New Collars are Coming

Paspalum has been a dirty word around Bernardo Heights for a very long time. The green collars, installed about ten years ago, have never been enjoyed by the membership. This turf is a bit sticky, nicknamed velcro by many players. The winter conditions have been poor, overseeding unsuccessful, and even when it looks good, it doesn't play particularly well.

Over the next few weeks, the collars will be removed and replaced with bermuda 328. This surface will blend nicely with the fairways and green surrounds and new collection/low cut areas. Overseeding will take place in the winter to maintain year-round playability and aesthetics.

The first step in this process is removal of existing sod and a portion of the soil below. USGA sand will be installed, compacted and graded before sod is laid down. While the crew is completing their tasks, we will have temporary greens in place. Speaking with some members today, I apologized for the inconvenience of temporary greens and the response was an emphatic, "do whatever you gotta do!!"

Another project, that actually is well underway, is the renovation of #18 fairway. We've battled this section for years, with many aerifications, topdressings, tons of soil amendments and conditioners. It has improved, but not nearly to the standards we expect for our members. The problem is dense clay soil below the 4 inch sand profile of the fairways. Drainage is not sufficient to drain excess water and salts, we are unable to flush the soil like we do on the greens.

Long time members may remember a similar situation on the 17th fairway. This area was a "salt bath" and plagued by the ill effects of bad water, even though it was potable water at that time. Now, our well water, with three times the sodium we used to battle is finding new areas that need a little help. Just like the front half of 17 fairway, we will install drainage and sand to give new hybrid sod some breathing room. And, just like the front of 17, your closing hole is about to be gorgeous.

To make the most of this project, much of the sod coming off of 18 is quite good and will be relocated in other areas. Our staff installed about 2000 square feet on the range floor yesterday and they are busy prepping locations today to use as much as we can.




The excitement around the club is obvious. The grand opening for the reinvented clubhouse was just weeks ago and now new collars are coming. As a bonus, the 18th hole is getting a facelift. Things have never looked better and we still have a very long ways to go.