- Greens Committee ToR
- 2020 Greens Issues log
- 2020 Projects
- 2019 Projects
- 2019 Greens Issues Log
- 2019 Ice Cover
- Flood 2019
- 2018 Projects
- 2018 Rough Length
- Tree Policy
- Graham Cooke Report 2021
- 2021 Greens Issues Log
- 2021 Projects
- 2022 Projects
- 2023 Projects
- 2023 Greens Committee
- 2022 Greens Issues log
- 2024 Projects
Terms of Reference for the MGC Greens Committee
These Terms of Reference were approved by the Board of Directors on January 22, 2019 and are posted on the Members section of the Club’s website. Any changes or revisions must be approved by the Board.
Greens Committee Members
The Committee will be made up of the following permanent members:
- The current Director of Greens who will act as the Committee Chair
- The Ladies’ current second year Co-Captain
- The current Men’s Captain
- The Greens Superintendent
There will also be two non-permanent members, who will be appointed for a one-year period by the Committee Chair in consultation with the Club Captains. They may be re-appointed. They will be:
- An active member from the ladies’ membership
- An active member from the men’s’ membership
The Club Pro-Manager will participate in the Committee as an observer.
The Committee should reflect a variation in golfing abilities and demographics to ensure that decisions and recommendations benefit the majority of the golfing membership.
Role and Responsibilities of the Greens Committee
The Greens Committee of the Club is an advisory committee that shall serve to assist the Board of Directors and its officers by providing recommendations for course maintenance practices as well as short-term and long-range initiatives.
The Greens Committee will assist in ensuring that golf course maintenance remains a high priority. The Committee will not be involved in the day-to-day management of the course.
The Committee may make recommendations regarding the communication of course maintenance practices, as well as planned maintenance programs and activities. These communications will be educational and factual and posted on the Club’s website.
Committee members must be available to actively participate in scheduled Committee meetings. They must be approachable and able to communicate the concerns of the membership to the Committee, as well as provide members with news and updates from the Committee.
Committee members must keep up to date on golfers’ concerns, questions and comments about the golf course and help address concerns as they arise.
The Committee can recommend revisions to this document for the approval of the Board of Directors.
Role and Responsibilities of the Greens Committee Chair
The Greens Committee Chair will be the current Director of Greens as elected to the Board of Directors.
The Chair will be responsible to effectively communicate concerns, issues and recommendations of the Committee to the Board for consideration.
The Chair will also have the following responsibilities:
- Organize and hold regular meetings of the Committee. Meetings should focus on broad-based issues and concerns about maintenance practices, the development and implementation of short-term and long-range plans.
- With the Superintendent and Committee members, develop and maintain golf course maintenance practices. These course practices will be posted on the Club’s website.
- With the Superintendent, develop an annual plan which will outline the proposed improvement projects for the course for the upcoming season. Once approved by the Board, the plan will be reviewed with the Committee and posted on the Members section of the Club’s website.
- Recommend that the course maintenance calendar be coordinated with the golf schedule.
- Be acquainted with the problems and the functions of the golf course Superintendent. Establish good two-way communication with the Superintendent.
- Act as the primary Board of Directors contact for the Superintendent.
- Act as a liaison with golf course members, Board of Directors, the Club Pro-Manager, pro shop, other committees and the Superintendent with respect to course operations.
- Assist the Superintendent in an advisory, budgetary and policy-making capacity. Make sure the Superintendent has the necessary resources to fulfill his mandate.
- Ensure that documented practices are in place to allow for the closure the golf course at any time because of adverse weather or turf conditions and restricting the use of golf carts when conditions justify.
- Ensure that a Discussion Items Log is maintained for the Committee meetings and is updated and current.
