Doubles Strategy

By Director of Tennis Rob LeBuhn

Any fundamentally solid doubles team or player will always value two shots above all others: the second serve and the return of service.

 These two shots are paramount not only because they are chronologically the first and second shots played in a match, but also because players have the highest tendency to try and overplay them. Developing a solid second serve to the body as well as a crosscourt return will increase your chances of winning any doubles match. 

 As a general rule, teams that force their opponents to play the most shots catch the most breaks. Teams that attempt to go for big down the line returns and flashy second serves in the corner of the box will lose far more points than they win.

 Enjoy your Fourth of July and I look forward to seeing you all on the courts!

Out with the Old & In with the New

By Golf Superintendent Ben Larsen

This week we started the process of removing the red, white, blue and yellow fairway yardage discs.  Prior to the removal, many of the discs were original and in disrepair.  So, a decision had to be made; replace all discs with a high cost and continual upkeep (edging, cleaning and replacement) or remove all discs completely and use the freed labor towards other course improvements.  In the end, the Grounds Committee agreed to part ways with the fairway discs. 

When the discs were installed 20+ years ago, that is all the golf industry had for yardage indication.  Since then, modern day technology (GPS, lasers, apps, range finders w/prisms, yardage books) offer golfers all the information they need to know distance from the pin or any object on the course.  Not to mention, we are a private club and most members have their distances down pat.

Of course, we would not take something away without adding something in its place.  We will be adding more yardages to the sprinklers (seen above) and cart paths throughout the course. Look for these additions this year.

The Ball Mark Repair

By Golf Superintendent Ben Larsen 

The heavy and frequent amount of rain this season has caused the greens to soften.  Whenever you have softened greens, you will end up with: more ball marks, that are easier to produce, and are larger in size.

Repairing ball marks is a key practice that aids in keeping the putting surface smooth and true for fellow golfers.  In fact, if a fresh ball mark is repaired within minutes, it will heal in 24 hours. Conversely, if a ball mark is delayed in repair or goes without, it may take 2-3 weeks for it to heal.

However, for those golfers who do repair their ball marks, but do it improperly, may cause more damage than leaving it unrepaired.  Below are the steps to properly repair a ball mark.

Begin by inserting the ball mark repair tool at a 45 degree angle and gently pulling towards the center of the ball mark.

Do NOT pry away from the center of the indentation, causing the turf to lift.

Then continue working around the ball mark, gently stretching the surrounding turf toward the center until the indentation is filled.  Less is generally more when it comes to ball mark repair, so this should be done just three or four times; anything more generally adds injury to the already damaged turf

Lastly, gently tamp the repaired ball mark with either your putter or foot. 

If there are any ball marks left without repair the next morning, the Grounds Department will be doing their part to help keep the greens smooth and true.  Pictured above is our new ball mark repair tool.  One simple push and the 4 teeth (located on the bottom) will simultaneously grab and pull the ball mark, leaving the surface smooth and true.

Each greens mower will be equipped with a repair tool, so all greens will be scouted for unrepaired ball marks.

"Where Everybody Knows Your Name..."

By Beverage Manager Lacey Zietlow

Do we all remember the show Cheers, with Norm, Carla and Sam? The characters all had their quirks and qualities …But wasn’t it nice that at the end of the day, they all had a place where everyone knew their names? Much like the good old GBCC.

One of the many benefits of a private membership at the Green Bay Country Club is the relationships that are fostered. We have many longtime staff members that are sometimes reason alone to stop out!  Come visit us, we’ll treat you like family.  We will get to know you, your kids, your personal preferences and especially what you like to drink!

At Green Bay Country Club, we handcraft all our cocktails. From Muddled Old Fashions, Mojitos made with our garden grown mint to the specialty drinks named after members that have invented them.

We also have a wine selection that is sure to please most everyone. Browse our wine book or ask our bartenders for recommendations. They’ll be happy to point you in the right direction.  Are you in the mood for a higher end wine but don’t want to commit to the bottle? Browse our Coravin menu. The Coravin is a device that allows us to pour wine from a bottle without compromising the integrity of the wine after it’s been uncorked.

