Hydraulic leak

One unavoidable "disaster" that occurs any time you use a piece of equipment operated with hydraulics is the possibility of a line failure.  At every golf course in world, at some point, at some location on the golf course, the dreaded hydraulic leak just happens.  Because we have a mechanic that routinely checks hoses and fittings and because we are able to keep new equipment (through our lease program) we rarely see these problems.  However, even with everything done correctly they still happen.  Here are few photos from this past Monday of the after of major seal failure around the bunker on #12.  Everything you can see that is black will more than likely die.  The temperature of the oil when it hits the grass blade cause the most damage.  We have washed it off in the past but the damage has already been done as soon as the hot fluid touches the plant.  We will determine whether to replace the turf or let it heal in after the damage can be seen.

Member-Guest

The Member-Guest Tournament is a great chance for Vestavia CC members to show off their club to their guest and potential members.  We get an even earlier start to our day for most of that week because of the tee times.  Its a long week but getting to see the fun that everyone has during the shootout is something that has been become a great tradition for VCC.  Here are a few photos from the week.

Golf Course Mechanic (Skip) watching the greens mower cut the practice putting green.

Mowing fairways and blowing with tractor before tournament.

Irrigation issues are part of everyday--including tournament prep days.

Mowing approach and raking bunker at sunrise.

#10 green ready to go.

Blowing off green after rolling.

Mowing practice putting green in the dark.

Lights on walking greens mower on upper putting green.

Guys mowing approach, raking bunker, and mowing green on #11.

Guys mowing approach, raking bunker, and mowing green on #11. (looking from back of the green)

Mowing #12 green.

Guys mowing approach, mowing green, and raking bunker on #13.

Approach mower on #14.

Tractor blowing fairway on #18.

The shootout hole #9.

The shootout hole #9.

The shootout #16 with gallery surrounding the green.

Cultural Practices

With every single task we undertake in our department, our ultimate goal is member (and their guest) enjoyment.  Sometimes though when you are playing and see our guys doing something you may think the exact opposite.  Questions like -Why would they cover-up* a perfectly good putting green with sand? OR The tees looked good, so why are they poking* holes in them and messing them up? OR  The collars and approaches were starting to look great then they sliced* them. Why?  Below are a few photos/videos of some of these practices (Cultural Practices) and as detailed/simple of an explanation as I can give with just 1 sentence (I could gladly go on and on about each one and the agronomic benefits but I'll spare you).

* - non-agronomic terms

Verticutting cuts through plant which creates new growing points and removes unwanted thatch.

Verticutting teeboxes and fairways creates new growing points at every cut and makes for a thicker tee surface.

Aerifying the bermuda surrounding the greens removes unwanted thatch and promotes new growth resulting in a thicker playing surface.

Aerifying the Par 3 mini-Verde ultra-dwarf bermuda greens creates large openings that allow for air, water, and nutrients to move down through the green profile.