Yearly leaf and frost reminder

Now fall feels like it has officially arrived- we had our first sub-40-degree morning. This time of year brings with it two key issues: leaves and frost.

The changing leaves make this time of year the favorite of many. The weather is typically still comfortable, and it is perfect for outside activities. Another aspect of autumn is that leaves begin to fall. Leaf cleanup can be very time consuming and, especially when the wind blows, it can be frustrating also. We spend time cleaning a particular hole and five minutes later the wind blows a new round of leaves across everywhere and it looks as though we did nothing! Nevertheless, here are a few key points to remember about our leaf cleanup efforts:

• If it is frosty or wet, we may have to wait until later in the day or for another day entirely before we can resume cleanup. Similarly, if it is windy, trying to corral the leaves is nearly impossible. We may choose to skip trying to clean the playing surfaces until a calmer day. So, playing through leaves may happen.
• Blowers will be running for several hours or more each day. They cannot stop for every golfer that is within earshot or we would never finish. The same is true for the vacuum. Please be patient.
• We make piles for the vacuum in the most efficient places. For example, blowing a large amount of leaves the entire length of a hole does not make sense. We make piles where most of the leaves are already located. Sometimes this will be near the line of play and balls can easily be lost in the piles. Unfortunately, this is a fact of fall golf. We will make every attempt to keep our piles away from play as much as possible.
• Lastly, while leaf cleanup overwhelmingly dominates our course prep attention, we do have other tasks we are trying to accomplish. We must balance our efforts. So, there may be days where there are clearly leaves to be blown, but the Grounds staff is working on other things also.

The second scourge of fall is frost! There is not a single good aspect to frost or frost delays. However, just because no one likes frost, doesn’t mean we can keep it away.  Just like with leaves, there are a few key points that everyone must remember:

·         There will be more than one occasion where golfers may leave their house and have no frost, but we can easily have frost here at the course. Our temperatures can get colder than in town.

 

·         The coldest part of the morning is just before sunrise, so frost can set right at the last minute.

 

·         During the delay, all areas of the course are closed. While frost can form in some areas but not others, trying to direct people to frost or no frost areas would be too difficult. A frost delay equals a full closure. This means no mingling in the grass around the putting green or first tee.

 

·         Walking on frost can cause damage or death to the plant, but carts are especially destructive because they are heavier. We must consider the cart traffic that will occur on the course when managing a delay, which can sometimes add a small amount of time to the delay.

 

·         Lastly, after most frost delays, some form of course preparation must take place. Anything from a full setup to a minimum of changing cups and blowing leaves, takes time. Here is the tricky part: we can’t go do that setup until after the frost- the Grounds staff is delayed too. So, we must balance allowing the golfers out onto the course as soon as possible, while also leaving time for some work. Frost may be clear near the clubhouse as golfers wait, wondering why they aren’t allowed out yet, but it may be because we are getting our work done.

 

Some veteran fall golfers will undoubtedly be experts in dealing with these fall issues. But a reminder for all is helpful and we hope that it will help mitigate some of the inconvenience of dealing with the leaves and frost.

 

Also, we will reduce posts to once per month starting in November, through February.

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please stay off all grass surfaces during a frost delay.

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

Golf Cart tips

 

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org