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