S O U T H C O U R S E
- Progress Report -
S O U T H C O U R S E
- Progress Report -
Progress Report
Please click on the Progress Report "+" below to read more about the construction updates.
Progress Report 1
APRIL 1, 2019
Construction has commenced, Total Golf is on site.
The new few days will consistent of installation of the boundary fencing for two staging areas for equipment and supplies on holes 1 and 9. Both exact locations can be found under the “Photos” section of the South Course website.
Major construction has begun on Hole 13, including the removal of the greens surface and soil as well as rototilling the fairway and surrounds. Designated trees are being trimmed, some for future relocation.
The team is ahead of construction removing old sprinkler heads and signage.
This work will continue through the first two weeks of April and will consist of the same process continuing onto holes 14, 15, 16, 11 and 12. This process should not result in too much dust as the impact is fairly direct and controlled.
Later this week we will begin shaping on holes 11, 12 and 13. Shaping uses larger machinery pushing around dirt, and also has the potential to kick up a bit more dust, depending on weather.
Rees Jones will be onsite April 8th to review design plans.
Overall, we are very excited as the process has officially begun. Our Project Manager and Contractor were prepared and have hit the ground running.
Progress Report 2
April 2, 2019
And then there were 0! The day is here, construction has begun on the South Golf Course. Below you can see a few photos. The fence is going up in the staging areas on Holes 1 and 9. Work has begun on Hole 13 as the greens surface is removed and rototilling has begun on the fairway. Trees are being trimmed, irrigation heads removed and equipment is moved into place. It is really here.
As a friendly reminder, please stay off the golf course, it is a construction site and there are many activities taking place throughout the course. We will do our best to keep you informed throughout the process so you can see the transformation.
And then there were 0! The day is here, construction has begun on the South Golf Course. Below you can see a few photos. The fence is going up in the staging areas on Holes 1 and 9. Work has begun on Hole 13 as the greens surface is removed and rototilling has begun on the fairway. Trees are being trimmed, irrigation heads removed and equipment is moved into place. It is really here.
As a friendly reminder, please stay off the golf course, it is a construction site and there are many activities taking place throughout the course. We will do our best to keep you informed throughout the process so you can see the transformation.
Progress report 3
April 19, 2019
The South Course is three weeks underway and off to a good start. Progress on holes 10 through 14 shows visible change daily. In fact you can see the new hole, tee to green, on 13 as the fine grading has progressed. Irrigation and drainage has started as well.
We do have many of the old South Course tee monuments available if someone might be interested in some backyard décor. They are not quite the same as an old stadium seat, but may be interesting to someone who lives on a particular hole or enjoyed a memorable moment. If interested, reach out and let us know. Any relocation would have to be done on your own - and they are heavy.
The South Course is three weeks underway and off to a good start. Progress on holes 10 through 14 shows visible change daily. In fact you can see the new hole, tee to green, on 13 as the fine grading has progressed. Irrigation and drainage has started as well.
We do have many of the old South Course tee monuments available if someone might be interested in some backyard décor. They are not quite the same as an old stadium seat, but may be interesting to someone who lives on a particular hole or enjoyed a memorable moment. If interested, reach out and let us know. Any relocation would have to be done on your own - and they are heavy.
Progress report 4
April 24, 2019
Work on the South Course continues. If you live on holes 8, 9 or 15 of the South Golf Course, they are heading your way this week. You will begin to see fairway tilling any day now. Mr. Rees Jones was here last Friday to sign off on 12 and 13 green locations and final grading plans on holes 11 - 13. Holes 11 to 13 are making great progress in shaping and drainage work. Greens mix is going down and tees are being leveled. Holes 14 and 10 are starting to take shape as mass grading continues, bunkers are located and green shapes come to life. In our photo updates you will see the tee and green complex on 11 as well as the rock that was dropped to begin building the retaining wall on hole 11.
Again, holes 8, 9 and 15 will start seeing more action this week.
