Addressing Drainage Issues

One of our biggest priorities this off season is addressing drainage issues around the course. We started earlier this fall by repairing drains in three of our more problematic fairway bunkers. We have also been troubleshooting our greens drain outlets as we edge and re-mark them. We have found that while the water is successfully making it's way through our greens drain systems, it is not always making it to the finish line. Fixing these issues will ensure that our greens drains flow freely and will also reduce wet areas created by clogged or poorly designed outfalls. Once we finish getting through our greens drains, and are further into the golfing off-season, we can dig into some of the bigger drainage projects we have targeted for this winter.

Water is run through our greens drain blowouts and makes it's way through the drainage system.

Generally, the water flows freely and the location of the outlet is simply re-marked

Sometimes though, the water doesn't make it all the way to where we want it

The repairs can be easy

And at times the repairs can become more complex. Either way, repairing these issues will help ensure the health of our greens, and fix some of the puzzling wet areas that can at times appear near greens.

Ball Mark Repair

Recently, we have experienced very mild and dry weather. Over the weekend quite a few members took advantage. High temperatures in the 50s and 60s are conducive to golf, but are not quite warm enough to keep our greens recovering as quickly as they do at other times of the year.  For this reason, we choose to emphasize the importance of ball mark repair at this time of year. Below is a photo of #2 green on the morning of Monday, November 27th. The orange flags in the ground show the distribution of unfixed ball marks. The panoramic image can be better viewed if clicked on and enlarged. 

That volume of damage can add up over time, negatively impacting the smoothness of the putting surface. Please assist us in keeping our putting greens at Greenbrier CC a source of pride, by staying diligent in finding and repairing ball marks on greens.

Greens Aeration

We topdressed our greens before aerating them this year, which
improved logistics, and resulted a lower impact from the weight
of the topdresser.

We are pleased to say that the aeration to our greens was completed last Wednesday, and the process went very well. Unlike last year, we were able to complete to process on its scheduled dates This will result in improved recovery time and an extended fall playing season for the membership. Each year we try to tweak our aeration procedures to improve results in any way we can. The process went the best it ever has, and the greens are already recovering quite well.

The plug puller actually helped start the incorporation of sand into the aeration holes before we even drug it in.

One week after aeration, and we are already well on our way to smooth putting surfaces

Working on Bunker Drainage

Pumping bunkers after heavy rains can be time consuming.

We start by investigating the cause of the issue.

Bunker drainage was greatly improved with completion of the Better Billy Bunker project two years ago. Some of the fairway bunkers that were not a part of the project still have poor drainage. This fall, before we reach full scale project season, we will be making the rounds to investigate issues with these bunker drains. This will not only improve play ability in these bunkers for the membership, but will also allow us to spend more labor in other areas of the course, that would have otherwise had to have been diverted to pumping out bunkers.

The issue causing poor drainage in the two fairway bunkers on #1 was not surprising. Severe root intrusion.

By cutting out the sections of pipe that were clogged or smashed by roots, we were able to restore working drainage to the two fairway bunkers on #1. We will continue to make our way around the course until we have no more bunkers that hold water after large rain events. Next stop....#2 fairway bunker.

Drainage on #18

Throughout the course, there is no shortage of drainage work to be done. Every project we complete in house, or with contractors, can make a huge difference. Here are some photos of the work completed by contractors last week to the left of #18 green.

Area before project

Area before project

Area before project

Trench with gravel and pipe cuts off the water seeping out of the slope and take it to existing drains

Area is dried out and graded

Fresh sod to the affected area wraps up the project

Sand on Hand

One the of the most important aspects of maintaining our recently renovated green side bunkers is keeping the gravel liner covered with sand. This will not only keep the bunkers playable, but will also provide a layer of protection for the gravel liner. Last week, after finishing a string trim edge to our bunkers, my diligent crew compiled a list of bunkers where sand either needed to be added, or simply just pushed up from the bottom of the bunker to the face. We keep bunker sand on hand, in one of our bays at all times for this very reason. We have also received information about thin areas in bunkers from members. No matter where the information comes from, we are appreciative of it, because keeping adequate sand depths will ensure the longevity of our newly renovated bunkers.

