as golfers wait, wondering why they aren’t allowed out yet, but it may be because we are getting our work done.

 

Some veteran fall golfers will undoubtedly be experts in dealing with these fall issues. But a reminder for all is helpful and we hope that it will help mitigate some of the inconvenience of dealing with the leaves and frost.

 

Also, we will reduce posts to once per month starting in November, through February.

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please stay off all grass surfaces during a frost delay.

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

1st Spring Dead Spot application

As you read this, we are currently making our first Spring Dead Spot (SDS) chemical application. This is the most critical application we make all year on the Bermuda grass- and we won’t even know if it worked until April or May!

Research has shown that soil temperatures make the biggest impact on timing for this application. Temperatures must be below 70 degrees at least, and some of the most recent work shows that between 60-65 degrees is optimal. So, there is a general time of year- late September into October- when we typically make the application, but it is not a set calendar date.

This year’s applications are occurring slightly later than normal, partly to do with all the rain we had last week, but more importantly, because we had not reached the temperature threshold any earlier. We monitor our on-site temperatures with a soil thermometer every 3-5 days as we approach the historical application timing. There are also websites to check soil temperatures that we use. Putting all this information together and then marrying it to the weather and our golf schedule is the biggest challenge. Having the most important application of the season ready to be made, but juggling between rain, golf, and our regular maintenance can make it particularly stressful.

Last year, we also upgraded to the most highly recommended pesticides to treat SDS. For many years we used certain chemicals for two main reasons: 1. They were cheaper; with our acreage of Bermuda grass, a large volume of any material is needed and thus the price rises quickly. 2. There were very few, if any, other products that really provided any control for SDS. That has changed recently. Chemical companies have supplied several new chemistries that are providing much improved control for the fungus. The downside is that these new products come with a steeper price, however, after upgrading last year, the results were worth the price. This year, and going forward, we will stick with these newest materials because of the improvement in control provided.

The last key to a successful SDS program is water. The fungus lives in the thatch and soil- not in the plant. Any product we apply- the cheap or the expensive- is worthless if we do not water it down into the soil profile sufficiently. Recommendations are for at least 1/8” of water immediately after application. As we are driving the sprayer off the turf, the water is already started. It is very difficult to apply this much water through the irrigation system evenly, but the goal is to make sure the material does not remain at the surface.

Having healthy Bermuda grass in the summer relies very heavily on a strong Spring Dead Spot control program. We have made some changes in the last few years. Especially last year, we had great results from these changes, and we are continuing the process this year.

 

 

Starting in November, we will reduce new posts to once per month. Thank you

 

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please stay off all grass surfaces during a frost delay.

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

Project preview

The end of September marks a great time of year: the weather usually has turned cooler, the leaves start to get fall colors, and the course is in good shape. This time of year also marks the start of our project season. Bunker renovations, drain work, and anything else we can’t do during the summer, gets underway now.

If you have played golf recently, then you noticed we got a jump start on bunker work this year. We are scheduled to work on 13 green, thru 16 this year. After many years of the same procedure, the Grounds staff are pros at breaking down a bunker, removing the trash sod, and laying new grass. #13 greenside bunkers are relatively small, and don’t need a lot of grass, so we were able to squeeze them into this window between the Match Play Championship and Men’s Member Guest. We are just awaiting dry weather to lay the new sod.

You may also see some dashed lines painted in certain areas across the course. These are marking new drain lines that we will install through the winter. We have been too wet to do most things on the golf course lately, but one thing the rain was good for, was to help identify the exact track that water likes to take in these particular drainage areas. While the ground was saturated, and even with standing water on the surface in some instances, we went out and painted exactly where the new drain line should run to maximize the water we capture.

All this work will take place in and around the leaf cleanup that will be starting soon. We also have regular maintenance that still takes place throughout the fall. But the projects are a welcome change, both because it is a different type of work than the sometimes monotonous summer work, but also because we make the biggest strides in improvement doing these projects.

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please be careful not to damage the lip of the cup when retrieving your ball after putting out.