Work on the South Course continues. If you live on holes 8, 9 or 15 of the South Golf Course, they are heading your way this week. You will begin to see fairway tilling any day now. Mr. Rees Jones was here last Friday to sign off on 12 and 13 green locations and final grading plans on holes 11 - 13. Holes 11 to 13 are making great progress in shaping and drainage work. Greens mix is going down and tees are being leveled. Holes 14 and 10 are starting to take shape as mass grading continues, bunkers are located and green shapes come to life. In our photo updates you will see the tee and green complex on 11 as well as the rock that was dropped to begin building the retaining wall on hole 11.
Again, holes 8, 9 and 15 will start seeing more action this week.
Progress report 5
May 7, 2019
Work on the South Course continues to progress. Rees Jones was onsite twice last week signing off on progress on holes 12 thru 14. If you live on holes 7 and 8, you will begin to see increased activity this week as the rototilling process begins. Large dozers moving earth will be more visible now on holes 8 and 9. Drainage and irrigation work continues on holes 12 thru 14. The first of the new cart paths will begin pouring this week on hole 13. Most excitingly, the rock wall on 11 green is taking shape. Talk about a man who has honed his craft.
We posted some videos on the website of the rock wall preparation.
Although the recent rains don’t help, we are still happy with the timing of the process and Total Golf continues to communicate very well with our team and the architect to ensure we are on the proper path.
Work on the South Course continues to progress. Rees Jones was onsite twice last week signing off on progress on holes 12 thru 14. If you live on holes 7 and 8, you will begin to see increased activity this week as the rototilling process begins. Large dozers moving earth will be more visible now on holes 8 and 9. Drainage and irrigation work continues on holes 12 thru 14. The first of the new cart paths will begin pouring this week on hole 13. Most excitingly, the rock wall on 11 green is taking shape. Talk about a man who has honed his craft.
We posted some videos on the website of the rock wall preparation.
Although the recent rains don’t help, we are still happy with the timing of the process and Total Golf continues to communicate very well with our team and the architect to ensure we are on the proper path.
PROGRESS REPORT 6
MAY, 24, 2019
AS WE PREPARE TO ENTER OUR THIRD MONTH OF THE SOUTH COURSE CONSTRUCTION WE ARE PLEASED TO SAY THAT WE ARE MAKING GREAT PROGRESS. ALTHOUGH IT DOES FEEL LIKE WE’VE BEEN STUCK IN THE BACK CORNER FOR A WHILE WE ARE WORKING OUR WAY OUT. THE ROCK WALL ON THE 11TH GREEN IS COMPLETE AND THE ROCK WALL ON THE 9TH GREEN WILL BE FINISHED BY THE TIME YOU READ THIS. TO DATE WE HAVE HOLES #9-14 SHAPED, EARTH WORK TAKING PLACE ON #8 AND DRAINAGE, GRAVEL AND GREENS MIX INSTALLED ON HOLES #10-14. IRRIGATION MAIN LINES CONTINUE TO BE FUSED AND ARE BEING INSTALLED FROM THE PUMP HOUSE ON HOLES #10-14. SPRINKLERS ARE INSTALLED ON HOLES #13 AND 14 AND WE WILL BE MOVING TO THE 12TH HOLE VERY SOON AS WE ANTICIPATE FLUSHING THE MAINLINE ON THESE HOLES.
AS WE PREPARE TO ENTER OUR THIRD MONTH OF THE SOUTH COURSE CONSTRUCTION WE ARE PLEASED TO SAY THAT WE ARE MAKING GREAT PROGRESS. ALTHOUGH IT DOES FEEL LIKE WE’VE BEEN STUCK IN THE BACK CORNER FOR A WHILE WE ARE WORKING OUR WAY OUT. THE ROCK WALL ON THE 11TH GREEN IS COMPLETE AND THE ROCK WALL ON THE 9TH GREEN WILL BE FINISHED BY THE TIME YOU READ THIS. TO DATE WE HAVE HOLES #9-14 SHAPED, EARTH WORK TAKING PLACE ON #8 AND DRAINAGE, GRAVEL AND GREENS MIX INSTALLED ON HOLES #10-14. IRRIGATION MAIN LINES CONTINUE TO BE FUSED AND ARE BEING INSTALLED FROM THE PUMP HOUSE ON HOLES #10-14. SPRINKLERS ARE INSTALLED ON HOLES #13 AND 14 AND WE WILL BE MOVING TO THE 12TH HOLE VERY SOON AS WE ANTICIPATE FLUSHING THE MAINLINE ON THESE HOLES.
