July 2003 Green is Beautiful The Official Publication of Ontario Golf Superintendents’ Association Donalda's Barn A Historic Treasure Pond construction at Glendale Canada post Publications Being an Assistant Super Mail Publications Agreement No. 40027105 Postmaster Please return undeliverable copies to Dollar Spot Victoria Rd. S., Guelph, ON N1H6H8 328 OGSA, The Contents Green is Donalda's Barns - A Historical Treasure....................... 16 Accreditation avenue ................................................................... 9 Beautiful The Official Publication of Ontario Golf Superintendents’ Association Being an Assistant Superintendent............................................. 10 Cyber super....................................................................................... 7 Dollar Spot...................................................................................... 22 Editor's message............................................................................. 4 Golf course highlight - Grey Silo Golf Course............................ 13 Health & safety.............................................................................. 5 Looking back.................................................................................. 30 Mechanics corner............................................................................. 8 Off the fairway .......................................................................... 24 On the road again ...................................................................... 28 Pond Construction at Glendale.................................................... 20 President's message ...................................................................... 3 Pro/Super Challenge...................................................................... 12 COVER PICTURE Spring Field Day.............................................................................. 14 Construction of the Pond Hole Turf or consequences.................................................................... 29 at Glendale Photo by Mark Davy Advertisers Albion Golf Cars............................................................................ 30 Almack Agronomic Services Inc.................................................. 18 Bartlett Tree Experts..................................................................... 28 Braemar Building Systems......................................................... 25 Burnside Golf..................................................................................25 DSC Agronomic Services............................................................. 4 Fertilec Ltee/LTD..............................................................................30 Floratine Products Group.............................................................18 G.C. Duke Equipment Ltd............................................................ 8 Landscape Ontario........................................................................ 27 Maple Turf Supply......................................................................... 31 Nutrite Turf................................................................................... 7 Ontario Seed Company............................................................... 4 The P.E.S.T. Institute...................................................................... 24 OGSA is committed to Pumptronics Inc............................................................................ 3 serving its members, Skyway Lawn Equipment Limited............................................ 4 advancing their profession, T.D.I. International....................................................................... 11 and Turf Care Products Canada - Irrigation...................................... 27 enriching the quality Turf Care Products Canada........................................................... 32 of golf Vanden Bussche Irrigation and Equipment Ltd....................... 5 and its environment. Zander Sod Co. Limited................................................................ 31 President's message The golf season is well underway be host to the and the OGSA has a busy schedule OGSA Spring for the summer. Field Day. Dr. On June 3rd, the OGSA directors ONTARIO GOLF SUPERINTENDENTS' Julie Dionne were fortunate to participate in “The by Mark Piccolo ASSOCIATION and Guelph Galt Country Guelph Turfgrass Institute Fraz”; a media golf day held in 328 Victoria Road South Turfgrass Club memory of Rick Frazer, at the Guelph, ON N1H6H8 Institute Ph: 519-767-3341 Scarboro Golf and Country Club, Toll Free: 877-824-6472 Director, Rob Witherspoon will be on Fax: 519-766-1704 hosted by Glenn Goodwin, a sports hand to give us an update on the Email: ogsa@gti.uoguelph.ca writer for The Star. The OGSA has Website: www.golfsupers.on.ca research at the GTI. been fortunate to be supported Our most popular event of the BOARD OF DIRECTORS through their generosity with past season will take place on July 21st at PRESIDENT Mark Piccolo PAST PRESIDENT Jim Flett donations to turf research, and in VICE-PRESIDENT Rob Ackermann the Credit Valley Golf and Country being a strong proponent of our TREASURER Paul Scenna Club, where club Superintendent Jeff SECRETARY Bob Burrows profession. It is our intent to be a DIRECTORS Jeff Alexander Stauffer, will host the Presidents’ Day partner of this day to help show Chris Andrejicka Event. John Bladon support for the Toronto media, Randy Booker For full details of OGSA’s Sean DeSilva which helps to make Toronto the upcoming golf tournaments and Jeff Stauffer number one golf market in the events go to our web site OFFICE world. www.golfsupers.on.ca. I look forward ADMINISTRATION Dorothy Hills On June 23, 2003, the Springfield Pat Thomas to seeing you at some of these events. Deborah Badger Golf and Country Club and course Superintendent, Ray Dlugokecki, will “Green is Beautiful” is Printed on Recycled Paper PUMPING SYSTEMS GREEN IS BEAUTIFUL EDITORIAL COMMITTEE 18-1290 Speers Road, Oakville, Ontario, L6L 2X4 John Bladon, Editor Toll Free 1-888-222-6676 Fax (905) 825-8139 Dorothy Hills, Coordinating Manager email; paulp@pumptronics.ca www.pumptronics.ca Randy Booker Angelo Capannelli Scott Horsburgh Layout, Design & Printing provided by... Kevin Falls Mark Prieur Mark Schneider GRAPHIC Green is Beautiful 2003 SERVICES Although every effort is made to check material for publication, the association is PRINTERS & LITHOGRAPHERS not responsible for material published on behalf of its contributors. All rights are reserved by the publisher "Quality you 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 • N1H 3K8 e-mail: info@graphicservices.ca • www.graphicservices.ca publisher is prohibited. Editor's messaqe by John Bladon season progresses... The In timely fashion and as the dollar spot season approaches, Brenda Nailor Welcome! has authored a submission O.G.S.A. Welcomes encompassing some of her studies on our newest members the disease. We hope to continue this PRECIPITATION IN Kristopher Brown Class F trend and include an article from a ONTARIO REGION St. George's Golf Club technical perspective in each of the Measured at Pearson International Airport season’s upcoming issues. Steve Fluter Class B Provided by Ministry of the Environment Kettle Creek Golf Club Resources used by all superintendents through the course of annual YEAR 2003 Philip Legault Class C maintenance seem to be current hot empty table cell Average Actual Springfield Golf & Country Club topics of discussion. The pesticide January debates being undertaken all across the Rob Winter Class A (rain) 24.9 mm 0.0 mm province have been heated. Water, Forest City National Golf Club (snow) 31.1 cm January 41.4 cm arguably the next resource up for public January (total) 52.2 mm 35.4 mm debate, will continue to grow in terms of it’s use, both commercially and through February human consumption. Where will golf (rain) 22.3 mm 22.6 mm fall as far as priorities are concerned? In (snow) 22.1 cm February 23.6 cm Guelph, we face another year of February (total) 42.6 mm 46.8 mm potential bans and restrictions with regards to watering. Looking towards March (rain) 36.7 mm 27.8 mm the balance of the season and the (snow) March 19.2 cm 24.0 cm coming issues of the magazine, we will March (total) 57.1 mm 50.0 mm For All Your be compiling an issue focusing on water. Golf Course Needs! As a start Mark Davey has authored an April article on reservoir renovations at (rain) 62.4 mm 34.8 mm Turf seed, Pesticides, Nutrite Fertilizers Glendale Golf & Country Club. Should (snow) April 5.7 cm 15.2 cm and Bayco Golf Accessories you have a water-based article you would April (total) 68.4 mm 60.8 mm P.O. Box 7, Waterloo, Ont. N2J 3Z6 care to author or submit, feel free to Tel: (519) 886-0557 Fax: (519) 886-0605 May 1 -800-465-5849 Email: seeds@oscseeds.com contact Dorothy at the office or email (rain) 72.4 mm 152.8 mm me at truenorthgroup@rogers.com. Victor Freiberg (snow) May TR cm 0.0 cm Ken Graham Finally, we’d also welcome any of your Trevor Hunter A. Kent McDonald May (total) 72.5 mm 152.8 mm comments, positive or negative, David Schmelefske regarding Green is Beautiful 154 Upper Centennial Parkway (HWY 20) Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada L8J 2T7 Telephone 905-662-2663 • Fax 905-662-2253 David C Smith, c.g.c.s. 185 Oriole Crescent CAN-USA1-800-263-8606 Soil & Turfgrass Consultant Gravenhurst, Ontario P1P1C6 Express Dual & AngleMaster Office (705) 687-SOIL (7645) Reel Mower Fax (705) 687-3518 Toll Free 1-888-607-TURF (8873) Sharpeners Cell (905) 512-6004 Email dcsag@muskoka.com Health & safety WEST NILE VIRUS (WNV) by DougJohnson, SAFETAID and Health and Safety Consulting First Aid and Safety Supplies and WHMIS Training hoa!! Last month SARS and now West Nile Virus! W area where you might come in contact with the WNV. What next? If possible, you should remove sources of standing water on the property and you should ensure that your workers We are having a very interesting summer. Last summer are using personal protection measures. the WNV was not much of an issue and now look what is If your staff is using an insect spray it is imperative that happening. All sorts of folks are finding dead birds. So it contain DEET. Some sprays are very low in DEET and many that the health departments are being real picky others have a much higher content. Ensure that the about which ones they pick up. sprays are used properly and adequately to eliminate insect bites as much as possible. Remember that research What do we know about this issue? indicates that about one out of five people who are bitten West Nile Virus (WNV) is a bird-born infection spread by a mosquito infected with WNV will develop symptoms. by mosquitoes that was first isolated in Africa in 1937. The virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of an What are the symptoms of WNV? infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected by biting In humans, most infections of the virus result in no an infected bird. symptoms. Symptoms such as fever, extreme tiredness, frontal headache, muscle aches, and skin rash are most Can you do anything about this out on the golf common. More serious symptoms can include neck course? stiffness, muscle weakness, and confusion. Rarely, the Yes, there are some things that you can do to help stem disease can be fatal. the spread of the virus or reduce the possibility of having your workers infected. The first thing you may be able to I have gathered this information from various locations do is ensure that your workers are familiar with the to put this article together. The Region of Peel and potential disease. This may mean getting brochures and Health Canada and the CBC are my main sources. If you information from your local health unit or the federal need to get information in greater detail I encourage you government. This may also mean ensuring that standing to consult with your local health department. water is treated with a larvicide. Get your staff and members or clients