Welcome to (almost) spring here at VSICC. Harold and I have gone over all the course equipment, and will be ready for the start of the golfing season. As it looks right now, we will probably not be opening on April 1st, as in the past few years. As of today the 17th, there is still snow on various areas of the course, and there is still frost in the ground. It is very important that the frost be completely out of the ground before play is allowed, as traffic on partially thawed turf can damage the turf’s root system.
On that note, I would ask that members please refrain from coming out to practice or play before we officially open the golf course. Right now, the opening is contingent on weather conditions, and how fast we can perform our spring clean-up to offer good playing conditions.
The course wintered well, there is no discernable snow mold damage, and very little winter kill on the areas that I can see. There is some debris on the ground, but nothing like we had after last year’s ice storm.
A note on divots: The practice of divot repair varies according to conditions out on the course and some note of moisture in the divot. If the ground and divot are moist, by all means replace the divot if it is a fairly large chunk (think of a small animal pelt). This is true mostly in the spring and fall. If the divot has been destroyed, or during times of dry conditions, fill the divot hole with the topdressing supplied, to the soil level (not the top of the turf).We mow at ½”, so keep the sand mix ½” from the top of the grass. We thank you in advance for doing this.
Lastly, for those of you that were at the semi-annual meeting last month, I feel an apology is in order. I am extremely sorry about my outburst, and the denigrating comments I made. I was a little frustrated at the time, but that is no excuse.
Let’s all look forward to a great golfing season, and the best course conditions ever.
