NEWS FROM THE GOLF AND GREENS
ADVISORY COMMISSION 

The 2022 Golf Playing season is fast coming to an end.  We know playing golf at Alto this past summer was a challenge with the Tee construction project on the front nine, along with the Driving Range being closed for renovations of the landing area.  
 
We are happy to report the Tee Project for the front nine has been completed.  The tees are growing in well, and all the tee tops have been reseeded to enhance the grass growth.  Glenn Denney, Director of Golf Course Operations, has started a program of top dressing the tees, along with a fertilizing program every 10-14 days that will continue until dormancy.  He will be covering some tees for the winter that are showing weakness as an added precaution.  The goal is to begin using the new tees in early spring.
 
The landing area of the Driving Range has also been completed and the grass has started to grow in.  This area will be reseeded in the spring, providing a better grass coverage.  New irrigation has been installed and drainage issues have been addressed.  Additional bunkering was added to the right side of the landing area to help keep the balls in the landing area, thus enabling the operations crew to retrieve the balls easier.  The forest around the landing area has been thinned in keeping with The Firewise Program guidelines.
 
Jon Garner, the golf course architect who designed our Master Plan, made a site visit in September.  He was very pleased with the outcome of the Tee construction project, which enlarged tee sizes to match the amount of play we have; we now also have level surfaces.   During his site visit, we had further discussion with regard to the Driving Range teeing area, taking into consideration future use of the area adjacent to the Range.  
 
The ONLY planned projects the G&GAC have recommended to the Board for 2023 are to finish the Driving Range teeing area, along with the construction of the number 10 tees.  This is the perfect time to build these new tees, since so much dirt work will be needed for the Range teeing area.  The plans have been drawn for these projects, which include using synthetic turf for the teeing area at the Driving Range.   Our goal is to have both of these completed and ready to use by mid to late May of 2023.
 
The Commission also recommended to the Board to begin construction of the remaining 8 tees on the back nine at Alto in the fall of 2023, after the major playing season is over and weather permitting.
 
 
Carolyn Henry, Chairman
Alto Lakes Golf and Greens Advisory Commission
 
Bruce Ellis, Board Liaison
Alto Lakes Board of Directors