Rain, Rain....What a Difference a Year Makes

     So, lets talk about the weather........specifically the rain we have been having and the upcoming forecast.  If you were hoping to play on Friday, unfortunately, the course had to raise the white flag after the morning downpour.  Saturated conditions and standing water in fairways and approaches made the course unplayable.  Prior to Friday and still, due to the wet conditions we have been asking that cart use be limited to rough and car paths only.  Thank you to all who have adhered, it really makes a dramatic difference to course and fairway conditions.  Looking ahead to the next few days, more rain looks to be imminent.  Hopefully by weeks end this front will pull out and we will have some sunshine to help get things back to normal.  So far, irrigation has not been required to any great degree this year.  To date we have not experienced any of the potential wet condition disease issues but remain ever watchful.  Wet conditions of course allow for increased turf growth and more frequent mowing.

Standing Water on #14 Approach

Water in the Fairway on #9

      Last year at this time, we were dealing with the beginning of drought like conditions.  Our holding pond levels for our irrigation system were dangerously low.  The ability to irrigate fairways was in jeopardy, opting to keep reserves for greens and tees.  The fuel consumption and wear and tear on our 13 year old pump and nearly 30 year old irrigation system were constant concerns.  All just one more example of what a difference a year, even a week can make and that Mother Nature is really the one calling the shots.

Irrigation Pump

 

Employee Profile

Mark Miller

Assistant Superintendent

 

 

 

"I was born and raised in the small town of Tunnel, New York and lived there for the first 14 years of my life. My family moved to Florida and I have loved the south ever since. After getting out of the Army in 82 , I did some golf course jobs in Florida and Georgia . After Hurricane Opal came through Panama City , Florida I moved my mom and myself up to New York. Then I met my wonderful wife Penny and moved to Vermont. I met Bill in the spring of 97 and applied for work. Little did I know it would last this long !! Working for Bill and the guys has been an experience . But I wouldn’t have it any other way.  I had the pleasure of seeing my son (Montana) work last summer for the club and hopefully he will come back.  I don’t think I will ever get tired of being outdoors early in the morning when you can actually see deer, fox, ducks and moose . These things make it special to be here.  I am glad he gave me the chance 16 years ago . Now I work on the irrigation and spray for the course as well as operating most of the equipment . Hopefully I can go another 16 !!!!"

 

It has truly been my pleasure to have worked with Mark for as he says 16 years!  He is always smiling, very outgoing, dependable, and he makes my job easier.  Thank you Mark for your hard work and dedication.

 

 

Meet The Crew

 

 

 

Getting it together

Country Club of Barre Maintenance Crew 2013
Roger Rivard, Tom McCallum, Mark Miller, Chris Relation, Richard "Hayseed" Grenier, Russ Brown, Tom Corbett
Taylor Sayers, Bill Evans & Maya, Bryant Roberts, Troy Evans
Missing from photo, Corey Boulanger

     This year our maintenance crew is comprised of 6 full timers, 5 part timers and myself.   All  but Corey are returning employees, many with several years of service to the Country Club of Barre.  Everyday, I am thankful to work with such a uniquely talented, dependable and committed group.  It is no easy task to maintain more than 130 acres to the exacting standards of a golfing membership.  On any given day the crew can be confronted with numerous impediments to completing their jobs,  inclement weather, equipment malfunctions and breakdowns, mother natures interference be it pest or disease related, downed trees, or washed out cart paths, and yes even golfers and play, yet they all carry on, day in and day out without complaint.  They know during the summer months that their schedules will not always be certain (no 9 to 5!), starting time can be as early as 5:00 am and days off will be few and far between.  One thing however is for certain when working on a golf course, the work is never done! 

   During my tenure,  I have enjoyed working with several different crew members and a few characters!  I have often kidded that someday I am going to sit down and write a book about the many funny experiences encountered.  I am particularly proud of the fact that three past crew members have valued their experiences here at the Country Club of Barre enough to go onto further their education in the field of Golf Course Maintenance and now work at other courses:  Derek Pedley presently at Vermont National Country Club, Royal Healy who recently graduated from the University of Massachusetts and now works at Belmont Country Club in Belmont, Massachusetts, and my son Mitchell Evans who recently graduated from Horry-Georgetown Technical College in East Conway, South Carolina and now works at the Dunes Golf and Beach Club in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. 

