Green is Summer 2011 Beautiful The Official Publication of Ontario Golf Superintendents' Association Final Greens Open at Lambton Completed redesign breathes new life into Championship Course ALSO INSIDE THIS ISSUE: How's Your Insect Monitoring Going? Social Media: Takes Less Time Than You Think Thinking Outside the Tee Box CANADA POST PUBLICATIONS'MAIL PUBLICATIONS AGREEMENT No. 40027105 Postmaster: Please return undeliverable copies to The OGSA, 328 Victoria Rd. S., R.R. # 2 Guelph, ON N1L 0H2 QUINTOZENE HAS LEFT BIG SHOES TO FILL For snow MOULD, PREMIS® HAS FILLED THEM NOW, A PERFORMANCE PACKAGE EQUAL TO QUINTOZENE Feeling a little stretched by your biggest expense? Need a big (and affordable) solution every bit the equal to Quintozene? Try PREMIS® 200F Fungicide on for size. Quintozene may be gone but thankfully, PREMIS® has “stepped in” at 32 ml per 100 m2 for affordable snow mould control on your fairways. Big or small, BASF is your problem solver first and foremost. 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 Inck © 2011 BASF dojporation. All rights reserved. Always read and follow label directions before product use. PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE Green is s we head into the dog days of summer I hope everyone’s Beautiful A experiencing a successful season so far. Time just seems to be flying by this year. There was a point at the beginning The Official Publication of Ontario Golf Superintendents’ Association Editor of the year when it was cold and wet and I thought time was Justin Parsons almost standing still. With the first real heatwave inJuly behind justinparsons@engageagro.com us, of course we will be dealing with localized dry spots, Publisher & Advertising Manager increased disease pressure and burnt out staff. During these Terry Davey by Chris Andrejicka, dog days of summer I have found it helpful to plan an after terry@blenheim.ca Essex Golf & work activity with your staff to reenergize everyone as well as Country Club Tel: 877-618-8696 ext. 102 help strengthen the cohesiveness of your team - of course, sometimes it’s just nice to have a night of fun. Administration Manager Diane Davey Congratulations are in order for one of our directors, Jennifer Pendrith. She diane@blenheim.ca is the happy new mother to her recently born baby girl. On behalf of the board, Tel: 877-618-8696 ext. 103 we all wish Jennifer and her new daughter health and happiness. By now, many of you have seen and participated in the OGSA’s first member­ Production & Design wide survey. Moving forward, the board is encouraging both participation and Jeanette Thompson suggestions from you in order to gather valuable information in an effort to jeanettethompson@mac.com provide a snapshot of the state of our profession in Ontario. Our goal is to keep Tel: 877-618-8696 ext. 101 the surveys short and to the point. With our first survey completed, I’m receiving great feedback and suggestions to improve future surveys. Green is Beautiful is published four times a year (November / March / June / August) Event participation has seen a dramatic rise this year. I would like to thank by Blenheim INK for: everyone for putting aside the time to attend these fun events. Don’t forget to register for the very popular summer scramble August 30th at Springfield Gof and Country Club and the McClumpha on October 3rd at Oslerbrook Golf and Country Club - they should both be great days! The 2012 OGSA conference preparations are just about complete. This year’s line up of speakers is very strong and the Scotiabank Convention Centre in Niagara Falls is a beautiful facility. I would encourage everyone to attend. Ontario Golf Superintendents' As I discussed earlier in the year, the OGSA board has struck a committee to Association provide a strategy moving forward as we approach the deadline to host public Guelph Turfgrass Institute meetings. I can report the committee is working hard on the IPM Toolkit. 328 Victoria Road South Plans include a professional flash video that can be used at your meeting, an Guelph, ON N1L0H2 informational power point presentation and a set of written “Guidelines to Tel: 519-767-3341 holding your Public Meeting”. This full toolkit will be shown and launched at Toll Free: 877-824-6472 the 2012 Ontario Golf Course Management Conference and Trade Show and Fax:519-766-1704 will be provided at no cost to OGSA members. The goal is to have one strategy Email: ogsa@gti.uoguelph.ca and one message to the general public to highlight our professional status as land www.golfsupers.on.ca stewards. Keep the good weather coming and enjoy the rest of the summer! ■ Brett Murray Direct Line 416-659-1020 Published by: Manager Fax Line 519-941-0931 Blenheim INK Adminstration Office: PO. Box 218 Orangeville, ON 4305 Fairview Street, Suite 232 Burlington, ON L7L 6E8 L9W 2Z6 FSC www.fsc.org Production Office: MIX 1727 King Street East, Paper from Cambridge, ON N3H 3R6 responsible sources Toll Free: 1-877-618-8696 brettmurray@primus.ca FSC® C008820 Fax:519-340-0293 www.blenheim.ca INSIDE THIS ISSUE FINAL GREENS OPEN AT LAMBTON................................................... 13 Green is Above the Hole ........................................................................................ 25 Editorial Message ..................................................................................... 5 Beautiful The Official Publication of Ontario Golf Superintendents’ Association From Roots to Shoots............................................................................. 12 Golf Course Highlight - Pheasant Run Golf Course....................... 17 Health & Safety ........................................................................................ 10 Looking Back ............................................................................................ 33 Member Profile - Ray 'Duke' Dlugokecki ........................................ 14 Off the Fairway........................................................................................ 30 On the REEL Side of Things.................................................................... 32 On the Road Again ................................................................................. 27 Presidents' Day at Toronto Golf Club................................................ 16 President's Message ................................................................................. 3 Second to One .......................................................................................... 24 Social Media: Takes Less Time Than You Think ...............................22 Technically Speaking............................................................................... 26 The Wild View........................................................................................... 28 Turf or Consequences ............................................................................. 34 University of Guelph Update................................................................13 What's New...................................................................................................6 COVER PICTURE Construction at Lambton Golf Club Photo credit: David Smith INDEX OF ADVERTISERS Agrium Advanced Technologies ................................................. 22, 35 GREEN IS BEAUTIFUL Alliance Agri-Turf................................................................................... 21 EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Justin Parsons Almack Agronomic Services Inc.......................................................... 24 Alan Dolick Aquatrols.................................................................................................. 31 Paul Grotier ArborTurf Solutions ............................................................................... 33 Jason Hanna Bayer Environmental Science - Trilogy SC......................................... 9 Scott Horsburgh Braemar Building Systems.................................................................. 11 Burnside Golf ............................................................................................. 7 Canadian Turf Specialty Products......................................................23 DCS Agronomic Services ...................................................................... 33 Green is Beautiful 2011 Douglas Wood Large Tree Service...................................................... 11 Although every effort is made to check material for publication, the association is not responsible Enviro-Sol .......................................................................................... 13, 15 for material published on behalf of its contributors. Fast Forest ................................................................................................ 26 All rights are reserved by the publisher and any reproduction in whole or part without the written Green Horizons Group of Farms ........................................................ 29 permission of the publisher is prohibited. Although some trade names may be mentioned H & M Turf Ltd............................................................................................. 3 in articles contained in this publication, no Innovative Agronomics Inc................................................................... 24 endorsement is intended or implied by the Ontario Golf Superintendents' Association. IPM golfpro .............................................................................................. 28 Master's Turf Supply Ltd........................................................................ 26 Nutrite ....................................................................................................... 16 OGSA is committed to Ontario Seed Company .......................................................................... 7 serving its members, Plant Products - Premis .......................................................................... 2 advancing their Turf Care Products Canada - Irrigation .............................................. 5 profession, and Turf Care Products Canada.............. .................................................... 36 enriching the quality United Agri Products Inc.................................................................11, 29 of golf and Vanden Bussche Irrigation .................................................................. 25 its environment. Zander Sod Co. Limited.......................................................................... 