I suppose the big news for May was the relentless rain we've had in most of the province. It certainly would be a hardship for public and municipal golf courses as revenues would be almost non-existent. Here in Saskatoon, it has been a long time that I've seen some golf courses closed on consecutive days.

Just recently you received notice that 2010 STA membership fees are due. When submitting your membership cheque please enclose the official membership application form with much needed information. I would particularly like your home e-mail address. The reason for this is to keep members up-to-date on special events and to pass on any turf tips I run across each month.

Finally spring is here and everyone is in all likelihood getting ready for a busy season. Some golf courses in Saskatoon are open while others are still waiting for the flax straw to thaw out. The golfers, as always, are getting anxious to start playing and are ignoring the practice facilities that are open.

March is here and spring will follow shortly. As you get a little older or mature you hate winter, and if you can’t get out of here you become a grouchy old man. What we have to look forward to is the CGSA sponsored seminar, featuring Eddie Konrad. It will take place March 30th at the Riverside Country Club in Saskatoon.

We finally got some snow, so much that the City of Saskatoon can’t get rid of it. A caller to a local radio station said we got so much the City can’t find the sand to spread at our intersections. The streets are treacherous here. Doug Campbell tells me his golf course has a good cover but it doesn’t prevent him from walking the golf course each Sunday.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas season, with lots of presents, good food, and lots of family around you. Our house was a beehive of activity from the 23rd of December until January 5th. With all the food still around, we could have continued for another two weeks.

We had a great Fall Wind-up and Annual General Meeting at the Lynbrook Golf Club in Moose Jaw. The Social the night before was most enjoyable with old friends, mostly talking about the year they had. Joel Simmons’ seminar was informative and educational.

No more golf for this year with just last minute work to complete. Some people are putting in drainage, while others are doing tree maintenance work. Still others are doing their equipment repair duties and sharpening reels. Weather wise it isn’t bad for November.

Fall is here and for most superintendents, it’s a very important time of the year. Most have a shortage of labour as they prepare their courses for the winter. It hasn’t been the greatest of summers due to cool days and nights that have brought down the rounds played. The excellent September weather wasn’t enough to bring the play back to normal.

The 2009 Research Tournament was a huge success with an excellent turnout and near perfect weather. The wonderful hosts at the Royal Regina Golf Club went out of their way to help us in all aspects of the event. All the competitors thought the golf course was in excellent condition. The complete day was most enjoyable and a big thank you goes to the Royal Regina!