Golf News

GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT
‘NEWS LETTER’
FEBRUARY 2012

Dear Member / Property Owner,

Following on from the ‘The Golf Course Superintendent’s News Letter sent to you in December which was designed to keep you up to date with all of the important maintenance procedures which were scheduled to take place on The Indiana Course in January, we are pleased to be able to give you an update on the works carried out and to inform you of the schedule of works which shall take place in February 2012.

JANUARY COURSE MAINTENANCE UPDATE

Bunker Edging

Bunker edging has been completed on holes 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18. The remaining bunkers will be edged in February.

Desert Hardpan Rolling

The program of rolling the desert hard pan in golf playing areas has greatly improved the playability of the desert hardpan. The schedule of desert hardpan rolling will become a routine maintenance procedure in 2012.

Solid Tining Greens

The solid tining of the greens has been completed as per the schedule.

FEBRUARY COURSE MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME

Edging Bunkers

The maintenance teams will edge the remaining bunkers on the golf course. This will continue to enhance and define the aesthetic appearance of the golf course. Any bunker being worked on will be deemed ground under repair.

Verti Draining Fairways

The program of verti draining the fairways will start in February. This particular aspect of course maintenance is both extremely necessary and time consuming, so we ask you to please bear with us until its completion. Disruption to play, as always, will be kept to an absolute minimum.

Solid Tining Greens

The greens are now being solid tined twice per month, weather permitting, with 5mm pencil tines. These holes are only open (noticeable) for the first 2 days thereafter. Increasing oxygen uptake to the root system will reduce the negative impact of accumulated salts within the soil profile. There is no noticeable effect to the playing quality of the greens surface.

2012 Greens Hollow Coring Dates

In the knowledge that all property owners and members need to have as much notice as possible concerning particular aspects of the golf course maintenance schedule that may temporarily effect the playing conditions of the Greens surface, thus enabling them to plan particular holidays accordingly, please see below the scheduled coring dates for 2012.

19th and 20th March
2nd and 3rd May
5th and 6th November

This particular program is an essential part of golf course maintenance. This practice creates the required environment for strong vigorous roots to grow, the very essence of golf course maintenance.

You will be able to keep up to date with the full tournament and social schedule, format and any additions, information of how to enter, and much, much more by visiting either our official website or alternatively, reading the notice boards in both the Men’s and Ladies locker rooms in the Clubhouse whilst at the Resort.

We and the staff at Desert Springs are looking forward to seeing you on The Indiana course in the near future.

Kind Regards		Kind Regards
José Ignacio Olea Golf Operations Manager		Anthony Brooks Golf Course Superintendent

For further information contact: Golf Reception
Email: golfreservations@almanzora.com
Telephone: +34  637 861 591

The Desert Springs Golf Club Committee, which holds office for the period 1st April 2011 - 31st March 2012, held its last official Committee meeting on Monday, 9th of January 2012. At that time it was proposed and approved that a Club Treasurer be introduced as a Committee Member at the commencement of the 2012 Captaincy year.

It is the opinion of the Committee that a Club Treasurer will be an asset to the Club, providing valuable input in such matters as:

• Assisting the Club Captain with the financial statements and processes from the different charity-related events.
• Coordinating the Prize Funds from each Golf Competition.
• Collecting and processing any Members Funds for any unofficial events.

Desert Springs will shortly be announcing the holding of its annual election for members to choose a Vice- Captain and two members for each of the Club's Handicap and Competitions Committees, for the period 1st April 2012 through to 31st March 2013. This annual election will also include the facility of election by the members for a Club Treasurer.

If you request any further information, then please contact Desert Springs Club Captain Wikkie de Graaf.

For further information contact: Wikkie de Graaf
Email: wdegraaf45@hotmail.com
Telephone: +34 655 411 673

Dear Member / Property Owner,

The Desert Springs Golf Club Rules, since their introduction in 2001 have, over time, evolved to become a more comprehensive document.

Additional enhancements in respect to Membership benefits have been made, the facility for the use of privately owned golf buggies on the cart tracks of the golf course has been introduced and newly designed categories of Membership have been made available.

