1. 17. 2006
Improvements to Computer System
Head Golf Professional Joe DeBode and Paula Bettencourt, Assistant Community Services Director, recently met with the City’s Director of Information Technology to discuss ways to speed up the process for redeeming gift certificates in the Pro Shop. Those of you present for the Grand Opening/Holiday Sale know first hand how long a transaction involving a gift certificate took -- way too long! The length of time needed to process the gift certificates made for lengthy lines for everyone. The good news is that the problem has been solved. New software was uploaded and changes made to the system. Redemption of gift certificates has been greatly expedited which will mean better customer service for all golfers.
Greens – Snow Mold
We have had several questions recently concerning the "circular brown spots" on some of the greens. Superintendent Steve Crane explains that this is due to a fungus called snow mold, also known as Microdochium nivale. Snow mold develops on the turf as a "frog eye" appearance with a matting of turf on the outside and small spots of green grass in the middle. This fungus will infect turf during wet, cold, and overcast weather conditions. It can be treated with fungicide applications as we have done twice during the past few months. Dry, warm weather causes the fungus to revert to its dormant state.
Mowing the Rough
We have also had a few questions regarding the frequency of rough mowing. In the dryer months of spring and summer, the rough mowers are out Monday through Friday. By the end of the week, all of the rough areas have been mowed and we start all over again at the beginning of the next week. In the winter months, the rough mowing is very much weather dependent. The winter mowing is more difficult due to the weight of the equipment that often makes tire ruts and scalps the grass if there are soft areas. Also, with wet and damp turf conditions, the reel mowers have difficulty making a clean cut and will often roll the grass blades over without cutting them.
Holiday Storms
While Shoreline Golf Links was not severely impacted by the rain and wind over the New Year's weekend, we did experience damage to a number of trees. The Myoporum to the back of #5 white tee and to the left of #15 white tee and the Pine to the back of #15 green were lost due the storm. Also, prior to the weekend, maintenance crews removed several dead or diseased Cypress trees. They were located to the back of #2 green, the right of #7 rough, the back of #10 tee, the left of #10 rough and the right of #18 tee and #18 rough, about 150 yards from the green..