4 minute read
Golf
reliable source of information during a trying time.
Tipster photo submissions are also getting better. Thank you for taking the time to submit higher-quality photos for our readers to enjoy.
Golfing experience that provides professional and friendly service, mountain views and excellent conditions.
Director of Golf - Rick Price rprice@theviewsgolfclub.com 520-917-8086
The course conditions are coming along quite well. The short game area has been opened and we aerified the greens the last week of July. This means overseeding is right around the corner, with the golf course scheduled to close September 20-October 10. It will be cart path only for a couple of weeks after opening. The Pro Shop will be open with limited hours during overseeding, and the driving range will be open.
This month we host the American Legion annual tournament on Saturday, August 21. It will be a 7:30 AM shotgun using the entire course for the morning. If you are interested in supporting or playing in the event, you can go to their Facebook page www.facebook.com/OVAmericanLegionPost132.
During the inclement weather of the monsoon season, we want to remind you to be safe and use your best judgment while playing golf. Use the following suggestions to keep safe when heading out on the course during this time. Check the forecast, verify it often, and download a reliable radar app. If you hear thunder or see lightning, we recommend leaving the course or seek shelter immediately if you are not able to get off the golf course in a timely manner.
If you have been thinking about improving your game, we invite you to attend one of our weekly clinics on Tuesdays or Wednesdays or take a private lesson for further help with your full swing and short game. Call the Pro Shop at 520825-3110.
Superintendent - Michael Kropf scvgolf@suncityorovalley.com 520-917-8063
During the months of June and July, a lot of effort was put into the golf course to promote growth of Bermuda grass in fairways, tees and greens. The maintenance staff aerified, topdressed and verticut all these areas. The benefits are realized during the months of July, August and September. The monsoons bring a higher level of humidity and occasional rain that really encourages the Bermuda grass to begin growing rapidy. The irrigation water is also reduced, which will allow the playing conditions to improve. All of the frustrations in June from the course being thin with some wet areas will be reduced, and the golf course will be in much better condition for the rest of the summer.
One disadvantage of the increased humidity and rain during the monsoon is that the Bermuda grass in the roughs, fairways and now the new greens will begin to grow faster than it can be mowed. This results in an increase of grass clippings and scalping that causes the grass to turn a yellow or orange color because it is getting mowed too low on the plant. To slow this surge of growth, a plant growth regulator will be sprayed during the months of high growth, and increased verticutting and topdressing will thin the grass canopy. This keeps the growth to a minimum, which reduces the messes in the roughs and prevents scalping on the fairways and greens, while also keeping the grass a nice green color.
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
Hopefully, we are all enjoying a strong monsoon season. The rains are needed and the drop in temperatures is always welcome; however, these storms can also bring dangerous lightning. According to AECINFO.org, “5% of lightning strikes around the country actually happen on golf courses. Thinking that you have enough time to play a few more holes before the lightning gets too close to be dangerous is a chance you should not take.” In Tucson if you see a lightning strike, you should stop play and not resume play until a 30-minute time span of no lightning sightings has passed. The Views Golf Course does not have an alert system to tell golfers to leave the course and find shelter. It is up to the players to be smart and know that seeing lightning in the distance is time to get off the course. We like our members and encourage all of you to be safe. Play this month:
August 4 - Individual low net
August 11 - 2 man better ball
August 18 - 2 man shamble
August 25 - Individual stableford
Men’s Nine-Hole Golf Club Pres. Tod Milton 520-256-0962 theodore.r.milton@gmail.com Play Thu. morning
If you are in town and want to play some golf, now is the time to join the Men’s Nine-Hole League. We are playing through the summer, and because we are few in number, there is a great chance that you can win. It is also a good time to learn how to score on the Golf Genius app before the crowd returns in the fall. Rumor has it that there will be a new Views app that combines scoring, a GPS for distance checking and a number of other features.
We plan to have three meetings and burger bashes in the coming months; the only problem is finding a place to hold those events. The Activity Center renovation and construction has caused a loss of the Auditorium while that work is going on. So come join us and don’t forget to get the Holein-One insurance. You never know.
