A Celebration of TEAM!

Josh Clevenger, Claremont Country Club, Oakland, CA:

"Monday we held the First Annual "Deep Tine" Open at Claremont CC. This tournament was put together by the Green Committee and meant to celebrate the efforts and accomplishments of the staff in the Turf Department. A major thanks to Scott Stone for the suggesting we hold the event and the idea for the name "Deep Tine Open".

The staff prepared the golf course for themselves and their playing partners as if it were the biggest event of the year. A 10am back nine shotgun followed by a BBQ in the redwood grove made for a great day for those of us in the Turf Department and the members who joined us.

The winning foursome, with a score of 3 under par was: Don Dorward, Octavio Ramirez, Miguel Victor and Mike Newbould. Their names soon to be displayed on the prestigious trophy that will hang on the wall of the maintenance facility!

The help and support from all of the members involved with this event meant so much to the staff in the turf department and without that support, this event does not happen. For many, this was their first time on the golf course as players, not workers. The day was all about fun but at the same time, the staff got a taste of what it's like to see the course from the perspective of the golfer. We look forward to many years of the Deep Tine Open and many fond memories on the golf course."

Visit Josh's blog at claremontturf.blogspot.com.

Covering greens...

James Beebe, Priddis Greens Golf & Country Club, Priddis, Alberta, Canada:

"Today, Turf Care staff at Priddis Greens begin Day 2 of green cover installation which is the final step in preparing the golf course for winter.

The process includes installing (5-6) 12' X 100' rolls of bubble wrap plastic tarps per green, followed by covering the bubble wrap with a one piece 120' X 70' plastic impermeable cover. Once the covers are in place plywood strapping is spiked into the ground on 2' centers along the perimeter of the cover to secure the tarp from wind.

It takes 6 - 8 staff approximately 1.5 hours to cover each of the 15 greens that requires covering. Wind is the greatest challenge while installing these covers as both the bubble wrap and the non permeable covers are easily blown away in light to moderate wind conditions.

On an average non-windy day, staff will be able to complete five greens. We hope to be able to have all 15 greens covered by November 3rd."

Visit James's blog at priddisgreensturf.blogspot.com.

Happy Halloween!

Scott Bordner, RiverCrest Golf Club, Phoenixville, PA:

"At the end of a long season, I decided to have a crew morale day for our guys. It would have been much more eventful if the golf course wasn't covered in snow, but getting greeted by the 'grim reaper' at 6:30 in the morning will wake you up. A few cars got a good laugh driving through the neighborhood on their way to work, and the 'wolf' was even threatened that it is hunting season. Happy Halloween to all!"

Visit Scott's blog at rivercrestgolfclub.blogspot.com

The Growing (err, Mowing) season is over!

Mark Kiernert, CGCS, Bulls Eye Country Club, Wisconsin Dells, WI:

"We've backed off the frequency of cutting playing surfaces and have been doing that for a couple of weeks, mowing only to 'clean up' pine needles and leaf debris. Now with the colder temperatures and limited amounts of daylight, it is actually in our best interest to allow the turf to became a little 'shaggy' going into winter. The extra length will allow for more photosynthetic surface for greater carbohydrate building and storage. The turf will depend on that energy source for rebirth next spring.

The greens will be rolled (but not cut) to smooth out putting surfaces until the course closes for the season. It is very important to eliminate mowing, as final contact snow mold chemicals will be in place on the leaf blade. They're expensive and need to stay in place for almost 150 days. We'd be wasting your dues dollar to mow them off."

Visit Mark's blog at bullseyegreensblog.blogspot.com