"Green is Beautiful” Ontario Golf Superintendents Association P.O. BOX 203, ISLINGTON, ONTARIO M9A 4X2 TELEPHONE 233-8388 JUNE 1987 RON HEESEN BEACHGROVE GOLF & CO WINDSOR ONTARIO COLF SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR 1987 PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT PAST PRESIDENT Robert Kennedy Thom Charters Barry Endicott Garden City Golf Club Weston Golf & Country Club Millcroft Golf Club 37 Lincoln Ave. 50 St. Phillips Road 3 Sutter Ave. St. Catharines, Ontario L2P2C7 Weston, Ontario M9P2N6 Brampton, Ontario L6Z1G1 Phone: Bus. (416) 685-9976 Phone: Bus. (416) 241-5551 Phone: Bus. (416) 332-5111 Res. (416) 935-2019 Res. (416) 233-8388 Res. (416) 846-1440 DIRECTORS Rod Trainor CGCS Neil Acton CGCS Ron Heesen St. Thomas Golf and C.C. Brooklea Golf and Country Club Beachgrove Golf and C.C. P.O. Box 62 P.O. Box 1342 14134 Riverside Drive East St. Thomas, Ontario N5P 3T5 Penetang, Ontario LOK 1P0 Windsor, Ontario N8N 1B6 Phone: Bus. (519) 631-2447 Phone: Bus. (705) 526-4484 Phone: Bus. (519) 735-0007 Res. (519) 631-4798 Res. (705) 549-2323 Res. (519) 735-0007 Gordon Nimmo CGCS John Taylor Scott Dodson Sarnia Golf and Curling Club Twenty Valley G.C. Chedoke Golf Club 500 Errol Rd. W. 419 Lincoln Ave. 563 Aberdeen Ave. Sarnia, Ontario N7V 1X7 Beamsville, Ontario LOR 1B0 Hamilton, Ontario L8P2S8 Phone: Bus. (519) 336-0667 Phone: Bus. (416) 563-8761 Phone: Bus. (416) 529-9931 Res. (519) 332-1521 Res. (416) 562-5011 Res. (416) 957-7729 Ed Farnsworth Mark Hagen Dave W. Gourlay (Jr.) Deerhurst Inn Golf and C.C. Wyldewood Golf Club Beacon Hall Golf Club R.R. #4 R.R. #1 R.R. #2 Huntsville, Ontario P0A 1K0 Hornby, Ontario LOP 1E0 Aurora, Ontario L4G 3G8 Phone: Bus. (705) 789-5543 Phone: Bus. (416) 878-4848 Phone: Bus. (416)889-7620 Res. (705) 789-8282 Res. (416) 845-3183 Res. (416) 889-7620 NEWSLETTER EDITOR Neil Acton CGCS Editor Emeritus — Barry Endicott ASSISTANT EDITORS Ron Heesen Alex LaBelle OFFICE SECRETARY CINDI CHARTERS Guest Editorial by Rod Trainor, CGCS WHAT IS YOUR IMAGE? This editorial deals with your image as a Superinten­ 5. Visibility: dent and how you are perceived by those around you - What is your appearance and dress? such as your membership, your peers, your employees - Do you play golf with the members? and the general public. Today's golf course Superin­ - Do you play in club events? tendent is no longer just a keeper of the greens. He is - Do you eat your lunch in the clubhouse snack bar? a highly qualified, trained and educated professional - Are you available and approachable by your and must project himself as one. Where do you begin? members? The place to begin is right in your own back yard, and that means your own club. The following is a checklist These are only a few things that can help promote you can use to help project yourself as a professional your own image in your club. They may not all be pos­ in your own club. sible or apply but regardless, the only person who can do anything about it is you. So blow your own horn be­ 1. The Maintenance Building and Yard: cause nobody else will. - Is it organized and clean, does everything have a place? Is it marked with a sign so people know where you are, and is it a place where members or golfers would feel comfort­ able if they wanted to see you? 2. Equipment: - It is kept clean and washed regularly? Do you wax it to keep it looking like new? 3. Staff: - Are they encouraged to wear clean, neat clothing and keep themselves neatly groomed? Does their dress conform to your own club dress code? Are Annette Anderson they encouraged to be polite and courteous to Turf Extension Specialist the members and golfers? Plant Industry Branch 4. Communication: - Do the members and players know what's going on on the golf course? They can be informed by a regular letter from the superintendent in the club's Ministry of Agriculture and Food newsletter. Notice boards on the first and tenth tees Hort. Science Dept. informing players of maintenance activities which University of Guelph Guelph, Ontario N1G2W1 may disrupt or affect their game are much Telephone (519) 824-4120, Ext. 2597 appreciated. Additional copies of "Green Is Beautiful'in areas of the clubhouse where members may read them. On The Move Dave W. Gourlay From Toronto Ladies to Beacon Hall Bill Fach From Essex to Rosedale Brian Gouthro From Tyandaga to Riverside Bernie Martin From Ancaster to Tyandaga Ken Siems From Mississauga to Islington Charlie Terry From Siddal Irrigation to Cranberry Village John Anderson From Owen Sound to IBM Nancy Pierce From U. of Guelph to Toronto GC NEW MEMBERS NEW MEMBERS Andrew Masek, Oakdale GC - Class F Ken Siems, Islington CG - Class B Robert J. Field, Burlington CG - Class F Larry Brassard - Class E Gary Roos, Oakdale GO - Class F Robert Mitchell, Roseland GC - Class F Steve Sherwood, Bridgewater CC - Class F Patrick M. Hebert, Roseland GC - Class B 38th ANNUAL TURFGRASS CONFERENCE REPORT by Alex Labelle more time to our growing responsibility to the total property, yet still control the paper dilema. Irriga­ tion systems have been increasingly com­ puterized over the past ten years, but now the ir­ rigation computer can be incorporated into the total operation, becoming just one facet of the superintendent's information network. The current estimate of the average cost per year for a university education is $7,200.00. These conferences provide us with the most up-to-date information available. They are university courses with the best men and women from research insti­ tutes such as Texas A & M, Penn State, The Univer­ sity of Massachusetts, Virginia Tech and our own University of Guelph, to name just a few. The fee is a pittance when you consider the total accumu­ lated knowledge of the best minds on the conti­ nent at