This is off the wall but, I am tired of working with crap! Cancel The title field is required!

1. James Smith

   

   112 posts
   
   8/23/2013 6:08 AM

   It seems like most small low budget clubs have no choice but to have very understaffed, underequiped, not up to standards Maintenance facilities.
   
   I know mine is one of them and has been for the last 18+ years of my service. we just make do! I may be a little luckier then most in that we do get newer equipment from time to time but is generally just enough to get by with.
   
   This morning when I was out checking the course contemplating what piece of equipment I will have to repair next I made a comment that just once! for one Week out of my whole career is all I would love to work in a top notch facility! is that too much to ask for after devoting 27 years of service to the industry? I know if you want it you have to go out and get it!
   
   You know I would be willing to give up 3 days of work on one of these facilities for FREE! yes for FREE! I would be willing to cut grass (how awesome would that be just me on a mower without anyone calling me to plunge a toilet of repair a broken lock or whatever I am having to do everyday). I could take a week off (vacation time) and use that vacation time to enjoy what I love to do most in the lap of luxury! that would still give me a few days for the wife and myself to enjoy the area.
   
   I guess I can at least dream can't I?
   
   does anyone else feel the same way?
   
   And for some of you high end Superintendents, there would be nothing like working on one of our low budget courses to help you appreciate what you have!
   
   Any takers?
   
   Well back to work, I think I may have a fairway mower needing my attention.
   
   What a dream though.

   
   
   
   
2. Larry Allan

   

   0 posts
   
   8/23/2013 7:08 AM

   Do not worry about what you cannot do but rather concentrate on what you can do!

   
   
   
   
3. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   8/23/2013 9:08 AM

   Sounds like a great idea. But, we all have the same problems! I've always felt lower budget guys deserve a lot of credit. I can't tell you how many courses I've been to that look awesome, absolutely incredible, then I find out what they are working with and how many people they run and it blows my mind. I've also thought that guys like you that have been at a facility for a long time have their programs dialed in, and are able to save a bunch of money by cutting through the waste and being more efficient. In other words, experience pays!

   
   
   
   
4. Gary Carls

   

   19 posts
   
   8/23/2013 10:08 AM

   Might be a nice break for you to volunteer for a week at a nice PGA Tour event and see what it's like to have everything you need for a week. I know it's always long hours but you might be able to just sit on a mower or drag a hose around for a week.
   
   Just a thought.

   
   Gary K. Carls, CGCS, President - Oakland Turfgrass Education Initiative
   
   
5. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   8/23/2013 10:08 AM

   I would like to send my guys to a nice place and see the extra effort, those little things, the details, that I keep harping about......one to show I'm not making stuff up, and two to try and break old habits from before my time or learned at other city courses.
   
   I wouldn't mind going myself, just to see if I pick up something new too.
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
6. Steven Huffstutler

   

   11 posts
   
   8/23/2013 10:08 AM

   I would invite you, man but we're trying to keep the Louisiana rifraf outa here.
   
   Regards,
   
   Steve

   
   
   
   
7. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   8/23/2013 11:08 AM

   Steven Huffstutler, CGCS said: I would invite you, man but we're trying to keep the Louisiana rifraf outa here.
   
   Regards,
   
   Steve

   
   
   What if he brought fresh oysters, shrimp and crawdads?
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
8. James Smith

   

   112 posts
   
   8/23/2013 12:08 PM

   Steven Huffstutler, CGCS said: I would invite you, man but we're trying to keep the Louisiana rifraf outa here.
   
   Regards,
   
   Steve

   
   Steve I said I wanted to work at a top end golf course! This would include a top end golf Superintendent also! kinda rules you out, doesn't it?
   
   Lousiana rifraf, I'm gonna send DM after you now.

   
   
   
   
9. James Smith

   

   112 posts
   
   8/23/2013 12:08 PM

   Just Kidding everyone, especially with you Steve.
   
   Working during a PGA event would be counter productive in taking it easy and enjoying the surroundings. Working one of these would have to be like being a bee in a hive.
   
