Golf Operations

OPEN COMMUNICATION

Kevin Corn • Head Golf Professional Innsbrook Resort Golf Course • Innsbrook, Mo.

KEVIN CORN, HEAD GOLF Professional at Innsbrook (Mo.) Resort Golf Course began his career in golf at Wild Wing Plantation in Myrtle Beach, S.C., in February 1995 and earned PGA Membership in August 1998. He joined the team at Innsbrook in February 2014 and shares his thoughts on the importance of the professional partnership he shares with Golf Course Superintendent Matt Hovanec.

Club + Resort Business: Please describe the importance of open communication between the Pro Shop and Maintenance Department.

Kevin Corn: Open communication between the golf shop and maintenance department is essential to a smoothly running golf operation. The professional staff delivers any messages about course condition to golfers and also receives any complaints or compliments about course condition from the golfers. Having the knowledge of what and why work is being done, and having the ability to convey that message to golfers, is critical to the beginning of a positive playing experience.

On the other side of it, the professional staff has to be able to share positive and negative comments about the course with the maintenance staff so course conditions can continue to improve and the golfer experience can be continually enhanced.

C+RB: When and how often does the Golf Course Superintendent provide dates of scheduled projects?

Corn: Our superintendent and I talk every day, even on days when one of us may be off work. Larger projects are typically planned out at least several weeks in advance, and we try to do as many of those in the winter months when we do not see as many golfers. For the smaller or unexpected projects that come up during the season, we do our best to schedule those for days early in the week so disruption to the golfers is minimized.

C+RB: Do you provide dates for outings and tournaments to the superintendent?

Corn: We have a shared file that each of us can always access which lists details for any group larger than 12 players.

C+RB: How do you coordinate large events around greens aerification?

Corn: There is never a good time to do greens aerification. We do everything possible to schedule aeration at a time when it will have the least impact possible on all golfers. We typically start late on a Sunday afternoon and close the golf course on Monday so the project can be completed as quickly as possible. This allows for noticeable turfgrass healing by the weekend when we are busiest.

C+RB: If a group wants to schedule an event immediately after aerification, do you notify them of the expected conditions?

Corn: The large groups we have out here typically schedule several months to a year in advance, so scheduling aeration around those dates is reasonably simple. One thing we have done for the past several years for the 2-3 days following aeration is allow our daily players to play for only a cart fee.

C+RB: What other major projects does the superintendent keep you up to speed on?

Corn: Each morning either our superintendent or one of his staff will check in with the golf shop staff to let them know what they will be doing that day. It is rare they are doing anything on the golf course that they have not informed us about. This allows for better communication with our golfers and provides staff with the information they need to answer any questions they may receive from golfers.

C+RB: How do you communicate daily tasks like watering or mowing with your golfers?

Corn: With the exception of afternoon syringing done during the summer months, about 95% of our watering is done at night so it does not interfere with play. On those hot days when our maintenance staff has to syringe greens, they will do their best to work around golfers and hand water the areas that need it.

C+RB: If an unexpected project pops up (ie: storm damage), does the superintendent notify the Pro Shop?

Corn: Absolutely. This past summer we had a severe storm overnight and lost about 10 trees on the golf course. The following morning our superintendent and I were in a cart riding the course, assessing damage, and determining the best way to clear the damage as quickly and safely as possible.

C+RB: What advice would you give a fellow professional on the importance of communicating with the Superintendent?

Corn: Open, consistent communication with the superintendent is a vital component to running a successful golf operation. Both people have to be on the same page for the type of golf course and experience being provided to golfers. I am constantly asking our superintendent questions about why he is doing something, what he is applying, or what the benefit to the golfer will be, simply to expand my own knowledge and allow me to contribute in some way to providing a better golf course for our players.