April 2001 Green is Beautiful The Official Publication of Ontario Golf Superintendents’ Association A Dream Come True Angus Glen Golf & Country Club Preparation for the AT&T senior open CANADA POST PUBLICATIONS MAIL PUBLICATIONS AGREEMENT No. 1689932 Postmaster: Please return undeliverable copies to The OGSA, 328 Victoria Rd. S., Guelph, ON N1H 6H8 FOUR!! [IN ONE] REDMAX® RECIPROCATORS™ Product: The RedMax®, Reciprocator™ is a unique Patented “Four In One” Edger, Trimmer, RECIPROCATORS Brushcutter & Pruner that cuts like gas Powered scissors. Models: SCGZ2500S: 25.4cc Strato-Charged™ 2-Cycle SCGX2600S: 26.2cc 4-Cycle Engine Displacement: 25.4cc/1.6 cu. in. In order for golf course superintendents to maintain a Carburetor: Disphragm w/purge pump nice tight edge around bunkers, they must trim and Ignition System: solid state edge bunkers a number of times during a golf season. Blades Head: 2, 20 tooth steel With the average golf course having 63 bunkers that Dry Wt.: 15.7 lbs. labor cost alone is a place to look for reducing costs. Warranty: 1 year Commercial (2 PCP), 2 year EPA and CARB Tier II Certified LABOR COST WITHOUT USING A RECIPROCATOR™ DUAL BLADES MOVE BACK AND FORTH IN Using string trimmers, spades and other various tools, ALTERNATING DIRECTIONS it takes 2 grounds crew persons 45 minutes to complete the edging and cleanup of each sand trap - bunker. 45 minutes x 63 bunkers = 47 hours, 15 minutes Authorized Sales & Service Dealers empty table cell empty table cell 4WD Equipment Centre Scarborough (416) 321-0660 2 grounds crew persons @ $8.00 per hour = $16.00 A.M.E. Small Engines Thorold (905) 227-7206 $16.00 x 47 hours & 15 minutes = $756.00 labor cost Allan Johnson Repair & Sales Metcalfe (613) 821-4263 Cloverleaf Air Cooled Engines Belleville (613) 962-5977 Complete Rent-All Burlington (905) 632-9010 Cottom Mower Essex (519) 776-4866 Current Power Machinery Mississauga (905) 822-4211 LABOR COST WHEN USING A RECIPROCATOR™ Cutting Edge Sarnia (519) 344-9215 Deboers Farm Equipment Elora (519) 846-5388 Erin Rent-All Inc. Erin (519) 833-5050 Using a Reciprocator™, it takes 1 grounds crew person Halton Grounds Care Milton (905) 878-8121 20 minutes to complete the edging and cleanup of Hyde Park Farm Equipment London (519) 471-1400 Kooy Bros. Lawn Equipment Weston (416) 242-3513 each sand trap - bunker. Newmarket Lawn & Garden Newmarket (905) 895-2346 Outdoor Supplies & Equipment Hamilton (905) 578-2411 20 minutes x 63 bunkers = 21 hours Pic’s Motor Clinic Fonthill (905) 892-3041 Power World Machinery Co. Ltd. Thornhill (905) 889-8952 1 grounds crew person @ $8.00 per hour = $8.00 Seabrook Rent-All Ltd. Lindsay (705) 324-7368 $8.00 x 47 hours & 15 minutes = $168.00 labor cost Simcoe Grey Equipment Collingwood (705) 446-2226 Stomark Stoufville (905) 642-2020 Storm Equipment Sales, Serv. & Leasing Whitby (905) 666-3156 Labor cost without using the Reciprocator™: $726.67 Terra Services & Equipment Lakefield (705) 652-8116 Labor cost when using the Reciprocator™: $168.00 Terry’s Lawn & Power Equipment Cambridge (519) 623-0111 Walpole Lawn & Garden Equipment Simcoe (519) 426-7589 Wilder Farm Equipment Tecumseh (519) 979-3800 COST SAVINGS Windmill Power Equipment Dundas (905) 628-3055 when using the Reciprocator™: $558.67 Meetz Small Engines Waterloo (519) 885-3860 TNT Small Engines Wallaceburg (519) 627-3697 Contents Green is A DREAM COME TRUE .......................................... 12 Beautiful Angus Glen Golf and Country Club.............................................. 16 The Official Publication of Ontario Golf Superintendents’ Association Announcements.............................................................................. 10 Annual March curling day ............................................................. 26 C.G.S.A. director report................................................................. 6 Cyber super ..................................................................................... 10 Editor's message............................................................................ 5 G.C.S.A.A.......................................................................................... 6 Golf course highlight - Galt Country Club .................................... 11 Health & safety .............................................................................. 7 Looking back ................................................................................... 27 Preparation for the AT&T senior open......................................... 15 President's message ...................................................................... 4 The referee ..................................................................................... 9 COVER PICTURE The Toronto Terror ......................................................................... 9 www.golfsupers.on.ca Turf or consequences ..................................................................... 22 Utilizing technology....................................................................... 18 Welcome! ........................................................................................ 5 Advertisers Albion Golf Cars and Turf Equipment.......................................... 18 Almack & Associates ..................................................................... 9 Braemar Building Systems ........................................................... 7 Burnside Golf Services .................................................................. 6 Century Rain Aid............................................................................. 14 Chipco Professional Products....................................................... 8 Douglas Wood Large Tree Services .............................................. 22 G.C. Duke Equipment Ltd............................................................... 2 Graphic Services Ltd....................................................................... 4 Maple Turf Supply ......................................................................... 9 Nu-Gro........................................................................................ 25, 26 Nutrite.............................................................................................. 23 OSC Seeds ........................................................................................ 26 The P.E.S.T. Institute........................................................................ 25 Penguin Golf Associates ................................................................ 18 Plant Products Turf ......................................................................... 27 OGSA is committed to Proturf Division - NuGro Corporation ......................................... 26 serving its members, Pumptronics Incorporated............................................................. 15 advancing their profession, Skyway Lawn Equipment Limited................................................ 22 Syngenta.................................................................................... 17, 24 and Turf Care Products Canada - Irrigation Division......................... 19 enriching the quality Turf Care Products Canada ............................................................ 28 of golf United Horticultural Supply .......................................................... 21 Vanden Bussche Irrigation & Equipment Limited ...................... 20 and its environment. Zander Sod Co. Limited ................................................................. 22 President'smessage power of setting goals and objectives within organizations has been realized for decades. Mapping out a plan and achieving the results with a motivated staff not only benefits your operation and its clients, but also enriches the job satisfaction of your staff. Whether your organization is large or small, public or private, 9 or 18 holes, bentgrass or bluegrass fairways; we are all ONTARIO GOLF SUPERINTENDENTS' in the service business. ASSOCIATION We all know how vital good customer service is for Guelph Turfgrass Institute people who enjoy the “golf experience”. As the 328 Victoria Road South economy begins to show signs of general decline, many Guelph, ON N1H6H8 superintendents will be forced to do more with less. As Ph: 519-767-3341 the various inputs into our golf operations increase in Toll Free: 877-824-6472 price (some exponentially) on an annual basis, we continue to look for ways to control Fax: 519-766-1704 escalating expenses. Many times we may forget the revenue side of the golf business Email: ogsa@gti.uoguelph.ca since most of us deal with only expenditures at our courses. How golfers and their guests Website: www.golfsupers.on.ca enjoy our golf course will usually directly impact the revenue side of our club. As a result, maintenance operations that provide great service not only will help to increase BOARD OF DIRECTORS revenues, but also your value as a golf superintendent. PRESIDENT John Gravett As superintendents, we need to go out of our way to really listen to our clients, and PAST PRESIDENT Keith Bartlett VICE-PRESIDENT Jim Flett in the process we can also learn from them. There are many superintendents across TREASURER Mark Piccolo Ontario who are truly great at customer service and it is evident in the success of their SECRETARY Rob Ackerman operation. We need to learn to know and anticipate what the golfer needs. Ask your DIRECTORS Dean Baker clients how they feel about your maintenance operation. It is well known