Building A Course is a Major Achievement

April is nearly here, and with it should come the end of the snow and the emergence of some real grass. While Links grounds crew will be scouting the course to assess early spring conditions, many golfers will be turning their attention to the first major championship of the year, the Masters held annually at Augusta National.


Augusta is a fabled course, recognized the world over for its famous holes and playing conditions. The course includes towering pines, and azaleas and dogwoods that seem to bloom on command each spring. Originally an indigo plantation, the property became a nursery in 1837. Operating under the name Fruitland Nurseries, the business imported many types of trees and plants from other countries. The business thrived for more than 50 years but ceased operations in the early 1900's. The property remained stagnant until 1931 when Clifford Roberts and Bobby Jones purchased it for $70,000.Dr. Alister Mackenzie was selected to help Jones design the course, and construction began that summer.


MacKenzie and Jones shared a vision for the course that focused on the concept of risk and reward. Jones believed that no good golf hole should exist that did not afford a proper and convenient solution to the average golfer and the short player, as well as to the more powerful and accurate professional. MacKenzie shared this view stating, "There should be a sufficient number of heroic carries from the tee, but the course should be arranged so that the weaker player with the loss of a stroke or portion of a stroke shall always have an alternative route open to him."

In comparison, Links golf course was the brain child of John Holland. Back in 1988 he wanted to have a place in town where people could feel welcome, play some golf, meet some new friends and have some fun. After locating a suitable plot of land adjoining farm land and the City's Community Forest on the northeast edge of town, John set out to build his dream. Son’s Len and Jim worked with John and wife Rose, to design and build the course. Working on evenings and weekends after their other jobs were finished, they cut trees, cleared brush, dug, scratched and scraped to shape the land for the next four years. The course opened for play in the spring of 1992. Like Bobby Jones, John sought to create a course that would challenge and reward the good player while still offering a fair test to less accomplished patrons.

Rose is now the keeper of the course's history. If you'd like to learn more about how the course was built, or if you'd like to renew or take out a membership for the coming year, the proshop will be open from March 30th to April 12th between the hours of 11am and 6pm. Links will also be at the CKNL Trade Show April 13th to 15th. Here's hoping warmer weather will soon have us all out on the course soon.

A Last Blast From Winter?

Another week has passed and the calendar says we should be seeing signs of spring! Apparently the weather operates on a different schedule, as the course has collected several centimeters of fresh snow. Its what might be found underneath all that white stuff that can cause concern.

Snow mold is usually a worry this time of year. Snow mold is a fungal disease that can appear in early spring as snow melts. There are two types: Grey snow mold (also known as Typhula blight) and pink snow mold (sometimes referred to as Fusarium patch). Pink snow mold infects the crown of the plant and can cause more severe injury than gray snow mold which only infects the leaf tissue.

Snow mold occurs after an extended period of snow cover on ground that is not completely frozen. It can also happen where fertilizer or weather caused a flush of growth late in the fall. Snow mold can also occur under leaves that were not cleaned up or in long grass that wasn't properly mowed before winter set in. Those conditions are usually found in the rough or areas most golfers want to avoid. Its the tees and greens that get our attention first.

This year's lack of snow cover in February likely means the ground has freeze dried. Early freeze thaw cycles mean rather than snow mold, there's more likely a layer of ice to contend with. This layer won't disappear until temperatures stay above freezing for an extended stretch of time. When ice cover remains in place for more than 30 days cells in the grass plants will rupture and the plants will die! Hopefully the current cold snap is short lived!

In an ideal world the snow would vanish over night and be instantly replaced with beautiful green grass. While we all know that's not going to happen, it shouldn't be long now before we hear the gurgling of spring run off and bid winter a final farewell! Another sure sign of spring is Ft St John's annual Trade Show. Be sure to visit the Links booth April 13 - 15 to renew your membership for the coming season!  Can't wait till then? Call Rose or Len at the Pro shop at 250 785 9995 and make arrangements to drop by early to get the jump on pre season deals! Until next week, here's hoping for warmer weather and early opportunities to get out on the Links!

March - In Like A Lion.......

What a difference a few days can make. After commenting last week about how little snow cover was left on the course, this weekend has reminded everyone that the snow tires will need to be out a while longer! Looking outside this morning it looks pretty white out there, but spring is coming and the grounds crew are ready. As previously mentioned last week I'll be looking forward to pulling the protective covers off the greens and tees and assessing the course for winter damage.

When it comes to covering or uncovering grass timing is very important. To survive winter temperatures grass needs t to "harden" off and acclimate to colder temperatures back in the fall. Pulling the blankets at the wrong time can also result in weak or damaged grass. Anyone who has spent any time in the Peace country knows that our wildly unpredictable weather can make it a challenge to determine when its the right time to pull the covers.

Moisture is the principal culprit when it comes to winter damage. Too much too early leads to ice cover and winter kill. Too little too late and plants dry out and die. Snow cover that provides insulation through the winter and valuable moisture in the spring can also provide good growing conditions for snow mould. Grey snow mould is a common disease of turfgrasses in areas where there are over 90 days of continuous snow cover during the winter. As with most problems, its better to prevent mould than to have to fix it later! Hopefully Len's work last  fall  will see us get off to a great start this spring. The wild card this year has been our bouts of warm weather. The freeze thaw cycle, usually reserved for late March and April, came early this year, and the return to more seasonal temperatures now, leaves the course facing icy conditions!

While waiting on Mother Nature golfers can ease the anticipation by upgrading their equipment or purchasing a membership for the coming season. Come see the Links staff at the trade show April 13 - 15 at the Pomeroy Sport Centre, or call Len or Rose at 250 785 - 9995 to check out deals at the pro shop. Whether we work outside or in,  Links staff are looking forward to the new season!

Welcome to A New Season

Welcome to a new year of Making the Cut! This year the blog will continue offer information about what's happening outside at the Fort St John Links Golf course. As the guy who cuts the greens (most of the time anyways) it will be my pleasure to keep you informed about whats happening out on the course. This year Making the Cut is expanding its focus to include news from the inside staff as well. I'm hoping to make the blog a one stop information center for members and friends of the Links!

Right now whats happening is a whole lot of very little. In early March the course is still solidly under layers of snow and ice. Parts of the course have been exposed by warmer weather and steady winter winds. That's not necessarily a good thing though. Snow provides some valuable moisture to promote spring growth. Last year at this time there was still several inches of the white stuff all over the course. This year, the freeze thaw cycle has already begun.

When the last of the snow does go the grounds crew will have a lot of work ahead. Blankets will need to be pulled from the greens and tees and turf condition will need to be assessed for winter damage. This year the concerns will be over wind burn and ice damage. In some places cross country ski tracks may also have left their marks. If all goes well though opening day should come towards the end of April.

The inside staff are gearing up for another season too. Jeff has already sent out the first notice for the planning of this year's men's commercial league. Rose and Len are preparing for this year's membership renewal and registration drive. The 40th Annual CKNL Trade Show being held  April 13, 14 & 15 usually signals the unofficial start to the Links season. Be sure to get your membership then or by contacting Rose at the clubhouse between 11 AM and 6 PM, March 30th - April 12th.

The clubhouse is already open for preseason shopping weekdays from 5 PM to 6 PM or on Saturdays from 1 PM until 3. Check the Links website at fortstjohnlinks.com for more details and information.

Weekly blog updates will be posted on Sunday's from now until opening day, and then more frequently through out the season. Its great to be back. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone out on the course just as soon as there's a need to be Making the Cut!