The Lakes Course is shaping up!

After fitting in overseeding between the record HOT September and early FREEZE in October, mid-October brought a tornadic storm with torrential rains, therefore opening was pushed back as we worked to fill in areas of turf where seed flowed away that night.

This photo depicts areas where seed 'run off' occurred.

Overseed is really filling in nicely in areas unaffected by the run-off areas.

This is a close up of #1 green on the Lakes course.  

Just a bit more growing, rolling and mowing!

Tee boxes and surrounds are also looking good, for now, the less traffic the better

to further optimize turf conditions and prepare for daily play and Course maintenance. 

Fall has arrived and so has our new golf car fleet!

These beauties from Club Car arrived last week and are going to make for a smooth ride. Once we get the technology piece installed they will have the latest GPS, Bluetooth speakers, and geofencing to keep golf cars from driving in restricted areas.  Course conditions will be protected and this means a better experience for all players! 

We have a new check-in procedure at the desk to help keep this fleet of golf cars in premium condition for the duration of their 4-year lease.  Come on out and take a test drive! 

Lakes Course Update:

The winter rye overseed project was largely a success.  There were a couple seeded areas (mainly hole #16 and #18) affected by the tornadic storms and torrential rain that dumped 3” on the course that night.  Because of that event, it will take more time to fully open.  We continue to monitor growth and are making decisions about opening for some play in a few weeks (Mid December). 

The Lakes course will be cart path only during the continued grow-in and we will activate ‘cart path only’ on the new golf cars geofencing feature to ensure the course is healthy and in premium condition for the 2020 season.

Temperature for Frost to Form on a Golf Course

By M.L. Rose 

Frost

Frost is a form of ice and can only survive at temperatures of 32 degrees Fahrenheit and below. But that doesn’t mean the measured air temperature must be 32 or below for frost to form on a surface. Green grass, for example, absorbs sunlight and heat during the day, then loses heat when the sun goes down, so the grass’s temperature may be lower than the surrounding air temperature. This temperature differential causes moisture to condense on the grass during the night. If the temperature of the grass then falls below freezing, the moisture may crystallize into frost. This can occur even when the nearby air temperature is in the upper 30s, particularly when the air is calm.

When and Where Frost Occurs 

Frost may occur overnight, but it often forms at sunrise, before the temperature begins to rise. Frost formation on grass is possible in any location in which the blades’ temperature falls to 32 or below, including warm-weather states such as Florida, California and Arizona. For example, overnight frost may form on an Arizona course on days when the high temperature reaches 70.

Damage to Grass

Frost itself doesn’t damage grass in the way that it may damage other growing things, such as citrus fruit. However, golfers walking on frosty turf may harm the grass quite badly. Because the grass on putting greens is cut so low, around 1/8 inch, it is particularly vulnerable to damage when it’s covered by frost. When a golfer walks on frost-covered grass it is more likely than normal to break and suffer ruptured cell walls.

 Delayed Impact

The damage caused by walking on frost-covered grass may take two to three

days to appear. By that time the damaged blades may turn purple or black,

eventually fading to a very light brown. If the plant’s growing point is

undamaged, however, the grass should regenerate. If the growing point is

damaged, the plant may die. Additionally, weaker grass, even if it doesn’t die,

may be more susceptible to disease and weed formation.

WATER WATER WATER!

We can only hope the weather starts to cooperate with golfers here in Texas…it’s been a rough couple seasons between excessive rain and this September’s mini drought plus record-setting heat!

The Lakes renovation project has been affected by the wet, then dry, hot weather rollercoaster. After 60+ lost workdays the sprigging effort was pushed back to mid August, six weeks behind schedule. When the final sprigs went down conditions were less than ideal with high soil temps and dry layers of clay. Despite these challenges the majority of fairways are growing in nicely as are greens and tee complexes. The final step now is overseeding (winter ryegrass) all fairways on the Lakes course to get it playable and ready for golfer traffic (divots, maintenance and other demands on the turf). Overseeding requires proper (not too hot or cold) temps so we will delay until a cooler forecast becomes reality and allows the winter rye to germinate.