PROGRESS REPORT 7
June 7, 2019
Summer is here, rains are starting and it is warming up. We wanted to provide you another update on the progress of the South Golf Course construction.
We are currently up to 8 holes with earth being moved and fully under construction, which are holes 7 through 14. Additionally, prep work to begin construction and earth moving is taking place on every hole at this point, so if you are around the South Course you are seeing a lot of activity and progress.
Irrigation is installed, with water running, on holes 10 through 14. For those that had activity from day one on holes 12 to 14, you will be pleased to know you will also be the first to see grass, which should start in the coming weeks. The new rock walls on holes 9 and 11 are completed and the rock wall fronting the green on 17 will be complete this week. New cart paths are poured in most locations on holes 10 through 14, while removal of the old paths is about 60% done throughout the course.
Rees Jones will be onsite next week to approve the shaping of holes 7 and 8, including the greens. That will complete shaping on 8 holes. If you live on holes 2, 5 and 17 you will see the tilling of the fairways, which is generally the start of the dust for you.
The recent storms don’t help us, but we have avoided any major setbacks so far. Nothing really to report to you on the schedule except all is generally on track and they continue to work hard to keep it there.
As we always remind you, please stay off the course, which is a construction site, for your safety.
Summer is here, rains are starting and it is warming up. We wanted to provide you another update on the progress of the South Golf Course construction.
We are currently up to 8 holes with earth being moved and fully under construction, which are holes 7 through 14. Additionally, prep work to begin construction and earth moving is taking place on every hole at this point, so if you are around the South Course you are seeing a lot of activity and progress.
Irrigation is installed, with water running, on holes 10 through 14. For those that had activity from day one on holes 12 to 14, you will be pleased to know you will also be the first to see grass, which should start in the coming weeks. The new rock walls on holes 9 and 11 are completed and the rock wall fronting the green on 17 will be complete this week. New cart paths are poured in most locations on holes 10 through 14, while removal of the old paths is about 60% done throughout the course.
Rees Jones will be onsite next week to approve the shaping of holes 7 and 8, including the greens. That will complete shaping on 8 holes. If you live on holes 2, 5 and 17 you will see the tilling of the fairways, which is generally the start of the dust for you.
The recent storms don’t help us, but we have avoided any major setbacks so far. Nothing really to report to you on the schedule except all is generally on track and they continue to work hard to keep it there.
As we always remind you, please stay off the course, which is a construction site, for your safety.
PROGRESS REPORT 8
June 28, 2019
The South Golf Course construction continues to progress with exciting success. As each week passes, the golf course continues to take shape, like an oasis rising from the desert. It is really impressive how Rees’ vision is slowly coming to life. The big news, as you will see on the attached video, is we have grass! Thanks to our volunteer members Carl, Steve and Ben who are taking so much of their personal time to help drive a great product and putting themselves out there.
Here is a quick update.
At this time, there are no major delays, budget concerns or other concerns to report. Just a great looking golf course and hardworking team to deliver an awesome product.
Thanks for the continue support and please remember this is an active construction site with much activity on all 18 holes at this point.
The South Golf Course construction continues to progress with exciting success. As each week passes, the golf course continues to take shape, like an oasis rising from the desert. It is really impressive how Rees’ vision is slowly coming to life. The big news, as you will see on the attached video, is we have grass! Thanks to our volunteer members Carl, Steve and Ben who are taking so much of their personal time to help drive a great product and putting themselves out there.
Here is a quick update.
