THE MAD POST

Submitted by Gary Ward, General Manager & C.O.O.

As noted in my last Mad Post, an important feature of the new power cart fleet is the capacity to restrict where the carts are permitted to go. For the first couple weeks we left the restrictions off so we could track where the power carts were currently being driven.

In reviewing these reports, it’s clear too many power carts are being taken into either restricted or unsafe areas, such as right on the collars of our greens or into unsafe areas, such as up the hill directly beside the 17^th green. It will take Chad and Carl some time to fine tune the prohibited areas of the course and we understand these restrictions may create some frustration for some users. But our overriding intention is to keep course conditions as pristine as possible and ensure user safety so carts aren’t being driven into areas where the carts might roll over. 

Generally speaking, there will be limits set up for proximity to our tees and greens while also keeping carts out of our fescue. Other restrictions will occur when areas of the course are either excessively wet or dry, again this is to limit potential damage the power carts create to the course.

 
Submitted by Susan Quigley, Ladies Captain

Submitted by Ang De Lorenzi, Men's Captain

Submitted by Carl Penfold, Head Professional

Our new power carts are now into their third week of operation at the club. So far, the feedback has been very positive, especially with the inclusion of the new GPS units. As Gary mentioned in his last Mad Post article, the new carts also allow us to control where they can, and more importantly, can not drive on the golf course. It is important to remember that controlling the carts is something very common at golf courses worldwide.

I am sure most of our members have played at another facility and experienced what happens when you drive into a restricted area. Typically, the speed of the cart is adjusted to slow it down, if not stop it altogether based on the location. In extremely sensitive areas, the carts can be stopped and will not move forward. The only way to get the cart working normally is to reverse the cart.

 
Submitted by Chad Vibert, Golf Course Superintendent

Overview
June is always a dry month in southern Georgian bay, this combined with the longest days of the year make June one of our most difficult months.  This year has been no different, we went through a stretch of approx. 3 weeks with no significant precipitation, the golf course held up very well through this stretch thanks to a huge effort by Sean, Rob and our team!

We are now in the heart of the summer months and into invitational season.  We hosted our ladies’ event last week with good presentation of the golf course, we look forward to preparing the golf course for the Men’s event next week. 
 

Submitted by Michelle Larcher, Food & Beverage Manager

Hello Members

What a great Ladies Member/Guest event last week. It was perfect weather matched by great golf and paired up with a delicious lunch and fun socializing. It was wonderful to see the club as I envisioned it would look like when I joined the Mad River team in early 2020. We are putting the final touches together for the Men’s Member/Guest happening next week and it too looks like it will be a fantastic day for all.

Submitted by Chef Malcolm

A Note from Your Chef:

Almost every day, I learn something about Mad River GC, its members and golf in general. I learned that many of you walk the course and that you like to take a protein bite as a snack. I learned that a lot of you prefer to have a beer after the round because there is “nothing like a cold one after a round”, accompanied by Miss Vickie’s salt & vinegar chips. You all love the chicken salad sandwich we serve in Cupp’s Corner and the Creemore shrimp continues to be a member favourite. I am happy to see you all enjoying the food and thank you for all your feedback.

Chef Malcolm