The Full Recovery Timeline

Please let me explain why using river silt from a flood for bunker sand is a bad idea.

First off, river silt is much finer and lighter than typical bunker sand. Bunker sand is chosen specifically for its texture, drainage capabilities, and durability. Here's why river silt wouldn't work well:

Drainage Problems: Bunker sand needs to drain water effectively. River silt tends to hold onto water and can easily become compacted when wet. This would create a muddy, heavy mess in the bunkers, making them unusable and difficult to maintain.

Poor Playability: Golfers expect a certain level of consistency in bunkers. Silt is far too fine and can turn into a thick, muddy layer after rain or irrigation, causing the ball to plug or stick. It wouldn't allow for the smooth play and feel that sand provides.

Maintenance Headaches: Silt could easily get displaced by wind and water because of its lightweight nature, meaning it would constantly shift or even wash out of the bunkers. You'd end up having to replace it more frequently, increasing maintenance time and costs.

Contaminants: River silt might contain organic material, pollutants, or even debris picked up during the flood. This could introduce unwanted elements into the course, potentially harming the turf.

Inconsistency: The consistency of river silt can vary greatly from batch to batch. Bunker sand is carefully selected for its uniform particle size, which is critical for keeping bunkers uniform across the course.

In short, while using river silt might seem like an easy fix, it would lead to drainage issues, poor playability, and much higher long-term maintenance costs. Proper bunker sand is a much better choice for maintaining the quality of the course.

Seeding creeping bentgrass depends largely on your local climate and the season, but as a general rule, we want to give the grass enough time to establish before winter or extreme weather conditions.

Cooler Climates (Northern Regions): The ideal seeding window is usually late summer to early fall (August to September). However, once soil temperatures drop below 50 degrees F (10 degrees C), germination slows significantly. If we are beyond mid-October, it's likely too late to seed bentgrass because the cooler air and soil temperatures won't support proper establishment before winter sets in.

Warmer Climates (Southern Regions): In warmer regions where winters are milder, you have a bit more flexibility. You can seed bentgrass up until early fall (October) as long as soil temperatures are still warm enough (ideally between 55 degrees F and 65 degrees F for germination). But by late fall, even in these regions, it's usually too late as cooler temperatures and slower growth will hinder establishment.

Key Considerations: - Soil Temperature: Should ideally stay above 50 degrees F (10 degrees C) for several weeks after seeding. - Frost Risk: Seeding too close to the first frost can prevent seedlings from developing a strong root system. - Growth Time: You want to allow at least 6-8 weeks for bentgrass to establish before dormancy or frost.

In Flat Rock, NC, we are in a transition zone climate, which can make timing for bentgrass seeding a bit tricky, but also offers some flexibility. The region experiences both warm and cool season grass growth periods, but cooler temperatures in the fall provide an ideal window for establishing creeping bentgrass.

For Flat Rock, NC: - Ideal Seeding Time: Late August to mid-September is typically the best time to seed bentgrass in your area. This gives the seed enough warm soil temperatures for germination, while also taking advantage of cooler fall air temperatures, which are perfect for early growth. - Late Season Seeding: By mid-October, it's generally too late to seed bentgrass in Flat Rock. The temperatures tend to drop and the risk of frost increases, making it hard for new seedlings to establish strong roots.

At this point in mid-October, its recommended to wait until spring if you've missed the fall window.

In summary, we are right on the cusp of being too late for this season, but you could possibly squeeze in seeding if the weather remains mild over the next couple of weeks. Otherwise, planning for spring or a dormant seeding approach might be better.

With a freeze warning coming tomorrow in Flat Rock, NC, it's too late to seed creeping bentgrass this fall. A freeze will significantly slow or completely stop the germination process, and the seedlings wouldn't have enough time to establish before the winter. Any seed we put down now is unlikely to survive or grow properly.

Given this, our best option is to either:

1. Wait until spring to seed when temperatures warm up again, which is typically around late March to early April in your region, depending on soil temperatures.

