For many of us, it's pretty common to realize the great work golf course superintendents do on a daily basis. At GCSAA, it is our focus to recognize the work of our members. The time and effort crews and volunteers dedicate to get a golf course in exceptional condition can be endless.
Ultimately, the end result is a venue of which players, fans and everyone associated can be proud.
July is also a busy time with facilities hosting events. Not the type of event that is on television or seen by thousands of fans, but those where the best players from a state or region compete for a title. These events may be run by state or regional golf associations, PGA Sections, or another local governing body.
Right now it is peak state amateur season in the Central Plains. In many of these states, players have earned the right to play based on qualifying rounds. For these individuals, it could be the largest, most important event they will play all season.
I had the opportunity to see and speak with Loren Breedlove of the Kansas City Country Club in Mission Hills, Kansas, as the course played host to the 107th Kansas Amateur between July 18-23. 144 players earned the right to compete for the championship.
Hosting the highest-profile amateur event in the state takes planning and preparation.
"We adjust the schedule of our staff, including split shifts," said Breedlove, who's been at KCCC for 37 years, 33 of those years as the superintendent.
In addition to staffing, reading what mother nature is predicting and working with the Kansas Golf Association staff is at a premium. Temperatures the week of the state amateur were in the triple digits. Knowing players want "firm and fast" is a touchy balance when the heat indexes are 110 degrees.
"We worked with the KGA and they were supportive of understanding that we didn't want to lose turf, but maintain the course to a high level," said Breedlove, a Kansas State University graduate.
Then, to top it all off, a major storm surge hit the Kansas City area on Saturday night, the night before the championship match. Large trees were downed from the storm. Suddenly, getting the course playable was the priority.
KGA Tournament Director Casey Old summarized the efforts of Loren and his staff with the cleanup in a tweet: "We won't be able to thank Loren Breedlove and his crew at KCCC enough for getting this course playable. They are the stars today!"
While Kansas City Country Club was completing efforts at the state amateur, the work for a superintendent in Dodge City, Kansas, were being put to the test as well.
Mariah Hills GC is a public facility in the southwestern part of the state. Ninety-three junior golfers, both boys and girls, advanced to the Kansas Junior Golf Association Section Team Championship through season-long regional qualifying events. A trip to the championship was the reward.
Member Matt Lowery has been the superintendent at Mariah Hills for 17 years. The Dodge City native notes the area embraces hosting larger events and the preparation for this tournament was focused on small items that make a major difference.
"Hosting this type of an event requires extra hours and a focus on our detail work," noted Lowery. "At full staff, we can have nine people, but our regular staff is five." The exceptional condition of the course was noted by players, parents and the Kansas Junior Golf Association staff and volunteers.
Mariah Hills recently installed an updated irrigation system and is using effluent water. That has helped keep conditions exceptional, as the high-plains climate can be fickle. The facility has been host to the National Junior College Athletic Association national championship during his time as a superintendent.
Ultimately, superintendents across the country are focused on providing exceptional playing conditions, even though the weather may have its own forecast.
Gary Sailer, superintendent at the Nicklaus Golf Club at Lions Gate in Overland Park, has been prepping to host the annual Web.com Tour's Digital Ally Open between July 27 and July 30. Up to six inches of rain fell overnight on July 26, cancelling play Thursday, July 27 and forcing a 36-hole final round Sunday.
Kudos to all for the exceptional job you do all year. Best of luck for a successful conclusion to the 2017 season.
Ultimately, the end result is a venue of which players, fans and everyone associated can be proud.
July is also a busy time with facilities hosting events. Not the type of event that is on television or seen by thousands of fans, but those where the best players from a state or region compete for a title. These events may be run by state or regional golf associations, PGA Sections, or another local governing body.
Right now it is peak state amateur season in the Central Plains. In many of these states, players have earned the right to play based on qualifying rounds. For these individuals, it could be the largest, most important event they will play all season.
I had the opportunity to see and speak with Loren Breedlove of the Kansas City Country Club in Mission Hills, Kansas, as the course played host to the 107th Kansas Amateur between July 18-23. 144 players earned the right to compete for the championship.
Hosting the highest-profile amateur event in the state takes planning and preparation.
"We adjust the schedule of our staff, including split shifts," said Breedlove, who's been at KCCC for 37 years, 33 of those years as the superintendent.
In addition to staffing, reading what mother nature is predicting and working with the Kansas Golf Association staff is at a premium. Temperatures the week of the state amateur were in the triple digits. Knowing players want "firm and fast" is a touchy balance when the heat indexes are 110 degrees.
"We worked with the KGA and they were supportive of understanding that we didn't want to lose turf, but maintain the course to a high level," said Breedlove, a Kansas State University graduate.
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| A downed tree from a powerful storm right before the state amateur final match at the Kansas City Country Club. Photo courtesy Kansas Golf Association. |
KGA Tournament Director Casey Old summarized the efforts of Loren and his staff with the cleanup in a tweet: "We won't be able to thank Loren Breedlove and his crew at KCCC enough for getting this course playable. They are the stars today!"
While Kansas City Country Club was completing efforts at the state amateur, the work for a superintendent in Dodge City, Kansas, were being put to the test as well.
Mariah Hills GC is a public facility in the southwestern part of the state. Ninety-three junior golfers, both boys and girls, advanced to the Kansas Junior Golf Association Section Team Championship through season-long regional qualifying events. A trip to the championship was the reward.
 |
| Matt Lowery, superintendent at Mariah Hills GC in Dodge City, Kansas |
Member Matt Lowery has been the superintendent at Mariah Hills for 17 years. The Dodge City native notes the area embraces hosting larger events and the preparation for this tournament was focused on small items that make a major difference.
"Hosting this type of an event requires extra hours and a focus on our detail work," noted Lowery. "At full staff, we can have nine people, but our regular staff is five." The exceptional condition of the course was noted by players, parents and the Kansas Junior Golf Association staff and volunteers.
Mariah Hills recently installed an updated irrigation system and is using effluent water. That has helped keep conditions exceptional, as the high-plains climate can be fickle. The facility has been host to the National Junior College Athletic Association national championship during his time as a superintendent.
Ultimately, superintendents across the country are focused on providing exceptional playing conditions, even though the weather may have its own forecast.
Gary Sailer, superintendent at the Nicklaus Golf Club at Lions Gate in Overland Park, has been prepping to host the annual Web.com Tour's Digital Ally Open between July 27 and July 30. Up to six inches of rain fell overnight on July 26, cancelling play Thursday, July 27 and forcing a 36-hole final round Sunday.
Kudos to all for the exceptional job you do all year. Best of luck for a successful conclusion to the 2017 season.
