I hope with the unusual warm fall temperatures everyone is taking advantage of some late fall golf. We are thankful and still taking full advantage of this grass growing weather.

With that said I do understand and apologize that some of the leaf removal has been sacrificed for topdressings, fertilizing, aerifying and still some mowing.

 

As of now the driving range tee turf has been closed. Although we are thankful for the late fall growing weather, it is time we relieve any and all divot taking from the driving range tee. We do this because divots that won’t heal from the cold weather will only become larger from winter erosion. Please note, I don’t mind (for this reason) people replacing their divots in the fairways.

 

Although it is very difficult for the Golf Staff to remove embedded golf balls from a wet winter driving range we still allow practice from the driving range mats ONLY. Please do not hit or tee off from directly in front of the mats as I try to limit traffic where people already walk on and off the tee.

I also would like to ask that we really limit the cart traffic on and off of the fairways. Our rounds are down as it is nearing winter yet I notice almost EVERYONE drives on and off of the fairways in the same place and we’re battling wear in those areas, and  its December. I know that we also have many guests that love to play our course and I intend to work on communication with them. But please, I ask all of you to try and drive with common sense.

 

 If you’re driving where everyone else’s tire tracks are then you should probably try to take a different route next time. If the grass does not look good (green, thick, not too wet/dry) then you should drive elsewhere or find the cart path please. I always say "If its Green Then Go, if its Brown Go Around."

 

We also have been getting many holes punched in our fairways which have allowed them to de-compact, breathe, and grow deeper roots. This is one of the few times a year the plant can enjoy this and we are driving all over the same thin areas, compacting them back down.

 

I only ask this of everyone because we have made some progress with our turf and soils. We have young grass in what were bare areas and there’s grass trying to come through what is dead grassy weeds (mostly the Kyllinga), from the summer.

Also note that with summer coming early this year and fall ending late, it has been a very long season for plants. Please keep in mind that your lawns and plants at home may be very hungry this fall/winter and a late season feeding may prove to be very necessary.

 

 For any questions please email me at superintendent@sandbarrensgolf.com.

 

 Happy Holidays