Tuesday, February 01, 2005

Projects Underway at Chesapeake Bay Golf Club, North East

I spoke today to Andy Barbin, owner of CBGC NE, and got some info on current projects planned for completion this Spring (SPRING!).

The sixteenth hole is being shortened to around 125 yards for men and 90 yards for women and seniors. Two new tee boxes are being built forward of the old tees, primarily to take the homes on the right out of play. Ryland Homes and the course came to an agreement over the winter regarding the setback issues, so now the townhouses are again under construction. The green will not be moved, at least not now, however the right side will be redone to open it up a bit. This will surely change the nature of sixteen. Four was always a good score at this par three, now it will be just a wedge or nine iron off the tee. A back right pin will still be a bitch.

The mess on the right of hole seven green will be repaired. The entire area of rocks, slopes and lousy bunkers will be built up from the cart path using cross ties. It will be sodded and perhaps have a new bunker. At least shots drifting to the right won’t hit hard and sail off into the woods. This repair is way over due.

On fourteen, the wet area on the left beyond the wetlands will have drains installed, top soil put down and seeded. Cutting the corner now shouldn’t result in a muddy or, most often, lost ball. (Surely Mike Chambers will appreciate this repair.)

New cart paths are going in on fourteen and fifteen, this time entirely on golf course owned property, we think.

If time and weather allow, Hole 4 green will be remodeled. I got no details on the plans, but hopefully something can be done about a bailout area.

Lastly, Tom Brown has been promoted to Green Supervisor for both NE and Rising Sun. A new Super for NE has been hired.

Fairways and greens,

Jim