Golf Course Superintendent Ready to Answer Any Questions You May Have

[caniac6]

After playing today, I had a chat with our gm expressing my feelings about the conditions at the course. He blamed the conditions of the greens on overwatering, bad fertilizer application, and being too aggressive dragging in sand following aerification. These are all human error. I mentioned in earlier posts that we were closed for a week for course maintenance, and the greens were pretty good prior to closing. The owner spent close to $5 million on the renovation, and we paid dues for 8 months while the course was closed. The greens were ruined in one week. They need to get a super that knows how to turn this around, and it needs to be done quickly.

[Holy Moses]

27 minutes ago, caniac6 said:

After playing today, I had a chat with our gm expressing my feelings about the conditions at the course. He blamed the conditions of the greens on overwatering, bad fertilizer application, and being too aggressive dragging in sand following aerification. These are all human error. I mentioned in earlier posts that we were closed for a week for course maintenance, and the greens were pretty good prior to closing. The owner spent close to $5 million on the renovation, and we paid dues for 8 months while the course was closed. The greens were ruined in one week. They need to get a super that knows how to turn this around, and it needs to be done quickly.

Take some pictures of the greens

[TexasTurf]

Need pics. Either wet wilt "melting out" or pythium, or both. Not going to get better until it cools down unless you plug or re-sod those areas. That's your only fast fix this time of year, it's not going to miraculously come back. Probably your only option once it cools down as well.

[caniac6]

Just found out that our superintendent has been fired. The gm, who was the previous superintendent, will take over until a new superintendent can be hired. Never enjoy seeing someone lose their job, but it had to be done. Hopefully they can turn things around.

[TexasTurf]

On 7/26/2025 at 11:33 AM, caniac6 said:

Just found out that our superintendent has been fired. The gm, who was the previous superintendent, will take over until a new superintendent can be hired. Never enjoy seeing someone lose their job, but it had to be done. Hopefully they can turn things around.

That sucks. But it was necessary. You have to be very quick now and find someone who can start fixing thing immediately. Greens have to be resodded going into the fall and absolutely not re-seeded and regrown because that will set you back another 8 months plus. 

Edited July 28 by TexasTurf

[caniac6]

5 hours ago, TexasTurf said:

That sucks. But it was necessary. You have to be very quick now and find someone who can start fixing thing immediately. Greens have to be resodded going into the fall and absolutely not re-seeded and regrown because that will set you back another 8 months plus. I personally know the guy that breeds the grass you have and can come fix it regardless of the title I am given. Would love to be your next superintendent. 

I don’t think it would be a very good job. There are three private clubs in town, and we are #3 by a wide margin. There are two semiprivates nearby that are in better shape, and one is a better course. I don’t know if you are familiar with Ellis Maple’s, but he was Donald Ross’s construction foreman, and he designed our course. The renovation took away a lot of the characteristics of Maples design. I won’t go into specifics, but the bunkers were built horribly. The tees are too small. I was given a tour while the greens were growing in by the GM. As we went around, he kept pointing out things he didn’t like. I was keeping my mouth shut, but I was seeing the same things. I wanted to ask him why he didn’t say anything while the work was going on. It was a fun, playable course prior to the renovation, but the architect, Bob Moore, screwed it up. Not many members like the changes. I really like the group of guys I play with. The guys in the pro shop are great guys. The wait staff is not real efficient, but they are very nice. Those are the things that I enjoy most, and keep me there.

Edited July 27 by caniac6

[caniac6]

Just found out they have already hired a new superintendent. Starts Aug. 4. All I know is he’s coming from the eastern part of N.C. Hope he has experience with bentgrass.

