Golf News

The golf course and its landscaping is laid out to discourage golfers hitting balls that end up within private property. Although no golf frontage property can be totally immune from the occasional really badly hit ball, the Club constantly reviews what it can do to improve and use the landscaping to make this even less likely. These improvements effectively enhance enjoyment of the course for most golfers by encouraging them to play the better shot and reducing penalties incurred for going out of bounds or losing balls.

Stimulated by comments from a resident, a study over the past several months of golf ball activity on the right hand side of Hole 16, taking account of the numbers of players and the seasonal strengths and directions of the wind, has confirmed that adjustment of the existing landscaping would be worthwhile to improve the players focus from the tee and to block bad shots. The Club wishes to let you know what these measures will be:

The Tee Area: Protective netting from the joint boundary of 7 and 8 The Powderhorn running diagonally behind the poplars to the cart track, with mature Euphorbia being planted along the right hand side of the ladies tee. This will prevent any tee shot, hit to the right, from continuing its flight towards the out of bounds and properties. Moreover it will help turn the golfer's address, and hence shot, further left.

Fairway: Removal of the rocks and tall cacti located to the front left of the tees in the desert hard pan just before the fairway. Level off the desert hard pan in that area and start the fairway approximately 40 metres closer to the tee complex. This will create a perspective of much greater openness to the left compared with increased density to the right, further channeling the golfers focus away from the right. The new and closer fairway grass will reduce the tendency to over hit and lose accuracy in order to "carry" what seemed to be a long stretch of desert to some golfers.

White Directional Sign: This has already been moved approximately 20 metres further left, the objective being to complement and confirm the other measures taken around the tee complex to encourage golfers to aim further left.

Boundary Planting: Further mature planting to replace failed trees on the earth mounding along the right hand side of the fairway, together with some younger poplars to mature over time. Dense planting of mature height will also be introduced on the lower slopes of the mounding alongside the cart track. These works will provide cover from errant shots hit towards the properties. The planting on the lower slopes will also discourage players from attempting to hit shots that may end up out of bounds.

The schedule of works, which commenced last week, is anticipated to be completed within 6 weeks. Disruption to play, as always, will be kept to an absolute minimum and we ask you to please be patient.

For further information contact: José Ignacio Olea
Email: jioz@almanzora.com
Telephone: +34 670 613 900

GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT
‘NEWS LETTER’
May 2012

Dear Member / Property Owner,

Following on from the ‘The Golf Course Superintendents News Letter’ sent to you in March which was designed to keep you up to date with all of the important maintenance procedures which were scheduled to take place on The Indiana Course in April, we are pleased to be able to give you an update on the works carried out and to inform you of the schedule of works which shall take place in May 2012.

APRIL COURSE MAINTENANCE UPDATE

Verti Draining Fairways

The programme of verti-draining the Indiana Course fairways continued as per the schedule.

Hollow Coring Tees

The hollow coring and topdressing of the tees has been completed.

Irrigation Changes to Green Surround Hole 1

The changes to the irrigation system on green surround 1 will now take place in May.

Hollow Coring Greens Approaches

The hollow coring of the greens approaches has been completed on holes 4, 6, 13 and 14. The remaining work of topdressing and overseeding will take place in May.

Golf Course Tee Marker Signs

The Tee Marker signs from the 15th and 17th hole are currently being refurbished. During this time a laminated tee marker sign has been placed as a temporary replacement. The program of refurbishment will take most of the year to complete.

MAY COURSE MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME

Hollow Coring Greens

The scheduled programme of hollow coring the greens has been altered to take into account the value of hollow coring the greens at this time. The greens will now be solid tined, which is less invasive and will reduce stress to the greens putting surface during recovery.

Hollow Coring Greens Approaches

The remaining greens approaches on holes 1, 2, 8, 10, 15, 16, 17 and 18 will be hollow cored, topdressed and overseeded. These procedures will help reduce soil compaction and improve both turf grass quality and playing conditions in front of each green.

Verti Draining Fairways

The programme of verti-draining the fairways will continue in May. This particular aspect of golf course maintenance is both extremely necessary and time consuming, so we ask you to please bear with us until its completion. Disruption to play, as always is kept to an absolute minimum.

Irrigation Changes to Green Surround Hole 1

To improve the uniformity of the irrigation coverage, additional sprinkler heads will be placed on the green surround. During this time, trenching work across the turf playing surface will be needed. As always, disruption to play will be kept to a bare minimum. Golf Reception will keep golfers updated of the works being carried out.

