Greens Aerification 8/21/18

August 21, 2018


Today officially started our greens aerification and seeding for Fall 2018.  Greens aerification is extremely important for maintaining healthy turf and good playing conditions.  Cores of soil are pulled out of the ground using specially designed equipment to relieve compaction and promote gas, nutrient and water exchange.  In other words, after a busy golf season with members walking on the greens, our mowing and rolling the greens, the soil is squished and cannot breathe, eat or drink well at all.  We break apart the top 4" of the green carefully, and this allows air, nutrients and water to pass quickly into the roots of the plant.  As you know by taking a walk on the beach, sand is a perfect drainage material.  Waves wash up on shore and are immediately washed into the beach.  We use sand in the same way, because it keeps the soil "open" while allowing a ball to roll evenly on top.


Additionally we will cross cut our greens to a depth of 1/2" and seed our greens with new bentgrass.  Cross cutting, also known as verticutting, removes heavy thatch that slows down ball roll.  The grooves also create a perfect growing space for new seedlings to germinate and thrive.  We normally see germination around 5 days after seeding the greens.


Today our greens aerification was set back by afternoon rains.  Our staff successfully aerified and cleaned the front nine greens and the practice greens.  We were unable to topdress, broom, slice or seed today.  We are ready to go tomorrow to catch up as much as possible and get back on schedule. 

April 6, 2018


Golf Course Update




Our staff has been very busy cleaning up tree debris after a tough winter. Not only did we lose 14 trees in the 3 day windstorm; we also lost a lot of branches after the 8" of wet snow.  It was quite disheartening so see the course when everything melted and it was covered with new branches that snapped off because the snow was so heavy.  We have worked our way around the course and have removed almost all the large branches, and are well on our way cleaning up the smaller debris.  Thank you for your patience as we work through another curveball thrown by Mother Nature!

Here are some (not so fun!) facts about our clean up efforts.  It has taken about 4 weeks to remove the large limbs and trees from the course.  In that time, we have filled seven 30 yard dumpsters with logs alone from the trees.  We had to buy a new set of forks for our skid loader, because the weight of all the logs broke our old forks!  The clean up of the larger debris cost well over $18,000 for the windstorm alone, not to mention the snow.  I want to give a big shout out to our staff, who has tackled this herculean task, and also to our management at ClubCorp, who have provided the resources to get the course back together in a timely manner.  It really takes a team to get things done, and there is no better team than ours!

On a better note, greens aerification was a huge success.  We did have light rains which slowed the process down, but the sand was spread quite evenly throughout the greens.  Once the weather warms up the greens will heal quite quickly.  Tee aerification is scheduled for April 16th and 17th.  We will core aerify, topdress, and seed tees this spring.  Players may see a few temporary tees on the days we are working, but otherwise the impact to play will be minimal.  We will solid tine fairways, approaches and chipping areas this spring.  Solid tining is a simple process that creates a hole without disturbing the soil.  It is still effective though core aerification is always preferred, but has virtually no cleanup, and will help us catch up on our work from all the tree damage we had this winter.

As we start the spring season, it is always humbling to realize the impact the great game of golf has on all our lives.  For our employee partners, golf brings members together, providing our livelihood and a fantastic place to work.  For members, golf reaffirms our old friendships, introduces new friends and valuable business opportunities to better succeed and thrive every day.  One of the most beautiful facets of our game is when someone new falls in love with golf.  Two years ago, two junior players joined Norbeck and started the game with their father.  Evan (11 years old) and Owen (7 years old) began by walking 4 holes in the afternoons on weekdays and weekends.  Last year Evan got his first birdie on Hole #6, and this year Owen got his first birdie on Hole #16!  Norbeck will always be a special place for these two young gentlemen, and we are so proud to have been a part of this landmark in their lives.  Way to go, and keep playing boys!

 

March 2nd, 2018

Windstorm Update:


Mother Nature has really shown us how formidable she is on a golf course.  Through this afternoon we have lost several large pines on the course, and other trees have been damaged by high winds.  Additionally the golf course is littered with smaller branches and debris that have blown around the property.  High winds are expected to continue through the night and into the morning.

We will keep you updated as to course conditions throughout the weekend.  We will also keep you updated with our plans for cleaning up the golf course as this storm comes to a close.  We will focus on clearing cart paths, tees and greens to get the course open for play as soon as possible.  Anticipate a delayed opening for Saturday, March 3rd. 

Take care, and see you on the course soon.

 

 

 

 

February 15, 2018

February can be a very interesting month on a golf course.  Today the high is reaching 65 degrees.  Meanwhile, we are expecting sleet and snow on Saturday and temperatures in the mid 30's on Sunday. 






