Golf Course Renovation

Golf Course Renovation Update #14 - 9/23/2019

Dear CFCC Members:

Our historic Donald Ross golf course will reopen for play Saturday, September 28th! Please join us for a celebration on Friday night the 27th and contact the golf shop for your tee times. We will have a series of fun events capped off with live music on our brand-new Lawn. Keep an eye out for additional messages from the club for more details. The board, the committee, and the staff are all very excited and we know everyone will be impressed with the outcome of the renovation. With the reopening we wanted share some information with you in this fourteenth and final update.

The golf course will be ready for play this weekend. A lot of construction activities have occurred during the project and some of these have just been completed. There will be areas on the property where grass has only recently been planted. It will take another full growing season (a year from now) for all this turf to knit together and yield a mature appearance and better playability. Please treat these areas carefully with carts and golf play to allow them to establish themselves and provide the best conditions for play both now and through the winter.

Greens may be top dressed with a fine layer of sand on opening day and into the near future or longer. This will create smoother and faster roll and protect the crown of the new Champion Bermuda grass. Mowing heights will be slightly higher than optimal from now through the winter to protect the plant during the upcoming dormant season.

We do plan to add additional landscaping and vegetative buffers in many areas around the course (e.g. rebuild the screen around the golf maintenance area) in the future. This landscaping will not be in place on opening day due to focusing on the playing surfaces and getting the course reopened along with limitations on when it is best to plant new shrubs and trees.

We are working quickly to remove the remaining dead trees and their debris. As you can imagine, the tree companies are once again busy due to Hurricane Dorian. Some tree debris may not be completely removed by this weekend. These debris piles will not affect play.

Based upon the number of tee times reserved we are expecting the course and the practice areas to be very busy in the first few weeks. Please be patient during this time as the golf staff works to respond as quickly as possible to the higher than usual demand and as we learn how members and guests utilize some of the new features and practice areas. Tee times will be required for the foreseeable future until the level of play subsides to more typical amounts. The course is getting a new golf rating so we will have temporary score cards and no scores can be posted until this has been completed.

Be sure to thank the CFCC staff for many days of long hours and hard work during this project. Obviously, the greens and grounds maintenance staff has been involved every day, but every department has also played an important role along the way. Similarly, every member committee has been working to make this project a success. I personally want to thank Scott Custer, Chair of the Oversight Committee, and all the Oversight members, Bob Cherry III, Chair of the Greens Committee and Vice-Chair of the Oversight Committee, and all the Greens and Golf Activities Committee members for their true dedication to Cape Fear Country Club. This was an ideal example of the power of teamwork and keen insight from a variety of perspectives. I am very thankful for each of these volunteer committee members and Board of Director members. Every CFCC member owes each of them a debt of gratitude.

Finally, I want to thank Andrew Green for an amazing vision for our course and his leadership during the design and construction, and the professionals from McDonald & Sons who constructed the project. Everyone from CFCC involved with the project has been truly impressed with the high quality and craftmanship of these consultants. Additionally, our golf course consultant Sam Green has been invaluable during the project and especially over the last few weeks.

Thank you for your patience and support.

Neal Andrew
President

Golf Course Master Plan

View of Practice Area from Rear Tee

Some storm debris may still be on site in areas out of play

#6 Fairway construction road repair

#14 Fairway drainage repair area

#15 Fairway construction road repair

#16 Tee restroom building

#17 Fairway construction road repair

#18 New tees with sand top dressing

#18 Fairway drainage repair area

Putting green with sand top dressing

The 1st Tee is Ready for Opening Day!

Golf Course Renovation Update #13 - 9/3/2019

Dear CFCC Members:

I hope everyone has had a great summer. While many of us were enjoying some time off from work and enjoying the summer weather, JP Walker and his staff along with our contractors have been continuing to work very long hours to push this project to the finish line.

During the last few weeks the focus of the work has been on the following items and areas:

