Arizona Traditions Guests,
I would like to welcome everyone back to the golfing season!
Now that I have a month under my belt as your new superintendent, I would like to give you an update of the club currently and going forward. The overseed has been completed and we are currently cleaning up after the summer growth. The cart paths and bunkers are being cleaned and edged to remove any of the summer Bermuda as well as any seed that may have sprung up. The following are items we are working on.
Greens –
The overseed on the greens is still a work in progress. We will continue to apply seed up to the first heavy frost of the season. They will be top-dressed monthly to improve ball roll and speed. After the frost sets in we will begin to lower the mowing heights on the putting surfaces to our season height.
Tees –
We have closed the white Tee box on #16 and moved the markers to the back tee. During overseed there were issues with the electrical control box which operates this area. The control box has been repaired and we have reseeded the area with Ryegrass. The Tee will be reopened after the turf has matured.
Fairways –
The fairways are showing some Bermuda due to the timing and the warm rains we received during the overseed. To combat this, we have begun to lower the mowing heights to suppress any remaining Bermuda. Upon completion of this process the ryegrass will be able to grow over the top of the Bermuda without any competition for water or sunlight.
Bunkers –
The goal for the maintenance staff is to till the greenside bunkers to allow for better playability. This will be an ongoing process based on labor availability and course needs.
I look forward to seeing everyone out on the course!!
Bryan L. Riek
Golf Course Superintendent