SUMMER 1992 Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food GREEN is beautiful PER Green Beaut Summer 1992 The Importance of Proper Drainage in Turfgrass Cultivation Disease Dilemma? 1992 Upcoming Events Monday, August 10, 1992 O.T.R.F. Golf Tournament Mad River C.C. Ontario Wednesday, September 7-13, 1992 Canadian Open Glen Abbey C.C. Golf Oakville, Ontario Monday, September 21, 1992 C.G.S.A. Fall Field Day Calgary, Alberta Superintendents Thursday, October 1, 1992 Québec Turf Research Foundation Golf Tournament Association Hillsdale C.C. (519) 939-9944 Wednesday, October 7-8, 1992 G.C.S.A.A. Seminar Basic Principles of Turf Management Toronto, Ontario gpm PUMPING SYSTEMS Golf Pumping station Manufacturer The Pressure is on... With over 150 Golf pumping stations in Canada, GPM is the leader in golf course irrigation pumping system. Vertical turbine system Variable speed drive In Ontario pumping system contact: Underground centrifugal pumping package TURF CARE Custom built pumping unit TURF CARE PRODUCTS LTD. 200 Pony Drive Newmarket, Ontario L3V 7B6 Tel: (416)836-0988 Fax: (416)836-0995 Manufactured by PLAD Equipment Ltd. PRESIDENTS REPORT: GREEN IS BEAUTIFUL Hopefully by the time you read this, summer will have arrived. The long cool spring has Ontario Golf been a trying time for superintendents trying to grow grass. Its especially tough Superintendents when you have winter damage and bare spots that you are trying to get to fill in. Association I find however that the average golfer these days is far more knowledgeable about turf. The recent landscape boom, environmental BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR 1992 awareness and peoples general desire to see more green have made them read more articles or listen to more programs on anything to do with the plant world. As they become more aware of growing plants of any description they become more aware of the factors affecting their growth. I find at my own course that when I am answering the usual golfers questions about his home lawn or something about the golf course, that they listen more intently and actually seem to understand where you are coming from. There will always be the impatient ones and complainers but they are usually a minority. If you as a Superintendent have done your job right you should know the feelings of the general membership. By talking to the people, writing in the newsletter and keeping in touch with the pro shop you will have an understanding of where concerns of PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT PAST PRESIDENT the membership are. You can then prioritize RHOD TRAINOR C.C.C.S. DAVE W. GOURLAY C.G.C.S. MARK HAGEN C.G.C.S. your work, take care of the little things and Hamilton Golf and Eagle Creek Golf Club The Oaks Golf & work pro-actively and not reactively. Country Club Limited P.O. Box 931, R.R. #2 Country Club 232 Golf Links Road Dunrobin, Ontario K0A 1T0 London, Ontario Our business is going through many Ancaster, Ontario L9G 2N5 Bus. (613) 832-0477 N0M 1Z0 changes and will not wait for those who do Bus. (416) 648-1441 Res. (613)832-0476 Res. (519) 641-9718 not wish to keep up. A good way to keep up Res. (519) 631-4798 Fax (613) 836-4197 Fax (416)648-4217 is to stay in touch with the industry through association meetings. OGSA works hard to put on good functions and after that, it is up DIRECTORS to the members to attend. EDITOR GOLF & MEETINGS DIRECTOR SIMON GEORGE BILL FACH C.G.C.S. DENNIS PELLRENE Oakville Golf Club Rosedale Golf Club Ltd. Scarborough Golf Club Rhod Trainor 1154 6th Line, Box 129 1901 Mt. Pleasant Road Scarborough Golf Club Rd. President, OGSA Oakville, Ontario L6T 4Z5 Toronto, Ontario M4N 2W3 Scarborough, Ontario M1J 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 ROSTER MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY JOHN TAYLOR ALEX LA BELLE RICK SERRAO - C.G.C.S. Twenty Valley G.C. Carlton Golf & Yacht Club Glendale Golf & C.C. 107 Ontario Street P.O. Box 162, R.R. #3 401 Mt. Albion Road St. Catharines, Ontario Manotick, Ontario K0A 2N0 Hamilton, Ontario Bus. (416)562-4333 Bus. (613) 692-4054 L8K 5T4 Res. (416) 682-3516 Res. (613) 826-3375 Bus. (416) 561-1216 Res. (416)935-0522 DIRECTOR PUBLIC RELATIONS & COM. Fax (416)561-5536 DOUG SUTER MARK SCHNEIDER Credit Valley G.C. Beach Grove Golf & C.C. TREASURER 2500 Old Carriage Road 14134 Riverside Drive East BRUCE BURGER Mississauga, Ontario St. Clair Beach, Ontario N8N 1B6 Lakeview Golf Course L5C1Y7 Bus. (519) 979-8134 1190 Dixie Road Bus. (416) 275-1594 Res. (519) 979-8134 Cover Photo Courtesy of Mississauga, Ontario L5E 2P4 Res. (416)275-2601 DAVE GOURLAY Bus. (416)278-1971 OFFICE SECRETARY Eagle Creek G.C. Res. (519) 621-1138 CINDI CHARTERS Dunrobin, Ontario (416) 233-8388 News & Views on the USGA Specifications by DR. NORMAN H. HUMMEL, JR. Cornell University T HAS BEEN SAID that there's Among the changes in this section Intermediate Coarse Sand Layer I more than one way to build a green. This fact has been well established through the years as different "systems" of green construction are slightly different procedures for contouring the subgrade and placing the drainage tiles. The new specifications will describe