Welcome Back.

Welcome back! We are excited to kickoff our 51st year with you, the course is now open for play.

We will be opening on alternate greens (aka temp pins) because the soil is not warm enough for the turf to start growing. Without growth, the greens can't recover from normal, day-to-day golfer traffic. By utilizing alternate greens, we can enjoy the property without risking long term damage to the greens.

Amenities are extremely limited on the property. Course accessories will start being placed on the course soon. In the meanwhile, please get out and enjoy this great piece of property!

Thank you for being patient as we work with Mother Nature and kick off the 2016 golf season.

February Course Conditions

After touring this great golf course today, everything looks as it should for the end of February. The turf is dormant and there are no signs of winter damage or disease. While we aren't out of the woods with Mother Nature yet, we are hopeful for an early spring.

Green Sample from 3 green under the growth lamp.

The Team has been busy in the maintenance facility this month preparing equipment as well as organizing the facility. We look forward to seeing you all soon.

The Housing Development

A few years ago, we learned that a parcel of bordering property was to be developed into a neighborhood of thirty homes. Radrick has always prided itself on the "natural feel" of our property.  Since before construction commenced, we have been developing plans to protect that setting.

We decided to implement a phased tree planting program (as well as install fencing).  This process is an ongoing endeavor in which we review the results in every season of the year. Thus far, 49 trees have been planted. Since 2013, these plantings have encompassed more than 395 labor hours to install.

Thank you for your patience as we strive to maintain the natural feel of the golf course at the highest level possible.

Radrick Farms Team planting Norway Spruce on 6.

Blacy Tree Company transplanting Norway Spruce on 8.

Job Instruction Training

We train our Maintenance Team in many facets of golf course operations. Annual training sessions are conducted for a variety of industry topics: agronomics, tree care, equipment maintenance, equipment operation, and most importantly, safety. In 2015, the Team participated in these training sessions totaling 490 hours. This training is provided by the Tree Care Industry Association, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association, University of Michigan Occupational Safety and Environmental Health, Michigan Turfgrass Foundation, Ohio Turfgrass Foundation, and The Toro Company.

In addition to these training sessions, we utilize the Job Instruction Technique (JIT). The goal of using the JIT method, is to make each employee comfortable and safe using the equipment to perform with quality results. Our Team of Greenskeepers, Clint Kutzley, Katharine Stewart, Matt Weiland, and Ghansha St. Amie, do an excellent job utilizing the JIT instruction.

The Team is provided invaluable annual safety
training by U of M OSEH Dept.'s Brett Goecke.

A Little Driving Range Love

The above normal temperatures have given us an opportunity to renovate the bunkers on the driving range. These bunkers needed a weeding, grading, and some new sand. This project will enhance the aesthetics on the range as well as provide better depth perception for practice shots.

Before work commenced

Excavating old sand and sod.

Bed prep and the beginning of sand installation. 

Sand being installed by Ghansha with the Ty-Crop Material Hauler.

Finished Bunker

Factors For Closing the Golf Course

Please review the November post from 2013 for particular details on why we close. We appreciate your continued support. Happy holidays to you and your families. We look forward to seeing you again in the spring.

Please Excuse Our Mess

Golf course natural areas require maintenance all season long. They are not areas that are meant to grow out of control. During the growing season, Maintenance Team Members remove woody invasive plants as well as some weeds such as thistle.


During this time of year, these areas are mowed and cleaned up. This material is then composted at our facility. Following the mowing and cleaning practices, herbicide is applied to these areas to control broad-leaf weeds. This process is beneficial to these areas by eliminating the weeds, woody plants, and invasive species. Please excuse our mess while we tackle this project. Be on the lookout, there may be a golf ball or two buried in the debris!

Ghansha St. Amie mowing area between 1 & 8

Area between 1 & 10 mowed.