is Green Beautiful Ontario Golf Superintendents Association P.O. BOX 203, ISLINGTON, ONT. M9A 4X2 WINTER 88/89 TELEPHONE: (416) 233-8388 ONTARIO GOLF SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR 1988 PRESIDENT PAST PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT NEIL ACTON CGCS GORDON NIMMO CGCS THOM CHARTERS Brooklea Golf & Country Club Sarnia Golf & Curling Club Weston Golf & Country Club P.O. Box 1342 500 Errol Rd. W. 50 St. Phillips Road Penetang, Ontario LOK 1PO Sarnia, Ontario N7V 1X7 Weston, Ontario M9P 2N6 Phone: Bus. (705) 526-4484 Phone: Bus. (519) 336-0667 Phone: Bus. (416) 241-5551 Res. (705) 549-2323 Res. (519) 332-1521 Res. (416) 233-8388 DIRECTORS Editor Membership Golf and Meetings ROD TRAINOR CGCS GREG O'HERON TED ELLIS St. Thomas Golf & C.C. Peterborough Golf & C.C. Greenwood Golf Club P.O. Box 62 Box 251 2212 London Rd. St. Thomas, Ontario N5P 3T5 Peterborough, Ont. K9J 6Y8 Sarnia, Ontario N7T 7H2 Phone: Bus. (519) 631-2447 Phone: Bus. (705) 743-5010 Phone: Bus. (519) 542-2212 Res. (519) 631-4798 Res. (705) 652-6020 Res. (519) 542-8201 Roster Entertainment & By-Laws BRUCE BURGER JOHN TAYLOR SCOTT DODSON Galt C.C. Twenty Valley G.C. Summit Golf & C.C. P.O. Box 534 107 Ontario St. P.O. Box 420 Cambridge, Ontario N1R 5W1 St. Catharines, Ontario Richmond Hill, Ontario L4C 4Y6 Phone: Bus. (519) 621 -7020 Phone: Bus. (416) 562-4333 Phone: Bus. (416) 884-5234 Res. (519) 621-1138 Res. (416) 682-3516 Res. (416) 544-6803 Treasurer Secretary & Symposium Chairman Public Relations & Communications 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 NANCY PIERCE, TORONTO GOLF CLUB CINDI CHARTERS (416) 233-8388 From the Editor From the President With things winding down outdoors and opera­ The 1988 golf season will long be remembered for tions moving indoors time is available to reflect on the its severity and indiscriminate problems. Rampant dis­ past season. Plans are made for next year as to where ease, water crises and intense heat tested the expertise changes can be made to improve our operations to of even the most seasoned superintendent. Some of provide better conditions. Budgets and equipment pur­ our personal and technical liabilities became obvious chases are based on these thoughts. Superintendents this season and now is the time to improve upon those are spending more time in their offices clearing up liabilities. All of the Superintendents Associations offer a paperwork or planning or perhaps just avoiding the myriad of educational opportunities for personal and cold weather. professional improvement — utilize them! I see another problem looming on the horizon. The Whatever it is there is more time available. The com­ booming economy has created labour shortages in mon excuse I get when searching for material to print every business sector and golf is no exception. in this publication is "I've been too busy" or "I just Coupled with a tremendous proliferation of new golf haven't had time". Well, now is the time. Sit down and facilities, the labour force is at a premium. Golf courses write up a description on that project you did this past will be forced to offer wages and benefits competitive season or describe that new renovation procedure you with the marketplace as a whole and not just the golf were successful with this year. It doesn't need to be industry, as in the past. The wise superintendent will typed —jet get it in to me. be improving his human resource skills and searching for unique ways to both attract and retain golf course Green is Beautiful is a newsletter for the Ontario Golf personnel. Course Superintendents Assocciation and should con­ I am looking forward to the opportunity of serving as tain some Ontario content. If I were the CBC I would your President in 1989. We are in a tremendous indus­ be in big trouble getting my native content. It's a good try with unlimited potential. Let's prosper together — thing I receive an abundance of outside newsletters participate! and a regular supply of news releases from the GCSAA Neil Acton, CGCS or I would have nothing to write about. Referring back on articles about public relations and image, one of the things they say is blow your own horn because nobody else will. What better chance New Members than through this newsletter. What better way to make empty table cell Class a name for yourself or get exposure for yourself than through an article in Green is Beautiful. If I have learned Vince Dermott, Markland Woods GC B anything through writing this newsletter it is that not B George W. Allison, Western Trent GC much time is required to put a decent size article down on paper and the rewards are there for a long time af­ J. David Brooke, Scotch Settlement GC B terwards. Nancy Pierce, Toronto GC F I look forward to continuing as your newsletter Jack Little, Dalewood G & CC F editor for the upcoming season and hope you have enjoyed what you have been reading. Have a great off C.K. (Chuck) Williams, season and see you all at the seminars and such. Kelp Products International E Dale Leggett, Jack Vincelli Inc. E Rod Trainor, CGCS On The Move Annette Anderson Turf Extension Specialist Neil Acton CGCS leaves Brooklea Golf and Plant Industry Branch CC to take over the position of Director of Golf Course Operations at Deer Creek Golf and Country Estates. Neil's assistant Marlon Geisler will take over the superintendent's Ministry of Agriculture and Food duties at Brooklea. Hort. Science Dept. Richard Ziegel is leaving Burlington Springs University of Guelph GC to take the Superintendent's job at Deerfield Guelph, Ontario N1G2W1 Telephone (519) 824-4120, Ext. 2597 Golf Club. Politics, Religion and Winter Play on Greens by James T. Snow ther completely halts turf growth; the grass is continually thinned Director, Northeastern Region, USGA Green Section throughout the winter in direct proportion to the amount of traffic. This thinning of the turf canopy can, and often does, encourage the establishment of such weeds as Poa annua, crabgrass, goose- It is common knowledge that three topics are simply too con­ grass, moss, algae, pearlwort, spurge, and other weed pests during troversial for polite conversation, and should never be brought up the spring and summer. True enough, weeds can indeed be a at social functions: politics, religion, and winter play