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DEPARTMENTS
By Mike Jiggens
Please, don’t shoot the messenger
Consider this editorial a preemptive strike for a story that appears in this issue. The story in question is a profile of a lawn care company in St. Catharines, Ont. that has adopted a no-fertilizer, no-pesticide approach toward achieving healthy lawns for its customers.
The strategy adopted by Michael Stangl of Stangl’s Enviro Lawn Care bucks the trend of conventional lawn care in terms of the delivery. Nevertheless, it’s still lawn care, albeit through different means.
Before fertilizer and pest control product manufacturers reach out to me – perhaps a little heatedly – allow me to say one thing, “Please don’t shoot the messenger.”
I don’t necessarily endorse this form of lawn care or any other approach, for that matter. We are simply presenting a profile of a company that prefers to do things another way, and I have no problem with that. I believe that if a lawn care professional or golf course superintendent or sports turf manager has found a way to manage turf in a manner that sets himself apart from the crowd, and is able to achieve favourable results, then he, too, deserves his 15 minutes.
Readers can form their own opinions upon reading the story. One important point to consider is that our readers are not the customers or potential
customers of the lawn care profession. They are the lawn care professionals themselves who are likely interested in knowing how others in their industry go about their work.
Reporting on a story of this nature is no different, really, than occasionally writing about artificial turf and its place in the municipal sports turf market. Most sports turf managers and competitive athletes likely still prefer a natural grass surface, but synthetic playing fields have their place, too.
There was a time many, many years ago when I considered writing about artificial turf to be almost blasphemous, but the subject matter has managed to fit in with what we
I wanted to use this forum to get something off my chest for fear that I might be generating some not-so-nice feedback
do and there is an acceptance for it today.
Not every lawn care company is obliged to do things “by the book.” This fellow is essentially writing his own book, and it’s an approach I figure our readers might find interesting, even if they have no intention of ever following suit.
Sustainability is a big buzzword in the industry today. Stangl’s approach to lawn care is a move in that direction.
While writing the story, I felt
with each successive paragraph that the fertilizer and pesticide companies out there might have a bone to pick with me, but I kept assuring myself that I was only doing my job. Once again, I am but the messenger.
I was careful when writing the story to attribute all science-related statements to the storyteller so that they don’t appear to come off as my own. In this business, we call it “covering your ass.”
I just wanted to use this forum to get something off my chest for fear that I might be generating some not-so-nice feedback, perhaps aimed directly at me.
Having accomplished that, it gives me great pleasure to share with our readers the selected recipients of Turf & Rec’s second annual Top 10 Under 40 promotion. A profile of the deserving young movers and shakers within the industry can be read in this issue. This year we have representation from coast to coast, with recipients from British Columbia to Nova Scotia being honoured. The full gamut of the industry is also represented, including the golf, landscaping, sports turf and supplier sectors. It’s also encouraging to note that women are making more headway in the industry. This year we have two female recipients of the honour.
A big thank you goes out to those who took the time to nominate these worthy young individuals who have yet to celebrate their 40th birthdays.
There is a lot of young Canadian talent out there who will have another year to further their forward thinking and leadership capabilities.
www.turfandrec.com
Editor Mike Jiggens mjiggens@annexbusinessmedia.com
National Advertising Manager
Rebecca Lewis 519-400-0322 rlewis@annexbusinessmedia.com
COO Scott Jamieson sjamieson@annexbusinessmedia.com
President & CEO Mike Fredericks
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Landscaping firm sells off lawn care division
Wright Landscape Services’ lawn care division has been sold to Apex Lawn Services of Waterloo, Ont. The Bloomingdale, Ont.-based Wright was founded in 1967 by John Wright and will now focus its business on grounds maintenance, design/build and commercial snow removal services. Customers of Wright are being told they can expect the same program offerings.
Apex has been in business since 1975, founded as Stefanson Lawn Service.
Kelowna rec park begins second phase of construction
The second phase of construction at Kelowna’s Glenmore Recreation Park has begun. The second part of the project includes the construction of two multi-use sports fields expected to be completed by the fall. Users won’t be able to play on the fields under 2020 to give the new turf a chance to mature.
A population boom in the Glenmore area of Kelowna triggered the need for a new park.
Vancouver taking another look at its city golf courses
A Vancouver Parks Board commissioner wants to have a closer look at whether or not the city’s municipal golf courses present the best use for Vancouver’s parkland. Vancouver’s three municipal courses have seen the number of rounds steadily decline since the late 1990s.
The municipal courses – Langara, Fraserview and McCleery – collectively represent about 15 per cent of parkland under the board’s jurisdiction. The courses bring in about $10 million annually in green fees.
Winnipeg seeks outside help to battle threats to its urban trees
Winnipeg’s urban forest is now under attack from three fronts.
First came Dutch elm disease, which was first discovered in the city in 1975. As elms died, they were replaced by ash trees, which were chosen for their hardiness in both cold and hot weather extremes.
When the emerald ash borer was discovered in 2017 in Winnipeg, the city’s urban forest was in jeopardy all over again. Now the cottony ash psyllid – also known as “jumping tree lice” – has joined the ash borer as a serious threat to the city’s ash trees.
The city is now looking for outside consulting assistance to help develop a strategy that would keep a lid on all three threats. The city wants a 20-year plan to manage these pests with strategies that would include pruning, planting and maintenance.
More than 300,000 trees are managed on Winnipeg’s boulevards and parks, and thousands of others are managed elsewhere in the city, including private land. It is
speculated the ash borer could ultimately be responsible for the destruction of more than 350,000 trees in the city.
Because the ash borer’s arrival in Winnipeg has been relatively recent, the city has been able to learn from other municipalities that have been dealing with the invasive pest for several years longer.
Due to the destruction caused by the cottony ash psyllid, about 700 black ash trees are slated for removal in Winnipeg. The earmarked trees are located mainly in Riverview and River Heights. The insect was originally discovered around The Forks two years ago.
Newly hatched nymphs suck leaf sap, causing them to curl up and form a white, cottony substance. The trees become weak and vulnerable to disease and premature death.
Ash trees not severely damaged by the insect can recover. Nevertheless, about 14,000 ash trees are at risk because of the cottony ash psyllid.
A day of remembrance of workplace tragedies
April 28 was the National Day of Mourning in Canada, and the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) remembered those who died, were injured or took ill as a result of workplace incidents.
Employers and workers observed the day in a variety of ways, including attending ceremonies in their communities, lighting candles, laying wreathes or wearing commemorative pins, ribbons and black armbands while pausing for a moment of silence at 11 a.m.
In 2017, 951 workplace fatalities were recorded in Canada, representing an increase of 46 from the previous year. Among the dead were 23 young workers between the ages of 15 and 24.
In addition, 251,508 claims were accepted for lost time due to a work-related injury or disease, coupled with the fact that these statistics include only what is recorded and accepted by compensation boards. The CCOHS believes the total number of workers impacted is even greater.
Young workers between 15 and 24 made up 31,441 accepted
claims for lost time due to a work-related injury or disease.
The aforementioned statistics are from the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC).
In 1991, eight years after the Canadian Labour Congress launched a day of remembrance, the federal government passed the Workers Mourning Day Act, making April 28 an official Day of Mourning.
The Day of Mourning has since spread to about 100 countries throughout the world and is also recognized as International Workers’ Memorial Day by the International Labour Organization and the International Trade Union Confederation.
Recognizing that new developments in the design, construction, and maintenance of sports fields have literally changed the playing field, Sports Fields, Second Edition is now fully updated and revised to continue its legacy as a leading authority on sports field management.
A versatile how-to guide, Sports Fields, Second Edition suggests solutions to common field problems that are not only helpful for professional sports turf practitioners, but also for park and recreation professionals, school athletic field managers, architects, landscape architects, and engineers.
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BMO Field’s new hybrid turf surface
It’s still 95 per cent natural turf, but stitched-in fibres will give field more wear tolerance, playability
By Mike Jiggens
Toronto’s ever-evolving BMO Field has taken yet another giant step forward. It’s not something that fans of the Toronto FC or Toronto Argonauts are likely to notice, nor is it something that will be readily apparent to the players of both teams. But head groundskeeper Robert Heggie and his staff are going to see and appreciate the difference.
In mid-April, the field that is home to Major League Soccer’s Toronto FC club and the Canadian Football League’s Argonauts adopted a new turf system expected to reduce the amount of field wear – especially during both teams’ shoulder seasons – and provide more consistent playability for its two primary user groups.
A hybrid system now exists on the field located at the site of the former Exhibition Stadium on the city’s lakeshore. It’s still essentially a full natural turf surface – estimated at about 95 per cent – but stitched-in artificial fibres have been introduced to give it greater wear tolerance and playability.
