Thursday, April 10, 2014

Hazard Stakes TLC...

Using a jointer/planer to renew a hazard stake




Not too long ago the course was covered in snow and frozen solid. Temperatures had remained below average for weeks; storms had moved through the area leaving accumulations of ice and snow behind... Yet, despite these challenges, your Maintenance Team remained productive.

The highest priority for the Team during winter storms was to keep the club open. They were out early, shoveling the sidewalks and parking lots--ensuring these areas were passable and safe. Next, they checked the course for damage.

After spending the morning out in the cold, there were plenty of "indoor" projects to keep the Team busy. Above, Bernie is using a woodworking jointer to plane an old hazard stake. Over time, the color of the stakes can fade but by removing a bit of material the stake can be returned to "good as new" condition.

Before and After


We're glad that Mother Nature has relented and afforded us the opportunity to get back out on the course to complete our winter "outdoor" projects. But rest assured that, no matter what the weather, your Maintenance Team has a plan to remain productive and work toward the betterment of your golf course.

Monday, April 7, 2014

Golf Cart Access....

The goal of directing golf cart traffic is to maintain pace of play while avoiding a concentration of traffic in any one area. Invariably, some portions of the course receive more than their fair share of traffic. Over the winter we've been installing stone pavers in the highest traffic areas to more permanently address chronically worn areas. But we've also developed a gate system we hope will further disperse traffic while maintaining pace of play.


Gate Post Construction
 

The poor weather experienced over the last few weeks has allowed the Maintenance Team the opportunity to design and build a new golf cart access system. We now have green and red posts on selected holes. On days that carts are permitted to leave the cart paths, we'll be using a system slightly different from the 90 degree rule. Now, after hitting your tee shot and moving toward the landing area to play your next shot, there will be green posts near the cart path. Remain on the cart path until you reach the green posts, then you may leave the path, drive to your ball and play your next shot. Later on, when you approach the green there will be red posts. We ask that all golf carts return to the cart path before passing the red posts.
 
The Maintenance Team will move the posts daily, or as required, to avoid excessive wear.
 
Green Posts: Leave cart path anytime after this point
Red Posts: Return to path before passing this point