As most golfers know, mosquitoes are just another hazard to deal with when out on the golf course. They’re as inevitable as a missed 3-foot putt, so knowing how to prepare for them before you step out on the links is almost as important as practicing your back swing.

Avoid The Fescue

Easier said than done, we know! Golf balls and the rough go together like mosquitoes and… well, nothing goes together with mosquitoes, but you get the point! Deep shrubbery and foliage give mosquitoes a dark, humid environment to hang out in, so if you’re having a mosquito problem on the golf course, we’d bet that you’ll find a few hanging out on the underside of foliage leaves in out of bounds areas or by water hazards. If possible, try to keep the ball on the fairway, so aim to avoid spending too much time fishing for balls in the water hazard. You’re basically a walking buffet for hungry mosquitoes when playing around these areas.

Stay Away From Dark Clothing

Sometimes, the clothes you wear can explain why you’re getting more mosquito-attention than those around you. Time and again, research has shown that mosquitos are attracted to dark colours including blue, so try and stay away from them if you can.

Mosquitos love sweat

Humans release lots of goodies through our skin that mosquitoes love almost as much as us golfers love birdies. When we sweat, we emit lactic acids, which mosquitos seek out and get drawn in by from the tall grass and wooded areas on the golf course. So try to be relaxed and not to break a sweat.

Use The Spray
Using repellent is a tried and tested way to protect your skin from skeeter bites on the golf course. But don’t just buy anything; make sure you purchase a repellent that has DEET. Products containing DEET – such as liquids, lotions, and sprays – are designed to be applied directly to the skin. DEET makes it harder for mosquitoes and ticks to smell you, since our lactic acids and carbon dioxide are a good indicator that we’re around. DEET confuses their senses, which is why it’s so effective.

Bug Spray Harms grass

Most golfers do not know that their insect repellent will harm turf, especially when directed at legs and ankles. The overspray usually leaves a pattern of a green footprint or footprints surrounded by straw-colored injured turf.Turf crews work really hard at getting that carpet feel grass that golfers love so much. When you’re spraying on that bug spray for protection, it’s also showering the grass around you. It takes less than a day for that spray to ruin all those hours of hard work and leave your footprints behind. The solution to this problem is to spray legs and ankles on a cart path or other non-turf surface where the overspray will not contact grass. Depending on conditions and the amount of spray on the grass, these spots usually recover in 1-4 weeks. In extreme cases, though, they can result in the death of the patch of turf. Please be vigilant and use the spray in the parking lot or on paved pathways. The maintenance crews will thank you and other golfers as well. Enjoy your summer and stay bug free.

 

Golf is a very self-centered game. Other players will not judge how you hit the ball and they will be very supportive, we all started sometime. What is important to other players though is that they do expect us  to be aware of the course and our ability to keep the pace. Having said this the offenders of keeping the pace are not those new to the game, in fact each and everyone of us is a slow poke at times. Most slow players are oblivious to their own bad behavior and how it annoys who they are playing with. Nobody wants to be the girl that no one wants to play with. Slow play is one of the most frustrating issues we face, it affects your playing partners, the groups following you, the golf course and Golfaround’s reputation and ability to have tee times for you.  While the golf course plays an important role in implementing pace of play, the onus to maintain the proper pace of play lies primarily on golfers themselves. When 9 or 18 holes can be played in a timely manner, everybody wins. Maintaining the proper pace of play isn’t accomplished by rushing through each hole, but by simply not wasting time on the golf course. Golf isn’t meant to be a fast sport, it’s supposed to be strategic, but keeping a good pace is crucial for everybody’s enjoyment. Four hour rounds are much more enjoyable than six hour rounds.

Here are some tips for speeding up slow play:

 Move promptly proceed quickly to your ball and be ready when it is your turn to hit.

