Golf Is Not Dead!!!

I apologize for the long post, but I am passionate about some things.  I Love my little girl, although she is getting bigger and stronger, she is still my little girl.  As a parent, I want the best for my child.  For years, I have planted little seeds.  It was my hope that some day those seeds would germinate and sprout into an inspiration for her to act.  I tried to expose her to as much good that life has to offer.  For instance, I wanted her to take away from her childhood the following:

 

•   A sense of community

•   A healthy competitive hunger

•   Appreciation of nature and beauty

•   Strong social skills

•   The virtue of honesty 

•   Long lasting moral character

•   Physical fitness

•   Athletic coordination

•   Focus of the mind

The tendency for me to become "lecturey"  to my daughter was pointed out (by her) from time to time.  If I recognized a "teaching moment" I was on it, fast and furious.  I knew that there was an easy way to instill all the above qualities in one simple act......Golf.

Golf is indeed the greatest game ever played.  There has been much talk about golf dying in the past decade, we allowed people to talk about the time commitment, frustration, and expense.  Golf simply allowed itself to be beat up by naysayers. Well, I have had enough.  Golf is not dying.  Golf will not go away.  We don't need to change the rules or make it more fun. We need the golfer that loves this game, that understands the true essence of the game, to get back to the roots of the game, and introduce someone to "true golf."

It makes me sad, but Golf was abused.  Property developers looking to cash in, built courses to produce home values without considering the demand for golf.  Without the demand, these courses had no chance.  These developments were reckless and irresponsible.  They hurt a game I love.  The resulting perception was that golf must be dying, and we allowed people to shout it from the rooftops.  The incoming generation heard these alarms, is it surprising that they didn't want to take up the sport?  NO!  Who wants to participate in something that is perceived as dying?

I got bad news for all the Golf Is Dead proclaimers.........Golf is Alive and Kicking, and it is a little miffed.  Yet, we continue to keep silent.  Take this years Phoenix Open.  A record crowd of 201,003 was announced for the third round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open, which is 30,000 more than the Kentucky Derby posted in May. An estimated 1,000 people were lined up outside when the gates opened at 7 a.m., most of whom made a mad dash for a coveted spot at the 16th hole.

We also allowed some of the biggest advocates to of golf to do the greatest damage.  The PGA Tour commentators love to tell you how far these players hit it.  They tried to make it a game of power, tee to green, down the middle, two putts, =  BORING.

The PGA Tour has 209 players, 34 have driving average over 300 yards.  We must also consider that the conditions these players play these courses under, is not the same as the average amateur.  We play a different game.  I don't want to take anything away form these players, but the emphasis should not be on distance.  True golf, understands that golf is about art and creativity.  Players can make the ball do all kinds of things off the club face.  Shots can be hit high, low, spinning left, drifting right, low and climbing, low runners, and the list goes on and on.  The perfect shot is the one that you see in your head at the given time.  True golf knows this.  

Parents are looking for alternatives.  Cell phones are impacting social skills.  Children are encouraged to get outside and be active.  We want something safe and long lasting........Golf duh!

Concussion conversations are happening, here are some stats (note these are suspected to be underrated):

•   50% of "second impact syndrome" incidents - brain injury caused from a premature return to activity after suffering initial injury (concussion) - result in death.  

•    Female high school soccer athletes suffer almost 40% more concussions than males (29,000 annually)

•    Female high school basketball players suffer 240% more concussions than males (13,000).

•    400,000 brain injuries (concussions) occurred in high school athletics during the 2008-09 school year.

•    Emergency department visits for concussions sustained during organized team sports doubled among 8-13 year olds between 1997 and 2007 and nearly tripled among older youth.  

•    Concussion rates more than doubled among students age 8-19 participating in sports like basketball, soccer and football between 1997-2007, even as participation in those sports declined.   

•    More than 248,000 children visited hospital emergency departments in 2009 for concussions and other traumatic brain injuries related to sports and recreation.

Golf is healthy, Golf is good, Golf is exactly what we are all looking for as an escape from this chaotic world.  We all know someone who is saying right now, "I've been thinking about playing this year" or "I do really want to learn."  Now is the time, golf is not intimidating, we are a welcoming group.  Golf is so much more than it appears, it is a lesson for a lifetime.  I hope you share this, if you share my passion.  Lets get the word out.....Golf is alive, healthy, and fun.

Tee it high (thanks Kwak),

Turf 

Course opening

The forecast is for warm weather, it looks like the groundhog was correct! The weather is allowing us to open the course earlier than we have in ten years!
We will be golfing this Friday! The golf course will be open for play, however many of the summer aspects of the course may be missing. The winter has resulted in some natural "pruning" of the trees. The limited staff we have, will be busy picking up branches, in addition to other essential items. Please forgive our "soft opening" as we want to begin golfing ASAP.
In other good news, we thought we lost both hives this winter, however we noticed some activity in box #2 today. Yay bees!
Have a great day,
Turf

Winter Turf Inspection

I have been watching the turf carefully this winter.  The mild temperatures have kept total dormancy at bay.  We like to have the turf go entirely dormant.  Dormant turf has a greater cold tolerance, concentrates more sugars in the crown, and makes me feel safe and warm.  Green turf during the winter months, on the contrary, make me not so warm and fuzzy.  I like my turf to have gone through the winter brown and asleep.
So what does a turf nerd do in the winter to check on the turf?


