ICC Grounds Department: Its Been Awhile But Back With Some Updates

Where has the summer gone??? The kids are back to school and football season is just around the corner. Fall golf is my favorite time of year and most important to next years turf being healthy. The Grounds Department switches gears from maintaining during the heat of summer to building the turf back to strength for the following year. Aside from a few heavy rain events (looks like one is taking place now) the summer has been excellent and I couldn't have asked for anything better coming off a horrific winter/spring. The course has been shining bright for the past 2 months with some prime playing conditions. I am looking forward to a strong finish with the Club Championships and fall golf season.

View from behind 18 green

Aerification is a key component of turf health and improved course conditions once completed. With Fall Aerification season knocking on the door the schedule has been put in place & is as follows:

AERIFICATION SCHEDULE (WEATHER PERMITTING)

TEES WEEK OF AUGUST 25TH

FAIRWAYS WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 1ST

(CLOSE 9 HOLES TUESDAY & 9 HOLES ON WEDNESDAY)

GREENS WEEK OF OCTOBER 6TH

We have found time to make some improvements based on things we learned from the past winter. Drainage and getting water off the turf is always crucial so we have had the opportunity to fix some issues on 5 approach, 5 fairway, & 17 fairway. The crew did an excellent job of getting the work done with minimal member inconvenience and Kudos to Andrew (Asst. Superintendent) for leading the drainage projects. It was my hope to complete some drainage work on 13 fairway but time and weather are interfering at the moment. I believe 13 fairway drainage will now be a fall project.

5 fairway drainage

17 fairway drainage

Tree work has been touched on a little as time has allowed. The stumps from the previous winter have been removed and also had outside contractor tackle 1 day worth of work removing some fallen trees & a few dead Ash trees. This is just the tip of the iceberg unfortunately as the number of dead Ash trees are increasing much faster than we can remove. If the weather cooperates this fall & winter...if...tree removals will be our focus.

Tree removals along the property line at 13

Stump grinding the trees removed last winer

Irrigation repairs are always an issue and we have had plenty of them with over 90 leaks in 2014. I have begun talks with Leibold Irrigation on a new irrigation system as the 1979 system is standing on its last leg. While a new system would surely be god sent to me & the crew, it will also be great improvement to the membership. It will allow the Grounds Crew to focus more time and resources to improving other areas of the course not to mention the playability of the course as we would be able to maintain the use of irrigation water properly without fear of break downs. Over the years I have learned to adapt and prevent any major turf issues but not without a steadfast effort by myself & crew. That being said, I have always felt the course is always to wet which limits the overall playability of the course. I look forward to moving into the technology that is available to provide these improved course conditions & playability.

Countless hours & effort spent repairing the irrigation hydraulic tubes

Irrigation problems strike at any hour, day or night; leaving turf in a compromising environment

Aside from the rough start to the 2014 season, I am proud of the course that has been delivered to the membership and hope the membership is as proud of their course as I am.

Here is to more days like these to finish out the year.