Get the Rock out of here

Over the past month, the Copperleaf Maintenance Department has been tirelessly working to remove buried rocks and other debris from beneath the turf surface on our tees and now fairways.

Our machine in action on Hole 7 using solid tines to find rocks

Rocks identified on Hole 17 Tee

Rocks being removed on Hole 12

There have always been several problematic areas throughout the course where the turf grass simply does not perform as well as the grass surrounding it. These areas are maintained the same way with regard to irrigation, fertilization and mowing, however, they show signs of stress and discoloration throughout the year.

Several years ago, a machine was contracted in an attempt to relieve the compaction in these areas to allow for increased water and fertilizer penetration and improve oxygen exchange in an attempt to provide a consistent and healthy playing surface. Unfortunately this machine discovered areas of buried rocks that would need to be physically removed to improve the area.

This machine is called "The Beast" and it struggled to penetrate into our fairway on Hole 6

The task of identifying and removing the rocks has been on the "to do list" for many years but due to the demand of completing other projects such as building rock walls as well as landscaping and irrigation projects, this task has always been postponed.

The rocks have always been under the surface since the course was built back in 1999/2000. Please remember that the construction work performed last year consisted of a "no till" grassing process where the new grass was installed into the existing fairway contours and teeing grounds. There were modifications made to the greens complexes only. A rock the size of a softball or even a basketball is not felt by the heavy equipment used to move the soil, however, it is noticed by our smaller specialty equipment used to improve soil conditions. Several rocks have been quite large and have simply been buried by 3 inches of soil making them impossible to see from above.

Although this is a tedious, time consuming, labor intensive process the effort will be well worth it. It should be no secret that buried rocks in the soil where you are trying to grow manicured turf makes it very challenging to provide the a quality playing surface.

Large rocks were found in the same location "The Beast" was used back in 2014 on Hole 6

Not surprisingly, it is difficult to grow quality grass in these conditions

Providing a consistent growing media for our turf grass roots to grow in will allow for a high quality and uniform playing surface for our members and guests to enjoy. Compaction will be reduced, water infiltration will increase and turf health will improve. When we begin the aerification process later in the year, the removal of these rocks will reduce the damage to our expensive machines and help to make the process more efficient. Looking at our tee surfaces today, you can clearly see the improvement to the turf quality making the project worthwhile.

I appreciate your patience during this process and please know that this will take several months and possibly into next summer to complete. I can't thank our staff members enough for been persistent during this hard work and repairing the damage to the turf areas where the rocks have been removed to a high standard.

This beauty was found on Hole 1 Gold Tee

Tireless work during golf play to rid the area of buried rocks on Hole 6

With any questions or comments, please email me at davidd@copperleafgc.com

Golf Course Renovation Update

We are now entering the 7th week of the golf course renovation and almost reaching the halfway point of the construction phase. Landirr, Inc. has been extremely busy and has some sort of construction happening on 14 of the 18 Holes as well as the practice area.

Over the next couple of weeks construction efforts will focus on completing some of the finer details to the impacted golf Holes as they prepare for sod and sprigs to be installed. This includes irrigation, bunker modifications, fairway shaping and tee leveling. By mid-June, 10 of the golf holes will be planted with grass and the grow-in portion of the project will commence in earnest.

The rock wall at the practice greens has already been modified and expanded to allow for the construction of an improved Chipping green. Soil generated on Hole 1 will be used over the next 10 days to make the necessary changes to provide an improved practice facility.

The rock wall at the practice area has been expanded to allow for an improved Chipping Green

Hole 1 has seen the green elevated by over 2 feet and some re-working of the right side fairway bunker. A large bunker to the left of the green will create an intimidating approach shot.

Hole 1 greens complex has been elevated and a more appealing bunker installed to the left side

Hole 2 has had the addition of a beautiful rock wall to the greens complex completed. The green has been brought forward with bunkers placed at the front left and rear of the green. The risk/reward shot will become a tough decision for the longer hitters on this Hole.

The new green and rock wall have been completed on Hole 2

Hole 3 has had the green elevated by 3 feet and extended toward the fairway. A bunker to the front right of the green will play an integral part in the shot making decision on this long Par 4.

Hole 3 green has been completed by elevating it by over 3 feet

Hole 4 has had the green elevated by around 1.5 feet and a new green-side bunker installed along the right edge of the putting green. The mound that was to the right of the fairway for the second shot has been lowered creating a visual effect that the area around the Green has been widened. The Coquina cart path that crossed in front of the green has been eliminated.

Hole 4 approach looks wider by simply lowering an existing mound and removing the Coquina cart path

Hole 5 has seen some of the most dramatic changes to the original layout with a substantial lake modification to the left of the Hole. The soil generated by this excavation was used to elevate Hole 4 greens complex as well as elevate the tees and green on Hole 5.

