Turf Removal Update

The demo portion of the turf removal project is well underway.  Holes 3 to 8 have been sprayed out two times and the turf is being stripped.  The first cut is completed with two passes of a sod cutter followed by a crew with shovels and a skid steer pulling the mess away from the grass that will remain.

Other workers are digging up sprinkler heads and pipes, preparing to shrink our irrigated area.  When we finish up, there will be 33% less turf on the golf course.

Every hole south of Bernardo Heights Pkwy will be getting treated with herbicide next Monday.  The lines are all marked and the course will be closed so this very important application can proceed quickly and smoothly.  We have marked off a couple locations to use the sod in thin locations and to replace non-bermuda turf.  Two weeks after cutting, the bermuda will leaf out and we will treat with herbicide prior to removal.

To the left is a photo of a sample of the sand that will replace some of the turf coming out.  It isn't a granite-based product, so we can stop calling it DG.  Until we think of a more clever name, we'll just call it sand.  This product compacts well, has  great color, and is free of rocks, so no dings in your clubs.

We will also be using mulch in many locations.  The material is a dark brown stained mulch, very similar to the landscaping on the 11th hole around the pump house.  I will place samples of both products outside the proshop to give you a better look.


So far, one of my favorite changes is the par four 6th hole.  This is a fairly short and simple dogleg right that has always seemed a little bland off the tee.  You can punch a hybrid or 3 wood out to the left side and not think twice about it.  I hope the new shape makes you think as it looks like more of a carry than it is.  The fairway is well defined and the left side will become more than a pasture of turf.  Simply put, this hole looks more interesting than it ever has.  Wait till we get some plants in the ground.

I'll have some examples of plant types in a future post.

Turf Reduction Project Begins

On May 4th, Bernardo Heights Country Club received official notice of approval for the Turf Rebate Program funded by Metropolitan Water District.  We will be removing 33.42 acres of turf over the next few months, greatly reducing our water needs while beautifying the course during the same period.

Since our initial approval, we have sprayed herbicide on 10 acres on holes 3-8.  This is the first portion of the course we will renovate while the other holes remain open for play.  Weekend play will continue as normal and major tournaments will go on as planned.  However, a project of this size does require some concessions from all parties involved.  There are days our contractor will have take the day off, and there are days the members will not be able to play all 18 holes.  Each golf group will be impacted, but at the end of this summer, we will have a much better golf course.

I've received many questions about the grass we intend to remove, mainly, "Aren't you going to remove the sod to plant in an area of rough that needs grass?"  This does make sense, and we will do this when possible, but it is important to kill the plant completely.  If we cut sod right before renovation, we will have bermuda popping up in our new landscape for years.  We want to reduce maintenance on the course, so the herbicide application is very important.

 Since we are starting on 6 holes, we will cut sod from some sections of the other twelve holes and spray them later on.  The sod will begin to grow again in 2 weeks, giving us enough time to cut, regrow, and then spray.

The first herbicide application was applied by our spray tech Abel and me.  It's a little uncomfortable rolling around the course with a tank of glyphosate (roundup), but we are pretty happy with the results.  Take a look at the third hole and imagine the new look we will have.

The brown grass will be replaced with a sandy mix, like decomposed granite, but more sandy in nature.  I'll put a sample in the Golf Shop when it comes in.  The sand areas will be planted with grasses and native plants.  The cart path will be hidden from view.  The hillsides, which always struggle due to the slope and a lack of fertilizer and weed control will be well landscaped, attractive, and sustainable.

It's time to get excited because there are some big changes coming to BHCC.  Many updates coming up.  Check the Twitter feed as well @alwinejr