Standards and Planning Program for the Maintenance of

The Raven at Lora Bay Golf Course

The complex nature of golf course maintenance has become increasingly evident
in recent years. Fine-conditioned golf courses are not an accident but the
planned results of many contributing factors. Each of these factors must be
carefully planned and integrated so that its effect will have a positive effect on the
golf course over many years. Some variables will exist that we have little control
over, such as weather and soil conditions. However we can take these variables
into consideration in our planning and provide a reasonable buffer against them.

This Standards and Plans Document should be carefully reviewed each year
by the Superintendent, General Manager and Owners and amended and revised
as required.

The General Objectives and Functions of the Maintenance Department shall

be as follows:

1. To maintain a well-conditioned golf course consistent with the better clubs

in the area.
2. To establish continuity for our maintenance operations by developing and
perpetuating an overall Long Range Plan; such plan to be amended and
approved year to year as required.
3. To plan operations and schedule them with consideration to the least
amount of interference to both golfers and maintenance employees, within
reason.
4. To effect efficiency through management (labour, budget control,
equipment and research).
5. To maintain cooperative relationships with other departments and
personnel within the Club.
6. To achieve a feeling of accomplishment, satisfaction, enjoyment and
gratitude for all personnel (members, committee members, employees,
owners).

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7. To cooperate with, attend, and support golf association meetings,
turfgrass organizations, universities, etc. towards the development of
greater knowledge in turf management, course maintenance and
environmental stewardship.
8. To keep our club membership informed of our operations and progress
through periodic reports and the use of club publications.
9. To fully take into account the effect upon the environment any decision we
make concerning the course. Decisions should not be implemented which
clearly are detrimental to good environmental practices.

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Standards and Plans for Putting Greens

Objectives:
1. To develop on all putting surfaces a fine L-93 Bentgrass surface of
uniform texture and density with an acceptable amount of thatch and
grain.
2. To maintain a trueness of surface with a medium fast speed for putting
with a Stimpmeter reading of between 9 and 10 feet. This standard shall
be maintained at all times except for maintenance times and extreme
weather conditions.
3. To maintain the height of cut of the collar surrounding the green so as to
satisfy eye appeal, playability and cultural practices.
4. To maintain an aggressive approach in controlling Poa annua invasion
into the greens, up to and including water management, fertility
management, cultural practices and mowing height.
5. To develop sound agronomic practices for all greens, including drainage,
aeration, irrigation, fertility, pest control, traffic wear control, cultural
practices, etc.
6. To maintain a dry putting surface for firmness by strict irrigation
monitoring, except during times of maintenance.
7. To maintain a frequent topdressing program to improve ball roll, green
firmness and overall turf health.
8. To provide adequate sunlight and air circulation through tree pruning and
removal.
9. To provide uniform irrigation sprinkler coverage to the putting surfaces.
10. To provide a high density and weed-free turf grass stand around all putting
surfaces.

Maintenance Standards:
1. Mowing greens (6-7 times per week) with walk-behind mowers in season.
Greens will be cut at a height of .110” to .145” depending on the time of
the year.
2. Roll putting greens (3-4 times per week) to achieve the desired putting
speed and surface smoothness.
3. Daily monitoring of the root zone to determine exact water needs of the
each green so as to maintain the greens as consistently dry as possible
without affecting the health of the turf. Hand watering will be an integral
part of daily greens water management.
4. Light topdressing as needed during the growing season.
5. Aggressive vertical mowing, grooming and brushing to control grain and
reduce thatch during the growing season.
6. Core aeration may take place twice per season (May and August), the
dates of which will be confirmed with the GM and the Golf Shop.
7. Greens that are prone to debris accumulation after wind storms or in the
fall will be blown off before mowing (ie. #’s 1, 3, 4, 15 and 16).

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 8. The above is contingent upon the limiting factor of the weather, which can
alter strategies in order to insure the long term health of the turf.

Grooming Standards:
1. Greens are to have a consistency of cut that promotes an even surface
and creates a sharp demarcation line between green and fringe.
2. Previous hole plug must be placed even with the putting surface and new
hole location to be placed no closer than 4 feet from the previous hole in
that green area.
3. Greens should be free of leaves and debris before the first group of
golfers each day.
4. Greens and collars to have minimum Poa annua.
5. Rough areas around greens to be kept at a uniform height of cut.
6. No sand from bunkers should be left on the green from the previous day’s
play.

