Green is May 2007 Beautiful The Official Publication of Ontario Golf Superintendents’ Association TREE MANAGEMENT Inside this Issue... Research on Annual Bluegrass Pests Understanding Take All Patch CANADA POST PUBLICATIONS MAIL Green Start Academy PUBLICATIONS AGREEMENT No. 40027105 Postmaster: Please return undeliverable copies to The OGSA, 328 Victoria Rd. S., Guelph, ON N1H 6H8 Science elevated to an art form. Start with a highly effective active ingredient and engineer a premium formulation. The result? Daconil ULTREX, a new formulation that's easy to use, requires no triple rinsing and contains WeatherStik™ for exceptional stick & stay protection against 7 tough turf diseases. With Daconil ULTREX, save time while creating picture perfect conditions. Call 1-888-368-4211 x5525 to contact your local Syngenta Turf Specialist and learn more about Daconil Ultrex. www.syngenta.ca - www.engageagro.com Important: Always read and follow label instructions. ©2007 Syngenta Group Company. GreenPartners®, Daconil®Ultrex, Weatherstik™ and the Syngenta logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. Frame credit Joe0876 www.bigstockphoto.com President's message Spring is always an exciting time for any golf course superintendent as we make the transition from thinking and planning, to implementation. One of the great things about being a superintendent in Ontario is that every year in April and May we essentially get a new beginning. All of the challenges and stress from the previous year are now ONTARIO GOLF SUPERINTENDENTS’ behind us and hopefully we all learn from our mistakes by Sean DeSilva, ASSOCIATION Coppinwood Golf Club Guelph Turfgrass Institute and past experience, moving forward. As each year 328 Victoria Road South progresses we should become better communicators, Guelph, ON N1H6H8 Ph: 519-767-3341 managers, planners, and more knowledgeable about our properties. In theory, Toll Free: 877-824-6472 this should result in better golf course conditions for our members, their guests Fax: 519-766-1704 and paying public alike. Email: ogsa@gti.uoguelph.ca The Ontario Golf Superintendents’ Association can be thought of in the Website: www.golfsupers.on.ca same light. Every year there is a new structure and look to the Board of BOARD OF DIRECTORS Directors working towards common goals outlined in our strategic long range President : Sean DeSilva plan. At our first board meeting we establish goals for each portfolio moving Past President: Bob Burrows forward. We also look at our success and failures from the past to help us Vice-President: Jeff Stauffer become better communicators, directors, planners, and to learn much more Treasurer: Randy Booker Secretary: Jeff Alexander about our membership. Directors: Chris Andrejicka I would like to thank all of you who recently filled out the conference survey Jarrod Barakett to assist us with planning and better serving our membership in the future. The Doug Breen conference planning committee, chaired by Randy Booker, is well underway Trevor Clapperton with securing speakers for the 2008 event, being held at the Sheraton Centre Rob Gatto in Toronto. Jennifer Pendrith Our first event of the 2007 year took place at North Halton Golf and Country Randy Twyman Club on Wednesday March 21st. Special thanks go out to Dean Baker, his staff, Executive Mgr Dorothy Hills and club officials for hosting a fun filled day of curling. As 2007 moves forward Office Staff Pat Thomas we have an outstanding line up of golf events that I urge you to participate in. Deborah Badger In the next two months we have the Cam/Am Challenge at Ambassador Golf Club, the Pro/Super event at Devil’s Pulpit, and the Spring Field Day at Ariss Valley. I would like to thank both the superintendents and club officials for their support of our association and members. One of our goals for 2007 is to raise the profile of the golf course superintendents not only within the golf industry, but to the golfing public as well. The Ontario Golf Superintendents’ Association will be running two ads in the Ontario Golf magazine in the spring and mid summer, to help increase GREEN IS BEAUTIFUL EDITORIAL awareness of our contribution to the game of golf. Many thanks go out to Jeff COMMITTEE Alexander for leading this initiative. Chris Andrejicka, Co-Editor I would like to take the opportunity to wish you all a successful and John Bladon, Co-Editor Dorothy Hills, Coordinating Manager prosperous 2007 golf season at your own respective clubs. The OGSA also has Greig Barker a lot to look forward to as we proceed on behalf of our membership. Tom Brain Doug Davidson Paul Grotier Brett Murray Direct Line 416-659-1020 Jason Hanna Manager Fax Line 519-941-0931 Scott Horsburgh “Green is Beautiful” Justin Parsons P.O. Box 218 is Printed on Orangeville, ON Recycled Paper Green is Beautiful 2007 L9W 2Z6 Although every effort is made to check material for publication, the association is not responsible for material published on behalf of its contributors. All rights are reserved by the publisher and any reproduction in whole or part without the written permission of the publisher is prohibited. Although some trade names may be mentioned in articles contained in this publication, no endorsement is intended or brett.murray@sympatico.ca implied by the Ontario Golf Superintendents' Association. Contents Green is Beautiful Tree Management Strategies........................................................ 20 Above the hole ....................................................................................... 31 Editorial message................................. 5 The Official Publication of Ontario Golf Superintendents ’ Association From roots to shoots............................................................................. 10 Golf course highlight - Ambassador Golf Club ............................... 19 Green Start Academy............................................................................ 24 Health & safety........................................................................................ 12 Looking back........................................................................................... 37 Member Profile - Doug Breen .............................................................. 17 Off the fairway........................................................................................ 36 On the reel side of things .................................................................... 34 Ontario Regualtions 94/102 and 94/103 ............................................. 28 President's message............................................................................... 3 Research on Annual Bluegrass Pests ................................................. 22 Tea Anyone.............................................................................................. 29 Turf or consequences............................................................................. 38 University of Guelph update................................................................ 32 What's new............................................................................................... 6 Advertisers COVER PICTURE Ambassador Golf Club Photo by Clive Barber Agrium Advanced Technologies - Eagle........................................... 33 Professional Photographer Agrium Advanced Technologies - ProTurf........................................ 39 Agrium Advanced Technologies ........................................................ 36 Almack Agronomic Services Inc.......................................................... 37 Bartlett Tree Experts - Canada............................................................. 23 Bayer Envrionmental Science - Aliette Signature ......................... 11 Bayer Envrionmental Science - Compass......................................... 26 Bayer Envrionmental Science - Rovral GT ....................................... 35 Braemar Building Systems................................................................... 13 Burnside Golf Services.......................................................................... 23 DCS Agronomic Services....................................................................... 34 Douglas Wood Large Tree Services.................................................... 36 Fast Forest........................................ 25 GC Duke Equipment Ltd........................................................................ 18 Green Horizons Group of Farms......................................................... 5 Growers Choice....................................................................................... 25 OGSA is committed to H & M Turf Ltd.......................................................................................... 3 serving its members, Manderley Turf Products Inc................................................................ 12 advancing their profession, Maple Turf Supply.............................................................................12, 29 Maple Turf Supply - Uflex ................................................................... 27 and Master's Turf Supply Ltd....................................................................... 34 enriching the quality Nutrite ..................................................................................................... 14 of golf Ontario Seed Company Ltd.................................................................. 5 Plant Products ........................................................................................ 33 and its environment. Skyway Lawn Equipment Limited...................................................... 37 Syngenta - Banner Maxx...................................................................... 15 Syngenta - Daconil Ultrex ................................................................... 2 Layout, Design & Printing provided by Syngenta - Primo Maxx........................................................................ 30 G-R-A-P-H-I-C SERVICES PRINTERS & LITHOGRAPHERS Turf Care Products Canada - Irrigation Div....................................... 9 Tel: 519.763.5745 • Fax: 519.763.9532 Turf Care Products Canada................................................................... 40 32-34 Essex Street • Guelph, Ontario • N1H 3K8 UAP Canada Inc........................................................................................ 31 e-mail: info@graphicservices.ca • Vanden Bussche Irrigation................................................................... 10 www.graphicservices.ca Zander Sod Co. Limited........................................................................ 16 Editorial message Obsessed with Customer Service? pring in Ontario certainly gets S us all excited about the upcoming golfing season doesn’t it? Well, spring weather teased us in March and then reality set back in as winter had one last word. I wish to say hello to all fellow OGSA members by Chris Andrejicka upon being appointed the new co­ Co-Editor editor’s portfolio. Going forward for this year John Bladon and I will share the editor’s responsibilities. Over the course of this past year’s conference calendar I had the opportunity to attend a GCSAA chapter editor’s Oh ya... session in Anaheim. It was a chance for all chapters who publish newsletters, magazines and other publications to Unique 3-D Sod Blend, network and get ideas and insights as to what different Superior Harvesting Technology, chapters do to communicate with their members. Well, it Customer First policy. didn’t take long before the OGSA stood out as having one of the most envied publications with Green is Beautiful. HAMILTON SOD COMPACT SOD Having brought samples to the group, they kept me busy MOUNT HOPE 905-389-1315 CAMBRIDGE 519-653-7494 answering questions about the OGSA and our successes as NIAGARA SOD ONTARIO SOD OAKVILLE HALTON SOD MILTON an informed and professional association. I would like to 905-849-1764 ST. CATHARINES 905-984-8448 905-878-1011 thank our advertisers, those who have written articles; everyone who contributes and makes Green is Beautiful the envy of our peers. We would like to thank Jason Pummell for his 330 Phillip St. Phone 519-886-0557 contributions to “Above the hole” over the past year and Waterloo, Ontario Fax 519-886-0605 N2J 3Z6 Toll Free 1-800-465-5849 welcome Rafik Lang-Bismillah as our incoming author of www.oscturf.com this regular article. Rafik is completing his first year in Check us out! the Turfgrass Management Diploma course at the 110 Years of Continued Service University of Guelph , while working on his family’s 9 hole golf course just north of Guelph. Dave Schmelefske - Central Region This month’s issue features a contribution from David 519-897-4423 dave@oscturf.com Kuypers on an issue which we all deal with, Tree Management. We also have an interesting read Trevor Hunter - Niagara Region concerning the options of leasing your golf course 519-897-8873 equipment. Paul Grotier and Jason Hanna give us a thunter@bell.blackberry.net summary of their two day visit at the inaugural Green Start Academy. The program is designed to further assistant Kent McDonald - Southwestern Region 519-870-6724 superintendents’ careers by teaching about management kent@bell.blackberry.net practices, innovative products, meeting industry experts and networking with peers from across the continent. Kenny Graham - Greater Toronto Our congratulations also go out to Zander Sod who are 416-670-7333 celebrating 50 years in the business. kennyg@bell.blackberry.net Of note, John Kaminski and Tom Hsiang have Victor Freiberg - Eastern Ontario announced a five-year North American research initiative 416-200-3029 on annual bluegrass pests. They are requesting turf victorf@bell.blackberry.net managers to do an online survey to assist them in this project. John Lamoureux- Ottawa Valley 613-298-4525 In closing, I would like to mention that we are still jl@bell.blackberry.net Turf Seed, looking to publish photos of the oldest turf equipment Fungicides, Insecticides, still in use on the golf course, with the name, a brief Herbicides, description and the year of the equipment. This can be Bayco Golf, emailed to Dorothy Hills at ogsa@gti.uoguelph.ca. I Umaxx Fertilizer, Wetting Agents. wish everyone good health and a great 2007 golfing season. What's new Audubon International This annual award is presented to recognize outstanding St. Thomas Golf & Country Club has retained its performance in sales and customer service. G.C. Duke designation as a “Certified Audubon Cooperative Equipment has been a 3-time winner of this award since Sanctuary” by the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System becoming a Jacobsen dealer in 1999. (ACSS), the educational division of Audubon International. Wade