TR - April - May 2020

GOLF COURSE MAINTENANCE AND COVID-19

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MIKE JIGGENS

By Mike Jiggens

Turfgrass maintenance & the COVID-19 crisis

It comes as no surprise that this issue’s editorial deals with the current COVID-19 pandemic and how it relates to our industry.

This health crisis has had a significant impact on the industry in Canada, whether it’s golf, landscaping or sports turf management. The 2020 season is unlike any other beforehand and – at the time of this writing – appears not to be positioned for a “normal” return anytime soon.

Each province has been entrusted to declare which businesses or services they consider to be essential, and those failing to make the list have either been shut down entirely or limited to what can still be done.

Golf at this time has been declared as non-essential throughout most of the country, with British Columbia being an exception to the rule. The common denominator, however, is that course maintenance is proceeding as usual, or at least as usual as possible under the circumstances. What sets maintenance practices apart this year from previous years is that the job is being done for the most part by bare bones crews working with leaner budgets. In fact, superintendents at many courses are rolling up

their sleeves to tackle some of these tasks themselves.

On the plus side, without the regular traffic of golfers and carts, turf isn’t experiencing the same levels of stress it would ordinarily. Without the need to cater to golfers, mowing heights and frequencies can be adjusted accordingly without compromising turf health – all with minimal labour and inputs.

Unfortunately – at least at public play golf courses –without green fee revenue and no one wishing to renew or take out new memberships, the cost of ongoing maintenance is a significant strain on clubs’ bottom lines. This could potentially put some of the smaller operations in peril.

The cost of ongoing maintenance is a significant strain on clubs’ bottom lines

Once the green light is given for play to begin – if and when we’ve successfully curtailed the spread of this virus – golf courses that have managed to keep up with the minimum of maintenance required can make a few adjustments and be ready to open in fairly short order. For the sake of Canada’s smaller courses, let’s hope that day arrives sooner than later.

As for the landscaping and lawn care sector of the industry, these professionals, too, are likely to be starting their seasons with limited staff. Residential customers who have lost their jobs as a consequence of the pandemic will be weighing their leaner incomes against their desire for a healthy, manicured lawn. Some may opt out of lawn care and maintenance services this year while others may not wish to risk a decline in the quality of their green spaces. Based on U.S. data, the design/build sector of landscaping will be the most negatively impacted.

As far as sports fields are concerned, these have been shut down for play right across the country so as not to violate the need for physical distancing. Ongoing care for these fields has been deemed essential for the most part as long as only minimal maintenance is being done. This largely means mowing and herbicide applications, so that if user groups are permitted back on at some point this year, the fields will be in acceptable and playable condition.

Like golf courses without golfers, sports fields without user groups could potentially be in near pristine condition by the time they are ready for play.

Golf will likely see the light of day much sooner than sports field use because it’s an activity that can be achieved through physical distancing. But we need to get over the hump first.

www.turfandrec.com

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B.C. golf courses to Alberta golfers: don’t cross the border

British Columbia golf courses don’t want Alberta golfers playing on their properties any time soon. With many B.C. courses open for play and golf deemed non-essential in Alberta, Canada’s westernmost province wants its eastern neighbour to abide by recommendations that no cross-border travel be undertaken during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

As of April 18, about 45,000 people in Alberta had signed an online petition in hopes of persuading the Alberta government to remove its declaration of golf as a non-essential service.

Information vague about what’s essential, says CFIB

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business argues that the Ontario government’s list of essential businesses provides vague information about how or if companies can operate. The landscaping industry is finding it difficult to properly interpret governmental guidelines.

A landscaping business had interpreted the guidelines to suggest that work could continue on projects which, if left incomplete, would create safety hazards. But the business was advised it could be fined if it continued to work.

P.E.I. landscapers feel handcuffed by limited customer services

Lawn care professionals and landscape contractors on Prince Edward Island are limited to providing only two services (as of April 21) after being declared non-essential by the provincial government. Companies can mow grass and seed lawns at newly-built residences. The limitations are likely to put a strain on companies’ bottom lines, with 30 to 35 per cent of lost sales, one landscaper says.

45,000

Growing demand in AB, SK to be removed from non-essentials

To golf or not to golf. That is the question.

With no resolution to the current COVID-19 pandemic on the immediate horizon, golf has been shut down in most of Canada. The game continues to be played at many golf courses in British Columbia since no provincial legislation has been mandated to shut the game down. Golf courses in the province that have opted to close have done so voluntarily –heeding advice from medical authorities.

provinces share the same argument – that golf can safely be played via a number of common sense rule changes that promote physical distancing and abstinence from touching such surfaces as flagsticks, bunker rakes and ball washers.

This is how golf has been played in British Columbia since the early weeks of March.

Next door in Alberta, an online petition to the provincial government, asking that golf be removed from the list of non-essential businesses and services, garnered about 45,000 signatures as of April 20. And in Saskatchewan, a number of golf associations, including the Saskatchewan Turfgrass Association, has asked the provincial government to declare golf to be among the first businesses to be removed from the non-essential list once restrictions are relaxed.

The pro-golf supporters in each of Canada’s three westernmost

Although opinions differ across the country about whether or not golf should be played during a serious health crisis, editorials in mainstream media continue to support the concept of golf play as perhaps the safest means of all to acquire physical exercise and a respite from self-isolation.

Edmonton journalist Robert Tychkowski is among the more vocal supporters of golf play.

“What’s safer: A steady stream of customers, plus 60 or so vendors, all under one roof at the same time, exchanging cash and products all day long?” he states in a number of Postmedia publications. “Or twosomes walking out every 10 minutes on 160 acres of land?”

Find the latest turf-related news, stories, blogs and analysis from across Canada, and access our forum . . . www.turfandrec.com

Close High Park to cherry blossom viewing: Tory

Toronto Mayor John Tory wishes to close High Park to the public once its cherry blossoms are in bloom. The occurrence, which typically takes place in late April to early May, has become a popular event in the city, attracting large groups of people. Wanting to maintain efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19, it has been proposed that cherry blossom viewing be done online this year.

Tory said trying to manage the park during this time would probably result in a crowd scene.

“I’m in favour of just shutting the park down for a period of time,” he told media.

Disaster looms if there is no golf this year in Alberta

If the current golf ban in Alberta is extended through the summer, it could prove devastating to the industry in the province. Paying staff to maintain a golf course that can’t be played due to health restrictions will result in a significant financial hit, the manager of golf course operations at Stony Plain Golf Course, says.

“We’re crossing our fingers and hoping to get the go-ahead,” Jeff Cuthbertson said.

“We can control the number of people on-site, and setting tee times to control the stagger. We have more controls in place than the typical outdoor sports field or playground or park.”

Baseball season in jeopardy in Orillia

Late April-early May:

COVID-19 gives golf a new look for courses open or soon to do so

Golf is an entirely different game amid the current COVID-19 pandemic. Golfers in British Columbia are among the first in Canada to realize just how different it has become as strict new rules aimed at safe play have altered what they were accustomed to prior to the 2020 season.

The start to the 2020 season is not like it was in 2019, nor as it was in any previous year.

JULY

The City of Orillia has announced that its sports fields and arenas will remain closed for all activities until July 5 during the current COVID-19 pandemic. “I think at this point we are starting to wrap our head around that we aren’t going to be playing baseball this year,” the president of Orillia Legion Minor Baseball says. 5

As golfers arrive to play at B.C. golf courses, they are reminded of the importance of physical distancing. At the Harvest Club in Kelowna, golfers are told they should ideally keep at least 16 feet between them because motorists on the road adjacent to the club can see onto the course and might have an excuse to report any improprieties to the authorities.

In addition to maintaining physical distancing, golfers are not to touch such things as the flagstick which they might normally choose to remove when putting. Other items are being removed from courses to prevent touching, including bunker rakes and ball washers. Those who wish to ride pay for a cart of their own.

At some courses, two occupants will be allowed to ride together as long as they are from the same household. Some courses are not renting out clubs.

Different measures have been taken at various clubs to prevent golfers from reaching their hand into the cup to retrieve a holed ball. Some have raised the cup above the surface, allowing a “sunken” putt to simply hit the cup while others have inserted foam to prevent the ball from falling into the hole.

Groups of golfers are being reduced to threesomes or twosomes to better control the size of pairings, and tee times are further apart to prevent groups from catching up to one another.

As of late April, golf courses outside of British Columbia were lobbying their respective provincial governments to consider relaxing guidelines to allow for golf to be played as early as May 1. They argue that British Columbia has proven the game can be played safely amid the COVID-19 pandemic and say it’s one activity that can be enjoyed for physical exercise in spite of the health crisis.

cherry blossom time at High Park all Orillia sports fields closed until then

Golf maintenance amid a health crisis

Courses still need required maintenance, even without golfers playing. By Mike Jiggens

The way of life among Canadians took a dramatic turn in mid-March as the global COVID-19 pandemic’s impact started to be felt a little too close to home. In mere days, all sporting events were shut down, schools were closed, church services were cancelled, and places where large groups of people typically gather – such as movie theatres and restaurants – were forced to shut their doors.

