Off Season

[gcsamudpuppy]

What is everyone doing with their "off" season? Most of what we can call regulars on here seem to be above, as opposed to below, the frost line, so most should be winding down.

I'm still pimping a budget that doesn't really work, hoping my trip to the Big Easy doesn't get shot down. When that gets finalized, I'm looking at some of the webcast and on-line options for some off season education.

[lawnproslawncare]

How does your budget not work. Please explain that?

[GoodNeighbor]

I'm just taking care of the house duties (cooking, cleaning, yard work) until January when my salary kicks in. Then it's back to the shop to do some grinding, etc.

[gcsamudpuppy]

Originally Posted by lawnproslawncare

How does your budget not work. Please explain that?

This place has been run as a tax right off for years. It hasn't been a big deal that they run into the red. One excuse after another as to why, but with the economy taking a flush, the ones footing the bill are looking at what I feel should have been an issue all along. The place needs to break even, except I have a Pro/GM who thinks he needs 10+ full time seasonal slots for a course that isn't doing 20K rounds a year. The pro-shop/grill labor budget is almost double what they let me have. That doesn't add up the way I do math, but I submitted numbers that worked from what has been done in the past, and then, during one on one with one of the primaries, I started asking questions about budget vs revenue. The course was opened after a remodel/expansion in '01. There are all kinds of "reasons" (spell that excuses) for why we haven't peaked in any way yet after 7 years, but I'm being stonewalled about spending, but the beer truck shows up every week, etc. I don't call that a budget that "works". I don't like the idea that I may not get to go back to full strength for next year, but if EVERYONE has to work on a cost accounting basis, then I would be placated.

[dshannon]

Don't get much of a off season down here in Fla. Thias is when our season is suppose to be picking up. Hope the economy doesn't pull us down too much. Overseed on the greens and tee boxes is taking off, and expectations of the guest are up, but with myself and just too part time guys ('cause it's the slow growing season") to maintain 18 holes, there's not much of an "off season" But what the hell, it's a job !!!

[dirttrack]

You guys in the south I don't envy. Publications always seem to feature those elegant courses with no budget woes. Resources up the kazoo. But when resources are continually and perenially tight, this job ain't for sissies. Laying out prime rib conditions on a peanut butter budget seems to be the expectation.

This winter I'll be working on rebuilds of equipment and making repairs on all the issues that had to wait. I do 99% of the mechanical work in-house. At least it is a change in pace from the long hours and 7 day weeks of the balls-to-the-walls grind of the season. From March to September I can count my days off on the fingers of 1 hand. It gets old. But, hey, yea, I do have a job and it doesn't sound like the economy is gonna' be getting any better for all anytime soon.

[aggieturf]

im in texas so ill probably kick back and do some budget work, maybe a little irrigation work, get off early, go hunt, if im real bored put in a long day of solitare. So yea, offseason is nice