December 2002 Green is Beautiful The Official Publication of Ontario Golf Superintendents Association OGSA takes a stand 2004 Conference and trade show Pesticide CANADA POST PUBLICATIONS MAIL exposure.' PUBLICATIONS AGREEMENT No. 40027105 Postmaster: Please return undeliverable copies to The OGSA, 328 Victoria Rd. S., Guelph, ON N1H 6H8 Contents Green is Canadian Golf Superintendents Association news ................ 5 Compact Sod Celebrates 25 years...............................................14 Beautiful The Official Publication of Ontario Golf Superintendents’ Association Cyber super...................................................................................... 8 Editor's message ......................................................................... 4 Golf course highlight - Marvel Rapids Golf Course.................. 11 Health & safety................................................................................ 6 It was this big! ................................................................................ 9 Looking back.................................................................................. 23 Management conference & trade show..................................... 21 Off the fairway.............................................................................. 15 OGSA takes a stand................................................................. 12,13 OGSA Update.................................................................................. 20 Pesticide Exposure and Human Health (Part Three)......... 18,19 President's message....................................................................... 3 The referee ...................................................................................... 7 Turf or consequences................................................................... 22 COVER Designed by Shelli Broeckel from Graphic Services Please accept our apologies for the printing errors in the Highlight of Weston Golf & Country Club Advertisers which appeared in the October issue of Green is Beautiful. Albion Golf Cars............................................................................ 16 The Superintendent of Almack Agronomic Services Inc................................................... 16 Weston G&CC is Bartlett Tree Experts ..................................................................... 17 Rob Ackermann. Braemar Building Systems........................................................... 5 Burnside Golf Services..................................................................17 The Printer will be providing Floratine Products Group ............................................................ 16 us with corrected copies to G.C. Duke Equipment Ltd.............................................................. 16 give to Rob and for the Maple Turf Supply........................................................................... 7 OGSA office. Nu Gro Corporation....................................................................... 16 Nutrite Turf......................................................................................15 Ontario Seed Company.................................................................17 OGSA is committed to The P.E.S.T. Institute ...................................................................... 17 serving its members, Pumptronics Inc................................................................................ 7 advancing their profession, Skyway Lawn Equipment Limited ................................................ 7 TDI International Inc........................................................................ 8 and Turf Care Products - Irrigation .................................................... 10 enriching the quality Turf Care Products......................................................................... 24 of golf Vanden Bussche Irrigation and Equipment Ltd......................... 19 and its environment. Zander Sod Co. Limited .................................................................. 7 President's message A Year to Remember in the debates and There has been a lot of activity at OGSA information this season. The office, under the direction sessions at the of Dorothy Hills is in the midst of expanding, provincial and as our membership has doubled in size over municipal levels, the past few years, with new applications and I thank them ONTARIO GOLF SUPERINTENDENTS' bombarding the office at an unprecedented for their time and by Jim Flett ASSOCIATION rate. OGSA hosted the 1st Annual effort. Muskoka Lakes Guelph Turfgrass Institute Jeff's focus on Golf & Country 328 Victoria Road South Assistants’ Tournament at Whirlpool Golf Club Guelph, ON N1H6H8 Club. Long time, OGSA member, Pelino IPM accreditation Ph: 519-767-3341 Scenna was awarded the 2002 Score has taken many Toll Free: 877-824-6472 Superintendent of the Year Award. In twists and turns during meetings with the Fax: 519-766-1704 Ministry of the Environment. It is unknown, Email: ogsa@gti.uoguelph.ca November we formally announced OGSA’s at this point, what the final outcome will be, Website: www.golfsupers.on.ca new Golf Course Management Conference and Trade Show, to be held in Toronto in but some form of certification is inevitable. BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2004. The event staged over a two-day The process seems to be heading toward PRESIDENT Jim Flett period, will prove to be an invaluable passing of a written exam, reporting annual PAST PRESIDENT John Gravett records of chemical products, conducting VICE-PRESIDENT Mark Piccolo education program for golf facilities, with TREASURER Rob Ackermann speaker programs for golf course periodic facility audits, and maintaining SECRETARY Paul Scenna superintendents, equipment technicians educational IPM C.E.U.’s. DIRECTORS Jeff Alexander and horticulturalists. Randy Booker Thank You Bob Burrows On a more personal note, in this, my final Sean DeSilva Members' Input Required Greg O'Heron With the membership growing in leaps President’s Message, I’d like to thank the Jeff Stauffer and bounds, it is time to once again reassess entire board, Dorothy Hills and committee the needs of our association. A survey is members for their hard work and dedication OFFICE over the past year. Also, I’d like to give a ADMINISTRATOR Dorothy Hills being sent out in January 2003 to all Pat Thomas members, to aid in directing the Board over special thanks to those OGSA members who Deborah Badger the upcoming years. Please take the time to have continued to support me over the past fill out the form with any additional several years, and my Club and family who comments and suggestions and return it to allowed me the time to be available. It has the OGSA office. Your input is important! been certainly an honour to serve the Association at a time during which such Pesticide Issue significant, positive changes are taking place I appreciate your prompt response in within our industry. fulfilling OGSA’s office requirement of / hope everyone experiences some quality sending in a hard copy of your pesticide downtime this holiday season with license. family and friends and the best for 2003! The pesticide battle continues to build GREEN IS BEAUTIFUL EDITORIAL "Green is Beautiful" COMMITTEE throughout the province and it will likely is Printed on Jeff Stauffer, Editor continue with some significant Recycled Paper Dorothy Hills, Coordinating Manager developments, by municipalities in the coming year. John Gravett, Bob Burrows, Randy Booker and Jeff Stauffer have tirelessly participated Angelo Capannelli Scott Horsburgh Kevin Falls Layout, Design & Printing provided by... Greg O'Heron Mark Prieur Mark Schneider GRAPHIC Green is Beautiful 2002 Although every effort is made to check SERVICES material for publication, the association is not responsible for material published on PRINTERS & LITHOGRAPHERS behalf of its contributors. All rights are reserved by the publisher "Qualityyou can See!" and any reproduction in whole or part Tel: 519.763.5745 • Fax: 519.763.9532 without the written permission of the 32-34 Essex Street • Guelph, Ontario • NIH 3K8 publisher is prohibited. e-mail: info@graphicservices.ca • www.graphicservices.ca Editor's message Another golf agendas with our Owners, Boards of come, when we find ourselves under the season has come Directors, and golfers, to properly inform microscope, defending an important to a close, with them before they become misinformed. management tool, in front of governments many of us We all have good stories to tell, so let’s get and their agencies. already looking out and get them told. It will go a long way Enjoy the winter season and I look ahead to the in aiding our cause, for many years to forward to seeing you all at the OTS! Spring. There are many items to by Jeff Stauffer discuss over the Credit Valley G&CC winter season, including the present pesticide issue, water use issues, and