The City of Edmonton operates three golf courses within city limits. Rundle Park Golf Course is an executive par 3 golf course constructed on a past landfill. Riverside Golf Course caters to the lower handicap players featuring a bit of a tighter layout with tree lined fairways and small greens. However, the flagship and undoubtedly the busiest municipal golf course in Edmonton (if not Canada) is the golf course where I will be completing my directed field studies (DFS), Victoria Golf Course. Victoria is the oldest municipal golf course in Canada and throughout it’s 100 plus years of operation has been through its share of adversities and achievements.

Victoria first opened for play on April 4th, 1896 and featured just five holes of play. Nearly eleven years later, two additional holes were constructed bringing the total to seven in 1907. Between the years of 1922 and 1927, plans were created and construction occurred for a full 18 hole golf course. Several years later in 1951, the golf course was expanded to feature 27 holes and a small park adjacent to the golf course. However, to make room for a major arterial roadway and river crossing, the golf course was reduced back to 18 holes. Opening in 1961, Canada’s busiest driving range opened to the public. Located in the heart of downtown Edmonton, it sees hundreds of people a day. Since 1961, most of the golf course has remained similar. Minor changes and design improvements have been made over the last 50+ years including, cart path renovations, bunker improvements, and increase in the number of tee boxes. The irrigation system was last replaced in the late 1980s, bringing it to be the oldest system out of the three city run golf courses in Edmonton at 31 years old.

As mentioned above, my DFS  will be completed at Victoria Golf Course, at which time I will be employed at the irrigation technician for the property. While reporting to both of my industry mentors, Dave Alexander and Rob Peebles, I will be working under their supervision focused to complete the learning goals described below. Dave is one of the cities longest standing golf course employees, starting his career with the city as a general labourer, working his way up to irrigation tech, and now proudly serving as the superintendent while completing his diploma through the University of Guelph. Rob came to Victoria after leaving another department at the city, Vegetation Management. He comes to Victoria after an impressive amount of experience starting many years ago back at Whistler Golf Club. A diploma program graduate of Fairview College, he now holds the position of Assistant Superintendent at Victoria and comes with an extensive knowledge of pesticide applications and implementation of IPM programs.

Working under these two mentors and with the guidance of my Olds College instructor Jason Pick, I will work to complete the goals listed below. I have focused on creating goals that will both help my workplace and further my career in the industry, hopefully one day leading to a Superintendent’s position at a mountain golf club. Outlined below are my five General Areas of Competencies (GAC’s) which will serve as the learning goals I wish to accomplish. Additionally, listed are my validation methods that will be used to measure the effectiveness of each student learning goal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Irrigation

 

1. Establish an up to date irrigation database with GPS mapping of all current irrigation components and compile an assessment of the expected lifespan of the current system. Furthermore, create a maintenance reminder and an accurate prediction system for existing sprinkler heads.

   • Design and complete a database of existing sprinkler heads utilizing Google Sheets

   • Retrieve old pipe diagrams and irrigation maps for pipe routing, overlay these diagrams on Google Maps for a satellite view of each aspect

   • Mark each sprinkler head using GPS receiver and overlay with Google MyMaps.

   • Use the generated data and Google Sheets to design a tool to predict when maintenance might be expected for each irrigation component.

   • Script spreadsheet to send applicable notifications via email to the irrigation technician or applicable staff members.

   • Create a series of consistently formatted station lists with notes on which station controls what sprinkler heads, and provide a typical sprinkler arc diagram.

     • Validations:

       • Employer validation letter

       • Complete information sheets for stations along with hole mapping

       • Complete database for all sprinkler heads

2. Design a new irrigation system suitable for ideal coverage for three holes on the golf course property, as well considering all associated project costs, and overall installation timelines tailored to Victoria’s specific and unique needs.

   • Design a new system on software to replace all existing pipe and sprinkler heads with brand new state of the art equipment.

   • Use piping diagrams to effectively size pipe for the property.

   • Complete an installation timeline, working around the specific needs to Victoria’s situation, keeping impact to play low and almost negligible.

   • Compile a full price quote for the installation, encompassing  all aspects of the new irrigation system using Google Sheets. Design this budget to be repaid over a series of 5-7 years.

     • Validations:

       • Employer validation letter

       • Complete design displaying coverage using QGIS software 

       • Complete database for all sprinkler heads

       • Summary of labour and part budget for installation

       • Gantt chart for project timelines unique to Victoria’s needs

 

Technology

 

1. Create digital mapping of golf course using GIS software to allow for adjustments to be made to cultural practices as well as fertility and pesticide applications.

   • Use GPS device to map all areas of the golf course

   • Overlay details from GPS mapping on aerial photo of the property.

   • Use details to compile a complete inventory of all golf course aspects including;

     • Tree species

     • Areas of;

       • Greens

       • Tees

       • Fairways

       • Rough

       • Ornamental Areas

       • Naturalized Ravines

   • Use details gathered to adjust areas and application rates of fertilizer and pesticide applications.

     • Validations:

       • Employer validation letter

       • Complete GIS data overlaid on satellite imagery.

       • Adjustments to fertility application rates for greens and tee sites across the property based on the newly calculated areas.

2. Create an online portal for staff members providing access to important tools and tracking forms, integration of a staff handbook, as well as an outline of best management practices required at the facility. Additionally, producing online training manuals and outlines for each job found on the golf course, and define responsibilities for each level of staff member relevant to the golf course property.

   • Use a website builder to include many logging aspects of a golf course including;

     • Fuel use tracking

     • Employee hours (that can be used to calculate core standards)

     • Employee handbook and best management practices

     • Request forms (sick day notice, vacation request, union equipment subsidies)

   • Use online media and videos to instruct and train staff on individual jobs found across the golf course.

   • Include of small online tests to verify employee is book trained before going for field training.

   • Create an employee calendar to see schedule as well as a digital job board for upcoming days, this will also include staff parties, BBQ’s, and golf days.

   • Define job descriptions, including what skills are needed for a successful promotion on the property.

     • Validations:

       • Employer validation letter

       • Verification of employees achieving a passing grade on included online tests.

       • Demonstrate a decrease in the amount spent on training for the season.

​

Competition

​

1. Participate in the upcoming Turf Bowl from February 2-7, 2019. This international event is a competition in which turf schools from around the world compete in an completely knowledge based exam. The test includes an essay, 200 question multiple choice test, and finally an identification section. Working in teams of four, achieving a high placement on this recognized event will solidify Olds College as a superior turfgrass institution, and validate my educational goals upon coming to college.

   • Practice warm season turfgrass management

   • Participate in weekly training and study sessions

     • Validations:

       • Instructor validation letter

       • Compete in the 2019 Turf Bowl event in San Diego, USA

​

Mentor Information

Dave Alexander

Superintendent

Victoria Golf Course, Edmonton, Alberta

dave.alexander@edmonton.ca

​

Rob Peebles

Assistant Superintendent

Victoria Golf Course, Edmonton, Alberta

rob.peebles@edmonton.ca