Green is Fall 2013 Beautiful The Official Publication of Ontario Golf Superintendents’ Association The Story B. Hynd the Man The fortunate life of Bill Hynd ALSO INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Short Game Academy at Granite Golf Club The Argument for Precision Turf Fertilization Potassium Needs Simplified CANADA POST PUBLICATIONS MAIL PUBLICATIONS AGREEMENT No. 40027105 Postmaster: Please return undeliverable copies to The OGSA, 328 Victoria Rd. S., Guelph, ON N1L 0H2 2014 ONTARIO GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE & TRADE SHOW Westin Harbour Castle TORONTO JANUARY 22-24, 2014 Education Keynote Speaker: Sessions: WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2014 SPONSOR - NGF GOLF (A DIV. OF NORTHGATE FARMS) WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2014 SPONSOR - SYNGENTA James Duthie Dr Michael Agnew "ENTERTAINING SPORTS STORIES" "THE INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS ON FUNGICIDE PERFORMANCE" One of the most talented and funniest stars in Canadian media today, James Duthie is the Larry Spain host of TSN's extensive NHL coverage, including Centre of Advanced Turf Technology the award-winning NHL on TSN. He was also "PRECISION SENSE 6000" the daytime host of CTV's highly acclaimed 2010 Olympic coverage, and the host for CTV's THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 2014 coverage of Team Canada's historic gold medal Steven Keating, CSE, CME hockey run. In his time at TSN, he has also hosted NBA, CFL, NFL, PGA Selling Skills Manager, Toro Company golf, and Sportscentre. "LEADERSHIP 360" Dr. Luke Baker, Dr. Larry Stowell & David C. Smith P.Ag 90th Anniversary "PRODUCT INPUTS: HOW MUCH IS NEEDED, HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH AND HOW CAN WE MEASURE IT?" Dinner & Show THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 2014 FRIDAY, JANUARY 24, 2014 PLATINUM SPONSOR - TURF CARE Patrick R. Finlen, CGCS GCSAA President, Director of Golf, Canadian Musical The Olympic Club, San Francisco Comedy Trio — The Arrogant Frank S. Rossi, Ph.D. Worms "PROGRESSIVE ANNUAL BLUEGRASS & CREEPING BENTGRASS, POPULATION MANAGEMENT" Early Bird Rate REGISTER BEFORE DEC 1,2013 Administration charges will apply www.ogsa.ca Ends Soon! to on-site registration PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE Green is A s I write this message for the fall issue of our magazine, I'm looking out at the leaves starting to change as the Beautiful The Official Publication of Ontario Golf Superintendents’ Association season draws to a close and I realize that this will be my final President’s Message. Editor The spring and early summer was a challenge for many Justin Parsons of us. Freak flooding and high winds took their toll on justinparsons@engageagro.com many courses, but thankfully the summer was not as hot Publisher & Advertising Manager and dry as in recent years, which helped us all recover Terry Davey by Rob Gatto from the jolt experienced at the start of the season. terry@blenheim.ca OGSA President My term as OGSA President will be complete this coming Tel: 877-618-8696 ext. 102 January, and I would like to thank the board for their Administration Manager support and hard work, and the office staff for their continued cooperation Diane Davey and expertise. It has been a pleasure serving as president for the past year diane@blenheim.ca and the friendships I have made throughout my involvement with the OGSA Tel: 877-618-8696 ext. 103 have made the experience truly rewarding. Production & Design Public meetings will be first and foremost on the priority lists this fall. Our Jeanette Thompson second time around should be easier. Again, a reminder to fill out the OGSA jeanettethompson@mac.com survey once your meeting has taken place. Tel: 877-618-8696 ext. 101 We are deep into planning for the OGCM Conference and Trade Show Green is Beautiful is published four times 2014 and our 90th Anniversary. It will be a great event and I encourage all to a year (November / March / June / August) by Blenheim INK for: attend. Our suppliers have bought into the concept of “join our party” and have pledged their support financially. So, between association funds and our sponsors, we can assure that all our members can attend the anniversary dinner and show, free of charge, as part of their registration. Our education program is set with speakers and Ontario Golf Superintendents' subject matter that you Association asked for. For the most Sally Ross, Executive Manager part, it will be a mix of Guelph Turfgrass Institute technical and turf related 328 Victoria Road South Guelph, ON N1L0H2 presentations with some leadership thrown in for Tel: 519-767-3341 good measure. I do hope Toll Free: 877-824-6472 Fax:519-766-1704 to see as many of you as Email: manager@ogsa.ca possible January 22 - 24, www.ogsa.ca at the Westin Harbour A frosty morning on the 8th green and valley at St. Catherines Golf Castle in Toronto. ■ & Country Club. Photo Credit: Steve Gruhl, Assistant Published by Blenheim INK Administration Office: 4305 Fairview Street, Suite 232 Burlington, ON L7L 6E8 Premium Products Production Office: for all Your Turf Needs 1727 King Street East, Cambridge, ON N3H 3R6 PO Box 7, Waterloo, ON N2J3Z6 Toll Free: 1-877-618-8696 Fax:519-340-0293 Tel: 519-886-0557 www.blenheim.ca Fax: 519-886-0605 1-800-465-5849 www.oscturf.com INSIDE THIS ISSUE INDEX OF ADVERTISERS ALLIANCE AGRI-TURF 12 www.allianceagri-turf.com ALMACK AGRONOMIC SERVICES INC. 25 AQUATROLS 10 www.aquatrols.com BRAEMAR BUILDING SYSTEMS 20 www.braemarbuildings.com DCS AGRONOMIC SERVICES 25 DOUGLAS WOOD LARGE TREE SERVICE 24 www.douglaswood.ca FAST FOREST 21 www.fastforest.ca 14 Feature: GREENHORIZONS SOD FARMS The Story B. Hynd the Man www.justsodit.com 23 The fortunate life of Bill Hynd MANA QUALI-PRO 27 www.quali-pro.com/QPCanada/ ■ In This Issue MASTER'S TURF SUPPLY LTD. 7 OGSA Tournament Recap 8 Short Game Academy www.mastersturfsupply.com Sets Standard at Granite Golf Club ONTARIO SEED COMPANY 3 www.oscturf.com ■ In Every Issue ■ SCS CONSULTING GROUP LTD. 11 3 President's Message 17 U of G Update www.scsconsultinggroup.com 5 Editorial Message 18 Roots to Shoots TURF CARE PRODUCTS CANADA 5,28 www.turfcare.ca 6 What's New 21 Health & Safety TURF PROFESSIONALS 11 Member Profile CHOICE SAND AND MIXES INC. 26 22 Off the Fairway www.turfprofessionalschoice.com Wray "The Spray" Mason, Owner/Operator, Precision Turf 24 On the Road Again UNITED AGRI PRODUCTS INC. 9 Technologies www.uap.ca 25 Looking Back 13 Golf Course Highlight ZANDER SOD CO. LIMITED Kawartha Golf and 26 Turf or Consequences www.zandersod.com Country Club GREEN IS BEAUTIFUL GREEN IS BEAUTIFUL 2013 Green is EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Beautiful The Official Publication of Ontario Golf Superintendents' Association Justin Parsons Christian Kuhn Although every effort is made to check material for publication, the association is not Alan Dolick Reg Langen responsible for material published on behalf of Paul Grotier Cam Shaw its contributors. Jason Hanna Rod Speake All rights are reserved by the publisher and Kevin Kobzan any reproduction in whole or part without the ON THE COVER written permission of the publisher is prohibited. Although some trade names may be mentioned Bill Hynd OGSA is committed to serving its members, in articles contained in this publication, no Photo credit: advancing their profession, and enriching endorsement is intended or implied by the Cam Shaw the quality of golf and its environment. Ontario Golf Superintendents' Association. EDITORIAL MESSAGE 90 years is a long time no matter how have changed. For a young Scot looking to forge a career in you slice it. Especially considering the golf course maintenance business, one of our country’s how fast the world seems to be changing preeminent positions was not out of reach. In fact, his tenure these days. Since everything is instant lasted about 25 years, a rare feat in today’s world of turnover now, there is less of a need for things to and transition. last, which means there is all the more I’m not sure why it is so uncommon for things to last in reason for us to celebrate the things that today’s world. Whether we are talking about a person, an do endure. Our organization or an idea, we know more next issue, Winter now than we ever did, which would lead by Justin Parsons, 2014, will highlight You need to be able to you to believe that building something that Engage Agro Corp. the annual OGSA can persevere would be more attainable. I conference and trade adapt to the current shifting suppose knowledge can complicate things show, as well as recap the 90th anniversary winds in order to stay relevant, though, and therein lies the challenge of celebration for our association. In the withstanding the test of time. You need spirit of this milestone, we decided to all the while respecting the to be able to adapt to the current shifting take a closer look at the OGSA’s past by traditions and history within winds in order to stay relevant, all the featuring one of our more prominent while respecting the traditions and history and distinctive members over the last nine which your past is rooted. within which your past is rooted. Often decades in our cover story. times, these two things are diametrically Bill Hynd is a man who has clearly opposed to each other, which makes experienced it all during his time in the golf course industry. striking a balance all the more delicate a task. In today’s ever­ His rise to the top of our business seems to have been built changing climate, I would suggest that this has never rung on good old fashioned values, like loyalty, a strong work ethic, more true. and a respectful nature. The little things that once opened So congratulations to the OGSA on 90 years of elevating the just about any door, now seem to get lost in the hustle and profile of the golf course superintendent and thank you to the bustle at times, once again, reminding us how quickly things many people, like Bill Hynd, who have helped pave the way. ■ 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 EDWARDS Ph: 613-821-1880 • Fax:613-821-2919 TURF CARE www.turfcare.ca Helping your business grow. WHAT'S NEW by Sally Ross, OGSA Executive Manager OGSA MEMBERSHIP DUES The OGSA membership received OGSA ANNUAL invoices in late September with a due GENERAL MEETING & date of October 1st, 2013. If you have MEMBERSHIP MEETING not yet paid your dues, please be aware The OGSA Annual General Meeting that your access to our website may be is scheduled for 7:30 am, Friday, suspended which could affect your January 24th, 2014 at the Westin ability to register for the upcoming Harbour Castle (Queen’s Quay), conference at the reduced member Toronto, Ontario. rates. Please go online and pay your Because of our busy conference dues as soon as possible. We thank you schedule, the OGSA Board has for your cooperation. OGSA Director Rod Speake and Executive decided that the annual reports will Manager Sally Ross along with “Wrigley ” be provided to each delegate in their