The Turf News - Atlantic Golf Superintendents Association

The Turf News
February 2014 • www.agsa.ca
Highlights!!!!
Supplier’s Messages
Irrigation Corner
Atlantic Conference
Table of Contents
Editor & President’s Messages................................................................................................5
Irrigation Corner....................................................................................................................6
Hunting Season.....................................................................................................................6
New from Irriplus..................................................................................................................8
Around the World of Turf......................................................................................................8
Veseys Equipment.................................................................................................................9
Reddin Golf & Turf..............................................................................................................10
Finishscapers Construction..................................................................................................11
Nova Turf Message..............................................................................................................12
The Cost of Being Super......................................................................................................12
The Mindful Superintendent................................................................................................13
Halifax Seed........................................................................................................................14
The Atlantic Turfgrass Conference & Trade Show..................................................................15
It’s All About the Gear.........................................................................................................16
Jim Trainor Article................................................................................................................17
Membership Rates
Class A & B
$100
Associate$100
Corporate$150
Student$38
Maintenance$50
4+ employees hired
by a Class A
$150
Ad & Article Deadlines
February (Supplier) January 15
May (Spring)
April 15
July (Summer)
June 15
October (Fall) September 15
Advertising Inquiries
Atlantic Golf Superintendents
Association Inc.
PO Box 2063
Fall River, Nova Scotia
B2T 1K6
T: (902) 861-1922
F: (902) 861-1923
E: [email protected]
W: agsa.ca
Turf News Co-Editors
Paul MacCormack
Barb Yorke
Above and cover photo by Mike Rossi, Nova Scotia.
The Turf News ~ February 2014
3
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Setting the right course of action.
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puts you in command of individual rotors from your central control computer, tablet, radio and
smart phone. The IC System helps save costs using significantly less wire and material, making
it easy to install, expand and adapt as your course grows and evolves. With the Rain Bird IC
System, you’re setting a course of action. Set your course at rainbird.com/ICS.
Editor’s Message President’s Message
Paul MacCormack,
Superintendent Fox Meadows
Golf & Country Club
[email protected]
It’s show time! That time of the year when
we put down the shovels for a few days,
pack up our fancy clothes and head to the
annual AGSA Conference and Trade Show.
This year’s event is being held in Moncton
for the first time, so if you are in the area
stop in and check it out.
This issue is the annual Suppliers edition
of the Turf News. We set aside a few pages
so all the hard working folks that provide
us with much needed products and support
can tell us a bit more about themselves.
We will also get a conference update from
Mark Perry, go behind the scenes and learn
a bit more about peddling turf gear, reflect
on the personal cost of being a golf course
superintendent, and get into more detail
with the mindful superintendent.
Thanks for reading and see you in
Moncton!
Scott Larsen, AGSA President
The winter is slipping by, and before we
know it we will be out there raking leaves
and getting the course ready for opening.
The winter has been quite different depending on where you call home. From Truro to
Halifax they have been enjoying an early
green up, while the rest of us are losing
sleep over possible ice damage. Predicting
the melt and removing snow at just the right
time has become yet another skill we Maritime Superintendents have had to develop.
The Board of Directors had a productive
meeting in January with lots of new ideas
and initiatives. It was decided that as a bonus
to suppliers that take out ad space on a yearly
basis in the Turf News will receive complimentary placement of their company logo
on our website. It is hoped this value added
initiative will encourage more suppliers to
take advantage of this marketing opportunity.
Speaking of the website, I would encourage all our members to log in and post a
comment in the “forum” section. You could
post a question, a problem you’re looking to
resolve, or an insight that could help others.
The forum is a tool that can not only help us
stay connected, but also help us to use our
collective wisdom to help each other out.
Mark Perry is in charge of putting together a monthly newsletter. If you have an item
to share with the Association, we’d love to
hear from you – anything from the birth of a
new child or grandchild, to an event in your
area. Also, if you have an interesting photo
to share, post it to Facebook. Story ideas are
always welcome at the Turf News desk, so
don’t be afraid to send them along.
Thanks to Sue, Barb and the Education
Committee for all their work on the upcoming conference in Moncton on Feb 25-27.
Looking forward to seeing the new venue
and hearing Dr.Rossi speak at the pre-conference. There are new suppliers at the trade
show this year, so please stop by for a chat.
Plans have yet to be finalized with regards
to locations for the AGSA/ATRF Scramble or
the Member Appreciation Days for the coming summer. If you are interested in hosting
an event, contact a member of the Board and
we will be happy to help make arrangements.
The most advanced, most durable and most flexible
irrigation products. Built for today’s golf courses.
The right choice.
Turf Care Products Canada
Jeremy PhilliPs, Golf Irrigation Sales & Technical Support • Ph: 416-347-4601
www.turfcare.ca
The Turf News ~ February 2014
5
Irrigation Corner
Barry Stone, CGIA
Happy New Year to everyone and may 2014
be great for your turf and golf course.
