UPDATE: Sunday, August 11th, 2024
Dear Members & Public Guests,
As you know, this season has been incredibly challenging due to the unprecedented flooding caused by record-setting rainfall. The course has faced multiple floods, and there have been times when the situation felt overwhelming. However, the resilience of our course, paired with the relentless dedication of our team, has kept us focused on restoring the course to the high standards that you, our valued customers, expect.
Despite the setbacks and continuous cleanup efforts, the course is finally drying out, allowing us to return to regular maintenance. We sincerely appreciate the positive feedback we’ve received from many of you regarding our commitment to restoring the course. We recognize that this has been a difficult time, and we are grateful for your patience and understanding.
Following several consultations with our team, I’m pleased to share the following updates:
Increased Resources: Despite significant revenue loss, we are committing additional hours and increasing our labour budget to accelerate the course restoration.
Fairway Restoration: Over the next two weeks, we will be removing the dried silt and mud by sweeping the damaged fairways using a specialized John Deere sweeper unit. This will allow the fairways to dry out before planting seed using an overseeder. This will be followed by fertilizing, watering, and closely monitoring growth.
Enhanced Course Standards: We are raising our standards for course conditions, including enhanced maintenance of greens and tee blocks, management of rough length, minimizing weeds under trees, and reintroducing divot boxes on Par 3s. We kindly ask all members to help maintain the health of the tee blocks by filling in their own divots and any missed by previous golfers.
Our team takes immense pride in providing a golf experience unlike any other. This season has been extremely difficult for all of us, but the unwavering support from our incredible golfing community will help us persevere through these challenges. We look forward to brighter days ahead.
Looking to the future, we will be dedicating significant time during the offseason to explore options for reducing the impact of rainfall, especially in light of what appears to be a changing climate.
We cannot thank you enough for your continued commitment to St. Marys Golf & Country Club as we work to bring the course back to the standards we all expect.
Sincerely,
Matt Staffen | President & General Manager
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UPDATE: Sunday, August 4th, 2024
Dear Members & Public Guests,
We are excited to announce that all 18 holes will be reopening, with carts available, starting Monday, August 5th.
Please note that it will be cart path only on holes 4, 5, 6 & 10.
Thank you for your patience as our Turf Maintenance Team cleaned up as much as possible over the weekend.
Warmly,
SMGCC Golf Operations Team
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UPDATE: Wednesday, July 31st, 2024
Dear Members & Public Guests,
We are pleased to announce that the water has receded back into the banks of the Birches & Trout Creek over the course of this afternoon. The Turf Maintenance Team was able to remove the majority of the debris from holes #10-18, and will be continuing with the cleanup and cutting throughout the day tomorrow.
We will have the BACK 9 OPEN WITH CARTS beginning tomorrow morning - Thursday, August 1st. If you would like to play 18-holes, you must book two separate tee-times, and will play the back 9 twice.
Although course conditions will be less than ideal, we are happy to get golfers back onto the course and only lose one day of operations.
We will continue to update you as course conditions improve, and when we are able to open the holes on the front 9.
Thank you for your patience.
Warmly,
SMGCC Golf Operations Team
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UPDATE: Tuesday, July 30th 2024
Dear Members & Public Guests,
With great displeasure, we have another course conditions update just four days after reopening all 18 holes. Due to the 5 inches of rain we received on July 30th, the course will be closed indefinitely until the water recedes.
Despite our disappointment, we are proud of our Turf Maintenance Team's response during last week's flood and have full confidence that they will restore the course again as soon as possible. We will continue to work closely with the Upper Thames Conservation Authority over the next 48 hours to mitigate the damage.
Thank you for your continued patience and support, as we navigate the wettest July on record. We will keep you updated on the progress and notify you as soon as the course is ready for play.
Warmly,
SMGCC Golf Operations Team
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UPDATE: Friday, July 26th, 2024
Dear Members & Public Guests,
Due to significant progress made today on Holes #4, 5, and 6 by the turf maintenance team, we will be re-opening the full golf course for 18 holes with carts tomorrow - Saturday, July 27th.
Certain areas throughout the course will continue to be roped off, including parts of Hole #5 green and approach area, due to the damaged sustained during the flood. Furthermore, it will be cart path only on Holes #4, 5, and 6.
Warmly,
SMGCC Golf Operations Team
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UPDATE: Sunday, July 21st, 2024
Dear Members & Public Guests,
We are delighted to announce that our course will reopen on Monday, July 22nd. Both Trout Creek and Birches Creek have receded back into their banks, allowing us to begin the necessary cleanup.
Our dedicated Turf Team has already started clearing the course of debris, and this work will continue throughout the week. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work diligently to restore the course to its peak condition.
Please note that the back 9 will open for walking only. Until further notice, the front 9 will remain closed. If you would like to play 18 holes, please book two tee times.
As the week progresses, we will continue to update you on course conditions and when carts will be available.
Thank you for your continued support.
Warmly,
SMGCC Golf Operations Team
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Monday, June 17th, 2024
Dear Valued Members & Public Guests,
We regret to inform you that, due to the unprecedented amount of rain we have received over the past 72 hours, the course will be closed for the next two days, and most likely over the weekend. This tough decision has been made to ensure the safety of our members and to allow our team to address the current conditions of the course.
In the past six days, we have received over six inches of rain, and in the past three weeks, we have accumulated more than 12 inches. Despite the stellar efforts of the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority in managing the flow rate and water levels in Trout Creek, they have informed us that they will need to release the dam for the next 48-60 hours due to reaching full capacity.
Currently, all holes on the course are unplayable. However, please be assured that we are closely monitoring the situation each day. Our Turf Crew will be working diligently to restore the course to playing condition as quickly as possible.
We appreciate your understanding and patience during this time. We will keep you updated on the progress and notify you as soon as the course is ready for play.
Thank you for your continued support.
Warmly,
SMGCC Golf Operations Team