Steady as She Goes

It's hard to believe we are already half way through June, and just finally getting into our maintenance routines. Calvin has been busy on the sprayer putting down a foliar application of fertilizer followed by Primo and a wetting agent. As well our fairway and rough fertilizer application for the spring has been completed, so we are somewhat caught up in our cultural and fertility programs.

Sprinkler heads continue to heave, which has kept Marty and Shane relatively busy these last couple of weeks. We are also still finding areas of the irrigation system to still have ice in the lines, which means we are not fully operational head wise. I have already sent the crew home today as we have probably accumulated around two inches of rain since this morning and with a cool temperature of 4 degrees the snow line up on Mount Kidd is not to far above the golf course.



Snow line above the golf course

The golf course is definitely starting to improve on a daily basis. I give full credit to our hard working turf care team as their dedication and pride in the golf course is starting to reflect in the conditioning of the golf course. Coming into the season most of our team had no golf course experience and I am very proud of their devlopment individually, but also as a team. This extends beyond the golf course as we have done a trail ride, numerous hikes, as well as having a white water rafting and paintball trip planned for the next two weeks. Looking over the list of our "Blue Hard Hat" winners we have a very international group of recipents that include a Welshman, a German, an Englishwoman, and finally a Canadian. I feel very priviledged to be able to work with such a great group of individuals; as well they have definitely helped me understand a numerous array of accents. When you have two Aussies, an Irishman, a Spaniard, a Welshman, and finally an East Coaster with a radio on any given day, it can lead to many communication issues. We are starting to understand everyone's slang and the Aussies are learning how to speak a little slower, so we are making progress. Apperently in Australia you turn a valve anti-clockwise to open it up. Finally I would like to thank my foreman James Bryce for stepping up and providing some much needed leadership in Trent's absence the last two weeks. He has made my job easier the last two weeks trying to manage both courses and the staff, especially when you spend half a day dealing with bears.

Trent have a safe trip back to Kananaskis, and I think it is only fair that after two weeks away from the course that you get back into the swing of things right away and work my weekend.