The Lac La Biche Golf Club Maintenance Department

Snow Blowing Greens.

2012-03-15T19:03:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I plowed all the cart paths so that we have full access to the golf course. Today I rented a Toro Dingo with 48inch snow blower attachment and I have to say I'm very impressed with this machine. The rubberized tracks provide plenty of grip and the diesel engine has enough grunt to throw the snow a long ways. The one downside is the drive and steering controls. It's very tiring for the thumbs and wrist but I'll suck it up for the efficiency it provides. In 5 hours I was able to blow off greens #2, 3, 4, 6, 9 and the nursery. If all goes well I will have the back 9 done by the end of tomorrow. This is the first time in my 10 years at the club that I have snow blowed the greens. With warm temps expected for the next few weeks, I thought it best to rid the greens of potential water (snow) and ice and let the greens breath a bit. As stated in my earlier post
( Feb 21/2012) ) I'm very concerned with the amount of ice that has blanketed the golf course this winter. It's been a winter unlike any I've ever seen.

Dingo in action on #4 Green

#4 Green done and cleaned down to ice. Ice is approx. 35mm

#3 Green. Keys are sitting on top of tarp. Notice ice in background
which is no longer clear in color like it was in January.

#3 Green. Our worst green for snow and ice build up.
The berm around this green drains and retains water
which makes no sense why it was built this way.
Before I snow blowed, there was 37cm (15 inches)
on the backside of this green.

Break Down of Capital Plan

2012-03-14T09:33:00.000-07:00

As promised from a few posts ago , I wanted to list all projects that are being addressed in the golf clubs capital plan. It is broken down into 10 years but the reality is it's very in depth and more like a 15 or 20 year plan. One thing for sure, it highlights all the issues plaguing the golf course and once addressed, elevates the standards of the golf course immensely. Here is the break down of the 10 year Capital Plan and a brief explanation of it's importance:

2011:    Clear cut bush and trees behind #7 green down to #9 blue tee.
             #8 is considered our signature hole since it has incredible views of the lake.
             This view has become very limited due to brush and tree growth since the front
             nine was built in 1989.

             New 50 x 80 Maintenance Shop.
             The existing maintenance shop (formally the original club house from
             the 1950's) is much too small to satisfy our current needs. This includes
             working on our growing fleet of equipment and accommodating staff.
             IS PRIORITY FOR THE 2012 SEASON.

             Green Bunkers #4, 8, 9 & 18.
             The bunker sand that was used when the course was expanded in 1989 is
             beach sand which is common in the area. The sand itself is not that bad
             considering it was free. The issue is all the rocks which should have been
             screened prior to delivery.

             Fairway Drainage #2, 3, 4 & 9.
             Drainage is an issue all over the course. The back 9 is much higher in
             elevation and in many areas flows across the front 9 and eventually
             to the lake.

             New 30 x 80 Cart Shed.
             Every other year we continue to add to our current Club Car fleet.
             When I first arrived in 2003, we had 20 new carts. Today we have
             over 50 and could use more.
             COMPLETED

             New 24 x 50 Maintenance Shop Roof.
             As stated in my previous blog, the flat maintenance roof was in dire
             need of replacement. Because the cinder block building itself is still
             in excellent shape, a new roof would supply many years of service and
             some much needed storage in the future.
             COMPLETED

             Tree Planting Front 9, 13 & 18 Fairway.
             Lac la Biche resides in the Boreal Forest Zone which comprise of many
             poplars and deciduous trees. My first year here I transplanted over
             150 spruce trees though out the course. There are still many areas that
             could use trees and not only help differentiate holes, but also provide
             some protection from errant golf shots.

             New Starter Shack.
             During busy times it would be nice to welcome golfers and make sure they are
             teeing off on the proper 9. Often times tourists will inadvertently head to #10
             tee. Some members will also try to "sneak" onto the back if the course is busy.

2012:    Pave Front 9 Cart Paths.
             In 2010, we constructed brand new tee to green cart paths on the golf course.
             We did over 4.3km and the beauty of doing this was during wet periods,
             we could still allow carts to be used. At times we will use the 90 degree
             rule or cart path only. It's nice having this option on the course. Cart paths
             also direct golfers to the next hole so it's next to impossible to get lost.

             Green Bunkers #10, 11, 12, 13 & 15.

             Fairway Drainage #10, 11, 12 & 18.

             Tree Planting Front 9.

             Retaining Wall #2 Green.
             The right side of #2 green drops off significantly down to the cart path and then
             to the ditch (creek). By installing a retaining wall along the left side of the cart
             path around the green, we would gain roughly 6 yards of flat surrounds.
             This buffer would save a lot of golf balls that narrowly miss the green and end
             up in an unplayable position.

2013:    Pave Back 9 Cart Paths.

             Green Bunkers #14, 16 & 17.

             Fairway Drainage #13, 14, 15, 16, 17 & 18.

             New 18 x 24 Fuel Shed.
             Our existing fuel shed is in horrible shape and needs to be replaced.
             It's showing signs of rot, is no longer level and leaning too much forward
             and the tin on it is bent and full of holes. It also needs a containment
             feature installed to house potential gas or diesel spills.

