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04 | From the editor Who are Canada’s top 10 under
62 | Duffer
It’s a thankless job that somebody has to do
MIKE JIGGENS
DEPARTMENTS
06 | In the news
Geese populations a nightmare for golf courses 08 | Health & Safety
Stay warm while working in extreme cold
By Mike Jiggens
Who are Canada’s ‘top 10 under 40?’
We’re looking for a few good men and women. Actually, we’re looking for at least 10 of them. And none of them can be over the age of 40.
Turf & Rec is launching its first ever “Top 10 Under 40” promotion for which we will recognize the best of the youthful best among those professionally employed in the Canadian turf and grounds maintenance industry.
These individuals represent the future of our industry and will one day pass the torch along to the next generation of up-and-comers destined to shape the landscaping, lawn care, golf course maintenance, sports turf and sod-producing sectors of the industry.
With this announcement, we are soliciting nominations from across the country so that we have the names and resumes of these bright and talented individuals from whom we will select the top 10 and formally recognize them within these pages in the spring.
We are looking for those who have made significant contributions to the industry before their 40th birthday. Nominees cannot turn 40 before Dec. 31 of this year.
Anyone meeting the proper age requirement and is gainfully employed in the turf industry is eligible. He or she can be a golf course superintendent or an assistant, a
landscape contractor, a lawn care business owner, a sports turf manager, a sod producer, an educator or an industry supplier. They don’t necessarily have to be the “boss” at their particular place of employment and may simply be a crackerjack employee who has contributed significantly to his or her company.
These individuals should demonstrate a strong work ethic, show leadership and initiative, actively seek new opportunities for training and education, and participate in industry events.
Coincidentally, this issue of Turf & Rec features the story of a young assistant golf superintendent who conceived an innovative piece of equipment that more effectively deploys
These individuals represent the future of our industry
and collects turf covers than trying to achieve the same goal by hand. This is a young man who, if someone elects to nominate him, would fit the bill as a promising candidate for our inaugural Top 10 Under 40 campaign.
There are others like him in this industry that make a difference through their professional work. You know who they are. It’s simply a matter now of taking a few minutes and telling us why they are deserving of such recognition. Visit our website at
turfandrec.com to fill out a nomination form.
The timing of this campaign was strategically coordinated to coincide with the industry’s off season when industry leaders are apt to find the time to tell us why a colleague or employee of theirs should be recognized as one of Canada’s top 10 young movers and shakers. Some possible scenarios that could merit nomination:
• A golf superintendent or his assistant skillfully co-ordinated a significant project on the course that was both environmentally friendly and came in under budget
• A lawn care company foreman conceived an idea that helped save his company a significant amount of money
• A sports turf manager or foreman developed a better line of communication with user groups to better coordinate maintenance practices
These are merely examples of reasons why someone might be worthy of nomination. There are apt to be several other accomplishments made – perhaps things we might not have considered –by outstanding young people in this business that deserve to be shared with the industry at large.
Ideally, within the next few months, my desk will be piled over with nomination forms from which our panel of judges will sift through and render a decision as to who makes the cut among the top 10. Let’s not neglect these individuals’ accomplishments. They deserve their moment in the spotlight.
www.turfandrec.com
Editor Mike Jiggens mjiggens@annexweb.com
National Advertising Manager Nashelle Barsky 905-431-8892 nbarsky@annexweb.com
National Account Manager
Sarah Otto 888-599-2228 ext 237 sotto@annexweb.com
Account Coordinator
Mary Burnie 888-599-2228 ext 234 mburnie@annexweb.com
Group Publisher Scott Jamieson sjamieson@annexweb.com
COO
Ted Markle tmarkle@annexweb.com
President & CEO Mike Fredericks
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No natural turf for Blue Jays at Rogers Centre
Don’t expect the Toronto Blue Jays to ever play on natural turf inside the Rogers Centre, the club’s president says. In spite of a study commissioned to explore the feasibility of growing natural turf inside the retractable roofed stadium, the costs of retrofitting the building to accommodate proper drainage and natural turf is too costly and unrealistic, says Jays president Mark Shapiro.
The Blue Jays are one of two Major League Baseball teams still playing on artificial turf.
LNS launches program to help cenotaphs, veterans
Landscape Nova Scotia has embarked on a new program called LNS Remembers in which donations of professional landscaping work is being done to spruce up cenotaph sites, Royal Canadian Legion branch locations and cemeteries for veterans.
“They (LNS members) believe in giving back to the communities they serve, and a great way to do that is to help the veterans who have given so much to the rest of us,” LNS executive director Sean Kirby said.
Paris Grand closes after 94 years
It’s the end of the road for the Paris Grand Country Club in Paris, Ont. The 94-year-old golf course, which underwent a major facelift several years ago, has been sold by GolfNorth Properties Inc. to serve as new housing development. The course closed for good in November.
In 2017, the golf course employed 50 people and had 150 members.
Increased geese populations a nightmare for golf courses
Canada geese have been trying the patience of golf course superintendents this fall.
