Monday & Tuesday we finished Aerifying the greens on the course. This process is never “fun” and obviously no one wants to have bumpy, sandy greens! If we had a choice, we wouldn’t do it, but we have to. It is imperative to the health of the greens and allows us to have healthier, fuller, softer greens. They will be more receptive and give a more true roll when they are healthy.

Basically, we remove a 1.25 inch “core” of dirt, every 3 inches, cover the holes with sand to help create an oxygen rich soil, as air and water can now get deeper into the roots, making for a more healthy plant. We then apply fertilizer so it can reach these same roots and stimulate the growth process. This also allows us to reduce the “compaction” of the soil. When the soil is compacted, the grass roots struggle to breathe. Think about how many footsteps are on any given green at a golf course. The average golfer will take about 45 steps on any green. So to get a number of steps on a green any given day, we need to multiply 45 times the foursome that is playing in that group. That makes 180 steps per foursome. Now, multiply 180 times the number of foursomes that play on that course per day (about 72 foursomes). That is 12,960 steps per day on each green. To the extreme, multiply that, times the days in the year, 365. That’s equals over 4.7 million steps! Now think about all of the equipment that is used in maintaining the greens throughout the year. Some of these pieces of machinery can weigh over a half ton. Run a mower over a green 180 times a year and that is an additional 180,000 pounds of compression per year. Compacted? I would say so.

As ironic as it could be, the best time for aeration is when the grasses are at their strongest. This is also when we, the golfers, love the greens the most. When the grasses are at their strongest is also when they are able to heal at the fastest they can. This only makes sense. If you could not heal a broken leg in the winter, then why break it in the winter?
            This is just one of the many maintenance practices employed by the course superintendent to improve the quality of a golf course. It is also the most despised by golfers. While this activity of maintenance is undertaken at times to cause the least possible delay, it is nonetheless crucial to protecting the golf course. 

So thank you for your understanding and patience during the “healing” process. We run some extra water, fertilize and roll them daily so they can be back and to rolling true and quick in the shortest amount of time possible!

As the spring starts to heat up, we wanted to take a minute to say thank you to all the players, residents, parents, employees, staff and visitors of Springfield for their support and kind words of encouragement over the past few months!

Our reviews have been outstanding, the great things you all have said to our owners and staff have been so supportive! Obviously we still have things to work on and we will continue to work on all aspects of our operation. But the reassurance that what we have been doing so far, has been noticed and appreciated is very rewarding to the entire team, so THANK YOU!

We are beginning our transition from winter Rye to summer Bermuda, so you will see some extra water, some small aerification holes and a few sections of the facility with a little added attention over the next month or so. We look forward to a smooth, successful transition as Josh and his team are doing some great work! If you see them out there, don’t be afraid to give them a “thumbs up” or an “atta boy”, they love the encouragement and everyone likes to be recognized for a job well done!

For those of you traveling home to cooler climates, travel safe and thank you for making our first season a fun and successful one!

Rich and I have known Lulu for years! If you don’t know her, she is the sweetest, most awesome individual in the world! So, when she called to see if she could host a Toys for Tots Golf Tournament, we jumped at the chance! (One of the other things you need to know, Lulu throws THEE best golf tournaments!

Here is the flyer…sign-up in the Pro-Shop, Call us at 480.895.0916 or register online by booking a tee-time in the event!

Springfield Golf Resort is proud to have Char Carson, LPGA Teaching Professional, joining the team!

Both of the new owners have known Char for years and were eager to have her skills and energy at the facility in any capacity they could.  When we found out she was willing to be at the facility full-time, we were ecstatic!
Char is one of thee best teachers in the valley and we are lucky to have her. Although she specializes in juniors and women, she can teach anyone how to get better and enjoy the game. To say her enthusiasm is contagious is an understatement, she LOVES this game and LOVES when her students get better and enjoy it as well.

She is also starting her quest to play in the Women’s Senior US Open! We will be blogging about what it takes to accomplish this goal, from diet, to practice and exercise and everything in between. So keep an eye out. Char is open to having a few select students practice with her and go through the schedule, so plan on seeing some invitations if you would consider it!

For more info on Char and her outstanding resume: Click Here