how beneficial Jeff Burgess spending time with your clients playing golf can enhance your operation and Bob Burrows professionalism. Since your staff are the vital component of your golf maintenance Mike Courneya operation, focus on empowering them as well as being pro-active. “What if’ training Dave Cours works great and facilitates the staff to think about what they would do if a special Sean DeSilva situation occurred, ie. too much rain, floods, angry people, etc. On a reactive basis, we Paul Scenna all have to remember that nobody’s perfect. It is indeed part of human nature that we OFFICE will all make mistakes in our profession. Great leaders make plenty of mistakes, but ADMINISTRATOR Dorothy Hills know how to fess up and fix up! Sometimes it is very uncomfortable dealing with angry people and awkward situations. But 5% of your clients will actually try to take advantage of you while the other 95% are honest. Remember to set your course for the 95%! Your OGSA Board of Directors have set ambitious goals and objectives for each portfolio to be achieved by the end of this year. Without going into great detail, I can reassure you that your Board of Directors consists of a serious group of dedicated superintendents who are focused on achieving their portfolio goals this year. The OGSA has formed an Annual Conference Subcommittee to specifically focus on three areas of opportunity. First, the Subcommittee will make a recommendation to the OGSA Board of Directors on a potential new format for the annual conference and show. Secondly, the Subcommittee will examine relationships with current partners in the Ontario Turfgrass Symposium. Finally, the Annual Conference Subcommittee will determine and make recommendations to the OGSA Board of Directors concerning appropriate GREEN IS BEAUTIFUL EDITORIAL action with respect to the CGSA and their conference and show. The best interests of COMMITTEE the OGSA membership will always be represented throughout the mandate of the Jeff Stauffer, Editor Subcommittee. Bob Burrows, Liaison We urge the membership to share your views on the current conference and show as Dorothy Hills, Coordinating Manager well as offering any comments on what you would like to see improved. The OGSA is in Randy Booker the business of servicing our members and we would like to ‘raise the bar’ at your Angelo Capannelli annual conference and show. Scott Horsburgh Greg O'Heron Layout Design & Printing provided by... Mark Piccolo Mark Prieur Mark Schneider GRAPHIC SERVICES PRINTERS & LITHOGRAPHERS “Green is Beautiful” Green is Beautiful 2001 is Printed on Although every effort is made to check Recycled Paper material for publication, the association is e-mail: info@graphicservices.ca not responsible for material published on behalf of its contributors. All rights are reserved by the publisher 32 - 34 Essex Street Guelph, ON N1H 3K8 and any reproduction in whole or part without the written permission of the Tel.: (519) 763-5745 • Fax: (519) 763-9532 publisher is prohibited. Editor's message It is with enthusiasm and honour I accept the opportunity to be the Editor of Green is Beautiful. I thank the Ontario Golf Superintendents’ Association Board of Directors for this opportunity for development and for their confidence in my ability to perform the role of Editor. I have enjoyed the previous year as a member of the Editorial Committee and as Welcome! the new Editor, I am committed to continue to provide the quality magazine my predecessors have worked hard to create O.G.S.A. Welcomes and produce. I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate my most our newest members recent predecessor, Bob Burrows, on his successful election to Chris Armatage Class F the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association Board of Glen Abbey Golf Club Directors and a successful year as editor of Green is Beautiful. During his short term Bob introduced several new components Robert W. Baker Class A that significantly enhanced the magazine. With membership support and submissions, Seven Lakes Golf Course Ltd. Green is Beautiful will continue to incorporate these changes. Finally, I would like to thank Bob for his support and guidance during the transition of editors. Wade Beaudoin Class C I encourage all members of the OGSA; Superintendents, students, or industry St. Thomas Golf & CC affiliates, to submit articles. It is this continual flow of information that contributes to personal development and assists fellow colleagues in the day-to-day performance of D. Robert Hendricks Class A their jobs. Timber Ridge Golf Club Finally, a request from the Green is Beautiful Editorial committee. When taking pictures during the upcoming season, please turn your camera on end and snap a few Louis Josh Lieff Class C for us. It is only when a picture is in portrait format that it is feasible to be used as a cover Diamond Back Golf Club photo. The Green is Beautiful Editorial committee will strive to continue to produce a quality Tanya Mclvor Class C magazine that represents the OGSA Membership. If you have comments or suggestions Glen Abbey Golf Club for improvement, please contact any member of the Editorial Committee. Input from Daniel McNeil Class A the membership will be greatly appreciated. Riverbend CC All the best for a great start to the spring! Mike Pellerin Class C Rosedale Village Golf Club Dennis Piccolo Class C St. Catharines Golf Club Ryan Scully Class F Muskoka Lakes Golf & CC Edward J. Sealy, Jr. Class A Mahoning Valley CC, PA Brad Sizer Class B PRECIPITATION IN Brier Fox Golf Club ONTARIO REGION Norbert Szabo Thornhill CC Class F Measured at Pearson International Airport Provided by Ministry of the Environment Deni Terenzio Class S Glen Abbey Golf Club YEAR 2001 Gary Terris Class C empty table cell Port Royal Golf Course Average Actual Catherine Towle Class S January (rain) 18.5 ml 21.0 ml Tom Winger Class F (snow) January 32.3 cm 10.8 cm Willow Valley Golf Course January (total) 45.6 ml 31.2 ml Roseann Winters Class B Frog's Breath Golf Course February (rain) 20.8 ml 55.6 ml ENVIROLINKS Class E (snow) February 25.9 cm 36.0 cm Doug Brooks, President, Kitchener February (total) 45.5 ml 94.0 ml G.C.S.A.A. by Keith Bartlett Thornhill Country Club This year marks GCSAA’s 75th members are eligible for a free At the recent Annual General Meeting, Anniversary. The Association has many registration to the Orlando Conference Tommy D. Witt became the new president. activities scheduled throughout the year and Trade Show. This offer is only Also, all the PDI issues were approved and which started at the recent Conference and available to those joining the GCSAA for beginning in 2003, each member will be Trade Show in Dallas. I wanted to bring a the first time. required to obtain a minimum number of few interesting items to your attention that Also, the GCSAA is launching a golf ball points to retain their Class A status. You you may want to participate in or take collection drive. It is an attempt to will be required to obtain a minimum advantage of. demonstrate the far-ranging geographic number of points over a five-year period. There is a special membership offer for scope of the GCSAA. More information will Some points can be obtained simply by any persons who qualify for class A, B, and be forth coming but they are requesting all holding a valid pesticide license. More C. The special rate is $75.00 and will be members to send three logo golf balls from details will be made available as they are available until March 1, 2002. New your respective club. finalized at the GCSAA. C.G.S.A. director report by Bob Burrows Rosedale Golf Club As I left Vancouver, I realized that not Finally, may the 2001 season be successful for you and your club, once did I have to use my umbrella. The and please do not hesitate to call me at any time. I look forward to CGSA/WCTA joint conference was a great seeing many of you this season. success! With fine weather, record attendance, a popular trade show, and outstanding educational opportunities, the overall feeling was very positive. Engineers, Hydrogeologists, Congratulations to Mr. Jim McGarvey, the Environmental Burnside Golf Services WCTA and all those responsible for Consultants A DIVISION OF R.J. BRUNSIDE & ASSOCIATES LIMITED helping to make this conference a success. Offices located throughout Ontario We are all looking forward to Quebec City next March. Also mark next September on your calendar for the CGSA Fall Field Day Serving the Needs of the GolfIndustry at the Royal Bromont GC, about one hour south-east of Montreal. This event fills up quickly, so register early. A number of ongoing CGSA initiatives were discussed during the Contact Vito Cirone We can help with: Conference in Vancouver. At the National Occupational Standards Tel: (905) 953-8967 • Approvals for Golf Course Development Toll Free: (877) 799-8499 (NOS) a roundtable meeting was held to determine next steps, and & Operations E-mail: • Hydrogeology and Stormwater Management thoughts brought forward will be used to guide the Board on the vcirone@rjburnside.com www.burnsidegolf.com • Sewage Treatment & Disposal development of a ‘needs assessment’. This exercise will integrate the • Environmental Management Plans NOS with our members’ needs. Various educators from across Canada • Building and Clubhouse Design also met for a full day and they have formed an “Educators Council” to • Irrigation Design and Consulting help implement and teach-to, the standards