A Holiday Thank You

 

As the holiday season brings us closer to the end of another year, I’d like to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who plays a role in making Brickshire Golf Club such a special place.

 To Our Golf Course Maintenance Team

First and foremost, thank you to my dedicated maintenance staff. Your hard work and commitment are the foundation of everything we accomplish at Brickshire. From early mornings battling frost delays to long summer days maintaining the course during peak play, your efforts do not go unnoticed. You are the reason our course continues to thrive, and I’m proud to work alongside such a talented team.

 To the Entire Brickshire Staff

I also want to extend my gratitude to the other departments at Brickshire. From the golf shop to food and beverage, and beyond, your passion and professionalism create a welcoming experience for all who visit. Your collaboration and teamwork make Brickshire a place we can all be proud of.

 To Our Members and Guests

A special thank you goes to our members and guests. Your continued support of Brickshire Golf Club and the golf course maintenance operation means the world to us. Your patience, feedback, and appreciation motivate us to give our best every day. Whether you’ve been with us for years or recently discovered our course, we are grateful for your trust and loyalty.

 As we prepare for the new year, I’m excited about what’s to come. Together, with the support of our staff and the passion of our members and guests, we will continue to grow and improve Brickshire Golf Club.  Thank you all for your contributions to making Brickshire a community we’re proud to call home. Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and a fantastic start to 2025!

 

 

Winter Hole Changing – Slow Down

 

Winter presents unique challenges for golf course maintenance, particularly on bentgrass putting greens like those at Brickshire Golf Club. With slower growth rates during the colder months, the turf becomes less resilient to wear and tear. To ensure the long-term health of our greens, we take a deliberate and thoughtful approach to winter hole changing.

 

Our Approach to Winter Hole Changing

 

At Brickshire, we cut two pin locations per green during the winter, allowing us to distribute golfer traffic evenly and minimize wear. To cover the unused hole for the day, we use cup covers. While they don’t provide much turf protection, they allow us to rotate between two locations without leaving an open hole, ensuring the greens remain playable and consistent for golfers.

 

Why Slowing Down is Important

 

Bentgrass grows minimally in cold weather, making it slower to recover from any damage. Rushed or overly frequent hole changes can leave behind unsightly plugs that take weeks—or even months—to heal, affecting both aesthetics and ball roll.

 

By carefully rotating between two pin locations and limiting changes to twice per week, we give the turf ample time to recover. This helps reduce stress on the greens, ensuring they remain healthy and ready for peak season play.

 

Additionally, when the greens profile is frozen, any maintenance—such as cutting cups, rolling, or mowing—can cause root shearing. We work hard to regrow roots after the summer to prepare for the next season. While this approach may occasionally fall short of in-season expectations for playability, the long-term benefits to turf and root health far outweigh the sacrifices. Honestly, frozen greens tend to roll quite fast anyway!

 

Course Conditions and Player Impact

 

Winter golf requires a balancing act between maintenance and playability. Here’s what you can expect during the colder months:

   •      Slower Recovery: Any damage, whether from play or maintenance, takes longer to heal.

   •      Frost Delays: Frost can delay tee times, especially on shaded greens that retain cold longer.

   •      Optimal Placement: Pins are strategically placed to spread out traffic and protect high-stress areas.

 

Cup Covers and the Rules of Golf

 

Cup covers not only allow us to maintain multiple pin positions but also adhere to the Rules of Golf. Under Rule 16.1, a cup cover is considered ground under repair. If it interferes with your stance, swing, or line of play, you are entitled to free relief:

      1.  Determine the nearest point of relief that is not closer to the hole.

      2.  Drop your ball within one club length of this point, no nearer to the hole.

 

It’s important to note: Golfers should not remove cup covers. These covers are in place to facilitate maintenance and ensure consistency for all players.

 

Protecting the Greens

 

Golfers can also contribute to the health of the greens by practicing proper etiquette:

   •      Carefully remove your ball from the hole without damaging the edges.

   •      Avoid using the flagstick or your putter to retrieve balls, as this can damage the hole and flagstick.

