TIC VERT. Green Is Beautiful Ontario Golf Superintendents Association P.O. BOX 203, ISLINGTON, ONT. M9A 4X2 SUMMER '88 TELEPHONE: (416) 233-8388 York Downs Golf & Country Club Site of 1988 President/Green Chairman Tournament ONTARIO GOLF SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR 1988 PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT EDITOR THOM CHARTERS NEIL ACTON CGCS ROD TRAINOR CGCS Weston Golf & Country Club Brooklea Golf & Country Club St. Thomas Golf & C.C. 50 St. Phillips Road P.O. Box 1342 P.O. Box 62 Weston, Ontario M9P 2N6 Penetang, Ontario LOK 1P0 St. Thomas, Ontario N5P 3T5 Phone: Bus. (416) 241-5551 Phone: Bus. (705) 526-4484 Phone: Bus. (519) 631-2447 Res. (416) 233-8388 Res. (705) 549-2323 Res. (519) 631-4798 DIRECTORS Calendar Golf and Meetings BRUCE BURGER GREG O'HERON TED ELLIS Galt C.C. Peterborough Golf & C.C. Greenwood Golf Club P.O. Box 534 Box 251 2212 London Rd. Cambridge, Ontario N1R 5W1 Peterborough, Ont. K9J 6Y8 Sarnia, Ontario N7T 7H2 Phone: Bus. (519) 621-7020 Phone: Bus. (705) 743-5010 Phone: Bus. (519) 542-2212 Res. (519) 621-1138 Res. (705) 652-6020 Res. (519) 542-8201 Treasurer Roster Entertainment & By-Laws GORDON NIMMO CGCS JOHN TAYLOR SCOTT DODSON Sarnia Golf & Curling Club Twenty Valley G.C. Summit Golf & C.C. 500 Errol Rd. W. 107 Ontario St. P.O. Box 420 Sarnia, Ontario N7V 1X7 St. Catharines, Ontario Richmond Hill, Ontario L4C 4Y6 Phone: Bus. (519) 336-0667 Phone: Bus. (416) 562-4333 Phone: Bus. (416) 884-5234 Res. (519) 332-1521 Res. (416) 682-3516 Res. (416) 544-6803 Membership Secretary & Symposium Chairman Public Relations ED FARNSWORTH MARK HAGEN DAVE W. GOURLAY(Jr.) Deerhurst Inn Golf & 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) 773-3841 (3843,3844) Res. (705) 789-8282 Res. (416) 845-3183 Res. (416) 852-9609 NEWSLETTER EDITOR ROD TRAINOR CGCS OFFICE SECRETARY COVER PHOTO CREDIT AERIAL VIEW OF YORK DOWNS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB by Porus Dinshaw CINDI CHARTERS (416) 233-8388 From the President From the Editor Well, here we go again. It appears, at least at the Summer is here. Like last year it came overnight with time of writing, that Rod Trainor's prediction (Green is hot dry temperatures and almost no warning. Spring Beautiful - February) of hot, dry summers becoming was a mixed bag across the province with tempera­ the norm, will be upheld in 1988. Hopefully, measures tures generally on the low side and not much mois­ were undertaken at your course to make turf growing ture. Southwestern Ontario was cool with the prevail­ easier this year. If not, you would be wise to refer to ing winds coming out of the North across Lake St. Clair your 1987 records to determine what practices you and Lake Huron making things all that much colder. All employed last year, noting their impact and the time of this made for very tough conditions to grow grass and implementation. In this way you may be able to dodge the normal spring flush of growth to fill all those areas the summer bullet. that were thinned out by winter didn't really happen. Seed was very difficult to germinate as the ground re­ On the subject of record keeping, if you don't have mained cool. Those Superintendents with covers good historical material to draw from, start compiling were able to use them to warm things up and get pertinent data today. Being able to refer to a diary some small projects underway. may prove to be helpful somewhere down the road. Now that summer is here the main item affecting golf courses and number one on your local news cast Of course we're all busy, striving for perfection on is the lack of rain. Last year's dry conditions followed by our courses, but remember that one very important an open dry winter has left ground water supplies and part of your job is to play your course. Seeing it from lake levels seriously low. Water for irrigation purposes the player's perspective is not only helpful but also de­ is becoming a valuable commodity and as more monstrates to your players that you are looking at homeowners are told they can't water their lawns things from their angle. Play during prime time, be­ more focus will come on the golf courses. Water re­ cause it is almost as important to be seen playing as it strictions and rationing conditions are inevitable in the is to play. very forseeable future, and the time to prepare is now. Golf Course Superintendents have always been effi­ We should be at the point in the season when a lit­ cient water users and have led the way in water con­ tle holiday may be in order. A four-day weekend in the servation through proper irrigation practices. This is evi­ middle of the summer is like a two-week holiday in the dent by the large amount of automatic systems pre­ winter. Get away, unwind a little and return to work sently being installed, and if they are not in the process with your batteries recharged. You cannot go through of being installed they are on the drawing boards or the entire season without respite, unless you are intent being lobbied for. The advent of computerized systems on burning yourself out. Even if your work isn't suffer­ shows how precise the Superintendent wants to be ing, your family is likely wondering, "What's wrong when it comes to watering. with Daddy?" Even with all these great tools at hand we are still at the mercy of the weather which always keeps you Enough preaching. Good luck for the balance of the guessing and trying different things. By the time you summer, and remember to be on the look out for in­ read this an abundance of rain might have fallen and novative practices that can be presented at our January your thoughts will change to drainage. Symposium. Whatever happens, it's the great outdoors that makes our jobs the most enjoyable. Thom Charters Rod Trainor, CGCS Annette Anderson THE TURF SEED SPECIALISTS Turf Extension Specialist OSeco INC P.O. Box 219, Brampton, Ontario, Canada L6V 2L2 (416) 846-5080 Plant Industry Branch R. PAUL JOHNSON National Sales Manager Ministry of Agriculture and Food Turf Seeds