Change--God's Plan For my Life

Jeremiah 29:11

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

God changed my plans!  I didn't plan to leave River Falls, but God knew it was time.  I was driving to Charleston anxious and nervous--Emersyn had just had her MRI and we were getting the results the next morning.  I was meeting Erica and her mom as I had to work that day and missed the MRI.  I received a phone call that changed the path I was on.  The phone call set things in motion to the job offer that I accepted.  It was a hard decision as ultimately I had to chose between 3 jobs--River Falls and two other sales jobs.  Did I want to join the sales side, because I love being on a golf course, was the question running through my mind.  In the end, it boiled down to my leaving, to one simple fact--this is to better my family.  God is great.  When you remain faithful to Him, even when at times you may not understand why he puts a test in front of you, you need to stay the course and work for the Lord.  I believe whole heartedly that if you work for the Lord and seek Him and His plans, he will guide your life in a way we as humans can't imagine.  It is hard to try not to control things as it is just human nature to try to be in control and rely on self; especially when things are going great!  So I was on vacation the whole next week after the phone call (luckily the MRI and reading got scheduled to fall the days before my family's beach trip in Garden City so we didn't have to drive far from Charleston) and all week I discussed it with Erica and my family and ultimately there were more pros, than cons, so we began to get really excited.  I had everything in my mind ready to go to work in a very similar field, but one that was going to be an adjustment, as I would have to familiarize myself with athletic field products.  So, I get back and I am talking to Alan Corbin (my sales rep at Corbin Turf who is part owner of the family business) about sales because Erica and I decided it was wise to talk to someone I could trust and make sure this was the right move for our family.  Well, he told me to wait to take the job, that he may have a position that I could come in and take some of his clients off of him so that he could better serve those clients for the company and so that he could focus more on running the business with his brother-in-law.  I was shocked! I called Erica and said there may be a wrinkle in the plans.  All we knew was that God was opening doors of opportunity.  He was providing a path.  A path that I never dreamed would be in front of me.  I will be working for a company that shares the same Christian values that my wife and I share.  So, Alan calls and says okay, can you come in for an interview tomorrow.  This was set for Wednesday afternoon and well I was excited for this, but still had plans to go work for the other company, as I wasn't even sure if they were even going to open up this position for me.  After waiting a week, they decided Wednesday afternoon that we would have another interview and this was going to be a mock sales pitch of a product I create.  I was on my way to help build bunk beds for an outreach ministry with a small group of guys from our Wednesday night Bible study and didn't get home until 9:30, yet I had to get ready for this big opportunity in front of me that was going to be tough!  Okay, wow, that was one of the toughest "interviews" I have ever had, but God provided the strength for me to get through it.  I'll always say Emersyn got me the job because I named my product I "created" after her.  So the next day, Friday, I was offered the job.  Erica and I had some decisions to make and we decided after praying and talking it through that Corbin Turf and Ornamental was the right job for me and our family.  It wasn't easy choosing between the two as both jobs would have been a great job to have.  God though, gave me peace that we made the right decision.

