[schotzyb]

Originally Posted by mikeod

After reading all the posts in this thread and the conditions thread, I’d like to inject a dose of reality.

It seems forgotten that we have experienced a “perfect storm” of weather conditions from last summer through late fall/early winter. We had significantly less rainfall than normal last summer and fall which affected the availability of water to maintain the turf. Plans for overseeding had to be altered in light of the minimal available water.

Subsequent to overseeding the courses, we had several weeks of cold weather (10 degrees lower than normal highs and lows, including freezes) that hindered germination and growth of the overseed. This, coupled with the water problem, resulted in sparse growth and hard ground on most courses. Now, we have experienced almost a month of temps higher than normal while precipitation continues to be sparse, if any. But play continues, further degrading turf conditions. All of which means it will take the courses longer to recover this spring.

It is not a coincidence that the courses that have fared better this winter are the older courses. Havana, Cane, and Mallory are the newer courses and have not had the chance for the turf to mature and build a thick base to withstand reduced watering and increased play. Compare the turf base on those courses to Palmer, Glenview, and Lopez. Big difference.

Havana was the last full course to open, spring 2007 I believe, and it was opened earlier than desired because Mallory was damaged by the tornado. (The Jacaranda nine was opened since then, and is significantly younger than Hibiscus and Allamanda.) Since then, how many new residents have moved in and want to play golf? Think that has increased wear and tear on the courses? Where are most of the new residents living? Near Cane and Havana. Think that has an effect on conditions? I see people compare conditions here with other courses outside. First question I have is, how old is that course? Then, is it subject to the same water restrictions that TV has? How much play does it get on a daily, weekly, monthly basis? Probably not a valid comparison.

Last. Tell me what incentive the developer has to voluntarily withhold water and maintenance from these courses, especially in the winter when the population swells with seasonal residents, lifestyle visitors, and renters. Do you think the revenue savings from reducing water and maintenance on the championship courses is significant compared to the revenue from selling homes? The decision was made a few years ago to make the championship courses self-sustaining. If play decreases because the owner chooses to not keep the courses in the best shape possible, revenue goes down and the course is no longer self-sustaining. I know that there was concern among managers about the late play program during the summer having a negative impact on course conditions because of increased wear and tear. Think divots, sand traps, ball marks, etc. Also, play on the course until dark limits how much maintenance can be done after hours. Think watering, raking, etc. But the decision was made to continue the late play program because it was popular with residents, mostly full time residents.

Disclaimer: I do not work for the developer, nor have any connection to the golf administration or maintenance offices or contractors. I have served on greens committees in the past and understand the problems in maintaining turf grass, especially when water use is curtailed. The condition of the courses is not optimum, but there are reasons for it other than apathy on the part of the developer, golf administration, and maintenance contractors.

Thank you for a well written and thought out post, but even with all the legitimate reasons you have listed for the poor conditions, nothing has been done during the winter months when the green fees were at their highest to try and minimize the PR damage brought on by the poor conditions of the courses. My point is that the high rates were never reduced on Cane Garden during the winter to make it more desirable to play even though the conditions were horrid . Something such as that would have at least showed the concern but no , the rates never changed even though it was called every thing from a "cow pasture" to needing bulldozed.