Spring 2010 Green is Beautiful The Official Publication of Ontario Golf Superintendents Association St. George's Readies For Open Also inside this issue........ A Dyeabolical Internship Back to Basics Winter Rules CANADAPOST PUBLICATIONS MAIL PUBLICATIONS AGREEMENT No. 40027105 Postmaster: Please return undeliverable copies to The OGSA, 328 Victoria Rd. S., R.R. # 2 Guelph, ON N1H 6H8 As a superintendent of creeping bentgrass fairways, you can hear a lot from the greens committee. Especially about Poa. There’s never been a postemergent herbicide to control it. But now there’s Velocity®SP Herbicide. It gradually eliminates Poa annua and Poa trivialis for results sure to be noticed. Even if a clean, Poa-free fairway is all the thanks you need. www.valent.com | 519-822-7043 Read and follow the label instructions before using. 1-866-613-3336 President's message What a start to the 2010 golf season! I would have to say that the month of April was the best I have seen in the 22 years in the golf industry. Being a couple hours north of Toronto, Parry Sound Golf and Country Club typically opens at the end of April. This season I opened our teaching facility on the 2nd of April and the golf course on the 10th of April. Just to give you an idea of our weather in Parry Sound I have given you our 2010 and 2009 ONTARIO GOLF SUPERINTENDENTS’ weather data. by JeffAlexander ASSOCIATION Parry Sound Golf & Guelph Turfgrass Institute empty table cell Country Club 328 Victoria Road South 2010 2009 Guelph, ON N1H6H8 Average Temp. 8.3 5.3 Ph: 519-767-3341 Highest Temp. 26.2 23.6 Toll Free: 877-824-6472 Lowest Temp -3.0 -7.4 Fax: 519-766-1704 Rainfall 38mm 108mm Email: ogsa@gti.uoguelph.ca Dominate Wind Dir. SW NE Website: www.golfsupers.on.ca Average Wind Speed 5.1 km 5.2 km BOARD OF DIRECTORS I really find the dominate wind direction interesting. Are times changing; well, President: Jeff Alexander who knows? All I know is that it has been a great start for the golf club and for me Past President: Randy Booker personally, due to the warmer dryer conditions. Vice-President: Chris Andrejicka With golf now in the air, make sure you are able to attend some of your OGSA and Treasurer: Doug Breen regional association events this year. By attending events you have a chance to meet Secretary: Rob Gatto new people, discuss topics, compare courses, possibly see new ideas and enjoy a day of Directors: Stu Leachman golf with your colleagues. Organizing and running events take time, so make sure you John McLinden support them as much as you can and use them as a professional development tool. Mark Prieur Jennifer Pendrith By now your golf course should be registered for the IPM Accreditation Program. Phil Scully Phil Scully has just started working with some industry leaders on creating a template for superintendents and their respective clubs to use for the required, open public Chad Vibert meetings. This template will hopefully keep everyone on the same page when dealing Editor & with the public during these meetings. Executive Mgr: Dorothy Hills Doug Breen and his committee have been working hard planning for the 2011 Ontario Golf Course Management Conference and Trade Show. If you have any Office Staff: Pat Thomas suggestions for speakers or seminar topics please email Doug Breen, Jennifer Deborah Badger Pendrith, Rob Gatto , Chris Andrejicka or the OGSA office. The OGSA will be advertising and marketing our association in the 2010 Canadian Open Program, at St Georges Golf and Country Club with a full page advertisement. Thanks to Stu Leachman for making that happen. There is something way more important to say in this message than any turf related issue or OGSA matter. For those who are not aware, our colleague, good friend and long time St. Andrews Valley Golf Course Superintendent, JohnTrelford was diagnosed with Leukemia two years ago. He has taken several medications over this time and experienced only side effects and no help to his illness. The only remaining course of action is a bone marrow transplant. On July 15tn John will undergo this life GREEN IS BEAUTIFUL EDITORIAL saving operation. John will face financial challenges because of the operation, which COMMITTEE will require him to rent a residence close to the hospital and be off work for at least Dorothy Hills a year. To get more information on John’s condition and how you can help, please Greig Barker check out his website www.friendsofjohntrelford.com. Our best wishes go out to John and his family. Tom Brain Don’t hesitate to contact me should you have any concerns, comments or suggestions Paul Grotier about your association. Enjoy the season! Jason Hanna Scott Horsburgh Brett Murray Direct Line 416-659-1020 Justin Parsons Manager Fax Line 519-941-0931 Andy Sandilands “Green is Beautiful” P.O. Box 218 is Printed on Recycled Orangeville, ON Paper Green is Beautiful 2010 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 brettmurray@primus.ca in articles contained in this publication, no endorsement is intended or implied by the Ontario Golf Superintendents' Association. Contents Green is ST. GEORGE'S READIES FOR OPEN............................................ Above the hole..................................................................................... 18 10 Beautiful The Official Publication of Ontario Golf Superintendents’ Association A Dyeabolical Internship .................................................................. 24 Editorial message ................................................................................ 5 Health & safety .................................................................................... 9 Looking back ........................................................................................ 33 Off the fairway .................................................................................... 31 On the REEL side of things................................................................ 28 President's message ........................................................................... 3 Second to one ...................................................................................... 22 Turf or consequences .......................................................................... 34 University of Guelph update ............................................................ 12 What's new............................................................................................. 6 Winter rules......................................................................................... 16 Advertisers COVER PICTURE St. Georges Golf & Country Club, Hole #1 Agrium Advanced Technologies ................................................ 27,35 photo by Clive Barber Almack Agronomic Services Inc...................................................... 33 Aquatrols............................................................................................... 26 Bartlett Tree Experts - Canada........................................................ 29 Braemar Building Systems............................................................... 23 Burnside Golf ....................................................................................... 29 DCS Agronomic Services .................................................................. 11 Douglas Wood Large Tree Service.................................................. 23 Engage Agro Corporation - Velocity ............................................ 2 Enviro Sol ....................................................................................... 29,31 Fast Forest ............................................................................................ 33 G.C. Duke Equipment Ltd.................................................................. 15 Green Horizons Group of Farms .................................................... 15 OGSA is committed to H & M Turf Ltd....................................................................................... 3 serving its members, Innovative Agronomics Inc............................................................... 11 advancing their profession, Keystone Computer Resources....................................................... 10 Maple Turf Supply .............................................................................. 27 and Master's Turf Supply Ltd.................................................................... 33 enriching the quality Nutrite ................................................................................................... 11 of golf Ontario Seed Company .................................................................... 29 and its environment. Plant Products - The Thinking Super's Solution ....................... 32 Robert Kains Golf Course Design Ltd............................................ 33 Turf Care Products Canada - Irrigation ........................................ 5 Turf Care Products Canada............................................................... 36 Layout, Design & Printing provided by United Agri Products Inc. - Respond 3.......................................... 23 G-R-A-P-H-I-C SERVICES PRINTERS & LITHOGRAPHERS Tel: 519.763.5745 • Fax: 519.763.9532 United Agri Products Inc. - Rhapsody.......................................... 15 32-34 Essex Street • Guelph, Ontario • N1H 3K8 Vanden Bussche Irrigation ............................................................... 22 e-mail: info@graphicservices.ca Zander Sod Co. Limited.................................................................... 29 www.graphicservices.ca Editorial message With the IPM seminars and Sean May is our new author of “Above the hole”. Sean conferences behind you and the golf will also be making submissions to the next three issues, season well underway I hope you have relaying his experiences as a second year turfgrass settled into a routine that affords you management student at the University of Guelph and by Dorothy Hills some leisure time to check out some of intern at Bigwin Island Golf Club. Welcome aboard Sean! the articles, photos and advertisements With this issue, we have enclosed a copy of the new that this Spring issue offers. 2010/2011 Roster. Although this was current at the time Our feature article, St. George’s Readies for Open, by Justin of publication, there are always many changes throughout Parsons, provides some insight into the steps Keith Bartlett the year. It’s a handy resource to keep on your desk or in and his maintenance crew are taking to prepare the club your vehicle however, if you are looking for changes since to host the country’s biggest golf event for the first time in time of print, keep an eye on the weekly Clippings email over forty years. For those who did not get the Toronto bulletins, or go to the Member Roster in the Member’s Only Star Golf magazine, this past April, we have reprinted section of www.golfsupers.on.ca. Just type in a single name Glenn Goodwin’s tribute, Winter Rules.. .Credit Valley to host of a person, club or company and if they are a member it Toronto Star Amateur after going 75 rounds with Mother Nature. will bring up their current contact information. Graeme Calder gives an account of his student intern We are currently planning for our Summer issue to be experience at Whistling Straits and Dr. Katerina Jordan released August 15th, and look forward to receiving any offers some tips on working with IPM and getting back to comments or suggestions you might have for improving the basics. Green is Beautiful. Toro’s DTSeries Sprinklers The Toro DT Series Sprinkler brings together over 40 years of golf irrigation knowledge with the most The most advanced, most durable recent advances in technology and and most flexible golf sprinkler water management. From top to bottom, the DT Series Sprinkler is few, built for today’s golf courses. the best choice among standard golf sprinklers. For more information Contact your Turf Care sales representative. Turf Care Products Canada 200 PONY DRIVE, NEWMARKET, ON L3Y 7B6 PHONE (905) 836-0988 • FAX (905) 836-6442 1-800-561-8873 London Ph: (519) 668-7664 • Fax:(519)668-3722 Milton Ph: 905-836-0988x7048 • Fax:(905)636-1513 Gloucester Ph: 905-836-0988x5501 • Fax:(613)822-2099 One great result. TURFCARE Helping your business grow. visit www.turfcare.ca What's new Mark Your Calendars... Event Date Golf Course Host Supt. Pro/Super Challenge June 10th OtterCreek Golf Club Randy Booker Presidents’ Day July 12 th Brampton Golf & CC Martin Kopp Assistants Tournament Sept. 22nd Braeben Golf Course Dan Magrin Alex McClumpha Oct. 4th Black Bear Ridge GC Bill Fach *OTRF Fundraiser Sept. 20th Bayview G&CC Thom Charters Details of the above OGSA events will appear on our website under both “Events” and “Calendar of Events,” as they are confirmed and further details are available. All events will be announced in our e-bulletin Clippings when registration is open. *Note The OTRF tournament is not an OGSA event. Details can be accessed on their website at www.otrf.ca. OGSA 50 YEAR MEMBER by Stu Leachman, Superintendent Diamond “In The Ruff’ Golf Course This past April, Jeff Alexander and I had the opportunity to meet the OGSA’s newest 50 year member, Mr. John Grightmire. Mr, Grightmire was recognized at the 2010 Turfgrass Conference for his 50 years of membership but at the time was unable to attend the conference in person. Because of this, Jeff and I traveled to Mr. Randy Booker presents OGSA’s annual donation to David Kuypers, OTRF President Grightmire’s hometown of Sundridge, where we met him for lunch and presented him with an OGSA watch to commemorate his 50 years of membership. We had a great conversation with John talking about 25 YEAR MEMBERS his days as superintendent at Dundas Valley, Beverly, and Rosedale golf clubs, his time as president of the OGSA in Greg O’Heron 1970, and how much the role of the superintendent has Daniel Walton evolved over the years. Patrick Hebert It was truly a pleasure to meet John and we thank him John Hughes for his continued support of the OGSA over the past 50 Paul Barnes years. Paul Romahn For anyone who might be curious, that is a Rosedale Golf Club hat that John is wearing, the last course he was superintendent at prior to his retirement. Greg O ’Heron and Paul Barnes 2010 OGSA Board of Directors Warwick Fynn Scott Heron Article of the year Photo of the year CONGRADULATIONS 2009 OGSA SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS L-R Back Row John McLinden, Phil Scully, Stu Leachman, Jarrod Barakett, Mark Prieur, Chad Vibert HUGH KIRKPATRICK L-R Front Row Rob Gatto, Chris Andrejicka, Jeff Alexander, Randy BURSARY Booker, Doug Breen Tyler Windfeld Assistant Superintendent Black Diamond Golf Club It’s with regret we announce the resignation of Jarrod Barakett from the OGSA Board, after 6 years of dedicated service. During Jarrod’s tenure he has demonstrated HERITAGE SCHOLARSHIP profound love and respect for the Michael Evan Trainor OGSA, making a positive impression. Chemical Engineering Honours Amongst other association accomplishments he has Program successfully represented Ontario superintendents during University of Waterloo the lobbying of golf’s right to retain the use of pest control products. We take this opportunity Jarrod, to say thank you for your knowledge, guidance and commitment to serving our members. We wish you much happiness and success TURFGRASS DIPLOMA in all your future endeavours! SCHOLARSHIP Michael Herbert Newton Vanden Bussche Irrigation Associate Diploma Turfgrass Award Donation Management Course University of Guelph A special thank you to Vanden Bussche Irrigation Equipment Limited. Again this year, they have generously donated a TURF MANAGERS SHORT total of $500.00 to the OGSA COURSE EDUCATION AWARD Turf Research Fund, in recognition of our Green is Beautiful Alex Barratt Article and Photo of the year winners. These funds will go Highest overall mark in the towards furthering research in the golf industry in Ontario. Short Course ...continued on page 8 ...continued from page 7 2010 OGSA SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINES Welcome! OGSA Welcomes our TURFGRASS DIPLOMA/DEGREE newest members AWARD Heather Aylott Class F Quarry Lakes G & RC ($3,184.00) November 15th Richard Bertram Class D Couchiching Golf & CC Ian Boyd Class F Whitevale Golf Club TURFGRASS SHORT COURSE Todd Doig Class A AWARD Seaforth Golf Course ($1,272.00) Awarded at end of course Rob Elliott Class C Greenhills Golf Club David J Farr Class Supt Dunnville Golf & CC HERITAGE AWARD Hartley Gibb Class C ($3,184.00) August 31st Legend on the Niagara GC 44th Annual CGSA Fall Field Day Jason Harris Class A Orr Lake Golf Club September 13, 2010 Brian Haum Class Supt Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Club The Bridges at Tillsonburg HUGH KIRKPATRICK BURSARY Banff, AB Simon Hinves Class D ($3,092.00) October 31st Eastbourne Golf Club Host: Robert Burrows, MS, AGS,CGCS For full details go to www.golfsupers.com Stephen M Holmes Class A Bowmanville Golf Club Derek Johnson ClassF Indian Hills Golf Club Graham McDowell Class F Islington Golf Club William R Matthews Class A International CC of Niagara Brian McLeod ClassF Lake St George GC Craig Moody ClassA Osprey Links GC Mike Mumford Class F Greystone Golf Club Cheryl Renaud Class C Huron Oaks GC Miranda Robinson Class F Oliver's Nest G & CC Bill Rose Class C Bayview Golf & CC Gord Rowland Class Supt North Granite GC Blake Sicard Class F Piper's Heath Golf Course Kevin Stock Class D Pleasant Valley G & CC Doug Wilson Class D BlackHorse G & CC Thomas Zicari Class C Seven Lakes Golf Course Innovative Agronomics Inc. Pat Moier, CGSA & Randy Book, OGSA at the CGSA/OGSA Joint Conference. Tom Margetts Class E SJM Arboricultural Consulting Ltd. Class E Steven Mann Health & safety Upgrading Your Safety Program Some really interesting things are violence that may arise from the nature of the workplace, happening in occupational health and the type or work or the conditions of work. Measures and safety these days. I am sure that most procedures to control these risks must be included in the folks are aware of the new violence and workplace violence program. harassment legislation. Employers who are aware, or ought reasonably to be aware, by DougJohnson As of June 15, 2010 Bill 168 has that domestic violence may occur in the workplace must take SAFETAID and Health changed the Occupational Health every precaution reasonable in the circumstances to protect and Safety Consulting and Safety Act (the Act) to strengthen a worker at risk of physical injury. First Aid and Safely Supplies and WHMIS protections for workers from violence Employers and supervisors must provide information to Training and harassment in the workplace. The a worker about a risk of workplace violence from a person Act now defines workplace violence and with a history of violent behaviour if the worker can expect harassment and describes employer duties, and will apply to to encounter that person in the course of work, and if the all workplaces covered by the OHSA. The Act significantly worker may be at risk of physical injury. Personal information impacts workplaces in the province of Ontario by requiring may be disclosed, but only what is reasonably necessary to workplaces to have policies, programs and procedures in protect the worker from physical injury. place to address the issues identified in Bill 168. Workers have the right to refuse work if they have a reason It is important for everyone to understand that violence to believe they are in danger from workplace violence. means: Reprisals by the employer continue to be prohibited. • The exercise of physical force by a person against a worker, Ministry of Labour inspectors will enforce the provisions in a workplace, that causes or could cause physical injury for workplace violence and workplace harassment and to the worker determine if employers are complying with their duties. • An attempt to exercise physical force against a worker, in a Employers and workers should always contact police first in workplace, that could cause physical injury to the worker emergency situations, if threats or actual violence occurs at a • A statement or behaviour that it is reasonable for a worker workplace. to interpret as a threat to exercise physical force against Resource material is being developed by the occupational the worker, in a workplace, that could cause physical injury health and safety system partners - Health and Safety to the worker. Associations (HSAs), the Ministry of Labour and the Workplace Safety HYPERLINK And workplace harassment means: • Engaging in a course of vexatious comment or conduct http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/sawo/pubs/ against a worker in a workplace that is known or ought %20http:/www.wsib.on.ca/wsib/wsibsite.nsf/public/Home reasonably to be known to be unwelcome. e &HYPERLINK Workplace harassment may include bullying, teasing, http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/sawo/pubs/ intimidating or offensive jokes or innuendos, displaying or %20http:/www.wsib.on.ca/wsib/wsibsite.nsf/public/Home circulating offensive pictures or materials, or offensive or e” Insurance Board intimidating phone calls. To ensure that you are meeting the minimum requirements (WSIB) - to help employers assess workplace violence risks of this legislation it is important that you prepare policies with and develop workplace violence and workplace harassment respect to workplace violence and workplace harassment, policies and programs. develop and maintain programs to implement the policies, The ministry is preparing a compliance guideline entitled and provide information and instruction to workers on the A Guide to Requirements in the Occupational Health and contents of the policies and programs. Safety Act Regarding Workplace Violence and Harassment. The programs must include measures and procedures for The guideline will help workplace parties comply with the summoning immediate assistance when workplace violence changes to the OHSA. This publication will be available in occurs or is likely to occur, and controlling risks identified in March 2010. the risk assessment. Both workplace violence and workplace harassment Have a great spring. programs must include measures and procedures for workers SAFETAID to report incidents of workplace violence/harassment and set Making safety your 1st priority! out how the employer will investigate and deal with incidents T. 519-837-0997 • F. 519-837-1996 or complaints. Consulting Safety and First Aid Supplies Employers must proactively assess the risks of workplace doug@safetaid.ca Above the hole by Sean May Student and Intern days are starting to get warmer and longer, The like to learn and the skills we would like to develop or and most courses have opened. My first year as a improve. While some students are returning to their student at the University of Guelph has come to an end. home courses, others have decided to venture off and It seems like the program started only a few weeks ago. try new opportunities at courses like St. George’s Golf The things I have learned in my first two semesters will 8c Country Club, Capilano Golf 8c Country Club and be carried on throughout the rest of the program and Oviinbyrd Golf Club. I was offered the opportunity to into my future career. work at Fenway Park for the Boston Red Sox, but it was As a student this year I was able to learn a large not meant to be. I based my decision on where I was amount of information and develop skills that I never going to be best able to learn and apply the knowledge had before. In our communications class we learned I learned in the classroom as well as improve upon my how to write a blog and communicate to turfgrass current skill set. professionals. As part of the class we also organized and I will be doing my internship at Bigwin Island Golf presented an industry event that took place in the fall. Club in Muskoka. The interview experience I had in Informative weekly field trips gave a new perspective February was one I won’t forget. It was where I started on the opportunities for advancement