the many factors involved in our managing of the environments with which we work in. Welcome! PRECIPITATION IN The pesticide issue remains very active ONTARIO REGION with many municipalities debating bylaws O.G.S.A. Welcomes Measured at Pearson International Airport Provided by Ministry of the Environment and restrictions of product use within their our newest members YEAR 2002 jurisdictions. My thanks to those who have empty table cell Average Actual presented deputations at various meetings Paul Catling Class C January across the province and continue to do so. (rain) 18.5 mm 14.6 mm January (snow) 32.3 cm 31.4 cm I would like to urge those who have not Aurora Golf Club (total) January 45.6 mm 46.2 mm been involved as of yet, to please get out Paul Davey Class C there and present your message of February responsible use of pesticide products and Eagles Glen Golf Resort (rain) 20.8 mm 29.6 mm the role that IPM has played in our February (snow) 25.9 cm 7.0 cm management of golf courses over the past Eugeni Doulev Class C (total) February 45.5 mm 38.4 mm years. Remember, IPM is nothing new, it Streetsville Glen Golf Club March has always played an important role in our (rain) 35.1 mm 44.1 mm promotion of the environment. Ron Dyer Class F (snow) March 19.9 cm 17.6 cm The development of the IPM (total) March 56.9 mm 61.3 mm Oxbow Glen Golf Course Accreditation program is continuing and April an up-to-date report will be given by yours Colin Evans Class B (rain) 56.0 mm 88.8 mm truly at the Ontario Turfgrass Symposium, (snow) April 7.3 cm 12.2 cm Oxbow Glen Golf Course this January. It is intended to have this (total) April 64.0 mm 103.3 mm program ready for the start of the 2003 Tom Gervais Class B May season and allow Superintendents and (rain) 65.8 mm 80.7 mm their facilities to start working towards Ariss Valley Golf & Country Club May (snow) 0.1 cm 0.0 cm accreditation. A lot of work indeed, but it May (total) 65.9 cm 80.7 cm Bert Johnson Class A is our goal! The past season created some situations Big Cedar Golf & Country Club June (rain) 68.9 mm 59.6 mm where water use was limited or even Thom Miller Class D discontinued because of short supply. We July must continue to document our Prescott Golf Club (rain) 76.6 mm 59.0 mm responsible use of this important resource and prepare our turfs as effectively as Fred Schmoelzl Class A August (rain) 84.2 mm 11.6 mm possible to withstand the stresses of Mitchell Golf & Country Club drought conditions. This will, no doubt, September become another issue we will find (rain) 74.2 mm 59.2 mm ourselves defending very soon. John Deere Landscape Ltd Class E Promoting our positive effects on the October (rain) 62.0 mm 43.0 mm environment must be on each of our Gillian Glazer (snow) October 1.1 cm 0.0 cm Canadian Golf Superintendents Association news Now is the The regional CGSA seminar in are excited about the opportunity to help time to worry a November, with Bob Sexton, on manage the future show in 2004. Our little less about communicating effectively with headquarter’s staff are uniquely suited to our facilities, and Committees and Boards, was very well use all of their resources to manage a trade put our precious attended. This topic was a nice change show of this kind. This venture will not be by Bob Burrows from the more technical turf topics. a burden on CGSA operations, and we are time into Rosedale Golf Club extended quality Try not to miss the registration for the looking forward to forging even closer ties family time, some time for ourselves, and CGSA International turf conference in with the OGSA. In fact, when the CGSA professional development. Overall, the Calgary, which is being held March 1-4, International turf conference is scheduled 2002 season, will be remembered as a good 2003. There will also be four excellent pre­ to move to Ontario in 2005, it does so with one! The extended mid-summer drought conference seminars. This conference the complete partnership of the OGSA. and second highest temperatures since promises to be a great success. These are truly exciting times. record keeping started, has become a Further to the press release by Jim Flett, From my family to you and yours, best yearly occurrence and something we regarding the future of the OTS, I must say wishes for a safe, enjoyable and prosperous should just expect, I suppose. that the CGSA Board and staff holiday and New Year! 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 NOA IR0 •Telephone:(905) 772.3351 • Fax: (905) 772.3422 Email: rbrenzil@braemarbldg.com • www.braemarbldg.com Health & safety Social Host Responsibility by DougJohnson, SAFETAID and Health and Safety Consulting First Aid and Safety Supplies and WHMS Training During the Festive season, many of In awarding her damages the judge said manager. us plan traditional celebrations with family that her employer was partly responsible by By the time the crew had finished their and friends. Another common part of the offering an open bar at the party. “The work at 11:30 p.m., the worker had festivities is the company Christmas party, employer should have foreseen that by consumed eight beers. He and one of his where employers and employees have an maintaining an open and unsupervised bar, co-workers then went to two drinking opportunity to interact and socialize with he would be incapable of monitoring the establishments where they continued to their co-workers in a more relaxed setting. alcohol consumption of his employee, drink until 1:30 a.m. He returned to his car However, employers must realize that there which led her into the danger in question,” at the stadium at 1:45 a.m. While driving are responsibilities associated with hosting a said Justice Clair Marchand. home, he fell asleep at the wheel and was Christmas party or any other company In her lawsuit Hunt claimed her co­ involved in a single vehicle accident that left gathering. Company sponsored social workers and the staff at the pub hosting him a quadriplegic. events are important for employee morale. the party should have physically restrained By holding the employer 75 percent By making their employees feel her from leaving. The company said that liable for his injuries, Madam Justice Risa appreciated, the company will often be it had offered to call her husband, at a found that the employer made drinking rewarded with improvements in loyalty and nearby factory, to drive her home. and driving part of the working conditions productivity. While companies should • In a British Columbia case, the employer on the day in question. Specifically, the continue supporting social events, safety was held 75 per cent liable for providing employer provided free alcohol in the should always be considered as part of the alcohol to its employee who was seriously workplace at the same time that it required festivities. injured in a motor vehicle accident after its employees to bring their cars to work Employer sponsored social events where leaving work. and knew they would be driving home. alcohol is being served is the primary area On the morning of the accident, the To avoid potential liability there are of concern. As hosts, the company is worker had started his normal shift at the options an employer can consider while responsible for the safety of their guests, warehouse. Then, together with other planning a company sponsored gathering: and must take necessary precautions to members of his crew, he drove from the • Choose to plan events that do not involve keep them from harming themselves or warehouse to Vancouver’s BC Place alcohol. others. If they do not take these Stadium to construct a display booth for a • Provide transportation to and from the precautions, the company and it’s trade show. He drove his own vehicle from event if the employer opts to include management may be held legally the warehouse to the stadium. alcohol in the festivities. responsible for damages, injuries, or even Starting in the early evening, a manager • Supervise the consumption of alcohol by loss of life. provided the crew with pop, chips, and not allowing an open bar, by refusing Take a moment to review examples of beer. The manager later provided the crew alcohol for someone who has already had recent cases where employers have been with dinner and more beer. After dinner, too much to drink, and by ensuring that held liable for damages that resulted from the crew, as well as the senior checker for nobody gets in their car to drive after alcohol-related incidents. the warehouse and the manager, continued drinking. Something to think about! • An Ontario judge has ordered a business to drink the provided beer. No efforts were to pay an employee $300,000 for letting her made to restrict the quantity of beer Have a safe and drive drunk after an office party. She consumed by individual employees. The suffered permanent physical injuries and senior checker had only told the employees Merry Christmas! brain injuries after hitting another car in not to get drunk. Despite this direction, 1994. She admitted to having more than the worker and two of his co-workers had SAFETAID the legal limit of alcohol in her system at started a drinking competition that they Your 1st stop in safety! the time. concealed from the manager and senior The referee Brett Murray Professional Products Technical Sales his quiz works on the relief rules from T 23 to 28 and is intended to get people to Maple Turf Supply read the definition which helps to 8112 King Rd. W. Business: (905) 857-2000 P.O. Box 370 Fax: (905) 857-8215 understand the rules. Bolton, Ontario Mobile: (416) 580-8112 L7E 5T3 1-800-268-4425 by Bob Leggiti Rules Chairman, G.A.O. 1. Which of the following conditions is ground under repair even if not so marked? A) A divot hole. B) Material abandoned on the course. C) A hole made by a greenkeeper. D) A cart path that is not artificially surfaced. 