Project Update

Heading into the month of August we are quickly approaching our deadline for getting turf established.  As I explained in the last post we now have a better understanding of the factors that led to inconsistencies, now it is time to begin solving these problems.  

On Monday of this week, we began reseeding all of the areas that are lagging behind.  Most of the areas have enough germination to fill in, unfortunately, we do not believe it will satisfy our desired schedule without adding additional seed.  Areas of greatest concern are the green banks.  It is becoming more clear that we had more washing away of the seed than we originally anticipated.  With the steeper slopes around the greens, the seed was much more vulnerable during the heavy rain we experienced on the evening of day three of the project.

By the end of this week we expect to have all of the thin areas reseeded and will start the process over to ensure a solid stand of turf.  Due to the timing of the seeding and the cooler temps we experienced early in the project, holes 13-17 are at a different stage compared to the rest of the course.  We still have new seedlings emerging, however, this is more apparent on the back nine.  Although we are three weeks into the project, with the week of cool temps, several of the areas are more at the week two development stage. 

At this point, getting additional seed in the ground and maintaining consistent moisture is our top priority.  Our second application of fertilizer was applied over the last two days which will continue to help push the new seedlings.  As good as our irrigation system is, we are managing the weak areas with supplemental hand watering.  This has been especially important on the green banks.

Thank you for your patience as we work to establish the Riviera Bermuda.  There is no question we are heading down the right path, it has unfortunately been difficult seeing all of the inconsistencies.  The good news is that each day we are gaining ground on it.  With the whole month of August ahead of us, I am confident that we will be successful. 

Project Update

As we approach week three of the project I wanted to give you a quick update of our progress.  We have officially moved from the seeding and sodding phase of the project to the grow in.  As you tour the course you will see a wide range of establishment, some areas are looking great and others are obviously well behind. 

Due to the time that it took to complete the work on the tees, all of the tee complexes are at least a week to a week and a half behind the seeded rough.  The good news with the tees is the Latitude 36 sod is in great shape.  Although our normal grow in practices have been limited due constant irrigation, tees are still ready for play.

First Mowing on Tees.

 Our biggest concern are the inconsistencies with establishment.  Meeting with the agronomist from the seed supplier last week helped to ease our nerves.  His impression was that we had a great stand and are quickly on our way to filling in.  All of the factors such as shade, irrigation efficiency, soil type, amount of dead vegetation/organic matter as well as timing, play a role in the rate of germination.  As much as I would like to see a solid stand wall to wall, we are right where we should be.

The only real setback we had was the 1" of rain on Day 3 of the project and the week long record setting cool down we faced during the second week.  Other than slowing progress on the tees, the rain may have been a good thing.  I do think we are beginning to see some areas that were washed out, but at this point the washouts appear to be isolated.  The cool down during week two has been the biggest hindrance.  The five days of 50-60 degree low temps put the project at a standstill.  Not that we went backwards, but we did not gain any ground on establishment during this time frame. 

Reseeding a potential washout area on #1.

As we discussed during the planning stages of the project, weeds are going to be an issue.  This has definitely become a reality.  As we get further along in the process we will be able to address the weeds with a herbicide combination.  Right now we don't want to do anything that will slow the growth of the Bermuda.  We are currently hand pulling weeds until we get to the point that we can spray.  Many of these will be cleaned up with the first mowing.  Unfortunately, we are going to see more weeds this first year.  Moving forward our preventative programs will get us back to normal. 

Pigweed brought in from topsoil used for leveling.

The good news is we are seeing obvious improvement each day.  The heat over the past few days is exactly what we need to push the Riviera Bermuda.  This along with an aggressive fertilizer plan will improve the rate of establishment.

Good stand coming in on #3.

Thank you for your interest in the project.  Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or would like to take a tour of the course.

Riviera Rough Conversion

What a crazy busy week!  All the planning and preparation went into action last Monday as we began the Riviera Rough Conversion.  The seeders hit the ground on #1 on Monday morning, averaging about 10 acres per day.  Other than time lost due to a severe thunderstorm Wednesday night, we have had a great week! 

For a quick summary, we have essentially finished all of the seeding.  We have a few small areas to seed as we close out tees, but for the most part, seeding was finished on Friday.  The laser leveling of the tees was a late change to the project, but as you will see, the larger, level tees are long overdue.  The tees are looking great.

Moving ahead, assuming there are no weather delays, we should finish the remaining tees by Wednesday of this week.  At this point, we will shift gears from seeding and sodding to growing in a golf course.  Signs of germination are already showing up around the course.  This upcoming week should see drastic changes as the seed emerges.

I can't say enough about our team this week.  Other than Martin Lane with Midwest Laser Leveling, all of the work has been completed in house with an assist from several of the guys in the bag room helping with tee sodding.    

The pictures below tell the story of what our week has been like.

Prepping for seed with the Tine Harrow.

Starting the seeding process on #1.

#10 tee following the laser leveling.

Leveling and straightening #4 tee.

First load of Latitude 36 Bermuda Sod.

#3 Tee: leveled, sodded, and surrounds seeded.

Challenges with keeping greens mowed during the project.

 

Familiar site over the past week.

Minor Setback

We had a minor setback Monday night with the weather.  The golf course received 2.5" of rain along with heavy wind and lightning.  Not only was the course in rough shape due to flooding and bunker washouts, the pump station was knocked offline as well as multiple irrigation controllers from the lightning.  Not what we wanted to be working on this close to the project.

By the end of the day Tuesday, everything has been repaired and we are set to move forward.  Golf course is still too wet to prep for seed, however, we are planning to begin stripping the dead sod off of the back tees starting tomorrow.


The good news is that weather looks favorable over the next several days.  Once the course dries out, we will make quick work of the remaining punch list.