on greens. Not problem on greens that aren't subjected to winter play, but winter familiar with the last? If not, then you apparently haven't spent traffic causes them to be just that much more abundant and dif­ much time at northern golf courses during late fall and early winter. ficult to control. Few subjects raise such an emotional response from golf course Soil compaction — Soil compaction is a more subtle and superintendents and golfers alike. Golfers can become irate at ac­ perhaps more important consequence of winter traffic. Because of tions restricting their access to regular greens during late fall, winter, the cold winter temperatures and the lack of active turf growth, the and early spring, while superintendents are just as unyielding in loss of excess soil moisture through evaporation and transpiration their view that play should be kept off the greens at those times. is greatly reduced. In addition, frozen sub-surface soils may com­ Who's right? pletely block the movement of excess moisture through the soil As with most topics of this nature, qualifications have to be profile. During the summer, a very heavy rainfall often creates soil tacked on to any firm answer. It is safe to say, however, that winter conditions that warrant closing the course for a day or two until the play can only harm the greens, and in many instances it has a sig­ excess moisture is eliminated by way of evaporation, transpiration, nificantly negative impact on the health and playability of the turf and downward percolation through the soil profile. Because these during the following golf season. moisture losses are often non-functional during the winter, satu­ Repercussions of Winter Play rated soil conditions can persist for weeks or longer. Yet the golfers It is not hard to understand why many golfers are sometimes who can appreciate the need to close the course during the sum­ skeptical about claims concerning the negative effects of winter mer are sometimes completely unsympathetic to the same condi­ play, because to them the turf on greens that have been played tions and concerns during the winter. throughout the winter usually appears the same as the turf on The effects of soil compaction on the health and playability of greens that have been closed. The effects of winter traffic, however, the turf are insidious at any time, but because wet soils are espe­ need not be obvious and dramatic to have significant and long- cially prone to compaction, the likelihood of traffic causing the col­ lasting repercussions. lapse of good soil structure is of constant concern during the Direct wear injury — Thinning of the turf due to direct wear winter. As soil particles are compacted and pushed closer and injury is an obvious and important result of winter traffic. Unlike closer together, the pore space that facilitates drainage and root during the growing season, when the turf is able to regenerate growth during the summer is gradually lost. As the season finally new leaves and stems to replace injured tissue daily, winter wea­ commences, golfers often complain that these compacted greens are hard. From an agronomic standpoint, turf begins the season in a weakened state, predisposed to a host of summer problems. In addition to the potential for weed encroachment, the turf on greens played during winter tends to wilt more readily during hot weather, and often is more susceptible to a wide array of primary and secondary disease organisms. Effects on playability — With the loss of turf density from direct wear injury and the loss of turf vigor caused by soil compac­ • We are proud to be supplying tion, greens played during winter tend to be hard, slow, and the Ontario Golf Course bumpy, and they are slower to develop during the spring, com­ pared to greens that are not subjected to winter traffic. Footprinting Industry with: is often a problem, and golfers tend to complain about the lack of Non calcareous, low PH trueness even after several topdressings in the spring. Finally, the ef­ fects of compaction on the health of the turf can last to a certain ex­ Hutcheson Silica: tent for much of the season, making it difficult or impossible to Topdressing Sand and Mixes keep the greens as closely cut and intensively groomed as some Construction Sand and Mixes golfers might desire. Many winter golfers have heard these arguments before and High Organic Humus Peat have dismissed them as being the ravings of overprotective golf Bunker Sands course superintendents and turfgrass scientists. A favorite response is, "I pay plenty to play golf at this club, and I'm going to use the • Our products comply with regular greens during the winter. That's why we pay the superin­ Industry specifications and have tendent — to fix up the greens in time for spring. Besides, the Let- 'Em-Play-Anytime Golf Course down the street lets them play been met with overwhelming through the winter, and they don't lose any grass during the sum­ approval by biologists, architects mer. Anyway, we only have a few groups that play much during and superintendents. the winter. How much damage can we do?" Factors to Consider TRY US! On the surface, these comments seem quite valid; after all, every­ 8 West Street South, Box 937 thing is a matter of degree. But many factors should be taken into Huntsville, Ontario POA 1 KO account in developing a logical policy on winter play. Telephone: (705) 789-5108 or (705) 789-4551 Anticipated traffic — If a single round of golf were played on the course during the winter, most would agree that the poten­ tial for serious damage would be nil. Same for ten rounds? How about 100, 500 or 1,000? If the weather is mild and there is little snow, how many more rounds will it add? Where do you draw the line? Soil type — Winter golfers argue that sand-based greens drain well and don't compact, making them very suitable for winter play at any time. While it is true that sand-based greens don't suffer from compaction to the exxtent that older soil-based greens might, it is also true that direct-wear injury is likely to be more severe on sand greens. Turf density can be greatly compromised, and weed encroachment can be a real concern. It is also true that most golf courses in the North do not have good sand-based greens. Obvi­ ously, courses with older soil-based greens