Future Plans:
1. Establish a greens nursery of L-93 Creeping Bentgrass with a 6” sand root
zone consistent with the sand root zone of all 19 greens.
2. Monitor organic matter (OM%) in the root zone and amend cultural
practices as necessary to achieve a desired level of OM.
3. Begin a (minimum) twice per season practice of solid deep tine aerating all
green surfaces.
4. Tree removal program, notably on holes #15 and 16 to improve sunlight
hours and air flow, reducing disease pressure and increasing overall turf
health.

Standards and Plans for Tees

Objectives:
1. To produce a teeing area of adequate size and with a level and firm
surface.
2. To maintain a dense and weed-free playing surface with a height of cut
that satisfies playability and turf health.
3. To develop sound agronomic practices for all tees including drainage, soil
type, aeration, irrigation, fertility, pest control, traffic wear control, etc.
4. To maintain adequate sunlight to all teeing areas through selective
pruning and/or tree removal.
5. To provide uniform irrigation coverage to the teeing areas.

Maintenance Standards:
1. Mowing tees (2-3 times per week) with walk-behind mowers in season.
Tees will be cut at .375” during the season.

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 2. Fill divots with sand/peat/seed mixture each morning before the first tee
time or when possible.
3. Remove debris from the tee surface (divots, broken tees, leaves, twigs,
etc.) each morning before the first tee time or when possible.
4. All tee markers to be moved on a daily basis if wear and tear from the
previous day warrants it.
5. Tee markers to be lined up with the desired landing area in the fairway.
6. Garbage to be collected daily from the trash receptacles in peak season,
when necessary during the shoulder seasons.
7. Core aeration to take place twice per season (May and August), the dates
of which will be confirmed with the GM and the Golf Shop.
8. Other cultural practices will take place as necessary throughout the
season.
9. The above is contingent upon the limiting factor of the weather, which can
alter strategies in order to insure the long term health of the turf.

Grooming Standards:
1. To maintain tee markers, trash receptacles and their surrounds, yardage
plates, divot bottles and the tee surface with a neat, trim appearance.
2. Tees need to be free of debris such as broken tees, paper, twigs, cigarette
butts, leaves.
3. Divots need to be filled with sand/peat/seed mixture. Par 3 divot bottles
need to be emptied of old divot mix and topped up each day in peak
season.
4. Edges of the tee box to be in line with the direction of the fairway.
5. Tee surface should be relatively weed-free.

Future Plans:
1. Rebuild, extend or level tees as needed.
2. Continue monitoring for low sunlight/low air circulation tee areas and
prune or remove trees when necessary.
3. Develop a member program that encourages more active participation in
filling divots on a regular basis.

Standards and Plans for Fairways

Objectives:
1. To produce a Dwarf Kentucky Bluegrass turf stand on the fairways that will
be relatively tolerant to golfer traffic, heat, humidity with minimum inputs
from pesticides or other chemical controls.
2. To produce a firm playing surface that provides a favorable lie for the
golfer. Through judicious watering practices, the goal will be to produce a
firm, dry surface for playability as opposed to a lush surface that has more
aesthetic appeal.
3. To keep the fairway and approaches as weed free as possible.

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 4. To develop sound agronomic practices for all fairways and approaches
including drainage, soil type, aeration, irrigation, fertility, pest control,
traffic wear control, etc.
5. To minimize interference of play when aeration and verticutting programs
are implemented.

Maintenance Standards:
1. Fairways, approaches and collars will be cut twice per week during the
majority of the season. The fairways will be cut at 0.5” and the approaches
and collars will be cut at .375”.
2. Shatter tine aeration to be performed monthly in season (at least 6 times
per year).
3. Restrict the use of golf carts on the fairways when they are wet. The ‘Cart
Path Only’ rule will be made at the discretion of the Superintendent.
4. All Par 3’s are ‘Cart Path Only’ every day, no exceptions.
5. Vertical mowing will take place at least 5-6 times per season to control
grain and improve the playing surface.
6. Maintain moderate fertility levels.
7. Monitor root zone moisture and turf colour to determine when hand
watering may be necessary.
8. Control entrance and exit points to fairways to limit excessive damage.
9. The above is contingent upon the limiting factor of the weather, which can
alter strategies in order to insure the long term health of the turf.