             Rain Shelters #3 & 12.
             The course currently has 2 rain shelters (#6 & 15 Tee) and the addition
             of 2 more would be welcomed attractions. These shelters provide
             protection from sun, wind, rain and serve for a hang out area while
             waiting for golfers playing on the next hole.

             Redo Wash Bay.
             The addition of a re-vamped wash bay is needed on the course. The process
             should be 2-staged. Stage-1 should be a compressed air station where the bulk
             of grass clippings is removed from the mowers. Stage-2 is a wash area to
             clean off grass residue which is acidic in nature and wreaks havoc on
             reel blades. This process would eliminate the smell associated with
             decomposing wet clippings and make for easier clean up.

2014:    Upgrade Fertilizer & Chemical Storage Building.
             The current fertilizer and chemical storage building is very sound and has a
             proper all steel floor. It does however need proper containment around it
             to stop potential run off from a spill. It also requires proper venting.

             Upgrade Pump House & Building.
             Over the last 23 years, the pump house has settled and shifted a lot. This can
             be attributed to where it was built (over hanging the dug out) and the fact that
             before the soft start system was installed last year, the starting of the pumps
             was very aggressive and created "mini quakes" to the foundation. The routing
             of the pipe exiting the pump house also needs to be re-done.

             Redo #1 & 2 Pond.
             Not only are these ponds too shallow and prone to aquatic weed and algae
             infestation, they leak very badly and need to be constantly filled by the
             irrigation system. The ponds need to be re-dredged, deepened and then
             clay capped to retain all its water. The addition of fountains would also
             help aesthetically and keep algae at a minimum.

             Redo Benches at all Tees.
             9 years ago, Job Core built and donated the current benches to the club.
             They have held up fairly well over the years but because they were built
             with non-treated wood, they are starting to rot and need a lot of work.
             New benches built from composite materials (re-cycled plastic) would
             last much longer while retaining its new look.

             Rebuild Par 3 Tees.
             The "island" tee boxes particularly on the whites are far too small and take a
             beating through out the year. Constant sand and seed divot repair work occurs
             on a regular basis and it's still not enough. With the increase in rounds over
             the past 5 years. these tee boxes need to be 3 to 4 times the size they are now.
             This will allow divots to repair properly and vary the width and distances
             to the hole which provides a lot more variety.

             Audubon Certification.
             The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses is an award
             winning education and certification program that helps golf courses protect
             our environment and preserve the natural heritage of the game of golf.
             By helping people enhance the valuable natural areas and wildlife habitats
             that golf courses provide, improve efficiency, and minimize potentially
             harmful impacts of golf course operations, the program serves as vital
             resource for golf courses. I will get into greater detail in a future post
             regarding the certification process.

2015:    Club House Expansion & Kitchen Upgrades.
             The club has seen an increase of green fee players and tournaments over the
             years. By moving the pro shop downstairs this winter (2011-12) and
             enlarging the restaurant seating area; this should help alleviate some
             crowding issues. The kitchen needs to be upgraded and expanded to
             service our guests more efficiently.

             Rebuild Tees #3, 4, 11 & 17.
             Like the par 3 tees, these are too small and need to be levelled correctly
             to account for the settling that has occurred when they were originally built.

             New Fairway Bunkers #1, 3, 6 & 9.
             The golf course for whatever reason was constructed with only 1 fairway
             bunker (#4). I think this was done purposely because the back 9 is very
             narrow and surrounded by a lot of unplayable bush. The addition of fairway
             bunkers on the front and back 9 would help catch balls before they roll into
             the bush. I'd sooner have a long bunker shot into a green instead of
             "bush whacking" and hopeing I even find my ball. Speed of play would
             also increase with new fairway bunkers.

2016:    Redo Club House Roof.
             The asphalt shingles on the roof are in the early stages of drying out and
             curling up. Heavy winds also reek havoc on the shingles. I think a tin
             roof would look better and last much longer then asphalt shingles.

             Rebuild Tees #5, 7, 9 & 18.

             New Fairway Bunkers #11, 13 & 16.

             New Tee Signs.
             With all the new design features implemented on the golf course over the
             years, it's time to up date our tee signs. Cart paths, tees, bunkers and ponds
             have changed and need to be included with new tee signs.

2017:    Construct New Chipping Green and Practise Bunker.
             Would aid in the over all membership / guest experience for the club.
             Would also help especially when we host tournaments.

             Construct New Driving Range Fence.
             Relates to my July 27 / 2011 post. Is not only a safety issue but would
             cut down greatly on "lost" range balls.

             Construct New Driving Range Tee.
             Relates to my July 27 / 2011 post. The 3 tiered driving range tee is much too
             small and should be moved closer to #8 blue tee to better align the golfers to
             the range. It needs to be elevated with one level and the addition of mats
             should be considered especially during wet periods and when divots need
             time to fill in.

2018:    New Pump House & Vertical Pump Upgrade.
             The original pumps and motors are not powerful enough to run our irrigation
             system efficiently. Rated at only 600 GPM means longer run times to irrigate
             the course. In fact, half the fairways can only be watered at night while the
             other half gets water the following night. Not very productive at all especially
             during the heat of summer. A 1200 GPM system is the minimum we should
             have with 1600 GPM being optimum especially as future expansion occurs.

