T U R F TA L K
Creative Golf Course Maintenance (RECRUITING YOUR GOLFERS’ HELP) B Y PA U L H A R T Z E L L , F L O R AT I N E P R O D U C T S , C U L P E P E R , VA
atmosphere, the members ask questions and During the course of my daily sales calls, I [Editor’s Note: This article was gain a better understanding of the growing recently had the opportunity to sit down with Tad Wolford, superintendent of the Loudoun originally published last fall in side of the game. The club has predominantly Golf and Country Club (in Purcellville, VA), the Virginia Turfgrass Journal. ryegrass fairways, except on the par-three and I came across something that may be of While golf course superintendents holes, which are bentgrass, and several interest to others. in Tennessee may manage bentgrass tees with the majority being Back in July, the club hosted an event different grass species at their ryegrass. Tad has been able to show club members where to use the divot-mix bottles called the “Sand & Suds Party,” which Tad facilities, the basic idea in this their carts carry and which areas not to use hopes to hold monthly. With the help of his two assistants, Tad supplied two Carry-all article—recruiting the help of the sand/ryegrass mix. The second recently held “party” required a vehicles with sand/seed mix, and starting at your golfers for ball-mark repair 5:30 p.m., he had various club members and divot filling—is certainly third cart of divot mix and included repairing ball marks on greens. “The opportunities are show up to fill divots on the course. Members applicable at any golf course.] invaluable, especially since we show the who could not be there by 5:30 p.m. joined golfers the proper way to fill a divot so the sand does not dull the group as they arrived later. our reels, as well as showing them the proper technique to The event was a collaborative effort of Tad and his Greens repair a ball mark,” Tad says. Committee. The pro shop provided carts, and the club sent out Tad has also seen another valuable benefit. “When the the beverage cart with drinks and snacks and provided a buffet golfers are on the course, if one of the members who has dinner afterward in their 19th Hole Grill. participated in our party sees another member or guest not The first party had approximately 40 participants. The “Crew” replace or fill a divot or repair a ball mark, they speak up and consisted of the Club President, the Greens Committee, the Board even show how it should be done,” he says. “These members Liaison to the Greens Committee, the Golf Pro and many have experienced what it takes to repair the damage, and they members. “It took us about three hours to cover the entire course,” understand the value of doing it immediately according to says Tad. “What superintendent would turn down one-hundredproper golf etiquette.” and-twenty man hours of labor? It would take one man forty The latest event for the “Crew” was in September when the hours a week to do what we accomplished in an evening, and that greens were deep-tine aerified. “When we deep-tine, I like to handwould be his full time job.” sweep the sand in, to fill the holes completely and prevent a lot of Families came out and enjoyed the event together—one had settling later on,” says Tad. “The group volunteered to help out.” their four-week-old baby riding in a car seat on a cart with mom I hope this gets the creative juices flowing for other while dad worked, and others with young children had them bring superintendents and courses. Tad’s Sands & Suds Party their plastic clubs and balls to hit. “It’s a great educational program is a rare example of the club organization working opportunity,” Tad says. “We interact in ways I don't see during the together to make the golf experience better for all. It’s also an normal daily routine when I am focused on the course for excellent way of promoting maintenance challenges while maintenance and the members are focused on their game.” educating members. Could this be the way high school teams Tad has also found this event to be a great communication earn their keep on the course and learn golf etiquette? tool. By having his two assistants with him in this relaxed 32
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2004
Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com