Spring 2O15 Green is Beautiful The Official Publication of Ontario Golf Superintendents' Association Using Social Media to Reach Members: #AreThey Listening? ALSO INSIDE THIS ISSUE: The Toronto Board of Trade Turns 50 The Performance Review Understanding Biochar CANADA POST PUBLICATIONS MAIL PUBLICATIONS AGREEMENT No. 40027105 Postmaster: Please return undeliverable copies to The OGSA, 328 Victoria Rd. S., Guelph, ON N1L OH2 Proper turns have been out of your control. Until now. The new A Model Mowers from John Deere Now your presence can be felt on every pass. Thanks to the TechControl display on our new A Model mowers, the Turn Speed screen lets you slow down a mower to a percentage of the mowing speed as the cutting units are lifted after a pass, greatly reducing scuffing. You can also plug in mow and transport speeds, service reminders and receive diagnostic feedback quickly and accurately. And all of your operators can now mow in a more consistent fashion. Visit JohnDeere.ca/Golf or contact your John Deere Golf distributor to learn more. Trusted by the best courses on Earth. JohnDeere.ca/Golf PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE Green is A fter speaking with many fellow superintendents around the province, most courses have emerged from the winter with Beautiful The Official Publication of Ontario Golf Superintendents’ Association minimal or isolated damage to their turf. This is a pleasant change from the widespread turf related issues that we experienced last spring. However, there are reports of extensive damage to Editor numerous irrigation systems and I hope that each property recovers Justin Parsons from their troubles in a timely manner. justinparsons@engageagro.com The OGSA board continues to be busy this spring and we are constantly looking at ways to more effectively promote and serve Publisher & Advertising Manager by John McLinden all our members. Surveys are a vital source of information to the Terry Davey OGSA President board and we offer thanks to all those who have completed surveys terry@blenheim.ca in the past so that we can continue to provide the best service and Tel: 877-618-8696 ext. 102 value possible. One issue we are regularly receiving comments about is the IPM public meeting. Our statistics over the last three years are showing that attendance at these Administration Manager Diane Davey meetings is dwindling. I would like to report that we have formally submitted a request to the Ministry of Environment proposing a change to the current state of the public diane@blenheim.ca meeting. We hope to have a response from the MOE in the near future and will inform Tel: 877-618-8696 ext. 103 all members once we are notified. Production & Design Promotion of the golf course superintendent and the OGSA continues to be a priority Jeanette Thompson with the board. As a chapter of the GCSAA we do have access to many of their resources. jeanettethompson@mac.com One of these resources is in the form of grants for association promotion. We have Tel: 877-618-8696 ext. 101 been in discussions with the GCSAA and they are quite willing to provide the OGSA Green is Beautiful is published four times with a grant for a television commercial and possibly radio ads. The production of the a year (November / March / June / August) advertisement is in the works and will be airing the spot at some point this summer by Blenheim INK for: during an Ontario golf event. Finally, I wish continued success to all as we enter into the most stressful part of the season. ■ Premium Products Ontario Golf Superintendents' Association for all Your Turf Needs Sally Ross, Executive Manager Guelph Turfgrass Institute P0 Box 7, Waterloo, ON N2J 3Z6 328 Victoria Road South Guelph, ON N1L0H2 Tel: 519-886-0557 Tel: 519-767-3341 Fax: 519-886-0605 Toll Free: 877-824-6472 1-800-465-5849 Fax:519-766-1704 www.oscturf.com Email: manager@ogsa.ca www.ogsa.ca Don't miss out - Published by Blenheim INK book your ad today! Administration Office: 503-5340 Lakeshore Road Burlington, ON L7L 7A8 Next advertising deadline is: July 15,2015 Production Office: To book, contact: 1727 King Street East, ADVERTISING MANAGER: PRODUCTION MANAGER: Cambridge, ON N3H 3R6 Terry Davey Jeanette Thompson terry@blenheim.ca jeanettethompson@mac.com Toll Free: 1-877-618-8696 Tel: 877-618-8696 ext. 102 Tel: 877-618-8696 ext. 101 Fax:519-340-0293 www.blenheim.ca INSIDE THIS ISSUE INDEX OF ADVERTISERS ALLIANCE AGRI-TURF 8 www.allianceagri-turf.com ALMACK AGRONOMIC SERVICES INC. 29 AQUATROLS 5 www.aquatrols.com BAYER www.bayeres.ca 28 BRAEMAR BUILDING SYSTEMS 12 www.braemarbuildinos.com DCS AGRONOMIC SERVICES 24 DOUGLAS WOOD LARGE TREE SERVICE 18 www.douqlaswood.ca ENGAGE AGRO 7 www.enqaqeaqro.ca EVERGRO 19 FAST FOREST 24 www.fastforest.ca GREEN HORIZONS GROUP OF FARMS 23 16 Feature: www.JustSodit.com JOHN DEERE 2 To Tweet or Not to Tweet- www.JohnDeere.com/Golf Is It Even A Question? MANA QUALI-PRO www.quali-pro.ca 31 MASTER'S TURF SUPPLY LTD. 29 www.mastersturfsupplv.com In This Issue OMNI SAFETY SOLUTIONS 30 www.omnisafetysolutions.ca 10 The Toronto Board of Trade 20 The Architect's Take: ONTARIO SEED COMPANY 3 Celebrates 50 Years The Bunker Trap www.oscturf.com 13 The Performance Review PD. SOLUTIONS 25 www.odsolutions.ca Key to Successful Relationship and 22 Understanding Biochar Looking at biochar as a PLANT FOOD COMPANY 12 Organizational Culture www.plantfoodco.com root zone amendment SANDMAN BUNKER INC. 23 www.sandmanbunker.ca Regular Contributors SCS CONSULTING GROUP LTD. 13 www.scsconsultinaqroup.com 3 President's Message 24 Health and Safety SHERIDAN NURSERIES 27 www.sheridannurseries.com 5 Editorial Message 25 Best of the Blogs TURF CARE PRODUCTS CANADA 21, 32 www.turfcare.ca 14 Member Profile 26 Off the Fairway TURF PROFESSIONALS CHOICE 8 Stuart Bradshaw, Superintendent, www.tpcsand.com Camelot Golf & Country Club 29 Looking Back UNITED AGRI PRODUCTS INC. 9 www.uap.ca 14 Golf Course Highlight Camelot Golf & Country Club 30 Turf or Consequences ZANDER SOD CO. LIMITED 18 www.zandersod.com GREEN IS BEAUTIFUL GREEN IS BEAUTIFUL 2015 Green is EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Although every effort is made to check Beautiful The Official Publication of Ontario Golf Superintendents’ Association Justin Parsons Christian Kuhn material for publication, the association is not Alan Dolick Reg Langen responsible for material published on behalf of Cam Shaw Cory Janzen its contributors. Kevin Kobzan All rights are reserved by the publisher and ON THE COVER any reproduction in whole or part without the written permission of the publisher is prohibited. Alex Slabczynski, Westmount Although some trade names may be mentioned Golf and Country Club OGSA is committed to serving its members, in articles contained in this publication, no Photo courtesy: advancing their profession, and enriching endorsement is intended or implied by the Jeanette Thompson the quality of golf and its environment. Ontario Golf Superintendents' Association. EDITORIAL MESSAGE RENAMEOur Ma It’s probably safe instant outreach to hundreds, thousands, to say at this and in the case of some well-known ce­ point that Twitter lebrities, millions. isn’t going any­ I would argue that our industry is still Green is Beautiful is where. At first, I trying to find the right way to fit it in. I seeking a new name. thought it was a fad know many superintendents who are very More in keeping with the that wouldn’t last, active on Twitter, some that will post an times and the nature of but over the last update sporadically, and still others that the industry. few years, it has be­ have no time for it at all. by Justin Parsons, Engage Agro Corp. come so ingrained As you will read in Robert Thompson’s Members, please send in both corporate article in this issue of Green Is Beautiful, in your suggestions to and personal marketing, that it would there are many viewpoints on this social take a revolutionary new way of commu­ media hub and how it should be used in manager@ogsa.ca nicating to render it obsolete. the turf world. The argument can cer­ The interesting thing to me is that tainly be made that it is not a necessity. If chosen from member submissions, the winner will be awarded an all inclusive some industries need Twitter, while oth­ However, what other way can you inform 2017 Conference registration and 3 nights ers are trying to find ways to fit it in. As members or the golfing public within five hotel. 2017 OGCM Conference to take I write this, the news of Mike Babcock minutes of them waking up that there is place in Niagara Falls at the Hilton Niagara signing with the Maple Leafs is spreading a frost delay? We may not have breaking Falls & the Fallsview Casino Hotel like wild fire throughout the sports world. news of the magnitude of Mike Babcock January 17th to 19th, 2017 Twitter was the vehicle used to break the signing with the Leafs, but we do have Send in your suggestions now, news, as it is now for every announcement messages that need to be communicated, there is no limit to the number of in sports journalism. Sure the traditional and some times, the speed at which they times you can enter. outlets still exist to put meat on the bones, get sent out is more important than the Deadline: August 31, 2015 but Twitter is the only means of providing format they are sent out in. ■ • Reduce runoff on It's more than "just" a penetrant. sloped turf areas by 20% or more • Enhance penetration and distribution of water and nutrients • Reduce water use on cool-season grasses by 25% or more • Maintain turf quality at reduced ET replacements rates 800-257-7797 • www.aquatrols.com WHAT'S NEW by Sally Ross, OGSA Executive Manager page count has been reduced. We have also as timing and location for future sessions. included the option for suppliers to have The OGSA would like to thank Glenn MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY colour ads. The new structure has provided Burgess from Skyway Lawn Equipment, The 2015-2016 Membership Directory us with some savings on printing costs, but as well as Neil Beech and Derek Brooker was included in the mail with this issue of the biggest change is that the white cover is