We have been getting a lot of feedback regarding the condition of the Red tee at #1. During one of the early hot weather episodes, we had an electrical issue with the irrigation sprinkler in that area which created the loss of turf on the tee. You can find more detail regarding the irrigation system in our blog from July.
One of the things I have wanted to do from the start is begin a program to start repairing the tees that have become unlevel over the years for various reasons. The two main reasons are the filling of divots and tree roots. Golfers tend to use the same area on the surface, creating an environment that mounds up in the highly used areas.
The reason we have not implemented this program to date, has been staffing issues. In our next blog we will discuss the issues we are having industry wide and especially in areas like Sonoma, where real estate and the cost of living are unrealistic for many.
With that being said, we have been more successful finding labor this summer, so we are going to re-level and sod this tee sometime in mid- September unless the pandemic dictates otherwise. I hope this gives you some insight and please feel free to send us your questions directly.
Yours in turf,
Stacy L. Wallace, Golf Course Superintendent
Sonoma Agronomy 