Green is Beautiful” Ontario Golf Superintendents Association 54 HEARNSHAW CRESCENT - ETOBICOKE, ONTARIO M9C 3M4 - TELEPHONE 622-9929 OCTOBER 1977 MEETING DATES October 2 — McLumpha Tournament Kawartha Golf Club, Peterborough October 22 — Brampton Golf December 2 — Christmas Party St. George's Golf and Country Club March 6, 7, 8, 1978 — C.G.S.A. 29th Annual Canadian Turf Grass Show Hotel Toronto, Toronto, Ontario O.G.S.A. EDITORIAL Well, we are just about over the hump, and what a testing year. In the Toronto area we have had our fair share of problems this year, winter injury just didn't recover. We aerified, over­ seeded and were still suffering through July — a constant battle in the pursuit of excellence. It has been a year to shake the confidence of many fine Superintendents among us. Hey Super! What's wrong with the golf course, all this winter PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE kill, or summer wilt, or the silly ass who drove a golf cart While the season slowly passes away, our thoughts are turned to through the wet area in front of the green. Hey Super! How better solutions for next year to try and improve on this year's prob­ come the course is so lousy when the course up the road is lems; new combinations of fungicides to combat that persistent dollar looking great. spot; the wetness of August reminded us of those fairways that must The whole damn summer shot - blood, sweat and tears and be drained; budget more dollars for the increasing insect problems, etc. Now is the time to emphasize these problems to our greens committees the embarrassed glances of the golf member friends of yesterday. while they are still visible and fresh in everybody's mind. Some sympathy though, we've had this problem before Super, This year has proven to many supers just how little the golfing who needs it. members know about the complexities of turf management. Most do Tough job, humiliating, lonely; never mind, next year will not realize that turf grasses can have severe diseases that can become immune to treatment and that we must play "Doctor" and prescribe be great Super. a new treatment; that cutting grass at low heights and thousands of You've got to like it. rounds of golf place the plant under extreme stress conditions; that The Peter Jackson Ladies Classic will be held at St. George's insects of different varieties can destroy large areas of turf; that Golf and Country Club in 1978. those beautiful, hot, breezy days can wipe out a variety of grass over­ night. No, they compare our golf courses to their tiny lawns. The "education" of our members is placed totally in the super's hands and he must rise to the occasion. One suggestion which I think is excellent is that our Association should publish a letter or bulletin ONTARIO GOLF SUPERINTENDENTS and mail to member dubs, explaining our problems in trying to give ASSOCIATION TURF EQUIPMENT them good golfing conditions. This letter, posted in a prominent location in the pro shop or dub house, would, perhaps, give more DEMONSTRATION - CAMBRIDGE RESEARCH credibility to the things that a super is trying to tell his members. STATION, UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH Perhaps then golfers might say "hey, this business of managing a golf On Thursday, September 8th, a turf equipment show was course is more than just cutting the grass" or "I guess our greens- held at the turf plots at the Cambridge Research Station. This keeper knows what he's talking about after all!" gave the industry an opportunity to see the various equipment Alan Beeney, that is now on the market and also an opportunity to run this President, O.G.S.A. equipment. We are indeed grateful to the various suppliers listed below its growth, and survival during stress periods. for their participation in the worthwhile event, although we Within each species, variations in thatching tendency are were disappointed in the showing of Golf Superintendents. Those frequently attributed to the growth aggressiveness in response to that were there found the afternoon quite worthwhile. We believe fertilization or to the chemical composition of the plant mate­ that this is the first time that such a venture has been done and rial as it affects ressistance to decay. we trust that it may be continued. We are indebted to the Ont­ ENVIRONMENT ario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, and Department of The environment refers to all external factors affecting the Horticultural Science, University of Guelph for use of their turfgrass community. It is arbitrarily divided into three com­ facilities. At the end of the demonstration Chinese food was ponents: climatic, edaphic and biotic. served in the main building at the Research Station. The climatic factors include temperature, moisture, light A secondary purpose for this equipment demonstration was and air quality and movement. These affect the adaptation, to raise funds, through donations from the various suppliers, persistence and competitive ability of turfgrasses. to support Turf Research at the University of Guelph. Edaphic factors are the physical, chemical and biological The various suppliers that participated in this Show— properties of the soil. Physical properties include soil aeration, 1) Skyway Turf