#13 Green Restoration Update Friday, May 9, 2008 Submitted By: Bobby Pifer, President Brian Schick, Greens Chairman On behalf of the Restoration Committee, we are very pleased to report that our projects are coming together quite well. The following update, complete with recent photos, is provided with the intent to keep you informed of the projects progress and schedule. We also hope to address any concerns you may have by answering some of our most frequently-asked questions. In light of the rapid pace with which the project is coming together, it is difficult to keep the membership up-to-speed on every detail. Absent that real-time perspective, perhaps the best approach is to respond to our most frequently-asked questions
CGC Critical Path Analysis Task Stream Restoration Seed Greens Green Complex Sodding Pump Water Out of New Pond Turf Care Center Construction Computer Irrigation System Bunker Complex Sodding Cart Path Installation Bury Electric Service to Wells Demolish Old Bridges Install New Conspan Bridge Removal of Overhead Power Lines Fairway Shaping/Prep for Sprigs Sprig Fairways Refurbish Wells Date 4/15/2008 4/25/2008 4/25/2008 5/6/2008 5/9/2008 5/16/2008 5/23/2008 5/31/2008 5/31/2008 5/31/2008 6/15/2008 6/15/2008 6/15/2008 6/15/2008 6/30/2008 Notes Complete Complete Complete Complete Final Inspection Setup, Installation #6, #7, #13 #3, #7, #10, #11, #13, #16 #10 and #17 #3 and #16 #16 Clubhouse, #3, #10 #3 through #18 #3 through #18 #16, #17 (2), #10 Q: Are we on schedule? A: Yes. We are actually ahead of schedule based on our windows for seeding greens and sprigging fairways. Q: Are we on budget? A: Yes. We managed the project closely and thus far have remained within our budget and its inherent contingency.
#8 Fairway Bunkers Q: How many bunkers have been added? A: We are not sure exactly how many bunkers were on the original course. Many had been abandoned in World War II or eliminated with hole by hole design changes over the years. The 2007 version of CGC had 48 bunkers. The restored 2008 course has 77 bunkers. Q: What obstacles may lie ahead? A: Extreme weather poses our greatest risk. The greens and bunkers, growing and establishing over the past several weeks should be able to withstand any weather issues. The remaining risk is, should we have heavy rains in a short period, sprigged fairways that have not been fully established may wash out. Q: When will we re-open? A: We are following a modified maxim of Ernest and Julio Gallo: We will have no course until it s time. Again, we hope and pray for frequent, gentle rain throughout our grow-in period. Absent any major wash-outs, we are confident that we can re-open on or about Labor Day.
#18 Old Bermudagrass Q: Why is there bermudagrass growing in several fairways if we are replacing all of the grass? A: When we sprayed the original common bermudagrass last fall we expected a 90 to 95% effective kill. In some of the fairways where the original common existed some stray plants are beginning to emerge and we are spraying those one final time prior to sprigging. The turf you see on # s 16 and 18 is 419 bermudagrass. This is the same type on # s 1 and 2, the driving range, the short game area and the soon to be new fairways. Spence Golf plans to blecavate the fairways prior to sprigging which thoroughly turns the soil over and thus eliminates any stray plant material.
#11 Channel Restoration #4 Channel Restoration Q: How did the mitigation process affect the streams on the golf course? A: We were required to mitigate the linear footage disturbed by the new irrigation lake. We hired a contractor (required by the Corps of Engineers) to restore the existing channels on the golf course. The contractor has restored the channels in front of #11/#13 and running from the retention pond on #15 to #17. The contractor has also uncovered the channel at the bottom of the old driving range running to #16 green. A variety of native species have been planted and are growing along the channels. The Corps of Engineers will continue to monitor these areas for several years.
#12 Green Turf Care Center Hill Q: I can see West Boulevard from #12. What is our screening plan? A: We are purposely waiting until the area grows in to determine how best to address screening at #12 green and #13 tee. Options are being evaluated. We also will be planting a variety of species atop the hill being shaped to screen the new Turf Care Center by hole #7.