a system better able to Current USGA specifications call for the placement of a 2 to 4 inch layer of very coarse sand between the gravel have been used. While some systems intercept and remove subsurface water. and rootzone mix. The original pur­ have been very successful, others have For example, one change will call for pose of this layer was to prevent the not. Promises of lower construction the placement of a perimeter tile at the rootzone mix from migrating into the costs often have compromised low end of the gradient to prevent a sand layer. Its presence in the green agronomic soundness. Certain systems wet spot from developing at that point. profile also forms a perched water table have even been outright irresponsible Several other changes have been in the rootzone, a trait that conserves from an environmental viewpoint. added, including: water. The USGA specifications for green • Geotextile fabrics will be allowed in The coarse sand layer has for years construction are the most widely USGA specifications greens, but only been a controversial element in the accepted in the industry, the standard under the gravel blanket to prevent specifications. Architects and contrac­ to which other methods are often settling of gravel into unstable subsoils. tors have frequently cited its high cost compared. Many years of experience and difficulty in placement as reasons and research went into the original • Poor quality stone, such as soft to eliminate it. Right or wrong, they specs that were developed by limestones, sandstones, and shales, will frequently build greens without the Dr. Marvin Ferguson and his associates not be acceptable coarse sand layer. As of this writing, 30 years ago. Revisions in 1973 and • Tips on selecting stone will be the fate of the coarse sand intermediate 1989 incorporated new research, added. Angular stone (1/4 to 3/8 inch­ layer has not been decided. It probably technology, and materials. Such is the es) will be suggested since it is more will remain, but the options for materi­ case now, as a new version of the specs stable and easier to shape than round­ als will be expanded and better is expected soon. In fact, the USGA has ed pea gravel. defined. just completed its most thorough review of the specifications since they were first published in 1961. The goal of the USGA in supporting this review was to provide practical construction specifications that not only assure success, but are flexible enough to accommodate conditions inherent to a particular site or climate. All sections of the specifications have been reviewed and revised, with input provided by soil and turfgrass scientists, architects, contractors, and superintendents in the United States and abroad. The following are some pending changes in the specifications. Please realize that these changes are preliminary as of this writing, and the published specifications will be the final word. The Subgrade and Drainage One of the outstanding qualities of a USGA green is its ability to provide excellent surface and subsurface drainage. Minor changes in the specifi­ cations should make subsurface drainage foolproof, regardless of the contours in the green above. Avoid the cost and disruption of reconstruction by building it right the first time. IDSEASE ILEMMA? D Consider non-infectious agents when diagnosing damaged turf. By John W. Gravett, TURFECS When a pathogen or environmental factor causes an abnormality in the physio­ logical processes and morphological development of a turfgrass plant, the plant is considered to have a disease. Plant disease is the result of causal agents which are either infectious (biotic or living agents) or non- infectious (abiotic or non-living agents). Infectious agents include plant-pathogenic species of viruses, bacteria, nema­ todes and fungi. Many of the important diseases of turfgrass are caused by fungi. Non-infectious agents are factors in the environment that contribute to unfavourable growing conditions resulting in some kind of physiological disorder of the plant. The dilemma begins when the turf manager is attempting to diagnose turfgrass disease problems. Non-infectious agents although capable of causing disease on their own, may also cause plants to become more susceptible to attack by infectious agents (i.e. dollar spot, pythium). As a result, both type of casual agents act in uni­ son to cause complex, poorly defined diseases. For this reason, accurate disease diagnosis and analysis becomes a challenging task. Far too often, damaged areas of turf are quickly misdiagnosed as being under attack by an infectious agent, without encompassing all the potential causal agents. Turfgrasses are frequently damaged by the feeding activity of insects and by com­ petition from weeds, weed grasses and moss. Although none of these pests actually cause turf disease, the disorders they cause may mimic diseases. Insects that feed on plant crowns, roots or stem bases may cause plants to appear diseased. Weeds, weed grasses and moss or algae are usually quick to occupy vacant spaces that remain after grasses become thinned by infectious diseases. Careful diagnosis is required to assess the true causes of damage. Turfgrasses can