So, after all that I write to say my last day at River Falls will be August 13.  The past 3 years have been wonderful.  I am going to miss everyone: members, co-workers, guests, and especially my crew.  I can't say enough how hard they work for not much reward.  I want to say thank you to my owners for giving me my chance as a young turf professional when I was a raw, young assistant superintendent at the Cliffs at Glassy.  They took a chance on me, and for that I am forever grateful.  Also, Travis Sloan and Todd Roberson, were both instrumental to me even being at River Falls, and I will always be thankful that they went to bat for me and helped get me the job at River Falls.  I gained two life long friends that I know are a phone call away, if it's to talk work or just to give each other a hard time or a group text that at the end of the conversation you have laughed so much at some of the dumbest things and your wife thinks you are retarded!  I am proud of the accomplishments we made at River Falls to re-vamp and to improve the playing conditions, but there was so much more I had hoped to accomplish.  I am so proud of how hard each person that worked for me, bought into what I wanted to do at River Falls and we made the most of our situation.  There of course were disagreements and more than a few times "extra-motivation" was needed, but overall I'd put my crew up against anybody's.  They all will hold a special place in my heart.  I hope that I leave and each of them know how much I appreciate them.  I will miss our lunchtime "church" that would happen--especially in the slower months when questions were asked, or when there were controversial things happening around us or within us that I felt only the Bible would be able to answer.  I hope to be no stranger as I'm not leaving the area and there is a good chance I will be calling on River Falls.  I hope to help the new Superintendent if he wants me to, and want to be just a phone call away for him.  I close this with a few last thoughts.  God will always be with you, walk close to Him and his Word.  Work as if you are working for the Lord.  River Falls has become a top course in the upstate, so please continue to support them, and I can only hope it improves each day after I am gone.  I wanted to leave my mark on River Falls, just as Jim Gerber, so I hope the next guy leaves his mark and that each of us left it better than we found it.  I thank all of those who have supported me, welcomed me, helped me, and those that worked for and with me.  God has plans for you, just as he has a new plan for my family and myself.  God bless all of you and no matter your circumstances in life, seek the Lord earnestly, live for Him, share His love, grace, and forgiveness, and if it is not rewarded in this life, your rewards for will be waiting for you in heaven.  Please, before I go on August 13 come speak to me and keep playing golf!

God bless,
Daniel

It's about time!

Wow, it has been a year since I last posted!  Finding out my wife and I were having our first child last February really changed a lot of my time, and especially now that she is 4 months old!  It is exciting and at times exhausting!  But enough of the excuses for why I haven't posted.  Be on the look out as I will be regularly posting now!  I'm excited to be blogging once again.  I will be updating you on all that has happened this past year in a 2-3 part series, 2014 in review.  There will be photos, updates, and insights from what we have done and what I have learned this past year!  Check back within the next few days for the first part of "2014 year in review."  But for today, who is excited to be getting a glimpse of spring?  I know for one I am!  It is great to see the greens begin to green up, but it is also a stressful time for me as I monitor them closely coming out of dormancy.  This year we are later than I ever anticipated putting out our pre-emergent herbicide.  The weather was a major hurdle, as we had to deal with snow, ice, rain, and just terrible cold weather that wasn't conducive to go and get the spray out.  Because of this cold though, it has delayed the soil temperatures from warming, and it has widened the window in order to put out the pre-emergent/round-up combination.  It should be finally finished tomorrow as we will be spraying the tees...weather permitting!  This is all the "blue" you are seeing all over the course since last Friday.  We have been able to get out and limb trees, so hopefully you will have better shots, as well as we will get more sunlight on some greens, and the rough so hopefully the bermuda will start creeping up closer to the base of the tree.  I hope that you will come out and join us as the weather is warming up and soon the grass will be greening up!  Check back often, because I will be updating often to keep you, the golfer and homeowners informed.  You may even learn some new turf information as I will be giving tips, and explaining certain reasons why we do the things we do!  On a final note, it was great hosting the Byrnes Invitational again this year as we had approximately 70 high school golfers here yesterday and was great seeing such talented young golfers.  The winning score was a 67 by a golfer from Byrnes.  That is an impressive effort.  I look forward to sharing more days of the Golf Course Superintendent at River Falls Plantation and my great staff.

Daniel

White as Snow

As I write this post, I am feeling fresh and renewed.  This is not the typical post, but at the same time, this has not been the typical week!  During preaching this morning at church, I sat in the pew and felt moved to do a post on this.  It has been an interesting week.  First it started off with beautiful weather on Monday, that turned into snow on Tuesday through well the better part of the whole week.  As it melted things started becoming more drab and putrid.  Things got even more interesting once the snow had stopped as it became extremely windy.  But just when you think things are over, an earthquake hits.  4.4 on the Richter Scale  (it has been rumored a Valentine's Kiss caused it--but no official word yet if true...).  Not too shabby of an earthquake for SC either.  My pastors words resonated in me this morning and I'm going to try to share more feelings and more in depth of how I portrayed this past week.


