On the Cover

Superintendent - Michael Kropf scvgolf@suncityorovalley.com 520-917-8063

In the middle of July, it will have been one year since the new greens were sprigged with the new TifEagle grass. The original goals of the greens renovation were to increase the size of the greens, provide more pin placements with less severe slopes, improve drainage to leach salts from the reclaimed water and provide a superior putting surface.

After one year growing grass on the new greens, it has definitely been a learning experience. One of the biggest differences between the old greens and the new greens is irrigation management. The old greens had no drainage and held water. The problem with holding water well is the accumulation of salts which are detrimental to turfgrass root growth and leads to other issues like disease and algae.

Conversely, the new greens are built on 10-12 inches of sand with drains at the bottom, so they drain quickly. They drain so well it is difficult to determine how much irrigation is required to maintain healthy turf. Over the winter months when the TifEagle was dormant, the greens were watered frequently to help soften the putting surface. However, even with frequent irrigation, they drained so well the new turf desiccated around the edges. This is what led to some of the edges being thin as they started to grow in the spring.

After one year, the goals of drainage improvement, playability and size were all reached, but there is still much to be learned about maintaining these new greens.

Golf Advisory Co-chair Eileen Buskirk 206-450-6146 SCOVgolfadvisory@gmail.com Sep.-May, first Wed., 2 PM, WC3

The Views 18-Hole Men’s Golf Club Pres. Michael Gerber 520-237-9767 Membership Darwin Priebe pribedar@msn.com Play Wed. AM

July is national no complaint month, so it is a great time to add some humor to your round. Golf is the one sport where you make a six, yell fore, and write down five. Recently heard on the driving range between student and instructor was the instructor’s insight, “Your problem is you are standing too close to the ball after you hit it.”

July 7 - two-man scramble

July 14 - two-man stableford

July 21 - individual stableford

July 28 - two-man chapman

Men’s Nine-Hole Golf Club Pres. Tod Milton 520-256-0962 theodore.r.milton@gmail.com Play Thu. morning

The Men’s Nine-Hole league is playing through the summer. We play every Thursday, nice and early in the morning, so we are finishing long before it gets hot. Shotgun starts are back, which means we can be back in The Views Restaurant by 9:30 AM for a cold drink and maybe some breakfast. There are not many of us, so if you are sitting around wondering what to do on Thursday morning, join the league and play with us. You can join online and begin getting a handicap, if you do not already have one. It takes ten 9-hole games or five 18-hole games to establish a handicap. The Pro Shop can help if you have questions, or you can contact Tod Milton, theodore.r.milton@gmail.com.

ON THE COVER

Hooded Oriole

Photo by Sheryl Hester

The Views 18-Hole Women’s Golf Club Pres. Beckie Harkey bharkey2@gmail.com VP/Membership Rob Ranson phyllisranson@yahoo.com League play Tue. mornings

I wish to introduce Cathy Morrow, board member and our tournament chair. Cathy puts together our entire winter schedule. She selects our weekly games and works closely with the Pro Shop. She leads our popular three-day Solheim Cup, which includes both team and individual competitions. She organizes the President’s Cup, which is individual match Cathy Morrow play and the Club Championship, which is stroke play over three days. She keeps a busy schedule throughout our season, handling and assisting our various events. Cathy does a great job, and we can barely wait for the next season. Thank you, Cathy for leading us again.

As we wait, summer play continues. Organized play is the first Tuesday of each month. Also, eight members competed in the Kachina at Sewailo. Great fun was had in June at Talking Stick Golf Course and the Sierra Vista Golf Club.

The Views 9-Hole Women’s Golf Club

Pres. JoAnn Matty 520-400-9111 jamatty@q.com

Pres.-elect Marilyn Tyeman thunderlaw70@yahoo.com 520-548-4483

Membership Carol Johnson johncjj@frontier.com 425-343-7138

Play Thu. mornings

Convenient community restaurant, lounge and terrace offering an enjoyable experience in food, drinks and entertainment. Food & Beverage Director - Aalt Brouwer abrouwer@suncityorovalley.com 520-917-8074

Things are getting back to normal at The Views Restaurant. All our tables are back in the restaurant. There is now Friday and Saturday entertainment with no table charge. Entertainment will be moved inside, in case it’s too hot or raining. We will start doing our Try and Buy wine events inside with two large tables again. In addition, we are working on a new menu for release in a few months. We look forward to serving all our year-round residents this summer.