in the turfgrass to feel like it was the right fit for me and I could see industry. The winter semester included arboriculture myself living and working on the island for the summer. walks, preparation for the landscape exterminator’s Bigwin Island Golf Club is going to provide me with the license, elections for class executive and most crucial, opportunity to improve my skills and knowledge and finalizing our internship plans. further develop as a turfgrass professional. The most asked question among first year students I am looking forward to moving to Muskoka after has been “Where are you going for your internship?” final exams are finished, but also returning to Guelph I believe that the internship is an opportunity to at the end of the summer. This fall I will serve as the practice what you have learned in the classroom and diploma representative on the Student Federation of apply this knowledge to the golf course environment. the Ontario Agricultural College executive and finish In our internship we are able to advance ourselves up my final year. I also look forward to welcoming the professionally and show our employers what we would new class of up and coming turfgrass professionals. Is IPM Accreditation Bugging You? IPM Notebook is an innovative new software application designed Call now to arrange a FREE specifically for golf courses to revolutionize the monitoring, record keeping, online demo andfind out and reporting required for a successful Integrated Pest Management program. how IPM Notebook® can Key Features save you many hours of • Scouting Records • Mowing Regimen • Equipment Calibrations costly, tedious work. • Action Plans • Water Taking • Automated IPM • Blackberry® field • Automated WTRS Reporting data collection Reporting • Pest Database • Pesticide Usage • Daily Weather • Product Database • Fertilizer Usage • Employee Training • Conversion Calculator (800) 259-2282 (519) 935-3201 Only $499 plus $199 annually far updates and support*taxes * extra ipm.keystonecr.com Tom Margetts, T.Ag 27 Waterloo St. New Hamburg, ON Soil and Turfgrass Consultant N3A IS3 P: 519-662-2479 www.innovativeagronomics.com C: 519-496-2143 Email: tom@innovativeagronomics.com F: 519-662-2479 David C. Smith, P.Ag., C.G.C.S 185 Oriole Crescent Soil & Turfqrass Consultant Gravenhurst, Ontario P1P1C6 Office (705) 687-SOIL (7645) Fax (705) 687-3518 Toll Free 1 -888-607-TURF (8873) Cell (905) 512-6004 dave@dcsturf.com Taking tree management on golf courses to new heights at Devil’s Pulpit Photo by Robert Wright, Assistant Superintendent Best Of Both Worlds Nutrite's 16-2-12 90% UMAXX® N-Fusion for greens and tees is... 1-800-265-8865 Beneficial for the turf Environmentally responsible www.nutriteturf.ca • Con tains 90% UMAXX® stabilized nitrogen • UMAXX® reduces nitrogen loss environmentally by up to 30% • Quick green up and cool weather performance • UMAXX stabilized nitrogen reduces nitrogen . Provides uniform growth, consistent colour and volatility loss for up to 14 days deep root mass • Nitrification inhibitor reduces nitrogen loss to • N-FusioN® homogeneous micro particle fertilizer leaching provides uniform nutrient distribution • Utilizes natural soil chemistry to extend nitrogen • Revolutionary dispersing granule technology availability minimizes mower pick-up University of Guelph update GETTING BACK TO BASICS... Some simple tips for dealing with IPM regulations and reduced pesticides. With the passing of the can easily be done daily and often by any member of your Cosmetic Pesticide Ban last April and team who is out on the course every day. You should train by Dr. Katerina Jordan, the accompanying compulsory IPM your employees the day they start to be on the lookout for Assistant Professor Accreditation for golf courses, I am sure changes in turf health, or for the presence of weeds, insects that most of you have been inundated or symptoms that might indicate the presence of a disease. Department ofPlant with seminars and workshops and are According to the new regulations, you are required to train Agriculture, U of G likely tired of hearing about inte grated your staff at least once per year anyway, so including basic kjordan@uoguelph.ca pest management. Unfortunately, IPM training as part of your orientation of new and current however, it looks like this regulation staff helps you with your paperwork as well. Try to have is here to stay, so the best way to face it is to make a few some photos of common weeds, insects or diseases for your changes about how your turf is managed in an attempt to training session and let your staff know the most likely areas reduce pesticide use while maintaining a high quality playing where these might occur. Daily monitoring of your high-end surface. The purpose of this article is to outline some simple areas allows you to find potential problems when they are cultural practices and alternative pest control options to still mild and gives you the best chance of remediating any increase turf health and reduce pest presence without the use issues using alternative methods. Make sure that you come of conventional pesticides. up with a system to record the results of your monitoring - something as simple as carrying around a score card and Using IPM to your advantage: a highlighter can help with marking or identifying areas As many of you likely already know, the first line of that are potentially problematic. Scouting is defined as “the defense to reduce the effects of pests on your golf course is act of exploring in order to gain information” and is a bit maintaining a healthy stand of turf. Pests such as weeds do more detailed than monitoring. Scouting frequency will vary not cause any direct damage to turfgrass, but rather are well based on your monitoring results and the potential threat designed to take advantage of bare space or weakened plants. of specific pests, and should be targeted to areas identified Insects will likely be present regardless of the health of your through your daily monitoring. If you notice areas that have turf, but whether or not symptoms become visible is very some weed invasion, or if you see symptomatic turf and have much dependent on how healthy your turf is to begin with. been able to pin it down to a specific pest, you should now do With some pathogens, host susceptibility is definitely a pre­ more detailed assessments where you take counts and record disposing condition to disease development, but more often those results (Fig. 1). than not, the environmental conditions play a greater role in whether or not symptoms develop to the point of affecting playing conditions. In most cases, you have control over whether conditions are right for pests to thrive and whether or not your plants show symptoms or recover quickly when damage does occur. Remembering this important fact - that in many cases, you are in control - is very helpful in keeping a healthy stand of turf. An essential part of developing a successful IPM program is conducting frequent monitoring or scouting of your golf course. Regulation requires that scouting sheets are filled Examples of counting results could include number of in a minimum of one time per week, but in reality, to get a weeds in a specific area, number of insects in a specific area, feel for everything that is happening on site, more frequent number of spots or patches in an area, or size of a specific monitoring will likely be required to ensure that you catch symptom (such as a patch). Whichever method you choose, any potential issues early on. Of course, doing counts and be sure to keep it consistent from one scouting date to another recording every detail even on your greens on a daily basis because this will allow you to make comparisons - either from can be quite time-consuming, but there are ways to make site to site or from one scouting date to another. Scouting your monitoring program run smoothly and efficiently while is a great way to determine if a problem is getting better or still being an effective part of your program. First, there is a worse or to determine if a management method for a specific difference between monitoring and scouting. Monitoring is problem was effective or not. In addition, you are required defined as “the act of observing something” and is done to to include counts both pre-treatment and post-treatment for determine whether or not an issue exists. This involves more your scouting reports, so the more detail you include the visual observation and is somewhat subjective. However, it better for you at the end of the season. The nuts and bolts: excellent chart in OMAFRA Pub. 816 - Turf IPM Manual Monitoring and scouting are extremely important but - that outlines the conditions that favor weed invasion. only serve to alert you to any issues that might exist on your course. In order to make the most out of scouting you need Insect prevention: to interpret the data you collect and then make changes Insects become a bit more difficult because 1) they are accordingly to reduce the potential for pests to invade. There often rather unpredictable as to where they will strike and are numerous cultural practices that you can do to increase 2) they do damage turf so knowing they are present before your turf health in general and subsequently decrease the they can cause serious symptoms is extremely important. In presence or effect of pests. These include thatch removal some cases, environmental conditions are not as important through vertical mowing, decreasing compaction through for insect presence, but most of the time, you can prevent annual core aeration, adjusting your height of cut to alleviate major infestations with a few cultural practices and by stress and adjusting your irrigation schedule to promote deep keeping your turf happy and healthy. The most important rooting. However, there are also specific techniques that can part of preventing insect damage is learning your insect be attempted to reduce each of the pests we deal with in turf identification and understanding their life cycles. You should management. The next part of this article will discuss the be able to differentiate between insects that are harmful to three groups of pests (weeds, insects and diseases) and some turf vs. those that are beneficial and possibly even antagonistic simple ways that you can reduce either their presence or the to the insect pests. You should also be aware of when insects effect they have on your turf. are in each stage of their lives - when they are feeding, resting as pupae or active as adults. One of the best ways to Weed prevention: determine where an insect is in its life cycle is through the Weeds are just plants that take advantage of bare space use of plant phenology. Phenology in its simplest sense is the and essentially fill voids. Some weeds are more competitive relation between biological events, such as animal and plant than others and some we even learn to live with (e.g. Poa life cycles, and climate (particularly temperature). Plants annua on your greens). But no matter what weed you are and certain animals will go through different stages of their dealing with, the best way to keep them out of your turf stand life cycles based on cumulative temperature. In many cases, is to avoid having those voids. This means keeping divot mix researchers have been able to connect life stages of specific on your tees and in your carts for fairways. It also means plants with those of certain insects and these plants are then using some of your labour force to get out and actively repair considered phenological indicators. A well known example damaged areas with seed mix - tees, fairways, etc. This is of this is the cycle of the annual bluegrass weevil (Listronotus especially important on greens, where Poa annua does a maculicollis). Adults become active around the time that lovely job of filling in ball marks that were never repaired. forsythia plants are in bloom and eggs are laid around the time Work with the pro in your golf shop to hold instructional of flowering dogwood bloom. This is very