Fire Safety
Joe Milani – Fire Safety Coordinator
Fire insurance issues? Sadly, fire insurance costs are climbing at an astronomical and unaffordable rate. California is in the midst of a homeowners insurance crisis, with many insurers pulling back coverage in wildfire-prone areas or exiting the state entirely. Californians all over the state are paying outrageous amounts just for fire insurance. The recent tragic and deadly wildfires in LA could drastically drive-up insurance premiums even more and test new market rules recently passed. With little answers in sight, below you will find some information regarding the Firewise program. This is something that may help lower your premiums.
First, I recommend checking out this link to Tuolumne County OES at https://www.tuolumnecounty.ca.gov/1207/Fire-Insurance-Information you will find some good tips and information about fire insurance in our area. Among this information is also a link to the California insurance commissioner’s office where you can file consumer related complaints in regards to insurance.
Second, start a Firewise USA group in your neighborhood. Pine Mountain Lake is in the Wildland Urban interface; therefore, it is critical that we work together to plan and take actions to safely coexist with wildland fire. PMLA encourages you to join with your neighbors and become a Firewise community. The Firewise USA program is free. It is a grass roots effort of neighbors working together to reduce the risk of wildfire damage to their homes and neighborhoods. Together, we can make a difference! There are several benefits to becoming a Firewise community:
Reducing the risk to life and property from wildfire
Getting a framework for action
Access to resources and funding
Sharing Resources and helping neighbors
Community building and citizen pride
Discounts on fire insurance (can apply to Recognized Firewise Community)
This program only works if you join together with your neighbors. We need you to participate. For more information on how to become a Firewise USA community go to
TuolumneFiresafe.org or email tcfirewise@gmail.com.
Thinking about burning? Good news. Pine Mountain Lake burn permits are now available on-line at Pinemountainlake.com. Before burning, please contact Pine Mountain Lake Safety Department at 1-209-962-8615 to confirm it is a burn day and provide your burn permit number and Unit/Lot number.
Only burn dry, dead vegetation. Some examples include limbs, small trees, and dead brush. The following Requirements are for debris pile burning:
Maximum pile size 4 foot in diameter.
Clear all flammable material and vegetation within 10 feet of the outer edge of pile.
Keep a water supply close to the burning site.
An adult should be in attendance with a shovel until the fire is out.
No burning shall be undertaken unless weather conditions (particularly wind) are such that burning can be considered safe.
Lastly, fire safety inspections will continue in Pine Mountain Lake. Remember a fire safe community begins with you! If you would like an inspection of your property, or you are looking to educate yourself more, our fire safety team would love to help. If you have questions or concerns regarding fire safety or PMLA burn permits, you can contact Amanda Birmingham at 1-209-990-5263 or email her at inspector@pinemountainlake.com. I can be reached at 1-209-990-5260 or Email J.milani@pinemountainlake.com.
Recreation Update
Melody Wisdom - Recreation and Seasonal Operations Manager
Pine Mountain Lake is proud to have an extensive network of trails. To ensure everyone can enjoy these scenic pathways safely and harmoniously, PML has classified its trails into distinct categories, each with specific guidelines. Here's a breakdown of the trail types available to our community:
Mixed-Use Trails:
These trails welcome pedestrians, bikers, and equestrians, creating shared spaces for multiple user groups. As such, it’s crucial for everyone to exercise caution, communicate effectively, and prioritize safety to maintain a positive experience for all.
Equine-Only Trails:
These trails are exclusively designated for equestrians and their horses. This ensures a safe and focused environment tailored to the unique needs of riders and their animals.
Maintenance-Only Trails:
Certain trails are reserved exclusively for PML maintenance activities and personnel. To protect these paths and ensure the safety of the community, these trails are off-limits to members and guests.
Pedestrian-Only Trails:
Designed for walkers, hikers, and runners, these trails offer a tranquil and safe space free from bikers and equestrians. By limiting access to foot traffic, these pathways provide an uninterrupted experience for those seeking a peaceful escape into nature.
PML encourages all users to understand and respect these designations, as they play a vital role in preserving the integrity of the trails and the safety of all who use them. Trail signage is clearly posted, and members are urged to familiarize themselves with these markers and adhere to the usage guidelines.
