April 17th Update

I would like to welcome everyone back for another exciting year at Oakfield Golf and Country Club! The winter weather dragged on into April, though it appears spring has arrived with temperatures becoming much warmer last week. Despite the record snow this year (yes, even more than 2015!) we did not have a significant period of time with any ice buildup which was the primary reason for the damage to the greens in 2015. I took samples from multiple greens throughout the winter (as documented in the previous post) and have grown them out in the maintenance shop successfully. This did not guarantee a blemish free golf course, but the signs were promising and proved to be an accurate reflection of the rest of the golf course.

12 Green

5 Green

17 Green

Some of the seasonal employees on the maintenance team have returned as we begin to prepare the golf course for opening. Removing tarps, painting benches, preparing the sand traps etc. will be the focus along with pressurizing the irrigation system for the first time. This week we will look at verticutting the greens and tees to help remove some excess thatch and follow that with a light topdressing of sand. The sand will help fill in the lines left by the verticutter, will help firm the playing surface that is considerably soft and saturated and will also smooth the playing surface considerably as the different species of grass come out of dormancy at different rates depending on weather conditions. Additionally, we will aerate the tees to incorporate more efficient gas exchange and promote greater root development.

Finally, I would like to announce a major addition to the maintenance team for 2017. Mike O’Shea joins as Oakfield’s new Assistant Superintendent. Mike has come to us from the Lost Creek Golf Course where he served as Assistant Superintendent. Mike has been around the game of golf since he was a junior golfer at Hartlen Point and developed a lifelong passion for the game. Over the years he has been employed with a number of courses across Canada. He spent time at Hartlen Point GC; Granite Springs GC, two seasons at Elmridge G&CC, Montreal QC, four seasons at Nicklaus North GC, Whistler BC, two seasons at Brightwood G&CC, and last season with Lost Creek. The peak highlight of his career was his involvement with the 2005 Telus skins game in Whistler, B.C..

Mike has a Diploma in Business Information Tech and a Turf Grass Diploma from Guelph University. With his experience, enthusiasm, and education in the golf industry we are excited to have him as part of our team leading into the 2017 season. Mike looks forward to meeting the members and helping to provide them with their best golf experience at Oakfield Golf Course. 

We are all ready for the 2017 season to get started. I look forward to catching up with our returning members and equally excited in welcoming our new members to the Oakfield Family.