Ornamental grass transplanting

Several years ago, we split and transplanted the large ornamental grasses that line our entrance road, descending towards the tennis facility, spacing, and replanting to fill in the hillside. This winter we were due for another round of replanting.

The grasses along the road are a variety of Miscanthus. Several plants existed along the road initially which spurred the continued propagation. We started with 20 or so individual plants and our first round of transplanting doubled that number.

New grass plants at 16 tee

Allowing several years between aggressive replanting, the grasses continued to grow. So, this year was designated as the off-season for another round of division. We selected the largest current plants and cut them into three sections: one portion was left in place, and two others were moved elsewhere.

Knowing we would be starting this project in the winter, during the fall we mapped out areas that might benefit from additional landscaping. We identified several areas spread across the property: we lined the entrance side of the pool fence for added screening; grasses were added in several landscapes around the course to increase density of plant material- including near #1 tee, #2 tee, #13 tee and #16 tee; we used a couple of sections to block view of the propane tanks near the patio pizza oven; new plants were taken to mini golf and inside the pool facility; and several more portions were spread amongst the existing grasses along the entrance to fill in voids. Overall, we planted about 70 more cuttings.

13 tee

Along the pool fence

These new clumps will take several years to mature and establish themselves in their new locations. After that, we will evaluate and see if there is a need to continue our transplanting program.

 

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Winter cart path rules are now in effect in order 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

 

 

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org

Wrapping up drain projects

The weather stayed nice, so we pushed forward on our drain projects. We hoped to complete either the drain in #3 fairway or the drain in #10 fairway before Christmas. Well, today is the 20^th and both projects have been completed for over a week.

In both cases, we added drains to areas that regularly get and stay wet but are just out of reach of some other drainage nearby. These were either small pockets of low areas where the water cannot continue flowing to an adjacent drain or the nearest drain is just too far.

Luckily, we were still close enough to tie into existing drainage. Using drains that we know already work, keeps us from having to create a full exit strategy for the water we are trying to capture. Feeding our pipe into a working drain saves us lots of labor and disruption.

We are slowly eliminating small wet areas around the course. Each season we tackle a few more and each season the course can manage water a little better.

Happy Holidays

Completed work on #10 fairway

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

 

 

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org

November roundup

Reducing to one post per month allows for many things to happen between updates. Here is the November roundup:

The leaves started falling in earnest in the last 2 weeks, but they took their time in October. This allowed us to focus on some projects which was nice, but it only delayed the inevitable: the leaves will always fall. We are fully into our cleanup process and golfers will see blowers and the vacuum out at every possible occasion. Cold mornings and windy days make it difficult, but we will keep plugging along.

Bunker renovation work is complete. We completed holes 1, 4, 9, and 10. We maintain a spreadsheet showing when each bunker was built and last renovated, so although it may seem we jumped around randomly, these were the holes that needed to be done. All the sod has been laid, the bunkers on holes 4 and 10 are reopened, and 1 and 9 will be open by next week.

We have transitioned directly into our offseason drainage program already. This year we will be adding drains to #3 fairway, #7 approach, and #10 fairway. We started on #7 approach last week and should have it wrapped up this week. It is undecided as to whether we will head to #3 or #10 next, but either way we hope to have one more hole complete before Christmas.

Lastly, we replaced the “Practice Area Open/Closed’ sign that was along the path towards the driving range. The previous sign was in decent shape, however at some point late last summer, someone decided to take the removable portion that read “open” or “closed”. Instead of making another piece out of wood to replace it, we decided to continue our gradual upgrading of all course signage and purchase a new sign that matched our tee signs. It is in place now and looks very nice. Check it out next time you go to the driving range.

We have had some cold days, but also some warmth mixed in. It has been just right to keep us very busy!

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

 

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org

Update on #3 projects

We were able to accomplish both projects on #3 this past week just as we planned. The weather cooperated and things went just according to plan.

Last week, we outlined our plan. This week was execution. We started with the drain in the green, which took 2 half days and then swiftly moved on to the addition of a new sprinkler, which was another 2 half days. Everything was clean, tidy, and complete for the weekend. Below are some pictures of progress along the way:

Pictures from the drainage installation:

Pictures from the irrigation head installation:

Though the scope was not large, tackling two projects in week is still an accomplishment. We are excited to see the results through the fall and into future years.

 

Starting in October, posts will reduce to one per month. This schedule will last through February. Then starting in March, we will increase back to weekly updates again. Thank you

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please do not let the flag drop on the green when removing it to putt. This can cause damage to the turf and/or the flagstick. Please lay the flag down gently on the turf.

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

 

 

 

 

 

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org

Projects on #3

We will be starting our project work on #3 this week, one facet will be to drain water away and another will be to add it back in. This is a great time of year for projects and we are ready to go. 

First, we will be adding a new drain to the back of #3 green. Similar to drains we have done on #9, #4 and #15, this drain will address a very specific area on #3. In the back of the green there is a bowl shape where puddles form after rain, but which is very slow to dry even after the rain has stopped. Luckily, it is a small area, which can be remedied very easily with a straight-line drain. We will start our trench about 15 feet onto the green and run it directly off the green, through the collar, approach, and empty it about 40 feet further out into the rough. In terms of drain projects, this is about as straight-forward as it gets. Working around golfers and performing other work on the course, it should not take us more than a few half days to complete. 

From there we will move on to adding an additional sprinkler to #3 approach. Having the equipment and labor on #3 from the drain will make the switch to adding the sprinkler very easy and efficient. The approach currently has 3 sprinklers on it, that stretch from the left greenside bunker, directly across towards the cart path. However, the last sprinkler does not cover all the way to the path, nor does it reach a particularly sensitive section of rough near the cart path. It was not totally clear that this would be an issue back during construction, so nothing was changed. However, now that we have worked through several seasons, we have seen that an added sprinkler here would lessen the burden on our hand watering program. The new sprinkler will be a part-circle and be placed right up against the cart path. From there, it will water out, in a 180-degree arc, aimed back towards the green and approach. 

 To accomplish this addition, we will need to cut a trench from the last sprinkler in the existing line, directly to where our new one will be placed. We then cut into the existing pipe, glue on our new sections that will deliver water to the new area, connect our power supply and back-fill. This new sprinkler will be added into our irrigation system program and will turn on as part of the #3 approach group. Again, this should not be more than a few half days of work. 

One project moves water away, the other adds more water. But for several days worth of work, we efficiently tackle two projects in close proximity to one another that will provide a huge benefit for next season and beyond. 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month 

Please do not apply any spray sunscreen or insect repellent while standing on the grass, especially the greens. 

 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 

See you on the course! 

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org