I think I am starting to feel like spring is getting closer. We may still be getting low elevation snow but I think the golfers are getting the itch. The parking lot seems to be more full and the tournament calendar is filling up!
It was nice to feel the sun for a couple days, with the little rain that we received we took full advantage of it and got quite a bit done.

We were a little nervous Monday with the Verde-Cal application but all went well. I can't believe how light the actual foot print is of this beast, you can see in this picture how he drove right through the wet spot only to leave a muddy track. This was probably one of the worst areas on the course. With that said, I couldn't be more pleased with the service Wilco offers with this buggy.

We are continuing to roll as often as we can. Last weekend we rolled each day and the greens were perfect. I took this photo this week and after Gordon sent me an email on fuel saving practices I noticed that the two pictured here could probably be sharing a cart. If we weren't so pressed with golfers in the morning, (a good thing) one guy could probably be doing both duties. What I like about having two guys is one can change the cup and fix ball marks while the other rolls.

With the break in the weather we were able to get the dust off some equipment that hasn't been used in a while. We managed to mow almost the entire rough as well as all the fairways with the exception of 12, 15 and the back half of 11. We are still getting lots of good complements on the new pins and flags. I tend to agree, change is good!

Local Recognition
Stone Creek made the headlines in the Oregonian's Northwest Environmental News Thursday with our energy conservation project with The Energy Trust of Oregon. A case study that I wrote is also being featured in GreenLinks, a program dedicated to promoting environmental success stories within the golf industry. Some may remember the story Eric Mortenson did on us back in July of 2009. He is recognizing us once again for our sustainable practices.

Published: Thursday, March 24, 2011, 9:00 AM

NW Environmental News: Green golf courses; sustainable dairy farms; land-use innovators; energy-efficient devices

By Eric Mortenson, The Oregonian

Torsten Kjellstrand/The OregonianSustainable practices at
Stone Creek Golf Club in Oregon City now include an energy efficiency upgrade.

How about some news of things done right? Stone Creek Golf Club in Oregon City underwent an energy audit, upgraded its facilities and reduced energy costs by 11.4 percent in its clubhouse and nearly 27 percent in its maintenance shop.

Course Supervisor Dave Phipps wrote about the project.
Environmental Institute for Golf: Improving the Bottom Line with Sustainable Practices

That wasn't the first time Stone Creek has turned the golf course stereotype - privileged, snooty, environmentally harmful - on its head. I wrote about them in 2009, when they were among the Oregon courses certified as sanctuaries by Audubon International.
The Oregonian: Driven by cost and conscience, Oregon's golf courses are going green

Mooooving on, a trio of dairies were recently honored for protecting water quality.
Oregon Department of Agriculture: Oregon dairies receive award for good stewardship

More good people are on the way up. The conservation group 1000 Friends of Oregon honors a bunch of young farmers, land-use activists and others who care about our air, land, water and food.
1000 Friends: 1000 Friends Announces 35 Innovators Under 35

In eastern Washington, Battelle announced it has granted a license to Encryptor of Plano, Texas, to produce a computer chip that will protect the electrical grid when rolling blackouts threaten. The device monitors frequency and voltage and can turn off household appliances for a few minutes or even a few seconds, allowing the grid to stabilize.
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory: Battelle Licenses Grid Friendly Appliance Controller

--Eric Mortenson