#5 Wall Update

Over the past few weeks the grounds maintenance crew has been working diligently removing the old wooden wall on #5 and installing a new vinyl wall in its place. The old wall had deteriated to the point of being an eyesore and had become a safety concern. I am pleased to report that the construction of the new wall is complete and the wall looks great! The final stages remaining are the backfilling of the new wall and laying of sod. We will be working over the weekend to backfill the wall in order to minimize any disruption for the Ladies' Invitaional on Monday. 

   New Vinyl Wall

   A picture of the old wall in case you have forgotten what it looked like!

Surprise! Duke Energy Project

Tuesday morning we were surprised by a mini-excavator on the cartpath by 3 tee. Unfortunately, this caused some damage to the grass on the tee slope. After some investigation we have learned that Duke Energy is running new power lines underground that will feed out to St. Petersburg Beach. The process involes pulling out the old lines, installing new underground boxes and pulling in new power lines. This may take up to a few months to complete. We will see most of the work on the north side of the bayway along #'s 1, 2 and 9. We will be reimbursed for the repair of any damage caused by the contractors to the grass, trees, hedges or landscaping.

   Damage by 3 tee. 

Butterfly Garden Dedication and Butterfly Release

Please join the children of Rosemary Healy on Saturday, October 25th at 3:00 for a dedication of the butterfly garden. This garden was planted in memory of founding members John and Rosemary Healy. The family would love to have your participation at the dedication where they will be releasing butterflies. 

   Do you see the butterfly?

   This butterfly showed up early for the festivities! 

Where Have All The Flowers Gone?

You may have noticed the absence of flowers around the clubhouse. Some of the flowers were pulled over the last few weeks due to disease brought on from the wet September weather. The remaining flowers are being pulled this week. The beds will have new potting soil added and new annuals will be planted once they arrive from the wholesaler. 

   This area soon will be full of beautiful flowers!

GCSAA Delegate Meeting

Last week I had the oppotunity to join other golf course superintendents from around the country at the 2014 GCSAA Delegate Meeting. We met not only to shape the future of the superintendent industry but the golf industry as a whole. (Yes, all those men in suits are the same guys who take care of your golf courses.)

   At GCSAA headquarters in Lawrence, KS

What Are Those Blue Lines?

Starting this week, around each green there is a blue line painted on the grass. The lines have been painted to help our members with Blue Handicap Flags identify the appropriate distance to keep the cart from the green. These lines are painted at approximately 15' away from the greens which is the distance as stated in the original handicap flag agreement. The rules haven't changed. The golf committee simply wants to assist in helping golfers identify the appropriate distance. The intent is to continue to provide our members needing assistance with the help they need while also managing the cart traffic around our greens in order to protect our golf course. 

A few other things to keep in mind:

1- A cart should never be driven between a green and a bunker. This is both unsafe and concentrates traffic stress into a small area.

2- The blue flags are intended to help the players who have difficulty walking. If the other player in the cart does not need a blue flag they should not be driven to their ball beside the green and dropped off. This places unnecessary wear and tear on the golf course.

   Blue line in front of a green.

Does the Grass Have Chicken Pox?

You may have noticed a number of small brown spots throughout the golf course. These spots are a result of the grounds department spraying grassy weeds. Our weed control is continual throughout the year, however, the extensive rainy weather in September prevented us from making applications for about 3 weeks. Not only did the wet weather put our control applications behind it also promoted the growth of new weedy plants. We will continue to make treatments as long as the weather and conditions allow. Green grass will fill in where the weeds die out. 

   Weeds dying from spot herbicide treatments.

Time To Say Goodbye To The Seawall on #5

On Monday, October 6th, work will begin to remove and replace the old seawall bordering the lake by #5 green. The existing wall has been in bad shape for some time, is an eyesore and poses a safety risk. It has been decided to replace the wooden wall with a new vinyl wall. The vinyl wall should install easier, has a cost comparable to wood and will last much longer. In fact, the vinyl itself is guaranteed for 50 years! 

The work will be performed by the Isla Del Sol Grounds Maintenance Department. We hope to complete the project in just a couple weeks. While the wall is under construction, #5 will be played as a Par 3 with the tees between 75 and 100 yards. No handicap strokes will be awarded with the tees forward. By moving the tees forward it will allow the employees to continue working without worry of being in the golfers' way. It also will be safer for the golfers not to have to look for balls and play shots close to the construction area. Please keep your distance for your safety and the safety of the workers. 

   Old Wall on 5

   Dangerous Washouts Due To The Failing Wall

   No Words To Describe This

   An Example Of A Vinyl Wall