SPRING19 2 GREEN An official publication of the Ontario Golf Superintendents Association is beautiful The New Look R.C.G.A. Update Lab Practices Review Cushman® GA™ 60 Aerator The GA 60 large aerator has features proven to be more effective than any competing tractor-pulled reciprocating fairway aerator on the market today. Keep your fairways in playing condition with the Cushman Core Destroyer attachment. Follow­ Features such as twin GA™30 aerating heads and a ing aeration, the Core Destroyer effectively pulver­ Cushman 327 liquid-cooled engine for its own source of izes cores at speeds up to 6 mph, leaving your power deliver greens-caliber aeration wherever it goes. fairways clean after aeration. The GA 60 is easy to hook up. One person can attach Fast, effective pulverization is achieved with a 5" or detach the ball hitch without bolts or tools. As with tined flail and a bedknife-type mulching bar which all of Cushman’s revolutionary 5th Wheel Implements, can be pivoted to change depth quickly—without tools. Full thatch separation and even dispersion its low 11 psi minimizes any ground compaction. helps return fairways to playable condition after Large enough to cover your fairways in record time, aeration. the GA 60 lets you aerate up to 1.3 acres per hour. Maximum Capable of handling up to 115,000 sq. ft. per coring depth is a deep 4", while you can vary the coring hour, the Cushman Core Destroyer is built to last pattern from 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" to 2 1/2" x 5". The Turf- with a heavy tubular steel frame and heavy gauge Truckster’s™ hydraulics allow the aeration unit to be processor heads. The full-floating heads are sup­ raised for easy transport and lowered for quick operation. ported by front gauge wheels and full width roller. Low ground pressure allows the Core Destroyer to be Quality large area aeration is a big order to fill, used on fine turf and greens. but the GA 60 delivers...and then some. Core Harvester™ One person in a Turf-Truckster vehicle can pick up, load and dump aeration cores in the same Cushman Core Destroyer time it takes three workers with shovels. In fact, with the Core Harvester attachment, you can pick up cores on an average 7,000 sq. ft. green in about 15 minutes—two to three times faster than you’ve ever done it before. G.C. DUKE EQUIPMENT LTD. 1184 Plains Road East Burlington, Ontario L7S 1W6 Burlington Area: (416) 637-5216 Toronto Area: (416) 827-7830 Green is beautiful. Spring 1992 Ontario Golf PRESIDENTS REPORT Superintendents If our last annual meeting is any indication Association of the year ahead it will be very interesting. I would like to thank all those who stayed for the annual meeting. Your BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR 1992 board of directors has only the best interests of the association in mind and can only serve its members well if they know what the membership wants. Some of those concerns were well voiced at the annual meeting. This is the place to voice your concerns. If there is anything you would like to see or suggest, then please write to the board. The Membership of the OGSA has more than doubled in the last 7 years. The way our association works has not changed and maybe it needs to. We are looking into that. We are looking at the whole picture and we need to hear your concerns. Our association is one of the largest, and best organized green industry associations in the country. And we can only get better. We need more member input and participation to better represent the membership as a whole. I look forward to this year, both for the PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT PAST PRESIDENT Association and at my club. Superinten­ RHOD TRAINORCGCS DAVE W. GOURLAY CGCS MARK HAGEN CGCS dents are a group who truly enjoy their Hamilton Golf and Eagle Creek Golf Club West Haven Golf & C.C. Country Club Limited P.O. Box 931, R.R# 2 Box 144, Hyde Park jobs. With all the problems in the world 232 Golf Links Road Dunrobin, Ontario K0A 1T0 London, Ontario today, there is no better place to get away Ancaster, Ontario L9G 2N5 Bus. (613)832-0477 N0M 1Z0 from it all than on your own course. Not Bus. (416)648-1441 Res. (613)836-4197 Bus. (519) 641-2519 many people can boast of a better work Fax (416)648-4217 Fax (613)832-0476 Res. (519) 641-9718 environment. Res. (519) 631-4798 Rhod Trainor, President, OGSA DIRECTORS Editor Golf & Meetings Director SIMON GEORGE BILLFACH CGCS DENNIS PELLRENE Oakville Golf Club Rosedale Golf Club Ltd. Scarborough Golf Club 1154 6th Line, Box 129 1901 Mt. Pleasant Road Scarborough Golf Club Rd. Oakville, Ontario L6T 4Z5 Toronto, Ontario M4N 2W3 Scarborough, Ontario MlJ 3H2 Bus. (416)844-5796 Bus. (416)485-9742 Bus. (416) 266-4546 Ext 30 Res. (416) 659-3160 Res. (416)242-4534 Fax (416) 266-1259 Fax (416)845-0096 Membership Roster ALEX LABELLE Secretary JOHN TAYLOR Carlton Golf & Yacht Club RICK SERRAO Twenty Valley G.C. P.O. Box 162, R.R. #3 Glendale Golf & C.C. 107 Ontario St. Manotick, Ontario K0A 2N0 401 Mt. Albion Rd. St. Catharines, Ontario