  If we on the crew do our jobs correctly, you may rarely encounter us.  For the next several posts I would like to briefly introduce you to the guys that work so hard to enhance your golfing experience. 

 

Tom Corbett

2nd Assistant



Tom is entering his sixth season working on the grounds crew at the Country Club of Barre but he has a long association with the club: 

     I grew up in Woodbury Vermont and graduated from Hazen Union High School in 2004. Following high school I attended the New England School of Communications in Bangor Maine, graduating with honors in 2008 with a bachelors degree in communications with focuses in sports broadcasting and television and video productions. I started playing golf at the Country Club of  Barre in 4th grade playing in the Wednesday Junior scrambles.  I was 15 when I got my first job at the club washing dishes in the kitchen for my dad who was employed as the chef  for more than 15 years. I returned to work on the grounds crew after graduating in 2008.   What was supposed to be a quick summer job before finding something more permanent, has turned into 6 years and a job I really enjoy. Away from the course I also work for WDEV radio in Waterbury hosting a sports talk show from 6:00 pm to midnight, as well as providing local play by play for many local sporting events. I am the Vice President of cvtsport.net and own my own video production company, Rundown Productions specializing in the creation of college recruiting videos for high school athletes and any sports projects that may interest me.      

Many thanks to Tom for his years of dedication, dependability and hard work.

 

Until next time..........

  

Stair Work To #13 Tee

     Thank you to all for the nice comments and warm reception for "The Hole Story" blog.  I am so pleased to be afforded the opportunity to showcase our beautiful golf course and all of the work that goes into maintaining and improving upon what we have here at the Country Club of Barre.  I cannot say enough about this years grounds crew.  Comprised of veterans and enthusiastic newcomers all are dedicated to putting out the best possible product for members and visitors alike.  While working on the course can be incredibly rewarding, it sometimes has it challenges, for example, clocking in at 5:30, working all weekends during the summer, like the post office....working in rain, snow, sleet and hail, dealing with equipment breakdowns and challenges.  It is the job of a golf course crew to maintain the golf course while not being an impediment to play.  As a result, the crew remains behind the scences and generally do not receive positive feedback for a job well done from those enjoying the fruits of their labor.  Next time you see a crew member, be sure to thank them.  I am ever grateful to all of the members of my crew for their reliability and dedication.  Thanks guys! 

      Check back, in upcoming posts we will have, get to know the crew member features.

 Azalea near #3 green

  This week there is a lot happening on the golf course.  Along with regular maintenance duties, we have been meeting with members of the VGA and the Amateur Committee to discuss the fast approaching Vermont Amateur Golf Tournament that will be hosted this year by CCB.  Being asked to host the amateur is an honor and a supreme vote of confidence from the governing body of the Vermont golfing community.  Upon notification, the Board, Roger, and myself began planning and preparations some two years ago.  You may have noticed new men's tees being added on holes #1, #11, and #14.  Additionally while adding these tees, we also built new ladies tees on holes #11 & #13.  Also, due in large part to the generous labor and equipment contributions from Mike and Eric Lajuenesse we have greatly improved our driving range.  Along with adding significant landing area down the left side, new target greens have been shaped as well as a large new teeing area.  This week seeding preparations for the new teeing area have occurred.  Hopefully with mother natures cooperation it will be ready very soon.  Future plans also include a new teeing area on the right side, creating an almost stadium like atmosphere for the range.  In front of the clubhouse, a beautiful new leader board has been installed.  While these improvements have been done in anticipation of the upcoming Vermont Amateur Tournament, members will benefit for years to come.
 You can help too with preparations!  Sign up in the pro shop to volunteer on the course in coming weeks so we can put our best possible foot forward in showcasing our course to the many that will participate and attend the Vermont Amateur event.

First course volunteer for Amateur prep.

Doc Garand filing divots on #3 fairway. Thanks for the help and donuts Doc!