are especially vulnera­ ble to both types of winter injury. Specific weather conditions — Though traffic on dormant turf will indeed cause some injury, the weather and soil conditions at the time of play will dictate the type and extent of the damage. Traffic on dry, unfrozen soil will cause the least damage, but this condition is rare during the winter. Frozen soil can cause significant Hahn Multi-Pro 418 Spray System wear injury but little soil compaction. Play on wet, unfrozen soil can result in significant soil compaction but less wear injury. Play on a • New 18 h.p. Kohler Magnum Engine thawing soil (wet on the surface, frozen below) can result in severe soil compaction and wear injury, and should be avoided. Finally, • New flip-up seat for easy access to engine frosted turf is extremely susceptible to direct injury, and play should • New extra smooth mechanical clutch never be allowed. Grass species — Do you have bentgrass greens and want to keep them? Then don't allow winter play. Thinned turf and com­ pacted soil is just what Poa annua is looking for in the spring. Cultural maintenance programs — Winter golfers argue that a good golf course superintendent should be able to fix the damage done during the winter by aerifying, topdressing, over­ seeding, fertilizing, and irrigation during the early spring. If weed encroachment is a problem, then he should apply herbicides to kill the weeds, and pre-emergent herbicides to prevent the crabrass and goosegrass from developing. However, 1) it would be a rare case where intensive spring work would completely compensate Standards for play — One of the most important questions for the wear injury and soil compaction resulting from winter play, to ask in contemplating whether or not to use the regular greens 2) chemicals applied to control crabgrass and other weeds have a in winter concerns what the golfers want from the greens during negative effect on the root growth and the overall health of the turf the regular season. If they want top-quality turf from spring through during the summer, 3) golfers despise the intensive aerification and fall, involving very close, frequent mowing, double mowing, fre­ topdressing required during the early spring, since most of them re­ quent verticutting, lean fertilization, minimal irrigation, or other turn after a winter layoff and find their greens ripped up and in stress-inducing practices, then it is best to avoid winter play. If the poor playing condition for weeks or more, and 4) all of the work to golfers don't mind higher cutting heights, slower speeds, and renovate the greens takes more money for labor and materials and greater inconsistency, then winter golf was made for them. Some comes at the expense of other spring course preparation activities. bias in that statement? Perhaps, but too many golfers want to History of winter injury — The effects of winter play can trample their dormant greens during the winter months and then exacerbate the injury from other types of winter problems, includ­ enjoy U.S. Open conditions from April through November. There ing dessication, winter diseases, and low-temperature kill (ice dam­ are still some things money can't buy. age). Winter play, therefore, should be avoided if the course regu­ Some Alternatives larly suffers from other forms of winter injury. Given that this article won't end the use of the regular greens Previous weed problems — Courses that have previously during winter on all golf courses, a look at some of the alternatives experienced and are concerned about weed problems such as might prove useful in establishing a winter policy. crabgrass, goosegrass, spurge, moss, algae, and Poa annua would • Use temporary greens. Many golf courses avoid winter injury by do themselves a favor by avoiding winter play on the regular establishing temporary greens on the fairway approach area to the greens. existing greens. Often these areas are aerified and topdressed sev­ Recent stress problems — Winter play is best not allowed eral times during the fall, and the cutting height is lowered to pro­ on greens that have experienced the loss of turf or extreme weak­ duce a reasonable putting surface for the winter. Sure it's more fun ness during the previous year or years caused by heat stress, secon­ to hit to the regular greens, but isn't it worth sacrificing a little bit dary disease problems such as anthracnose or summer patch, during the winter to keep the greens in good condition for spring, nematodes or other summer stress problems. Greens like these summer and fall? The best policy is to close the greens when probably would suffer even greater problems if they were bur­ growth ceases in the fall, and open them in the spring only when dened with the vigor-inhibiting effects of winter play. growth resumes and the soil has dried enough to resist compac­ Trees — Greens close to large trees that suffer from shade, air tion. circulation problems, and tree root competition should not be • Design a winter course. This should be especially appealing to forced to endure the complicating effects of winter play. Compared the addicts who simply can't get enough. Many clubs play their to turf growing in clear areas, greens growing in locations like course backwards, going from green to tee, using the tee as a these usually respond very slowly in the spring, and they tend to be target or establishing a temporary green at the tee end of the fair­ weak during the summer. Many greens on the older, mature way. Others use their imaginations and design holes in a cross­ courses in the North can be grouped in this category. country style, crossing roughs and water hazards that might rarely (cont'd on page 6) be seen or appreciated when golfers play the regular course. Tem­ porary greens can be established on existing fairways or roughs, In Praise of The National near fairway bunkers, water hazards, or groupings of trees. The possibilities are limitless. Editor's Note: • Establish temporary green, but use them only when conditions The following was clipped from the latest SCORE are not appropriate for using the regular greens. This is a bad pol­ Magazine. It's refreshing to see a superintendent get icy, because conditions can go from fair to terrible in just a few recognition from other than his peers. hours. For example, greens