Ok, so last week we got a little ahead of ourselves! March is living up to its reputation big time! Enough with the "In like a lion". By now we are all looking forward to "Out like a lamb!". The only good news is the days are getting longer. Dawn will now be on the early side of 7 AM and will continue to creep forward by about 4 minutes a day until late June. With the increased daylight, rising temperatures are sure to follow. The average mean temperature in the North Peace for March is still -5 with lows going as deep as minus 10 and highs topping out at just above freezing. Its not till April that we can expect mean temperatures above freezing. Even then the mercury will not creep much above 8 degrees! Save those shorts for May. March and April might be called shoulder seasons but that doesn't mean you'll get to work on your tan just yet.
Once the snow does begin to melt, managing the moisture will play a big role in how we prep the course for play. An extended thaw freeze cycle for example, can leave turf vulnerable to ice damage. A fast thaw can produce water faster than frozen drainage systems can cope. Large areas of standing water can leave turf susceptible to disease or root rot. Even a gradual thaw may result in grounds that are too soft to deal with mowers or heavy equipment. Spring remains a waiting game. Waiting on the light, the sun, the moisture levels and the grounds crew to provide a playable course can be tough, but when it all comes together, the anticipation will all be worth it!
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