Happy New Year! Hoodies and ice skating

I hope everyone is enjoying this holiday season. The weather is becoming a little more like winter. The golf shop has brought in a few hoodie style sweatshirts to keep you toasty into the next year. These have been popular, so be sure to check them out soon as I don't think they will last long.
I have brought my artistry indoors for the winter. Be sure to check out my "signature hole" on display inside the club. Chef Harry and I teamed up to create a centerpiece for the candy buffet.
Lastly, we are working on the ice rink. Please pay attention to the rink closed signs. The ice takes several very cold days to form. Breaking through the ice with skates on can puncture the liner underneath. Please have anyone who insists the ice is ready, "try" the ice with their boots on and not skates. That said, skates add an enormous amount of pressure as the weight of the person is concentrated in a much smaller area. This weather is not conducive to making ice quickly. Water has a very high specific heat and that means is is slow to cool. I will keep you posted as this week progresses.
Weekend forecast has temps above freezing again.
Have a safe and happy new year!
Turf

Winterizing small equipment

In a previous blog, we discussed winterization of equipment and specifically carts, now we need to make sure the small engines are cared for. You have a couple of options. 1. You can run all of the fuel out of your equipment, or 2. You can add a stabilizer to the fuel. I like sea foam treatment. You can add it directly to the fuel tank, follow the directions and run the engine for a couple of minutes to ensure the stabilize has reached all the small components of the carburetor. Most equipment that fails to start for homeowners in the spring is due to the gasoline "tarnishing" the carburetor from months of cold storage. Gasoline ages and loses it's "fizz," so be sure to stabilize any fuel that will sit in a container for extended periods. I like to use sea foam in all the two-cycle equipment, it really helps to keep the engine internal components clean. If you haven't done this yet, your behind! It needs to be done before the onset of cold weather.
Enjoy,
Turf

Winter bunker prep

One of the things you may notice if you were to venture out on the course this winter, is a trench that goes around the inside of the bunker. We do this to protect the boundary of the bunker. When the leaves fall, the winter winds whip across the course and blow the sand out of the bunkers. By building a trench, we provide a depression that catches the sand before it can leave the confines of the bunker lip. The sand that blows out piles up outside the bunker and causes a number of problems from edging the bunkers to turf quality issues. I came across the bottom two photos which show exactly the type of winter situation we are trying to avoid with our preparation work.
Now you know the rest of the story,
Turf

Changing seasons

It looks as if the struggle between fall and winter continues. We are all prepped for the ice rink and now await temperatures more conducive to ice making.
We had a bit of ice cover for the cross-country tournament. My partner can be seen below playing a fine shot from the hazard. Luckily we were able to stand on shore, the ice was not that thick.
The turf is mostly dormant now, brown turf has replaced green. We like to see the turf turn brown before the snow flies, as it assures us that the plant is ready to experience winter extremes.
Looks like a sight break from the cold this weekend,
Turf

Cross country date change / end of season

Due to the awesome forecast, we have moved the cross country to Saturday. If you still want to play it on Friday, it will be set up and we will have scorecards for you. We will tee it up at 10am on Saturday morning. Guests are welcome, and the scoring will be a Peoria system, so if you have three guests, bring em out!!
The temps have done a good job freezing the turf. Our green profiles are now freezing through the night and not thawing in the daytime. What that means for us here at Briar, is that we will be open on temporary greens only until spring. The original back nine will have temporary greens.
Tonight, come get your pre-thanksgiving groove on as Nicole Jamrose plays in the Turn.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Turf

Cross Country time!!!!

The weather has certainly taken a turn.  Being stuck inside is no fun.  

      "So sad......wish I was playing golf"

We take the course and turn it inside out and backwards!!  The big cups are in place in some interesting locations and the tee markers set for nine holes of some extreme golf.  

   This hole location is the old forward         tee on nine red!

