Hello from a soggy, but not yet wet golf course!
The first fall rains are treating the course very well with the roughs beginning to green up a little. The leaves are everywhere now and so we begin some blowing to push them off the fairways and greens. As we enter the wet season, I am hopeful that the rains come evenly but not too heavy to make fairways too soft. Last year we found that areas that have been firm in the distant past but that have been improved by our care have now become soggy ball grabbers in which any shot will plug and bury itself to the point where it cannot be found. In the summer, it’s great to have a lush, green fairway, but in the winter, these formerly firm areas are now so soft and fertile that the heavy rain soaks in so much that the soil becomes very soft.
Our annual Mesquite NV trip went very well this year. We only had 7 guys travel from Cave Junction but we increased our numbers from 44 to about 60 overall. Rex’s son, Dave came with Fui, Mike and a few others from Portland area. Konnie flew out from Connecticut and I got to play with the farmers from Scio whom I mentioned last week. The weather was in the high 80s so we searched out shade each day. The ever impressive Wolf Creek Golf Course was in tip top shape with such bright green fairways and roughs. They use Bermuda grass there to withstand the extreme summer heat but it goes dormant as soon as nighttime temps decrease so they overseed winter rye. The rye is deep green and so beautiful juxtaposed against the light tan desert background. We just wonder where all the water comes from to create the mini river that flows through the course, creating little pools and large lakes. They sure use a lot of air bubblers and fountains to keep the water aerated and clean and pretty. The blue sky above reflects deep blues and the deep green-colored seaweed compliments the blue in the shallows. One huge pump was turned off that creates a river on number 10 and I got lucky and hit a bad shot into it. Much to my delight, as I walked along its dry channel, I found so many golf balls that I couldn’t fit them into my bag. We parted company with old and new friends on Thursday afternoon, drove back to Las Vegas and flew back to Cave Junction on Friday, just in time to get back to work Friday afternoon and find all of the stuff that I left at the plant to finish and a ton more, sometimes I wonder why I ever go on “vacation”,
After I got home, Rex called me and informed me that I had won $450 from getting 3rd place on one day, along with Poke, Travis, the pro from McKinleyville and my new friend from Scio, Gage. Gage is a young guy, about Poke’s height and size and he hits a 5 iron further than any person I’ve ever seen, I finally convinced him to use his driver on the last day and felt bad as he shanked and hooked balls into the desert. He must not have been too mad at me cause we ate lunch together with Jason and Paige afterward.
Back at IVCC, we are trying to set up little glow ball nights this fall and winter to “take advantage” of the early sunset evenings.
**And remember, kids 17 and younger always play for free at IVCC.
