Make the Snake and other fun Fall Field Day facets

The CGSA Fall Field Day (FFD) was held September 15-17 in Osoyoos and Oliver, BC with the main event staged at the Nk’Mip (pronounced Inkameep) Canyon Desert Golf Course, host superintendent Ken Bruneski.

Usually a sell-out, this year’s FFD didn’t quite reach capacity but it did see superintendents gather from across the country to take part in an educational/networking seminar and golf tournament that is the national championship for golf course superintendents. 

To cut to the chase, Bruneski won the national low gross title shooting 74 on his home course located in Canada’s only true desert.  On the net side, Greg Austin of the Revelstoke Golf Club was overall low with a net 67.  Both men obviously are not working enough :) 

 Ken Bruneski eyes up this short chip at the 18th on his way to a +2 round of 74 and the National Superintendent’s Low Gross title.

 The low numbers may have been due to perfect weather which did not disappoint (highs of 34C) and all kidding aside, participants were thoroughly impressed with the organizing job done by both the CGSA and the local chapter of the BC Superintendents. 

Hosting such an event is a big job and it truly was a collaborative effort .  To help make it work, the BC Superintendents provincial body agreed not to hold this year’s Exchange Tournament and got involved by putting on a Saturday evening social.  The WCTA also played a role by committing to a hole sponsorship, sponsoring the BCGSA social and coordinating one of the tournament activities, a long putt contest to raise funds for turf research. 

‘Make the Snake’ as it was called, evolved into more than just a fun activity though, becoming an interpretive and educational opportunity for attendees with a live demonstration of some of the native wildlife species, namely the Western Rattler.

To the delight of the players, Environment Canada biologists put on an amazing snake handling demo on the Nk’Mip practice green just before the national championship golf tournament began.

Nearly every tournament participant took part in the $5 for three tries skill testing activity as each group passed by the practice green and by the end of the day, 10 participants made the long and windy putt each winning themselves a bottle of BC wine.  And from their generosity, turf research projects benefitted to the tune of $530.

Thanks to all those who participated in the 2012 CGSA/BCGSA Fall Field Day!