Thursday, February 22, 2018

Spring Fever, Sally Field, & Special Gift!

Hello and welcome to The Greenkeeper!  Today is Thursday, February 22nd and spring is in the air all around the Queen City!  Cherry blossoms are blooming, trees are budding, it's crazy when you think we are setting record highs and 3 weeks ago my last post mentioned how cold winter had been.  Such is life in the Transition Zone.
Since returning from the Golf Industry Show on the 9th the average high temperature in Charlotte has been 67 degrees with 5 days reaching at least 70 degrees or more, including a record smashing 82 degrees this past Friday (Feb 16)!
And we even hit 80 degrees yesterday to establish another record!  You may be wondering what impact, if any this early warm-up may have on our bermudagrass tees and fairways.  Surely we all remember from our high school biology class that plants produce their own energy via photosynthesis, but what about a plant that's been in hibernation.  There isn't any photosynthesis taking place on the biscuit brown canopy of dormant turf.  Bermudagrass relies on stored energy in the form of carbohydrates to assist with the process of breaking dormancy and producing new shoots and leaves.  Once the plant fully exits dormancy will it be able to resume production of its own energy.

 As you can imagine, if the plant wakes from dormancy too early using its carbohydrate reserves in the process, what will happen if the plant is once again subjected to freezing cold temperatures sending it back into a dormant state.  Such is life in the Transition Zone.

 We've seen this scenario play out several times before, to the point I'm beginning to think it's the "new normal".  Each year a portion of winter is too warm and just when everyone is fully smitten with spring fever, Old Man Winter reminds us that March, and even April can have its fair share of cold.  I wish I could tell you this warmth is here to stay, but unfortunately there already is talk about a potential change in the pattern for early March.  Until then, I suggest you dust off those clubs and enjoy the course.  I know that's what Matt Claunch and I plan to do today as we have scheduled our first "course inspection" of 2018 for later this afternoon.  

 Earlier I mentioned my return from the Golf Industry Show.  This year's conference was a whirlwind of education and activities.  It was a treat to witness Ernie Els receive the Old Tom Morris Award from GCSAA and I collected my own little piece of hardware when I picked up the Kaminski Award from the good folks at Golf Course Industry and Aquatrols.  Thank you all for your kind congratulatory words, it was an honor to both represent Carolina Golf Club at GIS and accept this recognition knowing it's all because of how we communicate.
You Like Me!

Upon returning from GIS I immediately walked the course to inspect conditions and assess where things stood considering the cold pattern we had endured.  Overall I was very pleased and shared my observations in a string of tweets linked below.  


Since that time we've been busy applying all our pre-emergent herbicide to the tees, fairways, and rough for management of unwanted crabgrass and goosegrass.  
The team has also been in the process of tidying up mulched areas on the golf course, ensuring we have a fresh edge and smooth transition from turf to mulch under our hardwood trees and pine straw underneath the conifers.  Of course if this warmer weather continues much longer we might have to think about mowing bermudagrass turf, I can't believe I just typed that in February.  Such is life in the Transition Zone.

 One final closing note, yesterday I received a message from a former employee.  Hernee Gift Palabrica was one of our International Interns from Philippines and worked here the entire 2015 season.  Since returning home to Philippines he has been working at Iloilo Golf and Country Club, the oldest golf course in Philippines built by English and Scottish expatriates in 1907!  
Hernee Gift Palabrica (L) and Joeven Guilaran (R)
Outstanding Contributions!






































Seems Gift has ascended to the role of Assistant Ground Supervisor and received some accolades of his own from the club.  I'm extremely happy and proud of him for the accomplishment, but even more happy he maintains our connection and shared his good fortune with me and the team.  Well done Gift!
See you on the course,

 Matthew Wharton, CGCS, MG
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Friday, February 2, 2018

Cold Start, GIS, & Texas Two-Step!