Beaudoin, Superintendent, led the OGSA Turf Tip Contest effort to maintain sanctuary status on this course and Share your experience with other OGSA members! If Audubon International has recognized him for you’ve got a creative tip for solving common golf course Environmental Stewardship. The St. Thomas Golf 8c problems, we’d love to post it on our website. Country Club was designated a Certified Audubon For every Turf Tip submitted, you’ll get a chance to win your Cooperative Sanctuary in 1999 and is one of 61 courses in choice of either: Canada, and 634 in the world to have received this honour. • Free registration to the Spring Field Day Event “St. Thomas Golf 8c Country Club has shown a strong (June 11, 2007, at Ariss Valley Golf 8c Country Club); or commitment to its environmental program, They are to be • $100 worth of OGSA merchandise commended for protecting the local watershed and preserving the natural heritage of the area by providing a Guidelines: Your Turf Tip must be submitted with a tide, and sanctuary for wildlife on the golf course property,” said be no more than 100 words long. Be sure to include your Shawn Williams, Staff Ecologist for the Audubon name, the name of your golf course or organization, and the Cooperative Sanctuary Programs. city where it’s located. GCSAA Named Association of the Year Deadline for submissions: May 31, 2007. The BoardRoom magazine has named the Golf Course Send your Turf Tip to Jennifer Pendrith at Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) as its 2006 jpendrith@kawarthagolf.ca association of the year. Winners in each category of its ninth annual Excellence in IGCEMA Achievement Awards will be featured in the May/June 2007 On September 1, 2006 equipment technicians from issue of The BoardRoom. around the world met together to form what is known today as the International Golf Course Equipment GCSAA Superintendent Cetification Managers Association (IGCEMA). This association was OGSA member, Douglas Meyer, GCSAA certified golf developed to enhance the profession of the equipment course superintendent at Beaconsfield Golf Club, Inc, Pointe technician, mechanic, equipment manager or any other Claire, Quebec, has completed the renewal process for names they have been called over the years. The maintaining his status as a Certified Golf Course association prides itself on providing education to these Superintendent (CGCS) with the Golf Course technicians all over the world through various channels. Superintendents Association of America. With technology changing and technicians becoming Meyer has been at Beaconsfield Golf Club, Inc. since 2002. more and more scarce it was decided that something A 31-year GCSAA member, he initially achieved his needed to be done to increase the education and the certification in 1983. Approximately 2,000 golf course career awareness of the equipment technician. We superintendents worldwide currently hold CGCS status. encourage every superintendent, greenskeeper, and technician to join our association and help us help you. Jacobsen Names G.C. Duke Equipment The association is currently free of charge to join and is Ltd. Dealer of the Year certainly worth taking the time to check out. So visit us Jacobsen, A Textron Company, named G.C. Duke today at www.igcema.org and let us show you where our Equipment Ltd., of Burlington, Ontario, as Dealer of the Year profession is headed. during the company’s annual dealer meeting in conjunction with the GCSAA show in Anaheim, California. Mark Your Calendars Welcome! OGSA Welcomes our newest members Paul D. Armstrong Class Supt Banty's Roost G & CC OGSA TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE Brent Barkhouse Class S Kwantlen University College PRO/SUPER CHALLENGE Dave Boehmer Class F Glencairn Golf Club HOSTED BY DEVIL’S PULPIT, CALEDON DATE: TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2007 Tony Caliandro Class F Markland Wood CC SPRING HELD DAY Kyungsun Choi Class F HOSTED BY ARISS VALLEY GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB, ARISS Donalda Club DATE: MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2007 Evan Coakwell Class F Glen Abbey Golf Club PRESIDENTS’ DAY Alex Dickie Class C HOSTED BY COPPINWOOD GOLF CLUB, UXBRIDGE Dundas Valley G & CC DATE: TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2007 Tony Evershed Class D Sandusk Golf Club ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT TOURNAMENT Bill Gilkes Class C HOSTED BY THE BRIARS GOLF CLUB, SUTTON WEST Scarboro Golf & CC DATE: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2007 Wally Janzen Class D Quarry Golf Club ALEX McCLUMPHA MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT Rafik Lang-Bismillah Class S HOSTED BY PETERBOROUGH GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB University of Guelph DATE: MONDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2007 Martin Levay Class F Grand Niagara Resort ONTARIO TURFGRASS RESEARCH FOUNDATION James Lockington Class C FUNDRAISING TOURNAMENT Highland Gate Golf Club HOSTED BY GEORGIAN BAY CLUB, COLLINGWOOD Greg MacCullough Class C DATE: MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2007 King's Riding Golf Club James Nicholls Class A Note: The OTRF tournament is not an OGSA event. Silver Lakes Golf Club Please contact Debbie Conrad Kelly O'Connor Class S for details at (519) 824-4120 x56149 or email: otrf@gti.uoguelph.ca University of Guelph Kyle Pernokes Class F OGSA golf events are being finalized for the upcoming season. As details Kawartha Golf & CC become available they will be posted to the website www.golfsupers.on.ca under Lesley Thomas Class C the menu heading “Events”. Check out both the “Calendar of Events” and the Scarboro Golf & C C actual “Event” pages. We will also notify you in our email bulletin, “Clippings” John Watson Class S when registration forms are available. Again this year, information University of Guelph concerning the President’s Day will be mailed to our member superintendents. Maple Hill Tree Services Andrew Frederikse Class E The regional associations are invited to send their tournament information Muskoka in the City Class E into the OGSA office and we will post it in our “Calendar of Events” on the Al Seymour website. What's new Green is Beautiful Needs Your Support Sports Turf Association News Do you have any innovative practices you could share with your colleagues? The Sports Turf Association Do you have an old piece of equipment, in operating (STA), Canada’s information condition, still being actively used on your golf course? source for building and Can you provide us with a description, the year and photo maintaining safe and playable sports turf fields, is of same for viewing in our magazine? celebrating 20 years of service in 2007. If you have anything you can contribute to the magazine Founded in 1987 at Guelph, Ontario, the association or know of anyone else doing some interesting work, membership represents every facet of the turf industry please contact anyone on the Editorial Committee. We look forward to hearing from you. including construction and maintenance management and personnel, provincial and municipal authorities, Chris Andrejicka - Co-editor (519)-734-1228 regulatory agencies, and the supply industries. The chrisa@essexgolf.com diversity of the members ensures that relevant and up-to- date information on every aspect of turf management is John Bladon - Co-editor (519)-574-2013 available. jbladon@agriumat.com For the 20th anniversary chronicle “20 Years of Service" visit the association’s website www.sportsturfassociation.com. Dorothy Hills -Manager (877)-824-6472 ogsa@gti.uoguelph.ca Sports Turf Association Renames Scholarship To Honour Dr. Robert W. Sheard Greig Barker (905) 628-5101 A scholarship established by the STA to further its goal greigbarker@hotmail.com of the promotion of safe, natural sports turf through Tom Brain (905) 681-2260 education and professional programs was renamed at the bgccturf@skylinc.net association’s annual meeting to honour Dr. Robert W. Sheard. Doug Davidson (905) 693-8536 The STA Scholarship will henceforth be known as the ddavidson@clublink.ca STA Robert W. Sheard Scholarship in recognition of Dr. Sheard’s immeasurable contribution and support Paul Grotier (416) 447-5575 x266 provided to the Sports Turf Association over the last p grotier@hotmail.com seventeen years. The Sports Turf Association is a professional association Jason Hanna (905) 275-2505 x226 committed to the promotion of safe, natural sports turf. jhanna@creditvalleygolf.com For further information contact the STA office at 519-763-9431, emai: info@sportsturfassociation.com Scott Horsburgh (416) 573-3449 shorsburgh@plantprod.com Justin Parsons (905) 878-1155 jparsons27@hotmail.com OGSA SCHOLARSHIPS 2007 Information will be outlined in the 2007/2008 Roster. Check on our web site www.golfsupers.on.ca , under the heading “Benefits” for full details and application forms. Announcements will also be made in our E-Bulletin “Clippings”. 2007 TURFGRASS EDUCATION AWARD - $2,750.00 Deadline - November 15th 2007 HERITAGE AWARD - $2,750.00 Deadline - August 31st 2007 HUGH KIRKPATRICK BURSARY - $2,750.00 Deadline - October 31st 2007 TURFGRASS SHORT COURSE - $1,100.00 Automatic award based on marks OGSA has also committed to a yearly $1,000.00 contribution to the Norman E. McCollum Turfgrass Diploma Entrance Scholarship, sponsored by the University of Guelph OAC Alumni Foundation. This is a $2500.00 scholarship. If you would like information about this scholarship go to www.oac.uoguelph.ca/learning/learn turfgrass.asp. Please spread this scholarship information to anyone you know who might be eligible. If you have any questions feel free to contact the office at (519) 767-3341 or toll free (877) 824-6472 or email: ogsa@gti.uoguelph.ca TURF CARE Introducing the 835S and 855S Series Sprinkler with Trujectory™. You know that bunker that’s always getting wet? Or that tree branch that’s always in the way? Now you can address trouble spots with Trujectory, exclusively from Toro. Simply adjust the trajectory of the spray from 7 to 30 degrees and get better head-to-head coverage. Plus there’s part- and full-circle operation in one sprinkler. Add these new features to the great ones already standard on the 800S Series sprinklers and you’ll gain the flexibility you need for better results. And you’ll get it all for the same value as your current part-circle fixed trajectory sprinklers. For more information, contact one of our sales representatives at Turf Care or go online to www.turfcare.ca. Out off the bunker and under the trees, to water the turf we go. 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 Ph: (905) 890-6290 Ph: (416) 298-2101 Ph: (613) 822-1881 Fax: (519) 668-3722 Fax: (905) 890-5598 Fax: (416) 298-8758 Fax: (613) 822-2099 From roots to shoots that you might like to get the results from. It is the third rFom all accounts, turf in most survey in the series. The deadline for participation was of the region (especially southwestern March 2007. This survey solicited information regarding Ontario) has wintered well. To date nutrient use and associated practices on golf courses there are no reports of problems with throughout the United States and Canada. Also in 2007, winter injury of any type. Many courses the information from the first two surveys — Property opened in March which is pretty rare. Profile Survey and Water Use and Conservation Survey, There is snow on the ground at the conducted during 2006, will be submitted to the scientific by Pam Charbonneau OMAF Turfgrass Specialist moment and let’s just hope that the journal Applied Turfgrass Science for review and cold snap over Easter does not result in publication. In early 2008, the Pest Management Survey any turf injury. will be developed and released to GCSAA member and There are a few new developments on the URMULE non-member golf course superintendents. This survey will front. Just a reminder that this is a program for end users solicit information regarding pest management and of pesticides to request label expansions. Recently the associated practices on golf courses throughout the PMRA granted a registration to deltamethrin for use on United States and Canada. ants, hairy chinch bug, cutworms and sod webworms on With the season underway, so are the turf updates. turf. At the time of writing this, the new product label is They began on Friday,. April 13, 2007. The name has not available, but it should be available from Bayer changed from “Turf Agriphone” to “Turf Updates”. They sometime in the near future. There are quite a few can be accessed by phone at 1-888-290-4441. You can also URMULE submissions that have been made over the past find them on the OMAFRA website at winter and efforts will be made to communicate the details http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/updates. of registrations that have been granted in a timely fashion. html#turf. You can use the subscribe feature to get an There are a couple of surveys that have been passed on automatic notification when a new update is posted on the to me with requests that they be circulated to golf course web. New this year, the updates will also be available by superintendents in Ontario. The first is to document the podcast. occurrence and severity of two pests of annual bluegrass, The 2007 Supplement for the OMAFRA Publication namely, anthracnose and annual bluegrass weevil. The 384, Turfgrass Management Recommendations will be survey is fairly straight forward and should not take that available on line shortly. It contains all of the new much time to complete. The survey can be found at pesticide products that have been registered for use on http://www.turf.uconn.edu/nel025.htm turf in Ontario for 2007. It will be available on line at The second survey is a bit more detailed and is from http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/pub384/p3 the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America 84supplement.htm (GCSAA). It is too late to participate, but it is something I Love a Rainy Night... Rain Bird RainWatch! Why Irrigate in the Rain? Milton 1.800.263.4112 King City 1.866.703.KING www.vandenbussche.com Now registered for pythium and anthracnose diseases Strength that shows. StressGard your plant with Aliette SIGNATURE Aliette SIGNATURE is the new and improved formulation of Fosetyl-AI turf fungicide design to protect from tough diseases and improve turf quality. Registered for pythium and anthracnose diseases, Aliette SIGNATURE enhances the plants defense mechanisms and vigour resulting in unsurpassed turf quality and playability. www.bayeres.ca 1 888 283-6847 ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PRODUCT LABEL PRIOR TO USE. Aliette™ SIGNATURE