2019. A Transitional Year for GBGC

As we approach the 2019 Winter Solstice this coming Saturday 12/21/19, I cant help but thinking how transformational  the year was for the golf course. We started what will be the biggest change since the courses inception and that is the switch from cool season turf to warm season Santa Anna Hybrid Bermuda in our primary playing surfaces. The change was and is not without some pain and sacrifice. Hybrid Bermuda takes longer to establish as it needs to be propagated in the warm summer season right ahead of it's natural dormancy in the fall and winter. This is really evident in the immaturity of the new surround turf which is now not growing so we can't do anything make it better until early spring. Additionally to finish the project we are looking at closing the golf course for a period of time in 2020 which displaces our members.

However I am extremely confident that once this new turf is fully established, we will have the fast and firm surfaces we have always desired spring all the way through fall. And if #17 fairway is any indication of future firmness of the fairways in the winter months, I'm confident play-ability will good in that season as well. 

Current Santa Anna Hybrid Conditions.

My observations so far with the turf we started installing only 4 months ago (8/6/19) is the color is good in both the surrounds and #17 fairway particularly where there is plenty of sun exposure. Texture and play-ability in the surrounds is too tight and uneven especially  compared to what we are accustomed to playing off of in the winter months with our older cool season turf. This, along with density and color of the turf in shaded areas will be mitigated before next December as we will have a full season of establishment and will raise the height of cut of the turf prior to fall slow down. I'm very satisfied with the firmness of #17 fairway which is firmer then the older fairways at this juncture. Still more wet weather to come likely that could impact it, but I'm optimistic.

#17 Fairway December 19, 2019 only 4 months after the sod was installed.

The Project in 2020

We would have fully hoped at this point at the end of the year we would have had something definitive to share with the membership regarding our plans for 2020. I can assure you the final scope of work  is diligently being worked on and hashed out through the year end budgetary process. The likely scope will include finishing fairways and some work on greens, tees & trees but timing and details are still a bit fluid. We will know soon and will use this Granite Bay Course Update format along with all other forms of communication to get the word out on 2020's details as soon as we know more.

#2 Surround  December 19, 2020. 

Thank You

All of us in Granite Bay Golf Course Maintenance would like to express our thanks for the year end bonuses we receive through the generosity of our members. It is really appreciated by the maintenance crew and we thank you. I would personally like to thank  for your support and patience during the "in process" and upcoming turf conversion. This kind of work wouldn't be possible without your support. 

Golf Committee Minutes November 2019

Golf Committee November 19, 2019 Minutes

Attendees:

Dan Becker, Matt Dillon, Mike Nicoletti, Kevin Gil, Cary Greisen, Michelle Inouye, Ed Reeder, Jack Wright, Board of Governors: John Korvin, Jim Reis.

Important Notice

Use of the course when closed to member play, typically Mondays, is prohibited.  Violators will first be given a written warning, with a mandatory 30-day suspension for subsequent violations.

General Manager Update

Michael Peabody was in an off-site meeting and Dan Becker provided the following:

·         The 2020 budget is still in final stages of completion.  When it is finalized a report to the members will be submitted.  Currently there remains virtual certainty the fairways will be converted to Bermuda, the questions remaining primarily deal with how much additional work will be performed.

·         The significant Tilly’s kitchen permitting issues have been resolved with only minor details remaining.  The contractor is hopeful for a January start date.

·         A new Grill Manager, Andrea <last name>, is getting high marks.

·         Our F&B satisfaction ratings are 95% positive – the highest ever.

·         The Granite Bay Golf Club Course Update will become a wider source of information for members. A name change of the link will be more reflective of a myriad of communications from the Pro Shop, Golf Committee, General Manager, etc.

·         Mike P will quarterback new member on-boarding, along with direct involvement from Mike N.  New member on-boarding is a critical component of member education, and expectations.

Pro Shop / Outside Services Update

·         Michael Parlett is getting good marks, with his professional manner frequently mentioned.

·         Issues remain with the delivery of the daily Frost Delay email.  Options are being explored.

·         Outside services is getting favorable comments and training continues.

·         The Geo Fencing as well as other capabilities of the new carts are being fine-tuned.

·         The new cart speakers cannot be further moderated; however, music complaints have actually been fewer.

·         Mike N is investigating the possibilities of private cart owners installing the GPS system.

