WINTER PREPARATION

IRRIGATION SYSTEM SHUTDOWN AND BLOWOUT

Each fall we blow our irrigation system clear using compressed air.  With the warm weather we have had this September the blowout has resulted in fewer broken sprinkler heads and caps due to warmer ground and air temperatures.  Typically we can break heads and caps frequently if temperatures are cool due to the violent nature of the operation.  Here is an example of the remaining mist on green #1.  When we have completed we will have put over 50 hours of runtime on a 1600 cfm compressor and consumed over 4,000 litres of diesel.

WEATHER

GOLF COURSE FALL COLOURS

Despite late into September, most trees still have all their leaves.  The turf is holding up well and the native grasses have started to head out.  The top photo is taken from hole #11 tee and the bottom is taken from hole #10 tee.

WILDLIFE

ELK DAMAGE AND REPAIR

Elk damage in the morning to hole #5 green.  12 manhours later and the smooth surface is back.  Unfortunately the later into fall we get the less chance the turf has of mending back to health with any subsequent damage.  This was just one green to deal with on a day there was 4 greens that had varying elk traffic damage.  The photo below shows the repaired green and also a photo of hole #1 green a few days later.  All part of golf in the Canadian Rockies.