[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6242151,"mediaKeyId","3248211-8af89b9564dbe08f316dbbb802662c59","parentId",3248211,"title","Sun City West reports Echo Mesa irrigation ahead of schedule; TIFTUF sod and turf conversions planned","audioSeconds",489,"startMs",702000,"endMs",1191000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3248211-8af89b9564dbe08f316dbbb802662c59&start=702&end=1191","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3248211-8af89b9564dbe08f316dbbb802662c59/thumbnail_702000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6242151/Sun-City-West/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Sun-City-West-reports-Echo-Mesa-irrigation-ahead-of-schedule-TIFTUF-sod-and-turf-conversions-planned","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6242151-a58eac4d9f5a7d0ddc82b4e5652fd76c/orig.mp4?Expires=1776309275&Signature=hjJfuRK-7K36vlW-0RFuhOPTTd04pZkdvj0S39Y6yzORwbZxc7Gwr~xFnvyHCqHhHGJr3DqCrzfpht-GIHbgYJyo3pvDmQ84tIIHEIQroBMK6lDnYonhz~u~7~Tg~Rc5ZSBHwj85-9nCIkxKfgtZKv06MuJE6nklUMy1a~adM3TUFzd4WjnMi6F-Vhhetgk7ZE-wytTisw6n9WUSTz-BYCAuPScSp1WSZNYixMi9ivAKzthj5xX8Wf5kf8rcneclFh8cJc3qy215FqKAPkyGUHW-ObB6aHABF4uRZdsiHcA2kz~~FIEydmXir~tRb-iy45T7DCN0DAqbRy2q57eMjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sun City West, AZ ","date","2025-05-09T09:53:08Z","article","Environmental services updated the Sun City West Golf Committee on May 8 that the Echo Mesa irrigation project is progressing ahead of schedule and that several course renovation tasks are planned this summer.

Todd Paddy, environmental services presenter, told the committee Holes 6–9 at Echo Mesa have completed mainline and lateral irrigation installation, and those areas plus the chipping green, driving-range tee and driving-range floor are being watered with the new system. Paddy said the contractor was about one week ahead of schedule and that the current completion date is August 29.

Paddy described recent and planned maintenance and conversion work across courses: a Number 3 tee-box renovation that lowered the tee roughly 2½ to 3 feet to reduce wet, slippery conditions; a driving-range tee-leveling project using laser equipment with visible turf recovery within a week; and turf conversion work on Number 9 fairway where staff sprayed out old common Bermuda to prepare for TIFTUF.

On timing and quantities, Paddy said about 12,000 square feet of TIFTUF sod is planned for the green complex starting July 8; he said the following day crews will install sprigs on the fairway, but the transcript’s phrasing about the sprigbed area was unclear. He described multiple aerification and surface-prep steps and said staff expects the new turf to be in place and maturing into September.

Paddy also reported recovery of greens vandalized last year at Echo Mesa — roughly eight greens were affected — and that hand-germination tests indicate ryegrass will establish before reopening after overseeding. He summarized a recent U.S. Golf Association (USGA) site visit by Brian Whitlark that praised the course’s irrigation and equipment-replacement program, and recommended continuing the annual replacement program during the budget process.

Staffing was discussed: the USGA reviewer observed that Sun City West runs roughly 10–12 staff on golf courses, “at the low point” compared with regional peers. Paddy confirmed six open ground-crew positions at the time of the meeting and said summer turnover could increase vacancies. The committee discussed outsourcing some work to address shortages.

Paddy said the committee approved a change to the 2026 overseeding schedule: overseeding will start in October (not September) with a staggered closure pattern (three-week closure and one week on cart paths for the first four courses, then four weeks for the last three). He cautioned that tree decline among pines is continuing and that staff is planting replacement trees.

Next steps: staff will proceed with irrigation completion, turf installations, and overseeding schedule updates; staffing and outsourcing options will be evaluated.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Golf Committee Meeting - Thursday, May 8, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Environmental services told the Sun City West Golf Committee that irrigation work on Echo Mesa holes 6–9 is complete and that TIFTUF sod and additional turf work are scheduled for July with a target of September recovery.","taxTitle","Sun City West, Maricopa County, Arizona","taxId",54255,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6242157,"Golf committee tables range ball-machine relocation after members question $27,000–$31,000 cost estimates",1386,1486000,2872000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3248211-8af89b9564dbe08f316dbbb802662c59&start=1486&end=2872","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3248211-8af89b9564dbe08f316dbbb802662c59/thumbnail_1486000.jpg","/articles/6242157/Sun-City-West/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Golf-committee-tables-range-ball-machine-relocation-after-members-question-2700031000-cost-estimates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6242157-c3fcc565da7ac833b50f6873022346db/orig.mp4?Expires=1776309275&Signature=GeuHGy70fkFxdPa~Pkkquj2kqnzkPv~koK35tJZoxG6N9ceKds8~Qjks-LZ8NqWS17F779rA0OlM1Vt9XOJ4t-98yrr8iMiX3nziwUjKvB-oNaTxc9TZoFM0JiROMkJHwPjimFhn18T9ObVGoQfPIYtuQtpAnPilQK0djIrtLlMN-h0nZrvzQEbYO~iNLp1s71bj5j8gIO3GCFKa~sZBdWOjw1wS~o~92QfK075wfqmze3rw0lvTN6GbFcWsTmZ4itvL5RP5jM9KgQtuWO99O4pIRx~fgMUBw6d~LiFZDf~GLbnqXmGqbJ3XJAz6qFxvY~10Egn~x5TJPrr1bJAr7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sun City West’s Golf Committee on May 8 discussed moving driving-range ball-dispensing machines away from golf-course patios and enclosing machines to reduce noise and improve member experience. Staff presented cost estimates and noise comparisons and the committee agreed to table the item for further study.