2. Which of the following statements is true? PUMPING SYSTEMS A) Casual water should be defined with a white line. B) A player may declare their ball unplayable in a water hazard. 18-1290 Speers Road,Oakville, Ontario, L6L 2X4 C) All of the ball must lie in a water hazard for it to be Toll Free 1-888-222-6676 Fax (905) 825-8139 in the water hazard. email; paulp@pumptronics.ca www.pumptronics.ca D) A gravel covered road is an obstruction. 3. Which of the following is not an obstruction? A) A rake in a bunker. B) A water hazard stake. C) An out of bounds stake. 154 Upper Centennial Parkway D) A golf cart. (HWY 20) Stoney Creek, Ontario, 4. A player hits their ball from the tee into a large puddle of Canada L8J 2T7 water left from a recent storm. The player declares that their ball lies in casual water and, even though the player can retrieve Telephone 905-662-2663 • Fax 905-662-2253 the original ball, they play another ball from the teeing ground. CAN-USA1-800-263-8606 What is the ruling? Express Dual A) The player lies two. & AngleMaster B) The player lies three. Reel Mower C) The player lies four. Sharpeners D) The player has proceeded correctly and lies one. 5. Which of the following statements is true? A) A creek that has run dry is no longer a water hazard. B) The margins of a water hazard extend vertically upwards and downwards. C) A player may drop a ball within two club lengths of and not nearer the hole than the point where the original ball last crossed the margin of a water hazard. D) A player who has dropped a ball in taking relief 17525 Jane St., R.R. #1 Kettleby, Ontario L0G 1J0 from a water hazard must re-drop if their stance is Tel.: (416) 364-5700 (905) 727-2100 still in the water hazard. Fax: (905) 727-8546 E-mail: info@zandersod.com Answers on page 17. Website: www.zandersod.com Cyber super People Finders Last issue we discussed how to find canada411.com in which it automatically links you places. This month we will find people to a U.S. site that has many pop-ups and ads...but not your through the virtual yellow (and white) Canadian address. pages. www.41lcanada.com is just that, Web site www.41llocate.com has both white and yellow pages but your PC turns the pages for you. and even email addresses. Even though it is U.S based, it did by Mark Prieur, Start your search by entering a name and find my address and even a simple map to my home, (powered Assistant Supt. by mapquest) which was a little unnerving. Again, as with Markland Wood CC location (city) and province and the 411 Canada the searches have to be done with shorter names. person (or business) that you are looking Upon searching for email addresses it did not work as well as I for is found. Although entering my full name did not yield my would have liked, but it may find large businesses, just not address I then “dumbed-down” my query, instead of using Mark residential listings. There is a section where it may ask you to Prieur I used M Prieur and I was found. This site is run by enter your email in order to increase its database; that would be Sympatico (which is really Bell Canada) so the information is a very bad idea. This would be a free for all for other people to usually correct. It is just the way you enter your search that can get your vital information (and directions to your house); the be tricky. BEWARE: This site is not to be confused with spam would be non-stop after that. We turn your plans into reality. TDI International Inc. ♦ (519) 763-3130 • www.tdigolf.com It was this big! It was a beautiful sunny day and the in a friendly, fishing competition. “Who Dave Tascone, of Granite Ridge Golf & fish were plentiful when Master’s Turf could catch the most fish?” . After such a Country Club; and Chuck Ashley, of Supply and Fioratine Canada held their hectic summer, it was a nice change to Norfolk Golf Club, both with 7 Perch 1st. Annual Customer Appreciation Day, on relax on the lake, barbeque, and do a each. Lake Erie, aboard the charter boat, S.S. little fishing. Thank you for making our first year Powell. The top fisherman was Mike Creed, at Master’s such a success. We look Fellow superintendents enjoyed the of Wyldewood Golf Club, who hauled in forward to seeing all of you in 2003. company of each other as they competed 12 beautiful Perch. Close behind was; Chuck Ashely Norfolk Golf Club Lydia Vanasseldonk Tillsonview Fairways Scott Mitchell Aurora Golf Course Everett Nieuwkoop “Masters Turf Supply” Blair Rennie Diamond Back Golf Club Dave Tascone Granite Ridge Golf Mike Creed & Country Club Mike Creed Wyldewood Golf Club Wyldewood Golf Club OGSA requires pesticide licenses The following memo, from Jim already submitted a copy of their your pesticide license to the OGSA Flett, was sent to all A, B, and C license for our records; however, office, would you please do so as members on November 12th. there are still many outstanding. If soon as possible. Several members have you have not yet sent in a copy of NOTICE At the time of application, all OGSA Class A, B, and C members are required to submit their pesticide license numbers as part of becoming a new member. With the pesticide debate that is now going on throughout the province, this requirement of membership has elevated in importance more than ever before. As a result, the OGSA directors have recognized the need to revise our policy and now require all Class A, B, and C members to submit a hard copy of their pesticide license to the OGSA office by mail, fax or email. The due date for this requirement is no later than Dec 15, 2002. We hope you understand the importance and urgency of this matter and forward this information to OGSA headquarters without delay. 800S Series The New Standard in Golf Sprinklers is Here! • Constant-Velocity Drive 4” Pop-Up Height ► Ensures 3 minute rotation. ► Clears taller grasses. • Surge-Guard Piston Valve Spike-Guard Solenoid ► Slowest opening/closing ► More than twice the surge valve in the industry. protection than the competition. • Indestructible Stainless Steel Removable Rock Screen Valve Seat ► No special tools required and no ► Never needs replacing. threads to strip. • Fewer Parts Conversion Assemblies ► Fewer replacement parts ► Upgrade your existing 600 and that cost about 40% less than 700 Series heads easily without competitive parts. using substandard imitations. TURF CARE Contact your irrigation sales rep or Customer Service at 1-800-561-1432 for more details. Golf course highlight Marvel Rapids Golf Course 234 Jeff Road ApsleyON K0L 1A0 Golf Course Superintendent: Doug Osborne golf@marvelrapids.com www.marvelrapids.com COURSE PROFILE What county is your club located in? Peterborough Is your club private, semi private, public, resort,municipal? Photo by Robin Oliver from his ultralight Public What was the year of original construction? Additional bunkers on #1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 & 8 Size of membership? 1998-1999 Additional ponds on #2, 6 & 8 n/a What is the size of your maintenance shop? Improvements to cart paths Number of rounds? 1,200 sq. ft. 13,000 What type of irrigation system? LONG RANGE PLANS Typical opening and closing date? Toro LTC - 3 years old 1 May to 31 October What is the size of the greens, tees and fairways? What long range plans for renovation do you have in the Name of Superintendent? Greens: 1 acre, Tees: 1 acre, next five years? Doug Osborne Fairways: 22 acres Add 9 more holes How many years have you been a superintendent? What is your predominant grass? Continued improvement of existing cart 5 Greens: Bentgrass, Tees and Fairways: paths Are you CGCS or Master Superintendent? Kentucky Blue How many USGA greens and how many loam greens? No CHALLENGES List other accomplishments (Audubon, board service etc.) 12 Loam Greens What is the predominant soil type? Are there any particular challenges you face with your n/a Loamy sand/sandy loam property? How many years have you been an OGSA member? What equipment do you have in inventory? Moose and deer on the greens! 