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

Shop organization

September is probably our busiest month of the year for the golf course. The weather is nearly perfect, and the golf course is usually in peak form. Member play is at its maximum and our outing schedule is packed. Because of all of this, the Grounds department has several half days when it is counter productive to even be out on the course, so we tackle some other tasks on our list.

Since our property is so large, we usually have other work somewhere else on site that needs to be done once the golf course is prepped. Soccer, tennis, pool grounds, or just the acres green space, can use attention. When the golf course is too busy for us, these other areas can benefit. We have the opportunity to send several staff to work on projects we may have put off previously.

The stacks of pipe that we will
be sorting

Another area of focus during these busy times is at our shop. Cleaning and organizing inside and out of our maintenance building is important. Not only does it protect our equipment, but knowing where tools are when you need them is efficient. Also, maintaining a clean workspace shows that we value our job and projects a presentable facility to visitors.

One particular area at our shop that had been neglected was our irrigation and drainpipe storage. We keep several different sizes and lengths of irrigation pipe at our shop for when we need to make small repairs to our system. We only stock 20-30 of the most common sizes total, if we were doing a larger project we would make a separate order. But this allows us to make emergency repairs when something comes up and we can’t wait.

The same goes for our drainage pipe, although we keep less of this on hand because we don’t often have to make emergency drain repairs (although, 1 season was so wet, that we were adding drains left and right!). However, we do keep some on hand, mostly leftover pieces from past projects, as well as many different connection pieces.

All this pipe is stored around the back side of our shop, near the practice range. Part of the reason it gets neglected is due to our work on the rest of the property, but it also is not a place we need to get into all that often. It gets overgrown with weeds because there is not regular traffic, nor is it accessible for a mower. But starting last week, we mobilized nearly our entire staff to start organizing. Our first step was to simply move all the pipe out of the way, and thoroughly trim all the brush down, which we accomplished. We haven’t continued any further yet, but over the next few weeks our goals are: comb through all the pipe and make sure everything is usable, sorting as we go, and level the ground underneath so that we can set pallets down on which to stack the pipe.

This is the storage area for the pipe. It
has been partially cleaned out now.

Organizing the shop won’t affect anyone’s experience at Bretton Woods, but it is still an important aspect of our maintenance of the facility. Keeping our space and tools clean leads to taking better care of the course, which does directly impact every golfer.

 

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please be careful not to damage the lip of the cup when retrieving your ball after putting out.

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

Newest tee markers

Many years ago, we had wooden tee markers that were nice, but plain. Next, we upgraded to metal markers that were cut in the shape of our tree logo. After years with the metal version, it was time for another upgrade.

Tee markers, like most accessories on the course, can be customized. Although some golfers may not even pay attention to the look of the tee markers, the markers are still important. Every player must play from those locations on every tee. Having unique markers allows courses to differentiate themselves and add some flair to the experience.

Items like tee markers also wear out over time.  The old wooden markers were especially prone to deterioration. Water and sun were tough on the wood, even with several coats of paint and sealing. The metal style that we had for the intermediate years were much sturdier and resistant to the elements. However, the paint on them would still be peeling by the end of the season and would require work each winter. But we are hoping this newest style will be longer lasting, both in terms of holding up to Mother Nature, as well as changing aesthetic tastes.

Our new markers are made from colored, recycled plastic to match our existing tee colors. Our logo is etched into one side of each marker. They are very solid and should be the most tolerant of the elements of any of our recent styles. Water should not be an issue at all, and the sun should not cause them to fade either.

When a tee marker design is nice or too plain, is the time they are noticed most. Our new design is not plain, so we hope everyone enjoys the change.

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please be careful not to damage the lip of the cup when retrieving your ball after putting out.

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

Raising drain grates

It has been 10 years since the first round of Master Plan renovations started and one of the key elements of that work was drainage. But in the time since they were installed, some of the soil around the drains has settled and the drain grates themselves are too low in some instances. We have been slowly working to get those areas raised to a proper height to match the surrounding terrain.

