Small issues leading to larger problems

Article Review

“Old problems, new challenges: Nuisance problems have emerged as major management issues on golf courses” USGA Green Section Record. January/February.

By: Darin S. Bevard, 2009

This article explains that some old problems or “curiosities” on the golf course now have turned into much larger problems. On high end golf courses which are maintained to perfection, any noticeable spot can be criticized, though many of these issues are a lot bigger than the member may presume.

Many more diseases are starting to be a prominent problem on golf courses. One such disease, fairy ring, is a huge problem which causes aesthetic and playability issues. It is a disease that golfers themselves will notice and instantly think the course is in bad condition. The article also states Pythium and Take-all patch are root zone diseases which can be hard to treat when active. Also, earthworms cause significant, aesthetic and playability issues in the fall on some golf courses. I can attest to this issue because, on a trip to Westmount Golf and Country Club, we noticed this issue which made the fairways look unbearable. These worms do tell you that your soil is in great condition.

Some solutions for these problems, as suggested in the article, can be grass selection which can determine the diseases you may be prone to and diseases that the cultivars may resist. Chemical changes are also a solution because some of the newer chemicals have fewer side effects. Irrigation practices can help supress these issues, because if we try to lessen the load, the cool, moist or warm and moist conditions can be reduce. This will hopefully result in less fungus formation. Our course tries to keep nitrogen application low to help keep green speeds quick (member request), however this leads to anthracnose issues on a few greens that do not have much morning sun. This low nitrogen is suggested in the article as a factor leading to anthracnose.

Overall, the low mowing and rolling we do frequently on greens all leads to mechanical stress on the greens. Issues now arise frequently because of the high demands of golfers, and their expectations to have a perfect course. With the level of maintenance and the practices being performed, the article states “ this has allowed better turfgrass quality to be maintained, but it may also provide a better environment for some emerging problems to persist.

The dilema of an internship

The hardest question a student in any Turfgrass Management program may be asked coming out of first year is, “Where are you going to do your internship?” This can be a very difficult question to answer. Each student has endless possibilities and numerous offers as to where they could go. A lot of students may be gearing towards their home course; however, there are many reasons not to.

The problem with going back to your home course is the possibility of going back into the same old routine of previous years. It is best to go somewhere that you can be guaranteed the most experience; especially considering it is only a few months that you are completing you internship. Some courses thrown at students include: TPC at Sawgrass in Florida, Augusta National in Georgia, and St. Andrews in Scotland, just to name a few. These courses would most likely provide students with the ultimate learning experience because of the money they have, as well as all the work they need completed. Additionally, the life experience that a top notch course could provide is unimaginable. To be part of a PGA Tour event, to help set up the course to meet unbeatable standards, and to mow the green that Tiger may be putting on is unbelievable. This definitely makes the decision on where to go either that much easier, or that much more difficult.

For myself, it is the decision between home course or TPC at Sawgrass. My home course, Deer Ridge Golf Club (mentioned in previous blogs), will be undergoing renovations. I would like the opportunity to experience the renovation, however, would like to be involved with the experience the TPC (Tournament Players Course) has to offer. My decision will have to be made after discussing the situation with my course superintendent and figuring out what the best opportunity would be. This huge decision is for my future so it will require a lot of thinking and planning.

2009 Turfgrass symposium proves to be an event

This year the 2009 Turfgrass Management students proved they were able to set up a professional symposium. The event, which was held at the Cutten Club in Guelph, hosted many industry professionals from around Ontario. Three industry professionals which included Dr. Tom Hsiang, a University of Guelph plant pathologist; Ron Schiedel of Green Horizons Compact Sod; and Keith Bartlett, Superintendent of St. Georges Golf and Country Club spoke at this year’s event. Each speaker had 45 minutes to provide their own experience on the topic of “Doing More with Less: Turf in Tough Times”

The symposium housed 126 turf industry professionals, including 60 first and second year turf students. This event was put on with the guidance of the three Turf Communications instructors, Owen Roberts, and Anne and Andrew Douglas. The whole purpose of this event was for the first year students to connect with industry professionals, get their names out in the business, and ultimately try to close an internship for the summer. Additionally, a large number of sponsors, including industry giants such as Turf Care, John Deere Golf and Syngenta, contributed generous donations which made this event possible. The event also included a “Beat the Clock” segment which involved five turf students providing their look into specific topics relating to the industry.