from G.C. Duke Equipment and Dean Green is Beautiful. no more, after twenty years, we thought it Morison from Jacobsen. We hope to You will notice a few changes to the was time to change things up a bit! run other sessions for our technician directory this year. Addresses for golf clubs members, with participation from more of have been taken out of the superintendent SUPERINTENDENT our associate members. If there is subject lists and added to the club lists, and overall RECOGNITION PROGRAM matter you would like to see offered, or as the pages are slightly larger which means the Once again, the OGSA Directors will be a supplier member you have some expertise making presentations to superintendents you would like to share, please contact Sally who are hosting significant events at the OGSA office, or OGSA Education throughout the summer, starting this June. Director, Tim Muys. WELCOME to Our New Members GCSAA CHAPTER MEETINGS AND EVENTS OUTREACH GRANT With the season now in full swing the The OGSA has applied for and been OGSA Board met in person this past May Yanik Mayer Class F awarded $3,000 of financial support from and plans are to conduct online meetings Granite Golf Club the GCSAA to support a media campaign throughout the summer. in Ontario, using the Thank a Golf Course The President’s Day Tournament Kerri Mulder Class Supt Superintendent video customized for registration is now open and we hope to Scenic Woods Golf Club Ontario. Any funds received from the see many of our members at Lambton Golf Nufarm Agriculture Inc. Class E GCSAA require at least a matching & Country Club on July 13, 2015 for the contribution from the chapter. OGSA’s premier event of the season. Younility Inc. Class E A location for the Assistant’s TECHNICIANS TRAINING Tournament will be finalized shortly and A lunch and learn was held this past we hope we have a good turnout for the May with 12 technicians from around Alex McClumpha Memorial Tournament the area attending. Participants were on the first Monday of October at MARK YOUR CALENDAR surveyed for not only their feedback from Markland Wood Golf Club. the session itself, but also for what type of From the office, we wish all of you a UPCOMING 2015 OGSA training they would like us to offer as well great season. ■ Tournament & Events Presidents' Day Lambton Golf & Country Club Toronto, Ontario Monday, July 13,2015 Assistants' Tournament OTRF Golf tournament Location and Date To Be Announced Alex McClumpha Memorial Tournament Monday august 24 2015 Markland Wood Golf Club Toronto, Ontario Monday, October 5,2015 VISIT WWW.OTRF.CA FOR DETAILS Now Registered for Anthracnose! Because your budget is not a game. Phostrol® is the most cost effective phosphite fungicide for turf in Canada. It is an extremely systemic and unique phosphite fungicide that has both a direct and indirect effect on harmful turf diseases. Phostrol is an effective, convenient and flexible tool for the management of Anthracnose and Pythium blight. For more information on Phostrol please contact Engage Agro 1 -866-613-3336 engageagro.com Always read and follow label directions Phostrol is a registered trade-mark of Engage Agro Corporation Can/Am Challenge Recap by Sally Ross, OGSA Executive Director he 39th annual Can/Am Challenge T took place on April 27th, 2015 at Pointe West Golf Club in Amherstberg, Ontario with host superintendent Lamont (‘Monte’) Anderson. While the day dawned cold and moderately windy with a light rain, the rain subsided, however the sun never did appear and the golfers braved the cool and windy conditions. Despite the weather, all 68 of the registrants played and were treated to a course that was in outstanding condition considering the late spring and lack of warm temperatures. While the cup was originally presented to the Americans (26 to 25) and accepted by the first low gross team of Todd Genske OGSA President, John McLinden (right) presents the host superintendentplaque to Lamont (Monte) Anderson. (Eagle Crest GC) and James Higgs (Spartan Distributors) with a score of 70, a calculation error became apparent and after review the match scoring was changed (28 to 23) in favour of the Canadians. The Canadian first low gross team was John McLinden (Ladies GC of Toronto) and John Alpaugh (AllTurf), with a score of 72. American low net team winners were Dan Dingman (Birmingham Country Club) and Greg Matthews (Residex). Canadian low net winning team was Paul 1st place low gross teamfor the 1stplace low gross teamfor the Mark Durandfrom OSC happily Giordano (Bayer) and Doug Kennedy Americans, Todd Genske and Canadians, John McLinden and accepts theprize moneyfor the (Seven Lakes Golf Club). James Higgs. John Alpaugh. skins game. Second place low gross winners were Ben Neuman and Eric Davey for the The three closest to the pin winners added bonus of the prize monies being a Americans, and Dan Friesen (Orchard were Greg Brown (Essex G & CC), Rhod mix of Canadian and US dollars. View GC) and Mark Durand (OSC) for Trainor (Hamilton G & CC) and Gary All in all, an outstanding day at Pointe the Canadians. John Cooney and Dale Thommes (Red Run GC), while Aaron West! John McLinden acted as emcee Bauer garnered the second place low net for Campbell (Turf Care) captured the longest for the prizes and awards and thanked the Americans, and Trevor Morvay (Plant drive award. the host superintendent Monte, as well as Products) and Christian Kuhn (Pine Knot The big winner of the one skin awarded the outstanding staff at Pointe West for a GC) took the honours for the Canadians. was Mark Durand who won $335, with the successful event. ■ See us for all our Fertility & Plant Protection needs Custom Blending I Stabilized Nitrogen I Golf & Landscape Products I Speare Seed Dealers P.O. Box 370 Bolton, ON L7E 5T3 Telephone: 905-857-2000 Fax: 905-857-8215 Compost Based Topdressing & Construction Mixes alisona@agri-turf.ca | 1-800-268-4425 USGA Spec. Sand & Mixes www.allianceagri-turf.com WWW.TPCSAND.COM TPCSANDANDMIXES@ROGERS.COM 705.888.2689 9 ways to Healthy Turf respond® 3 grows your turf health University of Guelph was represented byfour teams at TurfBowl 2015. from the roots up The Road to Increased depth of water penetration: 1 Increases rooting depth Turf Bowl 2015 2 Aids survival in drought conditions 3 Favours deeper rooting grasses by Jon Jacques, Student, University of Guelph Water soaks in more evenly: fter a 170 kilometre drive to Buffalo and two planes rides, including A a four hour layover in Charlotte, North Carolina, the University of Guelph 2015 Turf Bowl teams had finally made it to San Antonio, 4 Avoids puddling Texas for the competition and the Golf Industry Show (GIS). 5 Helps with drainage Preparation started back in December and before we left for winter break we had the members of each of our four teams selected. When More even water distribution/retention: we returned in January, we knew we had to get things moving as Turf 6 Better use of water may reduce the need Bowl was only seven weeks away. Three times a week we would meet up for study sessions and practice quizzing. Since the program has for irrigation such a strong alumni, we decided to use that to our advantage and 7 Improved turf colour reach out to past U of G turfgrass alumni for guidance and assistance with our preparation for Turf Bowl. In the past, teams would organize Reduction in the symptoms of localized dry spot: themselves so that there would be one academically ‘stacked’ team, but with this group of students it made more sense to go with the 8 More even playing surface approach of having four well rounded teams. The majority of the GIS 2015 education sessions were held prior to 9 Healthier turf the competition. This gave us the opportunity to learn from the top professionals in the turf management industry. Thursday morning Grow your turf health of the GIS week was the day of the Turf Bowl exam, which included over 70 teams representing 20 schools from across North America. from the roots up with The University of Guelph sent the only Canadian participants. The U of G teams placed 22nd, 28th, 56th and 65th and were the proud recipients of the 2015 School Spirit award. On behalf of my fellow Turf Bowl participants, I would like to say a big thank you to our sponsors, The Ontario Golf Superintendents Association, Syngenta, GC Duke and the Student Federation of the Ontario Agricultural College. Without them this experience would not have been possible. I would also like to send a thank you to everyone who helped us prepare for the Turf Bowl exam and to those who participated in the Tweet rally on Twitter. Finally, I would like to Ontario & Maritimes: 1-800-265-5444 thank the other students who participated in the Turf Bowl for putting West: 1-800-561-5444 BC: 1-604-534-8815 in the hours of hard work studying and preparing for the competition. Quebec: 1-800-361-9369 This truly was a great experience and for all the future students, if www.uap.ca you get the chance to participate in Turf Bowl, I highly recommend it. Always read and follow label directions. Respond 3 is a registered trademark of Loveland Products, Inc It is an opportunity you will not regret. ■ The Toronto Board of Trade Celebrates Notable 50-year History by Sean Gunn, Superintendent, The Country Club ifty years ago a group representing F The Toronto Board of Trade decided to break ground in the small town of Woodbridge. Nestled in a valley aside the Humber River, 400 acres was given to Howard Watson where he sculpted two fantastic championship courses. Thanks to Watsons vision, we now have the East and West courses being visited by 75,000 plus golfers each season. The Board has built an amazing history in the first 50 years of its existence. It started with hosting the 1967 Carling World Open Championship, won by Billy Casper. Two decades later, it was the host site for the 1986 Gordon Witteveen and his team in 1974. LPGA Du Maurier Classic (one of the five majors), won by Pat Bradley. Over the years make the property a 45-hole facility, which With its rich history and its deep roots The Board has been blessed to have hosted it remains to this day. The South course was in the game of golf for the GTA