Golf Course Restoration Update for the Week of December 1-7, 2013

An incredible amount of work was completed last week on the restoration project of the course. Here are a few of the highlights of the activity:

• Irrigation at holes 7,8 and 9 have been staked out and the wire for the system on hole 7 is already laying on the ground. Bob Scott, TFP's irrigation consultant form Atlanta, GA was on property to supervise the staking of the irrigation and he will return soon to deliver more directives.
• The irrigation road crossings have been patched up by the Crosby Paving Company.
• TFP's project architect, Tim Liddy has been on site for the last several weeks to implements Mr. Dye's latest directives. Last week, Mr. Liddy implemented Dye's vision on golf holes 11,12,13,14,15,16,17 and 18. Mr Dye is scheduled to be back this week.
• The bulkhead at 2 has been removed in the demolition program.
• Strom water drainage installation is occurring at golf holes 1,2,9,10,11,14,17 and 18 last week and this week.
• The greens at holes 7 and 8 were drained and had the 4 inch gravel installed in them.
• Bunker drainage at holes 7,8,9 are being completed.

The gravel to 7 green has been added. The green complex looks amazing.

The bulkhead at #2 golf hole has been removed and new drainage is being installed.

#6 green complex shown here is being roto-tilled. A critical demolition step.

The irrigation wires for 7 green complex are waiting to be installed.

The bunker drainage at 7 green complex has been installed.

8 green has had the drainage installed and the gravel blanket laid over the top.

The old irrigation pump station skid has been removed.

Pete Dye Visits; Restoration Update

Mr. Dye made his third site visit to TFP last week (the first since construction started) and it was a successful work session. He arrived at the Plantation around 3:00 pm on Friday afternoon and worked on the course until dark. Mr. Dye was accompanied by Tim Liddy (Project Architect), representatives from MacCurrach Golf Construction (including Allan MacCurrach, CEO) and Nelson. The first order of business was walking from golf hole 9 backwards to golf hole 5 to review the details of the proposed golf course. In particular, we discussed the infrastructure installation and demolition program currently taking place. The evening finished with a wonderful dinner at the Clubhouse where Mr. Dye and company continued the discussions from the field. Friday was a great team building day.

Saturday morning started with breakfast at the Main House where Mr. Dye took time to appreciate Mr. Ford’s old home and proclaimed, “I haven’t been in this house in 30 years… but it still looks the same”. He exited through the back door and said, “What a spectacular view”, then, he paused in admiration… After, it was quickly back to work. We arrived at the staging area and joined the rest of the restoration team. First, we walked holes 9 back to 7 and reviewed those golf holes again, taking detail architectural direction from Mr. Dye. Next, we transitioned from the front 9 to the back 9. Mr. Dye gave particular attention to golf holes 10 and 15. He shared his vision for the 10^th and 15^th putting greens, and before we knew it, the staff from MacCurrach golf had the greens “roughed-in” (a term in golf course construction used to describe preliminary construction activity) for his review.

Mr. Dye staking the 9th green at TFP

Finally, Mr. Dye ended his visit back at the staging area, but not before reviewing the 7^th, 8^th, and 9^th golf holes again for the third time. The team adjourned and Mr. Dye smiled with approval. His next visit will be in several weeks after the restoration team has completed his directives.

Much progress has been made since the start of the restoration. A list of the work currently being performed includes:

·         Mainline irrigation installation on the club’s main road and major road crossings is being conducted

·         Cart path removal on the front 9

·         Roto-tilling and bermudagrass clearing continues

·         Irrigation pump house disassembly continues

·         Greens complex demolition

·         Bulkhead removal at golf hole 7

·         Cordgrass removal on the back nine

·         Golf hole design and development being implemented on holes 7, 9-11 and 15

·         Storm drainage installation at holes 7, 9, 10, 15, 16, 18 and the practice facility continues

·         Materials continue to populate the main staging area at the practice facility

·         Photographic documentation is being conducted

Mr. Dye and Tim Liddy calculating their next move

Restoration Update

The week of October 14th-19th was full of activity at TFP golf course as construction activity continues to grow.



This new 18 inch concrete pipe will play a critical role at the 15th golf hole. The pipe will serve as the main transportation vehicle of water during storm events. Previously, no storm water management systems were in place at the 15th golf hole. This will be a quality improvement.  

MacCurrach Golf installing a concrete storm water management basin at the 15th hole.

Roto-Tilling the 16th golf hole.

A new lake side bunker at #7 Fairway will help prevent future bulkhead collapses.

