So, a slow starting year has decided it wants to linger with some nice weather going in to fall. Oddly enough I’m not hearing too many people complain unlike our horrible spring.
Looking back over my notes from last year I can’t help but notice the complete opposite weather situation. Last year we were dealing with water restrictions in the spring and this year it was more of a drainage issue. Last fall was a typical damp season while this year we would be quite happy to see a little rain. If we could just convince Mother Nature to work “with us” wouldn’t life be great?
Again this year the unfavorable weather, and economic insecurity of many individuals, resulted in low rounds at many facilities. The nice thing is that the fall is proving to be record breaking nice and with any luck it will bring some people out to all of our respective facilities and save a noticeably dire season.
2011 saw great meeting attendance and participation with 25-40 members present. It is nice to see everyone making it out as we have been fortunate to have had some wonderful speakers; (Trevor Smith spoke on “Change and the Golf Business”, Stan Kazymerchyk of Kwantlen Polytechnic University spoke on “Landscape Projects - Yard Makeovers”, Curtis Zanussi and Yvonne Herbison, both with The WCTA Traveling Annual Road Show (TARS), Marie Thorne, Senior Turf Specialist, Syngenta Crop Protection of Canada Inc. spoke on “Instrata and Civitas” and we had Matt Nelson of Grigg Brothers speak on “Foliar Fertilizers and phosphates”) Once again, thank you to those individuals who have hosted meetings and acquired speakers, it is appreciated by all. 2012 will see more exciting speakers and great education.
We have our AGM slated for November 8th at Gallaghers Canyon Golf & Country Club hosted by Frits Verkerk. I encourage all of our chapter members to attend as there is a fair bit of material to go over and all input is valuable. Also, we will be drawing for the 2012 WCTA conference package from all those individuals that made their 3 meetings and paid their dues on time. Thank you to those who qualify for making the meetings successful. The meeting will run from 10:00am until approximately noon, with a lunch break, and reconvening at 1:00pm. Our guest speaker is Larry Gilhuly of the USGA who will be presenting for approximately 3 hours. Please note the time change as we normally start at 10:30am but have opted for an early start this year. We welcome any and all BCGSA members that might be in the area to join us that day.
Our Interior Fall Wind Up golf tournament is set for Wednesday October 5th at the Penticton Golf and Country Club and promises to be another great event. Thank you to Larry Olson for providing the course for the day and everyone that is assisting with the event.
A big thank you to the Northern Chapter for hosting a wonderful Exchange Tournament, Eric Eriksson and his crew had the Quesnel Golf Course in tip top shape and everyone enjoyed a wonderful day of golf and camaraderie. We look forward to hosting here in the Interior in 2012 and have already started some of the planning.
In closing, I’d like to wish everyone a restful winter to rejuvenate. I hope to see many of you at the various functions that take place in the weeks leading up to the 2012 season, and of course including Victoria for the WCTA conference the end of January.
Respectfully Submitted,
Davin Marr
BCGSA Interior Chapter - President
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