2012 Greens Hollow Coring Dates

In the knowledge that all Property Owners and Members need to have as much notice as possible concerning particular aspects of the golf course maintenance schedule that may temporarily effect the playing conditions of the greens surface, thus enabling them to plan particular holidays accordingly, please see below the remaining scheduled coring date for 2012.

5th and 6th November*

*In Addition the Putting Green, Chipping Green and Driving Range Tee will be closed for hollow coring on Wednesday 7th November.

This particular program is an essential part of golf course maintenance. This practice creates the required environment for strong vigorous roots to grow, the very essence of golf course maintenance.

You will be able to keep up to date with the full tournament and social schedule, format and any additions, information of how to enter, and much, much more by visiting either our official website or alternatively, reading the notice boards in both the Men’s and Ladies locker rooms in the Clubhouse whilst at the Resort.

We and the staff at Desert Springs are looking forward to seeing you on The Indiana course in the near future.

Kind Regards		Kind Regards
José Ignacio Olea Golf Operations Manager		Anthony Brooks Golf Course Superintendent

For further information contact: Golf Reception
Email: golfreservations@almanzora.com
Telephone: +34  637 861 591

Handicap Committee Member Paul Taylor has requested that the Club issue the following announcement for all members at Desert Springs:

Handicap Reminder

1. All Spanish Federated Members are required to provide their Non-Spanish (if they have one) Handicap Certificate once a year, between January and Easter which is used to carry out a review to ensure that the Home Club handicap and Spanish Federation handicap are kept reasonably in line.
   
   Please submit your non-federated 2012 handicap certificate ASAP .
   
   
2. All Non-Spanish Federated Members are required to produce their handicap certificate with their entry form for a competition.

Failure to submit a handicap certificate as above may result in a golfer being disqualified from a competition that they have played in.

The Desert Springs Handicapping System

The Handicap system introduced in May 2008 has now settled down and is generally accepted as a fairer method of managing handicaps for Spanish Federated Members, Non-Spanish Federated members and guests.

The system we are using is as follows:

1. For those members who have both a Spanish license and another official handicap in a different country, they will be asked to present at the beginning of the year a current handicap certificate to review and evaluate if any adjustment must be made. This player will play off the Official Spanish Federation Handicap all the time they are in Spain.
   
2. For members and guests not affiliated to the Spanish Federation, they will be asked for an official current active handicap certificate every time they wish to enter a Desert Springs Club Competition. If the player records a round where the handicap is lowered, an adjustment will be applied for the next competitions. Subsequent rounds where there is an addition to the handicap can only take place a negative adjustment back to zero. In other words, a person not affiliated to the Spanish Federation will not play at a higher handicap than the handicap certificate states, but can play at a lower handicap if the scores allow for a handicap reduction. This adjustment should be used all the time a golfer is playing in Spain.

An example:

This adjustment is the one that is updated after each tournament and posted on the club notice board and is added to the competitors club handicap.

The reason that we have to use this system is that there is no reciprocation between the Spanish Federation and other handicapping systems.

The system does favour, slightly, the Spanish Federated members and we do encourage all members to join the Spanish Federation.

Some benefits from joining the Spanish Federation are:

• Insurance on all golf courses in Spain.
• No need to present your handicap certificate on every competition.
• Handicap can go up and down.
• It is the committee’s policy to move towards a position where only Spanish Federation Handicaps are accepted for Club Competitions.

For more information, please contact Handicap Committee Members Paul Taylor and Lynne Taylor.

For further information contact: Handicap Committee
Email: paul.f.taylor@btinternet.com
Telephone: +44 (0) 1277 286120

It is a pleasure for me to be your Captain this year at Desert Springs and to represent you during the period 1st April 2012 to 31st March 2013 and welcome all our Members and Owners to enjoy their golf and social events.

Firstly I would like to introduce you our committee for this year:

With their knowledge and help and your participation in the tournaments I am sure the year is going to be a successful one. Our next committee meeting is scheduled on 12th April 2012 and any suggestions from you would be appreciated.

Our Charities this year are as follows:

1. Asociación de Minusválidos de Cuevas del Almanzora
2. Programa de Educación para Iberoamérica
   
   

We start with four very important Competitions during APRIL

• The Easter Cup – Sunday - 8th.
• The Club Championship & Handicap Salver - Tuesday and Wednesday – 10th & 11th.
• The Captain´s Drive-In – Friday -13th.
• The Indiana Masters - Saturday and Sunday – 21st & 22nd.
  

Social Events:

• The Club Championship – 10th & 11th April. Prize giving and Honors Dinner on Thursday 12th, at El Torrente Restaurant.
  
