widlflowers

Over the last week or so, we have been prepping areas around the golf course for wildflowers. All of the areas that will be done should in no way affect the play of the golf course. There are several bebefits of doing this. This is one step in the certification process for the Audubon Sanctuary Program that we have registered for. You can read more about this project by clicking the tab at the top of the page. The wildflowers will provide not only beauty, but habitat for butterflies, birds and other wildlife. A few of these spots will eventually host bird boxes as well. A second benefit of doing this is to eliminate hard to maintain turf areas. Most of the areas are along the steep-sloped sides of tees where it is difficult to maintain with our equipment. This in turn, will save labor. We plan to start the seeding process within the next couple of days. Below are examples of areas that have been prepped for the seed.

pine-straw installation

Every fall, the golf course gets a blanket of pine-straw in all of the bedded areas on the course. This always provides a nice clean look and color to these areas. Below are a couple of shots at #2.

still planting

We continue to try and improve the aesthetics around the golf course. Most of the areas we have done recently have been done in a natural way using various grasses. The first example provides more than just aesthetics though. Below is at the #6 tee area between the Men’s and Ladies’ tee. this area is commonly used as a shortcut by golf carts and is typically roped off all season to prevent people from driving through it. We have eliminated this shortcut by plant Muhlygrass in this area. It is just now staring to bloom with it’s purple inflorescence.

We have also eliminated an area where it was very difficult to grow healthy turf. Below are photos between the 16th green and the 17th tee. This has always been a difficult area due to the shade that the oaks here provide.

sand trap replenishment

We began adding fresh sand to the various traps throughout the golf course this past Tuesday. The process will continue next week. We are concentrating mostly on green-side bunkers with a few “active” fairway traps included as well. This is a pretty time-consuming process, but well worth the effort as it will provide more consistency throughout the course with regards to sand-play.