TurfNet TV - Latest Video is Live....

My latest video for TurfNet is live. In this edition of ON COURSE, I discuss one of my coolest inventions, the "Tweener System". This system has received national acclaim for its function and design. In the mountains of Colorado and many areas of the mountain west, off season watering is critical. Take a look at this one of a kind system HERE As always, thanks to my supporting sponsor Tanto Irrigation 

TurfNet TV - Latest Video is Live...

In my latest ONCOURSETurf video production for TurfNet.com I discuss how to perform an irrigation quick check. This is a very easy and effective method for quickly determining problems with sprinkler heads. It also can give a general idea of precipitation rate accuracy. VIEW HERE As always, thanks to my supporting sponsor www.tantoirrigation.com and thanks for watching! 

TurfNet "Tips and Tricks" is Live.....

Recently, I collaborated with Scott Rettmann, Golf Course Superintendent at Walnut Creek Country Club in Lyons, Michigan on a video production. I had seen some video updates he was producing for his membership on project work which was happening on the golf course. I thought it was such a great idea that it just had to be a TurfNet "Tips and Tricks" video. With some back and forth on the phone and a bunch of clips via Dropbox, we made it happen. This is a great idea by Scott, please view video: HERE Big thanks to Scott for helping with this video collaboration. If anyone has a great idea and would like to collaborate on this sort of video, please contact me. Thanks for watching. 

TurfNet TV - Latest Video is Live.......

My latest video for TurfNet.com is live. This video is a follow-up to my previous video, the first ONCOURSE Turf Quiz. In this video I give the answers to the Turf Quiz. Check it out and see how you did. The quiz was a collection of just some of the issues I've seen in my travels over the past couple of years. Hope you had fun with it, because that's what it's all about. View HERE. As always, thanks to my supporting sponsor, Tanto Irrigation.

TurfNet TV - Latest Video....

My latest video for TurfNet.com is live. In this video I discuss the importance of having either a great supply house for fuses or keeping an extra set in stock. A few days at the wrong time of year can make a big difference if your pump station goes down. Be prepared. View HERE as always, thanks to my supporting sponsor, Tanto Irrigation

TurfNetTV - Latest Video is Live.....

My first ON COURSE video of 2019 for TurfNet.com is live. In this video I discuss the "due diligence" needed during the planning stages of a new irrigation system. I talk about the "other" components besides the irrigation controls and sprinkler heads. Check it out, click HERE to view. I would like to also welcome back my supporting sponsor for 2019, Tanto Irrigation Thanks for your support! 

My Latest Read....

A few years ago Jim Haley, Highland Golf Services stopped in my office with Bill Bartels, Tanto Irrigation and gave me a copy of "Dream Golf" The Making of Bandon Dunes. Well, about that time I was slowing packing up my office for my eventual retirement from the golf course superintendent profession and this book was immediately packed. Well, after 3 years in a box and in storage, it was recently unpacked and moved up to the top of my read list. Can't wait to read the whole story. Thanks Jim for the copy. 

Visiting and touring Bandon Dunes was one of my true highlights
 of my golf course management career. 

TurfNetTV - Latest Video is Live...

My latest ON COURSE video for TurfNet.com is live. In this video I highlight the use of a simple protractor to help measure arcs on adjustable part circle sprinkler heads. This data can then be transferred and entered in the central irrigation control systems very accurately. Take a look. Click HERE to view. As always, thanks to my supporting sponsor Tanto Irrigation

Speaking in New Mexico

Very pleased to be speaking next week to the Rio Grande GCSA. I was fortunate to speak last October to this same group and enjoyed it immensely. I'll be covering some labor ideas and also giving out some turf tips for best management practices. Look forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones! Can't wait!

TurfNet TV - Latest Video is Live..

My latest ON COURSE video for TurfNet.com is live. In this video I discuss the use of Tyvek as a print media for construction/renovation/irrigation plans. I have personally used Tyvek the past few years on various projects and find it an excellent source of print media. Take a look. Click HERE to view. As always, thanks to my supporting sponsor Tanto Irrigation

TurfNetTV - Latest Video is Live.....

