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Survey results for our Tee areas and surrounding course hardware

For the most part the survey results pertaining to our tee areas were positive. The tees have been culturally worked rather heavily since I began at Highland. Our department has aerified and topdressed the tees numerous times and will continue to do so. We have seen some results as far as more level surfaces, tighter, more consistent turfgrass cover (divot recovery) and realignment of the tees in general. I would however like to address a few of the biggest concerns from the survey.

1.The recycling of the garbage on the golf course.
Comments were made that we should have recycle containers at every tee. The Grounds Dept. services all of the tees everyday in the heart of the golf season; part of this is emptying the garbage containers. One of the elements of this process is separating the recyclables out of the garbage (once back at the maintenance facility). I feel that this is a more efficient and cleaner way of doing this. For us to add another container to every ballwasher (25 of them) would provide a cluttered look to an already busy area.

2.Sprucing up the benches and ballwasher areas.
The Green Committee has addressed this issue and has proposed a capital plan to renovate these areas completely. New benches and a more appropriate material will be installed around these areas as the resources are allocated. The placement of these course hardware pieces has been evaluated and the relocation will be implemented this season.

3.Daily set up of the Tee Blocks.
Our set up person visits every tee every morning in the heart of the season. Divots are filled, debris is picked up, ballwashers are filled and the garbage is taken away. The tee blocks are then moved in accordance with a 6 day rotation. I realize that at the start of the rotation it appears that the blocks are at the front of the tees on one 9 and the back of the tees on the other 9. This is true, for one day. This method allows us to use the entire tee area and keep the distance relatively accurate to our score card.

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