THE MAD POST

 
Submitted by Chad Vibert, Golf Course Superintendent

Golf Course Update September 2025
 
The month of September has picked up right where July and August left off, above normal temperatures with little to no precipitation. This has made installing a new irrigation system extremely difficult. Trying to keep our old system alive while installing new pipe and sprinkler heads has proven to be more difficult than we anticipated. The work around’s to not lose water for extended periods of time has been difficult.  Rob Wilson has worked wonders, to not only find our existing pipes, in order to keep them intact, but also to keep us up and running on old pipes as well as the new.  We are now in to the latter part of September with shorter days which should make losing water for a week at a time per hole more manageable.

Our solar electricity master Jim Dickey has one of our field controllers running temporarily off of solar panels in order to supply water to the driving range. We had been running off of a gasoline generator, but that was extremely inefficient. 

Our biggest challenge now is maintaining water on holes that we have new sod around bunkers, and if possible to have new irrigation installed prior to sod going down.  This is a logistical nightmare and will not always work in our favour.  Going forward this will likely determine where irrigation install can and cannot be completed on a case by case basis.

Despite a rain day this week the construction of the bunkers remains on schedule.  Drainage will continue at 2 and 3 this week then likely move to four.  Once the irrigation is complete, hopefully by weeks end, at 16 and 13, the sod will be laid in these areas.  Once 10 is complete, the bulk of the back nine bunkers will be complete, and focus will shift to the front nine.  Once that transition occurs there will be many back nine starts, this helps the contractors be more efficient in their work.
The new greens are growing and filling in nicely, this week they will receive their first topdressing, followed by more fertilizer, and will start to be mowed more frequently.  As we move forward we will start to drop the height of cut slowly as we head later into the fall season. 

#12 fairway will also be mowed this week, this area has also started to fill in nicely.  We will be overseeding some thin areas in all seeded locations this week, roll off areas and tops of knolls are the most difficult as water and seed tend to not stay on the side hills very well.  These will be challenging as we move forward. 

Submitted by Michelle Larcher, Food & Beverage Manager

Fantastic Weather, Great Golf and Planning for 2026
Autumn has arrived, and it’s such a wonderful season to enjoy here at Mad. The mornings are crisp, the afternoons still warm, and the colours beginning to change make the course even more beautiful. Despite the construction on the course, the weather has brought out many members with their guests to enjoy the magic of Mad.

We are grateful for our incredible staff whose hard work and dedication shine throughout the fall season. And to you, our members, a heartfelt thank you. Whether you join us after a round or come in to enjoy dinner, your presence brings joy and warmth to the clubhouse. Gathering around the table on these cozy fall evenings is one of the things that makes Mad so special. It’s because of you that the Club is not just a golf club, it is a true community. We are so thankful to share it with you.