·         A reminder that the annual Christmas Sale will be December 6, 7, 8.  Champaign and hors d'oeuvres will be served on the 6th and 7th.

Course Conditions and Renovation

For comprehensive information please check the Granite Bay Golf Club Course Update.

·         It is assumed that the course renovation will commence June 1st.

·         No Spring Aerification is planned.

·         This November has been abnormally dry, the driest in 15 years, we are still hand watering portions of the course.

·         We experimenting with fertilizer and pigmentation to improve the hybrid Bermuda’s appearance while dormant.  It is expected that a browner more dormant appearance will occur December through February..

Junior Golf Update

·         The Junior Club Championship was huge success.  There were 30 players (four times the previous number) in four flights, they loved the tournament and are looking forward to future competitions.  Arthur Lyons was the boy’s champion, shooting a 75, Ellie Bushnell was the girl’s champion, shooting a 70, both from the Combo tees!

Handicap Integrity / Reports                                                               

·         Jack reported a 77 percent compliance of posting scores.  Michelle reported 66% compliance.  The low percentages were attributed to the posting computers being down.  Members are reminded that they should post scores online if the on-course computers are inoperative.

·         Note that scorecard boxes (Tilly’s and Pro Shop) will be provided for receipt of completed scorecards.  This will help gather data for eventual course handicap recalculations.

Locker Room Attendant

·         An attendant will soon be on board.
Action Item: John Korvin –Define his duties and insure that the membership is aware of what services can provided.

Tournament Update

·         The Jones Cup was a success; an extra flight had to be added.

·         The Founder’s Cup was very well received, with many compliments from the participants.

·         The Tournament of Champions was another event that went well.  The format is expected to change next year.

·         The yearlong Tilly's Cup men’s division has six remaining players Hunter Jr, Erickson, Dietz, Patterson in the redraw, Becker and McIntosh in the main draw.  In the women’s division of 33 golfers Mary Kwan defeated Sue Perry-Smith for the title.  Mary is a back-to-back champion.

·         The day before Thanksgiving Men’s Guest day is filling up and is a great value.

·         As always, check the Club Life app for details on upcoming tournaments.

Range Beautification /“Within 200 yard of Clubhouse” Aesthetics

This effort is on hold pending (hopeful) budget approval for a range remodel.

Attention to Detail / Action Items

This is a portion of the meeting where the committee reviews and voices items that should be corrected or where GBGC comes up lacking when compared to other clubs.  They should be focused primarily on the Golf Experience.

Prior items:

·         #5 bathroom walkway – loose tile, trip hazard.
-- In 2019 all bathrooms will be repainted and tile replaced/repaired.  This is currently in process and awaiting final budget approval. Note that the tiles have been replaced.

·         #10 fairway too narrow/rough too wide when using Pebble tees.
-- There will be tree trimming and likely the contours will be smoothed when the course is re-sodded.

·         #13 decomposed granite path needs repair (from rear of green to cart path).
-- DONE

·         Desire a shortcut path from #14 green to #15 lower/occassional Club tees.
Action Item: Matt –It is on the list to be done.

·         Tee box benches need to be re-sealed
-- DONE.

·         Trees on #11 need to be trimmed – both to allow sight of the green and to allow walking underneath.

·         It was suggested that a new Tournament tee be added to #11.
-- Will be done when the course is re-sodded.

·         The cart barn air nozzle is missing its tip (it was replaced but the nozzle is too long).

·         The cart barn is cluttered, as is the Bag Storage area (especially the battery recharge shelf).
-- DONE

·         Have a box for tees, scorecard, pencils, etc. at the two “desks” near the bag drop and the main putting green.

·         #5 cart path needs repair.
-- DONE

·         #6 pin positions have not been following the customary alternating “right/left” placement.
-- DONE

·         GBGC is an NCGA member club and can have a “Club Officer” to liaise with the NCGA
Action Item: Dan –Recruit a Club Officer.

·         Other area courses have short videos that cover course care, etiquette, etc.
Action Item: Michael P –Determine who will take the lead on video content and production

This month’s unfiltered items:

·         None.

New Business

The 2020 calendar has only considered January through May events due to the likely course closure for turf conversion, et al.  A preliminary calendar has been proposed for GM and/or committee review.

