Project Update - August 30

Early afternoon storms made today a little challenging. Progress slowed slightly but we were able to complete holes 6, 13 and 14 today. Work continued on hole 15 including the completion of new irrigation for the green. The severe storms prevented the installation of sod which will now begin on Friday.

I continue to remind you how hard our employees have worked throughout this project. The guys are tired but continue to push ahead, even in bad weather. If you have the chance, I encourage you to thank the employees for their efforts. 

Storms brought heavy rain this afternoon.

High winds were strong enough to snap this palm tree.

Cristino is a great example of our dedicated employees. Here he is after the storm standing up to his knees in water to get the job done.

Project Update - August 29

It was bound to happen sooner or later. Mother Nature has interfered with our project. Our work was interrupted the last two evenings by storms. Not only have we received storms, the sod farms have as well. When the sod fields are too wet, they can't cut the sod. We've experienced a few delays receiving sod this week. Even with the challenges presented by Mother Nature, we are still pressing on at a good pace. Progress and updates to note:

• Bunkers are constructed and drainage installed on holes 6 and 14.

• The sod installation on #14 is complete.

• Sod installation on holes 6 and 13 will be completed on Thursday.

• Work is underway on hole #15. The old grass has been removed.

• The old bunkers on #15 have been removed.

• A significant amount of grading has taken place on #15.

• New irrigation installation on #15 will be completed on Thursday.

• Sod installation will continue on #15 on Friday and will be complete early next week.

• The old grass has been cut and will be removed from the tee complex on hole #1 on Thursday.

• Additional soil will be hauled to the 1st tee throughout the remainder of the week.

• Shaping will take place on hole #1 throughout the weekend and into the first part of next week.

• Sod installation for the 1st tee is scheduled for next Thursday at which time the actual construction phase of our entire project will be complete except for bunker sand installation.

• Bunker sand installation is scheduled for the last week of September.

#6 Bunker and surrounds has been sodded. Installation will be completed on #6 on Thursday.



#14 sod installation is complete.



Work is underway on hole #15.



This photo shows where the front bunker used to be on #15 before being removed.

Project Update - August 26

Last night the golf course received nearly 3 inches of rain in a short amount of time. This was worrisome as that kind of rainfall has the potential to wash out freshly graded soil and new sod. This could have potentially added days for reconstruction of work already completed. Fortunately, all of the new green slopes and bunkers held up tremendously well!

On Monday we will finalize shaping and drainage on #6 and #14. We will also begin work on #15.

• Holes 4, 5, 13 and 15 will play to temporary greens beginning August 27th.

#13


#5


Left side of #4


Right side of #4

Project Update - August 24th

What a week it has been! We ended with a very long but successful day. The grounds department is exhausted and will have the weekend off to recuperate before getting after it again next week.

• The work on 4 and 5 is complete with the exception of a few minor items as well as the need to add sand to the bunkers next month.

• We began installing Seashore Paspalum around the greens. This is the same type of grass as our green surfaces. All the other grass on the golf course is bermudagrass. We are hoping to reclaim some of our lost square footage as well as create a barrier between the aggressive common bermudagrass and the green surfaces. Holes 4, 5, 6 and 14 all received new paspalum today. We will establish the new sod at "fringe" height for the winter and then begin lowering the height incrementally until it is at greens height. We plan to reclaim about 5 feet around each green and allow for a 3 foot "fringe" cut.

• The shaping changes on 13 are complete. Sod has been installed on most of the sloping terrain to guard against potential washouts. The remaining sod will be installed next week.

• Rough shaping has occurred on holes 6 and 14 and those holes will be completed next week.

• Work on #15 green surround begins Monday. This means that this hole will play to a temporary green. Holes 4, 5 and 13 will also continue playing to temporary greens. We should have a better idea of when we will be back on the normal greens early next week. It's our goal to be back on 4, 5, and 13 by Labor Day weekend and hole 15 the weekend after. I will keep you posted.

Paspalum sod going in around #6 green


Bunkers to the right of #13 green


Mound to the left of #13 green


Bunker to the left of #5 green


New sod is already putting down roots


Everyone is working hard to beat the storm and darkness on Friday night.

Project Update - August 21st

Wow! What a couple of days! Things are really beginning to take shape. It's been extremely hot but the rain has held off to allow us to remain on schedule.

The green surrounds on #4 are well on their way to completion. Sod was installed around and inside both bunkers. Yes, INSIDE both bunkers. No, these are not going to be grass bunkers. The sod serves as barrier to better stabilize and separate our very sandy native soil from the clean bunker sand. We actually will not install bunker sand until the end of September. We will allow the sod to take root now, then kill it in a few weeks before covering it with 6 inches of new bunker sand.

Here is a list of our current progress:

• 25,000 square feet of sod has been laid on #4 leaving approximately 2000 square feet remaining on that hole. All of this sod has been laid by hand by our grounds staff.

• Sod will be completed on #4 on Wednesday.

• #5 is shaped and bunker drainage installed.

• Sod installation will begin on #5 on Wednesday.

• Rough shaping is complete on holes 6, 13 and 14. Some finish shaping has taken place on #13. 

• Shaping on #13 is scheduled to be completed on Wednesday along with installation of bunker drainage.

Quietly working under the lights on #4 waiting for the sun to rise.


1st load of sod being unloaded.