New Year’s bring fresh starts, and with
those fresh starts comes fresh ideas and a
wish list of things we want to accomplish
during the coming season. So to help out
with the irrigation side of things I have decided to give you my wish list for your irrigation systems and pumping setups.
1. Developing safe work guideline(s) for
all the inter-actions that your staff will
have with the system, this includes
proper usage of all types of irrigation,
repairs related to the system and proper
procedures for starting and stopping
any flow of water as it relates to the
pump sprinklers and piping network.
2. A detailed work sheet and schedule of
events that have been undertaken in
the pump house or to the pumps themselves, along with a record book kept on
site that details when anyone checks on
3.
4.
5.
6.
the building or equipment so times of
failures and problems can be accurately
pin pointed.
A person assigned to level and adjust
every sprinkler on the course so your irrigation water is not wasted along with
extra power consumption pumping
needless volumes of water.
A detailed audit of your system, where
every sprinkler has been observed and
notes made so that all problems can be
corrected.
All valve boxes and sprinklers have been
edged and their location marked on an
“as built” so both, current employees
and future employees will be able to
find these items in a speedy manner,
and proper action can be taken.
Pump houses are cleaned and any repairs required are completed prior to
start up, this also includes the proper
maintenance of the pump themselves
and the related valves.
7. Water quality is reviewed and thought
given to the need for filters, fountains
or underwater aerators.
8. Thought is given to the installation of
flow meters to record all water movements in the system and excellent records are available for future years.
9. For those needing renewals on water
permits, the process is started many
months before the expiry date as this
process can be very time consuming
and lengthy.
10.Before spending funds on new intake screens consult with the various
departments to determine if you fall
under the new rules for such items.
Please feel free to add your own items
and have a great spring startup
All the best from the irrigation corner
Barry K Stone CGIA
Hunting Season
Callum Haughn, Mill Ridge Golf Course
Now that the season has passed, everyone
is looking toward next year. For some, this
means moving up within our industry. Ambitious turf crew members are looking to
become technicians, technicians to become
assistants, and assistants to become superintendents. One major obstacle everyone
must navigate, to make that next step, is
the interview, and it can be a daunting task.
During my career I have been interviewed
a dozen times. Over the last few years I
have been fortunate to be involved in the
interview process from the point of the
interviewer. Some of these have been met
with great success. Others have left room
for improvement. No matter the outcome,
I was able to learn something from every
one of them. Hopefully this article will help
someone approaching that big interview
achieve their goals.
So at this point I am assuming you have
spent the hours preparing a great resume,
searched for the position you are looking
to fill, and have forwarded the resume. The
first step is going to be the phone call to set
up the interview.
6
It is important to keep in mind that the
person calling you has already begun to
form an opinion about you. Professionalism
is a must. If you don’t answer the phone
and your answering machine kicks in saying
“Roses are red, booger’s are green, please
leave your message on this stupid machine”
you are certainly not making the best first
impression. Keep in mind that when you
are in the job hunting market, individuals
other than your friends may be calling!
Secondly, assuming you answered the
phone; remember to ask a few questions.
Determine what style of interview you are attending. Interviews can vary greatly. Is it in a
board room, out on the course, or in the superintendent’s office? Will it be just you and
the superintendent? Will the greens committee or board of directors be there? Will there
be a test? By knowing this information you
will be able to properly prepare for what is to
come. This knowledge, in turn, will give you
confidence during the process.
Now that the date is set and the questions have been asked, the individual course
preparation can begin. Take time to gath-
er all the information you can about the
course. You can use the internet to find out
a lot, their mission statement, what kind of
golf they cater to, names of the people that
could attend the interview, etc.
Next, talk to people who have played
or worked there. Find out what they liked,
what they didn’t like, and what they might
improve. This information will give you
valuable insight into the mind- set of the
course hiring committee.
If it’s not -20c with two feet of snow, like
it is outside as I write this, go and walk the
course yourself. Getting out and walking the
property is a great way to make your own
observations. Do they have shade issues? Is
drainage a concern? What type of irrigation
system do they have? Grass types? By getting out on the course and actually seeing
it for yourself you are that much more prepared for what questions may come.
Ensure that you know where you are going before the day of the interview. Let’s be
honest, it is 2014, the excuse “Sorry I’m late
I didn’t know where I was going” is no longer valid. Although I have personally never
The Turf News ~ February 2014
had to say that to anyone, I have had it said
to me on a few occasions. Almost all of
the resumes I receive are via e-mail, which
means that at some point you are able to
gain access to the internet. Once resumes
are assessed, and successful candidates are
chosen for interviews, a quick scan of the
internet is becoming almost second nature.
