Green is February 2008 Beautiful The Official Publication of Ontario Golf Superintendents’ Association Bathurst Glen Golf Course Inside this issue... Recruitment Challenges My Role As Assistant Superintendent Ontario Golf Course Management Conference and Trade Show CANADA POST PUBLICATIONS MAIL PUBLICATIONS AGREEMENT No. 40027105 Postmaster: Please return undeliverable copies to The OGSA, 328 Victoria Rd. S., Guelph, ON N1H 6H8 syngenta Heritage in a liquid. You get the feeling turf was just waiting for this. Greens, tees and fairways have been thirsting for new Heritage MAXX fungicide. This long-lasting systemic fungicide is now faster acting thanks to the MAXX formulation. Micro-sized particles and optimized adjuvant system allow for faster foliar intake and better root uptake. Call 1-888-368-4211 x5525 to contact your local Syngenta Turf Specialist and learn more about Heritage MAXX. - www.syngenta.ca - www.greenpartnersonline.com - www.engageagro.com - Important: Always read and follow label instructions. ©2007 Syngenta Group Company. GreenPartners®, Heritage® MAXX® and the Syngenta logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. President's message It is an honour to be given the opportunity to serve as president of a group of people whom I respect a great deal; OGSA members. The work that lies ahead over the next year will be accepted and given the attention it deserves, as our association continues to grow and encounter many challenges. At this time, I would like to thank Randy Booker and the ONTARIO GOLF SUPERINTENDENTS’ conference committee for a great job with the 2008 version of the byJeffStouffer ASSOCIATION Ontario Golf Course Management Conference and Trade Show, Credit Valley Golf& CC Guelph Turfgrass Institute held at the Sheraton Centre in Toronto. An excellent educational 328 Victoria Road South program combined with excellent representation of our exhibitors Guelph, ON N1H6H8 Ph: 519-767-3341 in the trade show made for an enjoyable week! A sincere thank you to all who exhibited Toll Free: 877-824-6472 again this year and to the new exhibitors on the show floor, as it is your continued support Fax: 519-766-1704 that makes the conference what it is and what it will be for many years to come. A special Email: ogsa@gti.uoguelph.ca thank you to our OGSA team lead by Dorothy Hills, for without their assistance and hard Website: www.golfsupers.on.ca work, many things would go incomplete. Also, to Ken Cousineau and the CGSA team for another well executed plan for the conference. The relationship between the OGSA and BOARD OF DIRECTORS the CGSA remains strong and we look forward to many more Conference relations. President: Jeff Stauffer Our Annual General Meeting was conducted on Thursday January 17, 2008 and on Past President: Sean DeSilva behalf of the Board, I would like to welcome two new directors to the team, Phil Brown and Vice-President: Randy Booker Stu Leachman. We look forward to your input and involvement during these exciting times Treasurer: Jeff Alexander at OGSA. I would be remiss if I did not recognize the valuable éfforts of Bob Burrows who Secretary: Chris Andrejicka now leaves the board. Thank you Bob and allow me on behalf of the OGSA membership, Directors: Jarrod Barakett wish you all the best in your new position at Banff Springs. Congratulations and thank you Doug Breen to Sean DeSilva, our outgoing President, your leadership this past year was admirable and Phil Brown I wish you the best in your new position at Coppinwood. Rob Gatto There are changes at times with everything in life and there will be changes with our Scott Heron magazine, Green is Beautiful, beginning in the fiscal year 2008/2009. The main change will Stu Leachman be the number of issues printed and distributed. This decision follows careful and lengthy Jennifer Pendrith discussions, and is due to a myriad of reasons. As we have experienced for many years, Executive Mgr Dorothy Hills acquiring articles submitted on time has lead to issues weaker in content and fewer pages Office Staff Pat Thomas than others. By reducing the annual number of issues, we will maintain strength in Deborah Badger professional presentation, content, and overall magazine strength. We have received many awards in the past because of its strength in content and presentation and the board feels that to continue this level, we must recognize the challenge and address it responsibly. There will be communications sent out to our membership, advertisers and industry suppliers over the next number of weeks in Clippings and other formats, to fully explain our plans for transition from 6 issues per year to 4 issues per year. The board, with the help of our office staff, are currently preparing a new approach in maintaining and growing a stronger relationship with industry representatives and their involvement with our magazine, our roster, our website and attendance at our events each GREEN IS BEAUTIFUL EDITORIAL year. Through recognizing and acknowledging their concerns, our board is working COMMITTEE towards implementing a program that will meet the advertising needs of all our associate Dorothy Hills members. We, as a board, will continue to work hard to maintain the vision and follow our mission Greig Barker statement while representing our membership in the highest level possible. We look Tom Brain forward to the year ahead and will appreciate any input you may have. Andy Sandilands Paul Grotier Jason Hanna Brett Murray Direct Line 416-659-1020 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 2008 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 BATHURST GLEN GOLF COURSE ................................................ 18 Above the hole...................................................................................... 22 Editorial message.................................................................................. 5 Beautiful The Official Publication of Ontario Golf Superintendents’ Association From roots to shoots............................................................................ 8 Golf course highlight - Bathurst Glen Golf Course ................... 17 Health & safety....................................................................................... 9 Looking back ......................................................................................... 33 Member Profile - Dennis Pellrene..................................................... 16 My Role As Assistant Superintendent............................................ 20 Off the fairway....................................................................................... 27 OGSA's 2008 Conference..................................................................... 10 President's message.............................................................................. 3 Recruitment Challenges..................................................................... 24 Turf or consequences............................................................................ 34 University of Guelph update.............................................................. 28 What's new............................................................................................. 6 COVER PICTURE Advertisers Skyline from Sheraton Centre Toronto Photo by Dorothy Hills Agrium Advanced Technology - Pro Turf, NuGro ................. 31, 35 Almack Agronomic Services Inc....................................................... 26 Aquatrols.................................................................................................. 31 Bartlett Tree Experts - Canada.......................................................... 7 Bayer Envrionmental Science - Backed By Bayer...................... 30 Bayer Envrionmental Science - DeltaGard® SC ........................... 21 Bayer Envrionmental Science - Roval® Green GT....................... 32 Braemar Building Systems................................................................. 20 Burnside Golf Services........................................................................ 7 Custom Turf Outfitters ....................................................................... 33 DCS Agronomic Services..................................................................... 26 Douglas Wood Large Tree Services................................................. 26 Fast Forest............................................................................................... 26 Fish Farm Supply Co............................................................................. 26 OGSA is committed to GC Duke Equipment Ltd...................................................................... 22 serving its members, Green Horizons Group of Farms....................................................... 31 advancing their profession, H & M Turf Ltd........................................................................................ 3 and Hutcheson Sand & Mixes .................................................................. 8 enriching the quality Manderley Turf Products Inc.............................................................. 9 Maple Turf Supply............................................................................. 9, 26 of golf Master's Turf Supply Ltd..................................................................... 26 and its environment. Ontario Seed Company ...................................................................... 7 Plant Products - BASF ......................................................................... 23 Syngenta - Heritage Maxx ................................................................ 2 Layout, Design & Printing provided by Turf Care Products Canada - Irrigation Div................................... 5 G-R-A-P-H-l-C SERVICES PRINTERS & LITHOGRAPHERS Turf Care Products Canada................................................................. 36 Tel: 519.763.5745 • Fax: 519.763.9532 United Agri Products Inc..................................................................... 31 32-34 Essex Street • Guelph, Ontario • N1H 3K8 Vanden Bussche Irrigation................................................................. 25 e-mail: info@graphicservices.ca • Zander Sod Co. Limited....................................................................... 