The aforementioned have always been in accordance with the objectives of the Club; 'To promote the game of golf and to establish, maintain and conduct a golf club of the highest standard for members and visitors alike, and for the Desert Springs Resort'.

Please find attached your updated copy of the Desert Springs Golf Club Rules to allow you to refer to at any time. A copy is also on display within the Club House.

If you have any questions, then please do not hesitate to contact me personally.

For further information contact: José Ignacio Olea
Email: jioz@almanzora.com
Telephone: +34 607 613 900

GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT
‘NEWS LETTER’
JANUARY 2012

Dear Member / Property Owner,

Following on from the ‘The Golf Course Superintendent’s News Letter sent to you in November which was designed to keep you up to date with all of the important maintenance procedures which were scheduled to take place on The Indiana Course in December, we are pleased to be able to give you an update on the works carried out and to inform you of the schedule of works which shall take place in January 2012.

DECEMBER COURSE MAINTENANCE UPDATE

Cart Tracks

The grading and rolling of the cart tracks has been completed as per the schedule. Further improvements to the cart tracks will be scheduled to take place during 2012.

Solid Tining Greens and Tees

The solid tining of the tees and greens has been completed as per the schedule.

Desert Hardpan Rolling

Work has been completed rolling the desert hardpan in holes 7,8,9,10 and 11. This program has greatly improved the playability of the desert hardpan. The schedule of desert hardpan rolling will become a routine maintenance procedure in 2012.

JANUARY COURSE MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME

Bunker Edging

The maintenance teams will be edging the bunkers on the Indiana golf course. This will continue to enhance and define the aesthetic appearance of the golf course. Any bunker being worked on will be deemed ground under repair.

Desert Hardpan Rolling

Areas of the golf course desert hardpan will be rolled. This will help suppress weed growth and improve the playability of the desert hardpan throughout the course.

Solid Tining Greens

The greens are now being solid tined twice per month, weather permitting, with 5mm pencil tines. These holes are only open (noticeable) for the first 2 days thereafter. Increasing oxygen uptake to the root system will reduce the negative impact of accumulated salts within the soil profile. There is no noticeable effect to the playing quality of the greens surface.

2012 Greens Hollow Coring Dates

In the knowledge that all property owners and members need to have as much notice as possible concerning particular aspects of the golf course maintenance schedule that may temporarily effect the playing conditions of the Greens surface, thus enabling them to plan particular holidays accordingly, please see below the scheduled coring dates for 2012.

19th and 20th March
2nd and 3rd May
5th and 6th November

This particular program is an essential part of golf course maintenance. This practice creates the required environment for strong vigorous roots to grow, the very essence of golf course maintenance.

You will be able to keep up to date with the full tournament and social schedule, format and any additions, information of how to enter, and much, much more by visiting either our official website or alternatively, reading the notice boards in both the Men’s and Ladies locker rooms in the Clubhouse whilst at the Resort.

We and the staff at Desert Springs are looking forward to seeing you on The Indiana course in the near future.

Kind Regards		Kind Regards
José Ignacio Olea Golf Operations Manager		Anthony Brooks Golf Course Superintendent

For further information contact: Golf Reception
Email: golfreservations@almanzora.com
Telephone: +34  637 861 591

Dear Member / Property Owner,

The current Desert Springs tournament calendar for 2011 had been designed by the Club and its elected officers to reflect the established pattern and frequency of visits to the Resort experienced during different periods over recent years and the degree of consistency of interest and support for the events demonstrated by our members and owners.

In their Committee meetings, the Club’s officers and officials agreed to consider the 2012 Tournament Calendar with the intention to encourage and foster a continuation of the support demonstrated to date by all concerned and to ensure the continued success and growth of the Club.

It is the intention and wish of the clubs’ committee and management to continue to raise the profile of the Club and encourage the support of Club tournaments by all golfers, both members of Desert Springs Golf Club and guests and visitors and to do this by providing a full, balanced and well organised calendar of events.

Therefore the 2012 calendar has been compiled to take account of those tournaments, which have proven to be well supported and to schedule the events for times of the year, when a high number of members are generally at the resort. Again this has been done in full consultation between the elected officers and the officials of the Club and following a review of the Tournament Calendar for 2010 and 2011 to date, including analysis of the events that were played, of when they were played and the number of entrants that competed.

