Grounds Update - May 2016

This month of May has brought the grounds at Hyde Park cooler than average weather and nearly 3" of rain. Although it is not a record amount, the grounds staff, and golfers alike, have dealt with overly saturated conditions on a regular basis. These saturated conditions can hinder our ability to consistently mow fairways and rough and also increase the amount of ropes, stakes and cart restrictions. Our greens drainage has again proven excellent as these surfaces have been quicker to dry following each rain event and allowing for regular maintenance.


Over the previous couple weeks, our staff has seen the return of many of our seasonal employees with a few more starting as we enter June. This allows for an increase in regular mowing maintenance that is necessary during our busy summer months, along with additional detailed course conditioning.
With summer, better weather and an increase in rounds the practice facility sees a lot of action. With the driving range tee being small for the amount of traffic it sees, we ask that golfers continue to use the lineal divot pattern as displayed. This pattern is best for divot recovery and allows for more use of a small area. We have already seen great recovery in reseeded areas as a result.

New seedlings in divot

The seemingly unending truckload of annuals arrived May 23rd and already our staff horticulturist Bryan Miller and intern Arron Garrett have made swift work of planting. You will see an increase of color upon entering the club over the next couple weeks. Bryan is always posting to Twitter (@hpgccplantman) the different plant types and designs he has chosen.

Arron and Bryan and their fine work!

Pat Carroll 

Lastly, you may or may not have noticed a new face on our professional turf staff as we welcomed Assistant Superintendent Pat Carroll to the team at the beginning of the month. Having previously worked at Muirfield Village Golf Club as an Assistant in Training Pat joins us with great experience and fresh ideas that will be a great benefit to us all.

As always, please follow us on Twitter for the latest updates and course conditions and let's hope for some better weather in June!

Thank you,

Dan Lawendowski, Assistant Grounds Superintendent

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Storm Damage Clean-up 5/11/16

Yesterday afternoon, it took less than 15 mins for a thunderstorm with high winds to litter the grounds of HP with tree debris. All of the staff today, along with the enlisted help from a group from a temporary agency will aid in the clean-up.

With that said there will be closures of the golf course to ensure safety of the staff while the debris is hand picked across all surfaces. The front 9 will be closed until it is cleaned completely, we anticipate to have it completed by early afternoon and open to play. The ladies 9-hole group will play on the back 9 at 9:00 am. We will clean the greens ahead, and circle back in the afternoon once the ladies are finished to clean the remaining debris on the back 9. Once, our team is hand picking debris on the back nine we will close this area.

All of resources will be spent today and possibly tomorrow with clean-up, it is unlikely the putting surfaces will be mowed or other maintenance completed.

Thanks for your patience! Please check back with Twitter, the golf shop and the Grounds Blog for updates.

Pat O'Brien

Grounds Superintendent

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