7/9 - Irving Park Reopens Limited Number of Holes and The Farm Plays Host to the Carolinas Am

Irving Park
The Irving Park course reopened 13 holes today.  Five holes (7-9 and 14-15) still need a little more work and time to grow.  Based on what we are seeing today we fully expect to open the entire course by next weekend (7/18).  Outside of a small amount of sod work in thin areas in select fairways that were sprigged the bulk of the sod work at Irving Park has been completed.

#1 - Late May

#1 Early July

Farm Course
The Farm course watched the first round of golfers go out today for their chance to be recognized as the best amateur golfer in both North Carolina and South Carolina for 2015.  The Carolinas Am is the flagship amateur tournament conducted by the Carolinas Golf Association and the field is composed of the leading leading amateurs in both states.  While the Farm course is not up to the high expectations of a normal year, this is in no way a normal year.  In conversations with Jack Nance, CGA Executive Director, the CGA is very happy with their decision to bring this event to GCC's Farm course and very lucky as well with their timing.  While there is still work that needs to be accomplished, the Farm course with it's Zoysia fairways and tees has resulted in conditions well above average compared to other courses in our region within the Carolinas.

Hope Still Exist for All 157 Competitors

#3 Farm - Practice Round

Farm Range
The Farm driving Range will be closing on July 13 to allow for sprigging on the landing area and chipping fairway.  The club will be sending out more details related to this closing in the next few days.

Farm Range

Lightning
Last week a small storm blew through the Farm course and struck a very large pine tree located directly behind the scoreboard to the right of 18 green.  Just one week later and who knows what could of happened? This is just a simple reminder of how dangerous lightning can be on the golf course.  The club has invested in a lightning detection system, which in addition to the detector located at the clubhouse includes three sirens located throughout the golf course.  When the siren goes off golfers are required to immediately quit play and return to the clubhouse or the nearest shelter.  In a recent study by the National Weather Service there were 8 golfer deaths by lightning over the past six years.  While 8 deaths over a six year period may surprise some the mere fact still exist that lightning can and does kill people.  While golf accounted for 8 deaths, all other listed outdoor sports accounted for 119 additional deaths, so the next time you hear one of our sirens go off don't think twice about calling it quits.

Lightning Strike From Top to Bottom

Bark Blown Off From Lightning Strike