Greens are Very healthy for the Upcoming Cool Snap.

We will experience the coldest temperatures this weekend since early April. The greens are very healthy as they should be going into the colder season. The staff is working diligently in cleaning the golf course of leaves. As you know this is a big project this time of year and will continue until Mid-December. Unfortunately all the cleaning will be a loss due to the windy conditions in the forecast for this weekend. We will make sure the golf course is as clean as possible for Saturday and Sunday play. Mark Avery and I communicated earlier today regarding the potential delays due to the cold temperatures this weekend. Please check your e-mails or call the Golf Shop for delays in tee times. We are expecting a significant frost Saturday and Sunday. Below are some pictures of the golf course before the cold weather comes this weekend.

Golf Course Maintenance Schedule (November 3 - November 9, 2014)

Thank You for the Treats!

The Golf Course Maintenance Department want to give a big THANK YOU to Mrs. Visentin for the delicious treats. They will be gone very quick.

Co-Worker of the Month (September 2014)

Harrison Hunter is our Co-worker of the Month for September 2014. Harrison joined the golf course maintenance team in May of this year. Harrison was very influential in the contamination removal. He has really worked diligently in transitioning from that aspect to the maintenance of the golf course. Harrison will do anything and everything you ask of him. He is currently attending Chattahoochee Technical College. He plans to transfer to Auburn University in the Fall of 2015. We are very grateful to have a co-worker like Harrison at Brookstone Golf & Country Club. Keep Up the Great Work!!!

Co-Worker of the Month (August 2014)

Matt Sims is our co-worker of the month for August 2014. Matt joined the golf course maintenance team in April of this year. He was very involved in the contamination removal. Matt transitioned very well towards the maintenance aspect of the golf course. He is currently attending Chattahoochee Technical College pursuing a degree in Horticulture. Upon graduation, Matt will attend a very prominent turf school in Georgia (Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College)) in the fall of 2015. We are very grateful for Matt's hard work and dedication to the Brookstone Golf & Country Club Golf Course Maintenance Team. Keep Up the Hard Work!!

Golf Tournament - Georgia PGA

Below is a picture of Myself, Mr. Robert Shelby (Greens Committee and MGA Board), Mark Avery (Head Golf Professional) and Mr. Mike Rawles (MGA Board) attending the Georgia PGA Pro-Super-Pres-Member Tournament at Druid Hills. Unfortunately we didn't win, but had a great time.

Drain #5

Thank You Mrs. Welch (Greens Committee Member) for informing the golf course maintenance department the issue with the drain on #5. Areas like these sometimes are forgotten during the busy season, but responding to member's request are our top priority.

The Fountain is BACK!!!

Golf Course Maintenance Schedule (October 27 - November 2, 2014)

Pigment (Turf Colorant) Application

It is hard to believe the cold temperatures are upon us. Tonight and into tomorrow morning the temperatures will dip into the low 40's and down to 38 degrees in the morning. We are still a little above average as far as temperature for this time of year. In preparation of the colder temperatures, we are applying our turf colorant. There are several different options: turf paint and a variety of pigments. We use a product (PAR SG) from Harrells. Par SG will give the dormant or slightly dormant putting surfaces an aesthetically better surface. Our initial application was applied one direction. Once we move further into the winter season, we will apply the pigment two directions to give the surfaces a darker green color. We use an artificial hole plug and towel to protect the cups from staining during the application.

Beautiful Morning at Brookstone Golf & Country Club 10-17-14

Pink Muhly Grass

The ornamental grass, Pink Muhly, is really blooming right now.

Schedule for Week Ending 10-26-14

Green Speeds & Slope

Many times the true measure of the Stimp Meter (the measurement for green speeds) isn't accurate. Our greens are very undulating. Many areas contain 3%-5% slope. Maintaining adequate speeds in relation to slope and golfer handicap can be difficult. Our green speeds are usually in the 10.5 - 11.5 range. Speeds above these measurements limit the playability of the golfer and location of the pins. Below you will see a graph that measures the limitations of greens speed in relation to greens slope. This graph displays the difficulties of high Stimp Measurements to the percentage of slope. Based on this graph and our undulating greens, we should be between 9 and 10. Based on the overall view of the membership and discussions with the Greens Committee, we have considered 11 as a good measurement for green speeds at Brookstone Golf & Country Club. The videos below are on #10 and #13. The first video represents the flattest area on a green throughout the golf course. The second video represents the true undulations on the greens. The Stimp measured a 10 that day.
IMG 3385 from Joey Franco on Vimeo.

IMG 3388 from Joey Franco on Vimeo.

Equipment Preventative Maintenance Compliance

Every Thursday the Equipment Manager (Daniel Reavis) scan the bar codes located on all of the golf course maintenance equipment, beverage vehicles and range picker. The scan updates the hours of the equipment and downloaded to the Turfcentric software. Once the hours are downloaded, the software will determine which pieces of equipment are due for preventative maintenance. This is very important in reducing cost for repairs. Every morning Daniel and I meet to discuss the preventative maintenance schedule and cost. Through Corporate standards, our thresh hold number is 20%. This means that we are required to be within 20% of all preventative maintenance percentages. Our goal is to be single digits every month. This assures the preventative measures are applied.

Greens Committee Meeting - October 14, 2014

Educational Information - Frost Delays

As we move further into the cooler temperatures, the video below is a great explanation regarding frost delays. The video is posted on the USGA Course Care website. Frost delays are a frequent topic of discussion during the winter season. The video explains the reasoning behind frost delays. Thank You USGA for this educational video.

Certification

I received something very special today. My plaque from the GCSAA for achieving Certification. This achievement is one I will treasure for the rest of my career. Achieving Certification requires dedication and sacrifice. I want to thank the GCSAA for this opportunity.

Tree Work #3

We are in the process of clearing the trees adjacent to the right side of #3 fairway. This has been an area of concern due to the trees limiting golf shots. We plan to have this project completed by tomorrow.

Where is the Fountain?

Unfortunately the fountain for #18 lake is in need of repair. The motor isn't working properly. Fortunately we included a 5 year warranty. The fountain will be shipped Friday and we expect a return within 7-10 days.

Is Winter Coming Early?

We experienced some chilly temperatures on Sunday morning. There was actually a little frost in the rough areas. The temperature Sunday morning was 39 degrees. I feel like it was yesterday we were shoveling snow. I hope as do many of you that this winter isn't near as bad as the last one. Even though it was chilly, we were able to setup the golf course without any delay. Due to the low temperatures we rolled the greens. The morning was beautiful, but very chilly. I am already looking forward to next Spring.

Preemergent application

WOW, this year has really flown by fast. We are currently applying our winter preemergent. The preemergent (Specticle) is one of the best in the market. This application will guarantee 99% control of the annual winter weeds (especially Poa Annua). We will apply the preemergent herbicide throughout the irrigated turf within the property. A granular version will be applied in areas where the sprayer will not be able to apply (bunker noses, steep slopes, clubhouse, etc.). There will be a blue coloration on the turf for a few days. This coloration is an indicator dye we use to make sure we apply the correct areas on the golf course. The application should be complete by the weekend.

Hard at Work!

Daniel Reavis (Equipment Manager) is constantly improving the capabilities of our golf course maintenance equipment fleet. He is very influential in our practices on the golf course. Daniel assures every piece of equipment is operating correctly before going out on the golf course. We appreciate his dedication and hard work each and every day. Thank You!