Compromised Tree Behind #2 Green

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Here are some photos of a Coast Live Oak located behind #2 green. In two separate incidents this year, this tree lost major sections of limbs from similar attachment sites. Now the tree's structure has been severely compromised, making it a hazard to both people and our irrigation controllers. Reluctantly, it has been scheduled to be removed next week........

Climate Change?

The latest data from the National Weather Service shows how cool the past two summers have been. The Redwood City data is a close approximate of Stanford's climate. 1 represents the coolest ever ranking.


Location/2011 Ave Temp/Rank/2010 Ave Temp/Rank/Years of Recoring
------ ---- ------ ---- --------
MONTEREY 57.4/ 1 / 57.6/ 2 / 62
MOUNT DIABLO JUNCTION 67.1 / 2 / 67.4 / 7 / 58
SALINAS 60.8/ 9 / 60.5 / 6 / 53
OAKLAND 62.9/ 10 / 62.3 / 2 / 41
REDWOOD CITY 66.7/ 13 / 65.8/ 6 / 80
SANTA CRUZ 62.1/ 28 / 62.4 / 34 / 117
SAN JOSE 67.8 / 36 / 67.6 / 33 / 87
SAN FRANCISCO DOWNTOWN 59.7/ 42 / 59.0 / 27 / 137

PG&E Work in Creek at #8 Bridge

PG&E is set to begin work in the San Francisquito Creek near Hole #8 on Monday 9/12. The work is to determine the integrity of the gas pipeline that runs beneath the creek. They are scheduled to install a coffer dam to divert the creek. Then they will jackhammer and remove the concrete slab in the creek that once covered the gas line.

If the line is sound, they will excavate it and re-coat it, then re-cover the line. The work will be staged along the path between #7 green and #8 tee. The work is expected to last anywhere from one to four weeks.

Why Sometimes Irrigation Comes on Unexpectedly!

Last week we had some sprinklers come on unexpectedly on Hole #11. We had a difficult time understanding why, until we removed the irrigation controller face plate from the satellite. This Alligator lizard found his way into the controller and shorted some of the electronic components. It was probably warm in there, but unfortunately he is no longer with us........

Tree Canopy Raised on Hole #16

The smaller oak tree left of the driving area on #16 has been raised up. Balls pulled left off the tee could find their way under this tree and into an unplayable position. Now there is at least some way to play out of that position.

Split Oak Right of #6 Fairway

The big slanting tree in the driving area of #6 lost some large branches last Friday. Unfortunately the main trunk of the tree was damaged badly. The tree is structurally compromised now. My hope is to save the tree for as long as possible using some pruning and lag bolting through the bole.

The tree is a key part of the hole as it is played now, but who knows, actually losing it could make for exciting recovery shots from below the fairway.


(Click photos to enlarge)

New Sand in Bunker #3

We've just added some fresh sand to the bunker adjacent to #3 green. The bunker liner was becoming exposed and interfering with play.

Please be aware that a few plugged lies may result in the next few weeks until the new sand settles.

Please Welcome New Employee Bobby Kempainen!

Please welcome Robert "Bobby" Kempainen as the new Assistant Superintendent in Training at the Siebel Varsity Golf Training Complex. Bobby is a native of Minnesota and comes to us from the University of Wisconsin -Stout. Bobby has worked at Hazletine National GC and for the PGA of America in preparation of the 2009 PGA Championship. I hope you will join me in welcoming Bobby to Stanford!

Losing Big Branches on Oak Trees

The heat of the summer has finally arrived. It has been a long, wet, and mild winter where our oak trees have put on a lot of new growth. This new growth adds weight to the ends of the limbs especially when the weather heats up. When it is hot, the trees take up a lot of water. This additional weight often causes large limbs to drop from the oaks. We have experienced this on quite a few oaks this year. Below are photos from the large limbs that recently fell from trees along #7 fairway and #9 tee. Unfortunately, the tree alongside #9 tee will have to be removed for safety concerns.

(Click photos to enlarge)

Blue Stakes = Irrigation Valve Markings

(Click Photo to Enlarge)

We've started marking our irrigation valves in the native grass areas with blue plastic stakes. We formerly used small irrigation flags but had trouble with the plastic flags detaching. It is important that we mark the valves in the high grass so we can find them when needed. Oftentimes the valves get covered over by gopher mounds or become obscured by the long grass. The blue stakes just signify where there is an irrigation component.

If you happen to need to remove a blue stake to play a golf shot, please replace it. Thanks!!!

Path Replacement at #10 Tee

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The asphalt path from the lower clubhouse parking lot to #10 tee is being replaced this week. The old path had deteriorated and was crumbling following the water line installation/construction over the winter. The new path has 6" of compacted base material and redwood headers. This should be a good path for many years to come.

High Grass!

The early and abundant rainfall this year has resulted in some extreme growth in our naturalized areas. This photo was shot right of #6. We've worked really hard trying to keep the naturalized areas weed free. Hopefully this will pay dividends in the upcoming years as the soil gets slowly depleted of weed seeds.


Pirate, one of the luckiest dogs anywhere.

Rainbow from Last Weekend

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One of the best parts of my job is getting to see the golf course in many different lights. This is a picture from last weekend, shot from #3 tee.

New Benches #8 Tee, #10 Tee

We've put some new benches out on the course at #8 and #10 tees. They are constructed with recycled plastic so should last longer, be easier to clean, and not require painting every year.

New Trees Planted on #2

Seven new coast live oaks (Quercus agrifolia) were planted last week on #2 near the new water tank. They should grow fairly rapidly to help screen off the SVGTC water tank and pump station.

The USGA on frost issues

Here is a pretty good animated message on frost from the USGA........

Click the link below:


The USGA on frost issues

Bunker Face Reshaping #1

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Bunker Face Reshaping #6

The old bunker before re-shaping


Ten buggies of sand were removed from the lip, exposing the original contours.



The new, nearly completed, bunker face.

New Old

We are re-shaping the faces of the bunkers with excessive sand buildups. This minor re-shaping is being done to extend the bunker's life. It will also keep the greens from becoming severely sloped on the edges, thereby losing good pin placements. In addition, aesthetics; playability; and ease of maintenance will be vastly improved. Bunkers at #7 green, #1 green, #5 green and #8 green will be done next. The bunkers at #19 will be the last to be done in this project.

Work Starting On Bunker Right of #6 Green

Here are the "before photos" of the bunker on #6.

This photo shows the preliminary digging used to find the old soil lines of bunker edges. This bunker was last re-built in 1994. In some places, we found sand accumulation reaching two feet above the old grades.

Peeling off the accumulated sand to reveal the original bunker contours.

Shaping of Range Bunker - Finishing Up

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Old Varsity bunker photo from 2006


Another photo from 2006



Sand buildup removal and bunker re-shaping 2011


Video of excavator pushing back bunker sand after re-shaping