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

Activity Levels
 
We are on pace to record 5,000 rounds in July, the only month I can find on record in excess of 5,000 was in July of 2021 in the midst of the pandemic when we recorded 5,148 rounds.
 
We are monitoring the round count and tee access carefully to determine the cause of this surge and believe it’s a combination of the following;

• Reopening the full 18 holes
• Members bringing out guests in greater than typical numbers to enjoy the enhancements
• An increase in the number of Associate members
• Deferred matches being booked now that all 18 holes are open again
• A condensed event calendar resulting from the early season construction
• The weather finally turning

 
Mondays and Fridays seem to be experiencing the most significant surge in rounds and in coming weeks you will see modifications to the tee and timing of maintenance mornings to assist the situation.

Submitted by Carl Penfold, Head Professional

The golf course continues to be busy post project. With a busier golf course, naturally pace of play can be impacted. When there are multiple matches being played, and multiple groups with guests, all on the same day, members need to adjust their definition of what a good pace of play is given the circumstances. Our staff have been keeping track of pace, and when this occurs, we are seeing rounds creep up to 4 hours and 25 minutes, if not a little longer. I know I have said it before, however, it is worth reminding everyone to do their part to stay behind the group in front of you and maintain a positive pace of play. If Ryan Fox can make a putt to win a major in 22 seconds, with everything on the line, I think our regular day-to-day play should have no issue keeping up.

With our busier tee sheets, we have noticed a lot of groups booked in advance of our normal booking times. Once again, this includes groups with guests and matches. There have been days that when the tee sheet goes live, one week in advance, at 6pm, there are only a few tee times left before noon. We know that playing a match is important, however, it is also important that we offer times for members not participating in the competition.

To help alleviate this challenge, the pro shop will no longer be able to book matches in advance. Matches will have to follow our regular booking procedures. We do anticipate that demand will settle, however, by making this adjustment, it will provide a more balanced and fair process to book time throughout the week. The pro shop staff will continue to book groups with guests, two weeks in advance, and if they can keep one hour apart from advance bookings. If you have any questions about this change, please do not hesitate to speak with me.

 
Submitted by Chad Vibert, Golf Course Superintendent

Ball Mark Repair
As we continue to focus on providing the best possible putting surfaces, we ask all members and guests to take a moment to properly repair their ball marks. Fixing your ball mark is one of the simplest and most effective ways to contribute to the quality and long-term health of our greens for your fellow players.
An unrepaired ball mark creates an ideal opportunity for Poa annua to establish itself within the damaged area. As the turf recovers, Poa annua can readily invade these weakened spots.

In addition, an unrepaired ball mark takes significantly longer to heal naturally. A properly repaired ball mark can recover in a matter of days under favorable growing conditions, while one left untouched may take several weeks to recover fully. During that time, the damaged area affects both the appearance and playability of the green.

When repairing a ball mark, please use a repair tool to gently push the surrounding turf toward the center of the depression from all sides, avoiding lifting the soil. Finish by lightly tapping the area flat with your putter. Taking just a few seconds to repair your own ball mark—and one additional mark if you see it—helps maintain smooth, healthy putting surfaces for everyone.

 
Submitted by Sandy Higgins, Membership Services

A heartfelt thank you once again to the wonderful ladies of Mad River and to our terrific guests for their generosity in supporting the Collingwood General & Marine Hospital Foundation during this year's Ladies Member Guest Day.

A special thank you to Sandy Welton, guest of Donna Wickham, who generously donated her $960 share of the 50/50 draw back to the Foundation. We are also incredibly grateful to Diana Miotto for her remarkable private donation of $2,000.
Together, your generosity made a meaningful difference.  Here is the final tally from the day:

• 50/50 Draw: $960
• 50/50 Winnings Donated Back by Sandy Welton: $960
• Mulligans: $760
• Beat the Pro: $490
• Private Donation (Diana Miotto): $2,000

Total Donation to the Collingwood General & Marine Hospital Foundation: $5,170
Thank you all for your kindness, generosity, and community spirit. Your support will have a lasting impact right here in our local community.

Submitted by PA Irwin-Allen, Ladies Captain


The Senior ladies played their championship round on July 14 which was part of an intense record breaking heat wave across Ontario with temperatures reaching 35°C. Twenty-two players in 3 flights braved the heat and joined in celebrating our 2026 Senior Champion Sharon Delorenzi. Congratulations to Sharon for winning this award for the 6th time!


Great playing by Gail Todgham to win as our Net Senior Champion. Both ladies are invited to the Dinner of Champions in October.