By the time you read this the aerification of the fairways and fertilization will be completed.  Please use the 90º Rule.  As you may have noticed, the fairways that are "cart path only" look a lot better due to the fact that there's no carts on the fairways. 

We have been having a problem with theft of the sprinkler heads in the new planting on Betty Lane (at the sign near the entrance).  It has happened three times already, which is very costly.  If you notice anything suspicious please report it.

The landscaping around the clubhouse and parking areas has been fertilized and some of the beds mulched.  It gives the Clearwater C.C. a very professional look.

In closing, fix your divots and ball marks and "hit 'em straight"!

- Ray Smith, Greens Committee Chairman

- Keith Hering, Golf Course Superintendent

Please observe "Cart Path Only" in the designated area (from approximately the 200 yard marker to the #4 tee)

The area has been seeded with a new product:  which is a hybrid bermudagrass from Pennington Seeds

Princess 77 bermudagrass is the first dense, fine textured hybrid bermudagrass variety to be available in seeded form. Princess 77 seed is produced much like hybrid seed corn, but instead of two inbred parent lines, two selfincompatible but cross-fertile parent clones are planted in alternating rows. The specific combining ability of these two elite parent clones is what makes Princess 77, an F1 hybrid, the first seeded bermudagrass that is competitive with the vegetative hybrid bermudagrasses for turfgrass quality, leaf texture, color, and density.

Characteristics:
• Outstanding drought tolerance
• Requires 21% less water than Tifway
• Dark green color
• Better divot recovery than Tifway
• Medium fine leaf texture
• High leaf density
• Excellent fall color retention
• Higher overall turf quality than all commercial seeded varieties in U.S. and International tests

Fairways:

Routine Maintenance Procedure completed April 7 - 22:  Aerating Fairways.  Aeration is an essential process in maintaining healthy turfgrass.  The primary goal of aeration is to relieve soil compaction, improve water infiltration, and control organic matter, which consists of decaying roots and grass stems. This organic matter acts like a sponge, and when it gets too thick it holds too much water near the surface. This condition limits new root growth, increases disease, and causes other turf problems.

Collars:

Completed Wednesday, April 31, Thursday, May 1 & Friday, May 2

Greens:

Completed Monday, May 5 - Aerate front nine greens; front nine closed until 2 pm; all morning play will be 8:30 AM shotgun on the back nine (go around twice)

Completed Tuesday, May 6 - Aerate back nine greens; back nine closed until 2 pm; all morning play will be 8:30 AM shotgun on the front nine (go around twice)

The area is designated "Ground Under Repair"

You may:

1) play your ball from the area, or

2) drop your ball, with no penalty, at the nearest point which is not in the area and is not closer to the hole

If you play from the area, you may lift, clean and place your ball at the nearest point which offers an acceptable lie, no closer to the hole.