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About this blog

Randy and the gang at Rockbottum Country Club pontificate on Rockbottum wisdom and skeletal golf, among other madness.

Entries in this blog

How To Clone A Spray Rig

Back in '73, Norm assumed command of a wonderful muni outside of Atlanta; known as The Valley of Misery, it was rumored to be the last Dick Wilson course and it lived in a little village with a special golf name:  Redan. We pronounced it "Ree-dan", but newly arrived outsiders insisted it was "Ruh-dan", which sounded more like that giant Japanese moth.  We stuck with the way the locals said it, mostly because you don't get along with indigenous personnel by telling them how to say their word

Randy Wilson

Randy Wilson

Matt Crowther's Fantasy Vacation

A while back, we released a short film starring Matt Crowther and it rocketed to #2 on the all time list of Rockbottum CC films, with over 250,000 hits.   Produced in a team effort--a key factor in TurfNet's high quality production--this film began as an idea in the high speed mind of Jon Kiger while visiting Matt. Jon provided 2nd unit camera work, Matt displayed his acting ability, Rockbottum CC Films piled on and after Claire finished editing, we knew we had a winner.  *Note:  Buddy

Randy Wilson

Randy Wilson

Rockbottum Radio: Sales Rep Day

In this episode of Rockbottum Radio, direct from Rockbottum Country Club proshop, Momma demonstrates her proven techniques for handling sales reps; the health inspector visits; a no-cart shotgun start for the old-timers; Ludell innovates something; and in Storytime, that Demonized Cow During Construction, #337. Presented by VinylGuard. Oh, and Buddy just finished VinylGuarding everything in sight at the driving range!  

Randy Wilson

Randy Wilson

Buddy's Method For World Class Success

Buddy has always been very successful at whatever he attempts, whether it's business, competitive sports, building cars from scratch or something difficult like golf course operations.  His secret:  If you observe Buddy carefully, it becomes obvious.  Painfully obvious. "Without persistence, you have no psychic wellspring of strength to combat what life will throw at you." -- Ben Stein, from Bunkhouse Logic When Buddy accepted the position of Equipment Manager at Swamp Hell Golf C

Randy Wilson

Randy Wilson

Fishin' At Rockbottum

It's summertime at Rockbottum CC and that means it's time for us to lighten up. No more serious punditry, projections, predictions or pedantic posturing. Just fishin'.   

Randy Wilson

Randy Wilson

Rockbottum Radio: 'Bottum Golf

In this episode of Rockbottum Radio, broadcast live from the Rockbottum Country Club proshop, I explain Momma's newest attempts at Growing the Game: 'Bottum Golf... and Archery Golf, alongside Soccer Golf and Disc Golf. The biggest benefit of 'Bottum Golf? Listen and find out. In other matters, I ponder whether Snow Moles really exist, or whether it's just more fear-mongering by the scientists from Up North. Also in this episode, an improved calibration for the Deathmeter: the WSRF Ind

Randy Wilson

Randy Wilson

The Origins of "Momma" Rockbottum

We are often asked if the character of "Momma" is based on a real person.  The answer is yes.  My grandmother on my father's side was a fearsome woman known throughout Jackson, Tennessee as "Momma Ida", a broom-swinging matriarch who raised ten kids during the depths of the Great Depression. She did this alone, except for her broom, because her husband fell down dead from stress.  They were sharecroppers in those days and apparently, operating an agricultural facility owned by someone

Randy Wilson

Randy Wilson

Rockbottum Radio: The Case of the Missing Golf Pro...

In this latest story on Rockbottum Radio -- broadcasting from deep in the TurfNet Zone -- private greenkeeper Willy Wilson embarks on a quest to help the missing golf pro's wife find him amidst allegations of corporate takeovers, meddling GMs, just-back-from-Augusta green chairmen, and... the new regional superintendent.     Presented by VinylGuard and their new hi-vis driving range yardage markers.

Randy Wilson

Randy Wilson

Daddy Caddies And Dissin' Zoysia

There's a disturbing junior golf trend out there and I'm only now finding out about it.  It was probably hidden in the frantic flurry of golf growth initiatives, so us curmudgeons wouldn't post it on Turfy-Leaks. Yesterday, the growing tragedy of the "Daddy Caddie" was related to me by my brother Mike, an actual eyewitness of this weirdness.  Mike's background is important to this story, so I'll give you the short version:  Long time veteran golf course superintendent, US Army Ranger, skill

Randy Wilson

Randy Wilson

Are You A Working Superintendent?

I heard that interview question three times.  It somehow implied that I was seeking employment consisting only of walking around with a clipboard, wearing Armani and spending all day in meetings. The first time, I was young and still possessed of blind optimism yet to be removed by the reality grinder . . . so I eagerly nodded in the affirmative.  The second time, I had no such delusions, but I reluctantly assured the despot that I was indeed, a WS. The third time?  I replied, "I don

Randy Wilson

Randy Wilson

What Is The F.H.D.?