OGSA'S 90TH attended the Paws in the Park fundraiserfor package and will not be read at the ANNIVERSARY & SHOW the Toronto Humane Society held September 22, 2013 at Woodbine Park in Toronto. Annual Meeting. Invitations to our Retired Past In order to allow discussion Presidents, Honorary Members and 50 related to any of the activities of the Year Members have been sent out. PAWS IN THE PARK association this past year, or any other Our Class AA retirees who do not Maple, the silken windhound questions, suggestions, concerns that fit into the above categories can come owned by Tim Muys, Superinten­ membership may want to discuss, the to the trade show following lunch dent at Pipers Heath Golf Club OGSA will be holding a membership on Thursday afternoon (January 23, was the 2013 winner of Lebanon meeting in conjunction with the 2014) at no charge, (please go to the Turf’s Dog of the Year contest. By Ontario Golf Course Management registration desk after 1:30 PM) and virtue of Maple’s win, the OGSA can also purchase tickets to the dinner Conference and Trade Show on was able to attend the fundraiser and show at reduced rates by calling Wednesday, January 22nd, at and speak to the attendees about the office or going to the “a la carte” approximately 4:30 pm, immediately the OGSA and the role of golf registration forms on our website. following the last education session, superintendents. The chapter A special reception will also take also in Queen’s Quay at the Westin award received from Lebanon place for “active” Past Presidents who Harbour Castle. All members are are registered for the conference, Turf was donated to the Toronto invited and are encouraged to attend. just look for your invitation in your Humane Society. ■ Both official meeting notices will be registration package. ■ posted on our website at www.ogsa.ca. GCSAA - BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION Welcome to Our New Members David Kuypers represented the OGSA at the GCSAA Chapter Delegates Meeting in Lawrence, Kansas in early Michael Bell............... Class Supt Kendra Kiss....................... Class F October. As part of the meeting, the Maitland CC Magna Golf Club candidates for the GCSAA Board of Steve Brown..................... Class F Barry Taylor............... Class Supt Directors made presentations and Banty's Roost G & CC Frog's Breath GC were available for questions and discussion. Any member wishing James Eigo....................... Class C Kory Wilson..................... Class A to make comments regarding the Bloomington Downs GC Monte Vista GC candidates that the OGSA will support Nate Farah....................... Class C BASF-The Chemical Co.... Class E in the GCSAA election should contact Markland Wood GC Bruce Irons the OGSA prior to December 31, Scott MacDonald Mike Gavanski............... Class F 2013. The election will be held during Quantum BioTek.............. Class E the Golf Industry Show and GCSAA Markland Wood GC Garry Fenton Education Conference in Orlando, Paul Jordan..................... Class D Florida this coming February. Peninsula Golf Course SCS Consulting Group..... Class E Chris Baynham Blair Seeley TOURNAMENT RECAP 68th Annual Alex McClumpha Tournament by Sally Ross, OGSA Executive Manager onday, October 7th, started out with steady rains, which Left: Master of Ceremonies Phil Scully (Granite Golf Club) presents the host M challenged the grounds crew at Trafalgar G&CC who worked very hard prior to and on the day of the event to assure superintendent plaque to Mark Prieurfrom Trafalgar G&CC. Bight: Paul Cooper (Turf Care) presents the George Darou Trophy to Bill Gilkes (Superintendentfrom Scarboro G&CC). the participants would have a playable course. Their hard work was well worth it as the sun broke through prior to the Cirone (Burnside), who shot a 77 and also had a longest 12:45 pm shotgun. Blustery winds picked up throughout the drive, while Trevor Hunter (OSC) also had a 77 and Sean morning and continued into the afternoon, posing a challenge Lavin (Turf Care) shot 80. for the golfers who were all smiles despite Mother Nature. Low Net winners for flight B were Mike Kehoe (Nutrite) The big winner of the day was Bill Gilkes from Scarboro with 67, followed by Rob Stevens (Turtle Creek GC) with a 69, G&CC who had the first place low gross for flight A with a and Scott Brook (Osprey Valley) with a 70. 77. Bill was also rewarded with the George Darou Trophy. The other longest drive was won by Vesselin Gueorguiev, and Second and third low gross scores were achieved by Mitko closest to the pin prizes went to Robbie Robinson (Hidden Marinov (Lionhead) with a 79 and Chris Andrejicka (Essex) Lake), Paul Scenna (Beacon Hall) and Kevin Doyle (GCSAA). with an 80. Congratulations to the winners, many thanks to all those Low net winners for flight A were Vesselin Gueorguiev who contributed prizes. Special thanks to our sponsors: Bayer, (Royal Ontario) with a 65, followed byJim Dimitriw (Lowville) who sponsored lunch, and Plant Science, who sponsored the with 67 and Jim Moore (Punslinch Lake) with 68. dinner wine. Special thanks to Turf Care for supplying the Another big winner, for Flight B, for low gross was Vito snowblower to the winner of the George Darou Trophy. ■ Assistant's Tournament by Sally Ross, OGSA Executive Manager assistant superintendents everywhere. He indicated that while their hard work antastic weather prevailed for the and dedication likely was not always F OGSA’s 2013 Assistant’s Tournament held at Dundas Valley Golf & Curling acknowledged as much as it should be, it never went unnoticed and all assistants Club. A great turnout of over 100 golfers were due a great deal of thanks from enjoyed a day filled with camaraderie management, their respective members and friendship. and the golfing public. The winning team with a score of The organizers of the tournament, 58 was Dave Jacobsen and Matt Legg Greg Brown (Essex G&CC) and Andrew from Weston G&CC, Alan Dolick Chartrand (Sarnia G&CC) acted as from Wildfire GC and Christopher Tournament winners (L to R): emcees for the event, and thanked Thompson from The National GC of Alan Dolick (Wildfire GC), Matt Legg and all the sponsors, including platinum DaveJacobsen (Weston G&CC), and Christopher Canada. Tied for first but subject to sponsor Direct Solutions, gold sponsor Thompson (The National GC of Canada). loss through retrogression was the team Turf Care, silver sponsors GC Duke ofJason Crawford from Eagles Nest GC, Direct Solutions. Chris LeCour was on Equip. Ltd and Bayer and silver co­ Dave Paterson from Magna GC, Andre hand to present to Jesse. sponsors Nutrite and Ontario Seed Co., Aymar from Islington G&CC and Jason Host Superintendent Jamie Cutting All turf and Enviro-Sol. d’Andrea from GC Duke Equipment. and host Assistant Superintendent Specialty prize sponsors were In third, with a score of 60, was the Andrew Krek were also acknowledged Complete Turf Equipment, Syngenta, team of Steve Gruhl from St. Catharines with thanks from all the attendees who Plant Products and Turf Care with prize G&CC, and Cam Shaw, Jeff Lockhart had an outstanding day on a beautiful table contributions from GC Duke, and Sean Knapman from Burlington course. Bayer, Nutrite, CGSA, and Master’s Turf G&CC. The big winner however was At dinner, General Manager of Dundas Supply. Special thanks to Skyway Lawn Jesse Booker from Devil’s Pulpit GA, Valley G&CC, Jeremy MaCrae, spoke Equipment for the extra golf carts. ■ who won a trip to Colorado, courtesy of about the many contributions made by Not Short on Benefits Short Game Academy Sets Standard at Granite Golf Club by Kevin Kobzan, Foreman, Granite Golf Club progressive nature that makes us industry leaders,” states superintendent Phil Scully. ractice makes perfect is a phrase we have all probably heard The SGA provides a plethora of shot selection with P and used, but often times in golf, it is rarely followed. At various lies to assist golfers in improving their short game. least to the extent it should be. Considering golf is a seasonal The elaborate facility boasts two 6,000 square foot chipping game which can be time consuming, the majority of players greens where members can practice anything from 80 yard take less time fine-tuning their skills and chalk practice up pitch shots to two yard chip shots. Also, a 6,000 square foot to hitting a few balls on the range before attempting to put dedicated bunker green and an 8,500 square foot putting it all together on the course. However, effective practicing green were constructed along with a new greens nursery. With is important to making quality improvements to your overall future renovations in mind, the putting green on the SGA was golf game. This means all the fundamentals that comprise built to USGA specifications, with the other 25 greens on the this challenging game need to be worked on regularly. property built to California specifications. “The theory from This was the impetus behind Granite Golf Club creating a maintenance point of view was for it to be used as a testing a state-of-the-art Short Game Academy (SGA), which ground to see the USGA greens performance, so down the began construction in July of 2012. The four acre facility road we have hands on knowledge on how the USGA green opened July 6, 2013. “I think the SGA separates Granite functions,” says Scully. Golf Club from other private facilities. It’s the clubs Additionally, the club offers a double-sided bentgrass Main image: Beginning of October looking at the two chipping greens (Photo by Kevin Kobzan) Insets, Progression ofSGA: Day 3 - Old short course now a memory; Day 11 - Bunker green takingform; Day 42 - OverlookingSGA from the maintenance facility roof (Photos by Eva Stiller, Executive Director, Granite Golf Club) driving range with six target greens, coupled with an artificial turf station and dry dock for use during periods of inclement weather, a three-holed short course and an additional putting green for a truly exceptional practice facility. Discussions began in 2011 on enhancing the properties practice facility and producing an area dedicated solely to improving members short game. The removal of two of the previous five-hole short course holes in favour of renovating for a better use of land was approved. Designed by architect Tom McBroom. “The five hole short course 9 WAYS to Healthy Turf was intended to be a five hole mini golf course, but what happened was the parcel of land the SGA sits on became a multi-purpose practice area,” says Scully. “We looked at respond® 3 grows your turf health how we could improve that piece of land and use it to its full potential. We are never satisfied with status quo.” from the roots up The SGA was designed for the membership in such a way that numerous shot scenarios from the 18-hole Increased depth of water penetration: course were duplicated allowing golfers to become better 1. Increases rooting depth prepared for certain situations when playing a round. The putting green was structured with minimal slope 2. Aids survival in drought conditions and undulation with the intention of golfers focusing 3. Favours deeper rooting grasses on their putting stroke. Safety was also a priority in the design, but freedom with regards to the layout and the Water soaks in more evenly: shots you can practice accommodates the facility well. “We wanted it to look good, play good, but also play 4. Avoids puddling properly, so it was designed in a way that a large amount of people can use it,” states Scully. “The SGA offers an 5. Helps with drainage infinite variety of shots with no limitations to how you want to work on your game.” Granite Golf Club places More even water distribution/retention: the highest priority on providing and maintaining the 6. Better use of water may reduce the need same quality conditions as the golf course. “All bentgrass was seeded to L-93 to keep the theme and duplicate the for irrigation conditions of the golf course. Everything is cut and maintained to the same specs as the golf course.” 