Davey Tree Flipbooks

O ne of the top 1,500 golf courses in the U.S., Lake Merced Golf Club has experienced many changes since it was established in 1923. Today, Lake Merced Golf Club expands to a Par 72, which covers 6,925 yards. Natural elements define the course, and its tree-lined fairways feature dramatic elevation changes. Most recently and poignantly, the Lake Merced Golf Club hosted the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic Tournament in April. But months before the tournament began last spring, a string of storms severely damaged trees standing at Lake Merced Golf Club. DESTRUCTION ON THE GREEN. From December 2014 through February this year, storms bearing strong winds, heavy rain and street flooding rolled through San Francisco and surrounding counties. "February was the icing on the cake," says Adam Jensen, assistant district manager at the San Francisco R/C office. "Heavy, concentrated rains and high winds caused larger branch failures; fallen limbs were dangling over walk- ways, making the course unsafe for patrons." According to Jensen, the storms damaged approximately 280 trees on the course, which would require pruning and a few tree removals. Although the course suffered a substantial amount of damage, Davey had the solution to remedy the site's condition for on-par play. COME TOGETHER. But before Davey actually landed the job, Davey's San Francisco R/C office received a request for an arborist to visit Lake Merced Golf Club to confirm the amount of damage another tree care company had originally estimated. However, Jensen's interactions with Zach Ohsann, golf course superintendent, initiated such a trusting professional relationship that Ohsann decided to hire Davey to complete the cleanup work instead. Prior to mobilizing crews onsite, Jensen met with Ohsann to confirm where Davey vehicles could drive on the course and where crews should be cautious. Jensen then prepared a map for all crewmembers involved. Meanwhile, Brian Baker, district manager at the San Francisco R/C office, updated Kevin Peters, operations manager for the western region, R/C services, who reached out to all his district managers to determine the amount of work everyone could provide to complete the Lake Merced Golf Club project. "Brian and Kevin were instrumental in getting the project going," Jensen says. "Within a week, we all had travel and project itineraries." Ultimately, seven additional Davey R/C offices sent 18 total crewmembers to San Francisco, including: Houston, Austin, San Diego, Napa, Las Vegas, Seattle and North Seattle. Once everyone was settled into their daily responsibilities on the job, Jensen observed the crews to determine individuals—vocal, capable leaders—to help monitor the project. He chose Michael Spaulding, trimmer at the Northwest Seattle R/C office, and Jason Earp, trimmer at the Northwest Seattle R/C office. "Michael and Jason helped keep everyone motivated and safe," Jensen explains. As Spaulding says, "With eight territories that have never worked together, to become a solid, cohesive unit in a matter of days speaks mountains about the individuals involved." THERE'S NO 'I' IN TEAM. Because Lake Merced Golf Club members had access to the course throughout the entire project, Jensen and Davey's team worked with Ohsann to coordinate crewmembers' daily operations and minimize disturbance on the course. Crews completed two tree removals onsite, including a 110-foot-tall cypress tree, in addition to storm damage pruning. ON THE HORIZON. Davey's approach to re-beautifying Lake Merced Golf Club and preparing it for the upcoming tournament pleased and impressed Ohsann and his staff. "It was a good job," Jensen says. "Now, we'll have more opportunities to bid work at other courses." As a result of the project, Davey has earned the trust of Lake Merced Golf Club and looks forward to the ongoing client relationship. Western R/C crews collaborate to address storm damage to trees at Lake Merced Golf Club while play continues. November/December 2015 | 5 Approximately 280 trees at Lake Merced Golf Club suffered storm damage earlier this year. Davey crewmembers from eight different R/C offices gather for a group photo during a storm cleanup project at Lake Merced Golf Club.

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