Hort. Science Dept. University of Guelph Guelph, Ontario N1G2W1 Telephone (519) 824-4120, Ext. 2597 Supported Projects and New Members Studies January to March, 1988 Projects supported by OTRF and OMAF empty table cell empty table cell Use of zeolite clays as amendments to sand root-zone Classification mixes — P. Voroney Randy Higgins Toronto Hunt F Joey St. Pierre Essex GC F. Studies on managmeent of abiotic winter-kill of turf Hugh Shields Talbot Park GC B — J. Eggens and K. Carey Blair Rennie Unionville GC B Evaluation of growth regulators on turf Leo Daigle Carrying Place F — J. Hall and K. Christensen Hughie Smith Thornhill GC F Evaluation of methods for overseeding golf greens, fair­ Mark D. Young Muskoka Lakes F ways and home lawns — L. Burpee Dan Mayzik Essex GC F An assessment of dose-response relationships between John Kinch Muskoka Lakes F ammonium chloride and dollarspot disease — L. Burpee Richard Ziegel Burlington Springs B T.H. Roest Lely Ltd. E Assessment of methods for control of black layer Phillip T. Dickie Fast Forest Inc. E — L Burpee and A. Anderson Josh Brown Glendale G & CC F Robert T. Cresswell Pleasant Valley B Projects supported by Ont. Pesticides Adv. Comm., Mark McClure Burford Golf Links B OTRF and OMAF James R. Monkman Uplands GC F Competition and allelopathic effects of turfgrasses on Aart Van Veld Simoro Golf Links DD broadleafweeds — J. Alex and C Hall Gil Edwards SaultSte. Marie B Studies on the fate and persistence of 2,4-D on turf Art Maw Evergreen GC B — G. Stephenson Brian M. Haus Glenway CC F Michael Creed Oshawa GC F Studies supported by Ont. Pesticide Adv. Comm, John S. Cockerill Summit GC F and OMAF Andrew Gaydon Shemin Nurseries E Gary M. Supp empty table cell emptyt table cell Biological control of dandelions in turfgrass swards — G. Riddle and L. Burpee Evaluation of dissemination procedures for a biocontrol agent for gray snow mold — M Lawton and L Burpee Studies supported by OTRF, the turf industry and OMAF Studies in the production of perennial ryegrass seed in Ontario — E. Gamble Studies supported by the turf industry and OMF • We are proud to be supplying Evaluation of sports-field mixtures and cultivars of cool­ the Ontario Golf Course season grasses — K. Carey N. McCollum, J. Eggens Industry with: Non calcareous, low PH Hutcheson Silica: Topdressing Sand and Mixes Construction Sand and Mixes On The Move High Organic Humus Peat Bunker Sands Greg O'Heron started his new position at the • Our products comply with Peterborough Golf and Country Club this spring and Industry specifications and have taking over for him at Markland Woods is Vince been met with overwhelming Dermott. approval by biologists, architects Butch Middleton, former Superintendent at Ot­ and superintendents. tawa Hunt Golf Club has joined G.C. Duke Equip­ ment Ltd. as a sales representative for the Peter- TRY US! borough/Ottawa District. Mike Smith goes from 8 West Street South, Box 937 Glen Abbey to join Duke in the Toronto area and Huntsville, Ontario POA 1 KO Telephone: (705) 789-5108 or (705) 789-4551 Rick Appel in the western part of the province. Some Ideas to Improve the We’ll help you cut loose. Superintendent's Image We’ll sharpen your skills. by Rob Shultz Standing behind a one-way mirror, the GCSAA's Bob Still We’ll give you the edge. couldn't believe what he was hearing as several golfers in­ volved in a focus group talked about golf course superinten­ We’ll weed out your dents. "Very few people understand the superintendent's role or problems. his education level," said Still, the GCSAA's media director, who helped conduct the three focus groups in Los Angeles, We’ll bring a breath of fresh Atlanta and New York. "They understand the superinten­ dent's importance and almost all agree they're important to air, or blow you away. the golf course ... But they don't understand the profession it's becoming." We are Bannerman. "They understand they need the degree nowagays to be able to do what he's doing. But they don't understand the complexity of the job." The whole idea for the focus groups came from the GCSAA's desire for a new advertising campaign to better promote the image of the nation's superintendents. The GCSAA hired an advertising agency to develop print adver­ tising and it is planning to change its TV ads that were done before Still came on board last January. The advertising, in a quandary concerning just how to set up its campaign, hired a research company to set up the focus groups to find out where the problems lie. "One of my concerns is: Is it just the superintendent him­ self who's worried about himself or did the public perceive a problem?" said Still. "As you read position statements where people have to disagree or agree to certain state­ ments, one of the statements is, "Do you think superinten­ dents wear blue jeans and just drag hoses across golf courses?" People immediately think of Bill Murray (who played Carl, the crazy assistant superintendent in "Cad­ dyshack"). And they all agree that isn't the case. The Bill Mur­ ray character is the extreme that was done for humor and comedy. They know where to draw the line so to speak; the public understands that part of it." The trouble is, they don't understand much else. The focus groups were set up with several golfers of vari­ ous handicaps - half of whom played at public courses - sit­ ting in a circle with a moderator in the middle. The golfers had no idea that the function was spsonsored by the GCSAA. The discussions began with the golfers talking about their games and what they like about the sport. Still sat behind a one-way mirror so the golfers couldn't see him. "We found out that people play golf because they love to be outdoors and they love to be in a beautiful setting," said Still, who joined the GCSAA after a long stint with the Kan­ sas City Chiefs' public relations department. "That was the number one thing that was coming out of this. The second thing was the camaraderie they get with their friends." The moderator then asked the golfers what they didn't like