             Redo Decking @ Club House.
             With breathtaking views of the golf course and lake from the club house deck,
             traffic and the elements has rendered the decking too slick and hazardous for
             the public. Composite decking would be a lot more practical and last
             many years longer.

2019:    New Irrigation Controls and Satellite Upgrades.
             The current Rainbird Vari-Time satellite controls are outdated and their
             "pin setup" is considered old school and not efficient. Compounding the
             problem is they are unrepairable and are no longer available to purchase.
             Digital controllers are much more efficient and the norm.

2020:    Rebuild Greens #1, 2 & 7.
             Not only are these greens small (the largest is #1 at 4200 square feet), the false
             fronts of these greens reek havoc on any ball the lands short. Any red pin here
             is considered tough since the topography of the green can see balls continually
             rolling off. These 3 greens are the main reason I keep green speeds under
             10 on the stimpmeter. Any higher and frustration levels would be too high.
             Pin placements are also very limited on these greens.

As you can see, the 10 Year Capital Plan is very in depth and comprehensive. As the years progress, certain projects could be added or deleted depending on our needs at the time. By addressing all of the above, the aesthetics and play ability of the course would propel the club to one of the best in the province. We can thank Lac la Biche County for seeing the golf course as a huge asset to the area and making the commitment to provide a memorable golfing experience at an affordable price.

What is a stimpmeter?

2012-03-06T11:29:00.006-08:00

I found an interesting video put out by the GCSAA addressing what a stimpmeter is and what it actually measures. It seems members, particularly low handicaps want lightning fast greens. The reality is most golfers (15 cap and higher) would have a hard time controlling putts on these greens. The majority of our members and golf clubs else where have golfers that fall into this category. Another limiting factor for lightning fast green speeds is the topography of the greens. Our greens being small with false fronts would not bode well for super fast stimpmeter readings. Think about #1, 2, 5 and 7 green for example. During July and August you can expect green speeds at our golf course to run around 10 and rarely higher.
Enjoy the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=o5-uBCu_a3w

10 Year County Capital Project Update

2012-02-25T15:17:00.000-08:00

In 2009, the golf course entered into a purchase agreement with Lac La Biche County. After lawyers from both sides hammered out a deal, the golf course and all it's fixed assets (with the exception of all turf equipment and tools) was sold to the county. In exchange the club would operate as it always has. We are still run by a board of elected directors, we are still a "not for profit society" (meaning any profits or deficits go back into the golf club), all daily operations are performed by "non-county staff" and any equipment, tools, course supplies and operating practises are accomplished with out county assistance or funding. So why did we enter into this agreement with the county since it seems things are operational like they always have been? The biggest caveat for the golf club was the guaranteed infusion of capital to address all future capital projects for the club.
At the suggestion of the county, I produced an in depth and comprehensive 10 Year Capital Plan valued at approximately 2 millions dollars. (In a future post I will highlight all projects addressed in the 10 year capital plan) Being non profit and open for roughly 6 months of the year, the club found it difficult to address certain capital projects without taking on too much debt. The county saw the golf club as a great asset to compliment it's parks and recreation facilities. The golf course is a big draw to both locals and visitors who can play a beautiful course at a very affordable price. Here is a list of accomplished projects with pictures and approx. pricing that have occurred since 2009:

2009:    Re-shaping and Paving of parking lot & town water and sewer upgrades. (400K)
             (See Apr. 24/2011 posting)

2010:    50hp and 25hp Irrigation Pump Rebuild (25K)
             New Irrigation Soft Start System (26K)
             Pumper Truck Irrigation Well Clean Out and Dug Out Work (9K)
             New Tee to Green Cart Path Construction & Gravel (92K)
             (See |Apr. 7/2011 posting)
             Out House Septic Tanks (9K)
             Stucco Work on the Club House (30K)
             Barricades for the Parking Lot (12K)

2011:    Re-Gravel Existing Green to Tee Cart Paths (19K)
             Paving of #7 Cart Path / Access Road (46K)
             Cart Shed Construction (53K)
             New Maintenance Shop Roof Construction (16K)
             Basement Up Grades and Carpeting / Pro shop Relocation Downstairs (12K)

Pumper truck sucking out water well. 60 truck loads and almost 20 cubic yards of
sludge and debris removed. No wonder pumps and irrigation heads were failing.

Pumps and electric motors being pulled from pump house.
Notice the clogged inlet screen at bottom of pump.

Rebuilt pumps and motors being installed in pump house.

Dropping motors onto pump shafts.

Septic tank placed and ready to be buried. Out houses behind
driving range tee, #4 green and #15 tee completed.

GLBY paving #7 cart path and access road from club house
to maintenance shop. (approx. 500 linear meters)

Completed 8 feet wide path. Edges to be completed
in spring 2012.

Prepping and levelling base for new 30 x 80 cart shed.
Approx. 105 cubic yards of gravel brought in.

6 x 6 laminated treated posts and cross members in place.

Bottom framing completed.

Roof trusses built on ground and ready to be lifted onto cart shed.

Rafters being dropped into place.