Overall I enjoyed this event; I personally think that it was well perceived by the attendees. The symposium included well rounded speakers, who most importantly made this event enjoyable. The speakers kept the show rolling, one after the other. We also made this event work! The class put on this stellar event in a few months, and it ended up being a truly professional event.

Turf Care is passionate about turf

Turf Care Products Canada Limited is based out of Newmarket, Ontario. They provide a wide range of products for the turf industry. They do, however, provide products to residential contractors as well as commercial suppliers. Turf Care provided one of the best tours for our 2010 turfgrass management class. They supplied us with coffee, food, toques, but most importantly they showed us their full line of products.

 

Turf Care is a company that takes pride in the fact that they want to help turf industry professionals as much as possible. Backing up this statement is the line of products they supply. They supply irrigation products for golf courses, as well as residential irrigation; outdoor aesthetic lighting; financial services for their products; the full line of Toro; and lastly, they provide service for all of the equipment they sell. Toro is a company that manufactures some of the best turf equipment available. Turf Care stands by Toro. The statement by sales manager Gary Morris was “Turf Care Products is about Toro, and ultimately selling lawnmowers”. The main objective of Turf Care is to sell commercial equipment to golf courses, municipalities, school boards, and general contractors.

 

I believe that Turf Care is a company that cares about the golf industry. They seem to provide the equipment that is needed as well as the services that a company may need. Turf Care has compassionate a staff who have worked in the turf industry themselves. It is realistic to say that they know what the turf manager wants.

  

Picture Source: www.turfcare.ca

Update on Deer Ridge renovation

As stated previously, Deer Ridge Golf Club is going to be undergoing a renovation. They were planning on doing a greens renovation, however, their plans might changed. The plans have started to turn in a new direction, leading to a full golf course renovation. This has caused a stir within the management due to the increase in cost. The change is brought forth by golf course architect, Thomas McBroom, the golf course architect who holds the rights for the renovation.

 

McBroom now wants to fully renovate Deer Ridge. He wants to extend current tee decks which will in turn lengthen various holes; renovate bunkers; add various species of trees in between the par 5’s; and lastly make new contours for all greens. This project now has escalated close to $2 million. This is the biggest issue with the members who will have to come up with the money themselves. The course is an equity share holder course, so their main concern is breaking even. This ultimately means that they do not withdraw bank loans. The money will have to be given by the members, which means larger annual dues for the upcoming season.

 

I think that a golf course renovation would be a great project for this course. Obviously I am slightly biased considering this would be tremendous experience for me. However, with that said, renovating the course would be a completely new experience for the members. It would bring the course up to an even higher level than it already is. I hope this goes through because it would be surreal to be a part of such a huge renovation.

PR takes over communications class

This week Tim O’Connor, PR for Nike Golf, PanAm Hockey and Clublink, spoke to the turfgrass management class. Tim has been Clublink’s public relations figure since 1998. Some years ago, Tim was a student editor at Western University. Over the years he has gone from journalist to PR.  Tim’s speech contained a lot of useful information that can help us in the preparation for our symposium.

 

Tim’s talk focused on the key elements of good communication. These key elements included: have a key message you would like to get across; know your facts, especially directly from creditable sources; develop an agenda, as well as staying with it; avoid speculation; stay connected, especially to the members and the pro shop staff; play golf and eat lunches; communicate; stay in tune with the events going on in the industry; and lastly, write down what you want to say before hand. This was very helpful information for us to focus on. We have the information needed to be able to communicate with confidence, and gain the respect of our colleagues.

 

I personally believe that all of the information Tim had provided for the class was excellent. This is mainly because the advice given will allow the person we are communicating with, to understand that we have an interest in the topic. It will also appear as though we have done our research. Lastly, I think that Tim’s advice to us should be taken to heart. I say this because Tim works with the golf industry, and it is a benefit to keep all the parties happy. I believe that communicating the information is the best way to keep a course running without any problems.

Unprecedented 2009 turfgrass symposium

Most industries have been struggling to make ends meet. This recession has a significant impact on the turf industry. Budgets are being cut, golf course rounds are decreasing, and some people just can’t afford to upkeep their lawn. Fortunately, the University of Guelph Turfgrass Management students are holding a symposium to illustrate some positive feedback into this whole situation; “Doing more with less, turf in tough times” is our hot topic. Our event will highlight some of the more problematic issues in the turf industry, as well as some of the solutions to these problems.

