Grounds staff

What did I do to deserve a crew like this?  Despite the 45 degree temps, the 20 mph winds, and the constant beat of rain, we edged and weeded all the bunkers today.  Wow, thank you team for getting it done!

Eric and Robert are even smiling!

Phil and Jeff had no idea that retirement meant working in this stuff.

John kept us moving, getting it done quick and getting it done right - then getting out of the weather. 

 

Thank you Eric, Evan, Peggy, Phil, John, Jeff, Michael and Robert.  Days like this you never forget. 

Assistant update

The people that we have on staff in the Grounds Department are an integral part to our success.  Two key positions that I rely heavily on are my two Assistants.  We recently had a change in 2015 with one of those positions.  As you are aware, Adam Bateson moved on in August, leaving an opening.  This open position was filled rather quickly, but it has occurred to me that I never posted this information on the blog.

I have promoted Evan Riggs to Assistant Superintendent.  Evan was born and raised in Findlay, started his working career on the family farm and got his feet wet in the golf industry working at Red Hawk.  In 2013 he came to FCC as a grounds crew member, in 2014 he performed his internship here at FCC, and in 2015 he came back after graduation for a summer position.  Evan now holds the title of Assistant Superintendent, supporting myself and my Assistant Eric Lowery. 

Evan graduated from Ohio State in 2015 with a Turfgrass Management degree.  We now employ three individuals with Turf degrees - one from MSU and two from OSU.

 

Evan, pictured here with his girlfriend Katherine, recently took a trip out east to visit his brother out on Long Island, who also happens to be an Assistant Superintendent.  In Evan's spare time, he enjoys fabrication and wrenching - two skills we take full advantage of! 

Productive day

Although the weather has turned cold, the grounds staff still has a lot on our plate to wrap up before the end of the season.  We had a productive day, here's what we spent our time on today:

• Mowed greens
• Mowed rough
• Mowed range banks
• Mowed intermediate around fairways
• Removed seasonal flowers and pumpkins from the front entrance
• Stored the tennis court benches for the season
• Picked up all the leaves around the tennis courts
• Fertilized all the fairways and range
• Picked up sticks
• Picked up bags of salt for the upcoming winter weather
• Oil changes on equipment
• Hung Christmas lights around the clubhouse

Thanks to the crew for a job well done!

Losing a valued team member

I feel I need to announce this on the blog, as many of you know Adam personally - Adam Bateson, after 15 years of service at FCC, is moving on to pursue another career path.  His last day will be August 14, if you get the chance to thank him and wish him well, please do.

We will miss his strong work ethic and ability to get things done.

Adam was in the role of Assistant Superintendent for many of his 15 years here.

Lunch with BVC

We had the privilege of spending time with our friends from Blanchard Valley Center today over lunch.

One of our vendors - Bruce Wotring, joined us and supplied the meat and did the grilling.  He's joined by Eric and Jeff on the left.

Evan joined our guests Dustin and Keith.

 

Zach enjoyed the company of Sonja and Bill.

Also visiting was Nichole, Molly and Brooke

Jeff convinced us to take him for a ride out on the course, he wanted to get his picture taken by the front sign.

Here's the whole crew.  After an enjoyable lunch together, we gave them a small token of our appreciation - a new logoed golf ball, and a small ride around the course. 

 

Thank you BVC for a great partnership!

Extra help

It has been a few weeks since my last post, we have been quite busy, as is typical for this time of year.  It has been all hands on deck to keep up with the mowing and blowing off the clippings that we have abundantly produced lately.  Today we completed filling all the holes left from our winter tree removals, next week we will start preparing our landscape beds for mulch.

A few weeks ago we took on a new hire to help maintain the landscaping and flowers around the clubhouse.  Peggy Biolchini, who was formerly working in the club office is now with the Grounds Department filling this position.  Her love for the outdoors, flowers and plants makes this position a great fit.

 

We have also received a little extra help from our friends at Blanchard Valley Center.  We are using the Grounds Department as a resource for some of their clients to learn job skills that will make them marketable in the work place.  Pictured above is Michael, he has been helping us out with a few details around the course.

Today, Ian came to help us sweep out the barns for a few hours.  We wish them all the best as they search for the right positions.

Thanksgiving break

This post is more personal in nature and has nothing to do with the Club.  Last week I was able to take the week off and spend Thanksgiving with family in Michigan.  Growing up in a city along Lake Michigan, we always enjoy going back to the lake, it never ceases to amaze.  Here are some great photos from the many walks we enjoyed last week.  Hope everyone enjoys this Holiday Season!

Grounds staff golf outing

As I alluded to in an earlier post, the Grounds staff is starting to shrink already for the season.  Before all the seasonal staff starts to leave for school, we wanted to show the staff our appreciation for their hard work this summer.  On Wednesday we completed our morning assignments and then got the chance to enjoy the course from a different perspective!

Jordan, Phil, Vinnie and Evan

Ethan, Adam, Dan and Jarred

Julian, Drew, Brandon and Tyler

Jason, Eric, Myself and Danny

Following the 18 hole scramble golf outing, we had a cookout at the shop. 

 

After the Ohio Junior Championship in June, the OGA sent us a large box of steaks to say "Thank You".  We finally got a chance to grill these.  But to feed 17 hungry guys takes a bit of food.  One of our very generous members at FCC sponsored our event and cookout.  He was very appreciative of the hard work the guys put in this year and wanted to acknowledge them.  We were able to treat the Grounds staff right.

We set up a buffet in the shop.

Had to get a picture of Wayne in here, he didn't play golf, but sure enjoyed the food.

 

I am extremely thankful and proud of the crew this year, they did an outstanding job.  While we didn't have any major storms or floods, maintaining a golf course is hard work no matter what you're doing.  The entire staff raised up to the challenge and gave the members a wonderful golf course this year.  Great job men and thank you!