Concrete

Today we are starting the first of the new path installations. Our first priority is finishing the path work around the pro shop and front range area. We expect to be in that area for the remainder of this week.

We ask that you please refrain from driving through this area for the next 10 days as we allow the concrete to cure to full strength. Parking for the pro shop should utilize the main car parking lot until the barriers around the pro shop are removed. 

Marshwood Update

We are officially closed for the summer and work has begun on the course. The front nine collars were removed yesterday and 2 trucks of Celebration sod will be arriving shortly. Our goal this week is to have all front 9 collars re-sodded by Friday afternoon. Fairway preparation also began this week. We have started a deep vertical mowing to eliminate as much thatch as possible. This is the practice used to provide firm fairway conditions moving forward. This also helps provide more soil to the surface to allow the new sprigs a great environment to grow in.

Wall Update #5

We knew the wall on #5 was failing, although we really didn't understand the extent until we de-watered the lagoon and were able to see first hand the decay of the wood.  The photos below give you a much better appreciation for exactly why this work was necessary.  Currently we are working on establishing the rough grade of the new slope and anticipate installing the "turf reinforcement mat" beginning early next week.  We have scheduled grassing of the bank for June 11th and 12th.

Oakridge Project highlight - Practice Facility Plans

Beginning today, we close the Oakridge Practice Facility. We are incorporating work in this area to upgrade the practice facility as part of the Oakridge restoration project.  Current plans include:

• Conversion of asphalt paths to concrete
• Repairing root intrusion along the “member path” to the back range tee, along the #10 side of the range
• Removing redundant paths and improving the safety and flow of traffic
• Defining parking spaces and curbing to prevent parking on the turf
• Improving irrigation coverage and efficiency
• Defining range targets and enhancing the short game practice facility
• Laser leveling and regrassing of both range tees with Celebration bermuda grass
• Re-landscaping the pro shop and range areas

It is our desire to get the Practice facility re-opened to members as soon as possible and anticipate that re-opening within 2-3 weeks.  We appreciate your understanding on the closure while the work takes place.

Oakridge Restoration

The work surrounding the wall project behind #5 green at Oakridge started this week. Lowering the water level of the lagoon and sod stripping is taking place in preparation for mass grading to begin on Monday.

TPC Sawgrass Insights!

While not many spectators receive valuable information regarding the maintenance that occurred during this week's tournament, Chris and I are fortunate of knowing key people involved in tournament set-up for a lot of PGA Tour events. We get questioned quite a bit on how our green speeds are compared to Tour events. Sunday's stimp meter at TPC Sawgrass registered at 13 feet for the final round. The good/bad news for a lot of our members is that you were putting on PGA Tour speeds for the past 3-4 months here at The Landings Club while our greens were dormant. This past week, finally, Mother Nature is cooperating and we're capable of growing grass to provide enjoyable speeds of 10-11 feet on the daily stimp meter. Although 10 feet on a stimp meter is very good, we understand that it will take time to accustom to the standard stimp readings our Golf/Green Committees have set of 10.5".

Below is some info we gathered for The Players Championship set-up:
Greens -  mowed 8 times/day at .125, speed rolled 4 times/day
               TLC mowed 1-2x/day @ .120, rolled 3-4 days/week

Tees/Fairways - Mowed at .375, two times/day
                TLC mowed at .500, 3x/week

Rough - 2.5 inches
               TLC currently at 1.25"

TPC Sawgrass has an incredible volunteer program for this tournament including superintendents from all over the world. To top off their daily 70 full time staff members, the organization is able to bring in an additional 105 employees for the agronomy staff two weeks prior to the event. 

Weapon of mass destruction...

The long awaited day has arrived! Today we started the demolition of the existing cart paths on the Oakridge course. Meet the BoMag 1200, it's sole purpose is to grind up the asphalt paths and dump them into waiting trucks to be hauled off site.  We started today on #1 and will be working our way forward around the course.

Please remember for safety of all, the Oakridge course is now a construction area and access to the course is limited to construction traffic only. 

2 days after Round up treatment

#1 Marshwood fairway

It's official...

The Oakridge project got under way as the course officially closed yesterday. The construction contractor has started installing erosion control measures in anticipation of the demolition of existing cart paths later this week.

Additionally, the irrigation contractor has started installing laterals pipes and sprinkler heads since finishing the main irrigation line last week. Holes 1 and 2 are finished and currently using the new irrigation system, and they are working on #3 today.

You killed what????

This morning we began our first Round up/Fusillade application to the Marshwood fairways, approaches, and collars to start the No-till conversion to Celebration. Signs of decay should be noticed within a day or two, and would imagine a full kill by the end of the week. The greens were double cut this morning, but will be left alone Tuesday to eliminate the possibility of tracking the product back on the greens. This same application will take place 3 weeks from today.