FROM THE CLUB PRESIDENT DOC HOLLIDAY
TIME FOR A CHANGE The Golf Calendar and the insistence by some members that golf events take place in November (as soon as CPO restrictions are lifted) have driven the over-seed process at TVGC over the years. This past season, the overseeding dates were moved to a later date, but we were still working around the November tournament/event dates. Tonto Verde experienced record high temperatures and longer duration, late September and early October (108 degrees). However, because of the golf calendar, we over- seeded the Ranch course during these conditions. With these conditions, forcing the Bermuda grass to go dormant is impossible. The Bermuda grass then competes with the fragile winter rye grass for the available nutrients and water, and the Bermuda grass wins! The result is that later in the season, when the cooler and cold temps hit, large areas where there is no winter rye grass appear. The Bermuda is now dormant, but the winter rye grass did not survive. We have the visual differences between over-seeding in high- temperature conditions and over-seeding during optimal conditions, comparing the two golf courses. The Peaks are lush, and playing conditions are great, while the Ranch simply is not. We are forcing this process so that we can play in golf events in November which is a very short-term
benefit and sacrificing having great conditions for 5 months.
IT IS TIME FOR A CHANGE!
I have proposed that the Golf Committee work with the various Associations to free up the November golf calendar. The Grounds Committee is to work with the Director of Agronomy in establishing the best target dates for the over-seeding process, but with the flexibility to delay the start of that process as weather conditions dictate. All of this is an effort to provide the best playing conditions for the longest period for the entire membership. The over-seed dates would be directed by the Director of Agronomy and would be target dates, not dates itched in granite. Flexibility is the key aspect of this proposal. It is an attempt to have lush playing conditions on both courses for 5 months versus what we have at this point. The membership would have all the flexible dates communicated well in advance.
More to follow, Doc Holliday, TVGC President Doc Holliday
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