As many of you have already experienced, we are currently seeing unseasonably high temperatures for this time of year. Yesterday reached 105° on March 19, which is still technically winter, and today, the first official day of spring, temperatures are again expected to approach 107°. These are conditions we would normally not expect until early summer.

These unusually early and sustained high temperatures are accelerating the seasonal transition of our turf from winter ryegrass to the underlying Bermuda grass.

🌱 Understanding Spring Transition

Each fall, we overseed with ryegrass to provide lush green playing conditions throughout the winter months. As temperatures rise in the spring, the warm-season Bermuda grass naturally begins to emerge and become the dominant playing surface.

The recent extreme heat is causing this process to begin sooner and progress more rapidly than normal. As ryegrass becomes stressed from high temperatures, it begins to thin, allowing Bermuda grass to grow through and establish.

💧 Why Increased Morning Watering is Necessary

Successful transition requires adequate moisture, particularly during periods of excessive heat. Arizona’s current very low humidity levels mean turf can dry out quickly once temperatures rise.

To help manage turf health during this critical period, members may notice increased early morning irrigation. This approach allows the turf to absorb moisture before peak heat while minimizing disruption to play.

Providing this additional moisture helps:

• Reduce stress on the winter ryegrass
• Encourage strong and even Bermuda grass establishment
• Maintain turf density and overall playing conditions
• Prevent rapid turf decline or the development of thin or bare areas

⚠️ What Happens if Transition is Not Properly Managed

Without careful moisture management during extreme heat:

• Ryegrass can decline too quickly, resulting in inconsistent turf coverage
• Bermuda grass may struggle to establish evenly, leading to patchy conditions
• Playing surfaces can become firmer, less predictable, and slower to recover
• Overall turf quality could be impacted well into the summer season

Proactive management during this short but important window helps ensure the course maintains healthy turf and consistent conditions as we move into the warm season.

🔎 What You May Notice Over the Next Week

With temperatures expected to remain near or above 100° for the coming week, the transition process may be more visible than in a typical spring.

Members may notice:

• Color variation as bright green ryegrass begins to thin and darker Bermuda emerges
• Slightly inconsistent turf density in some fairway and rough areas
• More visible morning irrigation or damp turf conditions
• Areas that may feel firmer or different underfoot during the changeover
• Gradual improvement week-to-week as Bermuda responds to the heat and becomes dominant

These changes are normal and temporary during spring transition, especially when unusually high temperatures accelerate the process.

💧 Bermuda Variety and Water Requirements

It is also important to understand that the traditional/common Bermuda grass base on our courses requires more water during extreme heat and transition than some newer hybrid Bermuda varieties being installed at other facilities today.

Modern cultivars such as Tahoma 31 and TifTuf have been specifically developed for improved drought tolerance and water-use efficiency, allowing them to maintain turf quality with reduced irrigation. Because our fairways are currently established in more traditional Bermuda, consistent moisture is essential during periods of excessive heat to maintain turf density, protect playing conditions, and ensure strong summer recovery.

🌿 Long-Range Turf Improvement Planning

The club has already taken meaningful steps toward adopting these newer turf varieties. Both practice ranges and many teeing areas have been successfully converted to Tahoma 31 Bermuda grass, providing improved heat tolerance and reduced water requirements in those locations.

Looking ahead, transitioning fairways on both courses to newer Bermuda varieties is part of our long-range agronomic planning. These types of improvements require significant investment and careful coordination with course playability and seasonal usage, but they remain an important priority as we continue working to enhance conditions and sustainability.

⛳ Our Commitment

Our agronomy team is closely monitoring temperatures, soil moisture, and turf response on a daily basis. While this year’s transition is occurring earlier and more aggressively than usual, proactive management will help guide the course through this period as smoothly as possible.

We appreciate your understanding and support as we work to protect turf health and maintain the quality playing conditions you expect.

"Warm" Regards,