also be harmed by other non-infectious agents in the plant envi­ ronment. Chemical agents such as pesticides, animal urine, salts, fertilizers, nutri­ ent deficiencies, air pollution and chemical spills are just a few possible causes of disease-like symptoms. Physical agents including temperature, water, ice, soil condi­ tion, soil compaction, thatch, and shade are all capable of contributing to damag­ ing grass plants. Mechanically, turfgrasses can be injured when mowing equipment is dull or poorly adjusted; when mowing is too infrequent; when people, animals or equip­ ment move across drought stressed or frozen turf; and when there is temporary excessive use of a turf area. Surprisingly, the signs and symptoms of damage caused by these stresses can appear as diseased turf. When diagnosing turf problems, turf managers must take a look at the 'big pic­ ture' before completing diagnosis. Consider both infectious and non-infectious agents that may be affecting that particular micro-climate of turfgrass. Proper diag­ nosis of turf problems reflects professionalism, safety and responsibility of turf managers. Shemin Nurseries HORTICULTURAL DISTRIBUTION CENTERS HUTCHESON Our Standard Is Excellence SAND AND MIXES • We are proud to be supplying MAXI V the Ontario and Quebec Golf Course COMPUTER CONTROL SYSTEM Industry with: MASTER II Non calcareous, low PH COMPUTER CONTROL SYSTEM Hutcheson Silica: LINKSMASTER Topdressing Sand and Mixes CENTRAL CONTROL SYSTEM Construction Sand and Mixes Master Golf Distributor High Organic Humus and Spagnum Peat Bunker Sands Rain Bird • Our products comply with Industry specifications and have been met with overwhelming approval by agronomists, architects and superintendents. DISTRIBUTORS OF: 7856 Fifth Line S. TRY US! Milton, Ontario L9T 2X8 8 West Street South, Box 910 FERTILIZER Milton: 416-875-4545 Huntsville, Ontario POA 1 KO SEED Toronto: 416-798-4745 CHEMICALS 1-800-263-4112 Office: 705-789-4457 Mobile: 705-722-2141 NURSERY STOCK Fax: 416-878-4501 Watts: 1-800-461-5521 Fax: 705-789-1049 TURF CARE IRRIGATION DIVISION THE GOLF IRRIGATION SPECIALISTS Distributors of: TORO NDS FLOATING AERATORS IRRIGATION EQUIPMENT SURFACE DRAINAGE PRODUCTS PLUM CREEK PROGRESSIVE gpm ELECTRONICS INC. PUMPING STATIONS SELF-CLEANING INTAKE SCREENS WIRE LOCATION DEVICES TWO LOCATIONS: 200 Pony Drive, Newmarket, Ontario L3Y 7B6 2500 Meadowpines Boulevard, Unit 5, Mississauga, Ontario L5N 6C4 Tel: (416) 836-0988 • Fax: (416) 836-0995 Tel: (416) 858-9388 • Fax: (416) 858-9388 The Making Of Greystone October 1989 marked the beginning that each team member be compati­ sance with everything else going on. of Greystone Golf Club. Located in ble with the others. Our biggest task as superintendents Milton, the property lends itself to a Our most concentrated effort was was to keep the entire staff aware of beautiful natural golf course with on our 104 bunkers. It took 3 teams our deadlines and objectives. Many many mature tree lines and groves. to start a network of shaping, clean­ meetings and pow-wows took place, The constant elevation changes pro­ ing and filling. The sand was moved either with all 35 employees or just vided a good separation of the holes using six John Deere AMT 626's. The amongst separate teams to ensure without moving a lot of soil. large tires caused no damage to the communication didn't break down. Needless to say, with the rolling ter­ turf or bunker lips. To prevent "routine" or the teams rain, the grow-in phase tested our Washouts were either seeded or sod­ from getting in a rut, they were rotat­ patience. As many of you well know, ded. Sodding was the primary solu­ ed between tasks. This helped to the element of luck along with the tion since we had seeded a bentgrass break up the monotony and everyone elements of weather, play a large part nursery the previous fall. Areas to be learned to appreciate what the others in the success of a grow-in. This was sodded were "edged" with a sod cut­ were doing. At times when 7-5 was evident throughout the course. Areas ter so the lip would match the depth catching up to everyone we would such as a severe slope on the left of of the sod. organize social activities at work and #10 fairway, grew in with nar a rip­ sometimes away from the jobsite. At Sodding is not the most pleasant ple, while some flatter fairway and one point we spread our stockpiled job, but with the element of team­ rough areas were just blown away. bunker sand around our concrete pad work we instigated some friendly Our 12th and 13th fairways fell vic­ and played an impromptu game of competition amongst the teams. The tim to almost 1" of rain in two hours, beach volleyball. A local contractor teams took pride in their work and resulting in the 13th fairway washing soon caught wind of our "mental even graded each others work. The across the 12 fairway and 12 fairway health days" and challenged us to a top team would earn the title "elite washing into the woods! The wet fall game. Needless to say, our teamwork sod squad". of 1990 caused minimal damage to prevailed. the rest of the course, mainly due to The irrigation team was the most our early jump on seeding in and important and whose job was