[bigalibaba]

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.

Two points:

1) Why is it that Stonecrest (just across the street) has been in near perfect condition. Are the weather patterns there different than in TV?

2) If not mistaken, the US Open has been played on courses that are 3 years old. According to your theory that tournament would have been played on fairways that have no grass and sickly greens.

TV courses are maintained worse than most Public Courses I have ever
played. Making excuses for substandard maintenance will do nothing to get them improved. What they need is a qualified Greenskeeper, (they have one at Palmer) for all the courses and also need to spend some of their money on stuff other than cutting grass.