"Green is Beautiful" Ontario Golf Superintendents Association 54 HERNSHAW CRESCENT - ETOBICOKE, ONTARIO M9C 3M4 - TELEPHONE 622-9929 "Next Meeting" BAYVIEW GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB HOST: JIM WYLLIE DATE: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14th, 1980 MEETING: 10:00 a.m. LUNCH: 11:00 a.m GOLF: 12:00 Noon "SCRAMBLE GOLF" BOARD OF DIRECTORS - 1980 PRESIDENT....................................................................................... PAUL WHITE - Lambton VICE-PRESIDENT.................................................................. KEN NELSON - Sunningdale SECRETARY ............................................................................ DOUG HOSKINS - Summit TREASURER............................................................................... JOHN SMITH - Wyldewood PAST PRESIDENT.........................................................................STU MILLS - Hamilton DIRECTORS............................................................................... DAN ARDLEY - Dalewood BOB BREWSTER - Weston AL DRAPER - Greenhills SHORTY JENKINS - Bay of Quinte BLAKE McMASTER - Brampton DAVID MOOTE - Scarborough RUSTY WARKMAN - Oshawa - CONTENTS - MEETINGS 1980 Date Course Host Wednesday, Sept. 10 Dukes “Lawn 'Arama" empty table cell Tuesday, September 16 Pro-Super - Lake St. George, Orillia, Ont. empty table cell Thursday, September 18 C.G.S.A. - Fall Field Day empty table cell Monday, September 29 Dalewood Golf Club (McClumpha Tournament) Dan Ardley Tuesday, October 14 Bayview Golf Club Jim Wyllie October 29-30 G.C.S.A.A. Seminar “Landscape l“ empty table cell November 15 Christmas Party, Lambton Golf & Country Club empty table cell Tuesday, December 2 Aurora Highlands - Annual Meeting Paul White IN THE NEXT ISSUE Results of: 1) Pro-Superintendent 2) McClumpha Tournament 3) Bayview Golf Club EDITOR: CO-EDITOR: BOB BREWSTER BLAKE McMASTER Weston Golf & Country Club Brampton Golf & Country Club 50 St. Phillips Road P.O. Box 38 Weston, Ontario M9P 2N6 Brampton, Ontario L6V 2K7 Phone (416) 241-5551 Phone (416) 459-5050 RICHMOND HILL WINS PRESIDENT, 1ST ANNUAL TURFGRASS RESEARCH GREENSCHAIRMAN, SUPERINTENDENT DAY FOUNDATION INVITATIONAL GOLF The 9th Annual President, Greenschairman, Superintendent TOURNAMENT Tournament was held Friday, July 25th at the Summit On Friday, August 1, 1980 the First Invitational Tourna­ Golf Club. ment of the Ontario Turfgrass Research Foundation was As per usual the conditions were ideal, with the weather held at the National Golf Club in Woodbridge, Ontario. Ken comfortably pleasant, except for those of us from relative­ Wright, Host Superintendent had his course in fine shape ly flat courses who were exhausted after climbing Summit’s after 4” of rain in 2 days previous to the Tournament. Several guests from the U.S. and Canada attended, includ­ hilly terrain. ing Dr. Joe Vargas, Ned Brinkman, Jim Latham and Dean The course was in absolutely immaculate condition and Switzer. Following golf, a barbecue steak dinner was held at lived up to its undaunted reputation of having exceedingly the maintenance facility at the Board of Trade. Many thanks fast greens. Doug Hoskins and his crew deserve considerable to Ken Wright and Gord Witteveen for making this day a praise for the fine golfing conditions they provide at the success and also to Mr. Gil Blecman and the National Golf Summit. Club for the use of their fine golf course. The Tournament The field was comprised of 40 teams from across the raised $2,800.00 for Turfgrass Research in Ontario. The province. Unfortunately a dozen entries had to be turned results of the Tournament follows: away. There is talk of a plan to accommodate additional Low Gross: Most Honest Golfer: teams. 1st Bob Cherry 84 Jack Austin 137 Many of us found the course extremely tight and difficult 2nd Jack Harris 85 3rd Steve Miller 87 Longest Drive: but obviously the team from Richmond Hill Golf Club led Low Net: Jack Todd by Superintendent Peter Barnett found the course to their liking, scoring 109 points to place 1st in the event. 