Speaking on site at Sports Turf Canada’s spring industry forum and annual general meeting in April, Heggie told delegates it has become increasingly more challenging to grow and maintain grass when the playing seasons span into non-traditional growing months, including February, March, November and December.
“Literally, I’m growing grass on this field 12 months of the year,” he said.
In spite of a SubAir heating system installed beneath the surface in 2010 and an array of portable grow lights, the turf still has limitations during the winter.
“We found out we can germinate grass and grow grass,” he said. “We just can’t make the roots really dive until we get past April.”
This presented problems when the FC club’s season began as early as February. The current season’s home opener played in late February was “pretty rough” yet was successful from an agronomic perspective, Heggie said. From the players’ standpoint, however, it was deemed “a disaster” because the field didn’t play the way they wanted it to play. He said professional soccer players don’t care what month it happens to be or how cold it is or if they were wearing parkas just prior to the start of the game, they want to know, “Why isn’t the grass perfect?”
Heggie looked into new technologies that could help with root zone reinforcement during the soccer and football shoulder seasons and realized a hybrid system would help protect the existing asset. But first he needed to sell the idea to Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), operator of the city-owned field.
A giant “sewing machine,” seen under the tarp, stitched artificial turf fibres into the existing natural turf surface at BMO Field in April.
“The grass doesn’t want to grow at those times of the year and we’re stressing it out.”
In his appeal for the necessary funding for a hybrid system, Heggie said many of the MLSE board members didn’t understand the intricacies of root development and other agronomic matters, but an informative slide presentation proved convincing.
“It made sense why we needed to reinforce that root zone.”
MLSE injected another $2 million into the betterment of the field, but Heggie said the hybrid system didn’t account for the bulk of the investment. Much of the cost included upgrades to the irrigation, SubAir and hydraulic systems before work began to produce the hybrid system. He said it was important that holes weren’t being dug into the field after the stitching had begun.
Additional grow lights
A large chunk of the $2-million investment covered
the need for additional grow lights. The stadium now has nine large rigs and six small rigs, allowing for about 65 per cent of the field to be bathed in artificial lighting and heat. Previously, BMO Field was equipped with six large rigs of grow lights and two small rigs.
Heggie said one of the intents of the hybrid system is to better control thatch and organic matter, adding he is also through with ride-on mowers.
“A ride-on mower will never go back on that field.”
He has switched to Cub Cadet’s InfiniCut walk-behind mowers, which he said have become the global standard at stadium settings, even if they haven’t fully caught on yet in North America.
“You do not ride a 3,000 or 2,000-pound machine when you could be doing this.”
Heggie said mowing the field with the InfiniCut mowers is not a significant consumption of time. Two individuals can double-cut the field in about 3½ to four hours using the walk-behinds.
One of the more pleasing aspects associated with the hybrid renovation project is the vastly improved irrigation system, he said. An undersized irrigation system was in place the past nine years, putting out 65 gallons of water a minute, but only one head at a time could be used from the 15 heads. The upgrade to a six-inch feed and four-inch mainline – from an original 2½inch mainline – increased the water volume to 480 gallons a minute.
“At halftime, the field gets nice and wet, the players are happy and I’m happy.
Stitching the artificial turf fibres into BMO Field’s existing profile was the icing on the cake, Heggie said, adding the playing surface is still 95 per cent natural.
“The players won’t even know it’s there.”
BMO Field was originally constructed with an artificial turf surface, but changed over to natural turf in 2009-2010.
The company hired to install the hybrid system was U.K.-based SIS Pitches. The company was founded in the Netherlands in 2001, building natural turf sports pitches, and later evolved into the United Kingdom with a synthetic turf factory before moving into hybrid systems. CEO George Mullan said the company’s background has always been in the design/build of natural grass pitches.
“I’m very much a natural grass guy,” he said.
SIS Pitches has completed various hybrid turf stitching projects around the world, not only for soccer field applications but golf tees, lawn tennis courts and cricket wickets. Perhaps its most notable accomplishment was the stitching of six of the 12 World Cup stadium pitches in 2018, including Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium that served as the venue for the soccer tournament’s final match as well as the opening and closing ceremonies.
The stadium’s playing surface endured 84 hours of
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use over 35 days.
“When you have an audience of one and a half billion, you just cannot afford a mistake. That’s the principal advantage of a hybrid stitched system. It’s an insurance policy. It works very, very well in high wear areas.”
Mullan said if the stadium had to go alone with its strictly natural surface, it wouldn’t have survived through the quarter final round.
Because the hybrid pitches are 95 per cent natural grass, “they have to be maintained as a natural grass pitch,” he said.
Stitching of fibres
Artificial fibres are stitched about 7½ inches into the profile with about .8 inches sitting above the surface, although the length of fibre above ground will depend on the sport. A shorter length of fibre will be above the surface on golf tees, for example. Laser guidance is utilized for greater accuracy.
The fibres are two-tone, soft polyethylene filaments that provide player comfort and blend into the natural turf. They stand up straight following annual renovation.
SIS Pitches currently has five stitching
machines and another entirely electric machine ready to go online in late May. The existing machines are mostly electric, designed especially to avoid oil leaks on the playing surface. The units resemble giant sewing machines that can stitch artificial fibres into a full-size soccer field in about seven days. The company has rendered the machines to be more efficient in recent years, reducing the stitching time by about three days.
Each machine cost about half a million Euros to build. In addition to the large machines, a smaller electric unit has been designed for smaller surface areas such as golf tees, cricket wickets and soccer goalmouths and sidelines.
Mullan said SIS Pitches prefers to stitch fibres into existing fields that have been seeded for at least three or four weeks. Stitching can be done in sand, but he said it requires the use of multiple needles. Although the stitching machines have wide tracks, a little surface disruption will still occur.
Some renovation work is apt to be required prior to stitching, including removal of thatch, sanding and overseeding. About 25 fields in the United Kingdom were in the process of being renovated at
Banks of grow lights provide both light and heat to the field’s surface, helping the turf along during non-traditional growing months.
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the time of BMO Field’s conversion. Mullan said they were being stripped, sanded and overseeded with play expected to resume by mid-July.
Mullan said his company’s fastest-growing market is cricket. Most of England’s top clubs have been converted to a hybrid system and are realizing two to 2½ times more usage.
SIS Pitches has stitched in about 100 sports fields since the hybrid system entered the market in 2015, including the National Football League’s Lambeau Field – home of the Green Bay Packers. Other projects have recently been done in China, Turkey and Australia.
About BMO Field
BMO Field was constructed in 2006 at a cost of $62.9 million, funded by the three tiers of government and MLSE. It was originally constructed with an artificial playing surface, but the Toronto FC club found it couldn’t attract high-end players as long as the field remained synthetic. A decision was made in the winter of 2009-2010 to convert the stadium to natural turf.
With the conversion to natural turf, a SubAir heating system was installed. The playing surface is essentially a USGA system
with 12 inches of sand in a 90-10 mix.
Originally built to seat 22,000 spectators, a canopied grandstand addition and seating for another 12,000 spectators were completed in 2014-2015 to accommodate the Toronto Argonauts. End zones were constructed on the field for football.
The addition of the grandstand canopy partially blocked the sun’s energy, requiring grow lights to be used on the field between games. This was especially important to facilitate field repairs for the more aggressive football games.
George Mullan, CEO of SIS Pitches, says a hybrid turf system is “an insurance policy.”
Health & Safety
By the CCOHS
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) promotes the total well being of workers in Canada by providing information, training, education, systems and solutions that support health and safety programs and injury and illness prevention. www.ccohs.ca
Be on the alert: ticks on the rise in Canada
Ticks are crawling back into the news and carrying with them the potential for Lyme disease. The number of reported Lyme disease cases in Canada between 2009 and 2016 rose from 144 cases to 992, and the areas where blacklegged ticks are found is growing. Lyme disease is a serious bacterial infection that can have severe symptoms but it can be effectively treated with antibiotics if caught early.
While not all blacklegged ticks carry Lyme disease, populations of infected blacklegged ticks are growing. This means that the risk of contracting Lyme disease is on the rise across Canada. There are several ways to reduce the risk when spending time working outdoors in areas where there may be ticks. Ticks can be as small as a poppy seed and their bites are usually painless, so you may not know you’ve been bitten. That’s why it’s important to be on the lookout for ticks and the symptoms of Lyme disease.
Reducing your exposure to tick bites
The best way to prevent Lyme disease is to prevent tick bites. Here are some ways to protect yourself if you venture into forests or overgrown areas between the woods and open spaces:
• Wear protective clothing to prevent ticks from attaching to your skin. Wear closed toed shoes, long sleeve shirts that fit tightly around the wrist, and longlegged pants tucked into your socks or boots.
• If possible, avoid contact with low bushes and long grasses. For example, if hiking or walking, walk in the centre of the trail.
• Wear light coloured clothes to make spotting ticks easier.
• Use insect repellents containing DEET or Icaridin on your skin and clothing – always read and follow label directions.
