The Hole Truth about Holes in One

Last Saturday I got to experience a thrill that every golfer hopes for: a hole in one! I'd like to say it was an amazingly well struck shot, that it arced beautifully against the sky, dropped gently on the green and rolled purposefully into the cup. Actually it was hit a little thin, hit the bank above the gully trap on six, popped up into the air, and skipped twice before hitting the flag and coming to rest in the hole. No matter. There are no points for style; its the result that matters. I confess my first thought was "Oh no. No one is going to believe this!" for it was late and I was playing alone. Fortunately, the couple ahead of me on the seventh tee witnessed the event. Their excitement at seeing the ace was almost greater than mine in making it.

The odds of scoring a hole in one are hard to estimate. Many golfers go their whole lives in search of their first. Others seem to get them more often. Saturday was my second, the first coming four years ago on number 4. In 1999, Golf Digest reported, "One insurance company puts a PGA Tour pro's chances at 1 in 3,756 and an amateur's at 1 in 12,750."That same issue reported that the "odds of an amateur making two holes-in-one in a round are 9,222,500 to 1."Ireland's National Hole in One Club puts the odds a little longer for one ace: "The estimated odds of acing a hole with any given swing are one in 33,000."

One would think that talent and skill might improve one's chances of scoring an ace. While it surely doesn't hurt, there seems to be no direct correlation between ability and likelihood of scoring a hole in one. There are touring pros who have never had one and high handicappers who have achieved the feat several times. Golf Digest breaks the odds by ability down as follows:

• Tour player making an ace: 3,000 to 1


• Low-handicapper making an ace: 5,000 to 1


• Average player making an ace: 12,000 to 1

• Average player acing a 200-yard hole: 150,000 to 1


• Two players from the same foursome acing the same hole: 17 million to 1

• One player making two holes-in-one in the same round: 67 million to 1 

 Although the par 3 threes at Links are both relatively short holes, it seem the chances of patrons making a hole in one remain quite a long shot. The record for most hole in ones at Links by a single player is currently three. Sitting at 2, I'm potentially only one swing away from tying it every time I play. I like to say that if you take care of the course, the course will take care of you. I guess I'd better be extra kind to the greens at 4 and 6 from now on!

The Frustration of Frost

Its 6:30 on a sunny Saturday morning and instead of 'making the cut' I'm writing a blog. Its not because I'm neglecting my duties. I've already been to the course and been greeted by frosty fields of white grass. May long weekend and we've already had 4 cm of snow, (thankfully departed) followed up by sub zero temperatures and a hard frost worthy of any fall. Its enough to frustrate anyone.

The problem with frost is that it effectively closes the operating window in which course maintenance can be done. Nothing can be taken out on the course until the frost melts and the whole point of early morning maintenance is get it done before the golfers arrive in force - usually just after 8 am. By the time the frost has gone, the golfers will arrive and maintenance operations will be "in the way" delaying play and annoying golfers through much of the morning. The alternative is to let the cutting slide for a day and run the risk of golfers having a less than optimal experience.

Fortunately its still early in the season. The cold weather will have worked against there having been much growth and golfers in the north have learned to be patient with both the course and its employees. The good news the snow and frost will bring some much needed moisture to the parched areas of the course.  I don't get to sleep in, but at least I get some nice quiet time to write this week's blog!

Out on the course the washroom on number 5 is again open as the water has been turned on around the course. The restoration of water means sprinklers will again be operating at night and into the early morning. The rip rapping on the left side of number 9 has left a strip of rocky GUR between the fence and the lathe markers. Golfers who find themselves in there should take relief to avoid hitting the many loose rocks that have been left behind.  Russ is making good progress on the garden box in front of number 5 green. Dave's mower has had its reels sent out for sharpening and Doug is raring to start work on this year's rough mowing. The nets are back in place on number one. All we need now is a little sun and warmth! The spring season is up and running. Hope to to see you swinging by as we make the cut for another year!

What to Do When The Greens Aren't So Green

Anyone watching this week's Players Championship at Sawgrass can't help but notice that the putting surfaces are decidedly less than a rich verdant green. In fact, much like some of our own greens  at Links they appear to a shade of mustard brown. This is not to suggest that our greens are necessarily on par with TPC Sawgrass. There are some very different reasons why both courses have greens that aren't so green.

