A mysterious shrinking water level in a reservoir that serves Whitney Oaks Golf Club and its surrounding community is responsible for recent less-than-ideal conditions at the Rocklin course.
Whitney Oaks has reduced its water usage to 500,000 gallons a day, down from a summer norm of 700,000 to 800,000, said general manager Kevitt Sale.
The reduction is a precaution until the cause of the drop in the water level can be identified. A faulty reservoir liner is the most likely reason, Sale said, but possible miscalculations regarding community water appropriations also are being explored.
The course, in the meantime, is suffering. The roughs are drying up, and the fairways aren't getting all the water they need. The greens, the obvious first priority, are fine.
"It's only temporary," Sale said. "We're being cautious about running the lake too low and really causing problems."
The declining water level became an issue three weeks ago, about the same time temperatures – especially during crucial overnight hours – increased, which made for an unhealthy combination. Deteriorating course conditions are prompting Whitney Oaks regulars to search for other options.
Spencer Page, a scratch player and longtime Whitney Oaks member, said he pays $3,300 a year for unlimited play, cart and range access. He's planning to pursue some sort of refund.
"They don't communicate," he said of the course's management. "Just say what the problem is and what you're doing to solve it. Sticking your head in the sand isn't the solution."
Page plays all over town but prefers the Whitney Oaks layout, where he plays an estimated 75 rounds a year. He'll go elsewhere for the foreseeable future, he said.
"It's a muni course, I know that. I can tolerate lots. But this is a crying shame."
Reservoir water also is used to maintain landscaping at about 20 of Whitney Oaks' gated entrances, along its walled perimeter and in one of its parks. Water trucks and fire hydrants are being used to supplement those needs.
U.S. Amateur
Erik Flores shot a 4-under-par 66 Tuesday in Pinehurst, N.C., to finish tied for fifth in stroke-play qualifying for the U.S. Men's Amateur Championship with a two-round 138 total.
The top 64 in the field of 315 advance to match play starting today. Flores, a Grass Valley resident and UCLA senior, will play Mark Anderson of Beaufort, S.C., in the first round.
Jeff Wilson (Fairfield), Steven Chung (Sacramento), Jon Peterson (Granite Bay) and Ryan Trask (Chico) failed to advance.
Minor-league report
Kim Welch (Roseville) is seventh on the LPGA Futures Tour money list, two rungs and $2,739 out of fifth with three events remaining. The top five at season's end gain full LPGA Tour exemptions for 2009.
• Lisa Ferrero (Lodi) has made a late-season LPGA Futures Tour surge, finishing in the top 10 in five of her past eight tournaments. She is 16th on the money list.
• Robert Hamilton (Carmichael) is 88th on the Canadian Tour money list after competing in 10 of the 12 tournaments this season. Bob Niger (El Dorado Hills) is 151st after competing in eight events.
Call The Bee's Steve Pajak, (916) 326-5526.
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