2017 Year in Review - Tips and Tricks Video

This is another Tips and Tricks video I produced for TurfNet.com with Brian Boll, superintendent of North Oaks Golf Club in Minnesota, which received many views. In this video, Brian explains the Murphy Pump, which is a fabulous liquid transfer pump. This pump is designed and built by Ken Rost of frostserv.com This is something no facility should be without. View HERE

2017 Year in Review - Tips and Tricks Video

This Tips and Tricks video I produced for TurfNet.com with Joel Kachmarek, superintendent of Tacoma Country and Golf Club received the most views for the year. Fabulous idea by Joel showing the use of a ski rack to help transport hoses on the golf course quickly and efficiently. View HERE 

TurfNet Video - Area or Zone Management

This ON COURSE video for TurfNetTV received the most attention of 2017. Incredible amount of great feedback I received throughout the year concerning this Zone or Area Management philosophy. Thanks to all for their wonderful compliments. View HERE

My favorite compliment concerning this video. Thanks Paul!

Snow Water Equivilency

I know it's early in the winter season, but let's just say things are off to a very bad start. Snow water equivalency for Vail Mountain is at 21% of normal. I don't think I have seen it this low ever, for this time of year? Fortunately, it's still early and things can change quickly. Take a look at the latest graph.

TurfNet TV - Latest Video is Live

My latest video for TurfNet.com is live. In this video I talk about one of the most important pruning techniques to know, the Undercut. Use this video as a training tool for your staff to help educate them on proper pruning. To view, click HERE

Vole Test Plots Established

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit with both the Sonnenalp Club and Red Sky Ranch. The purpose of my visit was to establish some test plots for vole repellency/control using Milorganite organic fertilizer. Thanks to Neil Tretter, Sonnenalp Club and Michael Miner, Red Sky Ranch for being such great hosts and allowing me to perform this testing.

All test plots were 25 square feet and received a rate of one pound of nitrogen per 1000 square feet. Plots were established in areas of consistent vole damage each spring. Most areas were north facing, which will allow prolonged snow cover.

For many years I have noticed vole repellency using Milorganite. These test plots will give me a chance to replicate my past results at other facilities. Can't wait till spring to evaluate. 

Special thanks to Milorganite and WinField United for their support in establishing these test plots.

Here I am, being a mad scientist, weighing material for the test plots. 

This particular test plot at Sonnenalp had already seen some vole activity. 

Many test plots were established next to the native grass to obtain 
the most vole activity.

Explaining to Sonnenalp Club superintendent, Neil Tretter about Milorganite.

Preparing a test plot while Neil looks on.

Always fun driving to the Red Sky facility to see how they blended the outside 
of their building to the development.

Besides establishing Milorganite plots, Red Sky Ranch Director of GC Maintenance, 
Mike Miner and myself enjoyed a lot of Turf Talk, while on top of the world! 

Many test plots were established on north facing slopes to hold the snow 
cover the longest. This plot at Red Sky was shaded at 1:15pm.

With the course closed, Red Sky was as peaceful as could be. 
Always felt I'm on the top of the world when visiting here.

The Passing of Jerry Coldiron..

Always hard to write something when the news is so sad. A friend of mine and many, Jerry Coldiron passed away during the Thanksgiving Holidays. Jerry was only 60 years old. I'd know Jerry for many years, but really got to know him well over the past five years or so. Jerry was a legend in the golf business and always had that bright smile. He was one of the most caring, thoughtful individuals anyone could know. He was loved by many. Please take time to listen to this powerful podcast by my good friends Dave Wilber and Peter McCormick, entitled Celebrating Jerry Coldiron. You will be missed Jerry! Listen HERE

Sunrises and Sunsets...Colorado Style!

There certainly have been some great sunrises and sunsets over the past couple months. The Colorado high country offers some spectacular photos opportunities of these. Here are a few of my favorite photos of late....enjoy!