I believe everyone would agree that it hasn’t been a very good winter in most parts of the province. The November snow fall was the start and since then it hasn’t stopped. I hope we have a slow melt.

A number of the provinces turf managers have attended seminars and conferences throughout the winter including one in Anaheim, California. From what I hear, all have been first class events. Congratulations to Doug Campbell and Terry McNeilly for getting into the prizes at the GCSA’s annual golf tournament in Palm Springs, California.

The CGSA had their Annual Turf Conference and Trade Show in Montreal in early March. A highlight this year for us in Saskatchewan was the naming of Terry McNeilly as President. Terry is the Superintendent at the Saskatoon Golf and Country Club.

Darren Crilly is Saskatchewan’s representative for the CGSA and certainly works hard on behalf of the Board of Directors. Darren is the Superintentdent at Dakota Dunes Golf Links. 

Here’s one… Where did the term “FORE” come from? The warning “FORE!” is an abbreviation for BEWARE BEFORE!, the gunner’s shout to the infantry to get themselves down before the cannon fired… now you know!

Golf grew slowly in Canada, but retained its pomp in the 19th century. Canadian players wore red coats and white flannel trousers. The captain had to wear gloves for the opening drive.  

I’m getting all of the above information from a golf book I found in the “junk store”. It’s called “Foreplay” by Al Boliska. Its contents, besides some golf history, includes, in the author’s words, every golf joke ever told! 

Dale Herman, a faculty member of the North Dakota State University, is literally changing the landscape, particularly in Zone 2. His latest is a paper birch resistant to bronze birch bores and to drought stress. It is single or multi-trunked with a semi-pyramidal to upright-oval form, snow white exfoliating bark and dark green leaves that become golden yellow in autumn. It makes an ideal specimen tree (12x9m). 

This is very important – You gotta know. Wood frogs can be frozen solid and then thawed and continue to live. They use the glucose in their body to protect their vital organs while they are in a frozen state… It’s a fact! 

I like what the CGSA has done by making a Current Pesticide License mandatory for all members in the Superintendent and Assistant category. A valid Pesticide License must be on file with the CGSA.

Recently I read an article on golf course locker rooms. In the ideal locker room, the setting should be homey and simple. It is where shoes are shined, cloths are changed and the walls include memorabilia to remind you where you are, but not so much that you feel like you’ve entered a hall of fame. 

“Tee” originally meant the striking off place – not the wooden or plastic peg. It came from the Gaelic “tige’ – a house. I believe curlers use the same word. 

More and more golf courses in Saskatchewan will seek superintendents with a Turf Degree in the future. At higher end Clubs they will favorably look at business and communication skills also. Most superintendents losing their jobs now lack communications skills more than not having a good knowledge of turf maintenance. 

Very soon you will be receiving an invoice for 2007 membership fees. It is hoped the club, park or company will pay the dues for your benefit. It is also hoped all paid up members get involved in the Association to make it better. The STA is only as strong as its membership. 

Many years ago when I was a golf club manager I thought it would be a good idea to have all of the Clubs shower towels embroidered with the Club Crest. Trouble was after the first month we lost 75% of them. Not a good idea! It was the last time I did anything like that.

The name caddy or caddie comes from the French “cadet”, pronounced “ka-day”, referring to the pages of Mary Queen of Scots, brought from France to carry her train and golf clubs.

Something to tell your Greens Committee or Board this winter – when soil becomes compacted it must be aerated. There is a price for postponing the inevitable. Greens, tees and fairways must be aerated on a regular basis according to a well thought-out program. Healthy turf is the result of hard work based on a plan which always includes aeration.

Michael Dougherty of Tree Management Co. says treat trees right during their formative years and they’ll become the upstanding specimens you’ve always hoped for. This means pruning, fertilizing and watering. Trees must be inspected regularly for disease and insects.

I’m out of here guys. Hopefully we will have a slow melt and the courses will come through the winter in fine shape.