   Seriously though I would enjoy just walking around one of your high end maintenance facilities. To me it would be equivilant to touring a mansion. Just walk around in awe.
   
   I am very happy doing what I do even with what I do not have. the daily challenges is what keeps us coming back every day. The main reason I will never try to work at a high end club is my fear of wearing a suit and tie (I just hate them things) and I guess that is what makes me a Lousiana Rif Raff and proud of it.
   
   It was just a thought that I am sure some of us get from time to time.
   
   And I would have a hard time leaving Louisiana because I am a die hard Saints fan and season ticket holder which I cannot even fathom never attending a game.

   
   
   
   
10. Green Robert B

    
    8/23/2013 1:08 PM

    In the Chicago area during the winter our Chicagoland Assoc sponsors a "Shop tour". All are invited to stop their equipment overhauls for a day and enjoy seeing how others live. You would be most cordially welcome. It is a neat day to really get to see some high end and some low end shops. I have been surprised to see that some very high end clubs have very modest maintenance buildings. The half day tour of three facilities within a short distance of one another is followed by a nice lunch. Our staffs have enjoyed meeting each other and just exchanging ideas on "how did you do that". Maybe some Saints fans will do the same for you. Even the Packers/Bears put their differences aside for the day.

    
    
    
    
11. Steven Huffstutler

    

    11 posts
    
    8/23/2013 3:08 PM

    You are welcome to visit but no mowing. I don't think I could trust you to keep my equipment out of the ponds

    
    
    
    
12. Melvin Waldron

    

    43 posts
    
    8/23/2013 4:08 PM

    Steven Huffstutler, CGCS said: You are welcome to visit but no mowing. I don't think I could trust you to keep my equipment out of the ponds

    
    
    Hey can I come and mow? You don't require your operators to mow straight lines do you? And I didn't put that mower in the pond, it just had to be pulled from the bank.......
    
    Mel

    
    Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
    
    
13. Larry Allan

    

    0 posts
    
    8/24/2013 7:08 AM

    Steven Huffstutler, CGCS said: You are welcome to visit but no mowing. I don't think I could trust you to keep my equipment out of the ponds

    
    I would enjoy visiting, taking out a deep verticutter and ripping up that indestructible stuff you call grass on a 110 degree day. I'm sure I could kill that stuff. I've killed more grass more often and more successfully than most people have had hot dinners

    
    
    
    
14. Steven Huffstutler

    

    11 posts
    
    8/24/2013 5:08 PM

    I once heard a golf pro say that it takes a Superintendent to kill Bermudagrass.

    
    
    
    
15. Andy Jorgensen

    

    1 posts
    
    8/24/2013 6:08 PM

    Steven Huffstutler, CGCS said: I once heard a golf pro say that it takes a Superintendent to kill Bermudagrass.

    
    
    
    I think it's more "it takes member input to kill 'mudagrass". As much as I try, I struggle to kill it everyday!

    
    
    
    
16. Ronald Kirkman

    

    40 posts
    
    8/26/2013 8:08 PM

    Mr. James Smith;
    
    Sir you are one to be nominated for an Old Tom Morris Award.You are a true keeper of the toilets - I mean Keeper of The Greens.
    
    Capt Kirk
    Retired Alien
    Needham Golf Club
    Needham, MA

    
    
    
    
17. James Smith

    

    112 posts
    
    8/27/2013 7:08 AM

    Ronald Kirkman said: Mr. James Smith;
    
    Sir you are one to be nominated for an Old Tom Morris Award.You are a true keeper of the toilets - I mean Keeper of The Greens.
    
    Capt Kirk
    Retired Alien
    Needham Golf Club
    Needham, MA

    
    
    Good heavens, Capt. I had thought you had already retired and went into the Casino business, I know you know more about Casinos the even golf courses.
    
    Maybe I can spend three days hanging out at your course!

