Heading into the winter months, we always get the question, "What do you and your crew do all winter?". As much as I would like to be skiing in the mountains or hanging out on the beach, winter is a busy time of year for our team.
I like to compare our off season to a sports team. The team that puts in the preparation during the off season is typically more successful when it counts. We are no different. The planning and preparation that we implement during December, January, and February put us a step ahead when the golf season kicks into full gear.
Being in the heart of the transition zone, there are still plenty of days when we are out on the course working on projects or getting the course ready for play when weather allows. Tree work is usually at the top of the list for outdoor projects. Utilizing the Master Plan put together by Tripp Davis, we are in the process of thinning our less desirable trees, and making room for our key trees. Along with the removals, we are constantly pruning, thinning and reshaping trees throughout the property.
Along with the tree work, we're adding irrigation heads in areas that are lacking and adding drainage to areas that tend to stay wet. We've also made improvements to cart path areas that were getting too much wear next to the path. As you can see below, #6 tee is an area where we've made improvements to the appearance and function of a high traffic area.
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| Rock work at #5green/6 tee cart path. |
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Throughout the winter we also have a considerable amount of shop work that has to be completed. Our Equipment Manager, Steve Kitterman, is busy going through every piece of equipment we own. General service, grinding reels, and replacing bearings are his high priorities.
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| Setting up a fairway reel for grinding. |
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The rest of the team are busy refinishing teak furniture and benches, as well as sand blasting and painting all of the ball washers, trash cans, cooler stands, cups, etc. If it has a painted surface, it will be refinished before the start of the upcoming season.
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| Sand blasting ball washer parts. |
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Painting course trash cans.
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| Ball Washer parts ready to be painted. |
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| Cleaning, repairing, and oiling teak furniture. |
As for myself, the winter months are time for reviewing our plan and procedures from the past year, while developing the upcoming year's schedule. Beginning in March, we map out nearly everything we do in regards to Chemical (fertilizer, weed control, disease prevention, etc.) and Cultural (aerification, topdressing, verticutting, etc.) Schedules. Along with the golf course management schedules, we are working this winter on a new handbook and standard operating procedures manual for our department.
Each year is always the same, by August we are ready for golf season to wind down, but just as anxious to get it going again as soon as winter sets in!
