We’re pleased to share the recent USGA Green Section Agronomist Report from their April 3, 2025 visit to Westbrook Village Golf Club. This visit, conducted by Brian Whitlark, USGA Agronomist and Regional Director, was part of our ongoing commitment to professional course evaluation and continuous improvement.

The USGA Green Section is the gold standard in turfgrass science and golf course management. Their on-site evaluations offer unbiased, research-backed guidance on agronomic practices, resource sustainability, and golfer experience. Below is a summary of the key findings and recommended actions from the report:

🧪 Key Agronomic Insights & Recommendations

1. Vistas Course: New Well & Irrigation

• Observation: The current irrigation system is reaching its end of life.

• Recommendation: Prioritize funding a new water well and plan for full irrigation system replacement. Efficient water delivery is crucial for turf health, particularly in the desert environment.

2. Putting Greens: Transition is Already Underway

• Observation: Bermudagrass is starting to emerge early under the winter overseed.

• Action: Apply additional nitrogen fertilizer to accelerate healthy regrowth. This ensures a smooth and firm putting surface through the summer transition.

3. Fairways: Fertility & Recovery

• Observation: Spring transition is underway for our common bermudagrass.

• Action: Increase water and fertility inputs. Products like Sapphire® are helping push the turf through transition and improve coverage.

• Observation: Tee leveling projects are well underway.

• Action: Continue and expand these efforts. Level, well-sized tees enhance aesthetics and playability for all skill levels.

5. Bunkers: Sand Consistency

• Observation: Playability is improved with added sand and aggressive raking routine.

• Action: Additional rototilling will help fluff compacted sand and provide consistent lies throughout the season.

6. Lakes Practice Tee: Surface & Longevity

• Observation: Uneven surfaces impact practice quality.

• Action: Plan for tee leveling this summer and consider integrating synthetic turf in select areas to withstand high traffic and conserve water.

View Past USGA Reports

⛳ Why This Matters

Our partnership with the USGA ensures that our course care is backed by the latest turfgrass research and best practices from clubs across the country. By following their recommendations, we enhance:

• Turf health and year-round consistency

• Water use efficiency in our desert climate

• The overall member and guest playing experience

You can read the full report here:
📄 Download USGA Agronomist Report – April 2025

We appreciate your continued support and feedback as we invest in the long-term quality and sustainability of both our courses.

Dusk and dawn are not only great times to experience nature at its best, but they are also when you’ll commonly see Adopt-a-Hole Team members working on the fairways and greens they have adopted at WBV. In addition to taking care of divots and ball marks while playing, early mornings and evenings are the best times for the Adopt-a-Hole Team to fill divots on the fairways and repair ball marks on the greens. We always do our best to avoid interfering with golfers.

WBGC has had an active Adopt-a-Hole program for over nine years, beginning with the Lakes Team in 2016. We expanded by adding the Vistas Team in 2017, and today, we have over 100 members filling divots and repairing ball marks on a weekly basis. However, we still have room for more volunteers to ensure full coverage on each hole and course.

Dave Escobedo has provided outstanding support by supplying divot mix, five-gallon buckets, repair tools, instructional videos, and all the necessary equipment for our team to efficiently carry out its mission. Brandon Evans ensures carts are available when needed and has played a key role in promoting and recruiting for the program.

Although some members maintain their adopted holes year-round, our official season runs from November 1st to April 30th. A typical week involves approximately one hour of work and the application of 6–10 gallons of divot mix per person on the fairways. To grasp the impact of this effort, consider that with over 100 team members, we collectively contribute more than 2,000 hours annually and apply over 5,000 gallons of divot mix. That is true dedication and passion for our golf club and courses!

There is no doubt that the Adopt-a-Hole program has significantly improved the appearance and playability of the Lakes and Vistas courses.

