January 16, 2026

Greens Update

The golf maintenance team completed the application for the cool season grasses on the greens 3 weeks ago. The team has been monitoring the efficacy of the application over the past week as it does take a couple of weeks for the application to take effect. The application has worked inconsistently by working well on some greens but not well on other greens. The greens on the Catalina course seems to still have the most cool season grasses on them. The golf maintenance team will start this next week in making some spot applications to where we have cool season grasses on the greens. It may look like we are painting the grasses, but this will just be a dye to know which plants have already been treated. Below is a picture of a green that still has a good population of cool season grasses.

Winter Cultural Practices

The golf maintenance team started with their winter cultural practices this past week. The team will perform these tasks as time allows and to not interfere with any events. This is to ensure we continue to have good water and air infiltration into the soil profile to produce healthy turf. These practices also help to relieve soil compaction from traffic. These practices will include:

• Needle Tine Aerification of Greens: this is a very small, solid tine that will have minimal impact to the putting surface. Will help relieve compaction and help with water and air infiltration.
• Solid Tine Aerification of Tees: these tines are bigger than what will be used on the greens. You will notice a bunch of small holes on the tees to promote air and water infiltration.
• Fairways Slicing:  you will notice slices throughout the fairway to promote water and air infiltration, while also relieving compaction.

Do Divot Patterns Effect Practice Area Recovery?

You may have wondered at one time or another if the way your taking divots on the practice areas effects the recovery of the turf. As we are getting into the busy time of year for the golf courses, please take into consideration the effect you are having on the practices areas and the time it takes for them to recover. The USGA has done studies to determine the least amount of impact of taking divots on practice areas is to hit them in a linear line. Below is a link to a USGA article with some tips on how you can better protect you practice areas.

Practice Facility Update

Remember To Do Your Part

Divot Mix Update

Frost Delay Information

All Courses Open to Regular Cart Traffic

Cart Traffic Update

• Some holes will remain closed to regular cart traffic but will allow access for Medical Flag Carts.
• Some holes maybe closed to all cart traffic including Medical Flag Carts.
• All carts driving on the fairways must use the "Gate System"
• All cart restriction decisions are based on playability and turf conditions.

Gate System Reminders

• The carts driving on the fairways must use the "Gate System" including Medical Flag Carts.
• Keep the cart on the path until reaching the "Entry Gate" to the fairway.
• Avoid the temptation to drive straight to the first ball and enter through the "Entry Gate"
• Carts should remain on the over-seeded fairway until reaching the "Exit Gate."
• Only Medical Flag Carts have access to the rough.
• Only 2 Carts allowed on the fairways. (Pair Up)
• Only Medical Flag Carts have the ability to switch throughout the hole.
• Keep the cart on the path after using the "Exit Gate"
• Follow all posted cart signs.

No Cart Zone Reminders

Example of "No Cart Zone" on Catalina #1

"No Cart Zones" are in effect on all courses open to cart traffic 

All cart traffic is restricted in these areas. These areas will provide a visual yellow line that should not be crossed by any golf cart, including "Medical Flag Carts". This system will improve course safety and course conditioning.

Reminders:

• A yellow line will designate the "NO CART ZONE" on each hole

• The gates must still be used by all carts.

• Fairway cart signs should still be used as the proper location to exit the fairway and return to the cart path.

• Sad #2, Cat #5, Cat #6, and Cat #8 will not have lines due to limited space and/or steep slopes. All carts should remain on the path when around these specific green complexes or holes if it is a par 3.

Thank you for your cooperation as we work to improve golf course safety and enhance course conditioning.

Golf Shop | 520-825-2505

proshop@saddlebrooke.org

Winter Golf Shop Hours: 7:30am - 4:00pm

Tee Times Start @ 8:00 AM