The first post for 2016! After having a bit of writers block over the last few months, I think I have cleared my mind enough to update the blog more frequently! As the spring rolls in, along with the start of the golf season, I figured I would cover some of what the maintenance staff does over the winter.
Overall this past winter was extremely mild, although thanks to the blizzard of 2016 the area received its yearly snowfall in one shot. The one benefit of it all coming at once is that once it was cleaned up and there wasn't much plowing needed as it has been the previous few years. The blizzard dropped 32" on the property and some of the drifts were over 6ft!
Luckily we were well equipped this year with a new plow for the new loader.
The drifts along 15 tee going to the Learning Center were almost over the truck
Needless to say dealing with that much snow it was inevitable that the truck got stuck!
Scott and Jeff have been busy in the barn all winter prepping the equipment for the upcoming season. While LedgeRock is fortunate to have a modern fleet of equipment, it still needs regular maintenance like oil changes and the blades sharpened to ensure it performs perfectly all season. The older machines need more major overhauling which takes up most of the time.
The Sandpro in for a major overhaul
The maintenance staff also take care of building maintenance so the winter is time to check over issues, come up with solutions and make sure everything is ready for the season.
Checking out the inside of the Learning Center Cupola to see where the leak is coming from: It is amazing how much damage a little bit of snow can do
The golf course furnishings are taken in for the winter and refinished. Damaged pieces are replaced by making new ones. Among other things, the tee markers and the new gates around the property are made in house by the staff.
Building the new gates
Installing the gates
Making new tee markers
Staining and painting the markers
The finished article!
As I've discussed in older posts, the maintenance team also takes care of decorating the clubhouse for the holiday with Deb and removing it all when it's over. This last winter was no exception, except that it was sunnier outside!
The off season is also a great time to catch up on continuing education and visiting trade shows to keep up to date on the latest technology that can help make the operation more efficient. Education plays an important part as it covers everything from the latest research on diseases, new methods of doing things etc and most importantly collecting credits so that we stay current with licenses and within our professional organisations.
Blinder Booth at the Golf Industry Show
Bunker renovation seminar at the New England Turf Show
Just as the golf schedule is created, the major maintenance procedures are added to the calendar also. The public portion is seen at the bottom of the blog and contains the aeration schedule. However all the major turf events are scheduled also. While it is very difficult to predict the weather which in turn can predict the timing of applications etc the plan ensures that the items are scheduled and can be ticked off when completed so nothing is missed. The budget for the following season has to be created and towards the end of the winter, new staff are interviewed and hired. Then there are the governmental reports that need to be filed and submitted.....
Winter golf 2016!
The 'office' work doesn't mean the course gets neglected! It is sprayed right before the first snow to make sure it stays healthy under the snow cover. If there is no snow on the ground the course is still maintained for play. Since the turf is not growing it usually does not amount to much, but the team makes sure the surfaces are clean from debris, etc. and provided the bunkers are not frozen, washouts are fixed and raked as needed. With the mild winter the course has come through in exceptionally good condition and has been playing extremely well.
The winter is a great time to take trees down as the ground is usually frozen which minimizes damage. There were not a lot of trees earmarked this year but 4 green got some love over the winter. The tree removal opens up the right side which makes it play better but it will also make the turf on the walk on/off healthier and improve the turf on what has been one of the ugliest areas of the course.
Tree removal on 4
And the most important part of the off season is being able to grab some vacation to recharge for the new season!
Big Sur
As always, email with any questions or suggestions and sorry for the summer teaser pictures at the top and below! alan@ledgerockgolf.com
