The Beginning of the End

 After almost 4 years of research, various plans, one engineer firm, one golf architect firm, hundreds of survey stakes, numerous compaction tests, soil testing, board meetings and town council meetings we are now days away from a finished product at the 7th tee.
The greatest safety issue on the golf course has been solved and we are almost ready to show it off to golfers. Yesterday sod was installed on the tee surface. Large sod rolls were used to reduce the amount of seams on the tee. The tee should be ready for play in the next ten days.

Surrounding the tee, there still is some work to complete. Justin has been working extremely hard getting the irrigation completed in the area. It hasn't been easy working around Landscapes Unlimited while they finish the tee. He has designed and installed irrigation for the tee surface as well as the native areas that will include new pine and fir trees as well as rose and serviceberry bushes.
Around the woody material, native seed will be used and a straw seed mat will prevent erosion and enhance seed growth.
There are a few more trees that need to be removed in front of the tee boxes from the site. A plan is in action to remove them as soon as possible according to town specifications.

Sod Day

A crew from Emerald Sod Farm near Denver was here early on Saturday morning to get sod down in various places of the course. Finally we can begin putting these projects behind us and get on with the golf season.
Pictured here are large rolls of sod being rolled out along 11 cart path. Areas that were sodded were around 11 bridge, 17 bridge, the lightning shelter near 11 green and the 7th tee surface.
Prior to sod, all areas received an application of starter fertilizer which supplies nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium to the root zone for adequate uptake and quick recovery. Also, we apply a granular wetting agent (Reservoir) which keeps moisture in the root zone longer than normal.We used this formula during the irrigation install after the mainline was re-sodded and had huge success.

Assistant's View: Fusion

The electro-fusion machine is our newest irrigation tool.  This machine will allow us to repair our HDPE pipe.  The way this machine works is there are two electrodes that stick out of the repair coupling that are connected to wires that run around the inside of the coupling.  This machine heats the electrodes and wires to a temperature that will melt the HDPE and weld the coupler and pipe together.  Each coupler has a bar code that the machine reads to determine how hot and how long it needs to heat  the coupler to get a perfect weld.   It’s very important that the pipe and couple are clean and free of debris to get a good weld.  The first step in fusion is to scrape the HDPE pipe to get a fresh layer of material visible.  Then I clean it with isopropyl alcohol to remove any oil that may have been left behind from handling it.   Once the pipe is clean I can then slide the couple on and make sure everything is lined up properly.  I then use the optical pen to read the bar code that tells the machine what size and density the pipe is. The last step is to hook up the electrodes and hit the start button.  For two inch pipe it takes about 45 seconds and it’s done.  The first project that I have used this machine on is repairing irrigation lines around the new bridge construction on 11 and 17.  We will be using it next on 7 tee to install irrigation on the newly built tee.  With all the construction going on here this will be a very useful tool to be able to repair pipe or add new irrigation when needed.  

7 tee update

 Things are really beginning to move along on the 7th tee. The spectacular weather has been welcomed for construction. If you have walked or driven by the tee, you will notice that walls 3 & 4 are complete. The 1st wall is close to 50% complete. The concrete cart path and the new fence are also complete. Due to the lack of space at the bottom, only cart traffic is allowed through the area. No mowers or large equipment are allowed, however it does not hinder our operation. A few years ago, I almost had a mower in the creek. It lost control coming down the steep incline and broke through the fence.
I am sure the new fence will see many replacements in the future from golf carts running into it. The fence is very stable and a cart will not be able to break through. It is also easy to replace if needed in the future.

Today we caught a snag in the plan by revealing this boulder. Pictured here is Chris Martin, the superintendent on the project from Landscapes Unlimited. He has been a great addition to the project. The boulder is estimated to be more than 10 tons! It is in the way of wall construction and must be moved. We have a plan to move it on Monday, wish us luck!

Questions

As a golf course superintendent I am used to questions. They come in every shape and form and from everyone, I mean everyone. Some questions are good, others not so much, but I deal with them. A large part of my job is education, I get it, you want to play and I need you to play, so I am glad to help whenever I can.

So what is going on out there?

Good Question! Lots actually. Let me preface this by saying that all of these projects are way overdue and are products of deferred maintenance. We are not only correcting safety issues on all of these projects and but we are setting a new standard for Vail Golf Club.

