Tuesday, September 29, 2009

USGA Green Section Southeast Regional Update

A Matter of Respect
By Chris Hartwiger and Patrick O’Brien , USGA SE Region Agronomists

What do David Duval and Patrick O’Brien have in common? They both were faced with a plugged and unplayable lie in a bunker during the final round of a major championship. For David, the setting was the U.S. Open at Bethpage. For Patrick, it was the Brunswick Invitational. How should these situations be interpreted? Are these golfers the victim of the wrong sand, poor maintenance, or substandard design? Or are bad lies part of the game? These questions are brought up regularly on USGA Turfgrass Advisory Service visits. We have encountered course officials and golfers who at one time or another have eagerly argued each of the scenarios above. This regional update will sort out some facts, state our position, and provide some information to answer this question.

What is a Bunker?
According to the USGA Rules of Golf, a bunker “is a hazard consisting of a prepared area of ground, often a hollow, from which turf or soil has been removed and replaced with sand or the like.”

Although this definition is straightforward, golfers sometimes are confused with regard to the definition of a hazard. We have been told many times by golfers and course officials that in a properly maintained hazard, in this case a bunker, there would never be any plugged lies. In fact, we are told that every time a ball enters this hazard, the lie should be consistent.

Let’s begin to sort out these claims by going straight to the dictionary and see the first two definitions of hazard.

Hazard [haz-erd] - noun
1. an unavoidable danger or risk, even though often foreseeable.
2. something causing unavoidable danger, peril, risk, or difficulty.
Overall, it appears this hazard in golf is not a happy place to be.

Does design influence playability?
Yes, it is generally accepted that flat bottom bunkers wash out less frequently and severely. Maintaining a firm surface is easier in a flat bottom bunker. However, difficult lies are possible in flat bottom bunkers in the areas where the grass and sand meet. Bunkers with flashed faces will wash out more frequently, but balls are more likely to roll to a low spot away from the edge. Any time sand washes out and must be replaced with fresh sand, it will be softer than sand that has not been washed out.

Does the type of sand impact playability?
Yes, sand impacts playability; however, there is no sand that will satisfy all the people all of the time. There is no bunker sand that comes with a guarantee of no bad lies.

Does maintenance affect playability?
Yes, although there is a misconception among many golfers that bunkers can be “consistent”, nothing could be further from the truth. Bunkers are influenced by sun, rain, position in relation to the sun, degree to which they wash in a rain, how golfers enter and exit, etc. This implies that the bunkers can be maintained in a consistent fashion by using the same method to groom all of them, but the outcome of golf shots hit into a bunker can vary not only from bunker to bunker, but even from within the same bunker.

The Bottom Line
David Duval and Patrick O’Brien sure got bad breaks. Unfortunately, the buck must stop with them. The Rules of Golf provided a solution for their difficulties, as unpalatable as that may have been. They were not the victim of bad design, bad maintenance, or the wrong type of sand. They both were playing an outdoor game that requires all of us to play the course as we find it. Bunkers were never intended to be targets for golf shots, nor are there any promises as to what type of lie will result. In fact, the Rules of Golf declare that they are hazards, and we now know that hazards are generally associated with risk, peril, or danger. We continue to advocate that no matter how we manipulate maintenance practices, sand types, and designs, there will continue to be good lies in bunkers and bad ones, too.

Source: Patrick O'Brien or patobrien@usga.org and Chris Hartwiger or chartwiger@usga.org.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Mystic Dunes to Raise Funds for American Cancer Society

Mystic Dunes Resort & Golf Club will raise funds for the American Cancer Society by hosting its 5th annual Pink Ribbon Golf Classic on Friday, October 9, 2009

"We are proud of our company's commitment to community service, and we invite our friends, neighbors and community partners to join us for a fun day of golf and camaraderie in support of this great cause that touches the lives of so many," said Roger Farwell, President and CEO of Tempus Resorts International, parent company of Mystic Dunes Resort & Golf Club.

