GOLF COURSE UPDATE 3/3/25

 

Dear Members,

I hope this message finds you well and as eager as we are for the upcoming golf season! As we transition into spring, our team has been and certainly will be hard at work preparing the course, property, and equipment for another fantastic year.

We are excited to announce that the greens officially opened on 3/1/25 and will be monitoring our cleanup efforts along with March's unpredictable weather conditions in the coming weeks to assess full course opening with carts. Over the past few months, we have focused on course improvements thru innovative chemical and fertility program tweaks, improved turf maintenance practices, and ensuring optimal playing conditions for the season ahead. Our goal is to provide you with the best possible experience every time you step onto the course.

Weather permitting, we anticipate excellent playing conditions early in the season, and we appreciate your patience as we fine-tune the course. Please keep an eye out for updates on course conditions, upcoming events, and any temporary modifications as we ease into the season.

We can’t wait to welcome you back and look forward to seeing everyone out on the course soon! If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out. bpeveich@pinehollowclub.com

In the coming weeks we will be detailing all aspects of the property.

GOLF COURSE / DRIVING RANGE

Our cleanup process will take place in several phases:

1. Blowing Debris – We will begin by blowing tree debris from fine turf areas outward, ensuring that playing surfaces are cleared first.
2. Bunker Cleanup – Next, we will focus on cleaning and restoring bunkers to their best condition.
3. Rough Cleanup – Once the bunkers are addressed, we will work through the roughs to remove any remaining debris.
4. Mowing – With the cleanup complete, we will begin mowing all short-cut areas to promote healthy growth and optimal playability.
5. Plant Protectants – At the same time, we will be making our first plant protectant applications for the season to ensure turf health and resilience.

CLUBHOUSE GROUNDS

Here’s what to expect during the cleanup:

1. Clearing Debris – We will begin by blowing out all landscape beds and lawn areas to remove any accumulated leaves and debris from the winter months.
2. Weeding & Pre-Emergent Application – Once cleared, we will weed all landscape beds and apply a pre-emergent treatment to help prevent unwanted growth throughout the season.
3. Mulching – We will start mulching in high-visibility areas first, ensuring key entrances and gathering spaces look their best before moving on to complete the entire property.

RACQUET SPORTS

All court openings will be based upon demand, weather, and maintenance. Please check with Alina for availability and timing of openings.

TENNIS - Below is an overview of our comprehensive court cleanup and resurfacing process for our seven Har-Tru Courts:

1. Scraping & Removal – The old surface will be removed, with the material left on-site as needed.
2. Scarifying & Leveling – Courts will be scarified and leveled to ensure a smooth and even playing surface.
3. Weed Control – Weed killer will be applied as necessary to maintain a clean and well-maintained court environment.
4. Rolling – The courts will undergo a thorough rolling process to ensure proper compaction and firmness.
5. New Har-Tru Surfacing – Each court will receive 2 tons of Har-Tru surfacing material for optimal playability.
6. Sweeping, Watering & Rolling – Courts will be swept, watered, and rolled as needed to integrate the new surface.
7. New Line Installation – Seven sets of new Lee tennis lines will be installed, secured with approximately 1,800 aluminum nails per court – all hand-nailed for precision.
8. Additional Rolling – Courts will be rolled again to ensure a firm, stable surface.
9. Calcium Chloride Application – 100 lbs. of Calcium Chloride per court will be applied to help with moisture retention and surface stability.
10. Net Post Painting – Net posts will be painted as needed to refresh their appearance.
11. Final Watering & Net Installation – Courts will be watered as needed, and club tennis nets will be hung to complete the process.

PICKLEBALL - Below is an overview of our comprehensive court cleanup and resurfacing process for our three Pickleball Courts:

1. Blowing Courts – We will start by clearing all courts of leaves, dust, and debris to ensure a clean playing surface.
2. Hanging Nets & Screens – Nets and windscreens will be installed and inspected for proper fit and stability.
3. Clubhouse Maintenance – Sound barriers will be hung around the clubhouse to enhance the playing environment.

PADEL - Below is an overview of our comprehensive court cleanup and resurfacing process for our Padel Court:

1. Removing Winter Protections – All protective coverings will be taken down to transition the courts for seasonal play.
2. Hanging Nets – Nets will be installed and checked for proper tension and alignment.
3. Cleaning Glass – Court glass panels will be thoroughly cleaned to ensure clear visibility and a polished look.
4. Topdressing with Sand – Additional sand will be applied as needed, following the guidance of the Racquet Sports Director, to maintain optimal playing conditions.

AERATION SCHEDULE

GREENS:

• **March 3/10/25– 5/8” Solid Tine Aeration w/ no sand (5%)
• *Monthly (May to July) – ¼” Solid Venting Tine (no removal)
• ***August 8/12/25 or 8/19/25– 3/8 ” Hollow Tine Aeration and Light Sand Topdressing (5%)
• ***October 10/20/25 – ½” Hollow Tine Aeration w/ Heavy Topdressing (8%)
•   ***December – 5/8” Solid Deep Tine Aeration w/ Heavy Topdressing

*    Minimal disruption to putting surface (healing time a few days)

**  Medium disruption to putting surface (healing time 7-10 days)

***Most disruption to putting surface (healing time 10-14 days)

Emphasis put on removing 20% of surface area per year

TEES:

• March 3/24/25 - 5/8” Hollow Tine Tee Aeration with Sand Topdressing
• August 8/12/25- 5/8” Hollow Tine Tee Aeration with Sand Topdressing
• October - 5/8” Hollow Tine Tee Aeration with Sand Topdressing

      FAIRWAYS:

•     March 3/12/25 – 5/8” Hollow Tine Aeration (COURSE CLOSED FOR CARTS)
•     March 3/17/25 – ¾” Solid Deep-Tine Aeration (no cleaning necessary)
•     August -  ¾” Solid Deep-Tine Aeration (no cleaning necessary) w/ Verticut
•     October – Graden Dethatching of Fwys/Approaches or ¾ Solid Deep-Tine
•     November - ¾” Solid Deep-Tine Aeration

      ROUGHS: All Roughs and Lawns will be aerated starting in November.

