Dead Spruce

It was another cold day here at Blue Hills Country Club. Although it's cold there's work that needs to be done and so the Blue Hills Crew tackled another tree project this morning. If you have been out on the golf course lately you might have noticed there was a dead spruce behind 3 green. The tree itself was very tall, close to 80 feet tall, but it was as dead as they come. The branches were slowly breaking off in the presence of bad weather and there was nothing that was going to save this tree. So, we took it upon ourselves to cut down the tree and put it through the chipper.

Twice As Bad, or Better?

This week at Blue Hills, the maintenance crew kept busy by cutting down and chipping up another tree that posed a problem agronomically as well as to the golfers. This tree in particular was located directly behind the right fairway bunker on number 18. The tree was close enough to the fairway that it posed a problem to the turf, but mainly we felt like the tree created an additional hazard, or a "double jeopardy" to golfers that were to land inside the bunker. The difficulty of shot would be hard out of the bunker, but it would be even more difficult to hit the shot out of the bunker and trying to avoid the tree as well. This is the first hole that was decided in this fashion, we will be looking at other holes/trees that have a similar setup throughout the winter months.

Rain, Rain, Too Much Rain

When we get rain it is a blessing here at the golf course. When we get a lot of rain, sometimes the effects can be a hindrance. When we take a look at our creek you will see exactly what I am talking about. In the last few years we have experienced multiple short bursts of excessive rain. These storms can bring a relief for a droughty turf in the summer, but when it comes to a water feature like our creek, the effects can be overwhelmingly destructive. The large amounts of rain will cause the creek to flood significantly, and when this happens there is a high chance for erosion to occur on the creek banks. This is especially true near the waterfall features of the creek.

There is a large washout near the stepping stone bridge behind the blue tee on 18. As you will see from the videos, the flow of water has managed to find a weak spot behind the rocks and is now flowing into the bank, the water then finds its way back into the creek.

One of the projects we hope to complete this winter is to create a long wing wall that expands into the creek bank.  This wall will be made from poured concrete and will extend about 15 feet into the bank and placed at a 45 degree angle. This process will be tricky because when the waterfall was first designed it was placed on top of the city sewer. The stacked landscape rock was then placed through iron rods in the center to stabilize the waterfall rock. So with this in mind we will expand onto the existing foundation of the waterfall to create the necessary wing wall. Placing a wing wall at this length should help correct the flow of water and divert it back into the main stream where it belongs. We will then back fill the washed area with topsoil and bring it back to level.

Dead Wood

These last few years we have been really working on cleaning out the canopy of the trees on our golf course. This winter we are continuing the process by cleaning out all the dead wood that has appeared in a lot of our oak trees. We contracted out a crew to come in and climb those tall oak trees. These climbers are professionals, they are able to climb the trees without spikes on their shoes so the trees aren't damaged during the process. They will start from the top working their way down the tree removing all the dead wood that is visible. The process should take only a few weeks since they are only concentrating their efforts on the oaks. Our crew then will come in later and limb up any maple trees that need it as well. This process is necessary for the health of the tree by severing off any portion of the tree that is dead. This will help keep unwanted insects from penetrating and entering those wounded areas and damaging the tree further.

Fresh H2O

Last week was a busy week for the Blue Hills Turf Crew. We had a group of people working on verticutting and another group of people working on the new installation of potable water to the bathroom on hole number 4.

The new installation of potable water to number 4 bathroom began with first locating the existing line. Next, we cut into, and branched off our new line towards the bathroom. After using the Dingo to help dig a trench, we inserted the newly assembled pipe into the trench and filled it back in. 

Puddle No More

 Another cold day means another day we can work on projects. While we were digging next to cart paths we decided to go ahead and install a type of french drain system next to number 1 tee. If you can recall during rain events there always seems to be a decent sized puddle next to the flower bed on number 1 tee. We decided to install a drain box and create a drainage system to help contain and remove the water that would otherwise stand on the surface of the cart path and beside it.

We felt like this is necessary because the water that would gather along the cart path would sit on the surface, and on a hot day would bake and cause a scalding effect to the turf. The standing water on the cart path was an annoyance when driving through it on a cart as well.

Removing the Rock

Good Afternoon Blue Hills Country Club, the maintenance crew here at the club have been keeping busy during this cold weather. We had a great season this year and we are continuing this trend with some work next to our cart paths. When we first poured our cart paths a few years ago, the contracted work crew began first by laying the base foundation before the concrete was poured. This foundation was expanded to the size of our old asphalt paths. When we decided that we wanted to have some paths narrower than the old ones, this foundation wasn't shrunken down to size so it was left in the ground. So after it was all poured, our crew came back through and back-filled the voids next to the newly poured path with topsoil, free of rocks and gravel. There have been a few problem areas next to some tees and greens like hole 1 tee and green as well as hole 6 green.

