News Desk

Lūʻau on the Links was the theme for this years Mystery Bus Trip and what a great trip it was. We had a luxury 54 seat bus from Alberta Coach and Karen, our driver extraordinaire from last year, we were so happy to have her back. As the group arrived we saw many grass skirts, leis, hats and bikinis, (tee shirts) as Arlene said we couldn’t risk the real thing the mosquitos would eat us alive, I think we would scare everyone to death. We hit the road at 7:30am to destination unknown, the guesses were in and the twoonies collected. Soon after our departure a light snack and a mimosa was enjoyed by all. During our trip Karen fooled the group and she loved hearing the oohhs and aahhs as she tricked them. We finally got to our destination, Pine Hills Golf Club in Rocky Mountain House. This golf course has the beauty and excitement of a true golf experience on the “Gateway to the Great Canadian Rockies” in Central Alberta. The Pine Hills Golf Club combines the challenge of a championship golf course with the serenity of a classic retreat. Nestled amid 397 acres, Pine Hills offers dramatic views and a casual, unhurried atmosphere that you just can’t find at other golf courses. For Golfaround this was visit number three as we did a previous Mystery bus trip here and were joined by the group from Edmonton’s Golfaound. When planning this we had a hard time keeping the destination secret, but it all worked out. The other visit was a Play & Stay weekend which was another success. Our weather this time was perfect not to hot and no wind, we did get a small sun shower but it came and went quickly. On arrival it was a hive of activity as everyone hurried to decorate their carts, and what a fantastic effort was made. The Kālua Pig was so very innovative complete with flames, coals and servers with matching shirts, so very well done. Then there was Shaking it up with Blue Bay these gals were decked out in beautiful blue grass skirts adorned with yellow accents, blue leis and wrist bands and anklets. I thought the Hawaiian music was coming from the club house but no it was coming from their cart so they could gyrate and sip their blue Hawaiian drink. I believe we all enjoyed playing this scenic golf course and our format made it playable for everyone. Following the round, we were treated to a great buffet of spice crusted roast beef complete with all the trimmings and the dessert choices were fabulous. We want to express our thanks to Nancy R, Cynthis B Susan B , Pine Hills & Linda M for donating prizes, it really added to our event. On the way home we got to kind of watch/ hear the commentary for the final Stanley Cup game. Go Oilers go was the chant but unfortunately it was not meant to be. Shaunna was very innovative in setting up her phone to make the play visible for us.

The staff at Pine Hills were so very helpful and really appreciated us visiting. They couldn’t do enough to ensure we had a wonderful time. Thanks so very much. Thanks also to everyone who participated in the theme, you went above and beyond, so much innovation and so much fun.

Check out the album on Facebook

 

Our Swing Improvement Program has had many names over the years, Swing Improvement, Swing in Motion, Golf in Motion to name a few. I am very biased about this program because it was what helped build the foundation necessary for a consistent golf swing. A number of the dirty dozen did these lessons every Spring when we first learned to golf. It helped us develop smooth consistent golf swings as well as understand what we were doing when things went wrong. Merina was the best at analyzing and breaking it down for us. For me it was the building up and repeating the drills which created muscle memory’s that built my swing, I need to feel the movement vs visualize it.

We resurrected the program a couple of years ago, and this year it was very popular so we ran  it during the day and evening and with all the talk about it this season it is sure to be popular next year.  It runs south at Carnmoney Golf and Country Club, Tiffany Gordon’s home course. This is how Tiff feels about this program.

Over the course of the years, I have found that our Golf Conditioning and Indoor Winter Programs prove to be very successful due to the fact that we remove the ball and work on conditioning the golf swing. Students start to work on more swing drills, muscle memory, and more importantly start to get an understanding of what happens during the golf swing versus trying to ‘hit’ the ball. We hear more about how they start to understand the how and why of the golf swing and therefore their confidence goes up as well. After the first week we always ask if anyone got out to practice and those that did…notice a difference right away. The winter program also allows us to answer many questions that maybe don’t come up during a regular lesson. Swing condition has proven itself to be very successful and with the stretching and swing drill components, makes for a great session and we find that they all feed off each other to encourage them to be better. These swing drills are used in our every day teaching but repetition of these drills definitely are game changing!

I found that rehearsing the motions without a ball removes my negative feedback helping me practice good technique. For some when you hit the ball you immediately focus on the good, the bad and the ugly. Did I  hit it well or poorly? High or low? Left or right? Feedback, generally speaking, is an important part of practicing and playing. It allows golfers to spot what they’re doing right and wrong the moment after they do it. Removing the golf ball from the equation and all the feedback that goes along with it let’s you to focus more intentionally on your technique.

