Maintaining Championship-Caliber Courses Year-Round
Our Roots: Behind the Scenes. Maintaining Championship-Caliber Courses Year-Round
At Treetops in Gaylord, Michigan, our commitment to excellence extends far beyond the clubhouse and onto our five world-class golf courses. The pristine conditions that greet golfers each day are the result of year-round dedication, expertise, and meticulous attention to detail from our groundskeeping team.
Let's take a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to maintain championship-level courses throughout the seasons.
The five-course challenge
Maintaining one golf course is a significant undertaking, but at Treetops, we multiply that challenge by five. Our courses - The Masterpiece, Premier, Signature, Tradition, and Threetops - each have unique characteristics and requirements. This diversity demands a tailored approach to maintenance, ensuring that each course retains its distinct personality while meeting the high standards expected by our guests.
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Daily maintenance: The art of mowing and edging
The day begins early for our groundskeeping team, often before the sun rises. Mowing is a daily ritual, with different areas of the courses requiring specific techniques:
- Greens: Mowed daily to maintain optimal putting speeds, typically between 10-12 on the Stimpmeter.
- Tees and fairways: Cut 3-4 times per week to provide a consistent, attractive playing surface.
- Rough: Maintained at a slightly higher height, usually cut 2-3 times per week.
Edging is another crucial aspect of regularly scheduled maintenance. Edges create clean lines between different areas of the course, enhancing both aesthetics and playability. Our team trains to pay special attention to the edges around bunkers, tee boxes, and greens, ensuring a crisp, well-defined look.
Sand bunker maintenance
Sand bunkers are an integral part of golf course strategy and aesthetics. Our bunker maintenance routine includes:
- Daily raking to ensure consistent playing conditions
- Regular depth checks to maintain 4-6 inches of sand
- Edging to prevent grass encroachment
- Periodic sand replacement or topdressing
- Drainage system checks and repairs as needed
The science of rough management
The rough plays a crucial role in course strategy and difficulty. At Treetops, we typically maintain our primary rough at 2-2.5 inches, with graduated cuts leading to the fairway. This height provides a moderate challenge without being overly punitive. In select areas, we may allow a deeper rough to add strategic elements to hole design.
Perfecting putting surfaces
Our greens are the crown jewels of each course, and their maintenance is precise. We aim for consistent green speeds across all five courses, typically between 10-12 on the Stimpmeter.
To achieve this, we employ a combination of:
- Daily mowing with specialized greens mowers
- Regular rolling to smooth the surface
- Careful irrigation management
- Targeted fertilization and pest control programs
- Aeration and topdressing to maintain soil health
Seasonal challenges and strategies
Spring: Awakening the courses
As winter releases its grip on northern Michigan, our team springs into action:
- Removing winter protective coverings from greens
- Assessing and repairing any winter damage
- Initiating spring fertilization programs
- Gradually lowering mowing heights to in-season levels
- Preparing irrigation systems for the growing season
Summer: Peak performance
During the height of golf season, our focus is on maintaining peak playing conditions:
- Intensified mowing and rolling schedules
- Precise irrigation management to combat heat stress
- Regular soil testing and fertilizer applications
- Increased pest and disease monitoring
- Overseeding high-traffic areas
Fall: Preparing for dormancy
As the season winds down, we shift our focus to preparing the courses for winter:
- Adjusting mowing heights to promote hardiness
- Applying fall fertilizers to strengthen root systems
- Aerating and topdressing to alleviate summer stress
- Beginning the process of winterizing irrigation systems
- Implementing disease prevention strategies for snow mold
Winter: Protecting and planning
Even when the courses are blanketed in snow, our work continues:
- Monitoring courses for ice damage and taking preventative measures
- Maintaining and repairing equipment
- Planning for the upcoming season
- Attending industry conferences and training sessions
Environmental stewardship
At Treetops, our commitment to pristine course conditions is balanced with a strong sense of environmental responsibility. We employ various sustainable practices:
- Using drought-resistant grass varieties
- Implementing precision irrigation systems to reduce water usage
- Utilizing organic fertilizers and integrated pest management strategies
- Preserving natural habitats and wildlife corridors within our courses
The team behind the scenes
None of this would be possible without our dedicated team of groundskeepers, led by our experienced course superintendents. Their passion for golf, horticulture and agronomy, combined with continuous education and cutting-edge technology, ensures that Treetops remains at the forefront of golf course maintenance.
Conclusion
Maintaining five championship-level golf courses is a year-round endeavor that requires dedication, expertise, and a deep love for the game.
At Treetops, we take immense pride in providing our guests with some of the best-maintained courses in the region. The next time you tee off on one of our pristine fairways or sink a putt on our silky, smooth greens, take a moment to appreciate the countless hours of work that went into creating your perfect golf experience.
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