Member pictures

A VCC member e-mailed me these photos yesterday.  Great view of a storm rolling in on Saturday afternoon.

EDIT: These were actually from a storm that crossed over the club in June 2009.  I misread the email when I initially posted these.  I did go back and look to see if I could pinpoint the date. June 12, 13, & 14th were the ONLY rain events we had that month/year.  Those were also the dates for the Member-Guest tournament that year.

Removing dead trees

We recently had our tree contractor out to start removing several dead trees around the property.  While we have lost many trees over the years due to tornadoes, lightning, tropical storms, drought, and even a few that spontaneously combusted, our replanting efforts have ensured us that we wouldn't become a barren wasteland.  Currently, we are working towards a master plan for the golf course and other areas of the golf course so our tree planting work has been put on pause.  When our master planning is completed we will know exactly where we can plant additional trees that will suit the current golf course as well as any changes that may occur well into the future.

Here are a few from the work that was done this week.  They still have a lot more to cut next week too.


This tree near the fairway bunker on #16 was removed this week.




This tree removed itself a few months ago.




Very large dead tree was dangerous especially with the cart path underneath.  You can see the climber about to start taking it down limb by limb to minimize the damage to the turf.




Another view of that same tree on #16




One of the 3 trees that have caught on fire on a nice bright summer day.  We're still not positive how these fires start.



Here are some from storms over the past few years.




#1 Fairway looking across #10 fairway towards the back of #16 green (Hurricane Katrina)





About 1 month before tornado outbreak that tore through Alabama in 2011.  This tree fell behind #2 green and missed the green by just a few feet.



#2 fairway looking towards irrigation lake (Hurricane Katrina)




#2 fairway-small tornado that came though a few weeks before big outbreak that went through Tuscaloosa




Looking from #8 green towards #9 tee (Hurricane Katrina)




One of my favorites.  It ripped the turf up like one of those wraps you put under the Christmas tree (Katrina again)




#12 fairway




#13 teebox










#17/#18 - looking from I and II tee on #18 towards #17 fairway bunkers





#17 inside dogleg



#13 left of cartpath

 





Pinestraw crew

Over the last few years we have contracted out our pinestraw spreading to Southeastern Spreading.  They have many clients up and down the East Coast and down all throughout Florida.  We were their first golf course client in Alabama a few years ago and now that list of golf course has grown in large part due to the final product they can deliver at an unbeatable price.  Pinestraw spreading was something that our normal crew did every afternoon each day and would take at least 1 week (usually more) to complete the entire property and we did it about 3 times every year.  Because this was "extra" work after all other tasks were completed; it usually was overtime labor as well.  Southeast Spreading comes in and spreads our entire golf course in 1 day.  The best part of the process though is that when they leave everything is very clean and every edge is neatly cut into place.





You can see the bale string tied around their waist.



Right side of #2 rough has no irrigation so pinestraw will look a lot better than bare ground here.