As indicated by the divots, many of you know that the chipping green is back in use after it's expansion earlier this spring. The green was seeded in early April and has established well, considering the extended periods of cool and wet weather this spring.

The newly seeded portion is currently being mowed at a different height than the green, and we will continue to mow at this height while the remaining spots fill in. The white signs on the chipping area mark the new margin of the green. We ask that you please chip from behind these signs.

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In accordance with the rules of golf, ESA’s are identified by an appropriate agency. In our case the agencies are DuPage County and the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The county will monitor our maintenance and upkeep of the ESA’s for a period of 5 years. We continue to progress on track with expectations through the monitoring process.

ESA’s are marked with a combination of signage and traditional yellow or red stakes identifying them as either a lateral or water hazard. If a hazard stake has a green cap on it, then the area is marked as an ESA and entry is prohibited. If a player hits an errant shot into an ESA, They have the standard options available to them under the rules of golf – except that they cannot enter the area to retrieve their ball or play their shot. If the hazard stakes do not have a green cap then the area is not designated as an ESA and should be treated as a normal hazard. The signage that is used in conjunction with the ESA’s reads “Environmentally Sensitive Area- Entering This Area is prohibited.”

It is important that members understand the significance of this topic. When you bring a guest to the club, make sure that they are aware of the ESA’s. It is possible that your guest may not be familiar with how to apply the rules of golf as they relate to ESA’s (not all courses have designated environmentally sensitive areas). If you have any specific questions regarding ESA’s or how to treat an errant shot that has come to rest in an ESA, please contact the Golf Course Superintendent or Golf Shop.

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Members often ask:”What can I do to help care for, and protect the golf course?” We ask that each member please consider the following items in order to keep the course in great condition.

1. Scatter cart traffic. One of our main goals is to improve beaten areas caused by cart traffic. We ask for everyones help in scattering the cart traffic. Don’t simply follow earlier cart traffic patterns.

2. Always replace your divots. Whether the replaced divot will live is for our crew to determine and to repair. Replacing your divot is a kind courtesy to golfers behind you.

3. Do not over-fill divots. Simply sprinkle a fine base in the divot. Overseeding will result in new grass growth being cut and killed by the mowers.

4. Repair your guests, and other ball marks on the greens, including your own.

5. Dispose of cigarette and cigar butts in the trash cans provided at each tee box.

6. Cigar smokers, please mind your ashes while putting.

7. Keep carts 30 feet from all sides of the greens. Cart destruction of playable areas surrounding the green is a key priorities.

8. Keep carts on the path around all practice areas.

9. Please be understanding when the Superintendent implements cart retrictions, or delays play on account of frost. Our goal is to provide the best possible playing conditions for all the members and their guests.

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