Well last week ended with chipping ice from greens just to get them open.

As the new week begins we had a large order of turf.  And as the week ends the 11th is finished, turfed and just needs a bit of TLC.

The things we do

 The course is starting to cut up with the warm damp weather so rope has now been used in all the normal places around the course.  The greens are looking good and will receive a cut at the end of this week, ready for the Christmas period ahead.

Soil topping ready for turf

 The 11th green surround has been turfed with over 950 laid in under 2 days.  This area now needs a heavy sand and the pathway reinstated after all our machinery running over it.  

During

Finished

Roped off to protect turf

The week obviously hasn't panned out quite as expected.  Heavy snow, course closed, turf order cancelled and a great big dollop of rain to boot.  We are planning to reorder turf for early next week in order to finish the 11th complex.

Someone has had fun.

 Ever cloud they say has a silver lining as the upstairs mezzanine has gone from this.

Before

To this.

After

Bracing our self for some rough weather, maybe with snow, the course has carried well through December.  Tees have now moved onto mats and our focus will now be on limited work on greens to ensure they stay in good condition.  All greens were fed during the week which will carry them through well into the new year.

   Major project on 11th is nearing completion with just the left bunker to build.  Turf arrives on Wednesday.  

Right all finished

Front almost there

 The ramp in our maintenance facility has been moved. This will be in use during January for servicing of machinery and it took up to much space before.  With a fair wind and a good deal of grunting we twisted it's location freeing up valuable space in the shed.

Moving ramp

 The picture below shows what modern technology and money has achieved.  Augusta circa 1952 looking worse than golf courses today.  Gives hope to us all.

Augusta

11th bunkers on the lower are now completely different.  Gone is the steep dangerous overhangs, now mounding around the green to collect an errant hit golf shot.  Back right bunker is now complete as you can see below. 

Start

Basic shape

Preparing the base

Finished product.

The front right bunker is now also finished.

From a dirty hole

To a new bunker

The front bunker is next early next week, although the lower is now back open.  Whilst the course was shut, four greens were tined to remove compaction (3,4,6,14).  All four are problem summer greens drying out at the first sign of drought.