So let's start with the bridges. The bridges themselves are pretty close to being done. Some final tests need approval before allowing vehicular traffic. However getting on to them is another story. We are in high demand for dry weather for finish work and tying in the cart paths to the bridges. A few spots remain wet and soggy and the short term forecast is not looking favorable for workable conditions. Since you can't shape mud, we are making efforts to turn the soil to dry it out as much as possible. Let's touch base next week for more information.

To no surprise there is nothing easy with the 7th tee project. Squeezed in between homes and the Gore Creek, managing a large hill side for a patch of grass has been a challenge from the beginning. Engineered walls like no other on the property take a little time to have completed correctly. Here you see Ground Engineering performing a compaction test on the soil. Passing these tests are a must to build walls so we are not back here in a few years replacing them again. The weather has certainly set us back a bit. New moisture will prevent us from setting in stones for new walls. We have been working closely with Landscapes Unlimited to get these done as quick and as safe as possible. Now that we are making some good progress on these walls, I will begin to post more about them.
We also have finishing touches on a new lightning shelter near the 11th green, new cart path to replace on 11, a new potential net going up at the 5th tee, plenty of clean up and of course more sand bagging on the course.

When will these areas be open for play?

Bad Question! Time lines on all of these areas depend on weather right now and we are doing everything possible to speed up the process. We will however have some golf available real soon. Keep it here, our facebook page and http://www.vailgolfclub.net/ for the latest on course openings. Get busy with the sun dance!

Starting Up

This past week we continued to clear greens 14,7 and 12. As usual, they look good and continue to be very soft. There has been some minor scaring on almost every green from the tractor this spring. It has certainly been an abnormal year with extremely soft conditions under the snow. None of it will cause significant damage. After spring aerification we will have some extra rolling before allowing play.
Also, this week, we have carefully been clearing snow from the #7 tee site as well as getting done with final inspections on the bridges. #11 north abutment had to be excavated again to check the welding plates from the base to the abutment. All is well and now we can focus on timing the concrete portion of the bridges.

This week's weather is looking favorable for melting. This past week we saw part of 11 fairway. Greens 8,9 & 10 will probably melt off by the end of this coming week. If not, we do plan to have all of the greens clear before tax day.
The lightning shelter behind 11 green is scheduled to begin finishing touches this coming week as. It will be nice to cross of projects as soon as possible.

A Great Season

The nordic season comes to a close today. It was a good year. Lots of early snow and the track stayed great through out the year. Now as the days are getting longer and the melting increases areas of the golf course are starting to appear. Over the past few springs, local dust storms in the valley have carried dust to the course have helped increase the melting process by attracting more heat. For getting out on the golf course this can be a good thing, however when dust accelerates snow melt from the peaks, high run-off can happen earlier than normal and become treacherous to creek banks and floodplain areas.

Over the next few days we will be plowing paths and removing signage from the track. Contractors will be on-site next week to start the 7th tee project and finish the lightning shelter near the 11th green. Next we will be cleaning up around the bridges and putting the finishing touches on them as well.

As for the month of March, we nearly matched the snowfall for February with 50 inches. March beat January by 5 inches. We received a total of 2.61 inches of moisture. However, much of that is beginning to melt or evaporate into the atmosphere. The average high temperature for March was 40 degrees and the average low was 16.5 degrees. We received three days in the middle of March of 55 degree days and we bottomed out at 1 degree towards the beginning of the month.

Keep It Moving

The snow fell yesterday and we poured concrete. The sun is here today to reveal the covers and keep it moving with getting the 7th tee built. Yesterday was a good day for getting things done with our projects. Today is dry, but more weather is approaching.

Compaction tests are being performed on the base material prior to construction of the walls. Compaction has been good overall, however the moisture content in the soil has been too high, and has put some bumps in the road. Landscapes is using blankets to keep the moisture off and keep the ground warm as possible. Pictured here is the bottom wall or wall #4. This is the wall along the cart path and holds the most amount of pressure. It has been designed to have a concrete wall behind the decorative stones to ensure the wall will hold.

So far the installation is going very well. The stones used for the wall are named "Rosetta Stone". They are engineered to fit perfectly and provide the stability we are looking to obtain. This particular type of stone is named the "Vail Stone" because it is designed to match the rock outcroppings seen throughout East Vail.

