Green is Beautiful The Official Publication of Ontario Golf Superintendents Association Diving Operations A Guide to safe Golf Ball Retrieval is Included INFORMATION ON: • Maintaining Rough Areas • Coated Potassium Key to Long Term Turfgrass Health • Hazard Marking • GTI Update • Spikeless HI-WAY Building The Best Since 1939 BE READY! Those Beautiful Leaves That now Adorn Our Trees Will Soon Fall And Leave You With A BIG Clean Up Problem HI-WAY LEAF AND UTTER VACUUMS Can Save You Thousands of Dollars In Your Annual Fall Clean Up Program • Quickly mounts to a pick-up tailgate or hitch for fast disposal of leaves, litter and debris. • 12 1/2’ long intake hose easily accesses material on sidewalks, behind shrubs, along fence lines and other hard-to-reach areas. HI-WAY’s AM23 and AM30 • 11 hp engine handles the toughest jobs with power and precision. Axle-Mounted Yard Waste Removal Systems FOR MORE INFORMATION AND A FREE DEMONSTRATION, CONTACT: 1184 Plains Road East Hi-way’s AM-23 and AM-30 axle-mounted leaf vacuum units simplify Burlington, Ontario the leaf collection process for municipalities and private contractors L7S 1W6 alike. Available in both 23 and 30- hp configurations, these “tow-behind” units are the quickest, most efficient way of moving yard waste from the street into mobile, high-capacity receptacles. Both the AM23 and AM30 Toronto: (905) 338-2404 feature sturdy vacuum and discharge hoses and generate between Burlington: (905)637-5216 7,500 and 10,000-cu. ft. of suction/minute, and come equipped with Fax: (905) 637-2009 spring-loaded booms that enhance ease of operation. Green is contents Beautiful The Official Publication of Ontario Golf Superintendents Association SEPTEMBER EDITION 1997 what's inside advertisers 2 EDITOR'S COMMENTS by Mark Piccolo 6 ISK BIOSCIENCES 3 PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE by Simon George 9 ZANDER SOD CO. LIMITED 3 DIVING OPERATIONS 4 COATED POTASSIUM 9 CENTURY RAIN by Tim Lacy 5 ANNOUNCEMENTS 11 ONTARIO SEED COMPANY 7 MAINTAINING NON PLAY AREAS by Bob Heron 11 THE SCOTTS COMPANY 8 BEWARE OF SOFT SPIKES by Bob Heron 11 TURF CARE PRODUCTS 10 HAZARD STAKING by Peter Kinch 11 NU-GRO CORP. 13 15 YEARS AGO TODAY by Barry Endicott 11 ALMACK & ASSOCIATES 15 ALUMNI FUNDRASING by Mary Beth Kelly 12 BRAEMAR 16 OTRF by Nigel Rennie 15 NU-GRO CORP. 17 ISO 9002 REGISTRATION 18 NUTRITE 19 GTI UPDATE by Rob Witherspoon 20 TURFCARE editor's comments 1997 O.G.S.A. Board of Directors President Simon George Oakville Golf Club It's hard to believe September is upon 905-844-5796 us. As I look out my office window leaves are already turning colour on a Past President Alex La Belle CGCS few of the stressed maple trees. I'd like Merry-Hill Golf Club to welcome Peter Kinch, 519-648-2304 Superintendent of the Emerald Hills Vice President Ian Bowen Golf Club on to the Newsletter & Golf & Meeting Chairman Oshawa Golf Club committee, to help with proofing. 905-725-9511 Sincere apologies to the Park Country Club and the rest of our members for the poor effort on Treasurer Paul Dodson CGCS our last issue. We are currently in the process of shifting Lionhead Golf Club responsibility of the newsletter to our office manager, 905-455-8400 reviewing deadlines, dates, and developing a protocol or Secretary & GCSAA Liaison Bob Heron CGCS process by which each issue is produced. As board Beacon Hall Golf Club members come and go, we need to find a constant in all 905-841-0252 of this. We will keep our membership and associate members up to date. In this issue Bob Heron has Director & Bylaws Lamont Anderson Pointe West Golf Club provided us with an article on the maintenance of wild 519-736-5050 areas and Peter Kinch is going to refresh our memory on Hazard markings, and much much more. Directors & Public Relations John Gravett Credit Valley Golf Club Sit back and enjoy. 905-275-2505 Rob Ackerman Mark Piccolo Markland Wood Golf Club Newsletter Editor's Report 905-625-2062 Director & Golf & Meetings Keith Bartlett Thornhill Country Club 905-889-2735 Green is Beautiful 1997 Membership Director Jim Flett Although every effort is made to check material for publication, the & Newsletter Co-Editor Muskoka Lakes Golf Course association is not responsible for material published on behalf of its contributors. 705-765-3165 All rights are reserved by the publisher and any reproduction in whole or part without the written permission of the publisher is prohibited. Director & Newsletter Editor Mark Piccolo Galt Country Club 519-650-1503 Director & Scholarship Jeff Burgess Weston Golf Club 416-241-5551 Commercial Printing Full Service Copying Color/Black & White JACQUELINE LT AMATO: OFHCE MANAGER Graphics/Prepress ONTARIO GOLF SUPERINTENDENTS'ASSOCIATION Internet Connected GUELPH TURFGRASS INSTITUTE 328 VICTORIA ROAD, SOUTH Telephone: (519) 824-OGSA Designed & Printed by Fax: (519) 766-1704 City Graphics Design & Print Inc. OFFICE HOURS: 10A.M. - 2 P.M. Tel: (519) 623-2143 Fax: (519) 623-1113 1-800-866-0666 MONDAY - FRIDAY www.citygraphic.com email: city@citygraphic.com diving operations president's message O.G.S.A. President Diving operations on Golf Courses Simon George A public service announcement from the IAPA and the MOL Here we are in September already, I cannot remember a Have you got ponds on your course? Most of you do. season going by so quickly. One of the issues with ponds is that they have a habit The warm dry summer we had of attracting golf balls! was ideal for any new construction projects and from This magnetism of balls to water attracts the what I have heard play was up companies and individuals that want to help you substantially with many public recover the balls. The sale of secondhand golf balls courses reporting "best ever". has become a lucrative business over the past several The O.G.S.A. is approaching year end on September 30th, the slate of events is years. Many golf clubs or golf pros are hiring ball over, many thanks to all of those involved both retrieval companies or individuals to recover golf organizing and playing. The Board is looking for balls from their ponds, or are using their own staff to ways to make the golf events more interesting and complete the task. more challenging with some format changes. The news magazine has done very well this year, Three fatalties occured in 1996! Two divers and one congratulations Mark. The magazine will also young fellow drowned while searching for golf balls. continue to evolve