2014 Spring Update

Despite the record-cold winter in Philadelphia, the grounds staff at Philadelphia Cricket remained very productive this off-season.  Major accomplishments included: placing the finishing touches on the Wissahickon Course, completing the brick-work around the new paddle courts, helping construct the new Flourtown patio, constructing new storage bins, building new benches for the Wissahickon course, and installing significant landscaping and hardscaping in many areas of both campuses.  Take a look at the photos below to see some of the work done this winter.

Flourtown Patio

Team Effort: One of our earlier Flourtown patio meetings with all contractors and PCC departments represented.

PCC staff removing snow before taking down the old awning

Demolition starts despite the adverse conditions

Demolition of the old patio

Ready for concrete and the new wall for the patio

The new wall for the patio going up

Ramp for the front of the patio

Rock facing being put on the patio wall

View from the other side

Having our golf course architect, Keith Foster and patio architect, Jim Bogrette review our clubhouse area together has allowed for a seamless transition between golf course and clubhouse.

PCC staff starting the brick-work on the patio deck

Laying Bricks

End of day 1

Bridges

 New Bridge from #9 to #10

Philadelphia Cricket Club grounds crew working alongside bridge crew

Putting on the deck of the bridge

New bridge almost completed!  Final touches.

Walk bridge in between #1 and #2

Brick walk ways at Saint Martins Paddle Courts

 Laying bricks after clearing the snow from the path

Working from the back of the paddle huts to the parking lot

Back of the paddle hut by the practice clay courts

View from the parking lot

Storage Bins

We created seven large storage bins which allow us to store all materials at the maintenance facility.  This configuration eliminates the need for us to dump in high-visibility, member areas.

  Old bins removed, area graded, and back wall supports being put in.

 Back wall going up after a night snow storm.

Nearing completion of the bins

Bins finished with new parking lot

Landscaping and Hardscaping

 New chip seal paths to give the course a classic, natural look

Removing the old asphalt cart path in front of the patio to install a new cobble stone path

The beginning of the cobble stone path that will run in front of the patio

PCC staff installing landscaping around 1 tee

Carpentry  

Our carpenter, George Snear, was hard at work this winter as well, helping with the demolition of the patio and building of the storage bins while building new water cooler houses and benches for the Wissahickon course amongst other things.  The new benches and water cooler houses will give  the course a natural feel and look to it.  Below are some pictures of him putting together one of the new benches.

Cutting the log in half to make two benches

Log cut in half ready to be made in to benches.  Newly finished water cooler house in the background as well.

Drilling out holes for the legs

The legs for the benches

Cutting the legs so they are even.

Finished bench next to a water cooler house and the new bathroom located by 13 and 15 tee box.

 

Drew Barnett Named Golf Course Superintendent at Knollwood Club

We are excited to inform PCC members that Wissahickon Superintendent, Drew Barnett, has recently accepted the Golf Course Superintendent position at Knollwood Club, in Lake Forest, IL (North Shore of Chicago).

Drew has been with the PCC for the last three years, and his efforts have produced some of the most exciting and productive work in the club's history.

During the St. Martins golf course restoration with Keith Foster, Drew was the primary shaper.  His artistic-eye helped Keith Foster create the course features he was envisioning.  

In 2013, as the superintendent of the Wissahickon course, Drew had the enormous responsibility of overseeing daily tasks and managing all materials which were being purchased through the club.  Drew's diligence allowed the club leaders to make quick in-field decisions, and is one of the chief reasons the restoration project was delivered ahead of schedule and budget.

The Knollwood Club is a historic club with great tradition.  Knollwood was restored by Keith Foster in 2008 - 2009, co-hosted the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship in 2012, and will be hosting the 2016 Western Amateur Championship.  Drew's competition was stiff with over 100 resumes submitted by highly qualified candidates from some of the best golf courses in the United States.

We than Drew for all of his hard work and sacrifice during his time with PCC, and congratulate him for landing one of the "Dream Jobs" in the Midwest!  If you are ever in the Chicago area, please look up Drew!

We also wanted to be sure to thank PCC members.  Whether reaching out to your personal contacts, or helping perform mock interviews, PCC members have always played an integral role in helping our superintendents become their best and achieve their own positions.  Drew was the 4th PCC superintendent to be promoted  in such a manner in the last four years.  This form of positive turn-over helps PCC to continue to recruit top talent from across the U.S., which in turn, continues to help our courses constantly improve.

In 2014, we are fortunate to be hiring from within as Pat Miller will assume the Wissahickon Superintendent position.  Pat also played an integral role during the 2013 restoration, and was previously an assistant at Crooked Stick Golf Cub in Indiana.  Pat's biggest accomplishment however, is being married to his wife, Michelle!  Members are likely familiar with Michell's smiling face, as she assists Jim Smith Jr. in the golf shop during summer months.

