Nebraska Cancel The title field is required!

1. John Borcher

   

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   11/24/2015 10:11 AM

   Got our system all blown out end of last week with few problems. Fall has been really good to us with timely rains and a lot of good weather to help the course recover from a rough summer. Got our winter topdressing done yesterday and now we are working on putting covers on a few greens that sit up in the wind all winter to hopefully prevent winterkill.

   
   
   
   
2. Thomas James

   

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   11/25/2015 6:11 AM

   Good to hear John.
   
   Last week for the crews here. After today just the full time staff. Sounds like winter might be here for a bit starting Turkey day.
   
   Finishing up a drainage project here today with sod going down. Casey did a good job of getting this job done.
   
   Ryan is working on a couple of sand traps over at Eagle Hills - might have to finish them up in the spring.
   
   We still have some tree trimming to do weather permitting.
   
   Have a great holiday season everyone.

   
   
   
   
3. Thomas James

   

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   12/3/2015 6:12 AM

   snow gone but 18 degrees this morning. No snowman on the 8th green so far. Attempt at a snowman on the 10th tee.
   
   1st tee time 10:30 - I don't think they will get to go at 10:30 though.! When can we go?
   
   Supposed to be in the mid to upper 40's for the next week or so.
   
   Working on tee and greens supply orders.
   Working on next seasons spray schedule with assistants.
   Working on reels
   
   Plan to help mechanic service golf carts soon (166 to do between to 2 golf courses)90 6 year old RXV - 76 1 year old TXT - 4 beverage carts.

   
   
   
   
4. Thomas James

   

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   12/24/2015 6:12 AM

   Snowing - finally. Maybe only 2 inches, but it is snow.
   
   Servicing golf carts at both courses this week and next.
   Turfgrass show in a few weeks.
   
   Tee and green supply orders in.
   Everyone have a great holiday season - Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

   
   
   
   
5. Thomas James

   

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   1/4/2016 10:01 AM

   Happy New Year to everyone and hope all is going well.

   
   
   
   
6. William Bieck

   

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   1/4/2016 11:01 AM

   Tom.....ditto to you.....keep this post going. I really enjoy your course updates. We are usually a couple of weeks ahead or behind you as our weather is usually warmer and drier. We were just in your area this weekend as my youngest son got married in Lincoln. We will see you in Omaha next week at the Nebraska Turf Conference.....the NTA looks like they put together another very good program.
   
   Bill Bieck, CGCS
   Heritage Hills
   McCook, Ne.

   
   
   
   
7. Thomas James

   

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   1/5/2016 9:01 AM

   Hey Bill - good to hear from you way out west there. Plenty of snow on the ground here right now - no play for a while it looks like. With our budget year starting in October it has been really good so far revenue wise - maybe not so good on the golf course though. We were glad to see the snow if you can believe that.
   
   We have all the reels torn apart - haven't ground any yet though - going to take the new 15 blade Jacobsen reels out to get them done.
   
   All the EZ-Go golf carts are serviced as far as the oil/filters/spark plugs are concerned at both golf courses -78 new TXT at Eagle Hills. The 90 older RXV's at Tara need some additional help though. Lots of issues with these 6 year old carts that need to make it one more season. Brakes sticking down, a few steering racks which are becoming more of a problem the older they get, a few clutch problems and then almost all the starter/generators need new brushes.
   
   We are getting price quotes for chemical purchases for the coming year at this time.
   
   Finalizing the application schedule, so we can give it to the clubhouse, so they can start crosschecking it against the 2016 outing and league schedules.
   
   The turfgrass conference is next week already - Looks like the arctic blast that is always present when the conference is in town is on its way. Dang!
   
   On a personal note - Going to Hawaii with the wife Feb 8th - 22nd. Oahu and Maui - We were there 4 years ago.
   We will be going with 2 other couples this time - should be a fun time.
   
   New baby grand daughter her on Dec 14th - she is a cutie pie.
   
   See ya at the show Bill
   Take care

   
   
   
   
8. Thomas James

   

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   1/25/2016 7:01 AM

   We are finally done with grinding. All repair parts are in. The mechanic is working on a new front deck for the Toro 4000 - it was time. He still has some work to do on some of the golf carts, but I think he is almost done with servicing all of the turf equipment.
   
   I just read Bill Bieck's article about his experience as a grassroots ambassador for the GCSAA in GCM magazine - good article Bill.
   