next year. There are serious risks involved in the retrieval of golf I hope that many of you have had the opportunity to balls from water hazards! You can reduce and meet or speak to Jacquie D'Amato our office Manager, eliminate these risks! Your club can guard against Jacquie has been with us since April now and we are future fatalities by ensuring that those divers working all very pleased with her efforts. Enjoy the fall, get on your land follow all the rules and keep themselves those final projects completed and hopefully play a little "Leaf Ball". safe, by eliminating the risk to this operation. Best Regards, Remember that as superintendents you have a Simon George responsibility to ensure the safety of the workers on O.G.S.A President. the course at your club. This applies to the divers as well. They too are workers on your land. There are rules for diving that apply to all clubs. You should be aware of all diving operations at your club, to reduce the risk and increase the safety of the divers. You should ensure that you, the golf pro and the club owner or manager are aware of the diving operation requirements. If your golf club uses divers to retrieve golf balls from its ponds, you must comply with the provisions made under requlations 629/94 (Diving Operations) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. We have put together a pamphlet outlining these requirements. For further information, or a copy of this pamphlet please call Maria Chan at our Head Office at 1-800-669-4930 ext 282. coated potassium Coated Potassium Key to Long Term Turfgrass Health By Tim Lacy Product Manager Pursell Technologies, Inc. When it comes to protecting turfgrass against cold and polymer coating which is specifically designed to meet drought, suppressing diseases and promoting robust the feeding requirements of turfgrasses. root growth, nothing beats potassium. Second to nitrogen in the amounts needed for vigorous POLYON's micro thin coating actually binds to the growth(l), potassium can also help guard against nutrient compound itself. The tough polymer turfgrass wear and give the recuperation process a membrane is highly resistant to breakage, and won't boost. However, since it's also as mobile as nitrogen, soften or melt with heat or swell with water it traditionally needs to be administered in regular absorption. Unlike other technologies like SCUs, Poly doses to be effective. SCUs, Methyleneureas and Ureaforms, POLYON reacts to only one environmental element-soil Because of potassium's mobility, leaching is a problem; temperature change. It is not affected by soil pH, this is especially true in sandy soils. To help slow its microbes or moisture. release and prolong the benefits, many fertilizer manufacturers have experimented with various By varying the thickness of the POLYON, the rate of coating techniques. release can be "tailored" to meet the particular needs of golf courses. This allows for such precise control According to Dr. Garold Horst, a turfgrass scientist at that POLYON-coated potassium and other fertilizers the University of Nebraska, his research in the can be programmed to release in accordance with viability of slow-release potassium fertilizers has temperature conditions in a given region. shown them to reduce the leaching potential on sandy soils. "Because potassium is one of the more mobile POLYON capsules osmorically release their nutrients elements, there are definite advantages of using slow- evenly over time, increasing their release rate during release potassium to reduce its potential to leach warmer periods to coincide with the increased through coarse-textured sandy root zones," he nutritional needs of the turfgrass. In cooler seasons, notes. (2) when nutritional needs are less, the rate of release decreases as well. Also, because the membrane will The majority of coated potassium products currently not degrade over the life of the product, nearly 100 available utilize sulfur or a sulfur/polymer shell to percent of the nutrient is utilized (the shell will control release. These products often contain other eventually decompose into the soil as carbon dioxide, nutrients and last six and eight weeks between ammonia and water). applications. However, the release rate of many of these products can be unpredictable due to breakage, Pursell's coated potassium nitrate (12-0-42) can last up soil moisture, pH levels, microorganisms or soil type. to 20 weeks at 60F. The sulfate of potash (0-0-50 or 0- 0-47) is nonburning, can be spread on turf as low as To further control and extend the release process of 1/8-inch and lasts up to 12 weeks at 60F. The muriate coated potassium, Pursell Technologies introduced a of potash (0-0-57) contains chlorine, which is coated product that could last up to a year. The Pursell beneficial for disease suppression. The products are product was engineered as a way to help soil retain available in micro - mini and regular sized particles. potassium over the long term, protect turfgrass from winter kill and aid in spring transition. But the ability to apply coated potassium in the fall to "winterize" and still have nutrient available to feed Available in nitrate of potash, sulfate of potash or once the soil warms again in the spring could be its muriate of potash, the slow-release Pursell potassium biggest asset to courses, especially in Canada. In uses the patented POLYON coating process to control Toronto, for example, a two- pound rate of POLYON- release. POLYON is an ultra thin, reactive layered coated muriate applied in late October would have 1.2 Coated Potassium, Continued By Tim Lacy, Product Manager pounds of potassium/1000 sq. ft. carried over for 12-0-42 Regular 16 weeks release in April. 0-0-50 Micro 6 weeks 0-0-47 Regular 10 weeks Potassium's ability to strengthen turfgrass and act as 0-0-57 Regular 16 weeks an antifreeze has been well-researched and 0-0-57 Mini 10 weeks documented. Likewise, its role in the transition process is considerable, this provides a welcome Superintendents can request a PolyGraph test by jump-start to the spring feeding schedule. contacting their local Pursell fertilizer formulator or by calling Pursell Technologies at (800) 648-4201. To illustrate the predictability of coated potassium's release rates, Pursell Technologies invented a Bibliography: proprietary computer software called PolyGraph. Using the software, superintendents can work with (1) Christians, Martin and Wilkinson 1979. Cited in fertilizer sales representatives to customize POLYON- "Nutrition For Added Resistance: coated potassium and other fertilizer formulas to their Potassium." Golf Course Management, January 1995. specific local growing conditions and set release rates to deliver the required results. (2) Jeff Nus, Ph.D., 1995, "Nutrition For Added Resistance: Potassium." Golf Course The following chart illustrates how many weeks Management, Janury 1995. coated potassium will feed, based on 70F average soil temperature: The above charts illustrate how coated potassium (applied on 6/1/97) will release over Analysis Particle Size Longevity a 16-week period on a typical Toronto-area golf course. 