Happy Manakin Sprigging anniversary!

The view and focus of work was slightly different a year ago when we starting sprigging on July 8th.

One year, 120,000 bushels of sprigs, 5 acres of sod and a lot of hard work later, we have a pretty nice golf course to enjoy. The initial project goal of having a course that peaks on July 15th is well within sight.

Life goes on though! Even though bermuda is the desired grass now on most of the Manakin, we still want to try and eradicate common bermuda that has infiltrated the native areas. A bleaching herbicide is used to limit photosynthesis in the bermuda in these areas. This is a multiple application and multiple year process. This is the same herbicide used previously in the cool season fairways to help take out bermuda but even at 10x the previous rate the process will take a while.

Our Virginia Tech intern Cole Vincel has been going through a variety of paces this summer. He is responsible for the irrigation fix right of 2 if you hit it over there.

This was the first week in a while that we were not laying sod early in the week. We are finished with sod for the time being. That means we had a few people finally get back into the bunkers and clean the faces up and smooth out the bottoms. Between the sprigging process last year and the Covid ordeal this year, the bunkers are a little behind where they could be. Our summer staff continues to fill in so we look to amend that in short order.

Joe got his razor out this week and trimmed down some approach areas on 2, 8 and 14 Sabot. This area on 8 will help the ball come off that hill on the left and feed more towards the green. These areas will all introduce a few more shot options on these holes.

Enjoy your weekend!