Aeration

Spring aeration is finally here.  The crew stepped up and put in a full 13 hour day yesterday.  We were able to finish all the greens and the front nine fairways.  We had no mechanical issues yesterday which is unusual for an aeration.  This can be directly attributed to the investment the club has made in new equipment and the great job our service manager Mario does everyday.  We understand this week is an inconvenience to the membership.  We appreciate your understanding during this important and necessary process.

Spring Aeration

Spring aeration is around the corner and it looks like the weather will cooperate.  We will be closed April 13th-16th.  The driving range, putting green and chipping green will reopen on Wednesday, April 15th.

• Greens will be aerated with 5/8" hollow tines, verti-cut, top-dressed and fertilized 
• Fairways, tees and approaches will aerated, seeded, top-dressed and fertilized
• Weak areas in the rough will be aerated, seeded, top-dressed and fertilized

We received over an inch of much needed rain today.  This brings our winter total, since September of 2014, to 23.5".

Tee Yardage Markers and Signs

We started installing the new metal yardage tee markers this week.  The new markers are simple and maintenance free.  We prefabricated a concrete base which will help stabilize the markers and prevent any accidental trips into someones bag or front yard.  All the markers should be installed by the end of next week.  We are also in the process of installing new road crossing signs.  This was done at the request of the HOA.

Well Update

The well project has been slow going the past two weeks.  After changing the drill rig from a traditional drill to an air hammer, Maggiora Brothers were able to break through the granite and drill several hundred additional feet.  After breaking through the granite the well drillers decided to not case the well below the granite, thinking the material below the granite would be hard.  The material below the granite turned out to be very soft and the well collapsed.  The drill bit and several cones broke off and are stuck in the bottom of the well.  The well drillers tried to retrieve their equipment for over a week, with no success, as the well continued to collapse every time they went down.  Over the past several days they were able to case the rest of the well and are now attempting to retrieve the cones and drill bit.

We are currently at 800' and the well is producing 20-40 gal/minute.  This is far from the 200 gal/minute we are hoping for.  The data shows the majority of water to be at the 1200'-1300' depth.  We want to reiterate this is a test drill and there is the possibility we will not find any water.  As frustrating as this is it's completely out of our control.  Maggiora Brothers wants to complete this well as soon as possible so they can move on to their next job.  We will send out an update as soon as we find out any additional information.  Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Nematodes

Our nematode activity has been growing exponentially since last week.  What started as a few small spots on a couple of greens has turned into widespread activity on most.  We identified the outbreak early last week and made an application on Wednesday.  We followed up with another application today with a new product we tested on the chipping green.  Our hope is we can control the populations enough to get through this outbreak and into the spring and summer when pressure is typically low.

7 Green

7 Green

Hollins House Organic Garden

For the past year chef JP and I discussed the possibility of expanding the garden for the Hollins House.  Those discussions progressed once we hired CJ Nugent to manage the Hollins House.  At one time CJ worked at Post Ranch Inn, located in Big Sur, which boosts a very large production garden for the world renowned restaurant and facility.  I had the privilege of staying at Post Ranch several years ago and remember the impression the garden left on me as I explored the ranch.  Seeing all the food being grown on property and speaking with the horticulturalist got me excited about the menu.

Walking by the Hollins House recently you most likely noticed some work taking place near the upper parking lot on the hillside.  This is the beginning of what will be our new organic garden for the Hollins House.  Three new block walls are almost complete and soon 11 new raised beds will be built.  The area will also host citrus trees, artichoke plants and numerous other perennials.  We will continue to update this project as it grows!

The Well Exploration is Under Way

After almost 7 months of waiting the drilling started early this morning on the test well.  For the next 7-14 days the drill will make its way down 1500' through sand and rock.  Once the test well is complete we will send a device down to take measurements.  The data from this device will be analyzed and a well will be designed to accommodate the estimated production if any.  Even with the best technology available there is a possibility we will not hit water or enough to justify developing a well.
Please be aware of signage around the area.  It may be different from your last round.  Currently there is a white line painted across the front of the work area.  Everything above the white line in mandatory ground under repair.  Please do not get close to the equipment or engage workers.  The area is an active work site and can pose a danger.  If you have any questions about the well or the process please contact Justin Mandon or Scott Hoyt.