7 www.graphicservices.ca Editorial message by Dorothy Hills another With successful Ontario Golf Course Management contributions to the magazine, as both editor and co-editor Conference and Trade Show behind us we look forward to over the past 5 years. John has contributed much time and the many other education opportunities before us and the effort to ensure the integrity and professionalism of Green is promise of spring, with a new set of challenges and prospects. Beautiful, but has decided to resign from the editorial team to This issue presents an overview of the conference events, pursue his many writing opportunities. Thank you also to including photos of our award winners, and a big thank you Chris Andrejicka, who has served as co-editor over the past to our many sponsors, without whom the conference would year, and has now moved into the position of board secretary not be possible. We feature an article and golf course for 2008. highlight on Bathurst Glen Golf Course, which was recently We would like to thank our members for your many acquired by The Toronto Regional Conservation Authority. contributions to the magazine and encourage you to keep Our profile is on Dennis Pellrene, 2007 recipient of the those articles and photographs coming in. If you have any William Sansom Distinguished Service Award. At this time of ideas or suggestions don’t hesitate to contact any of the the year we are probably all thinking of the upcoming golf following individuals on the committee: season and filling those vacant staff positions. Recruitment is always a challenge but the article by Paul Grotier and Jason Dorothy Hills ogsa@gti.uoguelph.ca Hanna offers some innovative options and solutions. Our Greig Barker greigbarker@hotmail.com regular contributors provide an interesting read on topics Tom Brain bgccturf@skyline.net ranging from dealing with repeated traffic and wear on areas Paul Grotier p grotier@hotmail.com other than the greens and fairways, to building natural plant Jason Hannajhanna@creditvalleygolf.com communities and keeping the flu at arms length. Justin Parsonsjparsons27@hotmail.com I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the board Scott Horsburgh shorsburgh@plantprod.com and editorial committee to thank John Bladon for his many Andy Sandilands asandilands@blackdiamondgolfclub.ca TURF CARE The Toro GCD System •Design without complicated calculations. One cable can have up to 800 stations and be up to 2.7miles long. •Lower installation costs. The Toro CDC System minimizes wire usage and reduces overall system costs. •Reduce maintenance and downtime. Reduce troubleshooting time; activate 50 stations simultaneously. •Count on the Toro NSN Support Network. The first dedicated support network in the irrigation industry. For more information, contact The Toro GDC System your local Turf Care sales representative. Imagination has never been so affordable. Introducing the Toro GDC System, the easiest and most powerful decoder system available for golf course irrigation. The Toro GDC System uses proven technology from the aerospace and aviation industries to provide a reliable and affordable irrigation solution for the complex designs of today's golf courses. Turf Care Products Canada www.turfcare.ca 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 What's new 2008 MEMBERSHIP STICKERS 2008 stickers are now available for placement on your membership certificates. If required call the OGSA office at (519) 767-3341 or toll free (877) 824-6472 or email Pat at ogsa2@gti.uoguelph.ca. Stickers will be mailed upon request, with the mailing of the membership update form in February. NEW MEMBER DRAW L-R back row: Phil Brown, Stu Lechman, Scott Heron, Jarrod Barakett, Congratulations to John Watson, student at the University of Rob Gatto, Doug Breen, Jennifer Pendrith Guelph. John’s name was drawn from all our 2007 new L-R front row: Sean DeSilva, Randy Booker, Jeff Stauffer, Jeff Alexander, member applicants, and he will receive a complimentary 2 day Chris Andrejicka pass to the 2009 conference. OGSA ROSTER INFORMATION Membership information forms will be in the mail soon to all 2008 OGSA EVENTS our members, asking them to confirm their information, which CAN/AM Challenge TBA we currendy hold in our database. Our membership directory Michigan Golf Superintendents Association Roster will be published to coincide with the mailing of our May Pro/Super Challenge Thursday, May 29th issue of Green is Beautiful. Please ensure that your information Batteaux Creek GC Host Supt. Paul Mickalko is correct, so that the directory is as accurate as possible at time of publication. Spring Field Day Tuesday, June 10th The printed copy of the directory is published in the spring. Muskoka Lakes G&CC Host Supt. Jim Flett However, member contact information can always be obtained by accessing the Roster in the “Member’s Only” section of our Presidents’ Day Monday, July 21st web site. Deer Ridge Golf Club Host Supt. Jarrod Barakett Associate members are offered the opportunity to advertise AssistantsTournament TBA September in the “Roster” again this year, and they will be receiving an advertising package, by mail. Don’t hesitate to contact Dorothy Alex McClumpha Monday, October 6th if you require further information. Oxford G&CC Host Supt. Jerry Richard OGSA's Green is Beautiful "Above the Dates and details of the above events will appear on our Hole Writing Contest! website under both “Events” and “Calendar of Events,” as How would you like to be part of Ontario’s leading golf they are confirmed and further details are available. All course management magazine? The Ontario Golf events will be announced in our e-bulletin Clippings when Superintendents’ Association’s official publication, Green is registration is open. For your convenience, on line Beautiful is pleased to present an opportunity to all turfgrass registration will be available again this year. student interns. The column “Above the Hole”, authored by In addition to the above golf events, OGSA will be hosting University of Guelph Turfgrass intern Rafik Lang-Bismillah is a social event at the CGSA Fall Field Day, on Saturday, open to a new intern as of April 2008. The magazine’s Editorial September 13th, to be held in Collingwood, Ontario this year. Committee will be reviewing submissions from Ontario based Mark your calendars now and watch for exciting details, Turfgrass interns in February 2008. Basic requirements coming soon. include; ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2008 1. You are in the first year ofyour education of Turfgrass Management The Annual General Meeting was held on January 17th at the 2. You have a desire to excel in the Golf Course Management Business. 2008 Ontario Golf Course Management Conference and Trade 3. You have an aptitude for writing. Show. Nominees Philip Brown, Superintendent at The Summit Golf & Country Club and Stuart Leachman, Superintendent at How do I apply? Diamond Tn the Ruff Golf Course, both joined the board by We ask that each applicant submit an article entry. The acclamation. article will be based on your growth and experiences as a Bob Burrows has left the board, fulfilling his year as past student/intern. Each entry should be 550 words in length and president, and we would like to take this opportunity to thank electronically submitted to the OGSA office by February 28th Bob for his many years of service. 2008 - to ogsa@gti.uoguelph.ca Please email in with the subject This year’s board consists of: Past President, Sean DeSilva; line Above the Hole, together with your contact information. President, Jeff Stauffer; Vice President, Randy Booker; The successful applicant will receive one year paid student Treasurer, Jeff Alexander; Secretary, Chris Andrejicka; membership to the Association as well as a writing opportunity Directors, Jarrod Barakett, Doug Breen, Phil Brown,Rob Gatto, in Green is Beautiful. This is a great mechanism to express Scott Heron, Stu Leachman and Jennifer Pendrith. yourself within the industry of your future and differentiate yourself from other interns. Green is Beautiful looks forward to having you on Board ! Burnside Serving the Needs of the Golf Industry Welcome! We can help with: OGSA Welcomes • Approvals for Golf Course Development our newest members and Operations Ron Biggs Class F Why Prime Your Trees? • Irrigation Water Supply The Briars Golf Club • Sewage Treatment and Disposal At Bartlett we believe that you • Environmental Management Plans Paul Robert Brown Class D should prune for a specific purpose. • Building and Clubhouse Design Services Turtle Creek GC We recommend pruning to improve: • Irrigation Design and Consulting Billy-Joe Carey Class F • Safety • Health • Environmental Impact Assessment Taboo Resort • Structural Integrity • Drinking Water Assessment • Damage Correction Mike Claydon Class F Toll Free: (877) 799-8499 Golf North Skill, knowledge and experience E-mail: vcirone@rjburnside.com are required to prune properly. Website: www.rjburnside.com Kevin Collier Class C So don't entrust your landscape King Valley Golf Club to anyone but experts - Bartlett Dave Cowan Class D Tree Experts. Simcoe Shores G & CC Call for your free inspection today!! 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Class E Julia Webber NMP Golf Construction Inc Normand Poirier Class E From roots to shoots Happy New Year everyone! With A group of us from GTI had the opportunity to attend the the early snowfall in November, many Crop Science Society of America meeting in New Orleans in golf superintendents were caught November. There were well over 200 scientific without protection, snow mould presentations on turf research given over the four day protection that is. There were some meeting. I wanted to pass on a couple of the results of the heroic attempts to shovel snow, melt research presented that could be relevant to golf course snow with dark coloured sands and superintendents in Ontario. Dr. Michelle DaCosta, probably other creative attempts to get University of Massachusetts, and her colleagues have been by Pam Charbonneau rid of the snow and ice that fell in late doing quite a bit of work on velvet bentgrass. One study OMAF Turfgrass Specialist November. All of this to allow compared the wear tolerance of velvet bentgrass and superintendents to get their snow mould protection down. creeping bentgrass. Overall, the velvet bentgrasses were The year started with a loss of snow cover in many areas and significantly more wear tolerant than the creeping gave golf superintendents a narrow window within which to bentgrasses. Superior wear tolerance with velvet genotypes get out their spreaders or sprayers and apply their was closely associated with a more upright tiller and leaf preventative snow mould applications. We at the Guelph growth-habit, higher shoot density, and greater total cell Turfgrass Institute got caught and the superintendent of wall content and cell wall constituents. Total cell wall research plots, Peter Purvis, was rushing around the week of content and cell wall constituents accounted for as much as January 7th to apply fungicide to our research greens. Dr. 90% of the total variation in wear tolerance in the field. Hsiang and his students and technicians were in the same One of their findings, however, was that the velvet boat. All the turf is safely put to bed for the rest of winter. bentgrasses were more susceptible to basal rot anthracnose. Pink snow mould did have a chance to get started, so there On the subject of anthracnose, research conducted by Dr. will no doubt be some pink snow mould evidence when Jim Murphy and Dr. Bruce Clarke, at Rutgers University, spring comes. dispelled the belief that frequent sand topdressing As many of you may have already heard, one of Premier increases the incidence of basal rot anthracnose. The effect Dalton McGuinty’s re-election promises was to ban the of sand topdressing rate (0, 0.3 and 0.6 L m-2) and cosmetic use of pesticides province wide. The Ministry of frequency (every 7, 14 and 28 days) on anthracnose severity the Environment will be the lead Ministry and was evaluated in North Brunswick, New Jersey. Contrary to announcements have been made that legislation will be the common perception, their data indicate that sand introduced in the spring of 2008. At the moment, the topdressing does not generally increase anthracnose and Ministry of the Environment is working behind the scenes can enhance recovery from this disease. The theory may be to come up with background information to be able to draft that the sand topdressing keeps the thatch drier and better legislation by spring. I will attempt to keep golf drained or that