It's been a long winter for golfers in the Northeast. Golf has been an afterthought since Christmas, when a blizzard dumped two feet of snow and, with help from follow-up storms, effectively buried the winter playing season on Long Island.
However, there is at least one positive to emerge from the never-disappearing layer of winter snow. In a message posted on the Great Rock Golf Club website, course superintendent Dan Wolf explains that a layer of snow is a benefit to the turf underneath because it protects the grass from cold, dry winds. Much like the Nike golf polos stacked in your closet, winter winds have moisture-wicking properties that drain blades of grass that are left exposed to the harsh elements. Also, the inevitable snow melt enriches the soil and roots with nutrients as the weather begins to warm.
One negative, says Wolf, is the temptation to trample on fresh coats of snow. Frozen turf is easily damaged by heavy foot traffic. "Our management team has been battling visiting snow enthusiasts all winter to ensure our course remains protected for the coming season," says the super.
Wolf and Great Rock general manager Brian Curtin are also eager to unveil the regraded par-3 12th, which was renovated late last season. Wolf says the hole will play more fairly after filling in the front of the green and adding a small ledge in the back. Curtin told Golf On Long Island last season that past superintendents had a tendency to place pins just about anywhere on the green, even though the severely pitched surface contained a shortage of playable hole locations.
Wolf's winter message comes a day after Newsday's Mark Herrmann speculated if this year's storms hurt Long Island golf courses. Wolf and Curtin were featured in Newsday in April 2010.
See also: Great Rock's 12th to be regraded this offseason, will be ready for spring
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