Course Conditions & Updates from Superintendent Brock Campbell (May 2025)

Dear Belmont Members,

As we progress through the season, I want to share an update on our golf course conditions and maintenance efforts to keep you informed and ensure the best possible playing experience.

Weather & Practice Tee Update

This spring has been a challenge, after a dry April, we’ve had nearly 4 inches of rain in May, yet soil temperatures remain around 60°F. This is still too cool for bentgrass and warm-season grasses to thrive, so turf growth remains slow across the course. We are currently mowing rough, tees, fairways, and approaches about once a week. Greens are growing slowly but steadily.Because of the slow turf recovery, the range grass tee is only open on Fridays through Sundays and holidays (like Memorial Day), weather permitting. This limited use helps preserve tee areas and prevent overuse before the season’s end. When using the grass tee, please take divots in a linear pattern to promote faster healing; lines of divots recover in days, whereas patchy damage can take weeks or longer. We’ve also installed new range mats to help protect the turf and provide a better hitting surface.

Sodded Areas

We’ve laid approximately 14,000 square feet of fescue sod around the greens on holes 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, and 18. Traffic control measures are in place to protect these sensitive new areas and encourage proper rooting. Please help us by avoiding these sections, especially on hole 17 where sod was recently placed (5/21). Your cooperation is key to their long-term health.

Drainage Improvements on Hole 16:

We’re addressing ongoing drainage issues near the bunkers on hole 16 by connecting and clearing underground pipes. This project involves deep excavation and careful work to prevent water damage and improve turf conditions. Our goal is to complete this before the Belmont Classic, but the project’s complexity means we’re taking the time needed to do it right. We appreciate your patience as we enhance this critical area.

Traffic Control & Cart Paths

Please continue to follow the enter/exit stake system for cart traffic. Carts may enter the fairway once past the “Enter” stake and must return to the path before the “Exit” stake. These stakes are rotated twice weekly to distribute wear evenly and reduce damage. Additionally, ropelines remain around key bunkers and greens to protect turf from foot traffic, your attention to these boundaries makes a big difference.

Practice Greens

We recently completed a verticutting, light sand topdressing, and fertilization of all three short game practice greens. These greens are still improving, and your help in avoiding divots near these areas—especially around the top green—is greatly appreciated as we work to bring them to our high standards.

Watering Practices as Summer Approaches

With warmer, more humid weather coming soon, our irrigation needs will increase. Our nightly watering focuses on replenishing moisture lost to evapotranspiration without overwatering any areas. Since different turf areas require varying amounts of water, we supplement overhead sprinklers with precise hand watering in the mornings, following mower passes.

You’ll also notice some afternoon watering aimed at cooling turf surfaces rather than soaking the soil. This light watering helps prevent heat stress but must be carefully timed and limited to avoid turf health issues. It often happens between groups, so we ask for your understanding and patience when you see staff watering during play. These efforts are essential to maintaining healthy turf and excellent playing conditions throughout the season.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding as we work hard to keep Belmont Golf Club in peak condition. We look forward to welcoming you out on the course soon!

Warm regards,

Brock Campbell

Golf Course Superintendent

brock.campbell@invitedclubs.com