The issue matters because staff said some machines generate brief spikes of sound up to about 90 decibels when balls are dumped into a basket, disrupting conversations on nearby patios. Johnson, a staff presenter, said moving units 50–100 feet from patios “would gain about 15 decibels” and brought a multi-site estimate ranging from $10,050 for enclosures (where electrical already exists) to $27,000–$31,000 where new conduit and electrical work would be needed.

Committee members raised alternatives and cost concerns. Committee member David Miller said he had polled residents who complained and found “none of them support spending this kind of money to fix that kind of problem” and called the staff proposal “over engineered.” Miller urged the committee to table the discussion rather than send a high-cost plan to the board. Member Eichner and others described the problem as episodic — long loading cycles of several minutes that can drive people off a patio — and said lower-cost fixes might address the main complaints.

Members suggested several lower-cost options discussed during the meeting: moving machines to existing alcoves with power nearby, orienting units differently to protect touchscreens from sun, adding a simple flap on the machine outlet to keep balls from rolling into the parking lot, or shifting machines to locations where the patio is less populated. Johnson noted that two courses with machines already moved will still need covers because exposed electronics face irrigation and sunlight.

The committee opted by consensus to table the relocation/enclosure proposal and to make the item a priority for further study when the committee reconvenes after July 1. No formal motion or vote was recorded in the transcript. The general manager had previously said board approval would be required before spending funds beyond existing authority.

The discussion included resident comments posted to the meeting’s online chat, naming cost overruns and earlier unfulfilled commitments; staff said the initial purchase price of some machines was lower and replacements and site work affected later costs.

Next steps: staff will revisit lower-cost options and return to the committee with alternatives and cost comparisons later in the year. The committee did not approve any construction or purchase at the May 8 meeting.","Sun City West’s Golf Committee on May 8 discussed moving driving-range ball-dispensing machines away from golf-course patios and enclosing machines to reduce noise and improve member experience.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6242143,"Golf operations reports sold-out events, call-center hours trimmed, staffing gaps and booking limits for nine‑hole play",3659,359000,4018000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3248211-8af89b9564dbe08f316dbbb802662c59&start=359&end=4018","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3248211-8af89b9564dbe08f316dbbb802662c59/thumbnail_359000.jpg","/articles/6242143/Sun-City-West/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Golf-operations-reports-sold-out-events-call-center-hours-trimmed-staffing-gaps-and-booking-limits-for-ninehole-play","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6242143-4689837de05c9e988ba15b91e245910a/orig.mp4?Expires=1776309275&Signature=an-U88REchmv0VuvNJUj6zJ5KS4~AnO2rfDsr5zkdx9bo80SbxP3dG6FIw2imZ7tjo10BPIyZmeCFWmm4RP7obeeMrtbRTsb95EORrmV3HlTtbHezSO0~GAibFjPlzEN~TNDoq7fwcJ8tYr6Vi48BL3bZT0iuQk2wE8PjZR9Hr4WBChd5nV6o8zaAOfMNGMvbxVd2ydEatPvMQEg0xUASgdtX8~xv5T-~B~LtN4xzafM0Fay9G2maasDBiWSB1nGHfyQZwvMLd25Bw60Pg~KIHWkD2tm3ZVXtIRihmn33AxCyNBTOgm~jqYU9QBZ-2Xr02cKgnBbqLFYD7h~Bhe5Cg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pat O’Hara updated the Sun City West Golf Committee on May 8 about recent events, call-center changes, staffing and booking limitations that affect resident play.

O’Hara said the community’s “Swing into Spring” tournament on May 3 at Trail Ridge sold out with about 100 players, and he reported winners and several other seasonal events (men’s four-club championship, green-team events). He said popular recurring players such as Pat Kinnaman and Mark Masterson participate frequently in events.

On customer service, O’Hara said resident use of the online portal has reduced call-center volume: calls fell about 18% in the last year. In response staff cut hours and reduced one shift position during slow periods, recapturing roughly 10% fewer hours while reducing missed calls. He said the call center and players’ assistants return when overseeding begins (typically September), and that players’ assistants are not scheduled for much of summer because rounds decline and budgeted hours do not cover peak-season staffing.

