Below, we are using a rented asphalt roller to smooth the greens post aerification.
We are spraying greens today, with a fertilizer and fungicide combination. Our goal is to have all our bases covered in the event staffing levels are reduced or even possibly eliminated. We are watching closely at how other states are being restricted and fortunately, the NC Governor Roy Cooper, has yet to impose any harsher restrictions to golf courses. We continue to take our own aggressive actions from working 2 shifts, breaking up lunch periods and strict housekeeping guidelines. Our restroom facilities and door knobs have never looked so good! The staff also understands the expectations that I am asking of them when they leave work at the end of the day. If I hear or see (social media pictures can tell a story that don't realize) an employee attending social events with a lot people present, they must stay home for 2 weeks. It's up to the staff to police ourselves and each other. Immediately below, you can find our action plan and guidelines for golf course maintenance.
COVID
19 Golf Course Maintenance Response and Plan
Brian
J. Stiehler, CGCS, MG
Chad
Stockton, Assistant Superintendent
Our maintenance team works
tirelessly at providing HCC members and guests with excellent playing
conditions. With this, comes the need for essential maintenance practices
on the golf course in order to protect the Club's largest asset. As
President of the Carolina GCSA for 2020, I’ve been working closely with our
lobbyists in Raleigh and Columbia and have submitted a letter to the house and
senate asking for golf course maintenance to remain categorized as an essential
line of work, even if that means reducing the staff size to fulfill a minimal
level of maintenance.
In the
Golf Maintenance department, we have taken the following steps:
1. Improved
level of housekeeping. Bathrooms are cleaned after each use.
2. Four
times a day, our mechanic team of Paul and Kevin are spraying and wiping down
commonly touched objects like door handles, time clock, light switches, water faucets
etc.
3. Starting
Monday March 23rd, we will start working 4 days a week at 10
hours/day rather than 5 days a week at 8 hours/day. This will limit one day of
potential exposure to the staff. The staff is divided in 2 groups,
working staggered shifts that
4. For
the last week, we’ve been conducting a daily staff meeting as we always do
first thing every morning, only this week they’ve lasted up to an hour.
This is time well spent educating staff and listening to their concerns
regarding the COVID 19 virus and also explain the symptoms of the virus.
We also discuss safety issues like the OSHA requirement of marked spray bottles
now that we have added additional spray bottles with bleach in them. This
opportunity also allows us to end various rumors and give the staff a outlet to
talk about fear that’s not been experienced since 9/11. Some of the staff are
having a hard time processing the constant doom and gloom reports from the
media.
5. If a
staff member is sick, you stay home. It’s not open for debate. The
individual will not return to work for 14 days unless they bring me a doctor's
not saying they have something other than COVID 19.
6. We are
encouraging staff to stay outside as much as possible. A picnic table has been
added to the porch to encourage staff to eat their lunches outside.
7. We’ve
asked all staff to really enforce their own social distancing policy and they
are aware of the expectation that I set forth. Many didn’t understand the
risk that comes with going to a party with a lot of people. If this
standard isn't met, they employee will not be permitted to return to work and
will be forced to take leave without pay.
8. All
non-essential visitors, like vendors and salesman, are not permitted to make
appointments until this passes.
9. If raining, staff will be sent home to
avoid close contact around indoor areas.
10. We are
promoting proper hygiene and washing hands as much as possible.
If the government were to impose more stringent
restrictions, we have developed schedule of the minimal amount of work that
needs to be done in order to keep the golf course at a level that
when this
is over, we could have it back in great condition within one week or two weeks’
time. These essential practices include:
1. Mowing
of greens with a triplex mower (requires one person) every other day.
2. Croquet
lawns mowed 2x/week
3. Tees
and Approaches to be triplex mowed 2x/week
4. Continue
our scheduled fungicide program on 2-week intervals.
5. Mow
fairways 2x/week
6. Driving
range mowing 1x week