grounds management plan

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GROUNDS MANGEMENT PLAN

Remsen Golf Course

Remsen, IA United States

January 28, 2013



Remsen Golf Course Grounds Management Plan 2013

Golfer expectations and the complex nature of golf course management have become increasingly evident.Fine conditioned golf courses are the result of many contributing factors. Each significant factor must be

planned and integrated to achieve success. Some variables exist, regardless of plans, that we have little

control over such as weather and soil conditions. However, we can take these variables into consideration

in our management program and provide a reasonable buffer against them.

The Grounds Management Plan has been drafted to provide a guide for high quality golf course

maintenance practices at Remsen Golf Course. The document should be reviewed annually by the Greens

Committee and Golf Course Superintendent; amended and revised as needed to give us continuity in the

years ahead.

The General Objectives of the Grounds Department shall be as follows:1. To maintain a well conditioned golf course that exceeds clubs in our area.

2. To present our members and guests with quality golfing conditions.

3. To establish continuity for our maintenance operations over the years by developing and perpetuating an

overall Long Range Plan.

4. To follow established chains of command. The Greens Committee shall recommend policy and give

direction to the Golf Course Superintendent. The Superintendent shall be responsible for the development

of recommendations to the Greens Committee and carrying out their policies.

5. To plan and schedule operations with minimal amount of interference for both the golfer and worker

within practical limitations.

6. To give our golfers as much freedom as possible from restrictions on the use of the course, carts, etc.,with a minimum of signs.

7. Guide efficient management including labor, budget control, equipment and research.

8. To maintain cooperative relationships with other departments and personnel.

9. To achieve a feeling of accomplishment, satisfaction, enjoyment and gratitude for all personnel.

10. Attend and belong to regional, state and national Superintendent associations to develop greater

knowledge in turf management and course maintenance.

11. To keep members/guests informed of our operations and progress through periodic reports, club

publications and social media.

12. Implement sound environmental management decisions.



Standards and Plans for Putting GreensObjectives

1. To develop uniform texture and density with a minimum of thatch.

2. To maintain a trueness of roll with a USGA Stimpmeter reading of 9.5 – 10.5 feet in the summer months

and 9 – 10 feet in the spring and fall. This standard shall be maintained at all times except for maintenance

and extreme weather conditions.

3. To maintain the character of architectural design in the mowing pattern of the putting surface outline.

4. To maintain the height of cut of the collar to satisfy aesthetics, playability and cultural practices.

5. To develop a basic agronomic plan for all greens including drainage, soil type, age, irrigation, fertility, pest

control, traffic wear, etc.

6. To maintain a dry putting surface for firmness by sound irrigation practices.

7. To maintain a frequent topdressing program based on turf growth to improve ball roll and greens

firmness.

8. To provide adequate sunlight and air circulation through tree pruning and removal. Ten hours of sunlight

per day.

9. To provide uniform irrigation sprinkler coverage.10. To provide a high density weed free turf around all putting surfaces.

Maintenance Standards

1. Daily mowing (7 times/week) with riding greens mowers in season.

2. Roll putting greens as necessary to achieve desired putting speed and surface smoothness.

3. Daily monitoring of the root zone to determine exact water needs of each green.

4. Light topdressing as needed throughout the growing season.

5. Aggressive vertical mowing and grooming during summer months to control organic matter.

6. Full aeration will be performed in May and September. The exact dates will be established with the Golf

Course Board in January of each year.7. Greens heights will begin at .140 in April, .125 in May and .110 through September then finish October at

.140.

8. The above is contingent on the limiting factor of weather, which can alter strategies in order to insure the

long term survival of the turf.

9. Greens that are heavily prone to debris should be blown before mowing.

10. The hole is to be placed no closer than 7 feet from the edge of the green.

11. Greens will be lightly top-dressed bi-monthly during the growing season.

Grooming Standards

1. Greens are to have a consistency of cut that promotes an even surface and a sharp definition between

green and collar. Scalping of fringe is unacceptable.

2. Previous hole plug must be placed even with the putting surface and the new hole location placed no

closer than 6 feet from the previous hole location.

