The Finish Line
As we approach opening weekend, it is hard to believe that the planning for this restoration began back in late 2020. After nearly a year of construction, grow-in, and preparation, the Grounds Team and I are excited to welcome everyone back to the golf course following last July’s closure.
You will notice many changes throughout the property, and part of the fun will be getting reacquainted with the course and discovering the strategic enhancements that have been made along the way.
Over the past several weeks, the McDonald & Sons team has completed repairs to the bunkers impacted by the heavy May rain events. To help protect several of the steeper bunker faces while the zoysia continues to establish, temporary stakes and protective grid fencing remain in place. These measures will remain in select locations a little longer to allow the sod seams to fully knit together and mature.
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| Stakes and Wire Mesh |
A few final detail items remain, including shaping behind the 2nd Ross tee, completing cart path work on Holes 2 and 8, and finishing sod installation along select cart path edges and other minor areas throughout the property.
The Hyde Park Grounds Team has been focused on the finishing touches—correcting minor settling, completing seeding projects, detailing playing surfaces, and preparing the course for its return to play.
Many of you will remember Adam Moeller from our Member Education Town Hall in May. Adam recently returned to Hyde Park to conduct an independent pre-opening agronomic review of the golf course. His assessment confirmed that all major construction work has been completed, the restoration features look outstanding, and that the scheduled opening remains appropriate from an agronomic and turf health perspective. He noted that the new bentgrass greens, tees, and approaches are maturing nicely and are ready for play, while the Meyer zoysiagrass fairways will continue to improve as summer temperatures increase.
As expected with a project of this scale, some rough areas, bunker faces, and peripheral turf established late this spring remain younger and will continue to mature throughout the summer. Adam emphasized that careful traffic management and member cooperation will be critical during the first season to protect the club's investment and allow the course to continue improving throughout the growing season.
While opening day marks a major milestone, the work for our team is just beginning. The primary playing surfaces are ready for golf, but many of the peripheral areas remain in earlier stages of establishment. Throughout the summer, our focus will be on growing in new turf, refining details, addressing minor settling, strengthening bunker faces, and continuing to improve the overall conditioning and presentation of the golf course.
This restoration represents far more than a construction project. It is a generational investment in Hyde Park Golf & Country Club and the future of our golf course. The patience, support, and enthusiasm shown by the membership throughout this process have been greatly appreciated by everyone involved.
On behalf of the entire Grounds Team, thank you for your trust and support. We are proud of what has been accomplished and look forward to welcoming you back this weekend.
See you on the first tee and please enjoy this video of the course outlining many of the changes!
Pat O'Brien,
Grounds Superintendent
