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.

 

The Ladies Big 12 Championship is underway on the Gold Course. We’re excited to host this outstanding event and look forward to seeing how the players take on the course. Be sure to check out live coverage of the final round on ESPN. Tournament Website

We received just under 0.5" of rain on Tuesday, but crews worked around the weather to ensure both courses are well-prepared for the championship, member play, and the 1919 Member-Guest, which kicks off next week.

Additional work this week included planting new sod in several areas, including the #16 Gold fairway, left of #18 Gold green, and all locations where stumps were ground last week. Crews also continued making progress on masonry work at the cart barn, which will resume next week following the conclusion of the tournament. Landscape improvements also continued, with significant progress at the Tennis Facility and Kids Club.

The weather looks great for this weekend and we hope to see everyone out watching and playing golf on both courses. 

Course Update 4.16.26

Vertical mowing with sand top dress on Gold Greens

It was a productive week across both courses as we continue preparing for a busy stretch of golf. Crews completed stump grinding on more than 20 remaining stumps, made two spray applications to the greens, and prepared several areas for new sod, which will be installed today.

All playing surfaces have been fully mowed and detailed in advance of a full weekend that includes the MGA and Senior Club Championship. We have also implemented a slight modification to our bunker-raking practices to help promote firmer, more consistent playing conditions.

Modified bunker raking methods- smooth faces and less aggressive raking

We look forward to a great weekend on the golf course.

Course Update 4.9.26

Panorama of DAC Holes 1, 10, 1, and 6

We received approximately 2" of rain over the Easter weekend, much of which fell in a short period of time. While the moisture was certainly beneficial, the intensity of the rainfall resulted in washed bunkers and a significant amount of debris across both courses. Crews have been actively addressing these areas and continue to make steady progress on cleanup. 

Removing debris after Sunday's storms

Debris piles along #5 Blue

The combination of rainfall and mild temperatures has been ideal for allowing our bentgrass greens to recover quickly from aeration over the past two weeks. Overall playing conditions continue to improve each day as greens are now 90 percent healed. 

Hand-watering 14 Gold Green on 4.9.26

In addition to cleanup efforts, the team made continued progress on aesthetic improvements to the cart barn, completed fertilizer and preventative weed control applications across nearly 200 acres, and performed tree work on several holes throughout the property. 

Cart barn improvements underway on 4.9.26

Looking ahead to next week, we plan to grind more than a dozen remaining stumps, install sod in several areas, and continue advancing landscape improvements, beginning with enhancements around the Tennis Facility. We will also continue preparing for the Big 12 Championship which comes to the Gold Course on less than two weeks!

Course Update 4.2.26

Water flowing into DAC via Long Branch Creek on 4.2.26

We received 0.8" of much-needed rain early this morning, providing a welcome boost to overall course conditions. Both courses remained cart path only today due to a combination of wet conditions and recent fertilizer applications to tees, fairways, and roughs. Notably, we did not have any water flowing into the property via Long Branch Creek—an unusual occurrence for April—but thanks to this rainfall, all ponds are now full and water is once again moving throughout the system.

It is also worth noting that we experienced the 2nd warmest February and the warmest March on record. The impact is noticeable throughout both courses -  especially through drone footage. Check t recent drone photos and video of the Blue Course taken on Sunday, March 29th. 3/29 Drone Photos and Video

Aeration of the Blue Course greens was completed smoothly on Monday, following the same process used on the Gold Course greens 10 days prior. While surfaces remain slightly sandy heading into the weekend, recovery is progressing quickly and conditions will continue to improve in the coming days.

Video of sand topdressing 15 Blue during Monday's aeration

18 Blue on 4.2 - three days after aeration. 

Additional work this week included continued aeration and sand topdressing of approaches, perimeter shrub maintenance, landscape plantings, installation of new irrigation along the right side of #6 Gold, and continued progress on cart barn upgrades.

Replacing perennial plants at Tennis facility.

Irrigation installation on 6 Gold. 

The weather looks excellent for tomorrow, with additional rain in the forecast for Saturday. We hope everyone enjoys a great Easter weekend and look forward to seeing you on the course!

Course Update 3.26.26

NTPGA Pro Scratch on Monday and Tuesday

It was a busy start to the week as we hosted the NTPGA Pro-Scratch while simultaneously completing aeration of the Gold Course greens. The process went smoothly and putting quality should continue to improve through the weekend. Check out the video below showing the aeration process:

We also started aerating and sand topdressing approaches on the Gold Course. 

In addition to aeration and tournament prep, our crew focused on detail work around the property, including trimming perimeter shrubs, landscape bed maintenance, and tree removal. Crews also continued to make steady progress on improvements to the cart barn - the rock facade and roof replacement will take place in coming days. 

Cart Barn Work on 3.25.26

Exceptional warm weather persisted for much of the week, but cooler temperatures are expected to arrive this weekend, which should provide some relief and ideal conditions for turf recovery.

Looking ahead, we will begin fertilizing all tees, fairways, and roughs on Monday, while also aerating Blue Course greens.