3. The new hole should have sharp edges and be sunk with a cup setter to 1”.

4. Greens should be free of leaves and debris.

5. The collar is to be evenly cut and trimmed to .500”.

6. Greens maintained to prevent spread of Poa annua as much as possible.



7. Green surrounds to be kept uniformly at the desired height at all times.

8. No sand from bunkers should be left on the green from the previous days play.

Future Plans

1. Renovate and grow-in our nursery putting green to serve as replacement turf for our greens.

2. Evaluate products on the market for better pest control and fertility.

3. Continue replacing older irrigation heads in non working condition and have multiple nozzle

configurations, arc adjustments and radius adjustments so each head can be full or part circle.

Standards and Plans for TeesObjectives

1. To produce a teeing ground of adequate size with a level and firm surface.

2. To maintain a dense, weed-free playing surface with a height of cut that satisfies playability, eye appeal

and cultural practices.

3. To develop an agronomic plan for all tees, considering drainage, soil type, aeration, irrigation, fertility,

pest control, traffic wear, weed control, etc.

4. To develop golf cart traffic patterns that will minimize damage to turf near tee areas.

5. To develop a fertility and weed control program for tee banks.

6. To provide adequate sunlight to all teeing grounds through selective pruning and/or tree removal.

7. To provide uniform irrigation coverage to the teeing surface.


1. Develop a plan to topdress tees 3-4 times per year with added attention to par 3’s.

2. Keep tees and surrounds firm and dry by closely monitoring soil and irrigation.3. Educate players on filling divots.

4. Maintain height of cut at .400” throughout the year. Mowing to be done 3 times weekly in season.

5. Conventional aeration in April or May and September.

6. Fill divots with sand/seed mix when possible.

7. Tee markers to be moved on a daily basis.

8. Tee markers in line with the fairway.

Grooming Standards

1. To maintain yardage plates, ball washers, trash receptacles, divot sand containers and markers with a

uniform trim and appearance.

2. Tees need to be free of debris such as broken tees, paper, twigs, leaves, etc.3. Proper tee marker rotation to allow worn areas to recover.



4. Divots need to be filled with sand.

5. Trash cans emptied daily.

6. On par 3’s sand buckets filled and moved with blue tee markers.

7. Ball washer fluid to be changed bi-weekly.

Future Plans

1. Devise a plan to get tee divots filled on a regular basis.

Standard and Plans for FairwaysObjectives:

1. To produce a fairway that will withstand moderately close clipping and that will be comparatively tolerant

to summer heat and humidity.

2. To produce a turf that will be firm enough to hold the ball up in a nice lie.

3. To keep the fairway turf free of weeds such as clover, knotweed and dandelion.

4. To develop a sound agronomic plan for soils, drainage, fertility, weed control, etc.


1. Produce a fine, uniform and dense turf maintained at .5-.6”

2. Maintain a dry playing surface for playability, as opposed to wet, lush fairways for aesthetics.

3. Perform aeration in September of each year, expect 2012 to which a spring aeration will occur to

promote growth in areas of desiccation from the previous year

4. Refrain from golf carts on fairways during wet periods.

5. Use growth regulators to enhance turf quality, reduce mowing frequency and clipping yield.

6. Mow three times weekly during the season.

7. Maintain moderate fertility level.

Grooming Standards

1. Implement mowing direction rotation for striping effect as time allows.

2. Use cart rule signs to avoid damage to turf.

3. Sprinkler heads and yardage markers should be edged, cleaned and maintained neatly.

4. No visible clipping clumps shall be present after the mowing process.

5. Keep fairways free from debris (leaves, sticks, trash, etc.)

Future Plans

1. Adjust irrigation head locations and add where needed. Make greater use of part circle heads to avoidwet spots.

2. Level irrigation heads and sunken trenches.

3. Add drain tile where wet spots occur.

4. Continue to monitor all holes for improved grass growth taking a close look at tree competition.

5. Add yardage to each of the sprinkler heads within 250 yards of the green

6. Increase the width of the fairways to provide better playability



Standards and Plans for RoughObjectives

1. To maintain a Kentucky Bluegrass/Perennial Ryegrass rough of such density and length to penalize the

golf shot which misses the fairway. The extent of this penalty will vary with time of year, growth rate and

rainfall, etc.

