Course Opening

The time is finally here. At 11:00 today the members of Concord Country Club became able to play the golf course for the first time in the 2018 season. This week the grounds staff has been hard at work to put the finishing touches on the golf course. We have been reforming and repairing all of the bunkers, fixing washed out edges and moving sand around to retain their play-ability. Also this week, the grounds crew was able to cut all of the short-cut turf on the golf course. After a long winter, it is nice to see the course, the golfers and our maintenance crew getting back into mid-season shape.

 

Spring Clean-Up

It seems that we are finally on the cusp of warm weather here in Concord as spring rolls around. With the snow melted off the course, the grounds staff is able to clear fallen branches and leaves to bring the property back to its desirable conditions. After much of the heavy snow and strong gusts our area was affected by this winter, the golf course, clubhouse grounds and tennis courts have become littered with tree debris. The grounds crew has been keeping busy cleaning up the course, including repairing gravel cartpaths that have been marred by the seasons snowfall and rain. This upcoming week will hopefully bring more of the uplifting spring weather that we all have been waiting for and bring us that much closer to beginning the 2018 golf season.

  

March Nor' Easters

Within the past week, two blizzards have rocked the New England area. Last Thursday, Winter Storm Quinn brought heavy snowfall and fierce winds that did a number on the area and Concord Country Club was no exception. On top of the roughly half-foot of heavy snow that accumulated on the golf course, many tree limbs and branches have broken off causing the need for extensive clean-up. Additionally, due to the weight of the snow and the strong gusts of wind, one of the ornamental trees behind the 11th green was snapped in half. Yesterday, the golf course received upwards to another two feet of snow from Winter Storm Sylvia.
These examples of unpredictable New England weather just provide our course staff with a few more tasks in preparation of the 2018 golf season.

 

Benches, Tee Markers and Tee Caddies

Winter time at Concord CC provides our staff with a chance to construct or refurbish golf course fixtures. Our staff is currently working on refinishing the benches being placed on the course. The benches are being sanded down and coated with a protective varnish, while also being bracketed for stability. Along with the upgraded benches, new tee markers will be seen on the course come spring time. The previous solid colored tee marker balls will be replaced with new wooden tee markers, designed and constructed in-house. Made from stained meranti wood and sealed with the Concord Country Club logo, these new tee markers will undoubtedly add visual appeal to the tee areas. Another improvement golfers will notice on the tees is the addition of wooden tee caddies. New tee caddies, also made from meranti, will replace the older tee disposal units on the par 3's and complement the improved tee markers. When setting out to begin the 2018 season, new and improved benches, tee markers and tee caddies will subtly improve the aesthetics of the course, especially as golfers prepare to take their drives.

Tree Work on #5

Each off-season at Concord Country Club, we devote time and effort to improving certain aspects of the golf course. One of the more significant enhancements is the redesign of the fifth hole, as laid out by golf course architect Andrew Green. Although we are not able to get the project fully underway until the spring, the first steps have been taken to improve the playability of this hole. Trees have been removed on the right side of the golf hole, providing an area for the expansion of the fairway. Also on the right side of #5, a fairway bunker will be constructed approximately 140 yards out, creating a strategic play for golfers looking to take an aggressive line in order to provide themselves with a short approach shot to the green.  Another part of this redesign will be the addition of a back tee with the original design specs of Donald Ross; the new tee will add length to the golf hole and give golfers a unique view of the green. This expansion will improve the play of the fifth hole, while also staying true to Ross' plans.

Bunker and Forward Tee Course Additions

McDonald and Sons Inc. has been hard at work renovating several areas of the course, so far they have been adding bunkers on the first hole. This includes a bunker on the left side of the fairway, giving the longer hitters another thing to consider on their tee shots. They are also working on installing a green-side bunker in the previous location of the large pine tree adjacent to the approach. McDonald and Sons Inc. will be continuing to make additions to the course such as installing stand alone tee boxes on holes 3,4, 13, 17. There will also be plateau tees incorporated into the fairways on 1, 2, 11, 14, 16. These forward tees will provide golfers with the option of playing a shorter course.  This is the same contractor who completed the work on the 8th green / 9th tee last season, driving range tee and all the chipping areas in 2013; and the bunker renovation in 2012.  We are very excited to see their finished product on the course.

Range Divider Restoration

During the off-season, the staff has been renovating course objects to freshen up looks, as well as improve their integrity. An example of this is the work our crew did on the wooden range dividers. By sanding them down and applying a fresh coat of paint, these dividers will look very sightly at the driving range while our members work on reestablishing their swings for another season.

Hill Clean-up Behind 11 Green

As we await the beginning of the 2017 season our team has been working on improving certain areas of the course. One location that we have improved upon is behind the 11th green. The crew touched up the hillside by removing rocks and stumps, improving soil conditions and planting fescue. Previously, this area consisted of weeds and scrub brush and was unplayable for golfers. This subtle enhancement will allow for a playable shot for those who find themselves just over the green.

Divot Bottle Stand

The winter makes for a great time to work on projects that add functionality and aesthetics to the course. Pictured is a cedar divot mix stand that is able to hold up to twenty-four mix containers. Our members do an excellent job of filling divots throughout their rounds and this rack will provide golfers with a chance to reload when they arrive to the 10th tee. Thank you to all members for helping keep the course in brilliant shape!

Winter Update

All of this great weather has allowed the staff to clear brush and under story growth along several holes lined with woody trees.  On the left of 16, the clearing opens up a nice sight line to the landing area.  The area will be treated for weeds in the spring and over-seeded with fescue grass.