New Bocce Scoreboard Covers Installed

Mark Medalie and Dick Hultquist assist with the installation of two new covers for the bocce court scoreboards

What Is A Stimpmeter Reading?

The Stimpmeter is a simple, accurate device manufactured by the USGA (United States Golf Association) that allows one to make a standard measurement of -- and place a numerical figure on -- the speed of a putting green. It has proven to be an invaluable asset to the game of golf and a helpful   management tool for the golf course superintendent.                                                                       

 The Stimpmeter is an extruded aluminum bar, 36 inches long, with a V-shaped groove extending along its entire length. It has a precisely milled ball-release notch 30" from the tapered end (the end that rests on the ground). The underside of the tapered end is milled away to reduce bounce as a rolling ball makes contact with the green.

The ball-release notch is designed so that a ball will always be released and start to roll when the Stimpmeter is raised to an angle of approximately 20 degrees. This feature ensures that the velocity of the ball will always be the same when it reaches the tapered end.

The ball is put the in the notch and the bar is slowly raised until the ball starts to roll down the groove.

Repeat the same procedure with two more balls, keeping the tapered end on the same spot. After three balls have been rolled, the process is repeated in the opposite direction.  This is done in case there is any slope in the green that may affect the results.

The distance the six balls (Three in each direction) roll from the Stimpmeter is measured. An average of all six is calculated and this distance is called the "Stimpmeter reading".  Stimpmeter readings are always given in feet and inches.

Algae Attack!

The call went out. The volunteers gathered in preparation, weapons by their sides. The attack began at dawn. Needless to say, the algae was caught completely off guard and never stood a chance. Thanks to all those dedicated volunteers who came out at the break of dawn to remove algae from the lakes. Because these volunteers were able to rid the lakes of all the algae without the use of chemicals, they were able to help The Villages save money, as well as help the environment. 

Golf Course Maintenance employee Jorge, in the hip waders, assisting in the gathering of algae that is out of reach of the volunteers.

Richard Warren and Don Roberts by the 18th tee

Hugh Fahrner encouraging the troops, including: Gary Sharps, Richard Warren, George Southland, Claude Bramwell, and Dick Fisher.

'Out Damned Spot'

This year we made the elimination of the dreaded weed, English Daisy, one of our top priorities. Many hours were spent spraying individual Daisy plants in the fairways. Because some of the Daisy plants were fairly large, after they died, bare spots were left behind. We decided that the best thing to do was to sod these bare spots with hybrid bermudagrass sod. The added advantages of introducing more hybrid bermudagrass to the fairways is that it has superior drought resistance and excellent-heat resistance, wear tolerance and high salt tolerance.

English Daisy (Bellis perennis)




Bare Spot after Daisy dies

 

                 Because sod is heavily fertilized in preperation for harvesting at the sod farm, it grows much faster than our fairways. The grass will slow down as the fertilizer runs out.         

                           

  We installed the sod with a special tool we made in house. The tool quickly cuts the sod into 6" squares. We also use the tool to quickly cut out matching holes in the fairways which the sod plugs are set into. Once the sod plugs get rooted, they will begin growing sideways, filling in the entire bare spot. By using these sod plugs we were able to sod the spots much quicker and a little cheaper than if we had sodded the entire bare spot.

New Bunker Drainage

New drainage was installed in the bunker on the right side of the second green. Five, six foot deep holes were dug in the bottom of the bunker. The holes were then filled with gravel. Two inches of new sand was spread out over the entire binker

The Villages designated as "Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary"

The Villages Golf and Country Club Recognized for Environmental Excellence

SAN JOSE, CA – The Villages Golf and Country Club golf course has achieved designation as a "Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary" through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, an Audubon International program.  Brian Bagley, Course Superintendent, has led the effort to obtain sanctuary status on this course and is being recognized for Environmental Stewardship by Audubon International.  The Villages Golf and Country Club is the 66^th course in California and the 845^th in the world to receive the honor. 

"The Villages Golf and Country Club has shown a strong commitment to its environmental program.  They are to be commended for their efforts to provide a sanctuary for wildlife on the golf course property," said Jim Sluiter Staff Ecologist for the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Programs.

"To reach certification, a course must demonstrate that they are maintaining a high degree of environmental quality in a number of areas," explained Sluiter.  These categories include: Environmental Planning, Wildlife & Habitat Management, Outreach and Education, Chemical Use Reduction and Safety, Water Conservation, and Water Quality Management.

Bird House Tour

Thanks to everyone who came out for the First Annual Golf Course Birdhouse Tour. Close to 65 people showed up to walk and ride around the golf course, looking at the 12 new birdhouses that were installed back on March 31st. Led by local bird experts, Mary and David Fullerton, the highlight of the morning had to be the birdhouse by the 4th tee, where the Violet-Green Swallows were swooping in and out of the birdhouse, being completely oblivious to the large crowd that had surrounded them. Hand outs included a map of the course and a complete inventory of all birds seen at The Villages. There will be extra copies at the pro shop for anyone still needing one.


Getting ready to take the Tour



Walkers heading down the 3rd fairway

Checking out the Violet-Green Swallow