Assistant's View: Noxious Weeds

I’m not sure what looks better, the Gore Range in the background or the Canada Thistle curling over dead!  Noxious weeds are non-native plants disturbing the native ecosystem.  It’s more obvious that some are weeds while others disguise themselves as flowers.  These non-native plants have made their way here by many different modes of transportation traveling as far away as other continents.  

Noxious weeds thrive because they have no natural controls in their new habitat.  They also produce an abundance of seeds that can last as long 50 years or more in the soil.  Grass seed, when stored properly, only last for a few years.  Some noxious weeds create shade and can make it difficult for the native plants to survive others can consume massive amounts of water depleting a water supply.   You may have noticed in the last few weeks the native areas on the course have been getting sprayed with a three way herbicide to help control these weeds such as thistles, oxeye daisies, common mullein, bindweeds and more.  We will continue to spray as much as we can to help control the weeds. Click here for a great website to help you with noxious weeds in Colorado.

Justin Gompf, Vail GC Assistant Superintendent

Assistant's View: It Must Be The Start Of Summer In Vail

Well the water table is rising and we have high water on various areas of the course, it must be the start of summer in Vail.  Now that we’ve had about 10 days of good weather we are trying to get in to a rhythm of course maintenance.    

Due to the weather we are about two weeks behind schedule on fertilizing.  I began this week with a liquid application on greens.  I will continue the rest of the summer every two weeks with this application.  We do this “spoon feed” of liquid fertilizer to help keep the greens consistent.  Each application has small amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium key nutrients for healthy turf.  The tank mix also includes micronutrients and biostimulants which is also highly important in finely groomed turf.   We add about five different products to each tank to help create the healthiest greens we can.  The combination of these products help increase stress tolerance, build stronger deeper roots, aid in cell division, and aid with plant recovery from stress. 

Justin Gompf

Assistant Superintendent 

Assistant's View: The New Kid

It has been nearly a month since I have started my new position as an assistant superintendent to Mr. Steve Sarro at Vail Golf Club. Moving from Iowa in April, I was told that I would have two springs this year but had no idea that I would be watching snow fall towards the end of May. I think it is pretty cool but I am as excited to get this season in “full swing” as everyone else.


A few things I have experienced here include: training new staff, clearing greens of snow, sand bagging the Gore Creek, and how quickly the weather changes in a moment’s notice. Having most of my work experience in the Midwest, mountain golf course maintenance will be a new concept I am excited to learn. I am interested in the different types of plants and animals, climatic changes, agronomic principles, and the lack of turf pests and disease pressures.

So far, everyone I have met that works for Vail Recreation District (VRD) is very nice, supportive and up-holds a team player attitude. The VRD provides an excellent working environment and I look forward to becoming more involved in all aspects of the organization.

Hope to see you on the course soon,

Andy Unrau

Assistant's View: Bringing on Staff

It’s the first of the May and I have returned from Moab with more snow on the ground then when I left! After some great mountain biking and camping I’m ready to get the season started. The staff is hired and ready to work. Over the past month or two I’ve spent a fair amount of time going over applications and interviewing possible employees. Unfortunately, we only have three returning employees from the past season so I had many positions to fill. The new hires range from long time Vail residents to first year newbies to the valley looking to see how amazing this area can be in the summer. Our new and returning employees will start on Monday morning with training and retraining and getting acquainted with the shop. It’s our goal to create a team atmosphere and have everyone cross trained on several pieces of equipment. This all starts on the first day. We’ll spend some time getting to know one another. We will also go over every job assignment and piece of equipment in the shop. With the weather being uncooperative there will be plenty of time for in shop training. Looking ahead to later in the week the weather starts to look better and should be able to begin clean up after the long winter.

Justin Gompf
Assistant Superintendent