proba­ We managed to meet our deadline around July 10. bly the most strenuous. They had to of July 1 and although our work pro­ keep up to the sod squads and the gressed to very playable conditions, Springtime arrived and we were we still have some fine tuning to do. sod squads did not take kindly to the ready to climb the hill. Armed with We are quite proud of the work of our loss of any labours and deemed the 35 of the most gung ho people we "teams" who virtually gave up their person responsible for the dead turf could find, we set out in a series of lives for a summer of work and cama­ as "rusty". teams. Each team was made up of 3 raderie. or 4 employees and delegated respon­ While construction carried on, the sibilities such as bunker preparation, maintenance teams were busy drainage, sod preparation, sodding, upgrading the conditions of the rest Thanks to John Parker and irrigation, mowing and washout of the course-mowing, fertilizing and Kevin Inglehart patrol. We soon found it important top dressing almost seemed like a nui­ Greystone Golf Club REPART MANUFACTURING LTD 1110 WELWYN DRIVE, MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO L5J 3J3 DISTRIBUTORS FOR: LEBANON FERTILIZERS 18-4-10 CC Fairway Tees COUNTRY CLUB 18-0-18 CC Greens Professional Turf Products 8-4-24 CC SPYKER FERTILIZER SPREADERS • F.A.G. BEARINGS - BEARINGS • CHICAGO RAWHIDE - SEALS RED-MAX TRIMMERS • TORO EQUIPMENT PARTS • TORO IRRIGATION PARTS MANUFACTURERS OF: • BENCHES AND WOODEN GARBAGE RECEPTACLES • REPLACEMENT SEATS • WHIELE ROLLERS AND CAST MARKERS • BRASS TURF VALVES, KEYS AND NOZZLES • SOLID TYNES • ALUMINUM IRRIGATION DISKS CALL: ROB DAVIS, sales manager OFFICE: (416) 823-2900 FAX: (416) 278-5384 CUSHMAN'S "DEDICATED" TO GOOD TURF The NEW Cushman 535 "Dedicated" Spray Vehicle has features not even available on competitive units. As standard, you receive a 3- or 4-wheel (your choice) heavy duty, 22 h.p. vehicle with electronic spray controls. Booms come standard with boom protector and outer wheels ensuring even spraying and no boom damage even on the most undulating terrain. These sprayer units come standard with maintenance-free, low silhouette fiberglass tanks and you have your choice of 120-150-170 gallon tank sizes. The Cushman 535 "Dedicated" Sprayer is the easiest to calibrate, the easiest to operate, and the most accurate in its application. Nothing is better on fine turf areas...absolutely nothing. The Cushman 535 "Dedicated" Sprayers, complete as illustrated above, come with big 24x13.00x12 rear tires, 120 gallon fiberglass tank, electronic boom controls with master control switches at the operator's fingertips, boom protectors and boom wheels are standard equipment. Note, the prices below, for the complete package, with 120 gallon tank are for the machine as illustrated except for the optional hose and gun which are available at a slight extra cost. 3-wheel Cushman 4-wheel Cushman "Dedicated" Sprayer Unit "Dedicated" Sprayer Unit As Described Above As Described Above $13,995.00 $15,275.00 G.C. Duke 1184 PLAINS ROAD EAST TORONTO (416) 827-7830 BURLINGTON, ONTARIO BURLINGTON (416) 637-5216 L7S 1W6 EQUIPMENT LTD. FAX (416) 637-2009 The Rootzone Mixture The rootzone mix of a USGA green is composed of a mixture of sand with peat and/or soil. Past specifications have exactly defined the particle size of the sand to be used, but have been vague in defining the organic and soil components. It is in this area that the USGA felt there could be many improvements. The new specifications will set limits on the amount of gravel and very coarse sand allowed in the rootzone mix. These limits should prevent doughty mixes from being allowed, mixes that may have met the 1989 specifications. Also, it is likely that the specifications will have greater An example of topmix construction materials: topmix sand, intermediate layer sand, and pea gravel. USGA specifications for green construction are the most widely accepted in the trufgrass industry. allowances for fine sands, with tighter restrictions on the very fine sands. Where soil is used in a mix, the speci­ least two desireable ranges of accept­ USGA mixes? There were procedures fications will clearly define soil types able infiltration rates, one being a nor­ for testing USGA rootzone mixtures acceptable to use. mal range, the other for situations published in 1961 in the USGA Journal Many times new greens do not per­ where rapid drainage is needed. An and Turf Management. While these pro­ form to expectation. My experience intermediate range also may be includ­ cedures provided some guidance for has been that green failure often can ed. A set of ranges such as these will compaction treatment, they were be blamed on the poor quality of the provide flexibility so that rootzone incomplete in many regards. Searching organic source used in the mix. The mixes can be designed to match the through other scientific publications, new USGA specifications will include needs of the site. however,one can find accepted stan­ guidelines for organic matter selection dards for testing all the values required that should help prevent failure. Only Laboratory Standards of a USGA rootzone mix. high-quality organic