that are frozen in the morning can thaw as temperatures rise during the day. If play is allowed on the regular greens in the morning, at what point should it switch to Dear Score: temporary greens? Who will decide? Will golfers already on the When The National was recognized in 1982 by Golf course be notified of the change? Obviously, the logistics of this Digest in the Top 100 Greatest Courses in the World, policy are difficult, and the likelihood of damage to the greens is and in 1986 when GOLF Magazine ranked us for the great. • Use the regular greens during the winter, but close the course on first time, and placed us 77th in the world, I thought I days when the potential for damage is great. This policy has the had reached the pinnacle. It was nothing compared to same flaws as the one above. In some ways it's even worse, be­ the emotion I feel now that SCORE Magazine has cause the days when the greens should be closed, when temper­ ranked us No. 1 in Canada. However, I do feel there atures rise above freezing and the putting surfaces become was a glaring omission in not recognizing our greens thawed, are the same days that most winter golfers want to be on the course. Superintendents can come under great pressure from superintendent, Ken Wright, and his vital contributions club officials to keep the course open, despite their great misgiv­ during the nine years he has been at The National ... ings, and sometimes they are simply overruled. Since Ken's arrival at The National for the 1980 season, • Play the greens throughout the winter, regardless of the condi­ he has created a healthier and healthier course. The tions. Because the alternatives require difficult decisions and com­ fact that we had a manual irrigation system through all plicated logistics, many golf courses opt for this worst-choice pol­ icy. For the reasons we've outlined, these golf courses are Just ask­ those years and maintained the course so that you ing for problems. could putt on the fairways is nothing short of miracul­ • Close the course for the winter. From the standpoint of having ous. We have always opened for play with summer the greens, tees, and fairways in the best possible condition for rules and have never played a temporary green!... By spring, this is certainly the best policy. There is no doubt that winter my standards, Ken Wright is far and away the best play on the tees and fairways can thin the turf and compact the soil just as it can on the greens. However, golfers don't putt on the tees manager of a golf course that you could possibly find. and fairways during the summer, and most don't mind some cul­ There is no question that your ranking of The National tivation and overseeding on these areas during the spring. is a tribute to his professionalism . . . Nevertheless, many courses establish temporary tees for the winter, Gil Blechman or sacrifice small portions of the regular tees for winter use if play Founder, The National Golf Club is expected to be moderate or heavy. If the club decides to keep the course open, whether or not the regular greens are used, golfers Woodbridge, Ont. should be asked to wear shoes without spikes or cleats whenever possible, and riding carts should be restricted to paths, if they're al­ lowed at all. Winter play can do an inordinate amount of damage to the health and playability of the greens in relation to the number of rounds. Every golf course considering winter play should question whether or not it is worth the risk of damaging the greens and af­ fecting their playability for a significant period of the regular season by allowing a relatively small percentage of the club's golfers to use them at that time. In the view of most golf course superintendents, turfgrass scientists, and agronomists, it is not. Unfortunately, even the considered opinion of the experts is unlikely to separate winter play from politics and religion as a topic of controversy among gol­ fers. Reprinted from USGA Green Section November/December 1987 London Ford Equipment Sales Ltd. Highway 22 & Hyde Park Road Box 118, Hyde Park, Ontario NOM 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 (705) (519) (613) STONEY CREEK, ONTARIO Small Diesel 13 H.P. to 30 H.P. NEW HOLLAND L8G 3Z1 1-800-263-8353 Large AG. Tractors 30 to 183 H.P. SKID STEERLOADER All inaday’s work... for the Brouwer turf maintenance team. The team to make easy work of your turf maintenance program. keep your machinery down-time low, and you happy to have For golf courses, school boards, municipalities, highway Brouwer on your side. Check the products above, from the parks and recreation departments, airfields and landscapers, rugged, economical tractor mount mowers with unbeatable there is a Brouwer product for you. 4-WD traction and the high capacity Brouwer Vac to the Brouwer builds rugged dependability and superior quality turf renovating team of the Sod Cutter MK2 and one of those into every product, and that means value - not only when you turf rollers, no matter, the Brouwer team can fit the bill... buy but also in the “second to none” after sales service that will and your budget. For a live or Video demonstration of Brouwer products contact your area Brouwer dealer...TODAY BROUWER TURF EQUIPMENT LIMITED 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 Fertilizer Chemicals. Bail SUPPLIES The most complete Foliage Plants In wide Carts, and a complété 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 Ornamental 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) Grooming Reel Guide 2. What a Grooming Reel Does Not Do • Grooming is not verti-cutting in the traditional sense; it is for the use above soil level. It is similar to light verti-cutting. It by Helmut Ullrich, The Toro Company provides for a frequent cutting of those elements that contrib­ ute to grain. 