Course Notes and Happenings

The first substantial rainfall on Monday has helped improve conditions after a week of warm weather and fertilization of the fairways and rough. There's a scientific reason that turf looks greener after significant natural moisture but I won't go into here. It is enough to say that as May comes to a close and we move into summer the golf course has shown increased growth where we needed it most. We are very pleased with the golf course especially with the look and playability of the 18th green. The warmup green should be fully recovered in 2 to 3 weeks and the putting green is coming along nicely considering it is open for use.

Before some upcoming work is listed and some pictures are posted a brief note about the 18th green:

• We are slowly lowering the height of cut which will change the speed and move it closer to the others during the month of June.
• The green requires hollow core aeration and that will take place in the middle of next week. The holes will fill quickly and the new turf will be healthier for it. 

On The Course:

• Rainbow trout were released into the pond on 10 last week.
• Spot control of dandelions over the next 2 weeks. We have done a good job of keeping the "yellow flower" in check but the City of Edmonton seems to be having some degree of difficulty in controlling (whether it be chemical or mechanical) the weed so get used to seeing a few dandelions on the course at times.
• Topdressing and venting the other 17 greens next Wednesday and Thursday. Nothing out of the ordinary but necessary to keep air and water moving through the root zone.
• Sodding of the fertilizer spill west of the 9th green (spreader malfunction).
• Fairway topdressing (light monthly sand application program that was implemented last season) will begin June 9th.
• Retaining walls are being added to the flower bed expansion on the 1st tee to keep soil from eroding down the slope. 

Pictures and Explanations:

 

 The goslings have hatched at the Golf Shop and will soon be moving to one of the ponds.

 

 

This strobe light is designed to disturb the geese so that they eventually leave. Results are varied by all accounts but right now we are willing to try anything.

 

 

The 3 spruce that were planted to screen the view of the cart path on the 2nd hole have been removed for 2 reasons. The first being that they look out of place, as if they were just plunked down out of nowhere. The second reason being that they interfere with cart access to the path creating wear patterns in the landing area that is already difficult to maintain. Once a new retaining wall is built and the path is paved it might even be less noticeable than the existing gravel path.