at turf institutions. • Environmental Impact Assessment After Vancouver, I attended a two day meeting in Ottawa hosted by the Federal Ministry of Health, specifically the “Pest Management Regulatory Agency” (PMRA). The meeting was a result of the “Healthy Lawns” initiative of the PMRA and included a variety of ‘stakeholders’ from across the green space industry. Afterwards, I realized that these two days were indeed a watershed meeting between industry and regulators. The views of the golf industry were very well received and respected. I can tell you that we are viewed as the experts on IPM and property management. As the new Ontario Director, I would like to say that I am honoured to represent the members of Ontario on the CGSA Board, as well as serve on the OGSA Board. Many people believe that sitting on both Boards is a positive step in maintaining the already good communication between our two Associations. As Mr. Bill Fach has moved up to the position of Vice President, I would Members of OGSA, CGSA and NGCOA like to thank Bill for his hard work, dedication, and commitment over the past years. Health & safety Your health & safety program by DougJohnson, SAFETAID and Health and Safety Consulting First Aid and Safety Supplies and WHMS Training trust that you are all having a good curling club, the greens or any other part and Safety Representative. Other areas winter and are looking forward to a safe of the property associated with the club. that must be covered include, workplace and prosperous golfing season. The policy is a written, signed and inspections, WHMIS, first aid, accident I have had a number of discussions dated, document that states that the investigation, early return to work, with employers lately and one thing that employer is responsible for all aspects of lockout, personal protective equipment, tends to stand out is what they don’t safety in the workplace. It should also state injury reporting and claims management understand about the Occupational that all managers and supervisors are to name a few. Health and Safety Act (the Act). I have responsible for ensuring that all aspects of To meet the minimum needs of the been surprised that employers I have the Act are communicated and enforced Act you should encourage your employer talked with do not realize that when it in the workplace and that all managers to develop a health and safety program comes to the Act it is not possible to divide and supervisors will be held accountable and as the superintendent you should up the workplace into different pieces for safety in the workplace. ensure that the program is implemented, and only deal with safety in some of those The policy also clarifies that workers communicated to your workers and areas. The Act defines the workplace as and contractors have a duty to follow all enforced in the areas of your jurisdiction. any “land, premises, location or thing at, aspects of the Act and any rules that your Failure to do so may lead to orders from upon, in or near which a worker works”. employer may have in the workplace. the Ontario Ministry of Labour or in the The Act goes on to define an employer Once the policy has been established worst case, after a critical accident, as “a person who employs one or more the employer is required to implement a charges under the Act for “failure to workers or contracts for the services for written program to support the policy. comply”. one or more workers and includes a This means that the employer is required Take this opportunity to put your club contractor...”. This means that at your to develop a program that details the on the right track and implement a workplace your employer is required to responsibilities of all the workplace program today. If you need help, or wish have a written health and safety policy and participants. This program will also define to discuss this in more detail, please give program that covers all aspects of the the duties and responsibilities of the Joint me a call. It is cheap insurance! course. The clubhouse, the kitchen, the Health and Safety Committee or Health STORAGE FACILITIES • WAREHOUSES • NEW BUILDINGS •WOOD & STEEL STRUCTURES • ADDITIONS • RENOVATIONS Experience... That’s the Braemar Difference. For your FREE estimates please call Rick Brenzil, Harold Bundy or Jack Brenzil Toll Free: 1-800-215-1996 RRI,York, Ontario N0A IR0 • Telephone: (905) 7723351 • Fax: (905) 7723422 Email: rbrenzil@braemarbldg.com • www.braemarbldg.com Use Rovral Green for proven, reliable and low cost per day Dollar Spot control. Rovral Green features a unique mode of Western Canada 403-256-2331 activity, and provides up to 21 days of Dollar Spot protection while also controling diseases like Brown Patch. With long lasting protection you can Ontario 905-854-4459 count on, stretch your Dollar Spot dollars with the proven performance of Quebec/Atlantic 514-949-2467 Stretch Rovral Green. For more information visit our website at www.chipcocanada.com your dollar chipco Rovral Green FUNGICIDE Professional Products Dollar spot doesn’t stand a chance. The referee Spring cleanup by Bob Leggitt Rules Chairman, O.G.A. pring - A S “Loose Impediments? They are natural very nice time of objects such as stones, leaves, twigs, same hazard, (whether it be a water year for golfers. branches, dung, worms and insects and hazard or a bunker). When removing a The time of year casts or mounds made by them, provided loose impediment lying within one to get back they are not fixed or growing, are not club-length of the ball, care must be outside and enjoy solidly embedded and do not adhere to taken to ensure the ball does not move nature. It is also the golf ball. or the player will incur a one stroke an extremely A lot of these items must be cleaned up penalty. If the ball is moved, it must be busy time for golf each spring, after storms and again in the replaced or the player will incur a two course super­ fall when trees begin to lose their leaves. stroke penalty. So, as, players we owe a intendents and What can a player do when loose lot of thanks to the superintendents and their staff as they endeavour to get the impediments are missed in cleanup and their staff who do an excellent job in golf course ready to open for play. One of interfere with play? keeping our courses clean and thus the biggest jobs must be the cleaning up Loose impediments may be removed prevent us from occurring penalties by of all the various “Loose Impediments” without penalty except when both the moving these objects that might that are left after the winter. Just what are loose impediment and the ball lie in the interfere with play. The Toronto Terror The Life and Works of Stanley Thompson, Golf Course Architect Reviewed by Mark Schneider, Owen Sound Golf Club by James A. Barclay, Sleeping Bear Press, Hardcover 207pg, $40.00, Revised by Neil Crafter tanley Thompson was a larger than life S of the latter half of the century - Robert Canadian who was said to have made three Trent Jones. As Thompson’s partner, Jones separate fortunes and managed to lose clearly absorbed much of the older man’s them all! As a golf course architect, knowledge and philosophy, to the point Thompson is well known in Canada for where the spirit of their style was described such gems as Banff, Jasper Park Lodge, and as being identical. St. George’s and in this book Canadian Thompson pioneered the multi­ author James Barclay delivers a fascinating disciplinary design firm, employing soil biography of this ebullient character with scientists, plant pathologists, landscape text. Another fine his vast protfolio of work. architects, arborists, architects and land book from Sleeping Bear Press that The book is not so much an assessment planners in his office. contributes to a growing understanding of of Thompson’s work but more a glimpse The first part of the book is devoted to golf course architecture and its practioners. into one man’s interesting life, from his Thompson’s upbringing and family life, Copies are available through: childhood in Toronto as one of ten while the later sections examine the state of Gordon Witteveen brothers and sisters, to his play as a fine design in the 1920’s, his philosophies and Pleasant View Golf Course amateur golfer and on to his career as a finally lists his prodigious work output. 