Continuing to work on #13 pond/#14 spillway – this is the most time-critical task remaining, particularly with the possible visit of Hurricane Dorian later in the week;
Removing dead trees and stumps – every week another handful of trees continue to die apparently as a result of hurricane damage and the large difference in rain between 2018 and 2019;
Repairing/replacing sections of cart paths and new sections installed for travel to the practice area;
Old concrete bridge on #13 will be removed soon;
Sodding and finalizing the slopes on the creek banks;
Cleanup and repair outer perimeter of course damaged by Florence and debris removal;
Two large truckloads of pine straw have been spread in the natural areas and some more is on the way;
Maintaining areas of fairways not disturbed by the renovation – the Bermuda has been growing vigorously creating large volumes of clippings;
Regularly mowing and top dressing the Champion Bermuda greens that have grown in nicely;
Installing several truckloads of sod in areas of recent work and where some of the sprigs got washed out by the two large rainstorms and eventually along the haul roads that have been used by the heavy equipment;
Replacing the #10 tee boxes with sod;
Drainage work is ongoing – the two heavy rain events helped us find areas that needed some more adjustments;
The course storm shelters and the range building have been repaired and repainted;
The course restroom building at #16 tee is in the final stages of completion;
Repairing the large storm drainpipe that traverses under #18, #2, and #7. Inappropriate connections had been made to the pipe over the years and these pipe connections were failing. This was beginning to cause small sinkholes on the golf course. During one of the repairs, some additional buried bottles and other trash was found and removed. These areas need to be finish graded and sodded now.

The areas that have been completed look fantastic. The final push is to get the last project areas completed and looking just as nice. The contractor teams and our greens staff still have a lot of work to do. Any decisions about the opening day will have to wait until we know the impact of Hurricane Dorian. I am certain all of us want a reprieve from a hurricane this year.

Thanks to all of you for your support during this project and your understanding that everyone involved has devoted countless hours to provide the best outcome possible. We want the project to be completed as soon as anyone does. We also want it done right in order to achieve one of the other goals for the renovation work: alleviating the need for CFCC to need to do this type of project for many years to come.

Neal Andrew
President

Golf Course Master Plan

#3 fairway from the forward tees

#4 fairway from the forward tees

View of the approach on #6

Par 3 course tees and greens

Par 3 greens #1 & #9 – note the elevation difference to delineate the two greens (greens had just been top dressed with sand)

View of practice range from the rear tee

View of practice range from the main tee

Repaired and painted storm shelter on #7

#10 forward tee sod was recently installed

#14 spillway construction status

View of #16 green Champion Bermuda (greens had been top dressed with sand earlier that day)

#18 fairway with two of the drainpipe repair areas waiting to be sodded

Golf Course Renovation Update #12 - 7/29/2019

Dear CFCC Members:

The sprigs on the greens have filled in very nicely. As the grass on the greens continues to look better the construction team and the golf maintenance staff have been working long, hot hours on many other tasks on the course. Some examples of the recent work and ongoing work include these tasks:

Continuing to work on #13 pond/#14 spillway – the new headwall has been installed;
Removal of dead trees and stumps;
Repair/replace sections of cart paths and add new sections for travel to the practice area;
Several new bridges installed, some other have been re-decked;
Old concrete bridge on #13 will be removed after the heavy equipment is no longer needed;
Clean out existing creeks and regrade their banks – main focus lately has been #17/#3/#6/#5/#4;
Cleanup and repair outer perimeter of course damaged by Florence and debris removal;
Add pine straw and mulch to landscape beds;
Maintain areas of fairways not disturbed by the renovation;
All the bunkers are now complete and grass faces are growing in;
The short course has been grassed;
All remaining green surrounds have been grassed;
New #18 tees have been built and grassed;
Multi-purpose field has been grassed;
Irrigation adjustments and additions are complete;
A putting green nursery has been installed;
Drainage installed in a few approaches and landing areas.

We are getting closer to completion. There is still a lot of work left to complete to blend the existing areas with the new and clean up and repair the areas damaged by hurricane debris removal and construction activities. The construction teams and CFCC staff each have defined lists of tasks and there is daily coordination on what tasks need to be completed before others get started. For example, certain areas of cart path repairs are waiting until the heavy equipment removing hurricane debris is finished in that area.

If you are interested in viewing some of the project areas, please call the pro shop and arrange for an appointment for a tour. Please remain patient with the project for a little bit longer. Everyone involved wants to reopen as soon as it is ready to be reopened.

Thanks for your support on this course renovation.

Neal Andrew
President

Golf Course Master Plan

Champion Bermuda turf on #1 green

#3 creek after being cleaned out and banks resloped

Creek at #6 and #5 after being cleaned out and banks resloped

#10 creek work is completed

#13 pond work in progress

#13 pond work in progress

#14 new spillway installation

Aerial view of #13 and #14

Champion Bermuda turf on practice green

Golf Course Renovation Update #11 - 6/17/2019

Dear CFCC Members:

All greens have been sprigged! This is a major milestone for the renovation of our Donald Ross golf course. We had ideal weather for the sprigging and all parties that were involved were very pleased with the outcome of the sprigging.

