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.”

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

The Well Driller is Here

If I had a dollar for every time Ken Woods asked me about the well driller I could retire and buy a share at Pasatiempo.  It's been a long and frustrating wait but the well driller is on property preparing the site for the drill rig.  The actual drill will be here next week depending on the weather and access to the site.  This is the beginning of a process we expect to last 4-6 weeks.  Cart traffic around the area could be diverted at anytime so please pay attention to signs or instructions from Ken and his staff.  We are in the process of building a temporary tee on the right side of #12 at 245 yards.  This should make for a fun drivable par 4.  Keep in mind the well drillers will be working everyday until the well is completed.  We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause while playing the 11th green and 12th tee.

Temporary Tee #12

First Day






Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Fairway Maintenance

The fairways are starting to fill in from the recent rains and overseeding. Rainfall totals since October 1st are now 2.6".  It looks like we are going to get some more help with rain extending into the 10 day forecast.  We are currently doing everything we can to germinate and protect the new seedlings.  Fairway heights were raised, mowing frequency was decreased and carts will be restricted more often and for longer periods of time after rain events.  Fairway heights are currently .600" and mowing frequency is bi-weekly.  These changes are not uncommon under normal winter conditions.  The density of turfgrass and germination of new seedlings has more of an impact on playability right now than mowing heights.  For example, #1 and #9 are mowed at .500" but look and play like they are maintained at a much lower height of cut because of the high density and maturity of turfgrass.  New seedlings germinating in the other fairways are difficult to cut until they mature and harden off and combined with low turf density give the appearance of much higher mowing heights .  We now seem to find our ball in areas void of turf or just beginning to germinate in the middle of the fairway.  If you currently play the ball down this can be frustrating and the complete opposite of the extremely low heights of cut and firm conditions we became accustomed to this past season.  We ask for your patience and understanding as we continue to grow in the fairways and increase turf density.  The pictures below shows how turf density and new growth can mask actual mowing heights.  The difference between the two heights of cut is only .100"!

.500" #1 Fairway
.600" #10 Fairway 




Monday, November 3, 2014