Hello and welcome to The Greenkeeper!  Today is Friday, February 2nd and happy Groundhog Day everyone.  I wish I could tell you the cold start to 2018 was over and an early spring was around the corner, but I'm hearing reports the groundhog saw his shadow which means six more weeks of winter. :(  Speaking of cold starts did you know January 2018 was the coldest January in Charlotte since 2014.  And although the Januaries of 2010, 2011 and 2014 were all colder than this year, the drastic difference between this year and last (January 2017) was one of vast proportion.
Mean Avg Jan Temps - Charlotte 1879-2018
The area circled in red indicates the mean average January temperatures for the years 2008 - 2018.  Just look at the far right and notice the drastic plunge from Jan 2017 to Jan 2018.  No wonder rounds played were down nearly 50% from a year ago (589 vs 1153).

 Unfortunately it doesn't appear to be warming up anytime soon either as long term forecasts are expecting a return of cold, Canadian air to make its way into the eastern half of the U.S. for a significant portion of February.  Considering Feb 2017 was one of the all-time warmest Februaries in Charlotte history I guess this month's graph may eventually look similar to the one above, at least the course should be well rested when spring finally arrives.  

 If there is a silver lining to be found within this cold winter, the lack of activity has allowed the team to accomplish several important course care items without undue delay.  Recently the entire network of cart paths (over 4 miles) were edged and the overgrowth removed.  We have been busy raising and leveling irrigation heads around greens, patching all tee and fairway divots, and making selective herbicide applications to remove unwanted winter grasses from our dormant bermudagrass playing surfaces.  Later this month we will apply our annual pre-emergent herbicide to all tees, fairways, and rough to prevent crabgrass and goosegrass from infiltrating our playing surfaces this coming spring and summer.  As you can see, our work is never done.

This coming Monday I will be heading off to the annual Golf Industry Show in San Antonio, Texas where I will attend accredited lectures and seminars at the education conference, view the largest gathering of exhibitors to discuss the latest products and services in turf and facility care at the trade show, and represent my chapter, Carolinas GCSA as official voting delegate at the GCSAA Annual Meeting and Election.  But despite the busy schedule next week there is one fun thing that's going to take place.
Once again Golf Course Industry magazine and Aquatrols are hosting the Super Social Media Awards and this year I was selected as the recipient of the Kaminski Award for Leadership.  I was totally shocked when I received the news for I have never thought of my social media use and communication efforts as anything more than my means of conversing with you about Carolina Golf Club.  I had no idea those efforts have made a positive impact on others to the point they would bestow recognition upon me.  It's very humbling to say the least.  GCI's Senior Editor, Guy Cipriano wrote a very nice piece about my receiving this award and I shared it on Twitter when first announced a couple weeks back.  In case you missed it you can find it here.  America's Greenkeeper.

In other but related news, the Greenkeeping Team at the Home of Golf (St. Andrews Links Trust) are also being recognized for their communication and social media prowess with an award in the category of Best Use of Social Media.  Recently their Director of Greenkeeping, Gordon Moir sat down for an interview to discuss the type of work typically accomplished on the historic links in winter months (there's something needing to be done no matter where your course is located) and how their blog, http://blog.standrews.com/ has helped them share their message of environmentalism around the globe.  The podcast interview is just under twenty-three minutes, and Gordon does possess a Scottish accent, but if you love the Old Course it's definitely an educational listen.  Hope you enjoy!  CLICK HERE 

 Well, that's all for now.  Time to prep the course as much as possible today as we prepare for a bitterly cold night tonight in advance of tomorrow's Saturday Shotgun.  Sunday's forecast appears to be another wet one so maybe more Super Bowl viewing than golf.  Feel free to follow my adventures in San Antonio next week on Twitter and I'll be back to recap soon.
See you on the course,

 Matthew Wharton, CGCS, MG

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Monday, January 22, 2018

Welcome Thaw, Project Update, and a New Face!

