"You work at a golf course? What the heck do you do during the winter?"
There are 8 main tasks we need to perform during the off season period.
Mechanical equipment repair and preventive maintenance.
Green and tee equipment and course accessory maintenance.
Building maintenance and repairs.
Program evaluation and planning.
Employee education and certification.
Budget preparation.
Advance bulk purchasing and capital equipment bidding.
Golf course monitoring and tree maintenance.
Mechanical equipment repair and preventive maintenance
The maintenance equipment fleet consists of more than 100 pieces including reel and rotary mowers, tractors and loaders, sprayers and aerifiers, turf trucksters and 2 man carts. There is also a rental fleet of 87 golf carts. Much of the equipment is used seven days per week during the golf season so it is important to have everything in perfect operating condition to avoid costly break downs during the busy summer months. All equipment receives servicing of engine oil, air filters, spark plugs, fuel injectors, hydraulic oil and hydraulic filters to meet recommended maintenance intervals. Any worn belts, bearings, grease fittings, rollers and oil seals are replaced. All wiring harnesses and hydraulic motors and hoses are inspected and replaced as needed. Ninety reel mower cutting units are inspected and worn parts are replaced before they are sharpened. Each unit is set at a precise height of cut to mow it's designated turf. Greens are mowed at a height of .118", tees and fairways at .406", intermediate rough at 1.50" and rough at a 2" height.
The golf cart fleet is cleaned, serviced and repaired in preparation for the golf season.
Green and tee equipment and course accessory maintenance
Every amenity the customer touches during the golf season receives attention. Seventy wooden benches, 18 wooden trash cans and 10 wood picnic tables are sanded painted and stained. Thirty golf ball washers are repaired, sanded and repainted. More than 300 tee markers are cleaned, inspected and replaced as needed. Twelve divot seed bins and 60 trash/recycling bins are cleaned and treated with UV protection. Dozens of cart direction and 'ground under repair' signs are cleaned and repaired. New flags are installed on 80 pins that have been cleaned and coated with shrink wrap vinyl. Hundreds of stakes used to control traffic are repaired and painted. More that 500 bunker rakes are repaired and handles are coated with vinyl shrink wrap as needed.
Building maintenance and repairs
The Club House, Halfway House, Maintenance Buildings, and Pump Houses receive off season maintenance, repairs and improvements. Ten HVAC units are serviced. Worn lighting and plumbing fixtures are replaced. Door closers are adjusted and weather stripping is replaced when needed. Battery back-up emergency lights and exit lights are tested. Interior painting and staining is performed. All restaurant kitchen equipment is serviced.
Program evaluation and planning
We are constantly focused on improving the facility. Most improvements in golf course conditions begin in the off-season. The previous years fertility program, disease control efforts and cultural practices are reviewed. Maintenance plans that did not produce improved conditions are modified to produce better results. Research on a variety of turf grass issues is on going at the national level through the United States Golf Association Green Section and various universities and at the local level through the Chicago District Golf Association. Positive research results that are relevant to our operation are reviewed and implemented.
Employee education and certification
There are many opportunities for continuing education and staff training at the local and national level. The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) conducts webcasts via the internet. Their annual education conference provides dozens of education sessions ranging from half hour presentations to in depth 2 day training on specific topics related to golf course maintenance. The GCSAA annual trade show is held in conjunction with the GCSAA education conference and is the one place to see the new equipment, chemistries, products and technologies used in course maintenance. The local chapter of the Midwest Association of Golf Course Superintendents provides educational sessions monthly. The Chicago District Golf Association conducts two off season seminars addressing local issues and highlighting their research results. The United States Golf Association provides "live meeting' webcasts throughout the season.
Several vendors provide training relevant to their products. Staff also receives annual pesticide training, testing and licensing by the Illinois E.P.A.
Budget preparation
Each year the effectiveness of the current budget is evaluated and a new budget is created with a focus on creating a better product for our customers while working more efficiently to reduce expenses. The golf business has declined during the past decade due to performance improvements in golf equipment and poor economic conditions. We continually adjust our staff levels and maintenance practices to meet the changing golf business. Our 2010/2011 expense budget is 37% lower than it was 5 years ago. We have been able to improve course conditions during this same period.
Advance bulk purchasing and capital equipment bidding
Significant savings are realized through bulk purchasing of fertilizers, pesticides, grass seed and other maintenance materials. It is essential to properly forecast the necessary items quantities that will be used throughout the growing season. Product specifications and quote forms are developed and supplied to vendors. Expensive equipment and services are purchased through a formal bid process.
Golf course monitoring and tree maintenance
The health of the golf course needs to be monitored all year including the winter months. Diseases can occur during certain winter conditions and treatments are sometimes necessary. The build up of ice sheets, especially on golf greens, can prevent the release of toxic gasses in the soil leading to turfgrass decline or death.
Winter can be an ideal time for large tree removal if the ground is frozen. The frozen ground allows us to bring large equipment into sensitive turf areas without cause damage to the golf course.
