Sunday, September 13, 2026

GCIP - My Latest Pictures as of 9/12




This view is of the new sixth green and the fairway approach on the right.



This is a view from behind the 6th green looking at the chipping area on the green bank.



New chipping area on the right of the green being sodded.  This grass is from the beginning of the fairway.



The current sixth fairway about 120 yards to the new green.



Looking back, this is the new III tee on seven.



This is from behind the new I tee on hole 7.



The construction committee on a course tour with a cameo from Rory!



Another course tour stop on a potential I tee on 16.  Thank you Meg for the on course shots!



Brandon and Scott reviewing the new I tee on 15, 263 to the front edge of the fairway bunker.



Another picture of the potential back tee on 15, II, III and IV are going to fit in so, so nicely.



Looking back at the new II tee on 6.  All of the native areas will permanently be mowed down to regular rough in front of the tee and to the left.
 



The new III tee on 6 looking back.

 

Tuesday, September 1, 2026

GCIP Video Update September 1, 2026


Click on the video below for the latest GCIP update recorded on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.



Friday, August 21, 2026

GCIP Update August 21, 2026


The bulldozer for six green arrived a day late as the trailer delivering the dozer didn't have any brakes Monday morning.  When it arrived mid-day on Tuesday, my team and I moved the transport mats in front of the dozer across the sixth fairway.  The mats worked so well!



Halfway crossing the sixth fairway.



Patrick was ready for his half and waiting for me to get my half, the handles worked great.



Getting started on the new sixth green.



GCIP chairman Mike Meindertsma checking in with our architect Brian Slawnik from Renaissance Golf Desgin.

 

Sunday, August 16, 2026

Thursday, July 30, 2026

Thursday, July 16, 2026

Tree Trimming on 8 in the Power Lines and Around the Course in Pictures


Overnight on Monday, July 27th, another storm came through the region.  This one brought down a lot of white pine limbs along the property line left of #8.  

Unfortunately, the 480 volt, three phase power supply for the underground pump station on #16 weaves through those massive trees.  It's been a problem here at The Club for decades.  Surge damage to the pump station, power outages and tree limb arching.  Four years ago they wanted to remove all of the trees down to the ground. We had plans to put the power line underground with Consumers but we couldn't agree on the right time for both parties to take on the four week project.



At least two trees had small arcing fires in them with the cracked and broken limbs hanging across the wires.



White pine trees are a very difficult tree to trim and still have it remain looking good.  Twenty-five years ago, Consumers came through and topped the entire row of white pines.  They of course grew back and filled out all back into the power lines.  



Davey Tree company worked and did their best to try and save what they could after trimming them down to below the lower consumers power line which supplies the homes along 8.  Many look awful and will regrow over time, a few will die and they left what they could to still protect our neighbors from golf balls.




We were without power to the pump station for three days.  They had four trucks working 10:00 - 4:00 each day.



Entire trees were required to come down next to power poles and transformers.  



Our insurance claims adjuster will be on site next Monday.  Consumers and Davey are not required to remove the down trees and brush since it was storm damage related and not routine maintenance.



Thank you so much to Tom and Jana Rockne and John and Linda Kuipers for hosting the 2.0 Grounds Brat Feed last Monday!  They brought the brats, potato salad, chips, cookies, brownies and even a small electric pot for the sauerkraut and all the fixens.  



I loved the sign, "#1 Grounds Crew, Hammy's Horde." The sign is hanging on our wall of history.



Traverse City's own Root Beer from Northwoods Soda!



Down on the driving range.....while practicing your game, be sure to hit your shots in a line vs. the picture below of scattered divots.
 


Scattered divots remove over 200% more turf vs. a line of divots.



Two weeks ago during another overnight storm this 1/2 of a tree came down on 5.



Luke and Brian here on five green, have been adding sand to the high traffic bunkers.  All three bunkers on 5,8 and 9 were completed. 




Had to get a photo of this one!



Working on the construction damage behind 17 green.  We are getting to these areas one at a time in the afternoons when we can.




Momma taking her chicks on a morning walk away from the water on 16.



A new world record and hall-of fame divot on 13.  The divot was put back, but after it caught my eye, I had to get a photo.  

Thank you for making it to the bottom of this long blog post!

Steve :)



GCIP - My Latest Pictures as of 9/12

This view is of the new sixth green and the fairway approach on the right. This is a view from behind the 6th green looking at the chipping ...

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