Edited July 27 by caniac6

[TexasTurf]

17 hours ago, caniac6 said:

I don’t think it would be a very good job. There are three private clubs in town, and we are #3 by a wide margin. There are two semiprivates nearby that are in better shape, and one is a better course. I don’t know if you are familiar with Ellis Maple’s, but he was Donald Ross’s construction foreman, and he designed our course. The renovation took away a lot of the characteristics of Maples design. I won’t go into specifics, but the bunkers were built horribly. The tees are too small. I was given a tour while the greens were growing in by the GM. As we went around, he kept pointing out things he didn’t like. I was keeping my mouth shut, but I was seeing the same things. I wanted to ask him why he didn’t say anything while the work was going on. It was a fun, playable course prior to the renovation, but the architect, Bob Moore, screwed it up. Not many members like the changes. I really like the group of guys I play with. The guys in the pro shop are great guys. The wait staff is not real efficient, but they are very nice. Those are the things that I enjoy most, and keep me there.

It is and will a be a great job for the guy you're bringing in. Seems like you have an awesome club. I'm still here to help if needed, had to shoot my shot. The guy who breeds the grass is Richard Hurley

 

He wants to make sure all of the courses that have his cultivars succeed. It would be worth your time to reach out to him.

[smashdn]

If the redesign/refresh is not what the members wanted, waste no time in getting what you want built by someone who can fix what has been done.

 

Character and conditioning are two major selling points for a club.  Sounds like you all might be having issues with both at the moment.

 

Ron Forse (his company) has done many Ross restos.  Might be money well spent to get someone who understands the Ross/Maples style and provide at minimum a plan that can possibly be executed in-house or even with local contractors.  Might even give Dan Maples a call if he is still active.  His email and number are listed on the ASGCA website.

 

I would imagine that the longer the "incorrect"/undesirable design changes are in place the harder they will be to correct.  As well as there being less appetite to do so.  [Well intentioned] people may start to come to like the out-of-place and out-of-design-character changes.

[caniac6]

21 minutes ago, smashdn said:

If the redesign/refresh is not what the members wanted, waste no time in getting what you want built by someone who can fix what has been done.

 

Character and conditioning are two major selling points for a club.  Sounds like you all might be having issues with both at the moment.

 

Ron Forse (his company) has done many Ross restos.  Might be money well spent to get someone who understands the Ross/Maples style and provide at minimum a plan that can possibly be executed in-house or even with local contractors.  Might even give Dan Maples a call if he is still active.  His email and number are listed on the ASGCA website.

 

I would imagine that the longer the "incorrect"/undesirable design changes are in place the harder they will be to correct.  As well as there being less appetite to do so.  [Well intentioned] people may start to come to like the out-of-place and out-of-design-character changes. I also thought consulting Dan Maples would have been a good thing. 

The owner paid for the renovation, with no assessment. We just had to pay our dues, and meet our food minimum. He’s not going to pay to have it done again. Plus, if we close for an extended period again, there will be a mass exodus. I gave them the name of an architect that has restored some classic courses, one of which our owner is a member, but I suspect money was part of the decision to pick the guy he did. 

Edited July 28 by caniac6

[smashdn]

That is a pickle then.  

 

I get money is of course always a factor but the saying about the best time to plant a tree comes to mind.  Or that it is never too late to do the right thing.

[StudentGolfer4]

@caniac6 first it was issues with a new chief/food and now major issues with the course conditioning. 
 

I hope your owner can get it figured out and you all get your club headed back in the right direction! 

[caniac6]

3 minutes ago, StudentGolfer4 said:

@caniac6 first it was issues with a new chief/food and now major issues with the course conditioning. 
 

I hope your owner can get it figured out and you all get your club headed back in the right direction! 

Thanks. We have a new superintendent coming in, so that’s a step in the right direction. We have a members meeting scheduled with the owner in about 6 weeks. It will be interesting to hear what the future plans will be. Even with all my complaints, I like the club, and I’m hoping things can get turned around.

[mshills]

Our superintendent, greens committee chair, and someone from a fertilizer company are going to hold a seminar on golf course maintenance, turf grass, etc. open to any member who’s interested. 
 

I love the condition of our course, especially given the weather this summer and our decidedly limited budget. So, I’m looking forward to attending this and learning something, since it’s not a topic I know much about. It will also be cool to say thanks to our new super, who I think is doing a great job. 
 

Great idea. 

[BVIChester]

I'm almost as invested in this thread as much as Arg's one. Good luck with the changes

 

Please, please can we have some pics!