About 52 years ago when Craigowan was built, people with great vision planted trees to line the fairways and greens surrounds to change what was essentially a field with some elm trees on it, into a park-style golf course.  We are the beneficiaries of what must have been quite a task, planting literally thousands of trees on the property.  We could debate all day whether or not the trees were of good quality or if they were planted in the right places...it doesn't matter because back then any tree was a good tree if it was affordable and easy to plant.  We also did not maintain golf courses the same way in the 60's as we do today...trees could be planted close to greens sites because we were not stressing the turf as we do today, with crazy low heights of cut and extensive day-to-day traffic and maintenance.

The species used on the course were of low quality by today's standards, but like I said if it could grow fast, species such as willows, soft maple. pine and poplar were perfect for what was needed.  The sheer number of poplars trees planted must have been staggering.  For newer members to the club, you would not know the number of poplars that once lined #17, #14, #11, #12, #18, #1, #5, #9 and in other places as well.  Our staff have probably removed 50 over the years, with the Army Engineers doing in another 30 back in 2001 and the tree contractors taking out 50 last winter.  We still have a great deal more, but they have reached the end of their life span, at least on this property.  Most of the poplars on the course are in serious decline if not dead already and we are systematically removing the worst ones when the opportunity arises.  It is a major job to take down just one of these massive trees however more are disappearing this week near the bridge on #18.  In this case we can drop them in the natural areas so that there is less clean up required.

It seems we've been adopted by another cat this winter, who is quite at home climbing all over the equipment as Mark works on it.  We now have an all-time record population of cats hanging around outside as well these days...