1st Kimmo Salonen Closest to Pin: 2nd - Dalewood - Dan Ardley Supt. - 106 points 2nd Ken Nelson Paul Dermott 3rd Mac Frost 3rd - Aurora - Allen Jones Supt. - 99 points 4th - Markland Woods - Bob Heron Supt. - 96 points 5th - Westmount - Hugh Kirkpatrick Supt. - 95 points BILL BOWEN WINS AT WESTVIEW 6th - Scarborough - David Moote Supt. - 94 points On Tuesday, August 12, 1980, our monthly Meeting was 7th - Oakdale - Paul Dermott - 92 points held at Westview Golf Club. Our host Keith Nisbet, gave a 8th - Idylwylde - David Jackson Supt. - 92 points short talk on the history of Westview, a fine 27-hole semi­ Hugh Kirkpatrick of Westmount had the low gross round private course north of Toronto. Then a discussion started on the Rules of Golf as Keith is the head of Golf Rules for of the day, shooting a fine 72. the O.G.A. Following a lengthy discussion on rules, several Andy Bertonia was back for a second time as our after Superintendents toured one of the finest conditioned golf dinner speaker and again was delightful with his endless courses in the area. The results of the day are: line of “humorous” stories and pertinent Turfgrass infor­ Low Gross: Low Net: mation. Bill Bowen 79 Bill Hynd 70 Again many thanks to Doug Hoskins and to the Summit Hugh Kirkpatrick 79 Neil Acton 70 Golf Club and its members for hosting our Tournament. Ken Wright 80 Bernie McDonald 71 In 1981, the President, Greenschairman, Superintendent Dave Keith 80 Ron Wilcyznski 73 Tournament will be held at the Scarborough Golf Club with Dan Ardley 81 John Stoughton 74 David Moote the host Golf Superintendent. Kimmo Salonen 87 C. Endicott 74 Doug Nisbet 87 A special thanks to Keith Nisbet for his fine hospitality and a “Great Golf Course”. Jack Harris, Knollwood Golf Club L.-R. - Ken Nelson, Steve Miller, Bob Cherry, Ken Wright. Group Picture L.-R. - Jim Latham, Keith Nisbet, Jack Harris. L.-R. - Paul Scenna, Dean Switzer, Paul Dermott Presents Prize to Bob Cherry. Dr. Joe Vargas, Alan Beeney. Honest Golfer, Jack Austin. Prize Winner, Mac Frost, O.G.A. Director. GROOMING THE PUTTING called the Wiele Roller, can be used SURFACE instead of the traditional solid roller on the front of the mowing unit. This By James T. Snow, Agronomist, grooved roller tends less to mat the Northeastern Region grass down before it is cut than the other. These three accessories are To most golfers, turf management inexpensive and convenient to use. involves little more than mowing, They function as part of the mowing fertilizing, irrigating and occasional machine and do not require an extra applications of chemicals to control operation to achieve the desired re­ various unidentified pests. The many sults. However, sometimes other details of a good turfgrass management techniques also must be employed to program go unnoticed by most of us, combat successfully the buildup of and perhaps this is as it should be. grain on the greens. One of these details which golf An effective, easy method is to superintendents concern themselves drag some type of mat across the turf with is the grooming of the putting surface before the green is mowed. surface. Providing a smooth, true, This works on the same principle as fast surface involves much more than the mower-mounted brushes, but good frequent mowing. Many little tricks of results are achieved usually much the trade are utilized to obtain the faster. The mats are made often of desired results. metal, but any convenient material To appreciate fully why some of may be used. In fact, utility brooms these techniques are necessary and are used often to brush the greens how they work, it is helpful to under­ before mowing. stand how the putting green grasses Another very effective technique grow if they receive only minimum for grooming the turf is to vertical maintenance. Both bentgrass and mow the greens. This is known also bermudagrass, two of the most impor­ as verticutting the greens and in­ tant grasses cultured for use on greens volves the use of specialized mowing in this country, tend to produce pros­ units with vertical cutting blades to trate-type growth when they receive a cut down into the turf surface. They minimum program of regular mowing. are similar to the units available to If allowed to continue, this results in the homeowner from rental centers and a textured, leafy appearance which is are used for dethatching lawns. This sometimes referred to as grain. Grain technique is based on the principle is the subject of lengthy arguments in that the vertical blades will cut many locker rooms, but there is little through the thatch and remove the doubt that slow, bumpy, untrue greens prostrate-type growth, to produce a are one of the consequences. smooth, true putting surface. The To combat this problem, techniques secret of this operation is to set the have evolved to force the prostrate- units very shallow, so that they just type growth to grow more upright. The nick the surface of the turf. A good results are comparable to putting on a rule of thumb is that if you can see shag rug versus putting on a tightly- the grooves the machine is