February Course Update

The weather started off mild and the grounds staff was in high gear working on our winter project list. We began spraying our course wide pre-emergent, continued sodding bare areas along cart paths, and topdressing divots on the driving range tee box.  The staff was busy preparing our equipment to begin our annual tree maintenance work, when the course received over 4 inches of snow on Sunday the 15th.

The snow halted all progress on the golf course and forced the staff to stay in the shop.  Since we couldn't get onto the golf course, the staff got to work on some shop projects to keep busy.  The staff built bird houses, wash racks, and tee markers.  They striped the floor in the equipment bay to create safe walkways, and designate where machinery should be stored.  Dan, our equipment manager, began working on all the equipment that will be needed for our March greens aeration.


During the last week of February, Michael, our assistant superintendent and I, went to the Golf Industry Show.  This conference is hosted by our national golf course superintendent association.  Each year superintendents and other golf industry professionals come together to network, attend educational seminars, and walk the trade show to mingle with colleagues and learn about the latest equipment and supplies we need to improve our golf maintenance operations.  Each year, when I return from this trip, I am invigorated to start the golf season and give the members and guests of Bailey Ranch the best golf experience possible.


It seems the winter weather will stick around for another week or so, then we should start to experience some milder, spring-like, weather.  Spring is just around the corner and the grounds staff will begin ramping up their agronomy programs once we warm up.  Our spring greens aeration is scheduled for March 16th and 17th.  Once we get that process done, we should be into warmer days and the beginning of the 2015 golf season!