• The Captain’s Drive-in - 13th April. This year theme will be the 2012 London Olympics. Come and represent your country before you attend The Beatles Party at the Crocodile Club. You can imagine what it will look like so come and join me for a good time back in the 60´s!

• Traditional Spanish Bullfighting Show – 14th April. The animal will not be hurt at anytime, so book at the Golf Reception.

• The Indiana Masters – 22nd April. Prize giving and Menu del Día at El Torrente Restaurant.

Looking forward to seeing you all at Desert Springs,
Sergio Saavedra – Club Captain

For further information contact: Sergio Saavedra
Email: sergiosaavedra@registradores.org
Telephone: +34 649 957 522

GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT
‘NEWS LETTER’
APRIL 2012

Dear Member / Property Owner,

Following on from the ‘The Golf Course Superintendents News Letter’ sent to you in February which was designed to keep you up to date with all of the important maintenance procedures which were scheduled to take place on The Indiana Course in March, we are pleased to be able to give you an update on the works carried out and to inform you of the schedule of works which shall take place in April 2012.

MARCH COURSE MAINTENANCE UPDATE

Hollow Coring Greens

The greens have been hollow cored as per the schedule.

Verti Draining Fairways

The programme of verti-draining the Indiana Course fairways continued as per the schedule with the completion of holes 4, 7, 9, 10, 11 and 12.

APRIL COURSE MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME

Verti Draining Fairways

The programme of verti-draining the fairways will be continuing in April. This particular aspect of golf course maintenance is both extremely necessary and time consuming, so we ask you to please bear with us until its completion. Disruption to play, as always is kept to an absolute minimum.

Hollow Coring Tees

The tees need to be hollow cored to help dilute soil compaction and improve air and water movement throughout the soil profile. This maintenance program will take two weeks to complete. During this time tee markers may be moved to adjacent teeing areas so that work can continue uninterrupted.

Irrigation Changes to Green Surround Hole 1

To improve the uniformity of the irrigation coverage, additional sprinkler heads will be placed on the green surround. During this time, trenching work across the turf playing surface will be needed. As always, disruption to play will be kept to a bare minimum. Golf Reception will keep golfers updated of the works being carried out.

Hollow Coring Greens Approaches

Each green approach will be hollow cored, topdressed and overseeded. These procedures will help reduce soil compaction and improve both turf grass quality and playing conditions in front of each green.

Golf Course Tee Marker Signs

Over the following months, the golf course tee marker signs are being refurbished to improve their appearance. During this time a laminated tee marker sign will be used as a temporary replacement.

2012 Greens Hollow Coring Dates

In the knowledge that all property owners and members need to have as much notice as possible concerning particular aspects of the golf course maintenance schedule that may temporarily effect the playing conditions of the greens surface, thus enabling them to plan particular holidays accordingly, please see below the remaining scheduled coring dates for 2012.

2nd and 3rd May*
5th and 6th November*

*In Addition the Putting Green, Chipping Green and Driving Range Tee will be closed for hollow coring until 4pm on Friday 4th May and Wednesday 7th November respectively.

This particular program is an essential part of golf course maintenance. This practice creates the required environment for strong vigorous roots to grow, the very essence of golf course maintenance.

You will be able to keep up to date with the full tournament and social schedule, format and any additions, information of how to enter, and much, much more by visiting either our official website or alternatively, reading the notice boards in both the Men’s and Ladies locker rooms in the Clubhouse whilst at the Resort.

We and the staff at Desert Springs are looking forward to seeing you on The Indiana course in the near future.

Kind Regards		Kind Regards
José Ignacio Olea Golf Operations Manager		Anthony Brooks Golf Course Superintendent

For further information contact: Golf Reception
Email: golfreservations@almanzora.com
Telephone: +34  637 861 591

Desert Springs is holding its eighth elections amongst members to choose a Vice-Captain, Treasurer and two members for each of the Club’s Handicap and Competitions Committees, for the period 1st April 2012 through to 31st March 2013. The closing date for all completed ‘Club Officials Election Nomination’ forms to be returned to the Club was 18.00 hrs, February 28th.

José Ignacio Olea, Golf Operations Manager commented,

“In accepting their nomination, these Nominees confirm their willingness to represent fellow members and to build upon the foundations created by previous Club Officials for the benefit of all. We would take this opportunity to encourage all members to show their confidence in them.”

Where a person has been nominated more than once, we have only listed one of the nominations.

