NGCOA Canada News

THROUGH THE GREEN BILL BROWN
President’s Commentary
Taking Control
of the
Green Agenda
What is wrong with this picture?
We are the custodians of green spaces in urban
and rural areas across this great country – and
doing more to protect the environment than any
group in Canada, in my opinion - and yet we are
being painted as villains by some environmentalists.
Should public perception not be exactly the
opposite of what it seems to be? I think it should.
We should take every opportunity to get out
to the public, stakeholders and politicians our
positive message about our concern for the
environment. The foundation of that message is
the NGCOA Canada’s environmental position
statement, approved last winter by your board. I
would ask you, as well as your key high profile
employees and club officers, to familiarize yourselves with this statement. Please, use it if you find
yourself under siege about the golf industry’s
effects on the environment at a public meeting, a
municipal council meeting or a cocktail party.
By the way, this statement was crafted by a
special committee and approved by the whole
board after much discussion, but it has not been
cast on tablets of stone. If any member has any
thoughts on improving it, please submit your
suggestions and the board will consider them.
The fact is we have been badly out maneuvered
by people who, while their concern for the
environment is sincere, their knowledge of golf
course maintenance is not very strong. The ability
of these people or groups to control public opinion
is very strong. We need to take them on, arming
ourselves with our environmental statement and a
calm, rational approach.
We must make certain that people understand
we are not spraying chemicals indiscriminately and
in huge volumes whenever we feel like it. We all
know we do not do that both for economic reasons
and because of our concerns for the environment.
GOLF BUSINESS CANADA
Summer 2008
We need to drive home the point to the public how
careful we are with our chemicals, how well-trained
our employees are in their use and how sparingly
we use them.
When engaging in any discussions at the
grassroots level, from town hall meetings to
backyard barbeques, avoid inflammatory rhetoric.
Don’t call people “tree huggers.” Explain our
position in a calm and cool manner with the
confidence science is on our side. On a macro level,
your Association is working closely with other
industry stakeholders like the RCGA, CSCM, CGIA,
CGSA and the CPGA. NAGA is the body which is
heading this collective initiative.
Also, a reminder of one of my favourite
requests: Please support our research group to
help us, among other things, develop benchmarks
on the importance of golf in our country. This
information will add strength to our arguments
and help us prove to the public and anyone else
what an important industry we have in our
wonderful country.
Let’s get our message out there and make this a
great summer.
Bill Brown
President, NGCOA Canada
[email protected]
55
News
NGCOA Canada
Get scientific
in your reporting
– it’s not as
complicated as
it sounds!
Hilton Head a hit with the Travel Club
UPDATE
A yardstick for courses
Each month end when you get your
financial statement and compare the
figures to the previous month or to
the same month last year, you are
benchmarking: comparing the performance of your business against itself.
It is likely that you consider this
process critical to how you measure
your level of success. If you have a
good network of colleagues you might
also compare some thoughts with
each other. One of the most often
asked questions between different
golf operations is “How are things
going?” Ultimately, you want to know
if they are having a similar season.
What do you do with all these comparisons? Maybe you change your marketing plan or maybe you pat yourself
on the back.
Getting it right
The Compensation and Benefits Report, presenting
regional benchmarks for 12 key management
positions, will be available this summer. This data
was gathered from the survey completed in April.
This is a valuable management tool in times of a
tight labour market and when negotiating personnel
contracts. It is available to participating NGCOA
Canada members at no charge and to others for a
nominal fee. Please contact the national office at
866-626-4262 for specific rates and to arrange
delivery.
In the end we
will achieve a
methodology that
will allow “apples
to apples”
comparisons.
Apples to apples
comparisons
The
newest
benchmarking
tool available to
NGCOA Canada members
is the Standard Chart of Accounts (SCA).
