Good Morning,
It’s definitely getting to be the latter part of the golf season. The continuous rain seems to be the only odd part about the fall weather of 2016. It is keeping us on our toes at the golf course and I can only imagine the difficulties it is proving to be for the farmers. We will continue to work away with smiles on our faces, get through the not so pleasant weather, and definitely enjoy the nice days.
The month of October has been very good for our revenues to date. We are ahead of schedule in comparison to the past few years. Yesterday was a gorgeous day for golf and today looks like much of the same weather. Hopefully we are just as busy today as yesterday.
The wet area around 16 green and 17 tees continues to be a problem. The sand traps are full of water and there is standing water everywhere that tile is not present. After all of the searching, tile cleaning, and praying, the only option coming to clarity is the water table is simply that high in this low area of the golf course. There is simply no other explanation. I have never experienced this much standing water in the 23 years I have been at the golf course.
We have been short staffed in the clubhouse and on the grounds so it has been interesting staying on top of everything. Creative work hours are followed to get all of the work finished. With the frost delays, this weekend, it was necessary to mow greens in the evenings. Some of the other set up work was completed at this time too. It all works out in the end and the golf course is in nice shape for our fall golfers.
My biggest project of the week has been the preparation for moving trees from Graham Tire to the golf course. Locates were called in at the start of the week with no foreseen issues upon completion. Friday was spent making repairs to the tree spade and getting in in proper working order.
There are approximately 21 trees and shrubs to move from the old RR right of way at Graham Tire. I pruned two Norway Maple, five spruce, one pine, and three red buds yesterday. The remainder are shrubs that will work out in non playing areas of the course. This morning, my goal is to move a couple trees to get a feel for how long this process will last.
Some of the trees are large enough to be staked and tied down but the smaller ones will not be staked. The focus is to plant the new trees in the areas hardest hit with lost pine trees the past few years. Number two and nine will receive the majority of the trees so the integrity of these holes is restored. The shrubs will be located around some of the tee box landscaping.
Well, after a couple tasks are completed on the course, I’m off to start moving some trees. (Insert a short prayer to the man above for it all to go smooth.) If anyone has questions, comments, or concerns please let me know sooner than later so they can be addressed. Have a beautiful Sunday!
Spencer Municipal Golf Course 