3 1 Aerator - BA4 Fairway How many year round staff? 1 Greens Aerator INNOVATIVE CULTURAL PRACTICES 0 2 Toro Greensmower-Walkers How many seasonal staff? 2 National Triplex Mowers What type of innovative cultural practices have you 8 1 Jacobsen Greensmower - electric performed? How many mechanics and assistants? 1 Garden Tractor - Sears No pesticides used on fairways and tees. 1 mechanic 2 Ransome Mowers How many gardening staff? 2 Stihl Chainsaws SUCCESS STORIES 2 Stihl Weedwackers 1 1 Honda Blower Do you have any success stories? 1 Turfco Top Dresser Golfers positive response to no pesticides COURSE STATISTICS 1 Tractor and enjoyment of birds, wild flowers and 1 Box Scraper dragonflies, frogs and newts. How many holes? 1 Yard Rake In first year (2002), 70 participants in our 9 1 Power Broom What is the yardage from back tees and forward tees? Junior Future Links program - lessons and 1 Land Pride Overseeder 3,008 from back tees and 1,594 from the 1 Onyx Ball Picker tournaments. forward tees 17 Yamaha Gas Golf Cars Third year of our Inter-lake Sunday Best What is the size and length of driving range and range tee? 1 EZGO Gas Golf Car Ball Tournaments with cottagers from 13 250 yards - 12 acres area lakes involved. How many bunkers? COURSE PROJECTS 20 AREAS OF CHALLENGE How many ponds, and/or how many times does water come What projects have you recently completed? into play? Renovation of #3, 6, 7, 8 & 9 tees Educating some golfers to accept diversity of 4 ponds and Eels Creek in play on 4 holes Extension of #2 fairway, plus an plants due to lack of pesticide use. Who was the original architect? additional new green Helen, Gord and Doug Osborne OGSA takes a stand By Jerry Richard, Superintendent, Craigowan Golf and Country Club Town Hall Meeting Re. Non-Essential Pesticide Use in Kitchener-Waterloo - Nov. 12/02 his meeting, in council T Green Care Industry Activist Groups chambers was an open forum to • Enacting a by-law restricting pesticide • Pesticides are dangerous to all living discuss the use of cosmetic pesticides use on residential properties could not things and should be banned in the be enforced by the city and would not region. in the region of Kitchener-Waterloo. restrict home owners from purchasing • Spray drift and odor from treated Present were council members, and applying products themselves. lawns is unacceptable to residents who approximately 60 speakers • Application of pesticides would be do not want to be exposed to pesticides. representing both sides of the issue, essentially taken out of the hands of the • Integrated Pest Management does interested citizens and supporters. professional and left to the home owner, not reduce pesticide use necessarily. The speakers, to name a few, if bans were implemented. • The continued use of pesticides is included activist leaders, toxicology • There is absolutely no scientific being driven by money and big business. experts, University professors, evidence to support pesticide bans. • There needs to be more education professional applicators, golf • Pesticides are safe when applied about organic products available. superintendents, and concerned properly. • There hasn’t been enough testing of citizens. Each speaker was given 5 • In Canada, there are only 7 registered these products on humans. minutes at the podium. Needless to turfgrass pesticides for home lawn use, • Green lawns are a ‘thoughtless out of several thousand in the world, tradition’ and there are alternatives. say it was a long evening. Woodstock tested and governed under our very • There needs to be a product shift for was well represented with Don Sifton strict regulatory systems. current pesticides. from The Weed Man and Jordan • Integrated Pest Management • Certain businesses in the city are Lavin from Nutri-Lawn, each principles are greatly helping to reduce treating with pesticides on dead turf delivered presentations. The pesticide use in several municipalities when they are not needed. councilors and administrative staff already, including Woodstock and • Many people suffer severe physical present showed incredible attention others. discomfort from contact with pesticides and courtesy during presentations • Pesticide bans would cause several within this region. that were often dry and repetitive. businesses in the region to suffer from • The Precautionary Principle applies This report is based on the first 45 economic loss. in the case of pesticide use in the region speakers, as our time constraints did • Organic alternatives to synthetic because people are in danger. not permit us to listen to the final 15 pesticides are expensive, not as effective, and not widely preferred by home speakers. Concerned citizens spoke owners. both for and against banning • We need to continue devoting effort pesticides, although there were more towards research instead of banning the speaking for a banning by-law. To use of legal products. convey the messages of all the • City councils should not have to speakers would be difficult, but the debate whether pesticide use is unsafe to following key points were discussed: humans. As the third level of government, to do so would be a waste of tax dollars when other more important issues exist. Doug Breen, Superintendent of scientific community. Speakers were on golf courses, something which Conestoga Golf Course and OGSA sometimes questioned by councillors. councillors and the audience quickly Member was one of the speakers. He Interestingly, at times it seemed like the picked up on. On the other side, lawn made an excellent presentation, and most qualified and distinguished experts care professionals carried themselves well spoke with great conviction. were queried about the legitimacy of and were able to back up most statements The speakers generally stayed on their their qualifications and whether or not with relevant data and experience. time allotment with a few exceptions. It they themselves were being funded by As a professional in the Green Care was evident that most of the people chemical companies. The anti-pesticide Industry, I am confident that we were well lobbying for pesticide bans tended to be arguments at times seemed based on represented and accurate, within this citizens or members of organized lobby emotion and hearsay with little proven open forum. In my opinion, the lobby groups. The presentations that were data to back up bold statements. The groups generally failed to present against banning, tended to be from lawn most qualified individual lobbying for sufficient evidence to back their claims, care companies, related business bans made an obvious erroneous and did not have representation equal to professionals, and members of the statement regarding the use of atrazine the Green Care Industry side. OGSA ANNUAL GENERAL Ontario Turf Symposium MEETING Pre-Conference Seminar NEPTUNE ROOM Monday, January 20, 2003 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2003 9:00 am - 5:00 pm 5:00 PM IPM DON'T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO EXPRESS YOUR CONCERNS AND VOTE FOR YOUR Training Session Instructors: Pam Charbonneau, OMAF DIRECTORS. ALL CLASS AA, A AND B Ken Pavely, IPM Council of Ontario MEMBERS ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE. IPM Accreditation is an industry-wide initiative to FOLLOWED BY THE formalize the principles of IPM and accredit companies, golf courses, parks and other institutions using IPM. In this session, you will learn about IPM 6th ANNUAL OGSA friendly equipment and techniques, discover PRESIDENT'S RECEPTION operating tips for implementing IPM and examine WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22ND, 2003 areas in which you can expect cost savings as well as those areas which will cost you more. REGAL CONSTELLATION HOTEL Register with University of Guelph PATIO BALLROOM Fax: (519) 767-1114 On Line: www.open.uoguelph.ca/ots 6:30 P.M. FOLLOWING THE ANNUAL DON'T FORGET TO DROP BY GENERAL MEETING FOR A VISIT AT THE OGSA BOOTH Compact Sod Celebrates 25 years. 