Hurry Up and Wait

Recently brilliant sunshine and rising temperatures, coupled with media coverage of major tournaments on both the men's and women's professional tours is increasing anticipation for the day local courses open for play. While it is nice to finally see some sun, this shoulder season is actually a high risk period for local courses as they deal with repeated freeze thaw cycles.


The freeze thaw cycle exists when day time temperatures that produce good melting conditions for existing snow packs are offset by evening temperatures below freezing. Situated in latitudes between the the far north and southern Canada, the Peace country experiences more of these days than the rest of BC; the freeze/thaw cycle repeats itself more than 70 times annually with more than half of those instances coming in the spring.

Repeated freezing and thaw cycles are hard on golf courses. The repeated creation and melting of ice crystals causes the extreme weathering that creates potholes and damage to course infrastructure such as cart paths and tee boxes. The real threat, however, is to the grass. Dormant under a protective layer of snow, grass is sensitive to warmer temperatures and literally comes to life. Repeated exposure to ice can cause new plant cells to rupture and the grass to die. 

Extended ice cover is equally damaging.  Once roused from dormancy grass, like all living things, begins to breathe. If ice cover prevents  proper air exchange from occurring, a build up of carbon monoxide can occur and the plants will suffocate. Where surface temperatures rise and cause the snow to melt from the bottom up, air pockets can form providing the moist warm dark conditions conducive to snow molds. Where warm winds remove the snow cover too quickly, evaporation can deny the plants necessary moisture and the grass will be wind burnt, dessicated or freezer burned.

So what's the answer? Patience continues to be the name of the game. Nature operates to its own timetable and human attempts to speed the process can often lead to unexpected and costly consequences. Left to its own devices nature will find a balance. Grounds crews need to take their lead from the hand nature deals and where necessary, provide restorative assistance, rather than try to rush the process.


Traditionally Links has targeted the third weekend in April for opening. Given that there are five weekends in April this year, Easter seems a reasonable target. Hopefully the Easter Bunny brings great growing conditions as one of his Easter treats. Until then, local golfers have lots of time to assess their equipment, prepare for the season and purchase memberships at the upcoming trade show. As soon as nature allows we'll be ready too!