Day 4 - The Pace Quickens Again!

More than 24 hours after the 1.1 inch rain event, you would hardly even know anything happened and the contractor just took it in stride and marched forwarded. Yesterday was our most productive day yet. I continue to be amazed at how well all parties are working seamlessly with one another and the results of these efforts are speaking volumes.

The greens core-out continued yesterday, but with a new piece of equipment introduced into the equation. The large pay loader shown below has really quickened the pace of removing the old greens and sod from the existing tees. With the use of this machine, MacCurrach Golf was able to finish the core-out of the 13th, 16th, 15th, 14th, 6th, and 11th greens all in one day. They even managed to get started on the 7th green late in the evening.



We continued with the efforts to strip all the sod off of the old tees yesterday as well. Pictured below is the 16th during that process. As of yesterday, all but the 5th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th and 17th holes had all the sod removed and where ready to be re-shaped. There should be significant progress on this front today and I would be surprised if there were more than one or two tees with any sod on them by the conclusion of work today.



The shaping of the greens sub-surfaces continued as well yesterday but only the 16th green was able to be completed due the rains the day before. The soil in the base of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 12th greens was simply too wet to shape yesterday. The shapers from Renaissance appear to be ready to work through the weekend to make up for lost time and in preparation for Mr. Doak's visit. The plan is to have 6 greens for Mr. Doak to look at during his first visit and I think we will make that mark with no problem. I still think we might even have 8 greens for him to survey. Below is a photo of Mr. Iverson of RGD working the bulldozer in the 16th green. Notice the laser guided transit in the background - the shaping of the subsurface is one of the most critical components to ensuring superior surface drainage and the use of this laser helps ensure the work is done properly.



By the end of the day today, all the greens core-outs should be complete, expect for the putting green which we will leave in as long as possible for the membership to use.

Don't forget the Member-Info Session next Wednesday evening at 5:30. I would love the opportunity to show you how far we have come in such a short amount of time. Have a great weekend!!!

Day 3 - Mother Nature's Curveball

Mother Nature gave us a quick reminder that she will be in control of this project yesterday afternoon. Everything was cruising along until about 4pm when the skies opened up and belted us with 1.1 inches of rain. It's never a good thing to see bulldozers and puddles in the same photo as shown above. The bad news is the rain shut us down for the day. The GREAT news is that because of how dry the course was going into the rain event, the course soaked up all of the rain overnight and we are back at it, full tilt this morning.

Before the rains came yesterday much was accomplished. The 18th green sub grade was completed and awaiting Mr. Doak's approval. The 2nd green is very close and the shapers hope to make a few final tweaks this morning in order to have that one ready as well. The 12th green was completely cored-out and the 13th and 16th greens were about 90% done when the rains came.

This morning we are already back in the 13th and 16th greens and should have those core-outs finished within hours. Moving on from there we will be headed to the 15th, 6th, and 14th greens. We continue to strip additional tees and have begun stockpiling all the extra soil spoils near the new 17th green site.

Mother Nature may have one this battle, but we will win the war!!!

Day 2 - Great Progress is Made

Unfortunately, I do not have time this morning to add photos but I will try to do so this afternoon.

There is no question that by the end of day two everyone is quickly settling into their roles and the progress is speeding up - hard to believe we can move faster than day one, but we are!! Yesterday the core out of the 18th green was complete along with 17th, 3rd, 4th, and 5th greens - today we are scheduled to tackle the 12th, 13th, and 16th greens.

The shaping of the sub-grade on the first green is now complete and awaiting Mr. Doak's comments. The Renaissance shapers began shaping the sub-grades on the 2nd and 18th greens yesterday as well. I suspect by the end of today that both the 2nd and 18th green's sub-grades will be complete and awaiting Mr. Doak's approval. Mr. Doak is scheduled to make his first construction visit to the club mid next week to begin the approval process. Once Mr. Doak has approved the sub-grades, then the contractor can begin installing the drain tile, gravel and mix.

Lastly, the new 17th green site had all the existing sod stripped and removed yesterday so that any extra materials could start being stockpiled in that locaton. As the shapers begin working on the tees, all the excess fill on these tees will be re-located to this location to start building the green pad for the new 17th green.

Member Info Session - July 14th at 5:30pm

Each week during the renovation of the golf course, the Golf Course Renovation Oversight Committee (GCROC) will meet every Wednesday evening to review the renovation progress. At the conclusion of these meetings, the members of the committee will make themselves available to the membership at large for "Member-Info Sessions". These sessions will take place every Wednesday at 5:30pm with the first meeting scheduled for July 14th. At these sessions you will be able to have your questions about the projects progression ansewered and be given a tour of the construction by a member of the GCROC, Mark Petzing or myself. We look forward to seeing you on the 14th!!!