Golf Course Update

Looking ahead, we will begin installation of an 8-inch mainline in advance of this summer’s irrigation and construction work. This will allow us to cross both the range and the road without any disruption to play moving forward in these key locations.  The road is our only access to the property, getting across now, with irrigation pipe will be most advantageous for disruption purposes moving forward.  This will also allow a much faster transition when we move from construction to irrigation in order to irrigate new seed right away for the grow in of number twelve fairway.

Our final bridge boards will also be completed this week, new boards were installed last fall with new support systems in place as well.  Final touches such as rails will be added this week as well.

With all of the trees that have fallen, we are left with many stumps throughout the property.  While we will not get to all of them this spring, we will be tackling the most in play areas in the next two weeks, ahead of the 2025 golf season.  Any remaining clean up will take place this fall or even next spring, it is becoming quite clear at this point that we will not be able to address all of the downed trees this spring season.

We look forward to the days where chainsaws and chippers are not part of our daily discussions and mowing, changing pins and raking bunkers take priority.

We would like take this opportunity to welcome Mike Oloane, as Assistant Superintendent to The Mad River Golf Club. Mike will work alongside myself and Rob Wilson as well as the very talented grounds team to help produce the conditioning we all have come to expect at Mad River Golf Club.

We are excited to welcome Mike to our team, Mike comes to us with over 25 years of experience in both golf course construction and maintenance alike. Mike was involved in the construction and grow in of The Nest golf Club at Friday Harbour as well as Eagles Nest Golf Club in Maple Ontario.  Mike brings with him a strong knowledge of golf course construction techniques and has collaborated with both golf course architects as well as construction contractors.  Mike has a strong track record of motivating and engaging team members and we look forward to him showcasing his leadership skills at Mad River. Most recently, Mike was the golf course superintendent at Batteux Creek Golf club in Nottawa Ontario. Mikes knowledge and expertise will be invaluable as we embark on a major golf course renovation in 2025 in conjunction with continuing to grow and enhance our member experience.

We look forward to working alongside Mike and are thrilled to have him as part of the Mad River family. Here’s to many successful years ahead!

Respectfully Submitted

Chad Vibert
Golf Course Superintendent