theod

OBGolf has done a fine job managing turf transition in their first year with city courses. Silverbell on 10/30 was our third course with new grass, and it offered excellent conditions. Of course Silverbell's wide-open charms are still in effect. Even so, sand traps were soggy and impossible. We hope that someday city courses will have better sand. Also, we wonder why more effort isn't put into bettering duck/bird habitat around extant water holes. More brush and cover is good for ducks. Add some cattails and interesting shrubs. It seems silly to have removed it all. Golf courses are useful nature preserves and need to be managed as such.

Layout is challenging like a country club course but without the egregious expense. When driving in the carts, focus on the rugged ATV-aspect of the cart path and think of yourself on a golf safari deep into the desert southwest. You'll rattle your bones, of course, but you'll also see some great scenes of animals and birds doing their things au natural. You'll also hear the anguished cries of good golfers on the hole beside you bemoaning their double bogies. That's a natural part of Fred Enke, too.