March 13, 2014

Questions, comments, etc. regarding This Week's SCOV Report: If you have a question, comment or other response that you like to make regarding an item in this report, you may reply to this message. Depending on the nature of your response (comment, question, etc.), I will acknowledge your reply, answer your questions or take other appropriate action(s) in as timely a manner as possible.

Why does the golf course have some non-over-seeded holes: Recently there seems to be an unusual number of comments or complaints about the four golf holes that were not over seeded. The most common comment that I have heard is that they are not over seeded to save money. That assumption couldn't be further from the truth. So, please let me attempt to explain why these golf holes are not over seeded.

The base grass on the golf course is Bermuda grass. During the winter, this grass is dormant and turns gray or brown. Some people think its dead; however, it is very alive but just in a state where it is not growing and is not green. In order to make golf courses that have Bermuda grass look alive and green, the Bermuda grass is over seeded with rye grass. This process results in a very attractive golf course during the winter; however, the process is also very harmful to the Bermuda grass due to the fact that the grasses are competing for nutrients, soil, sun, etc. Year after year of over seeding results in worse and worse conditions when the rye grass dies during the warmer weather. This leaves the golf course with many areas that are bare dirt. Not only can this situation create poor conditions during the majority of the summer, it also creates conditions that make more difficult to properly over seed as the bare dirt areas do not to provide a good base for growth of the rye grass. In order to establish lush rye grass on dirt rather than Bermuda grass, a greater volume of rye grass is required which in turn is more harmful to the Bermuda grass resulting in further damage to the Bermuda grass.

A very important factor in the over seeding process that faces The Views is that the soil conditions on the course are very bad (lots of clay and other poor soil) and the reclaimed water is high in solids, especially salt which is very detrimental to grass. Many courses that are constructed properly with ample top soil that has been applied prior to the original turf application and courses that have access to reasonably good water can survive constant over seeding without the damage that result on The Views course. However, even these golf courses will have damaged Bermuda if proper and extensive maintenance procedures are not used.

As a result of the damage that over seeding does to the Bermuda grass, the United State Golf Association recommends that golf courses such as The Views not be over seeded approximately every seven years. As many of you know, this was not adhered to for years at The Views. While I was not here at the time, my understanding is that the constant over seeding year after year among other poor practices resulted in a golf course that was in terrible shape when Michael Kropf arrived. Michael instituted a number of new practices that has improved the course immensely. Among those practices is not over seeding a few golf holes each year over the past few years to allow the Bermuda grass to heal. This approach was taken so that the entire course would not be in a dormant condition in any one year. This practice of not over seeding a few golf holes on a rotating basis is already showing results. If these results continue not only will course conditions improve but it is likely that Michael will be able to over seed all the holes during a few years before the cycle begins again.

I completely understand that the non-over seeded golf holes are not as aesthetically appealing as the green rye grass golf courses. However, this process is not used to save money; it's not meant to be disrespectful to any residents whether full or part-time; but it's purely a way to strengthen the Bermuda grass as recommended by the USGA and to provide the best overall course conditions as possible. One last very important note is that if it's found that the practice of not over seeding golf holes for one year on a rotating basis does little or no good for the health of the Bermuda grass, this practice will be eliminated.

Association's "Emergency Number": There is a number in the Tipster to call after hours and on the weekend that is labeled "emergency number". It's clear that this number needs to be renamed as this contact number is meant for such things as a water leak in the common area, an open door at night when a building should be locked or some other issue with the common area or facilities. It is not to be used for situations such as a neighbors red light blinking or suspicious activities that are noticed. These types of situations should be called into 911. Perhaps it would be best if we consider the Association's "emergency number" an "after hours number" for issues related to the common areas only.

Arizona Distance Classic news:  The last day to register by paper application is March 14, the last day to register on the Arizona Distance Classic web site is March 20.  Shirt and bib pickup at All About Running & Walking, Safeway plaza, 3/21 or 3/22 between 10 am and 5 pm. Questions: grandmaruthc@grmail.com or visit their website at http://www.arizonadistanceclassic.com