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.