Snow to me is purity in the finest form.  God intends for us to see purity when it snows.  It is a cleansing of the earth, just as God sent Jesus to purify us from our sins.  Just reflect on the beauty of snow.  Everything is so peaceful, quiet and serene during the snow.  It teaches us to be a kid again, stop, put aside all of our worries.  Why?  Because we have forgotten the finer things in life.  God has to send a reminder to us each snow.  This reminder is that he purifies us.  With him, and our relationship with Jesus Christ and the blood he shed for us, the sin is gone and washed white as snow.  Isn't that a remarkable thing?  In today's times, we needed that snow more than ever.  Sin is running rampant in our country, and we have become immune to it in so many ways.  Forgetting God and what is right and our purpose for being on Earth.  God doesn't forget us though, he simply sends us reminders.  Snow.  God is telling us it isn't too late, just look around and see how pure God can make the earth, all by sending snow.  The nutrients and benefits that snow bring to this earth are unmatched by humans.  Why?  Because only God can send something so pure to help replenish Earth.  Only His son can wash away our sins as well.  I'm thankful God sent us the snow for us to stop, sit back and realize that there is more to life, and that we should be reminded he is always with us. 


If that isn't enough of a wake up call for us.  Think about those winds you felt piercing you Friday.  When we don't "figure it out" and think to look at God, he reminds  you to feel his presence through the wind.  Sometimes we resist, but you can't hide or forget God.  He will make his presence felt--Good or Bad, I just hope its not too late for us as a Human Race.  We have chosen the life that the Corinthians chose in biblical days.  Life without consequences and rules, and forgetting why we are truly here.  We have thrived as a nation and area just as Corinth did as the center for trade.  Sin consumed them, but through this, we see God's ultimate love for the Corinthians and how to live a Godly and holy life.  But with that, we also have become immune to so many sins that it is sickening to think about how we actually are tolerant to so much.  We need to wake up and not forget God, and get Him back in the center of our lives, our community, our nation and our world.  With that said, this leads me to the next event this week, the Earthquake.


Earthquakes don't often happen, but when they do it gets lots of attention.  God is shaking us wanting to get our attention.  Don't ignore this!  Don't leave Him out of our lives.  Seek him, please don't forget Him!  He wants to rejoice with us and share the great times, and be there for you during the hard times.  Hard times and trials are God's way of showing us love.  It shows us that no matter what, he will be there for us and that if we seek Him and His will, even though we may not always like the outcome, we will grow stronger for the future, and things so great, that we cannot fathom at the time will come in our lives that we never would imagine, all because we trusted in God.  Please use this as a wake up call.  God is shaking us, wanting our attention.  He wants us to thrive as a nation, a nation that is prosperous, a nation that FEARS  Him and one that is there for each other.  No man is without sin, but each day we can strive to be more like God's image, the image we were made from.  Thank you for reading something different other than golf today, this is the real meaning and purpose for us here on Earth.  Put God first today.  Don't forget about Him.  Thank him for all of your blessings and realize that he is with you through it all.  Just know, he has promised more for us.  That is why in our near horizon, life is about to SPRING--don't you just feel revived knowing that the bulbs will be flowering, the trees will be blooming, and the GRASS will be greening up!  God bless each of you and please I hope and pray you will share this with someone who may need this today.

Winter weather update:

I've received numerous questions if we will be covered for the upcoming snow.  Some courses in the area are covering, but my plan is to leave the greens open.  The forecast of 4-6 inches of snow will act like a "cover" and allow the soil temperatures to regulate and not be too cold.  It will give beneficial natural nutrients to our greens also, that we humans could never duplicate.  The reason some courses will be covered is that they have black covers that will melt the snow faster.  With white covers I feel it would be opposite and melt slower, thus a longer duration of being covered.  I hope this helps!  Stay warm, be safe, and enjoy the snow that is predicted.  One last note, if you or your kids play on the golf course, stay off the greens!!  Thanks.

