It's no secret that it is hot and dry in Highlands. The lower than normal humidity level with above normal temperatures, combined with a daily breeze, is making water management a real challenge. We are doing our best to balance the water needs of the golf course and manage playability to keep the golf course as firm as possible. Every morning, using digital moisture sensors, we analyze all playing surfaces to see what the volumetric water content (VWC%) is below each surface. Water is added as needed to try to get that number to as close to 18% as possible. Then in the afternoon, several of our team members are armed with hoses and scout the golf course for dry areas and also make sure greens and tees make it through each day. This work can be a challenge because working in and around golfers can be difficult. On weekends, where there are no gaps because tee times are packed between 8am-4pm, it is almost a losing battle. If you see my staff on the golf course irrigating with a hose, please understand they are trying their best not to interfere with play but are also in a hurry to be sure wilting turf gets water before it turns brown. We understand a majority of our members value aesthetics over playability and therefore, minimizing brown grass is a priority for us. Finally, it is also worth noting that irrigation systems are designed to supplement rainfall, not replace it. While it is dry now, we know rain will ultimately return to Highlands soon. In the meantime, we're taking it a day at a time.