 

This much anticipated event has it all. Three speakers from the industry are going to lead this event with tips and strategies. These speakers include: Dr. Tom Hsiang from the University of Guelph, Ron Schiedel of Compact Sod, and Keith Bartlett of St. Georges Golf and Country Club. These speakers are aiming to help all the industry professionals in attendance make an easier adjustment to the changing times. This event is being held at the Cutten Club, a private golf course in Guelph, on November 27, 2009. There will be leading industry professionals, turfgrass students, and even sponsors.

 

I believe the best way to escape this situation is knowledge. With the speakers we have gathered, the information needed will be presented.  This event could be a defining moment in these unfortunate times. I think that an event of this size will be a great opportunity for employers, as well as students, to learn a great deal of information. This event will introduce us to industry professionals which will hopefully help us in the future.

Picture Courtesy of:  http://www.golfdigest.com/courses/2009/02/frugal_golfer

Deer Ridge gets greens renovation

Deer Ridge Golf Club in Kitchener, Ontario is the latest golf course in Ontario to go under the knife for a list of renovations. They are completing a full greens renovation, bunker renovation, and repaving all cart paths. The crew, including myself, is excited to see a change as well as be a part of such an overwhelming experience. This experience will be beneficial to all at the club.

 

Most golf courses will not go through with a renovation because of the cost, and the issue of having to close all, or part, of the course. At Deer Ridge, it took numerous amounts of meetings with the members to get extra funding. In turn, the club and members agreed which led to the renovation process. Deer Ridge has been open for only 11 years; however, with 400 members playing almost everyday, they want a change.  Course assistant Trevor Morvay states that this renovation is much anticipated by the staff. This is because they will be seeding with bentgrass, thus removing all the currently infiltrated Poa annua greens. They are renovating their greens to USGA specifications. The soil and the drainage will be perfect. Additionally, the renovation will be completed over a two year period in two phases; starting with the first 9 holes, then the second 9 holes.

 

Considering that I work at Deer Ridge, I am overly excited to be able to experience a renovation project. This renovation should provide the experience I need in order to excel in the industry. More importantly, it will allow the members to partake in a new experience on USGA specified greens. The playability will be surreal.

Hosting a PGA Tour event… in Canada

Hosting a PGA Tour event is not what most superintendents dream of.  According to, Scott Bomen, Glen Abbey Golf Course’s superintendent, there are a lot of courses in Ontario that could house the event, however they do not have the facilities to accommodate it. Scott has been involved with the last two Canadian Opens Glen Abbey has hosted. Glen Abbey is a top notch course and has a superintendent who has been involved with the PGA Tour; he definitely has the inside scoop on what they want.

The Canadian Open was hosted for the last two years by Glen Abbey. The PGA was closely involved with the setup. They strictly let Scott know what needed to be done to get the course up to par. When the tour was hosted in 2009, they were very straight forward about a few things. They required all greens to be consistent, not necessarily speedy. However, the main issue for the tour is finishing the day at 6pm. The television contracts are worth money and it is crucial to fit the event into the allotted time slot. The course should be maintained well enough to not have any delays. This includes filling in the hole from the previous round, perfectly.

In my opinion it would be a great experience to host a PGA tour event, however, it would be stressful. There are a lot of rules to abide by and a lot of pressure on making sure your course is up to the demands. One day I would enjoy being part of a PGA Tour event, just to experience the real deal and put all my skills to the ultimate test.

Renovation overdrive

A golf course renovation has many benefits but doesn’t happen very quickly. A renovation can be one of the most exciting experiences for a golf course and its turf staff. However, a renovation can be the most grueling and time consuming tasks. It takes a lot of effort for the maintenance crew to get the task across to its members. This is just what Lambton Golf and Country Club decided to do.

 

This project was in the developmental stages for a long time within the maintenance sector. There were many issues such as tree removal, safety of the community, and bad irrigation, which prompted this renovation. It took three phases to get it through with the members. Now they are completing a full course renovation with drastic changes to most holes. They have renowned architect, Rees Jones, overseeing the project, and the members are fully on board. Assistant superintendent, Chris Thompson, is excited about this project. He has noted that a private country club with prominent members should have a high caliber golf course to go along with it. Now it will. The course which is to be closed for about a year, will open August 4, 2010. The renovated course will include new bunkers and redesigned greens.

 

I think that this is the best thing to happen for the members and the staff. A renovation of this caliber doesn’t happen very often, and when it does, it always comes out on top. The members should be ecstatic about the new challenges and sights. The maintenance staff on the other hand will have a totally different course to maintain.