This is an example of a drain that has not
been raised yet. Notice the big lip right at the drain grate
and how the ground dives down at the very edge of the drain

Removing excess water is a fundamental aspect of turf management and the added drains have worked well. Especially in the lower areas of the property, on holes 3, 14-17, new drains have been a lifesaver. Turf quality and playability have increased tremendously with the addition of the drains. But even drains need some maintenance, keeping them clean and clear being the biggest key, but setting them level is also an important step.

Another example of a drain that we still 
need to raise

A drain still in need of raising

It is nearly impossible to set the grade and compact soil perfectly after it has been disturbed like during the renovation. Someof the most extensive work was done on holes #3 and #15 and it is no surprise that those holes are where most of the recent leveling work has been taking place. We added about 10 drainage inlets on each hole, many of those in the fairways, and since the
n they have been problematic. Golf carts may not be affected quite as much by a low drain because golfers can easily drive around. However, our mowers, sprayers, and other maintenance equipment often have no choice but to go directly across these areas. Large dips, bumps and other unlevel spots are very rough on our cutting units and the suspensions of the machines.

A very recently raised drain.

The process is relatively simple: remove the grass around the drain, attach a coupler to the existing drain and a small piece of pipe to raise its level, add sand and replace the turf. However, taking our time and making sure we get the drain to exactly the level we want requires small adjustments, checking and rechecking. It would be far from ideal to have to come back again to change the level of the drain a second time once it has been completed.

A drain that we raised last year

Drains are a behind the scenes aspect of the golf course, but one of the most critical. We must keep them functioning well, but we also want them to look correct. Setting the proper level achieves good aesthetics but also not having a huge dip at every drain is much gentler on our machines.

 

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please be careful not to damage the lip of the cup when retrieving your ball after putting out.

 

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

Bermuda grass on greens

We have nearly 45 acres of maintained Bermuda grass on the property. Every year it reaches new places as it grows through the summer. That is the case with the Bermuda grass on the edges of putting greens.

For many years we have had Bermuda grass growing in the edges around the putting greens. Here is a post from 2016 talking about this very issue. There is an ebb and flow to the growth of the Bermuda grass each year- it pushes in further during the warm months, and the cool season putting green turf pushes back during the cool months. Especially in a summer like this year, when the conditions for Bermuda grass growth are as good as possible, the Bermuda grass can reach even further than usual.

It has been several years since we have had to deal with significant Bermuda grass encroachment in the greens. The Bermuda grass is always there, and likely will always be there because of the difficulty in truly eradicating Bermuda grass. However, since the weather had been average at best for Bermuda grass over the last several years, the progress into the green was minimal and was erased each winter by the cold. But this year was ideal weather for the Bermuda grass, so it pushed in more than normal.

We will work this off season to cut the Bermuda grass back to the collar and remove as much plant material as possible. We can’t get all the Bermuda grass plant- in certain situations, some Bermuda grass roots have been found at depths of 2-3 feet! But we will cut out as much as we can, even digging down a few inches to remove stolons and rhizomes. We will repair the area where grass is removed and let the cool season turf fill in the void.

Unfortunately, with cultivated Bermuda grass on fairways and tees, along with common Bermuda grass across the property, keeping the Bermuda grass isolated to only the areas we want is next to impossible. Depending on the weather it will always move laterally into new locations. We will continue to monitor and work to fight back against the incursion as needed.

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please be careful not to damage the lip of the cup when retrieving your ball after putting out.

 

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

Repairing the bunkers on 18

Even though the major storm that swept across the property was almost a month ago now, we are still repairing parts of the course. The two most damaged bunkers were both on #18- the right greenside bunker and the first fairway bunker. Last week, we finally were able to get those back into playing shape.

This is a picture of the fairway bunker
on 18 the morning after the storm. You can 
see the bunker sand has been washed
completely out of the bunker.

Storms are never easy to deal with, but a major storm right in the middle of the season is especially difficult. Regular maintenance can only be put on hold for so long, meaning at some point our staff will have to spend less time on cleanup and start regular mowing again. That is the reason that some of the repair work has taken so long, and why some of the cleanup around the perimeter will wait until winter.

