Golf

By Mike Kiesling, Director of Golf Par for the Course

The kick off to the 2020 Golf Season is around the corner. As the new director of golf, I am extremely excited for our membership and all of the new opportunities to enjoy the game of golf. So, what exactly is new for 2020?

1. Monthly Couples Golf Association Events - Starting in March 2. Friday Night Couples - Starting in April 3. Monthly Junior Golf Events - Starting in February 4. Weekly Women’s Instructional Programs - Starting in April 5. Weekly Men’s Golf League - Starting in April 6. New Men’s Golf Association Events 7. Club Match Play Championship Now that the weather and golf action is heating up, how can we as golfers ensure that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the same experience we had? It really starts with respecting everyone else on the course. Are we fixing ball marks, raking after ourselves in bunkers, and sanding our divots? What is our position on the course, and are we keeping up with the group in front of us? Often times we look to the course marshals to enforce rules and etiquette, or to the maintenance staff to fix ball marks and sand divots, but the ownership lies 100% with the golfer. Take our new ball mark repair tools out for a spin the next time you play a round. March is our major golf course maintenance month when we give the green the first aerification of the year. The first aerification of the year is generally

the largest core pulled. Golfers often ask, “Why is aeration needed?” Aeration is an essential program to keep playing surfaces healthy and in good condition. Aeration primarily is performed to control organic matter, decaying roots and grass stems, relieve soil compaction, stimulate root growth and improve drainage. If organic matter becomes too thick, it acts like a sponge and holds water at the surface after rain or irrigation. Excessive organic matter also inhibits root growth, reduces oxygen levels in the soil, encourages disease and eventually can lead to turf failure. Furthermore, excessive organic matter creates soft surfaces prone to ball marks, foot printing and inconsistent playing conditions. Aeration and topdressing are the most effective ways to control organic matter and maintain smooth, firm putting surfaces. Core aeration involves physically removing small soil cores from the turf and is the most common type of aeration. Aeration holes allow excess moisture to evaporate and promote gas exchange in the soil, resulting in stronger root systems and turf that is better able to tolerate foot traffic. Proper timing of aeration will ensure the fastest possible recovery and return to smooth surface conditions. The key to a quick recovery is to perform aeration when the turf is healthy and actively growing. There are many types of aeration

that superintendents use throughout the season; some are more labor-intensive and disruptive to playing surfaces than others. Less-disruptive forms of aeration, including venting aeration with smalldiameter, solid tines, are also beneficial because they can alleviate turf stress by promoting oxygen levels in the soil. Aeration programs that have a small impact on a playing surface generally can be performed throughout the season with little or no disruption to play. The type and frequency of aeration needed is course specific. Superintendents adjust aeration programs based on soil conditions, turf requirements, climate/weather, available labor and equipment, course events, etc.

MARCH 2 – 5: Aerification of the TPC Course MARCH 23 – 26: Aerification of the Cottonwood Valley Course Please note, these aerifications will take 12+ days to fully heal.

Golf Tip

By Tim Cusick, PGA Director of Golf Instruction

The 2020 Challenge for Improvement

IT’S THE START of a new decade, year and golf season. Take the time to make this year different. Dedicate 2020 to improving your game. Assess your needs or have one of the professional golf staff do that for you. Then let us put a plan in action for improvement. Just some simple improvements can make all the difference in helping to lower your scores for the new year. Whether it’s full-swing, short game or putting, let me or one of our talented golf professionals get you started in the right direction for the new year. Decide to make 2020 your best year in golf! We look forward to the challenge!

HOW TO GetYour Kid Started in Golf

By Jack Danshmand

YOUTH GOLFERS ARE THE FUTURE OF OUR GAME! Parents should consider introducing their kids and their kid’s friends to the game of golf. Not doing so would be a missed opportunity to develop skills applicable to both life and sport. Four Seasons Golf and Sports Club offers a tiered program for kids as young as five and all the way through high school.

FOUR SEASONS Golf and Sports Club Junior Golf Programs SNAG – For youngsters brand new to golf between the ages of 5-7. Development – For youth who have consistent contact with the ball, experience on the course and basic knowledge of the rules. PGA Junior League – A team format playing matches against other country clubs. Interclub – For those who would like to compete in offsite tournaments as well as play high school golf. Champions – Elite players who play offsite tournaments and can shoot below 40 on 9-holes. The key to keeping youngsters interested is to get them on the course and not just have them stay on the driving range. In addition to being outdoors and providing opportunities for exercise, golf is a game the entire family can enjoy together. The time to get the game of golf involved in your child’s future is now. Number the Way to Keep Kids Interested

2019 Golf Champions Men's Club Champion Dru Fenimore Ladies Club Champion Michele Wallace Senior Club Champion Mike Puls Senior Ladies Club Champion Donna Northcutt Couples Club Champions Mark & Michele Wallace Member - Member Champions Gross Champions Dru Fenimore & Jake Istnick Net Champions John McKeel & Kevin Thomsen Nelson Cup Champions Harvey Cunov & Kurt Cunov Lady Nelson Cup Champions Gross Champions Michele Wallace & Kerry Lareau Net Champions Carol Cashman & Kris Sharp Tournament of Champions Men's Gross - Jake Istnick Men's Net - Brad Jewell Ladies Gross - Donna Northcut Ladies Net - Camille Sparks Ladies Match Play Diane Fannon

2019 Nelson Cup Winners

Couples Golf Championship

WGA Monster Match

2/15 RED HOT OPEN 9:00am TPC 2/22 WGA Opening Day 9:00am CWV 3/6 Glow Ball Golf 6:00pm TPC 3/13 MGA 1/2 Day Men's Member/ Guest 1:00pm CWV 3/21 & 3/22 WGA 2-Day Ringer Tournament 9:00am CWV/CWV 4/4 & 4/5 MGA Ringer Event 9:00am CWV/CWV 4/17 & 4/18 Lady Nelson Member/Guest 9:00am TPC/CWV 5/3 WGA vs MGA 9:00am CWV 5/8 MGA 1/2 Day Men's Member/ Guest 1:00pm CWV 5/16 & 5/17 Senior Men's & Women's Championship 8:00am CWV/TPC 5/17 Junior-Junior Championship 3:00pm CWV 6/6 & 6/7 Member/Member 9:00am CWV/TPC 6/13 WGA Pinehurst 9:00am CWV 6/26 & 6/27 Men's Summer Member/Guest 9:00am TPC/CWV 7/3 - 7/5 Club Match Play Championship 8:00am CWV/TPC 7/18 MGA Event 9:00am CWV 8/1 "Beat the Pro" 9:00am CWV 8/8 & 8/9 Junior Club Championship PM Tee Times CWV/TPC 8/14 MGA 1/2 Day Men's Member/ Guest 1:00pm TPC 9/11-9/13 MGA Las Colinas Cup 8:00am CWV/TPC 9/18 WGA 1/2 Ladies Member/Guest 1:00pm TPC 9/20 Junior Member/Guest 3:00pm TPC 9/27 WGA vs MGA 1:00pm TPC 10/2-10/4 Club Stroke Play Championship 8:00am CWV/TPC 10/14-10/17 Nelson Cup Gentlemen's Member/Guest 9:00am CWV/TPC 10/24 & 10/25 WGA Monster Match 9:00am CWV/TPC 11/13 MGA 1/2 Day Men's Member/ Guest 1:00pm TPC 11/14 & 11/15 Couples Club Championship 9:00am CWV/TPC 12/5 MGA Men's Event 9:00am CWV

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