Equipment moisture retention, temperature and resiliency. Fertility and 2) Duke Lawn Equipment Ltd. (Ryon & Ransons) soil reaction are included in the soil's chemical properties 3) Turf Care Products Ltd. (Toro) while biological properties deal with the living community of 4) Spramotor Limited (Jacobsen) macro- and microorganisms that are part of the soil environ­ 5) Brower Turf Equipment Limited ment. 6) CIL Golf Course Products Decomposition of organic material is dependent upon the 7) Fairway Irrigation Limited (1977) presence and activity of these soil organisms. In their absence 8) OTEC Ontario Turf Equipment Company the accumulation of organic debris from plant growth would A special vote of thanks to the organizing committee: Stu proceed unchecked and with disastrous results. Yet, the devel­ Mills, Chairman; Paul Scenna, Paul Dermott, Allen Beeney and opment of thatch in turf is the result of an imbalance between Norman McCollum. growth and decomposition. When conditions are unfavourable for a level of soil organism activity that is sufficient to degrade organic residues in a turf, thatch develops. This has been at­ SOME FACTORS AFFECTING THATCH tributed to: poor aeration associated with soil compaction, high DEVELOPMENT IN TURF acidity in the soil or in the thatch, inadequate thatch moisture, By A. J. Turgeon too much or too little available nitrogen, and other factors. A contemporary turf is a dense community of mowing- tolerant plants, principally grasses, which exist in intimate Biotic factors include the spectrum of cultural practices association with their environment. Both the turfgrass com­ such as mowing, fertilization, irrigation, cultivation and pest munity and the environment are dynamic. Changes in one control. In addition the activities of man and other animals on invariably elicit some response from the other. Hence, the the turf are also considered. Obviously, some of these factors total ecosystem—plants plus environment—is continually significantly affect or alter the previously discussed climatic striving toward a state of equilibrium in which all factors are and edaphic components of the environment. For example, in balance. The existence of a thatch problem in a turf may be traffic on turf may increase soil compaction, especially when indicative of a serious imbalance in the ecosystem. Under­ the soil is fine textured and high in moisture. This, in turn, may standing the causes of thatch necessitates an analysis of: the affect the suitability of the soil environment for various organ­ turfgrass community, the various components of the environ­ isms important as decomposers of organic material. ment, and the patterns of intersection between environmental An especially important biotic factor is the array of pesticides factors and the turfqrass community. that are commonly used for turf. Experiments at the University TURFGRASS COMMUNITY of Illinois have shown that repeated applications of chlordane, The growth and development of turfgrasses vary depending dieldrin, bandane or calcium arsenate are associated with thatch upon plant species. Stoloniferous grasses, such as creeping bent­ development in Kentucky bluegrass turf. The thatch incidence grass (Aqrostis palustris Huds.), develop above-ground lateral is associated with reduced earthworm activity suggesting that stems that may form a tightly intermingled network of organic these pesticides cause an imbalance in the turfgrass ecosystem debris (thatch) that can eventually reduce the utility and visual by inhibiting one or more of the soil organisms important in quality of the turf. Rhizomatous grasses, such as Kentucky blue­ organic material decomposition. Intelligent turfgrass culture grass (Poa pratensis L.), have below-ground lateral stems but dictates that these pesticides should not be used on a repeated may be observed with virtually all rhizomes and most of the basis, or that their use should be balanced by a cultivation pro­ roots growing within a layer of thatch. New shoots arising from gram or other means designed to reduce their concentration in tillering and rhizome emergence have their crowns located at the upper turf-soil profile. the surface of the thatch so that adventitious root growth occurs initially in the thatch. Rooting into the underlying soil DISEASES, IRRIGATION, INSECTS, AND WORMS is apparently inhibited by the existence of an interface between AS THEY AFFECT THATCH & THATCH BREAKDOW the organic medium (thatch) and the mineral medium (soil) By Malcolm C. Shurtleff below. Hence, the turf may appear to be growing on top of the Thatch develops when the accumulation rate of plant debris soil rather than in it. This phenomenon is frequently observed from an actively growing turf exceeds the rate of decomposi­ in well developed turfs of annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.), a tion by soil bacteria, fungi, insects, and earthworms. Thatch predominately bunch-type grass. A vigorous grass under close accumulation increases the disease susceptibility of turfgrasses; mowing, high fertility and abundant moisture, annual bluegrass reduces tolerance to heat, low temperatures, and drought; slows may develop a considerable thatch depth when conditions favor down or restricts the normal movement