August 2005 Green is Beautiful The Official Publication of Ontario Golf Superintendents' Association Presidents' Day Springfield G&CC Recognized for Environmental Excellence Dr. Joe Vargas visits St. Thomas Golf & Country Club International Turf Research Conference in Wales CANADA POST PUBLICATIONS MAIL PUBLICATIONS AGREEMENT No. 40027105 Postmaster: Please return undeliverable copies to The OGSA, 328 Victoria Rd. S., Guelph, ON N1H 6H8 Contents Green is 37th Presidents' Day.................................................................. 16 Above the hole......................................................................................... 26 Beautiful The Official Publication of Ontario Golf Superintendents ’ Association Editor's message ..................................................................................... 6 From roots to shoots............................................................................... 10 Greens and Dreams................................................................................ 4 Golf course highlight - Scarboro G & CC............................................ 15 Health & safety......................................................................................... 12 Looking back............................................................................................. 31 Member profile: Barry Endicott, Scarboro G & CC..........................14 Off the fairway......................................................................................... 28 President's message............................................................................... 3 Springfield Golf & Country Club......................................................... 13 Turf or consequences...............................................................................29 University of Guelph update............................................................... 8 Welcome to Wales.................................................................................. 9 What's new .............................................................................................. 6 COVER PICTURE Scarboro Golf & Country Club Advertisers Signature Hole #4 photo supplied by Scarboro G&CC All Turf Ltd................................................................................................. 31 Almack Agronomic Services Inc......................................................... 28 Bartlett Tree Experts - Canada.......................................................... 7 Braemar Building Systems.................................................................. 20 Burnside Golf Services...........................................................................31 DCS Agronomic Services..................................................................... 9 Engage Agro............................................................................................ 24 G.C. Duke Equipment Ltd..................................................................... 26 Green Horizons Group of Farms........................................................23 Heron Instruments Inc........................................................................... 25 Maple Turf Supply.............................................................................. 9,29 Master's Turf Supply Ltd....................................................................... 28 Nu-Gro........................................................................................................ 30 Nu-Gro - ProTurf ..................................................................................... 18 Nu-Gro - Nitroform.................................................................................22 Ontario Seed Company........................................................................ 7 P.E.S.T. Institute, The............................................................................. 7 Pumptronics Incorporated.................................................................. 12 OGSA is committed to Skyway Lawn Equipment Limited.................................................... 29 serving its members, Syngenta - Banner MAXX.................................................................... 11 advancing their profession, Syngenta - Heritage...............................................................................27 Turf Care Products Canada - Irrigation Div..................................... 21 and Turf Care Products Canada.................................................................. 32 enriching the quality United Agri Products.............................................................................20 of golf Vanden Bussche Irrigation................................................................. 5 and its environment. Zander Sod Co. Limited...................................................................... 