Fort Hays golf course closing Dec. 1 to protect greens
Published on -11/5/2009, 7:04 AM
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By KALEY CONNER
The Fort Hays Municipal Golf Course will close for winter Dec. 1 to help protect the facility's recovering greens. The course is scheduled to reopen March 15.
The city has been making efforts to improve the course's back nine holes, which closed about two months ago due to grass deterioration.
"Our reasoning for shutting this down is we don't want to have the same thing happen to the front that happened to the back," said City Parks Director Jeff Boyle. "Nine holes get played all winter long, and that causes additional damage."
The course's pro shop also might close after the Christmas shopping season and possibly reopen in February, Boyle said. The course typically is open year-round, but golf is only allowed when the temperature is 40 degrees or higher.
Besides overuse, it was discovered the turf's root zone had a high pH level, which prevented the course's bentgrass from germinating.
City staff has been treating the greens with additional nutrients and aerating the damaged areas. These efforts have been effective, with the pH level dropping from a nine to a seven. The back nine holes are improving, with most areas "well above 90 percent" recovered, Boyle said.
Annual membership packages begin March 1 and last until the end of February. Members usually expect winter use to be minimal, Boyle said.
Membership numbers increased overall this year, and use has remained steady -- though players are limited to two rounds on the front nine, said Pro Shop Manager Rich Guffey.
While some customers are OK with the closure, others aren't so happy about it, Guffey said, noting the amount of annual winter use fluctuates with the weather.
"A golf course is kind of like farming; it's all weather-related a little bit," he said. "You've got to just take it as it comes and hope you do the right thing."
The greens also will be covered for the winter, an added precaution to protect the new growth. The covers will help keep wind off the grass and boost the greens' temperature, but will allow moisture to soak through, Boyle said.
"We're trying to give them that extra little oomph to get them going for the spring season," he said.
I hope the course will be 100% next year, but I have my doubts. The greens on the back nine still look as bad as they did months ago. We need someone who has experience with turf control. I don't see the course being ready by March. Then what does the city do?
(Posted by: avid golfer)
water quality: 11/6/2009
I agree with what the Russell golfer wrote. If you have bad water you are going to have problems down the road. Try watering your garden with the effluent water they use, I garantee your tomatos and cucumbers will die.TOO much sodium in effluent water. Years of using it leads to major problems and major problems can not be solved in a short period of time,when you are talking build up in a soil profile.Trying io flush out sodium with salty water doesnt work. You need a differant water source or blend the water . IT WILL WORK
(Posted by: Ex Greenskeeper)
: 11/6/2009
I have never worked for a golf course, but have extensive experience in the turf industry. I understand the issues caused by using effluent water. One of the things I hear thrown out is "why does Ellis not have these problems". The effects of using effluent water take a long time to show up. And these effects can be delayed or almost stopped with proper maintenance. It is my understanding that Ellis has only used effluent for a couple of years. From my standpoint I do not think the city did a good job in addressing the effects of the effluent water using preventative measures in the past. As a member, I could see the problems develop and nothing done to fix them. And this goes back to when Neil was there. He did nothing to prevent this either. It just happened to catch the new guy on his watch when everything hit at once. I have paid attention to what they are doing out there and it looks to me like they are doing the right things and are implementing proper maintenance.
(Posted by: golfing fool)
effluent water: 11/6/2009
The problem is the water. Years of using effluent water leads to sodium and other bad mineral deposites loading up in the soil profile. Its not the Greenskeepers fault, its the poor quality of water. If you want to solve the problem use city water on the greens or blend the water with city water .Problem solved
(Posted by: Russell golfer)
closure of course: 11/5/2009
I also am a member and am glad to see that they are closing the course. This should have been done on the back 9 last year! As far as the course being 100% next year..I seriously doubt it. I have looked at the greens and for 2 months with no traffic..cool damp weather..and over seeded..not much of a change. Although the Country Club doesn't use effluent water there is a 9 hole course 14 mi. west of Hays that does....for some reason it is not experiencing the problems that the Fort is and wont be closing down for the winter!
(Posted by: jabbie)
Will I: 11/5/2009
What about my fees ? You took my money for the year ?????
(Posted by: GIVE IT TO HHS FTBALL COACH)
Duh: 11/5/2009
There is a private course, called the country club. They do not use the same type of water (The Fort uses reclaimed). I am a member at The Fort and although I am dissapointed that it will be closed, I am also glad that it will be 100% next season. 2+2=4 needs to read up on things before IT makes a dumb comment.
(Posted by: JBrown)
same ol' results: 11/5/2009
Sure would be nice if someone at the 'City' had knowledge of how to maintain a golf course then we wouldn't have this problem.
(Posted by: hacker)
Ridiculous: 11/5/2009
I wish they would stop blaming the damage to the golf couse on OVERUSE. There are thousands of 9 hole golf courses that take as much damage as the Fort and they dont have the issues Fort hays does. The problem is the Golf Course Greenskeeper doesnt know what hes doing.
(Posted by: FormerFHSUGOLFmember)
?: 11/5/2009
Isn't there a local private golf course? Are they having the same issues? If not, why. Maybe they could help the city solve their issues (for a fee of course).
(Posted by: 2 + 2 = 4)
golf: 11/5/2009
Maybe a little maintence wood help. None of the other area courses have to close and they are fine. The city screwed up when they fired DeWerff. The Ellis course is open year round and it looks great. It helps to have someone who knows what their doing!
(Posted by: Hays Taxpayer)
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