Drumlins' Greenskeeper Busy Behind the Scenes

Greenskeeper doesn't get much recognition for the hard work

SYRACUSE- As the head Greenskeeper at Drumlins Golf Course, Peter McPartland knows the amount of work it takes to maintain a course.

"Usually we're out here by 6:00 AM, five o'clock on weekends and we work anywhere from eight to 12 hours a day," McPartland said.

According to McPartland, he mows about ten thousand yards of grass a day down to tiny millimeters depending on if he's cutting the rough or the fairway. This is the standard job day for the maintenance crew.

"We have everything from weed whackers and push mowers that most people would use on a lawn, to big unit fairway mowers that can cut down to fractions of an inch," said Matt Bednarski, an assistant to McPartland.

Most people would hate waking up before the sun rises every day, but maintenance worker Michael Frasher doesn't mind at all.

"I love being out here, you know what I mean?" said Frasher. "It's a challenge being out here and prepping a course."

At the end of the day, with new divots scattered across the course, the Greenskeeper and his maintenance staff know the next day starts pretty soon.

NCC sports reporter Mario Sacco's package can be seen by clicking below.

Recession Hits the Links

Syracuse, NY -- Local golf courses are being hit with a penalty stroke because of the struggling economy.

Golfers seem to be falling into three different groups. The first is made up of those who are canceling their memberships and giving up golf because it's just too expensive. The second is comprised of those who will continue to tee it up, regardless of the cost. The final group is made up of those who are making the switch from traditional golf courses to the more cost-friendly Par-3 style courses which are made up of shorter holes.

Marvin Bodley is a member of Drumlins golf course and one of only two people who were playing golf at Drumlins on Monday afternoon. He said he was one of the lucky few who could continue playing the game he loves.

"I'm retired and I've been quite fortunate in my retirement," Bodley said. "I try and work in the golf regardless because it's something that is a big part of my life. But I have seen some of my friends that definitely have had to cut back."

Some golf managers in the area say they believe that many golfers will start frequenting Par 3 or municipal golf courses such as Sunnycrest or Popes Grove if they decide to cancel their memberships to more expensive courses.

Anne Fox, the business manager at Drumlins, says the course could survive one or two years of economic troubles before layoffs would have to be considered.

Mike Hardman's video of the story can be seen below.