about golf. "The country club golfers said it takes too long," Still said. "The public golfers said there is a lack of tee time availability. The public golfers also said that they spend all this money and the courses don't put it back into the golf courses; that they let the courses get all torn up. They say the greenskeep- ers don't have the money to do their job because the city takes the money and spends it somewhere else and they're not recycling the greens fees money." Next, the moderator asked the golfers who they felt was the most important person at a golf course. "More than half said the greenskeepers," Still said. "They never call them Gordon Bannerman Limited superintendents. They call him a greenskeeper or a 41 Kelfield Street Rexdale, Ontario M9W5A3 Telephone 416-247-7875 Rabies — What You Should Know! by Larry Cummer period is from 3-6 weeks. Rabies is a disease of the central nervous system. It is an 5. True. almost invariably fatal acute encephalitis whereby the infec­ 6. False. Rabies occurs throughout the world except in tious agent is a virus. The usual mode of transmission is Australia, New Zealand, Antartica, the British Isles, through contact of virus-laden saliva coming in contact with Scandinavia except Denmark, Oceania, Peninsular a break in the skin. The virus thus deposited in the tissues of alaysia, Singapore, Japan, Taiwan and most other the new victim is able to start its cycle of infection and mul­ mall islands. tiplication. Try the following true and false test that includes 7. False. In an effort to all incidents where rabies is sus­ some of the facts and fallacies regarding this deadly disease! pected must be reported to the local medical officer 1. All animals that are infected with rabies wildly and of health. A domestic animal must be quarantined for ferociously biting and attacking everything in sight. 10 days for observation of onset of symptoms. A wild 2. A person has to be bitten by a rabid animal to contract animal should be sacrificed and the head submitted the disease. to Agriculture Canada, Health of Animals Branch, 3. An animal displaying symptoms of rabies may roam at 10077 Yonge St., Richmond Hill. If there has been ani­ large for many weeks, months or even years. mal or human involvement then results may be ready 4. The rabies virus travels through the nerve cells in the within 24 hours. body eventually reaching the brain. 8. True. Bats are capable of shedding the virus for se­ 5. The time an animal is infected (usually bitten) with ra­ veral months without showing symptoms. Although bies until symptoms begin to show may be as short as rare, there have been cases where humans have very one week and more than six months. likely contracted the virus through inhalation of 6. Rabies is a disease found everywhere on Earth. "dust" in bat caves. 7. Rabies is not a reportable communicable disease in 9. False. The vaccination of domestic animals has been Ontario. outstandingly successful in the control of rabies, 8. Bats may live with the disease for prolonged periods however, even when properly administered, the cur­ of time. rently used veterinary vaccines will immunize some­ 9. Vaccination, on a routine basis, of household pets is where between 90 - 100% of dogs and cats. 100% effective. 10. False. Wild animals may become somewhat bolder 10. A frequently seen wild animal that becomes less shy as they learn to trust the participants of the golf course. is assumed to be rabid. However, it is important to be aware of "sudden" or ANSWERS "abnormal" changes in an animalzs behaviour. If a 1. False.. There are two forms that rabies displays itself person was attacked — was it unprovoked? Was there in animals. The most common and in about three- any human involvement with the animal? fourths of all cases is "dumb” rabies where the spinal Should a person be bitten by a suspect animal then im­ cord is affected first and paralysis sets in quickly. The mediately flush the wound with soap and water for a full animal acts lethargic, weak and disoriented. The se- ten minutes, contact a medical doctor and report the inci­ cond form is "furious" rabies where the animal acts dent to the local health officials. Should the animal not be wildly while biting and snapping at whatever is with­ located then the doctor in charge should determine if the in reach. In this form the brain of the animal is affect­ rabies shots are to be administered. The newer Human Dip­ ed first. Death from rabies is due to respiratory para­ loid Cell vaccine is administered on day 0-3-5-7 and day 30 lysis. intramuscularly and usually in the arm. 2. True. Although the virus cannot penetrate unbroken Hopefully, the aforementioned has given you a better un­ skin it can be transmitted through contact of virus­ derstanding of this deadly disease. If there are any questions laden saliva to a cut, scratch or open wound or con­ then drop me a line c/o Weston Golf and Country Club, tact the with mucous membrane found in the eyes, Weston, Ontario nose and mouth. 3. False. Once an animal exhibits obvious symptoms BIBLIOGRAPHY Control of Communicable Diseases in Man, Eleventh Edition 1970, The of the disease death may occur in 2 - 6 days and American Public Health Association, New York, N.Y. usually within 8. Rabies: The Facts, Second Edition, Oxford University Press, 1986. 