Course Closed Today Due To Excessive Rain

 

 

On the morning of April 7th 2014 we received 1.25" of rainfall somewhere between late the night before and 5:00am this morning. By 9:30am we had received an additional 2". As we road the course to check if all the drains were functioning properly the trip was quickly put to a halt as we noticed something unusual about number one blue tee. Directly in front of the tee there was a three foot long by one foot wide area of turf that was buldging above the rest of the grass. We instantly thought we had an irrigation leak. After checking the irrigation pumps and seeing that there were no issues we were able to rule out the possibility of a leak. We believe that the amount of rain that we had received in such a short amount of time overwhelmed the drainge system and directed the excess water under the tee. It was literally like walking on a water bed. Hopefully there where be minimal damage to the tee once the water has subsided but we will not know until tomorrow.

#1 Blue Tee. If you will look at the water line that Rob's left foot is in this is the normal height of the tee. The rain has somehow trapped itself under the tee and raised the turf 4"-6" higher than normal.

 

#15 Greenside Bunkers after 3" of rainfall.

#14 New Bunkers held up as well.

We were not as fortunate with the front nine bunkers.
 

Cartpath Flooded on #7

Normally this is a small babbling creek in front of #2 tees. Today it is moving very swiftly and about one foot below the bridge.

Freshning Up For The 2014 Golf Season

 

Putting out new flags, flag sticks, and cups before Masters Week.

 

 

 

A Tribute To The Golden Bear.

Vertical Mowing the Greens

New look for 5

Before

 After

We took out some trees and low hanging branches on number 5. Giving a good drive to the left side of the fairway a better look at the green. 

First Big Rain Event With New Back Nine Greenside Bunkers

On the morning of March 17, 2014 I discovered that we had received a total of 1.6" of precipitation from the previous day. I thought that this would be an opportune time to check and see if the newly converted back nine greenside bunkers were living up to our expectations. As I drove around the front nine I witnessed the typical bunker washing that we normally encounter with rainfall totals such as today's. After making my way through the front nine I was beginning to grow a little pessimistic but my doubt was quickly turned around as soon as I made the turn. The pictures below show two of the front nine greenside bunkers after the rain and two of the renovated back nine greenside bunkers. I am very pleased with the how well the bunkers held up during the rain showers and I know that the crew members wielding shovels to repair them share my enthusiasm.  

 

#9 Left Greenside Bunkers (Old Bunkers with Liner)



#9 Close up of the Left Greenside Bunkers (Old Bunkers with Liner)

 

 

#10 Right Greenside Bunker (Better Billy Bunker Method)

#10 Left Greenside Bunker (Better Billy Bunker Method)

A Few Of The Bear's Best Locals

Back 9 Greenside Bunker Renovation Completed








#14 Greenside Bunker

The back 9 greenside bunker renovation has now been completed. The
bunkers were prepared for play on Friday, March 7, 2014.

# 18 Green Side Bunkers

Putting on the final touches before play arrives.
These new bunkers will play fluffy at first but over the course of several weeks they will compact and give the unfortunate victim a better lie.

                                                                                      

Irrigation Repair #1 Rough

 

Rob gives the repair his stamp of approval.

Bunker Renovation Progress

Progress Pictures on the Back Nine Greens Bunker Renovation

 



This is the two inch gravel layer after the bunker has been cored out to the drain lines and all of the old sand and liner has been removed.



After the two inch layer of gravel has been spread evenly throughout the bunker it is then treated with a polymer coating. The polymer coating binds the gravel together thus creating an extremely durable layer. This layer is permeable and allows water to quickly filtrate into the drainage system. It also helps reduce bunker maintenance after rain events. 

 

 

#18 Greens Bunkers

 

 

Snow Pics

On January 29th of 2014 we recived two inches of snowfall.

 

#18 Fairway standing at the green looking back to the tees.

#18 Green

 

 

A Snow Day out here at Bear's Best.