The approach to the revised Golf Guide, a part of the new On Boarding effort, was discussed.  The intent is to remove all the code and policy verbiage, relying upon the Club’s website for that information, and have the guide concentrate on care of the course and golf etiquette.

Next Meeting Dates (all 4pm)

12/17 (subject to change).

Golf Committee Minutes - October 2019

Club Management in conjunction with the Granite Bay Golf Club Golf Committee recently decided to use this Course Update as another vehicle to "get the word out" on what is going on at The Club regarding the golf experience and golf committee. Ed Reeder takes copious notes during the  golf committee meetings and then produces these minutes which are then distributed to the committee & club management for approval. Below are the approved minutes from  the October Golf Committee meeting and moving forward we will send them out through this course update as well  the already established distribution channels. 

Thanks Ed and all the committee members for  the steady guidance of the  Granite Bay Golf Club Golf Committee

Golf Committee October 1, 2019 Minutes

Attendees:

Michael Peabody, Dan Becker, Mike Nicoletti, Kevin Gil, Cary Greisen, Michelle Inouye, Ed Reeder, Jack Wright, John Korvin (Board of Governors).

Important Notice

Some Mondays private carts have been on the course.  This practice has to stop.  Mondays can be used to apply chemicals that can cause severe damage, approaching vandalism, if spread by carts to non-targeted areas of the course.  Violators are subject to suspension.  Your cooperation is appreciated.

General Manager Update

·         The 2020 budget is expected to be approved and course renovation details known within the next two weeks.

·         The county has still not approved the permits for Tilly’s kitchen.  The contractor is going to have a face-to-face to determine the cause for the delay.

·         Updated Dress Code and Code of Conduct documents are awaiting Club Corp legal approval.

·         A new Grill Manager will be in place within the next 10 days.

·         Our F&B ratings continue to be top shelf.

Pro Shop / Outside Services Update

·         Michael Parlett has been hired as our new Assistant Professional.  Michael has been a General Manager and a Head Professional.  Mike N will ease him into his new job, which includes attention to outside services and “customer service” between arriving at the range and the first tee.

·         Gabrielle Espinoza is a new inside services addition with past retail experience.

·         Mike N is aggressively training the new hires.  There will be increased manager presence on the range effective immediately.  This dedicated and regular/visible outside services management will hopefully address attention to detail, and increased consistency.

·         The Geo Fencing on the new carts is being fine-tuned.

·         The new cart speakers are too loud and a solution is being worked.

·         TaylorMade will replace our current range balls with new “Project (a)” balls after acknowledging they had supplied defective, compromised balls

Guest Policy

·         The new guest policy has been shared with the golf staff and the Membership Director.  It will be shortly be communicated to the membership.

Course Conditions and Renovation

For comprehensive information please check the Granite Bay Golf Club Course Update.

·         The newly sodded Bermuda is growing in well.  We will be applying fertilizer and later a pigment to improve its appearance while dormant.

·         The greens are in better post-aerification condition than at this time last year.

·         The new bunker edges are being well received.

Junior Golf Update

·         The Junior Club Championship trophies are on display.  The championship, open to those 18 and younger, will have four divisions and be held October 20th.  An information packet is available in the Pro Shop and will be communicated to the membership.

·         Pace of Play reminder – when playing with your Juniors continue to be aware of pace of play and its impact on other members.

Handicap Integrity / Reports                                                                

·         Jack reported an 89 percent compliance of posting scores.  Michelle reported 79% compliance.

·         Two scorecard boxes (Tilly’s and Pro Shop) will be provided for receipt of completed scorecards.  This will help gather data for eventual course handicap recalculations.

Attention to Detail

This is a portion of the meeting where the committee reviews and voices items that should be corrected or where GBGC comes up lacking when compared to other clubs.  They should be focused primarily on the Golf Experience.

Prior items:

·         #5 bathroom walkway – loose tile, trip hazard.
-- In 2019 all bathrooms will be repainted and tile replaced/repaired.  This is currently in process and awaiting final budget approval. Note that the tiles have been replaced.

·         #10 fairway too narrow/rough too wide when using Pebble tees.
-- There will be tree trimming and likely the contours will be smoothed when the course is re-sodded.

