2016 Ryder Cup-Behind the Scenes with The Turfgrass Team

In late September  I was fortunate to be part of the Turfgrass Team for the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club. Golf Course Superintendent, Chris Tritabaugh had this short video produced to give a behind the scenes view of the operations. Thanks again to Chris and his team for the wonderful memories!

Enjoy!


2016 Ryder Cup: Hazeltine National Golf Club, The Turfgrass Team from Chris Tritabaugh on Vimeo.

March Madness!

It is hard to believe that winter is almost over with almost no snow cover to speak of. February weather gave us a few record high temperatures and below normal precipitation. What does it all mean to the golf course and grounds operation at Hyde Park? Mother Nature has changed our plans! We began mowing, rolling raking bunkers, pressuring the irrigation system and many other tasks a month ahead of schedule. We are completing these tasks strategically with half as many people, not to mention putting the finshing touches on projects around the golf course. It has been a challenge but the staff has been very flexible to stay late and come in on weekends to get caught up!

First mowing of the greens in February ever!

 

Zoysia green-up!

Fungicide applications begin

It won't be long before the Aerification of the putting surfaces will commence, we hope to complete in March however, it will dependent on weather and soil condtions.

The staff and I continue to move forward with many projects including:

Dan and Pat placing the fan

Minor details to wrap up on turf fan installation on 14

Fence installation on 14 to replace ailing cable line fence

Before

After

Behind the first green: Drainage installation and regrading was employed to help with this extremely wet area. The tree removal will also help with added air movement to this green site. This site has been seeded and will maintained as a "high rough area"

Plenty of ground water!

Drainage install

Other initiatives that we are focusing on include:

• Staff hiring and training
• Arrival of Turfgrass Interns
• Refurbishing of accessories
• Preventative maintenance on all equipment
• Spring tennis court resurfacing
• Planning related to the Legacy Project

As always we look forward to you're feedback and questions. Please email us grounds@hydeparkcc.com or follow us on twitter @pobrienhpgcc

 

Thank-you,

 

Pat O'Brien

Grounds Superientendent

 

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Volunteer Experience - 2017 Waste Management Phoenix Open

WMPO Volunteer Team

 

Over the past few years, we have used this blog to highlight the volunteer opportunities afforded to our turf staff at Hyde Park. Each experience is unique in its location, event, and its benefits to our team and club. Along with new relationships and experiences. Although this event is a repeat for myself, it was new for another one of our staff and we both walked away with a great appreciation for the preparation and execution for a great PGA Tour event.

 

The Waste Management Phoenix Open is an event like none other. Both in fan attendance and organization by the TPC Scottsdale Agronomy staff. Every aspect of the golf course and grounds was in perfect condition upon our arrival.

 

We were able to help out in different aspects of tournament prep. Daily mowing of the putting surfaces, bunker maintenance and other daily upkeep. Easy tasks, but very important nonetheless.

 

Our experience was not limited to our day to day tasks. Each day working with other volunteers and TPC staff helps create working relationships and networking we would not otherwise have. Not only did we meet and work with those from local and US courses but also volunteers from countries such as Brazil, England, Canada, Ireland, Germany, Peru, Russia and Slovenia, Spain and surely missing others. It was a networking smorgasbord.

Front 9 Divot Team - Russia Slovenia and USA

 

While there, we were able to understand the dynamics and dedication of their team. While we volunteered on the Stadium course, a select few of the TPC staff maintained the Champions course. Yes there was a PGA Tour event ongoing, but the "Champs" course also hosted numerous sponsorship outings throughout the week. A second golf course that needed to meet expectations.

A quiet "Champs" next door

 

The WMPO again set a record for attendence. Not only for the over 205,000 attendees on Saturday alone, but also for the entire event yet again. A fun fact that we learned, Saturday's attendence makes TPC Scottsdale the 3rd largest city in Arizona that day, only behind Phoenix and Tuscon. This alone makes tournament prep a challenge. Our team needed police escorts to get to work.

 

We volunteered for a dedicated staff, with great volunteers and for a loaded tournament field of professional golfers that provided an outstanding show. Conditions were excellent all week with sun and temperatures in the mid 70s. To top it off we were able to witness a great Sunday finish and a sudden death playoff.

We cannot thank the TPC Scottsdale team enough for their hospitality and leadership. It starts with their Director of Agronomy Roby Robertson, and on to assistants Josh Minson, Heath Booker and Julio Riojas. Thank you for the opportunity and congratulations on another great PGA tournament.

Volunteering for tournaments like the Waste Management Open provides our team even more experience in presenting great tournament conditioning for our members and guests at Hyde Park.

 

For any comments or questions, feel free to reach out to us through email, grounds@hydeparkcc.com and dan@hydeparkcc.com. And please follow along on Twitter for daily course updates, @pobrienhpgcc and @djlaw308.

 

Thank you,

James Marcum, Assistant-in-Training

Dan Lawendowski, Assistant Grounds Superintendent

 

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