Real time weather

For realtime weather at the golf course check out the Davis webpage

http://www.weatherlink.com/user/bc1792/

Water Smartweed

One of the golf course members was asking me about this aquatic plant that is on the 15th hole and I did a little research and found out that it is called Water Smartweed.

Water Smartweed - POLAMP
Polygonum amphibium
This aquatic plant is relished by waterfowl that eat the seeds in the fall. It has pink flowers and rounded leaves above the water in the summer.

Colour: Pink Blooms: July-September Height (cm): .1-50
Sun: Full Soil: Loam Moisture: Wet

Other traits: Oxygenator, Wildlife, Water Smartweed is an oxygenator and its seeds are a major food source for many waterfowl during the winter. Water Smartweed has been used by Native Americans for headaches, ulcers, haemorrhoids. It contains antiseptic properties that were also useful for cleaning and helping to heal cuts and wounds. Smartweed is edible and has a peppery flavour that can be added salads or boiled and served as a cooked green.

Duck families

One of the many duck families on the course this year. This family was by far the largest with 9 young ones.

Blue Heron

A shot of one of the Great Blue Herons inspecting the 16th hole.

July hail storm

Here is a shot of the 17th green the morning after the hail storm. Some of the residents that live nearby said that there were hail stones larger than golf balls in the area.

Here is one of the sand bunkers that was blasted by the Friday hail storm.

Ready to fly

There has been a lot of activity down around the 13th green recently. The reason is that the two young Merlins in the picture are ready to fly. The Merlins are actually small (length 10", wingspan 24", weight 5-7oz) falcons that were once known as pigeon hawks. The Merlins took over an abandoned crow's nest by the green and feed on birds and small mammals.

New tee # 17

On Wednesday, in the 29 degree heat, we layed the sod on the new blue tee on the 17th hole. This tee is going to add 20 yards onto the hole and with a bit of a head wind will make for a pretty tough hole with the creek in front of the green. In the process of building the tee we buried about 50 cubic yards of branches, sod and debris, which was a much better alternative than hauling it to the dump and it saved the club a considerable amount. I think we actually made a profit on the project. Even Jeff Mingay would be proud of this one...