In the Windsor, Ont. area, golf courses have been fighting a losing battle against booming populations of Canada geese. The birds aren’t flying south during the winter months anymore, except during extreme weather conditions, and are content to take up year-round residence in Canada’s “banana belt.”
Each goose can produce a pound of excrement a day, making cleanup of bird messes a never-ending job.
An Environment Canada official said the spike in geese populations is the result of changes in the human landscape, noting there are fewer industrial areas, more storm water ponds, green spaces and pristine residential neighbourhoods.
“They will only travel as far as they need to get what they want
(food),” Environment Canada population management biologist Chris Sharp said. “Otherwise, they are going to stay right where they are. They have goslings who then also tend to stay in the same place.”
Geese populations are managed in several ways, including egg and nest removal or relocations and the granting of hunt permits through ministries of natural resources.
The Riverside Country Club in Rothesay, N.B. is one golf course that has been granted permission to initiate controlled hunting on its property. Geese populations on the property have become a health and safety issue.
One course maintenance employee became severely sick from geese feces, having come into contact with the birds’ waste while sharpening mower blades. Riverside’s president said he prefers not to resort to killing.
the number of MLB teams with artificial turf
allows landscapers to give back to veterans
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Health & Safety
By the CCOHS
Stay warm working in the cold
Every winter, parts of Canada are plunged into freezing temperatures and frigid cold. This is bad news for outdoor workers for whom working in the cold can not only be hazardous to their health but also life threatening. The good news is that there are steps you can take to stay warm and safe, and take the chill out of working outside in the cold.
There are three challenges that must be addressed to enable workers to be safe in the cold: air temperature, air movement (wind speed), and humidity (wetness). Aside from several layers of protective, dry, clothing, and a healthy mix of physical activity, regular warm-up periods can help you work safely in, and defend yourself from the cold.
Effects of cold stress
Hypothermia (low body
temperature) is the most common cold injury.
Prolonged exposure to the cold causes the body to lose energy faster than it is produced, dropping body temperature. Warning signs are shivering, cold, pale, and dry skin; tiredness, confusion, and irrational behaviour; slow and shallow breathing; and slow and weakening pulse.
If you suspect hypothermia, immediately call for emergency assistance (911) and follow their instructions.
Frostbite is the second most common cold injury. Noses, ears, cheeks, fingers and toes are most often affected. The freezing constricts blood vessels, which impair blood flow and may cause permanent tissue damage. If only the skin and underlying tissues are damaged, recovery may be complete. However, if blood vessels are affected, the damage is permanent and could result in the amputation of the affected part.
Hypothermia is the most common cold injury with frostbite second. The
Give new employees enough time to get acclimatized to cold and protective clothing before assuming a full workload.
What to wear –top to bottom
Prepare Educate and inform workers and supervisors about symptoms of exposure to cold, proper clothing habits, safe work practices, physical fitness requirements for work in cold, and emergency procedures. Clearly outline procedures for providing first aid and obtaining medical care and assign at least one trained worker per shift the responsibility of attending to emergencies.
To stay safe and dry, insulate yourself against cold temperatures, wind, and humidity with clothing appropriate for the type of work you will be doing and in the conditions you will be performing it. Wear several layers of loose clothing so you can regulate your comfort; remove a layer before you get too warm and start sweating, or add a layer if you are too cold. Under extremely cold conditions, heated protective clothing should be made available.
When you are using face protection in extremely cold conditions, make sure your eye protection is separated from your nose and mouth to prevent eye shields or glasses from fogging and frosting. Wear a wool knit cap or a liner under a hard hat to prevent heat loss.
If fine manual dexterity is not required, gloves should be used below four degrees Celsius for light work and below minus seven degrees Celsius for moderate work. For work below minus 17 degrees Celsius, mittens should be used.
Make heated warming shelters such as tents, cabins or rest rooms available for those who work continuously in sub-zero temperatures. Pace the work such that workers won’t sweat excessively. If such work is necessary, provide proper rest periods in a warm area and allow employees to change into dry clothes.
Wear socks that will stay dry and that are the right thickness for your boots – not so thick that they make your boots tight and squeeze your foot –and not so thin that they make your boots loose and cause blisters. Have extra socks so you can dry your feet and change socks during the day.
Keep your feet warm in feltlined, rubber bottomed,
leather-topped boots that breathe and let perspiration evaporate. However, if work involves standing in water or slush, be sure to wear waterproof boots. While they protect the feet from getting wet from cold water, they also prevent the perspiration from escaping. Socks will become wet more quickly and increase the risk for frostbite.
Other prevention tips
• Avoid using alcohol, nicotine or other drugs that may affect blood flow and cause the body to lose heat and thus increase the risk of hypothermia.
• Don’t expose yourself to cold temperatures after a recent shower or bath.
• Keep moving; avoid sitting or standing still for long periods of time.
• Take regular breaks from the cold in warm places.
• Eat properly and frequently to maintain body heat and prevent dehydration.
