Fireworks are not illegal in the city of Hutchinson. On Sunday evening, bottle rockets soared, firecrackers exploded and sizzlers sizzled. I loved it, but by 11:30 p.m., my patriotism was fading as I knew my 3:30 a.m. wake-up call was just a half-night’s rest away. The Golf Course Management Turf Team has meetings at 5 a.m. and 5 p.m. every day this week.

I attempted an early shower and was off to Lot C, the volunteer parking lot. As the Turf Team began to assemble at 4:15 a.m. at the Golf Course Management Facility, the wheels were already in motion to set out the daily assignments. Nine fairway mowers were lined up, tagged and ready for the morning. Nine greens and tee box mower sets were also in place. And six carts with rakes were nestled in with the rest ready to tackle the bunkers.

I have been placed with four other gentlemen on the back-nine bunker team. All bunkers are to be raked twice daily. Some 34 bunkers are nestled neatly around holes 10 through 18. Yucca plants line many of the bunkers. Now I know where the yucca plants get their name. Try to work around one and you get stuck-a. Yuck! I did brave one plant next to the 14th green that concealed a Titleist Pro V1x. That one cost a few drops of blood. Its previous owner obviously didn’t want it that badly.

The Monday morning practice rounds started at 7:15 a.m. without a hitch. Even that early, the first several holes of the golf course were already double mowed, the U.S.G.A. agronomist had already taken measurements on the greens, and the holes were already being placed. By 9 a.m., our bunker crew was finished with the back nine.

After finishing our cleanup and cooling off, I took some time to walk around, hit the merchandise tent and finally stop by the 18th green. This was where my team had started our day at 5:20 a.m. with our first bunkers. R.W. Eaks, Michael Zarembra, and Scott Walter were finishing their practice round as I stopped by. They were pounding shot after shot from my newly raked bunkers on the right side of the green. I couldn’t help but smile and inside said, “Have at it boys!”