News from the Maintenance Team

The maintenance team has been busy finishing projects on the golf course as well as mowing turf playing surfaces. The bunker on 2, the split rail fence at the clubhouse and the area by 16 tee have been completed.

This past Monday, we were able to use our maintenance day to apply herbicide in the rough and complete the bunker on 2. The weather was great for us to complete work on the golf course! Below are some pictures of the project work in each phase.

2 Bunker Project

We are working on refacing the bunker on 2. It was re-surfaced 4 years ago. Over time, in this high traffic bunker, sand has built up to a point that the shape of the bunker has been comprised and the turf is having a tough time growing through so much bunker sand. We are removing the sod and bunker sand by hand using shovels. We won't be making the bunker any bigger or smaller in size, just taking it back to its original shape. After the sod has been removed and the face has been regraded, we will install new bluegrass/fescue sod to the face. Once the new sod is installed, new sand will be brought in and graded, then this project will be complete. Below are some pictures of the process. More will follow upon completion.

Here's to hoping it doesn't rain everyday this spring!

Sand depth

Depth of sand of the face

Golf Course Opening Factors

The maintenance team is just as excited as our golfers are to be outside enjoying this golf course.

There are many factors that go into the decision on when to open the golf course. The obvious factors above ground include moisture on the surface and whether there is snow or ice cover on the turf. The below ground factors are the most important to the health of the golf course. The soil profile must be free from frost. If play occurred before the frost has come out of the ground, the traffic could damage the integrity of the soil structure  The soil is filled with many open spaces, called pores, which are required for air and water. When compaction occurs from traffic, whether it be maintenance or golfer traffic these pore spaces decrease in size. While this is normal in season, opening the golf course too early could expedite this process and create a poor soil structure that could damage the grass for the rest of the growing season. This damage doesn't show right away, we would see it during the "dog days" of the summer.

Maintenance Dept Update

Staff members just participated in a tree maintenance seminar hosted by the Michigan Green Industry Association, to gain more knowledge on the safe and efficient methods to remove and trim trees.

Off season tree trimming is continuing this month when conditions are favorable to get equipment on the golf course. The recent heavy snow caused a loss of power in the area and damaged some pine trees on the golf course. We will continue to trim trees that are on our maintenance plan as well as clean up from the storm as conditions dictate.

And lastly, THANK YOU for those that donated for the Polar Plunge that benefited the Special Olympics of Michigan! Below are some action shots of Matt, Clint and Levi in their costumes.

16 Bridge-North Update

The new decking and railing are completed on the bridge. There will be some minor work done to the asphalt approaches in the spring when the weather is conducive.

Support Radrick Team in the Polar Plunge

Three members of the Radrick Maintenance staff, Clint Kutzley, Matt Weiland,and Levi Moore will be participating in the Polar Plunge at the Big House. Please support their cause, the donations go directly to the Special Olympics of Michigan. Link for Matt: https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/matt-weiland/uofmpolarplunge.Link for Clint: http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/clint-kutzley-radrick/uofmpolarplunge2. Link for Levi: http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/LeviMoore/uofmpolarplunge

Matt Weiland, Clint Kutzley, Levi Moore

Tree Maintenance & Bridge Repair

Winter is the best time to remove and prune trees because the ground is frozen. While in this frozen state, heavy equipment can be used on the course with minimal damage to the turf. We've been lucky so far this winter with good ground conditions (until this week) and have been able to do tree maintenance on 3,5,6,9 and 16 so far this Winter. Below are some examples of tree issues that cause us to remove or prune trees.

Wind damage to Oak on 9

Tree decay 30'  above ground, tree will be removed (6).

Steel supports inspected

The off-season gives us the chance to improve other areas on the golf course. The bridge on 16 will be refurbished  The existing decking and hand rails will be removed and replaced with new rough sawn oak planks and treated hand rail material. The steel supports are inspected to ensure a safe crossing over Fleming Creek.

16 Bridge before work starts

Removing old planks