Short game area is open for business--thank you, Chris

The long-anticipated short game area opened this past week, and it wasn't much of a surprise to see Dr. Mark Walker being the first to come out and give it a try.

This latest amenity to the course came to fruition through the efforts of many.  However, we are particularly grateful for the planning, leadership, and execution of Mottin Golf's Project Manager, Chris Chizauskie, who was instrumental in bringing Andrew Green's design for this space to reality.  By combining his education as a Civil Engineer, along with his love for the game of golf, Chris was able to connect both art and science during the construction process.

Chris (in maroon) and Operations Manager, Brett Nagy, listen closely to Andrew Green. 

The finished product is something Chris would be proud of...

More holes are needed

 A couple of people have commented that it seems as if we are aerifying more than in the past--and they would be correct.  While our green and tee aerification timing and protocol remain unchanged, we have increased the solid tining on fairways, and core aerification in high traffic areas of the rough.

Why is this additional aerification necessary?  Well, from 2018 to 2021, rounds played at Laurel Creek increased by 80%.  That is obviously just a whole lot of extra cart traffic on the golf course (and doesn't even account for all of the single rider cart rounds we saw during the pandemic).  

The additional hole-poking is an attempt to relieve some of the compaction the course is experiencing from all of the extra play.  So yes, whether it's a bright sunny day, or somewhat rainy, there's a fair chance you'll see us out punching away.

A clean sweep

For years we have been using a tow behind sweeper to pick up the divots on the practice tee each morning.  Even when we purchased what were labeled as commercial "heavy duty" models, the life expectancy of these sweepers was pretty much one year--they definitely weren't designed for the use we gave them.

This year we made a change and acquired a new sweeper that our Equipment Technician, Don Robel, had found and researched.  Thus far, this piece of equipment looks like it was a great investment.  

The sweeping process is now quick and efficient, having only to make one pass over an area, and the machine's rotating brush doesn't even touch the turf, but creates something of a vacuum action as it picks up divots and tees.  Another benefit is the increased efficiency we are seeing by being able to make a single trip to the tee in the morning.  Previously it took multiple trips back and forth to sweep and patch the tee, however we now load the tow vehicle with divot mix and tools to complete the patching after sweeping.

So, yes, while a sweeper isn't something that even turf nerds would often get excited about, this new machine has been a game-changer for us.  With the short game area opening in two weeks, there will certainly be an additional divot or two to sweep up in the morning, and we are now well-equipped to get it done.

No fear deer

 Many golfers have seen the deer in the wetlands on the golf course, and occasionally meandering across a fairway.  If you're a resident of Laurel Creek you may also have found that your shrubbery gets a free pruning by them.  However, it was still a little surprising to see them below #12 tee, completely ignoring the aerification process.

In addition to the actual aerifier, there was the core collecting, backpack blowers, topdressers, and broom right behind.  Looking closely at many of the does right now, it appears that the herd will be growing in number quite soon.

Another in-season project

 After the paver contractor installed the base material for the new driving range mats, it was our turn to get to work on this project.

As is often the case, things started off slowly, then we got into assembly line mode, the guys kept their heads down, and made quick work of this.

There is still some grading and paver work to be done here, but whenever needed, the mats are ready to be used.