Sectional Cart Path Repairs Complete

Over the weekend, work to repair four sections of cart path on hole #1 was completed. If you have not made it out to the course since then, here are some before and after photos.

Paying Attention to Paths

There aren't a lot of positive things I can say about all the rain we have had at Greenbrier CC this spring, but sometimes challenges can be looked at as opportunities. In this case, the rain provided us with the opportunity to give our cart paths some much needed attention. We have spent a little more time this year blowing off cart paths, edging paths, and have scheduled some sectional repairs in the coming months to make the unfortunate days of cart path only a little more tolerable.

Edging

Blowing

Curb Detail

Improving Tee Health

Our overall tee box health at GCC continues to improve. Our annual aeration program really seems to be making a difference. As we move forward on tee boxes, there are still a few that we are working to improve. This week the focus is on topdressing, some by hand, and others will receive a light topdressing to whole tee. We are also making supplemental fertility applications to bring these tees up to our standards. Please also notice, that all par 3 tees have brand new divot sand boxes, which will allow members to fill in divots on par 3’s.

Brand new divot sand boxes for par 3 tees.

Many members will recall that we kept traffic off of #14 Red Tee this winter. IT did better than it has in the past, but was still a little thin coming out of spring. This aggressive hand topdressing, along with warmer weather and additional fertility will bring this tee up to our standards. Once irrigation water knocks the sand down, it will not be as noticeable.

The topdresser in action on #10 tee. The brush will work sand in behind it.

#7, Flower Planting Party, Keeping Poa in its Place

                       #7

The seam topdressing completed last week was a big part of why
#7 can now re-open as a par 4

We are pleased to announce that starting tomorrow #7 will re-open as a Par 4! The hole will remain Cart Path Only for a few more to weeks to allow the area to get to full strength. The area looks great overall, but there are still a few seams that need time to heal in. Until then, any golfer that hits a shot in the newly sodded area will be allowed to lift, clean and place their golf ball. 

Flower Planting Party

On Wednesday night we hosted our third annual member flower planting party.While attendance was at an all time low, those who did attend showed incredible planting prowess, and dedication to Greenbrier Country Club. They did so with such gusto that I believe they deserve individual acknowledgement. Assistant Superintendent Mike Nazzaro, Debbie Adamson and Ken and Susan Clark, all came out and overcame my shortcomings to lead us to a successful event. Five people in total planted all of the flowers that are now on the course. Bravo!

Getting it done!


Poa's Demise

Poa annua is a grass type that in most settings is considered a weed. Due to its prolific seed head production and ability to survive low mowing heights, it is a common weed on bentgrass putting greens. This year was unfortunately a good year for the troublesome weed. Thinned areas from a tough summer, the timing of the hurricane and Nor'easter last fall, and a mild winter helped Poa spread this winter. Lucky for us we have a multi-pronged approach to keep Poa in check. Some of the chemicals we spray, if timed correctly can sting the Poa, and provide an opportunity for bentgrass to reclaim lost ground. The photo below shows Poa that has been negatively affected by a growth regulator/fungicide combination, and healthy bentgrass crowding out the nuisance putting green weed. The more bentgrass we can keep on our greens, the smoother and healthier they will stay for golfers.

Flower Planting Party/#7/#14 Cart Rule/Watering

Flower Planting Party

Next Wednesday, April 26^th at 5:30 PM we will host our third annual member flower planting party. The event should take 1 to 11/2 hours, and will be followed by complimentary subs and drinks. This is a fun community event that benefits the club, and its sense of community. Please RSVP with Star in the clubhouse. We will meet in front of the clubhouse @5:20 PM and get planting @ 5:30PM. Tools will be provided, but we encourage attendees to wear proper landscaping attire.