useful information sessions for clientele on the importance and proper repair of because it narrows down the time range for scouting as well ball marks. Keep detailed instructions (with photographs) as for treatment if deemed necessary. There are numerous in your golf carts and keep them in an obvious place where phenological indicators that have been established for other golfers can’t miss them. You can also give out free ball mark common turfgrass pests as well. Once you are aware of these, tools in the pro shop. I used to play at a course where I you can either look for these plants on your site or, if they grew up where you were not allowed on the course unless fit in with the landscape, make the decision to plant them you could produce a ball mark repair tool, and if you didn’t to give you more information. The next step is knowing the have one, you had to purchase it. That might sound a bit conditions under which many insects will reproduce. Some extreme, but they were very serious about keeping annual insects are sensitive to low soil moisture and prefer wet soils bluegrass out of their greens and found that this method in which to lay their eggs (this is especially the case with white worked pretty well. Repairing damaged areas quickly is a grub species and crane flies). Knowing this information and good idea, but sometimes you may have to make some knowing when adults are active can allow you to monitor your changes with respect to your turf choices to really keep weeds soil moisture to reduce the chances of insects laying their out. Do a survey of your turfgrass species (this requires some eggs in your turf areas. There are numerous other examples knowledge of turfgrass identification - an important topic of cultural practices that can be employed to reduce insect for another time) and make sure that you have the right pest activity. To be effective, however, you need to be aware species or cultivars in the right places. You might wonder of the potential pests on your site, monitor or scout often why you always have weeds in your shaded areas, yet you enough to know when they are likely to be problematic and deal with it by treating the weeds and then overseeding with know enough about their life cycle to know what practices are your usual species - perhaps Kentucky bluegrass. Part of a best to combat them if they are present on your site. successful IPM program is knowing the limitations of your turf and responding accordingly. Kentucky bluegrass needs Disease prevention: a very high amount of sunlight each day, so if you are set on When it comes to using alternative methods for weeds using this species, you might want to consider cutting down and insects, there are a number of options on the Class 11 on the shade. However, you could also survey where the pesticides or bio-control lists. However, with diseases, it gets issues are and consider if using a more shade-tolerant species a little trickier. In addition, weeds take a while to really come of grass, such as one of the fescues, would be practical and in and disrupt a playing surface and rarely are insects a major appropriate. Finally, remember that weeds are often a sign problem on the greens (black cutworm excepted, of course). that something is not right with your growing conditions. With diseases, however, the greens are where they are usually Different weeds can be used as indicator species to let you problematic and unfortunately, you rarely know they are an know about drainage issues, shade, fertility, etc. There is an issue until you see the symptoms. In addition, there are some ...continued on page 14 ...continued from page 13 diseases that once they get started, can spread very quickly In the end... and under the right conditions lead to a good bit of turf The above were just a small percentage of possible tips for loss. This makes using true IPM practices for management dealing with turfgrass pests, as there are many more practices of diseases very challenging. However, if you think about that you can adopt on your specific sites. These suggestions turfgrass systems other than golf course greens, diseases are may seem obvious to most of you and perhaps many of you are rarely a problem. Lawns, athletic fields and even sod farms already implementing a number of the practices that I have don’t usually have any issues with pathogens, but rather with listed. However, I still see situations where irrigation practices the first two pests I have discussed. This would suggest that are done based on time rather than soil moisture, fertility is there is something about how golf course turf is managed decided based on historical schedules rather than soil and that might create conditions for diseases to thrive. That tissue tests, mowing height is used as the primary practice to being said, it also means that there are certainly practices increase ball roll distance, and important cultivation practices that you can employ to reduce the threat and severity of a such as vertical mowing and aeration are just not performed number of turfgrass diseases. Earlier I discussed some very because they are too disruptive to play. If that is the case, general methods for increasing your turf health and this is one thing that the new IPM regulations definitely call for very important in disease management. Research has shown is a re-assessment of routine practices. Use this regulation that the severity of certain diseases such as anthracnose to educate your members and clientele and to take some (Colletotrichum cereale) are significantly increased when greens chances by trying new methods. It will be a slow process at are kept at below 3mm (1/8” or 0.125”). Anectodal data first - perhaps one green at a time - but as you really try to suggests the same with roots disease such as summer patch reduce your pesticide use, you will likely find that you can (Magnaporthe poae). Finding alternative methods of keeping re-allocate resources - labour to monitoring and scouting up ball roll distance can go a long way in improving turfgrass instead of spraying, funds towards seed instead of pesticides. health and reducing the effects of stress-related diseases. Two Finally, think about whether or not pests are really affecting such methods would be rolling your greens and frequent playability orjust aesthetics. You might find you have a higher topdressing. A healthy plant is only one part of the solution, threshold for some of these pests than you think. In the end, however. I imagine most if not all of you are quite familiar it is all about effective communication - with your crew, with with the concept of the disease triangle - the fact that in the pro shop and of course, with your clientele. order for disease to occur, you need a virulent pathogen, a With that, I wish you all the best of luck this season - susceptible host and appropriate environmental conditions implementing some new practices, dealing with additional all present simultaneously. The pathogen is almost always paperwork and getting through the season with a very present - even if you treat with a fungicide, it finds its way into different outlook on how we manage turf. And if you are the environment. Improving the health of your turf decreases ever unsure of what to do or where to go, there are plenty the susceptibility of the host but with some pathogens, they of inexpensive or free resources at your fingertips: the can infect a strong host almost as easily as they can a weakened University of Guelph and GTI, OMAFRA, and your regional one. The environmental conditions, therefore, are often and national associations. Take advantage of the information the deciding factor as to whether or not disease will occur around you and always stay current. and in some cases, these conditions are under the control of the superintendent. Not weather patterns, mind you, but definitely in areas where conducive micro-climates create “hot References: spots” of activity. I’m sure each of you has an indicator green or hole of sorts - the area that always gets dollar spot first, or Inguagiato, J. C., Murphy, J. A., Clarke, B. B. 2009. Anthracnose your Microdochium patch (aka Fusarium patch) green, etc. These are areas that have some environmental condition that Disease and Annual Bluegrass Putting Green Performance Affected exists allowing that pathogen to thrive and infect your plants by Mowing Practices and Lightweight Rolling. Crop Sci 49:1454- more easily than anywhere else on the course. The first step 1462 to reducing disease pressure is knowing about these areas - something that periodic and frequent monitoring/scouting OMAFRA. 1996. Publication 162: Diseases and insects of will help you determine. The second step is understanding why they exist. Perhaps the shading patterns are different, turfgrass in Ontario. or the leaves stay wetter longer (especially if you always OMAFRA. 2003. Publication 816: Turf IPM Manual mow in the same order), or the drainage is not as good or as uniform. Whatever the condition (s) that led to this hot Figure 1: Monitoring (left) and scouting (right) with counts spot, the third step is to alter the environment and remove for grub damage. The first photo is a result of noticing whatever conditions are making those areas more susceptible symptoms and pulling back turf to determine causation. The to infection. This might mean taking down or pruning trees, improving drainage, increasing wind flow, changing mowing photo on the right is a result of going back to that area and order or altering traffic patterns. All of these options may doing specific counts of pests. Photos courtesy S. Jordan. help to reduce the number of hot spots you have on your course and also reduce the severity of numerous diseases. Jacobsen R-311 Exceptional cutting performance, low cost of ownership & maintenance friendly Designed to be maintenance-friendly, featuring a variety of innovat ve features allows access to all of the machines most important parts. 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Winter rules Credit Valley to host Toronto Star Amateur after going 15 rounds with Mother Nature By Glenn Goodwin (this article is a reprint from The Toronto Star - Golf 2010) Photos by Credit Valley Members and Staff was almost unthinkable a year ago. Credit Valley It reworking and refilling 45 bunkers with new sand, was scheduled to host the 2010 Toronto Star Amateur, repairing 400 trees damaged by ice and greens that had to where players will vie for the John Honderich Trophy for be resurfaced. the 12th time. But after a disastrous storm on Feb. 12, It took four major contractors doing “ exceptional” work 2009, no one believed it would happen. to get it done, Stauffer said. No one except Jeff Stauffer that is, the highly respected “I learned the importance of setting daily goals which led course superintendent at Credit Valley. When Stauffer to monthly goals then to longer term goals,” said Stauffer. issued the SOS, 185 Credit Valley members responded “I was supported by great staff and members.” — Stauffer likes to call them his “golf angels” — helping Turning a negative into a positive is what the men to clean up the effects of and women in Stauffer’s the wild winter storm that profession do every day. wiped out two bridges, 100 But on that dreadful winter trees and left nine holes afternoon in Mississauga, closed until mid-August of even Stauffer felt last year. “overwhelmed,” not only Just imagine — an with what he could see from entire kilometre of fairway a distance but with what he completely re-sodded, couldn’t see. requiring six acres of So concerned were bent grass and 11 acres of Stauffer and his crew that bluegrass. Not to mention less than 24 hours after the storm they ventured into the valley in dangerous conditions to assess the damage. They quickly set out a plan that eventually would make one of the GTA’s top golf courses even more challenging. More than 200 clubs represented in Toronto Star Amateur The home of the late Al Balding, Credit Valley is where world No. 2 Steve Stricker won the 1993 