|
GOLF QUOTE
Obviously a deer on the fairway has seen you tee off before and knows that the safest place to be when you play is right down the middle.
Jackie Gleason
|
|
|
|
THE FORWARD PRESS
Cordova Bay's March
Newsletter
| 
|
|
|
Welcome to our Spring Edition of The Forward Press.
Although the weather isn't looking good at this time... we know it's almost that special time of year when the flowers are blooming and the golf course will be drying up to perfection. With the arrival of spring comes the yearly maintenance both on the golf course and in your own back yard, but trust us, it's worth it!
If you're wanting to learn about some springtime garden or golf course maintenance, how to practice to your best ability, or how to pick the perfect wine, you've come to the right place.
In our opinion, the best part about the arrival of spring? Only 33 days until Masters week!
|
|
|
 |
|
FLOWERS OF THE BAY
Coming soon to a golf course near you...
by Emily Richardson, Horticulturalist
| 
|
|
Several moments in the past few weeks have left me doubting the inevitability of spring. Although the calendar says one thing, the forecast and the rain gauges often say another. Hopefully brighter days are right around the corner!
Here and there a few brave daffodils and hyacinths have forced their way onto display, and with every passing day another bud breaks, adding colour to our landscape.
| 
|
|
This is a busy time for any gardener regardless of garden size, type or style. Planting vegetable seeds, getting on top of emerging weeds and raking away the last of winter debris are all tasks to consider.
|
|
Pruning our fuchsias is a considerable spring task here at the course. These are taken down to one or two buds to encourage strong new growth and beautiful blooms. Other perennials or ornamental grasses can also be pruned back or cut down at this time of year.
Roses are a great example of this; shrub roses can be cut to 12-18 inches and later fed with a balanced fertilizer when the buds are emerging to promote plant health. Dividing large or established perennials can help to rejuvenate the plant and improve performance throughout the season.
|
|
March brings many beautiful flowers into bloom, and the "rhodo" show is something that will showcase that throughout the month. Rhododendrons are scattered around the course, but the biggest showcase can be seen beside the third green. Years ago these specimens were chosen and planted to bloom in succession, offering staggered colour throughout the season.
|
|
You may have already noticed the early rhodos on sixteen tee which offered a hint of things to come through rainy February. To keep our rhodos beautiful we sprinkle a handful of Epsom salts at the base of each rhodo plant. This spring time routine offers the plants magnesium for foliage colour and nutrition.
| 
|
|
While you are busy managing your perennials and shrubs, it is a good time to prepare for your summer blooms by planting summer bulbs like gladiolas or lilies and sowing your wildflower seeds. Remember to keep an eye out for slugs as your new shoots starts to emerge - juicy, fresh growth is a favourite for these pests and other four-legged ones, like deer and bunnies!
|
|
From the grand magnolias to the miniscule grape hyacinths, the golf course is littered with spring gems. See what you can spot throughout the month of March, both on the property and in your own back yard!
| 
|
|
MAINTENANCE UPDATE - Water Management
by Dean Piller, Superintendent
| 
|
|
With less than two weeks until daylight savings is upon us, the maintenance department is busy in all aspects of our management programs. Looking back on the very hot and dry summer we had last year, we have fine-tuned our management programs in preparation of the upcoming dry summer months.
|
|
Our water management can be broken down into 4 distinct variables from which our management programs are developed, monitored and implemented. A closer look at these variables are always helpful in understanding the different management strategies we use from year to year.
|
|
1. Irregation Delivery:
First and foremost in water management is the irrigation delivery during periods of drought. The distribution of water is measured to calculate Distribution Uniformity or DU; this measurement provides information on how good the irrigation system is at delivering uniform water distribution over the property. It is not uncommon for golf course irrigation systems to have a DU of under 80%. This means that over the period of an irrigation season there will be a 20% difference in water delivery from one spot to the next. This discrepancy leads to some areas being too dry and other areas being overwatered.
|
|
|
With this understanding, all work that we perform on our present irrigation system is focused on improving the Distribution Uniformity or evenness of water delivery to our turf. Last winter all sprinkler heads were replaced and evenly spaced around our nineteen Bay Greens, which allows for uniform water distribution. This winter we began replacing and spacing all tee sprinklers on our Bay Course, once complete we anticipate several improvements to irrigation delivery which will equate to water savings.