The tournament will feature a four-person scramble format. Registration will begin at 12:00 noon and the scramble starts at 1:00 p.m. A reception including a silent and live auction will round out the day. Tournament fees are $95 per player or $350 per foursome, with proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society. Mystic Dunes Golf Club is located at Mystic Dunes Resort & Golf Club, 7900 Mystic Dunes Lane, Celebration, FL 34747. Pre-registration for the tournament is required and can be done by visiting www.mysticdunesgolf.com or by calling 407-787-5678 or 866-311-1234.

A limited number of hole sponsorships are available. Hole sponsors receive sign recognition on 1 of 18 holes during the event, positioning on all LeaderBoard presentations throughout the day, and the option to place a promotional item in the tee gift bag. Companies interested in becoming a hole sponsor may contact Keith Bielski at 407-787-5639 or bielskik@tempusresorts.net.

About Mystic Dunes Golf Club
Maintained by IGM, Mystic Dunes Golf Club, a high-end daily fee course, is open to the public and is located at Mystic Dunes Resort & Golf Club in Celebration, Florida, which is owned and operated by Tempus Resorts International, Ltd. Designed by Champions Tour player and NBC Golf Analyst Gary Koch, this premier Central Florida course is a par 71, 7,012-yard golfer's dream. The course is ranked a 4 ½-star facility among Golf Digest's "Best Places to Play", has been honored as a Course of Distinction among Golfweek's "Best Resort Courses", and is ranked #2 among "Orlando's Top 5 Golf Courses" by TravelGolf.com. Tee times can be booked online at www.mysticdunesgolf.com or by calling the pro shop at (866) 311-1234 or (407) 787-5678.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Why aerify?

It's a perfect, sunny morning and you've just reached the first green in regulation. You feel great and you know you're within birdie range. Then, you see them, those little holes in the green. Arrrgh! They've just aerified the course, and it's going to ruin your round, right?

Well, maybe not. Consider the fact that PGA Tour legend Tom Watson shot a sizzling record 58 at his then-home course, Kansas City Country Club, just days after the greens had been aerified.

Consider also that aerification is merely a short-term disruption that has long-term benefits for the course. When you see them, remember that without those little holes, the greens would eventually die.

Like so many things, the quality of a good putting green is more than skin deep. In fact, the condition of a green has a lot to do with what goes on below the surface. In order to keep grass growing at 3/16-inch you have to have deep, healthy roots. Good roots demand oxygen. In good soil, they get the oxygen from tiny pockets of air trapped between soil and sand particles.

Over time, the traffic from golfers' feet (as well as heavy mowing equipment) tends to compact the soil under the putting green - particularly when the soil contains a lot of clay. When soil becomes compacted, the air pockets on which the roots depend are crushed, and the roots are essentially left gasping for air. Without oxygen, the grass plants will wither and die.

Aerification is a mechanical process that creates more air space in the soil and promotes deeper rooting, thus helping the grass plants stay healthy. In most cases, it's done by removing 1/2-inch cores (those plugs you sometimes see near a green or in fairways). The spaces are then filled with sand "topdressing" that helps the soil retain air space and makes it easier for roots to grow downward.

Other aerification techniques use machines with "tines" or knives that simply poke holes through the soil profile. A newer technique even uses ultra high-pressure water that's injected through the soil profile to create small holes that relieve some compaction but heal quickly.

The bottom line is that aerification is a necessary practice. But before you curse the superintendent for ruining your day, just think of Tom Watson.

Source: http://www.gcsaa.org/solutions/facts/aerify.aspx

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

September Anniversaries

We would like to recognize the following team members who have demonstrated their continued commitment to excellence and have reached important milestones with IGM.

