Hello Bentwater Yacht and Country Club members. This is our first posting of hopefully many to come as we want to communicate to you all about all things that are going on with Bentwater Turf. My name is Donny Latham, I will be your new Director of Golf Course Maintenance. There are many things currently underway at Bentwater. First, we have obviously started construction on the Miller Course. These greens have all been cored down 4inches. This is to remove a majority of the organic layer that has accumulated over the years of normal maintenance. Once this 4 inches was removed, we tilled up the remaining 1 inch of organic layer throughout the sub-profile and have started to bring in 4 inches of new sand. This will then be tilled to a depth of 8 inches. This new mix will be what we will grow our new Tif Eagle greens on. As many of you have seen, there will be a new 4th Miller green. Scott Miller pushed this green away from the canopy of the tall pine trees closer to the lake edge. This green will have new drainage as well new greens mix. Also, there is some changes to #7 and #13. These large bunkers in front of the greens will be removed and smaller bunkers placed to the right side of the hole allowing some shots to "run up" on the greens. I think these changes will be a welcome sight to many of you. I am hoping to make weekly posts to this blog about all things going on with construction as well as the other courses. Please feel free to contact me anytime at DLatham@bentwaterclub.com I look forward to getting your feedback about all things Bentwater Turf related.
Donny Latham
I'm looking forward to hearing more about the development of the practice area on Miller. Specifically what this will include in total, the 'vision' for this area, and how it will effect Miller #1?
ReplyDeleteMr. Randa,
ReplyDeleteWe are rough shaping in a new 5000+ square foot putting green today that will be for putting only. There will be the smaller chipping green behind #1 tee that is also going to have a new surface of Tif Eagle greens. The back tee will be shifted over to the right about 15 feet. There will be some berms between the putting green and 1 tee to separate these two areas. We are discussing removing the landscaping beds behind the new putting green for parking spots. Scott Miller will be on property next week to further advise construction team on the vision of this area. More details to come.
Thanks, I appreciate your reply. I have a few follow up questions that relate specifically to the Miller changes and all turf in general. 1) how will the bunker changes on #7 and #13 affect the slope/rating of the Miller course? 2) What seems to be the trouble with Weiskoph green/collars? 3) forgive my ignorance, but are you also responsible for the Grand Pines course and if so how is your time assigned, 1/3 each?
ReplyDeleteRyan