#7 Fairway being graded to achieve positive drainage. The previous topography at the 7th hole restricted water flow causing saturated conditions. The new grading plan compliments water flow and will allow water to move across the playing surfaces at 3%.  

#9 Green complex roughed in.

Restoration Update

Saturday was a busy on TFP golf course...

#2 Green awaiting demolition. 

#9 Green being created.

9 Green

9 Fairway being constructed and awaiting storm drainage installation.



The staging area continues to be populated with construction materials.

The stock pile of sand from the greens demolition continues to accumulate on the practice tee. The sand will be used in tee development later in the project.

Concrete pipe at the staging area... the concrete pipe will be used for storm drainage on the back nine golf holes.

#11 green after the sand matrix was removed and salvaged for tee construction.

A look back at the clubhouse from 15 tee.

Half of the 11th golf hole has gone through the demolition process.

Restoration Update

The Restoration of the golf course is well under way. Here are a few of the early highlights of the work and what to expect next week.

1. Erosion Control measures for the disturbed limits has neared completion.
2. Clearing of the Bermudagrass base has been completed on holes 7,8,9 and 10.
3. Putting green demolition at holes 5-11 and the practice facility have been completed.
4. Storm water drainage is being installed at 16 fairway.
5. Old irrigation sprinklers and the control system have been removed.
6. The Irrigation pump station has been disassembled and is being readied for transport.
7. The tree protection barriers on the golf course have been installed.
8.  The staging area continues to be populated with materials and supplies.
9. Project architect Tim Liddy has made his first visit to review demolition of the course and give direction.
10.  Mobilization of earth moving equipment is nearing completion.

The practice facility putting green was demolished earlier this week. Confirmation of the failed drainage system was evident and it was a strong reminder of why the restoration program was started initially. Pictured above is the piping network of this particular green which demonstrates total failure of the water transportation system critical to putting green maintenance. After further demolition was completed at green sites 5-11, similar conditions were present all.

Stock piling the sand from the old greens will be critical in the development of the teeing grounds to be constructed later in the project. The opportunity to salvage the sand and reuse it was innovative.  

As the greens demolition continued, it was evident to just how much putting space had been lost to encroachment over the last 14 years. The picture above demonstrates 4 feet of fairway grass encroachment into the green making it much smaller.   

Silt fence being installed for erosion control.

The week of October 14-19 looks to be a busy one. Some of the activity scheduled to take place includes:

• Irrigation mainline installation from the pump house to golf hole four and five.
• More general demolition and greens demo.
• Rough shaping of holes 7,8,9 and 10.  



Introducing Project Architect, Tim Liddy

Tim, an understudy of world-renowned golf course architect Pete Dye, has teamed with Mr. Dye on numerous golf courses as a project architect. At TFP, Tim will serve in the roll of project architect again, representing Mr. Dye and Dye Designs. Tim will be point man on the plethora of Mr. Dye's visits in the coming year. Tim is a member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects. He is also the founder of Timothy Liddy / Associates, Inc., which was formed in 1993.  It is a small select firm providing quality golf course design services. In the firms brief history it has won many awards and created unique golf courses of enduring quality.

Further, one of the few American architects to work in Scotland, Tim has used this experience in the home of golf to refine and expand his approach to golf course design. Tim realizes that client relationships are the foundation of good design. His number one goal is to provide the highest level of service to TFP and answer all the particular needs that arise on your project.  Tim has vast experience working on projects (many top 100 courses) that are are challenging and complex, which demand the best professionalism in the world.

Tim Liddy and Nelson at TFP

The MacCurrach Golf Construction Team

I wanted to introduce the membership to the MacCurrach Golf Construction Team. In the coming months, these individuals will be responsible for working side by side the TFP team to restore your beautiful Pete Dye Golf Course.
Thanks,
Nelson

Allan MacCurrach, III - CEO

Allan began his career in 1980 at TPC Sawgrass under the tutelage of Pete Dye. Allan graduated from the Turfgrass Management program at the University of Massachusetts in 1985. In 1987 he founded MacCurrach Golf Construction. With a passion as strong today as when he started Allan maintains the same level of commitment that has made MacCurrach Golf the industry leader.

"Please note the tenure of the following professionals. Like a well oiled machine these individuals operate together with the highest efficiency. This translates to the best product and value for our client".

Allan MacCurrach

 

Brian Almony - President

Brian joined MacCurrach Golf in 1997. After graduating from the Turfgrass Management program at Lake City CC in 1982 he gained direct experience in golf course design, construction, maintenance and management. Brian has a lifetime of valuable experience in all areas of golf and is responsible for keeping MacCurrach Golf at the forefront in construction techniques and client satisfaction.

