Wishing Everyone a Happy-Healthy New Year!

Finishing with a Great Intern..

Certainly feels good to finish my career as a golf course superintendent having an exceptional student intern. Jared Kief is from Wisconsin and attends Colorado State University. Early this year he was awarded our Most Outstanding Intern of the Year scholarship for 2016. Jared did a 8-month internship (May-Dec) and help our operation tremendously. I have hosted over 100 student interns in my career and I must say Jared Kief is one of the best. I'm also proud to say that Jared will be interning at Erin Hills in Wisconsin next year, site of the 2017 US Open. This will be a tremendous experience for him as he continues on an exceptional career path. Keep an eye out for this young man, his future in golf course management is very bright! 

Jared Kief - 2016 Most Outstanding Intern.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Rare Rain Event...

This past weekend on 12/17 we experienced a very rare event in Colorado during the winter, RAIN! For a couple days, temperatures reached in the 50's and significant rainfall occurred. Then as a cold front moved in, temperatures dropped and the changeover to snow resulted in a foot of wet, Eastern Style snow accumulation. These conditions are not ideal for golf course turf, especially this early in the winter season. Ice formation on turf for long durations is potentially one of the most dangerous conditions golf turf can experience. Time will tell?

A rare event in Colorado during the winter season, RAIN!

A few hours later, snowing....with an eventual foot of accumulation. 

2016 Bunker Construction Review #11

My favorite bunker construction of the year was on hole #11. We certainly did more bunker work on holes #7 and #10 this year, but I really like what we did on #11. Our goal was to make the front left area much more playable. To do that, we eliminated the closest bunker to the tee, reshaped the pot bunker, shaped two grassy hollows, and made the slope of the entire area more gentle. The results were fantastic. This was, like much of our bunker work through the years, done completely in-house. Take a look...

Some Favorite Photos of 2016...

Here are a few of my favorite shots of 2016.

Remembering Old #7....

Recently, I was involved in a conversation about old #7 fairway bunker. The individual stated that he couldn't even remember the old one very well. I told him to check my blog and I would refresh his memory  So, in memory of old #7.....here it is.

Flashback....

Still uncovering some great old flashback photos while packing the office. This photo is from our greens renovation during a Nicklaus site visit. Jack is doing his typical sketching of green contour changes. Hard to believe this is from 20 years ago. I strongly believe our greens renovation and my selection of Penn A-4 bentgrass is what elevated CC Rockies to what it is today! It all started with some sketches on a piece of paper. 

Jack doing his thing while we all look on. Front, L to R, Kirk Welsh, Jack, and myself.
Back row, Tom Apple, left and Ken Mesloh, right.

Will Not Miss....

I was recently asked, what things I will miss and not miss about being a superintendent? Last week, I was reminded of one major item. Traveling on poor roads! Last week it was nearly everyday. Working at home and not worrying about road conditions will certainly lower the stress level. Let it snow!

Poor Road Conditions will NOT be Missed!

Finally.......Snow!

We have had some various dusting of snow over the past couple weeks, but finally the "Snow Gods" provided us with a decent little storm. Arrowhead received about 6-8". Looks like this might be the snow that covers the golf course for the winter. Most likely we will not see turf again. This also may be my last "snow duty" day. Throughout the winter, the full-time staff covers snow removal, on alternating weeks. So, today might be it for me. This is one thing I will not miss. It's difficult to have staff (and myself) come in at night and weekends to cover snowstorms when you are here so much during the golf season. It seems like you never can totally let work go and enjoy, even in the winter. Thanks to all my staff through the years who have taken care of "snow duty".

Arrowhead finally looks white, instead of "Native Grass" brown.

Could be the last "Snow Duty" day for me. Now I can truly enjoy snow and not worry how "Snow Duty" is going!

A Big Thanks to these Two!

I would like to thank two individuals from our irrigation contractor, Tanto Irrigation. Charles Moreno and Warren Braddock have been an absolute pleasure to work with directly over the past five years. Phasing a system as complicated as ours in, is not an easy task. Charley and Warren have made it a snap. I will miss working with them. Sure hope our paths cross in the future...thanks guys! 

Charles Moreno, left, and Warren Braddock, right, of Tanto Irrigation.

Finding Treasures Cleaning my Office

With not much tenure left at CCR, I have been slowly cleaning and packing the office. After 22 years at CCR and 40+ in the business,  I have built a virtual library of golf course management information. Many photos I haven't looked at in years. I realized how many treasured items I truly have. When I came across the photo below, I must admit, I had to take a step back, stare and reminisce for a few minutes. The 1996 greens renovation with Jack.....seems like yesterday?