Hello and welcome to The Greenkeeper!  Today is Monday, January 22nd and let me say it was good to see people enjoying the course yesterday.  The rounds report I received last night stated 133 of you enjoyed the winter golf conditions, which included snow lingering in some shady areas.  Residing in Charlotte can spoil you with mild winter weather, in fact just last year we had the 10th warmest January ever followed by an even warmer February CLICK HERE.  And yesterday the temperature reached 69 degrees and many of you were in shorts, but my team and I physically removed snow from the greens on holes 1, 12, and 17 yesterday morning prior to play.  Go figure.
Whatever It Takes
We are three weeks into 2018 and thus far Old Man Winter is reminding us that despite global warming claims it still gets pretty darn cold from time to time.  In fact, since the beginning of meteorological winter (Dec 1-Feb 28) it's been colder around here than we've seen in several years.
I don't know about you but the so called January thaw we are about to experience is welcomed by me and my team.  Reports indicate a change in the jet stream will bring us milder temperatures for the next few weeks so hopefully we can get caught up on some of the winter projects we originally planned.  The team will be edging cart paths, leveling irrigation heads, plugging turf, making herbicide applications and of course topdressing tees and fairways in the days to come.  The guys are excited today for a Maintenance Monday where they can actually perform golf course maintenance work for a change.   

 In other news I'm pleased to announce that our Course Improvement Projects with the help of Golf Course Services are now complete.  Recall last time CLICK HERE I shared a couple photos depicting the newly completed mounds right of number 10.  These are similar in character to others on the property located between holes 4 and 17 along with holes 6 and 7.  Since then the extension to the Ross Tee on hole 17 has been completed.  
Both projects were tasked with the secondary purpose of hiding above ground infrastructure and when everything grows in and the transitions become seamless I believe you will be pleased.  There was one other improvement GCS assisted us with and I'm very pleased with the outcome.  I'm certain you will be too and I will be happy to share with you the details of that project during my presentation tomorrow night at the club's Annual Meeting.  Hope to see you there.
Sneak Preview
And finally, you may recall back in early November I referenced some changes to my management staff CLICK HERE.  Today I'm happy to introduce you to our newest team member, Hunter Patterson, Assistant In Training.
Hunter Patterson
Hunter is a native of Hendersonville, North Carolina and grew up working at Cummings Cove Golf and Country Club.  Hunter spent time in both golf operations and golf maintenance at Cummings Cove giving him a unique two-sided perspective of the business.  After a brief stint at St. Andrews University in Laurinburg where he studied Sports Marketing and was a member of the golf team, Hunter quickly realized his passion was turfgrass and subsequently transferred.  Hunter will graduate from Central Piedmont Community College this spring with his Associate in Applied Science in Turfgrass Management Technology.  The past two years while pursuing his degree Hunter worked on the maintenance staffs at The Club at Longview and Quail Hollow Club.  Please welcome Hunter to Carolina when you see him.

 See you on the course,

 Matthew Wharton, CGCS, MG  
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Friday, January 5, 2018

New Years Wishes, Staying Warm, and Thawing Out!

Hello and welcome to The Greenkeeper!  Today is Friday, January 5th and let me wish each of you a belated Happy New Year!  It's hard to believe we are already 5 days into 2018, and it's even harder to believe this year marks the 10th anniversary of the restoration with Kris Spence.  With our involvement as the companion course and co-host of this year's U.S. Mid-Am, 2018 will definitely be a landmark on the club's historical timeline.  

 Ironically that isn't the only thing historic happening at the moment as we are under an arctic outbreak that hasn't been experienced in this area in quite sometime (more later).  I guess you could say it's cold enough to remind those transient members of our city's population what winter felt like before they headed south.  Brrrr!  On the bright side, at least we have a couple of things going on to distract us and help keep us warm.  The PGA Tour is finally back in action in Hawaii this week with live prime time coverage on Golf Channel.  Also, the NFL playoffs begin this weekend and our beloved hometown team is traveling to New Orleans to battle the division rival in the wildcard round, Keep Pounding.  