7. Improved turf colour Continued on page 10... Reduction in the symptoms of localized dry spot: 8. More even playing surface 9. Healthier turf Grow your turf health from the roots up with Ontario & Maritimes: 1-800-265-5444 West: 1-800-561-5444 BC: 1-604-534-8815 Quebec: 1-800-361-9369 www.uap.ca Always read and follow label directions. Respond 3 is a registered trademark of Loveland Products, Inc Continued from page 9... “In order to become a better player you need to Dan Campbell, Director practice fundamentals,” of Golf at Granite Golf Club, says Campbell. “Hockey shares the same enthusiasm players don ’t only practice as Scully towards the SGA and shooting and skating, they how it compliments the clubs go through a series of practice facility. “It takes us different powerplay and to another level, not many penalty killing exercises.” places have a short course For example, Phil Mickelson facility like this giving us an uses a drill requiring him opportunity to teach at one to sink 100 putts in a row. more level,” says Campbell. He sets up 10 balls in a 3 “It allows those who want to foot radius and proceeds be better players to spend Dedicated bunker green nearing season's end Photo by Kevin Kobzan to sink 100 straight, with more time and practice shots one miss resulting in a redo they normally would not be able to practice.” whether it is putt one or 99. However, many golfers fall victim to a rushed warm-up Therefore, in order to hit more pure shots with positive with little to no practice time, making it difficult to execute results it’s beneficial to spend time on all aspects of the and put forth a decent score on the golf course. Practice game, preparing yourself and your mind for the task ahead. and repetition are important to building a memory and “I encourage people to have a practice to play ratio, the confidence which can reduce mistakes and technical better players will practice 3-4 times more than they play,” breakdowns. Golf is a unique game where all shots can be says Campbell. different, requiring a different approach. This is one reason So, after one season in operation, both Scully and Campbell why focusing attention on developing skills in different parts are pleased with the progression of the SGA and the feedback of the game is important. Getting to the course early and has been positive. “There were mixed feelings leading up to setting the days tempo through warm-up and practice is an it; members didn’t know what to expect but the end product is integral process in becoming a more technical golfer. spectacular and those who use it will benefit,” says Campbell. ■ Greens • The #1 surfactant worldwide for highly managed turf areas • Produces drier, firmer putting surfaces Coursewide Confidence. • Strengthens plant's natural ability to withstand stress and disease pressure Fairways • The perfect water management solution for fairways and other large turf areas • Enhances penetration and distribution of water and nutrients • Reduces water use on cool-season grasses by 25% or more www.aquatrols.com MEMBER PROFILE Wray "The Spray" Mason Owner/Operator of Precision Turf Technologies by Christian Kuhn, Assistant Superintendent, Osprey Valley Resorts n today’s modern turf maintenance I regimes, sprayers are arguably the superintendents most valuable piece of equipment. They are responsible for applying thousands of dollars worth of plant nutrition and protectants, and, as such, 100 per cent accuracy at all times is required in order to uphold today’s conditioning expectations. So who do you call when your rig starts acting up and you need to get your application out ASAP? Look no further than Wray “The Spray” Mason. Mason has been servicing sprayers in the golf and farming community for over 20 years. With his primary territory being courses in southern Wray Mason, Precision Turf Technologies Ontario, superintendents from across Canada and even some in the United including Raven controllers. Raven from Bob Brewster at Toronto Golf States call upon Wray to entrust him had just introduced its first controller Club and John Gall at St. Georges Golf with troubleshooting and repairing to the golf course market, and, as and Country Club who had found out their sprayers, or for calibration and with any new technology, it can be a from Paul White, that this Wray guy training purposes. difficult concept to grasp. The first solved all of his sprayer issues. A sign After working in the farming call to Raven was from Paul White at of things to come as these relationships industry from 1981 to 1994, Mason, Mississauga Golf and Country Club, and his new reputation would pave the along with a local golf course one of the first recipients of this way for his future successes. mechanic, dabbled in sprayer design technology. He was upset that the Since Wray started his own company and construction up until they parted equipment supplier didn’t know how in 2002, and incorporated as Precision ways in 1996. It was at this point Mason to use it, so Raven sent over their local Turf Technologies in 2004, he has a full was hired by Ron Craig at Turf Care tech guy to see if he could help. This time customer base of over 200 clients to manage their Agronomic Division, was Mason’s first ever call to a golf and annually services and calibrates while giving technical assistance on course. Once he dialed in White’s over 300 sprayers. sprayers to the equipment division. In sprayer and controller, the phone 2001, due to company restructuring, didn’t really stop ringing after that. ...continued on page 12 Mason was laid off from Turf Care The next day he received phone calls and had to plan his next move. With a lot of encouragement from local superintendents, suppliers, Providing engineering solutions family and friends, Mason started up his own company with full sprayer to Ontario’s Golf industry. service to golf courses in Southern Engineering Design & Consulting Services Ontario. Company services included troubleshooting and repair, parts, Land Development & Approval Assistance training, and calibrations. Permit & Regulatory Agency Approval Assistance An engineering graduate from Irrigation & Drinking Water Supply Strategies Humber College, Mason got his first Stormwater Management & Erosion Control Strategies taste of the golf course industry in GPS Surveying & Mapping Services the early 1990’s while working as the technical rep for a component 30 Centurian Dr. Suite 100 Markham, Ontario L3R 8B8 Phone 905 475 1900 Fax 905 475 8335 supplier to the farm spraying industry, www.scsconsultinggroup.com MEMBER PROFILE Continued from page 11... ever come down, a practical golf course application could be rationalized. On top of servicing golf courses, he The home base for Precision Turf also customizes sprayers for GC Duke Technologies (PTT) is at Mill Run and speaks at a variety of conferences Golf Club in Burlington. He, along 8112 KING RD.WEST and seminars across the country. with Mike Slack, owner and operator BOLTON, ONTARIO L7E5T3 Being in this specialized industry of Slack Reel Service, share a shop for as long as he has, Mason has with the golf course facility. Mason 1-905-857-2000 noticed quite a bit of change, or as employs an Assistant, Amy Parps, who www.allianceagri-turf.com he puts it, ‘evolution’. Over the past was a former Assistant Superintendent 20 years, he has seen sprayers used at Wyldewood Golf Club. Along with See Us for Cost Effective from three times a year to as much administrative duties, Parps also works Custom Blends & as several times a week. He attributes in the field calibrating sprayers. Not this to superintendents spraying more only can they be used for calibrations All Your Dormant Fertilizer soluble and foliar fertilizers, wetting and servicing, PTT also offers a wide & Chemical Needs agents, plant growth regulators, and range of sprayer related products such other specialty products that just as mixing stations, jug rinsers, heavy- Water Soluble, Granular, duty booms, sprayer parts, and nozzles. weren’t available several years ago. Liquid & Organic Fertilizers With the increase in sprayer usage over Although sprayer parts sales and the years, it’s only natural that sprayer calibrations are the bread and butter Bulk Spreader Service technology has also improved as a of the operation, Mason’s favorite need to maintain precise applications part about his job is diagnosing and Full Line of Turf Chemicals has intensified. The use of modern repairing a sprayer that won’t work. electronics has delivered almost It’s what keeps him on his toes, and Fall Booking Program in pinpoint accuracy if properly set up if you know Wray, he never shies away Effect for Significant Savings or calibrated. He believes, for the from helping out a colleague in need time being anyway, sprayers outfitted of assistance. ■ with GPS units are more practical for Simon George farming applications, but if the prices Central Ontario, GTA & Niagara 1-519-841-3378 Mark Schneider Georgian Bay, Muskoka, Western Ontario & Quebec 1-519-372-5181 IN THE HOT SEAT Rae Murray Q - Favourite major Q - Lowest round and where North East GTA & Eastern Ontario A - British Open A - 92 at North Granite, 1-416-819-3404 Muskoka, ON Q - Favourite piece of Dave Magee turf equipment Q - Favourite movie Ottawa Valley A - Smithco 3180 hydrostat sprayer A - Waterworld 1-613-286-5199 Q - Favourite golf course Q - Favourite meal Mark Obee you have played? A-Spaghetti Lake Simcoe & Central Ontario A - Grandview GC, Huntsville, ON 1-705-623-8873 Q - What's playing on your iPod? Q - Favourite golf course designer? A - Blackberry!!! The Razor's Edge A-Tom McBroom AC/DC Q - Ultimate foursome Q - What would you envision A - Tiger, Vijay, Weir yourself doing if you weren't working in the turf business A - Farmer GOLF COURSE HIGHLIGHT Kawartha Golf and Country Club 777 Clonsilla Avenue Peterborough, Ontario K9J 6Z6 Tel: 705-743-3737 jpendrith@kawarthagolf.ca www.kawarthagolf.ca Golf Course Superintendent: Jennifer Pendrith Assistant Superintendent: Darryl McIntyre Equipment Manager: Kyle Pernokes Horticulturalist: Jon Laflamme Hole #8 Photo courtesy: Kawartha G&CC COURSE