"Green is Beautiful” Ontario Golf Superintendents Association 54 HEARNSHAW CRESCENT - ETOBICOKE, ONTARIO M9C 3M4 - TELEPHONE 622-9929 JUNE 1977 MEETINGS NORTH HALTON GOLF CLUB MARCH 29th, 1977 Host: OGSA PRESIDENT, AL BEENEY This meeting was a success from all aspects, 65 Superin­ tended and Associates attended on a beautiful, warm spring day, too nice to be inside really and many of the fellows spent spare moments outside viewing the beautiful landscaping, ponds, trees and rolling hills which make up the North Halton Golf Club. Meetings Chairman, Paul White, arranged for a "What's New" discussion with six of our valued suppliers giving a brief talk assisted by colour slides on the subject of equipment — mowing, spraying and irrigation, sand rakes, etc. The following were represented: F.M.C. — Glenn Austin Turf Care Products — Ron Craig Rain-Tech Irrigation Services — Paul Dovall Ontario Turf Equipment Co. — Mike Mayne Duke Lawn Equipment — David Falconbridge Spramotor — Leslie Freiday This topic was well received from the audience present PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE and Paul White intimated that another group of suppliers A friend of mine has a saying "these little things are sent to would be asked to present their wares at a future meeting. try us" well, Mother Nature sure is "trying" golf supers this Following a light lunch 32 avid curlers competed for the spring. coveted Ontario Superintendent's Championship, and this was After experiencing one of the severest winters in years, a runaway victory by the superior team of Dennis Pellrene, many golf courses came through in poor condition, poa annua Ron Cray, Doug Heron and J. Austin. knocked out of tees, greens and fairways. Most supers facing An excellent dinner followed to complete another fine day. these problems were not overly concerned because when the spring showers arrived the poa would recover. But what ever happened to April showers! So, start the irrigation systems but Old Man Winter left a reminder there too. Many systems CGSANEWS suffered numerous breaks and hot, dry weather was upon us, At the recent annual Conference of the Canadian Golf and even dollar spot showing up in May. Oh, yes, mes amis Superintendents Association in Calgary, a new Board of "these little things are sent to try us". Directors was elected to office for 1977. In times such as these, when members comment on the President................................................................................ LarryBrown "unusual" golfing conditions, I think that supers should realize 1st Vice-President................................................... Robert Trevis that the majority of golfers do not appreciate the problems 2nd Vice-President................................................... Robert Heron that we are confronted with. Perhaps we should find the time even at these busy times to make the golfer aware of some of Secretary-Treasurer.............................................. Ashley LeGeyt our problems. I feel that if they are better informed they will DIRECTORS be more understanding when conditions are not quite up to Atlantic Provinces................................................... Fred Currah par. The locker room bulletin boards, dub newsletter, or a Manitoba - Saskatchewan.................................... Don Campbell greensletter from the super would be an excellent way to Alberta..................................................................... Walt Gooder communicate. Think about it. British Columbia..................................................... Robert Wick Ontario..................................................................... Bill Glasham Alan Beeney Quebec........................................................ ............ Randy Scott President Past President...........................................................James Wyllie WESTERN GREENKEEPERS MEETING 8th ANNUAL TURF MANAGER'S COURSE, UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH, DUNDAS VALLEY GOLF CLUB JANUARY 31 - FEBRUARY 25, 1977 APRIL 28th, 1977 Of the 31 students originally registered at the start of the Host: AL SCHANTZ course, 28 successfully completed it. The course is four weeks The Dundas Valley is in an ideal location in these cool, duration, 5 days per week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with one northern climes for getting off to a good start in the Spring. hour for lunch and "lousy" coffee at 10 and 3. This is a tough Sheltered from cold winds