MyFishFinder Forum
The Fisherman's Wharf => Off-Topic => Topic started by: rgfixit on Jun 08, 2021, 11:44 AM
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Decided to go work at a local country club. My son is my new boss. I’ll be mowing greens, approaches and such. 3 days a week 4-5 hours a day. It’ll be good working with him. Been years since we worked together.
Should be fun.
Rg
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Good for you rg. Enjoy!
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Well, at least I won’t have to buy golf balls. Think we picked up half a dozen just driving the course.
Rg
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Don't forget those water hazards .....fish, gulf balls, maybe carp!
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Well, the whole course is a swamp . I’ve fished the main ponds more times than I can count. Years back the DEC killed the main ponds to rid them of grass carp. Don’t know what’s left except bullhead.
No matter. I’m only there to mow greens and aprons. Maybe tees if I get bored.
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Sounds like the ideal retirement part time job. Working with your son and outdoors, great combo.
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First day…..I like it! Mowed approaches, fringe and the driving range tee. Good bunch of guys. Several my age(old farts).
My son is a busy guy on that course.
Rg
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I love this job! Jump on a mower and go. Nobody bothers me at all. No overhead pages “Special assistance needed in aisle 13”. (Don’t miss that one little bit)
We had an early start this morning. Tournament today. I was mowing at 5:30. Done in 3 hours. My Son was a bit frantic because the Greens guys got lost somewhere. As I was leaving he was headed out on a Greens mower. He takes his work seriously and really wants the course to look…..not just good, but, GREAT!
I’m sure he’ll have me mowing greens soon.
Rg
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Golf….the only game where one goes to extraordinary lengths to do as little as possible.
Rg
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Golf….the only game where one goes to extraordinary lengths to do as little as possible.Rg
:rotflol: :rotflol: :rotflol:
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Golf course ponds can be excellent for large golden shiners. I would do some investigating. Keep a baggie full of oatmeal in your pocket.
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Stayed at Nick Faldo’s golf resort in Florida with my brides family years ago and they are all big time golfers. They all brought there clubs and I brought a telescopic fishing rod and a small box of tackle. I fished a lot of the ponds and got a bunch of smaller bass ... ;D
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This course is built in a swamp. There’s 3 main ponds that interconnect. The furthest is my bullhead pond. The largest pond in the middle is a great pond for panfish, pike and bass. The other pond was overrun with grass carp. A few years back the DEC killed the entire pond to get rid of them. Don’t know what’s in there now.
The course will eat golf balls like no other I’ve played. It’s tough if you’re an average golfer. Hit one O.B. And you may as well just drop another. Geese are a plague. They’re like feathered rats. They come out of the ponds and crap all over the two finish greens at the clubhouse. When my son first worked there some years back, the super had a border collie that kept them in check. They also had permits to dispose of a pretty much unlimited quantity of them. That’s all changed now. Tree hugging members probably raised a stink.
So now they putt through goose crap.
Rg
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congrats on the gig rg. i'm the equipment tech for a course in northern saskatchewan. came up after school for a summer job and never left. we've got the same geese problems here and a dog that "likes" goslings :whistling: we also had a gal years ago that was quite accomplished with a bow. she stuck one with an arrow and the d**n thing flew off and landed in a pond. survived for a few days that way and we had a number of concerned members stop by the shop. "must have flown over that way from the rez".
you quickly learn what a dynamic but also rewarding business golf course maintenance is.
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Well, I’m a golfer of sorts. The guy who took me out my first day is a volunteer member. First question he asked was “you a golfer?”. I said yes and he replies “ Good, you’ve got some common sense then”. We got along just fine.
I almost lost it on the triplex as I started sliding downhill into a pond. A really tight approach and I hadn’t mastered the 3 point turn yet. I managed to stay dry and get out of trouble. My Son chuckled and said “ I’ve seen a few triplexes in that pond.”
Second day I tried mowing lengthwise on that hole rather than side to side but got off line. My Son sent me a message. ” NO DOUBLE STRIPES”
He was busting my chops. Well deserved paybacks. Third day was tournament day. With some instruction from him I managed to mow it lengthwise and left it looking pretty darned good. No problems with the other holes I mowed.
I can see me being an asset here. I have a good bit of mechanical, electrical and every day experience. My Son knows that. The Super is just getting used to me.
Rg
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My new office
(https://i.postimg.cc/XpyVTdsX/041-A6-DD4-F47-A-4153-84-D3-9-F9-CBB5-DF94-A.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/XpyVTdsX)
(https://i.postimg.cc/MXL6Pdbh/D233-DCA9-9-E1-D-4775-B6-FF-C298-B6-A50-A48.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/MXL6Pdbh)
No phones…no customers….no computers…..no stress.
Rg
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My new office
(https://i.postimg.cc/XpyVTdsX/041-A6-DD4-F47-A-4153-84-D3-9-F9-CBB5-DF94-A.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/XpyVTdsX)
(https://i.postimg.cc/MXL6Pdbh/D233-DCA9-9-E1-D-4775-B6-FF-C298-B6-A50-A48.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/MXL6Pdbh)
No phones…no customers….no computers…..no stress.
Rg
You've got it made! BTW a lot of employers are finding retired and older folks the ideal employees. Dependable and a good work ethics are their number one attributes.
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Golf course ponds can be excellent for large golden shiners. I would do some investigating. Keep a baggie full of oatmeal in your pocket.
One of the biggest crappies I've ever seen came out of a Golf course pond. I think it was the only one in that pond!
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Golf….the only game where one goes to extraordinary lengths to do as little as possible.
Rg
Golf... a great way to ruin a perfectly good day!
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I’ll tell you what…I couldn’t be happier. Working for my son is something special……and …..I like the work. It’s impressive to see how much he knows about keeping up on a golf course. Players never see what it takes to make their day a dreadful walk.
Life is good!
Rg
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A day in the life….
The other guy who was supposed to mow approaches and collars didn’t show up. I did 10 holes on the back+#9 and they asked if I could stay and help finish the front. …which I was happy to do ….with my son.
Waited almost 45 minutes while 3 groups of women and a group of guys sprayed balls all over a really easy par 4. Saw several 5 putts on a not too big green. Made me feel pretty good about my game. I’m
Took me 2 1/2 hrs to do 10 holes and another 3 to do 4 holes. But, we got it done. Meeting my Son at 4:45 am to set cups for a member tournament tomorrow morning. Just a ride along and learning day for me.
I like this work.
Rg
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I’m happy to hear that you are enjoying your un-retired time, Bob. Working with your son is an added bonus!!! I know the feeling!!! Although, I’ll never figure out what being retired means….😁
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My Son and I played 9 on our course this afternoon. No charge …thank you very much! What a beautiful golf course it is. We played here some 20 years ago when he worked it. It’s so much better now.
As we made our way around I couldn’t help but be proud of the way it looked. I have my little part but my Son has a major part in keeping it the class course it is.
That aside I hit some really good shots for an “Old Man”.
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My Son and I played 9 on our course this afternoon. No charge …thank you very much! What a beautiful golf course it is. We played here some 20 years ago when he worked it. It’s so much better now.
As we made our way around I couldn’t help but be proud of the way it looked. I have my little part but my Son has a major part in keeping it the class course it is.
That aside I hit some really good shots for an “Old Man”.
Nice, I get that same sense of accomplishment when driving on roads I built years ago when I get back to Montana.
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Helped him cut cups for a while this morning after I was done mowing. He’s teaching me new things every day.
Very enjoyable.
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Sounds like fun Bob..
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It is, but the triplex is testing my knees. The constant repetition of back and forth on the pedals has my right knee pretty stiff. I’m sure I’ll get used to it. Guess I’m getting old or something.
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A neoprene knee brace and some icy hot goes a long way Bob..
Seems to be part of my daily apparel lately…. :P
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Yup, I use the RICE method. Rest, elevation, compression, ice. I have 3 different braces from sleeve to mega brace with hinged supports. It’s just a new repetitive motion thing. Along with being an old fart. I’ll probably just get used to it and the course will shut down for the winter.
Then I can start all over again next spring.
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Pretty morning at the course. Cool and lots of dew.
A bit of my handiwork.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Yj6kGKpT/C68-EB167-C74-C-49-FD-B95-F-596-E9-A4-DC3-CA.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Yj6kGKpT)
(https://i.postimg.cc/RJLzjfsv/FB52-B81-F-81-FA-4-AE3-B1-AF-150-C0-B7-F5-F38.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/RJLzjfsv)
More of my work space.
(https://i.postimg.cc/CBY0Jm7c/1-C876-CB9-9-C1-D-471-C-A030-3-D655665-CE04.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/CBY0Jm7c)
Did 16 approaches and collars today. The other guy was a no show.
It’s a pretty course. We’ll be playing tomorrow.
(https://i.postimg.cc/LqjRzrtq/6-B072-A81-B9-CB-4-AEF-991-B-B91-A667-B8-FE0.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/LqjRzrtq)
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Nice, very pretty course.
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It is for sure. I’ll get some pics from the tees as we play tomorrow.
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Not a golfer but sure looks nice.
Any fish in the water hazards?
Years ago we went to Nick Faldos resort in Florida with all my in-laws. They all brought there clubs. I brought a fishing pole.. ;D ;D
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That water system is huge Dom. It spans a couple thousand acres. Saw a big pike in the backwaters today. During our recent flood there were carp swimming on the 18th fairway. I’ve seen no less than two dozen snapping turtle nests dug into the edges of bunkers. There’s deer in numbers you wouldn’t believe. I’ve seen does with single, twin and triplets.
Rabbits everywhere and fox to keep them in check. Everything on and around the course is designated “forever wild” and has been since the community was begun some 30 years ago.
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and people like to try and sell that golf courses are bad for the environment :rotflol: our course is the same, full of birds, deer, elk, bear, coyotes and wolves...you name it.
conditions look great rg but that first picture looks like some dew whippin is in order..
when do you guys start winterizing the course down there? up here we were just recently told that we're hosting a pga event second week in september when we have a skeleton crew of 7-8 guys and usually start our winterizing. THAT should be interesting!
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I started on the front. The greens and fairways guys started on the back. No notes on the board that it was reverse order today. No matter though. It all got done.
I’m not really sure what the closing schedule will be. Like a lot of courses around here, it went from private to semi-private to public over the course of time. I imagine the new owners will encourage play for as long as they possibly can. We shall see.
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Mowed fairways for the first time today. Tournament going on and 2 kids decide not to show up.
Can’t say I was perfection, but we got it done ahead of the players.
My Son said we “old guys” saved their ass. Nice to be appreciated.
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Nice, I can still outwork people younger than me.
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There is a 9 hole golf course just down the road. One of the oldest in NYS. A guy from down state bought it a few years ago, remodeled the club house then closed it so he could put condos on it. He got a lot of kick back and now it just sets there, not opened, but kept mowed so HE can play it....h2l
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That’s what I call a “Private” course.
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Well…tomorrow morning my Son is gonna teach me how to cut cups on the course.
How special is that when your Son can teach you something new…..that he’s an expert at….really…an expert.
Talk about “quality time”….. I’m a lucky guy.
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That's pretty cool, took a long time before I could teach my dad something.
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Well, he’s 46 and I’m 71. Guess that’s a long time
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Lol, yep, probably about the same time frame before I could show dad something.
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A few pics from the course this morning.
(https://i.postimg.cc/HcS2MQf9/00-D4-C84-A-EB26-4557-AD20-7-AC233-FA012-E.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/HcS2MQf9)
(https://i.postimg.cc/Bt6N0VKY/972-B178-E-8-AD2-4001-ACA0-995-CEB4-FAB71.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Bt6N0VKY)
(https://i.postimg.cc/HJd4PZmt/E3-ADC438-77-AD-4-C09-A456-D86837-A86511.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/HJd4PZmt)
Pretty morning.
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Nice sunrise Bob..
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The pictures don’t do it justice. If I wasn’t bouncing around on a mower I’d take my camera and get some good pics.
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That’s my Boy!
(https://i.postimg.cc/T5gnLv6n/91-B4-E62-A-9883-4-A65-AED2-CDA685390-CB8.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/T5gnLv6n)
After mowing approaches this morning, the Super asked me if I’d like to to go out and help him watering greens this morning. My Son sure knows what he’s doing on a golf course. The Super is a really nice guy. He knows Rob and I enjoy our time together. A bit of bonus time from him.
That’s a fire hose quality stream. About 40’ or so. You can see him leaning into it.
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That's so great that you found something you and your son can do together (and get paid for it).
My son got married last week and we played a round of golf wedding morning. The grounds keeper made some impossible hole location cuts, one on a mound that reminded me of the volcano hole on a miniature golf course. Funny guy!
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Bet it beats that other place you worked part time for…, ;D
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That’s my Boy!
(https://i.postimg.cc/T5gnLv6n/91-B4-E62-A-9883-4-A65-AED2-CDA685390-CB8.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/T5gnLv6n)
After mowing approaches this morning, the Super asked me if I’d like to to go out and help him watering greens this morning. My Son sure knows what he’s doing on a golf course. The Super is a really nice guy. He knows Rob and I enjoy our time together. A bit of bonus time from him.
That’s a fire hose quality stream. About 40’ or so. You can see him leaning into it.
Nice, it's great you can work together and get along, hated working with my dad.
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I'm with you Mean!!!!!!
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We get along just fine. He’s teaching me the ins and outs of course maintenance every day. He’s really good at it.
And, you’re right Dom. Way…way better than dealing with the nonsense at Lowe’s.
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Huh? I was always told golf is for people who can't fish! ;D
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Nah it’s GOLF
Gentlemen Only Ladies Forbidden
I’m sure I’ll get some flack for that. Anyway, I’m mowing fairways tomorrow. Gonna be a long one in this
heat and humidity. I’m sure my Son will bail me out when he’s done cutting cups.
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Huh? I was always told golf is for people who can't fish! ;D
Lol ,
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Well, my son and I teamed up this morning. He came out to help me finish the front 9 after a 40 minute rainstorm came through. Sure was fun to mow fairways side by side with him.
He sent me a text earlier this morning and told me I was doing a great job. That’s a pretty good compliment. He’s as fussy as I am. The super seems to like my work as well. He asked me if I’d come in tomorrow to mow fairways for a big tournament on Friday. Guess I’m doing OK!
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I have to get my GoPro out and do some recording. Could be fun.
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Dam, that's great, a little hard work always pays off.
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Started mowing fairways at 5:30 am. Stopped mowing fairways 40 minutes later. The mower, which is pretty new, kept shutting down completely. It’s been doing this for a while. I’ve told the “mechanic” ( no offense to real mechanics) about it several times. So I turned the problem over to my Son. After a bit of pressure from him, the “mechanic” bypassed the seat safety switch. A problem I suggested days ago.
Anyway, my son took over on the fairway mower and I went on to mowing tees.
Another big day tomorrow. The Member/ Guest tournament. We’ll be doing finishing touches tomorrow morning. The course looks fantastic.
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What a way to start our day at the course. Blowing goose crap off the greens so they can mow.
(https://i.postimg.cc/nMV6knmT/D3-DC9-B82-1-FB6-4875-803-A-78-DAD016-F657.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/nMV6knmT)
Goose prints in the bunker
(https://i.postimg.cc/4YcMdyC4/DB9806-FF-9-D7-A-43-FD-8-DFE-6-EBF7004-BD65.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/4YcMdyC4)
Pretty sunrise anyway.
(https://i.postimg.cc/WdmnCkLZ/3-F1-CDABA-0-ED5-4-CC7-9156-40005644-F4-F9.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/WdmnCkLZ)
That’s my Son setting a plug after we cut cups.
I volunteer on tournament sundays to help him change pin locations. It’s the only time we really get to work together. During the week we’re both going in different directions till around 10:00.
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Well, “Fred” was a pain in the butt this morning. Mowing fairways at 6:00 am. Started sprinkling around 7:15. Did 5 fairways and went into the shop. Told the super I was going to shoot home and get my rain suit. I normally keep it in the car, but took it out to make room for market day yesterday. (Could have used it there).
Got back, suited up and mowed 3 more fairways. My Son came out and told me to quit around 11:30. I would have kept going as the other guy who was supposed to come out and help me went home. He was getting wet…….wah….wah….wah!
Back at it tomorrow. Prepping for a big tournament this weekend.
I’d have kept going if they didn’t decide to stop.
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Well, “Fred” was a pain in the butt this morning. Mowing fairways at 6:00 am. Started sprinkling around 7:15. Did 5 fairways and went into the shop. Told the super I was going to shoot home and get my rain suit. I normally keep it in the car, but took it out to make room for market day yesterday. (Could have used it there).
Got back, suited up and mowed 3 more fairways. My Son came out and told me to quit around 11:30. I would have kept going as the other guy who was supposed to come out and help me went home. He was getting wet…….wah….wah….wah!
Back at it tomorrow. Prepping for a big tournament this weekend.
I’d have kept going if they didn’t decide to stop.
Are you sure you're not working full-time again? You remind me of my college days. Everytime I had a part-time job it morphed into full-time! Do you know how hard it is to go to college full-time while working full-time?
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It’s only 4-5 hrs a day, although today was 6. No matter though, I really enjoy working there with my Son and the Super is a really good guy. He shows a lot of appreciation.
