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!