 Despite the cold, our friends with Golf Course Services have continued to make steady progress with our ongoing course improvement projects.  I'm happy to report the mounds Kris Spence helped design and locate right of our tenth fairway are complete.  I hope you all will agree this feature adds interest to the hole and carries the theme throughout the property while providing an extra "hidden" benefit.
Three Mounds Right of 10 Fairway
Also, work continues to progress on the lengthening of No. 17's Ross tee.  At this time grading is complete and sand has been delivered.  When work resumes first of next week the sand cap will be installed and final shaping and grassing will complete the project.  There is one other item GCS has been assisting with that I think you will all notice is a major improvement.  I'm happy to report the work in front of number 16 is near completion and I look forward to you seeing it next time you're on the course.
In the meantime your golf course maintenance team has set up shop and has been busy refurbishing our golf course accessories and fixtures.  Each year during the worst of winter weather we bring in all the benches, waste receptacles, tee markers, and other items for some sprucing up.  I'm happy to report we've completed many of the items and returned them to the course before you could notice they've been missing.

 So back to the weather.  It's been pretty darn cold the past few days, with temperatures well below freezing.  Although the golf course is technically open when no frost is present, there hasn't been anyone brave the conditions this week (glad to see folks are staying indoors and hopefully keeping warm).  From the data below the overall average temperature the past four days is approximately 10 degrees below freezing!
Today and tomorrow are expected to be like the preceding days and then we finally start to see the numbers inching upwards on Sunday.  Any play that takes place between now and Sunday will experience a golf course that is frozen solid.  The question is when will the course thaw.  
I can tell you from experience it will take a few days and this is when we may encounter a set of conditions that may force some level of course closure.  As the ground begins to slowly thaw it will do so from the surface down.  As the top 1/2 inch to inch thaws the soil layer becomes very soft while down below the soil remains frozen solid.  When this occurs it becomes detrimental to the turf as foot traffic and such on the soft layer can cause roots encased in frozen soil to shift, shear and break off at the interface.  If this were to occur we would lose all our root depth we've established since autumn and head into spring with compromised conditions.

 Now, this isn't the first time this has occurred.  We had a similar set of circumstances back in Feb 2015 and I've pasted the update from that scenario here for your convenience THOUGHTS BEHIND AN UNPOPULAR DECISION.  Keep in mind, I'm not saying today the course is going to be closed come Tuesday of next week, I am merely making you aware that it's possible Tuesday and perhaps beyond could require a full or partial closure until conditions safe for the turf return.  I know, it's frustrating but believe me I would rather inconvenience a few for a day or two in the winter than inconvenience all of you come spring with unsatisfactory course conditions.  Like I stated in the post from three years ago, a golf course thawing from a deep freeze is like trying to thaw your frozen Thanksgiving turkey in the refrigerator, it just doesn't happen overnight.

 Anyway, let's all hope and pray the cold recedes back to Canada soon and we can all get out and try our new golf related gear Santa delivered.  Stay tuned to Twitter and the Golf Shop for updates and details regarding course conditions next week.  2018 is finally here, it's going to be a big year at Carolina Golf Club, and my team and I look forward to exceeding your expectations.  Stay warm!
See you on the course,

 Matthew Wharton, CGCS, MG
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Thursday, December 21, 2017

Project Update, Outlook, and More Geeky Golf!

Hello and welcome to The Greenkeeper!  Today is Thursday, December 21st or as the calendar indicates, the first official day of winter.  It might not feel like winter when it was 73 degrees two days ago and nearly 100 of you (94 total rounds played) took advantage, but the winds of change will arrive in a few days I'm told.  Today in this space I'm going to give you a brief golf course project update.  Then we'll take a look at the weather forecast for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to determine any potential impacts to your golf activities.  And I'll wrap up this edition with a couple of new golf course architecture related items I've come across since our last time together.  Think of them as my gift to your inner nerd this holiday season.

Our friends from Golf Course Services have been assisting us with two course improvements the past couple weeks.  We are adding a series of irregular mounds to the right of No. 10 located in the rough approximately 190 - 210 yards from the center of the Ross tee (404 yards).  These mounds are similar to those found between holes 4/17 and 6/7.  Architect Kris Spence was on site this past Monday morning to assist with shape and placement and I'm happy to report turf has been replaced.  

