Turning Stone Golf: How the Agronomy Team Delivers Tour-Level Conditions Daily

During our recent trip to Turning Stone Resort, Gus and I were blown away by the course conditions—every fairway, green, and tee box felt dialled in to a standard you don’t often see across an entire property. What impressed us even more was that one of the courses we played had recently undergone aeration, yet it still rolled better than many courses at their peak. That level of consistency doesn’t happen by accident.

To get a deeper look at how Turning Stone maintains such elite playing conditions across its portfolio of courses, we sat down with the resort’s head agronomist. In this Q&A, we dig into the philosophy, planning, and behind-the-scenes dedication that keeps Turning Stone among the best-conditioned golf destinations you can play. . 

Q & A with Matt Flavio, Director of Agronomy for Turning Stone Flavio, Director of Agronomy for Turning Stone

How do you handle the unique challenges of turfgrass management at a large resort property?

 
Each course has its own personality, so we tailor maintenance programs around what makes them unique from soil type and sunlight exposure to the style of play. Our superintendents and supervisors talk daily about weather, moisture, and course setup so we can stay ahead of issues and keep things consistent. It’s really about teamwork and being adaptable when things change, whether that’s a tournament week, a stretch of bad weather, or just a busy weekend with heavy play.

What is your approach to water management, and how do you ensure consistency in golf course playability?

Water is always one of the biggest challenges, especially when you’re trying to keep things firm and playable across multiple courses. We try to water based on what the turf actually needs, not just what the schedule says. Our team uses moisture meters and weather data every day, but a lot of it still comes down to experience and being out there seeing how the turf is reacting. We’ll hand-water greens and hot spots when things get dry instead of just running heads across the whole course. This summer was definitely challenging with the 60 days of minimal rain. When we get stretches of dry weather, the goal shifts from “making it green” to “keeping it alive.” That approach helps us stay consistent day to day and try to reach our goals of firm, fast, and healthy without overdoing it.

 
How do you manage wear and tear on the course from high traffic, especially during peak season?

High traffic is always a challenge, especially with a busy golf season. We try to stay ahead of it by spreading out the wear by rotating hole locations, tee markers, and traffic flow patterns every day. Little adjustments like that make a big difference over time.

How do you ensure a consistent level of conditioning across the entire golf course? 

Our team works off detailed schedules so every part of the course gets the same attention and the same standards. Even with five courses on property, we use the same products, mowing heights, and cultural practices so the look and playability are consistent everywhere.

Can you provide an example of a challenging project, like a renovation, that you’ve managed and overcome obstacles during? 

Our last big project was the bunker renovation at Atunyote. We planned the work for spring and fall to have the least impact on the guest experience, but that also meant dealing with some tough weather. Cold mornings, rain delays, and short daylight hours made it a challenge to stay on schedule. In the end, it all came together really well. The new bunkers look great, play great, and are much easier to maintain — a big win for both golfers and the maintenance crew.

What is your overall vision for improving the golf course, and what steps would you take to achieve it?

Our vision is simple — to keep elevating the guest experience while making the courses more efficient to maintain long-term. We want every golfer, whether it’s their first time here or their tenth, to feel like the course is in peak condition every day. We always tell the team being a Resort we have one chance to impress.

That means focusing on the details: improving drainage, updating irrigation for better precision, refining bunker edges, and continuing to invest in new technology and equipment. Small upgrades across the property add up to a big difference in consistency and presentation.

Why I Keep Coming Back to SeeMore Putters

 

Pic above Tour Prototype 

Why I Keep Coming Back to SeeMore Putters

 — And Why the New Zero Torque Line Has Me Even More Excited

Every golfer has that brand — the one that earns their trust round after round, the one that feels like an extension of their game. For me, that brand has always been SeeMore.    

I’ve gamed SeeMore putters for years, not just because they perform, but because they represent something rare in golf equipment: a blend of simplicity, purpose, and honest engineering. Their RifleScope Technology (RST) was the first thing that hooked me. A putting aid built seamlessly into the putter itself? It felt like cheating — the good kind. Over time, RST didn’t just help me set up consistently; it helped me believe in every stroke.

Along the way, I’ve reviewed more SeeMore putters than I can count — from classic blades to modern mallets, from limited editions to tour-inspired designs. Every model has had its own personality, but the common thread has always been this: SeeMore doesn’t release something unless it truly adds value to a golfer’s game. They’re a company that cares more about performance than hype.

Which is exactly why their latest release, the Zero Torque series, grabbed my attention immediately.

A New Era: The SeeMore Zero Torque Models

The new Zero Torque putters mark a bold step forward. While SeeMore has always been about stability and consistency, this line pushes that philosophy even further by removing torque from the stroke — helping the face stay square naturally without manipulation.

For someone like me, who’s spent years studying and reviewing putter design, this feels like the next logical evolution. Keeping the stroke quiet, stable, and repeatable has always been SeeMore’s identity, and the Zero Torque line takes that idea and amplifies it.

It’s not often I get genuinely excited about an entirely new mechanical direction in a putter, but this is one of those moments. It’s SeeMore innovation without losing SeeMore DNA.

Why This Release Matters to Me

After reviewing so many SeeMore models over the years, I know firsthand when they’ve hit on something special. And this line feels special. The combination of RST and Zero Torque design gives golfers something incredibly rare — alignment and stability working together in a way that’s intuitive, not forced.

