Ontario Golf Superintendents Association OGSA 3284 KEELE STREET, SUITE 10 DOWNSVIEW, ONTARIO PHONE 416 - 633- 1591 NEWSLETTER January 1973 Board of Directors PRESIDENT James Wyllie Residence phone 451-1875 VICE PRESIDENT Robert Heron 459-3299 SECRETARY Ross Haines 233-6105 TREASURER Paul Dermott 231-0925 DIRECTORS A. Beeney 877-2642 E. Charman 889-3303 R. French 627-3394 R. Hall 877-2885 A. Jones 727-5640 J. Stoughton (705) 728-0183 W. Hynd 239-9630 TO ALL MEMBERS: We always require your views, opinions and ideas. Please wrote or telephone any of the above, anytime..... PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE James A. Wyllie The Fourth Annual O. G. S. A. Turf Management Seminar is now history and will definitely go down in the books as the best ever! I would like to thank everyone who participated in this successful conference. It takes a lot of the old "intestinal fortitude" to prepare and give a talk to your peers for the first time.... If there were any sweaty palms or knock­ ing knees, it was not obvious to those who were listening. Once again I must stress that this is your Association and that the fellows who did attend this conference all agreed that they gained something from the day. For those who did not attend, it is a definite loss. I would like to inform everyone that our good friend Dave Gourlay is back to work and well on the way to a complete recovery. Dave has had quite a time of it over the last three months. Well, that time of year is here again! The big shuffle is under way, and at the present time there are five openings for Superintendents in Ontario. The big question is: "Did you hear who got this job or that one?" The same problem seems to raise its head along with these openings. What should the salary be? In the Toronto paper last night, there were 34 positions for superintendents advertised. They all supplied living accommodations and salaries of approximately $500. per month. The qualifications required were just about ’nil’. If you can run a vacuum cleaner, slug a mop and stay reasonably sober, the job is yours! The above job is, of course, not that of a Golf Course Superintendent but a 'super' for an apartment building. The point that I am trying to make is that some of the golf courses and one in particular do not seem to care about the qualifications of the man but 'how cheap will he work?' If we are to continue to make progress in our profession as Golf Course Superintendents, then now is the time for us to possibly boycott these clubs that want to pay low wages. If you are consid­ ering any new job, please contact supers that are in the areas concerned and ask them what the wages are in their particular area. They can help you to decide whether the club is good or bad. When a new man moves into an area and takes a job at a low salary, he is not only hurting himself, but is also bringing the entire profession down. I realize that it is great to be on the inside looking out when you already have a good job, but believe me, it is terrible to try and find a position after one of those penny pinching clubs gives you your working papers. Try and explain to a Greens Chairman why they let you go when you are applying for a new job. In closing, don't be enticed by low starting wages and that old excuse of 'proving yourself and we will pay you accordingly'. Remember, you are a professional, and should be paid as one! Congratulations to Gord Witteveen on his election to the G.C.S.A.A. Board of Directors — Well done, Gord! Congratulations to Bob and Carolyn Heron on the arrival of their new daughter, Cory Margaret, born on Wednesday the 17th of January, 1973, Monthly Meeting MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12th, 1973 LAMBTON GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB HOST: JIM WYLLIE PROGRAMME 11 A. M. - 2 P. M. - Curling will be available 2 P. M. Business Meeting GUEST SPEAKER: Ross Thomson, O. G. A. Tournament Co-ordinator SUBJECT: Preparing the Golf Course For a Tournament Movies will follow DON’T MISS THIS IMPORTANT AND INFORMATIVE MEETING! On January 4th, Northwood Golf and Country Club hosted the Third Annual O.G.S.A. Management Symposium. With 90 members in attendance, Mr. Keith Nisbet, President of the Ontario Golf Association, opened the morning session. Dennis Pellerine, Glen Abbey G.C., Leslie Kelly, Royal Ottawa and Bob Moote, Oakdale G.C. presented very informative talks on the Toro Sand Pro, Trapmaster and other power sandtrap rakes. All speakers agreed that their respective models greatly improved the playability of the traps, plus the all-important feature of lowering the labour cost to maintain them. Some models were on display in the foyer of the club, to the interest of many "supers". George Darou, Richmond Hill, Bob Herron, Markland Woods and Cameron Cairncross, Foxwood Golf Clubs gave thorough coverage of the three different triplex greensmowers. Are they the answer? Well, all three of these gentlemen thought so and from the facts they presented, one would have to agree. Next on the agenda was a review of pesticides on golf courses. Dave Moote had to pinch-hit for John Bennett who was unable to attend because of the flu bug. Dave had about one hour to prepare for his talk on his fungicide program at Essex and as always, he was of great interest. Alan Beeney, North Halton G.C. and Rusty Workman, Stratford G.C. followed with herbicides and insecticides respectively. We then broke for a luncheon of barbecued chicken. Dr. Jack Eggens, our afternoon session chairman, introduced Charles Behm, Cherry Hills, Barrett Muir, Shanty Bay, Ross Haines, Brampton, and Robert Lamb, Summit Golf Club who, in turn, gave an outline of the drainage programs used on their courses. The interesting point in their papers was the trend towards using plastic corrug­ ated pipe instead of the old method of clay tile. Advantages appear to be longer life and greater ease in laying. continued PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS - (continued) Next came "Shortcuts" and wasn't it appropriate to have as the first speaker Robert Hall!! Bob was followed by John Piccolo, St. Catharines Golf Club and Paul Scenna of Galt Golf Club telling about methods they used in making their jobs easier and more functional. Our host "super", Gord Witteveen, then gave an interesting talk on "A Look at Ourselves" and this brought many questions from the floor. You have us thinking again, Gord! President, Jim Wyllie, then closed the Symposium and informal discussions carried over into the cocktail hour. Dinner followed, to wind up a great day. Jack Marks of the Globe and Mail was a head-table guest and briefly commented on the playing conditions of Ontario courses which he rates "second to none". Our thanks to Gord Witteveen and the Northwood Golf Club for being our gracious hosts and to the people presenting papers for their very first time. They, along with the rest of the speakers, made this a very successful and informative day - one that shouldn't be missed. Alan Beeney, Supt., North Halton Golf & Country Club. New Member Applicant - Mr. Joe Reid, Woodbridge Golf and Country Club. Hereby posted. MEMBERSHIP DUES ? ? This is a reminder that if you have not already paid your dues for 1973, please do so at your earliest convenience. A new membership roster will be printed during April which will include paid up members only. EDITORIAL Gord Witteveen was elected Director of G.C.S.A.A. at the Annual Meeting held in Boston, Mass. Gord would like to take the opportunity at this time to thank everyone for their support. The G. C. S. A. A. Annual Conference and Equipment Show was the biggest ever, over 3,800 attended. There was a distinct international flavour as 50 Japanese attended, and a group of 53 Superintendents and Equipment Sales- men flew over from the U. K. + R. C. G. A. CONFERENCE & EQUIPMENT SHOW + + + + Queen Elizabeth Hotel, Montreal + + MARCH 5 - 7th, 1973 + GROUP TRAVEL — C. N. RAILWAYS Previous group trips to Montreal have been extremely popular and Robert Heron has again made arrangements. NOTE: As the banquet will be held March 7th (Wednesday), the return trip will be on Thursday, March 8th, 1973. DEPART FROM UNION STATION, TORONTO - Sunday, March 4th - 11:50 A. M. Arrive Montreal - 4:49 p. m. RETURN TRIP - LEAVE MONTREAL - Thursday, March 8th - 11:50 A. M. Arrive Toronto - 4:49 p. m. The group rate is $19.10 return as against regular fare of $25.90. We have reserved a coach which has to be confirmed BY 15th FEBRUARY, 1973. Come along and enjoy the relaxation of rail travel with your fellow Superintendents and their wives. Over 50 people took advantage of this offer two years ago. Please send the enclosed slip with a cheque in the amount of $19.10 per person to: Mr. Robert Heron, Ontario Golf Superintendents Association, 43 Eldomar Avenue, Brampton, Ontario. Please be advised that I would like to travel with the O. G. S. A. to Montreal for the R.C.G.A. Conference, leaving Toronto Union Station 11:50 A. M. on Sunday, March 4th and returning from Montreal Thursday, March 8th - 11:50 A. M. My cheque is enclosed in the amount of $______________ covering return fares for myself only [ ] for myself & wife [ ] signature address WANTED Mechanic - Assistant Apply: A. V. Jones, Golf Superintendent Aurora Highlands, Aurora, Ontario. FOR SALE: 1 - 1968 Professional Mower - Apply: A. V. Jones, Golf Superintendent Aurora Highlands, Aurora, Ontario. FOR SALE: 1 W/P Power Dragmat - 1968 1 5' Sandy Fertilizer Spreader 1 1968 Toro Professional Triplex 2 1970 Toro Greenmaster III’s Apply: Gord Witteveen, Northwood Golf & Country Club Downsview, Ontario. NOTE: Advertising space for articles for sale or wanted is FREE to Superinten­ dents of O. G. S. A. MEETINGS MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12th, 1973 - LAMBTON GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB MARCH 5 - 7th, 1973 - R. C. G. A. MONTREAL CONFERENCE OTHER MONTHLY MEETING DATES ARE BEING PREPARED AND WILL BE PRESENTED IN NEXT NEWSLETTER We are pleased to report that Dave Gourlay has returned to work following a brief spell in hospital and a holiday in California. Paul White, Superintendent at Kanawaki Golf Club, Montreal for the past five years is the new Superintendent at Glendale Golf Club, Hamilton, Ontario. Cameron Cairncross was the successful applicant for the post of Superintendent at Summit Golf Club, Oak Ridges, Ontario. Ronald Allen will receive a $100. scholarship from the Nursery Sod Growers Association of Ontario at their Annual Luncheon, Tuesday, January 23rd, 1973 for being one of the top students in the Turf Management Short Course at University of Guelph. Other recipients of Nursery Sod Growers Association of Ontario Scholarships are : FOR THE TURF MANAGEMENT SHORT COURSE - Ronald Allen and Robert French FOR THE TURF CORRESPONDENCE COURSE - Grant Berry ONTARIO GOLF SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION The following are proposed By-Law Changes to be voted on by the General Membership at a special meeting which is to be held in conjunction with the regular MAY meeting: 1. HONOURARY MEMBERSHIP - To qualify as an honourary member, an individual should be an outstanding person who has, or may promote or assist the Ontario Golf Superintendents Association. An Honourary Member shall be excused from payment of Annual Dues or Assessments. 2. CLASS CC - To qualify for Class CC Membership, an applicant shall be an Assistant Golf Superintendent for a period of one year, and must have served his apprenticeship under a qualified Superintendent. Class CC members shall have all the privileges of the Association except that of voting and that of holding office. 3. Amendment With regard to Annual Dues, the proposed due date would be changed from May 1st to March 1st. PLEASE MAIL FEES TO: MR. PAUL DERMOTT, C/O ISLINGTON GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB P. O. BOX 131, ISLINGTON, ONTARIO.