to be vigilant when they are out on the Take Care and Have a safe Summer! course. If they see dead birds they should report them. Be careful. Do not pick up these birds unless you have the SAFETAID proper protective gloves. The best information we have is Your 1st stop in safety! that the mouthparts of the bird are the most probable Upgrades, Renovations & New Instal ations From evaluation to implementation. Milton 1.800.263.4112 King City will Partner with 1.866.703.KING you to succeed in Achieving your Goals. www.vandenbussche.com ANNOUNCES THE INAUGURAL Ontario Golf Course Management Conference and Trade Show January 6th - 8th, 2004 Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel • Free pre-conference seminar • Two day trade show • Keynote speaker • Focuses on current topics & issues that challenge golf course superintendents more information available go to www.golfsupers.on.ca Cyber super Here's to your health... T here has our health, and must be prepared to as SARS and West Nile Virus. certainly been a answer questions about these topics. Information on the government’s plans lot of press I was recently asked by the to control West Nile and surveillance on regarding membership as to what the club is mosquitoes, horses and humans is everyone’s doing to prevent the spread of the West available. Some of the explanations are health lately. Nile Virus. My reply was, “We are doing actually links to other parts of the site, SARS, Norwalk the same thing as we did last year.” but give the answers just the same. Also, by Mark Prieur, and West Nile Confused on what the Greens a map of the Provinces (I chose Assistant Supt. are all getting Department was actually doing, I was Ontario) that details which regions Markland Wood CC their due asked to put a policy in writing and then have reported dead birds and which of attention. These post it in the clubhouse. The policy the dead birds actually had the virus. “Diseases of the week” are having a basically states that we have assessed all This gives the facts in a straight, easy-to- signifigant impact on the golf industry the high-risk areas and are dealing with read format and is updated quite in some form or another. First there them on a case-by-case basis. In frequently. was the unfortunate impact of the addition, educating the members about The second site is http:// Norwalk Virus. The Sports Illustrated the prevention as well as the signs and www.healthyontario.com/ . This is the article prompted a NGCOA endorsed symptoms seemed to put their minds at Ontario Provincial government website ban of all water coolers on golf courses ease. Last, but not least, was the where there are up-to-date press throughout North America. Second, statement that “we are taking every releases on the “Disease of the week.” there was the vast media hoard possible precaution to ensure the safety Facts and myths on how they spread (or surrounding the SARS outbreak. of the Membership and staff at more important, how they do not Headlines everywhere were detailing Markland Wood.” It wasn’t long after spread) about each of them, Norwalk, every new case and quarantine of the that a member of the local media West Nile and SARS, are available and outbreak in a CNN-like fashion, which contacted me. He was doing a piece on are answered in short articles. Steps the dealt a crushing blow to the tourism what the golf courses in the GTA were public can take to personally protect industry in the GTA, golf courses doing to prevent the spread of the West themselves is made clear. Healthy included. Now there are mosquitoes Nile virus. I’m glad I did my homework. Ontario also has useful factsheets on biting, which now puts the West Nile Having all the facts at two convenient other general ailments such as stress, Virus at the forefront of the media sites made the task easier than I which I’m sure everyone experiences spotlight. We, as golf course managers, thought. Health Canada’s URL is from time to time. are not immune to the pressures the http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ where they media puts on the public concerning have “spotlights” on certain topics such Guaranteed Minimum Analysis Soluble Total Nitrogen (N) 28% 28-4-16 with UMAXX 0.8% ammonical nitrogen 2.0% nitrate nitrogen 5.6% urea nitrogen IT'S ALL ABOUT 19.6% stabilized nitrogen from UMAXX3 CONTROL Available Phosphoric Acid (P205) 4% Waler Soluble Potash (K20) 16% Iron* (Fe) 0.4% Manganese* (Mn) 0.05% Zinc* (Zn) 0.05% UMAXX® stabilized urea, delivers slowly Copper* (Cu) 0.05% available nitrogen in a water soluble form. Boron* (B) 0.02% • Full nitrogen utilization with minimal losses Molybdenum (Mo) 0.005% • Environmentally sensible *Chelating Agent: EDTA • Easy to apply • Available in 15kg. bags For Information Call: 1-800-265-8865 Mechanic's corner by Larry A. Murray, President G.E.T.A.O. Equipment Manager, Pheasant Run Golf Course are being finalized for our annual golf tournament. Plans of attendees. The one day event is being sponsored by The exact location, date and times will be posted on our Fairview College in Alberta, in an effort to establish web-site as well as the Ontario Golf Superintendents’ educational requirements. Another meeting is being held Association site, www.golfsupers.on.ca. Sponsorship will be in Ontario, on June 10, 2003, which will include employers, available this year for mechanics who would like to attend industry representatives and mechanics, together with the but are unable due to personal finances. If this is your Ontario Ministry to set-up the apprenticeship program. This situation, email or telephone me with the information. is a very active, interesting, and exciting year for our Have you thought of putting a team together with your association. superintendent or assistant? No matter how your team Note to Superintendents: Is your mechanic a member? If scores, everyone leaves a winner. The tournament is open to not, sign him up so he can benefit when the association has all readers, and is one that you will want to attend yearly. its goals in place for qualified professionals. If you are A meeting is scheduled for June 3, 2003 in Calgary, requiring a mechanic, make sure you advertise through Alberta, for industry related personnel across the country to the Mechanic’s Association by contacting me at discuss the Canadian standards for mechanics. Warren l.a.murray@sympatico.ca or phone Eddie at (905) 889-7620, Wybega, from Donalda Club will be speaking to the group ext 520. empty table cell The new Sweep-star V62 SMITHCO Sweep-star V62 vs Competition Engine Liquid cooled - smoother, quieter, longer Air cooled, noiser, engine life, easier to service shorter life Hopper 4 plus cubic yards 3 plus cubic yards Clutch Electric-quiet operation when vacuum disengaged-easy cold starting No vacuum disengagement Tires 13" wide Fairway type tires - softer footprint 10” wide turf tires Controls User friendly controls within driver's reach Driver must dismount to start/set speed Hitch 5th wheel or standard tractor hitch Tractor hitch only Heavier, more-rugged construction Quieter operation. Easier dumping and dean-up 1184 PLAINS ROAD EAST BURLINGTON, ONTARIO L7S 1W6 Burlington area: 905-637-5216 • Toronto Area: 905-338-2404 All other Ontario Areas: 800-883-0761 • Fax: 905-637-2009 Visit our website at: www.gcduke.com Accreditation avenue by Jeff Stauffer Director of Government Relations the IPM Accreditation program As Q Why is it not mandatory to become Q We practice IPM already and have continues to be developed, there have accredited from the province? for years. Why is there a need to have a been questions, some specific and some third party auditor? general, forwarded to myself. Below A The province was going to, and may you will find some common questions still, mandate that golf courses be A Using a third party auditor provides and the answers. You may also find audited against the IPM protocol that a level of credibility within the industry some information on the ‘Turf Talk’ was established last year. Provincially that would never be obtained otherwise. page of our website where some mandated accreditation is a position the Municipalities must have an assurance questions have been posted. This RCGA, GAO, NGCOA, and OGSA all that equal, unbiased verification of the process has taken quite some time to support. IPM protocols mandated with the pull together as we wage our fight program is going to take place. Third against the municipalities undertaking Q Seems like a lot of work, why bother? party auditors provide the best the debate around pesticide use. IPM mechanism for that. Accreditation is a solution to the debate A Any industry can benefit from a for responsible users of pesticides and is higher level of professionalism. IPM Q If I enroll, what is the level of starting to gain recognition and Accreditation is a means to show confidentiality with the information I awareness in many other parts of the government and the general public that submit? country for the landscape sector. The the golf industry not only ‘talks the talk’, golf sector has also expressed an interest but ‘walks the walk’. A Only the Auditor and Ridgetown in the program elsewhere and are College (the Administrator) will see the awaiting its formal release. Our goal is Q If we already have good record records. Should there be a dispute, a to have the program ready for release in keeping, why must we change to this committee of IPM Council Board July, for Ontario. The protocols for the format? members will oversee a complaint desk review are being finalized, the process. Non-golf members only will sit exam is ready and the on-site protocols A In any program, there has to be a set on such a committee. The only will be established once we sign on with level of standardization that all must information made public will be that of the auditors selected for the golf sector. adhere to. Additionally, auditing costs a successfully Accredited golf operation. As in the past, you will continue to find would skyrocket while auditors would updates in Green is Beautiful, OGSA take substantially more time to Q Are there any municipal bylaws in flyers and e-mails. If you have a specific “decipher” varying types of recording place now requiring IPM Accreditation question not answered below, please methods. for golf? post it on our Forum, ‘Turf Talk’ for others to see and it will be answered as Q Is there a computerized version of A Yes, Caledon requires accreditation, quick as possible. the binder? and the City of Toronto has said that Accreditation will be enshrined once Q Why should we enroll in the IPM A Yes there is. The CD developed by the program is fully engaged. Accreditation Program? Brenda Nailor of Engage Agro titled “Spray Records” was aimed to Q Am I going to need additional staff? A Since the decision by the Supreme complement the IPM Accreditation Court of Canada in Hudson, Que., program. It contains detailed inform­ A IPM Accreditation should not municipalities have come under ever- ation around the use of pesticides and require additional staff if your increasing fire to further regulate the can generate many reports for your use operation has some kind of monitoring use of pesticides. While not on the first at your golf course and also for the program in place now. The minimum line of attack, golf clubs are now Accreditation program. The CD can be monitoring for the program is once a regularly included in municipal used instead of the binder distributed week. The more you document your legislation restricting pesticide use. IPM by the OGSA earlier this year. The monitoring, the easier it is to Accreditation provides a common binder offers the base for document­ demonstrate on paper your decision ground solution involving responsible ation and monitoring records, the CD making process while practicing IPM use in a formalized structure that any offers the individual an increased level and the use of pesticide products. Desk municipality can recognize. of documentation utilizing a