Our Superintendent Tony Frandria and Assistant Superintendent John Lee have worked wonders to continue the improvement of our putting surfaces. However, there is not much that they can do when those surfaces have shrunk to a size much smaller than originally intended. Such is the case on our 17th and 18th greens.
It is also the case that the approach in front of the 17th green the area behind the 18th are consistent drainage problems. Every rainfall above 1 inch results in standing water for extended periods of time.
We realize that the combination of these two issues is leaving a poor impression on visiting players. The closing stretch is where a course should impress. In the case of Canal Shores, it disappoints. Therefore, we have decided to make our spring project for 2018 a Closing Stretch Makeover.
Project elements include:
- Expansion of the 18th green putting surface out the edges of the green pad.
- Restoration of the bunker front left of the 18th green.
- Creation of an artful drainage ditch behind the 18th green, with adjacent native area plantings.
- Restoration of a sandy waste on the right side of the 18th fairway.
- Clearing of brush and invasives adjacent to the 18th teeing area.
- Expansion of the 17th green putting surface out to the edges of the green pad.
- Creation of a Lion’s Mouth bunker in the front center of the 17th green.
- Creation of an artful drainage ditch left of the 17th green.
- Clearing of brush and invasives adjacent to the 17th teeing area.
- Removal of arborvitae shrubs behind the 17th teeing area.
This sketch illustrates the updated layout of the closing stretch, with added interest for players and beauty for all visitors.
And this close-up sketch of the 18th green complex provides more detail on the layout that will be enjoyed both by players and passersby on Lincoln.
Ditches and swales will be key components of our drainage strategy when we move from this pilot project phase to a renovation phase. Inspirational examples from courses around the world abound, and we intend to draw on those examples in this makeover project.
For those unfamiliar with the Lion’s Mouth design, there is a reason why it has been so often employed by many of the greatest architects in history. It is perfect for a short par 4 like our 17th. The central bunker is visually imposing and a thrill to navigate.
Our volunteers began work in the fall with the clearing of invasives around the 17th and 18th tee areas.
Resources and volunteers are currently being organized, and we will begin work in early March when the ground thaws. The intention is to complete the project by the second week of April so that the new turf can establish and be mown by Memorial Day weekend when the season gets into full swing.
Stay tuned for more updates to come…
More Journey Along the Shores posts:
- Pt.1 – Introduction
- Pt.2 – The Land
- Pt.3 – Principles for Greatness
- Pt.4 – First Steps
- Pt.5 – Tree Management
- Pt.6 – 4 Course Concept
- Pt.7 – Pilot Projects
- Pt.8 – More Tree Management
- Pt.9 – Inspiration for the New Canal Shores
- Pt.10 – Off-Season Projects
- Pt.11 – Blue Sky Findings
- Pt.12 – Good Geeky Fun
- Pt.13 – 4 Course Concept Revisited
- Pt.14a – The Power of Volunteers
- Pt.14b – More Volunteer Power
- Pt.15 – Metra Corner Makeover
- Pt.15b – Metra Corner Update
- Pt.16 – Super Changes
- Pt.17 – 14th Hole Bunker Rebuild
- Pt.18 – Annual Volunteer Recap
- Pt.19 – All About the Trees
Copyright 2018 – Jason Way, GeekedOnGolf
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