 #7

We have made great progress in the establishment of the sodded area from the drainage project on #7. We reduced the mowing height and hand top-dressed the seams of the sod on Thursday.  With a little bit of warm weather we should be on track to re-open the hole as a par 4 by early May, if not sooner.

#7 at reduced mowing height after seam top-dressing


#14 Cart Rule

We were able to re-open #13 to cart traffic last week. Unfortunately we have been unable to open #14 to cart traffic. We have multiple reasons for this. The sod on #14 that lines many heavy traffic areas on the hole has yet to root, we have pending irrigation issues that we are working on resolving, and many of the existing issues that have given this hole trouble through the years still exist. Once the sod roots, and the bermudagrass is actively growing we will re-open this hole to cart traffic. We understand that this precaution is a great nuisance, given the long walk from the path on #14, but feel that the restrictions are 100% necessary. Greenbrier CC is one of the few ClubCorp properties that does not have year round Cart Path Only Restrictions on at least one par 4.

The sodded areas on #14 may look good on the surface, but still need more time to root

                                          Watering Practices

Many of the chemical and fertilizer applications we make in spring require water immediately after application to prevent leaf burn, and move the products into the soil.  If the greens seem a little wet at times this spring it is likely due to these watering practices. While we generally prefer to keep the greens as dry as possible, the water run after these applications helps make them effective and sets us up for a great year.

Deep Tine Aeration Complete

The large, solid tines on this aerator can go deep

On Tuesday we were able to complete aeration to our greens. This is the only aeration we will be performing until fall. This spring, in an attempt to penetrate our layer of buried organic material, we contracted out a deep tine aeration. While we didn't pull cores, this deep tine form of aeration is more vertically aggressive. The holes made by the machine go nine inches deep, which allows us to incorporate sand through our buried organic layer. What does this mean for golfers? Stronger root systems, which help provide healthy turf, and excellent playing conditions.

View of impact deep tine aeration can have on soil

The finished product on #9

#7 Construction Phase Complete

New drop inlet in fairway to which the re-graded area will run to

Sod over the trench that holds the new outlet pipe

Today the contractors were able to finish the construction phase of the drainage project on #7 fairway. Now that construction is complete we enter the establishment phase of the project. #7 will remain a par 3 until the sod has had time to take root. Once the sod has rooted, the hole will  be re-opened as a par 4. The hole will then remain cart path only until we feel that the area can tolerate cart traffic.             

Newly graded and sodded fairway from the front

Newly graded and sodded fairway from the rear

Progress Near #3 Cart Path
The area to the right of #3 cart has eroded due to cart traffic and tree roots, making the area aesthetically displeasing and unsafe for carts to traverse. With some of the sod we were able to re-use from the project on #7 we were able to make progress to this unsightly area. We hope to complete work to this area as soon as we can feasibly manage.

Before

After

#7 Project Update

The contractors for the drainage project on #7 were able to make it to Greenbrier earlier than expected last week due to the unseasonably warm, dry weather we were having. Unfortunately when they got here they were greeted by more typical cold, wet weather. With that said, progress is going very well, and once the exposed ground dries out, the construction phase of the project should only be 1-2 days from completion. At that point we will enter the establishment phase. This phase will keep #7 as a par 3 until the sod has fully rooted. Once the turf has rooted we will re-open the hole as a par 4, with cart path only restrictions. Below are some pictures showing progress made so far on the project, and how these steps are already paying dividends.

The area was cut out and stripped. Some of the better areas of sod were removed and used on the course.

New drop inlet located in the fairway is intentionally set below the initial grade to allow for more fall to the drain.

This box blade attachment setup with laser grading capabilities automatically adjusts to move dirt to predetermined heights creating the proper gradient to move water to the new drop inlet.

Any exposed area would be wet after 1.5 inches of rainfall, but this picture shows that the newly installed drainage system is already working it's magic!  No more puddling or lakes on #7.