4. True. As a rule, the further the bite is from the head Rabies: It's No Way For A Friend To Die, Pamphlet, Ministry of Health, the longer is the incubation period. Usual incubation Ontario 1986. London Ford Equipment Sales Ltd. Highway 22 & Hyde Park Road Box 118, Hyde Park, Ontario N0M 1Z0 Bus: 519-472-2610 Res: 519-471-8677 RAE MURRAY & PETER BUCKLEY TECHNICAL SALES REPRESENTATIVES LARRY ANNAERT PROFESSIONAL TURF PRODUCTS Marketing Representative CHIPMAN TELEPHONE Sales and Service BROUWER TURF A Business Unit of C-l-L Inc. 400 JONES ROAD . (416) 1-800-263-2136 Ford Lawn & Garden Tractors STONEY CREEK, ONTARIO (705) (519) (613) Small Diesel 13 H.P. to30 H.P. NEW HOLLAND L8G 3Z1 1-800-263-8353 Large AG. Tractors 30 to 183 H.P. SKID STEERLOADER 3,5,7 the gang’s allhere... from Brouwer Innovative engineering,rugged dependability... are what the Brouwer gang is all about. These tractor mount mowers feature: Finger-tip hydraulic controls, Incredible 4-wheel drive traction; Fixed or floating heads; Simple, reliable mechanical drive; Cat.l three point hitch for rear mowing units; Built-in backlapping system (opt. on 3-gang); Hydrostatic transmission on 3 and 5 gang, mechanical shuttle 8-speed on the 7 gang; Economical, reliable Kubota diesel tractors and low ground pressure for low compaction. These outstanding features, plus the many options available, let you specify a mower to suit your needs and mowing conditions. Find out more about these and other fine turf care equipment from Brouwer, call your dealer...... TODAY. BROUWER TURF EQUIPMENT UMITED An Outboard Marine Corporation Company 7320 Haggerty Rd./Canton, Ml. 48187 Telephone (313) 459-3700 Woodbine Avenue/Keswick, Ontario, Canada L4P 3E9 Telex 065-24161 Telephone: (416) 476-4311 SHEMIN IRRIGATION With a complete inventory of irrigation supplies at wholesale prices. GREENHOUSE HARDLINES LANDSCAPE NURSERY STOCK Countless varieties of Fertilizers Chemicals. Bail SUPPLIES The most complete Foilage Ptants In wide Carts and a complete Decorative Stones and selection of potted and range of material size range of professional Gravel Pressure Treated container grown nursery Flowering and Foliage Landscape Tools Timbers, Mulches (bagged material including Broad­ hanging baskets. Annuals and bulk). Peat Moss and leaves and Conifers, and Flowering Seasonal Vinyl Edging Onamental Trees, Shade Plants Trees, flowering Shrubs Perennials and Ground Cover (416)875-4545 R.R. #4, Milton (Toronto) (416) 858-2299 Ontario L9T 2X8 1-800-263-4111 (Fifth Line South of Steeles) Best Turf Tips of 1987 by Gary A. Watschke The Big Blow One of the most enduring problems superintendents must face is the constant maintenance associated with sand bunkers. Edging is difficult enough, but of ongoing concern is the continual buildup of sand on the greenside edge of bunkers caused by explosion shots. These massive amounts of sand can kill the turf by mere suffocation or by accumulat­ ing to such depths that severe drought conditions develop. It's a vicious cycle. Many have tried various methods of removing sand from the grass faces of bunkers. One technique involves using water to wash away the accumulated sand on a steep sand bank. Using existing irrigation hose pressure, wash the ex­ cess sand back into the bunker. As this is accomplished, the contour of the bunker edge changes, without losing any of the rooting system or requiring extensive labour. (Figure 1.) This is a good method, and it works. Mike Rewinski, superin­ tendent at Westhampton Country Club on eastern Long Is­ land has found another innovative approach worthy of our attention. While blowing out his irrigation system to prepare for winter, Mike found a large rented air compressor ideal for blowing sand from grass bunker banks back into the bun­ kers. He outfitted the compressor with a hose attached to four feet of 1/4-inch pipe. (Figures 2,3.) One person can easily blow the sand back into a bunker usually in 15 to 20 mi­ nutes. Some dried grass clippings will settle in the sand but are easily cleaned up with leaf rakes. The net result of this action is a neat, clean turf that can th­ rive very well and extend the life of the reconstructed grass banks indefinitely. Banks of little-used bunkers should be cleaned once a year. More heavily used bunkers should be subjected to the Big Blow as often as twice a year. Sand Topdressing by David W. Gourlay Jr. without amending or altering their particular fertilizer prog­ Perhaps the time has come ram. The addition of micronutrients along with the regular for us all to re-evaluate our fertilizer program will become common place. New green management practices con­ construction on established golf courses will force individual cerning the topdressing pro­ management programs for the new greens forever. The grams we employ at our golf complexities of turf management is going to steadily in­ courses. More articles and pa­ crease as the expectations in regards to turf quality continue pers have been written re­ to remain high. garding the usage of sand for I have often asked myself why we are experiencing so topdressing than any other many new diseases over the past few years. We are certainly single aspect of turf manage­ growing the turf under more stress. This stress is usually at- ment. As we continue to fine ributed to the lower cutting heights and the reduced nitro­ tune the quality of turfgrass gen levels which are implemented to speed up the greens. we grow on our golf greens, the topic of sand topdressing However, upon closer observation of the newer manage­ will continue to surface. Without a more complete under­ ment practices employed in recent years, is the sand top- standing of the rootzone material we use, the complexity of dressing. To me this program will quickly resemble growing turf management will increase. the grass in a hydroponics environment. Therefore the Ever wonder why it was so much easier to grow turf in turfgrass is likely deficient in one or more nutrients and it is the past? The standards in regards to the turf quality were this stress that is responsible for the increased susceptibility not nearly as high as they are today. The topdressing mater­ to the new diseases we are experiencing in greater fre­ ials were composed of sand, soil and peat. When combined quency. these materials produced a relatively alive topdressing mat­ Continued research is absolutely mandatory if we are to erial. The chemical properties of these mixes were generally, successfully respond to the increased expectations in the turf without exception, excellent. Chemical deficiencies were quality the golfer is now becoming accustomed to. unheard of and the microbiccal population was great. Un­ Maybe we can learn something from the old St. Andrews fortunately