19 President's message One of the most rewarding attributes of being a member of our association is the networking opportunities that are available to us. This season, more ONTARIO GOLF SUPERINTENDENTS’ difficult than most in Ontario, is an excellent opportunity by Paul Scenna ASSOCIATION Donalda Club Guelph Turfgrass Institute to talk to colleagues and associates about strategies and 328 Victoria Road South Guelph, ON N1H6H8 innovations. “None of us are as smart as all of us” is a Ph: 519-767-3341 philosophy that can be easily practiced and encouraged Toll Free: 877-824-6472 Fax: 519-766-1704 through the OGSA. Email: ogsa@gti.uoguelph.ca I have the privilege to announce Mr. Glenn Goodwin as an Honorary Website: www.golfsupers.on.ca Member. I have previously mentioned Glenn as a great contributor to the BOARD OF DIRECTORS President: Paul Scenna game and our association. Glenn has founded amateur tournaments such as Past President: Rob Ackermann the Toronto Star, Kings and Queens and more recently the Greens and Dreams Vice-President: Bob Burrows program. Congratulations Glenn; we are honoured to have you. Be sure to Treasurer: Sean DeSilva Secretary: Jeff Stauffer read the article written about Glenn on page 4. DIRECTORS Jeff Alexander Once again, we are accepting nominations for our "William Sansom" Chris Andrejicka Distinguished Service Award. I encourage you to get your nominations in as Jarrod Barakett Randy Booker soon as possible. The deadline date is October 1, 2005. We have some very Doug Breen deserving individuals in our profession, and our association would like to Trevor Clapperton Rob Gatto recognize them at our upcoming Conference and Trade Show in January. OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Dorothy Hills Pat Thomas Deborah Badger Layout, Design "William Sansom" & Printing provided by... Distinguished Service Award GRAPHIC The OGSA shall present an award of Distinguished SERVICES PRINTERS & LITHOGRAPHERS Service, in the name of our first president William “Quality you can See!” GREEN IS BEAUTIFUL EDITORIAL Sansom, to an individual or individuals who have COMMITTEE Tel: 519.763.5745 John Bladon, Editor made an outstanding contribution to the Fax: 519.763.9532 Doug Breen, Assistant Editor advancement of the golf course superintendent's 32-34 Essex Street Dorothy Hills, Coordinating Manager Guelph, ON N1H 3K8 profession. The contribution must be significant in info@graphicservices.ca Greig Barker both substance and duration and may be regional or www.graphicservices.ca Angelo Capannelli Jason Hanna national in nature. This contribution must be held in Brian Haum the highest regard and reflect credit upon our Scott Horsburgh profession. Mark Prieur Bill Green Scott Sleep Nomination forms are now available on our Web site, Jeff Stauffer in the “Members Only” section under “Scholarships”. If you would like to nominate someone and cannot “Green is Beautiful” Green is Beautiful 2005 download the form, call the office and they will mail is Printed on Although every effort is made to check Recycled Paper material for publication, the association is one out to you. not responsible for material published on behalf of its contributors. All rights are reserved by the publisher Deadline is October 1, 2005 and any reproduction in whole or part without the written permission of the publisher is prohibited. Greens and Dreams by Brent Long reprinted with permission from Toronto Golf Magazine The most important man in Toronto amateur golf, Glenn Goodwin has been giving back to the game for almost 20years, and there’s more to come... For as long as Glenn Goodwin can remember, life has always been about greens and dreams. As a youngster living in the tiny hamlet of Union, near St. Thomas, Goodwin found solace hitting balls in a grassy field across the street from the local United Church. His father had recently died of a heart attack and his mother, Lois, had moved Glenn Glenn Goodwin at right pictured with one of the kings of Canadian and his sister Donna to Union from St. Thomas as the golf Dick Grimm and the reigning queen, Marlene Stewart Streit family sought to pick up the pieces. Once in a while, Goodwin still drives by his field of “Growing up, I never went to a mall,” he recalls. “I would dreams and takes a journey back in time to a place that leave my home—one kilometre away from the golf club— shaped his future. “It was my Augusta National,” says the very early every day while it was still dark. I would often skip Etobicoke resident, who is highly regarded today as “Mr. school when there was a tournament in order to get to the Amateur Golf’ in the GTA, since founding both the Greater golf club first, sitting on the steps at the side of the Toronto Area Golf Association in 1998 and the Toronto Star clubhouse where the caddies hung out, waiting for a bag. I Amateur men’s and women’s championships. Goodwin is lived for all the things that the golf course gave me— also launching Kings & Queens, a new senior amateur event solitude, protection and a setting to die for. This is why September 12-14 at Weston G&CC that will be highlighted access for today’s youth is so important to me. It wasn’t • by the attendance of the World Golf Hall of Famers it’s about playing the game—luckily something I was able to do named after: Arnold Palmer and Canadian icon Marlene in later years—it was more about what I learned from being Stewart Streit. Further, the 