The month of March has been unbelievable in the weather department. Rounds are up, cash registers have been ringing and the grounds departments are a head of schedule with their preparation for opening day. Throw in a Tiger Woods win and things are just right in the golf world! OK, maybe that is a little too much on the glass being half full but I will take it.
Most courses have completed their aeration and now just a good soaking rain day here in the North East and you would have some happy turf managers. Sadly, my guess on this upcoming season looks like a dry one. No snow melt to help things and high temps early have the look of a few years back when we went from winter to summer. That year was not pretty and lots of tired people when September rolled around. But my guess is as good as any meteorologist(hopefully wrong as often as they are...).
With the Masters just around the corner and the official golf season about to begin, I wish you and your staff successful and healthy year!
WJC
Monday, March 26, 2012
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Spring Cleaning
As we hit the half way point in March, the weather has been incredible. Rounds of golf are up and everyone is itchy to get things started. With some courses mowing through a good part of the winter and most aerifying now, it looks like the busy season is here! The biggest concern seems to be if you have not charged your irrigation system yet....It has been pretty dry. With no snow melt, it has all the makings of a drought year but as we all know, there is no telling what weather we will be getting in the Mid-Atlantic region anymore.
I keep getting asked "what is going on out there" and I would have to say things are as positive as they have been since the tough times that started back in 2008. Most clubs have some capital , there seems to be more projects (Bunkers/Irrigation) starting or research is starting to see about costs. So are we back to boom times, probably not but are things looking better, absolutely. You just have to look at it from a different angle!
Happy Saint Patrick's Day!
WJC
I keep getting asked "what is going on out there" and I would have to say things are as positive as they have been since the tough times that started back in 2008. Most clubs have some capital , there seems to be more projects (Bunkers/Irrigation) starting or research is starting to see about costs. So are we back to boom times, probably not but are things looking better, absolutely. You just have to look at it from a different angle!
Happy Saint Patrick's Day!
| An Old Irish Blessing |
| May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand |
WJC
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Leaving Las Vegas
With the 2012 Golf Industry Show in the rear view mirror there is plenty to reflect on....
Mood ring
The overall mood seems to be is the golf business is turning the corner but it won't take much to push things in the wrong direction again. Lots of concerns with the lack of snow in the East and Mid West leading into the possiblity of a drought to start out the year. The growth of management companies seems to be filling the void on courses that finacially are struggling to survive. It will be an interesting 2012!
Lost in translation
I was really interested in how many attendees at the 2012 GIS were from places outside the USA. As we all know the growth of golf in the states has come to almost a complete halt but there is still some growth in other places around the world. I know just from the tone of the Toro Business Meeting (which is now refered to as the World Wide Business Meeting), that the opportunity to drastically grow the golf business can only be done by growing globally.
Philanthropy golf industry style
Mr. Ken Melrose, retired CEO of the Toro Company, made a $1,000,000 donation to the Environmental Institute for Golf under the Kendrick B. Melrose Family Foundation.
The EIFG is the philanthropic organization of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, and has as its mission to foster sustainability through research, awareness, education, programs and scholarships for the benefit of golf course management professionals, golf facilities and the game.
WOW! If you are not familiar with Mr. Melrose, he is one of the key figures in the Toro Company's success over the past 25 years. Everyone I have ever had a conversation with from Toro has always had high praise for his time as the head of the company.
Vegas Baby
There was a lot of concern about how much traffic would be on the floor from the vendor end. I saw most of the guys from my area. Were some guys a little short on time, sure but that happens each year. As always, there were some good stories of some late nights and good laughs but as the saying goes "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas".
WJC
Mood ring
The overall mood seems to be is the golf business is turning the corner but it won't take much to push things in the wrong direction again. Lots of concerns with the lack of snow in the East and Mid West leading into the possiblity of a drought to start out the year. The growth of management companies seems to be filling the void on courses that finacially are struggling to survive. It will be an interesting 2012!
Lost in translation
I was really interested in how many attendees at the 2012 GIS were from places outside the USA. As we all know the growth of golf in the states has come to almost a complete halt but there is still some growth in other places around the world. I know just from the tone of the Toro Business Meeting (which is now refered to as the World Wide Business Meeting), that the opportunity to drastically grow the golf business can only be done by growing globally.
Philanthropy golf industry style
Mr. Ken Melrose, retired CEO of the Toro Company, made a $1,000,000 donation to the Environmental Institute for Golf under the Kendrick B. Melrose Family Foundation.
The EIFG is the philanthropic organization of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, and has as its mission to foster sustainability through research, awareness, education, programs and scholarships for the benefit of golf course management professionals, golf facilities and the game.
WOW! If you are not familiar with Mr. Melrose, he is one of the key figures in the Toro Company's success over the past 25 years. Everyone I have ever had a conversation with from Toro has always had high praise for his time as the head of the company.
Vegas Baby
There was a lot of concern about how much traffic would be on the floor from the vendor end. I saw most of the guys from my area. Were some guys a little short on time, sure but that happens each year. As always, there were some good stories of some late nights and good laughs but as the saying goes "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas".
WJC
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