The very first article I wrote for TurfNet back in 2013 covered the many potential dangers of an online presence. I'm sure most of you have forgotten it and it's only gotten more important in the years since as social media continues its rise in our daily lives. As 2017 starts, now is the time make sure your online presence is working for you in a completely positive way. Here are some key things to consider:
Ensure your security settings in Facebook are heavily restricted. Great info on
No, not the 15 Minutes of Fame. I'm talking about the 15 minutes that create discipline in a young employee, camaraderie in a crew, a few moments of bonding with the staff for a superintendent or other supervisor.
It's the 15 minutes before work starts at the beginning of the day.
The time around the coffeepot when the games last night get reviewed, balls get busted, shit gets shot. A few moments of relaxation and anticipation before the horn sounds and the mower parade heads out.
TurfNetters, in a recent Forum discussion on Netflix viewing, revealed a sophisticated appetite for quality TV. I expected this, as TurfNet members tend to be more intellectual than residents of other golf internet sites, where "reality" shows rule.
Here at Rockbottum CC, we strive to present an outward image of sophistication and erudite intellectualism, but when alone with Netflix in our darkened home theatre/cart barn, we like to watch British TV comedy.
Once you learn the langua
During the Ryder Cup, Chris Tritabaugh shocked and amazed the international media by using a little known Skeletal Golf technique, "The LPC Course Recon".
Instead of relying upon a truck or utility vehicle, Chris used the LPC, (Leather Personnel Carrier) to perform his critical daily course survey/analysis. While the media immediately recognized Tritabaugh's smooth, calm management style and firm grip on logistics, crew deployment and situational response, they were awestruck by his radic
Another year has come and (nearly) gone. Although we in the green industry are frequently regulated by seasons, the ending of the calendar year provides a significant point to take stock. It strikes me as unusual how I tend to be reflective and look back as December comes to a close. But then PING, it is January 1 and I begin totally looking forward again. On one level this is good because failures of the past year do not persist in bogging me down. On the other hand I may not be evaluating the
I don't get inspired by life events too much anymore to pick up the pen and scribe a column for the "Cheap Seats" but I can't let my Monday past go without comment. It was a day (morning, actually) of irritation, resignation, conflicting feelings, awe, pride and wonderment. It was my day in court.
The story starts about six weeks ago when I received an envelope in the mail from the United States District Court, District of Vermont, with JUROR SUMMONS showing through the window. Ah, shit,
Eight Years. It's a blink of an eye. Thomas Bastis checks in with Dave Wilber 8 years after his world class renovation of The California Golf Club of San Francisco.
Thomas shares his experience in looking back as his old/new golf course matures. It hasn't all been easy. But he's candid about what worked and what didn't work and what he might do again.
He also gets firm and fast with some good stories and insights. And being the early adopting tech leader that he is, Thomas speaks about w
Merry Christmas from Rockbottum CC Films. Shot in Highlands on a cold night, we couldn't resist sharing this Christmas card on film with TurfNet.
HIghlands is a tiny village on a plateau in the Appalachians at just over 4000 feet, known for amazingly beautiful golf courses, waterfalls, deep dark forests, wildlife and . . . a downtown display of Christmas decorations that reminds us of a simpler, slower time.
Highlands is also home to top golf course superintendents like Fred Gehrisch,
In Part 1 of SG Theory, we discuss the business of golf, as opposed to the game of golf. For those who desire letters behind their name and cannot afford big dues, travel and mandatory classes, here's your chance to do it the Skeletal Golf way.
Just watch the film series on Skeletal Golf, take the test and earn the right to follow your name with MOG, the designation of the certified member of the Mystic Order of Greenkeepers.
In this first audiocast in our Living Legends series on retired superintendents who made a difference, John Reitman chats with Ted Horton about his days from UMass to Winged Foot, Westchester CC and Pebble Beach... and the impact he had across the industry.
Presented by Nufarm. Visit NufarmInsider.com to get all the latest information on golf course management products from Nufarm.
In this episode of the TurfNet Renovation Report, host Jon Kiger chats with Graeme Beatt, course manager at Royal Portrush Golf Club (Co.Antrim, Northern Ireland).
Topics include renovations in preparation for hosting the 2019 (British) Open... and Graeme's recent opportunity to meet Queen Elizabeth at Royal Portrush.
Presented by Golf Preservations and Jacobsen.
Last week marked the 40th Anniversary of "The Last Waltz", the legendary final concert by the equally legendary musical ensemble, The Band. While reflecting on the band and the film, I couldn't help but circle back to their most famous tune, The Weight... a song that speaks to the journey that is life, and the extra baggage we may carry along the way.
