Oak Hills reports new well yield, schedules fall aeration and bunker work

Oak Hills Park Authority Superintendent Jim Schell reported at the August meeting that a new or recently repaired well is providing a substantial irrigation boost and that fall turf projects — including large-crew greens aeration and a contractor-led bunker renovation — are scheduled after a major outing.

"It provides us 22 to 23 gallons a minute after it levels off," Schell said of the well. "That is 30 to 32,000 gallons a day, which is great." Chair Alan Dutton earlier noted staff had been pumping from an existing pond nightly and estimated the authority had been moving roughly 30,000 gallons per day ahead of the well coming online.

Schell said the course had received about 1.66 inches of rain the night before the meeting, which helped pond levels, but that the course remained in an "abnormally dry condition" per the U.S. Drought Monitor. He said staff had been moving water nightly from the pond near No. 2 to No. 6 and that the well reduces reliance on that pump.

Timing and projects
- Bunker renovation: Schell said the bunkers contractor is scheduled to begin work after the Whittingham Outing; he expects the contractor to be prompt this year.
- Greens aeration: The authority scheduled the major fall greens aeration for two days (fall dates immediately after the Whittingham Outing), and Schell asked for volunteer help for those days.
- Equipment and staffing: Schell reported staffing is lighter than normal as college-season employees return to school; rough-mower replacement options are under consideration but none are ideal.

Course safety note
During the meeting Jim Schell also noted a few incidents in which individuals (described as "kids") were struck by golf balls near a court/wooded area that is eroding toward fairway No. 11; he described a need for structural repair at the adjacent tennis court area to reduce the hazard and stop erosion.

Why this matters
The new well's steady yield (22–23 gpm) reduces irrigation pressure on pond and pump systems and gives staff more operational flexibility during dry spells. The scheduled bunker work and aeration are routine yet significant maintenance steps that affect playability and course condition, and their timing must be coordinated around major outings.

Ending
Staff will notify members in advance of contractor work and temporary green or course closures and will provide follow-up scheduling details for the aeration and bunker projects.