Golf Course Maintenance Schedule (January 5 - 11)

We are going to be very busy next week concentrating on improvements throughout the golf course. The Golf Course Maintenance Staff will begin the winter bunker maintenance program. This process includes adding sand, where necessary, and compacting the sand for firmness. This is a very important practice to protect the integrity of the newly renovated bunkers. This practice will be implemented again in July. We will also concentrate on underbrush and tree removal within certain areas of the golf course. These areas include: #2, #13, #14 and #18. These areas will improve the ability of turgrass growth and aesthetics of the golf course. Drainage installation will be installed on #2 and #13. These are small projects relative to the projects from 2014, but will improve the aesthetics and playability of the golf course. Please visit the golf course maintenance blog for updates and other improvements implemented on the golf course.

The Brookstone Golf & Country Club received many improvements in 2014. The Golf Course and Clubhouse improvements have provided a foundation for continued membership growth and current member satisfaction.The staff are very excited and proud regarding the future of Brookstone Golf & Country Club. The Golf Course maintenance staff has many projects planned for the coming months. As always, we strive on a daily basis to improve the golf course and the member experience everyday. Please visit the agronomy blog frequently for updates. Most of all, the Golf Course maintenance Staff want to wish the Members and their Families a SAFE and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

The Golf Course Maintenance Staff would like to wish the Members and their families a Safe and HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON!!!!!

Stewards of the Land

Stewards of the Land from 375 Photography on Vimeo.

The Georgia Golf Course Superintendent's Association has been a leader in environmental sustainability. Many regard this association as the best within the national organization (GCSAA). Environmental sustainability is very important in the condition of the golf course and growing the game of golf. The video below displays the relationship golf courses have within their environment. Next year, we are going to introduce some environmental friendly aspects to the golf course. These include stricter water management, addition of bird houses and a bee pollination area. These are small areas of environmental improvements, but will develop into significant improvements. The GGCSA did another wonderful job in promoting the relationship our association has with the environment.
THANK YOU GGCSA!

Welcome To My Office

As a member of the Georgia Golf Course Superintendent's Association, I am very proud of this video and the hard work my fellow Golf Course Superintendents implement each and everyday. The association did a great job compiling this video. THANK YOU GGCSA!!!
GGCSA from 375 Photography on Vimeo.

WOW! What a Difference!

I was going through some pictures on my computer and found some very good pictures of the improvements we have made over the last couple of years. All of the work was done in-house. We steadily made improvements each year, but earlier in January of 2014 (during the snowstorms) we really made a difference with painting the floor and organizing the maintenance facility for efficiency. We strive to make sure our maintenance facility is organized, safe and accessible for the staff. This is necessary for efficiency, sustainability and builds pride within the staff to make sure their maintenance facility is clean and organized. Each day a co-worker is assigned cleaning zones throughout the facility, inside and outside. We take pride in our facility and want anyone who visits to understand the necessity of a clean and organized maintenance facility.

Equipment Preventative Maintenance Program

We have reached a goal set forth on January 1 of this year. The goal was to be single digits, plus/minus, with our equipment preventative maintenance program. This is very important as our equipment has relatively aged throughout the fleet. Daniel Reavis (Equipment Manager) has done a remarkable job in making sure the equipment is to standard regarding operation and safety. We (Golf Course Superintendent and Equipment Manager) meet on a daily basis to discuss future and current preventative maintenance work orders. This communication is necessary in achieving goals, providing the maintenance staff the ability to work with the tools they need and complete the tasks on the golf course and grounds.  We will set a new goal for 2015 to be as close to 0% as possible. Each year we want to set the standard of perfection. Obtaining these goals builds a sense of accomplishment for Daniel and the maintenance staff. No matter how old your equipment maybe, a strong preventative maintenance program can give you the opportunity for excellence and impactful results on the golf course.

Winter Forecast 2014 - 2015

Many are wondering if we are going to experience another winter like the last. Based on these graphs, we could possibly have another rough winter for our area. I found these graphs with the Winter Solstice upon us next week. The first day of the true Winter season is Sunday (December 21, 2015). I am sure everyone remembers the snowfall events we experienced last winter and the single digit temperatures. Although the maintenance staff has done everything in preparation for this season, we hope to have a different result than what the graphs are predicting. Either way, we will be in great shape (greens, tees and fairways) for this winter season. Good Luck to everyone and I know you and the staff are looking forward to Spring and Summer.

