The effect of rising fuel costs on golf course maintenance
By Todd Mathews
Golf course superintendent

Golf operations across the country are feeling the pain of soaring fuel prices and Lake Tansi is no exception. Besides the obvious cost of operating mowing equipment, high fuel prices impact nearly every facet of golf course maintenance. It will be very difficult to provide the expected level of maintenance on the course while remaining under budget. The 2 largest budget items at Lake Tansi (besides labor) are fertilize and pesticides. They happen to be the 2 items most drastically impacted by rising fuel costs.

Fertilize prices have doubled since this time last year. When the golf course maintenance department completed its 2008 budget last August, fertilize costs were in line with the last several years costs. In April, when it was time to place the order, fertilize costs had doubled, seemingly over night. The golf maintenance department only purchased half of the required yearly amount needed to provide nourishment for turf on the course. They will have to come up with an alternate plan in order to get the remaining amount of fertility to the golf course.

Pesticide costs have not doubled but there is a dramatic increase in prices. Distributors as well as consumers have been shocked at the price changes in the last few months. Superintendents are hoping the fungus activity will be light this year. Budget preparation for 2009 will be difficult. If current levels of maintenance are to continue, budgets will need to be increased to fill the demand.

Over the last 4 years the golf course maintenance department has created over 15 acres of what we call natural areas. Natural areas are places that do not come into play very often and are left uncut for several weeks. As more natural area is created, costs are reduced. The golf course maintenance department is continually looking for more “out of the way” area on the course to convert into natural areas. The golf course equipment uses about 25 gallons of fuel each day. Less mowing of non critical areas will help to reduce that amount.

Who knows how long this fuel crisis will last. In the mean time, the golf course maintenance department at Lake Tansi will continue to search for ways to reduce costs. Although, it will be hard to cut corners on budget that has already had its corners cut.