THE MAD POST

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

Project Update
Overall, we are tracking very close to our schedule. The extreme heat in July and early August did require we deviate from our original plan. As an example, we moved up the installation of the mainline across #5 and down the entire length of #4 because turning off our old system to #16, #17 to install the new sprinklers was too great a risk in that heat.

We had one day rained out last week for a total of three missed days due to inclement weather over the last couple weeks. Our plan included four days lost per month (including holidays), which was about what we experienced in August.

If the weather over the next 8-10 weeks is reasonable, Northgate will complete the bunker work in November as planned. The irrigation installation was planned to carry into 2026 and at this time that remains the case.

The next series of invoices will arrive at the end of August; I will provide another financial update later in September. Through the first two months, the project has gone as well as could be expected.

As I’ve noted in recent emails, I’ll reduce the number of videos each week due to the repetitive nature of the remaining work. But I will continue to keep you informed on the progress against our schedule.
 
Please continue to monitor the Project Information Board for the most up-to-date information.
 

 
Submitted by Chad Vibert, Golf Course Superintendent

Construction Update
It was super exciting to see the germination on 17 green late last week!!  It is great to see weeks of preparation come together and the first signs of results are super rewarding.  Last week all remaining fine turf areas were seeded, 12 fairway and tee as well as 6 green and roll off areas.  These areas were later than scheduled by approx. 11 to 14 days respectively.  Our greens will require 20 growing weeks to be able to tolerate the wear and tear of every day play.  We plan to test both organic matter levels as well as perform shear strength testing to ensure the grass is ready prior to opening.  Number 12 on the other hand will open sooner, as we can and likely will restrict cart traffic once opened.  Fairway and teeing areas are not quite as delicate as greens surfaces and are cut at a higher height, which tends to build organic matter and provide resilience faster than does a green cut at approx. and 1/8 of an inch.

The bunker portion of the project is moving along a little ahead of schedule, looking forward to this week, we will be doing some shaping at the bunkers on 17, installing drainage at 13 bunkers and beginning clean out of the bunkers at 12 and 10 respectively.  The bunkers at 13 front greenside will be raised slightly, this is in order to see them from the landing area and to see more of the green when playing a shot.  Bunkers will be sprayed this week with BBB polymer at 15 and 17 and soil bags and drainagewill be installed at number 13 fairway.

Submitted by PA Irwin-Allen, Ladies Captain
 

Submitted by Colin Tyler, Men's Captain

A huge congratulations to Team Black, led by captain Kevin Edwards, on taking home the 2025 Mad League title! Each player who played four or more games will receive a $75 credit in the pro shop, bringing the team's total winnings to just shy of $2,000 for the year. The players on Team Grey will each receive a $25 credit for their great run to the finals, bringing the total league prize money to nearly $5,000! What a season—just another great reason to be a part of the Mad League!
 
While it's not official just yet, a big shout-out to Tim Martin, who has successfully defended his Chase for the Creemore Cup title! We'll have more details on that next week. The race is still on to secure a spot in the Top 16 and an invitation to the final event with the Ryder Cup being the last chance for participation points. 

With the Mad League behind us, we are excited to introduce our new Fall Series of games! This series will feature a variety of partner and group formats over the next five weeks, keeping our Wednesday games fresh and fun.

Submitted by Ryan Rinneard, Director of Instruction

Submitted by Michelle Larcher, Food & Beverage Manager

Celebrating Excellence & Autumn Evenings at Mad River
On August 25–27, I had the honour and privilege of representing Mad River at the 59Club Global Awards, held at The Belfry Hotel & Resort near Birmingham, UK.

At the gala, we were proud to be recognized with a Gold Flag from 59club’s Industry Benchmark of Excellence. This award is presented to clubs and resorts that not only provide outstanding facilities for golfers, but also consistently deliver the highest standards of customer service throughout the year. I was also humbled to be recognized as Food and Beverage Manager of the Year for Canada—an achievement that truly reflects the dedication of our team.

I had the opportunity to golf the Belfry alongside fellow professionals, each of us driven by the same purpose: to deliver the very best experiences for our members and guests. It was inspiring to be surrounded by people constantly exploring new innovations to elevate not only the golf experience, but also the overall well-being of their members. This gathering was truly a meeting of the minds—an exchange of ideas on how we can continue to grow our clubs by encouraging engagement, whether through dining, lessons, wellness programs, or new member experiences.