As always, thanks for stopping by our blogpage.  Also, if you haven't seen this yet, click here to view the SmartGolf program at Norbeck Country Club.  Smart Golf Click Here




If that didn't work, please type this address in your web browser:  https://youtu.be/LKH_6JEge8o




The most dramatic work done on the golf course this winter was tree pruning and removal.  ClubCorp is definitely committed to maintaining a healthy course, and tree care is an important part of that program.  Our staff is working hand in hand with our local contractor to handle the biggest challenges we face with tree loss, shade and safety.  Here is a list of tree work we are working on this winter:

• #5 Forward Tee - Removal
• This maple lost a main branch this summer, leaving all the remaining weight of the tree right where carts and walkers head to the fairway.  The trunk was compromised and this tree was removed for safety.
• #7 Fairway - Removal
• This ash was hit by lightning in the summer of 2016 and was 95% dead due to lightning damage and the emerald ash borer.  This was removed for safety reasons.
• #7 Black Tee - Pruning
• The maples around this tee were pruned to allow sunlight to reach the tee, and also to remove branches that were blocking shots from the teeing ground.
• #13 Tee / #14 Green - Removals
• The pine trees between 13 tee and 14 green were removed for several reasons.
• First, these pines significantly shaded the tees, leaving the turf thin and weak. 
• Additionally, the furthest pine shaded the right edge of the green, which caused turf loss almost every summer. 
• Finally, these trees blocked any possible air flow between these holes.
• By removing these trees, the 14th green should be much healthier.  We are planning on moving the fan up to #11 green, where it will significantly help during summer months.
• #17 Fairway - Removal
• This tree was affectionately called the "cactus tree" because all of its large branches split out of one location close to the ground, leaving it to resemble a cactus from the Roadrunner cartoon!  It had lost a large leader last year, leaving over 65% of the trunk compromised at ground level.  This was removed for safety.
• #18 Black Tee - Removal and Pruning
• The maples around this tee were pruned to allow sunlight to reach the tee.
• The Siberian elm behind the tee was failing, and was removed for safety and to also allow sunlight to reach the tee.
• The 5 Leyland cypress behind the tee were failing, and were removed for aesthetics, because they were thin and sickly looking.
• Driveway / Cart Barn
• The pine along the driveway started to lean alarmingly last weekend as the soil thawed.  The root zone was compromised by fall and winter rains, and once things softened up, the tree started to tilt towards the parking lot.  This was removed for safety reasons.
• The maple tree next to the cart barn was removed for aesthetic and safety reasons.  It had already started to split the cinderblock wall of the cart barn, and was leaning over the parking lot, right where players like to walk up towards the driving range.

We will assess how these removals affect play over the next golf year, and will develop plans as needed to maintain the integrity of the golf course.


Take care, and see you on the course!

January 3, 2018

Happy New Year!

Winter is here with a vengeance.  The temperature has settled in the 20's as a high, and has even dropped into the single digits at night.  Our staff has been busy working at the maintenance department, cleaning up around the facility, and putting a fresh coat of paint in our offices.  We hope to be on the course next week to start some tree work if the weather allows.

Cold weather is a great time to plan for next season and also for education.  Mike Barillo and I will be reaching out to members via this blog to reinforce proper cart usage and golf etiquette.  Follow the link below to see the Smart Golf Program, which has been updated to our new "single pole" cart traffic system.  The video takes about 17 minutes, and is great for new golfers or as a refresher course to long time players of the game. 

Smart Golf Click Here

If the link doesn't open, copy and paste this into your web browser:  https://youtu.be/LKH_6JEge8o

When the weather does break, please remember to fix your ball marks and fill divots.  Before the big "freeze" there were numerous unrepaired ball marks on greens.  At this time of year, the turf is not recovering at all.  You will be hitting across these ball marks all winter long.  It only takes a few seconds, and truly shows courtesy to the players behind you.

It is really exciting to see the Reinvention constructing moving along well.  Today the crews were framing and pouring concrete for the Swing Simulator.  The construction crews are also working on constructing the new golf proshop next to fitness.  This location eliminates the need to walk next to the kitchen loading dock, and allows an easier transition to the 1st and 10th tees.  Mike Barillo and his staff are very excited for the upcoming changes and the new pro shop!

Norbeck Country Club

Golf Course Maintenance

December 12, 2017

Although the growing season is coming to a close, we are quite busy at golf maintenance.  This winter we are planning tree pruning, stump removal, sanding bunkers, and the never ending job of splitting firewood for the fireplace and fire pit!  Additionally we will be working behind the scenes planning for the spring season, and freshening our maintenance facility to create an even better workplace for our staff.  Who says wintertime is easy?