| 
|
|
2. Soil Management:
Second on our list of water management practices are programs designed to manage localized dry spots or hydrophobic soil conditions. Hydrophobic soil conditions are created when an organic acid is formed on soil and sand particles, producing a waxy coating that has neither a positive or negative charge. This neutral charge makes the soil resistant to accepting or holding onto any water molecules. This winter, in preparation for the upcoming irrigation season, our maintenance programs have included the application of organic acid strippers that will remove this harmful waxy coating from organic and sand particles in our soil profile. This will improve the soil's ability to accept and hold on to the irrigation water.
|
|
Third on our list of water management practices are programs that focus on overall plant nutrition. Plant nutrition affects our turfs ability to function properly during periods of high heat and radiation stress. Five years ago we began using a fertilizer product line that delivers the nutrition required to maintain very healthy turf with extremely low application rates of nutrition.
|
|
When plants are growing during periods of minimal environmental stresses, they are happily photosynthesizing, producing amino acids (plant proteins) and sending energy reserves to the plant's root system. When environmental stresses occur due to high heat or cold stress, plants begin to consume reserves from their storage bank. Once these reserves are depleted, severe stress and turf loss can occur. We utilize our fertilizers to provide us with the tools to fine tune our strategies and supply the plants with the nutrition they need.
|
|
4. Water Quality Management:
Fourth on our list of water management practices are the treatment methods that affect and improve our irrigation water quality. We have installed Magnets on both our pump stations to reduce the surface tension of the water which greatly improves the infiltration rate of the water. The water's ability to adhere to soil particles also improves, and maximizes the uptake of applied water to the soil.
| 
|
There are certainly a lot of variables involved in irrigation application and soil water management. Although this article just touches the surface of how complex soil moisture management is at Cordova Bay, I hope the article creates an understanding of the lengths we go to during the irrigation season to conserve water and provide good playing conditions for our players.
|
|
|
PRO-SPECTIVE
Taking your swing to the course.
by Corey Lowe, PGA of Canada
|
|
|
Why can't I bring my swing from the range to the course?
When many people think about practicing or having a lesson, they immediately think of the driving range. However there are many other ways to practice or learn the game away from the range.
|
|
As coaches, we are always looking for innovative ways for students to learn. This can apply to the way in which you're practicing, or even the area in which you're doing so.
I recently came across a quote that pertains to exactly that and it grabbed my attention...
You learn basketball on the basketball court; you learn tennis on the tennis court; why wouldn't you learn golf on the golf course?
|
|
It makes sense doesn't it?
Learning golf on the field of play has so many benefits. It gives you and your brain an opportunity to create and imagine your shots in a 'real life' situation. It also ensures that the practice you are doing is 100% relevant to the skill you want to improve.
|
|
A great exercise to work on your bunker shots is "The Bunker Game" up at the Ridge. Your goal in this game is to aim at a bunker on each hole and hit it in the bunker off every tee. If you miss the bunker, you have to chip your ball into it, which will cost you a stroke. From there you hit your bunker shot and finish the hole, trying for the lowest score.
This exercise will do a few things for your game; it will help you focus on specific targets off the tee and a small one at that! It will also allow you to hit your practice bunker shots during a 'real game' like experience. You will hit less shots as compared to dumping 30 balls in a bunker, but you will have a more focused and valuable practice session.
| 
|
|
For the coming season we have set up a few different ways for students to engage in some on course learning.
|
|
All of our group instruction takes place exclusively on the golf course.
- March Ladies Only Classes
- Get Golf Ready
- A great way to knock off the rust from last season and for new golfers to learn the fundamentals of the game. Fore more information click here.
- Short Game University
- A 3 week program to enhance your skills on the course and around the greens. For more information click here.
All of our individual private lessons can be taken on both our Bay or Ridge courses, along with our Ridge course practice facility.
|
Corey Lowe
Class A Teaching Professional
Flight Scope Challenge
Our Flight scope is a great way to test your game, and see how accurate you truely are. For more information on this 'challenge'.. click here!
|
|
|
BILL MATTICK'S - Does Vintage Matter?
by Grant Soutar, Restaurant Manager
| 
|
|
Last month we looked at the effect of regional climates on the variation of wines from vintage to vintage. We saw that marginal growing regions such as Burgundy can have vastly different weather conditions from year to year, and thus produce different qualities and quantities of grapes.
2008 was a year that saw harsh weather conditions leading to poor yield and quality. Does this mean there are no good wines from Burgundy for the 2008 vintage? Far from it. With a bit of effort, and likely cash, it is possible to find some great 2008 Burgundy wines.
