Green is Beautiful” Ontario Golf Superintendents Association 312, ETOBICOKE, ONTARIO M9C 4V3____________________ TELEPHONE 622-9929 JULY 1982 Pro-Superintendent Golf Tournament Weston Golf Club August 13, 1982 Shotgun at 1:00 Hosts: Bob Brewster and Ken Quiggan BOB BREWSTER Superintendent Weston Golf Club ONTARIO GOLF SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR 1982 PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT PAST PRESIDENT Bob Brewster Rusty Warkman Ken Nelson Weston Golf Club Oshawa Golf Club Sunningdale Golf Club DIRECTORS Al Draper Barry Endicott Bill Fach Greenhills Country Club Chinguacousy Country Club Essex Golf & Country Club Doug Hoskins John Hutchinson Robert Kennedy Summit Golf Club Warkworth Golf Club Garden City Golf Club Hugh Kirkpatrick Paul Scenna Tom Simpson Westmount Golf & Country Club Galt Country Club Newcastle Golf Club NEWSLETTER EDITOR Barry Endicott Chinguacousy Country Club, R.R. No. 1, Inglewood, Ontario LON 1K0, Phone: Bus. (416) 838-3903 Home (416) 838-2724 NEWSLETTER CORRESPONDENTS John Hutchinson Bill Fach Robert Kennedy EVENTS’ 82 Monthly Meeting October 15 — Oshawa Golf Club Pro-Superintendent Day Drainage Course August 13 — Weston Golf Club November 22-23 — Green Hills Golf Club By-Law and Regionalization Meeting Annual Meeting September 8 — Tyandaga Golf Club December 1 — Wyldewood Golf Club McClumpha Tournament Christmas Party October 4 — Aurora Golf Club December 3 — Galt Country Club New Members William Stevens Class B - Lynn Meadows Golf & Country Club Len Coward Class B - Glen Lawrence Golf & Country Club Wally Gibson Class E - Royal Purple Garden Supplies Ted Bouwhuis Class A - Brockville Country Club Ed Farnsworth Class B - Deerhurst Golf Club Wayne Hall Class B - Confederation Country Club Doug Woods Class E - Douglas Wood Large Trees Sales Ltd. R.W. Sheard Class DD - Professor University of Guelph Stephen Verrall Class B - Cataraqui Country Club Jim Honey Class F - Warkworth Golf Course Tidbits Paul Dermott had two cornish hens and a rooster in a coup behind his maintenance building at the Oakdale Golf Club. Paul also has a rare breed of a dog he bought from Texas for several hundreds of dollars. One day someone left the latch off of the chicken coup. You guessed it. Now Paul has a Bird Dog! Fred Currah, Superintendent at Kawartha in Peterborough, has bought a motel and is leaving the business. His assistant is finishing off the year. The club may hire a new Superintendent during the beginning of next year. Cameron Cairncross, one time Super at the Summit and then with the Parks at Sault St. Marie, has moved to the Golden West. He is now with the Parks Deparment in Edmonton. Andy Bertoni from the Cleary Cor­ GALT FIELD DAY poration was the after dinner speaker. As well as having been a golf superintendent and a strong supporter of our profession, by Blake McMaster Andy is one of the great humourous story Ontario Director tellers I have ever heard. I swear he didn’t stop telling stories the entire day and never repeated himself. On June 10th or thereabouts each year, more than one hundred Ontario golf superintendents leave their frustrations behind and escape to the Galt Field Day at the Galt Country Club. Personally, the Galt Field Day is the Dr. Sheard Professor at the University of Guelph accepting a donation highlight of the golf season for a number from Keith Nesbit, president of the OTRF, at the Galt Field Day. of reasons, the first being the host superintendent, Paul Scenna. Ever cheer­ For anyone with plans to construct a ful and positive (it’s contagious) Paul is green or greens in the near future, Dr. one of the delightful characters in our Bob Sheard is doing some interesting business. He has been very active and ef­ work on a variety of sands used in greens fective in association work - he’s a past construction. He is researching the President of the O.G.S.A., and this past moisture retention capacity, leaching and year was a member of the C.G.S.A. soil ph, in relation to nutrients available. Convention Committee. Dr. Jack Eggens and C.M. Wright are do­ ing work in fairway overseeding with Em­ bark. As well, Dr. Eggens is doing a study on a soil conditioner produced from waste Andy Bertoni and Bob Brewster by the Ontario Ministry of the Environ­ at Galt Field Day ment. The results of the study are promis­ ing and indicate that the compost is Bill Bowen from the Peterborough Golf suitable for high sand content root zones. Club shot a 72 to take low gross honours. Andrea McTear and Jack Eggens are Keith Nisbitt from Westview Golf Club researching the mechanism which enables had the low net