Work underway to prep Highlands for pro tourney

The Highlands Golf Course will be ready for the Adams Pro Tour when the event begins May 24, Keith Ihms, Golf Maintenance director, assured the Golf Committee at the meeting last Wednesday.

It's takes a while for the Bermuda grass that makes up most of the fairways in Bella Vista to green up, Ihms said. Traditionally, Highlands is the last course to green because it tends to be slightly cooler and there's more shade.

There was some winter damage on the course, Ihms said, but most of the damage was around tee boxes, an area that is less important to the professional golfers. He's using extra chemicals on the fairways and collars to help the greening process.

Cart part work at the Highlands will be postponed until after the tournament to free golf maintenance staff for work on the grass.

"Will we be perfect? No," Ihms said. "But with this kind of weather, we'll be pretty good."

Meanwhile, he plans to keep golf carts on paths for several weeks before the tournament and some group play may be moved to other courses. He also plans to speak to the volunteer groups, Friends of the Highlands, and give them some assignments.

Ruth Hatcher, the board's liaison to the Golf Committee, reminded the group that when the American Junior Golf Association held their tournament at the Highlands, it was planned well over a year in advance so the staff had plenty of time to prepare the course. Also, it was held in July, which gave the grass time to grow in.

The pros on the Adams Tour understand the seasonal challenges of golf courses, she said, and won't be surprised if the course isn't perfect.

A second big event, coming up much sooner, was discussed. Golf Operations Director Phillip Wright predicted that the first ever Golf Fest would be a success. He said an ad for the event on Facebook had reached 30,000 people and 4,300 people shared the post with other golfers. Golf Fest took place on Saturday, April 15.

Regular golf revenues have been good, Golf Operations Manager Darryl Muldoon told the committee. Both annual green fees and annual cart lease fees have been above budget this year.

The weather has helped, General Manager Tom Judson added. The POA as a whole is above budget.

General News on 04/19/2017