Monday, September 26th, 2011

The last two weeks have gone by so fast. It seems like this has been our busiest tournament schedule of the season and with Mike gone everyone has been stepping up to get the job done. Last week Brian completed the restroom project by the 11th tee, the crew trimmed and edged the bunkers and I fertilized the tees and made our second fairway fertilizer application. Zeferino stepped up and single-highhandedly repaired the drainage issue at the 14th tee box. Being down an assistant plus one crew member The entire staff has done a fantastic job.

This week we are looking at a couple smaller events on Monday and Tuesday and then will embark on tee aerification on Wednesday. Our goal will be to try to get them all done in one day so we can stay on our regular mowing schedule. The following Monday we will be aerifying the greens. So far the long range forecast shows no rain. We are keeping our fingers crossed.

To help us keep up with the bunkers I have asked Jim Horstman to come back and work three or four half days a week until we get through the season. Jim worked on the crew last summer and is willing to help us out when he is not busy driving dump truck.

Finally, I would like to take this time to introduce our new Assistant Superintendent. His name is Chris Robson. Chris graduated from the turf program at Oregon State University in 2008. He spent his internship at Royal Oaks Country Club then worked for Orchard Hill Country Club after he graduated. Recently he has been the 2nd Assistant at Glendoveer and is now excited to take on the Assistant roll at Stone Creek. Chris enjoys hunting and fishing and holds a single digit handicap. He grew up working at Glendoveer and thanks George Walker, Glendoveers superintendent, who inspired him to pursue this as a career. I had so many tremendous applications and could have done well with most of them. Chris just stood out in my mind as an individual that will mesh well with the staff and is going to work hard for everyone. He is going to be starting on Monday, October 3rd. Unfortunately for him it will be his second greens aerification this fall! It will be a busy day for him learning the ropes but I have no doubts he will succeed. I don't have a photo yet, but should have one shortly after he starts. The crew is looking forward to welcoming him to the team.