computer. reviews will be concise and to the point One is not better than the other, they with a minimum of paperwork involved. complement themselves and either can On-site reviews will be particularly be used to achieve the desired results of beneficial to ensure that minimum the Accreditation program. standards across the board are being met. Being an Assistant Superintendent by Darryl James, Assistant Superintendent, Dalewood Golf and Curling Club Over the past two years, I have had the great pleasure of form the little intricate details or stems of that tree. The tree being an assistant superintendent in Ontario. Recently, I was inevitably becomes larger with every new endeavour. given an amazing opportunity from the OGSA to write about In conclusion, I believe that experience and knowledge are my short stint as an assistant, as well as, my recent experience the prerequisites to success and only varies between good in Scotland while I was the 2001 Toro/Canadian Golf assistant superintendents. Clearly, exchanging information Superintendent’s Association Future Superintendent Award and experiences openly together, rather than competing, is Winner. something we can do to help improve as assistants. In time, In writing about the role of the assistant superintendent, we when we are superintendents, this sharing of knowledge will must assume that we are all the same, as we are all striving to help us take the industry to the next level. become superintendents, varying only by individual experience. We must assume that every golf course is “Look upon golf in the spirit of adventure and not as a succession of different, as each course presents its own unique challenges threes and fours.” Alister Mackenzie, 1920 and techniques. Most importantly, we must understand that our role as an assistant superintendent is a life style, not just a Maintaining a golf course, whether it is next door or across job. the Atlantic, is a unique challenge. In our profession, we are forced to adapt too many of these challenges on a daily basis. “The man who regards golf as a matter of card and pencil’ is not a Can you imagine the amount of situations that golfer at all, for he has lost his soul in arithmetic, whereas the true superintendents and their assistants have faced over the many golfer puts his soul into the gamefor the love of it.” C.B Macdonald, years and the many more our profession will face in the 1928 future? The point is that every course is different and presents endless challenges, and I don’t mean just Work experience is an assistant superintendent’s most agronomically! Courses vary beginning with whether they are valuable asset in preparing for superintendent status, but public, private or somewhere in between. Continually experience comes in many shapes and sizes. Whether it is curious Board of Directors, General Managers and Green working a number of years at one course, being involved Committees have many different objectives and every course during a grow-in or construction, winning awards or making has high standards to meet, keeping in mind that budgets, endeavours at a higher versus lower profile club, valuable staff, and resources may differ considerably from club to club. experience is gained at multiple levels. So, is there an ideal Without a doubt, something done by one course might be way for every golf course assistant superintendent to gain something every course should incorporate, but factors, such valuable experience on the job? I think it depends on the as those stated above, play a huge role in the decision making person. Since each person has their own successes and process. Hence, as an assistant, I’ve learned to consider all failures to gain from, I think that a person creates their own facets of turf management, to keep an open mind to the ideal route. I believe that I am fortunate to have been many possibilities, but especially, to grasp what many call the involved in two PGA tournaments, won an incredible award, “art of listening.” Not every solution or idea will work for spent five years as a labourer and two years as an assistant everyone, but a good listener will explore all the possibilities superintendent. I believe that I have had an incredible then decipher for themselves information of importance. journey thus far, but there was no shortage of ups and downs There are things in this profession you can’t put dollars and along the way. With that, valuable work experience is exacdy cents on, such as the love of being in the midst of nature, the what a person must gain from a situation. Even if that ability to counter a lot of adversities and the enjoyment of situation is negative, there is always something to be gained. seeing your work make things happen. I’ll always remember being told that mistakes are only part of human nature it is what a person learns from those mistakes, “If I weren't playing golf or flying airplanes, the one thing I would that makes them better than the rest. Therefore, every thoroughly enjoy is being a golf course superintendent.” person has a path to success. From my experience, Arnold Palmer, 1968 researching your opportunities thoroughly and making good contacts with others for advice are what will help an assistant There have been many positive influences in my career create their route. Being prepared will help to avoid the thus far. These influences have played a large role in creating negatives and help a person take the best from every an overwhelming passion for what I do. Attending the situation. University of Guelph and winning the 2001 Toro/Canadian Following that, to appreciate and understand when given Golf Superintendents’ Association Future Superintendent amazing opportunities, one must have the base for success, Award are two examples that stand out. knowledge! Knowledge is gained through academics, work experience and through discussion at a local pub with a Initially, my passion grew as a greenkeeper when I attended superintendent or fellow assistant. The way I see it, we are the University of Guelph. I was able to be involved in a class trying to create a tree of knowledge. Academics is the base or in which about 10 of us united like no other. We were able to trunk of a tree, while work experience allows us to grow the feed off of each other’s growing interest on a daily basis, and many large branches. Finally, networking and communication then use that passion to propel ourselves into the industry. A huge part of a person’s success is to be surrounded by great Links golf courses adhere to tradition, and it gave me an people early in their career. urge to learn more about the game’s history as I walked on When I was given the opportunity to visit Scotland, I had no the same grounds where many greats have played. It gave me idea what was in store for me or how it would greatly a new passion to look at the characteristics of the links that influence my passion for greenkeeping. Golf is a game with a make them so ideal for the game. Also, I wanted to try and rich history and not just the game itself, but in greenkeeping compare those areas that we have utilized in North America! and design as well! Having an opportunity to be in Scotland For example, an intriguing quote can be found in a book for 10 weeks, gave me a taste of what Scottish golf offers (the entitled “Masters of the Links”, written by Geoff Shackelford. game, greenkeeping and design), and a taste is exactly what I He stated, “Virtually all of the most enduring golf course got. My whirlwind tour of Scottish golf courses just broke the design traits have been derived from the Old Course, and ice to the information available. Just as it takes many years to today it stands as more than a historic landmark to the game become great in our profession, it takes more than two short of golf. It is still one of the world’s finest tests of skill.” months to fully grasp the links. Every links course will offer Whether it is playing the game, greenkeeping or paying multiple experiences at every level. Two things that I feel are attention to details in design, every golf course has something very important to remember about links golf courses, but are that resembles links golf, especially the Old Courses. So, my not limited to are: advice is to instead of picking up one of those scientific turf books, pick up a book that describes about the history of golf, “These were courses over which the game itself was invented, and they be it design or greenkeeping. I think you’d be surprised what have endured despite tremendous changes in almost all other aspects you’ll learn. In view of that, the links and forever friendships of the game. ” Tom Doak, Anatomy of a Golf Course gave me an overwhelming realization of how much I love what I do and taught me that maintaining a golf course is not just a job, it is an amazing lifestyle. We turn your plans into reality. TDI International Inc. • (519) 763-3130 • www.tdigolf.com Pro/Super Challenge Photos and Article by Randy Booker The annual Pro/Super Challenge was a cool, damp spring it was a pleasure to held at Grey Silo Golf Course, in get together with our club professionals Waterloo. After a long, cold winter and and enjoy a wonderful day of golf and laughs. Mother Nature took a day off and allowed us to bask in the sunshine at Grey Silo although the wind blew strong and provided many difficult holes that were a test to our early spring games. Many thanks go to the Golf Course Superintendent, Tom Margetts, and his staff for the fine condition of the two year old layout. The greens provided for a firm and fast surface. Congratulations to the following winners of the day ! empty table cell Club Superintendent Professional First Place Essex Golf & County Club Chris Andrejicka Alex McIntyre Second Place Diamond Back Golf Club Blair Rennie Joe Pacione Third Place Fox Glen Golf Club Kelly Barnet Kevin Corriveau Fourth Place Bigwin Island Golf Club Scott Heron Jonathan Gee Fifth Place Puslinch Lakes Golf Club Jim Moore Garrett Burridge Longest Drive Craigowan (Oxford Golf & C.C.) Jerry Richard empty table cell Closest to the hole Caledon Country Club Leo Daigle empty table cell Longest Drive Essex Golf Club empty table cell Alex McIntyre Closest to the hole Magna Golf Club empty table cell Rob Roxborough both the Superintendents and their hard work in the planning and Professionals to work on their organizing of such a fine event. relationships and chat with others about our spring problems and accomp­ There was also a $20 skins lishments. competition that was entered by every team for a total of $1100. Thanks also go out to Dorothy Hills, There were two skins awarded in the Jeff Alexander and Paul Scenna for amount of $550.00 each to; Chris Andrejicka and Alex McIntyre, from Essex Golf and Country Club and to L-R First Place Winners from Essex Golf & CC Alex McIntyre, Professional and Chris Andrejicka, Bill Fach and Ian Crebben, from York Superintendent Downs Golf Club. After the round we all enjoyed a beautiful buffet lunch prior to the prize presentations. Thanks also go to the Director of Golf Operations, Dave Charlton; Head Professional, Mike Roberts; Program Delivery Associate, Shannon Margetts; and the Food and Beverage Manager; Mike Aultman. Unfortunately, the scoring took a little longer than planned and our apologies go out to all the participants. L-R Grey Silo Professional Host, David Charlton, Nevertheless, the day was a chance for OGSA Director, Randy Booker, Grey Silo Host Superintendent, Tom Margetts Golf course highlight Grey Silo Golf Course 2001 University Avenue Waterloo ON N2J 4A8 Website: www.city.waterloo.on.ca Golf Course Superintendent: Tom Margetts Email: tjmturf@golden.net COURSEPROFILE COURSE PROJECTS What county is your club located in? What is your predominant grass? What projects have you recently completed? Waterloo County Greens are A4 Bentgrass 2002/2003: Installation of new cart path on Is your club private, semi private, public, resort, municipal? Tees are Penncross Bentgrass hole #1, shortened the fairway and replaced Public Fairways are Penneagle Bentgrass with bluegrass sod. Number of rounds? How many USGA greens and how many loam greens? 