Forward Tees
We have now completed all of our forward tees on the property. Number 18 was seeded early this week, this will take the longest to come online. Most of the tees will be in play in the next week or so. They will be put into play in the order they were completed 2,4,15,17,5 etc. Most of the tees fit in nicely into the fairway areas, #6 was our most difficult location, due to the contouring of the fairway in this area.
We were extremely concerned about stripping and then laying sod in the middle of June, with the longest days of the year, while in the longest drought of the season, but our crew came through in a big way, they were dragging hoses through this drought like champions. All of the sod came through nicely and the tees have all been rolled and top dressed recently.
Annual Bluegrass Weevil
We have had some damage in some fairway areas caused by the Annual Bluegrass Weevil. We have been monitoring the damage closely and decided not to treat this pest. It has been chewing on our Poa for a few weeks now, we have been monitoring closely as it has been known to jump species when food sources run out. We have treated some collar areas, due to the fact that there is simply too much Poa in these areas. We will be sodding many of these collar areas in the fall of the year.
Pine Straw
We have not been able to procure any Pine Straw this season. We import this material from the U.S. and so far this season they will not ship any to Ontario. We have been in contact with other clubs in the GTA and we are in the same boat, no one can get their hands on any. We hope that this will change in the weeks to come, and that it is a just a supply chain issue.
Coming in the next few weeks
- Topping up some bunkers with sand
- Sod work at 6 cart path end
- Pathway construction at 4
- Construction of turf nursery
Maintenance Morning Wednesday
We plan to move from two maintenance mornings per month with a closure until 10am to a more traditional private club maintenance schedule, opening at 9am every Wednesday morning. We aspire to produce great playing conditions here at Mad, we want to be able to continue to do so, managing bent grass takes some extra time and effort, no question, but we not have to deal with the headaches that poa annua can give golf clubs on an annual basis.
This should also avoid confusion for members and staff as to which Wednesday is a maintenance one. There is very little pressure on the Wednesday morning times, it’s our slowest morning.
Just a gentle reminder, we have placed barriers on some of our collar areas to keep traffic off of these locations. Please do not push trolleys or take power caddies on any collar area.
Thank You for helping us take care of your golf course.
Respectfully,
Chad Vibert
Golf Course Superintendent