We are ready and know you are too, but we continue to be patient and wait for the weather to give us a break. While we are disappointed weather issues have hindered progress, there is much to look forward to and we keep saying it…‘good things come to those who wait’! The new cart paths are beautiful and ride like a dream, this along with level tees, smoothed out fairways and smart architectural details all combine to promise a new and improved experience for our players to enjoy. Stay tuned for reopening updates (fingers crossed for mid-November)…we post the latest on Facebook and via the Indian Creek APP ‘Course News’ section.

 

x

Lakes Course Renovation Update!

Lakes Course renovation update #5 from Indian Creek GC on Vimeo.

Pro Tip: Staying cool - keep yourself looking AND feeling healthy!

Many golfers and golf students work in an indoor environment and people can suffer from heat illness this time of year when they are unprepared or not acclimated to the 90-100 degree temps

We want our golfers to stay healthy, happy and stylish so here are some important reminders for preparing for outdoor activity, especially for a prolonged period of time! 🥵

Wear light fabrics and be sure to find athletic wear that breathes or has moisture-wicking capability.

Make headwear do double duty, it protects skin from UV damage and keeps you cooler!

Pre hydrate!  All of us on the professional staff at Indian Creek ensure we drink at least a gallon of water during the 12 hours prior to going out in the elements for golf lessons, playing or just hanging outside.  Then when we’re out there…a minimum 8oz of WATER every 3 holes = 48oz during your round or 12oz/hour.  Depends on how much you sweat so consult with your medical team for your optimal hydration goals.

Our favorites of the moment…

Columbia Golf makes ultra-light fabric golf shirts and are in stock, we love the ‘fishing’ inspired button-up and the light moisture-wicking fabrics!

Grab some cheap sunglasses, but be sure they have UVA/UVB protection like these.  We offer different lenses and styles to suit your golf game.

 

Full coverage bucket-style sun hats look stylish AND save your skin!

Ice Rays arm sleeves and No Sweat hat liners save you from annoying sunscreen application…it can get a bit slick when you’re trying to grip a club and see your ball through stinging eyes.

Sprigging Tees, Fairways & Greens

We are in the final stages of renovation on the Lakes course!  

Sprigging is a labor-intense process, one that begins with cutting and transporting the delicate sprigs to get them in the ground and ‘seeded’ for cultivation, then grown in while the summer heat is in full force.  Supplied by King Ranch Turfgrass, all putting surfaces are sprigged with TifEagle, while fairways and tees use Tifway 419.  Challenges have been brought on by wet conditions this summer including the outer bands of Hurricane Barry causing a delay in the harvest of our sprigs during the second week of July, for healthy turf, sprigs must be cut dry then refrigerated for transport.  Weather delays are part of the budgeted timeline, but 2019 proved to be a special challenge with summer storms and heavy rains.

Sprigging is the planting of sprigs, plant sections cut from rhizomes or stolons that includes crowns and roots, at spaced intervals in furrows or holes.^[1] Depending on the environment, this may be done by hand or with mechanical row planters.^[1][2] Sprigging uses no soil with the plant and is an alternative to seeding (planting seeds directly), plugging (transplanting plugs with intact soil and roots), and sodding (installing harvested sheets of sod).^[2]

Stolonizing is essentially broadcast sprigging, using cut stolons and rhizomes spread uniformly over an area mechanically or by hand, then covered with soil or pressed into the planting bed by various means.^[2][3]

Wikipedia contributors. (2019, June 1). Sprigging. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 18:14, July 18, 2019, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sprigging&oldid=899771359

Sprigs are transported in burlap sacks, carried to greens then opened up for distribution.  It is not as simple as throwing out seed; with sprigs, it is imperative to maintain proper coverage for consistent and effective grow-in. 

Once the sprigs are spread they get pressed in with special equipment, then watered…HEAVILY!  (VIEW HERE)  The typical watering schedule for newly sprigged Bermuda varies but for this project we employ a 5-10 minute cycle on the hour every hour as monitored by staff to keep fragile new sprigs intact.  With no root system established the reason for heavy watering is to get the plants to root in until there is noticeable plant growth.

