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From the editor
By Mike Jiggens
STC’s sports turf manager of the year
This was a fun issue to write. Originally, there were five articles I had written ready to pack into these pages, but space limitations forced a couple of them to wait until June or perhaps be posted to our website in a little while from now.
Among the stories being published in this issue is a profile of Canada’s newest sports turf manager of the year. Ken Hoard, parks supervisor for the City of Belleville, Ont., happened to be sitting in the audience on the first day of February’s Ontario Turfgrass Symposium when it was announced he was Sports Turf Canada’s latest recipient of the honour. The announcement caught him by surprise because, like everyone else there in attendance, he was simply among the delegates taking in the various educational presentations.
Normally, Sports Turf Canada reveals the identity of its sports turf manager of the year in the spring, but jumped the gun after realizing its winner had made the trek to Guelph all the way from Belleville.
Ken made for a good interview. His background in the turf industry is well rounded and includes work in golf course management, lawn care and sports field maintenance. He knows his stuff and is a de -
serving recipient of Sports Turf Canada’s honour which didn’t have a winner the previous year.
Later in February, at the Canadian Golf Course Management Conference in Niagara Falls, superintendent Bill Green and golf course architect Jeff Mingay chronicled the story of Cutten Fields’ major renovation project which concluded last year. It was an interesting story that also merited inclusion in this issue.
He knows his stuff and is a deserving recipient of Sports Turf Canada’s honour
The private club in Guelph, which bears the touch of renowned architect Stanley Thompson, was due for some much-needed alterations.
These included the golf course’s tees, greens and bunkers.
Superintendent and architect didn’t quite see eye to eye in the beginning on the latter two features.
Mingay wanted small greens and big bunkers. Green desired big greens and small bunkers. Green won out in the end and Mingay acknowledged it was the right decision to make.
Golfers are experiencing their second season this year with Cutten Fields’ new look.
Of lawn care interest in this issue, we hear from Michigan
State University’s Dr. Kevin Frank who spoke in March –again in Guelph – about cultural practices to stave off the need for chemical weed control. Speaking to lawn care professionals at Nutrite’s annual lawn care seminar, he shared advice for achieving a dense, healthy lawn, but much of what he said needs to be heard by homeowners.
Lawn care companies may look after a lawn’s nutritional needs and apply products to keep weeds at bay, but many of their customers are responsible for mowing and irrigating their own yards. If they’re not doing their part properly, they’re never going to enjoy the dense, weed-free lawn they desire.
Clearly, if a homeowner is going to spend good money on the services of a lawn care professional, he has a role to play to protect his investment. Therefore, the line of communication between the lawn care professional and the customer is imperative.
Finally, we also have a story from Dr. Sara Stricker at the Guelph Turfgrass Institute that takes another look at the controversial No Mow May campaign. Her article explains how a “bee lawn” can become a year-long pollinator support system that sustains pollinators during the active season and provides the resources needed for their winter survival.
This approach is based on logic and makes much more sense than simply refraining from mowing during the entire month of May.
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GTI hires Sean Jordan as new turf research facility manager
Sean Jordan is the Guelph Turfgrass Institute’s new turfgrass research facility manager.
He has spent the past nine years as a research technician at the University of Guelph and has 20 years of experience in several areas of the turfgrass industry. Jordan is also an instructor in the diploma in turfgrass management program and the turfgrass manager’s short course at the University of Guelph where he teaches turfgrass equipment management and turf math.
Cordova Bay GC’s sustainability efforts get newspaper nod
A recent article published in the Victoria News chronicled the Cordova Bay Golf Course’s efforts to promote sustainability, from growing on-site vegetable gardens that supply its restaurant with fresh produce to growing bamboo that is supplied to the Calgary Zoo for its pandas.
Veteran superintendent Dean Piller was interviewed for the article. He talked about the golf course’s commitment to environmental stewardship, including its certification as an Audubon Co-operative Sanctuary.
Moose Jaw takes aim at gophers burrowing in city’s sports fields
Several ball diamonds and sports fields in Moose Jaw have been targeted for gopher control as the rodents are emerging from their burrows to search for food.
The city has urged pet owners to keep their pets leashed during the program and to report gopher issues they see to the municipality.
The city isn’t using traps or grain baits at the surface. Baiting is being done well into burrow entrances.
Equip Expo adds new education tracks for 2025 conference
New education tracks have been announced for Equip Expo’s Education and Certification Center in 2025, with many focused on dealing with market and labour uncertainties and growing resiliency in today’s changing environment.
In addition, the Oct. 21-24 event at the Kentucky Exposition Center (KEC), provides landscapers, dealers, contractors, hardscape experts, and outdoor power equipment manufacturers a unique platform to learn from each other through dedicated peer to-peer networking events.