2002/2003: Installed low barrier fencing in 32,000 annually 19 USGA greens high traffic areas around greens and tee sites. Typical opening and dosing date? What is the predominant soil type? 2002: Placed armour stone around flower April 15 to November 15 Sandy loam beds at the clubhouse. Name of Superintendent? What equipment do you have in inventory? 2002: Signage for environmental areas. Tom Margetts 8 John Deere greens walkers How many years have you been a superintendent? 2 John Deere tees walkers LONG RANGE PLANS 4 years 3 John Deere 2500 triplex mowers What long range plans for renovation do you have in the How many years have you been an O.G.S.A.. member? (tees & greens heads) next five years? 6 years 2 Jacobsen 3400 fairway mowers (verticut heads) Lots and lots of golf course tweaking! How many year round staff? 2 John Deere 2653A trim mowers 2003: new maintenance facility 3 2 Ransome AR250 rough mowers Bunker sand upgrades in the future How many seasonal staff? 2 John Deere 4500 tractors (loader/backhoe) Audubon Certification 22 Tycrop MH-400 CHALLENGES How many mechanics and assistants? Turfco SP1530 topdresser 1 mechanic and 2 John Deere Progators Are there any particular challenges you face with your 1 assistant (Mike Schwartzentruber) (topdresser attachment) property? How many gardening staff? 7 John Deere E-Gators Property is long and narrow, lots of travel time 1 2 John Deere Gators Trying to be as efficient as possible with the John Deere 1200 bunker rake maintenance facility not being close to the COURSE STATISTICS Smithco Superstar bunker rake golf course John Deere Aercore 2000 aerator Balancing a public trail in close proximity How many holes? Bannerman Multiject slicer throughout the course 18 Aerway slicer High E.T loss from an open windy site What is the yardage from back tees and forward tees? John Deere Progator Sprayer (200 gal.) SUCCESS STORIES 6532 yards from back tees and Tow type field sprayer (300 gal.) 5197 yards from forward tees Do you have any Success stories? 6 Greensmower trailers What is the size and length of driving range and range tee? Consistently providing a quality product for Salsco greens roller 260 yards our customers Ryan sod cutter Range tee is 23,000 sq. ft. Hosting area Amateur Qualifying Agrimetal tractor blower How many bunkers? tournament and 2003 Pro/Super Challenge Brush type rotary attachment 52 Vicon fertilizer spreader INNOVATIVE CULTURAL PRACTICES How many ponds, and/or how many times does water come Chevrolet Silverado pickup What type of innovative cultural practices have you into play? 5 Bannerman Hover mowers performed? 5 ponds 2 J.D. rotary push mowers Implementing a “no hollow tine” aeration Who was the original architect? 2 Billy Goat push blowers plan to stay on top of compaction and thatch Steve Young Backpack blower along with verticutting and topdressing. What was the year of original construction? Redmax reciprocator 2001 2 J.D. line trimmers What is the size of your maintenance shop? Grademaker 3,000 sq. ft. Dump trailer What type of irrigation system? Scotts drop spreader Rain Bird Cirrus - 2 years old 2 Scotts rotary spreaders What is the size of the greens, tees and fairways? 3 point hitch snowplow 3.5 acres of greens 4.5 acres of tees 40 acres of fairways Spring Field Day By John Bladon Photos by John Bladon & Neil Tandan The OGSA marks the start of summer, each season, with the annual Spring Field Day. Our hosts this year were OGSA member Ray Duke and Springfield Golf & Country Club. It was somehow ironic that in spending most of the year thus far waiting for more seasonal temperatures to arrive, our day at Springfield was to produce temperatures in excess of 33 degrees. The field, upon arrival, was greeted by the OGSA Director of Golf and Meetings, Jeff Alexander and the association’s manager, Dorothy Hills. Following a quick lunch, a chipping contest, whose proceeds were donated to turfgrass research, and some fellowship amongst entrants, Golf Professional Murray McClaren signaled the start of our day with a resounding blast from the first tee. The competition for the coveted Clayton Switzer trophy was underway! As always, Ray and his crew had the golf course well prepared and in excellent condition for the event. It was Clayton Switzer winner of Closest to the Hole on #4 clear many low rounds were to be fired on this day. Although everyone left a winner, the prizes went to: Superintendents: Assistants, Associates and Guests: 1st low Gross Bruce Burger 75 1st low Gross Jason Ireton 70 2nd low Gross Dave Svab 76 2nd low Gross Trevor Hunter 71 3rd low Gross Kevin (Buns) Brohman 77 3rd low Gross Kevin Holmes 72 1st low Net Randy Dick 65 1st low Net Clifford Deering 66 2nd low Net Ray Duke 67 2nd low Net Paul Gurr 66 3rd low Net Ted Ellis 67 3rd low Net Cara Sheppard 66 Once again, the generosity of our sponsors enabled the following participants to take home a prize as well. Many thanks go to Vanden Bussche Irrigation, Springfield Golf & Country Club, the OGSA and Maple Farm Supply for their donations. John Deere provided a Gator to the winner of the chipping contest. Longest Drive - Jason Ireton Straightest Drive - Mark Webb Closest to the Hole #4 -Clayton Switzer Closest to the Hole #12 - Bruce Vollett Highest Score - Doug Johnson Chipping Contest - Chad Ziegler Over an excellent meal we gathered to trade stories of our day in the cool confines of Springfield’s clubhouse. The relief from the heat was welcomed by all. Although this year’s event did not include the pilgrimage to the GTI, research and education were topical during the evening Jeff Alexander at the 1st tee ceremonies. Following a welcome from OGSA President Mark Piccolo, both Julie Dionne and Rob Witherspoon L-R Jeff Alexander and Jason Ireton from L-R Jeff Alexander, OGSA Director of Golf L-R Brenda Nailor - Engage Agro, Mark Plant Products and Ray Dlugokecki, Host Superintendent Prieur - Markland Wood CC, Tim Steen Victoria Park GC West 12th. Lastly, OGSA Vice President Rob Ackermann provided us with an update on the planning being undertaken as the association prepares to host its first annual conference in Toronto this coming January. Watch your mail for updated information and registration forms, later this summer. Finally, aside from Ray, the OGSA would like to thank all at Springfield for their hospitality and hard work, especially Food and Beverage Manager, Connie Ferguson and her team; Head Pro, Murray McClaren and his team; and General Manager, Frank Lazzotti. The day was deemed a success by all who participated. We hope to see you all next year! were on hand to provide us with an update on all the hard work and research being done at the University of Guelph and the GTL Julie invited golf course superintendents and their courses to participate in her research projects. If you are interested, contact Julie directly at jdionne@uoguelph.ca. Rob reminded us all that the GTI will be hosting a research open house in honour of the 10th anniversary of the opening of the Frost Centre, on August 19th and hoped that the timing would allow for increased participation. In addition, the GTI will be hosting an open house to view the Annual Trial Gardens, on July 22nd. Clayton Switzer, reminded us to mark our calendars for the OTRF Fundraising Tournament to be held at Copper Creek Golf Club, in Kleinburg, on August Donalda's Barns - A Historical Treasure by Paul Scenna, Golf Course - Grounds Manager he process of improving your T Their first move was application for have that fame. Its modem day golf maintenance facility is not an easy one. demolition permit. As expected it got a course designed by one of Canada’s As far as priority’s go, spending money reaction and red flags were drawn. The leading contemporary architects, winds on where the staff eat and the tractors Heritage Preservation Services through the river valley where David are stored ranks just behind a new department, Culture Division soon Dunlap’s property practiced innovative furnace for the house. The greens and advised the Cattle Barn was listed on the farming techniques nearly a century grounds department at Donalda Club City’s Inventory of Heritage Properties ago. These barns are a big part of works out of “the barns”, stately old and is recognized by Toronto City Donalda’s history and are now structures which had not seen a paint Council for its architectural and preserved for all to view while playing brush in sixty years. After ten years of historical significance in the former city the course. The cattle barn built in improving the course, the of North York. The team re-grouped 1914, will continue to be the only 20th overwhelming priority soon became the and put together a plan that would century barn in North York, designed by safety of our staff, the security of our involve instituting the original Toronto based architectural firm equipment and the functional use for functional concepts into the existing Wickson and Gregg. Known as Donalda the department. The board fully structures and reapplying to Farms, the complex consisted of some recognizing the requirements of the membership for more money, it turned forty buildings and received department began a new initiative and into a very rewarding experience. considerable publicity for its innovative formed a building committee to The historians’ dedicated passion for husbandry practices and highly address the needs of clubhouse facilities this “Composite Tudor/Shingle/Arts advanced farming techniques. Known and the bams. Together as one large and Crafts” had been a blessing in for bathing their pigs in olive oil and capital project everyone would win, new disguise. Understanding that the toilet soap, the Dunlaps won almost locker room equals new roof over structure cost more than previously every agricultural contest they entered. equipment. The Club hired Hottes contemplated, the end result is a Farming experts from around the world Dehays of Arlington Design in Ohio, magnificent renovation which all came to inspect and marvel at the farms who provided excellent support on the members will be proud of. Other clubs livestock and equipment. The farm needs of today’s golf course operations have built their history on an architect stayed with the family until 1946, when and insight on what concepts are used who routed their golf course in the early David Dunlap’s wife, Jesse Donalda, in a prototypical operations centre. We 1900’s; Donalda, built in 1960, does not died. The land was soon sold to Don considered both new construction and renovation to achieve function and at first, new was the only concept that could meet budget. Their was a small group of members who were sensitive to the original structures and the history they provided, but most, as I’m sure you can understand, were more sensitive to dollars. We retained engineers/ project managers, and cost consultants to perform feasibility studies, cost projections, soil tests and request for proposal documentation. The project went to tender in a design/build format, to hire a team of contractors and local architects. The project was awarded to Pilot Construction, Norman Roth and Thomas Gluck Architect. Donalda Staff 1920 Donalda Staff today Mills Developments Ltd., and planned an architect who specializes in historical renovation included, 3 service bays, a out the blueprint for Toronto’s post war work and who was highly recognized by separate grinding room, parts room suburban neighborhood. the city. His experience with structures and mechanics office, a squad room In retrospect, our initial requests were from this time period and respect held large enough to seat all the staff to to have a building “safe, secure and with government officials turned into a receive proper instruction and have functional” and it didn’t matter whether valuable part of our team. The lunch comfortably and efficiently, the building was new or renovated. historical architects