Golf Course Inspection Summary of March 22, 2007 Inspection
Fairways: Average Rating of 3.48
The fairways are in average to above average condition. There are patches of clover on many of the fairways as noted in the hole-by-hole detail sheets. Also noted were several spots that had circular areas of burned grass. We also recognized two holes where we feel the fairway should be widened. The 15th hole between the fairway bunker on the right and the mounds on the left and the 17th on the left side 180 yards from the tee.
Rough: Average Rating of
3.63
The rough is in average to above average condition. The main issue noted in the hole-by-hole detail sheets was the uneven grass heights on many of the holes. Also noted were patches of clover on several of the holes.
Aprons: average rating 3.1
Aprons exhibit two negative conditions: bare spots and washboard appearance.
The bare spots (due to the bermuda grass not filling in as yet) are a concern but they
will fill in soon with the warmer weather The washboard surfaces would indicate dull
mowers or grass that needs to be thinned prior to mowing,
Greens: average rating 3.4
The putting greens on the back nine appear very healthy and have a lot
of growth starting on them. But, they are so bumpy and untrue in their roll, a
downhill putt is very hard to control. This appears to be the result of the last greens
aerification not mending and leaving a peg board appearance. Consistency from green
to green on firmness, cutting height and general appearance can and should be
achieved year around. Stimp meter readings were consistent on the six greens
measured at 8.3 to 8.5. Overall the greens appear to have a great start for the
2007 season.
Bunkers:
Fairway Bunkers: Average to Above Average 3.0 - 3.5
Hole:
12 3.3 Some grass encroachment
14 3.2 Front lip needs to be lower. Master Plan calls for removal.
15 3.0 Front lip too high.
17 3.5 Front lip too abrupt.
Greenside Bunkers: Below Average to Above Average 2.3 - 4.0
Hole:
10 3.3 Uneven raking.
11 2.3 Some gravel. Large burrowing animal mound.
12 4.0 Uneven raking. Left side bunker has better/different sand than rear bunker
and some gravel.
13 2.3 Front left bunker needs rebuilding. Lip too high/slopes inward.
14 3.2 Front bunker top lip slopes inward.
15 3.0 Concave lip front right bunker.
16 2.8 Front left slopes downward from back to middle - needs correction.
17 3.2 Top lip slopes inward.
18 3.7 Uneven raking of back bunker.
The bunkers are rated slightly lower than the last inspection with a below average to average rating of 3.2 overall. The primary problem found in the previous inspection was severely inward sloping top lips which make exit shots on to the green or out to the fairway next to impossible for many. This problem was addressed by Course Maintenance and all bunkers identified were reworked to correct the problem. The situation was significantly improved however a re-look during this inspection still found some inward sloping lips but to a far lesser degree. Also, some gravel could still be found in a couple of the bunkers but for the most part this problem has been corrected as well. As in the previous report we recommend that the superintendent make another bunker by bunker inspection and continue to true-up where appropriate.
Tees
The average rating for tees was 3.5. The primary issues were uneven mowing particularly around the edges of the teeing areas. Grass was also a little higher than ideal. Some tees were also misaligned.
Practice Area
The putting green could use more holes (rating 3.5).
The chipping green was in poor condition due to using it as a nursery area with many areas cut out and patching done with different kind of sod (rating 1.5).
The pitching area had uneven hitting areas (rating 1.5). The planned addition of mats will help.
The driving range mats were much improved since the last inspection. Some grooved brushes are still in use. Additional left handed mats are needed.
Conclusions
Overall, we found the course to be in average to above average condition. The primary concerns were with uneven mowing possibly due to mower blades that may need to be sharpened. Fairly heavy infestations of clover were found in several areas. Filling tee box divots wind sand and grass on a regular basis would improve some tees particularly on par three tees. All sprinkler heads have been trimmed around since our last inspection making it much easier to find distances to holes from fairways. The spring weather has begun to bring bermuda in fairways roughs and aprons back to life making for better conditions. Greens were all relatively slow due primarily to Po ana bloom and mowing height. Greens were also bumpy which could probably be improved by rolling greens. Bunkers in general were in far better condition than they were when we last inspected the back nine. Lips that slopped back toward bunkers had been corrected with only a few still slopping slightly back toward bunkers. Some lips were still too high.