The Latest on Construction

We are juggling 4 capital projects, while getting the course ready for the winter.

Before I get into the projects, the Coal Bucket Classic is this Sunday at noon. Show up at the first tee. $10 for anyone who would like a chance to write their name on the bucket. We'll play 12 holes and cap it off at the clubhouse restaurant.

The projects are going great and the weather couldn't be better. The greatest challenge for the bridges is the installation of the abutments on the creek edge. There are four total abutments, two for each bridge. We have one abutment for 11 completed, another abutment on 17 is nearing completion.

The 7th tee is rolling along smoothly. There were some slight field changes that needed to be made due to the complexity of this project. This project is scheduled to be completed early December. The biggest improvement for the winter will be a newly relocated snowshoe path along the creek. We will work with the Nature and Nordic Centers to guide walkers and hikers appropriately through this area when the project is complete.

The fourth and final project is a new weather shelter on the 11th hole. Construction has begun and concrete footers are being poured this afternoon. This shelter is located to the left of the 11 green and easy access.

Stay tuned to the site as more pictures continue to be posted throughout the coming weeks. Please click on the slide show to the right side of the blog for each project.

Project Month

We had four projects begin at the golf course over the past two weeks. The 7th tee box is the big one, followed by three Gore Creek projects. On the creek we have two 44 ft bridges being replaced and a drop structure in the creek adjacent to the irrigation diversion.
Pictured here is the excavator repairing the rock formation that was wasted from the high flows in the spring time.
The top of the structure was formed with concrete and boulders. Due to the stress of the high flow, the concrete fell apart and the structure became a significant erosion problem and a recreational hazard. The downside of the structure had a large hole and the creek was undercutting the structure. If this was left alone, a sink hole would eventually form before the structure and become a serious threat to any recreational activity in the creek. This project has been corrected with approximately 100 tons of boulders placed properly with out concrete. The boulders have been placed to increase the strength of the structure and improve flow through this stretch of the creek.

Progress on #7

Here we are after three days of construction progress at the #7 tee box. Erosion control, wall staking, utility marking, tree identification and removal of trees due to the impact of the new walls are complete. Thursday and Friday we begin removal of old walls.

Scroll down to the bottom of the blog to view an artist rendering of what the project will look like upon completion.

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

Construction on the 7th tee boxes begins today. Holes 3-7 will be closed for the remainder of the season. The 10th tee will be played as the first tee this week. After playing the back nine, holes 1,2,8 & 9 are available for play. I will load plenty of pictures onto the blog as we move through the construction this fall.

Fall Work

This is a rendering of what is to come for the future of Vail Golf Club and Nordic bridges. Beginning in early October two new bridges will be installed, one on the 11th hole and the second one on the 17th hole. The new bridges will mirror the bridges located on the 14th & 15th holes.

These aging structures are in dire need of improvement. The railings will be 42" in height and will provide year round safety for all users. The clearance width will be 11 feet for all equipment to pass including a snow cat for winter grooming. New abutments will be installed and creek restoration will take place in those areas. The work is tentatively scheduled to begin October 4th and could be closed from 2-4 weeks. During this work, holes 11-17 will be closed.

The Vail Golf Club will also update the 7th tee box and correct safety issues with the retaining walls in that location. This project will interfere the most with golf. Tentatively scheduled to begin on September 27th, this project will close holes 3-7 for the remainder of the season.

There will be a variety of options for golf through October. After October 5th we will have 6 holes open for play each and every day until the snow falls. Pay attention to this blog for what is available for play. If you are a pass or punch card holder, be sure to get out here before the end of the season. Your pass will not be extended into 2011.

The latest on #7

What you are looking at here is a view from the newly proposed tee box on #7. This will help with our safety issues regarding the failing retaining walls currently near this location. This tee box will quickly become a favorite for golfers.
Obviously this is not an areas where we can just sod and let you play, there is much to do. For the past year, I have been working with architect Kevin Atkinson to develop this concept. We have been in very close contact with the TOV and AMEC environmental engineers of Boulder to develop this teeing ground. Don't expect to be playing from this location until 2011. Mostly black and blue tees will be in this location. What if you don't play those tees? No worries, the tee box on the hill as well as the front tee box will be renovated. Much like the third hole, there is a strong need to increase the size of the teeing grounds. The variety of tee boxes will continue to provide the golfer with a new experience.