Submitted by Chad Vibert, Golf Course Superintendent

Over the past few weeks, we have implemented several management practices to minimize the impact of thick and dense rough areas and improve playability around greens and fairways. These practices are intended to minimize rough density and length, without compromising turf conditions.

One of the primary steps we have taken is mowing a 6-foot area adjacent to greens and fairways twice per week. This area will still be mown at rough height, just mown more often.  This additional mowing helps create a more gradual transition between the closely mown playing surfaces and the longer rough.

By maintaining this 6-foot section more often, we are reducing the amount of longer cut turf immediately surrounding greens and fairways. This improves playability and helps prevent the rough from becoming excessively long in high-impact areas.
 

Submitted by Carl Penfold, Head Professional

It has been a month since the change was made for members to start posting hole-by-hole scores. I have heard from a few members who are not particularly excited about the change which I understand. Like most changes in life, once we get used to it, we’ll probably wonder how we ever did it any other way.

First, this is not a Mad River initiative or a change developed by our Golf Activities Committee. This direction is coming from the governing bodies responsible for the World Handicap System and, specifically for us in Canada, Golf Canada. Golf Canada will make hole-by-hole score entry mandatory in 2028. The recommendation was to implement now rather than wait until 2028, giving everyone a chance to get comfortable with the process before it becomes a requirement.

Submitted by PA Irwin-Allen, Ladies Captain

What a fantastic way to wrap up our Pro Days! Our ‘Play with the Pro’ day on Tuesday, September 22nd was a great success, with 21 ladies coming out to enjoy a fun day on the course. A big thank you to our professionals- Stephanie, Carl, Shawn, Myles, Ryan, Colton, and Marshall for joining us and helping make our final Pro Day of the season such a memorable one. We appreciate you all!

Placing 1st with a team score of -14 and winning by 4 strokes with the help of their pro Shawn was Sharon Delorenzi, Frances Painter and Tony Bowland.
Placing 2^nd with a team score of -10 with the help of their pro Stephanie was Judy Adams, Patti Teeter and Yvonne Penning. 
We had a tie for 3rd with both teams shooting a team score of -9 and due to retrogression and placing 3rd with the help of their pro Colton, was Susan Quigley, Lauree Patrick and Karen Franklin.

CTP winners were Yvonne Penning #3 and Liz Fitzhenry #11 and Longest Putt was 6’8” made by Sharon Delorenzi.
 
The following week, we wrapped up the season in style with our Ladies Closing Shotgun at noon! A huge thank you to the 30 amazing ladies who joined us and supported Tuesday Ladies Golf throughout the season. Your enthusiasm, energy, and camaraderie made each week fun! We enjoyed a wonderful day on the course, playing from a combination of yellow, red, and purple tees. The game, 1-2 Net with a New View, was a big hit and added plenty of challenge to the day.

The winning team scoring -19 was Susan Quigley, Liz Fitzhenry and Cate Woodward. Cate also won the raffle draw- A winter hat!
Placing second scoring -18 was the team of Sheila Kaarlela, Hilarie Woods and Karen Franklin.
Placing third also scoring -18 was the team of Liz Hoffman, Kim Edwards and Liz Quanbury.
CTP winners were - Susan Quigley #7 and Donna Wickham #16 and the Longest Putt was 17’6” made by Andrea Tulloch.
Both Andrea and Donna secured a spot that day in the Closing Day challenges. Winner of the Putt Off was Sharon Delorenzi coming closest to the hole out of 8 competitors. Winning the CTP Shootout challenge from 97 yards off the deck by the patio to the 9^th green was Liz Fitzhenry.
 
There were many other awards presented during dinner.
 

 
Submitted by Dean Elliott, Men's Captain

As the calendar changes to October, we know (sadly) that the end of the season is coming up.  Despite that, last week was busy at Mad River.  Monday we hosted our friends from Beacon Hall in the annual Cupp’s Cup, Wednesday was the penultimate men’s day and Friday we celebrated the season with our annual Creemore Cup dinner.
 
We had a great day on Monday and a huge shout out and thank you to Angelo DeLorenzi, Grayling Lamont, Doug Painter, Tim Martin, Morgan Rubes, Chris Sloan, Paul Wildridge, Colin Tyler and Chad Vibert who together with Carl Penfold, Brad Robbins and yours truly, represented our Club very well indeed.  While several of the matches were close, when we tallied things up Mad River came out on top by a resounding score of 17-1.  Golf was followed by wonderful fellowship and a fantastic meal put on by Chef Stephen, Michelle and the whole F&B team.  Great playing guys, and I’m sure the guys at Beacon Hall have already begun plotting their revenge!
 
Wednesday was a little different as each group played six holes each from the red, white and green tees.  It was very interesting to compare notes post round related to how each of the groups chose the tees to play as they worked their way around the golf course.  Coming up tomorrow is the Fall Classic, followed by the year-end shootout for all those who won closest to the pins each week of the MAD League season.  Expect some extreme pins on course as Chad and his team get some revenge in the annual men’s day wrap up.  If you aren’t signed up yet, call the Pro Shop to see if there is still room.  Plan to stick around afterwards to watch the shootout and enjoy a great meal and some laughs with the guys as we bid adieu to the Wednesday program for 2026!
 

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

Paving and Project Update

We’ll begin paving the cart paths next week, Chad’s team continue to remove the old paving blocks at various locations in preparation for the paving.
The contractor will mobilize October 13^th and begin preparations and paving later in the week. Weather permitting, we expect most of the work to be completed in four weeks, about one hole per day. Some holes involve more preparation work which will require more time and others will be completed in less than a day.
The contractor will work on weekdays only, leaving our last couple weekends of the year free of any disruption.
Final reconciliation of the irrigation installation is ongoing, I had hoped to have it wrapped up for this Mad Post, but we’re still sorting a few final details. Everything remains on budget; the process is just taking a little longer than I anticipated. I expect to be in a position to provide you with the final tally in the next Mad Post on October 20^th.

September Results

September was another extraordinary month, the weather was flawless and we achieved or surpassed budget in every ancillary sales category. Expenses remain on target and it looks like 2026 will be another exceptional year at Mad River.
 

Submitted by Ryan Rinneard, Director of Instruction
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Five Things to Do This Off-Season So Next Spring Feels Different

Ryan Rinneard · CPGA Class A · Director of Instruction, Mad River Golf Club

The course is winding down for the year. Some of you are packing the clubs for Florida, Arizona, the Carolinas or Mexico. Others are putting them in the basement until May. Either way, what you do over the next six months will decide how you start next season.

Every spring I see the same two groups. One group spends April and May trying to find what they had last August. The other group shows up better than they left. That second group didn't get lucky over the winter. They used it on purpose.

Here are five things you can do between now and opening day. I've left the most important one for last.

Submitted by Michelle Larcher, Food & Beverage Manager

Fall Is in the Air
October is here, and we have certainly made the most of the start of it! We wrapped up the Ladies’ Final, Captains Cup and Creemore Cup, and had the pleasure of hosting the Beacon Hall men for the Cupp’s Cup. All who participated enjoyed a stellar day, finishing with a fabulous meal created by Chef Stephen and team. The Men’s Fall Series wraps up tomorrow, putting the finishing touch on a busy stretch of golf and good company.

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we hope everyone has a wonderful weekend planned with family and friends. If your weekend includes a round at Mad River, we’ll be happy to see you.

To add a little fall flavour at the Club, look for our Fall Cider at the bar. Just like our daily refresher, we’ll have it ready for you to enjoy throughout the day. It is a simple taste of the season and a perfect way to warm up after a cool round.