Native Areas

Native Area between #15 and #16

Over the last couple of years, we have been in the process of transitioning some of our out of the way locations to a reduced maintenance Native Area.  The benefits are numerous, from financial savings to creating a more aesthetically interesting golf course.

As we started the process we knew that getting the grasses established would be a work in progress that wouldn't happen in one season.  The difficulty we have faced is finding the right blend of grasses that will handle the mix of full sun and shade. Initially, we started with a blend of Fine Fescue.  This past summer of extreme heat and minimal rainfall, proved to be too much for a good portion of the newly established grasses.

Over the winter we worked with an individual from Kansas State who helped us make changes to the selection of grasses for these areas.  The blend we have selected to go along with our existing Fine Fescue is:  Buffalo Grass, Blue Grama, and Sideoats Grama.  This blend of grasses should ultimately handle the hotter, drier conditions better; although they are more difficult to establish compared to the Fine Fescue.

Moving forward, we are open to suggestions.  There may be areas that we add to the list for converting to native.  Likewise, there may be areas that are coming into play that need to be reduced or eliminated. 

As many of you already know, we are in the process of gathering information for the Long Range Master Plan of the golf course.  If you would like to offer comments or suggestions regarding the Native Areas we have placed the hole by hole evaluations around the club in different locations.  Any feedback you would like to give would be much appreciated.