Belle Haven Country Club Agronomy Blog

February 19, 2026

Bunker Renovation Update

We’re continuing to work with the county to schedule our pre-construction meeting so the bunker renovation can officially begin. On Friday, February 13, we met on site with golf course architect Joel Weiman and the project management team from McDonald & Sons Golf Course Builders to review the work planned for holes 13 and 14. We’re eager to get the project underway and will keep everyone updated as scheduling progresses.

Equipment Preventive Maintenance

Winter is our prime time for equipment maintenance — an important behind-the-scenes effort that ensures everything runs smoothly once the season begins. Leading this work are Ronnie Pettit, our Head Mechanic with 45 years of service, and Chris Gochenour, Assistant Mechanic with 20 years of service.

Together, they rebuild and sharpen more than 50 mower reels each winter, replacing bearings, drive shafts, and other worn components. They also perform oil, filter, and belt changes across the fleet. Between January and April, we invest approximately $39,000 in equipment maintenance and repairs during the months of December through April to keep our equipment in peak condition.

 

             

Ronnie and Chris setting a fairway reel; parts used in a fairway mower groomer attachment

                    

 

Tree Work

Our annual tree maintenance week began on Monday, February 16, with the Pro Arbor team arriving to start work. Despite wet and soft ground conditions, they’ve made great progress. One advantage of using Pro Arbor is that their crews climb trees instead of using bucket trucks — a big plus when course conditions are too soft for heavy equipment.

Supporting their work are 11 of our staff members, divided into four specialized crews:

  • Chipping Crew
  • Log Splitting Crew – (this is free firewood that we give away during the winter, located in the lower lot)
  • Cleanup Crew – Clears small branches and debris
  • Stump Grinding Crew

We’re fortunate to have all the necessary equipment in-house, which helps us complete this work efficiently and keep the course looking great.

 

36-inch diameter Green Ash with severe interior rot discovered 8 feet up the base

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