this heavy material was difficult to apply and the course in Scotland Recognizing the fact that sand topdres­ frequency of application was minimum. The additional cul­ sing alone did not provide all the essential ingredients for tural and managemental practices were few and simple as good turfgrass, they supplemented their topdressing with many chemical properties were found in the topdressing seaweed. The seaweed contains over forty micronutrients, material. Today with the usage of sand alone for topdressing growth hormones and organic matter, thereby reducing the the managemental and cultural practices are many and chance of having a nutrient deficiency. In talking to a few complex. The sand materials are relatively inert and special Golf Superintendents from the old country they applied sea­ fertility practices must be employed. weed to supply some life to the topdressing material. To me, No one sand source provides all the essential nutrients for this is beginning to make some sense. plant growth. We can no longerjust be concerned with only Sand topdressing is here to stay and the successful turf nitrogen and potassium levels. The old mixes provided manager will be the one that can adapt to the new turf many of the essential micronutrients needed for quality turf. management practices by reducing the stressful environ­ One can expect many headaches using sand topdressing ment the turfgrass is forced to live in. — RIDING GREENSMOWER — TRAIL GANGS YOUR TURF MAINTENANCE EQUIPMENT — 5 GANG FAIRWAY ALTERNATIVE — PARTS AND MOWER ACCESSORIES WEST: 56 McCULLOCH AVE. EAST: 1160 TAPSCOTT RD., REXDALE, ONT. SCARBOROUGH, ONT. M9W 4M6 M1X1E9 416-249-7325 416-293-9000 Harvest Highlights Evapotranspiration of Cool-Season Turfgrasses - Seasonal crop coefficients based on the Penman equa­ in The Humid Northeast tion ranged from 0.88 for Tournament to 1.09 for En­ by L.J. Aronson, A.J. Gold, R.J. Hull & J.L Cisar mundi. Agronomy Journal - Seasonal crop coefficients based on pan evaporation Volume 79 Number 5 data were more variable, ranging from 0.86 to 1.31. Pages 901-905 - The modified Penman equation consistently predicted 1987 evapotranspiration rates for the five grasses that would be reliable and effective in scheduling irrigation of turf Turfgrass maintenance can require considerable irrigation in southern New England. water, even in the humid northeastern United States. Turfgrass culture must be directed toward practices that will Influence of Prestress Environment on Annual lower water requirements as competition for water use in­ Bluegrass Heat Tolerance creases. by D.L. Martin and D.J. Wehner Transpiration accounts for most of the water lost from a Crop Science dense turfgrass canopy. Transpiration rates vary among well- Volume 21 Number 3 watered turfgrass species. Knowledge of water use rates of Pages 579 - 585 turfgrasses is necessary to identify grasses with lower water 1987 requirements and to design and utilize irrigation systems for maximum water use efficiency. Annual bluegrass characteristically has reduced quality Methods that predict crop water use on the basis of during periods of high temperature. In order to improve climatic conditions are used frequently for irrigation schedul­ summer quality of annual bluegrass, heat tolerance of selec­ ing because accurate field measurements are difficult to ob­ tions has been evaluated along with cultural practices that tain. These methods predict the water use of a standard re­ may promote stress tolerance. Variability in stress tolerance ference crop which is defined as “the rate of evapotranspi­ of annual bluegrass does not appear to be very predictable. ration from an extensive surface of 3.2 to 6 inches (80 to 150 Of the other factors known to influence heat tolerance, the millimeters) tall green grass cover of uniform height, actively turfgrass manager has control over cultural practices, such as growing, completely shading the ground and not short of irrigation, fertilization and mowing. water". Crop coefficients are used to adjust this value for The objective of this research at The University of Illinois specific crop and climatic conditions. was to monitor the heat tolerance of field grown annual Research at The University of Rhode Island was conducted bluegrass over the growing season and to examine the ef­ to quantify and compare water use by Baron and Enmundi fect of two different soil moisture regimes on heat tolerance, Kentucky bluegrass, Yorktown II perennial ryegrass, and color, quality and rooting depth. Annual bluegrass grown in Jamestown and Tournament fine fescue maintained under a silty clay loam was sampled on 23 dates over 2 growing well-watered conditions. Crop coefficients for each grass seasons and exposed in the laboratory to high temperatures. were computed from these data based on two predictive The dry weight of stressed plants expressed as a percentage methods - the modified Penman equation and the pan of the controls was used as a measure of heat tolerance. The evaporation. The variability of each method was evaluated results indicated only a trend for annual bluegrass main­ to determine its reliability for predicting evapotranspiration in tained under moist soil conditions to be less heat tolerant the variable climate of the northeast United States. than under dry conditions. No differences in heat tolerance The following results are of interest: were found due to rooting depth. Because of reduced - Consistent annual differences were not observed in the turfgrass quality with dry soil conditions, there seems to be variable summer weather that characterizes southern little potential for increasing heat tolerance of annual blueg­ New England. rass through irrigation management. OGSA Galt Field Day by Rod Trainor CGCS The Spring Field Day was another huge success, with a Galt Country club put on a great meal which was fol­ full field of superintendents and guests playing in near per­ lowed by the prize presentations. Some of the highlights at fect conditions on a beautifully prepared golf