some of the finest research facilities in the world gathered in one place for four days of lec­ tures. This does not even take into account the The Canadian Turfgrass Conference and Trade massive display of new technology available at Show was held in St. John, New Brunswick from the trade show. March 8th to the 11th. This year the program pro­ In all I would like to say that it was a worthwhile vided simultaneous translation and concurrent experience (especially for the eastern hockey lectures in landscaping, recognizing the duality team), well organized by Blake Palmer; a hard of our country and the increased responsibility of act to follow. today's turf managers to provide our clubs with the best service and most current information av­ ailable. The person to contact, the exchange and reinforcement of viewpoints is a value which is inestimable. We are no longer a profession restricted to the propagation of fine quality turfgrass. We are now becoming recognized as professional environ­ ment managers. The golf game is only one facet of our responsibility, which begins at the entrance to our facility, setting the mood of our clientele with colour and beauty right up to the first tee, and sustaining it through eighteen holes of plea­ sure on the best carpet that we can provide. The movement from west to east of total property en­ hancement has arrived and we are ready to meet the challenge. There is a strong realization of the need for computerization of golf courses. Hourly weather updating, record storage, report processing, scheduling and instant information exchange can reduce the tedious paperwork becoming a Douglas Wood Large Tree Sales Ltd. burden on the superintendent as their duties as "We Buy, Sell, & Transplant Large Trees" personnel and business managers snowball. A (519) 853-2035 more efficient tool is required to free the property PAUL HANOUSEK 1-800-265-6681 manager of desks and allow him/her to allot Teed off at weed problems? Get proven control: Compitox Compitox Plus Silvaprop for the finest for long driving for weed control golf greens fairways in the rough A simple spray treatment with Don’t let weeds choke up fair­ It’s rough when broadleaf weeds Compitox takes care of all your ways and roughs. Take control and woody plants take over. Let most troublesome weed problems with Compitox Plus. Silvaprop take care of them, on greens: common chickweed, Proven to be most effective when safely and quickly. Where woody plaintain, mouse-ear chickweed, weeds are young and growing plants and tough perennials are and clover. vigorously, Compitox Plus con­ established in your rough­ Compitox is safe on the finest trols clover, dandelion, common control them with Silvaprop. turf, including bent grasses, red chickweed, mouse-ear chick- Silvaprop controls over 40 broad­ fescue, blue grasses and rye weed, plaintain, black medick, leaf weeds and over 30 woody grasses. dandelion and creeping Charlie. plants. Consult label for various Compitox Plus is safe on estab­ application rates and specific lished turf planted with Kentucky weed control. blue, Merion blue, fescues and rye grasses. M&B May & Baker May & Baker Canada Inc. 6557 Mississauga Road Mississauga, Ontario L5N 1A6 1274 Plains Road East Always read labels before use Burlington, Ontario L7S 1W6 GOALS AND POSITIVE LIVING by Jacques Weisel WARNING: The Surgeon General Has Determined That Apathy is Dangerous to Your Health. Most people have an aim in life, but no ammunition. You're at a picnic and you spot a young man with realistic and reachable, so that you can reap the re­ an archery set, shooting arrows into a tree trunk. Every wards of positive reinforcement at timed intervals, and time he goes over and paints a perfect bullseye a- thus have the confidence to know that you're on target round the arrow. Passersby who only see the results of for the big plan. One last condition. You must feel you his work think he is a great archer. You smile, knowing deserve to reach your personal and financial targets, better of course. Or do you? ... After all isn't this bas­ and only a healthy self-esteem can do that. As chil­ ically the way you run your life? You end up some­ dren we are all either the victims or the beneficiaries of where, and then decide that's where you wanted to attitudes instilled in us by others. We are either cursed be all along. As a mature individual you've forgotten or blessed by our early conditioning . . . and we also the most basic concept to living which is to Plan know that the Bible says "As a man thinketh in his heart, Ahead. You'll go over the day-by-day activities for a 2- so is he..." This means that if we don't like some of our week vacation (perhaps 50 times in your lifetime) as if "programmed" thinking we can change it by putting you're involved in a forcible overthrow of a hostile gov­ stronger and healthier thoughts into our minds. ernment. Yet your only once-in-a-lifetime journey is Goals have changed a lot in recent years. Witness played through without too much rhyme or reason. the following example. We used to many on a long- Usually with no plan beyond today and what it may range basis “till death do us part", which meant a bring. The Koran says “If you don't know where you're commitment. Now it's become "till divorce do us going any road will get you there." I've watched part", a short-range affair wherein the 'commitment' people do the same thing in Chinese restaurants. They has turned into 'convenience'. A recent Red book sur­ don't know how to use chopsticks, and try for the beef, vey of marriage counselors showed that the 3 most shrimp or pork in the dish. All they end up with are common causes for divorce are: (1) A breakdown in some grains of rice, which they proceed to eat. Occa­ communications; (2) The loss