- Shaping is done on holes 2 and 3, while 4 should be complete in the coming days
- The collars around the greens on holes 9 – 14 are sodded
- The edges of the many bunkers on holes 11 – 14 are sodded, while work on the capillary concrete liners is completed on the rest of the bunkers
- The greens on holes 9 – 14 will be sprigged tomorrow (Saturday). Think of sprigging as type of seeding – just a quicker result to seeing grass grow
- The week of July 8th we will begin to grass/sprig the fairways and holes 9 – 13
- Rock walls are complete on 9, 11 and 17 – while work to complete 18 continues
- Cart path removal is almost complete with the final holes to be done next week
At this time, there are no major delays, budget concerns or other concerns to report. Just a great looking golf course and hardworking team to deliver an awesome product.
Thanks for the continue support and please remember this is an active construction site with much activity on all 18 holes at this point.
PROGRESS REPORT 9
July 1, 2019
As we enter our fourth month of the South Course construction, we are excited to see the progress as we venture into the next phase, grassing. Mr. Rees Jones was recently on property to approve greens for grassing on holes 9-14, and also looked at the shaping progress on holes 7, 8, 2-4 and 15, which will be the second set of greens to be grassed once the irrigation installation catches up to the shapers. In addition to the greens, we will also be grassing tees, fairways and rough on holes 11-14 by the second week of July.
The bunker construction is coming along nicely as Capillary Concrete is being installed on holes 11-14, with sod surrounds and new bunker sand immediately following. The lake expansion on hole 3 is complete as the large trackhoe will soon be going to dig the new lake on hole 16, which will make an already great par three even better. The rock wall on the 18th green is near completion and will surely make a great lasting impression as you complete your round. At this time, all 18 holes of the golf course has some type of construction taking place. Please refrain from entering the course as it is a construction site and, trust me when I say, it is getting harder everyday to maneuver through the course without getting stuck. For more information and exciting updates, please visit www.ballenislessgc.com.
Progress Report 10
July 22, 2019
Hopefully you’ve seen the updates on the South Course renovation via special notices and the website. We’ve recently hit a few ‘bumps in the road’. One a construction issue and the other a tweak in the design. There may be a schedule slip of up to two weeks in the final grassing bringing the completion date from August 15 to the end of the month. We remain within our overall budget. More on this soon.
Hopefully you’ve seen the updates on the South Course renovation via special notices and the website. We’ve recently hit a few ‘bumps in the road’. One a construction issue and the other a tweak in the design. There may be a schedule slip of up to two weeks in the final grassing bringing the completion date from August 15 to the end of the month. We remain within our overall budget. More on this soon.
PROGRESS REPORT 11
July 30, 2019
As we enter our fifth month of the South Course construction we now have our first six greens grassed with the second set (2, 3, 4, 7, 8 and 15) coming on line very soon. Tees, fairways and rough have been grassed on holes 10-14 with 9, 8, 7 and 15 following once the bunker construction is complete. The lake expansion on hole 16 is complete which gives the golf hole a completely new look which I’m sure you’ll enjoy. Three Oak trees have been transplanted on the right of 16, two to the right of the 5th green and another on the right of 17 which help frame in the golf hole. We did experience a minor set back as we needed to replace a 42” drain across the eighth hole. The extent of this project did set us back a few weeks but it is now complete and we’re off to bigger and better things. Holes 2-4 are shaped with the irrigation and drainage being installed while earth moving has moved over to holes 5, 6, 17 and 18. Please keep in mind that even though the heavy construction is winding down on holes 9-14 we ask that you please refrain from entering the course as it is a construction site.
As we enter our fifth month of the South Course construction we now have our first six greens grassed with the second set (2, 3, 4, 7, 8 and 15) coming on line very soon. Tees, fairways and rough have been grassed on holes 10-14 with 9, 8, 7 and 15 following once the bunker construction is complete. The lake expansion on hole 16 is complete which gives the golf hole a completely new look which I’m sure you’ll enjoy. Three Oak trees have been transplanted on the right of 16, two to the right of the 5th green and another on the right of 17 which help frame in the golf hole. We did experience a minor set back as we needed to replace a 42” drain across the eighth hole. The extent of this project did set us back a few weeks but it is now complete and we’re off to bigger and better things. Holes 2-4 are shaped with the irrigation and drainage being installed while earth moving has moved over to holes 5, 6, 17 and 18. Please keep in mind that even though the heavy construction is winding down on holes 9-14 we ask that you please refrain from entering the course as it is a construction site.