region, some of the games greats like Jack Nicklaus, famous for being open all year long, with nothing is more impressive than the long Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Gary Player, many members playing during the winter list of people who have served on the Turf Nick Price, Lee Trevino, Ben Crenshaw, months. Sadly that came to an end along Team over the years. George Clarke was Chi Chi Rodriguez, Moe Norman, Craig with the curling rink in 1998. the first superintendent, with Bob Heron Stadler, Peter Jacobson, Stewart Cink, Jeff The Board of Trade changed its name to and Barry Endicott following. However, Sluman, George Knudson, Vijay Singh, The Country Club in 2006 when ClubLink it was Gordon Witteveen that had the Stuart Appleby, Annika Sorenstram, Lori took over ownership and together the two longest tenure as superintendent and acted Kane and countless celebrities. companies have continued to deliver a great as a mentor to so many turf managers in our In 1981 the South course was added to golfing venue. industry today. A member of the Canadian With 50 years behind us, I thought it would really show how great this place is by mentioning all the people who have walked in and out of the famous green barn on Clarence Street. Here they are: Gordon Witteveen, (Deceased) Retired & Canadian Golf Hall of Fame Member Rob Ackermann Weston G&CC Herman Ackermann, St. George's G&CC Keith Bartlett, St. George's G&CC Nigel Rennie, AllTurf Bob Heron, Retired Ron Heesen, Nottawasga Inn Resort Brian Markham, Beacon Hall GC Bob Hale, Retired George Clarke, Retired Al Schwemler, Toronto GC Golf Hall of Fame, Gord served at the Jim Flett, Muskoka Lakes G&CC Board for 28 years before retiring in 1999. Cory Janzen, Westmount G&CC It is through those years that many, and I mean many, of today’s superintendents cut Brian Gouthro, Ashburn GC their teeth in the business. Rick Ziegel, Pumptronics Inc. I was lucky enough to work at the Board during Gord’s retired years in which he Greg O'Heron, Peterborough G&CC played golf twice a week. We drove around Jennifer Pendrith, Kawartha G&CC the East/West courses many times together Natalie and Albert Stok, Harbourview G&CC and each time he had an amazing story about the history of every hole we were on. Kevin Wingerton, CFB Borden GC He was never shy to tell me his opinion of John Demko, Islington GC how the courses were presented, but he also wasn’t shy to offer some help or tips to get Peter Holt, Weston G&CC me through my first couple of years. back for an alumni golf day. The day will Rob Sloan, Cardinal GC On Monday, June 29th, the club will be consist of a shotgun golf event, followed celebrating its anniversary by having the by a dinner. If you are interested you can John McLellan, Ballantrae GC people who made this club famous come contact me at sgunn@clublink.ca. ■ Greg Fach, Terra Nova Resort & GC Mike Jackson, York Downs G&CC Patrick Greenman, Briars GC Barry Endicott, Retired Rob Bruce, Rosedale GC Jason Boyce, Smuggler's Glen G&CC Fred Marriott, Spring Lakes GC Chris Lecour, Evergro Dan Lavis, Tarandowah GC Sean Gunn, Board/The Country Club Sean Brillinger, Board/The Country Club Scott Paterson, Board/The Country Club Howard Houng, Board/The Country Club The maintenance team at The Country Club, 2015. 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 Wetting Agent Performance! Professional Products Distributed By: Regulate PLus Dual Action Wetting Agent +Salicylic Acid Everett Nieuwkoop 519-668-4397 everett@mastersturfsupply.com Regulate PLUS combines penetrants and water holding polymers to reduce water tension and promote even drying for a dramatic reduction of LDS (Localized Dry Spot.) FloThru™PLUS soil penetrant “breaks” water tension to eliminate “droplets” from spray Beneficial Soil Penetrant applications and ensures uniform spray coverage FloThru™ Plus also allows for even water +Salicylic Acid! movement through the soil structure, eliminating soil channeling. Salicylic Acid improves water efficiency within www.plantfoodco.com the turf plant. Follow us on twitter @PlantFoodCo The Performance Review Key to Successful Relationships and Organizational Culture by Mark Thompson, McKinley Solutions individual is working on for the betterment ADVANTAGES OF of the organization and themselves? We or most organizations, people genuinely recommend no more than 3-6 annual goals. REGULAR PERFORMANCE F are their most important assets. As These goals are not set in stone and can be such, you need to look after your people ifadjusted as needed on a quarterly basis. They REVIEWS: you want to get the best from them. One should be linked to the overall strategic plan of essential way that you can do this is with a the organization, and if there is not a strategic Detect and eliminate barriers well-run appraisal process. Not only does plan, then the overall goals of the organization to effective performance. this give you a regular opportunity to provide for that time period. feedback on how people can perform better In addition to regular individually, but it keeps you in touch with performance reviews, be sure to Pick up on dissatisfaction amongst employees them so that you can formally recognize their conduct exit interviews for all that may otherwise lead people to leave. successes, eliminate problems that are holding seasonal staff at the end of each them back, and help them achieve their own season. There are three reasons for career goals. So why are performance reviews making this part of your program. Focus people's efforts dreaded by all? Perhaps dreaded is too strong First, you have only one set of eyes in the right direction. a word, but it is safe to say that often times this and getting feedback from all staff is not everyone’s favourite experience. There is members provides a much deeper Motivate people to work towards a simple solution to this - change the process! view on the season. Second, it Performance reviews are typically done helps enforce the philosophy important goals. once per year and are a big time burden on the which we strongly believe - that manager. The reason that I most often hear your employees are your employees Helps them develop skills and competencies reviews are done this way is, “that is the way for 12 months a year even if they we have always done it”. are only with you for the summer necessary to achieve future objectives. It is important to remember that if you season. This sets a completely manage people then it is your responsibility different mindset for all involved. Celebrate their successes- to be involved in the performance review, no And third, it provides you a one else’s. Senior managers and department detailed overview of what you need to focus this is something that we should leads need to ensure that feedback is a part of on with your full-time team in the off season. do more of. the culture of the organization. Each feedback Superintendents and other golf course session is going to be unique based on the managers may feel there is no time to do dialogue between two people. If training is performance reviews other than once a year. needed, then make that happen - there is We suggest this may not be true if you change Be careful though, the most common mistake no excuse. Keep in mind feedback is critical how you look at the process. is not mapping this process out. For example, to the success of a direct report relationship. Every employee deserves 10-15 minutes spending 15 minutes with a direct report and Research shows that 82 per cent of people leave each quarter of focused one-on-one not staying on point with the objectives of an organization because of the relationship development time.These are often referred to the meeting or providing the staff member with their direct boss. Further to that, 74 per as “punctuation points”, where you can look warning that you will be having the meeting. cent indicate that they leave an organization back together at progress towards existing The idea is that these are two way meetings because of the lack of training and development goals, discuss and solve any related problems, with the majority of the talking being done by opportunity. Therefore, it is a double win to and celebrate particular achievements. the staff, not the manager. ■ institute effective performance reviews. As the saying goes, “if you always do what you have always done, you will always get Providing engineering solutions what you always got”. The reality is that performance reviews conducted once per to Ontario’s Golf industry. year just does not cut it. If you want to be an employer of choice, an organization that Engineering Design & Consulting Services people want to join and one where current Land Development & Approval Assistance employees are proud to work, you need to Permit & Regulatory Agency Approval Assistance make performance management and feedback part of the culture, not just a once a year thing. Irrigation & Drinking Water Supply Strategies Yes, there is a formal annual review for Stormwater Management & Erosion Control Strategies all full time staff, but the best also conduct GPS Surveying & Mapping Services a semiannual review as well. The process does not need to be complicated, but it does 30 Centurian Dr. Suite 100 Markham, Ontario L3R8B8 Phone 905 475 1900 Fax 905 475 8335 www.scsconsultinggroup.com need to be specific. What are the goals the GC HIGHLIGHT I MEMBER PROFILE Camelot Golf & Country Club 906 Quigley Hill Road Cumberland, Ontario, K4C 1H1 Tel: 613-698-8941 Stuart Bradshaw sbradshaw@camelot-golf.com Superintendent, Camelot Golf & Country Club www.camelotgolf.ca by Kevin Kobzan, Granite Golf Club friends in local school yards and teeing it up with his father on weekends. This ine to five - these three words are led to his first job in golf at Tyandaga N uncommon among turf professionals, Golf Course in Burlington as a back shop especially when so much time is devoted toemployee. About the Course our respective golf courses. Even though It wasn’t until after high school, when Camelot Golf & Country Club was designed by being a turf manager involves hard work he took on a summer job at Glen Abbey the renowned Canadian