is a registered trademark of Bayer. Health & safety First Aid Over the last few months I have written ensure that you have an eyewash fountain and lately the a number of articles about safety on the OMoL has indicated that clubs need a shower facility that golf course, and one of the issues that is working and readily available to the workers in the event tends to get overlooked is first aid. First of an eye injury or chemical contamination. aid is one issue that every workplace As safety conscious employers it is imperative that you go by DougJohnson needs to take seriously. You need to beyond the first aid minimums. It is a good idea to stock SAFETAID - Health and Safety Consulting respond immediately if an accident extra items that are pertinent to your type of work. occurs and you need to be able to respond appropriately. Consider the type of work you are doing and prepare As superintendents you have a responsibility to ensure yourself for the potential injuries by reviewing your that there is an adequately stocked first aid kit available, accidents and discussing your needs with a competent and, as has been discussed before, a clear well supplier. communicated emergency response program if an injury Here are some of the extra items you might consider occurs. having at your first aid station: first aid cream, forceps, There are some minimum requirements for the first aid sting stop, no bleed, antiseptic solution (peroxide or kit that depends on the number of employees you have at BZK), 2nd Skintm for burns, finger tip and knuckle your workplace. You can find the minimum requirements bandages, butterfly closures (to close bigger cuts), cold in the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) packs or available ice packs, tensor bandages, a CPR Regulation 1101. Call me or the WSIB and make sure you disposable or reusable rescue breather, at least one roll of have a copy on site with your first aid kit. It is free! The one inch wide adhesive tape and a good quality pair of law requires that you have this document on site! bandage scissors. Every workplace must also have at least one worker There may be other items that are pertinent to your trained in first aid on each shift. Depending on the size of operation. If you have questions or comments please call your club this individual may be required to have a one or and I will help you or direct you to an organization that two day training course and the first aid certification is might assist you. only good for a maximum of three years. Spring has sprung the grass has riz, now let’s be sure Most employers train at least two people, as this will where safety is!! Happy spring! ensure that there is generally someone available if one of the trained workers is away or unavailable. Employers tend to train some of the management staff, as SAFETAID Making safety your 1st priority! management tends to be at the club year round and this tends to ensure that there is continuity if a worker leaves. T. 519-837-0997 • F. 519-837-1996 As part of your first aid responsibilities it is important to Consulting, Safety and First Aid Supplies QUALITY • ON TIME Supplying Canada’s top golf courses for over 45 years Mark Schneider 1-800-461-5501 Technical Sales Maple Turf Supply Business: (905) 857-2000 When only 8112 King Rd. W. Fax: (905) 857-8215 P.O. Box 370 Mobile: (519) 372-5181 the best Bolton, Ontario 1-800-268-4425 L7E 5T3 Email: m___schneider@sympatico.ca will do. www.manderley.com/golf THE BIG SWEEP by Dean Baker, Superintedent North Halton Golf & Country Club North Halton Golf & Country Club was proud to host Thank you to the OGSA for their support in this Curling the annual OGSA Curling Day on March 21, 2007. After a Event. The prizes for this event have always been donated few years sabbatical from the North Halton Curling Club, which is very much appreciated. North Halton would be the best, and not so best, curlers made there way to more than happy to see everyone back next year. We wish Georgetown to test their skills. everyone a dry warm spring and a prosperous season. See It was a full house as 8 teams took to the ice. With many you on the golf course! stories to be told it was a great afternoon to see old friends, talk about the up coming season, enjoy a wonderful lunch and throw a few rocks. At the end of a busy afternoon, it was Mitch Jewell (skip & icemaker from North Halton), Scott Bowman, Craig McCutcheon, Brett Murray & Mark Scenna who took home top prize. As Mitch is no stranger to winning events, it was decided that next year he should maybe just make the ice. Ryan Beauchamp and his Glen Abbey team of Even Coakwell, Wade Beaudoin & Wayne St. Jean (skip) took the other A flight game. Honourable mention goes to the Rhod Trainor team of Kerry Whale, Dorothy Hills 8c Dave Kuypers and the John Gall team of Greig Barker, Jason Griffin, John Bontje & Greg Fach for their finishing wins. The rest of us.. .we just had a great time! Braemar Building Systems Custom Design Quality Buildings Competitive Prices • Maintenance Buildings • Storage Facilities • New Buildings • Wood & Steel Structures For your FREE ESTIMATES call us at 1-800-215-1996 www.braemarbuildings.com 13th GOLF COURSE HOCKEY CHALLENGE by John Taylor and Scott Dodson Tournament Committee The 13th Annual Golf Course Hockey challenge took to tournament, no small feat considering that the the ice this past January 30th and 31st in Fort Erie, Ontario tournament has grown from a 4 team one day tournament with 12 teams representing both Canada and the United in it’s first year, to it’s current 12 team, two day format. States, competing for the coveted “Reel Cup.” Special thanks to Duke Equipment and Podolinsky The teams played two games on the first day in a three Equipment and also Team Michigan who provided draw team pod and then played two more games the second day prizes for the Tuesday evening party. matched up by the results of the first day, guaranteeing When all was said and done, Team Northern Ontario each team four full games of hockey action. came out on top once again with a convincing final win The hockey was competitive but still fun, as was the over a much improved Team Ottawa. The “Reel Cup” will Tuesday evening “attitude adjustment party” hosted by again spend the year in cottage country, although its off Club Car which always is one of the highlights of the event. season travels have become a thing of legend in recent Post game refreshments were provided by VandenBussche years. Irrigation and were greatly appreciated by all the The tournament committee would like to thank all participants. Turf Care Products sponsored the ice time those sponsors who helped make this event happen as well for all participants as they have for all 13 years of the as the timekeepers, referees and fans. From experience and know-how come the best results. With Nutrite, turf and landscape professionals can rely on premium products, reliable innovation and personal service that is second to none. Success on the green is simple - just look to the people with the deepest roots. 1-800-265-8865 www.nutriteturf.ca Time after time. After time. How do you become the industry standard for dollar spot control? Deliver proven performance again and again, with long lasting broad-spectrum activity and a unique MAXX® formulation that is easy to mix and has virtually no odour. Consistent excellence, time after time. Call 1-888-368-4211 x5525 to contact your local Syngenta Turf Specialist and learn more about Banner MAXX. www.syngenta.ca - www.engageagro.com Important: Always read and follow label instructions. ©2007 Syngenta Group Company. GreenPartners®, Banner® MAXX® and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. Photo (C) Alan Crosthwaite www.bigstockphoto.com Zander Sod Co. Limited Celebrates their 50th Anniversary In 1957 Fred Zander purchased his first truck and started Zander Sod Co. Limited as a sod delivery service, before the 401 was even paved. In the early days, special seeds did not exist and the turf was not nurtured for two years. It was simply grass that grew in pastures . At that time, the sod was cut, rolled and carried to the truck, loaded and unloaded, all by hand. Zander and his co­ worker alternated jobs - one would havest the turf while the other would make deliveries. Zander’s wife was the secretary, taking messages of jobs for the next day, which L-R Claus Zander, Vice President, Fred Zander, President, and she would give to Fred when he returned home after his Mike Zander, Manager of Bentgrass, in front of the Kettleby office long day. How things have changed! They now grow over 3000 acres. Zander Sod not only prides itself in supplying the best turf, but also ensuring the soil and environment stays healthy for generations to come. With the assistance of an agronomist, they utilize a complete soil management program that addresses the micro nutrient levels in both the soil and the plants. From seed bed preparation right through to harvest, they continuously monitor and adjust to produce only the highest quality grasses. For many years Zander Sod has been active members of a number of local and international association which work to promote and better the turfgrass, landscape and golf industries, as well as protect the environment. Fred’s two sons pride themselves with continuing the family business and maintaining the company’s reputation for excellent products and service. For the last few years, the third generation, Mike’s sons, have helped out in many departments. Though the business isn’t run L-R Fred Zander, President, his wife Steffi Kuhnert-Zander, and entirely by family, it feels like it is, according to Claus. his son Claus Zander, Vice President “Everyone is like family around here” says Claus. Zander has over seventy employees during the season, most of Just how much sod has Zander Sod sold? whom have been with the company for more than a Enough sod to cover over 13,000 decade. Claus says that one of the key tools to running a average-sized soccer fields! successful busines is the people behind it. Zander Sod has grown to be one of the larget sod Claus Zander, Vice President of Zander Sod has fond producers in Ontario. Congratulations on your Golden childhood memories of riding shotgun in his father’s pick­ Anniversary! up truck along gravel roads and through bumpy fields. He recalls getting his little hands dirty helping his father load sod on and off company trucks. Right from the beginning, Zander Sod Co. Limited has been dedicated to their customers and the sod industry. Their company is based on the foundation of SUPPLIERS of TOP QUALITY TURF PRODUCTS supplying quality product and great No. 1 Kentucky Bluegrass service at a competitive price. As Five varieties of Bentgrass Extreme Fescue much as technology has changed their business, their values have (877) 727-2100 remained the same. (905) 727-2100 www.zandersod.com Member profile Interview with Doug Breen by John Bladon Agrium Advanced Technologies The music charts were being dominated by John Cougar Mellencamp, ZZ Top and Dire Straits and budding musician Doug Breen had no idea the turn his life was about to take. It was 1986 and he had decided not to return to the family farm outside of London, Ontario but stay and work that summer in his university town of Guelph. He responded to a snack bar job posting at Victoria Park Golf Club West and was interviewed by owner/superintendent Ted DeCorso. In Ted’s distinct, accented and authoritative words was a direction rather than an invitation. You froma the farm? I think you work outaside witha my son. Ted’s son, of course, was David now owner/superintendent at the East course and between Ted’s suggestion and David’s encouragement, Doug claims his path was forever changed. After five years with the DeCorsos and four at the Guelph Country Club, under Gary Grosicki, Doug spent two more years building and grooming the Waterloo Golf Academy. This brings us to the present tense and his affiliation with Golf North. Although Doug has spent time plying the superintendent trade at a number of their facilities, including Conestoga and Calerin, he recently graduated from Director of Turf Operations to Regional Director which has him overseeing all facets, including golf shop, food and beverage and turf operations for five of the company’s facilities. When he is not busy at one of the golf courses in his charge, Doug’s agenda is indeed full. Aside from penning his bi-monthly, quirk-filled, edition of “Turf or Consequences” for the OGSA, he currently holds a seat on the board. He teaches a pesticide safety course to farmers and has done so since 1991. Coming from a family deeply rooted in politics, he has also taken to serving Guelph-Eramosa Township as a councillor for Ward 3. As if all that wasn’t enough, Doug still finds time for his first love, music. He plays in a band “Safe as Milk” who play a mixture of predominantly original music with a splash of cover material. Last and certainly not least, there is his biggest stable of fans, his family; wife Krista of 14 years, son Walker, 9 and daughter Aniela, 8. How does a golf superintendent become a politician? “It’s not that big of a stretch given the job we all do” Doug laughs wryly. “Seriously though, I started with some volunteer work, got to know the issues and then was asked to run. It really was that simple.” Doug has now been through numerous elections having won 3 and lost 2. He reflected back on each of those terrifying election nights. “It’s kind of like crossing the gymnasium floor to ask that girl to dance fearing that you may get turned down!” At this stage in the game, I’ll bet that girl would be jealous. Doug Breen’s dance card is clearly full. How many hours in a week again? "In the Hot Seat" • Favourite major: British Open • Best piece of turf equipment ever: 1980’s Jacobsen GK 4 • Favourite architect: Doug Carrick • Ultimate foursome: Breen, CS Lewis, Matt Dunigan, Hugh Dillon of the Headstones • Lowest round ever and where: Conestoga, 89 • Favourite meal: Panzerotti from Tony’s in London, ON • What’s in your CD right now: Arcade Fire • What would you be if not a golf course superintendent: Playing in a band somewhere CANADA WINS THE CAN/AM CHALLENGE! Submitted by Sean DeSilva & Jeff Stauffer Photos by John Bladon After an eight year drought, the team representing Canada won the 2007 Can/Am Challenge, held at the Ambassador Golf Club, over the American team by a score of 26.5-24.5! A very enjoyable day was hosted by Dave Cours, Tom Brydon and the entire team of the Ambassador Golf Club. The golf course was in excellent condition to go along with the sunshine and great weather. The OGSA would like to thank our American friends of the Greater Detroit Golf Course Superintendents Association for participating in the day with us. The winners were: 1st Team Low Gross Canadian The next wave in seeding is here! Thom Charters & Wayne Rath - 65 1st Team Low Gross American Brian Schweihofer & Aaron McMaster - 68 2nd Team Low Gross Canadian ■ Patent-pending floating heads follow the ground contour—you won’t Chris Andrejicka & Kelly Barnet - 72 miss the low spots and you won’t destroy the high spots or sprinkler heads. 