As we experience the hottest June on record according to the National Weather Service, it's crucial to address the impact on our golf courses, specifically the cool season grasses on the greens. At both the Lakes and the Vistas courses, the overseeded cool season grass has thinned out faster than usual, resulting in noticeable bumpiness. This issue is more pronounced at the Lakes compared to the Vistas, due to differences in the Bermuda grass varieties used.

Bermuda Grass Varieties: Aggressiveness Matters

The Vistas course benefits from a more aggressive Bermuda grass variety, which aids in quicker coverage and recovery. Conversely, the Bermuda grass at the Lakes GC grows less aggressively, contributing to the current uneven playing surface. While this problem is temporary, we are actively addressing it by fertilizing the greens at the Lakes GC weekly to stimulate faster growth. We anticipate that the greens will fully recover and smooth out within the next week or so.

USGA Agronomist Report Insights

On May 20th, we hosted a USGA meeting with Agronomist Brian Whitlark, and we've received the USGA Agronomist report. This report provides valuable insights and recommendations that we are incorporating into our maintenance strategies to ensure the highest quality playing conditions.

• 2023 Report
• 2022 Report
• 2021 Report
• 2020 Report

Upcoming Summer Maintenance at the Vistas

Starting Monday, June 24, the Vistas Course will close for its scheduled summer maintenance, which will last for three weeks. During this period, we will undertake several key projects:

• Aerification of Greens: This process helps to alleviate soil compaction, enhance root growth, and improve water infiltration.
• Bunker Work: Various bunkers will be renovated to improve playability and aesthetics.
• Releveling the Main Vistas Range: Its been 10 years since we last releveled the main rang and we have lost about 15% in the front and back. This releveling will ensure a consistent and even practice surface on our most used range.
• Tee Leveling and Expansion: Specific tees, including Vistas #2 white tee and Vistas #8 white tee, will be leveled and expanded.

On June 28, West Coast Turf will arrive to sod 14,000 sq ft of the 29,000 sq ft driving range tee with Tahoma 31 Bermuda grass. Additionally, they will deliver 200 bushels of Tahoma 31 sprigs. Our maintenance staff will install these sprigs on the remaining 15,000 sq ft. We plan to sod #2 and #8 tees on July 1 and July 2. We selected Tahoma 31 Bermuda grass due to its exceptional recovery from divots and its drought tolerance, making it an ideal choice for our climate.

Water Usage While Managing Summer Transition

Currently, both courses are undergoing summer transition from winter grass to Bermuda grass, with 60% to 70% of the turf now Bermuda grass. The arrival of 100-plus degree days will soon push us to 100% Bermuda grass coverage. During this transition, it's crucial to ensure the Bermuda grass receives ample water, which may result in some wet areas. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding as we navigate these necessary adjustments.

By addressing these challenges head-on and implementing strategic maintenance practices, we aim to provide the best possible playing conditions for our members and guests. Thank you for your patience and support during this period of intense summer heat and transition.

The City has sprung a leak! A major break in the City Main Water Line has occurred within our HOA, right by Lakes Course #5. This unexpected turn of events has led to some rather extensive flooding around the green at Lakes #5 Green, giving it a bit more water than anyone bargained for!

To help manage the situation and ensure everyone can still enjoy their game, we've shifted tee times to start on the back-9 at the Lakes today. We appreciate your flexibility! Given the soggy circumstances, the waterlogged area will need a few days to drain, so we've roped it off for safety. In the meantime, all carts are kindly asked to detour near the #6 tee.

For those that unfortunately find the large casual water: You take free relief by finding the nearest point of complete relief where you are clear of the puddle and then drop your original ball or another ball away from the puddle and within one club-length of that point not nearer the hole (see Rule 16.1b). You will most likely not find the ball ;) 

Thank you for your patience and understanding during this cleanup. And hey, just imagine how challenging this hole would be if it were an actual water hazard! Stay dry out there, and happy golfing!

As we gear up for the warmer days ahead, you might notice some new additions to our fairways and greens—small lines etched into the ground. This is all part of our proactive approach to prepare for the upcoming summer season. We've started slicing the turf to loosen the soil and enhance airflow to the grass roots, a crucial step to ensure our turf stays healthy.