We’ll be back at it in the morning.
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Yet another funny golf course sign. Noticed this one as I was mowing #16 tee.
(https://i.postimg.cc/WdwmZnLX/4-EE87-FD8-560-C-480-C-9-DEF-997-A67-A63-C7-A.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/WdwmZnLX)
That tee is bordered by homes. Got a pretty good laugh.
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Then what are the trees for 😉 not all older guys can hold their water 😃
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There gonna have to be real close or have a telescope to see mine.. 8). ;D
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Ha!
Good thing I work early in the morning. One glass of V-8 and …..well…you old guys know.
Not as bad as when I used to get in the bucket truck and drive 200 miles every day. Plenty of woods around he course.
Anyway….funny sign.
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I am a bit offended though….I didn’t see a poodle with a pink sequined collar squatting on that sign.
I think they’re discriminating.
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Yet another funny golf course sign. Noticed this one as I was mowing #16 tee.
(https://i.postimg.cc/WdwmZnLX/4-EE87-FD8-560-C-480-C-9-DEF-997-A67-A63-C7-A.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/WdwmZnLX)
That tee is bordered by homes. Got a pretty good laugh.
So anywhere there isn't a sign is fair game? Works for me!
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There gonna have to be real close or have a telescope to see mine.. 8). ;D
😂😜
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Steamy morning changing pins and tee markers.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Ffm9MTZJ/7-D6667-DB-D346-4411-82-A7-5-B0124-F2-C67-E.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Ffm9MTZJ)
(https://i.postimg.cc/sQg3X1bj/C126960-A-13-B7-4445-9-AD1-5-A73-CDC28-B61.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/sQg3X1bj)
(https://i.postimg.cc/RJmJMh8V/F1-EA39-E5-11-A0-46-FD-ABA5-9-BE24701-BB0-B.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/RJmJMh8V)
Still great to be out there with my Son.
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Yet another funny golf course sign. Noticed this one as I was mowing #16 tee.
(https://i.postimg.cc/WdwmZnLX/4-EE87-FD8-560-C-480-C-9-DEF-997-A67-A63-C7-A.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/WdwmZnLX)
That tee is bordered by homes. Got a pretty good laugh.
Some anglers in my area have made enemies of lake residents by standing up in their boat and peeing in full view of their windows. Can't say I really blame the lake people. I pee into a container and low in my boat.
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Some pics from a beautiful morning on the course.
Before mowing the approach and collar.
(https://i.postimg.cc/V5zGzySD/543-D6-DB7-55-D3-4-CF3-AC58-7-BC59-F09-D189.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/V5zGzySD)
After
(https://i.postimg.cc/Sj5MDCpC/D881-C150-9-EBC-47-D9-8-E01-D89-F5-F833332.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Sj5MDCpC)
(https://i.postimg.cc/56h8Nv7b/DB390079-9-B2-E-4-D80-8037-38-D4-D5-CCFA31.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/56h8Nv7b)
One of the locals
(https://i.postimg.cc/ctY4DKQB/3564-D06-A-9500-4-C79-9-CC4-C00-B8-D198-DF4.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ctY4DKQB)
Pretty morning out there.
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Mowing fairways by moonlight
(https://i.postimg.cc/pp6hY2nZ/B5-FCD3-C8-8-F47-4-A5-A-A5-C4-99-D0-CDB026-E4.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/pp6hY2nZ)
And sunrise.
(https://i.postimg.cc/GHH9pZSs/EFE0194-D-FC2-E-44-F9-AF69-C4-D669-DED160.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/GHH9pZSs)
I really enjoy this job.
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Nice, very pretty course you have.
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Now I see what you mean RG. Sweet gig! Ive seen semi retired folks taking all sort of jobs that have become available with the 'great resignation'.
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It really is a very nice course thanks to my Son and the Super. They work really hard and it shows. I’m happy to be able to help. I’ve gotten the hang of the triplex and fairway mowers. Next my Son is going to teach me to mow greens…..the right way. I haven’t cut cups or placed plugs but I’ve been helping him on tournament days. I’d be too slow at it to prep for a tourney. But I’ll be cutting some before the year is out.
Best part is the commute. 4.5 miles I think. Maybe less.
Did I mention I really like this job?
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This is “Old Frank” the goose.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Xr6djmDg/3503-C028-8-CE0-47-A5-8-A6-A-5-ED74-C235986.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Xr6djmDg)
He hangs around the first tee most of the time. Doesn’t fly any more. Has a hard time walking too. He’s just old.
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Well, my Son had to catch “Old Frank” and move him off the 10th tee. He thinks he may have moved him to his final resting place. We may give him a good place to rest with a marker….if he passes.
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Shoveling sand for a couple hours this morning. Filling the rebuilt bunker. Plenty of help on this one.even the Super was moving sand.
My Son setting sod staples in the weed barrier.
(https://i.postimg.cc/TyGrmjHg/2-DB1-C909-A80-A-425-D-B777-D418-A4-B30-F19.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/TyGrmjHg)
The almost finished project.
(https://i.postimg.cc/nM69BYXr/18-EAC51-A-1-B91-4-AF9-BA4-A-11-E34635-D09-F.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/nM69BYXr)
Still have to clean up the edges and probably place more sand after it compacts in a couple weeks.
Looks odd to me. The rest of the bunkers on the course are a brown sand. But, it’s what the owner and pro wanted. They say it’s a visual target off the tee.
I wouldn’t aim there on a bet. It’s way off line from center of fairway or a good line to the green. I’d have filled it in and made it a nice grassy barrier from the surrounding homes.
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Least it’s easy , beats the hell outta asphalt on a hot day
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I do know how to use a transfer shovel. Not my first day shoveling………..stuff. I was having fun watching two of the guys using a short handled “manure “ shovel. Trying to scoop full loads and spread them. They didn’t last long.
Sand is over 100lbs per cubic foot.
“Old Bull and The Young Bull” I guess.
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Short handle shovels move more material than long handle unless you are a tall person , as you don’t shovel as you cast , but thats running back fill crews for 25 years
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This was kind of fill and flop. Flop shovel fulls of sand one next to the other and they kind of even out at a depth when you rake it out. My Son showed me that. Casting away doesn’t work for setting a bunker.
The kid really does know what he’s doing. Kid…ha! He’s 45 and been doing this for 25 years.
Can’t express how much I enjoy learning from him.
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Sorry I should have known that a fine grade foreman wouldn’t know this , as grade had to be+- 1/4”to pass state spec
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I know nothing about laying roadways Fred. Less about building a golf course bunker.
I can tell you how to make a toy wood train though. And …I’m getting better at mowing grass.
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I know nothing about laying roadways Fred. Less about building a golf course bunker.
I can tell you how to make a toy wood train though. And …I’m getting better at mowing grass.
I’m glad you like it , I retired to spend more time fishing and enjoying my 2 grand children
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I totally understand that.
My Grandson is headed for college this year. He’s a very busy young man.
I don’t fish much any more in the hot months. Being able to spend time working with my Son has been a very special retirement reward. We’re good friends.
Good weight loss program as well. Dropped 16 lbs since starting at the course.
Guess I missed the daily interactions as much as anything.
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Pretty morning to be out helping my son change pins for the Club Championship.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Y4yMwCBs/AE911-E25-057-C-490-A-8960-A0-D51937288-A.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Y4yMwCBs)
The Master at work.
(https://i.postimg.cc/RWgzcZhZ/E234-E604-01-B0-4-F32-A5-F8-70223-AEA1-B1-C.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/RWgzcZhZ)
On a Sad note, poor “Old Frank” the goose passed away.
Guess it was just his time.
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Did a drive around this morning. Too wet to mow. Changed some signage then helped my Son do some much needed bunker maintenance.
First he line trims the edges vertically.
(https://i.postimg.cc/XXwwGT57/9-DAD7056-D61-C-416-C-8-E4-D-94390-BFA16-FE.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/XXwwGT57)
(https://i.postimg.cc/bd8RTyp2/5-F0-DB475-A6-A9-4-E06-A806-B57035-CD6-A0-F.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/bd8RTyp2)
Then we go around by hand with sod knives and remove the overgrowth, hand rake and make it pretty.
(https://i.postimg.cc/BX7c42Dx/A14-FF945-D1-FA-4-BBF-87-CB-4-D4-D2656-A3-F1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/BX7c42Dx)
He only let me help him with 5 bunkers. Took pity on the old man’s back.
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(https://i.postimg.cc/bDQ0rVSD/29443320-7983-4-ED4-BAE0-96-B9-D20-F44-EC.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/bDQ0rVSD)
Tee markers for this tournament. Course looks amazing. Didn’t have time to take pics this morning. It was all hands on deck for the grand finale of the season. PGA Western New York Tournament.
Saw some really good golfers today. And….some really below average member golfers as well.
Mowing fairways tomorrow morning for the finishing rounds.
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Finished mowing fairways this morning and the super asked if I’d take a ride around and empty the tee trash cans. I really don’t mind spending an hour or so riding the course.
Gave me a chance to stop and look at my work. I have to say, as a golfer and greenskeeper, that my fairways looked pretty darned good. If I was on the tee, I’d have a center line aim point. Very good visual.
Learned a lot from my Son this summer. That’s some real payback.
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Well I graduated to mowing greens. My Son took me out on Monday and showed me the ropes. Took a few to get used to the equipment. But, he said overall I did a good job. Did greens again today and was way more comfortable. Pretty darned good lines, no skips and no scalps. He met up with me on 11 green after I sent him a pic of a cup plug that needed to be fixed. He said that I was looking like a pro.
He’s as fussy, if not fussier than me. Made me happy.
My Bride told me the other that she’s never seen me happier to go to work. I’d have to agree.
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Some pics from an interesting day.
Resident herd
(https://i.postimg.cc/hQjwDWT4/02-DEAFD5-C2-CF-4115-8-E46-C1-ED24-B11-B16.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hQjwDWT4)
(https://i.postimg.cc/Z0KXF32k/34-C628-AA-4263-4-BEB-B29-F-4524-ED877704.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Z0KXF32k)
New guy buried the rough mower. Almost made it to the creek. That would have been fun.
(https://i.postimg.cc/JGSgLFnm/A0-FAFD8-F-BFCB-4414-B0-BC-C2-C30-AD3702-B.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/JGSgLFnm)
Irrigation blowout yesterday. 6” line popped an old repair coupling and pumped for a couple hours. That’s a 2” line to pump it out.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Mc6Y20yq/33-DACA14-B86-B-4-B66-825-D-A28-D68-AE41-DD.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Mc6Y20yq)
Fortunately, My son grabbed one of the kids to help him dig the hole. He said it blew out a cavern 5’ deep and 3’ around. They’ll deal with it in a few days after the rains quit. Gonna be a big hole to get at it. Can’t use the backhoe for the electrical lines that control the valves. Lots of hand digging for the boys. My Son loves that stuff.
Should have taught him better.
Saw 7 more deer earlier but I was in “auto pilot” on a green, so no pics.
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I'm glad for you Bob ,sounds like your having a great time!
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Thanks Ben. I am having fun. Only 2-3 weeks left in the season. But, I have a lot of toys and Christmas presents to make. Might even get to squeeze in some fishing.
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My boys live in new Mexico, Texas and buffalo haven't seen all them together in 10 years ,but soon we're gonna get together probably January or so I'm paying for all flights to get everyone together, there pretty busy ,hard workers proud of them and I wish one of them worked with me but this work will destroy a body ( you seen me) hahaha and I couldn't put them through it
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Make it happen! You deserve it.
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Ahh they deserve it!
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You’re a good man Ben. The kids are lucky.
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I'm lucky bob, ya know the feeling!
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My boys live in new Mexico, Texas and buffalo haven't seen all them together in 10 years ,but soon we're gonna get together probably January or so I'm paying for all flights to get everyone together, there pretty busy ,hard workers proud of them and I wish one of them worked with me but this work will destroy a body ( you seen me) hahaha and I couldn't put them through it
Nice, my boy don't want anything to do with construction, think he sees all my pains and wants something a bit easier, he's looking at electronic engineering, he'll do well at that
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Yup mine same way , ones a chef(youngest) middle boy sells cars and oldest was in navy for 10 year chief helicopter electronic system and missle guidance now has a great job with Intel micro possessor couldn't be prouder!
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Nice
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Just another day at the office.
(https://i.postimg.cc/fS4RBDBb/0-D76-D636-C88-D-4319-A12-D-AC4381335-A61.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/fS4RBDBb)
8 deer ran across just before I took this picture.
Only a couple more weeks left I guess.
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Life is good….👍
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Yeah it is Dom. Short morning. Some big outing on the course today.super didn’t want to make a mess we’d have to try and clean up in a hurry. My son was setting pins and tee markers. He had that evil greenskeer’s look in his eye. Think he had it in mind to cut some nasty cup locations.
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My Son, “punching greens”.
(https://i.postimg.cc/cKwn9TpB/5-C7-BE78-A-5129-46-B5-8-AF9-406-AC8-A982-F1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/cKwn9TpB)
I was mowing fairways and stopped to watch for a bit. Pretty cool operation and a nice setup. I’m taking my Bride in tomorrow afternoon for a tour of the course and to watch our Son at work. It’ll be fun to show her what I’ve been going on and on about all summer.
Should have done this years ago.
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We have a part time mechanic at the course who’s pretty darned good at making emergency repairs. Not so good at doing PM. The other day my son was trying to get just one of the 5 echo back pack blowers started. The only one hat ran was one that the kill switch didn’t work on. There was a piece of masking tape saying to pull the plug wire to shut it off.
Knowing how big a jolt one can get messing with a live spark plug wire, I brought it home with me and fixed it. There were wires out of place in the handle from someone who replaced the throttle cable, one of which was cut and the grounding wire on the coil was broken. Took me a couple hours to figure out how to get it apart. Now I know how.
I told the super I was going to take them home one by one and either make them run or use them for parts. The only other working blower disappears every time the pro shop blows off the sidewalks around the clubhouse. I told my Son to get a couple big eye bolts, a cable and a lock and make them ask to use one.
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We have a part time mechanic at the course who’s pretty darned good at making emergency repairs. Not so good at doing PM. The other day my son was trying to get just one of the 5 echo back pack blowers started. The only one hat ran was one that the kill switch didn’t work on. There was a piece of masking tape saying to pull the plug wire to shut it off.
Knowing how big a jolt one can get messing with a live spark plug wire, I brought it home with me and fixed it. There were wires out of place in the handle from someone who replaced the throttle cable, one of which was cut and the grounding wire on the coil was broken. Took me a couple hours to figure out how to get it apart. Now I know how.
I told the super I was going to take them home one by one and either make them run or use them for parts. The only other working blower disappears every time the pro shop blows off the sidewalks around the clubhouse. I told my Son to get a couple big eye bolts, a cable and a lock and make them ask to use one.
sounds like where I work. I spend as much time fixing broken equipment as I do working on my job!
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I have to give due where it’s due. The mechanic has inherited a myriad of issues from the prior super who bailed in the fall of the prior year. The guy took his whole crew and went to another club. All the machines were torn down for winter servicing.
He walked in to a real pile of stuff. Nothing serviced or repaired for the opening last spring. Only the super, a part time mechanic and 1 full time guy who never worked on a course where they need at least 8-10 groundskeepers to just keep up.
We got through this season. It’ll be better next season. 2-4 weeks left for the seasonal guys like me. Depends on the weather. Grass doesn’t know it isn’t supposed to grow after Oct1st
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Mist morning at the office.
(https://i.postimg.cc/H8wmssBk/1-AFEBB6-B-2-C6-F-4-C87-9-CE8-23-B917-D39669.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/H8wmssBk)
Too wet to mow. Almost 3” of rain in the past two days. So my Son and I cut cups, blew off greens and tees and did some general sightseeing. It was a perfectly calm morning. Very quiet.
What a great way to spend the morning.
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Looking very lush. The rain must go but it is the anniversary of the big 1987 10/4 snow/ice storm here in Capitaland so I'll take rain.
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Yeah, it’s lush for sure. We’re gonna be days behind tomorrow. Doubt we’ll be able to do fairways, approaches or collars. Greens will be ok. They’re all sand base. Tees will be ok. Most are raised. Hope we can mow on Wednesday.
Couple more weeks and I’ll be off for the winter. Weather looks nice so we’ll keep going till it turns.
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Well, the greens have been punched and over sanded for a couple weeks. This morning I mowed greens with the oldest piece of equipment in the fleet. Didn’t want to damage the reels on a $35k mower. Then I blew off plugs from a few tees my son punched yesterday
It was different but yet, another piece of mowing equipment I’ve got control of.
Tomorrow I’m grilling up a mess of chicken wings and taking them to the shop for the crew. Cole slaw, blue cheese, celery and my Son is making a Mac salad.
My way of saying thanks.
Although, we’re probably going for a few more weeks if the weather holds.
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Getting down to the end of the season now,
The residents watched as I drove by.
(https://i.postimg.cc/kRmvZVwV/45828-C98-82-A2-471-A-8070-D0-CC8-ABE73-DF.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/kRmvZVwV)
(https://i.postimg.cc/t1bP90Wf/B87852-E8-DD64-43-C9-821-B-3-F57-BC870944.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/t1bP90Wf)
# 12… one of my favorite holes.
(https://i.postimg.cc/tYPYJSqH/C14151-B1-A624-4903-A54-F-BBA29344-BD29.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/tYPYJSqH)
Gonna miss the course early in the morning till next April.
