October 2003 Green Is Beautiful The Official Publication of Ontario Golf Superintendents' Association The 2003 Bell Canadian Open Superintendent of the Year Bunker Construction Phase Cultural Practices Canadian Post Publications Mail PUBLICATIONS AGREEMENT No. 40027105 Seguin Valley Golf Postmaster: Please return undeliverable copies to The OGSA 328 Victoria Rd. S., Guelph, ON N1H 6H8 Contents Green is The 2003 Bell Canadian Open.........................................16 Accreditation avenue ........................................................................ 8 Beautiful The Official Publication of Ontario Golf Superintendents ’ Association Bunker Renovation at St. Georges Golf & CC.................................. 18 Cultural Practices.................................................................................... 22 Cyber super .......................................................................................... 7 Editor's message ................................................................................. 4 Golf course highlight - Seguin Valley Golf & Country Club................... 14 G.T.1.10th Anniversary......................................................................... 9 Health & safety .................................................................................... 6 Looking back 15 years ago today.................................................................. 30 Mechanics corner................................................................................. 7 Off the fairway Fall clips & cuttings.......................... 25 On the road again................................................................................... 22 President's message ............................................................................ 3 Seguin Valley Golf & CC........................................................................ 15 Superintendent of the Year.................................................................. 12 Turf or consequences............................................................................ 29 What's new................................................................................................ 13 COVER PICTURE GTI Gardens Tended by Robert Tschanz & his crew Photo by John Bladon Advertisers Almack Agronomic Services Inc....................................................... 24 Bartlett Tree Experts........................................................................... 20 Bayer Enviromental Science...............................................................11 Braemar Building Systems............................................................... 24 Burnside Golf.......................................................................................... 26 DSC Agronomic Services.................................................................... 7 Fertilec Ltee/LTD...................................................................................... 25 G.C. Duke Equipment Ltd................................................................... 10 Maple Turf Supply................................................................................ 3,9 Master Turf Supply................................................................................ 26 Nu Gro - Par Ex........................................................................................ 21 Ontario Seed Company...................................................................... 4 The P.E.S.T. Institute............................................................................ 26 Pumptronics Inc....................................................................................... 25 Radeff Architect Ltd............................................................................. 26 OGSA is committed to Skyway Lawn Equipment Limited................................................. 7 serving its members, Turf Care Products Canada - Irrigation........................................... 28 advancing their profession, Turf Care Products Canada.................................................................. 32 and Vanden Bussche Irrigation andEquipment Ltd.............................. 20 enriching the quality Zander Sod Co. Limited..................................................................... 9 of golf and its environment. President's message importance of associations The and to our and associate members to our associations. As industry is becoming clearer to me as they advance in time goes on. technology and National, provincial and regional research, so do ONTARIO GOLF SUPERINTENDENTS by Mark Piccolo ASSOCIATION associations are a voice for us on a we. They give us Galt Country Guelph Turfgrass Institute 328 Victoria Road South political and environmental level, continuous Club Guelph, ON N1H6H8 bringing reason and purpose to our support Ph: 519-767-3341 Toll Free: 877-824-6472 profession. They fight for equality, agronomically, mechanically and Fax: 519-766-1704 Email: ogsa@gti.uoguelph.ca develop standards and educate the financially. Many of the functions we Website: www.golfsupers.on.ca ignorant. They offer a source of attend are subsidized by suppliers BOARD OF DIRECTORS continuing education and the making them affordable for all. They PRESIDENT Mark Piccolo PAST PRESIDENT Jim Flett opportunity for us to network with go out of their way to help us meet VICE-PRESIDENT Rob Ackermann each other. I do not believe everyone the demands of our employer. They TREASURER Paul Scenna SECRETARY Bob Burrows fully understands the impact are an important piece of the overall DIRECTORS Jeff Alexander Chris Andrejicka associations have had on the support group we require to do our John Bladon pesticide ban issue. We would not job. Randy Booker Sean DeSilva have progressed as far as we have As the President of the OGSA and Jeff Stauffer without them. the Superintendent of the Galt OFFICE Industry and associate members Country Club, thank you! ADMINISTRATION Dorothy Hills Pat Thomas are invaluable to our industry Deborah Badger “Green is Beautiful” is Printed on Brett Murray Recycled Paper Professional Products Technical Sales Maple Turf Supply 8112 King Rd. W. Business: (905) 857-2000 P.O. Box 370 Fax: (905) 857-8215 GREEN IS BEAUTIFUL EDITORIAL Bolton, Ontario Mobile: (416) 580-8112 COMMITTEE L7E 5T3 1-800-268-4425 John Bladon, Editor Dorothy Hills, Coordinating Manager 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 "Qualityyou can See!" and any reproduction in whole or part Tel: 519.763.5745 • Fax: 519.763.9532 without the written permission of the 32-34 Essex Street • Guelph, Ontario • N1H 3K8 e-mail: info@graphicservices.ca • www.graphicservices.ca publisher is prohibited. Editor's message by John Bladon Contained in this issue, we are pleased to make an introduction to a new golf course, just south of Parry Sound, called Seguin Valley Welcome! O.G.S.A. Welcomes Golf & Country Club. Also, with our newest members one of the most successful PRECIPITATION IN Simon Brunton Class C Canadian Open’s in recent history, ONTARIO REGION Rebel Creek Golf Club Green is Beautiful met up with Measured at Pearson International Airport Superintendent Rhod Trainor, and Provided by Ministry of the Environment Graeme Calder Class F discussed what it was like to host YEAR 2003 The Toronto Golf Club our national championship. empty table cell Average Actual Historic St. Georges Golf & January Greg DeLaat Class A Country Club, in Toronto, has been (rain) 24.9 mm 0.0 mm Mayfield Golf Course going through bunker renovations (snow) 31.1 cm January 41.4 cm and Foreman Jason Hanna has (total) 52.2 mm January 35.4 mm Shelley Leverton Class A authored an interesting article on Belmont Golf Club the progress there. February Jeff Stauffer, Superintendent at (rain) 22.3 mm 22.6 mm Dave Nicholls Class A Credit Valley Golf 8c Country Club (snow) 22.1 cm February 23.6 cm Silver Lakes Golf Course has submitted an article on cultural February (total) 42.6 mm 46.8 mm practices. Casey O'Connor Class C In conjunction with the IPM March Donalda Club Accreditation Program that (rain) 36.7 mm 27.8 mm continues, just a reminder that (snow) March 19.2 cm 24.0 cm Dorothy will be needing copies of March (total) 57.1 mm 50.0 mm Curtis Schindler Class C all Superintendent and Assistant Merry-Hill Golf Club April Superintendent members pesticide (rain) 62.4 mm 34.8 mm licences. This is something that is (snow) April 5.7 cm 15.2 cm essential to membership with the April (total) 68.4 mm 60.8 mm OGSA. If you haven’t sent yours in yet, please mail a photocopy into April the office, for their records. (rain) 72.4 mm 152.8 mm Finally, once again, the magazine April (snow) TR cm 0.0 cm lives on the contributions of its April (total) 72.5 mm 152.8 mm members. It’s that time a year For All Your again when Green is Beautiful June (rain) 74.2 mm 63.8 mm Golf Course Needs! searches for a good seasonal photo, for the cover of the December and Turf seed, Pesticides, Nutrite Fertilizers July and Bayco Golf Accessories February issues. Also, should you (rain) 74.4 mm 66.2 mm be in a position to author an article P.O. Box 7, Waterloo, Ont. N2J 3Z6 or know someone who ought to be Tel: (519) 886-0557 Fax: (519) 886-0605 August 1-800-465-5849 Email: seeds@oscseeds.com written about, please contact (rain) 79.6 mm 53.4 mm Dorothy or myself. We would like Victor Freiberg Ken Graham to hear from you. Trevor Hunter A. Kent McDonald David Schmelefske Turfgrass Management Research at Guelph On September 22, 2003 I started supervision of my graduate students and the coordination my new position as Director of the of the current research project with the OGSA. Green Section with the Royal Our research project on entomopathogenic nematodes Canadian Golf Association (RCGA). in collaboration with OGSA and Agriculture and Agri­ My mandate is to coordinate and Food Canada (Guy Belair and Louis Simard) is doing well. promote turfgrass research in In August 2003, we visited 19 different golf courses in Canada and to develop, maintain Ontario in order to take soil samples for the nematode by Dr. Julie Dionne and disseminate agronomic and survey (Table 1). I would like to thank the participant golf Director of the Green environmental information for over course superintendents and their staff for the great Section, Royal Canadian 1600 Canadian golf courses. collaboration during our visit! Results will be available to Golf Association I have resigned from my position the OGSA next year. of Assistant Professor in Turfgrass I would like to thank you for your great collaboration Management in the Department of Plant Agriculture, at and I hope to have the chance and the privilege to work the University of Guelph. However, I will be appointed as with you in my new position with the RCGA. It will be adjunct faculty at the University of Guelph in the next few always a real pleasure for me to help and collaborate with weeks. In spite of my new position, I continue the the OGSA. Golf courses Superintendents Locations Muskoka Lakes Golf & CC James Flett Port Carling Galt Country Club Mark Piccolo Cambridge Rosedale Golf 8c CC Robert J. Burrows Toronto Renfrew Golf Club Steven Campbell Renfrew Westmount Golf & CC Cory Janzen Kitchener St. Thomas Golf&CC Ryan Beauchamp St.Thomas Diamondback Golf Club Blair Rennie Richmond Hill The Briars Golf Club Paul White Jackson’s Point Big Bay Pointe Golf 8c CC Ed O’Donnell Innisfil Jewel of the North Golf Resort Mike Cote Redbridge Hunters Pointe Golf Course John Taylor Welland Erie Shores Golf 8c CC David J. Cours Leamington Picton Golf 8c CC Chris Altoff Picton Niagara-on-the-lake Golf Course Mike Magwood Niagara-On-The-Lake Weston Golf & CC Rob Ackermann Weston Peterborough Golf 8c CC Greg O’Heron Peterborough Taboo Golf Club Sean Desilva Gravenhurst Lakeview Golf Course Bruce Burger Mississauga Blue Mountain Golf 8c CC Don Campbell Collingwood Health & safety PREPARING YOUR CLUB FOR SAFETY by DougJohnson, SAFETAID and Health and Safety Consulting First