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!