of air, water, fertilizer, and pesticides into the soil; makes iron more unavailable to the IRRIGATION turf; reduces the capacity of grass shoots and roots for vigorous A thatched turf presents special irrigation problems. Water growth; increases proneness to scalping and foot printing; and needs to be applied more frequently and lightly. This practice may result in localized dry spots that require hand watering. may lead directly to more disease since all disease-producing The build-up of thatch is encouraged by a vigorously growing fungi, except the powdery mildews, require free water on grass grass, heavy fertilization (especially of N) and irrigation, a plant surfaces for spore germination and penetration into grass strongly acid soil, poor soil aeration and drainage, infrequent or tissue. high cutting, the use of persistent insecticides, and to a minor A short pre-sprinkling assists in moistening the thatch layer. extent by returning clippings to the turf. Here the use of wetting agents is often suggested. The use of DISEASES these products, however, isn't the whole answer since increased By holding moisture like a sponge, an excessive thatch layer thatch accumulation occurs where wetting agents are used con­ provides an ideal microenvironment for the development of tinually. This is commonly believed to be due to a drier thatch most disease-causing fungi. Some of these include Rhizoctonia condition that reduces decomposition by beneficial soil bacteria brown patch, Sclerotinia dollar spot, Pythium blight, a wide and fungi. range of Helminthosporium leaf spot and melting-out fungi, the It is best to irrigate on a rising temperature when the evap­ snow molds (Typhula blight and Fusarium patch, other leaf­ oration rate is most rapid. Most turfgrass managers, however, spotting fungi, Corticium red thread, Fusarium blight, and leaf are forced to irrigate in late afternoon or evening. This permits smuts (Stripe and Flag). free water droplets to remain on leaf surfaces for long periods Helminthosporium species produce tremendous numbers of of time and increases the activity of disease fungi. spores while growing vigorously on plant debris. Other fungi, All turfgrass specialists suggest irrigating before there is a such as those causing Typhula blight, Fusarium patch, Fusarium . * real water stress. It has recently been shown by California plant blight, Rhizoctonia brown patch, Sclerotinia dollar spot, Py­ pathologists that water stress increases the attack of species of thium blight, and Corticium red thread survive in the thatch by Helminthosporium causing leaf spots and melting-out, since means of dormant structures resistant to changes in temperature these fungi produce practically all of their spores on dead plant or moisture and fungicides. debris. Practically the only disease-causing fungi that are not in­ creased by a layer of plant debris are powdery mildew and INSECTS rusts. This is because these fungi are obligate parasitesand require Certain insects are distinctly beneficial, others are highly living grass plants on which to feed, grow and multiply. injurious to turf, while some are considered primarily a nuisance to human activities. The beneficial effects of turf insects include: 1) burrowing insects that cultivate the soil and enhance air and water movement; 2) the same insects also feed on and decom­ Thatch not only encourages the growth of practically all of pose plant debris and incorporate this into the soil; and 3) the 100 disease-causing fungi but it makes their control, through predator or parasitic insects that control certain weed and the use of fungicides, much more difficult. The layer of plant insect pests. debris "ties up" or absorbs the active ingredients of fungicides Insect injury to turf makes the grass less tolerant to environ­ so they become less effective. Unless much higher rates are mental stresses and diseases. Insect-damaged grass plants have a used you get poor control that is short-lived at best. High rates reduced shoot growth, leaves and shoots are chewed away, and of fungicides applied to a thick layer of plant debris also kill or the root system may be almost non-existent. inhibit large numbers of beneficial soil bacteria and fungi that break down the thatch into useful elements and simple chemicals More and more entomologists are turning away from the that can be utilized directly by growing grass plants. persistent, chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides, such as BENEFICIAL MICROORGANISMS chlordane and dieldrin, because: 1) many insects predators and parasites are killed in addition to the injurious species; 2) thatch A slightly acid to neutral soil (pH6.0 to 7.0), a moist environ­ builds up where chlordane or dieldrin have been applied, as will ment, and a temperature of 60° to 85°F., favours the activity of be discussed under earthworms; and 3) certain grubs and other most beneficial soil bacteria and fungi involved in thatch de­ insects have developed resistance to these insecticides. A better composition. Periodic topdressing enhances the activity of these solution to insect turf problems is to apply non-persistent in­ beneficial bacteria and fungi, thus stimulating thatch break­ secticides, such as carbaryl (Sevin) or diazonon, to