This was developed for use by golf facility
operators to provide standardized reporting of revenue and expense items on
financial reports. As our industry matures
and more sophisticated reporting is
expected by outside organizations such as
lending institutions, it will be imperative
that those financial numbers are reported
consistently across the country. The SCA
is a tool to facilitate this; we have taken
the most common line items and created
definitions that will help us all report
56
numbers in the same way. For example,
when reporting “utilities expenses” everyone will include “all utilities associated with
the operation of the facility including
hydro, propane, gas, heating, oil, water
and sewage, cable and satellite.” In certain
cases, adjustments will be needed to
existing reporting systems; some operators
may use the SCA in conjunction rather
than in place of existing systems.
For more details and current
status of research projects please click
the golf research center logo at
www.ngcoa.ca.
The NGCOA Canada’s Research
Department Rounds Played Reports
now allow you to do this benchmarking
in specific areas on a national and/or
regional level with reliable data. The
Rounds Played Report will provide
comparative numbers for your business
from year to year and to similar courses.
This will allow you to measure the
success of your programs while taking
into account some factors that are
beyond your control such as weather.
Participating numbers continue to
increase each month; however we
require input to ensure we meet critical
mass numbers in all segments and
regions. With these numbers the
reports will become more meaningful
to you.
Some new faces and several returning members
were on board for a memorable Travel Club
week on Hilton Head Island.
If anyone has the opportunity to visit
South Carolina, they are wise to spend some
time at The Sea Pines Resort. Not only are the
amenities at The Sea Pines Resort second to
none – world-class golf courses and tennis facilities,
horse back riding, cycling, boating and fine
dining - but the customer service standards at
the resort are extraordinary. Every aspect of
the service at The Sea Pines Resort is secondto-none. The Travel Club attendees received
individual attention from each and every staff
member at The Sea Pines Resort, in particular
the terrific staff at the Inn at Harbour Town.
Mr. Cary Corbitt, Director of Sports at The
Sea Pines Resort, provided the Travel Club with
a personal welcome and an overview of the
resort’s history, golf courses and legacy as well
as a unique insight into the vivid history of the
island, the resort and the resort’s golf courses.
The highlight, no doubt for all, was having
the opportunity to play the world-class
Harbour Town Golf Links, home of the PGA
TOUR’s Heritage Classic – complete with
forecaddie program. There’s nothing like having
a knowledgeable players’ assistant to offer
strategy, read the greens, watch for lost balls,
fill divots and rake bunkers. However intimidating
having a forecaddie was initially, it was quite an
experience and certainly one to which most of
us could easily become accustomed! Of course,
walking down the 18th hole with the famous
candy-striped lighthouse in the distance was
nothing short of inspirational.
Hilton Head Island is a short drive from
Savannah, Ga., a city worth visiting, but you
really never have to leave the resort. It has it all
from the gracious hospitality so typical of the
lowlands area along with the scenic Harbour
Town Marina, shops, restaurants, beaches,
boating and wildlife – something for everyone.
Our group had a fantastic week of great
hospitality, memorable golf and, as always, the
camaraderie of all NGCOA Canada members.
Another successful event rejuvenated the
crazy Canucks and reaffirmed the value of the
Travel Club. We hope you
will consider joining
us in 2009!
Get Involved!
Each of the eight chapters of the National
Golf Course Owners Association Canada is
seeking interested candidates for the
upcoming 2008-2010 term. Elections will be
held during the Annual General Meetings
for each of the chapters, beginning in late
summer/early autumn.
The NGCOA Canada is governed by a
volunteer Board of Directors supported by
Chapter Advisory Boards (volunteer) in
each region. Each Chapter Advisory Board
provides guidance to the Regional Director
(staff) and Chapter President (Board) in
support of their management of regional
initiatives, within NGCOA Canada policy
guidelines. Their consultation also supports
the execution of all national initiatives.
Should you wish to be considered in a
capacity other than a Chapter Advisory
Board role, (i.e. committee volunteer,
etc.) please forward your intention to
[email protected].
We welcome and encourage all golf
course members to consider becoming
more involved with your association. The
input received from the membership from
all levels is invaluable. We look forward to
hearing from you.