course. Our dinner included the presentation of a cheque for $2,000 hats off to Bruce and his staff for giving us such great con­ from the OGSA to the new Guelph Turfgrass Institute. Hon­ ditions. The lunch at the turf plots at Cambridge was deli­ orable mention goes to Clay Switzer for taking time out of cious along with a very informative tour and some good de­ his busy schedule to join us and also many thanks to Ann monstrations. Witteveen for running the registration table. Superintendents: Assistants: Suppliers: Low Gross: Hugh Kirkpatrick (76) Low Gross: K. Stein (78) Low Gross: Bruce Calhoun (75) 2nd Gross: Bill Glashan (77) 2nd Gross: C. Dew (84) 2nd Gross: Rod Hermitage (80) 3rd Gross: Robbie Robinson (78) Low Net: A. Schwembler (68) Low Net: N. Rennie (71) 4th Gross: Warren Vout (79) 2nd Net: R. Higgens (71) 2nd Net: Dave Dick (74) Low Net: Simon George (68) 2nd Net: John Gall (68) Guests: Low Gross: Jack Northey (72); Low Net: A. Cook (65); Longest Drive: 3rd Net: Paul Scenna (69) Robbie Robinson 4th Net: Rod Trainor (69) Closest to the Pin #4: Keith Stein; Closest to the Pin #11: Colin Nisbet Clay Switzer Trophy: Region 2, Simon George and Paul Scenna Folklore and forecasting Here are a few examples of weather lore that If the rooster crows going to bed, I've come across. The accuracy of these sayings he wakens with a watery head. is supported by modern weather stations. (Don't ask me, I'm a city boy.) Sea gull, sea gull, sit on the sand, If you want to know what the temperature is, It's a sign of rain when you are at hand. here's a novel way to find out. Count cricket (People who live on the shore tell me that the chirps for 14 seconds, then add 40. That's the seagulls all go inland when a storm is approaching) temperature at the crickets' location. When the leaves show their backs, it will rain. When spiders spread their nets on the grass /Leaves grow "accustomed" to the prevailing wind. they are forecasting clear weather. They are They often turn over when the wind shifts usually right. to a new direction and blows stronger than usual. These conditions are also indications of rain.) — Bertram Waller The York Downs Golf & Country Club Background The Clubhouse The new course near Unionville was opened, without Designed by Shore & Moffatt & Partners, the contempo­ fanfare, for regular play by members on Saturday May 8th, rary steel and concrete structure is part of the total environ­ 1971. ment. It appears to grow out of the ground instead of being This is the second location for the Club which was superimposed on it. founded in 1921 when a group bought the 160-acre Shed- Droge Construction Limited, General Contractors, started don Farm at the southeast corner of Bathurst and Sheppard excavating (8,000 cu. yds.) on March 2, 1970 and turned the to build an 18 hole golf course. Play there started on May 6, finished building over to the Club in January, 1971. Con­ 1923 and continued until October 30, 1970. struction of the 40,000 sq. ft. of floor space on three levels In June of 1968 members voted to sell the Bathurst Street (service, sports and social floors) required 4,230 cu. yds. of property and to purchase part of the Deacon Farm, approx­ concrete; 250 tons of reinforcing steel; 25,000 board ft. of imately 400 acres, at 16th Avenue and Kennedy Road, just lumber; 9,700 sq. ft. of glass for windows and skylights; and north of Unionville. 2.5 tons of copper roofing. Interior treatments and furnishings, in harmony with the The Course building's design, were created and executed by the T. Designed by Cornish and Robinson, the layout provides Eaton Design Group, to create a modern, yet warm and for 36 holes with nine to be constructed at a later date. The comfortable environment for the members. three finished nines are of about the same yardage so that On May 5, 1987 the membership approved a significant each 18 measures approximately the same length. The expansion to the clubhouse involving the construction of course includes a practice fairway, a pitching green and a new and larger Gentlemen's and Ladies Lounges as well as putting green. a new informal Mixed Lounge. The entire project was com­ Course construction, by Miller Paving Ltd., started Sep­ pleted over the winter months and officially opened to the tember 16, 1968 and members played a get-acquainted membership with much fanfare on April 23, 1988. round on October 3 and 4, 1970, just two years later. Con­ struction involved moving 380,000 cu. yards of soil and cre­ ation of several ponds of various sizes to supplement the natural water supply. The course is equipped with an au­ tomatic irrigation system which can distribute 500,000 gal­ lons of water per day. Greens are Penncross Bentgrass and required about 1,500 lbs. of seed, and fairways some 20,000 lbs. of varieties of grass with an additional 7,000 lbs. for roughs. The less well- Douglas Wood Large Tree Sales Ltd. treed sections of the course have been planted with 1,450 "We Buy, Sell, & Transplant Large Trees'" trees of 25 different varieties and some 3,000 tons of sand were distributed over the more than one hundred traps. (519) 853-2035 PAUL HANOUSEK 1-800-265-6681 Ten Years Ago Today by Barry Endicott dent Tournament was held at the Day at Lachute Golf Club which was Hamilton Golf Club on July 28. The won by George Garner with a 78. The Ontario Golf Superintendents team of Harry Ritson, pres., Frank Pope The Pro-Superintendent Tournament Association executive for 1978 was G.C., and Bob Heron, superintendent was held at Dalewood and George Paul Scenna (pres.), Stew Mills (vice.), won first prize. Bill Hynd hosted the Garner (79) and Pro Dave Clayton (71) Paul White (sec.), Ken Nelson (tres.), Al Ladies Peter Jackson Classic, Dennis Pel- won top prize. Thom Charters won low Beeney (past pres.), Bill Bowen, Blake Irene hosted the Canadian Open and superintendent prize with a 78. Kimmo McMaster, John Smith, Rusty Wark- Bob Brewster hosted the Ontario Solonen won the Taylor Barnes trophy at man, Bill Hynd and Paul Dermott. Amateur. Paul Scenna