• Wash clothes promptly and put them in the dryer with heat to help kill any ticks that may remain.
• Shower or bathe within two hours of being outdoors to wash away loose ticks.
• Do daily “full body” checks for ticks on yourself, your children and pets.
What to do if a blacklegged tick bites you
If you find a tick attached to your skin, make sure you remove it carefully as follows:
• Use clean tweezers, grasp the
head as close to the skin as possible and pull slowly straight out.
• Afterwards, wash the bite site with soap and water or disinfect with alcohol hand sanitizer.
• If mouthparts break off, remove them with tweezers or, if you are unable to remove them easily, leave them alone and let the skin heal.
If possible, save the tick that bit you in a clean container or plastic bag and record the date you were bit. Watch out for signs and symptoms of Lyme disease in the subsequent weeks. If you feel unwell, contact your health care provider right away. If you are diagnosed in the later stages of the disease, you may require a longer course of antibiotics and experience symptoms that continue more than six months after treatment. If you have saved the tick, bring it to your medical appointment as it may help the doctor.
Wear closed toed shoes, long sleeve shirts that fit tightly around the wrist, and long-legged pants tucked into your socks or boots.
Tennis and turf: the story
Canada’s Grant Cantin reflects on his career as head groundsman at England’s Wimbledon courts
By Mike Jiggens
What began as a post-graduation adventure on the other side of the world with a few friends has evolved into a life changing career experience for an Edmonton-area man. Upon the completion of his studies in turfgrass management at Olds College in 2000, Grant Cantin and a group of friends embarked on a trip to Australia, with enough money to enjoy themselves in the land down under for nine or 10 months.
But after only a couple of months of living it up, Cantin realized he was near broke.
“It was either come back to Edmonton and find a job or go back to Sydney and look for a job on a golf course,” he said, speaking in February at the Western Canada Turfgrass Association’s annual conference in Richmond, B.C.
He and his friends opted to remain in Australia, hoping to find enough work to stay financially afloat. Fortune was on
their side, and a cold call to Sydney’s Lakes Golf Club opened the door for work in preparation for a PGA Tour event in the coming weeks. They were interviewed and began on the job the following Monday.
It was while working at the Lakes Club that Cantin met some British individuals who gushed about their work experience at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club – the home of the annual Wimbledon Championships. Tennis wasn’t his “thing,” but Cantin was intrigued enough to debate whether to travel to London, England and seek work at the club or make the shorter journey to New Zealand and work in Wellington for a coming PGA event.
“Everyone knows what Wimbledon is,” he said, noting it was a toss-up as to which choice to make. “It would sure look good on the resume.”
The plan was to stay in England one summer, perhaps see a little bit of Europe
and then return to Canada. Seventeen years later, Cantin is still living and working at the tennis club and has ascended the ladder to become its head groundsman.
Cantin shared his experiences of maintaining the famed grass courts during his presentation at the WCTA conference, but hinted he is considering a return to Alberta in the not-too-distant future to pursue a career in the golf field.
In his capacity as head of the grounds crew at the tennis club, he is responsible for the upkeep of 38 grass courts, some of which are a century old while others are only five years old. Some are housed in stadiums while others are in the open. Some have shade issues and some don’t.
“The trickiest part of our job is to make sure all those courts play the same. Everybody tends to forget it is a living, breathing surface that does change daily.”
Cantin said if a professional tennis player is practising on one court, its play-
Wimbledon courts head groundsman Grant Cantin speaks about his career during a presentation before the Western Canada Turfgrass Association in Richmond, B.C.
ing conditions must be the same as the facility’s Centre Court – the club’s premier court used for Wimbledon’s championship finals. The surface cannot be firmer on any one court that may cause the ball to bounce higher.
To ensure consistency from one court to the next, an independent company is retained to test ball bounce, moisture levels and surface firmness.
His first cut
Cantin endured a trial by fire early in his career at the tennis club. In 2003, the mower operator usually assigned to cut Centre Court for the Wimbledon championships came down with a serious hand infection and wasn’t able to mow. Even though it was only Cantin’s second season, he was asked if he could cut the premier court. To ensure he was able to cut lines as straight as possible, he opted not to go out the night before or engage in any activity that might compromise the assigned task.
Later that afternoon, after Centre Court had successfully been cut by Cantin to championship expectations, a “skinny, long-haired kid” named Roger Federer captured his inaugural Wimbledon title and completed his first ever Grand Slam.
The club, which also served as the site for the tennis events at the 2012 Olympics, is the venue for 17 different events at the Wimbledon championships each July, including men’s and women’s singles and doubles, mixed doubles, junior events, invitational events involving top players from yesteryear and wheelchair competitions.
Looking after 38 grass courts and a number of clay and acrylic courts at the club takes a team of several individuals. Sixteen full-time staff, two mechanics and two irrigation engineers support Cantin’s drive for perfection. Another dozen summer staff work April to October and tend to be international in scope. Several Australians, New Zealanders and Americans make up the international staff with the occasional Canadian lending a hand.
An additional championship staff of three joins the team for the two-week
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Wimbledon championships, taking time off from their regular jobs to help with court maintenance.
Until only recently, the club consisted of 41 grass courts, but shut down three courts to allow for construction of a retractable roof for the No. 1 court. A third grass court was lost to make room for additional eating areas for the public. Clay courts are used primary in the spring and fall when the grass courts are no longer in play.
The five indoor courts will be knocked down at the end of the 2019 championships to make room for a new state-of-theart building, a below ground parking garage for 400 vehicles, and six new clay courts surrounding the new building’s exterior. Two additional acrylic courts –similar to those used at the U.S. Open –have been added to allow tennis players to acclimate themselves toward the next major championship.
Wimbledon is a 13-day event at which spectators are afforded a picnic feel to their experience of attending the championships. They are permitted to bring with them their own food hamper and beer or wine.
“It’s nice that we can still do this,” Cantin said, adding that other major sporting events forbid the practice and instead
gouge spectators at concession stands.
The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club has been at its current location since 1922, even though the Wimbledon championships were founded in 1868. In 1922, tennis was becoming increasingly more popular and the original grounds were deemed too small.
Without the retractable roof, the No. 1 Court often found itself covered by a tarp during rain events. Cantin said his staff could have the court covered in less than 20 seconds. Erected like a tent, the cover could be put in place in quick order.
“It’s such a quick process that the umpire stays seated in the umpire’s chair, and we just roll him off.”
The lawn courts’ turf is mowed at a height of eight millimetres for the championship and 13 millimetres during the off-season. The courts are grown to 100 per cent perennial ryegrass that is preferred for its drought, stress and wear tolerance and its ability to recover quickly, Cantin said. The courts are cut using electric-powered Cub Cadet InfiniCut mowers.
The history of rolling
During his presentation, Cantin showed historic photographs that depicted the changing ways in which the courts have
Most of the wear found on the tennis courts are on and just behind the baseline.
been rolled over the years. The oldest image showed a horse-pulled roller with the horse wearing specially made leather shoes to minimize turf damage. Man-pow-
ered rolling was later adopted to reduce surface damage, and that eventually gave way to engine-powered equipment. Today, hydrostatic rollers are used with only minimal rolling required.
The grass courts are made up of 23 per cent clay content, he said, that, when allowed to dry out, are almost as hard as concrete by the time the two-week Wimbledon tournament begins.
“That’s how you get the big ball bounce.”
In late May or early June, poa annua wants to “rear its ugly head” and produce seed heads. Cantin said the club has tried virtually everything possible to prevent that from happening, but said he has found steam sterilization has proven effective since integrating the technique in recent years. He said the process kills everything in the top 10 inches, producing a brand new soil and added it has resulted in a significant reduction in poa annua seed heads.
He said that during his 17 years at the club, a series of major projects have traditionally followed each championship. Perhaps the most significant one was a new retractable roof built for Centre Court, beginning in 2006. The project
was completed in 2009 and allows play to continue in the event of rain. Made of a translucent fabric to allow natural light to filter in for photosynthetic purposes, it can open or close in less than 10 minutes. The roof ensures that television coverage of the finals can continue uninterrupted if weather is a factor. Prior to Centre Court having a roof, television broadcasting of the Wimbledon championships resorted to previous years’ highlights during rain delays.
During the roof project, it was decided to upgrade the ducting systems between courts and improve the cabling.
“That meant every time we needed to cut the grass, we needed to get a crane to lift the mower (prior to adopting the walk-behind InfiniCut mowers) onto the court.”
A handful of years later, the club also wanted to build a couple of new restaurants on the premises – one for the ball kids and another for the officials – but were unsure where they should be located. Cantin said they couldn’t be built upwards or outwards, and a decision was made to build them downwards. Consequently, two grass courts were dug up
The No. 1 Court seen in pristine condition before lines are painted atop the surface.