The Chapter Advisory Board Criteria &
Nomination Form may be found in the
Resource Centre of the Members’ Only section of www.ngcoa.ca. We encourage you to
submit your nomination as soon as possible.
Become a leader and log on to
www.golfresearchcentre.com today to
begin reporting your monthly rounds
played.
Summer 2008
GOLF BUSINESS CANADA
GOLF BUSINESS CANADA
Summer 2008
57
News
NGCOA Canada • GOLFMAX
®
NGCOA Canada
Offers New
Program –
The Vapor Dragon
Cleaning System
The NGCOA Canada is pleased to announce
a new agreement with P.E.I. Vapor Systems
which distributes the VS4000 Water Vapor
Cleaner. Endorsed by the Canadian Institute
of Public Health Inspectors, the VS4000
Water Vapor Cleaner is a world-class product
that has amazing cleaning power using only
water. The cleaning system utilizes extremely
high temperature (212 - 300 degrees
Fahrenheit) vapour under regulated pressure
to clean and sanitize almost any surface
The high temperature of vapour also
sanitizes, deodorizes and kills bacteria,
mold, dust mites and other allergy-causing
pathogens. Mold, grease, mildew and dirt
are easily eliminated.
“P.E.I. Vapor Systems exhibited at the
Golf Business Canada Conference & Trade
Show in Halifax last November and the
response we received from members
attending on the product was tremendous,”
noted Peter Leyser, Director of Golfmax &
Business Development, NGCOA Canada.
“Several golf courses approached me to
inquire about P.E.I. Vapor Systems becoming
a Golfmax Supplier. If we had announced a
‘hot products list’ at the Halifax show, they
certainly would have garnered a lot of
consideration.”
From your restaurant, to locker rooms
and even your golf cars, the VS4000 Water
Vapor Cleaner has a multitude of applications
at every golf facility.
Save time and money on
payroll processing!
“The biggest plus of this
machine is its flexibility. At
our golf course we use it for
everything that is difficult to
clean. We use it to clean our
kitchen, upholstery, pull carts
and power carts. As well. we
remove carpet stains and
clean grout in bathrooms.
I’d highly recommend this
product to any golf course
administrator.”
PAYweb.ca extends great new offer to NGCOA Canada members
Today’s complicated requirements for payroll compliance can be overwhelming. A new
partnership between NGCOA Canada and NEBS PAYweb.ca, offers a solution that can
help take your payroll headaches away. PAYweb.ca is the first Internet payroll service
developed by Canadians for the Canadian market. It offers dramatic technological
advancement that provides added efficiencies and cost savings to your business
PAYweb.ca is easy to use, secure, convenient - and most importantly - completely
paperless. With PAYweb.ca, you can be sure that your payroll will be managed
accurately, efficiently and on time, giving you the confidence that your payroll meets
all provincial guidelines while maintaining complete control. It lets you run your
business without the concern of ever-changing tax rules and regulations.
PAYweb.ca is a great time-saving solution for NGCOA Canada members with
features like the statutory holiday calculator, e-stubs, and direct deposit.
To request more information please visit www.payweb.ca or
email [email protected] or call 1-866-772-9932.
Jim Balcomb, GM, Westfield
Golf & Country Club
Westfield, N.B.
“When we bought this machine
I thought we would only use it
in our kitchen. When our
maintenance staff saw it in
“I love the PAYweb system and
action they began using it in
the support staff is unbelievable,”
bathrooms for basins, the turf
centre and for both power and
pull carts. Everyone likes the
no-chemical aspect of the
machine.”
Steve Dowling, GM,
Belvedere Golf Course
Charlottetown, P.E.I.
To learn more about the Vapor Dragon, go
to www.vapordragon.ca or call Allan
Connolly (902) 629-0048.
58
Quote
Code
96460
Summer 2008
GOLF BUSINESS CANADA
Personalized Products and Services
to Grow Your Business
says Rita Cowan, Director of
Accounting, NGCOA Canada.
