A week of Shotguns

It has been a long week of shotgun tournaments. This picture was taken when everyone was heading back to the shop while golfers took to the course on Thursday morning. Kudos to the entire staff getting through all 18 in time to prep the course. It was a great week to showcase the golf course to those who do not normally play here much.

Let's try that again...

After a few bouts of electrical storms and almost another half inch of rain that fell this morning, it was a short day for the staff and even Dustin, our "Supe of the day". The conditions were really poor and unsafe, so both the GCM Staff and Landscapes staff called it early today and got some rest and we'll be back at it again tomorrow. Even Dustin, will get another crack at managing the crew.

38 degrees

This morning we headed out of the shop and the temperature was a cool 38 degrees. The frost season has not really ended. We have not had one week this season with out frost somewhere on the course, it's quite amazing. Hurry up and take advantage of the early tee times soon, because once we get to August the frost really settles in we need to back up tee times to prevent damage to the turfgrass. 

This week the town's fire prevention department, Tom Talbot and his staff will be clearing out some of the dead lodgepole pines throughout the course. They will begin on the 16th hole. In the coming weeks, we'll have to arrange for trees to come out on #2 and #5.

Also, we'll be saying goodbye to the old pump station tomorrow. Arapahoe Pump from Denver has purchased the old pumps and will be coming for them Thursday.

In With The Old

Well the good the weather is here and it is welcomed. Approximately 2/3rds of the course has new irrigation, which leaves areas that we continue to spend additional time watering. Pictured here are a couple of ways we try get supplemental water out to cover areas that just don't get enough at night.

On a positive note, we have noticed many improvements in turf health on holes that are complete with new irrigation. Specifically holes 4,5, and 6. Many areas of the fairways and roughs have always been weak. We are seeing the beginning signs of excellent coverage. Moving forward, we now have the support to strengthen these areas and make them the best playable conditions possible.

Growing Grass

Sometimes Mother Nature can only do so much to help. Pictured here is Justin looking for seedlings and growth on the 15th green. You may have noticed some of these breathable covers on a few greens. They can increase the soil temperature by 10 to 15 degrees. Bentgrass seed has been on this green for 14 days now and we are beginning to see some great results.

The wind has not helped lately with growing grass, but these covers can allow the seed to stay into place. They also allow water, sunlight and oxygen to move through the cover to encourage growth.

Spring

Spring is definitely here, not only are the daffodils in bloom but the wind won't stop. Fortunately temperatures haven't been too high to force dessication damage on grass and other plants, but we are getting close. Spring in the Rockies can produce almost any kind of weather.

A little more snow

Days after putting a poll on the blog about snow, we get our first inch! It is all but melted off by now. Just another reminder of where we live, work and play. A total of .7" of moisture since Friday night. A sort of blessing in disguise as far as the GCM staff is concerned. We had most of our employees begin work today and it gave us the opportunity to properly give an orientation to all new and returning employees. The weather kept us indoors and provided lengthy discussions on safety, cleaning habits, equipment use, updates with on-going projects and reviewing all of the main tasks of the season such as greens mowing, bunker raking and course set up, etc. We were also able to "get a leg up"on some minor clean up and re-organizing around the shop and on the course.

LUI ceased their operation today due to the wet conditions. Boring has begun on Vail Valley Dr from #3 to our Maintenance Facility for the new communication for irrigation.

Our budget too

Obviously budgets are being cut, like it or not most businesses are preparing wisely. There are many opinions out there in the golf industry whether to cut prices or not. We here at Vail Golf Club along with the renovations this year, felt it was right to adjust our prices accordingly. We are excited to begin the year and welcome new and returning golfers. In the maintenance department whether budgets are being cut or not, it is always our goal to provide better playing conditions than the previous year. So we have made some adjustments, hoping that you notice that conditions only improve.

I read an article recently from Larry Alyward in Golfdom Magazine that spoke to golf maintenance budgets. He quoted John Miller, a veteran and certified Superintendent, who is also the LPGA Tour Agronomist. He summarized how a family dining experience can be quite similar to one's golfing experience. Miller said, "It's like the family that goes out to dinner four times a month. They won't go out to dinner four times a month in this economy. They might go out once or twice, and that once or twice better be a memorable experience for them wherever they go, or they will go someplace else."

Vail Golf Club is doing everything possible to provide the best golfing experience in 2009. We hope to see you here checking out our improvements.