Staff Training and Course Care

My last few updates have been done the old fashioned way with printed notes on counters, bulletin boards, and bathroom doors.  I'll keep that method going, but here is a more detailed update that is more than a note on the wall can handle.  

We continue to juggle projects like cart path edge repair, bunker repairs, tree removals, etc... with the all the routine course maintenance that is in full swing.  With many new members and added play, our windows of opportunity are smaller while our workload is bigger.  We are fully staffed although this year's team is very green and needs a lot of work.  Our ratio of veterans to rookies is not good right now, so hopefully some of the new guys will catch on quick.  We are feeling the strain of the current labor market in a big way and it's hard to hide that fact on the course.  Competition is fierce for good people and waking up before 5 AM to come work in the heat and humidity is not enticing to a large portion of the unemployed population.  We are blessed to have some all-stars, but we need to develop more of them and get more competitive at bringing new ones in.  

While we focus on staff training, there is also room for golfer training and refreshing.  With extra play, more cart traffic, and the heat of summer it's important that all golfers do their part to help maintain conditions.  Here is my Top 10 list of ways you can help:

1. No more than 2 carts may leave the path on any given hole.
2. Please enter and exit the turf anywhere between the two white topped posts.  Stay on the path until you pass the first one and get back on the path before you pass the second one.  
3. Once you do leave the path, stay out of the rough.  
4. If you hit your shot to the green or some area well beyond where carts are allowed, head back to the path at a 90 degree angle.  Don't ride all the way to the exit sign/post if you don't have to.  
5. Park all 4 tires on the path when stopped at tees and greens
6. Rake bunkers NEATLY.  Don't just go through the motions with the rake.  Leave the rake just outside the bunker.  
7. Enter and exit bunkers on the low side to avoid huge footprints in the slopes.  
8. Repair as many ball marks as you can without delaying play.
9. Fill all divots you make anywhere on the course with the sand on the carts.  Sand can be refilled from the box near 1 tee.    
10. Practice at the range using a linear divot pattern.  The sign at the tee gives you a good example.

Bean supervised the work on 13 bunker last week

Removing old sand and torn liner from 13 bunker

The headcount is good, but there is a lot to learn.  This is our job board 
in the breakroom.  Every minute of every day is well planned out.

Growing pains

Light topdressing every two weeks 

We could use some help.  This is the norm since COVID started.

The sign at the range, if followed, will help a ton

This divot pattern will take a long time to heal

Cart path edging for the first time in a few years.  This detail got pushed aside 
during the covid crunch.  It makes a big difference.  

Tee aeration a couple of weeks ago

There are two of these on each hole (not par 3s).  Please enter and exit the 
turf anywhere between these posts.