Craig McLaughlin
The Art of Maintenance
Art and maintenance… two things that are not normally associated with each other. For many, maintenance is a mundane task, vacuous of thought and abundant in labor. On the golf course maintenance is taken to the next level. Superintendents have learned to shed the myopic view that sometimes accompanies repetition and look deeper into the business of maintenance. Timing, precision, and calculation, are all components of a well rounded plan that have their roots based in the art of maintenance. […]
Do’s and Don’ts of Wedding Planning
As a wedding planner I get a lot of feedback from brides on things they wished they had done for their wedding and some things they wished they hadn’t spent so much time on. Planning a wedding is no easy task but it is a lot of fun for most! During the planning period it is easy to get a head of yourself and out a lot on your plate because you think you will have plenty of time…that time […]
Craft Beer: The Ever Changing Tap
We all know that brands like Budweiser, Coors Light, Heineken and so many others will never be a thing of the past, but could they be competing with some local craft beers? In the past few years there has been a climb in the number of craft breweries popping up in our communities, and it has begun to spark an interest and even create a hobby with many beer drinkers. As someone who enjoys going to new local restaurants I […]
POA – A Seed Head Unlike Any Other
May is a great month; the sun is bright and shining high in the sky, the threat of frost is all but gone and flowers are in full bloom all around us. But while May is one of my favorite months, there is a down side during this time period that I must deal with every new season, Poa seed heads. For many, the term poa seed heads means nothing, but for those that do know the term you are […]
What Trends Will You Be Following This Season?
As somebody who loves attending weddings as much as I love to plan them there is nothing better than seeing what brides are doing at their weddings and what might be trending during that time. Year after year we see what trends brides are doing and what trends the wedding industry wants to see. It would take you a couple days to read through all of the trends that are arising, so I went thorough and picked out some of […]
December 12, 2018
Art and maintenance… two things that are not normally associated with each other. For many, maintenance is a mundane task, vacuous of thought and abundant in labor. On the golf course maintenance is taken to the next level. Superintendents have learned to shed the myopic view that sometimes accompanies repetition and look deeper into the business of maintenance. Timing, precision, and calculation, are all components of a well rounded plan that have their roots based in the art of maintenance. […]
September 26, 2018
As a wedding planner I get a lot of feedback from brides on things they wished they had done for their wedding and some things they wished they hadn’t spent so much time on. Planning a wedding is no easy task but it is a lot of fun for most! During the planning period it is easy to get a head of yourself and out a lot on your plate because you think you will have plenty of time…that time […]
July 11, 2018
We all know that brands like Budweiser, Coors Light, Heineken and so many others will never be a thing of the past, but could they be competing with some local craft beers? In the past few years there has been a climb in the number of craft breweries popping up in our communities, and it has begun to spark an interest and even create a hobby with many beer drinkers. As someone who enjoys going to new local restaurants I […]
May 9, 2018
May is a great month; the sun is bright and shining high in the sky, the threat of frost is all but gone and flowers are in full bloom all around us. But while May is one of my favorite months, there is a down side during this time period that I must deal with every new season, Poa seed heads. For many, the term poa seed heads means nothing, but for those that do know the term you are […]
April 25, 2018
As somebody who loves attending weddings as much as I love to plan them there is nothing better than seeing what brides are doing at their weddings and what might be trending during that time. Year after year we see what trends brides are doing and what trends the wedding industry wants to see. It would take you a couple days to read through all of the trends that are arising, so I went thorough and picked out some of […]
April 18, 2018
What should you expect for golf in 2018? From the professional tours to your local courses to vendors, there is a lot to get excited about in 2018. Are you excited about the return of Tiger? With the USGA and R&A looking to alter some rules, the golf world is having discussions about major changes. Technology is steadily making their footprint in golf and looking to make bigger splashes. Watching golf has changed in 2017 and looks to continually enhance […]
December 20, 2017
To a golfer, few things are as satisfying as playing a good game of golf on a course with mature trees lining each side of the fairway. Players come to the course for the game but also to appreciate the calming beauty that a golf course can offer. However, it has long been known that trees on golf courses can wreak havoc with turfgrass quality and playability. For us, trees and the work they create have become a part of […]
December 13, 2017
I am a fan of new discoveries. The allure of the unknown has always interested me, especially the notion that what I hold to be true could very well turn out to be false. The turf industry is no exception when it comes to new discoveries. It seems every year there is a new piece of equipment to try, a new chemical to spray or a lost philosophy that will solve all our problems. Choosing which new discovery to try […]
December 6, 2017
Candia Woods along with most public access golf courses rely on golf outings to help generate revenue. Most golf outings take advantage of not only the golf aspect but also food and beverage making it an attractive opportunity for fundraising groups as well as the golf courses. Hosting a golf outing at Candia Woods is a combined team effort of all of our departments; Matt Evans, grounds, Doug Alderman, Mike Lloyd and Christina Desjardins with food/beverage and of course Craig […]
August 23, 2017
One thing that we wish that we all had more of…time. Many golfers that I speak with say that they wish they could play or practice more, but they just don’t have the time. Work, family, and other social commitments will take up a majority of our time. Typically an 18 hole round of golf will take anywhere from 4hrs 15mins to 4hrs 30mins. Add in the drive to and from the golf course as well as the post round […]
February 15, 2017
As we approach the upcoming golf season, it is not only important to work on your skillset, to play enjoyable golf; but we must also work on our mindset. In all sports, what happens first is our mind sees what must be done and then the body reacts. This is where it gets tough, is our mindset now positive or negative before hitting a shot; are we confident and believe that it can be done; do we have trust in […]
November 8, 2016
As a golf instructor for the past 9 years, I have had the opportunity to share my knowledge of the game with many golfers of varying skill. One question I get asked often by beginning golfers is, “When should we start to play the golf course?” This, in my opinion, is the barrier in golf that is quite difficult to tear down. There are many fears and anxieties that new and even experienced golfers can endure regarding playing on the […]
May 17, 2016
When going to the driving range/practice facility and you take a look around. What is the most commonly used golf club? That’s right…you guessed it…The Driver! It is the longest club in the bag…It hits the ball far…it makes that great smash sound when you hit the ball…and best of all, the golf ball is teed up! Of course, when we play it is important to hit the tee shot well. However, there are several parts of the game that […]
February 23, 2016
I can remember my junior golfing days like they were yesterday. Little did I know, during those early years, how much golf would impact my life. It was my father who first introduced me to the game. He put together the first set of clubs that my twin brother and I shared growing up. Like most kids, when my brother and I turned 8, we were playing all of the usual team sports (baseball, soccer, and my brother played football). […]