PROGRESS REPORT 12
August 20, 2019
While the construction of the South Golf Course continues to progress and the finished product looks wonderful, the rains are most certainly beginning to impact us. As a result, the Committee has been working closely with Total Golf on delays the project is facing. We know many of you here and especially those who live around the South Course are seeing first-hand the daily aggravation the rain is causing. Rain has caused delays in getting grass, delays in construction and significant time in repairs due to the aggressive nature of the rain we have received.
The volume of rain we have received, and the manner which it is received, has created multiple issues. Over the past month, we have received more than 10 inches of rain, twice with close to 3 inches in one storm. The aggressive manner in which the rain has fallen has caused damage, daily. As greens were prepared for sprigs, or lake banks for sod, heavy afternoon rains caused setbacks daily. Sod farms have been over-saturated preventing them in cutting sod, causing us to change vendors who could supply grass to meet our needs.
Our initial target/contractual date to complete grassing was August 15. That date is now September 5.
Through today, we have 13 greens grassed – holes 9 thru 14 we are mowing regularly and are almost puttable. Shaping is nearing completion with only portions of holes 1, 5 and 18 to go. All other major work such as bunker and cart path construction are similar, nearing their end. Holes 2 thru 4 are starting grassing today (it’s raining as I type this). We are certainly close and nearing completion of heavy construction. From there it is just a matter of favorable grass growing weather.
Total Golf has increased seeding rates on the final holes to help timing for completion. All various contractors are throwing all they have at it. We are confident our teams are doing what they can. Much is still weather dependent but forecasts seem to be drying up. Our goal was to open the South Course in December. We believe the plan above is reasonable and will hopefully keep us on track to open in December, albeit later in December. As we progress, one way or the other, we will keep you informed.
While the construction of the South Golf Course continues to progress and the finished product looks wonderful, the rains are most certainly beginning to impact us. As a result, the Committee has been working closely with Total Golf on delays the project is facing. We know many of you here and especially those who live around the South Course are seeing first-hand the daily aggravation the rain is causing. Rain has caused delays in getting grass, delays in construction and significant time in repairs due to the aggressive nature of the rain we have received.
The volume of rain we have received, and the manner which it is received, has created multiple issues. Over the past month, we have received more than 10 inches of rain, twice with close to 3 inches in one storm. The aggressive manner in which the rain has fallen has caused damage, daily. As greens were prepared for sprigs, or lake banks for sod, heavy afternoon rains caused setbacks daily. Sod farms have been over-saturated preventing them in cutting sod, causing us to change vendors who could supply grass to meet our needs.
Our initial target/contractual date to complete grassing was August 15. That date is now September 5.
Through today, we have 13 greens grassed – holes 9 thru 14 we are mowing regularly and are almost puttable. Shaping is nearing completion with only portions of holes 1, 5 and 18 to go. All other major work such as bunker and cart path construction are similar, nearing their end. Holes 2 thru 4 are starting grassing today (it’s raining as I type this). We are certainly close and nearing completion of heavy construction. From there it is just a matter of favorable grass growing weather.
Total Golf has increased seeding rates on the final holes to help timing for completion. All various contractors are throwing all they have at it. We are confident our teams are doing what they can. Much is still weather dependent but forecasts seem to be drying up. Our goal was to open the South Course in December. We believe the plan above is reasonable and will hopefully keep us on track to open in December, albeit later in December. As we progress, one way or the other, we will keep you informed.
Progress report 13
September 20, 2019
The South Course continues to make progress as the weather is finally cooperating. Grassing is coming along well and nearing completion. From today, the only remaining holes to be grassed are portions of 1 and 18, which is by design for construction staging needs and then most of hole 5. These areas will be sodded in about 10 days, so final grow-in of these holes should not be a concern. Irrigation and drainage is complete throughout and bunkers are built on all 18 holes.