by the high escarpment on the 4 weeks and those who pass the rigorous examination portion north side the golf course is tilted to the South and bathed in deserve considerable credit. the direct rays of the sun, consequently, the temperature in Maybe we are getting soft in our old age but we had one of the valley is warmer and judging by the growth of the grass, the highest class averages and largest number of students about 2 weeks ahead of growth response in the Toronto area. above 80% in the course history. There was an exceptionally Whenever possible, approach this golf course from the close run for 1st place as is normal each year with 1st place North side. The route South on Highway 8 offers a magnifi­ going to Merv Mills from City Hall in Burlington and 2nd cent view of the golf course as you drive down the escarpment. place to Doug Meyer, Superintendent at Val des Lacs in Ste. On this particular day so early in the year, the brilliant green Sophie, Quebec. Very well done. Other holders of an out­ of the grass was astounding, a legacy of a new irrigation standing mark (above 80%) were system and the expertise of outgoing Superintendent, Steve Larry Peacock, Assistant Superintendent, Parkview Miller, and undoubtedly to the gratification of new Superin­ Bill Hale, Superintendent, Puslinch Lake Golf Course tendent, Al Schantz. Henry House, Streetsville, Ontario Met Fred Grightmire upon arrival, happy to report that Howie Schnarr, Superintendent, Chelmsford Golf Course Fred (41 years Superintendent at Dundas Valley) looks good, Ivan True, Alliston, Ontario as spry as ever and enjoying retirement. It is evident that the David Wray, Tam O'Shanter Golf Club many fine trees around the course are a result of Fred's long When Dean Switzer called me to pass on his marks for the term planting programme. Weed Control section, he indicated his amazement at having The programme for the day allowed golf in the morning, to give Ian True 100% the 1st one in the 8 years the course chilly to start but quite pleasant as the day progressed. Bill has been running. Well done, Ian. Glasham had the best score among Superintendents and Jim A special pat-on-the-back for those who were older and out- Houston, 82, was tops in the Associate group. Played with of school for that much longer, particularly Gib Dow from the Jim, a big hitter off the tee with a 3 wood. Ironwood Golf Club and Ed Hendricks from Kitchener. They The meeting got underway at 2:30 conducted by President, hung-in like bulldogs. J. L. Eggens Associate Professor Steve Miller and ably assisted by Secretary, Dave Jackson. Irrigation was the uppermost thought among several Super­ GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS intendents present, the problem being broken plastic risers, ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA particularly the nipple connected to the sprinkler. Jack Austin GOLF COURSES AND THE DROUGHT answered questions on the pros and cons of the P.V.C. product in question. The weather is the great unknown when it comes to main­ Norm McCollum, guest speaker, starting his 9th year on taining optimum playing conditions and beauty of golf courses. Turf Research at University of Guelph, spoke lightly on the In the past two years the weather has been a Pandora's box following subjects: for the nation's golf course superintendents. In the East this winter, record accumulations of snow were blown by high winds resulting in flooding and windburn 1. Poa — for or against. drying up of tees and greens. High humidity during December 2. Soil chemistry — don't tamper with P.H., check out with created fungus problems on the greens in the Southeast while the "experts". wintry blasts and frosty grounds caused foliage damage. The 3. Chemicals — trade names — chemical names. Southwest was drenched, then parched, shocking the soil and 4. Fertilizers — Fall application tests promising. flora into numbness. The West and Northwest were amid a Norm reports that Dr. Jack Eggers goes into hospital in drought that promised to dehydrate the land unless some 2 weeks for an ear operation — we hope to see Jack his old natural forces reverse the trend. self in time for the June meeting at Turf Plots. It is water, or the lack of it, however, that may decide the Sandwiches and tasty savouries, and good fellowship future of numerous golf courses in the United States. Golf followed to complete a fine day. course superintendents around the country are applying many remedies to prevent the loss of their