 

A Collaborative Effort

 

Winter golf is a team effort, and your cooperation helps us maintain the exceptional conditions you expect at Brickshire Golf Club. By respecting the course, observing proper etiquette, and understanding the reasoning behind our hole-changing strategy, you play a key role in ensuring the health of our greens.

 

Thank you for your patience and support as we navigate the challenges of winter golf course maintenance. Together, we can ensure that Brickshire’s greens emerge in excellent shape for the spring season.

What Does the Golf Course Maintenance Team Do All Winter?

 As the golf season winds down and colder weather settles in, you might wonder what the Brickshire Golf Maintenance team does all winter. Without golfers on the course and with grass growth slowing, does the team take a break? The answer is no—winter is one of the busiest times of the year for us. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at what keeps us busy during the offseason.

Monitoring the Course

Even when the course is quiet, it still requires regular attention. The maintenance team performs routine checks to ensure the course remains safe and in good condition. We inspect for debris, damage, or other issues that could impact play or require repair before spring. Special attention is given to shaded greens and areas prone to frost delays, as these are key factors in preparing for next season.

Battling Leaf Cleanup

One of the most time-consuming tasks during late fall and early winter is leaf cleanup. This is a daily battle that consumes a considerable number of man-hours. Fallen leaves can smother turf, clog drainage systems, and create unsightly areas on the course. Our team works diligently to clear leaves from greens, fairways, and other critical areas. Hopefully, by Christmas, we’ll be finished with this process—if the trees cooperate and drop all their leaves.

Tree Management

This winter, we are continuing our focus on tree management, particularly on removing trees that block sunlight on shaded greens. Using the Sun Seeker app, we’ve identified trees that cause significant shade at various times of the year. These trees don’t provide architectural value to how the course is played but do reduce the amount of sunlight needed to grow high-quality putting surfaces. By removing these shade-producing trees, we aim to improve turf health, minimize frost delays, and enhance overall playability. Frozen or firm ground during winter makes this work safer and more efficient, allowing us to use heavy equipment without damaging the turf.

Equipment Maintenance

Keeping our equipment fleet in top shape is essential for delivering the best playing conditions during the golf season. Winter allows our equipment manager to focus on preventative maintenance and repair. From sharpening mower reels to replacing worn parts, this work ensures our machines are ready to hit the ground running come spring.

Bunkers and Cart Paths

Winter is the perfect time to tackle projects that are difficult to manage during the busy season. This includes edging bunkers and adjusting sand depths to maintain consistent playability across all traps. We’ll also be edging cart paths to ensure they look sharp and professional for the upcoming season.

Course Accessories and Landscaping 

Winter is also the time to refurbish course accessories like tee markers, 150-yard posts, and on/off posts (new for next season) so they look their best for the season ahead. We continue bush hog mowing native areas to maintain their appearance and control overgrowth while manually brush blading areas that are unsafe for tractors. Additionally, we prune ornamental grasses and plants around the clubhouse to ensure a tidy and inviting look for the spring.

Greens Drainage Exploration and Repairs

Maintaining excellent putting surfaces also involves taking a closer look at drainage. This winter, we’ll be exploring greens drainage outfalls, identifying any issues, and making repairs as needed. Proper drainage is crucial for healthy turf and high-quality playability.

Planning for the Future

The offseason gives us time to reflect on the past year and plan for the upcoming season. We analyze what worked, identify areas for improvement, and develop strategies to enhance course conditions and operations. This winter, we’re finalizing plans for expanding predictive nitrogen applications to tees and fairways, implementing stronger nematode control, and exploring options like HCT Water Solv to address salinity issues caused by effluent water usage.

Personal Development

On a personal note, I am actively working towards earning my Certified Golf Course Superintendent (CGCS) designation. This certification, currently held by less than 20% of superintendents in the U.S., represents the highest level of professional achievement in our industry. It requires passing rigorous exams, demonstrating strong leadership and communication skills, and completing peer-reviewed projects. I’m also committed to continuing education programs that focus on new industry trends and research. By staying updated on the latest advancements, I can bring fresh ideas and innovative solutions to Brickshire Golf Club, ensuring we remain on the cutting edge of golf course maintenance practices.