Aid and Safety Supplies and WHMIS Training Is it Time? I trust that you have had a safe and prosperous golfing self-study program. The second way is to attend a season. facilitated session where you would work together with Last spring there was a flurry of activity in the golf world other people from the golf course industry. where a number of different clubs were discussing health and safety. The discussions were around various aspects of Advantages (Self Study) - Certification 1 safety. The primary area was dealing with Certification • You would work together with the other certified Training for the Joint Health and Safety Committee. member at your own pace As most of you are aware the law states that if you have a • You have a flexible time schedule workplace with twenty or more workers regularly • You have six months to complete the course after employed you must have a joint health and safety you start the program committee. If you have a committee you must have at least • Less expensive two of the members “Certified”. This means a two-step process. Disadvantages - Certification 1 • Have to have discipline to ensure that you have The first step is Certification I. adequate time to complete the course together Certification I is generally a three-day training program. • No opportunity for discussion Yes, it fills a good three days. You are also able to complete • Difficulty ensuring that time is set aside the program with a self-study product sold by the Ontario Service Safety Alliance (OSSA). Advantages (Group) - Certification 11 • Facilitator available The second part is Certification II. • Get it all done at once and it would not be hanging Certification II is a continuation of the Certification on for a lengthy period of time program that requires every employer to identify • Opportunity for discussion significant hazards in their workplace and then ensure that the certified members learn how to deal with these Disadvantages - Certification II specific hazards. • Required to set aside two full days at a predetermined time at an outside location. In the golf course industry you would probably be • Higher cost looking at about 11 different workplace specific hazards. These would include Materials Handling, Chemical and You have some choices as to how you would proceed. Process Hazards, Slip Trip and Fall Hazards, Equipment You do not have a choice whether or not to do the and Process Hazards, Lock Out Tag Out Hazards, training. Ergonomic Hazards, Electrical Energy Hazards, Fire It is a matter of time. To ensure that your club is in Prevention and Response Hazards, Working with Sharp compliance, make a choice. Materials, Working with Burn and Scald Hazards in Restaurant and Food Services and Working in the Heat in Tourism and Hospitality Services. Have a greatfall! You would have at least two ways of handling this SAFETAID information delivery process. One way is to purchase the materials from the OSSA and go through the process as a Your 1st stop in safety! Cyber super This month’s site is one that you The Turf Talk Forum is always a great way to exchange should be visiting every time you log information and see what is going on around Ontario; feel onto the internet. The official free to start a new thread. Members can place classified Ontario Golf Superintendents’ ads online in the classified section. Association website www.golfeupers.on.ca Last but not least, members should do their part to help by Mark Prieur, is constantly improving and has new the environment by signing up for OGSA News, the Assistant Supt. features that everyone should use. Employment Referral Service and Flyers electronically. Markland Wood CC The first is under the tab Green is Call the office and give them your correct email address. Beautiful. There is now a search engine that enables one While you’re at it, change your password to a “personal to recall previous articles from the OGSA publication. password”, if you have not already done so. Mechanic's corner by Larry A. Murray, President G.E. T.A. O. Equipment Manager, Pheasant Run Golf Course The G.E.T.A.O annual golf tournament was held at on how we did this year and what we need to focus on for Banty’s Roost Golf Club on Sept. 11 2003. The field had a the next season. Equipment purchases and equipment large number of participants and everyone left well fed repairs are the hot topics of the day. Usually, a lot of and carrying something from the well-supported prize promotions are being offered such as parts discounts, or table. Again this year, we have found different winners. perhaps deferred payments. If you are prepared, then the This year a group from Kingston traveled three hours + to offers are much more attractive. walk away with the top honours. Lyndon Wing, from the Winter months are the best time to refresh our skills and Loyalist Golf Club with the help of Trevor Blais, Dave learn new ones. Seminars offer assistance that is not Mullan and Matt Bonaparte managed to score a necessarily found on paper. You may hear a discussion on remarkable 58, a 13 under par! Lyndon informed that a new problem that you personally haven’t encountered. there is no problem in returning next year for a repeat Who knows you may run into it next year, and it will be performance at Silver Lakes on September 09, 2004. easier to repair or maybe avoid. You are never too old to Recent history shows that returning champions haven’t aquire knowledge or too young to know everything. been able to put their names on the trophy the second There is always a lesson to learn. time. I would like to thank Dorothy Hills and the O.G.S.A If you are requiring a mechanic, make sure you for the assistance in advertising the tournament as well as advertise through the Mechanic’s Association by providing a donation to the prize table. contacting myself or phone Eddie at (905) 889-7620, ext We are fast approaching the time of the year to reflect 520. 154 Upper Centennial Parkway (HWY 20) Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada L8J 2T7 Telephone 905-662-2663 • Fax 905-662-2253 CAN-USA1 -800-263-8606 David C Smith, A.Ag., C.G.C.S. 185 Oriole Crescent Soil & Turfgrass Consultant Grovenhurst, 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 Emai1 dcs.agronomic.services@sympatico.ca Accreditation avenue IPM Accreditation now available. Contact Ridgetown College at 1 866 385 4762 or log on at www.ontarioipm.com TURF IPM MANUAL NOW AVAILABLE Publication 816—AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER OMAF Publication 816 - Turfgrass Integrated Pest Management Handbook is Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF) now available. This new publication has Crop Technology Branch been designed as a field handbook and study guide for IPM accreditation for golf Turfgrass Integrated Pest courses, lawn care, sports field and parks sectors. It contains basic information on Management Handbook - $20.00 IPM as well as specific IPM practices for This new turf publication has been designed as a field disease, insect and weed management handbook and a study guide for IPM accreditation for the with specific reference to Ontario golf courses, lawn care and parks sectors. It contains conditions. Included are IPM templates basic information on IPM, IPM for diseases, insects and for golf courses, sports fields and lawn weeds that are found in turf in Ontario, IPM templates for golf courses, parks and lawn care, a turf disease identifi­ care, a turf disease identification key, a cation key, a turf insect injury key and examples of pest turf insect injury key and examples of monitoring sheets. This publication, along with Publica­ pest monitoring sheets. This publication, tion 384, Recommendations for Turfgrass Management along with Publication 384, and Publication 162, Diseases and Insects of Turfgrass in Ontario provides you with a complete reference pack­ Recommendations for Turfgrass Management age on turf IPM for Ontario. and Publication 162, Diseases and Insects of To obtain copies of publication 816 or any other ministry publication, visit your Turfgrass in Ontario provides you with a OMAF Resource Centre, www.omaf.gov.on.ca or phone 1-877-424-1300. complete reference package on turf IPM in Ontario. Now available from the Guelph Turfgrass Institute for $20 plus shipping and handling. SPECIAL OFFER - TOTAL TURF IPM REFERENCE PACKAGE! Provides you with a complete reference package on turf IPM for Ontario! Made up of the new Publication 816, “Turfgrass IPM Handbook”, and companion publications: 162, “Diseases and Insects of Turfgrass in Ontario and 384, “Recommendations for Turfgrass Management” Buy all three as a package today and Shipping is FREE within Ontario (Save $13) Also available: Best Management Practices - Integrated Pest Management Nursery & Landscape Plant Production and IPM (Pub. 382) Integrated Pest Management (Videotape) VISA and MasterCard payment accepted. You can order these and other publications from the Guelph Turfgrass Institute. Visit our web page: www.uoguelph.ca/GTI call us at (519) 824-4120, ext. 52501 or email: info@gti.uoguelph.ca 10th Anniversary Celebration at the Guelph Turfgrass Institute by Rob Witherspoon G.T.I. Director Research tours combined with the marking of a university for dinner to celebrate the tenth anniversary of significant milestone at the Guelph Turfgrass Institute’s the opening of the G.M. Frost Research 8c Information Summer Research Field Day on August 20th. The day Centre building in August of 1993. Building namesake began in the early afternoon with guided tours of the Mac Frost attended along with his wife Beth and other research plots. Bentgrass disease trials, evaluation of family members. The GTI presented Mac and Beth Frost pesticide alternatives, velvet bentgrass management and with an original watercolour painting of the Frost Centre the IPM demonstration project were among the many in recognition of the significant support they provided in projects presented by GTI faculty, staff and graduate the establishment of the Guelph Turfgrass Institute. students. OMAF Turfgrass Specialist Pam Charbonneau The tenth anniversary celebration was made possible led a hands-on field workshop in disease and insect through the generous support of the Ontario Golf diagnosis and IPM scouting techniques. Superintendents’ Association, Syngenta Crop Protection At the end of the afternoon, field day participants Canada Inc., and many other industry companies and joined representatives from industry, government and the associations. Simon George Professional Products Technical Sales Maple Turf Supply Business: (905) 857-2000 SUPPLIERS OF TOP QUALITY 8112 King Rd. W. Fax: (905) 857-8215 BENT, BLUE AND FESCUE P.O. Box 370 Mobile: (519) 841-3378 GRASSES WITHOUT NETTING Bolton, Ontario 1-800-268-4425 L7E 5T3 sgl42@hotmail.com (416) 364-5700 TOLL FREE: 1-877-727-2100 www.zandersod.com O.T.R.F. By Christopher Dew, Tournament Chairman The National Golf Club of Canada Photos by D. Hills The 2003 Ontario Turfgrass Research Foundation Tournament Cut™-22, Fundraising Tournament was a huge success. Special thanks go out to our platinum sponsor Bayer with Floating Reel, Environmental Science (Chipco Professional Products). We truly appreciated their support and participation in this Delivers an Ultra-Fine Finish. event. Tournament Cut-22 This light-footed, walk-behind greens mower, with a contour-hugging, floating reel system, gives a legendary Jake cut on undulating greens - without scalping. • Independent, floating cutting reel. • Lighter overall weight. • Environmentally friendly design, with no oil or hydraulic fluids to leak or spill. • Electronically balanced, 9-blade reel. • Choice of five bedknives with graduated cutting heights for smooth, tournament The host club was the new Doug Carrick design, quality greens. Copper Creek Golf Club. Despite the inch of rain received • 4 hp Honda® engine maintains a the night before the tournament, Superintendent Robert consistent mowing speed. Bell had the golf course in spectacular condition. • Patented Turf Groomer® lifts and cuts horizontal growth for healthier turf and faster greens. Dave Schmelfske was low gross for the day with a score of seventy-three, and Bruce Burger won the low net category. It was a great day, and we thank Copper Creek for being a wonderful host. Next years event will be hosted by the Burlington Golf and Country Club, Superintendent Pelino Scenna. See you then. 