We have added some new features to the facility. At the driving range tee and at the putting green there are two new clocks to keep everyone on schedule for their tee times. On the driving range tee we are constructing a new water cooler station, next to the clock, at one central location. The plan is to install two new benches along the driving range tee and create another clock, water cooler station, and bench area at the far end of the range tee as a mirror image in the near future.
During the winter month project phase, several items on the course received a new coat of paint. Some common items that are painted every year are tee markers, cart exit posts, tee information sign posts, trash cans, ball washers, course bathrooms, short course yardage markers, out-of-bounds stakes, and added this year are the driving range ball washing building, tee yardage signs, and various items around the clubhouse. We are nearing the end of our painting time frame and are about finished. Soon the mowers will be out and we will be asking for winter to come back.
Painting Tee Markers
Before and After Tee Signs Driving Range Ball Washer Building Before
Each year we anticipate completing a phase of the Master Tree Plan. This year we have already got a head start on this coming fall’s phase 1. Through the help of NES we will received about 25 new trees to plant around the golf course from the cooperation we gave in removing the Gallatin Road and Stop Thirty Road trees. Already 10 of these trees have been planted on the course and the next batch of trees should arrive soon. We will continue to consult the Master Tree Plan to ensure our tree lines stay full and characteristic of Bluegrass.
One part of the upcoming Master Landscape Plan is addressing tee walk ups. There are several walk up areas that have become bare or are not good conditions to grow quality turf. To make these areas more aesthetically pleasing we have begun to install aggregate paths lined with treated landscape timbers. Each path is constructed with drainage (if needed), a large stone base, and topped with fine rock screenings that compact. Currently we have competed paths on #2, #3, #4, and #7 and have taken heavy rains perfectly. We are looking to continue this process during the winter months and are planning paths on #14 bathroom and possibly new steps at #18 green in the near future.
After a quick thunderstorm this morning dropping roughly a .5″ in an hour, here are the pictures of the new Better Billy Bunkers on #18 and the old bunkers on #16.
Throughout the past year we have had several conversations regarding bunker sand. The sand’s consistency, compaction, and color. Recently it was discussed how sand particle shapes and sizes effect the compaction of bunkers and how the newer bunkers vary from our older bunkers. The newer bunkers, with round sand particles, were too soft even though the same sand used as the old bunkers. The old bunkers have been contaminated with silt and clay over the years providing a firm, compacted surface.
Older Bunker - Contaminated and Washed Out
#18 was one set of bunkers recently renovated with newer sand. Last week we completed renovating these bunkers using a new method of construction and a USGA recommended bunker sand that consists of angular sand particles versus round particles. The construction method used was the Better Billy Bunker system. This method constructs a bunker with no fabric liner that could be ripped or torn over the years, but instead uses a layer of gravel sprayed with a liquid polymer adhering the gravel together. The polymer is extremely strong not allowing any rocks to move and perking over 400 inches an hour.
Installing Rock Gravel Layer
Gravel Layer
The advantage of this system is water can freely move through the sand without causing washouts or silt contamination. We have had a couple good rains since completing these bunkers and have not raked or push any sand, unlike our older bunkers. Another advantage with the system is it comes with a 10 year guarantee the gravel will remain intact. Reviews from members on the bunkers regarding consistency, firmness, and the bright white color have been thrilling. In this post are pictures and videos of the installation and procedures we performed to test the claims of the product. (which passed with flying colors)
Applying Polymer
Unfortunately we did have some chemical residue in the tank causing some foaming, but you can see from the beginning water moves straight through the gravel layer.
Completed Bunkers #18 - Better Billy Bunker
We are excited about these new bunkers and it was a pleasure to work with the Better Billy Bunker staff. Thank you to Jerry Lemons and Todd Jenkins for all their help including Reese and Adam. Already Bluegrass has seen and experienced the benefits from the construction method especcially reducing the bunker labor to maintain. Feel free to visit the Better Billy Bunker website or Facebook page for more information.
Have you ever had the #7 or #15 water cooler stands or ballwasher block your shot back to the green? If so, we have addressed this issue. The tee station, which includes the ball washer, tee sign, and trash can, have been moved to a more out of play area. #7 tee station is now located near the walking bridge to #6 green. The location is a more localized spot designed to allow golfers to exit their carts and cross the walking bridge to access #6 green versus walking to the front of the green causing more compaction and unhealthy turf just off the path. We will, this spring, resod this area and improve its playability and now is the time to form a habit of walking across the bridge so a better playing surface can be established.
Grounds Crew
Roger Booker
Austin Vasquez
Joe Taylor
Scott Hamby
Ben McClain
Kelly Collins
Nick Mayer
Joe Moore
Joey Coleman
Cory Edwards
Logan Galbreth
Aiden High
Carson Cochran
Bennett Mclendon