One of the most noticeable happenings on the course may be the stair project on #13 tee.  Thanks to a very generous donation from Tom and Charlotte MacLeay, we now have a beautiful set of stairs leading up to #13 teeing area. The stairs were constructed by Duane Wells Construction.

Before

           During       
                            

 

After

I would love to hear from any of you regarding the golf course, or with suggested blog topics.  I can be reached by email at LBKMT@hotmail.com.

Until next time......hit em straight!

Welcome to the "Hole Story" at The Country Club of Barre

         Welcome to "The Hole Story", a new blog featuring the happenings behind the scene on the golf course at the Country Club of Barre, in Plainfield, Vermont.  My name is Bill Evans and I am the Golf Course Superintendent.  The Country Club of Barre is a wonderfully mature 18 hole golf course that was originally built as a 9 hole course designed in 1924 by Wayne Stiles.  Wayne Stiles was a highly respected and prolific designer.  Visit www.waynestilessociety.com to learn more and to see the Country Club of Barre listed among the many courses he designed.  In the 1970's the second 9 holes were constructed with the assistance of prominent and well known golf course architect Michael Hurdzan.  If you are unfamiliar with Dr. Hurdzan and his accomplishments click here to learn more. 

      It has been my honor and pleasure to serve as the Golf Course Superintendent at the Country Club of Barre for more than 19  years.  My first encounters with the course however, were more than 35 years ago when on a few rare occasions I would be able to play the course as a teenager and then as a summer employee in 1980 & 1981 working on the grounds crew for Billy Keaton, Course Superintendent.  Through my early experiences I came to love and appreciate the golf course and decided on a career in golf course maintenance. I attended Hesser College in Manchester, New Hampshire and Catawba Valley Community College in pursuit of the goal.  Upon graduation I worked at several southern golf courses including Peachtree Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia, Mount Mitchell in North Carolina, Indian Hills in Marietta, Georgia and just before making my way back to Vermont, Racebrook Country Club in Orange, Connecticut.  Upon returning to Vermont I worked at the Northfield Country Club for 5 years prior to coming on board at the Country Club of Barre.  My family, wife Lisa, daughter Katelyn, and sons Mitchell and Troy have resided in Barre Town for 16 years.  We all have a deep and abiding connection with the game of golf, whether it be playing, watching or working in the field.  Recently, my oldest son Mitchell graduated from Horry-Georgetown Technical College located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and has joined the family ranks of course superintendents along with my brother David who is the superintendent at Vermont National Country Club in South Burlington, Vermont and I.  He has just started as an Assistant Superintendent at the Dunes Golf and Beach Club in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

      My background in the field of golf course management has been long and varied.  I have worked at high end, big budget 36 hole private courses that have hosted renowned events such as the Walker Cup and small 9 hole courses alike.  I find the field to be ever changing, challenging and rewarding.  My hopes for this blog will be to share the unique, as well as the mundane experiences of maintaining a Vermont golf course by reporting on course changes, improvements, enhancements, equipment 101, routine and scheduled maintenance practices, the how and the why of it all, employee profiles and special event preparations.  Hopefully thru sharing these day to day experiences, membership and visitors alike will have a heightened awareness, understanding and appreciation of the challenges presented everyday to the grounds crew, who's job it is to provide players of all abilities and opinion a pleasurable golfing experience.  So!  Enough about me!  Onto course happenings............

Mother Nature Makes Hole #8 A Little Easier

large maple down on #8 fairway

     On Sunday afternoon, a short but powerful storm front passed thru our area and left its mark on the golf course.  Fortunately, there was not a great deal of significant damage done, but one change will certainly be noted by all those approaching the 8th green during their next round.  A large maple that used to block the green to those who may have pulled there drive a bit left came down during the high winds.  First thing Monday morning the grounds crew was out in full force with chainsaws and rakes to remove the obstruction and debris.   Take a moment the next time you play to notice the difference, wherever your drive may have landed.  The new altered landscape will afford players a much clearer shot at the green where they may have not been one before.

#8 now less obstructed view from the fairway