FACILITY & OPERATIONS
weakness in your plan or your field and
exploit it. My biggest frustration is the
consulting/insulting sales people tell-
ing you when things aren't going right;
"Field's a bit sparse, don't you think?", or
"Is the color where you want it for this
time of year?" These are questions I was
asked as a turf manager. After hearing
that, you want to hear the solution and
fall into the mindset that you have to do
something, anything to fix the problem!
Often we don't need the latest and
greatest wetting agent or a calcium
supplement, nor will getting a shiny new
utility cart that carries 150 pounds more
make that fundamental change needed
to have a successful field. Often it leads
to frustration, as the plan has suddenly
changed, spending $$$ and putting great
products on the field with mediocre
results. In this fast-paced world of work,
not planning the specific actions we need
to take to be successful often leads to
poor outcomes and setbacks. I have met
many good sales people in this industry
who understand their role and products
and are a great resource to achieving
goals. Find them and build that relation-
ship. Confidently dealing with coaches,
administration and sales people and
trusting your plan will increase your
chances of being successful during
"prime time."
The final process to have a successful
maintenance program is when it is over,
review and adjust your plan. If the plan
ends with the prime growing season, you
will most likely start on the next plan
during the traditional growing season.
It's a great time to start a plan, if you have
carefully implemented your previous
plan, you will able to review it and make
changes to it while your work is still
fresh in your head. Why do players play
on Sunday and watch film on Monday?
Because the sooner they can review their
recent performance and develop a plan
for their next performance, the better.
Often we wait until we are deep into the
off-season to review our previous work.
If you plan is based on the prime time
of growing grass, then a plan review
and implementing the new plan should
occur right away.
By keeping to key aspects of using
plant timing and having a plan which
embraces this timing you will improve
your maintenance, fertility, irrigation
and cultural practices. Soon your fields
will be sought after for "prime time"
events! ■
ST
Joshua Bertrand is director of public works
for the City of Glendale, CO; previously
he was manager of turf operations, which
included Infinity Park, a municipally
owned sports, entertainment and event
venue.
24 SportsTurf | January 2015 www.sportsturfonline.com