golf course architect, and dedication, many find this to be a Golf Club to save money for schooling Thomas McBroom. With a course rating of 73.9 career that offers great satisfaction which in the sports injury medicine field, that and slope of 136 from the back tees, the course allows for a true passion to be born. Ben Bradshaw’s appreciation for the field took has exceptional shot value, playability, design Hogan once said, “as you walk down the root. “After one season I was hooked; balance, memorability and aesthetics. fairway of life you must smell the roses for I believe they say the rest is history,” you only get to play one round.” says Bradshaw. “I loved walking greens Established: 1991 For Stuart Bradshaw, Superintendent first thing in the morning. Some of the at Camelot Golf and Country Club, views you are treated to as the sun rises Original Architect: Tom McBroom discovering his fairway of life came at are spectacular.” That fall he enrolled Type of Club: Private, Equity an early age and has blossomed into an at Seneca College for the Golf Course Number of Holes: 18 occupation which feels natural. Bradshaw Technician Program and has never looked was born outside Birmingham, England, back. Number of Rounds Annually: -25,000 but his first exposure and interest with After two seasons at Glen Abbey, Practice Facility: One acre grass tee deck with the game came when his family relocated Bradshaw continued his learning at six target greens. Chipping green with two to Burlington, Ontario at the age of eight. Hamilton Golf and Country Club, where bunkers, chipping green with approach and an Once in Canada, golf became a hobby. he spent seven years including five as the 8,000 ft2 putting green. Bradshaw found himself playing with assistant superintendent. There he found In the Hot Seat the golf course are beginning to show their Q: Favourite designer? age. “We are hitting that stage where we Q: Favourite golf tournament? A: Allister Mackenzie need a new irrigation system,” Bradshaw A: The Masters explains. “We spend a lot of time fixing Q: Favourite piece of turf Q: Ultimate foursome? leaks, some heads are not properly spaced, equipment? A: Wayne Rooney, Sir Alex the piping is undersized and it is showing A: Toro ProCore Ferguson, Warren Buffet more than ever. It’s hard when you hit this Q: Favourite golf course? Q: Lowest round and where? financial time and these big ticket items are A: Cypress Point Club A: 80 at Heron Point Golf Links coming up.” Overall, Bradshaw, who was recently elected to the Ottawa Valley Turfgrass Association Board, remains committed and still loves going to work every day. He himselfunder the tutelage of Superintendent something you can never train or be trained admits that finding a superintendent job was Rhod Trainer and his other Assistant, Tracy for. Every golf course is different and you difficult in the Greater Toronto Area and Fowler. “Rhod was my biggest mentor over are going to have different members and had to expand his search away from home. at Hamilton, we had a great relationship,” views. It is ongoing.” His advice, simply be “That was part of the issue. I had to look says Bradshaw. “It wasn’t until after I left honest with everyone you come in contact outside the GTA to get this opportunity as Hamilton that I realized how much he with and people will respect you more. there were no superintendent jobs in the actually taught me. I was always learning, This advice applies to how he handles area,” says Bradshaw. He gives a lot of credit but at times you don’t realize (how much) his staff as well. He has also adopted a new to his fiancée, Gillian Tuneguzzo, who has until you take a step back.” Bradshaw also approach with his employees, and that is supported him throughout his career, and credits Fowler for teaching and prepping to have individuals who are a bit older on supported his decision to relocate to Ottawa. him for maturing into an assistant’s staff because they tend to be a little more “At the beginning of our relationship she position. “You have to walk before you can committed to their job. “To be more was so patient; the hours are demanding but run and she would guide me through the efficient you need a staff that can do a little she always understood and stuck behind me expectations of the assistant’s role and how of everything, then you have a more diverse and supported me,” says Bradshaw. to do the day-to-day things.” staff and a group that will buy into you a At 31 years of age, Bradshaw has found In 2011, he took over the superintendent little more,” says Bradshaw. “We are trying his calling. His career motivates him and role at Camelot, embracing the opportunity. to be more budget conscious.” allows him to feel a great deal of pride. Although he has enjoyed the transition from With Camelot approaching the quarter When asked where he would like to be assistant to superintendent, the challenges century mark, new obstacles present in the future, his response is simply, “I am are different, such as dealing with members themselves, which is something Bradshaw happy where I am right now. Ask me in and boards, which tends to be a revolving accepts and is working towards overcoming. another 10 years”. ■ door of people. “The hardest part is the After undergoing a successful bunker political side of it,” Bradshaw admits. “It is renovation a few years ago, other areas of What You Need to Know Predominant Grass Type: Bentgrass Predominant Soil Type: Clay Type of Greens: USGA, Bentgrass, originally seeded to penncross Course Length: 7,047 yards from the tips Size of Property: 200 acres ©W AYNE CUDDINGTONJHE OTTAWA CITIZEN Size of Greens: 4 acres Size of Tees: 3.5 acres Size of Fairways: 23 acres Maintenance Challenges The 11th green. It is a par 3 that sits in a bowl surrounded by trees. To Tweet Or Not To Tweet - Is It Even A Question? As the online frontier emerges, superintendents grapple with the ROI on social media By Robert Thompson Scott White has a strong perspective on how social Of course White is deep into the world of social media. media should be used by golf course superintendents. He runs a blog for Donalda, in addition to his Twitter White took to Twitter recently to suggest that the men feed. But at the same time he wonders about the amount and women who grow grass on golf courses might of time spent on social media versus the payoff and consider separating their personal from professional amount of attention it draws. perspective when it comes to social media. It was met “I don’t think the balance is there,” he says. “It probably with mixed responses, but White, the superintendent doesn’t pay off when you get right down to it.” at Toronto’s Donalda Club, is convinced that the Social media is so vast these days that there are as many professionals who maintain Ontario’s golf courses need perspectives on how superintendents should use it as to filter their private life from their professional one. there are Tweets in a day. Should a superintendent utilize “To my way of thinking it is about separating church a blog to talk to golfers, or is that too time consuming for and state,” he says. “Some people have Twitter accounts too little return? Does sending a Tweet potentially bring for their personal life, mine is for work. It is a decision I the ‘super’ into conflict with a member, or is it the best made early on.” way to connect with golfers? Where does Facebook play Some people have Twitter accounts for their personal life, mine is for work. It is a decision I made early on. into all of this, and what’s the role be there,” he says. “But if you had a very #DecisonsDecisions of a course or club website? discerning membership that wanted a lot The truth is that social media of information on the course, that might be use by superintendents has been different.” evolutionary as they find different Truthfully, a lot of superintendents use uses and purposes for each part. Along the the concept of a blog, with its ability to post Some members way they are learning to sidestep the pitfalls pictures and add descriptions of what is were much more that come with being part of the public going on at their courses, as a jumping off media, with every Tweet and comment point for further social media interaction. connected because open to interpretation. Andrew Hardy, the superintendent at of it, but some didn’t David Kuypers, the former Newmarket’s Pheasant Run Golf Club, even know we were superintendent at Cutten Fields in uses Twitter prolifically, but started with doing it. Guelph, Ont., was an early adopter of his blog. Hardy uses the blog to talk about blogging for his club’s members. Now the evolution of the golf course where he #MixedMembers working for Syngenta Canada Inc., works, but also personalizes it, discussing Kuypers says the blog took a lot of his time, his children and their struggles as well. especially in the initial stages. Writing “A huge part of my life is the 300 acres I for members and the public can be time look after, but I have a lot more going on as consuming, Kuypers explains, and the well,” he explains. I don’t think there’s struggle superintendents face is balancing Hardy says his owner is entirely supportive that against the demands of their work. of his outspoken tone on his blog, and that any more risk than Initially Kuypers tried to reach members style gravitated to Twitter when he joined you’d have in any through the printed club newsletter, but in 2011. With more than 20,000 Tweets, discussion with a he found the time from the point where Hardy says he doesn’t have to be as careful member. There are he wrote the material until it appeared as a superintendent at a private club when meant it had little value. Blogging was it comes to espousing his opinion. That trolls in every walk more immediate, he says. But the more means the occasional expletive is fine, and of life, whether it is he blogged, the more he found only a he basically puts his perspective online with on Twitter or in person. handful of members paid attention to the few filters. I’m not going to hide material he was putting online. “What I can do is very different from “The reality is that it was frustrating,” he what someone [at a private club] can put from it. explains. Despite that, he continued at it. “It out there,” he says. #NoPressure became a big part of our communications One thing that anyone on social media strategy. But it took a massive amount of should consider is the potential blowback time and there are two elements to it— from a negative interaction. Weston Golf transmitting and receiving. Some members and Country Club’s Rob Ackermann had were much more connected because of it, but a public disagreement with a golfer soon some didn’t even know we were doing it.” after he started using Twitter, and addressed in every walk of life, whether it is on Twitter Doug Erwin, the superintendent at the issue head on. While others might feel or in person. I’m not going to hide from it.” Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ont., Twitter’s public nature is a potential problem In fact Ackermann views his usage of has also struggled with the issue of the for superintendents, Ackermann views it Twitter, where he posts numerous photos amount of time it takes for blogging. While differently. Because the whole issue was of what is going on at Weston, as putting Twitter is easy and quick, formulating his conducted in a public forum, every member the club in a positive light, especially among perspective in a blog is much more time at his club was able to see both sides of the younger, tech-savvy people who are coveted consuming, Erwin says, which is probably situation, which was quickly defused. as potential members by private golf clubs. why he’s moved away from the format. “I don’t think there’s any more risk “I’d say if I was to do it more often than you’d have in any discussion with a the return on investment just wouldn’t member,” says Ackermann. “There are trolls Continued on page 18... Twitter is such a Continued from page 17... to all the members, I’d simply stand on the great resource. I’ve first tee from 7 am to 10 am on a Saturday made so many friends “I look at Twitter as something that morning,” says Kuypers. “But that isn’t helps me be better at what I do,” he says. reasonable.” in the industry “It helps my profile within the club and it is Ackermann says he uses Twitter in the same because of it and a marketing tool for any new member who way as the notice board in the locker rooms. learned so much wants to learn more about Weston.” “It is just an extension of the other from what other While Twitter has caught on with many communication I do,” he says. “For me it is an superintendents, many act as observers as education tool for both me and my members.” people post. opposed to regular participants, and there Even though Donalda’s White has strong #Lifesaver are many others who aren’t engaged with perspectives on how Twitter should be social media at all. That’s a professional loss, used, he can’t imagine walking away from say those most active on Twitter, many of the world of social media. He agrees with whom use it as a resource to correspond Hardy and others that the connections he’s with others in the turf business. made within the turf sector far outweigh “Twitter is such a great resource,” says any potential challenges from social media. Which is why White, and other Hardy. “I’ve made so many friends in the “I use Twitter to constantly find new ways superintendents like him, will continue industry because of it and learned so much of doing things from my colleagues,” he says. to navigate the pitfalls and embrace the from what other people post.” “You can float a question and get a comment opportunities social media presents. ■ And even those who find social media from a local superintendent and someone time consuming recognize the alternatives from Naples, Florida. How else could I get Golf analyst for Global Television, and are limited. that? I could hire a plane to do skywriting the bestselling author of five books, Robert “If I really wanted to get a message out and it wouldn’t get the same reaction.” Thompson lives in London, Ont. Callus about our Turf Services Shade Delivering Strategy superior sod and Douglas Wood quality service Large Tree Service can add strategically • No. 1 Kentucky Bluegrass placed shade trees • Premium Bentgrass with the help of • Extreme Fescue Paul Hanousek, • Custom grown sod available Certified Arborist • Large or small rolls • Healthier, greener sod www.douglaswood.ca Paul Hanousek, Certified Arborist Members of OGSA, ISA and OCAA 1.800.353.3019 T. 519.856.2771 • F. 519.856.1447 Phone:877-727-2100 paulhanousek@douglaswood.ca www.zandersod.com P.O. Box 339 Rockwood ON NOB 2K0 17525 Jane St., RR #1 | Kettleby, Ontario | L7B0J6 For information on our premium turf products contact your Evergro representative 855.228.2828 evergro@cpsagu.ca Crop Production Services (Canada) Inc. Evergro Division The Architect's Take: The Bunker Trap By JeffMingay course in the process of developing plans Above: At Fircrest Golf Club's longpar 4 2nd hole, two green-side bunkers were removed and replaced with for improvement. Bunkers are remarkably a ridge thatfronts the right side ofthe putting suface, unkers are overrated—its the ground expensive to build and maintain these days, B that makes golf most interesting. On the best courses, slope, contour and so why not consider opportunities to fill in a few that do nothing to add to the playing creating a punchbowl"feature, and a mown slopefalling down to a short grass area below the level ofthe green, left. firm, slick turf, conspire to force golfers not interest, challenge or beauty of a course? only to consider yardage and ball flight, but Bunkers are an important visual feature. 20th century, Fircrest is an 8 km drive from more importantly, what their golf balls are They can certainly be made to be incredibly Chambers Bay, where the U.S. Open will be going to do when they meet the ground again. attractive. But no one really likes them. No played in June. Like Jones and Mackenzie, On such courses, bunkers are redundant and matter what’s done architecturally, golfers Macan advocated using as few bunkers as unnecessary other than to present some complain about playability and consistency. possible. His early 1920s plan for Fircrest variety. included 53 bunkers. Most 18- Bobby Jones and Alister hole courses these days have at Mackenzie loved this type of golf least eighty. and translated it beautifully to a The advantage at Fircrest is slope-y inland site m Georgia. Bunkers are an important visual feature. that the course occupies excellent When Augusta opened for play They can certainly be made to be incredibly ground for golf. The property during the early 1930s, the course is blessed with some links-like attractive. But no one really likes them. had just 22 bunkers. Drawing contour and just the right amount inspiration from the great links of elevation change to create (St. Andrews specifically), Jones interesting holes without requiring and Mackenzie thoughtfully golfers to climb mountains. routed Augusta, and manipulated terrain And golf course superintendents shake Using both Macan’s original plans and his where necessary, to create a course where their heads at the effort and monies they’re general design philosophy, I’ve managed to the ground genuinely dictates strategy and forced to spend on maintaining bunkers up whittle down the number of bunkers that presents a bulk of the interest and challenge. to the ridiculous standard held by too many will eventually dot Fircrest to about forty. I Today Augusta has 44 bunkers, which is contemporary golfers. That’s all the more actually anticipate leaving out a few more in probably about 22 (or more) too many. I’ve reason to consider eliminating a few. the process of implementing my restorative­ argued elsewhere that more than a dozen This is exactly what we’re doing at Fircrest based improvement plan there over the next of Augusta’s bunkers could be eliminated Golf Club, near Tacoma, Washington. few years. without detriment to the playing interest, Originally designed by Vernon Macan, an The club would then be wise to consider challenge or appearance of the course, even Irishman who pioneered golf architecture in using what’s saved from building and during The Masters. This is actually a very the Pacific Northwest after immigrating to subsequently maintaining fewer bunkers interesting and prudent way to look at any Victoria, B.C. shortly after the turn of the to invest in mowing more short grass, "The Volcano Hole" comprehensively improving drainage, and enhancing its sand topdressing program to firm things up. That way, like Augusta, the wonderful terrain at Fircrest will dictate strategy and provide a bulk of the playing interest and challenge. With that, those bunkers that cost so much to build and maintain, and cause so many headaches for golfers and course superintendents alike, are sincerely redundant. ■ Based in Toronto, JeffMingay is one ofCanadas best-known restoration architects. He's worked on a number ofnewprojects in Canada alongside designer Rod Whitman, including Sagebrush, Blackhawk, and Cabot Links. Right, top: Historicphoto ofFircrest Golf Clubs penultimate hole, the seventeenth. Affectionately referred to as “The Volcano Hole”, it was designed by A. V. Macan during the early 1920s. Fircrest openedforplay in 1923. Right, bottom left: Fircrest's “Volcano Hole” in its evolved state. pre-restoration. (Fall 2014} Right, bottom right: “The Volcano Hole” recently restored (March 2015). 