   Sounds as if there will some snow melt here this week. The season if not too far off. We are ready to be outside again.
   
   The assistants are putting the finishing touches on new 100, 150, and 200 yard markers. The new markers look pretty good.
   
   Everyone have a great week.

   
   
   
   
9. Thomas James

   

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   2/25/2016 1:02 PM

   Almost all of the equipment is ready for the season.
   
   I guess the season started last week already. Carts are still on the paths but we think it has dried up enough to let them go off of the path this coming weekend(Feb 27th). We are hoping we have put out enough rope to somewhat direct traffic.
   
   The only outdoor maintenance we have conducted at Tara Hills so far is trash cans have been put out on the course and tree limbs have been picked up. We might rake sand traps early next week if they have dried up enough depending on what the weather does.
   
   The assistants and the mechanic are working on problem golf carts. They should be done with that task tomorrow and have all carts up and running for another busy weekend. We are having starter/generator brush issues with our EZ-Go carts. This will be the 7th and final season for these golf carts. The brushes were all changed year 2 by EZ-Go.
   
   We are getting ready to bring back on the seasonal crew - it seems like we change the process every year.
   It is not going very smoothly at the moment.
   
   Have a great start to your seasons.

   
   
   
   
10. Thomas James

    

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    3/2/2016 1:03 PM

    Ground temps.
    
    Fairway 2 inch 38
    4 inch 35
    
    Greens 2 inch 35
    4 inch 32
    
    It is supposed to be 60-65 for daytime highs for the next couple of weeks with 40-45 night time lows.
    Is spring really here already.

    
    
    
    
11. John Borcher

    

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    3/3/2016 10:03 AM

    Soil temp on the covered greens was 42 yesterday.
    
    Going to pull covers Friday and mow greens at a high setting just to clean up the big rocks from the 10 sand we topdressed with last fall.
    
    Still tank watering greens once a week 200 gal a green, probably start thinking about firing up the irrigation next week.

    
    
    
    
12. Thomas James

    

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    3/4/2016 6:03 AM

    We are thinking about mowing greens already too John. This would be the earliest we've ever mowed the greens in the 30-some years I've been here. The forecast looks good for the next couple of weeks too. We would normally knock the chaff of around the 15th of March. We know we might get some cold weather after that but if we are playing them we need to get them growing some.
    
    On the nice days we've already had as many as 150 players. The forecast is for 60 by day and 45-50 by night for the next 2 weeks which will mean lots of golfers.
    
    Put out a frost fact sheet in the clubhouse yesterday. It gives the clubhouse guys something to go to this time of year. Not too much grumbling about it anymore.
    
    We might turn the system on next week too. I think rain is in the forecast a couple of days next week.
    
    The big problem to solve today is 1/2 of the shop power is out? Electrician is coming at 7:00 to see what is going on.
    
    Most of the seasonal rehire are getting their paper work done so they can come back. It looks like we are losing 2 longtime employees possibly that will need to be replaced. We have 15 on the books working each golf course, but their hours are so varied that we get about 300 hours per week from them. We will probably bring them back
    sooner than we normal would with the nice weather.

    
    
    
    
13. Matthew Noble

    

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    3/8/2016 6:03 PM

    Hello everyone,
    
    Charged up irrigation system here Thursday the 3rd and mowed greens on the 4th. Mowing at .140 with sand units now and cleaned them up pretty good. Have had to run heads and hand water on the greens already with all of the wind. Has been tricky as our small jockey pump is pulled out for repairs.
    
    Has been very busy on weekends and nice days during the week, which is great! Already thinking about primo/proxy apps and preventative fairy ring fungicide apps. Our temps on greens at 3 in yesterday was 58 degree in the afternoon.. Spring is here!
    
    Take care everyone
    Matt

    
    
    
    
14. Thomas James

    

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    3/9/2016 8:03 AM

    Good to hear from you Matthew.
    
    We've mowed greens twice at Tara and Ryan has mown once at Eagle.
    Both systems are on - no leaks yet - yah. Watered greens only so far at both golf courses.
    Ryan is doing some sand trap work on the back nine at Eagle.
    
    Applied proxy\primo to greens at Tara on Tuesday.
    
    We need to get with Toro NSN - program not up and can't get it up - radio's worked good to water greens.
    
    All tee and greens supplies out.
    
    College kids on break are working this week.
    
    We will be bringing the guys back March 21st.
    
