The Fun Theory

Can we apply this thinking to filling divots, repairing ballmarks, raking bunkers and following golfer traffic signs?  Hmmmmm...

Probably not, but still an interesting concept.

For more videos and info about "The Fun Theory" click HERE.

Root invasion!!!

We've been experiencing some drainage issues lately at #3 tees and along the backside of the newer mounds on the left side of #1.  The culprit?  Yup, that darn willow directly behind #3 tees.  Willows are amongst the worst trees when it comes to their root systems invading drainage lines.

Here is a pic of the affected drainage:

Here is a pic of the willow roots invading the collector drain:

Here is the culprit:

We are now forced to attempt to remove all the willow roots from the affected lines.  This is not a simple task and will likely require replacing sections of the drainage collector pipe where we cannot do so. This willow MUST be removed in order for the surrounding drainage to function properly.  Root pruning is not an option as it will only result in even more aggressive rooting.

"What's all that noise?"

This weekend I came across this response to a "Letter to the Editor" in the Delta Optimist written by a former Quilchena member, Kyle German.  Sometimes it's nice to know that we're not alone as we face some of the same challenges here that they do down in Point Roberts.

"Course takes pains to be quiet" (click here)

Rain, rain, go away, come again another day...

Well the rain started last evening and hasn't stopped.  As of now, the course is closed due to extremely wet conditions.  Here are a few pics to show you how flooded we currently are:

Obviously our drainage is functioning great, but even the most extensive drainage system needs some time to catch up!

Life on the "Wet Coast"

So I've been here at QGolf Club now for just over 2 years and I must say, the biggest adjustment between life in Ontario and B.C. is the HUGE difference in weather over the winter months.  I always wondered what it would be like to maintain and prep a golf course 12 months a year.  In Ontario most courses are blanketed in snow for most of the winter so as long as you applied your winter protection (fungicides) you could sleep easy while you wait for things to thaw.  That is unless things thawed and then froze before draining away.  Ice and turf DO NOT get along well!  Prolonged ice cover on turf leads to crown hyrdation.  Crown hyrdation kills, it's that simple (as seen below)...

That being said, the wet west coast winters really limit what we can and cannot do on the golf course.  When we do get a "break" in the weather we are often just trying to catch up on routine work that was delayed due to wet conditions.  Our main goal during the winter is to keep the course as playable as possible while completing a few small projects (i.e. - drainage, tree removals/plantings).    

So when people ask me, "Don't you get tired of the rainy west coast winters?" my response is simple, "Nope, you don't have to shovel the rain!"

Gotta run, I'm on the tee!!!

One of my favourite golf-related commercials...

Debris cleanup...

The mild temperatures and drier weather the past few days have allowed us to make some progress with the debris cleanup on the course.  The debris behind #8 green (near our weather station) is piled there to be burned when we are permitted to do so.  We acquired a burn permit from the city of Richmond this winter, but are restricted to burn only when conditions are suitable.  What exactly those conditions are is beyond me!  We must call the burning permit "hotline" every morning to see if we can or cannot burn; it is very rare that they allow us to.

Thanks for your patience while we clean up the mess!

Finally...

Well, we are finally able to get a cut on greens today, other than a few that remain too wet - #14 and #18. They sure do stripe up nice after not being cut for awhile. It's been a brutal winter so far in regards to wet conditions and course closures! Hopefully this is not a sign of what kind of year 2011 will be!