Ron Sellnow, a WBVGC member since 2019, shared his thoughts:
“There are many benefits of being a member, but one of the best is being able to play on well-maintained golf courses. By participating in the Adopt-a-Hole program, I have the opportunity to give something back to the club.” Ron takes care of hole #14 at the Lakes with Ron Laumann.

Dean and Liz Armitage, members for six years, have adopted hole #8 at the Vistas, along with Dewey and Janet Cannon. When asked about being part of the Vistas Team, Dean said:
“I actually enjoy walking out my back gate as the sun sets, filling divots, and fixing ball marks on the green.”

Below are the latest team rosters for the Lakes and Vistas courses.

1. Sonny Younger , David & Barbara Corn, Carmen Sirmon
2. Ed Parker, Dwight Groves
3. John Holt, Richard DeRoche, Steve Burnham
4. John Holt, Rob & Barbara Thurman
5. Dave & Barb Bellitt, Sharon Bolender
6. Kurt & Sally Kimmerling, Phil Crisp
7. Dwight Groves
8. Dewey & Janet Cannon, Dean & Liz Armitage
9. Joanie Hopp, Tim & Alex Miller, Robin Krapfl, Karen Hagan
10. Bill Allen, Harris Allen
11. Mike & Mary Ann Porter
12. Lee & Kathy Theisen, Layne Bond, Alex Brundage
13. Dan Tennessen
14. Joe & Shelly Riha
15. John Mullin & Betty Ashby, Cathy Raich & Di Gadow, Russ Fowler, Damon & Mary Milner
16. Randy Korodi, Pat Dixon
17. Robin & Kay Hill, Pat Dixon, Bruce Miller
18. James Spjut, Frank Frayer, Michael Giroux

1. Claudia Carr, Rick & Brenda Walker
2. Tom Lodge, Frank Ward
3. Randy Hopkins
4. Mary Ann Wiedeman, Randy & Pam Rheingans, Randy & Robyn Walters
5. Rick Meggison
6. Mike Gubrud
7. Dan & Thelma Benefiel, Leigh Crotts
8. Marsh Lindell, Bruce Cole
9. Terry & LuAnne Glasgow, John McCormack
10. Randy & Patty Trine, Gregg Thompson
11. Art Magee, Blaine Nelson
12. Debbie & Grant Stephanson, Bob & Mary Ann Kenrich
13. Tim Messink, JR and Lana Lee
14. Ron Laumann, Ron Sellnow
15. Tony Nowak, George & Evonne Lund
16. Vern Krueger, John Volkerding, Ron Herem
17. Rob Affalter, Bill & Sharon Artist
18. Bob & Diane Jungbluth, Bob & Diana Ingersol, Jose David, John Benz, Barry Peterson

When you see any of these team members out on the course, whether working or playing, please take a moment to thank them for their efforts. Their dedication is truly making a difference and contributing to our goal of providing "the best value and best golf experience in the West Valley."

Aside from volunteering for a hole, you can support the teams and the club by ensuring all divots are filled and ball marks are repaired while you play. Encourage your playing partners to fill their divot mix containers before teeing off and to empty them before finishing their round. No one should leave the course with divot mix still in their carts—use it up!

Thank you, Adopt-a-Hole Teams!

Bob Jungbluth & Dwight Groves
WBVGC Members

We’re excited to share that everything’s falling perfectly into place to kick off an incredible 2024/2025 season!

✅ Vistas Overseed – Success!
✅ Vistas Course – Open and Cart Restrictions Removed
✅ Lakes Overseed – Success!
✅ Lakes Course – Open Today! (Cart Path Only)
✅ Snowbirds are Here
✅ Weather is Great

With everything ready, we’re all set for an amazing season ahead!

🎥 For Your Viewing Pleasure 🎥
We’ve did a flyover of the Lakes yesterday! Take a moment to check it out below and get a bird’s-eye view of the beautiful work that’s been done to get everything ready for you.