The following process was used:

The surface of the green was prepared for sprigging;
A heavy application of sprigs was hand installed;
The greens were rolled in two orthogonal directions;
The sprigs were top dressed with our custom greens mix;
The greens were rolled again;
Finally, irrigation and more irrigation.

It may take two or more weeks for the sprigs to start to turn green. It all goes according to plan, the grass will begin to grow and fill in rapidly after that.

Now that the greens have been planted the focus will turn to other tasks around the golf course. Andrew Green and McDonald & Sons have a list of remaining tasks and JP Walker and his staff also have a list of tasks. There is still a lot of work remaining to blend the old with the new, continue Florence cleanup, improve drainage, and beautify the course.

Some examples of the remaining work:

Continuing to work on #13 pond/#14 spillway;
Sprig and sod green surrounds, new tees, and creek banks;
Repair scoured and eroded creek banks;
Drainage improvements at numerous areas;
Removal of dead trees and stumps;
Repair/replace sections of cart paths;
Removal of some old bridges, installation of new bridges, replace decking on others;
Clean out existing creeks and regrade their banks;
Replace and repair damaged fences (fence behind #10 reinstalled already);
Cleanup and repair outer perimeter of course damaged by Florence and debris removal;
Add pine straw and mulch to landscape beds;
Develop new fairway/rough mowing lines;
Maintain areas of fairways not disturbed by the renovation.

Although this is not part of the golf course project, we did schedule the replacement of the course restroom building at #3 green/#16 tee to occur at the same time. The old building is long gone and the new building has been framed and sheathed with plywood. The new restroom building will be a significant improvement for us and our guests.

Please remember some areas of the course will be available for golf lessons from the professional staff but no other golf activities will be permitted at this time. If you are interested in viewing some of the project areas, please call the pro shop and arrange for an appointment for a tour.

Thanks for your continued interest in this important project.

Neal Andrew
President

Golf Course Master Plan

Bags of sprigs ready to be spread

A thorough and even distribution of sprigs

Another view of the sprigs on the green

Aerial view of #2 green and front approach improvements with sod on the bunker faces

#6 green and front approach improvements with sod on the bunker faces (#2 fairway bunkers at top of image)

#7 green and bunkers and #8 tee box

#10 fairway bunkers and drainage improvements

#10 drainage swale improvements nearing completion

#13 fairway aerial view

#17 approach aerial view

#17 green aerial view

#18 fairway bunkers and drainage improvements

#18 aerial view

#18 green and putting green aerial view (sprigs on both)

New restroom building framing underway

Aerial view of par 3 and practice area

Aerial view of par 3 and practice area

Aerial view of par 3 and practice area

Overall aerial view

Overall aerial view

Aerial view of clubhouse and golf course

Golf Course Renovation Update #10 - 5/28/2019

Dear CFCC Members:

It has been hot and it has been dry. Even though upgrades and improvements to the irrigation system were not in the original project scope, the committee recommended, and the board approved a significant investment in this system early this year. The primary reasons for this were due to the age of some critical components and the additional square footage of turf that will need to be watered due to the renovation project. Another main reason was to make sure we did everything we could to protect the investment the members are making in this project. During this irrigation system upgrade we discovered the main intake pipe had significant corrosion damage in an area not visible without removing it. Because of this damage and the recent very hot and dry weather, the decision to improve the system looks like a better one every day. A large amount of sod has been installed and large areas of the course have been sprigged. JP Walker has basically been running the sprinklers non-stop for about two weeks with no end in sight. Our irrigation pond and our wells are holding up, but we have already put contingency plans in place to obtain more water if necessary.

Previous updates have discussed the multiple layers of quality control used on this project on the greens mix, the drainage aggregate, bunker sand, and the individual components that make up these products. We are also conducting thorough testing of our irrigation water as well. This testing involves collecting water samples from some sprinkler heads and greens mix samples from some rebuilt greens. The testing will be checking levels of different salts and bicarbonates in the greens mix and the water, so we can be confident they will have the proper chemistry for growing great grass.

Recent, current, and near future activities include:

These greens are being finalized in preparation for sprigging: #18, Putting Green, and Old #10;
All other greens have had their elevations, contours, and shapes approved by Andrew Green;
Grading and drainage work on #10 fairway is underway;
Final grading of the par 3 course is basically complete;
Bunkers and hummocks are finished on #11, #13, and #15;
Many areas have been sprigged including the practice range floor, #3 fairway, and areas around the improved bunkers;
The greens are currently scheduled to be sprigged beginning on June 12;
Work has started on #13 pond/#14 spillway (Does anybody want an old concrete bridge?);
The old golf course restroom building has been demolished and the new one is under construction.

