Belle Haven Country Club Agronomy

  Belle Haven Country Club Agronomy Blog – March 26, 2026 Bunker Renovation Update It’s been another productive week on the course! The construction crew worked Saturday to install erosion and sediment controls around 16 green, completing that phase Monday morning. We received approval later that day to begin demolition. Joel met with the lead shaper Tuesday afternoon to review this stage of work, and by Thursday the crew had seven bunkers rough-shaped and ready for drainage. Joel will return Friday morning to inspect and approve the bunkers and green surrounds. Once approved, the next step includes installing drainage, adding bunker sand, and grassing the area. If all goes as planned, we’ll begin sodding by next Thursday. Our irrigation team relocated four heads and installed 200 feet of new pipe to accommodate the bunker work. On Monday, we’ll move another 60 feet of pipe located beneath one of the new bunkers. 16 Green bunker renovation taking shape. Fairway Aerificat...

  BELLE HAVEN COUNTRY CLUB Agronomy Blog – March 19, 2026 Bunker Renovation Update It’s been another productive week on the course! Despite an inch of rain Monday afternoon, the construction crew is wrapping up work around the 13th green. Joel was on-site Monday to make final adjustments before shaping and drainage. On Tuesday, the team installed the drainage and gravel layer, followed by application of the Better Billy Bunker polymer on Wednesday. Sand was added Thursday morning, and 10,000 square feet of rough sod will be installed Friday. The hole is expected to be fully complete by next Tuesday. Gravel layer and drainage complete Spraying the Better Billy Bunker Polymer Sand in the bunkers Erosion and sediment control work on hole 16 is scheduled for Friday and Saturday. Tarps Removed We removed the growing tarps from the short game area and the driving range on Tuesday and Wednesday. These tarps protect the Bermuda grass during the winter and give us a head start ...

  BELLE HAVEN COUNTRY CLUB AGRONOMY BLOG March 12, 2026 Bunker Renovation Update It was a productive week on the course! On Friday, Joel Weinman joined the crew to fine‑tune the new 14th‑hole approach. Our team installed additional irrigation on both sides of the green to ensure full coverage for the expanded approach and fairway. On Monday, McDonald and Sons moved to the 13th green to begin demolition. By Tuesday, all three bunkers were rough‑shaped ahead of Joel’s site visit Wednesday morning. That same day, we received and installed 19,000 square feet of sod—finishing just before the rain—completing about 90% of the 14th hole. At 13, our team relocated two sprinkler heads and water lines to accommodate the new bunker layout. Drainage installation is the next step. On Thursday, we received five truckloads of bunker sand (110 tons) and three loads of drainage stone (66 tons) for the bunkers on 13. We anticipate finishing the green surround and bunkers by the end of next ...

  BELLE HAVEN COUNTRY CLUB AGRONOMY BLOG March 5, 2026 BUNKER RENOVATION UPDATE Erosion and sediment controls on holes 13 and 14 were completed Monday, and the county has officially cleared us to begin construction. We started by stripping turf around the 14th green surround and the 13th fairway bunker. Although Tuesday’s rain delayed progress, the construction crew returned early Wednesday to begin grading work around the 14th green. All bentgrass from the 14th approach was harvested and stored behind the green for future use. Despite the challenging weather, the project remains on track. 14 approach left side being soften       14 green side bunker removed GREENS AERIFICATION Greens aerification is scheduled for Monday, March 9, and Tuesday, March 10. The course will open at its normal time each day; however, the back nine will remain closed until 2 p.m. Our spring aerification process includes: • ¼‑inch hollow tines to remove organic matter • Clea...

  Belle Haven Country Club Agronomy Blog February 26, 2026 Bunker Renovation Update We held our pre‑construction meeting on Wednesday the 25th and now have authorization to begin work. Erosion and sediment controls are being installed today. Renovation will start on holes 13 and 14; those holes will be closed during construction, but the rest of the course will remain open. Please check with the Pro Shop for the most up‑to‑date hole availability. Finally getting started Course Update After being covered in snow for the past 30 days, the course is extremely wet and scattered with debris. It will take some time to get everything cleaned up and back in shape. This week our priority is getting greens and tees playable, followed by addressing bunkers. Next, we will focus on clearing fairways and rough. The geese have been enjoying the open turf—and have left plenty behind for us to clean up. Refurbishing Wood Fixtures Throughout the winter, our grounds staff refurbishes the wo...

  Belle Haven Country Club Agronomy Blog February 19, 2026 Bunker Renovation Update We’re continuing to work with the county to schedule our pre-construction meeting so the bunker renovation can officially begin. On Friday, February 13, we met on site with golf course architect Joel Weiman and the project management team from McDonald & Sons Golf Course Builders to review the work planned for holes 13 and 14. We’re eager to get the project underway and will keep everyone updated as scheduling progresses. Equipment Preventive Maintenance Winter is our prime time for equipment maintenance — an important behind-the-scenes effort that ensures everything runs smoothly once the season begins. Leading this work are Ronnie Pettit, our Head Mechanic with 45 years of service, and Chris Gochenour, Assistant Mechanic with 20 years of service. Together, they rebuild and sharpen more than 50 mower reels each winter, replacing bearings, drive shafts, and other worn components. T...

  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 sedi...