2019. A Transitional Year for GBGC

As we approach the 2019 Winter Solstice this coming Saturday 12/21/19, I cant help but thinking how transformational  the year was for the golf course. We started what will be the biggest change since the courses inception and that is the switch from cool season turf to warm season Santa Anna Hybrid Bermuda in our primary playing surfaces. The change was and is not without some pain and sacrifice. Hybrid Bermuda takes longer to establish as it needs to be propagated in the warm summer season right ahead of it's natural dormancy in the fall and winter. This is really evident in the immaturity of the new surround turf which is now not growing so we can't do anything make it better until early spring. Additionally to finish the project we are looking at closing the golf course for a period of time in 2020 which displaces our members.

However I am extremely confident that once this new turf is fully established, we will have the fast and firm surfaces we have always desired spring all the way through fall. And if #17 fairway is any indication of future firmness of the fairways in the winter months, I'm confident play-ability will good in that season as well. 

Current Santa Anna Hybrid Conditions.

My observations so far with the turf we started installing only 4 months ago (8/6/19) is the color is good in both the surrounds and #17 fairway particularly where there is plenty of sun exposure. Texture and play-ability in the surrounds is too tight and uneven especially  compared to what we are accustomed to playing off of in the winter months with our older cool season turf. This, along with density and color of the turf in shaded areas will be mitigated before next December as we will have a full season of establishment and will raise the height of cut of the turf prior to fall slow down. I'm very satisfied with the firmness of #17 fairway which is firmer then the older fairways at this juncture. Still more wet weather to come likely that could impact it, but I'm optimistic.

#17 Fairway December 19, 2019 only 4 months after the sod was installed.

The Project in 2020

We would have fully hoped at this point at the end of the year we would have had something definitive to share with the membership regarding our plans for 2020. I can assure you the final scope of work  is diligently being worked on and hashed out through the year end budgetary process. The likely scope will include finishing fairways and some work on greens, tees & trees but timing and details are still a bit fluid. We will know soon and will use this Granite Bay Course Update format along with all other forms of communication to get the word out on 2020's details as soon as we know more.

#2 Surround  December 19, 2020. 

Thank You

All of us in Granite Bay Golf Course Maintenance would like to express our thanks for the year end bonuses we receive through the generosity of our members. It is really appreciated by the maintenance crew and we thank you. I would personally like to thank  for your support and patience during the "in process" and upcoming turf conversion. This kind of work wouldn't be possible without your support. 

Fall Aeration & Project Update #25

Last Monday September 23 was the Autumnal Equinox signifying the beginning of fall in the northern hemisphere. For those who are interested check out this cool video from National Geographic depicting these celestial movements as only  National Geographic can. 

This is the date that we have always circled on our maintenance calendar as "The Day" that everything turns around from our customary summer setbacks with our cool season turf. Welcome weather relief is still the case as the vast majority of playing surfaces at Granite Bay are still cool season turf. However the first phase of our turf conversion from cool season to warm season hybrid bermuda which began in 2019 with green surrounds and #17 fairway have us a little torn. We need the cool nights and short days to recover and germinate ryegrass seed for the cool season surfaces but also welcome continued warm weather that will help further establishment our new warm season hybrid bermuda sod. 

#12 surround contrasted with the ryegrass rough. Color and texture are different as coll season turf is 
beginning to accelerate in growth and the new hybrid bermuda is slowing down.

Cool season recovery is under way and in a very short period of time all imperfections will be filled in with perennial ryegrass. Lots of seed has been seeded into the playing surfaces, covered with sand and compost and fertilized and is germinating as we speak. But again on the other hand the new warm season turf in the surrounds and #17 fairway have slowed down. 

7 week old hybrid bermuda sod around #10 green. Not completely even and now that the weather
has changed it is questionable whether it will completely even out before winter as its growth
has slowed down with the advent of fall. 