score, shooting 80 with a Annual Bluegrass to dominate in inten­ 16 handicap, for a net 64. John Cunn­ sively managed swards such as golf ingham, the Assistant to David Gourlay at course fairways. Thornhill Country Club was low assistant We hope to publish further results of all shooting a very fine 72. Dennis Muir from of these studies in the Greenmaster in the the University of Guelph shot a 76. future. The work being done at Guelph To say the least, a great day! Com­ and other Canadian universities is vital to pliments to Bob Brewster, OGSA Presi­ all of us in the golf industry and deserves dent and his Board, and to Hugh our support - financial. Kirkpatrick who organized the event. Discussion among superintendents Credit - Greenmaster centred on the devastating effects of last July/August 1982 winter on courses that have a The Galt Country Club, which has predominance of poa. Toronto and area hosted the Field Day for at least the past courses are just now recovering from the 10 years, and which celebrated its 75th worst winter damage in the past two anniversary in 1981, is a wonderfully, decades. mature course, a perfect members’ course, somewhat short in length com­ pared to recently built courses, but always challenging and immaculately prepared by Paul. Do you have a Turfgrass Disease The golfing is followed by lunch and that you can’t Identify or Control? then a visit to the University of Guelph Call The Vargas Hotline. (517) 355-5221 Turf Plots at the Cambridge Research Sta­ tion where Norm McCollum is the host Superintendent. Participants from the University of Guelph included Dr. Bob Sheard, Dr. Jack Eggens, Dr. Lee Burpee, Dr. Bob Hall, Dennis Muir and Joe Vargas Andrea McTear. A successful day at the London Hunt by Gord Witteveen Annually the Ontario Golf Superinten­ White. In third place were Bay of Quinte’s part of club officials for the greens dents Association organizes a Shotgun Shorty Jenkins, A. Dahl and Ken Superintendents’ problems. tournament consisting of 40 teams com­ Dodderidge. Host Superintendent John Bennett posed of a club’s President, Greens Chair­ This type of tournament provides an had his golf course in excellent condition. man and Golf Superintendent. This year excellent opportunity for the club officials The Hunt Club had a fully automatic Toro the event was held at the beautiful Lon­ to meet each other and to discuss mutual watering system installed last year. The don Hunt Club with its wide fairways and problems. This year’s after dinner address fairways are watered with a double row large greens. When the scores were was given by Geoff Perkins, a former method and the new sprinklers have tallied, the threesome for the Beaverdale Greens Chairman and President of the made a big difference to the playability of Golf Club near Guelph came out as the Summit Golf Club. Perkins stressed the the course, although Bennett has had his winners. Second were London Hunt’s need for greater understanding on the share of problems with the No. 670 John Bennett, Dave Stewart and Don heads. Hugh Kirkpatrick receives the President’s Award for his contributions to Al Beeney (OTRF) receives a check for $1,000 from Bob Brewster, Presi­ the Golf Course Maintenance Industry. dent of the OGSA. John Bennett, Superintendent at London Hunt Golf Club receives a pla­ The Beaverdale winners: John Salmon, Owner Superintendent Bob Lab- que for hosting the President, Greens Chairman, Superintendent Golf bett and John Hussey. Tournament on July 23. EPA Says, Toronto C-15 2,4-D Syndrome Not a Health For many years, Toronto C-15 creep­ Because it is a bacteria-like organism, Hazard ing bentgrass provided some of the finest the typical fungicides simply did not work. Environmental Protection putting surfaces on golf courses in the It evolved that antibiotic chemicals were Agency Weekly Report Midwest. However, for several years the only ones to offer any control. For now, and with no specific pattern of oc­ that reason, all the fungicide treatments to Based on preliminary analyses con­ currence, many Toronto C-15 greens infected turf in the Chicago area didn’t ducted on available data, the U.S. En­ have become thin, weak and in some work. vironmental Protection Agency (EPA) cases failed to survive. believes that concentrations of dioxins The USGA is pleased to be a part of found in U.S. produced 2,4-D products this joint research effort. The research is “do not appear to pose a significant Last year was an especially difficult year ongoing, but for the first time since the health hazard,” and no regulatory for Toronto C-15 in the Chicago area. As disease destroyed so many greens in