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Now that the holiday season is behind us, we enter into the heart of the winter months, and old man Winter will begin to show his ugly face. Things tend to move a little slower this time of year, but this is not the case for the golf maintenance team. We have numerous projects to tackle before the arrival of the warmer days of spring. Winter is the perfect time to take on projects like this, which will be beneficial for the upcoming season.
All course accessories will be getting a facelift, along with the addition of a few new key pieces. On course, staking and directional pieces are being resurfaced and painted. All signage and yardage plates are being stripped, painted, and relined. There will be several new items added for the 2024 season, so be on the lookout for new tee markers, flagsticks, and pin position signage at the starter building.
Not only do the winter months provide time to refresh our on-course items, but, it also gives us a chance to focus on our administrative responsibilities as well. We are streamlining our employee training program and putting focus on promoting the development of existing employees. Our employees are an investment, and I will always embrace motivation and hard work. New goals are being set with our expectations clearly defined. This will keep us uniform and set a standard for all employees. We are also using this time to implement any new policies and procedures that we may have.
Just because the courses are frozen doesn’t mean all work is done indoors. We are taking on several on-course projects as well. We have bunker work planned that will involve some reshaping and possibly converting some unnecessary bunkers from sand to grass. We will also be tapping into our irrigation lines, adding quick couplers in some key areas that have historically been hot spots in years past. This will allow us to hook up hoses for hand watering. The use of hoses will allow us to target specific areas instead of broadcasting over a large area. Leaving behind unfavorable wet conditions. There will also be lots of clearing of underbrush and selective tree work.
Tree work is a necessary part of every golf maintenance department and, if ignored, can provide significant setbacks and/or difficulties in the growing season. Trees continue to grow and increase in size year after year. When trees get bigger, so does the shadow that they throw, limiting the amount of sunlight that we would receive. Not only do they shade our turf, but trees have the potential to encroach and can impact the visibility of greens and limit shot-making opportunities. The most detrimental is the effect on playability and performance of the turf. If trees aren’t properly managed by utilizing techniques such as thinning, limbing up, and/or removal when necessary, there is no doubt that sunlight will be blocked and grasses will suffer from reduced growth due to shade. This will make them much more susceptible to winter injuries and decline. We also must be aware of what is happening underground. Tree roots can stretch into unwanted areas such as fairways and tee boxes, taking away critical nutrients and water from surrounding turfgrasses. Not only will this cause unsightly damage, but it also comes with a cost. Typically, sod will be purchased along with seed to fix the damaged areas. Both of which have seen steep price increases over the past couple of years.
Trees are beautiful, and removal is always the last option. Therefore, we focus our energy on raising the canopy; when possible, this will allow sunlight to penetrate and reach our turf below. The winter months may be cold and even unpleasant at times, but it is the perfect time to take on this type of work. Therefore, the winter months are just as important to us as the peak months of summer. By using our time wisely this winter, it will enable us to hit the ground running come opening day. I look forward to seeing everyone on the course this spring.
-Reminder-
All golf carts will be restricted to the path during the months of January and February.
The board has decided to close the Stonehaven Course to public play from January 2, 2024, through February 28, 2024. After much consideration and the board's evaluation of a financial review of the Stonehaven Course for the months of January and February.
Owners with a valid trail pass will be able to play the Stonehaven course. No POA golf carts will be available from January 2, 2024, to February 28, 2024. The golf carts will be stored in a location that will best protect the asset and allow time for the golf maintenance team to perform maintenance on the carts. Stonehaven will not require a tee time during this period.
Thank you,
Patrick Murphy,
Golf Course Supernatant
Glade Springs Village Property Owners Association
If you need to reach Patrick, you can email him at: Patrick Murphy's Email
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