• Drink fluids (hot non-alcoholic beverages or soup) often. especially when doing strenuous work to keep warm and hydrated. Limit
the amount of caffeinated drinks as they can dehydrate you and cause you to lose body heat.
Wind chill hazards
0 to -9 degrees Celsius
• Low risk
• Dress warm and stay dry
-10 to -27 degrees Celsius
• Moderate risk
• Dress in layers with outer layer that is wind-resistant; stay dry and keep active
-28 to -29 degrees Celsius
• High risk
• Dress in layers; cover exposed skin with scarf or face mask; stay dry and keep active
-40 to -47 degrees Celsius
• Very high risk
• Dress in layers; cover all exposed skin; stay dry and keep active
-48 to -54 degrees Celsius
• Severe risk
• Dress in layers; cover all exposed skin; stay dry and keep active; be ready to cancel or cut short all outdoor activities.
Frostbitten hands as a result of exposure to extreme temperature without proper protection.
Ball diamond management 101
Budgets, inventory and user group expectations can vary
By Mike Jiggens
Management of public baseball diamonds can vary from one municipality to another. Cultural practices and other maintenance regimes are generally consistent, but numbers of fields versus numbers of staff, budget constraints, inventory of equipment and relationships with user groups play a role in how ball diamonds are actually managed.
Sports turf supervisors from four Ontario municipalities shared their management strategies with an audience of their peers in November at the first annual Nutrite sports turf seminar in Milton.
Joe Breedon of Barrie, Brian Macklin of Brampton, Trevor Warner of Woodstock and Dwayne McAllister of Oakville talked about how they direct their staff to maintain baseball fields, the protocols for short-term field closures for scheduled maintenance, maintaining lines of communication with user groups and how budgets determine the things they can and can’t do.
BARRIE
Breedon said he has the luxury in Barrie to schedule field maintenance seven days a week with two shifts, delivering service from 6:30 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. From April to November, everyone in his department works one of two eight-hour shifts, performing every task necessary. No employee is dedicated to a specific job.
Thirty-five city diamonds, including the championship-level home field of the Intercounty Baseball League’s Barrie Baycats, and 10 diamonds that are part of a city sports complex, fall under his direction.
Breedon and his staff meet each year in November to reflect upon the season that has just ended, discussing important issues that arose from the playing season and looking ahead to the next spring. He said the meeting
provides a better understanding of what will be going on during the winter allocation process. In February, the group will meet again to address the coming season, including any directives from city council and any new projects that might be taking place.
Lines of communication remain open throughout the entire year with Barrie’s user groups. Breedon said he has fostered stellar relations with his user groups during the 17 years he has been with the city.
“Sometimes you get caught with decisions they (user groups) don’t like,” he said. “The good thing, though, is they like the small improvements you do provide them. A lot of times they just assume. They don’t get it straight from the source.”
Breedon’s communications with his user groups include post-season queries into how the local rep programs fared and that of the teams’ Ontario Baseball Association programs. During off-season baseball shows, he’ll make an appearance “just to show my face and see how things are going.”
During the playing season, both city and complex diamonds are groomed daily.
“For each booking that we have, we groom that day.”
Diamonds that might be sitting vacant for a week will be groomed at least once during that time of inactivity.
Twenty of the city’s diamonds are irrigated which presents a challenge of its own, Breedon said.
“That’s a big challenge, too, especially with vandalism in the city itself.”
The sports complex is a fenced-in facility that serves to better protect the ball diamonds within from vandalism.
Monthly inspections are made of all irrigated diamonds to ensure no tampering has been done to sprinkler heads.
Fields are topdressed on a two to five-year rotation. Operator time, available money and product, and the need to work around user groups often present a challenge.
Irrigated fields are grown to Kentucky bluegrass while those that aren’t watered are a mix of Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass and fescue.
A total of 17 sports fields make up the city complex, including 10 baseball diamonds, all of which are lit for night play. Work assigned Breedon’s staff differs between the fields at the complex and the other diamonds throughout Barrie. At the complex, staff does everything, including building upkeep, tree pruning and mulching.
“We do all the lining, we do all the base setups, we do all the pitching boards. We do everything for anyone. That’s a nice thing for the user groups. They don’t have to worry about anything.”
When booking the city diamonds, however, user groups are responsible for that work themselves.
Poor weather can sometimes throw a wrench into the best-laid plans. Knowing out-of-town teams are scheduled to play in Barrie and will be investing money into local hotels and restaurants, Breedon said staff endeavours to dry out fields and make them playable. They will deal with conveners and “make sure we do the best we can to try to get the tournament in.”
He said three modes of thinking have been adopted for the spring, summer and fall. In the spring, staff is proactive. In the summer, crews sustain what was done in spring, and in the fall the mode reverts back to proactive, “meaning that once the season gets going, a lot of the maintenance practices you can’t do. You’re just reacting to problems and issues.”
Often, however, he said, a small window of opportunity will present itself during the summer to be proactive again.
He said that he has learned that when managing diamonds “not to eat too quickly or run super fast with improvements or providing things with the user groups because then they’ll expect more and more.”