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to accommodate “a basement hole” and a foundation was constructed. New grass courts were constructed atop.
“The tricky part about building a grass court is you can’t just build it and play on it immediately. Ideally, you need to leave it for at least 18 months.”
Cantin said the new courts were “nice and green” upon completion, but they weren’t used for the 2014 championships. In order for the soil to settle correctly before it can handle play, 18 to 24 months are needed, he said, but added five years is really the mature time for a soil structure on a tennis court.
In 2015, it was suggested to the referees’ office that because the new courts were only two years old they should not be bogged down with 80 hours of play such as that which is played on Centre Court. Cantin recommended play to be kept to
35 to 40 hours.
“Losing two courts for a championship doesn’t sound like much, but it really impacts the whole play because all of those hours of play you have to make up elsewhere.”
The largest project currently on the go is the installation of a retractable roof for the No. 1 Court. Based on the success of the Centre Court roof project, which has prevented countless rain delays over the past 10 years, the No. 1 Court roof is ex-
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pected to make a significant difference in allowing the singles draws to be played without interruption. Spectators will also be able to watch play in greater comfort.
The project was a 2½-year build, but was put on hold each year to accommodate the Wimbledon championships. Each April during the build, cranes were removed from the site and the area was completely cleaned up in May in time for the championships. Three weeks after play finished, the cranes were moved back in for the resumption of construction.
This May, a test event has been scheduled to ensure the roof works properly. An event involving some of the sport’s greatest legends, including John McEnroe and Martina Navratilova, will be played to allow the roof to open and close during tennis play to ensure everything is in working order in time for Wimbledon this summer.
Cantin reflected upon the 2012 Olympics that were held in London, admitting news that the tennis events would be played at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club came with mixed feelings. On the one hand, being part of the Olympic experience was exciting, he said, but he and his staff had only 20 days to get the courts back to pristine levels upon completion of that year’s Wimbledon championships. Baselines and other areas of the courts were well worn at the time work began to restore them in time for the Olympics.
“Wimbledon is hallowed turf. Nobody goes out there unless you’re playing on it or you’re working on it.”
Cantin said the club isn’t available for charity events, even if “deep pockets” are involved.
“It’s used for two weeks of the year and that’s it.”
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Not your typical lawn care business
Stangl’s Enviro Lawn Care focuses on a healthy soil to achieve a healthy lawn. By
Mike Jiggens
Not all lawn care businesses march to the beat of the same drummer.
Many – probably most –offer their customers programs that include a specific number of annual fertilizer and pesticide product applications. The latter, usually herbicide applications, can vary from region to region, depending on the product’s legality.
Customers are generally satisfied with these companies’ work. They may not understand the science involved and probably don’t care one way or another. As long as they have a green, weed-free lawn, they’re content.
At least one company has a different approach toward establishing healthy lawns for its customers. Stangl’s Enviro Lawn Care of St. Catharines, Ont. has adopted a regenerative approach that targets the soil with an end goal that strives for greater sustainability.
“What got me into this was my own results of the toxic chemicals on me,” company owner Michael Stangl said. “I looked at the sustainability of the industry itself and I didn’t want to end up having cancer down the road.”
Stangl was introduced to the lawn care industry in 1981 as a 16-year-old working for his father. Their company was “atypical,” he said, offering its customers three fertilizer applications each year as well as a couple of pesticide applications. As the decade progressed, a rising call for organic alternatives began to emerge, but these products were both limited and comparatively expensive.
“It didn’t make it cost effective nor profitable to compete with major companies,” he said.
But the notion of a more natural approach got Stangl thinking.
“I can throw fertilizer on and when the fertilizer makes that grass grow green and it’s growing fast and doing the
thing that fertilizer is known to do, the consumer identifies that visually that it’s working. Then when we put a spray on and see the destruction of a weed, the consumer also sees that as working. But in nature, nothing works as quick as that.”
Stangl said he recognized a need for change even though his business was doing more than a half million dollars in sales annually. In spite of the healthy revenue, the business took a step backward each time a rain event occurred shortly after a pesticide application was made. He said it would require another visit to do it again at no additional charge to the customer.
The company had catered to the customer’s desire for instant visual gratification, but Stangl began to question the impact he was making on the health of the soil itself. He also became concerned for his own health, noting that although he wore rubber boots, gloves and a res -
Michael Stangl, centre, and co-workers at a trade show. He’s been involved in lawn care since he was 16, and has gone from conventional lawn care to one that uses no fertilizer or pesticides.
pirator, he found his eyes were dilating and he was getting dizzy whenever he sprayed for weeds.
By about 2005, in anticipation of the coming Ontario ban on most traditional pest control products, Stangl began to invest in natural products and focus more on the soil. He said the association of the plant with the soil has gotten lost in lawn care “because it’s been stuck in a visual field.” That visual field, he noted, is fortified by the marketing strategies of commercial fertilizer manufacturers, which he suggested are taking a pharmaceutical approach to say, “Here’s your script for this month, here’s your script for that month…”
Stangl said companies that provide traditional lawn care services have led their customers to believe the type of work being done to their lawns is cor-
‘I’m changing what the soil is really meant to be’
rect. He’s now on the other side of the fence and said that although his customer base is smaller, he’s happier.
“When I had 1,500 customers, I was doing six million square feet a month. I now have about a third of the customers and three million square feet a month. My inputs are less expensive and more cost-worthy.”
Stangl says he is now in a niche situation and in a “blue ocean” without competition, suggesting the lawn care industry in general is in a “red ocean” doing the same thing with a fertilizer/ spray approach.
Focus turned to the soil
Some weeds are still to be found on a number of the lawns in his care, but his focus has turned to what is happening in the soil. By correcting the soil’s biology, the plant life above the surface can also be corrected, he said, noting he has found success with compost teas and fish hydrolysates as fertilizer.
Stangl tests his customers’ soil using a penetrometer. At a Niagara Falls sports field he tested, the instrument showed 300 pounds per square inch in the top three inches. He said roots like 150 psi, adding that once 300 psi is reached, the
infiltration of water and air in the root zone stop and fertilizer sits on top.
“How do you break through it? No. 1, you’ve got to put the biology back on.”
The field was aerated and a small harrow was pulled behind it to break up the cores and rip up the ground. Stangl said that without a proper infiltration rate, the tendency is to apply inputs to the field.
teria will create nitrates that will force up more weeds, including crabgrass.”
On a compacted soil, there is more anaerobic biology, he said, that creates or gasses off the minerals and nutrients the plant requires. If the plant isn’t getting what it requires, it becomes weak and is targeted by insects’ infrared vision.
pte7halfpg5triline_17tnr 18-01-02 3:08 PM Page 1
“You want the field green so you’ll use more fertilizer, destroying the biology and creating more dependency on the product, and at the same time the bac-
Last year, a couple of residential lawns in his care were dug up in spots, suggesting the presence of grubs. In such instances, the compost teas prove helpful with natural input elements that are fungal, bacterial and predatory. When
there is clear evidence that animals such as raccoons, skunks and opossums are digging into the ground, Stangl said he places a few drops of commercially available coyote urine onto the ground that is blown by the wind across the lawn. Digging animals can detect the urine as predatory and stay away from the site.
“I now know that everything I do, I’m very conscious of it,” he said, adding that if he chose to change the environment, he’d be making it unhealthy by putting more carbon dioxide into the atmos -
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A “before” photo taken in April 2018, left, on one of his customers’ lawns and the “after” photo taken the following November.
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phere. “I’m changing what the soil is really meant to be.”
Stangl said that when a new house is constructed, more thought is put into the building’s structure than what is outside. Builders figure all that is required outside is to throw “dirt” onto the ground, grade it and lay sod over it. He said the sod comes from a field that was fertilized and possibly subjected to Roundup.
“We might be absorbing this through our skin or it’s gassing off into the atmosphere or it gets into our water. If we change our way at how we look at the soil, every home lawn can become a carbon sink and drastically change the landscape itself by absorbing what it should be doing.”
He figures he absorbed 11 tons of carbon dioxide in 2018 and more than 50 tons over the past four years.
Each application builds off the previous application to produce a healthier soil, Stangl said. A core sample is taken with the first application to realize a starting point, to see the amounts of fungus,
bacteria, nematodes and protozoa that are present. Each application changes the life within the soil, he added, to the point where a sustainable lawn can be achieved within 36 to 60 months. A sustainable lawn requires fewer inputs, thereby reducing his workload.
A notable increase in soil health
He said he is able to increase soil health quality to more than 67 per cent within two years and more than 80 per cent in three years. Fungal dominated soil is king as compared to bacterial dominated soil. Building beneficial fungus in the soil, such as mycorrhiza fungus, is the key to soil health. Regenerative lawn care has four properties to be successful, he said:
• building up soil health (fungal dominated soil) and fertility (life within the soil) without the need for unsustainable fertilizer and spray techniques
• increase infiltration and retention
Building beneficial fungus in the soil, such as mycorrhiza fungus, is the key to soil health, Stangl asserts.