courses. Bill Hynd's prize of a trip to Aleuthera is off. Obviously, It doesn't take the actual death of the grass for a golf the value of this trip exceeds the $250 limit set by the course to be lost. When grass is under severe stress, as it is in R.C.G.A. a drought, it can be destroyed by mere foot traffic. Therefore, Bob Trevis, C.G.S.A. 1st Vice-President is in touch with courses in danger of being lost will have to be closed to play the Travel agent (Aladdin Travel) for a lesser prize. even before the grass dies from lack of water. Huge economic losses could result from the closing of a course. In addtion to lost green fees, tournament income and clubhouse revenues, the actual turfgrass is of considerable value. A golf green is commonly valued at $1.35 a square foot. With an average of 7,500 square feet, the loss of a single putting green could be valued at $10,000. LES KELLY REPORTS BILL GLASHAM REPORTS FROM ROYAL OTTAWA GOLF CLUB FROM THE NIAGARA REGION Dear Bill: This year the Niagara Penninsula area got hit with the Sorry I missed you in Portland Bill. I did see a few of the hardest and most severe winter in our history. Snow falls other Toronto area fellows there though. It was a good con­ recorded here in Niagara Falls show that we had 78.6", vention, I managed to get my Certification while down there nowhere near the 168" recorded at Buffalo International and my wife and I flew over to Hawaii for a few weeks holidays Airport. Everyone remembers the storm of '77 which hit here after it was over. on January 28. I myself happened to journey up to St. Cath. The Ottawa and area courses wintered very well this winter. to have lunch with John Piccle and it took me ten hours to There was little or no ice damage apparent as was the case go eight miles. I finally made it, minus my car which I never last year. Most of the courses had their earliest start ever, retrieved for five days. Believe me the stories your hear coming we opened on regular greens on April 15th a good two weeks out of this area are true. ahead of usual. Reports from Whirlpool G.C., St. Catharines G.C.C., Cherry The greens and tees wintered particularly well, the best Hill Club, Port Colborne C.C., and Bridgewater C.C. (formerly I've seen in the Ottawa region. Snow mould damage was Erie Downs) are all the same, the greens all wintered well however fairly extensive on untreated turf areas, especially except for a few little spots here and there. The fairways Poa fairways. The fellows with Bluegrasses and Bents appear took the worst beating of anything. Any poa in the low to be in excellent shape for this time of year. depression area were wiped out. Lots of patience in waiting April was quite warm here also but May has been un­ and some warm weather and most of these spots will all come seasonably cold to date. Our Poa fairways are relatively slow back. to recover. Compared to reports I hear coming out of Toronto, we A few of the local courses had bad infestations of Hyprodes should consider ourselves fortunate down here in the banana Weevil last season so we're keeping our eyes open this year. belt. With the last two seasons being pretty rough on the Ottawa Bill Robertson, superintendent at the Port Colborne boys we're looking forward to a good season and so far at Country Club has hired Gerald Cosgrove as his assistant, least it looks as if we've got a good start in the right direction. Gerald is a graduate of the University of Guelph. Yours Truly Les Kelly BILL BOWEN REPORTS BOB BREWSTER Results of the golfing at London Sunningdale on May 12th, WESTON GOLF CLUB REPORTS 1977 with Ken Nelson as host. Sorry more members didn't The weatherman always plays the top role for the course show but a good day was enjoyed by all with a total of twenty superintendent. This year we were cutting grass before we had four playing golf. a chance to get our courses cleaned. Fortunately, with the cooler weather we have been able to catch up with this work. Greens Superintendent: Most older courses in the Toronto area have received Low gross — Wm. Bowen, Peterborough 76 winter damages to fairways, greens and tees in the low areas. Low net — Joe Reid, Elmira 69 Hopefully with a little seed, warmer weather and adequate 2nd Low net — Ken Nelson, Sunningdale 70 precipitation in May we will have our courses in good playing Suppliers and Guests: condition. Low gross — Rod Hermitage, Green Cross 79 A lot of the courses with automatic irrigation had numerous Low net — Tom Bell, Duke Lawn 68 breaks