2. To maintain a rough that is weed free and well groomed.

3. To allow for an intermediate rough cut along the fairway borders.

4. To maintain the characteristics of the rough that defines the hole, contrast and direct the play of the hole

and add aesthetics, etc.


1. Maintain the rough height at 2” with weekly mowing in season.

2. Intermediate rough to be mown at 1” three times a week.

3. Maintain a firm, dry surface.

4. Fertilize as needed to maintain adequate fertility levels.

5. Apply pre-emerge applications to areas of high summer annual weed growth.

Grooming Standards

1. Grass clippings and weeds will not be visible

2. Keep pond surrounds clean and neatly trimmed.

3. Roughs will be free of debris and trash.

Future Plans

1. Add irrigation to rough areas that are in play and require it for uniform growth.

2. Remove irrigation from out of play rough areas to conserve resources.3. Tree trimming and removal in certain areas where canopy is so dense turf no longer grows

Standards and Plans for BunkersObjectives

1. To maintain bunkers that will create interest and frame shots to the target areas without modifying the

game or unduly penalizing the golfer.

2. To develop bunkers that are consistent in texture, depth and playability of the sand.

3. To maintain bunkers in a manicured appearance.

4. To maintain bunkers that are free from rocks, pebbles and clay.

5. To maintain adequate external and internal drainage.


1. Bi-monthly monitoring of the sand and desired depth. Bunker design may cause some deviation from this

number.

2. Contour areas around bunkers to reduce water runoff.

3. Replenish bunker sand as necessary.

4. Rake bunkers four times per week and daily during tournaments and events.

5. Maintain drainage in working order.



Grooming Standards

1. Bunkers should be free of rocks, leaves, twigs and debris.

2. Bunker sand should be even in appearance and free of footprints and ridges.

3. Rakes are to be neatly placed outside the bunker and evenly spaced.4. After conditioning, sand should not be visible outside the bunker.

Future Plans

1. Build new bunkers to add character to the golf course along with difficulty for errant shots

2. Develop a place for bunker sand storage.

3. Get bunker sand color consistent.

Standard and Plans for Cart TrafficObjectives

1. To make the use of cart paths convenient throughout the 9 hole complex.

2. To restrict the use of carts from areas deemed necessary by the Superintendent.

3. To maintain the current cart paths and adjacent areas in good condition.

4. To enhance the appearance of cart paths at tees and greens where possible.

5. Announce to outside users (outings) rules and regulations of cart use.

Use and Maintenance Standards

1. Continue education for members and guests on cart usage (bulletin board, publications and cart displays).

2. Continue to repair cart paths as required.

3. Keep carts on paths at tees and greens.

4. Keep carts from approach areas near greens.

5. Continue to add sod to path edges as required.

Future Plans

1. Install curbing around greens and tees to prevent carts from leaving paths.

2. Develop a replacement plan for areas requiring new paths, if needed. Include costs and implementation

plan.



Standard and Plans for Structure MaintenanceObjectives

1. To provide a safe workplace where structures meet all safety standards.

2. To provide adequate facilities for all employees (washrooms, etc.).3. To provide facilities for housing equipment, tools and materials.


1. Keep the exteriors of buildings, bridges, and shelters as neat and orderly as possible.

2. Examine bridges and shelters annually to assure safety standards are met.

3. Repaint restrooms as required and keep sanitized.

4. Conduct annual inspections for repair and/or replacement.

Future Plans

1.

