The weather is quickly becoming much more winter-like than fall-like and the secondary golf season appears to be coming to an end. We will continue to monitor the weather conditions and keep the course open for play as long as possible. The primary factor in this decision, besides snow cover of course, is freezing and thawing of the soil. Once the nighttime temperatures regularly drop below freezing, the subsequent thawing of the soil during the day creates an unstable surface that results in potential turf damage from any type of traffic.

Turfgrass roots can be sheered off, leaving the plants in a weakened state that can carry over to next season. Therefore, once these weather and ground conditions occur, we will close the course for the winter season, and barring an unusual extended period of mild weather, keep it closed until early spring when warmer weather returns. In closing, I would like to wish everyone a very safe and happy holiday season!

I hope to see most of you around the clubhouse this winter, and look forward to the beginning of the 2012 golf season!