Construction update 11/19

The project continues to move forward on schedule.  The green surface finish grades are completed and now await approval from the architect, who will be on site today.  Bunkers will be carved out and the surrounds tied in to the greens, this should be done by the end of the week.  The next step will be the installation of the irrigation and once that is completed the process of grassing will begin. The new greens will be sodded to A1-A4 bentgrass.  The fairway areas will be shortcut bluegrass (the same turf used on 12 & 13 fairways when renovated in '03) and the rough will be a tall fescue/bluegrass blend.  

Monday morning we received our first dose of measurable precipitation that has come our way in a long time.  We got .5" and there was absolutely no sign of any residual water on the new green surfaces as it was on various other locations throughout the course.      

 

amendment blend added to our greensmix to provide a nutrient base for the new greens

more reasons for renovation work, this beauty was only 4" under the surface.  note the "dents" from the deeptine

last of the mix being added on 15 

15

15 from the temp green area 

gravel layer being added on 16

finish grading done with "sand-pro"

15

greensmix nearing completion on 16

finish grading on 16

Shaper, Kevin Nolan, making sure that it's on the money!
 

Kevin

blending surrounds up to the green surface on 15

tie-in on 15

15

 

so ends our update for today.   as we continue, more photos to follow.

thanks again for checking in.

 

-Johnny P.

Contruction continues...

 

"The three most important items for success of a green.

DRAINAGE, DRAINAGE & DRAINAGE."

 

Drainage, Sunlight & Airflow is probably more accurate...but the point is made.

 

The rough shaping is now finished on both 15 & 16 and drainage work under way.  Both greens drainage systems have improved dramatically, going from near nothing to extensive.

 

Today, 11/12/13, we had a slight delay due to an unexpected burst of snow.  This made the surfaces a little too wet to work on today, but will be fine to  continue tomorrow.

 

as usual...here are some photos:

 

 


drainage "plan" for 16

shooting grades for proper pitch

installation process begins

lower section of 16 green, herringbone drainage

16 drainage completed

upper 16





 

15 drainage being installed



 

15 final rough grade
 

through it all the leaves keep falling...

...and we keep cleaning 'em up.  This seems never-ending.  Pretty much, 8 hrs a day for 8 weeks

11/12/13  surprise snow

Pretty to look at, but that's enough for me.


that's our update for today, 11/12/13, hope you enjoy the blog.  tune in again soon for more photos of the project.

Thanks, John





 

 

Rough Grading on 15

The dry weather allows the renovation work to move forward at a good pace.  The 16th complex is ready for drainage work to begin and 15th is nearing that stage today.  Our other greens are well on the way to good health and the repair work done is healing very nicely.  Please take an extra moment to repair ball marks on the 14th green, now playing as a 100 yard par 3 the green is getting hammered with ball marks.  

early stages on 15

16 ready for drainage to begin

shooting grades on 16 for drain lines

15

Architect Kelly Moran, with construction crew making certain that thing are what they should be.
 

15's turf healing well on #18.   



Kelly fine tuning in the field

Kevin makes adjustments to slope on right of 15

ACTUAL PHOTO, sign was not moved.  PLEASE REPAIR BALL MARKS ON ALL OF OUR GREEN.
It is even more important this time of year because the grass is not growing at a rate to repair itself.

World Series Champions - 2013 !!!
Not easy being a Sox fan in NY, but this helps ;)
 

Renovation update 10/30

October 30th and things are continuing to move along nicely with the renovation work.  Subgrade on #16 is near completion and our architect is on site to listen to our concerns and for an inspection.  Some changes will be made and then a final rough grade needs approval.

We have also begun to move earth on 15.  As bad as the underlying soil on 16 green was, 15 is worse.  The old saturated clay smells of sulfur and the green was absolutely loaded with tree roots on the left side.  Trees on the left of the cartpath knew where to find nutrients and easy water...right in the subsoil of the green.

Shaper Kevin Nolan nearing finish subgrade on 16

a SouthEast facing slope that is too severe and needs to be softened.  Every inch of the green is plotted and spec'd to a specific elevation.

Rear tier on 16.  Not certain how this will/may change.  Discussions in progress. 



Bulk earth moving on 15

view of 16 from newly created ridge to the right of 15 green

extreme clay in the green on 15

blue/gray clay 15 green

TREE ROOTS IN THE 15TH GREEN !!!  These roots came from the other side of the cartpath and invaded the green.  This is one of the many issues we face while trying to produce quality greens with less than acceptable environments. 

a very large borer, which probably came from one of the removed ash trees on the left of 15.  Many of our Ash trees are infested with these borers which ultimately lead to decline and eventual death of the tree.

 

I appreciate you checking in to visit the blog, stay tuned for frequent updates throughout the project. 

Green Renovation 15/16

Our renovation work is well under way.  Golf Course Architect, Kelly Blake Moran, has designed our new green complexes.  Locally, Kelly is responsible for the superb design at Laurel Links in Jamesport.  The construction crew hails from Delea Sod.  They have hired Kevin Nolan, who did the majority of the shaping at Atlantic GC in Bridgehampton,  We are fortunate to have him in the seat of that John Deere dozer out there doing his thing!

One of the main reason's that we chose #16 is that it's summer survival has always been a constant battle.  When I interviewed for this position way back in 1995, it was explained to me this way: "don't worry too much about this green, it dies every August, that's the way it is."
Hmm? So obviously there is a bigger issue than the turf here.  Well we found it.  Right under the green, was a thick layer of blue/gray clay.  No drainage at all other than an inexpensive attempt with the "Water Wick" system, which certainly helped and remains evident some 10 years after installation.

Here come the photos, please enjoy.

Layering issues in the greens: 3 inches of topdressing, 3 inches of very heavy soil, and under that solid CLAY.  This is the reason behind most of our problems at IHCC.  And...most of our greens were constructed this way. 

We stripped the valuable areas on both greens to use in other areas.

Here we used sod form the right of 15 green to repair the damaged area on 18 green.  Unfortunately, the soil issue here is similar so we will be babysitting this sod for a while.  

We also used a lot of the newer bluegrass surrounds on 15 to repair some of the ground stumps.....

....and to patch the stump area where the mostly dead Maple was removed near the putting green

Step one: rototiller

The John Deere Dozer....has arrived!

Starting on 16

moving soils on 16

Water Wick drainage, 10+ years after installation.  This went down approximately 12", notice here the heavy dark clay soils that were in 16 green.   

Here the dozer is rolling up the blue-gray clay just under 16 green surface.

The dark gray clay....under 16 green, visable even after a lot of soil has been moved.

16

More to follow as the project continues.....