sources, meeting specific criteria in areas such as ash Nine commercial laboratories willing­ Imagine having your blood samples and fibre content, will be allowed in a ly cooperated with the USGA on a pro­ sent to two labs, with the reports vary­ USGA rootzone mix. ject to correct these shortcomings in ing in their outcome. Also, how stable lab procedures. Potential sources of Rootzone mixtures meeting USGA would skyscrapers be if there were no variation among the labs have been specifications are required to meet a standard test methods for the stability identified. Recently, standard test set of laboratory-measured physical of underlying rock and soil? Standard methods were written and then parameters. Measured under a stan­ test methods have been used for years reviewed by several soil scientists. dard compaction treatment, the poros­ in the medical, construction, and other Quality assurance/quality control ity, bulk density, and moisture reten­ industries. guidelines also tion values provide a sense of how No such standards have ever been well a rootzone mixture will support have been written, and lab accredita­ invoked in the golf construction indus­ plant growth. In the new specifica­ tion is being considered. While these try. This should at least partially standards are voluntary, all the lab tions, minor adjustments will be made explain why split rootzone mixes sent in the acceptable ranges of these mea­ directors expressed a willingness to to different labs frequently come back conform. surements to eliminate minor techni­ with different results. Realizing this, cal inconsistencies. and concerned because their specs are Construction superintendents have Infiltration rates, omitted from the enough to worry about without having based on lab data, the USGA sought to 1989 specifications, provide a sense of to deal with the confusion of dissimilar correct it. how well a rootzone mix will drain. lab data. Hopefully, this problem will The turfgrass industry must first be a thing of the past. The desired infiltration rate for a mix accept the fact that there is a variability will depend on conditions in which inherent to this entire process, from the green is grown. Fast-draining sampling ( a major source) through Summary greens are needed where water quality testing, to the actual construction of is poor so that salts can be leached No construction specification is per­ the green. Results may differ by up to occasionally from the rootzones. Fast fect, and greens will continue to be 10% for some values, such as infiltra­ drainage also is needed where bent- built by many different means. The tion rate. This inherent variability, grass is grown in tropical or subtropi­ USGA, however, has gone to great however, could not explain the differ­ cal climates. lengths to improve the revised version ences coming out of the labs. of their construction specifications. On the basis of these needs , the How could this happen? Are there They should continue to serve as the USGA specifications will provide at not written procedures for testing standard for the industry. THE IMPORTANCE OF PROPER DRAINAGE IN TURFGRASS CULTIVATION Growing high value turf has become an exceedingly technical science involving the precise timing of various inputs, the most common thought of as irrigation and fertilizer. However, there is a vast array of inputs available to the turf industry which can be simplified and categorized into five basic ingredients:moisture, oxygen, nutrients, temperature and light. All of these must be present to grow turf. The level of success a turf manager obtains is reliant on the ability to control the timing and quantity of these five ingredients. Drainage and its influence on soil temperature, moisture, oxygen, and nutrients in the growing of healthy turf is explored in the following article. MOISTURE AND AERATION A healthy root system is the result of a consistent groundwater table. Fluctuating groundwater tables have an impact on the size of the root system, as air in the soil is continually being displaced by gravitational water. The root system is not able to change in size and depth as rapidly as the groundwater table, particularly going from spring conditions to an early summer drought Due to the greater depth of the root system on a drained soil, there is a 50-100 percent increase in root/soil contact. Plants grown on drained soils remain healthy as a result of a greater capacity for moisture uptake due to increased root mass. This is particularly important during a drought when water is at a premium as each plant has an increased ability to absorb what little water is available in the soil. Porosity is a measurement of the total volume of air in the soil's pore space. Different soil struc­ tures have varying levels of porosity. However, all soils have small pores and large pores and it is the fraction of the soil volume which is occupied by air within these pores that determine the soil's porosity. The large pores are called aeration pores which are occupied by oxygen after excess water has been removed. The small pores are called capillary pores that retain their water after the large pores have freely drained. The ideal soil moisture