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If I’ve learned one thing about doing the annual budget every fall over the last two-plus decades, it’s that each and every new budget experience, without fail, is the most challenging one I’ve ever done.
I’m trying to keep this in mind this year to help keep me sane. No matter how challenging completing the 2024 budget might be, remembering the 2025 budget is going to be harder still might ease the pain a bit.
There are a million and one things factoring into why this upcoming budget is going to be so challenging, but let’s just keep it somewhat generic and say inflation, skyrocketing prices, an unpredictable labor pool, and low product and equipment inventories as being the key reasons.
One thing that can help with this uncertainty is having a few items in your back pocket to stretch your dollar in areas you can actually control. Even though you have no control over things like fuel prices or the cost of seed in the upcoming year, there are some other things in the budget you do have control over.
Here are some tips and suggestions entering the 2024 budget process to stretch that dollar in areas you can control.
Early Order Programs
For anyone who is already using these programs, it will come as no surprise that EOP rank at the top of our list. There’s no better way to stretch your dollar than by buying – in bulk and at a reduced price – supplies you are positively going to need.
If you have a solid plant protectant program you use every year, it’s so easy to plan the whole year out and determine how to use EOP to best suit your situation.
Everyone is a little different in how they utilize EOP to their maximum effect but, for me, I’ve found that preordering all of my fungicides, PGRs and wetting agents for the upcoming year works best. On the other hand, I like to buy herbicides, biostimulants and fertilizers as needed throughout the year. The only challenge is making an educated guess as to what your fertility needs will be, at what cost and when you are most likely going to need products. Keeping fertility out of the EOP is a personal preference.
Shop around
We all fall into the routine of purchasing the same things we’ve bought in the past. We know how effective something may be, and we most likely know how to easily get it. But just because we’ve always used a certain product and we are comfortable with it, doesn’t always mean that is the best thing for us going forward.
Know your options and talk to some peers. Every so often you can discover there’s not only a better way to do something, but occasionally that better way is also less expensive. Networking with peers is the best way to discover some of these “hidden gems.”
Refurbished vs. new
The best example I can think of here is sprinkler heads. We recently determined we need to replace about 35 of our heads on the fairways during the upcoming offseason. Sure, we could buy brand new, which is not going to be cheap. But we can also mix this up a bit with some new and some refurbished. It goes without saying the refurbished is going to come in a heck of a lot cheaper. If it’s a product you are comfortable with buying used, I say go for it.
The trading option
I’m fortunate to have built some relationships with members of our golf course that trade equipment or services to us in exchange for golf.
We have a member who lets us use his excavator throughout the year so we can get some small projects accomplished. Another member exchanges his handyman skills; another does some brush cutting and string trimming in the afternoons.
It’s important not to get too deep into the trading option, although at a minimal level it can shave some costs.
Budgeting has become a daunting exercise. The more things cost, the more stressful it is trying to fit everything into your budget. It’s never going to be easy. And as hard as this budget experience is going to be on you, it won’t be as hard as the one coming next year.
I think that’s a positive. Well, at least until next year.
Ron Furlong is the superintendent at Avalon Golf Club in Burlington, Washington, and a frequent Golf Course Industry contributor.