Our ability to endure pressing weight in our lives is a fascinating part of the human experience. Whether it's a physical, emotional, or
In this episode of Frankly Speaking, my guest is Dr. Joe Roberts, plant pathologist at the University of Maryland. Hot topics include bacterial etiolation and decline and their relation to environmental and agronomic stresses, and the new Turfgrass Microbiome project that Dr. Roberts is participating in. The Turf Microbiome project will identify and study communities of microorganisms that live within and on the plant that may be related to functions in turfgrass health.
As always, smart t
While shooting the Sewanee film, we noticed quite a bit of SKUNK damage on the fairways. Our past research indicates Varmints come out in force during a drought, digging for tasty grubs, complaining about hard fairways and bemoaning the lack of lush green turf.
To help any TN members who might be experiencing Skunk Pestilence, we hastily pulled our Varmint Training film out of the Rockbottum Vault and re-edited it to remove the stupid parts. (That pretty much gutted the entire film, so we
by Greg Wojick, Playbooks for Golf
Many golf course workers can now be thankful that setting up the course is over for the season (not so for the sun belt guys and gals). Course set-up is that recurring job that golfers can easily understand but it can also become a tedious chore for the worker routinely assigned to this hugely important duty. Day after day this set of chores is expected to be done with perfection lest the superintendent will hear about it. If a violation with course s
Join me as I interview Kevin Ross, CGCS, about the state of the "superintendent job" and his upcoming retirement from the golf course.
We talk about everything. Especially his upcoming job change. And his time at The Ryder Cup. And much much more.
I love Kevin. He's one of my favorite people and favorite Turfheads. Anywhere.
So I am humbled and honored to have him join us!
Let me start right off saying I am not talking about that kind of doctor (a physician). The doctor I am talking about is Dr. Brad Fresenburg, Assistant Extension Professor with University of Missouri Turfgrass Science. While Dr. Fresenburg works in Columbia, MO., he travels extensively as a turf/sports turf expert, Master Gardener lecturer, and pesticide applicator certification instructor.
Brad is a true turf devotee and approaches his job with a real-world perspective. He knows the minutia
Skeletal Golf, in several forms, has long been the foundation for the success of Rockbottum Country Club* and the Wilson Golf Dynasty.
The concept of SG is more applicable in hard times than during the euphoric boom time, and given the economic signals emanating from on high... this might be a good time for those involved in the mid- to lower-level of golf to consider a contingency plan or two.
Since leaving the military, I have spent more time studying economics than turf — probabl
Topdressing ENCOURAGES accumulation of organic matter? Say what?
In this EPIC episode of Frankly Speaking, I chat, argue, holler and challenge Dan Dinelli, CGCS, at North Shore CC in Chicagoland and recipient of the GCSAA"s Presidential Award for Environmental Stewardship.
Our conversation ranges from Dan's long-term research in putting green rootzone behavior over time, to cultivar assessment and selection for the impending rebuilding of the 1924 greens at North Shore, to the successes
When Palmer Maples Jr. walks into a room, superintendents still stand up and take notice. And when those same superintendents think the 84-year-old greenkeeping legend has left the building without saying good bye, they get up again and go looking for him.
Only when they find him hidden away in a back room of the clubhouse of an Atlanta golf course spinning tales of yesteryear to a reporter do they breathe a sigh of relief.
Whew, I thought you were gone, says one superintendent. Its alwa
In this episode of the TurfNet Renovation Report, presented by Golf Preservations and Jacobsen, host Jon Kiger chats with Ann Kattreh, Director of Parks & Recreation for the city of Edina, Minnesota, and Richard Mandell, ASGCA, about the upcoming renovation of the Braemar Golf Course.
Braemar will be reduced from 27 to 18 holes, with the extra elbow room for the new 18 allowing expanded wetland buffer areas, wider fairways, and larger greens and tee boxes.
In order to keep mainten
In this episode of Frankly Speaking, I chat with Dr. Paul Vincelli of the University of Kentucky about the state of turf research in general and plant pathology in particular; looking outside the turf industry for inspiration and innovation that can be applied to turf; enhancing public knowledge about climate change; and the state of genetic research.
As always, frank talk from leading thinkers in the turf industry.
Presented by DryJect and Turf Screen.
As an unrepentant "Caffiend", I'm an expert on awful, terrible coffee. From instant decaf that tasted like battery acid, to orderly room coffee* in the military, I have suffered it all. *(ORC is brewed continuously for 24 hours, bubbling like a caldron in a Bill Shakespeare story.)
On a dark, snowy night while crossing over the Brenner Pass, I sampled espresso for the first and last time, a black, bitter, teeth-chattering experience. In the field--during my Army vacation from turf--I tot
