Colorado Snowpack....

Presently the State of Colorado is relishing in some tremendous snowpack. This is nothing but great news from an environmental standpoint. Water for the western US is based largely on snowpack, so this could be the year that we finally replenish all those reservoirs. It's still early to celebrate, but you can't help but feel a little giddy about the map below...

The Top Moment of 2016...

My top moment of 2016 was definitely the decision to "Hang up my Stimpmeter". It certainly was a difficult decision to end my career as a golf course superintendent. I had been thinking about it for a couple of years. After 45 years of working on the golf course, it was time.

I'll always remember that moment when it hit me. It was June 9th, we had a lightning ground strike that blew our main VFD drive. Of course, we were also in a stretch of incredibly hot and dry weather. Working to keep the golf course alive during that 3-4 day stretch during repairs was extremely taxing. At that time it just hit me hard....I don't want to do this anymore. Not wanting to make an on the spot decision, I let myself cool down from the VFD aftermath, but nothing changed my mind.

June 9, 2016 - Never a good day when the pump service trucks are at your pump station. 

Its been an incredible run for me. I have always loved the game of golf as well as managing the golf course. I have met people from around the globe through this profession and cherish those relationships. I'm extremely proud of my accomplishments throughout my career. I won't disappear. My future in the business is presently a work in progress with some exciting things in the works. I want to thank all the individuals who have worked for me through the years. I might have been the "head coach" but couldn't have accomplish anything without "great players".....thank you all.

Thanks to all...you are only as good as your team.

 I want to thank the Country Club of the Rockies for entrusting me with this wonderful property for the last 22 years. Thanks also for the nice send off last month, very much appreciated!

A wonderful gift to hang on my home office wall, hole #12, it just doesn't get any better than that!

Great to have my family with me for the festivities. The biggest supporters of my career.

Extremely pleased with the hiring of my long time assistant, Carey Hofner to fill my shoes.

 I have really been floored with the amount of well wishes over the past few months. Thank you all. Many superintendents have "opened up" to me about their situation as well and I'm humbled. I was fortunate to be a guest of a podcast hosted by Dave Wilbur, known in the turf world as the "Turfgrass Zealot". The number of comments I have received from this has been astonishing. I thank you all for the wonderful words. I also want the thank Dave Wilbur for having me as his guest. If you haven't listened, click here:
http://www.turfnet.com/blog/5/entry-1338-the-turfgrass-zealot-project-ep-27-with-guest-kevin-ross-of-cc-of-the-rockies/

The comments that this podcast created have truly been very humbling.

This is just one on many comments about the podcast that really hit me. Thanks Jason!

One last note as I conclude this post.....To my wife Karen, daughter Abby, and my son Nick, I can't thank you enough for all the love and support through the years! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Top Moments of 2016...

One of my top moments of 2016 was attending the Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National. I was fortune to be able to do some blogging and video work for TurfNet.com. It was a great experience, watching Superintendent, Chris Tritabaugh, his staff, and the many volunteers prepare the course each day through the lens of my camera. Meeting new friends from across the US and from other countries around the world was also a big treat. Let's just say there was a lot of Turf Talk that went on that week. Thanks to Chris Tritabaugh, TurfNet.com, Toro Company and Club Car for making my trip possible. Take a look at some of the memories...

Thanks to Chris Tritabaugh, TurfNet.com, Toro Company, and Club Car for making this happen!

Walking the fairways of Hazeltine National....what a treat!

Pictured here with one of my former interns, Sam Bauer.

Meeting new friends from around the globe was certainly a highlight.

Alejandro Reyes - Superintendent for the 2018 Ryder Cup.

Had a nice chat with David Duval at the airport.

Just a bunch of Minnesota guys hanging out at the Cup.

Let there be light!

My favorite Ryder Cup photo, Sam Bauer mowing #18 green.

Early morning duties required lights.

Showing the patriotism!

All smiles on Sunday morning after a long week!

Rossi and Woods talking earlier morning turf.

Top Moments of 2016....

Recently, I had a member of CC Rockies ask what my highlights were of 2016. I had to give that some thought, but finally have come up with some good ones. I am going to post each one, in no particular order, in separate posts. My first one is.....my first helicopter ride. It wasn't just any helicopter ride, it was a ride through the Vail Valley and we flew over each golf course including CC Rockies. What a treat that was! I'm so thankful for that opportunity by one of our members to make it happen. Take a look....

Getting Ready!

My Pilot - CCR Member TM.

Approach to Eagle Springs GC.

Full of Excitement flying over Country Club of the Rockies.

Checking out a few of the Vail Valley's biggest Homes.

Involvement with WinField Solutions....

Proud to announce my involvement with WinField Solutions. WinField is one of the leading distributors of researched-based fertilizers and plant protectants in the United States. During my tenure as a golf course superintendent at the Country Club of the Rockies, I did business with WinField for many years. Their sales staff and service was always the best. I'm very excited to be working with this great company. I will be presenting golf course management topics at some of their "WinField Academies" and "Lunch and Learns". Looking forward to it!

Recent WinField Academy in Seattle, Washington.

A Wonderful Evening!

Last week's Club Party was a wonderful evening for both myself and my family. I want to thank all the members and staff of the Country Club of the Rockies for all their well wishes. Thank you for the kind words by Club President, Craig Cormack and the presentation of the fabulous framed photo of our signature hole, #12. Memories for a lifetime! Thank you all!

Club President, Craig Cormack presentation of a framed photo of #12.

Proud of my 22 years!

Great to have my biggest supporters, my family, along for the ride!

Humbled by all the well wishes, Thank You!

What a threesome....Tom Apple, CCR Ambassador,  Jennifer Brumbaugh, Office Manager, and myself. A total of 75+ years of experience at CCR.

As a New Englander...maybe my favorite part of the night. Thanks Vista Restaurant Staff!

Great to have my former lead assistant and now superintendent, Carey Hofner in attendance!

Great to see Sandy Treat, center, one of my true CCR hero's in attendance. Pictured here with my wonderful wife, Karen and myself.