Please remember some areas of the course will be available for golf lessons from the professional staff but no other golf activities will be permitted at this time. If you are interested in viewing some project areas, please call the Golf Shop and arrange for an appointment for a tour.

Finally, please continue to support the club this summer. Mary and her staff have created a lot of good reasons to visit the club for special events, dinner, tennis activities, and of course the pool is now open. Thanks for your interest in this renovation project.

Neal Andrew
President

Golf Course Master Plan

Updated view of #1 green

#2 with sod placed around fairway bunkers

#3 green and approach bunkers (restroom building demolished in upper left)

Aerial view of #10 green and front approach improvements with sod on the bunker faces

#10 green and front approach improvements with sod on the bunker faces

#12 green bunker drainage and grading underway and view of beginning of work on #13 pond

#16 green bunker drainage and grading underway

#17 fairway view showing revised bunkers and the fairway drainage improvements

Golf Course Renovation Update #9 - 5/6/2019

Dear CFCC Members:

A lot of progress has been made over the last few weeks. McDonald & Sons has been working long hours to get to the next major milestone; sprigging of greens. Anyone who observes them at work can see they are a well-orchestrated team. Andrew Green is on site one or two days a week to review the work and approve the rough grading and then the final shaping of the greens and bunkers. Members of the Oversight Committee and senior staff consult with Andrew regularly in order to stay informed and provide feedback. In summary, the project is proceeding smoothly and with significant supervision by all parties.

This is a list of upcoming work to be performed:

These are the remaining greens to be constructed - #10, #15, #18, Putting Green, and Old #10;
Grading #3 fairway is basically completed, and #10 fairway will be next;
Final grading of the par 3 course is getting underway;
Bunkers will be finished on #11, #13, and #15;
We hope to begin sprigging within the next 2 weeks and complete the grassing around June 1;
Begin work on #13 pond/#14 spillway.

The greens and grounds maintenance staff have also been working hard to continue the clean-up associated with Florence. We are doing our best to prepare the periphery of the course so it will be as attractive as the playing areas when we reopen. There are many tasks associated with this including removing sticks and pine cones, repairing washed out ditch banks, clearing out the creeks and ponds, grinding and removing a lot of stumps, replacing and repairing fences, and repairing damaged turf and mulch beds.

Please remember some areas of the course will be available for golf lessons from the professional staff but no other golf activities will be permitted at this time. If you are interested in viewing some of the project areas, please call the pro shop and arrange for an appointment for a tour.

Thanks for your patience and your interest during these improvements on our historic Donald Ross golf course.

Neal Andrew
President

Golf Course Master Plan

Aerial view of #2 fairway bunkers and green

#5 green with sod placed around bunkers

#6 green and a view of the practice area in the background

#14 green and front approach improvements with sod on the bunker faces

#16 green drainage and bunker grading underway

#17 fairway view showing revised bunkers and the fairway drainage improvements

Golf Course Renovation Update #8 - 4/16/2019

Dear CFCC Members:

I trust everyone enjoyed watching the 83^rd Masters Tournament this past weekend. I am always amazed how often only one stroke over 72 holes can determine the winner of a professional event. I want to assure you that everyone who is working on our renovation project is doing their best to have our course open for our own tournaments soon. Progress is happening quickly now that the course is completely closed. During this recent work we are continuing to find historical artifacts like bottles from the early 1900s and old brick foundations buried beneath greens and fairways. Also, when #16 green was excavated there were several signs of non-functioning drainage uncovered. The fact that we are finding these items now is evidence that this renovation project is being done very thoroughly and will solve some of the unexplained problems that some areas of the course have displayed for many years.

The last few weeks work has been performed on the following areas:

Bunkers and grassing on holes #1, #3, #4, #6, #7, #9, and #14;
#2 and #17 green along with #1/#9 green on the Par 3 course have their final grades approved.

Here are some items next on the task list:

Finish shaping of par 3 course;
Shaping #10, #11, #12, #15, and #16 greens;
Grading #3, #10, and #17 fairways;
Grassing will continue on #5, #6, #2, and #17;
We hope to begin sprigging during the first part of May.

A common question we have received is when will work on #13 pond/#14 spillway begin? We have been focusing on the greens first in order to get them ready for sprigging. We have also been working with a sitework contractor to coordinate their schedule and to work on design changes of these features to make them more cost effective and maintain the design intent and comply with the site permits. They plan to start work on this area early May and their schedule shows them completing their work in plenty of time to fit in with the other project schedule items.