making, it knit, dense carpet, although the actual is cutting too deeply. It is recom­ cutting height has much less to do with mended that verticutting be done the difference than many people be­ frequently, several times per month is lieve. possible, especially during the spring Perhaps the best place to begin a and fall when weather conditions are program of grooming the putting turf favorable. Verticutting greens is a is with the greens mower itself. Some very effective means of controlling models have accessory brushes which the grain, but it requires the purchase can be mounted to the frame and project of a separate machine or units which out in front of the mower as it moves fit into the triplex putting green mower, across the green. These brushes are and it takes extra time to perform the made of wire or thin metal strips and operation. However, the results would act to fluff up the turf, especially the appear to justify the means. prostrate-type growth, before it is Other factors must be considered mowed to produce a crisp, clean cut. for the development and control of Another accessory is the comb, which grain on greens including cutting is mounted near the front roller on the height and frequency, fertility pro­ mowing unit. It is simply a bar with grams, topdressing programs, the metal teeth which project down into species or variety of grass involved, the turf and fluff it up before it is etc. cut. Also, a special grooved roller, — From A Patch of Green, Feb. 1980. Lawn mowers had to be transported to every green by wheelbarrow, which meant only a few greens could be done each day. The greens were then cut and sprinkled by hand.” Lewis recalls those days fondly despite the handicaps. In fact, he doesn’t think he’d do things much differently if he had his life to live over again. If success is based on peace of mind, making friends and enjoying one’s job to the fullest then Tom Lewis has to be one of the area’s most successful senior citizens. “Life in the outdoors, breathing clean air and doing something you like .. . there6s nothing like it,” exults Tom. It has helped keep him in good physical shape, too, as Tom hasn’t weighed more than 130 to 140 pounds “all my life.” Lewis arrived at Kawartha from Islington in Toronto in 1957 and has spent 22 continuous years shaping and groom­ ing the fine course off Clonsilla Ave. During that time Tom has initiated a lot of changes, including the planting of 7,000 to 8,000 trees just about every location, with the main concentration between the first and tenth holes. Lewis carried out instructions from the club executive to the letter and the work was done so promptly, Cavanaugh points out “it was usually too late in case anyone changed his mind about the project.” TOM LEWIS ENDS 55-YEAR CAREER Married — (Wife Doris) 1 Daughter — (Doreen) NO MALE CHAUVINIST Education — Lampton Mills And Tom certainly cannot be accused of being a male chau­ 1st job — With Con Smythe - $8.00 week vinist. He is firmly convinced that females do a better job 2nd job - Islington Golf Club - 1924 than men on course maintenance. Since 1972, Tom has put Moved to Lachute, was there until 1957 that belief into action around Kawartha, hiring two full- Kawartha — 1957 until present. time girls and four other part-time university students each When Tom Lewis began his love affair with a golf course summer. many years ago, the golfers were wearing plus fours and “Girls are generally more dependable, punctual and easier swinging hickory shafted clubs. to get along with,” says Tom. “Today’s machinery easily puts That was 55 years ago. He has spent all of his life since the work involved well within a woman’s physical ability, in the outdoors and doesn’t regret a single day. Few of us too.” can make such a statement about our lives and maybe that’s Lewis is extremely proud of the excellent job the girls why Tom, at 73, looks and acts much younger. have accomplished in keeping Kawartha in trim but the ad­ Lewis has gone into semi-retirement after serving as head miration is mutual. Lewis is so well-thought of by his all­ greenskeeper at the Kawartha Golf and Country Club for girl work force they recently showed their appreciation by the past 22 years. Newly-hired to replace Lewis is Fred Cur- taking him out to dinner. rah, who comes to Peterborough with impressive credentials Semi-retirement is not likely to keep Lewis too far away from the Riverside course in Riverside, New Brunswick. from his beloved Kawartha. He intends to play a lot more Rich Cavanaugh, president of the Kawartha men’s section, golf with the seniors this