‘That’s the first thing you see with a healthy soil – the insects disappear’
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• increase understanding for the need of soil biology for plant diversity to increase the liquid carbon highway
• creating a fungal dominated soil requires attentive management practices to actively progress soil health/life to proactively draw down atmosphere carbon dioxide levels, thus reducing climate
“This is an adventure. It’s a healthy one. It’s a fun one.”
Stangl admitted, however, it can also be stressful, suggesting many of his competitors may perceive his approach as pseudo-science.
“I’m doing something justifiable for the entire planet and it’s sustainable and it works.”
In 2018, he said he had 30 per cent of the lawns under his care at well above 75 per cent of where they should be with only one or two weeds and no need to spray.
“That’s the first thing you see with a healthy soil – the insects disappear.”
While a typical program by most conventional lawn care companies is five applications, he does seven (one a month during the growing season). The person who wants an immaculate lawn is not his customer, adding companies that offer conventional lawn care services will “pound the snot” out of him. Those who subscribe to his process, he said, realize they’re helping to restore nature, restore the balance, pull carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and put it back into the ground, decrease inputs and increase sustainability.
In traditional lawn care, there are three ways to lose a customer, Stangl said: bad communications, bad control of weeds and a lawn that isn’t green.
“If you’ve got two of those working for you – the lawn’s green and you’ve got great communication – they don’t mind a bit of weeds because they know we’re working on it and building a process.”
Stangl advises his customers to mow at a height of three inches, telling them, “The more the solar panel there is to collect the sun’s energy to do its job, the faster we can get through this (to establish a healthy soil).”
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Managing thatch on golf courses
Thatch and organic matter in bentgrass/poa annua systems have been managed differently over the years
By Mike Jiggens
Managing thatch on golf courses is a practice superintendents have engaged in for years and one they must continue to perform if they are to deliver faster, firmer surfaces for their clientele. What has changed over the years is the means by which thatch and organic matter in bentgrass/ poa annua systems is managed and controlled.
Dr. Beth Guertal of Auburn University in Alabama shared her findings on thatch management with superintendents attending March’s Canadian Golf Course Management Conference in Banff, Alta.
“Controlling and managing thatch and organic matter is really the first step in IPM,” she said.
There are several causes of thatch buildup in turf, including vigorously growing turf species, abundant nitrogen fertilization, overwatering and the natural growth of the plant. A number of cool season grasses are prone to producing thatch or the organic matter that accompanies it.
As bentgrasses are bred and selected, one of the selection criteria is shoot density. Thatch increases organic matter and in turn carbon. Guertal questioned
The result of vertical mowing thatch.
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whether an increase in carbon is necessarily a bad thing, especially when the aim is to increase sustainability. When fairways 25 to 40 years old have been managed that long, a significant carbon resource and base has been created.
“We represent an industry that sequesters and stores carbon which is a great way to offset pollution.”
Guertal said it’s important to note that as things age, such as putting greens that are 40 years old on native soils, the soil pH decreases as a function of age.
“That’s the natural mineralization and release of stored organic matter and nitrogen. As nitrogen mineralizes, you will also reduce the soil pH. As things get older and you produce mature surfaces, you’re going to store organic carbon and store organic matter.”
When shoots are high, thatch depth is high. With low shoot density, there is less thatch.
Methods to manage thatch
The means to manage thatch include core aerification, vertical mowing, topdressing and the use of microbial thatch degraders. Superintendents are expected to create playing surfaces
that meet stringent demands by golfers. If aerification or severe vertical mowing is done, there is bound to be some commentary about it, Guertal said.
“The days are largely gone where you can close your course for a week and a half and vertical mow the stew out of the whole thing and then let it grow back.”
There was a time in the 1950s and 1960s in the southern United States when such a strategy could be undertaken, but those days are gone, she added.
Aeration is the go-to strategy when layered soils are present or a depth problem needs to be remediated. It may be a less effective practice if the goal is to alleviate a particularly severe thatch problem. Aerification units are generally used to relieve compaction than to manage thatch. Guertal said they are less likely to help with agronomic matters and are more suited to help with such physical properties as water movement and compaction.
She said when sand is added to control the amount of organic matter, depth is being artificially inflated because the sand is diluting it.
Although hollow tines are more effective than solid tines in relieving compaction, solid tines are useful for ridding algae or for controlling mat, moss or a dried surface yet may not be the right tool for alleviating organic matter, she added.
For controlling organic matter in thatch, Guertal said aerating is a “maybe.” Topdressing tends to be underserved, but it helps, she said. Studies conducted at Rutgers University have found topdressing seems to help reduce anthracnose with the assumption that the applied sand protects the crowns of the poa plant, ensuring they aren’t as open to being damaged.
Vertical mowing has come through a transition and is “a pretty significant way to reduce organic matter.” Guertal recommended vertical mowing as deep as possible with about three passes, a cleanup and topdressing to get rid of the accumulated organic matter.
Research data compared vertical mowing done twice a year at 19.1 millimetres (a severe vertical mowing) with light, frequent vertical mowing four times a year at 6.4 millimetres. Guertal said both variations produced the same results, giving superintendents some flexibility as to when the practice can fit into a maintenance schedule and what club memberships are willing to tolerate.
Golfers might prefer the less frequent route, she speculated, but added, “You’re going to go to town on it.”
Grooming and thatch
Studies have also been done to learn more about the relationship between grooming and thatch, including groomer spacing. If cutting, nicking or slightly grooming turf with closer spacing and a node is nicked or a stolon is slightly touched (because the creeping bentgrass plant has stolons), the node will be encouraged to produce shoots.
“If we have a groomer with closer spacing, are we going to
encourage improved shoot density?”
The groomer study involved various scenarios. Grooming was done once, three times and six times a week. Mowing was done every day of the week to simulate real golf course conditions. The two-year study also looked at groomer spacing of a quarter-inch, a half-inch and the use of no groomer at all.
“As we increased grooming frequency, we tended to increase thatch depth.”
The frequency of three times a week seemed to foster an increase in thatch depth, but it came about due to the increase in shoot density, Guertal said. Increased grooming stimulated shoot growth, suggesting the groomers were doing their job.
Research showed topdressing reduced organic matter five per cent while vertical mowing – no matter how deep or frequently – reduced it 10 per cent. Grooming, meanwhile, increased organic matter 11 per cent.
Guertal said grooming is desirable if the intent is to eliminate organic matter because it’s going to stimulate shoot growth.
She said studies also show that nitrogen has the biggest impact on green surface hardness. Fertilizing with a high rate of nitrogen contributed to a softer green while lower rates of nitrogen produced harder surfaces. When spiking was included, it made for a softer surface. The hardest surface came only with grooming. Vertical mowing sometimes had little effect. Heavy topdressing contributed to a harder surface.
Higher topdressing, only grooming or vertical mowing and lower rates of nitrogen were the tools for the hardest surface, Guertal said. Higher nitrogen, however, reduced moss and pink snow mould, but softened the surface and led to ball roll decrease. Spiking had benefits for better water infiltration.
Biological dethatchers have been around for about a decade, she said, noting commercial grade products are a bacillus type that have produced a significant response in trials.
‘Controlling
Canada’s 2019 class of ‘Top 10 Under 40’
Young honourees represent the future of the turf industry
The class of 2019 of Canada’s Top 10 Under 40 has been helping to shape the future of the Canadian turf and grounds maintenance industry since entering the profession, and these young individuals are poised to ensure that the qualities of leadership, innovation and teamwork are in strong supply for years to come.
This year marks Turf & Rec’s second consecutive mission to find the best young talent in the industry in Canada who have yet to reach their 40th birthdays. Whether they are employed in the golf, landscaping, sports turf or other sector of the industry, these chosen individuals have made significant contributions to their profession over the years and are setting an example for their peers, paving the way for the next wave of upand-coming professionals.
Turf & Rec wishes to thank The Toro Company for its sponsorship of the Top 10 Under 40 program.
The following young individuals constitute our “top 10 class of 2019,” listed alphabetically.
Trevor Anderson, 33, superintendent, Mount Bruno Country Club, St. Bruno de Montarville, Que. Anderson’s interest in turfgrass management flourished during his early teenage years while working for Doug Meyer at Beaconsfield Golf Club, outside of Mont-
real. He began as a labourer, progressed to student intern and then ascended to second assistant superintendent following his graduation from the University of Guelph.
The year 2005 was a significant year for Anderson who, aside from his graduation, received scholarships from the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association and L’Association des surintendants de golf du Québec, and was a finalist for Toro’s Future Superintendent of the Year honour.
