Patience needed as courses overseed

A few weeks ago, I woke up and went out to get the paper, and -- you know what? It wasn't hot.

Now granted it was 6:30 in the morning, but still there wasn't even a hint of discomfort. And, to a golf professional like me that can mean only one thing. It's time to overseed.

Of course, I say this with the same enthusiasm I would have for a root canal. After all, if you think overseeding is a pain for players, you should try experiencing it on my end. But, enough whining.

The important thing is for you and your golf-playing brethren to understand the process so you won't be disappointed when you head out to the area courses for the next few weeks.

First, for the uninitiated out there, overseeding is the annual planting and grow-in of cool-weather grasses required to keep area golf courses nice and green through the winter months and on into the spring.

It's necessary because the Tiff/Bermuda hybrid grasses most golf courses use during the warm months go dormant once the temperatures begin to drop. And, no amount of water or fertilizer can keep the courses green. To combat this challenge, courses plant Ryegrass over the top of the sleeping Tiff/Bermuda.

Ryegrass thrives in cool climates and provides an exceptional playing surface. However, it cannot stand the warm summer temperatures of the Las Vegas Valley and quickly dies out once things begin heating up. Fortunately, this is precisely the time the Tiff/Bermuda wakes from its long winter nap, thus allowing courses to make a relatively smooth transition in the spring.

That quick lesson in high-desert agronomy aside, you are probably still wondering if there's anything an avid golfer can do to make fall overseeding less troublesome. Well, fortunately there is.

The first is to shop around. Though the window of opportunity for overseeding is small, many courses try to stagger their planting schedules to give players at least a few playing options during this time. The only trouble is conditions at most golf courses going into overseeding are marginal at best, and immediately following the procedure the course is very delicate, requiring strict restrictions on player access.

The second is a no-brainer if you can "avoid the rush" and secure a tee time in advance. In the past few years, courses that lie in the higher elevations outside Las Vegas -- places like The Revere at Anthem -- have discovered the slightly milder temperatures they enjoy will (with added care) support healthy Ryegrass growth year-round. Because of this, they are able to avoid the cycle of overseeding altogether and offer players excellent conditions at all times.

One final word on overseeding.

Immediately after opening, the grasses on all Las Vegas courses will be extremely fragile. Almost without exception, golf carts will be limited to "cart-paths-only." I know not being able to drive right up to your ball can be a hassle, and I know that lots of times no one is looking over your shoulder, but do all of us a favor and abide by the rules.

I can't stress enough how important this is to the long-term conditioning of the golf courses. And, it will help ensure you of excellent playing conditions later in the season.

If you have other questions about golf in Las Vegas, give me a call in the golf shop at 259-4653.

Clay Meininger is director of golf for The Revere at Anthem golf course. He can be reached at 259-4653 or by e-mail at meiningc@delwebb.com.