The goal was to minimize the spread of the novel coronavirus by deeming various businesses, activities and other functions as non-essential. The lists of non-essential services were declared by the provinces, and golf made the list in

most parts of Canada. As of late April, golf was not on British Columbia’s hit list, and individual courses made their own decision as to whether or not they should close or be open for play.

Even though no golf was being played in most of the country, course maintenance carried on as usual – albeit with minimal staff and leaner budgets – to protect each club’s multi-million-dollar assets.

In early April, Turf & Rec presented a webinar to discuss golf course maintenance amid these unprecedented circumstances. Offering their thoughts were Braydon Gilbert, superintendent at St. Charles Golf Club in Winnipeg, and Jamie Robb, superintendent at Marine Drive Golf club in Vancouver. We’ve

since reached out to Rory MacLennan, owner and former superintendent at Summerheights Golf Links in Cornwall to offer a public golf and Ontario perspective on the matter.

The superintendent at the 36-hole, family-owned Summerheights course is MacLennan’s son-in-law Nathan Andrews.

The following is a “highlight reel” of the webinar – along with MacLennan’s input – presented in a question-and-answer format.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted your operating budget?

Gilbert: Our seasonal labour component for April has been reduced or removed. That will continue while we’re

As of late April, the only golf being played in Canada was taking place in British Columbia. The game was declared non-essential in other parts of the country, but courses were being maintained as usual.

PHOTO: MIKE JIGGENS

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closed. Our current plan is to open if we’re allowed to – even if that means a modified experience (the clubhouse and pro shop are closed). The longer this goes on, it will have more of an impact and we’ve been trying to forecast as many scenarios as we can, whether it’s opening June 1 or July 1 or Aug. 1 or not at all.

Robb: We decided to forecast what the worst-case scenario could be for our fiscal year-end and come up with a few variations of that. Our fiscal year-end is Sept. 30, so we’re essentially halfway through that budget, not that the largest portion of that budget has gone through yet. If we, unfortunately, have to stay closed for the remainder of that year, we’d probably see about a 30 per cent reduction from the turf side of things.

MacLennan: At this point, everything is normal. This would be an early opening right now if I was able to open today (April 14). As far as it affecting our budgets at this point, I haven’t felt anything. We’ve had openings as late as May 4 and as early as March 22. We haven’t felt any crunch yet. We’re going to feel it when we can’t open. We’ve cut our greens twice now and cut our fairways and tees once. Those are practices we would have been doing anyhow, so we’re in that limbo stage right now.

Does your club have a plan on how you’ll be operating once the restrictions are lifted?

Gilbert : Our intention is to open if we’re allowed, even if that means the clubhouse and pro shop have to stay closed and members just come to play. There have been discussions to limit to twosomes only, no carts, no club storage, no bag storage or anything like that.

Robb: It all depends on how the restrictions get lifted. I can see us following some of the regulations put out by government if they do that. We may need a little lead time to tidy up some of the details on the golf course.

MacLennan: We have a plan on how we’re going to get mobile as far as spacing out the customers when they’re here at the clubhouse. Once they’re off that first tee, they’re on their own. We’ll have one rider per cart and we’ll set up an area where they drop off the used carts. We’ll have to clean them and sanitize them. There’ll be no porta-potties on the golf course.

As this crisis rolls out, how do you feel this will impact your club directly and golf in general?

Gilbert: I think it’s going to hurt pretty badly. There are always silver linings to bad situations, but, unfortunately, I think across the country there will be some clubs and businesses that don’t come out of this

on the back end. At our club in particular, we’re forecasting some pretty scary numbers as far as what we might lose. Hopefully members will continue to support the club. One other aspect we’re also concerned about is seasonal people moving on to other jobs. As they aren’t able to be employed here, we could see that gutted out quite a bit and it could take us a few years to build that key team back up.

Robb: Some owners here in British Columbia are really going to struggle with the loss in revenue, especially if it does come to a complete closure. Some that are open are benefiting right now. I’ve heard rumours that literally golfers are showing up to golf courses with cash in hand and saying, ‘Can you get me out? Can you get me a tee time?’ There’s a debate about whether that should be going on. If they are forced to close, I think it’s going to be a dire day for some of them.

MacLennan: If it goes beyond that (the mandate

Mowing of key areas, such as fairways, is not being done as frequently without golfers playing.

PHOTO: MIKE JIGGENS

that Ontario golf courses remain closed until at least April 29), that’s when we’re going to start feeling the punch. Our superintendent has a plan in place where we’ll cut less frequently, but we’re still going to have to pay those men.

What will be the minimum amount of maintenance that will have to be done to your greens and fairways if the course doesn’t open on time or doesn’t open at all?

Gilbert: We’re planning to protect our assets as if we’re going to open again. Greens are a couple days a week from a mowing standpoint, just to keep turf under control and groomed. We think fairways are one to two days, along with tees and approaches and the rough every couple of weeks as you get to it. We’ll try to keep things low from a fertility standpoint as much as we can and play with some growth regulators as we usually do and find a happy medium between cost and reducing mowing and try to figure that out where we can knock that out of the park.

Robb: I think that some of the recommendations

‘Without the golfer on the golf course, we’re going to be able to work more efficiently’

that have come out from the USGA and GCSAA have great information on some rough guidelines on what they think might be required. Mowing rough every two weeks is definitely not feasible for us out here in the rain forest and with a wet property. Our rough grows like crazy and will probably only grow more. We’ll probably have to be mowing it at least once if not twice a week coming into our heavy growth period at the end of April. We’re currently mowing our greens once a week and that’s sufficient, but I think it will be site specific in terms of how much those different areas need to grow – backing off on them and using our growth regulators. One of the things I’m excited about is being able to dive a little further into our growing degree day models, so that’s one that kind of gets a little dicey given that with the weekly schedules at a golf course – the men’s night, the ladies’ day, whatever you have going on – you’re kind of pigeon holed into having to often spray every seven days to 14 days, whereas now we have the freedom to learn those growing degree day models and space our growth regulator applications accordingly.

MacLennan: We’ll raise our height of cut everywhere – on tees, greens and fairways. That will depend on how much the greens are growing. But we’re not going to cut them every day like we would for normal play. We’ll likely start by going every second day and, if we see on the second day that they’re not growing, we’ll have to monitor how the greens are growing and the same with fairways and tees. We’ll likely cut back on fertilizer. We’re not going to encourage them to grow. In most cases with aprons, approaches and tees, we pick up our clippings, but we may just leave the clippings there. Without the golfer

on the golf course, we’re going to be able to work more efficiently. We feel we’re not going to have to come in at 6 o’clock or 5:30 and start mowing procedures. If we start at 8 or 9 o’clock and we’re cutting and leaving the clippings, the clippings aren’t going to be clumping. We’re not going to be cutting in dew. If the fairways get long and you’re cutting in the dew, now you’re leaving clumping and it looks like hell. I think by eliminating some of that plus raising the height of cut a little bit, it’s going to change that.

What are your top five priorities on the golf course under a reduced labour force?

Gilbert: Greens, no surprise, is No. 1. Fairways is No. 2, tees are No. 3. I think it’s a tie between bunkers and rough. I’m intending to keep the rough in control so that it’s playable if and when we open. We’re pretty dry here in Winnipeg so if we don’t turn our rough irrigation on and it gets a little dormant in a few spots, it’s not the end of the world. It will bounce back. If we can reduce our cutting that way, we will. With

bunkers, I’d like to keep them, even if I run the machinery through them once a week or two weeks just to keep the weeds from getting out of control. With a week or two’s notice, we can have the golf course playable at least.

Robb: Focusing on greens, fairways and short-cut turf is all going to be priority No. 1. Even things like edging sprinkler heads. They will otherwise get grown over and they’ll need to be edged. There are still a lot of tasks that will be deemed essential if and when it does come to that point in British Columbia.

MacLennan: Keeping the greens healthy and alive, keeping the grass from becoming overgrown, keeping tees as healthy as we can. Of course we’ll have to have our irrigation system up and going so we’ll have to keep it in good shape. Water management for the greens and tees will be something we’ll have to keep an eye on. We’re going to water to keep things alive. Fairways won’t need to be kept as lush as we usually try to keep them. We’ll just keep them alive. If there’s no play and there’s no income coming, we’re going to

Jamie Robb, superintendent, Marine Drive Golf Club

keep everything as lean as we can. Because we’re a 36-hole operation, I feel as though I should be able to have one man on all 36 greens in one day. I’m not worrying about cutting them tomorrow. I’m going to cut them every second or third day. The growth will determine some of that and the fact that we’re not going to add as much nitrogen and not fertilize as heavily as we normally would, they don’t have to recover from traffic and we won’t be moving the pin every second day. One man should be able to cut 18 in one day. Then next day, we feel that the same guy who just cut the greens can go out and cut the tees and aprons. He’s not going to have to get off and move tee blocks, he won’t have to move the little turf box with divot mix. He can just keep going and no one’s in his way. The same goes for fairways. The guy who cuts fairways should be able to do 18 one day and 18 the next day.

How has the COVID-19 crisis changed your workplace safety?