Daniel

Course Closed For Covering

We will begin covering greens Tuesday morning and will be closed until this next wave of arctic air passes.  As of now, it looks like we will remain covered until sometime Saturday.  Please check with the pro shop as well on the blog for updates as to when we may take the covers off!  Thanks so much, stay warm, but come out and play tomorrow before the arctic blast gets here!  It should be a great day for golf!

Those dreaded Covers...

I know covering prevents golf...But really do you want to play when it is 35 degrees out and 15 mph winds?  Okay, I know there are some of you extremist out there!  So back to the covers and why we need them.  The diamond zoysia grass is a warm season turf that needs protection due to the low mowing heights that exposes the crown of the plant to much harsher conditions.  Covering greens is a common practice done on ultradwarf (bermudas and not technically Diamond Zoysia, but it is close enough that I typically call it an ultradwarf) putting greens during the winter months. This process helps our greens hold heat in the soil profile, prevents plant desiccation and protects turfgrass plants against extreme cold temperatures and wind.  Desiccation is basically dehydration.  This in turn during the cold makes the plant even more stressed, thus causing the plant to die or what we call "winter kill."  This is something I don't ever want to see on our putting greens.  This is why sometimes you may be thinking, "why in the world is he covering greens?"  Well it is always better to be safe than sorry.  I have many factors that determine when I cover.  A few of these factors for not covering even though the temperatures do dip below 25 degrees include how much moisture is in the greens--if we just got 3 inches of rain, the rain has heated up the soil surface just enough to keep us safe--unless it is prolonged coldness.  This factor is for usually only one day after the rain. If it is going to be windy and 25 degrees with daytime temperatures not getting to 50 degrees, then you will see the covers come out.  Duration of the cold is another factor.  If it is only going to be 23 for 15 minutes, and then the temperatures may jump up quickly and the day was warm before (above 50 degrees) then you will not see covers.  As for this last spell that we had, you saw record low temperatures that were accompanied with very cold winds, thus we left the greens covered for 6 days.  This kept the moisture from the previous rain in so the desiccation factor, plus the extreme cold was a textbook case of a no brainer cover.  Soil temperatures under the covers during that extreme cold only got as low as 33.  I would of course love to have them warmer, but I do not feel any anxiety considering the temperatures outside were 6 degrees.  In summing this up, if temperatures are below 25 degrees, there is a good chance the greens will be covered.  But--like I say, there are many factors that determine if I am going to cover.  If I am ever in doubt or unsure, you can bet they will just go ahead and be covered.  Winter kill is nothing to mess around with in the spring, so therefore it is better to be safe than sorry!  As I write this blog, the forecast for next week could be putting this practice into use.  As of today, it looks like we may be covered for an extended time period.  Check back later to see if we cover, and when we plan to reopen!  I hope you found this helpful in understanding why we bring out "those dreaded covers."

On a side note:  if the forecast will allow, we will sometimes use the practice of uncovering half of a green for daytime play, then recover during the afternoon for the night.  Because of this, we usually put the pins up front anytime we cover where this could be a practice we use.

If there are any questions please never hesitate to ask!

Winter Update!

Well it has been way too long since my last post.  A lot has happened since September.  We've had record colds, rain, more rain, and more rain in the forecast.  Did I mention it was cold?  Over the next few posts, I plan to really go more in depth on a few maintenance practices, projects in the works or those that are completed.  I'd love for some feedback in the next few weeks and I'd love for some questions or ideas.  We have many big plans in place to complete before the "season" begins.  Some of these will be included in future posts.  I plan on an upcoming "series" of posts that will do in depth on covering of greens, painting of greens, winter management practices, winter practices, and lastly some issues we have, or have been seeing that each of you can help assist us make these areas better.  I will post many pictures, and invite each and everyone of you to come out and play a round at River Falls!  When we are dry--that's a big when--the course conditions are favorable for a fun round of golf!