2nd Team Low Gross American ■ Patent-pending WaveBladetechnology creates a clean, optimal Jay Delcamp & Tom Gill - 72 square slit while minimizing turf disruption. 1st Team Low Net Canadian ■ Patent-pending seed delivery system puts seed directly into the slit, Vince Murphy & Dan Freisen - 59 reducing seed waste and increasing germination. 1st Team Low Net American Ron Murdock & Scott Ford - 60 ■ Patent-pending depth adjustment allows for infinite, in-field adjustment to suit your specific needs. 2nd Team Low Net Canadian (No tools required.) Scott Bowman & John Bladon - 61 2nd Team Low Net American ■ Close 1-1/2” spacing increases germination Dan Johanningsmeier & John Nowkowski - 61 with fewer passes. TriWave 60-lnch Overseeder L-R Sean DeSilva, President, OGSA and Mike Jones, Director, Greater Detroit GCSA ISO 9001 REGISTERED 1184 PLAINS ROAD EAST BURLINGTON, ONTARIO L7S 1W6 Burlington area: 905-637-5216 Toronto Area: 905-338-2404 All other Ontario Areas: 800-883-0761 Fax: 905-637-2009 Visit our website at: www.gcduke.com L-R Tom Brydon, Assistant and Dave Cours Superintendent at Ambassador GC with Chris Andrejicka, OGSA Director Golf course highlight Ambassador Golf Club 1025 Sprucewood Avenue Windsor ON N9J 3Z1 Website: www.ambassadorgolfclub.com Golf Course Superintendent: Dave Cours Email: dcours@cocogroup.com Photo by Clive Barber, Professional Photographer COURSE PROFILE What is the size of your maintenance shop? 2 Kubota L4330GST tractor What county is your club located in? 5,400 square feet 2 Stihl BR420 backpack blower Essex 1 Stihl FS110 weedeater Is your club private, semi private, public, resort or What type of irrigation system? municipal? Toro Osmac Public COURSE PROJECTS What is the size of the greens, tees & Typical opening and closing date fairways? What projects have you recently completed? April 1 to November 30 Greens: 140,000 sq. ft. Construction and grow-in, maintenance Tees: 135,000 sq. ft. facility Name of Superintendent Dave Cours Fairways: 32 acres How long have you been a superintendent? What is your predominant grass? LONG RANGE PLANS 18 years Greens: BentL-93 Tees and Fairways: L-93/SR1119 What long range plans for renovation do you How long have you been an OGSA member? have in the next five years? 20 years How many USGA greens and loam greens? NA 19 modified USGA How many staff? 6 fulltime, 5 part-time, 6 students What is the predominant soil type? Sand How many mechanics and assistants? CHALLENGES Mechanic: Pete Szabo What equipment do you have in inventory? Are there any particular challenges you face Assistant: Tom Brydon 6 Toro Greenmaster 1000 mowers with your property? 5 Toro 1600 tee mowers The bunkers at Ambassador are challenging 5 Toro Trans Pro 80 trailer with 04245 ramp to maintain with high flashes and steep COURSE STATISTICS 3 Toro Trans Pro 100 trailer banks. 3 Toro Greenmaster 3150 How many holes? 1 Toro thatching reel kit for 3150 18 1 Toro tri-roller kit for 3150 What is the yardage from back & forward tees? 3 Toro Reelmaster 5400 fairway mowers SUCCESS STORIES 7033 yards from the back tees and 1 Toro thatching reel kit for 5400 5338 yards from the front tees 2 Toro Groundsmaster 3500D Sidewinder Do you have any success stories? 1 Toro Groundsmaster 4500D Successful construction and grow-in. What is the size and length of driving range Named Top 15 best values in the province 14 Toro Workman 2110 utility vehicles and range tees? while being in the top 5 new golf course as 1 Toro Workman 3300D utility vehicle 300 yds and 30,000 sq. ft of tee rated by Ontario Golf Magazine 1 Toro ProCore 648 aerator How many bunkers? 1 Toro ProCore 660 fairway aerator 91 1 Toro Sand Pro 3020 2 Toro spiker attachment How many ponds, and/or water come into play? 1 Tycrop MH400 INNOVATIVE PRACTICES 4 ponds in play on 8 holes 1 Toro MultiPro 5700 sprayer 1 Toro enclosed walk boom & trailer What type of innovative practices have Who was the original architect? 1 Tycrop Pro Pass 180 topdresser you performed? Thomas McBroom 1 Buffalo trailer mount blower After reading about Dr. Thomas Nikolai’s 4 Eastman Hover mowers studies, we implemented a rolling program What was the year of original construction? 2 Toro rotary push mowers for greens that has saved labour and 2005 1 Toro Z597D zero turn increased putting green quality. Greens are 1 Lely WFR fertilizer spreader cut only on alternate days with rolling on the What major tournaments have been held there? opposite days. This has resulted in excellent 4 Kubota M5700DTHS tractor 2007 GAO Final Amateur Qualifier 1 John Deere Skidsteer turf quality and a consistent putting surface. Tree Management Strategies by David Kuypers, A.Ag Golf Course and Grounds Superintendent The Cutten Club Trees serve several useful purposes on a golf course. specimens that were planted were relatively small and now They define golf holes and make good safety and noise many years later, are beginning to decline and are suffering buffers. They provide a change in colour, texture and height from crowding issues. Many of these specimens were poorly in the landscape. However, these benefits do not continue to suited for a golf course environment and were planted in poor increase as you plant more and more trees and allow them to locations. These trees were also one of the greatest challenges get larger and larger. The tree stand on any golf course is to improving turf quality. The minimal sunlight and reduced always growing and evolving, and if the management of that air movement were causing the turf to under-perform and the stand is neglected for even one year, the net effect is not that growing environments needed to be improved in order for the golf course is unchanged, but rather the impacts of the any improvements to be made in turf quality. tree population on the golf course have been allowed to increase. Before Tree Management Program After Tree Management Program Managing the tree population is a critical aspect of creating A comprehensive tree program was implemented in order a safe, high quality golf course. Creating a reasonable balance to correct these problems. The program is based on the between turf and trees is a vital part of having healthy turf that program that was implemented at Winged Foot Golf Club in is capable of withstanding the stresses of traffic and modem preparations for the US Open, which involves evaluating each conditioning practices. On older golf courses, managing tree tree on the property under four categories. The evaluation of populations is even more critical, as the stand of trees is older the tree is then measured against the value of the tree in terms and larger and is therefore capable of having a dramatic of aesthetics and strategic importance. By evaluating the tree impact on turf health. Unfortunately, tree work is often done population on agreed upon, reasonable criteria the emotions as an afterthought, if at all, as a response to a catastrophe or is surrounding tree programs are diminished. The program is unreasonably constrained by political forces. This article will more effective with outside advice. Currently at the Cutten summarize a comprehensive tree management program that Club a certified arborist is used to evaluate the structural has been successfully implemented at a number of classic golf integrity of the trees, a golf course architect counsels the club courses. The program has been implemented here at the on strategic impacts and design intents, and the USGA Green Cutten Club and has been in place for 2 seasons, with positive Section is involved in the agronomic consulting. Once the results. The Cutten Club is 76 years old and had an extensive evaluation is completed an action plan is developed for the tree planting program in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. The tree that can involve removal, pruning, relocation, fertilization or none of these actions. A certified arborist should be enlisted to identify potentially hazardous Shaded green sites, especially during the morning hours, will under trees on the golf course. perform turf that receives an adequate amount of sunlight hours. The four categories under which each tree is evaluated before determining how the tree is to be managed: thus reducing all players’ options down to one. In this situation, players standing on the tee are faced with a tree- 1. Safety: lined canyon in which their only play can be to hit a straight Trees, like all living things, have a “life expectancy.” As shot right down the middle because any other routing or shot trees approach the end of that life span, they begin to weaken selection will result in a second shot played from the trees. or rot away in sections, which can weaken the tree and pose a Playing down fairways bordered by straight lines of trees is not threat. Also, older trees can begin to accumulate a great deal only inartistic but also tedious and uninteresting for most of deadwood in the canopy. This deadwood is the greatest golfers. According to Alister MacKenzie in The Spirit of St. potential hazard to golfers. As the deadwood accumulates, the Andrews, “Many greens committees ruin one’s handiwork by canopy becomes heavier, and strong or consistent winds can planting trees like rows of soldiers along the borders of the cause the trees to topple over. Less destructive, but no less fairways.” hazardous, is the potential for deadwood to fall out of a tree Another benefit from thinning out an overcrowded tree onto someone or something. stand is an improved pace of play, as players find their ball In addition to being a health hazard, poorly managed trees more quickly and encounter fewer obstacles on their way out that fall or come apart and injure others or cause damage have of “jail”. been the source of litigation and can therefore be a liability risk for the golf course. 4. Agronomic Considerations: Unfortunately, examples of agronomic reasons for a tree 2. Health of Surrounding Trees: program that restricts overpopulation are numerous, not only Instead of falling on a person, an old, unsightly tree could at the Cutten Club but also at classic golf courses everywhere. potentially fall on a specimen tree, destroying a valuable, Trees and turf are mutually exclusive; indeed, they are in beautiful resource. Almost as tragic is the practice of crowding fact mortal enemies. They rely on the same food, air, water, picturesque trees with fast-growing, unattractive pines, which is sunshine and space to live. Trees planted too close to playing commonplace at the Cutten Club. surfaces will enjoy the growing environment that is created for Overcrowding is a more common problem concerning the healthy turf as much as the turf itself. This will lead to health of trees. As trees naturally grow larger, they require problems with inconsistent moisture levels and drought, thing more air, water, food and sunlight to continue growing. As and etiolated turf and disease due to shade, and restricted air competition becomes fierce, trees have limited resources, and movement on important playing surfaces. Therefore, trees they become twisted and stunted as they try to position that affect moisture levels in the root zone, restrict air flow, and themselves in the sunlight. Such overcrowding creates a eliminate sunlight on greens, tees and fairways need to be situation in which neither type of tree will develop its proper managed to reduce their negative agronomic impact. There shape. By selectively removing those trees that are crowding is no substitute for a proper growing environment. While others, the overall health of the entire stand of trees will technological innovation has improved products like improve. chemicals and fertilizers, the fundamentals of healthy turf remain constant. Proper nutrition and sound water management combined with air flow and sunlight will provide 3. Architectural Considerations: the foundation for healthy turf that is capable of producing It is important to note that making judgments about the high-quality playing surfaces. strategic impact of trees on a golf course is beyond the scope A proactive, well defined tree management program will of superintendents, greens committees and the membership. identify those trees that are causing poor growing There are many bona fide experts in golf course design, and environments and will reduce the negative impact that these they should be a part of the discussion on the strategic impacts trees have on the golf course. of trees and tree removal. That said, these same experts In summary, this strategic approach provides a basis for a should also be consulted BEFORE tree planting, so that trees tree management program that can be expanded or don’t end up negatively impacting the strategy of a golf course. diminished depending on each specific situation. The Tom Fazio illustrates the need for architects, “If the greens program allows each tree to be evaluated under a clear and committee wants to plant a tree, fine. Seldom does anyone logical set of parameters. Most important is the realization question the decision. But try to put a new bunker on a that by implementing no tree management program of any favourite hole and watch the storm of protest. And try to take kind, the situation will only become worse, resulting in a out that tree that no one cared about when you put it in? All negative net effect on the aesthetics of the landscape and the of a sudden it’s sacred” (Bryan, 1986, p. 34). playability of the golf course. The result of over planting taken to the extreme is the elimination of all strategy because trees have now matured, A FIVE-YEAR NORTH AMERICAN RESEARCH INITIATIVE ON ANNUAL BLUEGRASS PESTS by John Kaminski and Tom Hsiang Annual bluegrass (Poa annua) is commonly found on putting greens throughout the temperate regions of North America. While a healthy stand of annual bluegrass can offer an excellent putting surface, managing this species can be challenging. Problems with managing annual bluegrass were widespread during the summers of 2005 and 2006, when temperatures above 30C seemed to become the norm, not the exception. Besides its vulnerability to environmental stresses, annual bluegrass is also susceptible to a variety of diseases and is prone to damage from routine cultural practices, such as low mowing, topdressing and vertical cutting. One disease in particular has drawn the attention of