And for someone who’s always appreciated their commitment to helping golfers putt better through smart engineering, this feels like the culmination of that philosophy.

Looking Ahead

Hopefully in the spring I can get my hands on  these Zero Torque models and share deeper thoughts, testing notes, and comparisons to some of my long-time favourites. But for now, consider this the beginning of a new chapter — both for SeeMore and for my own love of their putters.

Stay tuned. There’s a lot more to explore — and I have a feeling the Zero Torque series will give us plenty to talk about

Big News for Cabo Golf!

Solmar Golf Links has been named the #1 Golf Course in Latin America!

Incredible ocean views ✔️
Links-style strategy ✔️
Whale sightings while you play ✔️
A world-class design carved into the Baja coastline ✔️

If it wasn’t already on your bucket list… it is now.

I know it’s on mine.

This #1 ranking not only its world-class design, but also its commitment to environmental responsibility.

Certified as an Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary, Solmar preserves natural habitats, protects coastal ecosystems, and manages resources with a long-term mindset. Here, world-class golf coexists with native wildlife, whispering dunes, and untouched Baja landscapes.

A championship course that puts nature first — and now, officially the best in Latin America.

Short Course, Big Memories: Playing the Par-3 at Turning Stone

There’s a special kind of joy in stepping onto a par-3 course with your son — the feeling that every hole is a fresh chance for something memorable. At Turning Stone, that magic lives at Sandstone Hollow, the resort’s fun and deceptively tricky par-3 layout. It’s the kind of course that doesn’t worry about yardage or ego. Instead, it dives straight into what makes golf great: shot-making, laughs, little victories, and time well spent.

Gus and I have played plenty of big courses together — we’ve walked long fairways, battled long rough, and stared down tough approaches. But that afternoon (after playing Atunyote) at Sandstone Hollow reminded us that sometimes the best golf happens in small moments, not long yardages. Tight tee shots, slopes that make a simple chip feel like a puzzle, greens that reward a confident stroke and punish hesitation — and all in a relaxed setting where score matters less than the smiles between swings.

Par-3 courses are having a moment in golf. And honestly, it’s easy to see why. They make the game more accessible, more fun, and less about grinding through four-plus hours and more about being together. You don’t need a bomber driver or a tour-level bag. You just need a handful of clubs, a good attitude, and someone you enjoy being around. It’s golf distilled down to what we all fell in love with in the first place.

For us, it was one of those rounds where time slows down a little. Where a pure wedge feels just as satisfying as a flushed drive. Where the biggest debate of the day became whether a high soft shot or a little bump-and-run was the play. And where it didn’t matter who shot what — what mattered was that we were out there, trading jokes, pulling for each other, and sharing the kind of morning you want to bottle up and 

Turning Stone has plenty of championship golf — and we love tackling those layouts — but Sandstone Hollow reminded me that sometimes the shortest courses create the longest-lasting memories. If par-3 golf keeps growing (and it should), it’s because places like this are proving something simple and important: golf doesn’t have to be long to be meaningful. It just has to be shared.

A Father–Son Session at The Dome – Turning Stone Resort

There’s something about returning to Turning Stone Resort that always feels familiar. Gus and I have played its courses in the sun, the rain, and everything in between — but this time, it was The Dome that called us back. On a cool morning, with a light mist outside, it just felt like the perfect place to shake off the rust and share a few swings together before we hit our round at Shenendoah.

Walking into The Dome is like stepping into a golfer’s playground. The sound of crisp iron shots echoing off the walls, the faint scent of fresh turf, and rows of golfers chasing that perfect strike — it all brings a smile. Gus and I grabbed a bay and settled in, alternating swings, teasing each other about old rounds and mis-hits that have become part of our family golf lore.

What I love most is how golf always finds a way to reconnect us. Between his military reserve schedule and grade 12 and my work, we don’t always get as much time together as we used to. But here, surrounded by the thump of golf balls and the soft glow of TrackMan screens, it felt like we were right back where we left off — just father and son, laughing, competing, and talking about which course we want to tackle next season.

After our session, we lingered for a bit, watching others work on their games and chatting about our favourite Turning Stone rounds — Shenendoah , Atunyote, and that tricky little Sandstone Hollow. The Dome might just be a practice facility on paper, but for us, it’s another chapter in a growing collection of memories that golf keeps writing for us.

Black Desert Resort: A Desert Golf Escape for Canadians

How can you not want to head to Utah to take in the golf at Black Desert Resort after watching the coverage on the Golf Channel, with golf winding down here in Canada it looks like a place I will be putting on my “must play” list.

For Canadian golfers dreaming of year-round play, Black Desert Resort in southern Utah feels like another planet — in the best way. Set among black lava rock and red sandstone cliffs, the contrast of emerald fairways against desert colors is absolutely striking.

The resort’s Tom Weiskopf–designed course — his final masterpiece — winds naturally through the landscape, offering both challenge and beauty in every swing. It’s the kind of course that makes you stop mid-round just to take in the view.

Off the course, Black Desert mixes modern luxury with rugged scenery: sleek rooms, a full spa, rooftop dining, and trails that lead right into the desert. You can golf in the morning, explore nearby Zion National Park in the afternoon, and unwind under a neon sunset at night.

For Canadians escaping the cold, it’s hard to beat — warm weather, world-class golf, and scenery that feels almost unreal. Black Desert isn’t just a resort; it’s a reminder that golf can still surprise you