Season Ending LREP Update

 Winter has arrived. I can now give an accurate report on the status of the LREP. It should come as no surprise that the favorable weather conditions allowed CTC, Alpine Irrigation and The Royal Mayfair Grounds Staff the opportunity to accomplish more work than anyone thought possible given the scope of the project. We are all tired but excited by the changes and look forward to completion early next season. Once the entire practice facility and Tee House are finished we will have an outstanding addition to the club that the membership can be proud of. Before I review the work I would personally like to thank Ted Locke, our course architect, Gary and Brian from CTC, Dennis and his crew from Alpine Irrigation and last but not least, Eric and my crew. It has been my pleasure to be involved with all of them during these outstanding changes to the golf course. I would also like to thank the Capital Strategies Committee and our manager Mr. Wade Hudyma.  Wade and I have spent a lot of time "sweating it out" over this project the last few months. No pain, no gain they say!

Bunkers

• All the bunkers aside from the 3 at #11 green are finished and will be ready for play next spring. They will need adjusting and more sand added as we begin to maintain them. On another note the bunker boards on the front nine will be removed next spring.
• The bunkers have been changed at the 11th green but they are not ready. Drainage, more clay work, sodding and sand install remain.

Cart Paths

• The four areas are paved but the curbing remains to be laid down. It is much better to pour concrete in warm weather.
• There is quite a bit of landscaping to "tie in" the curbing and asphalt edges next season. It will not affect play and will be carried out by the grounds crew.

Haul Roads

• Once again we will have to renovate and sod some equipment routes. Many areas will be aerated, verticut and seeded. Recovery will not be overnight and getting lucky with weather will help as well.

New Tees

• The new back tees on #13 and #18 are ready for root zone mix and sodding next spring. Landscaping will follow.

Existing Cartpaths And Flower Beds

• Many of the gravel paths took a beating. Some flower beds were removed. Some were "run over". The northern side of the pond on #18 will require a major overhaul in terms of plantings and sod work. Maureen will have a lot on her plate next year but she's more than up to the challenge.

The 10th Hole

• The new tees are ready for root zone and sodding. Paving of the paths from the parking lot to the forward tee, sodding of all the surrounds and grow in is required for the month of May. The hole will play as a Par 3 until I am satisfied the hole can open and sustain continuous play. We have some unique ideas to accommodate the membership during grow in.

Short Game Practice Area And Driving Range

• Shaping approval by Ted Locke as soon as the snow is gone, drainage work, rootzone install, bunker work, topsoil cover and extensive sodding remain. A timeline for completion is dependent on how soon spring arrives next year. We will clear snow to help with the melt in April.

Retaining Wall On #18 and Lake On #10.

• The wall should be finished early next week. The green/collar will be sodded up to the wall next spring and the remaining water will be pumped in as well.
• The lake on #10 could not be completely filled this fall. There is still some important landscape work involving large Rundle slab rock to be placed next to the lake in two areas. We will top up the lakes when they are ready for more water. The rip rap will not usually be visible as the intended look has the turf leading down to the water's edge.

Tee House

•  I will defer to the Capital Strategies Committee for information on the progress of the new Tee House.

Time now for a little rest and then as the snow accumulates it will be cross country ski trail work. Mary Young will help us route the trails this winter. Mary's help will be appreciated as last year's trail may have been a little difficult for some. I guess the guy that made them should have had to ski them. More on this later.

Wade P.