Fall brings new strategies to old games

Once again, we are gearing up to start the irrigation project, this time on the front nine. We started installing the irrigation system last October and closed the back nine while grounds crew installed the new piping. The improved irrigation system was completed by the end of April and the course was opened in time for the golf season.  Golfers are already able to notice the improvements on the back nine, including reduced wet spots.

As of October 1, the front nine will be closed for improvement through the fall and winter season, which gives golfers the opportunity to become familiar with the back nine and practice some of the challenges such as getting a par on hole 13. The uphill slope makes it the second hardest hole on the course with a number two handicap. At 546 yards from the blue tees, the par five hole is a great way to test your patience. If you can get a par, you deserve a beer!

Another challenge on the back nine is the tee shot on hole 18. Looks can be deceiving on this par five hole, but most people try to avoid the water on the right and going out of bounds to the left. The secret – aim at the bunker.

Playing the same nine holes allows you to focus on your weaknesses and improve in areas you consistently have trouble with. It lets you get to know the course better and discover ways to overcome the challenging, yet forgiving barriers that you may not notice when you aren’t playing the same holes as often.

Are we there yet?

We have had several inquiries about how far along we are and when we expect to complete the irrigation work on the back nine. Between rain, frost, and the occasional light snowfall, we are progressing on the scheduled irrigation project and can now see the light at the end of the tunnel. Crews have installed over 300 irrigation heads in the ground, with only the 11^th fairway remaining. Even with ninety percent of the actual installation complete, there is still a substantial amount of cleanup to do, including filling the irrigation lines and leveling the grounds. Our goal is to have everything in the ground by early April, with two or three week to clean up before opening the back 9 on April 21^st.

Correction: Crews have currently installed 430 sprinker heads in the ground.