50-year-old is about to unveil a exposed to that environment. national junior tournament, the Kern Cup, in 2006, and has It was little wonder that Goodwin gravitated in that created the Greens & Dreams Charitable Foundation, direction, given that the environment at home had become which will support children’s hospitals and junior golfers a source of tension. My mother remarried a monster - a across Canada. very abusive man,” he recalls. “There was a great deal of While he’s created entertainment and opportunity for turmoil in our lives.” the masses, golf was nothing short of his salvation in Goodwin, though, found guidance and respect at the Goodwin’s formative years. “Golf saved my life as a course. “ The golfers were like father figures to me,” he youngster,” he says. “When my father died, we were living in says. They were successful businessmen and were eager to a rough neighborhood in St. Thomas. Kids can be pretty give advice if you worked hard to be the best caddie you mean, and I was beaten up on a daily basis by bullies who could be. And you learned the beauty of etiquette, which, knew I had no one to defend me. After moving, my mother for the most part in life these days, you never get to witness. worked two jobs—she was never home—in order to make I was so lucky to have been born in the right era, when golf ends meet.” courses did not have electric carts. Wherever there is a club Goodwin would retreat to the field to find comfort. It was with a caddie program, I know that every day someone’s there that he met Steve Ferguson. They became fast greens and dreams are coming true. They may not realize friends, Ferguson playing the part of Ben Hogan to it early on like I did, but they will.” Goodwin’s Gary Player. In that grassy sanctuary they would The closer Goodwin got to the game, the more inspired contest their own private Masters tournaments, sometimes he became. He received his first club, a five-iron, from a logging 50 or more holes in a day. neighbour after her husband died, then picked up his Sensing her son’s growing passion for the game, Lois second club, a seven-iron, from a bargain barrel of used drove nine-year-old Glenn to nearby St. Thomas G&CC one equipment at St. Thomas for two dollars. The following morning and asked head professional Tom Pullen if her son summer, he waited for hours near the first tee for his first could have a job caddying. Club rules stipulated that glimpse of a “big name golfer” as the club hosted its Early caddies had to be 10, but Pullen bent them sufficiently to Bird invitational. Kitchener native Gary Cowan had just allow Goodwin to hang out at the course. returned to Canada after finishing as the low amateur at the “I spent every sunlit hour hunting for golf balls in corn 1964 Masters. Goodwin watched in awe as Cowan fields, gullies, and, of course, Kettle Creek on the 14th approached the tee. “He teed it up, and that was the first hole,” Goodwin reminisces. “Back in the ‘60s, the creek was time I ever heard [that type of sound at contact]. It was a wider and a bit deeper than it is today. The great thing thud. He crushed it, and the ball wobbled as it took flight. about it was that at least half the golfers would hit their balls It went so high in the air that I swear that nobody saw it into that creek, and I would rush over before the current land,” says Goodwin, who would meet—and play golf with— took it downstream, find them with my toes, then throw his hero 35 years later at St. George’s G&CC. On that rainy them back to the golfers. They, in turn, would leave a nickel day in 1999, Goodwin unstrapped Cowan’s clubs from the or a dime on the bridge for me. ” golf cart on the third hole (a short downhill par-3), slung “I’m having a lot of fun trying to do something that is them over his shoulder and carried out a childhood dream, good for the city, that’s good for golf,” Goodwin says. “Step lugging Cowan’s bag for one hole. “As we walked together, by step, as time goes by, things keep on evolving. That’s I told him the story about how my dad had just died, and the what’s fascinating.” influence he (Gary) had had on my life when I watched him He’s had some inspiration along the way. When Goodwin at St. Thomas,” Goodwin says. A few holes later, Cowan gave announced the creation of the Toronto city championship, Goodwin his very first golf lesson, and by the end of the former Devil’s Pulpit Director of Golf, Ben Kern called him round, Cowan agreed to be an advisor for the GTAGA and to say he wished there’d been something like that when he the Toronto Star Amateur. was going to high school, and offered to help in any way he “I always knew the golf gods would look after me and could. Recalling Kern’s ability to interact with youngsters, guide me,” says Goodwin, although there’s actually reason Goodwin named his junior event, which he hopes will one to believe they had already been doing so for some time. At day be international in stature, in Kern’s honour. The age 15, he began working at Mother’s Pizza—a minimum 90 inaugural tournament will be staged at Glen Abbey GC next hours a week at $1.35 an hour. Four years later, he