Impressions of our Course Renovation, One Year Removed

The changes to our "back yard" makes for a great first
impression.  The new umbrella and expanded patio have
made The Turn a very popular spot for members.

It hardly seems possible we started our course renovation project almost one year ago.  It also hardly seems possible the game is being played on the same golf course that was here in the same amount of time.  The ways in which the course has changed can be counted, but let's face it, some of those changes have yet to be recognized.  While all this has left an impression on anyone who has played, walked or driven the course, what impresses me most is what is yet to come.

A side view of our back yard.  A cart path was removed in
between the two greens and bentgrass replaced rough.

Another impression is my staff.  Witnessing the transformation of a "maintenance crew" to a "project crew" has been very rewarding.  I have received many compliments on the course, but who really deserves the credit is our team for handling the tremendous amount of work we took on in house.  To them and their families, thank you for sacrificing your time, being dedicated and always carrying a positive attitude for our project.  It is fun talking with them about their favorite changes and seeing the pride they have in their work and this golf course.

A look across the pond from 7 to 8, 1 and 9.  You could not
see any of this before tree and landscape bed removal from
this angle.

The membership of the club has been remarkable, to say the least.  Most everyone was excited when the project started, but a few were curious as to how the course would take shape.  Much to my delight, virtually everyone has received the changes well and is loving how the course plays.  Many members now ask me what project is next and when it will start!  To me, that is one of the ultimate compliments of the course improvements and this support will make an already strong club even stronger down the road.  I will be forever grateful for the patience and understanding our membership exercised through all of our work.

Hole 13 now fits in with the rest of the course.  We will
expand the approach and collar around the green to the right
in the future.

Maintenance of the course has changed slightly as a result of our project.  Naturally, we have seen an increase in bunker maintenance, but have also had a decrease in other areas related to tree and landscape bed maintenance.  Even with our projects this year we have been able to maintain playing surfaces to a higher level.  This simply comes from the shift of labor from string trimming trees and pulling weeds in landscape beds to more mowing and grooming of our playing surfaces.  The other, more significant, contributing factor to our improved playing surfaces is increased sunlight and reduced competition between turf and trees.  It really is amazing to see what happens when living organisms get the fundamental inputs they need to survive.  Our grass has never lived a healthier lifestyle!  We are really looking forward to next year when we are devoting our resources to more maintenance and less projects.

The new approach and left bunker have really improved 14.

It has been a pleasure to be a small part of our project and the Wisconsin Club.  If we were to do it all over again tomorrow, I know my staff and I would be all in.  Beyond my staff we had a great team assembled with Mr. C, Curt, Bruce and Kevin Wachter (Contractor Project Super) on this project which made it as smooth as can be.  Watching visions become reality was special and talking with members about their likes and dislikes has been enlightening for both parties.  I am looking forward to putting the finishing details on the course in the coming years.

See you on the Course.

Removing the tall landscaping around our pump house with
a few trees has led to this view from 8 green to 10 green.

Previously, from this angle along 7 fairway, you would have
seen the fairway with a row of trees behind it.  Now,
7 green, 8 green, 10, green, 11 green, 12 fairway and
17 green have been uncovered.  Compounding tree removals
and landscape bed removals over the years have brought us
to this photo.