trouble down. When the numbers and growth of these beneficial organ­ spots as insect numbers or their injury start to develop. isms is increased, the activity of disease-causing fungi is de­ creased. Many beneficial fungi are even parasitic on disease­ EARTHWORMS causing types. A good example is the common soil fungus Tri- The activity of these animals is restricted in turf: 1) when choderma. It rapidly breaks down organic matter in the soil, the soil is strongly acid (below pH 4.5) or alkaline; 2) in sandy even the hard-to-digest lignin and cellulose fractions, while being soils with a reduced organic content that quickly become parasitic on the Rhizoctonia brown patch fungus. It has been droughty; and 3) where persistent, chlorinated hydrocarbon known for many years that Sclerotinia dollar spot and Corti- insecticides, such as chlordane and dieldrin, have been applied cium red thread are "kept in check" by antagonistic fungi and routinely over a period of years. bacteria in the soil. The delicate balance between beneficial and Earthworms need a moist environment to actively burrow disease-causing organisms in the soil is sometimes destroyed by through the soil and feed on a mixture of decaying plant debris overlapping fungicides or upsetting the nutrition of the turf— and soil. Large earthworm populations are usually associated where the nutrient level is too high or too low. Sewage sludge­ with soils having a higher organic matter content or in undis­ type fertilizers also help keep diseases like Sclerotinia dollar turbed soils having a permanent soil cover. Where earthworms spot in check by encouraging the growth of antagonistic fungi have been introduced by man, and not present before, the and bacteria. surface mat of plant debris disappears. Earthworms move to the surface to feed on dead leaves and 9th ANNUAL FIELD DAY - UNIVERSITY OF stems as well as through the soil where they feed on dead roots. GUELPH TURF PLOTS AND GALT COUNTRY Most earthworm activity is concentrated within 12 inches of CLUB - JUNE 9th, 1977 the soil surface where moisture and temperature is usually Host: Paul Scenna — Report by Bill Bowen most favourable. Ninety-one gentlemen teed off and played at Galt on 9th, Drs. Randell, Butler, and Hughes, at the University of Illinois, June. Everything combined for a wonderful day with a full have published their results on the effects of pesticides on house for a Surf & Turf dinner. Thanks to Paul for a fine con­ thatch accumulation and earthworm populations in 'Kentucky' ditioned golf course and to President Brian Webber and the bluegrass turf. In brief, the dieldrin plots had a thatch depth members of Galt for the use of their facilities, and also many layer of 14.3 mm two years after establishment and 20.7 mm thanks to Albert Southgate and Doug, the Assistant, for their a year later. The thatch layer in the chlordane-treated plots was much needed support in making the day a success. similar: 13.3 mm after two years and 20.3 mm a year later. Following is a list of winners for the day: There was no thatch in the control plots that received no insect­ Superintendents - icide. The average earthworm counts in these same plots were 1st gross George Garner 76 Oakville G.C. as follows: dieldrin, 16 worms after two years and only 2 after 2nd gross Bill Bowen 76 Peterborough G.C. three years; chlordane, 11 earthworms after two years and 3 3rd gross Bob Heron 77 Markland Wood G.C. after three years; no pesticide, 105 worms after two years and 4th gross Bill Glasham 81 Niagara Falls G.C. 245 worms after three years. No large earthworms were found in the plots treated with chlordane or dieldrin. It is interesting 1st net Harry Guertan 65 Chinguacousy G.C. to note that where carbaryl, a non-persistent insecticide was 2nd net Paul White 66 Glendale G.C. applied, the thatch layer after two years was 1.3 mm and a year 3rd net Doug Hoskins 69 Summit G.C. later only 0.3 mm. Earthworm counts in the carbaryl plots 4th net Paul Dodson 70 Mississauga G.C. were 96 after two years and 115 in the third year. The authors Assistant Superintendents - summarize their findings by stating that, "Earthworm potential 1st gross Ron Wilcyznski 85 Weston G.C. for organic matter decomposition should be considered when 1st net Doug Rothwell 68 Ancaster G.C. selecting pesticides for use on turf." Suppliers and Guests - Earthworms, often a nuisance, are beneficial to turf in 1st gross Doug Heron 78 O.M. Scott & Sons several ways, they: 1) enhance decomposition of the plant 2nd gross Rod Hermitage 79 Green Cross debris; 2) feed on the thatch and movement up and down pro­ 3rd gross Jack Fairhurst 82 Halifax, N.S. vides mixing of the soil; 3) dead earthworms contribute to the 1st net Larry Melia Bayview G.C. soil organic matter content; and 4) the tunneling improves soil 2nd net Dennis McCracken porosity, aeration (5% of the soil volume may be earthworm 3rd net Peter Spencer University of Guelph tunnels), and percolation of water. BIOLOGICAL CONTROL 4th ANNUAL - PRESIDENT, GREENS There are a number of cultural practices that speed up the CHAIRMAN, SUPERINTENDENT GOLF rate of thatch decomposition. These practices also help control TOURNAMENT - ISLINGTON GOLF CLUB the rate of turfgrass shoot growth, maintain desirable