Travels with Terry

Dew Whip Pole & Ball Mark Repair Tool Holders

This 2014 Toro Greens Master 3400 triplex greens mower is now equipped with a 3-foot piece of 1 ½-inch angle iron that was bolted to the ROPS mounting bolts. Four broom handle hanger clips were then bolted onto the angle iron. Monstaliner bedliner material was then applied on the angle iron for durability and rust prevention. Standard Golf Ball Mark Repair Tool Model #27200 at $96 and a Par Aide Whipping Pole Model #1040 at $60 are mounted onto the hanger clips for easy on and off that are secure during transport. It took about two hours to build and about $30 in materials. Steve Mathre, equipment manager, and Mike Turley, superintendent, at the Stone Creek Golf Club in Oregon City, Ore., devised this idea.

Fairway Mower Ball Picker

The driving range turf vehicle that used to push the 2005 Derone Innovator 3 gang ball picker was replaced with a retired 2001 Toro 5200-D 4WD fairway mower tractor. The lift arms, cutting units and hydraulic motor hoses were removed, the manifold ports were plugged and the solenoids were disconnected. The cage is made of 1-inch diamond pattern steel mesh, sheet metal is used for the roof and 3 feet by 2 feet plexiglass for safety for the windshield. The door, mounted on the left side only, is made with ½-inch square tubing, 1-inch diamond pattern steel mesh and a door latch. The seat base was modified to be easily removable to access filters and hydraulics. The turf vehicle’s original ball picker quick-release hitch was modified and welded to the front of the tractor frame. The metalwork was finished with Monstaliner bedliner, as it is much more forgiving than paint. Two lights were placed on the cage’s roof and the wiring, on/off switch and dual lights were acquired from a local parts store. LED replacement lights are being considered for the future because they are much brighter. The 4WD tractor works excellent in slippery conditions, with great traction, especially on steep terrain. About $500 was spent on materials. Steve Mathre, equipment manager at Stone Creek Golf Club in Oregon City, Ore., worked on it in his spare time, which took about 40 hours. Mike Turley is the superintendent.

Terry Buchen, CGCS, MG, is president of Golf Agronomy International. He’s a 41-year, life member of the GCSAA. He can be reached at 757-561-7777 or terrybuchen@earthlink.net.