Ontario Golf Superintendents Association OGSA 31 DIANA DRIVE DOWNSVIEW, ONTARIO PHONE 416-633-1591 Newsletter YOUR 1971 BOARD OF DIRECTORS RES. TELEPHONE BUSINESS PRESIDENT JOHN ARENDS 277 - 4061 277 - 0848 VICE PRESIDENT WM. HYND 247 - 2795 BE. 1 - 3393 SECRETARY ROSS HAINES 270 - 2923 459 - 5050 TREASURER R. HERON 459 - 3299 625 - 2062 DIRECTORS : R. ALLEN 445 - 7791 447 - 5575 F. DUNN (705) 424 - 5528 B. MACDONALD (705) 424 - 6021 424 - 1460 R. LAMB 884 - 7873 884 - 8189 H. KOPP 889 - 3291 J. WYLLIE 451 - 5428 767 - 2175 PAST PRESIDENT J. GRIGHTMIRE 485 - 9742 ONTARIO GOLF SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION AUGUST 1971 NEWSLETTER IT'S UP TO YOU___ One of the questions often asked when you talk to a superintendent about our Association is: ''What do I get out of it?" To me, the answer to that is simple. It all depends on how much of yourself you are willing to put into it. If you are willing to give of your time and talents, and I know we all have talents, otherwise you would not be a superintendent today, the rewards of, belonging to our Association can be great... Any man who joins our Association and actively participates is surely to be recognized by his club as being interested in improving himself and the condition of his course. Your Board of Directors endeavours to give you a program at the meetings that have interesting subjects to discuss. To me, that is just one source of information. At any of our meetings, there is present in the form of your fellow superintendent more practical knowledge and experience than you will find in any bock, course or convention. These superintendents are not there, though, advertising this knowledge and experience. Here is where you, who want to get more out of your association, come in. All you have to do is get up and ask. I have yet to meet a superintendent in our Association who was not glad to be able to share his experience with you. Also the commercial members are there to give you an opportunity to discuss your equipment and chemical problems. So far this year, I am pleased with the turnout of members to our meeting, but one aspect is still badly attended. This is the opportunity given to you to play the course where the meeting is held. I know some of us may be embarrassed by the way we play the game, but to me this is of minor importance. The thing that counts is that you get a chance to get around the course and see what and how your host superintendent is maintaining his course. What better opportunity can you get to see and evaluate different ways and methods of golfcourse maintenance and improvement. A good example is our next meeting at the new York Downs Club, recognized as one; of the top new golf courses built in this area in recent years. I believe you cannot pass up this opportunity to gb down there and see what has been created. It is easy to see the importance of attending these meetings, when you realize that those members with the most years of experience seldom miss any meeting. They know that if you do not attend, you could possibly grow stale in your work and lose that edge you need to stay on top of things. If we want our Association to grow in prestige and improve our image, you cannot leave this to your Board of Directors alone, this can only be realized when each member contributes whatever he can to his Association. John Arends O.G.S.A. President MEETING AT DONALDA GOLF CLUB May 10th, 1971 Report by: Ross Haines Donald Golf and Country Club was the site of the monthly meeting on May 10th, 1971 with 30 members in attendance and 21 playing the golf course in the morning. Ron Allen was a most gracious host showing us through and around the extensive clubhouse with all its different and varied activities, such as squash, billiards, health club, tennis courts and swimming pool. It is an extremely active club being located so close to downtown Toronto. The course has a picturesque setting in the valley and the large houses adjacent to the property compliment it beautifully. Ron took a few chaps to his maintenance buildings for a cook’s tour and. showed them the huge barns which were once the barns of Donalda Farms, quite a layout indeed... Everyone enjoyed our guest speaker, Bob Ure, the professional at Donalda, and following was a regular business meeting. After adjournment, we had sandwiches and coffee, and the usual fellowship prevailed. Many thanks to Donalda Golf and Country Club, Bob Ure and especially Ron Allen for extending to us their wonderful and warm hospitality. MEETING INFORMATION FOR YORK DOWNS COUNTRY CLUB ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 10TH, 1971 - HOSTS: KIMMO SALONEN, GOLF SUPERINTENDENT AND NORM MACDONALD, ADVISOR PROGRAMME: TEE OFF 8 - 9 a. m. Golf LUNCH SPEAKER 2:30 P.M. - Film on Pollution DIRECTIONS: between 5th & 6th Concession off 16th side road 1 1/4miles North of Unionville MEETING AT GALT COUNTRY CLUB AND TURF PLOTS JUNE 10TH, 1971 REPORT BY: ROSS HAINES June 10th, 1971 at Galt Golf and Country Club was a very successful meeting indeed. There were 48 who were there early enough to play golf on Paul Scenna’s beautiful and immaculate course. And the way the numbers have been growing during the 3 years we’ve held this meeting - it’s just fantastic; 