All framing done. Ready for exterior cladding (tin), soffit work and garage doors.

Completed cart shed able to hold 60 carts.

Starting construction on the 24 x 50 maintenance shop roof. Hard to believe this
building was the original club house when the first 9 holes were built in the early 1950"s.
Apart from the roof, the building is still very sound all be it too small for our needs.

Roof trusses in place and ready for tin.

Completed roof and they way it should have been done years ago.

The past 3 years has seen a lot of improvements to the golf course with many more to come. Almost $750,000 has been spent to date. Without the purchase of the golf course from Lac la Biche County, none of these projects would have come to fruition. The members and visitors to the area are the beneficiary's of this merger. On a personal level, it's an exciting time for me spear heading projects and working closely with the county to provide our members and guests a scenic and enjoyable golfing experience on a "true gem" of a course.

A Whacky Winter

2012-02-21T23:08:00.000-08:00

Going into my 10th year at the Lac La Biche Golf Club, I have yet to experience the type of winter we have so far. Even life long locals can't remember experiencing a winter like this. Above normal temps (with the exception of Jan 14-21), rain (minimal snow) and the occasional high winds has created a virtual ice scape of the golf course. Good news for a relatively "easy" winter but potential bad news for the golf course. There are 4 winter kill concerns golf superintendents dread in this province. I will highlight each and explain why they damage turf.

1) Turf Pathogens (Disease)

Pink Snow Mold

The most common winter turf diseases that affects our turf is pink snow mold (Microdochium nivale) and grey snow mold (Typhula incarnata). Pink snow mold (also called Fusarium Patch or Microdochium Patch) is most common in spring and fall when temperatures fall between 0 and 10 degrees Celsius. It's name can be misleading since snow cover is not necessary for the disease to be present. It's relatively easy to diagnose especially when white-pink mycelium is present on infected leaf blades. Mycelium is the vegetative part of a fungus (Fuzz seen on mold). Cool and moist conditions on growing turf can favour the development of the disease.

Grey Snow Mold

Grey snow mold (also called Typhula Blight) generally requires at least 60 days of snow cover to develop. It's problematic especially if turf is high in nitrogen (not hardened off), high in moisture, poor draining and high in excessive thatch. Control of these diseases is best utilised using an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach. This entails a combination of Cultural, Biological and Chemical controls which I will discuss in a future post.

2) Crown Hydration

Crown hydration occurs when turf breaks dormancy, takes in water and then suddenly freezes. Damage usually occurs when warm temperatures are followed by quick drops in soil temperatures. Plant hardiness is generally reduced at this time when exposed to thawing. Free moisture(usually from melting snow or precipitation) around the crown of the plant freezes and draws water from the cell. This form of winter kill is more likely to occur in early spring once the snow begins to melt and there is excessive moisture present. Low-lying areas on turf where water sits, poor drainage, and heavy soils are more prone to crown hydration. Problematic greens on our golf course are:
#3 (back), #4 (middle) #5 (right side) #8 (left side), #11 (middle), #12 (left side),
#13 (right side), #15 (middle), #16 (middle) and #17 (middle).

3) Ice Damage (Anoxia)

Ice Damage on a Green

Perhaps our most problematic winter kill issue. Typically we experience a January or February thaw. This free water then collects into low lying areas of the greens and re-freezes causing ice. The formation of an ice layer prevents oxygen from reaching the turf (anoxia). Because the turf is suffocated, toxic gases are produced (carbon dioxide) and the turf dies. Studies have shown that bentgrass (Agrostis palustris) can survive ice cover 90 - 120 days whereas annual bluegrass (Poa annua) can survive up to 60 days. These numbers are not exact and winter kill can occur in as little as a months time. Greens mentioned in the crown hydration section are at particular risk of ice formation. Unlike fungicides that can protect turf from diseases form 120 to 150 days, no amount of fungicides can protect the turf from ice damage (anoxia). The best control is not allowing free water from occurring in the first place. A next to impossible task in our climate.

4) Dessication (Wind)

Desiccation can best be described as "drying out" or dehydrating. Plants that are dormant do not actively take up water like they do during the growing season. When turf is exposed to dry wind, leaf tissue and other above ground plant parts may dry to the point of unrepairable damage. Open areas and very low amounts of soil moisture can increase the potential for dessication damage. The best control is a consistent snow layer which insulates the underlying turf. Normally not a problem here but potentially so with our lack of snow this winter.

#3 Green (50mm of Ice)

My biggest concern this winter is the potential for severe ice damage on our greens. We recorded over 70mm of rain the first week of January. This was followed by freezing temperatures that encased the golf course in ice. Last week I chipped away on the back of #3 green and found 50mm of ice. This currently represents our thickest ice on the greens while the average is roughly 20mm. It would be easy for me to stress and lose sleep over the amount of ice on the course. The reality is, time will tell if we experience any winter kill. The good news is we had a great fall where the turf hardened off, my fungicide applications went down without a hitch, I top dressed all the greens heavily with sand and all 20 greens were tarped. Lets hope for an early spring so that the ice layer doesn't exede the 60 or 90 day window.

Driving Range Etiquette.

