Wow what a good time to ask about an update. This summer we lost 4-5 greens and had 4-5 others that were significantly weakened and borderline acceptable for play. The culprit was a new pre-emergent and unusually high heat early in the year. We were not the only Bentgrass course in the area that had this problem. We operated on 9 holes throughout July,August and September to allow the others greens to heal and two that we resurfaced to grow in.

As you can imagine revenue and rounds were horrible. This winter has been pretty good to us and things seem to look bright for next season. We leased a second course in Decatur Alabama and took over operations last Tuesday. We will be offering both courses for the same price with our season passes so that should really help get things rolling in the right directions.

We generally lease purchase equipment. When we first started we went with a mixture of new and low hour used stuff. We run nothing but Toro and Deere Tractors. You can get some really good deals on demo and Augusta National equipment in this area. Toro provides all the equipment for the Masters and after the tournament Jerry Pate (Old Turfcare) gets it sells it off.re serious I can PM you a really good salesman's number that either has one or will find one pretty quick in your price range.

As far as a bunker rake I'd buy used instead of refurbed. If you're serious I can PM you a really good salesman's number that either has one or will find one pretty quick in your price range.

If you do go refurb I'd get it here though http://www.belairturf.com

just looking for a guesstimate.

How many times per year would you say that you have a non annual fee holder play more than 6 full rounds in any given 30 day stretch?

pm sent.
Thanks!

Lol work on a greens crew sometime. I would say half the staff comes in hungover and you have at least one guy that is like carl from caddyshack.

Is it Canebrake that you work at?

No. Sunset Landing in Huntsville and Cedar Ridge in Decatur

Not often. Most of our pass holders are M-F seniors or regulars from one of two "big groups" that have standing games. I wouldn't have a pass at any one place if I just casually played or lived next door or something like that. Lots of good courses within 30-50 miles that are comparably priced. You can get a lot of deals on golf around here too, Living Social, TV/Radio 2 for 1's etc.

I know this is like a year ago that you said the above but you require carts to be 50 yards from the tee boxes? WTF is up with that?

I think it's worded something like "keep carts on path near tees and greens" on our scorecard. We have markers to show where to not go past near our greens. I guess what I posted is not entirely accurate. I can take pictures and show you why we want them on paths near tees. You could have a 2 gazillion foot wide cart path and guys are going to drive up to the tee and pull two tires off the path. Multiply that by 35,000 rounds and see what your turf looks like at the end of a season around your tee boxes. I spent a couple hours today moving and putting ropes and posts to cut cart traffic off. People are oblivious to where they drive, it's like they gravitate to muddy or worn out areas.