About the Conditions at Skaha Meadows Golf Course

Dear Members & Guests

This should have gone out much earlier and I do apologize for that.

There seems to be some confusion about what’s happening on the golf course.

The dry areas that you see out on the golf course are not caused by lack of irrigation water.

I am now watering four hours a day longer than I’ve ever had to in the 26 years that we’ve been here.

What we have occurring is a natural phenome called Hydrophobic Soil.

Simply put Hydrophobic Soil develops when soil particles get coated in waxy compounds that are produced by microbials under the grass to stop the water in the soil from evaporating.

This causes the soil to repel the water instead of absorbing it. Water just runs off or channels through cracks, leaving large areas bone dry rather than soaking down to where the Turf roots need it.

This is caused by a very mild winter, coupled with sparse rainfall which can cause havoc with the soil.

At the present time we are spraying a wetting agent that actually divides the water particles into much smaller water particles. The wetting agent works by removing the waxy coating and cracking through the surface tension in the water, making it easier to penetrate the soil.

However, this process requires numerous applications.

We have made two applications and now have ordered enough product to do three more.

It’s a slow process, but I believe that we are making progress.

I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.

Sincerely

Tony Patrocinio
President
Skaha Meadows Golf Course