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Randy Wilson, Here at the 'Rock

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Randy and the gang at Rockbottum Country Club pontificate on Rockbottum wisdom and skeletal golf, among other madness.

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Page 9 of 22

Rockbottum Radio: 'Bottum Golf

In this episode of Rockbottum Radio, broadcast live from the Rockbottum Country Club proshop, I explain Momma's newest attempts at Growing the Game: 'Bottum Golf... and Archery Golf, alongside Soccer Golf and Disc Golf. The biggest benefit of 'Bottum Golf? Listen and find out. In other matters, I ponder whether Snow Moles really exist, or whether it's just more fear-mongering by the scientists from Up North. Also in this episode, an improved calibration for the Deathmeter: the WSRF Ind

Randy Wilson in Podcast

June 7, 2017

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The Origins of "Momma" Rockbottum

We are often asked if the character of "Momma" is based on a real person. The answer is yes. My grandmother on my father's side was a fearsome woman known throughout Jackson, Tennessee as "Momma Ida", a broom-swinging matriarch who raised ten kids during the depths of the Great Depression. She did this alone, except for her broom, because her husband fell down dead from stress. They were sharecroppers in those days and apparently, operating an agricultural facility owned by someone

May 25, 2017

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The Truth About Bees and Golf Courses

All this pollinator hype about golf courses and bees actually comes down to just one thing, but you'll need to watch this film to learn the truth.

May 18, 2017

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Rockbottum Radio: The Case of the Missing Golf Pro...

In this latest story on Rockbottum Radio -- broadcasting from deep in the TurfNet Zone -- private greenkeeper Willy Wilson embarks on a quest to help the missing golf pro's wife find him amidst allegations of corporate takeovers, meddling GMs, just-back-from-Augusta green chairmen, and... the new regional superintendent.

Randy Wilson in Podcast

May 11, 2017

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Daddy Caddies And Dissin' Zoysia

There's a disturbing junior golf trend out there and I'm only now finding out about it. It was probably hidden in the frantic flurry of golf growth initiatives, so us curmudgeons wouldn't post it on Turfy-Leaks. Yesterday, the growing tragedy of the "Daddy Caddie" was related to me by my brother Mike, an actual eyewitness of this weirdness. Mike's background is important to this story, so I'll give you the short version: Long time veteran golf course superintendent, US Army Ranger, skill

May 4, 2017

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Are You A Working Superintendent?

I heard that interview question three times. It somehow implied that I was seeking employment consisting only of walking around with a clipboard, wearing Armani and spending all day in meetings. The first time, I was young and still possessed of blind optimism yet to be removed by the reality grinder . . . so I eagerly nodded in the affirmative. The second time, I had no such delusions, but I reluctantly assured the despot that I was indeed, a WS. The third time? I replied, "I don

April 28, 2017

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What Is The F.H.D.?

In this short film, we discuss the cryptic acronym FHD and one other pressing topic in the world of golf course superintending.

April 19, 2017

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Rockbottum Radio: Afternoon behind the scenes at RCC, then Storytime...

On this Rockbottum Radio audiocast, I drop in behind the scenes at Rockbottum Country Club to investigate a missing golf cart and a stuck trackhoe... then get an earful from Ludell about his difficulties being objectified by women... and hear about changing cups on a day other than Friday. Then, Storytime. Check out my new book, The Greens of Wrath, available in softcover and Kindle versions, at Amazon.com. (This podcast has been archived. Please contact us if you'd like to listen to i

Randy Wilson in Podcast

April 6, 2017

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The Last Time I Saw Her

Back in '73, when I turned 17, which is middle age in Georgia, two of Dad's superintendent buddies, (a Mr. Maples and a Mr. Womack, if I recall) informed him that his eldest son was suffering from the worst case of golf irreverence they had ever seen. They suggested the only cure was the Great Golf Pilgrimage in April. While it's true I may have used the offensively irreverent phrase "Overseed National", Cousin Ludell was much worse, as he often intentionally referred to our golfers as "pa

March 27, 2017

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Do You Wear Pants?