25 years ago Richard Schiedel, started “Putting Down Roots” which became the theme of their original advertising campaign. Today this slogan still applies and has become the theme of their 25th Anniversary, celebrated a short time ago. (08/24/02) One Saturday afternoon, over 300 customers, employees, suppliers and guests celebrated with a banquet of food, beverages, live music and perfect late summer weather, that carried on well into the evening. But the best part was getting together with old friends just to get caught up Shown above is a beautiful Compact Sod Ice sculpture which on the last 25 years. adorned one of the banquet tables. Richard Schiedel comes from a heritage of farming that Around the tents, of the party site at the Schiedel’s ranch dates back to 1802 when his great ancestors from style home, was an impressive display of all kinds of farm Pennsylvania purchased huge tracts of land along the banks machinery and harvesting equipment. While the Blue Grass of the Speed and Grand Rivers. band entertained, Compact Sod employees, customers, suppliers, invited guests and neighbours had a great time catching up on old times. In addition to being thankful to all employees and customers, Richard praised his wife Shirley for always being there to run the administrative tasks that never end in a growing corporation. Compact Sod’s Founder, Richard Schiedel, reminisces about the early days of laying his own roots. Although the Schiedel Family have a heritage of farming in Waterloo Region since the early 1800’s the “roll over” to Growing Sod came 25 years ago. (For more history see their web page at www.justsodit.com under the “contacts”pages) Richard remembers the early years of Compact Sod, having crews of workers lined up to pick rocks by hand, unheard of by today's standards. They hand-bombed rolls on to flat beds trucks for delivery too. He also told a story of one of his earliest landscaper customers, who picked-up his Sod in a Volkswagen. Today they are among Compact Sod’s biggest customers. A long way off from the multi-million dollar business that they have grown to today. It seems they know how to grow more than just sod. Off the fairway I'm going to On a slightly brighter side, I now have take the opportunity new garden at the front of the house. They to rant a little bit will be sodding it, since it is now so nicely about my recent ‘graded’, and I will need that sod in the experience trying to back to replace what is now a grub habitat. protect trees from I may spread a seed mixture beneath the construction injury. sod so that is raring to go when I remove Warning: I have the sod in the spring. Something good been behaving like needs to come of this. by Daisy Moore an irate golf club In another case, despite my request, member. What I protective fencing was not placed around have learned from this fiasco is that arguing the trees adjacent to a construction site, after the fact is a reasonably fruitless and so soil was piled right up to the trunk of exercise: once you have been categorized as a tree. The tree is a mature Norway Spruce a radical, you are avoided at all costs. I got with a girth (diameter) of about 4 feet. It worked up to a frenzy, making matters has suffered enough without this and will in worse, but what they didn’t want to hear or the future. When I asked the contractor know was that they shaved 10 years off the about the lack of fencing he replied that he life of my trees. was told that trees aren’t growing at this I’m not an activist, nor do I want to be time of year (that is November) and one. But all of us, as professionals, do need therefore you can’t damage the root zone. to be able to do something about the It could probably be argued that root general lack of knowledge and growth is the most active in the fall with the understanding of plant growth. water and nutrient uptake providing the Construction workers do as they are told , lifeline for the trees in the following year. but they need to be told more. “Tidy this Barriers are a nuisance in construction area up” is just not good enough when you operations and the contractor chose to are working with a ‘plant community’ or a hear what he wanted to hear which was, the garden or a large tree. I will describe what trees aren’t growing so you can’t hurt them. happened in my case. “A little learning is a dangerous thing.” The township paved the road in front All of these incidents have fed me with of our Elora home. This type of lots of ideas for my weekly radio gardening • For all up-to-date information construction can have a profound effect on show. I have been talking a lot about trees the trees on the street just as construction lately. Tree selection, how to look after on Nutrite products & services activities on your golf course affect the them, how to protect them and how to help surrounding areas. The drainage is them adapt to the stresses and strains of • For a direct link to a Nutrite different, the grading is different and roots urban living. I invite you to listen to the are sacrificed for the construction. Fair show and participate, if you like, since it is representative in your area enough. I have five mature sugar maples also a call-in. Daisy Moore on Gardening airs which run the length of the property along Saturday mornings 9-1 lam on am900 chml; the road which sustained a major hit of root for those in the western GTA, am980 for loss. Even though the roots on the street those in southwestern Ontario and on the side of the tree were damaged already, it web at www.900chml.com for those outside www.nutriteturf.ca was still important to reduce the blow as the radio frequency. Every now and again much as possible. In my case, after the road I could use your back-up when I’m trying to construction was completed, they elected to scrape away the top layer of soil and sod make a point or to help people understand and make the right choices . I have several 800-265-8865 from all the way around the trunks, including the previously undisturbed guests surrounding the pesticide issue lined up for the winter months and I hope for or portions. When I arrived, I was met with a gnarled up mess of roots where there used some lively discussion and debate. 519-669-5401 to be a grass habitat overlying a large Visit my website: www.daisymoore.com. section of sugar maple feeder roots. P.O. Box 160, Elmira, What were they thinking? Ontario, N3B 2Z6 Nu-Gro Corporation Brian Rosenberg Technical Sales Representative Cell: (519) 574-2013 Fax: (519) 743-6849 brosenberg@nu-gro.ca Mark Goodwin Technical Sales Representative Cell: (905) 928 - 9200 Fax: (905)578-7575 DON’T GET LOCKED INTO A GRINDER THAT LIMITS YOUR OPTIONS. If you’re looking for the best way to increase your grinding process productivity—quit limiting your options. With Foley United, it’s not a question of “Spin” grinding vs. “Relief’ grinding, it’s spin and relief grinding. Foley provides the key to an automated relief grind after you spin grind, which lets you use both processes together, so your reels will produce the best results. Now you can 29 ADVANCE ROAD choose either quick touch-up spin grinds, or with the added benefit TORONTO, ONTARIO M8Z2S6 PHONE: (416) 236-1001 of hands-free relief grinding—you’ll be able to match the TOLL FREE: 1-888-311-5431 manufacturers specifications for reel sharpening. FAX: (416) 236-4654 MOBILE: (416) 464-4346 Here’s your chance to optimize your grinding productivity www.albiongolfcars.com while maintaining OEM “Quality Control”—call 1-800-225-9810. BRUCE MCDONALD With Foley, one purchase and one set-up will open the door to more flexibility, and products that serve you better. Setting the Standard with the World’s Most Valued Grinders. 1184 PLAINS ROAD EAST 393 Troy Street • River Falls, WI54022 BURLINGTON, ONTARIO L7S 1W6 800.225.9810 Burlington Area: (905)637-5216 www.foleyunited.com Toronto Area: (905) 338-2404 All Other Ontario Areas: (800) 883-0761 Fax: (905) 637-2009 www.gcduke.com Corrie Almack P.Ag. Almack Agronomic Services Inc. Tel: (905) 689-6174 Box 256, Carlisle, On Fax: (905) 689-8522 L0R 1H0 Email: c.almack@sympatico.ca Here we grow again.... OGSA would like to give a warm welcome to Deborah Badger, who has The referee recently joined our office team. Deborah is a ■ Quiz answers resident of Guelph, and brings with her, not only office skills, but also a great deal of experience in the opportunities and 1- C Rule 25 challenges that working for a small office Definitions can provide. So if you hear a new voice on the telephone, the next time you call, say For All Your hello to Deborah. Golf Course Needs! 2- D Dec.24/9 Turf seed, Pesticides, Nutrite Fertilizers and Bayco Golf Accessories 3- C R24 Definitions P.O. Box 7, Waterloo, Ont. N2J 3Z6 Tel: (519) 880557 Fax: (519) 880605 4- B Rule 25-1 b(i) 1-800-465-5849 Email: seeds@oscseeds.com & R 20-7b Victor Freiberg Ken Graham Trevor Hunter A. Kent McDonald David Schmelefske 5- B R26 Definitions THE P.E.S.T INSTITUTE SPECIALIZING IN PESTICIDE EDUCATION & SERVICE TECHNOLOGY Burnside Golf Services A DIVISION OF R.J BURNSIDE& ASSOCIATES Engineers • Hydrogeologists • Environmental Consultants LAND EXTERMINATOR Serving the Needs of the GolfIndustry (LANDSCAPE CATEGORY) PESTICIDE CERTIFICATION COURSES We can help with: • Approvals for Golf Course Development NORTH YORK: and Operations January............................. 27 - 31, 2003 • Hydrogeology and Stormwater Management February............................. 17- 21, 2003 • Sewage Treatment and Disposal • Environmental Management Plans Your Trees Deserve March.................................. 10- 14, 2003 • Building and Clubhouse Design • Irrigation Design and Consulting The Best Of Care March.................................. 24- 28, 2003 • Environmental Impact Assessment April........................................ 