But, I have the “little wood shop” to keep me busy for the winter.
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Nice. I still have till the end of December than I have 2 months off and start all over again… :P
I won’t miss it… ;D
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My Bride said “ maybe you could work at Lowes for the winter.”
That was yesterday and I’m still laughing.
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I’m still working. Going in tomorrow to do all the approaches and collars. The club technically shuts down Nov 1. But, the grass is still growing so we’re still mowing. Greens will be treated for winter for snow mold. After that the cups and flags will be pulled and plugged. Greens are off limits after that. They cut temporary cups in the approaches for the die hard golfers.
Still have to pull all the course amenities and store them. Ball cleaners, benches, trash baskets, flags etc.
So we will be mowing till the grass stops growing.
The Super is buying us all dinner tomorrow night at the club pub. Should be fun.
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Well, guess I’m re-re-re-retired after today. At least till April. Supposed to do one more mowing today and the Super said he’d keep me on call if they needed me for anything.
Was supposed to mow yesterday but it rained heavy in the morning. So, I helped my Son repair that irrigation blowout.
Didn’t know I was gonna do that so I didn’t have any mud boots . My Son did all the work in the hole.
(https://i.postimg.cc/dhzT9gMq/F2-DD7-C24-BAFB-4781-A17-B-9-A3-F3-B0150-FD.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/dhzT9gMq)
Couldn’t believe the pile of rocks he had to dig out to expose the pipe.
(https://i.postimg.cc/GBxhsfdg/E1-D81-B00-BDF6-4-AEC-923-A-FD355-E26715-B.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/GBxhsfdg)
For some reason there was a repair coupling at that spot. We have no idea why. All the rocks and settling cracked the coupling.
(https://i.postimg.cc/18Wv5mNv/3-BD93-E5-D-1-FAB-4-D97-9-EAA-1-D98194-BB560.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/18Wv5mNv)
After a lot of hard work and digging he replaced it and all is well.
He’s really good at his job. Makes me proud.
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Looks like hard work to me….
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It was. I felt bad not being able to get in the thick of it with him. He’s tough, persistent and fussier than I am. Plus he really likes his work. Guess a bit of me rubbed off on him.
Today he and I mowed 18 approaches/collars and 71 tee boxes in a bit under 4 1/2 hrs. When we met back up at the shop I said “ that went pretty well”. He said “ you kidding me…that was d**n fast!”
Super said he’d probably call me in for a few more days over the next couple weeks. There’s still a lot to do. Suits me just fine.
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Changed cups and tees with my Son this morning. He let me cut and plug one. He makes it look easy. It is after doing it 10,000 times. I had to think about it.
Cold and clear at 5:45. I wore my ice fishing suit.
Probably won’t get to do that again till May.
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Super asked me if I’d come in and mow tomorrow. I’m good with that. Think I’ll break out my ice fishing suit and heated gloves.
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Mowing one more day tomorrow. Late start. 8:30 am. Frost is bad on a golf course. Supposed to be 31 at 8:00. I’m wearing my ice fishing suit and heated gloves. Might make a thermos of bullion.
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Had to wait a while to mow fairways this morning. Lots of frost.
(https://i.postimg.cc/jWyzh4T4/363-DC761-3611-4393-A3-C8-48-C05-F68-EA75.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/jWyzh4T4)
But….I’m still working. Going in Sunday to mow greens with my Son and will probably work a few days next week.
Suits me. I really enjoy it.
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Nice, keep you out of trouble
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For the most part anyways.
The work is fun with 0 pressure. Best part is, and I know I’ve said this already, I get to work with my Son.
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Waiting on the frost again. Might not even be able to mow today. My Son and I are going to check on things in an hour or so.
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Nope…no mowing this morning. Frost was heavy and didn’t give in till almost 10:00.my Son and I went around the course and drained sections of irrigation. Tomorrow they blow out the system for the winter.
I’m guessing I’ll be mowing.
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Hour and a half frost delay after which I mowed 19 greens. Took my time. What a beautiful day. Started shedding layers by 9:00. Mowing fairways tomorrow and most likely tees, approaches and collars Wednesday. Compressor never showed up to blow out the irrigation system. Lots of leaves got moved.
What an enjoyable day.
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Mowed greens for the last time today.
A few pics of my handiwork
(https://i.postimg.cc/vgQP8s54/258-FB5-BF-E789-4-E05-90-FF-C80-EE80063-BD.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/vgQP8s54)
(https://i.postimg.cc/gr2MfGY5/C69-A9-DC9-CD28-4-B0-B-9233-191114-EC4735.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/gr2MfGY5)
(https://i.postimg.cc/YjDX7T0S/EC0-FDB31-D7-BC-4-AF1-8-C92-BBBE081-B345-C.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YjDX7T0S)
(https://i.postimg.cc/jWhXFFBt/471-D5761-FE3-B-4-D01-A071-8227227973-D0.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/jWhXFFBt)
(https://i.postimg.cc/vgHzFvd9/5-E47-FC47-D793-417-B-AFED-1-E38-E229-ED47.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/vgHzFvd9)
(https://i.postimg.cc/bZkLQJTG/92-E45-EC2-D65-A-4-EA7-8-FB0-E5-D684-D7770-A.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/bZkLQJTG)
(https://i.postimg.cc/vgHzFvd9/5-E47-FC47-D793-417-B-AFED-1-E38-E229-ED47.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/vgHzFvd9)
(https://i.postimg.cc/LYXz06z3/63-AA9-A78-E09-F-4130-8-EBB-02643968-A362.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/LYXz06z3)
(https://i.postimg.cc/t19dWzJf/A64-C7-D02-B260-469-E-B83-F-76802-F2026-CD.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/t19dWzJf)
(https://i.postimg.cc/qtBnzMZH/77-AF5-C3-A-EDE0-43-DF-9168-6-B38-A2-D6-DBB4.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/qtBnzMZH)
(https://i.postimg.cc/cvSfGcRH/A2-CF382-D-05-D2-4-ADA-A71-A-E7-A7505-A8-A84.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/cvSfGcRH)
(https://i.postimg.cc/VJWnfbgF/D02-F33-A0-E79-C-4595-AC4-E-29-FEC89-D83-D4.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/VJWnfbgF)
Gonna miss my “office” this winter.
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Nice, that's a beautiful course, you guys do a great job taking care of it
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Thanks. We think so. This was the first year with a new super and crew. The last super bailed in February and took the whole crew with him. Basically left the course in shambles. Took till end of July to get a basic crew together and get the equipment mostly working with a part time mechanic.
They were really lucky to happen on my Son. Rob worked the course for 10 years before moving on to another. He knows more about it than anyone they could have bumped into. He’s dedicated, efficient and damned fussy. If it don’t look right he’s not happy. ( he did cut me some slack though)
We “ old guys” did our part. We learned and executed….and….showed up……every day. We’re still mowing. Going in tomorrow to do a final mow on all the tees.
I surely will miss it this winter. Really took my time today. Soaked in the quiet, fall smells, visuals and ambiance. No one begrudged the time.
Should have started doing this 11 years ago instead of wasting my time at ….lowe’s ( fill in the blanks)
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Sure looks nice Bob...
It will still be there in the spring... ;) ;D
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It would be nice to see my lines in the spring. It’s possible I suppose.
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Only got stuck twice today mowing tees.
(https://i.postimg.cc/3d0xht1P/67154-B1-F-EF2-E-40-BC-95-DE-20-D3689-B9-EEA.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/3d0xht1P)
(https://i.postimg.cc/mhzs1t99/7-BC2-F725-2-EAF-4-B97-8516-13-C3-F16290-C1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/mhzs1t99)
Been stuck only once all year ….till today. My mowing partner pushed me out of the first one and my Son rescued me the second time. Anyway, we’re all done mowing for the year. The course is so saturated we would do more damage than good.
Time for some fishing and the “Little Wood Shop”
Till next year.
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Kind of miss the “office”. Spent some time with my Son the other day. Drove around the course and marked out a bunch of ash trees that are doomed to be removed this winter. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 150.
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Lol, gonna be a long winter for you
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A lot of nice fire wood there Bob..
Is it any good in the wood lathe ??
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Seasoned ash is pretty nasty to turn. Stringy and abrasive on tools. I’ve turned a bit. I might take some limbs if the tree isn’t completely dead. Turns better green and doesn’t check much. There’ll be plenty to pick and choose from.
Makes great carving mallets.
A lot of it will be sold for firewood. Tops and limbs will probably be burned.
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We’re getting closer to opening day at the club. Officially it’s April 24. Me, my Son and the Super have been renovating the grounds facilities going on 4 weeks now. We’ve pretty much got the mechanics portion of the shop cleaned and reorganized. Yesterday the weather let us tackle building 2 which houses equipment, mowers and fertilizer.
It was pretty much a disaster from the way the last super left it. In all we put 5 backhoe bucket loads of junk and trash in the dumpster and moved/stacked 7 or 8 pallets of fertilizers that were scattered all over that building. That allowed us to move the two rough mowers, bunker rake and turbine blower into that building. In turn that freed up a ton of floor space in the cold storage portion of the main shop.
Today we’ll finish running new electric for the compressor which we relocated outside the mechanics shop. Then it’s on to getting the cold storage cleaned and organized. That’s gonna be a real chore. There’s a ton of old junk out there.
Anyway, I’m getting closer to mowing some green grass.
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It’s always nice to have things organized Bob…
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Organization is always key.
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Man…I was sore today. Mostly my legs. All that lifting yesterday had me walking like Walter Brennan. All part of getting an old man ready for spring I guess.
Sure feels good hanging out on the couch with a wee dram of bourbon and a peppermint Patty.
Back at it tomorrow.
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“wee dram of bourbon”
You’re really funny Bob.
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Well, my legs are pretty sore. Bourbon may not help, but it can’t hurt…..Right?
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Well, my legs are pretty sore. Bourbon may not help, but it can’t hurt…..Right?
Can’t hurt buddy!
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Official start date is now 3/21. They’re making great progress on servicing, repairing and setting up the mowing equipment. The shop looks amazing compared to last year. We’ve filled 8 dumpsters with junk and have a pretty big pile of scrap metal. I have to say my son and I have done some really great work carrying out the new super’s vision.
Today I’m building a stairway to the storage loft. For 30 years they used an extension ladder to get up and down. Just plain stupid if you ask me. We’re going to make it usable storage. I’ll be building tire racks and shelving up there eventually.
It’s getting there.
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Some pics from our war on clutter.
You couldn’t find the walls or floor when we started clearing this corner of the building.
(https://i.postimg.cc/YLgq2qGh/0-C925064-A234-419-F-90-BC-C70-B5-EA58-F0-A.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YLgq2qGh)
(https://i.postimg.cc/23B57Tcr/4-E3-B7-DF4-0432-4357-8-A2-A-7668-A1-FBBE65.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/23B57Tcr)
The new grinding room. A work in progress. This fall we’ll put a ceiling and sliding door in as well as heat and insulation. The loft above will be abandoned. Possibly dismantled.
(https://i.postimg.cc/ZCt57323/8667-B01-F-7864-4-DA9-A3-F1-14852593434-B.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ZCt57323)
Some of the mowing equipment staged. Once all the reels are assembled and installed they’ll be positioned and the floor will be marked out for each machine’s parking space.
(https://i.postimg.cc/9RDQSBcP/DE608597-EDDB-47-B1-B9-BC-B7-F19-B3625-D2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/9RDQSBcP)
Stairs came out great. I’ll finish the handrails tomorrow.
18 days till we start up. Tick tock!
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Very tidy. ;)
Always easier to find stuff..
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The three of us were talking the other day. I said that we are the only ones who are gonna know where anything is come startup time.
Lord help the individual who leaves stuff where it’s not supposed to be. It’ll be a three sided assault.
It’ll definitely take some teaching….maybe even some training……rolled up newspaper style.
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Yeah I wouldn’t want to be that guy… :o
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Pretty much the way I ran my cabinet shop and my lighting crews. So…I’m all in.
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Nice, looks like lots of great progress. Definitely be off to a better start this year.
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A way better start to this year. A full crew and a plan with equipment that’s been thoroughly serviced and repaired. I’ll be very happy to get out of the shop and on to the course. There’s a lot of work to do out there.
Sunday’s warmth and rain should clear all the cart paths so we can actually tour the course and assess conditions.
Suits me just fine.
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Got the railings built, loft cleaned out and tires moved for storage.
(https://i.postimg.cc/hfy1vT2N/77325-BA5-9597-4250-8841-38-FD46-A4-FA82.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hfy1vT2N)
Moving forward.
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Lots of usable space up there ..👍
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Come fall we’ll store course stuff up there for the winter. Benches, signage, washers and such. We’re also putting equipment parts , turf paint and such up there in the first bay near the stairs. Can’t believe they used an extension ladder to get up there since 1987.
The clock is ticking and we haven’t run out of stuff to do….nor will we.
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Looks great , nice to have a neat space to work in
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Looks like it will be an easy upkeep once the other crew members see how easy it is to find everything amd not waste time. Good looking shop for sure way to go getting it all cleaned up and ready for this season, wish my shop was that way just needs work and self discipline on my part to get it there.
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The super, my son and I are all on exactly the same page. Organized work space, organized work.
All we have to do is get 8 other workers somewhere in the same book.
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Spent the morning putting shrink wrap sleeves on all the bunker takes and spare handles. The handles are fiberglass and getting kind of splintery. The shrink tube made them look like new.
Moved an abandoned plow truck, towed out a dead fairway sprayer and started to recover a York rake buried in the weeds. Super got the backhoe stuck. Hopefully it’ll freeze up enough to get it out in the morning.
Refurbishing bird houses tomorrow I think. First outdoor priority will be cleaning up the downed trees and clearing out around the maintenance buildings. There’s so much stuff to do outside. It’ll be great to move away from shop renovations to tending the course.
10 days and it’s game on.
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Bob did you ever think of turning/hollowing houses out of say a 6” or bigger round by how ever long you want them from those trees?
Put an angle on top for a solid top and a drop bottom to clean them out in the fall?
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I have. But it takes some specialized tooling to do deep hollowing on a lathe.
I thought about taking a core out with the band saw though. Might try it when we get to removing some trees at the course.
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First outdoor project today. Repaired a washed out culvert under a cart path.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Yv1cQhpv/26153-D92-C9-B2-4-A07-A521-995-BE2-FD2-DC1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Yv1cQhpv)
(https://i.postimg.cc/SYX3RKTN/EACAE430-2-C8-B-4-C11-B8-A0-93491-CAEA851.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/SYX3RKTN)
(https://i.postimg.cc/q6CD05qN/38271-DE1-8-C6-A-4607-9-BF5-1-F49863-C3-A2-F.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/q6CD05qN)
(https://i.postimg.cc/dkfNbYsM/BF9-BA907-389-F-45-DA-8-D41-0-E64-DC847-F0-F.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/dkfNbYsM)
(https://i.postimg.cc/9zqLDsXM/B916-A73-C-A232-4415-B52-D-0-AC0-D62-C75-A4.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/9zqLDsXM)
(https://i.postimg.cc/zVCpjWgY/DFE75-A45-E081-4-D1-B-AB57-493587-D8813-E.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/zVCpjWgY)
My Son did most of the tamping, I did most of the shoveling. Super ran the backhoe.In the end it turned out to be a solid repair.
Things are greening up quick.
(https://i.postimg.cc/YhQkzXR2/4-E129360-609-A-4-F1-E-BAAC-4-FCF56-A9-E763.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YhQkzXR2)
(https://i.postimg.cc/w1VpS7nS/F1-A269-EE-C345-47-B7-9215-694-BB4379850.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/w1VpS7nS)
I may be putting the first mow on greens tomorrow.
The herd was out to greet me yesterday.
(https://i.postimg.cc/ThgYtYYX/87084-D9-D-7-C07-488-C-833-F-11085-CC1-EF76.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ThgYtYYX)
(https://i.postimg.cc/wt2DycZ0/C0426-A53-DD54-477-D-B929-32-B6-B4-D77995.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/wt2DycZ0)
Sure hope I’m sitting on a greens mower tomorrow. I love mowing greens.
Put out half a dozen bird houses today as well.
(https://i.postimg.cc/4HffKpCb/BC3-D8333-E3-BF-4523-8-F47-A4-AC40-B14527.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/4HffKpCb)
(https://i.postimg.cc/yJRY2VX9/C75-C61-FB-3498-4800-A549-343-BED041-E5-E.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/yJRY2VX9)
A good start to the season.
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Nice.!
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Sure looks like spring 👍👍
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Can’t explain how much I love doing this work.should have started 20 years ago.
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Well, we considered mowing greens yesterday, but, looking at the weather for the coming week we decided against it. The greens and approaches were treated with an anti fungal last fall. If we took the top growth off we most likely would have had to spray them again due to the weather conditions. About $3k of material. Not justified for the amount of play at this point. Club won’t open till 5/1.
They kicked the start date for the crew back to 4/1. My Son and I are still working every day. Fixing equipment, organizing and clearing 20 years worth of debris and overgrowth from around the shops. Also did a fair bit of cart path repairs.
