Resolutions for 2011

Every fall members inquire about what our plans are for the winter, and every year there are a few people that are surprised when I tell them that we cut back to 40 hours a week. Most people have no idea what goes on behind the scenes during the season, let alone when the course is buried beneath a blanket of snow.
The guys have begun working on the seasonal maintenance that preserves the value of our equipment fleet. Without a dedicated mechanic on staff we have a hard time keeping up with repairs and maintenance during the season, so we take a little extra time changing fluids and filters, cleaning and painting, and making sure the fleet is reliable throughtout the year.
I have been in the office wrapping up budgets and organizing thoughts from the 2010 season. I am beginning to develop programs and goals for the 2011 season. Over the last few years I have looked at hundreds of potential projects, some realistic and manageable, others a bit beyond our means. This collection of ideas, images, and daydreams has evolved into a vision for the entire golf course.
Generally I see a golf course that reflects the character of the community. At first glance a quaint simplicity permeates the rolling hills that extend beyond the golf course and into the village and farms that comprise the quiet New England town. Just like the entrance of the club, visitors could drive right through and miss the subtle character unless they knew where to look. After a few visits the simplicity wears off and the character becomes more noticeable. Over time it becomes evident that the golf course, much like the surrounding area, is really a hidden gem to be appreciated and cherished.
Inevitably progress becomes history. Slow, subtle changes are ignored and easily forgotten. Eventually the orignal becomes unrecognizeable to those who have witnessed and participated in the evolution. This is as true of the small developments that pop up over time and convert farmland into suburbia as it is of the trees and bunkers that have been added over time to "improve" the character of the golf course. Although these improvements are sold as progress, the long term affect rarely reflects the original vision, especially when they are implemented in a piecemeal fashion.
As I continue to review old photographs and study the property I am amazed by the strategy and challenge that have fallen victim to tree plantings and poorly designed bunkers. This winter I intend to develop a list of examples of the character that has been lost over time. I will highlight the hollows that the original architect found so valuable he repeated them throughout the course, and reveal the lost vistas of distant hills concealed behind spruces and pines planted to frame the signature hole. Eventually the individual examples will become themes used to develop a hole-by-hole list of projects to be completed over time.
I encourage anyone who is a student of the game, is passionate about our course, or may have witnessed the tranformation to share their opinions, ideas, stories, and pictures with members of the grounds committee. We will use any and all information as we work to develop a realistic, sustainable strategy to preserve the value of the club, and restore its status in the community.

January Thaw

It's hard to imagine that 32 degrees is considered a thaw, but the warm weather has melted much of the snow from the golf course. If you ask the real "die-hard" golfers, they might even tell you the course is clear enough to get out and play a few holes (but please don't walk on the greens). For most people it might be a stretch to think about playing, but it is definitely clear enough to go for a walk. The days are getting longer and the sun feels warm on your face as you stroll around the property, especially if you get out on a day without wind. I suggest you wear waterproof boots as there is still a considerable amount of snow melting each day and the property is pretty wet.
If you do get out you will find that the guys have been working very hard to clear some overgrown areas and reveal some of the natural beauty that has been lost over the years. We have cleared brush and undergrowth from the 3rd tee all the way to the field on the 4th fairway. You will find it much easier to track down stray drives on both holes, and the natural beauty of these areas has been restored. We have also removed some trees near greens and tees that were unhealthy, and therefore considered safety hazards.
Perhaps the most dramatic change can be found around the 7th green. I was not surprised by the fact that the removal of the trees on the left last fall was very well received by the vast majority of golfers. I must admit that I underestimated the impact that the removal of the evergreen trees from the right side would have on the appearance of the hole. By removing the towering trees from the green surrounds and the frame of reference they provided, the scale of the existing features has changed dramatically. The green surface appears to be much higher when viewed from the right and rear of the green, and will require a very delicate chip in order to get up and down. I can't wait to see how it looks once the sod is established and the stumps are removed.
Yesterday I attended the Winter Seminar for the Connecticut Association of Golf Course Superintendents. Scientists from UMASS and the Connecticut Experiment Station in Windsor presented results from research that will help us control a few significant pests this coming season. In the past control strategies have focused on choosing the most effective insecticide and determining the most affective time to apply it. I am pleased to report that recent advances in chemical engineering have caused a shift away from broad spectrum insecticides that kill all insects in a given area, to products that target a specific pest, and in some cases a specific process in the target insects development. I will spare you the charts, graphs, and "Geek Speak" technical jargon, and tell you that the new strategy allows us to reduce the population of the pest insects without affecting its natural predators or other beneficial insects. The result is a significant reduction in harmful chemicals applied, and increased environmental safety through the use of reduced risk pesticides. This is just another example of Superintendents working closely with researchers and chemical companies to minimize the impact of maintenance, and to maximize the benefits golf courses provide to the local environment.
Tomorrow (1/21) I will be speaking at the DEP to voice our concerns about proposed stream flow regulations. The state is trying to protect the natural stream flow that exists in all streams and rivers throughout the state. While this is certainly a valid endeavor, the proposed regulations will impose significant restrictions on all businesses and municipalities that consume water. This will not only affect small businesses such as golf courses and farms, but also large water consumers such as power generators and municipal water supplies such as Connecticut Water and the MDC. Compliance with the proposed changes will create significant expenses that will ultimately be passed on to the consumers. In addition to increased costs, many areas will find that their current water reserves are inadequate to support current use, never mind any increased consumption due to future development, which will affect every local economy.
I must make it clear that we are not opposed to the preservation of the state's rivers and streams, or the recreational and ecological benefits that they offer. I am opposed to the fact that the state has chosen to exclude the public from the process. They have missed the opportunity to work together to find a solution that would protect the interests of both the public and the natural environment. Look for information regarding this issue in your local paper over the next few weeks. I will keep you posted on any developments that might affect the club, as well as your ability to use water in your daily life.