was year. There will be a pro-am in conjunction with the event travelling through Cambridge, training staff at other shops to honour Canadian golf legend Dick Grimm. Even the in the chain, when he met a wonderful young woman who Abbey’s architect, Jack Nicklaus, has been invited. Nobody took his breath away. Their first date was at a local golf club. can ever accuse Goodwin of thinking small. Which brings Janice didn’t golf. It didn’t matter. They tried it for a us back to the impending arrival of Palmer, who will be on couple of holes and decided to go to the pro shop and have hand during the Kings & Queens event to also mark the a soda. They talked for hours and shared their dreams, and 50th anniversary of his first PGA Tour win, the 1955 31 years later the magic is still there. “My wife’s best line is Canadian Open at Weston. ‘Glenn, you are a hard worker, you’re very passionate. If you And then there’s Streit. When Goodwin walked by her create something from your heart, as I know you will, publicly-displayed locker at the World Golf Hall of Fame in people will vote with their feet.’ She meant they’d come out St. Augustine, Florida, after her induction ceremony late to play in or support the events. I think about that line every last year, he noticed that Streit had included a Toronto Star day,” says the 30-year Torstar Media Group senior sales Amateur golf hat as part of the collection. “It blew me away,” executive. says Goodwin, who still gets glossy-eyed recounting the In 1986, Goodwin organized the first Torwest Inter-Club moment. Matches among four of Toronto’s elite private clubs—his Proceeds from the Kings & Queens event will go to the home course of Islington GC, St. George’s G&CC, Weston Greens & Dreams fund. G&CC and Lambton G&CC. This year, along with Credit “Years ago, when I was asked by a reporter what golf Valley G&CC and The National Golf Club of Canada, meant to me, I responded with those two words: greens and Torwest celebrates its 20th anniversary. dreams. They came from my ‘growing-up years’—9 to 14— The concept for developing the GTAGA and North the years that are so critical in shaping a youth’s mind. Each America’s premier city championship, the Toronto Star word has so many meanings, and regardless of one’s age, Amateur, evolved out of the success of those inter-club gender or ability, everyone who has been exposed to golf matches. In seven years, the association has grown to over and who has become addicted to the sport, can relate to 150 member clubs, while the male and female tourneys are them. highly regarded in amateur circles and supported by the “That charity is going to be the most important thing I Royal Canadian Golf Association and the Golf Association ever do,” Goodwin predicts. “Where it goes, I do not know.” of Ontario. The Intelligent Use of Water Upgrades, Renovations & New Installations From evaluation and design to implementation, Vanden Bussche Irrigation and Rain Bird will partner with you to succeed in achieving your irrigation goals. Milton 1.800.263.4112 www.vandenbussche.com King City 1.866.703.KING Editor's message as the season of 2005 progresses, Well encapsulation of the career of Mr Keith Nisbet; clearly he we can now all begin to anticipate cooler will be missed by both his family and the turfgrass industry. nights on the horizon. We also have highlights from both the Spring Field Day, at As the season’s end draws nearer, think Guelph Lakes and the Presidents’ Day, at Scarboro. Pam of what you may be able to contribute in Charbonneau and Marie Thorne enlighten us on their trip the way of articles or photos from one of to Wales for the International Turfgrass Conference, and the most challenging season’s most can this issue’s Member Profile is of long time contributor Barry by John Bladon remember. What have you been doing Endicott. Finally, we have a submission on Ray Duke and his Nu-Gro Corporation that is innovative culturally, agronomically team at Springfield as they have been recognized for or otherwise? We would like to hear from you. environmental excellence. This edition of Green is Beautiful contains an What's new Passing the torch to a new crop of eager (payable to the OAC Alumni Foundation) or Visa or Master students Card # and Exp. Date to: Alumni House, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1. Please include with After 37 years of teaching and research, Norman your payment, a sheet indicating: The Norman E. McCollum of the Guelph Turfgrass Institute (GTI) will be McCollum Turfgrass Diplomas Entrance Scholarship; the retiring in January, 2006 and passing the torch to a new crop amount of your commitment; your name; address; phone of turfgrass specialists. Although Norman will no longer be number; your signature and date. OR you can download a involved in the day-to-day operations of the Institute, his pdf form from the GTI web site. passion for his profession will continue with the establishment of the Norman E. McCollum Turfgrass The Guelph Turfgrass Institute will be holding an afternoon Diploma Entrance Scholarship Award. reception for Norman on Thursday, October 27th at the Norman