SaddleBrooke Ranch Golf Community Golf Course Update

Golf Course Access Dear residents, as much of the community activities have been closed for precautionary measures to help reduce exposure to the COVID-19 virus, many of you have taken to walking as a way of exercise and to get out of the house. Please remember that for your safety we do not allow joy riding, walking, biking, jogging, etc. on the golf course AT ANY TIME. Only golfers, golf staff, or emergency or other authorized service vehicles are allowed on the golf course and paths. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation! Page 3 The Ranch Forecaddie Golfing News Cont. Overseeding 2021 This year will be the first year we did not overseed any fairways; and, because the greens are new, the greens as well. We overseeded the tees and the greens’ collars on the course, and the driving range tee and collars of the practice greens. Fairways and greens will be painted for aesthetics, to retain heat, and to reduce wear. In some parts of the country the practice of not overseeding has occurred for years; but in the desert southwest, it is still an emerging trend. Since this will be our first time, we will review the results of not overseeding and review the benefits each year to determine if the program will continue as is or be modified. Below are listed some of the main benefits to not overseeding the greens and fairways. · The health of the base Bermuda turf will continue to improve without the competition of Rye seeded over it. Overseeding weakens the base Bermuda leading to turf loss increasing with each time the turf is overseeded. · Not overseeding eliminates the transition period in the summer allowing for improved turf conditions in the spring, summer, and fall. Transition occurs when the Rye overseed dies out from the pressure of applying herbicide, lowering mowing heights, and restricting irrigation. It can often create brown or bare spots until the Bermuda reestablishes itself. · Not overseeding reduces the closed period in the fall and completely eliminates the period of cart-path-only following overseeding. · Non-overseeded turf reduces frost delays in the winter. · Allows for cleaner turf with less weed intrusion due to being able to treat the entire course and not damage overseeded areas. · Reduces water consumption and saves on seed costs (which have doubled just in the last year). Full Course Opening Day on Saturday, October 2nd · Saturday, October 2: the course opened completely with the greens included. Flagsticks may now be removed! The range tee will stay on the artificial turf for two additional weeks to allow the natural turf tee to mature. Golfers will be able to drive to the ball because the fairways will not be overseeded. One hole per nine will have the fairway closed to cart traffic. This practice will continue through the winter to help rest the turf from cart traffic. Those will disability placards may request an orange shop flag to access the closed fairways. Personally owned BLUE flags will not be honored. Cart Rule Extended Cart sharing will remain optional when we open on October 2nd and will be reviewed monthly as the outlook on COVID 19 is quantified. We do request that golfers consider sharing a cart whenever comfortable to help in reducing the wear and tear on the turf during this busy golf season.