We need to remember the conversion to warm season turf takes time. It has to be established in the summer months because that is when it is actively growing. We put down the first batch of sod only 8 weeks ago and shortly afterwards started to experience an cooler then normal fall in late September. We have plans to mitigate color as the new Santa Anna creeps into dormancy but the hybrid bermuda will slow down to a crawl as far as growth is concerned. The texture inconsistencies we currently experiencing primarily in the surrounds will be a temporary condition that we will have to work through this fall and upcoming winter. Next year, after its first full year of establishment  these inconsistencies will be a thing of the past.

Upcoming Tee Over Seeding & PG Aeration

We still have tee over seeding to get done and will be working on this starting next Monday. We will get the driving range tee aerated and overseeded so it will be closed for four weeks  until Jones Cup weekend. Additionally we still have to aerify the upper practice green and Tilleys. We are going to do something different to the PG's rather then traditional core aeration which will be virtually unobtrusive yet very effective. The process is called  Dryject and is one of may new aeration strategies that we will be looking at for the future particularly with a potential re-surfacing of our putting surfaces in 2020. Dryject utilizes high pressure water to inject sand deeply into the putting surface. After a quick brushing and rolling the surface will perform as if nothing were done and the injection holes evident in the pictures above will recover within days. Look for some GBGC pictures and an update following Mondays procedure. Below are a few more internet pictures.

The Project at GBGC Update #24

We are just at six weeks since the conclusion of sodding #17 fairway and the fairway itself is ready for golf activities but the surrounding rough  was pretty worked over during the construction process and until recently was not ready for golf. We decided to remedy the most  damaged and trafficked part of the holes rough with sod this week so we can open the hole and you can start playing 18 holes of golf.

#17 fairway on Friday 9/13/19. 

Therefore this coming Tuesday 9/17/19 we are going to open #17 with prefered lies and cart path only, only seven weeks after the first phase of sod was installed. We are playing preferred lies throughout the course anyway because of ongoing aeration and overseeding and the need to keep these areas wet for seed germination. Cart path only on the hole is prudent because the new sod adjacent to the cart path will only be a few days old on opening day and the rough on the left hand side of the fairway still needs some growing time.

New sod installed along the cart path on Friday 9/13/19

We still have some work to do such as adding new yardage markers that have not yet arrived, adding sand to the bunkers and continuing sand topdressing of the surface. Remember all of the hybrid bermuda turf we installed just weeks ago is still very immature and does not resemble a seasoned hybrid bermuda playing surface yet and likely won't until next year. However it is ready for golf activities and we don't want to inconvenience our members any longer although there will be no exceptions on  cart path only. We need to keep carts off of the hole for awhile and I don't have an estimate when that will change.

#17 Fairway close up.

The Project at GBGC Update #22

No drop zones in the surrounds any longer, just four weeks after the first sod was laid and in the cases of #'s 2, 4 & 8 only 10 days and #'s 13,14 & 16 only 7 days. The sod itself has already rooted down but is uneven and not an ideal playing surface yet. We have already started mowing most of the surrounds and adding topdressing so it won't be long before it is smooth and playable. In the meantime bump you ball (preferred lies) and avoid the newly sodded steep bunker faces if you could please.

#17 fairway has been mowed several times, rolled a couple & topdressed once since sod installation only four weeks ago today. Additionally we have made a first pass seeding of the rough that was dried down to facilitate construction traffic. No time frame on opening #17 yet as we still have to lower the cut in the fairway, continue to topdress and roll to get it smooth, install yardage markers and new bunker sand just to name a few things on our punch list. A clue to when we will be close to opening is when you see the rough start to fill in and green up. 

Newly sodded steep bunker fingers should be avoided  for  just a little bit longer please.

Enrique topdressing #17 fairway on Monday 8/26/19 just under four weeks after installation.

The Project at GBGC Update #21

Executing the type turf conversion / renovation work we have recently done around most of our greens surrounds while remaining open to play has some inherent confusion for all involved. It's not ideal to do this kind of work while open but not ideal as well to inconvenience Members who want to play their course. We have coexisted well over the last 24 days and I want to thank you and assure you now  that all of the sod is down on the ground that:

• You can't hurt this turf, that's one reason we are switching to it.
• It won't be long before its  playable.
• We still have some work to do to get it playable.