“The system is incredibly easy
NEBS Business Products provides products and services that can help you grow and
manage your business. From business forms and cheques to custom printing services
and marketing materials; NEBS offers corporate branding opportunities with innovative solutions that are effective, memorable and meaningful.
Don’t forget to quote your special status code number 96460 when ordering
through NEBS Deluxe Pinpoint and NEBS PAYweb.ca to receive your NGCOA Canada
discounts.
GOLF BUSINESS CANADA
Summer 2008
to use, but if you do have any
trouble, they walk you right
through it. Since we’ve started
using NEBS, payroll takes a
fraction of the time.”
59
News
Getting the Most Out of Your
Ontrak Relationship
Are you fully utilizing your membership with Ontrak Purchasing & Consulting
Services? Did you know:
• Ontrak has agreements with a wide variety of food and beverage suppliers;
• Ontrak chooses only top suppliers who are known for quality and excellence,
thereby offering brands that you can trust;
• Companies like Kraft, McCain, Maple Leaf, Campbell’s and Ecolab work closely
with Ontrak to ensure that you have access to the best products at the best value;
Not Just Food
and Beverage
In addition, Ontrak also offers value with a
wide variety of facility product suppliers
including agreements for smallwares (Hubert
and GFS Equipment Division), equipment,
chemicals (Ecolab), janitorial supplies (ISO
Cleaning Solutions - Swish, Larose and
Wesclean) and everything you need to
operate your kitchen. Ontrak even offers a
program with Office Depot for the office
supplies you need to run your business.
In total, Ontrak has over 200 supply agreements, offering a full range of food service
and facility products, including:
Food
Beverage
Paper and disposables
Office supplies
Linen
Kitchen equipment and smallwares
Housekeeping and laundry supplies
Janitorial and sanitation supplies
Pest elimination
Chemicals
Party and event supply rentals
• All Ontrak food and beverage suppliers must be HACCP approved and food safety
inspected, ensuring that the products you buy meet or exceed food safety
standards
2008 Special
Promotions
Every year, Ontrak offers special
added promotions to bring you
even more value. Ontrak works
with its suppliers to develop
special offers for NGCOA Canada
members, like rebates back to
you on selected products, giveaways and chances to win great
prizes. There is no need for you
to fill in forms or submit proof of
purchase to take advantage of
these special offers. Ontrak uses
the master distributor velocity
reporting made available at the
end of the promotion period to
determine the number of qualifying purchases made by each
golf course and automatically
generates rebate cheques and
contest ballots based on purchases made. It couldn’t be any easier.
All you have to do is make the
purchases and Ontrak does the
rest.
Patio furniture
Paint
Uniforms
60
To find out more about Ontrak
and the special promotions for
2008, contact your local
Regional Account Manager or
Veronica Haining at
1-877-632-8592, ext. 310.
[email protected]
Summer 2008
GOLF BUSINESS CANADA
A big thank you
to hosts of
NGCOA Canada
Spring Warm-Up
Events
The NGCOA Canada wants to thank the
nine course operators across the country
who hosted the annual Spring Warm-Up
meetings this past March and early April.
Once again, the hosts made it possible
for NGCOA Canada members to be
updated on both local and national
issues and initiatives as they enter the
new golf season. A variety of guest
speakers addressed topics such as property taxes, errant golf balls, crime
prevention,
employee
recruitment and retention, water efficiency
and conservation,
tax and estate
planning
and
workplace safety.
NEW in
2008
The
Spring
Warm-Up events
also provided an
opportunity
for
NGCOA
Canada
members to learn
more about the savings
available to their golf operation through the Golfmax Purchasing
Program. Many suppliers were on hand
to discuss in detail their products, services and discounts available to the
membership.
