COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County staff have been monitoring the golf course and as published, performed a review of the course today, May 12, to provide better clarity and to ensure optimal conditions for play.
The updated schedule reflects changes in course availability and ongoing preparations.
Updated details:
The practice range and main putting green will remain open. These areas will be 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 3:30 p.m. on Sundays to prep the range for mowing Mondays.
The course will remain closed at this time. Another course review will be conducted during the week of June 9. While the weather conditions have improved, the course needs to see consistent air temperatures above 55 degrees for a period of 60-90 days for optimal growth of the turf.
When the course is again reviewed, staff will provide notice of the progress. The total number of days observed since March with this consistency is seven.
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 optimal nighttime air temperature range for bent grass and blue grass to grow roots and shoots is 50 to 77 degrees. It usually takes 60-90 days, at these temperatures, to consistently establish new turf areas.
The recent weather has been close to this range however, it’s not nearly enough time to properly establish the grass for consistent play. The County understands that the community sees green on the course and wonders why they can’t play. The establishment of the roots and turf cover dictates the ability to open the course. Most of the greens are spotty, and the root development is still very thin and shallow, at a depth of two inches, which is problematic for long-term play. For putting greens, the USGA recommends a uniform rootzone depth of 8 to 12 inches, plus or minus one inch, and a root zone depth of 12 inches, plus or minus one inch for tee boxes. This depth ensures strong root development, allowing for better drainage and overall turf health.
To reiterate, the key areas of the course, including greens, collars, fairways, bunkers, and tees, are not yet ready to handle play or cart traffic. The County anticipates with the near-term weather forecast to begin to see optimal growth temperatures. 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 and 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 season and the coming years.
The County apologizes for any inconvenience and appreciates the community’s understanding during the completion of necessary improvements.
For further updates and information, click here or contact the Golf Course Pro Shop at 505.662.8139.
