The week started off with rain hitting us Monday afternoon and most of the day Tuesday and finished with rain today. This really put us behind on our mowing schedules, but it also gave me time to do a lot of equipment work in the shop. Equipment repairs continue to join the long list of everything that needs to be done.
I spent all day Tuesday working on equipment repairs. The head mechanic, from Van Wall Turf in Omaha, was on site to help me with some repairs to one of the John Deere 1600’s. The other unit was sent back to Omaha to complete the repairs necessary.
It was a very educational morning, Tuesday, learning a lot of preventative maintenance. I also learned how to troubleshoot the computer on these John Deere units. Going through a lot of the smaller repair processes was really helpful to gain a thorough understanding of things to look for and how to make repairs.
An extremely wet golf season has left us with quite a few damaged areas in the roughs and fairways. Cart traffic, going through low areas where water is constantly puddling, has created quite a mess. We did a lot of hand work followed by adding sod to fairway and rough areas around the golf course. These areas are currently flagged to try and eliminate cart traffic damaging the repair work completed.
Early in the week several greens were spiked multiple times, overseeded, then top dressed to begin the recovery process in the winter kill areas. Obviously #17 green is the most damaged and only the center of the green will be mowed to green height. The remainder of the green will be allowed to grow so the new grass will establish and fill in the damaged areas. I am very happy with the progress this green is making.
The tiling project, on #16 green surrounds, is still on hold. The rainfall has put the contractor behind schedule on another project. Once time allows, he will be on site to complete this work. He and I are both optimistic this will eliminate the standing water issue in this area.
There are currently seven advertising spots, on our granite tee markers, of businesses that no longer exist in our area. This advertising was sold, during the construction phase of the golf course, to cover expenses on all amenity items for each individual hole. In the past couple weeks, all of these advertings have been sold to six local businesses. I am thrilled to have these businesses become a part of SMGC moving into the future.
The golf course has made a lot of progress, this past week, considering the difficulties Mother Nature continues to throw at us each week. I am thankful for the hard work of the grounds staff and the continuous dedication by our clubhouse staff. We are very fortunate to have staff that genuinely care about this golf course and the work they do each day. The pride definitely shows in their work. Thank you staff.
That is a wrap on another week at the muni. Please contact me with any questions, comments, or concerns. If there are people with questions, or just wondering “why?” please direct them in my direction. I am always available to listen or provide people with information to the best of my ability.
Spencer Municipal Golf Course 