Course Update 7.3.26: Happy 4th of July Weekend!

 

We are looking forward to a fun and busy holiday weekend at the Club, with golf tournaments in the morning, pool activities throughout the day, and, of course, the fireworks show beginning at 9:30 PM.

For those participating in the shotgun starts on Saturday, please be aware that there is a possibility of temporary hole closures on Blue holes #7, #8, and #9, as well as Gold holes #10 and #11. If necessary, these closures will be determined at the discretion of the Dallas Fire Department to accommodate fireworks setup and safety requirements.

This week, our staff continued aerating fairways and roughs on both courses, installed additional drainage at the pool, and adjusted mowing patterns on Blue holes #1 and #6, significantly reducing the amount of "tall rough" in between these holes to improve pace of play. 

Rough between Hole 6 (left) and Hole 1 (right). Brown areas recently mowed to lower height.  

Close up view of the rough between Hole 1 and Hole 6 Blue. 

Thanks for checking out the blog and and we wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Independence Day weekend!

Course Update 6.25.26: Summer Weather, Fertilizer Applications, and Vertical Mowing

9 Gold Green on Thursday 6.25.

Last weekend was spent cleaning up after Friday's storms. Our crew once again did an outstanding job repairing bunkers and removing debris. Since then, we've remained rain-free despite exceptionally hot and humid conditions. Our maintenance efforts this week primarily focused on catching up with routine mowing, fairway vertical mowing, and keeping greens healthy. 

Recent rains have resulted in thick rough. 10 Blue primary rough on 6.25

Bermudagrass tees, fairways, and roughs continue to grow rapidly. While rough mowing heights have not changed, the rough is certainly thick and playing more penal. To keep conditions manageable, we are mowing roughs twice each week whenever possible.

18 Blue Fairway three days after vertical mowing.

We have also continued battling fairway scalping caused by turf grain, recent rains, and the age of many of our fairways. To improve mowing quality, crews are vertical mowing several fairways each day. In July, we'll expand this program with more aggressive vertical mowing followed by sand topdressing across most fairways.

Applying fertilizer to #7 Gold Fairway.

This week we also began applying our summer fertilizer program to all tees, fairways, and roughs. While it may seem unusual to fertilize during a period of rapid growth, the turf is using a tremendous amount of energy this time of year. The product is approximately 80% slow-release nitrogen, providing a light, consistent feeding over the next 10 to 12 weeks to help the turf remain healthy through the summer.

Bentgrass greens continue to perform well, although putting speeds have naturally slowed with the heat and humidity. Our summer focus is keeping the greens healthy by reducing mechanical stress, light venting/aeration (last completed on Monday 6.22), precise hand watering, and commitment to a comprehensive spray program. 

We're also planning to install a new fan at #9 Gold green. If it performs as advertised we may also replace the existing fan on #18 Blue green with the same style.  We'll share more about the benefits of fans in an upcoming update.

Thanks for your continued support, and stay cool out there!

Course Update 6.19.26 - More rain, Sod work, Vertical Mowing, and More

 

Long Branch Creek flowing over the walk bridge on 10 Blue. 6.19.26

We received just under 2.5 inches of rain in approximately one hour Friday morning - bringing our 30 day total to just over 8 inches. While no major damage occurred, the intensity of the storm resulted in significant—but temporary—flooding, large amounts of debris, and washouts in nearly all bunkers across both courses. Check out photos and video taken immediately after the storm here: Storm on 6.19.26

Storm Debris on #11 Blue cart path and fairway. 

Our staff worked throughout the day to ensure both courses remained passable and playable. However, due to continued wet conditions, most cleanup efforts had to be postponed until Saturday morning. We will be exceptionally busy this weekend completing normal course setup while also focusing on debris removal and bunker repairs.

Prior to the storm, weather conditions were extremely hot and humid, with heat index values consistently exceeding 100 degrees. Fortunately, conditions remained dry enough throughout the week to mow all roughs twice while also completing routine mowing and spray applications on tees and fairways.

Vertical mowing 17 Blue Fairway

This week we also began vertical mowing fairways, a process that removes excess grain and helps prevent unsightly scalping during mowing. This work will continue next week, with crews targeting two to three holes each morning.

