Braving The Cold...

The winter of 2014-2015 was a cold one throughout the United States. Me being a student at Kansas State University take the time during Winter Break to head home to Burke, Virginia. My hometown is located in the Fairfax County area which is one of the most wealthiest and successful places to open a golf course. I live about 20 miles outside of Washington D.C. In which my family and I visit frequently. Over this Winter Break I broke out all my warm clothes and decided to see if I could hack it in the below 30 degree weather, all while attempting to hit a golf ball.

Two miles from my parents house sits a golf course named Burke Lake, named so for the Lake that encompasses the course. Burke Lake is an 18-hole strictly Par-3 setup. Even though you might think of a Par-3 as being a 100yds to the pin, this is not the case at Burke Lake or as the locals call it B-Lakes. Most of the holes play almost like a short Par-4, with trees lining each fairway and greens that go uphill and some tucked away beneath large branches that overhang above. Due to the freezing conditions this past December and January the ground was so hard it was like concrete. So, with that said, hitting the green and keeping it there was the most challenging part of playing a round of golf. I can remember a shot I Had on Hole #5 in which my tee shot was dead on right at the pin about to be an ace type shot. Unfortunately as soon as I saw it near the green I remembered how rock-solid the greens were. As soon as it hit the green it rocketed back up into the air just as if it had hit a cart path. The ball sailed over the green and into the rough. Hitting the green was only the first challenge, putting and avoiding the goose poop was a whole other story. Even with the horrid playing conditions I still enjoyed myself due to the fact I had the whole course to myself usually day after day. I really do love the appeal of certain golf courses. Even when the conditions were bad I enjoy the silence and peace that comes with golf courses, I didn't have to worry about the pace of play or other groups breathing down my neck. I could take my time and enjoy what was right in front of me, and that is lush greenish brown turf.

After winter-break I returned to Manhattan, Kansas to finish out the spring semester. During the winter I returned to work at Colbert Hills GC. Since it was winter and too cold to do much of anything I noticed that winters at a maintenance shop are for equipment repairs, shop cleanup, and lots of planning for the upcoming season. These plans include ideas for new projects and enhancing the aesthetics of the golf course for the players to enjoy. Also during this time it gives the guys a chance to get to know each other better, telling stories, going out to eat, and not worrying about tournaments, irrigation problems, and so on. This was my first year working a full season and I enjoyed every minute, even if it was 10 degrees outside. Golf courses are surreal and no matter what season it is I recommend everyone go out and enjoy the peace and quite all while hitting that silly white ball.