From Montreal, Anderson joined ClubLink and took a position at the Kanata Golf & Country Club near Ottawa. After five years there, he moved back to Quebec
to become superintendent at the Club de Golf Le Fontainebleau where Champions Tour events were held in 2010 and 2011. His career has progressed rapidly and has led to his current and challenging post at the exclusive Mount Bruno Country Club. The club insists on holistic approaches toward turfgrass management and course conditioning, and Anderson and his team have met the challenge by reducing pesticide use and integrating alternative management protocols.
He also contributes as a member of the ASGQ’s board of directors and is pursuing a degree in environmental management at Columbia Southern University.
Trevor Anderson
Ross Baron, 33, field manager, Nat Bailey Stadium, Vancouver, B.C.
A turfgrass management graduate of the University of Guelph, Baron was honoured in 2017 as sports turf manager of the year for the Northwest Baseball League, charged with looking after the grounds at Nat Bailey Stadium for the Vancouver Canadians professional baseball team.
He has earned significant praise for his leadership and management of the team’s new field construction project. Baron was an outstanding student whose internship was with Major League Baseball’s Washington Nationals of the National League.
Baron began his position at Nat Bailey Stadium in February of 2017 following three years as field manager with the City of Kelowna. His arrival in Vancouver coincided with a major renovation project at the stadium in which improved drainage and a more even playing surface topped the list of upgrades. He brought in 600 tons of sand, tore out the infield and foul territories, and created channels to more adequately filter water from the outfield.
While most of his fellow university graduates chose a career in golf, Baron was determined to focus on sports turf from the outset.
Amanda Gillies, 24, director of sales and marketing, Maritime Green Products, Moncton, N.B.
Gillies is looked upon as part of the next generation of female leaders in the industry. As a key component of the family owned and operated distribution company, Maritime Green Products (MGP), she currently holds the position of director of sales and marketing.
Owned by the Gillies family, MGP operates out of Moncton and is recognized as a leading supplier to golf courses, municipalities and landscape contractors across Eastern Canada.
Gillies holds a business administration degree from Crandall University and recently graduated from the Rutgers professional turfgrass management program. The combination of her business acumen and passion for the turfgrass industry is said to be contagious, and she is one to watch in the years to come.
She is passionate about her customers and helps to problem-solve with them. Her first exposure to turf and horticulture came via the company’s wholly owned Sun Nurseries. Exposed to plants at a young age by her father, she began to absorb knowledge from him, allowing her love of plants and turfgrass to flourish.
In her spare time, Gillies likes to strum her acoustic guitar next to a campfire.
Henderson was unexpectedly put into the position of superintendent at the Sarnia club in the summer of 2017 when its longtime superintendent tragically lost his life while working at the golf course. Assistant superintendent at the time, Henderson ascended the ladder under the worst possible circumstances.
While maintaining the high standards set by his predecessor, he became a source of strength for those affected by the tragedy. What was once a cohesive grounds team that provided a finely conditioned golf course had become a family bonded by grief with Henderson at the helm. Meals, stories and time were shared, with Henderson making himself available as leader, mentor and friend to not only his team but to everyone at the club affected by the loss.
As a professional, Henderson is always looking to improve, learn and implement best cultural practices and is the driving force behind the club’s ongoing movement towards greater environmental sustainability. He has greatly reduced the usage of chemicals and pesticides and increased the use of organic agents. It was his idea to use trees that had been cut on the course to manufacture cutting boards and tee block markers branded with the Sarnia club logo.
When the club acquired beehives to increase the number of pollinating insects, Henderson – under the tutelage of a local beekeeper – became the club apiarist.
His contributions to the golf club extend beyond his own department. He plays a key role in the club’s joint health and safety committee and developed a course emergency plan for all members, guests and
employees. When the club launched its inaugural Santa Claus parade pre-party, he acquired the wagon, decorated it and provided it with Christmas music for the enjoyment of children wishing a ride. With the help of his team, he also put together
the club’s inaugural family outdoor night with a fire pit to allow for the enjoyment of s’mores by everyone.
Outside of the club, Henderson coaches minor hockey and raises funds for local charities.
Stephen Hicks, 32, superintendent, Brantford Golf & Country Club, Brantford, Ont.
Originally from Middleton, N.S., Hicks currently resides in Cambridge, Ont. with his wife Jenica. He learned the game of golf at Paragon Golf & Country Club in Kingston, N.S. and worked on the grounds crew there for five seasons while a student.
After graduating from Acadia University with a bachelor-of-science degree in mathematics and statistics, he opted to pursue his passion for golf and turfgrass by enrolling in the University of Guelph’s associate diploma in turfgrass management program. Graduating with honours in 2010, he accepted a position at Bayview Golf & Country Club in Thornhill, Ont. as assistant golf course manager – a position he held until February 2015 before moving on to the Dundas Valley Golf & Curling Club.
In 2018, he became superintendent at the Brantford Golf & Country Club and has adopted a holistic master planning process to the fold.
Hicks is an involved alumnus of the University of Guelph program, an annual speaker for Turf Club, a writer for the Ontario Golf Superintendents Association’s On Course magazine and is usually one of the first Canadians selected to attend new leadership series from the United States. He has been part of Syngenta’s Assistant Super U, the Green Start Academy and Nu Farm’s Excel Leadership Series.
Dave Jacobsen, 37, assistant superintendent, Bearspaw Golf Club, Calgary, Alta.
Jacobsen, a graduate of the University of Guelph’s diploma in turfgrass management program, tends to fly under the radar. He is known among his peers for his amicable personality and remarkable intelligence. Since his arrival at the golf course in February 2015, he has changed the culture of the team through inspiration, leadership and motivation. He understands the staff’s strengths, weaknesses and abilities and shapes their work schedule to enhance performance.
Club superintendent Darren Reddekopp said Jacobsen has established a connection with all staff, allowing him to emerge as a leader. This has led to staff retention of about 70 per cent, ensuring consistency to meet member expectations.
Bearspaw Golf Club has been undergoing some significant transformations with much of the work being done in house, and a lot of it spearheaded by Jacobsen. He has actually been wearing two “hats” of late, assisting with golf course operations and maintenance and heading up landscaping and golf course construction the past year during the building of a new clubhouse.
“Dave is hard working, loyal, and inspiring to our
staff,” Reddekopp said. “Having Dave as a part of my team means I never have to worry. He understands the needs and expectations of our members and our course. He is forward looking and constantly evaluating course conditions and what we need to do to improve. He has built a team with a vast skill set and that has been with us for numerous years. This allows us to branch into other areas such as facilities maintenance and golf course construction operations. This allows us to save money but more importantly build and enhance the skill of our team while providing future learning opportunities for our staff.”
Jacobsen is also known for his golf playing skills and often wins something in most industry tournaments in which he plays, including the 2018 Canadian Golf Superintendents Association’s fall field day tournament.
Kevin Moores, 33, superintendent, Oakfield Golf & Country Club, Halifax, N.S.
Born in Cole Harbour, N.S., Moores’ love of turf began at the age of 16. His ascent to becoming a golf superintendent was rapid and is a testament to his skill set and thoughtful approach.
He graduated from the University of Guelph’s turfgrass management program in 2012. As part of his studies, he completed an internship at Quail Hollow Golf Club in Charlotte, N.C. – site of the PGA Tour’s Wells Fargo Championship. Upon graduation, he was hired by the Weston Golf & Country Club in Toronto and shortly afterward took a position as assistant superintendent at the Ashburn Golf Club in Halifax. In 2015, he was offered the assistant superintendent’s position at the Oakfield Golf & Country Club to begin a new challenge.
Moores moved up the ladder the following season, becoming superintendent at the club. He recently joined the Atlantic Golf Superintendents Association’s board of directors and is excited about being host superintendent this summer for a PGA Mackenzie Tour event.
When he’s not busy at Oakfield, he spends his time with his fiancé Jessica and stepdaughter Claire and enjoys playing golf and softball as well as weighlifting.
Miranda (Moe) Robinson, 34, assistant superintendent, Cordova Bay Golf Course, Victoria, B.C.
An advocate for mental health, anxiety and women in turf, Robinson recently accepted a new position as assistant superintendent at Cordova Bay Golf Course in Victoria, B.C.
She has been featured on numerous podcasts, is the
Stephen Hicks
Dave Jacobsen
Kevin Moores
author of several articles in Golfdom and Golf Course Industry magazines, and is highly engaged on social media – namely Twitter where she has been named among the leading influential turf personalities.
Robinson bucks the trend of the superintendent known to dress in khaki pants, a collared shirt and blazer, and instead is more comfortable wearing an Iron Maiden T-shirt, jeans and running shoes.
Prior to joining the team at Cordova Bay, she was superintendent at Summerlea Golf Club in Port Perry, Ont. where she was a jack-of-all-trades – turning wrenches, grinding reels, applying fertilizer and pesticides, and looking after irrigation. At Summerlea, she worked with little budget and a small crew. All the while she simultaneously served as consulting superintendent for the nearby nine-hole Western Trent Golf Course. Robinson employs a minimalistic management style and is often forced to be resourceful on a shoestring budget.
