Unrealistic Expectations (Rant) Cancel The title field is required!

1. Mark Newton

   

   1 posts
   
   7/17/2015 8:07 PM

   Just needing to rant as it is 7:30pm on a Friday and waiting for a couples event to finish so I can spray a wetting agent on my greens.
   
   Need to ask the question...why are we in this business? How have GM's, Golf Pro's gotten to run absolutely everything on our side, demanding perfection, constantly belittling us and our business.
   
   This summer has been difficult at my new facility here in KC (new ownership as previous went bankrupt), setting unparalleled greens expectations on me and my staff. Stating greens can never drop below 10.5 even at 6pm. Some of the calls and texts I get at night are: why are the greens so slow, greens are too soft, why cant you just only hand-water and never use over-heads, can we topdress more, what about lowering the height of cut, can we roll everyday? Just wears on a guy after 3 months of solid rain, sinkholes, micro bursts you name it. Now in the armpit of summer trying to hold on, got a text at 6 "hey theres a hotspot on 15 that needs water badly" so drive here and there are 2 spots smaller than a set of keys. Unreal. Only have received one compliment all year from powers that be last saturday when the greens were 12.3 in the morning and 11.5 at 6pm
   
   Main reason I am posting is I am out of ideas of what to do and where I can improve on so heres my program and staffing levels along with budget for an 18-hole Private Club facility in the transition zone. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
   
   415k budget
   9 Total Employees (Includes me, 2 assistants, mechanic and 5 hourly employees)
   A-4/A-1 3.2 acres (Top 2 inches heavy organic matter, drains 2-6" an hour, next 8 inches drain 16-18"/hour
   Mow - Everyday Toro Hybrid 3320, 14 blade at .115
   Roll - M,W,F,S (New Salsco)
   Topdress - Every Sunday night, 2 loads on Tycrop followed by a heavy drag monday morning prior to mow and roll
   Needle Tine Monthly 648
   Spring & Fall Aerification 2" Centers, 5/8" Tine
   Spray Program - Straight penetrant every 14 days, Daconil Action, Signature rotated every 7 days with .2 oz/m Primo, Trimmit at 8 oz/A every 14 days. Only put down micro packages when needed and .05 or .1 lbs/N every 2 or 3 weeks
   Watering - Use Moisture Meter to hit greens at 20% in morning 15% in late afternoon adjust computer for overheads for each green, usually 5-7 hours of handwatering in the morning followed by chasing spots in the afternoon.
   
   I. Am. At. My. Wits. End.
   
   Mark Newton, CGCS

   
   
   
   
2. Wahlin Scott B

   
   7/18/2015 7:07 AM

   1. They are lucky to have you.
   2. Take your wife out for a nice day. Shut off the phone.
   3. Get together with some other supts in the area and go fishing. Have a couple beers.
   4. You are not the jack-ass whisperer.

   
   
   
   
3. Michael Posey

   

   0 posts
   
   7/18/2015 10:07 AM

   The business definitely seems to be getting more and more demanding. I read an article that said only 5% of Superintendents in the US are over 60 years old. My wife often tells me that I was happier as an assistant and that is probably a decent assessment. None of us, that I know of, got into this profession because we loved crunching budget numbers and being in public relations nonstop. It isn't fun to have no feedback as your goal at work, but that is basically what we do. Superintendents, by nature, are compelled to deliver results at all costs. When we are pushed, we just keep working harder and longer. All this with pay and benefits staying level or dropping. I haven't had a raise in 7 years that wasn't a result of changing jobs. Hang in there and start shopping for a new job!

   
   
   
   
4. Lawrence Corr

   

   0 posts
   
   7/18/2015 11:07 AM

   Mark, For a 415k budget and 9 employees??? I think what you what you get accomplished is amazing! Listen, I have to keep tournament conditioning on a daily basis in the transition zone (Phila.) on Poa greens. If the place is dialed in theres always something else to complain over. Last week was, what am I going to do about the snake that was seen in the creek!?! Hang in there. And yes, shut off the phone sometimes. cheers

   
   
   
   
5. Robert Crockett

   

   4 posts
   
   7/18/2015 4:07 PM

   I think I'd get the hell away from that nut house!!

   
   
   
   
6. Kenneth Rue

   

   3 posts
   
   7/19/2015 4:07 AM

   Mark:
   
   I greatly understand your frustration(s). The main thing to keep into perspective at all times is your "I principles." It's what you(Mark)believe in as a person and as a functioning superintendent, never relenting those values.
   
   Golf pros, Directors' of Golf-enough said. Damn few I knew that really could carry a conversation with respect to agronomics. General Managers, damn few again really know your plight nor understand any components of your job-the ones that do qualify for the fox hole theory. I was fortunate to have encountered a few that "fell into the hole" along my side.
   
