Slowly Step Away From The Turf

       This time of year in turf maintenance gets hectic for most everyone involved. Some of us have a tendency to get flustered and rush through things to Git-R-Done. I know for me, most of my work related mistakes (insert sarcastic comment here) are caused by rushing to get everything done and move on to the next job. When we have problems, a mower not running correctly or a chemical app not meeting expectations of coverage, it is usually your problem solving ability that will decide the extent of the impact on your operation. To me, you do not become a Superintendent or a Turf Manager unless you excel at this trait. But as we all know outside influences can sometimes reduce our strengths. I would almost compare it to the talk of an NFL quarterback when he is in the commentator favorite description of being in the "ZONE". Can you slow it down and look at how you got to this point? Do you look at all the variables involved? Do you take a long term look at the issue and think about what has changed?
       One of the best words of advice I have heard was given to the last Superintendent that I worked under. He called the legendary Dr. Joe Duich at Penn State to ask him about an issue he was having with a green. Dr. Duich told him "Don't drive by that green for the next couple of days. Just leave it alone."
 Sometimes the best thing you can do is nothing!


WJC

Super Good Friday

       The belief that Good Friday is the official start to the golf season here in the North East of the USA is what I have known since my start in the golf business. Our company had always talked about how a good start to the season would lead to a positive year. It is funny how golf has changed over the past 20 years from an expected 8 month income period and anything in the other 4 months in income is a bonus. Now this started to fade during the construction boom when many new courses, who had a mortgage on their new facility, saw the need for cash flow year round. Even some of the private clubs who traditionally had an end to the golf season and see you in the spring....not anymore!
       But in those days cash was king (to steal a phrase from leasing expert Jack Azinger). No one was leasing and financing was not a major part of the capital purchase plan.So if you started out the season on the plus side, you were going to purchase some equipment. If not, you would look to ride out the year and hope to be in the red at the end. Now the amount of clubs that use leasing as an option has grown to a majority. Even many of the old money clubs are using leasing as a solution to keep their fleets up to date. So the buying cycle is not the same as it once was....
       And finally as we all know the broadcast of The Masters gets everyone who loves to play golf wanting to get out there and hit the ball around. For me...I am pulling for the guy in the Red shirt on Sunday. I believe that the more Tiger wins the better it is for the game & business of golf! Whatever you think of him personally, he brings interest. No offense to Phil or Rory but Tiger brings them in!

Hope you and your family have a healthy and happy Easter!

WJC