You can download the agreed 2012 Desert Springs Golf Club Tournament Calendar from within ‘The Golfing Year’ section of our official website by clicking here.

We hope the schedule of events fits well with any travel arrangements you are planning to make for next year.

You will be able to keep up to date with the full tournament and social schedule, format and any additions, information of how to enter, and much, much more by visiting either our official website www.almanzora.com or alternatively whilst at the Resort, reading the notice boards in the locker rooms in the Clubhouse.

We are looking forward to seeing you at Desert Springs in the near future.

For further information contact: Club Captain Wikkie de Graaf
Email: wdegraaf45@hotmail.com
Telephone: +34 655 411 673

We are fast approaching that time of the year when annual Golf Membership Subscription renewal notices for 2012 will be sent to all current Golf Club members.

The Club would like to take this opportunity to remind any member considering the non-renewal of their membership of their right to use the facility of Nomination for Resort membership, as described within the Desert Springs Golf Club Rules and in accordance with Rule 4.9.1:

• Nomination for Resort /Almanzora Bay membership may only be exercised by the registered owners (the “Nominators”) of each entire residential property, (the “Property Owning Qualification” or “POQ”) acting unanimously.

In such a case it would mean that the member does not lose their right to membership, they would pass their Membership benefits for that particular year to a Nominee, who would make payment for the relevant Annual Subscription Fee accordingly.

This option provides an extended benefit to the current member in respect to them having the opportunity of renewing themselves the following year should their circumstances change.

The Club is there to assist as much as possible and as such holds a registry of Nominators and people interested in becoming Nominees.

For further information please do not hesitate to contact me personally.

For further information contact: José Ignacio Olea
Email: jioz@almanzora.com
Telephone: +34 670 613 900

GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT
‘NEWS LETTER’
DECEMBER 2011

Dear Member / Property Owner,

Following on from the ‘The Golf Course Superintendent’s News Letter sent to you in October which was designed to keep you up to date with all of the important maintenance procedures which were scheduled to take place on The Indiana Course in November, we are pleased to be able to give you an update on the works carried out and to inform you of the schedule of works which shall take place in December 2011.

NOVEMBER COURSE MAINTENANCE UPDATE

Hollow Coring Greens

The greens have been hollow cored as per the schedule. This is an essential part of golf course maintenance that is carried out to both maintain and enhance the playing quality of the putting surfaces with which we are accustomed at The Indiana. This practice creates the required environment for strong vigorous roots to grow, the very essence of golf course maintenance.

Hollow Coring Tees

Due to adverse turfgrass and climatic factors the tees were not hollow cored. Multiple days of rain after the coring of the greens aided their recovery but made it counterproductive to have hollow cored the tees as per the schedule. A reduced program of verti cutting and sand topdressing was carried. There will be no long term detriment to the health or playability of the tees.

Hollow Coring Greens’ Approaches

As with the tees we were unable to hollow the greens approaches.

Desert Hard Pan Improvements

As previously advised, the naturally growing desert plants are now encroaching into the playing areas of the desert hardpan. Extensive clearing work has been carried out on the desert hard pan areas of holes 12 and13. These areas have been cleared of these plants, graded and rolled. Areas of the hardpan beyond that of the normal playing areas will be remain as natural areas.

New Bridge 15th Green

A newly constructed foot bridge has been completed by the 15th Green. This is a direct replacement for the original bridge placed in July 2000.

DECEMBER COURSE MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME

Cart Tracks

The cart tracks will be renovated after the heavy rain and general wear and tear throughout the year. Please be advised there will be machinery working on the cart tracks during this time.

Solid Tining Greens and Tees

The greens and tees will be solid tined with 5 mm pencil tines. The holes made, are open (noticeable) for the first 2 days. There is, in effect, no noticeable difference to the playing quality of the greens or tees surface.

Desert Hard Pan Rolling

Areas of the golf course hardpan will be rolled. This will help suppress weed growth and improve the playability of the desert hard pan throughout the course.