An overlooked aspect of the storm was the heavy rain that occurred along with the wind. We received nearly 3” of rain in just under an hour. That much water sheets off the playing surfaces quickly- in fact we could have scattered carts the next day; but that rushing water must go somewhere. Unfortunately, bunkers are often a low feature of the property and can sometimes be in the line of water flow and can take the brunt of the water’s force.

 

This is a closer shot of the same bunker on 18. The water
washed all the way down to the soil base
of the bunker.

Because of the natural slope of the land on #18, the fairway bunker takes an incredible amount of water. We did install a large drain just above it on the uphill side back during construction to catch as much water as possible, but in a storm like that, the drainage can’t keep up. The excess water flows through the bunker and takes the sand with it. In the case of these two particular bunkers on 18, the water took the sand, the gravel surrounding the internal bunker drains, and some of the soil base.

When a bunker is washed out this badly, it takes more than just some shoveling of sand to get it back to normal. The gravel from the internal drainage and the soil contaminates the sand. There is no good way to clean the gravel and soil back out of the sand, so it all is trash and must be removed. In this case, it was several cart loads of sand per bunker that needed to be removed. Once the bunkers are completely cleaned out, we add in new sand. We try to match the amount of sand added to the amount of sand removed, so that the bunkers are consistent with the rest of the course. But for all intents and purposes, these bunkers are nearly brand new, so they will take time to match the others.

Our goal was always to get the course back open as quickly as possible. Leaving the two bunkers on #18 as Ground Under Repair longer than normal was part of the plan as everything else was tidied up. We reached the point where it was time to fix those bunkers, and they are now back open and ready for play.

 

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please be conscious to not cut corners with your golf cart. The inside edges of turns are easily worn out after repeated traffic.

 

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

New forward tee on #9

Two weeks ago, during our aeration closure , we also built a new forward tee on #9. It is now open and ready for play.

Although #9 is a beautiful golf hole, it can be difficult to carry the water, especially for higher handicappers or shorter hitters. There are very few landing areas other than the green at which to aim. After several discussions at Golf Committee meetings, and hearing feedback from golfers, a plan was set to build a new tee that would shorten #9 considerably.

The same company that does our fairway aeration was contracted to construct the new tee as well. We also timed the work for the same week as aeration. Being closed worked out perfectly, with no interruptions from golfers playing through. The crew was able to complete the entire project start to finish in one day.

Thinking back to Master Plan construction, late summer is an ideal time to sod Bermuda grass. Soil temperatures are high, air temperatures are high during the day and overnight, and there is usually ample moisture from thunderstorms. All of this combines to allow the new sod to knit down to the soil in 3-4 days and that was exactly the case on the new tee. Once the sod was stable, we applied some sand to the top of the tee and smoothed it around to help level any bumps from construction. Within another 5-7 days the tee is ready to open- we opened this new tee 10 days after it was built.

While it was a relatively small scope of work, the overall impact will be great. One of the nicer holes on our course will now also be more reachable for a greater percentage of our membership.

 

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please be conscious to not cut corners with your golf cart. The inside edges of turns are easily worn out after repeated traffic.

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

Aeration recap

Our annual summer aeration took place last week. Aside from the many benefits of aeration in general, and some of the reasons that we perform our aeration  at this particular time, this year was the first time we were able to close the course entirely for the process. Thank you to the membership for allowing us this time to get our work done.

In conjunction with the Golf Committee, last August it was decided that we would plan a 4-day closure of the course for our summer aeration. This is the most extensive of our four main aeration programs for the year and in the past, we would have closed only half the course at a time. Having the full course closed allows for flexibility in what we accomplish each day. And all along, it was conveyed that if everything goes according to plan, we would finish our work in only 3 days and the course would be able to open back up for play by the 4^th day.

