Golf Course Update

3/27/15 Golf Course Update

To: Vesper Country Club Members

From: Stephen Hicks, Golf Course Superintendent

Finally! A few days of melting and the first week of spring has come and gone. I wanted to provide another update to further communicate the challenges we are anticipating in regards to the extreme winter. We are all anxious and eager to get to work on the course. The Masters Tournament is only a few weeks away and I know you are all getting excited to tee it up at Vesper.

To give you some background on past opening dates. In 2013, we opened on April 13th. Last year, we opened on April 18th. If you recall, last winter was also very difficult and many areas of turf were damaged. This winter, unfortunately, was even worse. One for the record books.

We will not know the health of the turfgrass until all the snow melts and growth begins. As last week’s update stated, we have concerns for potential ice/winter damage on fairways. We are still feeling positive in regards to putting green health. We are beginning to employ some tactics on a few of our greens to speed up the melting process. Please remember that at Vesper we are in a unique situation, thanks to the investment in bentgrass greens, our risk for winter damage is reduced compared to the many facilities in our region that have Poa annua greens.  That does not mean that damage isn’t possible, especially after the magnitude of this winter and the ice cover that has been present since mid-January.

Over 3 inches of snow has melted over the past few days thanks to the warmer temperatures. We can now start to see some small areas of exposed turf, but overall there is still anywhere from a half-foot to 2 feet of snow on the property! We normally would be bringing back our greens staff next week to begin course preparations. Unfortunately, that is not going to happen and we can now be certain that the weather is going to delay our ability to get the course ready for a normal mid-April opening day. Based on current conditions, I am hopeful that we can be open for golf by late-April.

Below are few of the basic requirements that need to happen before we open the course:

1.       All of the snow must melt

2.       The frozen soil needs to completely thaw

3.       Once the frost dissipates from the ground we need time for the course to drain and dry down

4.       As soon as ground conditions allow equipment to be taken on the course, we begin course cleanup

5.       Basic preparations include cleaning up our tree work areas, picking up limbs and other debris that accumulates over the winter, repairing bunkers, and installing course accessories, and turning on the irrigation system

6.       If there is damage, these areas will need to be assessed so that repairs can begin

7.       Soil temperatures need to warm enough to allow turf growth to start

8.       We need to mow all playing surfaces at least two times

9.       The turfgrass needs to be growing and healthy enough to support cart traffic and foot traffic

10.   We also need to aerate the putting greens. We want to get this done early to avoid disrupting the greens in May

I hope these updates are helpful. We will get on the course and start working as soon as possible. I can’t wait to see you all back and enjoying this great property.

2-20-15 weather update

We have now received about 100" of snow this year, it is not official yet, but I read that we will soon eclipse "the gold standard" year of 1934 as the coldest winter on record.

We have been busy to say the least, but a lot of our normally scheduled work is not getting done.
All of our time is being consumed by snow related jobs!

Grounds Team pausing for a moment for a photo op!

Assistant Blaine, the putting green is behind him buried under a 4 foot snowpack

With roof collapses dominating the news, we are doing what we can to be proactive.

Winter Weather

2/10/15 Weather Update

Date of Storm	Total snowfall	Man-Hours
November 26	5”	20 hours
January 3rd	3”	23 hours
January 9th	2”	15 hours
January 24th	5”	23 hours
January 27th	33”	56 hours
February 2nd	14”	46 hours
February 5th	4”	23 hours
February 7-9th	16”	46 hours
Total	82”	252 hours

• Our records indicate the total snowfall for last winter (2013-2014) was approx. 86 inches
• This year we are on pace for much more, as of Feb. 10, 2015 we have received over 6 feet in the past 2.5 weeks alone, with many forecasts predicting more snow. 
• The above chart, produced by local news before the storm had even ended, indicates the record snowfall in a very short window, noting both records broken for the 20 day and 30 day.  Furthermore, we are on pace to beat the 40 day record.
• The high winds have also been a factor with large snow drifts which results in more time spent plowing.

ANOTHER HISTORIC & EXTREME WINTER IN THE MAKING

@ Vesper-Country Club

Below is more info on the weather-related issues we are currently experiencing at Vesper:

Ice: Small pockets of minor ice formed on the course January 4^th, but this was not a significant concern. However, major ice formation occurred following 0.8 inches of rain and a brief warm-up on January 18^th.

·         (More about) Snow: We were optimistic that we would get some more melting of the ice pictured above, after all it had been a relatively snow-less winter. That hope was lost on January 27^th. The historic Blizzard, Juno, dumped close to 3 feet on Vesper and the snow has not stopped since. This winter to date, we have received about 82 inches of snow! (Average for the entire winter is 52 inches) The City of Boston and the National Weather Service just announced that it has been the snowiest 30 day period in the history of the City, beating the previous record set in 1978!

·         Temperature: The months of January and February have also set record lows, on Jan. 8^th it was -6⁰F, on Feb. 4^th it was    -2⁰F, and Feb. 6^th was -5⁰F. Wind-chill values as low as -20 below have been felt at Vesper. Recent forecast suggests that the temperatures over the next 10 days may be the coldest observed in many years.

·         What are our current concerns with turfgrass health?

First to refresh our memories of last winter. We had significant damage to our weak grasses, (Poa annua and perennial ryegrass), but no noticeable damage to our bentgrass putting green surfaces. We know last winter was also extreme in nature, but the type and timing of the weather events are distinctly different from last year to this year.