PROFILE Biggest Maintenance Challenge About the Course Amount of labour required to maintain our bunkers to meet member expectations. A club with a lot of history. It's remembered most for its challenging Par 3's, majestic trees and unforgettable picturesque A CLOSER LOOK entrance in the heart of the city. What You Need to Know Established: 1932 Predominant Grass Type: Original Architect: Stanley Thompson Bent/poa greens, tees and fairways Type of Club: Semi-Private Predominant Soil Type: Clay loam Number of Holes: 18 Type of Greens: 17 Push up greens and Number of Rounds Annually: 34,000 one modified USGA green Practice Facility: Driving range, putting green, one bunker Course Length: 5,301 -6,464 yards Size of Property: 180 acres Size of Greens: 2.7 acres Size of Tees: 2.5 acres Size of Fairways: 27 acres The Story B. Hynd the Man by Cam Shaw, Second Assistant Superintendent, of his life would do you some good, and by the way, you might Burlington Golf and Country Club want to sit down for this. Born in 1929, William Hynd grew up in humble dwellings Photos courtesy Bill Hynd as the son of a coal miner in the small Scottish town of ince its humble beginnings, the profession of greenskeeping Dunfermline. As a teenager, Hynd suffered from a severe case S has been graced with a generous portion of interesting characters, each with their own unique experiences and of chronic pleurisy which left him bedridden for an entire year, and earned him the unfortunate designation as a disabled wondrously tall tales to share. But person. He wasn’t fit enough for when describing a man like William his first job until the age of twenty- Hynd, the word “interesting” just one, when he took a position as doesn’t cut it - he simply has too "You've got to want to see what is over a wood golf club maker. As time much depth of character. My drifted on, Hynd’s hunger for the next hill... a sense of adventure first encounter with Hynd was in adventure began to grow. The early spring of this year. We met will always take you to interesting places.' memories of his sickness still fresh, near his home in Hamilton and the young Scot decided to put on - Bill Hynd his travelling hat, pack his bags and sauntered over to a local pub to chat and share stories of our head out into the world for the first worldly travels and thoughts on time. During his ramblings, Hynd the game of golf. It did not take me long to realize I was touched down in New Zealand, Switzerland and even a little sitting in the presence of a great man. His jovial yet humble place called Canada where he eventually met his wife Alice. nature, genuine interest in people, and sincere passion for After returning to Scotland in 1961, he landed a job as Head the game of golf were among the first impressions he made Club Master at the Cupar Golf Club and on me. Hynd’s tenure as a superintendent long precedes my worked part time as a club maker in the beginnings back in the early 2000’s. As I currently look up nearby town of St. Andrews. Frequenting to a number of prominent superintendents in our industry, the home of golf regularly, it wasn’t long Mr. Hynd was one of the aces that my hero’s looked up to while before his gaze drifted towards the Links. they were forging their own careers. So for those of you who Inspired by the physical, outdoor nature are just now getting to know Mr. Hynd, I suppose a brief history of the greenskeeper position, Hynd “Bill was a great mentor in my development, his passion and meticulous work habit in maintaining a top notch golf course was second to none. The way he went about his daily routine, the handling of the large crew, the members and co-operating with the other management staff at the club was a sight to see.” - Bill Fach, Superintendent, Black Bear Ridge GC, Belleville, Ontario Right: A pit stop at Cathedral Square, New Zealand during one of Bill's cycling trips. Left: Bill and his family on the doorsteps of their house at St. George's “Bill was a good friend and superintendent. He loved golf and he came to play at Galt many times. He had a great sense of humour and he always kept his golf courses in perfect shape. ” - Pelino Scenna, Retired Superintendent found himself drawn to the profession. Going with his gut, the third green, Hynd suggested an idea from a short par 3 Hynd took a position at the Links of St. Andrews working on at The Eden Course of The St. Andrews Links. After many the New Course (which, for the record, is almost 120 years old) wild hand gestures, lengthy explanations and much head­ under Links Supervisor, and lifelong friend, John Campbell. scratching, Robinson told Hynd to go and get 25 pounds of Once adjusted to the position, Hynd quickly separated himself plasticine, make a model and show him what he meant. As fate from the pack. His keen desire to learn and strong aspirations would have it, the idea was accepted and incorporated into the to grow in the industry earned him a place alongside Campbell final draft with only one minor addition of a sand trap. To this attending various field days and meetings as a member of the day it still remains. Scottish Greenskeeper’s Association. The course renovations were completed nearly a year before In 1963, Hynd returned to his wife and first born, Mary- The Open and the timing couldn’t have been better. In 1967, Ellen, in Canada. His first Canadian job inquiry went out to a the Hynd family grew once again as Bill welcomed his second club North of Bolton called Glen Eagles (a familiar name from daughter and third child, Marlene. The course was in the best back home!) with Bill Calhoun, the existing Superintendent. shape it had ever been in, and the stage was set for the world “Sure”, Calhoun replied, “and I can offer you a dollar fifty class competitors. The following year, the tournament came per hour... however, they are looking for a Superintendent and it was a major success! Bob Charles of New Zealand took at St. George’s Golf Club in Toronto and that position might the match from Jack Nicklaus in a dramatic finish. This was the pay a bit more”. Completely unqualified, and still relatively first of many major accomplishments and milestones Hynd had inexperienced, the courageous Bill Hynd applied anyway. And in his long career. so it was, the golf director of St George’s Golf and Country Continued on page 16... Club was impressed with Hynd’s reference and accolades from John Campbell and, admittedly, more so by the flashy name of St. Andrews Links upon his resume. Eventually the offer came through and Bill Hynd, at age 33, with little experience and less than adequate qualifications, assumed the role of superintendent at the prestigious St George’s. And what timing! The club was scheduled to host the 1968 Canadian Open and great opportunities were on the horizon. Robbie Robinson had been commissioned to renovate four greens to the newly released USGA specifications, as well as renovate tees, bunkers and lengthen the overall routing. 1964 would prove to be a big year for Hynd. Not only did he celebrate the birth of his first son Robert, but he also managed the installation of a brand new, state of the art irrigation system. With twin lines on the fairways, and heads located at the green and tee sites, it was a major game changer considering that previously there was nothing! The golf course was evolving quickly, and so too was the relationship between Hynd and Robinson. They both engaged in long, profound discussions regarding the renovation and all of its various options and challenges. Robinson had a way of Bill Hynd, David Gourlay, Alan "Whitey "Jones, and Bob Moote nurturing Hynd’s inner architect and during discussions over playing in a foursome during an OGSA event. “Ifirst met Bill Hynd through my association with Robbie Robinson who was the consulting architect to St. George’s following Stanley Thompson’s death in 1952. Bill was extremely passionate about golf, the traditions of the game and was especially passionate about the great links courses in Scotland. Bill has been a great friend to Above: Bill playing with Lee Trevino at Glen Abbey, both Robbie and I throughout his long and 1986 Pro Am. Left: Bill distinguished career. ” cutting wood to earn his keep at Le Bon Bay Backpackers - Doug Carrick, Golf Course Architect, in New Zealand. Carrick Design Inc. Continued from page 15... In 1989, after a long and successful term of leadership and Hynd suggested that joining the association helped him to agronomy, Hynd moved on from St George’s in search of new network with many other local people who provided him experiences and worldly delights. He teamed up with Michael with countless and invaluable help over his lengthy career. Hurdzan and a young aspiring Dana Fry on a highly anticipated Specifically, Hynd mentioned fellow Scots Bill Forester, former endeavor in Caledon, Ontario known as The Devil’s Pulpit. Superintendent at Weston Golf Club, and Alec Chisolm, Hynd also joined in several other pursuits with the Hurdzan Agronomist for The Niagara Chemical Company (both played team in Ohio and New York State. He also met up with two crucial roles in aiding Hynd during his first few years at St. business men in London and helped them with a venture south George’s). Hynd also mentioned that the association’s greatest of London, a little club known as Redtail. In 1990, while looking growth occurred with the dramatic influx of college scholars. to stick his roots back in the ground with a more permanent “They were a keen bunch who helped to push the industry position, Hynd joined up with the Kaneff group helping to forward by their strong aspirations to succeed and develop grow-in Carlisle Golf Club. In 1994, after Carlisle had been the identity of the profession”. When I asked him what he established and was in good hands, Hynd took a year off from remembers most about his long career, he simply states the his work. He decided to spend the first six months cycling all fond memories he had golfing with other superintendents over Britain visiting all his favorite golf courses and visiting old at the various invitationals throughout the season. “Taking friends. The latter half of his professional hiatus was spent a day off to get away from your job is very important”, Hynd touring through Thailand and Malaysia. Upon his return to proclaims. “Getting the heck out of there is good for you, and Canada, Hynd maintained a part-time position with Carlisle as it’s also good for the young guys below you. It keeps them on a quasi-agronomic consultant while continuing to move about their toes and gives them a chance to practice managing the and stay involved with various other projects (Royal Niagara ship. You just need to be sure things are in order before you and part-time superintendent at Lowville Golf Club) before his leave.” His words resonate deeply within our industry. Hynd eventual retirement in 2007. was a leader, a mentor and an inspiration to us all. His passion As if his career wasn’t remarkable enough, Hynd seems for the game, sense of adventure, courage to try new things and equally impressive in his