A few quick modifications on Sabot before the cold comes

 

There is not a whole lot left in the growth tank for the bermudagrass. Both the latitude and vamont are holding color well but we'll see what a few nights in the 30's does this weekend. We have been busy prepping the bermuda for winter by easing off mowing, raising heights, applying fungicides for spring dead spot and putting some potassium to help hold up to the cold. Besides the rain keeping things a little soft, conditions are still very fun out there.

Despite some hefty rain over the weekend we started moving on some bunker projects this week on 2 Sabot. As we mentioned last week, this small pot bunker back right of the green was invisible from the fairway and rarely in play. We excavated the sand and soil and reshaped the area a bit.

The bunker is now erased. In the spring we will mow this area at approach height and tie it in with the other side of the approach to increase the roll off area here on 2.

We also pulled the sand and drainage out of the fairway bunker on 2. We stole sod from the left bank to patch up the void from the greenside bunker. Next week we will reshape this area and sod it over. All remaining bunkers on the Sabot, besides the fairway bunkers on 9 are slated to be rebuilt with new drainage and sand this winter.

The bentgrass sod was stripped off 4 black tee and the surround. We rototilled the tee, shaved about an inch off the top and then releveled a bit. Notice the shade being cast here at 11am. That shadow will be addressed this winter and new bermudagrass sod will be laid here next week.

On Monday next week we will start work around 5 green surround and approach. Besides where we sodded last year behind the green, the rest of the surround will be stripped. The approach will also be picked up and repurposed in order to replace the bentgrass on 6 green tee and 8 black tee. The entire area from the green back to the stream and the oak tree on the left of this (dark) picture will be reshaped. The new shape will be much more inviting for second shots that can run up and on to the green.

Once the approach on 5 is complete, we will move back to the blue tee on 5. This bentgrass tee has an odd shape and the bentgrass has struggled for a long time. The tee to the front left of the blue tee  will be pushed back and combined with the existing blue tee in order to increase the playing surface and then the entire area will be sodded to bermuda. 

All of our ongoing changes are based on a Master Plan drawn up by our architect Andrew Green. Each change is discussed on the committee level and then put in the queue as budget, time and feasibility is considered. We are excited to continue improving on our property each season!