Gilbert: It’s been pretty challenging to change your mindset, to think about this from an infection control standpoint. We weren’t used to Lysol-wiping our door handles and light switches 10 times a day along with some other things we’ve started to do. We’ve had to build some check lists and systems to keep things cleaner. Everybody has his own vehicle that’s colour-coded with their own equipment and tools so that we don’t get cross contamination. (Moving forward) I hope we don’t have to spend this amount of time with

cleaning at this level of intensity for very long. Is there a happy medium for doing a little bit more than we were? Probably.

Robb: It’s been a huge change. My wife’s a nurse and every day when this started she’d come home and ask if I’d wipe down the door handles all the time. An analogy she used was to try to get the people in the workplace to have the mentality to not to spread it to somebody else. I think the mentality that anytime you touch anything, make sure you’re cleaning it and wiping it down. When we decided to close, we had no hourly employees in for the first week and a half and it was cold enough that we didn’t have to mow any grass at that time. It took us about a week to 10 days to figure out to go out and buy spray bottles and talk about whether we’re going to use rags or disposable wipes and how are we going to dispose of those wipes and all those little things that you don’t think about until you start doing it yourself. I was glad we had that 10-day break from the staff and that we could slowly bring them back.

MacLennan: At this point we have our hand sanitizer here and spray bottles with disinfectant handy. It’s a work in motion at this point. Once we have our staff in here (at this point it’s just the family), we’ll have to teach them to wipe down the door handles, the counter and what not. We’ll just have to be more consistent in keeping things clean and with our staff we’ll have to realize the guy monitoring the door can’t just come in and sit down with the guy in the pro shop and have a visit. They’re going to have to stay apart from one another.

Drones and turf: monitoring health of green spaces

Technology provides another useful tool for turf professionals

By Willie Carroll

With the advances in technology over the last few years, drones have become more of a regular part of day-to-day life for a lot of industries. From using drones to help create better wines to helping with protection and conservation efforts of the white rhino population in Africa, drone use has become much more popular.

An area that is up and coming is the use of drone technology in the turf management industry to help monitor the health of the turf, especially to help with early detection of disease or fungal infections. One of the methods used to monitor turf health is called Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). The NDVI can identify areas with possible fungal or disease infections before these issues become visible to the naked eye. This in turn allows for earlier monitoring or field checks to deal with the infection before it becomes a significant issue.

The who and what of NDVI

NDVI was developed in 1972 by NASA researchers as a way to measure vegetation health across the planet on a large scale from satellites orbiting the earth. The most popular use of NDVI since 1972 has been in the agriculture industry to help assess crop health across large fields. The initial research done to develop NDVI was done using imagery captured of the Great Plains in the Midwest of North America, better known as the “Bread Basket of North America.” The process of using NDVI for vegetation health assessments and monitoring has become the standardized method used worldwide.

The traditional method of data acquisition to create

NDVI maps was to use satellites and aircraft equipped with multispectral cameras that captured images in multiple different light wavelengths. For crop health monitoring, there are six important light wavelengths that scientists use for their studies: three visible wavelengths of the light spectrum (red, green and blue) and

Fugure 1: Shows the light spectrum with the associated wavelength ranges in nanometres.

three non-visible wavelengths of the light spectrum (rededge, near-infrared, short-wave infrared) (Figure 1).

With the advances in technology, the specialized sensors used to capture the data have become miniaturized. This has allowed these sensors to be fit onto drones which has opened up many opportunities to capture imagery in a much more cost effective manner. Using a drone also allows for a higher resolution and quality of data to be collected. These sensors, just like the ones on satellites and aircraft, collect three visible light wavelengths – red, green and blue – but also collect the non-visible red-edge and near-infrared wavelengths. The red-edge wavelength shows the transition zone from the red portion of the light spectrum to the near-infrared zone where the reflectance of light is drastically increased, adding another layer onto vegetation health detection and expanding the capabilities of analysis.

The science behind NDVI

To understand the science behind NDVI, let’s look at how these different wavelengths apply to plants that we see every day.

Healthy plants appear green to the human eye as the strongest visible light reflected off the plants is the green wavelength. The amount of green light reflected off of the plant is about five to 10 times less intense than near-infrared light, and the amount of near-infrared light is directly correlated to the health of the plant (Figure 2). Red and blue wavelengths are absorbed by the plant to use with photosynthesis activities. When a plant absorbs energy from the sun’s light using photosynthesis, chlorophyll creates energy for the plant to use to grow. Chlorophyll strongly absorbs visible light in the blue and red wavelengths into the cellular structure of leaves, and when there is strong photosynthesis activity within the plant this can be used as an indicator of healthy vegetation.

Drones

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Drones with sensors flying over an area collect information including data on the different light wavelengths being reflected off the vegetation. The NDVI maps are created from the reflectance difference between the visible red light wavelength and the non-visible near-infrared wavelength.

When a plant becomes dehydrated, sick or afflicted with a disease, the spongey layer, where the chlorophyll is stored, deteriorates and the plant absorbs more near-infrared light than if it were healthy. Using a drone equipped with a multispectral sensor allows for these sometimes subtle changes to be observed. As the amount of near-infrared light reflected decreases the sensors, it provides the user with an accurate indication of lower amounts of chlorophyll within a plant which correlates to an unhealthy or weakened plant.

When using NDVI to monitor vegetation health, uniform healthy turf will have relatively consistent near-infrared light being reflected and unhealthy or weakened vegetation will reflect lower amounts. These variabilities in an NDVI map can indicate stresses that need to be investigated. When looking at an NDVI image, it will show the range of health for the vegetation, but it will also show other features. Within the image, different surfaces will reflect different amounts of near-infrared light. Water, pavement or bare ground absorbs near-infrared light, so on an NDVI image these will appear as negative values, or red as most NDVI images will have a red to green colour gradient. When analyzing an NDVI image to assess the health of the vegetation, the NDVI values can be affected by a variety of environmental and local stresses such as the amount of plant photosynthesis activity, total plant cover (area covered by vegetation), the amount of available light, the amount of plant biomass, the plant and soil moisture or other plant stress.

Figure 2:: Turf reflectance with simulated amounts of wavelengths emitted.

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Drones

NDVI in the real world

How does NDVI apply in the real world? Let’s look at two examples from a flight done over a golf course.

The first is an image of a fairway and green of a par three hole (Figure 3). The NDVI image has been overlaid on a traditional drone aerial view image to allow for a user to see other features surrounding the hole. When looking at the NDVI image, areas in red hues are areas that have been identified as areas of concern or areas with low vegetation health. The

reddish area on the left indicates low vegetation health as a result of high pedestrian and golf cart traffic coming from the tee block. In this area there is high soil compaction reducing the amount of available oxygen in the soil to the detriment of the turf. A second area of concern is the dark red area in the centre of the NDVI image. On further investigation it was found that this area has a small depression which allowed for water to pool. As there was active water on the surface when the drone flight was done, the

amount of near-infrared light being reflected was significantly lower as water absorbs near-infrared light.

The second example is a driving range on a golf course (Figure 4). This example can have similar characteristics to any large open turf field which could be used for sports such as soccer, football, baseball, or rugby. On the tee deck of the driving range (lower left side of the NDVI image), it is possible to view the divots that golfers have made. It is also possible to see the area of soil that gets thrown forward when the golfers create these divots. Using NDVI can allow golf course operators to know when and where a new tee deck should be placed, allowing heavily used areas to regrow.

With the use of NDVI technology, vegetation health and stresses can be identified before they become visible to the naked eye which would allow for the early detection of issues. This will allow operators to target areas needing more attention throughout the season of use and is an extra tool that maintenance staff can use. Using drone technology and NDVI technology is not about making maintenance staff redundant, it is about making their efforts more efficient and cost effective through utilizing new technology and methods (Figure 5).

Willie Carroll is founder and chief UAV pilot for Location Intelligence & Design, based in Kitchener, Ont. https://locationintelligence.ca

Figure 3: An NDVI map overlay on the fairway and green showing areas of high (green) and low (red) turf health.

Figure 4: An NDVI map overlay on a driving range showing areas of high (green) and low (red) turf health.

Figure 5: A drone that can be used to conduct the surveys of the course to create NDVI images.

Best BMPS for sports turf

Use best management practices when dealing with sports turf user groups. By Mike

Jiggens

Within the professional turf and grounds maintenance industry, the sports turf sector is lagging behind when it comes to best maintenance practices, those attending Sports Turf Canada’s September field training day in Oakville were told.

Boyd Montgomery, the Toro Company’s North American sports field and grounds regional business manager, said the golf industry developed best management practices several years ago.

“The sports turf industry has not really had those,” he said, adding the Sports Turf Management Association is working “feverishly” on developing BMPs. “You want to use best management practices when you have those conversations with some of those user groups and what really

needs to be done on the field to deliver on those expectations.”

User group expectations are a key aspect toward the design of a maintenance and operations program. Montgomery said that when he was previously a sports field manager in Ohio, soccer groups wanted fields mowed at a half-inch or less, noting the turf was an older Kentucky bluegrass cultivar that struggled at three-quarters of an inch. Meeting with user groups allowed him to learn of their field expectations and gave him the information he needed to consider what could be done to deliver on their requests.