GOLF BUSINESS CANADA
Summer 2008
A special thank-you to our
host venues:
Inglewood Golf & Curling Club,
Calgary, AB
Bridgebrand Warehouse,
Edmonton, AB
Whistle Bear Golf Club,
Cambridge, ON
Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club,
Ottawa, ON
Copper Creek Golf Club,
Kleinburg, ON
Swan-e-set Bay Resort,
Pitt Meadows, BC
Greenbryre Golf and Country Club,
Saskatoon, SK
Glendale Golf and Country Club,
Winnipeg, MB
Moncton Golf & Country Club,
Moncton, NB
61
C alendar of Events
NGCOA Canada
NGCOA
Canada Events
Take A Kid To The Course Week 2008
July 7-13, 2008
A National Player Development Program
that encourages family and junior golf
through a dedicated national marketing
blitz. Open to NGCOA Canada members,
the Take A Kid To The Course Week
campaign is intended to bring non- and
occasional golfers out to your course
and help keep them there!
(866) 626-4262
www.kidsgolffree.ca/members/
Golf Business Canada Conference &
Trade Show 2008
November 20-22, 2008
Sheraton On-The-Falls, Niagara Falls, ON.
Where the Movers and Shakers of the
Canadian golf industry meet every year
to learn about new and emerging trends.
www.ngcoa.ca
NGCOA Canada Chapter Meetings
Watch your e-newsletter for information
on NGCOA Canada chapter meetings.
Details can be found on Chapter pages
at www.ngcoa.ca.
Allied Association and Industry
Events
Information and details for allied
association and industry events may
be found on line at www.ngoca.ca.
Click on the “events” heading and
then click through on “golf industry
events (trade).”
NGCOA Canada Golfmax Invitational Golf Tournaments
These chapter events accomplish what the NGCOA Canada does best –
they create a sense of community among Canadian golf course operators,
allowing for the exchange of new ideas and ways to grow your business.
Chapter
Date
Venue
Alberta
August 14
Banff Springs Golf Club
British Columbia
August 21
The Okanagan Golf Club
Atlantic
August 26
Stanhope Golf & Country Club
Central Ontario
October 7
Tangle Creek Golf Club
Southwest Ontario
TBD
TBD
Eastern Ontario/Outaouais TBD
TBD
Quebec
TBD
TBD
Watch your e-newsletter and check www.ngcoa.ca for updates
Agrium Advanced Technologies .............................17
www.nu-groturf.com • 519-574-2013
NGCOA Canada Golfmax Purchasing Program 42-43
www.ngcoa.ca • 866-626-4262
Burnside Golf Services ............................................16
www.rjburnside.com • 877-799-8499
NGCOA Canada Research Department ....................7
www.ngcoa.ca • 866-626-4262
Canadian Golf Superintendents Association...........19
www.golfsupers.com • (800) 387-1056.
Ontrak Purchasing & Consulting Services .............33
www.ontrakpurchasing.ca • 905-632-8592
Club Car .................................................................68
www.clubcarprecedent.com • 800-461-3322
Optima Research.....................................................51
www.optimarketing.com/golf • 877-978-9977
Eagle Golf Cruisers .................................................27
www.eaglegolfcruiser.com • 877-889-4567
Prudential Ronan Realty Brokerage........................13
www.marcronan.com • 877-435-4336
Golf Business Canada Conference & Tradeshow....36-37
www.ngcoa.ca/events • 866-626-4262
Rain Bird International.............................................2
www.rainbird.com/golf • 604-931-6565
Golfmax Inc. ...........................................................63
www.golfmaxonline.com • 866-GOLFMAX
Srixon......................................................................25
www.srixon.com • 877-538-5810
Golfmax Insurance Plans ........................................67
www.mooremclean.com • 888-404-0000
Take a Kid To The Course Week........................28-29
www.kidsgolffree.ca • 613-226-3616 ext. 32
Iceberg Dispensing Systems Ltd..............................35
www.icebergdispensing.com • 905-326-3381
Textron Financial Corporation..................................3
www.textronfinancial.com • 877-395-5368
Kubota Canada .......................................................54
www.kubota.ca • 905-294-7477
62
Summer 2008
GOLF BUSINESS CANADA
Membership
NGCOA Canada Membership
It’s in the numbers
Primary Golf Facility/Company:
NEW MEMBERS
Primary contact:
February 9, 2008 to May 6, 2008
over
1300
Golf facilities belong to
the NGCOA Canada
representing
65%
of all facilities in
Canada
500
over
Industry leaders
participated in the 2007
Golf Business Canada
Conference & Trade
Show
97%
Members renew their
membership every year
80-85%
average retention rate for
most Canadian
Associations
Mailing Address:
The NGCOA Canada Board of Directors welcomes
the following members to the NGCOA Canada TEAM!