CPGA Championship over runner-up Mike Weir. They have also hosted a Canadian Junior Girls (1990), Canadian Amateur (2001) and Credit Valley suffered extensive damage on that winter’s day in 2009, but course superintendentJeff the 2008 Canadian PGA Women’s Stauffer led the successful rescue operation. Championship. over subscribed . So, in the end, everyone came You can register for both together to maintain Credit Valley’s tournaments online. Go to great tradition and build on its www.thestar.com/sports/golf or visit MEN'S AMATEUR wonderful future, especially the the GTAGA at www.gtaga.com or July 27-30 golf angels who make Credit Valley phone 416-239-0708. The entry closing Credit Valley, Mississauga unique and who, in turn, probably (all four rounds) is Wednesday, June 2 for the men and had something to do with the 38 new Friday, June 11 for the women. MEN'S REGIONAL members that recently joined the The Star Amateurs are presented by QUALIFIERS family. Speaking of great tradition, this the founding Buick Dealers of Ontario June 9 Victoria Park East, Guelph year’s Toronto Star Women’s Amateur in association with Taylormade-adidas June 14 Royal Ashburn, Whitby for the Ruth Atkinson Hindmarsh July 5 BraeBen, Mississauga Golf. The GTAGA takes great pride in Trophy will be contested at historic conducting both championships on an WOMEN'S AMATEUR Weston, where Arnold Palmer won equal basis. Glenn Goodwin is president June 22-23 Weston, Toronto his very first PGA event, the 1955 and founder of the Greater Toronto Area June 24-25 Dundas Valley, Dundas, ON Canadian Open. Also featured will GolfAssociation. be Dundas Valley, where professional Jessica Shepley, the 2002 Toronto Star Women’s Amateur champion, won MEN'S WOMEN'S the 2009 Canadian PGA Women’s John Honderich Trophy Ruth Atkinson Hindmarsh Trophy Championship. Year Name/Home Club/Championship Site Year Name/Home Club/Championship Site Our events have grown year after 1999 David Hemstad/Summit/St. George's 2000 Alena Sharp /Brantford/Ladies' GC of Toronto year, and this year there will be 2000 David Lea/Westmount/lslington 2001 Mary Ann Lapointe/North Halton/Thornhill 2001 Timothy Ash/Lambton/The National 2002 Jessica Shepley/Trafalgar/Scarboro competitors from more than 200 2002 Charlie Woo/York Downs/Lambton 2003 Alena Sharp/ Brantford/Donalda clubs from Windsor to Ottawa to 2003 Charlie Woo/York Downs/Brampton 2004 Terrill Samuel/Weston/St. George's 2004 Nick Kenney/lslington/Devil's Pulpit 2005 Katie Wi I liams/Galt/lsl ington North Bay entering North America’s 2005 Tommy Ursa/Glen Eagle/Weston 2006 Mary Ann Lapointe/North Halton/Whitevale premier city championships. 2006 David Markle/Shelburne/Scarboro 2007 Karly Pinder/Highland/Meadowbrook 2007 Dave Bunker/Don Valley/Cedar Brae 2008 Ashley Scholer/Glen Abbey/Thornhill Would-be competitors should hurry 2009 Jennifer Kirby/Brantford/Ladies' GC 2008 Jeffrey Clarridge/National Pines/Mississaugua fast as every year our events have been 2009 Jace Walker/St. Thomas/St. George's of Toronto St. George's Readies For Open Article by: Justin Parsons, Assistant Superintendent Trafalgar Golf & Country Club Photos by Clive Barber In July 2008, when the decision was made for St. George’s to host the 2010 RBC Canadian Open, the club was putting the finishing touches on their golf course improvement plan. Interestingly enough, the news of the PGA Tour making its first trip back to the private west-end golf course since 1968, really didn’t change that plan much at all. If your golf club was preparing to host the country’s biggest golf event for the first time in over forty years, you would probably expect a multitude of major capital changes. Mainly to accommodate the tour professionals, corporate structures and large galleries that will be on site for an entire week. However, for Superintendent Keith Bartlett and his maintenance crew at St. George’s Golf and Country Club, it’s more a matter of perfecting a sustainable maintenance plan that was already being implemented. “The only thing the PGA commented on with regard to improvements was fairway landing zones”, Bartlett says. Otherwise, the clubs long term focus on enhancing the natural beauty and challenging layout of the world renowned golf club would proceed as scheduled. The focus over the last two years hasn’t been on changing what is there, rather improving what is there. When your golf club ranks among the top 100 in the world, this makes complete sense. After all, the venerable and historic nature of this Stanley Thompson classic is such a big part of its appeal in hosting the event. In September 2008, the club began implementing its golf course with a critical eye for detail. “We’ve really long term improvement plan. This included resodding gone through this property with a fine tooth comb.” For green and fairway surrounds, rebuilding several tee Bartlett and his crew, this has meant an extra emphasis complexes, paving service roads and adding bunker on things such as sand depths in bunkers, consistency misting heads. In total, the club has added 25 acres of in the rough, leveling sprinkler heads and, of course, bluegrass sod, over an acre of bentgrass on tees, and ensuring that all areas of the property drain sufficiently. 1500 linear meters of paving to service roads and cart paths. In terms of structural changes to the property, a bridge was moved on the 7th hole from the right side to the left to help remove it from the sightline. In addition to that, a bunker was added on the tenth hole to accommodate the original design by restoring balance to the hole. Weather has been a major factor at The Open the last two years when the tournament was hosted by Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville. Prolonged rain events halted play Fall 2009 Improvements several times and made it very difficult for tournament The clubs new strategic tree management program officials and the maintenance staff alike. Since this is an has also comprised a large amount of the work that has internationally televised event, the tournaments ability been done over the past two seasons. The focus has to adhere to stringent broadcast schedules is of the been on removal, general pruning and safety issues. utmost importance. The maintenance crew, along with local contractors, That is why one of the main aspects of tournament has focused on enhancing green and tee sites, as well as preparation for Bartlett has been drainage. With an pathway corridors for spectators. already strong drainage system in place and additional To address the PGA’s concern about landing zones, improvements over the last few months, he isn’t too six fairways were narrowed. “We stripped it, brought in concerned about the courses ability to handle water. bluegrass and made the line work”, says Bartlett. The “This property drains so well that after the stop of a most dramatic of which was the 14th hole. The 480 thunderstorm I think we’d be in play within an hour.” yard Par 4 was 44 yards wide. That would likely mean This is no doubt pleasing news to the PGA Tour officials a pitching wedge into the green for most tour players. whose demands for the event are relatively simple. “At Bartlett and the handful of members that will be affected the end of the day, they want to finish at ten to six on by the changes certainly recognize the importance of Sunday (evening) because of TV and they want to be these measures. down to 72 (golfers) by Saturday and those are the big When you are preparing to host the world’s best golfers, things for them”, Bartlett says. a great deal of the work comes from just touring your ...continued on page 20 ...continued from page 19 But simple doesn’t necessarily mean easy. Although the Hopefully the community will continue to be supportive golf club has hosted the event four times, this time, is much during tournament week. There is no doubt that patience different from a logistical standpoint. It’s not just that the will be tested since this is very much a 24-hour event. Between golf club occupies only 160 acres of land. It’s that those restocking concessions, fuel trucks, servicing portable toilets 160 acres of land are now situated in the middle of a busy and, of course, golf course maintenance, the work basically residential area in the west end of the city. This has meant never stops. With prohibitive noise by-laws in place, residents hammering out details on road closures (Islington Avenue need to be understanding. It will be hard enough for Bartlett will be closed from Princess Margaret north to Eglinton Ave. and his staff since they can’t even park on-site. for three weeks to accommodate the television compound), Again, with space being an issue and spectator traffic flow altering bus routes, and establishing no parking zones in the designed a certain way, all those involved with working at The community. Open will be bused in from an outside location. He hopes Moreover, the event itself has grown a great deal in the last to have up to 80 staff total in for the event with four assistants forty years and so too have the expectations of the host golf helping him manage the crew. This means he hopes there club. Tournament officials are expecting roughly 22,000 are over 40 volunteers from golf courses in the GTA and patrons per day, which will directly impact how the golf other parts of Ontario. course is setup. With the PGA’s very specific requirements for green speeds, The lack of space for such a premiere event has meant that bunker grooming and course conditioning in general, the the practice facilities will be held a couple of kilometers down large maintenance crew comes as no surprise. But when the the road at the Islington Golf Club. A full driving range will PGA first visited the site back in 2007, their first concern had be set up there as well as a putting green managed to replicate nothing to do with the playability of the golf course at all. the conditions the pro’s will face at St. George’s. Despite all The focus was solely on logistics. They were stricdy looking the logistical hurdles however, Bartlett is pleased organizers at spectator flow, servicing amenities, and the safety of the have been able to gamer approval. “The city has really come players. When all that passed green lights, attention then to the table... It’s very much a community involved Open and turned to the golf course itself. I’m impressed.” This involvement has also extended to local schools. Through the ‘Live Green’ program, the club has partnered with the city to help children at neighbouring schools leam about the environment and help with the replanting program for the club. With over 300 tress being planted, this project has allowed St. George’s to meet the city’s 3-1 replanting initiative. An agronomist and rules official from the PGA came up to tour the property. Between the two, they look at details such as plant health and the movement of players on and off the course. They also examine playability in terms of protecting divot areas and tee decks and possible impediments of play such as tree branches. “It’s a lot of fun to drive around with the rules official because they see the golf course in a much different way than regular players.” ‘Live Green ’ Program Participants With these site visits in mind, the club enlarged some of that will be roped off. This should help reduce rounds and their tee complexes with particular emphasis on the black protect the turf in preparation for the event. tees. In the past, a few of these decks were only 300 square However Bartlett and his crew have been hard at work for feet in size. Now, these decks are 1,200 to 1,500 square feet months on basic, yet essential cultural practices that will allow which should be much more viable for a full weeks worth the turf to handle the rigors of PGA Tour preparation. Just of tour play. Bartlett is also focused on protecting key divot this past fall, the crew performed two verti-drain applications areas right up until the Thursday of tournament week. back to back, followed by a three quarter inch hollow tine aeration. After