retirement. Travelling the far reaches careful balance between life and career are what make him a of the globe to seek new adventures, Hynd tells me of his time truly remarkable individual. To use a toast (slightly altered) WWOOFing (Willing Workers On Organic Farms) - a new from Hynd’s good friend John Souter: “Here’s to you. Wha’s concept to me. This is an arrangement whereby the traveller like you, damn few and they’re a deid”. ■ works on an organic farm in return for free room and board. A clever arrangement for a tourist who enjoys a little extra adventure, loves meeting new people, and doesn’t mind getting PLEURISY: a litde dirty (this is basically Bill Hynd in a nutshell). Due to poor eyesight from a condition known as macular degeneration, Inflammation of the lining surrounding Hynd is a little less capable of long distance travel, so his focus the lung often caused by viral infection. remains local, on family and friends. No stranger to a bike, Causes sharp pain, difficulty breathing and can Hynd still gets out for a pedal as often as he can. Astonishingly, lead to pneumonia, tuberculosis and even death at age 84, Hynd manages to cycle roughly 30 kilometers per day in extremely susceptible cases. Ken Griffey Jr, and claims to average nearly 500 kilometers a month! When King George V, LeBron James, William Wordsworth, I mentioned how impressed I was, Hynd simply replied, “Oh that’s nothing. You young people don’t know what it’s about Charlemagne, Benjamin Franklin, and Mahatma because you all have cars and you just drive everywhere.” Ghandi are all individuals who have suffered This year, Hynd celebrated his 84th birthday as well as the and/or died from pleurisy. milestone of his 51st anniversary as a member of the OGSA. U of G UPDATE Potassium Needs Simplified here are several theories and opinions regarding the value the belief that there is an ideal amount of potassium (5%), T of soil testing to provide recommendations for fertilizing magnesium (10%) and calcium (65%) in the soil for optimal turfgrass. These tests have significant value and can provide plant growth. Recent reviews of the literature by Koittke and information that can be very helpful when determining factors Manzies (2007), highlighted by Christoph Kessel in Hort Makers affecting the health of your turfgrass. However, many of the (2011), have shown that this idea of ideal nutrient ratios in the recommendations and testing methods are flawed, either because soil are somewhat unfounded. One of the issues with using BCSR of a lack of available data or variability in collecting or testing is that the measurement can be quite misleading, particularly in samples, and, in some cases both. The objectives of this article are alkaline, calcareous soils, as described quite well in an OMAFRA to describe the limitations of soil testing for potassium and to make technical note (Reid, 2004). In alkaline soils, the percent calcium recommendations about how to best utilize soil is overestimated, therefore depressing the per tests for your potassium fertilizer program. cent potassium in the test. Attempting to raise In order to understand how soil tests can the level to a certain per cent is not fruitful and be valuable, it is important to understand One of the most powerful will create a situation of excessive potassium the agronomic origins of soil testing. The ways to utilize soil testing being applied. recommendations for potassium and Excessive potassium application has been phosphorus applications resulting from soil is to compare soil nutrient linked to increased snow mold incidence tests are based on yield response curves. In fact, in work done at Cornell University (Rossi levels over time. Ontario certified laboratories have changed and Thurn, 2008). The key to potassium the way they represent levels of nutrients in the fertilization is that it must be completed with soil. The older abbreviations next to the value growth rate in mind, and therefore areas that for the amount of nutrient in the soil of H (High), M (Medium) have more growth throughout the year will need more potassium. and L (Low) have been replaced with a method that refers to how In addition, soil testing will allow you to know whether or not the crop will respond to an addition of a nutrient. This change the plant is taking up more potassium than is being applied by in recommendation terminology is important and makes the monitoring levels over time. This requires record keeping and not resulting soil test more specific for a particular situation based on relying on the soil test as a snapshot recommendation. the yield response data for different crops and soil conditions such The two classic methods for determining how much potassium as pH. Next to the value of the nutrient, a response prediction is needs to be added to turfgrass from a soil test involve correlating placed next to the value. The abbreviation HR implies that adding turfgrass needs to a yield response curve for nutrients and trying to a nutrient will result in a larger benefit to yield most of the time, create an ideal ratio of nutrients in the soil referring to the BCSR. in other words, a high response, whereas NR implies that adding Recent research and reviews have shown that BCSR is not a good the nutrient will have no response on the yield. This presents an indicator of plant growth and health. In addition, new research interesting question that needs to be addressed when interpreting suggests that nitrogen rate and the increased growth rate that soil tests for turfgrasses as there is no yield data for turfgrass because results is what is most important in determining potassium needs. turfgrasses do not yield grain. This does not mean that soil testing Finally, the most valuable way to use a soil test is monitor levels over is not valuable for turfgrass because it does provide information the long term and determine how potassium levels are changing in about the health of plants. Healthy plants generally have greater the soil over a number of years. ■ yields so following the recommendations can be somewhat useful. One of the most powerful ways to utilize soil testing is to Eric M. Lyons Ph.D., compare soil nutrient levels over time. If a specific nutrient is Associate Professor of Turfgrass Science, beginning to accumulate over time then it is being applied at a University of Guelph greater rate than it is being taken up. If it is being depleted in the Guelph, Ontario soil, then additional applications of the nutrient may be necessary. This method of tracking soil levels over time was used in a study elyons@uoguelph. ca recently published by Ebdon et al (2013) which showed that with perennial ryegrass, one of the most important factors affecting potassium needs was nitrogen rate. The greater the nitrogen rate, REFERENCES: the more potassium was needed, and if it was not added, potassium Ebdon, J.S., W.M. Dost, M. DaCosta, and J. Spargo. 2013. Long term effects of nitrogen and levels began to be depleted in the soil. In fact, nitrogen rate is potassium fertilization on shoot growth, soil test K and tissue K in perennial ryegrass turf. Crop probably more important than a soil test for determining the Science. 53:1750-1761. Kessel. C. 2011. Balancing soil cation ratios: researchers find claims not substantiated. Hortmatters. amount of potassium that should be added throughout the season. ONLINE: www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/hort/news/hortmatt/2011/16hrt11 a3.htm This is perfectly logical because as the rate of growth increases with Kopittke, P.M., and N. W. Menzies 2007. A Review of the Use of the Basic Cation Saturation Ratio greater nitrogen, so does the need for potassium. and the “Ideal” Soil, Soil Science Society of America Journal 71:259-265. Recently, there has been a debate regarding how much Reid, K. 2004. Is Base Saturation more than just BS? ONLINE: www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/ crops/hort/news/hortmatt/2004/07hrt04a3.htm potassium is needed for healthy golf greens and fairways. One Rossi F.S. and M.C. Thurn. 2008. Does Late Season Potassium Increase Snow Mold. Cornell method being used to make recommendations is analyzing the University Turfgrass Times. V19:4 base cation saturation ratios (BCSR). This method comes from FROM ROOTS TO SHOOTS The Argument for Precision Turf Fertilization f all the nutrients, nitrogen is required in the greatest Current recommendations for nitrogen applications to golf O amount by turfgrass. Not surprisingly then, there is also course turf are often based on the area of a golf course (greens, more research done on nitrogen than any other turf nutrient.tees or fairways) and the turfgrass species, as well as for a fixed As we all know, nitrogen is necessary to maintain the following rate per application and a fixed schedule of application. For in turf: example, 0.25 kg N/100m2 per growing month from May- • Density October is a typical recommendation. • Colour This fall, the Scandinavian Turfgrass and Environmental • Root, rhizome, stolon and shoot growth and Research Foundation (STERF) published an online handbook • Stress tolerance on precision fertilization for golf courses that can be found at: There are environmental concerns with nitrogen because sterf.golf.se/extra/pod/?action=pod_show&id=192&:module_ of the high leaching potential of the nitrate form. If nitrates instance=l make their way into drinking water, they pose a health risk to This handbook is the culmination of the results of three pregnant women, nursing mothers and babies if the level is research projects on fertilizer requirements for golf courses above lOmg/L or 10 ppm. funded by STERF that were conducted from 2003-2011 in There is an excellent review chapter in Turfgrass: Biology, Use Scandinavia. There are two underlying assumptions in the and Management by Frank and Guertal, 2013 on nitrogen research recommendations that came from this work. in turfgrass. Much of the turfgrass nitrogen research focus has 1. Turf on golf courses is in a constant vegetative stage been on different nitrogen sources and yearly nitrogen rates for (with the possible exception of Poa annua and we don’t optimal performance of each turfgrass species. Lately, however, want it on our golf courses), so turf requires the same the focus has shifted to looking at the aforementioned, as well proportion of nutrients throughout the season. as the environmental fate of nitrogen. 