Please remember some areas of the course will be available for golf lessons from the professional staff but no other golf activities will be permitted at this time. Golf carts will not be available for use. If you are interested in viewing some of the project areas, please call the pro shop and arrange for an appointment for a tour.

Thanks for your support and cooperation during this important project on our historic Donald Ross golf course.

Neal Andrew
President

Golf Course Master Plan

Aerial view of #1 fairway bunker and green (and new rear tee for #2)

Aerial view of #2 green and fairway bunker (and #17 green)

#3 fairway bunkers grassed and new bunker sand in place

#4 green and front approach improvements

#6 green and bunker grading underway

#7 fairway view with grassed bunkers and green collar

#7 green view with grassed bunkers and green collar

#8 green with grassed bunkers and green collar

#9 greenside bunker being shaped

Aerial view of #14 green with grassed bunkers and green collar

View of Par 3 green construction

Irrigation equipment improvements

Golf Course Renovation Update #7 - 4/1/2019

Dear CFCC Members:

First the good news. Great progress has been made to date on the course renovation. It is easy to see the high-quality work performed by McDonald & Sons to implement the beautiful master plan by Andrew Green. The greens complexes and the bunkers that have already been final graded are stunning. The multipurpose field at the practice area will give the club many new possibilities for outdoor events due to its size and location. The expanded practice range facilities and the new par three course will be great assets to the course.

The last few weeks work has been performed on the following areas:

#3, #5, and #6 greens have been rebuilt and final graded;
#1 and #7 fairway bunkers have been modified and sodded;
#4 fairway bunker has been shaped for sodding;
#7 and #9 fairway hummocks have been created and sodded;
#7 and #8 greens have sod around their perimeter;
Par 3 greens #4 and #5/8 have been rough graded.

Here are some items next on the task list:

Finish shaping of par 3 course;
Build #2 and #12 greens;
Grass #9 green surround;
Final grading and sodding of fairway bunkers on #6, #2, and #3.

Now the bad news. Effective today, the golf course will now be closed until the project has been completed. Some areas of the course will be available for golf lessons from the professional staff but no other golf activities will be permitted at this time. Golf carts will not be available for use. If you are interested in viewing some of the project areas, please call the pro shop and arrange for an appointment for a tour.

Please continue to support your club during the course closure. We hope everyone takes advantage of the practice range at Pine Valley Country Club and the opportunities in the reciprocal book over the next few months.

Thanks for your support and cooperation during this important project on our historic Donald Ross golf course.

Neal Andrew
President

Golf Course Master Plan

Aerial view of #1 fairway bunker

Aerial view of #3 green and fairway bunker

#5 green with greens mix being installed over the pea gravel

#6 green drainage piping being installed

#7 fairway bunker and hummocks (also note drainage work in foreground)

#7 green bunkers (drainage piping installation in left greenside bunker)

Par 3 green being constructed

Par 3 green being constructed

Aerial view of practice range with sod on the target greens

Aerial view of #7 and #8 (and the new rear tee of #9)

Golf Course Renovation Update #6 - 3/18/2019

Dear CFCC Members:

During the last few weeks the renovation work has focused on excavating and replacing greens mix on the golf holes that have already been closed. The following greens have been rebuilt with new subsurface drainage, pea gravel drainage, and our custom greens mix: #1 and #4 are complete, #5, #7, #8, #9, #13, and #14 are in progress. Additionally, some other items underway include a new rear tee for #6, shaping and sodding of the new bunker at the short game area, and placing sod on the practice range target greens. Zeon zoysia sod was used on the target greens in order to create a visual contrast to the 419 Bermuda turf to be used in the floor of the range.

Some future work scheduled includes grassing the areas surrounding #1, #7, and #8 greens and beginning the shaping of the fairway bunkers on #1, #4, and #6. The construction team will also be focusing on moving the remaining soil over to the par 3 practice course.

During fairway drainage improvement work on #7, more whole cypress trees were discovered in the area just forward of the forward tee. These trees were removed prior to the improved subsurface drainage system installation.

Once again, we need to close more holes so McDonald & Sons can keep moving forward with the project. We will be closing two more golf holes on March 19th. Holes #3, and #6 will be closed, so they can remove the existing greens soil mix and gravel and use that material for range tees and elevating areas with drainage issues. A revised routing for play for the remaining open nine holes will begin when these greens are closed. The new routing will be the following: old #10 (not closed two weeks ago), #10, #11, #12, #15, #16, #17, #18, and then #2. This routing will be posted at the pro shop and in the golf carts. Thanks for your patience with these ongoing changes in course routing. Everyone involved is trying to take advantage of good weather so far in the project.