   Basically be armed with your facts and operate with a cool head-if you do get angry with someone regarding how you operate your facility-NEVER head off for the encounter until you have WRITTEN down your rebuttal or complaints. The writing portion is your means of venting your thoughts and it cools you down as you scribe your feelings. It also gives you a chance to proof read your responses so that you remain professional, etc. etc. in your oral and/or written delivery.
   
   Reading your thread while scanning the tube, catching a few holes @ The British made me snicker a little bit. Pros were whining about the wind gusts and rules officials to decide timing of the onset of play and suspension. Everything has to be just perfect for them in today's golfing world.
   
   Finally, take a deep breath and of course maintain good health-bottling up internal stress is very unhealthy.
   
   God's speed.
   
   Kenneth B. Rue
   K E N T U C K Y

   
   
   
   
7. Sean Hoolehan

   

   0 posts
   
   7/20/2015 8:07 AM

   Michael Posey said: The business definitely seems to be getting more and more demanding. I read an article that said only 5% of Superintendents in the US are over 60 years old.

   
   
   Actually the percentage of Superintendents over 60 is 10.3%

   
   
   
   
8. Michael Posey

   

   0 posts
   
   7/20/2015 7:07 PM

   Sean Hoolehan, CGCS said:

   Michael Posey said: The business definitely seems to be getting more and more demanding. I read an article that said only 5% of Superintendents in the US are over 60 years old.

   
   
   Actually the percentage of Superintendents over 60 is 10.3%

   
   
   That's good to know. I was referencing an article from 2012, so the number easily could have changed. MP
   
   Here's the article: http://digital.golfdom.com/jul2012#&pageSet=0&contentItem=0

   
   
   
   
9. Jason Knuutila

   

   0 posts
   
   7/20/2015 9:07 PM

   Great job and great rant. Sounds like we are in similar situations.
   
   A few suggestions, but it sounds like you have a handle on it.
   
   1st Salsco roller increased our green speeds by 8-12". Not making a sales pitch, but try other rollers. Speed Roller increases our speeds by 14"-18". Also, we target roll around the pins every day soil moisture is below 35. Basically greens are completely rolled every 3rd day. Our greens are very heavy and we can get 30 rolls before surfaces are sealed. We do needle time monthly as well.
   
   2nd we dropped the height to .100 with solid rollers. We went from 80% poa to 80% bent as a result of 10 years of sound agronomics. Heavy April and May overseeds along with summer stress of poa the main key. T1 has worked great for us and only requires brushing. We are lean 3.5-4% N, we try to tissue test every 2 weeks. $25/test.
   
   3rd 1st official,tee time here is 7:00. We start mowing greens at 6:30 on #1,2,3,4. Any greens below an 11 get a double cut. Usually 2,3,5,9,12,15,16 & 18. These greens are flatter and higher % of bent.
   
   4th we topdress heavier every 3 week after 4 days of brushing to open canopies. Quality of cut is much improved and we can brush more often.
   
   5th again not a pitch. Fleet has changed water management. We rarely use hoses. We also, never run every head on a green. Some greens we spin front 2 heads. Some greens only 1 head. Fleet evens the moisture out, we had a green with 18% in the middle and 26% on the edges. Thought I'd have to hand water the 18% later in the day. Came back and the green was a solid 22 everywhere. Crazy, but true and Im sure there are other products.
   
   Again, great job. Just a few suggestions that may help.

   
   
   
   
10. Mark Newton

    

    1 posts
    
    7/22/2015 9:07 AM

    Thanks for all the replies and comments. Love having a Supers only board to vent and share opinions, helps keep my sanity.
    
    I have forwarded a few articles of note after the British Open rolling at a 10 and US Opens at 12, also some from the USGA about demanding 11+ green speeds and how it relates to turf health especially going through these tough times. Not that they will do anything but worth a shot.
    
    Even yesterday after a 3.5" downpour in 2 hours the day before our greens were at 10.6 at 2pm and we were getting complaints. Will be looking at a few other roller options and at least getting a secondary roller for 2016 to do more spot rolling everyday.
    
    We have done some tissue tests along with ISTRC's, everything except for P was in the low category, and I know they arent growing much as we only empty baskets every 6-9 greens pending on cleanup laps and topdressing. I am going to look into that Fleet for our moisture management, with our heavy organic matter in the top 2 from years of not aerifying makes it very difficult to have deep healthy roots but will give it a try!
    
    Thanks all!

    
    
    
    
11. Joshua Sawyer

    

    0 posts
    
    7/25/2015 3:07 PM

    Crazy situation for sure...as it relates to moisture management, I concur with the recommendation of Fleet (though admittedly anecdotal). Also look into Revolution...heavy watering with one over head irrigation 'event' can stretch the water window significantly. Although your greens might stimp a 10.5 at 2 am.
    