You may recall one of our irrigation well pumps is in that area and was pictured last update CLICK HERE.  It's still there but now concealed within a newly constructed vault deep inside our new architectural feature.  Our other course improvement is of a similar nature in that the irrigation well pump behind 17 Ross tee is also being concealed.  We are adding about 7 yards length to the Ross tee (currently 392 yards) in order to close the gap between the tee and well.  A new vault has been constructed around the well and it's being buried within the fill supporting the tee extension.  While on site Monday, Kris also consulted with the general shaping and tie-ins necessary for this tee box expansion.  
We were unable to work on these projects yesterday due to the rain (0.94" total) and now GCS is scheduled to break for the upcoming Christmas and New Year's holidays.  We'll reconvene on January 2nd and hopefully wrap everything up by mid-month.  #StayTuned

 Last week felt like winter had finally arrived in the Carolinas.  In fact we experienced temperatures cold enough overnight to reach the lower and mid twenties both Saturday and Sunday mornings.  Those were two of our lengthiest frost delays of the season (thank you again for your cooperation and patience), and then just two days later we fell only 3 degrees shy of tying the record high (always a roller coaster).  Anyway, this current reprieve from cold is merely that, a reprieve as winter is reloading and will be arriving next week.  If we look at the next 10 days (thanks Brad) you can see cold air will be returning to the Queen City in plenty of time to ring in 2018.  But as for this coming Sunday and Monday (club closed, course accessible walking only) things appear to be okay (no potential frost issues, etc.) provided you can obtain the necessary clearance from family and loved ones. ;)
Before I go I promised a little something extra for your holiday enjoyment.  Last time I posted links to video fly-overs of two notable Seth Raynor designed golf courses and the response I received from many of you was overwhelmingly positive.  Good news, I since came across a fly-over of famed Pine Valley courtesy of Golf Digest.  This video is slightly different from the other two as it is narrated by Jerry Tarde, Golf Digest Editor-in-Chief but what it lacks in soundtrack it makes up with, well, Pine Valley.  PINE VALLEY DRONE TOUR 

And for those of you that just love historical images I have something I think you are going to find way cool.  Jason Way from Chicago runs a blog called Geeked on Golf.  Recently his post "Now & Then - Great Holes Through the Years" combines the amazing images of Philadelphia based golf freelance photographer Jon Cavalier with the historical images supplied by Simon Haines from Solihull, England.  Paired together these photographs form an awe inspiring 1-2 punch.  If you happen to follow both Jon and Simon on Twitter (@LinksGems and @Hainesy76 respectively) then you've seen this unfold as Jon posts a photo and then Simon replies shortly thereafter with nearly an identical image taken decades before.  Anyway, I hope you enjoy.  It never ceases to amaze me how nature evolves over time and this collection captures it brilliantly.  CLICK HERE  

 Although unconfirmed, rumor has it this is Simon Haines inside his amazing archive of historical golf records. ;)
Well that's all for now, we are going to fire up the grill and have a special holiday luncheon for the team after we complete course setup today.  Good luck to everyone participating in our annual holiday outing, we hope you have fun and enjoy the course despite the soggy conditions (cart path only).  My team and I are going to enjoy a little camaraderie and reflect on another great season while you play.  Please feel free to drop in and say hello while playing the seventh, the guys would really enjoy your good cheer.  After that it's off to the mountains of Virginia for a few days to see the family, but don't worry, be back soon.  

 See you on the course,

Matthew Wharton, CGCS, MG
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Friday, December 8, 2017

Golf Course Services, Short Game Work, and Junkies!

Hello and welcome to The Greenkeeper!  Today is Friday, December 8th and I want to update you on a couple things golf course related.  The first is a new improvement project our good friends at Golf Course Services, Inc. (GCS) will be assisting us with, and the other is something I hope helps you make more efficient use of our Short Game Area this off-season.  If time permits maybe I'll slip something else in, but for starters let's cover what's going on with those materials in the club parking area.

