Here we are — Club Championship week at Pine Hollow Club! This is always one of the most exciting times of the year, and after the rollercoaster of weather we've had, it's even more rewarding to say the golf course is prepped and ready for a strong finish to the season.
We began 2025 with a spring filled with below-normal temperatures and above-average rainfall, which transitioned almost immediately into stretches of intense heat and drought. Despite the challenges, our team has worked tirelessly to keep the course healthy, playable, and tournament-ready — and we couldn’t be prouder of the results.
As we look ahead, August marks a turning point in our season. Not only are we wrapping up the peak of tournament play, but we’re also beginning preparations for our final slate of fall events in September and October. At the same time, we’re laying down the foundation for a strong 2026 season, agronomically speaking.
As many of you know from seasons past, late summer is the time we begin restorative work on the course. This includes turf recovery in any stressed areas, aeration across various playing surfaces, and a brief period of easing back on conditioning to allow for healing. By Labor Day Weekend, we’ll be ramping back up to deliver firm, fast conditions heading into the home stretch.
Below this message, you’ll find a breakdown of our upcoming agronomic plans and projects. I believe in sharing the “why” behind our decisions — it’s part of how we continue to care for this great property with the long-term in mind.
On a personal note, I just want to say: this season has been a lot of fun for me and the entire Green Department team. Battling the elements alongside a dedicated staff and an engaged membership is what makes Pine Hollow such a special place. Now, it’s your turn to battle the course — and your fellow competitors — in the remaining rounds of the Club Championship.
Best of luck to all the players!
Thank you for your continued support and belief in our work over the past 11 seasons. We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished and can’t wait to finish strong with some awesome golf still to come.
Aeration
As we move through August, aeration efforts are underway to support long-term turf health and recovery from summer stress:
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Fairways and High-Impact Areas: Deep-tine aeration will be performed in compacted and poorly draining zones such as low spots and high-traffic areas. This process promotes deeper rooting, improves drainage, and helps turf withstand both drought and saturation cycles. Starting Monday 8/11/25 until completion.
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Greens: 1/4 needle-tine if weather is too oppressive of 1/4 hollow tine to remove material and open airways for rooting and recovery. Tuesday 8/12/25.
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Tees, Approach, and Collections: 5/8 Hollow tine aeration will be performed to relieve compaction and improve density in weakened or worn areas. 5/8 Solid tine aeration in approaches, collections, and cleanups. Starting Monday 8/11/25 collections and cleanups with Wednesday 8/13/25 for tees.
Roughs: Weak areas in rough will be aerated, slice/seeded, and fertilized to maximize seed catch and restore any tired or toasted areas. As needed throughout August/September current or future areas.
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Driving Range Tees/Practice Areas: Driving Range Tees will be aerated and slice/seeded on Monday 8/11/25 on both sides and will be closed until Friday 8/29/25 for seed to germinate and recover from a busy teaching and hitting season. Thank you for your understanding.
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Our goal is to balance recovery with playability, and every aeration event is thoughtfully scheduled to have minimal disruption while maximizing agronomic benefit.
Greens:
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Mowed at 0.105 inches (CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK) then back to .110, 7 times per week
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Double-rolled on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to enhance smoothness and speed
Tees, Collars & Approaches:
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Mowed at 0.350 inches, 3 times per week
Fairways:
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Mowed at 0.375 inches, 3 times per week
Rough:
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Mowed at 2.75 inches, once weekly
Pin & Tee Setup
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Greens and tees are set 6 times per week
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Ensures fresh pin locations and ideal playing conditions daily
Bunkers
Routine Maintenance:
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Touch-up raking: Monday & Thursday
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Full raking: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday
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Sand consistency: Thin areas are topped off as needed; recent sand depth checks and cleanings have been completed prior to C.C. and will continue as needed.
Topdressing Program
Our biweekly greens topdressing with fine sand is underway to:
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Smooth and firm surfaces
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Improve green speed and playability
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Support root zone health and turf vigor
This program complements our vertical mowing and grooming strategy aimed at top-tier playing conditions.
Spray Program
The full-season spray schedule is active and continues weekly through November, including:
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Plant protectants
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Fertilizers (as needed)
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Growth regulators
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Pre-emergent herbicides
Applications cover all short-cut turf, roughs, range, and lawn areas.
Clubhouse Grounds
Landscaping is in full swing:
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All flowers are thriving! We will be thinning out some perennial beds and wildflower areas as flowers start to get past their flowering prime.
Summer pruning of shrubs and landscape is continuous as plants grow during the season.
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Beds are continuously being weeded, mulched, and pruned. Once we finish, we lap back around for the freshest appearance possible.
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Remember: the more rain we get, the faster undesirable plants return
Ongoing maintenance will ensure pristine presentation and enjoyable views throughout the season.
Course Detailing
We're actively refining the course’s presentation by:
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Edging around irrigation heads and valve boxes.
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Sodding and repairing cart path edges and bunker banks as heat and wear impact our appearance. Please follow directional roping and staking while keeping carts to paths as much as possible.
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Pruning dead material, low branches, and sucker limbs from trees.
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Repairing divots as needed.
Racquet Sports Update
Tennis Courts:
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Watered, rolled, brushed, and lined daily
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Bi-weekly calcium applications to aid moisture retention and surface consistency
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Walkways cleaned as much as possible. Note: overnight watering and storms may wash material onto paths—please use caution as these areas can be slick
Pickleball Courts:
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Blown and cleaned every morning for optimal playability and appearance
Padel Courts:
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Fully ready for play and our pro-staff is ready to show you this exciting game
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Sand topdressing can be applied to firm the surface and enhance play speed and consistency
Yours for Better Turf,
Brent Peveich
Golf Course Superintendent
Pine Hollow Club
