Monday, December 11, 2017

2017 Season wrap-up

Update on the grounds end. 

We just went through the most difficult winterization I’ve ever had the pleasure of guiding.  The season ended with a flip of a switch as Snow, Midwest hurricanes and freezing temperatures made it a very interesting finish. 

Many challenges were overcome and I am glad to say all of the absolutely critical fieldwork was completed before the freezing temperatures and snow arrived for good.  


-Storm damage was cleaned up in all critical areas but most of it was just cut up or left and will be removed in the spring. 



-After closing for the season all greens were solid tine aerified to open channels for winter surface drainage.



-All fine turf surfaces (greens, apps, tees, fairways) were treated preventatively for snowmold.  We followed a blower crew with our sprayers as they cleared leaves and goose droppings. 





-Both Irrigation systems and components were winterized.  It was very cold while blowing out the Greywalls system.  An additional day of work was needed to finish up the process.





-Equipment was detail cleaned and winterized. The plow truck was repaired and prepared for a season of snow removal.  Both shops were organized and equipment in need of winter overhaul work has been lined up in the shop for easy access.  



-Greens and approaches were covered with sand for winter crown protection and they were all roped off.  Snow fence is up in our strategic locations. 




-Milorganite was applied to all putting surfaces to help spring ice/snow melt and green-up. 



-All course supplies were hauled in and off the course for winter maintenance. 


Mission accomplished!

We are set up for a successful spring of 2018…… as long as mother nature is kind to us the next 4 months. 



A Tree crushed the new bathroom on 3/4/7 of Greywalls during the 50-70 mph wind event we experienced that I like to call the Superior hurricane.  The tree has been removed and we put a tarp on the roof to prevent any further damage to the interior. 


The repairs to the bathroom will most likely be completed in the spring as winter weather has set in for good.  


I received a call from the BLP last week.  They are now offering us a seasonal shut off for our pumpstaion power supplies.  No charge to shut it off and only $25 to turn it back on in the spring.  This should save us around $3800 this winter in demand charges that we had to pay in the past. 


I have placed most of the chemical and fertilizer orders already for the 2018 season to take advantage of free shipping and discount prices included in Early Order Programs.  

The rest of our chemical/fert. Supply needs are out to bid with all of our different vendors.  Once those quotes come back I can finalize the 2018 Agronomic Plan.  Savings as much as I can for the club is always the goal. 


We had a site visit with a logger this fall.  We need to aggressively manage the trees in many locations on the golf courses.  This work needs to be planned out well ahead of time so it can be completed over the winter months to reduce disruption during the playing months.  


-Cheers

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