Alan Bakos,CGCS
Director of Grounds
I began my golf course maintenance career in 1979 at Bonita Springs Country Club. I spent the first month hand mowing tall grass and cutting down trees around their water treatment reservoirs. After a month of hard labor I graduated to raking bunkers, a real job with a seat and stearing wheel! I had arrived into the world of golf course maintenance, although at that time I didn't know it would be my career. Through the 80s I worked at San Carlos Golf & Country Club, Imperial, and Bonita Bay. In 1991 I took my first superintendents job at Country Creek, followed by The Moorings Country Club, where I stayed until 2005. From the Moorings I packed up the family and we took off for adventure to Nevis, West Indies. On Nevis I held the position of Director of Resort Landscaping and Golf Course Operations at the Four Seasons Resort. I left Nevis in 2008 for Stonebridge Country Club. I could write a book about my experiences living and working abroad, and I am grateful to be employed at Stonebridge and to be back in the United States!
I hold an Associates Degree in Business Administration and Management, and also in Golf Course Operations. I have been a Certified Golf Course Superintendent since 1998. I also hold numerous other certifications and licenses that pertain to my position. I am Jordan's dad and Susan's husband. I am also proud of my position of Scoutmaster of my son's Boy Scout Troop. I enjoy working with the boys, trying to develop them into future leaders, good citizens, and good men. Sometimes it is like herding cats though! And now for the rest of the team......
Jayme Lane
Irrigation Manager
Jayme is on the right, with Common Area Irrigation Technician Bob Muschong next to him. Jayme has been at Stonebridge since 1996. Jayme is responsible for scheduling irrigation, maintaining the system, and keeping the drainage system functioning properly. Everyone should recognize Bob as the man that checks and maintains your homes irrigation system.
Gary Gorden
Integrated Pest Management Manager
Gary is on the right, with Irrigation Technician Lance Solis on the left. Gary was hired as our IPM Manager this past summer. He holds an Associates Degree in Golf Course Operations. Gary has been in the turf management industry for the past 27 years. Previous positions include Operations Manager with JP's Lawn Care, Maintenance Supervisor/Spray Technician for the Vineyards Common Grounds, and Assistant Golf Course Superintendent at Bonita Bay.
Wayne McDermott
Equipment Manager
Wayne is standing on the left, with Equipment Technician Oscar Barton on the right. Wayne has been with Stonebridge since 1993. Wayne and Oscar are the men behind the scene that keep things running. They perform all of the preventative maintenance and repairs on all of Stonebridge's rolling equipment. They also spend a considerable amount of time keeping the reels on our precision cutting units, such as our greens mowers, sharp and cutting properly.
Mark Metzger
Golf Course Superintendent
Mark is on the far left, standing with his golf course maintenance team. Mark started at Stonebridge only this past summer and has already made his mark on the course. Mark holds a degree in Golf Course Operations. He did an internship at Bay Hill, and was the Assistant Superintendent at The Strand during its grow-in. He also held the position of Golf Course Superintendent at Arrowhead.
Lee Dixon
Common Area Maintenance Manager
Lee is on the left, standing with his common area maintenance team. Lee's team is responsible for maintaining the clubhouse and recreation center areas, both Stonebridge entrances, neighborhood cul-de-sacs, all berms outside of the lateral hazard on the golf course, preserves, and numerous other smaller common areas.
This is no small task for a 5 man crew! Lee has been in the landscaping/golf course industry since 1995, and holds a Bachelors Degree in Communications. He was previously an Assistant Golf Course Superintendent at the Vineyards and the VP of Operations for the Vineyards landscaping department.
Thanks for taking the time to read my first post. I will be adding material regularly giving updates as to what is happening on the golf course and on the grounds, so check back often.
The first bit of information I will share is regarding some patches of blue grass throughout the common areas.
Lee has sprayed weeds in many areas of Floritam in preparation for replacement with new sod. The spray will kill any grass and weeds in the area. These areas will be turning brown over the next several days. After the herbicide has had a chance to work these areas will be cut out and re-sodded. Two weeks ago this project was on hold since we were in water restrictions and would not be able to apply sufficient water to establish the sod. Since the restrictions have been lifted this is no longer the case. We will be laying about 25 pallets of sod, so there should be a noticeable improvement in the look of the grass in these areas.
