Christmas Cookie Party

Tonight we hosted our 2nd Annual Christmas Cookie Party.  Last year we came up with the idea of inviting our staff and their families to our shop for pizza and Christmas Cookie decorating.  The party was a huge hit last year, and tonight we carried on the tradition for what will, hopefully, be many more years of getting together and celebrating Christmas with our families.

Knolla's Pizza, tons of cookies, icing and sprinkles made for a great night.  Each family took home at least a dozen decorated cookies, along with a few that were eaten throughout the night!

We have a great group of men and women on our team, couldn't do what we do without them!  Below are several pictures from the night.

Rodolfo's son putting on the icing

Eusebio's daughter

Donna and her daughter, Angie

My daughter, Morgan with Jeronimo's son, Fidel

Jason and his wife, Kaycie

Jason's son, Bo trying out a fairway mower!

Eusebio's daughter

Jeronimo's daughter

Lupe's sons

Lupe and family

Rodolfo and his daughter

Putting on the Icing!

Donna and her granddaughter

My wife, Sally and son, Brooks.

The finished product!

Having fun!

Maintenance Down the Middle

Several weeks ago I posted an article on Twitter from the USGA  http://www.usga.org/news/2012/November/Looking-Forward-at-the-Water-Summit/.  The focus of the article was a new trend in golf, led by 
Pinehurst No. 2, focusing on maintenance down the middle with a reduced emphasis on rough/out of the way areas.  The immediate impact has been reduced inputs including fertilizer and water, as well as improved playing conditions.  Sounds like a pretty good combination!

 At Wichita Country Club, we are no different.  We are constantly looking for ways to reduce our inputs in order to create a more sustainable golf course.  Unfortunately, as I look at the off season project list, a good portion of our focus is in the out of the way areas.  Cutting down/planting trees, irrigation additions, bunkers, and improving native areas all seem to creep up the list in the off season.  The challenge is how do we stay focused on our primary objectives (greens, tees, and fairways) without letting the other areas distract from our members and guest experience.

As we desire to improve our sustainability, reducing our water usage has to be at the top of our list, considering our current source of water.  Unfortunately, the changes in management style also lead to increased Bermuda competition in the rough, more browned out/thin areas in the rough, and a generally less aesthetically appealing golf course.  However, it is not all bad news.  This past year we saw the ball bouncing and rolling down the fairways, greens were firmer with less ball mark damage, green speeds were more consistent throughout the year, and tees held up to the wear and tear better.

What stands out in the two comparisons is the positives were focused down the middle, while the negatives impact the out of the way areas.  Maintenance down the middle must continue to drive our decisions moving forward.

Syngenta Business Institute

For those of you who follow me on Twitter, you have most likely seen my recent posts from the Syngenta Business Institute.  Along with 25 other Golf Course Superintendents from across the country I was selected to attend the program sponsored by Syngenta and developed by the Wake Forest School of Business faculty. 

Graylyn Conference Center in Winston-Salem

Getting ready for another day.

 

The Syngenta Business Institute is a unique, four-day program focusing on financial and human resource management, delegation skills, effective communications and negotiation skills. The program supplements superintendents existing knowledge base, allowing more productive and efficient golf course management.

The Syngenta Business Institute far exceeded my expectations.  The instructors created a useful, engaging, and challenging program that is second to none in our industry.  The opportunity to network with some of the most talented Superintendents from across the country in a first class setting was the icing on the cake. 

Along with the other Superintendents, several media representatives from our industry were present throughout the program documenting the events as well as interviewing the participants.

All in all, it was an awesome week that I know myself and my club will benefit from for years to come.