Agronomy Update - December 12, 2025

As we enter the winter season, our priority is to maintain optimal playing conditions while safeguarding the long-term health of our golf courses and practice facilities. This communication outlines our winter operational plans and the rationale behind these decisions.

 Colorant Application – Tees & Fairways

A turf colorant has been applied to all tees and fairways. Here are the key advantages to using turf colorants:

 Aesthetic Appeal

•       Turf colorants provide a vibrant green appearance, even during dormancy.
•        Improves visual quality during winter or drought periods.

Reduced Wear and Tear

•        Dormant turf with colorants remains firmer and playable without the stress of overseeding.
•        Less disruption to the base turf (bermuda) means quicker recovery in the spring.

Temperature Moderation

•        Darker colorants can absorb sunlight, slightly warming the turf canopy and soil.
•       This can help maintain better root activity and reduce frost damage.

Disease and Pest Management

•       Overseeding often introduces disease pressure and pests.
•        Colorants avoid these risks by maintaining the existing turf without introducing other grasses.

Faster Spring Transition

•       No need to transition out ryegrass in spring, which often delays bermudagrass recovery.
•       Colored turf allows the base grass to green up naturally without competition.

 

    

Colorant application to Dye 1 fairway       Completed application on Dye 16 fairway

Hole Target Rings on Greens

As part of our winter operations, you will notice target rings placed in the cups instead of our traditional painted cup lips during the colder months. This is designed to protect the health and playability of our putting surfaces while still providing an enjoyable experience.

 Why target rings?

 Frequent hole changes in winter can create unsightly scars (unhealed cup plugs) and protects the lip of the hole from drying out and flaking. This allows us to use the same hole location for multiple days when play is minimal. The GCM Team will monitor turf wear around holes and change as necessary. Target rings will not be used during Club organized member competitive play.

 Range Tee – Winter Operations

The driving range will be on grass two days a week (weather permitting) through the winter months. This is necessary because the grass tee cannot recover during colder weather when growth slows significantly. Using mats during this period helps preserve the turf so it’s in excellent condition for the spring season.

 Frost Delays

As temperatures drop, you may notice occasional frost delays before play begins. We want to explain why these delays are necessary and how they help protect the courses you enjoy.

 Why do we delay play during frost?

•       Protecting the Turf – When frost forms, ice crystals coat the grass blades. Walking or driving on frosted turf causes these frozen cells to rupture, leading to dead or damaged grass.
•        Preventing Long-Term Damage – Turf growth slows in cold weather, so any damage takes much longer to heal. Frost damage can leave scars and thin areas well into spring.
•        Maintaining Quality – A short delay now prevents costly repairs later and ensures smooth, healthy golf courses for the upcoming season.

 Winter Cart Guidelines – Please Use Caution

We ask for your cooperation in helping protect the courses during this sensitive time. Turfgrass slows significantly in colder weather, making it more vulnerable to damage from traffic.

 Please keep these guidelines in mind when operating golf carts:

•        Avoid Wet or Soft Areas – Driving through saturated turf can cause ruts an compaction, which are difficult to repair during dormancy.
•        Follow Cart Path Rules – Please stay on cart paths as much as possible.
•        Respect Roped-Off Areas – These areas are marked to prevent wear on high-traffic or stressed turf.
•        Spread Out Traffic – When permitted to drive on fairways, vary your route to avoid creating worn tracks.

 Your attention to these details helps maintain course quality and ensures a smooth transition into spring. Thank you for your understanding and support.