“Our new education tracks were designed based on attendee feedback,” Kris Kiser, president and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, an international trade association which owns and manages the show, said. “With recent market and labour uncertainties, Equip is the best value to get help on those business challenges – by talking to each other as well as getting advice from
industry experts. This is the year to bring your whole team.” In 2025, defined education tracks will help attendees focus on sessions that help address many issues, including:
• Hiring and Retention. Learn how to attract and keep critical employees.
• New Business Opportunities.
• How to offer lighting, irrigation, tree care, and chemical application and to grow your business.
• CEO/Leadership (for dealers). Understand how customer attitudes impact project activities and product purchases with insights from the Farnsworth Group.
• CEO/Leadership (for landscapers and contractors). Design a vision and better manage as leader-inchief.
• Women’s Leadership. Address the unique needs of women in the industry and then attend the Women’s Leadership Reception, sponsored by Belgard, Hunter Industries and SiteOne.
Sean Jordan: new turfgrass research facility manager at GTI.
City launches gopher control program
Humboldt, Sask. plays host to Sports Turf Canada field day
Sports Turf Canada conducted a sports field training day in Humboldt, Sask. on April 28 at the Humboldt Uniplex.
A sports turf training day was held in late April in Humboldt, Sask. Other Sports Turf Canada field training days are coming up in September at two Ontario sites.
The day-long event was aimed at professional turf managers and turf management technicians. The day included indoor presentations from industry experts, outdoor demonstrations, networking and exhibits by industry suppliers and vendors.
Topics covered included athletic field construction, sports field renovations and restorations, seed options for optimization and drought tolerance, drought management strategies, ball diamond maintenance, and sports field maintenance practices.
Sports Turf Canada also has sports field training days scheduled for Sept. 11 in Belleville, Ont. and Sept. 23 in Brantford, Ont.
STC ’ s sports turf manager of the year
Belleville, Ont.’s Ken Hoard earns Sports Turf Canada’s highest honour. By Mike Jiggens
Ken Hoard’s association with the turfgrass industry began in his childhood. At the age of 13, he was earning a dollar an hour, working for his father who co-owned Oak Hills Golf Course in Stirling, Ont. – a village located just north of Belleville.
In the ensuing years, following his graduation from Seneca College’s golf course technician program, he assumed several roles in the professional turfgrass maintenance industry, from golf course superintendent and lawn care practitioner to consultant, integrated pest technician and parks supervisor.
His years of experience in turfgrass were recently rewarded when Sports Turf Canada announced he was Canada’s newest sports turf manager of the year.
“It is a career high for me, to be recognized for something you love doing,” he said, admitting he was “stunned” when the announcement was made in February at the
Ontario Turfgrass Symposium in Guelph.
Hoard has been parks supervisor for the City of Belleville since 2021 yet has been employed by the municipality for the past 20 years. He began as the city’s “turf person” and integrated pest technician in 2005 before becoming acting parks supervisor in 2020. A year later, he was promoted to supervisor.
Although the Sports Turf Canada recognition acknowledges his contributions to sports field management, Hoard’s expertise in the industry goes well beyond the upkeep of soccer, football and baseball fields.
He grew up in a golf course environment after his father and two partners purchased a parcel of land to build Oak Hills in the week he was born.
“I grew up in the turf industry.”
As he grew, so did the golf course. Beginning as a nine-hole layout, Oak Hills ultimately expanded to its current 36 holes. Hoard served as its superintendent from 1985 to 2003 and began consulting at seven
other area courses in 1988. He also owned his own lawn care and consulting business from 1998 to 2008 when the Ontario cosmetic pesticide ban was enacted.
Hoard possesses six different pesticide licences in the areas of landscape, industrial vegetation, forestry, aquatic weed, mosquito and biting fly, and fish and mollusk.
Field responsibilities
In his capacity with the city, Hoard is responsible for the maintenance of 25 soccer fields, including nine full-size surfaces and an artificial field, a full-size senior-level baseball field, a junior-level baseball field, 10 softball diamonds, a “Field of Abilities” ball field designed for children with disabilities that the Toronto Blue Jays charitable foundation helped to facilitate, and other highly maintained turf areas.
The premier senior-level ball diamond –used primarily by midget-age players – is lit. So, too, are five of seven Class A soccer fields and three softball diamonds.
Ken Hoard, the City of Belleville’s parks supervisor, grew up in the turf industry.
PHOTO: CITY OF BELLEVILLE
Belleville’s parks department employs 12 full-time staff as well as two mechanics and 24 seasonal staff who are supervised by Hoard during the summer. There are eight employees on the sports turf staff plus “trim crews” who cycle through the sports fields on a rotational basis. An additional position has been created this year for the operation of a GPS-directed line painter the city has ordered.
