A Year Later......

It has been just over one-year since the Restoration was approved by the membership, since then, our talented and dedicated team has wasted no time making excellent progress with the drier weather to prepare the canvas for Tyler Rae in July of 2025 while maintaining the golf course during a challenging season. The work completed by the HP Grounds team has included:

• Multiple herbicide applications to 14 acres in preparation for seeding of fine fescues on challenging terrain
• Erosion measures and seeding of clearing areas 
• Construction of temporary aggregate storage bins behind the first green and at the grounds building 
• Tree planting 
• Stump removal 
• Hydro Seeding and mulching 
• Drainage repairs 
• Documentation of the on-going work 
• Partnering/Monitoring of contractors

In mid-November our H2-B visa team will be leaving for the season, unfortunately there are many uncertainties when or if we will have them for next year, so the coming weeks will be important to continue to move forward with preparations for 2025. 

#15- Rendering (Tyler Rae & Jim Ryan Jr.)

Hillside Cleaning 

#14- Rendering (Tyler Rae & Jim Ryan Jr.)

Hydroseeding of Holes #10, 14 and 15

Fine Fescue Establishment:

The new "native" areas are proceeding well, the last few months the weather has been extremely dry, YTD the Grounds of Hyde Park have been running with a 7" deficit in precipitation, the above normal temperatures have kept the team mowing and hand watering much more than expected over the last couple months. The dry weather has been perfect for our continued internal work across the property with seeding, tree removal and seedbed preparations.

Tree Planting:

Bryan Miller and the Horticulture team continue to plant another round of periphery/screening trees on Holes 1,2,4,5 and the practice area.  The diverse of selection of trees includes:

• Green Vase Zelkova
• Valley Forge Elm
• Forest Pansy Redbud 
• Greenspire Linden
• Cheery
• Hornbeem
• Flowering Dogwood 
• Wilfire Blackgum 

Tree and Shrub Arrival

Current Restoration Initiatives:

• Finalize sequencing plan with golf contractor (McDonald and Sons) for 2025
• Dormant hydro seeding and mulching of #10,14,15
• Sand and gravel deliveries
• Tree Planting 
• Physical properties testing of green and tee mixes 

Thanks again for the feedback and questions. Our team and I have enjoyed explaining the progression of the restoration.

Pat O'Brien

Grounds Superintendent 

Restoration Update-August 10th

This week our team have placed white flags/paint and signs outlining some of the changes that will occur on the 16th Hole. The updated rendering is located on the Pro Shop porch and a sign is located at teeing locations. Hole #16

Par 4
Ross: 318
Blue: 310
Green: 285
Silver: 273
Gold: 239

A. Move the tees back to their original location
making the hole a dogleg right as opposed to a
straight hole.

B. Add forward tee at such an angle that forward
tee players don’t have a forced carry over the
interior hazards on the dogleg.

C. Restore Ross’ fairway bunkering to challenge
shots of varying lengths off the tee. Many
bunkers will be raised mounds with sandy faces
as is seen elsewhere throughout the course.

D. Push fairway left to the precipice of the ridge
further emphasizing the dogleg and strategic
interest of the hole.

E. Expand the green forward to bring back the intimidating
false front that once existed. Rebuild
the bunkers to sit below the putting surface
making the green feel even more perched.

Other Initiatives:

• Tree Removal continues on the left side of 13 opening views down to #6 and improving light to the 7th tees

• Non-Selective herbicide applications to multiple areas on the course in preparation of Fine Fescue seeding this month

• Bryan Miller and the Horticulture team have been planting trees and shrubs on Holes 1,2,5 and practice range for added visual and sound screening. These trees have been selected for the longterm with size, species and specific location to enhance the natural environment. 

New plantings along practice range 

Thanks for your questions and feedback.

Pat O'Brien

Grounds Superintendent