Fresh Perspective

Welcome to the new and improved Superintendent's blog for the Suffield Country Club maintenance department.

It is a new year and I am very excited about the coming season at Suffield CC. The past few years have been very rewarding for me both personally and professionally. I have been working very hard to develop programs and make improvements that will enhance the members' overall golf experience on a consistent basis. Perhaps the most successful program has been the communication program, which allos me to inform the membership regarding what we do and why. The cornerstone of this program is the Grounds page on the website, especially the Superintendent's Blog where I address course conditions, the nature and necessity of maintenance practices, and most importantly the value of your continued support.

We have been working very hard over the last few years to provide you with superior playing conditions in spite of the numerous challenges that we must overcome on an almost daily basis. I have commented before about how much it means to us when we are faced with a seemingly insurmountable challenge, or feel as though we are spinning our wheels (probably in mud), and one of you share how much you are enjoying the golf course. This never fails to lift our spirits.

People often ask me what I do over the winter. We perform our seasonal repairs and maintenance on the equipment, prune or remove trees that have become unhealthy or encroach on the golf course, as well as a variety of other tasks that we can not complete during the peak season. Perhaps the most important project for the off season is evaluation of the maintenance operation and its programs. We spend a lot of time identifying the programs that are most effective as well as researching alternatives to those that are not. Once the opportunities for improvement are identified we develop new programs that we feel will give us the best chance of achieving our long and short term goals for the golf course.

One of the most popular changes we made last year was moving our fall aeration from the end of August to early November. This decision to reschedule this process was made in July, to preserve the condition of the greens in the peak season, and to compensate for the days that were lost due to persistent rain early in the summer. By delaying the fall aeration and altering the nature of the process, we were able to correct compaction issues within the greens that are not addressed by our normal aeration program. The benefits of this process will allow us to eliminate the spring aeration for 2010. We will return to our aeration program in late summer, but it is scheduled at a time when there is normally a decrease in activity on the golf course and the conditions are optimal for growth and recovery.

While it is not reasonable to expect that we can eliminate greens aeration altogether, I feel that it is my responsibility to regularly perform an honest evaluation of the the costs and benefits associated with our maintenance programs. In the past I have placed the emphasis on maximizing the benefits from an agronomic standpoint because I have been trained that the golf course always come first. I now realize that in doing so I have underestimated one of the costs associated with providing these benefits, specifically your ability to enjoy the golf course. Therefore, I am researching all options available that will allow us to maximize the number of days that the golf course is in peak playing condition.

We are not only reflecting on the past season, but also looking forward to completing the project you funded on the seventh hole. The bunkers have been removed, mounds reshaped, and drains installed that will address many of the issues that have plagued this area for years. There is still a lot of work to do, but once completed the project will restore many of the architect's original features and will present you with new challenges on what initially appears to be a fairly easy hole.

This project has inspired us to discover other opportunities to highlight the character that is found throughout the golf course. One of the key features that we wish to highlight is Clay Creek, and the steep banks that meander along through the lower portion of the course. Through pruning and removal of trees, we have revealed the beauty and interest that the features contribute to the character of the property. The impact of these features is so valuable that the architect repeated them in other areas of the golf course such as the banks on the 2nd, 6th, and 8th greens, as well as the 9th tee. The visual effect is that the shoulders that cross the 4th hole and support the 5th fairway are more prominent and the oak trees that line them appear to be much more mature, especially when viewed from a distance. Looking forward we plan to address the drainage issues in the hollows and improve the playability and appearance of the area in hopes that the true character of the golf course is revealed.

As I look out the window of my office it is hard to imagine that a new golf season is right around the corner. Last year we opened the greens for play on March 20th which is less than ten weeks away. Over the next few weeks we will continue to evaluate our programs in an effort to maximize the value of your membership. This is where we need your help. We need to know what aspects the club have the greatest influence on your ability to enjoy your time at the club, as well as any issues that have a negative impact on your experience. Your input will allow us to focus our efforts on the conditions and services that contribute to the value of your membership, and enhance your ability to enjoy your time spent here with family and friends.

Please forward you comments and suggestions on to your board and committee members. Any comments related to the golf course or its condition can be submitted to me at superintendent@suffieldcc.com. Thank you for reading and we look forward to seeing you on the golf course in a few weeks.