By Ryan Moore, Superintendent Forest Lake Country Club
As we head into the later part of the golf season in the Michigan, I reflect on the challenges we have overcome. A typical season is a grind with its own unique adversities, but 2020 will go down as one to remember for Golf Course Superintendents.
As I look across the property at lush green short mowed areas against a backdrop of scars of brown through the rough, certainly the environmental impacts of heat stress with inadequate precipitation can be seen. Some detail work could be crisper, and some needed spring projects not accomplished are delayed until 2021. We have been here before and realize that with cooler weather on the horizon the grass will rebound quickly.
Yet what will define 2020 is the impacts and decisions we had to make due to the uncertainties of Covid-19 way back in March. Superintendents are built for adversity but are without the experience of managing the variables of not having a golf season; how do we keep our team safe, daily health checks, budget restrictions, and can I even maintain the property as an essential worker.
This last point really impacted me this spring while I was on the Sand Pro raking a bunker and was pulled over by local law enforcement. “Is what you are doing essential?,” I was asked. Of course, I explained the benefits of raking the trap and was allowed to go on my way, but that moment it resonated on me that 2020 was going to have a different look and feel.
We managed the property in March and April with three employees and were fortunate enough to have two of our Assistant Golf Professionals volunteer to help us out. As the Executive Orders from the Governor changed and adjusted, golf was initially an industry permitted to continue under specific guidelines. Innovative superintendents adapted by filling cups with foam noodles, inverted cups, lifting devices, and minimizing course hardware became the new norm.
Things were looking up, golf was happening with less little things to maintain. People were just excited to get out of their houses to use the property. Maintenance staffs were allowed to continue, and life was great. Then it happened. 25-33% increase in playing rounds, four individual carts per group and no hardware meant less player care for the course such as divots and wear traffic. Adversity, as the greens maintenance staff we are built for these situations, put your head down and keep on grinding, results will come.
We are all fortunate to be employed in a profession we love, and the golf industry has found a 2020 balance. We have been able to provide quality playing conditions and hold many of our Club events and one national event for youth (AJGA). Players have been extremely supportive and complimentary of the playing conditions we have provided. I am very thankful to have a great maintenance team around me, and for their dedication to have a safe and successful 2020 season.