Starting today, Friday 8/23/19 we have opened the surround holes that were sodded early in the process albeit just two weeks ago as well as re-established Drop Areas for the holes where sod was installed within a week. 

• Open Holes With Preferred Lies In the New Sod - #'s 1,9,10,11,12,15 &18.
• Closed Holes With Drop Area - #'s 2,8,13,14,16

Newly sod on bunker finger #15. This sod was installed  only 11 days ago and is solidly rooted into  the soil.
That being said we want to protect the sod on these steep slopes from damage so we are asking members
 to keep off these areas until fully established.

Even holes that are open have GUR or Keep Off designations on the steep bunker fingers that are most susceptible to sod dislodging. We anticipate all holes with the exception of #17 being open with preferred lies in the new surround sod next weekend for Mini Mac. More updates to come on process and progress to get all of our new turf completely playable. 

Thanks for you patience. 

#17 Fairway on Friday 8/23/19  only 15 days after completing sod installation. We are already only watering it every other night and have mowed it three times. We still have big punch list of things to do to get this
hole open again to golf play. More to come on that.

Another image of #15 sod only installed 11 days ago. We are now playing preferred lies so bump your ball and give 
yourself plenty of relief from sod lines. 

The Project at GBGC Update #20

We're Done !

At least with covering the dirt & getting the sod installed. Other then some little areas that might need replacement, the preparation and sod installation part of the "The Project at GBGC" phase 2019 is done. Sod installation on #16 was the last part and was completed today as well as some fine fescue in the shady area on the right hand side of #18. 

Fine fescue installed right hand side #18 in under the shade of the large live oak.

Freshly installed Santa Anna Hybrid Bermuda on the last green surround bank on Wednesday 8/21/19.

We started the construction part of the project on September 30th, 23 days ago and the sod installation started 7 days later on August 6th, just 16 days ago. There was only two days in that 16 day period that we did not have sod being installed. 

We now need to shift our efforts into purley golf course maintenance and get caught up. In addition to maintenance we need to culture and grow in all of the newly installed sod and get it playable as quickly as possible. We'll continue to provide updates on progress and processes to achieve this end goal rapidly as well as getting #17 up and playable as soon as possible. 

Last bit of sod left over after sod installation was completed today 8/21/19 being laid down in our nursery area.

I anticipate taking down some drop areas around surrounds this week. The obvious ones  were sodded early in the sod installation process such as #'s 18, 9 & 1 as well as #'s 11, 12 & 15. The rest, #'s 2, 4, & 8 as well as #'s 10, 13, 14 & 16 should follow a week behind just in time for Mini Mac barring any setbacks.

SOD SEAMS – Through the Green, sod seams (not the sod itself) are deemed to be ground under repair, and relief is available under Rule 16.1b if the ball lies in or touches a sod seam or the sod seam interferes with the area of intended swing. All seams within the sodded area are considered the same seam.

Drop area soon to come down on #12 green. Members can still get relief from sod seams under rule 16.1b

Thank you for your patience as we plowed through this first phase of turf renewal and conversion at Granite Bay. We'll continue to update interested members on progress as I mentioned above.

The Project at GBGC Update #19

On Monday 8/19/19 contractor installed sod on #8 and #14. We have a little left to sod on #14  today, Monday 8/20/19 and will complete #13 as well. That will leave us only #16 to finish and perhaps a little bit of #13 on Wednesday 8/21/19 as well as some fine fescue on the right hand side of #18 in the shade.  Below is the information we sent to the golf shop for the AM e-mail as well as some pictures from yesterdays progress.

Hole # 17 Closed. #13 closed for re-sodding.

#'s 13,16,  are stripped and have a drop area in front of the green. #'s 1,2,4,8,9,10,11,12,18 have been re-sodded and are GUR. Please use Drop area's.

No delay.

Carts scatter.

Summer rules.

#8 newly sodded Monday 8/19/19

#14 freshly sodded Monday 8/19/19

Packing sand into bunker faces following recovery after sodding.

