All this sod went out today to finish up the areas on 10 and 18. We still have some detail cutting in the sod work to complete tomorrow. As soon as the cartpath on 18 is complete, we will complete the sodding in those areas. As soon as they are done I will take some before and after pictures and post them.
Here is a picture of 12 green with the new collar installed. The sod was taken from 17 fairway because it will be shortened during the renovation project. This was done this week and makes the green look much cleaner. We only have a few collars left that we will be tending to in the next few weeks or so.
Number 12 green also had some changes done around the green to allow for more sunlight and air movement. We removed a few trees behind the green and exposed and rebuilt an old rock wall. This is a really nice touch that can be seen on your approach shots. We plan on planting some forsythia bushes on the berm to the right of the green that will also give color to this area I the spring months as well as hide the swamp area behind it. This is a great article about Matt Schafer, Merion Superintendent, and the Penn State Turfgrass program. Glen Oak's Turf managers have a wide background. I graduated from Penn State with a bachelors degree in Turfgrass Science, Patrick Moran graduated from Rutgers Turf Program, Drew White Graduated from UMass with a degree in Agronomy concentrating on Turf and Les Lear graduated from the Penn State Turf Management Program. This allows us to exchange different ideas on pest and fertilizer management, managing and training of employees as well as daily agronomic activities on the course. Contrary to popular belief, there is a little more to our business than just dirt and grass.
http://www.mcall.com/sports/golf/mc-usopen-golf-penn-state-20130423,0,5037151.story Time to teach new employees how to cut greens. This is his second green and he has picked up on cutting straight lines quickly. Just so everyone knows only the assistants teach people how to cut greens.
Today was the first cut of the year with the John Deere walk mowers. The process went great and we didn't pick up much sand at all from the aerification. This made Jim the mechanic very happy. The course is in great shape right now and the weather has been very good for growing grass. This has also helped fill the aerification holes faster than I thought would happen. Soon we will need to get out seed head suppressants and annual bluegrass weevil sprays out on the greens and fairways. These sprays are time sensitive so monitoring is critical for getting optimum control for they year. I know this might not interest many of you but this is really exciting to the Turf guys. The deep tine aerification (10 to 12 inch depth) helped loosen up the subsurface of the greens. This process shattered the subsurface of the greens which allows for better air and water infiltration. This process also breaks the hard pan layer that is created from normal aerification to a 6 inch depth. This sample was taken out of the newly sodded area in front of ten green. The removal of the trees to the right of ten green was also a huge help as well.
I was going through the sketches and came across the one for the short game area. I thought members would like to have a closer look at it. Looks nice especially with the addition of the extra tee for 4. It was a nice suprize to see it in there.
Aerification is now complete. Rain was forecasted at 2 pm but held off until 6:30. This was a half hour after we completly finished. If the weather agrees with us, the holes should be healed over in 2 weeks. I was pleased with the amount of holes that we were able to fill. All the greens are about 85% to 95% filled. This is essential for quick recovery and and reduced organic matter build up. At the end of the day the crew did an excellent job with minor repairs needed on the greens. Everything went as planned. For the next few days we will only be rolling the greens until the turf starts to make its way through the sand layer.
Had to recruit some help to clean up all the greens but we finished them today. We will be completing the topdressing tomorrow. We should be completely finished tomorrow. Hopefully before the thunderstorms get here in the afternoon.
Here is a PDF file of the actual Bunker renovation plan for the bunkers.
This is a picture I took of the bunker plan from last night. I will be putting up more detailed ones soon.
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Superintendent
Gino Marchetti Assistant Superintendent
Les Lear Assistant Superintendent
Brandon Wisnosky Assistant-in-Training
Melinda Wesley Foreman
Bill Noll Mechanic Jim Saslo Past Employees
Drew White - Superintendent of south course at Westchester Country Club Patrick Moran - Superintendent Berwick Country Club Josh Dixon - LA Country Club Related Links
GCSAA Pocono Turfgrass Association USGA Glen Oak Country Club Penn State Turfgrass Science Penn State Turf Management Mark Mungeam - GOCC Archeitect Total Turf - 10 &18 Tee Project 2013 White Construction - Bunker Project 2013 Maintenance Calender
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May 2015
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