First day of Winter

 As the year winds to a close it always seems natural to take stock of the previous year. I have never been much for annual resolutions instead I prefer to live life in the moment without regret and let the chips fall where they may. That doesn't mean you cannot make plans. As I have aged the end of each year also seems to be a time to take stock of how life has gone. I have no complaints. I have mentally composed several posts to keep you all updated but they never seemed to get from the ether between my ears to the ether of the internet. I actually composed one in Word and emailed it to myself this past weekend. It seems to be stuck somewhere in said ether since it never arrived. I wanted to add some pictures to it to soften the tone which was harsh towards my fellow man. You see it was an update on the course since the last post and it covered the rash of green divots we had as well as the repair of some bunker faces which golfers kept walking on making things worse. These pages are designed to update and educate. It can be frustrating when every post is a scolding of bad behavior. Taking divots off of greens should not have to be explained as something not to do. Climbing up the steep slope of the bunker rather than walking out the shallow end seems like common sense as well but we all know how uncommon sense is these days. 

During some of the recent stock-taking thoughts about my career I had a thought about what it is like to be a superintendent. My first summer on a course was after my freshman year of college. I was a landscape architect major working on the turf research plots at the University of Rhode Island. That superintendent as well as the last one I worked for are both retiring in a matter of weeks. My best friend from university just received a Distinguished Service Award from the Rhode Island Golf Course Superintendents Association. We served our respective associations at similar times and had many conversations about the duties and the industry. He was still on the board when being nominated for the DSA. He tried to push it off and was successful for a few years. His reasoning was that he wasn't old enough for a DSA. Time flies.

I believe all Superintendents want to be as good as they can. What does that mean exactly? For some it may be the quality of the turf. Every blade of grass is as good it can be. The course conditioning appears flawless. Many clubs share a similar vision and are willing to fund what it takes to achieve this goal. For others it may be accolades and having their course on a national or international stage. Again there are clubs who share this vision and are willing to fund the enormous bills to get a course to this level. Some superintendents take great pride in being mentors. They push their efforts into shaping others. Others are passionate about the environment and attempt to maintain the property as close to natural as possible. Not an easy task while the property is a close mown turf with expectations of modern conditioning for a game. Still others want to combine many of these things together. The average superintendent may not have any of these aspirations and simply enjoyed working on a course and fell in love with the work. Being able to see the sunrise or bring their dog to work everyday is all the reward he or she is looking for. Knowing that they put in a good days work and gave it their all is being as good as they can.

There is nothing wrong with the top or the bottom. If you have been fortunate to play courses at the top they can be stunning. But the game is just as good if not better when truly enjoyed for the game itself. Some of the clubs at the bottom have a vibe and a mystical connection to the game that make the round a special event. It is similar to the experience of food. If you have ever had the pleasure of an expensive meal well prepared by a top chef was it really better than the feeling you will get tasting something that triggers a memory? It could be anything. Your first banana split, or a piece of penny candy. Your favorite food as a child growing up.   

If you are reading this then there is a good chance you enjoy the game. You might even play here. Our goal is to make your experience here a good one. One that will make you want to return and do it again. If we all agree to be as good as we can I think we can achieve this goal. For the player it is simple. Relax. Don't race into the property or out. Breath deep and take a moment to remember why you are here. Understand you are not alone on the property. There are others who are in the same pursuit as you whatever that might be. Know that there are people who work hard to provide this opportunity and want you to enjoy it. It may be as simple as that. None of us can conquer the game. We all have good days and bad. If you try and be in the moment you may just find that you are enjoying it more. 

We are covered with snow at the moment but may lose that soon and be open again. For those of you still playing here take this time to prepare for how you will return. For those in warmer climates start now, today after reading this. Let me know if it helps improve your experience while on the course. You may even see an improvement in your scores.

Wishing you all the safest and best wishes over this Winter and Holiday season.