1. Introduction • Grooming has the potential to replace verti-cutting, de­ As you know, grooming is an old technique, but the pending on the overall management program. "groomer" is relatively new. It is associated with the golfer's de­ • Verti-cutting will continue to be used for deeper penetra­ sire for faster, truer and healthier greens. There has been much tion into the soil, for renovation purposes or preparation of discussion among superintendents, and articles have been overseeding. written in trade publications concerning the actual benefits this • Grooming does not necessarily achieve, in all cases, in­ tool provides. Because this management practice is so new, creased ball speed. Ball speed is dependent on other factors, there has been little, if any, scientific research conducted to de­ i.e., height of cut, frequency of cut, the number of daily mow­ termine the long-term effects of grooming. It is difficult, there­ ings, health of turf, grass variety, etc. Some of these factors may fore, to make precise recommendations on the use of a make a bigger impact on ball roll than grooming itself. grooming reel. This is further complicated by the many vari­ • Grooming can cause adverse effects, if used too frequently ables which play a major role in achieving desired results. at aggressive settings (especially during environmental stress Some of the variables which must be considered are: periods, i.e., heat, high humidity or traffic). • General condition of the green 3. Grooming Reel Adjustments • Variety of grass on the green A word of advice on grooming reel adjustment procedures. • Season of the year When adjusting a grooming reel, the following steps are re­ • The turf-management program commended for optimal results: • Variation in traffic First: Set the desired height of cut. • Stress periods, especially heat and humidity Second: Set one grooming reel in raise/disengage posi­ All of these vary from golf course to golf course, and usually tion. Set one flush with the rollers and set one 1/32-inch from green to green on the same course. The use of the above the height of cut. grooming reel, therefore, requires a thorough understanding of Third: Make several passes, preferably over the practice agronomic aspects of the turf on the green which, in turn, de­ green or nursery, before using the unit on a regular green. termines the depth of setting and the frequency of use. It is re­ Fourth: Judge the amount of grass in the basket of commended strongly that the superintendents experiment number one, two and three, and readjust accordingly. SLOWLY to achieve best results. Fifth: Visually inspect the results and decide which set­ • Grooming, in essence, removes more leaf area. ting to use for the best job. Make further adjustments if • Grooming provides some of the same benefits as verti-cut- necessary. ting. The main difference is that the cutting blades are spaced Sixth: Set all grooming reels to the same desired depth. closer than on traditional verti-cutters, and the grooming reel is CAUTION: A 1/32-inch depth setting can make a very sub­ used more frequently. stantial impact on grass removal and, more importantly, on the • The more frequent use removes more grass and helps to severity of grooming. control thatch build-up, especially during periods of maximum The user must be aware that the groomer may cause ad­ growth. For this reason, care must be exerciced during periods verse effects if used frequently at an aggressive setting. This is when grass growth is reduced, for whatever reason. especially true during environmental stress periods, i.e., heat, • Grooming, in addition to routine turf management high humidity or heavy traffic. techniques, like aerification and topdressing, may permit one In summary, the grooming reel may be the best tool availa­ to raise the mowing height without sacrificing green speeed. ble to the superintendent for managing the greens precisely • By maintaining a higher cutting height, the effective root­ and in accordance with the desire of the golfer. However, tim­ ing depth of the turfgrass is increased and the grass is in a ing, frequency of use and depth of setting must be managed more healthy state. Also, it is better able to withstand wear, as properly! CREDIT: HOLE NOTES, Minn. GCSA, Aug. 1988 well as environmental stress. The Ultimate Super's Vehicle Author: Col. Klink How many times have you been out on the golf course dur­ 9) One rack to carry your beryllium headed graphite ing your morning check and not had the tool you needed? shafted square grooved irons, Titanium shafted, metal This tool could just be a pliers or even a screwdriver. Here at headed fairway woods, a Tommy Armour 945 driver with Guerrila Golf and Country Club we have devised the ulti­ the original pitted shaft and your kids plastic putter because mate vehicle for these maneuvers on the course. Any vehicle it works. will do but we prefer the ones based on golf carts. I'll list each alteration and give an explanation. 10) A cellular phone with 100 number memory containing all suppliers business and home numbers along with the ex­ 1) 60 hp snowmobile engine to replace 12 hp for added wife's number because you've spent so much time on your acceleration and power to carry around #2. machine you forgot to tell her you went to Palm Springs to film a seed commercial. 2) 60" steel pipe wrench — strapped to front cowl to keep front end down and necessary to fix half inch valves in the clubhouse. You'll never get a call.back, plus you get a neat calendar from the Rigid Company. 3) 6,000 volt generator run off engine — necessary to oper­ ate every known electrical tool made, but primarily to run your video recorder and 25 inch color monitor used when producing training films and oil company commercials. 4) A mechanic's chest with a complete set of metric and SAE tools. This comes in handy when your son or daughter drives their bike on the golf course and needs the handle bars and chain tightened. 