Driving Range Tee

In recent days, we have been getting some questions regarding the common Bermuda grass encroachment on the driving range tee and the sod around the synthetic tee. In this blog we will discuss those two items.

Common Bermuda is a deeply rooted grass that is hard to eliminate in any circumstance. We did not fumigate due to the regulation obstacles you have to go through in California to have this procedure done. As I have communicated to several members, we will be experimenting with a new herbicide in a few areas this fall and the driving range tee will be one of them. Due to the social distancing requirements and square footage restrictions, we made a conscience decision to practice off the synthetic surface this season to provide the membership with the maximum number of stalls. Because of this, we should have ample time to improve the aesthetics before we open the tee whenever that may be.  

Everyone has noticed the stressed turf around the synthetic tee surface. The negative of using the synthetic tee area daily this summer is all traffic has been concentrated in one area creating a compacted and diseased environment. Along with that, we are open 7 days a week, so it is difficult to perform needed agronomic practices without disrupting member use. Because of this, we will be closing the driving range for the entire day on Monday September 14th to perform aeration, seeding, and fertility applications. We may have to start closing this down once a month in the future to facilitate needed maintenance practices. Hopefully this gives you some insight.

Yours in turf,

Stacy L. Wallace, GCS