Turf Talk By: Geoff Sheffield

The summer has ended and the projects begin for the maintenance department. We have several projects that will improve your game and make the course more enjoyable to play. As follows:

• The very large bunker at the back of Pacific #3 has been re-shaped by course architect Chris Young.  This will help the maintenance team be more efficient in maintaining the bunker better and improve playability for the golfer. The surrounds of the bunker will be maintained at our rough height of 2”. The picture shows the team laying sod around this project. Please expect it to be ground under repair for most of the winter. 
• The other project underway is at the back of Pacific #8 green. This will also be ground under for the winter. This will definitely make for a better golf shot if you hit it long of the green. What was a very challenging swale to golf out of was also very challenging for operating equipment around.
• Several of our projects that we started with earlier this year are starting to get more attention and are growing in nicely. The new tees on Highland #9 and Pacific #8 are now being cut to build density. These two tees will open in the early spring and should offer some interesting tee shots. They are designed to help speed play up in the very busy  time of the year.
• This coming fall you will see the maintenance team working on Pacific #4 and 5. We will be raising and leveling every sprinkler.

 While doing this we will also be starting a very exciting project for the team. We have approval for a new operating system for our irrigation system. This will be done over a 5 year span as it requires every sprinkler to be addressed. We will raise and level every sprinkler and install a new Rainbird IC series module on each one. All the green surround heads will be replaced with new IC series rotors. The old heads will be kept for replacing other heads as required.

The operating system in the maintenance facility will be getting upgraded in February for a smooth transition to allow for decoders and IC series operating. This upgrade is essential due to decoder failure that has been ongoing for a few years now. It will allow for a much more efficient trouble shooting and operating of the system.

Thank you to our board of directors/owners for this great upgrade to our course!