NEFA DISCussion

I would like to start having workdays for Crossfarms in the coming weeks to upgrade the tee boxes, clean sticks, stumps, logs and debris and to remove some choice timber that is blocking fairway routes.
The removal of trees will have to be done selectively and with no remaining debris or else the townies will complain vociferously (as they have in the past). I'm sorry this has to be, but we have been harassed every time a tree has dropped. I have further thoughts on this but will only talk about this one on one as opposed to in this public thread (lest they be listening in).

Here's the rub: It has traditionally been very hard to put together a work day or days that agrees with everyones schedule. Additionally, with every workday I have scheduled, West Thompson has suddenly decided to pick the exact same day. That said, I would like to propose a work week. This will work as such: I and others will make it to an agreed upon initial work day or two depending on how much gets done. On that day(s) basic planning work, tree, log and stump cutting will commence. Also, supplies will get dropped in place (at each tee) to rework all of the teepads. I will ask people to sign up and agree to work a small section of the course. As people sign up with bodies and times, I will assign holes for that person(people) to work on. This work would include: picking up and clearing debris, sticks, etc. from the hole, then the teebox would be constucted with the materials provided. The more people sign up, the easier the work load gets for each individual. Ideally, I would like it to come down to a hole or two max for each person.

Does this sound like it would work for you? Let me know please. I would like for this to be successful. Maybe we can make enough headway to deflect some of the grumblers from our midst. I'm not sure that this alone will do it, but each time we make incremental improvement, we get one step closer to having this be a course that everyone will enjoy. Please be part of the solution. Thanks - Les

Any Takers???????

All sorts of people had expressed their desire to help out on a workday.

So far no one has responded. That's depressing.

ha sorry you are depressed, but I know that I would love to help the course out any time. I can help just about any time and I'd like to get some work done before the weather gets nasty.

what parameters do we have on taking down trees at this point? I heard the city was leary about cutting any more down.

What about low hanging branches over the fairways? Those suckers get me all the time even on perfect throws.

I think that taking out stumps, and rocks from the teepads is needed in some spots and I would really like some of that nasty nappy just off the fairway brush cleared out on some holes.

I'm definitely game so let me know.

I'm up the road at UConn, just let me know when the workdays are and I'll do my best to be there.

We can eliminate brush and low hangers no problem. We will remove some of the smaller trees in hopes of opening up better fairway lanes. The bigger trees are more of a problem. I have some ideas concerning this issue but will have to be said in a more private forum. Teeboxes have a year of stone dust packed into them and should receive a healthy new dose of stone dust, plus any rock removal you feel game about. The town has fresh pressure treat timbers for boxing in the teepads. The town has said that there are Boy Scouts willing to do the teepad work, however I haven't heard anything more about this, so I am ready for us to move ahead with the work. Likely, our work will start in the October/November time frame as people tend to be more free to do these things once the summer tourneys have wound down. The town will supposedly bring the supplies to the tees for us if we ask nicely (yet to be seen). The town is actually making new signs for us for the tees. I have seen proofs of the signs, so I think the signs should be in sometime soon. I am hoping to hear more people chime in on the workday idea before I move forward. Thanks guys for chiming in.

I'll be there during the workweek/month. Looking forward to getting to the course again.

Thanks for organizing this Les (is More)

-sd

Sorry, Les, Just saw the post. I'll help out, probaly drag mullen with me if i can. When are we thinking about doing this?

I can help as well. When? It's tough for me to get out to tolland during the week with the early darkness and work till 4 just about every day.

The whole idea is to make it a workday on each individual persons terms.

Come when you can.

Be responsible for completing a hole or holes.

Keep chiming in folks. Make it as painless as possible.

I'm down.

I will be happy to help out. Sep is a very tight month for me with my twins having baseball doubleheaders frequently on both Sat/Sun.

Anyway, hopefully I'll be able to lend a hand and bring my older son and put him to work.

Les
You can count me in and I can get a couple of others that play rounds with me there as well. I definately agree that the tee boxes are in need of some serious work. Removing rocks and tree roots and then leveling will help a lot.

That's 10 or 11 people so far. Thanks all for chiming in and offering help.

Still looking for more volunteers.

Stay tuned !!

You know you can count on me to be there Les.

Played the course last Friday and had a great time! I will donated time and effort in pulling the rocks and roots (or covering them) in hole 12s teebox.

-sd

I'd really like to help but it's gonna be tough with my new work schedule. I wouldn't mind helping out on a weekend at some point though.

Hole 9 has a huge rock right where I like to stand. I'd love to get rid of that bad boy.

I can just imagine that these rocks look really kinda small and somewhat easy to extract and then when we dig around them turn out to be the size of a house.

Up to 12 or 13 vols. still looking for more.

Thanks again for chiming in.

Hey les ill come help out when I can

And could you move 15 tee back a foot I hit my hand on the tree one time. I don’t know if others are having that problem

Just spotted this thread, Les.
I'll help out...as long as there aren't TOO many rounds of margaritas afterwards!

Only a righty would hit their hand on a tree. A lefty knows not to do such a silly thing.

Is that because of their petite fragile hands?

No, it has something to do with the brain.

I'm with you regarding the tee on 15. I too am afraid every time I tee off and often it results in a toss that is less than I had hoped for. David and I have discussed this at length and we are still not sure exactly what to do with it. Moving it back is one option. Any other ideas out there?

Thanks again to the new vols. I will keep you posted as we near the time.

still looking for more volunteers. I have a log of double bag going........

If the right number of people should suddenly become available so as to hit the magic spot, etc, etc, etc.

Chime in please !!!!!! Do it now.

So whats the plan? Whens the workday(s)?

Coming soon to a park near you.

Let's Do This

OK, here's the current plan. This may be subject to change if the weather sucks bad or the bulk of the people can't make it.

Starting the weekend of November 3rd and 4th. I and others will go out and tag and make cuttings of the major trees and bushes, logs, what have you. Additionally, we (whoever we are) will leave teebox materials at all of the teebox locations. From there, I will ask all that chimed in to arrive at the course, whenever it is good for the individuals to arrive, and work on specific holes. I will assign holes to individuals once I have a handle on the work that needs to be done. If you have a hole in particular that you feel strongly about working, please let me know and it will be yours (first come first serve). The work will consist of picking up and moving sticks, debris, etc. Workers can also take it upon themselves to trim away low branches, small bushes, annoying prickers, etc. Please do not remove more trees than have already been decided upon. The town will get pissed. We are already treading on thin ice here. Also, the workers (you) will replace the existing tee box with new timbers and new stone dust. Pluses for the course would include: homemade bench seats, bridges, next tee signs or any other fine touches you would like to add. Please bring along tools that will allow you to dig, tamp, cut brush, gloves for hands, weelbarrow, shovel (if you have such things).
Bring any tools that make sense to you. People may also team up to do several holes at once if you like. I will try to have enough done on the 3rd to accomodate people who would like to come out on the 4th. The majority of the work is needed on the latter 9 holes of the course, so please don't feel that you should take on one of the first few holes as they are already in pretty good shape. Holes that I see the biggest need for change start at hole 10 and go through 18. If you are interested in only early holes, then you may end up with more than one, because the bulk of the work will be teeboxes instead of brush clearing etc. Plan to spend between 4 to 6 hours total labor each at this point. More helpers would be great. I will compile a list of volunteers that have chimed in so far shortly. How does this sound??