That will continue. We’ll be dragging, aerating and deep coring fairways soon.
What a pleasure it is to work with a real superintendent who knows agronomy and equipment maintenance. I’m learning sooooo much.
And….I’m getting anxious to jump on a mower.
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My lawn is soft on top with frost underneath it. Can’t even take my wheeler out unless I head straight down into the woods.. Mud season in March… :P
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Frost is gone here. Crawlers we’re out in force this morning.
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Over the past couple weeks I’ve been refurbishing a dozen bird houses we found buried in the shop. They’re now out on the course in various locations.
(https://i.postimg.cc/KKCZ0jqd/CAFEBB63-F722-46-BE-A64-A-77-E3-D1-E693-FB.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/KKCZ0jqd)
(https://i.postimg.cc/gLHmcDzW/E4-C1-D5-EB-00-D9-40-DE-864-B-8-BA7559951-B9.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/gLHmcDzW)
I have material for another dozen or so. The owners and our Super are all in with putting houses all over the course. They’re going to feature me installing a house on their social media platform with an article about our involvement with Nestwatch. It’ll be a really cool part of my Job.
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That’s very cool..👍👍
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Mowed the first green of the season today.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Vd7LnhfS/5-A5308-FA-3-C10-4211-AA42-8-F3-A0-A5-C1-D49.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Vd7LnhfS)
(https://i.postimg.cc/21bmv89J/72-B16-FDB-5-E46-4743-BBC0-AE79-DF5-F9-D9-D.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/21bmv89J)
We decided to hold off a week on the rest. Still too soft.
Made me happy to be the first on a mower.
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Nice, looks like a lot of great work has been done lately.
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Yeah, a lot of work so far. So much more to do. We’re anxious to get out on the grass. Weather isn’t cooperating though. Calling for a high of 27 on Sunday and a low of 18.
Stupid cold for this time of year.
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Stupid cold for this time of year.
You're finally making some sense. ;)
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I guess!
Another couple months and we’ll be complaining that it’s too hot.
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Yeah, a lot of work so far. So much more to do. We’re anxious to get out on the grass. Weather isn’t cooperating though. Calling for a high of 27 on Sunday and a low of 18.
Stupid cold for this time of year.
It's that global warming thing.
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I guess!
Another couple months and we’ll be complaining that it’s too hot.
Maybe you will.
8)
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60’s today…might be rolling and mowing tees…..I hope.
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You are doing a good job with this course where is it? Might want to play it sometime.
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Blue Heron Hills Golf. Walworth Ny. Bring an extra dozen balls. It ain’t easy.
Didn’t mow today. Small issue at the “Midway Cafe”
(https://i.postimg.cc/5jCKXJB3/38630-B0-F-089-D-434-A-B349-BA4461-C8-D366.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5jCKXJB3)
(https://i.postimg.cc/9wZLKPmS/531-A6-AA3-24-CD-4-E9-A-933-B-DA66-B651-D7-BF.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/9wZLKPmS)
(https://i.postimg.cc/hJvpcR4V/10752-BF3-6-DAD-42-B1-916-A-607-F58-FBD56-F.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hJvpcR4V)
(https://i.postimg.cc/4K0w32nq/D2932048-0082-4-D0-E-9924-601241596535.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/4K0w32nq)
(https://i.postimg.cc/3dh1WvJ8/9-ACD8442-1-BC1-4037-A7-F0-7-CEC204750-CA.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/3dh1WvJ8)
Ended up putting a temporary patch on the hole. We’ll do a good bandaid pitch tomorrow until they get a roofer to complete the repair.
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I have played there your right good place to clean out your bag of extra balls. Keep up the good work
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Thanks! We intend to.
Hope to see you out there again. It a really special course.
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Thanks! We intend to.
Hope to see you put there again. It a really special course.
You guys are cleaning it up nicely. Got run down there for a while
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Yeah, the new owners are all about making it great again. It’s such a unique course for this area. Not one adjacent fairway. Huge tees and greens and a challenge for sure. It’ll look a whole lot different this year. In 3 years it’ll be close to the private club conditions it was when it first opened.
And all “forever wild”.
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The three of us were talking over how we should start mowing fairways. The Super came up with yet another brilliant idea.
The plan was to take the turbine blower and blow the winter debris off the fairways, mow, rake with a tow behind to break up the snow mold, mow again and then run the turbine blower again to blow off the clippings.
He thought up the idea of making a hitch for the fairway mower to tow the turbine killing two birds with one stone.
A bit of reverse engineering and….
(https://i.postimg.cc/NyjNkdMf/1-CDB3-B99-EC3-A-49-D0-9-A86-93749-B050-AC3.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/NyjNkdMf)
Worked pretty darned well.. love being involved in this kind of stuff.
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We’re getting down to the wire. I’m officially back on the payroll as of today. Member volunteer course cleanup is Saturday. My Son and I may be out working on cart paths today if the weather cooperates. We refurbished a long neglected York rake the past couple days.
We’ve been asked to set cups on the greens by Friday. So I’d guess we’ll be mowing and rolling at some point. There’s a lot to do to get it opened up.
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Bob that’s so cool you can hang with your son , enjoy what your doing and still get paid for it…👍
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Priceless Dom. He’s so good at what he does to boot. Makes me very proud.
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My Son and I spent a long hard day setting up the course yesterday. Backpack blowers clearing debris from 18 greens and 34 tees. Set up tee markers and cups on the greens, whipping worm castings from tees and greens. ( dew whips are a real workout).
Not easy keeping up with him , but I managed. First 8 hour day I’ve worked in 10 years.
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Volunteer member course cleanup day today. First ever that anyone could remember. We had about 40 people show up to pick up sticks and rake tees. They did a really great job and got a lot done.
Owners were really happy with us and made it known.
Win….win!
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Busy day tomorrow.
I’ll be mowing 18 greens after which they will be deep tined , top dressed, rolled and dragged.
Sure will be happy not to be picking up sticks.
Trees should be banned on golf courses.
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For the trees being banned how would they keep the lines for the guys to hit the little ball down the field or have some hazards in the way, I hear you on picking up the branches and all after the wind, looks like more around here after the storm this week, I really hate the high wind as it causes more pain than anything.
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Never played a Links style course eh? Very few if any trees in play. Intermediate and long rough bordered by tall grasses.
10 1/2 hour day yesterday. Mowed greens in the morning and dragged greens in the afternoon. Greens we’re mowed, deep tined, rolled, top dressed with sand and dragged. Long day humping 100 lb coco mats in and out of the cart. Had to get it all done for play and while the sand was dry.
Perfect day for it as it turned out.
I’d imagine we’ll be mowing tees today. Then I’ll probably be off the rest of the week.
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First Sunday morning of the season. My Son and I cut cups, moved tee markers and whipped the greens of worm castings. Crappy weather for sure. 35 and snowing….sort of.
But, the wildlife was out.
This little red fox was hunting along the entrance road.
(https://i.postimg.cc/7bKWh8Ls/8-D4-E9-A27-94-FB-4216-9439-B2-D157-B1751-D.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/7bKWh8Ls)
(https://i.postimg.cc/tY7mVSZX/E25432-B3-08-E3-44-BC-9591-A7-A79-BC0-D48-E.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/tY7mVSZX)
It had something in its mouth. Maybe a bunny.
Saw a beaver moving from low water below a slough to higher backwater.
(https://i.postimg.cc/5jrSDxyV/B9-AEE14-E-5-BCB-45-EB-AE23-56-EACD0-EA3-A5.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5jrSDxyV)
Went up to my son and told him “ Hey …..I saw my first bever” . Thought he was gonna fall over laughing ( for obvious reasons) Good chuckle anyway.
Spooked a group of deer on the front 9 and saw one of the resident eagles. A quick 3 1/2 hours of exercise hitting 34 tees and 18 greens.
Hope I’m sitting on a greens mower tomorrow. Asked my Son “ who mowed greens on Friday.” The guy left a bunch of big banana lines. Apparently it was a volunteer member who has “years of experience mowing greens”
It’ll take me 3 trips around to fix it.
😒
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Sounds like a good day Bob..
I planted 2500 vegetable plants listening to the snow and wind outside..
Lots of condensation falling on my head every time the wind blew…
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I hear you there. Freezing rain all morning.
(https://i.postimg.cc/4ntCMXRh/0-E07-B7-BC-6-B82-4-B56-BB7-C-2-C9-D6-C4-ABB97.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/4ntCMXRh)
My Son changing cups in the snow.
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Ahhhhh…mowing greens.
(https://i.postimg.cc/ZChjzqxR/F16-CEDCD-E77-B-4787-B2-D0-7-E3-E9812878-F.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ZChjzqxR)
Love this stuff.
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At least 8 inches of snow on the number 2 green at the course up the road.... :P
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I like my greens better. Still plenty wet on the course and gonna rain again later. 4 more guys starting on Monday. Should be interesting to see the assignments. First tournament of the season on 5/7. 9 am shotgun start. I have no idea how we’re gonna get the course mowed by then or that morning before 9.
We’ll probably have to start around 4 am to get it done. I’m not a big fan of mowing in the dark.
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Frustrating day yesterday. We only have one working fairway mower at the moment. The other is undergoing a massive upgrade. Mowed fairways and everything went pretty well till I got on a couple that were just too wet to mow. Machine was squirming all over the place trying to cut grass that’s gotten way too long due to the excessive rain this spring.
Then an old problem cropped up. The mower has an electrical problem somewhere that causes it to intermittently shut down. Ended up getting 4 fairways done and part of another before I had to take it back to the shop. Hopefully the Super can finally find the issue and get it repaired. We struggled with it all last season. Hard to see a $65k machine just sitting.
Good news is, 4 more guys come on board on Monday. 3 will be mowing and one will be a service mechanic in the shop. He’ll be doing all the little stuff that needs done to maintain the equipment. Tires, grease, oil, pressure washing and such. It’ll take a huge load off the Super so he’ll be able to concentrate on the course and major repairs. My son is a bit skeptical as this guy didn’t take directions very well last season. Hopefully he’ll come around to our way of thinking.
I have a feeling that there’s going to be at least 2 fairways that are going to be dug up for drainage issues. May have open drainage ditches for the better part of the summer. Gotta get them to drain off somehow. We suspect there’s a beaver dam somewhere down stream that’s backing up water into a good part of the course. May have to get the Kayak out and do some investigating.
People think all we do on the golf course is mow grass every day. We do that but there’s so much else that goes into maintaining a golf course. I learn something new every day. Should have started doing this 20 years ago. Love the work.
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Sure hope the ground dries up for you Bob…
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Well it did fore the most part. Started out mowing fairways to discover that the Super screwed up and put a couple gallons of gasoline in the diesel fairway mower.
OOPS! ( glad it wasn’t me)
Anyway I ended up working a full 8 hours mowing 33 of 34 tees. Double and triple mowed some to recover the original intended shape. The Super got the fairway mower straightened out and took off mowing. Course is really looking good.
(https://i.postimg.cc/BXM1mPgk/95-C31778-DFD0-450-F-83-C4-30449-AF7570-B.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/BXM1mPgk)
(No I didn’t mow that tee yet)
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hey rg, i'm a turf equipment tech for a living. just curious what make/model is that fairway mower that's giving you issues? without knowing i would guess you're looking at a seat switch or temp sending unit. even the temp gauge can cause that type of intermittent condition.
trying to clear 3-4ft of snow off our greens up here right now. skid steers are getting a work out ::) and we're 58 days out from hosting a pga event..
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I don’t envy you that task. We’re starting to dry out a bit, but there’s above average precipitation predicted for the next month.
Toro 3550D. Turns out the former “mechanic” had the reel speed set way high …max. The machine was faulting out on high hydraulic pressure. The super, who was a Toro service tech for Finch, adjusted the reel speed for the actual height of cut and reduced the travel speed for cutting. Problem solved.
He mowed 12 fairways yesterday without incident. Cut beautifully…given the conditions. (Super wet)
I repeatedly told the former “mechanic” that I thought it was a hydraulic problem and was basically ignored. He kept saying it was electrical and something was shorting out. At one point he disconnected one reel drive motor, removed one reel and sent the unit out with 4 of 5 reels. It operated fine with the reduced load. The super, my Son and I were discussing it yesterday morning and he decided I was right. All last year the machine sat doing nothing while we used a 20 year old 5410 that cut like crap.
The 5410 is getting a $5-6k upgrade. All the roller and reel bearings are shot. He’s replacing the worm out bed knives and roller scrapers and a couple of lift cylinders. There’s a longer list, but you get the idea. That poor machine has been hacked away at by several bad mechanics over its life. The electrical is a nightmare of disconnected stuff and bypassed safeties. It’s still a basically sound unit though and worth having in the barn for backup.
The 3550 is a pleasure to operate although I don’t like the bald tires (needs turf tires in my opinion).
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sounds like a long line of shade tree farmer mechanics to me. glad you guys got it sorted out. we have 5410's up here and they do struggle to handle the big growth flushes we experience in june. the smaller reels don't handle it like our old 5500's could and tend to get gummed up by all the elk nuts right off the bat. i'm glad i've been at the same course for 15 years now and know where all my equipment is at. can't imagine falling into a situation like what you describe. reel speed and clip rate are kiiiiiiind of important!
you're lucky to have a super with equipment experience! i'm not on here all that often but if you guys have any issues i'm happy to help if possible. another great resource is www.golftechs.net (http://www.golftechs.net). some of the best minds in the biz on there and the search function always turns up something!
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Thanks for the info. I appreciate that. Hope you folks get thawed out soon.
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Busy…busy…busy at the course. Starting at 5:30 now. Mowed greens yesterday. The guys started on rough….finally. Not easy with the 1 1/4” of rain we got on Monday. Hopefully it’ll dry out over the next few days.
Fired up the irrigation system yesterday. No geysers of major wet spots to be found as yet. That’s a huge win at this point. Won’t need it for a while yet but charging the system now will give us time to repair some valves and leaky heads. The system is mostly original from 1987 and really needs an upgrade.
We have a trencher coming to augment drainage in certain areas. The search is on for buried or clogged drains. Hard to recover a system that’s been neglected for so many years by a string of poor superintendents.
But, we’re making progress.
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Just caught up on a few pages. Glad to read how much you're enjoying it RG.
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Drove by on way home today. Course is looking nice Bob
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Getting there. Crazy wet spring.
Such a beautiful, unique course. Happy to be an integral part.
Just hope to play a few rounds soon.
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I’m off today. Thought about playing a round with my Son, but, it’s too damned cold.
Probably just play on the wood shop and maybe mow my lawn later.
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The chaos that ensues with an hour and a half frost delay.
(https://i.postimg.cc/cg7DQXM7/C198666-E-59-EC-429-A-8514-E6-A5-A5-BD8853.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/cg7DQXM7)
9 guys and machines waiting for the “BOOTS AND SADDLES” order.
( the sidewinder was mowing the front yard)
We got it done anyway.
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The joys of irrigation startup.
(https://i.postimg.cc/bGcgx1ST/2-B543276-41-C2-417-B-BFB0-36-EAC1-EAF971.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/bGcgx1ST)
The reason one doesn’t stand over a quick coupler when pressurizing a system.
1” copper pipe in the face isn’t any fun. That’ll leave a mark!
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Back when I was running the night time watering at local course I was removing hose from quick disconnect at the valve was stuck open. Blow my hat 15 feet in the air. Lesson. Never have your head over the valve. Always off to the side.
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Haven’t seen you around here in ages. Hope you’re well!
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My Son and I had the day off so we played the course this morning. Can’t tell you how much fun it was. We had the course to ourselves with no pressure to play.
We both played well and didn’t talk “golf course” for more than a minute or two. Course was the best I’ve ever seen. Thinking I’ll be playing every Thursday morning for the rest of the summer.
Nice!
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Nice, that's way cool, had a guy rush up on us on one of my last outings, so I let him go, then had to wait quite a bit on him.
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Just another day that the office.
(https://i.postimg.cc/1fG4ZLQj/85919-D16-195-B-459-F-8532-73-E69305-B204.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/1fG4ZLQj)
Love taking care of this golf course.
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This old girl was laying eggs in the side of #12 bunker as I came through this morning.
(https://i.postimg.cc/gLWvvgWN/77-DCCA0-C-EF35-4-D5-C-9813-6-EB89-BBFC9-C7.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/gLWvvgWN)
We see lot of them this time of year.
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That's cool!
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Here’s another one from this morning.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Yjm7XF6F/FD8-DEBDA-1-B28-465-B-A027-5805-B50-D6765.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Yjm7XF6F)
There 4 more sightings this morning in different places.
My Son marks some of the nests that are in areas like bunkers and moves the eggs to a better spot. He’s been pretty successful at relocating them. Skunks and raccoons get a lot of them.
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We have a lot every year that crawl out of the sewage lagoons and lay eggs. Most get eaten by something. Not sure how they survive in the ponds but they do. Oddly I see more in the raw pond than the final pond.
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We’re built in a swamp. All 300 acres of it. It’s a unique course. Not one contiguous hole. Nothing like it anywhere around here. This year it looks amazing. The super “woke up” the fairways in the last week.
Water moves through all year long. Most of it forever wild.
