Golf Course Report

January 2018

                The New Year brings new beginnings, new goals, a fresh outlook and resolutions that we swear we are going to keep this time!  The New Year also gives us a chance to reflect on the year that was.  Instead of rehashing the obvious (incredibly bad Summer Weather), I would like to remind everyone of a few positives that came from the odd year of 2017.

                2017 brought us a new Driving Range Tee.  The entire tee was stripped and regraded.  Drainage was added and it was sand capped to resemble a green.  Finally it was sprigged with Celebration Bermuda grass.  This will allow us more flexible use throughout the year and faster recovery from wear and tear.  During this process we also installed a new “state of the art” TurfHound artificial mat teeing area.  These multi-length mats provide a more “real feel” impact for pre-round warm up and extended practice sessions.  Next we focused on the Chipping Green.  The practice bunker was expanded and the bunker face was lowered to increase the effective hitting area by more than 60%.  The West side of the chipping green was reshaped to soften the slopes and provide chipping and pitching options from a variety of distances and lies.  Next on the agenda, we tackled the poorly draining, heavily shaded #1 Tee complex.  A bit of “out of the box thinking” led me to design the island tees planted with a new cultivar of Zoysia grass that has done well in shaded areas at other properties throughout the South.  Finally, and probably the most noticeable for all of our returning members and guests, we completed the transition from soft path material to grass.  This was a summer long project, as we had to remove quite a bit of old material and add fresh soil before the sod was planted.  We also had to dodge a few weather delays while pouring the concrete for egress and ingress additions.  Once the project was finished we added close to 2 acres of turf to your golf course.  Drop in the bucket for most places but a big addition for Stonebridge. 

                The golf course evolves every day, every year.  In an effort to stay ahead of the game, I like to consume every bit of information concerning golf course maintenance.  We are currently at the forefront of the industry when it comes to fertility.  Our approach to soil science based organic feeding has been copied by many turf mangers throughout the region.  This program results in a reduction in synthetic fertilizers, less irrigation, lower disease occurrence and a decrease in insecticides.  This program was first employed on the greens and will be phased in to the tees and fairways as applicable. 

                Other BIG changes for 2017 were in the management portion of my team.  Wayne McDermott, our long time Equipment Manager, retired this summer after 24 years on the job.  I was very fortunate to spend 6 years with Wayne.  I will always consider him a friend and he will always be welcome here.  The other change was more structural.  With my ever expanding responsibilities and to do lists, I felt it was best for everyone involved that we eliminate the Assistant Superintendent position and actively search for a qualified person for the a Golf Course Superintendent position.  My passion is the golf course, but the needs of the community are wide ranging.  Re-installing this position will allow me to confidently go about my other business knowing I have a qualified professional looking over my baby.  I was lucky enough to have Wayne help me find his replacement.  He had a few recommendations and he sat in on the interviews.  In the end we hired Vance Julian, a legacy of sort.  His father was the leading Equipment Manager in the industry for more than 30 years; Vance sort of grew up turning wrenches and sharpening mowers.  He has a lot of energy and will certainly outlast me!  As for the Superintendent position, Joe McColgan joins us from the East coast.  His multiple years of service in management positions at various clubs throughout the state was impressive, but most of all he graduated from the same turf school I attended (albeit at a much later date). 

                I am excited about this year.  We have an infusion of youth to ramp up our energy!  We have a great opportunity to make a major impact on the entire property in the near future.  As we prepare for the busy “tournament” season, we always have our minds set on the summer ahead.  Planning, scheming and plotting to be the best.