5) Air compressor — also run off cart engine, an absolute must when the club president's wife's Rolls Royce has a low tire in the parking lot. 6) Every known air tool made, not really necessary but if you have the air compressor, why not. 7) Two way communications system, preferably FM but CB is ok and the skips you get on CB from all over the coun­ NOSTALGIA CORNER try are entertaining. At the Toronto Ladies Golf Club, circa 1955, Dr. Fred Graw (left) and Thomas Unsworth (right) examining a soil plug. Looking for Black Layer, 8) 12 high intensity quartz halogen headlights, six facing perhaps. forward, two on each side and two facing back. Very useful Thomas Unsworth passed away this past summer. Dr. Graw is in his 80's, is still very much alive although somewhat handicapped. He is for melting frost on the greens but primarily used when mak­ deeply involved with the Musser Research Foundation at Penn State Col­ ing greens mower commercial during the dusk and dawn. lege. SUBMITTED BY GORD WITTEVEEN, BOARD OF TRADE COUNTRY CLUB — 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 M1X 1E9 416-249-7325 416-293-9000 Tee maker cuts wood for peat's sake by Connie Bryson ret binder—was done at the Alberta Research Council. When Edmonton entrepreneur To finance further product de­ Donald Noland plays golf, he cares velopment, Peat T raised $480,000 for his tee as much as his ball. through a share offering on the Al­ At about 2 cents each, tees are the berta Stock Exchance in mid-May. cheapest part of an expensive sport. Since then, the Research Council has But the North American market for identified two commercially availa­ the five-centimetre-long ball plat­ ble coatings that will prevent the tees form is worth about $20 million a from turning to mush in a sudden year — a market Mr. Noland thinks shower, but will allow them to de­ compose when they are broken. he can capture. By next spring, his company, Peat Peat T has also hired Calgary civil engineer Peter Fransham to take the T Inc., will be manufacturing a tee made of peat moss. The tee looks manufacturing process from the lab­ and works just like the wooden or oratory to an industrial scale. In order plastic ones golfers use now; the dif­ to be competitive with wooden tees, ference appears after the drive, when production will have to be on the golfers often discover their tees have order of 800 tees a minute. been broken or can't find them. Dr. Fransham has worked with "Tee-off boxes are usually strewn peat moss for the past three years, with broken or discarded wooden assessing the usefulness of peat pel­ Just the thing and plastic tees," Mr. Noland said. "Peat tees won't make a mess. lets for cleaning up oil spills. Gino Blink, an analyst with To­ for “teed-off” Whereas conventional tees can lie on the ground for weeks, broken ronto investment dealer Deacon Morgan McEwen Easson Ltd., said fairways When your fairways peat moss tees absorb moisture overnight and are mulch by morn­ Mr. Noland's conservative approach to research and development en­ hances the credibility of his com­ need first aid over­ ing." EMERALD pany. seed with the best. Creeping Bentgrass Discarded wooden and plastic tees also cause damaged blades and "There's no question that Peat T is Where top quality cause flat tires on mowers and golf still a risky investment because there bentgrass is called for PALMER try Emerald creeping Perennial Ryegrass carts. But because peat tees turn to is no product as yet," Mr. Blink said in bent, rapidly gaining in mulch, they are expected to save a newsletter to his clients. "However, popularity with YORKTOWN II greenskeepers many headaches. the project is conceptually sound Perennial Ryegrass professionals all over Almost all golf tees are made of and the planning is good." North America. wood and come from Korea, Hong Mr. Noland said field testing of the Quick germinating, fast BARON Kentucky Bluegrass tees will begin in October and a pro­ growing perennial rye­ Kong and Taiwan. Canada imports about 100 million a year and the duction plant should be in operation grasses like Palmer or Yorktown II. MIDNIGHT United States about 1.6 billion. in the Edmonton area by February. Kentucky Bluegrass Proven top quality, long The idea for a peat moss tee came He expects production costs of the lasting Kentucky blue- to Mr. Noland in 1986 after a family peat tees to be about 0.4 cents each. grasses like Baron, HAGA Peat "T" would sell them to retailers Kentucky Bluegrass golfing vacation in Jasper. Research Midnight or Haga. for 1.3 cents, to be resold for two and development began almost im­ Tough, drought cents — competitive with wooden resistant, fast growing FORTRESS mediately. Creeping Red Fescue tees. fine fescues like Financed in part by a $4,000 In­ Fortress or the new dustrial Research Assistance Program Mr. Noland hopes to win the ap­ Wilma chewings WILMA proval of greenskeepers' associations Chewings Fescue grant from the National Research fescue. Council, the first stage of develop­ so that the peat tees are made man­ You can count on these ment work on a special formulation datory on all golf courses. proven varieties—just call Paul Reprinted from The Globe and Mail Johnson, Oseco’s turfgrass specialist. for the tees — peat moss and a sec­ August 16, 1988 Season's Greetings ...From All of us at P.O. Box 219 Green is Brampton, Ontario L6V 2L2 Beautiful Telephone 416-846-5080 The 1988 FESSCU Awards Scariest Maintenance Area — At Brantford Golf Club there are many large signs with pictures of viscious dobermans and the warning "Beware of Guard Dogs". When I call here I wait in my car until I see someone — Vince Piccolo has told me that these signs are a ruse — that there aren't any guard dogs anywhere but I'm not totally convinced. Most Interesting Golf Cart Ride — Was with Doug Black (currently working for Chem Lawn — previously of Beaverdale). He ran out of gas at the furthest point of the golf course and we had to walk all the way back. Most Helpful Sales Rep — Scott Richmond of Hutcheson Sands who patiently changed a flat tire for me at 7:30 a.m. on a cold, rainy April day while I made phone calls from his car phone. Favourite Golf Course to Play — by Ann Witteveen The finalists in this category are Brooklea in Midland, Beaconsfield in Quebec, and Twenty Valley in Vine- So often we are asked by our bosses (you have a land. (Only golf courses where I have played a full 18 Greens Committee — I have a Sales Manager) for "re­ holes can qualify — I almost played 18 at Streetsville ports". These reports are pertinent summaries of our Glen in Mississauga, but Jim Sara's promise of free activities and frequently are made up mostly of num­ beer in the clubhouse when I finished made me skip bers, figures which represent budgets or wages, sales holes 13 through 17.) And the winner is . . . Twenty or profits. Valley where I shot a sizzling 138 and got the first par They don't, however, tell a lot about what makes up of my golfing career! our day. The compliment from a crochety golfer that puts a smile on your face the same day as your new Most Helpful Superintendent — aerifier went toppling into the creek; the