 

Jeff Tourangeau - Vice President

Jeff interned with MacCurrach Golf and after graduating from the Turfgrass Management program at Michigan State University in 1993, he joined the company. After years of in-field experience Jeff now is responsible for facilitating projects with the necessary resources to produce the finest finished product.

 

Hamish Maclean - Controller

After graduating from the University of North Florida in 1997 Hamish joined MacCurrach Golf. His proficiency in Information Technology, Equipment Management, Transportation, Personnel Management and Accounting has provided a strong foundation for a complex business.

 

Chris Kleinsmith - Project Superintendent

Chris joined MacCurrach Golf in 1997. Chris graduated from the Turfgrass Management Program at the University of Wisconsin in 1996.

 

Andy Alcorn - Project Superintendent

Andy joined MacCurrach Golf in 1998. Andy graduated from the Turfgrass Management Program at Lake City CC in 1998.

 

Frank Arsenault - Project Superintendent

Frank joined MacCurrach Golf in 2004. Frank graduated from the Turfgrass Management Program at the University of Massachusetts in 2003.

 

Matt Newberg - Project Superintendent

Matt joined MacCurrach Golf in 2006. Matt graduated from the Turfgrass Management Program at Lake City CC in 1996.

 

Kevin Wachter - Project Superintendent

Kevin joined MacCurrach Golf in 2000. Kevin graduated from the Turfgrass Management Program at Michigan State University in 2001.

 

Matt Call - Project Superintendent

Matt joined MacCurrach Golf in 2006. Matt graduated from the Landscape Architecture Program at Ball State University in 2007.

 

Golf Course Restoration Mobilization and Ground Breaking Event

MacCurrach Golf Construction has begun mobilizing for the golf course restoration project. The initial process will take several weeks, as a variety of heavy machinery will begin to appear at Ford. Two staging areas will be used to accomplish the initial phase of mobilization: the back of the practice facility (which will remain open to Members through September 29) and the Golf Course Maintenance building area.

The following policy will apply to all Members, guests, and pets beginning at the close of business on Sunday, September 29, 2013. For the duration of the course construction, the entire golf course property, including cart paths, lakes, and practice facilities, is deemed to be a construction site. All members, guests, and pets are not authorized to enter the construction site from the close of business on September 29, 2013 through the end of the project. Only construction crews and properly credentialed staff will be allowed on the golf course property. For the safety of all involved, violations of this policy must be strictly enforced and may be subject to penalties. Members are requested to discuss this policy with all family members and guests.

We apologize in advance for any inconveniences and thank you for your cooperation with this important and necessary policy.

TFP Ground Breaking event took place on September 29th, 2013

The front Clubhouse lawn was the site of the celebration picnic.

TFP Board of Directors and General Manager Nick Cassala (far right) at the Ground breaking.

Left to right: CW Canfield (Director of Golf Operations), Dr. Bill Thompson, Restoration Committee Chairman and Green Committee Chairman (center) and Nelson Caron (Director of Golf Course Maintenance).

Over 70 members joined in for the ground breaking event and picnic.

The Bermudagrass Eradication Program

During the months of August through September, the golf course maintenance department will be completing the final stage of “preconstruction conditioning” required before the start of the restoration project beginning in October. The final stage, “the bermudagrass eradication phase”, is the most critical of all preconstruction stages. Basically, this means we will be killing the existing turfgrass plants on the course.

Eradicating the existing bermudagrass base of turfgrass is critical for two reasons. First, it will allow for easier more effective tilling and shaping of the golf course. By killing the turf and associated root mass, the decomposition of organic matter or “carpet of grass” will be accelerated. As a result, soil tillers, bulldozers and other earthmoving equipment will be able to shape, move and create the restored golf course free of large chunks of turf. This will accomplish a finer more consistent soil sub-grade, allowing Mr. Dye the freedom to recreate his signature features including fairways, mounding, bunkers, tees and greens. Without eradication, shaping the soil with earthmoving equipment would be like trying to get the lumps out of a freshly made casserole of whipped mashed potatoes that haven’t been blended throughly and need more milk… impossible.  In addition, having the soil sub-grade free of large impediments will allow MacCurrach Golf Construction an unobstructed new canvas to work from. Accurately measuring and manipulating the soil to the specific elevations (+/- 1 inch) calculated by the engineering firm will be critical in achieving “positive drainage”, one of the main goals and objectives of the project.