Course Conditions and Cart Guidelines:
Our Lakes Course is now open after a fantastic overseed, though we’ll be cart paths only while the grass continues to mature. The good news is, we lifted cart path restrictions at the Vistas Course just yesterday! As you roam the fairways, please remember to use the 90-degree rule where appropriate, and stay on the cart path as much as possible to help keep the turf in top shape.

Course Etiquette Reminders
Please continue to fix your ball marks and sand/seed your divots in the fairway. Every little bit helps, so pay it forward—these small efforts go a long way in maintaining the quality of the course for everyone!

🎟️ Get Your Tickets for the 30th Anniversary Journey Tribute Concert! 🎟️
Tickets are still available for our special Journey Tribute Concert on November 9th in the Lakes Ballroom! But don’t wait too long—we’re going to keep annoying you with this announcement until these tickets are gone, so grab yours while they last! This promises to be a fantastic evening you won’t want to miss.

🛍️ We Got A Little Dot Happy! 🛍️
Joan decided to put some more dots out there and start up a Winter Dot Sale! Look out for items marked with:

• Green Dot – 40% Off
• Red Dot – 50% Off
• Purple Dot – 60% Off

Come snag these savings while they last! And don’t worry, men—we’re a bit light on men’s inventory right now, but new stock is on the way. It just hit a little delay, so stay tuned for fresh arrivals soon! We do have plenty of new men's shoe's however!

We’re thrilled to see the season start with you all back on the course. Lets have a great season of unforgettable shots, lots of laughs, and, of course, those elusive birdies!

🌟 The Vistas Course is Now Open! 🌟

Thanks to the extra week we added for overseeding due to the record-breaking October heat and our amazing grounds team, the course is looking fantastic! Temperatures are finally cooling down, with next week's weather actually looking cool.

We opened the main driving range tee on Wednesday, so we hope you had a chance to get a little golf fix ahead of today’s course opening. For at least the next week, as we give the new winter grass time to settle, play will be cart-path-only. Please remember to pair up in carts—more than two carts don’t actually speed up play, and extra carts put more stress on the course edges fur to carts needing to pass one another. Please keep all four tires on the path. If you need more than two carts for your group due to a valid reason (like a mid-round departure or a medical need), contact the Golf Shop for approval. Hint: Because YOU smoke, doesn’t qualify you for an extra cart 😉

🎥 Check Out the Latest Drone Videos of the Vistas!
Captured just yesterday, October 25, these drone shots will give you a bird’s-eye view of all the freshly overseeded holes!

⛳ Busy Days Ahead!

With only the Vistas Course open until the Lakes Course reopens next Saturday, November 2, our tee sheets will be packed! To help keep the pace of play smooth, please be ready to hit your shot and be prepared to help maintain the flow.

Next Friday, November 1, will be especially busy as our 6-Month Members return to unlimited play. With demand for tee times expected to be high, we may not be able to accommodate all requests, especially for early finishes before sunset. Tee time priority will go to all-member groups, while groups with guests may receive lower priority. We’ll do our best to pair singles and twosomes, but complete groups will take priority in the schedule.

👻 Halloween Haul-Away Sale! 🎃

With our fresh inventory creeping in on November 1, it’s time to clear out last season’s stock with prices so good, it’s scary! Don’t miss your chance to snag these boo-tiful deals before they vanish into the night on October 31!

• 50% Off Green Dots
• 60% Off Red Dots
• 70% Off Purple Dots

You'll uncover spooky savings on bags, balls, hats, clothing, and more throughout the shop! Plus:

• 60% Off Last Year’s Shoes
• 50% Off Select Titleist and Glove It Bags
• 25% Off Gloves and Accessories
• 20% Off In-Stock Putters
• 20% Off All Other Last Year’s Apparel

Hurry in and claim these hauntingly good deals before they’re gone! 🧛‍♂️

Thank you for being such a valued member of our club! We’re excited to kick off another fantastic season with you and can’t wait to see you out on the course and in the shop. Our team has done an incredible job preparing for an unforgettable season ahead. Let’s make this one our best yet!