|
The Groundskeeper helps whip SunRiver Golf Course into Tournament Shape
Pro Shop View Before Pro Shop View After
In a little over two years, SunRiver golf course in St. George, Utah has gone from a troubled course with difficult turf conditions to one of southern Utah’s outstanding golf courses. The Groundskeeper golf crew, led by Superintendent Kevin Hernandez, has been working diligently for the past 26 months to make playing this course an enjoyable experience. “People are mistaken if they are clinging to the past when it comes to SunRiver,” said Ron Newren, Utah Golf Association Tournament Director. “The greens are superb---fast and smooth.”
The irrigation system was the first challenge to tackle in the course’s transformation. “We managed to get the pump system working consistently so that the bent grass greens could survive the 100 degree plus summer temperatures,” said The Groundskeeper’s Kevin Hernandez. The bermuda grass fairways also benefited greatly from consistent watering, aeration, and ample fertilizer. What was once close to bare dirt is now a good surface to hit from. A seeding program was also started last summer to transition the few fairways that are predominantly rye to bermuda grass. With the summer heat, this is the best choice for warm season turf in this area.
The Utah Golf Association paid SunRiver golf course one of its best compliments this year when they selected it as one of the sites for the popular Winterchamps tournament. “We are proud to be hosting the UGA Winterchamps,” said head professional Neil Economy. “It shows the growth and progress that SunRiver has made. This recognition is exciting for us.”
SunRiver Golf Club is a public course that was built amid a 55 and older golf cart retirement community. The golf course is a par 35 on the front nine and a 36 on the back nine with three par fives on the back. It was built along the Virgin River with views of the red rock mesas and Pine Valley Mountain.
“Even though there are still many challenges to work through, we are proud of the progress and hard work of our Groundskeeper golf crew,” said Dave Ramsze, The Groundskeeper Chief Operations Officer. “A big thanks goes out to Kevin Hernandez, Ron Fish, Jack Barnard, and the rest of the folks that have had a hand in making this happen.”
|
|
 |
|
|
SUMMER SEASON TIPS
|
The Right Plants,
The Right Place
A key aspect to having a thriving landscape that is easy to maintain is to match the site conditions to the plants you are installing. Planting a large, fast growing shrub close to a sidewalk or under a sign will require frequent trimming to keep it at the desired size. A plant that likes afternoon shade that is planted in a parking lot island will most likely sunburn in the summer and need to be replaced. Mature size, sun exposure, growth habit, thorns, and aggressive roots are all items that should be considered prior to any installation. Most nurseries will have this information readily available.
|
|
|
Groundskeeper executives lead CAI in two markets
Deborah Cole, President of Greater Texas Landscapes of Austin, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Groundskeeper and Taylor Haught, Branch Manager of The Groundskeeper Albuquerque office are both Presidents elect of CAI in their respective cities. “It is a true honor to be elected by my peers to elevate awareness of the community associations in the Greater Austin area.” said Debby Cole. Cole has been an active member of CAI since 2002 serving as committee chairs and member of the Board of Directors. Cole founded Greater Texas Landscapes in 1981 and has grown the company to more than 125 employees in 3 markets. In 2008, Cole and GTL joined The Groundskeeper family.
“I am looking forward to the opportunity to lead the New Mexico Chapter of CAI in its third year of organization. There will be many challenges that come our way being such a new chapter, but we will focus on three main aspects; recruiting new members, education, and communication to our members “, said Taylor Haught. Haught has worked for The Groundskeeper for the past 8 years; where he first started as a Maintenance Supervisor and was quickly promoted to head up the new office in Albuquerque as Branch Manager. Taylor has recently been certified by the Irrigation Association as a Landscape Irrigation Auditor.
“We are thrilled at The Groundskeeper by both Taylor and Debby’s appointment as President of CAI in their respective cities. They are truly great ambassadors of our industry and we are proud of their leadership roles at such an outstanding organization as CAI,” said Anil Hiremath, CEO of The Groundskeeper.
|
|
|