Fields are fertilized about every six weeks with 1½ pounds of nitrogen of which 50 per cent is sulfur-coated urea. About three-quarters of a pound of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet is put down. A dormant application is made in the fall of one pound of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet.
Premium fields are mowed three times a week.
“That gives you consistent length and makes the grass thicker.”
Fields are mowed at a height of two
‘It is a career high for me, to be recognized for something you love doing’
inches, with Class B fields cut twice a week. All ball diamonds played on through the week are groomed.
Overseeding of fields with perennial ryegrass is conducted throughout the season while fall overseeding is done with a mixture of perennial ryegrass, fescue and Kentucky bluegrass.
“It takes up to 21 days for most bluegrasses to germinate,” Hoard said. “That’s why we use perennial ryegrass through the year so that it will be up and going and fill in faster, where the bluegrass would take longer and get beat to death before it gets a chance to get going.”
Poor spots detected in the spring will be overseeded and covered with a grow blanket.
Hand topdressing is done in the fall, and divots are filled with soil and seed.
Spot applications for weed control are applied with Fiesta. Hoard said the city has been able to minimize its use of the product due to the healthy turf stands that have been produced since the start of the provincial pesticide ban.
Parasitic nematodes have been used effectively to combat the occasional grub infestation while a fatty acid is applied to the gravel areas on ball diamonds to keep grass down.
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Drainage strategies
Some of Belleville’s fields have drainage while others don’t. When wet spots are found in the early spring – even on fields with drainage – an auger attached to a backhoe will penetrate through the frost down to 3½ to four feet. The hole will be filled with clear stone, almost to the surface, and topped with topsoil and seed once the weather is suitable.
“If there are certain spots that won’t drain on a field, we just get the water off the surface that way.”
The same procedure is done on ball diamonds – under the pitcher’s mound, the batter’s boxes and in the catcher’s position. Hoard said there have been times when the batter’s boxes have been fully excavated and filled with clear stone before being capped with clay bricks. The work has enabled skinned areas to dry up faster and minimize the chances for rainouts.
The city has maintained good relations with its user groups, establishing a field closure policy for occasions when standing water becomes an issue. Efforts are made to communicate with user groups by mid-day when such conditions are presented so that teams coming from out of town have time to change their plans.
“They’re (user groups) very respectful of that, and they know that if they wreck the field, it’s wrecked for the year.”
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Belleville will be experimenting with battery-powered blowers and trimmers this year to address noise concerns among neighbouring residents. Also new for 2025 is the placement of a cricket pitch in between two little-used soccer fields in Belleville’s Thurlow neighbourhood, marking the city’s introduction to the sport’s meteoric popularity.
“We produced, in my opinion, some of the best sports fields in eastern Ontario. People from outside the area comment about how good they are. I think it speaks for the team that I’ve worked with over the years as co-worker and as supervisor to the dedication the staff has.”
Belleville has been the host for several high-end sporting competitions over the years, including rugby championships for both the Central Ontario Secondary Schools Association (COSSA) and Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) and OFSAA track and field championships. Hoard said the city is host to two or three large track and field events each year that attract more than 1,000 athletes from across Ontario.
In addition to his municipal work, which also includes being one of the city’s weed inspectors tasked with controlling noxious weeds, Hoard has found the time to be involved in several community ventures. Since 2003, he has volunteered for the Stirling Agricultural Fair, served on the Stirling-Rawdon Recreation Committee from 2010 to 2022, sat on the Stirling-Rawdon Police Services Board from 2014 to 2020, and played Santa Claus from 2016 to 2021 in the annual Stirling Santa Claus parade.
At home, he maintains a 200-acre woodlot and taps maple trees on his property for maple syrup.
Hoard noted his wife of 37 years, Wendy, has been supportive of the many hours he has put into both his career and community work.
A buzz-worthy No Mow May option
‘Bee lawns’ offer a sustainable alternative to not mowing in May
By Dr. Sara Stricker
As the world becomes more aware of the critical role pollinators play in our ecosystems, innovative solutions for supporting their populations are gaining traction. For the past two years, the Guelph Turfgrass Institute has been investigating the “No Mow May” campaign, which encourages people to leave their lawns unmowed in early spring to provide vital pollen and nectar resources for pollinators. While this initiative has gained many supporters, the question remains: What if we could provide continuous, year-round habitats for bees and other pollinators?