BRAMPTON
In Brampton, where there are 107 baseball diamonds
BARRIE
A total of 17 sports fields make up the city complex.
among a total of 337 city sports fields, distribution of maintenance work is divided into five geographical districts, each led by a foreperson with eight to 10 employees, six temporary staff and 25 students.
The district crews of 42 to 45 people work from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on weekdays. Field recreation staff provides after-hours customer service support by dragging diamonds before games. User groups can request to have pre-game dragging done on game night. The field staff also lines fields, opens and locks gates, cleans washrooms and turns lights on and off.
The level of maintenance provided to the ball fields is dependent upon their specific category, Macklin said. Category A fields are intended for game use only, and are irrigated, enclosed and lit. Category B fields are also irrigated, but not necessarily lit or enclosed, and can be used for both game play and practices. Category C fields are not irrigated.
Macklin said the city used to fertilize its fields four times annually with a pound of nitrogen on each occasion. Since working with Nutrite, however, two pounds are put down each time, but the number of applications has decreased, allowing staff to perform other functions. Brampton’s Category C fields had previously been fertilized once a year, but now receive a second application because of time saved fertilizing Category A fields.
CATEGORY A FIELDS
Intended for game use only, are irrigated, closed and lit.
The fields are also aerated four times annually and overseeded three times. Height of cut has been adjusted to two inches from 2½ inches. Category C fields are cut at 2½ inches.
Clay diamonds are nail dragged daily by dedicated staff and mounds are repaired each day.
Macklin urged his peers to take the time to properly train staff to ensure a quality job, suggesting rushed work leads to lengthy repairs in the fall.
“It’s better to take your time.”
During rain days, workers are sent out to take photographs of baseball fields. The pictures help to identify faults where there may be standing water, and decisions can be made to see if more material is needed or if improved grading is required. Macklin said about 50 city diamonds are typically re-leveled each season, including clay diamonds that are leveled every year. The adjustments made in grading the diamonds helps to reduce the number of field closures due to rain and keeps user groups content.
Each of the city’s geographic districts endeavours to conduct five to seven lip maintenance repairs each year. The schedule allows lip repairs to be done on all diamonds within five years, and the cycle can repeat itself again.
Macklin said edging must be done periodically to prevent grass from creeping into the warning track,
Woodstock’s Trevor Warner (with microphone) talks about baseball diamond construction during Sports Turf Canada’s fall field day in Richmond Hill.
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and weed growth needs to be regularly monitored.
Mar-Co Clay, which supplies the city with its infield products, provides training for staff, including techniques for the proper construction of a pitcher’s mound. New students are hired each year, necessitating ongoing training.
Planning establishes goals and creates efficient use of resources, Macklin said. It also creates team building. The sports field maintenance team meets every two weeks to discuss ideas, collaborate on field maintenance practices, review policies and procedures, and to decide upon field opening and closing dates and maintenance closures. The team includes all forepersons, the supervisor, the district manager, the field recreation foreperson and booking staff. The group will also talk about capital projects and other items of importance down the road.
Decisions regarding rainouts depend on the category of field. For Category A clay diamonds, rainouts are decided by the city. For all other field categories, the user groups make rainout decisions.
Macklin works with the city’s bookings group to decide on scheduled maintenance closures on clay diamonds before the baseball season gets underway. For example, a three-day closure may be scheduled for early July to tackle such maintenance items as sod repairs, mound repairs, edging, lip removal and an overall turf maintenance program. The diamonds are booked heavily throughout the week and staff is available at only that time.
WOODSTOCK
Warner shared some of the practices he does for his diamonds in Woodstock as well as work he does in other municipalities where he is often contractually consulted.
One of his standard practices is to use turf mats on the mound and batter’s boxes on clay diamonds when not in game use, protecting them from unnecessary
wear and helping the areas to retain moisture.
“I always stress to them (user groups) on this field (championship diamond), if it’s not a game situation, don’t touch my clay,” he said.
During pre-game batting practice and fielding sessions, players throw or hit from the mats.
Warner prefers the use of calcite clay most of the time for his mounds, but will sometimes use red crushed brick. Blue gumbo clay used in the batter’s boxes can become slick when wet, requiring an insulation bed of either calcite clay or crushed brick conditioner.
“You need that insulation barrier,” he said. “You need to let the water get through or get off instead of being right on top of that clay because it is slick.”
‘Sometimes you get caught with decisions they (user groups) don’t like. The good thing is they like the small improvements.’
In situations where the diamonds are used for practice purposes only, he said he has had to “beat it into users groups’ heads” to use the turf mat covers instead of playing directly off the clay. Most of the time, the message sinks in, but there have been exceptions where user groups fail to listen to practical advice.
Warner recalled a situation this past season in which he had to repair the infield turf because of teams “messing around.” Instead of players standing on the clay edges or on the baseline or at the turf mat-covered home plate to take batting practice, they stood on the infield turf allowing their cleats to tear up the grass from their twisting motions.