Bus. (613)692-4054 Hamilton, Ontario Bus. (416)562-4333 Res. (613)826-3375 L8K 5T4 Res. (416)682-3516 Cover Photo Courtesy of Bus. (416)561-1216 Public Relations & Com. Director MARK SCHNEIDER RHOD TRAINER Res. (416)935-0522 DOUG SUTER Beach Grove Golf & C.C. Hamilton Golf Club Fax (416) 561-5536 Credit Valley G.C. 14134 Riverside Dr. E. Treasurer 2500 Old Carriage Rd. St. Clair Beach, Ontario N8N 1B6 BRUCE BURGER Mississauga, Ontario Bus. (519)979-8134 Lakeview Golf Course L5C1Y7 Res. (519)979-8134 1190 Dixie Road Bus. (416)275-1594 Office Secretary Mississauga, Ontario L5E 2P4 Res. (416)275-2601 CINDI CHARTERS Bus. (416)278-1971 (416) 233-8388 Res. (519)621-1138 time or another over the years. Its The New borders, fairway edges, tees and collars have been changed or altered many times and like many courses of this vintage has come to have "poa’’ as its Look main grass. Maintenance practices of the most recent years have shown us how to get back to more bentgrass and healthier poa. Our playing surfaces By: Rhod Trainor, Superintendent, The Hamilton Golf and Country Club (green, tees and fairways) are first rate, but that's where it stops. Roughs on old golf courses usually The Hamilton Golf and Country Club will equipment technology such as Verti- consist of a mixture of bluegrasses, be 100 years old in 1994. That year will drain and Hydro-ject. We have some new fescues, ryegrasses and, of course, be a time of many special events (USGA type construction) greens and "poa". In the case of our greens areas, including the Canadian Amateur Golf plan to add some more in the future; the grass surrounding our green sites Championships. Committees have al­ however, they will not all be built in one was composed of poa and bentgrasses ready been formed to deal with all the year. Plus there is always resistance to which gave a playing surface that was many special events. One of the major change what is already an outstanding puffy and clumpy. Most of our greens are concerns of all committees and many layout. like that. We wanted to change that but members is that the golf course looks its One of the benefits of new green were not prepared to rebuild the green, best. construction is all the things that go and did not want to wait until the green The club has been at this site since along with it. Such as new bunkers and was rebuilt. Therefore, in the fall of 1991 1916 and has seen many changes in both sand and if the job is done complete the a small project was undertaken to design and maintenance. There have area is usually all resodded with new correct this problem. been some greens rebuilt and some bluegrass. The contrast of colors Three of our older greens were minor remodelling, however, the basic between the bluegrass and the bent­ selected and scheduled for resodding. Harry Colt design still shows through. grass gives a dramatic effect. Everything Following all of our members events in The desire of the members is very strong is visible and with good design is October we closed the green area. We toward preserving the character of that extremely pleasing to the eye. The golfer have 27 holes so a temporary was not original design. It has been the subject of gets excited and can't wait to play. provided. Sod cutters were used to cut many discussions and meetings and is a Many of our members got out to all of the sod from the edge of the collar major concern when there is any talk of play the many new courses these past to the tree line. It took about 2 days to rebuilding. few years and their comments are all completely clear the area of the old sod. The original greens are topsoil very similar. They refer to the look. Here Some minor grade changes were made construction with no internal drainage. we have a great old golf course but it is at the same time. We created some They are small and do handle probably missing something, it doesn't look as swales and depressions to channel off more traffic than they were designed to, good. surface water. Sand was redistributed in however, they do quite well and even Our course is a sign of the times. It’s the bunkers and the edges were better since the advent of some new had every type of maintenance at one redefined. New bluegrass sod was delivered on the second day and placed around the perimeter. Some sod laying began the second day, but most of it was done on the third and fourth days. We also went to out bentgrass nursery and brought over new bent to reclaim areas where it was felt the green had grown in. We used approximately 2,500 rolls of sod per green site to get the desired effect. Each green took about 4 days to complete. We started on the Monday and the bulk of the work with our crew was done by Thursday. A couple of people were required to do some minor cleanup and edging on Friday. We allowed a full week for each green. This way we were not pushed and could still This photo shows the extent of sod removal and replacement. tend to our other duties on the rest of the golf course. The result is very exciting. The members who saw the finished result in The