2. The nitrogen requirement of turfgrass is based on the genetics of the grass (grass species) and the climatic conditions at the golf course site. Callus They concluded that fertilization should be based on small about our frequent doses which match the actual seasonal nutrient Turf Services, requirement based on seasonal growth rates. With ever increasing scrutiny on golf courses and their impact on the Delivering environment, it is best to match nitrogen fertilization with nitrogen uptake by the turfgrass plant to minimize the potential superior sod and nitrate contamination of water. quality service The Theory: How Do You Match Fertilizer with Turf Growth? • No. 1 Kentucky Bluegrass The climatic factors that affect turfgrass growth are light, • Premium Bentgrass heat and water. In the spring, low temperature restricts growth, • Extreme Fescue in the fall, it is the lack of light (soils are still quite warm in the fall). Growth and fertilizer requirements are greatest during • Custom grown sod available the long, warm days of summer, except for periods of high • Large or small rolls temperature (30°C and higher) which can restrict turf growth. • Healthier, greener sod Figure 1 from “Precision fertilisation - from theory to practice"' shows light and heat and nutrient requirements of turfgrass over the growing season in Scandinavia. Figure 2 shows the bi-modal cool-season turfgrass shoot growth from University of Massachusetts. In reality, the cool season turfgrass shoot growth curve for most parts of Ontario is probably somewhere between Figure 1 and 2. Figure 3 shows an example of a precision fertilization curve for a golf green in Ontario. Phone:877-727-2100 How Much Nitrogen is Enough? In precision fertilization the goal is to have a constant amount www.zandersod.com of nitrogen in the grass plant at the appropriate concentration 17525 Jane St., RR#1 | Kettleby, Ontario | L7B0J6 to provide consistent growth and putting conditions over the Figure 1: Seasonal dynamics - light, heat and growth potential/ nutrient requirements of turfgrass in Scandanavia. (T Ericsson, Swedish University ofAgriculture) Figure 2: Typical shoot and root growth patterns of cool-season turfgrass species. (Owen and Lanier, 2013) entire season. Their research showed that 3.1-3.5% nitrogen in dried turfgrass leaves is sufficient for good colour and playing quality for annual bluegrass, creeping bentgrass, velvet bentgrass, common bentgrass and red fescue (turf species used routinely on golf course greens in Scandinavia) throughout the growing season. If turf has been damaged or stressed, it needs extra energy to repair itself. In this case, it needs roughly 6% nitrogen in dried turfgrass leaves. What is the Ideal Fertilizer Ratio? According to their research, the nutrient ratio in a turf fertilizer should be (100-14-65) or (7-1-4.5). Traditionally, we have advised that turf needs and/or uses nutrients in the ration of 4-1-2. Our recommendations then, have been a bit high on the phosphorus needs of mature turf. According to their Figure 3. An example of a precision fertilization curvefor a research there is also no evidence to support different fertilizer golfgreen in Ontario. ratios at different times of the season. How do I adjust for variation in growing conditions? 4. Start fertilization in the spring when the mean daily When conditions exist that will reduce the growth rate of temperature in the upper 5 cm of soil is greater than 7°C the turf (shade, high temperature or drought) the amount of and the grass has started to grow. fertilizer applied must also be reduced or there will be excessive shoot growth at the expense of root growth. 5. For creeping bentgrass, the starting dose in the spring should be 0.03 kg N/100m2 and 0.033 kg N/100m2 for annual bluegrass. How Do I Adjust for Rootzone Composition? Turf grown on a soil base versus a sand rootzone will require 6. Increase the fertilizer dose (kg N/100m2) gradually a different amount of fertilizer to reach that magic number of during the spring up to the maximum dose of 0.06 kg 3% nitrogen in the turfgrass tissue. A soil based rootzone with N/100m2 for creeping bentgrass and 0.07 kg N/100m2 a mature stand of turfgrass that is high in organic matter will for annual bluegrass to match with the increased growth release nitrogen through mineralization when soil temperatures of the grass. are above 15°C. This can be factored in by conducting tissue 7. Fertilize with the maximum dose until the growth rate tests of dried grass clippings from unfertilized turf grown on decreases due to high temperatures in mid-summer. soil rootzones to determine how much nitrogen is being made 8. When the growth rate drops in mid-summer, adjust to the available to the grass plant through mineralization. spring starting does of 0.03 kg N/100m2 for the period of STERF has used the research results to give a 15 step checklist when temperatures are above the optimal 30°C. on how to produce your own precision fertilizer curve. These 9. Increase the fertilizer dose to the maximum dose of 0.05- are listed below: 0.06 kg N/100m2 when the growth rate increases in fall. 1. Choose a liquid fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 7-1-4.5. 10. Decrease the fertilizer dose to 0.03 kg N/100m2 once 2. Aim to fertilize golf greens once per week - this gives there has been frost. maximum flexibility to change the amount of nitrogen 11. Continue at this level through fall. based on weather patterns. 12. Stop fertilization two weeks after growth has ceased. 3. Make sure your sprayer is properly calibrated and can deliver small doses of fertilizer. Continued on page 20... FROM ROOTS TO SHOOTS Continued from page 19... in the fall. Their recommendation is that nitrogen application rates should be adjusted downward to maximize uptake 13. Adjust the fertilization dose according to the microclimate efficiency in cold temperatures. of the greens (i.e. shaded greens will require less N than I highly encourage you to download the STERF Handbook, greens in full sun). Greens with a soil rootzone might Precision fertilization - from theory to practice because it contains also need less N than the 0.03 kg N/100m2. more background information on the research that they conducted and how they used their research results to develop 14. Samples of grass clippings should be analysed throughout this fertilization practice. ■ the first year of an attempt at this program to determine how close the N levels are to the ideal level of 3% N. Pamela Charbonneau 15. Throughout this process, keep detailed records of the OMAFRA Turfgrass Specialist, following: colour, root development, soil temperature, The Guelph Turfgrass Institute air temperature, mowing heights, fertilization doses, Guelph, Ontario date of fertilization and any diseases or other issues that Email: pamela.charbonneau@ontario.ca develop. This process can be continued for several growing seasons to really hone in on the precise levels of fertilization that are required on your course. REFERENCES: Ericsson, T, K. Bomback and A. Kvalbein, 2013. Precision fertilisation - from theory to practice. Does this Agree with the STERF.http://sterf.golf.se/extra/pod/?action=pod_show&id=192&modulejnstance=1. Current Approach to Fall Fertilization? Frank, K.W. and E.A Guertal. 2013. “Nitrogen Research in Turfgrass” pp. 457-491 in Turfgrass: Biology, use and Management, edited by John C. Steir, B.P. Horgan and S.A. Bonos. Madison, I think so. The latest research on fall fertilization (Lloyd et Wisconsin, USA. ASA, SSSA, CSSA. al., 2011) has shown that when turf is fertilized on September 15 in locations similar to Ontario (Wisconsin), 73% of the N is Lloyd, D.T, D.J. Soldat and J.C. Stier. 2011. Low temperature nitrogen uptake of three cool season turfgrasses under controlled environments. HortScience. 11:1545-1549. taken up by the plant. When it is fertilized on October 15, 57% Owen, M.C. and J.D. Lanier. 2013. Best management practices for lawn and landscape of the N is taken up and on Nov. 15, only 38% of the N is taken turf. U Mass Extention. http://extension.umass.edu/turf/sites/turf/files/pdf-doc-ppt/lawn_ up. The results of this study indicate that N uptake capacity is landscape_BMP_2013_opt.pdf greatly reduced as average daily temperatures approach 0°C 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 HEALTH & SAFETY A WSIB Update here are a number of changes Workplace Safety and Insurance Act but only one officer, of a construction T that have recently occurred at the 1997 (WSIA). These offences may be Workplace Safety and Insurance Board prosecuted as of January 1, 2014. The corporation may choose to be exempt. Bill 119 changes the process for (WSIB), so I thought it might be a good maximum fine for a conviction of an contractors who have acted as sole idea to cover some of them in an effort offence under the Workplace Safety and proprietors. These sole proprietors to assist all of our members. Insurance Act is $100,000. Your club were generally not covered by WSIB in The Government of Ontario passed a could also be liable to pay any unpaid the past and many of our member clubs new piece of legislation called Bill 119 premiums or other fees owed to the WSIB hired these folks to complete small that changes a number of rules in the that your contractor should have paid on construction projects on their properties. area of construction projects. Bill 119 the work your club hired them to do. This is no longer permitted unless the affects contractors and anyone hiring To request a clearance, visit the WSIB sole proprietor is able to prove that they contractors in their workplaces. website at http://needwsibcoverage. have WSIB coverage and are in a position This bill, effective as ofJanuary 1, 2013, ca/who-needs-clearance and follow the to obtain clearance from the WSIB. made WSIB coverage mandatory for most links. Construction work has a broad people in the construction industry. This Anyone who purchases construction definition. What you may deem as means that any commercial or industrial services from a contractor or maintenance by an outside contractor or construction organization hiring subcontractor is considered the hiring may well fall into the definition of contractors to perform construction party. This means principals and general construction. So my advice is to be functions on the property must ensure contractors, including those who are careful. Verify that the contractors that the contractor has WSIB coverage. not in the construction industry. For doing work on your site are meeting all To accomplish this, the hiring party must example: the requirements of the WSIB. ensure that a WSIB clearance certificate • A general contractor hiring a If a contractor suggests that they have is in place. As stated on the WSIB sub-contractor to help on a an independent operator status letter website, “the party being hired must have construction job is a hiring party (these letters only applied until December WSIB coverage and report and pay their • A restaurant owner hiring a 31, 2012), they are no longer valid. premiums on time so they are eligible construction company to do As representatives of your individual for a clearance”. A clearance is valid renovations on the restaurant organizations, I believe it is imperative for up to 90 days from the date of issue. is a hiring party that you ensure that your workplace is As the hiring party, you must make sure following these new rules. ■ • A landlord hiring a contractor that there is a valid clearance in place for to build a new garage on a rental the full duration of the contracted work property is a hiring party being performed. DougJohnson, A clearance proves that the business • A