See News Release on Renovation to Edgmont Country Club
October 2005
We are pleased to announce that the major phases of the renovation project are almost complete. As a quick review an outline of the original scope of the renovation project is listed below:
- In the Spring of 2004 over 3000 feet of drainage was added to the bunkers and the sand was replaced in all of the bunkers.
- Tree trimming and course beautification started in late spring early summer 2005 with the removal of trees on 3 & 4 and bushes around the Club house and the 7th tee area.
- In the fall of 2004 through the early spring of 2005 the state of the art, computer controlled, 425+ head irrigation system from Toro was installed. This investment gave us the ability to precisely control the amount of water applied to the turf which had an immediate positive impact on course conditions during the dry but hot humid summer of 2005.
- The drainage ditch on 11 fairway was piped underground and the grade raised. We also added a fairway bunker and mounds to better defend the corner on 11.
- The tee areas on 16th & 17th were enlarged and lengthened.
- The pipe under the approach to 7 green was replaced and enlarged to reduce flooding in that area. The bunker on the right side of the green on 7 also reshaped to reduce its tendency to flood and to make the approach more challenging.
- The entire course and the irrigation system was mapped using the Global Positioning System (GPS). The fairway sprinkler heads between 50-200 yards on the par 4’s, between 50-225 yards on the par 5’s, all tee sprinkler heads on the par 3’s, and the sprinkler heads along the wall of the practice tee, for a total of over 200 will be marked with yardages. The marker will be installed over the winter.
- In the spring of 2005 the Chester Ridley Crum Watershed Association completed a bank stabilization project behind the 7th green and 8th tee area and extends from West Chester Pike to the bridge on the driveway. This area will become more beautiful as the plantings mature.
- In early August 2005, after the irrigation system was finished and the major drainage work was completed the cart path project was started. While the recent weather has slowed the project we are in the final stages and it will be completed soon. We hope you enjoy the wider (8 feet) and in some cases rerouted cart parts.
- For the 2006 season we will also have a new fleet of carts.
In addition to the original scope we decided to expand on the project by including the following improvements:
- The abutments for the bridge on 12 were redone and handrails added.
- The pump system for the irrigation system was upgraded to expand the flexibility of the system.
- The irrigation system for the putting green, which is independent of the main system, was expanded and upgraded.
- Water fountains were installed on 5th, 15th and the practice tees.
- The Club hired Jim Fusco as Assistant Superintendent reporting to Glen Thomas our Superintendent. Jim comes to Edgmont with over 15 years experience in the golf course industry most recently with Springfield Country Club.
- Several pieces of new turf equipment were purchased for a total investment in additional equipment of over $100,000.00.
- The grounds crew staff was increased.
- The budget for turf chemicals was increased.
- In the Club house the dining rooms were repainted, the wood floors refinished and the downstairs powder rooms were redone.
- The Rooftop Banquet room was repainted and tile added in front of the bar.
While work on a golf course is never truly finished, future projects should be much less intrusive. These projects are a major investment in the future of the course and we feel they have already had a positive impact on course conditions. We were very fortunate that our members were able to continue to enjoy the course.
The Mariani Families would like to thank you for your patience and support in our continuing effort to make Edgmont Country Club a pleasurable experience for you, your family and your guests.
We are looking forward to your continued patronage.
October 2004
The Mariani Families are pleased to announce that we are making substantial renovations to the course at Edgmont Country Club. The renovations, which have already started, have been carefully planned to take place over the winter of 2004-2005 and end before the upcoming golf season. The course will be open for play while the renovations are being completed.
The scope of this phase of the renovation is as follows:
• A state of the art, computer controlled, 550+ head irrigation system from Toro is being installed. Toro systems are used by 32 of the top 50 courses in the United Sates. The George E. Ley Company will install the system. This company has done many irrigation system installations and golf course alterations projects. Some of the area courses The George Ley Company has worked for are: French Creek, Stonewall, Waynesbourgh, Philadelphia Cricket, Applebrook, and White Manor. The experience of the Ley Company installing these types of systems on golf courses will allow the installation process to be done with minimal impact to the playing areas and minimal disruption of play. We feel the investment in such an advanced irrigation system will improve course conditions. The system is also designed to expand irrigation coverage in the practice tee area which will allow us to expand the size of the practice tee and move to more of a fairway cut in the practice area. The system should be ready before the start of the 2005 season.
• The drainage ditch on 11 fairway will be piped and the grade raised. This will make the fairway continuous and provide a nice landing area. Drainage work is also planned for 2, 7 and 12.
• The entire course and the irrigation system will be mapped using the Global Positioning System (GPS). This will allow us to tag most fairway sprinkler heads with yardage to the center of the green.
• Some time late summer or fall of 2005, after the irrigation system is installed and the major drainage work is completed, the cart paths will be resurfaced and in some cases rerouted and widened.
• Alternate tees will be added to several holes and as many tees as possible will be expanded. The alternate tees will take 2-3 years to complete but the locations are anticipated in the design and installation of the irrigation system.
• Strategic tree removal and course beautification projects will continue.
We also have just received the permit to start the rehabilitation project proposed by Chester Ridley Crum Watershed Association. The CRCWA approached us in the Spring of 2004 with a proposal to participate in a bank stabilization plan for Ridley Creek. This project will begin with the steam behind the 7th green and 8th tee area and extend from the West Chester Pike to the bridge on the driveway.
Pictures and updates of these projects will be in our newsletters and on the website.
These projects are a major investment in the future of Edgmont which we feel will have a positive impact on course conditions. We also expect these improvements to enhance your satisfaction as a member of Edgmont Country Club and your enjoyment when playing.
We are looking forward to your continued patronage.