City:
Alberta
Email:
Hanna Municipal Golf Course Association Hanna
Highwood Golf & Country Club
High River
Inglewood Golf & Curling Club (1980)
Calgary
AB
AB
AB
Atlantic
Grand Falls Golf Club
Ocean Links at Brule Point
Royal Oaks Estates and Golf Club
Grand Falls
Tatamagouche
Moncton
Title:
NB
NS
NB
Province/State:
Telephone: (
)
Fax: (
Website:
Preferred method of communications:
❑ Email
❑ Facsimile ❑ English ❑ French
Course Owner(s):
FAC ILIT Y T Y P E
British Columbia
Blackburn Meadows Golf Club Inc.
Cascade Par 3 Golf Club
Quesnel Golf Course
Shadow Mountain Golf Community
Skeena Valley Golf & Country Club
Tumbler Ridge Golf & Country Club
Saltspring Island
Christina Lake
Quesnel
Cranbrook
Terrace
Tumbler Ridge
BC
BC
BC
BC
BC
BC
❑
❑
❑
❑
9 holes / Par 3 / Driving Range
❑ 18 holes
27 holes
❑ 36 holes
over 36-hole operations. Please indicate total # of holes ____
Public
❑ Semi-Private
❑ Private
O WN E R S HIP T Y P E
Central Ontario
Liftlock Golf Club
Port Carling Golf & Country Club
Riverstone Golf & Country Club
Peterborough
Port Carling
Brampton
ON
ON
ON
Copperdale Golf Course
Juniper Fairways
Mer Bleue Golf / Driving Range
Orleans Golf Academy
Woodlawn
Smiths Falls
Navan
Orleans
ON
ON
ON
ON
Quebec
Club de Golf Dufferin Heights Ltée.
Club de Golf Lac St-Joseph
Club de Golf les Legendes
Club de Golf Saint-Césaire
Stanstead
QC
Ste-Catherines
QC
Saint-Jean-Sur-Richelieu QC
St-Cesaire
QC
Southwest Ontario
Cayuga Golf Club
Empire Springs Golf Course
Glancaster Golf Club
Killaly East Golf Practice
Mount Forest Golf Club
Sally Creek Golf & Country Club
Cayuga
Caledonia
Mount Hope
London
Ayton
Woodstock
ON
ON
ON
ON
ON
ON
Charlottetown
PE
Niagara Falls
ON
Edmonton
Mississauga
Colborne
AB
ON
ON
CORPORATES
Atlantic
PEI Vapor Systems Ltd.
❑ Privately Owned
❑ Member Owned
❑ Government Owned (Federal / Provincial / Municipal)
*please circle one
M E M B E R S HIP T Y P E
Eastern Ontario & Outaouais
AN N UAL DUE S
9 holes / Par 3 / Driving range $375.00 + GST
18 holes
$745.00 + GST
27 holes
$895.00 + GST
36 holes
$1,095.00 + GST
($385)*
($376)*
($915)*
($1125)*
Over 36-hole operations add $62.50 per each additional
9 holes exceeding 36 holes
* annual dues as of July 1, 2008. GST (#89503 9253RT0001)
PAY M E N T
❑ Cheque
❑ MasterCard
❑ VISA
❑ American Express
Credit Card Number:
❑ Regular Membership: open to private owners or lessors
of profit-oriented golf facilities
Expiry:
Cardholder Name:
❑ Associate Membership: open to member-owned or
government golf courses (not-for-profit)
$
77million
Member purchases
through the Golfmax
Purchasing Program
Southwest Ontario
The Jeff Davidson Team Royal Lepage
Niagara Real Estate Centre
Postal/Zip Code:
)
$
6.1 million
member savings
through the Golfmax
Purchasing
Program
Applicant Signature:
Date:
Contact us or mail or fax payment to:
National Golf Course Owners Association Canada
105-955 Green Valley Crescent, Ottawa, ON K2C 3V4
Toll free: 1-866-626-4262 Tel: (613) 226-3616 Fax: (613) 226-4148
Email: [email protected] Website: www.ngcoa.ca
National
CTC Golf Course Development
D&E Wood Ind. Ltd.
