The small amounts of snow that fell in the region excite golfers who dream of an early start to the season. Before hitting a Pro V1 in the center of an alley, you will have to wait a little longer. Charlevoix is not Arizona. We also had episodes of rain which can be merciless for the grass.
While passing along Route 362, it is impossible not to take a look at the Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu golf course. The little snow suggests that the first balls will hit fairly early in the spring. However, the sight of a snowless, windswept mound raises other questions.
Field superintendent Marc Dufour agreed to answer these questions.
The man has worked on this golf course for 34 years. For 5 years he has been the superintendent. “No ice, no worries. The snow cover made it possible to avoid the worst (the ice),” he says to identify what can do the most damage to the courses. “The ideal is to have snow,” he continues.
Marc Dufour has not seen a problem so far. “I’m not worried.” However, he recognizes that “it should not melt even more”.
Once the golfers have put away their clubs while waiting for the next season, on the century-old course, Marc Dufour's team applies a fungicide to the greens, fairways and tee boxes which “offers a certain protection”, he says. .
“The canvases rolled out over the greens in the fall prevent the wind from burning them,” he assures. “They also protect in winter. In the spring, these same webs help with germination,” continues Marc Dufour, adding that during certain snowy winters the greens were cleared.
-Greens are the calling card of a golf course. This is where the game is played. A 12-inch putt is worth exactly the same as a 300-yard tee shot on a scorecard. We understand that the greens receive a lot of care. And those from the Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu are complicated to read. So imagine if they weren't perfect!
February is an important month for the grounds maintenance team. Decisions must be made for the next season, particularly regarding the application of fertilizer. With the winters we are experiencing, there is really nothing obvious.
The recipe for growing grass is quite simple: heat, water and fertilizer. Very often, it's the heat that makes you wait for the combination to be perfect. “Our greens are made of bentgrass (turf). A variety more resistant in winter, but more complicated to grow,” indicates the superintendent.
Marc Dufour's team has 18 members. She has a huge playing field to illustrate her talent. The total greens area is 210,000 square feet. Added to this are walkways extending over 1,614,000 square feet and tall grass (rough) over an equivalent area. The tee boxes stretch over 160,000 square feet.
It is very difficult to predict what the end of winter will look like. For the regional economy, it takes snow. The time to talk about golf will come soon enough!
