Submitted by Gary Ward, General Manager & C.O.O.

The weekend weather was a welcome change and hopefully, it’s the launch of summer weather.
 
Return to Play
 
As the various projects start to wind down, we expect a phased return to play, over the next two weeks you can expect the following;
 

• May 22^nd - #18 bunkers and practice bunker revitalization will be complete
• May 22^nd - #6 washroom back in service
• May 29^th – we plan to open #12, Carl will communicate the playing conditions for #12 next week

Irrigation update
 
At the start of the season the irrigation contractors had 6.5 holes to complete, the driving range tee decks, driving range field area and both sides of the entrance roadway. They’ve completed 2 holes and the driving range tee decks so have 4.5 holes remaining on the golf course.
 
Next week we expect they will finish #18 and complete half of #9. Weather permitting, they should be wrapping up the golf course installation by mid-June and will then complete the driving range field and the entrance road.

 
Submitted by Chad Vibert, Golf Course Superintendent

It has been very nice over the last few days to enjoy some very warm weather, a drastic change from the spring weather we’ve grown accustomed to.  Hopefully we have turned the corner and we can look forward to some great weather ahead to grow some quality turf.

The new irrigation system has been operating effectively, and there has been a steady learning process regarding its setup, timing, and water distribution patterns. Through regular monitoring and adjustments, there continues to be a better understanding of how the system performs across different sections of the property, including areas requiring more or less moisture. The scheduling and coverage have improved as familiarity with the controls and areas to be irrigated has increased.

At this stage, some areas are intentionally being kept slightly wetter in order to support the establishment of newly installed sod. Maintaining additional moisture in these areas is important to encourage proper root development and ensure the sod takes hold successfully. Ongoing observation will continue to determine when watering levels can be reduced as the sod becomes more established.

Overall, the irrigation system is functioning well, and continued fine-tuning is expected to further improve efficiency and landscape health.

As we look forward to the weeks ahead, we are currently on track to open the 12^th hole on the weekend of May 29th, despite a colder than normal spring season. When we do open the hole for play, we will be cart path only, the young turf just isn’t resilient enough to with stand all the cart traffic at this time.  We will work to build a thatch layer in the weeks ahead, to help provide a cushion for the turf to recover from the traffic it will see.  A temporary path trough the fescue will be cut down for carts to travel in the short term.

Submitted by Ryan Rinneard, Director of Instruction
.

Submitted by Michelle Larcher, Food & Beverage Manager

Mother Nature Got the Memo

What a difference a week can make. After a cooler start to the season, Mother Nature certainly got the memo over May Long Weekend, providing beautiful weather for members to enjoy the course, patio, and clubhouse. It was wonderful to see so many members out enjoying the sunshine, gathering after their rounds, and fully embracing the start of the season. The energy around the Club this past weekend was fantastic and a reminder of how special summer at Mad River can be.
 
Welcoming Our New Team Members
As the season gets underway, we would also like to thank our members for the warm welcome and hospitality shown to many of our new team members. This year’s Front of House team brings together a wide range of experience, along with positive energy and enthusiasm for being of service. We are excited to have such a talented and hardworking group of ladies representing Mad River this season and appreciate the support and kindness members have already shown them during their first few weeks at the Club.

Complimentary Turn Snacks & Table Service

We’re also excited to launch a few new touches aimed at enhancing the member experience throughout the season. Beginning Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., members can enjoy complimentary kettle chips available at the turn. Each month, we will be offering something new to see what the members enjoy most.  In addition, servers will now be offering complimentary roasted salted peanuts to tables for members stopping in after their round. 

 
Colton Day – Assistant Professional

What interested you most about working at Mad River Golf Club?

I was really excited about the chance to work for Head Professional Carl Penfold and keep learning and growing in the golf industry. I also really liked Mad River’s philosophy of being “a club in the country, not a country club.” It felt like a great fit for the kind of environment I enjoy being part of.

Tell us a little about yourself and your background.

I’m originally from Kamloops, BC, and really got into golf during Covid. I played two years of junior hockey in BC, but after dealing with a few injuries, I started focusing more on golf and realized it was what I wanted to build my career around. That led me to start working at Tobiano Golf Course in Kamloops, where my passion for both the game and the golf industry really grew. From there, I took the Golf Management Program at Georgian College and completed a co-op at Cabot Cape Breton before returning to Ontario to finish school. Since graduating and turning professional, I’ve worked at Oviinbyrd and most recently I've spent the last five months in Cabo, Mexico working at Querencia, before joining the team at Mad River.