Enhancing Play and Sustainability: Golf Course Maintenance Update

Ben McBride, San Vicente Golf Course Superintendent • July 31, 2025

San Vicente Golf Course is undergoing key maintenance projects to improve turf quality, playability, and sustainability on the course.

Our San Vicente Golf Course Maintenance Team is hard at work this summer, focused on projects that enhance your playing experience while improving the health and sustainability of the golf course.


Beginning Wednesday, July 23, we launched a collar renovation project on several greens: the Putting Green and holes #2, #3, #10, #11, #14, and #15. We’re replacing the current 4-foot-wide collars with fresh Bent Grass. This is a necessary upgrade due to Bermuda Grass encroachment, which has been affecting the integrity and consistency of the Bent Grass collars and putting surfaces. The work was completed this week. 


Additionally, three tee boxes will receive new Santa Ana Hybrid Bermuda sod this week: the holes #1 Gold Tee, #5 Forward White Tee, and #5 Gold Tee. These areas currently feature a patchy blend of Common Bermuda and Kikuyu grass, resulting in an uneven playing surface. This conversion to Santa Ana sod is part of our long-term plan to provide a more uniform and high-performing teeing experience across all holes.


We are also redefining and enlarging existing native areas throughout the course. These enhancements are taking place in low-play or non-irrigated zones, allowing us to create a distinct transition between managed turf and natural terrain. Later this fall, we will seed these areas with drought-tolerant California native grasses, which require no irrigation—supporting our water conservation goals and natural habitat efforts.


We appreciate your patience as we complete these upgrades and look forward to sharing the results of our continued commitment to the course’s excellence.


More About Grasses

The types of grass we use play an important role in the quality of your golf experience.


  • Bermuda Grass is a warm-season, durable grass on our fairways. It thrives in the sun and recovers quickly from wear.
  • Bent Grass was placed on greens due to its fine texture and smooth ball roll, making it ideal for precision putting.
  • Santa Ana Hybrid Bermuda Grass offers a tight, uniform surface that performs exceptionally well on tee boxes, with excellent wear tolerance and aesthetics.


Each grass is carefully chosen to improve playability, consistency, and sustainability throughout the course.


Photos by Heather McGhee.

By Heather McGhee August 1, 2025
More than 40 homeowners joined the Board and GM Carl Weise for a lively evening of drinks, dialogue, and an exquisite three-course dinner at SDCEA's first Homeowner Appreciation Night.
By Tiffany Pressler July 31, 2025
As the summer sun draws families to the water, lifeguards in San Diego Country Estates are hard at work ensuring safety and fun at both the Ramona Oaks Pool and the San Vicente Resort Pool.
By Lisa Everett, Equestrian Manager July 31, 2025
The Equestrian Team is making strides on a master plan while continuing upgrades at both the International Equestrian Center and Casey Tibbs Western Center.
Show More