HIGHLAND CC GROUNDS

As the winter closes in, we are trying to complete some projects out on the golf course. There is work being done the new septic bed for the halfway house (see picture). This is a project that will show considerable reductions in operating costs related to pumping the existing septic tank. The contractor is building an above ground sand based bed. Once the work is completed we will grade and landscape the area to look natural and fit into the golf course. We have also been working on the #2 project of draining and filling the pond and renovating the cart path. The drainage is complete and we have installed a geotextile liner over the pond to stabilize the peat bog. We will continue to haul fill and grade the pond area as long as the weather allows. On another note, I wanted to share an experience that I had last week. I attended a four day Business Foundations course at the Ivey Business school at UWO . In total, there were 38 Golf Course Superintendents from all over the world. The

For the first time this season, we awoke to a light snow cover on the golf course. It is finally starting to look seasonal for December 1st. We welcome the cold temperatures. Ideally we would prefer a number of days in the negative temps, followed by snow cover. If this were to happen the golf course would benefit. A nice deep freeze is helpful in controlling insects that "hibernate" deep in the soil. This would reduce insect pressure next season. Therefore, reducing the need for insecticide application. We do not apply insecticides on a preventative basis. Integrated Pest Management strategies are used to detect and monitor and insect activity on the golf course. Our department has established thresh holds for areas of priority (greens, fairways, tees) on the golf course. We also gauge damage on a number of other factors including population, type of insect, time of year and the long term effect of damage. Anytime damage or insect activity is detected we monitor and evaluate