Although northern parts of the province have had adequate moisture, most of the province is experiencing drought-like conditions, with Saskatoon experiencing the direst March, April and May in history.  With the drought comes low water levels in the South Saskatchewan River, with very low flow.  Some courses are having issues with leeches plugging sprinklers.  At Riverside we have cleaned the screens of all 1,400 heads already and are now having to go through them again.  We could all use a little rain.

As usual, the weather continues to be a focal point of conversation.  With early warm temperatures, news form around the province was an earlier start this year, with conditions being very favourable throughout the province.  The past two weeks have seen well below normal temperatures and very windy.  Saskatoon and surrounding area experienced the driest April in history.

The 2015 Fall Wind Up and AGM is now behind us.  People who were there tell me it was a success in terms of educational value and meeting with peers in the industry.  However the attendance left a lot to be desired and in fact it was disappointing.  For the record we had 53 attending; 22 superintendents; 11 greenkeepers; 5 speakers and 15 commercial delegates.  We have to do better and at the STA’s first meeting the two-day event will be reviewed.

The 2015 Fall Wind Up and AGM is fast approaching.  Everything including the Monday night social will be at the Saskatoon Golf and Country Club.  Dates are November 9th and 10th.

Fall is here and for most superintendents it’s not only a difficult time, but a very important time of the year.  The difficult time is the shortage of labour to do very important work in preparing the golf course or park for the winter months.

The STA had a very successful Research Tournament at Lynbrook Golf Course in Moose Jaw mid-August.  82 players enjoyed a great day on the golf course which they tell me was in great shape.  The skins game the night prior was a fun event for those attending.

To date, entries for the 2015 Research Tournament are non-existent.  The STA needs your support for this event so we can fulfill our commitment to turfgrass research in our province.  I know some people will not be able to attend due to important club functions, so please consider making a donation on behalf of your club or company and to help support turfgrass research.

Talk around golf courses these days is no doubt the drought conditions most of the province is dealing with.  If this continues water reservoirs will start drying up and we’ll be in real trouble.  That being said I think, somehow we’ll get through it.

For over 50 years, every Ukrainian, German and what have you told me not to plant bedding plants in the garden before June 1 because sure as hell, there’s going to be frost.  Being a dumb Scotsman Know-it-all I have to try my luck, saying to myself there won’t be frost after May 25.  I bust my butt covering plants, and taking pots into the garage, and most of all calling myself a dummy in my most colourful language.

Pierre Vezeau, Accredited Golf Superintendent at Cooke Municipal Golf Course in Prince Albert and STA Board member has managed to arrange a Pesticide Applicator classroom session and exam for May 25-26 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm each day.  This will be a 2-day classroom course with an exam being written in the afternoon of day 2.  The tuition cost is $330.00, which includes the exam.  This cost is based on 12 participants and may adjust slightly based on higher or lower enrolment.  The course will be offered at Kelsey Campus in Saskatoon.  In order to register, participants can contact Arla McLeod at 306-775-7473 or arla.mcleod@saskpolytech.ca.