·         #13 decomposed granite path needs repair (from rear of green to cart path).
-- Is this still a need? It was agreed that it was

·         Desire a shortcut path from #14 green to #15 Pebble tees.
Action Item: Matt –It is on the list to be done.

·         Tee box benches are not positioned where needed and should be refinished
-- Latest decision is to have benches only on par 3
Action Item: Matt –Reseal the needed benches.

·         Trees on #11 need to be trimmed – both to allow sight of the green and to allow walking underneath.

·         It was suggested that a new Tournament tee be added to #11.

·         #9 cart path needs repair.
-- DONE

·         The cart barn air nozzle is missing its tip (it was replaced but the nozzle is too long).

·         The cart barn is cluttered, as is the Bag Storage area (especially the battery recharge shelf), but is being addressed.

·         Have a box for tees, scorecard, pencils, etc. at the two “desks” near the bag drop and the main putting green.

·         #5 cart path needs repair.
-- DONE

·         #6 pin positions have not been following the customary alternating “right/left” placement.

This month’s unfiltered items:

·         None.

Locker Room Attendant

·         An attendant has been hired and Mike P and John Korvin will define his duties.

Tournament Update

·         The Tilly’s Cup is on-going and will likely last through year end.

·         The Couples Tournament and Mini-Mac were both well run and well received.

·         October will have a Couples Invitational (Member/Guest) and our Club Championship.  Check the ClubLine app for details.

 Junior, Busy Day, etc. “impacts and protocol”

·         A number of range positions will be designated with priority given to those needing to warm up prior to their tee time.  Signs are made and their use will be communicated to the membership.  They will be in place during the busy months of June, July, and August.

Range Beautification /“Within 200 yard of Clubhouse” Asthetics

This effort is on hold pending budget details.

New Business

The current On Boarding process for new members will be updated and sent to the Golf Committee for comments.
Action Item: Mike N – Update the process draft and distribute for electronic review.

Other area courses have short videos that cover course care, etiquette, etc.  It was agreed that it would be a good idea for GBGC to do the same.  They can be sent to the membership and/or played on our new cart’s screens.
Action Item: Michael P –Determine who will take the lead on video content and production

GBGC is an NCGA member club and can have a “Club Officer” to liaise with the NCGA, getting information on such things as trips, tournaments, seminars, etc.
Action Item: Dan –Recruit a Club Officer.

Next Meeting Dates (all 4pm)

11/19, 12/18 (subject to change).

2019 Club Championship Course Setup

We will be doing something a little different this year with course setup for the  Club Championship starting tomorrow Friday 10/18/19 through the weekend and wanted to address those differences here to help with potential confusion.

All flags will be yellow starting tomorrow, Friday 10/18/19 and holes will be positioned
according to the pin sheets below.

We will be playing preferred lies in the fairways as there is still seed germinating in some areas and we can't completely turn off the irrigation. Additionally we will be painting hazards as usual and double cutting and rolling greens which is customary as well. The big difference is we will be using yellow flags on the pins throughout the course all three days.  Since not everyone playing  over the next three days will be competing in the Club Championship we wanted to give you a heads up and post the pin sheets here. Below are the pin sheets that will be handed out to both competitors and non competitors throughout the weekend.

Good Luck To All Competitors

Fall Aeration & Project Update #25

Last Monday September 23 was the Autumnal Equinox signifying the beginning of fall in the northern hemisphere. For those who are interested check out this cool video from National Geographic depicting these celestial movements as only  National Geographic can. 

This is the date that we have always circled on our maintenance calendar as "The Day" that everything turns around from our customary summer setbacks with our cool season turf. Welcome weather relief is still the case as the vast majority of playing surfaces at Granite Bay are still cool season turf. However the first phase of our turf conversion from cool season to warm season hybrid bermuda which began in 2019 with green surrounds and #17 fairway have us a little torn. We need the cool nights and short days to recover and germinate ryegrass seed for the cool season surfaces but also welcome continued warm weather that will help further establishment our new warm season hybrid bermuda sod. 

#12 surround contrasted with the ryegrass rough. Color and texture are different as coll season turf is 
beginning to accelerate in growth and the new hybrid bermuda is slowing down.

Cool season recovery is under way and in a very short period of time all imperfections will be filled in with perennial ryegrass. Lots of seed has been seeded into the playing surfaces, covered with sand and compost and fertilized and is germinating as we speak. But again on the other hand the new warm season turf in the surrounds and #17 fairway have slowed down. 

