Key Golf Management was contracted to oversee all golf course maintenance efforts two years ago.
Unusually hot late-summer temperatures in Las Vegas created havoc for golf courses during their over-seeding programs. Some courses ended up with only a partial coverage of rye grass. One or two lost their greens entirely. But at Las Vegas National, just the opposite was true. Key Golf Management’s over-seeding efforts were 100 percent successful.
Kip Wolfe of Key Golf credits changes in strategy and upgrading of a well for the terrific over-seeding results at Las Vegas National.
“First of all, we used 50 percent more seed than they used to use here,” he said. “Secondly, $100,000 was spent retrofitting one of the wells, so there was ample water to enhance the germination and growth of the seed. We also did many in-house irrigation changes for better pressure and coverage. Third, the course was closed for 20 days instead of 10.
“But maybe the most important change was that we did the over-seeding a few weeks later this year. By going in late September we were able to take advantage of the cooler temperatures that promote growth of the rye grass. High temperatures fight that growth and promote disease plus re-growth of the bermuda.”
The over-seeding is the latest in a series of upgrades made by Key Golf. The ultimate goal is to raise the golf experience at Las Vegas National to the levels offered during its heyday, when it served as the golf course and 19th hole of choice for the Rat Pack.
“Since Key Management began their work here, it has been like the rising of the Phoenix, from ashes and a cloud of dirt to lush fairways and some of best greens in Las Vegas,” said General Manager Jack Stoberski.
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