the sand protects the crowns from wear and superintendents in the province posted on the abrasion that might increase disease incidence. developments and the implications for you. www.hutchesonsand.com CONNOISSEURS OF SAND. An industry leader since 1985, Hutcheson Sand & Mixes provides a wide variety of products and services for your construction, renovation and maintenance needs. • LABORATORY TESTING • ROOTZONE MIXES • TOPDRESSING MATERIALS • BUNKER SAND • AGGREGATES OUR SAND MAKES THE DIFFERENCE. Tel: 1-800-461-5521/705-789-4457 • Fax:705-789-1049 • Email: info@hutchesonsand.com Health & safet Flu Season - Some Best Practices information in this article may The have shown that paper towels or single use cloth towels are provide some assistance to you and your the drying medium of choice. To properly wash the hands, employer in the 2008 flu season by use warm, soapy water and rub vigorously for at least 20 providing guidelines for worker seconds — about the amount of time it takes to sing “Happy protection. Birthday” twice. Avoid eating or touching your eyes, nose, Today, as many as 36,000 Americans and mouth without washing your hands first. by DougJohnson continue to die each year of what’s Train your workers to understand the positive SAFETAID - Health and commonly known as the flu and more consequences of good hygiene practices. Workers who are Safety Consulting than 200,000 are hospitalized. Most ill should be encouraged to “get better” before coming in to outbreaks in North America occur between October and work. It only makes sense to assist workers in their efforts to May. The peak season is usually late December to early recover. March. The numbers in Canada will generally be about 10% Provide each work area with tissues, a hand sanitizer, and of those in the U.S. dispenser. Hand sanitizers are not be used in place of soap The influenza virus spreads through droplets that have and water, but only as an adjunct. A hand sanitizer cannot been “coughed” or “sneezed” into the air by someone who and should not take the place of proper cleansing has the flu. You can get the flu by breathing in these procedures with soap and water. droplets through your nose or mouth or by the droplets Keep the work areas and eating areas clean and sanitized. landing directly on your eyes. The flu virus is also found on This means things like the desk, phone receivers, and the hands of people with the flu and on surfaces they have doorknobs. Cold and flu viruses can survive outside the touched. You can become infected if you shake hands with body from a few seconds up to 48 hours, depending on the infected persons or touch contaminated surfaces and specific virus and the type of surface. transfer the virus to your own eyes, nose, or mouth. Institute a “cover your cough” campaign. The big Anyone can get influenza. You’re especially at risk if you promotion right now is getting people to crook their elbow are an older adult or have diabetes, chronic heart or lung and cough or sneeze into their coat or shirt sleeve. This is disease, or an impaired immune system. ultimately better than coughing or sneezing into your Here are some basic things that you can do in your hands! Post signs to let the workers know the differences workplace to reduce the risk of passing on the flu and other between the symptoms of the common cold and the illnesses to your fellow workers. Although it is too late this symptoms of the flu. Such information will assist employees year, one of the strategies that you can put in place in the and clients in determining the need for self-isolation until future is to encourage all your staff to take the annual flu the period of infection passes. shots in October and November. Many studies have shown that socially active young people Information and statistics in this article were taken from an article by Joe Beck, Professor of Environmental Health Science at Eastern Kentucky University in have the highest rates of flu infection each year and are the Richmond, Ky and printed in Occupational Heath and Safety Magazine major spreaders of flu in the community and introducers (http://www. ohsonline. com/articles/56269 into households. This is in part due to their high level of socialization and their participation in group activities. Immunization of socially active workers, therefore, would SAFETAID reduce exposure of highly vulnerable individuals to flu. Making safety your 1st priority! Encourage proper hand washing with hot and cold T. 519-837-0997 • F. 519-837-1996 running water, a soap dispenser, and paper towels. Studies Consulting, Safety and First Aid Supplies QUALITY • ON TIME Supplying Canada’s top golf courses for over 45 years Simon George Professional Products Technical Sales 1-800-461-5501 Maple Turf Supply Business: (905) 857-2000 8112 King Rd. W. P.O. Box 370 Fax: (905) 857-8215 Mobile: (519) 841-3378 When only Bolton, Ontario 1-800-268-4425 the best L7E 5T3 sg142@hotmail.com will do. www.manderley.com/golf 2008 ONTARIO GOLF COURSE MANAGE The two day conference was preceded by a double NGF Golf, a Division of Northgate Farms. header seminar, sponsored by Syngenta. The morning Of course, there was a lot of networking done on the seminar on “Shaded Growing Conditions” was presented trade show floor, especially on Thursday afternoon when by Dr. James H. Baird, who has recently left the USGA Bayer Environmental Science hosted an hour long trade Green Section to lecture on Turf Management, at the show social. University of California. We enjoyed record attendance at the President’s Reception in the Civic Ballroom, sponsored by many of our associate members. After a delicious lunch and an opportunity to network with colleagues, Steve Mann, from Bartlett Tree Experts, in Bracebridge, Ontario, took to the stage to give a very informative and interesting talk on “Tree Inventories, Tree Maintenance and The Politics of Trees”. Sean DeSilva presents cheque to Keven Falls Both seminars were very well attended, and provided a The Ontario Golf Superintendents’ Association, stimulating prelude to the two day conference and trade President, Sean DeSilva acknowledged the importance of show. continued turf research support in Ontario, commenting that the OGSA looks forward to working with the OTRF in a mutual endeavour to enrich the quality of golf and its environment, through turfgrass research. Sean presented a cheque for $20,000 to Kevin Falls, President of the OTRF. Randy Booker thanks our pre- conference speakers. OPENING CEREMONIES The Town Crier proclaimed the conference officially open Keynote speaker, Scott Burrows, experienced a tragic and called on our 2008 Conference Chairman, Randy accident as a young man and was informed by his doctors Booker, Superintendent at that he would never walk again. As you can see by the Otter Creek Golf Club, to photo above, Scott overcame all obstacles by using his welcome everyone to a great success strategy of Vision, Mindset and Grit, and event and encourage all to take reminding himself constantly, “I am the captain of my advantage of the many soul and I am the master of my fate.” educational and networking Scott reminded us that whatever your vision, opportunities over the next getting there is rarely a straight line. There is a lot of couple of days. traffic along the way. “Just let it happen and don’t resist”. Thursday and Friday Among his many accomplishments Scott co-authored a offered numerous education book with Jack Canfield, entitled “Conversations on opportunities sponsored by Success”, a must read. AWARDS LUNCHEON 50 Year Member We had overwhelming support at our Awards’ Luncheon this year to honour and recognize those who have achieved special awards during the previous year. We would like to thank Agrium Advanced Technologies for their continued support and sponsorship of this popular event. William Sansom Distinguished Service Award Jim, Frances and David Wyllie Mr. James A. Wyllie has been an active member of the OGSA for 50 years. He sat on the Board of Directors for several years and served as president in 1973. David Wyllie, Jim’s son gave an extensive account of Jim’s many accomplishments in the golf industry. Perhaps Jim will consent to an interview for a future Member Profile in Green is Beautiful, where we can elaborate on these, but in the meantime, here is a brief listing of some of those achievements: President of Dormy House Ltd., President and Founder of James A. Wyllie & Associates, President and certified member of GCSAA, President of the CGSA, President of the CTRF and recipient of the John B. Steel Dennis Pellrene, Casual Water Captain Distinguished Service Award. Jim has had a long and illustrious career as a golf course superintendent and has President, Sean DeSilva started off the presentations by served on many committees, to advance their profession, announcing the recipient of our 4th William Sansom and enrich the quality of golf and its environment. Distinguished Service Award. This award has been named Congratulations Jim! in honour of our first President, William Sansom, who held that position from 1924 through 1932. This award is presented to a person who the association members feel has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of the golf course superintendent’s profession. The contribution must be significant in both substance, and may be, or have been national or regional in nature. This year’s Distinguished Service Award goes to Mr. Dennis Pellrene. Dennis is retired and currently lives in British Columbia with his wife, Laura. A short slide show outlining his many accomplishments and career as a superintendent was presented to the audience, as Dennis was currently out of the country on vacation. We are hopeful that the presentation can be made in person this summer, at one of our events, when Dennis comes back to Ontario for a visit. Sean DeSilva made a presentation of a commemorative watch to Jim, as a token of appreciation for his long and outstanding service to the OGSA. 2008 ONTARIO GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE AND TRADE SHOW long term goals in both his personal and professional life. In addition, we have been informed that Andrew will be taking on the position of superintendent at Pheasant Run, the middle of February. As part of Andrew’s application for this scholarship, he wrote an essay on “My Role as Assistant Superintendent”, which will appears on page 20 of this issue. Turf Managers Short Course Education Award 25 Year Member Awards Alex Labelle was presented with a 25 year member plaque. Stephen Verrall is also a 25 year member, but unfortunately was unable to attend the ceremonies. Director Plaque Trevor Clapperton was acknowledged for his service as a director of the OGSA from 2005 - 2007. Trevor resigned from the Board of Directors in June of 2007 to persue a new career with the municipality of Port Hope as the Parks and Recreation Manager. An annual award is given to the golf course related student, who upon completion of the program, received SCHOLARSHIP AWARD the highest overall mark in the course. This year’s award went to John Ingham with the highest overall average of Hugh Kirkpatrick Bursary 93.3%. Congratulations John! Turfgrass Diploma Scholarship An drew Hardy with Craig Evans The OGSA, in conjunction with the Kirkpatrick family has developed this bursary program to recognize the leadership, commitment and accomplishments of Assistant Superintendent Members of the OGSA. This bursary is named