Stump removal

Our good member Mark Sellers brought us a CAT 279D from FABCO with a stump grinding head this spring.  This unit was greatly appreciated by the crew as it allowed us to remove 30+ stumps on both courses.  The majority of the work was on the Heritage course; because we had to remove 10 very large Maple trees along Grove Street this winter.  These Maple trees were dead or in extreme decline and became a hazard.  This Skid-steer proved to be a huge time saver for us and was easier on our backs; when compared to our small manual grinder.  As expected the Maple stumps proved to be very dense and a challenge to grind- when compared to the Hemlock and Birch stumps we removed in other locations.  

CAT 279D with a Stimp Grinder attachment 

A ground down oak stump on Greywalls

A ground down Maple stump on Greywalls 

We did some late winter tree removal on Greywalls hole #15.  We removed the declined Hemlock to the back left of the green (that was hanging over the green) and the smaller Oak and Maple on the right side.  

The right side of 15 green struggled because it did not get enough morning sun.  We will start with those two trees but might remove the other Oak if turf density does not improve by the end of the season.  Removing those two trees opened up the right side of the hole for those right handed players with a Slice or left handed players with draw.... A big improvement to all.

Before removal

After tree/stump removal 

1/14 green edges on Greywalls

The original green surfaces were identified last week on the dome greens of number 1 and 14 on Greywalls.  

The greens were constructed using a 16" root zone of sand; which was mined deep within the boundaries of the current 11th fairway.  

This modified 'California' green construction style allows us to identify the original perimeter because the sand on the green differs in color and texture from the soil found outside the green well.  

We identify this edge by running an aerifier around the perimeter and looking at the cores.  It really becomes apparent after the cores begin to dry.  The sand is lighter and a bit coarser in texture than the surrounding soil.  

You can see in this picture the cores to the left are a bit darker than the cores to the right -and this was taken immediately after aerifying the edge before they dried.

A close picture of the cores

Number 1 green with the cores around it.  

Number 14 green immediately after perimeter aerification.  

The rear view on the Jacobsen GA24 aerifier with quad tine blocks

#14 post core cleanup

Before cleaning up the cores I go around the perimeter and mark the original edge with blue turf paint.

#14 green

If you zoom in you can see the edge marked in blue paint.  This edge migrated down the slope several feet in some locations over the last 10 years.  Mower creep easily happens on these two green surfaces as gravity assists mower slide down the slope.  The movement happens a 1/8"-1/4" at a time; which adds up over 10 years of daily mowing.  

#14 green left side; again zoom in to see the blue line.  

Mower creep on these two dome greens has an increased effect on the game over creep on other green surfaces.  The shorter turf on the edges speeds up ball roll; which makes the green play a bit more difficult.  

#1 green right side

Blue line again indicates the mow line change.  

#1 green left side

Every green edge, approach edge and fairway edge was remarked this spring before mowing the Greywalls course.  

Changes to the edges occur over time on every mowed surface.  It is better to see the mow edges move out than in because those are easier to adjust.  When mow lines move in (like what was allowed on the Heritage course) much more work, time and money is invested in moving them back out.