Monday, May 1, 2017
Updates to the course GPS system
Over the last couple of months, Sycamore Ridge has been working to install updated features to our course GPS system. With the new updates you will see that the distance to the pin is now more accurate. This distance is calculated to the center of the zone in which the cup is placed for the day, rather than simply the center of the green. Geo-fencing was also integrated into the system. This allows the course to set up boundaries where carts are and are not allowed to travel. This fencing was placed around native areas, and areas on fairways where carts are not permitted. If the system recognizes that the cart has entered one of these restricted area, a signal is sent to the screen informing the driver that thy need to move the cart. When conditions require that the course is "Cart Path Only" the system will notify carts to return to the path. Some false positive notifications have been experienced, these are caused by signal interference from trees and ground form. Hopefully these new features will improve your golfing experience here at Sycamore Ridge Golf Club.
Thursday, March 23, 2017
Working Toward an Outstanding 2017!
Welcome to my first ever blog post. The purpose of this blog is to provide communication from the Golf Course Superintendent/maintenance staff to our customers. I hope that you will check back regularly to see if any new information has been posted. This post will let everyone know what has been accomplished on the course during the last several months.
The maintenance staff has been busy over the Winter months cutting trees, and clearing brush with the intent of improving air flow and sunlight to the turf. During the 2016 golf season, several greens lost turf due to excessive shading from trees and insufficient air movement. It is expected that the work completed recently will help to mitigate these problems. Below is a picture of number 2 green, illustrating some of the work done around that green.
There are several new additions to the golf course as well some this Spring. New tee markers were made for the course, a new billboard sign installed, and additional yellow traffic control bumps were installed on the path. The new tee markers should improve visibility from the path, be more durable, and heavy enough that the coyotes shouldn't carry them away. The billboard will help customers find the golf course. The yellow traffic control bumps will help keep the golfers from cutting corners on the path and killing the grass.
Aerification of the greens was completed on Monday, March 20th. Sand was applied to the greens first, following aerification the sand was brushed to fill all of the holes, and excess sand was blown off. Fertilizer was then applied to help speed up healing and feed the turf through the season. While aerification creates perceived short term inconvenience, the long term benefits are numerous. The process removes thatch, reduces compaction, creates channels for air/gas exchange, and improves water penetration. Everything possible will be done to keep the greens smooth during the healing process.
The maintenance staff has been busy over the Winter months cutting trees, and clearing brush with the intent of improving air flow and sunlight to the turf. During the 2016 golf season, several greens lost turf due to excessive shading from trees and insufficient air movement. It is expected that the work completed recently will help to mitigate these problems. Below is a picture of number 2 green, illustrating some of the work done around that green.
There are several new additions to the golf course as well some this Spring. New tee markers were made for the course, a new billboard sign installed, and additional yellow traffic control bumps were installed on the path. The new tee markers should improve visibility from the path, be more durable, and heavy enough that the coyotes shouldn't carry them away. The billboard will help customers find the golf course. The yellow traffic control bumps will help keep the golfers from cutting corners on the path and killing the grass.
Aerification of the greens was completed on Monday, March 20th. Sand was applied to the greens first, following aerification the sand was brushed to fill all of the holes, and excess sand was blown off. Fertilizer was then applied to help speed up healing and feed the turf through the season. While aerification creates perceived short term inconvenience, the long term benefits are numerous. The process removes thatch, reduces compaction, creates channels for air/gas exchange, and improves water penetration. Everything possible will be done to keep the greens smooth during the healing process.
Monday, March 13, 2017
Superintendent Introduction
Welcome to our new Maintenance Blog! Our hope is to provide golfers with useful, timely information about general maintenance at our course. We will add content from standard course care to comprehensive details about our agronomic practices. The head superintendent's name is Paul Davids. He has over 20 years experience and has been at Sycamore Ridge since 2007. Over the last 2 years, Sycamore Ridge has made a lot of exciting changes including new tees, golf cars, equipment, cart paths, white sand bunkers and much more. Stay tuned for more exciting updates to our course...
Before and after pictures of our 2015 renovations
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