We set up a small scope on a desk and check things out.
We see that we have some turf emerging......



This turf is Poa Annua, or annual bluegrass.  Poa likes to stay active.  This hyperactive little bugger just doesn't want to sleep like it's better behaved cousin, creeping bentgrass.  The photo below shows the right side of seven red green that stays in the shade is actually more active than the left side.  The left side is more exposed to wind and extreme temperatures, which has promoted dormancy.



The concern, for this turf nerd, is that like all of us, turf needs some rest before a big performance.  There is not much time.........go to sleep little poa plant,
Turf

Top Golf

What do you get when you take a bus, golf, and some good guys?
Top Golf!
Top golf is golf in a video game. Points are awarded the closer you can hit to your target and point values change depending on which target you a mat. We had an absolute blast.
We have to beg Dane to organize another trip and we should fill this bus. Top Golf was such a gas. Thank you Dane and Cory for putting this together.
Thanks to the guys who went, you are the best, I had a great time.
I have seen a lot of golf at briar Ridge and I can't remember the last time I've seen guys hit a shot and drop their club. Believe it or not, this happened within 15 minutes of being at top golf. Dropping a club is not an issue unless you're on the second floor and it goes forward and through a net and down 20 feet into who knows where land.
We can't name names, what happens at top golf stays at top golf,
Turf

Winter shop work

I can always tell when we have serviced all the cutting units for the golf course. Mr. Muniz will move on to other projects that are slightly more involved. I walked into the shop to find the rear axle off the club car pioneer. This car has seen 12 seasons and many miles. Completing this type of work in-house saves money, but more importantly, if we can extend the life of the equipment, the savings is tremendously significant.
Golf course mechanics are about as easy to find as a good tuck pointer. For those readers who may ask what a tuck pointer is, well, my answer is "exactly."
I am grateful to have a good staff that works hard, is cost conscious, and is just fun to be around. I don't thank them enough.
Speaking of cars, if you have a private electric golf cart, make sure it is NOT continually on the charger. Charge your cart once a month and before you do, make sure the water in the batteries is full.
I always get the call in the spring, my cart is dead, don't let it be you.
It will be here soon,
Turf

Get out!!

Let's get outside!
Your club is a vast winter playground. Snowshoeing and cross country skiing await you. This time of year the golf course is beautiful and the wildlife is more visible than ever. Natural sunlight helps the body produce vitamin A and ward off the flu. Exercise releases endorphins which are structurally similar to morphine and make you feel good.
Don't want to venture into the cold? The club is still offering yoga twice a week and we can do more if we get the interest. We would like to do a golf specific stretching and strength training, interested?
Beat old man winter, let's get out!
Turf

Why you need to join a country club part 2, Golf

If you missed the introduction to this series of blogs yesterday, please check it out. I have never heard anyone discuss how much their car costs them per mile to drive. I imagine if we made this valuation to cars, there would be a lot fewer choices and the cars would certainly have less luxury features. Yet we seem to hear this type of valuation when it comes to golf. The fact is, that you just can't make that type of valuation to a private club, the golf product that we provide is very different. Not better or worse, just different. How are private clubs different?

#1. The golf course is always reserved for you. Play eighteen, play nine, play three, whatever you can fit it. Didn't make a tee time? No problem, show up and we are here, excited and glad you came.

#2. Respect of the game. Golf is a game of honor and respect, you will find no larger collection of purists. True golf is played by the rules and players call penalties on themselves, the club is a special place with some pretty special people.

#3. Members have a special love for their course. The playing field is cared for and you will find the course in a condition that reflects that passion. This love affair is evident in the mannerism of players as well.

#4. Pace of play. Five hour round? You must have played all 27 at Briar Ridge

#5. Friends. You just found 3 hours to relax, go to the club, someone will be there. You can ask the shop and join up with someone on the course. Pop in the grill and see who is around. There is always a game and always someone to play with. Want to play solo? No big deal, you don't get "paired up" unless you want to. See reason #1.

#6. Competition. Thrive on competition? This essential human need is constantly fulfilled with our professional run events and competitions. Worried it won't be fair? We have a committee to ensure it.

#7. Social events. Not the best golfer, or new to the game? Our social events combine golf and fun. You may only chip and putt, it's a night out in a beautiful setting with good friends and, oh yeah, cocktails!

I am sure I missed a few and I could add so much to the reasons above. The bottom line is that the price per round of golf just doesn't work for a country club. The product is much more than around of golf, it's an experience, a lifestyle. A lifestyle of people and friends I can't imagine my life without, no joke.
They are my family,
Turf