Week 2 ……. to Week 16!

“To achieve great things, two things are needed; a plan, and not quite enough time.”

Leonard Bernstein was correct. Time doesn’t care about our plans! My plan was to blog the progress of the Master Plan work, but that didn’t happen. There just wasn’t enough time. I didn’t plan for the unknown, which was how much time needed to be invested in the project. We knew that it wasn’t going to be a cake walk, but the life balance for all of us involved became too blurry to add more work. In the end, I learned that on a daily basis, you had to be stronger mentally than you felt physically.

And as far as the construction side of the project goes, it is done! We laid our last 7 pallets of sod this Monday as the snow was falling. An amazing feat for our staff, Hartman Construction, and all of the sub-contractors. An amazing foresight by our Architect, Jim Urbina, asking the Board of Directors, to start the project two weeks earlier than originally planned. An amazing effort by our Shapers, Joe Hancock and Zach Varty, to manage restoring the golf course features on a consistent timeline. And for the membership, who put their trust in the process, of unlocking the potential of Midland Hills, and setting up the club for success for future generations to come.

Since week 2, I’ve tried my best to document the progress as best I could. Managing the project, the budget, Covid 19 and everyone’s safety, and delivering the best product we could, will more than likely be the highlight of my professional career. But there is no way I did it alone. So many people selflessly poured their efforts into making this all come together. But now, with some time freed up, I’m going to rewind the past, and go through the progress, which will hopefully create some excitement for Spring. Over the next few months, I’ll try to go through the decision making behind the changes, changes to strategy, the construction process, implementation, and the recovery process.

In the meantime, here are a few fun pictures to tide us over on this snowy day, as Winter is setting in.

 

2 Tee Construction/Realignment

2 Green and Bunker Irrigation Installation

Shaper Zach Varty with Jim Urbina Discussing Elevation of 4 Green

4 Green Construction

5 Tee Construction

5 Bunker Drainage Installation

8 Green Expansion

9 Green Expansion

Watering 11 Tees at Sunset

11 Green Construction

12 Bunker Construction 

12 Biarritz Swale Construction

12 Green Sunrise

Laying sod in front of 13 Fairway 

14 Tee Construction 

14 Bunker and 17 Tee Construction

15 Fairway Drainage Installation

16 Green Expansion while Snowing

Architect Jim Urbina

 

 

 

 

12 Replies to “Week 2 ……. to Week 16!”

  1. Brian Gorecki says:

    Love it!!! Thanks to you and your team for all your efforts. bg

    1. Mike Manthey says:

      Thanks Brian!
      M.

  2. Dan Kelly says:

    Thanks, Mike.

    Please keep the reports coming, when you get the time. It is a long winter ahead.

    Having walked all 18 several times before the greens went under wraps, I have to say: #cantwait

    People’s jaws will drop when they see and play what you (and your crew), Urbina, Hancock, Varty and Hartman have wrought.

    Seth Raynor would be very pleased.

    Rest well, my friend.

    Dan

    1. Mike Manthey says:

      Thanks Dan,

      Exciting times ahead, no doubt! You make a great point, interpreting what Raynor would have done, was a large part of this project. We put together the right team for this one!

      M.

  3. Tucker LeBien says:

    I am a new member and a major reason I joined was the renovation taking place. Great effort by all involved and looking forward to seeing the results next season!

    1. Mike Manthey says:

      Tucker,

      Welcome! Glad to hear you’re interested in the final product, always nice to have people interested in architecture. We’ll have something very unique, and fun, come Spring.
      M.

  4. Richard Neuner says:

    Mike, thank you for your leadership and your meticulous management of this enormous undertaking. Initiatives like this are never a given, even with the best consultants, the best plans, and our best efforts. However, Midland Hills members went into this knowing that if anyone could bring this about, you could. Congratulations. Now we pray.

    1. Mike Manthey says:

      Thanks Richard!
      We should be proud of the entire team effort this took to pull off. If it was easy, everyone would do it! Like everything we do, Mother Nature has the last say, but we’re in a good position to get dealt a good hand.
      Thanks for the support,
      M.

  5. Paul Kirkegaard says:

    Great pictures as usual- I love seeing Olive in the pics! Thanks for thinking about all of us who are so excited about getting on the course in the spring. It has been fun to chat with our golf buddies about all that has ben going on with this momentous project. I’m eager to read your next installments to the renovation saga.

    1. Mike Manthey says:

      PK,
      Oli is a good shadow to have, always keeping an eye out! We couldn’t be more excited for you, it’s going to be a blast.
      M.

  6. Robert Etten says:

    Mike and team,

    Great work! So much fun to see the pieces come together. Can’t wait to get out there next spring. Your attitude, your expertise and your great communications are all valued and appreciated! Hope you get some down time in soon!

    1. Mike Manthey says:

      Rob,
      We all appreciate the support!
      We’re ready to “clock out” for a bit…
      M.

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