The ladies will play the cross country course this Friday.  Meet at the fire pit at 10:00am, golf will follow.  Chef Harry's chilli awaits you inside after the round.  The ladies may play nine, or five, or three, doesn't matter come on out.

This year, ice may work to your advantage.....

The men will play on the most favorable day following Thanksgiving!  Format is two man scramble, pick your partner, Peoria handicapping, net and gross winners.  Bring your guests from Thanksgiving out for a round to remember!!!

Turf

Golf cart storage

Well, it looks like it is that time of year again, time to think about snow skiing, but for my golfing friends, time to think about storing your golf cart for the winter. I always get questions about the winterizing process, this year I thought I would post a simple checklist for you. 

little Ralphie on a cart

• Turn the key switch to the "off' position, remove the key, and leave the forward/reverse switch in the "neutral" position during storage. Then place the tow/run switch in the "tow" position. Note: since the battery warning light does not illuminate with the key in the "off" position and the tow switch in "tow," do not use the warning light as an indication of the batteries' charge state.
  
• Clean the battery packs, tops and terminals using a battery acid neutralizer (1 cup baking soda per 1 gallon water). Check, clean, tighten and treat battery terminal connections with a battery terminal protector spray. Tighten all battery cable connections.
  
• Check the water levels in each battery cell. If water is required, fill the cells to cover the plates, charge the set, and then use distilled water to top off each cell at least ½ inch above the plates or to the level indicator.

Batteries showing corrosion on terminal. note the installation date

• You may leave battery chargers plugged in during storage. If cars are equipped with an on board computer, the OBC automatically will activate the charger when needed.
  
• If the battery charger is left plugged in during extended storage, check the electrolyte level and the charger function at least once a month to ensure that proper operation is maintained. To check charger function, disconnect the DC cord (stationary charger) from the vehicle or the AC cord (on board charger) from the power source and wait five seconds before reconnecting. The charger is functioning properly if the ammeter indicates current.
  
• If AC power is off for seven days or more, the OBC will not function or charge the vehicle again until it has been restarted. To restart the computer, make sure AC power has been restored, disconnect the DC cord (stationary charger) from the vehicle or the AC cord (on board charger) from the power source, wait five seconds and reconnect.

Tow Switch

• Be sure to check the batteries monthly to maintain the correct water level in the batteries and to ensure the charger is operating correctly during storage.
  
• Disconnect the batteries for the storage period if any of the following conditions exist: the charger cannot remain plugged in continuously, AC power will not be available during extended storage, or if electrolyte levels will not be maintained.
  
• Check tire pressure and inflate to 18 to 20 PSI, or as called for in the owner's manual.
  
• Perform all semiannual lubrications.
  
• Thoroughly clean the front and rear body, seats, battery compartment and underside of vehicle.
• Make sure the storage facility has adequate outside ventilation.
  
• Do not engage the park brake, but secure the car from rolling. (keeps pressure off the brake components)

Have a great weekend, 

Go Lions! (It's not to late to jump on the bandwagon)

Turf

Sent from Erwin's phone, please excuse grammar and punctuation.

Weather change, cross country

Heads up,
The weather is changing!
We will be blogging over the next couple of days about winterizing your lawn equipment, golf carts, and small engines. One of our favorite products is seafoam, seen here at a home product megastore.
The cross country course is ready, should be epic, more detail to follow.
Turf

Irrigation system protection

Many people equate the golf course irrigation system to the one they have for their yard and landscape. The system we have for the course is slightly different. Several miles of pipe and wire connect to over a thousand heads. 26 green boxes serve as communication satellites to the individual irrigation stations.
Every year when blowing the system is complete, I am grateful for a safe procedure. If the 2 inch hose from the compressor were to come loose, severe injury or death could result.
The age of our system requires that we take extra steps to maintain it. We want to make sure we keep this integral system fully functional for as long as we can.
Whoosh,
Turf

