Christmas Break!

Hello and welcome to The Greenkeeper! Today is Wednesday, December 21, 2022 and before the annual Christmas Balls tourney tees off I would like to wish each of you and your families happy holidays! Things have been quite hectic on the golf course since my last update, so let's cut to the chase then get you on the course.

When we last met Golf Course Services (GCS) was on Hole 13, tree work was either happening or scheduled to happen, and a drainage project with Turf Drainage of America (TDA) was starting after Thanksgiving. I am happy to report today GCS is more than half-way complete on Hole 8. In fact, Hole 8 will reopen for play today but as a shortened hole.

Newly Renovated Bunkers Holes 11 & 12

That also means Holes 9-18 are complete. And with Holes 1-2 plus the practice area being renovated last year only Holes 7-3 are remaining. Also, recall when the bunker project started GCS renovated a large swath of fairway bunkers across the center of the property on holes 4-7 thus when Hole 8 is complete it is mostly just greenside bunkers remaining on the final five holes of this project.

All the tree work previously mentioned in other updates and the Fall Ross Report is now complete. In fact the stumps were removed this past Monday. After our Christmas break my team and I will remove the stump grindings, backfill with soil, and patch with sod. Save for the location where the large oak once stood right of the 16th green. There are other plans to address that area and they are spelled out in the upcoming Ross Report, so watch your inboxes. 

Hole 16

As for the drainage project, TDA have completed the planned installation on Hole 8 and installed drainage in the approach short of 1 green. The plan now is for them to return following a brief holiday break before installing the new drainage plan on Hole 2. Yes, the drainage work is messy. Especially when the weather is uncooperative. In the upcoming Ross Report I equate bunker renovations and drainage projects to types of home remodels. One is like changing the paint color of a room while the other is more like a full demo. I think you get the idea.

Approach Hole 1 During

Approach Hole 1 After

We definitely encountered collateral damage on Hole 8 due to the unfavorable weather, but rest assured my team of elves and reindeer will continue to work tirelessly to build back better.

Now, for those of you with visions of Christmas golf instead of sugar plums in your head I believe Jack Frost and Old Man Winter are looking for a match. LOL. According to our good friend and local meteorologist Brad Panovich, Charlotte could see the coldest Christmas in the Queen City since 1983! 

5-Day Forecast, Accuweather

What does this mean for the golf course? Well, it is going to freeze and once frozen it will take several days to thaw, just like your Christmas turkey. So get out and enjoy the course today because tomorrow calls for rain before the artic blast begins making its way into town on Friday. 

Stay warm, stay safe, and merry Christmas CGC.