McCollum retires as Superintendent of Research Victoria Park Golf Club East, in Guelph. For full details of for the GTI. He graduated in 1966 with an Associate this event please go to the G.T.I. web site: Diploma in Agriculture from the Ontario Agricultural www.uoguelph.ca/GTI . Hope you’ll come out to help College, University of Guelph and then graduated from the Norm celebrate his retirement. Niagara Parks Commission School of Horticulture, magna cum laude. Norman began his career as a Turfgrass Having a problem with your turf? Research Technician with Dr. Jack L. Eggens in 1969 with the University of Guelph. Turf information is available to you.... it’s as easy as a click of One of Norman’s chief professional accomplishments was a button. Pam Charbonneau provides a weekly agriphone in helping to establish the Turf Manager’s Short Course message, free of charge. Anyone who goes to the link can offered through University of Guelph’s Open Learning click on the “subscribe button”and then they will automatically Department. During his 35 years of teaching the course, get an email message everytime Pam posts a new turf over 2,000 individuals have benefited from Norman’s agriphone message. Follow this link to this week’s expertise and guidance. agriphone message http://apps.omafra.gov.on.ca/ Norman has also been recognized for his support of scripts/english/crops/agriphone/article.asp?ID=1150 students throughout the years by being named honorary class president for 10 diploma classes - OAC 79A, 80A, 81 A, If you have any questions for Pam, she can be contacted at: 83A, 85A, 87A, 93A, 95A, 97A and 2000A. Norman can also add scores of awards and recognition to his long list of Pamela Charbonneau accomplishments including those from the Royal OMAFRA Turfgrass Specialist, Agricultural Winter Fair, Ontario Ministry of Transportation The Guelph Turfgrass Institute and Municipal Engineers Association, the Ontario Golf 328 Victoria Rd. South Superintendents’ Association and the International Guelph, ON, N1H 3E1 Turfgrass Society. (519) 824-4120x52597 In celebration of Norman’s lifetime achievements, (519) 766-1704 FAX donations to the Norman E. McCollum Turfgrass Diploma Turf Agriphone (888)-290-4441 Entrance Scholarship are welcomed. All gifts received email: pamela.charbonneau@omaf.gov.on.ca qualify for income tax credit. Please send your cheque web site: www.gov.on.ca/OMAF/english/crops/hort/turf.html Brookside Laboratories Awards Dave Smith of D.C.S. Agronomic Services was awarded ‘Associate of the Year’ by Brookside Laboratories Inc. at their Annual International Consultants Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. This prestigious award is presented by Brookside Laboratories’ Board of Directors to recognize the continuous Welcome! professional efforts of a Brookside Consultant. Congratulations and well deserved O.G.S.A. Welcomes Dave! our newest members Perry Brazeau Class A Corrie Almack of Almack Agronomic Services Inc. received the ‘Bent Probe Emerald Hills Golf Club Award’, which recognizes the efforts of a consultant and their shipping/packaging practices. With the large volume of soil tests completed in the lab, well organized Kevin Collier Class C and neat samples are appreciated and recognized by the lab practitioners. King Valley Golf Club Congratulations Corrie! Jonathan Dewaele Class Supt Nu-Gro Appreciation Day Willows Golf Club Nu-Gro Canada Incorporated held its 15th Annual Customer Appreciation Golf Andrew Morin Class Supt Tournament on Tuesday, June 14, 2005 at Heron Point Golf Links in Ancaster, Bathurst Glen Golf Course Ontario. The weather provided a beautiful day and the event was again, deemed a success by all participants. After enjoying a beautifully prepared course by Lindsay Oliver Class C Superintendent Mike Burton and his team, the field retreated to the cooler The Ladies GC of Toronto confines of the clubhouse for dinner and prize presentations. Each participant took home a personal swing analysis report that positioned each stage of their Erik Vaughan Class A swing against the same stage of Tiger Woods’ swing, so they could see exactly Brant Valley Golf Club where they needed improvement. Atlantic Industries Ltd. Doug Roy Class E Jim Hosick Class E SPECIALIZING IN PESTICIDE EDUCATION Landscape Architect & SERVICE TECHNOLOGY Golf Greens "Fore" U Canada LAND Doug Kramer Class E EXTERMINATOR (LANDSCAPE CATEGORY) PESTICIDE CERTIFICATION COURSES December.......................... 5- 9, 2005 February....................................... 13-17,2006 March (London)................. 6-10, 2006 Can Construction Damage March........................................... 13-17,2006 to Trees be Prevented? March (Ottawa)............... 20-24, 2006 Yes, many existing trees can be saved! April............................................... 10-14,2006 The key is to plan ahead. OUR ARBORIST WILL: WATER • Review construction plans and EXTERMINATOR make suggestions For All Your (MOSQUITO/BITING FLY) • Prepare trees for the construction phase February.......................... 