New Path for the Alternate Driving Range Tee

These last few weeks we have begun an addition to our cart path. We have felt there was a need to modify the mulch path that cut through from #1 to #4 to concrete.  This new concrete path will be for golfers to get to and from the alternate driving range tee.  The new path will be 7 feet wide which will also help accommodate the maintenance crew maneuver our larger equipment around the course. There will be three phases to this process.  Phase 1 was completed by removing all of the mulch from the existing path.  We then painted white lines to set the boundary of the concrete path. Then we excavated the dirt out to a depth of about 8".  Once the material was removed we brought in AB3 gravel and compacted it down to create a foundation for the new path in preparation for the concrete.  Phase 2 will consist of forming up the sides and laying re bar along the top of the AB3.  Phase 3 will then consist of pouring the concrete and smoothing it out for the final look.  

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.

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.

Cart Path Expansions

 
           This week the Blue Hills Maintenance Crew completed another cart path project. There were three particular areas where the cart path was needing to be widened: the turn right next to the halfway house, the turn just after seven tee, and the turn after six green right next to the drinking fountain.
The cart path next to the halfway house becomes congested easily. This new expansion will allow traffic coming from 9 green to 10 tee to pass easier with the carts coming from 18 green. The new cart path addition after seven tee and six green was needed for Blue Hills personnel and the beverage cart. Please be sure to park on one side or the other so other people can use path. 

Thanks,
Have a good day!