Not the easiest course to control, but we never have need for water.
Stupid geese (aka feathered rats) are the biggest time killer. Shoot them all I say!
Our motto is “we’re tournament ready every day of every week” and….it’s pretty much true.
Really enjoy working with this group.
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I have stopped twice to move snappers out of the road so far..
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Nice turtles, agree on the geese. I was wondering about the geese population because as a kid, I remember them flying over my house in the classic V but don't remember them taking over my playground.
The article I recently read states that there are now 2 distinct Canada geese populations, migratory and resident. Migratory populations are still kept in check through hunting, predators, but resident geese (let's call them the lazy geese or sly geese) don't migrate at all and spend the entire year in certain areas where hunting is prohibited (e.g., Golf courses, town parks, nature preserves, your groomed lawn, etc.) so their population has dramatically increased over the years. I found that interesting but explains a lot.
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I’ll some pics at the course tomorrow morning. They’re like feathered rats. Probably a resident population of 500 or more. They cost us a ton of time cleaning up goose crap on greens and fairways. They used to get permits to dispose of them but now the only entity to do that is US Fish and Wildlife. Apparently we didn’t get on the list though numerous calls and requests were made.
It’s a daily problem that costs at least one employee per day in hours.
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When they fly in a V do you know why one side of the V is usually longer?.....it's has more geese in it. Sorry, I had to.
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Hey…I knew that one. My Bride said “that makes sense”
:wacko: :wacko:
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A farmer stopped by the local mechanics shop to have his truck fixed. They couldn't do it while he waited, so he said he didn't live far and would just walk home.
On the way home he stopped at the hardware Store and bought a bucket and a gallon of paint. He then stopped by the feed store and picked up a couple of chickens and a goose. However, struggling outside the store he now had a problem - how to carry his entire purchases home.
While he was scratching his head he was approached by a little old lady who told him she was lost. She asked, 'Can you tell me how to get to 1603 Mockingbird Lane'
The farmer said, 'Well, as a matter of fact, my farm is very close to that house I would walk you there but I can't carry this lot.'
The old lady suggested, 'Why don't you put the can of paint in the bucket. Carry the bucket in one hand, put a chicken under each arm and carry the goose in your other hand'
'Why thank you very much,' he said and proceeded to walk the old girl home. On the way he says 'Let's take my short cut and go down this alley. We'll be there in no time.'
The little old lady looked him over cautiously then said, 'I am a lonely widow without a husband to defend me. How do I know that when we get in the alley you won't hold me up against the wall, pull up my skirt, and have your way with me?'
The farmer said, 'Holy smokes lady! I'm carrying a bucket, a gallon of paint, two chickens, and a goose. How in the world could I possibly hold you up against the wall and do that?'
The old lady replied...... 'Set the goose down, cover him with the bucket, put the paint on top of the bucket, and I'll hold the chickens.
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rgfixit Years ago the farmer in the UP that I hunted turkeys and geese on was having trouble with sandhill cranes pulling his corn on germination. He finlay got a Fed guy to come to see his problem. The guy shot some exploding shells over the field. Of course, the cranes flew off. They landed on another corn field. The fed guy puffed up his chest. He said "They will not be back." Scott said " Big deal. They just went to another of my fields!"
The snappers are toy size compared to the one we had when I was a kid. I do not remember how many times I had one eat the fish off of my stringer if I was not paying attention. They were almost the size of a washtub. One time my cousin and I were going down that lake with his new boat. I turned him and told him to turn so we did not hit what looked like a 6 inch dead head. When we went around it went down. It was one of those washtub snappers.
For years Michigan did not have a season or size limit on snappers, The states south of Michigan had seasons so those to the south would come here and take every snapper they could home with them. Michigan finally put a season and 12 inch size limit on them.
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These girls are all about the same size from what I’ve seen. About 16” across. I’ve seen way bigger ones in the pools and creeks here. Saw maybe 5 nests disrupted and eggshells scattered today.
Wish they’d eat the damned goose eggs instead.
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I try and save all of them 8)
(https://i.postimg.cc/LJvcJgDT/02-B2-C8-A7-BF65-4-B52-BAEA-F779-E9-C7-D9-AE.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/LJvcJgDT)
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You’re a good soul Dom. They’re so prehistoric they’re worth the effort to save.
Hell, most are older than us. We should be so lucky.
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(https://i.postimg.cc/gxZPT2Hq/DDFA2529-B3-D4-4-A7-C-8731-76-B32-ED117-C1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/gxZPT2Hq)
(https://i.postimg.cc/8j3S46Mz/E35-E4616-A730-4-A8-D-BC7-B-ACEE2-E307289.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/8j3S46Mz)
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(https://i.postimg.cc/FfwkQRMr/0-A5-BB34-A-7876-4-B50-A577-9-FE8-AE1-E4-D8-A.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/FfwkQRMr)
(https://i.postimg.cc/185qGb0Q/379-FA99-D-9-AA5-44-F9-8-B6-D-811848-A6-C9-B7.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/185qGb0Q)
(https://i.postimg.cc/68jGYzzG/6-C3-BF4-CC-E4-A4-4-C84-BFAC-B0-FF192-DB951.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/68jGYzzG)
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Saw two in the road dead yesterday they were about fifty feet apart.
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Something got this nest last night.
(https://i.postimg.cc/PNRzJvR6/FB4-B1-AB7-DBF8-4259-8-C4-A-E0-F6-DC9-F79-C1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/PNRzJvR6)
This is the smal flock on the back pond.
(https://i.postimg.cc/RqyK45Wy/4-B9-A6-BC7-EC52-42-A0-BB2-A-10-D667-D929-C3.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/RqyK45Wy)
(https://i.postimg.cc/23Vhs8Sn/D3-BDB321-F9-F3-4-A3-C-A94-A-20-DBA93-D36-CD.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/23Vhs8Sn)
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Snapping turtle taste so good
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Help yourself….they look to prehistoric for me to consider .
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Help yourself….they look to prehistoric for me to consider .
And they accumulate toxins. There is a lot of research done with snappers to measure toxins in the environment. A biologist friend recommended not eating them, especially for young people. In my area I know people used to catch them and send them down to NYC where there was a lucrative market. I don't imagine that was legal.
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I’d agree with you 100%. They’re so old and live in some of the worst waters….and survive somehow.
First I can’t imagine killing one…second I can’t imagine eating one.
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I’d agree with you 100%. They’re so old and live in some of the worst waters….and survive somehow.
First I can’t imagine killing one…second I can’t imagine eating one.
Snapping turtle stew is so good. Those huge ones are no good 12-15 inches measured in a straight line are the best eaters
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http://
Is it illegal to sell turtles in New York? You can legally sell turtles in New York only if you have a license or a permit. If you don't own one it is ...
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Love mowing greens on Sunday morning.
(https://i.postimg.cc/yWSj82fv/1252-F15-D-556-C-4-DBF-9-F1-F-99-E750-E23-AC8.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/yWSj82fv)
Laser lines👍
(https://i.postimg.cc/dkCCJcqC/5707-B0-CF-A220-44-B4-ACFA-FEBF46-FA53-EB.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/dkCCJcqC)
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Well, US Fish and Wildlife rounded up exactly 100 geese from the course today. They’re on their way to a meat processor to become the main “course”.
Only 1 gosling got away.
They’ve been tearing up the fairways, tees and greens. Not to mention depositing the remains EVERYWHERE!
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Hope there going to feed the homeless..
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I’m not sure of that Dom, but I’d sure take a few pounds of sausage as payback for dew whipping goose crap.
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Man what I would do to just get 1 day in of goose hunting on a golf course.
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seasoned with roundup and pesticide...mmm ;D
rg - honestly curious about what dew whipping goose turds accomplishes? doesn't it just smear and make a mess? we have our share of geese on the course here and just hide shovels in the bush around the greens and tees they like to dump on.
we used to get the crew to do a goose round up when they lost their flight feathers but kids don't go for that these days!
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Pretty much it just breaks up the crap unless it’s dry. The greens mower picks up most of it anyway. We’re mowing greens at .125” . Fairways and approaches are another story. First you get tar spots, then you get bright green tufts of grass all over the place. Looks pretty ugly compared to the other fairways. Not to mention that they pull the turf out buy the roots.
Worst part is that the two finishing holes are at the clubhouse and it’s on the main pond. The retention pond is right there as well. They just hang out there and crap all around the clubhouse and putting green.
There’s a bunch of people in need that will get some good food out of this, and, it’ll save us a ton of valuable man hours to do other things on the course.
Last spring we wanted to hire a guy who brings his border collies out to the course 5 days a week to chase the geese away before they nest. The new owners didn’t want to do that then. After seeing the results, I’ll bet they let us do that next year.
I’m off today. Gonna take my walk in a bit and go fishing👍
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"Last spring we wanted to hire a guy who brings his border collies out to the course 5 days a week to chase the geese away before they nest. The new owners didn’t want to do that then. After seeing the results, I’ll bet they let us do that next year."
I work on a college campus and we have the problem with geese. Years ago we tried hiring someone with dogs to try to chase them away. Unfortunately, it didn't work well. The geese would take off, circle around, then land on another part of campus. What a mess.
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Yeah..feathered rats I say!
Back in he 90’s the club was still private and could get nuisance permits to dispose of them. The groundskeeper would take his 10 gauge and a golf cart and take them out 5 or 6 at a time. Can’t do that now since all the houses have surrounded the course. Can’t hunt them either. All of the Gananda development ( which the course is part of) is designated forever wild.
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And the sun rises over a gooseless golf course.
(https://i.postimg.cc/dLBvk1nj/35-BAB7-FB-D6-EA-4-CEF-9373-FF9-F5-A35695-D.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/dLBvk1nj)
Made me very happy.
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That’s a pretty sight….
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You ain’t kidding Dom. What a way to make a few extra bucks. Love this course.
When it cools off I’ll play more golf.
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My son …repairing a major main line blowout on the irrigation system.
(https://i.postimg.cc/w7xmTN4Q/48-D2-E8-EB-22-ED-47-FF-8-E7-E-CCFB665-D3-F52.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/w7xmTN4Q)
(https://i.postimg.cc/xcsbkdWD/5-AC8-DD25-4-E2-B-45-BD-B16-E-E95582-B0-A22-E.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/xcsbkdWD)
(https://i.postimg.cc/0zbK7ss6/66-D832-A3-E38-D-4801-84-C6-E111-D7847-DCB.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/0zbK7ss6)
(https://i.postimg.cc/rD30JPVf/9-AD9599-D-3-DE9-4-C7-A-AB39-7-BB2-D1365-F69.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rD30JPVf)
Repaired. Sure am proud of my Son.he’s a hard working SOB.
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Chip off the old block.. :clapping: :clapping:
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That's for sure!!!
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:clapping:
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My Son and I got out on the course for 18 this morning. Teed off at 7:05. Played 18 for the first time in years.
Bumped into the Super a couple of times. He wanted to talk work….we were golfing. He was on 11 messing with the irrigation heads and valves with water running when we got to the tee. I bombed a 3 wood about 10’ from his cart . He was 20 yards away. Then I proceeded to drop a 7 iron shot on the green.
Man, that was a lot of fun. Playing our course with my Son that is.
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Our crew does a great job on Fairways.
(https://i.postimg.cc/CzsNY4mT/3-CC00083-021-F-487-F-AEF5-D9-D0-F813069-A.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/CzsNY4mT)
Can’t believe how good they look this year. Last super let them burn to a crisp by now.
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Yet another beautiful morning at the “Office”
(https://i.postimg.cc/VS3nbjg9/D5-B6-C9-EA-48-F3-48-B2-9-A42-6-E62-BAF05307.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/VS3nbjg9)
What a great way to be a part of something.
Playing tomorrow with my Son. It’ll be fun for sure.
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Nice pre-sunrise shot. The birds get me up very early every morning.
It's great that you are able to share something with your son.
I'm lucky, my sons are close. I was able to get out and play 18 a few weeks ago with both my sons. There was a time when they were young when I could beat them but they've become too good at the game. I watched them battle it out right until the end but my oldest nailed his approach shot on 18 and took the match. I was a distant 3rd. Fun to be with them though.
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Yeah, I used to be able to keep up with Rob, but I have your basic “Old Man Swing “ now. He out drives me by 100 yards now. But, we play for fun.
We have 2 rules:
No work talk
No score cards
It’s really nice that the pro shop lets us play whenever we want. In fact they’re always bugging us to play more. They appreciate the good work we’re doing to revive this course after many years of neglect. Players are constantly coming up to us saying how great the course is. We tell them just wait…..it’s going to get a whole lot better.
We’ve got a good crew and a good leader.
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And another day dawns…
(https://i.postimg.cc/23x0cLcb/B083-DAF7-D8-B8-466-E-8-EE8-3-F2-B53-F2-AA98.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/23x0cLcb)
That was Friday. Started in the dark at 4:30 this morning. “Hurricane Junior Tour” tournament this weekend. Shotgun start at 7:30 am today. This group were real jerks. Most unfriendly, demanding group I’ve seen. Small wonder the other local courses refuse to host their event.
Sure puts a positive light on our members. They’re a great bunch. Always friendly, quick to compliment and slow to complain.
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Yet another beautiful start to the day at BHHGC.
(https://i.postimg.cc/nX7zxHyR/4-F1706-FE-776-C-44-EA-81-EC-CA6-DFAB30051.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/nX7zxHyR)
6.7 million gallons of water have gone on the course so far this year.
(https://i.postimg.cc/K1ybntWf/1-D17-D6-F4-AC7-B-43-DE-BA31-1-BF071-F97884.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/K1ybntWf)
Full tournament went out at noon.144 golfers who paid $600 a foursome to play. It’s a charity event.
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Looks nice Bob.
Glad you have a good water source.
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We’re built in a swamp. If the main pond gets down to a certain level, the water authority fills it. They have a treatment plant downstream. It’s only happened twice that anyone knows of.
90% forever wild too. We’re the greenest course around if you don’t count the super high end country clubs who just buy the water they want.
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Few more pics from today.
(https://i.postimg.cc/ppgDwmDh/B7-B18-E7-D-A564-4225-BBA8-7-DC7-CF28-C248.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ppgDwmDh)
(https://i.postimg.cc/D8Wrprb3/C8-D40099-418-E-404-F-B125-5-E906-D2419-E4.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/D8Wrprb3)
(https://i.postimg.cc/6TbVhjqh/E5-B8316-F-1-D43-4-E1-F-AE9-E-29-EB9-B9-B64-F0.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/6TbVhjqh)
We’re getting nothing but compliments. Sure is good to be part of this team.
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Looks like a beautiful course.
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My Son and I are playing 18 tomorrow morning. 9am tee time. Late by our standards, But, he’s got a couple friends playing with us.
Really good to play the course you tend. Gives you a “ player’s perspective”
Anyway, we’re playing golf.
( I set the tee markers way forward on my side of the course)
What the hell, it’s the only advantage I have at my age.
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Thought I’d show you all some pics of the back 9 from today. It was an absolutely beautiful day today.
#11 from the elevated tees.
(https://i.postimg.cc/zHp1CyCg/12-A04-EBE-462-B-4-B19-982-E-2081211-BA108.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/zHp1CyCg)
#11 approach nd green
(https://i.postimg.cc/k6J9hrn8/6-D8-F9217-9-ABA-49-CC-A4-A6-2-ECD5-CCA230-A.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/k6J9hrn8)
#12 from the tee
(https://i.postimg.cc/fJZ72BXs/96-FE906-F-BEFE-4-A2-D-89-F2-C1510-E92215-C.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/fJZ72BXs)
#12 approach and green
(https://i.postimg.cc/Q93g2bPc/555650-A5-9426-4031-853-E-152-ECD975-A24.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Q93g2bPc)
#13 from the tee
(https://i.postimg.cc/XGjGKDm1/7-C43-B4-E9-DF6-A-4-C85-9562-72-F7019-E90-BC.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/XGjGKDm1)
$13 green
(https://i.postimg.cc/qtkMW6wz/14-FC4308-082-B-4-D36-9-AE8-D7283-BD60-AE6.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/qtkMW6wz)
#14 from the tee
(https://i.postimg.cc/D8rhFy8s/49-CDA4-B9-EC11-4-E54-9-ECF-E0-BF839-D9-D32.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/D8rhFy8s)
(Forgot to get the green)
#15 from the tee
(https://i.postimg.cc/3dmGTpXB/5-B88-E3-AA-7406-42-CC-8-ED3-34-B41-E48-C0-ED.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/3dmGTpXB)
#15 from the corner at the top of the hill
(https://i.postimg.cc/ZWJWzQKb/D90672-B1-0283-4-A4-C-9-BF2-8110-A809377-F.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ZWJWzQKb)
#15 approach nd green
(https://i.postimg.cc/VdfJ3TNY/FF714681-2003-4-B62-B9-D6-D939687-EDC08.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/VdfJ3TNY)
#16 from the tee
(https://i.postimg.cc/XGnWpRmq/3-C30-C10-B-0-D6-D-4983-80-D1-4-DFA54-F3-ADE7.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/XGnWpRmq)
#16 approach and green from the corner
(https://i.postimg.cc/mtB9TkmW/8723-F998-F329-47-D0-B5-A7-A63-E82-F81891.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/mtB9TkmW)
#17 from the back tee
(https://i.postimg.cc/FfLb7qcM/E165-E182-0-A12-4-B49-BF44-F4-FEE78-E10-AD.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/FfLb7qcM)
#17 green
(https://i.postimg.cc/wykmNdBG/94644117-662-E-484-A-B35-A-A2857-D45525-C.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/wykmNdBG)
#18 from the fairway corner
(https://i.postimg.cc/BjG4rPp2/403-C6015-5626-4-E00-AE2-C-FA75-D56-ED364.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/BjG4rPp2)
#18 approach and green
(https://i.postimg.cc/ZBWGBJjT/D20-F4-A8-B-3398-46-EC-8-D24-C10-E92-F780-FD.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ZBWGBJjT)
Sometimes it’s just a good thing to take in the beauty of this remarkable course.