coming season because he’ll have pays Lewis high tribute. “Tom will definitely be a hard man more leisure time and his competitors are forewarned. Don’t to replace. He is absolutely fantastic on machinery and I let Tom talk you into giving up too many strokes. know he’ll be missed. However, we’re still counting on see­ Not only does he know every blade of grass at Kawartha ing him as an advisor and in his new role as a part-time tech­ but he plays a pretty fair country game. Just remember he nician at the club.” won the seniors cup in the Ontario head greenskeeper’s Lewis is much too active to be satisfied accepting rele­ tournament played last summer at Gleneagles in Bolton. gation to the rocking chair. He has agreed to remain in a Enjoy a happy retirement, Tom . . . you have earned a consulting capacity and putting in a few hours each week rest. —From Scarborough Examiner making sure the equipment is kept finely tuned. Tom is con­ sidered something of a mechanical wizard with course ma­ chinery. MANUALLY IN 1920’s One just didn’t automatically become a greenskeeper by showing up at a golf course in those early days. “You had to serve a solid apprenticeship,” says Tom. “And it was real tough in the 20’s because everything had to be done man­ ually, without the kind of automatic equipment we have to­ day.” DEALING EFFECTIVELY WITH SALESMEN 3. Tuck in your chin so that your spine remains straight through your neck and head. Salesmen are a necessary part of your business operation. 4. Grasp the object firmly with both hands, using the They keep you informed of new products and serve as a palms as well as the fingers. personal contact between you and your suppliers. When a 5. Tuck your arms and elbows close to your body as you product you need is in short supply, a good relationship draw the object toward you. with your salesman can make the difference between getting 6. Position your body so that its weight is centered over your order and going without it. your feet. Start the lift by pushing on your rear foot Unfortunately, many superintendent/salesman contacts as you straighten and stand by using your leg muscles result in a lot of time and coffee being consumed with very instead of your back. little to show for it. Here are some ways you can organize Before you lift an object to move it, make sure your your meetings with salesmen to save you both time and route is clear. If there are obstacles, move them first. If you energy. will need help with doors, stairs or elevators, make sure some­ PREPARE FOR SALES CALLS by having some idea of one will be there to lend a hand. Avoid twisting your body what you will order. Study that firm’s promotional litera­ as you carry a heavy object, as this is a leading cause of back ture and trade magazine advertisements to develop a list of injuries. And even though it might be a little quicker to car­ questions about products which interest you. ry an object, a dolly or a rolling cart could save you time MAKE YOUR SALESMAN UNDERSTAND that your and trouble, not to mention considerable pain, in the long time is valuable and that you have no intention of wasting run. —From Fore-Front. it. Your regular salesman should understand that you will have nothing to do with a salesman who wastes your time SIX STEPS TO BETTER COMMUNICATIONS and his. After all, he is there for your convenience. TRAIN YOUR STAFF to separate the unimportnat and “Communications is the lubricant for the work of an organ­ unneeded items which salesmen are seeking to sell you from ization and fuel for the manager’s positive relationships with those products which could be of some value. Give someone an effective, satisfied crew,” Ronald C. Frame, an Oklahoma on your staff the authority to turn down those which ob­ City management sonsultant, states in Managing Human viously have little value. Keep a list of your needs handy so Resources, a new GCSAA management manual written es- that your staff can refer to it when a salesman calls. specially for golf course superintendents. Frame gives six MEET WITH SALESMEN in an area of your building suggestions for improving your communications with your where you are least likely to be interrupted. The few min­ crew and others around you: utes each day you save by making your meetings more 1. Think through what you wish to accomplish before efficient will add up to a sizeable total by the end of the you start: This is tactical, it is preparation and it helps year. eleiminate surprises in the process. You know your DON’T BOTHER YOUR SALESMAN with matters over ground before you approach it. which