Golf Course News
Winter weather puts hold on play; Maintenance department catches up on off season chores
By Todd Mathews
Golf Course SuperintendentAn abundance of cold weather and snow has hindered off season play at Lake Tansi golf course this year. During a 50 day stretch, beginning around Christmas, there have only been 4 or 5 days in which golfers ventured out onto the course. The weather on those 4 or 5 days wasnt ideal. Only a handful of players braved the cold. Hopefully the weather will break soon and golfers will be able to cure their cabin fever.
The weather has also deterred some the outdoor projects the maintenance staff had planned. They usually get the rough aeration completed by the end of February, but that is not looking to good as of now. Tree removal, drainage, and bunker edging are a few other chores that have been put on hold due to the weather.
The 3 person golf maintenance team has made the most of the poor weather. They have been able to catch up on many off season yearly tasks. Off season maintenance is a necessity for any golf course. Annual maintenance must be performed in several areas. When the grass begins to grow there is absolutely no time to spare for these types of projects. Some of the annual maintenance items the staff has worked on this winter include:
Ball washers- Clean, sand, paint, and repair.
Rakes- Clean, paint, and repair.
Bag stands- Clean and paint.
Range tee dividers- Repair and paint.
O.B. and hazard stakes- Clean and paint; replace damaged ones.
Pond fountains- Clean and change oil.
Drinking fountains- Clean and paint.
Water jug stands- clean and water seal. (Actual jugs are cleaned on a daily basis throughout the season)
Equipment- Sharpen blades and bed knives; provide routine service; pressure wash and steam clean.
Restrooms- Clean and repair.
Tee markers- Clean and paint.
Signs- Repair, replace, and clean.
Red and green cart stakes- clean and paint.
Hole signs- Clean, repair, and paint
Trash cans- Clean and paint
Entrance sign-Repair and paint
Spike cleaners- Clean, repair, paint
Ordering, organizing and planning shipment of products such as fertilize, pre-emerge, and pesticides
When the weather is decent, the off season skeleton crew works on outdoor projects. When the weather doesnt allow them to work outdoors, they chip away at the annual maintenance projects that can be accomplished indoors. They also keep the new maintenance building spic and span on a regular basis. Needless to say, the small staff has a lot on their plate in the off season, which keeps them very busy.