7 EDITORIAL MESSAGE n season two of the show Mad Men, Constant communication, be it with golfers, committee I Don Draper fires his secretary, not so much for being incompetent, but members, owners or general managers, allows for an enhanced sense of understanding because they see the work at all stages. for showing little ability to conceal his It’s tangible. There is a sense of “knowing” you are out there transgressions. When she challenges his trying and when those same people feel you are accessible, decision by saying she ‘covers’ for him they are less apt to react negatively to certain situations. all the time, Draper responds with this We are all guilty of complaining when things don’t turn out remark: “You do not cover for me, you as we expect and often quick to castjudgment on situations we by Justin Parsons, manage people’s expectations.” don’t necessarily understand. Just as a golfer might complain Engage Agro Corp. about green speeds or how damp the bunkers are. Of course, Don Draper is a philandering alcoholic who is uncomfortable with the With these new tools at our disposal, we just might be able term ‘cover’ because it implies guilt, but the essence of his to create a little more understanding. If a golfer or committee statement is still worth examining. You see it’s not necessarily member sees a blog entry posted at 5:30 am or a photo taken about coming up with excuses and defenses for why things went of the course conditions three hours before they arrived on site wrong, it’s about cultivating an environment of understanding for their round, it may help to bridge the gap between their for the times when things are less than perfect. And let’s face expectations and what is reasonable. At the very least, it should it, when it comes to our business, things will never be perfect. help them recognize the hours of work and the effort put in. There are way too many variables beyond our control. After all, we are more understanding and exhibit more As I read through this issue of our publication, it is apparent patience for the things we can appreciate. So maybe this new social media has never been more relevant. Perhaps these wave of communication is not just a method for acquiring information, maybe it’s a way to create a window into the new forums of interaction are the best way to capture and business of growing turf and the challenges faced on a grow an appreciation for our industry - a valuable tool in daily basis. Perhaps it is the best modern way of ‘managing understanding the challenges faced in our business. expectations’. ■ The most advanced, most durable and most flexible irrigation products. Built for today’s golf courses. The right choice. Turf Care Products Canada 200 Pony Drive, Newmarket, ON L3Y 7B6 • PH: 905-836-0988 • FAX: 905-836-6442 LONDON Ph: 519-668-7664 • Fax:519-668-3722 MILTON Ph: 905-836-0988 x 7048 • Fax:905-636-1513 TURFCARE GLOUCESTER Ph: 905-836-0988 x 5501 • Fax:613-822-2099 www.turfcare.ca Helping your business grow. WHAT'S NEW 2011 OGSA SCHOLARSHIP DEALINES These deadlines are fast approaching, so be sure to mark your calendars! The Heritage Award: August 31, 2011 The William Sansom Distinguished Service Award October 1, 2011 The Hugh Kirkpatrick Bursary October 31, 2011 Details and application material are available at: www.golfsupers.on.ca OGSA 50-YEAR MEMBERS David Gourlay and Robert (Bob) Moote, both OGSA Past Presidents were recently honoured as the Rob Gatto, left with David Kuypers, right. SUPERINTENDENT RECOGNITION PROGRAM Once again, OGSA acknowledges host superintendents from the Ontario Amateur circuit. OGSA Treasurer Rob Gatto presented the award plaque to David Kuypers at Cutten Fields who recently hosted the Investors Group Ontario Women’s Amateur Championship. Gary Gravett presented the award plaque to Kirk Stewart from Goderich Sunset Golf Club who hosted the Investors Group Ontario Junior Girls Championship. Gary Gravett, left, presents a plaque to David Gourlay, left, accepts his commemorative Kirk Stewart, right. 50-year Member gift from Paul White, right. MARK YOUR CALENDARS 2011 OGSA To Tour urnam namentent & Event Sched Schedule ule Event Date Golf Course Host Superintendent Summer Scramble Aug. 30,2011 Springfield Golf & CC Ray Dlugokecki Assistants Tournament Sept. 26,2011 Pheasant Run Golf Club Andrew Hardy Alex McClumpha Oct. 3,2011 Oslerbrook Golf & CC Jason Honeyball 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. For your convenience, on line registration will be available again this year. Our Regional Associations are welcome to list their events in the OGSA “Calendar of Events”. OGSA board member presented Bob extremely helpful when we seek Moote with his watch. sponsorships for our conferences and educational programs. We are sure FROM THE OFFICE our associate members evaluate the We thought it might be nice to value of belonging to the OGSA, we have some communication with our should also know what our members members through Green is Beautiful, spend and who they purchase from. to keep you up to date on what’s Thanks to all the members who happening in the OGSA office, hence participated in these surveys. Your I write the first “From the Office”. feedback is important and very much We have worked hard putting appreciated. together our member surveys and We are excited to announce the hopefully when the statistics are launch of a new member program compiled we can provide more MarkPrieur, OGSA Board Member, left, presents through The Personal insurance information to employers and job Robert (Bob) Moote, OGSA Past President, with company. In the coming weeks we his commemorative 50 year Member gift. seekers. We will also see where we will be promoting this program. stand with regard to fulfilling that Please include The Personal on newest OGSA 50-year Members. part of our mission statement about your list of companies to approach Current board member Scott White increasing the profile of the golf when you are shopping for your own and his father Paul, who is also a past course superintendent. personal home and auto insurance. president of OGSA met Mr. Gourlay Our second survey on equipment The Personal offers savings up to to present his watch and Mark Prieur and supply purchases will be 15% below brokerages, and their Premium Products for all Burnside Your Turf Needs Serving the Needs of the Golf Industry PO Box 7 Waterloo, ON N2J 3Z6 We can help with: Tele 519-886-0557 Fax 519-886-0605 • Approvals for Golf Course Development and Operations 1-800-465-5849 • Irrigation Water Supply www.oscturf.com • Sewage Treatment and Disposal • Environmental Management Plans • Building and Clubhouse Design Services • Irrigation Design and Consulting • Environmental Impact Assessment • Drinking Water Assessment • Project and Construction Management Toll Free: (877) 799-8499 E-mail: vcirone@rjburnside.com Website: www.rjburnside.com The secret to the perfect game is under your feet 877-727-2100 416-364-5700 Offices located throughout Ontario Members of OGSA, CGSA and Golfmax Suppliers to the NGCOA www.zandersod.com WHAT'S NEW reputation boasts over 80% client and sessions. Also at the conference, have been really interesting, very retention rate. The best thing about we will be launching the IPM Toolkit busy and lots of fun. I have muddled the program is while you save money which includes everything you will through the event program, three on your insurance, the company will need to know when planning your down and three to go, and nothing support the association financially. first public meeting in 2012. The went seriously wrong. I am learning This program is open to all members, session will include: so much about this position and the their partners, retired members, • A video, free to all members, to be industry and at the same time putting honorary members and their children used for IPM presentations my past years of experience to work under 25 living at home. • A written guide with tips and hints for the OGSA. It’s a great association, on complying with legislation with a terrific Board of Directors, We are working hard preparing for professional and helpful staff and a our upcoming conference in Niagara • An improv “session” on how to be more comfortable presenting supportive membership. Falls. We have added some exhibitor If you have any suggestions at all incentives that will help our associate Plan on being with us in Niagara Falls to assist with our member services members support our conference next January. or anything else you believe OGSA and trade show. We can’t emphasize should be involved with please don’t enough how important it is for our We will continue to keep everyone hesitate to contact us here at the members to visit booths and talk to up to date through Clippings and our office. Either myself, Pat Thomas or the exhibitors and make yourself website which will be changing soon Deb Badger will be happy to assist you. available to them. The exhibitors are to a new updated website with a new Until the next time, hoping you are an essential part of our program and domain name: ogsa.ca. all having a spectacular season. ■ their presence enhances our ability The last three months, my first three Sally Ross to provide a great line-up of speakers OGSA Executive Manager working alone at the OGSA office, Welcome! OGSA Welcomes our newest members Peter Bassin Class F Deer Ridge GC Jordan Kitchen Class C Century Pines GC Aaron McConnell Class A Bay of Quinte G&CC Nicole Renaud Class C Ambassador GC Ryan Streatch Class E RTF Water Saver Canada Barry Raymer Class E The Farm Office Inc Jonathan Dendeleleer Class E Total Equipment Rentals Geoff Erkelens Class E Total Equipment Rentals Karen Verbrugge Class E Turf Professionals Choice Photo credit: Scott Bowman, Superintendent, Glen Abbey Golf Club Send snow mould packing this winter. NEW Now get triple protection against snow moulds plus improved turf quality and plant health with new TRILOGY SC™. With three active ingredients and flexible label rates, TRILOGY SC delivers excellent snow mould protection using less total active ingredients. The lowest amount on the market for a 3-way turf fungicide. New TRILOGY SC - designed and Backed by Bayer for Canadian superintendents. Always read instructions on product label. For more information on TRILOGY SC, contact Bayer Environmental Science Trilogy SC is a registered trademark of Bayer. www.bayeres.ca 1-888-283-6847 HEALTH & SAFETY Ontario Safety Strategies As you may know, the Ontario government is in the The duty will be on employers to demonstrate that there process of revamping health and safety in the province. are comprehensive strategies in place, with clear rules, to You may have heard that Bill 160 has recently received first facilitate a culture of safety within the workplace. In fact, reading in the provincial legislature. Bill 160 will change there may be a push for employers to promote safety in the way health and safety is delivered and enforced in the social environments in which they have perceived control. Province of Ontario. This is a positive step forward in Many of the discussions involved with the development moving health and safety to the next level in Ontario. of Bill 160 supported the view that improved workplace The Ministry of Labour will be taking over worker and health and safety requires strong societal support. Beliefs, management training for health and safety representatives attitudes and behaviours about the value and protection of from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. human life apply equally to family, community, school and When Bill 160 becomes law, and if all the proposed the workplace. The perceptions and values of managers amendments are implemented, every Ontario worker and workers can result in actions that promote health and supervisor will be required to receive mandatory and reduce injuries. A culture of safety is complex and information about workplace rights and responsibilities influenced in many ways throughout society. Employers will before they start their jobs. be expected to be leaders in an effort to enhance a positive There will be rigorous training standards for workers who safety culture. work at heights such as changing light bulbs or cleaning This is a new beginning in safety in the province of in a facility. There will be tougher penalties for those who Ontario. This new initiative will fundamentally alter the place workers at risk of death or serious injury. Employers way in which employers are required to act with respect to will receive better support in understanding and meeting health and safety. health and safety standards and greater recognition where From what I am learning about this change, it is my these standards are exceeded. belief the Ontario Ministry of Labour will be taking a much The government has indicated the needs and realities of more