Jan 22, 2019
2020 Completed Course Projects
Owing to the financial uncertainty associated with Covid-19, no major course projects were planned or undertaken in 2020. However, despite the financial constraints the following minor course projects were completed:
Drainage
- On holes 3, 4, 7 and 14
- On holes 12, left of the first fairway bunker and in the bunker
- On hole 15, right side approach
Steps and Retaining Walls
- Rebuilt steps on # 6 white and gold tees
- Rebuilt steps on # 9 white tee
- Installed a retaining wall along the river at the R/H cart path on # 18
- Rebuilt the steps on t# 4 the gold tee and repaired the steps on the blue tee
- Straightened and leveled the retaining wall around the white tee boxes on holes # 10 and # 17
- Re-sloped top retaining wall on the right-hand side of the lower clubhouse entrance
Tees
Tree and Brush Trimming/ Removal
- Ground 46 tree stumps
- Cut back the vegetation along the edge of the swamp on # 6 and leveled the area
- The brush on the right side of the # 12 fairway at the corner, along the river on the # 18 fairway and along the water on # 16 fairway
Miscellaneous
- Cleaned out the creek in front of the 10th tee and rebuilt the stone walls
- Cleaned out the creek on # 18
- Relocated the totem pole carving from # 8 fairway to the flag pole area at the club house
- Built a mound on # 8 fairway and planted an Oak tree
- Clean out the garden below the practice green and rebuilt the stone garden walls
From the Greens Superintendent and the Greens Director, November 13, 2020
2019 Completed Course Projects
Owing to the additional workload to repair the spring flood damage not all originally planned projects were completed. However, over the 2019 season the following projects were completed:
Repair of Course Damage from the flooding
- Clean-up of debris on # 16 and repair of cart path
- The cart path over the culverts on R/H side of #1
- The covered bridge on # 5
- The washed-out bridge on L/H side of # 18
- The washed out 8-inch irrigation line across # 18 fairway
- The washed-out right-hand cart path on the # 18
- Many asphalt and cart-path washouts over culverts
Drainage
- Behind the # 3 green
- Along the L/H side of # 13 tee
Cart Paths
- Edging, leveling and the addition of granular A to all paths
Tees
- Enlargement of the # 2 L/H white tee
- Sodding of the # 4 white and blue tees
- Finished rebuilding slope, seeding and sodding of the # 18 blue tee
Tree and Bush Trimming/ Removal
- Removed 24 dead trees around the course
- Removed the hedge by the pull cart storage area
- Trimmed the hedge on the green side of # 5
- Three areas of brush opened up along the R/H side of # 4 fairway from the ropes to the green
- Cleaned out brush along the R/H side and behind of # 5 green and the R/H side of # 6
Miscellaneous
- Rebuilt the garden rock wall around the back of the clubhouse
- Rebuilt the Patent fence behind the # 5 green
From the Greens Superintendent and the Greens Director, November 16, 2020
January 2019 Ice Cover
Most of the golf course has had ice cover since very late December and early January. There have been many fluctuations in temperature all winter with very little snow cover. We are hoping for an early spring to help rid this ice or we may have a tough spring recovering.
The majority of our course is made up of Poa Annua, with bent grass and Kentucky blue grass mixed in. Poa Annua can survive under ice cover from between 60-75 days; it also has a medium low temp hardiness. Comparatively bentgrass can survive approximately 120 days under ice and has superior resistance to low temperature stress. Most bluegrasses fall in between these two rankings. Rarely does one stress cause extreme damage. Several other factors include ice suffocation, crown hydration, low temperature injury or desiccation.
Recent studies indicate that annual bluegrass is more sensitive to low oxygen levels than creeping bentgrass, and that low oxygen levels cause greater turf stress than high CO2 levels.
This is why we have begun blowing air into nine of our greens bi-weekly.
To the Mississippi Golf Club Membership
August 19, 2019
Hello Everyone.
As we all know the 2019 golf season was late starting because of the Mississippi spring flooding.
Many of you saw the flooding first hand or through pictures. However many probably did not see the actual damage to the course which was substantial.
The club has made an application to the Ontario Government Disaster Recovery Assistance fund. To support our application a set of photos has been compiled.
2018 Completed Course Projects
Over the 2018 season the following projects were completed..
Drainage
- Left side of # 1 tee
- In front of # 2 ladies tee
- Bottom of hill on # 3 fairway
- Left side of # 3 green
- 50 yards out in front of # 10 green (runs across fairway)
- In front of # 12 tee
- In front of # 13 green
- Culvert work between the # 13 green and the # 14 men’s tees to improve drainage along the right-hand side of the # 13 fairway
- Put in proper drainage for our wash pad
Bunkers
- Rebuilt bunker in front on # 1 green
- Rebuilt bunker on left side of # 4 green
- Rebuilt bunker on right side of # 18 green
- Re-sodded exits (for bunker machine) on several traps
- Rebuilt and re-sodded front edge of front bunker on # 3
Tees
- Releveled and re-sodded the #7 yellow and white tee box
- Brought the sides up around the #18 blue tee to improve safety
Tree Trimming/ Removal
- Removed several dead trees around the course
- Removed trees behind # 5 green
- Limbed up trees on left side of # 6 fairway
- Removed trees right side of # 9 fairway
- Limbed up and removed trees on right side of # 18 fairway (close to green)
Irrigation
- Removed 280 old quick couplers/popups from all fairways. There are still more around greens and tees and in the rough that need to be removed.
- Re-sodded along new irrigation lines on #s 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9
Gardens
- Renovated and replanted the garden on #10 tees
The Rough in 2018
The following was in response to a question from a lady member concerning the length of the rough, particularly during weekend play.
We have been cutting the primary rough at a length of 2.50 inches with the Monday through Thursday schedule for the last four years since we got our latest mower. With our old mower we were cutting the rough at 3.0 inches. With the undulations and unevenness in the rough, the 2.50 inch length prevents the mower from scalping areas which would then be more susceptible to weeds, insects and disease. Also the 2.50 inch length helps prevent the rough from drying out and burning in dry periods.
In 2018, the rough was particularly tough, even for the men. This was because of the hot humid weather we experienced, was ideal for encouraging growth. We were not watering the rough more. This year the growing conditions were so ideal that even the driving range was green with active growth throughout the whole summer, which was unusual as in a normal season the grass goes dormant.