LINKS-TOPPER the fall were very complimentary and Specially designed and built excited. We believe that with the new for precisely controlled, bluegrasses in place, not only will the fast, and uniform holes look better, but will play better and topdressing on be easier to maintain. We hope these three greens will be the green light to do GOLF COURSES the rest of our greens in the years to come. The approximate cost per hole was $3,000. It's a small price to pay for what you get. We did all the work in-house. In future years if the desire is to do more Gordon Bannerman Limited • 41 Kelfield Street,Rexdale,Ontario M9W 5A3 • Telephone 416-247-7875 Fax 416-247-6540 than 2 greens I think I would budget to have the sod placed by a contractor. Sodding is the most time consuming. Stripping off the old sod and grading is easily done in-house. Lots of bodies are required to lay that amount of sod and there is not usually that amount of help around at that time of year. These 3 old greens have been given a face-lift into the 90's. Sodding is final GROUP OF FARMS LTD. and complete and no aerating or Greenhorizons Penncross Bentgrass Sod Cambridge Hamilton overseeding program in the world can provides INSTANT DELIVERY, INSTANT COMPACT SOD HAMILTON SOD give the same effect in such a short time. BEAUTY, and virtually INSTANT USE! 1400 Middle Block Rd. R.R.#1 Mount Hope We keep plenty of inventory on hand for when 519-653-7494 416-389-1315 We are also considering a few rows you need it. Get the facts. Call us now for Oakville St. Catharines around our fairways. ONTARIO SOD GREEN HORIZONS outstanding service, world class quality and 2020 Dundas St. E. 1703 South Service Rd. competitive pricing. 416-257-8795 416-984-8448 HUTCHESON SAND AND MIXES David B. Dick Jeff McMaster • We are proud to be supplying ProTurf Division ProTurf Division The O.M. Scott & Sons Company the Ontario and Quebec Golf Course 39 Monte Vista Trail The 0. M. Scott & Sons Company 1864 Bowler Drive Industry with: Brampton, Ontario Canada L6Z 1Y2 Pickering, Ontario L1V 3E4 Telephone: 416/846-3319 Telephone: 416/839-6526 Non calcareous, low PH Hutcheson Silica: Topdressing Sand and Mixes Construction Sand and Mixes High Organic Humus and Spagnum Peat Bunker Sands • Our products comply with Industry specifications and have Michael J. Kernaghan been met with overwhelming John W. Gravett approval by agronomists, architects and superintendents. TRY US! 8 West Street South, Box 910 Professional Turfgrass Educational 45 Walman Drive Huntsville, Ontario POA 1K0 Consulting Services Guelph, Ontario N1G 4G8 Office: 705-789-4457 Mobile: 705-722-2141 (519) 767-1611 Watts: 1-800-461-5521 Fax: 705-789-1049 Schreiner said, in fact, that building Proving a 12 inch sand greens was "such a great idea, we put in six inch sand tees, and Revolutionary they are awesome.” Initially hesitant about all sand greens "because I'm used to working on Old Idea solid greens and was concerned about keeping enough moisture in there,” Madden said it was an excellent choice By Mark Leslie he would recommend to others. The superintendent for four years at Oak Hill's East Course, Madden said An old idea has found new life with product, and so we’re not taking a Hurdzan Design Group in Columbus, chance. We're making this nice and he was persuaded it could work at Ohio. simple,” says Hurdzan, a former Cobblestone Creek when, during a Saying he has become a believer - president of the American Society of planning meeting, Wadsworth Construc­ a believer that theories are theories and Golf Course Architects. tion Co. President Paul Eldredge was reality is reality, architect Mike Hurdzan "Simple” means no soil, no peat, no asked if he would build all-sand greens. is now offering clients an old-fashioned rice hulls, no bark. Hurdzan’s mix "If it were my own course and I had alternative to high-tech green construc­ contains just sand, with micronutri­ the perfect sand, yes, I'd do it,” Eldredge tion methods. He has been developing ents, fertilizers and water-absorbing recalls saying. He adds that he was all-sand greens that are easier to grow polymers. discussing a Northern course and he grass on and cheaper to build. The results? would think differently in a desert site That is a turn away from U.S. Golf "Our greens are awesome,” says Joe where the sand could percolate too fast. Association specifications, which re­ Perry, superintendent at Hurdzan- commend a laboratory-tested 12 to 14 designed Eagles Landing in Berlin, Md., HOCUS-POCUS? inch top mix of sand and organic matter, which opened last summer. "They are Removed as a member of the USGA which is placed over an intermediate beautiful and held up all summer. The Greens Committee, Hurdzan says: "I sand layer, which is underlain with a pea (grass roots average six to eight inches think the industry is making too much stone blanket and tile. deep).” hokus pokus out of building greens. . . It is also a return to ancient times in Perry, who was superintendent for Yes, they grow well when built to USGA terms of golf construction, when 4 1/2 years