Holiday Weekend Update

The tee’s and greens on the new 12^th hole are roughed in! Work this coming week will begin re-building the 11^th green. The new hole 18 is graded and construction is proceeding on the tees and fairways. Bunker improvements throughout the course are underway and will continue throughout the next two weeks. Par 3 Hole 1 is being prepped for irrigation installation.

Above: Par Course #1, view from the new tee

The 11th hole is now playing with a temporary green. The green was bulldozed to make room for shaping around the new 12th tee complex. The new green will move approximately 20 yards to the right. When playing the 11th hole, please follow the posted signs through the silt fencing to get to the 12th tee box. 

Above: #11 Green and approach being graded

Below: Adding fill to #18 approach

Also this week, we saw Duininck install our first new irrigation satellite for the new holes. These new satellites will enable us to properly grow in these newly seeded and sodded areas. The upgraded technology will allow us to more efficiently and effectively water the property, versus the very outdated irrigation controllers that we currently have. This new controller is very exciting for me!

With the bunkers being under construction for the next few weeks, please remember to clean your shoes if you enter these areas. I'm sure many of you have noticed the footprints being tracked across the greens from the bunker areas. Please help us keep the greens clean by being aware of where you are and have been walking. Thank you.

Bunker Renovation Project

This last week saw Duininck make strides on our bunker renovation portion of the project. They graded and shaped all of the bunkers. In the next few weeks they will finish the final grade, install bunker sand, and lay the new sod. During this process, these areas will play as "ground under repair." Please remove your ball if necessary, taking a free drop, and don't forget to check your shoes. Avoid tracking dirt and mud onto the green surfaces.

Above: #9 green before

Below: #9 being graded

Below: #9 green after grading and shaping

The work area looks rather large, but in the end all the new bunkers will not be that large. One of the main advantages of the bunker project will be improved drainage. These old bunkers did not drain properly, holding water for long periods after heavy rains. With some simple drainage and the design features of the new bunkers, these conditions will improve greatly. 

The painted section above will roughly be the size of this bunker by #3 green.

Below: #8 green-side bunker being graded

  

Following up on questions from the last post, here is a rough map of the changes to the back 9. This shows the placement of the new 12th and 18th holes. 

Over the next few weeks, Duininck will be making strides to complete the bunker project. While in the process, please avoid entering these areas whenever possible. If crew are working in the area, make sure to maintain their safety, ensure they are aware of your presence. Once they complete the bunkers, it will take time for the new sod to root in and be ready for play. Additional signage and roping will be in these areas to help us allow these areas to grow properly and be ready for play sooner. Please help us by following all posted signs and ropes as we work to better your golf course!

Wirth Golf Course Renovation

Welcome to the Theodore Wirth Golf Club blog. Over the next few months we will be discussing exciting changes to the golf course. There will be two brand new holes and a new green complex on the championship course, and the par 3 course will have a brand new first hole. Additionally, all the bunkers on the golf course will be rebuilt. Duininck Golf has begun construction in the past few weeks, with the work expected to finish up by late September. I will periodically be updating you on the progress for the duration of the project.

Who am I? My name is Chris Aumock. I am the new Golf Course Foreman at Theodore Wirth. Before coming to Wirth, I spent the last three years as the assistant superintendent at North Oaks Golf Club and had previous stints at Preakness Hills Country Club in Wayne, NJ and Manitou Ridge in White Bear Lake. I am looking forward to the opportunity of being part of these exciting changes at your golf course!

The area above will soon become our new 18th hole. This short par 4 will pass through this corridor with the center of the green being located at the white post.

The new par 3 12th hole will be built to the left of the current #11 green. 11 green complex will be rebuilt to make room for the new 12th tee. The picture above is taken from the new tee site.

The new par 3 hole #1 will be entirely moved to the left, creating a new, exciting backdrop for your starting hole.

We are extremely excited for the changes coming to Wirth over the next few months. This process will take time, upon completion of construction there will be a period of grow-in for the new turf. Hopefully, these holes will be open for play late next spring. During this process, we will have 3 temporary greens on the back 9, and the par 3 course will have a temporary 9th hole. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience and patronage. Please come out and play the golf course, watch these changes unfold firsthand. While doing so, please refrain from exploring these construction areas, allow us to prepare these new areas properly for your future enjoyment. We know you will enjoy these changes to your golf course and are excited for you to rediscover Theodore Wirth!