proactive approach to health and safety and we operating small businesses will be accommodated in labour can all expect the Ministry inspectors will be challenging policies. There will be a renewed prevention organization employers to ensure safety in the workplace is a primary with focused leadership heading a more integrated, efficient aspect of doing business. and accountable system. There will be more information I expect we will live in a future where injuries in the and better protection available for vulnerable workers. workplace are not an acceptable cost of doing business. More open and transparent consultation with the workplace It is my belief these changes will make a major difference parties, coupled with these and other recommendations, will to employer attitudes, especially those who believe it is the assist employers in promoting safer and healthier workplaces. worker’s sole responsibility to work in a safe manner. That is a lot of change. This will mean some positive Employers who do not establish and integrate changes to health and safety in the workplace. comprehensive safety programs and communicate The big question is: how does this affect you, the responsibilities to their workforce will be more likely to be employer? One of the main thrusts of this legislation is held accountable for injuries occurring in the workplace. to assist employers in their efforts to be effective leaders. Watch for more updates on this issue over the coming Effective leadership clearly contributes to the positive health months. Also take the time to go to the Ministry of Labour of an organization. Throughout the development process at: www.news.ontario.ca/mol/en/2011/05/strengthening- of Bill 160 it was made abundantly clear the attitudes and workplace-health-and-safety.html behaviours of owners, employers, managers and supervisors Enjoy the rest of the summer. ■ were instrumental in defining the safety culture of a company. Preparing the next generation to be good leaders DougJohnson, Consulting, Safety and is an important employer responsibility. First Aid Supplies, WHMIS Training Once this legislation is in place, employers will be SAFETAID required to ensure training documentation is maintained Tel: 519-837-0997 and provided training is appropriate to the type of work Fax: 519-837-1996 being performed. Email: doug@safetaid.ca We sell & transplant large trees Some things just work. with tree spades ranging from 34-90" Members of I.S.A and O.G.S.A. Owner Paul Hanousek certified arborist. Solving the problem of disease control. Protect your turf from dollar spot, brown patch and anthracnose with Rhapsody fungicide. With three modes of action, Rhapsody harnesses the power of biochemistry in a way that sets it apart from other fungicides, protecting your turf from Moving your trees since 1980. diseases, and increasing turf quality, while www.douglaswood.ca reducing the need for synthetic chemicals. For more information see your turf input supplier or log on to www.uap.ca for full label information. 1 800.353.3019 T. 519.856.2771 F. 519.856.1447 West: 1 -800-561 -5444 Ontario & Maritimes: 1 -800-265-5444 P.O. Box 339 Rockwood On Quebec:1-800-361-9369 BC:1-604-534-8815 Canada NOB 2KO ® Rhapsody is a registered trademark of AgraQuest, Inc. 10009 01.10 Braemar Building Systems CUSTOM DESIGN • QUALITY BUILDINGS • COMPETITIVE PRICES • • Maintenance Buildings • Storage Facilities • New Buildings • Wood & Steel Structures For your FREE ESTIMATES call us at 1-800-215-1996 www.braemarbuildings.com FROM ROOTS TO SHOOTS How's Your Insect Monitoring Going? nsects have had a field day this season so far and some course IPM accreditation program, you should have good I superintendents have been caught off guard. The chart records for at least 2010, which will make your selection of below summarizes insect scouting/monitoring techniques, which areas to monitor easier with each year. ■ which insects they are good for and what time of the year they should be used on Ontario golf courses. Pamela Charbonneau During the prescribed monitoring period for each insect, OMAFRA Turfgrass Specialist it is recommended you monitor at least weekly. Where The Guelph Turfgrass Institute to do the monitoring is almost an art form more than a Guelph, Ontario science. Certainly, knowing the history of any previous insect infestations will help you determine which greens or fairways Email: pamela.charbonneau@ontario.ca to target. Now that mandatory scouting is part of the golf U of G UPDATE Too Hot to Water September' coming. sAre you ne of the best parts about working There are ways to avoid heat scald by ready for O on a golf course versus working at ensuring there are adequate soil oxygen your fall many other urban outdoor jobs is thatlevels for proper root function. One the grass cools itself via transpiration way is to not saturate the soil with your feeding? making golf courses much cooler than irrigation system on a hot day. If the areas surrounded by pavement. The weather has been excessively warm root primary function of water taken up by depth may already be compromised, the plant is cooling. This allows the plant therefore you must confirm you are to continue physiological functions watering to the depth of the roots such as photosynthesis and contributes and not beyond them. By mid-day, to growth and recovery. When turf evapotranspiration exceeds moisture stands are deficient in water, we first see in the soil and the plants close their wilting, then dormancy mechanisms are stomates and begin to heat up. When initiated to protect the living tissue of this occurs, you can cool the plants by the crown while sacrificing the current hand syringing. Syringing is not light, leaf tissue. Although an excellent frequent irrigation, it’s misting the air survival mechanism, dormant turf is not above the turf canopy to reduce the recovering from wear and if the heat and temperature of the canopy. When done lack of water persist, plants can become properly, very little to no water actually hot enough that death to crown tissue reaches the soil. Although a single turn occurs, killing the turf stand. of an irrigation head or hand watering High temperatures combined with can cool the surface, these practices a thunderstorm can lead to excess can also lead to reduced soil oxygen water, often resulting in what is and potentially heat scald, especially if commonly called “heat scald”. This drainage is compromised. can also occur when the turf stand is Maintaining both surface and over-watered during the heat of the subsurface drainage is an important day. Understanding the mechanism practice to avoid heat scald; it ensures of heat scald will help superintendents an excessive rain event does not create better manage irrigation during hot saturated soil. Core aerification is weather. A common heat scald theory is one of the best ways to make sure magnification of the sun’s rays through drainage is maintained on greens a droplet of water creates a scenario like and tees. Aerification allows water to a child burning ants with a magnifying move quickly through the soil profile, lens. A more simple and plausible allowing air to follow behind. These explanation revolves around saturated steps require planning ahead and soils and oxygen availability. managing your water movement for Respiration is the plant’s use of root health throughout the year. This oxygen to convert sugars into energy. fall and next spring, when deciding on Heat scald is the result of the rate of special projects, target the areas that did respiration exceeding the available not drain well or seemed to suffer the oxygen. As temperatures increase most from heat scald. Ensure you have so does the respiration rate and the adequate drainage to maintain root oxygen requirements of turf increases health through the heat of the summer dramatically. When soils are waterlogged, and avoid heat scald in the future. oxygen available to the roots is reduced, creating a severe energy deficit for the plant. When roots are deprived of Eric M. Lyons Ph.D., oxygen they stop functioning and water Associate Professor of uptake is severely reduced. This results in less transpiration and a hotter canopy Turfgrass Science, and before long the cycle creates a run­ University of Guelph 1-877-785-1098 away scenario where turfgrass death Guelph, Ontario becomes inevitable. www.envirosol.ca elyons@uoguelph.ca MEMBER PROFILE Ray Dlugokecki by Justin Parsons Duke’s exposure to music at an Club. With a recommendation from Engage Agro Corp. early age certainly had an impact on mentor Greg Aljoe, Duke decided him. After he finished high school, to apply for the superintendent ’s ot many OGSA members can say N they have been a superintendent at a golf club for more than two Duke decided to pursue the craft by attending Humber College for their position. “Springfield kinda fell in my lap,” Duke admits as he joined jazz program. the club during the tail end of decades. Even fewer can say they After a teachers strike halted the construction in 1989. have shared a stage with Ray Charles. completion of his studies in third year, The course would open in June Ray Dlugokecki has done both. and, given the unpredictable nature of 1990 and not long after, Duke Dlugokecki, more commonly of the business, Duke felt it was time took the short course at Guelph known in the industry as ‘Duke’, has to consider other options that might University. “You learn in a big hurry been the golf course superintendent provide a more stable career. As a in this business,” Duke says, referring at Springfield Golf and Country Club student, he had taken a job working to the challenges that come from in Guelph since it opened in 1990. for the golf course maintenance trying to maintain an ever-changing Despite Duke’s success in the golf department at Merry Hill Golf Club environment. course maintenance industry, his in Kitchener. In 1987, after three Despite some early struggles, Duke early career aspirations were focused years with the club, he decided to thoroughly enjoyed his experience as on a completely different business foster his new found interest in a young superintendent. “It became altogether. turf maintenance by joining the real exciting and I kinda said to Duke was born and raised in rebuilding efforts that were underway myself after the first year: I’m staying Kitchener, Ontario. As a child, he at Foxwood Golf Club. It was not here for a while.” and his seven siblings were very long before Duke was promoted to Over two decades later, Duke involved in music. His mother, who assistant, a position he would hold for is living in Waterloo with his wife was a professional opera singer, the next two years. Annette and two teenage children, insisted they form a family band. It was during this time construction Joshua and Kirsten. When he looks Although they may not have enjoyed had begun on a new course in Guelph back on his career thus far, he is the success of the Partridge family, called Springfield Golf and Country most proud of those early days at Springfield and what he has been able to build since then. “Growing in the golf course from day one, to see it IN THE develop, grow and mature under my care is a nice feeling. It’s my baby.” Of course, some of Duke’s most HOT SEAT Go into winter breathing easy memorable moments did not take Q - Favourite major place on a golf course, rather on A - The Masters having applied one a stage with other musicians. One night in particular many years ago of Enviro-Sol's top at a club in Kitchener called ‘Lulu’s Q - Favourite golf designer quality fertilizers Roadhouse’ stands out for Duke. A - Stanley Thompson At the time, the club was known for booking