Travels with Terry

Broken Golf Tee Holder:
This unique broken golf tee holder has reduced the clutter on the tees by having it directly attached to a metal tee marker at the Heron Creek Golf & Country Club in North Port, Fla. The 4-inch diameter PVC pipe is 3.5 inches wide where the edges are sanded. Recycled plastic 1⁄2-inch-wide pieces from a former broken tee caddie were cut to size, attached and screwed (#6 – 3⁄4 inch long counter-sinked) onto the outside portion of the PVC pipe. A 2 1⁄2-inch opening was cut into the top of the PVC so the broken tees can be discarded properly. The PVC was then screwed to the metal tee marker using #6 screws 5⁄8 inch long and then color-matched painted the same color. Initially, it took about 20 minutes to make the first one, then an assembly line was made and the build-time was further reduced. One broken tee holder is placed on each of the blue, white, yellow and red tee markers, but none are placed on the black tee markers because they are rarely played. The total build cost less than $5 each. Tom Rainey, superintendent, conceived the idea that was built by Dave Mealy, equipment manager.

Fairway Mower Drag System:
This inexpensive but very efficient drag system, mounted on a 2002 Toro Reelmaster 5400D, uses a former 1.5-inch-diameter, 9-inch-long fence post. Two (1-inch links) chains are used, which is much more effective for dispersing the bluegrass clippings, after it was first tested using only one chain. The inner chain is 13.5 feet long and the outer chain is 17 feet long. The center bracket measuring 4.5 inches x 10 iches, is made of recycled 2-inch and 2.5-inch angle iron that slips into the "U" shaped rear tow bar that is then bolted to the frame. In the transport position, the fence post is raised and the bracket pivots upwards with two additional bolts on either side of the bracket – and the chains are pulled upward and attached to a large 1-inch hook (3 inches long) that is bolted to the hood. The hood can be raised to its fully-extended position when the chains are in the "drag position" for checking fluid levels and servicing. The chains cost about $15 and $20 each, respectively. The eye hooks and snap hooks cost about $10 and the rest were recycled materials. It took about 8 hours labor time. Jim Wallace, superintendent, conceived the idea and discussed it with some local superintendent friends. Assistant superintendent Paul Venable built it at the Warm Springs Golf Course in Boise, Idaho.