Covid Practice Plans (Green Building -- please tell me I'm not nuts!)

[DShepley]

I have also started restoring the old ball washer I was given

[DShepley]

Every golf club needs a logo right?  For Father's Day my girls wanted to order me a sign for the green.  The problem was that I hadn't settled on a name yet, (until last week).

 

So.  'Sceap Leah', is the Old English from which my name is derived.  It literally means, 'A clearing or meadow where sheep are kept'.  There is a town in Yorkshire UK named Shepley, and in ancient times, people would often carry with them the name of their town as a surname.

 

[kb7]

Long time lurker, first time poster; I have been eagerly awaiting the progress photos since the WRX update. Might consider a move to your neighborhood as my short game and putting needs some work. I have no knowledge of how to maintain a live green, but can properly repair a pitch mark.

[DLiver]

It took me forever to "re-find" this thread (I forgot it was in the instruction forum). The green looks awesome--you are getting pretty good at mowing straight lines. I'm curious--did you think the green was going to be this much "work?" I put work in parentheses because I think you like projects (like me!).

[DShepley]

8 minutes ago, DLiver said:

It took me forever to "re-find" this thread (I forgot it was in the instruction forum). The green looks awesome--you are getting pretty good at mowing straight lines. I'm curious--did you think the green was going to be this much "work?" I put work in parentheses because I think you like projects (like me!).

I was quite sure it would be this much work yes.  I probably fuss over it more than I need to if I'm being honest.  Next year I'll see if I can dial in a better watering solution and I'll have a more robust insecticide and fungicide plan.  In the end, that will save time as I won't constantly be reacting.  

[DShepley]

I shot a first coat of blue paint on the ball washer.  Tomorrow I will tape off and paint the post black then it will all be ready for clear coat.

[naval2006]

OP,

 

I’ve just seen your thread. Your project rocks, man. Congrats!

[berndgeurts]

Wow the washer really pops in blue. Nice. 

[DShepley]

10 minutes ago, berndgeurts said:

Wow the washer really pops in blue. Nice. 

Yes, thanks!  I wanted it to look less like it belonged in a fire station.

[DShepley]

Okay...I was enjoying cottage country for a few days and didn't have any updates.  I let the grass on the green grow out in hopes that it would improve the cutworm damage and to a certain extent it did.  Here is the glamour shot of how it looks from afar after growing for 5 days followed by a double cut.

 

Now...here is a closer shot to show the patchy spots that still need to grow in.  We are expecting thunderstorms for the rest of this week but a great week of sunny weather in the low to mid 20s, (celcius), next week.  So..hopefully I will get some topdressing down tomorrow night so the rain will wash it in Friday / Saturday.  I also plan on seeding the bare spots and covering with a thin layer of peat moss in hopes that they will germinate and fill in more quickly. (while there are a lot of spots with damage, I think overall they are better than last week).

 

And, for a final update,...the last pieces needed to finish the Bayco restoration were two stainless steel screws to hold the cap on.  I couldn't find these in my local small town but my sister in law works for Fastenal and tracked a couple down for me.  I like the blue much better than the 400 coats of red that were brushed on over dozens of years.

 

Oh...I managed to sneak in a vacation round at Deerhurst Highlands in Huntsville.  I'm hard pressed to think of a course I have played with a better collection of par 3s.  This was my favourite below, (dropping 60 feet or so and 185 yards from the deck we played).

 

 

Edited August 27, 2020 by DShepley

[DShepley]

Busy afternoon on the grounds crew.  I mowed the green and approach then took a break to watch some golf, (go Mack Hughes!!).  Later tonight I made up a shaker from a mason jar so I could spread seed into the areas damaged by the cut worms a little easier, then I gave a light top dressing with peat moss which I brushed in with the back side of the bunker rake.  After that I enjoyed a tasty Juicy IPA while I watered everything in.  The next two weeks look like some good germination weather, so hopefully this speeds up the recovery of the green.

[jas904]

Continue to keep us updated. I’ve been following along since the beginning. 