We decided to take the mini excavator and dig down next to these cart paths. We began digging no deeper than 6-8 inches (The depth of the base rock should be), as we dug we found we were digging up the extra base rock. This is problematic because we only originally back-filled 4-8 inches of topsoil in some places. This means the topsoil wasn't deep enough to allow good root growth for the turf to be sodded. So, the extra foundation material would heat up excessively during the summer months and cause stressed turf. This makes it hard for grass to grow and to stay healthy. In order to remedy this problem we are digging down 8 inches and making it free of asphalt and gravel. We then are dumping fresh topsoil back in the holes and leveling them out. We will finish the process by placing sod on top of the back-filled soil.

It's a Walk Path

Something that has been an issue lately are golfers taking their carts and driving them right down the middle of the walk paths. Here is an example of what we are talking about. Please refrain from driving on the walk path.

Spring Verticutting

Monday was a busy day at Blue Hills for the Maintenance Crew. The crew began the morning with a little verticutting to the greens. This is the first of many verticuttings this season. Verticutting is a cultural process that is necessary to incorporate every season to help with thatch accumulation and grain control. Verticutting removes excessive roots and stems that have been accumulating just below the leaf vegetative tissue and just above the soil surface. It also helps with removal of organic matter. This practice will allow the leaf blade to grow more upright which in turn will help with ball roll and overall green playability.  

Make It Linear

With Spring here warmer temperatures are sure to come soon. When warmer temperatures are here long enough our zoysia will begin growing. This will be the moment when we will be able to open our Driving Range Tee. Some things that everyone should keep in mind is the correct way to make a divot when hitting off the grass. This video demonstrates this perfectly.

The only thing that we would ask you to change is to leave a little more space between divot lines, possibly an inch or two. This will only help with the recovery of the turf. Instead of the grass having to grow through a big square disruption it can now grow through a skinnier one instead and recover faster.

Summary of Spring 2018 Drill and Fill / Aerifcation

In case you missed our GM's remarks on the aerification process, we thought we would share it on our page as well. Thank you.

It's Done! The Grow In Begins.

Blue Hills Members, A perfect day to play golf clashed with the only chance we had to complete our Drill & Fill and Greens Aeration project this week.  We are all grateful for your understanding and believe the benefits will last throughout this year.  The aeration project is complete.  Now, we begin the grow in process. Typically an aeration grow in will take two weeks.  This will project will likely take 3 to 4 weeks to fully heal, and the recovery is weather dependent.  You can begin playing Blue Hills again tomorrow.  The forecast looks a little dicey on Friday and we all know the weather changes quickly in KC.  To find out any course delays, restrictions or closings, check out UP TO THE MINUTE on the club mobile app or website.  Reminder:  PLEASE FIX YOUR BALL MARKS! Even though we have punched holes into the greens we still need you to repair your ballmarks.  A repaired ball mark takes 2-3 days to heal.  An unfixed ball mark will take 3 weeks and the surface will be uneven.   Below you will find a picture recap of the aeration, our hard working crew, and a couple of videos.    The crews finished the Drill and Fill project Thursday morning.  They carried over 110 TONS of kiln dried sand, pouring them into the feeders of the drill and fill machines.   Then they worked on our regular core aeration throughout the day, pulling 4 inch deep plugs and unwanted thatch from the greens.  Of couse this material needed to be removed, and the crews swept and shoveled the material into their work trucks.   They stayed at it all day, and needed to as they weren't done yet.   Cliff spread a fine topdressing of sand to fill in the aeration holes.   Bruce followed Cliff smoothing out the greens. But wait.  There was one more step.   That same crew headed back out to spread fertilizer onto the greens.  Correct. They walked every green on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Started out with a pickle bucket full of sand, and constantly filling and lifting them into a machine. Then they scapped off the unwanted material off each green. Then they fed each green to accelerate the healing process.  I could not find anyone with a Fitbit to tell me how many steps they took, but we'll assume it was "Unbroken" esque. We are all very excited to get this project behind us and enjoy the great results in May .

Verticutting

This last week temperatures were rising and everyone believed spring was finally here. The Blue Hills Turf Crew believed this to be true and so we got out on the course and got down to business. We began our first verticutting of the season on all of our greens. Verticutting is a cultural process that is necessary to incorporate every season to help with thatch accumulation and grain control. Verticutting removes excessive roots and stems that have been accumulating just below the leaf vegetative tissue and just above the soil surface. It also helps with removal of organic matter. This practice will allow the leaf blade to grow more upright which in turn will help with ball roll and overall green playability. 

