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Golf Course & Grounds Department Update


During the winter months our department keeps busy with a number of tasks required to help ensure the upcoming golf season goes smoothly. Through the course of the winter myself, our Assistant Superintendent (Paul) and our Equipment Manager (Alan) attend a number of professional development opportunities to further our knowledge, techniques and practices. We are also required to submit all of our Chemical application and Fertility data to the Ministry of the Environment to conform to the Integrated Pest Management Council. Another substantial task is the complete refurbishment of our course accessories, benches and equipment. All of our course accessories are painted, cleaned or replaced to ensure a functional and aesthetically pleasing setting is presented for our membership. Every single piece of equipment is serviced, sharpened and gone over with a fine tooth comb for safety defects, etc.

This winter has been far different than the previous two that we experienced. Fortunately we have had a number of melting events to help reduce any ice cover on our greens. We have had to push some small amounts of ice and snow off of our greens a couple of times to help reduce ice formation. At this point in the season we do not have the same concerns of past seasons due to heavy ice cover and potential damage. However, we are not completely out of the woods yet. The month of March can bring some tricky weather as well. Thawing snow or rain with potential refreezing can be detrimental to conditions. We have been touring the golf course to monitor for these situations, this will continue until the covers are off and the spring weather is here. The 2016 golf season is around the corner, let hope the weather cooperates!!!!

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