It's never too early to start thinking about golf!

I realize we have not reached the middle of February and we are about to get hit with another blanket of snow, but I cannot stop thinking about getting started on the coming golf season. I was watching the Golf Fix on the Golf Channel last night, and am already itching to get out there and work on my game.
The USGA website has a number of interesting tools to provide you with your own "golf fix". In addition to rules quizes and video demonstrations, there is a whole section dedicated to golf course management. Right in the center of the USGA home page there is a link to webcasts that are available for both live participation, including a question and answer section, and recorded viewing if you miss the scheduled time. Today I watched a recorded web cast from the USGA titled "Aeration -does tine size matter?" It describes the fundamental basics of aeration programs, and what techniques are most effective for achieving your course's specific goals. This particular web cast includes presentations from USGA agronomists that tour all regions of the country, as well as questions and comments from superintendents. I strongly urge anyone that is in a position to affect the decisions made at your course to review this web cast, as it will provide a thorough explanation of the aeration process, including the timing and equipment selected.
I try very hard to provide the members with as much information as they desire in hopes that they will understand what we do and why. This is one area where I think it is important to consider outside, expert opinions. This subject is extremely controversial at almost every club, and deals directly with the balance between maintaining quality playing surfaces and preserving the value of a membership.
Please take some time to download the appropriate free software to participate and review this, and other web casts from the USGA. I have included a link to this particular web cast, but others can be found in the center of the USGA homepage at http://www.usga.org/.

A Very Sticky Subject

A few weeks ago I was taking a tour through the clubhouse, as I often do this time of year, making sure that nothing was out of the ordinary. I usually check to see if any lights are on, or toilets are running, or thermostats need to be turned down. As usual nothing seemed out of place and I was about to return to my office when I happened to look out the window of the rear dining room. I could not help but stare at the view, or more accurately, the lack of one.

Sometime after 1957, someone decided to plant a row of spruces and white pines to create a backdrop for the 9th (then 7th) green. This was a popular trend among committees and chairpersons in the 60's and 70's, and probably coincided with the planting on the 7th (then 5th) hole.

As a superintendent, these trees have bothered me since I first arrived in 2007. The trees were planted on the east and south sides of the green, and prevent the sun from reaching the playing surface until very late in the morning. While the shade is not enough to kill the turf, it does have a significant impact on the playing surface. Anyone who plays on a regular basis will tell you that the back of the green is much softer and even wet, as opposed to the front third that recieves significantly more sunlight.

As a golfer, I felt the trees detracted from the hole in a number of ways. First, they provided a frame of reference for a shot that was meant to be partially blind, and therefore negated one of the architect's design strategies. Second, any player that did not hold the green was punished by an extremely difficult, downward chip from a very poor lie. Finally, if the approach shot was so poorly played, the trees could actually knock it down and prevent an even more difficult recovery. In a game that is based on equity, this situation makes absolutely no sense.

After we removed the trees from the 7th green and revealed the character that lies in the features and vistas it became clear that our finishing hole is not living up to its potential. Eliminating these trees will restore the architect's orignal intent and will improve the condition of the turf behind the green, and therfore chance of recovery.

Removing trees from a golf course is a very controversial subject, and there are a few other trees that I feel more strongly about, so I never really pushed the issue on this hole. Once I realized the impact the trees have on the view from the patio and the clubhouse, I felt that the issue needed to be addressed.

The leadership of the club is working extremely hard this season to maximize the value of a membership at Suffield CC, and highlight the features that will attract new members and outside business. One of the key amenities at the club is the setting, and the beautiful view of the golf course as the sun approaches the horizon on a warm summer night. These trees block approximately 40% of the horizon when viewed from the clubhouse.

I have brought this issue to the attention of the Grounds Committee and the Board for careful consideration. I mentioned in both meetings that it is easy to remove trees but very difficult to put them back, and therefore the decision must be made on the golf course. I went out today and took some pictures from various angles to support these statements. I have posted these opinions and pictures so that people could share their comments for or against removing the trees. While a picture may be worth a thousand words, it cannot compare to being there and observing this in person. I encourage you to stop by the club, walk around, and consider the impact they have on the golf course as well as the atmosphere around the clubhouse.