Grooming Standards:
1. Maintain the architectural characteristics of the holes by mowing patterns
and providing sharp edges between the fairway and rough areas.
2. Implementation of traffic control cart rules to protect the fairway turf stand.
3. Sprinkler heads and yardage markers should be edged, cleaned and
maintained neatly.
4. No visible clipping should be visible after the fairway has been cut, except
in times of excessive wet weather and growth.
5. Keep fairways free of debris (leaves, branches, trash, etc.)
6. Fairway surface should be relatively weed free.

Future Plans:
1. Add irrigation sprinkler heads where they are needed (both sides of holes
# 6 and 13).
2. Increase use of part circle sprinklers to reduce the amount of irrigation
water being wasted in the treed area surrounding many of the holes.
3. Level any irrigation line depressions.
4. Return to fairway topdressing program in 2010, applying sand 3-4 times
per season.
5. Tree removal program on #15 and #16 to improve turf health and reduce
drying time on these holes.

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Standards and Plans for Rough

Objectives:
1. To maintain a Dwarf Kentucky Bluegrass stand in our rough areas of such
density and length so as to moderately penalize a golf shot that misses
the fairway.
2. To maintain a relatively weed-free stand of turf.
3. To develop sound agronomic practices for all rough areas including
drainage, soil type, aeration, irrigation, fertility, pest control, traffic wear
control, etc.

Maintenance:
1. Maintain the bluegrass at a height of 2” with weekly mowing in season. If
time allows during the week, additional mowing may be performed around
the greens’ complex to reduce the penalty of a missed shot off the green.
2. Maintain a firm dry surface.
3. Maintain proper fertilization levels.
4. The above is contingent upon the limiting factor of the weather, which can
alter strategies in order to insure the long term health of the turf.

Grooming Standards:
1. Rough areas should be relatively free of weeds and grass clippings.
2. Rough will be free of debris.

Future Plans:
1. Define and add irrigation to rough areas that require it for uniform growth
(#’s 6 and 13).
2. Increase use of part circle sprinklers to reduce the amount of irrigation
water being wasted in the treed area surrounding many of the holes.
3. Tree removal program on #15 and #16 to improve turf health and reduce
drying time on these holes.
4. Increase frequency of shattertine aeration in rough areas.

Standards and Plans for Native Grass Areas

Objectives:
1. Maintain a consistent turf stand of purple top, sheep’s fescue and hard
fescue throughout the property.
2. Native areas should be thin enough to hit a shot out of and tall enough to
provide some penalty for errant shots. Native areas should also be
aesthetically pleasing.
3. To develop sound agronomic practices for all rough areas including
drainage, soil type, aeration, irrigation, fertility, pest control, traffic wear
control, etc.

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 4. The above is contingent upon the limiting factor of the weather, which can
alter strategies in order to insure the long term health of the turf.

Maintenance:
1. Spot treat native areas for weeds in spring and fall if necessary.
2. Mow all native areas to 4” in month of September each year. This will help
control woody growth and should suppress additional weeds.

Future Plans:
1. Continue expanding native areas where appropriate to reduce input costs
related to maintenance for those areas.

Standards and Plans for Bunkers

Objectives:
1. To maintain bunkers that will create interest and require the golfer to make
exacting shots to recover from hitting into a hazard.
2. To develop bunkers that are firm and have a consistency in texture, depth
and playability.
3. To encourage adequate internal and external drainage.

Maintenance:
1. Monthly monitoring of the sand to maintain a desired depth of 3-4” of sand
on the bunker floor and 1-2” sand on faces. Replenish bunker sand when
needed.
2. Re-sod bunker faces as necessary.
3. Maintain adequate fertility levels on bunkers faces.
4. Fully rake all bunkers 3-4 times per week, performing touchups the
remaining days of the week.
5. Edge bunkers once per month in season.
6. Alternate flymowing front nine bunkers one week followed by back nine
bunkers the following week.
7. The above is contingent upon the limiting factor of the weather, which can
alter strategies in order to insure the long term health of the turf.

Grooming Standards:
1. Bunkers should have a defined, but grassy edge.
2. Bunkers should be relatively free of rocks, leaves, twigs and other debris.
3. Bunker sand should be even in appearance and free of footprints
immediately after raking.
4. Rakes are to be placed outside the bunkers and evenly spaced.
5. After raking bunker, sand should not be visible outside of bunker.