after Hugh Kirkpatrick, who was very The OGSA has developed this scholarship to recognize active in our association and held the position of scholastic accomplishments and potential leadership in president in 1985. the field of turfgrass management. The 2007 Hugh Kirkpatrick Bursary was awarded to This year’s Turfgrass Scholarship is awarded to Aaron Andrew Hardy, Assistant Superintendent at Pheasant Run Weinberg. Aaron is enrolled in the Associate Diploma Golf Club. Andrew’s opening sentence in his application Turgrass Management course at the University of Guelph, was, “If life has taught me anything over the past year, it is and has recently accepted the position of 2nd Assistant at that everything really needs to be kept in perspective.” Islington Golf Club. Keeping this in mind, Andrew has set admirable short and Heritage Scholarship Photo Of The Year Award 2007 The OGSA developed this scholarship program to The criteria for awarding the best photo is divided into recognize the scholastic accomplishments of students who five categories: golf course, projects, landscaping, wildlife, are the children or grandchildren of members of the and finally, best overall. The photos are judged by the OGSA, and are studying a curriculum unrelated to Editorial Advisory Committee. The recipient this year is Turfgrass Management. Blair Rennie, Superintendent at Whitevale Golf Club. This year’s award winner is Erica Dickie. Erica is the Blair’s winter scene photo of his golf course appeared on daughter of Nancy and Philip Dickie, and is currently the cover of the December 2006 issue of Green is Beautiful. enrolled full time in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program at the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Vanden Bussche Irrigation Equipment Award Guelph. Erica’s goal is to become a respected veterinarian Donation and productive community leader. In recognition of the article and the photo awards , we would like to thank Vanden Bussche Irrigation Equipment GREEN IS BEAUTIFUL AWARDS Limited who have generously donated a total of $500.00 in the names of our two Green is Beautiful award winners to Barry Endicott Article Of The Year Award 2007 the OGSA Turf Research Fund. This money will go towards furthering research in the golf industry in Ontario. Jason Becket, Golf Manager for Vanden Bussche was present at the luncheon to help us celebrate this event. IPM ACCREDITATION AWARDS - LEVEL II The criteria for awarding the Barry Endicott Article of the Year Award is based on a point system consisting of originality, relevance, clarity, depth, style, illustrations, and readability. The recipient is judged by the Editorial L-R Ted Hopkins, Joel Trickey, Brett Seabrook, Bill Hudson, Michael Advisory Committee in November. Temple, Ian Mclsaac, Robert Bell, Ryan Beauchamp, Bill Gilkes The recipient this year is David Kuypers, Superintendent at The Cutten Club, for his article in the In grateful appreciation for the excellent contribution May 2007 issue of Green is Beautiful, entitled “Tree to the environmental success of the game of golf through Management Strategies”, detailing the benefits of successfully achieving full I.P.M. Accreditation in 2007, undergoing a comprehensive tree management program. plaques were presented to the following golf courses: 2008 ONTARIO GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE AND TRADE SHOW Canadian Golf & Country Club (Brett Seabrook) As the last day of the conference drew to a close and exhibitors packed up, a large crowd gathered in the Grand Carleton Golf & Yacht Club (Joel Trickey) Ballroom East to hear closing keynote speaker, Dr. Frank Copper Creek Golf Club (Robert Bell) Rossi, Associate Professor of Turfgrass Science at Cornell University speak on “Putting Surface Management For Deerfield Golf Club (Ian McIsaac) Optimal Ball Roll”. Galt Country Club (Michael Temple) Our association always values your input and we look Glen Abbey Golf Club (Ryan Beauchamp) forward to receiving your comments on how we can continue to improve upon our annual conference and Manderley On The Green (not present) provide you with the best possible education and networking Mississippi Golf Club (Bill Hudson) opportunities. Jeff Alexander will be our 2009 Conference Chairman and has put together a committee, who will work RiverBend Golf Club (Ted Hopkins) throughout the year to provide you with another exciting Scarboro Golf 8c Country Club (Bill Gilkes) conference and tradeshow in January at the Westin Harbour Castle. SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR CONFERENCE SPONSORS Pre-Conference Seminar PRESIDENT’S RECEPTION ALMACK AGRONOMIC SERVICES INC. BARTLETT TREE EXPERTS DCS AGRONOMIC SERVICES Educational Program GATEMAN-MILLOY INC. GOLF ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO GROWER’S CHOICE KUBOTA CANADA LTD. MAXIUM GOLF LEASING TURF CARE PRODUCTS CANADA Awards Luncheon COFFEE AND REFRESHMENT BURNSIDE GOLF SERVICES CLUB CAR INC. G.C. DUKE EQUIPMENT LTD. J.D. LANDWORKS Trade Show Social MASTER’S TURF SUPPLY LTD. ONTARIO SEED COMPANY PLANT SCIENCE, INC. RITTENHOUSE SINCE 1914 THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPEAKERS, SPONSORS, EXHIBITORS, DELEGATES AND ORGANIZERS. THE 2008 CONFERENCE WAS A RESOUNDING SUCCESS. WE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU! MARK YOU CALENDARS FOR 2009 AT THE WESTIN HARBOUR CASTLE FROM JANUARY 21st, 22nd AND 23rd. Member profile Interview with Dennis Pellrene by Scott Heron, Superintendent Bigwin Island Golf Club This issue’s profile is unique in that our subject, although a superintendent in Ontario for many years, moved in 1993 to the west coast to oversee the course manager’s duties at the beautiful Capilano Golf Course. As this years’ William Sansom Distinguished Service Award recipient we are privileged to present you with a profile on Dennis Pellrene. Dennis attended high school in his home town of Camrose, Alberta. He attended the Turfgrass Short Course at the the University of Guelph 1977, and went on to attend numerous seminars, but feels that his most invaluable educations was acquired through the practical on course training received with the Nicklaus group while building the Abbey, growing it in and hosting four Canadian Opens. An OGSA member throughout his career in Ontario, Dennis also enjoyed his stint as a director. He emphasized the importance of belonging to an association and staying in contact with your peers and turf industry people, which is even more possible today with the internet. Dennis’ very first job was selling the Edmonton Journal on the main street in Camrose for 5 cents a paper - tips were good. His career evolved from there with his first golf course job at the Camrose Golf Club, a nine-hole community course. When he first started to work there they had nine oiled sand greens and in 1962 the club hired a golf course construction person, Bill Creed to construct the base and profile for the Penncross bent greens. After the greens were built he was hired as the greenskeeper of the course and the manager of the local curling club. In 1965 he moved east to the St Catharines Golf 8c Country Club, in Ontario, as John Piccolo’s assistant and says, “I knew I wanted to be a golf course superintendent when I had the opportunity to work with John. He invited me to all the Western Ontario meetings where I experienced the camaraderie with fellow superintenedents. It was a listening and learning part of my career. It was fun to play other courses and listen to the problems of the day and learn from each other.” After spending three years with John he was hired as the superintendent at Erie Downs Golf Club in Fort Erie. Both John Piccolo and Nicole Thompson, Superintendent at Niagara Parks Golf Course, were instrumental in his acquiring that position. Many years later (30 years) he received a letter from his Greens Chairman there, Mr. Gareleck, after he had seen Dennis’ picture on the cover of the Green Master for Superintendent of the Year in 1999. “You were without a doubt the best superintendent we have had at the club. You made more changes and did a better job than any succeeding super and you did it without money”. A position opened at Glen Abbey, which was originally Upper Canada Golf Course in Oakville, Ontario. He worked for Reg Acomb, and happened to be at the right place at the right time, as this property was to become Glen Abbey Golf Course, designed by Jack Nicklaus. Retained as the grow-in superintendent under the tutelage of Ed Etchells the Muirfield superintendent, and Nicklaus’ agronomist, he was then encouraged to attend the Turfgrass Short Course at University of Guelph. Both these endeavours were instrumental in training to be a superintendent. When asked about a best memory on the course and his greatest accomplishment he replied, “Flying with Nicklaus and Bob Cupp in his jet to Muirfield in Ohio to view his course, grow-in the Abbey, holding the first Open in 1977 and hearing the favourable comments about the conditioning from the touring PGA pros.” The stolonized C-15 greens were “the Cadillac” of the putting green surfaces - a pure upright variety. These greensites eventually succumbed to the pressure of extreme low cutting heights in 1980. Pellrene states that this was also his demise as the Royal Canadian Golf Association relieved him of his duties in 1982. Scarboro Golf 8c Country Club hired him soon after and he spent eleven fruitful years there with C-15 growing naturally in the roughs and fairways. In search of a new challege he applied for the position of superintendent at the Capilano Golf 8c Country Club, in West Vancouver. Little did he know that sunglasses were used only on occasion, as the sun was covered with an overcast sky full of rain -120 inches per year. They had three greens that were out of service for a number of years so the challenge was to bring this course up to acceptable standards and then improve the conditions methodically over the years. “Before I retired in 2006, the first thing I would do every morning was check the computer for e-mails and then review the course in its unblemished, natural state. My biggest influence in my life and career is Laura, my wife of 38 years.” And finally, some words to live by, “Get things done. Strive for excellence and value. Treat your staff with respect and as individuals with different needs. The main goal is to create a team that works together with the goal of offering the members the best possible product "In the Hot Seat" • Favourite major: Masters • Best piece of turf equipment ever: Five-plex light weight fairway unit • Favourite golf designer: Alister MacKenzie • Ultimate foursome: Myself, Bob Heron, Ken Wright & John Cherry • Lowest round ever and where: 79 at Glen Abbey • Stanley Cup pick: Pittsburgh • Favourite meal: Surf & Turf • Favourite course outside Canada: Cypress Point, CA • What’s in your CD right now: Jazz • Rate your lawn: 5 • What would you be if not a golf course super: 1 would like to think engineering Golf course highlight Bathurst Glen Golf Course 12481 Bathurst Street Richmond Hill ON Website: www.bathurstglengolf.ca Golf Course Superintendent: Andrew Morin Email: amorin@trca.on.ca Photo by Andrew Morin COURSE PROFILE What county is your club located in? Who was the original architect? 1-Walk behind rotary fertilizer spreader Vaughan Rene Muylaert 1-Express dual reel grinder Is your club private, semi private, public, resort or What was the year of original construction? municipal? 