•   Keep the conversations to the golf cart ride or walk between holes or to your next shot.
•   Don’t start a conversation on the tee if the fairway is open.
•   Spend the time getting to your ball to think about yardage and the correct club.
•   Do not travel as a pack each person should walk to their own ball being aware of the location of the person who is hitting, be safe

 Play promptly be ready to step right up and hit the ball, golfers should still hit their actual shots one at a time. But everything else—calculating yardage, lining up a putt, even taking a practice swing if you’re a sufficient distance removed from the action— can be done while someone else is playing.

•  Don’t take too much time taking practice swings, waggling and perhaps over thinking
•   Shorter hitters go first when safe to do so
•   Keep your pre shot routine short and sweet, no more than two practice swings and 40 seconds

Be cart smart Drop your partner off and proceed to your ball or if they are about the same distance park the cart in between. Take three clubs to choose from not just one

•   Park the cart in a position where you can walk off the green and it’s on the way to the next tee. If you’re walking, this also applies to where you leave your golf bag and any green-side clubs used on the hole.

 Be quicker on the greens Read it – Hit it – Tap it in

•   Line up while someone else is putting
•   Don’t walk on someone’s line
•   Be aware of your shadow and move if it interferes with your partners putt

  Treat the rules with discretion

•  Take a quick look for lost balls
•   If the ball goes into a water hazard take a quick look don’t go fishing and drop close to where it entered
•   Mark your score at the next tee box not on the green

Be prepared start the round with a ball, tees, divot tool and a ball marker in your pocket.

Be a good teammate know your playing partners strengths and weaknesses

•  Watch their ball flight if possible
•  Help them when convenient, move on when it is not
•   Do not teach on the course
•  Have you cell phone on vibrate and do not use unless in an emergency
•  Refrain from chatting when someone is hitting
•  Assist with driving the cart if the driver is alone and share the responsibility when appropriate

Playing the game keep track of the number of times you hit and pick up on double par

•   A mulligan is counted as a stroke

 Accept responsibility be mindful of where you are on the course and the groups ahead and behind you, and do your best to keep pace with the group ahead of you.

•   Recognize that slow play isn’t just the other persons fault

Having said all of that we will soon be hitting the greens and doing what we love, play golf. Simply put Ready Golf is hit when ready and it applies to everywhere on the golf course. It means thinking ahead so you are ready when it is your turn. If you happen to be play with someone who is not keeping up the pace of play let them know in a nice way as well as giving us a heads up so we can help them speed up and also help them not be the gal that no one wants to golf with.

This we thought would be a good time to re-visit our weather policy.  Spring in Calgary is unpredictable and sometimes if we are fair weather golfers and wait for the perfect day to golf they may be few and far between. Don’t let inclement weather ruin your game. If you know what to expect you will be prepared for it and will have an enjoyable game. It can be cool at times so dress in layers. Dressing in layers lets you adapt to the temperature, as it gets warmer you can remove a layer or two. Choose garments that do not restrict your movement. For those chilly days it is a good idea to have a headband and some warm gloves in your bag, there have been times when club covers were used, but gloves do work best. A good rain suit is also useful and another good tip is to keep an extra towel, gloves and socks in the spokes of your umbrella to keep them dry.
The Golfaround policy is that if you have booked golf you do show at the golf course. You may not have to golf if it is especially inclement but weather can be very different in different parts of the city so it is hard to predict. If you are a fair weather golfer you may want to take your chances and book last minute. Golf courses rarely close due to inclement weather but if they did we will let you know by sending a blast e-mail so always check there. Let’s hope that Spring is just around the corner.

The kick-off social was as usual a roaring success, I believe we had more than 150 present. The energy in the room was palpable as new members mingled and interacted with the not so new. Friends reconnected and renewed past relationships and we all had fun. Everyone is excited for the season to get going and guess what it will,  the dusting, or should I say dump? of snow that descended upon us will not dampen our spirits. It will melt just as quickly as it came and that being said we need the moisture and the golf courses will be all the better for it. Tiffany Gordon was an amazing guest speaker, she is always so inspirational and her passion is contagious  motivating us to keep growing the wonderful game we love so much. The Winston did a great job of the food and as always the venue is well appointed and inviting.