Standards and Plans for Practice FacilitiesObjectives

1. To provide practice access for various types of golf shots.

2. To provide adequate size for various areas (pitching, putting, etc.)

3. To enhance the overall Club facilities.


1. Putting green mowed evenly with sharp collar edge.

2. Holes have sharp edges.

3. Previous hole plugs even with putting surface.

4. Greens free of leaves and debris.

5. Collar cut neatly and to proper width.

6. Putting Green has similar speed as greens on the golf course.

7. Rough cut regularly and similar height as the golf course.

8. Landscaping kept neat in all practice areas.

Future Plans

Standard and Plans for DrainageObjective

1. To provide for normal rainfall and irrigation water to be either absorbed or properly carried away.


1. Contour ground in localized areas to facilitate runoff of pooled water.

2. Place tile and drains in areas where saturation occurs after heavy rains.

3. Monitor and repair drains as required.



Future Plans

1. Enhance drainage on selected holes as determined by the Golf Course Superintendent.

2. Develop the costs and implementation plan for holes selected above.

Standard and Plans for the Clubhouse and Golf ShopObjectives

1. Maintain landscape area in excellent condition with an emphasis on neatness and detail.

2. Make landscape improvements as budget permits.


1. Mowing and edging weekly during season.

2. Trimming of shrubs regularly.

3. Blowing of curbs and gutters following maintenance.

4. Update mulch when necessary.

5. Spray round-up every other week.

6. Irrigate as required.

Grooming Standards

1. Grass mowed, edged and cleaned of debris every week (minimum).

2. Flowers planted and neatly cultivated.

3. Bushes trimmed and free of leaves and debris.

4. Leaves cleaned up around plantings and buildings.

5. Mulch fresh and neatly groomed.

6. Sidewalks and drives free of mud and debris.

7. Trees neatly trimmed.

8. Parking lot clean of leaves, rocks and other debris.

9. All areas free of weeds.

10. Areas without grass covered with mulch.

11. All decks and viewing areas clean and neat.

12. Irrigate as required.

13. Lights working and not blocked by plantings.

Future Plans

Standards and Plans for TreesObjectives

1. To establish an ongoing plan that will enhance the playability of the golf course while maintaining the

beauty of the club.


1. The identification and removal of dead and diseased trees.

2. A pruning and trimming schedule.

3. The proper placement of new tree plantings that will enhance the beauty of the course.



4. To coordinate the Plan with the Greens Committee.

5. To seek concerns from the community as it applies to #1 above.

6. The tree maintenance program will be updated at a minimum, annually.

Future Plans

1.

Standards and Plans for the Irrigation SystemObjectives

1. To develop and maintain an irrigation system for greens, tees, fairways and roughs.

2. To provide for computerized operation of the irrigation system.

3. To permit a reasonable backup for mechanical failure or power interruption.

4. Minimize water usage.

Maintenance Standards1. Maintain and monitor leaks on the irrigation lines.

2. Keep current all blueprints on piping and wiring for reference.

3. Maintain an adequate inventory of replacement parts.

4. Inspect for areas of under and over watering.

Future Plans

1. Expand system to normal playing areas not now covered including parts of driving range

2. Fix all faulty heads, wires, and piping

Standard and Plans for LandscapingObjectives

1. To enhance the landscape beauty within our grounds.

2. To provide landscape plants and features that are functional while adding to the general beauty and

architecture of the golf course.

3. To develop and follow a master landscaping plan for all areas.


1. Operate within a yearly budget.

2. Monitor and report deviations from the master landscaping plan.

3. Present additional efforts required throughout the year to achieve landscaping objectives.

Future Plans

1. Develop a program for maximum visual impact in selected areas (Clubhouse, Golf Shop and Practice

Area).

Standards and Plans for Equipment Replacement and MaintenanceObjectives



1. To replace equipment on a timely basis with proper financial justification.

2. Keep equipment in quality operating condition through preventative maintenance.


1. Budget adequately for yearly equipment upkeep and replacement.

2. Utilize the winter months for major equipment repairs.

3. Monitor equipment performance to maintain a high level of performance.

Future Plans

1. Develop and update a plan on replacing our equipment as it starts to age

Standard and Plans for Environmental ManagementObjectives

1. To meet or exceed all regulations and standards relative to the controlled use of all chemicals and other

materials.2. To pursue involvement in and certification of any environmental organizations associated with golf clubs.

3. To pursue environmental awards associated with small businesses.


1. Follow established guidelines for the use of all pesticides.

2. Create and follow an Integrated Pest Management Plan (IPM).

3. Establish coordination with environmental organizations within the area.

Future Plans

1. Enroll in Groundwater Greensite Guardian and Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Programs.

2. Mentor other superintendents.

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