    
    
    
    
18. Ashton Alan W

    
    8/27/2013 7:08 AM

    Larry Allan said:

    Steven Huffstutler, CGCS said: You are welcome to visit but no mowing. I don't think I could trust you to keep my equipment out of the ponds

    
    I would enjoy visiting, taking out a deep verticutter and ripping up that indestructible stuff you call grass on a 110 degree day. I'm sure I could kill that stuff. I've killed more grass more often and more successfully than most people have had hot dinners

    
    
    Steve could correct me, but I think you need to come out my way next June... and I used to be a Moosehead fan, so...

    
    
    
    
19. Ronald Kirkman

    

    40 posts
    
    8/27/2013 4:08 PM

    Randini;
    
    The only thing I know about the casinos is that they take your money. Casinos are like the Government. The Government takes your money - RIGHT??
    
    On a serious note, if there is anyone that deserves to be nominated for the Old Tom Morris award, it is you. You have made the game pleasurable for your members and guests and you take care of the toilets for them. What else is there!!
    
    I see Old Tom's Great Great Great Grandson once in a while. He is in the Vermont area.
    
    Come on Tom - say hi to Randini !!!!!!!!
    
    Capt. Kirk
    Retired Alien
    Needham Golf Club
    Needham, MA

    
    
    
    
20. James Smith

    

    112 posts
    
    8/29/2013 7:08 AM

    Ronald Kirkman said: Randini;
    
    The only thing I know about the casinos is that they take your money. Casinos are like the Government. The Government takes your money - RIGHT??
    
    On a serious note, if there is anyone that deserves to be nominated for the Old Tom Morris award, it is you. You have made the game pleasurable for your members and guests and you take care of the toilets for them. What else is there!!
    
    I see Old Tom's Great Great Great Grandson once in a while. He is in the Vermont area.
    
    Come on Tom - say hi to Randini !!!!!!!!
    
    Capt. Kirk
    Retired Alien
    Needham Golf Club
    Needham, MA

    
    At least the Casinos give you free drinks while they are taking your money!
    
    Well I guess someone did not appreciate my work with the toilets. found a pile of %$# right outside our bathroom on hole numbert 5 this morning, the bad thing besides being nasty, is that they went into the bathroom to get paper to wipe themselves with and left it next to the pile!

    
    
    
    
21. Timothy Walker

    

    0 posts
    
    8/29/2013 4:08 PM

    Better than spreading it around the course

    
    
    
    
22. James Smith

    

    112 posts
    
    8/30/2013 10:08 AM

    Timothy Walker, CGCS said: Better than spreading it around the course

    
    or in a cup

    
    
    
    
23. Melvin Waldron

    

    43 posts
    
    8/30/2013 10:08 AM

    James Smith said:

    Timothy Walker, CGCS said: Better than spreading it around the course

    
    or in a cup

    
    
    Which we found this morning.
    
    Mel

    
    Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
    
    
24. Sandy Clark

    

    0 posts
    
    8/30/2013 11:08 AM

    Give them some credit for a great aim Mel!

    
    
    
    
25. Timothy Walker

    

    0 posts
    
    8/30/2013 3:08 PM

    Melvin Waldron, CGCS said:

    James Smith said:

    Timothy Walker, CGCS said: Better than spreading it around the course

    
    or in a cup

    
    
    Which we found this morning.
    
    Mel

    
    
    
    Boom!

    
    
    
    
26. Wahlin Scott B

    
    8/30/2013 4:08 PM

    I did 40 years in the golf maintenance business without ever finding poop in a cup. I am pretty proud of that.

    
    
    
    
27. Larry Allan

    

    0 posts
    
    8/31/2013 6:08 AM

    The used condoms are always a treat

    
    
    
    
28. Timothy Walker

    

    0 posts
    
    8/31/2013 10:08 AM

    Larry Allan said: The used condoms are always a treat

    
    
    Must be a Canadian thing red

    
    
    
    
29. Steven Huffstutler

    

    11 posts
    
    9/1/2013 3:09 PM

    Man. That must be a bad neighborhood.

    
    
    
    
30. Timothy Walker

    

    0 posts
    
    9/2/2013 12:09 PM

    Steven Huffstutler, CGCS said: Man. That must be a bad neighborhood.

    
    
    Depends how you look at it Steve...glass half full or half empty...