university researchers: anthracnose basal rot. In response to this situation, toward the end of 2005 some 22 turfgrass researchers from the Northeast and elsewhere in the U.S. and Canada gathered their wits and their resources to launch a new Multi-state Regional Research Initiative (for a list of researchers refer to: http://www.nimss.umd.edu/homepages/outlineAppE.cf m?trackID=7316). However, to make this research effort a success, we are asking golf course superintendents from across North America to participate in a survey to provide valuable baseline information for this project. The Annual Bluegrass Pest Survey takes only 5 to 10 minutes to complete online, and it can be found at http://www.turf.uconn.edu/nel025.htm . Whether you have or have not experienced a problem with anthracnose, please help this research effort by filling out this survey today! From a distance, turf infected with anthracnose basal rot looks patchy, with areas that have died back, and areas that are discolored due to infection. The anthracnose (and annual bluegrass weevil) project will attempt to answer several questions over the next 5 years. Four main issues that will be addressed include: This plug of annual bluegrass shows heavy infection by anthracnose basal rot with Objective 1) Fill critical gaps in our understanding of the many yellowed leaf blades. The individual plants are easy to pull out because of anthracnose pathogen and of ABW. rot at their base. An important component of this project is improving our understanding of the biology and ecology of the major disease pathogen and insect pest that impact annual bluegrass. A first step will be defining the current geographic distribution of anthracnose. Researchers will use various methods to establish differences among strains of Colletotrichum cereale (= Colletotrichum graminicola), and they will conduct experiments to elucidate important biological aspects of the pathogen. Laboratory and field experiments will establish how and where the pathogen survives unfavourable periods and how and when infection occurs. Knowledge obtained from these basic studies will provide valuable information for strengthening our An individual turfplant showing blackening and rot at the understanding of the host-pathogen interactions. base due to anthracnose basal rot. Objective 2) Identify and develop new control options for suppressing anthracnose. Research will be conducted to increase the list of management options used to mitigate the impact of anthracnose. New biological, biorational and chemical control products will be evaluated. Other studies will focus on improved use of current products through better pesticide combinations, timing regimes, and resistance management strategies. The frequency and mechanisms of Colletotrichum resistance to commonly used chemistries will also be examined. In addition to biological and chemical controls, coordinated field and Insects Harming Your Trees? greenhouse studies will evaluate the role of cultural practices and the potential Possibly. It takes an expert to really tell. for host plant resistance. Researchers will determine the influence of nitrogen To learn which insects are on your trees rate and source, plant growth regulators, and other cultural practices (e.g., and shrubs (none are completely insect mowing, verticutting, irrigation, etc.) on disease severity. A wide range of diverse free), have a Bartlett arborist inspect them. annual bluegrass cultivars will also be assessed to determine their potential There is no charge or obligation. benefits on newly established putting surfaces. Other advanced cultivars will be If control measures are necessary, evaluated for resistance to anthracnose. Results from these field and greenhouse Bartlett will use the safest materials - applied properly to protect our studies will provide valuable information applicable to managing this disease on environment. golf courses. When it comes to pest management, or general tree and shrub care, rely on the Objective 3) Develop improved IPM decision tools for managing anthracnose on experts - Bartlett Tree Experts! golf courses. Call for your free inspection today!! In addition to determining management strategies that directly affect Toronto • (416) 657-2059 anthracnose severity, researchers will attempt to determine the influence of Bracebridge • (705) 646-8733 environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, leaf wetness, etc.) on Gravenhurst • (705) 687-0696 anthracnose. Using information gathered from field and greenhouse studies, a Huntsville • (705) 789-0929 predictive model for anthracnose will be constructed from environmental www.bartlett.com variables and key management factors. Results from these investigations will BACKED BY THE BARTLETT TREE RESEARCH allow turfgrass managers to forecast anthracnose development and therefore LABORATORIES AND EXPERIMENTAL implement the appropriate disease management strategies prior to the onset of GROUNDS, CHARLOTTE, NC severe damage. Objective 4) Develop best management practices for annual bluegrass on golf courses to help reduce economic and environmental costs. Following the collection and interpretation of research results obtained from these studies, pertinent findings will be shared directly with golf course Burnside superintendents. Results from all participants in this study will be combined to Serving the Need of the Golf Industry develop a best management practices publication for annual bluegrass. Research findings will also be distributed in the form of publications, annual meetings and symposium sessions, and regional workshops through the Northeast. We can help with: • Approvals for Golf COurse Development and Ultimately, this project will allow researchers from around the region to work Operations together to solve a problem facing golf course superintendents. By combining •Irrigation Water our efforts, we hope to speed the gathering of information and avoid overlap and Supply •Sewage Treatment and Disposal • duplication of research efforts. Finally, the consolidation of information from all Environmental Management Plans •Building and Clubhouse Design Services • researchers in a single location (visit the projects website listed above) will make Irrigation Design and it easier for golf course superintendents to find information about relevant Consulting •Environmental Impact Assessment research in their region. •Drinking Water Assessment Although this project involves numerous turfgrass researchers, the participation of golf course superintendents will be essential to the success of the project. Researchers are optimistic about finding improved management Toll Free: (877) 799-8499 E-mail: vcirone@rjburnside.com Website: www.rjburnside.com strategies for suppressing anthracnose. Results obtained over the next five years will play a key role in our understanding and managing these pests. For more information about this project, contact John Kaminski at the University of Connecticut (john.kaminski@uconn.edu) or Tom Hsiang at the University of Guelph (thsiang@uoguelph.ca) Dr. John Kaminski is an Assistant Professor at the University of Connecticut working on turfgrass diseases, and Dr. Tom Hsiang is a Professor at the University of Guelph also specializing in turfgrass diseases. Offices located throughout Ontario Members of OGSA, CGSA and Golfmax Suppliers to the NGCOA TWO DAYS AT THE INAUGURAL GREEN START ACADEMY PESTS by Paul Grotier, Assistant Superintendent, Donalda Club and Jason Hanna, Assistant Superintendent, Credit Valley Golf & C. C. Last year Bayer Environmental Science and John Deere One Source combined their efforts, inviting assistant superintendents to a two-day educational event entitled, The Green Start Academy. The program, September 28-29, 2006, was designed to help further assistant superintendents’ careers by teaching about best management practices, innovative products, meeting industry experts and networking with peers from across the continent. The educational event was held at the Bayer Environmental Science Training and Development Center in Clayton, North Carolina. Day one of the event was spent at the Clayton Research Facility. Seminars addressed issues about water and nutrient management, as well as exposing assistants to the increasing role public relations will play in their careers. To help participants gain a better understanding of the function of a research facility in development of some of the products used on the golf course a portion of the day market. Many products can go through years of was spent touring the laboratories and over 200 acres of development and trials to be dropped if it does not fit the expansive property. The property contains several criteria it is designed for. This process can be a real research plots designed to evaluate formulation and economic gamble for the major stakeholders involved in efficacy for various fungicides, PGR’s and herbicides. this process. At the conclusion of the day, participants had the opportunity to listen to some of the biggest names in the business discuss issues superintendents and their assistants face on a daily basis. Bruce Williams CGCS, from the Los Angeles Country Club discussed leadership and covered topics such as working with migrant workers and where the turf industry will be 10 or 15 years from now. Bob Farren, CGCS from the Pinehurst Resort discussed professionalism and provided real-life examples from his many years of experience. Both superintends were excellent speakers and provided a wealth of information learned from their careers and experiences. Listening to these speakers made us realize how important it is for superintendents today to not only be well versed in the science of turf, but be dynamic in working with committees, owners, employees and the public to understand the big picture in being part of a management Accompanying the research plots are four golf holes team with a successful operation. used extensively for research purposes. Located in a Day two of the Green Start Academy continued at the transition zone between warm and cool season climates Clayton Development and Research Centre with a the Clayton Research Facility allows researchers to grow southern styled breakfast. Breakfast allowed us the both Bermuda and Bent grasses. On one of the four opportunity to reflect on what we had learned the holes, the approach and collar are composed of tifsport previous day and continue to meet and network with other Bermuda grass, while the green is A-l Bent grass—a assistants. Many agreed that a highlight of day one was the scenario not readily found on most golf courses. many candid conversations we had about issues facing Throughout the tour, facility superintendent Gary Ryan assistant superintendents in the current marketplace. explained the contrast between his current position and The morning commenced with a presentation by Nick that of his previous one as a local golf course Hamon, Director of Developmental and Technical superintendent. Ryan comments that at first it was Services for Bayer Environmental Science. Hamon difficult to alter his management practices to promote provided an overview of the pesticide market, including thatch development or prolong leaf wetness for as long as the cost and the work involved in developing new possible to provide researchers with ideal conditions to pesticide chemistries. According to Hamon, hundreds of conduct their experiments. Also few superintendents set millions are spent on research and development annually. out to inoculate their turf with various diseases or spread As well, each year, millions of new chemistries will be weed seeds throughout areas on their properties. It was created, while only a small handful will go onto further interesting to see first hand the amount of work behind development to potentially make their way to golf courses developing chemicals in the field before they go to across North America. demonstration using an Aercore attached with a verticutting unit impressed many by the amount of material pulled out of a green with just one pass. Apparently, when combining verticutting with aerifying followed by topdressing, the healing process is hastened and verticutting slits and aerifier holes heal faster than when done separately. The afternoon included a tour of John Deere’s Turf Care Factory in Fuquay-Varina. Production at this site started in 1997, only one year after the land had been purchased. The site was specifically chosen due to the proximity to John Deere’s market in the Eastern United States In total, 110 acres of land is utilized, where a 220,000 sq. ft. manufacturing plant is located. At this facility, thousands of parts arrive daily to be assembled into Explaining the aerification procedure various golf and commercial mowing equipment. The plant employs 300 manufacturing staff, with incentive Following the presentation was a John Deere Solutions programs implemented to help maximize production goals and to maintain quality control. We were fortunate tour. Tracy Lanier, of John Deere demonstrated the to see the mechanization and automation of the difference between effective height of cut, versus bench manufacturing process with parts traveling from one end height of cut. The bench height of cut was explained as of the warehouse to the other on conveyor belts and “the height at which the bedknife is set above a firm level overhead transportation systems. surface” and the effective height of cut as “the actual The two-day event was a great learning experience, and height at which grasses are cut.” Conditions impacting a good opportunity to meet many new people. The effective height of cut are the weight of the cutting unit camaraderie between all assistants being able to share and and attachment, soil conditions, roller shape, surface area and grass type. For every additional 10 lbs of weight added discuss common challenges, goals and ideas will not soon be forgotten. Thank you very much to Bayer to a mower, the result is a .005” height difference. Brad Environmental Science and John Deere One Source for Aldridge, also of John Deere, then discussed aerating, hosting and sponsoring the Green Start Academy. verticutting and top dressing. His cultural management Grower’s Choice PREMIUM Divot Mix “Grower’s Choice™ Divot Mix is a four component blend that contains natural organics and sand to promote good root Providing professional large tree planting growth, nutrient balance and porosity.” and transplanting service to golf courses for 20 years Grower’s Choice™ Divot Mix and decorative landscape mulches are available in one cubic yard totes or bulk loads. All Grower’s Choice™ Products are made to professional specifications and are employed by top Canadian Landscape