Winter Update - RattleSnake Turf
19 JAN 2026
Dear RattleSnake Members,
Happy new Year!
I wanted to take a moment to provide you with an update on how the golf course has been progressing through the winter so far.
Southern Ontario has experienced a fairly unpredictable winter, with periods of mild temperatures mixed with freeze-thaw cycles and intermittent snowfall. While these conditions can sometimes be challenging for turf health, I’m pleased to report that the course has handled the winter well to this point.
Our turf remains in good condition overall, and we have not experienced any significant winter injury. Snow cover has come and gone at various times, but drainage across the property has performed as intended, helping to minimize ice buildup and standing water—two of the biggest concerns during fluctuating winter weather. Ice did accumulate to over an inch on our greens but during last weeks thaw we cleared and all ice melted. Greens were free of any standing water or ice and looked very good. The snow storm we had yesterday was a welcome addition as it now serves as an environmental blanket for the foreseeable future.
Throughout the off-season, our maintenance team has been proactive in checking conditions whenever weather allows and ensuring the course is well positioned heading into spring. As always, we’ll continue to keep a close eye on temperatures and moisture levels for the remainder of the winter.
While winter is never completely predictable, we are encouraged by what we’ve seen so far and feel confident about the course’s outlook as we move toward the upcoming golf season.
The rebuild on the amour stone wall around the pond on 6 SideWinder has gone very well. We are almost ¾ rebuilt and with some remediation of surrounding turfs in the spring it will look back to new in and around opening.
Equipment repairs and maintenance is going very well and snow plow operations are back in full force.
The days are getting longer now and it seems like the Masters is right around the corner! Thank you for your continued support, and I look forward to welcoming you back to the course soon.
Warm regards,
Bill McAllister
Superintendent
RattleSnake Point Golf Club