COUNTY News:

Los Alamos County staff have been monitoring the golf course and, as published, performed a review of the course on Monday, July 7 to provide better clarity and to ensure optimal conditions for play.

The updated schedule below reflects changes in course availability and ongoing preparations.

Updated details:

• Front nine and chipping green will open July 18, 19, and 20, with some areas not available for play.
• Tee times will be available for reservation online beginning 6 a.m. Sunday, July 13, or in the Golf Shop beginning July 16.
• Please only book 9-holes if you are only going to play nine holes, so that walk-ins can be accommodated.
• The Course will close down July 21 to evaluate the new turf and see if there are any areas of concern and determine a schedule that will resemble three to four days open, and the remaining week closed, moving forward with staff continuing to review the course on a biweekly basis.
• The practice range and main putting green are open. These areas are available to golfers for practice. Range balls are available 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The practice range closes at 4:30 p.m. Sundays to prep the range for mowing Mondays.
• The back nine will remain closed. Los Alamos County staff has reseeded several tee boxes and greens throughout the course, which were spotty in areas, to help assist with the grow-in. Additionally, staff has utilized the old 7th green as a green nursery, and has used sod from this nursery on holes 12, 13, 15, and 18, to help expedite grow-in. Staff will continue the weekly monitoring of the grow-in process. Pictures of the progress being made with these efforts can be found on the Los Alamos County Golf Course website.

Los Alamos County’s priority is allowing the new turf on the greens, bunker collars, tees, and fairways to grow in with significant root growth to support the traffic on the golf course. While the course has seen improvement, the root depth is still too shallow. The Course is improving with the recent warmer weather and rain. The establishment of the roots and turf cover dictates the ability to open the course. The spottiness of the greens has improved, and the root development is also improving. However, in some areas, the roots are not at a depth that can sustain long-term use, especially on the greens and tees.

There are areas on the back nine that include greens and collars, which are not yet ready to handle play. Staff and contractors will continue to review and monitor the course frequently to assess the progress of root growth in newly seeded and sodded areas, as well as the re-contoured greens.

Staff and the County’s contractor are following the grow-in plan prepared by the Golf Course Architect to ensure the multi-million-dollar investment in the golf course takes hold and provides the quality golfing experience that the community deserves for this and the coming years.

The County apologizes for any inconvenience and appreciates the community’s understanding as it focuses on the completion of necessary improvements. For further updates and information, visit the Los Alamos County Website or contact the Golf Course Pro Shop at 505.662.8139.