#18 Weeds Q: Will the weeds on the course, range and fescue areas be addressed? A: Yes. We chose not to apply pre-emergent herbicide last fall, which saved us $15,000. Since the fairways and roughs to be established are stripped to bare soil during the prep phase, the need to spray on the construction site this spring did not exist as well. As for the driving range and clubhouse areas, our Greens Superintendent has developed and is implementing an extensive weed-control program, which includes scheduled spraying and hand-weeding. Results should be noticeable within a few short weeks.
Matthew Wharton and Shane Harrelson Q: I know we are getting an incredibly improved course for the capital that we have allocated; but do we also have the operational budget and staff to maintain the course to a higher standard? A: This was one of our priority areas. And the investment in a Turf Care Center and its new tools for blade sharpening and equipment maintenance will further enhance the conditioning on the course. Most importantly, of course, is our greens staff. We scaled down our forces during the shut-down, and are now building up a new seasoned staff. We are increasing the staff from seven full-time to sixteen, with an eventual target of twenty. Our research indicates that this is an ideal range for a property of our size. Currently our golf course maintenance budget is scheduled to increase approximately 33%.
Bed Knife Grinder Reel Grinder Hydraulic Lift Gate, Camera, Window Bars Equipment Storage Q: Is the new Turf Care Center equipped to properly maintain our golf course to a higher standard? A: Yes. The new building has several features that will improve the condition of the golf course as well as provide a safe and efficient workplace for our employees. Matthew will host an open house barbecue at the Turf Care Center this summer to showcase the new building and equipment to all CGC members.
#4 Green #10 Green #14 Green Q: Are we watering the greens using the new lake or are we using city water? A: We are using water from the new irrigation lake. We used city water initially to clean out our irrigation lines and establish the new A-1/A-4 Bentgrass on the putting greens.
#13 Cart Path #6 Cart Path Q: How is the cart path configuration changing on the golf course? A: The cart paths are all being replaced and, where possible, are being relocated so they will not affect play or interrupt sight lines. This includes eliminating unnecessary paths between #4 and #15, between #11 and #13, and between #3 and #16. The paths have also been rerouted to avoid trees and roots. Where trees are unavoidably close to cart paths, we are installing a root barrier to prevent asphalt heaving and damage.
#2 Green from Behind #2 Green from Fairway Q: What changes have been made to #2 green complex? A: The prominent mounding running through the green has been lowered and both the front right and back right side have been brought up to create more pin-able areas. In addition the right side bunker has been elevated approximately one foot. The creek to the immediate right of the green has been backfilled, thus offering a recovery area for wayward shots. In addition to the softening of this green the player hitting their approach shot will immediately notice the elimination of all trees, poles and the pump house behind the green. The green appears suspended with panoramic views of the course behind and to the right.
#18 Green from Behind #18 Green from Cart Path Q: What changes have been made to #18 green complex? A: The spine that ran from the front center of the green has been softened. Players hitting long irons or woods for their approaches will notice that the green has a lower profile in the front, is raised slightly in the back and is much more receptive. As a result of the lowering of the green the bank on the front is more subtle, less steep and not as deep. The bunker on the right side has been moved towards the fairway allowing the cart path to move away from the right side of the green. This green is typical Ross, offering roughly four quadrants with multiple pin-able locations. A nice chance for birdie if the player is in the proper quadrant but a challenge to make par from elsewhere on the green.
#3 Green Many thanks to the 2007-2008 Carolina Golf Club Restoration Committee B.T. Atkinson, Past President Robert Campbell Jr., Golf Chairman, Past President Jack Kirby Jr., Long Range Planning Chairman, Past President Bobby Pifer, President Brian Schick, Greens Chairman Jeffrey Peck, Head Golf Professional Matthew Wharton, Superintendent Roger Wolfe, General Manager