Vegas Voice 9-19

Overseeding is Upon Us
By: Mike Landry / Golf Fore Ever
Late August and early September is the time
of year when local golf courses normally
overseed their tee boxes, fairways and greens. So
by the time you read this article, overseeding will be in full swing.
If you wondered why golf courses go through the trouble and expense
of overseeding, it’s simple. It’s a necessary evil in places such as our
desert southwest where the summer grass is Bermuda.
Since most golf courses in the valley use Bermuda grass (which
goes dormant during the cold season and turns yellow) golf courses
go through the trouble and great expense to keep their courses lush
during the winter by planting Rye grass. Rye grass grows very well in
our moderate winter climate and is a common theme this time of year.
You have options during the overseeding period and I would
recommend:
(1) Contact the golf course before you drive out there to see if they
are open and if so, does the course require carts to remain on the cart
path only;
(2) Book a tee time on a course that does not overseed or one where
they have 27 holes and only seed one green at a time and 18 holes
remain open;
(3) Find a golf course that does not overseed at all because they have
grass other than Bermuda.
When golf courses reopen, cart path only is the rule for another 2-3
weeks, so plan on a lot of walking. For some senior golfers this can be
a challenge.
For this reason I offer the following: There are a few golf courses that
don’t overseed: Boulder City Muni, Las Vegas GC Muni, Mountain Falls
in Pahrump to name just to name a few. Boulder Creek is one course
that features 27 holes and normally overseed one 9 at a time giving
golfers the opportunity to still play 18.
“Hit em” straight!”
Mike Landry resides in Sun City MacDonald Ranch and is a member
of both the Nevada State Seniors Golf Club and Winterwood Men’s
Group. He can be reached at: airmikel1@cox.net
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