Regular 18 Greens Back In Play!


 

Photo:  Taken August 30, this view of the just re-opened  #9 green from the Ladies Tees shows how much new TifEagle Bermuda has grown on our eight resurfaced greens, which opened for play Saturday, August 28, a bit ahead of schedule.    A new drop area has been created as well just in front of the pond, creating a delicate 20-30 yard pitch over water.  What a beautiful feeling it is to putt out after two months of hole closure, playing a replacement par-3 to a checkered flag on the eighth green.

         The short-term par-69 summer layout, playing from 4,171 yards (senior ladies Green Tees) to 5,906 yards (men's Black Tees) received generally favorable reviews, as the temporary greens proved to be challenging but fair, and the "alternate" double-pin holes interesting and different.  See elsewhere on this website for a related "Summer Stimulus" story detailing member contests being conducted throughout this process.

            The following message was sent to Maple Ridge members on August 23 by Director of Golf Mike Gill:

Members,

Beginning Saturday, August 28 we will have all 18 holes open for play.  After discussion with Doug Smith, Course Superintendent, we feel the new greens are ready.  I know the membership has concerns of opening the greens too early, possibly causing damage. Rest assured, the greens are healthy and beyond the threat of damage due to traffic from normal play.

 

The initial conditions will not be optimal, and will probably not achieve that level for a few months. Doug explained how the conditions between the new and old greens will remain inconsistent until the maintenance practices are the same. It will take some time for the new greens to adjust from the current aggressive grow-in maintenance service to an everyday routine maintenance program.

 

During this time you may notice the leaf on the new greens to be a different size from the leaf of the old greens.  However, as the maintenance practice changes you will notice the leaf size will decrease and match up to the older greens. The older greens are being mowed at .130 of an inch and the new greens are being mowed at .155, with the height being dropped weekly. (The Tifdwarf greens were mowed at .145.)

 

The temporary reciprocal arrangements made with the local courses will end as of Monday August 29, 2010. Our regular reciprocal arrangements with Saugahatchee C.C., Overlook G.C. and Highlands C.C. will continue.

 

The Summer Stimulus Contests will continue through Friday,

August 27. Please submit all scorecards to be included in the Contests by Saturday, August 28.  The final results will be posted on Monday, August 30.  The expiration date for the lunches won during the Contests is September 30, 2010 and the cart fees won expire on October 31, 2010. 

 

We thank the Membership for your patience and loyalty throughout our course improvements.  Now, come out and use all those stimulus cart fees earned during the reconstruction period to enjoy playing the entire course.

 

Mike Gill, PGA Professional 

 

 

HISTORY / SYNOPSIS OF RECENT GREENS RESURFACING PROJECT 

 

         On June 30, 2010, five temporary greens and eight "double pins" went into play as renovations to eight original Maple Ridge greens forced a revised layout for an anticipated 6-8 week period.           

         In preparation, from June 21-July 7, Wells Contracting plowed and re-graded the long-notorious practice green, reshaping and regrowing grass to replace the too-heavily-sloped edition that wasn't getting maximum usage in recent years.  It's a lot easier to see #9 green from the Clubhouse now that 40 trees were cleared, and we all can't wait to see the final product, with all 18 greens and the new practice green to be uniformly grassed with Tifeagle Bermuda by Labor Day.   Meanwhile, the upper practice green behind the second-tier tees is in fabulous shape.

               During July and August, the ten holes with existing Tifeagle greens (originally renovated in 1999-2000) played as usual.  They are #1, #3, #4, #7, #8, #10, #11, #13, #16 and #18.

 

               Filling in the gaps, Maple Ridge Golf Club offered 18 holes at all times.  Par went from the usual 72 to 69 for the two-month period, with changes as follows:

 

*         #2 remained a par-3, but played to #3 green from a temporary tee 125 yards out -- a different pin position than #3 itself (same distance for Men, Ladies, Senior Men and Senior Ladies).  Aim toward the checkered flag on this double-green!

*         #5 played as a par-3 to a temporary green, to the left side of the existing fairway (Black Tees 180 yards, White Tees 165, Gold-Red-Green Tees 140 yards).

*         #6 remained a par-4, playing to a temporary green, over the creek at the end of the tee-shot landing area, 336 yards from the Black Tees, 321 from the White Tees, 286-246-176, respectively from the Gold-Red-Green Tees. 

*         #9 remained a par-3, but played to #8 green from a temporary tee 135 yards out -- a different pin position than #8 itself.  Aim toward the checkered flag on this double-green!

*         #12 remained a par-4, but the approach plays to #13 green, increasing hole length to 375 yards (Black Tees), 350 (White Tees), 295 (Gold Tees) and 230 yards (Red and Green Tees).  Aim toward the solid-colored flag on this double-green!

*         #14 remained a par-4, playing to a temporary green, shortening the hole to 370 yards (Black Tees), 335 (White Tees), 305 (Gold Tees) and 225 (Red-Green Tees).

*         #15 became a par-3, playing to a temporary green over the existing creek in front of the normal landing area.  New distances are 163 yards (Black Tees), 142 (White Tees), and 107 yeards (Gold-Red-Green Tees). 

*         #17 was made a par-3, playing to a temporary green in the vicinity of the existing tee-shot landing area.  New distances are 195 yards (Black and White Tees) and 115 yards (Gold-Red-Green Tees).                

 

         Maple Ridge appreciates the patience of our members, guests and outing clients as we made these necessary changes.  The new practice green, totally rebuilt, will open sometime in early September after drainage issues are addressed.  We still have, in excellent condition, the upper practice green behind the driving range.

                                             

                                                    --- end story ---

                         

 

< Back
Upcoming Events
Sign up for our
email newsletter
Wyndham Hotel
Another great place to send Maple Ridge guests!
Results
Aug 21 - Men's Golf Assn. (MGA) Tourney, 8:30 a.m. / Potential Member Day #6 (1 p.m.)

MGA 3rd Session Completed

1st  Place

 Bruce Cleveland      290  $120

2nd Place Tie

Lee Henderson         240  $60

Al Markham             240  $60

Dave Reiss               240  $60

Next MGA Event September 16th