Dear Spring Run Members,

As you may have seen, we are dealing with some issues on the practice green. We have double aerified it, top dressed it, and sodded some of the bad areas on the green as well. There are several reasons for all of this work being done. The first issue is that we are dealing with nematode issues on the green. Nematodes are microscopic worms that feed on the roots and nutrients that the turf needs to survive. The second issue is that the green had a couple of diseases called fairy ring and Pythium that were stressing out the turf. The third issue was a problem call “black layer”. Black layer is an excessive build-up of organic matter in the soil that causes the soil to seal itself off. When this happens, it holds too much water and doesn’t allow the nutrients to move freely in the soil so they can be absorbed by the turf. Subsequently, the roots shrink and die, and the turf thins out and struggles to survive. If not caught, it can eventually kill the turf.

 By double aerifying the green, we physically removed the black layer and opened up the soil so the turf can breathe and begin to heal. Aerifying will help the roots to grow, strengthening the turf. Sodding will allow the green to get back to normal putting conditions faster. And implementing a fungicide program has helped to combat the diseases that were forming on the green.

With all these corrections and careful water management, I am confident that we should see a dramatic improvement in a couple weeks, and hopefully back to normal in a month or so. Thanks for all your understanding as we navigate through this situation. I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy. We are looking forward to a great season at Spring Run Golf Club. Thank you for all your wonderful support!

Sincerely

Benjamin S. Hanshew

Superintendent

Spring Run Member,

Recently I have been hearing from some members who are dissatisfied with the wet spots we have on the course. I can assure everyone that we are aware of all these spots, and we are constantly driving the course to check for them so we can make any necessary adjustments. The fix for these issues takes time. We are working as fast as we can to correct these issues and ask that you be patient with us.

Recently the greens committee members and I did a course tour together to discuss their concerns. At first, the thought was that they wanted me to make the course firm and fast, which also makes it drier and brown. I explained that if we went this route that our definition would disappear, the cart traffic areas would last longer and be more numerous, Also the turf would stress and thin out, leaving more hard pan areas, and that the lush fluffy lies would go away. I also brought up that when my predecessor did the same, he was met with a lot of criticism. It was decided as a group that we were on the right track and that if we had to deal with a few wet spots from time to time, it would be acceptable to make sure that we kept the current lush green conditions, with the understanding that we would monitor and fix these issues as fast as we can. We have already replaced about 12-15 regular irrigations heads with part-circle adjustable heads to reduce the wet areas. During the budget process, we set aside some money to continue the replacement of the full circle with part circle heads issue. This will be a multiyear project. We will do everything in our power to minimize these issues until they are resolved but we cannot guarantee that there will never be wet spots on the course. Also, I would like to assure everyone that when you see heads running in the morning prior to golf, that we are not watering these wet areas. We are watering the dried out stressed areas only.

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We are being very specific with the heads we turn on so we do not add water to the already wet areas.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during this process.

Sincerely

Benjamin S. Hanshew

Spring Run Golf Club

Superintendent

Dear Spring Run Member,

Last week, The Golf Guys retail store suspended Member Charge-backs until further notice. Due to a new upgrade in inventory software, their accounting department is having difficulty processing Member Charges. We can, however, pick up any item that you wish and bring it to our Golf Shop for you to purchase and use your credit book. As a Spring Run member, you can purchase items from the Golf Guys, but please be prepared to purchase using other methods than your Spring Run Account number.

The good thing to know it is cheaper to shop at the Spring Run Golf Shop than it is going to The Golf Guys as you automatically get your 20% off Member Price with us! Please consider using our shop for all your golf merchandise needs. Don’t forget that is the only way to use your credit book.

The Golf Guys’ management has told us they are actively working to come up with a solution, but there is no deadline for a solution. Please contact Spring Run’s Golf Shop staff to answer any questions or concerns you may have.

See you at the Spring Run Golf Shop!

Mike

Dear Spring Run Member,

Some questions have been raised recently regarding our decision processes and guidelines as it comes to making the course “cart path only” or not. I would like to explain what our evaluation process is when we make these decisions.

Our first step is always to look at how much rain we actually received on the course. Usually, anything less than a ½ inch and we don’t have any issues. If we received more than ½ inch then we drive the entire golf course and check the status. While we are driving the course, we are evaluating several factors.

The first thing we are looking at is how soft and how much water our tires are pushing and splashing while we are driving. If it is consistent water under the tires, then the hole will be “cart path only”. If the water sound is a little more intermittent, then we look at several other factors. The first factor then is how much we hear the water under the tires. If it is more than 60% of the hole then we make the hole cart path only. If it is less then that, we typically try to stake it off and put out signs to avoid the wet areas.

The next factor we evaluate is whether or not carts will damage the turf if we let them drive on the hole. If we find a wet area while we are driving, we drive through the area and see if our carts leave any tracks or ruts like the one in the pictures below.

If we hear water but don’t leave ruts or mud anything up, we will stake off the area and leave the hole open to carts.  We drive every hole on the course and make these evaluations, and then meet to discuss what we found and what the game plan will be. If we can, we try to leave as much of the golf course available as possible to drive on and only make certain holes cart path only. However, there are times where there are only 1 or 2 holes available to drive on, in that case, to make it easier for all members and golfers to remember the rules for the day we just simply make it cart path only on the whole course. We always try to minimize the cart path only restrictions to specific holes if we can but, that is not always possible because of the amount of rainfall or possible damage to the course. We never make cart restriction decisions based on who is playing golf that day or if there is an event. Nor do we take into account the appearance to others if we reduce or minimize cart restrictions. Our decisions are based solely on the conditions of that particular day and safety and health of the golf course.

Thank you for your continued support as we strive to make Spring Run Golf Club the best bundled community in southwest Florida.

Sincerely,

Benjamin S. Hanshew

Spring Run Golf Club, Superintendent

Dear Spring Run Member,

Ropes and stakes on the golf course can be a nuisance, I know. However, they are there to help manage stress on the turf by redirecting cart and foot traffic. These tools are necessary to help us keep the course in excellent condition. Stepping over them does not help. And cutting them is definitely not appreciated.

Someone has been cutting the ropes on #7, and either Sunday or Monday, they cut those ropes on the tee box in three different places. This is not the first time this has happened, as last year, someone cut ropes on #2 and #3. Not only is this detrimental to attempts to control cart traffic, is extra work for the staff and cost to the club,  it is vandalism. The Board of Directors is very interested in who may be behind this.

Thank you for understanding the purpose of the ropes and stakes. Know that by walking around the ropes and entering the fairway at the last stake, you are helping keep Spring Run’s beautiful golf course in great shape!

Mike