municipality, university or other Consulting, you have hired is properly covered by the institution hiring a contractor/ Safety and First WSIB. This means that the hiring party is subcontractor to do construction Aid Supplies, not liable for any unpaid premiums that work is a hiring party. WHMIS Training, the contractor/subcontractor should There are a couple of exemptions. SAFETAID have paid to the WSIB. The main exemption is that homeowners Tel: 519-837-0997 This bill provides that doing non­ and home renovators working on their Fax: 519-837-1996 exempt construction work without a own do not require WSIB coverage. doug@safetaid.ca valid clearance is an offence under the Another exemption is that one officer, LARGE TREE SALESAND RELOCATION www.mastersturfsupply.com Phil Dickie-ISA Certified Arborist ON-0309A pdickie@fastforest.ca P.O.Box 629 Office: 519-510-TURF (8873) 80 William St. W. Fax:519-510-8875 270 Shoemaker Street, Kitchener, ON N2E 3E1 Harriston, ON, NOG 1Z0 Email: mastersturf@wightman.ca P: (519)748-6610 • F: (519) 748-6626 • www.fastforest.ca OFF THE FAIRWAY TheJapanese beetle trap beside the 10th fairway was the most successful, filling the trap approximately eight times over eight weeks. The Great Beetle Battle y first introduction to the joys of battling the Japanese could spend all day every day hand picking the offensive M beetle was when I was interning in a rose garden in Philadelphia. Along with our twice a week deadheading creatures, not exactly the most practical solution. So in doing some research to find a more effective resolution, routine, one of my colleagues would faithfully carry around I thought I hit the jackpot when I learned about Milky his coffee can of soapy water that he joyfully drowned the Spore disease, a naturally occurring bacterial spore, Bacillus beetles in. When he was feeling particularly vengeful, he popilliae, that is applied to the soil. The grubs feed on it, the gained additional pleasure dismembering them first with his spores reproduce within the grub, thus killing the grub. So pruners. Whether it’s the adults buzzing around annoying I tried to find a supplier, only to discover that this product golfers or decimating the is not registered in Canada. plants in our gardens or the Unfortunately, the cost to grubs destroying lawns, I think register a product such as this, I can safely say that this non­ and the amount of research native creature is an enemy and time that would be to horticulturists and turf required to make this a reality, managers alike. has put this option out of reach So what can we do about for the time being. Adequate it? During beetle season, temperature is also necessary generally starting mid- for its effectiveness, so it is late June and ending mid­ apparently less successful in September, I always keep a Canada and takes longer to Gatorade bottle with soapy achieve adequate control. water in my golf cart, prepared So... back to the drawing to hand pick whenever I drive board and my trusty Gatorade by an infested area. Although bottle. In the past I’ve always it has seemed to be my only shunned the use of pheromone option, I’ve never felt it really traps because everyone says accomplished a lot in the Up close with beetles in a trap. Empty them early in the morning they attract more beetles, whole scheme of things. I when they are less likely to escape, into a bucket of water to drown them. thereby increasing overall One of the first traps to be emptied was overflowing after less than 24 hours! plant damage close to the trap. I was convinced to change My five humble traps were my thinking last winter at our Gardener’s Seminar when filled a total of approximately one of our speakers and a few of our attendees vouched for 21 times over the course of their use. I also found an interesting piece (Google ‘Garden 8 weeks. One guesstimate is Rant Japanese Beetles’) that points out some key things to that a full trap holds about remember when using traps. He also concluded his rant 4,000 beetles. That’s 84,000 with a simple but convincing argument: ‘Less breeding, less beetles, which may not seem like beetles, more roses.’ a lot compared to the millions Thus begins my Japanese beetle trapping experiment, that are out there, but consider the which is far more observational than scientific, but hopefully implications. For arguments sake, it will provide some insight and encourage some trapping of if half of those were female, which your own if you haven’t already tried it. each lay 40-60 eggs a season, that’s To start with, I ordered five Tanglefoot traps with floral approximately 1.5-2.5 million fewer and sex lures to attract both the female and male beetles. eggs that may become grubs feasting on I opted for the hard plastic reusable base as opposed to turf roots or adults feasting on any of the 300 the bags to make emptying the traps easier. I selected four plant species they are partial to. The more I think about it, sunny, open garden locations to hang the traps, and put the more I like the Garden Rant philosophy; less breeding, the final trap out on the golf course in a particularly nasty less beetles, more roses. ■ breeding ground. The ideal height to place the traps is a point for further experimentation, as some recommend 90-150 cm above the ground and others say 13 cm will put Brenda Forder, Head Gardener the traps in prime Japanese beetle flight path. Donalda Club, Toronto, ON This season my first beetle sighting was on July 3. Ideally Phone: (416) 447-5575 x 273 I should have set the traps out right away, but unfortunately Email: bnoble@donaldaclub.ca I did not get them out until July 17. Over the 8 weeks that www.donaldaclub.ca followed I emptied the traps ranging from every day at the beginning to once a week near the end when populations were tapering off. I also continued to manually pick off beetles as often as possible. One trap I moved half way through to a more heavily infested area. My most successful and satisfying catch was the trap out on the 10th fairway which I checked just under 24 hours after I first put it out. It was overflowing with beetles, so I can only imagine how many more I would have caught if I had emptied it multiple PASSION. IT DRIVES OUR times over the same period. A couple of observations I made: Warmer, sunnier days did indeed seem to bring in a greater harvest of beetles TURFGRASS. than cloudy, wet days, which agrees with the literature that says beetles are more active on warm, sunny days. One trap was in a little more shade than I would have liked due to placement limitations, and it didn’t attract quite as many 12 VARIETIES AND SPECIALTY BLENDS beetles as I thought it would, given the size of the population in the area. I also noticed that traps in closer proximity INCLUDING ECO-SOLUTIONS™ to the golf course generally caught more beetles, possibly implying that populations were denser on the golf course and the idea that traps attract more beetles to the site may hold some validity. If you have a small backyard garden and you’re merely concerned with your own rose bushes this may be an important point to consider. However, on a 250 acre property, I’m quite pleased to catch any beetles that find their way into the trap! It is recommended that placing several traps over a large area is most effective in combating the ‘traps attract more beetles’ argument. In a residential situation this means convincing all your neighbours to have traps. Our property has approximately 150 acres of maintained land, so at the recommended density of 4 traps GREENHORIZONS SOD FARMS per 1/2 acre, that would be 1200 traps on our property alone!! HAMILTON: 905.389.1315 Unless a budget exists to pay a couple people to spend 3 CAMBRIDGE: 519.653.7494 months dedicated to emptying traps and killing beetles, this WWW.JUSTSODIT.COM is obviously not a viable solution. ON THE ROAD AGAIN Fans of Golf t was recently stated that the use of fans in putting green I management represents the best new fungicide released on the market. Traditionally a tool exclusively utilized by golf course superintendents located in the transition zone to help putting surfaces survive periods of oppressive heat, slowly, their usage has started to expand into the Northeast. More specifically, I have noticed the increasing use of fans in my travels throughout the Greater Toronto Area. For Adam Zubek, Golf Course and Property Manager at the Mississaugua Golf and Country Club, the implementation of fans in the summer of 2012 around selected greens sites helped Fan installed adjacent to 17th green at Magna Golf Club. improve plant health on greens with a history of microclimate issues. “We were initially able to sell the concept to the site. “As superintendents, we are always walking a fine line in membership with a portable gas powered fan,” says Zubek. “We regards to putting green management. The addition of a fan has would alternate the fan between two green sites throughout the helped eliminate some of the problems we would traditionally day and quickly saw improvement in overall plant health.” The see in the heat of the summer,” says Steve. A permanent fan, immediate results sold us on installing permanent fans on two which is electric and thus quieter, was chosen over the portable greens which freed up the portable fan to be used elsewhere.” It gas powered fan largely due to noise considerations for both must be noted that despite the up-front cost savings of a portable members and neighbours. “Any detraction for an aesthetic level fan, over time, the savings can be lost when labour, equipment has not been a concern to the membership,” says Steve. “They and fuel considerations are factored in. can live with a fan permanently located by the green, but they Similarly for Steve Holmes, Superintendent at Rosedale Golf would not be as accepting of hearing a gas powered engine run Club, the installation of a fan by one of his greens has been all day long.” an additional tool to help manage an otherwise problematic At Weston Golf Club, the installation of two fans came to be solely through serendipity. “The ongoing Union Pearson (Express) Metrolinks project gave us access to power to run fans,” says Superintendent Rob Ackermann. When asked what factors seem to be involved with the increasing use of fans in the local golf community, Ackermann credits the confidence gained Colour through USGA findings, a successful track record south of the border and a capable local supplier/installer as being potential Well Played reasons. “It’s important to note,” says Ackermann, “that fans work best in conjunction with solving other microclimate issues Douglas Wood such lack of sunlight. Take care of your tree issues and use fans, Large Tree Service then your problem greens can go from worst to first.” In terms of fan placement, the tendency can be to place the fan can add fall colour as far away from the green as possible in hopes to shield the fan to your course from eyesight. To this point, USGA agronomist Adam Moeller with the help cautions, “I have seen a lot of good looking Kentucky Bluegrass of Paul Hanousek, around