WEATHER

SPRING WEATHER

Typically in the mountains May can bring a large deposit of snow early to middle of the month. This year, following the heavy snowfalls in April, we recieved 6" of snow on May 27th that was preceded by 1" of rain the prior day. Despite the heavy rain and snowfall amounts Stewart Creek flows remain normal as shown in this photo of hole #14. While many other golf courses in the area are dealing with flooding conditions or preparing for flooding, this is one occasion where being in the mountains and having snow has lessened our immediate concerns, however we do have a contractor on standby to assist with creek monitoring in the event of heavy flows. We will be on alert following these snows and rains as the temperatures rise back to normal in the coming days. Whilever our property is on the mountainside, we wish the best to all the golf courses downstream of us along the Bow and Elbow rivers as these snow and rain conditions in our area can lead to problems for those many kilometers away.

OPENING DAY

OPENING DAY MAY 21, 2011

The golf course was open on May 21st. Here Cody is setting the pin prior to painting the hole on #7 green. This hole is located at approximately 4700' of elevation on the north facing slope of the mountain. Note the narrow patch of snow eft in the native grass area in the background. The terrain rises up rapidly alongside this hole with the density of tree cover similar to the back drop in this photo. Despite yearly spring challenges, it is always great to get the golf course open.

COURSE PREPARATION

HOLE 14

As we approach opening day this photo of #14 taken from a similar location on two previous occassions shows the turf improvement over a 14 day period. Despite average temperatures and turf that still needs to have the frost come out of the ground, improvements are evident. After vertical mowing and blowing clear all the dead matter what is left is a promising start.

COURSE PREPARATION

OPENING SOON
With opening day now scheduled for Saturday, May 21st more intense labor is directed at the key areas of the course. As an example here we are double cutting #4 green which will also see a light topdressing and rolling prior to this weekend.

IRRIGATION SYSTEM

IRRIGATION SYSTEM START UP
As the temperatures rise and the winds pick up, the drying effect on the greens increases. Tank watering of the greens provides an adequate watering source, until the turf density begins to increase. As the density increases, the root mass of the turf draws in more water requiring a higher level of replenishment. As such, the irrigation system needs to come online to maintain the turf requirements. With sufficient frost out of the ground, the system can be initiated with great control of individual greens, tees and fairways. Greens are the first to recieve water, then tees and finishing with fairways and roughs. The main lines are High Density Polyethylene with all laterals to greens, tees and fairways being PVC. Here we have a successful start up on the Practice Green. Using sprinkler heads and handwatering with hoses from the system provides the proper moisture as needed. Due to frost levels moving at various rates, the system will take approximately 2 to 3 weeks to bring fully online, with all air purged and maintaining proper system pressure.

SPRING GREENUP

SNOW REMOVAL

Just one week later and this photo of #14 fairway reveals the success of manually moving the snow. If we were not to manipulate the snow to accelerate the melt this fairway would have the same snow level as the snow that remains beside the pathway. What will finish this hole is track driven, walking snowblowers. Next the turf needs to dry, then the frost needs to come out of the ground and the spring vertical mowing and cleanup can begin.

SNOW REMOVAL

SNOW REMOVAL IN SHADED LOCATIONS

As the weather warms and the sun angle rises to assist in the snow melt, we cast remaining snow into previously melted areas. To accelerate the melting process in shaded areas, the blowing of snow into warmer locations enhances the melting and subsequent drying. This photo shows #14 fairway, the left side being the southern shaded section and the right side being the northern warm section. The northern section faces south towards the sun angle which attracts heat and melts at a much more rapid pace than the opposite side. If we were not to manually manipulate the snow in many spots of the course, the natural melt would be greatly extended.

MOWING

FIRST MOWING OF GREENS

Here we are with the first mowings of the season beginning on Hole #5. There has been no evidence of snowmold damage to the greens nor ice damage. Despite heavy snow levels this spring, the accumulation all winter was a great insulator for the greens.