Thomson Carswell
64
Summer 2008
GOLF BUSINESS CANADA
GOLF BUSINESS CANADA
Summer 2008
65
Parting shot
PARTING SHOT
66
BILL LEBLANC
Speak
Up!
Defend your turf when it comes to eco issues
After a long winter, summer is finally on the horizon
and golf courses are ramping up to get into top shape.
That also means the heating up of issues
involving golf courses and the environment.
I remember during the winter, after yet another
snowfall, I was in my work truck plowing snow after
our brief January thaw and listening to the radio.
Low and behold the topic of the day was the banning
of pesticides. Professionals from both sides were
given equal opportunity to have their say and both
had very good points. After each had their opportunity
to speak, they opened the phone lines so the listeners
had a chance to speak their minds and that they did!
As I was listening, it took me back a few
months ago when I sat in on a public meeting for my
municipality on a possible pesticide ban (it’s going
to happen) and how one-sided these particular
meetings tend to go (just like the radio show).
When I had the opportunity to speak, I made it
clear who I was and what I did for a living. I also
brought information with me to back up my comments
on how pesticides are tested and when applied
properly by trained individuals present very low
risks. I thought I came prepared. Boy, was I wrong!
I was met with comments about government
agencies (PMRA) and how their decisions cannot be
trusted because they are often financially influenced
(that came from a mayor from one of our larger
neighboring towns. I wanted to say: “You know this
from experience?” but I bit my tongue). Another had
commented that a friend of his had been diagnosed
with a particular cancer and his physician had a
concern about the amount of golf that this individual
had played and of a possible link (low and behold
this person was a very good friend of someone else
that just happened to sell beneficial micro-organisms
for the turf industry, and he was trying to make a
sale). I wonder what his motivation was?
The one person that stood up and had just
cause for her fear was a mom of two young kids.
She wondered about the possible risk to her family
from “grass” (we like to call it turf). Hell, I would be
scared, too! A mayor had intimated the government could not be trusted; another mentioned that
playing golf could cause cancer and there were
other horror stories that went on that night.
I guess my point is WE have to stop sticking
our heads in the sand because our tail feathers will
soon be clipped off! Whether the issue is pesticides
or water or land use, get involved. Go to these
meetings, stand up for your livelihood, try to get your
fellow golf course operators and your local suppliers
to attend with you and push for common sense
decisions, not of those that are made in fear. Get
informed on the issues that affect you and connect
with the decision makers. Look for a common
ground that should meet the needs of all parties.
I do like the idea of the accreditation program
that has been established in Ontario and is in the
process of being implemented in New Brunswick.
My concern is the possible cost to the individual
clubs. For some courses, it will be just another cost
of doing business. For other courses, it could mean
a budget adjustment in other areas such as your
education line item.
Wouldn’t it be nice if decisions where made
for the right reasons? Either way, these decisions
are going to be made. Your voice needs to be
heard.
Portions of these comments were originally
published in March issue of the AGSA Turf News
BILL
LEBLANC
Bill has been in the course
maintenance industry for over
20 years, the last 17 as the
golf course superintendent of
the Digby Pines Golf Resort
and Spa. He is also a member
of the Canadian and the
Atlantic
Golf
Course
Superintendent Association
and is the Nova Scotia Director
for the AGSA. He can be reached
at [email protected]
Summer 2008
GOLF BUSINESS CANADA