    Prograss looks like it did the job on the poa that is in the fairways.
    We are aerating and seeding fairways now - might be early - we shall see.
    
    ground temps - fairways 42
    greens 40

    
    
    
    
15. John Borcher

    

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    3/16/2016 3:03 PM

    We have our Irrigation system fully charged with no leaks...yet...mowed greens 3 times now going to drop the height a little for the next one.
    
    Fairways got mowed yesterday and going to hit them again today as they were really shaggy and need cleaned up
    
    Working on getting tees and approaches mowed but the mower is not cooperating (cant wait for our new ones to get here).

    
    
    
    
16. Thomas James

    

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    3/17/2016 8:03 AM

    Hey John.
    
    We mowed tees yesterday for the first time.
    Fairways have been mowed once.
    
    Greens almost every day now - 6 greens or so per dump. Cups depending on amount of play - about every third day - we finally took out the second cup this week. Looks like we may have to mow a little rough sometime next week. Fairways maybe this Friday.
    
    Frosty this morning - "Golf Now" tee time - 8:00 - so sorry. We have the tee sheet blocked through the weekend until 10:00, so that should not happen again this week.
    
    No leaks at either golf course yet either. We had the top part of 1 head pop off at Tara. Haven't used the irrigation system much - only to water greens 2 times and water in seed in the fairways. Who has needed to hand water greens in March - we did!!!!!!!
    
    Crew starting next week.
    Casey is on vacation this week.
    
    
    
    Eagle Hills crew finishing up on some trap work on the back nine. They have mowed everything except rough now.
    
    Already having to change our spray schedule due to new outings - not a problem though - our clubhouse guys are pretty easy to work with.
    
    I don't think anyone knows how to hand rake a sand trap these days - or read signs or stay out of roped off areas.

    
    
    
    
17. William Bieck

    

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    3/17/2016 9:03 AM

    Hi guys! Here in beautiful southwest Nebraska I've had water pressurized for over a month......and it's never been below 25 degrees since. Ironically, if I look at history my normal date for pressurizing the system is today....St. Paddys day.......a full month difference. We've been constructing concrete cart paths in-house for over a year now and still have a bunch more to finish. I actually poured cement last December after I had blown out water lines and I also made a pour last week in early March without having to cover! Crazy weather!

    
    
    
    
18. Thomas James

    

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    3/18/2016 7:03 AM

    Hey Bill.
    
    Have you had to use the system much - we have not.
    Maybe snow here tomorrow.
    
    Going out to mow fairways this morning. 38 no frost.
    No dew today - no greens mowing - they are growing a bit though.
    Crew starts next week. Good thing - no one is raking sand traps. cart wear areas are becoming apparent - why are they driving there?????????? - lots of rope going up - which is just being driven over - but we must try.
    Algae in ponds already - clipper.(nasty slimy green stuff)
    Aerating Eagle greens on the 11th and Tara greens on the 18th.
    Ground temp at 4" tee - 48 green - 48 at 3:30 in the afternoon.
    second proxy/primo app due March 30th.
    need to contact Toro NSN - system on but can't run from computer yet.
    
    Mow straight lines if you can.
    take care

    
    
    
    
19. William Bieck

    

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    3/18/2016 9:03 AM

    Tom,
    Haven't irrigated a whole lot. Greens probably 4-5 times.....fairways three. Mowed greens 4-5 times. Haven't mowed fairways, but will next week. Projected low this weekend is 18 degrees.....so I want to wait to mow fairways. Play has been great on nice days, but are having a lot of wind. And like you, carts are beating down the course. Starting out to be a "dry" spring with all the moisture heading you way.....again.
    
    Bill Bieck
    McCook, NE

    
    
    
    
20. Thomas James

    

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    3/21/2016 6:03 AM

    Toro NSN got us up and running auto again. 1 box not taking the signal though.
    
    Sat - snow cleared at about 10:00 - 1st tee time 10:15 - maybe 34 degrees. off and on flurries all day.
    Sun - frost cleared about 10:30 - first tee time 10:08(golf now) they did not go. 1st group 10:38 32 degrees
    
    Crew starts today - 28 degrees - shop work early.
    1st supt. meeting is Tuesday next week - probably sending 2 at least. need to register by Wednesday.
    
    Take care.

