Reel to Reel

Our attention this week has shifted to cleaning the equipment in preparation for our winter maintenance. José power washing a trim mower As you can imagine, the long season takes its toll on the equipment.  The winter months allow us the opportunity to conduct our preventative and routine maintenance on the fleet. The scope of our work includes: Sharpening and adjusting cutting units Inspections of hoses, electrical wires and switches Filter replacements and fluid level adjustments Engine repair and maintenance Tire inspection and care Body repair and painting Mike repairing a utility vehicle

All is well on the course as we approach mid-December. Above average temperatures this month have melted the 8" of snow we had on the ground. Ground conditions remain soft as we have also had rain.  Night time temperatures are dipping well below the freezing point resulting in the turf going through several freeze-thaw cycles. As a reminder, the greens have been closed and roped off for the season. The turf is in a dormant state, and walking on them during the winter, as they are going through freeze-thaw cycles, can be detrimental to their health.  Traffic damage on frozen turf usually occurs during periods of freezing or thawing.  The most devastating damage can occur when the upper .5"-1" of soil has thawed and the ground beneath that layer remains frozen.  Traffic will create a shearing action causing significant damage to the crown tissue and roots of the turf, resulting in possible death. Temporary greens have been set up to play to, until the greens are re...