Green Contractors

A large ash tree that was removed by Gregory Forrest Lester

 The winter months are a perfect time for the Grounds Department to accomplish tasks that cannot get done during the playing season. To execute some projects we need the help of green contractors- contractors in the horticulture, arboriculture, floriculture or hardscape  industry. The taking down of  big trees is one example and we have been using Gregory Forrest Lester tree company for this task for the last 10 years. They are very efficient, knowledgeable, and quick (with 6 certified arborists and a board certified master arborist on staff). They remove trees that our equipment, simply, cannot tackle. To keep the cost within our budget we perform some of the cleanup work after the big trees are removed.

The cleanup work of some tree branches done in house

Stump grindings. The cleanup consists of stump grinding removal, dirt replacement, and seeding.

A large co-dominant branched pin oak removed by Gregory Forrest Lester

New limestone steps on #5 tee

The railroad tie steps that are located on #5, #9 and #18 tee boxes are in need of replacement and we obtained the help of Hafner Landscaping to install limestone steps. Currently, the #5 railroad ties have been replaced and we will be communicating with the Green Committee and take a look at our current budget constraints to see if further replacements are warranted.

The old railroad tie steps by #5 tee

The patmore ash tree that was holding up a section of the driving range net succumbed to the emerald ash borer and was showing signs of severe decay. For safety reasons, the tree needed to be removed. Hendel's tree service happened to have an extra telephone pole. They took down the ash, set the pole, and reattached the net. Now golfers using the far range tee do not have to worry about falling branches or a falling tree ruining their experience.

Dead ash tree holding up part of the range net

Abundant amount of fungal growth indicating sever internal decay

New pole

The fence behind #14 tee was installed last year to keep golf balls from hitting unsuspecting golfers on #14 tee. Unfortunately, the height of the original fence was not tall enough. So Mills Fence added on another section to the existing fence increasing the height from 7' to 13'.

13' fence behind #14 tee

There are more winter projects on the horizon and I will continue to update as they get accomplished.

Brad Piecuch

Grounds Superintendent