Course Update #2


#15 fairway looking back to the tee, with skyline in distance

 MGC Members - 

 The warmer temps of late are really making the place start to shine.  If you've been to the range or around the clubhouse, you've likely noticed how things have started to green up around 1/9/10/18. 

 All tees/fairways/greens are coming along very well. 13 green has been our lone outlier/pesky one with the slope/grade and washouts with all the rain last fall.  It has made some good progress since our last update.  We have our turf experts Brian Horgan and Sam Bauer coming out in the next few days to check in on the course.  We will be seeking their opinion/advice on how to best handle 13 to bring it up to speed with the others by opening day.  

Although the golf course may appear like it's ready for play, it's what's happening below the surface that will determine when it can support traffic.  One of the many metrics we use for determining when the course is ready for play is root depth.  We need them to be on average ~8 inches deep to support traffic/daily play.  

 example of bent grass root depth/density - vs. crumbly/shallow poa

Outside of our new bent, the current and new fescue areas are coming in nicely.  New areas are left of 3 tee, behind 3 green, between 2 green/5 green/15 tee.  All have come in well and will mature well over the years.   The former dump site left of 2 and right of 14 that was seeded a year and half ago has filled in and should provide some beautiful contrast this season.


In the next couple weeks we will also be working on stripping and sodding the greens/approach tie ins.  These are areas that are difficult to get the definition we're looking for with seed.  Now that they're somewhat grown in, we go in with a sod cutter to provide the sharp line between the bluegrass rough and the bentgrass fairway.  Below is a picture of that process.

#12 green 

 I know many are eager to know when we will open for play, but we simply cannot predict a date at this point.  We don't see any reason why our approx. target opening date of July 1 cannot happen, but we simply must practice patience, patience, patience...

 We will be posting a blog update every 2 weeks to help keep everyone informed of progress.  You will be reminded of this in the Tuesday Times.
Lastly, please continue to stay off the golf course.  We will continue to keep everyone updated with pictures and progress.

Stay safe.

Thank you,

Jared Keller, Superintendent
Matt Gibb, Green Chair

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