Cavalier Golf and Yacht Club Golf Course Maintenance

One hundred years ago today, the Cavalier golf course was born. It came to life during a booming era of golf course construction, when it was clear that a course was essential to complement the new Cavalier Hotel rising in Virginia Beach.

Over the past century, the Cavalier Country Club has evolved tremendously, becoming one of the finest anywhere. What hasn’t changed is what it means to the people connected to it.

I love this club deeply. It has given so much to me and my family, and I’m proud to be a small part of its history—and even more excited to be part of its future as we celebrate this incredible milestone.

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Moving along!

Day three. Major progress on holes 6 and 12. These two greens are complete rebuilds and redesign. All greens mix is being taken out and we are stock piling it for use elsewhere on the course. It’s nice clean material that we will use for top dressing, tees and fairways.

Greens Restoration Progress Update

After two rounds of herbicide applications, the greens are now completely dead. We’ve also begun treating the green surrounds, although this process will take additional herbicide treatments to fully eliminate the existing Bermudagrass. The purpose of killing off all current turf is to minimize any chance of contamination in the newly planted greens and surrounds. Clean separation at the outset is critical for long-term turf health and playability.

Currently, the greens are extremely dry and firm, which has made playing conditions more challenging. The dry weather has also caused some old cup placements to shrink and sink, and in certain areas the surface has begun to peel or raise. We anticipated these conditions would deteriorate during this transition period, and we made the decision to remain open for play to offer golfers a unique experience during this phase—even if it comes with a different kind of challenge.

As we move into the next stage of the project—stripping the greens—several important changes will take place. One key step will be removing the encroachment barrier that was installed in 2004. This barrier, a recessed PVC groove around the perimeter of each green, was originally designed to prevent Bermudagrass from creeping into the green surfaces. For years, we maintained this system by running a vertical blade through the groove to sever any encroaching roots.

Over time, however, the barrier shifted and sustained damage, making it difficult to maintain effectively. It also created long-term agronomic problems. Specifically, the area just inside the barrier was never able to be properly core aerified, leading to the development of a “collar dam”—a raised area between the green and the surrounding apron. This uneven transition has negatively affected ball roll and overall playability.

As part of the restoration, we will permanently remove this barrier. Modern methods of Bermudagrass management now allow us to control encroachment without the need for a physical barrier, giving us more flexibility and better turf conditions moving forward.

We’ll continue to keep you informed throughout the restoration process. Thank you for your patience and support as we invest in the future quality of our greens.

Honoring Our Fallen Heroes

This Memorial Day, we are proudly flying American flags on all 18 flagsticks across our course to honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to the United States. In accordance with the U.S. Flag Code, we’ve placed small stakes near each green so that the flag may be respectfully laid down without touching the ground when removed from the hole.

Our fallen military heroes are the reason we enjoy the freedoms and opportunities of this great nation. We remember them with gratitude and pride.

Thank you. 🇺🇸