467 Mount Pleasant Rd. golf course designer of some renown. In Period black and white photography is Brantford, Ontario N3T 5L5 1930, Stanley Thompson met and teamed used throughout the book and coupled E-Mail: gordon.witteveen@sympatico.ca up with a young man who would later be with some of his company advertisements Phone: 1-905-787-1465 Fax: 1-519-446-3007 recognized as the most successful architect makes an interesting accompaniment to the Brett Murray Technical Sales Maple Turf Supply Business: (905) 857-2000 Corrie Almack, P.Ag. 8112 King Rd. W. Fax: (905) 857-8215 P.O. Box 370 Mobile: (416)616-8112 Bolton, Ontario 1-800-268-4425 ALMACK & ASSOCIATES Tel: (905) 689-6174 L7E 5T3 mapleturf@attcanada.net Box 256, Carlisle, Ontario Fax: (905) 689-8522 LOR 1HO Email: C.AImack@sympatico.ca Cyber super Search engines by Mark Prieur, Assistant Superintendent Lionhead Golf and Country Club urfing the Web sometimes can be a results will skew; for example, searching metacrawler is that it will narrow your real chore when you do not know how for “turfgrass” (as I did) may lead to either query (search) by adding sub­ to find what you are looking for. a turfgrass research institution or a directories to it. Searching for Looking for information on the latest flooring company in Anytown, USA. See “superintendents” will prompt meta­ turf disease or even checking to see how the end of this column for tricks on crawler to suggest “superintendent the stock market is doing can be refined search techniques. associations” or “school board super­ puzzling due to the constant barrage of If you intend to do more ‘surfing,’ intendents” as a refined query. This site advertisements. The Web has definitely www.altavista.com can lead you to is slower (and has ads) but more often become one universal used-car salesman specific sites that have a high relevance to provides the desired result. trying to get your dollar. If you know the subject that you are searching for. In Remember, how a query is entered is how to search correctly, one will not addition, it will search within the site; (let just as important as what is entered. waste time getting spammed (read: you see the relevant links in the site Using quotation marks for phrases will junk) from the Web. without actually opening it) this saves a ensure that each hit will contain ALL Try www.alltheweb.com for a real fast large amount of time. The downside is words (ex. “golf course superintendents”) search result, no gimmicks, no ads. This that there are a tremendous amount of in your search. Plus (and minus) signs site prides itself on speed and accuracy. ads here and does not have the speed of will also ensure that each word will be Also www.google.com falls into the same the sites listed above. included on (or excluded from) the hit speedy search category with no ads. My personal favorite is list. Last but not least, NEVER include Unfortunately, these sites do not really www.metacrawler.com. This site numbers (or single letters) in your search narrow the search results like some of the actually searches using all the other as these will provide every website with a other sites do. Sometimes the search search engines. The other plus of number (or single letter) in it. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mechanic's Association News The board of directors of the GOLF EQUIPMENT TECHNICIAN ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO has selected Larry A. Murray to become president. Also, John Garfield Findlay has joined the board of directors. The G.E.T.A.O. will continue to assist its members with educational tools, tips, industry links to distributors and manufacturers. Its members receive the trade magazine, REEL GRIND, six times a year as well as hosting a week of service schools based on the needs of the mechanics. The association, which has been functioning since 1992, has earned the respect of manufacturers' representatives, distributors, and superintendents of O.G.S.A. Superintendents have often approached the association, in search of a good mechanic. The association does provide classified ads. for employment as well as searching for, trading, or selling equipment and parts. If the mechanic at your golf course is not a member, then take this opportunity to join and reap the benefits immediately. To obtain a membership application, telephone Larry, (905)898-3917 or Eddie, (905)889-7620 ext.503, or eddie.konrad@ladiesgolfclub.com. Green Is Beautiful The official publication of the Ontario Golf Superintendents' Association has been recognized by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, for Most Improved Publication, for the second year in a row. Bob Burrows was on hand to accept the award, at their recent conference and trade show. Thanks Newsletter editors contest winners (from left): Kristen Liebsch, goes to our Editorial Committee for their hard Philadelphia Association of GCS; Robert Burrows, Ontario GSA; work and guidance, and to you the members, for Monroe S. Miller, Wisconsin GCSA; Ken Krausz, CGCS, GCSA of your input . We will continue to work to make New Jersey; Michelle Frazier, CGCS, Northern Ohio GCSA; Patrick this the best publication possible, and welcome Sisk, CGCS, Metropolitan GCSA; Charles M. Borman, CAE, your suggestions or comments. Carolinas GCSA; Joel D. Jackson, CCGS, Florida GCSA. Golf course highlight Galt Country Club 750 Coronation Blvd. Cambridge, Ontario N1R8E3, Canada email: gccmark@golden.net web site: www.galtcountryclub.com COURSE PROFILE WHAT COUNTY IS YOUR CLUB LOCATED IN? Waterloo IS YOUR CLUB PRIVATE, SEMI PRIVATE, PUBLIC, RESORT, MUNICIPAL? Private SIZE OF MEMBERSHIP? 650 NUMBER OF ROUNDS? 37,000 TYPICAL OPENING AND CLOSING DATE? April 10 and November 21 WHAT IS YOUR PREDOMINANT GRASS? NAME OF SUPERINTENDENT? Poa / Bent Mark Piccolo HOW MANY USGA GREENS AND HOW MANY LOAM GREENS? HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN A SUPERINTENDENT? 1 and 18 8 WHAT IS THE PREDOMINANT SOIL TYPE? ARE YOU CGCS OR MASTER SUPERINTENDENT.? sandy loam No WHAT EQUIPMENT DO YOU HAVE IN INVENTORY? LIST OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS (AUDUBON, BOARD SERVICE ETC.) 6 - GM 1000 Greens Mowers (walkers) OGSA Board of Directors 2 - Jacobsen Greens King IV Triplex’s HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN AN O.G.S.A.. MEMBER? 2 - Toro 5100 fairway mowers 11 2 - AR-250 rough mowers 1 - National HOW MANY YEAR ROUND STAFF? 1 - Ransomes Out Front 4 1 - Cushman Sprayer HOW MANY SEASONAL STAFF? 6 - Club Cars 12 2 - Cushmans HOW MANY MECHANICS AND ASSISTANTS? 1 - Workman 1 and 1 3 - Tractors HOW MANY GARDENING STAFF? 2 - GA 24” 1 1 - GA 60” Blowers, sweepers, harvester, topdresser, miscellaneous equipment, cushman sprayer 19’ boom, dumptruck etc. COURSE STATISTICS HOW MANY HOLES? COURSE PROJECTS 18 WHAT PROJECTS HAVE YOU RECENTLY COMPLETED? WHAT IS THE YARDAGE FROM BACK TEES AND FORWARD TEES? - new clubhouse in 2000 6234 and 5308 - new practice putting green fall of 1999 WHAT IS THE SIZE AND LENGTH OF DRIVING RANGE AND RANGE TEE? - new first tee spring 2000 120 yds HOW MANY BUNKERS? LONG RANGE PLANS 45 WHAT LONG RANGE PLANS FOR RENNOVATION DO YOU HAVE IN THE NEXT FIVE HOW MANY PONDS, AND/OR HOW MANY TIMES DOES WATER COME INTO PLAY? YEARS? 3 - rebuild our 7th green - continue to improve tee size WHO WAS THE ORIGINAL ARCHITECT? - replace sand in bunkers Stanley Thompson - possibly work to control flooding from the Grand River WHAT WAS THE YEAR OF ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION? 1906 CHALLENGES BY WHOM AND WHEN WAS THE COURSE REMODELLED? ARE THERE ANY PARTICULAR CHALLENGES YOU FACE WITH YOUR PROPERTY? Early 60’s Moote - flood of the Grand River WHAT MAJOR TOURNAMENTS HELD? - Canada geese Ontario Ladies - small greens/lots of play WHAT IS THE SIZE OF YOUR MAINTENANCE SHOP? 6 000 sq ft SUCCESS STORIES WHAT TYPE OF IRRIGATION SYSTEM? DO YOU HAVE ANY SUCCESS STORIES? Rain Bird Mater II, 8 yrs old We now mulch all of our leaves using our 2 AR-250 - Just amazing! WHAT IS THE SIZE OF THE GREENS, TEES AND FAIRWAYS? 110 000 sq ft(greens), 75 000 sq ft (tees), 22 acres (fairways) A dream come true for the Galt Country Club by Mark Piccolo, Course Superintendent For many years the Galt Country Club has struggled to be recognized as a quality private club in the Golden Triangle area. The best deal in town pleased the members but it wasn’t enough to produce the revenue needed to make improvements to the golf course and clubhouse. In the past nine years all of that has changed. In 1992 the membership voted 51% to 49% to replace the manual irrigation system and renovate the bunkers. In 1996 a long range plan was adopted for the golf course and a commitment was made to improve the tees to handle the amount of play we were receiving. The club was taking steps to improve the golf course, now the focus shifted to the club house. In 1996 the push was on to either renovate the deteriorated club house or rebuild. Estimates came back in the one renovations. Committees now knew that The Galt Country Club was going to to two million dollar range for rebuilding was the only answer. Several embark on its biggest project ever. On committees, October 1st 1999, the demolition of the old concepts, and club house began. The plan was to leave the membership votes existing curling rink intact and tie the new later, in the winter facility into the curling rink. Construction of 1999, the carried throughout the winter and was membership voted opened to the membership in mid June over 80% in favour 2000. Quite a feat in a matter of 9 months. for the latest con­ It was now our turn to get involved. cept put together The Greens Committee was responsible by the building for the blending of the new facility into committee and the the existing landscape. Our plans financing package included a new 8,000 sq. ft. practice by the Board, and putting green to be located behind the motioned the curling rink, a new first tee, driving net, Board of Directors cart path design and landscaping to go ahead with around the facility and the the new facility. reconfiguration and paving of the parking lot and main roadway. Hilton Landmark and Design out of Waterloo was retained to design traffic flow routes, planting areas and the parking lot reconfiguration. In the fall of 1999, we constructed the new green designed by Carrick Design Inc. The work was done mostly in-house. The green was a California style using a calcareous 60/40 mixture which specked very well and sodded to L-93. The project seemed to add life to the construction area. In the spring of 2000, once construction crews were finished with the exterior of the building, construction