2011-07-27T17:57:00.000-07:00

Last week we had an unfortunate incident regarding a member who got hit with a golf ball. The ball was hit from the bottom driving range tee and carried the creek where he was struck while walking up to the #6 tee. In the past, I mentioned the need for some netting not only for the end of the driving range, but also down both sides to protect golfers and staff on #1 and #7 fairway. This request is actually addressed in year 2017 of our 10 Year Capital Improvement Plan.
The problem with our driving range is that there is a large elevation change from the teeing area to the distance markers on the range. Today I decided to spend some time and measure the entire range and teeing area and this is what I found. All measurements where done with both GPS and metered wheel.

Elevation Change: 66 feet or 22 yards
Driving Range Width (From #7 Cart Path to Tree Line #1 Fairway): 163 yards
Driving Range Length (From Top Tee to Creek Directly Behind #6 Tee): 267 yards
Driving Range Length (From Top Tee Directly Over Yellow Yardage Markers to Creek): 311 yards
Distance From Top Tee to Bottom Tee (3 Tier Teeing Deck): 17 yards

I also measured from the bottom driving range tee to the tee sign on #6 and this distance is approximately 276 yards. There is no doubt we have some players that are capable of hitting the ball that far. When you take into account the elevation change, this distance can be cut down by 5% (Roughly 262 yards).

So how do we protect our members, guests and staff from future issues? Here are some of my thoughts followed by potential cons of each:

1) Erect proper netting especially at the back of the range. (The net will have to be very high due to severe elevation change. In the area of 40 feet or higher. Expensive and maintenance prone)

2) Re build the entire teeing area towards the back of #8 blue tee. This will better align the tee down the full length of the range. There are no cons to this option since it makes a lot of sense. It also allows us to increase the square footage from the current tee which is much too small.

3) Make the entire driving range irons only. (Takes away from the complete practice experience)

4) Erect a cage for woods only. (No one likes hitting inside a cage)

5) Build more target areas on the range. (Can be expensive and more labour intensive. People will still want to hit their driver)

6) Move #6 tee further from the creek. (This would greatly shorten a par 4 hole which is already only 340 yards)

7) Use of "Limited Flight" range balls. (Currently we do use these but perhaps there are better options out there that may cut distances down by 30% or more)

I think at the end of day, anyone using the range has to exude the utmost responsibility. Those that aim towards #6 tee knowing they are big hitters are knowingly putting others at risk. If these people would simply aim down the line of the yellow yardage markers, we would never have an issue. Be safe and respectful.

Matting Greens.

2011-07-20T16:29:00.000-07:00

For those of you who golf early enough in the morning, you may see us matting the greens prior to cutting them. I try to mat 2 or 3 times a week but it depends on weather and staff availability. Matting accomplishes a few beneficial practices.
1) It removes excess moisture (dew) which allows for a better quality of cut.
2) It lifts the grass and helps eliminate grain.
3) Over time it provides upright and dense shoot growth.

This particular brush manufactured by T.I.P.S. is controlled via a hand remote. The brush rises and falls from an electric ram which controls the vertical movement of the wheels. It works amazingly well due to it's weight and brush arrangement. It also makes quick work of brushing in top dressing sand into aeration holes or the turf canopy when light bi-weekly topdressing is performed.

Poa in Full Bloom.

2011-06-18T11:52:00.000-07:00

You often here the term poa on golf courses but few actually know what it is or how it can affect daily play. Annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.) is a very common grass species that almost every golf course in North America has. It's very adaptable and can be found on all areas of the golf course including rough, fairways, tees and greens.

In nature, poa behaves as a true annual. It germinates in spring and/or fall when moisture is adequate and develops quickly, often flowering six to eight weeks after germination. After flowering and setting seed, these annual types die typically from drought and leave dormant viable seed behind to germinate when moisture again becomes available. This efficiency in seed production makes annual bluegrass (poa) a major component of the seed bank of cultivated soils. This seed can remain dormant in the soil profile for up to 6 years.

Many high end golf courses go to great lengths to eliminate Poa. It's a labor intensive, time consuming and expensive practice. So why do it? Here is a list of the Pros and Cons of Poa annua.

CONS: -Inconsistent putting speed and roll on the golf green.

(Greens are slower and do not roll true)

-Mottled appearance and not aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

(Poa is light green in color compared to darker green hues of bentgrass)

-Temper mental growth habit.

(Does not tolerate too hot, too cold, to wet or too dry conditions)

-Prone to environmental and cultural stress.

(Compaction, disease, surface disturbance, traffic, ice and freeze injury,
etc.)

PROS: -Usually the first grass to break dormancy from winter.

-Can provide a true and beautiful putting surface when conditions favor it.

(ie. Pebble Beach and Oakmont are 100% Poa greens)

-Naturally reproduce with prolific seed dispersal.

(Under lush conditions, 14,000-63,000 seeds/ft2/year)

-Thrives under normal cultural practices.

(Regular top dressing, verti-cutting and aerating practices)

Poa Seed Heads #6 Greens Collar (June 12, 2011)

My philosophy with regards to poa is one that differs from the high end courses in Alberta. I have a limited budget and work force and accept poa as a fact of life on the course. Over the years I have incorporated bentgrass (A-4) after each core aeration. Currently our greens comprise approximately 60 to 80% poa. It's at this time of year the greens take on a whitish color due to the seed heads. This process will cease in another 3 to 4 weeks and then the greens will take on a darker green most golfers have come to appreciate.

