Michigan course plans extensive tree management project
Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club in Grand Blanc, Mich., will undergo an extensive tree management program to remedy turf issues on several over-shaded greens. The project aims to improve overall course playability and aesthetics by reopening fairway corridors that have become obstructed by encroaching tree growth.
The project will be led by Chris Wilczynski, ASGCA, founder of the Ann Arbor, Mich.-based CW Golf Architecture, and he will partner with certified arborist and agronomist Julie Stachecki, owner of Site Specific Inc.
“I’m thrilled to be working with a club the caliber of Warwick Hills,” Wilczynski says. “Julie contributes to the project analysis from the viewpoint of tree and turfgrass science. I contribute from the golf course architect’s perspective of playability and aesthetics.”
An inventory conducted by Wilczynski and Stachecki revealed that the property contains more than 1,600 trees, and they recommended 400 be removed or pruned. During this spring’s phase one of the project, 124 trees will be removed and 29 trees will be pruned. Roughly 45 new trees will be planted in strategic locations in future phases.
“I’ve never gone through a comprehensive tree project like this,” says Phil Owen, superintendent of Warwick Hills. “But other superintendents I’ve talked to who have been part of similar projects all told me the results will be like night and day.”
Stachecki say strategically removing or pruning trees will result in more southern and eastern sun exposure for Warwick Hills’ greens, which will lessen the effects of harsh winters such as southeast Michigan has experienced the last two years.
A succession of hard freezes and rapid thaws resulted in abnormal ice buildup on greens, which effectively suffocated the putting surfaces. Warwick Hills had winter damage to 16 greens last year, forcing the club to use 10 temporary greens into early August of the 2014 golf season.
Wilczynski and Stachecki say it’s common for golf course superintendents to “get pushback” from members and golfers when they propose removing trees.
John DeMarco, chairman of Warwick Hills’ greens committee, says the club wants to introduce more strategic changes to the course over a three- to 7-year time frame. “The tree evaluation prompted us to take a further look at updating the golf course,” says DeMarco. “It won’t be a redesign, but an update that will enhance the original Joe Lee design.”