A ball diamond with a dirt infield has a puddle of standing water left of home plate. Diamonds must periodically be re-leveled to promote better surface drainage.
Had they hit from clay, repairs would have been relatively easy, he said.
“If somebody tore up an area from hitting and twisting and turning (on clay), it’s not that difficult.”
In another instance, Warner noticed a pocket on his infield turf that was darker than the surrounding area because seedlings “got their asses handed to them.” He said a coach was smashing ground balls directly into the turf instead of just laying them out toward his fielders.
“You wish you could choke him.”
Warner said he uses a striping/contour mower to give his turf sharp, eye-catching patterns. Not only does the turf look good, it is healthy as well. He said his turf has nicely thickened up in combination of the city’s fertility program, its overseeding practices and its mowing regime.
OAKVILLE
McAllister talked about his management of category A and B diamonds, noting there are no longer any category C diamonds in Oakville. The A fields are irrigated and have proper drainage. Most are lit and don’t necessarily have to be fenced in.
He has 12 full-time staff working under him with six of them devoted to sports fields. In addition to overseeing all sports fields in the city, he recently inherited the responsibility of lighting, care of the outbuildings and water. Consequently, he can’t personally get out to inspect the ball diamonds as often as he’d like, “but I do have really good lead hands and people in those sports field operator positions.”
Four individuals mow both baseball and soccer fields at least twice a week, but efforts are made to achieve three weekly mowing sessions.
“We’re really on top of the cutting,” McAllister said. “Soccer groups really like that. Baseball groups love it, too.”
User groups seem to have a lot of money when pressed, he said, noting some organizations have made certain requests that weren’t represented in the city budget, yet will turn around and
make some of those purchases themselves.
“You never really know what their budgets are.”
Tasks such as field lining are done on Fridays for weekend field use.
Oakville’s capital budgets have permitted such projects as paving around the outside of diamonds, allowing proper placement of bleachers. It makes maintenance of those areas more efficient, he said.
FROM A BATTERY. COMMERCIAL GRADE POWER...
Build better fields by thinking first
Sports turf managers must do their homework.
By Mike Jiggens
Sports turf managers must do their homework and not “put the cart before the horse” when looking to build new sports fields or renovating existing ones, a turfgrass and agronomic consultant told an audience of industry professionals attending September’s Sports Turf Canada field day activities.
David Smith, principal of DCS & Associates of Gravenhurst, Ont., spoke about athletic field construction at the forum held at Richmond Hill, Ont.’s Richmond Green Sports Centre, noting better fields are built when a great deal of thought is applied to how they are going to be put together.
He said he has experienced numerous occasions in his travels when a municipality wishes to build a new sports field and then wants to start construction the following day.
“And then we’ll figure how to manage it when we’re done.”
The first thing a sports turf manager needs to do before embarking on such a project is to take inventory of an existing field earmarked for repair or replacement or at a brand new site that might be located in the midst of an open area or a forest setting. In either situation, an inventory must be done to learn the type of soil present.
“Is there a lot of sand? Is it a heavy soil underneath? Do we have a lot of shade and, if we do, how are we going to deal with that? Contrary to what a lot of people believe, grass doesn’t grow in the dark. If you can’t get eight full hours of sunlight on your turf, then you’re going to be struggling with that turf for a long, long time.”
Water is another issue that must be considered before embarking on a sports field construction or rebuild project. Water’s availability and quality are important considerations, Smith said, adding that if it is recycled
water high in soluble salts, it becomes a factor. At the same time, will there have to be an accelerated drainage system in place to deal with poor quality water, he pondered.
“If that water is going on at the top, you have to have a way to get it out at the bottom.”
The sports turf manager must know if he plans to use on-site soils or if his intention is to amend his existing soils or if he wishes to have new soils specially built.
“If we’re going to have them built, that’s a whole new program.”
A field’s purpose must also be established before construction begins, Smith said.
“Who’s going to play on it? How often are they going to play on it? Are they going to play at night?
If night play is likely, he said it necessitates a need for lighting. If the field is to be located near a residential
Pay attention to recurring pests on a sports field such as weeds.
area, there must be an acceptance by the community for additional evening illumination.
Such issues must be resolved before a shovel goes into the ground, Smith said.
If an existing field is to be renovated, considerations such as layering must be considered, he said, suggesting a real soils investigation be conducted.
“You need to know what’s there. If left field is layered and you’re going to repair it, then you need to know how to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Dealing with thatch, compaction
Thatch present on an existing field needs to be addressed, Smith said, to determine whether or not it is a serious issue or whether or not it is causing other problems.
If soil is heavily compacted, water will have difficulty moving through the profile. The average root zone for an athletic field is about 12 inches. A conventional soil aerator works to a depth of three to four inches.
SOIL DRAIN
Soil drain depth is important, Smith said. Drains should be placed deep, at about 45 centimetres.
“If you want water to move to the bottom of your drainage, you have to keep that open. You can cut little slits in there and fill them full of sand to the surface until the cows come home, and that field is not going to drain. You have to break the compaction in fields. You have to build fields so you can break them.”
