GROUNDS | JON URBANSKI, DIRECTOR OF GOLF COURSES AND GROUNDS
Happy New Year! We will devote much of this update in the latter half to the opportunities that were awarded to two of our team members as we closed out 2024. But first and has been the norm when the South Course closes, we have paused rotating hole locations on the North Course. We have cut two-hole locations on all North Course greens to help spread wear patterns during the winter months. Please move the flagstick to the opposite hole prior to putting out the hole. A question we get from time-to- time is about rolling and mowing of the North greens during the winter months. Typically, when we get a drop in temperatures and conditions favor getting out of the house to get some exercise on the links after a freeze, is the absolute worse time to do any time of compacting-like maintenance such as rolling or mowing. The latter involves ripping the leaf blade at a time of year where winter injury is most detrimental. If we see a continued warm stretch and we are moving close to the regular season, then perhaps we will mow. For rolling purposes, the same can be said in terms of a steady and gradual thaw. If we were to roll the green tops on a day when the temps get into the upper 40s or low 50s after a prolonged time of frozen ground, the rolling exercise will sever roots at the depth of frozen/thawed soil. As in the case of mowing, this type of injury could lead to complications for the remainder of the winter season. Did you know our maintenance facility is open during the year to use the restrooms? Even though the halfway house is “open” with running water, it can be quite chilly. During the winter, if there is an urge, please stop on by after finishing the 6th hole and turn left to grounds. Use the second entryway after the garage doors. Enter and the ladies’ room will be a short walk after you enter and on your right, while the men’s room will be on your left. We have about 55 days before our spring maintenance ramps back up and the time in between we have much planned to accomplish. The majority will be small in nature but will pay large dividends in-season. Since the South Course closed Thanksgiving weekend, we have been able to raise all the sprinklers within the fairway proper on holes 1, 2, 8, and 9. We have made a dent in the need to elevate the rotating sprinklers, and we are focused on accomplishing this task over the course of the next several weeks ahead. In addition, we have completed about 90% of the roughs on the South Course for composting and core aerification. We will move then into seeding and solid, deep tining fairways. Over on the North, we plan to increase our abilities to hand water by installing snap valves on several holes.
We have communicated in the past few months regarding the awards received by Cody Sander, North Course Superintendent, and Gavin Kopczynskie, Assistant Superintendent. Here is a quick synopsis of their experiences:
Cody Sander – Syngenta Business Institute Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to attend the Syngenta Business Institute (SBI) at Wake Forest University. While there are several programs that offer education and professional development, SBI is unique in that it does not focus on turfgrass or agronomics. Although the program is sponsored by Syngenta, one of the largest agricultural companies in the world, it is facilitated and taught by professors of the MBA program at Wake Forest University. Twenty-two superintendents or directors of agronomy were chosen out of a large pool of applicants from across North America. Over the course of four days, I was exposed to many interactive discussions and seminars focused around five areas: managing individuals and team; leading across cultures and generations; influencing/negotiating; executive decision making; and work-life balance. These discussions were a fusion of professor-lead learning and discussion between the attendees. There was a large representation of age, experience, and organizations between the superintendents present. This led to great dialogue and many new ideas. This program gave me a new perspective with great ideas on how we can continue to improve our team here at the Club. Additionally, it allowed me to expand my professional network with people throughout the country that I wouldn’t normally meet. Gavin Kopczynskie – Green Start Academy The Green Start Academy sponsored by the GCSAA, John Deere, Rain Bird, and Envu, is a transformative experience for assistant superintendents that are aspiring to become leaders within the turfgrass and golf course industry. The program is a three-day educational and career development program that was held at Pinehurst Resort. I was fortunate enough to be selected out of a pool of applicants from across North America to attend this year's event to enhance my leadership skills, build long lasting connections within the industry, and prepare myself in the future to become a golf course superintendent. This year’s Green Start Academy featured some of the most well-respected mentors and speakers within the golf and turfgrass industry. The mentors hailed from facilities such as the Inverness Club, Saucon Valley Country Club, Monterey Peninsula Country Club, Oakland Hills Country Club, Olympic Club and Wilmington Country Club! The mentors shared their experiences on leadership through panel discussion and break-out sessions on an array of topics pertaining to career advice such as what they wished they would have known when they were assistant superintendents, cultivating business relationships, team building and culture, and work-life balance. We had the opportunity to hear from speakers on managing major tournaments such as the US Open, diversity and inclusion, and preparing and managing a renovation. The final day of the retreat focused on career development seminars relating to resume building, interviewing, and to making a great first impression. My experience at Green Start will be a cornerstone in my career. The advice and insights from all the mentors, speakers, and the new connections I gained through the program will influence my decisions daily and into the future. I highly recommend this program to our other assistant superintendents here at the club! We are proud of Cody’s and Gavin’s accomplishments and look forward to how we can utilize the information they received to continue to push ourselves to elevate the experience here at the Club for the membership. With that, we hope you and your families a happy and safe 2025! Jon Urbanski
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