7- 11, 2003 Trees are valuable assests. Don't May......................................... 5- 9, 2003 Contact Vito Cirone entrust their future to less than November.......................... 24- 28, 2003 Tel: (905) 953-8967 caring professionals. Bartlett Toll Free: (877) 799-8499 leads the way in tree care with MILTON: E-mail: vcirone@rjburnside.com Website:www.burnsidegolf.com trained arborists, research facili­ April..................................... 14- 18, 2003 ties, nationwide experience and LONDON: specialized equipment. For a December........................ 2- 6, 2002 professional evaluation of your March............................... 17- 21, 2003 tree care needs, call today. OTTAWA: March................................... 3- 7, 2003 There is no obligation. Gov't exam held on Monday following each course. Toronto • (416) 657-2059 Instructor: Paul G. Pilley, B.Sc., M. P M. Bracebridge • (705) 646-8733 Gravenhurst • (705) 687-0696 Huntsville • (705) 789-0929 For more information and a brochure contact: www.bartlett.com P.O. Box 1021 Lindsay, Ontario K9V 5N4 BACKED BY THE BARTLETT TREE RESEARCH E-mail: pgp_pest@lindsaynet.com Offices located throughout Ontario Golf - LABORATORIES AND EXPERIMENTAL Tel: (705) 324-PEST (7378) Fax: (705) 324-9729 Max Suppliers to the NGCOA GROUNDS, CHARLOTTE, NC Pesticide Exposure and Human Health (Part Three) By Donna L. Houghton, Ph.D. Technical Registration Manager, Toxicology Syngenta Crop Protection Canada Inc. This article, the final of a three part use of antibiotics, and keeping our homes these epidemiological studies”34. series, will address allegations that extremely clean, we may have prevented While some researchers have pesticide exposure causes asthma, the immune systems of many children hypothesized that pesticides act as disruption of endocrine (hormone) from developing appropriately. Children hormones in the environment, a direct systems, and neurological effects in from rural areas, where pesticides are association at environmentally relevant children. Suggestions regarding exposure commonly used, have a much lower concentrations has not been established. mitigation will be provided, as well as incidence of asthma than children from In addition, exposure to pesticides is conclusions pertaining to the entire three urban environments14,15. Farm children are extremely low in comparison with part series. References are footnoted in exposed to dander from pets and farm exposure to endogenous hormones such the text and are available on request from animals, as well as pollens, dust and dirt as 17-B estradiol and estrone, naturally “Green is Beautiful” magazine. from an early age. There is no definitive occurring hormones such as estrogen (e.g. evidence to indicate that pesticides phytoestrogens in food such as cabbage), Pesticide Exposure and Asthma increase the incidence of asthma in and therapeutic hormone supplement­ Many articles in the press have stated children. The use of pesticides may ation (e.g. hormone replacement therapy that pesticide exposure is responsible for actually help to alleviate allergic reactions and contraceptives); therefore, this an increase in the incidence of asthma in among individuals whose condition is hypothesis is unlikely. Wood and paper children. While the incidence of asthma, exacerbated by exposure to weed pollen. products also contain estrogenic particularly among children, has been substances of natural origin. increasing over the past decade, there is no Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals Dr. Stephen Safe, of Texas A&M, has definitive evidence that pesticide exposure (Hormone mimics) authored many papers indicating that the increases the incidence of this disease10 . For the past decade, the news has been endocrine modulating hypothesis is The increase in incidence itself is flooded with articles on endocrine flawed35,36. His publications also point out somewhat confusing because physicians disrupting substances and the havoc they flaws in the hypothesis that endocrine- have long debated which symptoms are creating in the environment and disrupting industrial chemicals have warrant a diagnosis of asthma. In addition, potentially in our children; however, the caused a reduction in sperm counts among awareness of the disease has grown which scientific literature does not support effects men. could account for a portion of the in humans. Pesticides have been The National Research Council (NRC) reported increase in incidence. implicated in the media as endocrine Report on “Hormonally active agents Research indicates that factors known to disrupting substances. Almost everything, (HAAs) in the environment” concluded cause or exacerbate asthma are as follows: including the food we eat, contains natural that prenatal exposure to HAAs may affect a family history of the disease, gender chemicals that act like hormones. The development and nervous system (males are more prone), and exposure to endocrine system is extremely sensitive and development but more research is tobacco smoke, household dust, dust can even be affected by the amount of required37. The report stated that data mites, cockroach integuments and feces, daylight received by the living organism. It available are inadequate to assess whether and damp environments10,12. Diet may also will be extremely difficult to sort out what exposure affects immune systems in play a role. The fact that we have tightly affects, and what doesn’t affect, hormone sealed homes is an issue. Recent research systems because many things (natural and humans; and concluded that post-natal is suggesting that it is an underdeveloped man-made) affect the endocrine system. exposure to HAAs has been shown not to immune system that is responsible for the WJ. Waddell, an MD, professor, and Chair increase the risk of cancer in endocrine development of asthma in children. of the Dept, of Pharmacology and organs. Current thinking suggests that we are Toxicology at the University of Louisville While more research is certainly needed actually keeping our environments too School of Medicine, published a review of on this controversial subject, the exposure clean. Challenges to the immune system epidemiology studies, and the effects of incurred by applicators and bystanders to early in life (exposures to viruses, bacteria, environmental estrogens and concluded pesticides is so minimal that an association animal dander, dog hair, dust etc.) are “the data available at present do not lead to between pesticides and endocrine effects required for proper development of the the conclusion that endocrine-modulating in humans is unlikely. immune system13. Through the frequent substances account for worldwide trends in Pesticides and Neurological Effects in Exposure Mitigation handling and applying pesticides. Children The best way to mitigate occupational The benefits of using pesticides on turf A 1998 study conducted by Guillette et exposure to pesticides applied to turf is to include reduced potential for allergic al. suggested that pesticide exposure read and follow the label directions, apply reactions caused by weed pollen and insect causes effects on the developmental/ the correct application rate, wear the stings and bites, positive health benefits neuromuscular function and fine motor recommended personal protective associated with increased participation in skills in children38. The authors studied equipment (gloves, respirator, chemical­ outdoor sports such as soccer and golf, children of two separate villages in Mexico resistant coveralls etc.), change respirator fewer sports injuries, reduced soil erosion - one located in an agricultural valley cartridges frequently, launder clothing resulting in less pollution of waterways etc., where pesticides were frequently used, and daily and follow proper hygiene practices. and the psychological benefits of improved the other located in the foothills where To reduce bystander exposure to pesticide esthetics. The use of pesticides on ranching was practiced and pesticides were treated turf, the recommended application residential property is a matter of personal not usually sprayed. There are many flaws rate should never be exceeded, spraying choice which should be respected. Reviews in this study including lack of proof of the should never occur during conditions of sound, scientific, peer-reviewed data, genetic similarity of the two populations conducive to drift, surfaces must be dry indicate that allegations suggesting studied, and failure to conduct chemical before allowing contact with treated turf occupational and bystander exposure to analyses of food, water, environment, (obey re-entry intervals), and bystanders pesticides is associated with health effects blood or urine to confirm pesticide must not be allowed in the area when such as asthma, cancer, endocrine exposure and to rule out the possible pesticides are being applied. disruption, developmental effects and contribution of other contaminants such as neurological impairment