It’s possible I already know what color your
front door is, what you look like, and maybe
even what you had for breakfast. Travel directions are available on the internet; you
can virtually drive anywhere you want with-
out leaving your desk. Take the time to know
exactly where you are going. Being late for
the interview is a very bad impression!
So now you are at the interview. You
have prepared for it as much as you can.
You’re dressed for success, you’ve done
your research, arrived on time, and knew
what to expect. What could be left? The
most important part of the whole process,
BREATHE! The people sitting there invited
you. They want to hear what you have to
say. Just relax, be yourself, and do your
best. Don’t try to be someone you’re not.
Belvedere Golf Club is one of the oldest
golf courses on Prince Edward Island,
situated on 140 acres within the City
limits of Charlottetown is now accepting applications for the position of 2nd Assistant for the
2014 season. This is an 8 month position with a possibility of
leading into year round employment.
Responsibilities:
• Report daily to the Turfgrass Manager.
• Allocates and assigns personnel and equipment in the most
efficient and cost effective manner.
• Training and direction of all golf course maintenance team.
• Supervise repair, maintenance supplies and equipment.
• Maintain accurate records.
• Proficient oral and written communication skills
The Turf News ~ February 2014
Just show them you are the professional
that your resume says you are.
Last but not least, don’t sweat it if you
are not chosen for the position. You just
had a valuable learning experience that you
wouldn’t have received otherwise. More
jobs will become available and more opportunities will present themselves. The things
that you are able to take away from the experience will only help you in the future.
Good luck to everyone looking to take that
next step this winter, you deserve it.
Qualifications:
• 2-3 years experience in a supervisory role as part of a
turf-care team.
• Have a Degree or Diploma in Turf Management.
• Valid chemical applicator’s license.
• A strong understanding of turfgrass agronomy.
• A commitment to ensuring a safe and efficient work
environment.
• An understanding of sound business practises and budgeting
Application Deadline: February 28, 2014
Please forward resumes along with salary expectations to:
Email: [email protected]
We thank all those who apply for their interest but only
those selected for an interview will be contacted.
7
News from Irriplus
As we start another year in the golf world,
and look back at 2013, it makes one wonder just what Mother Nature will toss our
way for the coming season. However, being solid Maritimer’s we will always carry a
positive outlook and rise to the occasion. To
all of our clients and friends, we wish you a
Happy New Year and a heartfelt thank you
for your continued patronage during the
past season. We look forward to working
with you all again during the coming year.
On that note it is the prayer of Irri Plus
that Mike from Lost Creek can carry that
positive outlook. We as fellow friends and
co-workers will be able to support and help
both he and his family through the coming months. We certainly wish them all the
best and Mike a complications free recovery.
In the world of irrigation Rain Bird, continues to lead the way with the new IC
system. We are proud to have one being
installed at Brunello Estates here in Halifax.
This new system offers all the benefits that
you have come know with decoders, but
8
now you can have those benefits without
the decoders on the IC system.
Another option from Rain Bird that is
proving very useful with supers is the MI
setup. In simple terms, this allows a user
to setup a website with their irrigation software and then have full access via a smart
phone to your irrigation system. It allows
all the features of a Freedom system at a
lower cost point and offers some additional
features and benefits.
Irri Plus will be attending both the American and Canadian Turfgrass Conferences
and we look forward to seeing any of our
clients at these events. We will see you in
Moncton February 25-27, at the Atlantic
Turfgrass Conference & Trade Show.
Again we would like to thank everyone for
their support and wish you all a great season
in 2014. For those who yet to visit our new
shop we are at 580 Wright Ave Suite 100.
Respectfully
Krista and Barry
Around the
World of Turf
New green at Priddis Greens in Alberta.
A chilly irrigation blowout at the Northmoor
Country Club, Illinois.
The Turf News ~ February 2014
The Turf News ~ February 2014
9
10
The Turf News ~ February 2014
Finishscapers is Atlantic Canada’s best solution for renovation projects. With over ten
years of golf course construction experience,
we offer flexibility and competitive rates that
can make your next project a reality. From
the planning stages through to the finished
product, Finishscapers can make that new
green feasible or a troublesome drainage issue a thing of the past.
Some of the projects from the 2013 season included:
• Resurfacing tee decks at Fox Meadow Golf
& Country Club (PE)
able to work side by side with your in house
staff to keep costs low. By adding that extra
layer of experience and the necessary equipment, projects that would be cost prohibitive to do on your own become reality. Our
staff work directly with Superintendents and
owners to make sure the project fits your
schedule and the job is done right.
Look for our booth at the AGSA Conference and Trade Show in Moncton from Feb.
25-27. Lyle and Allison will be there to answer all your questions and take bookings for
the 2014 season. We look forward to seeing
you there.