“At least have some open discussion on what it would take to be able to meet what they’re asking for.”

Field wear and tear is perhaps the biggest challenge facing sports turf managers, but all too often they are forced to play with the hand they were dealt,

Montgomery said.

“Unless you have the luxury of being able to build a brand new complex, you are stuck with the hand you are dealt. You’re going to walk into a facility and deal with what is there.”

The sports turf manager must understand what it is he’s dealing with, including knowledge of the soil and the nutrients present, he said, likening it to a patient requesting a specific type of medicine from a doctor before he’s examined. A doctor won’t prescribe any type of medication until after he’s conducted a number of tests that leads to a proper diagnosis.

“It’s the same thing with turf management. When you walk into a facility, you really need to get an understanding of what you’re dealing with.”

This involves soil and nutrient testing. “If you’ve not done any of those, you need to do it. If you’re into any type of a fertility

Dealing with field wear and tear is among the most challenging tasks for a sports turf manager.

program and you’ve not done nutrient testing, you’re just throwing money down the drain.”

Sports turf soils range from gravel to clay in terms of particle size, and managers need to understand their soil types to ensure they are properly managed.

“That will dictate how you set up your maintenance practices as you go forward and take care of them.”

AERATION

At the top of the list of cultural practices that need to be performed on sports fields is aeration, Montgomery said. It is a “game changer” that will allow fields to perform well and recuperate from the activities taking place upon them. Aeration has several benefits that include improved air and water infiltration, growth stimulation, thatch reduction and seedbed preparation.

Montgomery said the objective of aeration is to disrupt 15 to 30 per cent of a field’s surface by pulling several cores. The practice isn’t done just once and it’s done, he cautioned.

“You need to be sure you have a program in place to do that.”

Pulling cores involves a significant amount of cleanup afterwards and that can pose a challenge to sports turf managers who may not have a sufficient window of opportunity to pull cores and let them either decompose or be worked back into the soil prior to an on-field event.

“When you’re looking at doing an aerification program, the key is figuring out how you can mix it up a little bit.”

Aerating “wall to wall” four times a year was his standard practice when working in Ohio. Although he found the time for a successful aeration program (usually in between fall and spring soccer seasons) that included north-south, east-west and crisscross patterns, he acknowledged not everyone may have the time for such an extensive program.

“It’s awesome to do it wall to wall, but it may not be what you have the time or luxury to be able to do.”

Montgomery said his windows of opportunity for

User group expectations are a key aspect toward the design of a maintenance and operations program.

aeration began to shrink as he moved further along into the program, and micro aerification was subsequently performed. Lacrosse had begun in early March when there was still some snow on the ground, and athletes “beat the heck” out of his fields.

“Lacrosse is a very tough sport on a natural turf field.”

‘When you’re looking at doing an aerification program, the key is figuring out how you can mix it up a little bit’

He said the local lacrosse group was given use of a soccer field, turning it into a “muddy mess” and perturbing the soccer groups. To address the wear and tear to the field, Montgomery’s staff turned to micro aerification by using walk-behind machines. Only specific areas of the field were addressed such as the goal and scrum areas and other spots that experienced severe wear. Aeration was done after each game and sometimes twice a week, depending on the field’s severity. Pre-germinated seed was spread afterwards and followed by topdressing. Spreading seed in March was a bit of a gamble, he admitted, acknowledging they would be lucky to realize a 10 per cent catch, “but we stayed consistent with that.”

The micro aerification strategy helped turn a field destroyed in its first year into one that retained consistent playability.

“Aerification can really help your field improve. It also helps with infiltration of moisture, allowing it to get down deeper into your soil structure.”

Montgomery said if a field’s soil structure is compacted, causing water to sit on top, the turf’s roots aren’t going to want to search out for moisture. The deeper they are able to go, the better off the field will be.

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July and August there is the risk of some browning around the aeration holes due to root damage.

TOPDRESSING

A good topdressing program should ideally go hand in hand with aerification. It helps to smooth the playing surface and modify the soil. The key, he said, is to know that topdressing with sand on a native soil field will not improve soil structure drainage.

“If you have a clay field and say you’re going to go out and start doing it with sand, I would tell you that your field will get a lot worse before it gets a lot better.”

Being consistent will eventually lead to improvement, he said, adding it’s important to understand a soil profile in order to match it with a topdressing program.

“Once you commit to a topdressing program and you’ve got your material identified that you’re going to use, make sure you have a consistent source of that throughout the time that you will be topdressing.”

Overseeding a sports field can be tied into aeration and topdressing programs. On football fields, a field worker can take a bucket containing a seed and topdressing mixture and spread it

in between the hash marks prior to a game, allowing the players to “cleat it in” during the game.

“Overseeding is a good way to get the turf back into the shape you need. When you look at seed, make sure you’re getting good quality seed. Make sure you don’t have noxious weeds in your seed mix when you’re buying seed from a seed supplier.”

Montgomery suggested exercising caution when mowing, noting that the practice stresses turf and is a shock to the plant. Removal of more than 40 per cent of the leaf tissue can stop root growth for anywhere from six days to two weeks, depending on the amount of tissue removed. He cited the case of a high school that let its sports field turf get away to the point where it had grown to about six inches and then was mowed to one inch.

“The only thing a grass plant knows to do when it’s in shock is to go where its food and reserves are, which are in its roots, and start to use that to regenerate.”

During heavy play, a stressed or shocked playing field is apt to result in “beavertail” divots because there is no root structure to hold the turf together. To maximize the health of the plant, he suggested mowing heights should be matched with a field’s fertility and irrigation programs.

DELIVERING SUPERIOR SOD AND QUALITY SERVICE

Superintendents influencing golf course design

Golf architect

Christine Fraser shares how superintendents can think like architects

By Mike Jiggens

Agolf architect’s job is to provide a playable layout. A golf superintendent’s job is to maintain that layout. But a superintendent can still influence design, those attending January’s annual conference of the Ontario Golf Superintendents Association were told.

Architect Christine Fraser, who worked the past five years with renowned British architect Martin Hawtree, told the gathering in Niagara Falls that technical and practical elements of design are considered foundational and are important to the sustainability of a golf course.

Everything a golfer does counteracts the roles of the architect and superintendent, the Kingston, Ont. native said.

“There’s naturally going to be a breakdown in the playing conditions,” she said. “When elements of the course are no longer playable, that’s when we need to step in and put our architect mindsets to work and see what the bigger problem is.”

Tees, for example, can be influ-

enced by a superintendent to simplify his job, provide a greater challenge for golfers and give those areas a better chance to recover.

Fraser said the size of a tee should be relative to par for that hole. Most tee shots on par three holes will be made with an iron, resulting in multiple divots. Tee blocks will consequently need to be adjusted regularly to allow for the regeneration of turf. Because a driver is used on most par five tees, the sweeping motion of the tee shot will result in fewer – if any – divots, necessitating a comparatively smaller surface.

The shape of the tee is also important, she added, noting circular or rounded tees have less useful space than the same-sized tees that are cut in rectangular shapes. Acknowledging rectangular tees may be more difficult to cut, requiring additional turns, “in terms of useful surface area, rectangular tees are going to give you a little bit more.”

Other characteristics of tees that need consideration include sloped surrounds and accessibility by both golfers and mowers.

“Take a look at your tees and see if there are any areas that need addressing and apply these thoughts. You have the machines and tools to fix it yourself.”

Greens will need even more attention, she said. There must be sufficient area for pin changes and the spreading of wear. Greens of a certain age will experience “green creep,” or

a gradual reduction in surface area due to mowing patterns that come up short of the original perimeter.

“With half an inch or an inch every year, your greens are going to get smaller. Look at your sprinkler heads. Were they a foot away and now they’re two feet away from the green…or three feet away? This is something you can easily fix. Extend your mowing edge and make the green bigger and allow for a more puttable surface.”

The tendency is for mower operators to err on the inside of the cut edge of greens to avoid scalping the fringe. Consequently the size of the green gets smaller over time.

ACCESS POINTS TO GREENS

Fraser urged superintendents to look for the access points to their greens, noting that putting surfaces with only one access point will experience plenty of compaction and additional wear from machinery and golfers who are limited to a single entry point. In cases of “punch bowl” greens, the access point is normally through the approach.

Other features such as green surrounds and bunkers or other hazards may pinch traffic into one area, creating potential problems.

“Traffic circulation is an important aspect of good design. It takes into account how to direct traffic and disperse wear. Ideally, you will be able to throw away all of your cart signs and your ropes because the

Having a larger tee on par three holes allows more movement of the blocks, allowing divots to recover.

ground contouring and the hazard placement will do the job for you.”

Fraser said the superintendent must determine why an access point is unmaintainable.

“Where are you telling your machines and staff to be walking? Look at your ground contouring and see how that is contributing to wear. The key is to manage traffic through good design instead of signs and ropes.”

Poor cart path design can contribute to areas of wear due to high traffic levels. Paths that don’t have a logical endpoint or no means to encourage the dispersion of cart and foot traffic are apt to create problems on the golf course.