12-0-42 Mini 8 weeks announcements & special elates Western Ontario Golf Superintendents Association Greater London Area Golt Superintendents Sept. 29 Cherry Hill Golf Club Sept 11 ST. Marys Golf Club Oct 2 Hickory Ridge Golf Club Host: Cecil Hoekstra Contact: Mark Hagen 519-471-1400 Georgian Bay Superintendents Association Toronto Society of Golf Course Superintendents Sept (Date TBA) Donalda Club Sept. 25 Blue Mountain Golf and Country Club Oct (Date TBA) National Golf Club Contact: Jim Malley, Jay Lewis (11:30 am Crossover) 705-445-3911 Thou shalt Seek Out Objective Analysis Ottawa Valley Turfgrass Association If you really want to know where you stand regarding the condition of your golf course, bring in an Sept 22 Fall Field Day objective, outside evaluator, such as the USGA Hylands Golf Club Turfgrass Advisory Service (TAS) for a full day's visit. Consulation with knowledgeable, objective experts Nothern Ontario Golf Superintendent Association will save months of research and advoid guesswork. Arm yourself with the facts before proceeding further. Oct TBA The key issue is: Do you need to do anything, and if so, Jan. TBA What? - Taken from The Ten Commandments of Course Remodeling USGA Record, Volume 35, Number 4. Bo Links Daconil2787 The all-season fungicide Daconil 2787 is the all-season fungicide of choice to use on greens, tees, fairways and ornamentals. Daconil’s unique WeatherStik™ formulation ensures that it Sticks and Stays between sprays to protect your turf in any season. ISKbiosciences ISK Biosciences Limited 148 York Street, Suite 319 London, Ontario N6A 1A9 1-800-668-0956 Disease Management Solutions maintaining non-play areas Maintaining non-play areas By Bob Heron O.G.S.A. Director 5.These piles are either picked up by hand or a vacuum is used. After three years of this program and with help of "Dry Summer" these areas are finally both aesthetically pleasing and much more playable. We use a modified tow behind a rotary mower which allows us to mow these ares to a 10" height of cut. Then we can follow this program, with a "Boom Sprayer" which is a much more efficient method of spraying the undesirables. After receiving some rain (very scarce this summer) "non maintainable areas" begin to grow and we will again clip to a 10" height. The only fertilizer used in these areas, is 0-46-0 in an attempt to encourage seed head production. The current trend in modern courses is to It is also very "trendy" to become "more" reduce the number of "maintainable acres". The environmentally friendly and provide better habitats concept of target golf has become very popular in the for wildlife, etc., and at the same time use fewer interest of shot values, reduction in cost for supplies, chemicals by adhering to l.P.M. programs. land costs, construction costs, etc. Many, or most golf course superintendents, have We at Beacon Hall, were the first Club in this area to always been extremely aware of the environment, build a course with naturalized "non-maintainable" Mother Nature and the importance of being very areas, which provide such a wonderful contrast to careful with pesticides. I personally have always "maintainable areas", i.e. Bluegrass Rough and Bent adhered to a policy of "less is best", both from an Fairways. economic point of view, as well as a reduction of There is on our site some 45 acres of both native and possible damage to the grass plant. If one uses seeded areas of different types of Fescue. These areas recommended rates and avoids treating areas close to definitely come into play for both low and high water courses with pesticides, there is little or no handicap golfers, which means that these areas must concern of damage to "OUR" environment. be challenging, but also user friendly in terms of Many people are familiar with the Cape Cod providing only a one half shot penalty. This is by no Study, performed several years ago in a "worst case" means an easy task when considering weather soils of Cape Cod, Mass. it was clearly proven that (excessive rain), growth habits of grass varieties, weed properly used chemicals pose NO hazard to growth, aesthetics, etc. We must try and accommodate surrounding groundwater under EPA Heath the golf purists, who request a real challenge. Also, we Standards. For the first time, superintendents have must try and satisfy the higher handicap, who documented scientific evidence showing the effect of sometimes struggle with the degree of difficulty in their operations on man's most precious resource. these "naturalized, non maintainable areas". I can assure all my Associates, I personally would prefer to Thou Shalt Develop a Plan and Stick To It manage 100 acres of Bluegrass vs. our 45 acres of If the data support some form of remodeling or "Fescue". Reasons: renovation, don't ignore the problem and, equally important, don't rush to cry out, "Let's remodel!" 