New for 2022 at Kelowna Springs

After a busy and challenging year, Kelowna Springs is beginning to wind down our 2021 season as well as forecast what 2022 will bring. We always strive to maintain the course to a level that allows for a great experience and the desire to return and play again. The next items are goals and tasks that we will implement in attempt to improve playing conditions… Read more »

Kelowna Springs Year End-Plan 2021

To wrap up what has been a very busy but productive year, we have 3 major tasks to finish of 2021. Finish off the project on #1 tee Our goal with this project was to re-establish a solid pond wall bank, alter some of the growing medium of the tee decks, the irrigation surrounding the area, as well as develop a nice showcase hardscape as… Read more »

Pond Maintenance at Kelowna Springs

Our ponds offer more than just a nice view! Have you ever wondered how the water quality is maintained? Last year we installed a bio boost, sub-surface, aerator system to our 5th hole pond to increase the water’s oxygen. The aerator system uses the power of oxygen to achieve clean, healthy pond water. Here’s why: An aerator adds air at the bottom of the water… Read more »

Bunker Restoration at Kelowna Springs

As a follow up to our blog about the Naturalization of Kelowna Springs Golf Course we also wanted to share with our golfers our goals and plans for bunker restoration. Although the new rules of golf changes now allow us to ground our clubs in the bunker, we still aren’t allowed to take a practice swing to test the feel of the sand. We also… Read more »

Naturalizing Kelowna Springs

In order to continue and grow our strong commitment toward environment stewardship, Kelowna Springs started a course naturalization project in the fall of 2014 and we are not alone. According to a recent USGA funded survey 46% of US golf courses are increasing their average of naturalized areas. Naturalizing areas on a golf course is not simply for the purpose of easier maintenance. At Kelowna… Read more »

New Golf Season!

New Golf Season!   Coming off of a great 2018 for turf conditions, weather, camaraderie and enjoyment, we prepare and plan for the 2019 Season with excitement.  Having the full support from our membership was also key in making it a great season. We have been able to perform several “big” on course tasks with very little set back to play. Some examples of this… Read more »

Feeling the Pressure?

Feeling the Pressure? During the past off-season, I wrote in this blog space about “grip pressure”. I spent the better part of the winter months ensuring I had a golf club in my hands as frequently as possible, primarily to maintain familiarity and feel. The two keys for me were: The placement of my hands on the golf club – to establish a new, “stronger”… Read more »

Rakes

Rakes You may think rakes are a boring topic, and not worthy of a one or two minute read. When golfers show up to play in the morning, the grounds crew has often freshly raked the bunkers (either by machine, or by hand). Ideally, the rakes are placed in the middle of the bunker to make it easier for the golfer to ‘rake their way… Read more »

Goose Management

Kelowna Springs Goose Management As we all are aware, geese can be a nuisance.  They can distract one from enjoying their golf experience. They can be a safety concern, as – like any animal, they will protect themselves when cornered. We do our best throughout the season to tidy up their messes. This ranges from mowing the tuffs of grass, to removing their droppings and… Read more »

A Year of Extremes

A Year of Extremes 2017 has had some extreme weather patterns thus far – from high volumes of snow, to heavy rains, to extreme heat and to smoke cover.  As daunting as it seems, we feel that it confirms which of our practices are sound, and where we need to make adjustments to really dial in the conditions of the golf course. With the high… Read more »