Course opening update and play

During this time of year, the course is going through freeze and thaw periods.  These times are where there can be some unwanted injury to our greens. Based on weather forecasts this weekend, we are going to go through this freeze/thaw again.  We will not allow golfers on the course/greens during this time.  Once the greens unthaw completely, then we will allow play on the regulation greens.  I will continue to monitor the situation, and as soon as we can allow golf, we will.  If the forecast changes and the ground unthaws, then golf will be allowed.  I anticipate at the moment Monday afternoon will be conducive for play. Below are some articles written by the USGA and Turf Pathologists regarding the situation.  As you will see in the articles, the freeze/thaw situation is the worst to play on.  Please check in with the pro shop from this point forward when wanting to play golf.  Thank you for your understanding.  

http://buckeyeturf.osu.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=223&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=170

https://www.usga.org/course_care/articles/other/winter_play/Playing-Par-with-Jack-Frost/

https://www.usga.org/course_care/articles/other/winter_play/Politics-Religion-and-Winter-Play-on-Greens/

#16 Devlin Drainage

Last week we added drainage at #16 Devlin blue and red tee.  This area was always very wet and made it tough to mow and get from the cart path to the tee.  Here is a video Ray Hartman, the Weiskopf Superintendent put together of the project.

#14 Devlin Approach shot

The approach shot on the par 5 14th hole has become very difficult with the maturity of the course. The fairway stops at around 140 yards leaving a long 3rd shot over the creek to the green for players that cannot carry the creek in two. In addition the big oak tree across the creek to the right had a low hanging branch that blocked your shot from the middle of the fairway. That branch was removed today and what a huge improvement for playability. We are also exploring the possibility of extending the fairway another 10-15 yards closer to the creek for further playability. Below are the before and after pictures.

Before

After

Stumps

As many of you know, we have spent a good portion of the winter cutting down trees on the course. With all the trees we have cut down, we will have many stumps to grind. In the next few weeks, a company will come in to grind the stumps. As you can see in the photo below, a lot of the trees were in bad shape and really needed to be taken down.

Tree by #2 Weiskopf green