Golf Course Report

August 2015

The August Report is typically a recap of the summer projects and a preview of our last closure in early September.  This year is a bit different; the record amount of play has been the story of the summer.  Whether it is the golf course, the Pro Shop staff or the unbelievable lunch special; the entire team should be proud of their presentation.  We have no scheduled closures for August, so I expect that our numbers will continue to set the bar for years to come.

Our July closure was very successful in the fact that we completed every task on the schedule.  Unfortunately, the skies opened up on the eve that we were to open.  Seven inches of rain kept us close for 4 more days.  Those four days of rain was followed by 10 days of overcast days, effectively eliminating any chance of proper recovery.  The July closure is always our most aggressive, this coupled with the untimely weather, lead to less than ideal conditions upon opening on July 29^th.   Thin Fairways due to heavy verti-cutting, greens that were double aerified and Roughs that could not be mowed because of the heavy rains.  I was embarrassed to open the course on that Wednesday.  There is a silver lining; we have positioned the course to have a superb season.  As we look forward to our last closure, the schedule is full with greens aerification, Dry Ject application and Fairway topdressing.  Through the remainder of summer we will focus on improving the entire property.  We have some minor drainage work to attend to, the coquina paths need attention and the bunkers will receive some much needed TLC. 

This is an exciting time of year for the maintenance staff.  We can see the “light at the end of the tunnel”.  The Long, Hot and Wet Summer, that was full of demanding cultural practices will slowly turn into daily precision maintenance for our members to enjoy.   We are all counting the days until our first cold front.