In this short film, we discuss the cryptic acronym FHD and one other pressing topic in the world of golf course superintending.  

Randy Wilson

Randy Wilson

Rockbottum Radio: Afternoon behind the scenes at RCC, then Storytime...

On this Rockbottum Radio audiocast, I drop in behind the scenes at Rockbottum Country Club to investigate a missing golf cart and a stuck trackhoe... then get an earful from Ludell about his difficulties being objectified by women... and hear about changing cups on a day other than Friday. Then, Storytime. Check out my new book, The Greens of Wrath, available in softcover and Kindle versions, at Amazon.com.

Randy Wilson

Randy Wilson

The Last Time I Saw Her

Back in '73, when I turned 17, which is middle age in Georgia, two of Dad's superintendent buddies, (a Mr. Maples and a Mr. Womack, if I recall) informed him that his eldest son was suffering from the worst case of golf irreverence they had ever seen.  They suggested the only cure was the Great Golf Pilgrimage in April. While it's true I may have used the offensively irreverent phrase "Overseed National", Cousin Ludell was much worse, as he often intentionally referred to our golfers as "pa

Randy Wilson

Randy Wilson

Do You Wear Pants?

WARNING for those of you who wear pants!  Do you suffer from Mandatory Khaki? There has been a significant breakthrough!  Watch this film . . . or suffer this summer in sweltering silence.         

Randy Wilson

Randy Wilson

Color And Invasive Species On The Golf Course

For decades, as I pursued affordable seasonal color with wildflowers, native grasses, ornamental shrubbery and ground covers, I worried about accidentally introducing dangerous, invasive species.  Our region has a history of suffering invasive species, the worst being Kudzu, Fire Ants, General Sherman, Carpetbaggers and Bentgrass. I abandoned the traditional golf course color platform--the formal tee-side annual flower bed--for two reasons:  First, beds of summer begonias, spring tulips, an

Randy Wilson

Randy Wilson

Low Input Science At Work In The Lab

As promised, Mark Hoban hosts this inside look at a research lab, with Dr. Mussie Habteselassie, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Soil Microbiology at the University of Georgia Griffin Experiment Station campus. Dr. Habteselassie, while conducting an experiment dealing with Trichoderma Atroviride and its use in controlling certain turf pathogens, shows us one method for counting fungi in soils. While this film deviates from our typical offering and feels more like a college class in soil

Randy Wilson

Randy Wilson

Rockbottum Radio: The Millennial Workforce Problem

In this first episode of Rockbottum Radio -- live from deep in the TurfNet Zone -- your host Randy Wilson goes Point | Counterpoint with Ludell Hogwaller on the topic of the Millennial Workforce Problem... and what to do about it. Topics on the table include turfgrass education, The Tritabaugh Effect, hybrid staff positions and the modern housing dilemma.   Brought to you by VinylGuard Golf and Macrosorb Technologies.

Randy Wilson

Randy Wilson

Bikes On The Golf Course?

In Skeletal Golf, we look for every possible low-cost, extra-sustainable alternative to doing things the way they've always been done.  One of our favorite methods has been adapting the Human Powered Utility Vehicle (HPUV) to golf course operations. It worked very well for years.  Sure, there was the occasional complaint from golfers who hated seeing the irrigation tech using a mountain bike to service controllers or water sod . . . but after I changed over to a tractor with no muffler, the

Randy Wilson

Randy Wilson

Dynamics in Golf Course Maintenance

The most consistent complaint I receive concerning our films would be the perception of inconsistency.  The caller (it's always the phone, presumably to avoid leaving written evidence) lectures me on the need to stick with one kind of format, style, etc. 80% want golf related humor, mostly for stress relief after a difficult day.  Another 10% would prefer serious topics on industry trends, while about 9% just want to see features on fellow golf course superintendents.  That last 1% want me

Randy Wilson

Randy Wilson

Skeletal Golf: The Hidden Chart

Over 20 years ago, we developed a Chart of Golf Course Stratification, to help us categorize courses and determine what type of player we would encounter.  The Chart also aided us in creating a maintenance plan to fit the player, the budget and the personnel we could afford. This film offers 5000 CEUs toward MOGS, or Mystic Order of Greenkeeper Stratification. For a small fee, you can skip re-stratification, cause we're pretty up front about the whole thing.      

Randy Wilson

Randy Wilson

TurfNet Forum Reveals Surprising Netflix Favorites

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

Randy Wilson

Randy Wilson

The LPC Course Recon

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

Randy Wilson

Randy Wilson


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