fans that have been placed too far away.” Also, it is no Certified Arborist longer uncommon to see more than one fan beside a green, depending on the size, shape and other surrounding factors with your green. Ideally, the bottom of the fan should be blowing approximately four feet above the green surface. So, if you have finally given up on Mother Nature and are considering a fan, whether portable or not, do not forget to put some thought into www.douglaswood.ca the placement and the number of fans required per green. ■ Paul Hanousek, Certified Arborist Members of CGSA, OGSA, ISA and 0CAA Paul Grotier Direct Solutions - A Division ofAAT 1.800.353.3019 Phone: (416) 508-6115 T. 519.856.2771 • F. 519.856.1447 P.O. Box 339 Rockwood ON Email: pgrotier@agriumat.com Canada NOB 2K0 www.turfpro.ca LOOKING BACK Twenty Years Ago Today he 1993 Board of Directors of the OGSAwere: David Gourlay his Executive Committee were congratulated on putting together T (pres.), Eagle Creek, Bruce Burger (vice.), Lakeview, Rhod Trainer (past), Hamilton, Alex Labelle (sec.), Carlton, John an excellent show and for raising over $50,000 for the GTI. Approved at the meeting was the creation of a new classification Taylor (tres.), Twenty Valley, Doug Suter (newsletter editor), for students (S). Credit Valley, Simon George, Oakville, Rick Serrao, Glendale, The Guelph Turfgrass Institute Building was officially opened Ken Nelson, Sutton Creek, Ian Bowen, Oshawa, David on August 26th. Dr. Clayton Switzer was the master of ceremonies Schemelefske, Merry Hill and Mark Schneider, Owen Sound. and the building was named the G. M. Frost Research and ON THE MOVE: Dennis Pellrene moved from Scarboro Golf Information Centre, after Mac and Beth Frost, in recognition Club to Capilano Golf Club in Vancouver. Dennis’ assistant Keith of their donation to the building fund. Thom Charters was Rasmus replaced him at Scarboro. Scott Dodson moved to Park the president of the Ontario Turf Research Foundation. The Country Club of Buffalo and his assistantJohn Cockerill took over OGSA office was moved to the Guelph Institute Building at the at Summit. Warren Vout moved from Cedar Brae to Brampton University of Guelph. Golf Club and Bob Burrows from Cornwall to Highland Golf The RCGA, the USGA and the New York Audubon Society Club in Montreal. formed a co-operative programme called the Co-operative Sanctuary Programme for golf courses. NEW MEMBERS: Ron Izynski, Huron Oaks (B), Joseph Spotts, Mobile Communication (E), Daniel Yake, Pike Lake TOURNAMENTS: The President/Green Chairman/ (F), Randy Hooper, Beachgrove (B), Robert Calder, Loyalist Superintendent/Director event was held at the Burlington Golf (F), Gregory McFarlane, Bayview (S), Brad Harman, Greystone and Country Club on July 13th, hosted by Pelino Scenna. The (F), Jeff Stauffer, Oshawa (F), Ron Robinson, Cutten Club winning team was also Pelino’s team from Burlington. The Pro (F), Ted Bishop, Rolling Meadows (A), Scott Gardner, Echo Superintendent Tournament was held on September 7th at Blue Valley (F), Keven Bennett, Westminster (B), John Whitcombe, Springs Golf Club, hosted by Ted Ellis. Forty teams competed Rosedale (F), Michael O’Farrel, Rosedale (F), Tom Patterson, and the winning team was from Weston, Thom Charters and Eagle Ridge Tree Movers (E), Jay Grant, Streetsville Glen (B), Herb Holzcheiter (pro). Second was Warren Vout’s Cedar Brae Paul Lemieux, Kingsville (A), Garry Sutherland, National (F), team and third was Robbie Robinson’s Hidden Lake team. John Cherry, National (A), Tim Waghorn, Peel Village (B), Rob NEW PRODUCTS: Hutcheson Sand and Mixes introduced Gatto, Kings Forest (B), Barb Donahue, Hamilton Heights (F), a product called netlon that contains plastic mesh to reduce Chris Beechey, Galt (F), Jim Flett, Muskoka Lakes (B), Colin compaction and bare spots on heavy traffic areas. The Toro White, Donalda Club (F). hydroject, introduced by Turf Care a few years earlier, was approved for use with wetting agents. ■ IN MEMORANDUM: Scott Richmond, of Hutcheson Sand and Mixes, passed away on January 30th as a result of a snowmobile accident. Also, John Mandarick, superintendent at Carlisle G C, passed away from cancer at 31. Barry Endicott EVENTS: The Ontario Turfgrass Symposium was held at the Retired Golf Course Superintendent University of Guelph in January with over 1,500 people attending. Brampton, Ontario Dr. James Beard was the keynote speaker and Dr. Chris Hall gave Tel: 905-846-1440 us an update on the progress of the GTI building. The OGSA Email: barry. endicott@gmail.com had their annual meeting at the show and Bob Heron and Dan Uzelac were honoured as 25-year members. Paul Dermott and David C. Smith, P.Ag., C.G.C.S. 185 Oriole Crescent Corrie Almack P.Ag. Soil & Turfgross Consultant Gravenhurst, Ontario P1P1C6 Almack Agronomic Services Inc. Tel: (905) 689-6174 Office (705) 687-SOIL (7645) Box 256, Carlisle, ON Cell: (416) 580-5152 Fax (705) 687-3518 Toll Free 1 -888-607-TURF (8873) LOR 1H0 Email: c.almack@sympatico.ca Cell (905) 512-6004 dave@dcsturf.com TURF OR CONSEQUENCES I Wish I Had Known There Would Be So Much Typing by Doug Breen, Superintendent GolJNorth Properties n 1982, I was in grade ten. I took grade nine typing with my I buddy Gary to meet new girls. We were the only guys in the class, sat at the very back, were a constant disruption, and not surprisingly, never actually learned how to type. At the time, we envisioned a Jetson-like future filled with video phones, answering machines, talking computers, service robots, and zero paper. To us, learning to type was like learning Latin or how to use a slide rule. If you’d told me that by the time my kids were in grade ten, that their primary means of communication politics of who used who’s mug without asking, or why nobody would be through text, even though each of them would carry but me ever cleans the microwave in the lunch room. I once around a Star Trek style computer with them at all times - I’d saw two grown men get into a fist fight over a stool. Ever see have shaken my awesome feathered mullet at you, and slapped two wait staff get into an argument about splitting tips? Lots of the knee of my acid washed jeans at what a ridiculous thought young people who can’t make change to save their lives, can do that was. I wish someone had told me that there would be so advanced calculus if there is a tip involved. Politics are eternally much typing. bound to people, and treading lightly through that minefield is Truth is, there are many things that really didn’t turn out the most important people skill of all. the way I thought that they would thirty years ago. I’m still Speaking of calculus, I wish that someone had told me that pretty annoyed about the jet pack and the four-day work week there would be so much math. I literally use algebra all the that I was promised - neither of those have appeared. Nobody time. To all those kids who asked their math teacher, “when warned me that by the time I was forty-seven, that I really will I ever use this in real life?” - it’s me! I’m the one using wouldn’t do anything. Rather, that my entire life would be it. We live in a world of spreadsheets and budgets and payroll spent in communication and people management, most of that reports, and purchase order forms - all math, all on computers, through e-mail (more typing). Growing grass is actually the all involving more typing. easy part. The challenge is that staff are people, customers are Another thing that nobody warned me about, was that we’re people, owners are people, management are people, heck even really all in sales. Every person on the course who comes my wife and kids are people. More superintendents lose their into contact with a customer affects sales, either positively or jobs over poor people skills than will ever lose their jobs over negatively. It doesn’t matter if it’s the pro shop attendant, the kid technical gaps in their knowledge, because good social skills on the weed eater, the dining room staff, or the superintendent. will allow one to negotiate the technical skills lacking. The overall experience of the golfer, and ultimately whether And where there are human beings, there will be politics. or not they’re likely to be a return customer, is the sum total There’s the obvious politicization of water, pesticides, labour of all of their interactions. But we’re also constantly selling inspectors, and tree saving by-laws; but there’s also the human within the company. We sell “up” to management (projects, budgets, capital purchases, and contracts). We sell “down” to staff (motivation, vision, standards, expectations). It’s all sales, all human interaction, all typed reports. If I’d known then, what I know now, Gary and I would have paid a lot closer attention to what we were supposed to be learning on the keyboard. I can still type with my right hand, while I hunt and peck with my left, which results in a particularly painful halting style of typing that would have made my teacher scream in horror. On the positive side though, Gary and I have both done very well in life, mostly due to the social skills that we Compost Based Topdressing & Construction Mixes honed in that class while we were supposed to be keystroking (a USGA Spec. Sand & Mixes word which still makes me giggle a little bit). But I still wish that someone had told me that there would be so much typing - I WWW.TPCSAND.COM INFO@TPCSAND.COM 705.888.2689 could have been so much better prepared. ■ Some hazards are obvious Others are not Protect your turf against a full range of insect and disease pests with Quali-Pro®. Keep your course looking its best with time tested premium Quali-Pro turf protection products. Support choice and fair pricing: ask for Quali-Pro products by name. A superior formulation Same a.i. as Same a.i. as Same a.i. as A unique Same a.i. as with the same a.i. as Banner® MAXX Merit® 75 WSP Merit® 0.5G pigment spray Primo MAXX® Rovral® Green GT pattern indicator For further information please contact Don Surgeoner, Canadian Quali-Pro Manager at (519) 535-2409 email dsurgeoner@manainc.com or visit www.quali-pro.com/qualipro-canada/ ™ Know the Sign is a trademark and ® Quali-Pro is a registered trademark of FarmSaver.com, LLC. All others are registered trademarks of their respective companies. 12038.07.13 PUT A PROVEN CHAMPION ON YOUR GREENS. Introducing the Multi Pro® 1750. The advanced spray system design of the extremely successful Multi Pro® 5800 is now available in a 175 gallon size. From aggressive agitation, faster response, consistent and accurate application rates and intuitive rate set up, to precise vehicle control, this sprayer has it all. But don't take our word for it, call your Turf Care Sales Representative for a free demo and see for yourself. www.turfcare.ca TURF CARE PRODUCTS CANADA TURF CARE Helping your business grow. 200 Pony Drive, Newmarket, Ontario, L3Y 7B6 Phone: 905-836-0988 | Fax: 905-836-6442 London: 519-668-7664 | Scarborough: 416-298-2101 Mississauga: 905-836-0988 x 5404 | Ottawa: 613-821-1880 ©2013 The Toro Company. All rights reserved.