This winter season has been quite the teaser. January and February temperature fluctuations have allowed several mid-winter thaws and several opportunities to relieve cabin fever with some off-season golf. The early thaw in mid-February appeared to signal an end to the slumber of another benign winter. Yellow crocus flowering near the restroom facility at #7 tee were a promising sign. Over one hundred rounds of golf were recorded on Sunday, February 10th. The natives were getting restless and the excitement was building. Unfortunately, the weather patterns changed slightly and the pacific jet stream lifted from its normal southern track to finding a consistent path across the mid-section of the Country. Local meteorologists were getting excited as western fronts at this time of year usually translate to moisture. For the last sixteen months, the central plains has experienced snow free winters and parched summers. Throughout the mid-West, the water table of streams, ponds and lakes were at all-time lows. In the last week, two snowfalls of ten plus inches each have begun the process of recharging the soil for the new year.
 |
| Deepest snowfall in last ten years |
To calculate snow quantities to rainfall equivalents, I use seven inches of snow equals one inch of rain. So, the course has received the equivalent of three inches of rain in the last week. A slow snow melt allows the ground to absorb a very high percentage moisture as compared to a three inch rainfall over the same period. So, snow's a good thing....... For the first two months of the year, the average rainfall is 3.01 inches and currently the course has experienced 7.2 inches of precipatation. We are off to a good start to alleviate the drought pressures of the last year.
Being exposed to the elements each day shortens the life of our equipment. Hydraulic hoses, belts, batteries and most importantly seats deteriortate at an accellerated rate. The normal life expectancy of equipment is reduced. The opportunity for damage to the course is increased as a result of broken hydraulic hoses or those mysterious electrical failures.
.
Unfortunately, most of our equipment sits outside 24-7 due to limited covered storage. Each year, we replace about 12 seats on various pieces of equipment due to accelerated weathering from daily exposure to the elements at an annual cost in excess of $3,000. The lifespan of a mower seat on a piece of equipment sitting outside everyday is about one to two years at best. For pieces of equipment stored inside, the seat can last five years and beyond with no problems. For the price of one tractor seat ($400), a storage container can be rented for three months. Inside each container, three to six pieces of equipment with a value of $150,000 or so are stored for the winter. Prior to locking up the equipment inside the box, the mechanic performs all the winter service required to ready the piece for the next season.When the new season arrives, very little surprises are found and the mower is ready to go.
For the last couple of years, I've rented the containers for the winter months for a cost of about $1,250. We have extended the life of the seats to three to four years and the life of the equipment as well. Best of all, the number of mishaps on the course are reduced and most importantly everyone's rear-end stays dry!
