Tees

As we get closer to the start of the project, I would like to continue to answer questions that may still exist.  One area of the project that I would like to more clearly explain relates to the tees.

During the initial planning stages of the project, our intent was to only renovate the tee surrounds, leaving the Zoysia tee surfaces in place.  Upon further review, it became apparent that the amount of Common Bermuda contamination in our tees was significant enough that it would have to be dealt with.  This change highlights another beneficial characteristic of the Riviera Bermuda, which is its ability to handle a height of cut from 3/8" through our higher rough cuts.

Related to the tees, I have also had questions about increasing the scope of work on the tees in order to implement the changes related to the Master Plan.  Future plans for tees are fairly significant due to changes in size and location as well rerouting some cart paths.  Unfortunately, due to time constraints as well as the budget allocated for the project, we will only be regrassing the existing tees.  

Reviewing all aspects of the project, the most critical step is growing in the tees to an acceptable level prior to opening.  Four weeks is a tight window for accomplishing this goal.  For most of our tees, we have adequate sunlight, along with ideal irrigation coverage, which will aid in this process.  

For a quick recap of the schedule, we will begin killing the existing rough on May 20th.  The golf course will close on July 7th to begin seeding.  Course reopens four weeks later.

Golf & Greens Informational Meeting

Last night we hosted an Informational Meeting to discuss the upcoming Rough Conversion.  I wanted to share a few items from the meeting for those of you who were not able to attend.

By now you have heard all of the reasons why we are making this change.  Improved playability, lower water requirement, better "In Season" conditions, cost to maintain (fewer inputs), as well as a wide range of mowing height options.

The opportunity to maintain the Riviera Bermuda from 3/8" to 2.0" is one of the key factors affecting playability.  With the current Fescue Rough, we are limited with mowing heights.  2.5" is about as low as we can go.  With the Riviera withstanding heights as low as 3/8", we will now be able to cut walking paths from tee to fairway, as well as Chipping Areas around greens for more variety of shots.  The buried lie six feet off the green is hopefully a thing of the past!

We also reviewed the schedule for the project.  Below is the approximate outline.

• May 15:      Begin painting borders of the area to be killed.
• May 20:     First application of Roundup
• June 9:       Second application of Roundup.
• June 23:    Third application of Roundup, if necessary.
• June 30:    Begin seedbed preparation.  Scalping, verticutting, leveling, etc.
• July 7:        Seed Rough.  Golf Course Closed for Four Weeks.
• Aug. 5:       Golf Course Open.

The four week schedule is a tight window from seeding to opening.  I expect the course to be playable, but expectations should be lower during the first couple of weeks after opening.  With carts limited to the path and the normal reduced rounds we see in August, I don't foresee any setbacks due to opening.  Worst case scenario is we move tees to the start of the fairway for a short period of time while we continue to push the grow-in.

One of the topics we discussed last night was the Native Areas.  As part of the project we will be killing off areas of Native that have been taken over with Bermuda.  These areas will either be seeded during the project or later in the fall, depending on the area.  One of the primary concerns is adjusting the locations to eliminate balls reaching the Native more often than we would like to see.  The top of the list for changes are right of #10 green, left of #4 fairway, and right of #7 fairway.

Please pass along ideas or concerns you have regarding the Native.  This has been a frequent topic of discussion that I want to make sure is addressed properly during the project.

Thank you for your interest in the project and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.