From Blueprint to Bunkers: 26 Days

We’re just weeks away from breaking ground on our historic course restoration, and significant preparation is already underway to set the foundation for long-term course health, playability, and aesthetics.

While the visual transformation begins July 14th, important groundwork has already started — including installation of critical irrigation infrastructure — and detailed planning continues across all major restoration elements.

Irrigation Installation Underway

George Ley Irrigation began work last week, installing the main trunk wire lines across the property — a meticulous and highly detailed process as crews navigate existing drain lines, utilities, and past infrastructure.

Despite the complexity, their progress has been excellent and is helping to support overall project sequencing. Key materials include:
- 140,000 LF – Control wire
- 85,600 LF – HDPE pipe

Main Trunk Wire Install 

Drainage Planning Nearing Execution

Although drainage installation has not yet begun, our planning and material coordination are well underway. The restoration will ultimately include:
- 13,994 LF – 4" Internal Bunker Drainage
- 28,600 LF – Fairway Slit Drainage
- 12,290 LF – Approach Drainage
- 2,400 LF – Green Expansions
- 3,960 LF – In-Green Slit Drainage
- And more across 4", 6", 8", 12", and 18" lines

In total, the drainage scope covers more than 75,000 linear feet — over 14.25 miles — of pipe designed to improve surface conditions and long-term playability.

Materials & Logistics

Our team has worked hard to control material costs and streamline deliveries. Still to arrive:
- 102 truckloads – Bunker sand
- 60 truckloads – Green and tee mix
- 181 truckloads – Sod (fescue, zoysia, and bentgrass)

Coordinating these shipments is no small task — and  the team is handling with precision to minimize disruption and keep the project efficient.

Bunker Sand Storage 

Our Most Valuable Asset: Project Partners

We are proud to recognize the following project leaders contributing to this ambitious effort:
Golf Course Architect
Tyler Rae, Jim Ryan Jr., Matt Fauerbach, Dylan Stevens – Shaper

Irrigation Contractor
Jeff Martin – George Ley Irrigation

Irrigation Consultant / Design
Technical Choice

Tree Management
Guerrein Green

Golf Course Construction
McDonald & Sons

Cart Path Contractor
Ewers & Sons Paving

Project Liaison – Hyde Park
Arron Garrett, Senior Assistant Superintendent

Hyde Park Grounds Staff
The core team supporting daily logistics, field execution, and coordination throughout the restoration project

Bentgrass Greens Sod – Boyd Turf
Tall Fescue Sod – Turpin Farms
Zoysia Fairways Sod – Kentucky Zoysia
Aggregates – Arms Turf
Agronomic Consulting / QC Testing – Moeller Consulting

A Special Thanks to the Hyde Park Grounds Team

We want to especially acknowledge the Hyde Park Grounds Team, whose persistence, passion, and tireless dedication continue to be instrumental in the early success of this project. Their day-to-day efforts behind the scenes — from site prep to material handling — are laying the foundation for what’s to come.

Hillside Seeding of Fine Fescue 

Looking Ahead

Stay tuned for more details as we finalize construction sequencing and ramp up site activity. During peak construction, over 70 professionals will be working on the golf course, all focused on delivering the project by our November completion goal.

We appreciate your continued patience as material deliveries arrive and staging ramps up. As always, dry weather will be key to staying on track.

Thank you for your support as we bring this exciting vision to life, please pass along any questions you may have? 

Regards,

Pat O'Brien 
Grounds Superintendent
Hyde Park Golf & Country Club

2025 Winter Injury on Zoysia- Surviving the freeze

The winter of 2024–2025 delivered a few challenges for warm-season turfgrass in the transition zone, and Hyde Park Golf & Country Club—among the northernmost clubs utilizing Meyer Zoysiagrass—was not exempt. While Meyer remains the most cold-tolerant Zoysiagrass cultivar available, the combination of saturated soils, shaded areas, and prolonged cold events resulted in measurable turf loss in several locations.