    
    
    
    
21. Thomas James

    

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    3/30/2016 9:03 AM

    Ground temp - greens 48 fairways 50 3:00pm Monday.
    It is very likely we will need to move up the pre-emerge applications - looks like the lilacs will start to blossom soon.
    Seed that went down March 9th is just starting to emerge.
    Second app of proxy-primo down.
    We are still not having to mow very much.
    We haven't used the irrigation hardly at all - mainly to water in the seeded areas twice. There has been just enough rain to help it along(1 inch for the month). Last day we used the system was March 19th. There is going to be some "stick" when we run it.
    
    Greens aeration at Eagle Hills on the 12th of April(was scheduled for the 11th - outing) and on the 18th of April at Tara Hills.
    
    Casey and Adam went to the assistants meeting last year, but with the aeration reschedule date they will not be able to attend this year.

    
    
    
    
22. Thomas James

    

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    4/29/2016 6:04 AM

    All pre-emerge apps down.
    sprayed to outer edges for broadleaf weeds.
    Acelepryn out.
    Rain-rain-rain.. almost 5 inches in the last week after being 2 inches behind for the year. more on the way 1-2 inches are predicted.
    
    grass is growing like weeds now.
    
    greens aeration complete at both golf courses. all went pretty smoothly. 1 week later than scheduled at Tara due to weather.
    solid tine - sand based greens - regular topdressing program since built.
    
    120 ash trees on course - starting to prioritize which to take out and which to treat - maybe EAB will not cross the river. We've taken only 2 out so far. No plans to treat until EAB has been confirmed in Nebraska.
    
    Hopefully we can catch up on course maintenance today - haven't been out there for a couple of days in the roughs or fairways - getting pretty long - may have to mow the fairways twice today.
    
    Going to Dallas first weekend in June to watch grandson play soccer in a tournament - San Diego team - under 11's.
    
    Assistant taking a few days mid May to play golf with his dad at the Prairie Club.
    
    Ryan taking a few days in July - heading for the badlands.
    Keep up the good work.

    
    
    
    
23. Thomas James

    

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    5/3/2016 6:05 AM

    No rain in site.
    
    Spraying some broadleaf weeds today and maybe tomorrow.
    
    Greens are healing nicely from aeration - still using the sand reels on the greens mowers - maybe change today to other reels.
    
    Maybe get caught up on mowing today - was a little too wet yesterday but we still got some mowing done.
    
    Might even play some golf later today.
    
    Trying to map out which ash trees to treat and which ones are candidates for removal - we have 118 left -started with 120 so we haven't gotten too serious about EAB yet.
    
    Revenues running pretty good at this point for this year - +220,000 ahead of the 3 year average we use to compare. Hope we don't get anymore weekend washouts like last weekend. The outing season is just starting too.
    
    What are all you guys seeing?

    
    
    
    
24. Thomas James

    

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    5/10/2016 8:05 AM

    Starting to get a little behind on the mowing - have to do some today - shouldn't be out there but we have to be. found a mallard swimming up the fairway today.
    Sound like another inch or so tonight into tomorrow and then maybe again on Friday.
    
    The hail damage in Lincoln looked ugly. 6-7 inches of rain there too in places. wow!
    
    Carts on path - second time telling guy cart path only today - he says I'm using the 90 degree rule - we don't use that rule here - Ok I will stay on path then.
    
    Next guy - cart path only today - "you don't say". At least no one has said they didn't tell me in the clubhouse - yet.
    
    Putting together next years budget already -
    The spray/topdressing schedule is all messed up with all of the rain - dealing with it though.
    
    Got to have something to crab about don't we.
    
    You know the green side goes up.

    
    
    
    
25. Matthew Noble

    

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    6/16/2016 8:06 PM

    Anyone tired of this heat yet?? No break in the near future it looks like. Course is hanging in there ok, but the guys are already tired. As am I.
    
    Stay cool fellas!
    
    Matt

    
    
    
    
26. Thomas James

    

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    9/13/2016 2:09 PM

    Seeding done - some starting to poke up already.
    Aeration done on fairways, tees and front nine rough.
    Greens aeration rescheduled for Sept 26th. Was supposed to be on the 12th.
    
    Some skunk and raccoon damage but not too bad.
    
    Mowers are tired.
    only 10 more outings. most leagues are done for the season too.
    looking for help - no one applying - getting late to hire now anyway.
    
    People cart path only today 1 inch or so today. I heard a cart just outside the office just a spinning his tires. yep right in the mud. nobody told him cart path only - a huh. sure.

