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.

Last day at Bear's Best Atlanta

Tomorrow morning, July 29th, will be my last day at Bear's Best Atlanta. I will be the new Director of Golf Course Maintenance at Quail Hollow Country Club in Concord, Ohio. This is also a ClubCorp property. My wife and I are both from Northeast Ohio and are very excited to get back home. Thank you to all the members and guests at Bear's Best for all the support the past 3 plus years. Please visit our new blog at http://qhccgrounds.blogspot.com

GO BUCKEYES!!!!

#5 New Tee Sod

Every year because of shade and the transition of the ryegrass, the blue and white tees on #5 struggle. The tee was 419 bermudagrass. This year because of the lower temperatures and all the rain those tee had no chance at recovery. We leveled it and resodded it with Zeon Zoysiagrass this week. Here are the pictures.

Roots are good

Below are pictures of #17 and #18 green and what it looks like below the surface. For July 15th, the roots are still in good shape and about 3-4" down.

#17 roots.  Looking good and holding soil/sand together.

#18 from the bowl where we always have trouble growing/keeping roots.  Very good for this time of the year