7 Years
Daniel Wikiera - Technician - IGM at Mystic Dunes
6 Years
Bill Sheer - Superintendent - IGM at Mystic Dunes
4 Years
Paul Illgen - Superintendent - IGM at Highland Lakes
Henry Oertel - Equipment Technician - IGM at The Ledges
3 Years
Timothy Farr - Irrigation Technician - IGM at Country Wood
Enrique Castellanos - Irrigation Technician - IGM at Silverstone
2 Years
Edward Taylor - Irrigation Technician - IGM at Grand Palms
Raul Sanchez - Crew Leader - IGM at Bear Valley Springs
Jose Benitez-Macias - Assistant Superintendent - IGM at Bear Valley Springs
Todd Yandell - Equipment Technician - IGM at Bear Valley Springs
Matt Sobotka - Assistant Superintendent - IGM at Lakes of the Woods
Brad Batchelor - Superintendent - IGM at Bear Valley Springs
1 Year
Larry Haley - Equipment Technician - IGM at Brays Island
Tray Maltby - Superintendent - IGM at Brays Island
Clemente Lopes - Irrigation Technician - IGM at Silverstone
Mike Kuhn - Assistant Superintendent - IGM at Brays Island
Ricardo Pascual - Irrigation Technician - IGM at Brays Island
Roel Figueroa-Solis - Crew Leader - IGM at Brays Island
Wayne White - Assistant Superintendent - IGM at Silver Lakes

Thanks to each of you for your efforts in making IGM the leader in the golf maintenance industry. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

September Birthdays

Members of the IGM Team with September birthdays:
Bobby Reyes - Superintendent - IGM at Date Palm
Duane Simpson - Landscape Supervisor - IGM at ViewPoint
Jim Smarz - Crew Leader - IGM at ChampionsGate
David Bair - Irrigation Technician - IGM at Heritage Greens
Bill Sheer - Superintendent - IGM at Mystic Dunes
Christopher Monserrate - Assistant Superintendent - IGM at Grand Palms
Melanie Mark - Regional Manager - SE Florida
We wish each of you a very Happy Birthday!

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Order Over Disorder by Jim McLoughlin

Special thanks to Jim McLoughlin for allowing us to share his article from his Career Corner Blog on Turfnet.com.

The prevailing myth that disorderly maintenance facilities and sloppy offices are justified because of the hectic unpredictable nature of the work golf course superintendents engage in every day is the kind of thinking that could cost you your job.

This is a dangerous myth because the vast majority of those responsible for employing and monitoring superintendents’ work are successful private sector managers requiring well-organized work environments 24/7 throughout their day jobs who will instinctively think less of superintendents who tolerate disorder.

Don’t Give Them An Excuse
Through my 25-plus years of visiting America’s golf course maintenance facilities, I have seen the good, the indifferent and the bad in about equal proportions. Accordingly, I am concerned in this fiscally driven era for the job security of superintendents who marginalize facility order to whatever degree because – like being pregnant – you are either organized, or you are not and you will be judged more so now than ever before in this light in the coming year or so.

“Your employers will be entitled to conclude that your crew is likely to adopt the same indifferent commitment to excellence that you exhibit throughout your maintenance facility to their daily work assignments…“
My concern for the job security of superintendents who tolerate disorder centers around three themes: first, knowing that loosely managed maintenance facilities will always offend a segment of the people charged with the responsibility of judging your work; second, realizing that your employers will be entitled to conclude that your crew is likely to adopt the same indifferent commitment to excellence that you exhibit throughout your maintenance facility to their daily work assignments; and finally – understanding that disorder undermines crew pride in their work. Orderliness grows pride and all the good things associated with it.
You never want to give your employers another reason to take a deeper look into the prevailing question of day; i.e., whether they can justify your salary in today’s already difficult economy that everyone, including the President, advises will continue to decline for at least two more years? Accordingly, now is the time to hunker down “every which way” organization-wise to get ahead of the survival curve before circumstances deny you this opportunity.
“The organizational quality of your maintenance facility will be judged across the board at the “weakest link” level of the following three maintenance facility elements: the grounds immediate surrounding the building(s), within the equipment storage building itself and your personal office…”
The above-mentioned “every which way” concept references your need to present order over disorder throughout each of the following three elements of your maintenance facility: the grounds immediate surrounding the building(s), within the equipment storage building itself and your personal office. Borrowing from the often-used “chain” analogy – the organizational quality of your maintenance facility will be judged across the board at the “weakest link” level of
the three facility elements listed immediately above.
In this instance, one strike and you’re out.


