Winter equipment work

How do you clean equipment in the winter indoors without spreading grease and oil everywhere?
Easy, just like taking a shower. Several years ago we installed the big shower curtain around our equipment lift so that we could continue to clean equipment when it is below freezing outdoors. A close look at the curtain shows the grease that is prevented from soiling the walls of the shop.
A great deal of pride is taken in the care for our asset of equipment. If time permits, all equipment will receive a coat of wax, hand applied of course.
Not your average shower,
Turf

The crane is here

The setting of the columns for the new HVAC unit is happening today. These columns will be contained in the walls, and will not be visible. This is an important day and when it is done, will be a milestone. Much progress will follow.
In the second photo, the platform for "The Turn," is being framed. This will be an elevated seating area, with excellent views.
It all keeps coming together,
Turf

Gordie Howe visits Briar?

You would have thought so based on the smile on my face. Great day of skating and friends yesterday at Banninga Arena!
He shoots.....he scores!
Turf

Enjoy the winter

It is a great day to enjoy the rink. It is being cleaned and the property is beautiful. Come out and enjoy the beauty of our course on a winter day!
Turf

Golf course superintendent learns about ice

This year has and continues to teach me lessons.
I had some idea of the difficulties of making good ice. I did not know the extent to which natural ice does not want to be smooth. Rapid dropping temperatures coupled with wind, means that the water will freeze in a wave action form. Snow can also fall into the rink, and if the top is thawed, it makes slush. Slush that freezes has air pockets, and is really bumpy.
We are going to get it smooth though!
The rink will be ready for skaters this afternoon. Please come out and enjoy the fruits of our labor.
The orange cones that will be at the end of the rink, are good for young skaters that need support. Encourage them to put both hands on the top of the cone, and push the cone along the ice. I like the cones better than chairs, because if you fall on the cone, it simply gives way. Pushing the cone happens with the inside of the feet, not in a typical walking fashion.
It's a winter wonderland,
Turf

The Turn...construction update

Floor is ready to be poured tomorrow in the Turn. The round cut out shown is where the bar will be.
Walls for family dining are framed, and ready for electrical runs before they drywall, which could be completed by next week.
Moving forward,
Turf

Briar Ridge ice rink

The rink is waiting for the cold weather tonight and tomorrow. Lights are installed on the ends and can be turned on via the timer shown in the photo. There are four two by fours coming out of the ground at each corner of the rink. The timer switch is located on a two by four at the corner that is closest to the halfway house. Simply turn the dial clockwise, and wa la, light!
There are benches for your comfort.
I wanted music and lights that changed to the music, like the Christmas decorations that you see on the Internet. I also suggested a disco ball, but I haven't figured out the mounting, and after the whole camera falling out of sky at the Iowa vs. Oklahoma game, I did not want to chance clobbering some poor kid with shiny shards of glass. As if slipping around on ice with knives tied the bottom of your shoes is not challenge enough!
Hockey stop,
Turf

Winter maintenance and ice rink

We are often ask what kinds of work we do in the winter. The photo of a hydraulic line in bad condition is one example of the preventative maintenance work that is necessary.

We worked for about eight hours on the rink yesterday. The ice is still bumpy, but the overall condition is improving. The forecast looks as though it should be really good in a few days.

Cheers,
Turf

Looks like a roof

The proshop has four walls and roof trusses! The workers on the roof are applying the sheeting or plywood for the roof. The workers on the side are putting on the wrap on the walls. This part of the project is going well and on schedule.
The new proshop appears much bigger than I thought it would be. I tried to grab that perspective in the second photo I took.
The rink is going well and is really close to opening day. The amount of hose needed makes the work a challenge, especially for one person. The last photo shows the distance of hose that we have to handle.
Skates should fit tight, almost to the point of discomfort. Ankle support is important for new skaters. I may have a pair of kids size twelves for sale, if they won't stretch, yeah, I've done this before,
Turf

Marcos gonna help you build...a wall

Three down and one to go! The goal today is to set several roof trusses. That would mean roof sheeting could begin tomorrow. Things are progressing smoothly.
I came out hoping to put a smooth layer on the rink, but it is just not thick enough yet. The corners are cracking and breaking as I walk on it. One more cold night should do the trick. One lesson learned..... Water hoses behave differently in cold weather. There has to be a cold weather hose!
Anyone?
Turf

Skating? Not quite

The rink is looking good, it is a bit bumpy from the snow. It has about three quarters of an inch of ice, which resulted in a wet foot. Good rule of thumb....if you wouldn't walk out on the pond, the ice is probably not ready for skating. The forecast is for warmer weather starting Sunday. Mother nature is just not cooperating.
Construction is moving along, more photos on the Briar Ridge Facebook page.
Happy shoveling,
Turf

Walls

We have walls. Racing the weather.
Got to go,
Turf

Plumbing install

Here we go! Plumbing the drains for the bar in The Turn. Plumbing will be followed by electric, water, and the line for soda. Once this infrastructure is in place, a lot can and will happen rapidly.
We are so very close to kicking this thing into high gear. I will keep you posted,
Turf

Tearing up the floor

If the Turn is going to have a bar, it needs plumbing and electrical. Here you can see how it is going to get there. The floor was cut, and now we have these squares of concrete to get rid of. Ok, we will do some construction soon, we just really like tearing stuff up!
Until tomorrow,
Turf

Green surrounds

Taking a break from construction activity for a moment, I thought this photo was interesting. Notice the different growth habits ( the shapes), and the growth requirements (the colors), of the grass in the rough. All the different textures and colors represent different types of grass both species, and varieties. The variation you see, is why you ball can get so many different lies in the rough.
The lack of uniformity is what what we would call contamination. In this instance, we have essentially a weed problem. For a weed is merely a plant that is out of place.
Many times players think that the problem with the green surrounds is the length of grass, this is simply not the case. The real problem is that there is a complex combination of grassy weeds!
Are you practicing your short game?
Turf

Say hello to my little friend

In this case, it is a hammer drill and a chisel bit. We are removing tile outside the bathrooms in the golf lobby. Yes, we are still tearing stuff up!
The photos should start to get more interesting. I posted some to the turfgrass Facebook page yesterday that showed the ground penetrating radar.
Pushing along,
Turf

Construction!!!!

Here is a shot of some of the first indoor construction. These columns are spanned by a knee wall. This divides family dining an serves as an entry into the turn.
More photos are posted on the Briar Ridge Turfgrass Facebook page, visit it and click the "like" link to receive updates.
The rink has a hole in it, oh my!
Turf

Solid foundation

We are ready to pour some foundation walls today. Once the foundation In complete, this building will go fairly quick. The interior is getting closer to construction activity, but the appearance has not changed much. I will post photos as it gets more interesting.
Don't neglect your foundation! Good core strength is important in remaining injury free during the golf season. Make good use of the winter by increasing strength training.
Who wants to drive the zamboni?
Turf