The major changes to the entrance drive landscape are underway.  The first step is to remove the existing plant material, then regrading and prep for the new plant material.  The trees have been removed and the stumps will be soon to follow.

It is a drastic change having the old trees removed.  The Clubhouse is now visible from Chicago Ave.  New trees will be planted along each side of the drive.  The new trees will show a bright bloom in the spring and fantastic color in the fall.  The new trees will provide a great look all season long.  The details of the new landscape with provide a great look day or night as well, as light will highlight each tree on both sides of the drive.

This initial change is very dramatic and shocking at first sight.  This is part of the process to a new beautiful first impression for all members and guests.

We will keep you updated at each step of the process.

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The first changes to the course since the renovation are underway.  The "winter" weather has been fantastic and it has allowed us to make great progress.  The four new bunkers have taken shape and drainage and finish work is the next step.  We will continue to work on these as the weather allows, which appears to be a few more days.

Hole 11

The bunker on hole 11 was the first one shaped.  As the bunkers we dug on holes 10 and 11, the soil was moved to hole 2 to create the mound needed for the new bunker there.

Hole 10

The two new bunkers on the right side of hole 10 will provide a dramatic new look.  Soil removed from these bunkers was also moved to the new mounding on hole 2.

Hole 2

The new bunker on hole 2 will be on the right side of the approach.  The mounding from the bunker that is currently there was extended to create the mounding for the new bunker.

The rough work has been completed.  The next step is cutting the edges and installing drainage.  This will be accomplished as the weather allows through the winters.  We have been fortunate to accomplish this much work in December and will take advantage of any additional weather we receive.

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For many of us as we head into the Fourth of July, a feeling of good fortune should abound. Temperatures have saved us from almost complete disaster after all the precipitation we have received. Many people will have noticed in the news that June was the wettest June on record in Illinois since records began in 1895. If you didn’t get washed away or notice that carts were not in use as much then you were not at the golf course! Fortunately, temperatures for many of us were not in the extreme heat situation and so while soils are somewhat saturated – potential for large scale root and patch diseases has been limited.
Masked chafers have arrived and presumably the adults are in the process of producing offspring as we speak. The offspring of course will become those lovely grubs that the skunks and raccoons love to dine on while turning the golf course into a plowed field. The drying conditions that are predicted over the holiday weekend may prove to be vital as we have high temperatures in the forecast for early next week. An opportunity exists next week to also see some of the great senior golfers as the Encompass Championship rolls into town - the start of the tournament season here in the area. Venting should have occurred this week as many of us drew breath after all the rainfall and the arrival of drier weather conditions. Etiolation has certainly arrived and managers now have to judge best practices as far as how hard they can push surfaces. The drying conditions and cooler temperatures over the holiday weekend will only serve to put us in a better situation going into some forecasted heat next week. Enjoy the holiday weekend and get ready for a busy month!

Click here to view the July 3, 2015 Scouting Report

As always if you have a question or query please do not hesitate to ask and you can call or email.

Ed Nangle PhD
Director of Turfgrass Programs
Chicago District Golf Association
www.cdgaturf.org
Follow us on Twitter @TurfResearch

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