Wrapping up the 2023 Offseason - Projects, Aeration and More

 

March 22nd, 2023 

Over the past 3 months, our grounds team, supported by our contractor, Landscapes Unlimited, has completed: (1) several capital improvement projects; (2) late winter aeration; (3) machinery repairs/replacement and (4) all of our seasonal planning. While it has been a busy offseason, indeed, the golf course remained playable and is foundationally positioned for one of our strongest spring seasons on record. 

I. Capital Improvement Projects 

Fairway Drainage - The most difficult challenge for our bent grass, fairways will always be the combination of soil saturation and sustained summer heat. 3 years ago, we contracted with Turf Drain of America to design a fairway drainage system that would reduce saturation cycles while improving firmness. In our 3rd year of drainage installation, we completed over 7,000 linear feet across fairways 3,8,10,11 and 12. (our aggregate total is now 20,000 linear feet) The installation was performed by our contractor, Landscapes Unlimited, and they did an outstanding job with speed, precision and cleanliness. We look forward to stage 4 during our next offseason. The photos below will walk you through the design to the completion of the system. 

(1) Painted Design 

(2) Sod Stripped 

(3) Trenching Lines 

(4) Basin/Pipe Installation 

(5) Sod Replacement 

Tee Renovations - Kinloch Golf Club is over 20 years old. As a golf course ages, certain aspects of the initial construction will begin to decline. The inconsistent leveling of our tee tops is an example of this decline. While the turf itself is doing fine, many of our tee surfaces have sloughed off around the perimeter. Not only an aesthetic concern, sloughed tee tops are a functional problem for tee space and player usage. This offseason, we continued our tee renovations on holes 11,12 and 13. The photos below will walk you through this process from demolition to re-grassing. 

(1) Initial Demolition of the Subgrade 

(2) Rough Shaping 

(3) Drainage Installation 

(4) Finish Grading and Profile Installation 

(5) Tee Top Fine Grading - Leveling 

(6) Re-grassing and Finished Product 

 

Hardscape Additions - Kinloch is a walking golf course and we absolutely adore the heritage and tradition of that distinction. Over the past few off-seasons, we have been installing hardscaped walking paths to improve the aesthetics of our members' walk and to keep our players on dry, firm ground as they move from hole to hole. Examples of past products include the walk-throughs to holes 2,3,7, and 13. This season, we installed a new hardscape trail on the walk through to hole 16. In addition to the path itself, we have begun to beef up the surrounding horticulture, with more material to come as the spring season draws closer. 

In addition to this walking trail, we have also constructed cooler patios for our newly built, custom, cooler boxes. The entire presentation of our water coolers will be dramatically improved in 2023. You can thank Mr. Rule for the inspiration and design of this new amenity :) 

Cart Path Repairs - Although not as glamorous as hardscaping and custom cooler boxes, cart path repairs will remain a consistent focus during our off-season, project cycles. This season was no exception as we repaired the bridge crossings on 9 and 17 while replacing panels on 8, 11 and 15. These repairs not only improve the aesthetics of our property, but enhance the safety and functionality of our cart paths. 

Late Winter Aeration - This annual aeration and topdressing is one of the most important processes in protecting the long term health and sustainability of our putting surfaces. We begin the process with a very heavy, sand topdressing. We follow the sand with our deep tine machine and a 3-direction, 5/8", solid tine hole. All of the sand is swept into the holes and then the greens are rolled with a 1-ton, asphalt roller. To put the quantity of sand into perspective, the USGA recommends that you dilute your greens' profile with 2500 pounds of sand per 1,000 square feet over a calendar year. We inject nearly 2,000 pounds of sand per 1000 square feet in this one process! Diluting the aging profile will allow us to enjoy our greens well into the foreseeable future. The photos below will walk you through the process from start to finish. 

(1) Initial Top Dressing 

(2) Deep Tine Aeration 

(3) Sweeping after 3-Direction 5/8" Punch 

(4) Finished Product 

In addition to our putting greens' program, we impacted all of the playing surfaces at Kinloch. The tees and fairways were core aerated and vertically mowed in two directions. The primary roughs were aerated in multiple directions and the fairways have been deep tined one time with a second application in progress. These processes have been very clean, efficient and will help to provide healthy, playable conditions throughout the growing season and beyond. 

Machinery Repairs and Replacement - In addition to the on-course, projects, Kinloch does a beautiful job investing in its machinery. Aside from purchasing: new electric fans (2), a Hahn Spray Bug, buffalo blowers (2), a JD tractor, e-osmac controllers (4) and lithium utility carts (4), our equipment team, led by Javier Castro, has done a marvelous job with numerous repair projects. Our equipment fleet enters 2023 in excellent condition and very versatile. 