    
    
    
    
27. William Bieck

    

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    9/14/2016 7:09 PM

    Good to hear from you, Tom James......did you take the summer off. We had no reports from you for quite awhile. Just joking, but I do enjoy them and compare to where I am and what I've got done. Been a different year for us catching more rain than normal. Two weeks ago we had the dreaded 7" downpour. Took a week to get all the bunkers reworked. We are just getting ready to hit the aerification and then listen to all the complaints. Fall is a fun time!
    
    Bill Bieck

    
    
    
    
28. Thomas James

    

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    9/16/2016 6:09 AM

    Hey Bill good to hear from you too.
    
    No I did not take the summer off - lol
    we just got the bunkers here back in shape from all the rain we've been getting just to have it rain another inch or so over night.
    
    I'm guessing the flood gates are not open over at Eagle yet so Ryan might still have lots of water backed up onto the back nine there.
    
    It's tough to being able to only mow greens and tees before the weekend. We did mow most of it yesterday anticipating that it might rain like it did.
    
    Just one outing today(11:00 shotgun) and none this weekend. You think we can get them to stay on the cart path?
    
    So much rain. We've only pumped about 16,000,000 gallons so far this season(25 inches of rain so far). The most we've ever pumped was 43,000,000 in 2012(22 inches of rain) and the least was 15,000,000 last year(36 inches of rain).
    We've been having to report our well water usage to the state for 6 or 7 years now.
    
    Have a great fall Bill.

    
    
    
    
29. Thomas James

    

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    10/28/2016 6:10 AM

    Hey John and everyone else.
    
    We are blowing out the irrigation systems the week of Nov. 21st here. We do Tara one day and Eagle the next.
    We use either a 750cfm or a 900cfm - gets the job done pretty good. I will be gone for it - oh darn. Ryan, Casey, and Adam will get it done.
    
    Snow mold protection going down week of Nov 14th.
    Grass has slowed growth down a lot in just the last week or so.
    Blowing and chopping lots of leaves at Tara. Thanks to Ryan for letting us have the blower - working good.
    
    Doing a little cart path work and a couple of drainage issues areas yet this fall hopefully.
    Working some on Ash trees too. We had 120 - probably going to treat about half of them and cut down the other half as time allows - may take us a few years.
    
    We will be holding onto the seasonal staff until the 1st of Dec if they aren't heading south before that time.
    New carts at Tara with delivery sometime in November or early December.
    Had a good year revenue wise and have for 4or 5 years now. Might get to spend a little reserve money this year on capital type improvement items.
    
    Casey and Adam have both been with us as assistants now for 2 full seasons. They are doing great jobs.
    Ryan is doing a great job at Eagle Hills - they just are finishing a drainage project there.
    
    Only 2 more official outings at Eagle Hills this year and both are sponsored by Rob Spomer - GM.
    No more official outings at Tara Hills that we know of.
    
    100+ on the books for tomorrow at each place - Sat - late husker game.
    
    I think the only close dates we have are Thanksgiving day and Christmas day - other than that if there is no snow and it is 32+ we will let them play. What do all of you do as far as being open in the winter time? Oct 28th and we have only had 2 frost delays so far. Crazy. 8o-ish Friday and Monday.
    
    Take care everyone - have a great rest of the year.

    
    
    
    
30. Thomas James

    

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    11/14/2016 1:11 PM

    New carts were delivered early November - just a few minor new cart issues so far. One banged up in the first week - gesh!
    
    Taking 10 days off over the thanksgiving holiday going to San Diego to see the kids - might take the clubs. Going to miss helping the guys blow out the system.
    
    This week: Nov 14th - Nov 18th.
    Snow mold protection this week on Wednesday or Thursday Propiconazole and Chlorothalonil.
    All ropes and signs to the shop.
    Ballwashers to the shop.
    No rain is site so water this week some before we blow the systems out next Monday and Tuesday. Not a drop of rain this month so far.
    trash can every third hole or so.
    second cup in each green.
    water jugs to the shop
    trash on vacation duty for Dec, Jan, Feb.
    port-a-pots of call Dec-March.
    
    Budgeted cart path repair work completed - 9 yards.
    
    Last outing of the year(Sunday) - 130 players. 1st irrigation blowout of the year morning of outing of course - 50 foot geyser - Casey fixed the geyser this Monday morning - broken head - have never seen one broken where this one was.
    
    Only four frosty morning so far this fall - it is supposed to turn cold Friday this week.
    take care
    
    see you all at the turfgrass conference hopefully