Last but not least are the duties of the marshal around the green. When marshaling around the green, you need to stay against the rope and  face the gallery as much as possible. It is hard to monitor them when you don’t have your eye on them. If you see that a shot is going into the gallery, you should call out, “FORE Right” or “FORE Left.” If possible, judge where the ball will land and run to that spot to warn the people in that area. When a ball lands outside the ropes, around the green, immediately go to the ball. One marshal should protect the ball while the other marshals clear a path from the ball to the green. This is a difficult tasks to face, because the people who need to be moved in order to make a clear path to the green will want to see the shot and may resist giving the player enough room. Before the player reaches his ball, you must have a wide path cleared to the green and a straight line to the flagstick, giving the player plenty of room to make the shot. You may find the player upset about the shot and the situation may be tense ~ it is up to you to handle such a case quietly, quickly and with as little confusion as possible. It is important to have the gallery moved and the hole ready for play by the time the player gets to the ball. Only a few individuals are permitted to stand on the green and we will be made aware of who they.

The duties of the marshal committee include working outside and standing for a long periods of time. Please be prepared.

1.    Bring water to drink, especially if the weather is hot. (Beverages will be on the tee, however they are not meant for the Marshals. The beverages on the tee are usually provided for the Contestants, the Caddies, the Standard Bearers and the Walking Scorers)

2.    Be prepared for all kinds of weather. Remember to bring a jacket and layer clothes under your uniform, if necessary.

3.    Comfortable shoes are a must! Rubber soled shoes are recommended.

4.    Learn where your hole is in relation to amenities on the site. You will be asked many questions from the gallery, such as the locations of the bathrooms, first aid, telephones, concessions, etc.

Thank you for volunteering! We hope you thoroughly enjoy your CPKC Women’s Open experience.

Members Lori Sarginson and Lorelei Clark were excited to launch her Swingrip adaptive golf glove during the PGA trade show in Florida in January this year.  It was designed to help those with grip strength issues, the glove was designed by Lori out of necessity, and it’s successfully got her back in the game.  As they focus on educating and driving awareness, they will introduce the glove to the Golfaround community at this spring’s Kick Off Social April 26.

We are hopping by to wish you a very Happy Easter. “No winter lasts forever, no springs skips a turn” Hal Borland

In the last issue we talked about the marshals duties at the tee box, next we will cover the areas between the tee box and the green. You will assist in maintaining the pace of play by watching the flight of all golf shots so you know where they land. Watch for balls going into a water hazard and be helpful in determining the spot where the ball entered the hazard. Under no circumstances, however, should you offer any advice regarding a ruling. Rules Officials will be on site to make all calls relating to the rules.

Marshals may be required to operate crosswalks and spectators should not be allowed to enter until the contestants have passed through. Contestants, Caddies, Standard Bearers, Walking Scorers, Referees and Media must leave a green and walk to the next tee without interference.

There will be times when balls land outside the ropes and into the gallery. Marshals must watch the flight of these balls and warn the spectators of these errant shots. When a shot is pulled or sliced into the rough it is up to the marshal to indicate in which direction the ball is heading to forewarn the gallery. If possible, judge where the ball will land and run to that spot to warn the people in that area. When a ball lands outside the ropes, either around the green or off the fairway, immediately go to the ball. One marshal should protect the ball while the other marshals clear a path from the ball to the green. This is one of the most difficult tasks you will have to face, because the people who need to be moved in order to make a clear path to the green will want to see the shot and may resist giving the player enough room. Before the player reaches his ball, you must have a wide path cleared to the green and a straight line to the flagstick, giving the player plenty of room to make the shot. Next issue will review the duties on the putting green.

