New batch of split oak

The temps are going above 18 degrees today......time to get outside.

It may be bitterly cold but there still is work to do on the golf course. Jerry Stockmal is making a cut at the base of a Dawn Redwood at the right side of the 4th fairway. The yellow line you see is the rope to help guide the tree to fall where we would like it.

This is a view from the 3rd fairway looking across #15 tee towards the 4th fairway. You may notice the Spruce is missing that was on the other side of the bridge.

Working right to the beginning of the storm.

WVCC grounds crew in the process of installing sod even as the bulk of the snow storm approaches. It is actually easier to install sod while the ground is frozen now rather than trying after the snow melts and the conditions are sloppy. Asst.supt Jim Dennison backs up the tractor while John Fleming guides him back.

Bunker work is progressing even during bad weather.

Everyone knows about the bad weather we have had since Christmas. There have been a few days where  work was completed on the bunker project. These two pictures show the final shape and drainage for the left side bunkers at #10 green. The sod pictured in above was just installed after a month of being rolled up. It is a little off color now but should turn to it's normal color in the spring.

Myphillygolf.com features Whitemarsh Valley CC

  

Joe Logan from "Myphillygolf.com" visited Whitemarsh Valley in the spring of 2013. During our golf round there was some discussion about improvements made in the last few years. During the video you will witness some terrible golf swings "PLEASE. DO NOT TRY THESE AT HOME". 

Merry Christmas to all WVCC members. There is split firewood(unseasoned) in the small parking lot behind the hedges . Please help yourselves !

Why is half the practice tee green and the other half straw brown?

With the change over to hybrid Bermudagrass at the practice tee, we are always trying to extend growth and color as late in the year as possible. These pictures show the results of material called Civitas. This was after the 2nd of two applications(early Nov.). I assumed that the color would fade by early December but I was surprised that the blue\green effect was still strong on Dec. 20th.
This test case could yield valuable information on managing the Bermudagrass practice area in the future.

The beauty of winter (ok, almost winter) !

This view was taken from behind the 18th green right after one of our recent snow falls. I reflects the quiet beauty of the golf course during the off season. With predicted temperatures in the 60's this weekend, be prepared to lose this view by Monday.
The good thing is that we could be able to continue the bunker project soon.

What a difference a year makes!

Phase I of the bunker renovation project started Dec. 6th of last year(2012). We had very little snow fall during that winter and moderate temperatures allowed the project to progress smoothly.
This year(2013) we were able to get a jump on Phase II with a start date of mid- October. With the good weather we had this fall we were able to complete the work at the following areas:

-#4 green and (2) greenside bunkers.

-#3 green and approach (removal of 2 bunkers).

-#18 fairway right side bunkers(4).

-#1 fairway (one bunker removed and fairway graded).

-Area between 1 and 18 (improved drainage with 8" pipe).

-#1 greenside bunker restoration(4 bunkers).

-#10 green and bunker work in progress.

This picture above shows that work has temporarily shut down due to the snow and below freezing temperatures. Hopefully the snow will melt and the work will continue.

New right greenside bunker on #1.

After the heavy rain last week that pushed back construction, this is the completed look at the right side bunkers on #1. This long bunker actually replaces the front right greenside and left approach bunker. From a distance this complex will look like three bunkers instead of two.