By working together and respecting the designated trail rules, we can continue to enjoy the natural beauty of Pine Mountain Lake while ensuring a positive experience for everyone.
If you have any questions or need further clarification about trail types and usage, please contact the Melody Wisdom at 1 (209) 962-8604.
Together, let’s keep PML’s trails safe, enjoyable, and welcoming for all!
From the Fringe
by Mike Cook, PGA Head Golf Professional
The Golf Shop is open 7 days a week from 8:00am until 5:00pm and our staff and I are here to assist you in any way we can. Please call us if you have any questions or need to make a reservation for golf at 1-209-962-8620.
Upcoming Events Event Date(s)
Ladies 9-Hole Golf Club Weekly Play Day Tuesdays (New Day for 2025)
Ladies 18-Hole Golf Club Weekly Play Day Thursdays
Driving Range
As of February 1, the Driving Range will be open from 8:30am until 3:00pm (Last Ball Hit at 3:00pm). Please call the Golf Shop during the rainy season as the Driving Range may be closed after a rain storm due to soft ground conditions.
Winter 11:00am Shotguns
Our winter 11:00am shotguns will continue until March 10, 2025. Call the Golf Shop to reserve a spot in a shotgun start. PML Property Owners can make a golf reservation up to 14 days in advance.
Annual Golf Memberships
If you are going to purchase an Annual Golf Membership for 2025, please come to the Golf Shop to submit your application and make a payment. If you have any questions, please call the Golf Shop.
Golf Services (Lockers, Bag & Push Cart Storage)
If you have a locker, bag storage or push cart storage, please come to the Golf Shop to submit your application for 2025 and make a payment. If you would like to rent a locker or store you bag or push cart, there is space available. Call or come to the Golf Shop for more information or an application.
NEW Pine Mountain Lake Golf Webcam
On the pinemountainlake.com website we now have a live webcam that looks down the 10th hole. Click on the Amenities tab, then go to and click on the 18 Hole Championship Golf Course tab, then scroll down to and click on the Golf Course Webcam. You will be able to see the live conditions at the Golf Course. All webcams are available at https://pinemountainlake.com/webcams
Callaway Golf Club Trial Sets
We NOW have the NEW Callaway ELYTE line of clubs available for testing in the Golf Shop. We have trial sets that you can take to the range or out on the Golf Course. For more information, call or come in to the Golf Shop.
Southern Valley Seniors
If you are a PML Property Owner, a Member of the PML Men’s Golf Club and are 50 years of age and above, you qualify to join the PML Southern Valley Seniors (SVS). The SVS play home & away events with other Golf Courses in the Southern Valley, such as Turlock CC, Oakdale CC & Spring Creek CC, to name a few. If you are interested call the Golf Shop and we will put you in touch with the SVS PML Captain.
Punch Cards
Pine Mountain Lake Association Property Owners can save up to $6.00 per round by purchasing a Punch Card in the Golf Shop. There are; 9-Hole & 18-Hole Punch Cards available. For more information call or come into the Golf Shop.
NEW Pine Mountain Lake Property Owners
If you are a new Pine Mountain Lake Property Owner and you are interested in getting acquainted with other Property Owners who play golf, call the Golf Shop 1-209-962-8620 and we will let you know what golfing groups you may be able to join or what golf activities are planned for the year.
Men’s & Ladies Golf Clubs
If you are interested in joining the Men’s or Ladies Golf Clubs, you can call the Golf Shop 1-209-962-8620 and we will give you the information you need. Applications are available in the Golf Shop. The Men’s Club has a website (www.pmlmgc.com) that you can visit to sign-up online for your membership (see Men’s Club eligibility rules) or to print an application. Once you are a Men’s Club Member, you can sign-up for tournaments online.
Property Owner Annual Golf Cart Rental Agreement
Every person who drives a golf cart on the course, is required to sign a golf cart rental agreement at the time of registration, before they can drive a golf cart. PML Property Owners sign the agreement one-time and that covers the entire year. If you have not signed your agreement you can go to the PML website (www.pinemountainlake.com) and fill it out and sign online or you will be asked to sign the form when you register in the Golf Shop. Click on amenities, then click on golf and you will see the agreement with other forms available. If you have any questions, please call the Golf Shop 1-209-962-8620.