of shared Goals and In­ sionally, in order not to starve to death they go back to terests; (3) Sex and Incompatibility. the fork. And yet, a little training ahead of time with the There are literally hundreds of self-help books out on chopsticks (short-range goal) would eliminate the numbers 1 and 3, and very little on the subject of problem before it occurs, and no one would have to proper goal-setting. Profit-oriented companies have be satisfied with the "crumbs" dished out, since we discovered the secret. They call it "management by would be in full control. objective". They make money and reach corporate It is a well-known fact that man is a goal-starving goals by carefully pre-planning the direction in which mechanism. This means that whether he has goals or they want the company to go. Unfortunately the same not he will reach them. My question is simply this — cannot be said of our governments, both national and Would you rather reach goals which are yours or local. The reason is simple. Since elections take place someone else's? As a child we were given short-range evey few years politicians cannot plan beyond their goals to live by: "Eat your food", “go to bed", "don't short-term positions, so that as a nation there is never a step in the gutter", "go to college", “get married"... All continuity of ideas designed to benefit the People. short-range and long-range plans that someone else Japan, on the other hand, has 30-year plans for indus­ wanted us to execute. It's no wonder that we got out of trial growth and it is understood that whoever is in that habit as soon as we could - and usually end up power will continue the program of predecessors, be­ throwing out the baby with the dirty water. Goals are cause it is in the National Interest to do so, and not for not important to Positive Living. They are crucial. It is the benefit of the local conditions. not a coincidence that the word "goal" begins with One last good thought on goals by Henry David “go". Daily goals give you the best reason to get up Thoreau: "The man who goes alone can start today. and do. Weekly goals make months fly, and monthly But he who travels with another must wait till the other goals renew your enthusiasm for life twelve times per is ready." 'Nuff said ... year. Annual goals can guarantee a lifetime of suc­ cessful happenings, as you maintain full control of your Jacques Weisel is a national authority on positive living and selling. personal destiny. He is co-author of the book, “The Management Motivators", pro­ The captain of a cruise ship needs to see his destina­ ducer of sales and motivational tapes and past president of the tion thousands of miles away to know he will reach it at New York Chapter of the National Speakers Association. For a free information kit, contact him at: P.O. Box224, Coram, NY 11727, (516) a certain date and time, so you can plan your life ac­ 698-7760. cording to your own timetable. Your goals must be Article borrowed from the “Three Rivers Green” Dec., 1986. ADVANCED TURF MANAGEMENT COURSE 1987 UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH by David C. Smith, Muskoka Lakes G &CC A wealth of information was offered during this how the herbicide actually works in the plant. one week course. Plant growth regulators were discussed in de­ Throughout the seminar the role of computers tail. The future looks promising for many of these on the golf course appeared several times. products. Dr. Karl Danneberger of Ohio State University Professor Lumis discussed landscape trees and demonstrated the many uses of computers in golf their uses. Tough trees for tough sights, flowering course maintenance. Many courses are now us­ trees and conifers were all discussed. This was an ing the computer for budget organization and excellent discussion for anyone planning a tree payroll but there are many other possibilities. In­ planting program. ventory, record keeping and disease forecasting New turfgrass cultivars, mowing practices and can all be programmed on the computer. An in­ annual bluegrass control was discussed by Dr. teresting point by Dr. Danneberger was that there Jack Eggans. There were some interesting discus­ are many high school students who could prove sions on triplex mowing and the application tim­ to be a less expensive alternative to our program­ ing of nitrogen. Seed head removal on fairways ming needs. was also discussed. Advances in irrigation techniques and the The job of the golf course superintendent has computer as an irrigation tool was discussed by changed in the past few years, but bigger Ron Varoni of Toro Turf Products. changes are to come as the computer is ac­ Dr. Burpee discussed foliar and root diseases as cepted by golf courses. The more the topic is dis­ well as the mysterious black layer. High sand con­ cussed the more I wonder what our job descrip­ tent greens built of calcarious sands and watered tion will look like in the future. to excess provide a perfect home for the black Once again the course offered an abundance layer. of information. It was also an opportunity to talk Professor J. Chris Hall lectured on herbicides shop and make new friends in the turfgrass indus­ and weed control. Emphasis was placed upon try. Golfers may not be in top shape, in spring, with EVERGREEN but your greens can be protective covers PROTECTION FASTER GROWTH LOWER COSTS CONVENIENCE QUALITY Protection against Faster growth and Lower costs to get Convenience because Quality by manufacturer desiccation and other healthier root and turf in top shape the one-piece cover HinspergerPoly winter/spring damage. vegetative development for opening day, is easy to install. Industries, the largest in early spring. year after year. diversified producer of protective covers in North America. “Evergreen covers helped us open the course Please write for our two weeks earlier than usual this past spring. furniture catalogue sheet. We plan on ordering Evergreen covers for more greens and tees this coming winter.’’ — Bob Heron, course superintendent, Mississauga Golf and Country Club, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Start your next season earlier with higher quality greens and tees. Plan now to install Evergreen protective covers this winter. For more information, contact: Hinspergers Poly Industries Ltd., AG Turf Chemicals Inc., 645 Needham Lane, Mississauga, Ontario P.O. Box 143, Station "A ”, Rexdale. Ontario Canada L5A 1T9 Canada M9W 5K9 Tel: (416) 272-0144 Tel: (519) 748-0314 GUELPH TURFGRASS INSTITUTE AN EXCITING FUTURE FOR THE TURFGRASS INDUSTRY by Annette Anderson, Turf Extension Specialist, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food It is an exciting time in the turf industry these days. of members of the turfgrass industry, OMAF and the The establishment of the Guelph Turfgrass Institute was University will also be appointed to assist in providing officially announced in February. This followed the an­ direction to the Institute. nouncement of the creation of a Turf Extension Position TURF EXTENSION with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food. These are two new additions that will have a positive impact The turfgrass industry is 'information hungry'! As on turf research and education for the turf industry in turfgrass extension Specialist my duties will involve Ontario. working with all sectors of the industry: golf courses, lawn care companies, sod producers, athletic turf THE GUELPH TURFGRASS INSTITUTE (GTI) facilities and government agencies to provide The University of Guelph has long been recognized information and advice, write extension publications as the only institution in Canada that offers education and assist the various associations in organizing field in turfgrass at the associate diploma, undergraduate, days, conferences and seminars. graduate levels and through continuing education Part of my job is to act as liaison between research­ and independent study. ers and industry, keeping industry informed on current Researchers at the Univeristy of Guelph carry out the research and how it can be applied to commercial most extensive turfgrass research program in Canada turf management practices. Through feedback from and have been a strong force in assisting with turf pro­ industry I can communicate production problems that duction and management problems. In addition to re­ may warrant future research efforts. search responsibilities it was estimated that the The future of the turf industry is looking 'greener' all turfgrass researchers spent over 800 hours acting on the time! I'm very happy to be a part of your industry extension-related situations, emphasizing the need for and I look forward to working with you. Here's a list of a full time extension position. coming events that I would encourage you to attend: Turf is a very strong and vital industry in Ontario, es­ timated at over 250 million dollars annually. It is largely through the efforts of industry associations, such as the Tursday, June 18,1987 Athletic Turf Field Day University of Guelph Ontario Turf Research Foundation that provided the Alumni Stadium impetus for the establishment of GTI. Monday, June 22,1987 OGSA Field Day The Guelph Turfgrass Institute will offer a focal Cambridge Research Station point for research, education, extension, and it facili­ Wednesday, August 26,1987 OTRF/GTI Turf Field Day tates a greater interaction among these disciplines. Cambridge Research Station Planning is currently underway for a building for Tuesday, November 24,1987 1 st Annual Guelph Turfgrass GTI. The building will be located on Stone Road, ap­ Conference and Educational Seminars proximately 1 mile west of the University Campus. The University of Guelph University has approved the use of 10 acres of land For more information, contact: Annette Anderson, Turf Extension for the GTI building including the development of Specialist, Ontario Ministry Agr. & Food, Horticulture Dept., Uni­ approximately 8 acres of new turfgrass research versity of Guelph — (519) 824-4120, ext. 2597 plots. The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food is 1987 OMAF PUBLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE supporting GTI through research funding and the hir­ Pub. 75 Guide to Chemical Weed Control Pub. 383 Production Recommendations for Ornamentals and Turf ing of a Turf Extension Specialist. The financing of the building is to be funded largely by the turf industry. The Ontario Turf Research Foundation played an im­ portant role in encouraging the establishment of GTI and are coordinating a fundraising campaign. This is an excellent opportunity for the turf industry to show THE TURF SEED Specialists its support and make GTI a world class turfgrass re­ * P.O. Box 219, Brampton, search and education centre that will benefit every­ Ontario, Canada L6V 2L2 one working with turfgrass, if the turf industry supports (416) 846-5080 these efforts as anticipated, ground breaking for the building should be underway in the fall of '87 or R. PAUL JOHNSON spring of '88. National Sales Manager Dr. Lee Burpee has been appointed by Dr. F. L. Turf Seeds McEwen, Dean of OAC, as Director of GTI and in addition to research responsibilities will assist in the administration, public relations and fundraising ef­ forts of GTI. A Turfgrass Advisory Committee made up WHY ACCIDENTS MINI PRILL SUL-PO-MAG HAPPEN Accidents are gener­ GUARANTEED ANALYSIS: ally thought to be a result Potash (K20)............. 20% of bad luck or an act of Magnesium (Mg)................. 