Contractors. Soil also distributed by 270 Shoemaker Street, Kitchener, ON N2E 3E1 1720 Huron Road, Kitchener, Ontario Phone (519) 748-6610 I Fax (519) 748-6626 phone 519-896-9459 or toll-free 866-580-4769 fax: 519-696-3779 Zero in on fairway disease control. Strong enough for your greens - economic enough for your fairways. COMPASS 50WG has everything you need in a strobilurin fungicide: excellent disease control, broad spectrum activity and low use rates. With its revolutionary mesostemic mode of action, COMPASS binds tightly to turf and redistributes itself. This prevents infection and maintains continuous protection of the treated and nearby turf plants for up to 21 days. COMPASS is strong enough for your greens and economical enough for your fairways. Learn more about the proven performance of COMPASS today - the best direction in turf protection. www.bayeres.ca 1 -888-283-6847 Compass 50wg FUNGICIDE ALWAYS READ PRODUCT LABEL PRIOR TO USE. Compass™ is a trademark of Bayer. Always read and follow label directions. ONCE UPON A TIME... by Tim Trimper Maxium Golf Leasing There was a superintendent that was a magician at keeping equipment running long past its useful life. While it was good for the chicken wire and duct tape business, it eventually resulted in this particular golf course spending more annually on repairs & maintenance than it was on new equipment acquisition. Part of the solution was making a philosophical change to the way in which they acquired their equipment by entering into a long term lease plan. This behavioral change enabled the club to update the fleet of turf equipment so all pieces were current while spending relatively close to the same dollars overall. Instead of spending $40,000 on repairs and maintenance (r&m) and $30,000 on acquisition they were now spending $50,000 on acquisition and $20,000 on r&m. Ultimately this course was able to improve its course conditioning and maintenance practices. Now, several years later, they find themselves in the very competitive private club market, in a position to better control their future and continue to attract new members. As a footnote, after the retirement of the “magician”, the club was able to attract arguably one of the finer superintendents in the marketplace due in part to the “current” condition of the maintenance equipment and the course’s progressive 8112 King Rd. West attitude towards equipment replacement and turf practices. With the combination of an ever increasing competitive environment where the Bolton, Ontario L7E 5T3 golfer has more choices than ever before, superintendents and general managers 1-800-268-4425 feeling their budgets being squeezed and the continual advances in technology, today, more than ever, leasing is the answer. 1-905-857-2000 WHY LEASE? Whether it’s turf equipment, golf cars or non-core assets such as computer equipment, irrigation components or technology the fundamental reasons to lease • Cost Effective Custom hold true. Blends Pay For Usage: Leasing avoids large capital expenditures and allows the club to pay for the equipment as you use it rather than paying up front. The monthly payments can be customized to match the club’s revenue stream to maximize cash flow. • Water Soluble, Granular Upgrade Affordably: Leasing dollars go much further than cash allowing a club to and Liquid Fertilizers upgrade with newer equipment sooner and more often. An average annual capital budget of $60,000 when applied to a lease plan would accommodate over $250,000 in • Bulk Spreader Service equipment based on a 5 season lease term. Lifecycle Management: Leasing encourages the club to plan the timely replacement of • Full Line of Turf equipment to help avoid the mistake of keeping equipment beyond it’s useful life and help prevent costly repair, maintenance and down time. Chemicals Flexibility: Leasing provides maximum flexibility with the customer enjoying all the rights of ownership with the flexibility at expiry of exercising their purchase option if they want to keep the equipment, continue to lease the equipment or apply the equity to lower the cost of new equipment and trade it in on a new package. NOT JUST GOLF CARS & TURF EQUIPMENT There exists a need to fill the gap left between traditional bank loans and specialized mortgage funders. Many clubs are re-examining the feasibility of lease financing for projects such as course & clubhouse expansion, bunker renovation, irrigation upgrades For further information call: and even debt consolidation. In many cases clubs can be offered flexible payment terms and longer amortizations without tying up their existing bank lines. Simon George Technical Sales No matter what the structure of your club or the financial situation, there are benefits to leasing that should be considered. It would be prudent to research all financing Central Ontario, GTA & Niagara Region options when acquiring equipment. If your club does not have a comprehensive 1-519-841-3378 equipment replacement program in place, now is the time to build one. This plan will help manage the conflicting goals of achieving customer satisfaction, improving course conditions, upgrading equipment and at the same time managing a budget and Mark Schneider remaining competitive. Technical Sales Georgian Bay, Lake Simcoe PIECE OF CAKE?.. .at least we’re not suggesting you do it with chicken wire and duct tape. & Muskoka Region Tim Trimper is a Vice-President ofMaxium GolfLeasing which provides structured leasefinancing 1-519-372-5181 to the golf industry across Canada. For details contact Maxium Golf Leasing at 905-780-6150 ONTARIO REGULATIONS 94/102 AND 94/103: IS YOUR COURSE IN COMPLIANCE? by Michael Gailius Golf Course operators in Ontario are increasingly suggests Craig Busch, of Busch Systems, a recycling under the gun to clean-up their trash—or at least separate specialist based in Barrie, Ontario. it. With less than a year left to achieve its stated goal of diverting 60% of waste away from landfill, the provincial “Because trash is taken to landfill, whereas recyclable government is looking to Ontario’s commercial property materials are taken to be separated, broken-down and owners, including our golfing community, to close the reconstituted into fresh material, a clean sort has to start gap. at the source because nobody’s going to sort this stuff Golf course operators are required by law to apply the once it has become intermixed. It’s much easier to start at same waste-separation practices at their facilities as they do the beginning with the person who is throwing something at home, namely, to get all recyclable material out of the out. Make sure the article is separated right there, and waste-stream. maintain that separation all the way to the curb. Your The legislation, Ontario regulations 94/102 & 94/103 disposal service-provider can then make sure everything require businesses which fall into several categories to goes to the right place.” create and maintain waste audit records and waste­ reduction work plans. Course operators who are found to Superintendents should be opting for multiple be non-compliant will now be subject to fines ranging receptacles that make it easier for users to separate and from a few hundred dollars to several million dollars/day. discard waste. When asked how recyclable materials are According to the MOE, Golf courses are included as currently separated, many superintendents claimed that “commercial properties over 10,000 sq. m.” plastic, glass and aluminum containers are hand-picked Although the commercial 3R’s regulations have been from collected garbage bags. Not only does this practice on the books for over a decade, little has been done to not comply with provincial regulations, but it also creates enforce them. Since March of 2006, however, the MOE a significant safety hazard. has dispatched over 200 Enforcement Officers (EO’s) to Course managers are encouraged to develop policies specifically inspect commercial properties, Golf courses that respect that since different waste materials must now included, whereupon they may ask to inspect the afore­ travel to different physical locations, source-separation is mentioned waste audit records, reduction work plans, key. Source-separation also simplifies documenting your interview personnel, tour the property, review records, course’s waste output, as required by the legislation. collect samples, take photographs, and copy documents relevant to facility operations and waste management “Although implementing a course-specific recycling systems. program may be a superintendents responsibility, it’s not As of September 2006, the Ministry had conducted 125 his or her job...it’s ours,” says Busch. “We create waste inspections since March 2006 and handed out 70 diversion solutions for restaurants, offices, institutions and Provincial Officer Orders. “At this point in the blitz, the businesses every day.” intent is to go out and advise owners and managers what is required of them,” explains Kate Jordan, a ministry Graeme Capaldi of Environmental Reporting Systems spokesperson. “The idea is to work with management.” Limited, an independent consulting service, has been In order to comply with the provincial regulations, conducting waste audits and providing businesses in superintendents can no longer think of outgoing waste as Ontario with recommendations for waste reduction since simply a collect-and-haul commodity. The new reality calls 1994. “Progressive businesses have shown that for a partnership between management, hauler and the comprehensive programs will exceed the provincial target, province to minimize material destined for landfill. reduce overall waste costs and improve their overall Depending on the service-level of each property, waste corporate image,” he says. may be generated from several sources: administration Your course’s waste disposal service provider can also office, restaurant, snack-bars, pro-shop, maintenance help with an audit, and work with management to facility, and material brought onto the course by users. implement the systems necessary to satisfy the current MOE regulations. “Understanding the particulars of what operations- generated material are recyclable and how to effectively Michael Gailius is a Customer Service Representative with Busch implement a recycling program can be confusing at first, Systems International, and can be reached via e-mail @ but once in-place will make a major impact on a course’s michael@buschsystems.com. For more information, visit total waste output,” www.buschsystems.com TEA ANYONE? by Mark Durrand Previous Superintendent at Bluewater GC Currently sales rep for Master's Turf Supply, As the superintendent of the little 3200 yard nine JayBee Brewers in hole course in Bayfield, Ontario, the budget to apply Kelowna, B.C. chemicals on thirteen acres of poa/bent fairways was This brewer and out of the question. With compost tea applications only compost blend costing between $20 - $25 per acre, it is certainly a has produced practice worth looking into. Dollar spot is the main excellent numbers disease that occurs on the fairways at Bluewater, and of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and nematodes on a after many months of researching data on compost teas, consistent basis. This past summer, a fellow tea brewer I felt confident that compost tea applications would performed a test of my tea and the results were great. suppress dollar spot and improve the overall quality of By using a powerful microscope we were able to see the turf. This past season, I applied three applications actual bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and nematodes moving on three of my most dollar spot prone fairways, and I around in the Petri dish. This definitely gave me more observed little disease occurrence. Two other confidence to continue with future applications. untreated fairways had above average occurrence, and Compost tea brewing is a process of extracting the rest of the untreated fairways were average. There beneficial microorganisms and soluble nutrients from was also a definite difference in turf colour and turf compost. As continuous herbicide, fungicide, and density on the fairways treated with compost tea. My insecticide applications are performed, the populations practice green was designated as my research green of bacteria, fungi, protozoa and nematodes are being where I applied compost tea applications once a destroyed. What are we doing to replace these month. This green is certainly the most difficult green microorganisms? Nothing. We add N,P&K and for me to maintain as surrounding large trees and high micronutrients to the soil which is already rich in these traffic cause major problems for this 1000 square foot nutrients. Unfortunately, a large amount of these green. Over the course of the year, only two small nutrients are unavailable to the plant because the patches of brown patch, and three small patches of populations of microorganisms aren’t there to convert dollar spot occurred. As for the tees, I applied five these nutrients into available forms. By using compost applications on seven of twenty-seven tees and very little teas we are adding biology to the soil and allowing the dollar spot occurred. Seven untreated tees needed soil to function the way that it was designed to function, chemical applications twice to suppress dollar spot and naturally. Obviously, this will not be the end-all, cure-all the rest of the tees had little dollar spot occurrence. to disease in turf, but compost teas can play a huge part The idea of compost tea applications has been used in a plant nutrition program. in the turf industry for many years. It’s low cost and “environmentally friendly” method of disease suppression is of interest to many turf managers. Generally speaking, inconsistency turns them away. The key behind good quality compost tea is using good quality compost. The compost should be tested Simon George by a certified soil food web laboratory that can measure Technical Sales bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and nematode levels. Maple Turf Supply Business: (905) 857-2000 Another important element to enhance results is using 8112 King Rd. W. Fax: (905) 857-8215 P.O. Box 370 Mobile: (519) 841-3378 a quality tea brewer that has been tested and provides Bolton, Ontario 1-800-268-4425 consistent results, brew after brew. The 50 gallon tea L7E 5T3 sg142@hotmail.com brewer that I am using was designed by Jim Crockett of Never underestimate a golfer’s appreciation for superior turf. Primo MAXX creates course conditions that can bring golfers out in droves and enhance game performance. Primo MAXX helps manage clipping yields while elevating turf to a new level of playability. Call 1-888-368-4211 x5525 to contact