Recent post on X

Scope and Pattern of Injury

Approximately 15,000 square feet of Zoysiagrass was injured out of 26 acres of fairways—about 1.3% of the total surface. Most of the damage occurred in low-lying areas with poor drainage, especially where water moved and concentrated through surface flow paths, leading to prolonged saturation, crown hydration, and freeze injury.

Fairway 8 experienced the most significant damage. It is the flattest fairway on the course, with numerous low-lying sections that trap water and drain poorly, making it highly susceptible to winter injury.

Low lying areas on the 8 fairway

Why Recovery Can Be Slow in Cincinnati

Zoysiagrass is a warm-season species that grows best when soil temperatures exceed 65°F. In Cincinnati, this threshold is typically reached in late May or early June, depending on seasonal weather. Until that point, the turf remains slow to grow. 

 This results in delayed spring recovery, especially in shaded or saturated areas. Without consistent warmth and sunlight, the grass is slow to resume active growth, which prolongs the impact of winter injury. This spring is shaping up to be unkind for Zoysiagrass recovery.

 

Steps Taken to Mitigate Winter Injury

We have  implemented a comprehensive strategy to reduce winter injury and improve long-term turf health.

1. Drainage Improvements

Current Restoration Scope (2025):

Fairway drainage is being installed on Holes 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, and 13, covering approximately 7 acres of Zoysiagrass in areas with repeated winter damage. Drainage is also being added to bentgrass approach areas throughout the course to enhance playability, firmness, and surface consistency at green entrances.

Yellow boxes delineate areas of new drainage in Zoysia 

Past Drainage Installations (Pre-Restoration):

Prior to the 2025 restoration, partial drainage systems were installed in select fairway areas of Holes 2, 9, 17, 18, and at the zoysia practice tee area. These additions were targeted toward historically saturated zones and completed through operational funding and in-house resources. These efforts provided early infrastructure support and informed broader drainage priorities.

Budget limitations within the restoration project prevent full drainage installation across all vulnerable areas. Prioritization is based on observed historical turf decline and water movement. 

2. Low Spot Leveling

While not yet complete, proactive grading has been performed in priority areas ahead of the restoration to reduce ponding and improve surface drainage wherever feasible. This will most likely occur post restoration.

3. Shade Management

Strategic tree removals have been implemented to improve winter sunlight access across shaded corridors. Shade remains a limiting factor on the 18th fairway, where reduced sun exposure continues to hinder spring warm-up and turf recovery.

4. Winter Traffic Management

Cart traffic is restricted during dormancy in sensitive zones during transistion to reduce compaction and protect weakened turf from added mechanical stress.

5. Nutrient and Growth Regulation Planning

Low-rate, slow-release nitrogen is used in the fall to support healthy dormancy transitions. Late-season PGR use is avoided to prevent interference with cold acclimation.

6. Spring Monitoring and Recovery Support

Turf management is guided by soil temperature thresholds, not just calendar dates. Damaged zones receive sodding and rerouted traffic to facilitate recovery.

7. Turfgrass Research Partnerships

Hyde Park continues to collaborate with Purdue University and Ohio State University on warm-season turf research and winter injury monitoring. Purdue will host the 2025 Midwest Warm-Season Turf Field Day, where Hyde Park will share field insights and outcomes with regional peers.

Aaron Patton- Purdue University 

Genetics vs. Site Conditions

Meyer Zoysiagrass remains the most cold-tolerant commercially available cultivar, but drainage, shade, and topography must also be managed to prevent winter injury. Genetics provide resilience, but site-specific conditions ultimately determine performance and remembering that Zoysia is a warm season grass that has been at Hyde Park since the early 80s and will continue to be susceptible winter injury due to genetics. 

Strategic Outlook

With less than 2% of fairway turf impacted, Hyde Park positioned for a slow recovery. The 2025 restoration addresses some of the critical needs, while past drainage work and ongoing site refinements support phased, long-term improvement. Though budget limitations require prioritization, the club’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure, agronomic integrity, and research collaboration positions it at the forefront of warm-season turf management in the northern transition zone.

Thanks for your feedback and questions. email- grounds@hydeparkcc.com

Pat O'Brien,

Grounds Superintendent