the changes concerning 2,4-D uses or pro­ a result, the Chicago District Association, Chicago area, there is solid evidence of duction in the U.S. are necessary at this the GCSAA and the USGA decided to what caused the problem. time. Of 33 samples of 2,4-D technical sponsor jointly a research project to deter­ grade acid, ester, and salt formulations mine the reasons for this puzzling loss of examined, 30 were free of any dioxin Toronto bentgrass. It is hoped that this joint effort will pro­ contamination, and the most toxic vide a solution to this catastrophic pro­ isomer, 2,3,7,8 tetrachlorodibenzo-p- The project coordinator is renowned blem so that healthy Toronto C-15 greens dioxin, was not detected in any sample. plant pathologist Dr. Houston B. Couch, can once again be enjoyed throughout the Midwest. EPA intends to continue to monitor diox­ of Virginia Polytechnic Institute. Work in levels in U.S. manufactured 2,4-D done by Dr. Couch and other scientists products. has apparently shown that this decline of grass is linked to Rickettsia or bacteria-like Credit - Greens Credit - The Greener Side organism. Section Newsletter Fall 1981 April 1982 South Western Ontario Meeting Green Hills Golf Club Lambeth, Ontario July 16 Forty people from the South Western area attended this meeting. Al Draper gave a talk on regionalization and a discussion followed. Gordon Nimmo, Superintendent of the Sarnia Golf and Curling Club and President of the South Western Golf Superintendents Association, announced a meeting on regionalization at the Blue Water Golf Club on August 23rd. After the meeting, everyone en­ joyed a round of golf. Graham Shouldice, Superintendent of Highland Golf and Country Club, and his guest won low gross and low net prizes respectfully. The Glen Abbey Experience What Did We Learn From It R. W. Sheard1, Dennis Pellrene2, and Mike Van Beek2 The Glen Abbey course, designed by Jack free of fungas. When Mike Van Beck called regar­ application of copper sulphate at 0.06 lb CuSO 4/ Nicklaus, was built in 1975 using all-sand rooting ding the soil analysis he asked about 1000 ft2. The recovery was now more permanent media on the greens. They were stolonized with micronutrients. I suggested he bring in a sample of and overseeding with Penncross of all greens which Toronto C-15 bentgrass from Warren’s Turf clippings for analysis; explaining that soil analysis had been seriously damaged was initiated. As you Nursery near Chicago. Rave reviews were written for trace elements is highly suspect but clipping know the Canadian Open was played on accep­ about the condition of the course through to 1980 analysis might give some leads to whether their pro­ table greens even though the Golden Bear may and in Feb., 1981, the R.C.G.A. purchased Glen blem was nutritional. have made comments to the contrary. By August, Abbey to make it the permanent home of the Examination of the results suggested nitrogen however, the symptoms began to reappear so the Canadian Open. and potassium were on the low side even though greens which were affected were allowed to fade Problems, however, were already beginning to 6.0 lb N, 1.82 lb P2O5 and 4.49 lb K2O had been ap­ out to reduce competition to Penncross during the appear on the horizon. In July, 1980, greens 14, plied at this date since Feb. 26 (Table 2). Surely fall overseeding operation. 16 and 17 suddenly died out in large patches, something was interfering with nutrient uptake or That is a brief history of what happened at Glen deterioration often occurring within a period of 48 Abbey in 1980 and 1981. Why did it happen? I hours. No evidence of fungal infection was iden­ cannot definitely say why, however, lets examine Table 2. tified and the reason for the sudden deterioration of the evidence and draw some tentative conclusions. the turf was not discovered. Following overseeding ntration ConcentraioConce Although foliar application of trace elements with Penncross the greens were in good condition gave two to three days relief, a copper drench ap­ by October, 1980, and following a second over­ Element Unit No.4 No.6 peared to cure the problem for several weeks sug­ seeding in the spring of 1981 were in excellent con­ Green Green gesting copper as a specific trace element involved dition for the Canadian Open. in the problem. The influence of the copper Nitrogen % 2.60 4.90 In early May, 1981, all greens except 14, 16 and Phosphorus % 0.28 0.63 treatments on tissue levels is illustrated in Fig. 1. I 17 had the beginnings of the same symptoms non­ Potassium % 1.25 3.38 cannot accept, however, that copper deficiency withstanding a Rovral treatment