insistence on locker rooms, a mud room as well as After many years and many meetings preserving the original windows can enough administration or office area. the end result is extraordinary and now be appreciated and what windows The project also included the meets our original agenda. were missing were built on site by the development of proper aggregate bins Safe- the building no longer has an contracting superintendent from the with concrete aprons, equipment wash unsafe floor. In fact, it has no second 100 year old pine 2” x 12” floor joists station, fuel island with above ground floor at all, as it was removed. Except that were salvaged; they look beautiful. tanks and installation of sanitary for a partial mezzanine all equipment is services, a new city water line with fire stored on the ground floor on a new The simple breakdown of how the new hydrant, natural gas supply and the concrete slab that is polished so smooth building operates is as follows. A clear asphalt paving of all related areas. it measures 39 on the stimpmeter. open interior with assigned parking The one benefit of a process taken as Structurally, several concrete piers tied positions for each piece of equipment. long as this one did, is the ability to to metal I- beams will anchor this Seven automated overhead doors for an review and re-review specifications and building for another 100 years. in and then out drive through concept drawings, gain input from staff and Secure- the rain buckets are gone, the with a separate chemical room for the eliminate changes or surprises during million-dollar inventory of equipment is storage of pesticides, fertilizers and the construction. My appreciation goes out now protected and the raccoon’s are space for the sprayers and spreaders to to the above mentioned contractor, his shopping for new real estate. mix and load. The mezzanine is site superintendent Tom Archer, Tom Functional- now dropped from the designed for extra storage of Gluck, architect, Assistant Grounds health and safety committees agenda equipment and attachments. Manager Scott White and Grounds our staff can enter without the aid of a The Dairy Building was renovated to Mechanic Warren Wybenga, as well as miner’s cap, pick up their tools without provide enough space to fulfill the members of our committee. jumping feed troughs and drive out requirements and needs of staff. This without moving all other equipment. Interesting discoveries and accomplishments during the building process include: finding a swine registry from 1928. Also, the fact that when the concrete was cut to install garage door openings, the idea of this massive foundation being mixed and poured on site in the early 1900’s is astounding. Furthermore, the stone aggregate viewed in the profile was likely river stone, hand gathered in this valley. Approximately 15,000 5/8 cedar shingles were installed on the exterior walls. The Club also retained the services of Joe Reid...In Memorium by Bill Hynd Joe Reid was busy the week of the 10th and flew everything from bi-planes in With great class, in August of 2002, of June, 2001. He attended a Western the far reaches of the British Empire to the Clarks hosted the unveiling of a Ontario Golf Superintendents helicopters in the Canadian arctic. Joe memorial garden at Pineland Green in Association meeting at Southbrook Golf was always close to the golf scene Joe’s memory. He was a husband to wife Club and couldn’t get away to attend however, as greenkeeper / mechanic Betty for 57 years, father to Susan and a the funeral of Hugh Kirkpatrick...he and director of the founding Canadian good friend all around. was busy at Pineland Green Golf Club. Golf Superintendents Association, he Joe had spent 18 years with owner Don also found time to teach the University Joes energy and spirit will be missed. Clark, developing and maintaining the of Guelph short course and was always old stone quarry, turned golf course. willing to give lessons on the golf swing! On Sunday, June 17th , he was found by Joe could be as cantankerous as they his daughter Susan, dead with a book in come, always had a twinkle in his eye his hands. Joe was 82. and possessed a rare sense of humour. I first met Joe at an Ontario Golf Don Clark, closed Pineland Green the Superintendents’ Association meeting day ofJoe’s funeral and said of him with in 1963. He had quite a career, as an a smile “Joe and I always got along best apprentice airman in The R.A.F. in when we were as far away from each 1936. He saw service as a pilot navigator other as possible in our work”. A Century of Greenkeeping Bill Forester, was one of our thrilled to read Century of so much love for this man.” founders and a longtime greenkeeper Greenkeeping and to see my Dad’s There are many anecdotes and at the Weston Golf 8c Country Club. name. He was gruff but a big soft numerous accounts about our OGSA His daughter, Greta Forrester- man at heart, like the time he members in this publication. If you Murchie, enjoyed reading our brought home a ‘hobo’ off the train are interested in purchasing this publication, A Century of Greenkeeping. tracks (train tracks run through book, please contact the OGSA office Here is what she had to say in a recent Weston Golf Club) on Christmas Day for details. letter to Gordon Witteveen, “I was to have supper with the family. I have Mark Goodwin Technical Sales Representative Cell: (905) 928 - 9200 Fax: (905)578-7575 Corrie Almack P.Ag. Almack Agronomic Services Inc. Tel: (905) 689-6174 Box 256, Carlisle, On LOR 1H0 Fax: (905) 689-8522 Invested In The Wonder Email: c.almack@sympatico.ca Fioratine Canada Inc. DONT MISS OUT! THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO RECOGNIZE AN OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL BY NOMINATING HIM/HER FOR THE OGSA DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD THE “WILLIAM SANSOM” AWARD PURPOSE The Ontario Golf Superintendents’ Association shall present an award of Distinguished Service, in the name of our first President William Sansom, to an individual or individuals, providing such an Individual is properly nominated and subsequently accepted by the Board of Directors of the association. POLICY AND PROCEDURE Forms have been distributed, by mail, to all OGSA members. DEADLINE DATE FOR NOMINATION SUBMISSIONS TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2ND, 2003 PLEASE GIVE THIS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD, YOUR CAREFUL CONSIDERATION Pond Construction at Glendale Article and Photos by Mark Davy, Superintendent Glendale Golf & Country Club Prior to my arrival to Glendale Golf and Country Club in The other option that was studied through the Class 1998 an initiative had been put in motion involving a Environmental Assessment involved building the storm cooperative effort between the golf course, the Regional water management facility on the escarpment adjacent to Municipality of Hamilton Wentworth, various government the proposed development site. This option became agencies as well as a group of local developers who had prohibitively expensive due to the proximity of bedrock to proposed to build a new sub division atop of the site at an estimated cost of approximately 2 million dollars. escarpment bordering the golf course. The golf club was The board of directors at Glendale agreed that the approached with a plan to divert storm water from the Glendale Alternative would be a good opportunity towards proposed development atop of Mount Albion via the taking care of the issue of creek erosion while at the same Montgomery Creek, a tributary to the Red Hill Creek that time further enhancing golf course playability and runs through the golf course. In 1996 a Class aesthetics. Environmental Assessment was completed and it was concluded that it would be worthwhile to consider the option of constructing storm water management ponds located on the golf course to handle the runoff that would be generated as a result of the proposed sub division. The plan, which was dubbed the Glendale Alternative, would involve re-directing the storm water down the escarpment and into a series of storm water management ponds via the Montgomery. The estimated cost to implement this alternative was going to be approx. 1 million dollars and would involve building 2 new golf holes and modifying 4 others. Also included in the project would be the construction of 2 storm water management ponds, one water quantity pond to control erosion and one water quality pond for the purpose of re-mediating the storm water. The plan also called for the implementation of erosion control measures over the course of the entire creek. This would be done through re-grading and re­ contouring where necessary, as well using a variety of The plan had been agreed upon by all the parties plantings suited for bank stabilization. The issue of creek involved and for a period of time the project seemed to be erosion occurring as a result of storm water emptying into at a stand still. When I first took over as Superintendent in Montgomery Creek was one that Glendale had been the fall of 1999 one of the first calls I made was to the concerned about for many years and had expressed project coordinator for the municipality, in order to see concern to the City in the mid 1970’s. what the status of the Montgomery Creek project was. I was told that the plan could start within the year and that they thought it would be prudent for all parties to meet to begin final negotiations and prepare a timeline for implementation of each phase of the project. The initial project was scheduled to span over a 3 year period but because of the disruption to the golf course a plan to implement the project over a 2 year period was developed. The first phase of the project would involve building a new par three spanning over our existing irrigation pond. This new hole would replace an existing par three that would have to be removed during a later phase in the construction. In November of 2000 the “pond hole”, as we named it, began construction. This portion of the project would involve building the new par 3, as well as removing existing tees for the tenth hole, a par five, in order to make room for the pond hole, and building the new set further forward turning the tenth hole into par 4. The construction finished in the spring of 2001 and the par three tee, green and approach were seeded and the new 10th tees sodded. Having 18 holes already in play allowed the pond hole to remain untouched until the fall of 2001 undergoing a bunker renovation program, installing a at which point the second phase of construction warranted number of paved cart paths, as well as constructing a new the closure of the front nine, and the new hole was put into maintenance facility. Having to be available for all the play to allow for nine playable holes on the back. contractors at any given time as well as trying to stage areas The second phase of the project began in the fall of 2001 for each to work from, while still continuing to maintain and involved starting construction of the new golf holes, the golf course, became a difficult task. the storm water management ponds, as well as the re alignment and erosion control measures for the creek. The golf course construction timeline was always a concern for the membership and there was always pressure to try and get the new holes completed and sodded by fall of 2001 in order to have them playable as soon as possible. Rainy conditions made it less than ideal for working during the fall but the contractors managed to complete the new #2 hole laying sod on the green the first week in December. The new green and fairway area on the 5th hole were just too wet to work and were subsequently sodded in May of 2002. Much of the work on the creek and some golf course work was carried on through the winter months and by the spring of 2002 the majority of the storm water management portion as well as the majority of the golf course work, was complete. The golf course officially opened up mid May of 2002 and 2 