26 the first year, 40 the second year, 48 this year... We had 56 for lunch and 8O for dinner also this year. It is proving to be a very popular meeting and the factors contributing to it are the visit to the turf plots, which are more outstanding each year, the beautiful Galt golf course and of course, Paul Scenna’s great and generous hospitality. This year we had an added attraction with the 3 hydraulic greens mowers taking turns and demonstrating their ability on Paul’s 9th and 18th greens. We were all reminded again just how dangerous a golf ball really is when an approach shot from a member, who was playing the18th hole, struck Jim Woodhouse on the bald spot (which is actually a fair size target). He seems, to have come through it alright. It was good to see people, there from all parts of the province, notably Henry Guertin from Belleville, Lloyd Chappell from Wingham, and Dave Moote from Windsor. And what about that riotous euchre game in the corner with Ed Ortlieb, Lloyd Reilly, Ron Stretton and Bill Kilmer. Also present for the day and most welcome indeed were Dr. George Smith* Jim Boyce and Camil Labelle. After golf and a very nice lunch, we set out for the turf plots of the University of Guelph where Dr. Jack Eggens showed us the evaluation of all the research which has been going on there in the turf field. I counted approximately 80 heads there and I’m sure everyone enjoyed what they saw. The University’s ambitious plan for the next few years in the turf research field includes an oversize putting green to be maintained at putting green quality and I am sure everyone will want to get behind Dr. Jack Eggens and the University and help them in whatever way they can. We sat down to a wonderful dinner and were treated to an outstanding address by Dr. Barrett of the Dept. of Horticulture Science of the University of Guelph who said a lot of nice things about golf courses and people who use them. For example, did you know that 1 acre of turf is equal to a 70 ton air conditioner because turf is an air cleaner and tends to trap particles from the many millions of tons of pollution that we pour into our atmosphere. The prizes for golf went to Bill Bond for 1st low gross, Bob Heron for 2nd low gross, Bill Hynd for 3rd low gross and ’Whitey’ Jones for 4th low gross. Low net winners were: 1st - Danny Uzelak, 2nd - Lloyd; Reilly, 3rd Vince Piccolo, 4th - Keith Nisbet. Commercial low gross was. Doug Heron and; low net was E. Trimble. The day was a huge success and our many thanks to Bill Smith, the newly appointed pro, John Blair, the manager, and of course, the genial host superintendent Paul Scenna. MEETING AT CHINGUACOUSY COUNTRY CLUB GREENS CHAIRMAN/SUPERINTENDENT DAY JULY 22nd, 1971 REPORT BY: ROSS HAINES Chinguacousy Golf and Country Club was the site of our Annual Greens Chairman/Superintendent Golf Tournament on July 22.nd last. Paul Dermott was the host superintendent and Stu Cranfield the host greens chairman. It was hospitality first class, and all the way, because we were treated royally all day, even though the rain that morning held up the start for 11/2 hours. It was 1 o’clock before the shotgun went, but I am sure everyone didn’t mind when they finally got going. The golf course was just super and judging by the comments after they were very surprised at just how tough it really is. After the golf, we had a cocktail hour and then the buffet! Not one - but two hips of beef, shrimps, salads, baked alaska made a grand entrance on a golf car with sparklers and in the dimly lit room, made quite a display indeed. After dinner, Mr. Bruce McLaughlin gave us a very interesting presentation on how the course was layed out and constructed. He certainly is a dynamic individual. He was the founder, president and just about everything else rolled into one. Judging by his comments about his Mississauga City Development plans, it sounds very exciting. The prizes for golf were won by: Greens Chairman/Superintendent Team 1st Low Gross B. Gross, B. Bond 1st Low Net W. Langdon, L. Reilly Greens Chairman 1st Low Gross B. Gross 1st Low Net H. Edney Superintendent 1st Low Gross W. Bowen 1st Low Net L. Reilly Guests 1st Low Gross I. Smillie 1st Low Net T. Kavanaugh Some of the prizes were very nice, with clock radios, battery operated clocks, golf bag, shoes and many others. Just a reminder here for those who did not send in their cheques ahead of time to send them in now and save us the extra work involved in billing you. Nobody needs the extra work at this time of year, much less your golf committee. Nobody is complaining, mind you, but you would be surprised at how much work it is to stage a tournament such as this one. It is getting so popular that we — continued next page — can see the day when we will have to restrict the entries to one superintendent and his greens chairman only, from each club. The Tournament proved very successful, and I am sure everyone had a grand time. Thanks to Chinguacousy Golf and Country Club and our hosts. Our thanks also to Duke Lawn Equipment for their donation of clock radios, Manley’s for the lawnmower, Spramotor, Niagara Brand Chemicals, Green Cross Products, McCracken Golf Supplies, Brockville Chemicals, United Co-operatives of Ontario for their donations