A new PGA Tour season is beginning. OK, we get it. Most of you thought the previous one never ended.
The third version of the wraparound format begins at Silverado Resort and Spa, where players will sip wine between loops on the North Course, which was revamped by describe-him-with-your-own-adjective Johnny Miller. Before leaving for a general manager position at FireRock (Ariz.) Country Club, former Silverado top turfhead Tim Geesey describe the art of balancing the needs of the “Pros and the Joes” for GCI. Jon Vesper replaced Geesey and we’re looking forward to seeing his crew’s work this weekend.
Silverado is one of 47 courses hosting a FedEx Cup tournament in 2015-16. The massive schedule gives more superintendents and crews opportunities to showcase their work to audiences beyond their regular customers and members.
The triumvirate of Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth and Jason Day should produce a memorable season for birdie lovers. Turf lovers will also have plenty to follow as the Tour marches from Napa, Calif., to Atlanta. Here are some turfie things to consider in 2015-16.
TifEagle
Players who can’t putt on ultradwarf Bermudagrass might want to consider taking a spring sabbatical.
Three courses on the PGA Tour’s southern swing – Innisbrook Resort Copperhead, Bay Hill and Harbour Town – regrassed their greens with TifEagle. It’s no coincidence three prominent resorts enhanced their greens. Owners are looking for every imaginable competitive edge as the economy improves. Few things in this industry increase business like hosting a successful PGA Tour event on smooth greens.
Oakmont – again
Brown turf dominated discussion at Pinehurst No. 2. Fescue greens overtaken with Poa annua sparked debate at Chambers Bay.
A familiar site will host the 2016 U.S. Open, and it’s certain to cultivate a familiar conversation: Are Oakmont Country Club’s greens too slick? The demanding and venerable Western Pennsylvania club will host its ninth U.S. Open. After using the past two U.S. Opens to push the USGA’s water conservation agenda, USGA executive director Mike Davis might use Oakmont to punish players. A U.S. Open at Oakmont brings together a pair of thick-skinned figures in Davis and superintendent John Zimmers.
Another familiar course, Baltusrol Golf Club, will host the PGA Championship, which moves to late July because of the Olympic tournament. Director of grounds Mark Kuhns is hosting his second PGA Championship at Baltusrol.
California statements
No PGA Tour event has been conducted in California since Gov. Jerry Brown mandated local water agencies to reduce usage 25 percent from 2013 totals by February 2016. Brown’s move is affecting golf courses differently. Recycled water is exempt from the restrictions and there’s no legitimate system for monitoring groundwater usage.
Will we see more brown on California courses during previous PGA Tour seasons? Five California courses – Silverado North (Oct. 15-18), PGA West Stadium (Jan. 21-24), Torrey Pines North (Jan. 28-31), Pebble Beach (Feb. 11-14) and Riviera (Feb. 18-21) – are hosting PGA Tour events in 2015-16.
More Pete Dye
Just because there isn’t enough of Pete Dye’s work on television, the PGA Tour convinced Austin Country Club members to open their course for the World Golf Championship-Dell Match Play in March. Dye’s original design – the club’s third home – opened in 1984. The course is undergoing renovations this year.
Weather warriors
Every PGA Tour season brings some remarkable maintenance achievements, with crews at PGA National, Colonial Country Club and Four Seasons Resort at Las Colinas creating playable conditions despite brutal storms in 2014-15. And who can forget the effort at Sedgefield Country Club, which endured winterkill to get the Donald Ross design in shape for the Wyndham Championship?
Wicked weather will hit a few PGA Tour venues this year, extending crews past the point of physical exertion. Their ability to handle bleak situations has contributed to the PGA Tour increasing purses sizes and charitable contributions to record levels.
A different summer
The PGA Championship isn’t the only event affected by the Olympic tournament. The Quickens Loan National (Congressional Country Club, June 23-26), World Golf Championship-Bridgestone Invitational (Firestone Country Club, June 30-July 3) and Barracuda Championship (Montreux Golf & Country Club, June 30-July 3) shifted to earlier dates while the Travelers Championship (Aug. 4-7) and John Deere Classic (Aug. 11-14) moved to later spots on the PGA Tour schedule.The date changes will force superintendents at those courses to alter application and mowing schedules to ensure optimal conditions when the Tour comes to town.
Bonus: The Ryder Cup
An Olympic year means the Ryder Cup is coming to America. Minnesota brute Hazeltine National Golf Club is hosting the raucous event. Hazeltine underwent a bunker renovation last year, and superintendent Chris Tritabaugh and his crew conducted a Ryder Cup dry run earlier this fall.
Tritabaugh is the Spieth of superintendents when it comes to depicting maintenance practices and promoting the industry on Twitter. His @ct_turf Twitter account is an amazing resource for anybody interested in turf, the Ryder Cup or Hazeltine.
Double bonus: The Olympics
We heard superintendent Neil Cleverly speak candidly at the 2015 Golf Course Industry about the Olympic course in Rio de Janeiro, where retaining labor and pesticide regulations make maintaining a golf course ultra-tricky. The Gil Hanse-designed Olympic course includes zoysiagrass fairways and tees, and paspalum greens and surrounds. If the weather cooperates, the course should play fast and firm in August.
The course is Brazil’s first 18-hole public golf facility. The country’s volatile political situation and lack of mainstream golf enthusiasm raises questions about the course’s future when PGA and LPGA Tour stars leave Rio.
Guy Cipriano is GCI’s assistant editor.
