Winter on the Course
Friday, February 5, 2010 16:12by Cindy Riggs
Ever wonder what happens on the golf course over the winter? In our case here at Bowling Green, we are blessed (and sometimes cursed) with over 200 years’ worth of maturing trees. But all those competing trees sometimes get in the way of sunlight to the tees and greens and also crowd out the specimens which should be showcased. This year’s project has been the rediscovery of two oaks guarding the entrance to the Fairway on the 6th hole which were designated Bicentennial trees in 1976. We call them the “Colonial Twins”. When smaller trees around them were cleared away, a limb span of 90 ft for one and over 100 ft for the other, was revealed. The golfers are in for a pleasant surprise when the season starts.
Bowling Green has other large specimen Oaks which feature prominently in the playing strategy on holes # 2, & 9 as well as a specimen White Pine in the Fairway of #6 which often snags a drive. Bowling Green golfers are also familiar with the large Oak with a Y shape that serves as a target off the 4th tee. On the back nine, twin ” goalposts” guard the 18th Fairway and often stymie the next shot. In the Spring we brag about the wild dogwoods in bloom and in the Fall about the fabulous colors of the Maples and Oaks. We place a lot of time, effort and thought into the care of those trees so it’s been fun to write this small history. More to come next winter….
Oak Ridge, New Jersey