Travels with Terry

Globetrotting consulting agronomist Terry Buchen visits many golf courses annually with his digital camera in hand. He shares helpful ideas relating to maintenance equipment from the golf course superintendents he visits – as well as a few ideas of his own – with timely photos and captions that explore the changing world of golf course management.

Bunker Steps

The 2 inch by 12 inch CCA treated rough-cut side boards are fastened together to the 8 inch by 8 inch CCA treated beam steps using galvanized ¼-inch by 6-inch long lag screws. The steps are laid on top of the ground with a filter cloth underneath them. The very unique bottom step, which is almost flush with the top of the bunker sand, is also an 8 inch by 8 inch CCA treated rough cut beam. The weight of the beams, along with the side boards and the native soil with bermudagrass sod placed over it very solidly hold the steps in place for the long-term future. The cost of the materials and labor to install it was approximately $1,500. Chris Bevers, director of grounds, and Shawn Cedorchuk, assistant superintendent, lead the team at the Miromar Lakes Beach & Golf Club in Miromar Lakes, Fla.




Drop Spreader Hopper Extensions:

 

This Gandy 12-foot wide Model 1012R Drop Spreader/Seeder (approximately $6,500 new) holds approximately 18 cubic feet or 1,200 pounds of capacity. Wooden hopper extensions were added using ¼-inch thick plywood that is screwed together with lag screws. Both of the wooden covers are ¾-inch thick plywood with two hinges and two metal latches on each one for easy access. The extensions slide out easily when not in use. The hopper extensions more than double the storage capacity that is used for winter overseeding of the fairways at the Sea Trail Plantation’s Jones, Byrd & Maples Courses in Sunset Beach, N.C. Jesse Ruston is the former superintendent and Rodney Mead is the current superintendent. The plywood was already in inventory and the hinges and latches cost less than $40.

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.

Read Next

Let’s talk…

December 2018
Explore the December 2018 Issue

Check out more from this issue and find your next story to read.