Hyde Park Est. 1909.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Golf Course Update-Winter Preparations and Renovations

The Grounds staff and I transistion into the winter months with plenty on the agenda to accomplish. Recently, the staff completed a new forward tee on 6. The tee was only shifted roughly 70 feet but it is now level, aligned correctly and much closer to the cart path. The red dot in the picture below signifies where the new tee is located.

The staff has also started work on the back tee on 6. The scope of the work includes leveling, alligning and reshaping.

Drainage:

The drainage contractor, XGD systems continues to work diligently to install drainage systems on holes 3,5,14,15. The drainage systems are composed of 2" pipe on 6 foot centers across the putting surfaces, all of the trenches are backfilled with a sandier material to allow increased percolation of access water. Greens 3,5,14,15 were chosen because of the higher populations of Poa and there challenging micro climates (limited air movement and increased shade) After completion,HP will have 7 greens that will drain adequately. Also, to help air movement a fan will installed near the 3rd green.

Tree Management Program:

One of the key areas the staff focuses on in the winter months is tree managment. Shade and competion from roots can be a detriment to healthy traffgrass growth. The above photo is clearing of the invasive honey suckle in the rightside of hole 3. Once removed, it will be more asthetically pleasing and will allow for greater air movement to reduce pathogens.

Irrigation Winterization:

One of the last practices that signifies winter is here is the irrigation winterization. This process involves moving compressed air through the almost 90 miles of pipe on the property to insure the pipe will not fracture if freezing occurs.

Miscellaneous Projects:
  • Poa removal in collars
  • Green expansions
  • Fan installation near 3 green
  • Non-selective herbicide applications to the fairways

The Grounds Department during the winter months is also responsible for snow removal for the platform courts, parking lots and surrounding walkways.

From the Grounds Department we wish you and you're family a happy holiday season.

Regards,

Pat O'Brien

Grounds Superintendent

 

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Horticulture Slideshow 2013



Here are a few snapshots of Mary's fine work this season. Please let us know if you have any questions concerning your own plants for next season.

Regards,

Pat O'Brien
Grounds Superintendent

Friday, November 1, 2013

13 Renovation Complete

The renovation of the 13th hole is complete, the project took about 5 weeks. The scope of the work included:
  • Renovation of the existing tees
  • Addition of new championship and forward tee
  • Addition of 8 bunkers totaling 8000 square feet
  • Recontouring of fairway
  • Shifting of cart path slightly to the left
  • Just over an acre of sod was laid by HP staff
  • Irrigation modifications including supplemental bunker irrigation
  • Seeding of 2 acres to fine leaf fescues
We are anticipating to open the 13th hole to cart path only Friday, November 8th. This date could change due to saturated soil conditions. While playing this hole please stay off the bunker slopes on and use lift, clean and place when playing from new sod.


Below are a few before and after shots of the 13th hole.

Before- A view from the green tee
After
Before-another shot of the green tee
 
After
Before- The dogleg
After
Before-New bunker on rightside of fairway
After

We hope that you enjoy the latest improvements, and look forward to your feedback. I would also like to thank the entire HP staff, Course Crafters, and Tim Liddy for the collaborative effort to make this project successful.

Regards,

Pat O' Brien

Grounds Superintendent