at 4 oz/1000 ft2 Calcium % 5.80 1.94 was the specific cause of the problem for two every two weeks from April 3rd. On the recom­ Magnesium % 0.76 0.40 reasons. First the sudden and dramatic loss of mendations of a visiting consultant, who considered Manganese ppm 246 95 plants when growing conditions of moisture and the greens to be nitrogen deficient, 1 lb N/1000 ft2 Copper ppm 8 33 temperature are optimal is unknown in trace ele­ was applied as Protruf 41-0-0 on May 8. On May Zinc ppm 33 130 ment response studies. Second the level of copper Boron ppm 17 18 10 one and three-quarter inches of rain fell and the in the tissue was not in the truly deficient zone of Iron ppm 280 580 following days were characterized by cool nights 2-5 ppm. and days in the 15-21 C range. But it was all of no Could the condition be the same as the Chicago avail. Between May 15 and May 18 most of green transport within the plant. Looking over the syndrome which devastated the Butler National at 12, 13 and 15 and parts of many others except micronutrient levels in the clippings revealed only Oak Brook, Illinois, before the 1980 PGA tourna­ those overseeded to Penncross in 1980 died out, one element - copper - might be near a deficient ment, and was reported at not less than 10 other some within one day. level. At 8 ppm, however, it was not extremely low golf courses in the Chicago area in 1980? It is in­ Soil samples were taken and sent to Guelph for as many grass species grow very well at 5 ppm. teresting to note that all these courses used Toronto analysis on June 4. Upon checking them over I Nevertheless if one were searching for a situation C-15 stolons from Warren’s Sod Nursery in could see nothing in the analysis I would not expect prone to copper deficiency one would look for a Chicago. Writing in the June issue of Golf Business, for a sand rooting media (Table 1). Plant samples alkaline, strongly leached, sandy soil, high in Roberts and Joe Vargas reported electron were taken to Prof. Bob Hall who declared them organic matter and heavily fertilized with nitrogen. micrographs of the zylem of the vascular system of Certainly with a pH of 7.5 and 3.6% organic mat­ C-15 which were filled with bacteria; bacteria Table 1. Soil test results for No. 4 green, Glen ter the sand rooting media at Glen Abbey filled the similar to those causing alfalfa dwarf and some Abbey Golf Course 1981. bill. The visual symptoms described to me of the diseases of fruit trees. In fact at the time we were at­ young leaves becoming limp, remaining rolled or tempting to solve the Glen Abbey problem word Analysis June 4, 1981 Oct. 25, 1981 twisted and dying back from the tip with a was out the tetracycline, a bacteriacide, was giving characteristic right angle bend where the chlorotic a degree of control in the Chicago area. Phosphorus 25 45 condition started, suggested the classic symptoms Back in 1882, Prof. Millardet of the Univ. of Potassium 80 88 of copper deficiency in wheat and barley. Calcium Bordeaux in France discovered that a mixture of 3900 —, Magnesium 150 185 With these points in mind Dennis and Mike in­ copper sulphate and lime in water would control pH 7.5 7.2 itiated a program of foliar sprays of a liquid mildew in grapes, a discovery which led to the Organic Matter 3.6 — 20-20-20 which contained a full spectrum of trace Bordeaux mixture which was used as a fungicide elements and provided 0.2 lb N/1000 ft2 on June on a wide variety of crops unitl the late 1940’s. The 9 and repeated the applications at 3 to 5 day inter­ metal - copper - was the active ingredient. In our vals. Recovery was evident within 48 hours, situation the copper applied as a foliar application 1. Professor, Dept. Land Resource Science, however, it only lasted 3 to 5 days. and as the copper sulphate soil drench may have O.A.C., University of Guelph. served to control the bacterial build-up in the zylem Since the recovery was not long-lasting we rea­ 2. Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent, soned that the copper was not being absorbed read­ of C-15 bentgrass. It is entirely feasible that a Glen Abbey Golf Course, Oakville, Ontario. ily through the leaves so we switched to a direct soil bacterial population may build up in a few hours thus explaining the very rapid loss of the C-15 turf, a loss too rapid to be directly associated with a trace retention ability for potassium, copper, zinc and whereas a plant requires 12 elements from the element deficiency. many other nutrients. Thus no matter how much rooting zone for optimum growth it is unlikely all Why did it take five years for the situation to potassium is added the soil test will continue to read twelve are deficient. appear? Some greenhouse work on pure sand low indicating still more potassium is required. Fur­ The third point is that cultivars may have widely rooting media at Guelph using Penncross and cop­ thermore soil analysis is of only limited value for differing tolerance to pathogens and/or trace ele­ per free chemicals for fertilizer showed that initially trace elements - there just has not been sufficient ment requirements. Penncross has been successful­ Penncross will contain 30-40 ppm Cu. However, studies to indicate what the extractable copper, for ly overseeded at Glen Abbey on greens which with continued leaching of rainwater through the example, means in terms of plant growth. would not support C-15. No. 9 East green at the sand and removal of clippings the small inherent The solution is to use tissue analysis. Certainly it Board of Trade has been very successful for 6 years amount of copper would eventually be deleted so is a more expensive operation, $16.00 per sample using a sand rooting media and Penncross. The use that over a period of a few years the copper con­ compared to soil tests which are free, however, a of Milorganite for summer feeding has kept the cop­ centration would fall to much lower, if not deficient, turf manager should not get involved with all-sand per level at 13 ppm. But don’t discard C-15, it may levels. Whereas the copper level may have initially greens if his budget doesn’t allow this type of ex­ only require the maintenance of 40-60 ppm copper been acting as a bacteriacide preventing the penditure. A one-pound sample of clippings in the tissue by CuSO4 application two or three Chicago syndrome from developing, with decreas­ removed from the basket after cutting a green is times per season to maintain this Queen of ben­ ing copper levels over the period of 1975 to 1980 satisfactory. Freeze the sample until you can bring it tgrasses. I have a feeling Joe Vargas and his the bacterial population brought in on the C-15 to Guelph or dry it artificially so that it doesn’t associates will come up with this answer to the from Warren’s Nursery was finally allowed to in­ ferment. problem. crease to the pathogenic level. The second is to not mix chemicals when you Finally all-sand greens require a high degree of Our experience at Glen Abbey illustrates some have a plant nutrition problem. A simple case is management skill. The soil provided by Mother very important management considerations for suc­ where there is a need for potassium don’t apply a Nature has a built-in buffering capacity to compen­ cessful production of turf on all sand rooting media. mixed fertilizer to remedy the potassium shortage. sate for errors in management. The all-sand green The first point is the limited value of soil tests for You may end up with excessive nitrogen. If a trace has not. It is, in fact, a super hydroponics system. evaluating nutrient requirement of turf on all-sand element problem is diagnosed don’t apply a shot­ As a result the control of the fertilizer program is rooting media. Remember soil test were primarily gun mixture. Have a tissue analysis performed and much more critical. Thus understanding plant nutri­ developed for normal soils having all the nutrient apply only the one suspected of being deficient. If tion, keeping accurate records of all additions, us­ retention power of the clay minerals; sands have no that element doesn’t solve the problem then move ing tissue analysis when problems occur and seek­ to the second most likely suspect. Remember that ing advice on their solutions are all attributes of the successful superintendent of all-sand greens Fig. 1 The copper concentration in clippings from No 4 Green, Glen Abbey Golf Club, from June 9 to October 25, 1981 (CL refers to the accepted critical level). Shattercore I made up a second set and Art Cleason happen­ ed to have a lathe and he turned down one set for me to the exact same size as a standard Ryan 3/8” tine. For which enough gratitude cannot be expressed. I used these tines in the middle of June in 90 degree weather with perfect results again. Aerification This method works on the principal of balistics and shatters the entire area around the hole and believe me there is no compaction due to this type of tine. The surrounding ground just explodes and becomes soft and fluffy, again taking water like it is supposed to and the turf just responds far better. This is a subject that continues to go on & on, we This practice even works for wear & tear areas never seem to hear the end of it or it’s importance due to golf carts traffic wear, and