condition exists when a soil is at field capacity. Field capacity can be thought of as a soil in which all of the small pores are filled with water and all the large pores are drained and replenished with oxygen. The water held within the small pores is known as capillary moisture. It is this water which is available to the plant for growth. The challenge is to maintain a balance between this capillary moisture and oxygen by the use of drainage and irrigation systems. This is an ideal condition, however, it gives us something to aim for when monitoring the soil water content. The mechanics are fairly simple as depicted in illustration #2. NUTRIENTS Proper soil aeration allows for optimal use of nutrient inputs. The availability of nitrogen from organic matter is improved in addition to the role oxygen plays in the nitrification of ammonium (NH4+) ions to nitrate (NO3-) ions. Nitrate is the form of nitrogen that is commonly used by the plants. In addition, the loss of nitrogen from the soil is accelerated in poorly drained soils as it is leached before nitrification can take place. The activity of aerobic bacteria is greatly increased which is beneficial to the soil as well as making the soil nutrients readily available to the plant. TEMPERATURE Evaporation converts liquid water to water vapour. This process requires heat energy. Evaporation of moisture from soil results in its cooling, as heat is drawn from the soil and used for this evapora­ tion process of liquid to vapour. This is similar to the sensation we experience in the heat of summer when we spray ourselves with water to cool off. Heat energy is drawn from our bodies to be used in evaporation of the water droplets, effectively cooling ourselves by simply expending heat energy to drive the evaporation process. In the springtime valuable heat energy needed to their length will exhibit drainage characteristics which grow turf is lost from a saturated soil because of this nat­ also vary over the length of the drain. For example, on a ural evaporation process. Heat energy could be better flat fairway, a drain may have to start at a depth of 4 feet used to establish earlier growth of the turf plant. A sim­ in order to create the fall that is needed for water flow. ple rule is a saturated soil requires five times the heat At the end of this line, the pipe may be 2 feet deep, energy as a similar quantity of dry soil to increase one which will result in a noticeable variance in the rate of degree over the same period of time. In the field, this removal of surface water over its length. In this case the renders a differential of one to two weeks in the growth system should be broken up into shorter lengths in order of turf on a drained soil over that growing period on a to remain as close to a two foot depth of pipe as is possi­ saturated soil. ble. Consistency in depth is an important factor in the success of a drainage system. COMPONENTS OF OUTLETS A DRAINAGE SYSTEM Drainage must terminate at an open outlet. Open outlets used are; streams, ditches, the side of steep slopes In assessing a drainage problem, the source of the and above water levels in a pond. Drain lines dead ended problem must be resolved.Undoubtedly, improper into sumps will often fail within the first season of analysis of the source of the drainage problem, along with the poor installation of the pipe, are the most com­ installation. mon pitfalls of a drainage system. Identification of the source of the problem requires a thorough understand­ ing of the behaviour of groundwater, an all encompass­ ing subject which could be addressed entirely on its own. Following are a few pointers which should be regarded as "rules of thumb" when installing a drainage pipeline. "The installation of a tank and pump may be required if a suitable, natural outlet is not available. " There are many golf courses with low lying areas that cannot be drained at a depth of 24 inches and still empty into a natural outlet. It is under these circumstances that a holding tank with a submersible pump can be used for providing a proper outlet. The size of the tank and pump are dependent on the area of the watershed and diameter "Labour saving developments increase the efficiency of drainage installations." of the pipe at the terminus of the system. PIPE GRADE Flexible corrugated polyethylene pipe remains the If a conscientious effort is made to maintain a consis­ most common material for drainage applications. The tent trench bottom, grades of 0.25% or 2.5 inches of fall most effective drainage system occurs when pipe is used for every 100 lineal feet of run are acceptable. It is not with perforations at 360 degrees along the length of the desirable to trench with grades of 1% as this may result pipe. Solid pipe should be used when working in close in trenches excessively deep at the start and shallow at proximity to water loving trees, such as willow, poplar, the top. If laser controlled equipment is used, a grade of silver maple and elms. 0.15% has been established as the minimum allowable Drainage envelopes, such as, nylon sock or non­ grade for the installation of a 4 inch drain to be self­ woven geotextiles, still remain the best solution