Autumn has finally ushered in cooler temperatures and the late summer - early fall drought has subsided for now. The dry conditions were extremely helpful and well timed for our pond excavation project. The contractor couldn't have asked for better conditions for what we were trying to accomplish. While the project still has a few things that need to be completed before we officially move on it does appear the project will hit it's goal of removing approximately 4,000 cu yds of fill sediment within the approved budget. The island surrounding the City sewer main is all that is left to deal with as far as sediment removal goes. We have rented a small mini excavator and will be working today around the pipe to get this area lowered to ~ 2 feet below full water level. Once that is complete there will be just a few more things to finish. We will need to repair the section of turf on the #13 tee side where the trackhoes and dump trucks damaged the turf. Also, we were forced to cut a hole in the concrete drain structure and that hole will need to be repaired by installing a new drain valve before we can begin refilling the pond. Lastly, we are looking to install a sub-surface water mixer and circulator to maintain an improved water quality and appearance moving forward.
Several things have taken place in recent weeks to prepare the courses for the long winter season:
- The warm season grasses were treated with a high Potassium fertilizer application to harden them off before dormancy.
- Warm season grasses received preventative treatments for diseases such as Spring Dead Spot and Zoysia Patch.
- The two courses both received weed control applications to prevent winter weed germination.
- Ryegrass was planted on the Farm practice tee area and fescue areas were selected re-seeded throughout each course.
Cart Path Repairs
A large section of root damaged cart path was repaired on hole #2 on Irving Park and the turf that was damaged from the paving process has been repaired.
74th Carolinas Putter Cup
On October 18-19 the Farm course made a great showing for the 74th Carolinas Putter Cup team matches that slates 24 of the best amateur golfers in the Carolinas against 24 of the best amateurs from Virginia and West Virginia. The Carolinas team was captained by our very our Lawrence Hicks who must of done an outstanding job because the Carolinas team won in dominant fashion with a final point score of 31-17. Much like Carolinas Open, which was hosted earlier this summer, the comments on the golf course and service were overwhelmingly positive.