temporary greens were played until the new greens had time to grow in. By the Looking back over the past two years it has been a great end of June we had opened the second hole and by the experience to be involved with such a large scale project end ofJuly the golfers were playing all 18 holes again. involving people from so many different backgrounds of expertise. Many hours were devoted to meetings, looking over conceptual drawings of site plans and discussing a lot of ‘what if's’. Being able to see those ideas and drawings come to life is something that has been very exciting for myself and my staff as well as all of those who have been involved with the development of this project over the years. This project was a success because all the groups involved were able to see that it was a winning situation for everyone. The new ponds have created nesting areas for various species of birds and wildlife and the golf course has improved overall as a result of the project. Construction of the quality pond There were a number of issues that arose during the project. First off we had two different companies in to do the work. One group was responsible for the construction of the ponds and creek work and answered to the engineering firm, and another group was responsible for the golf course work and answered to our architect. These were trying times, as it was often difficult when trying to communicate the architect’s and club’s issues relating to playability and aesthetics of the course, versus the engineer’s functional design of the ponds and creek. A number of compromises had to be made by both sides. During the second phase of construction the club was also What Compound Interest and Dollar Spot Have in Common Dollar spot is the most common The following formula illustrates the relationship of summer disease on golf courses and compound interest and the dollar spot epidemic: a great deal of time and money are required to manage this disease. Most of you are familiar with the biology of dollar spot, how it spreads, time of appearance and the factors that cause an epidemic to occur. This article reports new information on the epidemiology of by Brenda Nailor, PhD Engage Agro Corporation, dollar spot. Theory is merged with Guelph, ON. 519-826-7878 ext. 27 observations of epidemics at the brendanailor@engageagro.com Guelph Turfgrass Institute and two golf courses in Guelph during 1996- 1997 and 1998, respectively to provide all superintendents Through study of the epidemics in Guelph during 1996- with the knowledge they need to manage this devastating 1998, we have learned that the compound interest scenario disease. This article reports the findings from the study of represents the dollar spot progress curve because the disease Sclerotinia homoeocarpa, the fungus that causes dollar spot, multiplies exponentially. The reason is that, like compound in turfgrass. interest, the mycelia from the first infection cause secondary infections, and those secondary infections lead to tertiary Compound Interest Relates to Dollar Spot infections and so on. Interest is earned on the interest. Existing dollar spots spread when mowers or golfers’ feet In 1963, a plant pathologist named Vanderplank made a and equipment transport mycelia fragments. The mycelia great revelation; plant disease epidemics progress much like can also spread by growing to adjacent healthy turf. What simple and compound interest. Let’s review an example of makes dollar spot such a devastating disease is the great compound interest: number of colony forming units of cut mycelia that can lead Our superintendent has $1000 to invest but chooses an to new infections. account that returns 5 percent compound interest. He will Unlike a bank account, plant disease epidemics usually receive interest on his original $1000 but also will receive cannot grow indefinitely, they can only progress to 100 % interest on the total amount gained each year the money is disease or until the season ends. As the fungus uses up the invested. At the end of year one, he will have $1050. In year available turfgrass, the rate of disease decreases, causing the two he earns another 5 percent on the full balance of $1050. disease progress curve to be sigmoid or S-shaped. The shape Instead of getting $50 added to his balance, he gets $52.50, of the curve is determined by several factors: the amount of bringing his total to $1102.50. After year three he will have inoculum present at the beginning of the season, the time at $1157.63. Interest is earned on the interest. which the epidemic rate was at its highest (early season or Plant disease epidemics are similar to interest late season), if the disease completely devastated the turf or accumulated in bank accounts because disease - just like if the turf was healthy at the end of the year. The flatter the interest - increases over time. On a golf course, the time disease progress curve, the better. intervals are expressed as days with a final “balance” of Turfgrass is a wonderfully resilient, “perennial crop”, and disease at the end of the season. The “rate” refers to how therefore, the disease progress on turfgrass is different when quickly the disease multiplies over time. The “principle” of compared to plant disease epidemics in annual crops. The the investment for disease is the starting inoculum. In the turf plants grow continuously, diseased tissue is mowed away case of dollar spot, the starting inoculum is the mycelia and the disease epidemic rarely reaches 100% (i.e., fragments that over-winter in the crowns of the plants that completely dead grass). In addition, we found that were infected the previous year. This initial inoculum starts individual spots disappeared and reappeared throughout the epidemic in the spring, just like the principle starts the the summer and fall. The observations suggested that bank account: the more money with which you start the turfgrass was infected or colonized by S. homoeocarpa without account, the more money there is to earn interest on and to continuously expressing symptoms, as though the fungus grow during your investment period. resided at the base of the plant until the balance tipped in favour of the pathogen rather than the host. Theory to Practice - Taking it to the Golf Course So, how does all this theory relate back to the golf course microclimate are favourable for the pathogen. While we and the management practices for dollar spot? Sclerotinia cannot change the weather, we can do things to influence homoeocarpa is believed to over-winter as darkly pigmented the microclimate, such as proper irrigation, good air stroma remaining on margins of dollar spot lesions from movement, drainage, sunshine permeation, and by previous epidemics (Britton, 1969; Couch, 1995; Smiley et reducing the leaf wetness duration. Fertility, especially N, al., 1992) or as dormant mycelium in infected grass crowns thatch control and lack of stress will provide a healthy host and tissues (Fenstermacher 1980). This is the initial plant that can withstand the disease and result in a lower inoculum that is similar to the principle of your investment. epidemic rate. The lower the inoculum, the less fungus that is available to During the fall, the dollar spot fungus prepares to over­ create spots on the turfgrass. The dollar spot fungus is winter by colonizing the crowns of turfgrass, either as actively growing before we see the symptoms of disease - how mycelia fragments or as darkly pigmented stroma. A else would an entire tee be suddenly covered with cottony properly timed fall application of fungicide will reduce the mycelia if the fungus wasn’t multiplying, colonizing and fungi and therefore, reduce the individuals that will over­ infecting the turfgrass during the days before the outbreak? winter and start the epidemic in the spring. It’s all about Knowing this, it makes sense to start the season with a inoculum control. fungicide application to control the dollar spot fungus before symptoms appear, thus keeping inoculum levels low. The “Take Home” Message: This will help avoid the sudden flare-ups of dollar spot, especially on mature turf swards where the inoculum load As a long term dollar spot control strategy, try to keep the and strain diversity is theoretically higher. “inoculum bank account” low. Manage the initial inoculum Time is also a factor. In our investment model, there is by reducing the over-wintering population and timing the more money at maturity if the term is longer; the same is first fungicide application prior to symptom expression. The true for the dollar spot epidemic. The epidemic will not second step is to use control measures to slow the rate of progress to the maximum level if the start of disease is disease progress. These control measures may be a delayed. There will be fewer infection cycles completed combination of fungicides and cultural controls. Best results before the end of the season. A good time to start scouting will be achieved when inoculum is kept low during all stages for disease is when irises and peonies are in bloom and when of the dollar spot disease cycle. lilacs are in full to late bloom. Temperature can also be monitored and when 9-10 days with an average temperature Literature Cited of >16°C accumulates after May 1, dollar spots will usually Britton, M. P. 1969. Turf grass diseases, p. 288-329 In: A. appear. Treatment before symptoms appear is critical to A. Hanson and F. V. Juska, (eds.). Turfgrass science. delay the start of the epidemic; once you see spots, you know Amer. Soc. Agron., Madison, Wis. the epidemic has already started and the secondary Couch, H. B. 1995. Disease of turfgrasses. 3rd ed. inoculum is building. Krieger Publishing, Malabar, Fla. During the summer another factor in the model is at Fenstermacher, J. M. 1980. Certain features of dollar work - the rate. The rate increases as the secondary spot disease and its causal organism, Sclerotinia infections increase. At GTI in 1996, on a 25-m2 plot of homoeocarpa, p. 49-53. In: B. G. Joyner and P. O. Larsen, bentgrass, there were 7987 spots by September (that’s one (eds.). Advances in turfgrass pathology. Harcourt Brace spot for every 2”x 2” square!). Dollar spots multiplied Jovanovich, Duluth, Minn. quickly and consequently, the disease was highly destructive Smiley, R. W., P. H. Dernoeden and B. B. Clarke 1992. to the turfgrass. The success of secondary infections Compendium of turfgrass diseases. 