Can Golf Be Fun?
Right about at this time of year, with the U.S. Open starting in a few days, the golf world is bracing for its annual bitch-fest, the carping and complaining from the pros about how difficult the course is, how poorly it’s set up, and how the brutal conditions will show them at their worst. Yet […]
Augusta National and The Masters
I am a sports junkie and spring is my favorite time of year. Which button on the TV remote do I press and what sport do I watch? Hockey, basketball, baseball, horse racing and most importantly right now – golf! No, not Johnny Miller and weekly “down-grain, cross-grain, double grain and towards the setting sun […]
“I’m Over What…?”
The economy and what we are experiencing in the golf industry has left many hard working GC superintendents, GM’s and golf professionals without employment. These individuals have lost their employment due to a sluggish golf economy and budget cuts. In addition many once profitable clubs have fallen prey to the numerous golf management firms touting […]
I’M BACK…..
We’re already two weeks into 2011 and my huge fan base (at least 2) has been clamoring for new posts and wondering why I haven’t offered my predictions for the new year. But first a little reminiscing. What did we accomplish in 2010? Not much… We did not see the industry turn around. It’s still […]
2011 – Thank Goodness It’s Almost Here!
Summer couldn’t end soon enough for superintendents across the country, especially in the north and southeast where extreme heat and humidity did some serious damage to even the best-maintained courses. 2010 witnessed the worst weather in more than 25 years, and I’m sure there’s a lot more gray hair—if there’s any hair left at all—on […]
My Cups Runneth Over
September is my favorite time of year. Temperatures are cooling down, which in any year-but especially this one-means golf courses will be less stressed by heat and we can start preparing for next season.But I also love fall because I’m almost as crazy about hockey as I am about golf. The pre-season has already begun […]
So, You Like Your Superintendent Until
In some circles, the course superintendent is a hero. You’ve may have seen TV ads thanking supers for doing a thankless job or heard golf broadcasters singling out the grounds crews at Tour courses for their work above and beyond. Perhaps you’ve received e-mails from golf’s national associations and governing bodies giving credit where it has […]
How Low Can They Go?
57, 58, 59, 59, 60, 63… What do these numbers have in common? They were all rounds shot at pro tour events this season by much better players than I ever hope to be and likely better than you, too. However, as a result of these low scores, golf’s governing bodies, along with the media, […]
The Hole Truth
After watching a week’s worth of U.S. Open coverage, all I can say is that if the time spent analyzing hole locations had been given over to the BP oil spill, the Gulf of Mexico would be spotless by now. It boggles my mind how much fuss can be made over placing a 4-1/4-inch hole […]
Firm and Fast?
The U.S. Open is on next week, which means the eyes of the golf world will be looking closely at Pebble Beach and the USGA’s new mantra, “Brown is the New Green.” It is certainly true that golf courses can be wiser in their water use. Many people think courses waste water and should be […]