Seasonal Planning - Our membership entrusts us with an outstanding collection of resources. As such, we try to plan with purpose and efficiency. From capital project and labor sheets to pesticide applications and operational budgets, we have spent countless hours planning for a spectacular 2023 season. 

Final Thoughts - The past 3 months have been busy, indeed. But we are ever grateful for the resources and patience that allow us to improve Kinloch each and every off-season. And while we are proud of all that has been accomplished, we are more excited about the incoming season. We are hopeful that 2023 will be one of our best, yet. 

February 2022 Project and Aeration Update

February 26th, 2022 

This offseason has been extraordinarily productive. Our project scope has touched nearly every aspect of the property while improving aesthetics, playability and agronomy. We have accomplished many things in the past 6 weeks and the photo tour below provides a nice update and forecast for completion. The maintenance team is excited for our members to see all of the improvements as we continue our preparations for what should be a fantastic spring season. 

Project #1 - Fairway Drainage - Holes #1, #4, #8 - Turf Drain of America developed a drainage master plan in 2020. In 2021, we completed fairways 2,3, and 6. This project will continue to improve playability and mitigate saturation which will enhance turf health in wet summers. The first hole drainage will be complete by 3/1/22. 

#1 Rough Drained 

#1 Fairway Drained 

Sod Replaced Post Drainage #1 

Project #2 - Tee Renovations - We have reshaped the blue and gold tees on hole #1. Both tees gained elevation and more square footage. These adjustments will provide a better view of the 1st fairway while mitigating wear and tear from play. We have completed the shaping and drainage will begin this weekend. Expected completion is Friday, March 3rd, 2022. 

#1 Tee Complex Stripped and Shaping Begins 

#1 Tee Complex Shaped and Ready For Drainage 

Project #3 - Tee Renovations - Similar to the 1st hole, we have rebuilt the blue and white tees on hole #2; adding height and size to the teeing grounds. Additionally, these tees are now drained, laser graded and the turf will grow on an improved sand mix. These tees are complete and will be ready for play in the coming weeks. 

#2 Tee Complex Being Shaped 

 

#2 Tee Complex Grassed 

Project #4 - Greens Contouring - The back 1/3 of the 4th green has been raised, on average, by 5". This adjustment will lead to never before used hole locations while creating a more playable putting surface; especially when green speeds reach peak levels. This project is complete. The front 2/3 of the green will be available for play this coming week. The newly sodded back 1/3 will remain roped off for the foreseeable future. 

Sod Removal on the Back of 4 Green 

Our Architect, Lester George, Directing Elevation Changes  

Sodding the Newly Elevated Surface 

Project #5 - Greens Contouring - We are raising the front 1/3 of the 5th green, on average, by 5". Once completed, like the 4th hole, we will gain new hole locations while improving playability. The 5th green is now closed and will reopen in the coming weeks. 

The 5th Green Profile Excavation 

Our Architect, Lester George, Directing Elevation Changes  

Rebuilding the New Elevation Up from the Base of the Cavity 

Project #6 - Tee Box Renovations - We have rebuilt the Black, Gold and Blue tee boxes on the 5th hole. Contrary to holes 1 and 2, the shape of the these tees has remained the same. We simply removed the sod, excavated the older mix, installed drainage, added a more modern mix, laser graded the surfaces and returned the sod. This project is complete and these tees will open for play in the coming weeks. 

5 Black Tee Finished with new HGT Walk Trail 

View from Re-built Gold Tee 

Project #7 - Par 4 Option - 9th Hole - The 9th hole at KGC sits on dynamic elevations. Vinny Giles and Lester George wanted to broaden the use of this corridor. In a few weeks, members and guests of KGC will be able to play the 9th hole as a par 4. Aside from the functionality of this option, the vista provided by the new teeing ground will rival the 16th tee. The tee complex is constructed and nearly grassed. We will open this tee for play in the coming weeks. 

Par 4 Tee - 9th Hole - Filled and Shaped 

Par 4 Tee - 9th Hole - Shaped, Drained and Mix Floating 

Par 4 Tee - 9th Hole - Laser Graded 

Par 4 Tee - 9th Hole - Partially Grassed 

Project #8 - Cart Path Panel Replacement - We have demolished and replaced approximately 30, 8'x8' cart path panels. This work will be complete by Tuesday, March 1st. Additional phases will continue in the future. 

