New native areas

In consultation with the Golf Committee, we have decided to increase the area of “no mow” or native space around the course. With fuel and labor costs being as high as they are, reducing the acreage that we mow regularly is great.

We have worked hard to make sure that the native areas are attractive. Left alone, who knows what all plants would take over. So, they are not truly no-mow areas, but instead very infrequently mowed. We mow the native areas three times per year to keep the weeds down, compared to the two times per week that we mow the regular rough. And we don’t truly let them go completely native, weeds and all. We make one herbicide application per season for further control of the weeds. So, these areas are actually low maintenance versus no maintenance, but still far less inputs than the regular rough.

Flags representing a new native
area between 15 green and 16 tee

This topic came up at a recent Golf Committee meeting to evaluate if there were more areas that could become native areas. The Grounds department had previously explored new areas to incorporate into the native area management program instead of regular rough, so we were ready with specific sections to assess. The new rules involving penalty areas that were instituted in 2019 made some areas more viable as locations for native areas than they had been in the past. So, recently Jason, Chris and I rode around the course to look at the proposed locations. From the Golf Pro perspective, all the areas were deemed satisfactory to transition to native areas with no undue penalty on golfers.

So, we placed flags around the perimeter of these new areas to delineate new mowing lines for the Grounds staff. You will see them as you are out playing and can watch as the grass is left to continue growing tall. However, over the course of the season, if we decide that a new area is not a good fit or causes some unforeseen difficulty for golfers or pace of play, we can still adjust the size or remove it completely.

More flags for the same area at 15/16 
marked over towards the trees

Reducing the areas that we regularly mow is a savings of fuel, labor, and even wear and tear on our machines. However, if we didn’t tend to the native areas some, the would be unruly and unattractive. Striking the balance between no maintenance and low maintenance is key.

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please do not hit into the Grounds department staff, because it is dangerous. Please be sure that we see you before hitting your shot.

Also, as part of a Golf Committee initiative to improve course etiquette, we have included links to videos teaching proper on course etiquette. Please take a moment to watch:

Ball Marks - How to properly repair

 

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org