More Bubbly

This past Friday Woody and his crew made an addition to the irrigation pond. Some people might recall a few years back when we encountered a problem with a smell coming from the pond. We decided to correct this issue by installing four airolaters which help with pulling the water from the bottom of the pond to the surface. This keeps a constant flow throughout the pond to keep everything healthy and to help keep the smell away. In continuation of the project we decided to incorporate four more airolaters and dispersed them evenly throughout the pond. In total we now have eight airolaters, and our pond should continue to be in good health, free of smell and looking good.

Lagoon Cleanup

The Blue Hills Maintenance Crew has begun work on the lagoon. This project has multiple steps that are required in order to get the majority of the debris out. The first step we took in order to start the process was to create a gravel path that would allow us to get to the center of the lagoon. We are now beginning to scoop out the debris and muck that has been collecting after heavy rainstorms. This is only a temporary solution because there are two constant flowing creeks that deposit directly into the lagoon. 

Below are pictures of the process so far.

Refreshed

This past week we have been busy working on a few different projects. One of these projects is the landscape bed next to the driving range tee. This bed was in need of a remodel. If you can remember this bed consisted of a row of tall shrubs that were enclosing the west side of the driving range tee. These shrubs were old and outdated and just needed to be replaced with something fresh. The remodel will consist of lower growing plants that will help with the beauty of the bed, and visibility of the driving range tee. Below, is a before and after picture of the bed. The design shown is what the bed will look like when completed.

Dormant Seeding

This week we began dormant seeding our green banks. Dormant seeding is what it sounds like, you seed during the year when the ground temperature is below 50* and the seed isn't ready to germinate. It is useful and cost effective to do this now when temperatures are cooler and the soil can keep moisture for longer which helps minimize irrigation needs. 

We began this project by aerating multiple passes along each green bank, this pulles a core of soil leaving a little hole for the seed to drop into and helps make soil contact. After every hole was aerated, we came through with a rotary spreader and dispersed our tall fescue.  When the seed has been thrown we go behind and drag the area with a steel drag mat.  This process helps to break the plugs up and work the seed into the high traffic, thin growing areas, where it will sit until temperatures warm and the seed can germinate.

Fore The Golfer: How to Repair Ball Marks

     When hitting approach shots into the green, almost all shots whether close or far will create a ball mark.  It is common courtesy and good etiquette to find the ball mark you created with your shot and fix it.  It is important to not only fix your ball mark, but to fix it properly.  Do not pry up with your repair tool as that will sever the roots and prolong the healing of the ball mark.  It is important to start at the back of the ball mark and push the surface towards the center working your way around the divot.  Fixing the ball mark properly will not only help heal the mark faster, but will create a smooth putting surface for the next golfer.  The most courteous golfers not only repair their own ball mark, but one other as well.

Please watch video for proper way to fix ball marks.

Teeing Off Another Project

Another snow event means another day inside. We use this time to our advantage and complete projects that would be hard to do otherwise. This week we pulled the tee markers from the front 9 and brought them inside. We lay them out and inspect them for any damage. The broken tee markers will be thrown away and will be replaced with a fresh one that we have created. All the other tee markers will be cleaned off and then brushed with a fresh coat of paint to give it new life. After all the tee markers are coated thoroughly, they will be set to dry, and then we will take them back out to the course for another golf season.

Out with the Old, in with the New

This week we began phase one of cleaning the landscape bed near the front circle. This bed is where are main gas line is located. Originally, to help conceal the gas line there were upright cedars planted. The cedars are not native to this particular area, they weren't growing well and were starting to become unsightly. In there place we will install a group of arbor vitae. The arbor vitae will have a cleaner look and do a better job at concealing the gas line. Additionally, there will be a stop sign installed on the corner of the landscape bed.

A Little Wider

     This week, we are in the process of extending the cart path to the east of the putting clock. This is a highly congested area where carts are continually passing by each other. Extending the cart path will allow carts do so without getting off the cart path and damaging the turf.
     The first step to this process is to outline the extension area. Then, we will dig out approximately 8" of dirt. We will then add approximately 3-4" of AB3 gravel and install sections of rebar to help reinforce and stabilize the concrete. Finally, we will mix and pour the concrete with a slight taper away from the cart path so that water will not collect and stand on the finished path.

Habitat for Our Feathered Friends

As many of you have seen, there are several bird houses throughout the course for the Eastern Bluebird. This winter we have built 12 more houses and will be adding them to the property. This will improve the habitat for these birds and give them a safe place to be, while increasing there population.

Stump Grinding 101

This week our team completed phase two of our tree removal project. This phase involves grinding of the stump. This is accomplished by operating a heavy piece of machinery known as a stump grinder, which tears up the stump into little wood chips. These wood chips are then removed by hand in preparation for phase three. Phase three will involve bringing in topsoil to back fill the hole that was created from stump grinding. After back filling the hole we will then sod cut the area and prep for sod.
Click the video for a stump grinding experience.