Mark Novotny CGCS
New book author…Retired Golf course Superintendent
Introduction: Now Retired but this is what I did from 1996-2020…
This is a golf course, Westchester Golf Course, annually over 20,000 golfers play here. That’s where I come in, I’m the superintendent. The following you are about to read is by some accounts, gibberish, to others a highly refined skill in communication. The goal is to enlighten you as to what is happening around the golf course. The information, presented in a humorous manner is intended to factually educate you about golf course maintenance. Remember, golf is a game, it’s played on grass.
Introduction to be read similar to Jack Webb (from the original Dragnet).
Mark Novotny CGCS 
How did the course fair this winter? How was the flooding the past few days?
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Posted by Mike Papson | February 25, 2014, 5:55 amI was on a “staycation’ last week so I would think the water is down by now leaving the silt on the path. It has been too snowy to look for snow mold. Luckily I applied material earlier than usual but just before the snow came so we may be OK. I won’t know until I get to see the greens and tees. Once the warm weather hits it will start to grow out of anything we have.
There may be more of a risk of ice damage in the low areas of the greens with the prolonged cold (even though bentgrass is suppose to handle 60 days of ice cover.
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Posted by tghrs | February 25, 2014, 8:57 amHey Mark,
Has the flooding gone down or is it going to freeze this week? How is everything else been going? Think snow mold will be an issue this spring?
Mike
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Posted by Mike Papson | February 24, 2014, 5:43 pmMark,
Great to speak with you last week.
Please send me your email address so I can send you the material I promised.
Arthur Little
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Posted by Arthur Little | January 10, 2014, 5:34 pmArthur,
Thanks for taking the time to speak with me. I have had a chance to drive the cart path and have most locations picked out which match the projected yardages. Now all I need is good weather and to start people back to get started.
Pick one of these emails and it will get to me.
Mark
Q4theman@wowway.com
Mark@westchestergolfcourse.com
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Posted by tghrs | January 15, 2014, 10:07 amAre you hiring in preparation of the new season? If so I’d like to apply for a position. Cell: (614)-403-1916
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Posted by Gerad Stephens | February 18, 2013, 10:42 amWe are taking applications now! We will start getting people started as soobn as the weather breaks. Aslo check in the employment area for more information on what we do on a daily basis.
I will also give you a call.
Mark Novotny CGCS
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Posted by tghrs | February 18, 2013, 5:29 pmUnit Evan here to fellow blogers, I got to take part in setting up our new chipping range! gotta tell you I think it looks pretty cool. Pratice bunker will be put in also so you won’t be in the sand all day. Come check it out and the rest of the course. Its looking pretty spectacular, but always room to improve.
P.S. NICE picture Mark
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Posted by Evan Steinbrink | May 29, 2012, 4:42 pmGreens are healing nicely. After being mowed this am they putted great. Shot 78. By comparison yesterday they were unable to be mowed due to the early rains. They were hairy, sandy, and covered in twirly birds. Shot 84.
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Posted by Dr. Dan | April 22, 2012, 11:56 amWe anticipated them being slow Friday but wanted to keep them long for the last day of sand. The plan was to get them cut both days this weekend and them hopefully daily after that. If we get any frosts it will stop the growth and wil will occasionally skip a mowing to work on something else. The goal is to have them completely back by Wednesday for the P.A.T.
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Posted by tghrs | April 22, 2012, 12:25 pmMark,
I would have to agree with Bergeron. I like the new blog.
Going to need some tips on how to conquer the weeds in my yard this year. Be in contact soon.
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Posted by Nick Bond | March 20, 2012, 8:25 pmEasiest thing to do is apply Weed-B-Gone on the hose end applicator. Just follow the directions and the weeds will go away! Just remember the crabgrass! We are running about 4-6 weeks ahead of schedule for temperatures. So when the forsythia are blooming you should be getting your crabgfrass control down. As in this week or next. Also, since it is so early we will be applying a split application on the course. Which means to reapply in 4-6 weeks.
This year will be worse for crabgrass then last. (My prediction.)
Mark
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Posted by tghrs | March 22, 2012, 5:54 pmUNIT 9 says hello, Dead grass putts fast and always pround to be associated with the best TGHRS in the industry.
UNIT 9
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Posted by Tom Grubbs | March 12, 2012, 3:21 pmHey Boss,
I like the new blog.
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Posted by Kyle Bergeron | March 7, 2012, 9:20 pmMark,
To my turfgrass mentor and friend….everything I learned about this least-creative-of-all-groundcover options (turfgrass) I reluctantly learned from you….but my life is better for it. Thanks for the update and great humor!
Andy
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Posted by Andy | February 29, 2012, 9:22 pmIt my be the least creative. But you try to putt on Vinca maintained at 1/8 of an inch.
Great to hear from you! I do need to take a couple of pictures of trees for you to identify. They are street trees with small leaves. I am wondering if they would be suitable to replace the 38 ash trees lining our front entrance.
I will try to get the photos to you. I am guessing you will need the overall shape of the tree, a close up of the trunk bark, and a close up of a tree branch with buds (this time of year).
Mark
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Posted by tghrs | March 1, 2012, 11:25 amMark “Joe Friday” Novotny,
Chris and I are here in Vegas at the Rio seafood buffet, thinking of you as we wolfed down our 100th crab leg. Playing golf every day, courses aren’t as well conditioned as yours. Have the course ready for play by Feb 15th beause we are heading back. Looking forward to playing.
Cheers!
Tom & Chris
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Posted by Tom | February 13, 2012, 4:29 pmHey Chris and Tom,
I look forward to seeing guys on the course again this year. As usual, our crew will try to keep ahead of you, which is impossible. Therefore, I’ll probably continue to meet up with you guys around hole 5 or 6, as I can’t mow greens at the ludacris speed in which you guys golf.
Look forward to another enjoyable season,
Kyle-maintenance.
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Posted by Kyle Bergeron | March 7, 2012, 9:07 pm