 What started as discussions with our lake and pond service provider about addressing the sediment buildup in the stream channel fronting No. 16 green (this constant flowing water body originates off property and we catch sediment and debris during heavy downpours) evolved into a small mobilization effort and a "camouflage" side project.  We have a total of four wells on property, and although they are mostly "out of sight, out of mind" occasionally one or more will be discussed for its intrusive nature.  In other words, how do you hide something in plain sight.  

 Well (pun intended), after meeting with our architect, Kris Spence a couple months back a plan was developed to enhance some golf course features that will "house" the pumps inside.  We will be lengthening the Ross tee of hole No. 17 as well as (pun not intended) adding mounds like found between holes 4 and 17 to the right side of hole No. 10.  
There's not a lot to share at this point as we're just scratching the surface of the project.  We did manage to get both footers poured and we'll begin construction of the block walls first of next week.  I will update and share more as we progress. #staytuned.   

 Recently Head Golf Professional, Bobby Cox spoke with me about the Short Game Area.  He was concerned about the amount of divots recently made and their impact on the turf as we enter winter.  I can tell you although the divots have been patched they will be there all winter because bermudagrass stopped growing over a month ago and will not regrow until late next spring.  We discussed the matter with both the Golf Committee and Greens Committee Chairmen and it was decided this would be a great time to revisit the "off-season" usage policies of our practice facilities for those either needing a refresher or those newer members that just wasn't fully aware.  But before I do I've added a link to a post from May of last year that contains some great information about the Short Game Area and its design and intended use. CLICK HERE 

 Now, our "off-season" policies go into effect each year when the clocks return to standard time.  We close the Back Range Tee till spring and permit use of the natural turf on the overseeded Primary Range Tee Fridays through Sundays (weather permitting).  Tuesdays through Thursdays all range use is on the mats.  As for the Short Game Area it "technically" remains open but the big difference you hopefully have noticed is balls are not readily available.  During the growing season den caddies, buckets, and shag bags of balls are strategically placed throughout the Short Game Area for your convenience and to "encourage" you to practice from certain locations.  During the "off-season" the Golf Staff is asked to suspend this service while the turf isn't growing.

 The Committee's thought behind this policy is if you really want to work on your bunker play or bump and run you can do so with a sleeve or two of balls from your bag and improve your feel and touch, then move on to putting and/or something else.  By not having "unlimited" balls at one's disposal the likelihood of one or more individuals "over using" the turf is greatly discouraged.

 It was recently brought to my attention some members weren't fully aware of the reasons behind these policies and were helping themselves to practice balls located inside the cart barn.  Perhaps now you have a better understanding to the thought process behind these policies and you can continue to utilize the area throughout the winter but in a manner that still helps protect and preserve turf for the coming spring.  Simply stated, the policies are there to ensure you and your fellow members aren't unhappy come springtime when the temperature is warm, the sun is out, but the grass in the Short Game Area isn't there.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation!

 Moving along, since it's cold, wet and dreary outside today (there's even a slight chance of snow) I thought I would share a couple of videos to brighten your day, and please my fellow golf course architecture junkies.  Recently my friend Sean Tully (Sean is superintendent of Meadow Club in Fairfax, California) shared a link to a YouTube video featuring a flyover of Fishers Island Club in New York, regarded by many as Seth Raynor's finest design.  Have a look.  Fishers Island Flyover  

 If you enjoyed that then I'm certain you will enjoy this similar video featuring Westhampton Country Club on Long Island, believed to be Raynor's first solo design.  Westhampton Flyover 

I know Raynor isn't our guy, we're Ross lovers...
...but the videos are cool and I especially dig that soundtrack on the Westhampton one.  Hopefully we can take inspiration and have one featuring Carolina produced next year.  Maybe I can ask Santa, I believe he's dropping by the club this weekend.  Hmmm.
See you on the course,

 Matthew Wharton, CGCS, MG
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Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Tradition(s)!