We are very excited to see the "Reinvention" progress moving along well.  The upgraded dining experience is going to make a tremendous impact on all members, and the golf swing simulator is going to be top notch.  Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these members from the swift enjoyment of their appointed rounds, at least in the golf lounge!

Double cups are installed on greens to help reduce traffic when conditions are cold and we can't change pins daily.  As you play each hole, instead of placing the flagstick on the green to putt out, simply move it to the opposite hole.  You can then putt out and the green is ready for the next group playing.


Mike Barillo and I will be working together in the winter months to reach out to members and thoroughly explain cart rules and golf etiquette.  As our member family grows, it is even more important that players know how to enjoy the course and take care of it at the same time.  Remember, it is a long standing golf tradition to leave the course in as good conditions as you found it.


Here is an article written about the Short Game Practice Facility.  Take a few minutes to read this and get an idea how to best use this facility to improve your golf game.

Short Game Practice Facility

Opened – July 15^th, 2014

Our SGPF is now open for its third year.  Parking areas are conveniently provided to allow players to easily bring all their clubs to practice.  The SGPF is designed to provide opportunities to practice every different shot possible around the green, whether it is a 10 yard chip, a 15 yard flop, a 30 yard pitch, or a full 60 yard loft wedge!  Players can choose different angles to carry over bunkers and rough hollows.  We have one low rough hollow with a 5 ½’ deep bunker, one large 2 ½” deep greenside bunker to practice your sand game, and one shallow rough hollow to practice those tough “up and downs” that make or break a players score.  Three different fairway areas provide all the angles and lies you will find on the golf course.

Our Green and Grounds staff will set up the SGPF each morning in the same fashion that we are preparing the golf course.  The “new” USGA specification practice green will have one flag on each tier.  The “old” practice green will have numerous small flags to putt to.  The upper and lower parking areas will have a box with seed and soil bottles provided for players use.  Each parking area has space for 5 golf carts.  Range balls are now provided for the SGPF, in small quantities (no more than 8).  This prevents players from hitting shot after shot from the same area, quickly reducing our SGPF to a divot filled mess.  Players will have a better experience using their own balls to practice.  It is always better for you to practice feel around a green with the same ball you play with.

When using the SGPF, it is important to remember that this is NOT A DRIVING RANGE.  This is an area designed for dynamic play to give golfers a “realistic” feel of the game to improve their scores. The SGPF allows a player to hit a few shots to their target, and then play out each shot as it landed. Players are expected to fill their divots and fix ball marks as they play.  If you want to hit stacks of balls to the same target repetitively from one place you should be on the driving range, not the SGPF.

COURTESY is paramount in using the SGPF.  There is no difference between courtesy on the golf course and the SGPF.  If you want to work on bunker shots, understand that you will be preventing players from working on their 60 yard loft wedges.  If someone wants to hit some longer shots in, practice a few bunker shots, then move to a different area to allow them a safe angle to the green.  After they hit their shots and go to collect their balls, head back into the bunker and hit a few more.  Alternating areas and angles will allow everyone to get the practice they need.   The key phrase to remember is “Practice As You Play.”

Here are a few tips from the golf channel to make sure you are getting the most from your short-game practice:

• Short game is all about feel. Practice developing feel by moving around and trying different shots in a short-game practice area. Avoid the temptation to unload a pile of golf balls from one location to one target. If you’re limited to a confined location, try the ladder drill in the short game area. The goal is to land several balls in a defined area by making each shot land just past the previous. If you mess up, start over.

• Play the “up and down” game when you practice. Take nine golf balls and spread them around the practice green in various locations. The goal is to get each ball in the hole in two strokes or less. But instead of hitting all the balls on the green and then making the putts, play each ball out one at a time to simulate a real round of golf. Challenge yourself by keeping score and try to break your personal record.

• Create competition whenever you can. Drag your golf buddy out to the short-game area and challenge them to the “up and down” game or the ladder drill. Anytime you can incorporate competition in your practice you will benefit greatly on the course.

Most importantly Mike Barillo and his professional staff are the BEST source for how to improve your game by using the SGPF.  They will be able to give great practice drills, lessons, clinics and pointers for all levels of players.   They can also answer any questions you may have about courtesy on the golf course and the SGPF.

The SGPF is a large area encompassing 2 acres that can accommodate a LOT of players!  There are 27,000 square feet of fairway and 50,000 square feet of rough to use.  The additional new green gives players options when sharing the SGPF to work on all aspects of the game.  With a little common sense and camaraderie, numerous players can get full use of this area at the same time.