in children, is PCBs which are known to cause Conclusions (of this three part series) currently unfounded. Unfortunately, the neurological impairment. The children of Pesticides are thoroughly tested and the media’s presentation of possible the two villages do appear to differ in terms data reviewed by the Canadian Pest associations between pesticide use and of their fine motor skills and neurological Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) health effects has served to create an development; however, the data do not prior to registration. Pesticide products irrational fear about pesticides among the prove that pesticide exposure is the cause that PMRA concludes have incomplete general public. of the difference. Eye examinations were databases or that cannot be used safely are As mentioned in Part One of this article, not even given to the participants. not granted registration and cannot be any pesticide ban approved by a Guillette et al. did not collect samples to sold, imported, or used, in Canada. Our municipality is a political decision based on identify what substances the children were country has the most stringent regulatory emotion and not one based on sound actually exposed to, nor did they attempt requirements in the world. Pesticides, like science. This fact should be clearly to adjust or even identify confounding prescription drugs, can be used safely, communicated to the constituents of the factors such as parental alcohol and drug provided label directions are followed. The municipalities involved. abuse, parenting skills, level of parental recommended personal protective education, genetics etc. equipment should always be worn when Upgrades, Renovations & New Installations Install From evaluation to CONFIDENCE implementation, New King City Location Now Open .866.703.5464 will Partner with Milton you to succeed in 1.800.263.4112 Achieving your Goals. www.vandenbussche.com OGSA Update... Calendar of events For Sale Year Round Advertising TORO NUTRIFLOW INJECTION at a low - low price! For current, up-to-date information SYSTEM BANNER ADS on events check out “Calendar of Events” Series 3000 - dual head pump - www.golfsupers.on.ca on our website Information will be posted capable of feed rates of 0 to 30 GPH per there as it becomes available. head at 150 PSI ONLY 20 rotating, equal opportunity, Includes controller and hose advertising spots available, which are connections, capable of injecting acid being sold on a first come first serve basis, and fertilizer. All operators manuals and to members only, at the low price of injection quills. $515.00 + gst. For the period February 1, 2003 through January 31st., 2004. Price: Asking $ 9,500.00 or Best Offer. Existing Banner Advertisers will be given first opportunity to renew their Call: John Taylor - Hunters Pointe GC advertisement. The (905) 714-4552 Stork Has If payment is received by January 15th, Arrived PORTABLE PESTICIDE STORAGE 2003 you will receive a 10% discount. Congratulations BUILDING to Rob and Glennis Size: 9 ft. x 17 ft. Your ad will be posted as soon as it is received in the specified formats. Send it Ackermann on the arrival Description: Metal, Heated & Ventilated in NOW and you will receive a couple of of little Alex Justin, on November 5, 2002, Price: New Value $21,000 month’s free exposure. weighing in at 7 lbs. 13 oz.. A little brother Asking $10,000 or Best Offer for Sydney. The Ackermann family are Call: Paul Scenna - Donalda Club - To become an O.G.S.A. World Wide Web thrilled and all doing well. (416) 447-5575 x 259 advertiser just call Dorothy at (519) 767- 3341 or Toll Free 1(877) 824-6472 On Account - check your mail Membership dues NOW PAST DUE. If you have not yet sent in your dues, or if you haven’t received an invoice for the Christmas Holidays year October 1, 2002 through September OGSA Office will be closed from 30, 2003, please contact the OGSA office. Tuesday, December 24th through to Members who have not paid by December Its our Anniversary Monday, January 6th. 15th, will be removed from our Roster and www.golfsupers.on.ca Mailing list. It is OGSA’s second year web site anniversary. We just want to remind our members to visit it often. Take advantage of our resources. “The Home Page” Have you signed up yet? gives you a quick view of “What’s New” Save time, save paper, save money! and links you quickly to an information Best wishes to you and your family Sign up to receive your OGSA News page. Use the Member’s Only section to items by email instead of Snail Mail. You check out the latest Employment for a Happy Holiday Season will get the news faster, eliminate paper opportunities and to ask questions on clutter and save your association time and “Turf Talk” from money. Phone the office to advise them This is a great place to get timely and O.G.S.A.'s you want to join the Email Members. relevant information about employment opportunities, upcoming events, weather, turf problems and solutions on the Office Staff Forum, and Green Links. Website password It’s easy to get into the Member’s If you have not yet advised the office Only Section. Just type in your email Dorothy, Pat and Deborah of a personal password, would you please address and your password. If you need do so as soon as possible. help, phone or email the office. OGSA Announces 2004 Golf Course Management Conference and Trade Show The Board of Directors of the Ontario Golf Superintendents’ Association (OGSA) today announced its intention to stage the first annual Ontario Golf Course Management Conference and Trade Show in Toronto in 2004. The event will be staged over a two day period in late January and will include a two day trade show, keynote speakers and an educational program with separate streams for superintendents, golf course mechanics and horticulturalists. Jim Flett, President of OGSA, said in announcing the inaugural event that the OGSA was excited about the opportunity that this would provide for superintendents and their staff from across Ontario to network with colleagues and take part in current leading edge educational activities. Flett announced that, as part of the 2004 event, OGSA will provide a free, one-day training seminar on the Tuesday prior to the conference for all OGSA members. Conference Chair Rob Ackermann, Superintendent at the Weston Golf and Country Club, noted that an agreement has been reached with the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA) to manage the conference and trade show on behalf of the OGSA. “This arrangement will allow the OGSA to minimize its costs and CGSA to better utilize its existing technical and staff resources to ensure a quality product and maximize the funds available to the OGSA to re-invest in the profession”, said Ackermann. Ken Cousineau, Executive Director of the CGSA, stated that the CGSA Board of Directors unanimously supported the “partnership” with OGSA and that the arrangement should benefit both of the organizations, their members and industry. “It should be easier for industry to deal with one source for two major golf sector events and hopefully this will lead to greater co-operation within the industry on a number of fronts’ said Cousineau. The OGSA will participate in the Ontario Turfgrass Symposium in 2003 after which it will concentrate on the implementation of the Ontario Golf Course Management Conference and Trade Show inaugural event in 2004. Details of the event dates and location within Toronto are currently being finalized and should be announced early in the New Year. For further information related to this event please contact: Ken Cousineau at 905-602-8873 ext.222 or Rob Ackermann at 416-241-5551 Turf or consequences by Doug Breen, Superintendent Conestoga Golf Course There has been much hullabaloo over the past year about most likely to be the Supreme Court’s decision regarding the right of influenced by special municipalities to ban the use of pesticides within their interest groups. So, boundaries. I have an opinion on everything, and boy, do I have when Cletus the an opinion on this one. councillor, who only Now I could go on for pages about how the Supreme Court is, got elected because as usual, overstepping its bounds as a result of our impotent and his brother owns the inactive federal government, which would rather let unelected gas station and judges hand down laws from their ivory towers than take control sponsors the girl’s fastball team in East Beetle Spit, has to make of lawmaking at Parliament Hill and risk any political a decision on this bylaw; instead of having hundreds of PhD’s at repercussions. And I’m not just slamming the present group of his disposal, he’s got Willie the dog catcher. Furthermore, how poll worshippers, because political parties, not unlike banks, prepared is he to debate with Destiny Moonchild, the local have all jerked us around at least once; but this decision is really environmental activist, who does have a PhD and a big grant