of the first tee began. The 3 days of placing armour stone to tier the tee created a great setting for the clubhouse. As construction of the facility was finishing, grading for the paths and digging of the planting areas began. Once the installation of the irrigation system and landscape lighting conduits were installed, the paving was completed and planting and sodding finished the project. The final project was the construction of a 22 foot gazebo which now is used as a sitting area for members beside the practice green and a staging area for tournaments. As you drive by Coronation Blvd. in Cambridge people take a second look at the transformation that has taken place. The once old farm house is now an estate of cut stone overlooking the golf course and the banks of the Grand River. The summary I gave does not include the tales of sleepless nights, arguments with contractors, delays after delays, extreme weather conditions, changing of minds after the fact, being over budget more than the 10% allowed and having to explain it to the Board, or the pleasure of having lunch in a facility our club use to dream about. To describe the facility it’s best to visit and you will understand the amount of work it took from all parties involved. Did I forget to mention, the course is still being targeted as a main corridor for an access route through the city to improve traffic flow to the other side of the river. The saga continues at the Galt Country Club but for now, it’s time to enjoy! Call Century for Solutions Golf Course Irrigation - Pump Stations Controller Board Repairs/Replacements - Fountains/Liqhtinq and More Today's players and club directors New Reliable Hunter Retro-Riser efficient Hunter gear-drives within have high expectations. That's why Replaces Outdated Toro® Heads minutes. The Toro® body with flange professional superintendents like Century represents Hunter Golf's remains undisturbed during the you need ready solutions for every complete line of gear-driven rotors, change-out and no digging is required. course challenge. At Century Rain heavy-duty valves and expandable The RT is specifically designed to Aid, we have more than 25 years central/satellite control systems. retrofit all 1-inch Toro® golf rotors, experience solving problems related Hunter Golf now offers the new including models 630, 730, 760, 765 to golf course irrigation. We can RT Retro-Riser, which replaces and the discontinued 660. help you update your existing inefficient Toro® heads. Your staff system, plan new construction, can pop out old Toro® internal Call Century today for new solutions on or just replace a few rotors. mechanisms and replace them with bringing your irrigation system up to par. Authorized Hunter Canada Golf Distributor Burlington, 944 Zelco Dr, 905-639-7980 • Concord, 140A Bowes Rd, 905-881-4794 More Than 150 Branches Coast to Coast • 800-642-3706 • www.rainaid.com email: rainaid@rainaid.com • Controller Board Repairs and Replacements • 888-855-9132 Preparation for the AT&T senior open - 2001 by Bob Brewster, Superintendent Mississaugua Golf Club preparation for the Tournament is placed with Mississaugua for this the golf course. We had done a lot of work started immediately after the announcement tournament, as he is a former Superintendent this fall for the AT&T Tournament and it by the R.C.G.A. that we were hosting the 2001 and a very interesting person to talk turfgrass will take a couple more years to complete all AT&T. It was exciting for our staff, knowing with, in general. the restoration. I am hoping to get some that we had a big event and in fourteen Since I have only worked at Mississaugua better press for the Club in 2001. Also, over months the tournament would start. for the past two seasons, I really would have the fall we had visits from C.TV who are I was fortunate in August, to travel to liked a couple of extra years to be able to looking for camera positions and also tying Winnipeg and St.Charles Country Club to make changes but by having the in with R.D.S. and C.N.B.C. and the spend a couple of mornings with Curtis tournament so quickly it gave us the grandstand and corporate tents people who Collins, as he was hosting the tournament in opportunity in the fall to complete a bunker are planning corporate events. Finally, 2000. My first impression was a big circus upgrade and take three holes back to a volunteers were organized by by a member, coming to town... all the tents, trailers, and natural look around the greens. We are Tom Buckley, who worked in the Canadian grandstands, corporate village et cetera. putting the Pro-Angle sand in all bunkers. Open in 1974. Six hundred volunteers are Where will we fit this amount of equipment This will help to give consistency required, and the organization of this group with very small storage areas and confined throughout the property and has upgraded requires a lot of meetings. space? Then it hit home, the challenge of the golf course to another level. My staff is counting the weeks and as I write preparing the golf course for this event. I have I hired Doug Carrick and Ian Andrews to this article we are down to twenty-six weeks. been very fortunate over the past twenty-eight help upgrade the golf course to a level We are presently planning our topdressing years of hosting almost every event possible, expected by the Membership. The golf and spray schedules from the start of the including Pro-Am Men’s & Ladies’ Tour course has now improved to another level. It season until the start of the tournament. I find players, except for the four day tour events on is actually better than I expected and I am you can never be organized enough, even P.G.A. tour. I was very impressed with the looking forward to the comment of the down to extra employees required 7-10 days P.G.A. tour staff and spent a couple of hours Membership in 2001 and the reviews from before the tournament. in Winnipeg with these people. They were the P.G.A. players and press. As you can see throughout the article, very helpful and they do these events week-in I was fortunate to be in Orlando at the that the excitement is here for me and I am and week-out. I have also had two visits from P.G.A Show and had a chance to talk with looking for a fun week both for myself and John Scott, a P.G.A. agronomist and on both Lome Rubenstein. He has criticized my staff and an opportunity to showcase visits he has been very pleased with the Mississaugua lately in his articles and rightly the Mississaugua Golf and Country Club condition of the course. It will be fun if John so, but I advised him that we are restoring for the Membership. Variable Speed Pump Stations Slow Fill, Automatic Ramp, Soft Flow 18-1290 Speers Road, Oakville, Ontario, L6L 2X4 Phone 905-469-6444 Fax 905-825-8139 Toll Free 1-888-222-6676 Email paulp@pumptronics.ca www.pumptronics.ca Angus Glen Golf and Country Club by Eric Williamson Assistant Superintendent ell, it was another record-breaking germination. year at Angus Glen Golf Club, in Number 12 was Markham, Ontario. Attendance was up next, and 11 for our golf clinics; food and beverage followed, and both sales were good; and although play had suffered a severe remained relatively close to previous beating with a years, revenues were excellent! These, storm that hit in however, weren’t the only surprising July, tearing down reports at Angus Glen. The weatherman several of the sod had a few new records to set as well. wall bunkers that The existing 18 holes managed to had recently been “weather the storm (s)” well, making up completed. Sod had for any lost rounds with more lessons, to be replaced, clinics and food sales. The new course, washouts repaired, however, having had all the topsoil and bunkers replaced through the snowless and cleaned up. The relatively mild winter of 99/00, had a storm in July was in difficult and challenging task trying to fact so torrential make progress through the spring and that a section of asphalted cartpath was reel-type mower, fresh off the grinder, to early summer of 2000. The severe storms actually lifted from its gravel base, torn pass unsuspectingly over them. that we, along with pretty much all of into chunks and strewn randomly over This was the process for each of the southern Ontario, suffered on what the 11th fairway. sod wall bunkers, and understandably, seemed like regularly scheduled intervals The sod wall bunkers, of which there tears were shed and hearts were broken gave a much more literal meaning to the are 38, were probably the most time when a storm ripped down four of them. phrase “losing ground”. consuming part of the whole project. A Another two photos will show the “war The topsoil went onto the freshly shelf was fashioned in the subgrade by an zone” effect of one of the storms on #10 shaped subgrade smoothly throughout excavator; 4" perforated pipe was installed and the finished product after order was December, January, February and March. at the back of this shelf and of course restored. The contractors exhibited By the time the end of April came along, hooked into the regular bunker drainage tremendous patience! the irrigation contractors were able to at the low spots; the pipe was surrounded By mid-July, when the last continue their installation of the system by pea gravel and as the sod was stacked thunderstorm had blown itself out, where they had left off in the fall, having (green side to green side, brown side to 4 holes were completed. Needless to say, already installed