2nd ed. Amer. depends on the disease triangle - environment, host and Phytopath. Soc., St. Paul, Minn. pathogen. These three factors interact together to cause Vanderplank, J. E. 1963. Plant Diseases: Epidemics and disease. The rate may increase when weather conditions and Control. Academic Press, NY, 344 pp. Brenda (Walsh) Nailor completed her Bachelor of Science in Pest Management at the University of Guelph in 1994. In 1996, Brenda returned to the University of Guelph for her PhD in Plant Pathology. Brenda's research at the Guelph Turfgrass Institute was on the epidemiology and disease forecasting of dollar spot, as well as the design of electronic leaf wetness sensors for use on turfgrass. During her PhD, Brenda and her advisor, Dr. Greg Boland, published a comprehensive literature review on dollar spot. In July 2001, Dr. Nailor joined the team at Engage Agro, as the senior registration specialist, responsible for conducting research programs for Turf & Ornamentals and other niche crops. The information presented in this article is from her thesis "Epidemiology and Disease Forecasting System for Dollar Spot caused by Sclerotinia homoeocarpa F. T. Bennett". Off the fairway Weeds or Wild flowers Weeds and dandelions must have cut a deal with I have noticed lately that a lot of my wild flowers share the grubs because there is little else left. clients have requested the complete the ability to grow I think we hate dandelions so much removal of their lawns. I suspect this is without human because they are the ultimate insult to motivated by fear since many people intervention . our efforts. Also, you have to deal with feel powerless to manage a lawn They make their them or they won’t go away. without the use of pesticides. There is own way and they So, don’t leave spaces for weeds to also a perception that no lawn equals by Daisy Moore can be very good land. I started planting a diverse mix of low maintenance and few weeds. at it. As gardeners, we have to manage native plants (perennials, grasses and There are interesting times ahead and the intrusion of plants we did not shrubs) in my garden about five years I, personally, am taking a pro-active introduce. Whether something is a ago. They are starting to pop up in the approach to weed control and that is to weed or a wildflower is often a matter garden, where weeds would normally plant desirable plants, especially native of taste. This is the quandary: what do grow. By increasing the number of self­ plants that will do the battle for me and we consider a weed (bad guy) and what seeding, native wild flowers, I hope to reduce weed pressure. do we consider a wild flower (good reduce the number of thistles and guy)? In the cultivated garden it is burdock. I am also hoping that the Visit my website fairly obvious what is a weed but in out grubs will leave me alone in future. www.daisymoore.com of the way and low-use areas, the Weeds will always be a part of for more tips on gardening. classification gets blurred a bit. gardening and by introducing In urban areas, weeds are natures desirable self-seeders, I will be choosing way of re-vegetating. Weeds are my own version of intruders. opportunistic plants which follow Most weeds are non-native plants, THE P.E.S.T INSTITUTE human disturbance and colonize introduced to our area many years ago SPECIALIZING IN PESTICIDE EDUCATION & SERVICE TECHNOLOGY cultivated land. The very act of either willingly as a forage crop, for gardening promotes weed invasion. example crabgrass, or they may simply LAND Weed seeds out number those of wild have escaped from cultivation. Every EXTERMINATOR (LANDSCAPE CATEGORY) flowers by a huge margin so if area has its own unique weed problem. PESTICIDE CERTIFICATION COURSES something is growing where you didn’t We now know that we cannot predict NORTH YORK December................... 1 - 5, 2003 put it, it is most likely deemed a weed. which plants we introduce today as January....................... 26 - 30, 2004 Planting something there first is one desirable ornamentals will become February....................... 16- 20, 2004 way of reducing the burden of tomorrow’s purple loosestrife. A stand March.............................8- 12, 2004 March...........................22- 26, 2004 weeding. of purple loosestrife is one of the most April................................5- 9, 2004 For if there is space left, something is floriferous displays you will ever find LONDON going to grow there. Plants that spread but is rightly classified as a weed due to March............................1 - 5, 2004 by wind-blown seed are likely to its invasive tendencies. The same could OTTAWA succeed, at least in the short term, be said for the wild sweet rocket which March.......................... 15- 19, 2004 when there are gaps in the lawn or produces large swathes of purple, pink WATER EXTERMINATOR (MOSQUITO/BITING FLY) garden. Dandelions, for example, and white in the spring. Both of these NORTH YORK manage to find their way into the plants need to be kept in check or February....................... 9- 13, 2004 crown of a perennial or cluster in nothing else will grow there. A couple Gov't exam held on Monday following each course. disturbed soil. I am thinking about my of invasive weeds to watch out for in Instructor: Paul G. Pilley. B.Sc.. M. P. M. own back yard where every blade of the Greater Toronto Area are garlic grass was destroyed by grubs last fall. mustard and dog strangling vine. For more information and a brochure contact: P.O. Box 1021 Lindsay, Ontario K9V 5N4 Birds and rodents had a party, feasting Invasive plants destroy diversity and E-mail: pgp_pest@lindsaynet.com Tel: (705) 324-PEST (7378 Fax: (705) 324-9729 on the grubs and it was not pretty! The harm ecosystems. Tired of your college kids Burnside Golf Services A DIVISION OF R. J. BURNSIDE & ASSOCIATES LIMITED Engineers • Hydrogeologists • Environmental Consultants calling home for money? Serving the Needs of the GolfIndustry We can help with: • Approvals for Golf Course Development and Operations Encourage them to fill out the • Hydrogeology and Stormwater Management • Sewage Treatment and Disposal • Environmental Management Plans Heritage Award Application Form. • Building and Clubhouse Design • Irrigation Design and Consulting • Environmental Impact Assessment Contact Vito Cirone Tel: (905) 953-8967 Sent out to you in the April mailing. Toll Free: (877) 799-8499 E-mail: vcirone@rjburnside.com Website:www.burnsidegolf.com Help them get $1,000 free. It’s less painful than writing a cheque. DEADLINE DATE JULY 31, 2003 Offices located throughout Ontario Goff ■ Max Suppliers to the NGCOA gimmeshelter We Build • Maintenance Buildings • Storage Facilities • New Buildings • Wood & Steel Structures • Additions • and do Renovations For your FREE ESTIMATES call us at 1-800-215-1996 www.braemarbuildings.com O.G.S.A.Membership Support Thanks to the generosity of our A couple of years ago, OGSA initiated donations which will be put towards members we have been able to increase the “optional donation” by providing a purchasing additional books for the the amount of O.G.S.A.’s contribution to section on the membership renewal University of Guelph Library our Library Donation Program and our invoice, where members could donate to Turfgrass Management book shelves Turfgrass Research Fund, by a either or both of these very worthwhile and to the ongoing Turfgrass considerable amount. programs. We are thankful for these Research Program. DONATIONS TO THE LIBRARY PROGRAM WERE MADE BY THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS: AL SCHWEMLER JOSEPH WAYNE CLARE BRUCE SUMMERS KENNETH J. PATTERSON CECIL HOEKSTRA NORTH GATE FARMS LTD. GARRY HALL RYAN BEAUCHAMP GOLF TRACKS SYNGENTA IAN BOWEN DONATIONS TO THE TURFGRASS RESEARCH PROGRAM WERE MADE BY THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS: AL SCHWEMLER JOHN HUGHES BEI/PECAL (formerly George KEITH STEPHENSON E Pettinos) PAUL LEMIEUX BRUCE SUMMERS PAUL ROBERT BROWN CECIL HOEKSTRA PETER DICKEY CHRIS ARMATAGE RANDY BOOKER DAVID STEVENS RYAN BEAUCHAMP GARRY HALL THEO VERSTEEGH GEORGE FORREST TODD CURRIE GOLF TRACKS TOM SIMPSON JAMES DIMITRIW WILLIAM A DIGGINS JAMES FLETT Our thanks also go to Vanden Bussche Irrigation & Equipment Limited. For the second year, they have donated to the Turfgrass Research Fund, in the name of our Green is Beautiful Article of the Year winner and our Green is Beautiful Photo of the Year winner. REMINDER 2003 2ND ANNUAL HUGH KIRKPATRICK BURSARY Developed to recognize the leadership, commitment and accomplishment of Assistant Superintendent members of the O.G.S.A. Application forms and policy information has been made available to our members by mail, DON'T MISS THIS GATHERING OF HORTICULTURAL email, Roster Pg. 24, and on our web site TRADE AND EQUIPMENT PROFESSIONALS golfsupers.on.ca Presented by Landscape Ontario Waterloo Chapter DEADLINE DATE FOR 2003 LANDSCAPE APPLICATION SUBMISSION TRADE EXPO AUGUST 30TH, 2003 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 (11 am to 7 pm) Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex, Kiwanis Arena * FREE admission to trade show & Growers Auction * 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. On the road again by Angelo Capannelli Hutcheson Sand and Mixes The annual pilgrimage to the Memorial Golf Tournament The date for this year’s version of to one of our favourite spots on the the “Memorial weekend” was May 30th golf course, the 9th hole, probably through June 2nd . This date gets because it is close to the hospitality of circled well in advance for obvious the clubhouse and the numerous reasons, and to say that it is anticipated refreshment tents. As Gary Nicklaus throughout the year is a slight was walking up the 9th fairway towards exaggeration? It’s the annual trip to his ball there, on the outside of the Dublin, Ohio to take in the Memorial ropes where the spectators had Golf Tourney. A PGA tour event that gathered, was Jack and Barbara some of the players consider the best Nicklaus. They were out supporting conditioned stop on the tour. It’s their son Gary on the golf course. Jack Jack’s tournament!! was standing right beside us. How This particular tradition started cool is that, I thought to myself. about 12 years ago by, then This year’s winner is Kenny Perry a Superintendent of Glen Abbey Golf former champion in 1991. He Course, Dean Baker. Dean thought it basically took the lead after the Friday would be a good idea to visit round and really never relinquished it. Muirfield Village to get a good There were signs coming down the perspective on grooming techniques stretch that he was feeling the for the Canadian Open. Jack Nicklaus pressure by bogeying 5 of the last 7 designed Muirfield Village to host the holes but he managed to hang on for Memorial in 1974 and soon thereafter the victory. There were valiant started working on the design of Glen attempts by Mike Weir, who shot a final Abbey. There are many similarities round 65, and Tiger Woods, who also and thus the reason to visit the golf shot a final round 65,but the day course. Even the clubhouse looks the belonged to Kenny Perry. It was a same. Ah, the clubhouse where many great day to be on the golf course. We Insects Harming Your Trees? of our traditions and rituals are were also extremely proud of being Possibly. It takes an expert to really tell. repeated year after year. Canadian when the official announced To learn which insects are on your trees The tournament attracts the best the 1:00 o’clock tee time, from Bright’s and shrubs (none are completely insect free), have a Bartlett arborist inspect them. golfers in the world, not only because it Grove, Ontario, Canada’s current, There is no charge or obligation. is a wonderful golf course with superb Masters Champion, Mike Weir. A nice If control measures are necessary Bartlett will use the safest materials conditioning but mostly because the group of people gathered on the first - applied properly to protect our players come to pay their respects to a tee and followed him throughout his environment. When it comes to pest management, legend, Jack Nicklaus. This tour­ entire 18 holes. or general tree and shrub care, rely on the nament is really about playing in The annual Memorial Weekend experts - Bartlett Tree Experts! comes to an official close when we pull Call for your free inspection today!! “Jack’s tournament”. To get a glimpse of Jack Nicklaus is always a nice treat. into our driveways and the last Toronto • (416) 657-2059 Bracebridge • (705) 646-8733 On the day of the final round we were remnants are put away. The date for Gravenhurst • (705) 687-0696 told, by some media people, that Jack the 2004 Memorial weekend is already Huntsville • (705) 789-0929 www.bartlett.com was out watching his son, Gary play. circled and the anticipation is BACKED BY THE BARTLETT TREE RESEARCH Gary had made the cut and was playing building... LABORATORIES AND EXPERIMENTAL GROUNDS, CHARLOTTE, NC pretty well. Our group decided to go Turf or consequences by Doug Breen, Superintendent Golf North ever happened to the hole in What honking carnivore over there!” the ozone layer? I remember when I was Growing up in the Sixties and in high school, the president of the Seventies, we all lay in bed at night staring student council standing on a milk crate at the ceiling waiting for “the bomb” to outside the door of our cafeteria with fall out of the sky. I would love to have tears streaming down her face, begging back the collective energy my generation worry about the course. Worry leads to us not to use styrofoam cups or else the wasted worrying about the “godless stress, and stress leads to poor health, polar ice cap would melt and we’d all communist horde” during the cold war. poor marriages, and ironically, poor job drown, or at least coastal cities like New Looking back, the soviets with a couple performance. York and New Orleans would start to look megaton warheads were a lot less When you speak to the old time like Venice. I even went to a couple of worrisome than the cast of zealots and superintendents, they will always talk ecology rallies with her. Remember cutthroats who have similar weapons about how much the business has when we used to call it ecology instead of today. You can only be so worried about changed. They applaud how much more environmentalism? I admit, the “ism” at a nation that plays hockey. professional the entire industry has the end gives it a bit more of a religious And don’t even get me started on become, right from the office to the kid feel, but to me it’s just a lot of extra Project Bluebook. Between it and that who fills the ball washers. We have truly syllables. I went because I was worried stupid Close Encounters movie, I spent become managers of multimillion dollar about the planet, because I wanted to the better part of the early eighties afraid operations. Unfortunately, where our leave a better world for future to go outside at night for fear of being industry has fallen behind, is in the generations, and because she was really probed by some egg headed alien. Did training of Superintendents to deal with hot. I admit that now. I also admit that I you ever notice that aliens in movies look the pressure of these new levels of spent a lot of time looking at topographic just like the pictures of Sea Monkeys in responsibility. Most managers with our maps trying to figure out where the new comic book ads? But when you buy Sea scope would spend several weeks per year coastline would end up so that I could Monkeys, they turn out to be brine on professional development. Most buy up a future seaside resort town from shrimp which look exactly like the aliens Superintendents spend two or three days a bunch of hillbilly’s in the Ozarks for in the movie Alien. Weird, eh? per year and feel the need to apologize next to nothing. Golf Superintendents are chronic for doing it. Wasn’t a comet supposed to hit the worriers. We worry when it’s too hot, too We are human beings, so we’ll always earth last month? Remember Killer cold, too wet, too dry, or too moderate. battle windmills and fear paper tigers, but Bees? How about shark attacks? The We worry that the budget is too small. We let’s spend a little time reading a book, week before those planes flew into the worry that the budget is too big. (No taking a course, or dealing with the stress World Trade Center, the lead story on wait, that one doesn’t work.) We worry of our chosen occupation. We shouldn’t every newscast was about shark attacks on about staff and we worry about owners. all be carrying around a bottle of ulcer the east coast of the United States. There We worry about golfers’ needs and we medication in our pockets. were tourism officials wringing their hands with concern about how this would affect the snowbirds. One day later, no more shark talk. Did the attacks stop? Were the sharks at home watching CNN like the rest of us? I think we have a wee little section in the dark recesses of our brain that likes, no, needs to worry about things, but I’m no psychologist. Truth is, I can’t even spell psychologist. I had to look it up in the Funk and Wagnall’s just to use it here, but I’m not about to let my complete lack of education, training, or experience hinder me from having an opinion on this or any other subject. I think it’s probably some left over instinct that kept our ancestors from being eaten by Sabre Tooth tigers. Everybody else would be sitting around the Neanderthal cave cafeteria drinking coffee out of Styrofoam cups and the president of the student council would be up on a rock yelling, “Hey, look out! There’s a big Looking back 25 years ago today by Barry Endicott The Ontario Golf Superintendents’ Hamilton Golf Club on July 28th. The was won by George Gamer with a 78. Association executive for 1978 was Paul team of Harry Ritson, pres., Frank Pope, The Pro-Superintendent Tournament (Pelino) Scenna (pres.), Stew Mills greens chairman, and Bob Heron, was held at Dalewood and George (vice.), Paul White (sec.), Ken Nelson superintendent, won first prize. Bill Hynd Gamer (79) and Pro Dave Clayton (71) (tres.), Al Beeney (past pres.), Bill hosted the ladies Peter Jackson Classic. won top prize. Thom Charters won low Bowen, Blake McMaster, John Smith, Dennis Pellrene hosted the Canadian superintendent prize with a 78. Kimmo Rusty Warkman, Bill Hynd and Paul Open and Bob Brewster hosted the Salonen won the Taylor Barnes trophy at Dermott. Ontario Amateur. Paul Scenna hosted Cherry Hill Country Club. The Eighth Annual Turf Management another great Galt Field Day on June 8th. James H. Roberts passed away on Symposium was held at the Hamilton Low superintendents were Bill Bowen January 1st. Mr. Roberts retired in 1972 Golf Club, hosted by Stew Mills. Paul (76), Bill Glashan (77), Jack Fairhurst following 20 years as superintendent at Scenna opened the Symposium, which (78) and Graham Shouldice (78). After Sunningdale Golf Club. Henry Guertin was chaired by Norm McCollum and Al golf, everyone went over to the accepted the job at Beachgrove Golf & Beeney. The speakers for the day were: Cambridge turf plots. Gord Witteveen Country Club, in Windsor and Barry Terry Dwyer, meteorological officer, hosted a meeting on August 16th at the Endicott moved to Chinguacousy Mount Hope Airport; George Cumming, Board of Trade Country Club. It was a Country Club from Glen Shields Golf Royal Botanical Gardens; Dr. Jack rain delayed round and the low gross Club. Stew Picken moved on as Eggens, University of Guelph; Ken winners were Bill Bowen (76), Bill superintendent at Glen Shields Golf Nelson, Steve Miller, Jim Wyllie, Rusty Glashan (77) and Barry Endicott (78). Club. Al Draper accepted the job at Warkman, Doug Suter and John Smith. The theme was “America Day” and U.S. Greenhills Golf Club. Doug Heron of Paul White was the symposium chairman guests included Dr. Jim Watson, Ted Scotts became regional manager for and over 70 superintendents, assistants Smith, Ned Brinkman, Bob Moore, Jim Ontario, Quebec, Ohio, Michigan and and associates attended. Latham, Andy Bertoni, Norman Leising parts of New York, and Dave Dick, Monthly meetings were held during and Mel Lucas. Mel Lucas, director of the formerly from Sleepy Hollow, took over the off-season at Glendale Golf Club, GCSAA, gave a demonstration of the new the Toronto territory. Ron Craig became Paul White, Bayview Golf Club, Ed speed stick, which was developed by the manager of the Rexdale branch for Ortleib and Essex Golf Club, Bill Fach. USGA to measure putting speed on Spraymotor. Hugh Kirkpatrick moved The Canadian Golf Superintendents greens. The McClumpha tournament from Dalewood Golf Club to Westmount Association Conference was held on was held at Glendale Golf Club. Genstar Golf and County Club, in Kitchener. Clay March 5th-8th at the Hotel Toronto. Chemicals hosted superintendents at Switzer, Dean of O.A.C. was made The President/Greens Chairman/Super- Glen Abbey and the CGSA held their Fall Honorary Member of the OGSA. intendent Tournament was held at the Field Day at Lachute Golf Club, which Continued on page 31 29 ADVANCE ROAD TORONTO, ONTARIO M8Z 2S6 PHONE: (416) 236-1001 TOLL FREE: 1-888-311-5431 FAX: (416) 236-4654 MOBILE: (416) 464-4346 www.albiongolfcars.com The solution That Gains Ground Fertilec serves Ontario in 24-48 hours. Visit our website with links to the industry: www.fertilec.com BRUCE MCDONALD Colleen Mitchell Fertilec office: Ontario sales representative Phone.: 1-(888) 831-1085 Cell Phone.: 1-(613) 850-3732 Fax.: l-(888) 836-1915 E-mail: colleenm@sprint.ca E-mail: gosselin@fertilec.com "Beware of the expert" By Bill Knoop Article Reprinted from 1978 Issue of Green is Beautiful Being a golf course super­ right decision. The first step is to In this whole process the word you intendent has to be an easy job. accurately identify the problem. For has been used often. This is because What other profession has available example, last winter we lost a lot of it is your job to make decisions. No to it so many “experts” that are so grass on greens to what we are calling one else can step into your shoes and willing to give advice at such a low winter kill. We have a problem that make your decisions. Many “experts” cost. Sometimes you even get advice we must solve so it won’t happen will try if you let them, but most of us without asking. Who are these again. We must identify the cause of would rather live with our own “experts”? They come from all over. the problem. It could be lack of Fall decisions than have to live with They are your club members, your moisture. It could be a shallow root decisions that have been made for us. employer, your employees, your system. It could be a thatch layer that “Experts” are not all bad. Use them fellow golf course superintendents, prevents water from getting to the to help you explore the possible the salesmen, the technical roots. It could be a heavy soil that has causes and solutions to problems, but representatives, turf-grass consultants restricted root growth or it could in the end you’re the “man” and you and, oh yes, guys like me from the have been caused by even something should make the decisions. university. We are all “experts”. else. The point is that you must use Several years ago, Dr. Dick Skogley You’ve got a problem, we all know your basic turf knowledge and spoke at New Hampshire Turf the answer or do we? You, as a golf experience to identify the real cause Seminar and suggested that when we course superintendent are faced with of the problem. are faced by an “expert” we should problems of some type every day. The next step is to decide how to remember the origin of the word. Some are considered big problems, solve the problem. You could decide He said the word should be divided but hopefully most are not so big. No to do nothing and hope it doesn’t into 2 parts, X and spert. The first matter the size of the problem you happen again. You might decide the part, X, means a has been and second will need to make a decision best solution is to reconstruct the part, spert, means a drip under regarding the problem and you want green or you might select some other pressure. THINK ABOUT IT. to make the right decision. No one method to repair the damage. In Dr. Knoop is former Director of can tell you with 100% certainty what selecting the best solution to the Education for GCSAA, and currently the right decision may be. problem, you must also consider your on the staff at Iowa State University. A look at the problem solving or budget situation, your available This article was written in Iowa Golf decision making process may help labour, and the effect your choice will Course Superintendents Reporter. increase your odds of making the have on play, etc. Brett Murray Professional Products Technical Sales Maple Turf Supply 17525 Jane St., R.R. #1 Kettleby, Ontario L0G 1J0 8112 King Rd. W. Business: (905) 857-2000 P.O. Box 370 Fax: (905) 857-8215 Tel.: (416) 364-5700 (905) 727-2100 Bolton, Ontario Mobile: (416) 580-8112 Fax: (905) 727-8546 L7E 5T3 1-800-268-4425 E-mail: info@zandersod.com Website: www.zandersod.com TURF CARE Turns out there actually are enough hours in the day. Introducing the Toro® Groundsmaster® 4100-D. It's designed from the ground up to get more done. The entire 10.5' cutting deck is in front for easy maneuvering. And fast mowing. Muscle? It has the most net horsepower and torque in its class. For more information call your Turf Care Sales Representative. www.toro.com Turf Care Products Canada 200 PONY DRIVE. NEWMARKET, ONTARIO L3Y 7B6 • PHONE (905) 836-0988 FAX (905) 836-6442 www.turfcare.ca 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