The decision making process on course conditions & cart restrictions is a hot topic when the weather doesn't cooperate. If only we lived in the perfect world right? It seems to me that as the Superintendent, I am always the person with bad news but as the care givers of the course, it is the Grounds Departments responsibility to make the decision that serves the clubs best interest not only now but in the future.
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| I wish everyday was beautiful & course conditions were perfect! |
What goes into the decision making process? Member satification/enjoyment/happiness, economic ramifications, turf conditions, future weather forecast, agronomic issues both short & long term, membership following cart restrictions, etc. First and foremost, I am here to make the course the best it can be on any given day no matter what the circumstances. Weather dictates a majority of what we do and rolling with the punches is part of what makes the course good vs great. I need to be able to adapt to the daily scenerio that is presented to us daily, whether good or bad; making a decision that will benefit/protect the course & keep conditions at a high level.
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| Quality course conditions are not achieved by making poor decision during inclement weather. |
The decision making process takes into account the pros vs cons of allowing the course to be open and/or carts being allowed for the day. Both of these choices come with economic & member satifaction ramifications. Should we allow damage to incur to the course that could create problems not only that day but in the future? The issue doesn't arise from one cart making tire tracks but from a cumulative affect in the highly trafficed areas with numerous carts driving on these areas one after another. I have seen in the past the areas that are allowed to be highly trafficed show the signs cosmetically in the "now" but are the first areas to show the agronomic consequences during the heat of the summer when events are played & guests are comparing course conditions to their home course.
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| Carts driving on the newly laid sod |
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| Carts not following "Rough Only" restriction |
Members & guests can help by following cart restrictions. Carts are the main culprit behind many of the adverse tuf conditions. Compaction, wear tolerance, & quality turf conditions are always challenged due to the issues in high traffic areas from carts. Following cart restrictions helps in limiting high play areas from suffering the negative affects.
In summary, the decision is made with the best interest of the course & club in mind. It is a thoughtful process that entails the use of knowledge & past experience that will ultimately provide the membership with a highly conditioned course today & into the future.