Smith added drainage goes well beyond incorporating it into a field, noting the water has to go somewhere.
Another consideration to be made when contemplating the construction of a new field is the presence of pests, especially if the site is the same as the location of a previously closed field. If pests were responsible for the original field’s demise, there is a good chance they could return, he said.
If it’s decided a field cannot be repaired and a new one should be constructed instead, its expectations must be assessed, Smith said. Among the considerations to be made include the number of annual usage hours it is expected to have.
A sports field is only as successful as the tender written for it, he said, stressing all specifications should be included. He said he has seen many instances in which a contractor works to a tender poorly put together.
“It’s very, very important that tenders be given a great deal of consideration and the specifications of how we’re going to build these things.”
Permitting is equally important, he added.
Selecting the right team to help build the field is vital, Smith said. This includes not only those responsible for building the tenders, but the contractor, sub-contractors, individuals responsible for growing in and maintaining the field, and suppliers of such key components as drainage pipe and tile.
Synergism is the key, he said, and team members who have successfully worked together in the past prove to be an asset.
“You don’t want to have a quarrel on your project.” Everyone involved in the project needs to “be on the same page” and understand the end goal. The cream rises to the top when the right team members are selected, Smith said.
Clear objectives need to be established for each individual member and for the team itself. Smith said if assistance is required to put tenders and plans together, sports turf managers need to know where to find the help needed “because it’s a big job.”
Sports Turf Canada has published a couple of manuals to help guide decision makers along the right path toward proper sports field construction and maintenance practices. Information contained within the publications will help sports field managers determine the category of field that meets a field’s objective as well as where it should be built and
how it will be used.
Smith urged his audience to read other books as well, especially those dealing with construction and soils. Different soil types have different irrigation and drainage requirements, he said.
Understand soil types
Understanding soil types is imperative when considering different category fields. He said golf course sand is excellent in the construction of a category one field, but won’t work with other categories of fields.
GREAT SOD
FOR A PERFECT JOB
“It’s disastrous if you use it to cut heavy soils to make a category three field.”
Growing mediums for category one fields are probably the most complicated and most difficult to manufacture, he said.
Finding the right people to help choose the right type of sand is vital, Smith said.
Creating topsoil blends is a complicated process. For the blends to succeed, they must be done right and done consistently, he said, recommending category two field construction because it’s easier to find the right materials for the category and more accurate blending can be achieved. A lot of silt and clay from heavy soils are the result when blends are manufactured for category three fields. If it’s in situ topsoil, it’s not a problem, but when it’s manufactured it can be difficult to hit the right targets.
“One of the biggest issues in manufacturing the soils is clay balls.”
Smith said they must be broken up and blended properly, adding it’s sometimes best to just leave the topsoil alone and not change it.
It’s fine sands that slow down the percolation rates on athletic fields and plugs them up so that they won’t drain.
“When you start putting fine sand into heavy soil, you’re building a sponge that will hold 12 inches of water without dripping, so all the drainage in the world won’t make that field work properly. It just becomes extremely tight. You’ve got to build them with much, much coarser sand.”
In Canada, ice and winter injury are among the top threats to the health of sports fields. Having good surface drainage is an important way to lessen the threat, he said, adding the incorporation of sufficient slope is a means to promote better surface drainage.
In addition to good surface drainage, soil drain depth is important, Smith said. Drains should be placed deep, at about 45 centimetres.
“You’ve got to have those pipes down.”
If the plan is to sod the newly constructed field, use caution, Smith said.
“Why go to all the trouble and expense of building a field and then sodding it with the low bid?”
CIB still growing as milestone nears
Founding president hopes for full Canadian involvement by 25th year
By Treena Hein
Everyone loves a beautiful community, with lots of green space and gardens abounding with flowers, trees and attractive shrubs. Having many more, and much more, beautiful communities is the goal of Communities in Bloom (CIB), a Canadian non-profit organization committed to fostering civic pride, environmental responsibility and national beautification through community involvement. The organization’s motto is “People, plants and pride… growing together.”
In three short years, the program will celebrate its 25th year of operation and founding president Raymond Carriere says, “Our goal by that time is to have all communities in Canada involved! A bit audacious, but it’s our goal.”
Carriere recalls how the program came about, building on European initiatives.
“The Province of Quebec had an “in bloom” program since 1980, based on a program in France called the Villes et Villages Fleuris de France,” he explains. “In the early 1990s, the participating municipalities in Quebec wanted to challenge other Canadian municipalities in friendly competition, but they discovered that there were not any other programs in the country. So they decided participate in a European program called Entente Florale.”
Carriere was asked to be the Quebec delegate at the 1993 Entente Florale awards in Ireland, and there he met representatives from national programs such as Tidy Towns of Ireland and Britain in Bloom.
“What I liked about the idea of a national program, being from a parks background, was that it was a way to
recognize beautification and the role that groundskeepers and parks supervisors have in creating it,” he remembers.
