Spring Update

#2 Green looking good

#14 Green still snow covered

We had a bit of everything weather wise this past week.  Some really heavy, annoying snow squalls went though on Wednesday blanketing the course in fresh snow.  We then had a nice sunny, warm Thursday but we are back to overcast and cool today.  We have had our seasonal green staff in working all week and have managed to do some course cleanup and remove all but three of the winter covers.  Greens 5, 6, and 14 are still snow covered but I am hopeful that all of the snow will be gone by Monday.  Things look good under the covers we have removed so we've got that going for us...which is nice.  This is the latest we have ever removed the covers in my 12 years here at Westmount.  My records tell me that on average, we are 3-4 weeks from opening the course once the covers are removed which would put us near the end of April.  However, averages are just that so anything can happen and it is largely based on the weather going forward.  We are hoping for some warm dry weather so the course can dry out, firm up, and the grass can start to grow.  Have a nice weekend and I will have another update next week.  

Spring!

Well the calendar says Spring but the weather sure doesn't!  The course is still snow covered with just a few spots of grass showing through.  Hopefully the forecasted rain will help eliminate the snow by Monday.  Once the snow is gone, our first task will be to remove the winter covers from the greens.  This is my 12th spring at Westmount and the latest I have ever removed covers is April 1st.  That record may be broken this year!  I don't have any specific concerns however, I would like to see the turf underneath the covers - I'm never totally at ease until the covers are off and the grass starts to grow.  Once the covers are off, we clean up all the sticks, leaves and debris from the course in preparation for mowing.  We will also be aerating and topdressing all of the greens before opening.  Other tasks include checking and adjusting sand depths in bunkers, starting up the irrigation system, and finishing off some sodding from last fall's drainage installation.  In conjunction with all of these tasks the weather has to cooperate so that the playing surfaces dry out, firm up, and the grass begins growing.  We want the turf to be actively growing when we open so it can withstand and recover from the wear and tear caused by golf.  I do not have an opening date yet but I will provide timely updates to this blog as we go forward.  Have a great weekend and think warm thoughts!