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 www.gcduke.com Performance New Rovral Green GT provides the performance you need and more, to protect high quality turf. Rovral Green GT features very fast knockdown of diseases like Dollar spot and Brown patch along with proven control of Fusarium, Pink and Grey snow mould and Leaf spot/Melting out. Combine performance with a unique mode of action for resistance manage­ ment programs and you have the most complete disease control package available. Start and finish your fungicide program with new Rovral Green GT www.chipcocanada.com 1-888-283-6847 ALWAYS READ PRODUCT LABEL PRIOR TO USE. Rovral® is a registered trademark of Bayer. Always read and follow label directions. "Score" Superintendent of the year, Paul White On September 15th, at the Canadian Golf him this opportunity to be recognized as a leader amongst Golf Superintendents Fall Field Day, it was officially announced Course Superintendents." Keith Bartlett, Master Golf Course that Paul White, Superintendent of The Briars Golf Club, Superintendent and OGSA member was the recipient of the “Score” Superintendent of the Year Award. The Mississaugua Golf Club came calling the next year Paul White has been involved with golf courses since his with an offer he could not refuse. Over the next ten years early teens. First starting as a caddy at St. Georges Golf Paul made major improvements to the driving range, built Club in Toronto, he was given an opportunity at the age of a pitching green complex and landscaped the clubhouse fourteen to work with the course crew during the area with native stone. Canadian Open. When Bruce Woolley, the course superintendent called him two years later to work for the “I believe that my father's support for education stems from his summer, he jumped at the opportunity. Bruce moved to undying desire for self-improvement. He is always learning, Markland Wood Country Club and Paul stayed at St. experimenting and putting into practice new ideas or new Georges working with Bill Hynd. Bill encouraged the technology. "James R. White, Superintendent, King’s Bay G&CC eager teenager to attend the University of Massachusetts where he passed the Diploma course with honours. After In 1999, Paul took the position at the Briars Golf Club, graduation he joined Bruce Woolley as assistant a Stanley Thompson course north of Toronto. The first superintendent at Markland Country Club. Six months year, he was busy installing drainage for ten greens, later, on a strong recommendation from Bruce, he was automating the pump house, installing fairway drainage hired at Kanawaki Golf Club on the Caughnawaga Indian and upgrading staff facilities. reserve south of Montreal. The all-Indian staff taught the Over his career, Paul has served on the O.T.R.F., young man a lot about management and life. O.G.S.A., and C.G.S.A. Pension Committee and the Toronto Conference Committee. He also served as “The success of his three sons has stemmed from a strong work President of both O.G.S.A. and C.G.S.A. Board of ethic, instilled from an early age and full exposure to the Directors. Paul takes an active interest in furthering the rewarding career of the Golf Superintendent"Peter A. White, knowledge of his peers in the turf industry and serving on Assistant Superintendent, Nottawasaga Golf Course these committees has been his contribution to future generations of superintendents. Leaving Kanawaki behind in 1972, Paul moved to Glendale Golf Club in Hamilton, where he concentrated “For me, and the rest of the membership at the Briars, Paul White on raising the quality of playing conditions and is the superintendent of the year this year and every year. " Robert I establishing a comprehensive equipment maintenance Cohen, Director, Briars Golf Club Limited program. Seven years later he moved to Lambton Golf Club where he was one of the first superintendents to cut their fairways with triplex mowers at 3/8 of an inch. “Paul has tremendous vision - he knows what he is trying to achieve, and how to get there. " John Sibbald, President, Briars Estates Limited Paul could not pass up the opportunity to become course superintendent at Glen Abbey where he had the thrill of working at another Canadian Open, this time as superintendent. “I believe Mr. White's generosity of his time and of himself, commitment to the golf industry and compassion for people allows Paul White continued on page 24... What's new COBI & ELLIE COLIN EMERALD ISLE CHALLENGE EDUCATION FUN Milliken Turf Products, makers of the Emerald Isle line of products, would like to congratulate John Cunningham It is with great sadness that we announce the death of from the Mandarin Golf and Country Club in Markham, Ontario. John is the winner of the Emerald Isle Karen Colin, who passed away during childbirth on Challenge, and will be the guest of Milliken Turf Products Saturday, August 30th. and distributor Plant Products Company Ltd, on a seven- day golf excursion to southern Ireland. The trip includes Karen was the wife, best friend and soulmate of Tim many of the country’s top golf clubs as well as significant cultural and historical attractions. Congratulations John! Colin and mother of Cobi and newborn Ellie. NU-GRO HIRES NEW If you wish to make a donation, an education fund has SALES/MARKET MANAGER been established through Tim’s friends and colleagues at The Nu-Gro Corporation, based in Brantford, Ontario is Carruther’s Creek Golf Centre: pleased to announce that Doug Hubble has joined the company in the position of Sales/Market Manager of Payable to: Cobi & Ellie Colin Education Fund Professional Turf Products. Doug brings an excellent industry background and is extremely familiar with our Account No. 0300 3099-564 professional turf products, having held the position of Bank of Montreal Sales Manager for Turf Care Products Canada Limited. We 154 Harwood Avenue, South are confident that Doug’s sales and marketing experience Ajax, Ontario L1S 2H6 coupled with his extensive product knowledge will allow him to immediately provide you with the level of service Attention: Linda Lee and expertise that you have come to expect from Nu-Gro. ALL DONATIONS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED OGSA 2004 TURFGRASS ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIP THE INAUGURAL APPLICATIONS ARE NOW AVAILABLE Ontario Golf Course THROUGH YOUR COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY Management Conference DEADLINE DATE FOR APPLICATIONS INTO and Trade Show OGSA OFFICE January 6th - 8th, 2004 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2003 Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel Registration Form Enclosed with This issue of Green is Beautiful BALLANTRAE GOLF CLUB Don’t Delay Early Bird Registration applies to HAS BEEN Payment Received by December 3rd. CERTIFIED AS CANADA’S FIRST Note Registration to be sent to CGSA AUDUBON INTERNATIONAL see top of form for details SIGNATURE SANCTUARY FOR FULL DETAILS GO TO www.ballantraegolfclub.com more information available go to www.golfsupers.on.ca Golf course highlight Seguin Valley Golf & Country Club 144 Badger Road, R.R.#2, Box 8 Parry Sound ON P2A 2W8 Website: www.seguinvalleygolf.com Golf Course Superintendent: Chris Hudswell Email: hudswell@vianet.ca COURSE PROFILE What was the year of original construction? 2 - Stihl FS85 Line Trimmers 1999 2 - Honda Water Pumps What county is your club located in? 1 - Aerway Seguin Region By whom and when was the course 1 - Ryan Junior Sodcutter remodeled? 1 - Greensgroomer Brush Is your club private, semi private, public, Evans Golf 1 - Flymower resort or municipal? 1 - Honda Push Mower Public What is the size of your maintenance shop? 2 - Scotts Rotary Spreaders 6,000 square feet 2 - Scotts Drop Spreaders Typical opening and closing date 2 - Ford F150 May 1 to October 31 What type of irrigation system? 1 - Ford F250 Hunter - 3 years old 1 - Myers Snow Plow Name of Superintendent 1 - Byers Sander Chris Hudswell What is the size of the greens, tees & 1 - Agrotrend Snowblower fairways? 2 - Honda Four Wheelers How many years have you been a 2.75 acres of greens 2 - Skidoo Snowmobiles superintendent? 2.75 acres of tees Assortment of hand and power tools 7 years 28 acres of fairways COURSE PROJECTS How many years have you been an O.G.S.A. What is your predominant grass? member? Bent A-4 Greens What projects have you recently completed? 2 years PennTrio Fairways/Tees In 2003 we finished constructing the back 9 Are you a CGCS or Master Superintendent? How many USGA greens and how many No loam greens? LONG RANGE PLANS 20 USGA greens How many year round staff? What long range plans for renovation do you 2 What is the predominant soil type? have in the next five years? sand New driving Range How many seasonal staff? Landscaping the Clubhouse 25 What equipment do you have in inventory? Finish maintenance facility 6 - Toro Greensmaster Flex 21 Thinning the tree canopy around the How many mechanics and assistants? 3 - Toro Greensmaster 1600 greens & tees 1 Mechanic: Pat Richer and 1 - Toro Greensmaster 3100 1 Assistant: Trevor Turner 3 - Toro Groundsmaster 3500 D CHALLENGES 2 - Toro Reelmaster 5400 D How many gardening staff? 1 - Toro Sandpro 3020 Are there any particular challenges you face None full time 1 - Toro Multipro 1250 with your property? 4 - Toro Workman 2100 COURSE STATISTICS 1 - Toro Workman 3200 The golf course is spread out over huge 1 - Toro Topdresser 1800 piece of property which involves a lot of How many holes? 2-Toro 4300 D travel time 18 1 - Toro PA 17 Fertilizer Spreader As well, the maintenance facility in not 2 - John Deere Gators 6x4 close to golf course - again, lots of travel What is the yardage from back tees and 2 - Ez-Go Work Horse time forward tees? 2 - Yamaha Golf Carts 6862 yards from the back tees and 1 - Salsco Roller SUCCESS STORIES 4552 yards from the front tees 1 - Tycrop MH400 with attachments 2 - Kubota 4310 Tractors Do you have any success stories? How many bunkers? 