• Bunker renovation and tee resurfacing at
Belvedere Golf & Country Club (PE)
• New hole construction at Strathgartney
Highlands (PE)
• Grading and field work for new clubhouse
construction at Countryview Golf Course
(PE)
• Master planning work with Rustico Resort
and Tennis Club (PE)
Our best asset is our size. By keeping our
company streamlined and efficient, we are
Fox Meadow Golf & Country Club (PE)
Belvedere Golf & Country Club (PE)
www.finishscapers.com
(902)388-1001
The Turf News ~ February 2014
11
Thank You from Nova Turf…
What a start to the winter… extreme cold,
unusual snow falls, torrential rains and
a January thaw!! We can only hope that
things do not plummet into a deep freeze
before the ice and excess moisture are gone
and a nice blanket of snow covers your
sleeping turfgrass.
With 2013 in the books and 2014 coming on quickly, we at Nova Turf would
like to say THANK YOU for your continued support in making us your choice as
your preferred supplier in the professional
turf market. We continue to build on the
strength of existing relationships with our
suppliers to ensure that we have the knowledge and products available to us to best
support your day to day needs. With a vast
array of tools available to the industry we
think we have used your feedback to make
informed decisions about the products that
we bring to the market.
• TDR 300 Moisture Meter from Spectrum
Technologies – With a continuing em-
phasis on water management for environmental, fiscal and plant health concerns,
this tool has quickly become a must-have
in the Superintendent tool box
• Turfscreen – It seems each year Superintendents are having to deal with an extended period of extreme temperatures
during the growing season and Trufscreen, sunscreen for grass, is another
tool that has seen great success in helping turf excel during these drastic elements.
• JRM Tines and Bedknives – JRM continues to lead the market with innovative,
long lasting and affordable choices for
cultural practices along with your day to
day turf maintenance. From their vast selection of tines for any venting need you
may have to long lasting and affordable
bedknives, JRM has the product for you.
While at the show, please stop to say hello and get all of the up-to-date information
from our valued Channel Partners:
• Ferti-Technologies – Envirosol and
Nutrite Fertilizers
• Pickseed Canada
• Syngenta Professional Turf Products
• Engage Agro
• JRM Aeration Products and Bedknives
• Standard Golf Accessories
• Par Aide Accessories
• UAP Canada – Par III, Respond3 and
Respond3 G, Spot Treatment Tablets
• Vinyl-Guard
• HPI – Evergreen Turf Covers
• Spectrum Technologies
Enjoy what is left of the “Off” season and
best wishes moving into 2014.
Sincerely,
Mike [email protected]
Matt [email protected]
Mike [email protected]
Randi [email protected]
The Cost of Being Super
Adam Garr, Plum Hollow Golf & Country Club
(Editor’s note: This is the first of two wonderful blog posts written by Adam. The
second one will follow up in the next issue)
I’m a golf course superintendent. I wake
up before the birds. I am fueled on caffeine,
sugar and adrenaline. I have the worst farmer’s tan you’ve ever seen. I grind my teeth
when I see a cart parked too close to a green.
I don’t punch a clock so I never know when
my day will end. I bite my tongue when I
am regularly assaulted about green speed.
Most people think all I do is drive around
all day on a cart. I know the golf course better than the most-tenured member. I am a
motivator, a scientist, a counselor, a disciplinarian, a politician, and a psychologist –
sometimes all at the same time. I race the
setting sun on my way home. And I wake
up and do it again the next day.
I’m a superintendent and I love my job.
But there’s a hidden cost to this business,
12
and it’s not something you learn in turf
school. It’s something you learn once you
get out here and realize this isn’t just a
job, it’s a way of life. You must be committed to what you’re doing, and you must
believe in yourself and get your staff to
believe in you. You must be the hardest
working guy on staff, and lead by example.
You have to love the course like it’s your
own property – but it’s NOT your property,
it belongs to the members and you must
never forget that.
At Michigan State University, I learned
all about soil profiles, turfgrass physiology,
pesticide applications, and just about every
aspect of golf course management with the
exception of one glaring omission: balancing one’s life with “the job.”
At times I feel like my standards are
higher than the expectations of my membership, and most certainly my budget.
It’s tough to reconcile the difference some-
times. If I want something done outside
my budgetary constraints, I end up doing it
myself on my own time. It’s a curse to pursue this level of perfectionism, but it drives
me almost as certainly as it does for many
of my peers. I love hard work, getting dirty
and going home with the scars to prove it. I
love seeing the finished product. I like being
proactive, not reactive. It becomes an addiction over time.
But this level of commitment to the job
comes with a high cost. I have missed birthday celebrations, weekend trips up north,
weddings, barbecues, and sporting events
because the course called to me louder
than my family. Other times I came home
so tired, I was virtually useless around the
house. This loss of balance catches up to
you over time, wears on you, wears harder on those around you, and eventually it
forces you to take notice that something’s
missing.
The Turf News ~ February 2014
A couple weeks ago, a phrase popped
into my head and has stuck with me ever
since: “Don’t blame the job for your own
personal shortcomings. It all comes down
to personal choices and making time for the
things that really matter.”
