GROUNDS | JON URBANSKI, DIRECTOR OF GOLF COURSES AND GROUNDS
As we enter December, our grounds team is shifting focus from active growing-season tasks to winter preparation and long-term turf health. While play continues on the North Course (South is now closed until April), we will daily prepare the indoor buildings for squash, tennis, pickleball, and outside for paddle. Much of our work on the golf courses now centers on strengthening the course so it emerges healthy and ready for spring play. In the weeks ahead, we will: Apply preventative fungicides for snow molds to the greens and low-lying areas of the fairways. Continue and finalize leaf clean-up to apply a pre-emergent herbicide in January for winter and spring perennials.
Deep-tine aerify and sand inject (DryJect) the South Course greens. Aerify the South Course roughs; seed with tall fescue and apply compost. Seed the fine fescue meadows located on 3/7/8 North; 11/12 North; 13/18 North; 13 South; and 15 South. Install protective covers to the South Course greens. Winterize the irrigation system.
DryJect: Sand Injection Another form of aerification, we are continuing the DryJect process on our South greens this month. This high-pressure injection system fills channels with sand, improving rootzone structure and water infiltration with minimal surface disruption. The treatment helps firm up the greens and supports a smoother putting surface come the spring. Additional Winter Preparation for 2026 One of the largest tasks each winter is servicing the equipment used throughout the growing season. This includes full inspections of our mowers, utility vehicles, tractors, etc. We will sharpen the cutting blades and reels, replacing worn parts such as bearings, while completing oil and filter changes. We began bunker work towards the end of October, and this will continue throughout the entirety of the winter. We will address the bunkers in need of rehabbing on the South Course, and all bunkers will be checked for depth and sand will be added where needed. The winter weather will allow any new sand to “age” prior to the season as to avoid the dreaded fried egg.
If you love winter golf, just a few reminders for the season… 1.There could be a frost delay in our future. We will use the ForeTees app to push the notification to your phone. 2.If the greens are soft due to rain or thawing conditions, please repair your ball mark, plus one other.
3.We have cut two holes in each green. Please rotate the flagstick to the opposite hole location to help spread wear through the season. While growth slows, our work does not. What we accomplish in the winter months has a direct correlation to a successful growing season. We hope for many days ahead to accomplish our goals so when warmer weather returns, the grounds are healthier and ready for the 2026 campaign. The penning of this update was just prior to Thanksgiving. With that, we thank you for your continued support and wish you and your families a wonderful holiday season and a happy New Year! Jon Urbanski
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