Par 3 GC OPEN today! 18-Hole GC to open Thursday (weather permitted).

Lake Winnetka NO LONGER EXISTS as of Wednesday July 27th, 2011.
PLEASE remember you can click on any photo to enlarge.

Over 50,000,000 gallons of water were pumped off the Championship course over the last four days. This last weekend's grand total of 8.01-inches of rain left the course with a great deal of clean-up to do before opening. The primary function of the course is flood relief for the community followed by recreation. The water-shed is twice the size of this 110 acre course. Thus after a five week drought and 3.5-inches of rain in the first hour and over 5-inches in the first three hours, most all "ran-off" straight to the course. Staff acknowledges that this was the worst flood in any ones memory. This includes Don Voss who has faithfully served the golf course and park district since 1977.

Following are pictures mostly from Tuesday as the flood waters receded and exposed the huge task of cleaning up flood debris, siltation and getting the 78 sand bunkers on both courses restored. If you follow this blog ...last Sunday there was mention of an unorthodox idea on how to get walking greens mowers and staff out to all the "island greens" such as #'s 8,10,14,15,16 and 17. Staff was extremely concerned as not all of the greens had been cut since last Thursday. Damage can occur when trying to get the greens height back down in this hot & humid weather with soft conditions. The total material cost to 'construct' new boats was $90 thanks to Walmart in Arlington Heights who had the inventory we were looking for.

Following are two very brief movies...enjoy!

USS Michna leaving the 'dry-dock' from #6 Tee in route to #8 Green. The second 'ship' built by staff is the USS Gonzalez II named after a Medal of Honor recipient from the USMC who served with Ast. G.C.Supt. Mark Anderson in Viet Nam 1967-1968. The United States Navy launched the Destroyer USS Gonzalez DDG-66 in 1995. Our boats were built using three sleeved together 5-foot diameter kiddie pools. The base is reinforced by a sheet of plywood to help support the 220 pound walking greens mowers. Kudos go out to staff member's Mario Contreras and Matt Bukovac who had to not only walk in sometimes 3-foot deep water pulling the ship but then take the hip weighters off and walk mow the six greens for an additional six miles of walking AND come back to the shop for coffee and lunch breaks. Not to mention lifting in and out of the ship. Job well done men!

USS Gonzalez II just left dry dock for Lake Winnetka.

Staff Mario Contreras, Mark Anderson (master mind behind the floatilla) and Matt Bukovac.

Here Mario and Matt have just pulled in to "First Port-O-Call" #8 Green, success!!!

Cutting #8 Green as seen from #9 Tee.

#17 Sand Bunker as waters are receding.

#17 Sand bunker contaminated with silt and  organic matter.

#17 Sand bunker close up showing the debris and silt layer. Please notice the clean sand  exposed in front of the ball.

#1 Fairway sand bunker . Notice the high-water line  3/4ths the way up the bunker.

Great photo showing  the 90+ acres of silt. Martin Acosta proudly cutting his green.