April Snow Showers, Brings Ogre Owls to OGC!
This week, the team worked on getting 3 of the bunkers on #12 fixed. Our initial plan was to have an outside company come in and help us with these bunkers, but upon seeing the bid, we decided to tackle these bunkers ourselves (we were way more expensive?). Not likely...
The problem with the bunkers on #12 happened, in my opinion, over a couple years time. The bunker drain lines were plugged with sand and they were too shallow to begin with which over a few years, the drain lines have heaved out of the ground, especially on #12 this year. We also noticed that the pitch to work with in the bunkers was not great, but upon adding new drain tile and close to 6" of sand, we will have those bunkers play nicely. It's obvious with that much "mucho" sand added, the playing surfaces on #12 will be soft. We have also noticed that many of the bunkers on the course are in fact low with sand and we will be coming up with a plan to add sand in this year's budget or next.
Over the last month, I have also been wearing a few extra hats without an Assistant Superintendent as our Assistant left in the end of March and we haven't been able to find a qualified individual over the last month. The Assistant opportunities nationally are being left unfilled so courses have had to be creative trying to fill these voids. Currently, I'm working on some contingencies and hope to have someone available during our main 2019 growing season. Otherwise, I may have to find a corner in the shop to camp out in. :(
I've been working on getting the facility organized, and the irrigation system pressurized and fixed with any broken irrigation sprinklers or pipes, and beginning our course detailing and mowing schedules. As each week passes, I am getting closer to having the course ready for this season. I have also begun to apply the course's plant health programs on the greens, tees, and fairways too. I hope to fertilize the greens a little this next week to get them healthy going into the main golfing months. I may even apply a thin coat of topdressing to them (sorry Smokey) to smooth out the greens and get them ready for a great month of May!
The pic on left - new mechanical seal in Pumpstation. The one on the right was the leaking seal. Could have been a big problem if left unnoticed or unfixed!!
|
The pic on the left - the plugged drain tile. Middle - Ruben and Jake working on pulling the old plugged drain tile. Pic on the right, preparing for the new drain tile!
Pic on the left - Salvador helping the team with adding sand to the bunker. The finished look. Fluffly, but will be a much better product with the drain line fixed!
Team Effort - Eric pumped in making these bunkers better for the members! |
A good pic showing the amount of sand needed to cover the pea gravel and new drain pipe |
Who said it was going to snow on Saturday morning. Thanks Eric, Jake, Salvador in helping me add sand with no one on the course to see us!! Where were the golfers Saturday morning???? |
An Irrigation Repair - work of art by Smokey and Steve H! This is right by the cart path going down to the chipping areas. I've only seen a Michigan Alum down there this Spring!! (Go Blue) |