Golf season 2014 coming to a close

Looking at the extended forecast, we may be moving to temporary greens shortly. We close the regular greens to play as they freeze overnight, and fail to completely thaw before play. It looks like we may be ok this weekend, but if the long range forecast remains, it won't be much past the 10th potentially.
We are blowing out irrigation the next couple of days.
Have a great day,
Turf

Golf Course restrooms closed

Fall is officially here, although it feels more like winter today. We are closing all the outdoor restrooms. We will also be blowing out the irrigation system next week. Nothing is on fire, it is the most from the irrigation heads. Speaking of fire, several members and guests enjoyed the fire put as Nicole Jamrose played in the turn. It was a great night!
The chili open was our first big cup event to be held on the greens. Congrats to Joli, who aced the par 3 eighth on the red course. She played with your truly, yes we cashed!
We also had a great time last Sunday at the Halloween event at the club, they even let me host the Hay Ride!
Check your calendar, lots of events coming up and the club is where you want to be,
Turf

Low country boil, fire, and big cup scramble

Fall is a great time to enjoy the club. Saturday we have a low country boil, in simple terms, it is shrimp goodness in a pot poured out on a table in massive quantities. That is enough to get me excited, throw in a band and a fire, now we are talking!!
Next weekend we are planning a big cup scramble. All are welcome, pick your own foursome, bring your wife, girlfriend, kids, friends, it will be a gas! We are working on the day, more detail to come.
Ditch work at noon it's beautiful,
Turf

Salmon time

Salmon are in the creeks!! This is such an awesome time of year. The sun angles make the course spectacular. Come out and bring someone who you would like to introduce to the game. It's a great time of year to fall in love with golf.
We certainly have some nice property,
Turf

Fall happenings

It is looking more and more like fall here at Briar. The greens are beginning to heal, the leaves are falling, and the ladies Pro-am circuit has begun.
Looks like our days are numbered, so come out and enjoy them while we can!
Bundle up this weekend,
Turf

Pokey day

It's pokey pokey day at Briar Ridge country club!
We are doing the white today and the blue tomorrow, if all goes well we will work the red in the afternoon and hopefully complete all 27 in two days.
This is quite a process.
You can see how we do it here https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8qrHgY2ZdkM
There are some signs of fall, the grasses being one of them.
Happy Monday,
Turf

"Soft" spikes

It appears that the golf industry's shoe manufacturers don't understand the "less is more" concept. They have actually turned a good thing bad. When soft spikes came out, it was amazing, you could play in the afternoon with little or no disruption from spike marks. Then, someone figured if a little traction was good, bigger and deeper spikes with plastic triangles in between must be better! Now, greens look like war zones after a few hours, and the turf that is pulled up is larger than it was with metal spikes.
Please be considerate to your fellow golfers, be aware that someone may have to putt where you are treading, so tread lightly. Remember, "soft" spikes are a thing of the past, they are not so "soft" anymore.
Dragging my feet,
Turf

Snapping turtle habitat

Golf courses have been noted for their ability to provide habitats in non-play areas, but what about playable areas? Staff noticed a snapping turtle hatch in four blue bunker this week. The little critters emerged out of a small hole up by the edge. The rough mowers skipped this area for a day allowing them a passage way to the pond.
Seems like it's always something new,
Turf

Bunker work

Due to all the heavy rain, our staff has been busy repairing bunkers. We nearly had all of them complete when the storm on Tuesday knocked them back again. We are closing in on having them playable again for the Labor Day monsoon that is predicted.
We have worked to make them nice, so much in fact that some critter has decided to try and make five red it's home. The little monster has torn up the edge in several places trying to burrow in.
Really??? I have never seen damage like this, him and I are gonna have words!
Animal control!!!!
Turf

Dollar spot fungus

We have been battling the dollar spot fungus. The weather has been awesome for this fungus. Courses all over the area have been sharing photos and discussing the difficulty of control. Look at the photo of this am, even when it sunshines it rains.
We need to dry out!
Turf