Friend or Foe?

Depending on who you ask, golf carts are either the greatest or worst invention in the history of golf. From a revenue standpoint, carts allow a course to push through a lot of rounds which in turn creates more money. They also allow differently abled players to access the game. But ask a Superintendent and they will sing a different tune. At our facility, carts are the #1 source of soil compaction and turf decline. This year, we are dealing with one of the driest Fall, Early Winters on record. While it has been great for our round played, cart traffic on our dormant turf has accelerated crown dehydration and forced us to recharge our irrigation system to re-hydrate the plants. I am torn on this issue. While my first priority is to protect the golf course, i am aware that in this economy, carts play an integral role in the revenue generation of a course.

To Organic or not to Organic?

One of the things I have been thinking about over the past couple of years is the use of organic products on the golf course. I believe cost used to be the determining factor as to the infrequent use of organics. Now that synthetic fertilizers have risen in cost, and the manufacturing process as well as distribution of organics have made them more budget friendly, I think we will see more and more natural products on the market. Why wouldn't we want to try and feed our turf the way nature intended? By feeding our little friends the microbes in the soil so they can in turn feed our plants. Today we went to a seminar given by the makers of AlgaeGreen, a line of nutrient products derived from seaweed. This is actually a picture of the Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed which they make the extract from. I hope to do some trials next year, so stay tuned for future posts about what I think is the future of turf management.

Hot, Dry and Windy

No, its not the name of a country music song its the way the last month has been going. The year started out exactly the opposite, cool and wet. Last week it was hard to believe that its already September with almost 90 degrees and raging wind with no humidity. Our last measurable precipitation was almost a month ago, and the course is paying for it. On a good note, green speeds have been up, but unfortunately I have been noticing a steady decline in rootzone depth. We are combating this with applications of a high P fertilizer in preparation for aeration. Hopefully, with cooler, and wetter weather that is sure to come, rootzone depths will increase and we will start to prepare the course for winter.

Trimmit

Over the last decade, the use of PGR's has become the standard rather than the exception in putting green management. But with all the use, can turf become resistant to these products? While I have never heard of turf developing resistance, I have noticed that even with increased rates of Primo, we are not having the desired level of regulation as in years past. In response, I have begun using paclobutrazol or Trimmit along with Primo in our program. While there is some discoloration, and the Poa does not have the color as with using strictly the Primo, the playability is exceptional, with the Bent and Poa growing at the same rates. I do however think that this product should be used during actively growing seasons in order to prevent weakening of the Poa. Stay tuned!

The Reason

This picture is just one of the reasons that I love my job. There are few things more peaceful and beautiful than a cool Summer morning in Colorado. I try never to take it for granted.

Broadmoor

Friday afternoon, myself and some guys from the crew took a road trip to play at the West Course of The Broadmoor. Everyone in the group, regardless of the final total on the scorecard at the end of the day, had a great time negotiating the classic Donald Ross design. This course reminded me of Columbine Country Club with small, undulating greens and difficult up and downs. Basically, hit the greens, or pay the price. I would like to thank my friend Superintendent Jordan McCormick, for his hospitality and fantastic course conditions!

A Look at Our History

Last weekends' U.S. Open is a prime example of why I feel it is the greatest Major golf tournament as well as a true test of golf. Even though the Pebble Beach rough was not as gnarly as 2001, the firm and fast conditions of the Poa Annua greens made it a spectacle to watch. I believe these conditions, which some have chastised the USGA for, are a look back to the origins of the game we all hold so dear. Granted, there are many beautiful golf courses throughout the world with lush green turf which are beautiful to look at, but they may not be the most playable. I am seeing a wholesale shift in attitude among golfers who are now more concerned with how the course plays rather than how it looks. I feel this can be the first step to promoting more sustainable maintenance practices and elevated golfer enjoyment.

Mentoring

Over the last couple of years, I have had the privilege of mentoring one of my employees for a future in Turf Management. I have known Eric since coming to South Suburban in 2001. He has been a great employee and has both the drive and determination to be a success in our industry. While he was employed with me, I tried to expose him to as much as I could. From crew management, fertilizer and pesticide applications, construction and equipment operation, there is very little that Eric did not experience during his tenure at South Suburban. Mentoring is something that I am passionate about. I was fortunate to have many mentors coming up through the ranks, and I am glad to pass my experience on as well. I wish Eric the best as he embarks on his career. Her are some pictures of him working on his new course in Myrtle Beach, SC, where he is working while studying for his turf degree.

Going Green

One of my passions in life is sustainability and the pursuit to "go green". I believe it is everybody's responsibility to use nature's resources wisely and responsibly. At SSGC, one way we are doing this is by using an organic fairway fertilizer instead of the classic slow-release inorganic products we have all become accustomed to. The Sanctuary 18-2-6 fairway grade fertilizer has been our product of choice. Not only have we seen the same type of release and longevity characteristics as the inorganics, it is a non-coated , non-encapsulated, homogeneous product, so fracture of the particle by mowers is not a problem. Eventually, after a few seasons of this application we hope to experiment with rate reduction because we have built sustainable soil and no longer need the rates we first started with.

We are customer service

Here is a link to an article published this month in Golf Course Management written by GCSAA President James R. Fitzroy, CGCS. It is something I feel passionate about and have been mentoring my staff on over the past few years. Maintenance IS the front line of customer service.

