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Superintendent outlines 50–75 lb top-dressing plan, consultant visit and irrigation constraints
Summary
Pat Friend, the golf course superintendent, told commissioners the greens will receive 50–75 pounds of topdressing per green every two weeks and summarized consultant Steve McDonald’s recommendations on irrigation, bunker management and a possible master plan.
Pat Friend, the golf course superintendent, highlighted agronomy and maintenance work planned for the season, including a top-dressing regimen for greens and expanded verification following aerification.
"Our top dressing program will be 50 to 75 pounds per green once every 2 weeks," Friend said, adding that the crew will return two weeks after verification with a heavier application when necessary to avoid bridging and dipping.
Friend described several infrastructure projects: installing driving-range mats (7x7 stations under in-house construction), correcting a roll gate and replacing failing netting (delays attributed to steel availability and tariffs), and removing or pruning trees that contribute to irrigation line failures. He said recent stump removal damaged a main irrigation line that required repairs.
On irrigation, Friend noted parts availability has hampered repairs: "Parts been on back order for 8 months," he said when discussing pond aerators and pumps. He urged a strategic approach to removing or replacing turf and flagged staffing shortages (two groundskeepers down) as constraining some work.
Friend summarized consultant Steve McDonald’s visit and recommendations: continue the top-dressing program, consider moving to artificial tees on the driving-range tee for durability, evaluate mowing/rough areas to reduce maintenance loads, and consider a long-term irrigation renovation as part of a course master plan.
Commissioners asked for follow-up data on night-range revenues, the progress of top-dressing results and a future report on drainage and pond management. Friend said he would include pro-shop and range revenue breakdowns in his next report and that capital and staff resources would determine how broadly top-dressing and other enhancements can be implemented.
Commissioners praised staff’s recent work and requested the superintendent return with the requested financial and performance breakdowns and any specific budget requests tied to a wider top-dressing or renovation program.