older, bigger acts and they would bring in local musicians Q - Ultimate foursome 19-0-19 (SGN 100) to fill the horn section. On a night A - Fred Couples, Jim Furyk, 65% Methylene Urea when Ray Charles was performing, Moe Norman White colour for easy a sax player missed one note during spreading rehearsal and was fired. Duke and Quickly dissolves to reduce the other band members looked at Q - Favourite piece of mower pick-up each other and knew they had better turf equipment be on their game. When recounting 18-4-18 (SGN 145) A - Core Harvester the experience, Duke simply says, “it 96%UFLEXX was awesome!” S,B,Cu,Fe,Mn,Zn He has also played with The Q - Favourite golf course Temptations, Ray Lyle and the 12-3-2 Fall (SGN 225) A-Augusta National Golf Storm, Eddie Money and opened Club in Augusta, Georgia 50% Ammonium Sulphate for Meat Loaf. In fact, he has played 50% Sustane with over 20 bands throughout the Sulphate of potash years, which comes as no surprise to Q - Lowest round and where Duke. “I knew I would never give it A - 72 at Springfield Golf & up. I knew it would always be there.” Duke loves to play jazz saxophone Country Club because it is very complicated and challenging - perhaps the only thing in common with being a golf course Q - Favourite movie superintendent. A - Uncle Buck Despite his success as a musician, Duke’s professional aspirations still lie in the turf industry. One day, he Q - Favourite meal would like to be a part of a course A - NY Strip loin and unlimited rebuild, perhaps over in Europe coleslaw somewhere. In the meantime, he continues to keep very busy between his family, the golf course and playing Q - What's in your CD player music locally in Waterloo with his right now high school band, ‘Too Much Clutch’. A - Steely Dan Duke has been able to find a nice balance in his life between family, work and personal interests. Q - Rate your lawn His advice to others certainly reflects on a scale of 1 to 10 his dedication to finding that balance. A - A 5. It's pathetic. “Follow your passion and get as far as you can with work ethic. It’s a job, and 1-877-785-1098 in the end you work to live, you don’t www.envirosol.ca live to work.” ■ Presidents' Day at Toronto Golf Club by Sally Ross OGSA Executive Manager he sun shone yet again on Monday, July 25th for the T OGSA’s 43rd Annual Presidents’ Day Tournament. The temperatures were moderate with a gentle breeze, a fitting day for such a memorable event. The welcome received from Toronto Golf Club was second to none, with the exceptional staff going above and beyond, executing their roles seamlessly while extending their hospitality to 24 clubs from around the province. Phil Scully (left) presents OGSA President Chris Andrejicka The team from Otter Creek with Superintendent Randy Al Schwemler with the Host presents the winning team from Otter Superintendent plaque. Creek, the William Sansom Trophy Booker won the day, winding up with a trailblazing 23 under par. Randy had a great day, also winning the men’s longest drive. A close second, with an impressive 19 under par, The pari-mutual betting had a prize pool of $1,270.00 were winners from last year, Orr Lake with Superintendent with the team from Otter Creek taking the lions share due Jason Harris. Third place went to the team from Weston to their team victory. with Superintendent Rob Ackermann. Ladies longest drive Master of ceremonies Phil Scully from Granite Golf winner was Elaine Kierans, Granite Golf Club and the Club thanked the Toronto Golf Club members and staff team winning closest to the pin went to Lambton Golf and for opening up their outstanding facility to host the event. Country Club, with Superintendent Peter Kinch. Christie Al Schwemler was presented with the Host Superintendent Acker, Granite Golf Club and Paul Scenna, Beacon Hall plaque, and in turn, shared the praise with his assistant were the individual closest to the pin winners. Bill Green. ■ This Fall, target a BMP strategy with Nutrite Right Product Right Time Right Rate Right Place Apply in late fall when 1.0 lbs of Nitrogen / Use Umaxx on Tee's, 33-0-0 1000 ft2 temperature is at a Fairways and Rough Late Fall 40% Umaxx® + constant 10 °C and prior to maximize Nitrogen 30% Ammonium Sulphate to ground freezing so efficiency and minimize carbohydrate reserves are Nitrogen loss. augmented by the uptake 1.800.265.8865 of nitrogen by the plant. www.nutriteturf.ca Nutrite Best Management Practices... For responsible and effective turf management GOLF COURSE HIGHLIGHT Pheasant Run Golf Course 18033 Warden Avenue, Sharon, Ontario LOG 1V0 Tel: 905-252-3917 andrew@pheasantrungolf.com www.pheasantrungolf.com Golf Course Superintendent: Andrew Hardy General Manager: Craig Evans Equipment Manager: Larry Murray Photo credit: Courtesy Pheasant Run Golf Course Highlands Course, Hole #2 COURSE PROFILE A CLOSER LOOK About the Course What You Need to Know Owned and operated by the Evans family. The property where Predominant Grass Type: Poa/Bent/Kentucky Blue Pheasant Run Golf Course is located was orginally a lumber mill. The course was IPM Accredited in 2008 and Audubon Certified in Predominant Soil Type: Sand 2010. Members of the clergy (priests, ministers and reverends) play golf for $10 on Mondays. Type of Greens: 18 push-up native soil 9 California Hutcheson mix Established: 1981 Recent or upcoming construction: Original Architect: Rene Muylaert On-going tree maintenance and removal due to shade and safety issues. Type of Club: Semi-Private Course Length: 5200-6600 yards Size of Membership: 350 Size of Property: 290 acres Number of Holes: 27 Size of Greens: 5.6 acres Number of Rounds Annually: 32,000 Size of Tees: 5.2 acres Practice Facility: Full range with practice green and bunker Size of Fairways: 39 acres Biggest Maintenance Challenges Sandy soils can dry out in a hurry and make a great home for ants. Difficult to maintain a vast property with a limited crew of 16. Final Greens Open at Lambton Completed redesign breathes new life into Championship Course * Written by Justin Parsons, Engage Agro Corp. Photographs by David Smith arlier this summer, Lambton piece of land. Like so many of our change. Over the past few years, E Golf and Country Club opened the final two holes of its newly treasured classic layouts in the GTA, it’s not so much the golf course that many of our provinces premiere golfing facilities that were shaped designed 18-hole Championship changes over time, it’s the world in the first half of last century have golf course. This marks the near outside their doors that changes undertaken major renovation completion of a massive renovation and, in turn, thrusts change upon projects. Although this influenced project of the 109 year old layout these courses. Lambton’s decision to initiate that included changes to everything The increase in population has construction, it was not the only from the irrigation system up. impacted pollution levels of shared factor. Grand earth moves were initiated, rivers and creeks as well as limited After all, Lambton did not just including complete layout changes the amount of water that can be renovate, they completely reshaped to certain holes. Extensive tree work drawn from them. The expansion a piece of land which had stood was required, not only the removal of of neighboring communities often relatively untouched for more than undesirable specimens that shaded brings about liability issues with a century. There were indeed many green sites, but also three times as errant shot-making. Modifications to factors that prompted such an many native trees continue to be golf equipment technology have, in extensive and ambitious project. planted. A complete overhaul of the some cases, compromised the intent First of all, the clubs water taking irrigation system was completed. A of the original design. Moreover, permit was set to expire at the end new six million US-gallon reservoir expectation levels from a playability of 2010 and they knew they were was installed and 400 yards have standpoint have influenced the way going to need some type of water been added to the scorecard. golf courses are maintained on a holding capacity to make the new The end result is new life that has daily basis. permit work. The irrigation system been breathed into an exhausted All of this adds up to eventual was approaching 20 years of age to reshaping a property. After a harsh winter like most of Ontario experienced in 2009, many clubs would love the opportunity to fix grades, add drainage, improve subsoil mixes and convert back to bentgrass. These concepts are hardly new, but the idea of tackling all these projects at once is certainly rare. The comprehensive nature of this project meant the course would be closed for an entire year. Although initially that would be tough to stomach for some members, the clubs management team and board went to great lengths to inform the members of the scope and cost of the project. This was done through mailings, emails and member meetings. In addition, Rees and lacked a lot of the intricacies of with Scarlett road running alongside Jones, who was retained by the club a modern system. The club was also the third and fourth holes. There to draw up the plans for the new looking to avoid potential safety issues are also many agronomic advantages layout, addressed the members at the continued on page 20... ...continued from page 19 Construction (left) and completion (right) of 1st hole, Championship Course last meeting before the vote and did leveling and backfilling for the entire green sites carried over into the spring a great job of answering the tough irrigation system install, locates, all of 2010 and they were the slowest questions. the sodding and, of course, the grow- to reach playability. “We had great The club also arranged a highly in of all the seeded areas, which success carrying the seeded greens organized system of touring for includes all of the greens. They were through the winter,” says Kinch which groups of 20 members at a time very pleased to have help from other helped ensure the greens were ready through the property to show how club departments as four of the golf for play later that summer. the new course would sit on the land. professionals joined the maintenance The irrigation system is virtually The tours were hosted by golf course team for the year. brand new. They were able to Superintendent Peter Kinch, the salvage some of their 8" main that Director of Golf or Green Committee runs through the bottom of the Members. All of these efforts helped property and some of the pipe on ensure members knew exactly what The golf course looks and feels the Valley course. Other than that, they were voting for. different, despite occupying everything has been updated, from In the end, the vote passed the same piece of land. the construction of the reservoir to comfortably in May of 2009 and work the pump house to the number of on the three-phase project began in heads and their placement. early August the same year. Of course, The pump house now has three, this does not include the many hours Meanwhile various construction 60-horsepower variable speed pumps of pre-planning spent by Peter Kinch. crews worked away at shaping green allowing for an 1800 gpm output. In Before construction crews broke sites, bunker sites and fairways as well addition to the interior updates, the ground on August 6, 2009, the as installing irrigation and drainage building was also moved north of the maintenance team was able to start throughout the 170 acres of property. Black Creek which has significantly some of the process. These duties Keith Evans was Jones’ right-hand improved the clubs water quality. mainly involved