September--Fall is in the Air

After an unusual summer, that was honestly just plain crazy, we are now in a "drought" as I like to say now!  We seriously are very dry.  This is not a bad thing for the golfers though, as the greens are firm (almost getting a little too firm) and the speeds are rolling very consistent with speeds that are making a lot of golfers very happy.  I noticed due to this very weird weather pattern we are having where the days are mild, and the nights are cool, with such dry air--seed heads are trying to form again on the greens.  I once again treated with a herbicide called Princep (simazine is the active ingredient for all of you chemical junkies).  This is still a culture shock to me to spray such a thing.  I did mix a Minor nutrient package along with iron--just in case we get an off color stunting from this spray.  It is very intriguing that this is the recommended spray, and is something for all the turf managers and superintendents reading this blog to really almost scratch your head and say, "really--on green turf?"  It worked excellent in the spring, and I'm hoping to get some Poa annua control out of this this fall as well.  On to bigger and better things--the sod that we installed on the course is doing well.  It isn't growing as fast as I had hoped for, but it is healthy and doing well.  This weather pattern of cool nights and mild days, along with absolutely zero rain isn't helping it to grow in, but it is still a healthy stand of turf.  We will begin to use these tees very limited throughout the fall and winter, and once the grass begins to grow in the spring and summer these will be the primary tees as I plan to re-work the other tees on these areas.  I'm excited to see all of the visitors out here coming to play as all the bentgrass courses are healing in from aerification.  That is one positive about the diamond zoysia is that we aerify one time, in the dead of summer when its almost too hot for golfers any way.  We have great greens when the bent guys are healing in, so as a sales pitch to those golfers of other courses that read this, come out!  The finished product for the waste bunker really thrilled me, and I have enjoyed each of the comments that I have received on this new addition.  How do each of you like the red carts?  I think they have an appealing look on the golf course.  I wasn't sure exactly how I would like them at first, but I think they really pop and look sharp!  As summer winds down, so does our maintenance crew.  Its not the hustle and bustle of cut cut cut cut cut the crazy growing grass, but lets make progress.  Lets get projects done!  I look forward throughout the fall and winter and upgrading and bringing new and improved areas that I hope that each of you will enjoy and make your River Falls golfing experience one of a kind!  Fall color is soon for us to enjoy, come out and play golf and enjoy the beauty of fall.

 Initial Plugging of #13 under the Tree--It is beginning to grow in extremely well.

Prepping for the waster bunker

Middle stages of #16 waste bunker

Almost ready.

Just a sneak peak of a close up of how great the Diamond really is!

uh oh!  Spots like we had last year trying to pop up!

'Take all root Rot'

Sprayed Torque and then 10 days later sprayed Heritage TL and today they are almost non existent.

Yes, this used to be the massive sink hole on 3 green!  It filled in nicely

6 tee box before our shaving it down to tee heights!