Staffing shortages were discussed: environmental services earlier reported six open ground-crew positions. O’Hara confirmed summer months typically see staff declines and that outsourcing may be increased if hiring remains difficult.

Booking and operations: O’Hara explained that the current tee-times software does not support online booking for 9-hole tee times or the lottery; golfers may play nine holes at any time but must call to reserve 9-hole starts. He said early-morning back-9 tee times represent roughly 15%–40% of occupancy depending on course and month, and that combined January–March data showed approximately 33% utilization for early back-9 times across courses. O’Hara suggested enabling online 9-hole booking to better measure demand, then testing dynamic pricing; he also proposed trialing 10-minute tee intervals on executive courses to manage pace of play.

Committee direction and next steps: Member David Miller asked that golf operations prepare a summer assignment to return in September with a rank-ordered list of the top three priorities to improve operations and customer experience; the committee gave consensus to that request. The committee also agreed to cancel the June meeting and adjourned the May 8 session at 2:45 p.m.

No formal policy changes or budget approvals occurred at the meeting; staff will return with prioritized proposals and data-driven recommendations in the fall.","Pat O’Hara told the Sun City West Golf Committee on May 8 that recent tournaments sold out, call‑center volume has fallen and staff hours were trimmed, and that software limits online booking of nine‑hole tee times.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6242148,"Committee reviews Grandview patio furniture options; safety and lease questions raised",736,2877000,3613000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3248211-8af89b9564dbe08f316dbbb802662c59&start=2877&end=3613","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3248211-8af89b9564dbe08f316dbbb802662c59/thumbnail_2877000.jpg","/articles/6242148/Sun-City-West/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Committee-reviews-Grandview-patio-furniture-options-safety-and-lease-questions-raised","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6242148-cb38ddfba66c417805e1256a98c81d3e/orig.mp4?Expires=1776309275&Signature=DUzv63vxz~b2UYF5633TsGj4Unx15j22vOza4IfaEhxQPdu~FHUfQiaQGqIArllBaqw-NMGU3juQ9KPOpRMCSnOKeqk37gvNprGPafXXFxNaymJ4T7EDPt448FOABWMmuEp5iSJl4Hj6LNBY9PgRtbKbBVr7U1ArcsB07cIfAimOkCDubAiWRtJfOLyKPQ03eZh7HnVLWRl-cz~brNKHJEJxQukzrzbhTS9I5t1DHhnCDHbNNgKCJvYq98aoVciEzFP5P7kZAbX~gjuwVU2ly7LbyhpoVqmFWG-UhUsNCC6ErZrZO0dedD~mwT56P5Z9rLz-tiHbzHumF-ZxR18y4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sun City West’s Golf Committee reviewed procurement options on May 8 to replace deteriorated patio and supplemental seating at Grandview Golf Course after a meeting with the site’s owner-operator.

Pat O’Hara, presenting the update, said he, owner-operator Jeff Smith and Julie Klier met to identify what furnishings would best serve the facility. O’Hara reported that Jeff has owned most of the interior equipment for years and that the only items the rec center currently owns in the Crooked Butter Putter facility are patio tables and chairs purchased about 12 years ago. Jeff told staff he needs larger round tables (46-inch) to serve groups of five or six, and O’Hara said staff estimated the site would need about 88 chairs to satisfy patio and supplemental-table needs.

O’Hara told the committee that pricing for the original matching patio product has risen 50–60% due to tariffs and limited supply; he said the vendor still makes the set but supplies are constrained. Staff estimated roughly $20,000–$25,000 could be available from prior savings and the current budget to help with purchases, and that earlier purchases left some savings to be used. The transcript contains garbled budget phrasing; staff said a $70,000 original budget existed and that approximately $46,000 had been spent to date on prior purchases.

Committee members raised safety and lease concerns. A committee member noted that many of the portable “wedding” chairs are rusted, losing bolts and becoming a safety hazard; O’Hara said liability for injuries could fall on the rec center. Members asked whether lease terms require the rec center to purchase furniture; staff said they did not believe the lease mandates ongoing furniture purchases but that the relationship with the tenant was important.

O’Hara said staff will continue to price options, look for combinations of round and square tables that balance Jeff’s needs with cost, and aim to resolve procurement over the summer. He added that Jeff is willing to work with staff and that the goal is to finalize options before the committee reconvenes in the fall.

Next steps: staff will obtain additional quotes, evaluate table and chair mixes that meet capacity and safety needs, and report back to the committee with cost proposals.","Sun City West’s Golf Committee reviewed procurement options to replace deteriorated patio furniture at Grandview Golf Course and discussed safety, capacity and budget issues.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Sun City West reports Echo Mesa irrigation ahead of schedule; TIFTUF sod and turf conversions planned

Golf committee tables range ball-machine relocation after members question $27,000–$31,000 cost estimates

Golf operations reports sold-out events, call-center hours trimmed, staffing gaps and booking limits for nine‑hole play

Committee reviews Grandview patio furniture options; safety and lease questions raised