Improvements for 2010

One of the challenges that all superintendents face is figuring out how to provide high quality playing conditions with minimal disruption from maintenance practices.  This can be quite a quandary at times, because these two ideas go hand in hand -  a smooth, firm surface is the result of the maintenance practices implemented by the golf course management team.  An example that sticks out in my mind is the management practices that we have been implementing on the tees and approaches.  An aggressive sand topdressing to these surfaces ( approaches in particular ) is met with golfer disappointment and frustration, as the topdressing temporarily disrupts the normal playability of these areas. 

In order to address this problem, acouple of different steps will be implemented in 2010.  First, we will look to topdress the tees and approaches at two different points during the season, namely late spring and early fall.  Next, the amount of sand applied will be reduced in order to promote quick recovery and return the surfaces to their normal playability.  Third, our mechanic, Jeff Lyons, has engineered a brush that attaches to our walk mowers for brushing the sand into the turf canopy.  The benefiit of this technology allows us to simultaneously brush and roll the tees and approaches , thus creating a smooth surface that will recover in a relatively short amount of time.  Couple this with a fertility application to allow the grass to aggressively grow through the topdressing, and we are left with a firm, smooth surface that is receptive to either putting or pitching from the approaches. 

Another item that needed to be addressed during the winter months was the internal hardware of our ballwashers.  The brush assembly that cleans the golf ball as well as the associated gaskets and plugs were all showing signs of wear, which in turn resulted in ballwashers that would no longer hold cleaning fluid.  I am happy to report that the problem has been recitified, as the entire fleet of ballwashers were reassembled with new components.  Stiff brushes and leak-free hardware should keep us in the clear for the next few seasons. 

Winter Maintenance

The off-season is really a misnomer when it comes to the maintenance team at Olympic Hills.  Despite the fact that we are not able to be out on the course, a great deal of work still needs to be accomplished during the winter months.  With an older fleet of equipment, overhauling machinery and intense maintenance is performed to ensure optimal performance during the golf season.  Every piece of equipment is addressed during this 4-5 month period.  In addition to the equipment, all course accessories are completely refurbished.  Ballwashers, benches, tee markers, coolers, range accessories and traffic control markers are all cleaned, sanded and painted to provide a good presentation for the upcoming season.  The maintenance staff is also responsible for all snow removal duties at the club, which can also eat up a significant chunk of time.  Combine all this shop work with tree maintenance that is also performed during the off-season, and our window of inside work shrinks rather quickly.  The off-season is not so 'off'!! 

A snow pack of 18 inches is keeping the ground frozen and insulated from any harsh winter conditions.  Thus far, the winter has been good to golf courses in the area as we have not experienced an extended thaw causing any melting conditions.  Free water situations during the winter months are a golf course manager's nightmare.  Ice accumulation on greens can be problematic when the duration of the ice cover persists for more than 60 days. Our hope for each winter is to keep temperatures below freezing with good snow cover.  We will continue to keep our fingers crossed as the winter continues on!