Project: Tif Dwarf Greens Overseeding 

Problem Description: The objective is to provide this membership with something other courses of similar status will not do... cool season turf overseeded on the greens for a winter course experience. 

What We Did: Aggressive verticutting to open the canopy and apply Poa Trivialis seeds coated with fungicide. 

What I Learned: The process is key! All crew members involved need to be well trained and informed on how to overseed a golf course green, as well as the watering process in order to achieve uniform germination with minimal seed drift in the dormant rough. 

October 2020

Project: Dormant Course Herbicide Program

Problem Description: Our objective with applying herbicide to the entire golf course is to prevent the resurgence of cool season weeds growing in the dormant roughs and fairways. 

What We Did: Starting in the fall, we applied liquid pre-emergent herbicide to all areas we are not going to overseed. This requires a careful target application on the edges of the overseeded areas to create a very clean line between the dormant and overseeded turf. 

What I Learned: Timing is everything. We need to be aware of high foot traffic events and make sure we train our crew to take care entering the overseeded areas once the product is down. 

October 2020

Project: Equipment Management

Problem Description: Assist mechanic and troubleshoot turf equipment.

What We Did: My responsibility was to actively monitor mower units out on the course and communicate to the head mechanic any issues. 

What I Learned: Become an assistant to the mechanic. Working closely with the mechanic and his helpers is a great way to stay in touch with the turf equipment and being able to troubleshoot in the field. 

Summer 2020

Project: Covid Procedures 

Project Description: During Covid-19 (2020), our Club underwent changes to keep the workplace safe for employees. The goal was to keep them working in order to provide for their families and take care of the turf during growing season. 

What We Did: My job was to take temperatures of the crewmembers and monitor the common areas so there was no groups being formed while at lunch or while inside. We had to assign one cart each and make sure masks were worn while sharing equipment and carts for projects. We had a disinfecting program at the end of the day for all equipment and all breakroom and bathroom areas. 

What I Learned: Leadership. The crew looked to the superintendant team during this time to layout our game plan for whatever situation might come from shutdowns and/or infections. 

Summer/Fall 2020

Project: Crewmember Training 

Project Description: Seasonal and rotating crew members were to become proficient at basic greenskeeping skills to fill in for vacation times and absent full-time employes. 

What We Did: We work closely with a local temp agency that provides seasonal candidates that need to be trained in order to become efficient greenskeepers. 

What I Learned: Temp agencies provide opportunity for those having trouble finding work elsewhere and golf course maintenance becomes a rewarding and challenging job for these guys to get their lives back on track. 

2020

DRAIN INSTALL ON FAIRWAY 

The 10 North fairway had drainage issues in a large area and caused salt damage to the middle of the fairway.  

MY ROLE

• Assist the Superintendent by operating the trencher and backfilling channels with gravel and sand.  

I LEARNED

• The value of proper drainage on fairways
• How to address wet areas and salt damage 

2019

 GREEN SURROUNDS 

For the entire South course, we cut out areas of turf surrounding the greens and re-sodded with a monostand of 419 Bermuda.  The idea was to eliminate the inconsistent turf types that were visually unappealing and affected playability. 

MY ROLE

• Fertilize and water the new sod to push and sustain growth in order to meet membership demands.
• In later weeks, address new weed growth by applying herbicides.  

I LEARNED

• The importance of having materials and being able to schedule personnel as needed to keep the large areas of sod watered.  

2019

NEW PUMP STATION 

Our South course pumps were having a variety of issues running properly. The electrical, plumbing, and overall performance of theses pumps were failing due to their age. 

MY ROLE

• Deconstruction of the pump station roof.
• Clean up of old pump station to prepare for the install.  

I LEARNED

• Installation logistics. 
• The coordination among the crane company, Superintendent, and pump installation team. 

2019

FRAISE MOWING

Removing thatch layer of the Bandera Bermuda from years of growth.  

MY ROLE

• Spraying the fresh cut fairways with wetting agents and calcium to address the deep layer of bicarbonates in the soil and adding moisture retention.

I LEARNED

• The first few holes were a trial and error process that enabled us to move forward addressing the rest of the 18 holes with more efficiency.
• I learned the value of plan, revision, and execution. 

2018

DRIVING RANGE TEE 

The years of divots and use caused un-even wear resulting in overly dry and wet spots across the playing surface. A complete removal, leveling, and re-installation of the turf was necessary. 

MY ROLE

• Assist the irrigation team with the install of a new sprinkler line in the middle of the block system.
• Manage materials needed for this project.

I LEARNED

• The herringbone irrigation layout is more effective than the block layout because of the Triangulation of the sprinkler heads; resulting in better head to head coverage and effective run times.  

2018