2. Consider dormant seeding in late fall (after consistent cold temperatures have set in), but this carries the risk of seed loss over winter due to erosion, birds, or unpredictable weather. For now, it's best to hold off on seeding until conditions improve. Planning for a solid spring seeding or preparation for dormant seeding are your safest options at this point.

Before I saw anything on the property with my own eyes I saw this video from security.

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These were the water levels on the property BEFORE any rain from Helene had arrived.

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Broken and uprooted trees everywhere.

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A main artery for cart traffic was taken out!

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The first situation that we needed to manage was on #17 green. The green was covered with silt, rocks, and other debris. The lower end of the stream that runs in front of the green was filled up with silt and the irrigation controller was a total loss. There was also another small stream behind the green that had been rerouted onto the cart path.

This is where the cleanup began. To save the grass on the green the silt needed to be removed ASAP. Cleanup began on Monday following the storm. I told the crew that this would be our first small "Victory" in the huge task of cleaning up the golf course. It would take many of these victories to open the golf course back up.

The crew shoveled everything off the green by hand as larger equipment would cause damage. We had some help from our friend and member John Pace who used his expertise to clean up the lower stream of all the silt and get the water back into the culvert. Nik Marques used our backhoe to find the culvert in the section behind the green and get that flowing properly.

Everyone showed up and worked hard to help keep the grass on #17 alive. The crew continued to work 10-11 hour days since the first day. This is all while having no power, no water, no showers. The maintenance crew made cleanup a number one priority even while some of us where unsure of the safety of our families in the harder hit portions of the mountains.

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Video from #17 green on Saturday, Sept 28, 2024.

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Silt contamination on 4,6,7.

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Serious damage to culverts on #8 and #9.

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Pump station flooded with 3 feet of water inside the pump house. The floor was covered with muck and dead fish. Water got inside the main panel and did damage to multiple components. We have since got the station back operational thanks to our long term relationship with Pro Pump Controls. I also had a diver come out and inspect the intake for the system. It was free of any contamination and silt. We lost two complete E-osmac sattelite boxes on the golf course.

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First day of Hydroseeding rough.

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The seeding continues. Tall fescue in roughs and creeping bentgrass in fairways.

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The past five weeks have been challenging as we work to restore the golf course after the recent storm, and I want to extend my deepest gratitude to those who have supported this recovery effort.

First, I'd like to thank John Pace, who not only called early to offer his support but also brought one of his excavators and operated it for us during that crucial first week. John, the owner of Tarheel Paving, just happened to have the equipment available when it was nearly impossible to find. He helped us restore flow to the culverts on hole 17, resolving a sticky situation and giving us a strong start.

Sam Beddingfield provided a huge boost by hooking our generator to our panel, allowing us to pump gas and diesel without siphoning manually. We didn't have any power or water at our shop for over a week and Sam was a big help with wiring both our generators to the main panel to provide power inside the mechanic's shop.

Del Ratcliff from Pinnacle Golf generously provided a skid steer, which has been essential for clearing silt, allowing us to start re-grassing sooner. A special thanks also goes to our friends at Henderson Oil, who ensured we had a full supply of diesel and gas to keep our efforts moving forward without interruption. I want to thank Dwayne Hill and his son, Blythe Hill, for their hard work in removing tree trunks and large branches from the course.

An extra, extra special thanks go to my old foreman and friend of eighteen years, Demetrio Nunez, and his company, Nunez Family Landscaping. Their tremendous effort in removing silt and clearing branches has been a game-changer. Without the support of Demetrio and his employees we would never have been able to open the course back up for play as fast as we did.

I am incredibly proud of my crew for their dedication and hard work throughout this entire recovery process. They showed up without hesitation on the Monday after the storm, ready to tackle the enormous task of clearing and restoring our course. Their willingness to work long hours, even under tough conditions, speaks to their commitment to this place. I'd also like to extend my gratitude to my assistant, Nik Marques, who has not only removed silt and debris but also led the hydroseeding crew with exceptional focus, making sure that our reseeding efforts are thorough and timely. Nik's hard work has been invaluable as we approach the final stages of recovery.

