We started off the week with some light frost on Sunday and heavy frost on Monday morning. The frost resulted in a change of plans for the Monday closure on the Bear.  We were scheduled to verticut and top dress the Bear greens during the closure, however due to the frost we had to push those cultural practices until later in the week.  We did not want to cause any damage to the greens while the temperatures were in the 30’s during the first part of the week.  We were able to get the greens verticut and top dressed on Wednesday.  The greens on both courses are looking good and rolling about 10 on average.  I am very pleased with the performance and health of both sets of greens given the challenges we have faced. 

Monday the 16th  Bobcat #1 

I am happy to report that our carts, grinders, and blowers that were ordered post Ian will be delivered over the next few weeks.  The Bobcat pump station is still on track for installation in mid-February.  Once installed our watering capabilities will be back to normal.  It will take some time to rehydrate some of the dryer areas of the golf courses.  There are areas that have received very little water and have become hydrophobic and repel water when it is applied.  To combat this issue, we are utilizing several wetting agents that will help break the surface tension in the soil and allow water to enter and remain in the soil profile. The GCM department is also looking into some alternative scheduling to maximize the w
ater we have available.  You may see watering occurring during the mornings before play and during the afternoon when the courses have less activity. We will continue to do everything we can to bring our courses back to the conditions our members expect.  We appreciate your support and patience while we continue our recovery efforts. 

This past week we discovered a leak on a 6" mainline that runs along #13 Bear Tee.  The pipe was sitting on a rock which caused the leak.

The pipe was exposed so that we could make the repair.  The bread is used to plug the pipe and prevent any water from flowing while the repair is made.  Once the repair is finished the bread is easily dissolved allowing the water to flow normally through the pipe. 

The irrigation system on the Bear is made of HDPE or high density polyethylene pipe.  In order to make the repair the pipe must be prepped with a scraper to remove any oxidation and then cleaned with alcohol wipes.  To weld the pipe back together requires the pipe to be completely contaminate free.  

An electro fusion machine is used to weld the coupling and pipe together.  For this 6" line the weld time was a little over 8 minutes. The pipe and fitting then have to cool for 30 minutes prior to re-pressurizing the pipe.

Once the weld is complete and the pipe has cooled off its as good as new.  

 

Romeo is all smiles with his new material handler.

 The material handler allows the GCM staff to move a large amount of material around the courses.  We use it mainly during our top-dressing applications. It will also be used to add sand to the bunkers.

Did you ever wonder what goes on during our summer closures?

Check out this short video from the first Bear Closure of the summer!

https://youtu.be/aCM4aGdDUHk 

 

This past week the GCM department had some tree work done on the Bear Course.  The palm tree trimming will allow more sunlight to reach holes 10, 16 and 18. The trimming also drastically improved the aesthetics on these holes.  

                    10 Bear Tee before trimming                                10 Bear Tee after trimming

Bobcat Monday Closure

 During the Bobcat closure this past Monday we Ninja tined greens to increase oxygen flow to the root system.  Click on the video below to see the entire process. 

Cold Weather Preparation

You may have noticed all the annual flower beds are covered in a blanket.  This material is to protect the plants from freezing temperatures.  Frost will severely damage or kill the annual flowers that prefer warmer temperatures.  The crews spent a good part of Friday morning installing the frost cloth.