It’s mid-March, and it’s nearly 70 degrees outside. I write this in Detroit, and while the soil is still frozen just beneath the surface, golfers across the region are ready to tee it up. As the first signs of spring emerge, golf courses are undergoing a major transformation, and golf course superintendents and their agronomy teams have been at it for a while now. Players are eager to get back on the greens, and superintendents and their teams are working diligently to ensure the course is ready for action.

After some harsh winter months this season, there was plenty of ice buildup for much of the region, resulting in ice damage which may be prevalent well into golfing season. Restoring the turfgrass to its prime condition involves technical knowledge, experience, understanding the growing conditions and leadership.

Behind every great course, there's a dedicated team of professionals. Superintendents manage the daily operations, ensuring their team works efficiently and safely while ensuring the course's peak appearance and playability are working in tandem.

Bringing the course back to life after some challenging winter months also involves fine-tuning irrigation systems, ensuring drainage is properly functioning, managing teams and setting agronomy plans in place for the upcoming season. Superintendents oversee all these and more, ensuring the course performs day-in-and-day-out, exceeding golfer’s expectations.

With the golf season just beginning, excitement from both golfers and golf course superintendents is at a fever pitch, and at the end of the day, golf course superintendents and the agronomy teams are the unsung heroes who bring the course to life each season. Their leadership and behind-the-scenes efforts ensure golfers have a beautiful and playable course to enjoy. As you get ready to tee it up for the first time this year in this neck-of-the-woods, be sure to recognize the work being done behind the scenes to ensure the golf course is the best it can possibly be, and your round is as enjoyable as possible. Your game, however, is up to you.