at Crestbrook Country Club specs. But there might be another way, earthmoving was minimal, irrigation was in Watertown, Conn., said that while and that way could lead to a better rare and naturally adapted grasses were other area courses had trouble after a healthier plant. That is what I am planted and maintained, and when the recent five inch rainstorm, Eagles searching for.” superintendents' main cultural practice Landing, with its high percolation rates, It also costs around $1 to $2 less per was frequent topdressing with pure "flushed right out. The greens have square foot - or $120,000 to $250,000 sand. amazing drainage and playability. They on a normal 18-hole course, Hurdzan Hurdzan's alternative method is will never be closed.” estimates. "If you can save that, plus 10 simply 12 to 14 inches of pure selected Galen Scharenberg, superinten­ percent for the life of the loan, that’s a lot sand, placed over tile. There is no dent at Hurdzan’s new Sycamore Creek of money,” he says. "Or it might mean the blending of organic matter, no Golf Course in Richmond, Va., said, "I difference between affording a very fine intermediate sand layer, and no gravel can’t see why you wouldn't build this way drainage and irrigation system as blanket. The key is finding the proper all the time.” opposed to a lesser system. Personally, sand which has not been a problem so Rusty Madden, superintendent at I would rather use the money for more far, he says. Cobblestone Creek, a course Hurdzan sod. However, if the client wants USGA Holding a Ph.D. in environmental last year designed in Victor, N.Y., said greens, we build them to perfection. It's turfgrass physiology, a master’s degree "I’ve never ever had or seen roots like the client's choice.” in turf studies, and a bachelor’s degree these. In 1957 at the age of 13, Hurdzan in turfgrass management, Hurdzan has "When I first cut the cups, I set the worked with his mentor, course architect put his scientific knowledge to work. cut cutter down eight inches pulled it out Jack Kidwell, when Kidwell built a And, instead of complexity, he has found and you could literally hold the whole 100-percent sand green and "it was the simplicity to be the answer and a return thing. That really struck me.” prettiest green we ever had,” Hurdzan to the benefits of pure sand culture. Craig Schreiner of Kansas City, Mo., recalls. We've just taken out one of the who was Hurzdan’s project manager for In the early 1970s, Hurdzan visited variables - and that variable is organic Cobblestone Creek, says: ’ 'They have the the Palm Desert, Calif., site where matter. No one can exactly predict how wonderful greens - the finest in Arnold Palmer-designed Ironwood and when that organic matter is going to Rochester, and there are some great Country Club was being built with all­ break down in the mix and to what end courses in Rochester.” sand greens by contractor Keith Dewar. That memory stayed with him. Then Essential to Hurdzan’s all-sand plan • "To increase the cation exchange several years ago, when Hurdzan was is getting the right sand. capacity (the holding capacity of vital building The Centennial in Canada, ’" I caution that you can't do this with nutrients). Yes, but that doesn’t mean heavy rains prevented getting peat on every sand," Hurdzan says. "We search the amendment releases nutrients to the greens in the fall and again the next for sand that falls within guidelines. I’d the plant. That only happens when spring. like to see an infiltration rate at 2 5 inches the organic matter decomposes or "The course had to get open, so we per hour or less; a percolation rate that the cation is displaced by a free cation took a chance, smoothed the greens up, when compacted is at 20 inches or less; with a greater affinity. seeded them to 100 percent sand, a water holding capacity in the 15 to 2 5 • "It holds water. Yes, but will it give up applied solid amendments and the percent range; and 1 or 2 percent silt and moisture to the plant? Grudgingly. . . greens were absolutely gorgeous," he clay. Water retention? Just turn the said. sprinklers on more until it is grown in But most important is uniformity in "So I am convinced we don’t need more. We’re only talking about a the sand particles. I like it in the one-half- the organic matter. But yes, we need couple hundred gallons of water. to-one-millimeter size. That's almost the some soil amendments." • "It gives resilience to sand. It makes same sand as everyone uses." sand so soft so it holds the ball. But Cobblestone Creek, Eagles Landing Madden agrees. "I feel the key to the and Sycamore Creek are results of that you're trying to grow a good pad - whole thing was in the selection of the mat layer. Letthe mat (one quarter to conviction. sand... A lot of sand has too many Hurdzan’s method includes laying one half inch deep) be the pad. different particle sizes and the particles • "Micronutrients. That's why we add the four-inch drain tiles in six-inch-wide tighten up. I know guys with sand-peat them, too. And we’re not complicating trenches and covering