Champions Tour Prep at TPC Sugarloaf

I had the opportunity this week in the evenings and Saturday morning to volunteer with the preparation for the Greater Gwinnett Classic over at TPC Sugarloaf. Mike Crawford, CGCS and his staff had the course in great shape for the Champions Tour event. Below are some pictures from the course.

One of my favorite things from tournament preparation is the equipment train in the evenings getting out onto the course.

View Wednesday night after cutting #18 fairway

Cutting fairways and approaches

Looking down at #5 Green on Saturday morning

The crew raking bunkers and preparing the green Saturday morning on #6.  Great golf hole!!!!

1.65 inches of rain - Course cleaned up

Thursday night into Friday morning we received 1.65" of rain. Luckily we dodged the storms and really only had washouts in the bunkers and debris and silt on the cart paths. The crew worked a long day Friday and had all the bunkers repaired and the course cleaned up for this morning. Greens were brushed, mowed and rolled today and we will be off the cart path tomorrow morning(Sunday).  Notice the amount of pollen in the water in the bunkers.

Spring 2013 maintenance crew

We had all the full-time and part-time staff at the golf course this morning prepping for over 240 golfers during Masters week. We also got our new polo uniform shirts making it a perfect time for a group photo.  These guys have worked extremely hard keeping the course in great shape!!!

Spring 2013 Golf Course Maintenance Crew

Spring 2013 Golf Course Maintenance Crew with safety helmets

Start of Masters Week

The start of Masters week is Monday, yet at Bear's Best Atlanta the excitement starts an extra 3 days early. After a busy day on Friday, today started with a 7:15am Final Four shotgun, an 8:00am MGA Masters tournament and a full tee sheet to follow. Greens were mowed and rolled today and are firm and fast.  We will finish the weekend with over 210 golfers Sunday, and a very busy Masters week after that. Hopefully these mid 70s temperatures will continue and the rain will stay away later in the week.

Greens Mower, cup changer, blower, and roller all in action on #17 green early Saturday morning getting ready for Final Four Shotgun

Beautiful sunrise looking from the Big Putting Green to the Clubhouse

#1 Tee at the start of the MGA Masters tournament