20-26, 2006 • Develop a post-construction Golf Course Needs! All courses held in North York except maintenance program where noted Don't entrust your tree to anyone but experts - Turf seed, Pesticides, Nutrite Fertilizers Bartlett Tree Experts- naturally! and Bayco Golf Accessories Gov't exam held on Monday following each course. Instructor: Paul G. Pilley, B.Sc., M. P. M. Toronto • (416) 657-2059 P.O. Box 7, Waterloo, Ont. N2J 3Z6 Bracebridge • (705) 646-8733 Tel: (519) 886-0557 Fax: (519) 886-0605 Gravenhurst • (705) 687-0696 1-800465-5849 Email: seeds@oscseeds.com Huntsville • (705) 789-0929 For more information and a brochure contact: www.bartlett.com Victor Freiberg Ken Graham P.O. Box 1021 Lindsay, Ontario K9V 5N4 BACKED BY THE BARTLETT TREE RESEARCH Trevor Hunter A. Kent McDonald E-mail: ppilley@cogeco.ca LABORATORIES AND EXPERIMENTAL David Schmelefske Tel: (705) 324-PEST (7378) Fax: (705) 324-9729 GROUNDS, CHARLOTTE, NC University of Guelph update by Eric Lyons, Assistant Professor Department of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph For those of you who missed the OGSA Spring Field Day, held not. It will help Darragh identify any common elements in at the Guelph Lakes Golf & Country Club in June, here is a practices that either encourage or discourage moss summary of the education and research update presented by Dr. encroachment. Eric Lyons at the event. A new project is related to the sequestration (capture) of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide has increased Diploma Education in the atmosphere as a result of human activity and is a The first class has graduated from the new Associate Diploma significant contributor to the greenhouse effect. It is called the in Turfgrass Management program but we still need your help to greenhouse effect because the carbon dioxide and other gases keep the program growing and relevant to the turf industry. hold the sun’s heat close to the earth rather than allowing it to Industry professionals can help by encouraging keen young staff be radiated away from the earth. It is the primary cause of global to pursue a career in turf management and direct them to the warming. University of Guelph program. We also need your assistance in Canada has signed the Kyoto Accord which restricts future providing good internship placements during the compulsory production of greenhouse gases and is expected to create a work term between the first and second year of the program. market for carbon dioxide credits. In other words, if the There are also lots of opportunities for industry people to activities of your business capture carbon dioxide, you can sell become involved in the on-campus component of the program. these credits to someone else who engages in an activity that If you are interested in being a guest speaker in the diploma creates carbon dioxide. The project Dr. Lyons is working on will program, contact Dr. Eric Lyons (elyons@uoguelph.ca) or Rob investigate the ability of turf to fix carbon dioxide. The project Witherspoon, Program Director (robwith@uoguelph.ca). also includes a study of carbon sequestration by hybrid poplars and willows under the direction of the agro-forestry research Research group. If grass is shown to be a net “fixer” of carbon dioxide, it There are lots of new projects on the go out at the Guelph could mean that golf courses and other turf areas may qualify for Turfgrass Institute and beyond this summer. These include the carbon credits, not to mention the positive environmental evaluation of new wetting agent trials, biostimulants, benefit of healthy turf that could be promoted. leatheijacket control and an alternative bioherbicide. The There are many changes happening at the University of bioherbicide project is particularly interesting as it has the Guelph. Dr. Clarence Swanton who was instrumental in getting potential to be an effective broadleaf weed control in areas where the new turf diploma program going as well as hiring Dr. Lyons conventional herbicides cannot be used. and Dr. Katerina Jordan who will be joining us later this summer, Dr. Lyon’s two graduate students have begun their field work. has stepped down as Chair of the Department of Plant Evan Elford is studying the effect of perennial ryegrass Agriculture after a ten year term. His interim replacement is Dr. overseeding on weed suppression in Kentucky bluegrass and has Gary Ablett who is equally enthusiastic about turf. Eric also met plots at the GTI as well as several municipal sports field sites. recently with Dr. Alistair Summerlea, the President of the Darragh McGowan is studying moss and how it becomes a University of Guelph, and the senior administration is using the problem on golf greens. Turf managers are encouraged to GTI as a model of how the university can work with industry and complete the moss survey (www.uoguelph.ca/GTI/ the provincial government to develop a relevant and effective moss_survey_front.html) whether you have a moss problem or research model. Trial Gardens Open House at the G.T.I. The Trial Gardens at the Guelph Turfgrass Institute were open to the public on the afternoon and evening of August 4th. Visitors were invited to brouse the grounds and ask gardening questions