The Grounds team over the past few months has been focused in the off season with a few items related to the restoration of the golf course. We been laser focused on the puzzle pieces of planning along with moving forward with the Tree Management Plan (TMP). Being able to focus on the TMP prior to 2025 will assist in the execution of the plan in many ways:
- Flexibility with sequencing during the project, reducing the number of contractors in an area where many trees are being removed.
- The off-season offers a better opportunity to complete the work
- Reducing costs with in-house work by the Grounds team
- Opportunity to hone some of the processes and allow our team to partner with contractors
- Experiment with different grass types and establishment strategies
- Work closely with Golf Course Architect Tyler Rae to ensure we are on target with both removals and planting plans
During the months of October and early November we focused on improving the sight lines with clearing over 1.5 acres of brush and trees on holes #5/6 and the left side of 13. In late November and December our team was on the course removing select trees indicated on the TMP. All of the cleared areas are ready for seed and the majority of the stumps on the course have been removed, seeded and covered with straw blankets to enhance seed germination.
Recently, we have partnered with Lefke Tree Experts and have been working on the largest segment of tree removal attached to the restoration, between holes 8 and 13. The infrastructure improvements related to the tree removal will help with the following:
- Increased air movement from the west to the 7th green
- Increased sunlight to the 7th green
- Significant shade reduction to the 8th fairway
The tree removal on the 8th is being utilized for the architectural enhancements with the expansion of the ravine closer to the fairway, while generating soil for other areas of the project. Selective removal of the trees has opened up sight lines from the 13th to the 6th hole as well.
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| Rendering of the 8th-Jim Ryan Jr. |
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| 8th Hole-Fairway shifts closer to the exposed ravine |
As you can see on the image below of the 13th, the yellow line overlaying the google image is the new proposed fairway line on the left side bringing the natural topography into play. Selective tree removal has opened views through the wooded areas.
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| 13th Hole-Fairway shifts to the left side and cart is path re-routed. |
Before....After on the 8th
Over the next couple weeks we will be working with Lefke Tree Experts to restore the site with detail work followed by stump removal and eventual grassing with fine fescues in the coming months. While the work continues on the 13th there will be periodical closures.
Here are a few more photos of the work on holes 8 and 13.....
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| Looking above from 13 tees |
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| View from the 4th green to the 7th |
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| From the 13th cart path looking towards 6 |
Thanks again for your feedback and questions, please do not hesitate to reach out via email at grounds@hydeparkcc.com
Thank-you,
Pat O'Brien
Grounds Superintendent