Hello and welcome to The Greenkeeper!  Today is Wednesday, November 22nd and I want to quickly remind everyone although the club is closed tomorrow for Thanksgiving the golf course is available (walking only) for those wanting to squeeze in a quick round before dinner, or perhaps you need to "walk off" some turkey and stuffing later in the day. Either way I hope you enjoy your time on the course should you choose to come out.
Thanksgiving is a holiday steeped in traditions and over the years has become my all-time favorite holiday.  I love leaving the house quietly each year on Thanksgiving morning with a fresh cup of coffee and making my journey to Carolina Golf Club.  The streets are quiet as the city enjoys the day off and I ride through the course to ensure everything is in order and nothing out of place.  It's a quiet and peaceful time to reflect on the many blessings of the past year.  If there is no potential for frost I exit out the back gate by the Turf Care Center and return home to a house filled with visiting family (now you know why it has become my favorite holiday).  If there is potential for frost I linger behind the clubhouse and engage early arrivals in conversation and holiday cheer in order to prevent inadvertent turf damage before the frost sufficiently lifts.  Currently the forecast tomorrow morning calls for temperatures in the low to mid-30's so I wouldn't be surprised if we have some frost.  Come early and maybe I'll see you, and if we don't cross paths this year, Happy Thanksgiving!

Just prior to Thanksgiving in 2010 I penned a short list of things I was most thankful for that year, and since that time I guess you could say it's become a tradition.  Inspired by the lists of legendary golf writer Ron Green, Sr. that annually appear in the Charlotte Observer I enjoy taking time to reflect on the year and recognizing some memorable moments.  I am well aware my lists pale in comparison to his but without further ado, this year I'm most thankful for:

 10. BTME! The BIGGA Turf Management Exposition is the largest professional turfgrass conference outside the U.S. and what a thrill it was to attend the conference earlier this year.  Not only did I have the opportunity to meet and fellowship with my peers across the Atlantic, but this was actually my first time travelling outside the U.S.  Mrs. Greenkeeper and I had a wonderful experience and look forward to attending again sometime in the future, maybe I'll get invited to speak one year, that would be special.
Harrogate International Centre 
9. Chris Buie! The author of The Life and Times of Donald Ross befriended me earlier this year and shared many of the cool finds from researching his book including an Associated Press story from 1933 that chronicles how Carolina came to be the golf course we all love and enjoy today from its humble dairy farm origins.  That story appears in his book by the way.  He also shared coming across a reference to a match played at Carolina in the early 30's between Walter Hagen and Joe Kirkwood.  At this time I've yet to unearth evidence of that match but the search continues. 
The Life & Times of Donald Ross
Original Ross Routing


















8. Timely Rains! This year we received over twenty inches rain at Carolina Golf Club between April 1st and June 30th and although I love firm, fast playing conditions even I had to agree the bermudagrass turf looked its best ever this summer.  The plentiful and timely rains boosted soil moisture reserves creating a dense bermudagrass turf canopy unlike we've seen post restoration and the definition this year was second to none.
16 Green Foreground, 3 Approach & Green Background
Nest of Bunkers & Mounds Holes 6 (R) & 7 (L)
Hole No. 8
7. Mentors!  I dare say none of us would be where we are in life today without the assistance and guidance from someone we look up to.  I have been fortunate in my profession to be blessed with several mentors and what a treat it was for me this year to spend time during PGA Championship week showing off Carolina Golf Club to a few fellow superintendents and industry peers, and they all loved it!
6. Kris Spence!  Kris has been consulting and working with Carolina Golf Club since before I was your superintendent.  I've been blessed for the opportunity to work closely with him and I'm proud the relationship he shares with Carolina Golf Club today is as strong as ever.  It was just this time last year he assisted us in the design and location of our two newest fairway bunkers left of hole No. 7 and earlier this year he was the feature interview on the popular golf course architecture discussion website, Golf Club Atlas.  CLICK HERE to read what Kris had to say about becoming involved with Carolina and the club's subsequent transformation.
5. Sunrises! One of the greatest benefits to being a golf course superintendent is being on the property at a time when most aren't and capturing those moments.  I've seen countless beautiful sunrises over Carolina through the years but these two photos below contain colors I don't recall ever seeing before.  Oddly enough they were taken only three minutes apart back in late September from the operator's seat of my fairway mower.  #nofilter 
6:59 am Sep 25th
7:02 am Sep 25th
4. Ed Oden!  How does the chairman of the Greens Committee replace an outgoing chairman of five years?  Exactly like Mr. Oden did it this year.  He assembled a great group consisting of a few new members while keeping a few tenured ones for continuity.  He even made the effort to play the course (walking) with me the day prior to several of our monthly meetings.  These informal "course inspections" really helped shape and facilitate our discussions with the group each time the next day.  Thank you Mr. Oden for your leadership and guidance this year and I look forward to continuing our work together next year!

