About 10 years ago, there was this commercial on TV -- usually late-night TV -- for a video tape called "Real Life Giant Construction Equipment for Kids." While the name is plenty funny enough (the name of the "host" for this tape, Hard Hat Harry, is also funny), the concept for this product is even funnier, at least it was to my friends and I. Two hours of nothing but footage of construction equipment in use -- bulldozers pushing dirt, excavators digging dirt, loaders moving dirt. In true late-night TV commercial fashion, the production values on this commercial left a bit to be desired, and we always found it interesting that someone thought there was real money making potential in a video tape showing nothing but construction equipment. (Editor's note: In just another example of why the Internet totally rocks, you can actually watch this commercial by clicking here.)
Well, after spending Tuesday morning at John Deere's Coal Valley equipment testing site as a part of activities at the John Deere Classic, I'm beginning to regret not investing in "Real Life Giant Construction Eqiupment for Kids, LLC," because that guy -- Hard Hat Harry or whoever produced those videos -- was clearly onto something. In fact, he might have been limiting his earning potential by limiting that videos reach to just the kids.
The experience we went through this morning is one that the PGA Tour players who take part in the John Deere Classic have enjoyed for a number of years. In fact, among all the out-of-this-world perks that professional players get to enjoy -- from theme park tickets to hot laps at a NASCAR tracks to shopping trips for players' wives -- the equipment test drive as a part of this event routinely ranks among the players' favorite each year. Today, we were able to give the Deere folks at this test facility a dry run through the demonstration portion of the event, since the players were scheduled to visit the facility this afternoon.
When we arrived, we were ushered into a special observation building, complete with bleachers, where we watched a 20-minute demonstration of all the Deere's construction division has to offer. We saw small backhoes, skid steer loaders, a huge excavator, front loaders, bulldozers and a road grader. Knowing that at the end of the demonstration we were going to have the oppotunity to take the wheel of these machines gave the room a definite night-before-Christmas vibe, so when it did finally end, the observation building quickly emptied, even though a steady drizzle was falling from the sky.
One of my playing partners yesterday, Jason Kubel from the TPC Tampa Bay, made a beeline for the biggest machine on the lot, the 844J loader. And after taking photos of some of the other early action, I headed that way as well, and climbed to the top of the huge mound of rocks that Kubel was moving around to get a better angle for some photos. As I stood there, along with Matt Armbrister from John Deere and an unidentified third observer, it soon became clear that there was a method to Kubel's madness -- he was blocking our only way off this mountain of rocks. Fortunately, he was as skilled at clearing us a path as he was blocking that path, and we were soon moving on.
The two most popular pieces of equipment were the 844J loader and the 350D excavator, both of which had long lines waiting to give them a go. Those were my top two choices as well, but I tried to stay out of the way when I could -- John Deere had gone to a lot of time, effort and expense to bring some of their customers to the Quad Cities for these events, so I didn't want to step in and take an opportunity away from those honored guests -- but with just 15 minutes to go before the buses departed for today's golf outing, the 310SC backhoe/loader opened up, so I hopped in. After a few quick pointers from one of the Deere personnel who were on hand to help out, I began moving dirt from Point A to Point B, filling in the deep hole that had been dug out by previous operators. It sure seemed pointless and it was a constant struggle to figure out which lever did what, but I have to admit it was an unbelievable kick. The photo you see right here is shot from inside this piece of machinery.
The rest of our day was spent at Davenport Country Club, where we hit the course again for a charity scramble event that netted the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Iowa a check for $2,500. Founded in 1924, Davenport CC is a hilly, interesting layout with a great set of finishing holes, including the par-4 16th (pictured here) that is affectionately known as the "Hole of Grief." (See the John Deere Classic photo album for more details on that). Warren West is the superintendent at Davenport CC, and in a handout that was included in each cart about the club and its personnel, they also recognized a position I have never heard of before -- a master pin setter. Good gig if you can get it, I suppose.
Since I wasn't exactly able to replicate my above-average golfing efforts from Monday during today's action, apologies to my two playing partners -- Lue Beaumont with John Deere Credit and Dennis Troy, an executive with Premier Golf Management -- for having to drag my carcass up and down the hills of Davenport CC today. With only limited help from me, we did finish the day at 7-under-par 64, but even with two flights, we still finished out of the money.
First thing tomorrow, I hit the road for the return trip home. You'll get one more post out of me on this event, so stay tuned. Also watch for more from Seth Jones at the American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe.
The GCSAA flag that flies over the association's headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., is flying at half-mast today in recognition of the passing of a legend in golf course management, former GCSAA president Sherwood A. Moore, CGCS, who died Saturday at the age of 90.
