Week of Jan. 16th

Tree work left of one

In the next two years we plan to complete tree work to holes 1,3, and 4. This work is in conjunction to improving the rough conditions, aesthetics, and alleviating any safety concerns. While we are waiting for frozen ground/solid working conditions for the tree work on 3 to take place some of the ground work has been completed on 1 and 4.

On 1, we removed some dead/safety hazard trees and other less desirable trees. Work was completed to the left of the tees all the way down to the beginning portion of the fairway. This is in an effort to be able maintain a section of woods on the left of this hole which will improve aesthetics, speed play, increase air movement, and allow more sunlight to penetrate. More extensive tree work is in the planning process for the trees on the right of one for the winter of 23/24. This future planned work is part of the agronomy teams long range plan and a priority of the ICC greens committee.

Below is a gallery of the work that was completed on 1:

Dead tree removal behind the 1st. tee

We have a bigger tree project/rough improvement project planned for the third hole. We are just waiting on cold weather and finalization of the budget for 2023. More details on this project will be provided in a blog post and email to the membership right before this project is started. It is imperative that we have frozen ground before any work can start. This is also part of the agronomy's team long range plan. Both the agronomy team and the ICC green's committee are excited about this project.

4th hole brush and tree removal started

Also this week, we pushed back the brush and pruned a number of trees along the right side of 4. As weather conditions allow more trees and brush will be removed on this hole. The right side of this hole between the beginning of fairway and fairway bunkers is a hot spot for balls. This work will help speed play, open up visibility of fairway bunkers, increase air movement, and pave the way for improving the rough on the right side of this hole. Work will continue to the 4th hole over the course of the winter.

Once the tree work is complete and the 2023 growing season is here a detailed outline/timeline will be framed for the rough improvement work for holes 3 and 4. I will also be providing a maintenance plan to the greens committee for the area on the left 1 that we just worked on.

Below are some pictures of the work in progress on 4:

Winter fleet maintenance is in full swing and never ending. Every piece of equipment is gone through and below is a picture of mechanic Glenn Skelley changing out hydraulic hoses on our step cut/intermediate rough machine.

Golf course mechanics, the unsung hero of any golf course operation

Red tail hawk pen prior to release

I was recently notified that a red tail hawk that was hit by a car on Linebrook Road in Ipswich had been rehabilitated and was ready for release. The hawk was release onto the 6th hole on Wednesday and flew off strongly into the wetland on the left of this hole.

Below are some pictures from the event:

Also on a positive note, the beaver dam out on route one by the entrance sign was removed and the flow back into the 5th pond/irrigation pond was established again. I will be closely monitoring the culvert and beaver activity.

All in all it was a productive winter week despite two nuisance snows which required time being spent on snow removal at the clubhouse. Storm damage work from winter storm Elliot is still on hold until we have firmer ground. Long range forecast looks more favorable for colder temperatures as we move into February. As soon as we have proper conditions work will start. We are also looking for at least a three day weather window in order to rent a chipper and take care of the large amount to brush and trees we have down on the golf course.