Poa on #6 Green (June 12, 2011)

To combat the rougher putting surface the seed heads cause, I lightly topdress the greens on bi-weekly cycles. This helps fill in the voids within the turf canopy and will speed up and smooth out the green. At times this process gets delayed during prolonged periods of wet weather. It's best to topdress the greens during dry conditions so that the sand can be matted in more efficiently. This process is so unobtrusive, golfers don't even know when the greens have been topdressed.

Poa Seed Head (Left) vs. Bentgrass (Right)
(Notice difference in leaf texture and width)

Over the next few years, I plan on over-seeding the greens more often then I do. The addition of our new greens over-seeder the club purchased this month will help immensely in bringing poa populations down to acceptable levels. I am aiming for 40% poa levels but this will take many years to accomplish. We will never be 100% poa free and once a club accepts this, dealing with this overly sensitive grass species will save a lot of time, money and energy. Poa is here to stay so work with it and provide the best possible playing conditions the golf course can financially afford.

A clASS Act.

2011-06-12T09:08:00.000-07:00

#13 Green Divot (June 11, 2011)

It never seizes to amaze me the lack of respect I find on the golf course. It's almost a daily occurance and it will be the subject of a few posts in the near future. In this particular instance, someone decided to take out some frustration right beside the pin. The sad thing is a large tournament had to play with this unnecessary obstacle in their way. In the future for those inclined in perpetrating such stupidity, take your putter in both hands and ram it down hard over your knee. Make sure to listen for that "SNAP!" It will feel so much better and it gives you an excuse to buy another putter since the one you currently broke can't make a short putt. If caught, you will not only be asked to leave but you'll forfeit any future play at our club.

Irrigation Update.

2011-06-05T20:21:00.000-07:00

To say the irrigation system has taken up a lot of my time this past month would be an understatement. We last experienced rain on April 28 (12mm or 1/2"). Couple this with warm winds and it's no wonder the knolls and non-irrigated areas are dry and hard. The course and Lakeland County for that matter are in desperate need of precipitation. It's hard to believe but some courses in the Calgary area have experienced major floods and a few of the mountain courses have seen almost 12" of snow. Edmonton has also seen enough rain and are anticipating drier conditions. Apart from the greens, it's tough even keeping the fairways and rough green and lush. The one positive is 10 to 15 yard increases in driving yardage.

On May 12 my irrigation start up procedure involved priming the mainline. Within 5 minutes I had a break on the side of #7 fairway. Not exactly the start I was looking for. So I fired up the tractor and back hoe and began to dig and repair. The break was an easy one to fix and within 3 hours I was ready to continue priming the mainline. Slowly pressuring the system and rechecking my repair, I have another break about 15 feet back of my original repair. So a few curse words later and extension of the trench, I replaced 20 feet of irrigation pipe. Now I'm good to go and none too soon because the course at this time needs water pretty bad.

Once my mainline is primed, I like to prime each fairway individually. This is done through isolation valves located at the tee and green. At the far end of the fairway or green, I'll use a quick coupler key to vent the water which originates at the tee. This greatly eliminates water hammer which is the number one cause of irrigation breaks particularly at start up. The other benefit to priming the fairways this way is that I'm able to flush the lines of potential debris. It's amazing the sorts of debris that may accumulate in the lines. (Pebbles, gravel, metal flakes from the pumps, weeds and even small fish)

So after a 16 hour day, the irrigation system is finally primed and ready to go. I set up the satellite clocks to water tees and greens that night and hope come morning I have no issues. It rarely turns out that I have no issues unfortunately. One of my biggest problems is heads not completely turning off after their cycle (leaking) and/or heads not turning due to plugged drive nozzles. Our irrigation heads are Rainbird 51DR and 91DR which are impact heads. They are loud and best suited to handle brackish water which makes up the bulk of our irrigation pond. These heads are no longer made by Rainbird and over the years I've been replacing them with 900 series rotary heads. These heads are quieter and so far maintenance free considering our water source.

#7 Mainline Break (May 12, 2011)

#7 Mainline Break on 4" Pipe (May 12, 2011)

Cut Out Section of Mainline (May 12, 2011)

#7 Mainline Repair (May 12, 2011)

In the coming weeks, I hope to preform an irrigation audit to make sure all heads are working properly. In the past 3 weeks, I have replaced 13 heads, 2 isolation valves and have added 4 new quick couplers at greens. In the near future, I'm planning on hand watering greens more often. This will minimize strain on the irrigation pumps and allow better water metering on the greens. The next spell of rain we get, I'll shut down the system and repair another 5 isolation valves and replace approximately 6 more heads.

