BY TIM SWOPE
The winds of change are in the air at Eastman Golf Links (EGL), but what’s not changing is the passion that our members have for EGL. That is, and always will be, the foundation for our golf course and what will guide us into 2020 and beyond.
The goal of our Golf Committee is simple: Lead EGL into its next phase of growth by emphasizing the total golf experience. It’s not just about the course but also about creating an experience through relationships, the restaurant, and an atmosphere that the entire family can enjoy.
One major change is how we are opening and closing the golf course each season. After the devastating winter leading into the 2019 season, the Golf Committee, Cross-Country Ski Subcommittee, and ECA maintenance staff realized that we needed to adjust our strategy. The old approach of transitioning from golf to ski and to golf again proved to be too slow and susceptible to the whims of Mother Nature. A group of volunteers, known as the Rapid Response Team (RRT), now assists the maintenance crew in the closing and opening of the course. As a result, the time required to close the course last fall and set up for cross country was essentially cut in half. RRT members cut drainage slits in the greens, applied protective mats and covers, installed boundary stakes and fences, and anything else the maintenance team needed. The same process in reverse was completed this spring to open the course. The ultimate goal is to open the course earlier in the spring with better turf conditions on the greens.
Speaking of the conditions of the greens, the speed of the greens will be a focus this year. The maintenance staff has committed to being more aggressive with the cutting and rolling of the greens as weather permits. The end goal is to create greens that roll faster and more consistently. This is no small task and not without potential consequences of additional stress to the greens. The Golf Executive Committee and maintenance team will review green conditions on a weekly basis to establish the ideal performance and overall health.
Other notes:
- Membership rates remain unchanged for 2020. Memberships can be purchased in the pro shop or via the EGL website: eastmangolflinks.com.
- A new cart path has been installed on Hole 9, along with new forward tee boxes on Holes 2, 6, 8, and 12.
- Several new tournaments have been added, including Par 3 contests, spring and fall Glow Ball, and a “Get Up and Down” short-game challenge. (See the Events sidebar for a complete list)
Tim Swope has been an Eastman resident since 2011, with his wife Becca and two children. He is currently the Golf Committee Chair.
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