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...

Yesterday our Grounds staff installed our winter covers on our greens. We had a great day with minimal wind and minimal rain. With the forecast for slowly dropping temps, rain, wind and possible flurries we decided to get them down this week. On Friday, we say good bye to the last remaining members of our seasonal staff. We have had a great year and I thank them for all of their hard work and dedication. With only a few of us left for the winter, a number of jobs and tasks are still being completed as of today. I will keep everybody posted on the drainage/cart path work on #2.

In preparing the golf course for winter there are a number of tasks that we need to complete in a relatively short time. We have applied our winter protection fungicide to greens, tees and fairways, aerified fairways with our slicing machine, top dressed tees and approaches and fertilized greens, tees and fairways with a dormant application. Along with these tasks we have continued our tree management program of pruning and removal. We are scheduled to put down the covers on our greens next week, just before the temperatures begin to fall. I will continue to keep everyone updated on the progress of tasks and jobs on the golf course.

This week we began to aerify our fairways with our Bannerman Superject aerifier. This machine is very simple, but it provides huge benefits to the soil and therefore to the turfgrass. This type of aeration slices a hole that reaches up to 6" deep. The tines also twist a little and provide a shatter effect that will allow air, water and therefore roots to reach deeper into the soil. As you can see from the pictures, this is a very non-disruptive process. We can all expect to see this machine out on the golf course periodically throughout the golf season. The machine is equipped with a roller to minimize disruption. You can see from the side view how deep the tines are going into the soil. This is a picture of 15 fairway immediately following the process.

This morning we will begin the winterization of our irrigation system. This process is rather loud as we are running compressed air through all of our sprinkler heads and irrigation valves. Our staff does their best to avoid startling golfers while turning sprinklers on , but part of this process is automated so please be advised...This also means that the half way house and course washrooms are closed for the season. The weather forecast is exceptional for this time of year. Hopefully, we will see you out here enjoying the last week of golf for the season.

You will begin to notice that all of the "stuff" on the golf course is starting to disappear. Yardage markers, cart exit posts, shoe brushes and ball washers to name a few, will be brought in over the next week. We will be leaving the tee markers and the bunker rakes out for another week, but then will come in as well. Next Monday & Tuesday we will be winterizing the irrigation system. This process is rather loud and can be a bit startling at times, please be aware if you are planning on playing during these days. I will be posting some information regarding our winter preparation of the golf course in due time.