As work on the new pond on hole 5 is completed, crews will turn their attention to "finish up" work around the project. We have started the process of repairing the extensive washouts from the heavy rains. This will entail a lot of recapturing and smoothing soil, with the final areas being sodded to minimize future washouts and ensure a timely grow-in. If you live around holes 7, 8 and 9 you will see that work being done along the lake banks. We will also complete the tie-in on the boundary edges around the course, which is generally about a 4-6 foot wide edge to tie the property boundary to the golf course rough. In the coming weeks we will begin to install landscaping around the course.
Our superintendent, Pat Stanley, and his team are now focused on irrigation and preparing the course. The grow-in phase will take place for the next 3+/- months.
The overall project continues to track within budget. As communicated previously, grassing is behind schedule a few weeks, but with the combination of a heavier sprig rate and sodding, we should see a reasonable time period for grow-in. A planned December opening will now really depend on the weather to provide us ideal growing conditions for as long as possible. As the weeks progress, we will get a better picture on our ability to open in December or if that will get pushed back into January. What we won’t do is open before the course is ready to be opened.
We will update everyone with more photos in the weeks to come, along with another video. We will also announce a plan for a sneak peek. Until then, thank you for your continued support. Also, thank you to Rees Jones and Bryce Swanson for the more than expected personal time and attention both have provided during the construction process. No doubt in our minds that we made the right choice with our golf course design firm.
As always, don’t hesitate if you have any questions. Please also hold back from touring the course as we still have a lot of contractors around doing work. Your safety and limiting damage are very important to the Committee.
The South Course continues to make progress as the weather is finally cooperating. Grassing is coming along well and nearing completion. From today, the only remaining holes to be grassed are portions of 1 and 18, which is by design for construction staging needs and then most of hole 5. These areas will be sodded in about 10 days, so final grow-in of these holes should not be a concern. Irrigation and drainage is complete throughout and bunkers are built on all 18 holes.
As work on the new pond on hole 5 is completed, crews will turn their attention to "finish up" work around the project. We have started the process of repairing the extensive washouts from the heavy rains. This will entail a lot of recapturing and smoothing soil, with the final areas being sodded to minimize future washouts and ensure a timely grow-in. If you live around holes 7, 8 and 9 you will see that work being done along the lake banks. We will also complete the tie-in on the boundary edges around the course, which is generally about a 4-6 foot wide edge to tie the property boundary to the golf course rough. In the coming weeks we will begin to install landscaping around the course.
Our superintendent, Pat Stanley, and his team are now focused on irrigation and preparing the course. The grow-in phase will take place for the next 3+/- months.
The overall project continues to track within budget. As communicated previously, grassing is behind schedule a few weeks, but with the combination of a heavier sprig rate and sodding, we should see a reasonable time period for grow-in. A planned December opening will now really depend on the weather to provide us ideal growing conditions for as long as possible. As the weeks progress, we will get a better picture on our ability to open in December or if that will get pushed back into January. What we won’t do is open before the course is ready to be opened.
We will update everyone with more photos in the weeks to come, along with another video. We will also announce a plan for a sneak peek. Until then, thank you for your continued support. Also, thank you to Rees Jones and Bryce Swanson for the more than expected personal time and attention both have provided during the construction process. No doubt in our minds that we made the right choice with our golf course design firm.
As always, don’t hesitate if you have any questions. Please also hold back from touring the course as we still have a lot of contractors around doing work. Your safety and limiting damage are very important to the Committee.
Progress report 14
The South Course now looks like a golf course, fully grassed and mowing regularly now. Pat Stanley, Superintendent of the South Course, and Kevin Frost, our Director of Agronomy, did a very, very good job over the past six months and we can’t thank them enough. There has been no shortage of curve balls, but they handled them like the Nationals did. Pat and his team are now on a regular maintenance schedule of all 18 holes. The contractor is completing punch list items while the landscape contractor continues to add landscaping around the course. So, now it is time to get you out there.