tree work, including man on behalf of the design team and As for the routing changes, Kinch preparations for the future site of was the main liaison between Rees says, “the design maximizes the the reservoir as well as creating tree Jones Incorporated and the golf club land available from an aesthetic and protection zones for the specimens during the process. playability point of view.” The focus that were to remain untouched. The goal in the fall of 2009 was of the layout then, was not necessarily The greens crew ran with a slightly to have all of the greens on the to preserve the original design, but to smaller staff for the next year, but they 18-hole Championship Course built update it so the potential of the land kept very busy assisting the process and seeded with the irrigation in was fulfilled given all the changes that where possible. This work included place before the winter. Only two needed to be made. 8112 KING RD. WEST BOLTON, ONTARIO L7E 5T3 Construction (left) and completion (right) of Valley Course hole #2 1-800-268-4425 • 1-905-857-2000 and Championship hole #16 www.allianceagri-turf.com As a result, the golf course feel like it’s been this way forever. Cost Effective Custom Blends looks and feels different, In fact, it’s hard to imagine some Water Soluble, Granular, despite occupying the same holes, like the impressive par-4 Liquid & Organic Fertilizers piece of land. The second hole 16th, any other way. Bulk Spreader Service was moved and is no longer a The reception by the Full Line of Turf Chemicals par 3. It was replaced by the membership has been very 5th hole. The green site of the positive. With the final two For further information call: par-3 12th has been shifted to the holes of the Championship other side of the Black Creek. Course opening this past June Technical Simon George Sales At the tail end of the course, the along with the new driving Central Ontario, GTA & Niagara Region 17th and 18th holes have been range and chipping facility, they 1-519-841-3378 rerouted so the 18th, which used can now enjoy the full extent to be a par 3, is now a world class, of the redesign. With the new Sales Mark Schneider Technical long par 4 that finishes at the placement of some tee decks Georgian Bay, Lake Simcoe clubhouse patio. The 17th hole and the many subtle corners & Muskoka Region has been changed to a demanding and slopes on greens, there are 1-519-372-5181 par 3. To allow the land for these certainly more options from a changes, the clay tennis courts, course setup standpoint to aid in which used to sit where the 18th creating variety for members. Rae MurraySales Technical tee is now situated, were moved As they enjoy their new North East GTA & Eastern Ontario 1-416-819-3404 next to the clubhouse. 18-hole Championship golf Aside from major layout course, they can also look forward changes, there are also many to the opening of the final four Technical Dave MageeSales smaller alterations within each holes of the 9-hole Valley Course Ottawa Valley hole that help present more at the end of the summer. As 1-613-286-5199 variety for the golfer. The shape the grow-in of the Valley Course and slope of greens and fairways, continues, so too does the rest of bunker placements and tee deck the property. Although it will take locations have all undergone time for the course to take on the modifications. So even though a maturity it once had, it is now hole may be in the same location, more playable for all handicaps it just feels different. and more harmonized with the The course also plays very land it sits on. different from tee deck to tee For now though, Lambton deck. As you approach the greens, resumes play having completed the depth and arrangement of one of the biggest renovation bunkers provides a little more projects this area has seen in a grit, while the contours of putting while. The work and dedication surfaces reward good shot­ it has taken to see this project making, without being excessively through is as admirable as the penal. Despite all the earth scale and scope of the project moving, the course really does itself. ■ Social Media: Takes Less Time Than You Think by Andrew Hardy of the people following my blog minutes. And as I mentioned above, Golf Course Superintendent and following me on Twitter would something small you are doing on the Pheasant Run Golf Club be golfers, I have been completely course will most likely be of interest shocked at the number of my peers in to your players. I have written about ith the creation of social media W vehicles such as Facebook, Twitter and blogs, a new level the golf industry who are following as well. Networking with peers is always renovation projects, staffing issues, bunker maintenance and venting a great exchange of information. greens. My most popular blog post of information is now available. Through my connections with fellow was on bunker maintenance and Recently I ventured into the world superintendents across Canada and actually produced in excess of 100 of social media with my blog: the US, I have gained access to how the hits to my blog. www.pheasantturf.wordpress.com aeration went at a club in Minnesota, The following are a few of the really in early April. I was just looking to how much rain fell in Calgary this good blogs that I have come across: provide information for the members spring, and how drought is currently Jamie Downton, Sawmill Creek Golf and guests at my club. I had kicked the ravaging Florida. Resort and Spa: idea around for a couple of years and I believe the key to having a sawmillcreekturf.blogspot.com finally, with some encouragement and successful social media network is the advice from the director of golf at my Jim Flett, Muskoka Lakes Golf and frequency of information. The longer club, I took the plunge. At the start, I Country Club: the time between messages could was seriously concerned with “writer’s mlgccgreens.blogspot.com result in a loss of audience. Now, I’m block,” but now a few months into the not talking about having something Tom Margetts, Innovative blog, I haven’t run out of things to to write about every day, but having Agronomics: write about. something to write and or say at least www.innovativeagronomics.com/blog I linked my blog to my Twitter once a week will keep your followers account: @pheasantturf and it’s Jason Boyce, Smugglers Glen Golf interested. You’ll be surprised, once amazing how quickly you can send and Country Club: you have an audience, how easy the messages and impact your blog via smugglersglen.wordpress.com topics become and how little time it Twitter. Though I had assumed most Chris Tritabaugh, Northlands Coutry takes to write a quick post. I asked a few of our club members Club, Minnesota: about what interests them in my blog. www.northlandgrounds.blogspot.com And they said that having an idea what Signing on to an account with is happening and being “kept in the Twitter, Blogger or Wordpress literally loop” was appealing to them. Also, takes minutes and provides a wide DIRECT SOLUTIONS™ since we have 27 holes, they may go range of options for your platform. stretches based on rotations where Many turf organizations such as the they don’t get to play one of the nine’s GCSAA, CGSA, the GTI and a large Ontario Turf Sales Team Professional for weeks at a time. So the next time number of superintendents have blogs they play one of the nine’s and a and Twitter accounts. You might be Niagara/Central- Craig McCutcheon bunker has been filled in they won’t surprised to see who is blogging and (905) 536-0357 be surprised. tweeting. It only takes one connection Southwestern Ontario- Chris Lecour Now I know you are reading this and you’re off to the races with the (519)421-6593 and thinking, “where am I going to people you can follow. I have found this Eastern Ontario- Perry Brazeau find time in my already packed day venture to be wonderfully surprising (289) 338-1834 to do this?” I thought the same thing and rewarding and I will be pressing myself and that’s why I stalled on forward blogging and tweeting. The Northern Ontario- Kevin Jensen (705) 627-3590 going forward with this idea. Twitter incredibly positive support from my posts, or tweets, literally take seconds club’s owner and the fact he wants me Toll Free: 1-855-228-2828www.turfpro.ca to produce and you could easily keeping my blog fresh with new posts produce a blog post in less than ten has been a huge help as well. ■ Remedy greens drainage issues quickly and affordably. 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PO Box 355, Collingwood, Ontario L9Y 3Z7 1-888-544-2877 I Tel: 705-445-9513 I Fax:705-446-0774 www.canturfsp.com SECOND TO ONE A Networker Walks into a Bar... tool allows users to throw out comments, pictures and by Matthew Legg, Assistant Superintendent videos for their array of followers to view and comment Weston Golf and Country Club on. Within weeks, my profile grew to dozens of followers networker walks into a bar, his friend walks around it. within the industry, spanning from interns, to professors, A Confused? In the past, this was the way of networking; schmoozing and shaking hands. Today, technology is consultants, superintendents and everything in between. On a daily basis, I can bounce ideas off people I would paving new ways to network. At no other time has it been never have met in the old networking world. I can be so easy to meet someone new in our industry and to gain a connected to ideas and solutions of others that can valuable working relationship based on a common interest make our operation prosper. Our membership has also - turfgrass! prospered, as those with Twitter can check green speeds, Since taking the role of assistant, I have been witness frost delays, course updates to understand what we do on a to such a quick change in the way of networking. It was daily basis. Some of our members even stop by and say hi. not long ago that conferences were the only opportunity It’s funny how Twitter has broken the ice and created a new to meet new people and build working relationships. topic of discussion while on the golf course. Unfortunately, time at these events is minimal and demand Technology is allowing our industry to become smaller is high; it is hard for even the most outgoing people to than ever before by keeping us better connected to each touch base with strangers in the industry. other. But we still must not forget our roots. Face to face is Luckily, in the span of a few short years, this has all the oldest and best tool we have; the effort of individuals to changed. I can remember my first invitation to Linked get together speaks volumes. In. For those unaware of this networking tool, Linked In As busy as our lives get, taking the time to step back and quickly became a handy rolodex of contacts. It was also a see a colleague is well worth it. Just recently, a group of tool that helped to break the ice. What better way to show local assistants made this effort to touch base once a month. someone you’re open and willing to talk then to send them By planning ahead, monthly meetings are arranged and an invite via email with your personal contact information discussion topics are agreed upon. With only a few hours of and a photo. face time each month, this group of assistants have become One year later, and one step further, along came Twitter. better turf managers by listening to each others’ questions With an increasing popularity of the smart phone and and issues. Above all else, in these sessions we begin to form willingness for my club to keep members informed, in friendships that will last years. This is textbook networking Spring 2011 our Turf Management Team became outfitted at its finest. with