Courses At a Glance l Discount Cards and Season Tickets l Leagues l Group Outings l Lessons & Practices l Programs l News l Golf Tips from the Pros
August 2010
Superintendent Updates
Dealing with heat stress on golf course turf, Paul Diegnau, Keller (article)
Why do I aerify? – Charlie Miller, Goodrich (article)
Goodrich Golf Course 1961-2011
Goodrich to celebrate 50 years in 2011. Next year is the year to celebrate 50 years Goodrich Golf Course has served the public golfer in the east metro area. We need your ideas and input. In order to have a proper and successful celebration people need to participate in the planning. Now is your chance to share your ideas and offer your input for the type of fun events that should be held. How can we best publicize, recognize and share the history of the great golf course? How do we best thank the loyal supporters who over the years have called Goodrich their home course? How can you participate?
1). Drop a note with your ideas in the suggestion box at the pro shop front counter.
2). Write your idea on a flip chart located in the Goodrich clubhouse near the handicap computer.
3). Contact Kevin Finley at 651-748-2500 or e-mail at: Kevin.finley@co.ramsey.mn.us
Keller
Book your event now. Keller has several dates open to host your golf tournament, banquet and meeting. Call the pro shop at: 651-766-4170
Manitou Ridge
Check out the course improvements including new cart paths throughout the course. Plans are underway to construct a new maintenance facility including cart storage.
The Ponds at Battle Creek
Register for the men’s fall league. Play on Wednesday evenings September 8 – October 6 with King of the Hill Championship on October 13. (brochure)
Testimonials
“Keller is in the best condition I have ever seen it this time of year and I have played at Keller for forty years.” - A Patron Card holder.
“I love the new course improvements at Goodrich. The pond on #10 and #17 and the back tee on #18 will make the back nine holes more challenging.”
– Goodrich Men’s Club member.
The Ponds at Battle Creek – “what a beautiful course and the greens run so true. We will be back.” - A husband and wife team in July.
The Ponds at Battle Creek – “best 9-hole course I ever played and the service is great.” - Frequent player in May.
Free Golf Drawing Winners
The four winners of a free round of golf this month have been notified under a separate
E-mail. Congratulations to the winners.
June 2010
FREE Clinics for Junior Golfers at Keller Golf Course
The 13th Annual Junior Golf Clinic, sponsored by the Keller Men’s Club, is being held on three Saturday’s in June. June 12th, 19th and 26th. 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM. See flier by clicking on here: www.ramseycountygolf.com. If you have any questions feel free to call Butch John at 612-384-3543.
Goodrich Golf Course Weekend Specials
Save $ by playing on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. The weekday special discount is also good on weekend after 1:00 pm. The deeper discount for Seniors is also good on weekend after 1:00pm.
The Ponds at Battle Creek Junior Programs and Couples League
Sign up today for the Junior League and Junior Clinics and Couples League
Junior Golf School Session #1 starts June 14; Junior Golf Camp starts June 21;
Junior Golf League starts June 23; Couples League starts June 6. For additional information or to register on-line, please visit: www.pondsatbattlecreek.com.
Superintendent News and Notes From Rob Adams – The Ponds at Battle Creek
It is that time of year again where we take perfectly good greens and poke a bunch of holes in them. I am often asked why we aerate in the spring and fall when the greens are in good shape. My answer is “the greens are in good shape because we aerate when the greens are actively growing and not yet stressed by the warmer temperatures, increased pressure of golfers and maintenance practices.”
We aerate for a few reasons: to relieve compaction, increase drainage, remove thatch and open the soil up to allow oxygen and nutrients to reach deeper into the soil profile where the plant can take them up. Thatch is the natural decomposition of plant tissue and too much of it can make the putting surface bumpy and soft. We also increase fertility around aeration time to aid in recovery. Warm temperatures (not hot) will keep the grass actively growing and the aeration holes will heal faster.
From Charlie Miller, Superintendent at Goodrich Golf Course
The staff at Goodrich has completed the spring aeration process and with new turf equipment it went better than ever. The greens are completely healed and are rolling great. We will continue working on course improvements such as rebuilding the 15th and 17th tee boxes. The 17th tee was seeded mid-May and germination has started. The 15th tee will be seeded and covered in early June. Both should be ready to play by the end of June. We are proud of the progress we are making toward improving the course conditions and becoming one of the best values in the metro area for fun, playable and walk able golf. Come out and see for yourself!