The Project at GBGC Update #18

Contractor will be installing sod on #2 this morning and #4 in the afternoon today Saturday 8/17/19. Holes will be closed through our watering process as well, as it is critical that the new sod get thoroughly irrigated after installation. All areas will be GUR until further notice. Only #17 will be closed on Sunday 8/18/19.

This will leave #'s 8, 13, 14 & 16 to finish the 2019 phase of our turf conversion. We will complete these on Monday and Tuesday and maybe a little bit on Wednesday. Below is the update data we sent the golf shop for their morning Email blast and a few pictures from yesterdays progress.

Hole # 17 Closed. #2 closed AM & #4 Closed PM for re-sodding.

#'s 4,8,13,14,16,  are stripped and have a drop area in front of the green. #'s 1,9,10,11,12,18 have been re-sodded and are GUR. Please use Drop area's.

No delay.

Carts scatter.

Summer rules.

Moon going down

Sun coming up. Saturday 8/17/19

Fresh sod installed yesterday Friday 7/16/19 on #10

This section of sod installed on #11 on Monday 8/12/19.

Miguel and Enrique fixing  / restoring the section between the greenside bunkers  on #14.

Mr Peabody asked us how do we know when we have gotten down to the original grade around the bunkers?
One big clue is when your rake starts getting tugged by old sod netting and sod staples you know your to
original grade.

The Project at GBGC Update #17

Sodding continued yesterday as the installation crew completed #15 as well as half of #10. Sodding contractor will return Friday 8/16/19 to complete #10 and get most of #2. Saturday 8/17/19 they'll finish #'s 2 & 4. That will leave us #8 on the front nine and #'s 13, 14 & 16 on the back nine to finish next week. We are closing #14 today to do some bunker edge work as well as #17. Below is what we sent to the golf shop for this mornings e-mail blast as well as some pictures of yesterdays progress.

Hole # 17 Closed & #14 closed till 1:30 PM.

#'s 2,4,8,13,14,16,  are stripped and have a drop area in front of the green. #'s 1,9,1/2 # 10,11,12,18 have been re-sodded and are GUR. Please use Drop area's.

No delay.

Carts scatter.

Summer rules.

#15 re-sodded

Left hand side of #10 completed

Right hand side of #10 to be sodded on Friday 8/16/19

The Project at GBGC Update #16

New sod installation was completed yesterday on #'s 12 & #11 along with getting started around the left hand bunkers on #15. The contractor will finish #15 today and almost finish #10. Below is what we sent to the golf shop for the morning e-mail blast explaining the daily hole closures as well as a few pictures from yesterdays progress.

Hole # 17 closed. #15 closed AM  for sodding. #10 closed PM  for sodding.

#'s 4,8,13,14,15,16,  are stripped and have a drop area in front of the green. #'s 1,9,11,12,18 have been re-sodded and are GUR. Please use Drop area's.

No delay.

Carts scatter.

Summer rules.

New Santa Anna around #12 green

Rolling #17 fairway yesterday

The Project at GBGC Update #15

I think it goes without saying that ideally the kind of work we are doing on the golf course currently would best be done when we are closed. Thanks to everyone who has had to endure various hole closures, bare dirt & new sod in our green surrounds the past couple of weeks. We hope to be bringing the sodding portion of this project to a close by the beginning of next week which will at least have all of the bare dirt covered. There will still be some culturing to get the new hybrid playable, but at least the ground will be covered. 

Current schedule is to be sodding hole #'s 12,11,15,2,4 & 8 sodded by the end of the week. We will  be installing sod on Saturday 8/17/19 so there will be an additional hole closed, most likely #8, on that day.

Below are some progress pictures and the message we sent to the golf shop for the AM e-mail this morning, Tuesday 8/13/19.

Hole # 17 closed. #12 & #11 Closed AM.  #15 Closed PM 

#'s 4,8,10,11,13,14,15,16,  are stripped and have a drop area in front of the green. #'s 1,9,12,18 have been re-sodded and are GUR. Please use Drop area's.

No delay.

Carts scatter.