iPhones. Little did I know that with tools such as There is no excuse not to network these days. Whether Twitter, I would be more in touch with industry personnel via the internet, smart phone or face to face, there is than ever before. something suitable for any individual to meet others in the For those of you not aware of Twitter, think of instant industry. So come on in, become a networker and explore messaging that all can see - messaging on steroids! This the benefits. There are still a few spots at the bar. ■ Tom Margetts, t. Ag 27 Waterloo St. Corrie Almack P.Ag. Soil and Turfgrass Consultant New Hamburg, ON N3A I S3 Almack Agronomic Services Inc. Tel: (905) 689-6174 Email: tom@innovativeagronomics.com P: 519-662-2479 Box 256, Carlisle, On Fax: (905) 689-8522 www.innovativeagronomics.com C: 519-496-2143 LOR 1H0 Email: c.almack@sympatico.ca F: 519-662-2479 ABOVE THE HOLE oday is what many refer to as the age of information. pictures and stories from our internships with each other T Never before has mankind had such an opportunity to readily access vast quantities of scientific research, subjective online. Even though each of our internships is offering something unique, we are all gaining from our collective opinion, and for lack of a better term, cumulative human experiences by staying in touch and taking the time to chat knowledge and experience. Of course no one needs to be with one another. told there is a lot of information on the Internet, but I do Recently, during my internship at TPC Boston, I was think people need to be reminded of it from time to time. shown one of the most underestimated gifts the Internet Twenty years ago it wasn’t quite as easy to pick up your iPhone has given the turf industry: Google Earth. With a purchased and look up NTEP trial results or find out the appropriate retail version, one can instantly view a recent aerial shot of threshold level for cutworms on tee decks. A couple of their golf course - within the last 4 years. These aerials decades ago, new research was limited to published books, are great for presentations, mapping chemical/fertilizer academic journals and monthly magazines. The luxury of applications, job training, and area calculations. With built- instant gratification did not exist. Without cellphones, calls in tools, you can denote the perimeters of tees, fairways, had to be made from inside the office. Other than calling approaches, greens, rough, and native areas. We have and reading books, how did superintendents come across catalogued each of these aforementioned playing surfaces new information? Someone once told me the salesman for each hole, and recorded them into a data base for easy often played a vital role in the superintendent’s acquisition reference when building an application plan or schedule. I of outside information. Having travelled to multiple think this is a must for any manager who wishes to employ courses in the district, they would offer information on who a precision turf management scheme into their daily grind. was doing what and how they were doing it. I think the rest I think it is not acceptable to ignore the valuable tool of of the answers were found the old fashioned way - by taking the Internet and it’s potential in our industry. Increasing risks and finding out for yourself. water restrictions, constricting IPM initiatives, scarce labour These days, superintendents have the ultimate turf tool availability and infringing environmental regulations are all right in the palm of their hands - the Internet. Hand-held hurdles that aren’t getting any easier to jump over. Social devices now carry turf apps on diseases, insects and plant support, constant networking, embracing technology, ID. Pictures, videos, blogs, journals, and refereed papers sharing knowledge and staying fresh - that’s the stuff are just some of the many things that can be accessed legends are made of. ■ instantaneously. Websites like Turf.net or Paceturf.org often have new and insightful things, such as discussions Cam Shaw, student and intern on precision turf management, IPM tips and videos on Turfgrass Management Program inventive ways of doing the jobs we have all come to love and University of Guelph hate. Furthermore, the explosion of social networks has Guelph, Ontario made it so easy to keep tabs on what everyone has been up Email: cshaw04@uoguelph.ca to. Lately, my school colleagues and I have begun sharing Rain Bird Integrated Control System™ Simple and Reliable Below-ground Irrigation Control Milton 1 800-263-4112, King City 1 866-703-5464, Scarborough 1 416-289-3635 www.vandenbussche.com email: info@vandenbussche.com TECHNICALLY SPEAKING Advanced Features in New Mower Technology Quality of cut is probably one of the most desirable needs to provide optimum conditions on our putting Greener Operation Energy efficient hybrid claims to save fuel usage up to es. At this time the, major manufacturers of golf turf 30%. Reduced noise levels will allow the maintenance equipment have answered with their various solutions to crew to start mowing greens earlier without bothering the the next generation of greens mowers. All of them now neighbours. Tee off times can be maintained as early as include hybrid technology in their line-ups. possible to maximize play. The gap in quality between a walker mower and a riding mower has significantly narrowed or is becoming non­ User Friendly existent. These advancements are welcomed with our Armrests with controls keep necessary levers within close recently strained budgets where we are expected to do reach. Ergonomic design ensures comfort for operators more with less. during repeated use of equipment. Some models have The innovations are focused on quality of cut, user faster transport speeds to help stay ahead of golfers. friendly operation, ease of maintenance and being greener Ease of Maintenance for the environment. Cutting units are easier to access than ever before and can be easily removed and adjusted. Switching on-the-fly Quality of Cut due to an unexpected breakdown can be done quicker With the hybrid technology, electric motors spin the than the older generation models. A single operator can cutting reels. The lack of hydraulics minimizes the go from cutting greens at 1/8" to cutting a fairway at 1/2" potential for leaks on the turf. Hydraulic leaks from riding in just a few minutes. triplexes mowers will be a thing of the past. The frequency of clip is consistent regardless of the ground speed or the What's next? load in your bucket, which is beneficial when performing Robotic operator-free mowers are already becoming operations such as verti-cutting. available. How long will it be before you have one in your The updated attach points and/or suspensions aid in barn? The future is near... ■ keeping the cutting units level to prevent unsightly waves in the turf or damage from clean-up passes. Better contour Jim Flett, B.Sc. (Agronomy), AGS® following capability aid with mowing undulations and Golf Course Superintendent prevent side-to-side scrubbing of the putting surface. Muskoka Lakes Golf & Country Club In some cases, tires have been redesigned to deliver Phone: (705) 765-3165 uniform loading across the entire cross-section to eliminate Email: jflett@mlgcc.com visible tire tracks. LARGE TREE SALES AND RELOCATION Phil Dickie-ISA Certified Arborist P.O. Box 277, 890 Fairground Road, Langton, On , NOE 1G0 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 ON THE ROAD AGAIN La Dolce Vita at Flemingdon Park Golf Club hen you hear family run business, veal parmesan, known for his exceptional quality in taste, partakes in the W espresso and outdoor patio, what image does that conjure? Café Diplomático, perhaps? Bar Italia? Or maybe business culinary duties. On the Schiavone side, Vito handles the Il and IT and his brother Enzo, is described as a “jack Gatto Nero? Well, eat your heart of all trades”. Slowly being integrated out Little Italy, on this fine day, into the family business are the the best espresso can be found grandchildren Carmelo S. Jr., Vanessa, at Flemingdon Park Golf Club. Christian, Alexa, Jessica, Carmine and Nestled between the Don Valley Shirqille. Parkway and Eglinton Avenue in “Through our journey, we have East York, Toronto, Flemingdon been fortunate enough to have great Park Golf Club has not only been staff to help us along the way,” say’s satisfying the needs of local golf Vito. “Our staff are multi-talented enthusiasts but also the local and bring many backgrounds and community who just want to take experiences along with them.” in the sights of an outdoor patio, Being a smaller operation, there and maybe a tasty beverage as well. have been some challenges. In August If you time it right, you could be 2005, a 200-year storm flooded the in for a treat of Sangiovese wine, course. The golf course had to be bruschetta or even cannoli! shut down for the rest of the year as Construction of Flemingdon Clockwise, left to right: Rocky Tisi, Vito Schiavone, the damage sustained rendered the Carmen Tisi, Carmen Schiavone, Enzo Schiavone. Park Golf Club began in 1958 course unplayable. The course was under the supervision of golf architect Howard Watson, filled with silt amongst other debris and their equipment also known for his work on Scarlett Woods, The Board of barn was completely flooded destroying most of their fleet. Trade (now The Country Club) and The Watson course at Without the use of equipment, they spent the rest of the Toronto Golf Club. Built on farmland originally owned by year hand shovelling the silt and cleaning up the course by Robert John Fleming, a former Toronto Mayor, the 2600- hand. “We had a bunch of bunker sand and bunker rakes yard, 9-hole course opened for play in 1961. from a neighbouring course found amongst all the debris,” “A friend told me about the job,” say’s current owner and said Enzo. Insurance covered the lost equipment and a new Superintendent Carmen Schiavone, who left Italy in search equipment shed was relocated to higher ground. of a better quality of life. He started working at Flemingdon At 75 and 70 years of age, there are no retirement plans as a grounds keeper in 1962, an astounding 49 years ago. for the Carmens. The golf course is their paradise and their His nephew, Carmen Tisi, known as “little Carmen”, started home, says Enzo. “Our fathers do everything on the golf his duties as a grounds keeper at Flemingdon in 1968. Not course. They have sacrificed and have gone through thick only are they family, but business partners as well. and thin to deliver the best playing conditions possible. To In 1991, the Carmens bought the Club from the Johnson this day, they still perform tasks the way they were done family. Doris Johnson, who had been acting as the General years before, such as fertilizing tees by hand without the use Manager since 1964, decided to reward the Carmens for of a spreader. I tried it myself with less than desired results.” their loyalty and service and sold the business to them for a So, the next time you happen to be in the area and are price that was described as a “gift”. Since then, the Carmens looking for a quick round of golf or a “café all’aperto” think have been busy at work on the course as they handle the Flemingdon Park Golf Club. Before you know it, you might majority of the day-to-day maintenance on the golf course. just be known on a first name basis. ■ What is astounding is they are 75 and 70 years young! “We know people here on a first name basis,” says Rocky, Paul Grotier son of the younger Carmen. “It’s a family run business, my Agrium Advanced Technologies sister Agatha and cousins Vito and Enzo work here as well.” Phone: (416) 508-6115 