Fieldstone Golf Club in Greenville, Delaware
As an assistant superintendent in 1998, I worked on the completion of the golf course’s grow-in.
Chisel Creek Golf Course in Landenberg, Pennsylvania
As the superintendent, the entire golf course was built with the Niebur Development Golf Division in 1998-1999. We constructed the bridges over wetlands and laid acres of Curlex® erosion blankets. I provided the straw for mulching all seeded areas. The golf course features G2 bentgrass greens and the first low-cut bluegrass fairways in southeastern Pennsylvania.
Wyncote Golf Club in Oxford, Pennsylvania
As the superintendent, target areas on the driving range and the driving range tee were built in 2005, which included adding 4,000 square feet to the area. We completely shaped and rebuilt a California-style chipping green measuring approximately 3,000 square feet.
Crane Creek Country Club in Boise, Idaho
As the superintendent, the #1 tee area was rebuilt in 2011. I created a master plan with golf course architect David Druzisky, ASGCA.
Front Nine Renovation
On September 15, 2014, we broke ground on the fast-tracked front nine renovation project with Landscapes Unlimited; all greens were completed by October 15, 2014, and the front nine reopened on May 15, 2015.
I was responsible for the purchase and testing of all sod, greens mix, bunker sand, and gravel, as well as the shipment of all materials. Greens were mapped and restored to USGA specifications with minimal adjustments. Forward tees were added, while the overall teeing area doubled in size. Bunkers were redone with sod liners. New concrete cart paths were installed. New irrigation was installed around greens only. The fairway on #8 was stripped of sod, the slope was softened, and the sod was replaced.
The grounds staff installed spray heads around bunkers, finished tying in cart paths, and transformed a pond into a waste bunker. I personally dozer-shaped the bunker forms and surrounds, and carved the edges with a mini-excavator. To finish the project in the spring, the staff also unloaded and transported over 200,000 square feet of sod, laid over two acres of sod, graded and seeded fairway expansion areas, and hauled 900 tons of bunker sand and 2,700 tons of greens mix.
From October 2014 through the July 2015 re-opening, I supervised over 11,000 yards of earth-moving and irrigation mainline routing and installation for the new Tennis Center. I supervised the planting of over 100 trees and over 300 shrubs in 100-degree weather with the loss of only one tree.
To view the photo gallery for the Front Nine Renovation, please click here.
Back Nine Renovation and Expansion
On July 18, 2016, the back nine renovation and expansion began with the construction of two new holes, again with Landscapes Unlimited; all earthwork was completed by November 22, 2016.
On August 22, 2016, the back nine was closed to start the renovation of the existing holes. Once again, I was responsible for the purchase and testing of all sod, greens mix, bunker sand, and gravel, as well as the shipment of all materials; between the two major renovation projects, this effort saved the club over $130,000 in mark-up costs.
In order to fit an expanded driving range that is triple its original size, the #10 hole became part of the range and two new holes were created on 17 additional acres. All of the greens were recreated to USGA specifications without mapping. Forward tees were added, while the overall teeing area doubled in size. Bunkers were redone with sod liners. New concrete cart paths were installed. New HDPE irrigation mainline and laterals were installed on 75% of the back nine. The pond on #18 was reshaped with one edge filled in to widen the approach to the green. It was lined with PVC, covered with a foot of soil, and finished with the creation of a stained concrete eroded edge.
On the driving range, USGA specifications were once again met for a 6,800 square foot putting green and a 3,800 square foot chipping green with practice surrounds. Two additional tees were created.
To view the photo gallery for the Back Nine Renovation and Expansion, please click here.
Adam T. Bagwell, CGCS, MPS 