Linda DeWitt
Since the MountainView Course opened over 20 years ago, it has hosted tens of thousands of rounds, extremes in weather and the encroachment of various competing grasses which have marred the putting greens. This spring RCI will fund a major project to revitalize and improve the course by replacing the greens with completely new grass putting surfaces! This construction project will begin in late April using a multi-step process requiring the closure of MountainView for several months beginning in early May.
The new grass surface will be MiniVerde, an ultra-dwarf grass which provides a better and consistent putting surface due to its fine leaf blades and high shoot density. MiniVerde is darker green in color and offers excellent low temperature color retention. Its versatility permits MiniVerde to be mowed at collar height as well, letting the maintenance crew battle encroachment issues on the edge of the collar instead of on the green. Another major advantage—MiniVerde will not be overseeded, resulting in a longer playing season without a transition period as we’ve been accustomed to!
Several local area courses have switched to this grass, including our neighbors in SaddleBrooke, LaPaloma and Rancho Vistoso. Once the work is completed, the new greens will help add to our community’s reputation for having multiple, fine golfing options. These improvements will also help give our community a golfing venue on a level with many of the premier courses in the Tucson area, only adding to the value of the overall SaddleBrooke community
The current schedule below depends on factors such as weather, construction requirements and materials availability and may be adjusted. Once construction begins, stay tuned for updates on the project’s progress which will be communicated via bi-weekly edition of the Friday Flagstick.
April 28—Afternoon—spray all the greens to begin to kill the current mix of grasses. (Spraying will begin after the MPWGA Member/Guest completes play that day)
May 4—MountainView officially closes for all play. This includes the practice putting and chipping greens. Due to the presence of heavy equipment and other machinery staged in the practice areas, the driving range will also be closed for safety reasons.
May 6— Initiate a second round of spraying
May 11 through 12—-Begin stripping dead grasses off greens
June 1—Begin planting of new grass sprigs
Additional improvements to be completed during the closure:
Minor re-contouring of select greens
Update and improve some greenside bunkers
Addition of some new forward tees to support the Play it Forward initiative
Depending on the progress of the project, the new greens and other improvements will hopefully be ready when the MountainView reopens for play after overseeding.