Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club: 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!