Savers for My Feet

Hi all, as some of you may know, my wife went back to school this year to study Law. Unfortunately, this has reduced our household to one income, causing us to tighten our already tight purse strings. One way I have been saving money is buying my work shoes at the thrift store. Working on a golf course is probably the most brutal environment for a pair of shoes. Going from wet to dry, being caked with mud, as well as being exposed to chemicals leads to a short life span for most pairs. If you can get 6 months out of them, you are ahead of the curve. I used to spend between 50 to 100 dollars for a pair. By shopping at Savers, I have been able to find slightly worn, comfortable shoes for $6-$8! They still last for 6 months, so which is the smarter move? Think about it next time you have to buy your next pair for the course.

We Are Golf

One of the initiatives I have been working on recently is the joining of RMGCSA to the We Are Golf coalition. We Are Golf is a collaboration of the Club Managers Association of America, the GCSAA, NGCOA, and the PGA. This group was formed as a way to show the impact of golf both economically and environmentally at local and national levels. We at the RMGCSA think it will be a great way to have golf's voice heard legislatively, and I am proud and excited to be a part of it.

Pilgrimage to Pebble

About one of the only good things with having my wife in Law School in San Francisco, is the fact that we get to explore the beauty of California's Northern Coast. From surfing in Santa Cruz to cycling in Marin County, we have been able to see some of the most amazing scenery in the U.S. This weekend, we had no plan except to head south from The City. During the drive, I suggested we make the drive to Pebble Beach, one of the Meccas of American golf. The beauty and majesty of this fabled course were beyond what I expected, and made me proud of my career and being part of the great game of golf.

Colorado Golf Carbon Project

One of the items I am working on this spring is collecting information about our facility to enter into the Colorado Golf Carbon Project.

"The primary goal of this research project is to collect information about resources utilized by Colorado's golf courses, so a carbon accounting research can be completed. The research will explore and quantify the benefits and impacts golf courses have within the greater carbon emissions and sequestration picture"


I feel this is a groundbreaking project which will hopefully show that golf courses can have a positive environmental impact and help to alleviate some negative thoughts about our industry.

Friend or Foe?

One of the major dilemmas we have at SSGC is Poa Annua or Annual Bluegrass management. How can one tiny little plant cause so much uproar? While many Superintendents do everything in their power to eradicate this "weed", we here at South Suburban embrace our Poa and manage it into a putting surface that is as good as the best bentgrass greens.
Come Spring, the Poa plant begins production of seedheads for propagation. If left unchecked, these seedheads not only become unsightly, but cause the green to become bumpy and inconsistent. One of the major tools we use is a Plant Growth Regulator(PGR) called Proxy. This product inhibits the maturation of the seedhead, and doesn't allow it to emerge. By monitoring soil temperatures on our greens, we have had very good control over the past few years and are confident that this year will be just as good.

Spring!

Even though the calendar doesn't officially say Spring yet, the warm weather and longer days have started to get the golf course and the staff primed for the season. Verticutting fairways, cutting cups, fertililzing greens and finally getting out on the course are a sure cure for the cabin fever we all experienced this winter.

GIS, San Diego 2010

Since Super Bowl Sunday, I have been in San Diego enjoying the sun and camaraderie of the GCSAA and GIS industry shows. Monday and Tuesday were spent in continuing education classes. I was extremely impressed with both the professionalism and innovation from these classes. The new technology, as well as new communication skills I learned will hopefully help to propel me to the forefront of this industry. It was great to see many of our friends from the RMGCSA as well as making many new ones at the hospitality events and trade show floor. I would like to thank Dave Tooley for sending Chris, Brian and myself to the show. I hope this is the first of many in my future.

Urban Drainage/SEMSWA Project

Since late 2009, Urban Drainage and SEMSWA(Southeast Metro Stormwater Authority)have been on our course performing a creek stabilization and reclamation project in order to halt erosion of Little Dry Creek. This has been a great partnership and also a great way for the course to take care of this problem, without any financial commitment from us.

Fairway Conversion

One of the major problems we face at SSGC is the accumulation of thatch on our fairways. In 2001, we began a program of aggressive mechanical practices in order to convert our fairways from the thatch producing and shallow rooted Poa Annua to more desirable Perennial Ryegrass. The program consisted of Spring and Fall core aeration and overseeding at 200lbs/Acre of Ryegrass as well as monthly verticutting during the growing season. We saw adequate germination and results, but were still not satisfied with the amount of Poa on the fairways.

In the fall of 2008, we began experimentation with the PGR ProGrass in order to try to weaken the Poa to make the Ryegrass more competitive. We sprayed 2 applications of Prograss after core aeration and overseeding at 4 oz./M and 2 oz./M respectively. In the Spring, there was a noticeable difference in the percentage of Poa/Rye as well as a visual difference. Throughout the season, we also noticed a significant decrease in the amount of LDS in the treated part of the fairway.

With the success of the experiment, we treated all of the Fairways the SSGC at the same rates and timing in Fall of 2009. I am excited to see the difference this will make in our golf course next season.

New Orleans Relief Effort 2006

After the devastating affects of Hurricane Katrina, many members of the RMGCSA wanted to help in any way we could. That is when Steve Sarro, Superintendent at Vail Golf Club came up with the project "Super-Intentions for Superintendents". Myself and 25 other volunteers set out in March of 2006 for New Orleans. Our group was able to lend a helping hand to the New Orleans golf community that had in some cases been literally wiped off the map. To this day, this has been one of the most fulfilling and humbling experiences of my life.

Renovation Projects

Jaco: Goose Chaser, PR rep.

Here is a pic of Jaco. He is my 3 year old Australian Shepherd. Since he was 8 weeks old, he has been a wonderful addition to the golf course. Not only has he helped to reduce the goose population, he acts as the maintenance staff PR rep and goodwill ambassador!