Below are dates and times we will offer guided tours of the new South Course. These will be led by our South Course Committee, Carl, Ben and Steve. The tours will allow you to take your cart or grab a ride with a friend. The tours will be about an hour in length and will give you the opportunity to drive all 18 holes on the new course. We will maintain carts on the paths but there will be stops so you can see the view from some tee boxes. Stop by, or call the Front Desk, to reserve your spot. Each tour will be limited to 30 members. If we can’t accommodate everyone, we will add new dates. The staging area for the tours will be adjacent to the tennis courts, before the tunnel.
Friday, November 8 3:00 pm
Sunday, November 10 10:00 am
Monday, November 11 4:00 pm
Friday, November 15 3:30 pm
Saturday, November 16 3:00 pm
Wednesday, November 20 4:00 pm
Below are dates and times we will offer guided tours of the new South Course. These will be led by our South Course Committee, Carl, Ben and Steve. The tours will allow you to take your cart or grab a ride with a friend. The tours will be about an hour in length and will give you the opportunity to drive all 18 holes on the new course. We will maintain carts on the paths but there will be stops so you can see the view from some tee boxes. Stop by, or call the Front Desk, to reserve your spot. Each tour will be limited to 30 members. If we can’t accommodate everyone, we will add new dates. The staging area for the tours will be adjacent to the tennis courts, before the tunnel.
Friday, November 8 3:00 pm
Sunday, November 10 10:00 am
Monday, November 11 4:00 pm
Friday, November 15 3:30 pm
Saturday, November 16 3:00 pm
Wednesday, November 20 4:00 pm
Progress report 15
Progress report 16
January 8, 2020
Excitingly, after several years planting the seed, a good solid year, plus, getting a plan approved by the members and yet another six months of construction, this will be our final South Course update. Congratulations to the Club and all of our members as this accomplishment is one to celebrate and one which benefits our Club and Community in totality. Congratulations to Boards past and present who helped vision and execute this project.
Sunday is the day, this Sunday, 5 days and counting. The Grand Opening of the Rees Jones Redesign that we have so long needed. For those of you who would like to join in the fun, below is a simple timeline for opening day:
Sunday, January 12
10:00 am
Meet and Greet with Rees Jones, Architect
“The Open Doctor”
South Course First Tee
10:30 am
Grand Opening Ceremony
South Course First Tee
11:00 am
Course Open for Self-Guided Course Tours
South Golf Course
Noon
Inaugural Golf Event
South Golf Course
(All individuals playing meet in circle by 11:30 am)
4:30 pm
Scoring and Cocktails
Golf Terrace – Grand Clubhouse
With the opening looming, there are a few reminders we want to share. First, as with any new golf course, the greens will be FIRM, likely for the next twelve months. Several factors will dictate the timeline, but they will “soften” over time. This is very typical with any new greens as roots grow and strengthen and soils settle. Secondly, we believe the course is at about 85%. As you play, you may notice areas that are still maturing. Many of these areas are those which were last to be sprigged (seeded) or damaged from heavy rains. The rough to the right of holes 1, 5 and 6 you will see are still thin. As well as many areas that border the edge of the rough and adjoining property lines. These were all the last areas to be seeded. You will also see areas recently sodded or still filling in, generally in or near fairways. These are areas still under repair where significant “wash-outs” occurred during heavy rains. Our team will work for months aerifying and topdressing to get these areas to smooth and settle.
Finally, as communicated many times over the past year, the South Course will be cart path only for the next 4-5 months. As with the North Course, we need to allow the golf course time to mature. While you will see a lot of green, it is still very fragile being new. There are no exceptions. Walking is welcomed, caddies can be made available and pull carts are ready to roll.
Taking all of this into account, the tees, greens and majority of the fairway are in very good condition. The golf course is ready to be played and while we believe it to be only 85% ready, we could see no good reason to delay the opening any further.
