by Brian Duthu
Pro Shops
We will be hosting a Beat-the-Pros on Thursday, December 8 at Willowcreek Golf Course. This event is held in conjunction with other RCSC events throughout the year to raise funds for the RCSC Management Team annual chosen charity. This year the chosen charity is the Sun City Foundation. The Sun City Foundation supports RCSC members who have outlived their resources through assistance with RCSC annual property assessments and transportation. Through the foundation RCSC members are able to continue using the facilities and remain active and social. The format will be a two person scramble.
Through August, total revenue has exceeded budget by $102,882 and prior year by $272,210. For the year 93.4% of rounds played of been played by residents and their guests. Total merchandise through August is $7,500 ahead of budget and $8,243 ahead of prior year. We thank everyone for their support. Please remember, though we do not carry a regular inventory of golf clubs, we can special order equipment from any supplier. In most cases we can match the price offered at big box retailers on current year items.
Snack Shops
Through August, snack shop revenue is running $13,243 ahead of budget. The shops that reopened on October 22 are scheduled to close at 3pm, but are given the discretion to remain open as long as demand dictates. We have recently added Pabst Blue Ribbon and Miller High Life to our beer selection.
Courses
Overseeding has progressed largely as expected, with temperatures favorable for germination, although a little too high to put the bermuda into dormancy. Riverview experienced technical issues with various controllers on the course related to firmware located within the controllers. These issues hampered the ability to water areas on several holes and resulted in operating controllers manually.
The South course recently underwent a minor tee box renovation on the 10th and 17th holes. The tee boxes throughout the course have been revamped and the course reopened with a new tee system following overseeding. The tee boxes will closely resemble the setup on all courses, with yellow (tee it forward), red, white, blue and black (championship) teeing options. Yardages and ratings from the previous teeing system have not changed significantly; however, the new system does eliminate the combo tee system, which was a source of confusion.
Gary Brawley, our golf course architect, was present during this month’s Willowcreek/ Willowbrook green committee meeting. Gary presented the design of each green to those in attendance and was available to answer any question or concern they may have had. It is important to note that the design concept for the green renovation on Willowcreek has always been different than North and Riverview. The concept has never been to reimagine the design concept of the current greens. The purpose of this design is to soften the greens that are currently too severe and to change the soil profile to the USGA design. The design of the greenside bunkers will not be changed, with the exception of hole number 5. The bunker that currently guards the front right of the green will be removed, at the request of the committee.
Grounds and Lawn Bowling
Overseeding at Lakeview and Sunbowl area has been completed and those areas have received first cuts. On Wednesday, November 23, APS will be sponsoring their 3rd annual instructional camp on our softball field. Ken Phelps and several other retired major league players will be on hand to share tips and insights on fundamentals.
Watering on Lawn Bowl greens has been reduced, though it is important to note that the warm October temperatures have not allowed the bermuda grass to enter dormancy. Though watering is significantly reduced in the winter, the bermuda grass still needs water throughout the winter. We have asked the club presidents to encourage their respective clubs to regularly move mat locations throughout the winter, to avoid unnecessary wear in any one area.