The second reason for the eradication phase is the most critical. In June of 2014, after the dirt work of the restoration project is completed and all the fairways, mounding, bunkers, tees and greens have been shaped; the course will be ready to receive new turfgrass. The turf that has been selected to plant is called Celebration Bermudagrass, the latest and greatest in turfgrass genetics. The Celebration turf has been extensively tested at The Ford Plantation golf course for the last four years. The performance results, both scientific and subjective, have exceeded our expectations in most all critical categories of the evaluation parameters. Highlights of those conclusions include the facts that the Celebration turf requires less sunlight and less water than our previous turf. In addition, the turf has also exhibited an aggressive ability to crawl over the landscape, resulting in full turfgrass coverage and the ability to compete with other unwanted turfs. Genetically modified turfs are preferred (especially in the golf market) for their high shoot density which allows them to combat weed incursion and makes them less susceptible to other pest and diseases. Finally, their short, erect leaves have an innate ability to be manipulated by superintendents to create superior golf ball “lies”, making them a perfect fit for Ford.  The Celebration Bermudagrass has truly become the grass of choice in the Southeast region.

However, creating a monoculture of bermudagrass outside of a laboratory has challenged golf course superintendents and sod farm producers since the inception of Hybrid Bermudgrass in the early 1950’s. Off-types of bermudagrasses, generally referred to as “common bermudgrasses” or seeded varieties, are the culprits creating the significant challenge of managing a pure stand of hybrid bermudagrass turf. These adaptive turfgrasses have the ability to grow from rhizomes deep in ground like the hybrids, but also have the ability to grow from seed, unlike the hybrid bermudgasses that are sterile and can only reproduce vegetatively. This makes the Common bermudagrass very difficult to kill. Nonetheless, they are undesirable due to their susceptibility to pest, disease and inability to tolerate low mowing used in modern golf course management practices. Eradicating these invasive turfgrasses at the height of the growing season (summer) is critical to the success of the program. Because these turfgrasses can reproduce multiple ways, they are particularly tricky to deal with. Therefore, by spraying herbicides designed to kill bermudagrass down to the roots, we expect 97% - 99% control of the “Common”. By killing the Common bermuda now and then executing a June planting of the aggressive Celebration turf in 2014, we expect the new turf to out compete the old during the establish process known as the “grow-in”. The Celebration turf’s ability to compete for real estate, water and nutrients, make it an ideal adversary to the Common that consumes much of The Ford Plantation today. Performing the bermudgrass eradication phase before construction begins is critical. The less of the old grass growing on the ground in the summer of 2013, the better the odds are that the new grasses planted in 2014 will not be contaminated by the Common.  

Ryegrass Transition and Shade Management

May 22, 2013

For overseeded golf courses throughout the southern USA, the arrival of warmer weather signifies the start of “turfgrass transition.” Starting around June 1st, the golf course will begin to lose its ryegrass overseed due to the increased temperatures and the start of more aggressive cultural practices.

 

The perennial ryegrass, a cool season grass, cannot withstand the summer heat, and will ultimately die. Our base turfgrass, bermudagrass, will slowly begin to reappear in the place of the ryegrass… hence the term, “transition.”

By forcing a transition from ryegrass to bermudagrass this summer, the odds of eradicating the undesirable mutations and contaminations that have consumed much of the course throughout the past 30 years will be increased. Basically, the less of the old grass still on the ground in the summer of 2013, the better the odds are that the new grasses planted in 2014 will not be contaminated.

To aid in transition, mowing heights are lowered on the primary roughs. Over the course of the next several weeks, large voids of grass cover will be noticeable until the bermudagrass crawls over the entire landscape.

Some areas of the course will transition better than others. In fact, the areas that will transition most poorly will be high traffic areas, such as where carts and mowers concentrate. Transition will also be compromised at areas that receive significant shade throughout the course of the day. The transition process is typically complete by the second or third week of July.

The removal of several trees casting long periods of shade and blocking valuable sunlight in specific locations on the front 9 will begin in early June. This work is scheduled to be completed by August in preparation for the start of the restoration project in October. The final pre-construction phase of the restoration is Bermudagrass eradication, which will commence in early August. More information on this phase will be featured in the next issue of PMP News.

A computer generated model demonstrates a significant improvement in sunlight duration after the removal of several trees near Fairway #6. Harvesting the correct trees will result in nearly 4–4.5 hours of additional sunlight for the fairway grass.

The golf course will be open for play throughout the summer and fall, until construction begins on September 30. This photo shows what the course will look like when the Bermudagrass eradication program begins in early August.

Several ornamental crape myrtles and small magnolias that have been marked for removal by the golf course architect are being offered in an adoption program to Members. For a fee, the adoption program includes spading the trees and relocating them. Members, in conjunction with a preferred contractor, will be responsible for the execution of the transplant.