that is a headache to cultural practices in relation to growing fine turf. for all of us we can do without. Over the years I have aerified just like everyone The material for making these tines is available at else but never have been completed satisfied with your local hardware store, standard 5/8” cold roll the practice as specified. Although some good steel rod. And all you do is cut them to the same results did occur to varying degrees. The standard length as a standard tine and put a rounded tip on practice of coreing is a very time consuming one end using your grinder. It takes about 20 method and just too much flack is gotten back from minutes to make one tine. If you have a lathe you the golfer when it is being done. And it is still a can make up any size you desire. cultural practice we must continue to do. At this point I know there is a great deal of skep- Therefore for many years I have been searching tism in the minds of many of you reading this arti­ for a better more efficient way to accomplish this cle. And all I know is that for the first time in all the practice. years that I have aerified, I am finally satisfied with It all started with a new problem green at Chevy the practice. Chase Golf Club. Trying to solve a severe no It worked for me and it has been working for response growth situation regardless of nutritional George for many years with no adverse effects. & watering factors and still having perfect Ph factor. Think about it. Try it, evaluate it for yourself, Consultation and various opinions from many then appraise the results. I believe you will be pleas­ different professional people in the business was ed with the results and the cost saving factors. considered. The recommendations varied to the If you remember many years we had a hand unit point of even redoing the green; which was out of with solid tines to take care of localized dry spots the question. which took forever to correct a very limited area During the winter of 1980 I stopped at the Arl­ problem. Well, this is the premise I used to make ington Club where George Widner is Supt. and we my decision on in relation to using solid tines in the discussed Aerification and he showed me Ryan WG 24. something different. A solid homemade tine, using All I know, gentlemen, is that the new method it for approximately 8 years with no problems. WORKS for me. And it should work for you. Well, I had my curiosity aroused and decided to make up a set to try out next spring. My first experi­ ment was on a tee that was beat to death with about Leonard Schnepf, Supt. 30% bare ground. The ground felt like a small Chevy Chase Golf Club, Wheeling earth quake was occuring around my Ryan Credit - The Bull Sheet Dec. 1981 WG-24; the soil was totally fractured and the bare areas became perfect for overseeding. The process left the ground fluffy not just slick round holes. Experiment No. 2 the problem green using a 5/8” solid homemade tine I proceeded to aerify and had the same quaking action which lossened the green up totally even in between the holes. Following the aerifier was one man with a roller. This is a must afterwards. Then I proceeded to app­ ly the Indiana Sand dune sand that Dr. Daniels prescribed. This practice has been done on this green once a month for the entire 1981 season and has done a 180 degree reverse. This problem green now plays just like the other 17. This being the case I decided to do the balance of my greens in the same fashion but continue to use my 1-1-1 mix of top dressing. The results was outstanding and far more efficient and economical in total using only two men. The first thing done was to pull the cup, then make one pass roll and replace the cup, then con­ tinue aerifying. This allowed the golfer to still enjoy the use of the green and not interfere with his game and I still got the job done. There was a side benefit that occured that I had not planned on. We all know about the wear pat­ tern that the riding Greensmower gives us. Well, that problem has been eliminated due to this method of aerification, along with it’s efficiency and Credit — Divots July 1982 cost saving factors. Review and Comments 1982 of Some Interesting Research J.L. Eggens, University of Guelph Peter Jackson Dr. L. Art Spoomer from the Department of Horticulture and Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Illinois, Urbana, Ill. 61801, USA has been conducting research and writing on pore space and aeration of root zone mixes for high Classic foot-traffic areas for some time. A list of some of his papers which the reader may wish to refer to are listed at the end of this review. A manuscript