Golf course playing conditions excellent despite 40% irrigation reduction
(COPPEROPOLIS, Calif.) – Saddle Creek Resort – the Castle & Cooke golf community in the Sierra Nevada foothills of Calaveras County – has reduced irrigation of its golf course by 40%, saving 400,000 gallons of water daily since June.
Despite the cutback, Saddle Creek’s highly-regarded layout is in excellent shape. Led by superintendent Pat Smyth, the maintenance team has made several adjustments to its typical turf care practices to ensure course conditions remain first-rate. They include:
• Concentrating irrigation efforts on tees, fairways and greens
• Watering the rough at a greatly reduced rate
• Limiting many 360-degree sprinkler heads to making 180-degree turns
• Hand watering and syringing fairways
“We need to do what’s right for California,” says Rick Morgan, General Manager. “At the same time, we’re giving our guests a glimpse of how golf courses may routinely look a bit more ‘brown’ in the very near future.”
Saddle Creek reports players have been very receptive to the changes. The course’s consistent, smooth putting surfaces remain, complemented by firm-and-fast landing areas that help players hit drives longer than ever before.
“We can’t say enough about what a phenomenal job Pat and his team has done to implement the new program,” adds Morgan. “Our head golf professional Tyler Brown has also been integral to the process as the point person communicating the rationale for these changes to our golfers.”
Saddle Creek is routed through undulating terrain and features stunning views of the Sierra Nevada and Yosemite mountains. Since opening in 1996, the par 72, 6,826-yard course has been heralded by players of all skill levels. It is annually ranked by Golfweek as a “Best Course You Can Play” in California alongside acclaimed layouts like Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill, Pasatiempo and Torrey Pines’ South Course.
For more information about Saddle Creek, including stay-and-play packages: 209.785.7415 or 866.785.7829, www.SaddleCreekGolf.com.
About Saddle Creek Resort
Situated in the rolling foothills of the Central Sierra region just two hours from the Bay Area and 1.5 hours from Sacramento, Saddle Creek Resort sits in the heart of the Copper Valley in Copperopolis. Owned and operated by nationally-renowned developer Castle & Cooke, the premier Northern California golf community is site of the company’s newest Oak Collection homes. Custom construction, eco-friendly “Green-Wise” features and dramatic vistas of the Sierra Nevada make them ideal for vacationers, families and retirees.
Golfers will discover an ethereal collection of shimmering lakes, native trees, indigenous grasses and 100 bunkers punctuating a challenging, thought-provoking course from tee to green. To create an atmosphere of tranquility and isolation, architect Carter Morrish devised a routing in which no two holes run parallel to each other.
In proximity to Saddle Creek Resort is Copperopolis Town Square, a traditionally-designed, Gold Rush era-themed “country town” that is the retail and event hub of the Copper Valley in the Central Sierra region. Featuring charming boutiques, eateries and specialty shops, the pedestrian-friendly Town Square is the perfect place to spend some time after a round of golf.
Contact:
Stephen Reynolds
Buffalo Communications
703.891.3509
sreynolds@buffalocommunications.com
buffalocommunications.com
twitter.com/buffalocomm
