Dear Members and Friends of Canoa Ranch Golf Club and Torres Blancas Golf Club

June 1, 2016

Dear Members and Friends of Canoa Ranch Golf Club and Torres Blancas Golf Club,

Well, it appears summer is upon us.

Most of our Members and Friends have left the Valley and returned to the cooler climates of the Midwest and other parts of the country. We envy you. Although, I much prefer Green Valley over the Valley of the Sun. The temperatures in Green Valley are at least 10 degrees cooler than Phoenix.

With the summer slowdown of play, it gives Darril and his Maintenance Crews time to complete several projects on the golf courses, ahead of the Fall overseeding. The first project is the aerification and topdressing of the greens at Torres Blancas. This will be done on June 13th and 14th. The course will remain open during this process, with 9 holes available each day. Just like the process recently at Canoa Ranch, the greens will putt slow after aerification to allow the sand to filter into the green. Aerification is an important process for the health of the greens. By making holes and pulling out the core, we are allowing the greens to breathe and at the same time removing some of the organic material that has built up over time. By sanding the greens after aerifying, we are giving the Bermuda roots an easier time of growing, and at the same time filling in the holes with fresh fertilizer and chemical treatments designed to promote growth and health. I know most of you understand this process, but there are some individuals who do not understand why the greens are “slow” and that we need to “roll” the greens. Please understand, we do not like this process any more than you do, however, if we are to maintain healthy putting greens, this is a necessary process. We try and return the greens to ideal conditions as soon as possible. If we tried to mow the greens tight, and give you a stimp reading of “10” right after aerification, we would ruin the mower blades (mowers do not like mowing sand) and rip the remaining grass right off the green. So, thank you for your understanding and patience. We are doing everything we can to return both courses to the former glory they so deserve. Darril and his crew will start aerifying the fairways right after he completes the greens. This process will not impact play, and for a week or so you get to play “winter rules” and move your ball out of an aerification hole! Other projects will include detail work around the edges of the courses, tree trimming and pruning, irrigation maintenance and repair and bunkers at Canoa Ranch. For the Maintenance Crew, the summer is the busiest time of the year. From the rest of us who get to sit in an air conditioned office and watch all this, THANK YOU! And, a big THANK YOU goes to everyone who came out to our Mother’s Day Brunch. Chef Alex and the F&B Team did an amazing job of menu creation and presentation. Everyone in attendance was thrilled with the Buffet. Please continue to check you emails for offers and information coming from us. We are not slowing down this summer, and have planned a full schedule of activities for you to attend. Our weekly Barbeque on Wednesday nights at Torres Blancas, featuring the live music of Angel Perez has become a big hit. If you have not stopped by, you really need to try it. The menu is simple, but very tasty. Alex and Javier grill items like Swordfish, Ahi Tuna, Chicken Skewers, 2 different steaks and the BEST hamburger you will get in Green Valley. Also, I found out last week that our own Angel Perez traveled to LA over Memorial Day and auditioned for The Voice. We wish him all the luck in the world, and as I told him “I want to say, I knew you when….”. The Abrego Grill at Torres Blancas is the perfect neighborhood Bar & Grill. The entire F&B Team at both restaurants have worked very hard to develop a simple, wholesome, tasty and inexpensive lunch and dinner menu for the summer. If you have not been there lately, or have forgotten it is open, please stop by. We are trying very hard to make it your choice for a simple, no frills local restaurant. The Grill on the Green at Canoa Ranch continues to amaze me. Thank you to the 100+ people who took advantage of our Memorial Day Barbeque and golf. Again, the F&B Team is trying very hard to provide everyone with food options to fit all tastes, and budgets. Please stop by and try the new summer menu which features lighter, fresh salads, sandwiches, burgers and fish. We also have a very extensive Happy Hour menu and special drink pricing.

The next Member Event is Sunday, July 3rd. It is a Member-Member, or a Member-Guest, and following golf we will have “Hermann the Hot Dog Guy” returning with his Sonoran Dogs. If you have not tried a true Sonoran Dog, it needs to be on your Bucket List. Who doesn’t like a hot dog wrapped in bacon, topped with beans, peppers, onions and drizzled with crème fresh. Check your email for your invite, or stop by either golf shop to sign up.

I would be remiss if I did not recognize the golf shop staff at both courses. Over the last year they have stood by me, supported my efforts (and my absence) and have created events, coordinated logistics and have done all of this with a smile and positive attitude. They are the reason we are improving, and I owe Dale Hardy, Mike Cochran, MJ Cooley, Jerry Morningstar and even Rodney and Tom Devlin a huge THANK YOU for everything you have done and continue to do.

Respectfully Submitted,

Rick Williams, GM Canoa Ranch Golf Club/Torres Blancas Golf Club [email protected]