they have no control. If you have a problem which 2. Determine the ways you will communicate: This is a they cannot solve, go directly to the company and use the process of selection. What will work best with the time saved for more pressing matters. other party? How do you get his complete under­ It doesn’t hurt to cement valuable relationships over an standing without overdoing it? Will the telephone do? informal cup of coffee when you both have time to spare, Do you need to see his face? Should it be written? but a hard look at the way you deal with salesmen can re­ 3. Appeal to the interests of the recipient: You want his sult in a considerable amount of time saved on everyone’s attention, he wants to know how he will be affected. part. —From Fore-Front Nov. 1979. Get him involved personally and he will listen more effectively. 4. Give feedback on what others communicate to you: That is, “Now let me make sure I’ve got it. You are asking if . . . etc,” or “If I understand you correctly, SAFE LIFTING PREVENTS BACK PROBLEMS you are saying . . . etc.” Feedback is a checking, con­ Maybe it’s happened to you. The box didn’t look that heavy firming process. and it didn’t have to be moved that far, so you decided to 5. Get feedback on what you are communicating: The pick it up and carry it yourself instead of waiting for help burden is on you to make yourself understood. Don’t or using a dolly. As you lifted it, you felt a sharp pain in ask “Do you understand?” Ask instead, “Play back the lower part of your back, a pain that stayed with you for my instructions so I will know that I was clear in weeks. Maybe it still gives you trouble. giving them,” or “Give me your understanding of my According to the National Safety Council, approximately instructions. I want to be sure I was understood.” one out of every four occupational injuries and many more 6. Test the effectiveness of important communications home injuries occur during the manual handling of materials. before relying on them: If words go in one ear and Many of these accidents result from improper lifting meth­ out the other, use them as back-up for written in­ ods. Here is the recommended procedure for lifting heavy structions. If memos go into shirt pockets to be objects: washed later, follow up with a telephone call. Inef­ 1. Part your feet so that one foot is alongside the object fective communication is no communication at all to be lifted and the other is behind. and will tend to generate problems of attitudes, sorry 2. Crouch close to the object and keep your back straight, work, and more difficult communications later. as close to vertical as possible. —From Fore-Front. REGIONALIZATION alternate each year to another region, each region would or­ During the past few years a few new Superintendents Asso- ganize their own meetings. There would be three meetings a iations have started throughout Ontario. This is due mainly year held for the whole membership. because most of the O.G.S.A. meetings are centred around 1. January Symposium Toronto. The O.G.S.A. is an Ontario Association not a Tor­ 2. Galt Field Day onto Association, therefore there is a need for Regional­ 3. Annual Meeting ization. The January Symposium could be moved to a different If Regionalization took place, the following would be region each year. required: Each member of a region would pay dues with a portion 1. Representation by Regions of the dues going back to each region. The head office would 2. Equal representation of board members in each region remain the same location with each region using our secre­ 3. Bring By-Laws up to date tary to send out mailings and notices. The O.G.S.A. Regionalization Committee has put together The advantages of Regionalization are: the following ideas. They have held several meetings and 1. Increase membership as more people would have to have met with various groups throughout Ontario. become involved in each region. The O.G.S.A. would be divided into four Regions: 2. Cut down in travelling time as monthly meetings would 1. South Western be held in your own region. 2. Niagara Western 3. Better representation of Board of Directors through­ 3. Central out Ontario. 4. Western 4. Better communications to members in each region. The board of directors would be represented by three direct­ The Regionalization Committee will discuss Regional­ ors from each area. These directors would comprise of: ization at the next Annual Meeting. president, vice-president, secretary, etc. The president would Regionalization Committee — Dan Ardley, Bob Brewster, Blake McMaster, Thom Charters.