ap­ pearing in the November issue of the Canadian Journal of Soil Science, “Spoomer, L. Art. 1980. by Bill Hynd Graphical prediction of porosity and water retention in sand-soil mixtures for drained turf sites. Can. J. Soil Sci. 60:787-791” describes the construction of Here we are, 1 week after the event, all tourna­ used around the edges. Observing that one of the a model (which you can construct on graph paper) ment paraphernalia cleared away; including 2.5 worst winter injured greens of previous years, No. for the prediction of the aeration and water­ miles snow fencing, 1,200 posts, 11 miles roping 16, came through in beautiful shape, keeps all of us retention properties of existing sand-soil mixtures or and 2,200 stakes, numerous towers, CBC trailers, humble. the prediction of the correct bulk volume propor­ concession tents and all debris etc. A couple of We had done all preliminary work on greens — tions of sand and soil to yield a mixture suitable for heavy showers and within a week most evidence of fertilized .6N on June 9th and top dressed, follow­ turfgrass growth on putting greens. heavy traffic will have grown in. ed by verticutting vigorously. In his review of the problem of preparing root­ Winter injury devastated St. George’s, disease By June 26th my main concern was the zone mixes for putting greens, Dr. Spoomer in­ was minimal but the combination of dessication on slowness, 7’ to 7’ 5” on the Stimpmeter, and this dicates that large pores spaces must be created in slopes and thawing and freezing in the low lying only 5 days before the 1st round. The figures the mixture which will remain intact under heavy areas (which we don’t expect in the same year) was following show quite a dramatic speeding up. foot traffic, will drain and provide aeration for root the climax to what appeared ever-increasing winter growth despite the close proximity of the water The most satisfaction derived from hosting a ma­ injury the past number of years, particularly in the table. The mixture must provide this aeration jor championship is that the golf course gets a large fairway areas. without excessive reduction in water retention. He week’s rest indicates that under foot traffic, natural soils tend to We Superintendents have been at the mercy of NO GOLF CARTS ON FAIRWAYS compact and lose their structure because of inade­ the Poa plant this year, if there’s safety in numbers NO BALL BRUISES ON GREENS quate strength of the soil aggregates. This in all being in the same boat, I for one am not hap­ Some 600 rounds of golf over the 7 day period breakdown results in decreased infiltrability and in­ py in losing a year nursing back poor conditions. by the best golfers in the world, usually hitting the creased surface ponding. As sand particles do not Particularly, when one looks with gratification at the ball cleanly off the fairway. break apart under foot-traffic stress, they are used results of sod work the previous Fall. Penncross to GREENS DOUBLE CUT IN EVENING, to hold open pore spaces. However, sufficient sand replace worn tees, Nugget on all green surroun­ . . . SINGLE CUT IN MORNING. must be added, for when only small amounts of dings — beautiful. FAIRWAYS MOWED TWICE DAILY. sand are incorporated into a soil, the sand particles TEES MOWED EACH MORNING. ‘float’ in the soil without increasing aeration. An in­ In previous renovation programmes on fairways as a result of winter injury, we usually waited and The golf staff of 14 excelled. With the golf course crease in aeration will not take place until the pro­ hoped that it would turn around and of course it in the worst possible shape in the Spring and a portion of sand is increased in excess of the never did. Well, in view of this past experience, we heavy construction programme, 3 new ladies tees, ‘threshold proportion’ and these pores formed by decided to aerify 4 fairways — 6 passes with 3/4 new sand traps and pathways, it was all work and the sand particles are voided of soil hollow tines and dragmat the ripped up mess. All never a dull moment, and by tournament time we To determine the appropriate bulk volume of the before the course was opened on April 24th — less were ready, all togged out with new “uniforms” — available sand and soil for the root zone mixture, a aggravation to members — anyway who needs navy blue pants and sky blue golf shirts with the St. graph is constructed using the measured sand members asking all sorts of questions when your George’s Dragon and GREENS STAFF emblazon­ porosity and the measured soil porosity (both of pride and joy is under harsh treatment! ed thereon. which can be obtained from