Wet but on the warmer side this week

 

Hopefully everyone was happy to see rain on this past Sunday as opposed to snow. Almost 2" soaked down the area all day Sunday and that keep us on dry land for President's Day Monday. This gum tree at the Maintenance Facility has riddled the yard and intern housing with gum balls for the final time.

Two pine trees right of #1 South blue and gold tee were also taken out this week, allowing for full sun to reach the teeing surface much earlier in the morning and lasting about 3 hours longer in the afternoon. 

The hyacinths tell a simple story about sunlight here in the front of the clubhouse. The south facing plants are easily a week ahead of the flowers on the other side that are shaded by the Magnolia. In these shoulder seasons photo period plays a huge roll in growth potential all around the property.

On 15 North we removed the smaller of the two pines here left of the greenside bunker. The area around the remaining pine was sodded so we'll see if this popular landing spot can stay healthy in season with just one set of tree roots working against it instead of 2.

Despite the rain we pressed on laying 10,000 square feet of sod around both courses this week. Left of the first hill on 9 North has been sodded where a number of trees had been removed. This fresh turf is already saving errant drives from bounding deeper into the woods and looks much nicer without the exposed root trees shading the cart entry area.

Further down on 9 the old pine bed right of the path has been sodded over and then here left of the final hill up to 10 tees has been graded and sodded. The tree removal here should get more sun on this cart exit right of the path and help it stay much drier and healthier.

Fan work continued on the South this week with the newly located fan base for #4 getting wired up. This splice was almost 3 feet in the ground running along the mainline making for a fun dig.

A new fountain was also placed in the pond of 17 South this week. This type of aerator is much more effective than bubblers in shallower ponds. The entire surface of the pond stays disrupted with small ripples and the amount of oxygen being introduced from the fountain out is significantly more than a underwater bubbler system. This new addition should keep this pond clear of algae through the season.

Finally this week we have to announce that after 10 years at Carmel Eric Downs, North Course Superintendent has accepted the Director of Agronomy position at Tega Cay Golf Club. Eric is more than ready to take on his own facility and we will certainly miss his sharp agronomic prowess and quick-witted day to day interactions. Eric has much to be proud of after 10 years at Carmel and we are excited to watch him grow and mold a new property to his philosophies not too far down the road. Eric's last day will be March 6th so if you see him between now and then please offer him your congratulations!

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