to cleaning. maintain a clean drainage system when working in silty Depths of the burial are important both for the and sandy soils. longevity of a system and its effectiveness. Average depth should be 24 inches with a minimum depth of 16 inches on golf courses. Maintaining this depth is impor­ SURFACE INLETS tant for two reasons: lowering the groundwater table to In addition to lowering the groundwater table, a prop­ an acceptable level, and protecting the drainage line erly designed drainage system must be counted on to from frost heave and damage from equipment travel. rapidly remove surface water. By draining a soil, the rate Drain lines which change dramatically in depth over of removal of surface water is enhanced by creating a water holding capacity within the soil's large pore space. In addition to this, surface water can be removed through the use of granular pockets along the length of the drain. The pockets eventually grow over with turf and still allow surface water to be removed. For higher volumes of surface water, small catch basins are a good choice as they will rapidly remove the water when installed in strategic catchment areas. AQUAMASTER ONE STOP SHOP FOR GOLF IRRIGATION SUMMARY It should be emphasized that effective drainage must fulfill two functions-the lowering of the groundwater Hunter® IRRIGATION EQUIPMENT table and the efficient removal of surface water. The greatest benefit of a drainage system is the increased HEAD OFFICE LONDON BRANCH level of oxygen in the soil and in turn the increased water holding capacity of the soil. Drained soils and 1 Guardsman Road 3392 Wonderland Road. S. good soil management practices maximize the control Thornhill, Ontario Bldg 2, Unit 10 available for growing high value turf. L3T 6L2 London, Ontario N6L1A8 Tel: (416)881-4794 Tel: (519) 652-0327 Written by Geoff Corlett Turf Drain Inc. Fax: (416) 881-7922 Fax: (519) 652-0327 Reference 1-800-268-6826 Irwin, R.W. 1989. Handbook of Drainage Principles “DON’T FALL INTO AN OLD TRAP!” Islington Golf Club Architect, Robinson & Carrick Associates Ltd. TURF Turf Drain Inc. DRAIN 22 Spring Street INC. Guelph, Ontario N1E 1Z8 Bunker RENOVATION DIVISION Tel: (519) 763-3130 Fax: (519) 763-5086 Reconstruction COLLEGE ON SUNDAY GOLF THE HILL DROPS IS ALLOWED TURF PROGRAM Judge McDougall Says that It Is NOT a Noisy Game. The Lord's Day Act prohibited all noisy games on Sundays. It appears that the University of Guelph is seriously But the judge ruled that since golf was usually played by two considering eliminating the Ontario Diploma in people, and the object was to cover a large area with as few Agriculture program from its educational curriculum. In strokes as possible, it could not be construed as a "noisy" the recent OAC Alumni News, Dean R.J. McLaughlin out­ game. This ruling was reported Oct. 30,1895. "Being of the opinion that golf is not a game of ball, simi­ lines the University's position regarding the removal of lar in any sense to the game enumerated in or intended to be this program at the University. In the event that this prohibited by the statute, and also that it is not a noisy game, becomes a reality, the turf option which is included in this the convictions in this case must be quashed; but as this ques­ program will be terminated. tion has arisen for the first time, I direct it to be quashed with­ From reading the Deans message it is quite evident that out costs." the Diploma in Agriculture will be the sacrificial lamb as a This was Judge McDougall's decision today in the famous result of anticipated shortfalls in revenue from the case against Messrs. Edgar, Carter and Cronyn, members of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food and the Ministry Toronto Golf Club, who were convicted before Magistrate Richardson for playing the game on Sunday, May 26. of Colleges and Universities for the undergraduate and In his decision the Judge points to the statute which pro­ graduate programs. R. J. McLaughlin points out that while hibits ball, football, skittles, rackets or any noisy game. the program is full each year the other funded colleges are These are some extracts from the judgement: struggling to survive. It is further suggested that the elimi­ In the first place, the statute does not render unlawful the nation of this program for the University will somehow playing of all games. It specifies four named games, namely, strengthen the other programs across the province. It is skittles, ball, football and rackets. It then specifies by general difficult to comprehend how the elimination of this pro­ words a further prohibition, namely, the playing of any other gram without altering the academic curriculum of the noisy game. It is freely admitted that the game of golf is not remaining colleges will help any facility with the excep­ equivalent to either skittles, football, or rackets. It is clearly tion of those found in the United States. The solution to proved in the evidence that it is not a noisy game so as to this dilemma will certainly not be achieved by the termi­ come within the general words used in the statute. nation of the highly respected Ontario Diploma in Agriculture. It is surprising to note that