The request by the Grounds department to have the course closed was prompted by last year’s aeration being interrupted by rain. We finished our work normally and on schedule Monday, but Tuesday was a washout after a thunderstorm dropped almost 1.5” of rain. The course was too wet to aerate so we had to pause until Wednesday. Unfortunately, Wednesday already had tee times booked. So, we had to coordinate with the Proshop and shuffle tee times around, block off other spots, communicate to golfers what happened, and keep half of the course closed for our work. The next day we still had work to do and again we interrupted tee times and play. It worked out, but it was not ideal for us or the golfers.

Heading into this season’s summer aeration, the weather was a major factor again. Thunderstorms were again forecast, along with heavy rain from the remnants of Hurricane Debby. The initial forecast looked as though we might be ok Monday and Tuesday, but Wednesday did not look great. Because we had the 4-day closure in our pocket this year, we were under less pressure to accomplish everything in 2 days. But by the same token, we were able to accomplish more on Monday than we normally would have, which meant that we finished all the greens and fairways on Tuesday easily. Tees were left for Wednesday, and had the weather been bad, we could have postponed them for a Monday of another week when we are closed until 11am. However, the rain held off until Wednesday night, so our work during the day on Wednesday went as planned. We finished everything we planned, in the 3 days that we thought it would take, and the course was reopened on Thursday.

Even though the rain ultimately held off until we finished, having the course to ourselves on Monday and Tuesday allowed us to get the highest priority turf aerated regardless of the weather. This would not have been possible without the full course closure. We appreciate that everyone loves to come out and golf as much as possible, but giving the Grounds department some time to work is better for everyone in the long run.

 

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please be conscious to not cut corners with your golf cart. The inside edges of turns are easily worn out after repeated traffic.

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

Storm damage

A tremendous storm hit Bretton Woods on the evening of Monday 7/29. Torrential rain and high winds led to large scale damage across the property. It was a long week of cleanup, but everything is rounding back into shape.

Around 5pm that evening, a cell developed nearly exactly on top of our property. We received 2.81” of rain in under an hour. Strong, gusty winds ripped through everything. Power was knocked out, the transformers down at Grounds were blown and power lines dropped to the ground. The property closed soon after the storm, and the decision was made to close the next day at a minimum.

Looking out onto 18 fairway the morning
after the storm

The same view of 18 fairway after cleanup was complete

By now, most have seen the pictures. The Clubhouse and Proshop did an excellent job of communicating what occurred and the damage that was inflicted. Debris was scattered everywhere; bunkers were washed out and contaminated- some even washed down to the drains underneath; 25 trees were leveled along with numerous large branches and sticks.

The view towards 18 tee the morning
after the storm

The same view again towards 18 tee after cleanup

Cleanup began immediately. PEPCO was on site very early Tuesday morning to begin restoration of power at Grounds. Our tree contractor dropped previously scheduled work to be onsite. And the Grounds staff began the arduous task of picking up as many sticks as possible. We prioritized removal of trees that needed to be cleared to reopen. We also focused on the debris cleanup before the bunkers for the same reason: the bunkers can be treated as ground under repair and played around, but a course that is littered with debris is not playable. Everyone worked extra hours, and by the end of Tuesday, cleanup had progressed through #8. But it was clear that the course would be closed on Wednesday as well.

Following another long day of hand-picking sticks, the course opened Thursday. We spent the day repairing bunkers. When the rain comes that fast, the sand washes down towards the low point of the bunker. But silt and clay from the edge also washes down. The dirt must be cleaned  off the surface of the sand before the sand can be replaced and raked. We meticulously cleaned the bunkers and repositioned the sand.

After a thorough blowing of small debris and final touches, the course was nearly back to normal on Friday. We mowed many acres of grass that had not been cut all week and did a regular raking of bunkers.

The weather plays the most important role in determining the maintenance of the course. This storm put our normal routine on hold, but the team worked hard to get to this point. Although there is still significant cleanup to finish, the course is back in shape enough for golfers.

 

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please be conscious to not cut corners with your golf cart. The inside edges of turns are easily worn out after repeated traffic.

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