 3. Billy Cleveland!  Recall this time last year the club was engaged with a firm assisting with the selection and hire of our next General Manager.  Regardless of the process and subsequent negotiations, I believe things happen for a reason and I'm truly thankful we landed Mr. Cleveland!  Since mid-February he has brought an unprecedented knowledge and experience to Carolina and I'm excited for what the bright future holds in store for the club.  
Solar Eclipse 
Just last week while attending the Carolinas GCSA Conference and Show I was approached by several individuals who recognized the name Carolina Golf Club on my badge and asked me about Billy Cleveland.  It's an honor to be associated with someone so well thought of throughout the industry.  Thank you for your leadership Sir!

 2. Carolina Golf Club!  As I alluded to briefly above, this time last year we were without a General Manager and the lack of leadership at that time made for some challenging times.  However, throughout those times you constantly reassured me and my family here is where you want us to be.  I count my blessings each day I remain entrusted to care for the best golf course in town.  I cannot believe I get to do what I do everyday and call it work.  It's not work when it's your passion and this course contains my blood, sweat, and tears so why would I want to be anywhere else. 

 1. My Staff!  Each year I've always thanked my staff, usually somewhere between numbers four and five.  Mostly because I reserved numbers one and two for faith and family but this year I thought I would do something different.  Many of you have stated this year you believe the golf course was the best it has ever been.  I don't disagree, the overall condition and daily presentation of tees, fairways and rough was by far the most consistent in our post restoration era.  I will forever remember 2017 for a strong year of turf conditions and course presentation, but we did so in a year with tremendous turnover.  When negative forces impact team chemistry it's necessary to make changes and I made a significant change to my management team just as the growing season arrived.  Shortly after, I lost two additional experienced equipment operators to other job opportunities and suddenly we were short-handed.  Without hesitation I successfully recruited Matt Claunch from Pine Tree Golf Club in Boynton Beach, FL to return home to Charlotte and join my staff.  A month later Colby Engert returned from Arizona after a near 20-month hiatus walking through the door exclaiming, "I'm home Boss".  Together we guided what turned out to be the best group of international interns we've ever had.  These young men from the Philippines have spoiled me this year with their knowledge, talent, work ethic, and pleasant demeanor.  We might look like a ragtag band of misfits in the photo below but I will forever be proud of the team I assembled in 2017!  I thank each and every one of you for all your hard work and effort!  
2017 Carolina Golf Club Greenkeeping Team
Okay, I really do need to mention two other things I'm thankful for this year.  I'm thankful for movers and realtors.  Granted, I would never recommend to anyone the company that moved us after that experience, but our realtor was awesome so I would happily recommend her if you're in need.

 Did you really think I would omit the most important people in my life from this year's list?  I'm most thankful for my loving and supporting wife and our family.  This past year was a stressful one at times, especially with the move and ongoing renovations ;) but it only brought us closer together.  I truly love what I do for you and your guests each and every day, but the inspiration to wake and seize the day is the unconditional love of my family.  Whether it's enjoying one another's company at the beach or watching my little Princess (she's not so little anymore) play softball, they are the constant beating of my heart.  I love you all most!  
Catcher 2024 USA Softball 

May God Bless and Happy Thanksgiving Carolina Golf Club!   


See you on the course,

Matthew Wharton, CGCS, MG

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