Pollinators are essential for the health of our ecosystems and agriculture. Canada is home to a rich diversity of native pollinator species, with more than 800 species of native bees alone. In total, there are more than 1,000 species of pollinators in Canada, including various species of butterflies, moths, flies, beetles, and birds, all playing vital roles in pollination and ecosystem health. However, many of these native pollinator populations are currently facing significant declines due to factors such as habitat loss, pesticide misuse, and disease.
Enter the concept of a “Bee Lawn” – a sustainable approach to landscape management that ensures pollinators have access to food throughout the entire growing season and beyond. Rather than focusing solely on the spring season, this year-long pollinator support system creates a habitat that sustains pollinators during their active months and provides the necessary resources for their survival during the winter.
Bee lawns are lawns that are intentionally designed to include a mix of grass species and flowering plants that attract and support pollinators. The goal of a bee lawn is to incorporate low-growing, pollinator-friendly plants, with the added bonus that they may require less water and fertilizer. A mix of flowers, such as clover, thyme, and ground-covering herbs, can provide a rich nectar and pollen source. Although there may be an upfront cost for seeding, this could prove to be a sustainable alternative for residential and public green spaces, especially in low-traffic areas.
Food for thought
There are some considerations that landscapers should be aware of before converting turf surfaces into pollinator-friendly bee lawns. The two primary concerns that come to mind are traffic tolerance and the potential risks posed by stinging and biting insects.
From a plant biology perspective, there are two main groups of plants: Monocots and Dicots. Monocots, which includes all grasses, are generally more traffic-tolerant than many flowering dicots due to their growth habit. The growing point (apical mer-
Ground nesting bees can make their home in lawns.
Dr. Sara Stricker is the communications and outreach co-ordinator at the Guelph Turfgrass Institute.
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istem) in grasses is typically located at or just below the soil surface. This strategic location allows grass plants to continuously grow from the base, even when the upper portions of the plant are damaged. When grass blades are trampled or damaged, the growing point remains protected and can quickly regenerate new growth. Grasses furthermore produce tillers or rhizomes, meaning they grow new shoots from their base which helps them spread and fill in bare spots quickly. However, in many dicot plants, including the flowering plants mentioned in this article, the growing point is located at the tip of the shoot. If this growing point is damaged through traffic, the plant struggles to regenerate and may not recover as quickly, making it more susceptible to long-term damage from foot traffic. The mix of plants in a bee lawn will be less resilient to frequent use compared to traditional turfgrass. As a result, these green spaces may require more careful management, such as limiting high-traffic areas or creating designated pathways to prevent wear and tear.
Another challenge with bee lawns is the presence of stinging insects. Honey bees (Apis mellifera) and bumblebees (Bombus spp.) will only sting if they perceive a threat, such as if they are accidentally swatted, trapped, or stepped on. Ground-nesting bees, such as mining bees (Andrena spp.) and cellophane bees (Colletidae spp.), create burrows in the ground where they lay their eggs. While these bees are generally non-aggressive, they can pose a risk if disturbed. Other biting and stinging insects such as fleas, ticks, and mosquitos could also potentially become more prevalent in a bee lawn if the height of cut or mowing frequency is decreased.
This risk is particularly important in areas where children or pets are frequently present, as they may unknowingly provoke these pests. For this reason, it’s essential to carefully plan and monitor the location of bee lawns, especially when it comes to high-use areas. Ground-nesting bees tend to prefer undisturbed patches of soil, so creating barriers around these areas or limiting access to certain areas of the property can help reduce the chances of conflict. Careful monitoring and vigilance for pollinators at work will help to avoid negative consequences.
Planting a bee lawn: what you need to know
If you’re interested in creating a pollinator-friendly green space, it’s essential to choose the right plants that will thrive in your climate and soil conditions. Some common plants to consider include:
• Crocus (Crocus spp.): There are many species and colours to choose from, and these small bulbs can be planted directly into
The goal of a bee lawn is to incorporate lowgrowing, pollinatorfriendly plants
an existing turf stand. In most regions crocus will flower shortly after snow melt in April, and the first mowing of the season can occur once the blooms have finished. Crocus flowers are not traffic tolerant, so this can reduce the functionality of the surface in the early spring. (Zones 5–9)
• Alyssum (Aurinia saxatilis): This plant features bright gold, dainty flowers in late spring with gray-green leaves, blooming from April to June (Zones 4–10).
• Clover (Trifolium spp.): A hardy, low-growing plant that provides excellent forage for bees and other pollinators. This species is not native to Canada but pairs nicely with grass species since it will provide a natural nitrogen source. White to pink flowers will bloom from June to August, depending on the species and climate. (Zones 4–8)
• Creeping Thyme (Thymus praecox ssp. Arcticus): A fragrant herb that forms a dense mat and blooms with tiny, purple or pink flowers from July to August, potentially as late as September in southern regions. (Zones 4–8)
• Self-Heal (Prunella vulgaris): A ground-cover plant that is native to North America and produces with small purple flowers from June to August
• Roman chamomile ( Chamaemelum nobile): This species can grow in relatively poor soil but requires good drainage. The small white flowers resemble daisies and will bloom in June and July (Zones 4–9).