One of the most overlooked elements of golf course design is surface drainage, Fraser said.

“We just need to know where the water’s going.”

Ineffective drainage has a significant impact on day-to-day maintenance, potentially subjecting a green to a variety of issues such as winter injury and traffic damage. She said to look for depressions and distinguish whether they were meant to be there as part of the design or are flaws that need

to be addressed.

Bunker maintenance is among the most labour intensive practices on a golf course, but Fraser said there are others ways to make play challenging with fewer or no bunkers. A full bunker audit can help to reduce the amount of labour required to maintain them.

“You know which bunkers you need to be raking all the time and which bunkers never need to be raked.”

Advancements in technology have rendered some bunkers to be ineffectively positioned. Elite golfers are capable of hitting their tee shots past bunkers that were originally designed to swallow up well hit balls. The shift in technology is now penalizing the weaker players.

“In terms of good design, that’s not really what we’re going for.”

It’s better to have one bunker positioned in an ideal location than to have three bunkers positioned ineffectively, she said. Identifying poorly positioned, ineffective bunkers can lead to an opportunity to remove 10 to 20 per cent of the hazards.

“Take a look at what bunkers can go first. Removing bunkers is something you are

capable of doing.”

Bunkers deemed necessary on the golf course need to be looked at for other issues, including the frequency of washouts, the difficulty in maintaining a consistent depth and the proximity of fairway edges to bunker perimeters. Fraser said growing alternative grass types adjacent to bunker edges is a means of avoiding fairway edges from inching toward the hazards’ perimeters. Slopes of bunker faces often pose a challenge to bunker depth consistency.

“You can reduce the slope without altering any function of the bunker. The bunker is still going to do its job. It doesn’t have to be really, really steep.”

A bunker’s exit and entry points are critical considerations, especially if there is only one location that is experiencing significant wear and compaction. It’s all about the ground contouring and how it’s funneling traffic into the bunker, Fraser said.

“If you want to reduce the amount of surface area of sand that you have to maintain, you can make a bunker just as functional by manipulating the ground contouring around the bunker.”

Lips often form over time in front of a

It’s better to have one bunker positioned in an ideal location than to have three bunkers positioned ineffectively, architect Christine Fraser says.

bunker’s entrance. Golfers who walk in and out and then tap their shoes afterward allow sand to fall at the entrance and create a lip. She said it’s usually just sand that creates the lip, and it can be remedied easily with a shovel.

“Clear that lip away and allow the ball to funnel into the bunker. You’ll have a much bigger impact.”

FAIRWAY ALTERATIONS

Superintendents who wish to reduce the size

of their fairways to save on maintenance and inputs should start by analyzing their fairway grassing patterns, Fraser said. The average 18-hole golf course has about 28 acres of fairway. To reduce the amount of maintained fairway, certain questions must be asked:

• How wide should the landing areas be, and are they different from each tee? From the back tee, the landing area probably doesn’t need to be wider than 25 yards, she suggested.

• Where does the fairway start, and how much carry is being allowed? If it’s only 50 to 75 yards, can it be lengthened to eliminate some fairway at the start of the hole without adversely affecting weaker golfers?

• Are walkways being cut to the fairway? Are they necessary? Can they be eliminated?

Some golf courses have intermediate rough along their fairways, but that’s a product of championship golf, Fraser said. Intermediate rough is designed to help balls that land perhaps only a yard from the fairway to be played with little penalty. Courses that adopt intermediate rough generally have exceptionally high primary rough.

“I imagine only a select few of your courses maintain your primary rough high enough to justify having this intermediate cut.”

Eliminating intermediate rough provides better fairway definition, reduces labour costs and the need for additional machinery.

“Is your intermediate rough necessary or is it perhaps a choice of the members, because it’s probably not there from an architectural standpoint.”

Incorporating non-irrigated ornamental grasses in out-of-play areas is a viable alternative to maintaining some rough areas.

“As long as the pace of play doesn’t decrease and you can still find your ball more often than not, I would say that more habitat rough the better. Environmentalists will thank you, you don’t have to water it, and it needs cutting only a couple times a year.”

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Getting the most bang for your buck

All-purpose equipment for maintaining athletic fields. By

Andrew McCorkindale

There’s no doubt about it. If you’re a sports turf manager, you’re operating on a tight budget. That’s why you have to make sure that you’re getting the most bang for your buck when it comes to the equipment you buy. Understanding what the best all-purpose pieces of equipment are for maintaining athletic fields is critical for producing a winning season when it comes to behind-thescenes performance.

Compact utility tractors

Getting into the right compact utility tractor is the first step for any sports turf manager who needs a truly versatile piece of equipment or who has a multi-field

property. If you’re with a municipality or a larger complex and equipment needs to be taken from site to site, a compact tractor doesn’t have to be trucked from one location to the next. It’s also simply one of the best multi-purpose pieces of equipment that you’re going to find for the job that you need to do.

What do you need to consider when purchasing a compact tractor? Here are the top characteristics in order of importance:

• Horsepower. Look at the big picture and determine whether you’re going to need more than just one implement over time. If so, you’ll want to get a tractor with an engine that has at least 40-45 horsepower. Even if your budget won’t allow you to get all of the implements

that you think you’ll need at once, it’s important to start with the right foundation – enough horsepower to be able to power all of the implements that you may be buying in the future.

• Turf tires. A good set of turf tires will give you flotation over your fields without disturbing the turf and leaving any tire marks.

• Hydrostatic transmissio. A hydrostatic transmission makes a tractor versatile and easy to drive for multiple users. You can also easily go from forward to reverse with a touch of a pedal.

• Turning radiu. Knowing the turning radius of the tractor you’re thinking about buying is crucial. Go into the buying process knowing how much

A compact utility tractor is the first step for a sports turf manager who needs a versatile piece of equipment.

room you have on your fields so that you don’t waste time looking at models that won’t be compatible.

• Cab. A cab may seem like a luxury, but depending on where you are and how much time you’re spending on your tractor, you may find that it’s a necessity. It allows you to have air conditioning in the summer, and if you’re using it in all four seasons, heat in the winter.

Implements

When thinking about implements for your compact tractor, it’s best to have a plan for the order in which you’re going to buy them. This means starting with the most all-purpose pieces and then getting more specialized as you can purchase more.

• Flexwing finish mowe. Most sports fields need a flexwing mower. It’s the best and most efficient way to maintain the turf. You can get up to 204 inches wide, which means cutting 17 feet of grass in one pass. That’s time savings that’s well worth the investment. It also makes for a very manicured cut so you can get nice striping as you go.

• Overseeder. With many municipalities having pesticide bans in place, field maintenance is limited to what can be used for controlling weeds. The thicker you can keep your turfgrass, the easier it is to block the sun from the soil to prevent weeds from taking hold. If you overseed your turf a couple of times a year, it will save quite a bit of money in the long run when it comes to weed control.

• Cultipacker. A cultipacker is used to achieve optimal seeding. It can smooth the ground, remove air pockets and ensure good seed-to-soil contact for a lush turf throughout the season. When you’re buying implements, you’ll want to make sure that any parts that are moving on the equipment are readily available from your local supplier or dealer. That way, you can either service your equipment yourself or take it to

the dealer for a quick turnaround. Quality products are all about self-sufficiency for the user, so you can perform maintenance and get back to work as soon as possible.

Zero turn radius mowers

If you’re on a tight budget and can’t justify buying a compact tractor, a zero turn radius mower (ZTR) is another piece of equipment that you’ll want to consider – especially if you have a site with just one sports field. With their speed and variety of deck widths, you can knock down the grass on the field itself and then use it for all the trim work that you need to do along the fences and around the parking lot.

Here are the top considerations when buying a zero turn mower:

• Ease of use and safety. Because you may have employees with different skill levels operating a ZTR, you’ll need it to be as easy to use, intuitive and as safe as possible. That means being able to operate the mower from the seat. There shouldn’t have to be any getting up to raise or lower the deck height or to engage the blade.

• Ergonomics. If you or an employee are going to be sitting on a ZTR for six to eight hours a day, you’ll want a high-back comfort seat or something that’s going to help prevent any jarring or impacts that your body will have to endure. You’ll also want to make sure that it can fit different body types if you have multiple employees

using the ZTR. This can be dependent on how the seat can be adjusted and how the control panel is configured.

• Ground spee. A traveling speed of eight to 10 mph is ideal, so that your ZTR will let you work as efficiently as possible.

• Deck width. Get the widest deck that you can while keeping in mind maneuverability off the field when cutting around fences and other obstacles. A deck width of 48 to 60 inches is recommended, but again, you’ll need to confirm what will work for your field.

• Fuel capacity. Once the machine’s out on the far end of a field, it shouldn’t be running low on fuel. That’s why large fuel capacity is essential. You want to make sure that you can carry enough fuel for the ZTR to run for the day.

Multi-purpose equipment is the key

Having the right multi-purpose equipment on hand is the key to any winning athletic field – no matter your budget. Keeping these recommendations in mind will help to set you and the teams that you work for up for success.