    Good luck amigo.

    
    
    
    
12. Smith Kipp R

    
    8/10/2015 8:08 PM

    It's just a game with a little white ball. Life is way too short to be dealing with that. Work to live don't live to work. Life isn't a practice round you only get one chance make it count and look for something that makes you happy.

    
    
    
    
13. Keith Pegg

    

    0 posts
    
    8/11/2015 4:08 PM

    Kipp Smith said: It's just a game with a little white ball. Life is way too short to be dealing with that. Work to live don't live to work. Life isn't a practice round you only get one chance make it count and look for something that makes you happy.

    
    
    Well said.

    
    
    
    
14. Randle Robinson

    

    0 posts
    
    8/17/2015 6:08 PM

    Mark Newton said: Just needing to rant as it is 7:30pm on a Friday and waiting for a couples event to finish so I can spray a wetting agent on my greens.
    
    Need to ask the question...why are we in this business? How have GM's, Golf Pro's gotten to run absolutely everything on our side, demanding perfection, constantly belittling us and our business.
    
    This summer has been difficult at my new facility here in KC (new ownership as previous went bankrupt), setting unparalleled greens expectations on me and my staff. Stating greens can never drop below 10.5 even at 6pm. Some of the calls and texts I get at night are: why are the greens so slow, greens are too soft, why cant you just only hand-water and never use over-heads, can we topdress more, what about lowering the height of cut, can we roll everyday? Just wears on a guy after 3 months of solid rain, sinkholes, micro bursts you name it. Now in the armpit of summer trying to hold on, got a text at 6 "hey theres a hotspot on 15 that needs water badly" so drive here and there are 2 spots smaller than a set of keys. Unreal. Only have received one compliment all year from powers that be last saturday when the greens were 12.3 in the morning and 11.5 at 6pm
    
    Main reason I am posting is I am out of ideas of what to do and where I can improve on so heres my program and staffing levels along with budget for an 18-hole Private Club facility in the transition zone. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
    
    415k budget
    9 Total Employees (Includes me, 2 assistants, mechanic and 5 hourly employees)
    A-4/A-1 3.2 acres (Top 2 inches heavy organic matter, drains 2-6" an hour, next 8 inches drain 16-18"/hour
    Mow - Everyday Toro Hybrid 3320, 14 blade at .115
    Roll - M,W,F,S (New Salsco)
    Topdress - Every Sunday night, 2 loads on Tycrop followed by a heavy drag monday morning prior to mow and roll
    Needle Tine Monthly 648
    Spring & Fall Aerification 2" Centers, 5/8" Tine
    Spray Program - Straight penetrant every 14 days, Daconil Action, Signature rotated every 7 days with .2 oz/m Primo, Trimmit at 8 oz/A every 14 days. Only put down micro packages when needed and .05 or .1 lbs/N every 2 or 3 weeks
    Watering - Use Moisture Meter to hit greens at 20% in morning 15% in late afternoon adjust computer for overheads for each green, usually 5-7 hours of handwatering in the morning followed by chasing spots in the afternoon.
    
    I. Am. At. My. Wits. End.
    
    Mark Newton, CGCS

    
    
    Just saw this Marky Mark. They obviously have no clue what a value you are to them. You are doing everything you are supposed to be doing and I know, personally, that you do it very very well. There was recently an article in one of our numerous publications that talked about dealing with PIA members (pain in the ass). It said to get them together and golf with them, talk about agronomics, cultural practices, unreasonable expectations etc. Worth a shot. Have faith Brother, God Bless, and I can't wait to come down and own you on your course. Out.

    
    
    
    
15. Mark Newton

    

    1 posts
    
    8/21/2015 7:08 AM

    Thanks Randy, kind words!! Always welcome down here, and good luck, BUT your driver is no good on this course, basically The Veenk on steroids!
    
    Well I found the "root" of the issue here and it isnt going to be a fun one to fix. Ever since the first of June I told my GM that we needed to aerify the greens again due to our heavy OM content (1+ inches of thatch build-up) to promote a firmer surface, he just starred at me... So back to green speeds even though our greens are lightening in the morning through noon, they have so many foot-tracks by 6pm from the amount of play we are doing this year they lose a lot of their speed and hover around 9.5-10. Unfortunately 4-7pm is my new standard for when greens need to be perfect as thats when our "best" members play. Have tried mowing at 1pm on our big days with no luck as they keep saying I am over-watering even though we have only used hoses for the past month and have hot spots everywhere even with using wetting agents on just our knobs. I am trying to push for 4 core-aerifications from now until June 2016 starting this coming Monday, 1.5" spacing with 1/2" tines. I wish I could post a video of some of my morning stimp readings tho, balls going off greens 50+ yards, into bunkers etc. and yet this is what they want. Going to be a fun one!! :/