1998 opened in 1999 Public COURSE PROJECTS What type of irrigation system? Number of rounds? Toro LTC What projects have you recently completed? 28,000 Extensive naturalization of property and What is the size of your maintenance shop? habitat creation. New bunker construction Name of Superintendent 6,000 ft2 at practice area. Construction of self- Andrew Morin contained spray tank mix/load facility What is the size of the greens, tees & within the maintenance area. How long have you been a superintendent? fairways? 3 years Greens: 3 acres Tees: 3 acres How long have you been an OGSA member? Fairways: 17 acres 3 years LONG RANGE PLANS What is your predominant grass? What long range plans for renovation do you How many year round staff? Poa/Bent have in the next five years? 1 Continue working towards and retaining How many USGA greens and loam greens? Audubon certification, creation of wildlife How many seasonal staff? 20 USGA greens beneficial gardens, renovate equipment 7 wash area to closed loop system, What is the predominant soil type? renovation and re-design of driving range How many mechanics and assistants? Clay Assistant: Ken Rivers target greens. What equipment do you have in inventory? 2-JD 2500 greens mowers COURSE STATISTICS 1-set JD verticut heads CHALLENGES 1-JD 3215A fairway mower How many holes? Are there any particular challenges you face 1-JD 2653A trim mower 18 Executive with your property? 1-JD 1200A bunker rake 1-JD 1445 rotary mower Environmentally sensitive lands around What is the yardage from back & forward tees? 1-JD 3365 rough mower (The Bus) property, dealing with a new housing 4550 yards from back tees 1- JD 990 loader development causing drainage problems. 3720 yards from forward tees 2- Massey Ferguson 135 tractors What is the size and length of driving range and 1-JD 1800 Sprayer range tee? 1-JD 1800 topdresser SUCCESS STORIES 325 yards with 1.7 acres all grass tee 1-JD aercore 800 greens aerator 1-JD aercore 1500 turf aerator Do you have any success stories? How many bunkers? 1- JD TC125 material collector Increased emphasis on sound cultural 60 2- Stihl weedeaters practices, fertility and monitoring have 1-Little Wonder blower led to a substantial decrease in pesticide How many ponds, and/or how many times use. 1-PTO blower does water come into play? 1-Brillion overseeder 1 pond in play on 1 hole 1-Tow behind PTO fertilizer spreader 2 marshland areas in play twice Bathurst Glen and The Toronto Regional Conservation Authority Article by Andew Sandilands, Superintendent, Black Diamond Golf Club Photos by Andrew Morin, Superintendent, Bathurst Glen Golf Course Setting the new standard A small unassuming course is making leaps and about. Brad Clubine, Project Manager from the bounds in the environmental world by trying to set TRCA and Andrew Morin combined forces to set up the new standard by which all golf courses can aspire long term goals along with a master plan to elevate to be, all while doing so at reasonable costs. Bathurst Glen Golf Course to the environmental level Recently, Bathurst Glen Golf Course was acquired by which the TRCA represents and mandates. Brad the Toronto Regional Conservation Authority proclaims that the TRCA and Bathurst Glen are (TRCA) and is now part of a 1000 acre parcel of land aiming to be fully Audubon certified by 2009 and that which is known as the Kettle Lakes Corridor, and being at the environmental forefront is a priority for Andrew Morin, Superintendent couldn’t be happier Bathurst Glen. about it. Just 2 years ago Andrew came aboard as superintendent of the course, after it had been closed and overgrown for 6 months. Since then the irrigation has been put back in place, the The approach that Andrew and the TRCA are taking is not to set aside a separate capital expenditure for all the work, but to actually pull funds from Andrew’s operating budget. At first equipment put back together, the grass has been cut Andrew was leery of this idea, but has found that with and the doors have been re-opened. Quite a job to sound cultural practices and some added monitoring begin with, but along with all of these challenges the tools he was able to more than make up the TRCA has also decided that with this being their first difference in chemical savings alone. Andrew says, golf course, it needs to reflect what the TRCA is all “The hardest part was adapting different cultural practices, implementing new tools and trusting in yourself that these practices will take the place of chemical control”. Community helps with plantings Achieving a balance between needs of the golf course and wants from the TRCA is something that Andrew and Brad discuss in detail when it comes He also says, “The best new tool I purchased time for budget planning, “This is a learning curve and monitored was an ET gauge. I never realized for the TRCA” says Brad “and golf course how much I was over watering, and even during the management is new to us, but we are learning what hot summer of ’07 I was watering less than ever”. Andrew needs to run a successful golf course while still being able to keep the environmental focus up front for the TRCA”. A problem that is always encountered with extra work load is of course a lack of staff. That is where Bathurst Glen turned to its community for volunteer help to aid in plantings of beneficial native species gardens and naturalization of areas, Large scale recycling and energy conservation which encourage the native wildlife in the area and plans are being put into place right now to make cut back the amount of manicured and maintained Bathurst Glen as “green” as possible, while the use property. “It was a big success” says Andrew “the of organic based fertilizers and further water volunteers loved getting involved with us and conservation are also in discussion. After meeting helping their community become more with Andrew and Brad, I left feeling that making the environmentally friendly.” This was the first of golf industry “greener” is something that a course several planned volunteer community events of any budget can achieve with a little extra time organized by the TRCA. Other projects like bird and some creative thinking and getting the boxes will be built and monitored by existing staff at community involved and educated on the other TRCA sites. “There’s been a great effort put environmental benefits of golf courses is something forth by both the TRCA and my staff to get things that benefits everyone. accomplished with a tight budget”, says Andrew. MY ROLE AS ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT by Andrew Hardy Pheasant Run Golf Club Currently, I am enjoying my tenth season as an assistant audit has been exciting and rewarding. Some of the unique superintendent. In this time, I have gained many valuable duties at Pheasant Run saw me spending more time around and diverse skills working at three different golf courses. the clubhouse soldering copper pipe for the water softener, However, it is my present role as assistant superintendent at hanging skylight blinds, installing light sensors on the Pheasant Run Golf Club that has had me face the most driveway lights, and performing basic handyman duties. challenging and unique of work environments. My biggest work challenge occurred this season when There are many roles that an assistant superintendent fills our equipment technician took a one week vacation in for the superintendent First, I am the key decision maker August. For that week I was thrust into his role, along with in the turfgrass department; managing staff, budgets and my own. Many of the regular staff were shocked to see me ensuring that our department meshes well with the golf in coveralls; setting up, backlapping, greasing reels and department and clubhouse staff. My role at Pheasant Run diagnosing minor mechanical problems. also requires me taking a hands-on role in turfgrass I think back to 1996 when I enrolled in the Turf management. Since my boss wears many hats as the Management program at Fairview College. I had the Superintendent, General Manager and Club President, his perception that all my time would be spent on the golf time is spread quite thin and his need for my leadership course and little else. The golf course is still the priority #1, and presence is pivotal; I am his eyes and ears. These duties but, little did I know that there would be other duties not are not new to most assistants, however, my role at Pheasant encompassing the golf course that would add to the Run has demanded that I stretch beyond all of the regular rewarding nature of my job. aspects. The future looks bright, and I am sure that my role will I am the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) agent at continue to expand into many new challenges both on and Pheasant Run, and having just passed our first year desk off the golf course. 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 I -800-215-1 996 www.braemarbuildings.com PROTECT YOUR TURF NEW DeltaGard SC keeps your turf safe from chinch bugs, sod webworms, cutworms and ants. DELTAGARD SC insecticide is not only fast acting, but provides outstanding control at very low use rates. DELTAGARD SC contains the active ingredient deltamethrin, a third generation synthetic pyrethroid and is packaged in an easy to use liquid formulation that is easy to mix and apply. DELTAGARD SC joins the growing family of premier turf management products marketed by Bayer Environmental Science in Canada including Rovral Green GT, Compass 50 WG, Aliotte Signature and Merit brand insecticide. BACKED by BAYER . Leam more about the proven performance of DELTAGARD SC www.bayeres.ca 1-888-283-6847 Quebec: 514-949-2467 • Ontario/Western Canada: 905-319-8981 • Ontario/Atlantic Canada: 519-239-3983 ALWAYS READ PRODUCT LABEL PRIOR TO USE. DeltaGard and Bayer are registered trademarks of Bayer CropScience. Always read and follow label directions. Above the hole by Rafik Lang-Bismillah, Student & Intern Life is full of decisions and choices, and for the turfgrass been a good starting point, but it has become too student it is at this time of year that one truly gets a sense of comfortable. I have learnt more than I ever imagined I the range of options available post-graduation. The final could by just working and getting my hands dirty. But all semester is an exciting time to be a student. The end, good things must come to an end. Now is the time to go which always seemed so elusive and so very distant, is now somewhere else, to work for someone else, to experience just around the comer. Concerns about exams and projects new things. That is exactly what I intend to do. are being replaced by concerns about resumes, job As I write this I am beginning to realize that I have searches, interviews and decisions. The change in already made some preliminary choices. The big decision I atmosphere is actually tangible. Decisions are being made, have already made; this business excites me and drives me. options are weighed and the realization is starting to sink in Now all that is left is to find where I fit. that this is what the program is about. All that time we were So that being said, this has essentially become my actually preparing for life outside the classroom. And now resignation letter from the family business. It is my letter of finally, after all those classes, the gears are changing. intent for the world beyond school, and I couldn’t be As my own personal decisions loom overhead I realize happier and equally apprehensive at the same time. that I am actually incapable of making a long-range plan. I envy all those people who know what they want to do. I am We, on the Board of Directors and Editorial Committee stuck, for now, in the options stage and I love it. I wouldn’t take this opportunity to thank Rafik for his insightful and trade it for the world. I see before me a host of golf industry entertaining articles of “Above the hole”, and wish him all related jobs, and I am excited by the opportunity to find my the best in his future endeavours. Congratulations Rafik place. It’s a big world out there, and it excites me to think on a job well done! that I can do anything, go anywhere. All I know with any degree of certainty is that I, along with every one else, will As Rafik is graduating this spring we are seeking use this program and all the contacts we have made as a contributions from another intern to commence with the starting point, a springboard into the industry. May issue of Green is Beautiful. In our search for another Where will I go from here? Exactly where I don’t know; keen contributor we are holding a contest encouraging however, I will leave what is familiar. My home course has participation. Please see the contest rules on page 6. Adapts to its Surroundings JACOBSEN ECLIPSE™ 122 & 122 F Like a chameleon, the new Eclipse 122 & 122 F walking greens mowers from Jacobsen® can adapt to any turf, condition, operator or environment. 