Mechanized symphony in G Minor

A Mechanized melody in G Minor



When you live on a golf course, you have to be ready for the often-early arrival of a motorized maintenance force buzzing all around you. Here at the Spring Run complex, in Estero Florida, our workers take great pride in what they do.



There are so many tasks to accomplish daily, that these hard- working men and women often start at 4:30 A.M. to accomplish the many chores they have daily to maintain a first-class facility like ours. The fast-rising sun promises scorching temperatures in the afternoon, so the force is under the gun to get things done quickly.



We live on the ninth hole, just across from our club house complex. It is here every day that the action starts. At 5:10 A. M. we are treated to the “Leaf Blower Sonata.” The guys from the bag room are out with their hand-held blowers to clean the area around the practice area, first tee and ninth green. Appearances are everything and our guys clean the place with care so it stands out like the first-class facility that it is. Because of the acoustic properties, of sound across water, we often say that we can hear “an ant fart across the pond.”



Usually by 4:30 A.M the much noisier fairway mowers start their daily trimming of the expanses of green grass on the course. The lower bass tones of their engines reflect the power needed to drive these big rigs along the daily routines. There is a musical rhythm to the engines if you listen for it. And if you play golf, you certainly appreciate what they do every day.



Next, like a swarm of bees, arrive the smaller atvs that carry the air blowers which break up the clods and clumps of grass along the rough and fairways. Their higher pitched engine whine is another sound you get used to and welcome, because you how much you appreciate their efforts and accomplishments.



The greens mowers are much quieter as they daily trim these small emerald surfaces to a very short height. Anyone who putts a golf ball appreciates their efforts. The smaller atvs, that carry York rakes, clean up and organize the sand traps. Both appearances and conditions are important here.



There are many other sounds that roll up and down the fairways daily. Tree trimmers and edgers emit a higher pitched roar as they saw through the dead wood obstructions. Visual images are everything along the fairways.



The entire cacophony of mechanized equipment, operated daily by our staff, is a poly euphony of welcome sounds that we hear daily. We all hear and appreciate what these sounds mean. The mechanized symphony is led and directed by a maestro named Joey Smallwood. Like any good conductor, Joey orchestrates the dynamic flow of the many sounds, resulting from the efforts of our staff. It is a welcome rhythm of sight and sound that you become used to and appreciate when you live here. Your ears listen for the rhythmic cacophony every day, smile ruefully and thank those mechanical musicians who make the complex such a beautiful place to live.



Muchas Gracias mi amigos y amigas.



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(543 words)



Joseph Xavier Martin