7 week old hybrid bermuda sod around #10 green. Not completely even and now that the weather
has changed it is questionable whether it will completely even out before winter as its growth
has slowed down with the advent of fall. 

We need to remember the conversion to warm season turf takes time. It has to be established in the summer months because that is when it is actively growing. We put down the first batch of sod only 8 weeks ago and shortly afterwards started to experience an cooler then normal fall in late September. We have plans to mitigate color as the new Santa Anna creeps into dormancy but the hybrid bermuda will slow down to a crawl as far as growth is concerned. The texture inconsistencies we currently experiencing primarily in the surrounds will be a temporary condition that we will have to work through this fall and upcoming winter. Next year, after its first full year of establishment  these inconsistencies will be a thing of the past.

Upcoming Tee Over Seeding & PG Aeration

We still have tee over seeding to get done and will be working on this starting next Monday. We will get the driving range tee aerated and overseeded so it will be closed for four weeks  until Jones Cup weekend. Additionally we still have to aerify the upper practice green and Tilleys. We are going to do something different to the PG's rather then traditional core aeration which will be virtually unobtrusive yet very effective. The process is called  Dryject and is one of may new aeration strategies that we will be looking at for the future particularly with a potential re-surfacing of our putting surfaces in 2020. Dryject utilizes high pressure water to inject sand deeply into the putting surface. After a quick brushing and rolling the surface will perform as if nothing were done and the injection holes evident in the pictures above will recover within days. Look for some GBGC pictures and an update following Mondays procedure. Below are a few more internet pictures.

The Project at GBGC Update #24

We are just at six weeks since the conclusion of sodding #17 fairway and the fairway itself is ready for golf activities but the surrounding rough  was pretty worked over during the construction process and until recently was not ready for golf. We decided to remedy the most  damaged and trafficked part of the holes rough with sod this week so we can open the hole and you can start playing 18 holes of golf.

#17 fairway on Friday 9/13/19. 

Therefore this coming Tuesday 9/17/19 we are going to open #17 with prefered lies and cart path only, only seven weeks after the first phase of sod was installed. We are playing preferred lies throughout the course anyway because of ongoing aeration and overseeding and the need to keep these areas wet for seed germination. Cart path only on the hole is prudent because the new sod adjacent to the cart path will only be a few days old on opening day and the rough on the left hand side of the fairway still needs some growing time.

New sod installed along the cart path on Friday 9/13/19

We still have some work to do such as adding new yardage markers that have not yet arrived, adding sand to the bunkers and continuing sand topdressing of the surface. Remember all of the hybrid bermuda turf we installed just weeks ago is still very immature and does not resemble a seasoned hybrid bermuda playing surface yet and likely won't until next year. However it is ready for golf activities and we don't want to inconvenience our members any longer although there will be no exceptions on  cart path only. We need to keep carts off of the hole for awhile and I don't have an estimate when that will change.

#17 Fairway close up.

2019 Fall Aeration Update

Putting surface aeration went well on Tuesday 9/3/19 and the greens should recover fairly quickly with near perfect weather and a not as aggressive process this time around. We had some mechanical difficulties on Thursday 9/15/19 that stalled us on fairway aeration but we are making up some lost ground this morning Friday 9/6/19 before any large wave of golfers.

Next week schedule is below. Our goal is to finish fairway aeration, first wave of seeding and topdressing of remaining fairways, as well as getting surrounds aerated and fertilized. We should be able to accomplish this with a front 9 and back 9 alternating closure until 2:30 PM on just Tuesday and Wednesday.  We are looking forward to fall and the cooler weather, shorter days and the cool season turf rejuvenation it brings.

• Monday 9/9/19 - Topdressing FW's                 Course Closed
• Tuesday 9/10/19 - Surrounds Aeration            Front 9 Closed till 2:30 PM
• Wednesday 9/11/19 - Surrounds Aeration        Back 9 Closed till 2:30 PM

Enrique aerifying #12 fairway this morning

#12 after a application of topdressing sand

Warning!

Granite Bay has always needed to recover from summer losses of our cool season turf and 2019 is no exception. We typically go through 10 tons of  perennial ryegrass seed at a cost of over $20,000. In order for that investment, and more importantly course conditions to recover, this seed  needs to remain wet during the first two weeks on the ground so it can germinate and establish. Because of that necessity the golf course will be purposely wet over the next couple weeks so much so that we might have to call for cart path only for a few days. 