WARNING for those of you who wear pants! Do you suffer from Mandatory Khaki? There has been a significant breakthrough! Watch this film . . . or suffer this summer in sweltering silence.

March 14, 2017

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Rockbottum Radio: Green Speeds, The Alphabets and other pertinent topics

In this latest episode on Rockbottum Radio, Randy and Ludell take calls and argue about green speeds, the Alphabets, golf architecture of the future, quick couplers, water savings and the absolute best/greatest/bestest new 'muda for the south. Oh yeah, and using common sense to stabilize golf. That. (This podcast has been archived. Please contact us if you'd like to listen to it and we'll restore it.)

Randy Wilson in Podcast

March 3, 2017

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Color And Invasive Species On The Golf Course

For decades, as I pursued affordable seasonal color with wildflowers, native grasses, ornamental shrubbery and ground covers, I worried about accidentally introducing dangerous, invasive species. Our region has a history of suffering invasive species, the worst being Kudzu, Fire Ants, General Sherman, Carpetbaggers and Bentgrass. I abandoned the traditional golf course color platform--the formal tee-side annual flower bed--for two reasons: First, beds of summer begonias, spring tulips, an

February 23, 2017

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Low Input Science At Work In The Lab

As promised, Mark Hoban hosts this inside look at a research lab, with Dr. Mussie Habteselassie, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Soil Microbiology at the University of Georgia Griffin Experiment Station campus. Dr. Habteselassie, while conducting an experiment dealing with Trichoderma Atroviride and its use in controlling certain turf pathogens, shows us one method for counting fungi in soils. While this film deviates from our typical offering and feels more like a college class in soil

February 14, 2017

1

Rockbottum Radio: The Millennial Workforce Problem

In this first episode of Rockbottum Radio -- live from deep in the TurfNet Zone -- your host Randy Wilson goes Point | Counterpoint with Ludell Hogwaller on the topic of the Millennial Workforce Problem... and what to do about it. Topics on the table include turfgrass education, The Tritabaugh Effect, hybrid staff positions and the modern housing dilemma. (This podcast has been archived. Please contact us if you'd like to listen to it and we'll restore it.)

Randy Wilson in Podcast

February 2, 2017

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Bikes On The Golf Course?

In Skeletal Golf, we look for every possible low-cost, extra-sustainable alternative to doing things the way they've always been done. One of our favorite methods has been adapting the Human Powered Utility Vehicle (HPUV) to golf course operations. It worked very well for years. Sure, there was the occasional complaint from golfers who hated seeing the irrigation tech using a mountain bike to service controllers or water sod . . . but after I changed over to a tractor with no muffler, the

January 30, 2017

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Dynamics in Golf Course Maintenance

The most consistent complaint I receive concerning our films would be the perception of inconsistency. The caller (it's always the phone, presumably to avoid leaving written evidence) lectures me on the need to stick with one kind of format, style, etc. 80% want golf related humor, mostly for stress relief after a difficult day. Another 10% would prefer serious topics on industry trends, while about 9% just want to see features on fellow golf course superintendents. That last 1% want me

January 15, 2017

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Skeletal Golf: The Hidden Chart

Over 20 years ago, we developed a Chart of Golf Course Stratification, to help us categorize courses and determine what type of player we would encounter. The Chart also aided us in creating a maintenance plan to fit the player, the budget and the personnel we could afford. This film offers 5000 CEUs toward MOGS, or Mystic Order of Greenkeeper Stratification. For a small fee, you can skip re-stratification, cause we're pretty up front about the whole thing.