They all share managerial roles and bring many talents Email: pgrotier@agriumat.com with them. Agatha, a nurse by trade, assists with sports and www.turfpro.ca medical related injuries. Her brother Rocky, a top chef, THE WILD VIEW Hot Enough for You? his is a common question heard almost everywhere T this summer. As most of us wanted the rain to dissipate somewhat in May, we welcome it now with the browning of the turf and retention ponds slowly reaching the empty mark. We have dealt with this heat before, and we adapt. But as water supplies get lower and temperatures higher for extended periods of time, how do birds and wildlife adapt? During the heat wave in mid-July, I found on a number of golf course sites in southern Ontario, more and more dead birds on the fairways and around drying ponds. At first, this wasn’t too alarming as I attributed it to natural predation. However, we began noticing the dying birds included both larger species, such as geese, and smaller need to find that temperate zone which keeps us healthy. migratory birds like bluejays and resident sparrows. But unlike humans, birds may not be able to take shelter Upon further investigation, it seems birds, like humans, or find fresh water in order to survive devastating heat. Spray records piling up? Let IPMgolfpro™ be your spray management software solution! to learn more visit us at: www.ipmgolfpro.com Scientists have found during heat waves that increases the next hundred years. This may not seem like a big deal in air temperatures of as little as two degrees Fahrenheit to us, but to birds and wildlife this temperature change can double the rate of water loss in a small bird and could be disastrous when considering the extended heat importantly impact its survival time. This is due, in part, waves and reduced water supplies. to the fact that when environmental temperatures are In North America, Ornithologists and bird watchers above air temperature, birds and other animals have to alike have been tallying bird counts and their data get rid of body and environmental heat by evaporating shows, slowly but surely, more and more avian species water across the skin and by panting. Evaporative water are heading further north for the summer. Are migratory loss increases rapidly with increasing temperature and trends changing due to global climate change? This is excessive water loss reduces a birds’ ability to stay cool. quite possibly a very real trend. The resulting high body temperatures can produce heat Maybe one day we’ll be dealing with pesky pink stroke, which causes damage to body tissues, organ failure flamingos in our ponds instead of Canada geese. ■ and blood clotting that can quickly lead to death. In Canada and North America, humans deal with heat in a variety of ways, but birds and mammals may not be Michael von Kaitz, C.QC.S. / C.G.M.P as lucky in adapting to extended heat wave conditions. Owner / National Consultant As temperature trends show, summers have been getting The Wildlife Management Group Inc., hotter, with extended heatwaves. The Intergovernmental Burlington, ON Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicts the average Phone: 1-888-557-5855 temperature of the planetwill rise between 3.5-6.5°F over www.wildlifeteam.ca FINISH IT PREMIUM WATER MANAGEMENT TOOLS FOR YOUR GOLF COURSE TURF RIGHT. SOD SPECS ONLINE AT • 2 Formulations Available - Respond 3 Liquid and Respond 3 Granular JUSTSODIT.COM • Protect your Greens, Tees, and Fairways from Localized Dry Spot, Drought Stress and Excessive Moisture • More Uniform Water Distribution Throughout the Root Zone Distributed by: ALLTURF Master’s Turf Supply Ltd. Mountain View Turf Supply www.uap.ca GREENHORIZONS SOD FARMS HAMILTON: (905) 389-1315 Respond 3 is a registered trademark of United Agri Products. CAMBRIDGE: (519) 653-7494 Always read and follow label directions. OFF THE FAIRWAY Thinking Outside the Tee Box have to say that no matter how badly the patio needs with the existing garden and eagerly nurtured its growth. I weeding or how many plants still need to be planted, it’s a refreshing break to visit another golf course and be Over the course of the expansion, 500 yards of topsoil were brought in and the pile of rocks collected on the golf inspired. I recently had such an opportunity to visit the course over the years were put to good use as a border Granite Golf Club in Stouffville. At this course, located around the garden. Concrete mesh offers the peas and literally just off the fairway of the 12th hole, is something cherry tomatoes something to grow up. In keeping very special. Not exactly what you might expect - not a with being located on a golf course, hazard stakes stand beautiful stand of native trees or a neighbouring field, but proudly with a label for each variety of produce. a mass of vegetables growing in tidy rows. What began as a Nicole Cain, the club’s gardener, works hard to maintain 10' x 10' herb garden four years ago has grown and and harvest the garden, which requires approximately flourished into an organic vegetable and herb garden two hours per day of her time. Fortunately, the garden that supplies the clubhouse kitchen at the Granite Golf has experienced relatively few pest problems, although Club with an abundant harvest. green tomato worms occasionally pay a visit. A thick The expansion was driven by newly hired Chef Antony border of close to 600 marigolds keeps the deer and other Nuth when he came to the club two years ago and was critters at bay. This was proven to work when the tomato enthusiastically supported by Superintendent Phil Scully. plants were snatched one year before the marigolds were Chef Nuth was trained in England and France and is planted. Now as soon as the marigolds go in the garden passionate about using the freshest produce. During his is left alone. time living in the Niagara region he was able to build This year the garden boasts approximately 60 varieties close relationships with local growers and winemakers. of vegetables and herbs, including several varieties of So when he arrived at Granite Golf Club he was thrilled lettuce and salad greens, Green Zebra tomato, spaghetti squash, sweet giant onion, Royal Chantenay carrot, and And what’s the next course on the menu for this dark red Detroit beets. The lettuce is the most successful scrumptious garden? The Granite Golf Club is blessed producer, so much so that the club did not need to with a large area of open space beside the 12th fairway purchase lettuce for two months last summer! Depending so plans for expansion include increasing the planting on the daily harvest, Chef Nuth is flexible in his planning area once again (Phil wants to try his hand at growing and adjusts his menu to include the fresh produce. The potatoes), adding a greenhouse and a garden shed, Chef will soon turn basil into pesto, squash into soup, installing an irrigation system, and landscaping the area and leftover tomatoes into jars of tomato sauce that will around the garden. last into the winter. There are even times when there is Bon appetit! ■ more than what the kitchen can use, but it does not go to waste. The extra produce is placed in a harvest basket Brenda Forder, Head Gardener that members are welcome to glean from. Members Donalda Club, Toronto, ON not only get to enjoy the garden as part of their meals Phone: (416) 447-5575 x 273 at the Club, they are provided with the opportunity to Email: bnoble@donaldaclub.ca watch their food grow as they play golf and love to take a www.donaldaclub.ca diversion off the fairway to show it off to guests. Protect your turf Protecting turf and plant material from the damaging effects of winter is always from the elements. a challenge. There are many causes of winter damage, among which poor drainage or poor • Protects turf and plants exposed to snow cover can be major winter weather and salt spray contributors. • Safe for use on all plants Two tools that help • Economical and easy to use protect against winter problems are LeafShield® A late fall application of Revolution® can provide many important benefits anti-desiccant and Revolution® soil • Moves water off surface to minimize conditions that contribute to pink and surfactant. gray snow mold • Moves water off surface to minimize potential for ice damage • Keeps soils receptive to water for early spring start-up www.aquatrols.com Allturf Limited MGS Horticultural Plant Products Limited Serving Ontario Serving Western Ontario Serving Ontario (705)431-0561 (519)326-9037 (905) 793-7000 ON THE REEL SIDE OF THINGS The Tools of My Travels spring. One little tiny spring is responsible for the theme The Tool Kit A of this article. Allow me to connect the dots. Here at Donalda we have a rope tow. For those who may Taking a look in the tool bag, you’ll find screw drivers, (I have marked the tops of the handles on this set for quick and be unfamiliar with the concept, I have to admit I was initially, easy ID) nut drivers (same handle markings), a wire brush, a rope tow is simply an endless rope, looped through a motor flashlight, assorted small spooled wire, some bits of jumper and several pulleys, not unlike that which you might find at wire, wire cutter/crimper, a grease pen, tire gauge, line­ your local ski hill - only on a much smaller scale. It is used up punch, bastard file, chain saw wrench, hand pruners, a to assist our members and their guests who are walking the medium sized pair of channel locks, vise-grips, side cutters, course, up out of the valley from our 9th green to the 10th linesman and needle nose pliers, a small analog multi-meter, tee, a relatively short run at about 120 ft. but with an elevation pocket 12 DCV spark tester, a pen sized ACV current tester, a change of roughly 50 - who needs a stair climber? small can of 2-in-l oil and a tube of dielectric grease. Movement of the rope is initiated when the golfer presses Hanging inside the box are the requisite sets of wrenches the start button at the bottom of the hill. Once the three (sizes 1/4" through 3/4" and 8mm through 17mm are a good safety switches are satisfied, the rope will begin its circuit and start), and you’ll usually need two of each remember. The box will continue its slow meander until it times out after one also contains several sizes of pry bars, a hammer, mallet, an complete revolution at one minute, nineteen seconds. That’s sharp axe, 20' tow rope with hooks, jumper cables, and a rebuilt more than enough time for a foursome to make the ascent. recoil starter assembly that will fit any of the 15 walk-behind There are emergency stop buttons at both the bottom and mowers that could be out on the course cutting. There’s also a top of the hill as well as an additional safety switch, designed plastic assortment box containing some common sizes of nuts, to stop the rope instantly as it enters the drive house at the bolts and washers along with some tire valves and valve caps, top of the hill, should anyone or anything become entangled. some strips of emery cloth, a tool for gapping spark plugs, There used to be a little spring that would reset this switch various common electrical connectors and some 15 A-blade in the event of accidental trippage, which unfortunately type automotive fuses that certain implements of ours go seems to be a fairly common occurrence with this particular through every year during fairway aeration cleanup. There’s design. The Technical Safety and Standards Authority the 3/4" Johnson bar that I need to adjust the tension of the (TSSA) who oversee such devices, ordered the removal of tow rope, two types of electrical tape and some white hockey the spring stating this particular safety device needed to be tape. It’s what I use