Two tons of perennial ryegrass seed in the maintenance yard awaiting the seeders. This seed, and more will be distributed onto the course over the next couple of weeks.

2019 Fall Aeration

There will be no rest for the weary as we have our fall aeration pre scheduled  date's rapidly arriving next week. Despite lots of rumblings of what we are doing to the course in 2020 we still have a fall and winter season of 2019 to get through and aeration is essential to having healthy playing surfaces during this time. Not to mention aeration's role in recovery from yet another summer. Below is a schedule on what we have planned and the associated golf course closures.

• Tuesday 9/3/19 - Putting Surface Aeration     Course Closed
• Wednesday 9/4/19 - Front 9 FW Aeration       Front 9 Closed till 2:00 PM
• Thursday 9/5/19 - Back 9 FW Aeration           Back 9 Closed till 2:00 PM
• Monday 9/9/19 - Topdressing FW's                 Course Closed
• Tuesday 9/10/19 - Surrounds Aeration            Front 9 Closed till 2:00 PM
• Wednesday 9/11/19 - Surrounds Aeration        Back 9 Closed till 2:00 PM
• Thursday 9/12/19 - TBD                                   TBD

For anyone interested, click here and scroll down a bit to see a step by step process of how we aerify the putting surfaces.

Thanks for your support 

The Project at GBGC Update #22

No drop zones in the surrounds any longer, just four weeks after the first sod was laid and in the cases of #'s 2, 4 & 8 only 10 days and #'s 13,14 & 16 only 7 days. The sod itself has already rooted down but is uneven and not an ideal playing surface yet. We have already started mowing most of the surrounds and adding topdressing so it won't be long before it is smooth and playable. In the meantime bump you ball (preferred lies) and avoid the newly sodded steep bunker faces if you could please.

#17 fairway has been mowed several times, rolled a couple & topdressed once since sod installation only four weeks ago today. Additionally we have made a first pass seeding of the rough that was dried down to facilitate construction traffic. No time frame on opening #17 yet as we still have to lower the cut in the fairway, continue to topdress and roll to get it smooth, install yardage markers and new bunker sand just to name a few things on our punch list. A clue to when we will be close to opening is when you see the rough start to fill in and green up. 

Newly sodded steep bunker fingers should be avoided  for  just a little bit longer please.

Enrique topdressing #17 fairway on Monday 8/26/19 just under four weeks after installation.

The Project at GBGC Update #21

Executing the type turf conversion / renovation work we have recently done around most of our greens surrounds while remaining open to play has some inherent confusion for all involved. It's not ideal to do this kind of work while open but not ideal as well to inconvenience Members who want to play their course. We have coexisted well over the last 24 days and I want to thank you and assure you now  that all of the sod is down on the ground that:

• You can't hurt this turf, that's one reason we are switching to it.
• It won't be long before its  playable.
• We still have some work to do to get it playable.

Starting today, Friday 8/23/19 we have opened the surround holes that were sodded early in the process albeit just two weeks ago as well as re-established Drop Areas for the holes where sod was installed within a week. 

• Open Holes With Preferred Lies In the New Sod - #'s 1,9,10,11,12,15 &18.
• Closed Holes With Drop Area - #'s 2,8,13,14,16

Newly sod on bunker finger #15. This sod was installed  only 11 days ago and is solidly rooted into  the soil.
That being said we want to protect the sod on these steep slopes from damage so we are asking members
 to keep off these areas until fully established.

Even holes that are open have GUR or Keep Off designations on the steep bunker fingers that are most susceptible to sod dislodging. We anticipate all holes with the exception of #17 being open with preferred lies in the new surround sod next weekend for Mini Mac. More updates to come on process and progress to get all of our new turf completely playable. 

Thanks for you patience. 

#17 Fairway on Friday 8/23/19  only 15 days after completing sod installation. We are already only watering it every other night and have mowed it three times. We still have big punch list of things to do to get this
hole open again to golf play. More to come on that.

Another image of #15 sod only installed 11 days ago. We are now playing preferred lies so bump your ball and give 
yourself plenty of relief from sod lines.