Summer Update 2

The summer continues to be very busy and extremely productive at Olde Florida! A brief report on what has been accomplished since my last summer update is below.

The weather has been seasonable this summer. In July we did receive 12" of rain, which is slightly more than the historical average, but it did not created any major issues.

The normal cultural practices are being completed. Since my last update the entire golf course has received an additional aerification.

Fairway/rough aerification on #16

Fairway/rough aerification on #10 

Collar aerification on #15

Construction on the driving range has also made significant progress since my last update. A comprehensive subsurface drainage system has been installed on the entire range, both the north and south tees have been constructed and the irrigation installation is progressing. The two tees will provide over 65,000 square feet of teeing surface. 

Subsurface drainage being installed on the driving range

Irrigation being installed on the south range tee

A mainline isolation valve being installed on the driving range

The short game practice facility is also nearing completion. Both of the chipping greens were constructed to USGA specifications with two bunkers on the east green and one bunker on the west green. The contouring of the area will allow for a variety of surface conditions to replicate shots on the golf course. Fairway bunkers have also been constructed next to the north and south tee.   

At the base of a USGA specification green is a 4" gravel layer 

Under the 4"gravel layer is a subsurface drainage system

Sand being added to a green side bunker on the east chipping green

The view looking south from the east chipping green

In addition, construction on the twelve new middle, senior, super senior and forward tees is underway. Work is being done on holes 1, 6, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16 and 18. After I located the tees in the field from a plan prepared by Rees Jones, Inc., my staff removed 70,000 square feet of existing grass.  Glase Golf is currently constructing the tees. When finished, my staff will install Celebration bermudagrass on the tees and surrounding slopes.   

Sod beng removed from what will be the new middle tee on #10

Sod being removed from the new forward and senior tee locations on #9

Soil being added to new forward tee on #10

The new middle tee on #10

Today, Rees Jones and Senior Vice President of Rees Jones Inc., Greg Muirhead were at Olde Florida to review the driving range and the additional tees being constructed on the golf course. Both gentlemen were extremely pleased with the work that is being done.  

(L-R) Rees Jones, Darren Davis, Greg Muirhead