Beautiful view of holes 16, 17, and 18 on 5/8/15

The Sandpines Agronomy staff has been busy working on the golf course since my last post (nearly 2 months ago). Since that time, the tees and approaches were aerated with 5/8" hollow core tines and are now healed. The greens were aerated with 1/4" hollow core tines and are also healed. The fairways were spot aerated as needed with 5/8" solid tines to help with infiltration. All of the aeration took place using our Toro 648 aerator.

Thaddeus harvesting cores on a tee on hole 15

Jerry solid tine aerating 9 fairway

We recently upgraded our 150 yard markers. The old markers were 1 1/2" white PVC poles. The new ones are 2" PVC poles with black and white stripes. They turned out really nice, and are much easier to see from the teeing areas.

The driving range targets were also upgraded. The old temporary targets were 2" white PVC poles. The new targets are 4" PVC poles. Each target is a different color (red, white, blue, and black). They are much easier to see, and look much better than the old temporary targets.  In addition, the driving range tee has new hitting area dividers, which are made from authentic driftwood.

The hazards stakes were also refurbished. They were sanded, primed, and painted. They are also much easier to see and are looking sharp.

New 150 yard pole on hole 3

Cart path edging is in progress. The process of edging all of the paths is going to take some time, but they look much better after being edged.

The clubhouse landscape has received quite a bit of attention over the last couple weeks. Weed pulling, a few new plants, and fresh bark mulch have made a huge difference in the appearance of the landscape

Clubhouse landscape with fresh bark mulch

View from the clubhouse putting green on 2/16/15

OB Sports was recently selected by SPG Properties to manage Sandpines. SPG Properties acquired Sandpines in October of 2014. OB Sports began managing Sandpines on 2/16/15. Checkout the press release below for more details.

13 green under bright blue sky 3/16/15

The first ten days of February yielded nearly 10 inches (9.73 inches) of rain at Sandpines. On the other hand, the last 18 days of February yielded less than an inch (0.91 inches) of rain, including a 15-day dry stretch. In fact, between February 24th and March 9th, a combination of spot watering and hand watering was required in many areas throughout the golf course. Irrigation at Sandpines typically starts in April at the earliest. Needless to say, there has not been much time lately for blog posts.

The on course signage was refurbished during the wet weather in early February. First the sings were sanded down. Then some of areas on signs required carving out due to the amount of sanding that was necessary. Next, the lettering was carefully repainted. Finally, the signs were refinished and cured. The signs have been put back on the course, and are looking great.

Rainbow Pump working on the well on hole 15

Rainbow Pump Company was here the week of February 16th working on well 5, which is located on the right side of hole 15. The well is now operational. A new motor, pump, pipe, and wire were installed. It was tested out during the recent stretch of dry weather while we were irrigating. The guys from Rainbow Pump did a nice job, and its clear they take pride in their work.

Peterson installing a rebuilt engine in the rough mower

The Toro 4700D rough mower had a really tough time during the growing season last year. It ran, but just barely. It did not have the power to pull hills or mow wet grass. It was a struggle to get the rough mowed. Peterson determined that the mower was still in good shape overall, but it needed a new engine. We were recently able to purchase a rebuilt engine for the mower. Peterson installed the engine, and it went out for its first mowing last week. The new engine ran great and provided plenty of power to mow wet grass and navigate hills.

Michael Madden demoing the Air 2G2 on 7 green

Last Wednesday, Michael Madden (Turf Commander) brought his Air 2G2 machine out for a demonstration. He used it on 7 green. The machine uses air which is pumped through tines at a 12 inch depth to aerate the soil. There is no cleanup. The green was ready for play right away. There are not many holes left behind due to the machine only having 3 tines. Each aeration air burst aerates an area 6' x 9'. Check it out if you get a chance.

4 green soaking up the sun

The weather in January was so good, I couldn't manage to squeeze in a blog post. We had some busy days as players were taking full advantage of the great playing conditions. On January 25th, we hit the 70 degree mark! Sandpines received less than 4 inches of rain for all of January, and no precipitation in the final 12 days of the month. I went to Eugene this past Saturday afternoon. When I left Florence, it was around 60 degrees and sunny. In Eugene it was 42 degrees and foggy. No wonder people have been flocking to the coast.

Jerry and I installing our new weather station

Earlier this month we installed a new weather station at Sandpines. I was hoping to find a station that was inexpensive that would provide reliable weather information. I was also interested in finding a weather station that could be accessed from anyplace with an internet connection. We ended up purchasing the Ambient Weather WS-1400-IP weather station. So far, I feel pretty good about the data we are getting. The station is registered with Weather Underground. The station name is Sandpines Golf Links (station ID is KORFLORE27). I added a link to the weather station near the top right of the blog. The data is stored on Weather Underground, and can be accessed by anyone. Check it out if you get a chance.

Sandpines Weather Station
Weather Underground ID KORFLORE27

Tee markers were recently sandblasted and repainted. Ball washers and ball washer posts were also repaired, sanded, and repainted. Thaddeus did a nice job making the tee markers and ball washers look like new.

Thaddeus sandblasting tee markers

Tee markers painted and baked

Thaddeus painting a ball washer

Freshly painted ball washer on hole 8

Greens and approaches were top dressed in the middle of January. The sand was brushed in, and then washed in with the rain that fell shortly after the top dressing.

Jerry top dressing 2 green

Stairs and handrails were built for the new tee on hole 8, which really helped to improve the access to the tee. Jerry did a great job on the project. I have received many compliments about the new tee. The improved access should make the golfing experience even better.

Early stages of stair project on hole 8

Jerry installing the 1st handrail

Completed stairs and handrails on hole 8

In addition to the projects above, we used the dry weather to mow all areas of the golf course. We also put light fertilizer applications on greens, tees, approaches, and fairways.

14 green basking in the sun