I also want to thank Mark Gosnell, a longtime friend of the golf course who will complete much of the culvert repair work around the course. His knowledge and assistance have been instrumental in this recovery. He is also lending us the Hydro seeder we are using to reseed the damaged areas in the rough and fairways.

My thanks also go to our general manager, Dave Ford, for his support over the past five weeks. And to all the golfers who respected the course by holding off on bringing their private carts during the initial cleanup-your consideration helped prevent additional damage.

A sincere thank you to our owner for the unwavering support during this challenging period. His quick approval of the resources and tools we needed has been instrumental in our ability to restore the course efficiently. Beyond the financial support, I greatly appreciate his time and attention, coming out to tour the course with me and Dave to personally assess the damage and understand our needs. His involvement has made a significant difference, enabling us to take decisive steps toward recovery with confidence.

I especially want to thank my Dad. With five decades in this industry and extensive experience in flood recovery, he has faced nearly every challenge imaginable. His stories of past recoveries and the challenges he's overcome have kept my spirits up, helping me maintain a positive attitude throughout this process.

And finally, to my wife, Holly: thank you for your patience and understanding as I dedicated these past weeks to the recovery efforts. Our seventh wedding anniversary was the first day of storm cleanup, and you set it aside without hesitation. I hope we can take that long-overdue vacation soon to celebrate properly. Your support means the world to me.

Thank you to everyone who has played a part in this effort. Together, we're bringing our course back stronger than ever.

Week 6 of storm damage cleanup is off to a great start. Two tree crews on the golf course and the Family Nunez chipping crew is beginning to remove the pile in the lower parking lot. We also mowed fairways and are cleaning up leaves on the golf course.

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Flood Recovery Report November 14, 2024

Check out the Maintenance Blog for the detailed report on the recovery efforts at Kenmure.

Bentgrass seed germinating nicely.

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Why "Cart Path Only" Happens More in Winter

Ever wonder why golf courses often go "cart path only" in the winter? In summer, grass is actively growing and pulls water out of the soil faster, so the ground dries quicker after rain. But in winter, the grass is mostly dormant, and the soil stays soggy much longer. This makes the course more vulnerable to damage from carts. It's all about protecting the turf so it's ready for play when the weather warms up! 🌱🚜

We'd like to update you on the ongoing maintenance projects and future plans for the course:

Culvert Installation: We're pleased to announce that culverts have been delivered for installation on number 10 tee. Contractors are scheduled to begin work next week, aiming for completion before Christmas. Following this, we'll address repairs to the cart path on number 7 and stabilization around culverts between 8 and 9 and 17.

Seeding Progress: The seeding carried out in early November has shown promising results, thanks to favorable weather conditions. Both the rough and fairways are showing early signs of growth. While the grass isn't ready for play yet, this gives us a head start for strong growth in the spring.

Irrigation System: The irrigation system has been shut off and drained for the winter. We've received an update to our central control system and three new irrigation control boxes, which will be installed and tested in the spring.

Leaf Cleanup: We're nearing completion of leaf cleanup. The leaf vacuum acquired last year has greatly improved our efficiency, and we're making final passes to ensure the course is clear.

Frost and Frozen Areas: This time of year may bring frost delays, frozen areas, and extra cart path-only restrictions. We may have temporary pin placements for heavily shaded or wet greens.

Drainage Issues: We plan to address drainage issues in January and February. Additionally, some cleanup from the storm remains, particularly at the edges of the course.

King Creek: We're aware of the issues with King Creek, such as sheared-off banks and redirected sections. These will take time to restore and might involve future renovations.

Silt Pile: The silt pile between holes 7 and 4 will be reshaped into rolling mounds and seeded in the spring. This will be done with the help of our contractor once culvert work is complete.

We appreciate your continued support as we work to maintain and improve the course. If you have any questions or need further information, please feel free to reach out.