Once again the weather this week has cooperated nicely. The irrigation crew had a busy week working on hole #1 and the driving range. #1 took some extra work due to the fact that they had to install the main line to attach to the pump station along with the lines which contain the sprinkler heads.
The wider trench on the right is the main line.
Main line and necessary valves at the pump station connection.
Irrigation lines on the driving range.
Kris' crew continued working hard on the green project as well. The back tee on #3 has not been finished because the soil is still drying and settling. It is important to let it dry out and compact so that it is firm after completion. The rest of #2 surround has been sodded. I think everybody will be pleased with the tie-in, especially behind the green leading to #3 tee. As you can see in the picture below, it flows together nicely.
After the sod work at #2 and #3, Kris' crew moved over to work on #10 and #12 greens. Both greens are in various stages of completion. #12 green has been cored out, drained, and the mix has been installed. The irrigation was looped around the green on Saturday. This green still needs the final float to be completed, but I anticipate that they will be sodding the green by Tuesday or Wednesday if the weather cooperates.
#12 Drainage
Adding green mix to #12.
In the picture above, you can see #10 green being cored out. You can also see the left edge of the green as it is being rebuilt in comparison to where the existing green is located. The gray looking area is where the sod was removed from.
We applied a heavy topdressing to greens 14-18 this week. This topdressing serves a few purposes. First it will help to smooth out the sod as the grass grows through it in the spring. Secondly it helps to protect the grass plants by covering the main growing points (crowns) heading into winter. Covering the crowns helps to protect the plant from drying winds during the winter.
Dragging in the sand topdressing.
