Newsletter
August 2009
Introduce a Friend to Pheasant Run
Pheasant Run is Celebrating August
*Guests play for Red Hat Member rates During the month of August MEMBERS may bring out their guests on Mondays and Pay Red Hat Member Rates (50% off green fees).
WHO: Member's Guests
WHAT: Member's Guests pay Red Hat Member Rates (50% off green fees)
WHEN: Mondays in August (10, 17, 24 and 31)
WHERE: Pheasant Run Golf Club
WHY: August is Introduce a Guest to Pheasant Run Month
Guest must be playing with member.
CELEBRATING FRIENDSHIP!
New Naturalized Areas
As some of you may have noticed, there have been some minor tweaks to the maintenance at Pheasant Run. Our involvement in the Audubon Co-Operative Sanctuary Program requires a Field Study applicable to our property. Though we had many ideas to choose from, we are doing ours on the returning of maintained turf to a re-naturalized state (no irrigation, no fertilizing, no mowing and no chemical applications).
Some of the areas chosen are identified by green signs which conform to RCGA rules on Environmentally Sensitive Areas. These areas SHOULD NOT be played from, walked through, or used as shortcuts between playing areas. A lot has gone into the beautiful interlocking brick paths over the years and they should be the primary means of movement from hole to hole.
We will also be adding Drop Areas on Midlands #1 green area and Highlands #1 tee area as the proximity to play of the new areas on these holes would make them "Ground under Repair". As per Rule 25.1(c), you will be able to remove your ball from these two areas and drop in the drop area WITHOUT penalty.
Though "taking the long way around" may be inconvenient, the naturalized areas are a prime source of shelter and nesting for many species of birds and animals- your co-operation on steering clear would be greatly appreciated.
Andrew Hardy
Golf Course Superintendent
pheasantturfdept@hotmail.com
Rebuild and Redesign
You might not remember, but the Southern Uplands course used to be the short course! It used to be considered the easiest of the three nines at Pheasant Run.
In 2002 we started a project to rebuild several of the tees on the Southern Uplands (known to the staff simply as "Uplands"). The goal of the project was not only to increase the size of the teeing grounds but to add significant yardage to the course. The sixth hole was first. We added 70 yards to the blue tees and relocated the tee to its current site, adding a dramatic view and bringing into play both ponds (you are welcome!).
Next was # 4 Uplands followed closely by # 9, #8 and finally #2. The collective changes added over 250 yards in length and significantly increased the difficultly of the Uplands course. How much more difficult was certainly an item of discussion with our members, guests and staff.
New Course Rating
This past spring the Rating Team from the GAO re-evaluated the difficulty of all the courses. The course combination with the highest rating is Highlands and Southern Uplands. The rating on this course increased from a course rating to 71.0 to 72.8, and the slope rating increased from 135 to 142. What does all this mean? The course just got a lot tougher! Compared to our neighbours, we offer a very challenging layout, combined with the best scenery in the region.
The response we are receiving is very positive, and we are happy with the results of the project we started 7 years ago. Come check it out and tell us what you think!
Mark Sharpe
Director of Golf
Kids Golf FREE at Pheasant Run
13 and under golf FREE after 2pm 7 days a week with a paying adult.
Children are to be in dress code and have their own set of clubs. Contact the Pro Shop for details 905.898.3917.