What about this "Post"?

At the October Greens and Grounds Committee meeting, the use of the 150 yard pole, located in the center of all par 4 and par 5 fairways was discussed.

Interestingly, there was much discussion regarding the need of such a device considering Copperleaf utilizes both GPS and Laserlink prisms to help golfers with their yardage. Several attendees commented that they use the pole as an indicator for their shot direction whereas others said that it detracted from the beauty of the course.

Unknown to many is that our new GPS units have the ability for the user to "tap" the screen and position a marker at their desired landing location on the hole to determine distance.

It was decided to remove the poles for the immediate future and to gather member feedback to determine if the poles should be replaced.

The Green Committee would like to hear from you with your thoughts and suggestions regarding the use, and need, of the current 150 yard marker. Please email David Dore-Smith with your comments. David's email is:

davidd@copperleafgc.com



The "home made" 150 yard pole, as seen here on hole 9, has been in use for 9 years at Copperleaf

Posted by David Dore-Smith
Director of Golf Course and Grounds Maintenance
Copperleaf Golf Club

Location:Copperleaf Golf Club

Forward Tees

As part of the future golf course renovation review, it has been suggested by many of the Architects interviewed, including our selected Architect, Kipp Schulties, that Copperleaf is a "very long golf course".

Golf courses that are being renovated these days are providing tee locations that provide for between 4,000 and 4,500 yards. These tee locations are intended to provide a more enjoyable golfing experience for the higher handicap golfer or for golfers new to the game. It also follows the "Tee it Forward" program being promoted by the PGA of America.

Our current forward tees total 4,770 yards. After further review with Kipp Schulties, 10 new tee locations have been proposed for construction in 2013 that would bring the total yardage to approximately 4,500 yards.

The CLGA has been involved in these preliminary discussions and have been asked to provide their input regarding the tee locations and the proposal in general. Interestingly, after reviewing the women's handicaps at Copperleaf, over 60% of our players have a handicap of 30 or more. Using guidelines provided by the PGA, a course of below 4,500 yards is suggested for these golfers. Not only will the golfing experience be improved but the pace of play will also improve as a result.

In an effort to identify the exact locations of the proposed tees, temporary tee markers have been placed on the course. These tee markers will only be used for a few days in an attempt to get some feedback from the players.

The Golf Course Renovation Team, led by Jim Gallery, and CLGA President, Linda Francis, would appreciate any feedback that you may have.




The proposed Forward tee location on hole 3

Posted by David Dore-Smith
Director of Golf Course and Grounds Maintenance
Copperleaf Golf Club

Location:Copperleaf Golf Club

Golf Course Cultural Practices

Our golf course closures have finished for the year and the onset of cooler, drier weather will soon be here. There was a multitude of work completed on the course during the closures including verti-cutting and aerification of the greens, aerification, verti-cutting and top-dressing of all tees, aerification, verti-cutting and top and verti-cutting and aerification of all roughs.

Verticutting of fairways

Aerification of fairways

Vacuuming of  fairways



Circle cutting and final clean up of fairways

 All of this work is carried out 'in-house' by our trained staff using our equipment. It takes an immense amount of co-ordination and communication with all staff members to complete the work on schedule and still provide sufficient time for the turf to recover and be in a playable condition upon re-opening.

The benefits of these practices are numerous including improved turf rooting, penetration of rain and irrigation water into the soil, oxygen exchange in the soil profile, improved fertility uptake, smoothness of the playing surface, improved green speed, reduction in disease pressure, thatch reduction and overall improvement in playability for all golfers.

Verticutting of Greens

Aerification of greens

Core clean up on greens

Dragging of sand into the core holes on the greens

Without question, the cultural practices carried out on the course can easily be frowned upon by most golfers, not only here at Copperleaf, but at every golf course throughout the world. From a management point of view, I too, dislike seeing the turf grass disturbed so much. It is by far one of the most challenging times of year; however,I know that the work carried out now will provide the highest chance of success during periods of turf stress and high golf play. I appreciate the patience of our year round golfers during these times and to please understand that these procedures are for the betterment of the course.

As always, Mother Nature plays an important role in the success of the operation. Any rainfall can slow the entire process down and make it extremely difficult to brush sand into the greens, drag the aerification plugs to break up the soil and to vacuum the verti-cuttings.

However, with the teamwork of our entire staff, the ability of our mechanics to keep everything operating safely, and a little luck; everything always seems to get completed on time.

A little luck never hurts!

    

The final product



Posted by David Dore-Smith
Director of Golf Course and Grounds Maintenance
Copperleaf Golf Club

Location:Copperleaf Golf Club