Please stay clear of the work areas.

Thanks for your support and cooperation during this important project on our historic Donald Ross golf course.

Neal Andrew
President

Golf Course Master Plan

Aerial view of practice range with target greens being grassed

Aerial view of rear practice range tee with new subsurface drainage being installed

Rear practice range tee reconstruction

#1 green drainage piping and pea gravel being installed

#4 green drainage piping and pea gravel being installed

#9 green drainage piping and pea gravel being installed

#5 green being reconstructed

#5 green being excavated (two layers of greens mix, gravel, and drainage found)

New short game practice area bunker being rough graded

New short game practice area bunker drainage and sod being installed

Golf Course Renovation Update #5 - 3/4/2019

Dear CFCC Members:

Progress continues on the practice area and the holes that have already been closed. The following greens have been rebuilt with new subsurface drainage, pea gravel drainage, and our custom greens mix: #1, #7, #8, #9, #13, #14, and the new short game green. These greens have been approved by Andrew Green. The next greens scheduled to be rebuilt include #4 and #5. Additionally, some other items underway include new rear tees for #2 and #9, new hummocks (or moguls) on #7 fairway, and adjusted bunkers on #1, #7, and #8.

During the work on the main range tee prior drainage channels were found below the surface. These drainage channels were full of water indicating they were not actually discharging the water as intended. These channels are being reconstructed to function properly. When #1 green was excavated, improperly installed drainage pipes and subsurface drainage channels were found. These deficient items were removed and replaced with new systems before the green was rebuilt.

As the reconstruction continues, we need to close more holes so McDonald & Sons can keep moving forward with the project. We will be closing three more golf holes on March 5th. Holes #4, #5, and old #10 (chipping green) will be closed, so they can remove the existing greens soil mix and gravel and use that material for range tees and elevating areas with drainage issues. A revised routing for play will begin when these greens are closed. The new routing will be the following: #10, #11, #12, #15, #16, #17, #3, #6, #2, and then #18. This routing will be posted at the pro shop and in the golf carts. Golf score posting will need to discontinue until the course renovation is completed. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding with changes in course routing during this time period of keeping as many holes open as possible and allowing the contractor to progress with their work. Hopefully some time saved in February and March will pay dividends later this summer.

Please stay clear of the work areas. This is for your safety and the safety of the workers.

Other ongoing and future project tasks involve:

Reconstruction of greens;
Install of irrigation improvements;
Ongoing excavation of existing greens for materials to be used in other areas and to prepare them for the new custom designed and manufactured greens mix and pea gravel.

Thanks for your support and cooperation during this important project on our historic Donald Ross golf course.

Neal Andrew
President

Golf Course Master Plan

Aerial view of #8 green being prepared for reconstruction (note new rear tee for #2 in top of the image)

Aerial view of #8 green with new subsurface drainage and pea gravel being installed

#8 green reconstruction

#8 tee has been made wider, longer, and is now all one level to provide more variety in tee locations

New #2 rear tee (this is way back from the member tee!)

New #9 rear tee (in case you thought #9 was not long enough already)

#7 green has been reconstructed and final graded and approved by Andrew Green

Main range tee drainage issue that is being corrected

Golf Course Renovation Update #4 - 2/18/2019

Dear CFCC Members:

The focus of the renovation work over the last few weeks has been rough grading the practice areas and creating target greens out in the range field and drainage improvements to #17. The amount of practice area that has been created by removing the unsightly underbrush and vegetative debris pile in the area between the main range tee and the practice holes is simply amazing. The poles seen across old #14 and #15 are marking the teeing grounds and greens for the short course. The blue poles mark anticipated teeing areas and the red marks approximate target areas on the greens. McDonald & Sons has also started preparing #13 and #14 greens and some of the par 3 greens for the custom designed greens soil mix and pea gravel.

In order for the work on the practice area and drainage improvements to continue we will be closing five more golf holes on February 18th. Holes #1, #7, #8, #9, and old #15 (practice par 3) will be closed, so they can remove the existing greens soil mix and gravel and use that material for range tees and elevating areas with drainage issues. A new routing for play will begin when these greens are closed. The new routing will be the following: Old #10, #10, #11, #12, #15, #16, #17, #3, #4, #5, #6, #2, and then #18. This routing will be posted at the pro shop and in the golf carts. This also means that golf score posting will need to discontinue until the course renovation is completed. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding with changes in course routing during this time period of keeping as many holes open as possible and allowing the contractor to progress with their work.