1. Majority of spraying done by hand gun to avoid Decide what is needed, develop a realistic plan to tractor marks in long grass; accomplish specific goals, and make every attemp to 2. Areas must be cut at least once a year, depending on finance the work without having the price become the rainfall; main issue. Before submitting a plan, know the scope 3. Excess grass must be removed; of the work, the true cost, and a realistic scedule. - 4. We use a spring tooth rake to develop piles of grass Taken from the Ten Commandents of Course Remodeling USGA Greens Record, Volume 35, Number 4, - Bo Links clippings; after mowing is complete. bewareofs t pikes workshop Beware of Soft Spikes By Bob Heron O.G.S.A. Director The friends of Fort Erie's Creeks and We, at Beacon Hall, decided in June of 1995, to Bridgewater Golf and Country Club are hosting a request non-metal spikes as an alternative to the workshop for Superintendents of the Niagara Region conventional steel spikes and I might add, I'm a firm Area. The workshop topics include Water believer in the benefits. The same quality putting Conservation and Water Quality Management. surface from morning till night, additional comfort and very little difference in terms of traction. Date: Tuesday, November 25,1997 Location: Bridgewater Golf and Country Club, Fort Erie However, beware of imitations. Many varieties, Time: 8:45 am-3:00pm copies and similarities are available and some do cause unnecessary damage to putting greens, Superintendents, assistants and anyone from especially when conditions are moist. Slippage can the green committee are welcome to attend. occur with whatever footwear you have on in certain situations. It is often circumstance or carelessness that For further information contact: results in accidents shortly after "Soft Spikes" become Craig Rorison mandatory at various clubs. This of course provides Vice President negative reactions to the use of soft spikes. The Friend's of Fort Erie's Creeks positives far outweigh the negatives in my opinion for (905) 894-2694 this revolutionary concept in golf course maintenance. Coming soon to Anaheim, Calif., the 69th International Golf Course Conference and Show will be held in the Anaheim Convention Center Don't miss this action- packed week of educational opportunities, the newest golf course products and services, and the chance to network with fellow professionals. Educational Monday through Seminar Thursday, Feb 2-5 Thursday Educational Sunday, Sessions through Feb. 5-8 and Forums and Saturday, Feb. 7 GCSAA Golf Saturday, . 31. Practice Round JanChampionship Friday Trade Show through Sunday, Feb. 6-8 Sunday, Feb, 1. Four Ball Championship Distributor Preview Hour Friday, Feb. 6 Monday and Tuesday Feb, 2-3. Championship 1421 Research Park Drive Lawrence, KS ♦ 66049-3859 February 2-8 1998 800/472-7878 REGISTER TODAY! Anaheim Convention Center www.gcsaa.org Trade Show: February 6-8 Thou Shalt Understand the Economies of Scale TURF REPAIRS Keep in mind that it may be most efficient to do all the needed work at one time, rather than spreading it out over several years. A course can achive NEEDED? substantial savings by having one crew and a single deployment of equipment. There also can be sizeable savings through bulk buying when it comes to purchasing the various supplies needed to do the job. If there FOR TOP QUALITY are related tasks the golf course is contemplating (improvements to the sprinkler system, new irrigation pipes, etc.) consider doing the work at the BENTGRASS, same time as the remodeling job so as to minimize the inconvenience to the BLUEGRASS, & golfers. The only thing worse than having your golf course torn up is SHADEGRASS having it torn up more than once. Call: Thou Shalt Respect Mother Nature Realize that seasons change and so does the weather. Winter is not a good time for heavy construction work (rain is a four-letter word to golf course contractors). Anyone reseeding needs to give the grass enough time to grow in before the rainy season arrives. While no one can predict the weather, careful planning can allow the work to be done during the spring, (416) summer, or fall - during a dry period and a good growing season - when earth moving can be done easily and efficiently, and the grass can be in 364-5700 place before trouble (in the form of rain) arrives. While this may entail cutting into the course's busy season and the remodeling work may result in some loss of revenue, in the long run it will be an advantage to have fairways, bunkers, and greens in place with the grass rooted before the rains come. LEGACY - RELIABLE PRODUCTS FOR GOLF COURSES LEGACY GOLF NOW AVAILABLE AT CENTURY RAIN AID IN THESE MAJOR MARKETS • Alabama • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Illinois • Indiana • Maryland • Michigan • Minnesota • New Jersey • North Carolina • Pennsylvania Century - • South Carolina Your Link to Legacy Golf More golf course professionals like yourself are • Virginia • West Virginia switching to Legacy irrigation. Your local Century golf representative can show you the advantages • Wisconsin of a Legacy system and can offer valuable technical assistance on a new course or retrofit. • Ontario, Canada Call for a Free Catalog Century Golf Professional - Ontario 800-347-4272 Gillian Glazer - 903-881-4794 www.rainaid.com review of hazard staking Hazard staking By Peter Kinch (Emerald Hills Golf Club) Hazard staking is a part of golf course maintenance that may not impress the golfer as greatly as greens conditioning, but nevertheless does directly affect scoring. Often it is a task that gets overlooked or gets marked improperly. Proper hazard staking can help to relieve some headaches associated with slow play. Swift rulings and proper ball drops can only quicken the pace of play. As Superintendents are asked to do what they can to fight slow play, more forested areas and tree lines are being staked as hazards. This is to avoid stroke and distance penalties associated with lost balls and subsequent delays. THE RULES The rules of golf differentiate the two marked hazards as follows: Water Hazards- any sea, lake, pond, river, ditch, surface drainage or other open water course (whether or not it contains water) and anything of a similar nature. The drop area is behind the water hazard, keeping the point at which the original ball last crossed the margin of the hazard directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far behind the hazard the ball may be dropped. Lateral Water Hazards- a water hazard or that part of a water hazard so situated that it is not possible (or practicable) to drop a ball behind the water hazard. The drop area is outside the hazard within two clublengths of and not nearer the hole than (i) the point where the original ball last crossed the margin of the hazard or (ii) a point on the opposite margin of the water hazard equidistant from the hole or (iii) behind the hazard, keeping the point at which the original ball last crossed the margin of the hazard directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped. Similarities Differences Both require one stroke penalties. Water hazards are marked with yellow stakes and/or paint. Lateral water hazards are marked with red stakes and/or paint. Both allow for drop areas as opposed to stroke and Water hazards are