Course Update 9.15.17

Fall is finally here and our golf maintenance operations are in full swing. Our greens are steadily recovering from another long summer, several projects are currently underway, and we are working to implement important fall maintenance practices throughout the course. Please continue reading and check out the links in the side tabs to learn more. 

Fall is one of the best times of year to play golf in Central Texas. As cooler temperatures return, playing conditions on greens will improve. 

Course Conditions

Greens - Overall our greens are going great and we expect continued improvement over the next few weeks. Weak areas on the edges of the practice green, 9th green, and 16th green have been repaired and our first "planet air" greens aeration for the fall season was completed this past Monday. We expect full recovery by the end of this week and look forward to steadily transitioning our maintenance practices on greens from recovery to performance.

Our "planet air" aeration process involves several important steps - one of which is the use of our Coremaster aerator.   

Properly repairing damaged areas on greens is a is a difficult task that requires experience, patience, and unique skills. With a combined tenure of 55 years Jose Nava (right) and Sergio Zapata (left) have perfected the art of greens repair.  

Asst. Supt. Randy Stewart spraying #1 green in late August. Weekly spray applications to greens provide fertility, regulate growth, and help prevent disease outbreaks. 

Tees, Fairways, Roughs -  It has been a few weeks since our last significant rain event, and the course is showing signs of drought stress for the first time all year. Fortunately our irrigation water budget is in good shape - allowing us to irrigate all areas of the course as needed. During extended dry periods inconsistencies in the irrigation system are much more obvious. In order to minimize the affect of wet and dry areas on playing conditions, we are constantly making adjustments and repairs to the system.

Andrew Moore checking and adjusting irrigation heads on the 6th Fairway. 

All of our bermudagrass areas are still actively growing, but the combination of shorter days, cooler temperatures, and dry conditions have resulted in a slight reduction in growth rate. One benefit of this scenario is that we are able to do a better job of keeping up with mowing our large roughs areas - resulting in better playing conditions. Over the next few weeks we will be working to prepare all of these areas for fall and winter by adjusting mowing heights, fine tuning mowing patterns, applying preventative herbicides, sodding weak areas, completing fall fertilizer applications, and more.

Mowing patterns must constantly be adjusted - particular with square tees. We are currently working to realign multiple tees and adjust mowing patterns in approaches. 

Many of you may have noticed that the Crape Myrtles on #1 Tee have been removed. These trees had become too large for the area - creating shade and traffic problems that resulted in poor turf conditions. At the request of the Golf Committee, we removed these trees earlier this month. The stumps were removed last week and new grass will be planted soon.

Ted Crews of Crews Service Company removes stumps from #1 Tee

Bunkers - We are constantly striving to keep our bunkers as consistent as possible. This fall and winter we will be spending more time checking all bunkers for sand depth, redefining edges, and addressing unsightly liner issues.

Crew members Tyler and Drew complete the labor intensive task of  mowing and edging bunker faces. 

Upcoming Work

• Over-seed practice tees and greens
• Seeding of tall fescue in roughs
• Preventative herbicide application to entire course and landscape areas
• Fall fertilizer applications
• Sod work on #1 tee, putting green collar, and other areas
• Irrigation modifications
• Fall flower change out
• Tree trimming along entrance road for clearence

Project Update

Tripp Davis discusses bunker design and mowing patterns during a recent site visit to RCC. 

Master Plan - Tripp Davis has visited RCC on multiple occasions over the last month and is nearing completion of the first step in the master planning process - the Course Evaluation. Once completed, this detailed overview of the golf course will will be available to all golfing members for review. Comments, ideas, suggestions, and opinions are highly encouraged and will be used to help develop the Master Plan. All feedback will be compiled by the golf committee and forwarded to Tripp Davis and Associates . Please email your thoughts to any member of the golf committee, myself (tmoore@ridgewoodwaco.com), or James Williams (golfshop@ridgewoodwaco.com). We will send out more information as it comes available. 

Repairs to 15 and 16 - RCC is still working to find the best solution for repairing flood damage on holes 15 and 16. Earlier this month bids were received from several contractors, however overall cost was much higher than anticipated. We are currently working with Walker Partners and Tripp Davis to come up alternative solutions.  

Maintenance Facility - We are steadily moving forward with our maintenance facility renovation plans. RBDR is currently working to complete the "design/build" specs so that bid documents can be prepared. We are optimistic that work may begin late this year. 

Landscape Improvements- The House Committee is currently working to finalize plans that will overhaul the appearance of the main entrance into RCC. If approved, these much needed improvements will likely begin in October..

The main entrance to RCC may be getting a "makeover" later this year.

Lease Expansion- Work continues with the USACE to gain approval for expanding our marina lease. We are working with the Marina Committee to resolve compliance issues and to provide the USACE with all documentation needed in order for the proposal to move forward. . 

Transfer Pump- During periods of low lake levels we must use a floating transfer pump to supply water to our irrigation system. In order to be compliant with USACE pumping policies, RCC had to make changes to our current pump. Our plans were approved earlier this year, and work is almost complete.

This new "boat slip" will house our irrigation transfer pump, and provide compliance with USACE pump policies.