Problem A: Indentations on turf
Location: Granbury, Texas
Turfgrass area: Fairway
Turfgrass variety: Tifway 419 bermudagrass
Problem B: Off-limits portable toilet
Location: Central United States
Turfgrass area: Area behind tee
Turfgrass variety: Bermudagrass
Scroll down for answers.
Problem A: Indentations on turf
The indentations on this fairway were caused by a tree-removal truck that was called out on the course for removal of four trees that were too close to the tee boxes and creating shade issues. The company has performed work at this golf course on many occasions and always does great work. However, on this occasion, the usual crew leader was unavailable, so this was a new crew. In addition, a sprinkler head on this fairway had stuck in the “on” position (note the orange flag marking it). Knowing this, prior to the crew starting the work, the superintendent met with the foreman and the truck driver and led them through the course to where the work needed to be done. He told them to drive out the same way and warned them to not drive anywhere close to that spot where they got stuck. To add insult to injury, prior to calling the superintendent, they tried pulling the truck out with their bucket truck. The superintendent ended up using the course’s front-end loader tractor to pull both trucks out.
Photo submitted by Ryan Reimer, 11-year GCSAA member and GCSAA Class A superintendent at De Cordova Bend Country Club in Granbury, Texas. Photo from Pecan Valley Municipal Golf Course in Fort Worth, Texas.
Problem B: Off-limits portable toilet
This municipal golf course was using portable toilets as an option for restroom facilities. One of the crew was about to use the facility and noticed strange sports drink bottles with chemicals inside the unit, so the superintendent decided to call the police. When officers arrived, they soon realized someone had been inside making methamphetamines using the “shake and bake” method. Three bottles were found; two of them exploded before detectives arrived. Agents were able to neutralize the third one without the harmful chemicals erupting. The inside of the unit was damaged, but agents were able to submit latent fingerprints to a crime lab.
Photo submitted anonymously.
Editor’s note: Have a photo of an on-course anomaly? GCM would love to have a look! Email it to Photo Quiz author John Mascaro.
John Mascaro is the president of Turf-Tec International.