Winter weather temporarily stopped construction but picked up again this week before shutting down on Friday.  The fairway bunker complex is shaped and about ready for drainage to be installed.  There are now three bunkers in place of two, though the planned square footage hasn't changed.  It is longer shot to the first bunker-222 yards to the beginning from the blue/white tee and there is more fairway in front and to the right of the old bunker location.  The third bunker pinches into the fairway some and requires 280 yards to carry.  From beginning to end the bunker complex is 55 yards long.

Tree removal begins this week.  Several more days of pruning will occur as well.  Our crew continues to roll with creek cleaning and small-scale pruning.  Spring is right around the corner!

The first bunker.  Much shallower and smaller.

Bunker number two-the largest of the three. Fairway turf will go right to the bunker edge.

The third bunker and the big hitter's penitence!

Standing in the left fairway.  Notice how the last bunker pinches into the fairway.

Creek clearing continues.

 We had a great week of work.  The Board approved a large amount of tree pruning and removals.  This week one contractor did extensive pruning on holes 1, 2, 3, 7, 16, and 18.  We didn't quite complete everything so they will return in a couple of weeks to work on hole 17 and a few other spots.  Trees that have yellow or red tape around them are scheduled to be pruned.  Trees that have red flags at their base will be removed.  We are awaiting bids on the removal part of this project.  Our timing couldn't have been better after the damaging snowstorm of January 3rd.   The contractor provided the chipper for our crew to gather and chip up the branches while they did the climbing.  Three climbers can accomplish plenty!  This pruning was long overdue and the results so far are outstanding.

Bunker construction on hole 15 began on Thursday.  The bunkers have been roughed in but are not close to completion.  They will be some changes when the architect arrives so what you see now is not close to the finished product. 

Fourteen degrees this morning as we wait for another winter storm.

With the cold weather arriving we were able to cover greens 3, 4, and 5 and some shady tees.  

The crew covering the 3rd green.

Pruning oaks on the 3rd hole.

Our crew working the chipper.  The chip areas on the course are very handy.

Sawtooth oak being pruned.

Finished product from a different angle.

Another sawtooth oak ready to be raised and thinned out.

Not the best view but what a difference!

Oak trees taped for pruning.

Oaks scheduled for removal by sixteen green.

Bunker construction day one.  Removing the sand and drain lines.

Plating the topsoil and stockpiling for later use.

Roughing in the bunkers.  The exact location and shape are not finished.

 

 

 Winter arrived suddenly on Monday.  Springfield received its biggest snow in three years with eleven inches.  Another three inches came last night.  This has put a halt on all construction work and shifts our crew's work inside after dealing with the plowing.  Once again kudos to the crew dealing with the snow shorthanded and a little unprepared.  

It has not been a good week if you are a tree.  Evergreens and crepe myrtles took in on the chin particularly.  Fortunately, we have a week of tree pruning scheduled to begin next week and they will be able to chip up the downed branches.  

Crepe myrtles and a Sophora damaged in the pollinating garden.

Every white pine received some damage.  This was the most damaging snow event since Snowmageddon in 2010.

More damage disfiguring white pines and sure to speed up their removal.

The magnolia at the practice green also took a hit.

The eighth green showing some nice color as the snow melts.  We had over a hundred rounds on Sunday!

Downed tree behind the fifth hole on Greeley blocking half the road.

Boxwoods covered with snow.