Posted April 29, 2012
Members:
- Rav Singh
- Alf Beaudry
- Chris Bach
- Ron Peiluck
Course Comparables
This year we have revised the approach and process on comparing Wintergreen to other courses keeping golf fundamentals the primary focus. Our goal is to make this process enjoyable and productive for those participating with the final outcome benefiting Wintergreen golf facility, Members and their guests.
Our goal is to put together a 5-year plan for improvements required to the golf course by using the information gathered from the four comparable golf courses. This is a unique place and must be treated as such.
- Mountain type course
- Has elevation
- Tree lined
- Water features
- Abundance of nature
- Only 20 mins from Calgary
- Microclimate
Projects/ Visible Improvements:
- New poured concrete clubhouse stairs
- Improved club storage for pro shop
- Hole #10 hill paving
- Drainage/ Cart path improvements Holes #12 thru to #17 Tee
- New cedar Wintergreen sign (Bridge Crossing)
New Facility Equipment:
- Mini 3.3 ton rubber track excavator
- John Deere utility vehicle
- Ryan 18” sod cutter
- Kitchen commercial dishwash
Course Conditions
After a considerably mild and windy winter the course has wintered on the positive side with the hard work of our year round staff. All greens, tees and fairways were treated for mold late last fall. These products are used on very limited basis due to the overall cost of them and are only really needed to help the course through the winter months with the goal of healthy early season conditions. With out them a golf course would look and play much different.
The greens this winter did see their fair of ice and water then ice again due to the large temperature swings we encountered from December into March. Ice that remains on turf for duration of time (30 to 120 days) will cause anoxia, basically suffocated the turf due to lack of oxygen and gas exchange. This has been a challenge for many courses in and around the Calgary area this winter. Best method to control ice to physically remove it when it is soft enough to gently lift from the green surface, this can be a challenge in the winter months due to temperatures that stay around freezing. Fortunately we encountered a few extra days in January and early March of warmer weather giving us the window to remove some ice from the problem greens. Currently all greens have wintered very well with minimal or no ice damage thanks to the hard work of Eric Hodsen, Chris Galeski and Chris Bach. If you see them out on the course maybe give tem a pat on the back, you could try and shake their hand but I’m afraid their hands are still shaped to the shovels they so lovingly carried.
As for the rest of the course, all tees and fairways also wintered very well to this point in time. Over the last 6 seasons we have implemented a consistent aeration program in these areas improving their overall health and resulting in very good winter hardiness. We will be trying a new foliar fertilizer on all fairways this season with the goal of improving fairways overall playability. We are currently trying to source out new bunker sand that is similar in color to what we used on #1 green side bunker renovation. We hope to secure a new product this fall and continuing with the golf course bunker upgrade.
In closing we are still staying positive for a May 4 opening, as the course did not receive a large accumulation of snow this winter. This last week of weather has slowed us down but we are hoping the forecast is seasonal or better for the next three weeks making May a realistic goal. Stay positive!
Conclusion
- Continued joint co-operation between the ownership and the board.
- Focus will be on enhancing playability which leads to profitability.
- A win win scenario for all concerned.