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 L3Y7B6 • °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 1975-2015 www.turfcare.ca Helping Your Business Grow For Forty Years Understanding Biochar Looking at biochar as a root zone amendment and its environmental and financial impact by Andrew Krek, Assistant of plant biomass. The process of pyrolysis mimicked a mature biochar. The statistics Rosedale Golf Club burns the plant material in an environment show significant differences in root length absent of oxygen; this process creates and clipping yield. Based on the plants hen building a green, the USGA an ash like substance but preserves the ability to access a greater amount of W provides specifications for the structure of the original plant material. particle sizing of the sand for optimal nutrients and water during the period when fertilization ceased it can be concluded that, putting green performance. However, sand by nutrient loading a biochar the nutrients alone does not provide adequate water and remain available to the plant in the soil nutrient holding capacity to fully support Biochar is a viable solution and that growth is not significantly turfgrass growth. As a result, the USGA alternative to peat and can reduced when fertilization ceases. recommends a root zone amendment that It is hypothesised that biochar could also can be either organic or inorganic. be created without the be tailored by loading it to affect pH and Peat moss is the most common destruction of ecosystems. that the loading capabilities may not be amendment of sand-based greens. In limited only to plant available nutrients. comparison to most organic amendments, Further research is warranted. peat moss has better water and nutrient Biochar has a high nutrient and water COULD BIOCHAR BE USED retention and a significantly lower cost holding capacity. Fresh or new biochar TO REPLACE PEAT AS AN (Bigelow, 2004). Peat moss decomposes can hinder plant growth. It isn’t until after AMENDMENT? quickly which reduces its benefits over time. the biochar has accumulated a sufficient The properties of biochar allow it to be Peat moss is harvested from peat bogs. amount of nutrients on its exchange sites a more sustainable resource than sphagnum The harvesting of peat is heavily scrutinized that a normal exchange of nutrients is peat, lasting significantly longer in the because it involves an environmentally achieved and the full benefits of biochar environment. Research using biochar as disruptive process that destroys hundreds amendments become realized. a sand-based root zone amendment has of years or more of ecosystem development. Initial research conducted at the Prairie shown that biochar increases water and The loss of these ecosystems also displaces Turfgrass Research Centre (PTRC) at nutrient retention, cation exchange capacity the species that inhabit them adding to the Olds College in Alberta indicates that fresh (CEC) and anion exchange capacity, while importance of finding alternative materials biochar can be pre-treated in a nutrient decreasing bulk density (Brockhoff, 2010). in place of peat. solution to mimic the effects of a matured These properties are similar to peat and are WHAT IS BIOCHAR? biochar for new putting green construction. favourable for a root zone amendment in a Biochar is a by-product of the pyrolysis Nutrient loading the biochar successfully sand-based root zone. Left to Right: Experiment setup; Healthy tillering bentgrass; Control vs 10% charged biochar at end ofexperiment. The long term effects of biochar in a maintenance while also reducing chemical sand-based root zone for putting green use and exposure. Biochar represents a applications have not been examined. potential method to reduce the amount of HOW COULD BIOCHAR fertilizer used while ensuring plant health HELP THE TURFGRASS INDUSTRY? and improving the root zones ability to hold and exchange nutrients and water. As stewards of the environment, turf managers should be looking for newer, The breakdown of peat in the root zone is better ways to manage their courses while a contributing factor for having to renovate supporting the ecosystem within which or rebuild putting greens in time. Biochar it exists. Biochar not only supports breaks down significantly slower than peat, environmental preservation, it may reduce potentially reducing or eliminating the need to renovate or rebuild greens. ■ course maintenance costs. Biochar is a viable alternative to peat and Andrew Krek is the Assistant Superintendent can be created without the destruction of at Rosedale Golf Club in Toronto, ON. He ecosystems. holds a Turfgrass Management Diploma from The cost to fertilize is growing due to the Seneca College and a Bachelor of Applied increase cost of manufacturing. Biochar may Science degree in Horticulture, majoring in reduce costs associated with fertilizing and Golf Course Management from Olds College. Roots down Winches in the biochar root zone mixture REFERENCES: Brown, S., Krek, A., & Lees, B. (2012). Growth of creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris) in a sand­ Bigelow, C. A., Bowman, D. C., & Cassel, D. K. (2004). Physical propertires of sand amended with based root zone amended with a nutrient loaded biochar. inorganic materials or sphagnum peat moss. USGA Turfgrass and Environmental Research Online, 3(6), 1 -14. Retrieved October 27,2011, from http://usgatero.msu.edu/v03/n06.pdf This article has been based on the research conducted by Brent Lees, Sean Brown and Andrew Krek Brockhoff, S. R., Christians, N. E., Killorn, R. J., Horton, R., & Davis, D. D. (2010). Physical and mineral­ for the PTRC as part of an integrated project while completing their Applied Science Degree at Olds nutrition properties of sand-banded turfgrass root zones amended with biochar. Agronomy Journal, College. 102(6), 1627-1631. Don’t Replace... Renovate! Drainage Contammination Edging Sand Depth Washouts Weeds Trimming - Hand Raking “GREENHORIZONS EXCEEDED ALL EXPECTATIONS OF QUALITY AND SERVICE” - Mechanical Raking DOUG ERWIN, HEAD SUPERINTENDENT ANGUS GLEN GREENS RENOVATION, FALL 2014 Save 90% on the cost of bunker replacement. Sandman Bunker Inc. HAMILTON: (905) 389-1315 • CAMBRIDGE: (519) 653-7494 www.sandmanbunker.ca 1 -800-367-6995 WWW.JUSTSODIT.COM HEALTH AND SAFETY Every Second Counts hat a glorious day for a game ofgolf! The foursome arrives early The Heart and Stroke W in the morning with clubs polished and ready. As they enter the Foundation of Canada clubhouse sharing a few laughs, tragedy strikes. Andy collapses to the notes that improved ground and appears to have stopped breathing. Chances are he only designs have made them has minutes to live. “safe and easy to use by According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, up to 40,000 people with little or no cardiac arrests occur each year in Canada. That’s one cardiac medical background”. arrest every 12 minutes. Without rapid and appropriate treatment, Recreational facility staff, most of these cardiac arrests will result in death. Thousands of instructors, and even family lives could be saved through public access to automated external members can use today’s AEDs. defibrillators (AED’s). Being involved in a situation As many as 85 per cent of all cardiac arrests occur in homes and when someone around you experiences public places (Vaillancourt Sc Stiell, 2004). sudden cardiac arrest After more than 12 minutes of can be frightening. When ventricular fibrillation, the survival rate you combine CPR/AED training with from cardiac arrest is less than five per cent (Hazinski et al, 2004). Recreational facility staff, having one or more AEDs available on For every one minute delay in site, the odds greatly improve for the instructors, and even family members person ’s survival. defibrillation, the survival rate of a cardiac arrest victim decreases by seven to 10 per can use today's AEDs. If an AED cannot be easily reached cent (Larsen et al, 1993). by emergency services within four Combined with CPR, the use of an minutes, it’s worth developing an AED may increase the likelihood of AED program. How many devices survival by 75 per cent or more (Weisfeldt et al, 2010). should you have? Where should they be located? Who should Okay, there are a lot of abbreviations here. But in Andy’s have training on how to use them? These are critical decisions to situation—or perhaps someone you know—AEDs and CPR have make so that you are prepared when every second counts. life and death ramifications. What you should be aware of is that How prepared are you for such an incident? ■ approximately 85 per cent of SCA incidents occur outside of a health care setting. Please note that the above information in no way is intended as a training An AED is a portable, easy-to-use device that analyzes the guide on how to do CPR and use an AED. Proper certified instructionfrom heart rhythm of a person in cardiac arrest. If it detects a shockable an authorized vendor is advised. rhythm, the user is instructed to press a button to deliver a shock. This stops the heart in the hopes of allowing it to restart at a normal rhythm. If a shockable rhythm is not detected, no shock Bob Forsyth, CSP is given and the user must perform CPR. The AED units will OMNI SAFETY SOLUTIONS go back to the analyzing mode every two minutes (CPR is being Aurora, Ontario done in between the analyzing mode) and it will continue to assess Email: bob@omnisafetysolutions.ca whether or not to deliver a shock. Tel: 905-252-1234 LARGE TREE SALESAND RELOCATION David C. Smith, P.Ag., c.g.c.s. 550 Musquash Road Soil & Turfgrass Consultant Gravenhurst, Ontario Phil Dickie-ISA Certified Arborist ON-0309A PIP 1R2 pdickie@fastforest.ca Office (705) 687-SOIL (7645) Fax (705) 687-3518 Toll Free 1 -888-607-TURF (8873) 270 Shoemaker Street, Kitchener, ON N2E 3E1 Cell (905) 512-6004 dave@dcsturf.com P: (519) 748-6610 • F: (519) 748-6626 • www.fastforest.ca BEST OF THE BLOGS Sod Bunker Liners by Ryan Gordon, Superintendent, like each region of the country has a preference TPC Snoqualmie Ridge for the type of liner used in their bunkers. The About the blog Puget-Sound region is no different. This blog offers a behind the scenes look into e have a lot of bunkers here at TPC A very popular option in our area of the the art and science behind maintaining a Jack W Snoqualmie Ridge. One-hundred- fourteen bunkers. All of these bunkers were country has been to line the bunker floors with sod. Several local courses have recently Nicklaus signature course in the foothills of the Cascade mountains, 25 minutes east of Seattle. constructed right on top of the property’s native completed or are in the process of completing soil which is known as glacial till; a very dense bunker renovations in which this method tpcsrturfcare.blogspot.ca mixture of boulders, gravel and coarse sand. is employed. I recently had the privilege of This