Article shared with permission from Career Corner with Jim McLoughlin: http://turfnet.com/career
URL to article:
http://turfnet.com/career/index.php/2009/08/job-securing-tip-3-order-over-disorder/

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Waynesville Inn Hosts Porsche Car Show & Events

When you think about a weekend in the mountains of Western North Carolina at the Waynesville Inn Golf Resort & Spa, you might imagine great golf, relaxing at the spa, incredible scenery and a beautiful sunset. On July 24th and 25th you would gotten all that and a collection of fast, sleek Porsche sports cars.

The two day event featured a car show on the first fairway of the historic Donald Ross designed golf course. The show included competition race cars and personnel from The Racers Group as well as various driving tours, wine tastings and golf events. A portion of the proceeds from the event benefited Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation.

About Waynesville Inn Golf Resort & Spa
Visiting this historic mountain lodge is like stepping back in time, yet with all the modern amenities. Pristine mountain views are the focal point of many of our 115 rooms. While staying at our mountain retreat you won't need your car, as we have a choice of two fine and uniquely different restaurants available - only steps from your room. Like to play golf? You will have 27-holes of championship golf designed by the legendary Scottish architect Donald Ross, rated 4-stars by Golf Digest. For more information about the Waynesville Inn Golf Resort and Spa please visit www.TheWaynesvilleInn.com and see for yourself this “diamond in the rough” in Western North Carolina.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

IGM Maintained Mystic Dunes to Host Patriot Day Event

Mystic Dunes Golf Club has announced plans to participate in the third annual Patriot Golf Day campaign, September 4-7, 2009. Golfers will be asked to donate a minimum of $1 to benefit the Folds of Honor Foundation® to provide post secondary educational scholarships for children and spouses of military service men and women killed or disabled while serving our great nation.

"It's easy for our guests to donate to this great cause. We simply ask golfers to add an extra dollar to their greens fee," said Mystic Dunes Director of Golf Rick Smith.

The club will also accept donations to the Folds of Honor Foundation from the general public. Monetary donations can be made at the Mystic Dunes Clubhouse, located at 7850 Shadow Tree Lane, Celebration, FL 34747.

Patriot Golf Day, the primary fund-raiser for the Folds of Honor Foundation, was created by Major Dan Rooney, a PGA Professional and USGA member from Broken Arrow, Okla. Patriot Golf Day is jointly supported by The PGA of America and the United States Golf Association and also receives support from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), Club Managers Association of America (CMAA), the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) and from many of the country's leading golf manufacturers and media outlets. Over the past 2 years nearly 3 million dollar has been raised.

About Mystic Dunes Golf Club
Mystic Dunes Golf Club, a high-end daily fee course, is open to the public and is located at Mystic Dunes Resort & Golf Club in Celebration, Florida, which is owned and operated by Tempus Resorts International, Ltd. Designed by Champions Tour player and NBC Golf Analyst Gary Koch, this premier Central Florida course is a par 71, 7,012-yard golfer's dream. The course is ranked a 4 ½-star facility among Golf Digest's "Best Places to Play", has been honored as a Course of Distinction among Golfweek's "Best Resort Courses", and is ranked #2 among "Orlando's Top 5 Golf Courses" by TravelGolf.com. Tee times can be booked online at www.mysticdunesgolf.com or by calling the pro shop at (866) 311-1234 or (407) 787-5678.