Do I really need to be here 15 hours a
day, essentially watching the grass grow
at times? I have two young daughters at
home, and they need their father more than
the golf course (needs me) at 6 p.m. on a
Sunday. There is only so much I can do out
here, anyway. I am not Superman. I have
limitations, both physical and mental. I am
no good to anyone worn down, tired, and
mentally fatigued.
If you find yourself nodding your head in
agreement, then my advice is to find a way
to balance your life. Make it work. Find the
time, and make the time. Commit to a life
outside of the golf course. Find a hobby, and
one that both you and your family can all
enjoy. The course will still be there tomorrow, and young kids grow like weeds. Blink
and you’ll find yourself scratching your head
wondering where all that time went.
I’m certainly not advocating for you to
abandon your responsibilities at work, rather to encourage you to examine how you
choose to budget your time. They don’t
teach you this stuff in school. It’s all right
to have lofty goals, and to continue that
endless pursuit of perfection, but every man
must know his limits.
Are you willing to pay that high of a
price? Sometimes there is a cost for trying
to be too super.
The Mindful Superintendent: The Devil is in…
Paul MacCormack, Superintendent Fox Meadow Golf & Country Club
I was fortunate enough to take a few days
off last fall and take a trip with my extended
family. This trip has grown into an annual
family ritual that we all enjoy. This year’s
edition took us to the beautiful town of Mahone Bay, located on the south shore of the
province of Nova Scotia.
While it was great to get away and recharge a wee bit, there was something
else that caught a great deal of my attention while in this town. Mahone Bay is an
old town with a rich shipbuilding heritage.
Many of the towns founders were craftsman
and ship builders, and it was reflected in the
architecture of its homes and buildings.
The craftsmanship and detail work present
in the structures of this small town were a
throwback to a different era. By stopping and
examining the scroll work, the dormers, the
sills, and the ornate doorways, one could not
help but appreciate the amount of dedication
and skill it took to create these buildings. You
could see in the detail that it not only took
an immense amount of talent and creativity
to craft these works of art, but it also took
something else: time.
These
craftsmen
knew that to create a
lasting impression with
their work, it would take
both time and patience
to do it right. They knew
that rushing through the
process only to get the
job done was not going
to cut it. Creating structures that were both
functional and beautiful took an immense
amount of dedication
The Turf News ~ February 2014
and knowledge. These buildings are lasting
monuments to an age when craftsmanship
trumped expediency.
While looking at these fine examples
of architecture I could not help reflect on
our industry, and what separates the really
great superintendents from simply the good
ones. Great superintendents know that
the devil is not only in the details, but in
the right ones. Not the superfluous ones
like waterfalls or acre-sized annual beds
(although if you have them you still need
to maintain them), but in the details that
make truly great golf courses. Things like
judicious tree management, true greens, or
resilient turf that can hold its own when
times get rough are but a few of the details
that really great superintendents focus on.
They know that they are stewards of a property that will long outlast their tenure, and
they are responsible for its ongoing legacy.
“Great superintendents know that the
devil is not only in the details, but in the
right ones...” By taking the time to get things right
and staying true to the details, great superintendents ensure the continued success of
their courses. Rome was not built in a day,
and neither were any of the great courses in
the world of golf. So keep a long range view
in all that you do. Whether its organic matter management, mowing lines, or irrigation
management, know that by focusing on the
finer details and going the extra mile to do a
job right, you will go a long way in creating
a lasting work of art.
13
News From Halifax Seed
Halifax Seed would like to thank you for
your support in 2013 and wish everyone a
happy and successful 2014. We would like
to take this opportunity to bring attention
to a few of our products that we feel can
help superintendents achieve their goals
and succeed in 2014.
Primo Maxx is a valuable tool that every
superintendent can utilize to improve turf
health and improve playing conditions. Most
superintendents are well aware that Primo
Maxx reduces mowing and provides more
consistent greens speeds but the turf health
benefits often get overlooked. Primo Maxx
inhibits vertical growth and increases turf
density and carbohydrate production. The
result is increased root mass and turf that is
more resistant to environmental stresses.
Trilogy is proving to be an excellent
choice for snow mould control with great
spring results in 2012 and 2013. In the
summer of 2013 the Trilogy label was ex-
panded to include dollar spot and anthracnose. Trilogy is manufactured by Bayer and
is comprised of three existing chemistries
Iprodione (Rovral Green), Tryfloxystrobin
(Compass) and Triticonazole (Triton).
CSI ryegrass is an innovative new variety
from Jacklin Seed that has a creeping growth
habit via reproductive tillers. This creeping
growth habit is so unique for ryegrass that
it has a US patent. The unique growth habit
combined with its dark green color and fine
leaf texture will make an ideal product for
overseeding divot repairs on tees or any
other areas of your course that may require
quick turf establishment.
