Austin County Club

This week the PGA tour stop is at Austin Country Club located in the hills on the outskirts of  Austin, Texas along the Colorado River.  I had the opportunity to manage this dramatic course earlier in my career.  Architect Pete Dye used tremendous creativity in designing this stunning layout with long and forced carries, severely undulating greens, distinctive elevation changes and "eye-catching" native rock features.   The 6800 yard course plays to a challenging 74 course rating.   While the pros may find the length very short compared to their normal course lengths, the average golfer finds the layout to be extremely difficult.   Before we  cleared some of the native trees and brush in the rough areas, combined  with the number of forced carries, it was not uncommon for the members to lose 6-10 golf balls a round. 

Graden The Greens

In the quest for firmer putting green surfaces it is necessary to control unwanted and undesirable thatch accumulation.   Newer technology in machinery, such as the Graden implement, are designed to aide in producing desired putting surfaces.   The question is "Does the golfing membership support the balance between necessary agronomic practices and the impact such practices may have on playing conditions for a week or two?"
                                          See the video below

                              https://youtu.be/E3nQglU1uEw

                                                     

Tommy Witt, GCSAA President Video

From the very first year of my professional career, I have been involved in volunteer service at the local, state and national level.  In 2001 I had the opportunity to be elected President of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.   We had 23,000 members in 65 International countries. We funded a $23,000,000 a year operating budget that funded initiatives and programs all over the world. I learned a great deal about leadership and the important role it serves in any organizations.  It positively influenced the way I lead and manage even today.   Below is a video of my year leading my national professional association. 

                                                             

Bunker Consistency

Today's expectation of a bunker has moved from it being accepted as a HAZARD to the expectation that it should at all times, and in every instance, be a perfectly manicured surface.   The USGA video below shares information and facts on why every bunker on the same course does not play the same as all the others.  Please take a look.

Producing a Great Putting Surface

Beyond simply watering, mowing and fertilizing a tournament quality putting surface, a matrix of factors and agronomic practices combine to produce great putting surfaces.   Take a look a the video.

Why is it necessary to aerate golf greens to keep them in a quality condition?

The USGA video provides the reasons.

TU's Progress

Many of you have seen or asked about our new golf course - goose dog.   I adopted Tu in the early summer from the Deerefield Dog Shelter.   Having had 3 different previous owners, initially she was very nervous and immediately very protective of me.   In the last 4 or 5 months she has progressed significantly.  Those who saw her when she first arrived and who see her now are in awe of her improvement.  

Having had to say goodbye to our two previous Border Collies over a 3 year period, we weren't emotionally ready to begin starting over with another dog.  However, it has been a blessing to me and to Northmoor to have found and adopted Tu.  She will not leave my side.  She does have a major separation anxiety issue when we are apart but as time goes by I hope she will be more at peace that I will always come back for her. 

Having any dog, especially a high energy breed like a border collie, demands a significant amount of time to work with her and continue training her.  She is no ordinary house dog that is comfortable with laying on the couch all day.   She is bred to work and run and be active.  I was not looking forward to that and she has taken much more of my time than I ever imagined but that is the commitment anyone should make when they acquire a pet of any kind. 

I certainly, nor was my wife Lorrie, ever considering Tu living at our home but there was no where else to keep her.  She wakes up every morning at 4:00 am and is ready to come to the course.   All has gone pretty well except when I have to be out of town and have someone stay with her.   She is house broken but once when I was away, I guess she was pouting and decided to use our carpet to relieve herself.   She hadn't done it before nor has she since.  Guess she was just making a statement.  Now we have to take up and replace the carpet.   But, she is worth it.  

She loves the golf course and the dog park.  See below

Ready to go to the dog park