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Looks like a beautiful course. You take good care of it.
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#16 ya missed a spot bob!!! Lol just kidding looks great !!!
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Looks great. Our local course just got turned into farm fields. Hundreds of old growth oaks just bulldozed. I'm strictly a tennis ball golfer now.
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I have golf clubs and never golfed a round in my life!! Lots of divots in my yard though!!😁 Great job on that course Bob!! I might have to load the bag in the truck and head your way one day!!! I’ll apologize in advance for any trees that may get damaged, deer that may get hit by a ball, the greens and fairways that may have some repairs when I’m done. But, if your golf course will obtain nuisance permits, I’d be willing to take care of the goose population!!!😂😈
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I'm not a golfer but it sure does look very scenic and well maintained. You and the crew obviously take a lot of pride in your work.
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I have golf clubs and never golfed a round in my life!! Lots of divots in my yard though!!😁 Great job on that course Bob!! I might have to load the bag in the truck and head your way one day!!! I’ll apologize in advance for any trees that may get damaged, deer that may get hit by a ball, the greens and fairways that may have some repairs when I’m done. But, if your golf course will obtain nuisance permits, I’d be willing to take care of the goose population!!!😂😈
( I see a lot of hackers every day)
We shave strokes off for every goose and seagull chased, deterred, and done in.
It’s a privilege to work with my son. Even if he is my boss. There’s work, but there’s a certain appreciation for the course as a golfer. ( not a great golfer by any means)
Really I’m learning something new. That’s priceless. The essence of life in my opinion.
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Sure looks nice Bob. We’re finally slowing down. Not much left except 5500 mums , some perennials and some shrubs..
Maybe I will get time to do some fishing.. ;D
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Hope ya do Dom...and be cooler weather also
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Played 18 with my Son this morning. We were the first out at 6:45. What a perfect day to play our course. Got around in 3 1/2 hrs taking our time all the way.
So nice to spend that time together. Laughing, talking, joking and trying to hit that silly ball somewhere positive.
Golf is interesting. It’s the only game where the object is to do as little as possible. Had fun anyway.
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This is how I start mowing greens this time of year. About 5:05 am
(https://i.postimg.cc/0KM94Qsg/4354-B981-C31-E-40-E6-B2-B6-15-A621-DDB324.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/0KM94Qsg)
Starting to get a little light by the time I get to #3 ( the 5 th green I mow)
(https://i.postimg.cc/CBC2xpsZ/E25-A86-FF-5-BF5-4296-8-B1-A-B3-C0232-A976-E.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/CBC2xpsZ)
By the time I get to #4 (the 7th green I mow) it’s starting to get pretty.
(https://i.postimg.cc/5Y9B8cMQ/77-F35644-2-BEA-49-C5-BA2-C-002-D80582-ED4.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5Y9B8cMQ)
By the time I got to 15 which is the last green I mow, it was pouring. Nothing but a few sprinkles till then. Got soaked finishing that green and heading back to the shop.
Figures!
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It was a very soggy morning mowing tees, approaches and collars this morning. My Son got stuck mowing greens. He was just plain wet. I had the old man sense to take my rain suit. He didn’t really care about it one way or the other.
.67 “ of rain in the last 24 hrs. More to come ……hopefully. Much needed.
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Tik Tok
Sept. 1st…..
(https://i.postimg.cc/GHGtTfSq/300-D5-E98-AA17-4-D89-9834-FCE9395-E7-BA4.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/GHGtTfSq)
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They came back to the course and have since disappeared. Haven’t seen one in a week or so. Probably gone down to the finger lakes and all the corn fields.
One can only hope.
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Well…another wet day out on the course. My partner and I made great progress clearing the edge of a problem tee. It’s been 5 weeks (5 days) that we’ve been working on this area. But we got it mostly under control. Rained all day out there.
The Super was spraying wetting agents on the greens all morning. Kind of weird to see the greens being watered with irrigation in the middle of a 1 3/4” rain event. He’s something else…but he knows what he’s doing.
When we got back to the shop (soaking wet) he greeted us with a fresh hot breakfast pizza. What a great guy! Warm food really hit the spot. Made a fresh pot of coffee too.
Chatted with him out on the course. He thanked us for working through the nasty weather. Told him if he wasn’t out there right along with us, we’d have bailed long ago. But, he was right in the thick of it. Can’t ask for much more from a co-worker.
Even if he is the boss.
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(https://i.postimg.cc/DmtpZhmb/00296767-F824-497-C-B446-FDCC26-B82-C04.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/DmtpZhmb)
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That may be Dom. But, I never drink when I golf or fish. I do both well…but they never cross paths. I’m good at both, but there’s a time and place for everything..
We make hundreds for the shop each year just from the can returns. That funds our parties and such. People are nutz out there. We find empty bottles of booze and thousands of cans and bottles
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My Son and I played yesterday. We did very well through the front 9. We both kind of lost it for a few holes and then we recovered. Not the worst or best golf we’ve played. But, time very well spent with my Son enjoying the course we both love so much.
Priceless!
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That may be Dom. But, I never drink when I golf or fish. I do both well…but they never cross paths. I’m good at both, but there’s a time and place for everything..
Ditto Bob.
Never drink while fishing, boating, golfing, or bowling.
There is time afterwards for a pop or two.
I used to.
Older, and (maybe) wiser.
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i must still be young because as i've always just assumed people only golfed and bowled so they could drink beer.
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You’d think so from all the alcohol containers we collect off the course.
My Son and I really just want to play golf. (He doesn’t fish). I will say that the drinkers are the visitors. Never see members out there drinking. But then, I’m not there for the leagues.
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I have only golfed once. And that was 18 holes for a bachelor party. We got about 1 mile per gallon. 8)
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Dom, I also have only played one round of golf. That was with my fifth grade teacher when I was in high school. It was not for me.
I did spent a lot of time on our local golf course trapping muskrats. That was my cup of tea, not tee. I will say it must be a great stress reliever for some. If they could hit a ball straight down the fairway as they hit the ball deep into the swamp they would be a great golfer.
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It’s a few great shots (strikes) that keep a golfer coming back. That laser straight drive, a fairway wood or iron struck pure, the perfect chip in or a spot on putt.
It’s a skill for sure. The only sport endeavor where the prime objective is to do as little as possible…..as many times as possible.
Anyway, real quality time with my Son. We have a lot of fun together.
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It’s great to have that time with him Bob. 👍👍
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Well…getting down to the last few weeks on the course. I’ll be off the payroll as of 11/1. Starting next week it’s just the “core” group. 5 of us to keep up with an 18 hole course. We start aeration on Monday. Should take about a week. We’ll be deep tining greens and tees, verticutting, top dressing, rolling and mowing. We planned on core aerating but the budget doesn’t allow for the additional resources needed to complete that this year.
We’re dealing with a course in transition and recovery. Progress this season has been remarkable by all accounts. We’ve taken out 75 dead ash trees with 150 to go. Irrigation leaks have been repaired …..for now….and the course was the greenest in the whole area. 7.3 million gallons of water so far this season. ( doubt we’ll add much at this point)
Nothing but compliments and positive feedback from all the groups and members who played. Most of the tournament groups have already booked for next season. Huge increase in rounds played over the last 5 years.
The new owners have a lot to learn. This year we were basically a restaurant and party house with a golf course. Think they are beginning to realize that the golf course is what attracts people with “disposable income” to their other venues.
In any event, we’ll finish out the season in style and open with a bang in the spring.
What a fun way to make a few bucks and be a part of something positive.
Working with my Son and our Super is so satisfying. Worth every minute.
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it's a great time of year to be working on a golf course RG, enjoy it. unfortunate that management is too short sighted to see the long term costs of putting off core aeration. that thatch has gotta go and once you get behind you may never catch up. we're pulling 5/8" cores, tees and greens, and laying the sand down heavy!
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Bob it’s sooo gratifying when you have happy costumers.. I’m glad the season is winding down for both of us..
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Yeah Ranger, we know. It’s an odd situation. The course nearly closed 5 years ago. The actual owner didn’t want to spend any money on anything. The current operators have a 5 year ( I think) lease to buy contract. They’re trying to run on revenue only. A very difficult plan.
They’re property people who care more about wasting money on the restaurant and party house than they do about maintaining a golf course. They know nothing about a golf course other than playing one.
The Pro told us we recorded more rounds played this year than any time in the 15 years he’s been there. The only reason for that was course conditions. The very good conditions were the result of an awesome effort by the Super, my Son and the grounds crew. We brought in golfers, tournaments, outings and a ton of people for their beloved pub.
Not once did the operators get in a cart with the super and tour the course. We never saw either of them at our shop the entire year.
But they apparently want to continue and plan to buy the course. In any event we’ll do the best we can with what we’ve got.
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And you were able to spend a lot of time with your son. Even more, I also recall you were able to lobby to have certain pesky geese "relocated" which is a big deal, hopefully you can keep them away from the improved landscape.
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It was the Super who put in the request to remove the geese. They’re back anyway. All adults now. Not as much of a nuisance as they were but they’re around.
Though I won’t be on the payroll this winter, I’ll be over there helping those two remove some of the 150 dead ash trees on the property.
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Yesterday was a full day of aerating greens. We did verticutting in 2 directions, mowed, deep tined and rolled 10 greens blowing them off between each operation.About 10.5 hours working in on and off drizzle. Went pretty smoothly with just 5 guys. We had a good system and this crew works very well together.
9 more to go today with (hopefully) a break from the rain.
When we’re done we’ll go back and top dress with sand and drag them with coco mats. We filled the 5 yard dump trailer twice with the thatch we removed.
The back 9 will be a bit easier to deal with. Smaller greens and in closer proximity. The front is spread out almost 2 miles from #9 at the clubhouse to #5, the furthest point out. Front 9 greens are between 7500 and 9000 sq. ft. There’s 5 in that range on the back and 4 smaller ones. But, we got a good rhythm going and it shouldn’t be quite as long a day today.
Of course we’re 2 days behind on mowing ( could end up being 3) and that’ll be hard to catch up on with only 5 people working limited hours.
We’re talking about verticutting once more before we close up for the season Nov. 1. The amount of thatch we removed seemed remarkable to me. But then, greens are remarkable anyway. They’re a perfect example of science and agronomy in action.
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Well we got it done today.
My partner Tom running the triplex with verticutters.
(https://i.postimg.cc/fJnw4DPK/48-C1-AA23-17-FF-4-BFF-A694-6600162-EC4-AD.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/fJnw4DPK)
What does it do? Slices about 1/4” into the turf. Removes the thatch and stands up the laid over turf.
(https://i.postimg.cc/JHwWW5pn/C01-B7-B35-5664-4-A3-E-9532-982-B162-EF49-B.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/JHwWW5pn)
4 greens worth of collection. We filled the dump trailer to the brim doing 9 greens today. We’re all pretty whipped. Great team effort though. What a super bunch of guys to work with.
(https://i.postimg.cc/wRhYxRrk/D27872-E9-042-F-4458-BCAC-CB99028-D7811.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/wRhYxRrk)
(https://i.postimg.cc/fSQ1PTbS/FA145538-3769-4133-BBF3-6-C4-DA866-CEA4.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/fSQ1PTbS)
Got a huge break from the weather today and killed it. Done in 6 hours. Super bought us a huge lunch of pizza, wings, fries and sides. Really hit the spot. Sat around for an hour or so bs’ing and eating.
Back to mowing tomorrow. Super took the time to sharpen bed knives on all the reel mowers, back lap and adjust cutting. heights. We’ll be dialed in for mowing.
I’ll be smiling and cutting pretty lines.
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Well, just 8 more working days at the club. The Super is leaving for a head mechanics position at an upscale private country club near us. I might just be mowing there next year. It would be interesting to work a high end club with good working equipment, an pad an ample budget and a full staff.
Till then, I’ll finish the year where I am.
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Gotta remember my phone for pics on Friday. The course is just beautiful.
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3 hour frost delay this morning. The was a shotgun start at 10:00. Full course…144 players. We couldn’t cut cups or mow greens. Didn’t get out on the course till 8:45. Got there at 5:30.
But we got the greens blown off and the tee markers moved in time.
I have one more week according to the labor plan, but, that might change with the Super leaving.
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The guys were blowing out the irrigation system today. Only one fountain that I know of.
(https://i.postimg.cc/w1JfmCJh/BD9-FD0-D5-1877-4-E17-9092-8-D2195-BF913-F.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/w1JfmCJh)
My partner and I pulled in all of the benches and excess (for this time of year) tee markers.. He went home and I went out to pick up all the trash left by the tournament yesterday. That crew was a bunch heavy drinkers for sure.
Don’t get why you’d pay $60 a man to play a tourney and get hammered by the third hole. Actually collected an empty quart bottle of Everclear Grain Alcohol. 190 proof.
Good grief!
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Blowing out the irrigation system today. I was actually off but went in to hang out with my Son.
(https://i.postimg.cc/xcBp6xsg/259-E5-AF5-2-A45-4802-8-D0-F-3-FBC5-FBD9-D87.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/xcBp6xsg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/c60SmHK6/681-E0-B9-D-FAE7-4-E74-BC39-BB7-F64966-B06.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/c60SmHK6)
One geyser.
(https://i.postimg.cc/w73TXvPL/2-F07-B5-D0-9-F5-D-4567-ADE0-A50-E68-F0-AABA.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/w73TXvPL)
One blowout
(https://i.postimg.cc/7C9pt1J6/37-FA5662-1121-41-E9-886-C-E3-CEEE512173.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/7C9pt1J6)
(https://i.postimg.cc/v4FF4ZdQ/3-D2280-C6-7126-4-CC5-B85-E-F52-C6-A48-A550.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/v4FF4ZdQ)
(https://i.postimg.cc/sQDR3HC7/45-A15-C26-08-E8-485-C-9-FB8-65-AF10385-CF1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/sQDR3HC7)
Sent mud and stones 20’ and left a hole about 3’ in diameter…..under the sod.
Next super’s problem I guess.
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Last mowing day for me today. Tees and approaches. Sunday I’ll go in with my Son and set tee markers and unless something changes , it will be my last day this year. Tomorrow I’m doing wings, salads, and slaw for the guys as a send off to our super.
I’m really gonna miss having him around. He’s a good friend and a very good superintendent. He built a great crew this year. No drama and everyone shared the same goals. We did a great job making the course one of the best in the area this year. Nothing but compliments from long time members and guests.
I’ll wait to meet the “next guy” before making any decisions on where I’ll be next season. With Chris’ reference I can walk on to just about any golf course in the area and have a job. But a couple of us that aren’t leaving now would really rather stay. It’s convenient and I can navigate the course blindfolded. We will see!
Anyway, once again my Son is acting Superintendent. He’s giving them until Thanksgiving then he’s moving on. He’s been offered a full time year round position as irrigation and spray technician starting in January at the private country club our super is moving to. Hasn’t made a decision as yet but he has time.
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Sounds like you have a great crew bob... believe me after ,30 years building crews at rail company... getting everyone on same page and operate as a crew is far and in-between to have happen! Wish you all best of luck!
Ben
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You’re right about that bud!
We’ll all be just fine I’m sure. One thing for sure, I’ll be making the grass shorter somewhere on a golf course next season. I love the work. Should have done it way back when Instead of working at lowes.
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You’re right about that bud!
Should have done it way back when Instead of working at lowes.
I'm sure there's a few customers that you helped at Lowes who don't feel this way.
8)
My father used to say, "Nothing is GOOD ENOUGH, it's either right or it's wrong".
I have always remembered this and performed my work with this attitude in mind. (Except when Gorrila glue is involved) ;)
It shows that you are of the same mindset Bob.
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You’re right about that Mac. I had contractors and customers who looked for me to help them. I enjoyed that part of it. Too bad that management was the worst. It got to where employees were just numbers on a page. Little to no consideration for family or time.
Ancient history now. I don’t even shop there any more.
Last day mowing. The core group of the 5 of us all went out and worked together. It was the first time this year we were able to do that. Very enjoyable. Got stuff done and had some fun. Bittersweet day tomorrow. We’ll enjoy the time but mourn the parting.
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i'm sorry to hear things panned out that way rg. it's real tough to foster good culture and avoid turnover in this industry. our sup and the long term guys do a great job of that here. we just finished putting the course to bed and had our year end wind up, steaks with fixins and a bunch of beers for the guys. hand shakes and hugs to the guys that were done for the season. those kind of things go a long way.
if you and your son ever want to try something a little different we could put yous to work up here in north sask. the fishing isn't bad, just sayin.. :laugh:
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Thanks, but We won’t be leaving this area. We love it here.