HIGH GROVE Gil Hanse's New Project

We should all be proud of our property and golf course for so many reasons. One of the biggest is that Gil Hanse early in his career carved out these beautiful hazards we have perfectly placed around our golf course. Please take some time to click the link and read about his newest project that we had the pleasure of touring a few weeks ago.

https://golfclubatlas.com/early-thoughts/early-thoughts-from-a-too-early-visit-to-high-grove-club/ 

GOLF COURSE UPDATE 2/5/25

WINTER WORK EQUIPMENT

• Most carts, rollers, aerators, and tractors are now serviced. New batteries for electric carts are being ordered for install once the weather warms. New lights being installed on carts, rollers, and fairway mowers.
• White Pickup Truck in shop due to blown transmission.
• Takeuchi has been flushed, drained, new valves/seals, etc. Starts and runs as of now but needs $5,000 new DPF Exhaust filter. On order from Japan. TBD on delivery and repair by outside mechanic.
• Fairway Mowers rebuild of roller bearing kits and grinding service to begin 2/10/25 as they are now 8 yrs old with over 3,000 hrs. and need a major overhauling.
• All cutting units have been cleaned, sharpened, greased on site as of 12/31 except our fairway cutting units which will be completed in the coming weeks. Once the 70+ cutting units are complete we then service machines and make any necessary repairs. 

WINTER WORK PROPERTY

• Backside of brick wall along front circle, island between pond and parking lot, property line along parking lot, #3 left property line cleared, chipped, and trash cleaned up of saplings, branches, under growth.
• Continue the clearing of small under growth, saplings, and fallen branches in wooded buffer areas, outside front circle, buffer area between road and parking lot, parking lot property line, left of hole #2, left of #6 tee, and outside of front circle We have some larger tree work to complete but until we make repairs to our TL-10 Takeuchi we will not be able to move wood.
• Reached out to all employees to do a check in, as I always do, to gauge their interest in returning for the upcoming and see how their time away is going. I think this is important, so our men don’t feel like they are forgotten while they are away. These guys are the driving force that allows us all to look good and be proud of our property.
• Tree Work scheduled for 2/11/25 this work will start with the dead trees around the property then move to Brent’s hit list. Unfortunately, due to the Tak being out of commission we have not done any in-house tree takedowns and instead have focused on important property line detail which is equally as important.
• Shopping vendors for employee uniforms.
• Property detail as needed from winter or windstorms as needed. We always have someone here for storms and always have someone check the grounds daily.
• All reporting from 2024 closed out and all EOP placed to maximize savings.
• Attended PGA Show with Dan and Nick. Thank you to both for a great experience of work, golf, and High Groove Tour.

 

 

 

GOLF COURSE UPDATE 1/15/25

 

 

Winter Weekly Notes Since last Update:

• Week of 12/19 Finished Deep Tine Aeration on Tees, Approaches, and Greens / Sprayed our final Plant Protectants Greens, Tees, and Fairways / Heavy application of sand topdressing for winter protection on greens.
• Week of 12/23 One more medium application of sand topdressing on greens / 2 small snowstorms / Earl and Mauricio on vacation.
• Week of 12/ 30 Shop work and Dump Truck Repair / Earl and Mauricio on vacation.
• Week of 1/7 Mauricio and Earl back from vacation and in shop grinding reels and servicing equipment / Cristian and Diego attending Suny Delhi Apprentice Program (thank you Dan) / Webinars and Recertification
• All Pesticide Reporting, 2025 License Recertifications, Water Reporting, and continued education will be addressed in the coming weeks and ongoing.
• Setup meetings and discussed our Tennis Court surfaces with Tennis Planning Corp. as per requests to elevate our surfaces. We have a detailed plan on our we can achieve our goals and I’m looking forward to discussing with all of you and working with Glen and his team. Alina/Dan lets jump on a call soon.

 

WINTER WORK EQUIPMENT

• All cutting units have been cleaned, sharpened, greased on site as of 12/31 except our fairway cutting units which will be completed in the coming weeks. Once the 70+ cutting units are complete we then service machines and make any necessary repairs.
• Our Fairway Mowers this off season and getting full roller bearing rebuild kits as they are now 8 yrs old with over 3,000 hrs. and need a major overhauling.
• All carts, rollers, aerators, and tractors will be serviced and checked for repair work by 3/1/24.

This work will be performed by Mauricio our full-time mechanic and supplemented with all of us being hands on in the shop during the winter months should we get snowed in and unable to work outside.

 

WINTER WORK PROPERTY

• Property detail as needed from winter or windstorms as needed. We always have someone here for storms and always have someone check the grounds daily.
• Continue the clearing of small under growth, saplings, and fallen branches in wooded buffer areas, outside front circle, buffer area between road and parking lot, parking lot property line, left of hole #2, left of hole #3, left of #6 tee. We have some larger tree work to complete but until we make repairs to our TL-10 Takeuchi we will not be able to move wood.
• Should we have an early thaw I have several drainage areas to address and drain.
• Renovated designated cart path areas detailed in our winter/spring 2025 project plan.
• 2/1/25 I will be contacting all employees to do a check in, as I always do, to gauge their interest in returning for the upcoming and see how their time away is going. I think this is important, so our men don’t feel like they are forgotten while they are away. These guys are the driving force that allows us all to look good and be proud of our property.