It Never Ends

Sometimes I ask myself why I decided to become a golf course superintendent. Its an easy answer on a calm clear early morning in mid July. Nobody on the back 9, mowers have just gone through and conditions are pristine. The last few days in Edmonton have pushed those thoughts far away for now. It seems just when you think we can slow down after a long fall season of renovations along comes very warm weather and rain.

Rain in the winter on a snow covered golf course is never a good combination. Right now we have snow  but only inches of it. Some greens are well insulated, others are just a few nice days away from us having to remove the small amount of snow and reduce the possibility of ice formation. As it is there is a thin layer of granular ice/snow on every green at the surface. I can still see the turf plants if I scrape off the excess. There is no point removing snow if it isn't warm enough (at least 5 C and sunny) to melt whatever is left over. In fact I've had that turn to ice in the past. So now we wait. As of today I'm cautiously optimistic. Tomorrow? Who knows? Watch the video please. I will keep you posted.

Wade

Ski Trail Do's And Dont's

Its that time of year again for all of the nordic nomads. Mary Young and I went out today and laid down a trail for the season. I then went out and set the tracks. There isn't enough snow for a good track as the grass was exposed in many areas however I needed to get out there to discourage skiers from setting their own trails where I don't want them on the course.

Do:

• Enjoy the trail and the scenery.
• Give me feedback.
• Take pictures.

Don't:

• Get stranded (bring a cell phone if you have it).
• Ski on or close to greens and tees!!! Damage to turf may occur on these sensitive areas. Ice can form from a ski trail or footprints on greens and tees. Even the animals walking across greens at this time of year can cause ice formation.

Thanks for your consideration in this matter.

Wade P.

Season Ending LREP Update

 Winter has arrived. I can now give an accurate report on the status of the LREP. It should come as no surprise that the favorable weather conditions allowed CTC, Alpine Irrigation and The Royal Mayfair Grounds Staff the opportunity to accomplish more work than anyone thought possible given the scope of the project. We are all tired but excited by the changes and look forward to completion early next season. Once the entire practice facility and Tee House are finished we will have an outstanding addition to the club that the membership can be proud of. Before I review the work I would personally like to thank Ted Locke, our course architect, Gary and Brian from CTC, Dennis and his crew from Alpine Irrigation and last but not least, Eric and my crew. It has been my pleasure to be involved with all of them during these outstanding changes to the golf course. I would also like to thank the Capital Strategies Committee and our manager Mr. Wade Hudyma.  Wade and I have spent a lot of time "sweating it out" over this project the last few months. No pain, no gain they say!

Bunkers

• All the bunkers aside from the 3 at #11 green are finished and will be ready for play next spring. They will need adjusting and more sand added as we begin to maintain them. On another note the bunker boards on the front nine will be removed next spring.
• The bunkers have been changed at the 11th green but they are not ready. Drainage, more clay work, sodding and sand install remain.

Cart Paths

• The four areas are paved but the curbing remains to be laid down. It is much better to pour concrete in warm weather.
• There is quite a bit of landscaping to "tie in" the curbing and asphalt edges next season. It will not affect play and will be carried out by the grounds crew.

Haul Roads

• Once again we will have to renovate and sod some equipment routes. Many areas will be aerated, verticut and seeded. Recovery will not be overnight and getting lucky with weather will help as well.

New Tees

• The new back tees on #13 and #18 are ready for root zone mix and sodding next spring. Landscaping will follow.

Existing Cartpaths And Flower Beds

• Many of the gravel paths took a beating. Some flower beds were removed. Some were "run over". The northern side of the pond on #18 will require a major overhaul in terms of plantings and sod work. Maureen will have a lot on her plate next year but she's more than up to the challenge.

The 10th Hole

• The new tees are ready for root zone and sodding. Paving of the paths from the parking lot to the forward tee, sodding of all the surrounds and grow in is required for the month of May. The hole will play as a Par 3 until I am satisfied the hole can open and sustain continuous play. We have some unique ideas to accommodate the membership during grow in.

Short Game Practice Area And Driving Range

• Shaping approval by Ted Locke as soon as the snow is gone, drainage work, rootzone install, bunker work, topsoil cover and extensive sodding remain. A timeline for completion is dependent on how soon spring arrives next year. We will clear snow to help with the melt in April.

Retaining Wall On #18 and Lake On #10.

• The wall should be finished early next week. The green/collar will be sodded up to the wall next spring and the remaining water will be pumped in as well.
• The lake on #10 could not be completely filled this fall. There is still some important landscape work involving large Rundle slab rock to be placed next to the lake in two areas. We will top up the lakes when they are ready for more water. The rip rap will not usually be visible as the intended look has the turf leading down to the water's edge.

Tee House

•  I will defer to the Capital Strategies Committee for information on the progress of the new Tee House.

Time now for a little rest and then as the snow accumulates it will be cross country ski trail work. Mary Young will help us route the trails this winter. Mary's help will be appreciated as last year's trail may have been a little difficult for some. I guess the guy that made them should have had to ski them. More on this later.

Wade P.

Blue Bunkers, Crooked Pictures and LREP Update

Blue Bunkers!?!

• Don't panic. The color is from the dye when we sprayed fungicide on the surrounds. It is water soluble and will go fade away early next spring.

Crooked Pictures

• The golf course didn't tilt to the west. I was using the sideout view screen and obviously needed to look at my surroundings as well.

LREP Update

• All bunkers aside from the 11th green are completed. The warm weather today allowed us to work on the fairway bunker on #13 and finish the base off to our satisfaction. Great job Eric and my staff. Should get the sand in next week. On that note we will need to top off several bunkers on the B9 next spring. Easier to add sand than remove it.
• Pond fill on #10 is well underway after some river issues (ice, fluctuating water levels, idiots shutting off the pump at night. etc. etc.). Security from Garda is in place.
• Retaining wall should be complete by next Friday. The 18th green will need some TLC from us next spring. Just add another job to the list for next spring. Sigh.
• Irrigation is installed on the 10th tee and the driving range tee.
• Root zone mix will be moved to the 3 new tees next Tuesday. The weather will dictate if it gets spread and leveled.
• Very slim chance the pond on 18 will be filled. It will be snow fenced to protect the liner if need be.
• Paths were paved on 13/14 and 14/15.
• Short Game Practice Area is taking shape. Come down and take a look. End product will be first class.

All for now,

Wade

Work This week

We accomplished more than I thought we could before the weather turned cold last week. 3 acres of sod installed on #10 and more out in various locations on the back 9. The bunker complex and surrounding area on #15 right side was completed on Saturday and is ready for sod and sand. We will be able to sod it this week as Manderley Sod took 60 big rolls back to Fort Sask. to keep them from freezing solid by storing them inside.

The Week Ahead:

• Sodding at #15.
• Paving paths from 13 green to 14 tee and 14 green to 15 tee.
• Sodding the course side of #18 pond.
• Retaining wall work on #18.
• Sand installation.
• Short Game Practice Area and Driving Range work.
• Tee work on #13 and #18.

Lofty goals but we have to accomplish as much as possible before winter arrives. I will present a list of work to complete next spring when we are finished for 2011.

Wade