[BB14616]

Originally Posted by Whatever

I'm still hearing that less seed of a cheaper quality is being used to save $$$$
on the greens and the tee boxes. When you speak to the powers that be, will you please inquire if this is so.

When I spoke with Mr. Basso, I brought that up, and he said it was being investigated. He said The Villages has certain standards about how much seed has to be put down in the overseeding process, but reading between the lines, the companies that do it may have skimped. They are analyzing all the data. Obviously some courses are in better shape than others, and some are maintained by different companies. Basso appears to be on top of things. the proof will be in the pudding next winter.

[tankdvr1950]

I am sure the frigid weather this winter did not help with the condition of the greens and T's on both the Execs and Championship courses. As far as the Execs are concerned....i know first hand...that if the golfers would sand fill a divit or repair a ball make on a green once in awhile, the courses would be in much better condition and maybe sinking a putt would not be luck after having to bounce over all the unrepaired ball marks. Contrary to what at times appears to be the popular belief, these types of course repairs are the golfers responsibility, not OneSource or the Ambassador.

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by tankdvr1950

I am sure the frigid weather this winter did not help with the condition of the greens and T's on both the Execs and Championship courses. As far as the Execs are concerned....i know first hand...that if the golfers would sand fill a divit or repair a ball make on a green once in awhile, the courses would be in much better condition and maybe sinking a putt would not be luck after having to bounce over all the unrepaired ball marks. Contrary to what at times appears to be the popular belief, these types of course repairs are the golfers responsibility, not OneSource or the Ambassador.

Please, let's all fix our divots and ball marks!

[beartrack]

Of course as every avid golfer knows, or should know. If you love playing golf then you need to have good course manners. It is your responsibility to rake traps, fill divots and repair ball marks. We should all take good care of the courses for our fellow golfers and for the love of the game.

I have read all the posts on this thread, some stuck to the subject matter " The executive course greens " some were off. Like talking about fairways and then the Championship courses but most stuck to the issue.

I do not expect to go out on our exec courses and find greens like Augusta National or Pebble beach. All I ask for is playable greens. It breaks my heart when I finally hit one on the dance floor and watch my putt bounce up and down and then make a left turn after hitting a clump of weeds.

I am no expert, nor do I pretend to be. I do not believe that anyone of us on this thread are. That said however, no matter what comments were made here, I had the privilege to speak to the real expert. The Superintendant of Golf Operations in The Villages Mr. Todd Basso. Much to my surprise, he agreed with me that some of our greens are in deplorable condition. He was man enough to admit that the weather was bad but, the maintenace was worse. He said how sorry he was and he would see to it that it would never happen again. This man has gained my respect and I take him at his word. I look forward to much better playing conditions in the future.

[Russ_Boston]

All we can ask for is accountability. Thanks.

[soonfl]

Is it possible to create a club that would walk a few fairways at the end of the day an fill the divots with seed and sand, repair ball marks on greens. With instruction such volunteerism would be appreciated by course management .

It may be appropriate for the person who moves the holes, (hopefully each day) that they also spend a few minutes checking divots and repairing them.
Also, expand the Ambassador's responsibility to check and repair divots. That is probably the best fix to the problem and it is not unusual to have this responsibility given to the Rangers or in this case Ambassadors.

[Bogie Shooter]

As Russ says all we ask for is some accountability.
Fix your own ball marks and divots!

[dillywho]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

As Russ says all we ask for is some accountability.
Fix your own ball marks and divots!

Kinda goes along with the signage we had up at work in our break area: "Your mother does not work here....clean up after yourself."

[downeaster]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

As Russ says all we ask for is some accountability.
Fix your own ball marks and divots!

Absolutely!!!

And rake the mess you made in the sand trap.

[Dirigo]

Originally Posted by soonfl

Is it possible to create a club that would walk a few fairways at the end of the day an fill the divots with seed and sand, repair ball marks on greens. With instruction such volunteerism would be appreciated by course management .

Great idea. I have a friend who is a Disney castmember. He used to work at Osprey Ridge. He told me that every day, after the last foursome of the day was off the first tee and out of sight, a number of Osprey Ridge castmembers were given carts and lots of divot mix and they were tasked to fill every divot they cound find.

Disney courses are not perfect, but they are pretty darn nice.

Dirigo

[Dirigo]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

As Russ says all we ask for is some accountability.
Fix your own ball marks and divots!

Fixing yours, and at least one other, would go a long way towards improving course conditions.

That's what my foursome does (not that course superintendent ever notices or says thanks).

Dirigo

[Dirigo]

Originally Posted by downeaster

Absolutely!!!

And rake the mess you made in the sand trap.

Amen...

[BB14616]

I'm always very diligent about repairing ball marks, my own and others I see, and once about a year or so ago, after repairing a number of ball marks out at Orange blossom, one of the course rangers gave me a gift certificate that said something about being courteous golfer on it. I think it was for around $5. I thought that was a nice gesture.

[The Great Fumar]

Many years ago following the Buick Open at Grand Blanc Michigan I had the opportunity to play three holes of golf with the The King , Arnold Palmer ,,,
First thing I noticed was how many ball marks he repaired on the greens...Thats when I decided that if the King can do it , then so can I ...from that day forward I fix every one I find..........

fumar with a repair tool