The golf course will be open for play throughout the summer and fall, until construction begins on September 30.

The Ford Plantation Agronomy Blog

Welcome to The Ford Plantation Agronomy Blog Spot presented by Director of Golf Course Maintenance, Nelson Caron. Feel free to navigate the blog and get caught up on the most current golf course maintenance practices and latest course conditions.

Major Scheduled Maintenance:

May 17-21, 2010...

Front 9 Greens Core Aeration

Front 9 Greens Soil Profile Amendment Rehabilitation Project

May 24-28, 2010...

Back 9 Greens Core Aeration

May 31-June 4, 2010...

Detailed attention to growing aeration holes on greens "back-in". Also to include greens topdressing to promote a smoother surface over aeration holes.

June 7-11, 2010...

Fairway Aeration

Tim Liddy, Golf Course Architect, from Pete Dye Designs here at Ford to meet with T&H Engineering Firm

Rough Scalping and Topdressing

Above: A quick aeration video

Current Course Conditions

Greens:

The greens aeration is complete on the front nine and back nine. So we now start the healing process of the aeration holes. I expect the greens to recover with in the next 2 weeks and reestablish smooth fast putting surfaces you all are accustom to by day 17. We can expect the front 9 greens to heal faster since they were aerated before the back nine.

Rest of course: fairways, tees and rough:

The fairways, tees and rough are playing very well right now. The bermudagrass is really enjoying this warm weather. The course is playing firm and fast due to the lack of rainfall this month. Tee balls hit with the driver are rolling a long way out...

Areas of Concern:
Due to the lack of rainfall, Lake Dye (the irrigation lake) is low. Therefore, to compensate we have reduced or completely eliminated watering large areas of turfgrass to conserve water. If the turfgrass becomes endangered of going through insurmountable stress, we will irrigate as necessary to keep the grass alive. So far, there is absolutely no danger of losing too much water or turf for that matter, but we will be cautious. It is summer time here in Savannah, so evening rain storms are inevitable... we just hope to get hit a few times to fill the lakes. This is the complete opposite of the wet winter we just went through.

Upcoming Golf Events Calendar

June 25, 2010...


American Cancer Society Tournament


June 29, 2010...


GA Golf Association Golf Tournament
Recent Project Update: Front 9 Greens Soil Amendment Rehabilitation Project


Before my arrival here at Ford, major turfgrass loss on the front 9 putting greens was experienced due to the turfgrass disease known as "Fairy-ring". Fairy-ring is a very troubling turf disease and occurs all over the country, especially here in the southeast. Once golf course putting greens get infected with Fairy-ring (FR) it is difficult to rid the putting surfaces of them.

After experiencing total turf death on portions of the front 9 greens the staff in 2007 decided to resod the infected areas. Today, the FR is under control in these areas but we still suffer turf decline in the exact same spots. After further investigation, it was clear why. When the 2007 staff replaced the sod on the greens they placed a bunker sand under the sod to level it with the rest of the existing green. This caused an immediate layering issue in the soil profile... a big problem when considering a sand based green composition and water infiltration. In short, the sand that was placed under the sod for leveling was not ideal for turf growth being mowed at putting green height... therefore we experienced decline.
The solution was then a simple decision, although a difficult labor intensive one. My staff had to excavate the unwanted material (the bunker sand under the existing sod) and replace it with a proper greens profile sand mix suitable for turf growth at putting green mowing heights. This was a big project and we are finally finished. The end results are encouraging and my staff will focus on establishing and growing these areas to the high putting greens standards our members have grown to enjoy. Here are some pictures of the project:









Pictured here is a perfect example of the layering issue caused by using 2 different types of sand in the greens profile. Notice the white bunker sand in the middle of this soil core.










Pictured here is a soil core sample taken from a green that was not patched with sod. This is what it should look like. Notice the grass growing on top of nice diluted greens mix.











Here we see the men and equipment needed to remove the front of # 6 green.











Notice in this slide, the white bunker sand on the left after the old sod has been removed and the bunker sand exposed. Also notice the original desired greens mix (yellow) on the right.





















Here the men apply a new desirable mix after removing the contaminated mix. We used a certified soil laboratory in the Northeast to verify that our local sand producer could blend a sand that matched our original greens mix as close as possible.








The next step was to blend the new mix with the old not encounter any layering. We used a rotto-tiller and the result was desirable. Here we see the old and new on its way to being blended.






A great deal of skill and care is required to lay the new putting green sod.












The finish product. It will take several months for this new grass to establish. We are hopeful that these areas will no longer decline and that we can provide the membership with best putting surfaces possible.