density, 8th JULY, 1977 colour, ability and of the grass to "bounce back" from disease, Host Superintendent: Tom Charters ball marks, insect attack, scalping, and other injuries. The com­ Forty teams representing golf clubs from around the Pro­ bined practices that are effective in keeping thatch in check vince were in attendance. include controlled nitrogen nutrition and irrigation, topdressing, Host, Tom Charters, like many of us in the Toronto area, liming, cultivation (coring, vertical mowing, grooving, slicing, had his problems with winter kill earlier on plus heavy rains, but made a good recovery by tournament time. or spiking), proper cutting, good soil drainage, and the use of relatively non-persistent insecticides such as carbaryl or diazinon. Winners of this event with 119 points were: 1st Bayview Country Club - Superintendent Ed Ortleib 2nd Aurora Highlands - Superintendent Whitey Jones Thatch and/or compaction problems on fairways? Obviously, 3rd Glen Eagle Golf Club - Superintendent Bill Calhoun you can't rip up the turf through the busy play months of June, 4th Glen Abbey Golf Club - Superintendent Dennis Pellrene July and August. A 2nd or 3rd greens aerifier might be the 5th Dalewood Golf Club - Superintendent Hugh Kirkpatrick answer, verticut the plugs and dragmat without severely dis­ rupting play conditions. Due to ever expanding golf cart fleets - from 7 to 45 in 15 PRO/SUPER GOLF DAY - YORK DOWNS GOLF years at St. George's - we have to decide on one of two choices: CLUB-AUGUST 8, 1977 1. Keep carts off fairways - build paths tee to green. Host: Kimmo Salonen 2. Constantly aerify throughout the playing season on The Golf Superintendents were the only ones smiling when critical, high-traffic areas. heavy rain delayed play for an hour during this championship. The record rainfall in August has many Superintendents in Quote from TEE OFF MAGAZINE - the Toronto area leaning towards keeping carts off fairways. "A propitious omen for Ontario golf courses is the interest that course superintendents are showing in playing the game. Time was the greenie was a former farmer with a penchant for growing grass. Now they are starting to play, they're dis­ covering they have to cut it, too, to improve their lie." The man who gets ahead is the one who does Winners of the event: more than is necessary - and keeps on doing 1. Markland Wood G.C. - Bob Heron 86 1 56 it. Ken Duggan 70 2. Conestoga G.C. - Bruce Vollet 2. Bob Heron - Markland Wood Ron Silver 157 Gord Putney - Sunset 65 net 3. Glen Shield G.C. - Bernie Endicott 3. Bob Brewster - Weston Fergus Gallagher Ed Ortleib - Bayview 66 net Superintendent Scores: An excellent meal and good fellowship followed to complete a Gross Bill Bowen - Peterborough 77 fine day. Bruce Vollet - Conestoga 80 Hugh Kirkpatrick - Dalewood 80 Steve Miller - Burlington 80 Charlie Szturm - Burlington Springs 81 Net Doug Hoskins - Summit 69 MR. ELWOOD McARTHUR Dennis Pellrene - Glen Abbey 70 It is with deep regret we announce the passing of Elwood Art Dodson - Maple Downs 70 McArthur, who died suddenly June 19th, 1977 after a Steve Miller - Burlington 70 brief illness, he was 64 years of age. Bob Brewster - Weston 70 Elwood was Golf Superintendent at the Scarborough Golf Club, Toronto from the period 1956 - 1977, and MONTHLY MEETING - AUGUST 25th, 1977 before that at the Glendale Golf Club, Hamilton. WYLDEWOOD GOLF CLUB Elwood was a pillar of the O.G.S.A. He will be sadly Host: John Smith missed by his friends and associates. Attendance 46. Dr. Fushtie and Norm McCollum were in attendance from The University of Guelph. The main subject discussed being Nematodes affecting Rusty Workman's course. THOUGHTS FROM ONE SUPERINTENDENT'S It has been a tough year judging by comments generally, and WIFE-TO ANOTHER it is becoming apparent that as golf carts and play increases to By Caroline C. Twombly saturation point, so the Superintendent has to intensify his I have been talking about executive's wives for 35 years. maintenance programme to meet this demand. This is likely to Now that I am to put these thoughts on paper, I am not at all create conflict between the Superintendent and the golfer. sure it is a good idea, but I am sure that every executive's wife A suggestion was made that the O.G.S.A. send out a circular reading this will be certain it does not apply to her. to golf clubs advising of the maintenance requirements necessary I have worked in electricity and electronics for 30 years during the peak play months. This service was previously sup­ while my husband worked in another profession. Through the plied by the O.G.A. years I met many executive's wives from all areas of the busi­ The meeting closed after 11/2 hours to break for lunch. ness world. I met far too few who really understood or wanted This was followed by a golf game, played on a well-condi­ to understand what their husband's job was, what abilities he tioned golf course, on a beautiful day. Played with Bob Brew- had to have to stay in that position, what is required of him or ster, who hit the ball a mile consistently, and stroked the ball how it affected him mentally or physically. The greatest per­ in the hole from all angles. 