Changes for the better.

We hired a contractor to come and transplant three trees to restore the strategic value that was lost one year ago when we had to remove the large pine tree that guarded the left side of the 3rd fairway.  Last spring we consulted with golf course architect Tim Gerrish to determine a long term solution that would challenge tee shots that were played along the left side of the fairway.  His solution included adding four trees in the left rough adding a new fairway bunker.  Last spring the Golf Long Range Committee approved the planting of the trees, and our staff planted the largest sugar maple that we could handle given our equipment.  

Today we transplanted three significantly larger red maples to complete the planting portion of the architect's drawing.  The new trees will provide a significant penalty for shots that miss far left of the fairway, but will not prevent the advancement of the second shot.  For the next few years it will be possible for many players to play over the trees, but it will require a lofted pitch shot making the approach to the green much more difficult.

The photos above show the process of digging a substantial rootball, raising it intact, and transporting the tree, roots and all, about 225 yards where it was installed in its new location.  

There will be a significant amount of care required over the next two years to ensure the success of the transplant, but I was assured that this species of tree is extremely hardy and tolerates this type of transplant well, especially at this time of year.

Click on any of the photos to enlarge

The new view from the left rough on #3

Another significant change to the course this winter is the cutting of the phragmites found throughout the property.  Phragmites, or Common Reed, is an invasive species that is a very aggressive weed in freshwater wetlands.  It modifies the nature of the wetland and out-competes the native plants by limiting the light availability, and ultimately crowds out the desirable vegetation.  It has little value as a wetland species due to the fact that it destroys diversity among plants and excludes the native insects, migratory birds, and mammals that rely on wetlands for survival.  Over time, the phragmites accumulate a significant amount of biomass and ultimately fill in the wetland.  This would be extremely detrimental to the golf course since we rely on these wetlands to absorb water running down the hill from the 7th and 8th holes.  If left unchecked, their continued growth would have a  negative impact on the health and condition of the 7th green and approach, as well as the forward tee on #17.  

Across the 1st fairway to the 7th and 8th holes

Cutting the dormant vegetation is the first step in the management project.  The dormant stalks are cut down and mulched as much as possible.  The material is left in place to decay to prevent transporting seeds and roots to new areas where the weed can begin a new infestation.  We are working on securing a permit that will allow us to complete the second step, which involves treating the areas with a herbicide to kill the vegetation that recovers from the initial mowing.  This will be followed up by another round of cutting next winter.  The following spring the native plants will begin to reestablish themselves from the seed bank that exists in the wetland soils.  I have already reached out to one of my vendors to explore the possibility of introducing some desirable wetlands plants that will speed up the recovery process and create an attractive habitat that contributes to the beauty and character of the golf course.

The work to the right of the 9th/18th tees can be seen from Blackstone Road, but the most significant visual impact will be found standing in the 7th fairway.  It will take some time to get used to the unobstructed views throughout the area, but in time the aesthetic and ecological benefits that the  wetlands contribute to the property will be well worth the wait.  A similar project has been implemented at Madison CC, and I have heard from a number of golfers that it has transformed a large portion of the property. 

View from the 18th Back Tee

Looking down the 7th fairway