warm cup of Pat McDevit of Bolton Golf and Curling Club who coffee and friendly chatter that makes the sun shine on needed a large tractor, 10 feet of heavy chain, and 2 the same day that you just received your fourth speed­ other people to pull my car out of a ditch near his ing ticket in two months. maintenance shed. It's the little things in our days and the attitude with Favourite Call — which we approach each event that makes up the Whenever I'm having a really bad day I drop by Glen moods and emotions of our lives. Eagles Golf Club. Bill Calhoun, the Superintendent It is with these thoughts in mind, fresh from my third there since the Club's inception some thirty years ago, season, of calling on the Golf Industry, that I present always has a smile and a hug that can brighten even this lighthearted look and the nuances of everyday life my most miserable day! "on the road". Winners may claim their prize when they place their You've heard of the Emmy's, the Tony's, the Oscars, next order. Watch for next year's nominations and re­ and the Genies; now you can read about something member — even non-Nutrite users will qualify. even better — The FESSCU's — First Every Superinten­ dent Sales Call Uwards — presented unabashedly, with humour, and not just a little bias, by your friendly Nutrite Sales Rep. Best Cup of Coffee — Riverview Downs. Terry Rece always has a fresh pot waiting for me at this pretty course near Welland. Cleanest Office — Douglas Wood Large Tree Soles Ltd. "We Buy, Sell, & Transplant Large Trees” Whenever I have an appointment with Paul Der­ mott at Oakdale Golf Club I never hesitate to wear my (519) 853-2035 PAUL HANOUSEK 1-800-265-6681 favourite white skirt — he has nicer furniture in his of­ fice than I have in my livingroom! Georgian Bay CC. Each club's hospitality towards us was very much appreciated by all. The chance each month to Superintendents Association meet amongst our peers, to compare and share our Winds Up Season thoughts and practices regarding turf maintanance, is important as it benefits each individual's club, and by Steve Stasyna their own morale. Overall winners (with top three scores counting) On September 13th the GBSA held its final meeting for the season were as follows: of the '88 season at the scenic Muskoka Lakes G & CC in Port Carling, Ontario. Host Superintendent Dave 1st Gross - Marlon Gieseler (223) Smith presented us with an excellent layout that was in 2nd Gross - Don Norris (244) great shape. Special thanks should also go to Dave's 3rd Gross - John Hughes (249) wife, and his green crew for preparing the fantastic 4th Gross - Gary Gravett (253) meal. The clubhouse had closed for the year, and was 5th Gross - Henry Toews (267) reopened for our benefit. 6th Gross - Kim Hanley (271) Threatening skies gave way to cool, brisk sunshine 1st Low Net - Neil Action (205) for the 43 Supers and Suppliers that made the trip to 2nd Low Net - John Kinch (211) the land of the lakes. Marlon Gieseler, Assistant 3rd Low Net - Charlie Terry (214) Superintendent from Brooklea G & CC took top hon­ 4th Low Net - Ray Richards (215) ors for the day with a round of 75. Marlon also 5th Low Net - Randy Fielder (224) carded a hole-in-one on the 17th hole. 6th Low Net - Steve Stasyna ¡249) Special thanks should go to the five Superinten­ GBSA President Ray Richards, along with all the dents and their clubs for hosting the GBSA golf days suppliers should be congratulated on all the organiz­ this- season. They were as follows: Neil Acton, ing of events, and donations to the prize tables. Brooklea G & CC; Randy Fielder, Bonaire GC; GREAT JOB, GUYS!!! Kim Hanley, Blue Mountain GC; Ed Douda, Bar­ Looking forward to seeing all during off-season rie G & CC, and Dave Smith, Muskoka Lakes G & meetings, and next season's GBSA golf days. 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! Region 1 Report by Gord Nimmo, CGCS The summer of 1988 was highlighted by two regional meetings. The first was in June at Maple City Golf & CC in Chatham hosted by John Pickard. The second meeting was held at Greenwood Golf Course hosted by Ted Ellis. After a round of golf and a steak barbecue we were treated to an informative talk by John O'Rea of Lampton College and Mike Van Beek of Seneca College on what community col­ leges are offering us in the way of trained graduates and what employees can expect if they take these courses. From talking to area Superintendents, this past summer was basically broken into two parts. From May to mid-July, it was hot and dry with little humidity. Disease was minimal but watering systems were under stress. Once the rain came the humidity rose to a point that diseases such as summer patch and pythium started to appear. Poa loss began about the second week of August but didn't seem as severe as last summer. Crabgrass was rampant and quickly filled in where TOP PRODUCT & grass died out. Paul Barnes at St. Clair Parkway felt his chemical budget was stressed and he feels he needs to increase it for 1989. Rod Trainor at St. Thomas thought we were all crazy when we complained about drought conditions. His new au­ TOP PEOPLE tomatic irrigation system and pump station worked beauti­ fully. Another successful job by Al Draper who must have known the drought was coming when he left Greenhills GIVING YOUR COURSE two years ago. Ted Ellis had a good year at Greenwood and at the end of August had just finished building and seeding A HELPING HAND a new green to go into play next year. Some did not make out as well as others as rumours cir­ culated during August and September. Changing to a new course recently has left many superintendents wondering of they made the right move. Thankfully the cooler nights came and we had a beautiful September to fill in and prepare for next year. It is interesting to note that the hot summer may cause above average snowfalls as Lake Huron reached its highest water temper­ atures since 1950. This means it will take longer to freeze and being warmer than the air masses it will supply more moisture to weather systems crossing the lake. Region 2 Report ANN WITTEVEEN DISTRICT MANAGER by Bruce Burger TURF CARE PRODUCTS 1-800-265-8841 Reflecting back on the past summer brings to mind the extended hot and dry conditions through June and July. Many Superintendents had problems with running