5 over on the last two holes spoilt centage of women were mainly interested in the social level his an otherwise good round. salary permitted. What he did interested them only to the point Winners: of how many days off he could take and when he would have 1st gross Bill Bowen 74 1st net Blake McMaster his next vacation. 2nd gross Hugh Kirkpatrick 78 2nd net Doug Hoskins 3rd gross Steve Miller 80 3rd net Paul Dermott Caroline Twombly is the wife of executive, Ardyce Twombly. Mr. Twombly is Superintendent at the famous Bel Air CC in O.G.S.A. MONTHLY MEETING - Los Angeles, site of the recent '76 Amateur USGA Championship. CHINGUACOUSY GOLF CLUB - SEPT. 15, 1977 Host: Henry Guertin I've been married to the same man for 49 years. Thirty-eight Its always pleasant to play this scenic golf course set in the of those years he has been a golf course superintendent. This is Caledon Hills and host superintendent had the course in good why I am interested in the wives of golf course superintendents. condition. There are some who think that, because their husband is a golf 47 Superintendents and Associates were in attendance for course superintendent, they are not an executive's wife? They are the golf event. Bill Bowen, golf chairman, decided on two ball are very wrong! foursomes and this created a great deal of interest and gave Webster's dictionary defines "executive" as any person or everyone a chance to be in on the action. body charged with administrative or executive work. Your The 1st nine saw several contestants at 5 under par. The 2nd husband and mine are executives, but the calibre of the exec­ half was somewhat tougher, however, and the best score of 6 utive is up to you and him. Club members, other superintendents, under par was accomplished by two teams, forcing a play-off. officials from other areas of the golf world, club managers, golf The team of Blake McMaster and Scotty Orr winning easily professionals, salesmen and even his own workers look at the with natural par on the 1st play-off hole. things he does and listen to what he says and judge the type of The winners were: executive he is. If he is assured and self-confident, dedicated to 1. Blake McMaster - Brampton his club and the personnel, they then know he has an under­ Scotty Orr, Kleinburg 65 net standing wife. His willingness to stay for an unexpected meeting or to deal with a sudden problem; his always-on-time record; his THATCH CONTROL IN PENNCROSS ability to return to the club in the evening or on a day off to CREEPING BENT GRASS straighten out some major problem; all of these show your love J. L. Eggens - N. E. McCollum, 1977 and concern for him, your understanding, your ability to ad­ Factors Usually Considered to Promote Thatch Development just your life to the demands of his job. 1. Poor drainage, poor aeration If he is anything but assured and self-confident, chances are 2. Overwatering his wife is not understanding and he is torn between two loves. 3. Acidic conditions He is never sure how his wife is going to accept the demands of 4. Infrequent or excessively high cut his position, neither is he sure how the club is going to accept 5. Vigorous growing turf the demands his wife makes on him. He tries to balance the two 6. Excessively high nitrogen program but rarely succeeds. 7. Use of persistent pesticides It is to this group of wives I address myself. Fortunately, they 8. Compaction are in the minority. Practices Usually Considered to Decrease Thatch Accumulation When he shows an unwillingness to stay for any unexpected 1. Good drainage, soil aeration, encouragement of soil micro­ problem or meeting or, if he does stay, has anxiety to leave as organism soon as possible, he demonstrates a lack of understanding at 2. Careful control of irrigation and nitrogen fertility levels home. His tendency to call on one of his men to take care of a 3. Top dressing problem that you lack concern for what happens to the club, 4. Mechanical removal its property or its equipment. Acres of very valuable land and 5. Low mowing thousands of dollars worth of equipment are entrusted to his 6. pH in the 6 - 7 range care, not to one of the workers on the course. He does love his work. If he did not, he would be doing some­ thing else. He loves you and wants to make the best living he The boss called the new stenographer into his office. can for you. You say he has competent help and he does, but if "Miss Allen," he said, "you are the prettiest girl we ever had any one of those men were as competent as he, he would be working here." superintendent, not your husband. A pleased look came over the girl's face. A wife must remember that chinch bugs, beetles and worms "You dress well," the boss went on, "you have a nice have no respect for what you might want to do. The insects are voice, you make a good impression on the public, and your hungry and their one object is to eat as much as they can before deportment is fine." they are discovered. Disease strikes any time conditions are right "Oh, thank you," she said. "Your compliments are ap­ preciated." and it has no regard for what you have planned. Of course the "That's fine," the boss continued. "Enjoy them. For we summer rains are needed, but your husband didn't ask for them are now going to discuss your spelling, your punctuation, to come down in torrents to wash out sand