Deer Ridge Golf Club in Kitchener, Ontario is the latest golf course in Ontario to go under the knife for a list of renovations. They are completing a full greens renovation, bunker renovation, and repaving all cart paths. The crew, including myself, is excited to see a change as well as be a part of such an overwhelming experience. This experience will be beneficial to all at the club.
Most golf courses will not go through with a renovation because of the cost, and the issue of having to close all, or part, of the course. At Deer Ridge, it took numerous amounts of meetings with the members to get extra funding. In turn, the club and members agreed which led to the renovation process. Deer Ridge has been open for only 11 years; however, with 400 members playing almost everyday, they want a change. Course assistant Trevor Morvay states that this renovation is much anticipated by the staff. This is because they will be seeding with bentgrass, thus removing all the currently infiltrated Poa annua greens. They are renovating their greens to USGA specifications. The soil and the drainage will be perfect. Additionally, the renovation will be completed over a two year period in two phases; starting with the first 9 holes, then the second 9 holes.
Considering that I work at Deer Ridge, I am overly excited to be able to experience a renovation project. This renovation should provide the experience I need in order to excel in the industry. More importantly, it will allow the members to partake in a new experience on USGA specified greens. The playability will be surreal.
Posted by Anne Douglas on October 29, 2009 at 1:21 pm
I like how you’re documenting some real life changes at your own workplace. Do you know any specifics of the renovation yet? I would suggest that you keep your blog up to date with the changes as they take place and let your supervisor and members know about the blog. They’ll be interested. It’s a great example of what you can use blogging for in a staff-member relations initiative.