New this year, we have an expanded our selection of tap beers. We’re aiming to primarily feature local craft selections from Wisconsin or just outside the state. Additionally, we are offering a Member’s Choice option whereby for a nominal fee, any member may choose a keg to be served on our lines and will receive ½ off their choice beer.

So, come on out and visit us in the pub for drinks of any kind whether it be before or after dinner, post golf game or special occasion celebratory drinks. 

Summer/Spring Grounds Update

This past spring, the average low temperature for the months of April and May have been 38 and 45 degrees; while the average high temperatures have been 58 degrees and 65 degrees.  Comparing this year’s temperature averages with the historical average for the month of April and May, we are slightly cooler.  However, the big difference between this year’s spring with the historical average is the amount of precipitation.  This past April and May we totaled 7.45”, while the average total for April and May is 5.31”.
90-Degree Rule
Due to the wet spring and the possibility of the trend continuing, we are implementing a new cart system amongst members.  On marginally wet days during peak season, there will be a third cart option, the 90-degree rule.  Before, the only options were cart path only and no restrictions.  The 90-degree rule will limit damage to the course while speeding up pace of play.  The map of #12 (seen below) displays the proper practice of the 90-degree rule.

The white line signifies the shot path from tee to green.

The yellow line is the proper driving path taken to your second shot and thereafter.

Keep the cart on the path until the you are directly across from the ball.  Once you are directly across from your ball, proceed off the path towards your second shot.  After your shot has been taken, make a gentle turn back towards the cart path and then continue down the path until you reach your next shot.

Spring, Seeds and Flowers

The soil temperatures have been around 54 degrees in the morning and 66 degrees in the afternoon.  In spring, when soil temperatures are within the 50-65 degree range; plants (specifically turf) begin producing seedheads, flowers and fruits.

The misconception when seedheads are present is the rough seems too long or its growing too fast, but the effect is not a matter of length, but a matter of density.  During the seeding time frame, the turf produces seed stalks that are thicker and longer than the turf.  To offset this “thickening” of rough in the spring, we: mow more frequently and delay fertilizing until after seeding is complete.  The seedhead germination persists until soil temperatures reach 70 degrees and above which typically is around mid-June.  

Recently, you may have noticed the tan color amongst our roughs (seen below), which is not from the turf drying out but from seed stalks and seed ready to fall.    

Notice that there is plenty of green turf but the tan color is from the stalks and seedheads.

Although this naturally occurring phenomenon has a negative effect on the playability, it allows the course to seed itself with the same species of bluegrass; which in turn creates consistency overall.  Not to mention by seeding itself, it will aid in the growth of the weak spots throughout the rough.

Projects that we have completed in April & May include:

• Completed the new Outdoor Sport Center Bar – Capital Project

• Cleaned, planted and mulched landscape beds
• Repaired RR ties
• Added stone to cart path curves
• Added red cart path stone to walk-ups on….
• #16 Green
• Cleaned and Scrubbed….
• Tennis Courts
• Pool Deck
• Aerified, Topdressed, Fertilized, Brushed and Rolled Greens
• Aerified, Topdressed, Fertilized & Brushed Tees
• #14 Fairway Drainage
• Sprayed All Playable Fescue
• Sodded
• #17 Creek Bank
• Clubhouse Parking Lot
• Verticut & Fertilized Fairways
• Prepared Tennis Courts
• Prepared Pool
• Installed New Landscape Beds 
• #14 Turnabout
• #8 Triangle
• Clubhouse Flag Pole
• Kitchen’s Vegetable Garden
• Sport Center Gate Entrance
• Sport Center Kitchen Entrance
• 19th Hole Patio
• Planted Annual Flowers

Projects that we will be working on this month include:

• #17 Renovation (out-of-play areas)
• Aerifying Fairways
• Eliminate Phragmite and Re-seed
• Fertilize Rough
• Detail the Golf Course