New drain lines

So far, the winter has been mild, allowing us some valuable time for projects. A few cold days mixed in have not stopped us from completing 4 separate drain projects.

Winter is a great time for drain projects, but the weather does have to cooperate. It cannot be so cold that the ground is frozen; it can’t be snow covered; and it can’t be so wet that the work makes such a mess that it is impossible to see the improvement. Luckily, we lined up just the right stretch of weather the last couple of weeks.

The other benefit to tackling projects in the winter is that we can focus all our labor on the task. There is very minimal other course maintenance that needs to take place, so all the staff can help on the project. And with fewer golfers playing (usually!), our interruption is limited.

For each drain we followed the same procedure:

1.       We paint a line where we want the drain to be, and remove the existing sod

2.       Using a trencher, we cut a 4” wide ditch along our planned route to a depth of about 18”

3.       We remove all the spoils from the trench

4.       We put a small amount of pea gravel into the bottom of the trench as a base layer for our pipe

5.       Next, we survey the bottom of the trench, along our pea gravel layer, to ensure there is proper slope to move the water

6.       Then we put the pipe into the trench and cover it with pea gravel- we used 2” pipe because it moves plenty enough water and is easier to work with compared to larger diameter pipes

7.       We fill the remainder of the trench with sand- in our case we had enough old bunker sand salvaged from other work to use in all our trenches

8.       Once the trench is full, the sod is replaced, and the area is cleaned

 

Removing the sod from the drain
on #11 approach

We started with a drain in #11 approach, starting from about mid-way across the approach and moving towards the left side. The existing slope is just slow enough, that water is too slow to move off. This causes issues for the Bermuda grass and impacts playability in a highly used area. There was already an existing drain in the left rough to which we were able to connect.

The pipe in place on #11

Next, we extended a drain across the entire width of #1 fairway, about 60 yards short of the green. Starting in the right rough, we trenched a line across at an angle to the creek on the right side. Our new drain empties directly into the creek. We actually found several old drain lines along our route, but they were either too deep to still be effective or appeared clogged.

The pain line showing our route
for the drain on #1 fairway

After we have put the pipe but before we
have covered it with pea gravel

We then moved our efforts to #8 fairway. We completed new drains in two separate locations on #8. First, we added new lines to a wet area approximately 160-170 yards out from the green, in the center of the fairway. Again, there was an existing drainpipe near this location to which we were able to connect.

Finally, the most extensive work took place further back towards #8 tee, just at the bend in the cart path. We added several new lines in this spot. And once again we were able to connect to an existing drain line.

Trenching is finished at our last work site
on #8 fairway

Taking advantage of the good weather allowed us to eliminate 4 of our most troublesome drainage issues, adding about 800 feet of new pipe. We will cross these locations off our list and prepare for the next priority.

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Winter cart path rules are now in effect to protect the dormant Bermuda grass- we will scatter much less and be more restrictive with blue flags. 

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

New equipment wash pad

Keeping our equipment clean is a straightforward way to prolong its life. Washing the grass clippings, dirt, and other debris off after each use is a standard practice. We have a designated area in which to wash, and late this fall it was given a huge makeover.

Through normal use, our equipment gets dirty. Grass clippings accumulate on the mower decks in and around the drive belts. Leaves and dust get stuck on the air filter screens. Mud gets on tires and fenders when it is wet. None of this is out of the ordinary, but if not cleaned regularly, it can accrue and begin to cause problems.

This is not exactly a before shot, but it's close. The white pipes sticking
up are our irrigation connections. You can see how the area would get 
muddy from our water, but also runoff coming down the hill.

Many of you might know how grass clippings can build up on a machine- think about the mower you use at your house. The debris under the deck can get so thick that the blade can barely turn. Then, once it dries, it can harden and be very difficult to get off. We try to avoid this situation by cleaning the grass out after each use. Often the grass we mow is wet also. This wet grass sits on the mower and can cause rust to the frame. The clippings and moisture can also affect other parts of the mower and its operation and generally cause issues.

Excavating for the drain basin.

The quick, and easy way to stay away from these problems, is to routinely clean the machine. We do that by hosing the machine down after each use. Near our shop, at the bottom of the driving range hill, we have 2 hoses plugged into our irrigation system that we use to clean our equipment. While the location is convenient, the site was not great. We did not have a solid surface to park the equipment. The cart path leading in, was too narrow and crumbling on the edges. Lastly, our rinse water had no subsurface drainage in which to drain. Instead, it just flowed along the surface making the whole area muddy and contributing to the erosion along the edges of the cart path.

For our new site, we tore out everything and started over. A new, wider cart path leads to an asphalt pad with a drain basin built in. Pipes leading from the basin, take the rinse water away underground now. We built an earth berm to block the flow of rainwater coming down the driving range and diverted it around our wash pad, so that the drain does not back up from excess water. Finally, we sodded all around the new pad and cart path, then used seed and straw for the remainder.

The new drain basin in place.

The drain pipes leading from the basin.

Preparing for asphalt. Widening the road, as well as flaring out the corner
for easier equipment access.

Continuing to prepare for asphalt. Creating the 
swale to divert rainwater.

Ready for asphalt.

The new asphalt pad.

The new asphalt path.

New sod around the pad.

Complete with sod, seed and straw.