the mainline around the brown side), the hollow area behind the we were behind schedule. But by the end whole course. The contractors were able sod wall was filled. A layer of geo-textile of September, all the seed was in the to follow them, putting finishing grades matting was installed between every fifth ground (with the exception of the third on the topsoil, leveling/shaping tees and layer of sod, the end of which was then and the eighth greens which were seeded greens, building cartpaths and buried behind the wall. Finally, 1/2" in the first week of October). We were constructing the sod wall bunkers. reinforcement rods were pounded down relieved to see that everything had come Number 15 fairway was the first to be into the wall to help hold them securely in up and although some spots were still a seeded, and the seed wasn’t in the their place. I appreciate their necessity, little thin we expect it to survive the ground a week when the first severe but anticipate a few hours of labour in the winter and fill in nicely this spring. Here’s storm hit. Number 16 fairway was next, spring as we try to find any that have been hoping for a better, and perhaps a little and it was hit as well (twice) before forced up by frost and lay in wait for a drier, spring than we had last year! Changing the Course New HERITAGE™ Fungicide. Changing the Course of Disease Control. ERITAGE gives your golf course HERITAGE fits very well into Integrated H round-the-clock protection against devastating diseases and makes an Pest management programs. HERITAGE poses minimal risk to birds, mammals and outstanding difference in the quality fish, and its low use rates and extended and health of your turfgrass. application intervals mean less active ingredients in the environment. HERITAGE is based on a naturally occurring fungicide with a novel mode For more information, contact your of action which is different than any other HERITAGE distributor or call Syngenta fungicide now on the market. It has both Crop Protection Canada, Inc. at preventative and curative activity and is 1-888-368-4211 ext. 327 absorbed into the leaf blades and stems as well as taken up by the roots. This ensures that your golf course is protected from the devastating effects of turfgrass diseases. HERITAGE provides exceptional control of Fusarium patch, pink and gray snow mold, brown patch and pythium blight. Always read and follow label directions carefully. HERITAGE® is a registered trademark of A.E. McKenzie Co. Inc. Utilizing technology to help keep golfers informed by Jim flett, Superintendent Muskoka Lakes Golf & Country Club Golf continues to grow in popularity some communication methods using • Course Maintenance Activities throughout Ontario at most of our technology that can help you spread the • Course Closures courses. Thirty thousand rounds of golf word: • Golf Cart Status seemto be the norm at most golf facilities. • Information Kiosk • Course Etiquette reminders As our courses have become busier and • Turf Hotline the demands becoming higher, it’s a real • Information brochures balancing act to maintain optimum • Greens website Implementation Procedures playing conditions while minimizing • Add Bell Identi-Call feature to disruption of play. With maintenance existing fax line ($7/mo) schedules changing due to weather Information Kiosk • Add Message Centre Plus (Increases conditions, the process of re-scheduling Most superintendents already utilize message time to 1 min ($3/mo)) cultural practices and updating the this method of communication with their • Add ring selector to line ($50) proshop and keeping golfers informed is membership posting daily messages. Try an ongoing, time consuming task. creating interest in your kiosk by using Sample Message...... Many maintenance activities are desktop publishing software to add ‘You’ve reached Muskoka Lakes Turf disruptive to golfers, such as topdressing colour and pictures to your postings. Hotline on Tuesday May 8th. Due to and aerating. Lack of communication of Purchase a laminator to protect the overnight weather conditions golf carts maintenance activities greatly increases paper from getting damaged from will not be permitted until further notice. golfers’ tensions. Members become moisture. Update daily/ hourly/ weekly The new back tee on #16 will open for extremely irritated by unexpected cores as necessary to get the important play this coming Friday May 11th. Before or sand on greens, especially when messages across. Consider printing off you bring out that important guest we playing with a guest. This type of and posting the weather forecast off an would like to remind you that greens will miscommunication can be avoided if Internet weather website. be topdressed next Tuesday at 1 pm. more avenues of communication are Have a great round of golf and remember utilized, embracing some of the Information Kiosk Contents: to do your part by repairing divots, technology that is available today. • Weather forecast ballmarks and remembering to obey the Thanks to irrigation technology, most • Maintenance schedule white line rule for carts.” superintendents are now fortunate to • Golf cart status have access to computers in their offices • Course closures via their central controller. With • Project status Maintenance Pamphlet accumulated hours of daily adjustments • Wildlife sightings Another method of getting your to optimize irrigation watering message across to members is to produce programs, and pump flows, many a brochure of maintenance activities superintendents have grown com­ Turf Hotline including pictures using desktop fortable with working with computers Allow your membership/proshop to publishing software such as Microsoft and have begun to master other software have access to a recorded message that Publisher. This software automatically programs as well. summarizes daily course maintenance sets up the page for a brochure setting Word processing, desktop publishing, activities. The benefit is that this message where the folds of the paper will be. Then and web design software is easy to use can be retrieved and updated from any it’s easy to just start inserting drawings and can be easily utilized to make your phone, which provides members/ and text. Golfer Communication Program more proshop information on activities before effective, giving it a more professional they reach the course. Keep message Include: looking appearance. updated daily, hourly or weekly • Calendar of maintenance activities Most of us rely on face-to-face depending on activities or time of year. • Hotline phone #/web address communication and phone calls to Be sure to post phone number for • Course etiquette procedures update the proshop on course activities. hotline on your kiosk and other • Answers to frequent asked questions However, sometimes your message correspondence. Consider having the like “why aerate?” doesn’t reach the golfers for whatever last four digits of the number spell reason, which leads to conflicts. Here are something like “turf’ i.e. 765-(TURF). 29 ADVANCE ROAD TORONTO, ONTARIO M8Z2S6 Penguin Golf Associates PHONE: (416) 236-1001 FAX: (416)236-4654 Project Management and Engineering www.albiongolfcars.com Jim Firth P.Eng. BRUCE MCDONALD GPS Surveys - digital surveys for records and design Engineering design - water / septic, parking / entrance Permits - water permit renewal, municipal approval Business Plans - Feasibility Studies 1 High Crest Road, Bolton, Ontario L7E 5R7 Tel.: (905) 880-7070 Fax:(905)880-9450 Cell: (416) 884-GOLF(4653) Course Website What’s New section content Another new method of spreading the word to members is by • Completed course projects, renovations utilizing an interactive website. At the click of the mouse the • Newly acquired Equipment featured members or proshop can get the information they desire. • Details on improved Maintenance Practices Feedback from membership is easily encouraged by response • Profile on new staff members forms via email. Members can be miles away and see photos of the golf course from their computer. Maintenance Schedule section content The structure of a greens department website could look as • Calendar of scheduled maintenance by month follows: • Link to FAQ’s like “Why Aerate?” • Post # to Turf Hotline Course Features section content • Course yardage • Grass types by location • Bunker sand type • Naturalized area locations Environment section content Home Page content Describe Programs • Mission Statement of course • Water conservation • Course Conditions • Wildlife enhancement • Delays closures • Naturalization • Links to weather • Cart status Feedback section content • Phone number to Hotline • Golfer suggestions • Latest News Headlines • Mini-surveys • Hyperlinks to other sections • Comments to webmaster Hard-wired Control Radio Control Radio Control Hard-wired Control You select the method of irrigation control... Only can provide you with both options Total Solutions by TURF CARE For more information, contact the Irrigation Division at 1-800-561-1432 In Memory of Jim Boyce O.G.S.A. Honourary Member James (Jim) Boyce died on August 29th. He graduated from the University of Toronto (OAC) in 1932 with his B. Sc.A. He then worked for the next five years at the Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa as a graduate assistant in turfgrass and pasture research, then to the New Jersey Experimental Station as a research assistant in turfgrass management under Dr. H. B. Sprague. He received