the trench, only, greens who, after two or three years by having it tied into organic matter." in pea gravel. On top of that goes 12 have to deep-tine aerify. That doesn’t Hurdzan contends: "The essential inches of sand. In the top two to three make sense to me, agronomically. ingredient for good greens is not sand. It inches of the sand, he mixes four pounds Something is wrong," he says. is not the tile drainage, type of grass, of super absorbent polymer, 20 pounds "First in importance is the right irrigation system, fertilizer program, of STEP (a Scotts Co. micronutrient mix), sand. Get the subgrade right and the pesticides, mowing equipment, 30 pounds of Sand-Aid (a seaweed aerification, top-dressing, or consult­ subgrade drainage right. The next goal is, extract), 20 pounds of 18-5-9 fertilizer, 20 ant's advice. keep it simple. Bentgrass wants to grow. pounds of Milorganite (which is Each of these influences the quality Roots go down in the sand...I feel Milwaukee sewage sludge) and 10 of a golf green. But none of them is the whatever you can do to simplify the pounds of sulfur-coated urea, per 1,000 essential element. The essential element process, do it." square feet. is the golf course superintendent. No "We’ve all been like sheep,’’ following guidelines that recommend combination of factors will work without KEEPING IT SIMPLE the careful manipulation of them by the adding organics to sand in the root zone "When you start with sand you have an golf course superintendent who, mix for greens, Hurdzan says. "I was a inert but predictable mass," Hurdzan through his experience and knowledge, sheep, too. Now I'm a lion." says. "If you add organic matter you can anticipate the deleterious effects don't know what you have. Sawdust, rice and apply well-balanced preventive YEAS AND NAYS hulls, leaf mulch, composted sewage measures." sludge - it's all so variable. There's no The all sand program is not new. "The Hurdzan even questions whether all definition of organic matter. Aspirin is problem is that too few golf course 18 greens need to be exactly the same, aspirin, but peat varies. architects or contractors have the for each will receive its own maintenance I’d rather blend in things that will technical or scientific background to regime based upon its location. react predictably." challenge the standard," Hurdzan says. "Given a setof greens of exactly the Under the normal method, "It was simply easier to build them to same root zone mix, but located Hurdzan says, "The danger is that we conventional guidelines than to question differently - on top of a windy hill, in a start with a sterile sand mixed with an if there is a better way. protected valley, in full sun, in shade, in organic substrate. Then, at grow-in (the I guess it is my obligation, given my Georgia, in Michigan - would you treat first one to two years), we get weird training and position, to be the dissenter. them all the same? Of course not, for diseases because organisms can just I simply ask, "Why?' and "How do you each has its own micro-environment and move into that sterile mix." know that? ”' susceptibility to desiccation, disease, Scharenberg, who has worked at Hurdzdan adds: "With all the turf and dormancy. My goal is to provide the The Links and Eagle Sticks courses in research in the past 30 years, surely superintendent with each green Ohio, and had to rebuild two greens at someone could offer definitive predictable within itself, not to its Eagle Creek in Naples, Fla., agrees with performance comparisons between neighbors. The fewer the number of the positives of a pure sand root zone. green construction methods. But to my variables the superintendent must "I know my greens profile is not knowledge, no one has proven any contend with, the easier it is for them to going to change," he says. "I also like the method to be one bit better in terms of manage.’’ Hurdzan believes natural loose profile because when you're turf growth, water conservation, processes of that micro-environment will pushing the roots for grow in, they go pesticide reduction, or fertilizer savings. amend the sand with organic matter right down for you. And once you get Just a lot of theory, no proof." produced by the plants growing there. roots that deep you greatly reduce the Advocates of organic matter say risk of stress." their reasons for adding organics are: Continued on page 10. First Annual ONTARIO TURFGRASS SYMPOSIUM Continued from page 7. mind buying an extra $5,000 in fertilizer reason? The owner will come back and for the first couple of years. After that, ask, "Why did you go againstthe USGA?' "Just grow the turfgrass vigorously these greens perform the same as You’ll never win that one in a court of and let the sloughed-off roots and greens constructed by other methods, law." natural organic debris provide the for they have produced their own Hurdzan adds: "There has been a organic constituent to the sand," he says. organic matter." liability problem for those who specify "This happens within a year or two. Madden says he is using more the