According to Jason Bennett, the superintendent of the municipal golf course, the wait is due to the slowly growing grass on the back nine holes. Sprigs, grass roots and stems were spread two weeks ago and need at least two more weeks to take hold. The speed of growth is dependent upon the heat and availability of water.
Janice Casteel, city manager, stated the No. 1 priority is installing a switch to allow for alternating between water pumps.
“We have two water pumps, a new one and an old one,” Bennett explained. “We are hoping to connect the old one to the city water lines and use the new water pump for water from the pond.”
Cleveland Utilities personnel arrived on Monday to make the switch. Bennett said he hoped the piping would be set up so the golf course could switch between using the water from the city or pond. Due to the high heat, pond water is being used at a faster rate without the potential for renewal from rain showers.
Jonathan Jobe, director of development and engineering services, said, “The fairways on the back nine need more time, but the greens are sodded and the tee boxes look great.”
Another determining factor is the unfinished second tunnel running under Dalton Pike. This tunnel is one of two used to link the front nine with the back nine. Tennessee Department of Transportation workers are currently widening highway 60, so golfers will drive under both construction and the four-lane road.
Additional information discussed at the meeting includes:
- Cart path construction near hole No. 17 is nearly complete. The advisory board has decided to place a “watch your speed,” sign in a consideration for safety factors. It was suggested the ranger might watch the section on days with high traffic. No. 17 is the final cart path to be finished.
- The two-sided entrance sign arrived Friday. Stone work must be completed before the sign can be placed beside Dalton Pike. Said Casteel, “The sign needs to be high enough and easily visible so people know we have a golf course here.”
- Bennett announced Waterville will be a par 70 course with a par 36 front and a par 34 back nine. The board hoped for a par 71 course, but construction has made that impossible at present.
- All items on the master punch list have been completed. The list includes the completion of bridges on Nos. 17 and 10. The bridge on No. 1 is repaired after sinking into the ground. The fairways on the back nine are currently being fixed and tended. According to reports, the backfilling on No. 11 is “looking pretty good.”
- The advisory board is waiting to hear if the green is up to TDOT grade issue due to the reworking of the tunnel under Highway 60.
- Casteel asked when the driveway would be paved and was told the matter would be taken care of in the near future.
The next board meeting is on Aug. 6.
