February 14, 2025

Greens Update

The maintenance team is starting to see some positive results from the application for the cool season grasses on the greens. The smaller plants will be the first to go, while the larger ones will take a little longer to see the effects. The warmer temperatures over the past couple of weeks have also increased the Bermuda activity on the greens as well. The maintenance team has increased their mowing frequency in order to maintain green speeds. If we continue to see warmer temperatures and increased Bermuda activity on the greens the team will make the necessary mowing height adjustment in order to maintain green speeds.

Winter Cultural Practices

With the warmer temperatures the golf maintenance team will pick up on their winter cultural activities. 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.

"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. The yellow line is not to be used to exit the fairway.

• Fairway cart signs will designate the Exit Gate that should be used as the proper location to exit the fairway and return to the cart path.

• Only medical flag carts have the ability to drive past the cart signs to the yellow line. They then must return and exit through the exit gate.

• Regular cart traffic must exit through the exit gates at the cart signs.

• 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.

All Courses Open to Regular Traffic

Cart Traffic Update

• Some holes will remain closed to regular traffic but will allow access for Medical Flag Carts.
• Some holes may be closed to all traffic including Medical Flag Carts.
• All carts must use the "Gate System."
• All cart restriction decisions are based on course playability and turf health.
• Thank you in advance for your cooperation and patience.

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. Do not use the yellow line as the exit point.
• Only Medical Flag Carts have access to the rough.
• Only Medical Flag Carts have the ability to drive past fairway cart signs to the yellow line but still must use the Exit Gate.
• Only 2 Carts allowed on the fairways.
• 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.

Frost Delay Information

Sand & Seed Mix

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 recovery. 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 your practice areas.

Golf Shop | 520-825-2505

proshop@saddlebrooke.org

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

Tee Times Start @ 8:00 AM