Time Lapse Video

As we prepare for the Wissahickon Restoration at Philadelphia Cricket Club we are using time lapse cameras to capture the work being done on the course.  These cameras will allow us to capture the changing landscape of the course throughout the duration of the project, and will condense the output into a video to showcase the course transformation. 

Below is a sample video of the time lapse camera at work during our May aerification of Militia Hill.

Militia Hill Patio Complete!

In preparing for the Wissahickon Restoration close period this summer, our staff worked with architect Jim Bogrette to construct a 5,500 sq. ft. patio at Militia Hill.  This will help accommodate the increased member usage at Militia Hill, and the new patio capacity now matches potential function size of events hosted there.  The patio was constructed out of flagstone and is laid in a European style.

Welcome to the new patio at the Militia Hill clubhouse...all finished and ready for the members of the Philadelphia Cricket Club to enjoy.

The base has been created and the patio begins to take shape - existing soil has been moved and some new soil been added to make this happen.

The concrete layer being poured to provide a solid base for the flagstone.

 Time for a quick break - the crew stops for a quick photo as the concrete layer is nearly complete!

 The concrete layer is complete and now the patio is ready for the flagstone to be laid.

 The progress continues through the inclement weather - putting up a tarp allows us to continue to lay flagstone in the rain and snow.

 All hands on deck!  The crew grouting the joints of the flagstone as the patio is almost complete.

The patio is complete and the landscaping is being planted to put the finishing touches on the project.

 The new field bake oven, just like the ones used by the Revolutionary soldiers at Valley Forge - this will provide some tasty, fire-grilled meals to be enjoyed on the new patio.

National Hickory Championship at St. Martins

With Philadelphia hosting the U.S. Open this week for the first time in over 30 years, it is fitting that our St. Martins golf course is hosting the National Hickory Championship.  St. Martins hosted the 1907 and 1910 U.S. Open, and this weekend it is being played in a similar fashion to how the game was played in the early 1900's.  

St. Martin's Golf Course Superintendent, Andrew Goehler and his staff did an outstanding job constructing the, old-fashioned, earthen tees for this weekend's National Hickory Championship.

Constructing the forms for the earthen tee boxes.

 

Vibratory compacting the sand into place.

Finished.

 

 The old tees blend nicely into the landscape.

The players tee the ball up using sand.  Each player grab's a fist-full of sand which they then wet using water from the small metal bucket.  A small, firm mound is created which the ball delicately rests on.

  

 Watching the golfers play in their time-period attire, you really get the sensation of being thrown back in time.  Can you imagine coming down the home-stretch of the 1907 or 19010 US Open with this tee shot as your final hole?

St. Martins Winter Update

2013 Grounds Staff Complete

Wissahickon Greens Sod Update

Please view the below video to get an update on the greens sod being grown for next year's Wissahickon restoration.

Dormant Zoysiagrass

The zoysiagrass at our St. Martins campus has gone fully dormant for the winter.  As the photo indicates, the fairways still maintain a great look with well-defined color differences.  The turf also maintains very good playability all winter-long as the balls sits very upright.  Please feel free to play the course all winter!

Now that our turf is well established following this past season’s sod work, our staff takes full advantage of this dormancy state.  With a single application we eliminate all cool-season weeds, including Poa annua, within the zoysiagrass.  This single, easy application is in sharp contrast to challenges associated with simply trying to control Poa populations with multiple, season-long applications in a cool-season turf stand.  This process will produce a beautiful, pure stand of zoysiagrass for our fairways within a very short period of time.

As a side note it is somewhat comical that during our rough conversion, which occurred just two months ago, our turf colors were exactly inverse to what they are today.  Feel free to scroll down to compare photos.