Winter Golf Course Superintendent's Update

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« Back	Post Date: Wednesday, February 16, 2022
Winter Golf Course Superintendent's Update Hello to everyone. I just want to give a quick update on some work being performed on the course right now.

Hello to everyone. I just want to give a quick update on some work being performed on the course right now. As I am sure some have noticed, we have been adding sand and reworking bunkers with the intent of making them more playable. This work is not intended to take the place of rebuilding bunkers, which is still needed, but, it will make the bunkers look more aesthetically pleasing and allow for more playability if a ball lands in one. Crews will fill in #9 bunker, which has continued to have slope issues resulting in side cave ins, and fill in #3 bunker to get rid of the unfair shot from the bunker. We will also be filling in #13 bunker behind the green and that will become a runoff area.

The walnut tree on the ladies/senior tee on #8 has been cut down in hopes that the tee area will respond better without competition from that tree, and eliminate dropped walnuts which are very hazardous. Crews continue to verticut fairways and add seed to the worst areas. We have verticut and top dressed greens in preparation for spring aerification. This practice will continue up until aerification in March. Resodding of #8 Ladies/ Senior tee will happen in the coming weeks, along with #6 white, #14 Ladies and possibly a few others depending on weather and time. Most tees have been aerified and seeded and have already responded with new growth even in the winter months.

A new culvert has been installed on #4 after the culvert failed and produced a sink hole in the cart path. Asphalt will follow in the coming months once asphalt plants resume production.

Pond work is slated to begin in a week or two. The #18 pond will be dredged out once again to remove the silt island, and #5 will also be dredged out to remove excess silt that has built up over time.

More projects are being planned accordingly and will be introduced through the season as allowed. Please remember to repair all ball marks on greens, divots in fairways, and please rake your shots and footprints in the bunkers. Also, be aware of all signage of where carts are and are not allowed. Golfers continue to drive carts up close to the green and this will not be tolerated going forward. Please practice PROPER GOLF ETIQUETTE!

Steve Akers, GCS Laurel Ridge Golf Operations
828-452-0545 Ext. 180