The great news is we’ve all been offered opportunities at the course our super is moving to. My Son is applying for a full time, year round position as lead Horticulturist and spray tech. That would put 5 people on staff there with spray certifications and in depth irrigation experience along with a lead gardener to tend their plantings.
Our other remaining full timer is going to a different club for the winter. They operate a winter tubing hill. He’ll be making snow and running the hill till spring. He can switch to the grounds crew there or go with us if he wants. My mowing partner and I will, in all likelihood, go to the new course to be their mow and go team for tees, approaches and greens.
I’ll only go there if my Son does. I can stay where I am if I want to.
The new club just purchased a Kubota mini excavator, 8 new utility carts and 2 fairway mowers. There’s some deep pockets at that club and they don’t hesitate to improve the course. It’s surrounded by multi million dollar homes. I’m looking forward to touring it.
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Well I guess I’m re-retired again. This morning was my last working at the course. I’ll be firing up the Little Wood Shop soon. Till then I’ve got yard work and fishing to do.
Suits me just fine.
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You had a great experience and I have a feeling you'll be on the course again before you know it. In the meantime, I'm looking forward to your workshop creations.
I bet most people who hit the course don't know the technology and hard work that goes into making the course playable.
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Gotta clean the garage first. Kind of got out of order this summer . But…..I’ve got time.
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Carp fishing this morning for a while. Then I’m going to the club to clean out all the birdhouses I put out last spring. They were all inhabited this summer. We had bluebirds, tree swallows, chickadees, house wrens and of course, sparrows.
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I never realized how much work went into maintaining a golf course.
I look forward to seeing the creations from the little wood shop.
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Stopped in at the course today to see how my Son is making out keeping up with only 2 people….including him.
He was out on the course moving mountains of leaves while his partner was mowing the rough. Wish I could help but, the management is focused on Karaoke night, casino night, live music and corn hole leagues instead of the care of a championship golf course that draws all the people to their precious pub.
Such a pity.
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Too bad. Plus, the long-range forecast looks much more like golfing weather than steelhead weather. I might get the clubs back out this weekend. 70s????
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We’re going Sunday morning. Might be the last time for both of us at BHH. If he goes over to the other club, I’ll be going with him. I’ve been assured a position if I want it next season. It’s a beautiful private club surrounded by multi million dollar homes. They let employees play the course one day a week.
Won’t be the same though. BHH is a special place.
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I hope it works out for you bob!
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One way or the other Ben. Hell, I can just go fishing if I want. But I do like working on the golf course. And then, there’s the free golf ;)
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Stopped in to see my Friend ( our super from last year) at his new course. Good to see him again. Was offered a job within a half hour by the super there.
I’d really rather stay where I was. I know and really love that course. It’ll depend on who they end up with for a super there. My Son is moving on to a really great opportunity at a private club. Its a Robert Trent Jones heritage club with a substantial membership and stable history.
Great move for him. Too far for me to drive for 5-6 hours of work though.
We will see.
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I heard there is a vandalism problem at the other course.
(https://i.postimg.cc/TyVNwzWr/download-21.png) (https://postimages.org/)
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Happened at our course once this year.
I’ll never understand why critters have to crap on the tee markers and in the cups.
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Too funny.
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It seems to be a thing with fox, like they are proud of what they produced. Maybe marking territory?
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Our former super told me that I could apply for unemployment. I didn’t know I could. Applied today….we will see.
Every little bit helps.
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Well, I’m going in to the club to help my Son and the last remaining full time employee clear brush and trees from around one of the tees. It’ll probably be the last time I get to work with them and definitely the last time I’ll “volunteer” at this course.
We’ll have a good time and get some work done and share some doughnuts and coffee.
I’m very proud of my Son. He’s concerned and working to the last minute he spends there. When he moves on in a few weeks he’ll be in a better situation that suits his talents and rewards his efforts.
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Met the new super at the course today. Seems a nice guy. Looks looks like we’ll be starting first part of April. I’ll be happy to get back on the mower.
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Spent a few hours touring the course with the new super. I’ll be surprised if he’s still there July 1st. Turns out he’s pretty clueless and way over his head.
No matter to me. I’ll go on and do my job…..go home and forget all about it.
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At least you'll be outdoors putting your own touches on the course. (and chasing geese, I've never seen so many this year)
Played indoors with my sons last week at one of those screen shots courses (Played St Andrews). Not the same but I always jump at the opportunity to hang out with my boys.
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Yeah, and I get to play 2 great courses this year. My course and my Son’s course.
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Back in the office this morning.
(https://i.postimg.cc/XZ6mLjNs/4-D5-EAF5-A-F91-E-4030-90-E6-6-F040-C04-AD86.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/XZ6mLjNs)
Some people call it work😂
The owner came out to say hello and thank me for returning this year. Nice jesture.
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That is a beautiful office. Hopefully you don’t have to many Geese this year.
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The new super has a black lab/ Great Dane mix. Hunter.
He chased the geese off the practice green and dove in pot the pond full out chasing them. He’s a real golf course dog for sure.
US fish and wildlife service is scheduled to round up a batch in a month or so.
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Started mowing greens at 4:20 am this morning. Tournament today.
(https://i.postimg.cc/WDVB68fM/IMG-0139.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/WDVB68fM)
Love mowing greens in the moonlight.
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4:20. 🤣🤣😎😎✌️✌️✌️
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That looks like a scene right out of Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind when the aliens are about to land. ;D
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Yeah…pretty cool.
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Started mowing greens at 4:20 am this morning. Tournament today.
(https://i.postimg.cc/WDVB68fM/IMG-0139.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/WDVB68fM)
Love mowing greens in the moonlight.
Just saw this photo Bob.
Really cool.
Golf courses are beautiful really early in the morning before the golfers get there.
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It is a really nice course.
Golfers can be beautiful as well…..certain golfers that is.
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Golfers can be beautiful as well…..certain golfers that is.
You woulda hated my brother and I Bob. lol
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Must not know who Paige Spiranac is!
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I do!!! And I know nothing about golf
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Well, we have our own favorites.
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Sunrise at the “office”
(https://i.postimg.cc/XXr6vmqR/IMG-0160.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/XXr6vmqR)
Nice place to work.
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Sure looks nice…👍👍
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Pretty morning today.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Ln4PSXrQ/IMG-0199.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Ln4PSXrQ)
One of the many course critters
(https://i.postimg.cc/3yhYMyqd/IMG-0197.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/3yhYMyqd)
Not the biggest I’ve seen only about 18” across. They’ll be nesting in the bunkers soon.
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Golf….the only game where one goes to extraordinary lengths to do as little as possible.
Rg
:rotflol: :w00t:
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:rotflol: :w00t:
????
You commented on a post that is almost 2 yrs old.
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Give him break…..he’s a little out of practice.
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????
You commented on a post that is almost 2 yrs old.
I've got a lot of catching up to do. I'm in March of 2022 on this thread now LOL.
Bob, BTW, the Walter Brennan comment cracked me up too. Not many folks know who he was, probably here and on IS too.
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That’s funny.
Old guys know a lot……if they can remember.
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That’s funny.
Old guys know a lot……if they can remember.
:rotflol: :rotflol: :rotflol:
Mac, I'm glad that you said something. Thanks for that. I forgot what I actually replied to and went back to look, and I quoted the wrong post. I fixed it. It was Bob's reference to what golf is. Even though it's 2 years old, it's still funny. But, the post you saw had no context and made no sense, so I get it. Now it does though.
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Wait a minute…..Mac makes sense???
That’s it….I’m pouring a cocktail!
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Wait a minute…..Mac makes sense???
That’s it….I’m pouring a cocktail!
Yea............a wee dram
8)
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The snappers were busy today.
(https://i.postimg.cc/n9qHC4kQ/IMG-0205.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/n9qHC4kQ)
Counted 6 nests in this bunker. 2 were actively laying eggs.
Now we’ll be filling in holes where the skunks, raccoons and foxes have dug up the eggs.
(https://i.postimg.cc/4KM7c1z8/IMG-0208.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/4KM7c1z8)
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Pretty cool. Saw one on the side of the road digging a nest…
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Sent my son a text with pics. He said to help the first one out of the trap. Told him there’s no way I’m gonna grab that turtle. She got there….she’ll get out.
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If you can get her to bite a big stick, she probably won't let go. Then lift or haul her out.
Or not... (my approach) ;D
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If you can get her to bite a big stick, she probably won't let go. Then lift or haul her out.
Or not... (my approach) ;D
I’ll take the “or not” approach. She got there, she can get out. Those things can take your thumb off in a bite.
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I’ll take the “or not” approach. She got there, she can get out. Those things can take your thumb off in a bite.
Yep, I also like to keep both thumbs and not donate them to the cause...
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Got 10 fingers ...ya can give up a few hahaha
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If you can get her to bite a big stick, she probably won't let go. Then lift or haul her out.
Or not... (my approach) ;D
X2 or a shovel
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No you just leave her alone to do her natural business………………..
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Pretty nice morning to be mowing.
(https://i.postimg.cc/qgMQ6Kch/IMG-0211.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/qgMQ6Kch)
Moonlight over the pond.
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The moon was awesome last night…
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The moon was awesome last night…
Sure was. Went for my morning walk around 3:00. Was mowing by 4:30. Most people miss the beauty of first light. It’s part of my life. A really good part. Let’s me know I’m alive to see another day…..or so.
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Yesterday was a beautiful morning.
(https://i.postimg.cc/XXTb1NPm/IMG-0239.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/XXTb1NPm)
Didn’t get pics of this morning. Rained all the time I was mowing.
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Mowed in the rain all day today. Wasn’t bad. Warm enough anyway. Super quiet and calm out there. Saw our doe with triplets a couple times. The fawns are about 24” tall and just like to run around in circles. Fun to watch. Saw another doe with a single fawn and the fox couple who have a den on #10. They were having breakfast. Not sure what it was but I’m hoping a gosling or two.
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A beautiful morning at Blue Heron Hills Golf Club.
(https://i.postimg.cc/vc9TgCKq/IMG-0241.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/vc9TgCKq)
I do love the work we do here.
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Did the snapping turtle finally get out of the sand trap? Or, is he considered one of the hazards within a hazard?
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SHE made it out just fine. In the last week I’ve seen more than a dozen. Most about the same size. I’ve seen some really big ones there. Must be the males.
Makes me wonder how they survive in the winters here.
The triplets are really amusing to watch. It’s like they’re playing tag. They run around each other and stop. There’s a couple of fox families on the course too. On Saturday the pups were playing in a bunker on #3 hole.golfers were stopping to take videos of them. They were wrestling and kicking sand all over the place.
The other pair on #10 hasn’t brought their pups out yet but, the male followed me down the fairway his morning as I was mowing greens. Wasn’t more than 20 yards behind me. He’s an old fox. Very grey face.
What a great place to spend a few hours a day.
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How's the knee Bob?
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Eh! Not terrible. Made it through mowing greens this morning. Not a lot of on and off the machine. More walking tomorrow. Moving tee markers and such.
I’ll live I’m pretty sure.
Thanks for asking bud.
Garlic is 3’+ tall👍 baked beans are on the Weber. Zwiegles to follow.
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Garlic is 3’+ tall👍 baked beans are on the Weber. Zwiegles to follow.
………and a wee dram of bourbon!
;)
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I’m ready!
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I had 2 pints of porter
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Saw this one in the driveway yesterday.
(https://i.postimg.cc/7CXTLjJk/C2-AB24-F8-DB80-4-BE2-AEFB-BEFE9-EF5-CB0-E.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/7CXTLjJk)
(https://i.postimg.cc/vxwMwZ8H/FFBEF52-B-094-A-421-C-BC16-20-BDBB14-A252.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/vxwMwZ8H)
And my brother in law from Texas sent me this picture of a coral snake he ran over in his driveway. Pretty venomous.
(https://i.postimg.cc/sMBrxN6h/C02-CAEA8-9-F04-41-B8-860-C-850-A1-F27-BF5-C.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/sMBrxN6h)
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Saw this one in the driveway yesterday.
(https://i.postimg.cc/7CXTLjJk/C2-AB24-F8-DB80-4-BE2-AEFB-BEFE9-EF5-CB0-E.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/7CXTLjJk)
(https://i.postimg.cc/vxwMwZ8H/FFBEF52-B-094-A-421-C-BC16-20-BDBB14-A252.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/vxwMwZ8H)
And my brother in law from Texas sent me this picture of a coral snake he ran over in his driveway. Pretty venomous.
(https://i.postimg.cc/sMBrxN6h/C02-CAEA8-9-F04-41-B8-860-C-850-A1-F27-BF5-C.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/sMBrxN6h)
Which is why I'll never live in Texas :nono:
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It's the scorpions in your shoes that keeps me away from there!
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....and the heat ond other stuff !
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It's the scorpions in your shoes that keeps me away from there!
They have to check them every morning. Always 1 or 2 a week….
....and the heat ond other stuff !
X2. It’s 74* here and I had the AC on in the truck…😎
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X2. It’s 74* here and I had the AC on in the truck…😎
I think that they turn the heat on their trucks in Texas if it's 74. :o
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(https://i.postimg.cc/qtFMkm4L/20230622-141128.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/qtFMkm4L)
(https://i.postimg.cc/ZBkt7XJ1/20230622-132256.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ZBkt7XJ1)
Well I retired early..July 1 of last year been down a bit with 2 spine surgeries knee surgery and 4 weeks ago shoulder surgery for torn tendons...I've been working arm getting back in shape still sore...but pulled lumber Mill out and went to a buddies and cut him some ash up...had him and his neighbor and his tractor helping ....I'm little slow right now but felt great to cut ...headed to Erie soon for afternoon...Have Mill will travel 😆
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That’s awesome Ben.. 👍👍👍👍
Love that thing. I really need one…😎
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Spooky foggy morning mowing this morning.
(https://i.postimg.cc/64wQSHHg/IMG-0280.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/64wQSHHg)
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Life on a golf course.
This happened today at my Son’s course.
(https://i.postimg.cc/XGgjcSDC/Attach0.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/XGgjcSDC)
Operator didn’t get hurt, thankfully, just wet. They got the rough mower out and it actually started. They limped it back to the shop for service.
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Scary thing right there My father in law rolled his into the highway and was pinned under it luckily ok, bruised and battered but ok
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Guess it was a slow slide in and the operator had time to bail. I’ve slid down some springtime slippery slopes, but always managed to stay out of the ponds. It’s a very uneasy feeling.
Not into dumping an $80k machine in the pond. Or me for that matter.
They put seatbelts on all these machines. Totally stupid. None of us use them. If you need to bail the last thing you want to do is fumble around trying to take a seatbelt off ..
When you’re under water.
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I mow around a small pond and worry about muskrats tunneling underneath the side of the pond. The idea of going into the pond and stuck underneath the mower is pretty scary.
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Never flipped a tractor but put a fully stacked hay wagon on its side while my brother and cousin were on top.. 8)
Good thing they were young enough to hit the ground and bounce..🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
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I do some brush hogging of my own and for others. I am always too close to the ditches for my own comfort. Gotta do what ya gotta do but sometimes wonder about my own decisions
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Weird Smokey morning again this summer.
(https://i.postimg.cc/9zn0ZGHd/IMG-0302.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/9zn0ZGHd)
Be glad when the Canucks get those fires out.
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Old lineman moment that we survived:
2 of us loaded about half a dozen 40' class 2 poles on a trailer and headed out to a pole replacement job near Lagrangeville, NY. We got to one of those old crossings at the Taconic parkway and came to a stop. The guy i was with said to me " Didn't we bring the pole trailer?"
My answer was yes
He said "Well, we don't have it anymore"
That triggered a terrible feeling.
We turned around and found the trailer a ways back in a wooded area on the roadside and it sure made a mess.
We looked it over and the trailer was toast and a few of the poles didn't do well either. The cause was the pintle hitch mounting plate had broken and took the safety chains with it. Thankfully it was a vacant are with no houses.
We called our foreman on the radio and to say the least, he was not a happy camper.
We went back to the shop and picked up another digger line truck and trailer and spent the day winching the poles out of the woods, loaded everything on the truck and trailer and went back,to the shop.
A surprise to us was our foreman saw us roll into the yard and came out and actually smiled at us and told us he was glad noone got hurt
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Yikes….!
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That could have been disastrous, glad no one was hurt.
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Meanwhile…..back at the golf course….had this bunny looking at me on my mower as if to say “what the hell is that?”
(https://i.postimg.cc/v4ZL1rFR/IMG-0300.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/v4ZL1rFR)
Sat there for a few minutes watching as I was emptying my mower buckets.
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Johnnh good to know someone asked about his people before the equipment. I spent 21 years on the highway dept and have seen a few scary things. The worst was following another vehicle across a thru-way bridge as it was towing a brush chipper. That too busted loose from the pintle hook when it hit a bump, did a 90* left turn and barrel rolled into the oncoming lane.
Management were not happy but no one was hurt.
Also saw a 10 wheeler dump truck with the box up tied up into the power lines That was a heart stopper Our friends from NI-Mo saved our *ss that day
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Had an audience this morning while mowing a tee.