hit across in the normal course of distance penalties. * play. Lateral water hazards are adjacent (run along side) to the normal course of play. Other rules such as "no grounding the club" and The ball drop areas differ as per "The Rules" above. "identifying the ball" apply to both. * Although the player has the option of dropping the ball (with a stroke penalty) as near as possible to the spot from which the original ball was played (Stroke and distance penalty). GUIDELINES It is important to make the hazard markings visible from the teeing ground or play area so that the golfers understand the course of action even before the shot is made. By making the hazards obviously marked, the golfer will know whether a provisional ball must be played or not. Where a water hazard meets a lateral water hazard, it is preferable to have the respectively coloured stakes side by side to clearly identify the "beginning" and "end" of the different areas. This facilitates proper drop procedures. In addition to stakes, spray paint along the margin of the hazard is recommended. The inaccurate and time consuming task of lining up stakes is thereby avoided. Proper hazard staking benefits the Superintendent and the golfer by making all rulings clear and swift. Over 100 Years of Growing Service Tami J. Packham David J. Schmelefske A. Kent McDonald 330 Philip St., P.O. Box 144, Waterloo, Ontario Canada N2J 3Z9 Almack & Associates Telephone: (519) 886-0557 Fax: (519) 886-0605 1-800-465-5849 Box 256, Carlisle, Ontario LOR 1HO 905-689-6174 The Scotts Company PROFESSIONAL TURF PRODUCTS Dave Dick Jeff McMaster Turfgrass Specialist Turfgrass Specialist Rob Field Ontario Sales Manager - PTP 39 Monte Vista Trail 1864 Bowler Drive Tel: (905)541-8872 Fax: (905)632-2158 Brampton, Ont. L6Z 2J7 Pickering, Ont. LIV3E4 Fax & Phone 905-846-3319 Fax & Phone 905-839-6526 P.O. Box 1148, Hwy. #59 S., Woodstock, Ontario N4S 8P6 Customer Service 1-800-268-2806 Scotts Head Office 1-800-543-0006 SitePro Picture-perfect irrigation control. TURF CARE Contact the Irrigation Division at (905) 836-0988 for more information. Economical Pole Frame Buildings For All Your Needs.... Building SystemsLtd. RURAL & COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS Call collect to Jack or Rick Brenzil for a Free Estimate... (905) 772-3551 (905) 388-6865 Over 30 Years Experience turfgrass contact information Guelph Turfgrass Institute: Dr. Chris Hall GTI Direct Line (519) 767-5009 Weed Control (Turfgrass Research Committee Chair) Fax (519) 766-1704 Ext. 2740 Internet Website: www.uoguelph.ca/GTI jchall@evbhort.uoguelph.ca e-mail: info@gti.uoguelph.ca Dr. Tom Hsiang Turfgrass Diseases GTI Turfgrass Faculty & Staff: Ext. 2753 Dr. Greg Boland thsiang@uoguelph.ca Disease Prediction/Biological Weed Control Norman McCollum Ext. 2755 Research Superintendent gboland@evbhort.uoguelph.ca Ext. 6663 Dr. Steve Bowley Dr. Mark Sears Variety Evaluation/Bentgrass Breeding Turfgrass Insects Ext. 8704 Ext. 3921 sbowley@crop.uoguelph.ca msears@evbhort.uoguelph.ca Dr. Ken Carey Dr. Bob Sheard Turf Management/Product Evaluation GTI Consulting Agronomist - Rootzones Ext. 2777 (519) 767-5009 kcarey@uoguelph.ca Dr. Gerry Stephenson Dr. Jack Eggens Turfgrass Insects/Pesticide Persistence GTI Consulting Agronomist - Turf Management Ext. 3402 (519) 767-5009 gstephen@evbhort.uoguelph.ca Dr. Terry Gillespie Rob Witherspoon Microclimatology/Irrigation Scheduling Low Maintenance Turfgrass/Product Evaluation (GTI Ext. 2645 Director) tgillesp@lrs.uoguelph.ca Ext. 6886 Fifteen years ago today Fifteen Years Ago Today By Barry Endicott, Nobleton Lakes Jacobsen Division of Textron Inc. was pleased The Directors of the OGSA in 1982 were as follows: to welcome Ontario Turf Equipment Co, Ltd, as a new Bob Brewster (pres.), Rusty Warkman (vice), Ken Jacobsen distributor. Bob Corbin was retiring after 17 Nelson (past pres.), Al Draper, Barry Endicott (editor), years as Superintendent at Cataraqui Golf and Bill Fach, Doug Hoskins, John Hutchinson, Bob Country Club. Bob has been in the business for 22 Kennedy, Hugh Kirkpatrick, Paul Scenna and Tom years where he started at the St, Catherines Golf Club. Simpson. The following Superintendents were on the move: Warren Vout to Whitevale Golf Club; Doug Rothwell The CGSA's 33rd Annual Turfgrass Conference to the Royal Ottawa Golf Club: Dave Moote to Cypress and Show was held from March 7th to 10th at the Lakes, Ft. Myers: Bud Hooper to Coral Springs, Ft, Constellation Hotel. The GCSAA's International Lauderdale, and Steve Verral to Catarqui. The OGSA Turfgrass Conference and Show was held in New welcomed Lee Burpee to the staff of the University of Orleans from January 28 to February 5. Jim Wyllie was Guelph. elected as the GCSAA President. Thirty nine members attended a meeting at The 1982 OGSA Management Symposium was North Halton hosted by Al Beeney on February 17. held at the University of Guelph on January 5. 120 Curling followed the meeting and the team of Neil turfgrass growers attended and we heard Acton, Bill Fach, Bernie Macdonald and Tom Murphy presentations from the following Superintendents: were the winners. There was a spring OGSA/WOGA Stewart Mills, Doug Rothwell, Gord Witteveen, Hugh joint meeting at the Whirlpool G.C. hosted by Bill Kirkpatrick and Bill Hynd. Glashen. Low gross Superintendent was Hugh Kirkpatrick with a 77 and low net was Bill Glashen. New Members: Bill Kelly, Peel Village Golf Twenty-four Superintendents and guests teed it up at Club: David Wray, Nanticoke G.C.; Al Stoyles, Dominion G.C. hosted by Dan Uzelac with the Ontario Fanshaw G.C.; Ron Heesen, Board of Trade G.C.; Tom Superintendents team of Dan Ardley, 34: Paul Scenna, Murphy, Lambton G.C.; John Allen, Thornhill C.C.; 37; Rick Cylka, 39 and Bruce Vollet, 41, winning with a Michael Van Beck, Glen Abbey G.C.; Ben Harders, total of 154. On June the l0th the Galt Field Day and Saugeen G.C.; Keith Wills, Mt, Elgin G.C.; Stan Steip, Cambridge Turf Plots day was held. Participants from Preston Sand and Gravel; Garry Hall, Six Foot Bay the University of Guelph were Bob Sheard, Jack G.C.; Warren Vout, Whitevale G.C.; Paul Brown, Eggens, Lee Burpee, Bob Hall, Dennis Muir and Oshawa G.C.; Mike Donahue, J.L. Donahue Andrea McTear. Andi Bertoni was the evening guest Contracting; William Stevens, Lynn Meadows G.C.; speaker. Bill Bowen was low gross with a 72 and Keith Len Coward, Glen Lawrence G.C.; Ted Bouwhuis, Nisbet was low net with