Sodding Surrounds

The surrounds of all green and tee complexes are solid sodded where necessary.   Machines layout the sod rolls with assistance from the crew, and then they help fit the pieces together and get seams tight for optimal coverage.

Sodding surrounds #LakesCourseRenovation from Indian Creek GC on Vimeo.

This machine drops sprigs and presses them in. This can be done in areas where coverage and terrain are more adaptable and can handle larger equipment.

Lakes Course Renovation Update – July

‘It’s all Happening!’

Cart Paths are near 80% complete as the Lakes Course renovation enters its 7^th full month of work.  We have lost a few weeks due to storms and heavy rain events, at least half of this lost time was budgeted; however, the abnormal length of the storm season has delayed progress.  The projected project completion is now moved to early fall.

Fairways are currently being tilled, then smoothing and any reshaping will be done, followed by sprigging and grow in.   

Greens surrounds are being sodded, the next step will be sprigging!

Tif Eagle is the type of Bermuda grass being used to reestablish greens on the Lakes Course.  This is an effective grass type for our climate and conditions; the Lakes Course will now be the same turf as the practice green and Creek Course.

Tee boxes are being prepped for sprigging as well; all shaping, topsoil and sand layers have been completed on all 18 holes.

Finish work is set for August, so the final flyover video will reveal an amazing transformation of the Lakes Course at Indian Creek…we can’t wait, but thank you for your patience while we work to make ICGC the best ever!

June Lakes Renovation update from Indian Creek GC on Vimeo.

Lakes Course Renovation: June Update

Green complexes are all in the process of reconstruction while cart paths are being framed, poured and smoothed around the entire course.  Main lines are in, lateral lines will be the next phase of the irrigation project.  A short delay is expected due to excessive rain days.  Will continue to update as the next 6 weeks unfolds.

Construction Foremen, Architect, Superintendent and General Manager all meet weekly to approve the green complex layout and other details of the project.

Painted lines indicate drainage map 

Elevation changes labeled to maintain contouring

Drainage going in and rock layer being dumped and spread

The top layer of sand mix finishes the USGA specs for new greens

Cart paths are being framed, poured, smoothed and finished 

PRO TIP: Find the right clubs for you

‘Get Fit’ in 30 minutes – A club fitting experience is quick, easy and fun!  Clubs that are fit to your physical makeup and swing will make you better, no matter your skill level your equipment should be the best fit for you. 

Here are key benefits you will get from a Fitting at Indian Creek…

• True Conditions – an outdoor experience is the best way to see ball flight and feel your natural swing
• Knowledge – learn about the latest technology from expert fitters and trusted local professionals 
• Reassurance – a Demo/Fitting day gives you a chance to try before you buy and check to see if new equipment outperforms your current clubs
• Confidence – knowing if your equipment is working for you (or against you) is the key to consistency and optimizing distance through better ball striking

Here are potential misses that could indicate your clubs DON’T FIT…

Incorrect club length could cause:

• Inconsistent misses(i.e. frequent chunked and thin shots)
• Feeling fidgety at address like you are too far away or too close to the ball
• Consistent misses on the toe or heel of the club (check grass/wear marks)
• Losing posture before and during the swing

Incorrect grip size could cause:

• Unable to achieve proper grip (hard to correct weak or strong placement)
• Consistent misses to the right (if too big), misses to the left (if too small) 

Incorrect lie angle causes:

• If too flat = misses right
• If too upright = misses left

Incorrect weight/shaft flex:

• Loss distance and trajectory (ball flight too low) = club is too heavy
• Loss of direction = Excessive spin allows ball to curve sharply or go too high = club is too light

What lies beneath...

There is more to restoring green complexes than you might think!  Here is the April update from the Lakes renovation at Indian Creek GC.

USGA Greens are happening

Hole #10 drainage was installed beneath the layers of gravel, soil mix, and sand, check out our latest video below to see more renovation footage.

  

Lakes Renovation Update: 3/27

The latest from our Lakes renovation drone fly over shows amazing progress since January!