We will monitor the rough situation in the 2019 season.
Tree Policy
Introduction
According to the USGA:
“Trees are a significant component of most American golf course landscapes. Good quality tree species, planted in the proper locations, can be spectacular and functional golf course features for decades. On the other hand, poor-quality or ill-advised tree plantings can be a nightmare for the golf course and those who manage it. It is always disappointing to see new tree plantings that are destined to fail because too little thought was given to species selection and placement. Taking a casual attitude toward planting and maintaining trees without considering the long-range implications and expenses is a waste of both time and money. It takes a specialized knowledge of trees, golf course architecture, and sun angles to properly locate and arrange tree plantings, and it can be a challenging task, even for experienced professionals.”
Trees are an important asset for the Mississippi. They are a benefit to the environment and provide beauty to the golf course. They frame the course, helping to define tees, fairways, greens, and bordering properties. They also contribute to the strategy used when playing a hole. They protect golfers, not only by offering shade on those hot sunny summer days, but also from wayward golf shots. While trees are a tremendous asset, they can also contribute to turf problems and in some instances may pose risks to health and property. Greenside trees that drop leaves, sticks, fruit and bark lead to costly and time-consuming cleanup efforts plus frustration to the golfer trying to make that tough putt.
Over the past number of years, the Mississippi has lost a number of beautiful old mature trees to Mother Nature through wind damage and lightning strikes. We have also lost many trees to Dutch elm disease and the Emerald Ash Borer.
However, problems associated with trees can be effectively dealt with through proper care and management of the trees.
Trimming and Removing Trees
The decision to remove a tree is not taken lightly, but when a tree is infected by Dutch elm disease or the Emerald Ash Borer it must be removed.
Trees that shade playing surfaces, particularly greens, and cause turf deterioration and maintenance issues will be pruned or removed.
Trees with aggressive surface roots that are damaging turf or cart paths will be removed.
Trees that are a potential hazard or impact safety including sight lines will be trimmed or removed.
Every effort will be made to preserve trees of strategic importance to the course layout however those that interfere with play due to overgrowth will be trimmed.
Recommended Trees for the Mississippi
Within budget restraints, we will strive to continually replace trees lost to age, disease and weather, with the objective of maintaining a treed landscape.
Based on the soil conditions and weather at the Mississippi, the following types of trees are recommended for planting. The trees will be in the height range of 6 to 8 feet.
- Red Oak
- Amur Maple
- Hackberry
- Ivory Silk Japanese Lilac
- Greenspire Linden
- White Spruce
- White Oak
When trees are planted, adequate space must be provided between them to ensure they remain healthy, turf conditions are not impacted and golfers have plenty of room to play. The size of the tree as it matures must be considered when planting.
Financing the Planting of Trees
Each year, the Greens Superintendent and the Greens Director will determine the number of trees to be planted in the coming year. The cost of the trees, approximately $200 each, will be budgeted for in the coming year’s budget.
A member can request and pay for the planting of a tree. The location for the new tree must be mutually agreed upon with the Greens Superintendent and the member.
2022 Completed Course Projects
The following course projects were completed in 2022:
Facilities
- Constructed concrete pads and Installed the two portable Fuzio washrooms with solar power systems
Tee Boxes
- Built a new retaining wall at the back of the 11th L/H tee box
- Built new Red tee boxes on holes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 9
- Rebuilt the retaining wall of the 5th tee box
- Restored the 5th tee box following the retaining wall work
Steps, Retaining Walls and Fences
- Replaced the trellis on the 13th tee box
Miscellaneous
- River clean up and constructed wall at the 17th Gold tee box
- Trimmed and cleaned up the cedar hedge along the 7th tee box
- Planted 22 new trees and 16 sapling pine trees
- Course cleanup following the May wind storm
From the Greens Superintendent and the Greens Director, January 17, 2023
The following course projects were completed in 2023.
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Completed 2023 Projects
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Traps
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Tee Boxes
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Drainage
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Cart Paths
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Miscellaneous
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Tree Work
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Jan 23, 2024 V2
The 2023 Greens Committee members are:
Don McLeay - Committee Chair
Deb Wallingford
Joanne Palmer
Kevin Murray
Gary Hobin
Kyle Hudson
2024 MISSISSIPPI GOLF CLUB COURSE PROJECTS
The following 2024 Course Projects were approved by MGC Board of Directors Nov. 14, 2024
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Projects |
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Traps
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Tee Boxes
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Drainage
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Cart Paths
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Greens
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Top Dressing of Fairways
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Miscellaneous
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Maintenance Shelter
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(N) – Proposed new project for 2024
(CO-23) - Project carried over from 2023.
(CO-22) - Project carried over from 2022.
(CO-21) - Project carried over from 2021 owing to the manpower constraints.
(CO-20) - Project carried over from 2020 owing to the financial uncertainly associated with Covid-19.
(CO-19) –Project carried over from 2019 owing to the additional workload to repair the flood damage.