a 64. David Gourlay was low Brockville C.C,; Ed Farnsworth, Deerhurst G,C,; assistant with a 72. There was a Western Ontario Wayne Hall, Confederation C,C.; Doug Woods, meeting held at Greenhills on July 16 with Graham Douglas Woods Large Tree Sales Ltd,; R. Sheard, Univ, Shouldice winning low gross. of Guelph; Stephen Verral, Cataraqui C,C,; Jim Honey, Warkworth G.C.; Alex LaBelle, Midland G.C,; David The OGSA No-Stars took to the ice every Gourlay, Hamilton G.C.: Norm McCullum, Univ, of Monday afternoon. It featured such stars as Bob (He Guelph: Bob Rivard and Mike Kahn, Liftlock Golfland; Chops... He Scores) Brewster, Long John Smith, Ken John Gall, Sault Ste, Marie G.C.: Steven Raymer, (Mr. Puck Control) Wright, Blake (We're winning by Newcastle G,C. and Bob Harwood, Westmount G,C. one) McMaster, Boom Boom Heron, Barry (One on One on One on One...) Endicott, Paul (call me Dionne) Our membership totals were 159 Dermott, Bob (Mr. Dress-up) Cherry, Joe (Rib Cake) Superintendents, 37 Associates, 12 Class F - assistants Allen, Brent (Flash) McCaffrey, Rompin' Ronnie Craig, and 2 Class DD, Bob (Golden Wheels) Golden, Dave (Done like dinner) Dick, Gar Vasey, Ben Kern, Ken Quiggan, Kevin fifteen years ago today Fifteen Years Ago Today continued By Barry Endicott, Nobleton Lakes Dick, Gar Vasey, Ben Kern, Ken Quiggan, Kevin Regionalization was passed and approved. The Brown, the Hayhoe Brothers and Brusin' Brucie following awards were presented:Honary Members; Calhoun. James Boyce and Andy Bertoni, Life Members; Whitey Jones and Rene Muylaert and the Presidents award The President, Green Chairman and Keith Nesbit and Jim Wyllie. The golf winners were Superintendent Tournament was held at the London low gross, Hugh Kirkpatrick, low net Blake McMaster Hunt Country Club hosted by John Bennet. The team and low guest Bruce Calhoun. from Beaverdale led by Bob Labette won the tournament with London Hunt, John Bennet second On December 3rd the annual Christmas Party was and The Bay of Quinty, Shorty Jenkins coming in third. held at the Galt Country Club hosted by Paul and Dianne Scenna. The Ontario Turfgrass Research Foundation Tournament was held at the National Golf Club and Canada won the 4th International Greenskeepers Golf the barbecue at the Board of Trade Country Club with Tournament held at the Ipswitch Golf Club in England S7,500 donated to turfgrass research. Low net was Bob on October 6th. Members of the team were Steve Ogilvie and low grass was Russ Howard. Millar, Burlington, Bob Heron, Mississaugua, Doug Meyer, Cedar Brook, Lockie Shaw, Calgary and Tom At the annual meeting on December 1st, Kenyon, Southern Pines. Consider yourself a candidate. Applications for the 1998 Environmental Steward Awards are available from the August issue of Golf Course Management, GCSAA Online (www.gcsaa.org), affiliate chapter presidents, program sponsors and the GCSAA service center (800/472-7878). We 'll look forward to receiving your application by October 31, 1997. GCT alumni fundraising We’re GCT alumni fundraising Tournament growing... By Mary Beth Kelly to serve The GCT Alumni Tournament was held July 2, 1997 at you better! the Mad River Golf Club, and was hosted by Paul Mickalko. The tournament chair was Mary Beth Kelly. The event raised NU-GRO is Canada's more than $10,000 and the success was due to the generous tee Professional Turf Specialist and green sponsors, the many prize donations and the fleet of offering: golf carts donated by E-Z-GO Turf Care Product. • A choice of C-I-L and NU-GRO brands Once again Richard Butler invited his friend Jim Jerome of Edmonton to MC the event. Jim's jokes kept everyone rolling • Consistent blends utilizing with laughter throughout the evening. Jim brought Glen quality raw materials Gretzky as his guest, Glen was kind enough to bring an • Experienced Technical auction item from his brother. The autographed Wayne Support Representatives Gretzky stick was auctioned off to Mark Campion of Albion Golf Cars for $1,200 which ensured topping off our goal of • A wide range of Specialty $10,000. This year's proceeds will not only go towards Turf Fertilizers formulated with S.C.U.® NITROFORM® supplying the Golf Course Technician Program with the and NUTRALENE® special tools needed to better prepare our graduates to serve the industry, but also to create an endowment scholarship program for the future GCT students. This year is special in that the government will match dollar for dollar all contributions to the scholarship fund. After hosting 3 very successful fundraising tounamants in 1994, 1995 and this year, the GCT Alumni has raised in excess of $35,000. Plans for making this an annual event are Woodstock, Ontario N4S 8P6 well on their way and next year's revenue will be announced Laval, Quebec H7S 1C3 Calgary, Alberta T2H 2S1 soon. The Seneca College GCT Alumni would like to thank all WOODSTOCK, ONTARIO Telephone : (519) 456-2021 Fax: (519) 456-5002 our participants and sponsors for a great day. golf tournament report 1997 OTRF Fundraising Golf Tournament By Nigel Rennie Committee Chairman Club. Utica Turf Equipment sponsored a large tent where everyone enjoyed steaks provided by Turf Care, salad provided by OTEC, Maple Farm corn and ice cream provided by Doug Wood Large Tree Sales. Beverages were much appreciated by the hot thirsty golfers. Thanks to Ontario Seed Company for the beer, Bannerman for pop and juice and Rosedale Golf Club for the wine. Each participant received a draw ticket at the registration table. Those who did not win a golf prize had a chance at among others; golf clubs, hats, phones, shirts and a grand prize, a gas BBQ donated by McCracken Golf Supplies. Despite the promise of sunshine I awoke to a light drizzle at 5:30 A.M. In two and a half hours 110 golfers The day was a smashing success. Not only did were due to tee-off at The Summit Golf Club. participants enjoy a fine golf course and well- organized BBQ, but there was plenty of networking Thus began the 18th Annual OTRF Fundraising Golf between Superintendents, Assistants, General Tournament... Mangers and Industry suppliers. Despite the day being a fun social occasion, mentioning the benefactor Marie Thorne of The Solaris Group and Steve of so much industry support is critical. OTRF raised Hamilton of ISK Biosciences welcomed participants $18,000.00 to go directly to turfgrass research in with a complimentary breakfast after registration. At Ontario. While some