Tee Renovations at Square Links Golf Course Frankfort, IL
Last November we started a few tee box renovations at Square Links Golf Course in Frankfort, IL. The tees being renovated were: 2nd tee box, 5th back tee, 6 & 8 forward tees. These tee boxes were deemed priority by the Frankfort Square Park District and Reliable Golf Services based on several factors, including uneven surfaces, size, and golfer playability.
We started by removing the sod from the top and surrounding area of the tee box.
Once the sod was removed and hauled away, we started to reshape and level the top surface of the tee. During the shaping and leveling process we used a laser level. We took several measurements with the laser throughout the shaping process to ensure we were on the right track. The key aspect of a good tee box is to not have a perfectly level surface but one that has a slight consistent slope going from front to back. This allows water movement off the tee box.
Once we had the tee tops where we wanted them, the sides were shaped and feathered out to blend in with the surrounding grades. Golf course tees should be elevated above ground level. This helps distinguish the teeing area creates a visually better looking golf hole. The idea is to create an even upward slope to the teeing area that isn’t too steep or people will have trouble walking up the bank. Also, you don’t want dips and uneven areas that hold water. Settling may occur and if those areas are left unfixed you can have wet spots, uneven mow cuts, and trip hazards. Poorly built banks can ruin the visual effect of a newly built tee.
As we put back the sod around the teeing area, it all started coming together and looking like a new tee box. Next the seed was planted for the teeing surface. We chose to use Barenburg Turf Blue HGT® bluegrass seed. Square Links has bluegrass teeing and fairway surfaces and Turf Blue HGT is a great choice for bluegrass that can be mowed at tee height. The seed was applied at the rate of 3#/ 1,000 sqft. Then we did a process called “dimpling” to ensure proper seed to soil contact. Next the seed was covered with straw mat to help with germination this spring. This will also prevent birds from eating the seed over the winter months.
Stay tuned to see how these tees finish up in the spring…..