The back corner of the parking lot is being used to stockpile the new greens mix and pea gravel. Also, two more sinkholes in parking lot are scheduled to be repaired in the next few weeks. This has caused a temporary reduction in parking spaces. We have created overflow parking out on the golf course between the parking lot and the #18 tee boxes to be used for larger events. When this overflow parking is being used, #18 will be adjusted to play as a par 3 for safety reasons.

There are some other safety items for members to keep in mind. The contractor has indicated there have been some instances of members (and in some cases non-members too) driving golf carts, riding bikes, walking and running through active areas of construction. This is unsafe. The heavy equipment operators are not expecting non-construction personnel to be in their area, and they have limited views around their equipment. All non-project related activities must stay clear of the work areas. Please cooperate with us for your safety and the safety of the workers.

Other ongoing and future project tasks involve:

Irrigation improvements from the pump house to the range area;
Install of irrigation greens loops for #13 and #14;
Excavation of existing greens for materials to be used in other areas and to prepare them for the new custom designed and manufactured greens mix and pea gravel.

One other positive note: when #1 green is closed the fairway will become a practice range for golf lessons from our professional staff. This will be for lesson use only.

Thanks for your support and cooperation during this important project on our historic Donald Ross golf course.

Neal Andrew
President

Golf Course Master Plan

View of practice area from the main range tee

View of practice area from the new short game range tee – note range target greens taking shape

View of the practice area and clubhouse from the rear range tee

Aerial view of practice area – note range target greens taking shape

Construction of new par 3 putting green with 4” of custom pea gravel being installed

#14 green prepared for installation of pea gravel and custom greens mix

#13 green being prepared for installation of pea gravel and custom greens mix

Golf Course Renovation Update #3 - 1/29/2019

Dear CFCC Members:

Renovation work continues to progress on #13. The rough shaping is nearing completion. McDonald & Sons had prepared the green and bunkers for a review by Andrew Green last Wednesday. However, the heavy rain Thursday morning caused some minor damage to that work. This minor setback will be fixed with a goal of having the reworked rough shaping ready for approval this week. The green has been lowered and the approach widened. A modified and interesting shape to the putting surface has generated a wealth of different hole locations. Fairway-cut turf will tie the green to the 14th tee. Adjustments to the fairway bunkers will allow for more opportunity to attempt to reach the green. However, the green will be closer to the water to increase the risk of attempting that recovery shot.

Another area of work right now involves the practice short course. The poles seen across old #14 and #15 are marking the teeing grounds and greens for the short course. The blue poles mark anticipated teeing areas and the red marks approximate target areas on the greens.

McDonald & Sons began working on installing additional drainage systems at the practice range. They discovered numerous whole cypress trees that had been buried below the turf and many pockets of very poor soil around these trees. Apparently the trees had been cut down, left in place, and covered with soil when the range was created. This provides further explanation why the range had ongoing issues with being too wet too often to be used. These decaying trees are being removed.

Other ongoing project tasks involve:

Drainage improvements continuing on #4, #6, #10, #11, and #17;
Improvements to rear driving range tee;
Grading and drainage improvements to the driving range field (driving range closed);

As stated previously, the golf course is now a construction site. The most important concern on a project site is worker safety. Golfers will encounter workers during play. Please allow them time to protect themselves before advancing your next shot in their direction. We know the playing conditions are less than ideal. We hope all members understand the primary areas of emphasis at this time are worker safety, project budget, project schedule, and focusing on areas that will not be modified by the renovation work. The greens staff is continuing to clean debris from Florence across the 120 acres of golf course and CFCC campus they maintain. This clean-up and other tasks related to the course renovation are taking precedence over some typical course maintenance. For example, some of the bunkers that were damaged by the extreme weather may not get repaired because they will be getting modified within a few weeks anyway. Please be patient so they can focus on long term improvements at this time.

Neal Andrew
President

Golf Course Master Plan

Whole cypress trees found buried under practice range

Very high organic and poorly draining soil found in areas of cypress trees in practice range

View of the work on #13

Poles seen across old #14 and #15 are marking the teeing grounds and greens for the short course

Golf Course Renovation Update #2 - 1/15/2019

Dear CFCC Members:

McDonald & Sons continues to progress on the early phases of the renovation project. Here are some of the early tasks already in progress:

The #14 green has been rough graded and the surface has been lowered by about 16”;
The front bunkers on #14 are being modified to meet the new renovation plan;
New subsurface drainage and sand channels are being installed on #3 and along the left side of #17;
Practice range was closed to allow the erosion control to be installed and the new layout to be marked with flags;
New proposed greens mix and aggregate has been tested and passed all tests;
Completed clean-up of the majority of Hurricane Florence debris.