The recent water restrictions, due to the massive water main break, here in Calgary have many pondering how our golf courses irrigate their fairways and greens, so we thought it opportune to do a little research about how the golf courses stay hydrated.

You may or may not know that The Water Act of 2000 states that all water in the province, as well as the right to its diversion and use, is vested in the Crown. This means that water can only be used with the permission of the provincial government. For municipalities and businesses, this permission is tied to a license. There are tens of thousands of licences for surface and groundwater in Alberta. From municipalities to agricultural operations, golf courses and oil companies — with few exceptions, anyone taking or diverting water in meaningful quantities needs a license to do so.

Golf courses source water for irrigation from various water sources depending on their location and regional availability. Here are the primary sources used:

1. Groundwater: Many golf courses rely on groundwater from wells. This involves extracting water from underground aquifers. The availability of groundwater depends on the geological characteristics of the area.
2. Surface Water: Golf courses situated near lakes, rivers, and reservoirs often use surface water for irrigation. These natural bodies of water provide a consistent supply during the growing season.
3. Recycled Water: Some golf courses utilize recycled water, which is treated wastewater from municipal sewage systems. This reclaimed water is safe for irrigation and helps conserve freshwater resources.
4. Municipal Potable Water: In urban areas, golf courses may access municipal drinking water. However, using potable water for irrigation is less sustainable due to its high demand and cost.

The choice of water source depends on factors such as location, climate, and local regulations.  Golf course managers continually strive to strike a balance between maintaining course quality and conserving water resources. ️‍

 

Hellen Jung, a member from 2002 was cleaning out her basement and found her old  Golfaround binder. For those of you who joined since 2014 will not know about the binders as this was when we developed our present web site and included all the information required for your lessons and league. In the binder there was a league schedule which included the rates back then. It was very interesting to look at how inflation has affected us. The cost increase varied from 2.5% to 140%.

We certainly understand that inflation has affected all of us and I am sure the cost of operating a golf course is heavily impacted as well so we thought it would be good to share some basic information of the maintenance cost to keep the golf courses in the condition we have come to expect.

The annual cost to maintain a golf course can range from about $500,000 for a public course and double that for a private course with labor representing 50% of this. Private clubs have higher maintenance costs than public courses, as they usually charge higher green fees, so require more attention to detail.

A typical public course will have between 12 and 18 maintenance employees. Likewise, private courses will usually have between 18 and 25 to meet extra demand. Employing a maintenance team doesn’t come cheap! The average golf course maintenance salary in the Canada  is $30,000 to $40,000 per year.

The next major cost is equipment, accounting for around 12% of the annual budget and this figure includes the leasing of maintenance equipment, as well as the ongoing repair and running expenses incurred, such as fuel and lubricants. Mowing will often consume a large portion of a maintenance team’s day. Therefore, a reliable collection of mowing equipment is essential. Usually, clubs will use several types of mowers, each suited to a different part of the course. However, mowers aren’t the only machines used on the golf course. Most golf clubs have a diverse collection of specialized equipment to keep the course in top shape. This includes turf cultivation equipment, such as those used for aerating, fertilization, and pest-management equipment.

The third significant expense is fertilizer and pesticides, at around 9% of the budget. Golf course fertilizers are a necessary ingredient for many clubs, especially those looking to maintain a pristine course in a location with challenging climates. Essentially, fertilizers are used as a supplement to keep the turf healthy when the soil alone isn’t meeting its needs, encouraging growth and providing valuable nutrients.  For this reason, many courses fertilize the greens every two weeks with the fairways and tee boxes being fertilized twice annually.

Furthermore, pesticides are also used to ensure the turf remains in prime condition. In particular, maintenance teams will use fungicides to combat the unwanted growth of fungi, which can occur naturally in many environments. Last but not least is the cost of fuel and utilities which we know have increased for us both at the pump and on our water bills. Just watering our lawn and garden is pretty expensive so I can’t imagine the cost of watering a golf course.

Given that labor expenses account for more than half of golf course maintenance costs, what sort of tasks are golf course maintenance teams expected to do?

Putting greens are mowed almost daily
Greens are periodically rolled to improve smoothness
Bunkers are frequently raked to prepare for the day’s play
Hole locations are changed to distribute traffic and add variety to play
Tee markers are moved often to avoid excessive wear
Tee boxes and fairways are mowed several times each week
The rough is mowed multiple times per week
Trash cans, ball washers, and other accessories are replenished
Maintenance costs are directly proportional to the quality of the golf course. Often, pristine courses will be able to charge higher green fees to offset the expense.

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.