When planting a bee lawn, consider mixing these flowering plants with drought-tolerant grass species like fescue, which will provide a low-maintenance, attractive ground cover. Additionally, creating safe places for pollinators to nest and overwinter is key to supporting their year-long lifecycle. Tilling can disrupt bee nests, so leave the soil in your gardens intact, especially during the fall and winter months, when these beneficial insects are preparing to overwinter.
As the push for sustainable landscaping grows, bee lawns and pollinator habitats are becoming an increasingly popular choice for homeowners, municipalities, and businesses. They are a simple yet effective way to support pollinator populations and create beautiful, functional landscapes. Whether you have a small backyard or manage larger green spaces, bee lawns offer a powerful opportunity to create thriving, eco-friendly environments.
Get connected with the Guelph Turfgrass Institute by signing up to the newsletter at www.GuelphTurfgrass.ca or connecting on social media @GuelphTurf.
For more information on Bee Lawns, check out:
• Planting and maintaining a bee lawn, Michigan State University. Available online: extension.umn.edu/landscape-design/planting-and-maintaining-bee-lawn#flowers-for-beelawns-2939361
• Buzzworthy Backyards: How Bee Lawns Are Reinventing Green Spaces, South Dakota State University. Available online: extension.sdstate.edu/buzzworthy-backyards-how-bee-lawns-arereinventing-green-spaces.
The changing face of Cutten Fields GC
The story of private Guelph golf course’s recent transformation
By Mike Jiggens
Guelph, Ont.’s Cutten Fields, one of several Canadian golf courses bearing architect Stanley Thompson’s vision and craftsmanship, has a rich history dating back almost 100 years.
Since its founding in 1931, the private golf course strayed somewhat from its original design and has been challenged in recent years by such other issues as recurring winter injury and changes in technology that has led to livelier golf balls and longer-hitting clubs.
It was determined that much-needed alterations were in order, and architect Jeff Mingay was commissioned in 2016 to conceive a renovation plan. The Toronto-based principal at Jeff Mingay Golf Course Design and Cutten Fields’ superintendent Bill Green put their heads together to address what they saw as the club’s shortcomings before embarking on a massive undertaking that stretched out over the next several years.
Mingay and Green shared the story of Cutten Fields’ transformation in February at the Canadian Golf Course Management Conference in Niagara Falls – a co-production of the Canadian and Ontario golf superintendents’ associations.
The club’s history began when Guelph native Arthur Cutten asked golfer Charles (Chick) Evans of Chicago to design a golf course to be built in Guelph. Evans, who won both the U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur in 1916, conceived the original layout for Cutten Fields which was then revamped and depicted by Thompson in 1931.
Looking through archived media, including an old video from the 1940s, it was clear that the Cutten Fields of 2016 bore little resemblance to what was seen in the film. Greens were no longer the same shape and size they had been originally, and several residences had sprung up over the years adjacent to the 16th fairway.
Although the renovation plan was to lean towards Thompson’s vision, there were elements of Evans’ design that Mingay felt should be incorporated into the project. Evans was influenced by some of the design aspects of the Chicago Golf Club which is regarded as one of the world’s top golf courses.
Bigger greens, smaller bunkers
Mingay’s idea was to feature smaller greens and larger bunkers for Cutten Fields, but Green suggested the opposite was required –bigger greens and smaller bunkers. Together, they developed a renovation plan the club’s board of directors approved in 2019.
“The club knew we needed to make some improvements to the golf course,” Green said, adding members wanted to bolster Cutten Fields’ competitive positioning. “We wanted to be a high-level private club.”
Cutten Fields began its association with Mingay prior to the start of the COVID pandemic when golf was in a period of decline. Ideas were presented so that operations could run more efficiently.
One renovation strategy was to build separate tee decks for each
Cutten Fields superintendent Bill Green, seated in cart, is visited by Cam Shaw, manager of the diploma in turfgrass management program at the University of Guelph
PHOTO: MIKE JIGGENS
set of markers. Holes had previously had four sets of tee markers positioned on two decks. Attempts were made to arrange the new decks about 30 yards apart from one another. Only two holes currently exist with shared tee decks.
