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