• Hole #1 tee box was regraded and lowered to make tee banks less steep, this benefits mowers and golfers 

• Tee box renovations near completion - reshaping and grading continues then all will get a top layer of organic material taken from adjacent green complexes 

• Green complexes excavated in preparation for rebuilding to USGA specifications 

• The repair and replacement of major drain lines will improve overall drainage on the Lakes course.  Old collapsed and clogged pipes have been unearthed during the deconstruction phase and large pipes are being replaced and added where needed. 

• Hole #16 fairway has been regraded and lowered to allow for visibility of the landing area from the tee box 

• Hole #18 is totally stripped down at this point, a slight redesign will benefit all players…starting with a better angled tee box and more shapely and strategic water features, finishing with a more approachable green complex.  All approaches to greens will be designed for a more golfer-friendly experience, with less severe slopes that allow shots to run up to the green.

Lakes Renovation Update

March came ‘In like a Lion’ but the Lakes renovation team is rolling along smoothly...

- Cart Paths are completely removed

- Irrigation main lines laid out

- Tee boxes graded, shaped, prepped for sprigging Bermuda grass

- Greens excavation - organic material gets removed and recycled to the new tee tops which helps grow in efforts

Photos tell it best...

‘Across the pond’
Regrading the fairway on #16 allows players to see the water hazard from the tee box, this is a view from 8 fairway looking across to the new lower fairway on 16.

‘Tee Time’

A perspective from the expanded and regraded #1 tee...Each set of tees will have its own unique angle to custom fit the drive.

‘Droning on’

More drone flyover footage is in production!

‘Signature Hole’

A glimpse through the trees to #15 tee...a new contender for the  Lakes Course’s featured Par 3!

Lakes Course Renovation Update

We are well into the first Phase of renovation on the Lakes Course.

Here’s what’s up… Big equipment means Big changes

Ø  Cart Path tear out and removal

Ø  Irrigation trenching and new piping ready for install

Ø  Tee complex leveling and reshaping

Ø  Heavy equipment moving between projects

We’ll have fresh flyover footage for you each month, so you too can join us in following this awesome transformation!  What’s next you ask?  Stay tuned to the blog, subscribe to our monthly newsletter and check us out on Instagram and Facebook for more perspectives.  The next Phase will encompass installation of lateral irrigation lines and heads, routing new cart paths, and continued ‘dirt work’ (as we call it). 

We sincerely appreciate your continued support and your patience as the #LakesCourseRenovation takes shape! 

Indian Creek Golf Club from Indian Creek GC on Vimeo.

Press Release: Lakes Renovation

Indian Creek Golf Club Anticipates Summer 2019 Completion for Course Renovations

Carrollton, Texas – Thanks to a May 2018 bond election, the City of Carrollton Parks & Recreation Department was awarded $22 million earmarked for facilities and parks. Of this, Indian Creek Golf Club was approved $4 million to update the 80-acre Lakes Course.

Golfers can look forward to a grand scale makeover to include new cart paths, a modern irrigation system, leveled and smoothed out tees and fairways plus brand new greens. This renovation will result in a more sustainable maintenance program and will dramatically enhance the recreational experience and enjoyment for all golfers who visit the Lakes Course at Indian Creek Golf Club.

Work for Phase I began Friday, December 14 and will continue through March 2019, with much of the focus on the deconstruction of tees, greens, cart paths and the existing irrigation system.  The second part of Phase I will continue with grading and shaping tees and fairways, installing mainline irrigation, as well as constructing 7’ concrete cart paths.  The project also includes greens reconstruction per United States Golf Association (USGA) specifications to uphold healthy sustainable turf conditions; in addition, this will restore the intended design and shape of each green complex as mowing patterns and time lends to deterioration of original features.

Phase II is scheduled to begin in March 2019 and will primarily involve finish work. A hole-by-hole systems check will prompt the reseeding effort for all renovated turf areas. As a final step, after reseeding is completed, Indian Creek’s maintenance team will manage the grow-in process.

For more information on these exciting improvements, visit indiancreekgolfclub.com.

Pictured: Lakes Course #13 tee box being prepped for design and reshaping.