While this is a decidedly insignificant change for golfers, it is important for the Grounds department. We have a better place to wash our equipment, which means we can do a better job of taking care of our machines so that they perform on the golf course like we need them to.

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please do not scrape snow 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

Bunker etiquette

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org

Chipping green bunker renovation

We worked for most of October and November on our annual bunker renovation work. We did holes #3 and #17 first. Our last bunker of this season was the Chipping Green practice bunker. This was an extreme example of the need for continual renovation.

Bunker prior to work starting

From inside the bunker prior to work starting

Though our process was identical to all other bunker renovation work, outlined here, the practice bunker receives such repeated use that it ages 2-3 times faster than regular bunkers. The single biggest factor for sand building on the lip of this bunker is the many, many shots hit out in the same direction. On the course, far fewer people will play from any particular bunker and moving the flag shifts the target enough that sand is sprayed over a wide area.

The chipping green bunker does not benefit from either of these factors. Everyone hits in the same direction and there may be several hundred shots taken out this one bunker per day. We must replenish the sand several times per year to keep enough in the bottom.

The dark brown clay at the bottom of the 
picture is the original soil base. There is approximately 2 feet
of sand built up on top.

The glove in the center of the picture is placed for scale to show
how deep the sand is built up on the green.

So, where does all that sand go? Out onto the bunker edge as well as onto the green itself. We started by removing the old sod as usual. Then the built-up sand was removed until we reached down to the original clay soil. We also stripped about 8 feet of green surface as well to remove the sand from underneath. The green sod was then laid back in place. New rough sod was laid around the entire bunker complex and everything looks good as new.

Another shot from inside the bunker showing
the excess sand

A finished shot from inside the bunker

In addition, as part of this project, we also resodded the entire chipping green collar to bent grass. This is the same sod we used to repair the collar on #9 as part of the drainage project we did on that green. This gets us one step closer to replacing all the collars to bent grass.

Replacing the green sod after removal
of extra sand

The new collar sod

Fully complete with new rough and collar sod in place

It is good that the practice bunker is used by so many people. But it kept us busy making sure the bunker stays close to its original design.

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please remember to keep your cart on the cart path when we are “Cart Path Only.”

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

Leaf discussion

 

We are knee deep in leave cleanup right now. A few cold days have triggered the process and leaves are falling across the property. We do not so much try to stay ahead of the leaves as much as we try not to get buried.

Windy days (we have had several), rainy days (only a couple), warm days (above average for October), or cold days (some) can all contribute to leaves falling off the trees. At this time of year, sometimes looking at the leaves will make them fall. This makes managing the cleanup particularly difficult.

You can read more about our overall process here, but here are a few things to keep in mind:

• ·        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 the pile 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 (e.g. #3 and #17 bunker work). We must balance our efforts.

Blowing leaves can be frustrating (a big gust of wind comes and completely undoes your pile!) but keeping the course clean is the goal. It takes several weeks to work thru most of the leaves and we are amid the worst of it now. Thank you for your patience.

 

Also, our bunker renovation work is progressing well. #17 has been completely sodded. Look for the greenside bunkers to open early this week and the fairway bunker to follow likely by the end of the week. Work has already shifted to #3 and we will follow the same process as #17. The final bunker that we will work on this year will be the practice bunker at the Chipping green.

 

Starting in November, and running thru February, we will reduce our 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

Bunker etiquette

 

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org

Frost discussion

It is frost season again. We have been lucky that we have had very few cold mornings so far, and the ones we have had have not resulted in extended delays. Nevertheless, it will happen soon, and everyone should be prepared (More reading to be found here, here, and here.)

Frost is frustrating for everyone- especially the Grounds department. Our ability to prepare the course is reduced or eliminated entirely, all the frosted turf is susceptible to damage, and trying to manage the golfer’s expectations along with the weather is difficult.

We make every effort possible to provide the best conditions each day. This does not mean conditions are the same every day- the course will not play the same on a rainy spring day as it does on a dry, early summer day- but our goal is to make each day the best it can be. All our maintenance is aimed at improving turf health and providing good conditions. Frost makes this particularly difficult.

Typically, a frosty morning happens before a day of nice weather and busy golf course. We have lots of people wanting to enjoy the course and the Grounds department is not able to adequately prepare the course due to the delay. We achieve everything we can, but sometimes it is not feasible to fit an entire morning of maintenance in between when the frost lifts and when golfers are ready to play. This is hard to manage.

We also must be weary of causing damage to the turfgrass. We must wait also. While our time is not wasted while we wait (there are ALWAYS things to do!), we still are not able to start our regular morning routine. We cannot get our machines on the grass and most times we cannot even walk on the grass (the exception being when the frost is in some areas but not others). Protecting the turf is important, so we wait just like the golfers. All of this comes to a head when the frost starts to break: we hurry out and try to get the course prepared as quickly as possible, but we also try to let the golfers go at the earliest possible moment. Care must be taken not to rush back onto the grass though.

We cannot control the weather- including frost. We want the delay to be as short as possible just like the golfers. Educating everyone on the reasons for the delay can help in tempering golfer’s expectations of when they may get to play. We walk a tightrope between what we want to accomplish, letting everyone enjoy the course, but protecting it also.

 

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

Bunker etiquette

 

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org