which topdressing with dried bag sand was applied. For Bartlett, the blueprint is simple, “A lot of holes, a lot of sand. I basically wanted to squeeze five years of aeration into two years”. In many ways, this philosophy is reflective of the work that has been done at St. George’s the past couple of seasons. It hasn’t been about changing what is there through major renovations. Rather the push has been toward focusing on the fundamentals and enhancing what is there. It has been about getting back to the basics. Hiding cart paths to enhance the natural landscape, reclaiming areas that have been overgrown by trees, reestablishing tee complexes and fairway lines to flow with the original design. And, certainly, a strong focus on a golf course maintenance plan that brings it all together. Although there will be no formal playing restrictions For Bartlett and his staff, the drive to sustain a premiere for the members leading up to The Open, Bartlett insists, golfing experience is something that will endure long after “it won’t be a very fun place to play in the last few weeks.” the last PGA Tour Pro putts out on that Sunday in July. This, of course, will be a result of the many distractions in “The thing is, knowing that there is life after The Open. It’s terms of grandstand construction, the setup of television and fun now. We’ll enjoy the experience. But this big push of concession areas, the longer rough and the numerous areas improvements doesn’t mean we are finished.” Second to one by Justin Parsons, Assistant Superintendent Trafalgar Golf & Country Club “My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard. Mother would come out and say, ‘You’re tearing up the grass’; ‘We’re not raising grass,’ Dad would reply. We’re raising boys.” Harmon Killebrew Raising grass is what we do. It’s pretty simple. On a and dynamic is infectious. When people see why the results daily basis we endeavour to present the best possible playing of their hard work are beneficial, they begin to feel worthy. conditions to those who tee it up. But in order to achieve There may not be a more satisfying or important internal our agronomic goals, we rely so heavily on the ability of those recognition than a strong sense of self-worth. Though around us to succeed. Of course, as managers, it is our job to there may be some resistance at first to an arduous task or ensure that this happens. a tiring project, in the end, I think everyone benefits from The path to productive and valuable relationships with an individual accomplishing something to the best of their staff begins and ends with earning their respect. This is ability. never easy, but the formula is simple: lead by example. You The onus is on us to make sure that this happens. As need to work as hard as you expect those around you to superintendents and assistants, we provide employees with work. You need to be open, honest, fair and firm. Although the knowledge and the expectations needed to complete the circumstances and issues that we manage can often tasks properly. If they fall short, we have fallen short first. be complex, it’s important to find a way to let these ideals Our ability to follow through is a direct reflection of our own govern the decisions that you make. Ultimately, the staff will personal resolve. internalize the values that they see displayed by those at the I suppose that is why seeing the more inexperienced and top. challenged employees succeed is the most gratifying. It’s Because a large percentage of our staffis often compromised because they have come the furthest. They have grown the by young adults, we are presented with a unique opportunity, most. Knowing that we helped get them there is a good one that can be equally beneficial for both the teacher and feeling. the student. Many of our employees are preparing to enter Though work relationships should be kept professional, I the workforce on a full-time basis as they strive to complete don’t think this necessarily precludes them from becoming their scholastic careers. During this time, we can help shape personal from time to time. Watching an individual develop both their expectations of what lies ahead and the assets that into a young man or woman with a bright future and knowing they will bring to the table for future employers. In doing so, that you may have provided some guidance along the way is we can not only realize our goals on a professional level, but one of the most rewarding sides of our business. That is why on a personal level as well. 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When the aerators finished the course once, they went back to the shop and got fitted with new tines, and immediately went back and started the exact same process over. By completing the process twice, it increased the surface area affected and by using relatively small tines, the smaller holes were able to heal faster. Management also figured that this would Dyeabolical is the name that Pete Dye gave to the 18th give them the biggest bang for their buck, since they hole on the Straits course at Whistling Straits, where I would not be opening up the greens again until after the had the opportunity to work as a student intern when tournament. the course hosted the PGA Championship in 2004. With a major tournament returning there again this year, I Fairways thought that I would share some of my experiences from During the construction of the course, thousands of my internship, focusing mainly on the special tournament truckloads of soil were brought in to make the previously preparation. shapeless land come to life. As a result, the native sandy loam soils were buried with anywhere from four to twelve Course History inches and more of a clay loam, a material that was Whistling Straits is a golf resort destination owned by abundant, local, and inexpensive. In true links style, the Herb Kohler, CEO of the family run Kohler Company, Straits course has fine fescue fairways having been seeded a multi-billion dollar enterprise known worldwide for its to a mix of several chewings fescue varieties. Fine fescue plumbing products. In 1995 Mr. Kohler bought some will not survive well in wet conditions and it is noted for its property in the small town of Haven, Wisconsin with a intolerance of a lot of traffic. With this situation in mind, vision of creating an Irish style links course. Located an aggressive sand topdressing program has been in place several miles north of the city of Sheboygan and an for many years to try and modify the soil structure on the hour north of Milwaukee, the property was located on fairways which will only pay off for them in time. two miles of Lake Michigan shoreline that was originally With a wet, cool spring and early summer, black layer used as an Army base in WW II. Kohler brought in Pete resulted in many areas since the moisture could not Dye who transformed the previously shapeless land into percolate through the soil; the roots and the soil were two courses: the Irish course, and the walking only, links drowning and receiving no oxygen. To combat this inspired, Straits course with its magnificent views and problem we tried to open up these areas numerous times undulating terrain. with pitchforks and deep tine aeration to allow air to enter the soil. We also topdressed the areas with sand to help Greens modify the soil structure to allow for better drainage and The greens on the Straits course were built using USGA re-seeded the areas with perennial ryegrass which is much specifications and were seeded to providence bentgrass. more tolerant of wet conditions. Preserving a pure bentgrass putting surface has been a Mowing was also a big issue in the early spring and top priority since the course opened, and this year was summer as the fairways could not tolerate the weight of a no exception. Several methods were used to remove the fairway unit, let alone a triplex. Rotary push mowers had annual bluegrass, from cutting small plants out with a knife to be used to mow five fairways for several weeks due to the or a soil probe, to replacing infected areas with plugs from wet conditions and the fine fescues inability to withstand the nursery. Some problems arose during the season when a great deal of traffic. They were set at a height of 1 inch, the plugs from the younger nursery were not matching up and then dropped to .75 inches before riding mowers well when placed on the course greens. Plugging was were able to be used. halted for over a month before the tournament to allow As a side note, the fifth fairway on the Straits course is the only fairway which has the native sandy loam soil. It keeping ones footing on the hilly terrain while keeping was built around a wetland so construction to the area was pace and cranking was difficult. The process took us the limited. This soil and turf performed very well all year good part of five days to complete the entire course. even when we received excessive moisture. The fescue thrived to its full potential and was the main reason why Bunkers this fairway required much less maintenance than the It is hard to imagine, but there are over 1000 bunkers rest. on the Straits course alone. The bunkers range in shape, size and depth but due to the undulating terrain most Roughs have to be raked by hand. Over 9000 hours were devoted Keeping with the links feel of the course the 184 acres to raking bunkers by hand this year; compare that to just of rough was seeded to a Scottish Links mixture of red, over 4000 for mowing greens. This number does not hard and sheep varieties of fine fescue. The rough was even include all of the hours spent mechanically raking, allowed to grow for the whole year except for a two-yard weeding, picking rocks, adding sand, or screening sand. intermediate cut surrounding the fairways and several yards It was decided that all of the focus would be on the around the green which were maintained at three inches. bunkers, or parts of bunkers, that would be inside the In June, the U.S. Open at Shinnecock put an end to that. ropes. So, from late April until the weekend before the After that brutal test of golf the PGA officials decided that tournament, the sand screener was in constant use with the rough would need to be cut back along most landing four lucky employees shouldering the task the whole areas of the fairways to make the course more playable and season. Although it was a very slow and labour intensive fair for the professionals. The rough was cut down to four process (at least it looked that way from a distance), or five inches and extended anywhere from five yards to they did an incredible job of removing rocks and debris, twenty-five yards off of some fairways. leaving the bunkers in championship condition. Due to the terrain, fertilizing roughs posed an interesting challenge: neither a walking rotary spreader, nor a tractor I Still Can't Believe This Happened mounted spreader could get thejob done. The management On June 29, six weeks before the tournament, the greens team decided to tackle this problem by overwhelming it were being verticut when the triplex sprung a hydraulic with manpower, and armed them with “monkey grinders”. These are back pack rotary spreaders that are driven by a hand powered crank that have a 20 pound capacity of fertilizer. 