your local Syngenta Turf Specialist and learn more about Primo MAXX. www.syngenta.ca - www.greenpartnersonline.com - www.engageagro.com Important: Always read and follow label instructions. ©2007 Syngenta Group Company. GreenPartners®, Primo® MAXX® and the Syngenta logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. Above the hole by Rafik Lang-Bismillah, Student & Intern Senjan Golf Club, Fergus Australian professional golfer Bruce Crampton is on ones own. In an academic setting the educator is easy reported to have said “golf is a compromise between to identify; in the real world they are not announced or what your ego wants you to do, what experience tells you heralded. I have experienced as much, if not more from to do, and what your nerves let you do”. There is people who would never have called themselves perhaps no better metaphor for life, education and ‘teachers’, as I have from teachers. Education is an professional growth than this statement. ongoing and cumulative experience that can only be I fell in love with golf: not the game, or the achieved by being receptive to that which others can competition, but the experience. The way early morning offer. Having the knowledge to do something is only half dew sparkles with the first rays of sunlight, the simplistic the battle, being able to do it under any conditions and beauty of a perfectly cut green or fairway, and the unique within certain limitations is what enables someone to feeling of being able to witness the emergence, growth have the wisdom to act accordingly. and evolution of a course through your own labour. Those are my commandments; a list that is neither This love affair has not been characterized by rash, exhaustive nor complete, but none the less a solid passionate actions. Rather, I have approached it as foundation upon which to grow. As in a game of golf, I something to be studied, learned and yet ultimately will have to continue to battle my ego and nerves. enjoyed. I have had the unique opportunity to work and However, the experiences and knowledge I have gained, experience the golf industry from a variety of and will continue to gain, will allow me to be better perspectives. My last 6 years have been spent absorbing prepared to make the best decisions. all the experiences and knowledge I could while helping to manage my family’s 9-hole course north of Guelph. It is an experience which has enabled me to make use of many of the skills I acquired during my undergraduate studies in Political Science at the University of Guelph, while simultaneously launching me into the more focused Turfgrass Management Diploma. I have learned some valuable things from my experiences on and off the golf course, lessons that have David Dickinson - Superintendent stuck with me. Stonebridge Golf and Country Club Ottawa, Ontario 1. It is never too early to start work. We have used RESPOND2on our greens successfully for 3 years. Life is full of due-dates, schedules and checklists; they all must be eventually accomplished, so jump on them. In 2006 we ran trials using RESPOND3 on selected fairways to combat More than anything else I have learned it is that things severe water stress problems. cannot be late. Whether it is work or school, deadlines The new improved, technologically advanced RESPOND3 clearly are critical. I have learned the importance of starting showed it's effectiveness in converting a stressed fairway into and completing work in a timely fashion the hard way. lush green turf. Excuses cannot be made for failing to accomplish In 2007 we will be using RESPOND3 on all our fairways, greens and tees. Lowering watering frequency and growing healthier something on time. Therefore, I endeavour to start turf will be our main objective. things early, because if they are finished earlier more can FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON RESPOND3 be accomplished. SEE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING DISTRIBUTORS: OR VISIT • All Turf Ltd. www.uap.ca 2. Everybody has something to teach you. • Master's Turf Supply Ltd. There are few things in life that can be accomplished • Mountainview Turf Always read and follow label directions. Respond is a registered trademark of United Agri Products University of Guelph update Understanding Take-all patch Last spring at the Guelph Turfgrass reduce incidence and severity of the disease. Take-all patch Institute Diagnostic Laboratory, we saw thrives under wet conditions, so adequate drainage is key in more samples of take-all patch than we disease prevention. Ensure that you are not over-watering your had ever dealt with in the past. The turf, and if your soil type leads to poor infiltration, core samples began coming from the western aerification followed by sand topdressing can help to increase provinces, but by mid-May, we started pore spaces in the soil. In addition, aerification will help reduce seeing the disease in Ontario as well. thatch levels, and as thatch acts both as a reservoir for over­ Considering how devastating this disease wintering mycelium and reduces the health of the plants, can be I wanted to focus this article on removal of excess thatch is key in both prevention and by Katerina Jordan, the biology of the pathogen and disease, management of the disease. This can be done both with core Assistant Professor as well as on prevention, diagnosis and aerification and with aggressive verticutting, although make Department ofPlant cultural management of take-all patch. sure that you do not do either when the turfgrass is stressed or Agriculture Take-all patch, caused by the fungus the disease is active as it will take longer for the turf to recover. Gaeumannomyces graminis, is an Increasing your height of cut is also recommended to allow for 1237 E. C. Bovey Building important disease of numerous cereals deeper rooting and to decrease stress on your turfgrass. As high 519-824-4120 and grasses, and is known to lead to pH (> 6.5) is strongly associated with development of take-all, kjordan@uoguelph.ca significant yield reductions in wheat the use of an acidifying fertilizer such as ammonium sulfate is crops. There are three different varieties or biotypes that are recommended to reduce symptom development. If the disease known to be pathogenic: G. graminis var. tritici, which infects is severe where the pH of irrigation water is at 7.5 or higher, it wheat and other cereals crops, G. graminis var. graminis, the may be worthwhile to consider acid injection systems, although causal agent of Bermudagrass decline, and the one we deal with research on the efficacy of this practice has not been on turf here in Ontario, G. graminis var. avenae, which attacks conducted. Also avoid the use of alkaline topdressing sand and oats and cool-season turfgrasses, especially bentgrasses. The nitrate forms of nitrogen as both may exacerbate the disease. fungus infects the roots and crowns of its host, generally killing Studies have also found that the addition of manganese to Mn- the plant - hence the name take-all. deficient soils reduces disease development, although care must The fungus overwinters as mycelium in infected plant tissue be taken not to apply Mn during hot weather due to the or in the thatch layer. Ectotrophic mycelium, or runner potential for phytotoxicity. The recommended rate is 2.2 kg/ha hyphae, grow on the surface of the root tissue, and once (2 lbs/ac) annually, generally applied as manganese sulfate. conditions for infection are present (cool, wet weather typically The purpose of this article is to introduce you to this potentially found in the spring and fall), the fungus initiates infection of devastating root disease, and hopefully to help a bit with the root cortex. The fungus spreads from infected to healthy management methods you can employ if you think take-all host plants by mycelium, although long distance spread can also patch may be leading to the death of your bentgrass turf. As occur through movement of infested soil or plant material. always, if you have any questions about this or any other Symptoms begin as small, circular patches of reddish or brown turfgrass disorders, please feel free to contact me. turf, and can sometimes be confused with Microdochium patch (aka Fusarium patch) as they both often occur under the same conditions. Depending on the environmental conditions, the patches usually start out small, but often increase in size, leaving behind large areas of dead turfgrass, especially in pure bentgrass stands (Fig. 1). The dead patches will often fill in with non-host species such as broadleaf weeds or annual bluegrass (Poa annua). On a mixed stand of turf, symptoms take on less of a patch-like appearance, and upon close inspection, only the bentgrasses are typically affected (Fig. 2). Often, if the plant is otherwise healthy, symptoms from take-all patch do not appear until late spring or summer when the turfgrass is under stress. However, if the conditions are ideal, symptoms can be seen in Figure 1. Patches of dead bentgrass turf characteristic of take-all patch (Photo the spring soon after green-up, or into the fall. The disease also courtesy GregStauth) typically appears in the same areas year after year and if left unchecked, patches can reach up to 1 m (3 ft) in diameter. Take-all patch is typically seen on newly constructed sand­ based greens, or on sites that have been recently fumigated. If left untreated, the disease often disappears about 5-7 years after appearance, a phenomenon known as “take-all decline.” It is hypothesized that G. graminis is a poor competitor in the soil, and the decline phenomenon occurs due to the build-up of antagonistic microorganisms in soil. However, we have seen take-all patch occurring in older greens (10 years or older) and on native soil root zones, particularly if the environmental conditions are conducive to development of the disease. Management of take-all patch is rather difficult as there are currently no chemicals registered for control of take-all patch in Figure 2. Symptoms of take-all patch on mixed turfgrass stand, with only Canada. However, proper soil and root management can bentgrass affected (Photo courtesy Pam Charbonneau) The natural weed-fighting power of EcoClear. It's never been easier to do the right thing. With today's pesticide bans, you may have thought you'd never win the war against weeds. But now there's a natural herbicide that works even faster than synthetic pesticides. EcoClear™ is a trademark of Ecoval Corporation. Always read and follow label directions. Introducing patented and registered EcoClear, the most effective non-selective natural weed-control solution you can buy, and the only acetic acid based herbicide legal for use in Canada. EcoClear goes to work so quickly you'll see results in just two hours, and total browning of weeds in as little as one day. You can't get that combination of performance, safety and municipal acceptance in any other commercial product. Pesticide bylaws or reduction strategies will soon be a fact of life where you work, if they aren’t already. So why not make EcoClear part of your weed control program now? EcoClear. It's the natural choice for total weed control. Distributed by: Plant Products Co. Ltd., 1-800-387-2449; Plant-Prod Quebec, 1-800-361-9184; Ecoval MGS Horticultural Inc., 1-519-326-9037; Evergro/Westgro, 1-800-663-2552. www.ecoval.ca One Rate. Powerful broad spectrum control. Nothing escapes the precision of Eagle* WSP Whether it be Summer Patch on greens or Dollar Spot on fairways - the precision of Eagle works all season long to seek out and prevent turfgrass disease. Practical 1 800-461 6471 water-soluble pouches reduce disposal needs and minimize applicator exposure. One rate, less Agrium Advanced Technologies 10 Craig Street fungicide and powerful broad spectrum control. Make Eagle part of your IPM program. Brantford. Ontario N3R 7J1 nu groturf.com ALWAYS FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS. *Eagle is a trademark of Dow AgroSciences LLC. On the REEL side of things Mike McGrath Equipment Technician, Greystone Golf Club Hydraulic oil - Keep it in your machine and off the green Every morning your fleet leaves the shop you are hoses to soften. It is very rare for a new hose to leak, so what threatening the health of your turf with hundreds of litres of you are looking for is an old, worn or damaged hose. Wear the most effective “Roundup” ever created - hot hydraulic oil. points are located all over the equipment, particularly in Whether you use conventional or organic based oil, the areas where a hose is in contact with other parts of the inevitable effect is still the same, dead turf. This risk is machine. While your equipment technician is servicing the virtually impossible to eliminate, but there are some machine, examining the hoses is time well spent. More techniques to help reduce the potential occurrence of leaks. thorough inspections should be done annually, cutting away In my experience, most leaks happen first thing in the all pull-ties and separating lines looking for wear between morning or late on a hot afternoon. I’m sure that every them. Be mindful that there are many points where lines superintendent has seen the first fairway covered in oil at least come into contact with the chassis and this will generate once in their career. The early morning leak is generally a small, obscure wear patches whereupon a leak will gradually result of a higher pressure in your cutting circuit. This develop. Replacing hoses that are starting to display signs of pressure is created by a resistance to flow. A reel mower will deterioration is not always within budget. A commonly used effectively seize up overnight due to rust caused by a build up “quick fix” is the garden hose patch, a technique that is not of water, fertilizer and organic material which will hold the recommended. This technique traps grass clippings and reel against the bedknife. Consequently, a pressure surge will moisture causing more damage. Hydraulic hose supplier’s occur in the hydraulic lines when the cutting circuit is first stock plastic hose wrap which can be used to protect the hose engaged. If you consider that most mowers link all cutters from further damage. together in the same hydraulic circuit, this can produce a Despite your best efforts to prevent this menace from massive amount of pressure in the lines. To help ensure that rearing its ugly head, the chance of a leak is still ever present. your day does not begin with a leak, training your operator to The trick is to have your operator notice the leak as soon as give each cutter a quarter turn before he or she leaves the possible to avoid extensive damage. Dyes are available which shop will loosen the reel from the bedknife and greatly