For those members who would like to congratulate Drew, we have placed a link to his email below.

Congrats Drew!

Drew Barnett's Email

Golf Course Architecture Magazine Article

Below is an article in this month's issue of Golf Course Architecture Magazine that focus on the new technology that was used by Keith Foster during the construction of Wissahickon's new greens.

Bald Eagles At Philadelphia Cricket Club

With the Philadelphia Eagles hosting a playoff game today, it felt like a great day to share photos of Philadelphia Cricket Club's own pair of Bald Eagles.

Two Bald Eagles Perched in a Tree

Of the approximate 80,000 Bald Eagles found in the world today, it is estimated that only 200 reside in the state of Pennsylvania (not including the Philadelphia Eagles mascot, Swoop!).  Philadelphia Cricket Club is fortunate to have a pair of our national birds frequenting our grounds! 

The golf courses in Flourtown provide an ideal habitat for the birds.  The consistently flowing quarry water (which we also re-use for irrigation purposes) never completely freezes in the winter, and provides cooler water for trout in the summer months.  This combination gives the eagles a great year-round food source. 

The golf courses also provide ideal stalking ground for bald eagles.  Unlike heavily forested area, eagles like to perch atop our large trees to scout vast, open areas of the golf courses, along with bodies of water. 

Philly Cricket Club's golf courses are providing a home-field type of competitive advantage to our bald eagles.  Hopefully, Lincoln Financial Field provides the same type of advantage tonight in delivering a playoff victory to Philadelphia!  "Fly Eagles, Fly!"

Bald Eagles perched above the pond on Militia Hill #3

 Bald Eagle swooping down to get a fish from Wissahickon #12

Bald Eagle by the creek on the newly restored Wissahickon #6

Close up of Bald Eagle by the creek on the newly restored Wissahickon #6

For Sale

WE ARE REPLACING A VERY WELL MAINTAINED FLEET OF 2010 JOHN DEERE TURF EQUIPMENT WITH A NEW FLEET OF JOHN DEERE  EQUIPMENT, AS WELL AS OTHER ASSORTED PIECES OF DIFFERENT TYPES AND YEARS. ALL ARE FOR SALE AT WELL BELOW CURRENT MARKET VALUE. SERVICE RECORDS FOR ALL DEERE EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. ALL DEERE PIECES WILL BE AVAILABLE APRIL/2014. ALL OTHER EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY. ALL EQUIPMENT IS “AS IS” FROM THE PHILADELPHIA CRICKET CLUB AND BUYER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL SHIPPING AND SALES TAX COSTS. PAYMENT IS REQUIRED PRIOR TO PICK UP OR SHIPMENT.  FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT CRAIG CASSADAY AT (215) 778-5516 OR E-MAIL ccassaday@pcc1854.com.

HERE IS WHAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE:

(11) JD 220E GREENS MOWERS W/TRAILER $4,500.00 EA.

(2) JD 1200H BUNKER RAKES $7,000.00 EA.

(3) JD 2500E 2WD. GAS TRI-PLEXES $15,000.00 EA.

(2) JD 2653B TRIM MOWERS $13,500.00 EA.

(5) JD 2030A PRO GATORS 2WD. DIESEL $13,500.00 EA.

(3 )JD  7500E 2WD. FWY. MOWERS $19,500.00 EA.

 (2) JD 7500E 4WD. FWY. MOWERS $23,500.00

(3) JD 8800 ROUGH MOWERS $19,000.00 EA.

(4) JD 7400 TRIM MOWERS $14,000.00 EA

(2) JD HD300 SELECT SPRAY ON PRO GATORS $22,000.00 EA.

(14) JD TX TURF GATORS $6,0000.00 EA.

(3) AGRIMETAL TB230 TOW BEHIND TURBINE BLOWERS $3,000.00 EA.

(2) 1999 JAC GK IV PLUS’ DIESEL $5,000.

(1) TORO HYDROJECT W/88 HRS. (LIKE NEW) $1,500

(1) THATCHAWAY SUPA-SYSTEM (3 UNITS) FOR TORO TRI-PLEX W/VERTICUTS AND SCARIFIERS $3,000.00

(1) 2007 JD CP48 CORE PULVERIZER (LIKE NEW) $1,500.00

(2) CLUB CAR CARRY ALL II’S (1999-2001) $1,500 EA.

(9) JAC  PGM’S (1) PARTS MOWER, (3) W/GROOMERS, (5) W/O GROOMERS $100.00-$300.00 EA.