Project Update - September 5

The light at the end of the tunnel is becoming clearer! We have had a good couple of days following the Labor Day holiday.

On #15 we completed installation of the sod surrounding the green today. The new forward tee on #15 has been final graded and will be grassed on Thursday.

The new tees on #1 are taking shape. It is immediately noticeable how much additional square footage is available for the forward tees. The final shaping and irrigation installation on #1 will be completed on Thursday. The tee will be grassed on Friday. For most of the project we have been using piece sod which comes stacked on pallets. Each piece has to be picked up and placed one at a time by a worker. Instead of this method, will be using roll sod for the 1st tee. This sod comes in a large roll and is installed using a machine. It's difficult to use roll sod in and around bunkers and green contours but it is ideal for the long, straight runs like the first tee area. This method is faster and will enable all three truckloads of sod to be installed on Friday.

The sod on holes 4, 5, 6, 13 and 14 was mowed for the first time today. It is mowed at a higher height to start. The mowing height will gradually be reduced until it matches the height of our normal fairways and surrounds. While the grass will not currently play as good as normal, I am hoping to open play back to the regular greens on all holes except #15 by the weekend. This decision will be based on health of the turf and safety for the golfers. I will keep you posted after further evaluation.


#15 green in the distance behind the new forward tee in the foreground.


New tees on #1 are taking shape.


Jason mows the sod on #4 for the first time.

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