10% God. However, an un­ Sulphur (S)........................... 20% safe act, a hazardous The Mini Prills of K-mag rapidly breakdown on condition or some com­ contact with soil moisture to provide a good bination of the two must source of magnesium, sulphur and potassium occur before an acci­ where soil deficiencies occur. dent can happen. Of these two conditions, un­ For more information or to have your soil safe acts or work prac­ analyzed contact: tices are a contributing Ann Witteveen Frank St. Pierre factor in 90 percent of all ELMIRA, ONTARIO 1-800-265-8841 HULL, QUEBEC 1-819-778-0365 Central and Southwestern Ontario Eastern and Northern Ontario accidents. Here are some of the factors which can cause workers to commit errors leading to accidents: Lack of Proper Training can be a major Bad Examples set by other workers can be cause of accidents. Employees must be imitated by less experienced employees. trained to do their jobs safely, and care must New workers have a higher injury rate than be taken to ensure that they continue to per­ more experienced employees. form as instructed. Ignorance of a Hazardous Condition can Undue Haste caused by supervisory pres­ result from lack of experience or poor com­ sure, an overloaded schedule or a desire to munication. complete an unpleasant task as quickly as possible can make workers bypass important Indifference or Laziness resulting from safety steps or processes. fatigue, a poor relationship with the boss or a Credit GCSAA Forefront lack of motivation can make an employee take on an unsafe short cut. Gordon Bannerman Limited 41 Kelfield St., Rexdale, Ontario M9W 5A3 Tel: (416) 274-7875 Bannerman 20” SUPERFINE Greens Mower Unsurpassed for accuracy and uniformity in cutting height from 3/32” to 1”. For a FREE DEMONSTRATION Call Bruce Calhoun or George Bannerman at (416) 247-7875. ROBERT TREVIS HONOURED AT SCORE AWARDS OZONE DESTRUCTION CITED IN SKIN CANCER ‘EPIDEMIC’ The rise in skin cancer, linked by scientists to de­ struction of the Earth's protective ozone layer, is reaching near-epidemic rates in the United States, a research physician told Congress re­ cently. Estimates indicate more than 500,000 skin can­ cers will be diagnosed this year, accounting for one-third of the new cancer cases in the United States, said Dr. Darrell Rigel, of the New York Uni­ versity Medical Centre. “At the current rate, about 1 in 7 Americans will develop this disease during their lifetime," Rigel PAST SCORE AWARD WINNERS told an ozone-depletion hearing by the Energy Standing, L-R: Dave Gourlay, Georges Langevin, and Commerce Health and the environmental Sid Puddicombe, Gord Witteveen subcommittee. Seated, L-R: Bob Trevis, John Steel (in place of Bill Hynd) “The rate of skin cancer in the U.S. is reaching a near-epidemic pace." The Sixth Annual Score Awards evening was Rigel said the rate of malignant melanoma, the held February 2nd at the Constellation Hotel in type of skin oncer that is often fatal, is rising faster Toronto. Outstanding players and administrators than any other form of cancer except lung were presented with awards for their contribu­ cancer in women. tions to golf in Canada. The estimated number of cases has increased Brain Houston, President of the C.G.S.A. pre­ 83 per cent in the last seven years alone, he said. sented Robert Trevis the Score Award for being The rate of skin cancer in Canada has consis­ the Canadian Golf Club Superintendent of the tently been lower than the rates of countries closer Year. Robert's career started at the Royal Mon­ to the equator. treal Golf Club where his summer job was to About 400 cases of malignant melanoma are diagnosed in Ontario a year, according the the haul hay to a riding stable, pick up a load of Ontario Cancer Treatment and Research Found­ manure and bring the fertilizer back to the golf ation. club. Since that humble beginning, Robert has Skin specialists have observed an increase in held head positions at Mount Royal Lawnbowl­ the number of cases which they blame on a rise ing and Tennis Club, Canadian Golf Club, and in sun-bathing. Kanawaki Golf Club. He has hosted the Domin­ Rigel said that although many factors have ion International Lawn Bowling Championships been linked to skin cancer, “the generally ac­ at Mount Royal and the Men's Canadian Ama­ cepted most important factor is exposure to ul­ teur Golf Tournament at Kanawaki. He has been traviolet light." Toronto Star, March/87 a director and President of the Quebec Superin­ tendent's Association, the Canadian Golf Course Superintendent's Association and he is also involved with the Canadian Turfgrass Re­ search Foundation. In nominating Robert Trevis, former greens- RAE MURRAY chairman of Kanawaki, Larry Boyle stated: “His TECHNICAL SALES REPRESENTATIVE PROFESSIONAL TURF PRODUCTS performance has been of the highest calibre, his integrity is without peer and his conduct has CHIPMAN always exemplified what a true professional A Business Unit of C I L Inc. TELEPHONE 400 JONES ROAD (416) 1 800 263-2136 should be." His contributions to the golf industry STONEY CREEK, ONTARIO (705) (519) (613) makes Robert a worthy recipient for Scores L8G 3Z1 1 800-263-8353 Superintendent of the Year Award. 