his M. Sc. from Rutgers University in 1939 and returned to Ottawa where he directed the Canada Department of Agriculture plant introduction and turfgrass research programs until 1962. After that he became self employed as a consulting agronomist. He developed correspondence courses for the University of Guelph and taught at Algonquin College in Ottawa. From 1970-73 he was Executive Director of the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association and editor of "The Greenmaster". He was closely associated with Rothwell Seeds Limited since it was formed and with its president Norman Rothwell for many years before that. As a founding member of the Sports Turf Association , at the first meeting he stated, "this is an idea whose time has come". Canadian director of the Musser International Turfgrass Foundation for several years. While with the Department of Agriculture Jim was intimately associated with the development of such turfgrass varieties as Delta Kentucky bluegrass, Chieftain Canada Canada bluegrass, Duraturf creeping red fescue and Norlea perennial ryegrass, plus several forage type cultivars. In addition to the desirable features of mildew resistance in Delta and winter hardiness in Norlea, all cultivars produced by the Forage Crops Division had a common characteristic, high seed production. On behalf of Rothwell Seeds he was responsible for securing licensing or registration for sale in Canada varieties such as Penneagle and Prominent creeping bentgrasses; Adelphi, Argyle Classic, Eclipse, Glade, Harmony, Midnight, Regent, Scenic and Welcome Kentucky bluegasses; Ensylva creeping red fescue; Barfalla and Luster's Chewing's fescue; and All Star and Pennant perennial ryegrass. May he rest in peace. One source: Vanden Bussche Irrigation The best golf sprinkler heads in the business! Being the best means being unique. With exclusive features like top-serviceable rock screens, closed case design with self-flushing action and top-serviceable solenoid assemblies, Rain Bird truly offers a unique sprinkler head for the golf market. Combined with the superior service and support offered by Vanden Bussche Irrigation, you truly have the best golf sprinkler head in the business available to you! Vanden Bussche Ontario Distributor of Irrigation & Equipment Limited 7856 Fifth Line S„ Milton, ON L9T 2X8 Tel: (905) 875-4545 Ontario: 1-800-263-4112 Fax: (905) 878-4501 Products “ Irrigation Specialists for more than 40 years ” Food For Thought! It's a basic philosophy . . . Feed the Soil and Let the Soil Feed the Plant. This tried and true principle with an emphasis on optimizing nutrition and health has been the cornerstone of Griffin Industries' success since our beginning as Griffin Fertilizer in 1943. Through our Nature Safe® Natural & Organic Fertilizers the tradition of quality, consistency and performance continues with a commitment to research and development. To date, we've worked with some of the leading researchers in turf, soil and agricultural sciences to focus our efforts on fertility performance. As an ideal food/carbon source for soil microorganism populations, Nature Safe delivers the necessary energy to stimulate the soil ecosystem. "Diversity of food resources leads to diversity of beneficial organisms."1 The result, "microbial activity in the soil The bacterial population continued to increase is the foundation of proper soil management and sound plant health programs".2 with Nature Safe while the bacterial population decreased with the synthetic. So when you're thinking of maximizing Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Southern Crop Protection fertility and turf health, make Nature Safe &. Food Research Centre, Dr. George Lazarovits, 1998 Your Natural Choice for Optimum Soil and Plant Nutrition! 1 Soil Organisms And Their Role In Healthy Turf, Turfgrass Trends, August 1998, Elaine R. Ingham, Ph.D. 2 If You Care For Your Microbes Your Microbes Will Care For Your Turf, Golf Course Management, September 1998, Bud White, Agronomist 1-800-328-4678 www.naturesafe.com For all your turf management needs, contact your United Horticultural Supply Representative today. Turf or consequences by Doug Breen, Superintendent Conestoga Golf Course Weather only she could seem to interpret, but There’s lots of stuff in this world that I don’t understand. I more often than don’t know how they get the caramel in the Caramilk bar. I can’t not, she’d be right. begin to guess why people are wearing elevator shoes and disco “See how the clothes again. Why do they sell weiners in packages of twelve and pigs are letting the buns in packages of eight? I mean really, Eight? What else comes turkeys stand on in packages of eight? Nothing! Every time you go camping, by their backs and fly kites over the milkhouse?” she’d say, “Sure Sunday night everybody has four weiners in their cooler, sign of a tidal wave.” She’d announce cold weather if the dog left swimming around in the melted ice and goo with the last of the a dead groundhog on the front lawn, warm weather if there were marshmallows, with no bun to put them on. How can a dead squirrels on the back porch. “It’s going to rain, the ducks benevolent God allow this to happen? are eating the knotweed.” Yesterday, I saw a drive through bank machine with braille In university, I actually took a couple of courses in buttons on it. What is the point of that? Now before the Blind meteorology, and the general consensus was that we can always Action Committee starts calling the OGSA and sending me hate explain why the weather did what it did afterward, but predicting mail, I totally support the need for braille bank machines and the it is like fishing with a high powered rifle. Take enough shots, right of the visually impaired to the glory of automated banking; and you’re bound to hit something. but, this was a drive through and I happen to think that if you So when people ask about the weather, whether they’re need braille buttons, you probably shouldn’t be driving a car. golfers, staff, or owners, just do what the professionals do. Draw But the thing I’ll never figure out, if I live to be a hundred, is a bunch of maps no one understands, put a bunch of symbols the weather. Everyday I get about forty-seven phone calls asking on them that no one knows the meanings of, and talk quickly when the snow will melt, when it’s going to rain, when it’s going using terms like barometric, metamorphologic, cumulonimbus to stop raining, and when it’s going to snow again. Of course, the squall event. (Make up some of your own if you like.) Then steal answer is always the same, I don’t know. Nobody knows! The fact one of those folksy things from my grandmother about horses that they hire actors and models to do the weather on the evening always facing into the oncoming rain and everyone will think news is a pretty good indication that they’ve given up on it too. you’re a genius. My grandmother was one of the great meteorologists of all time. She said that if you spend half your life working outside, and all your trips were either on foot or in an open carriage, you get pretty good at seeing “the signs”. “The signs” were an odd collection of events and actions by the local flora and fauna that Douglas Wood Large Tree Services “We Sell, & Transplant Large Trees” Paul Hanousek (519) 853-2035 1-800-353-3019 Fax: (519) 853-2293 Serving all of Ontario 1067 Beach Boulevard Hamilton, Ontario L8H 6Z9 Telephone 905-545-5363 Fax 905-545-2647 CAN-USA 1-800-263-8606 Express Dual SUPPLIERS OF TOP QUALITY & AngleMaster BENT AND BLUE GRASSES Reel Mower Sharpeners (416) 364-5700 Don't Wait Till Summer GET LINKED NOW! You could be missing out on the best advertising exposure you've ever had. Your Why not put your name and logo on the O.G.S.A. homepage, linked directly to course your web site? should be SPECIAL OFFER challenging, BANNER AD not your to 20 ONLY O.G.S.A. ASSOCIATE MEMBERS turf. This Year ONLY $450.00 + GST Your banner ad will appear on our homepage just as soon as advertising material is received by our designer, and will rotate with the other 19 advertisers on an equal exposure basis, until January 31, 2002. For further details and information contact Dorothy Hills at the OGSA Office (519) 767-3341 or Toll Free 1 (877) 824-6472 Call now for your copy of the Nutrite Fertilizer Guide. 