Andrew McCorkindale is territory manager for KIOTI Tractor in Ontario and Western Canada. KIOTI supplies equipment to the U.S. and Canadian markets and offers a full line of compact tractors, utility vehicles and zero turn mowers for residential and commercial use.

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•

37 years in business and counting for Guelph landscaper

James

has experienced it all over the decades.

By Mike Jiggens

In his 37 years as an independent landscape contractor, James Walke has seen many others enter the industry and many others leave. He described it as a “revolving door,” sharing his story in February with other landscapers and lawn care professionals at the Ontario Turfgrass Symposium in Guelph.

“They come in and mess up our industry,” he said. “That’s one of the problems with our industry… that we’re not regulated. Anyone with a pickup truck and a lawn mower can say they do what we do, and they don’t.”

Walke founded his Total Gardening Services Ltd. business in 1983 while in his third year of university, studying philosophy and psychology. Intending to move on to law school upon graduating in 1985, he decided to take a year off to earn some money from his landscape maintenance business.

“Thirty-seven years later, I’m still on that year off.”

Walke said he occasionally asks himself if he should have pursued a law career, but said lawn care has been an interesting run. Over the course of his 37 years in the industry, however, he has made a number of significant changes to the business, including the choice to scale back, to no longer compete for

tendered work, and to successfully adapt to the 2009 Ontario pesticide ban.

In the early 1990s, Total Gardening Services had grown to the point where Walke had a fleet of three trucks and 12

employees. But he didn’t necessarily view that as progress.

“I could not get the quality of workmanship out of the crew when I wasn’t on site.”

Walke

James Walke has owned Total Gardening Services Ltd. in Guelph for the past 37 years, and recently spoke about his years in the landscaping and lawn care industry at the Ontario Turfgrass Symposium.

PHOTO: MIKE JIGGENS

At the end of the 1992 season, he decided to sell his excess trucks and equipment and turn the business into a “one-man show.” Since then, he works with two full-time students in the summer and a part-time employee during the winter months, offering his customers a comprehensive snow and ice service.

During the business’ early stages, Walke had one employee who had been with him for 10 years, providing some consistency.

“Since then, I’ve not been able to find a full-time person to stay with me a long time, so I’m always, always, always training.”

In spite of dealing with employee turnover and a scaled back business, Walke has enjoyed success over the years. Many of his customers have hired his services the past 25 years.

“If you can find that kind of loyalty going in your business, you’ll thrive.”

LAYING SOD

Total Gardening Services offers its customers in Guelph and Rockwood full-service landscape maintenance and snow and ice services. Walke is a licensed pesticide applicator and additionally offers his customers pruning and sod installation services.

Although other contractors lay sod for their customers, not all of them roll it afterwards, he said.

“The two most important things in sodding, as far as I’m concerned, is water the crap out of it immediately and roll it to get root-soil contact.”

Without proper contact, he said, dead spots will appear. Because some other contractors don’t own rollers, they will undercut Walke’s business – a pet peeve of his.

Customers tend to be particular about the work being done on their properties, he said, adding it’s important for the contractor and his crew to fully understand the parameters of the work, including what can and can’t be done and what might “piss off” the client. Sharp edges and a contrast with mulch are among the expectations of

customers.

Walke has been underbid on jobs over the years, but has subsequently been hired to finish some of those jobs to the customer’s satisfaction. He has fielded calls from homeowners who have given up on the idea of growing grass, often finding sec -

tions of lawns damaged by chinch bugs or European chafer grubs. Grub control is one service he doesn’t offer because they must be treated at the right stage in their development, and moisture levels in the soil need to be optimal.

Once the lawn is treated for grubs, it’s

Beautiful Cut

up to the homeowner to water it in, but people generally neglect the need to irrigate, he said. The best time of year for grub treatment is usually August when municipal water restrictions or bans are in place, and many homeowners can’t be bothered to pay for a watering permit.

Walke, therefore, doesn’t offer grub treatment because it’s something he can’t guarantee.

“If I can’t guarantee my work, I’m not going to do the work.”

Instead, he suggests to his customers experiencing difficulties with their lawns to add clover.

“It’s going to fertilize itself, taking nitrogen from

‘If I can’t guarantee my work, I’m not going to do the work’

the air. When I was a kid, lawns never went brown in the summertime – ever – because they were 30 or 40 per cent clover. You put in clover, chinch bugs won’t eat it, white grubs won’t eat it, nothing’s going to eat it. Bees love it.”

Those who say they don’t like the white flowers from clover, claiming they look messy, are told that is their cue to mow, thereby solving the problem.

Putting down endophyte-enhanced ryegrass seed is another means to address chinch bug problems, Walke said. He keeps a supply of both clover and endophyte-enhanced ryegrass seed in his truck, using it to overseed bare spots.

PESTICIDE BAN

One of the biggest challenges he’s faced during his long career was the pesticide ban that came into effect in Ontario in 2009.

“I had a 25-year business that was quite successful and making money, and the pesticide ban came along and really yanked the rug out from beneath me and left me standing there, wondering, ‘What do I do now?’”

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It took him a while to become accustomed to approved alternative products, but Walke successfully made the transition. He said lawns with ample weeds are sprayed first thing in the spring, followed by spot spraying each week afterward. If necessary, another full spray will be done four to five weeks after the initial treatment with spot spraying to follow.

“I’ll just do that until I have the effect that I want.”

Walke said the ban forced him to rethink and better market his business. One strategy was to secure high-end residential customers that included doctors, dentists and lawyers whose office proper-

ties could also be serviced.

Another successful means of attracting new residential customers is what he calls his “line of distinction” when fertilizing. Using a 25-5-15 fertilizer (65 per cent slow-release Polyon), he creates a straight line that separates a customer’s property from the neighbour’s. The strategy produces a vivid line that clearly showcases a lush, healthy lawn against one that is underwhelming.

“I get a lot of business off that line of distinction. I’ve been satisfying my customers and pissing off the neighbours for 37 years.”

Strategic branding is another means of

attracting business, Walke said. When he first launched his business, he selected blue and white as his choice of colours for everything associated with his company, including his shirts, stationery, business cards and truck and trailer.

“It’s basically everywhere. It gives you a credence of reliability and an air of competence as opposed to having a white truck and a green truck and a black one.”

He said he finds it baffling that some contractors don’t put their company name on the sides of their vehicles.

Walke said it’s important to him to strike a balance between his career and his personal life. An accomplished singer, he is a member of three community choirs that account for 10 to 15 hours of his time each week.

“I made that conscious decision to balance work and enjoyment, and I’ve been able to maintain that for about the past 30 years.”

Walke said he is one of Guelph’s more expensive contractors, charging about $3,800 a season for a 2,000-square-foot residential property, but added if another contractor approached 90 per cent of his customers – offering to do the same work for 15 to 20 per cent less – “I bet they wouldn’t get the job.”

Walke advocates clover on his customers’ lawns, letting them know it helps keep grubs at bay.

GEARING UP FOR GOLF SEASON

ClubLink has been getting new workers up to speed on safety

By Marcel Vander Wier

Each February, ClubLink begins its annual recruitment drive of 3,900 seasonal workers.

The management company based in King City, Ont. is the largest owner-operator of golf courses in Canada – with a total of 40 locations in Ontario, Quebec and Florida.

Prior to each golf season, an influx of seasonal workers joins ClubLink’s 500 full-time staff to serve on the club’s turf and golf management crews and in kitchens and restaurants.

“There’s always different roles and responsibilities with each of them,” Julie Iantorno, ClubLink’s manager of employee and member experience, says.

Job fairs are typically held in March and hiring is completed in April, Sarah Morrison, a human resources generalist at ClubLink headquarters, says.

Sixty per cent of seasonal workers are typically returnees. The majority are young workers, age 14 and up, she says. A smaller hiring backfill will take place in late August when many seasonal staffers return to school.

Of ClubLink’s five business drivers, safety is No. 1, Iantorno says.

“At all levels of our communication, safety is one of the pillars… when we talk about sales, we talk about safety. It’s really exciting for us, because it always has been one of our strongest areas. It is definitely taken seriously at the board level all the way down.”

TRUST THE PROCESS

ClubLink’s seasonal training process is conducted in three steps: online training, orientation day and first day of work.

The first step in training is compliance-based courses such as Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) and is conducted through a learning management system (LMS). Every worker is expected to complete the material before their first day of work.

A new employee will complete about four hours of online training, while returning workers will have a smaller module, Morrison says.

“The online training is specified based on the employee’s profile,” she says. “In our LMS system, we have departments. And based on what the manager will sign the employee up for, they’ll automatically

be assigned the required modules. They’ll be a mix of ClubLink-specific and generic modules.”

Training can be conducted on smartphones, ClubLink-provided computers or on paper, Morrison says.

“We are a multi-generational workforce and everybody is different,” she says. “We do accommodate that to make sure that everyone can complete their training.”

Employee orientation days take place before the start of the golf season, with general rules, workplace culture and safety each being discussed. Following a group session, departments will split off and go through tours with their staffers, Morrison says. In-depth oneon-one training takes place on each employee’s first day of work.