Winter injury had become a recurring problem at Cutten Fields which was especially bad in 2014, 2015 and 2019, forcing the club to establish temporary greens in the spring. The injured poa annua putting surfaces didn’t reopen for play until June or July. Green noted there were a total of 26 weeks over a 10-year period in which temporary greens were needed. He equated that to a full season of lost golf – a revelation club members took seriously.
“It’s incredible how much these greens had shrunk over the years,” Mingay said, adding bunkers had been redone in the meantime without any thought to the greens’ deteriorating square footage. “Not only had the greens shrunk, now we’re cutting bunkers into the greens.”
In the 1970s, mounding was added to greens instead of enlarging the putting surfaces. The mounds created “pinch points” for traffic coming off the greens and led to water being shed onto the surfaces. In many cases, the mounds were ultimately removed.
“It astonishes me that I see this mounding around greens because the idea is to shed water off the putting surfaces,” Mingay said. “By putting mounds around the green, you’re actually putting water back onto the putting surfaces.”
The renovation plan was to not only significantly increase the size of the greens, which would also increase the number of pin placement options, but to adopt other measures for the betterment of their turf health. Bigger greens would decrease the amount of winter injury and would provide more entry and exit points.
Tree management
One such strategy aimed at improving turf health began with Green’s predecessor, David Kuypers, who started a tree management plan that allowed for greater sunlight penetration and improved vistas.
“It feels like a golf course,” Mingay said. “You get these beautiful views that opened up, aside from all the agronomic benefits.”
Prior to 2008, the number of trees on the property created several playability issues in addition to agronomic concerns. Mingay noted the golf course was wide open in its early days, suggesting it was never meant to be called “Cutten Forest.”
Mingay said tree management is something he stresses at any golf club that hires his services, noting trees must be minimized to address turf health, playability and safety. The need for tree management is based on practical reasons, he added.
Green said instead of outright removing some trees, their tops were cut back to improve sunlight penetration. “We did an extensive hole-by-hole tree management plan, looking at turf health, safety and architecture, and we started to come up with a management plan,” he said. The plan, which was drawn up by arborists on staff, was submitted to the city to comply with its bylaws.
In a further effort to combat future winter injury, members were persuaded to part ways with their poa annua greens in favour of a more winter-hardy bentgrass cover. Club members were invited next door to the Guelph Turfgrass Institute where they took part in a putting competition on a green planted with 007 creeping bentgrass. Green said the members took an instant liking to the bentgrass cover.
On average, the new greens seeded to 007 creeping bentgrass are more than 50 per cent larger than their predecessors. One is a whopping 82 per cent larger. Most greens range in size from 7,000 to 7,500 square feet.
The 15th green was the first to be rebuilt which showed members how its increased size allowed for more pin placement locations. Members continued to play on the original green – which was between 3,500 and 4,000 square feet in size – while the new green was under construction.
Mingay said he appreciated Green’s candor in suggesting larger greens.
“Bill was really great in calling me out on things that weren’t going to be practical moving forward,” he said. “I appreciate that so much as a designer.”
Agronomy and future maintenance considerations, along with
playability, were the primary factors in the development of the renovation plan, Mingay said, noting that when planning began pre-COVID, costs had to be factored in. Golf wasn’t in a good state at the time, and dollars needed to be spent wisely.
Saving money
This was a key consideration for Cutten Fields’ bunkers. Mingay’s initial draft called for “some fancy bunkers” with lots of sand. When Green opposed the original draft, wanting bigger greens and smaller bunkers, it was realized the initial plan would have had significant financial implications.
“We knew we weren’t going to be able to restore the golf course because with the original golf course the greens weren’t big enough, and there were a lot of other challenges that didn’t relate to contemporary considerations in golf,” Mingay said.
Large bunkering was deemed unnecessary to challenge golfers. He noted that keeping the square footage of bunkers down, cost savings were realized without sacrificing the challenge and aesthetics of the golf course.
The club saved additional money by completing the greens construction work in-house. The original plan was for Cutten Fields’ staff to complete five holes before contracting out the remaining 13. Mark
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Hughes, an experienced golf course construction project manager, joined the team at Cutten Fields once COVID restrictions were relaxed and mentored the staff in greens construction, including drainage and irrigation skills.
A significant change from the original golf course design was prompted by safety concerns. A stray tee shot at the 16th hole could come dangerously close to adjacent residential properties, some of which have swimming pools backing onto the golf course. Thompson had purchased the golf course property along with a consortium of investors and had built a home for himself next to the 16th hole. In the ensuing years, more homes were developed alongside the hole.
Ample open land was situated between the 15th hole and the old 13th hole, and it was decided to flip holes 13 and 16 to mitigate the chances of an individual or property being struck by an errant golf ball. The 13th hole had previously been a long par 3 hole but was reconfigured into a par 4 hole. No. 16 became more of a dogleg left par 4 to pre-empt a potential safety and liability issue with the neighbouring homes.