How bout these Candy Apple Red carts

Sod Finally is Here! Project week continued

Well we have been patient--but the day is finally here!  It's been around a month since the 100 year flood has kept the sod fields where they were harvesting from actually cutting the sod for us.  We chose a new variety of Bermuda sod called 'Tif Grand'.  It is the first sterile Bermuda (aka sod--or of higher quality) that is shade tolerant.  The areas that we are concentrating on, which really are our main issues anyways are shady locations.  Number 6 tees are a par 3.  The zoysia that used to be there just couldn't withstand the shade and excessive divots as it is a very short wedge par 3.  With the Tif Grand, I am expecting to see a much rapid recovery.  In order to correct the drainage issue that kept that tee box wet, we installed a valley with a drain and large rocks in order to divert the water around the tee that flows off of the road/gulley that runs along the side of this tee box.  We raised the tee box with river sand two inches as well and while we were waiting we had 0 water issues on that tee box.  I'm excited to grow this in and get it open.  I feel that you will be amazed with the tight low growth that the 'Tif Grand' possesses, thus allowing you to get a better feeling golf shot.  We have expanded the ladies tee on number 6 as well and resodded it.  If sod permits this year, we have intentions to reopen the old ladies tee on number 6 as well to give more options.  The heavy traffic area behind the green on number 6 is fixed!  Please respect the area, and try to avoid traveling in the same paths each time you play.  Number 13 ladies/seniors tee is upgraded!!  The back area behind 17 green is finished as well.  As we move on with the final pallets of sod, we are going to "plug" the area to the right of 13 fairway at the big oak tree, so once again, this area will be roped, so please respect these ropes and stay off of this new area.  It will be marked as ground under repair until area is allowed to grow in. Behind 12 green will get the much needed upgrade as well that has been waiting patiently. The new waste bunker on 16 will begin ASAP now that we have the sod to go around the collar and border the bunker.  This will help catch balls that go long and into the river, as well as eliminate the wear and tear as well as shade/traffic of a one way on one way off hole.  We will label the bunker as waste, so play it as one.  Soon I will provide the rules of "waste bunkers."  Last, but not least, we will upgrade as many of the tees on number 9 that we can!  These zoysia tees just don't recover like the 'Tif Grand' will, so I feel for the longevity of these tees it is important to upgrade as many of these as we can.  Enough reading!  Check out some photos and check back for more photos in the next few days

 Prepping number 13 Tee

 Getting closer!

 At lease 3x the original size and not under the tree! 

 Number 6 green before we resodded the green and now the exit.

Intern Jay swatting the crazy bugs that have been after him all Summer

 17 green repairing the green and the before of the area we sodded.

 First Kill off of Upper 6 tee.

 Upper tee rails is dead!

 Sprayed dead--waiting for sand!

 sanded 2" deep and digging the drainage

 drain around the tee

 Edge of 13 Senior/ladies tee box--will have love grass on the hill

 A foggy view this morning from the new Tee box on 13

 Sod is going down!

 Behind 6 green

 Just patch work left.

 we have grass on 13

Keeping us busy--can't say enough at how great this sod is. 

It was probably the best sod pieces I have ever laid.

 

Check back tomorrow for finished photos.

Or come out and see it in person.



Aerification

We core aerified our Diamond Zoysia Greens for the first time since they were installed back in 2010.  The issues we have had on our greens, in my opinion are the lack of core aerification.  It is a critical process that we must do once a year in early July when the temperatures are hot, to encourage rapid recovery.  A week prior to aerification we used a quick release fertilizer to get the greens growing at max.  The morning of aerification we lightly double verticut then we began the process.  On Wednesday, we fertilized the greens again with a more slow release, with many other beneficial nutrients and soil additives to ensure healthy turf.  We will consistently roll the greens to ensure that they become smooth and roll to the consistency we are accustomed to.  Below you will see the complete week of progress from the initial aerification to the progress the greens have made on Friday.  I could not have asked for a better crew during this week!  They worked extremely hard, and I know they gave all the energy that they had.  To that--I thank them.

Double Verticut Before Aerification.

Intern Jay Getting experience on the ProCore 648, Aerifying

We went with 1/2inch coring tines at a 2" Spacing

A close up of the Holes/Cores

Where's the Green? 

 

                                                       Clean up Process

Cores are all up.

A Top Dressed green

 

Dragging a green once Top Dressed to move the sand into the holes.

We used a "brush dragger" as well as a coco mat.

 

Sand all in the holes

 

Let the water fly to keep the greens moist and to knock the sand in!

A view after the first day.

This is the sod we laid last week on 3 green--all used to be the

"Elephant Hole" in the green.

Day 2

Day 2



Friday Morning after the mowing.

holes are disappearing