Winter has returned but not for long. Apparently the temperatures will be near 0 or warmer by the beginning of next week. It was certainly nice to see a little snow to cover any exposed ground and add a little more insulation to the existing crust like snow that is on the course right now. We ventured out and checked many of the greens before the cold snap. In general the conditions are consistent on most of the greens. As I mentioned in the January newsletter there is a hard, shiny layer of melted snow on top of the remaining snow cover. It is very reflective and appears to deflect solar radiation and keep the snow from melting any more than it has, even when it was +10 C. Under that layer is several inches of granular snow. When you reach the surface of the green there is either grass or a crusty layer that can be scraped off. We did find ice patches here and there but it was hit and miss. Without clearing the entire green or causing the potential for more ice by walking on them we just can't be absolutely confident in reporting conditions. One thing I have noticed is anywhere an animal walked across a green (or a person walked) there appears to be small spots of ice along the route taken. Depending on what shows up in the spring it may result in the greens being snow fenced for future winters. Covering them may also have to be considered as an option to help with changing weather patterns.
I would like to announce that we have hired David Smith as our 2nd Assistant Superintendent. David is finishing his applied degree at Olds College and worked as an intern at Capilano Golf Club last summer. I am very impressed by his career path to date and we welcome him to our team. Eric and I look forward to working with David and all that he will bring to our turf care program. David will be starting in early April. He knows we have a very busy spring ahead of us.
February seems to be professional development month this year. Both major turf conferences are being held with the Canadian Conference in Calgary coming up in 2 weeks and the GCSAA Conference starting February 27th in Vegas. Hold the comments. Both conferences offer an outstanding week of seminars and industry display that one can really benefit from by attending. The distractions aren't an issue for me but it is definitely warmer in Vegas than Edmonton.
Ian, our equipment manager and Maureen, our horticulturist will be off on holidays in February. Eric and I hope to take some time off throughout the rest of the winter but we will have snow removal looked after as expected. We are working on revamping our section of the website and preparing a maintenance standards manual that all members will have access to. If I can get some technical help this blog will be more interactive for the 2012 season and look for an increase in Twitter use as spring arrives.
Take care this winter.
Wade
