Equipment Repair and Maintenance
In winter
all of our equipment is gone over to ensure that it is running correctly when
we need it to perform at its best. All of our reels are ground to ensure
that they are cutting well. Oil changes and preventative maintenance is
done to each piece of equipment to help avoid future problems. Hydraulic
hoses, bearings, and seals are evaluated and replaced if necessary.
Preparing the equipment for the season is a 2 month process that will
provide quality when we need it in the golf season.
Painting
Another aspect
of our winter work is painting and caring for our benches, ball washers and
hole signs. The tee equipment is taken apart, prepped, and painted so it looks
great for the beginning of the season. This winter we decided to paint
the hole signs which have not been painted in many years. Tony is just
wrapping up painting the signs and will be a nice added touch once we open the
golf course.
Tree Care and Maintenance
Earlier in
winter we pruned up a majority of the trees on the golf course. This
allows for ease of maintenance so our mowers can work efficiently around them
without being a hazard to the operator. The other benefit is greater
playability for the golfer who is now afforded an easier shot from the
trees.
We also had a few dead and dying
trees that were removed back in December.
Most of these trees selected for removal were ash trees that had little
to any life left in them. This will be a continuing problem in the years to
come as the Emerald ash borer has moved into the area. It is only a matter of time before all of the
ash trees will need to be removed. The
greens and grounds committee is looking at future tree additions to help manage
the forest.
What’s Ahead
The golf course was put to rest last
fall in outstanding condition. The
winter has been kind as we have very little snow or more importantly no
ice. We can expect the golf course to be
in good shape once we open.
In 2015 we have a few things planned
that will greatly improve the facilities at Ridgeway. Once warmer weather is upon us we plan to have
maintenance facility paved along with some arborvitaes to help hide the road
left of #11 fairway. Also we plan to do
some repairs and seal coating of the clubhouse parking lot. We also have a few tree transplants that need
to go in once the ground firms up this spring.
We look forward to an early 2015
golf season and we will provide weekly updates so stay tuned …