due to the heavy frost depth. Apparently the nipples on 2nd Low net - Sandy Sparkling, Turf Care 69 the swing joints cracked below the head. A couple of breaks Thanks to Ken I certainly enjoyed the golf course. Hope is a pain in the neck let alone "200". to play the other 18 some time in the future. Good luck to all in 1977 and hopefully good turf. JOHN GRIGHTMIRE, ROSEDALE GOLF CLUB, REPORTS Rosedale historically loses fairway turf in the spring from GOLFING DATES TO REMEMBER crown hydration when conditions prevail. This is a condition JULY 8th - PRESIDENT-GREENS CHAIRMAN AND of too much moisture from melting ice and snow surrounding SUPERINTENDENT DAY. Information should be in your the crown of the plant followed by freezing and thawing. This hands by now. Remember first 40 entries. A great day in store usually occurs in the low pocketed and run-off areas. for all. Host — Thom Charters. We have had very little crown hydration damage since 1972 AUGUST 8th - SUPERINTENDENT AND PROFESSIONAL. until this year. No visable damage was noticeable on March Remember see your pro and get your entry in. Looking for­ 11th but the low pocketed areas were filled with water, slush ward to playing at York Downs. Our host on this day is and ice. It killed all the Poa annua that seems to be the only Kimmo Salonen. thing that will survive in these low areas despite constant seeding with the Rogers seeder. September meeting at Chinguacousy with Henry Guertin I believe no Poa annua programme should be considered as our host. I thought we would have a little best ball tourna­ unless these area are first levelled for proper surface drainage. ment instead of the usual format. Using 3/4 of everybody's We have had some damage on greens this year but a dormant handicap and drawing partners, with a low handicap and a seeding and top-dressing of November 20th, 1976, has ger­ high handicap together. It will be easy to set up the draw the minated very early this year and has filled in very well. day of the meeting so mark it down on your calendar. President FUNGICIDES FOR CONTROL OF FUNGICIDES ALAN BEENEY TURFGRASS DISEASES (S.G.F. 1976) Georgetown, Ontario Common Some Trade Phone 877-2642 Fungi­ Name Names of Products* Diseases cides Schedule 1. anilazine — Dyrene (50 WP), Vice-President 1. Pink Snow Mold 2,4,6, Late October to Dec., Proturf fungicide III (8.7) G). PAUL SCENNA (Fusarium nivale) 10 before permanent 2. benomyl** — Tersan 1991 (50 Cambridge, Ontario snowfall. WP). Phone (519) 623-3292 2. Gray Snow Mold 3,4,6, Late Oct. to Dec., 3. chloroneb — Tersan SP (65 (Typhula sp.) 10 before permanent WP), Proturf fungicide II (6.8 Secretary snowfall. G). STUART MILLS Ancaster, Ontario 3. Leaf Spots & Melting-Out 1,4, 5, Mid-Apr., repeat in 2 4. chlorothalonil - Daconil 2787 Phone 648-4474 (75 WP), also (54 L). (Helminthosporium spp.) 6,9 weeks 5. maneb — Tersan LSR (80 WP). Treasurer 4. Dollar Spot 1,2,4, Early June. Early Aug., 6. mercury — Calo-Clor (WP), PAUL DODSON (Sclerotinia homeocarpa) 6, 7, 8, repeat in 2 weeks (4 Mersil (WP), Merfusan (P). Mississauga, Ontario 9 weeks after systemic). Phone 270-0716 7. thiophanate** —Proturf systemic 5. Brown Patch 1, 2,4, During hot, humid (1.15G). Directors (Rhizoctonia solani) 5,6,9 weather, repeat in 2 to 8. thiram - Tersan 75 (75 WP), BILL BOWEN 4 weeks. Spotrete (75 WP). Peterborough, Ontario 6. Fusarium Blight 2 Early to mid-June. 9. cycloheximide** +thiram — Phone 742-8465 (Fusarium roseum) Drench at 5 oz. rate, Actidione-thiram (WP). repeat in 2 weeks. 10. carbathiin** + thiram — Arrest PAUL WHITE Hamilton, Ontario 7. Pythium Blight 3 During hot, humid -75W (WP). Phone (416) 561-1216 (Pythium sp.) weather, repeat in 2 *These are some of the products weeks. registered for use in Canada and KEN NELSON 8. Powdery Mildew 2,9 Apply at 2 oz. rate available in Ontario. This does London, Ontario not imply recommendation to the Phone (519) 433-5136 (Erysiphe graminis) of either, repeat in 2 exclusion of comparable products weeks if disease per­ not listed. For dosages follow label HUGH KIRKPATRICK sists. Coburg, Ontario directions. Phone 884-8665 **Systemic fungicides. RON ALLEN Don Mills, Ontario Phone 445-7791 BILL HYND FOR SALE Islington, Ontario A quantity of Jenkins 2" gate valves Phone 239-9630 Apply to Past-President W. Hynd, St. George's Golf & Country Club PAUL DERMOTT 231-3393 Islington, Ontario Phone (416) 247-9281 ONTARIO GOLF SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION Box 63, Islington, Ontario M9A 4X1