Superintendents are very pleased with
the performance of Aquatrol’s Revolution.
Revolution is a wetting agent with a unique
chemical formulation that balances the air
to water ratio in the soil allowing firmer,
faster putting surfaces while reducing irrigation requirements and improving plant
health.
Polyon fertilizer continues to be a very
reliable nitrogen source. Agrium, the manufacturers of Polyon, have developed the
Polygraph software program that inputs
data such as coating thickness, application
rates and the environmental data for your
region to accurately predict the nitrogen release on a weekly basis. The use of Polyon
fertilizer in conjunction with the Polygraph
program has proven to be very useful in
helping superintendents reduce their nitrogen inputs while still maintaining healthy
turf with optimum growth.
In addition to the above mentioned products Halifax Seed has a wide variety of plant
protection products, seeds, fertilizers and
golf course accessories to help ensure you
have a successful season.
Contact Halifax Seed to discuss your turf
needs: Halifax Seed Company, 5860 Kane
Street, Halifax, NS, B3K 5L8.
Ph: 902-454-7456 … 800 565 1622
Fax: 902-455-5271
Atlantic Canada’s Turf Care Supplier
CRB111/Lely
For more information about these products,
please call:
Mike Young
(902) 497 - 2483
Matt Giles
(902) 478 - 3843
Mike Forsythe
(506) 381 - 7114
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P.O. Box 38082, 95 Akerley Blvd
Dartmouth, N.S. B3B 1X2
Office: (902) 434 - 9977 Fax: (902) 434 - 8589
e-mail: [email protected]
www.novaturf.ca
The Turf News ~ February 2014
The Atlantic Turfgrass Conference & Trade Show
Casino New Brunswick, Moncton, NB – February 25-27, 2014
The 2014 Atlantic Turfgrass Conference
and Trade Show will take place in Moncton,
NB. After successive years of the show being held in Halifax, it was time for a change.
This years’ show will be held at the Casino
New Brunswick Hotel. The new facility will
offer members and industry representatives
a fresh new look for the event and a chance
to reach new Superintendents.
The educational component of
this year’s event
is once again full
of many great
speakers and topics. The full day
speakers program
will be highlighted
by Dr. Frank Rossi,
Cornell University. Dr. Frank Rossi
Dr. Rossi will be speaking on various topics
related to “Sustainable golf turf management
in a climate Sensitive World”. Dr. Rossi is
well known throughout turf circles as a great
speaker and is a regular contributor to the
very popular website, Turfnet. His many
years of research and on-site practical experiences will help all those in attendance.
Another one of our Tuesday course offerings is “Golf Course Tree Management”.
This seminar will be delivered by Tracey
MacKenzie, from the Dalhousie Agricultural College. All golf courses that exist in
the world have some issue as it pertains to
trees and their good and bad qualities. Mr.
Mackenzie will offer some insight into “The
Value and Importance of Trees” and most
importantly “Trees vs. Turf”. The seminar
will be sure to offer some great conversation and discussion about a topic that has
been talked about for years.
On Tuesday evening our trade show
component of the conference will begin.
The Tuesday evening social and trade show
will start off with some short speeches and
the presentation of the Superintendent of
the Year award. The evening will continue
with many of our local suppliers showcasing their products and offering insight to
everything that is new in the world of turf.
Our Wednesday speakers program is once
again full of interesting topics and speakers.
Dr. Rossi will once again be offering some
insight into pesticide use and ball roll. Our
local superintendents will also be highlighted as Paul MacCormack, Fox Meadow and
Adam Calver, Cabot Cliffs will speak on the
“Most Valuable Asset: The superintendent”
and “The Cabot Cliffs Project”. The day will
wrap-up with our very popular Superintendents Panel. This year’s topic is “Managing
Your Budget”. The panel will be moderated
by Mr. Dave Davey.
Wednesday evening is our social at Dooly’s Pool Hall in Moncton with food and
drinks available. Shuttle buses will be available to all those attending.
The Thursday morning session will start
with “The Superintendent Chemist”. This
will be delivered by Marie Thorne, Syngenta. We will once again be briefed on national association matters with an address
Turfgrass Manager
Belvedere Golf Club is one of the oldest
golf courses on Prince Edward Island,
situated on 140 acres within the City
limits of Charlottetown is now accepting applications for the
position of Turfgrass Manger for the 2014 season. This is a
9-10 month position with a possibility of leading into year
round employment.
Responsibilities:
• Report daily to the Director of Golf.
• Allocates and assigns personnel and equipment in the
most efficient and cost effective manner.
• Training and direction of all golf course maintenance
team.
• Supervise repair, maintenance supplies and equipment.
• Maintain accurate records.
• Proficient oral and written communication skills
The Turf News ~ February 2014
from our Atlantic
Representative,
Kendall Costain
and CGSA Executive Director,
Ken Cousineau.
