The Whiteboard

Sharing supers

Tom Vlach, director of maintenance operations; Stadium Course

Pros come from all over the world to see TPC Sawgrass and admire the beauty of the course. A few superintendents, however, were paying as much attention to the bunkers as to the whole course.

Mark van der Linde, Johan Smit and Petri van der Walt visited the course as part of the club’s exchange program to see how the course is prepared.

“They want to come before the tournament to learn what American superintendents do to get it ready for the event,” says Tom Vlach, superintendent of the Stadium Course. “They wanted to see how we groomed the greens, how much verticutting we do, how much topdressing we do.”

This is the second year TPC Sawgrass has hosted South African superintendents before the event. Van der Linde, of Silver Lakes Golf Estate, was the first to make the trip. This year, he traveled along with Smit, of the Observatory Golf Club and van der Walt of the Centurion Golf Course.

“They wanted to look at the big picture, setting up the event,” says Vlach. “It’s a different culture here than in South Africa. Here there’s a lot more intensity about the crew getting into it. Our staff is very motivated.”

Throughout the eight-day stay, the superintendents followed along with the team and checked out cultural practices, equipment and even the turf and ornamental plants used throughout the course. Outside the course, they bonded with crew members over the eight-day period.
 

There’s an app for grass

Ever had a quick question about turf while out on the course, armed only with your smartphone? Rather than searching out information, check out the North Carolina State University Lawn Care app. While it’s geared a little bit toward homeowners, the database includes articles from professors, researchers and staff of NCSU helpful to any member of the turfgrass industry.

The app provides local weather and alerts for weeds, insect problems and disease warnings. It can be downloaded for free from iTunes at http://bit.ly/JsX056.
 

Golf behind bars

Getting out of prison takes a complex plan involving patience, inventive digging tools and a poster of Raquel Welch.

Or maybe just a solid golf swing.

Jeff Donahue, a L.A. County sheriff’s captain, is under investigation after escorting a prison inmate from the jail on Catalina Island last summer to a local hilltop golf course. The outing wasn’t exactly an escape attempt: Donahue brought along former pro golfer/jewel thief Frank Carrillo along for some tips on improving his swing and reducing his handicap, Carrillo says.

A subordinate lodged a complaint about Donahue’s actions for an inappropriate relationship with an inmate, and Donahue is currently on medical leave.

After being transferred to the Catalina prison, Carrillo found himself establishing a rapport with Donahue, and suggested they leave the prison to play some golf someday, he says.

Not long after, Donahue took him up on the offer, and they worked on the finer points of his swing for a while. But, according to Donahue’s subordinate, the prison log documents that Carrillo never left the station, and the local sheriff is denying having given the go-ahead for the lesson.

On the upside, Donahue reported that his game had improved after the lesson.
 

From the Feed

Superintendents, pros and other lovers of the game came together to show support for the great game of golf by Tweeting with the #iamgolf hashtag April 18, National Golf Day. Here are some of our favorites:

Why is golf more than just a game for us? Golfers are generous! We raised $3,000 at BCC for charity for National Golf Day!! Brooklake CC @brooklakeCC

The golf course industry provides me - and 2 million others a job and 61 billion in total wage income. Darren J. Davis @DarrenJDavisGCS

The game of golf runs our life, but it’s more than just a game. Wives of Turf @wivesofturf

Golf is an exercise in what is right. Right mind, right attitude, right intention and right motion. Canongate Golf Clubs @canongategolf

Today is National Golf Day. #iamgolf bc game teaches core values, is good exercise and enables me to spend time with my grandson. James E. Clyburn @Clyburn

Join the conversation on Twitter @GCIMagazine!