From Tee to Green: Exploring Ross with Brad Becken

Agronomic Update:
We’re excited to announce that golf carts are now permitted to scatter on most fairways, a welcome sign of improving spring conditions. However, wet areas still exist, and we appreciate your continued caution.

Please remember:

• Do not operate carts in the rough, as these areas are still soft and prone to damage.

• Avoid all newly established fine fescue areas, which are marked with white flags throughout the course. These zones are essential to our long-term turf health and design goals.

Thank you for your continued patience and cooperation as we transition into the active growing season and work to protect the integrity of the course.

From Tee to Green: Exploring Ross with Brad Becken
We are pleased to invite you to a special evening at Hyde Park Golf & Country Club featuring Bradford A. Becken Jr., president of the Donald Ross Society and one of the foremost authorities on Ross’s life and architectural legacy.

Brad will share insights from his journey to play every known Donald Ross course in the United States—more than 350 in total—and his work preserving and restoring Ross’s original design intent at clubs across the country. His recent publication, The Golf Architecture of Donald Ross, is already regarded as one of the most definitive works on the Golden Age of golf course design.

This is a rare opportunity to hear directly from someone who has studied Ross’s work in the field, supported over 125 restoration efforts, and helped lead a national movement to preserve strategic architecture for future generations.

Event Details:
Date: Tuesday, April 22
Time: 6:15 PM
Guests Welcome

Please register through the Club website. ($25.00)

Whether you’re a longtime Ross enthusiast or simply curious about what makes our course so unique, this evening promises to be both informative and inspiring.

We hope you’ll join us for this special event.

Sincerely,

Pat O'Brien

Grounds Superintendent 

Greener Days Ahead: Zoysia’s Slow Wake-Up

Zoysia close-up

Dormant No More: Zoysia Is Waking Up

As we move deeper into spring, signs of green are slowly returning to the Zoysia fairways. While it’s always exciting to see the course come back to life, it’s important to remember that Zoysia breaks dormancy gradually and on its own schedule.
Zoysia is a warm-season grass that typically greens up in mid to late April, though in cooler years it may wait until early May. Once active, it thrives in our hot Cincinnati summers, delivering the dense, resilient fairways HP is known for.

Why Zoysia Greens Up Slowly

Zoysia’s transition from dormancy depends on soil temperature, air temperature, and day length. Until those cues line up consistently, the grass remains mostly inactive.
Before allowing scattered cart traffic, we aim to complete:
• One full mowing
• A surface rolling
These steps smooth the turf, stimulate early growth, and prepare it to handle wear from play.

File Photo- Rolling of the Fairways

Cart Traffic During Dormancy

While Zoysia is dormant, it has very limited recovery ability. Cart traffic during this period—especially when conditions are wet—can cause lasting injury to the turf.
To help protect the course:
• Cart access to fairways is restricted until the turf is actively growing and soil conditions are dry.
• Never drive or park carts in the rough, regardless of conditions.
• Check the rooster book, golf shop, or cart signage daily for updates on cart rules.

Looking Ahead

We appreciate your patience as the course transitions into full-season mode. With each warm day, we’re one step closer to the lush, vibrant conditions we all look forward to.
Thank you for your continued feedback  and cooperation,

Pat O’Brien
Grounds Superintendent