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With 2 innovative new products for the Turf industry it is no wonder Golf Supers are anxious for this new player to come to town. Imagine, solutions from a company with 140 years of solving problems for their customers. Can you afford NOT to play with these guys? RECRUITMENT CHALLENGES - SOME INNOVATIVE OPTIONS AND SOLUTIONS by Jason Hanna, Assistant Superintendent, Credit Valley Golf & Country Club Paul Grotier, Assistant Superintendent, Donalda Club Ray Kroc, the founder of McDonald’s, once stated , them through Labour Day, even with the possibility of ‘You’re only as good as the people you hire.” A statement I bonuses up to $1,000. Combined with Scott’s challenges of am sure most superintendents and their assistants would finding reliable seasonal labour, attracting turf students has agree with. Considering the increased demands placed upon proven difficult as well. the modem golf course superintendent, it is more important To help draw turf students, Bigwin Island offers onsite now than ever before to have a strong team of dedicated and housing, with the hope that the remote location of the golf talented individuals to successfully carry out the instructions course will not deter students from looking at Bigwin Island of the superintendent and various stakeholders and to as an employment opportunity. While discussing these manage a golf course to the best standards possible. The staffing challenges Scott remarks, “Facing these staffing value of hiring the right people and then the ability to retain obstacles year after year I am sometimes surprised we are still these individuals is so important that some companies spend able to provide customers with the high-end product they millions of dollars annually to attract staff and keep them expect.” content, once hired. A popular example of this in today’s job After completing the grow in at Oslerbrook, and now with market is the internet giant, Google. Some of the perks the successful inaugural season behind him, Superintendent Google currendy offers their employees include: onsite Jason Honeyball comments on some of the staffing pools, gyms, yoga classes, personal trainers, dieticians and challenges he’s expecting to face as well as some potential daycares, to mention a few. Recently, Google has even gone solutions. According to Jason, “Retaining good staff year- as far as offering a shuttle service for employees complete after-year will be the challenge at Oslerbrook and the with wireless internet on board. Some would argue that solutions are not all in place.” Jason’s strategy for keeping going to these lengths to hire and retain the right people is good employees has been to work with the local, private ski over the top. Google would argue the expense to provide clubs, as keeping good employees employed through the these services is less than the money potentially lost on poor winter months has helped reduce staff turnover. Jason is also productivity or high staff turnover. considering the option of recruiting from the apple orchard Most golf courses would probably jump at the labour force, as there are many in the area stating, “This opportunity to implement some of Google’s perks. If only would mean an ethnic influence of either Mexican or these golf courses had massive budgets accompanied with Jamaican for labour. There are some hurdles to jump, but it maintenance facilities better equipped than most is worth investigating for the future.” For turf students, Jason clubhouses. Instead, superintendents are faced with the will be looking into providing staff accommodations while challenge of trying to attract prospective employees to an working for the summer and year-round employment with industry perceived by some as having more draw backs than some benefits once the education is fulfilled. perks - low wages, atypical hours (early mornings, Golf North Properties currently operates 15 golf courses weekends), adverse working conditions (heat, cold, rain, across Western Ontario. Some of Golf North’s challenges etc.) and the seasonal nature of the job (layoffs). include location and diverse demographics resulting in Unfortunately the aforementioned factors often outweigh potential employees ranging from high-school students to some of the perks offered to golf course employees such as retired seniors. Doug Breen, Regional Director for Golf free golf (most clubs offer this to their employees) working North, comments that golf courses located in close proximity outdoors, working in a strong team environment, and job to university communities offer a great deal of potential variety. In addition to the above mentioned challenges the employees. However, as Scott Heron pointed out, location of golf courses has a large impact on the superintendents within Golf North have found similar demographics of possible employees. challenges when it comes to retaining these students through In the last 10 years there has been a boom in golf the end of the summer. Golf North has tried the bonus development in cottage country creating a large variety of system of offering staff incentives for working beyond the golf courses appealing to almost all types of golfers and Labour Day weekend, but unfortunately these incentives markets. have proved unsuccessful. In many of the communities, In cottage country, where the population can triple Doug pointed out, retired seniors have worked out well to during the golf season, it would seem that there is no compliment the students, as the seniors can be very reliable shortage of potential employees. Scott Heron, for scheduling and often prove to be good equipment Superintendent at Bigwin Island Golf Club in Huntsville says operators. it is very difficult to find motivated individuals with strong One of the unique qualities a management company like work habits. Most students that Scott has encountered are up Golf North has is the ability to relocate staff within the in Huntsville visiting their parent’s cottages simply looking company. Doug comments that this practice has worked for a good time, not a summer job. Yet once summer well, allowing the company to place staff at golf courses that students have been hired, it can be quite difficult to retain best fit their skill sets. When it comes to large events or cultural practices that may require larger than normal staff challenges. For some, struggles with labour are more often a numbers, superintendents at Golf North have the luxury of reflection of quality compared to quantity. Human resource coordinating with other Golf North properties in the area to departments can aid with the implementation of screening shift staff around in order to ensure sufficient staff to and aptitude tests to help gauge the suitability of an applicant successfully achieve goals, whether they be hosting a large for a specific position and to try to minimize the event or working to complete cultural practices in a timely inconveniences and expenses associated with releasing, manner. hiring and training staff. Interviewees can be asked to fill out To aid superintendents in the recruitment process, some these tests before the formal interview process and the results golf courses have human resource (HR) departments are later factored into the selection process. If an HR helping superintendents to recruit and hire staff. department is not available at your golf course, independent At the Granite Club, the HR department helps companies can be contracted to help set up tests tailored to Superintendent Phil Scully find staff by posting employment find the exact staff qualities you are looking for. opportunities on the club’s web site, job web sites and by Labour shortages now place a big importance on staff recruiting potential staff at local job fairs. The HR team at retention initiatives. Scott Bowman, Superintendent at the Granite Club also conducts an annual “open-house” Greystone Golf Club, says that his HR department helps to hosted by the club, designed to recruit summer staff. Scully coordinate the hiring of an independent company to take claims that the open house, which is timed with reading employee opinion surveys. These surveys help Scott in week, is a good way to find staff. More importantly, it helps determining what changes can be made to help attract and to raise the club’s profile in his area, which he describes as retain staff. He also credits the part-time system he has remote and says, “I have people coming to the open-house implemented as a way to manage staff turn-over. Of his 35 just to be able to see the property, which helps word get out employees, 30 work part-time. This helps to appeal to a into the community that we are here.” workforce generation that places more importance on At Taboo Golf Club, Assistant Superintendent Paul instant gratification and lifestyle. Dobias credits the human resource team for their work with As the turf management industry continues to grow and job fairs at local schools which helps ease the pressure of evolve, the onus will be on superintendents to become filling staffing voids. creative in finding and retaining staff. As research was done Local schools, community centers and job placement on this article, it was impressive to see the creative measures agencies can be great places to inquire about the possibility many superintendents have gone to recruit and retain the of participating in a local job fair. Some golf course HR right staff to build successful teams for their facilities. managers state a common mistake made is not maximizing Statistics Canada claims that in 10 years, retirees are likely to the opportunity such fairs present by sending the wrong outnumber newcomers to the workforce. It will be interesting person or people to represent the club. Working a booth at to see what further measures are implemented to meet the a job fair requires individuals who are comfortable meeting ever growing challenges facing golf course superintendents and greeting people, while promoting