1 - Kubota M8200 Tractor Opening the golf course after 26 1 - Kubota R520 Loader undergoing a complete renovation 2 - Supertilt Trailers before course was ever opened. How many ponds, and/or how many times 1 - Tee Gee Grademaker does water come into play? 1 - Bergal B40 Blower 8 times 1 - Command Blower 2 - Stihl Backpack Blowers Seguin Valley Golf & Country Club Article and Photos by John Bladon Editor, Green is Beautiful Constructing and growing in a golf course is no small task. Commencing renovations without even having opened the doors for business is another thing all together. Recently Green is Beautiful met up with OGSA member Chris Hudswell at his worksite in Seguin Township. A University of Guelph graduate, Chris has been entrusted with the renovation and grow in of a golf course originally known as “The Sanctuary.” He recently celebrated his 2 year anniversary onsite. That celebration will conclude on September 20th with the long awaited opening of the back nine at what will now be known as “Seguin Valley Golf and Country Club.” . clubhouse, set for a spring 2004 opening, saw sprawled in the distance high above the first tee. The full log structure looked like a wooden fortress ready to defend the hilltop from battle weary golfers. We proceeded to the first tee and began our trip around the new layout. Equipped with 5 sets of teeing grounds, Seguin Valley could play as long as 6862 yards or as short as 4552 depending on your nerves. Newly reconstructed greens had been seeded to A-4 creeping bentgrass and PennTrio bent used for both tees and fairways. Chris explained that a native sand lens had been poured over the entire routing and that Hutcheson’s 80-20 had been selected as the putting green rootzone. As we continued, I was reminded of similar trips around courses like Rocky Crest and Taboo. Carved through the towering hardwoods and Set on a massive acreage just south of Parry Sound, the around jutting Pre-Cambrian shield, in this author’s opinion, public play facility was the dream of owner Robert McRae. Seguin Valley would eventually rival those Muskoka gems. McRae, a former pilot and visionary, had been gradually buying up pieces of land from friends, neighbors and other vendors until he finally stood firm on the current 2000 plus acre parcel. Chris was hired and brought onsite shortly before Labour Day in 2001 by President Ron Dennis. I asked him about his responsibilities when he first arrived. “Mr. McRae and Ron made it clear they wanted to be open for business ASAP” he replied. “The original project management had not gone well. The first order of business was to take an inventory of where things stood and then develop a strategy to get those goals executed.” When Chris first toured the site he saw fully constructed greens seeded with Penncross creeping bent. The bent was so long he was amazed to see it had begun producing seed heads. “We’ve come a long way since then” he remarked with a wry smile. As we began our tour, I was impressed by what I saw. The Chris, Griff and Ron - Chris & Ron accessing renovations on the back 9 continued on page 28... The 2003 Bell Canadian Open In Conversation with Rhod Trainor, Golf Course Superintendent, Hamilton Golf and Country Club Article and Photos by fohn Bladon Editor, Green is Beautiful is Wednesday morning and a fog hangs in the air. The It RT: In rough terms, it started back in 2001. Negotiations roar of 18 wheelers, fork trucks and maintenance equipment began with the RCGA and as they proceeded it ended with our is intertwined with the fog. The Bell Canadian Open officially membership voting that fall on whether or not they wanted went into the books when Bob Tway dropped a two footer on both the benefits and responsibilities of hosting an Open. the 18th green early Sunday evening but, the real work has perhaps, just begun - teardown! As I rolled up to Hamilton’s GisB: Were there any big hurdles in the negotiations with maintenance facilities, bustling with activity, Golf Course the RCGA? Superintendent Rhod Trainor extends his hand with a smile and I offer my congratulations on a very successful Canadian RT: The biggest item that needed amending was our Open. We retreat to the peacefulness of his office. practice facilities. To provide a practice range consistent with the standards offered at a major event like this was the GisB: So how was your weekend, I laughed? immediate concern. Our former facilities just weren’t large enough. Beyond that, it was a matter of lengthening some of RT: One of the better ones in recent memory, he the holes through tee reconstruction and renovation. chuckled, both for the City of Hamilton and particularly for all of us affiliated with Hamilton Golf and Country Club. The GisB: Was there an architect involved throughout the city’s corporate community really responded with support and process? the golf course really stood up against the highest levels of RT: Yes, Tom Clark of Ault, Clark and Associates. They scrutiny. It really was a tremendous team effort and I believe are an American firm out of Kensington, Maryland and we did our membership proud. facilitated our Master Plan. Dick Kirkpatrick was also involved as an onsite consultant throughout all our renovations and GisB: The feedback from the players, through the media, preparations. All, tremendous people to be affiliated with. appeared to be almost unanimous in their appreciation for They contributed immeasurably to our success here. the golf course and its conditioning. Did you feel that was the case? GisB: Beyond the practice range, would you walk us through the renovations to the golf course? RT: Indeed it was, from not only the players but, many of the officials as well. When PGA Tour officials tell you the RT: Certainly. Like I said, we had to do some tee bunkers were arguably the best they had seen all year, you reconstruction and renovation. All told, 24 tees were built really sit up and take notice. and eight of them were in use during the championship. Despite the fact that we only really needed those eight, we GisB: Can you take us back through this whole process of made the decision to renovate entire tee complexes. preparing for a major championship? How did the ball start Logistically, it only made sense. Many of those areas were rolling? scheduled for future renovation or had antiquated irrigation, so we decided to take the opportunity to be proactive. The membership really made a commitment to the entire process. Those renos were completed by June of 2002. In the fall of that year, we began recontouring fairways. The specifications required that they be between 25 and 28 yards wide. We brought the fairway lines inward by regrassing areas with Kentucky Bluegrass sod. The decision to do the sodding not only improved our playability but also enhanced the visual appearance of the golf course. GisB: How much sod was laid all told? RT: Let’s see, it was approximately 46,000 rolls. GisB: Wow! Ok, it is now the spring of 2003. What had to be done from an agronomic point of view as the date of the Open began approaching? Rhod Trainor GisB: Ok, so we’ve arrived to tournament time. What had to be done day in and day out over the four days? RT: Well, each morning we changed pin placements, double cut greens and prepared bunkers. During the evening hours, once play was completed we cut fairways, collars and approaches and tee boxes. GisB: Were the greens rolled during the event? RT: No, not at all. We achieved the desired green speeds without having the need to roll. GisB: I noticed during the television broadcast things really began drying out as the tournament progressed. How much irrigation was done? RT: Aside from light hand watering of greens, we did very little. It was important to keep things on the dry side. It RT: We proceeded with regular maintenance until the improves playability and the plant complex, generally, is first week ofJune. At that point we began growing the rough healthier in that state. and establishing heights of cut. We had to facilitate a roping campaign to keep members out of the rough and on the GisB: Again, through the media, we heard all the fairways. Beyond that, the intense preparation began during compliments the golf course and its conditioning received. I advance week. understand the PGA Tour and John suggested it was one of the easiest transitions at a first time tour stop. Did anyone GisB: Advance week? come by and relay that personally? RT: Yes, simply a reference to when the PGA Tour RT: There were lots of positive comments from members, agronomist, John Scott was scheduled to arrive onsite and players, the media and the public and they were all begin fine tuning the golf course with us. appreciated. Like I said, I think we did our membership and the city proud. On a professional level having the PGA suggest GisB: Could you walk us through the work done with John that is a great compliment. I really appreciated it coming from and at what stage in this process did the course close to John Scott as well. He is a former superintendent and so I felt member play? like we related to one another as fellow agronomists. RT: Five days prior, the golf course was closed to member GisB: So what is next for Rhod Trainor? play. Once John arrived we began working with green speeds, bunkers and roping. Firstly, it was agreed that 10.5 on the RT: Hmmm., once teardown is complete, perhaps I’ll stimpmeter would be our maximum because of the severe manage to get caught up on some rest. After that, perhaps slopes in many of our greens. He also began probing bunkers another Open? He looks at me and winks. for sand depths and we spent two full days doing final bunker preparation. Lastly was the roping of the golf course for Rhod Trainor has been at Hamilton Golf & Country Club spectators. It took two and half days. for 14 years. He is a certified golf course superintendent (CGCS) with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of GisB: Prior to the start of the tournament, when was the last America, and is a past president of the Ontario Golf of the maintenance done on the rough and how was it Superintendents’ Association (1992). He served as chairman completed? of the executive committee of the Ontario Turfgrass Symposium for 8 years. He has been married, to his lovely wife RT: We did two separate mowings to the rough around Sue, for 23 years and has 3 wonderful children, Katie, Michael green sites and on the bunker faces. That final mowing took and Kurtis. place once the roping process was completed. Ironically, those mowings were done with hand rotary mowers. It took about 130 man hours. GisB: Why hand rotary mowers? RT: They are necessary because of the heights we were mowing at. The larger self propelled units we use here on a daily basis do not perform well at those heights. Quite simply, there is no equipment available in the industry that will provide the quality of the hand rotary mowers. GisB: Were there any other major adjustments needed, equipment wise, for the tournament? RT: Not particularly. I suppose the biggest item was lighting equipment. We cleaned out every Wal Mart, Kmart and Home Hardware from Brantford to Burlington. (Laughter) All told we ended up spending an extra $1600.00 on headlamps and flashlights. Bunker Renovation at St. George's Golf and Country Club by: Jason Hanna, Foreman St. Georges Golf and Country Club In the spring of 2003, St. and the natural topography of the have a three-month trial period George’s Golf and Country Club property, it was not too difficult to with the new bunkers to address any embarked on a bunker restoration come up with many of the original problems and implement the and renovation project. This is to designs for the bunkers. necessary changes in the second be no ordinary renovation. The Next, it was decided in order to phase. purpose of this project is to capture the original “rough” look The holes selected for the first essentially return the bunkers to of the bunkers and to simply be phase were those that were simply their original design along with new different, grass lips would be in the worst shape or were relatively drainage, adding new sand and a attempted rather than the soil edge easy to access during the wet spring grass lip. Each of these aspects of already existing in the bunkers. months experienced. A mini the renovation will be discussed Two potential benefits of this new excavator with rubber tracks was later in the article. design would be less contamination used in each bunker to remove the Renowned golf course from the edge and due to the existing sand and to work any architect Stanley Thompson “rough” look less time would have changes that were specified in the originally designed St. George’s in to be spent manicuring the edges of design. This process generated a 1929. The course was built as a the new bunkers. This approach to great deal of contaminated sand business endeavor to increase the bunker construction certainly and soil. This material was property value for real estate sounded good in theory but there transported throughout the developments and for the guests of were many challenges in property by tractor drawn trailers to the Royal York Hotel. construction to overcome before an area in front of a tee complex Over the past seven decades, the the project could continue. with hopes of shaping a new tee if one time massive, jagged bunkers Namely, how could a grass lip be enough fill was generated. This which are known as Thompson’s constructed in such a way that it practice cut costs