(https://i.postimg.cc/fSzywKv8/IMG-0310.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/fSzywKv8)
This little fox (guy or gal) wandered up.the cart path, sat down and watched me mow the tee. Wasn’t 5 yards from me. When I was done it just got up and trotted away..
It was looking at me like it was thinking”what the hell is that,”
Pretty cool!
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That's cool bob
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Looks like it was hoping you would chase out some breakfast or maybe run over a goose so it could have some goose burger. Always fun seeing the wildlife.
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Just letting you know he ate the rabbit and he’s taking his place lol.
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Heard a fox(assumably) get a rabbit last week. It was super quiet and still. Could hear the rabbit squealing for quite a while. I know the squeal. Used to hunt fox at night. That’s the call I used. Ruler single six…22 mag….with light(as needed)
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Nice little Pistola..............but it's a Ruger. 8)
Used to love varmint hunting.
I had a 22-250 and also a 6mm for the long range stuff.
But my Ruger M22 was my favorite for everything else.
My youngest son, Christopher, got all my guns a few years back when I stopped dear hunting.
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Distance varmint gun was a 25-06 savage BVSS custom. Good to 400 yards. Night forces 12-42, 50 mm competition scope.
That was back when I worked in the gun shop. Been a long time since I put a bullet into anything.
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Had a custom 25-06 and a Roger 25-06, that the wife still has, and shot a few deer and antelope, the best shot was the wife at over 600 on an antelope buck. Good gun, now have a 6.5 PRC that we are trying to get ready for elk this year, the daughter has a 6.5-284 that I have seen several things go down for her with I think the furthest one so far with that gun is a bull elk at 596 yards.
Glad the mowing and all is going good for you again this year always like seeing the updates.
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Yeah it’s relaxing and I love looking in the surroundings. (If you can call it work) I know it’s just a golf course, but this one is pretty special. 1/2 is designated forever wild and just a natural wonder.
I get to see it 6 days a week….on a first hand basis. Great way for an old guy to keep busy. Those super quiet, calm mornings.
Wildlife all around who don’t seem to notice us. Not a person in sight.
My kind of day.
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I used to hunt and trap all the time, probably 20 years since I have done any hunting or trapping. Used to love being in the woods. Know I just fish, most of the land I hunted is posted or new homes now. Everything changes and not for the better.
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Everything changes and not "ALWAYS" for the better.
;)
I only trapped for a few years as a young teen.
Wasn't very good at it.
:laugh:
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Yeah it’s relaxing and I love looking in the surroundings. (If you can call it work) I know it’s just a golf course, but this one is pretty special. 1/2 is designated forever wild and just a natural wonder.
I get to see it 6 days a week….on a first hand basis. Great way for an old guy to keep busy. Those super quiet, calm mornings.
Wildlife all around who don’t seem to notice us. Not a person in sight.
My kind of day.
Any bass in the ponds?? Asking for a friend…..😁
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Look up Blue Heron Hills Golf in Macedon NY on Google Earth. We’ve got lots of water and bass.
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I’m not a golfer but Mindy’s side of the family had a gathering at Nick Faldo’s resort and I brought a packable rod and a few favorite things. They all brought their favorite clubs.. ::) ::)
I was the designated golf cart driver/water hazard fisherman. I had a ball.. They lost a lot….😁 They said I distracted them every time I yelled FISHONnn..🤣🤣🤣😎😎😎✌️✌️
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The super’s son is 19 and fishing is about all he thinks about. He works on the course. When he’s not working , he’s fishing.
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The super’s son is 19 and fishing is about all he thinks about. He works on the course. When he’s not working , he’s fishing.
You say that like it's a bad thing. ;)
Fishing is a whole lot better than some things other 19-year-old males are involved in.
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You say that like it's a bad thing. ;)
Fishing is a whole lot better than some things other 19-year-old males are involved in.
Nope meant that in the best of ways. He’s a good kid. We had our employee party today and the owner gave him a one of those casting sonar units. As a “planned” door prize. Really nice.
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Nope meant that in the best of ways. He’s a good kid. We had our employee party today and the owner gave him a one of those casting sonar units. As a “planned” door prize. Really nice.
:thumbup_smilie:
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So…now I’m Super for the weekend. The boss is playing a PGA tour event with his Brother. Left me in charge.
Kind of wondering how the hell I got myself into this.
But, we’ll get things done. 4 tournaments in the next 3 days. 2 tomorrow, 1 each Saturday and Sunday. The Sunday event is a big deal charity event. Probably a $150k weekend for the club.
No matter. We’ll be at our every day best…….if the kids show up to work…..kids….these days…..oye!
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Successful day today. Everyone showed up, got their assignments and did their work. Long day for me. Went in at 4 am and cleaned the shop and bathroom. It’s was really bad. Got the guys out, mowed tees, approaches and collars and blew off 9 fairways by 11:15. That was more than enough. Course looked great though.
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RG sounds like you really enjoy your work That's the best any one can ask for.
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Yup, nice place to do some work.
(https://i.postimg.cc/tscHKdgH/IMG-0334.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/tscHKdgH)
(https://i.postimg.cc/YGKB9pgn/IMG-0335.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YGKB9pgn)
This morning it was a full moon on one side and a sunrise on the other. Hard to beat.
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Great pictures Bob..
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Played 9 for the first time this year this morning. Took a fall fly fishing and hyper extended a ligament in my left knee a couple months ago. Docs wanted to do all sorts of things like shots and such. I said no. I’d rather know if it’s hurting or healing. Well, it’s in pretty good shape now.
Super and I were out on he course looking at a nagging project to clean up an overgrown area. We were gathering a bucket of golf balls from the the brush and he said “if you don’t start playing golf on this course, I’m gonna fire you”. Said ”we need to look at the course with 3 sets of eyes. The owner’s, the greenskeeper’s and the player’s.”
He’s right. And I really enjoyed playing the course I maintain. Saw some things from a player’s perspective.
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What a nice place to work.
(https://i.postimg.cc/YGr90kf9/IMG-0345.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YGr90kf9)
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So, my Son is the Assistant Superintendent at a private country club. Their maintenance shop was robbed last night. Chain saws, back pack blowers, drills, generators, even a utility cart.
Miscreants! Hope they catch them.
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That stinks bob...I seen that smash and grab on news in California...makes me angry ..because if caught ...right back on street ..I wish they'd bring " shock camps back" my buddy went yo one in early 80s and he came back a totally different person ...to the good and is till this day !
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Yeah, they did a crash and grab at the atv, motorcycle dealer across the street from me a month ago. Stole a car, crashed the overhead door with it and loaded $100k worth of bikes and atv’s into a box truck. Hit it twice in one night. Didn’t have enough…so…they came back. Very organized.
Gang activity. Sad state of affairs.
They’re pretty sure it was someone with knowledge who robbed the maintenance shop. No signs of a break in. Someone who had a key and targeted certain items. Locks get changed tomorrow. Hope it’s soon enough.
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That really sucks Bob. Hope they caught them on camera..
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No cameras as.yet. That'll change.Quickly!
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No cameras as.yet. That'll change.Quickly!
Yea Bob.
No excuse in this day and age for any company to not to have cameras; private citizens too.
I cannot believe their insurance company doesn't insist on them.
I have 2 Google Nest cameras down here on my place and they cost me only $200.
4k video in color for daytime video and B&W thermal imaging that would blow you away at night in the dark.
Up north we had 4 cameras.
The Nest stuff is supper cheap and awesome quality.
Monthly subscriptions are stupid cheap making is simply dumb not to have them.
I laugh when they post photos of bank robbers, etc. in the paper or on the tube and you cannot make out the person's features, etc.
Stupid banks are using ancient technology!!! Dumb!
My cameras here are incredible and not expensive as I said.
Banks and businesses should have even better equipment than I have.
Sorry your son's place got broken into, but they should have had surveillance equipment.
Sometimes, that's all the deterrent you need to avoid trouble.
You don't even need power - they have batteries for night and operate on solar for charging and power during the day.
The tiny local corner Chinese take-out place has cameras. LOL
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Well, the point is that it wasn’t broken in to. Someone with a key got into the building. it’s a 100 year old course next year. Never had an incident like this before. Can’t blame them for being complacent.
I’m with my son on this. Rather find out who than fret about what if’s.
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Agreed Bob.
Our place on Erie was similar.
Every winter things in the park went missing or became vandalized for a few years.
The owner would complain and tell us we had to stop handing out the gate code to people.
Come to find out, he had personally given out key cards to dozens, maybe even hundreds, of people over the years.
He had tons of opportunities to change the code and even make the old key cards null and void, but he didn't.
It was insane for a bit.
Gotta change the locks, install cameras, make sure that your insurance is proper, and anything else to secure your property.
Tons of nasty people out there that wants what you worked hard for, and they don't want to earn it.
I hope he finds the perpetrator(s) and takes corrective action.
Good luck!
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Yea Bob.
No excuse in this day and age for any company to not to have cameras; private citizens too.
I cannot believe their insurance company doesn't insist on them.
I have 2 Google Nest cameras down here on my place and they cost me only $200.
4k video in color for daytime video and B&W thermal imaging that would blow you away at night in the dark.
Up north we had 4 cameras.
The Nest stuff is supper cheap and awesome quality.
Monthly subscriptions are stupid cheap making is simply dumb not to have them.
I laugh when they post photos of bank robbers, etc. in the paper or on the tube and you cannot make out the person's features, etc.
Stupid banks are using ancient technology!!! Dumb!
My cameras here are incredible and not expensive as I said.
Banks and businesses should have even better equipment than I have.
Sorry your son's place got broken into, but they should have had surveillance equipment.
Sometimes, that's all the deterrent you need to avoid trouble.
You don't even need power - they have batteries for night and operate on solar for charging and power during the day.
The tiny local corner Chinese take-out place has cameras. LOL
A supermarket in my state has cameras and facial recognition ability now. News made a big deal about it and peoples privacy. Banks (if not already) will not be far behind in adopting the same technology.
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A supermarket in my state has cameras and facial recognition ability now. News made a big deal about it and peoples privacy. Banks (if not already) will not be far behind in adopting the same technology.
My 2 cameras here at my house have facial recognition.
Look up Google Nest cameras.
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It’ll be the death of us.
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Forgot to tell you Bob.
I'm employed again.
They couldn't find anyone to replace me after I left.
Been asking me to consider coming back as an engineering consultant, on a 1099 basis.
They finally wore me down.
I work from down here, don't have to deal with any customers, no travel, my terms.
I turn in an invoice at the end of the month and they direct deposit my pay.
I get my first paycheck tomorrow.
We will see how it works out.
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Now that’s what I’m talking about! Way to be indispensable……for profit. Just watch your taxes.
Happy for you bud!
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Now that’s what I’m talking about! Way to be indispensable……for profit. Just watch your taxes.
Happy for you bud!
I'm getting a LOT per hour, so taxes won't be an issue.
Besides, I don't want to work that much to be honest.
Thanks.
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Getting to the end of the golf course season. I’m ok with that. I’m ready to fish and play in the wood shop.
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Well, today was supposed to be my last day on the course. But, we got bombarded with a cold front, high winds and driving rain this morning. So I may be back at it tomorrow, if the weather cooperates.
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It’ll be the death of us.
I couldn't agree more.
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Super called me in to put a last mow on the greens, collars and approaches. Long day. Beautiful day to be on the course. It’s becoming a tradition. 3 years running, I’ve done the final mow. Took my time and really enjoyed it.
I can say goodbye to my faithful greens and tee mowers. All new equipment next year. It’ll take some getting used to, but I’m up for it.
For now, 6 months in “the little wood shop” and I’m really good with that.
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Ma Nature put a damper on my plans for today. Headed out early to fish and it started raining. Rained all morning. Didn’t get to fish or attend to the piles of leaves in the yard and other gardening chores.
But….spent the morning in the “Little Wood Shop” working on a Christmas project for my Bride and I. Still getting back into the “wood shop” mode. Seems like it takes longer to transition from outdoor to indoor these days….for me anyway.
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We are 6 months off each other Bob.
I am now getting into the outside mode down here.
I have a contractor hired to double the size of my shed.
When it is completed, I will have AC in it and a large shop sink. (No bath)
It is currently 8' x 9'.
It will end up 8' x 18' when done.
One of the long walls will have my toolbox, the shop sink, and a work bench about 10' long.
The long bench will allow me to get back to building fishing rods.
This shed project will also allow me to bring everything home that we currently have in a climate-controlled storage facility.
The storage now costs me $150 a month.
So, the savings will be nice too.
I've wanted this larger shed from day one, but the hurricane and other projects took priority.
Can't wait.
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Been cleaning up the yard that I so badly neglected this summer. Spent Sunday picking up leaves and burning a huge pile of sticks and branches that have come down since last fall. Neighbor gave me a fire pit that he didn’t use any more.
(https://i.postimg.cc/sG15jXwc/IMG-0427.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/sG15jXwc)
He has a bbq rack that he he’d made at a local welding shop that’s pretty nice. We’ve done a couple chicken bbq’s with it. Yesterday we took the old fire pit blocks to the dump and picked up a truckload of ash from the golf course.
Today I’m tired.
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(https://i.postimg.cc/r0CKsSwf/IMG-4545.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/r0CKsSwf)
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Nice fire. I got most of my "outdoor" work done over a week ago which has given me some time to go out a fish this past week. I have a big maple in my backyard and its sheds sticks every time I get a big blow so I'm always relighting the firepit to burn them off. I hope to have a nice fire for Turkey Day for my family, weather permitting.
With that said, I'm finishing the yard off today.
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Was on track to pressure wash my tractor and put it away today. Pressure washer wouldn’t start. It’s a big Honda engine. Sits for months at a time without running. Pulled the carb off and cleaned it out. They’re famous for getting gummed up. I’ll drain the old gas and give it some new. It’ll run for sure.
Cut back the last of the hostas and oxalis. Gardens are officially buttoned up for the season.
Tomorrow is another day.
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Hondas like new spark plugs too Bob.
I've owned plenty!
Generators, power washers, kickers, motorcycles, you name it!
Good luck.
You will get it to fire.
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Got a Honda on my portable lumber Mill I've had it about 20 years anytime had a problem starting was always gas related think I've only put a plug in it 3 times and that was only because I wanted too they were always clean when pulling them
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I finally decided that I needed to see if my snowblower was going to run as I had trouble with it last fall. I had a friend's son get it running. I pushed the primer and turned on the choke. Started the first pull. Gotta love Seafoam
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Hondas like new spark plugs too Bob.
I've owned plenty!
Generators, power washers, kickers, motorcycles, you name it!
Good luck.
You will get it to fire.
Nah, Hondas are notorious for gumming up the carb jets. Pulled it off, cleaned it and it ran like a champ. I always forget to run the fuel out of the carb when I’m done. It’s in the basement having done its job for the year. Tractor and hand mower got a good wash. Tractor got a few coats of wax after a hand wash. Boat is in the garage, hand mower is put away. Tractor is in the garden with its custom cover. Hoses and lines are drained.
It’s a wrap!
Maybe (weather permitting) I can get some fishing in.
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I’ve probably had a dozen different Honda motors over the years. They all “used” plugs.
All motors’ carbs gum up if left a few months or more with fuel in the bowls and no stabilizer in the fuel. And over 6 mos if stabilized.
And these days, with ethanol, it’s worse for any plastic and rubber. Hoses, o-rings, float, gaskets, etc.
Additionally, it’s hygroscopic from the ethanol, making it collect water molecules.
Glad you got it back up and running Bob.
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Was a no brainer for me. Simple fix.
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So the Super called and asked if I would come in tomorrow to mow greens.
Mow greens on 2/25/24…….i said “sure”. I’ve put the first and last mowing on greens since ‘21. Guess this is the earliest I’ve mowed. Latest was 11/12/ 21.
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That’s cool. I still have 5” of crunchy snow in my backyard and the golf course up the road still has some on it..
But it sure was warm in the greenhouses today.😎😎
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Best part is I’ll play on Tuesday.
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Mowed 18 greens 2x today. The old “double mow” . Only took me 6 hrs 45 min. I was actually surprised at how fast I got them done. Had to use the oldest, slowest mower in the fleet. All the others are being serviced and sharpened for spring.
Sure was a nice day to be working on the course.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Vr4xFGQ9/IMG-0502.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Vr4xFGQ9)
And…the greens look great.
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Been helping out around the shop with a couple problem machines. Went in today to straighten out the unit we use to grind the reels. Wasn’t doing them evenly. Figured out the problem in about 10 minutes…fixed it.
Super asked if I wanted to mow approaches and collars and I jumped on it. Was really happy to be on my new John Deere mower. It’ll take a little bit of getting used to. But I like it.
(https://i.postimg.cc/crg9pRsj/IMG-0553.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/crg9pRsj)
I’m going in tomorrow to adjust a couple things on it. But, I’ve put my name on it. Back at it for real next week. Works for me. I really enjoy this part time job.
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Nice. We still have snow on the ground here..
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Well, we’ve got a chance for 2” of rain and 1-3” of snow over the next 5 days. Looks to break for the eclipse.
Hope so, I’ve got a few nice thick angus strip steaks I plan on burning on the Weber for the after party.