Dear Fleur De Lis Family:
Our vision across both Oxmoor Country Club and Polo Fields has always been rooted in a long-term commitment to course excellence. From the beginning, we’ve prioritized strategic investments to elevate playing conditions and provide you with golf and membership experiences that you can be proud of.
One of the most significant steps in that process was our decision to install Tahoma 31 Bermudagrass , first at Oxmoor, then at Polo Fields 24 months later. At the time, it was considered a top-tier solution for our region. It promised excellent playability, year-round durability, and strong performance in our climate. And for a period, it truly delivered. We were so confident in its success that we used the results at Oxmoor to guide the implementation at Polo Fields.
What Happened
However, this past winter brought challenges we couldn’t have predicted. Unfavorable weather conditions, followed by a difficult spring, led to extensive winterkill across both courses. After dormancy, the turf didn’t recover in most areas. Despite our team’s best efforts to promote regrowth, the damage was significant and deeply disappointing, not just for members, but for every person on our team who works daily to maintain these properties.
We want you to know that we’ve taken this seriously, and we’re acting decisively.
Moving Forward
Over the past month, our team has been working hard on both courses, actively seeding and sprigging Bermudagrass to promote recovery. Weekly fertilizer treatments are being applied, and our irrigation systems are running extensively to support new growth. At Polo Fields, we had previously applied our pre-emergent herbicide for weed control which unfortunately limited the success rate of the seeding, forcing us to plug and sprig the weaker areas. While we have seen significant growth in most areas,some areas are still recovering. During this time, we appreciate your cooperation in helping us protect the fairways, especially by keeping carts on paths where requested.
Looking ahead, we have a clear plan. In mid-September, when Bermuda’s growing season naturally slows, we will begin overseeding the fairways with HGT Bluegrass (Link). This particular variety is known for its deep emerald color and strong year-round performance. When combined with Bermuda, it creates a hybrid surface, commonly referred to as “BlueMuda” (Link), that maintains its green appearance even through the winter months, while offering durable and consistent playability all year long.
We’ve leaned on expert guidance throughout this process, consulting with trusted turf professionals and agronomic advisors to make the best possible decision. We are confident that this path forward will not only restore playing conditions to the standard you expect, but also provide greater protection against future setbacks.
Note Of Thanks
We know this has been frustrating, and we’re truly grateful for your patience and continued support. Our entire team is committed to getting this right, and we believe the improvements we’re making today will result in better, more resilient golf courses tomorrow.
Thank you for standing with us.
FDL Management