How does this happen?
|
|
In poor seasons the most important factor for consumers is who produced the wine and how. As I mentioned last month, weather conditions can vary between different slopes or vineyards within a small area. Even though 2008 was a difficult year, some vineyards would have been spared the hail and late season rain, and therefore would have seen enough of the sun to bring their grapes to ripeness.
The ability to produce a good or even great wine in a poor season depends on the time, effort and money a winemaker is willing to put to the task. In poor years not all the grapes will be of poor quality, but getting at the good grapes is the difficulty.
| 
|
|
The harvesting of wine grapes is one of the most crucial steps in the process of winemaking. Large volume grape growing tends to occur on flatter land and is highly mechanized. Mechanical harvesters pick grapes by beating the vines causing them to drop their grapes onto a conveyor belt. The advantage is that a mechanical harvester can run 24hrs per day and can harvest up to 4.5 tons of grapes per hour.
Unfortunately, it is difficult for the machine to distinguish between ripe, unripe and spoiled or broken grapes, which is that much more important during a poor weather year. Nor can it remove materials other than grapes (MOG) such as leaves, stems and the odd critter - these tasks are left to sorters at the winery.
Although the newer machines are better, mechanical harvesters cause a significant portion of grapes to split, allowing the juice to contact the skins and stems which imparts unwanted colour and tannins to some wine. Still, the reduction in cost is significant and is the major reason we can find $8 bottles of wine.
|
|
Hand harvesting, though expensive and time consuming, allows for the harvesting of only the best quality grapes since pickers can leave behind bunches with under ripe or rotten fruit. It is in the toughest weather years that this process can have its greatest effect. Weeding out the under ripe grapes will prevent the final product from being overly acidic, and eliminating the rotten grapes can help prevent tainted flavours in the finished product.
| 
|
|
The vineyard is not the only place winemakers can improve the product of a bad growing season. There are techniques and decisions within the winery that make it possible to manipulate the wine post-harvest.
|
|
Although some regions prohibit these practices, sugar or acid can be added to improve the resulting wine. Other decisions include what yeast or what kind of oak to use and whether to use processes like Malolactic Fermentation (MLF) or reverse osmosis. MLF is a secondary fermentation that softens the acidity in wine by converting the sharper flavoured malic acid into softer tasting lactic acid. Reverse Osmosis is a process that allows winemakers to manipulate the wine in one of two directions.
| 
|
1. In under ripe fruit, from poor years or cold climates, the process can increase the sugar level in the juice prior to winemaking.
2. Conversely when using over ripe fruit the process removes excess alcohol in the finished product. As grapes ripen, along with developing luscious fruit flavours, the acids in their juice are converted to sugars. The riper the grape, the more sugar and the more sugar, the higher the alcohol in the wine. Too much alcohol can cause the wine to taste bitter. Reverse Osmosis allows the winemaker to retain the robust fruit flavour while reducing the alcohol.
|
|
Essentially all producers will sell wine in every vintage. The best producers will find a way to put out good or even great wine no matter the season. From these producers the vintage effect is in the volume of product and the price. Their quality will remain consistent year to year.
|
|
Other producers will take what nature provides and produce what wine they can. They may not have the finances to spend on higher labour costs in the vineyard or the winery. They also may not have the skills, equipment or time to manipulate the wine in the winery or allow for longer aging before bringing their product to market. Therefore, for these producers the quality may suffer during difficult years. Under ripe grapes may produce overly acidic wines and grapes picked during fall rains can absorb too much water and may produce thin, less flavourful wines.
|
|
Unfortunately, the final answer to the original question "does vintage matter?" is still a bit ambiguous. It really does depend. Quality of vintage matters when the wine is produced in marginal growing regions and when produced by marginal winemakers. Vintage is less important if it is from a consistent climate region (California, Australia, Argentina) and/or by a quality winemaker, no matter the region.
| 
|
|
The greatest effect vintage will have on the consumer is in the ability to find good or great quality wines at reasonable prices. It is still worthwhile to check vintage charts before trying something new, just remember they are only a general rule. You can still find good wines from bad years and bad wines from good years, it will just take a bit of research!
|
Grant Soutar Restaurant Manager
|
|
|
|
CANADIAN ANTI-SPAM LEGISLATION
As of July 1, 2014 a new legislation was put in place to combat spam marketing and email.
Cordova Bay fully supports this legislation and wants to make sure all of our emails are sent to those wishing to receive them. We hope you continue to read our newsletter, but if you wish to unsubscribe we always provide this option in all of our communications. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact us at [email protected].
Cordova Bay Golf Course
|
|
Copyright � 2015. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
