ICC Grounds Department: August 2013

Saturday, August 24, 2013

News & Notes for the Up Coming Weeks

Construction Prep work begins at 12 tee

The projects that are lined up for this fall include the renovation of the upper tee box on #10, renovation of the tee box on #12, & enlarging the back portion of #2 tee. The renovation work is slated to begin after Labor Day weekend but work has already begun with the tree removals & some irrigation rerouting. Next week will be spent doing prep work such as sod removal, landscape work, & earth moving. All work that is slated to be done next week will be done in a way that should allow the course to play in its entirity for the Club & Class Championships but no promises. Progress comes at a cost sometimes!

Rerouting the hydraulic irrigation tubes @ 12 tee

New trencher getting its 1st work in. Performed like a champ.

Tree removals @ 10 tee

Tree climbers used @ 2 tee to ensure no damage to the existing tee

Completed tree work @ 2 tee

Grounds Crew getting involved in the tree removals @ 10 tee

Aerification season is upon us. The schedule is not set at this point due to the numerous renovation projects begining at the same time we would normally begin aerification. The aerification of tees & fairways will begin either the week of September 9th or 16th. This will depend on the progress of the renovation work. I will keep you informed as progress is made. It is always my desire to complete the aerification as close to Labor Day as possible as it begins the recovery from the summer and prepares the turf for the following golf season.

Sunday, August 4, 2013

It's August Already.....Really?

Ohio Stadium....Home of my beloved Buckeyes!

Today is the 2nd day of the Gold Putter and I enjoy watching but miss the competition. During events like this it reminds me of the best sporting arena in the country. To see how competition affects the human spirit is truely one of the greatest things sport brings to each and everyone that has ever competed. I want to provide the best possible conditions daily but on events such as the Gold Putter, Club Championship, etc.; I get an elevated sense of desire to bring a little more to the table. Friday's rain and cool temperatures sure has made this years Gold Putter something that I haven't seen before and am thankful to Mother Nature for this gift and hopefully that gift has been given to the players with course conditions.

The Dragon in proper operation.

July was a challenging month with the lack of rain and a good stretch of the summer heat & humidity. We had to rely on The Dragon (irrigation system) far to much and the many repairs that comes with its operation. It is a daily struggle at times when the daily plan is interupted with an urgent repair as to much water during the heat can lead to undesirable turf conditions. My relentless pursue to not give an inch sometimes becomes trying for myself and the staff when repairs continualy happen.

The dreaded, leaking irrigation hydraulic tubes.

It can make for a strong back but more often than not it results in a tired back that knows it has to always be ready to grab a shovel and dig till we find the leaking irrigation hydraulic tube. My hat goes off to Andrew & Cesar for having enough of my desire in them to continue helping me battle The Dragon.

Early morning before the sunrise.

A nice sunset.

The sun is risng later & setting earlier as the days get shorter and that is kinda sad as I realize we are on the downward side of the 2013 golf season but there is plenty of golf to be had in the next few months along with a lot of work to be done to improve Idlewild. Construction work on #10 & #12 tees will begin in late August as well as some small projects. If your not moving forward you are moving backward so I am happy to see these improvements come to the forefront.