USGA method because it has a "I am constantly searching for ways fertilizers and micro-nutrients - measurable performance standard. If to improve green mixes. One new one projecting a rate of seven to nine pounds you claim a car goes 150 mile per hour that shows lots of promise is Isolite, per thousand square feet. and it goes only 145, then someone can which issaidto hold water and nutrients But Scharenberg likes the idea of sue. If you just say this car is dependable in the soil until the plants need them. The being able to fertilize greens "as much as and it goes fast, there is no basis for a suit. problem is that it adds more than you want during grow-in because the "Isn't it a pity that the fear of being $100,000 to green construction and sand percs so quickly. I use quick-release sued should overshadow principles of there are not yet enough tests to prove fertilizer. It keeps the price down and the good turfgrass management and add its advantages. To me it is simply a matter fertilization up. You can make 2 1/2 times immensely to the cost of golf course of cost-to-benefit ratio." the applications for the price of one construction without a measurable The Negatives slow-release application." advantage?" Perry and Madden both report they are Wadsworth’s Eldredge says it's Yet, he says, "If the purpose of the using more fertilizers than normal, and basically an economic decision. green is to provide the golfer the truest, they face localized dry spots. "It’s the developer’s decision. Is it most consistent putting surface possible, "My biggest problem is isolated dry worth eliminating the mixing operation I offer Oakmont as a benchmark. Its spots daily," Perry says. "With pro­ and cost of peat? Or is it cheaper to greens are made of clay, as are many U.S. nounced slopes on some greens, and a spend more on water and nutrients?" Open courses and thousands and lot of wind on the course, I will have Eldredge says. thousands of other famous courses problems with dry spots." around the world . . . Maddens says sand tends to form Fear and Open-mind Factors "It must be recognized by all golfers isolated dry spots and can become Hurdzan and Eldredge say architects that tournament-speed putting surfaces hydrophobic - fighting water. Yet, he and builders have been afraid to use can stress the grass plant beyond its adds, using sand uncomplicates the greens construction techniques other ability to survive. Keeping super-fast matter. You're not introducing a foreign than USGA recommendations. greens on a routine basis is flirting with element that has to be a perfect mix. For "Architects have to recommend to failure, no matter how the green is built. the long haul, it's going to work out for do what the USGA tells them, or risk "The key to great putting surfaces is you." facing a suit from the owner," Eldredge a good superintendent and not some Hurdzan says: "All greens are says. "What if the green fails for some root-zone voodoo." susceptible to localized dry spots, regardless of how they are built. I’ve seen localized dry spots on university turf plots using every type of rootzone mix Drainage by imaginable, and most often hand-mixed T.A.C. Laser in small batches. I see about 100 courses Grade Control a year and, during certain times of the year, most of them have localized dry spots." As for higher fertilizer costs, Perry says: "We use organic fertilizer continually because, with all-sand greens, you use a lot of fertilizers. We will require 15 to 20 pounds per 1,000 square feet of nitrogen per year compared to the typical six pounds. "My green fertility program has 15 different types of products. The program cost at least double the normal green. it costs $10,000 a year compared to $4,000 to $5,000, plus extra labor and spot watering." Joe makes a good point,’’ says Hurdzan, "but an extra $300 per green compared to the initial saving, plus the • Lateral Drainage Systems dependability of these greens, seems TURF • Large Diameter Pipe Installations DRAIN • Master Drainage Plans like a small cost. • Drainage Pumping Stations "If my client saved $150,000 or INC. • Green Drainage more in initial construction, he doesn’t DRAINAGE DIVISION PHONE (519) 763-3130 • FAX (519) 763-5086 SPECIALISTS IN TURFGRASS NUTRITION CANADIAN IRRIGATION ALMACK CONSULTANTS Corrie Almack, P.Ag. JACK AUSTIN R.R.1, Gormley Ontario L0H 1G0 ALMACK & ASSOCIATES BOX 256, CARLISLE, ONTARIO L0R 1H0 416-689-6174 Tel: (416) 841-7866 Fax: (416) 841-7867 ECONOMICAL POLE FRAME BUILDINGS FOR ALL YOUR NEEDS . . . BUILDING BRAEMAR SYSTEMS LTD. RURAL & COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS Call collect to Jack or Rick Brenzil for a FREE ESTIMATE . . . (416) 772-3551 (416) 388-6865 Over 30 Years Experience! The grass of ’92 with a degree in excellence From parks to playgrounds... football fields to golf courses ... land reclamation to sod production... home lawns to country estates, you can count on Oseco turfgrass cultivars for top performance. Need a specially blended mixture? Talk to the turfseed specialist from Oseco. OsecoTurf