Future Plans:
1. Improve drainage in bunkers that are slow to drain.

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 2. Bunkers have an 8-10 year life span; budget for complete bunker
renovation with sand removal, new sand install with new drainage near
2015.

Standards and Plans for Ponds

Objectives:
1. Ponds should be clear at the surface, relatively free of algae and odor-
free.
2. Pond banks should be well established and not closely mown to prevent
bank erosion and to encourage bird, fish and other wildlife habitat in or
near the ponds.

Maintenance:
1. No pesticides or fertilizer should be broadcast applied within 10 m of any
pond on the property. Spot treatments of pesticides may be possible
depending on the weather forecast and the reason for treatment.
2. Under no circumstances should gasoline, diesel or oil be allowed to spill
into any pond or into or near any catch basin on the property. Reasonable
measures must be taken during any refueling process to ensure this does
not occur.
3. Mow lines surrounding ponds will be established at the start of each
season by the Superintendent. Mowers or line trimmers are not to cut the
turf within these areas unless directed by the Superintendent in the fall of
each year.

Future Plans:
1. Establish windmills or other means of aeration near each pond to
effectively control the growth of algae in the ponds and increase the
amount of oxygen necessary for pond inhabitants.
2. Control invasive species (Common Reed Grass) around the 12th pond.

Standards and Plans for Cart Paths

Objectives:
1. Make the use of golf cart paths throughout the property enjoyable, safe
and convenient.
2. Encourage the use of cart paths only around all par 3’s, periodically on
hole #16 and all tee and green areas.

Maintenance:
1. Periodic edging of the paths to establish a clear delineation between turf
and asphalt.
2. Quick repair with the use of ‘cold patch’ for areas susceptible to settling.

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 3. Sweep paths and all club asphalt surfaces once in spring before the start
of the golf season. Periodic sweeping of the entire network of paths or
isolated sections as needed.
4. Continue to either repair worn out edges of paths with sod or flagstone (if
area in question is easily prone to injury).

Future Plans:
1. Develop a replacement plan for asphalt areas already damaged or in need
of future repair (PF cart path, #6).

Standards and Plans for Golf Course Building Maintenance

Objectives:
1. To provide a safe workplace where structures meet safety standards.
2. To provide adequate facilities for all employees and guests on the course.
3. To provide facilities for housing equipment, tools, materials, etc.

Maintenance Standards:
1. Keep all buildings, bridges and shelters as neat and orderly as possible.
2. Examine bridges and shelters annually to assure safety standards are
met.
3. Treat on-course washrooms, the irrigation pump house, starter’s hut and
bag drop stand with water repellent protectant as required.

Future Plans:
1. Add a mezzanine in the Maintenance Facility for additional storage space.

Standards and Plans for Practice Facility

Objective:
1. To provide access for various types of golf shots.

Maintenance:
1. Maintain all practice areas the same as the golf course.
2. Provide tee areas with practice mats for use during periods of excessive
moisture.
3. Rough areas of PF will be cut twice per week. Tee, green and bunker
surrounds will be cut twice per week in peak season.
4. Target greens and practice tee will be cut a minimum of twice per week,
first thing in the morning and before 8AM in peak season.
5. The chipping green will be cut in rotation with the regular greens on the
golf course and at the same height.
6. Divots will be filled when possible on the practice tee.
7. The practice tee, green and surrounds will be relatively weed free.
8. The practice mat will be level and weed free.

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Future Plans:
1. Renovation and expansion of Practice Facility including a lengthening and
realignment of the practice tee; construction of a short game practice area;
realignment, removal and addition of some of the target greens; repair of
the cart path immediately behind the practice tee; establishment of a
proper ‘greens’ nursery at the far end of the PF.

Standards and Plans for Drainage

Objectives:
1. To provide for irrigation and average rainfall to be absorbed or properly
diverted to the internal drainage system and eventually the storm water
pond.

Maintenance Standards:
1. Maintain current drainage system by clearing debris from catch basins in
fall and winter and throughout the season as needed.
2. Repairing cracks and damage to drainage system when necessary.
3. Contour ground in localized areas to facilitate runoff of accumulated water
in turf areas.