15 YEARS AGO TODAY The Board of Directors were as follows: Bill Hynd (pres), Jim Wylie A meeting was held at St. George's Golf Club on March 16th and (vice), Ross Haines (sec), Bob Heron (tres), Bob Lamb, Ron Allen, Roy the speaker was John Campbell, Links Supervisor at St. Andrews. On French, Paul Dermott, Helmut Kopp, E. Charman and John Arends April 11 there was a combined meeting between the OGSA and (past pres). The editorial committee consisted of Bill Hynd, John Western Greenskeepers Assoc, at Cherry Hills Golf & Country Club Arends, Ross Haines and Helmut Kopp. hosted by Charlie Behm. Cherry Hills is the host for this year's Cana­ New Members: Paul White, Kanawaki Golf Club; Jacob Hallman, dian Open held from July 6 to July 9. On April 17 there was a meet­ Chestly Lake Camp Association; C. P. Smith, Brooklea Golf Club; C. ing held at Essex Golf Club hosted by Dave Moote. In June the Galt Miller, C. A. Miller Construction Ltd.; Bill Robinson, Bill Robinson Turf Country Club and the University of Guelph held the spring field day Supplies; Cameron Caimcross, Foxwood Golf Club; Paul Dodson, hosted by Paul Scenna. Bill Hynd was first low gross, Bob Hall second Mississauga Golf and Country Club; Les Kelly, Royal Ottawa Golf low gross and Hugh Kirkpatrick was third low gross. Bob Heron was Club; John Hutchinson, Warkworth Golf Club; Lamont Anderson, first low net and Helmut Kopp was second low net. On May 9th there Midad Golf Club; Hugh Kirkpatrick, Conestoga Golf Club; Stewart was a meeting at the Oakdale Golf Club hosted by Bob Moote and Mills, R. Allen, Highlands Golf Course; Ron Weire, Welland Valley the speaker was Robbie Robinson, golf course architect. First low Golf Club; Dennis Pellrene, Glen Abbey Golf Club; Walter Windjack gross Bob Heron, second G. Toombs and third low gross Whitey and Edward Rubski, co-owners of Brock Golfland; Calvin Fairhall, Jones. First low net was Keith Nesbit, second Dan Uzelac and third Westmount Golf Club; D. Elliott, Westhill Golf Club; Nick Panasiuk, Cam Caimcross. John Grightmire hosted a meeting at Rosedale on Hideaway Golf Club; A. C. Pratt, Bracebridge and B. S. Evans, Agin­ Oct. 10th. On November 7th there was a meeting held at the Summit court. Golf Club and December 5th the annual meeting was held at the The Ontario Turfgrass Symposium was held on January 10th at Aurora Highlands. In August the Pro Superintendent Day was hosted Northwood Country Club hosted by Gord Witteveen. The registration at Islington Golf Club. fee was $10 which included lunch and dinner. On March 17 the On July 21 Brantford Golf Club hosted the Greens Chairman/ RCGA Conference was held at the Skyline Hotel. Superintendent Golf Tournament hosted by Vince Piccolo. Vince Gord Witteveen was nominated as a director of the GCSAA at the has been the Superintendent at Brantford for the past 15 years. They forthcoming conference in Cincinnati. Kimmo Salonen broke his leg started playing golf at Brantford in 1879 and it is the fourth oldest golf while skiing in Austria. Ron Allen, Superintendent at Donalda Golf club in Canada. They wore red jackets trimmed with brass buttons Club received the highest marks at the University of Guelph short and membership was exclusive by ballot. If one blackball ballot course. was presented he was denied membership. The game was not ex­ Jack Abbot, an Honorary member of the OGSA passed away on pensive with the annual dues being only $3.00. Brantford was one of February 9th. He farmed the property known as the Islington Golf the first golf clubs to have irrigation. Club which was built in 1924. He supervised the building of the There was a warning sent out to all members of the OGSA regard­ course and continued as Superintendent at this club from 1924 to ing gambling at meetings: "The Board of Directors of the Ontario 1938. He then accepted a position at the Rosedale Golf Club from Golf Superintendents Association has requested that all gambling in 1939 to 1950. Following a brief retirement he returned to Islington as club houses be stopped unless the host Superintendent so wishes at Superintendent until 1960 when he finally retired at the age of 76. He his club. Please respect this rule." , _ _ was one of the originators of the OGSA. by Barry Endicott A Little Bit of Encouragement The following bulletin was penned by Gord Witteveen over 12 years try. A pleasant side effect of the educational experi­ ago and was sent to all member clubs of the O.G.A. at that time. It ence of the past winter is that your Golf Course Super­ is still appropriate reading material. — (Ed) intendent, having been inebriated with new ideas and methods, is literally raring to go to implement some of Another golfing season is upon us and an ever this new found knowledge. growing number of golf enthusiasts have started to So here we have the eager golfer, the course which descend on our courses. As Golf Course Superinten­ from all reports has wintered well, and a Superinten­ dents we have been looking forward with anticipa­ dent filled to the brim with enthusiasm to make it still tion to opening day. We did not spend the winter idly better than last year. What happens next? The big let­ by the fireside but have been preparing for our down! The course is opened prematurely because the friends, the golfers. For several months now we have Greens Committee can't resist the pressures from vari­ been planning for the upcoming golfing season. The ous quarters for an early opening. Against the advice mowers have been sharpened, the tractors over­ of the Golf Course Superintendent the course is hauled, ballwashers and tee markers have been opened. This happens every spring at many courses freshly painted. A new budget has been prepared and the few extra days gained at the beginning are and this was a particularly difficult assignment this frequently the cause of inferior conditions for the bal­ year because of uncertain economic conditions. ance of the season. Continued deterioration of the current crisis could result A few weeks later the course is in play with no tem­ in fewer members at many clubs and consequent cuts porary greens and a sudden downpour saturates the in budgets. Superintendents must be prepared to terrain. The Superintendent advises the Pro Shop that maintain courses for less money than in previous years. power carts are not allowed out. Just then the Club Over the winter