GOLF-COURSE HAZARDS

Working on a golf course comes with unique operational hazards, including golf balls, course slopes and operation of golf carts.

“Slopes is a big thing on-course routing,” Iantorno says. “The whole idea of navigating a golf course… even the operation of golf

Sarah Morrison and Julie Iantorno of ClubLink.

Marcel Vander Wier is the editor of OHS Canada.

carts, period.”

Unique course hazards, including special weather forecasts, and specific course hazards, are noted on health and safety boards in the clubhouse.

“Our turf workers will often be on the course at the same time that a golfer is and so we have to identify different blind spots or areas,” Morrison says.

Topical information on heat waves, wasps, poison oak and common injuries are discussed in daily team huddles and via distributed material.

“In our world, those different environmental things play a role,” Iantorno says. “So, we definitely communicate that with posters that they can put up on their joint health and safety committee (JHSC) boards.”

Annual blitzes by the Ontario labour ministry often zero in on golf courses, with a recent inspection focused on slopes, she says.

“There’s rules for every piece of equipment on where it can cut based on that slope, and how you should cut it.”

Equipment training sign-off is required, Morrison says.

“We created safe-operating procedures for a lot of our turf equipment and paired that with the in-person training so that there is that supplementary piece that an employee can quickly reference – just a two-page overview of the things that they’ve gone through the entire manual.”

Documented circle checks are required for turf staff operating machinery, Iantorno says.

“Every time they take out a mower or a piece of equipment, they would have a form daily that they would be required to check and sign. There’s accountability in both places there. We make sure that people are checking everything as they need to before they go out – whether it’s safety switches or seat belts.”

‘HANDS-ON APPROACH’

Taking cues from Iantorno and Morrison, each ClubLink course works to implement an action plan on safety via a joint health and safety committee.

“Our big thing is we don’t want to discourage injury – we actually want incident reports,” Iantorno says. “We want people to write the smallest thing up. And even if no one gets hurt, we’re really big on letting us know so that we can still prevent what could have happened.”

According to WSIB Ontario, ClubLink’s injury rates have been consistently lower than the industry average for at least the last eight years.

This story, originally published in OHS Canada, was written just prior to the implementation of restrictions associated with COVID-19.

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A look at 2020’s pickup truck lineup

An in-depth look at the lineup of trucks available to the industry. By Mario Cywinski

Once exclusive to heavy-duty pickup trucks and a selection of full-size vans, trucks brands are now adding diesel engines to their light duty trucks. While FCA added one to its Ram 1500 a few years ago, it is now introducing a new version on its 2020 truck, General Motors is also adding a diesel option to its Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra, while Ford added a diesel to the F-150 in 2019.

Safety and technology also takes centre stage for 2020, as many brands are adding features not usually seen on pickup trucks and vans in the past. These include cameras to better see around the vehicle, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and options to help with towing.

For 2020, a new player is added to the mix, as the Jeep Gladiator makes its debut in the mid-size segment. Heavy-duty models also see updates for 2020, as both Ford (Super Duty) and General Motors (Chevro-

GMC Sierra HD.

let Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD) are all new. Nissan has updated its Titan and Titan XD.

Here Turf & Rec looks at what is new, updated, and available in the pickup truck and van market for 2020.

FORD

Super Duty

Ford has updated the Super Duty for 2020, with engine, capability, design, and technology changes. A new engine is added to the lineup, as a 7.3L, V-8 gasoline engine with 430 horsepower and 475 foot-pounds of torque make its debut. The 6.7L Power Stroke diesel engine gets an update and now offers 475 horsepower and 1,050 footpounds of torque. The standard engine continues to be a 6.2L gasoline engine. A new 10-speed, heavy-duty automatic transmission is also added to the Super Duty and features drive modes that include normal, tow/haul, eco, slippery, and deep sand and

snow.

The updated diesel engine allows the Super Duty to now offer gooseneck towing of 16,783 kilograms, fifth wheel towing of 14,742 kilograms, and conventional towing of 10,977 kilograms. Maximum towing numbers are increased for all Super Duty models for 2020 (F-250, F-350, and F-450).

Ford has optimized the front end of the Super Duty to help with cooling, including a new front bumper and air dam. The rear tailgate, taillights, and rear bumper are all updated. LED headlights are also updated, as are DRLS on higher trims.

Technology and safety changes also occur, as Pro Trailer Backup Assist is now offered and allows the truck’s Trailer Reverse Guidance to be compatible with fifth-wheel and gooseneck trailers. Automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping alert, and blind spot monitoring are now standard on XLT trim and above. Other standard features, now include FordPass Connect with 4G LTE

modem, available wireless charging, and Ford Telematics.

A new Tremor off-road package is also added to the line-up for 2020, featuring an upgraded suspension, running boards, 35inch tires, and Trail Control (described as cruise control for off-road driving by Ford).

Transit

For 2020, the full-size Transit van gets a new 3.5L V-6 gasoline engine (replacing the 3.7L engine), it joins the 3.5L EcoBoost gas engine with 310 horsepower and 400 footpounds of torque and now with automatic start/stop function. Both engines are mated to a new 10-speed automatic transmission. An all-wheel drive system is also added as an option for 2020.

Safety is enhanced for 2020, with new standard automatic emergency braking (with pedestrian detection), forward collision warning, post-collision braking, lane keeping system, and automatic high beams. New available safety options include adaptive cruise control, front and rear camera, and a speed-limiting device.

Minor changes occur to the exterior of Transit, including available HID headlamps with LED DRLs, unique grille designs for different models, and an available power sliding door for cargo and passenger vans. The interior is updated with subtle changes and improvements and the addition of available swivel front seats. FordPass Connect model with Wi-Fi hotspot (for up to 10 devices) is now standard.

<b>Other vehicles</b>

Canada’s top selling pickup truck, Ford F-150, goes into 2020 with only minor package and colour changes. All new in 2019, the mid-size Ranger carries over into 2020 with minor changes. Ford Transit Connect mid-size van is also available for 2020, albeit minus its diesel engine.

GENERAL MOTORS

Chevrolet Silverado

After being all new for the 2019 model year, the 2020 model gets a new 3.0L turbocharged inline-six diesel engine that offers 277 horsepower and 460 foot-pounds of torque, with maximum towing for fourwheel-drive models of 4,218 kilograms and maximum payload of 848.2 kilograms. A

10-speed automatic transmission is now available on 5.3L V-8 models. Silverado will also receive available 15 camera views and adaptive cruise control with camera.

Chevrolet Colorado

Carrying over into 2020, Chevrolet has announced an all-new Colorado to come for the 2021 model year. It will offer updated lower fascia, front skid plates, and centre bars, new logos, embossed tailgate and unique looks for each trim. The ZR2 model will feature a lettered Chevrolet front fascia.

GMC Sierra HD

As both the GMC Sierra HD and the Chevrolet Silverado HD are all-new for 2020 and share many changes, we will focus on the GMC model to save space. The Sierra HD features an all-new design that makes it taller, longer, larger and with a longer wheelbase. Redesigned lighting is prominent with headlights, taillights, fog lights, roof marker lights and DRLs all available in LED. Additionally, the grille is larger and hood scoops are more functional.

In the back, cargo bed volume is improved, 12 corner tie-downs are included, a 120-volt power outlet is available, cargo bed steps are new and are an in addition to the current corner steps, and the MultiPro tailgate, which debuted on the Sierra in 2019, is available on HD models

Technology is also front-and-centre, as GMC’s ProGrade Trailering system is now available on HD models, as is an available 15 camera views. Additional technologies available include an automatic electric parking brake, park grade hold assist, and tow/haul mode that stays on for the next

time the vehicle is turned on (up to four hours).

Power wise, Sierra HD now offers a 10-speed automatic transmission on its 6.6L turbocharged diesel engine that outputs 445 horsepower and 910 foot-pounds of torque. An AT4 off-road version is also added for 2020.

Other vehicles

General Motors also offers two full-size vans, GMC Savana and Chevrolet Express. GMC Sierra models also receive the 3.0L diesel engine as all new for 2020. GMC Canyon sees the addition of AT4 off-road variant for 2020. A max towing capacity of 13,607 kilograms is expected.

JEEP

Gladiator

All new for 2020, the Jeep Gladiator is the newest member of the mid-size pickup truck market. It brings Jeep’s off-road pedigree, so when it is driven off the main road – something that many contractors, job site workers, and others experience on a daily basis – it doesn’t miss a beat. It has a wheelbase of 3,487 millimetres, a five-foot cargo box (1,531 millimetres with the tailgate closed), and towing capacity of 1,814 kilograms to 3,469 kilograms (depending on how its equipped).

Power for the Gladiator comes from the Pentastar 3.6L V-6 with 285 horsepower and 260 foot-pounds of torque mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed manual transmission. A 3.0L diesel engine will also be available and offer 260 horsepower and 442 foot-pounds of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic

Nissan Titan

transmission as standard.

The vehicle is available with trailer sway control and the cargo box offers standard cargo lights, dampened tailgate, tie-down loops, and optional spray-in bed liner and roll-up tonneau cover.