1800 265 8865 As Dependable As You. DACONIL for Dependable, Economical Performance Each and Every Day. ou’re on the job each and every For dependable performance each and Y day. Why expect less from your fungicide? There’s no better fungicide every day, it’s DACONIL. For more information, contact your than DACONIL to deliver dependable DACONIL distributor or call Syngenta and economical performance on your Crop Protection Canada, Inc. at tees, greens and fairways. Each and 1-888-368-4211 ext. 327 every time you apply DACONIL, it delivers these advantages: • Multi-site mode of action • Sticks and stays for maximum protection • Control of 8 diseases including dollar spot, leaf spot, melting out, brown patch, anthracnose, gray and pink snow mold and fusarium patch • Both easy and economical to use • Makes an ideal tank mix partner with Banner for outstanding dollar spot control Always read and follow label directions carefully. DACONIL® is a registered trademark of ZENECA. SPECIALIZING IN PESTICIDE EDUCATION Tired of your college kids & SERVICE TECHNOLOGY presents calling home for money? EXTERMINATOR LAND (LANDSCAPE CATEGORY) PESTICIDE CERTIFICATION COURSES NORTH YORK Encourage them to fill out the April 9-13,2001 May 7 -11,2001 Heritage Award Application Form. November 26 - 30, 2001 January 21 - 25, 2002 February 18 -22,2002 March 11 -15,2002 Sent out to you in the April mailing. March 25 - 29, 2002 MILTON April 1 - 5, 2002 LONDON Help them get $1,000 free. December 3 - 7,2001 March 18 -22,2002 OTTAWA March 4 - 8, 2002 It’s less painful than writing a cheque. Gov't exam held on Monday following each course. Instructor: Paul G. Pilley, B.Sc., M. P. M. DEADLINE DATE JULY 31,2001 For more information and a brochure contact: P.O. Box 1021 Lindsay, Ontario K9V 5N4 Email: pgp_pest@lindsaycomp.on.ca Tel: (705) 324-PEST (7378) Fax: (705) 324-9729 Say goodbye to grubs MERIT® is the most effective grub control product registered for use on turfgrass in Ontario. Effective means 90% plus* control and a sound environmental profile. One application of MERIT® controls grubs and sends the critters that come digging for them packing. Apply MERIT® early (June & July) and protect your turf. Season Long Grub Control For more information on merit contact your local MERIT dealer or call Nu-Gro at (519) 770-3206 1975-1996 data from Insecticide and Acaricide Tests & A throod Management Tests =, Entomological Society of America, MERIT is a registered trademark of Bayer Corporation. Always read the product label before usage. Annual March curling day North Halton Golf & Country Club by Dean Baker, Superintendent North Halton Golf & Curling Club The O.G.S.A. Annual Curling Day Dean Cormack from Vanden Bussche, would have made Wayne Middaugh and Alex McLeod & Rob Davis, from proud...or should I say Randy Ferbey, Turfcare were our big supporters. from Alberta. Since the retirement of Local knowledge was the theme to this Alan Beeney from North Halton, newly years winners circle. In the “A” division, appointed Superintendent Dean Baker, Skip Mitch Jewell (Construction Foreman and Assistant Superindentent Joe Clare at North Halton) on home ice saw his took over as hosts for 2001. team of Gradon Goff, Ian Chapman, and It is always a small but dedicated crowd Bill Fach, through without a loss. In the of curlers that attend this annual event... “B” division, local Blue Springs Super­ be a good or bad curler, it doesn’t really intendent Ted Ellis brought his team of matter. Long time diehard regulars such Jennifer Antoniak, Kasey Waldie, and as Paul White, Pelino Scenna, and Scott White to a second place finish. Congratulations to all the winners! Gradon Goff braved the slippery Honourable mention goes to the third We would also like to thank North Halton conditions to participate. place team, a local participant, Bernie for putting on another great curling Distributors and suppliers are also a Von Cube from Cambridge Golf Club event. Until next year... have a great golf welcome site, always generously with his team of Dave Schmelefske, Rob season! contributing to the prize table. This year, Stevens, and Mark Schneider. Name That Tournament Contest Thanks to several members who entered their suggestions in the Tournament Naming contest. We have new names for The GolfProfessional/Golf Superintendent Event and The President, Greenchairman, Superintendent and Director SEEDS Event. All of the entries were given careful consideration, after which, For All Your the final decison was made by vote from the Board of Directors. Golf Course Needs! We are happy to announce the official names for these two Turf seed, Pesticides, Nutrite Fertilizers tournaments are now: and Bayco Golf Accessories Pro/Super Challenge entered by Scott Dyker, Superintendent at P.O. Box 7, Waterloo, Ont. N2J 3Z6 Beverly Golf & Country Club Tel: (519) 886-0557 Fax: (519) 886-0605 1-800-465-5849 Email: seeds@oscseeds.com Presidents’ Day entered by Keith Bartlett, Superintendent at Thornhill Counrty Club Victor Freiberg Ken Graham Trevor Hunter A. Kent McDonald David Schmelefske Proturf Division Nu-Gro Corporation NuGro Corporation Dave Dick Jeff McMaster Turfgrass Specialist Turfgrass Specialist Brian Rosenberg Technical Sales Representative 39 Monte Vista Trail 1864 Bowler Drive Cell: (519) 574-2013 Brampton, Ont. L6Z 2J7 Pickering, Ont. L1V 3E4 Fax: (519) 743-6849 Fax & Phone 905-846-3319 Fax & Phone 905-839-6526 brosenberg@nu-gro.ca Looking back Thirty years ago today by Barry Endicott, Nobleton Lakes Golf Club In 1971, the Board of Directors were as follows: John Arends meetings held at York Downs hosted by Kimmo Salonen and at (pres.), Bill Hynd (vice.), Ross Haines (sec.), Bob Heron Summit Golf and Country Club, hosted by Bob Lamb. (treas.), R. Allen, Frank Dunn, Bernie Macdonald, Bob Lamb, The Pro/Superintendent Day was held on August 22nd at Helmut Kopp, Jim Wyllie and John Grightmire (past pres.). The Meadowbrook Golf Club with 33 teams competing. Whitey Jones newsletter committee consisted of Bill Hynd, Dave Gourlay, Ross and Pro Bruce Butterworth from Aurora Highlands won the Haines and Bob Heron. event hosted by Arther Uens. An interesting point noticed at this A meeting was held at Thornhill Country Club on February tournament was that a power rake was used in the sand traps with 22nd and Dave Gourlay was the host. The winning curling team favorable results. It was also noted in that year that the tri-plex of Al Beeney, Roy French, Bob Hall, and Jack Koslegin defeated greens mowers were here to stay but the problem of burst John Stoughton, Paul Dermott, Bob Heron and Doug Heron in hydraulic hoses must be rectified or we are likely to have a close game. shattered nerves. Surely a bright colored dye could be added so On April 20th, there was a meeting held at Port Colborne an operator could notice a leak immediately or better yet an Country Club hosted by Bill Robertson. The guest speaker was alarm system with a red light to prevent this catastrophe. Bert Henning from the Niagara Parks Commission. Twenty-seven On November 9th, there was a meeting at Uplands Golf Club played golf after lunch and the low gross winner was Bob Hall of hosted by Helmut Kopp. The annual meeting, on December Georgetown Golf and Country Club and the low net was Keith 14th, at Aurora Highlands, was hosted by Whitey Jones. Bill Nisbet of Westview Golf Club. First place low gross, for associates, Hynd (pres.), Jim Wyllie (vice pres.), Bob Heron, Ross Haines, was Doug Heron and low net went to Jack Wilson. Paul Dermott. John Stoughton, Ed Charman, Paul Scenna and On May 10th, there was a meeting held at Donalda Club Roy French were elected. hosted by Ron Allen. On June the 10th, the OGSA and the The Tam O’Shanter Club House was wiped out by fire on Western Greenskeepers Association held a meeting hosted by October 3rd. Doug Suter, at Credit Valley Golf Club, was clearing Paul Scenna and the Galt Country Club and at the University of brush in the valley in preparation for a new 18 hole golf club. Guelph turf plots with 48 players playing golf. First low gross The 13 holes in the valley and 5 on top will be completed in two winner was Bill Bond followed by Bob Heron, Bill Hynd and years. Don Coles of F. Manley and Sons died as a result of a car Whitey Jones. Low net winners were Dan Uzelac, Lloyd Reilly, accident on October 15th. Gordon Witteveen was nominated as Vince Piccolo and Keith Nisbet. Commercial low gross was Doug director of the GCSAA. Heron and low net was E. Tremble. New members were Don Nason, Glen Abbey Golf Club, The 4th Annual Greenschairman Superintendent Day was Dave Holmes, Derrydale Golf Club, Kimmo Solonen, York held at the Chinguacousy Country Club on July 22nd hosted by Downs Golf Club, Tom Simpson, Newcastle Golf Club, Albert Paul Dermott. Mr. Bruce McLaughlin was the guest speaker and Kooper, Rio Glen Golf Club, John Konarowshy, Grandview Golf the cost of the day was $25.00 per person. Low superintendent Club, Tony Wozniak, Malton Golf Club and Rusty Warkman, was Bill Bowen and low net was R. Reilly. There were also Stratford Golf Club. What you need! When you need it! Technically Trained Sales Staff Full Offering of Quality Products Superior Customer Service and Efficient Delivery Plant-Prod Soluble Fertilizers, Nu-Gro Professional Fertilizer Products, Emerald Isle Fertilizers, Fungicides, Insecticides, Herbicides Standard, Par Aide and Accuform Accessories Call the Plant Products Turf Team! Plant Products Co. Ltd • 1-800-387-2449 • turf@plantprod.com • www.plantprod.com We can also be contacted at: 314 Orenda Road, Brampton, Ontario, Canada L6T1G1 •905-793-7000 fax:905-793-9632 TURF CARE Others SHAKE, RATTLE AND ROLL. WE PREFER THE TWIST. Introducing the new Toro Workman® 1100 and 2100. Built around Toro’s revolutionary Active In-Frame™ suspension, these powerful utility vehicles literally twist over your terrain to provide incredible traction, coupled with an unequaled smooth and stable ride. Designed with a large operator area, multiple integrated storage compartments and an easily customized bed, the Workman can readily be configured to meet your exact needs. You can listen to the same old song and dance. Or you can get a smoother, more productive ride with the new Workman 1100 and 2100. Contact your Turf Care Sales Representative for details or visit us at www.turfcare.ca . Turf Care Products Canada 200 PONY DRIVE, NEWMARKET, ONTARIO L3Y 7B6 • PHONE (905) 836-0988 FAX (905) 836-6442 London Mississauga Scarborough Gloucester Ph: (519) 668-7664 Fax: (519) 668-3722 Ph: (905) 890-6290 Fax: (905) 890-5598 Ph: (416) 298-2101 Fax: (416) 298-8758 Ph: (613) 822-1881 Fax: (613) 822-2099