“You know that every time a community is promoted as a great place to work or live or visit, the pictures are all about the gardens and green spaces.”
The people Carriere met encouraged him to work with others to form a national
Castlegar, B.C., winner of the Scotts Landscape Award.
Canadian program, and on Carriere’s return, he and colleagues from Quebec, such as Albiny Provost from Nutrite and the late former mayor of Stratford Ted Blowes, decided to make it happen.
It was a big task. They began by contacting each and every provincial municipal, tourism and parks association, and by 1994, had established a national committee with the assistance of Ottawa’s National Capital Commission. A year later, CIB was born and was holding its first contest.
Nutrite, a company which had sponsored the Quebec program, became the first CIB sponsor, followed by Toro, Turf & Recreation magazine and Zaunscherb Marketing.
“There were only 29 communities involved in the first edition, and the winners were honoured at the first awards ceremonies on Parliament Hill,” Carriere recalls. “Since then, it has grown to over 900 communities that have participated at least once, and in recent years, we have about 350 regularly involved at the provincial, national and international level. Many communities continue with ‘in Bloom’ programs, even if they are not officially registered in the program.”
While some aspects of CIB have changed since 1995, others have stayed the same. While CIB was and still is about beautification and creating true green spaces, Carriere notes that the program has always gone well beyond that.
“Even in 1995, environmental factors such as composting, recycling and water conservation were included in the judging,” he says. “Heritage conservation was added early on in the program as well. This includes care for heritage trees, and having beautification that’s in harmony with the existing landscape.”
Other changes to CIB have included a trend to communities promoting more and more naturalization
of areas, and showcasing much more variety in floral use. Perennials and grasses have become more popular, and environmental aspects have become more prominent. This year, CIB will add a new section to the website (previously located at another website) which will function as an information exchange network where communities can share accomplishments, best practices and projects.
The program now includes municipalities in provincial, territorial and national editions along with an international challenge, involving communities from Canada, the United States, Asia and several European countries.
Benefits
Many benefits of CIB are obvious, such as beautification, building community pride, increasing a sense of community and providing a feeling of cooperative accomplishment. However, other important benefits are not as obvious.
“There is strong potential for individuals and the entire community to benefit financially from the program through community tourism initiatives, business opportunities and other green space-related projects,” Carriere notes. “Many of our participant communities have seen a positive difference in economic development.
“I also think the program has really brought Canadian municipalities together by very simply providing communities opportunities to engage their citizens in a common goal. While difficult to prove or quantify, we often hear people says that it has made their communities better places to live in, work in and visit. And this year, for the Canada 150 celebrations, it made our entire country look better and helped create a strong collective feeling of pride and joy.”
The CIB team is presently reviewing the program so that it’s in the best possible shape to face current and future challenges.
“These challenges are not small – budget restraints, volunteer burnout and the need to involve young adults – but we will face them in the spirit of Communities in Bloom,” Carriere says, “together.”
Program highlights:
• Began in 1995
• More than 900 Canadian municipalities have competed at least once
• CIB workshops and awards ceremonies are held in all provinces throughout the year
• For more information, visit www.communitiesinbloom.ca
Raymond Carriere
Founding president who has been with the program every year since its inception. He conceived the program after seeing how successful a similar program in Europe was operated.
Tignish, P.E.I., class of champions winner.
Turf tarping made simpler
Assistant golf superintendent conceives a better method for putting covers down.
By Mike Jiggens
An assistant golf superintendent has come up with an idea that simplifies the deployment and collection of turf covers, reduces the amount of labour involved in their implementation, and significantly extends their shelf life.
TarpDevil is the brainchild of Jordan Kitchen, assistant superintendent at the Hamilton Golf & Country Club, who began to think there had to be a better way of putting down covers, rolling them back up again and storing them during the playing season. He had become accustomed to the standard practice of being among eight to 12 people who would roll out, unfold and tack down covers to protect greens during the winter months and then rolling them back up again in the spring and storing them for another year. It was a labour intensive process that often proved challenging.
“Rolling them up and collecting them in the spring was a lesson in and of itself,” he said.
Many golf courses in Canada use turf covers to protect their greens from winter injury. The polar vortex of 2014 that hit Ontario and Eastern Canada reminded several superintendents of the value of covers after many courses with predominantly poa annua greens suffered extensive ice damage and death.
Kitchen said Hamilton experienced about 70 per cent turf loss that year. Not wanting the calamity to repeat itself, the club’s membership was told that solid covers were the answer to more effective winter protection.
Putting the new covers out for the first time was a relatively easy process because they were dry, Kitchen said, but collecting them afterwards and storing them would be another story. Weighing about 300 pounds apiece when spring moisture was factored in, repeating the process of deployment and collection each fall and spring left Kitchen contemplating a more effective
means to put down covers and roll them back up.
After doing some research online and discussing concepts with the team at Hamilton, an idea for a hydraulically-driven attachment that could be affixed to the back of any tractor came to bear. From there, he asked an engineer friend to listen to his idea and conceive a workable design. Ian Trepte, a friend of Kitchen’s since their childhood, put his engineering expertise to work with some CAD (computer-aided drafting) designs that led to the development of a prototype.
