Sometimes the best intentions have undesirable results. Such is the case of the blue spruce trees planted to the right of the approach at #5 green. I am sure that someone thought blue spruce would make the hole look more interesting, but over time they have created several problems. As a result, the G&G committee has decided to remove some of the trees.
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| A view of the 5th green at about 100 yds out with trees removed. |
For the most part, blue spruce are a poor choice for the Highlands area. These trees are not native to the Highlands plateau and while they may grow, they get increasingly disfigured and unsightly as they mature in age. The trees on #5 are definitely near the end of their useful life and will need to be completely removed in the future. However, at this time, we are only removing some of the trees.
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| HFCC maintenance crew thinning the blue spruce on #5 |
As the trees have become larger, several of them where closing in on the approach to the 5th green. I can assure you that this was never the intention of Joe Lee, our course architect, as Mr. Lee thought greens should have open shots to them. We have removed the three trees that were crowding the approach and I am certain you will like the new look.
Lastly, the trees have made maintenance of the area difficult. The shade caused by the trees has made it hard to grow quality grass and as a result, the turf is thin. The removal of several of these trees is going to permit more light to reach the turf and allow it to improve.
