Fellow WBVGC members. There has been a lot of discussion recently about the palm trees that are on our golf course. We would like to address the mix of rumors and provide you with pertinent facts.
Regarding our Palm Trees, we are only in the “Exploratory Mode” of potentially a good idea. The idea was prompted by a return-on-investment (ROI) study that demonstrates that selective removal of a small percentage of existing palms would result in significant savings to the Club over time.
Every successful business undertakes studies in areas that can reduce expenses while moving to a new state of excellence. The Board has been conducting studies concerning practice areas, course conditions, fountains, and the latest, palm trees. We are looking for ways to protect the visual appeal and aesthetics of our courses at reduced costs. The “End State” we hope to achieve is to conserve revenue and improve other areas of the Club. The Palm Tree Study to date has produced some very valuable information.
- We have approximately 516 palms between the two courses.
- There are approximately 125 palms on the Vistas and as many as 400 on the Lakes.
- Palm Trees are not native plants to this area.
- Mature palm trees require about 15-20 gallons of water per day.
- Palm tree roots can extend over 100 feet from the base of the tree, competing with turf for nutrients and water and compromising drainage pipes.
- Grass growing at the base of palm trees require personnel to line-trim them frequently at a high cost in labor and time.
- The tree maintenance budget covers trimming, removal, and planting for every tree on the two courses and increases EVERY YEAR.
- Palm Trees use 25% of the tree maintenance budget and about 4.4% of total golf course expense.
- And something we all know – they are beautiful.
These facts give the board cause to investigate ways we could “thin the herd” while saving, or improving, the beauty throughout the courses. We could also reduce the palm tree maintenance expense and divert those funds to other necessary tree maintenance.
There is much discussion and multiple options to develop before we fell one tree. The Board will keep you informed throughout the process. There is no option on the table to “REMOVE ALL THE PALM TREES.”
The Board of Directors and I appreciate your patience as we continue to review the ROI and the benefits we might gain from this study and future studies. If you have questions or would like more information on this topic, please feel free to contact me or Pat Dixon, Chairman of the Greens & Grounds Committee directly.
Respectfully,
FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
