New H-2B Worker Laws In Effect

As I have begun hiring for the upcoming seasonal staff, many members who were here during 2006-2008 ask about the Hispanic laborers we used from the H-2B Visa program under the previous superintendent Mark Mixdorf.  The program was designed to help businesses that couldn't attract a sufficient labor force from local workers.  It allowed us to bring 12 workers from Mexico into Ohio legally as seasonal laborers provided we could show that no local workers were willing to do the job. 

With the state of the economy in 2008 along with several changes to the H-2B program, we were no longer able to prove need for outside labor, which forced us to discontinue use of the program.  I have had no trouble finding local people or students in need of work to fill the seasonal positions we have available on my staff.  We are generally overwhelmed with applications whether I solicit or not. 

Four years later, I still get asked about the Hispanic workers and if we could get them back.  They did a great job and many members appreciated the hard work these guys did for the club.  I have kept in touch with a couple of them over the years, and they still speak fondly of their time here. 

Now, the government has overhauled the law again.  Wages, worker protections, job posting requirements and quotas have all been changed.  With these changes in place, combined with the continued robust unemployment levels, I highly doubt that our little club will ever be in a position to use the program again.  A great deal of clubs and other industries rely heavily on these workers to fill a gap in available labor, especially in industries such as resorts and factories.  While we have a steady supply of willing laborers, I am very happy to put Americans to work and hopefully help the local economy.

The link below outlines the details in the adjustments to the law:

http://www.dol.gov/whd/immigration/H2BFinalRule/index.htm

A New Year, a New Look and a new mobile format!

The stable of nerds at Google have made it ridiculously easy for techno-idiots like me to make their personal blogs look and work much better.  Considering this is a free service, I am amazed at how much effort they put into making our experience better.

I figured that as the golf season nears, I would update the look a little and get ready for another year.  I even got a new picture of me that's a little more professional and a little less "Gorton's Fisherman".  If you are a new member or just new to the maintenance blog, I try to post pictures, links, or information from once to twice a week depending on how mouthy I am feeling in a given week or what all is happening on the course that may be of interest. 

Also, I have been able to format the blog for mobile device use!  Again a free service of Google Blogger.  Type the normal web address into your mobile browser and you will find a mobile device-friendly format for easy viewing.

A little knowledge from back home

As many of you know, I am originally from the Pacific Northwest, more specifically the greater Seattle, WA area.  As I was browsing some industry articles, I came across one from my previous USGA regional agronomist back home and was suprised to see pictures of Safeco Field (home of the Seattle Mariners).  After wondering what my USGA agronomist was doing looking at sports turf, I read the article and realized it carried a great message about shade. 

The amount of turf on a baseball field isn't very much compared to a golf course, but every inch of it must be perfect at all times (at least until the end of September since the Mariners can't seem to play baseball in October).  Even with the amount of time, money, and scrutiny they give the field, they still struggle mightily with shade from the grandstands.  Despite underground heating and cooling systems and perfect drainage and a retractable roof, the lack of sun will still kick your ass. 

As a result, the crew at Safeco is experimenting with portable lights to "sun" the portions of turf that have in years past struggled and required re-sodding.  This brings me to my ultimate point-shade makes growing grass difficult.  Even in a relatively controlled environment in a part of the country where summer stress doesn't really exist in most years, they can't grow it in the shade.

So please read the article, it's not very long.   Keep in mind the double-edged sword that are trees on the golf course, and maybe think twice if you see me thinning or removing tree canopy before cussing me out.

http://www.usga.org/course_care/regional_updates/regional_reports/northwest/Seeing-The-Light---January-2012/