the employment and their assistants. opportunities their club has to offer. Finding staff, and finding the right staff are two different Milton 1.800.263.4112 King City 1.866.703.KING www.vandenbussche.com Rain Bird Decoders Trusted & Proven at Over Forty Ontario Courses We Sell and Transplant Large Trees • Dedicated exclusively to Large Tree Transplanting Mark Schneider www.douglaswood.ca Professional Products Technical Sales • 25 Years of Experience • Nursery Grown, Common & Rare Trees Maple Turf Supply Business: (905) 857-2000 8112 King Rd. W. Fax: (905) 857-8215 • Projects from 1 -1000 Trees P.O. Box 370 Mobile: (519) 372-5181 Bolton, Ontario 1-800-268-4425 1 800353.3019 • T. 519.856.2771 • F. 519.856.1447 L7E 5T3 Email: m_schneider@sympatico.ca P.O. Box 339 Rockwood ON Canada NOB 2KO David C. Smith, A.Ag., c.g.c.s. 185 Oriole Crescent Soil & Turfgrass Consultant Gravenhurst, Ontario P1P1C6 P.O. Box 277, 890 Fairground Road, Langton, On , NOE 1GO Office (705) 687-SOIL (7645) Phone (519) 875-4094 Fax (519) 875-4095 Fax (705) 687-3518 Toll Free 1-888-607-TURF (8873) Website: mastersturfsupply.com Cell (905) 512-6004 Email dave@dcsturf.com email: mastersturf@hughes.net LARGE TREE SALES AND RELOCATION Corrie Almack P.Ag. Phil Dickie- ISA Certified Arborist pdickie@gatemanmilloy.com Almack Agronomic Services Inc. Tel: (905) 689-6174 Box 256, Carlisle, On Fax: (905) 689-8522 270 Shoemaker Street, Kitchener, ON N2E 3E1 LOR 1H0 Email: c.almack@sympatico.ca Phone (519) 748-6610-Fax (519) 748-6626 A Reliable Source For ALL Your Pond Needs Pond Assessments Services we offer: and Consultations, Water Nutrient Testing, Fountain Repairs, Weed Treatment and Identification POLYDEX (Algeacide) - Buy direct.Wear EasternCa d'sDitrbuor NEW- JET BLACK Pond Dye Give your Pond a Natural Mirrored look while gaining all the advantages of a Pond Dye for Weed Management 2 Licenced Aquatic Weed Specialists, A Freshwater & Marine Biologist on Staff and Fisheries & Wildlife Technician with 43 Years of Combined Experience Pond & Lagoon Aeration - Fountains - Polydex (Algaecide) - Water Test Kits - Pond Liner - Filtration Bacta-Pur Weed Rakes & Cutters - Waterfall Pumps - Water Dye - Agriculture Biosecurity Chemical 116 Bonnie Cres, Elmira, On Toll Free: (877) 669-1096 www.fishfarmsupply.ca fishfarm@sentex.net Off the fairway ... is remarkable when you It As you take the time to read, learn and listen this think about it how much the Southern winter, participate in the topics surrounding the natural Ontario landscape has changed since sciences including ecology, native plant gardening and the area was pioneered by European bio-diversity. It is important for those of us who are in a settlers. In the grand scheme of position to manage green spaces to engage in restoring things, 1492 was just a short time ago. the diversity of plant species, in particular native plant Nonetheless, 95% or so of the natural communities, in Southern Ontario. by Daisy Moore vegetative cover from that time has A few books that might help you along the way are: since been cleared for agriculture and urban settlement. We’ve come up with some silly habits Peterson's Field Guide to the Wildflowers by: Peterson/McKenny that pollute and take up a lot of space and it’s beginning This is a classic hand book that has pictures of flowers to to catch up with us. Nature is throwing weather extremes help you identify plants. It will tell you what is an alien back. and what is native. Natural systems and native plant communities are pretty resilient and pockets remain, poised to take their 100 Easy to Grow Native Plants by: Lorraine Johnson land back in some way shape or form. These are the Along with colourful photographs, this book will tell you species of plants and animals that evolved in our region to the habitat the plants require as well as what plants are form stable ecosystems of forest, pond or meadow life. good companions to each other. Wind in the willows sort of stuff. Restoring these communities that contain a rich assortment of species is a Shrubs of Ontario by: James Soper and Margaret Heimburger critical component if we are to improve our position with A guide to native shrubs with excellent illustrations, the environment. showing the range of the shrubs and describing their What draws us to these types of places is the richness habitat. Shrubs are much more versatile in landscapes and wildness of them. Natural plant communities are than trees, are ultimately more manageable than trees calming and soothing to look at and be in, probably because of their smaller size, provide food & shelter for because they have no need of us. Whenever I see animals wildlife, provide privacy screening and windbreaks, in the wild I feel a bit envious of their freedom and that benefit the ecosystem in many of the same ways as trees they don’t have to pay taxes. On the other hand I do, and prepare the area for natural succession where wouldn’t want the fear of being eaten alive hanging over trees eventually dominate. my head! Wild things can’t help but get everything they need Natural Habitat Gardening by: Ken Druise locally, so they are busy. And we don’t mind that they’re A very nice picture book, showing pictures of habitats and busy. That’s part of the appeal of a thriving, buzzing gardens we would all like to create. environment and part of the reason why the butterfly garden idea is so popular. Build it and they will come. For a list of Native Plant Nurseries near you, visit my Due to the human presence wild places are limited in website www.daisymoore.com. If you are looking for help their size and scope. Collectively though, if we all in improving the appearance and usefulness of the natural participate in creating suitable habitats, planting native areas on the golf course, send me a note at plants and vying for greenery rather than pavement, we daisy@daisymoore.com and I will point you in the right can make a tremendous impact. Golf course properties direction. have the unique opportunity to create wildlife habitat on a larger scale than the average home owner. With these Daisy is a horticulturist. She operates a garden design and habitats come species diversity, self-sustaining ecosystems, consulting business from her home in Elora. beauty, natural pest control and countless untold benefits She is the host of the radio program, “Ask the Gardener” Saturdays yet to be learned. 1 -2:00 on am5 70. Gardening Show ”. University of Guelph update of the most prolific regular aeration schedule for these areas is essential, it is problems facing turfgrass managers also important to aerate smaller problem areas in the today is finding a way for the grass to roughs where traffic and wear are a problem. Typically, survive the increased traffic and wear desirable turfgrass seedlings do not survive well in that comes with increased use. compacted soils and sod establishment is difficult, at best, Increasing population densities and so any restoration attempt of a worn out area should be by Eric Lyons an aging population combined with accompanied by an attempt to relieve surface compaction. Assistant Professor an effort to increase the popularity of Some weeds tend to be found predominantly on Department of Plant the game of golf has lead to more compacted soils such as prostrate knotweed and annual Agriculture, U of G golfers and increased wear on our bluegrass (Poa annua) and they can indicate a soil golf courses. This, combined with the increased popularity compaction problem. Aeration also can help create of golf carts and personal electric caddy systems has another important condition for restoration of a worn area increased the wear throughout the course. This increased and that is increased soil to seed contact for overseeding wear leads to unsightly bare areas, mud and eventually efforts. annual weeds. Not only does this wear effect the aesthetics of the golf course, it often requires increased herbicide Overseeding applications and renovation. When looking to deal with Overseeding is not only a tool for renovation it is also a recovery from wear and ways to deal with repeated traffic effective preventative measure that will delay and some on areas of the course other than the greens and fairways times prevent the wear damage from becoming a nuisance. the golf course superintendent may wish to look to the The most important lesson learned regarding overseeding athletic field managers for ideas to overcome these is that it is most effective when carried out at high rates and challenges. Athletic fields have been overused for many often, wear is the predominate reason for its use. When years and managers have been under great pressure to seeding, under normal establishment scenarios, too much reduce and or eliminate herbicides. The golf industry can seed can lead to a reduction in seedling survival and failure learn from some of the lessons learned by the athletic field of the seedbed. In the case of wear prevention and managers. restoration from wear the high rates allow for successive germination events in the gaps that are being created by the wear. In addition, the main problem with seedling survival is traffic, not disease, so having more seedlings is essential for the process to work. Research at the University of Guelph, by Mr. Evan Elford, showed that frequent, high-rate overseeding with perennial ryegrass can reduce the incidence of clover invasion in irrigated Kentucky bluegrass and dandelion, in un-irrigated Kentucky bluegrass. Athletic field managers throughout North America have found that similar practices maintain turf cover and increase playability and aesthetic quality of heavy use athletic fields. There are many things to look for when selecting species or cultivars to be used in an overseeding program. The grass being selected should first and foremost blend in well with the existing turf. In athletic fields, most overseeding programs utilize perennial ryegrass because it mixes very well with Kentucky bluegrass, the predominant desired species. For this reason perennial ryegrass may be Aeration chosen for overseeding highly trafficked Kentucky One of the biggest things that athletic field managers bluegrass areas on the golf course. Conversely, perennial have learned is that traffic and wear damage are almost ryegrass mixes very poorly with the stoloniferous creeping always associated with compaction. Turfgrass managers bentgrass. If you choose to overseed creeping bentgrass have learned to aerate aggressively and often. This is areas perennial ryegrass is not recommended because of its nothing new to the golf industry, which has long different colour and growth habit. In fact, if overseeding recognized the benefits of aeration on golf greens and an area of Kentucky bluegrass rough the superintendent fairways. While golfers often lament the days after aeration should take precautionary measures to prevent seed drift if it is an important part of any management plan. While a that area is in close proximity to a creeping bentgrass turf. The other attribute to look for when choosing a grass for more expensive, but good option. overseeding is the time to germination. The faster Following a few simple rules can facilitate the success of germinating species and cultivars are desirable. Once an overseeding program. The first rule is to begin again perennial ryegrass is an ideal overseeding grass for overseeding before the wear becomes readily apparent. Kentucky bluegrass turf because it can germinate in 4-6 Predict the areas that will need the overseeding based on days where conversely Kentucky bluegrass can take up to past experience and begin the overseeding program. 