Hole 5 has seen substantial changes with a large lake modification to the left of green

A look down Hole 5 from the Back Tee

Hole 6 green has been elevated by over a foot and positioned closer to the rock wall that was created last year. Large mounds at the back of the green help to hide the structures from the neighboring community. Bunkers surrounding the green have been strategically placed and will create a visually pleasing approach.

The new rock wall is now more prominent on Hole 6

Hole 7 green is under construction with the greens drainage currently being installed. The putting surface has been elevated and the back right portion of the green widened to be more receptive to incoming shots. The bunker that was in front of the green will remain and will have some of the "Kipp Shulties" design work completed on it to make it more visible from the fairway.

Hole 7 greens complex is getting drainage installed

Hole 8 is also under construction. The placement of the green has been established and is now awaiting approval from Kipp Shulties this week as to the actual undulations for the putting surface. The green has moved forward by at least 25 yards creating a substantially larger area behind the green. Bunkers have been strategically placed around the new green and will provide a stunning new greens complex.

Hole 8 will be a new Hole with a change in both tee and Green locations

Hole 9 has had the green elevated by over 3 feet to make it the prominent feature of the Hole. It is now visible from the tee and also from the Dining Room of the Clubhouse. A lake modification along the left side was used to create soil to make the changes and creates a more challenging approach to the green. Large bunkers to the left and right of the putting surface will provide an intimidating second shot.

The lake to the left of Hole 9 was enlarged to create the necessary soil to elevate the green

Hole 11 has had the modification to the existing rock wall completed. This has allowed for a greater approach area in front of the green to be created. Mounds will be placed behind, and to the left, of the green to create an impressive greens complex.

The rock wall modification is completed on Hole 11 and looks fantastic

Hole 14 has seen the construction of the rock wall in front of the green commence this week. The wall will stretch for over 300 feet and become a prominent feature of this long Par 5.

A new rock wall on Hole 14 commenced this week and will look impressive

Hole 18 has had the green elevated by over 2 feet and the greens complex enhanced to provide for an outstanding finishing Hole. Fairway bunkers are being enhanced and the cart path removed from crossing the Hole. A large bunker to the right of the green will be provide intimidation for the second shot and the mounds behind the green will remain an excellent viewing area for our feature Member tournaments.

Hole 18 is still under construction, however, within 3 weeks grass will be installed on the entire Hole

Construction will continue in earnest over the next 2 months on the remaining Holes 10, 12, 13, 15, 16 and 17. The guided tours of the course will continue throughout the summer for those members remaining on property. The tours have been extremely popular and have been an excellent method to communicate progress and also educate the membership on the construction process.

As always, with any questions, please do not hesitate to contact David Dore-Smith at davidd@copperleafgc.com.

Rock Wall Projects 2014

The summer projects have already commenced at Copperleaf with two of the biggest projects, the rock walls on Hole 15 and 6 completed. Over 700 feet of rocks have been installed as part of the Kipp Schulties Master Plan with several  more rock walls scheduled for next year on the Practice Green, Hole 2, Hole 11 and Hole 18.



Hole 6 Rendering




Hole 15 Rendering


 

Heavy equipment was rented for the moving and placing of the rocks. With some of them weighing over 2000 pounds, the work was tedious and time consuming to transfer the rocks from the Maintenance Facility to their final destinations. Ricardo Gomez, one of our long term employees, was once again instrumental in assisting with the project and without his efforts, these type of projects could simply not be undertaken.

This monster rock was the size of the 3 yard loader that carried it

Multiple rocks were taken to the Holes at a single time

The rocks that were placed on the turf before being installed created quite the hazard for all golfers and I appreciate the patience of our Members and guests during this project as construction was carried out amongst play in an effort to beat the summer rains.

Rocks were laid along the edge of the lake banks.....



and laid into place with the Excavator.

My kids, Brooke and Brady, wanted to see what I was working on



Overall, the entire project has been a success with many compliments coming from both golfers and guests. Architect, Kipp Schulties, has visited the site and is extremely pleased with the results. From a golfers perspective, the narrow approach areas on both holes has been widened by around 15 feet and creates a slightly easier approach to the greens complex without golf balls rolling into the water as easily.

From an aesthetic perspective, the increased visual quality from both the golfers view and from the surrounding homes, the change has been quite dramatic.

Hole 6

Hole 15

I cant thank the Copperleaf Maintenance staff enough for their work in constructing and completing these projects; it is a massive undertaking to complete "in-house" and still be maintaining the golf course to the high standards expected on a daily basis.

We look forward to the renovation of the golf course starting April 13, 2015 and the various projects that will be undertaken.

David Dore-Smith