Three sizes of FCA’s uConnect system are available: a standard five-inch screen, a seven-inch, and an 8.4-inch. The instrument cluster comes with a standard 3.5-inch screen or an optional seven-inch.

Gladiator is available in Sport, Overland, and Rubicon models.

MERCEDES-BENZ Sprinter

Oxford2016:Layout 1 12/16/15 3:36 PM Page 1

All new for 2019, the Sprinter sees minor changes to packages and available equipment for the 2020 model year. All crew vans now come standard with wood floor with six D-rings, rear window defroster, storage compartment with net in rear doors, and windows in rear doors, satellite radio now available on all models, and all cargo models now offer a full window package.

Sprinter comes outfitted with a V-6 diesel engine that provides 325 foot-pounds of torque and 188 horsepower mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission. A four-cylinder gas engine provides 258 foot-pounds of torque and

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188 horsepower and is mated to a ninespeed automatic transmission.

Four body types are available (cargo, crew, passenger and cab chassis), two roof heights (standard and high), three wheelbases (144-inch, 170-inch and 170inch EXT), three rear wheel types (single, super single, or dual), and standard rearwheel drive and available 4-by-4.

Metris

Mercedes-Benz Canada also offers a smaller mid-size van, Metris. The Metris is available in both cargo and passenger variants. In addition to new colour, wheel and equipment options, the Metris receives a new instrument cluster design as standard for 2020.

NISSAN Titan

For 2020, Nissan has updated the exterior styling of the Titan, which it dubs the Powerful Warrior design. The new design now offers a unique grille for each of its three trim levels. The PRO-4X and Platinum grades now offer standard new headlights, LED DRLs and available LED fog lights. The bed now has all-LED lighting with four light sources, and the rear of the Titan now has LED lighting. The exterior changes also include an updated front bumper, fog lights, badging and wheel designs.

On the interior, Titan now offers an available nine-inch touchscreen (an eight-inch screen is standard) as part of its integrated command centre, which also includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi router (subscription required). A seven-inch driver information display is also included. With a new NissanConnect on the 2020 Titan, it now has over-the-air software updates.

For 2020, Nissan has also updated its 5.6L V-8 engine, which now offers 400 horsepower and 413 foot-pounds of torque, and is mated to a new nine-speed automatic transmission. Nissan Safety Shield 360 technology is now standard on all Titan models. It offers automatic emergency braking (with pedestrian detection), blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warn-

ing, automatic high beams rear emergency braking.

The larger Titan XD model shares the updates of the smaller Titan. It will now be offered in a crew cab body with a 6.5foot bed and four-wheel-drive as the only configuration available in SV, PRO-4X, and Platinum Reserve trims.

Other vehicles

Nissan offers two cargo van options. NV full-size cargo van now has navigation package standard on SV models. The mid-size NV200 van has a new seven-inch colour touchscreen display unit on S and SV trims with NissanConnect and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with satellite radio and Bluetooth, iPod Interface, and USB inputs. A mid-size pickup, the Frontier is also still available.

RAM 1500

Introduced as an all-new model in 2019, a diesel engine has been added to the 2020 lineup. The 3.0L EcoDiesel V-6 engine offers 260 horsepower and 480 foot-pounds of torque, and has a towing capacity of 5,697 kilograms (12,560 pounds). It joins the 3.6L eTorque Pentastar V-6 with 305 horsepower and 269 foot-pounds of torque and the 5.7L HEMI V-8 (with or without eTorque) outputting 395 horsepower and 410 footpounds of torque.

Added for 2020 is a Night Edition model that offers monochromatic design with black wheels (22-inch on Laramie, 20-inch on Big Horn), black badging, and a variety of colour options. The Rebel model offers a Black Appearance package with black wheels, black skid plate, and a black interior (red is optional). It now has a safety package with adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams.

2500 Heavy Duty

For 2020, the HD models also get a new Night Edition, with similar options. Ram also adds lane keeping and adaptive steering as available equipment on all trims. Additionally, trailer tire pressure monitor-

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ing and blind spot monitoring (including

for trailer) are added, as is an auxiliary camera system that can have two cameras added. Crew cab with eight-foot bed now comes standard with an 187L fuel tank. Colour and wheel changes also occur.

Other models

Ram also offers two van models, ProMaster and ProMaster City, which both carry over into 2020 with minimal changes.

TOYOTA Tacoma

The mid-size Tacoma sees incremental changes for 2020, with all models now offering Toyota Connected Services Audio with seven- or eight-inch touchscreen, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Some models get multi-terrain-view monitor and bird’s eye view monitor. The TRD Pro models get new colours and features while other trim levels get equipment updates.

Tacoma is available with a 3.5L V-6 engine with 278 horsepower and 265 foot-pounds of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, with a six-speed manual transmission available on several TRD models. Access cab and double cab are available in 4-by-4 configurations.

Toyota Safety Sense P is standard on all Tacoma models. It offers adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and automatic emergency braking (with pedestrian detection).

All 4-by-2 and four-cylinder models are discontinued for 2020.

Tundra

The Tundra full-size pickup is a carryover for 2020, with Connected Services Audio offered just like with the Tacoma. It also comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense P. Added for 2020 is a Premium trim for TRD Sport and Off-Road models. It offers premium audio with a remote and has embedded navigation with destination assist, leather seat cladding and leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual zone automatic climate control, blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert and a spray-in bed liner. Also, for 2020 is standard Smart Key with push button start on TRD Sport/Off Road trims and above.

Bulletin Board

Perry Brazeau Toronto/ East perry.brazeau@target-specialty.com 416.705.8006

Colin Hindle Ottawa & Eastern Ontario colin.hindle@target-specialty.com 613.314.9711

Chris Lecour Georgian Bay chris.lecour@target-specialty.com 705.444.9010

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@target-specialty.com 905.351.6544

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

Have policy in place to deal with COVID-19

It’s not just another flu. COVID-19 has greatly impacted employers across Canada as they join in the effort to minimize the spread of the pandemic while keeping their businesses operational.

People caring for individuals with COVID-19 are at the greatest risk for contracting the disease, such as health care workers and others who work close to their clients or patients. However, all workplaces need to adopt good hygiene practices and practise social distancing in order to help keep staff safe and reduce the potential for infection.

COVID-19 is most commonly spread through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing, prolonged personal contact, or touching something with the virus on it followed by touching your mouth, nose or eyes. Symptoms may take up to 14 days to appear after exposure to COVID-19, and can include fever, cough, difficulty breathing, and pneumonia, but others may experience little to no symptoms at all.

PREPARE A POLICY

Have a policy in place that outlines the requirements to follow when people may be sick, or when they are absent because they are caring for others. This policy should indicate how the individual will notify the workplace of his or her situation, and how sick leave time will be managed. Let workers know they can and should stay home if they

All workplaces need to adopt good hygiene practices

are not feeling well, or if they have returned from international travel where they may have been exposed. Workplaces must plan for these absences as well as for possible increases and decreases in business, and for changes in how they do their business. Provide cross training for coverage of job duties, and make sure that workers are comfortable performing these added job tasks and responsibilities.

Employers should also stay up to date on the latest situation by monitoring public health agency websites and keep everyone informed of any changes. Instructions from provincial and federal government officials might require flexibility and quick adjustments to your workplace policy.

DEVELOP AN INFECTION CONTROL PLAN

In addition to having a policy

in place, workplaces can set up an infection control plan that includes providing clean hand washing facilities, or alcohol-based sanitizers when regular facilities are not available, for example, to workers on the road or in an isolated location.

It’s important to keep the inside of company vehicles sanitized, especially for crews that are sharing a vehicle. Areas to pay close attention to include door handles, seats, steering wheels, shifters, any buttons (e.g. temperature controls, radio, GPS touch screens, etc.). Other workplace objects that are touched frequently, including equipment and tools, should be cleaned more often using regular disinfectants or soap and water.

Provide boxes of tissues and disinfectant wipes throughout the workplace. Promote good hygiene practices by displaying awareness posters in areas visible to workers (warehouses, workshops, etc.). Staff should cough and sneeze into their

arm or elbow (not their hand) while turning away from other people, and dispose of used tissues and wash their hands right away. Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth, especially after touching work surfaces such as knobs, switches, tools, and handrails that others have touched. Do not share cups, dishes or cutlery.

Social distancing techniques will also aid in reducing the spread of COVID-19. Allow staff to work from home whenever possible. If workers need to be around each other or with clients, make sure they maintain a distance of at least two arms’ lengths. Other tips to minimize contact with others include the use of e-billing or e-transfers instead of exchanging cash, e-mailing documents (invoices, contracts) instead of distributing paper copies, and avoiding travel to businesses and residences where possible. Remind staff to practice social distancing outside of work, too. Avoid large social gatherings, keep a good distance in public locations such as shops and parks, and do not touch others when greeting or interacting.

If a person has been suspected or identified with an infection, he or she should self-isolate and contact a health provider or local public health authority for next steps. Employers will need to clean that person’s equipment, tools, or shared company vehicle, along with other areas where they have been.

When it comes to the spread of any infection or virus, including COVID-19, maintaining defensive hygiene habits is key to keeping everyone healthy and safe.