We just arrived home from a quick trip to Arizona to celebrate a couple of special birthdays with special people. While we were there we had the opportunity to play some great golf courses and wanted to share that experience with you. Phoenix and area is very busy and the traffic is horrendous especially at rush hour. Our first golf experience was about 45 minutes east of Mesa. The golf resort hotel has two 18 Hole Championship Golf Courses: Gold Canyon Dinosaur Mountain and Sidewinder. We played The Dinosaur Mountain golf course which is consistently rated one of the top courses in Arizona. The scenery was wonderful, and we saw lots of wildlife, roadrunners, beautiful birds, doves and lots of rabbits. No snakes thank goodness, but they were out there we were told. The dramatic elevation changes, brush grass, creosote bushes, cactus and desert arroyos made for a very challenging golf experience. The greens were fast and relatively true. Some of the holes are jaw droppingly beautiful and offer great elevated views of the area. Try not to plug your ball in a cactus, we didn’t but we saw lots of cacti riddled with holes, some man made some bird made. The mountainous terrain, narrow fairways, undulating greens and desert arroyos demand accurate shots to score well. It was an unforgettable experience no matter what your score was. The staff were friendly and helpful, and we all enjoyed the 19th hole, great food, staff and friends.

We met an old friend at Las Sendas, Wayne McBean who also is a managing partner at Lakeside Greens in Chestermere. He and his brother Lloyd came to Arizona 17 years ago. Las Sendas is located in Mesa and was about 30 minutes away from where we were staying. We thoroughly enjoyed this course, it was in great shape and every hole was interesting and challenging but playable. This is a beautiful course with fantastic views on every hole, we also encountered much wildlife. Most of us stayed on the fairways because in desert golf there is not much grass in the rough. However a few of us took a complete tour of some of the holes including the bunkers that were plentiful. Greens rolled very quickly and true, we really enjoyed them.  Our first outing ended at the end of the 9th due to a major thunder storm but we got to go back and played the 18  and loved our experience. The staff were very helpful and friendly and this was my favorite because I had the best game I have had for a while.

Last but certainly not least was We Ko Pa (Four Peaks Mountain) a landscape inhabited by the O’Odham and Piipsssh.  This was definitely my favorite and I (Kristy) was so sorry my side kick was not feeling well and missed playing this beautiful track. The Head Pro was very understanding and you couldn’t ask for a more friendly starter. He helped get us rearranged so that we could go out in two groups of 3, and was full of information about the course, land, area and the people.

There are two award winning golf courses both named for cactus set in the Sonoran Desert just outside Scottsdale. They are uniquely different as there are no homes, roads or businesses of any kind. It is just you, your ball and the sounds and sights of nature that sets them apart.

Cholla – cylindropuntia a genus of cacti, known for their barbed spines that tenaciously attach to skin, fur & clothing. The “jumping cacti” Mel talked about and Saguaro – tree like cactus.

We played Cholla and some say the toughest which we did wonder as we approached the first hole. Greeted by a cactus wren and an elevated tee box with a dramatic waste bunker awaiting us, but all my group hit the fairway missing that huge bunker.

The Cholla Course at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club offers a dramatic test of golf that plays through shady arroyos, over desert ridges and amid some of the most picturesque Sonoran Desert on the planet. For this reason, Cholla is widely considered as one of the most pristine desert golf experiences in the Southwest with nothing to spoil the sweeping views of the nearby river valleys, Red Mountain, Four Peaks and the rest of the majestic Superstition Mountains. The aesthetic charm of Cholla appeals to golfers just as much as its strategic challenge. There are some forced carries and clear landing areas – especially on par-5 second shots – but good golf shots will always be rewarded.

Hasta la Vista Arizona

Mark your calendars for the kick-off social. This year it will be held at The Winston Golf Club on Friday April 26 from 6:00 to 9:00pm. We are very pleased to have Tiffany Gordon as our guest speaker. We hope to see both new and returning members, this is a great way to start the season off, get excited, renew old friendships and make new ones.