Today we installed five pitfall traps around the course. These traps are designed to track annual bluegrass weevils that are moving from the treeline/roughs towards the fine turf areas. By counting the adults captured it will give the staff an advantage and an idea of populations for this upcoming year. Pitfall traps are an integral part of Integrated Pest Management Program and will help us prepare for any necessary course of action.
Tree work was started today along the front entrance. The sugar maples lining the driveway are being removed because of their extensive rot and decay. All of these trees have lived well past their life expectancy and growing environment. They posed a safety hazard to all entering and exiting the property. It is unfortunate for their removal, however it was something which needed to be addressed. We will begin adding new plantings along the driveway starting this spring.
Work continues to progress in the Grounds Management Center. Drywall is almost complete, painting has started and equipment has begun to be installed. Today two lifts were installed in the maintenance area.
The staff just finished installing our irrigation main connecting the 13th hole to 10, 11, and 12. The original main line ran through what is know the grounds management center. The piping will allow us to keep the necessary water pressure to feed this end of the golf course. 
The 2nd deck (equipment storage) is being poured today along with the floor of the EMC building (mix and load area). An estimated 7 concrete trucks will be needed to complete the pour. By tomorrow the floor should be strong enough to walk on. It will reach full strength in 7 days.
The drywall and fire ceilings are being installed throughout the administration area. The shop and storage areas walls will be constructed out of plywood. All of the electric and plumbing is mostly complete throughout the adminstration section.
Well our first snowfall of the year was not a huge amount. We received about an inch yesterday before it changed over to rain. What ever snow remains will be here for at least a little while due to the frigid temps over the weekend.
The material or bulk storage bins were located this week. The blocks pictured to the left will make up the walls on the outside and insides of each bay. The base will be a concrete pad which we are hoping to pour next week. This bins will allow us to store topdressing, mulch, and gravel in large volumes on site.
This is a view from inside the 2nd level of equipment storage. The floor is the last component to be finished along with utilities. The floor will be comprised of 3.5 inches of concrete. Once the heat is installed throughout the building; the contractor will pour the floor.
The gas company has made the connection for gas service to both buildings. This will allow us to temporally heat the building in order to finish pouring concrete on the second level and begin the drywall. The plumbing and electric will begin next week. 
Framing is almost complete on all levels of the GMC. Drywall will begin after the 1st of the year.
The course is switching over to temporary greens for the season with forecasted cold weather and possible snow on the horizon. The greens will be roped off for the season and we will be installing covers on several greens this winter. The covers aid in protection from the winter elements. All of our topdressing and plant protectants were completed last week.
Inside the 2ND level or mezzanine is being installed. the rafters will run along to make up the equipment storage portion of the GMC. The other two upper levels will be completed out of wood and at a later date. Also, the roof is completed on the GMC with the hopes of pouring the slab this week.
With all of this warm weather still around, the staff was able to complete more drainage work this past week. These warmer days along with no snow have made course cleanup and projects go smoothly. This will also gives us a leg up in the spring.
The electrical and communication works is taking place. All of these conduits will provide power, telephone, and data to the two buildings. There will be several trenches to various locations; we are hopeful to be completed this week.
The roof over the administration building is completed and the sheeting along the sides has started. There are many subs on site including plumbers, electricians, masons, site and steel workers. The construction site is a busy place! Progress is moving along nicely with the entire site close to finish grade.
The irrigation system is being blown-out this week. The process usually takes about two days to complete. This is accomplished with an air compressor hooked up to the irrigation system pumping in a large volume of air. The goal is to remove most of the water in the lines so any remaining water has room to expand. A good job now means less headaches in the spring time.
The steel is being erected and begin to take shape on the GMC building. The roof will be installed next week.
Frost is a common occurance this time of year. Essentially frost is dew that has frozen and crystallized on the outside of the plant. It is important not to walk or ride on turf that has a frost because it will cause the plant to break and the cell wall to rupture. The grass blades
The water main is being installed through the member's parking lot. The picture shows the new line (black) traveling through the lot under the electric lines. The water main has to be installed below the frost line around 5 feet in depth. The site contractor should be to the new building by week's end.
The steel for the Grounds Management Center is being erected today. The crane is on-site for the week to complete the process. Once all the columns and rafters are set; the metal sheeting can be installed. Check back later in the week for an update photo....the construction site changes daily!
The gas tank(s) arrived on site this morning and will be set today. The tank weight close to 15 tons and has to be installed by a crane. The picture to the left depicts this. The tank was installed without issue.
The GMC building foundation is being backfilled today. The contractor will begin to erect the steel building tomorrow. 
The steel for the GMC building arrived on site this morning. Pictured is one of the four tractor trailer loads consisting of steel beams and other components. The crane will beginning setting the steel in place. The process should take a few weeks to complete.
The water and gas main lines are beginning installed this week. The trench will begin near the island in the center of the clubhouse parking lot and travel through the main parking lot. The trench will be done in stages to allow access to the clubhouse and lots. Hopefully, the trench should be completed by week's end.
The floor for the wash / fuel bays is being poured today. These two bays required over 30 yards of concrete which is equivalent to over 3 cement trucks. The floor takes only a few hours to set up and within a week it reaches most of its strength. The masonry block for the EMC building is almost complete.
I hope all of you got to enjoy the beautiful and rare hot weather over this past weekend. Temps on Sunday hit 89 degrees....not to bad for October! The course is playing great and I hope to see many of you out there! 
The floor sumps for the wash/chemical/fuel recycling system have been installed. The floor will be compacted and prepped for concrete today. The floor should be poured toward the end of this week.
Yesterday the staff fixed and added drainage to the edge of 17 fairway and rough. The new drain should help collect any surface water and move it away from the fairway. The area will be graded and prepped for sod.
Fairway topdressing continues today and should be wrapped up this week. The last few fairways remaining are completed and the staff is going over the wetter, low-lying fairways again. The sand has incorporated nicely into the turf canopy. 
One of our many species of wildlife on the course....turkeys. There favorite spots to hang-out are usually on the 3rd and 4th holes. As a Virginia Tech graduate, these guys always make me smile.
Fairways are being aerated and topdressed this week. Below is our new fairway topdressor on the 2nd fairway. The goal is to put down close to 20 tons / Acre of sand on the fairways. This process will improve drainage, firm up the surface, and help reduce those pesky earthworms. I am hopeful with good weather to be completed this week.
Greens were cut for the first time since aeration. The holes are closing nicely and with a few more days of warm weather; they should be healed in shortly. The process of mowing involves using are older, duller mowers until the sand is worked in enough to allow for the regular greens mowers. 
Much of the fescue throughout the course has been cut back for the fall. This gives us an opportunity to treat these areas as needed for weeds and unwanted grasses. It also makes leaf and debris cleanup easier in the fall and spring.
Greens and approaches have been aerified and topdressed this week. I am hopeful with good weather, proper water and fertility, the hole shsould close in a few weeks. We have begun the process of aerifying the tees; with completion early next week. Fairway aerification will begin on Monday and should take a few days to complete. The fairways will be topdressed this season.
Construction is moving along for the new Grounds Management Center (GMC). Foundations for the Environmental Center has been poured and the GMC scheduled to be completed next week.
The trees at the Grounds Management Center site are being removed. Clearing should take a few days to complete. The excavating will begin next week.
