Green Ridge Golf Course maintenance ongoing in Wickliffe

Wickliffe Recreation Director Tim Stopp recently reported at a City Council meeting that irrigation and greens maintenance will continue for as long as possible at Green Ridge Golf Course.

Stopp said the city has met with many professionals to address issues at the course, located at 29150 Ridge Road. This year, there was a fungus that destroyed the greens, ultimately making the course unplayable.

“Irrigation people, turf and grass specialists and even course builders have offered suggestions,” Stopp said. “We are working hard — aeration, sanding, fertilizing and seeding of greens.”

There are a few remaining outings scheduled; regular play was to close on Oct. 31, Stopp said.

Mayor Joe Sakacs said that since he took office, one of his main goals has been to focus on being able to take pride in the course.

Irrigation at the course remains a large project to address.

“We got a turf specialist to come,” Sakacs said. “We have a golf course manager, who does his best, but we needed somebody.”

Although the city can’t afford to have a full-time turf specialist for Green Ridge as they receive $80,000 to $100,000 a year, advice from one was still sought out to address the greens.

“The proper knowledge has been given,” Sakacs said. “They have to re-seed and we kind of have to start over. They’re considering closing it sometime in October for the season just to get to the repairs.”

The dredging of the pond is being finished up to get fresh water so that the irrigation source is clean water that’s going to the greens, Sakacs said.

“The greens are so important and if we planted seed and need it to grow, we don’t know how good it’s going to grow if golfers are walking on it, so we’re addressing that now,” he said.

In addition to irrigation to the greens, updating the piping at the course is on the city’s forefront.