Winter Update

One common question I receive during this time of year is, "What do you do when it's cold and snowy?"

Well.....

The frigid cold mornings are spent painting, staining and restoring our accessories......

Once temperatures rise, we venture on the course to conduct multiple tasks including tree removal as pictured above.  The recent snow cover and freezing temperatures provided extra cushion when dropping trees in playable areas (left side of #9 pictured above) to reduce damage to the turf.

If snow cover doesn't exist, tasks include:  Topdressing greens every chance we get, back-filling stump holes from tree removal, Re-grading/ adding gravel to service roads and cart path sections, Cleaning/Clearing brush and gullies, etc.

Selective tree removal on #13 has drastically improved the sight line for your tee shot while still providing a screen for those wayward tee shots from #12.  From an agronomic standpoint, the removal of the encroaching tee line will allow additional sun light and airflow to the tee surface to provide an healthier growing environment.

And that doesn't even scratch the surface of task and improvements that have been completed on the course over the past couple of months that await the return of the season and your next trip to the course.  Stay tuned over the next couple of weeks for updates on a major tree removal project that gets started next week!

Till then, stay warm!

Thank You

Dear Membership,

                Happy New Year!  Earlier in the week, on my anniversary start date, I received notification that I was named a finalist for Turfnet’s  Superintendent of the Year based on the nominations submitted by the members of Longue Vue that were reviewed by a national panel comprised of individuals within the turf industry.

                I am honored to be considered for such a monumental achievement ; however, I can’t take full credit because this is a direct reflection of the support cast that has surrounded me in my first year as your sixth Golf Course Superintendent.  The foundation of that support cast has been each member of the Greens Department, who bought into my beliefs and practices from the start and accepted change.  Their hard work and dedication was paramount to our success both on the course and off.  Behind every leader is an even better team!  Outside of the Greens Department, every member of the entire LVC staff and greens committee deserves credit because this is not based on personal achievements but a reflection of the entire experience that was provided to our membership over the past season. 

                I am grateful that our achievements on the course over the past season have been deemed by the membership worthy of national recognition.  It solidifies that we have one of the best memberships around to work and provide for and I'm honored to be a part of.  However, the pure beauty in my opinion, is that we have not even scratched the surface!

Thank you!

Fairways and Dreams,

Josh A. Saunders