In Florida the reasons behind the slight discoloration of the greens has much to do with the way they've been prepared for the tournament. At a website dedicated to the Agronomy of TPC Sawgrass one can find the following explanation:

In an effort to accomplish true championship conditions for THE PLAYERS there are a number of factors that contribute to firm, fast and consistent green surfaces. For championships a lot of thought goes into keeping the turfgrass plant healthy while attaining predetermined goals.

Cultural practices entail periodic sand topdressing and light verticutting throughout the year. Height of cut is reduced close to tournament time and by design the greens receive less water and minimal nutrient levels.

This, in part, contributes to a dramatic change in color of the greens. It provides significant contrast to the surrounding turf that is maintained at a different height of cut and fertility regime. When you add double and quadruple mowings per day, growth regulators, and rolling of the greens (from 2-3 times per day) this can result in the bermuda grass taking on a different shade of green. No worries, as the professional turf team is vigilant as to the health of each and every green. 

At Links, the reasons for discolored putting surfaces have more to do with it being early in the season. While greens 2, 4 and 6 came through the winter in great shape, some of the others suffered from this year's extended freeze thaw cycle. Where moisture pooled on the greens and then thawed grass plants suffered damage at the cellular level, leaving large dry brown patches. The solution is several days of warm weather and lots of moisture.

The affected greens have been over seeded. Once the irrigation system is restored, Mother Nature should quickly take over. In the meantime the greens have been rolled, top dressed with sand and brushed in order to provide patrons with as smooth and reliable a putting surface as possible. While everyone enjoys the sunshine after a long winter, a couple of warm rainy days would really help the grass recover. At the very least, it would be nice to see the winds die down so that daily dew deposits get a chance to soak in.

You may have noticed the large mound adjacent to the pond on number five underwent a renovation this week. Russ and Len spent much of Friday converting the weed strewn pile into a large flower box. Once complete the unsightly mound should be a thing of beauty. It will still be in the way for players who lose a bomb drive or second shot to the right, but it will certainly be nicer to look at. With a little time, moisture, and higher temperatures the whole course will be looking sharp! Hope to see all of you out there as we keep "Making the Cut" this spring.

Opening Day

The new season is finally here. FSJ Links is up and running with all greens open ready for use! Its exciting to see the course greening up so nicely and especially good to see that the greens have weathered this long winter season so well. 

There are still a few spots you might want to avoid. There's still the odd snow bank lurking under the trees and in the rough. Low spots are still a little damp and there are places where a lofted shot is far more likely to plug than to bounce and roll. Unofficial water hazards have receded to locations one wouldn't normally want to be in anyways, and continued sunshine and spring breezes will have the course looking great in no time!

The greens have come through the winter pretty well. There are some thin spots, and a little bit of ice damage in low places, but for the most part they are looking good for this time of year. As conditions warm up, new growth will quickly take over. Already the mower is taking up lots of grass. During these early days of the season it is especially important to remember to repair all ball and spike marks made on the greens. If we could only convince those pesky deer to walk elsewhere too!

Fairways, aprons, collars and rough are, well still a little rough around the edges. Brown is still the dominant color but all this will quickly improve however as we work through the rest of May. For now its just great to be back and to get things going again. 

Grounds crew staff will be on the course daily so please watch out for us as you play. Most maintenance is done early in the mornings, before most golfers are on the course. Please remember that we are out there working for your benefit. Even if you don't mean it, hitting a staffer with a shot can still ruin everyone's day. We try not to inconvenience players too much, but when you see us working on the greens, tees or around the course, please be patient and careful!

I have appreciate hearing from folks who following the blog. Your comments, questions and feedback are always welcome. I try to update the page weekly, with new posts going up every weekend. If there are topics you would like to see addressed about the outside maintenance of the course, or if you are simply curious about why we do some of the things we do, I'd be happy to try to provide information. Len, Russ, Gord, Doug and myself hope you have as much fun playing the course as we do getting it ready for you!