Golf Course Opening this Friday April 11th!

Hop Meadow Members,

Based on current weather forecasts, we will be opening the full 18 holes of golf beginning Friday April 11^th at 12pm.  Golfers will have access to cart usage and the lower Driving Range opening is TBD.  Should the weather change we may need to modify what is available for use.  Please check with the golf shop daily for any news regarding the availability of services. 

As a reminder, now that the golf course will be fully open, all play will begin off #1 unless otherwise permitted by a member of the professional staff.  All members are required to check in prior to play.  The first tee times are scheduled for 8am daily.  There is still a possibility of frost early in the season so tee times may be delayed or golfers will possibly be instructed to start on a golf hole without frost.  The official start of ForeTees is April 19^th.

Course set up will be on an on going basis along with a balance of spring clean up and early season preparations. From time to time in the spring, necessary maintenance will require us to possibly close a hole (or area) while work is being completed.  Please observe the posted guidelines prior to play to help maintain the safety of the maintenance workers. 

Start up of the Golf Snack Bar is on the schedule for early next week.

Please use good judgment and remember, with early season golf, replace your divots. 

Thank you.

Erick B. Holm, C.G.C.S.

Golf Course Superintendent

Are you a "Winter Weary Golfer?"

click here for an article discussing the issues a golf course can have when coming out of such a difficult winter. Fortunately it appears we fared well with only a few areas in the upper fairways showing ice damage. In the past, this type of damage to the fairways has come back in a relatively short time.  This year shouldn't be any different.

Here's a photo of ice damage on the golfer's left of # 4 fairway (looking back to the tee). This area receives melt from the adjacent hill and is in the shade for much of the day. Needless to say, one of the last places on the course for the snow/ice to melt.

Upper Greens Open

As of noon today the upper greens 5-8, 10-13 and 15 will be open.  The 14th green (which is  still to soft at this time) will have a temporary and should be ready next week with the rest of the golf course.  If we receive an excessive amount of rain this weekend there may be other greens is too wet to support traffic and we will have a temporary in place and then put the green back into play as it dries out.

As far as supportive golf supplies for this weekend we will have divot buckets on the twelfth tee. Next week we will have the majority of the seasonal staff back and more supplies will be added along with a more thorough course clean up along with rolling and mowing the greens (should the weather allow for this).  

It is quite possible we will be able to allow carts by the end of next week.  They will be allowed on better draining holes first and where cart paths make it possible to traverse the course.  Check with the golf shop for specifics.

Enjoy the nice weather and see you soon!

Sincerely,

Erick B. Holm, C.G.C.S.
Golf Course Superintendent

Course Conditions

The course is drying out nicely though still a bit too wet. However, the road to the upper driving range is now dry enough to drive on, just keep off the grass areas (see ruts below). 

Feel free to drive to the upper range tee and hit some balls or play to the temporaries. Hopefully we'll see you soon.