17 days to germinate even under ideal conditions. By the Overseeding in close conjunction with an aeration event time Kentucky bluegrass has the chance to germinate it is prevents weed encroachment into the new gaps created likely a quick germinating weedy species will fill the void. and it increases overseeding efficiency because of Another important attribute is seedling wear tolerance increased soil to seed contact. One of the most useful because most of these areas will receive wear even if efforts things a superintendent can do to facilitate the success of are made to minimize traffic. While Kentucky bluegrass an overseeding program is to reduce the amount of wear has very good wear tolerance in its mature state its seedling the area receives after overseeding. While a 100% do not fair well under wear. This is another area where reduction is unlikely a small reduction will often have a perennial ryegrass is a superior overseeding grass as its large impact. Using mulches and covers can increase seedling wear tolerance is good. germination but also serve as a signal for golfers and Perennial ryegrass is a very good grass for overseeding, workers to avoid the area. If traffic can be reduced for an however it does have its drawbacks. Its ability to survive low extended period of time it may be advantageous to include mowing heights makes it a potential weed on creeping Kentucky bluegrass within the overseeding mix. bentgrass fairways and tees so precautions should be made All in all overseeding can be a helpful tool to reduce to prevent it from establishing in those areas, as stated herbicide use and prevent the need for complete earlier. In addition, perennial ryegrass can suffer from renovation of a highly trafficked area. While this article is winter injury and can be subject to catastrophic winter kill primarily focused on overseeding Kenutcky bluegrass depending on the severity of winter and the number of roughs and other high traffic areas, the basic principles thaw and refreeze events that the grass endures can be used when implementing other overseeding throughout the late winter and early spring. This is programs of fairways, tees and greens. Choose quick particularly an issue in areas of poor drainage where germinating aggressive cultivars that mix well with the surface water accumulates and often these are areas that existing turf, try to minimize wear and traffic following are associated with needing an overseeding problem. If overseeding, and overseed in conjunction with aeration to the concerns regarding perennial ryegrass survival are maximize soil to seed contact. great, then sodding the areas with Kentucky bluegrass is a THE ONTARIO TURFGRASS INDUSTRY NEEDS YOUR INPUT THIS SURVEY IS IMPORTANT TO THE FUTURE OF THE GOLF INDUSTRY INCLUDING ALL GOLF COURSES The Ontario Turfgrass Research Foundation and the University of Guelph are conducting a study on The Economic Profile of the Ontario Turfgrass Industry This study is the first comprehensive economic review of the turfgrass industry in more than 20 years. The study will help us understand and raise awareness about the importance of the turfgrass industry to the province and the country. We would like to ask you for your participation. Take the time now before the new golf season starts to participate in this survey. For easy on line access go to OGSA’s home page at www.golfsupers.on.ca under News and click on survey. Your participation is crucial to this research. If you have any questions or require a hard copy of the survey please contact either: Kate Tsiplova (519) 824-4120 x 58343, ktsiplov@uoguelph.ca or Katerina Jordan (519) 824-4120 x 56615, kjordan@uoguelph.ca BACKED Rovral Green GT by BAYER. FONGICIDE Backed by Bayer™ is a primary focus of Bayer Environmental Science and a way to ensure success for our customers. Backed By Bayer means you purchase more Aliette Signature than products when you do business with Bayer — you get the confidence that you’ll succeed. You receive the assurance that comes from value-added programs, services and our ongoing commitment to the industry. 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Tom Mascaro, President of West Point Products, Tom Unsworth moved from Clearstream CC in was the guest speaker and George Darou was the Oakville to St. Thomas GC and Bob Heron, assistant host. at the Board of Trade CC, was appointed OGSA dues were $15.00 for superintendents and superintendent at Brampton GC. Dave Baker $25.00 for associates. CGSA membership dues were moved to Glen Cedar GC and Don Creed left $15.00 and GCSAA dues were $50.00. Bill Forrester London for Orchard Hills Golf 8c CC in Michigan. was made an Honorary member of the OGSA, after Ian Williamson moved to Castlegar GC in British retiring from 20 years at Weston GC. Robbie Columbia. Robinson was also presented with an Honorary On January 8th, there was a curling meeting at membership on his retirement as Director of the Bayview CC with Ed Ortlieb as host. The rink, Greens Section of the RCGA. James Hickman, skipped by Curly Endicott and comprising of John Chartered member of the OGSA, recently passed Stoughton, Carl Wagner and Bernie MacDonald, away in London. The CGSA held their first Turf won the trophy, defeating Bob Moote’s rink. Research Foundation meeting at the Skyline Hotel President Gourlay reported on a possible on March 19th, in Toronto. Tom Johnston replaced Greens Chairman Superintendent Day and a John Steel as president of the CGSA. Specializing in: Greens Slit Drainage Bunker Construction Collection Drain Lines Tee/Green Renovations “For all your turf drainage, construction and renovation needs” ctoturf@live.ca www.ctoturfdrainage.com (705) 207 2609 Turf or consequences by Doug Breen, Superintendent Golf North Properties Golf Movies The late 20th century philosopher Homer J. Simpson once so it must be good. If I were trying to impress a chick, I’d said, “Movies aren’t stupid. They fill us with romance and totally rent it to make her think that I was smart and sensitive. hatred and revenge fantasies. Before Lethal Weapon II, I never I watched Of Mice and Men once for the same reason, and thought there could be a bomb in my toilet, but now I check since people play golf in this movie as opposed to starving to every time. They’re my only escape from the drudgery of work death on a farm during the depression, Bagger Vance has got and family! No offence Marge.” to be better. I love movies for many of the same reasons that Homer Bobby Jones is that golfer who stole all the credit for the does. They are the perfect form of escapism. I can go to fine work that Alister MacKenzie did designing Augusta another place or another time, and witness conversations National. I’d bet you a ton that MacKenzie was out there on between smarter and far better looking people than I a bulldozer while Jones was back in the clubhouse bouncing normally do. All without guilt or hangover. How many times a ball on his wedge. In Bobby Jones - Stroke of Genius, the lead has someone said something to you, and you thought of the role is played by Jim Caviezel. Remember him? He was the perfect response three days later? In movies, that never guy who played Jesus in The Passion. He gets beat up a lot less happens. There’s a whole room full of writers making sure in this movie, as Mel Gibson was not involved. that you have exactly the correct response to every situation. The best golf movie of all time is; of course, Caddyshack. I And if you don’t deliver it correctly, you can have another realize that Bill Murray set our profession back decades with take. If I’d had this service available to me, all the girls who this one, but it’s still very, very funny. The scene with Chevy ever dumped on me would have left weeping bitterly from Chase in the maintenance shop was completely adlib, as was the slings and arrows of my perfectly timed wit; as opposed to the scene where he’s knocking the heads off of the flowers me blurting out the first stupid thing that came into my head beside the patio. The plot is based on the actual memories and running off to cry alone in the bathroom. Perhaps I’ve of the film’s writers (who all worked on various courses), so I said too much. supposed that’s why the characters ring so true. I’ve spent a In any event, I recently saw a list of the greatest golf movies lot of time waiting to cut rough while the “Havercamps” of all time. It was a pretty good list too, but since I’m not slashed their way up the side of a fairway. “That’s a peach, about to pay royalties to some guy for making up a list, I’ve hon.” made up my own list. So what follows, in no particular order, So that’s my top five. Honourable mention goes out to a is Doug’s personal (in no way plagiarized, copied, inspired, couple 1950’s movies that I like. Glenn Ford does a nice job or otherwise stolen from anyone else), list of the five greatest as Ben Hogan (Hogan ‘stunt doubled’ all the swings in it golf movies of all time (the other guy had ten on his list, so too), and Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin drank a lot and fell this is a totally new idea). down (this time on a golf course) in The Caddy. Most of these I’m starting with Tin Cup. Like most sports movies, they are available on DVD, and are a nice escape during the long play pretty fast and loose with the rules of the game, and cold winter. Soon it will be spring and we can go back to there are lots of people doing things that real people would living out our own real life golf movies. never do, but the casting of that greasy guy from Miami Vice as a golf pro is pure genius. And Cheech is in it! It also appears that John Deere put up a few bucks for product placement in this one, and I’m a big fan of the use of a Volkswagon Beede as a range picker. I’m also a big fan of Happy Gilmore. Any movie script that can see the humour in a man’s arm being bit off by an alligator is OK with me. The course etiquette is a little shaky, especially the dust up with Bob Barker, but who among us hasn’t fantasized about going to a golf tournament and heckling someone the way Joe Flaherty did? If I don’t put a serious movie in here, people with think I’m some kind of moron, so I’m listing the Legend of Bagger Vance. I openly admit that I never actually watched this movie, but like The Bridges of Madison County (which I also never saw) it’s a period piece with lots of famous people in it, BEAUTIFUL TRUTH The truth is, you make this happen. We understand that beautiful turf doesn't come easily and you don't get any second chances. ProTurf shares in your relentless pursuit of perfection. We promise you our best every time. Proud supplier of quality products including Contec™, Poly-S™, FFII™, and K-O-G™. Agrium Advanced Technologies, 10 Craig Street, Brantford, ON N3R 7J1 ProTurf is a registered trademark used under license from The Scotts Company. www.nu-groturf.com TURF CARE Introducing New ProCore aeration solutions result. great One 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 The new ProCore 864 and ProCore 1298 large area aerators combine proven coring head technology from our ProCore 648 greens aerator with new innovations in durability to bring you the most productive fairway aerators available today. 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