Course Conditions Update

I know my previous blog stated that I would discuss double cutting but I changed my mind. March 30th was the first mild, sunny day in a long while. The melt is finally underway so I thought the membership would like an update as to what has transpired over the last few weeks. Some encouraging observations and one troubling concern. Don't worry. The problem isn't a turf related issue.

We began snowblowing a path around the golf course last week and should be finished by Friday. These paths allow us quick access to the greens and tees in order to keep a close eye on the snow/ice conditions. The snow pack is still deep and the turf is frozen underneath. This can change quickly depending on the weather. I'm not a big fan of clearing greens but this has been an unusual winter so it looks like we will begin blowing off the snow early next week. Our main concern once the snow is removed is keeping standing water off the surface of the greens to prevent a freeze thaw cycle that can kill turf at this time of year. Our other concern is being able to get on the greens with our sprayer to apply a spring fungicide to control disease. That all being said, any spot we have shovelled down to the surface looks promising. We did encounter ice where someone skiied across the large practice green in December. I'm sure it wasnt a member but probably someone unfamiliar with the course. If the track is damaged this spring we will know why and it will serve as a good example as to what early ice formation can do to turf.

Now the "troubling concern". One week ago our city water stopped flowing to the green house and our maintenance facility. After many phone calls, map reading and thawing attempts we have finally figured out the problem and its a big one. 11 years ago a 6 inch high density polethylene pipe was pushed in from the parking lot entrance area to the irrigation lake behind the shop. This line is "all weather" and our water supply tees off this line close to the maintenance facility. We thought this 1 inch feed line had froze. We were wrong. The type of winter we have experienced (very long and cold) coupled with the asphalt at the entrance to the club (the 6 inch line runs under the entrance) being exposed without an insulating snow cover has resulted in that line freezing. How do we know? We went into the irrigation pond control vault to test the water flow and there is no flow. That line should be fully pressurized as it is supposed to be below the frost line. Not this year. Before anyone says, "Call Epcor", forget it. They told us we are on our own as it is a private waterline. We have thought about steaming the line but the variables are to numerous to discuss here. For the time being we have Maureen and the greenhouse looked after. We have brought in bottled water for the shop and some portable outhouses for the staff. If it hasn't thawed out when we need irrigation water we will go through the procedure of pumping directly from the river into the pond. Old school. A 6 inch pump and lots of hoses (with notification to Parks and Rec of course). Hopefully the line thaws during April and the line isn't damaged. HDPE line is more durable than steel when it comes to ice.

Thats it for now. The double cutting topic should be up by Sunday.
Wade

Thoughts From The CGSA Conference In Vancouver

Just returned from the Canadian Golf Superintendents Conference and Trade Show. Vancouver may have been cooler than normal but I saw green grass, water not ice, no winter boots and the odd crocus popping out of the ground.

Did a run/walk around Stanley Park. Oh my aching legs. Cross fit is slightly different than distance running. Save the comments. Didn't seem like an issue at the time. A lot less trees around the NW point since my last visit thanks to that vicious windstorm a few years back.

Looked at some new equipment at the trade show. Saw the new leaf/debris sweeper we will be purchasing in the spring. Aside from our Toro Rake-O-Vac the other sweepers we own will not be used on the property anymore. From what I saw in the fall everytime they went out damaged turf was almost a given. I think we have enough repairs to deal with as it is. Some new innovations in rough mowers and pump station replacement were in my view as well.

The seminars were informative and some will be beneficial to our plans for the course in the near future. No boring details here though. Although one seminar dealt with managing greens of a Poa/Bentgrass mix. Basically different times of the season require different mangement strategies in order to "get the most" out of each turf type. No huge surprise but some new thoughts and ideas were discussed.

One last comment. When you get an industry such as ours together in one location you hear some interesting comments, tales and rumors. You also find time to relax and socialize with colleagues and sales reps. All valuable (aside from the rumors that is) in my humble opinion. Well worth the investment in professional development and I'm thankful the Royal Mayfair supports our attendance at national conferences and regional seminars.

Next blog topic: "Greens Mowing and Double Cutting"

Is A Pesticide Bylaw In Our Future?

As promised I have a brief report and some thoughts of my own regarding the initial discussions of a city wide pesticide bylaw. On February 23rd the Transportation and Public Works Committee reviewed a report that explored the feasibility of restricting or eliminating public and private lawn and garden pesticides in Edmonton. Without going into great detail the committee then heard from the Pesticide Management Regulatory Agency (an arm of Health Canada) and the Pesticide Management Branch of Alberta Environment. The science of study and approval was explained by the PMRA and  the process of pesticide management in our province was then detailed to the audience and city councillors in attendance.

The next phase of the meeting allowed 20 individual speakers (both private citizens and representatives from industry groups) exactly 5 minutes to air their thoughts. This issue seems to be split down the middle as the pro vs. anti was about 50/50. No surprise there. Several of the speakers spoke well of the issue and stressed the reliance on sound scientific research and continued safe use of pesticides to ensure a quality of life that we are accustomed to. Of course the discussion became emotional, on both sides, which served no positive purpose in my mind. Statistics were misinterpreted, research was debunked and budget figures were brushed aside as falllacy. Even those against a ban on pesticides did themselves no favours by going "over the top". Perhaps some of you watched Global News that night and caught one speaker discussing cancer and another telling City Council to stay out of his backyard unless invited in for a BBQ. It was, all in all, an enlightening experience for myself. To see grass roots democracy in action was an eye opener for me but it also exposed the grind that politics is especially when dealing with concerned, taxpaying citizens.

What I would like the membership to consider as we move forward is that "golf is a business that prides itself on working with nature to provide natural beauty and an excellent playing experience for its clients", public or private. We as superintendents are tasked with providing the well groomed turf you demand. At the same time we need all the tools that can be safely utilized and applied in a short season interrupted by a hostile "off season" environment. Pesticides are an important tool to meet the requirements you demand. We use them judiciously and safely. Your safety as well as our own is paramount. By the way. Did you know that 98% of herbicides (weed control products) are applied to food crops in various growth stages? I didn't. In order to feed a growing world, pesticides assist in huge increases in crop production.

My final comment. The golf industry did not speak to the issue at this meeting. An association of all concerned golf industry parties in Alberta will be brought together soon. The plan is to come prepared with a well thought out, science based response prepared by the Association when and if the pesticide issue arises again. This will mirror the same situation that ocurred in Calgary in 2008 when a "Proposal to Phase Out the Use of Cosmetic Pesticides" was attempted and susequently not adopted. It is my hope the Royal Mayfair Golf Club membership will support our efforts and lend assistance if required. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the above or just want to discuss the pesticide issue with me feel free to do so.

I will keep you updated as time goes on. Anyone seen spring hanging around?

Wade