One Down

 One of the first projects of the season is complete. The 5th tee has a new net and it looks great. The contractors finished up on Friday and now we can pay attention to turfgrass details in the area.

Often people ask me why we use some much plywood during our projects. The picture below is proof of why plywood is so important. Without it, these irrigation heads would have been destroyed. Now that the area is getting more sunlight and water, they will bounce back quickly.

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.

The Reason

Here is a snapshot of why it is time to close down a few holes of golf this October to correct some structural problems.

Schedule Changes

Yesterday's topdressing application was moved to today due to the amount of heavy frost and the amount of golf scheduled for the day. The topdressing was completed today. Our range tee entrance project will be moved to Thursday. The farm that is supplying the sod on the front range received a heavy rainfall yesterday and can not cut the sod. Access to the range will be open and there will be no closures to the practice ares.

New Tees Are Open

Today we opened the new forward tees on 4 & 8. They are still young
but very playable. Enjoy!

New Tees Update

The covers for the new tees holes 4 & 8 were removed today for the first time. They are looking great so far. A little thin with turf, but that is to be expected. Repetitive fertilization and irrigation applications will help these really get into playing shape. There is a little finish work that is required such as picking small rocks and sand topdressing. Within 10-14 days they will be ready for daily play.

Seeding Process on #4 New Tees

This Blog was written by our Iowa State University intern Andrew Evans.

With the good weather last week we were able to put down seed on the two new boxes on #4 and #8. Many steps were taken to ensure good growth on these tees. There were many rocks on the tee surface that had to be raked and removed. Next the seed was applied with a rotary spreader. Perennial ryegrass was used on the tees, because ryegrass has very fast growth and does well in this environment.
A bunker rake was used to rake in the seed with the soil and prepare a smoother surface. The tee boxes were then seeded a second time with rye for uniform coverage. A start up fertilizer was then applied to provide the proper nutrients to the soil for seedlings. The tees were then covered with turf covers to help with the growth process and give some protection to the newly seeded surfaces. The covers keep soil temperatures high, moisture in the soil profile and prevent drift of seed from the wind. The tees are hand watered daily for germination of the seed.

Sodding the tees

Before the snow came, again, we started the finishing touches on the new tee boxes on #4 and #8. Pictured here is our intern Brendon, who is putting a nice clean edge on the perimeter of the new tee box. Once the edge was defined, the old sod was replaced around the slopes of the tee box.

Next week the tees will be seeded and covered. It should take 2-3 weeks for them to grow in properly. Then they will be ready for play.

A Cold Start

Today was certainly not one of the warmest or driest, but it was productive. The new tees on 4 & 8 were finished being shaped by Landscapes Unlimited and will be sodded tomorrow. We are using the old sod from those sites to put back on the sides of the tees.

The tee surfaces will be seeded with perennial ryegrass and Kentucky bluegrass. Within 2-3 weeks from being seeded and with some help from Mother Nature, they should be ready for play.

Most of the staff was in today as well and we began with many of the clean up efforts around the course. Our goals? To open the driving range this weekend and to have the back nine ready for play by the end of next week. We are all hoping for better weather to help the process.

Shaping Tees

On Wednesday, A small crew from Landscapes Unlimited was in shaping the new tees on 4 & 8. Kevin Atkinson identified the right location for the tee boxes. Vail GCM staff removed the sod and hauled dirt to the site. LU used a box blade with leveling equipment to ensure the proper grade. Before the snow fell they were able to complete the forward tee on #8. They made plenty of headway on #4, but they will need to come back when the snow melts to finish.

We ask that no foot traffic into these areas until they are completed. With all of the recent moisture, the soil is very soft.

Other Changes

Does anyone want to guess where this picture was taken at Vail Golf Club?

Just a few more minor changes going on out here.

Building new tees

We are underway to construct a few new tees on the golf course and make some revisions to another. Pictured here is the beginning of a new "yellow" and a new "green" tee box on the 4th hole.

The first step is removing the old sod and putting it aside to re-use in the future. The second picture shows the location and the view from the green tee.

The second step is to lightly till the area to break up any other turf and root structure to provide a better profile for the new tee box. We are currently bringing in new soil to build up the level of the two tee boxes.

While the soil is brought to the location we will begin doing a rough shape to the tee box.

Once the rough build is done, sand is brought in and tilled into the profile for a better medium for turf health, much like what was done on #3 tees this spring. We will have Landscapes Unlimited come in and level out the areas and prep for sod. The edges of the tee box will be sodded with the previously cut sod. In the spring, short cut bluegrass sod will be planted for the tee surface.

The tee surfaces will end up being approximately 25 feet by 25 feet, plenty of room for teeing grounds. In a nutshell, they will be a tad smaller than the new forward tee on #3. The distance for the green tee will be 285 yards and the yellow will be 310 yards.

We also plan to re-build and widen the green tee on #8 and widen and level the blue tee on #9.

Hopefully the weather will cooperate with us to get these done.

In the spring, the Colorado Golf Association will re-rate the golf course with the recent changes.