toward the cocktail hour. MEETINGS TO REMEMBER AUGUST * PRO/SUPT. MEADOWVALE GOLF CLUB * Note: - Only the Pro and the Superintendent are eligible for the Pro/Supt. Tournament. They must be members of their respective Associations and they must play together as a team. SEPTEMBER 20 Regular Monthly Meeting SUMMIT GOLF CLUB SEPTEMBER 9-10 C.G.S.A. Conference Chantecler Golf Club OCTOBER 4 McLumpha Tournament St. Thomas Golf Club NOVEMBER Regular Monthly Meeting Uplands Golf Club Member Applicants The following have applied for membership in the Ontario Golf Superintendents Association. if any objection exists to their becoming members, the Board of Directors must be notified in writing within the next ten days: KIMMO SALONEN York Downs Golf Club TIM SIMPSON Newcastle Golf Club MORE FROM MY DIARY by CECIL GEORGE Lenzie Golf Club, Scotland. The following is an excerpt from an article which appeared in 'Turfcraft'. Bob and Dave Moote and KEith Nisbet met Cecil George at St. Andrews last year, and feel that he is a great fellow to know. "As greenkeepers we are lucky, I say this in all sincerity. I could not name you a single greenkeeper who does not like, no, even love, his work. My wife and I often discuss the hereafter and the belief in old St. Peter standing at the Golden Gates either giving you a free pass into Heaven or a kick in the backside doon the stairs. In fun, I tell her that all greenkeepers are the "clean tottie" and will pass St. Pate no bother. When he asks us what we did on earth we will say we helped one hundred and twenty-five acresof God’s good green grass, and that is allowing for, no, in spite of, 500 weekend madmen called golfers who hack, cut, tramp, des­ troy, demolish and distort it. After all this, you and your merry men set out every Monday morning, smile on face, cane on shoulder, to put things right, just the way you and the big fella up above want it. Only the other week I was down at our Clubhouse for a drop of the hard stuff and on arriving was told by the Clubmistress that some poor chap had been found dead on my 14th fairway. This I just could not believe as we had been round the course only that afternoon, and being a Friday had tackled all the jobs that we all know a Friday entails; this includes litter and debris left by the town dweller, so when the Clubmistress said this- chap was found at 4:30 it was just not on, since we had gone down the 14th at around 4:15 that afternoon. As it turned out, the poor fellow had taken,a heart attack, not on my course, but in the adjacent field in at the hedgerow on the previous Monday and had been found by an old man’s dog whilst doing a bit of scrounging along that way. Next morning, the Saturday it was, all sorts of stories and rumours were rife in the Clubhouse. Some members (bless them) had said that I found the man on the Monday but told my men to leave him be because he was not one of our members; others said I had left instructions that if he got in the way of the fairway cutting just to cut around him but to be sure and tell any golfer whose ball landed around the body that it came under the rule "lift and drop without penalty". It reminded me of the time when the club wit asked me if it was true there were a great many types of grasses. Puffing out my chest, I told him that there were something in the region of three thousand five hundred species, only to receive a cynical sneer and the retort "then why can’t you get some of them growing on our b----y greens?’’ A Truck Driver for an L.A. Firm had A kindergarten teacher smiled pleasantly a collision. In filling in the required at the gentleman opposite in the bus. He form, he stated the accident was una­ did not respond. Realizing her error she voidable. Under remarks he wrote said, ‘"Oh, please excuse me, I mistook you "The woman in front of me signalled for the Father of two of my children." a left turn and made a left turn." She got out at the next corner. A man who was wildly enthusiastic about A young woman was having her dreams his driving ability was once making a analysed by a psychiatrist. One day she journey with his wife. After a great told him she hadn’t dreamed the night distance she consulted a map & told him before. "Young lady" snapped the medico, they were lost. "What’s the difference? "I can’t help you if you don’t do your he said, "We’re making splendid time." homework." EDITORIAL by Bill Hynd In the recent issue of ’Golfdom’ Fred Grau brought up the topic, "Why did the Overgreen Triplex fall from grace in the 1930’s?" "Did the units tend to float and allow thatch to develop?" St. Andrews, Scotland, still have four of these machines which are in steady use. Having operated one of these machines in the summer of 1962, I have to say they were an excellent machine to handle. Strip cutting was no problem as the long handles, which were perfectly balanced, could be lifted on turns to shorten the radius. Thatch build up or scarring didn’t appear to be a problem although all turning was done on the greens. Greens were cut 3 times weekly except during major tournaments when they were cut daily. In my opinion, the success of this machine at St. Andrews is due to stringent watering and fertilizing practices so thatch doesn’t develop. Aerofying by slicing is usually done once annually, except in isolated instances. The significant factor in greens maintenance prace at St. Andrews is the regular application of top dressing consisting of well composted farm yard manure and sharp sand. Now that we have in our midst three modern triplex mowers, the point again arises concerning thatch build up and scarring on turns. It could well be necessary to revise maintenance practices, especially to avoid a soft, lush growth. ...... Certainly, with labour costs rising, these machines are here to stay.... JOB OPPORTUNITY Maintenance Man and Assistant Superintendent wanted for Par 3-9 hole Golf Course. Possibility of 18 holes being constructed on approx. 