IWith spring just around the corner, David Armitage, our Greens Superintendent and his team Robert Latimer and students Devan Dixon Smith and Tyler McGraw are making preparations for the 2009 season.  

2008 was a very busy year.  It was also the year of continuous rain, so David and his team spent much more time cutting the fairways, roughs and tees. We completed Phase 1 of the capital project to improve the 8th hole, completing the new tee and enlarging the green.  Both the tee and the green were available for play by mid July and the feedback from the membership has been very positive, especially about the view from the top of the tee.  Before any recommendations are made on Phase 2 to improve the landing area, we will be soliciting feedback from the members throughout 2009.

Ongoing maintenance of the course will continue with steady improvements in 2009.  Last August, the Greens Committee walked the course with our agronomist, Abdo Badra to test every green. As a result of the maintenance program that was implemented four years ago, I am pleased to report that our greens are in terrific shape.  After discussion with Mr. Badra, the Committee concluded our focus will now shift to improving the tees by implementing a similar maintenance program.  Over the next couple of years, we plan to level and reseed the tees and thin certain trees to allow proper airflow and sunlight.

Our main capital projects for this year will be the removal of the men's 8th tee by the club house,  new stone topping on the lower parking lot up the Club House, removal of all the stumps from the rough, and replacement of sand in all the sand traps for consistency. Some of the sand has been there for decades!   

With the support of the membership and the Board of Directors, I believe that the Dunany Country Club is reaching a mature state as a nine-hole course and future changes will be minimal.  I will keep the membership up-to-date on our progress throughout the year.

As Chairman, I also look forward to working with the members of the Golf Course Improvements Committee and Greens’ Committee.  As always, the Committees welcome your feedback or suggestions.  

Stan Roy
Chairman, Greens Committee