18 In Full Swing!!

2011-05-06T18:33:00.000-07:00

After a hectic week prepping the course, the B9 is now open. Just a few weeks ago I thought there would be no way the course would be open till mid May. Mother nature had other plans and we're all thankful because of it. The golf course is in fantastic shape and judging by the booking sheet, it'll be a good test this weekend.
To get you up to speed, today all the fairways were cut with the exception of #3 (too wet). The greens were all matted and cut and the first cut of rough got a fresh mow. Next week the pump house will be assembled and the irrigation lines will be primed on Wednesday. If the forecast holds true, we're going to need some water ASAP. Enjoy the weekend and remember to leave the course the way you found it.

F9 Officially Opened.

2011-05-03T21:36:00.000-07:00

After a long few days of prep, the F9 officially opened today. The rain we experienced last Thursday (April 28) made a huge difference in seeing the course green up. Yesterday we took off all the tarps on the F9. We then cut all the tees, aprons and collars, put out bunker rakes, erected all tee and advertising signs, double cut all the greens and then cut holes to be used for the following day.

Green #6 (May 2, 2011)

This morning we finished putting out all the ball washers and tee markers and then roped off some of the wet drainage areas on the course. For the time being, carts will be permitted but MUST REMAIN ON THE CART PATHS AT ALL TIMES. Holes #1, 3, 4 & 9 are extremely wet which necessitates cart path only.

The plan for this week is to cut all the tee and green surrounds, the first cut of rough and then continue with tarp removal for the B9 greens. I'm hoping to have all 18 holes in play for Saturday. (Weather Permitting)

In terms of green conditions, we wintered very well with a few greens showing some snow mold damage. Those greens are #3, 5, 13, 18 & the putting green. These greens tend to winter a little worse then the others year after year. In the next few weeks, these greens will be core aerated, over seeded and top dressed to speed up recovery. Plugs will also be done to remove infected areas. The good news is these greens really aren't that bad but when compared to the others which are in fantastic shape, they are lacking aesthetically. Enjoy and respect the golf course and remember to give the maintenance staff the right of way. The staff is instructed to pull to the side when it's safe to do so and they will idle down their machine as you play through. HAPPY GOLFING!!

Green Conditions (Spring 2011)

2011-04-27T19:02:00.000-07:00

Today, the staff and I had a look under some of the green tarps. We looked under greens #2, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17 the Putting Green and the Nursery which was built last year. Many of these greens have been snow free for the past 2-3 weeks. Yesterday the staff shovelled off the remainder of the snow on greens #3, 11, 15 and 18. These greens remain fairly wet and I plan on having a look under them sometime next week. For tomorrow, the plan is to look under #1, 4, 5, 6, 10 and 18.

What I saw today were greens that wintered well with minimal ice damage. We have some pink snow mold particularly on #13 and the Putting Green. The other greens look great especially #7 and 8 which always seem to be come out "mint" year after year. The greens were cut and the tarps were put back in place. With the exception of #13 and the Putting Green, I plan on taking off the rest of the tarps permanently on Friday or next Monday. (Weather Permitting) This is a time consuming process and needs to be done when the tarp is 100% dry. Tarps that are put away wet are prone to mold and tend to degrade quicker then normal.

It's always an exciting part of the year having a look under the tarps and hoping things will be good. Sometimes I'm pleased and other times not as happy but that's the nature of this business. All the knowledge, money, cultural controls and chemicals in the world mean nothing when "mother nature" decides to reek havoc on a superintendents best lay ed plans.

Green #13: To date, our worst green in terms of pink snow mold.
(Apr. 27, 2011)

Green #12: Good to Go (Apr. 27, 2011)

Green #7: Year after year, one of our best greens.
Reason being: South Facing, Great Surface Drainage
& Full Morning Sun.
(Apr. 27, 2011)

Green #8: Another great green that winters well.
(Apr. 27, 2011)

First Cut on Nursery. This green was built last year and had been
maintained at tee height. This is the first cut at green height.
(Apr. 27, 2011)

#15 Green: The boys shoveling off the last bit of snow.
(Apr. 26, 2011)

Paving of Parking Lot.

2011-04-24T17:49:00.000-07:00

Hard to imagination what it used to be like prior to the parking lot being paved. I recall a combination of dust and mud and everything in between. The county stepped up to the plate for us on this one and the club and it's visitors are grateful. Here's some pictures of sub-grade prep and the laying down of the asphalt. Perhaps the biggest task of the project was the sub-surface work and making sure all drainage issues were addressed.

Trenching in New Gas Line for Gazebo. (June 3, 2009)

Hydro-Vac Holes Identifying Gas, Power & Utility Lines.
(June 3, 2009)

Main Drainage Outlet. (June 11, 2009)

Grading & Packing of Gravel Base Prior to Laying of Asphalt.
(June 11, 2009)

Laying of Asphalt. Notice the Elevation of the Parking Lot to the Cart
Path on the Right Aiding Drainage Flow. (June 11, 2009)

Finished Parking Lot and Sewer Pump Out. (June 12, 2009)

The parking lot was officially completed a few months later when parking stall lines were painted to maximize user space and direct efficient traffic flow. Concrete barriers were also put in place to keep all traffic contained within the parking lot and curtail potential access onto the golf course.

Augusta National Changes.