Simon Rosas-Leon, 20, owner-operator, Top Notch Yard Care, Winnipeg, Man.
Rosas-Leon is slowly collecting a long list of commercial and residential customers for his business. Unlike some other companies that offer snow clearing services, he has been found to clear snow for customers even after clearing the same driveways the night before, only to return again the next day.
One of his customers remarked, “I really appreciate that in a snow-heavy winter like this one, it has made my life easier coming in and out of the garage.”
Personable and friendly, Rosas-Leon continues to expand his array of services. In addition to lawn care and snow removal, he cleans gutters, refreshes existing landscapes and builds patios, leaving each job site clean and tidy.
Prior to establishing his own business, the young entrepreneur was innovative in finding, fixing and reselling string trimmers and other tools. He is always looking for ways to deepen his knowledge of the industry and expand his business.
Rosas-Leon’s true start in the business began when he was 13. He found a few abandoned lawn mowers, fixed them up with the help of his father and put them to use mowing lawns in his neighbourhood. While a Grade 12 student, he became an apprentice with ABC Power Tools through a school program where he honed his skills in dealing with people. That same year, he took the Manitoba Arborists’ training and licensing course at the University of Manitoba and offers arborist services to his customers as well. His other services include lawn maintenance, landscaping, vegetation management and snow and ice management.
He said his business was built on two fundamental beliefs: that quality and reliability are the essence of superior service.
Frank Shang, 39, owner,
MRD
Landscaping Inc., Vancouver, B.C.
From landscaper to television and radio personality to beekeeper to winemaker, Shang has had an unconventional career. He is the founder and owner of MRD Landscaping Inc. and the Vancouver Horticulture Club. Additionally, he is CEO and co-founder of Fraser Sun Winery that focuses on blueberry wine products.
He has communicated relevant issues on horticulture through various social networks and has served as a bridge between the Chinese and Canadian landscape communities.
Shang is a certification judge of British Columbia Landscape & Nursery Association (BCLNA) for the Canadian certified landscape technician test since 2011. He became one of seven judges of the B.C. Landscape Excellence Awards of the BCLNA in 2016 and has been a judge for the Mandarin Profile Awards of Fairchild TV since 2015.
His long list of awards include: the 2017 B.C. Garden Communicator of the Year Award, a top 75 finalist of the ninth annual RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards in 2017, the 2016 Young Entrepreneur of the Year of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce’s 39th annual Business Excellence Awards, 2015 Young Member Award winner for the BCLNA, a 2015 honouree among the the Top 50 Most Influential Chinese in Vancouver, and the 2014 Person of the Year in the Chinese Community of Canada (Global Chinese Press).
MRD Landscaping Inc.’s awards include: 2018 Best Landscaping Business in Richmond (Best of Richmond Award), 2018 Best Landscaping Business in Vancouver Westside (Stars of Vancouver Award), and five merit awards with the National Association of Landscape Professionals Awards of Excellence since 2016.
The Vancouver Horticulture Club Inc.’s awards include the 2018 Environmentally Responsible Business Award (Stars of Vancouver Award).
Sponsored by
Miranda Robinson Simon Rosas-Leon
Frank Shang
Alternative fuel sources help lower emissions
Propane cylinders can give mower operators 7-10 hours of uninterrupted cutting
By Jeremy Wishart
Landscape contractors have more options than ever before when considering alternative fuel equipment for their fleets. More and more brands continue to add propane or battery-powered equipment to their lineups to meet demands for reduced emissions and noise pollution. And while alternative fuels used to be seen as niche products, the equipment now offers multiple advantages to contractors that may tip the scales away from gasoline and diesel.
For one, both propane and batteries can offer reduced fuel costs compared to traditional fuels and eliminate the risk of damaging small engines with ethanol. Propane-powered mowers reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 17 per cent, nitrous oxide (NOx) emissions by 19 per cent, and sulfur oxide (SOx) emissions by 16 per cent compared to gasoline mowers. Commercial handheld, battery-powered equipment is quiet and produces no emissions during operation, though make no mistake that emissions may still be produced by the upstream power sources that supply the electricity for battery-powered equipment.
But with so many options, contractors likely also have many questions about how to add alternative fuels into their fleets. Contractors can start by asking themselves these four questions to gain insight into how using an alternative fuel can benefit their operation.
HOW WOULD AN ALTERNATIVE FUEL IMPACT DAILY OPERATIONS?
Contractors who take a closer look at their current operations may see how alternative fuels can provide solutions for some of the common pain points in landscape maintenance. For example, the wide availability of gasoline at refueling stations is one reason for the fuel’s continued usage in the industry – it’s easy to find if crews run out. But because crews using gasoline typically need to stop work to refuel mower tanks and jerry cans throughout the day, the fuel can also be a major hindrance to productivity.
In comparison, contractors who switch to propane mowers will find that crews can go a full day with just one or two propane cylinders. Propane mowers use either two 33.5-pound cylinders in tandem or a 43.5-pound cylinder. On average, operators can get
A contractor’s mower is fitted for propane power.
through seven hours of mowing with one 43.5-pound cylinder, and as many as 10 hours with mowers that use dual 33.5-pound cylinders. Extra cylinders can be carried on a truck or trailer, as well. Propane cylinders can be refueled by employees at the end of each work day from a larger propane tank, or a propane cylinder exchange program with a propane supplier can be set up to ensure crews always have full cylinders available on the contractor’s property.
Using battery-powered equipment alongside propane mowers can cut a contractor’s gasoline use even further. However, for handheld equipment in particular, crews need to be diligent about battery management, or face downtime throughout the day. To reduce the need for more batteries, contractors can look at portable charging options such as adding solar panels to the roofs of enclosed equipment trailers or using propane-powered inverter generators. An inverter generator is quieter than a conventional generator, making it perfect for contractors working in neigh -
bourhoods and near schools or health facilities where noise reduction is valued.
HOW CAN CONTRACTORS FIND ALTERNATIVE FUEL EQUIPMENT?
A good first step for contractors considering alternative fuel equipment is checking with their local outdoor power equipment dealer to see what is already offered by the brands they carry. Multiple brands now have commercial battery-powered handheld equipment, and a dozen brands offer propane-powered commercial mowers. Dealers may be able to set up equipment demos, or have connections with an OEM to answer questions.
Contractors looking at propane mowers in particular have even more options to get started with the alternative fuel. Because so many OEMs now produce dedicated propane mowers or have models that can be fitted with a conversion kit, contractors may actually be able to continue using the same mower brand or model they currently operate. Additionally, if a local dealer is unfamiliar with the fuel, contractors can also turn to a local propane supplier to answer questions about how to get started with propane mowers.
Contractors considering propane can also take advantage of the alternative fuel beyond mower fleets with propane autogas. Like propane mowers, propane autogas vehicles produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline vehicles. The alternative fuel can be used in a number of light and medium-duty trucks, vans, and chassis models, too, with versatile propane autogas conversion kits. Propane autogas is already widely used across North America, with nearly 4,000 publicly available refueling stations located in Canada and the United States according to the Alternative Fueling Station Locator created by Natural Resources Canada and the U.S. Department of Energy.
WHAT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR ALTERNATIVE FUEL EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE?
A major advantage to contractors considering propane equipment is that maintenance technicians comfortable working on gasoline and diesel mowers will be able to maintain a propane mower in much the same way. Propane mowers use internal combustion engines similar to those used in gasoline mowers and may feel more familiar to maintenance technicians than other alternative fuels.
Contractors can learn more about how to set up in-house maintenance technicians with training on alternative fuel equipment by speaking with an equipment dealer or a propane supplier, as well. A dealer or
Propane used to power mowers will reduce greenhouse emissions by 17 per cent
propane supplier may also be able to train maintenance technicians on converting, maintaining, and repairing propane mowers, or have connections to OEMs and training facilities that do.
HOW CAN ALTERNATIVE FUELS IMPACT COSTS?
Lower fuel costs associated with using alternative fuel equipment is a major reason landscape contractors consider switching away from gasoline. But how will they know if another fuel source will save their specific operation money?
The simplest way to see what impact alternative fuels could have on a budget is to conduct an audit on their current fuel use. Consider, too, the impact that budgeting for gasoline price increases has on your business or on customers.
Although electricity costs vary across Canada, the country’s mix of power sources generally keep the cost per kilowatt hour low in comparison to what a contractor would spend on an hour of run-
A mower can go a full day with 1 or 2 cylinders
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ning gasoline equipment. Generally, electricity costs will remain much more stable throughout the year than gasoline or diesel, as well. However, with battery equipment, contractors need to consider recharging on the go, which can add additional costs.
