The new Kenmure Greens Committee held its inaugural meeting on
January 18 chaired by Golf Course Superintendent Josh Laughridge. Members attending were David Goins, Peter
Hapgood, Michael Johnstone, Marsha Mock, Dennis O’Connor and Bill Skelton. Club staff members attending, in addition to
Josh were General Manager David Ford and Head Professional Stephen
Thomasson. Marilou Reed was out of town
and unable to attend.
After sharing his background in golf course and turf
management and his life-long connection to golf and golf course management,
Josh asked each committee member to introduce themselves, share their history
with the game of golf as well as their reasons for volunteering to join the
committee. The group comprises a diverse mix of individuals with various levels
of expertise and experience and includes many who have been extremely active in
course management in other clubs prior to moving to Kenmure, as well as a golf
course architect, club managers, a writer and very experienced golfers.
Each member brings a unique perspective to the committee, ranging
from professional expertise in golf course architecture and management to
passionate club members focused on improving the golf experience. Their diverse
backgrounds are conducive to a comprehensive approach to golf course
maintenance, addressing both technical and member satisfaction aspects. The common theme expressed by each member was
not only their passion for golf, but their desire to see Kenmure returned to
its .
Overall, the meeting was an opportunity for committee members to
voice their concerns and ask questions to which Josh provided detailed
responses, highlighting the complexity of golf course management and the need
for both immediate actions and long-term planning.
Josh began the meeting by presenting a thorough overview of many
key aspects of golf course maintenance and management particular to
Kenmure. His discussion included:
— Winter Golf Conditions: including managing play on
frozen turf and how it impacts the golf course during winter, as well as the
need to control traffic on frozen turf to protect it.
— Regular Maintenance: discussing the frequency of
standard maintenance tasks like mowing and raking sand traps being reduced in
winter due to dormant grass and limited staff.
— Debris Cleanup and Pruning: detailing the ongoing tasks
during the winter that includes clearing debris, pruning trees, and under
brushing.
— Mechanical Maintenance: outlining the mechanic’s tasks
of changing oil filters, checking hydraulic lines, and the necessity of
rebuilding the engine on the topdresser.
— Future Plans and Equipment: announcing the hiring and arrival (in early February) of new
assistant superintendent, Nikolas Marques, and discussing the expertise he
brings to the staff. He was also pleased
to announce the approval for the acquisition of new equipment, e.g., tow-behind
blowers, a rough mower, and ride-on mowers for greens. He also discussed plans
for building new tee markers.
— Goals for the Spring: outlining the primary goals to
increase consistency and frequency in maintenance tasks such as changing pin
locations, moving tee markers, and mowing; and
addressing areas with poor turf conditions as a priority, as well as
considering the soil's health beneath the turf.
— Long-term Concerns:
highlighting the need for long-term solutions, such as dealing with
thatch problems on the greens, possibly through more aggressive verticutting
and sand topdressing.
— Communication and Education: emphasizing the importance
of communicating with the committee and the committee then spreading the word
with club members about the ongoing work and the challenges in not just
maintaining the golf course, but returning it to the pristine condition all the
members desire.
The committee members also shared their thoughts, concerns, and
suggestions regarding the golf course's maintenance, expressing a desire to
better understand and contribute to the decision-making process. Members also expressed a desire for future
meetings to include a comprehensive overview and tour of the maintenance
facility, and a deeper dive into each aspect of the department.
Overall, the participants were given a comprehensive and detailed
overview of golf course management that addressed both immediate maintenance
needs and long-term planning for turf health and course playability. The ensuring discussions during the meeting
were an excellent beginning and indicative of an active and very robust
committee that will ensure an open channel of communication for all Club
members going forward.
The committee members at the Kenmure Greens Committee meeting
raised several questions and concerns which Josh and others provided answers
and explanations. Below is a summary of the discussions:
1.
Concerns About Winter Golf Conditions and
Maintenance:
·
Question:
How does playing on frozen turf affect the course, and what is being done about
it?
·
Answer:
Josh explained that while playing on frozen turf isn’t
catastrophic, it's essential to manage traffic to protect the turf. The golf
course adopts strategies like temporary tees and reduced maintenance activities
during the winter to mitigate any potential damage.
2.
Equipment and Staffing for Course Maintenance:
·
Question:
What are the current challenges and plans regarding equipment and staffing?
·
Answer:
Josh discussed the acquisition of new equipment, like tow-behind blowers and a
rough mower, and the hiring of a new assistant superintendent. He stressed that
these additions would aid in more efficient course maintenance.
3.
Greens Maintenance and Thatch Management:
·
Question:
What are the plans for addressing the greens’ conditions,
particularly the thatch problem?
·
Answer:
Josh mentioned the need for aggressive verticutting and topdressing with sand
to manage the thatch. He emphasized the importance of regular, deep cultural
practices to improve the turf quality on the greens.
4.
Long-term Sustainability and Health of Greens:
·
Question:
Is there a need for long-term solutions for the greens, considering their age
and condition?
·
Answer:
Josh acknowledged that the greens are past their prime and have suffered from
minimized maintenance practices over the years. He suggested that while
complete reconstruction is an option, consistent intensive maintenance
practices can prolong their life.
5.
Transparency and Communication:
·
Question:
How can the committee better understand and communicate the ongoing work on the
course?
·
Answer:
Josh stressed the importance of the committee acting as ambassadors for the
course, understanding and communicating the ongoing maintenance activities to
the broader membership.
6.
Management of Specific Course Areas:
·
Question:
Concerns were raised about the lack of sun exposure and tree issues on specific
holes (like 9 and 18) affecting playability, especially in winter.
·
Answer:
Josh noted the complexity of the issue, including environmental factors like
the ridge line and sun angle. He was open to exploring solutions but cautioned
about the potential costs and limited effectiveness of drastic measures like
tree removal.
7.
Improvement of Course Conditions:
·
Question:
What specific steps are being planned to improve course conditions, especially
the greens?
·
Answer:
Josh outlined plans for increased consistency in maintenance, such as more
frequent mowing and changing of pin locations. He also highlighted the
importance of having a well-trained and adequate staff to maintain high
standards.
