Allister MacKenzie

“A golf course should be made interesting and a good test of golf by the tilt of the greens and the character of the undulations.”

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

New Drop Zone

The new drop zone on #16 is now open.  The drop zone is an additional option if your ball is lost in the water hazard.


MacKenzie enjoying the new drop zone! 

Friday, August 15, 2014

Digital Archive

We are pleased to announce the digital archive of the greens, green surrounds and fairway bunkers are complete and in our possession.  We would like to thank Dean Gump for all of his hard work during the restoration and recommending this project to the green committee last year and Scott Pool, Terra Shapers LLC, for scanning the golf course.   Below are a few examples of the contour maps.  All pinable areas are green to yellow!



#16

#18

Monday, August 11, 2014

Maintenance Day

Today is the 3rd scheduled maintenance day of the season.  Maintenance days give us an opportunity to complete cultural practices which would otherwise be difficult during normal play.  Today we vented the greens with a small 1/4" solid tine, lightly top-dressed and flushed.

Order of Operations

1. Mow greens
2. Vent greens
3. Roll greens
4. Top-dress greens
5. Spray greens with products to assist with the flush (remove salts and bicarbonates)
6. Apply granular amendments to assist with the flush
7.  Water in everything (flush)


This time of year is when we start to see a decrease in root mass.  The decrease in root mass makes the greens more susceptible to compaction and thinning caused by casual foot traffic and mechanical wear.  We are also entering the beginning of nematode season.  Historically nematodes at Pasatiempo become active early winter to early spring but other coastal courses frequently experience activity starting now. The best defense against a nematode outbreak will always be a healthy plant.  Maintenance days give us the time to perform cultural practices needed to provide an environment for healthy turf.  We thank you for your understanding and support.  The next maintenance day will be on Monday, September 8th.
Solid 1/4" Tine (Vent)
Before Roll
Amendments 

Flush 




Recycled Water Update

Shareholders,
Below is a summary version of the status of acquiring more irrigation water for our course. We are confident that this will be the last summer without additional irrigation water. We are working daily to get into a position where we can make a presentation to the shareholders on the budgeted cost of the project.

1.       The well drillers are extremely busy (the County has issued 50% more permits this summer vs. last summer) and will start a test well as soon as possible. We currently do not have an arrival date but are optimistic work will begin this year.  We have explored all other options for different drillers and we will stay the course with our existing selection.
2.       We have received separate “offers” from both the City of Scotts Valley and the Scotts Valley Water District for the cost of the existing water moving through the pipe and into the Pacific Ocean and the cost to treat that water and operate the plant. We have a place to start negotiations.
3.       We have hired a lawyer who specializes in these matters, Chris Sanders. Chris is with the firm of Ellison, Schneider & Harris L.L.P.
4.       We still need to receive approval from the CDPH (California Department of Public Health) to irrigate with the existing waste water (secondary) that is traveling down Graham Hill.  We have received a draft of the application and will be finalizing it in the next week. All indications are that we will receive approval.
5.       We are working with the pump station contractor, Watertronics, attempting to finalize the design of the pump station.
6.       We are working with landscape architect, Steve Sutherland, preparing a presentation to the board of directors.  The presentation will include 3D renderings of the storage tank, pump station, bathrooms and maintenance yard. 
7.       We are working with Greg Bargas and PG&E on the power needs for both the well and tank/pump station locations
8.       We have met with Anderson- Pacific representatives whom we have selected to be our general contractor for the storage tank installation
9.       I have met with both Santa Cruz County bank and Lighthouse bank representatives to find out the options for borrowing funds.


Scott Hoyt
General Manager 
Pasatiempo Golf Club