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.