researchers were attending an 7:45 A.M. the golfers reluctantly left their seats in the annual conference in Australia, both Rob Witherspoon lounge, donned rain gear and began the trek to their and Chris Hall participated in the day. starting hole. The starters gun signalled the commencement of the tournament and the end of the Special thanks go to this years' tournament organizing rain. committee for their hard work and dedication to this cause. Ted Tom, Paul White, Thom and Cindi As the day progressed, the clouds parted, and brilliant Charters, Marie Thorne and Daisy Moore. sunshine illuminated the course. Phil Brown gave us a revived Stanley Thompson layout. Greens rolled true, fairways were tight and all enjoyed the true magnificence of Summit, whatever the scores. The venue moved north after a pleasant four hours of golf to Beacon Hall Golf Club. Bob Heron and his staff welcomed us to a perfect facility for the BBQ and social. A newly built par three hole attracted several pitching "masters" as they competed in the IMC Vigoro Closest to the Hole Competition. Bob Buckton dodged errant shots while measuring the close ones to determine the final winner of the set of golf clubs. Congratulations to Larry Cooper of Mississaugua Golf golf tournament report 1997 OTRF Fundraising Golf Tournament Continued Watch for an announcement regarding the 1998 venue. It promises to be the event of the summer. Plan to be there if you missed out this year! ISO 9002 registration G.C. Duke Equipment Ltd. of Burlington, Ontario has Equipment., as the original name no longer reflected been registered to the ISO 9002 Quality Standards. The the company's product range. G.C. Duke Equipment International Standards Organization (ISO) has seen Ltd. continued to sell its original product range of its "ISO 9000" term become synonymous with quality mowers but, over the years, the product line grew to management standards on an international scale. include even larger mowers for golf courses, parks and highway maintenance and government agencies. The The prestigious ISO registration is not an easy Duke organization will celebrate its 50th Anniversary achievement for any company. A huge investment in in business in 1998. time and money is required to become registred and a company must constantly update their procedures and be continually inspected and audited to maintain Thou Shalt Educate Committees their registration. Make sure the Green Committee participates in all meetings with outside professionals, including all TAS An ISO quality system registration within a company visits. They can't do their job without knowing the can be defined as a means through which a firm can promise its customers that it is striving to provide status of the golf course and how to address diagnosed them with quality and value in every transaction. problems. Simply put, a company who embraces the ISO 9002 Thou shalt Educate the Golfers creed is endeavoring to service their customers by: Course remodeling can be an emotional issue, and it doing the right things, right the first time, on time and may take time to make the golfers fully aware of to the customer's satisfaction. problems that have been diagnosed. Go slowly, pay attention to everyone's varied concerns, and be The Duke organization believes it is the first grounds sensitive to the fact that many golfers may not at first maintenance equipment distribution firm in North America to receive an ISO 9002 registration. appreciate the seriousness of the problem. Give them time. Proceed golfer by golfer, talking to people on an The firm was founded in 1948 by the late Clinton Duke individual or small group basis. - Taken from the Ten under the trade name Duke Lawn Equipment. In 1983 Commandments of Course Remodeling USGA Greens the company changed its name to G.C. Duke Record, Volume 35, Number 4- Bo Links. Nutrite brand fertilizers deliver special Save labour with fewer mowings. effects on turf. Special because there’s If sulphur coated urea is the only source of more to our performance than meets the slow release nitrogen in your fertilizer now, eye. More than ordinary fertilizers deliver. you’re probably experiencing unwanted GOLF COURSE surge growth. Save labour with fewer applications. SUPERINTENDENTS GET MORE: Your golf course will respond well to slower Nutrite blends 2, 3 or more slow release nitrogen feedings, especially from organic nitrogen sources-we have the largest sources. Studies at 10 Universities have selection to choose from-to give your turf shown a lower incidence of turf diseases a programmed feeding up to 16 weeks. from Sustane® Compost use. Nutrite 24-6-12 FMS, for example, is formulated with 3 slow release sources to NEW TURF deliver 16 weeks of feeding and greening, EFFECTS under a variety of weather conditions. New 0-0-50 Coated K micros, Deltaspray® solubles for “spoon- feeding” and Bio Groundskeeper® Thatch Reducer are three new products for improved performance and special needs. Three more reasons to rely on Nutrite for special effects on turf. NUTRITE Division of GOOD TURF NUTRITION Hydro Agri CanadaLP STARTS IN THE SOIL Ontario (800) 265-8865 WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS Send us your soil samples and we will Alberta (403) 850-8005 OF A BLENDED APPROACH? prepare a corrective and maintenance turf B.C. (604) 864-9044 Superintendents are able to apply an envi­ nutrition program designed to maximize Québec (800) 561-7449 Maritimes (506)863-7018 ronmentally sensible, yet effective program results and eliminate what you don’t need. using a formulation of organic, organic *Organiform is a registered trademark of Nugro. based and low leaching synthetic blends. GTI Update Guelph Turfgrass Institute Update By Rob Witherspoon GTI Director The field research season is beginning to wind down Certified Arborist and University of Guelph lecturer for another year. However, activity on the site has David Ward, will be providing a Tree Management actually increased as construction begins on our new Seminar. This seminar will focus on the latest tree bentgrass research green. The 18,000 ft2 green is being management information including hazard tree constructed with industry support and donations identification and treatment, how to manage woodlots including funding from the Ontario Turfgrass and caring for individual trees on your course. On Research Foundation. Research activity on bentgrass November 27, David will be