bunkers, stand in and your typing." puddles all over his golf course and, when the sun comes out, —Temple Topics cook his grass like spinach. Summer downpours have also been known to wash out newly seeded areas and destroy important THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH construction work he has started. Plans must often be changed. The art of management lies in making difficult things simple, Our men, the superintendents, are almost in the genius not simple things difficult. Nowhere is this more apparent than class. They are doctors who identify and cure diseases of the in writing. grass; entomologists who identify and destroy the insects and Many managers and executives, unfortunately, try to write a worms, part-time lawyers who know the legal codes of the town, different language from the one they speak. The result is stilted city, county, state and federal governments regarding electricity, language, muddy thought, confusion. The clearest, most effect­ gas, gasoline and noise levels. They must know what, how much ive way to express an idea is in simple, conversational language. and how often different chemicals can be used, labour laws and Successful leaders write, not to impress people, but to get building codes. They are engineers, for they must rebuild or con­ things done. They get to the point directly, make clear what struct greens, tees, fairways, bridges, cart paths and in some they want to say, then stop. They use the simplest sort of lan­ cases building. They are diplomats maintaining good relations guage and don't fog the situation by needless explanations and with their members, club officials, their employees, other super­ beating around the bush. intendents, salesmen and various groups within their professional A common error of the younger manager is the tendency to sphere. write to try to impress people rather than to communicate ideas. This could be avoided by keeping the following steps in mind Our men are great people but to be at their best, they need when writing . . . our understanding and our cooperation. Your man may need to Don't write anything until the message is absolutely clear in release tension by talking to you. He isn't really asking for ad­ your own mind. vice, just for the one he loves to listen to him. Often problems Imagine the person you are writing to is sitting directly across resolve themselves just by talking about them. He needs to know your desk. Read the message to that person aloud. Does it sound you love him and that you understand that he loves you. You natural? Is that the way you would talk to that person? may not understand his problems and be able to give advice, Avoid introductory material - get to the point quickly, im­ but if you don't listen, you never will understand that it is his mediately if possible. self-respect, his integrity and his desire to make the best living When you've made your point, STOP. he can for you that keeps him on the job when you want him Keep sentences and paragraphs short. Break long, complex home. sentences into simpler, multiple sentences. Reprinted from USGA Green Section Record May '77 When writing a longer report, always summarize your con­ clusions or recommendations on the first page. Imagination, Experimentation Are Keys To Creative Thinking, Problem Solving When you have a problem to solve, you 5. Challenge your assumptions. This can easily attack it in the same old ways isn’t easy, but ask yourself absurd Educating a Crew and and come up with the same old solutions questions like, Who says it has to be like that sort of work or that once worked, but this? Why should I believe that organiza­ Sharing Information Are are you missing some new and unique solutions because you aren’t thinking tional structures need a boss? Challenge every assumption you can identify. It will Superintendent’s Job creatively? strengthen your understanding of the If the golf course superintendent is to The next time you’re faced with a problem itself. do a quick and efficient job, he must be problem of any sort, serious or minor, able to educate his crew regularly and in routine or unusual, try one or more of 6. Let your thoughts run wild. depth. It isn’t easy to find time in a hectic these mental exercises in creativity: Fantasize. Play a crazy game of “. . . day during the golf season to tend to the What if?” What would I do if there were basics that don’t affect the golfers direct­ 1. Reverse the way you look at the no more water available for a year? What ly, but it is essential to do it anyway. problem. Turn it upside down, take a would I do about this if I were three years Following are some ideas to help the completely different approach to it. Don’t old? Where would I start to build this superintendent see to the effective educa­ be afraid to be absurd in your thoughts system if I were the only survivor after a tion of his crew: once in a while — the fanciful can lead to nuclear holocaust? First, share information with them first some very practical solutions. How would thing in the morning, when they are fresh Moon Maid solve it? 7. Cash in on the bonus of your own and not yet busy all over the course. Tell odd thoughts. Carry a notebook, and them in as few words as possible what you 2. Tear it apart. Then analyze