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 These shrubs were old and outdated and just needed to be replaced with something fresh.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.