to wrap the splice on my tow rope to manually reset when tripped to make sure no one was tangled help prevent unraveling. And it never hurts to have a towel in the rope. Safety first, I get it. So we went one further and and some rags with you too, especially on those rainy days. wired this switch directly into our irrigation system through Basically, if I’ve found myself in need of it over the years, I have a nearby satellite so an alarm would sound on our irrigation made provisions to deal with it in some manner in the box. computer in the main office whenever the switch was tripped. What’s the point of this? Everyone’s time is at a premium. At least now we can know and respond much sooner if We’re all trying to do more with less time and this requires something is amiss. one to be as efficient as possible. Extending this philosophy In the end, it means someone, usually myself or my to your daily travels on the course by being ready to deal with apprentice, now make several trips a day to check the switch things as they happen can make your daily journey even more status and reset it if necessary. Which brings me back to this: effective. There’s no greater time waster on a golf course then a spring. The rope tow’s removed spring has caused me to be having to make that trip back to the shop just to grab a tool into the tool box I have mounted to the.back of my golf cart that you could have with you already. on a fairly regular basis this season. It is a handy collection Have a fantastic summer and remember: commit to hiring of tools and assorted hardware, assembled over the years, and training an apprentice. ■ which allow me to deal with most issues I may run across or be summoned to deal with during the course of any given Warren Wybenga, Equipment Manager day. As the old Boy Scout motto says, “be prepared”. If you Donalda Club, Toronto frequently find yourself rooting through the glove box on Tel: 416-447-5575 x 263 your cart for that one tool that, undoubtedly, isn’t there when Email: wwybenga@donaldaclub.ca you need it, consider putting together a kit of your own. www.donaldaclub.ca LOOKING BACK Fifteen Years Ago Today by Barry Endicott n 1996 the OGSA Board of Directors were: Alex Beacon Hall were the winners. I LaBelle (pres), Merry Hill, John Taylor (past), Twenty Valley, Simon George (vice), Oakville, Ian Angus Glen Golf Club hosted the President, Greens Chairman, Board of Directors and Superintendent Bowen, Oshawa, Paul Dodson, Lionhead, Bob Heron, Event hosted by Ernie Amsler. Jeff Burgess’ team from Beacon Hall, Paul White, Mississauga, Jerry Richard, Weston Golf Club was the winner. Craigowan, John Gravett, Credit Valley, Keith Bartlett, The CGSAA Conference was held in Vancouver in Thornhill, Monte Anderson, Point West, Jim Flett, early March. Dr. Jack Eggens was the John B. Steel Muskoka Lakes, and Mark Piccolo (editor), Galt. Cindi Distinguished Award winner. Charters was the office manager. The GCSAA Conference was held in Orlando. The Pro/Super Tournament was held on May 13th Paul Dermott of Oakdale Golf and Country Club at Glen Abbey Golf Club hosted by Superintendent was the winner of the Environmental Steward Award Dean Baker. Low gross team supers were: 1st - Scott upon achieving Oakdale’s designation as a “Certified Dyker, Beverley; 2nd - Ted DeCorso, Victoria Park Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary”. West; 3rd - Dan Lavis, Ingersol. Low net team winners The Ontario Turfgrass Symposium was held for the were: 1st - Ray Richards, Mad River; 2nd - Rob Stevens, first time in Toronto at the Constellation Hotel as Conestoga; 3rd - Steve Hallard, Cedar Brae. Low gross a result of changes to the academic calendar at the superintendent was Robbie Robinson (79), Hidden University of Guelph. Over 1,500 people attended with Lake and low net superintendent was Pelino Scenna Bruce Burger being the OGSA representative on the (68), Burlington. committee. The President/Greens Chairman Tournament was The Annual Curling Day meeting was held at North held at the Park Country Club of Buffalo on June 16th Halton hosted by Alan Beeney. The winning team was hosted by Scott Dodson. Dean Baker, Corrie Almack and Nigel Rennie. Bob The Spring Field Day was held at the Guelph Turfgrass Hutcheson from Hutcheson Sand and Mixes again Institute. Alex LaBelle unveiled a plaque in recognition hosted the OGSA/Hutcheson Ski Day at Osler Bluff Ski of Dr. Clay Switzer’s contribution to the turfgrass Hill on February 21st. industry. Golf followed at the Galt Country Club hosted Making headlines around this time 15 years back, by Mark Piccolo. The Summer Field Day was held at were two workers who had been fatally injured while the Cutten Club on August 11th hosted by Richard scuba diving to recover golf balls at local golf courses. Creed. The Alex McClumpha Golf Tournament was It was brought to our attention that a golf course could held at Nobleton Lakes Club on October 7th hosted be held responsible if the proper safety measures were by Barry Endicott. Bill Fach, Rosedale and Bob Heron, not implemented. ■ Darryl James Certified Golf Irrigation Designer Certified Golf Irrigation Auditor ISA Certified Arborist ON-1152A OIA Technical Agrologist T. Ag David C. Smith, P.Ag., c.g.c.s. 185 Oriole Crescent phone: (416) 873-9648 Soil & Turfgrass Consultant Gravenhurst, Ontario 23 Hocken Ave. Toronto, Ontario, M6G 2K1 P1P1C6 Office (705) 687-SOIL(7645) arborturf@gmail.com www.arborturfsolutions.com Fax (705) 687-3518 Toll Free 1 -888-607-TURF (8873) Cell (905) 512-6004 dave@dcsturf.com TURF OR CONSEQUENCES Walker by Doug Breen, Superintendent hands because he throws the ball too from doing the things I need you GolfNorth Properties hard. I haven’t been able to catch to do, like baling hay and milking him on skates since Major PeeWee. cows.” He was right of course, but it Well, it finally happened. My son There are plenty of other examples, didn’t stop me from wasting the next Walker outdrove me last week. I but it’s just too depressing. Golf was decade trying to prove him wrong. suppose it was inevitable - he’s the one remaining sport where I Now I’m trying to convince Walker fourteen and in shockingly better could physically dominate him, but of the same thing, but I’m sure he’s shape than I am. My mistake was I doubt my dominance will survive not listening either. I’m just hoping sending him to golf camp. Who knew the summer. He’s improving at an that golf, hockey, and football will be having him spend a week learning accelerating rate, while I’m regressing a more effective distraction for him from someone qualified, would make even faster. I believe that our skill than farming was for me. Not likely him better? Now it’s just a matter of levels will intersect on exactly August though, they’ve started showing up time until he’s outscoring me too. 12, 2011 - my 45th birthday - and we’ll at home games wearing his uniform I’ve got some time left on that front have the only truly equally matched number. though, he’s still remarkably easy to game of our lives. We should probably In my office, I have a framed Green throw off his game - thank goodness! play someplace nice. is Beautiful cover from 2001, where he If he ever figures out how not to fall My friends with older boys, all was a toddler pulling a toboggan up a apart after I add up his score on the warned me this day would come. hill at Orangeville Golf Course. Now 15th tee and say, “This might be the “First they beat you at golf, then the he’s outdriving me and about to start day you beat me!” - I’m dead. But for girls start showing up on your porch.” high school. But there is a positive now, that phrase is good for a triple Well, the girls have started showing up side. It used to be when I played golf I bogey on two of the last three holes, on my porch - in quantity. This has was seen as a selfish pig, now it’s called every time. to stop, because I’m not about to start “family time” and heartily encouraged I suppose I could just take some wearing pants around the house. At by my wife. As a result, I’m playing lessons myself and improve my about the same age, I remember my more now than I have in any season game too. Maybe practice a bit? Re­ Dad telling me not to waste my time on since we got married. I’ll just have to aquaint myself with the driving range, teenaged girls, “they’re unpredictable, develop some humility and get some perhaps? But holding others back unreliable, and they’ll distract you strokes from him. ■ to one’s own level of mediocrity, as opposed to working harder, is as much a part of Canadian culture as hockey or postal strikes. Unfortunately, he’s improving at such a rate, that I’m not sure I can hold him back or stay ahead of him. I now fully understand why there is a handicap system in golf - I always thought that it was for gambling, tournament, or league play - but clearly, it was designed as a method of keeping your son from being able to say he’d beaten you, when he obviously had. This has happened in other athletic pursuits too. We used to spend a lot of time playing catch with the football, but now I have to choose between standing so far away from him that it hurts my shoulder to make the pass, or move closer and end up with aching When perfection is the only standard you know... Agrium Advanced Technologies® brings you the most advanced fertilizer technologies from the brands you trust. 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Made in Canada by Agrium Advanced Technologies For more information on these premium fertilizer brands, foliar fertilizers, pest control products, seed, sand, and more, contact your Agrium Advanced Technologies representative or our customer service line at 1-855-228-2828 Agrium Advanced Technologies, 10 Craig Street, Brantford, ON N3R 7J1 www.turfpro.ca © 2011 Agrium Advanced Technologies Inc. AGRIUM ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES DESIGN is a trademark owned by Agrium Inc POLYON, XCU, NITROFORM, and NUTRALENE are registered trademarks owned by Agrium Advanced Technologies. PROTURF and CONTEC are registered trademarks, and NU-GRO GOLF and NU-GRO LANDSCAPE are trademarks owned by Nu-Gro Ltd. POLY-S is a trademark owned by OMS Investments Inc. Superior putting starts with superior cutting. Introducing the all-new Toro GreensmastereFlex.™ Setting a new standard by which all other walk greensmowers will be measured. Advanced cutting performance. Easy on greens. 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The new Greensmaster eFlex event or desired playing condition. walk mower is the first EnergySmart labeled Game-changing walk mower offered by The Toro Company. Lithium-Ion innovation. EnergySmart is about efficiency Lithium-Ion Battery Power for balanced with environmental and mowing is an industry first. Quietly financial sustainability, a visible sign of mow up to 5110 m2 (55,000 ft2) Toro's ongoing commitment to customer­ [9 average greens] on a single valued innovation. charge! The battery is designed to last five years with ample power The right choice. Experience the precision to not only cut greens, but also and easy operation of the accommodate key accessories Greensmaster Flex Series such as groomers and light kits. for yourself. For more Virtually maintenance-free with information, visit no emissions. toro.com/eflex or contact your Turf Care Sales Representative to arrange for a demo on your course. ©2011 The Toro Company. AB rights reserved. toro.com/eflex TURFCARE TURF CARE PRODUCTS CANADA 200 Pony Drive, Newmarket, Ontario L3Y 7B6 Phone:905-836-0988 • Fax:905-836-6442 LONDON: 519-668-7664 • MILTON: 905-836-0988 X 7048: SCARBOROUGH: 416-298-2101 • GLOUCESTER: 905-836-0988 X 5501 www.turfcare.ca