Perfect Execution

The “sod” projects crossed the finish line last Thursday perfectly timed for a Friday soaking rainfall. All areas turned out great!  We fixed two separate areas along cart paths that usually hold water and the walkway to #15 tees.  We also fixed three sinkholes in high traffic areas and two separate tee renovations!  More cart path and sinkhole sod repairs to come this offseason!

#14 Red Tee

#7 Blue Tee

#15 Tee Complex Walkway

#8 Tee Surround Sinkhole

#1 Cart Path Birdbath Repair

Projects!

The end of the golf season and leaf cleanup means we have transitioned to projects.  Multiple projects have been initiated.  #14 red tee has been relocated again closer to its original position.

 #7 blue tee has been altered slightly.  We stripped about six foot of teeing surface from the left and installed it on the right side to better align the tee box with the hole.  We reused the zoysia sod and the fescue sod from either side.

Finally, we started to repair the walkway to the tee boxes on hole #15.  This area frequently collected water and was a safety hazard.

We are filling this area with soil and then bringing in sod to complete.  Fescue sod will arrive Wednesday or Thursday to finish up all of these projects and possibly a few more small areas.

Stay tuned!

Week in Review

Wow, what a great week we had last week! Doesn’t look like a repeat is likely this week though.  For the first time in months we skipped a precipitation event and had some dry soil to work with. We quickly broke ground on a few projects that we had been waiting on. The ladies tee box on number 12 was refurbished. We stripped all the zoysia sod off of it and placed to the side to reuse. The tee was raised almost 2 foot to give a better perspective to the fairway.  

While working on #12 we knocked out another tee renovation at the same time.  A new tee was constructed on hole #13.  We used the leftover sod from #12 for the tee top.

During the week of construction we also managed to do service work to other tee boxes, mow greens, rake bunkers, and cleanup debris.  It’s was a really good feeling to know spring is near but I think I can speak on behalf of myself and team members in saying we were all whooped after last week, haha.  Looking forward to the season and more improvements at BHCC!

Green Side Up

As promised, zoysia sod was delivered and installed throughout the golf course.  Nearly 3000 square-foot was installed on various fairways and tees.

The practice facility tee added 2,000 sqft today too! That makes it 20% larger!  First, the topsoil was graded out and checked with out transit.  Then 8 large rolls of sod was installed.  The surround will be sodded in the upcoming days pending rain tomorrow.

Week In Review

We saw all fours seasons last week with a frost and some light snow flakes on Monday!  That gave way to a 50 degree temperature change in 36 hours with temps in the mid 80s on Tuesday.  Spring rain and mist by Thursday with a chilly autumn feel on Friday.  Gotta love Missouri!  All this just means we were forced to get creative throughout the week to get tasks completed and present good playing conditions on the nice days.

A side note and moving back further than a week, I had the privilege to attend The Masters for the first time and it didn’t disappoint!  What a wonderful experience and motivator to start off the season!

A heavy topdressing of sand on greens before the 1.1” rain Thursday will aid in the final push for holes to close up the rest of the way!  We are really close to dropping the hammer on putting greens and dialing them in for the season!

Finally, the team really out did themselves on Friday. That 1.1” rain total from Wednesday night  tallied up in only 3 hours which resulted in some minor washouts.  They worked hard and got all the bunkers back into playable condition in one day!  This also pays tribute to the result of our bunker renovation!  Our old bunkers would have demanded at least two days of work, pumping standing water and pushing up sand from major washouts!  Kudos to the club for their commitment to improve the golf course!

And... can I get a LGB?!?!

Tee Time

Not talking about making a tee time in the near future but we have been making some tee alterations.  Most importantly we are expanding our practice facility tee. This tee was a split level tee with a small lower tee for teaching.  With a growing membership we are maximizing tee space by constructing the surface into one single level.  Today we converted a deserted teeing ground back into a zoysia grass tee box.  The ladies tee on #5 is now back into its original location from years before. This placement is a much better layout for a successful start to the hole!

Turf and Trees

Last week the sod was delivered and rolled out over the newly shaped #1 tee complex.  Midwest Turf layed the sod and watered it in on Friday.  These tees are roped off to keep all foot traffic off until rooted in.

Fast forward now to Monday and limbs are falling from the sky!  A contracted tree climber took out numerous dead limbs from a handful of trees.  Another couple trees were trimmed based on golf playability.  This process is never ending at our property so please be patient as we keep chipping away!

Prepped And Ready

After the dust has settled, we are ready for some sod to roll in on Friday.  Six loads of soil and three loads of topsoil was brought in to get the new tees more elevated than original.  Both tees are about one foot higher than original grade.  The tees were laser leveled to a 1.5% slope to allow for surface drainage.  A few sprinkler heads had to be raised and a drainage catch basin was installed too.  The finished product will be ready to show off shortly.  Please keep in mind we will have to keep foot traffic off the newly sodded area for a while.  Please walk up cart path to access putting green.

Beginning Stages

We are at the beginning stages of transforming #1 tee complex back into a teeing ground.  While many probably enjoyed knocking a dozen yards or more off the 1st (or 10th) hole this year, the tent is gone so it’s time to move along.  This project is being contracted out and covered by insurance due to the fire.  It’s nice to get break from all the construction action for a bit before we start another big project at the start of 2018!

Today, the rock was stripped off and hauled to our maintenance shop area to be used on other projects.  Then six loads of soil was hauled from our stock pile to help build the new tees a little higher than original construction.  The blue tee will be elevated roughly one foot higher than before and the pro tee will be about two foot higher when completed.

Light At The End Of The Tunnel

After a solid month of leafs falling to the ground from the trees above, it seems as if we are nearly finished.  We did the best we could to keep the golf course as clean as possible.  It is a pleasant site to see the sun through the canopy of our large shade trees on the property! 

On another note, as promised, a different task has come to an end too!  Thursday we completed the new tee on #14!  Sod was layed and it will be ready for play next season.

Another One?

Another tee box addition?!  You bet, we are well on our way to completing another tee box.  Hole #14 green is gaining some defense against the big hitters.  A new pro tee is being built adding on roughly 10 yards.  In less than one year we have added about 50 yards to the tips here at BHCC.  We anticipate having this tee completed by the end of the week.  Check back in for completion photos!