Superintendent's Forum

how do you protect your course from the stress of corporate outings and large golf events?

Mike Handrich • Racine Country Club • Racine, Wisconsin

According to Handrich, golf car traffic control is the most overlooked element of large outings. It is also the factor that has the most devastating effect on turf. “Many of the participants at our events are what I call nongolfers,” he says. “They just don’t know much about the etiquette of the game or where to drive a golf car.”

Handrich uses these strategies:

- Paint traffic lines. Turf paint is used to form a line at least 30 feet from greens. “Golfers see the lines and this reminds them where they should go,” Handrich says.

- Use directional arrows and ropes. The maintenance staff doubles the number of signs it normally uses. Entry and exit areas around greens and tees are roped off. “I visited a club that made ropes a priority,” Handrich says, “and the turf around greens and tees was in excellent condition. It’s important to move the ropes around so drivers don’t get in the habit of going in the same places.”

- Green and tee care. Handrich reduces green speed for large events. “We don’t want golfers on the greens forever,” he says. “There is more wear and tear on faster greens. We want golfers on and off as quickly as possible.”

The greens are kept firm, which reduces damage from ball marks. Pin placements are in easier locations, usually in the center of the green, to speed play and further reduce damage.

Even though Racine Country Club has small tees, markers are placed in positions not normally
used by regular members.

- Employ rangers. Club employees, usually from the bag room, are pressed into service as rangers. Handrich says it’s important to have the right person for this job. “The individual has to be protective of the course,” he explains, “and not be afraid to tell someone they’re in the wrong location. This, of course, has to be done diplomatically. Golfers are generally agreeable if it’s explained to them why it’s harmful to turf to drive in certain areas.”

 

John Sheran  • Holly Tree Country Club • Simpsonville, South Carolina

This 18-hole private club hosts several tournaments a year with up to 120 golfers per event. Superintendent John Sheran finds that spreading out members among the teams helps ensure that damage to the course is minimized.

“They know the rules about keeping golf cars away from the greens,” he says, “and are conscientious about repairing ball marks.”

Depending on conditions, the maintenance staff puts cart restriction signs 40 to 80 feet from greens. They are placed in the intermediate rough so they have a minimal effect on golf shots. Large events definitely have an impact on the course, but Sheran found a way to get the turf back in shape faster — and for free.

“Our senior club members can always be counted on to assist our staff,” he says. “Several times a year they volunteer to fill divots in fairway landing areas. They take pride in their course and are more than willing to give us a hand when we need it.”

 

John Alexander • Waverly Country Club • Portland, Oregon

Misdirected golf cars are the biggest challenge at large events or tournaments for this private club, which has hosted several U.S. Amateur and U.S. Junior championships. (Tiger Woods won a junior title here.)

Superintendent John Alexander finds the most effective way to direct golf cars back to paved paths is to paint a white line in front of greens.

“I use a dedicated spraying device and turfgrass paint,” he says. “It produces a straight, professional line, and I can complete the job in about 30 minutes. Having these lines makes it easier for me to talk to people about where they are supposed to drive their golf cars. There’s little room for misinterpretation. We also place directional signs about 30 yards out from the green.”

Alexander is convinced that painting white lines works.

“We don’t have continuous cart paths,” he says, “and since we’ve been doing this, the number of golf cars that get too close to greens or tees has been greatly reduced.”

The superintendent discusses golf course etiquette in the club newsletter and relies on the pro shop staff for much of the enforcement
responsibility.

“They are closest to the golfers,” Alexander says, “and are also in a better position to communicate more effectively to them.”