2012 Greens Hollow Coring Dates

In the knowledge that all property owners and members need to have as much notice as possible concerning particular aspects of the golf course maintenance schedule that may temporarily effect the playing conditions of the Greens surface, thus enabling them to plan particular holidays accordingly, please see below the scheduled coring dates for 2012.

19th and 20th March
2nd and 3rd May
5th and 6th November

This particular program is an essential part of golf course maintenance. This practice creates the required environment for strong vigorous roots to grow, the very essence of golf course maintenance.

You will be able to keep up to date with the full tournament and social schedule, format and any additions, information of how to enter, and much, much more by visiting either our official website or alternatively, reading the notice boards in both the Men’s and Ladies locker rooms in the Clubhouse whilst at the Resort.

We and the staff at Desert Springs are looking forward to seeing you on The Indiana course in the near future.

Kind Regards		Kind Regards
José Ignacio Olea Golf Operations Manager		Anthony Brooks Golf Course Superintendent

For further information contact: Golf Reception
Email: golfreservations@almanzora.com
Telephone: +34  637 861 591

Desert Springs will host the fifth annual 'Golf 4 All' Pro-Am, to be played over the Championship Indiana course on the 9th and 10th January 2012. Desert Springs residents and touring professionals, Trish Johnson and Becky Brewerton will be joined by their colleagues from the Ladies European Tour for this unique Pro-Am Tournament.

Played over two days, the event is open to both male and female amateurs, members and non-members of Desert Springs, with entries being accepted from individuals or in teams of three.

The event begins with a welcome 'Meet the Pros' evening where the draw will be made for first round professional team captains, followed by an informal Spanish evening at El Torrente Restaurant.

The first round will be played in Texas Scramble format, with each team of 3 amateurs being led by a professional captain. After play, lunch will be held at El Torrente Restaurant followed by the draw for professionals for the second round, which will be a Fourball Team Stableford (best 2 stableford scores to count at each hole). On both days, the Lady Professionals will be hosting golf clinics in a relaxed and fun atmosphere at the Golf Academy.

The prize giving presentation will take place at El Torrente Restaurant during the final evenings dinner. Prizes will be awarded for the best scores on each day with the overall winning team being the best aggregate Stableford score over the two rounds.

The tournament entry fee is €393 for members and €493 for member´s guests, extra places can be booked for the meals and social functions for non playing guests. There is also a package for visitors wishing to stay at the Resort.

The closing date for entries is 20th December 2011 and entry forms are available from the Golf Reception or can be downloaded from the following link of the ‘Golf 4 Women’ section of our official website.

Don’t miss this excellent opportunity to see the ladies of the European Tour and to play alongside some of the best players in the women’s game. Contact José Ignacio Olea to secure your place.

For further information contact: José Ignacio Olea
Email: jioz@almanzora.com
Telephone: +34 670 613 900

GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT
‘NEWS LETTER’
NOVEMBER 2011

Dear Member / Property Owner,

Following on from the ‘The Golf Course Superintendent’s News Letter sent to you in September which was designed to keep you up to date with all of the important maintenance procedures which were scheduled to take place on The Indiana Course in October, we are pleased to be able to give you an update on the works carried out and to inform you of the schedule of works which shall take place in November 2011.

OCTOBER COURSE MAINTENANCE UPDATE

Golf Course Traffic Areas

The overseeding of the golf course traffic areas has been completed as scheduled. The half moon metal stakes will remain to protect the newly germinated seed.

Hollow Coring Tees

The hollow coring of the Tees has been rescheduled to take place after the hollow coring of the Greens.

Hollow Coring Greens’ Approaches

The hollow coring of the Greens´ Approaches has been rescheduled to place after the hollow coring of the Greens.

NOVEMBER COURSE MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME

Hollow Coring Greens

As previously advised, please be reminded that the greens will be hollow cored on Monday 7th and Tuesday 8th of November. The hollow coring of the greens is a practice which is scheduled each year to both maintain and enhance the playing quality of the putting surfaces with which we are accustomed at The Indiana. This practice creates the required environment for strong vigorous roots to grow, the very essence of golf course maintenance.

Hollow Coring Greens’ Approaches

Each green approach will be hollow cored, topdressed and overseeded. These procedures will help reduce soil compaction and improve both turf grass quality and playing conditions in front of each green.