liquid displacement And what does the Superintendent do during procedures using the technique described by On May 20th we supplemented this work by tournament week? Well, in the early 6:00 am start Spoomer, 1979). Those wishing to construct such overseeding several tardy areas with Ryegrass. The following behind the crew who are hand raking a graph should obtain a copy of this paper. For front of No. 9 green was dessicated and what a sand traps, dragging a hose over fairways, before more detailed instructions the 1979 and 1980 mess. The surface ripped up in large patches just as mowing, hole changing etc. the outstanding dif­ papers can be read in the Journals at the University President, Bob Moir, passed by with his wife, well, ference from regular routine maintenance is very of Guelph library. all one can say is “you’ve got to be cruel to be kind!” evident in the stillness of the early morning. That is, Some of Dr. Spoomers papers include; Anyway, we cleared a truck load of thatch, top the mowing of fairways, greens and collars the Langans, R.W. and A. Spoomer, 1967. Soil dressed and broad cast Rye grass and fenced off. previous afternoon when the grass is dry provides moisture and aeration I. The basic concept of soil. This area recovered very well, incidentally, for the an absolutely superb playing surface, with complete The Golf Superintendent, July: 10, 12, 35. tournament, as did most other low areas by tourna­ dispersal of grass clippings. Another treat is to Spoomer A and R.W. Langans, 1968. Soil ment time. The one exception No. 4 fairway was throw a few balls onto the greens to check the moisture and aeration II. The nature of plant water. marked off with red spray paint with L.C.P. (Lift, speed and the break, you then have some foresight The Golf Superintendent June: 16-22. Clean, Place) all around the perimeter. as you watch the play later. and 1969. All renovation (aerifying) of fairways was com­ It is always interesting to meet and work with the Soil moisture and aeration III. The nature of soil pleted in a 2 week period, this included 2 Green- LPGA tournament officials. In this case Ed Gowan, moisture. The Golf Superintendent June: 16-22. saires on isolated small areas throughout the Joe Henley and “Boots” Widner. They are always Spoomer, L.A. 1974. Plant, Soil and Water. Their course, most of this work was accomplished by a quite meticulous in providing the fairest conditions, relationship. The Golf Superintendent. April: man who came out of retirement and has been my pin positions on greens are faultless, it is noticeable 53-55. Spoomer, L.A. 1979. Three simple main fairway mower operator, still something to be that they relax more as the tournament gets under­ demonstrations of the physical effects of soil said for pride of work. way. Of course, this is subject to the whims of the amendment. HortScience 14:75-77. Spoomer, Greens — several were badly hit by winter kill. ladies as they come off the course. Ed Gowan did L.A. 1980. Prediction and control of porosity and We eventually plugged out the worst areas (1,000 make the pleasing suggestion that I discontinue water retention in sand-soil mixtures for drained turf plugs) in the centre but by tournament time we still double cutting as the greens were getting too fast. . sites. Agron. J. 72:361-362. For Sale AUCTION SALE of Lawn, Garden and Golfcourse Equipment Saturday, August 21, 1982 at 11 a.m. on Rutherford Rd. & No. 27 Highway, north of Woodbridge under the sign near Eddy Shack’s Golf Course ITEMS: Walking and Riding Greensmowers, drag behind gang mowers, Toro, Jacobsen and Roseman; Golf carts, Ryan Greensair aerifier, Ryan spikeair, Westpoint fairway aerifier, Lawn & Garden Tractors, Red Riders, Trap rakes, Toro Jacobsen and Smithco; Rogers’ 720 Sweeper, Giant-Vac Blowers and Vacuums, Toro 76” professionals, Jacobsen Turfking, Metermatic Topdressor, Roller base sprinklers and hoses, Rotary mowers, National Triplex, Cushman truckster, etc. etc. AUCTIONEER: Don Burd, Stouffville, Ont. Phone - (416) 640-2928 TERMS: Cash or Certified Cheque FOR SALE FOR SALE Worthington - Jacobsen Blitzer 5 gang frame and reels, John Bean Sprayer 150 U.S. Gal. with single hydraulic lift ram and 5 blade reel $2500.00 Roger Leaf Blower Good Condition Contact: David Nisbet Contact: Mr. Bill Hynd Westview Golf Club St. George’s Golf Club R.R. No. 1, Gormley LOH 1GO 1668 Islington Ave. (416) 773-0446 Islington, Ont. M9A 3M9 (twenty miles north of Toronto) Phone: (416) 231-3393 SPECIAL FALL MEETING TYANDAGA GOLF CLUB September 8, 1982 By-law and Regionalization Meeting "Green is Beautiful” Ontario Golf Superintendents Association