New steps on #9 Bear

The photo below shows the timber stairs leading to the back tees on #9 of the Bear course.  Over years the stairs had become so rotten that they needed complete replacement.  Thanks to the carpentry skills of the talented Bear course maintenance staff, we were able to completely rebuild these step and install a railing in-house for a nominal expense.  We will be applying an anti-skid epoxy coating to the new steps next week.  What an impact the new steps make!

Irrigation main line leak

Contrary to the comments from many golfers, we were not digging for oil or looking for Jimmy Hoffa on #1 of the Bear course this week.  We discovered a leak in a large 8" main line pipe on Tuesday morning.  The irrigation contractor responsible for the installation of the system in 2010, Sanders Golf, warrantied the leak and covered the labor and parts needed for the repair.  As of Saturday morning the leak was repaired and the hole filled.  We will mark the area as Ground Under Repair for a week or so while it heals.

Central IDD drainage canal

You may have noticed your Golf Maintenance staff working on the Bear course between #18 and #10 fairways the past 2 weeks.  We have been dredging one of 3 drainage canals that move water off The Forest property.  This canal, which was originally built by Lee County for mosquito control long before The Forest existed, has eroded and filled in over time.  This natural process has buried many drainage outfall pipes that drain water from #18, #10, and #16 fairways.  As you can see in the pictures below, this erosion has had a drastic impact on the ability of these fairways to drain and dry.

 

Drain pipes that have clogged at the end over time due to erosion

 

 

The periodic dredging of this canal is a maintenance practice that will need to continue to ensure the drainage system is working as designed.  The first phase of this work is complete, and we will continue the work along the left side of #10 fairway next summer during our course closures.  We will be planting plumbago beds along #18 in the areas where the work has recently been completed to bring a nice addition of blue/lavender color.  See the photo below of the completed area.