They will also
be reporting on
various research
projects that have Adam Calver at Cabot
been undertaken Cliffs
by the CGSA and
have been generously supported by the
ATRF. Another Thursday morning session
will be “Water Management on the Golf
Course” This will be offered by Heather Fraser, Natural Resources Program Coordinator.
The AGSA board of directors would like
to thank the organizing committee for their
efforts in pulling this event together. This
event would not happen without the leadership and direction of our conference organizer Sue Crawford. Sue has worked tirelessly in
developing another strong speakers program
and has been instrumental in filling our exhibitor’s booth space for this year’s event.
A special thanks also is extended to AGSA
board members Pascal Richard, Kevin Wentzell, Mark Perry and our executive director
Barb Yorke for their input and assistance.
Casino New Brunswick is sure to offer all attendees great entertainment, great
food and a great time. The AGSA board of
directors wishes all attendees an excellent
conference.
See You in Moncton!!!!
Qualifications:
• 3-5 years experience in a supervisory role as part of a turfcare team.
• Have a Degree or Diploma in Turf Management.
• Valid chemical applicator’s license.
• A strong understanding of turfgrass agronomy.
• A commitment to ensuring a safe and efficient work
environment.
• An understanding of sound business practises and budgeting
Application Deadline: February 21, 2014
Please forward resumes along with salary expectations to:
Email [email protected]
We thank all those who apply for their interest but only
those selected for an interview will be contacted.
15
It’s All About the Gear
Paul MacCormack ~ Superintendent Fox Meadows Golf & Country Club
[email protected]
In an effort to give Superintendents a more
well rounded view of our industry, we like
to use the Supplier’s Issue to look behind
the scenes and show you what they might
be thinking. This time we are going to focus
on the gear heads; all those who peddle the
machinery we use every day to keep our turf
in top condition.
The downturn in the golf industry has
definitely affected golf courses around the
region. We have all had to adjust our practices, evaluate our priorities, and sometimes
make do with what we have. But it is not
just the courses that have been affected. Like
most industries the suppliers and the end
users are wound together, and what affects
one has a direct affect, in turn, on the other.
Back in the early 1990s, the amount of
new course construction across the region
was staggering. These new courses all needed mowers, aerators, topdressors, and all the
rest of the gear that makes a turf department
run smoothly. Large fleets were the order of
the day, and the big deals became commonplace. But with the slowdown in new construction and the overall slowdown within
the golf industry as a whole, the era of “flipping the fleet” became a rare occurrence.
More and more courses are turning to different options, not only to maintain their
fleets, but also with regards to replacement
options. Jim Trainor, of Reddins Turf, has
definitely seen changes over the past few
years, “Manufacturers are designing more
user friendly equipment such as reel units
that an operator can adjust without the assistance of a technician as some courses
cannot afford a full time technician. Productivity will be essential in the future with
one machine doing various tasks on the golf
course.” Jim also notes that sometimes what
goes around comes around, “Rough mowers
20 years ago were tow behind gangs. The
John Deere E-Cut
16
trend shifted to rotaries, then larger rotaries.
Now the trend is shifting back to large tow
behind rotaries due to the fuel costs to operate 2 engines vs. 1 tractor.”
Along with echoing many of Jim’s sentiments, Gerry Simpson of Veseys Turf Equipment also pointed to the cost of a sale as
a major factor in the bottom line of a turf
equipment company. “When a Superintendent buys a piece of gear, there is a lot of
behind the scenes action that takes place
to make the sale a reality.” Gerry points to
things like staffing, the amount of travel involved with demonstrations of new equipment, or even keeping used gear at your Toro Fairway Mower
facility, as some of the hidden costs that
Superintendents don’t always consider. up negotiating with club presidents, man“There are a lot of things that have to fall agers and directors.” He adds. “As I see it,
clubs will be hanging onto some of their
into place in order to make the sale.”
Tom Jubis, of Eastern Turf, agrees that equipment longer and the service techs will
travel can be an ordeal. “It can be challeng- be doing a lot more re-builds to keep older
ing at the best of times given the geograph- equipment going.”
There is an old piece of wisdom that
ic adversity within the territory we cover,”
says Tom. “The drives can be long between says; “the only real truth is change”. Our inappointments and a lot of time is spent at dustry has seen its fair share over the years
the wheel gulping down a sandwich when and I think it would be safe to assume the
you stop and grab one at the next fuel sta- trend will continue. Despite this propention. But it’s always great to see customers sity for change some things still remain the
and turf maintenance staff gathers around same. We leave the last word to Tom Jubis,
when you show up with something new to “I know this is a very competitive business,
and as sales people we win some and we
demonstrate.”