although the OAC degree student numbers are continuing to drop no modifi­ cations to this program are being considered. The Deans CURLING MEETING message suggests that the remaining OMAF colleges would For the ones that were unable to make the curling meeting on April 11th at North Halton Golf Club, you missed a serve as feeder colleges for OAC's degree program. With all great meeting. We had 3 sheets of ice used with a round- due respect to R.J. McLaughlin, this idea would never hap­ robin tournament, each team playing 2 ends with the pen. Having myself graduated form this program, I was other teams. Of course the host Allan Beeney had the win­ surprised to find out that the Degree program did not rec­ ning rink, his team members consisted of Paul Scenna, ognize the Diploma program for academic credit and as Simon George and Keith Ramus. After curling we sat down and has a round table discussion such I had no other option but to finish my education in on many subjects related to our industry and association. the United States. For all those who attended the meeting the feeling was It seems inconceivable that with all the effort put into that the meeting was quite successful. both creating and the funding of the Guelph Turfgrass Thanks again Allan for hosting this event as we always enjoy coming to the North Halton Golf Club. Institute that the Universities turfgrass program will be scrapped. The Ontario Diploma in Agriculture is a unique FROM THE EDITOR educational program providing turfgrass students with intense interaction from Canada's finest turfgrass profes­ sors combined in a University atmosphere. The golf industry has experienced such growth over the past decade and the need for highly qualified turfgrass man­ Will summer ever arrive? We have all been asking that agers who can better deal with today's fragile environment question lately, more changing weather patterns. are in high demand. There is no substitution for this pro­ This cool weather has seen most courses in great shape gram in Canada. I can only hope that R.J. McLaughlin once the grass started to grow properly, trees and flowers are perhaps 2-3 weeks behind. reads his closing statement which states "Ultimately, we must all be sure that we are doing the right thing for agri­ We still haven't heard from many of our members who could write an article or report for Green is Beautiful; culture" this is your magazine, please contribute. David W. Gourlay B. Sc. Have a great season, enjoy some golf and plan to attend 79 'A some of the upcoming events. Associate Diploma in Agriculture Simon George, Editor When Quality is Important Golf Course Irrigation Complete Design System Installation Service Budget Proposals Material Sales Pumping Stations Holmes TORO IRRIGATION Rain Bird. Carroll Call us today for more information on Childers Company TORONTO OTTAWA Canada your pump station requirements. 15-1050 Britannia Road East C7-2212 Gladwin Cr. 54 Hernshaw Crescent Mississauga, Ontario Ottawa, Ontario L4W 4N9 K1B5N1 Toronto, Ontario M9C 3M4 Tel.: (416) 564-0520 Tel.: (613) 521-3430 Telephone: (416) 621-1414 Fax: (416) 564-0519 Fax: (613) 521-0731 Michael J. Kernaghan Scotts Turfecs John W. Gravett David B. Dick ProTurf Jeff McMaster ProTurf Division ProTurf Division Professional Turfgrass Educational 45 Walman Drive The O.M. Scott & Sons Company The O.M. Scott & Sons Company Consulting Services Guelph, Ontario 39 Monte Vista Trail 1864 Bowler Drive N1G4G8 Brampton, Ontario L6Z1Y2 Pickering, Ontario L1V 3E4 (519) 767-1611 Telephone: (416) 846-3319 Telephone: (416) 839-6526 The LINKS-TOPPER Specially designed and built for precisely controlled, fast, and uniform topdressing on GOLF COURSES Gordon Bannerman Limited • 41 Kelfield Street,Rexdale,Ontario M9W 5A3 • Telephone 416-247-7875 • Fax 416-247-6540 The grass of ’92 with a degree in excellence courses From parks to playgrounds... football fields t ... 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. Oseco Turf Seeds P.O. Box 219, Brampton.Ontario L6V 2L2 Telephone 416 846 5080 • Fax 416 846 6909 SPECIALISTS IN TURFGRASS NUTRITION CANADIAN ALMACK IRRIGATION CONSULTANTS Corrie Almack, P.Ag. JACK AUSTIN R.R. #1, Gormley, Ontario LOH 1G0 Almack & Associates Box 256, Carlisle, Ontario LOR 1HO 416*689*6174 Tel.: (416) 841 -7866 Fax: (416) 841 -7867 INSTANT BENTGRASS Greenhorizons Penncross Bentgrass Sod GREENHORIZONS The GROUP OF FARMS LTD. Cambridge Hamilton provides INSTANT DELIVERY, INSTANT COMPACT SOD HAMILTON SOD BEAUTY, and virtually INSTANT USE! 1400 Middle Block Rd R.R.#1 Mount Hope 519-653-7494 416-389-1315 We keep plenty of inventory on hand for when you need it. Get the facts. Call us now for Oakville St. Catharines 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 Most Revolutions StartUnderground. ...a technological breakthrough from Toro...designed to be used anytime, anyplace to relieve turf stress (and yours!) The HydroJect 3000 Aerator A revolutionary turf cultivation tool that deeply aerates compacted soils without causing surface disturbance using high velocity water. Toro TURF CARE THE PROFESSIONALS THAT KEEP YOU CUTTING 200 PONY DR.NEWMARKET, ONTARIO L3Y 7B6 * PHONE (416) 836-0988 * FAX (416) 836-6442