[DShepley]

Another busy afternoon / evening for the grounds crew.  Last time I top dressed there were more small pebbles in my sand mix than I would have liked.  Today while digging in the shop, I found an old window screen and got to work screening out a finer grade of top dressing sand, (it was an oddly satisfying venture).  Then, after dinner I spread the top dressing by hand with a shovel, (I really need to keep my eye open for a better drop spreader that I could use for this), and worked it in by dragging the push broom in multiple passes in multiple directions.  I finished off with a watering to soak it in.  Much, much happier with the sand quality and it will be easier on the mower as there are no coarse pebbles.  My neighbours are probably shaking their heads wondering why I spent an hour covering my grass in sand only to spend another hour sweeping it off.....

[soonernick]

Thank you so much for this thread and all of your hard work. This has been a joy to follow and I can't wait to see what is next!

[Curmudg3on]

It's amazing to follow your journey.   Exciting.  Thanks for sharing.

[DLiver]

This is pretty much the only thread I read here anymore. Thanks for all the work you do to share this with us!

[sailfishchris]

Outstanding! 

[DShepley]

Tonight I moved the ball washer into position by the bench under my tree and this afternoon I ordered 3 practice cups and 3 practice hole flags from Bayco in Winnipeg.  The practice hole flags are the ones with the round cast aluminum tops 24" high.  I also have a standard height golf flag I was given that I can put in when I want to hit longer shots.  I ordered the 4" depth cups but may decide later to go to the 6" depth.  After I cut the green tonight I went out and played around a bit.  I hit a few putts for fun even though I am still cutting at 1/4", then I hit a bunch of short pitches and a few 40-50 yard wedges.  I think I'm going to like this yard.....  I may bite the bullet and knock the height down to putting height and cross my fingers that the cutworm damage heals, (I've asked my superintendent friend to come have a look so I can pick his brain for advice).  Obviously I'll need more top dressing as well but I'm quite happy with the effort so far and it will only get better with time and continued effort.

It's running a bit slow on the stimpmeter.....

 

Short pitches

 

40 yards or so (I didn't step it off...total rookie move!)...

 

Edited September 2, 2020 by DShepley

[Chip Duffer]

DShepley that is looking awesome! The bench area under the tree and the setting is terrific. You deserve all of the joy you get from your creation. Bravo Sir!

[DShepley]

Because I'm a sucker for work.....I set up the Toro 1000 at a bench height of 3/4" and took a run at my approach and collar.  As expected, it scalped a little but the time of year is right as the weather won't stress the recovery very much.  I will need to topdress and give it a round of Par3, (after the shock of the scalping subsides), but I will have a nice area to practice chips off of a tighter lie and it will allow more depth to the green a place to bounce a ball in when I am hitting into the shallow side of the green.  

[oregongolf]

Impressive.

Even the scale of work for a backyard green is daunting.

[DShepley]

2 minutes ago, oregongolf said:

Impressive.

Even the scale of work for a backyard green is daunting.

Very rewarding though.  It's my zen garden, I just like being out there even when I'm not using it.

[J13]

nice work out there.  You're a brave soul for taking this on

[joedalton5]

Absolutely love this thread!

 

Am I the only one who is thinking about starting a fundraiser so he can get a live stream of the green and we all can watch the grass  grow ?  ?

[DShepley]

My cups and flags arrived yesterday so I added them.  Can't wait to hit some chips later today.

[2bGood]

3 hours ago, DShepley said:

My cups and flags arrived yesterday so I added them.  Can't wait to hit some chips later today.

 

I feel like Moe Norman is going to come wondering out of that field in the background to get his second chance at the golf success he deserved. 

Edited September 5, 2020 by 2bGood

[DLiver]

Is that feed corn or sweet corn over yonder??? ?

[stryper]

4 minutes ago, DLiver said:

Is that feed corn or sweet corn over yonder??? ?

 

Nothing to contribute to this (really cool) thread, but I just had sweet corn and a grilled brat for dinner tonight...yum!!!

[DShepley]

12 minutes ago, DLiver said:

Is that feed corn or sweet corn over yonder??? ?

Depends which picture you are looking at. In the latest picture, it is sweet corn across the road.  Beside my driveway is feed corn.

[DShepley]

I'm just going to dig into this tasty pint and hit a few pitches and chips before dinner....no big deal.