Rain, Repairs & Resilience: Spring Keeps Testing the Course

Good Morning Members,

The golf course received approximately 2.6” of rainfall Friday night (close to 6" for the month) with periods of very intense rain across the property. As a result, several bunker faces on holes 9, 11, and 14 sustained damage from washouts and sloughing along the steep bunker banks.

The primary challenge continues to be the combination of saturated conditions and young Zoysiagrass sod on bunker faces that is still in the process of fully establishing and knitting together. To date, Hyde Park has received approximately 5.6” of rain during the month of May, creating extremely difficult grow-in conditions during a period when zoysiagrass naturally establishes more slowly due to cooler spring temperatures. Unfortunately, the continued unfavorable weather pattern and latest forecasted rain events are expected to further delay overall progress and recovery efforts in the affected areas.

As mentioned before, Mother Nature can certainly be in control at times. Importantly, this is not a construction defect, but rather part of the challenge associated with establishing steep grassed bunker faces during a wet spring weather pattern. In the affected areas, bunker sand has become contaminated and portions will need to be removed and replaced as repairs are completed.

Our Grounds Team and McDonald and Sons have already mobilized repair efforts and are proactively working to protect vulnerable areas ahead of additional forecasted rain chances throughout the upcoming week. Temporary measures including plastic coverings and bunker face stabilization are currently being utilized to minimize additional damage. 

Plastic Covering Protecting Faces

Despite these weather setbacks, meaningful progress continues across the property. It has certainly been a typical spring filled with ups and downs, and hopefully we will not lose any additional days to weather this week. The project is now down to the final three bunkers requiring internal drainage work on holes 2 and 17. In addition, most of the mounding work between holes 17 and 18 has now been completed and sodded. The Ley Irrigation crew also has 6  more sprinklers to install, along with completion of remaining punch list items as weather and field conditions allow.

Drainage Install Yesterday on #17 

While these setbacks are frustrating for everyone involved, the course continues to make significant progress overall. The restoration teams remains focused on delivering the highest quality finished product possible while navigating a spring season that recently has brought persistent rainfall and difficult establishment conditions.

We appreciate the continued patience and support from the membership as we work through these weather-related challenges. Additional updates will continue to be shared as conditions evolve.

Pat O'Brien 

Grounds Superintendent 

Building Toward Summer

The restoration project continues to make significant progress as we move deeper into May. Hole 13 is now largely completed, with only minor fine fescue seeding and detailing remaining. Across the property, the majority of Meyer zoysia sod installation is now complete, with only small tie-in areas remaining around select bunkers on Holes 1, 9, 17, and 18.

Bunkers Between 9 and 11 Greens

Bunker work continues to advance steadily. Hole 1 bunkers are now completed, while the fairway bunkers on Hole 9 have been finished and are awaiting final sod installation. Work between Holes 9 and 11 is nearing completion, and bunkers on Holes 2, 17, and 18 have now been roughed into final form.

The Hyde Park Grounds Team remains focused on the finishing details that ultimately define the project. Detailed seeding, erosion blanket installation, aeration, fertilization, and hand watering efforts continue daily throughout the golf course.

Aeration of greens, tees, and approaches is also completed as we continue preparing the turf for summer growth and long-term playability.

This past week also brought additional challenges on the bunker faces of Hole 14 following irrigation water moving behind a Zoysia sod seam. The Hyde Park team quickly repaired and stabilized these areas, and the remaining bunker and tee sloughing concerns on Hole 14 remain a high priority for the McDonald & Sons team moving forward.

Temporary Wire Mesh and Stakes to Stabilize 

The mounds between Holes 17 and 18 will also be a primary focus this coming week as final shaping, stabilization, and grassing work continue in that area.

Ley Irrigation remains on site working through final punch list items and irrigation additions on Hole 10. Final shaping around the bury pit on Hole 8 is also nearing completion.

Looking ahead, approximately 1.5 acres of turf-type tall fescue sod remain to be installed across the property. Final cart path overlay work is also planned for Holes 2, 7, and 8, along with several smaller sections on Hole 9.

The weather this upcoming week appears somewhat unsettled, but all teams remain focused on continuing progress wherever conditions allow.

As a reminder, we ask all members to please avoid walking directly up bunker faces both at the practice area and throughout the golf course once reopened. The newly established zoysia bunker banks are still developing root strength and maturity, and limiting traffic on these areas will help protect the turf and preserve the intended presentation and playability of the restored bunkers. Please use the low entry and exit points whenever possible.

A sincere thank you to the entire Hyde Park Grounds Team, Ley Irrigation, and McDonald & Sons for the tremendous amount of effort, long hours, and attention to detail that continue to move this project forward each day.

The golf course continues to take shape rapidly, and we appreciate the continued patience and support from the membership as all teams push through the final stretch of work.

Thanks again for your questions and feedback on the progression of the restoration. 

Pat O'Brien 

Grounds Superintendent