This isn't new; we've been employing this technique for the past few seasons, and it's proven to significantly improve our turf conditions. We appreciate your understanding as we continue to maintain and enhance the quality of our course.

There's understandably been a bit of confusion surrounding recent emails about the use of credit book funds. I want to clarify that there is NO requirement for members to use their credit money by May 31. If any of you made purchases to stay under the $100 mark based on my previous emails and wish to return those items, please stop by the golf shop. We're here to help sort everything out for you.

I apologize for any misunderstanding caused by my earlier messages. Thank you for your continued membership and support of the Club. We value each and every one of you!

Both Courses are Closed Today - April 1
Mother Nature has, once again, decided that our beloved courses need a bit more... hydration than expected. Early this morning, we received a generous 3/4 inch of rainfall, transforming our greens and fairways into an adventurous assortment of spontaneous lakes and meandering rivers. As such, both of our courses will be taking a brief break today to soak it all in.

However, every cloud has a silver lining, and in this case, it's a shiny, irresistible "Rained Out Sale" at our golf shops! To brighten up your day, we're offering:

• Buy 1, Get 1 50% Off on all tops and bottoms. Mix and match to your heart's content!
• An exclusive 25% Off on all "Branded Bill" hats to keep you stylish, come rain or shine.
• A solid 20% Off on all in-stock Cleveland Clubs, because why not upgrade your game?
• And 20% Off XXIO and Srixon Golf Balls to ensure you're always ready to hit the fairway.

For those who still wish to defy the elements and work on their swing, our ranges will be open for most of the day. Just swing by the golf shop to get started.

We appreciate your understanding and hope you'll take advantage of this opportunity to stock up on some great Westbrook gear at even better prices. Here's to hoping we'll see the sun sooner rather than later, but until then, let's make the most of a rainy day!

As we celebrate this joyous Easter, it seems the weather has decided to join in with its own version of an Easter shower. Due to heavy rainfall and the forecast indicating an extended downpour throughout the day, we regret to inform you that both courses will remain closed today.

However, not all is lost! In true Easter spirit, we're hosting a special Easter Rainout Sale at the golf shops, open today until 2pm. Hop on over for some egg-citing deals: Buy 1 and get 50% off on shirts and pants/skorts, enjoy a 25% discount on Srixon balls, swing into a 20% saving on in-stock Cleveland Clubs, and bag a 20% discount on in-stock bags.

It's the perfect opportunity to refresh your golfing wardrobe or gear up for sunny days ahead. Let's make the most of this Easter, rain or shine!

Wishing you all a wonderful and blessed Easter.

We are now requesting that you fill divots on the tees, fairways, and rough. During the winter months we do not fill divots in the rough since it is not overseeded, and we want to prevent winter grass from growing in those areas. However, now that spring has arrived, we have removed the winter seed from our mixture. Consequently, we ask that you fill divots on the tees, fairways, and now the rough.

Your Part in This Initiative

Filling divots is more than just a courtesy; it's a responsibility that each player has towards the course and their fellow golfers. By using our sand mixture to fill divots on the tees, fairways, and rough, you are directly contributing to the course's overall health and beauty. Here’s how you can help:

• Locate the Sand Mixture: Bins filled with our new sand mixture are conveniently located at the cart barns and on par 3 tee boxes throughout the course. Please make use of them to fill your divots or notice an unfilled divot.

• Fill Divots Properly: When filling a divot, please ensure that you use an adequate amount of the sand mixture to level the affected area with the surrounding surface. This practice encourages a smoother, more uniform recovery. We don't want mounds and we don't want holes, it should be smooth.

• Spread the Word: Encourage your fellow golfers to participate in this practice. A collective effort will significantly amplify the positive impact on our course.

A Shared Commitment to Excellence

By working together, we can ensure that our courses remain in top condition, offering a challenging yet fair test of golf for players of all skill levels.

We are confident that this practice will be continued and enhanced by our membership, and we look forward to seeing the positive effects it will have on our beloved courses. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and commitment to this important aspect of course care. Let’s all do our part to keep our golf club looking its best, ensuring enjoyable rounds for everyone.