LPGA Site Visit And On The Course This Week

Jim Haley from the LPGA visited the course last week to review the Golf Canada site plans on the course, review course conditions and make some fairway and rough adjustments. He also supplied me with specific tee decks and yardages that will be used for the Professionals in August. The changes have been explained to me and I can't say I disagree with the rationale. Be rest assured though that once the tournament has ended we will widen any areas that have been narrowed. Some fairways will actually be widened in spots and there is a good chance we will leave those areas as is. Here are the changes:

Note that for our reference a pace is one normal stride for someone 6 feet tall (a little more for someone vertically challenged like myself).

• Hole #1- the rough will be brought in 6 paces on each side.
• Hole #2- the rough will be brought in on the left side up to and even with the fairway bunker by 12 paces.
• Hole #3- the left side will be narrowed by 6 paces and the right side will be widened by 12 paces from 200 to 300 yards out from the tee.
• Hole #12- the left side will be widened by 12 paces 200 to 300 yards out from the tee.
• Hole #13- the left side past the fairway bunker will be widened by 6 paces.

Jim was pleased with the course conditions and approved of our mowing patterns and practices. The LPGA agronomist will be visiting the club in late May to discuss our cultural practices in more detail. I'm sure we will hear the most used term in present day golf course terminology: "We like it firm and fast". I'll report the results of that visit as well.

We will begin making these changes immediately especially since we need to cut down some rough and now is the time of year to do it. I know the Ladies Open is 3 months away but time flies. Over the next few days you'll notice a lot of white paint on the course. In addition to fairway marking the greens will be adjusted as they tend to get larger at the end of every season.

The pro paths (short cut path for walkers from tee to fairway) will also be established. Jim suggested we wait until the agronomist visits but we are going ahead. They can always be moved if necessary. These paths are for the membership too so there is no sense waiting any longer.

On The Course This Week

• continued curbing work at the 1st and 18th tees
• continued landscaping work, cart path tie-in and step installation
• install water fountains/aerators on the ponds
• clean out and turn on the water feature beside the Golf Shop
• pour the concrete base for the legacy clock
• aerate, overseed and topdress the haul road across the 9th fairway (this same path will be used as a crossing point for spectators, etc. during the Open
• mechanical removal of debris in the ponds and begin weed control practices
• fairway and greens height of cut to be lowered mid week

As for the height of cut on greens we are still a few steps away from our desired cut but it will come quicker than the past few seasons. We are rolling frequently and it is time to apply growth regulators as well.  My thanks to the Turf Care Team for a job well done over the last few weeks. Another busy week lies ahead. Hard to believe we've only been open 6 days. 

All for now,

Wade