Seeds RO. Box 219, Brampton, Ontario L6V 2L2 Telephone 416 846 5080 • Fax 416 846 6909 HUTCHESON SAND AND MIXES TRY OUR DEEP AERIFICATION MAINTENANCE PROGRAM VERTI-DRAIN 105.145 The Model 105.145 Verti-Drain is a new deep tine aerator that will alleviate the most difficult soil compaction problems. Penetration of up to 12" is possible. Verti-Drain combines penetration through the soil pan for vertical drainage with the shattering effect of the compacted layers for thorough aeration. HYDROJECT™ 3000 The HydroJect 3000 brings a revolutionary concept to the practice of aeration...to aerate with high velocity water that exceeds traditional depths without disturbance of the playing surface. Other benefits include: less injury to the plant and roots, and a more uniform turf appearance. Save by utilizing both the Verti-Drain and HydroJect to solve problems such as Compaction, Surface Puddling, Shallow Rooting, Localized Dry Spots, and Soil Layering. OUR EXPERIENCED OPERATORS PROVIDE CONTRACTING SERVICES FOR: • Greens • Fairways •Turf Track • or any other compacted •Tees • Sports Fields • Bowling Greens or turf problem For more information call or write: HUTCHESON SAND AND MIXES P.O. BOX 910, HUNTSVILLE, ON POA 1 KO TOLL FREE 1-800-461-5521 • COLLECT (705) 789-4457 • FAX: (705) 789-1049 R.C.G.A. Green Section Update The continuing pressures on the golf as development, construction and towards a certification process whereby industry with respect to the impact of maintenance. golf clubs can work with environmental golf courses on the environment has not The second phase of the process biologists on a voluntary basis to im­ gone unnoticed by the Royal Canadian will involve asking golf course managers, plement forms of resource management Golf Association. The association developers, architects, contractors and as well as examine the possibilities of represents Canadian golfers who as superintendents to address specific wildlife habitat enhancement in the non­ individual citizens are just as concerned environmental issues that have been golf areas of the golf course and be with maintaining the integrity of the raised by the government agencies and recognized for their efforts. environment for the following environmental interest groups. A set of The R.C.G.A. has also decided to generations as their neighbours. guidelines will be developed from the become more involved in the on-going The R.C.G.A. Green Section has information collected to be reviewed by push to find alternative management been given the mandate by the R.C.G.A. an advisory committee consisting of practices and the development of more Executive Committee to research and representatives from all the previously disease and stress tolerant species of develop an environmental policy for the consulted sectors. This advisory turfgrass. This involvement will be in the R.C.G.A. This has entailed correspond­ committee will submit their re­ form of financial support of research ence with representatives from the commendations to the R.C.G.A. projects. The financial commitment has many layers of government at the hopefully by the end of summer 1992. been approved and once the administ­ municipal, regional, provincial and The R.C.G.A. Green Section is also rative vehicle is in place the R.C.G.A. will federal levels. We have also contacted investigating the development of a golf be making a substantial financial members of environmental action course co-operative sanctuary pro­ contribution to turfgrass research groups to hear their concerns. These gramme for the wildlife akin to the starting in 1992. concerns will be divided into the U.S.G.A. sponsored programme in the different areas of the golf industry such United States. This is designed to work ATTENTION Golf Course Mechanics From The Editor On Saturday, February 8,1992 The Golf Equipment Technicians Association of Ontario was formed. A meeting was hosted by Fraser Barrett, mechanic of the National Golf Club. The meeting Welcome to the first issue of Green Is Beautiful was attended by 24 golf course equipment technicians. for 1992. Spring seems to be just around the This association has been formed to educate, inform and corner and I am sure that we are all looking encourage networking between mechanics and to promote forward to an early start this year. communication between mechanics, manufacturers and The O.G.S.A. continues to grow superintendents. throughout the province: look for more The Board of Directors for 1992-1993 are: regional meetings to come. Fraser Barrett, National GC- President; Todd Clark, Glen Abbey G&CC-Vice President; Ed Conrad, Ladies Golf Club of Toronto I would like to take this opportunity to -Secretary/Treasurer; Richard Heffering, Scarboro GC - Director say thank you to David Danks and the staff and John Kinch, Muskoka Lakes G&CC - Director. at Rewco Printing for the fine job they have As machinery becomes more high-tec and specialized the done and for all their help and suggestions need for education is crucial. I encourage all mechanics to join over the past few years. and