[Warren Kiefer]

Originally Posted by mickey100

Good point Warren. Sometimes it seems like the prices go up but the course conditions get worse. I played Southern Star yesterday and couldn't believe how bad the greens were. There were numerous large patches on almost every green that had almost no grass on them. Obviously some sort of disease.

I too have noticed something alarming. until recently the executive courses were excellent but lately most I have played are horrible. We certainly have had ample rain so what's the problem ??? I also noticed they have lost a major portion of the TDS practice putting green. The maintainence people seem to be more reactive than proactive to problems.

[Mikeod]

Originally Posted by Warren Kiefer

I too have noticed something alarming. until recently the executive courses were excellent but lately most I have played are horrible. We certainly have had ample rain so what's the problem ??? I also noticed they have lost a major portion of the TDS practice putting green. The maintainence people seem to be more reactive than proactive to problems.

There's not much they can do. The exec courses were in good shape because of overseeding. The overseed is now dying off with the warmer weather but the bermuda base has not wakened from dormancy enough to completely take over. The result is splotchy greens and collars and fairways. Add to that the unrepaired ball marks that leave bare spots that won't fill in well until the bermuda recovers. This transition period will occur every year at this time.

And don't forget the unusual winter rains. They have created problems on a lot of greens. Just look at TPC where there is no lack of manpower or funds, and they have some problem spots that look similar to the bare spots on our greens, just not as bad. And those greens get far less traffic than ours and are the vaunted mini verde hybrid bermuda.

[Warren Kiefer]

Originally Posted by mikeod

There's not much they can do. The exec courses were in good shape because of overseeding. The overseed is now dying off with the warmer weather but the bermuda base has not wakened from dormancy enough to completely take over. The result is splotchy greens and collars and fairways. Add to that the unrepaired ball marks that leave bare spots that won't fill in well until the bermuda recovers. This transition period will occur every year at this time.

And don't forget the unusual winter rains. They have created problems on a lot of greens. Just look at TPC where there is no lack of manpower or funds, and they have some problem spots that look similar to the bare spots on our greens, just not as bad. And those greens get far less traffic than ours and are the vaunted mini verde hybrid bermuda.

GREAT RESPONSE !!!

[dgammon6]

I played Southern Star today. The greens had just been aeriated yesterday. That's the reason for the condition. There's an aerification schedule on Golf the Villages which gives you the opportunity to avoid these conditions.