2011-04-09T12:49:00.000-07:00

Here's an interesting link about the changes Augusta National has implemented since its inception in 1934. With this years tournament in full swing, it's amazing all the changes the club has made since that time. Imagine the possibilities of a limitless imagination and budget. A beautiful and flowing property to begin with doesn't hurt either. Enjoy.

http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-courses/georgia/augusta-changes

Clearing Off Driving Range Tee.

2011-04-08T18:30:00.000-07:00

This afternoon I decided to clear off the driving range tee. Like most of you, I'm looking forward to swinging my golf clubs and dusting off some winter rust. If the warmer weather continues, the driving range maybe open for Easter weekend?

Clearing D.R. of Snow (Apr. 8, 2011)

(Apr. 8, 2011)

The condition of the turf under the snow looks pretty good at this time. The freeze thaw conditions we experienced in February and March created minimal ice formation. I'll have a better perspective next week once I'm able to check potentially problematic areas. I am noticing fairly moist conditions on the turf which could mean pink and grey snow mold in spots. My experience here at the club has shown ice damage to be much more problematic then winter disease.

Winter Green Damage.

2011-04-07T14:23:00.000-07:00

I came across this picture the other day while surfing through all my JPEG files on my computer.
After removing the tarp in the spring of 2009 this is what we saw. Any ideas what that ugly brown streak is?

#4 Green

What you're seeing is the result of a snowmobile driving on the green. It's analgous to a golfer who walks on a heavily frosted green. Their weight crushes plant cells within the crown (growing point) of the plant (grass) which in turn leads to plant death. At the time, there was roughly 12 inches of snow on the ground.

In 2008 I took it upon myself to fence off areas around the golf course to keep this common occurrence from happening. (#11 Fairway and Green, #12 Tee, #13 Tee and Fairway, Access Road into Shop, #4 Green and #7 Fairway Beside Dugout)

Some how this snowmobile found a spot and was actually on his way to gain access to the lake when he came across my new fence behind the green. He turned on the green and realised after traveling the course the only way out was the way he got in.

To fix the damage, I core aerated the area and then overseeded and topdressed. Spring conditions that year were optimal and within 4 or 5 weeks the damage had healed.

Tee to Green Cart Path Construction.

2011-04-07T13:24:00.000-07:00

In November of 2010 after temperatures fell below freezing and many of you stored your clubs for the winter, we began construction of our new tee to green cart paths. The weather cooperated, (unlike the heavy rains we experienced in July and August) and we were able to get everything done before the first snow fall. Chedkor Contracting Ltd. was awarded the contract and I'd like to personally thank Barry and his crew for completing the task in a timely manner with minimal destruction to the course.

The project involved excavating the new paths (6 feet wide x 4 inches deep) and then hauling away this material. To speed up construction, excavated material was hauled on site to the back of the driving range. Here it will be contoured like a dike and help stop the long hitters from rolling balls into the creek. The cart path on #7 fairway is 8 feet wide since it's used as a major travel route from the maintenance shop to the clubhouse. Approximately 1,300 cubic yards (1,672 Tonne) of 3/4 inch gravel was then applied and packed to level grade. Culverts were added in depression areas where drainage is an issue. The total length of the project was approximately 4,700 yards (4.28 km).

Beginning From #9 Green (Nov 3, 2010)

Advancing Down #17 Fairway (Nov 11, 2010)

The addition of the new cart paths will be a welcome sight for the golf course and it's members and I'm looking forward to the positive comments. Last year we lost almost 3 weeks of power cart usage due to the heavy rains. It will be nice not having to field phone calls from the pro shop asking if carts are OK to go after we experience rain. (I still enjoy talking to you Lance over the phone..lol) This is a look of what I hope to avoid:

#11 Tee. (Let's avoid some potholes & wreck some grass)

For 2011, the Capital Project Plan is to finish the existing green to tee cart paths which measure approximately 1,400 yards (1.27 km). Our goal is to pave all the paths within the next 2 to 3 years.

Hopefully this year the course will be a little drier but it's nice to know that when the rains come, power cart usage will still be allowed. In such cases, the 90 degree rule maybe enacted to keep turf wear at a minimum. The club thanks you for your support if such conditions apply.

When Is The Golf Course Going To Open?

2011-04-06T19:13:00.000-07:00

This is a question I wish I had a nickel for every time it was asked. Mother nature has her own schedule no matter how hard we work to prove otherwise. To help answer your own question, here is a list of the opening dates since 2003. (My first year here at the club)

2003: May 22 (Pre Tarp)
2004: May 21
2005: April 25
2006: April 22
2007: May 1
2008: May 4
2009: May 2
2010: April 21

As you can see, the dates vary by as much as a full month. If the weather continues to cooperate the way it has for the past week, a good guess is we "should" be golfing the first week of May. Lets keep our fingers crossed and hope for sooner.

I Figured It Was Time.

2011-04-06T16:31:00.000-07:00

After weeks of visiting other golf superintendents blogs, I decided to initiate the same for the Lac La Biche Golf Club. The purpose of the site is to educate and inform our members and guests regarding the many maintenance practices that occur on our golf course. This will also include updates of past, present and future development projects that have helped propel the club to where it is now and where it plans to be years down the road.

Check back often and feel free to comment on any of the postings. I will also do my best to answer any questions you may have as it relates to our golf course.