150 acre property in London, Ontario. Salary negotiable. Work entails Golf Course Maintenance for course which has been out-of-play since '69, equipment, painting and maintenance of clubhouse buildings and caretaking. Apartment available on site. Call Collect to Sheldon Weinstein, London, Ontario. Area Code 519 - 432 - 1641 HAPPENINGS WE WELCOME THE FOLLOWING NEW MEMBERS WHO HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED INTO THE O.G.S.A.: Alban Cooper, Rideau Glen Golf Club Don Nason, Glen Abbey Golf Club John Konarowski, Grandview Golf Club\ Tony Wozniak, Malton Golf Club Rusty Warkman, Stratford Golf Club Al Beeney, north Halton Golf Club, has gone to Maritinmes for 2 weeks holiday in JULY!!! Good Luck, Al!!! Gord Witteveen has been nominated as Director of Golf Course Superintendents Association of America Markland Wood Construction - bob Heron reports that Ontario Water Resources Commission have completed installation of approximately 1 1/2 miles of Sanitary Trunk Sewer 66" diameter through the Golf Course. 35,999 yards of sod have been laid, and 800 trees have been planted. Thunderstorm of july 26th (estimated 3" rain) caused severe damage and wash out at Thornhill Country Club and Richmond Hill Country Club. Condition of Golf Courses in the Toronto Area: - This summer has been the dryest for a number of years. Thornhill, Lambton and St. George's report the activity of white grubs on greens. dollar spot is now observed on fairways. Dave Gourlay uses light fertilizer applications as a control. NORM KRAMER President Emeritus o/ G.C.S.A.A. died suddenly o/ a heart attack June 3, 1971 We mourn his passing. SPOTLIGHT ON CHEMICALS by Bill Hynd Received a number of American Chapter Newsletters from Mr. K. Nisbet. It is significant that each one had an article on Chemicals, the banning - and consequences, etc., etc. An article by R. G. Van Buskirk states that: (1) "Left alone, insects would abound in teeming trillions. (2) If undisturbed, weeds would take over the land" and further - (3) "Nature, the kind the romanticists want kept in balance, is an unrelenting enemy of man. All true scientists know this." It would appear then that the natural way in turf management is out and the chemicals on our shelves are the answer to our problems. This of course isn't true. Another publication has the Motto: DO IT - "He who neglects his weekly spray, will live to regret it another day.' The old timer Golf. Superintendent who lived through the period before these chemicals were on the market will accept the above alarming quotes with a pinch of salt and use his own vast store of insight and judgement. The young College graduate Superintendent, not sure of his ground might well accept the above quotes as gospel, and spray the living daylight out of the turf on a preventative programme. Each golf course is different, and of course climatic conditions vary con­ siderably in different regions to effect the needs of various chemicals. Despite this, the trends today seem to be uniformity in chemical applications and on a preventative programme even when no trouble is evident. If present trends continue, chemical requirements on golf courses will likely double in 10 years, and this is good business, but not for the superintendent. It's this increased intensity that must cause concern among Superintendents, not the actual banning of chemicals. There are too many problems at the present time which remain unanswered, and we just hope for the best. There is this fear complex among Superintendent's at the present time. (l) Whatever will happen if the Poa dies out? (2) If I don't spray my greens today, to-morrow may be too late? (3) How will my greens come through the winter, lousy or just lucky? — continued next page — Spotlight on Chemicals (continued) We attend conferences and see colour slides of golf courses which look like disaster areas and just hope we never get in that predicament. Did the old timers 20-30 years ago have the same problems as we experience today? MAY WE HAVE YOUR OPINIONS? SUMMIT GOLF CLUB MEETING DATE: MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1971 HOST: BOB LAMB MEETING: 11 A. M. LUNCH: 12 Noon GOLF: 1 P. M. TEE OFF DINNER: 6:30 P. M. Our Host for this meeting, Bob Lamb, has been a Golf Superintendent since 1966, and Pro from 1948 - 66 at Summit Golf Club. Bob is married with two grown up girls, and one boy. Summit is noted as a natural layout, and a fine test of golf. BE SURE TO ATTEND! Do yourself a favor... PARTICIPATE COME TO MEETINGS MAKE NEW FRIENDS PAY YOÜR DUES PROMPTLY