-Winter 2013-14: Ice encasement duration was 11.5 weeks (Dec. 23^rd-March 15^th)

-Winter 2014-15 Ice encasement duration is 4 weeks and counting…

We are confident that ice encasement caused damage last year, but most agronomists and peer superintendents also agree that the majority of the turfgrass in our region was compromised when temperatures rose to nearly 60 degrees, followed by sudden flash freezes. This scenario occurred several times last winter. Thankfully this has not been the case this winter.

·         Are we going to remove snow from the putting greens this winter?

As most are aware, we removed snow and applied black sand to help melt the ice on many of the putting greens last winter. We performed this procedure several times. We were able to do this because we had the opportunity (meaning an extended period of warmer temps, conducive to melting.) Also, the moderate snow depth allowed us to access the greens with our equipment. We needed to do this because we were approaching 90 days under ice. Research has suggested that modern bentgrass can survive 90-120 days under ice encasement. Our weaker grasses, Poa annua and Perennial Ryegrass can only survive for about 45 days.

At this point, if we follow the 90 day theory, we would need to consider taking action as we approach the last week of March. If snow depths remain this extreme all the way to the end of March, we would need to consider acquiring large industrial snow removal equipment to assist in the process. Our equipment is no match for the current snow-pack.

Grounds Staff

Grounds Staff

I am proud to have a great staff that is committed to improving each day! Combined the grounds staff has well over 100 years of experience in the care and maintenance of golf courses.

Stephen Hicks-overlooking historic Oakmont Country Club in 2012

Superintendent- Stephen Hicks

I am entering into my third season as Grounds Superintendent of Vesper-Country Club!

Prior to joining Vesper, I was employed at Oakmont Country Club from 2005-2012, where I worked my way up from Summer Intern to eventually become the First Assistant Superintendent. I am very fortunate to have worked under one of the very best in the business and experience two major championships (2007 US Open, 2010 US Women's Open).

I received an associates degree and bachelors degree from the  Stockbridge School and the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. My first college internship was at another historic New England course, The Country Club, in Brookline, Ma. I was born and raised in the small town of Whitefield, located in the North Country of New Hampshire.

Assistant Superintendent- Blaine Doherty

I grew up in Wayland, a small town just west of Boston. My father would always instill the importance of a strong work ethic, attention to detail and to never complain. I got my start in the industry working at Wayland Country Club on the grounds crew in the summer of 2002. I worked seasonally on staff throughout my high school years and shortly after that until 2007, when I enrolled in the turf associates degree program at the Stockbridge School in Amherst, MA.

Throughout my time in Stockbridge and later the University Of Massachusetts to get my Bachelors, I completed internships at Charles River CC in Newton MA, Eastward Ho! CC in Chatham MA, and Merion Golf Club in Ardmore PA. The internship experience exposed me to a wide variety of management styles and how different greens departments completed tasks, while perfecting my skills. Upon graduation, I made my way down to Century Country Club in Purchase, NY as an Assistant-In-Training. I stayed at Century from 2011-2013, with the 2012 and 2013 seasons as the Second Assistant.

My time in Westchester County, NY was invaluable. My role was transitioned into a managerial one and a great working environment and learning experience. Century renovated all 18 tee complexes and surfaces as well as a new maintenance facility during my employment. I was hired as a First Assistant here at Vesper Country Club in Tyngsboro, MA in December of 2013 and we’ve been striving for the best conditions ever since!

Assistant Superintendent- Alex Brooks

Alex began his career working the summers at his father’s local Country Club.  He quickly grew eager to learn more about the industry and decided to go to the Stockbridge School of Agriculture for Turf Management.  Alex thrived in college and enrolled in the four year program at the University of Massachusetts and finished his Bachelor’s degree in Plant, Soil and Insect Science, in three years while being the President of the Turf Club and graduating Cum Laude.  After his internships at The Vineyard Golf Club and The Patterson Club, Alex was offered an assistant in training job at the prestigious Westchester Country Club in Rye, NY.  Alex spent his first year learning the skills that it takes to become an assistant and was quickly promoted to Assistant.  The next three years, he managed a diverse crew of 60 employees to maintain over 400 acres of golf and grounds property.  In the spring of 2014, Alex wanted to get back to his New England roots and decided to take his talents to Vesper Country Club.  Alex has been learning the necessary steps it takes to become a Superintendent and plans on entering the job market in the fall of 2015.  Alex enjoys fly fishing, golfing, and spending time with his family and friends.  

2nd Assistant- Willem Geldenhuys

Head Equipment Manager- Matt Verdon

More coming soon.....!

Members of Grounds Staff during aerification at Vesper CC--TeamWork!

History

HISTORY

Vesper-Country Club sits on Tyngs Island in the midst of the Merrimack River and was established in 1875 as Vesper Boat Club. In 1899 it merged with Lowell Country Club (founded in 1892) to create Vesper-Country Club.

Vesper has hosted numerous major golf events, including four Massachusetts Open championships, several Massachusetts Amateur Championships, and the New England PGA (held in 1977 and won by the Vesper host pro at the time, Tom McGuirk). The professional course record of 65 was set by Jeff Lewis during the 1990 Massachusetts Open.

Today, Vesper’s golf course is considered one of the finest in New England. In 2008, the membership voted to completely rebuild all 18 greens to USGA specifications and to restore the bunkers on the course. This rebuilding project was completed at the end of 2009 and overseen by architect Brian Silva, who attempted to be faithful to the original design and plans of Donald Ross. Vesper has most recently been featured as one of Golf Week Magazine's Top 100 Classic Courses in America in 2011 and again in 2012. 

With beautiful views of the Merrimack River, Vesper-Country Club has continued to be the preeminent social venue for the Greater Lowell area since 1875. 

Recently, Vesper was featured on NESN as part of Golf Destination TV!