12 staff lined up in a row in the rough and the first person would begin to walk while cranking. The next person would then follow in line and make sure that their throw was hitting the feet of the person in front. When the lead person was out of fertilizer he would stop until everyone was in a line and we would then refill; one of our assistants would walk alongside the last person in line and mark with irrigation flags where the fertilizer spread had stopped. This was a very maintenance intense process as ..continued from 25 leak on the back portion of the third green near the end We began plugging on June 30 and completed the of a pass. The leak covered an area roughly ten feet long green at 11:30 a.m. on July 1 with 660 plugs, less than two by four feet wide on the green, and also extended into the days after the hydraulic leak. The damage on the collar collar and rough about five feet. The biggest concern we had was time: we had six weeks to get the area to heal and blend in with the rest of the green as this portion of the green was expected to be the site of a Sunday hole location. It was decided that the practical solution would be to plug the affected area so that the new turf would already have established roots and then the only concern would be to take care of the surface. As I mentioned earlier, the plugs from the nursery were not matching up well when placed in the on course greens so a decision was made that we would take plugs from the nursery, transfer them to the Irish course green, and then place those plugs in the third green. At our request, myself and another intern were given the responsibility of completing this task. Our goal when we began was to do the best job we possibly could, as fast as we possibly could. The faster the plugs were in the ground, the more time they would have to heal and blend in with the rest of the green. Superintendents worldwide put their trust in Revolution to maintain the highest levels ofturf quality and playability on their greens, even under stress. Contact your local distributor today to see what Revolution can do for you. • Uniform moisture, even across slopes • Consistency ofturf conditions • Drier, firmer putting surfaces The superintendent's choice • Less hand watering for superior turf performance. • Easier to re-wet after drydown • Quicker recovery from stress 800-257-7797 • www.aquatrols.com and rough were replaced the next day, with 340 plugs needed for the collar, and 225 needed for the rough. Keep in mind that these numbers can be doubled with the removal of the plugs from the nursery for their replacement on the Irish course. Ontario Sales Team Craig McCutcheon, Niagara/Central For the next five weeks we took care (905) 536-0357 of those plugs on a daily basis. We Brian Bennett, South Western topdressed and watered them when 8112 KING RD. WEST (519)421-6593 needed, and occasionally gave them BOLTON, ONTARIO L7E 5T3 a light weight rolling. The plugs Bill Martel, Northern 1-800-268-4425 healed nicely and blended in faster (705) 627-3590 1-905-857-2000 than we expected. The biggest sense Perry Brazeau, GTA East WWW.MAPLETURFSUPPLY.COM of accomplishment came on Sunday (289) 338-1834 of the tournament when the PGA • Cost Effective Custom officials decided to place the hole Blends Mark Scenna, National Sales Manager location a mere inch away from our (416) 458-2396 • Water Soluble, Granular, hydraulic leak fix. On a personal John Bladon, National Agronomist Liquid & Organic Fertilizers note, I was rewarded for leading the (519) 574-2013 plugging efforts by receiving the flag • Bulk Spreader Service that flew on the third green during the www.turfpro.ca • Full Line of Turf Chemicals tournament. For Further Information Call: Summary Simon George The 2004 PGA Championship was Technical Sales the culmination of many years of hard Central Ontario, GTA & Niagara Region work. There were a total of 150 1-519-841-3378 staff working during tournament week with 50 volunteers, and all of them Mark Schneider came together as a team to make the Technical Sales Championship a resounding success. Georgian Bay, Lake Simcoe & Muskoka Region The tournament year provided us 1-519-372-5181 with many challenging moments, but a great staff led by Superintendent Rae Murray David Swift was able to overcome each Technical Sales and every one of them. I look forward North East GTA & Eastern Ontario to watching this year. 1-416-819-3404 BIO Graeme Calder is the new Technical Sales Rep for Plant Products. He will service the Niagara region, Burlington, Hamilton and the London area. Graeme graduated from the two-year Golf Course Turfgrass Management program from Penn State in 2005. He has previously worked at the Cutten Club, Westmount Golf and Country Club, Whistling Straits and The Toronto Golf Club. You can contact Graeme at: 519-577-0010 or gcalder@ plantprod.com. On the REELside of things by: Warren Wybenga, Equipment Manager, Donalda Club, Toronto WWybenga@donaldaclub. ca (416) 44 7-5575 x263 Did an early spring catch you off guard? With such an early spring and the wash then lube all fittings to remove any Service Tip - I have always used the safety golf season already in full swing, there’s water and contaminated grease, check inserts that fit over hydraulic cylinders (like no shame in admitting that there may be and top off all oil levels, have a quick look the ones that raise and lower the dump a few items in your fleet that didn’t get the at belt tensions and make sure all chains box on your utility vehicle for instance) attention that they deserve. Hopefully, if are properly adjusted and lubed. Tire especially when working on the hydraulic they were put to bed properly at the end of pressures should be set and make note system. I do however seem to have a last season, startup won’t be as big a chore of any bulges or sidewall nicks that will problem remembering to remove them as if they were simply parked after their last indicate that you should get a replacement when I’m finished thejob. It never seems to use and not thought of until now. Let this on order. If you’re getting ready to verti­ fail that I find myself in the operator’s seat unusually premature start to the season cut or slit seed, have a look for bent blades with the engine running, my hand moving serve as a reminder for you this fall when or damage to discs that may have occurred the hydraulic control lever only to hear the things are wrapping up to spend a little while being shuffled around during the relief valve screaming as the cylinder tries time then to properly prepare your fleet winter. Not everyone who may have had to collapse against the safety device. After for winter storage. A small investment to move these items around during the off this many years in the business you’d think in time when you have more of it will season may be aware of the sensitive parts I would have learned by now but it just save a lot of scrambling around, trying to that need to be protected. Look for any seems that no matter how may times I look get things out the door because Mother bent, broken or worn tines on aerators at that safety feature and having placed it Nature decided to pull a fast one on us. and if you suspect any timing issues, never there mere moments before, as soon as it Due to circumstances beyond our control try to make it work “just this one time”. comes time to turn the key, I completely and despite some Herculean efforts by An aerator that is even slightly out of time forget about it. Frustrating to say the least! superintendents and their grounds crews can make it look like you took a roto-tiller No more however.. .but just what to do? I this past winter, it is an unfortunate reality across your green. Correct coring head considered making up a tag to place on that some courses have come out of the timing can usually be verified fairly quickly the key as a reminder when the safety is in winter in, shall we say, somewhat less and time spent on this is more than worth use but decided instead to actually remove than ideal condition. Now if you ask any it and the procedure should be in your the key from the ignition (which should experienced turf equipment technician, operator’s manual. be common practice whenever working on they should tell you that you should have Remember that turf groomers are for any machine) and place it directly on the everything ready to go for the start of the grooming and I recommend against using safety, thereby forcing me to a laying on of season because you never can be sure just them as verti-cutters...unless of course hands with the actual device before I can what a superintendent might want to use you have no other option but be careful start the engine. A simple and inexpensive or when they’ll want to use it...but we not to set them too deep, as it will put solution but so far, it seems to be working. all know that the reality is that this is not unnecessary stress on a system that is not I guess an old dog can learn new tricks always possible. designed for such use and could end after all. We all know that these machines will be up causing premature wear of cutting put to work whether they’ve been serviced tips, belts, bushings, bearings and seals. or not...and speaking as a tech, I have to Standard groomer setting should be one- say that while it is not the ideal situation, half the height of cut (HOC) and over it is also not the end of the world. I do usage can be worse than not using them however recommend that you don’t send at all. As the saying goes, “everything in these things out the door with last years moderation.” dust still on them. Start with a quick Burnside Serving the Needs of the Golf Industry Searching We can helo with: • Approvals for Golf Course Development for great and Operations • Irrigation Water Supply • Sewage Treatment and Disposal organics? • Environmental Management Plans BARTLETT. • Building and Clubhouse Design Services • Irrigation Design and Consulting BECAUSE CUSTOMER SERVICE, • Environmental Impact Assessment JUST LIKE TREES, SHOULD BE • Drinking Water Assessment • Project and Construction Management A BREATH OF FRESH AIR. Toll Free: (877) 799-8499 E-mail: vcirone@rjburnside.com Website: www.rjburnside.com For the life ofyour trees. PRUNING PEST & DISEASE MANAGEMENT FERTILIZATION REMOVAL CALL 877 BARTLETT 877.227.8538 Offices located throughout Ontario OR VISIT BARTLETT.COM Members of OGSA, OGSA and Golfmax Suppliers to the NG CO A (877) 727-2100 (416) 364-5700 www.zandersod.com Top Quality Turf Products for over 50 Years No. 1 Kentucky Bluegrass * Bentgrass * Extreme Fescue Custom Grown Sod Available Premium Products for all Your Turf Needs PO Box 7 Waterloo, ON N2J 3Z6 Tele 519-886-0557 Fax 519-886-0605 1-800-465-5849 www.oscturf.com 1-800-265-8865 www.envirosol.ca 2011 ONTARIO GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE & TRADE SHOW Windsor, ON | January 12-14,2011 Announcing Keynote Speaker Gerry Dee Award winning Canadian Comedian Award-winning Canadian comedian Gerry Dee is one of the most beloved comics around. After spending ten years as a phys-ed teacher, Gerry switched to comedy full-time in 2003, and has been garnering attention in the spotlight ever since. He was named the 'Best Comic in Canada', and has appeared at numerous comedy festivals and on television shows all over North America. In addition to regularly performing stand-up to sold-out crowds, Gerry can be seen on "The Score" in a segment called "Gerry Dee: Sports Reporter". Off the fairway ... Restoring Natural Areas Look no Sring came p events. It is the science of appearance early and has been where when you see one thing it means further! relentless ever since, that it coincides with a stage in the leaving us little choice life cycle of another thing, probably Enviro-Sol's 12-2-8 but to follow along many things. The best example is the with it and carry on Forsythia bloom which is used, almost and 6-3-3 Great as if it is summer in instinctively by turfgrass managers, as organic fertilizers by Daisy Moore the tropics. Tulips a sign that conditions are right for seed and Lilacs were in flower at least three germination. If you want to prevent are here! weeks earlier than usual. I remember or encourage seed then the Forsythia it being a stretch to pick a bouquet of bloom is the trigger to act. Robins as a • Organic base derived lilacs for the prom in early June and sign of spring is another familiar clue. from Sustane® this year they were full out in early May. Some associations are mythological in Flowering dates, leafy growth, seed scope while others are backed up by • Fortified with UFLEXX® germination and a multitude of other science. stabilized nitrogen botanical events are ahead of schedule. Knowing what coincides with what Phenological indicators, if associated will become increasingly important