in transporting trade mark have shrunk and/or would not collapse under its own and disposing the waste along with been filled in, slowly evolving into weight or from that of the earth providing free fill. After each different shapes. This can be behind it? After a great deal of bunker had been emptied of its credited to the fact that the original research, and experiments it was original sand and shaped, Ian or bunkers were just too difficult to determined that moulding burlap Doug would approve the sub grade maintain for obvious monetary and bags filled with topsoil to form an before the drainage would begin. It workforce deficiencies. Also, some edge for the sod to be placed was interesting to find that as the bunkers were simply too punishing seemed like the best choice. To sand was removed, some bunkers to make for a fair modern day golf tackle the project TDI International had over three feet of sand before course. specifically measured a section of the original sub grade was reached. With the recent addition of a new 12-inch pipe that was placed inside It was found that most of the irrigation system, recurring the bag and then filled by hand bunkers had little or no drainage, problems with the consistency of before removing the bag from the but very few drainage problems. the bunkers and a desire by the pipe. Using this method, each bag Therefore, this ample amount of membership to return the course to had the exact same amount of sand most likely acted like a large its original design, a full renovation topsoil inside. The last step was to sump or wet well. It was time to was the logical choice. As sew the bags shut using an install some proper drainage. Each mentioned above, returning the industrial sewing machine. This new bunker would have a series of bunkers to their exact original proved to be the most efficient drainage patterns ranging from design would not work. Therefore, method for filling the bags. herringbones, to smile drains. In golf course superintendent John Due to the magnitude of the order to correct drainage, Gall devised the term “sympathetic project it was decided that it would eliminate washouts and improve bunker restoration”. The goal of be split into two phases. The first playability a product known as Sand this renovation would be to within phase took place from spring 2003 Trapper was used on all steep reason, return most of the bunkers through the first week of June and slopes. This wool-like material is on the golf course to their original the second phase commencing after approximately a half inch thick and design with the addition of a few Labour Day. This approach is quite similar to the material new bunkers that had been filled in although much longer, allowed the found in furnace filters. This over the years. With the help of Ian membership to have the course to material has two main purposes; Andrew and Doug Carrick from themselves during the busy summer hold onto the sand on steep slopes Carrick Design, aerial photographs, months. Another benefit to the and prevent plugging of the golf photographs from the clubhouse two-phase approach allowed us to ball or fried egg lies, and secondly, to allow water to flow between the hole, where a series of greenside particles with sharp jagged edges of sub grade and the Sand Trapper bunkers were tied together by four various sizes. This characteristic is instead of on top of the sand, which inch drain. In some spots the drain what separates Pro Angle from would create ideal conditions for a was trenched up to five feet deep many of the other sands on the wash out. The Sand Trapper was before a sufficient slope could be market, which have rounder installed tucking the outside edges achieved. particles. The above mentioned underneath the burlap bags. Each particle characteristics of Pro Angle of the seams were overlapped by were desirable for this project due approximately one inch and to the firmness of the sand, which fastened using sod staples placed the golfers liked, and its ability to every 12 to 16 inches apart. The remain on steep slopes without bottom line of the Sand Trapper blowing away or sliding down. was tucked into a hand-dug trench A bulk material handler was used where upon 2-inch perforated to install the new bunker sand. drainage tile was placed and then This particular machine was well back filled with bunker sand. The suited for the job because of its function of the drainage tile is to ability to haul over four yards of aid in the removal of water as it sand, and its operator friendly flows under the fabric. The 2-inch features. The conveyor belt tile is then connected into the 4- attachment was handy in inch drain within the bunker. In all distributing the sand in the bunkers, perforated drainage tile bunkers. The real work was the was used inside the bunker and many hours of shoveling the sand solid drainage tile outside. by hand to ensure that the proper amounts were spread evenly throughout the bunker. The final step was to run a plate tamper over the wet sand. This allowed us to open bunkers shortly after renovation. On average each bunker required about 30 man­ hours to prepare it for play. In the areas surrounding the new bunkers and especially on the faces poor soils and years of sand buildup were removed and replaced with As the project progressed, topsoil. Most areas surrounding drainage proved to be difficult due the bunkers were sodded with to the rolling terrain of the golf Kentucky Blue grass, with the course and from trying to avoid exception of faces, which were long trenches across fairways. sodded with fescue sod. The Originally in these difficult expectation of the fescue sod is to situations the plan called for provide a hardier grass on the During the summer months a few installing various sized sumps to slopes that will be under heat stress contain the drainage water from during the summer months. A challenges and lessons were learned. Maintaining the Sand the bunkers before it can leach into great deal of hand watering and Trapper proved to be one of our the ground. Jim Sara, the project stapling went into this step. manager for TDI advised against Upon completing the drainage first challenges. Many of the seams were becoming exposed or frayed. this practice, explaining that the and sodding it was time to begin Initially, it would seem that the surface of the sump hole can sink adding the new sand. After solution to this problem would be and that many sumps are never speaking with superintendents at simply piling more sand on the designed large enough to handle other golf courses and using a demonstration bunker for a year to affected area, but more sand on the the large volume of water that can obtain member feedback, it was steep faces would only become soft potentially drain from a bunker allowing shots to plug or wash outs during a heavy rainfall. To get decided to use Pro Angle bunker to occur, therefore, eliminating the around this, drainage designs sand. Pro Angle, from Ohio and purchased through Hutcheson purpose of the fabric. To solve this needed to become more creative, problem, the seams of the affected one of the most impressive Sands is a manufactured sand, areas were butted up against one examples was on the eighteenth derived from grinding silica to form Bunker Renovation at St. George's Golf and Country Club continued... another and stapled, rather than controlling these potentially bunkers have presented some new the initial overlap. This method dangerous pests. challenges, which require effective provided such a tight seam that it Anthills in the bunkers quickly problem solving to find realistic was difficult to find after the sand started to detract from the look of solutions. With the second phase of had been replaced. the new white sand, as they were the project now well under way, bringing up soils from the sub there is no doubt that many new grade. In some spots there were as challenges and learning many as 25 hills in a couple square experiences will arise. feet. An effective solution to this challenge was placing small volumes of a granular insecticide on the surface of each hill. In most cases the ant activity decreased or ceased within a day. Some bunker faces/edges facing South-West became extremely hot during the long summer afternoons. Naturally, as a result, the turf in these areas dried out at a startling rate. At first it could be When Falling Leaves thought that simply installing more Will Let Us See... part circle irrigation or increasing Dead, dying, weak and diseased branches should be removed the water budget for these areas or supported to: would solve the problem. Although • reduce wind resistance they did not solve the problem, it • provide less surface for heavy was found that the only method for ice and snow ensuring the survival of the grass • remove entry points for insect and disease pathogens was to hand water these edges. Perhaps in years to come as the new Take advantage of our FREE turf continues to root further this Inspection program. may become less of an issue. Toronto • (416) 657-2059 The burlap bags and any spaces Earlier it was mentioned that this Bracebridge • (705) 646-8733 left between them provided a great new bunker design might decrease Gravenhurst • (705) 687-0696 habitat for wasps and hornets. the amount of labour spent on Huntsville • (705) 789-0929 www.bartlett.com Unable to come up with a solution bunker maintenance. This may be BACKED BY THE BARTLETT TREE RESEARCH to this problem, hornet and wasp true for trimming and mowing, but LABORATORIES AND EXPERIMENTAL spray was the only option at from all other aspects these GROUNDS, CHARLOTTE, NC Upgrades, Renovations & New Installations From evaluation to implementation, will Partner with you to succeed in Milton 1.800.263.4112 King City 1.866.703.KING Achieving your Goals. www.vandenbussche.com Par Ex® with unique IBDU® precision slow-release technology provides Precision Performance consistent nutrient feeding whatever the season or weather conditions. for All Seasons Activated by a hydrolosis driven mode of action, Par Ex formulations deliver performance you can count on through the year on greens, tees, fairways, and roughs. For more information contact us at 1 •800-461 -6471 Par Ex and IBDU are registered trademarks of Nu Gro IP Inc. /*****>??*' Cultural Practices by Jeff Stauffer, Superintendent Credit Valley Golf & Country Club The topic of topdressing of fairways has been deeper into the valley and moved away from the practiced at many facilities across the United States and business of Dundas Street. The Credit River winds itself Canada for years for a multitude of reasons. It was through the valley and was to play an integral part of the during my first year as superintendent at Credit Valley in new design. 