Future Plans:
1. Enhance drainage on selected holes as determined by the
Superintendent.
2. Develop the costs and implementation plan for the holes selected above.

Standards and Plans for the Clubhouse Surrounds

Objectives:
1. Maintain a landscaped area in excellent condition with the emphasis on
neatness and order.
2. Make landscape improvements as budget permits.

Maintenance:
1. Mowing and line trimming twice per week in season.
2. Annual spring and fall cleanup of shrubs, ornamental grasses, etc.
3. Regular trimming of shrubs as required.
4. Annual replacement of mulch in spring.
5. Irrigate as required.
6. Weed control on turf and hard surfaces as required.

Grooming Standards:
1. Shrubs and flowers neatly cultivated.
2. Beds weeded as required.

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 3. Bushes trimmed and free of leaves and debris.
4. Leaves cleaned up around plantings and buildings.
5. Mulch fresh and neatly distributed throughout bed.
6. Sidewalks and drives free of mud and debris.
7. Trees neatly trimmed.
8. Car parking areas clean of leaves, dirt and other debris.
9. All areas relatively free of weeds.

Future Plans:
1. Develop a planting scheme surrounding future Athletic Center.
2. 6” irrigation main line will need to be moved at this time.

Standards and Plans for Trees

Objectives:
1. Ensure long term health of trees and aesthetic quality is maintained.
2. Protect golfers, employees, members and guests from the potential
hazard of a falling tree.

Maintenance:
1. Identification and removal of dead and diseased trees.

Future Plans:
1. The development of a long term Tree Maintenance program. This will
include both tree removal and tree replacement programs.
2. Development and implementation of a pruning and trimming schedule.
3. Master plan should include a tree inventory of the entire property and
surrounding area (anything that could pose a hazard to anyone of golf
course property). The club will need to consult an arborist for this
document.

Standards and Plans for the Irrigation System

Objectives:
1. To develop and maintain an irrigation system for all greens, tees, fairways,
rough areas and other grassed areas.
2. To provide for computerized and wireless operation of the system.
3. Minimize water usage to promote healthy turf.

Maintenance:
1. Maintain and repair all components of the irrigation system including but
not limited to sprinkler heads, quick couplers, pipe, wire, controllers and
satellites, the central control, radios, valves, air relief valves, the pump
station and all its components.
2. Monitor and repair pipe leaks.

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 3. Adjust sprinkler heads as required.
4. Maintain current schematics of the piping, valves, sprinkler heads, etc.
5. Maintain an adequate inventory of replacement parts.
6. Make adjustments to watering schedules as necessary based on turf
conditions (ie. saturated or dry areas).

Future Plans:
1. Additional sprinklers on holes 6 and 13 as mentioned earlier.
2. Implementing more part-circle sprinklers near tree lines and cart paths as
mentioned previously.

Standards and Plans for Equipment Replacement and Maintenance

Objectives:
1. To replace equipment on a timely basis with proper financial justification.
2. To keep equipment in top operating conditions by implementing a
thorough preventative maintenance program.

Maintenance Standards:
1. Budget adequately for yearly equipment repairs and replacement.
2. Utilize the winter months for major equipment repairs and servicing.
3. Monitor equipment performance to maintain a high level of performance
on tees, greens, fairways, etc.
4. Provide for ongoing education for the Equipment Technician as advances
in the industry are made.

Future Plans:
1. Update 3-5 Year Capital and Equipment Replacement plan as necessary.
2. Continue to monitor equipment expenses to justify lease turnover options
before the end of lease term.

Standards and Plans for Environmental Management

Objectives:
1. To meet or exceed all regulations and standards relative to the controlled
use of all chemicals and substances.
2. To retain certification in the ACSP for Golf Courses.
3. To proactively enhance both the golf course and its surrounds, within the
Lora Bay property, for the betterment of its members, homeowners and
employees, in regards to proper environmental stewardship.

Maintenance:
1. Continue to meet all requirements of the ACSP for Golf Courses.
2. Follow established guidelines for the use of all controlled products,
including pesticides, gasoline, diesel, lubricants, etc.

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Future Plans:
1. Establish a contiguous natural corridor through the length of the property
for the benefit of wildlife.
2. Eradicate invasive plants that threaten to overtake areas of the golf course
(ie. Buckthorn, Common Reed).
3. Replace current fuel storage containers with double-walled containers by
2011.

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