as • 100 SGN homogeneous with a calendar date, can be thrown we try to monitor and manage pests prill is safe even at low out the window. The Tulip Festival, using IPM. For the timing of disease or in the Nation’s capital, didn’t occur insect control, it would be useful to have rates during peak bloom this year. They’d flowering plants guide us. Some reliable • Enriched with Calcium, be lucky if there were any flowers left at clues have already been recognized Magnesium and all with frequent gusty winds adding to and noted with the bridlewreath spirea micronutrients the confusion. The animal kingdom is bloom indicating an important stage keeping pace with the plants where egg for a turfgrass beetle. More research hatching, adult emergence and general needs to be done and everyone can activity of bugs doing what they do in the participate in this one. If you google warmth, happening earlier than usual. phenology, you won’t find many sites Also great for quick We are unaccustomed to the order of but one I did find was an attempt to map recovery with organic things this year and wonder what will when things were happening so that we base at aerificatio n! become of all of this with such a long can learn about more associations. You road ahead? could select a species and then go to Generally speaking things do tend to a map (of the US) and it would show level off after awhile. Mother nature you when this plant flowered and what provides check valves so that everything other things were flowering with it. It isn’t affected if there is a (temporary) would be a good idea to have those shift in weather patterns. Some species that are scouting and monitoring on will suffer while others will gain an the golf course make note of what is in advantage. By the time mid June comes flower while signs of disease or insects around, our surroundings should are present. Collectively we should be appear a bit more familiar to us. In the able to come up with a few more handy meantime we need to find ways to orient guides. ourselves and know what other important biological events are taking place, no Daisy is a professional horticulturist. She matter what the calendar says, so we can operates a garden design and consulting plan for it. Phenological indicators can business from her home in Elora. 1-800-265-8865 help us do this. Phenological indicators Her website: www.daisymoore.com has www.envirosol.ca are reliable clues that associate biological samples of her work. The Thinking Super's Solution YES! Thinking Superintendents are clamouring to make PREMIS® 200F Fungicide part of their program this season. As you know, dollar spot is the most costly turfgrass disease worldwide. We can also count on struggling with brown patch (the most common summertime issue that plagues turfgrass), and anthracnose. So, as you can understand, there’s a lot on our minds. But now, with PREMIS®, supers have a proven innovative solution designed to make their life dramatically easier. It’s no wonder it’s the “Thinking Super’s Solution”. Can you afford NOT to play with these guys? P.S. In addition, PREMIS® is part of the BASF BetterTurf™ offer. For more information go to www.BetterTurf.ca BetterTurf ™ is a trademark of BASF. PREMIS® is a registered trademark of BASF Trademarks GMBH, used with permission by BASF Canada Inc. ©2010 BASF Corporation. All rights reserved. Always read and follow label directions before product use. Looking back 20 Years Ago Today by Barry Endicott Board of Directors in 1990 was: Gord Nimmo, The assistant Gord Somerville took over at Oshawa. Bruce Sarnia (pres.); Mark Hagen, West Haven (vice); Neil Acton, Burger left Galt and moved to a new golf course in Milton. Deer Creek (past pres.); Rhod Trainor, Hamilton (editor); Another assistant, Jordon Lucas took over from Bruce at Mark Schneider, Beech Grove; Alex La Belle, Carlton; Galt. Kimmo Salonen left York Downs for a new golf course Wayne Wrath, Islington; John Taylor, Twenty Valley; Dave called Port Carling and James Wyllie and Assoc, took over Gourlay, Eagle Creek; Ed Farnsworth, Deerhurst; Bruce York Downs with Al Schwemler as superintendent. Burger, Galt and Simon George, Oakville. Simon took Green Care Ontario was formed to unite the green over as editor late in the year. industry so we would have one strong voice to address the New members; David Tascone (F) Wyldewood, George concerns about the recent changes in the pesticide posting Wood (E) Geogard Systems, Jordan Lucas (F) Galt, Ron laws brought about by the Ministry of the Environment. Legato (D) Scenic Woods, Tory Karlson (E)TCG Materials, Thom Charters was instrumental in establishing this new Perry Beausoleil (F) Carlton, Bruce McDonald (E) Albion association. Golf Cars, Michael Patterson (B) Saw-Whet, Ray Patterson The President, Greenschairman, Superintendent, Club (D) Saw-Whet, Bruce Vollett (B) Foxwood, Dean Baker Manager Tournament was held at Westmount on July 23rd, (B) Glen Abbey, Geoff Corlett (E) Turf Drain and Doug hosted by Hugh Kirkpatrick. First place team was from Cherry (F) Cherry Downs. Westmount, Hugh Kirkpatrick, second was from Hidden On the move: Ryan Beauchamp took over the job at St. Lake, Robbie Robinson and third place team was from Thomas and Rhod Trainor left for Hamilton Golf Club. Oakdale, Paul Dermott. John Cherry moved from Cherry Downs and became The Pro/Superintendent tournament was held at Spring superintendent of the National and Ken Wright moved to Lakes Golf Club. Winning teams were: Cedar Brae, Devil’s Pulpit. Dave Gourlay Jr. left Beacon Hall and went Warren Vout; Beacon Hall, Bob Heron and Oshawa, Gord to Eagle Creek and Bob Heron took Dave’s place at Beacon Summerville. Hall. Rick Sarrao moved from Ingersoll to a new course The OTRF tournament was held on September 17th in St. Catherines called Rockway Glen Golf Club and Dan at the National, Rosedale, St. Georges, Mississauga and Lavis left Kleinburg and took Rick’s position. John Gall Weston. Low gross winners were Robbie Robinson (74), became the new superintendent at St. Georges and his Wayne Rath (78) and Richard Downing (81). Robert Kains Golf Course Design Ltd. Providing the Canadian and International golf communities with a progressive design philosophy and dedication to quality Corrie Almack P.Ag. Almack Agronomic Services Inc. Tel: (905) 689-6174 201 - 902 8th Street Phone: 403-678-6980 Canmore, Alberta Fax: 403-678-3841 Box 256, Carlisle, On Fax: (905) 689-8522 Canada Email: kains@kainsgolfdesign.com LOR 1H0 Email: c.almack@sympatico.ca T1W2B8 Web: www.kainsgolfdesign.com LARGE TREE SALESAND RELOCATION Phil Dickie - ISA Certified Arborist P.O. Box 277, 890 Fairground Road, Langton, On , NOE IGO pdickie@fastforest.ca Phone (519) 875-4094 Fax (519) 875-4095 270 Shoemaker Street, Kitchener, ON N2E 3E1 Website: mastersturfsupply.com P: (519) 748-6610 • F: (519) 748-6626 • www.fastforest.ca email: mastersturf@hughes.net Turf or consequences by Doug Breen, Superintendent Golf North Properties Winter Kill Like many of you, I spent most of the month of To their credit, the vast majority of our regular April lying face down on a green. Not because I was clientele were very supportive. Lots of questions mind overcome by the beer cart. Not because I’d missed a you, but most of them had a story about how it was worse short putt. No, I was prostrate on the turf (weeping, back in the spring of (insert year here), and talked about praying, begging, and making deals with God) trying how the course was always in good shape and it would be to make seed germinate, desiccated turf recover, and shining soon. Ironically, the real criticism didn’t come pull shoots out of the ground with the sheer force of my until the “weekend warrior” crowd started showing up. will. Like many Ontario courses, we experienced some You know the bunch. Barely meet dress code - three “winter injury”. hung over guys, and one girlfriend with an attitude - rent In the olden days, we used to call it “winterkill”, two carts and one bag of clubs, have an egg carton full which always struck me as an excellent name for an of balls that they bought at a garage sale, and a case of eighties heavy metal band - although they’d have Laker in their bags. Right after they write a dirty limerick spelled it Wynterkyll. But we now call it “winter injury”, on the roof of one of the carts (with illustrations), they’ll a euphemism designed to make the situation seem less write an angry email to the proshop complaining about dire. As if by not calling it dead, the turf might come course conditions. They’re all the same - “used to love back on its own, even though it’s bleached white on the your course, play 800 rounds a year, me and my friends top, the roots are black, and the crowns smell like a six will never come back, the guy with the soil probe was week old lunch bag in a grade nine boy’s gym locker. You rude to me....”. I always want to correct the spelling know, like how we call a dump “a sanitary landfill site”, or mistakes and send them back. a 1979 Pinto a “car”. So call it what you want - we had a I’ve read a fair bit about winter injury this spring, fair bit of it. Fortunately it was only on the greens, tees, and the overwhelming opinion of researchers is that fairways, rough, the front lawn, and a handful of spots on “sometimes in the winter - stuff dies” (I paraphrased the parking lot. that a bit). But the remedy is always the same - seed, I found out this spring, just how attached people moisture, heat, and time. Fortunately, in 2010 there are to the colour green. Through hours of hard work was a fair bit of heat, seed was liberally distributed, and (not to mention significant expense) the program of contrary to popular belief, there was copious irrigation, topdressing, rolling, more topdressing, nutrition, still which made the time period relatively short. It all seems more topdressing, three different kinds of seeding, like a bad dream now, but I do have some promises I please stop with the topdressing already, and the endless made while lying flat on the greens that I’m going to march of covers on / covers off - the greens were actually have to follow through on. a pretty fine putting surface. Arguably a better one than some courses I’ve been on in mid season. But they weren’t completely green - so it didn’t matter - they were crap. There was a significant week in early April, where the most damaged areas switched from being brown areas with green spots, to being green areas with brown spots. I was very excited about this. Giddy, in fact. Unfortunately, it would also be the week that the average “man on the street” would come to the realisation that he wasn’t looking at turf that was dormant, but something else. Usually, they’d conclude that we’d let the course get too dry. Apparently, to the layman, dehydration is the only possible explanation for grass that isn’t green. I had a drywall installer actually call me a liar. He insisted that there was no way that ice could do something like that, and we were trying to cover up for getting “caught off guard” by the hotter than average spring. I almost “caught him off guard” with a soil probe. Ontario's Professional Turfgrass Solutions Team For information on our complete line of premium fertilizer, pest control products, seed, and more, contact your Agrium Advanced Technologies representative: SW Ontario GTA Northern Ontario Eastern Ontario Brian Bennett Bill Martel Kevin Jensen Perry Brazeau bbennett@agriumat.com bmartel@agriumat.com kjensen@agriumat.com pbrazeau@agriumat.com 519-421-6593 416-508-6115 705-627-3590 289-338-1834 Niagara/Central Ontario Craig McCutcheon Toll Free Customer Service 1 -800-461 -6471 cmccutcheon@agriumat.com 905-536-0357 Visit us online at www.turfpro.ca Designed for the ups and downs of your course. And the economy. Introducing the new Toro Groundsmaster 43OO-D. Steep slopes. Wet terrain. Tight budgets. Bring it on. The new Toro Groundsmaster 4300-D is designed to give you unsurpassed performance and value in a medium-sized rotary mower. 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