The following persons have accepted their nomination and secondment to be put forward for election to the office of:

A ‘Desert Springs Golf Club Officials Vote Form’ identifying all those persons put forward for election to each position has been sent to all members. They are also available at the Clubhouse reception and an e-mail vote form has been posted on our website in the Owners section.

The qualification for voting is that all persons wishing to vote must be current members of the Desert Springs Golf Club.

All completed voting forms must be returned to the Clubhouse Reception at Desert Springs by 18.00 hrs on March 31st by hand, e-mail or fax, but preferably not by post in view of the vagaries experienced. Once validated, the votes submitted will be counted and the names of the successful candidates elected for office by the membership along with the number of votes received will be announced.

For further information contact: José Ignacio Olea
Email: jioz@almanzora.com
Telephone: +34 670 613 900

GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT
‘NEWS LETTER’
MARCH 2012

Dear Member / Property Owner,

Following on from the ‘The Golf Course Superintendent’s News Letter sent to you in January which was designed to keep you up to date with all of the important maintenance procedures which were scheduled to take place on The Indiana Course in February, we are pleased to be able to give you an update on the works carried out and to inform you of the schedule of works which shall take place in March 2012.

FEBRUARY COURSE MAINTENANCE UPDATE

Bunker Edging

The remaining bunkers to be edged on holes 3 and 5 have been completed.

Desert Hardpan Improvements

Since the introduction of the desert hardpan grading and rolling program, the playing conditions have been greatly improved as noted by our Members. The remaining desert hardpan areas on holes 1, 2, 16 and 18 will be cleared of naturally occurring desert plants, graded and rolled. Areas of the hardpan beyond that of the normal playing areas will be remain natural.

Solid Tining Greens

Due to the cold weather conditions we have experienced in February of this year, the solid tining of the greens has not taken place.

Verti Draining

The program of verti draining the fairways has commenced on Hole 15.

Distance Marker Posts

The 100m, 150m and 200m distance marker posts placed along the edges of the fairways to identify their respective distances to the front of each green have been resurveyed for distance. A wooden base has been located under each marker post. This will allow easy removal of stake during play, if needed, but more importantly will allow the correct replacement of the stake thereafter.

MARCH COURSE MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME

Verti Draining Fairways

The program of verti draining the fairways will continue throughout March. This particular aspect of course maintenance is both extremely necessary and time consuming, so we ask you to please bear with us until its completion. Disruption to play, as always, will be kept to an absolute minimum.

Hollow Coring Greens

As previously advised, please be reminded that the greens will be hollow cored on Monday 19th and Tuesday 20th of March, with 6mm tines. The hollow coring of the greens is a practice which is scheduled each year to both maintain and enhance the playing quality of the putting surfaces with which we are accustomed at The Indiana and The Golf Academy. This practice creates the required environment for strong vigorous roots to grow, the very essence of golf course maintenance.

2012 Greens Hollow Coring Dates

In the knowledge that all property owners and members need to have as much notice as possible concerning particular aspects of the golf course maintenance schedule that may temporarily effect the playing conditions of the Greens surface, thus enabling them to plan particular holidays accordingly, please see below the scheduled coring dates for 2012.

2nd and 3rd May
5th and 6th November

This particular program is an essential part of golf course maintenance. This practice creates the required environment for strong vigorous roots to grow, the very essence of golf course maintenance.

You will be able to keep up to date with the full tournament and social schedule, format and any additions, information of how to enter, and much, much more by visiting either our official website or alternatively, reading the notice boards in both the Men’s and Ladies locker rooms in the Clubhouse whilst at the Resort.

We and the staff at Desert Springs are looking forward to seeing you on The Indiana course in the near future.

Kind Regards		Kind Regards
José Ignacio Olea Golf Operations Manager		Anthony Brooks Golf Course Superintendent

For further information contact: Golf Reception
Email: golfreservations@almanzora.com
Telephone: +34  637 861 591

As announced on 29th January, Desert Springs is holding its eighth annual election for members to choose a Vice-Captain, Treasurer and two members for each of the Club’s Handicap and Competitions Committees, for the period 1st April 2012 through to 31st March 2013. All members were sent a ‘Desert Springs Golf Club Officials Election Nomination Form’, an e-mail form was posted in the Owners section on our web site and copies have been displayed at the Golf reception in the Club House.

José Ignacio Olea, Golf Operations Manager commented,
“We are advising the membership of the nominations received to date as we believe that this will assist in the process and remove uncertainty as to whether anyone has been nominated for any particular role already or not.”

