What do snow-covered fairways and frozen lakes have to do with lush course conditions and the season’s first tee time? At Osprey Meadows, the answer is everything. The design by course architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. remains on schedule for a May 23 opening, no small feat considering much of the course is currently under five feet of snow.
According to Director of Golf Tom Altmann, all 18 greens, the practice green and each tee box have been cleared of snow in order for sunlight and air movement to stimulate growth and healthy turf conditions. While the property remains under a blanket of snow, agronomic teams have utilized a groomer (generally used on the ski slopes) to clear off all but approximately a foot of snow. Black sand is then sprinkled over that to accelerate snow melt.
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“Managing and maintaining a mountain course is unlike any other location in golf,” says Altmann. “While we would prefer Mother Nature melt the snow, in reality these steps are necessary with the short growing season to give the greens and tees ample time to recover from a long winter.”
Tamarack Resort also extended its relationship with Scott Masingill, who finished an impressive seventh in Champions Tour Q School in late 2007 and spends time honing his game on the resort's practice facility.
Golfers familiar with Osprey Meadows will be treated to a slight tweak to the playing corridor in 2008 as landing areas on the par-4 15th hole have been enlarged. The enhancement will benefit high- and low-handicappers alike.
In addition, 2008 will be the first season Osprey Meadows will be played with the highly sought-after Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program certification. The staff completed the six stages required to reach the lofty and demanding certification: site assessment and environmental plan; water conservation; outreach and education; wildlife habitat management; water quality management; and chemical use reduction and safety.