Delicate balance part 2

Almost all the equipment we use is gas or diesel powered. Both will kill grass rapidly, but each is necessary. Recently, we had a gas can tip over in the back of a cart and spill across #13 approach.

Battery powered equipment is much more common than it was 5 or 10 years ago, and there are many products out currently. The battery technology has come a long way, but it is expensive and converting a whole fleet is very difficult. The batteries do a great job for light duty or homeowner use, but for professional use, the batteries can still run down a little too quickly. We will likely convert eventually, and we have purchased a battery blower and tested a battery pole saw. But for now, occasional mistakes and damage are something we must work through.

Some of our jobs take several hours to complete- in this case changing cups and rolling greens. Over the course of the task, the roller needs additional fuel to finish. Instead of returning to the shop, say from 13 or 14 green, the operator takes a small can of gas with them. In the case of #13 approach, this can tipped over in the back of the cart, dribbled out the tailgate, and then once the cart was parked, continued to leak in one spot. This is the reason for the long trail across the approach and then the large dead area over to the far right.

This picture was taken just after
the gas was spilled and the grass
had not completely died yet. This is the long
strip that was dripped out of the tailgate.

As of this post, we have already repaired the large dead area. Since it was such a large patch of dead grass, it is much less likely to heal from the surrounding healthy grass. The smaller spots did not receive as high of concentration of gas on them, and still have green tissue mixed in with some dead grass. This will recover, and quite quickly cover the dead grass. Similarly, the long trail is such a thin strip of damage, and resulted from drips rather than a dousing, the grass on either side will grow in. Although it is very unsightly, the Bermuda grass will heal, and the damage was limited to only one approach.

Pictured here is where the cart parked and
the large dead area occurred. This section has been
repaired already.

Fuel is a necessary tool for us to complete our tasks. All the hours our machines spend on the course, and the refueling cans we take with us, and a mistake is bound to happen. We must balance the knowledge regarding the damage the fuel can cause with the fact that we must keep using it.

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

When parking your cart at a tee or green, please keep all 4 tires on the path.

Also, as part of a Golf Committee initiative to improve course etiquette, we have included links to videos teaching proper on course etiquette. Please take a moment to watch:

Ball Marks - How to properly repair

 

 

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org