During the excavation of #13 green we found evidence of the green being built on top of a former green, similar to what was found at #7. There were two different types of aggregate removed at different depths. The bottom of the greens mix and the top of the upper layer of stone was found to be stuck to each other almost like asphalt pavement. The architect and the contractor indicated they had never seen anything like it. Even though this was unexpected McDonald & Sons has agreed to remove all past layers of former greens where this is found. During the survey of the practice range it was discovered that the lowest elevation of the range floor was lower than the high water level of the pond adjacent to it. This explains why the range had ongoing issues with being too wet that was causing range closures more often than desired. The current plan is to use some of the soil from the greens to raise the elevation of the range floor as well as improve the subsurface drainage to address this problem.

The next project tasks involve:

Grading of #14 tee and #13 green and bunkers;
Drainage improvements continuing on #4, #6, #10, #11, and #17;
Improvements to rear driving range tee;
Grading and drainage improvements to the driving range field (driving range closed);
Irrigation specialist developing new layout for the greens.

Once again please be patient with us and the contractor during this time of the renovation. The golf course is now a construction site. The most important concern on a project site is worker safety. Golfers may encounter workers during play. Please allow them time to protect themselves before advancing your next shot in their direction. We appreciate your patience and your support for this project.

Neal Andrew
President

Golf Course Master Plan

Evidence of pond water level higher than practice range inlet

Two different aggregates found under #13 green

Soil and stone glued together under #13 green (sample is inverted in image)

Excavation of both layers of greens mix and stone under #13

Rough grading of #14 green and front bunker

Green flags indicating locations of new practice range target areas

Golf Course Renovation Update #1 - 1/2/2019

Dear CFCC Members:

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and I wish a happy and prosperous New Year to all. The much-anticipated golf course renovation project is now underway. The board of directors and the oversight committee members are all excited that the project has officially started. The primary contractor is McDonald and Sons, and they began their preliminary work in mid-December. All required permits have been secured, and we have passed our first erosion control inspection.

Some of the first tasks to be completed include the following:

Construction of a temporary road across #6 fairway from the maintenance area to the driving range to allow heavy machinery and debris trucks to access the Hurricane Florence debris pile and other areas of the project;
Installation of stream and pond erosion control measures to prevent soil runoff into these areas and tree protection fencing;
Excavating the greens mix and stone out of #13 and #14 greens to prepare for the new greens construction;
Investigating and repairing the subsurface drainage system on #3 fairway;
Continuing to clean up Hurricane Florence debris.

The soil that has been removed from #14 green was found to be even worse than we thought with regard to not meeting the industry standards for a golf course green. This has reinforced it was the correct decision to reconstruct the greens in order to be able to have sustainable and playable greens for the long term future. The existing subsurface drainage on #3 was found to be partially collapsed, blocked by roots, and had numerous failed connections. One silver lining to setting the rainfall record over the past several months during our preparation for the project is it has highlighted the areas that need drainage improvements. Some of these areas had not had drainage issues previously and others have gotten worse. The project will improve these areas as much as feasible in addition to the many other improvements.

The contractor took a holiday break and will be back on site the first week of January. The upcoming project tasks involve:

Grading of #13 and #14 greens complexes;
Grading of #13 fairway bunkers;
Drainage improvements on #4, #6, #10, #11, and #17;
Improvements to rear driving range tee;
Grading and drainage improvements to the driving range field (driving range closes on January 7th).

This work will impact our use of the golf course. Although conditions for play will not be ideal due to the work activities and temporary changes in course routing, it is our goal to make the best of the situation for all users of the golf course. The construction plan has been based on trying to limit the impact on play during this phase of the project and a primary goal of completing the work on time and within budget. Please be patient with us and the contractor during this time of the renovation. Please remember the golf course is now a construction site. We are doing the best we can to allow golf to continue on this construction site as long as we can. It is also our goal to provide more frequent updates on the status of the project to keep all members better informed now that construction has started. Thanks for your patience and your support for this important golf course renovation.

Neal Andrew
President

Temporary road across #6 fairway

Hurricane Florence debris removal

Excavation of #14 green

Investigation and replacement of subsurface drainage on #3
(new pipe on the left, old failed pipe on the right)