Golf courses are a big part of Rancho Bernardo, Calif. Greens formed the anchors for some of the original neighborhoods in the planned community. Even people who weren't golfers often paid extra for a home or condo with a golf-course view.
Maintaining these signature courses, such as Oaks North and Bernardo Heights Country Club, during a time of drought and water cutbacks is providing a challenge for turf managers, which they're meeting with sophisticated methods of moisture control.
Chris Hayman, superintendent at Oaks North Golf Course, said the course began saving water when San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders asked for voluntary cutbacks in 2008.
The course achieved a 9.2 percent reduction over the previous year. “This year we are on track to match or better that mark,” Hayman said.
