The Snow Is Gone. The Finish Line Is in Sight

Following the melt of approximately nine inches of snow, our team completed a full evaluation of the golf course. Overall, the property transitioned through winter in good condition. Newly constructed areas handled the freeze–thaw cycle as anticipated, and turf surfaces remain stable thus far.

I met on site with the McDonald & Sons project manager to review remaining scope. We are aligned that approximately four to six weeks of finishing work remain, along with a limited punch list. Remobilization is planned for early to mid-March, pending consistent weather that allows efficient progress.

The remaining contractor work includes final bunker refinement (approximately 20,000 square feet), minor grading adjustments, completion of drainage outfalls, and general site cleanup. Heavy construction is behind us. The focus now is precision and finishing quality.

Irrigation – Ley Irrigation

Our irrigation partner, Ley Irrigation, will return shortly to charge up the new system. Only limited installation items and punch list adjustments remain.

Commissioning the system is an important milestone as we transition into grow-in. Proper testing and calibration now ensure uniform coverage and long-term efficiency.

Turf Update

Zoysia fairways are progressing as expected coming out of dormancy. As a warm-season grass, establishment will be gradual this spring until soil temperatures consistently rise. Early growth may appear slow, which is normal. Density and surface uniformity will improve as temperatures increase.

Approximately six acres of Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF) remain to be grassed in designated rough and transition areas. These sections will be completed as weather and soil conditions stabilize.

Hyde Park Grounds Team Progress

While contractor work is staged around weather, the Hyde Park Grounds Team continues focused improvement efforts across the property.

We are completing targeted drainage projects on Holes 5 and 6 to improve subsurface water movement and surface consistency.

Construction of the walk bridges on Hole 3 and stair installation at the 7th tee are underway.

#7-Stairs will blend in with tall grass 

Our team is refining the bunkers on the practice area to ensure consistency with on-course standards.

Remaining fine fescue areas will be seeded as weather stabilizes.

Staffing & Timeline

Our H-2B team members and two seasonal interns are scheduled to arrive in early April. Their return will support the concentrated preparation period leading into opening.

We remain on track for a June opening!

Year One Expectations

In the coming weeks, we will host a town hall meeting with our agronomic consultant and myself to outline Year One expectations for the golf course. We will discuss turf maturation, conditioning standards, and what members can anticipate during the first full growing season.

Transparency during this initial year is important. Establishment takes time, and our objective is steady progress built on long-term stewardship.

We appreciate the membership’s continued patience and support as we complete the final phase of work and prepare the course for reopening. Please pass along feedback or questions to grounds@hydeparkcc.com

Thank-you,

Pat O'Brien,

Grounds Superintendent

On Course, One Step at a Time

Throughout the winter period, the Grounds team has remained actively engaged in restoration-related improvements while preparing for a focused and highly coordinated spring remobilization.

Recent work has included reshaping and refinement of select areas, new drainage installation in the practice bunkers, and drainage tie-ins in known low areas along the cart paths on Holes 5 and 6. Cart path turning areas have been expanded in several locations to reduce wear and improve long-term turf performance. Additional attention has been given to bunker sand conditioning and compaction, along with continued erosion-control measures across the course.

New Drainage Shaping at the Practice Area

All newly established bentgrass areas have been carefully mowed and rolled as conditions allow, and older bunker sand has been repurposed and spread in new fine fescue areas to improve playability. New plantings and a refreshed pathway have been installed near the restroom facility on Hole 5, and former aggregate storage areas have been deconstructed and cleaned up as part of the broader restoration effort.

January Mowing of Fine Turf Areas

New Restroom Plantings 

Turf monitoring remains a daily priority, particularly with newly installed Meyer Zoysia sod entering winter under cold conditions. Moisture levels, surface stability, and overall plant health are being closely observed to protect long-term establishment.

Behind the scenes, significant coordination continues with our project partners. Tyler Rae is actively coordinating with McDonald & Sons to align remaining scope items, reconcile completed work, and confirm spring timing. Approximately 20,000 square feet of bunker work remains, along with preparation and seeding of borrow and bury pit areas. McDonald & Sons also has four remaining tees to construct. The majority of remaining Zoysia and turf-type tall fescue sod will be installed on Holes 1, 17, 8, 2, and 13, with final punch-list collaboration underway across all partners.

Looking ahead to spring, reseeding of turf-type tall fescue areas and new seeding of fine fescue areas will be a key focus as part of the continued grow-in process. As with any new turf, everything takes a bit more time and care during the first season, and we are continuing to develop a clear understanding of the logistics required to support successful establishment and play.

In parallel, our team has been actively preparing for the season from an operational standpoint, including staff recruitment, H-2B logistics, and onboarding seasonal team members. We are excited to welcome interns from South Africa and Japan this season, adding valuable support during a critical phase of the project.

We also plan to host a spring town hall meeting to discuss the agronomic realities and challenges of the first year following restoration, outline expectations for course conditions, and answer member questions directly.

Spring will be here before we know it, and while the coming months will be a dash toward opening the course, we are pleased with where we are and excited about the progress ahead.

Thanks again for the feedback and questions.

Pat O'Brien

Grounds Superintendent