As summer approaches, we are at our busiest time of year. Every species of grass is growing at or near its full potential and must be cut regularly. All our regular, secondary tasks must be completed as well. This is why certain jobs, like cleaning up from the most recent storms, can take us longer to accomplish. We expect to finish the last of the cleanup and repair work this week.
The most recent storm was just over two weeks ago now, and
we still haven’t finished the cleaning yet. A full tree remains down on #18,
logs are still left on the driving range, and a few stump holes haven’t been
repaired fully. There a couple reason behind why some of this is not
accomplished yet. First, and most important, in certain circumstances, we don’t
have the proper tools to manage larger tree cleanup like what has occurred in
the recent storms. Large chainsaws, chippers, log trucks, etc. are not part of
our fleet. We could cobble together the necessary machines if we had to, but it
would take time and money. Contracting with a tree removal company is most efficient,
even if it means that the debris lays longer than we would like.
Secondly, the time it would take for our staff to accomplish
these tasks would be too great and would be at the expense of other jobs.
Nearly all our labor would be consumed with just tree removal work and most
other things on the course would not be done. Whereas the tree company labor is
dedicated to the cleanup process. Mowing, changing cups, raking bunkers, among
other things would be skipped. This would lead to a very poor experience for
several days. At this time of year, using most of our staff on one single job
would leave too much else unfinished.
Even jobs that are manageable for the Grounds staff can take
longer for us to get to, and finish, because of the same time constraints.
Often, these cleanup tasks are after all the typical course preparation for the
day is complete. The average time for morning setup and mowing jobs is 4 hours.
Even then, not the entire staff is ready or available to help after that, so
things can take longer. Last week, we were able to get several old stump holes
sodded and we will finish up the rest of those this week.
When you see a tree or logs left on the ground for extra
time after a storm, it is not because we don’t know or don’t care. It might not
make sense for us to do the work with our tools, or because our time is spent
on other work. We appreciate your patience as we continue to get things back to
normal.
Etiquette Reminder of the Month
When you splash bunker sand onto the green after your shot,
please brush away any large piles or clumps that may have ended up on the
green.
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
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