colour hydraulic oil a dark red. This dramatic colour change diminish leak probability. This also gives the operator a good makes any leak more noticeable. Hopefully, on the next turn, opportunity for a full circle check of the machine, paying your operator will spot the problem and shut down the particular attention to any visible oil leaks or puddles. machine before further damage is caused. Incorporate this The late day leak is no way to end a shift. During the trick of the trade and watch leak potential fade! course of the day oil becomes very hot causing hydraulic David C. Smith, A.Ag., c.g.c.s. 185 Oriole Crescent Soil & Turfgross Consultant Gravenhurst, Ontario P1P1C6 890 Fairground Rd. R.R. #4 Langton Ont. N0E 1G0 Office (705)687-SOIL (7645) Phone (519) 875-4094 Fax (519) 875-4095 Fax (705) 687-3518 Toll Free 1-888-607-TURF (883) Cell (905) 512-6004 Email dave@dcsturf.com Website: mastersturfsupply.com email: mastersturf@uniserve.com Spring cleaning of Fusarium patch. A great start to a long green season. With winter over, the hard work of another Rovral Green GT FUNGICIDE season is now upon you. Make sure you get a clean start from diseases like Fusarium with Rovral Green GT, the tried and tested choice to clean up and prevent Fusarium from destroying your greens before the season starts. When the only colour you want to see is green With preventative and curative activity, Rovral Green GT is the best choice to get a clean start to the season. For more information contact Bayer Environmental Science www.bayeres.ca 1-888-949-6847 Quebec: 519-949-2467 • Ontario/Western Canada: 905-464-8399 • Ontario/Atlantic Canada: 519-239-3983 ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS: Rovral Green GT is a registered trademark of Bayer. Off the fairway ... Spring Jobs trees and shrubs that have long since died and wonder how and when that happened. We also see areas that are Springjobs arrived early this year balanced and inviting and take pleasure in that. We make with a rather abundant supply of mental and, if possible, written notes about some of our greenery exposed after the snow early observations and vow to act on our ideas. We melted. Blame it on the late onset of sometimes remember that we had planned on just that idea winter when certain plants had the the previous year. No worries though as we have the entire opportunity to advance and prosper. season ahead of us. Included in these are fall germinating Over time, shrubs, trees and gardens demand more space. plants, mainly biennials, and ground Deciduous shrubs in particular can get alarmingly large as by Daisy Moore covers like periwinkle. It will be a they mature and it is important to accommodate them as banger year for forget-me-nots and dandelions for sure. they grow or prune them to keep them in check. Pruning Kentucky bluegrass survived well over the winter as well and many deciduous shrubs is ideally done before bud break or I’ve noticed a higher than usual population invading my soon there after. Without the leaves you can decipher what flower beds. This is great news for turf-grass managers but needs to be cut back or off and how much space the shrub means extra work for gardeners. will need for the coming year. Common landscape shrubs We notice a lot about our gardens in the early spring. like Spirea, Viburnum, Lilac, Potentilla, shrub Roses, willow Before growth fully expands we can get a good sense of and dogwood, to name a few, will all look and perform pathways through the garden, by the eye and by the foot. better if they are trimmed in the early spring. This means Even in these early stages there are plants of differing form, cutting off dead or damaged limbs, thinning out branches size and shape that combine together to make an appealing that are growing too close together, removing sucker growth garden. For example, a garden containing Hosta alone will and generally shaping the shrub so that the new growth has look poorly in the spring versus one that mixes Hosta Fems, room to grow and flower. Hellebore, sedges, spring ephemerals or other plants of If a garden looks overgrown or a plant looks out of place differing growth habit. A couple of plants that are suitable in the early spring, then thin the perennials (divide) and re­ to the woodland garden or semi-shade and flower early are locate plants to other areas of the property or to other Barrenwort (Epimedium sp.) and Foamflower (Tiarella). gardens. With any luck you had the foresight to make new They grow well in mass plantings, with each other and with beds in the fall or enlarge existing beds so that there is room other shade plants. Another method to break-up a bland for all these new plants. In my garden I have recipient areas appearance in early spring is to include a shapely shrub of for plants that require sun, shade or miscellaneous prairie some sort into a bed of ground cover. Amelanchier, plants. These plants can then be used at other times in dogwood, ornamental willows or Japanese maple would be a other areas. few good choices. The shrub will take the eye away from I enjoy the garden in the early spring probably more than what is lacking at ground level. Similarly, a garden of strictly any other time of the year. It is the calm before the storm, ornamental grasses will look excessively brown and text book puttering and a wonderful feeling about the disheveled in the spring versus a garden that combines opportunities that lie ahead. spring and summer perennials with the grasses. The key to season-long beauty in the garden is to combine plants for Daisy Moore is a horticulturist. She plans and plants landscapes every season. and gardens throughout the GTA. Also in the spring we notice plants that don’t deserve to be She is the host of the radio program, “The Gardening Show” where they are or have out grown their boundaries. We find Saturdays 1-2:00 on am570. Doug Hubble "We Sell & Transplant Large Trees" Sales and Marketing Manager 519.770.3157 • Dedicated exclusively to dhubble@agriumat.com Large Tree Transplanting www.douglaswood.ca • 25 Years of Experience • Nursery Grown, Common John Bladon & Rare Trees IPM Coordinator / Technical Sales • Projects from 1 -1000 Trees 519.574.2013 jbladon@agriumat.com 1 800.353.3019 • T. 519.856.2771 • F. 519.856.1447 www.nu-groturf.com P.O.Box 339 Rockwood ON Canada N0B 2K0 Looking back 35 YEARS AGO TO-DAY by Barry Endicott In 1972 the Board of Directors were as follows; Bill Hynd A meeting was held at St. George’s Golf Club on March (pres.), Jim Wyllie (vice), Ross Haines (sec), Bob Heron 16th and the speaker was John Campbell, Links Supervisor (tres.), Bob Lamb, Ron Allen, Roy French, Paul Dermott, at St. Andrews. On April 11, there was a combined meeting Helmut Kopp, E. Charman and John Arends (past pres.). between the OGSA and Western Greenskeepers Assoc. at The editorial committee consisted of Bill Hynd, John Cherry Hills Golf & Country Club hosted by Charlie Benin. Arends, Ross Haines and Helmut Kopp. Cherry Hills is the host for this year’s Canadian Open held New Members: Paul White, Kanawaki Golf Club; Jacob from July 6 to July 9. On April 17, there was a meeting held Hallman, Chestly Lake Camp Association; C. P. Smith, at Essex Golf Club, hosted by Dave Moote. In June, the Galt Brooklea Golf Club; C. Miller, C. A. Miller Construction Country Club and the University of Guelph held the Spring Ltd.; Bill Robinson, Turf Supplies; Cameron Cairncross, Field Day, hosted by Paul Scenna. Bill Hynd was first low Foxwood Golf Club; Paul Dodson, Mississaugua Golf and gross, Bob Hall low gross and Hugh Kirkpatrick was third Country Club; Les Kelly, Royal Ottawa Golf Club; John low gross. Bob Heron was first low net and Helmut Kopp Hutchinson, Warkworth Golf Club; Lamont Anderson, was second low net. On May 9th, there was a meeting at the Midad Golf Club; Hugh Kirkpatrick, Conestoga Golf Club; Oakdale Golf Club, hosted by Bob Moote and the speaker Stewart Mills, R. Allen, Highlands Golf Course; Ron Weire, was Robbie Robinson, Golf Course Architect. First low Welland Valley Golf Club; Dennis Pellrene, Glen Abbey Golf gross Bob Heron, second G. Tombs and third low gross Club; Walter Windjack and Edward Rubski, co-owners of Whitey Jones. First low net was Keith Nesbit, second Dan Brock Golfland; Calvin Fairhall, Westmount Golf Club; D. Uzelac and third Cam Cairncross. John Grightmire hosted Elliott, Westhill Golf Club; Nick Panasiuk, Hideaway Golf a meeting at Rosedale Golf Club. On November 7th, there Club; A. C. Pratt, Bracebridge and B. S. Evans, Agincourt. was a meeting held at the Summit Golf Club and December The Ontario Turfgrass Symposium was held on January 5th the annual meeting was held at the Aurora Highlands. 10th at Northwood Country Club, hosted by Gord In August, the Pro Superintendent Day was hosted at Witteveen. The registration fee was $10.00 which included Islington Golf Club. lunch and dinner. On March 17th the RCGA Conference On July 21st, Brantford Golf Club and Vince Piccolo was held at the Skyline Hotel. hosted the Greens Chairman/Superintendent Golf Gord Witteveen was nominated as a director of the Tournament. The Brantford Golf & Country Club GCSAA at the forthcoming conference in Cincinnati. opened in 1879, is the fourth oldest club in Canada and has Kimmo Salonen broke his leg while skiing in Austria. Ron had Vince as its superintendent for the past 15 years. The Allen, Superintendent at Donalda Golf Club, received the club’s official dress at the time was red jackets trimmed with highest marks at the University of Guelph Short Course. brass buttons and membership was exclusive. Of note, Jack Abbot, an Honorary member of the OGSA passed Brantford was one of the first golf clubs to have irrigation. away on February 9th. He farmed the property known as There was a warning sent out to all members of the the Islington Golf Club which was built in 1924. He OGSA regarding gambling at meetings: “The Board of supervised the building of the course and continued as Directors of the Ontario Golf Superintendents’ Association superintendent at this club from 1924 to 1938. He then has requested that all gambling in club houses be stopped accepted a position at the Rosedale Golf Club from 1939 to unless the host superintendent so wishes at his club. Please 1950. Following a brief retirement he returned to Islington respect this rule.” as superintendent until 1960 when he finally retired at the age of 76. He was one of the originators of the OGSA. 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 Corrie Almack P.Ag. Express Dual & AngleMaster Almack Agronomic Tel: (905) 689-6174 Fax: (905) 689-8522 Email: Reel Mower Services Inc. Box 258, Carlisle, On L0R 1H0 c.almack@sympatico.ca Sharpeners Turf or consequences by Doug Breen, Superintendent Golf North Properties Beer Carts There was a time, long, long ago in the last millennium so let’s have a Super Relaxing Massage cart. We could (around 1992), that if a fellow on a golf course wanted a have a magazine cart, driven by an angry sixty-year-old swig of his favourite beverage, he had to quickly slip into woman who yells, “No reading!” every so often. the clubhouse between nines, spill most of it on himself, How many times have you been walking up the rush back to the tenth tee, and chug the rest of it before sixteenth fairway, and someone in your foursome the eleventh. That was it, until the round was over and he suddenly remembers that it’s his twenty-fifth wedding made his way into the nineteenth hole. The answer for anniversary? If there was a gift cart with flowers, jewellery, most golfers, was to load up their golf bag, or cart, or both, chocolates and whatnot, then he could relax and enjoy his in the parking lot, so that they would have a steady supply last three holes without having to fuss about running to of fuel for the entire round. That was how it was done for the mall on his way home. about 400 years. Then it occurred to someone that if Do you ever feel bad playing golf on Sunday morning Mohammad couldn’t come to the bar, then perhaps the instead of going to church? Now all you backslidden bar should come to Mohammad, and the beer cart was heathens can attend the inter-faith, non-denominational, born. I suspect that the idea was first proposed about 275 chapel-on-wheels cart. It puts the fore back in fore-mulaic years ago, but it took that long for the LLBO to make up religion! their mind whether it was OK to allow it. We could provide on-course services for everything from Now, less than two decades later, the beer cart is as much cell phone sales, to laser hair removal. Candy floss carts a part of the golf course furniture as a ball washer, a for the kids. Hot dog carts. Pizza delivery carts. High-end bench, or banana peels in the garbage on ladies day. For restaurants always have a dessert cart, why not us? There’s most courses, sixty to seventy percent of food and nothing like a big piece of cheesecake on the fourteenth beverage revenue is generated from that golf cart, and it hole to make the walk more pleasant. got me thinking that we’ve only just scratched the surface The possibilities are endless. Now that we’ve discovered of the things we could be selling on the course. I played the potential for on-course sales, the only thing holding us in a tournament last summer where the golf cart had back is good taste, and we all know how long that will complimentary lobster tails, shrimp, and crabs legs on it. stand up against potential profit. So I say join the dark I’m not much on lobster tails, but I could definitely see side. I’ll be sending out the rolling mall tomorrow. myself supporting a KFC cart. How many times have you been standing on the fourth tee, and thought to yourself, “Man, could I go for a steak burrito”? Happens to me all the time. I think there are some serious opportunities here. What would McDonald’s pay for the chance to sell burgers from a McCart? And Burger King could be just a little further down the way, in a slightly poorer location on a cart that breaks down a lot, selling arguably better food, but staffed by disinterested teenagers who can’t ever seem to get your order right (no breakfast after 10:30). And there could be a Wendy’s cart that everyone really likes, but they never go to, for no reason that they can think of. A Tim Hortons cart would make a killing. But fast food is the tip of the ice burg. I see bank machine carts, lottery kiosk carts, off track betting carts, slot machine carts. Why not a Freedom 55 cart to help you with your retirement plan? Therapeutic massage seems popular. There’s a place called Super Relaxing Massage near us that’s so busy that they have to be open all night, BEAUTIFUL TRUTH The truth is, you make this happen. 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