the keep one by the bed at night. When an need them to know. Don’t let your relationships among the pieces. How are idea strikes you — silly or not — write it thoughts stray or the conversation wander they the same? How do they differ? What down. When you have a brilliant idea as from the subject. if you change one link in a chain — what you are falling asleep or waking up — Share praise promptly with all crew effect would it have on the whole? Try write it down. Then periodically go members. It doesn’t always have to be in altering the color, shape, timing or size of through your book of thoughts and toss group meetings, but when you see a good one or more parts. out the trash — there will be more job being done, stop and say so. wisdom there than you might have Occasionally mention some especially 3. Change the order of the parts. Sort thought, and it will all be information well done work in your group meetings — things, massage them, jiggle them, line and ideas you might otherwise have it builds morale. But be very careful to them up in different ways. New ways of forgotten or not noticed. criticize discreetly and in private. Always seeing the problem will begin to emerge. try to work in a little encouragement or These seven steps are parts of a process helpful suggestion with the criticism so it called creative thinking. People who come isn’t just negative words. This will help 4. Find an analogy. What is this up with good ideas use creative thinking. build trust and confidence that will spill problem like? Is it like a little kid pushing They aren’t afraid of some silly ideas, over into all areas of your crew’s work. an apple up a hill and every time he gets because they know that even in the Focus whenever possible on what a halfway up someone rolls an orange down silliest, there might be a grain of wisdom topic means personally to the crew. A on him? Find an analogy and you’ll see to use to their advantage. Try it, you’ll well-kept green can be a reflection of their the problem more clearly. like it. personal pride and abilities. “What’s in it for me?” is a key point of view that’s guaranteed to get their attention. Keep your presentations short — don’t kill the subject with words. Break it into segments you can handle in short sessions several days running if it takes more than 15 or 20 minutes. Try to allow as much Improve Your Decision-Making Process time for questions as you do for your own talking. The golf course superintendent makes with creativity, as explained above. Don’t Follow up your teaching sessions with decisions every day in every area of his assume that what worked in the past will on-the-job information. You might ex­ work. Most are good decisions, or he still work today — check it out. plain how a new nine-gang mower works wouldn’t be where he is. But some aren’t in the shop and then have the operator so good, and then the superintendent Third, use your intuition and play your hunches, but temper them with facts. run it in your presence for a while, for should review his decision-making pro­ instance. cess. Here are four suggestions for making Legitimate hunches can be easily con­ firmed by seeking out relevant informa­ Communication is part of the turfgrass good decisions. manager’s job, both with the crew and tion. First, ask others for their opinions. also with golfers. Remember, you’ll also Incorporate worthy ones into your think­ Fourth, attack the problem. Don’t have to communicate with the green com­ ing but don’t base your decisions solely on procrastinate, hoping it will go away or mittee and club officials, so get in practice someone else’s opinions. solve itself. Fight problems with action, and learn to relay information efficiently Second, approach decision-making not inaction. and comfortably. It will pay off. President ALAN BEENEY Georgetown, Ontario Phone 877-2642 Vice-President PAUL SCENNA Cambridge, Ontario Phone (519) 623-3292 Secretary CANADIAN OPEN STUART MILLS Ancaster, Ontario July 21 - 24, 1977 Phone 648-4474 GLEN ABBEY GOLF CLUB Treasurer PAUL DODSON Congratulations to Superintendent Dennis Pellrene in his Mississauga, Ontario fine work in preparing the spectacular, beautiful and chal­ Phone 270-0716 lenging championship course. Glen Abbey is now the Directors permanent home of the Canadian Open. BILL BOWEN Peterborough, Ontario Dennis received the "Citation of Performance" award during Phone 742-8465 the closing ceremonies from C.G.S.A.A. President, Ted Woehrle. PAUL WHITE Hamilton, Ontario Phone (416) 561-1216 As Dennis says, "I just happened to be in the right place at the right time", joining the staff of Glen Abbey in 1971 he KEN NELSON supervised a complete remodelling of the course and it London, Ontario Phone (519) 433-5136 looked just great for the "Open". HUGH KIRKPATRICK Before coming to Glen Abbey, Dennis was Superintendent Coburg, Ontario at Erie Downs Golf & Country Club for 3 1/2 years, and prior Phone 884-8665 to that. Assistant to John Piccolo at St. Catharines Golf RON ALLEN Club. Don Mills, Ontario Phone 445-7791 BILL HYND Islington, Ontario Phone 239-9630 Past-President PAUL DERMOTT Islington, Ontario Phone (416) 247-9281 ONTARIO GOLF SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION Box 63, Islington, Ontario M9A 4X1