Saturday October 25

Well, another chilly morning and warm afternoon on the way, 25 this morning on the course with a high near 70!?!?.  It has been an unseasonably warm October, but that looks to be coming to an abrupt halt starting tomorrow, with highs forecast in the 40's.  Definitely more typical of late October.

We've had a very productive couple of weeks since the course closed.  We've been able to accomplish all of our typical shut down procedures: blowing out the irrigation system, getting the leaves up off the course, whipping the clubhouse area into shape and all the little things that have to happen to ensure the golf course goes to bed properly.  In addition, we took the advice of our USGA Agronomist visit, and removed a few trees on the course to enhance play and alleviate some safety concerns.  The pictures below are of #6 tee box area where we removed two large spruces so golfers can "cut" a shot into a back left pin position..couldn't do that before.  It also opened up a fantastic view from the tee box.  We also removed the cottonwood on #9 just before the cart path near the green as this tree was putting out roots that were encroaching on the green and competing with the turf around it.  One of the cottonwoods behind #12 that was leaning towards the green was removed, we determined it was a safety hazard.  Lastly, as we received comments from the Greens Committee and Advisory Board we decided to remove the large spruce directly behind #18 green to open up a new perspective from the clubhouse terrace.  It will allow groups and members to watch their counterparts come up #18 as they finish their rounds and enhance the overall views from the terrace area.  We will be planting 5 new trees in the spring to replace the ones we cut down.  The pictures below don't really do it justice.  Both areas have a fantastic new look and feel to them!

On the wildlife side, the elk are just now starting to move in small groups through the golf course.  The really large herd to the west, down in the Snake River bottom has yet to head towards the refuge.  I would expect them to start moving within the next week.  We have been in contact with Game and Fish monitoring their progress...looks to be several hundred, close to a thousand that will be migrating through or around the course shortly.  We still have several moose around the course.  Over the last week I counted 5 different moose...3 cows, a yearling and a bull. I believe there is another bull and cow to the east of the course that are floating back and forth.  We have not seen any bear activity or scat this year after the sighting near King's Hwy last month.  Be vigilant.. all the animals are active right now.

The golf course is going to bed as healthy as I've seen it since I've been here..the weather is a big part of that..but I feel really good about closing process.  As long as we get cold and turf goes dormant before the snow comes we should be good.  Have a great week!

# 6 tee box before tree removal

#6 tee box after tree removal

#18 from the terrace before removal

#18 from terrace after removal.

 

Saturday update

Good morning everyone,
We have 26 at the shop this morning and a slow warm up on the way.  Looks like we will be around 10:30 AM for our first tee time.  Aerification of the greens is complete, we will be touching up some areas this  morning but all 18 holes are back open for what should be a really nice weekend. 

We have continued to have to ask people/photographers to leave the course this past week.  The two bulls that are taking up residence are very feisty right now.  Myself and a gentlemen I was asking to leave the moose alone were charged on Wednesday near the pond on #2.  Another friendly reminder that the golf course is private property and wildlife has the right of way, so please refrain from walking or seeking out wildlife on the golf course.

The weather looks fantastic for the rest of the week.  We will be working on leaf clean up and begin winterizing the clubhouse next week.  In addition, because of all the rain last week we got behind on verticutting the back 9 so that will take place next week as well.

Please keep a close eye out as you navigate the course over the next week as the elk are starting to move.  Give wildlife plenty of space and don't hesitate to contact the pro shop if animals are close to greens, tees, etc.

Have a great weekend!



Bull moose headed for the river on #11

 

October update....

Well after a weekend that saw nearly 1.5" of rain and even a little snow down to the valley floor (had a couple of flurries yesterday) we are back to some decent weather for the week.  Looks like frost every morning coming up but into the 60's for afternoon highs after today. 

We started greens aerification yesterday and closed the front nine.  We had a rain shower late morning that set us back several hours on our anticipated schedule.  Therefore, we are keeping the front 9 closed today to get those greens in as good a shape as possible and will close the back 9 tomorrow for those greens.  We should have no issue having the entire course back open by Saturday.  We appreciate everyone's patience as we work through the weather challenges and get the greens ready for that long winter's nap that's coming. 

The animals are starting to move around the course, as is typical this time of year.  There are at least 2 bull moose, 2 cows and a yearling that are setting up residence around the course.  In addition, there are 2 very nice buck mule deer and several females that are frequenting the course.  The elk haven't started their migration in earnest yet, however, it will be coming soon.  I'm sure everyone heard about the incident at the Gros Ventre Campground that caused NPS to have to put down a young moose.  This is one of the many reasons we don't allow walkers, photographers, dogs, etc. on the course.  The animals feel safe here and we have provided a habitat on the course that allows them to move about freely without interference from individuals, other than the golfers and our staff.  Please remember the golf course is off limits unless you are golfing and have checked in with the pro shop.  We have had to ask numerous persons to leave the course in the last couple of weeks that were out trying to get pictures of the moose. 

The course is still on scheduled for an October 12th close date.  After that it is a "mad dash" to get the course winterized and this is a critical period for us to put the course to bed.  After closing, the course will be off limits to everyone until the first significant snowfall and we get the cross country track groomed.  We have had some input from the membership to stop allowing dogs out during the winter and we are going to evaluate that policy this winter.  The concern is for the wildlife, the safety of others
on the track and the  damage that is caused by paws and digging on the track.  Another reminder, according to club and membership documents dogs are prohibited on the property at any time unless they are assisting you in your travels and we make this very special exception in the winter time.  We will keep everyone abreast of when the course is open for cross country skiing. 

Have a great rest of the season and continue to check back on any upcoming activities.

Andy

Buck near #9 tee box