hosted another Cherry Hill Club. The Eighth Annual Turf Management great Galt Field Day on June 8. Low James H. Roberts passed away on Symposium was held ad the Hamilton superintendents were Bill Bowen (76), January 1. Mr. Roberts retired in 1972 fol­ Golf Club hosted by Stew Mills. Paul Bill Glashan (77), Jack Fairhurst (78) and lowing 20 years as superintendent at Scenna opened the Symposium which Graham Sholdice (78). After golf every­ Sunningdale Golf Club- was chaired by Norm McCallum and Al one went over to the Cambridge Turf Henry Gertin accepted the job at Beeney. The speakers for the day were Plots. Gord Witteveen hosted a meeting Beachgrove in Windsor and Barry En­ Terry Dwyer, meterological officer on August 16 at the Board of Trade dicott moved to Chinguacousy Country Mount Hope Airport, George Cumming, Country Club. It was a rain delayed Club from Glen Shields Golf Club. Stew Royal Botanical Gardens, Dr. Jack round and the low gross winners will Picken moved on as superintendent at Eggens, University of Guelph, Ken Nel­ Bill Bowen (74), Bill Glashan (77) and Glen Shields. Al Draper accepted the job son, Steve Miller, Jim Wyllie, Rusty Wark- Barry Endicott (78). The theme as at Greenhills Golf Club. Doug Heron of man, Doug Suter and John Smith. Paul "America Day" and U.S. guests included O.M. Scot became regional manager for White was the symposium chairman Dr. Jim Watson, Ted Smith, Ned Ontario, Quebec, Ohio, Michigan and and over 70 superintendents, assistants Brinkman, Bob Moore, Jim Latham, parts of New York and Dave Dick, for­ and associates attended. Andy Bertoni, Norman Leising and Mel merly from Sleepy Hollow took over the Monthly meetings wer held during Lucas. Mel Lucas, director of the GCSAA Toronto territory. Ron Craig became the off-season at Glendale Golf Club, gave a demonstration of the new speed manager of the Rexdale branch for Paul White; Bayview Golf Club, Ed stick which was developed by the USGA Spramotor. Hugh Kirkpatrick moved Ortleib; and Essex Golf Club, Bill Fach. to measure putting speed on greens. from Dalewood Golf Club to West­ The Canadian Golf Superintendents As­ The McClumpha tournament was held mount Country Club in Kitchener. sociation Conference was held on at Glendale Golf Club. Genstar Chemi­ Clay Switzer, Dean of O.A.C. was March 5-8 at the Hotel Toronto. The cals hosted superintendents at Glen made Honorary Member of the OGSA. President-Greens Chairman-Superinten­ Abbey and the CGSA held their Fall Field 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! SERVICES AVAILABLE THROUGH THE ONTARIO MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD (1) SOIL TESTING — no charge for basic test for commercial growers — fee for home and garden samples (2) FOLIAR (TISSUE) TESTING — fee based on elements tested (3) WATER TESTING — fee based on elements tested AGRI-FOOD LABS, Unit 1,503 Imperial Road, Guelph, Ontario N1H 6T9 (519) 837-1600 (4) PESTICIDE RESIDUE TESTING PROVINCIAL PESTICIDE LABORATORY, Agricultural Lab Services, Ont. Min. ofAgr. & Food, Building 43, McGilvray St., c/o University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario NIG 2W1 (519)824-4120. ext. 4825 (5) PEST DIAGNOSTIC CLINIC — fee UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH, Ont. Agricultural College, TOP PRODUCT & Dept, of Environmental Biology, Pest Diagnostic & Advisory Clinic, Guelph, Ontario NIG 2W1 (519) 824-4120 ext. 2700 FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Annette Anderson, OMAF TOP PEOPLE Turf Extension Specialist Room 240 D, Horticultural Science Department GIVING YOUR COURSE University of Guelph Guelph, Ontario NIG 2W1 A HELPING HAND (519) 824-4120 ext. 2597 (Message service after 5 rings) OXYGEN GIVER A blade of grass. It has no moving parts. Yet in its growth process, it takes polluting gases from the air and returns pure oxygen. The sturdier the plant the more the purification, In fact, actively growing grass on a plot 25 feet square releases enough oxygen to sustain ife day after day for a grown person. Every lawnowner is making a worthy contribution of life-sustaining greenery. ANN WITTEVEEN DISTRICT MANAGER IPRODIONE FORMULATIONS TURF CARE PRODUCTS 1-800-265-8841 FOR THE CONTROL OF TURF DISEASES by R.T. Mercer and G.C. Paul An abstract of research results demonstrate that: — Iprodione has effectively controlled brown patch, dollar spot, Fusarium patch/blight, grey snow mold, leaf spot and melting out and red thread when used as a fifty percent active ingredient wettable powder formulation. — Now, a twenty five percent active ingredient flowable formulation of Iprodione has been developed. This reduces the build-up of dew and has been found very effective in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. continued from pg. 5 groundsman. People don't put that word 'superintendent' "It's a great thing because it shows that superintendents yet toward the profession." really care about what they are doing and they also bring at­ The other golfers had some suprising answers. "A couple tention to the work that has to go on. Sometimes I think of golfers said they thought the starter was the most impor­ people think the golf course just lies there. They don't realize tant," Still said. it's an ongoing 24-hour process to keep the courses the way When one golfer was pressed as to why he didn't think the golfers want them." superintendents were important, Still said the golfer All of Still's ideas are set up to create a little bit better answered, " 'Oh, I'm sure that groups like ChemLawn do awareness of all you do. "And as the awareness increases, seminars for those guys.' That's obviously one of the great so do all the other things that are positive with any profes­ misconceptions; he was the only one in the room that said sion," he said. "Salaries will increase probably and the gen­ that. But he perceived that our guys aren't as professional as eral respect of the individual will go up." the yard people." Well, you can't shake a bag of Milorganite at that, now can you? After a few more