Left bunker #4


Right bunker #4


#4 from where the fairway bunker used to sit 70 yards out from green


#5 Left greenside bunker


New grassy swale to the right of #5 green


Right side of #13 green

Project Update - August 17

Things continue to progress as the bunkers on 4 and 5 take shape. Drainage installation began on 4 and will continue on Saturday. Final grading and prep work will also take place in anticipation of the first two loads of sod scheduled for Monday.

Old grass was stripped away from the 13th green's surrounds yesterday. Irrigation lines were adjusted and the contractor began grading both the left and right sides.

We will cut sod around the bunker on #6 green tomorrow and we hope to start grading that hole on Sunday. However, the area required for construction on #6 is much smaller in size and we will be able to leave that green open for play. The area where the sod is cut will be marked as ground under repair.

The grounds maintenance employees are holding up well but they have had a lot of long days in the hot sun. If you see any of the guys on the golf course, thank them for all the effort.


Arturo is putting a final edge on the right greenside bunker on #4


The left bunker on 5 is taking shape


Golf course Architect, Richard Mandell and shaper, Brian Ross discuss the right side of #5


Pedro is connecting irrigation wires on #13 green


Demo day has come for the bunker left of #13 green

Project Update - August 15th

We continue to move along at a good pace with the renovation project and are still on schedule. The days have been long, but the Isla grounds employees have done a fantastic job.

I have had the opportunity to speak with many members as they pass by the work on 4 and 5. To most, the worksite looks like a pile of dirt. However, once we are able to converse they begin to see the vision and appreciate how much this project will affect the aesthetics and strategy of the golf course. Many have expressed surprise at how extensive the work is but it's important to realize that the work on 4 and 5 is much more significant than holes 6 and 14. We like to get the big ones out of the way!

I have heard questions about the proposed reduction of bunkers throughout the project and concerns that it will make the golf course too easy. I assure you, this will not be the case. One important aspect of this is the fact that while the number of bunkers may decrease, the total square footage of bunkers is not significantly affected. This is due to the fact that many bunkers will increase in size. The quantity of bunkers does not impact the difficulty, strategy or aesthetics nearly as much as the shape, size and locations of the bunkers. Think "quality over quantity."

There has been an overwhelming positive response to both the project itself as well as the communication through this blog and Facebook Live. I appreciate and ask for your continued questions and feedback. I also ask that you encourage your friends to sign up for this blog. There is no better way to see what is going on and gain understanding as we progress. You should also check out and "Like" the Isla Del Sol Facebook page. We have been doing Facebook Live conversations showing live video discussing the project. Our next Facebook Live event is scheduled for Friday, August 17th at 1:00. It would be great if you view it live. You can even add comment or ask questions to be answered live. However, if you miss it live you can still view the recording later from our Facebook page.

• Holes 4, 5 and 13 will have temporary greens beginning August 16th. These will be the only affected holes through the upcoming weekend. 

Cristino is installing a new irrigation line to match the new grade following the removal of the fairway bunker on #4.

While it's a little difficult to make out on camera, the new left greenside bunker on #4 takes shape.

Rough shaping has begun on the left side of #5.

Project Update - August 14th

We have had a productive start to the bunker project. After the second day we are on schedule. Here are some key points at this time:

• The old sod has been removed from around the greens on holes 4 and 5. 
• The fairway bunker nearest to the green on 4 has been removed and the fairway regraded. 
• Rough shaping has taken place for the greenside bunkers on 4. The left bunker has moved forward and to the right. The right bunker remains in approximately the same location. Both bunkers have new contours.
• Rough grading will begin on number 5 on Wednesday, August 15th. 
• Drainage installation will begin on hole number 4 on Wednesday, August 15th.
• Finish grading will begin on numbers 4 and 5 on Thursday, August 16th. 
• Drainage completion for holes 4 and 5 is scheduled for completion on Friday, August 17th. 

• HOLES 4 AND 5 WILL PLAY TO TEMPORARY GREENS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Hole #4 before 

Hole #4 - August 14th - Notice fairway bunker has been removed

The skidsteer is working on constructing the new cavity for the left greenside bunker on #4

Hole #5 before

Hole #5 - August 14th - Sod has been removed and the hole is ready for shaping work

Project Reminder

The day has come! Our golf course project begins the morning of August 13th. Due to the work being performed, the fourth hole will play approximately 100 yards shorter to a temporary green beginning the morning of the 13th. This is due to the significant amount of construction that will take place around the #4 green complex. The temporary green is required not only for the safety of workers but for golfers as well. The green will open back up for play in a few weeks once it is safe for golfers and no longer detrimental to newly installed sod. (To be clear, the greens themselves are not under construction. The sod referred to here is the grass surrounding the greens and bunkers.)

Our project this summer entails reconstructing the slopes surrounding the greens on holes 4, 5, 6, 13, 14 and 15 as well as building a new tee on #1. The catalyst of the project is the need to reconstruct bunkers which are 12 years old. The age and condition of the current bunkers is such that adding new sand in not an option for success. It is necessary to completely rebuild the bunkers from the foundation up. We are taking advantage of this project to ensure the locations, shapes, sizes, depths and appearances of our bunkers and surrounding slopes are appropriate for the long-term enjoyment of our members.

I will be posting updates to this blog frequently throughout the project to keep you informed of the work being done as well as notify you of any interruptions there may be to the golf course.