Project update

As you can see in the photos to the right we have repaired the tie in issue that was formed from the top dressing that has taken place in the past, with this corrected we are also able to move water off the path avoiding silt build up. This also is taken place on #14 as well. With the break in the weather last week my team completed the first round of fairway topdressing, setting us up to start on the approaches in front of the greens next week, of course weather permitting. Speaking of next week it is our goal to open up as scheduled but the weather will determine that, there are some forecast of rain in the near future.

I am happy to say that we now have two functioning doors on our shop, there was a time where you could not go past the orange mark for fear the door would fall off. I did some pricing around to see what it would cost to install and some companies wanted 8,000.00 dollars a piece to install. We are never one to pass up a challenge so we completed it in house saving approximately 13,000.00 dollars. This was payed for by selling our old crane mats. I do want to say thank you to my team on full filling that task.

Audubon

Currently we are a member of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for golf courses. Our sole purpose for this program to is link golf and the environment together so that both can co-exist.

There are 6 stages that we must complete and pass of which the first one has been completed,

1. Environmental Planning. The concrete foundation that we will base all of our programs wants and needs before we move forward for the staff, golfers and wildlife.

2.Wildlife and Habitat Management, Will make us understand the wildlife that we have on the golf course, increasing the naturalized areas and creating a wildlife inventory. We are currently at this stage, and the photo was taken the other day of a hawk. This is one example of how we can record our inventory.

3.Integrated Pest management, The goal here is to reduce our inputs in to the environment through Cultural Practices, Pest Monitoring and Management and Maintenance Facility and Pesticide Safety.

4.Water Conservation,  This also would include the amount of water that we use to irrigate with and that our system is running efficiently with proper distribution and no leaks. It has always been my number one concern that we do not abuse the water that is given to us, besides I like things firm and fast anyway!

5.Water Quality Management, Water has become an ever so increasing commodity. It is extremely important that we have preventative and management controls in protecting our water sources. Some example that we currently employ are no-input zones or buffer zones near our water bodies, these help minimize run-off, potential drift and erosion. This area really dives deeper into the management of our ponds as well.

6.Outreach and Education, Once completed with the previous steps its now time to let the public and golfers know how we are doing and what steps we are taking to manage our environmental impact. We do this by education, displays of wildlife, kid activities and more.


As you can see this is no easy project but we do intend to complete all sections with in the next year.