First Annual Winter Classic Long Drive Competition

Fore! The first annual Winter Classic Long Drive Challenge went down last Thursday evening with some big hitters and big snowflakes attending the event. There were 22 competitors that were fired up and ready to hit the links. They just couldn't wait any longer!

It was a different style long drive competition; we had head to head elimination rounds to go through to the finals. This made it a little more interesting going up against somebody Mano-a-Mano.

Finals had the likes of Stephen Masters, Tyson Sauser, and Chad Fawcett to make it, just to name a few. Come podium time it was Richard (3rd Place), Cody Inkster (2nd) and all 5'10, 150 pounds of Erik Stromquist that threw down to take 1st and a brand new Nike 9.5° driver, courtesy of Nevada Bobs Golf shop in Lethbridge, Alberta. Thanks to everyone who came out and supported the event, we raised $170.00 dollars for breast cancer. We also cannot forget all the local businesses that donated prizes including; Panago Pizza, 360 Snow Skate, Tracks Pub, Movie Experts and Uptown Hair Designs.

Franz Unterberger

Water Conservation

How good would it be to cater to the transpiration rate of each species? In our first year Irrigation program with Ian Morrow, we designed a three hole course and put together the most water conservative irrigation systems that you could come up with in those holes. It included individually irrigating zones, separating your fairways from rough, approaches, greens and so on.This looks totally out of the norm right now and is a tough concept to grasp. Water restrictions will gear you towards a set up like this in the not so distant future.

 You will start to see more naturalization and less unneeded turf around your tees. More controlled watering within zone will be accomplished by a higher number of sprinklers with a smaller radius. As water restrictions grow tighter every year, you as a superintendent might have to look at zoning each individual micro climate. Having three to four rows of full circle rotors up the middle of your fairway and part circle rotors to the perimeter will keep the fairway and rough separate to accommodate different transpiration .

Back in the day superintendents didn't really have to be cautious with their watering practices, but times are changing.  We are entering into an environmental sensitive time that  will require us to adopt  styles like this for water conservation. It’s the way of the future and our industry, and we will be seeing more of it.

Franz Unterberger