Newly Poured Cart Path Panel 

                                                

Project #9 - Chomko Starting Clock - In December of 2021, we installed this beautiful feature. Special thanks to John Onufryk, AGCS, for leading this project from start to finish. 

Project #10 - Driving Range Tee Expansion and Hitting Surface Install - We have removed the back tee and expanded the driving range tee. This adjustment has netted approximately 2,000 additional square feet of bent grass. Additionally, we have shaped in an area for 12 new Turf Hound hitting stations. These artificial surfaces are 10' by 7' and will be bordered by hand laid hard scape. Aside from the aesthetic value of this project, the new hitting stations will provide flexibility during the off season and when we experience inclement weather. The majority of this project will be completed by Friday, March 3rd. The hitting mats will be installed in early April. 

Back Tee Removed and "Big Tee" Expanded 

New Station Site Graded and Ready For Framing 

Turf Hound Station Forms 

Project #11 - Paver Stone - Pro Shop Exit/Short Game Walk-Up - The walk from our clubhouse through our short game area is one of the best walks on our property. We wanted to take that experience to an even higher level. The cart path that used to separate the golf shop from the short game has been converted to hand laid paver stones. Additionally, the roll curbing has been removed so the walk is seamless. This project will be completed by Wednesday, March 2nd. 

Paver View from Golf Shop 

Paver View from Short Game 

In conjunction with the projects listed above, we have completed our late winter, greens aeration. The greens are finished, double rolled and will be fertilized this coming week. As we have experienced in the past few seasons, we anticipate quality putting surfaces by the 1st of April and Kinloch putting surfaces by Masters' Weekend. 

3rd Green Sanded and Punch In Process 

7th Green - Finished and Ready for Roll and Fertilizer 

3rd Green on February 1st, 2022 - Everything above has been accomplished since this photo was taken. 

As stated earlier, the project scope of 2022 is aggressive. Yet, we are making tremendous progress and remain fully aware that our spring season is approaching. We appreciate your support and patience as we work to make KGC better! 

Specific thanks to: Vinny Giles, Concept Approval; Lester George, Architect; Landscapes Unlimited, Contractor; Adam Sauls, Project Manager and AGCS; Eric Lewellen, Project Manager and AGCS; John Onufryk, Project Manager and AGCS; and last but not least - our amazing staff!!!

December 2020: Verti-Cutting and Topdressing Summary

Over the past week, the Kinloch Golf Club (KGC) maintenance team had the opportunity to verti-cut and top-dress the majority of our bentgrass surfaces (tees and fairways). Late fall is a wonderful time to perform this work because there is almost no stress on our turf. Thus, we can be very aggressive removing and diluting thatch while posing little risk to plant health. 

1. What is vertical mowing and what does it accomplish? 

When we verticut our turf, we use a machine attached to the back of a tractor. The machine has many knives pointed vertically downward that spin at a high rate of speed. When lowered, the knives cut continuous channels into the turf and underlying soil. The depth of the channels can vary, but for this past application, we cut channels to a depth of 1". 

We verti-cut to remove thatch and accumulated organic material. Over time, thatch can create a layer which will hold excessive moisture, affect fertilizers and pesticides and restrict root growth. In the picture below, you can see all the material that has been pulled to the surface. This material needs to be removed on a regular basis. In addition to the plant health benefits of this process, the reduction and dilution of thatch leads to MUCH FIRMER playing surfaces. 

Once the fairway or tee is verti-cut, the excess thatch is blown into rows and removed. We blow this material inward toward the center of the fairway to avoid scattering bentgrass in our primary rough. The picture below shows a surface that is being blown and cleaned. 

Once the thatch has been removed, we topdress the surface with a clean, well-graded, topdressing sand. For this particular application, we applied about 1,250,000 pounds of sand across 40 acres of tees and fairways. This quantity of sand works out to approximately 700 pounds of sand per 1000 square feet. 

After the sand is applied, we use sweeping devices to brush the sand into the canopy AND the freshly cut channels. These channels will grow over on top, but remain intact below the canopy. These channels will allow for water and nutrient infiltration, while promoting effective oxygen levels and gas exchange. Additionally, these channels will promote fresh tillering, more stolons and in general, denser/tighter turf. 

As the process is completed, the finished product is clean and will offer minimal disruption to winter golf. 

The weather was very cooperative this past week. Tuesday through Friday were sunny and breezy which was ideal for blowing debris and sweeping sand. On Friday night, we received almost 2" of rain which aided tremendously in cleaning any excess sand. The golf course has been mowed out and will be ready for play this coming week. As always, we appreciate our club's commitment to these practices. 

Have a safe and happy Holiday Season!!