January 9, 2017

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TurfNet Forum Reveals Surprising Netflix Favorites

TurfNetters, in a recent Forum discussion on Netflix viewing, revealed a sophisticated appetite for quality TV. I expected this, as TurfNet members tend to be more intellectual than residents of other golf internet sites, where "reality" shows rule. Here at Rockbottum CC, we strive to present an outward image of sophistication and erudite intellectualism, but when alone with Netflix in our darkened home theatre/cart barn, we like to watch British TV comedy. Once you learn the langua

January 2, 2017

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The LPC Course Recon

During the Ryder Cup, Chris Tritabaugh shocked and amazed the international media by using a little known Skeletal Golf technique, "The LPC Course Recon". Instead of relying upon a truck or utility vehicle, Chris used the LPC, (Leather Personnel Carrier) to perform his critical daily course survey/analysis. While the media immediately recognized Tritabaugh's smooth, calm management style and firm grip on logistics, crew deployment and situational response, they were awestruck by his radic

December 26, 2016

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A Christmas Card on Film

Merry Christmas from Rockbottum CC Films. Shot in Highlands on a cold night, we couldn't resist sharing this Christmas card on film with TurfNet. HIghlands is a tiny village on a plateau in the Appalachians at just over 4000 feet, known for amazingly beautiful golf courses, waterfalls, deep dark forests, wildlife and . . . a downtown display of Christmas decorations that reminds us of a simpler, slower time. Highlands is also home to top golf course superintendents like Fred Gehrisch,

December 15, 2016

4

Skeletal Golf Theory: The Business

In Part 1 of SG Theory, we discuss the business of golf, as opposed to the game of golf. For those who desire letters behind their name and cannot afford big dues, travel and mandatory classes, here's your chance to do it the Skeletal Golf way. Just watch the film series on Skeletal Golf, take the test and earn the right to follow your name with MOG, the designation of the certified member of the Mystic Order of Greenkeepers.

December 12, 2016

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Varmints, Skunks, and Idiots

While shooting the Sewanee film, we noticed quite a bit of SKUNK damage on the fairways. Our past research indicates Varmints come out in force during a drought, digging for tasty grubs, complaining about hard fairways and bemoaning the lack of lush green turf. To help any TN members who might be experiencing Skunk Pestilence, we hastily pulled our Varmint Training film out of the Rockbottum Vault and re-edited it to remove the stupid parts. (That pretty much gutted the entire film, so we

November 30, 2016

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The Skeletal Golf Series

Skeletal Golf, in several forms, has long been the foundation for the success of Rockbottum Country Club* and the Wilson Golf Dynasty. The concept of SG is more applicable in hard times than during the euphoric boom time, and given the economic signals emanating from on high... this might be a good time for those involved in the mid- to lower-level of golf to consider a contingency plan or two. Since leaving the military, I have spent more time studying economics than turf — probabl

November 21, 2016

3

Stop Making That Awful Coffee

As an unrepentant "Caffiend", I'm an expert on awful, terrible coffee. From instant decaf that tasted like battery acid, to orderly room coffee* in the military, I have suffered it all. *(ORC is brewed continuously for 24 hours, bubbling like a caldron in a Bill Shakespeare story.) On a dark, snowy night while crossing over the Brenner Pass, I sampled espresso for the first and last time, a black, bitter, teeth-chattering experience. In the field--during my Army vacation from turf--I tot

November 10, 2016

7

Rockbottum Philosophy

Poisoned by Too Much Screen Time? Enter the UNSOCIAL MEDIA AWARDS

This week's guest author is Ludell Hogwaller. My name is Ludell and I suffer from TMST. Last week, I was the guest of honor at an exorcism, carried out by the Rockbottum elite, Chet Lester, Ydnar, Aint Feemy and Bubba. They intended to excise my Luddite tendencies, citing my refusal to own a "smart" phone as the primary problem. Apparently, I have angered the flock, because I won't take photos dripping with extreme narcissism, seek peer approval by "following" others, stagger aro

Randy Wilson in Rockbottum Philosophy

November 1, 2016

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