of the experts. Rodger Tschanz, Trial Garden Manager and his crew, Gareth Davis and Neil Webster toiled throuout the extreme heat of the summer to provide a marvelous profusion of plants and flowers for our viewing pleasure. If you have any questions, you can reach Rodger at the following: Rodger Tschanz, Trial Garden Manager Department of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph Phone 519-824-4120 ext.52788 Email: rtschanz@uoguelph.ca Photo by Deborah Badger Welcome to Wales (Croeso I Gymru) and the 10th International Turfgrass Research Conference by R. Marie Thorne Senior Turfgrass Specialist, Syngenta Crop Protection Canada, Inc. Marie spends much of her time consulting with golf course superintendents across Canada. Put 300 turfgrass researchers under one roof at the North Wales Conference Center, and you have set the stage for the International Turfgrass Research Conference, the Olympics of the turfgrass industry, held every four years at a select site around the world. This year, Llandudno, known best as the Queen of the Welsh resorts, played hostess to this quadrennial event. It is a haven of peace and tranquillity, surrounded by the sea, mountains and lakes. The ambiance of Llandudno blended well with the academia of the turfgrass world. Canada was very well represented with representatives from the GTI, OMAFRA, University of Guelph, Olds College and the RCGA. Two thirds of the attendees were from the United States, the mothership of turf research. Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Japan, UK and the Scandinavian countries were also represented with a diverse selection of various research IPM, or holistic approach to turfgrass management which reserves interests from around the world. the right for the superintendent to make appropriate choices, is a common theme around the world. There were several technical tours mid week, which brought delegates to various venues including, cricket pitches, turf race courses, the Sports Turf Research Institute, the UK and Europe’s leading turfgrass research facility and tours of area golf courses. One of the stops on the golf course tour was Heswall Golf Course, a links and parkland style layout, founded in 1902. The tour was led by Guy Cannings, Head Green Keeper. I had the pleasure of walking the fairways with Guy to experience firsthand, the differences in maintenance practices relative to North American standards. It was very interesting to hear how he and his staff of 5, manage an 18 hole track, with non-irrigated poa/fescue fairways. The major disease issue over in the UK is fusarium in the spring and fall, second in line is fairy ring followed by anthracnose rearing its ugly head from time to time. On Tuesday night at the conference, delegates were treated to a Opening ceremonies included a warm welcome from the Mayor of social event at Kinmel Manor in Abergele. This represented a Llandudno, a pictorial history of the town and the surrounding area wonderful opportunity to network with some of the most pre­ by the former Mayor, and greetings from Bill Adams, President of the eminent scientists in our business and to foster long term 10th ITRC and professor at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. The relationships. plenary session was given by his eminence, Dr. James Beard, Throughout the course of the week, poster sessions were International Turfgrass Society historian, and one of the most well conducted which also gave the attendees an opportunity to quiz the respected turf researchers on this planet. Dr. Beard spoke of researchers on their work. In total, 139 posters were displayed with Turfgrass Culture and Evolution at St. Andrews Golf Links. Listening research focused on establishment and maintenance, weeds, to Dr. Beard was fascinating as he extolled the history and evolution diseases, soil biology/chemistry and plant nutrition, soil physics, of golf course maintenance at this world famous club. Expect to see physiology and information technology and education. It was truly a a new book written by Dr. Beard on St. Andrews which is expected to smorgasboard of turfgrass expertise and knowledge. be published next year. It will be a valuable addition to any golf The next stop for the 11th International Turfgrass research superintendent’s reference library. conference will be in Chile in 2009. Plans are already in progress to The daily presentations were categorized into several different ensure the success of this event. No doubt the audience will be symposia theme’s from managing turf without protection chemicals, treated once again, to a unique learning experience and truly a to breeding and genetics, and turf in the urban environment. The global educational event. Simon George Technical Sales Maple Turf Supply Business: (905) 857-2000 David C. Smith, A.Ag., C.G.C.S. 185 Oriole Crescent Soil & Turfgrass Consultant Gravenhurst, Ontario 8112 King Rd. W. Fax: (905) 857-8215 P1P1C6 P.O. Box 370 Mobile: (519) 841-3378 Bolton, Ontario 1-800-268-4425 Office (705) 687-SOIL (7645) L7E 5T3 sg142@hotmail.cpm Fax (705) 687-3518 Toll Free 1-888-607-TURF (8873) Cell (905) 512-6004 Email d