Week of February 10

Welcome to the first post of the Belle Haven Country Club Agronomy Blog. This page will be updated most Thursdays by me, Mike Augustin, Director of Golf Course and Club Grounds. 

The purpose of this blog is to keep the membership informed about what is happening on the golf course and around the club grounds, what work is underway, what is planned, and why it matters. Topics will include course conditions, the bunker renovation project, agronomic challenges and successes, and highlights of the outstanding work our grounds staff performs each week.

 

Bunker Renovation Update

The start of the bunker renovation project has been delayed due to permitting challenges and recent winter weather. Fortunately, we are now seeing a break in conditions and anticipate beginning construction on Monday, February 16, weather permitting. 

The construction team will begin work on Hole 14. The initial phase will focus on installing erosion and sediment control measures. Once these controls are inspected and approved by Fairfax County, we will proceed with removing existing bunker sand and stripping sod. 

A portion of the existing bunker sand will be reused in the front nine bunkers that are scheduled for reconstruction during Phase 2 next fall. This approach helps manage costs while maintaining consistency across the course.

 

In-House Projects on the Golf Course

During the months of December and January, the Grounds Department completed a significant internal drainage improvement project. Our team installed approximately 1,000 feet of perforated drainage pipe on fairways 1, 3, 4, 8, 13, 14, and 15. 

This was a labor-intensive effort that required a crew of 7–8 staff members over 24 workdays. In total, the project involved removing 20 tons of soil, installing 20 tons of sand over the drainage pipe, and laying approximately 2,000 square feet of bentgrass sod.

 These improvements targeted areas that suffered turf damage during the heavy rainfall experienced in June and July of 2025. The new drainage will significantly improve surface conditions, turf health, and long-term playability in these fairways.

Tree Work

Our annual week of tree work will begin on Monday, February 16. During this period, we will focus on removing six trees that have received approval from Fairfax County. These trees are located within the 100-year floodplain, also referred to by the county as a Resource Protection Area (RPA). 

Tree removal within an RPA requires extensive documentation, including an arborist’s report and a detailed site map. The approval process for this work took approximately eight months to complete.

In addition to the approved removals, the contractor will perform selective structural pruning throughout the property. The outside tree crew will handle all technical pruning and removals, while our grounds staff will manage cleanup. This coordinated approach allows us to maximize productivity and value. 

The club allocates approximately $25,000 annually for work completed by an outside tree contractor, and this week represents the primary use of those funds for the year.

Please look for next week’s update on Thursday, where I will share progress and photos from the start of construction.