months many Superintendents at­ President arrives with three guests and again our man tended Turf Conferences, equipment exhibits and is overruled. meetings of their local associations. These were edu­ Then along comes May. This is a critical month in the cational opportunities which afforded the turf men an golf course maintenance program. It is our last chance opportunity to stay abreast of the times and to be cog­ to encourage the turf vigorously so that it will be able nizant of the latest developments in the golf turf Indus­ to withstand the drought and the heat of the oncom­ ing summer and the punishment of thousands of stomping and dragging feet. We fertilize, spray for dis­ ease, treat for worms, topdress and aerify, and that's when we hear the membership cry. "Why does the perfect putting surface have to be punched full of holes and ruined for the rest of the season?" This last as­ W. Robert Hutcheson sertion is of course utterly untrue. The tiny aerifier holes Sand and Gravel Limited will grow in in less than ten days and frequently, greens aerified on Monday and are back to normal by the • We are proud to be supplying following weekend. Why, asks the Superintendent, do the Ontario Golf Course Industry golfers fail to undestand that aerifying and topdressing with: are two essential operations, without which, it is impos­ sible to create the perfect putting surface? Yes, why? 1. Non calcareous, low pH, Obviously there is a communication gap but before it can be bridged your Golf Course Susperintendent Hutcheson Top Dressing may have lost some more of his enthusiasm which and Construction Silica Sand. motivated him at the beginning of the season. This is sad indeed and it need not be. Your club has hired a 2. Superior silica Bunker Sand Superintendent to take care of the course. Your man may be a trained agronomist with a college educa­ • Our products comply with tion or he may be a farmer who came with the prop­ Industry specifications and have erty and was willing to stay. The membership of the Golf Superintendents Association covers the spectrum been met with overwhelming between these two extremes. The fact is, he is your approval by biologists, architects man — your Golf Course Superintendent. You have and superintendents. placed him in charge of a piece of real estate valued, in many instances, over a million dollars. Now give him Try us! your confidence and respect his knowledge. Give him the freedom to operate without the inference of the 8 West Street South, Box 937, Golf Pro, the Manager, and two dozen low Handicap Huntsville, Ontario POA 1KO Golfers. Telephone: (705) 789-5108 or (705) 789-7492 Absolutely nobody is better qualified than your Golf Superintendent to determine when your course is ready for opening, when golf carts should be allowed on the course or when a green needs aerifying. You News From The Valley have hired an expert and you are paying high wages by Alex LaBelle for his services. Not taking his advice is foolhardy to say In my last report, I mentioned the Christmas ice the least. Does it really not make sense to use a more storm. Well, now that the snow has left, we see the workable approach? Have your Greens Committee hidden damage that is a curse of the Ottawa and your Superintendent discuss the opening of the Valley; severely ice damaged greens. We, at course. Make sure members realize that there will be Carleton, got off luckier than most but no one es­ days when power carts cannot be used, and that no caped completely. The weather, though, has exceptions will be made. Explain in your newsletters been excellent in that for three weeks from April and on your bulletin boards that aerifying and top- dressing ultimately benefits all golfers. Above all, keep 1st to April 20th the temperature has hovered your Superintendent's enthusiasm at a high level. Don't around the 20°C mark. Dry conditions coupled kill it by overruling him at every opportunity. Encourage with early irrigation starts and various cultural ef­ him to innovate and praise him when he has outdone forts, has the grass leaping out of the massive himself. There is little doubt that the attitude of your blacked out areas, much to our relief. As I write Superintendent, more than any other factor, will deter­ this article the temperatures have dropped to 3°C mine the condition of your golf course for the coming and it is snowing. Nature is so fickle. season. So give your man the confidence that he Dick Woodward's irrigation system is still in needs and I am sure that it will result in an improved limbo and Doug Rothwell's pruning program has golf course for the coming season. to begin again thanks to the ice. Speaking of pruning, the Ministry of Transport has played a nasty trick on Bill Rowat of the Hylands Golf Club. It seems the pilots didn't like the trees on the 6th hole of the north course beside the runway. They are now half as high as they used to be. Well, as I contemplate aerification in a week's time, I guess I'll strap on the snow shoes and go for a walk. See ya later. ECONOMICAL POLE FRAME BUILDINGS FOR ALL YOUR NEEDS . . . BUILDING SYSTEMS LTD. FARM & COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS Call collect to Jack or Rick Brenzil for a FREE ESTIMATE . . . (416) 772-3551 (416) 388-6865 Over 30 Years Experience! OUR TORNADO WARNINGS WILL BE MORE PRECISE by Al Barnes, Toronto Star Improved radar and 1,400 volunteer observers will watch southern ley, killing about 12 people and destroying millions of dollars worth Ontario's tornado alley this summer to give earlier warnings and of buildings. Fifty homes were destroyed in Grand Valley. fewer false alarms of twisters. A profile of a tornado can be drawn from the one that struck Environment Canada says that while it can't prevent property