In the case where a person has been nominated more than once, we have listed only one of the nominations.o date the following persons have accepted their nomination and secondment to be put forward for election to the office of:

With only 8 days remaining, please remember that all completed nomination forms must be returned by hand, e-mail, fax or post to the Clubhouse reception to arrive no later than 18.00 hrs on February 28th.

Immediately after this date, each member will be sent a ‘Voting Form’ identifying all those persons going forward for election to each position.

All completed voting forms must then be returned to the Clubhouse at Desert Springs by 18.00 hrs on March 31st, again, by hand, e-mail, fax or post. Following the verification of the validity of the voting forms submitted and their counting, the names of the successful candidates elected for office by the membership will be announced.

For further information contact: Golf Clubhouse Reception
Email: golfreservations@almanzora.com
Telephone: +34 637 861 591/2

GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT
‘NEWS LETTER’
FEBRUARY 2012

Dear Member / Property Owner,

Following on from the ‘The Golf Course Superintendent’s News Letter sent to you in December which was designed to keep you up to date with all of the important maintenance procedures which were scheduled to take place on The Indiana Course in January, we are pleased to be able to give you an update on the works carried out and to inform you of the schedule of works which shall take place in February 2012.

JANUARY COURSE MAINTENANCE UPDATE

Bunker Edging

Bunker edging has been completed on holes 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18. The remaining bunkers will be edged in February.

Desert Hardpan Rolling

The program of rolling the desert hard pan in golf playing areas has greatly improved the playability of the desert hardpan. The schedule of desert hardpan rolling will become a routine maintenance procedure in 2012.

Solid Tining Greens

The solid tining of the greens has been completed as per the schedule.

FEBRUARY COURSE MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME

Edging Bunkers

The maintenance teams will edge the remaining bunkers on the golf course. This will continue to enhance and define the aesthetic appearance of the golf course. Any bunker being worked on will be deemed ground under repair.

Verti Draining Fairways

The program of verti draining the fairways will start in February. This particular aspect of course maintenance is both extremely necessary and time consuming, so we ask you to please bear with us until its completion. Disruption to play, as always, will be kept to an absolute minimum.

Solid Tining Greens

The greens are now being solid tined twice per month, weather permitting, with 5mm pencil tines. These holes are only open (noticeable) for the first 2 days thereafter. Increasing oxygen uptake to the root system will reduce the negative impact of accumulated salts within the soil profile. There is no noticeable effect to the playing quality of the greens surface.

2012 Greens Hollow Coring Dates

In the knowledge that all property owners and members need to have as much notice as possible concerning particular aspects of the golf course maintenance schedule that may temporarily effect the playing conditions of the Greens surface, thus enabling them to plan particular holidays accordingly, please see below the scheduled coring dates for 2012.

19th and 20th March
2nd and 3rd May
5th and 6th November

This particular program is an essential part of golf course maintenance. This practice creates the required environment for strong vigorous roots to grow, the very essence of golf course maintenance.

You will be able to keep up to date with the full tournament and social schedule, format and any additions, information of how to enter, and much, much more by visiting either our official website or alternatively, reading the notice boards in both the Men’s and Ladies locker rooms in the Clubhouse whilst at the Resort.

We and the staff at Desert Springs are looking forward to seeing you on The Indiana course in the near future.

Kind Regards		Kind Regards
José Ignacio Olea Golf Operations Manager		Anthony Brooks Golf Course Superintendent

For further information contact: Golf Reception
Email: golfreservations@almanzora.com
Telephone: +34  637 861 591

The Desert Springs Golf Club Committee, which holds office for the period 1st April 2011 - 31st March 2012, held its last official Committee meeting on Monday, 9th of January 2012. At that time it was proposed and approved that a Club Treasurer be introduced as a Committee Member at the commencement of the 2012 Captaincy year.

It is the opinion of the Committee that a Club Treasurer will be an asset to the Club, providing valuable input in such matters as:

• Assisting the Club Captain with the financial statements and processes from the different charity-related events.
• Coordinating the Prize Funds from each Golf Competition.
• Collecting and processing any Members Funds for any unofficial events.

Desert Springs will shortly be announcing the holding of its annual election for members to choose a Vice- Captain and two members for each of the Club's Handicap and Competitions Committees, for the period 1st April 2012 through to 31st March 2013. This annual election will also include the facility of election by the members for a Club Treasurer.

If you request any further information, then please contact Desert Springs Club Captain Wikkie de Graaf.

For further information contact: Wikkie de Graaf
Email: wdegraaf45@hotmail.com
Telephone: +34 655 411 673