Winter Course Update
HOLE LOCATIONS
The time has come to make the move to winter hole locations. We can't cut a hole in the green when it's frozen so we typically put multiple holes in each green in the winter. Our staff will move the flag from hole to hole as dictated by play and/or green conditions. This year, due to conditions, we are going to add just one extra hole per green. Lately we've rotated with three holes in the winter, but the ground is so wet that it's not easy to find three suitable locations on every green. The locations won't follow a real pattern as they are chosen based on where the turf is best. The flags do, however, have reflectors built in, so rangefinders can help pin point your distances. We'll bump tee markers up some to offset the cold temperatures and wet ground.
WINTER GREENS
At times it may be necessary to keep the course closed even when weather is "nice". When the ground is saturated and there is a frozen layer somewhere beneath the surface of the green, it is best to remain closed. Often times this occurs on just a few greens and we'll open all the other holes. Sometimes it's widespread and we must remain closed. Typically this situation pops up when temperatures rise after a long frigid spell. Our greens do not drain very well and they have been saturated for the better part of 3 months. It will be in everyone's best interest to play it safe this winter.
55" AND COUNTING
Rains have not let up and the 6" snowfall last week needed over an inch of rain to make it melt. It's rained 44 out of the past 100 days for a total of 22". It's been cloudy, misty, and dreary on many of the days when rain didn't fall. 22" is a lot of rain in three months. Well over 50 days with no sun when we are trying to push turf to recover from summer is not helpful either. Temperatures have fallen too far for us to grow grass anymore this year. We will have to be creative and aggressive when spring arrives.
The time has come to make the move to winter hole locations. We can't cut a hole in the green when it's frozen so we typically put multiple holes in each green in the winter. Our staff will move the flag from hole to hole as dictated by play and/or green conditions. This year, due to conditions, we are going to add just one extra hole per green. Lately we've rotated with three holes in the winter, but the ground is so wet that it's not easy to find three suitable locations on every green. The locations won't follow a real pattern as they are chosen based on where the turf is best. The flags do, however, have reflectors built in, so rangefinders can help pin point your distances. We'll bump tee markers up some to offset the cold temperatures and wet ground.
WINTER GREENS
At times it may be necessary to keep the course closed even when weather is "nice". When the ground is saturated and there is a frozen layer somewhere beneath the surface of the green, it is best to remain closed. Often times this occurs on just a few greens and we'll open all the other holes. Sometimes it's widespread and we must remain closed. Typically this situation pops up when temperatures rise after a long frigid spell. Our greens do not drain very well and they have been saturated for the better part of 3 months. It will be in everyone's best interest to play it safe this winter.
55" AND COUNTING
Rains have not let up and the 6" snowfall last week needed over an inch of rain to make it melt. It's rained 44 out of the past 100 days for a total of 22". It's been cloudy, misty, and dreary on many of the days when rain didn't fall. 22" is a lot of rain in three months. Well over 50 days with no sun when we are trying to push turf to recover from summer is not helpful either. Temperatures have fallen too far for us to grow grass anymore this year. We will have to be creative and aggressive when spring arrives.
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