1999, the Green Committee and Board of Directors In 1999, upon investigating the subsurface beneath requested information regarding any alternatives to the the fairways, it was discovered that in some areas of the aerification process normally completed in July of each valley, there existed as little as 1” of soil on top of rock year. This allowed the opportunity to introduce a and shale. What was being experienced included very couple of solutions to the directors with the main idea poor rooting, poor moisture retention and heating from including the topdressing of the fairways. beneath leading to turf that found it difficult to survive First, a little background information about Credit the summer months without ample amounts water and Valley. The current layout was designed by Robbie other inputs. Another difficulty experienced on annual Robinson and built in 1970 following land transfers and basis was during the aerification process, it was common careful planning. The new layout included expansion to break some 200 tines each time the fairways were conventionally aerified with hollow tines set at a depth continued applications going forward we will build of three inches. Where the tines were able to penetrate upon this initial layer with continued success. into the ground was quite often a heavy soil with a large amount of clay. This made the destroying of the cores Results experienced since beginning the program: difficult because as the clay cores dried, they became projectile objects during the mechanical busting. This Smoother fairway surfaces improving mowing quality created a labour intensive situation to remove as many and allowing the golf ball to ‘sit up’ much better. Our of these ‘bullets’ from the playing surface before they members feel they are getting a better lie on many of could be mowed. The amount of surface disruption was our fairways outside of terrain. large and was often weeks before completely healed. As Quicker surface drainage following a rain. you can understand, the question about alternative Using calcareous sand has produced a green up aerification practices was a legitimate question from the following each sand application. directors responsible for the club. Firmer and smoother approaches in front of green sites. The proposed plan consisted of deep tine aerifying Less earthworm castings have been observed later in the the fairways with an Aerway unit complete with shatter spring and earlier in the fall except during extremely tines every October followed by topdressing of sand. wet weather when the castings will emerge regardless. Additional topdressings were to be completed during the playing season and were planned for May, July and Learning experiences early on in the program: September. The spring and fall applications were to be Be sure to cover irrigation heads prior to the application heavy and the summer application lighter to minimize of the sand and leave them covered until the sand has the stress factor. The main goal of the topdressing been dragged to avoid problems with head program was to build a subsurface layer above the rock performance. and shale to allow the turf the opportunity to support Ensure adequate moisture is present prior to itself with a healthy root system. The more sand we topdressing. could apply, the quicker the results. Approach with some level of patience. Being aggressive In order to achieve the desired results, many other with the amount of sand being applied during a single factors needed to be considered, including equipment application can lead to many frustrations for the two choice, selection of sand, potential soil/sand layering, weeks following. impact on fertility management, impact on water management and irrigation heads, impact on While our fifth season of topdressing fairways comes surrounding roughs, wear and tear on mowing to an end, I believe it has been a successful road traveled equipment and of course cost for each application. thus far. We have adapted our maintenance regimes We experienced excellent results with the Aerway surrounding the fairways each year and look forward shatter tines breaking up rock and improving the with great anticipation as conditions continue to movement of water, nutrients and of course, grass roots. improve. This program has worked well at Credit Valley Sand was also working its way downwards through the and has addressed the subsoil issues with the amount of slits created by the shatter tines, which increased the rock so close to the surface. Is it for everybody? While amount of root structures found deeper into the profile. it has created many positives for Credit Valley, many While this was being experienced, we also expected questions and investigations must be completed at each some layering to begin forming requiring a more golf course before embarking on this type of conventional approach to offset the resource movement maintenance program. Communication has played a downwards. Therefore, we’ll begin to aerifying with key role in the success of the program and the Credit solid tines in front of the topdressing to begin creating Valley Board should be congratulated for making the the channels through the sand layer found in some long-term commitment of topdressing the fairways. areas of the golf course to be 1 1/2” thick. We While success has been experienced to date, we must experienced some turf loss this past summer due to continue to monitor soil health tests, irrigation practices shallow rooting that refused to move through the sand and other variables in order to provide excellent playing layer, therefore indicating it is time to open up the conditions for the members at Credit Valley for years to channels. The range in sand layer thickness around the come. course is 4/5” to 1 1/2” and it is anticipated that with "Score" Superintendent of the year, Paul White continued... Paul’s family is fully involved in the golf business. His son Peter is Superintendent at Nottawasaga Inn Golf Club, James is the Superintendent at King’s Bay Golf & Country Club, and Scott is Assistant Superintendent at Donalda Club. His daughter, Melissa enjoys working on the golf course but has completed her studies in history at Trent University, and is looking forward to attending teachers college. Since their move to Keswick, his wife Helen has begun to play more golf and is busy visiting their new grandson, William. “I know that my father's love of golf and turfgrass management Paul and Bogey is second only to the love he has for his family. ” Scott White, Assistant Grounds Manager, Donalda Club Paul has a great enthusiasm for his profession and is enjoying being involved in a hands-on operation. He is held in very high esteem by his colleagues, as is evidenced by some of their comments. Corrie Almack P.Ag. “When I think of professionalism in the Canadian Golf Course Almack Agronomic Services Inc. Tel: (905) 689-6174 Superintendents Association, I think ofPaul White ” ProfessorJ.M. Box 256, Carlisle, On Fax: (905) 689-8522 Vargas, Jr. LOR 1H0 Email: c.almack@sympatico.ca 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 Off the fairway Fall Clips & Cuttings While prun­ Keep the cuttings away from the cold frame, I have added a thick layer ing back and direct sun to prevent water loss. of a sand/ compost/peat mix which tidying up the For smaller scale propagation at is raised slightly from the original soil garden in the any time of the year, I use flats filled level. Topdressing sand, mixed early fall, I like to with a rooting mix such as perlite, 50/50 with an organic matter such as collect some of vermiculite or coarse sand. I keep peat or compost would be a suitable the clippings and the root zone warm and place a substrate inside a cold frame. propagate plants plastic cover over the flat to keep the This fall I have concentrated my by Daisy Moore by cuttings. Along humidity high. For slightly larger efforts with boxwood, since this is with the obvious scale propagation and especially for one plant which roots easily, is useful economic advantage, propagation by semi-hardwood cuttings in the fall, I for hedges and edges and you tend to cuttings is a thrill. With a small find that a cold-frame is ideal for my need a lot of them. I am very keen on investment in time, a few inexpensive needs. A cold-frame is a bottomless, the ornamental appeal of knot­ supplies and an experimental spirit, box-like structure with a removable gardens formed by boxwood! I you can substantially increase your top glazed with glass or covered with ‘stick’ the cuttings about 1 inch apart stock of desirable plants. some transparent material. The and ? inch deep in my cold frame Cuttings are generally classified frame should be situated in an area now. I use the lid to control the into three groups. Softwood, usually protected from the wind, facing the temperature and humidity levels by taken in the spring or early summer, sun and usually against a building. keeping the lid open on warm and semi-hardwood, taken in the late When the lid of the frame is closed, rainy days and closed on cool nights. summer or fall and hardwood, taken the area inside will be kept warmer. By doing this the cuttings will root when the plant is dormant. Semi­ This added warmth will assist in the over the coarse of the fall and early hardwood cuttings can be taken now rooting of cuttings, protect tender winter and be ready for (early fall). Broadleaved evergreens plants over winter or will allow you to transplanting by next spring or fall. such as boxwood, holly and start seeds earlier in the spring than Success in propagation by cuttings euonymous are in a rootable, semi­ outside conditions will allow. If you is not a guarantee but it can be hardwood state from August until want to be slightly more sophisticated achieved by trial and error. By November/December. The cuttings and extend the growing season inside starting with something easy, like are taken from the current season’s the frame even longer, you can boxwood, you will have encouraging growth rather than the older wood, convert it into a hot-bed by adding results and be inclined to expand closer to the trunks or main stems. heating cables to the soil. The hot­ your operation. For further Cuttings should be 3-6 inches long bed could be used for rooting information and resources for with the basal one-half of the leaves hardwood cuttings which are taken in propagating plants, please contact removed. The growing tip should be the early winter. me through my website pinched off. Dipping the bottom Cuttings can be rooted in any www.daisymoore.com end with StimRoot #1 (rooting substrate providing good air/water hormone) will help to encourage relationships. Sand, perlite, Visit my website www.daisymoore.com rooting. As a general rule when vermiculite, shredded bark and peat for more tips on gardening. taking cuttings, work in the early part are some of the common of the day in a cool, shady location. components of rooting mixes. In my The Solution That Gains Ground Fertilec serves Ontario in 24-48 hours. Visit our website with links to the industry: www.fertilec.com PUMPING SYSTEMS Colleen Mitchell Fertilec office: Ontario sales representative Phone.: l-(888) 831-1085 18-1290 Speers Road, Oakville, Ontario, L6L 2X4 Cell Phone.: 1-(613) 850-3732 Fax.: l-(888) 836-1915 Toll Free 1-888-222-6676 Fax (905) 825-8139 E-mail: colleenm@sprint.ca E-mail: gosselin@fertilec.com email; paulp@pumptronics.ca www.pumptronics.ca Everett Nieuwkoop saw an opportunity to build a business that filled a void in today’s golf course industry. There were too many corporate companies and Everett felt that there was a need for a service oriented, back to basics, company. In January 2002, his vision came true and Master’s Turf Supply Ltd. was created. The start of Everett’s career in the industry began in 1987, with Grand Valley Farm Supply, in Elmira. It was a trying time for this rookie sales rep. However, 2 golf course superintendents, namely Hugh Kirkpatrick and Greg Aljoe took him under their wing. His next endeavours lead him to the Ontario Seed Company where he worked for the Uffelman family. He started the Golf Course Division from the ground up and gained invaluable experience doing so. He gained a lot of knowledge of the business aspects through Scott, Buck and Jim Uffelman. In 1993 Everett was given the opportunity to work as a Sales Rep for McCracken Golf Supply. Dennis McCracken was revered in the industry as one of the most knowledgeable people in the golf course industry. His approach was service with knowledge, and he always put the customer’s needs first. Having worked for 2 excellent family run businesses Everett got the chance to work for a corporate company, United Horticultural Supply. He found a definite difference compared to a small business. After a couple of seasons in the corporate world he was given the opportunity to start his own business. It has been a trying time and a lot of doors where shut when he started Master’s Turf Supply. This has not dampened his spirit however, and Master’s Turf is starting to develop into a successful company and the service and knowledge is a real asset to the golf course industry. Everett appreciates the people in the turf industry that have believed in him from the start, and without them Master’s Turf Supply Ltd. wouldn’t have been a successful company. There are presently 3 sales representatives servicing the Ontario market. They are: Everett Nieuwkoop, South Western Ontario; Gary Tate, North and Niagara Region and James Woloszanski, Eastern Region. Master’s Turf Supply is a full service supplier to the turf industry. They carry fertilizer, grass seed, chemicals and a wide variety of golf course accessories. For information phone (519) 875-4094 or fax (519) 875-4095. THE P.E.S.T INSTITUTE Burnside Golf Services SPECIALIZING IN PESTICIDE EDUCATION & SERVICE TECHNOLOGY Engineers • Hydrogeologists » Environmental Consultants LAND Serving the Needs of the GolfIndustry EXTERMINATOR (LANDSCAPE CATEGORY) We can help with: PESTICIDE CERTIFICATION COURSES • Approvals for Golf Course Development NORTH YORK and Operations • Hydrogeology and Stormwater Management December...................1 - 5, 2003 • Sewage Treatment and Disposal January...................... 