Hollow Coring Tees

The tees, like the greens, need to be hollow cored to help dilute soil compaction and improve air and water movement throughout the soil profile. This management program will take two weeks to complete. During this time tee markers may be moved to adjacent teeing areas so that work can continue during busy golfing periods.

2012 Greens Hollow Coring Dates

In the knowledge that all property owners and members need to have as much notice as possible concerning particular aspects of the golf course maintenance schedule that may temporarily effect the playing conditions of the Greens surface, thus enabling them to plan particular holidays accordingly, please see below the scheduled coring dates for 2012.

19th and 20th March
2nd and 3rd May
5th and 6th November

This particular program is an essential part of golf course maintenance. This practice creates the required environment for strong vigorous roots to grow, the very essence of golf course maintenance.

You will be able to keep up to date with the full tournament and social schedule, format and any additions, information of how to enter, and much, much more by visiting either our official website or alternatively, reading the notice boards in both the Men’s and Ladies locker rooms in the Clubhouse whilst at the Resort.

We and the staff at Desert Springs are looking forward to seeing you on The Indiana course in the near future.

Kind Regards		Kind Regards
José Ignacio Olea Golf Operations Manager		Anthony Brooks Golf Course Superintendent

For further information contact: Golf Reception
Email: golfreservations@almanzora.com
Telephone: +34  637 861 591

GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT
‘NEWS LETTER’
OCTOBER 2011

Dear Member / Property Owner,

Following on from the ‘The Golf Course Superintendent’s News Letter’ sent to you in August which was designed to keep you up to date with all of the important maintenance procedures which were scheduled to take place on The Indiana Course in September, we are pleased to be able to give you an update on the works carried out and to inform you of the schedule of works which shall take place in October 2011.

SEPTEMBER COURSE MAINTENANCE UPDATE

Fungicide Spraying

The preventative application of fungicides to help safeguard and protect the golf course against strong summer turf grass diseases has been completed as per the schedule.

Hand Watering

The programme of hand watering the greens and tees has continued as per the schedule.

Solid Tining Greens

The solid tining of the greens has been completed as per the schedule.

Golf Course Overseeding and Sand Topdressing Program

The overseeding program and sand topdressing has been completed as per the schedule on holes 1, 3, 5, 7, 16, 17 and 18. The sand topdressing will aide germination and protect the new grass seedlings.

OCTOBER COURSE MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME

Golf Course Traffic Areas

After the summer months, the high traffic areas of the golf course will benefit from overseeding to improve turf grass density and quality. These areas will be marked out by half moon metal stakes and will be deemed as GUR. The metal stakes will restrict traffic improving the germination rate of the new grass.

Hollow Coring Tees

The tees, like the greens, need to be hollow cored to help dilute soil compaction and improve air and water movement throughout the soil profile. This management program will take two weeks to complete. During this time tee markers may be moved to adjacent teeing areas so that work can continue during busy golfing periods.

Hollow Coring Greens’ Approaches

Each green approach will be hollow cored, topdressed and overseeded. These procedures will help reduce soil compaction and improve both turf grass quality and playing conditions in front of each green.

2011 Greens Hollow Coring Dates

In the knowledge that all property owners and members need to have as much notice as possible concerning particular aspects of the golf course maintenance schedule that may temporarily effect the playing conditions of the greens surface, thus enabling them to plan particular holidays accordingly, please see below the remaining scheduled coring date for 2011.

7th & 8th November

This particular program is an essential part of golf course maintenance. This practice creates the required environment for strong vigorous roots to grow, the very essence of golf course maintenance.

You will be able to keep up to date with the full tournament and social schedule, format and any additions, information of how to enter, and much, much more by visiting either our official website or alternatively, reading the notice boards in both the Men’s and Ladies locker rooms in the Clubhouse whilst at the Resort.

We and the staff at Desert Springs are looking forward to seeing you on The Indiana course in the near future.

Kind Regards		Kind Regards
José Ignacio Olea Golf Operations Manager		Anthony Brooks Golf Course Superintendent

For further information contact: Golf Reception
Email: golfreservations@almanzora.com
Telephone: +34  637 861 591