One of the most visible changes coming from the renovation project is the shape of the 18th green. It has been restored to its original rectangular shape.
Mow high for dense, weed-free lawn
Lawn care professionals must encourage their customers to do their part to achieve a healthy lawn.
By Mike Jiggens
Achieving a thick, dense, weed-free lawn often involves a collaborative effort between the lawn care professional and the homeowner. The lawn care professional will provide the properly timed and right rate-applied fertility – as well as any necessary pest control applications – but it’s usually up to the homeowner to look after a lawn’s mowing and irrigation needs.
If it’s the homeowner’s desire to have a healthy turf stand void of chemical inputs, the lawn care professional can offer expert advice to ensure correct mowing practices are conducted and that irrigation is properly timed, and the right amount of water is applied.
Michigan State University’s Dr. Kevin Frank spoke to an audience of lawn care professionals in March at Nutrite’s 15th annual spring lawn care seminar in Guelph, outlining how cultural practices can help to prevent or control common
pest issues.
Anything that be done to promote density is the foremost consideration, he said, “especially on the weed end will really help.”
Key cultural practices include mowing, cultivation, fertilization and irrigation.
“Mowing is the most basic and, you could probably argue, the most important practice,” Frank said. “It’s also one that a lot of people screw up.”
Mowing high and returning clippings are the means to a dense lawn. Clippings are free nutrients, but Frank said many homeowners don’t want them remaining on their lawns. Clippings contain about four per cent nitrogen, one-half per cent phosphorus and two per cent potassium.
Mower blades must be sharp. Dull blades contribute to additional stress to the plant and can bog down a mower. Sharpening blades at least twice a year prevents mowers from bogging down and ensures leaf blades aren’t torn or frayed
which contributes to poor aesthetics and increased water loss from the turf.
The one-third rule – removing at most only the upper 33 per cent of the turfgrass blade in a single cutting – is what is widely recommended, but it can be difficult to adhere to in the spring, Frank said, adding if the rule is strictly followed, it could mean having to mow every two to three days as turf grows rapidly once it breaks dormancy.
“It’s (the one-third rule) what we strive for to make sure we don’t stress it too much.”
Frank said he’s often asked if the mowing height should be reduced for the final cut in the fall, but he noted grass is “trained” for a particular height. The worst thing to do is to lower a three-inch height to 1½ inches in one swoop, he added. If the mowing height is gradually lowered, it works. The same is true when raising the height.
“Give it a little bit of time to fill in.”
Lawn care customers who mow their own lawns must adjust their mowers’ height to a higher cut to achieve density.
LAWN CARE
Frank said when reducing a lawn’s height from four inches to 2½ inches, it opens the canopy to allow more light, but the additional light can lead to more crabgrass. Taller turf – especially with greater density – equals fewer weeds.
Crabgrass control
Home lawns are typically mowed between three and 3½ inches, but many homeowners desire fairway-like turf, Frank said, adding mowing low leads to increased crabgrass populations.
“The seed’s always there,” he said. “It’s waiting for an opportunity.”
By increasing a lawn’s height and adding nitrogen, it significantly reduces the chances of crabgrass invasion.
“If you don’t have access to herbicides, promote density.”
Frank said studies show turf mowed at four inches with three pounds of nitrogen applied yearly and without herbicides resulted in a 75 per cent reduction in broadleaf weed populations when compared to shorter mowing heights with no nitrogen applied.
Use of a slow-release fertilizer
will ensure steady turf growth and prevent increased mowing frequency that would result from a quick-release source.
Cultivation helps to loosen soils but can be challenging in the spring when soils are wet, Frank said. Fall cultivation is more ideal, especially with a higher cut of turf.
Some lawn care customers have in-ground irrigation systems while others don’t. Some customers aren’t as concerned as others if their lawn browns up a little in times of drought.
Lawn care customers desiring a dense, green lawn must consider certain factors before turning on their water, including soil type, turf species and amount of sunlight.
Frank suggested irrigation should be done closer to daylight to avoid wet conditions that would be prolonged. More consistent moisture getting to the root system will help the plant get through injury better.
Lawn irrigation tends to be a “socio-economic, suburban, subdivision-type thing,” he said. For some homeowners, irrigation is everything while others are content to wait for rain.
‘Mowing is the most basic and the most important practice’
Michigan State University (MSU) research has suggested daily applications of water of about one-tenth of an inch can help reduce the damages from necrotic ring spot and from European chafer grubs. The survival of European chafer grubs was reduced by about 60 per cent when irrigation took place daily in July.