short of water. Some were down to watering only greens for a few minutes because their ponds were virtually dry. This led a couple of superintendents to drill deeper wells in search of more water. Paul Romahn at Elmira and Hank Schmitz at Brookfield followed this route to more water. Greg Aljoe at Foxwood dug a back hoe line from one pond into his pumping pond to solve his water shortage. Golf courses located close to the Grand River were pumping their maximums. Because of the extremely dry conditions, Hugh Kirkpatrick at Westmount has extended irrigation pipes into the rough to provide better coverage over the whole course. Also, here (corn'd on page 14) (corn'd from page 13) at Galt, we are upgrading our watering system on the green And to all our members who were able to withstand the and tees, plus extending a couple of pipes into rough areas searing heat, water restrictions, disease and insect infesta­ that dry out very quickly. Most Superintendents have seen tions and labour shortages to provide good golfing condi­ the limitations to their own systems after this past summer tions for the golfers. and are taking steps to improve. 1988 was a year that will go down in the record books as Other activity in the Region include Gary Hastings at one of the hottest and driest ever. Despite this, numerous Maryhill who has been involved in new greens construction. construction projects were undertaken. Jim Sara at The biggest construction project has been at Conestoga Golf Streetsville Glen opened up a new 9 for a total of 27 holes. Club where Superintendent Bruce Vollett has been actively Bill Calhoun at Glen Eagles also has another 9 holes grow­ involved in converting Conestoga from 18 to 27 holes. ing in nicely. Ron Heeson up in Blue Mountain is watching It has been a very busy year and the area Superintendents the new Monterra GC grow in as well. Dave Gourlay Jr. had have been involved in one project or another in an attempt Beacon Hall open for regular play right on schedule. Barry to improve their golf courses for next year. Britton has broken ground at his new course, Lionhead, and In closing, may your golf courses receive 6" of snow a plans are under way for a second golf course project. Bill couple of days after you apply your winter fungicides. Hynd has joined the Can-Am organization and their project at Devils Pulpit. Neil Acton, CGCS is taking over new duties Region 3 Report overseeing operations at Deer Creek Golf & Country Estates, a total of 4 golf courses. by Mark Hagen The hot weather gave Ken Wright and Warren Vout a good chance to test their new irrigation systems. Al Beeney There was plenty of activity in Region 3 this year. Con­ at North Halton will sleep easier now that the club has ap­ gratulations are in order to those who hosted major tourna­ proved a new irrigation system for his course. ments: Paul White at Glen Abbey - Canadian Open Wayne Rath at Islington GC has been watching a new Gord Witteveen at Toronto Board of Trade - Ontario clubhouse go up while Vince Dermott at Markland Woods Amateur also watches major clubhouse renovation. Vince is continu­ Bruce Dodson at Emerald Hills - CPGA Championship ing into the 3rd year of their 5-year river bank erosion pre­ Paul Brown at Maple Downs - Chairmans Tournament vention program. Bob Heron, CGCS at Mississauga has for the Canadian Open trucked in thousands of yards of soil to redesign and berm Kimmo Salonen at York Downs - President, Greens holes 13, 14 and 15. The complete 11th and 5th holes have Chairman Tournament been renovated at North Halton and Simon George reports Ken Wright at the National - OTRF Tournament their new double green system on 4 and 13 at Oakville Tom Murphy at Lambton - Pro-Superintendent works well. Thom Charters has opened Weston's new driv­ "Tournament ing range and practice facility and Gord Witeveen is also working on a new practice facility. Barry Endicott has under­ taken major drainage work at Nobleton Lakes. Numerous changes have occured within our Associate 251 Exeter Road membership as well. Mike Smith and Nolan Duke have Unit D London, Ontario joined GC Duke Equipment. Jim Tanner, Doug Colley and N6L 1A4 (519) 652-5154 Dave Park are with Marmac Ltd. Angelo Campannelli is with D and R Distributing, Bill Kirkpatrick is with V-Quip and Tom Fisher joins Turf Care. The Architects have also been very busy this year. Rene Muyleart has started 18 hole projects at Horseshoe Valley- WE CAN SUPPLY ALL OF YOUR "Highlands of Horseshoe", and Cambridge - "Clemens Mills IRRIGATION NEEDS Golf Links". Rene is also working on new courses in London, Orillia and Clappison Corners as well as numerous renova­ tion projects. • Suppliers of pipe, fittings and sprinklers Dave and Bob Moote are busy at Brampton - "Peel Vil­ • installation and upgrading of your total lage", Sudbury - "Lively G & CC", Kenora G & CC, irrigation system "Lakeridge Links" in Uxbridge, "Seaview" in Nova Scotia, • Prefabricated pump stations by Southwood GC in Winnipeg, Dorchester G & CC and Brad­ Commercial Pump Service inc. ford's "Scotch Settlement". With all the exciting news of growth and expansion came the news that Mount Hope GC has closed its doors due to CALL a government airport expansion and Ted Tom has lost 9 THE IRRIGATION HOTLINE holes to residential development. 1-800-265-9786 Presently there are 120 new golf course projects in the planning or construction stage within the Toronto vicinity. I apologize if I've overlooked any special activities that may have occured at your club this year. Have a relaxing off-season as we all know that next year will be just as taxing. 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 of 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 foryour course. And the various turf conditions or preferences. Another compliments it generates for you. 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 UPCOMING EVENTS JANUARY 4 & 5, 1989 Guelph Turfgrass Symposium, University of Guelph FEBRUARY 6-13, 1989 GCSAA, International Golf Course Conference and Show Anaheim, California FEBRUARY 9 & 10, 1989 nternational Society of Aboriculture, Convention Aboriculture Seminar on "Tree Hazards" Westin Hotel, Ottawa, Ontario MARCH 12-15, 1989 Canadian Turfgrass Symposium Vancouver, B.C. Green is Beautiful Ontario Golf Superintendents Association