SUPERINTENDENT’S PERSPECTIVE
Reworking The Oaks CC Patience required by all sides by dan robinson superintendent, oaks country club
Golf course construction is a very exciting and stressful time. If you go back to any project’s infancy stages, it usually begins with a golf superintendent, the golf professional, and/or very active and concerned members. Typically at the forefront of a renovation are agronomic challenges -- the greens are full of undesirable grasses (Poa Annua), the soil profile is clogged with organic matter; perhaps the sand traps don’t drain, etc. So once the decision is made to approach club officials about the problems and how to correct them, typically a golf course architect is hired to help the club determine what the club needs. And then with that also come opportunities for improvement regarding design, difficulty and aesthetics. This is where projects grow. Now regarding agronomics -- this is at the forefront of every golf superintendent’s agenda during a renovation. Having perfect greens mix under the grass allows them to make good decisions and provide the playing conditions that everybody wants. Good drainage in the bunkers ensures playability after rain. After all, golfers don’t want us out there pumping out water in traps for two days no more than the staff wants to do it, either. Tee boxes properly leveled allow water to roll off quickly so we can get back to our mowing routines as soon as possible. French drains and catch basins permit the same for fairways. Now tell me who likes the carts to be on the paths for days and days after every rain? Once a quality architect has been engaged, items are identified that can be improved upon that do not necessarily have agronomic benefits at all. These areas, however, add tremendous value to your property. Things such as yardage distribution (making your course fun and/or challenging for everybody), cart path routing, tree planting and removal, bunker design, adding water features, and other things like that can really help sell a project. People can see and touch these improvements. Agronomic factors are typically under-ground and not noticed by 60 •••••• www.golfoklahoma.org
most golfers. Agronomics and design do not necessarily always agree with one another. If you strive for agronomic perfection, you will be limiting the design capabilities of your architect. But an architect must be very careful of what he is trying to create and leave the golf course maintenance staff with something they can maintain. It is important for both parties to have an open mind when renovating. It is also important for both to stand their ground when feeling strongly about something. This can lead to some friction at times. But ultimately you (superintendent) are left with the finished product and when the contractor and architect are gone, the course is yours. It is important to protect the property for both golfers and maintenance staff. When a project starts there is an unquantifiable amount of excitement from your staff and membership. This is shortlived. Reality sets in quickly when the contractor arrives. When the bulldozer blade hits the ground they can peel up in a matter of minutes what you have spent years growing, nurturing and repairing. Memories of those Saturday night irrigation repairs come flooding back. Course areas that you struggled with for years and years (that you finally got established) are gone in a flash. You are full of mixed emotions -- happy because you know you don’t have to worry about
presented by this or that; somewhat sad as you watch your blood, sweat and tears disappear in an instant. As the project continues on, members become very interested. Questions are answered daily. Although members are genuinely interested in the project, they are doing the math as to when they hope to get their golf course back. They do not ask that question directly at first, but believe me at the end they do and understandably so. When nearing the project’s end, you have two thoughts rolling through your mind. The first is, “I cannot wait for these folks to get out of here so I can get back to normal maintenance.” The second is, “I don’t want these guys to get out of here too fast and leave something properly un-attended to.” You cannot have it both ways. By now the members are asking daily when the course will be open. You are very tired of this construction process and ready to return to normal golf maintenance. Even the very best of contractors cannot get everything perfect. You know there are things you are going to have to “clean up” after they are gone and you are very willing to do so just to get the course open. With proper communication, respect for one another, and a lot of hard work; an architect, a contractor and your golf superintendent can create something for the entire membership to enjoy for a long time. This should have been the mission at the very beginning. Believe me, all golf course superintendents enjoy seeing smiling faces on the golf course. That is why we do what we do.
Extensive renovation work performed at The Oaks CC in west Tulsa.