Summer rules.

A better batch of sod installed on #12 surround  Monday 8/12/19.

Restored bunker edge of front right hand green side bunker on #12. 

Restored bunker edges and freshly sodded surround #18 green. This batch of sod was younger and more tender.

Same bunker as above picture with freshly sodded Santa Anna Hybrid Bermuda. The hybrid bermuda will root down
and fill in rapidly but in the short term we need to stay off and play the entire newly sodded area as GUR.

Back edge of the right hand green side bunker on #11.There is always something that comes up with construction
 and in our case on the 2019 phase of  our turf conversion it is restoration of our bunker edges to their original shape. This is an example of how far down the original grade is on many areas of our sand traps. This supplemental sprinkler was added  after original  installation and likely raised multiple times as the turf around it raised as sand gravitated and shifted downward distorting original bunker edges.

Santa Anna sod installed on Tuesday 8/6/19 rooting down two days later on Thursday 8/8/19.

The Project at GBGC Update #14

The sod installation crew finished installing sod on #17 this AM and completed installing sod around #18 green surround as well. It will be harder to predict timing installation around the greens as pace depends on many factors first and foremost being the amount of detail and irregular areas particularly associated with our bunkers. So the hole closure information we send to the golf shop will be more of a moving target then when predicting the stripping process.

Additionally we are going to play  the newly sodded areas around the surrounds and bunkers as GUR for a short period of time while the sod roots into the soil so we ask players to play from the drop zone in front of the green. Its alright to walk on the sod, but walk gingerly to retrieve your ball. Bunkers in newly sodded areas will remain GUR as well to protect the new sod on the slopes of the bunkers. Please do not try to exit the bunkers after retrieving you ball from any steep face or the front of the bunker. Below is the information sent to the golf shop this AM for email distribution along with some pictures of yesterdays progress.

Holes #'s 17& #9 closed  early. #'s 17 & #1 will be closed  after sod install finishes #9. Newly sodded surrounds including bunkers are GUR. Use drop area in front of green.

No delay 

Carts scatter

Summer rules

We are fine tuning bunker edges and restoring back down to original configuration prior to new sod.
Please take caution walking on the new tender sod when retrieving golf balls.
Bunkers and new sod around the greens are GUR until further notice.

New sod around green on #18.

Installing around upper bunker on #18

Intricate areas make for allot of handwork when installing sod on #18.

The Project at GBGC Update #13

Progress continued yesterday Wednesday 8/7/19 and below are some pictures of the yesterdays work. Stripping contractor will be done with their part today and sod installation will continue with the completion of #12 and getting started on sod installation on surrounds starting with #18 surround then moving over to the surround on #9 and around Tilley's putting green. Below is the message we sent to the golf shop on hole closures for the day.

Holes #'s 17-18 & closed  AM. #'s 17 & 9 will be closed  in the PM. 

#'s 1,2,4,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,18  are stripped and have a drop area in front of the green.

No delay 

Carts scatter

Summer rules

Sod install almost done on #17 FW

New sod on the restored bunker edges on #17

Stripping #12, the last surround to be stripped yesterday 8/7/19

The Project at GBGC Update #12

Sod arrived today 7 days after the 2019 phase of "the Project got started. 38,400 sq.ft,  almost a acre of Santa Anna Hybrid Bermuda was installed on our #17 fairway. The contractor who is stripping and preparing the surrounds  is almost finished with that process. By the end of next week we will be very close to having all of the stripped dirt on the course covered with new sod, just over two weeks after we got started.

Below are some pictures of todays sod install and the hole closures for tomorrow which we send to the golf shop for the AM email blast.

Holes #'s 17-18 & 11 closed  AM. #'s 17, 2 & 12 will be closed  in the PM. 

#'s 1,4,8,9,10,13,14,15,16,18  are stripped and have a drop area in front of the green.

No delay 

Carts scatter

Summer rules

Sod Arrives

It does not take these guys long to get the sod on the ground.

Installation of the big rolls

Pulling the seams together.

Getting it wet, really wet.

Close to a acre of sod down.