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,

Courses Closed November 20th - Vistas Front Range Open at 9am

We had a significant amount of rain overnight, and the courses are completely saturated this morning. Although the forecast shows the rain tapering off later this morning, the turf needs time to dry out. To protect the courses and allow them to recover, both the Lakes and Vistas will remain closed for the entire day.

We will open the the Vistas Range at 9am.

And while the fairways may be taking the day off, the Golf Shops are not! Both shops are open and fully stocked for our Rainout Sale. We have new hats and mens shirts that Joan will be putting out throughout the day. If the weather has you stuck indoors, it’s the perfect time to swing by and pick up something new!

🌧️ RAINOUT SALE – TODAY ONLY!

• • 20% OFF All Apparel, Hats, and Shoes
• • 20% OFF Putters and Wedges
• • 20% OFF Balls, Gloves, and Bags

Courses Closed November 18th - Vistas Range Open at 9am

Well… when it rains, it floods! The storm we were supposed to get last Friday finally decided to show up, late, uninvited, and with plenty of friends. With all the runoff from the surrounding community, both courses will remain closed for the rest of the day. And with more rain expected throughout the day and night, we’re keeping a close eye on conditions.

The front of the Vistas Range will open at 9am, weather permitting—but that may change depending on how much more Mother Nature throws at us.

BUT, if golf is rained out, shopping is wide open! Both Golf Shops are open and stocked for our Rainout Sale albeit not much rain clothes! If you’re stuck inside anyway, you might as well treat yourself:

🌧️ RAINOUT SALE – TODAY ONLY!

• • 20% OFF All Apparel, Hats, and Shoes
• • 20% OFF Putters and Wedges
• • 20% OFF Balls, Gloves, and Bags

Both courses are looking fantastic and we’re pleased to announce that the Cart Path Only restriction at the Lakes Course is now Lifted, Wednesday, November 5th.

Thank you all for adhering to the cart path restrictions—your cooperation has been invaluable in helping us create excellent playing surfaces for the season.

New Carts at the Vistas

As many of you know, we were scheduled to receive 32 new(er) carts this year. While we initially received them at the end of September, their condition didn’t meet our expectations, so we sent them back to EZGO. Fortunately, EZGO was able to locate a much better batch, which arrived yesterday afternoon.

The carts didn’t arrive until about 3 p.m., so we were only able to get them into the cart barn with the chargers hung. Over the next week, our team will be giving them a full cleaning and applying decals. However, they’ll be ready and available for use starting tomorrow.

These are EZGO Elite models equipped with Lithium batteries. We typically rotate 8–10 carts each year to maintain a 10-year replacement cycle. Moving forward, all new carts will feature lithium technology.

This batch will remain at the Vistas, as it’s difficult to manage multiple charger types in the Lakes cart barn. Once we’ve built up enough carts with the same charging system, we’ll transition some to the Lakes.

Please note — since these carts arrived late yesterday, we haven’t had a chance to fully inspect every detail just yet, so you may notice a few minor issues in the coming weeks. Thanks in advance for your patience as we get them fully up to our standards!

We had a great fitting day with Titleist yesterday! We still have Ping Thursday, Cleveland/Srixon Friday, and PXG Next Week!

With the season in full swing, we’re members-only (plus guests) until next summer. Please continue to help us take care of our courses so everyone can enjoy them at their best. Here are some helpful reminders:

Pace of Play Reminders:

• Our Goal is 4 Hours or Less: A smooth pace is essential for everyone’s enjoyment.
  • If you notice a faster group waiting behind, please let them play through. If this happens frequently, consider picking up the pace.
  • Prepare for your shot in advance. It’s great to watch others, but use that time to get ready.
  • Bring extra clubs with you to avoid unnecessary trips back and forth.
  • Start reading your putts while others are preparing, staying mindful of etiquette.
  • And remember, golf is social—chatting and fun are encouraged, but we can all multitask a bit!

Course Care Tips: Quick, Easy, and Essential!

As golfers, a little extra care for the course goes a long way! Fixing ball marks and filling divots are small acts that make a huge difference in keeping our greens and fairways in top condition. Here’s how you can celebrate your great shots and help keep the course pristine for everyone:

Five Things Every Golfer Should Know About Repairing Ball Marks and Filling Divots:

1. Ball Mark Repair Technique is Key:

   • Insert your tool behind the mark and gently push toward the center, working around it. Avoid lifting or twisting to protect turf roots. Smooth it over with your putter, and enjoy a flawless green!

2. Unrepaired Marks Last for Weeks:

   • Left unpatched, ball marks take ages to heal, causing bumpy rolls and inviting weeds. By fixing yours and a few others, we can virtually eliminate ball marks, keeping greens beautiful and smooth.

3. Some Greens Need Extra Love:

   • Greens that see high approach shots, like on par-3s, are especially prone to marks. Take an extra moment here to patch yours and any you spot nearby.

4. Sand and Seed Divots in the Fairways:

   • If your divot left a chunk of turf, replace it firmly in the divot. If not, use the sand and seed mix to fill the area. This keeps fairways smooth, encourages regrowth, and prevents weeds!

5. Pay It Forward on the Course:

   • Just like any act of kindness, repairing a few extra marks or divots is a way to “pay it forward.” If everyone does a bit more, we’ll all enjoy a course that’s pristine and ready for play every time!