Welcome Brian Cowin

Welcome Brian Cowin, Head Equipment Technician, to our staff.  Brian is originally from Burlington, Washington, but most recently was working in the Coeur d' Alene area in Idaho.  Brian has a host of golf course experience as well as heavy equipment experience.  We are looking forward to his fresh set of eyes as well as leadership in the shop.  Ask any golf course Superintendent and they will tell you, the Equipment Technician is one of the most important positions on the staff.  If you want a quality product, its all begins before the equipment sets foot on the golf course.

Brian has already made some wonderful changes to the shop area.  Thankfully the weather has remained cold and Brian has been able to use this time to get organized before the golf season hits full stride.  Welcome to Minikahda Brian.

Cheesebrough Burns

For the past 12 years the bunker rakes we have used came from a small company in Freeport, Michigan, Cheesebrough Manufacturing.  This past week the family run business burned to the ground. Cheesebrough provided a wonderful hand made product to the golf industry, that may never be replaced.  The future for Cheesebrough is uncertain.  Cheesebrough provided a niche product of wood bunker rakes, wooden flag sticks and would even hand craft tee markers for golf courses.  Their products provided a classic look and style to many classic golf courses who desired the older look and feel.

Cheesebrough could always be found at the Golf Industry Show, but you would have to search for them.  They had a very small booth with only a few products.  The owner was always a pleasure to speak with.  A simple company, a simple but high quality product, with quality service.  My hope is that they will rebuild but I'm sure they have a lot of decisions to consider at this time.  Thankfully no one was injured in the fire.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to the owners and employees of Cheesebrough.

News footage of the fire. Cheesebrough fire

 Cheesebrough has been in business since 1872.  That's 141 years!

 We have over 300 rakes from Cheesebrough

Our staff places a lot of time and effort into maintaining the quality of our Cheesebrough rakes.

The Finishing Touches

 It's March 25th and by all indications we are looking at another two weeks before we are able to get on the course.  The staff has done a great job this winter completing all the winter tasks and now that places us in a position to put the finishing touches on the equipment and complete those tasks that are on the bottom of the list.  The ones that if you get to them great and if you don't, no worries. But who's complaining, if you look hard enough there is always work that needs to be done and always something more that needs to be worked on.  So now is the time, so let's get it done.

Nick applying Vinyl Guard to the flag poles.

Painted and new decals for G.U.R signs

Johnny, waxing and buffing utility carts.

Spring Cleaning and Refurbishing

After our mechanic of 22 years left, it was time to really dig deep and do some thorough cleaning of the loft and refurbishing of the mechanics office.  Our loft had become the catch-all for old parts and equipment.  The office had probably not been updated in 20 plus years.  Anytime there is a change in a department an opportunity is then provided to make some positive change.

It's almost hard to believe (because I feel we keep a clean maintenance facility) but we were able to recycle close to 3000 lbs of metal from the loft, cabinets and the mechanics bench area.  It's really quite embarrassing to know that this much material was being stored with little to no value to the club.  With a new  technician coming on board we felt it was imperative we give the shop a good cleaning and update the office before his arrival.  It's obvious from the photos we had a lot to clean, recycle and pitch.  

About time for some serious cleaning.

Organized chaos?  Not for me, just a mess!

Yikes!  This is what causes two days of extra work.

2990# of scrap metal.

This is better, now let's keep it this way.

The office needed to be updated and brought up to speed with the 21st century.  Isaac Kasper did a great deal of the work with some assistance from Nick Folk and Ryan Hogan, the office looks almost new.  There was some sheet rock work, removed the old flooring and applied a floor paint, new trim, a fresh coat of paint on the walls and doors, rearranged the Lawson containers and probably the most important, provided the office with a new computer (actually the old irrigation computer with a new monitor) and internet access. 

The trim was in dire need of replacement.

The old flooring was removed. 

The old cabinets were removed and new sheet rock added.

Cleaned up the desk and provided a computer and printer.

Our new Technician, Brian Cowin, will be able to place orders on-line, research prices, research parts and have an area where he can do what he needs to do to provide us with a quality product in a professional manner. If we want a professional why not treat him like one?