26 - 30, 2004 • Environmental Management Plans • Building and Clubhouse Design February....................... 16- 20, 2004 • Irrigation Design and Consulting March............................ 8- 12, 2004 • Environmental Impact Assessment March.......................... 22- 26, 2004 Contact Vito Cirone April............................... 5- 9, 2004 RADEFF ARCHITECT LTD. Tel: (905) 953-8967 LONDON GOLF CLUBHOUSE ARCHITECT Toll Free: (877) 799-8499 E-mail: vcirone@rjburnside.com March........................... 1 - 5, 2004 TORONTO, ONTARIO Website:www.burnsidegolf.com TEL: 416.443.0434 OTTAWA March......................... 15- 19, 2004 FAX: 416.443.9016 E-MAIL: radeff@idirect.com WATER EXTERMINATOR (MOSQUITO/BITING FLY) NORTH YORK February....................... 9- 13, 2004 Gov't exam held on Monday following each course. Instructor: Paul G. Pilley, B.Sc., M. P. M. For more information and a brochure contact: Offices located tftrocsÄoot Satana P.O. Box 1021 Lindsay, Ontario K9V 5N4 Goff - Max Suppliers to the NGCOA E-mail: pgp_pest@lindsaynet.com Tel: (705) 324-PEST (7378) Fax: (705) 324-9729 On the road again by Angelo Capannelli Hutcheson Sand and Mixes The article On the road again is conditions. We managed to follow were playing an old “traditional” golf exactly that. The experiences of a Mike Weir through 18 holes and an course that presented a huge particular salesperson, in this case additional treat to that was his challenge. Narrow fairways and me, on the road. Sometimes there is playing partners were Jim Furyk and deep rough combined with fast, firm a single topic or an event that I Ben Curtis, 2 major champion greens with many subtleties, kept the devote the entire article to, and at winners. I think Mike Weir beat scores low for Canadian Open other times there are several that are both of them that day. Well done standards. Player’s like Mike Weir worthy of mentioning, as in this case Mike!!!! A great day on a great golf and Ian Legget suggested that our with the PGA Championship, the Bell course and only a few hours away National Open should be a good test Canadian Open and the Garibaldi from my home. I can’t wait for the of golf similar to the U.S. Open and Tournament. Ryder Cup matches at Oakland Hills thus, Hamilton Golf & Country Club The PGA Championship this year next year. provided exactly that! Our was being held at the Oak Hill A couple of days later it was off to compliments go to Rhod Trainor, Country Club in Rochester, NY. the Garibaldi Tournament at Victoria Tracy Fowler, Brian Haum and the Rochester is a short trip, only 2 1/2 East Golf Club in Guelph, Ontario. entire green’s staff at Hamilton Golf away, from my home, in Waterdown, The DeCorso family hosts this event & Country Club for a job well done. Ontario. Being that this tournament every year to bring together Italians Oh, and whomever brought the is considered a major it would attract and their guests from parts of Haagen Dazs ice cream to the the best players in the world and Ontario and the U.S. to pay tribute to hospitality tents, well done also !!!! especially it was being billed as Garibaldi, an Italian explorer? I Tiger’s “last chance” to win a major think? Next time you see Pelino in 2003. The excitement would only Scenna ask him to explain the be multiplied to see Canada’s own, significance of Garibaldi. Personally, Mike Weir, play well at this besides playing a good golf course tournament and to be considered that is always in great condition, it’s “Player of the Year” on the PGA tour. an excuse to indulge in some fine Oak Hill Country Club is part of a Italian culture. As if I need an excuse wonderful little community of to do this? It is a day where I can eat Pittsford which boasts estate homes, good Italian food ( there is no bad and you guessed it, plenty of Oak Italian food ) drink some red wine trees. from the private DeCorso cantina The golf course itself has hosted and listen to an accordion player many major golf tournaments and named Mo serenade the guests on most recently the 1995 Ryder Cup the golf course. Well done DeCorso matches. Mr. Paul Latshaw Jr. and family!! Register me for next years’ his staff had the golf course finely event. tuned and in the shape a golf course The Bell Canadian Open was just should be to host an event such as the contested at the Hamilton Golf 8c PGA championship. Thick rough Country Club in Ancaster, Ontario. and fast tight greens were the order I think we will all agree that the of the day. The golf scores on that tournament was a huge success. The Friday were representative of those player’s loved the golf course as they Seguin Valley Golf & Country Club continued... I asked Chris about all the challenges that existed with the golf course and complete the practice range” he replied. site and if there were any particular accomplishments he was “Once winter sets in we’ll work to prepare the clubhouse for proud of. “The first two things that come to mind are having next season’s opening and proceed with a critical path on to completely rewire the irrigation system after the original items that will address fine tuning the golf course.” installation and managing the fertility requirements over the sand lens. Going from managing turfgrasses on blue clay to For information on Seguin, visit their website at pure sand is quite a switch” he smiled. “Beyond that” he www.seguinvalleygolf.com or email Chris at replied, “some of the site rehabilitation work we did in hudswell@vianet.ca. conjunction with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, I’m very proud of. Along the edge of McCrae Lake, we agreed to construct fish cribs to help with the spawning of native fish species.” I asked him about the specifications of the cribs. “Essentially, they were a 2 metre deep box built out of hemlock.” Chris explained that hemlock or cedar is generally used because of its high resin content and therefore longer lifespan when submerged. “We sank the cribs in winter and then had a 30 day window in July, when there was no risk of disrupting any spawning, to backfill 1.5 meters of granite and 0.5 meters of triple mix. We then planted the cribs with native lily pads, sedges and rushes.” As we concluded our tour, I asked him about the club’s plans for the upcoming winter and next season. “Our highest priorities are to continue improving the conditions on the 800S Series. Reliability. Durability. Performance. TURF CARE The 800S Series works every time, with smooth rotation for extended drive life and more than double the lightning protection to keep your system working. Built to last even the toughest conditions, with debris-resistant nozzles to eliminate clogging, a riser seal to protect against debris contamination and debris traps to prevent contamination and damage. Precise pressure regulation ensures the right amount of water where you need it. Exact flow and spray uniformity give superior coverage, reliable rotation speeds provide more control and save water. For more information, contact your Turf Care Irrigation 800S Series Golf Sprinklers Sales Representative or Customer Service at 1-800-561-1432 Reliability. Durability. TURF CARE PRODUCTS CANADA www.turfcare.ca Performance. www.toro.com Turf or consequences by Doug Breen, Superintendent Golf North Lots of courses now have a memorial tree program, which is you just made by little more than a way of taking advantage of other people’s selling chainsaw misery by getting them to purchase overpriced nursery stock sculptures and worn you can’t fit into your budget, but some courses have found a bed knife wind chimes on expensive inputs like fertilizer or way to continue collecting membership fees even after death. seed? If TV shows like Changing Rooms have taught me They’ve made part of the course a bona fide cemetery. You can nothing else, they have taught me the magic of faux painting. join the club as a junior and never get good tee times, pay more Whys go to all the labour and expense of maintaining as an adult and not have time to play, get a reduced price as a troublesome greens when a few dollars worth of paint and senior and not be healthy enough to play, and then buy a plot, Saran Wrap can give you the same effect? pay perpetual care and never play. No need to waste time cutting down that dead tree. Just It’s a pretty good scam, and it got me thinking. This time of fasten some dead leaves back on there with a staple gun. If no year, the budget is always a little tight, and short of becoming an leaves are available, a little green crepe paper or a shredded obstetrician or a mortician, there’s probably not too many more green garbage bag will have the same effect. This is also an ways of getting the golfers to give us money. So, in the spirit of excellent opportunity to use your hot glue gun, a wonderful all those Canadian Living magazines my wife leaves in the tool which will fasten anything to anything for a maximum of bathroom, I present “How to Stretch your Budget this Holiday 25 minutes. Season”. (Obviously I stole the title from an article about how Here’s a budget saver. I’ve found that people will do almost to make Christmas decorations out of pipe cleaner and toilet anything for free golf. Remember that jerk in high school paper rolls, but get the idea.) This is the advice that Martha who always pulled down your shorts in gym class and stole Stewart would give you if she wasn’t so busy figuring out how your girlfriend. You could get him, his Porsche and his MBA, she’s going to decorate a 4 by 8 foot room in an attractive yet to clean out that grease trap in the kitchen and thank you for functional way. I feel qualified to speak on her behalf, as I it. Because you have free golf. Why pay staff to do all those happen to have some of her paint on the walls of my office right jobs no one likes when you can get your friends to do them now. It was left over from one of my wife’s multiple for nothing? redecorating projects and I brought it in. The guys seem to like Do flagsticks really need to be so tall? Cut them in half and it as long as I don’t call it “Summer Pear” when it’s clearly “Bile get two for the price of one! Why not a papier mâché Green”. retaining wall? Artificial flowers are always in bloom and so Now I know a lot of you guys, and I know exactly what you’re much. thinking when I start talking about generating revenue in the There are literally dozens of other budget stretching ideas shop, but rightly or wrongly, “cock fighting” is still illegal in this like these, which are available to you if you purchase my new country. You can’t install a runway and a brass pole without book, “How I Balanced my Turf Budget by Writing a Book. infringing on all kinds of bylaws, and yes, you still need a liquor Just send three easy payments of $29.99 to my account in the license even if you make the booze yourself. Casinos are out, Cayman Islands. If enough of your