providing a hands-on has increased significantly in the past two years and Pruning Clinic where you and/or your staff can learn additional space was desperately needed. As well, the latest techniques for safe and healthy tree care. federal research regulations require that the genetically transformed bentgrasses coming out of Dr. The annual Turf Manager's Course returns for another Steve Bowley's lab must be initially isolated from year from February 2-27. Registration for this popular other bentgrass populations. If you are in the Guelph course will take place on November 1. The GTI Water area, please stop by and check out the progress. . Workshop will also return in late winter. We are working with Dr. Gerry Stephenson to develop a new The GTI Research Field Day was held on August 14. Pesticide Licencing Course that will be available this Approximately 150 turf managers were treated to a winter. Watch your mail for further information. All of warm and sunny day for touring the plots. One of the these programs are being offered by the GTI with the stops on the tour was the OTRF putting contest which assistance of the University of Guelph's Open raised in excess of $300 for turfgrass research. Thanks Learning division. Call (519) 767-5000 for more to all the prize donors and participants. After a information about these programs or check out our delicious hip of beef lunch, a series of hands-on webpage www.uoguelph.ca/GTI. workshops were offered. With expanded research activities at the GTI, particularly in areas of interest to newmbrs golf course superintendents, we are considering a golf turf only research and workshop field day in 1998. We hope to work closely with the OGSA to provide a day A list of new members in the last six months that provides maximum value for Ontario golf superintendents. New Member Club or Business Class Dave Caldwell Carrying Place G&CC C This fall and winter GTI is offering a series of John Kulak Dunnville G&CC B workshops and seminars designed to provide you Alan A. Morton Tyanda Municipal GC S with the information you need to better perform your Rod Speake Bay of Quintecc c fall and winter tasks. On October 30, you can learn Scott E. Sleep Wyldewood G&CC c how to optimize your snow mould control program Bryan Smith Deer Creek GC c with Dr. Tom Hsiang's Snow Mould Workshop. This Daria Stairs Kleinburg GC c one day workshop will provide the latest information Caleb Howard Ariss Valley GC A on snow mould control including understanding the Derek Lelievre Derrydale GC C Chris Nelson Markland Wood CC C pathogen, the best control strategy, as well as new Peter Stormes Streetsville Glen c treatments on the horizon. On November 13, ISA Jeff Salter Kingsville G&CC c Why Q. FLOWTRONEX PSI ? SUPERIOR PRODUCTION. The Silent Storm Variable Frequency Drive pump station combines efficiency and simplicity to save you more than 20% on your power bills and countless hours in maintenance. INDUSTRY LEADERSHIR flowtronex psi is the largest irrigation pump station manufacturer with over 7,000 installations worldwide. OTIS. The Operator Terminal Information System allows you to easily monitor and control flow, pressure, alarms and a variety of diagnostic dato. PUMPLOG. The only pump monitoring software in our market. The Windows-based program provides on-line graphical information of current and historical pump station data at your irrigation computer as well as remote access for monitoring, fine-tuning or troubleshooting the station. SERVICE. The industry exclusive FlowNet service network provides unmatched support. The Ontario-based FlowNet representative is Authorized dealer in Ontario : TURF CARE Newmarket • Ottawa • Mississauga plus NEW Scarborough location 200 Pony Drive, Newmarket, Ontario L3Y-7B6 Phone: (905) 836-0988 Fax: (905) 836-0995 FLOWTRONEX PSI Pumping Systems FLOWTRONEX PSI Lts.• 1-800-786-7480 INDUSTRY LEADERS IN QUALITY * SERVICE • INNOVATION 10717 Harry Hines Blvd. Dallas, Texas, U.S.A. 75220 | ftxpsi@flowtronex.com | phone 214-357-1320 fax 214-357-5861 | ©1997 FLOWTRONEX PSI Ltd?] ETHICAL STANDARDS OF ONTARIO GOLF SUPERINTENDENTS' ASSOCIATION • To ensure that respect is accorded our profession, our Association and our individual members, these ethical standards are to be observed and practised.. • Maintain courteous relation with your employer, employees and fellow superintendents, while practising sound business and turf management. • Continue to broaden your knowledge through formal education channels and by exchanging experiences and ideas with fellow members. • Endorse products or practises only when completely satisfied through personal experience.. • Refrain from corresponding either verbally or in writing, with a Director, member or official of another club, regarding its affairs, without the prior knowledge of that club's superintendent. • Apply only for a position that is vacant, and, if possible, talk to the person who held the job last or other local superintendents. • Offer employment to another club's employee only after advising that club's superintendent. • Notify the superintendent of the club you are visiting directly, and, whenever possible, do so in advance. • Misrepresenting the Association and yourself by lending your membership card will not be condoned.. • It is the responsibility of each member to abide by these standards and to report any violations to the Board of Directors, in writing. TURF CARE TORO & TURF CARE GIVE YOU THE ULTIMATE TRIPLEX GREENMOWERS • These are the most technologically advanced greenmowers in their class for tomorrow’s requirements. • Toro brings forth new technologies to exceed the high demands of today’s greens care for your golfers’ ultimate satisfaction. • Best of all check us out, Turf Care offers the industry’s highest resale value, which means the lowest net cost. TURF CARE and TORO: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND IRRIGATION “THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS” You can write us, phone us, fax us, and now locate us on the Web! www.turfcareproducts.ca 190 Britannia Rd. E., Unit 22 140 Milner Ave., Unit 24 2465 Stevenage Dr., Unit 110 Mississauga, Ont. L4Z 1W6 Scarborough, Ont. MIS 3R3 Ottawa, Ont. K1G 3W2 Ph: (905) 890-6290 Fax: (905) 890-5598 Ph: (416) 298-2101 Fax: (416) 298-8758 Ph: (613) 736-1890 Fax: (613) 736-0159 Turf Care Products Canada Limited 200 PONY DRIVE, NEWMARKET, ONTARIO L3Y 7B6 PHONE (905) 836-0988 FAX: (905) 836-6442