Monster Day

There are many events going on in the month of December at the club but I wanted to give a sneak peak of Monster Day 2017. Such a fun and challening event the past two years and I am sure the next one will be the toughest yet. That one time a year challenge when I get set up the golf course as difficult as it can be. In 2014 the winning score was -13, last year -7, and I have every intention to make sure no one gets to last years total. It will be a similar set up but be very aware of even more trickery! Last year me teeing off on #13.

The golf course dog

We all know there is a reason why dogs are a man’s best friend. Loyalty, protection, the goofy tail wagging and perpetual “what-can-I-do-for-you-next” attitude are just some of the noticeable aspects of many breeds. On a golf course, there is no question that a dog is indispensable if there are issues with birds (Canada geese, widgeons, coots, etc.) because they help to minimize potential damage. However, dogs are even more important in regard to the psychological effect they have on three main groups of humans. My dog, or the golf course dog "Opie" is a 6 month old Beagle/Shetland sheep dog mix. Opie is great with my 3 boys and loves to play fetch. His companionship on and off the job make the day go by great. His love and curiosity with staff and members make there day that much better too. The beagle is a breed of small-sized hound, similar in appearance to the much larger foxhound. The beagle is a scent hound, developed primarily for hunting hare. With a great sense of smell and their tracking instinct, the Beagle is employed as a detection dog. The beagle is intelligent but single-minded, with a great temperament. The Shetland Sheepdog, also known as the Sheltie, is a breed of herding dog. The original name of this breed was Shetland Collie, but this caused controversy among the Rough Collie breeders at the time, so the breed's name was formally changed to Shetland Sheepdog. This small dog is very intelligent, vocal, excitable, energetic, and willing to please and work hard. Benefits to golf course, staff, and members: The maintenance staff. Early morning starts are easy for some and tough for others, but who does not appreciate a friendly dog greeting them to say good morning? A well-trained and friendly dog can be the perfect antidote (if only for a few seconds) to start or end a hard day of work. The golf course superintendent. Make no mistake about it, a good dog is one of the greatest, if not the greatest, friend a golf course superintendent can have. Always there with a good attitude, ready for new excitement each day and agreeing that the bunkers are consistent and the greens the right speed. How can it get any better? When times are tough, having a good friend alongside that cannot disagree with how the course looks or plays is doggone helpful. The golfers. Perhaps the greatest psychological aspect to having a good dog in the seat next to you is when golfers approach with a question or comment. Following a little petting and scratching of our four-legged friends, golfers say to heck with the greens not being perfect or the bunkers not to their liking. It is interesting how comments or suggestions that follow time spent with a dog are made with a completely different presentation after having that kind of positive feedback. The golf course. We have water fowl that frequently visits the irrigation lake surrounding holes #1 and #4. With this years over seed the water fowl is here earlier this year and already eating the grasses as well as leaving there droppings behind. Opie will be on the look out for the water fowl and he will herd them so play will be less impacted by there presence. He will also be on the scent of gophers, squirrels, and rabbits.