Green and Grounds Update March 22nd 2021

Bon Air Members:

As we finally exit the snowy winter that has kept us off the course, the Green & Grounds committee, along with Superintendent Doug Hall and Head Pro Travis Contres, have been busy working on the next improvements to Bon Air. Here’s a summary of what’s in the planning stages.

As previously announced, aeration of the greens is scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, the 29th and 30th of March. The course will be closed both days to permit this vitally important maintenance to be completed efficiently. Taking advantage of the closure, the Green & Grounds committee will sponsor a Spring Work Party on the 29th starting at 8:00 am. The plan is for cleaning and mulching of gardens on the course and other “light duty” activities. If you can support this effort, please plan to meet in front of the clubhouse around 7:45 am so we can get assignments and start at 8:00 am. If participating, please bring gloves, rakes, etc. that you can use during the effort as the club owned tools will be limited.

For those of us who have been at Bon Air for a number of years, it doesn’t seem like its been that long since our irrigation system was installed. Well, it’s getting close to 15 years and time to start looking at upgrades. During February, we met with representatives from Hunter, Toro and Rain Bird to learn about their current Irrigation System capabilities. After gathering their capabilities, reviewing their proposals and defining our needs, we down selected to Rain Bird to replace the control system computer/software and the satellite pedestals (green pedestals scattered across the course). The Board has approved the procurement of this equipment and we look forward to having it in place for the summer watering season. The committee will continue the planning efforts to upgrade additional sections of the system in the coming years.

During the annual meeting it was announced that there were plans to strip, level and sod the range. This effort has also been approved by the Board. At this time, Doug is coordinating the work with outside firms. Details of the schedule will be communicated once the work is on contract.

Another subject of interest to many is the mowing patterns of the fairways. For the 2021 season, a 1st Cut will be added to the fairways. At this time, we are not planning to alter the widths of the fairways, we’ll just be adding the 1st Cut. Altering the current fairway widths will be part of a longer-term review of the course.

Thank You,

Jack Rowe, G&G Chairperson