Staff and Course Update

STAFF

Slowly we are starting to add some new faces to the team for summer.  Kris, Aidan, Ethan, Conlan, Baxter, Brandon, Jack, Jason, Kylen, Noah, PA, and Avery are all students working between 4 and 20 hours a week.  Some have just turned 16 and are employed for the first time and some are college students nearing the real world.  Most are athletes which makes the team concept easy to grasp.  I'll do some more detailed spotlights on each one over the course of the summer.  We have a fantastic core group of people and are excited to have the extra help once all the students arrive.  Times have changed so we'll rely more on limited schedules in an effort to fight inflation.  Competition is fierce for all the the people we have on our team and we are grateful they chose us.  

COURSE

The course is a little messy at the moment thanks to some wet weather, seed head season, and a hectic golf schedule all converging this week.  We dodged a bullet today as the 90% chance of storms resulted in zero rain (as of 8PM).   We were able to get a topdressing on greens on Wednesday and will attempt to get bunkers back together tomorrow morning in time for the weekend.  We really need the full team on board before schools let out so early May is always a tough time.   

HOLE 8 

The tee markers (except the yellow) on 8 are back on the mats for the time being.  Poor drainage, especially on the back tee is causing trouble.  We fought some nasty weather during construction and the soil would not compact in some places.  I believe that last weeks heat was a big set back.  We fared well in cooler temps even when wet.  90 degree temps on top of the saturated soil was the kicker.  We've met with a few people on site and spoken with the contractor.  We may try to add some drainage soon in order to improve the situation.  Yesterday we aerated the tee with 3/8" solid tines and will monitor the moisture levels carefully.  It's easy to add water, but it's tough to take it away.  We don't have internal drainage on any of our other tees, but this new one seems to need it.  

The zoysia on the right side of 8 green is taking shape although it still has a ways to go before it's playable.  Some grasses struggle in the heat, but zoysia requires it in order to reach it's full potential.  Once it finally roots into the soil we can start pushing it to play better.  

The first bloom is near.  Wildflowers and hard fescue were planted in front of 8 tee

Cody topdressing greens this week

Ryan aerating 8 tee

We are NEVER "all caught up".   There is ALWAYS something to do.

Bean prefers the intermediate cut

We lowered the sod around the practice green where, over time,
a "dam" had formed.  Mowing the green was a challenge.

Lucy held the sod in place

The edge of the walk/cart path was falling off making it
very dangerous to travel.  We put a "band aid" on it. 

The walk/cart path near the pro shop needs an overhaul.  For 
now we have used stone to widen it. 

Ginny and I picked out the flowers and plants for the clubhouse.  She and Janelle 
have them all planted and looking great.