Planting new sod at the cart barn on 18 Gold

Newly planted sod behind 2 Gold. 

Additional work included sod installation around the cart barn and behind #2 Gold green on Tuesday. We also repaired and re-sodded several weak turf areas throughout the property.

For the weekend, golfers should expect carts to remain on paths only. Green speeds will also be slower than normal for this time of year due to the significant moisture and humidity we have experienced this week. Thanks for your support and have a great weekend!

Course Update 6.12.26 - Rain, Landscaping, Aeration, and More!

Water flowing over the dam on 10 Blue - Sunday 6.7.26

Last weekend’s 4-Ball Championship was certainly a wet one, with nearly 3 inches of rainfall arriving between Saturday and Sunday. Despite the challenging conditions, our crew did an outstanding job Sunday morning getting both courses back into shape and playable for the event. Thank you to everyone who braved the weather and participated. 

Rain leaving the property after Sunday's heavy rains

Aerating 6 Gold green on Monday 6.8.26

On Monday, we completed a light sand topdressing and venting (also known as light aeration) on greens. While golfers may still notice some of the small vent holes on certain greens, the impact on ball roll is minimal. This practice improves airflow to the root system and is especially important during periods of high humidity - which have certainly experienced for the last several days. By Tuesday, course conditions had dried considerably, allowing our team to focus on catching up with routine mowing of tees, fairways, and roughs which continue to grow in full force thanks to the rain.  

BEFORE  Front entrance island on Monday 6.8.26

AFTER: Front entrance island on 6.10.26  

Our staff also worked alongside a crew from Southern Botanicals to refresh the landscape islands at the front entrance and along the main drive. Existing plant material was relocated, and a combination of liriope and caladiums was added to create a denser, fuller appearance. 

AIT, Bobby Enriquez using the areation cores to level an area in rough. 

We also put a new aerator into service this week that will be used extensively on tees, fairways, and roughs throughout the summer. One of the biggest advantages of this machine is its ability to pull and collect cores simultaneously, eliminating much of the labor-intensive cleanup traditionally associated with aeration. The collected cores can then be repurposed to help level uneven areas in the rough. Members can expect to see this machine in action regularly throughout the summer months. 

Foreman,. Ollie Carreon inspects granite installation and grade work on Friday 6.12.26

Finally, progress also continued around the cart barn area where we were able to complete additional drainage work and install decomposed granite. The remaining areas are scheduled to receive a combination of Bermuda and Zoysia sod early next week.

As always, thank you for your support, and we look forward to seeing you on the golf course. 

Course Update 6.4.26

Drone shot of the 2nd, 10th, and 12th greens on the Blue Course (6.4.26)

Last week, we received nearly 3" of rainfall across the property. Fortunately, course conditions dried out nicely by the weekend, and we have remained dry since. Hot and humid weather has dominated this week, creating ideal growing conditions for bermudagrass. As a result, tees, fairways, roughs, and other bermudagrass areas are now growing aggressively and responding well to the summer weather. All tees and fairways were also treated with foliar fertilizer and plant growth regulator to help maintain color and minimize grass clippings. 

8 Gold on 6.4.26

While these conditions are excellent for bermudagrass, they present additional challenges for our bentgrass greens. Overall all greens are in great shape heading into summer, but elevated temperatures and humidity increase disease pressure and place added stress on the turf. To help maintain healthy playing surfaces, we have continued our light aeration (venting) program on greens across both courses and applied preventative fungicide treatments on Monday and Wednesday. Check out the video below of our latest GPS enabled sprayer in action on #7 Blue green. 

Root Pruning around Greens and Fairways

Root pruning scars on 3 Gold three days after. 

Another project completed this week was root pruning around selected greens and fairways. This process uses specialized equipment to create narrow slits approximately 10 inches deep, severing shallow tree roots that compete with nearby turfgrass for water and nutrients. Root pruning is minimally disruptive to golfers and does not harm the trees, while providing significant benefits to the health and performance of adjacent turf.

Finally, we continued making progress on improvements near the cart barn adjacent to #18 Gold. Our staff is currently regrading the area in preparation for the installation of decomposed granite and new sod. We expect the sod to arrive by the middle of next week and look forward to putting the finishing touches on this highly visible area of the property.