Tip From The Pro - Steve Mrozinski, Assistant Golf Professional at Manitou Ridge
Driving: Full shoulder turn
To insure solid contact and maximum distance on your drives be sure to make a full shoulder turn behind the ball. Not only will this help you get your weight to your right side and set up a proper weight shift, it also helps the club travel on the correct path to the ball (which is from the inside). Work on making a full shoulder turn to hit your driver further and straighter.
E-Subscriber Winners
Subscribers to Ramsey County Golf.com have a chance to win a free round of golf. Four names were randomly drawn from the list of e-subscribers. The winners were sent a separate notice. Congratulations to the winners.
Comments
Feel free to send a comment or suggestion on how we can help make your golfing experience more fun and enjoyable. Visit www.ramseycouuntygolf.com.
March 2010
No Increase in Greens Fees
Greens fee rates remain unchanged in 2010 at the Ramsey County golf courses. The season tickets and patron cards also stay at last year’s rate. 2010 Golf Rates
Keller Golf Course Improvements
During the past year there has been a great deal of discussion about potential improvements to Keller Golf Course. The County Board has approved a funding plan as part of the County’s major Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The CIP plan shows proposed funding for design work in 2011 and proposed funding for construction in 2012. There has been NO funding approved for the proposed improvements at this point in the process. If you have any questions feel free to call Kevin Finley at 651-748-2500 or email.
Goodrich Golf Course Irrigation Pond Project
The project to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the irrigation system at Goodrich is complete. The new pond that enhances holes #10 and #17 provides tempered water to irrigate the turf throughout the course. The new pumping station provides precise amounts of water in a timely manner. As part of the project new tees were constructed on #10, #17 and #18 to provide a variety of distances and increased interest in these holes.
The Ponds at Battle Creek Driving Range Improvements
In conjunction with the Century Avenue road improvements, excess soil has been placed on the back half of the driving range. The purpose is to elevate the range and greatly improve the sight lines. The soils work on the range in complete. Irrigation piping is installed and turf is established. A full length driving range with improved visibility of ball flight will help you improve your game and increase your level of enjoyment. The high quality of this practice facility attracts all levels of golfers and recreation enthusiasts.
Pro Shops Open Mid March
The golf professionals plan to open the pro shops March 15, depending on weather. At that time, Season Tickets and Patron Cards will be available for purchase. As an incentive to encourage loyalty and as a thank you to our loyal patrons, we will continue our program of providing a Free Round of Golf to golfers who purchase a $75Patron Card. The courses will open as soon as the snow melts, frost is out of the ground and it is dry enough to not leave footprints in the greens. Last year, we opened in late March, played a few days and then it snowed again. This is a familiar pattern and normally by
April 10th we are open for the season without being interrupted by snow. The golf staff looks forward to seeing you in the spring and serving you with a friendly smile and excellent playing conditions.
Tip From The Pro
Mike Diebel, head PGA golf professional at Goodrich Golf Course, offers this tip to help you get ready for the upcoming season.
''Learn to play golf this winter''
In order to break a habit, you need to repeat the habit correctly 60 times a day for 60 days. Now that takes a lot of commitment. That's why it’s very difficult to improve at golf. You need to be very diligent. If you don't have that much time, use the time you do have wisely. Work on your weaknesses. Give yourself an honest assessment of your golf game. If you need work on your putting, set up an area in your home during the winter where you can practice your putting. Set up your putting practice area so that you can keep it up throughout the off-season. You will then be able to readily work on your putting without having to setup and take down your practice area before and after each session. If your golf game weakness is driving, irons, or short game, visit the Goodrich Golf Dome. If you are busy with work and other commitments, use your time wisely and work with a qualified PGA professional. The time you put into practicing during the off-season will be realized with a few strokes saved per round and a few
wagers won.
Customer Survey Winners
All e-subscribers were presented an opportunity to complete an online customer survey at the end of the 2009 golf season. An incentive to fill out the short survey was to be entered into a random drawing of four e-mail addresses to be awarded a 2010 Patron Card. The four winning names have been drawn and the loyal customers have been notified of their winnings. Nearly 500 surveys were submitted. Thank you for taking time to provide your honest feedback in completing the survey. 2009 Golf Course Survey Results
The lucky Patron Card winners are: Jeanie Mueller, Andrew Layton, Chris Stevenson and Jane Christensen
Congratulations!