questions, Still said that the members of Re-print from May - June 88 CAROLINAS NEWSLETTER the group were asked if they ever heard of the GCSAA. "Sev­ eral said yes," Still added. "That's a positive. They said they saw our commercials on ESPN. We then asked them what they thought the message was saying and they had an un­ clear answer." * OGSA GOLF SHIRTS * That has prompted Still to change the ads. "But I don't know what we're going to do yet," he said. "We have BRAND NAME — EAGLE ONLY another focus group to go and then we'll go with some suggestions made by the agency. They don't need for us to thell them how good the superintendent is, rather they just Stiff collared golf shirts available with OGSA script, need to be reinforced of his important role. I think we could sizes M, L, & XL in White and Sky Blue. do that better with a spokesperson." Still added that spokesperson may be a famous golf $20.00 each course architect or a player on one of the tours. "(Tom) Wat­ son's name was brought up, so was Palmer's since his father was a superintendent." Call the Office at (416) 233-8388 to order Still also said any superintendents should call him if he or DON'T FORGET OTHER OGSA PRODUCTS: she has ideas to better promote the GCSAA. TIES $ 7.50 "The message we need to portray is that he isn't just a IRON ON CRESTS 2.50 good guy or that kind of stuff," Still explained, "but that he FORMAL BLAZER is a highly skilled professional and the job takes somebody CRESTS 17.50 who's extremely dedicated - it's not a 9 to 5 job - and crea­ tive." On a local level, Still said the best way to improve a superintendent's image is through communication. "Every individual has to pull their own share. They have to communicate, not just with their members and with their 251 Exeter Road club, but the local media," he said. "One of the things I try Unit D London, Ontario to push for and tell superintendents is that if you're rebuild­ N6L1A4 ing a green or doing something to your golf course that's (519) 652-3154 unique or new, tell your reporter about it. A reporter can't drive by the course every day and figure it out for himself, you have to tell them." "I think the number one fear superintendents have is that if they call a reporter, the reporter will think he's bragging or WE CAN SUPPLY ALL OF YOUR is a publicity seeker. Superintendents are very shy about such things, they don't want to come off as a hot shot or ego­ IRRIGATION NEEDS maniac. But that's not the case. Nobody knows you're doing a good job unless you tell them sometimes." • Suppliers of pipe, fittings and sprinklers Still said it also helps to let the public or members of your club know your schedule in advance. He used Pebble Beach • Installation and upgrading of your total as a perfect example. irrigation system At Pebble Beach, the maintenance staff is set up in ad­ • Prefabricated pump stations by vance so that when a golfer calls for a tee time in advance, Commercial Pump Service inc. the club will let he or she know what the superintendent's crew is doing that week. "So a golfer has a choice to decide whether to play while some heavy work is going on on the course or just wait a month. Golfers really appreciate that CALL and recognize it," Still said. THE IRRIGATION HOTLINE Pebble Beach also explains on its scorecards what 1-800-265-9786 maintenance work is going on. "They're digging up some fairways right now because of a grass problem. They let gol­ fers know on the scorecard just what they're doing in this three-year plan to get rid of the problem. They even identify the bad grass so golfers can find it while they're playing," Still said. Designed Around Your Greens’ Differences, Not Their Similarities. If all your greens were exactly the same, achieving over­ all turf consistency would be very easy. But all greens are not created equal. And neither are grooming reels. Presenting the new Toro Grooming Reel for the riding Greensmaster®. Now you can easily manage indi­ vidual green conditions throughout your course with tailor-made precision. Assuring you and all your members or uniform playing conditions from green to green all season long. Among the features on the Toro Grooming Reel is the exclusive “Quick Up — Quick Down" adjustment that will of cutting allow you to easily raise or lower the height and Grooming Reel without losing the prevents gouging. depth setting. Engagement or And more good news, disengagement of the Groom­ the Toro Grooming ing Reel is just as easy. A Reel is retrofittable to many turn of a knob is all it takes. older Greensmaster cutting Adjusting the depth of units, including the 8 and 11 penetration is easy, too. No tools blade single-point cutting units. are needed. Just lift the adjustment To give your members consistent knob, and the rotation by one notch putting surfaces all season long raises or lowers the Grooming Reel by check out the new Toro Grooming .007 of an inch which will allow you to Reel. You’ll be surprised at the enthusi­ precisely tailor your grooming depth to asm it generates for your course. And the various turf conditions or preferences. Another compliments it generates foryou. Fora important advantage the Toro Grooming Reel demonstration or more information, call gives you is uniform height of cut Because the your local Toro distributor Grooming Reel is part of a free-floating cutting unit design, the collection basket - which fills more quickly and heavily during grooming - is carried on a frame that’s independent of the cutting unit This maintains uniformity TURF CARE 105 GIBSON DRIVE, MARKHAM, ONTARIO L3R 3K7 • PHONE: (416) 475-0988 • FAX (416) 475-0788 COMING EVENTS July 26th, 1988 OGSA President/Green Chairman Tournament York Downs Golf and Country Club Host: Kimmo Salonen August 8th, 1988 OTRF Invitational Tournament Play: National Golf Club Host: Ken Wright Barbecue: Board of Trade Turf Care Centre Host: Gord Witteveen September 12th, 1988 Pro/Superintendent Tournament Lambton Golf and Country Club Host: Tom Murphy Green is Beautiful Ontario Golf Superintendents Association