Recharging the Team

Perhaps the most important part of winter is giving our team a chance to recharge. The golf season demands long hours and a high level of commitment, so we use this quieter time to rest, spend time with family, and prepare for the challenges ahead. Supporting our team’s well-being is vital for maintaining morale and ensuring we’re ready to deliver our best when the season starts again.

Looking Ahead

Winter may seem like a downtime for golf course maintenance, but it’s actually one of the most critical times for preparation, repair, and planning. Everything we do now sets the stage for another great year at Brickshire Golf Club. So, while you’re enjoying the holidays and the winter season, know that we’re hard at work ensuring your golf experience in 2025 is the best it can be.

Stay tuned for more updates from the Brickshire Golf Maintenance team!

Optimizing Turf Health in 2025: Innovation and Action

 

 

 

As we prepare for 2025, Brickshire Golf Club is committed to elevating our turf management practices with cutting-edge strategies. One of the most impactful innovations we’ve introduced is Predictive Nitrogen (Predictive N). This data-driven approach analyzes soil and turf health to determine the precise timing and amount of nitrogen applications, ensuring optimal turf performance while minimizing waste.

We began using Predictive N on our bentgrass greens in September 2024, and the results have been encouraging. In 2025, we’ll expand this program to include our Bermuda tees and fairways, further enhancing turf health and consistency across the course. Here’s how this program works and why it’s a game-changer for golf course maintenance.

 

What is Predictive N?

Predictive N leverages advanced tools like Growing Degree Day (GDD) models and Growth Potential (GP) to align nitrogen applications with the turfgrass’s actual growth needs.

•​GDD Models: Track accumulated heat to determine when turfgrass is actively growing, helping to time nitrogen applications precisely.

•​Growth Potential: Estimates turf growth rates based on temperature and other environmental factors, refining the timing and rate of applications.

This science-backed approach ensures nitrogen is applied when the turf can efficiently use it, preventing overapplication during dormant periods and promoting healthy, consistent growth.

 

Why Use Predictive N at Brickshire?

Brickshire’s diverse playing surfaces demand precision nutrient management to thrive under the pressures of play and our region’s variable climate. Predictive N provides:

1.​Precision in Nutrient Management: Matches nitrogen applications with turf growth demand, improving consistency and reducing waste.

2.​Improved Turf Resilience: Ensures Bermuda tees and fairways recover quickly from stress and wear while resisting pests and diseases.

3.​Environmental Stewardship: Minimizes nutrient runoff and aligns with sustainable course management practices.

4.​Cost Efficiency: Reduces overapplication, saving resources while maintaining superior playing conditions.

By expanding Predictive N to Bermuda tees and fairways in 2025, we’re taking an important step toward more consistent and resilient playing surfaces.

Year-Round Soil and Water Testing

A critical component of Predictive N is year-round soil sampling. Regular soil testing ensures we can identify nutrient imbalances and make data-driven adjustments to our fertilization program.

In 2025, we’re also implementing year-round water testing in conjunction with soil tests. This combined approach will help us better monitor salinity levels and take appropriate action when needed. Effluent water use, especially during drought conditions, can introduce excess sodium into the soil, which impacts turf health. By understanding both soil and water conditions, we can develop targeted solutions to these challenges.

To offset sodium buildup, we’ll continue applications of potassium, calcium, and magnesium, which help counteract sodium’s effects and improve soil structure. Additionally, HCT Water Solv appears to be the final piece of the puzzle in overcoming salinity-related challenges. By breaking down salts in the soil, HCT Water Solv improves water penetration and nutrient availability, ensuring turf resilience even during periods of low rainfall.

 

Why These Changes Matter

Expanding Predictive N, implementing year-round soil and water analysis, and addressing salinity challenges reflect our commitment to excellence at Brickshire Golf Club. These initiatives enhance turf health, improve playing conditions, and support sustainable golf course management.

In 2025, golfers can expect consistent, vibrant, and resilient playing surfaces, from Bermuda tees and fairways to bentgrass greens. With the help of these innovations, Brickshire will continue to deliver the high-quality experience our members and guests expect.

Stay tuned as we implement these exciting changes and thank you for your ongoing support in keeping Brickshire Golf Club a premier golfing destination!