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.

#1 Landscape Project

Today the grounds staff began one of several projects to be undertaken this summer. Removal began of the old landscaping between the first tee and the shopping center. Once all necessary landscape removal is complete, the next phase of this project will be the construction of a wall followed by the addition of new landscaping. When completed, this project is sure to greatly improve the aesthetics and first impression of our golf course.

Important Notice - Chipco Choice Application on Monday, June 18

Each year we make a preventative application to control mole crickets on the golf course. What are mole crickets? Mole crickets are large insects that can be very disruptive to turfgrass. If not controlled, they can completely destroy acres of turf having a detrimental effect on aesthetics and playability.

One of the products we use to prevent mole cricket outbreaks is Chipco Choice. (This product also controls fire ants.) When possible, we schedule our preventative Chipco Choice application to coincide with the golf course being closed to prevent disruption to golfers. Unfortunately, our scheduled application date was two weeks ago and was rained out. An outside contractor is required to make the application which means we have to reschedule to fit within their available dates.

The contractor will be here on Monday, June 18 and Tuesday, June 19 to make the application. The work will consist of tractors driving up and down the golf course to cover basically every square foot of the property except for the greens. We will do our best to work them around play but you may experience a few interruptions during your round on Monday. If you do, please allow them to move out of your way before playing your shot.

After the application is made, you may notice grooves cut into the turf. In most situations, these should be minor and not affect play. If for some reason there is a more significant impact, you are allowed to confer with your group to determine if relief should be granted.

Detour

Most of us remember a little storm last year by the name Hurricane Irma. Aside from roughing up our docks and blowing down our trees, Irma also caused the Starlite Princess Dinner Cruise Ship to break free and drift into the bridge between Isla Key and Isla Del Sol. This caused damage to some of the power lines across the span. Duke Energy is now in the process of installing new lines.

Instead of installing aboveground lines, Duke Energy will be boring a new power line under the channel. This work will require them to excavate and install access boxes in the area of our current cart path behind #2 green heading towards the bridge. As a detour, the contractor will be providing a temporary path in the location where the original path was many years ago. They will be exposing the old asphalt where available and adding stone where necessary in order to provide us with a continuous path. Barriers will be installed to guide us along the correct path.

Take a left at the fork

Our carts will continue along the property line with La Puerta until we near the water where we will be able to turn under the bridge as usual.

This will be the new angle of approach heading to the bridge

Upon completion of the project, the contractors for Duke Energy will once again provide us with a permanent path solution to travel between holes 2 and 3. They are estimating the work to take approximately one month. 

Just A Little Off The Top

This week the grounds department began cutting back the ficus hedge along number nine. This hedge was planted over a decade ago to give the golf course separation from the Bayway. Every two to three years we cut the hedge back to just a few feet high. This is done to keep the bottom part of the hedge dense in order to best serve as a barrier. If this trimming is not performed, our hedge would eventually turn into a row of trees with little density at the bottom. While they look like dead stumps now, the hedge will soon regenerate and grow back full and healthy.

As a result of Hurricane Irma, much of our hedge blew over but was still alive. Another benefit of cutting back the ficus is that we hope to straighten these plants. This would be difficult to do successfully if they were still 20 feet tall.

We will continue this work to the ficus hedge across the entire property until complete.

Member or Guest?

This photo was taken last week between the 13th green and 14th tee. The gator seen here is approximately 6-7’ in length. (It wouldn’t hold still for me to measure.) I hope it is just visiting for the Member-Guest Tournament and will be leaving soon!