Thursday, May 19, 2011

Rain, Rain, and more Rain!

15 cart path under water
 One thing you will learn about this blog is a Superintendent is never happy with the weather, if the sun is out  we are complaining about how long it has been since we have had a good soaking rain.  When it rains, we will complain that the course is getting to much water, and it needs to dry out.  But this year has been to the extreme, after going 93 days this spring with no measurable rain fall, we have received 4.05" of rain in the last seven days.  With 1.75" of that rain coming in just over an hour yesterday afternoon. 

5 wetlands overflowing
 We are lucky that our course drains very well after a big rain event like this, it just takes a little time.  The worst part about heavy flooding rain events is the damage the water does to our bunkers.  Our crew will be working to repair our 64 bunkers today, and we will all be waiting for the sun to make an appearance again to help dry out the golf course.
bunker repair on #4

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Golf Cart Traffic

one cart good, one cart bad
While the dry winter was great for the golfer, it was not great for our high traffic areas around tees, greens, and bunker edges.  The only way that we are going to get these areas back into acceptable conditions is to do the best we can to keep carts off of these areas. 
One of the most frustrating parts of my job is controlling golf cart traffic.  Many times when I am putting up ropes and signage I wonder why would someone drive there cart in this area.  When you talk to most golfers about why they park there cart just off the path is to make it easier for carts going the opposite direction to pass them (beverage cart, marshal, maintenance staff).  Most golfers experience traffic on only 2 holes per round of golf but they park the cart off the path on every tee and green complex.  Lets keep our golf course is great condition and keep all four wheels on the path around tees and greens.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Golf at Altitude

Golf at Altitude of 18 green
Altitude Sorts & Entertainment was filming our featured episode of 'Golf at Altitude' this morning at the golf course.  We have been fortunate to have the program feature our golf course for the past 5 seasons.  The program has been a great advertising tool for our golf course and helps attract golfers that might no usually play at the Broadlands.  The filming of the thirty minute episode usually takes four to five hours of time on the golf course to shoot.  Follow this link to the Golf at Altitude website for air times.