Drainage Work

  The fact that scores are now being posted, and The Reserve hosted its annual Pro-Am this past Monday, means that Spring is just around the corner.  The weather turned out to be very nice for the tournament Monday, but just like a typical Winter in Oregon, it turned on us very quick.  The golf courses are saturated at this point, and the 10-day forecast doesn't look good for much drying time.  The soft and muddy soil conditions prevent us from doing any kind of mowing outside of greens, collections/approaches, and tees.  Although we'd love to be able to get out there and mow the rough and fairways, doing so would make a mess that no one wants to see. 

  It's not easy to put a positive spin on this dreary weather, but without mowers running, we can use the extra manpower to get some more drainage in on the courses.  This past week we were able to get two drain projects done on the South Course.  The first was on #13, on the right side of the fairway about 125 yards out from the green.  It was a fairly small project, but it will help to dry up an area that is always wet.  The other drain project was on #16 South.  This was a more tedious undertaking, but I have no doubt the results are well worth the effort.  This one is located on the left half of the fairway just past the left fairway bunker, and goes out into the rough towards the pump house.  This will help to dry up a landing area for those who like to risk it and hit a driver off the tee on that hole.  

  Once Spring gets here and the mowers start running non stop, projects like this won't be easy to fit in.  In the mean time, we'll take what mother nature gives us and do our best to continue to improve the playability of the golf courses.  Again, we are happy to hear any suggestions you may have regarding areas you feel could use a little drying out!