something. It is based on an international law which states that from a foreign multi-million dollar charity? if there’s a perception of a shred of a chance of a possibility that So what do we do from here. We need to make our municipal something might be dangerous, it is better to ban it. Obviously, councillors aware of the fact that there are already two levels of I’m paraphrasing, but the crux of it, is that municipalities have legislation dealing with pesticides and that any concerns of their been given the right to ban the use of pesticides by our constituency can, and ought to be, dealt with through existing overzealous court system even in the absence of any conclusive legislation. The MOE can fine me $25,000 / day and the golf evidence that they are dangerous if properly used. Isn’t that course $100,000 / day under the pesticides act. They can throw wonderful? Just because I can’t prove that aliens are controlling me in jail, for Pete’s sake. The ratepayers are not well served by my thoughts through my cell phone, that’s no reason to stop the wasting of tax dollars on redundant, unenforceable and ad municipalities from passing a bylaw to knock down all the towers hoc bylaws which would be inconsistent across the province This in my township and sell them for scrap. is a provincial sized issue, they have the resources and the staff to The other odd thing is that your local council can ban the use deal with it, and that’s where it should stay. Please contact your of pesticides at their whim, but not their sale. You can’t use local council and make sure they know how you feel. Let’s get the them, but you can sell them. Ironically, the Supreme Court looks three part series published in the past three issues of Green is at prostitution in exactly the opposite way. Beautiful into the hands of every councillor in Ontario. Please There is such a massive variance within the lexicon of attend any local public meetings, inform the OGSA when they pesticides with respect to use, formulation, persistence and come up and don’t be afraid to speak out. We use these products, toxicity that it is ridiculous to discuss them as a group anyway. not as poisons, but as plant medicines. It’s only one tool in our Banning pesticides is like trying to ban everything with feet, or tool box, but it’s an important one, and we don’t’ want to lose it. everything that happens to be brown. My dog has feet and it’s brown, but apart from the fact that you can race and bet on them both, that’s where the similarities end between him and my wife’s brown horse which is also blessed with the normal compliment of feet. A quick survey of the Conestoga shop showed that the most toxic products in stock were the antifreeze on the shelf and the cleaners under the bathroom sink. The locked, signed and legally stored pesticides were all of lower toxicity. If I was a municipal councillor (and I am, by the way), I would see this as voluntary downloading. Municipalities have been complaining for years about the Federal and Provincial levels of government downloading services on to them. Here is an issue where both levels of government are ready, willing and able to legislate, endorse and oversee the use of pesticides, but cities and townships all over Ontario are falling all over themselves to take on additional expense and responsibility just because they can. There are literally hundreds of biochemists, toxicologists, medical experts, environmental scientists and the like, spending millions of dollars each year studying the effects of these products at the higher levels of government. What the anti­ pesticide lobby has done, is to bring the debate to the level of government least capable of making an informed decision, and Looking back THIRTY YEARS AGO TO-DAY by Barry Endicott, Nobleton Lakes Golf Club (¿“^n 1972 he Board of Directors were as follows; Bill Hynd second G. Tombs and third low gross Whitey Jones. First low net (pres.), Jim Wyllie (vice), Ross Haines (sec), Bob Heron (tres.), was Keith Nesbit, second Dan Uzelac and third Cam Cairncross. Bob Lamb, Ron Allen, Roy French, Paul Dermott, Helmut Kopp, John Grightmire hosted a meeting at Rosedale. On November 7th, Ted. Charman and John Arends (past pres.). The editorial there was a meeting held at the Summit Golf Club and on committee consisted of Bill Hynd, John Arends, Ross Haines and December 5th the annual meeting was held at the Aurora Helmut Kopp. Highlands. In August, the Pro Superintendent Day was hosted at New Members were: Paul White, Kanawaki Golf Club; Jacob Islington Golf Club. Hallman, Chestly Lake Camp Association; C. P. Smith, Brooklea On July 21, Brantford Golf Club held the Greens Chairman/ Golf Club; C. Miller, C. A. Miller Construction LTD; Bill Robinson, Superintendent Golf Tournament, hosted by Vince Piccolo. Vince Bill Robinson Turf Supplies; Cameron Cairncross, Foxwood Golf has been the Superintendent at Brantford for the past 15 years. Club; Paul Dodson, Mississaugua Golf and Country Club; Les Kelly, They started playing golf at Brantford in 1879 and it is the fourth Royal Ottawa Golf Club; John Hutchinson, Warkworth Golf Club; oldest golf club in Canada. They wore red jackets trimmed with Lamonte Anderson, Midad Golf Club; Hugh Kirkpatrick, brass buttons and membership was exclusive by ballot. If one Conestoga Golf Club; Stewart Mills, R. Allen, Highlands Golf blackball ballot was presented that person was denied membership. Course; Ron Weire, Welland Valley Golf Club; Dennis Pellrene, The game was not expensive, with the annual dues being only Glen Abbey Golf Club; Walter Windjack and Edward Rubski, co­ $3.00. Brantford was one of the first golf clubs to have irrigation. owners of Brock Golfland; Calvin Fairhall, Westmount Golf Club; There was a warning sent out to all members of the OGSA D. Elliott, Westhill Golf Club; Nick Panasiuk, Hideaway Golf Club; regarding gambling at meetings it read, “The Board ofDirectors of the A. C. Pratt, Bracebridge Golf Club and B. S. Evans, Agincourt Golf Ontario Golf Superintendents ’ Association has requested that all gambling Club. in clubhouses be stopped unless the host Superintendent so wishes at his club. The Ontario Turfgrass Symposium was held on January 10th at Please respect this rule. ” Northwood Country Club, hosted by Gord Witteveen. The registration fee was $10.00, which included lunch and dinner. On March 17 the RCGA Conference was held at the Skyline Hotel. Gord Witteveen was nominated as a director of the GCSAA at the forthcoming conference in Cincinnati. Kimmo Salonen broke his leg while skiing in Austria. Ron Allen, Superintendent at Donalda Golf Club, received the highest marks at the University of Guelph short course. Jack Abbot, an Honorary member of the OGSA, passed away on February 9th. He farmed the property known as the Islington Golf “Yesterday is History,, Club, which was built in 1924. He supervised the building of the course and continued as Superintendent at this club from 1924 to tomorrow is a mystery, , 1938. He then accepted a position at the Rosedale Golf Club from today is a gift, 1939 to 1950. Following a brief retirement he returned to Islington as Superintendent until 1960, when he finally retired at the age of that's why itt's called the present ” 76. He was one of the originators of the OGSA. A meeting was held at St. George’s Golf Club, on March 16th and the speaker was John Campbell, links Supervisor at St. ''Warmest wishes to you Andrews. On April 11 there was a combined meeting between the and your Family for a joyous, OGSA and the Western Greenskeepers Association, at Cherry Hills Golf & Country Club, hosted by Charlie Benin. Cherry Hills is the festive and Safe holiday Season host for this year’s Canadian Open, held from July 6 to July 9. On April 17, there was a meeting held at Essex Golf Club hosted by Dave Moote. In June, the Galt Country Club and the University of ‘May the Spirit of this Season Guelph held the spring field day, hosted by Paul Scenna. Bill Hynd remain in your hearts was first low gross, Bob Hall low gross and Hugh Kirkpatrick was third low gross. Bob Heron was first low net and Helmut Kopp was All year long! second low net. On May 9th, there was a meeting at the Oakdale Golf Club, hosted by Bob Moote, and the speaker was Robbie Robinson, golf course architect. First low gross was Bob Heron, TURF CARE The Home of Golf isn’t the only home where Toro resides. 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) 668-372) Ph: (905) 890-6290 Fax: (905) 890-5598 Ph: (416) 298-2101 Fax: (416) 298-8758 Ph: (613) 822-1881 Fax: (613) 822-2099 Championship courses all over the world, including St. Andrews Links in Scodand, choose Toro turf equipment and irrigation systems to help maintain optimum turf playing conditions. As a major supplier to the courses hosting the Canadian Open over the past few years, we are passionate about golf - and healthy turf. 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