enjoy the benefits of professional development and the I hope everyone has had a pleasant networking that will be offered by your association. winter and I wish you all the best in the Superintendents must support their mechanics and this association to ensure that they keep abreast of this fast-moving season ahead. industry. Remember - the more informed our people are the more time and effort we can channel toward other facets of our jobs. Simon George, To apply for membership, for more information, or to offer Editor suggestions please contact Ed Conrad, Secretary/Treasurer, G.E.T.A.O., 7859 Yonge Street, Thornhill, Ontario L3T 4A2 or phone (416) 887-7620 Lab Practices Reviewed Ontario Turfgrass by U.S.G.A. By Barb Gourlay, Manager, Symposium Standard Soil Consultations Inc. Over the past 40 years the U.S.G.A, has supported the research and develop­ Way back in January 1991 theOGSAwas who and what they wanted and Annette ment of construction specifications approached about joining with the GTI pulled it all together. By November a which are outlined in their publication, and Allied Turf Groups into forming a 3 decision was made to expand the trade "Specifications for a Method of Putting day education and trade show. Since we show to arenas. Green Construction”. These specific­ had kicked around the idea before, we Pamphlets were mailed out and ations were fully substantiated by were interested. We met at the advertising was done through each extensive research and the original University of Guelph with Annette association. As the show was about to specifications have remained basically Anderson, Mira Sone, Paul Dermott, begin we all anticipated a well-attended intact today. Thom Charters, Roger Garbutt, Bob show but were still uncertain how it With the addition of new soil testing Sheard, Glen Dowling and Mark Hagen. would go over. laboratories in the U.S.A. and Canada, Initially we wanted to know each Now that it is over I am very excited concerns have been raised regarding the group’s position and from this Mira, at that a new tradition has been started in standardization of testing procedures. Continuing Education, and Annette the turf business in Ontario, which is first Conflicting test results have arisen pressed on. After a few more meetings class and gives you good value for your between certain labs which were sent we were looking at deadlines for speaker money. Thanks to all who helped put on identical samples. The U.S.G.A, has selection and a trade show committee. this show. recognized this dilemma and is now Each association gave Annette ideas of See pages 8 and 9 investigating the inconsistencies. Dr. Norm Hummel, of Cornell University, has been retained to co-ordinate this project. The first step involved Dr. Hummel inspecting the labs and observing the testing procedures. Technicians and principals were interviewed on lab techniques and the methodology was discussed. The second step involved sending all the recognized Shemin Nurseries labs identical soil samples in order to compare the test results. As expected variations in the test results occurred. Dr. HORTICULTURAL DISTRIBUTION CENTERS Hummel and advisory committee concluded that they can Our Standard Is Excellence "eliminate some of the more serious variations that exist between labs by defining some of the standards”. It is their SPECIALIZING IN GOLF COURSE opinion that no lab will need to make any drastic change in their IRRIGATION techniques or equipment. The U.S.G.A, will continue to work with the testing procedures. Dr. Hummel will be publishing the lab Master Turf Distributor standards and results shortly. The U.S.G.A, will also be publishing r---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1 a revised edition of the "Specifications for a Method of Putting Green Construction”. Rain^Bird YOUR IRRIGATION SOURCE FROM START TO FINISH AQUAMASTER ♦Professional consultation ♦ Product ONE STOP SHOP FOR GOLF ♦ Design ♦ Service IRRIGATION SUPPLIES Milton: 416-875-4545 1-800-263-4111 Hunter IRRIGATION EQUIPMENT Toronto: 416-798-4745 Fax: 416-878-4501 HEAD OFFICE LONDON BRANCH R.R. #4, Milton, Ontario L9T 2X8 1 Guardsman Road 3 3 9 2 Wonderland Rd. S., (Fifth Line, South of Steeles) Thornhill, Ontario Bldg.2, Unit 10, L3T6L2 London, Ontario N6L 1A8 416-881-4794 519-652-0327 Fax 416-881-7922 Fax 519-652-0327 1-800-268-6826 UPCOMING EVENTS Pesticide Safety Training Seminars Introductory Land Class 1 & 3 Licence Preparation Courses March 25 & 26,1992 - London March 28 & 29,1992 - Guelph April 25 & 26,1992 - Ottawa For more information contact John Gravett of TURFECS at (519) 767-1611, 1992 W.O.G.S.A. Events May 4 Willo-DellGC June 8 CraigowanGC July 13 Hidden Lake August 19 Twenty Valley September 28 Taylors Trophy, Brantford GC December 11 Christmas Party, Glendale GC REPART MANUFACTURING LTD. 111O WELWYN DR., MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO L5J 3J3 DISTRIBUTORS FOR: LEBANON FERTILIZERS 18-4-10 CC 18-0-18 CC 8-4-24 CC SPYKER FERTILIZER SPREADERS • F.A.G. 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