We thank our members, our friends at BICA and especially the 800+ residents who live around the South Course for your complete cooperation and support during construction. The fun is behind us and now we can enjoy the fruits of our labor. Thank you to our various contractors, led by Jeff Brewster and Total Golf for the commitment. We thank Ron Despain with Troon, who Project Managed another successful course renovation. To our outstanding Agronomy team who worked daily in constructing and bringing the course to life, Kevin Frost, Pat Stanley, Kieran Glavin and their entire team. To Mr. Rees Jones and ever capable Bryce Swanson for envisioning a design to please our members. And finally, of course, our member volunteers who served on committees or in workshops, and especially to Carl, Ben and Steve for your leadership and outstanding on-camera presence throughout the entire process.
To tie off the bow, while a few weeks behind the planned opening, we will close out the project budget at months-end, on budget and will have delivered all promised.
The time has come. The course is available for tee times next week and going forward. Enjoy it.
Excitingly, after several years planting the seed, a good solid year, plus, getting a plan approved by the members and yet another six months of construction, this will be our final South Course update. Congratulations to the Club and all of our members as this accomplishment is one to celebrate and one which benefits our Club and Community in totality. Congratulations to Boards past and present who helped vision and execute this project.
Sunday is the day, this Sunday, 5 days and counting. The Grand Opening of the Rees Jones Redesign that we have so long needed. For those of you who would like to join in the fun, below is a simple timeline for opening day:
Sunday, January 12
10:00 am
Meet and Greet with Rees Jones, Architect
“The Open Doctor”
South Course First Tee
10:30 am
Grand Opening Ceremony
South Course First Tee
11:00 am
Course Open for Self-Guided Course Tours
South Golf Course
Noon
Inaugural Golf Event
South Golf Course
(All individuals playing meet in circle by 11:30 am)
4:30 pm
Scoring and Cocktails
Golf Terrace – Grand Clubhouse
With the opening looming, there are a few reminders we want to share. First, as with any new golf course, the greens will be FIRM, likely for the next twelve months. Several factors will dictate the timeline, but they will “soften” over time. This is very typical with any new greens as roots grow and strengthen and soils settle. Secondly, we believe the course is at about 85%. As you play, you may notice areas that are still maturing. Many of these areas are those which were last to be sprigged (seeded) or damaged from heavy rains. The rough to the right of holes 1, 5 and 6 you will see are still thin. As well as many areas that border the edge of the rough and adjoining property lines. These were all the last areas to be seeded. You will also see areas recently sodded or still filling in, generally in or near fairways. These are areas still under repair where significant “wash-outs” occurred during heavy rains. Our team will work for months aerifying and topdressing to get these areas to smooth and settle.
Finally, as communicated many times over the past year, the South Course will be cart path only for the next 4-5 months. As with the North Course, we need to allow the golf course time to mature. While you will see a lot of green, it is still very fragile being new. There are no exceptions. Walking is welcomed, caddies can be made available and pull carts are ready to roll.
Taking all of this into account, the tees, greens and majority of the fairway are in very good condition. The golf course is ready to be played and while we believe it to be only 85% ready, we could see no good reason to delay the opening any further.
We thank our members, our friends at BICA and especially the 800+ residents who live around the South Course for your complete cooperation and support during construction. The fun is behind us and now we can enjoy the fruits of our labor. Thank you to our various contractors, led by Jeff Brewster and Total Golf for the commitment. We thank Ron Despain with Troon, who Project Managed another successful course renovation. To our outstanding Agronomy team who worked daily in constructing and bringing the course to life, Kevin Frost, Pat Stanley, Kieran Glavin and their entire team. To Mr. Rees Jones and ever capable Bryce Swanson for envisioning a design to please our members. And finally, of course, our member volunteers who served on committees or in workshops, and especially to Carl, Ben and Steve for your leadership and outstanding on-camera presence throughout the entire process.
To tie off the bow, while a few weeks behind the planned opening, we will close out the project budget at months-end, on budget and will have delivered all promised.
The time has come. The course is available for tee times next week and going forward. Enjoy it.
BallenIsles Country Club
100 BallenIsles Circle
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
Phone: 561.622.0220
Fax: 561.626.3941
[email protected] | ballenisles.org
100 BallenIsles Circle
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
Phone: 561.622.0220
Fax: 561.626.3941
[email protected] | ballenisles.org