On average, contractors using propane mowers will pay 30 to 40 per cent less in fuel costs compared to traditional fuels. The price of propane historically falls between the prices of natural gas and oil, which greatly limits market price fluctuations compared to the wild price swings that gasoline and diesel often have in a given season. The majority of the propane supply used in both Canada and the United States is produced in North America, as well, providing cost stability even when global fuel markets fluctuate. Contractors can see their approximate savings with propane, too, by using this cost calculator from the United States-based Propane Education & Research Council.
It’s no question that adding alternative fuels can provide advantages to a contractor’s operation. For more information on using propane mowers or propane autogas work trucks, visit www.propane.com/landscape.
Jeremy Wishart is the director of off-road business development at the Propane Education & Research Council. He can be reached at Jeremy.wishart@propane.com.
Keys to strong spring startup
Three practices will set landscapers up for a strong season
By Craig Ransavage
While spring signifies endless opportunity for many, in the landscape business, many don’t know how to get up to full speed. Many turf managers and lawn care operators wait all winter for the spring green-up, but when it’s “game time,” what’s the best way to get out of the gate strong? And if you already feel like you’re behind, how do you catch up? After all, spring is a time to kick start profitability, as well as get ahead of your competition.
Consider using these three turf care practices on your (or your customers’) properties to set yourself up for a successful season.
Dethatching
Dethatching removes layers of dead grass, roots and debris that can build up over the winter between the soil and the growing grass. This removal keeps the grass greener and healthier while minimizing the chance of disease.
Especially if you didn’t dethatch in the fall, spring is an ideal time to clear out the clutter and give the turf some room to work and grow. As far as timing goes, it’s best to dethatch when your turf has started to green up a little bit, so you don’t tear up dormant turf.
Aerating
Regardless of whether you have warm or cool season grasses in your area, spring
aeration is beneficial to your turf. After harsh winters in the north or stress in the south, soil can get compacted, stunting root growth and not allowing nutrients to get down into the soil. Aerating your customers’ lawns loosens up the soil, letting the turf breath and get access to what it needs. That extra wiggle room lets air get into the soil, as well as fertilizer and water, and it provides more room for the roots to grow deeper and stronger.
As a business, aeration is an excellent way for you to set yourself apart from the competition and get more work during early spring. For different properties, there are different kinds of aerators, including walk-behind, tow-behind and stand-on models.
For best results for spring aeration, there are ideal times to aerate different grasses. For cool season grasses, the best time is between March and May, but you should wait a little longer for warm season grasses. Avoid aerating warm season grasses during spring green-up, and not
until after they have undergone their first spring mowing.
Overseeding
While spring may not be the ideal time to overseed, you can still do it successfully, especially if your customers are looking to get a jump on summer turf renovation. If you do decide to overseed in the spring, be sure to coordinate your efforts with your fertilizer and herbicide programs. Concurrent application of seed and herbicides is generally not recommended because the herbicides may cause poor seedling establishment. It is best to delay herbicide treatment four to six weeks after new grass seed germinates. If you choose to overseed in the spring, be sure to follow proper seeding and treatment practices.
These services not only get your turf in mid-season form, they keep your business moving and set you apart from the competition. And healthy turf makes you look good, building a foundation for success for years to come.
Craig Ransavage is product manager for Ryan.
Overseeding will help customers get a jump on summer turf renovation.
Target launches Turf Fuel G
Target Specialty Products, a leading value-added service provider of turf and ornamental solutions in the United States and Canada, has launched Turf Fuel G™ 24-0-11 Mini. The Turf Fuel G 24-0-11 Mini is exclusively co-branded with Scotts® PRO and is part of a broader line of fertilizers that leverage Scotts PRO technologies.
Turf Fuel G 24-0-11 Mini has multiple nitrogen release technologies in the blend, including a proprietary methylene urea technology and a polymer coated urea. This exclusive formula is designed to improve spread and deliver consistent growth and colour for three months. Additionally, the product promotes quick green-up and a non-staining and controlled release micronutrient pack.
“Our new Turf Fuel G 24-0-11 Mini offers golf customers the best solution tailored to professional turf applications,” David Helt, Target Specialty Products’ president, said.
“Our continued partnership with Scotts –one of the most trusted names in turf –allows us to continue to engage customers with the latest products and technologies in the professional turf business.”
In addition, Turf Fuel G 24-0-11 Mini features Target Specialty Products’ unique, proprietary Nutrifense technology, which is designed to promote increased plant health during stress periods by activating the plant’s own defences.
“We created Nutrifense several years ago and have been building on it ever since. We continue to search for, test, and source the latest plant health ingredients to include in Nutrifense. The formula has been university tested and field proven to optimize overall stress tolerance.”
“Our continued partnership with Target Specialty Products will result in the launch of new products specifically designed for turf professionals,” Trevor Whitson, general manager of Scotts PRO, said.
Target has 43 locations in Canada and the United States.
Kevin Jensen South West / N. Ontario
kevin.jensen@target-specialty.com 519-280-7745
Joey Losito Quebec South & East
joseph.losito@target-specialty.com 819-571-1677
Jason MacRae Quebec North & West jason. macrae@target-specialty.com 514-712-8006
Craig McCutcheon Toronto West / Niagara craig.mccutcheon
Duffer
By Rod Perry
What’s the deal with wedding ceremonies?
A
sk most people what type of mail they dread receiving and they’ll agree it’s bills. You shuffle through the stack of envelopes pulled from the mailbox and those with the transparent windows are the ones that elicit that woeful sigh, letting you know it’s time to pay up again.
For me, bills aren’t the pieces of mail I dread most. If the envelope is addressed to me in calligraphy, that’s my cue to panic because I know exactly what’s inside. It’s going to be a wedding invitation.
I’ve never been a big fan of weddings. I dislike almost everything about them. I’m not opposed to marriage, but rather the pomp and circumstance associated with the marriage ritual, not to mention all the fuss…and the expense!
I believe in marriage. I’ve just never been able to get my head around the need for an elaborate ceremony and long drawn out reception afterwards.
I’ve been to my fair share of weddings over the years. My own was cheap. We were married in a civil ceremony with a couple of witnesses. There were no tuxedoes, no wedding gown, no hall rental, no alcohol to purchase, no lavish meal and no fancy cake. We saved thousands.
I simply don’t get why young couples would want to put themselves deep in debt for something that is nothing more than just a big show.
At one of the last weddings I attended, I gave the young couple a 50 per cent chance of remaining married after their first two years. He was 21. She was 19. The marriage lasted 10 months.
My wife and I attended their buck and doe a few months beforehand, shelling out more money than we cared to to take part in a bunch of nonsensical games to help build up their wedding fund. I told my other half at the time, “What are we doing? This marriage is going to dissolve in less than two years. They’re too young, and she’s much too immature.”
The honeymoon apparently lasted about four months, and their remaining six months together was reportedly hell. So we spent untold hundreds on the buck and doe, their wedding gift, bridal shower, etc., and for what?
There comes a time during the wedding ceremony when the minister asks the attendees to speak out if they see reason
why the couple shouldn’t wed. That’s the moment you have to bite your tongue even though you understand full well that speaking out would have been the right thing to do. Eventually, though, the last word would have been mine: “I told you so.”
Why can’t weddings be similar in nature to becoming a licensed driver? If you want to marry your longtime sweetheart, you obtain the necessary licence, you exchange vows with your betrothed in the presence of someone legally certified to perform the wedding, and then you share the good news with family and friends.
I’ve watched (not by choice, but because someone else in the room had possession of the remote control) some of those reality shows on television in which couples spend anywhere between $30,000 and $100,000 on their weddings. It’s obscene.
It’s all for what – the means to sift through an album of
photographs years later and reflect, “Yeah, that was the day we put the shovel in the ground to dig a financial hole for ourselves that we’re still trying to climb out of. But look at how happy we were.”
The bride spends thousands on a gown she’ll never wear again. It’s insanity when you think about it.
Then there’s the reception that often hinges on weird. The MC announces that the bride and groom will share a kiss only if all the guests from the same table stand and sing a song with the word “love” in it. Can anything be more nauseating? But it gets worse. As the hours pass, it comes time for the groom to remove his bride’s garter. The ritual usually has the bride seated in a chair while the groom sticks his head under her dress and removes the garter from her thigh using only his teeth. Things get a little R-rated as the night wears on. But with everyone half in the bag by this time, I suppose no one even cares anymore.
About 50 per cent of the weddings I’ve attended in my lifetime have eventually ended in divorce and have lasted anywhere from 10 months to 20 years. About half of those doomed marriages didn’t make it past five years. I feel the need to take a long shower when I learn about all the fizzled unions whose ceremonies I attended.
Instead of fancying these invitation envelopes up with calligraphy, why not just save time and stamp a skull and crossbones on them instead?
Rod Perry, aka Duffer, is a Niagara-based freelance writer.
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