stuff is what is merely inches underneath attending a chapter meeting for our local Contributor: Ryan Gordon, Superintendent the white silica sand that is in our bunkers. superintendents association at Fircrest Golf Throw high annual rainfall amounts on top Club in which I was able to see this process of the sand (75 inches in 2014) and BAM, firsthand. The club is currently renovating it’s bunker or if you are playing for fun, you may you have frequent bunker washouts in which bunkers and as the picture below shows, they play it as it lies in the bunker. All we ask is the sand is pulled off the sides of the bunkers, are using the sod liner method. that you take extreme care when walking on exposing the rocks and gravel underneath As you can see, the process is relatively simple. the newly laid sod as not to disrupt any newly the sand. This is a perfect recipe for creating The floor of a bunker is lined with sod with the formed roots which will be very important for bunkers littered with unwanted debris such as exception of the drain lines to maximize the the anchoring process. silt, gravel and rocks. flow of water through the bunker sand. The We are excited to see how this project turns This is obviously a headache for the sod is laid down and given time to take root out and will be monitoring the results over the maintenance staff to maintain and frustrating which at this time of the year can vary between upcoming season. Perhaps, this could be our for golfers to play out of. The solution to this six to eight weeks. Once the sod is firmly solution to those burdensome rocks that plague problem actually has many options. There are a rooted, the grass is scalped down to stress the many of our bunkers. We shall see... ■ myriad of different types of liners on the market turf and/or sprayed with round-up, followed by that can be laid down on top of the subsoil on the smothering with new bunker sand. The thatch floor of a bunker prior to filling with sand in order layer from the sod is essentially what serves as to keep the two elements separate and minimize contamination of the bunker sand. It seems the liner that keeps unwanted rocks, gravel and silt from contaminating the clean bunker sand. ATTENTION! Through my years working in the industry, I have learned that what works somewhere else IPM Certified many not necessarily work here. We deal with many extremes here, especially as it pertains Agents to weather. I am not so sure that this method has the ability to hold up to our high rainfall amounts and the constant exposure that the sod would receive due to bunker wash-outs. So, Get your the only thing to do is do a test-run and try it and learn from it! For this experiment, we have recertification credits chosen the greenside bunker on the right hand side of the 12th green. This bunker is actually ON-LINE one of the most contaminated bunkers we have and no matter what we do, we can’t seem to with keep the sand clean of rocks and gravel. We plan to begin work on this bunker this P.D. Solutions! week starting with excavation of the old sand. Once the sand is removed, we will touch up our drain lines with new gravel as needed, order some ryegrass sod and get it rolled-out on the bottom of this bunker. After that, we must Visit: wait the prescribed six to eight weeks for the sod to take root before we can come back and www.pdsolutions.ca cover it up with sand. This way, the liner will be anchored properly where we need it. or call In the meantime, if you happen to hit your 1-877-977-6774 ball into this bunker, please play it from the drop zone that we will have painted next to the OFF THE FAIRWAY Low Maintenance When it comes to gardens, there is no such thing as no maintenance. his article may start out sounding like a projects what their requests really mean and much included in this. Ornamental grasses T little bit of a rant, stick with me though, it will be informative. entail for sustainability of the gardens. Beware installing new designs because resources that are usually a staple of low maintenance garden designs, but they too come with a lifespan. When there is a proposal to install low are said to be available to maintain them may Over time grasses can develop what is called maintenance gardens, some questions must not come to fruition because no matter what, the ‘halo’ where they stop producing growth in be asked to the person requesting them. In when it starts to look unhealthy, overgrown the centre of the plant and their root systems my experience, I have found that if a person or struggling, the blame comes to the person become old and woody. Typically at this point says the term “low maintenance” it means who installed it. Getting the details clear in they require splitting to rejuvenate new root whatever type of gardens they envision are the design process is very important to ensure growth and prevent or fix this halo effect. Are low maintenance in their minds. When in that what you design balances between the there lower maintenance designs than others, fact, once the materials, size and what they aesthetic standard expected and the level of sure there is. Are there practices used in the actually envision are discussed, it can turn out maintenance resources available. industry to reduce maintenance, sure there is. to be the opposite. It seems the term “low A property with many low maintenance And are there plants that require less care than maintenance” is a phrase used loosely by those gardens can still be considered a high others, absolutely. Mulching for example will that don’t understand what it really takes to, maintenance property. There is no such greatly reduce the amount ofweeding required. one, install said gardens and, two, maintain thing as no maintenance. Everything requires It will also help with moisture retention and is them. It is our job as trained and experienced maintenance of some sort and everything a great way to add organic matter and nutrients horticulturists to educate those requesting has a life span. Gardens and plants are very to the soil once broken down. The flip side to this is mulch needs to be applied annually to be effective in weed suppression and applied at an industry standard minimum of three inches in thickness. Once it breaks down, after about a year or two, dependent on the type of mulch, it no longer has the ability to prevent weeds from germinating or growing. Wood chip or bark type mulches also rob the soil of nitrogen due to the decomposition process. This means that Examples oflower maintenance designs at Muskoka Lakes Golfand Country Club. Top: This garden is beside the 10th tee; Bottom left to right: Garden at the clubhouse and the garden at the 18th green. a spring application of nitrogen worked into your soils before mulching their property or golf course; after someone has stated that they would is beneficial for plant health. Do you see where I’m going with this? I’m like low maintenance gardens installed, the questions to them should be certainly not suggesting not to mulch, not mulching means much more what kind of maintenance expectations do they have in relation to time weeding as well as not gaining its other benefits. However, this does take and financial resources? What are the goals and what style of gardens time. You need to understand your soils and manage them for success are they looking for? What do they envision when they look at the area? as well as use practices to help reduce maintenance. Moreover, there are Establishing an aesthetic standard is extremely important when deciding varieties of shrubs that are considered or marketed as low maintenance, the maintenance requirements of a new design or installation. As for example Spirea varieties, Potentillas, Juniper species, boxwoods, and horticulturists we unfortunately have one weakness, and that weakness is cotoneaster. Interestingly enough, these are all planting combinations passion. We love to be creative. We love to turn nothing into something used in fast food restaurant landscapes and other commercial building great. We also love doing the work from design to the maintenance landscapes. After installation, these plantings usually come with no stage. We love the chance to install a new project. This passion can lead maintenance at all. They survive for a couple years, but that’s all they to creating more work than can be handled with the resources given and do is survive and not thrive. The Junipers usually end up too big for can further lead to neglected areas or areas not maintained to the high their space and need to be pruned. The Potentilla become misshaped standard that was originally planned. The moral of the story is, in the and eventually stop flowering along with the Spirea, as a result of little event of a new project proposal, be sure to establish what resources will to no soil amending or cultivation. Eventually they should be lifted and be available to maintain them moving forward and what the expected replanted to promote new root growth as they get old and tired. That is aesthetic standard is going to be. ■ what true low maintenance looks like. We have all seen it and eventually what happens is a complete renovation because the place looks so bad. It is totally uninviting and costly since all the work needs to be redone Chris Cumming CLP, Horticulturist after a few years. Don’t get me wrong, I love all those species of plants Muskoka Lakes Golf and Country Club and they all have great attributes, but even the lowest maintenance plants Port Carling, Ontario require some degree of attention to at least live instead of needing to be Email: chriscumming@lwe.ca ripped out and redone. Tel: 705-765-3165 Now getting back to those questions for the person that needs Cell: 705-644-3994 educating and you truly defining their needs, wants, and objectives for Delivering Value Through Creative Solutions! From tees, greens and fairways to the surrounding club house areas, we can help enhance the visual appeal of your golf club. Whatever the project size, we have the products, services and knowledge to help you landscape your course. • Expert Staff • Proven Winners® Diamond Level Plants will • Delivery Service (Crane Service Grower For Local Deliveries) • Network Grower For Endless Summer® enhance the • Quick Order Turnaround Time & First Editions® Collections visual appeal of • Perennials Available in 1, 2, and 5 gallon • Environmental Growing Practices Canada's Largest Container Grower your Golf Club Eric Ruberto Wholesale Landscape Sales Representative Tel: 416-798-7970 ext. 268 Toll Free: 1-888-676-2020 Cell: 289-924-0915 Fax: 905-873-9591 E-mail: eruberto@sheridannurseries.com Website: www.sheridannurseries.com GET MORE FROM YOUR DMI Triton Triton™, the broad spectrum DMI fungicide that provides unmatched disease control and turfgrass quality at the lowest rates. For more information on Triton and the complete line of Bayer products, contact Bayer www.BayerES.ca @BayerGolfCA Twitter: 1-888.283.6847 Environmental Science. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTION. Triton is a registered trademark of Bayer. LOOKING BACK Five Years Ago Today he Board of Directors of the OGSA in 2010 were: Jeff The OGSA Summer Scramble was held at Springfield G&CC T Alexander (President), Parry Sound G&CC, Randy Booker in Guelph, host Superintendent, Ray Dlugokecki. The winning (Past President), Otter Creek GC, Chris Andrejicka (Vice team consisted ofJamie Spencer, Westminister Trails GC, Mark President), Essex G&CC, Doug Breen, Brookfield G&CC, Durand, OSC, Mark Trudell, Maple Ridge GC and Scott Rob Gatto, Chedoke GC, Jarrod Barakett, Deer Ridge GC, Gardner, Echo Valley GC. Stu Leachman, Diamond in the Ruff GC, Jennifer Pendrith, The OGSA Assistants Tournament was held at Braeben GC in Kawartha G&CC and Phil Scully, Granite GC. Mississauga, hosted by Dan Magrin, Superintendent and Blake Sicard, Assistant Superintendent. The winning player was Greg ON THE MOVE: Sean DeSilva left Coppinwood GC and went Brown, Assistant Superintendent from Essex G&CC. to Cedar Brae GC, Brad Bell went from Markland Wood CC to The Georgian Bay Golf Superintendents Association held their Lakeview GC, Ken Emory went to the Ambassador GC and John final tournament at Cobble Beach GC in Owen Sound, hosted by Taylor went to Oakville GC. John Anderson. The final Western Ontario Golf Superintendents Association Tournament was held at the Galt CC in Cambridge, ACHIEVEMENTS: Congratulations went to OGSA members with host Superintendent Mark Piccolo. The 4th Annual Seniors Neil Acton CGCS, Deer Creek G&CE, who was one of 23 Golf Tournament was held at Mono Hills GC with hosts Doug GCSAA members honoured in San Diego for 25 years of Suter and Alan Beeney. This tournament is open to all current certification and to Andrew Hardy and the Pheasant Run GC and former OGSA members, associates, life members and honorary on becoming the 43rd golf course in Ontario to earn Certified members over the age of 50. The Alex McClumpha Memorial Audubon Sanctuary status. Tournament was held at Black Bear Ridge GC in Belleville, hosted Jim Flett, Superintendent at Muskoka Lakes GC, was named by Bill Fach. Low gross honours went to Bill Gilkes, Scarboro the Ontario Director for the Canadian Golf Superintendents G&CC and the George Darou Trophy was presented to David Association. Congratulations went to Aldo Bortolon and his Stevens, Beaverbrook GC, by Ron Craig of Turf Care. course dog Bronson from Lookout Point CC, Fonthill, chosen to appear in the GCSAA’s Lebanon Turf Dog Days of Golf calendar. IN MEMORIAM: Keith Stevenson passed away on December 20th in his 80th year. Keith was the superintendent at Haliburton EVENTS: Golf courses were finding their way through the newly Highlands before retiring. Gordon Witteveen passed away on initiated Ontario Cosmetic Pesticide Ban which regulated that all December 16th at the age of 76. He was the superintendent at golf courses in Ontario that are using pesticides are required to be London Highland CC, Northwood GC and finally The Toronto accredited by an IPM body. The only courses exempt from this Board of Trade CC. He became active with the OGSA and provision are those that have not yet used pesticides on the course later helped found the CGSA. Witteveen initiated GreenMaster (presumably new courses) which are exempt until two years after magazine of the CGSA and served as the editor for five years. the first day that pesticides are applied on the course. He also served as a director of GCSAA and on its historical preservation committee. ■ TOURNAMENTS: The OGSA Pro/Super Challenge was held at Otter Creek GC hosted by superintendent Randy Booker. The winning team was from Cobble Beach Golf Links consisting of Barry Endicott Jeff Thomas, Assistant and Warren Thomas, Golf Pro. The Retired Golf Course Superintendent Presidents’ Day Tournament was held at Brampton G&CC hosted Brampton, Ontario by Martin Kopp. The winning team was from Orr Lake GC led Tel: 905-846-1440 by Jason Harris. Email: barry.endicott@gmail.com www.mastersturfsupply.com Corrie Almack P.Ag. P.O. Box 629 Office: 519-510-TURF (8873) Almack Agronomic Services Inc. Tel: (905) 689-6174 80 William St. W. Fax: 519-510-8875 Box 256, Carlisle, ON Cell: (416) 580-5152 Harriston, ON, NOG 1ZO Email: mastersturf@wightman.ca LOR 1H0 Email: c.almack@sympatico.ca TURF OR CONSEQUENCES Acceptable Risk by Doug Breen, Superintendent concept called “acceptable risk”. And GolfNorth Properties if you haven’t heard the term before, the Ontario Government’s Source Water here is a field of study called Actuarial Protection program is about to teach it T Science. It’s a real job, where people to you. sit in starkly lit rooms in the bowels of We deal in acceptable risk all the insurance companies and the like, estimating time, without ever thinking about it. the probability that a thing will (or won’t) There is a very real and measurable happen. Remember the guy in high school risk, every time you get who was scary good at math, yet lacked any into your car and drive. perceptible personality? In all likelihood, The aforementioned he’s now an Actuarial Scientist. If you had dungeon of math the most unlikely of combinations, a math heads at your geek with a gregarious personality, (many insurance company, have suggested that this guy doesn’t exist, can calculate exactly and that he’s a myth, like unicorns or decent what that risk is, and daytime television) - that guy is more than present you with a likely using his understanding of probability bill which will allow to run a sports betting website. While you the privilege sitting in an office doing math all day sounds of continuing to do like the third ring of hell to me, the fact is, so. (At 48, my risk the results of the work done by Actuarial is apparently about one Scientists, affect us every day, through a tenth the risk of my 18 year old son). The relative risk of most is damaging to the environment. Both of the activities that we take part in every extreme positions are uninformed. The day, has been calculated and documented. good news is that we already have a lot of Someone has taken the time to estimate the excellent science to tell us what those risks risk of everything that we do; from flying to are, and how to manage them. The PMRA bungee jumping, smoking to breathing mold has done an exemplary job when it comes spores, using pesticides or storing fuel. to understanding pesticide use. Ontario What we have to do with that agriculture is already a world leader in the omnisafetysolutions.ca information, is decide whether that risk understanding of the risk of fertilizer use. is acceptable - and if not, come up with a When was the last time you saw a single tf (905) 252-1234 risk mitigation strategy. Most of us have walled fuel storage tank? It’s all about chosen to fly without concern, without ever acceptable risk. thinking about why. Without realizing it, we The danger here, is that when it comes are operating under the assumption that the to things like our food supply, our children’s airline is doing maintenance on its planes, well-being, or our drinking water; the public and that someone from Transport Canada often demands zero risk, which doesn’t exist, is checking on it. We assume that there are and is quite frankly - unnecessary. As long safeguards in place, so that people driving as the discussion remains one of acceptable on Ontario roads actually have licences and risk, and the mitigation strategies don’t functioning brakes. In a nutshell, this is become too financially onerous, Source what Source Water Protection is all about - Water Protection really shouldn’t have too the public assumes that when they turn on much effect on Ontario’s golf industry. a tap, that municipal water is safe to drink. I’ve sat through dozens of meetings on the Many people, have spent most of the past topic, sometimes wearing my OGSA hat, decade, trying to calculate the real threats sometimes wearing my GolfNorth hat, and to public water supplies; and in turn, how to sometimes as a Municipal Councillor - mitigate those risks. and it seems like the people administering Some of what we do on golf courses has these plans, have a good understanding of First Aid, CPR, AED, an environmental risk associated with it. acceptable risk. That being said, we need to WHMIS, Health & Safety Suggesting that there isn’t, is just as naive keep an eye on this one, because if it becomes as suggesting that everything that we do politicized - it could get ugly fast. ■ The Gift of CHOICE Give back to your turf. Protect your turf from a full range of insect and disease pests by choosing the right product and the best supplier for your needs. 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TURFCARE 1975 - 2015 Introducing the NEW Commercial Helping Your Business Grow For Forty Years Equipment Sales Team www.turfcare.ca Tom Fischer, Sales Manager, 705-791-4653 Bill Martel, 416-606-6509 TURF CARE PRODUCTS CANADA Chris Emerton, 905-715-6285 Steve Conners, 519-319-0539 200 Pony Drive, Newmarket, Ontario L3Y 7B6 Chris Isaac, 519-476-6548 T: 905-836-0988 I F: 905-836-6442 Aaron Campbell, 519-899-3023 London: 519-668-7664 Derek Therrien, 613-290-7403 Scarborough: 416-298-2101 Andy Sandilands, 416-347-5056 Mississauga: 905-836-0988 x5404 Please contact your Turf Care Sales Ottawa: 613-821-1880 Representative for more details