Log in

RCSCW golf courses close for four weeks due to over-seeding

Oct. 20 courses ready for play

Posted 9/25/20

The first day of fall has passed and cooler overnight temperatures are on the way.

You must be a member to read this story.

Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.


Already have an account? Log in to continue.

Current print subscribers can create a free account by clicking here

Otherwise, follow the link below to join.

To Our Valued Readers –

Visitors to our website will be limited to five stories per month unless they opt to subscribe. The five stories do not include our exclusive content written by our journalists.

For $6.99, less than 20 cents a day, digital subscribers will receive unlimited access to YourValley.net, including exclusive content from our newsroom and access to our Daily Independent e-edition.

Our commitment to balanced, fair reporting and local coverage provides insight and perspective not found anywhere else.

Your financial commitment will help to preserve the kind of honest journalism produced by our reporters and editors. We trust you agree that independent journalism is an essential component of our democracy. Please click here to subscribe.

Sincerely,
Charlene Bisson, Publisher, Independent Newsmedia

Please log in to continue

Log in
I am anchor

RCSCW golf courses close for four weeks due to over-seeding

Oct. 20 courses ready for play

Posted

The first day of fall has passed and cooler overnight temperatures are on the way.

For the Recreation Centers of Sun City West, 19803 N. R.H. Johnson Blvd., Environmental Services Manager Todd Patty shared during The Rec Center show on 103.1 KSCW Sept. 22 with host Gary Coehn, the change in weather means preparing golf courses for a peak season, starting with over-seeding.

On Sept. 24, four golf courses including Pebblebrook, 18836 N. 128th Ave., Grandview, 14260 W. Meeker Blvd., Echo Mesa, 20349 N. Echo Mesa Dr., and Desert Trails, 22525 N. Executive Way, will close for a four-week period, with a reopening date of Oct. 20 for over-seeding.

“It was tough summer with the heat in July and August, which were some of the hottest months on record and with just under half an inch of rain on the courses this year, it is the driest I have even seen it,” Mr. Patty said. “The golf course irrigation systems were off for one day, which is unusual because when we get a good monsoon rain we can keep it off from three to five days and it was a real challenge this year.”

Mr. Patty said another challenge was trying to maintain each course with a staffing shortage throughout the entire summer, which had the courses down 34 employees. Now, the courses are down 19, which he says is a positive thing.

RCSCW General Manager Bill Schwind said between the seven golf courses operated by RCSCW, close to 300,000 rounds of golf are played.

“It is hard when it comes to finding proper tee times when people want them and we ask for patience and understaing as we try to make courses and tee times available when you want to go play,” he said.

Mr. Patty explained the weather of over-seeding will soon be just about right. Temperatures have to be right around 100 and then cool off to the 70’s at night, which is ideal. He said the biggest fear is having it get too cold and then the grass will not germinate.

“It’s a tight window and challenging. The overseeding period is the second or third week of October and since we have to cram seven courses in we are forced to go early,” he said.

Looking ahead, the seeing will be spread for two to three days, Mr. Patty said and then water starts at first thing in the morning and goes until dark.

Reporter Jennifer Jimenez can be reached at jjimenez@newszap.com or follow her on Twitter @SCW_Independent.