People in the industry Cancel The title field is required!

1. Satterwhite Kerry

   
   9/24/2011 6:09 PM

   One of the things I like about my current position is I get to visit a lot of great courses and meet a lot of great people. Some are courses that we would all recognize like Hazeltine, future Ryder Cup site, and Medinah, site of the Ryder Cup next year. It's been a real privilege getting to know Curtis Tyrell, Superintendent at Medinah. He is one of the really good guys in this industry. I've been able to spend some time in Canada, will actually be heading back there next week, and becoming more familiar with the limited arsenal of pesticides they have at their disposal.
   
   This week though I spent some time at a real "mom and pop" course in Northwest Illinois. It's just a little 9 hole course in the middle of nowhere and the Proshop is in the basement of their house. The special this time of the year is $5 for 9 holes. I met with the owner/Superintendent and his wife. Great family with two very well educated girls that are both in the industry. They have owned the course for 16 years and love what they do. This is the link to the website. http://palisadesgolfcourse.com/

   
   
   
   
2. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   9/24/2011 9:09 PM

   Kerry,
   
   I had almost the same exact experience as you this past week. Our association held their monthly meeting at a mom and pop 9 hole course, Rainbow's End in Dunnellon, Florida, owned and operated by Don and Linda DeLaney. I have to admit this was probably the best hospitality we have had at any of our association meetings. Linda cooked the lunch herself and Don made it a point to drive the beverage cart so that he personally saw each and every one of us. They have a maintenance staff of two people, including the Superintendent Joel Fort which is active in our association.
   
   What gets me the most is how much I learned from this 9 hole operation. The place was mowed out wall to wall. The bunkers edged. Minimal weeds. Acceptable pest levels. Tree rings sprayed out. And overall good playing conditions. All Bermuda, except for greens, was mowed at one height, reducing maintenance and equipment costs. In total, I counted 7 pieces of equipment. It was amazing how they still got the job done. Course conditions were similar to what we provide with our 14 plus member crew. A big eye opener that I could bring back and find a way to get back to the simple way of doing things. These kinds of courses are the ones that we all could learn from.

   
   
   
   
3. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   9/26/2011 6:09 AM

   I agree with you guys, what a way to keep cost down and the game affordable and probably saving time in playing. The two biggest threats to getting new players and keeping them.
   
   Mel.

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