Newsletter - Jan 2020

Golf Course

by Jay Ervine, Director of Agronomy

As 2019 comes to an end, I’m reflecting back on what an eventful year it was for the golf course. The first big change to the course for 2019 were the new greens on the Oaks course. As we grew in those Bentgrass greens, all went as well as we couldexpect. They germinated quickly and filled in nicely. Once the stress of the summer months hit, we had a few issues due to their lack of maturity. However, as the bent grass ages they will become better and better each year. We are already seeing that this winter as they are rolling much smoother than the old West-9 greens and the speed is great too. They will continue to soften as they develop more thatch. We also saw no overseeding on fairways on the Lakes and Islands courses. The winter of 2018-19 was the first year of not overseeding the fairways in decades, and due to overseeding the fairways year after year, they were a little thin the first winter without overseeding. However, nowthatweareon the secondyear of not overseeding theWest-9 fairways, we are seeing the Bermuda grass on the West increasing in density and quality. Please make sure to notice the difference between the Oaks and West fairways, as the Oaks is on its first year of not overseeding vs the West’s second year. The biggest change for 2019 was the construction on the original Back-9. We saw the greens expand in size on #’s 1, 3, 6, 7, 8, & 9, and a complete redesign of the fourth green complex. Also, we sawevery bunker on theBack-9 completely redesigned and changed in locations and size. Now the bunkers at the greens complexes are set close to the greens with the sizes reduced, and the fairway bunkers changed in size and locations as well. Many of these new locations will catch the lower handicapper without penalizing the higher players as much. You will also notice how the bunkers will frame the hole and make for a much more visibility appealing hole. I know everyone is excited to play the new bunkers and greens. If Mother Nature continues to be kind this December we’ll get onto the greens after the first of the year.

#5 Lakes: New Bunkers and new Greens grassing.

These were all the most noticeable changes for Seven Oaks C.C. this past year. We are continuing to improve our weed control, tree trimming, and playability yearly. As I start my fifth year with the club in February, I am proud of how much we have accomplished. More is to come and 2020 should be a stellar year as well. Happy Holidays to everyone, and remember to fix all your ball marks and fill your divots in 2020.

VIDEO OF THE MONTH:

ENJOY SOME OF THE BEST GOLF SHOTS FROM THE PGA IN 2019!

The Seven Oaks Scene |

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