A research project at MSU found that applying one-tenth of an inch of water daily at about 1 p.m. helped to cool the turf and provide sufficient water to get the plant through the day. Some municipalities enforce watering restrictions during critical times of the season which might limit irrigation to once every second or third day. In such a case, a higher amount of water – about one-quarter of an inch – can be applied in the early morning.
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For more than a decade, the Color Atlas ofTurfgrassWeeds has been the leading authority for green industry professionals in their ongoing quest to control weeds and limit deleterious effects: the weed clumps, color variation, and unsightly patches that disrupt turf uniformity. The Second Edition of this essential resource has been expanded and updated to provide control information that professionals need to maintain the quality that is so vital to the golf, sports field, and managed landscape industries.
Health & Safety
By CCOHS
Ergonomics advice for outdoor workers
When you think about ergonomics, you may picture office workers, and the furniture or equipment designed to help improve their posture. But ergonomics applies to all workers, and not just those with desk jobs. It’s about designing work environments that fit the needs of each worker, allowing them to perform their job safely, no matter what kind of work they do. For landscapers and maintenance crews who spend hours on their feet doing physically demanding tasks, making sure good ergonomic practices are used is crucial to prevent strains and injuries.
Standing and moving around outdoors is generally good for us. But when done for prolonged periods of time without breaks, it can lead to serious health issues. In fact, workers who spend the entire shift on their feet without breaks or support are at greater risk of experiencing sore feet, swollen legs, varicose veins, lower back pain, neck stiffness, and overall muscle fatigue. Without intervention, these discomforts can develop into chronic conditions that affect long-term mobility and quality of life.
Address the ergonomic risks
The best way to prevent ergonomic injuries is to remove hazards at the source. When prolonged standing and repetitive movements are a concern, modify the work process to include opportunities for rest and movement. Sitting for long stretches of time may not be an option when the work involves mostly physical tasks like mowing, planting, trimming, and raking, but workers can be encouraged to change up their movements. Microbreaks – short, frequent pauses – allow workers to stretch and relieve tension before discomfort sets in.
Even small changes can make a big difference. Encouraging movement through task
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
variation, job rotation, or structured rest breaks helps reduce fatigue and prevent injuries over time. When workers shift their stance, stop to rest, and change their body position throughout the day, it helps to reduce the risk of injury.
Customize tools and practices
No two workers are the same, and their tools and equipment shouldn’t be, either. Wherever possible, landscaping tools, work surfaces, and equipment should all be adaptable to individual needs, and appropriate for the job.
For example, a landscaper who is five feet, two inches tall may need a different rake or shovel length than a colleague who is six feet tall. Adjustable or appropriately sized tools allow workers to maintain a neutral posture while working, reducing strain and discomfort.
If adjustability isn’t an option, alternative solutions should be explored. Shorter workers may benefit from lighter tools with modified handles, while taller workers might require extending or telescoping handles to avoid excessive bending. The goal is to ensure each worker can maintain a comfortable, balanced posture while performing their tasks.
As equipment is adjusted, it’s essential to consider safety. Changes should not introduce new hazards, such as tripping risks from poorly placed platforms or having to strain from awkward tool positioning. Every modification should prioritize both comfort and injury prevention.
Share the load
Landscaping and groundskeeping involves physically demanding work, and distributing these tasks among a team can help prevent overuse injuries. When possible, workers should rotate between tasks to engage different muscle groups and reduce the strain caused by repetitive motions.
Collaboration is key. If team members are encouraged to support each other – whether by handling heavy loads in teams or switching roles throughout the day – it reduces the burden on any one worker. This approach fosters a healthier work environment and helps prevent fatigue-related injuries.
Provide a suitable spot to rest
Even in roles that require near-constant movement, seating and rest areas should still be made available. Outdoor workers may not always have access to indoor break spaces, so designated shaded areas with sturdy benches or portable seating options can provide relief during rest periods. Work vehicles can also provide a place to take a break and cool down. Proper hydration and cooling strategies are essential, especially in hot weather.
Proactive prevention
Preventing ergonomic injuries isn’t just about modifying tools and tasks – it’s also about educating workers on good practices. Landscapers should be trained to recognize the early signs of strain, adjust their posture, and pace their work to avoid unnecessary fatigue. Stretching routines before and after shifts, as well as the use of proper lifting techniques, can help prevent stiffness and pain before they become serious problems. Proactive training, education and worker input are key to maintaining a safe and healthy team. Supervisors and employers should work closely with crew members to identify potential ergonomic concerns and address them early before pain develops.
Use tools that will not cause strain.
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¹”Among Robotic Mower Owners,” My Take, 2023.
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