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!