Rolling Greens

The morning temperatures are promising for the weekend. Based on the forecast, we shouldn't have any frost or delays this weekend. We plan to roll the greens throughout the weekend. The putting surfaces will be firm and smooth for a busy weekend of Golf.

End of the Year Lunch with the Greens Committee and Golf Course Maintenance Staff

Monthly Safety Meeting - Hearing Protection

Training and Safety are our top priority within the Golf Course maintenance Department. This time of year, blowing (backpack, buffalo turbine and tractor) is a constant occurrence. We conducted our safety meeting today and concentrated on the importance of hearing protection. Wes Denmon (Assistant Superintendent) informed the staff on the proper safety measures regarding hearing protection.

Installation of 15" Cup

15" Practice Green Cup

"Golf More Fun!" This is a huge topic in the industry. Golf has been declining due to the economy, course closures and the lack of interest in the game. Improving interest has grown tremendously with the introduction of disc and foot golf. Many courses are implementing a new way of promoting interest by installing 15" cups on the putting surfaces to make the game easier and more fun. Hold On, you might say. Are we installing these new cups on the golf course? Well, NO! We are trying a different aspect as far as adding a little more fun at the practice area. This is great for long putting contests. Putting to a 15" cup isn't actually easy. Below Mr. Missler, Mr. Vanderwood and Mr. English tried and realized this is actually harder than it looks, but they are having fun and that is all that matters. We installed one on the practice green and dependent on the response, we may add another one on the other end of the practice green. I tried myself and couldn't get the ball in the hole.

Clubhouse

The pigment we applied on the greens displays a great color differential with the dormant turf.

Pigment Application to Driving Range

We don't overseed, but our membership loves to see the color green during the winter dormant season. We applied a pigment/paint to our Driving Range Teeing area and target greens. Below are pictures of before and after.

End of Leaf Season

The Leaf Season is coming to an end. 90% of our golf holes are surrounded by tree line. The Golf Course Maintenance Staff has done a remarkable job this year keeping the golf course as clean as possible. After the Holiday Season, we will implement our small project plan throughout the golf course. These include: irrigation installation, drainage repair, compacting the bunkers and other miscellaneous areas in need of improvement.

THANK YOU LGA!

The Golf Course Maintenance staff would like to give a big THANK YOU to the LGA for the delicious treats today.

Melrose Leadership Academy

I had the great opportunity to interview with The Marietta Daily Journal. The newspaper was doing a release on me becoming a recipient of the Melrose Leadership Academy. The Academy gives Golf Course Superintendents the opportunity to attend our organization's national show. This year the Golf Industry Show is in San Antonio, Texas. This is a great opportunity to network and improve management and developmental skills. Please click on the link below:
http://www.mdjonline.com/view/full_story/26206079/article-Brookstone-superintendent-selected-for-Golf-Industry-Show?instance=home_sports

#3 Island Cleaning

We cleaned the island adjacent to #3 fairway. These are some of the projects we have on the list this winter. Please visit the maintenance blog for other projects to be completed this winter.

Pigment Application

We are applying the second pigment application today. Today is the first coverage and the second coverage will be applied tomorrow.

Island #3

We are planning to clean-up the island adjacent to #3. We are removing the underbrush, dead tree and debris. We plan to add landscaping in the Spring. We want to focus on cleaning this area and giving the island a natural feel. This area will be addressed next week.

Golf Course Maintenance Schedule (December 8 - 14)

Moisture Management

Moisture Management is very important for the integrity of the putting surfaces, especially during the winter season. This time of year, we experience very cold temperatures and very low humidity levels. The grass plant can easily dry out (desiccate) and potentially cause turf loss. We manage moisture levels using a surfactant (Fleet). Fleet is a penetrant that allows the management of moisture through the plant and soil. During the winter we also experience frequent precipitation and then very cold temperatures. The penetrant will allow enough moisture for the surface and at the same time open the pore space (reduce soil lock-up) for the infiltration of precipitation and irrigation. This is very important when we experience the hard freezes after rains during the winter. Fleet chemically strips the organic compounds in the soil and plant to allow soil moisture into the root system. Fleet is another great tool in managing frost. As stated before, the chemical pulls the moisture through the soil and into the plant. When we experience frost, the moisture is pulled down into the soil.Of course Fleet can't guarantee no frost delays, but is a great tool in reducing the amount of potential frost. We sprayed the putting surfaces today and irrigated for a few minutes. The application of the irrigation ensures the chemical is in the soil profile.