Turf Update
16 JUL 2024
I am excited to introduce myself as the new Associate Superintendent here at Rattlesnake Point Golf Club. Having been here for just a little over three months, I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know this unique property, the team that works so hard each day, and many of our wonderful members.
I recently graduated from the University of Guelph’s Turfgrass Management program in April of this year. This two-year program provided me with a strong foundation in turfgrass management and course maintenance, which I am eager to apply here in my role at Rattlesnake. Before joining this amazing team and organization, I was the Assistant Superintendent at Rebel Creek Golf Club, where I gained valuable experience in maintaining high standards of golf course conditions.
My journey in the golf industry spans 14 years previously in various roles including CPGA Assistant Professional, Director of Golf, and General Manager. My passion for turf sent me back to school to gain the valuable knowledge to succeed and prosper for years to come.
As our 25th Anniversary season rolls along, mother nature has been continually challenging us with extreme heat and record-breaking amounts of precipitation. Five rain events over a seven day span here in July, we recorded a little over 200mm or 7.9” of rain. That is a typical amount that we may see over an entire season, let alone one week. It proved to be too much in such a short period of time and lead to flooded fairways, saturated soils, a landslide of clay and silt on 3 Copperhead, and ultimately a couple of closures that were necessary as to not create any further damage. On a positive note, it reiterates that the bunker renovations that all of you are so patiently waiting to be completed later this season is in fact a success. All the new bunkers suffered very little wash outs or contamination and the time and cost to repair to bring back to suitable playing conditions was a fraction of what it would have been with the old bunkers.
We are in the home stretch now of the bunker renovations as this month we wrapped up 13, 14, and 15 Sidewinder and have started construction on 7 and 12. As a friendly reminder, all newly sodded areas will be roped off and are deemed “out-of-play” as we establish the new turf and give it it’s best chance of survival. With just a few more holes to get started, the end is near, and we can’t wait to show off the new Sidewinder to you and your guests.
I look forward to meeting more of you in the coming months and furthering my knowledge and understanding of this intriguing and unique property, all 783 acers of it! Feel free to wave me over so we can be introduced, and I hope the rest of your 2024 season is as great as the first half.
All the best,
Mike Banton
Associate Superintendent
Rattlesnake Point Golf Club