My latest ON COURSE video is live on TurfNet.com In this video I show how to make simple irrigation sprinkler head drive assembly pullers. I invented these pullers many years ago and they were always a big help for myself and staff. Take a look at the video HERE

I would also like to welcome my new video series sponsor, Tanto Irrigation. I've work with this irrigation installation company first hand and their work is second to none. If you're planning an irrigation system, they are a great choice for the install. Feel free to contact me personally if you need more information. Check them out at TANTO IRRIGATION

As always, thank you for the support of my video work and happy viewing!

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 Equivalency Below Normal...

One thing is certain about Colorado, weather conditions can change rapidly. Sitting in my new home office a few months ago looking out the window and watching it snow almost daily made me think of big snowpack and plenty of water. Suddenly, a few months later, how times have changed! A few months ago snow-water equivalentcy hovered around 150%, yesterday's reading came in at 59%. Ouch, that is some dip. Let's hope some spring moisture comes along.

The rapid rise in yellow, followed by the sharp decline in green.

TurfNet TV - New Video is Live

In my latest TurfNetTV video I explain an outside filler pipe which I came up with to eliminate any spills inside the pump station facility. Keeping the delivery driver outside. To view click here

Golf Industry Show

The blog has been a little slow this past week because I've been attending the Golf Industry Show in Orlando, Florida. GIS, as its known, is the premier annual show for golf course turfgrass professionals from around the globe. It's a week long event that focuses primarily on education and a trade show, which showcases all the latest and greatest. Take a look...

It takes a good effort to cover the entire floor in two days.

Education is a very important part of GIS.

Technology continues to advance golf course equipment.

Bunker construction techniques is always a hot topic on the trade show floor.

HDPE fittings and couplings continue to evolve.

Always nice to see something new to fit your needs.

Seeing old friends is always the highlight of the week for me.

Enhancing new friendships is a highlight as well.

There are many great offerings on the floor to take advantage of.

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...

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.

The End of a Big Week...

Last week was a big week for us. We put the last water of the year out on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, watering greens, tees, and fairway spots with "Kevin's Tweener System". Then on Thursday and Friday in a snowstorm, we hurried to winterize (blowout) the system. It marks the end of watering for the year. Let's hope it stays cold and we receive some steady moisture. The past month has been very difficult keeping up with the watering demands due to a very abnormal October and November. For myself, Carey, and Jared there has been no letup since mid-March. We are all looking forward to Thanksgiving and a few days off to spend with our families. It's been a long difficult year.

Watering Greens on Wednesday.....

Winterization (blowout) of "Kevin's Tweener" on Thursday in a snowstorm! Only in Colorado.

Thanks to my Staff...

A special thanks to my lead assistant, Carey Hofner and my student intern, Jared Kief for the tremendous effort in keeping the golf course watered as the fall drought continues. Fortunately, we have "Kevin's Tweener" irrigation system to help the process. It's been about 3 weeks of watering greens, tees, and certain fairway spots while we wait for Mother Nature to produce.

Watering #7 green Mid-November, while the ski slopes in the background stay bare!

Presently, the course is so dry, fairway spots are being watered.

With Carey and Jared doing a wonderful job watering, I have had some time to get dormant fertilization accomplished.

Carey, carrying hoses has been a popular sight this fall!

Jared, watering irrigation installation sod trenches....again!

What a Difference a Year Makes....

It certainly has been a crazy fall. I can only remember one other year in my 22 years at CCR that is similar to this. This may be the driest I have every seen things at this time of year. Last year at this time we were shoveling areas of snow to keep the irrigation install rolling. This year we are watering daily using the "Tweener System" pumping about 30,000 gallons a day to keep things moist until hopefully some rain or snow arrives. What a difference a year makes?? Take a look...

Watering #1 Green. The "Tweener System" might be my best invention in my 45 plus years on a golf course.

November 8, 2015 Clearing snow for irrigation install #9 fairway.

#9 Fairway, November 8, 2015.

#9 Fairway - November 8, 2016.

Looking up #9 - November 8, 2016.