loss Grand Valley: due to severe storms, lives can be saved through more accurate • Wind speed up to 400 kilometres (248 miles) an hour. forecasts serving a better-informed public. • Path on ground more than 100 kilometres (62 miles) long and 400 During the past nine years, tornadoes have killed 22 people in the metres (1,333 feet) wide. province and racked up a staggering $1.5 billion in damage. They • Time of occurrence 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. strike between April and September. • Damage: Weak buildings destroyed, roofs and some outside walls Tornadoes are the most dangerous of the severe weather systems removed from most strong ones, some weaker homes blown away. experienced in Ontario, and in recent years there has been an av­ These patterns were repeated on June 16 last year in the Halibur- erage of 25 of them a year. ton area, Environment Canada said in a statement. A tornado de­ A tornado is a violently whirling wind that appears as a funnel- stroyed about 26 cottages and houses and damaged another 125. shaped cloud hanging from the base of a dark, threatening thun­ There was a swath of destruction 150 metres (500 feet) wide and derstorm cloud. 30 kilometres (19 miles wide) north of Minden. Dust and debris, often mixed with mud and water, can be seen Weather watches were issued that day mentioning the potential carried from the ground to the funnel. for tornadoes; the Hal ¡burton was the strongest of three. Tornado alley is an area within 60 kilometres (37 miles) of Highway Through this comparative pattern analysis and recognition, Envi­ 401 between Windsor and Metro. ronment Canada's staff was able to recognize that this type of situ­ However, tornadoes have been reported in all parts of the pro­ ation was the only one capable of producing strong tornadoes in vince. Only one or two a year produce significant damage but a 1986. disastrous tornado can be expected somewhere in Ontario about "We got off very lightly last year," said Walter Lawrynuik, chief of once every four years. forecast operations at the Ontario Weather Centre. In their efforts to improve tornado spotting, the weather people Lawrynuik said the centre issues two kinds of bad weather ad­ have studied the weather patterns that caused the major tornadoes visories. that struck Woodstock, Barrie and Grand Valley and have found A "severe weather watch" is issued up to six hours ahead of po­ some similarities. tentially dangerous thunderstorms that can lead to tornadoes, he On Aug. 7, 1979, two twisters hit the Woodstock area, leaving said. three dead, 130 injured and an estimated $60 million in property He said a "severe weather warning" is put out within half an hour damage. of an impending disturbance that identifies a storm such as a On May 31, 1985, separate tornadoes hit Barrie and Grand Vai- tornado. Tornado alley: It is an area within 59 kilometres of Highway 401 between Windsor and Toronto. “HARVESTS” HIGHLIGHTS “HARVESTS” HIGHLIGHTS DROUGHT TOLERANCE OF COOL INFLUENCE OF DROUGHT STRESS AND FALL NITROGEN SEASON TURFGRASS FERTILIZATION ON COLD DEACCLIMATION AND TISSUE by D. D. Minner and J.D. Butler, Colorado, USA COMPONENTS OF PERENNIAL RYEGRASS TURF by M. S. Welterlen and T. L Watschke, Pennsylvania, USA Recommendations may be based on the following: • Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass and fine fescue re­ Recommendations may be based on the following: quire supplemental irrigation to provide acceptable turf quality when grown along the Front Range of Colorado. • Cold acclimation of cool season grasses begins in the fall and reaches a maximum in January. • A-20-6, H-7, America and Majestic cultivars of Kentucky bluegrass have improved drought tolerance. Of these four, • Deacclimation occurs in the spring. H-7 and Majestic has superior drought tolerance. • Some perennial ryegrass cultivars, including Aristocrat, Bel­ • Turfgrass management, microclimate and genetic back­ latrix, Citation and Yorktown, have improved drought toler­ ground influence the level of acclimation attained and the ance. rate at which acclimation and deacclimation occur. • None of the fine fescues provided acceptable turf under drought conditions. Some hard fescues — Balmoral, Biljart, • Grasses that lose their winter hardiness early in the spring Scaldis, Silvana, Tournament and Waldena — were more are more susceptible to injury from prevailing freezing condi­ drought tolerant than other fine fescues. tions. • As drought conditions develop, perennial ryegrass remains • With Pennfine perennial ryegrass, drought stress lowered green and viable longer than Kentucky bluegrass or fine fes­ water content of both crown and leaf tissue. cue. When water becomes available in late summer, peren­ nial ryegrass recovers faster than Kentucky bluegrass or fine • Cold hardiness of Pennfine perennial ryegrass was higher fescue. in drought stressed plants than in those which were irrigated. • Perennial ryegrass has greater drought tolerance than Ken­ • Fall-applied nitrogen decreased cold hardiness in tucky bluegrass, which has a greater tolerance than fine fes­ Pennfine perennial ryegrass sampled in early April. cue. INTRODUCING THE NEW TORO Reelmaster 216 Designed io Last. AVAILABLE NOW. FOR MORE DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS CONTACT TURF CARE TODAY TURF CARE 105 GIBSON DRIVE, MARKHAM, ONTARIO L3R 3K7 • TELEPHONE: (416)475-0988 • TELEX. 06-966799 COMING EVENTS June 16 GBSA Meeting Brooklea GC June 22 Spring Field Day GaltCC June 25 WOGSA Meeting Knollwood GC July 7 GBSA Meeting Borden GC July 13 OVTA Pro-Super Upper Canada GC July 27 President, Oakdale GC Greenchairman & Superintendent July 28 GBSA Meeting Horseshoe Valley Resort "Green is Beautiful" Ontario Golf Superintendents Association