Care of the Golf Course
TAKING CARE OF THE GOLF COURSE IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY; PLEASE DO YOUR PART!
Replacing Divots – PML is a DIVOT FIRST facility; that means that if the divot is intact or even a portion of the divot is intact, we want you to replace the divot first and press the divot down firmly with your foot. When an intact divot is replaced, it will begin to root right away but a mulch filled divot will take weeks to fill in. If the divot hole is not totally filled in by the divot that you replaced then fill the rest of the hole with mulch and press down the divot firmly with your foot. If the divot is not intact, then fill the divot hole with mulch and smooth the mulch with your foot so it is level with the ground.
Repairing Ball Marks – This is one of the major negatives in our great game; players either do not know how to repair ball marks correctly or don’t even attempt to repair them. Here is the correct way to repair a ball mark:
Insert the divot tool just outside the edge of the ball mark, use the divot tool to mend in the outside portion if the ball mark towards the middle. Then use you putter to tap down the repaired turf. If a ball mark is repaired properly, you will not even be able to tell that there was a ball mark. NEVER PULL UP THE MIDDLE OF THE BALL MARK.
Raking Bunkers – We are back to normal procedures concerning bunkers; PLEASE make sure that you rake the bunker after you have hit your shot.
Golf Carts – Driving golf carts on the fairways has a negative effect on turf conditions over time. PLEASE use the 90-degree rule posted in each golf cart in order to minimize the cart traffic on the fairways.
Pine Mountain Lake NEW Golf App
Pine Mountain Lake Golf & CC will be transitioning to a NEW APP in 2025, you will be able to download the FREE from the app store soon. Look for more information to follow. The NEW APP will feature many of the existing features on the current app, such as:
· Golf course GPS
· Players can measure their shots
· Golf course hole by hole flyover
· Interactive scorecard
· Score posting
· Player profile and automatic stats tracker
· Food & beverage menus and ordering
· Receive notifications concerning special events
· Weather information
Tee to Green
Rob Abbott – Golf Course Superintendent
With the 2025 growing season fast approaching Golf Maintenance programs are well into the planning process. Last month I mentioned these programs and have had a few questions about one in particular, greens verticutting and sand topdressing. Both of these are done in conjunction with one another beginning with the verticutting.
Vertical mowing, also known as verticutting, is an important maintenance practice for bent grass that helps remove thatch, improve the quality of the surface, and promote upright growth. Thatch is a layer of dead grass stems and roots that can build up and prevent the grass from getting enough water, oxygen, and nutrients. Verticutting cuts through the thatch and brings it to the surface, allowing the grass to absorb nutrients and fertilizer better.
Applying light rates of topdressing sand to putting greens on a regular basis helps maintain a balance between air and water penetration by diluting organic matter. Consistent light applications are critical to produce the desired results of a successful topdressing program. The goal of topdressing is to create resilient turf and consistent playing surfaces that are less susceptible to ball marks, scalping, and wear. Selecting a high-quality sand and applying it at the proper rates and times can minimize the short-term negative impact that topdressing occasionally has on playability while maximizing the long-term effects on playing conditions and turf health. Topdressing should be applied to putting greens by weekly at a rate that matches turf growth. Spin top dressers such as ours are an efficient way to apply topdressing sand. A light rate can be applied to the putting greens ahead of the first group of golfers with minimal disruption to play. I upgraded the quality of our sand several years ago to a uniform 2mm size to minimize impact to players. Visually inspecting the soil profile is a quick and easy way to determine if a topdressing program is effective. The presence of alternating light and dark layers indicates that there are inconsistencies in the top- dressing program, while a uniform distribution of sand indicates that the proper amount of topdressing is being applied. We have seen a steady improvement to our greens over the last few years with the implementation of these programs. Greens are smoother, faster, more visually appealing and more resilient to ball marks and wear. We will continue to improve our practices and evolve in a continuous effort to make the course enjoyable for all.