Crew working to finish grading and granite installation at the cart barn on 6.4.26

Next week we will also continue moving forward with seasonal flower replacement and landscape upgrades in the parking lot area. 

As always, thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing everyone on the course this weekend. Hopefully the weather hold off for the 4BALL tourney!

Course Update 5.22.26

It has been an exceptionally busy few weeks around the property. From hosting the U.S. Open Final Qualifier and conducting full-profile greens soil testing, to continued cart barn improvements and an aggressive schedule of cultural practices on the greens—including vertical mowing, light aeration, and sand topdressing—our team has remained focused on enhancing course conditions while preparing for a busy summer season. Check out the photos and information below to learn more.

Final Stage US Open Qualifying

First of all congratulations to DAC's own T.K. Kim who shot -4 over 36 holes - punching his ticket to  the 2026 US Open at Shinnecock! It was a windy and humid day with both courses holding their own as 123 players from around the world battled for 9 spots. See below for a few photos and hole by hole course stats: 

Wind blowing on 16 Blue (9th hardest hole in R1, 3rd hardest hole in R2.

Asst. Supt. Connor Hansen hand-watering 9 Gold green as USGA officials look on. The front hole location on this green resulted in 9 playing as the hardest hole on Gold during R1 and third hardest in R2.  

11 Blue back tee. The USGA used most of the new back tees added in 2025 on the Blue Course.

Travis Moore and long time USGA Official Jeff Kinsel inspect the hole location on 15 Gold.

Profile Testing on Greens

Last week, we collected "full profile" samples from greens on both courses. The samples will be sent to Thomas Turf Services who will evaluate the physical condition and performance of the entire rootzone profile. These samples extended from 18" to 21" deep, beginning at the turf surface and continuing through the sand-based rootzone mix, gravel drainage layer, and into the underlying subgrade. Testing will provide valuable information on root development, moisture movement, organic matter accumulation, layering, and overall soil structure, helping guide future maintenance practices and long-term agronomic decisions. This is particular true for the Blue Course greens as we work to determine the timeline for future renovations. More information will be provided once we receive the results!

Koby and Connor driving a PVC pipe into the green to collect profile samples. 

The sample from #3 Blue green required a depth of almost 24". 

Another view of the soil profile illustrating organic matter build up at the surface and root depth. 

Cart Barn Improvements

Aesthetic upgrades to the cart barn (next to 18 Gold Green) are nearing completion. Crews worked around the weather and busy tournament schedule to finish rock work, metal replacement, and painting. Our staff is now in the process of adding drainage around the building. 

Cart barn on May 18th.

Adding drainage to catch water from the newly installed gutters on May 21st. 

Cultural Practices on Greens

On May 4th we completed our second aeration of the year on the Gold Course greens. This aeration was relatively light - using a combination of sand topdressing, slicing aerators, and vertical mowing. We will repeat this process in a similar fashion this coming Tuesday on the Blue Course. Overall the goal is to improve putting conditions with the sand and and vertical mowing, while also preparing the root zone for the summer heat with light aeration. 

3 Gold green after sand topdressing and vertical mowing.

Close up of 3 Gold green after using slicing aerator. 

Close up of 3 Gold green after vertical mowing one direction. This process helps minimize the impact of grain on ball roll while also removing thatch. 

 

3 Gold Green on 5.2.26

It was a cool, wet week at the Club, with 0.67" of rainfall creating soft conditions across the property. Despite the weather, our crew did an outstanding job working around the rain to ensure all areas of both courses were mowed and prepared ahead of the 1919 Member-Guest, which kicked off on Friday. The sun is back out today, and conditions are shaping up for an excellent day of golf. Check out the video below for a few snapshots of our maintenance team in action this morning.  

Koby, Travis, and Connor during the hickory stick par 3

AI Generated 1919 version

While the wet weather limited progress at times, we were still able to make some headway on the cart barn upgrades and will continue pushing forward as conditions allow.

Cart barn rock facade is nearing completion. 

Looking ahead, we are scheduled to complete our second greens aeration of the year this Monday and Tuesday. This will be a relatively light aeration. While golfers can expect some temporary disruption, we anticipate a quick recovery, with greens returning to normal conditions by the end of next week.