All three of our dealers made reference to lose some. But at the end of the day, I don’t
the shift in buying habits of Atlantic Cana- think there are too many courses a sales rep
dian golf courses. “Forecasting purchases pulls into where he is not welcomed with a
one to two years in advance has become smile and a handshake. You still develop a
the norm. Golf courses are being run as lot of friendships even if you don’t win all
businesses by very smart people.” says Jim. the business.”
Courses have to examine all
of their purchasing habits,
and turf equipment is often times the one that gets
stretched out, if possible.
“We are seeing more of a
shift to quality pre-owned
equipment as a real alternative for many facilities.”
Gerry adds “They are simply
trying to stretch every dollar
they have.”
Tom referred to this
change in terms of both volume and the bottom line.
“There are times the purchasing decisions are not
solely in the hands of the
superintendent and we end Jacobson Eclipse 322
The Turf News ~ February 2014
AGSA Newsletter
As we continue to help and serve our
membership, you are encouraged to forward
any interesting stories, pictures or happenings to include in newsletter or website. If
you have any pictures or a story of a project
or event, send it along.
Be sure to check out the new monthly
AGSA Newsletter, Greenside. Coordinator
Mark Perry will work to keep members up to
date on the latest AGSA news and events.
“Greenside” – News and Notes
from the AGSA – January 2014
On behalf of the AGSA board, we would
like to welcome you to our new “Greenside” newsletter. This monthly newsletter
will be forwarded to all AGSA members and
industry representatives in an effort to improve our membership communications.
Our website, www.agsa.ca, continues to
offer our members up to date information
with regards to such things as job postings, conference information, member forum, Industry links, etc. Our hope with this
monthly newsletter is to better inform our
members of association happenings, special
events, etc.
2014 Conference Information
The Atlantic Turfgrass Conference & Trade
Show is scheduled for February 25th-27th,
2014. This year’s event will take place in
Moncton, NB. All the conference information for members and industry representatives can be found at www.agsa.ca. If you
have any questions regarding the conference, please contact Sue Crawford at [email protected].
Conference Accommodations
Casino New Brunswick and the neighboring Amsterdam Inn & Suites are providing
members with special room pricing. Be sure
to ask for the AGSA conference group reservations when booking. Casino New Brunswick 1-877-859-7775 / Amsterdam Inn &
Suites 1-800-468-2828.
Congratulations!!
Best wishes go out to “Grandpa” Brian
Gouthro on a new addition to the family.
Take it easy at Toys-R-Us eh Brian!!
Best Wishes & Speedy Recovery
The AGSA board and all of its members
wish to pass on our best wishes to board
member Mike Duchesne, Superintendent at
Lost Creek Golf Club. Mike had an unfortunate accident in the fall of 2013 and we
wish him a speedy recovery.
Board Meeting
The board of the AGSA met on Thursday,
January 16th. Meeting minutes will be posted to the website shortly. Thanks to Pascal Richard for hosting the meeting at Fox
Creek Golf Club.
Atlantic Golf Superintendents Association Inc.
PO Box 2063
Fall River, Nova Scotia, B2T 1K6
Telephone: 902-861-1922
Fax: 902-861-1923
Executive Director: Barb Yorke
[email protected]
Website: www.agsa.ca
Ashburn Golf Club – Spray Technician Position
The New Course at Ashburn Golf Club, home of the 2014
Web.com Tour stop, is seeking a spray technician. This is a
seasonal (usually 9 months a year) position. The New Course
is located in Windsor Junction, Nova Scotia.
The successful applicant will be self-motivated, disciplined,
and dedicated to achieving high standards in their work. She/
he will be required to work both independently and cooperatively as part of a larger maintenance crew. The technician
will be responsible for overseeing fertilizer and chemical applications, record keeping and supervision of part-time and
seasonal staff. The person in this position reports to the Assistant Superintendent and the Golf Course Superintendent.
Responsibilities:
• Ongoing liaison with Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent
• Plan and assist in safe, timely and accurate fertilizer and
chemical applications
• Serve as a member of the Occupational Health and Safety
Committee
• Assist in day-to-day operations and maintenance at the
golf course
The Turf News ~ February 2014
Qualifications:
• Valid Nova Scotia Pesticide Certificate of Qualification
• Sound understanding of agronomics
• Relevant experience at an intensely maintained golf course
• Valid Driver’s Licence and access to a vehicle (no public
transit to golf course)
• Basic computer skills, including knowledge of Word and
Excel
Our goal at Ashburn is to provide our membership and their
guest with the highest standard of conditioning and remain
one of Atlantic Canada premier golf clubs. We work to provide
our employees with a safe and positive work environment
where individuals can strive to achieve their fullest potential.
Please submit cover letters and resumes by email only to the
attention of Brian Gouthro, Superintendent, New Course at
[email protected]
All applications and resumes are held confidentially. We thank
all applicants in advance, however only selected candidates
will be contacted for interviews.
Deadline for Applications is March 1, 2014
17
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Adventurer Two
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