cheques clear, I’ll start and someone would notice the huge hydro bills if you set up a writing. hydroponics operation. So when all the really good ideas are against the law, what’s a fellow to do? Take back all the empties from the whole summer to the beer store in one big pile. With a huge pile, those lazy beer store guys will never count them and you can ‘overestimate’ yourself about a 20% profit right here! Then, my recommendation would be to take the whole whack of cash to the nearest track and bet the lot on the first horse with a name that has a golf connection. It’s just that easy! Behind your shop, there’s a fortune in fertilizer skids. The deposit on them is already paid and you could send them back and get that money back. Sure, you could. Or, you could cut them into little pieces and sell them to campers for firewood at 10 bucks a bag. At a half dozen bags per skid that’s a 100% profit. But there’s an easier, faster, and more profitable use. Smash them to bits with a skid steer or by running over them with a tractor. See, making money can be fun too! Then, gather up all the little pieces and sell them on Sunday morning television and on the internet, by implying that they are genuine chunks of Noah’s ark. The word implying is very important here. It’s the difference between profitability and culpability. But, let’s not forget about the other side of your balance sheet, the expenses. Why spend the hard earned money that Looking back 15 years ago today by Barry Endicott The Board of Directors in 1988 George Garner moves over to attendance were Hugh Kirkpatrick were Thom Charters (president), Glendale G 8c CC. Paul Romahn goes (1985), Paul Scenna (1978), Barry Weston, Neil Acton (vice), Brooklea, from Dundee CC to Elmira G 8c CC Endicott (1986), Bill Hynd (1972), Al Robert Kennedy (past), City of St. and from the Indian Creek GC goes Beeney (1977), Dave Gourlay Sr. Catherines, Gord Nimmo (tres.) Jim Burlington to assume his new (1968), John Arends (1971), Bob Sarnia, Ron Heesen, Beachgrove, responsibilities at Erie Shores G 8c Moote (1967), Jim Wyllie (1973), Rhod Trainor (editor), St. Thomas, CC. Mike Post moves from Strathroy Paul Dermott (1975, 1976), Dr. Lee Greg O’Heron, Peterborough, John to Huron Oakes in Sarnia. Doug Burpee, University of Guelph, Barry Taylor, Twenty Valley, Scott Dodson, Colley went from Duke Lawn and Britton, CGSA President, John Sequi, Summit, Ed Farnsworth, Deerhurst, joined Jim Tanner and Dave Park at GCSAA President, and Randy Scott, Mark Hagen, Wyldewood and David Marmac Hydraulics to sell the new 5- Canadian Superintendent of the Gourlay, Beacon Hall. Cindi plex Lesco fairway mower. Butch year. John Steel was recently Charters was the office secretary. Middleton, former superintendent at inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall On the move: Barry Endicott left Ottawa Hunt GC has joined G.C. of Fame. Millcroft Golf Club and went to Duke Equipment Ltd. Mike Smith, Barry Endicott chaired the 2-day Nobleton Lakes Golf Club and Walt from Glen Abbey, joined Duke in the OGSA Symposium held at the Dudnick left Dalewood and went to Toronto area and Rick Appel is in the University of Guelph. The speakers Millcroft. Scott Dodson started his western part of the province. included Dean McEwen, Annette new job at the Summit Golf Club and New Members: Randy Higgins, Anderson, Dr. Lee Burpee, Dr. Jack Barry Britton left Glendale to start a Toronto Hunt (F), Joey St. Pierre, Eggens, Norm McCollum, Jim new golf course called Lionhead, in Essex GC (F), Hugh Shields, Talbot Molenhuis, Glenway, Dave Gourlay Brampton. Greg O’Heron started his Park GC, (F), Blair Rennie, Jr., Beacon Hall, and John Arends, new position at the Peterborough Unionville GC (B), Leo Daigle, Centennial Park. Dr. Jim Watson was Golf and Country Club this spring Carrying Place (F), Hughie Smith, the closing speaker. and taking over for him at Markland Thornhill GC (F), Mark Young, Wood is Vince Dermott. Ray Muskoka Lakes (F), Dan Mayzik, The GCSAA Conference and Show Richards goes from Base Borden GC Essex GC (F), John Kinch Muskoka was held in Houston with Dan Uzelac to Midland GC while Bruce Clark Lakes (F), Richard Ziegel, Burlington (just recently retired), Dennis leaves Midland to assume the Springs (B), T.H. Roest, Lely Ltd. Pellrene, Scarboro, and Barry superintendent’s responsibilities at (E), Phillip Dickie, Fast Forest Inc. Endicott, Nobleton Lakes, giving the Newmarket GC.. Steve Verral is (E), Josh Brown, Glendale G C (F), talks. Mac Frost was the Chairman of setting up shop at the Royal Ottawa Robert Cresswell, Pleasant Valley the RCGA Green Section and it was GC after some good years at (B), Mark McClure, Burford Golf announced that an RCGA Green Cataraqui G & CC, in Kingston. Rick Links (B), James Monkman, Uplands Consultant programme was being Serrao leaves the Thunderbird Club GC (F), Art Van Veld, Simoro Golf offered for a fee of $400.00 per visit. to become superintendent at Links (D), Gil Edwards, Sault Ste. Thomas Unworthy passed away in the Ingersol G 8c CC. Bill Bowen is Marie (B), Art Maw , Evergreen GC summer. beginning a new job at Dalewood (B), Brian Haus, Glenway GC (F), The final meeting of the GBGA was Golf and Curling Club and Ron Michael Creed, Oshawa GC (F), held at Muskoka Lakes Golf Club on Heesen leaves Beachgrove to become John Cockerill , Summit GC (F), September 13th. Dave Smith was the superintendent at the new Andrew Gaydon, Shemin Nurseries host for the day and Marlon Giesler, Monterra GC in Collingwood. Filling (E). assistant at Brooklea, had the low his shoes at Beachgrove is Mark The CGSA Conference and Show round with a 75 including a hole in Schneider, previously the assistant at was held in Toronto from March 6th one. Previous Golf Days were held at Westmount. Another assistant, - 10th at the Harbour Castle Weston. Brooklea, Neil Acton, Bonaire, Randy Wayne Rath from Credit Valley is the Attendance records were shattered Fielder, Blue Mountain, Kim Hanley new superintendent at Islington G 8c with almost 1,600 delegates and Barrie, Ed Doda. Ray Richards CC Simon George, of Indian Wells, attending. The OGSA sponsored a was the president. takes over Oakville G &CC while Past Presidents luncheon. Those in Continued on page 31 The Grass Isn't Always Greener by Neil Acton Article Reprinted from February 1988 Issue of Green is Beautiful Professional turfgrass science and invitationals are usually only short­ fairway turf where no grass will come maintenance have done admirably term conditions. Such speeds between his clubface (utilizing those well in keeping up with an ever­ maintained for any great length of square grooves to the utmost) and demanding golf population. As our time may jeopardize long-term the golf ball. If these people can’t golfers travel more, enjoying turfgrass health. stop the ball, then let’s look at numerous golf courses in the One of the more visually appealing problems other than insufficient process, they often return home with as well as agronomically beneficial water. newfound expectations of what practices to appear in the past few Are the greens constructed properly maintenance improvements they years has been the mowing of with the correct root zone medium? would like to see implemented at fairways with light mowers and the Are the greens angled to the golfers their home clubs. subsequent removal of clippings. or do they run away from them, quite Financial factors aside, there are This program is great if your a common problem? (The transit will many reasons why certain turfgrass varieties are correct and be required to ascertain this - you maintenance practices employed your fairways are smooth enough. can’t go by the eye.) Has play been successfully at the golf course down However, this practice would not turn kept off the greens at times of the street may well prove disastrous if out very well if adapted on excessive moisture to avoid implemented at your club. predominantly Kentucky bluegrass compaction? And last but not least, My first example is an obvious one, fairways. Even the dwarf varieties of has the superintendent been that being green speed. Many golfers Kentucky bluegrass cannot withstand permitted to aerify the greens are under the assumption that the sustained cutting heights below ? whenever he has deemed it necessary superintendent simply lowers the inch. The bentgrasses have excelled or has there always been an height of cut on the greensmowers in in this area. Even if your club is “important” tournament or the morning and presto! - Augusta prepared to level and reseed your competition to take priority? The National greens. Oh, if it were only fairways to bentgrass, make sure you practice of hounding the true, we superintendents might be secure your bentgrass seed prior to superintendent to over-water the able to spend a little more time with doing anything drastic. Turfgrass greens to accept any shot, not matter our families. The truth of the matter seed shortages, particularly how poorly executed, just is quite another story. bentgrass, have plagued the industry compounds the problem. Over­ Fast, smooth greens are developed the past few years. watering not only weakens the over time and kept that way with Most every golfer expects his golf turfgrass in general, it also promotes diligent expertise. To stress the ball to stop dead once it hits the further compaction. turfgrass plant to that degree, all green surface. It doesn’t seem to Golf courses are living, growing factors affecting turfgrass growth and matter how they hit the ball environments which require constant development must be suitable. (probably a Surlyn cover), or how monitoring and care. The Turfgrass variety, root zone medium, deep the grass was where they hit the Professional Golf Course irrigation capability, water quality, ball. What seems to matter to them Superintendent is trained and green size, microclimates, amount of the most is how much water the educated to act and react to play, as well as golfer acceptance are green received last night. Should the subtleties and nuances experienced all factors which come quickly to ball fail to come to an abrupt stop, on a daily basis on the golf course. mind. that blasted superintendent didn’t His, or her, thoughts on any matter Another consideration is the more water the green enough. FALSE!! concerning the golf course should be frequent disruptions to play your First, let’s discuss the golfer. Fewer sought and heeded. Their goals are golfers will experience. Fast greens that 5% of golfers strike the ball the same as yours - that is, to provide require more of everything - mowing properly to create backspin. These the best possible playing conditions coring, vertical mowing, topdressing, same golfers also use Balata balls and surroundings with available pesticides and syringing. Excessive which spin faster, thus creating more resources. green speeds witnessed on television spin. This minority also hits the After all, he is your silent playing or experienced at 1 or 2 day majority of their shots from short partner. TURF CARE The Home of Golf isn’t the only home where Toro resides. Turf Care Products Canada 200 PONY DRIVE, NEWMARKET, ONTARIO L3Y 7B6 • PHONE (905) 836-0988 FAX (905) 836-6442 London Mississauga Scarborough Gloucester Ph: (519) 668-7664 Fax: (519) 668-3722 Ph: (905) 890-6290 Fax: (905) 890-5598 Ph: (416) 298-2101 Fax: (416) 298-8758 Ph: (613) 822-1881 Fax: (613) 822-2099 Championship courses all over the world, including St. Andrews Links in Scodand, choose Toro turf equipment and irrigation systems to help maintain optimum turf playing conditions. As a major supplier to the courses hosting the Canadian Open over the past few years, we are passionate about golf - and healthy turf. For over 88 years, Toro has provided innovative, high-quality solutions to golf courses, parks, and individual lawns throughout the world. To help grow and maintain your turf, choose Toro as your official supplier. www. turfcare.ca