“He came down and drew it out, and that was the beginning of TarpDevil.”
The two collaborated on the project “for months and months and months and months” until an operable design concept was achieved. Working with a skilled welder, a prototype of the TarpDevil attachment was produced and, in July of 2017, an introductory product
Jordan Kitchen, assistant superintendent at the Hamilton Golf & Country Club, conceived the idea for TarpDevil.
video was recorded that launched in August.
“That’s the value that Ian brings as an engineer. He’s very familiar with how you develop CAD drawings and welding assemblies.”
The attachment is constructed of two-inch-square tube steel and plate, cut to size and welded together. Kitchen said the goal was to minimize the number of materials needed, adding Trepte’s professional expertise ensured their objective was met.
“It’s a simple concept that achieves a great purpose. That was really one of the goals we had in mind when we designed the unit. We wanted it to be structurally strong, but we didn’t want it to be too heavy or too complex. We wanted it to be functional and durable.”
Video on Internet
The introductory product video to demonstrate the efficiency of TarpDevil was posted to TarpDevil’s website and then on Twitter, “and the response to that
QUOTES
‘It’s a simple concept that achieves a great purpose’.
prototype was absolutely overwhelming.” Kitchen said it generated about 14,000 impressions and 9,000 engagements, plus several “likes” and re-tweets.
In addition to the promotional video, the TarpDevil was also demonstrated at the Ottawa Valley Turfgrass Association’s annual golf tournament.
TarpDevil attaches to a tractor’s three-point hitch and runs off its hydraulic system. Kitchen said the design concept was purposely tailored with a light weight in mind. Because greens are the most valuable surfaces on a golf course, it is important that minimal weight be placed on them and their surrounds, especially in the spring when they are traditionally wet. He said he and Trepte – who holds the title of vice-president of engineering – designed the unit so that it could be mounted to tractors that, outfitted with turf tires, would leave a lighter footprint around the putting surface.
“You don’t have to have a certain size tractor to use the TarpDevil. It works on every modern tractor.”
Most golf courses have a least one tractor among their fleet of equipment, he said, adding adapting it for a three-point hitch mount and run off the machine’s hydraulic system made a lot of sense.
Currently, the system is designed with a six-foot width for rolling covers, but efforts are underway to produce a 10-foot and 20-foot configurations.
“I’m convinced the unit will work for other applications (besides golf),” Kitchen said. “But if someone so chooses, it can be offered in 10-foot and potentially 20-foot options. We’re working on those solutions now.”
The wider options are designed with agriculture and sports field applications in mind.
With TarpDevil’s original design, Kitchen said a cover is folded to six feet in width, placed on a spindle and held in position with a pinching arm. The roller of the Tarp Devil allows the cover to be off the ground, acting as a squeegee to extract moisture from the tarp and enabling it to be rolled up into an air-tightened, compact package for easier storage.
“All of those things add to its useful life.”
Rolling up covers manually, especially those upward in size of 60 feet by 100 feet, is typically a daunting task. The covers are usually cold, wet and heavy in the spring, and workers are on their hands and knees, shoulder to shoulder, rolling it up after it has been folded into a six-foot width. Kitchen said as the rolling process moves further along while a cover’s bulkiness increases, workers start to “huff and puff” and experience slippage while trying to achieve a compact bundle.
By using the TarpDevil, the number of people required for the collection process can be reduced to about six or seven, Kitchen said, instead of upward of 12 people. It allows the process to be performed by two
Canadian Commercial Distributors
British Columbia
Oakcreek Golf & Turf Inc.
Kelowna 250-860-5090
Surrey 604-882-8399
Duncan 250-701-0766
Alberta
Oakcreek Golf & Turf Inc.
Calgary 403-279-2907
Edmonton 780-469-2332
Saskatchewan
Oakcreek Golf & Turf Inc.
Saskatoon 306-975-1110
Manitoba Mazergroup
Winnipeg 204-253-2900
Ontario Turf Care Products
Canada Limited
Carp 613-821-1880
Medina 519-349-2400
Newmarket 905-836-0988
Québec
Les Produits Turf Care
Canada Limitée
Vaudreuil-Dorion 450-218-4544
Atlantic Canada
Vesey’s Equipment
York, P.E.I. 902-892-8873
1-866-455-TURF (8873)
crews. One will un-tack the covers and fold them up to the proper width while two individuals can operate the TarpDevil to roll them up into a more compact size for storage.
The rolling process, when done manually, is the most labour intensive part of the process, Kitchen said.
Invention saves money
Based on data he and the shareholders have, a golf course with 18 covers (or 19 with a practice putting green) can save between $1,200 and $2,000 per collection or deployment by using the TarpDevil.
“You can use the unit to collect covers, but you can also use it to deploy them.”
Kitchen said the TarpDevil is gentler on covers because it allows them to be rolled up more evenly, and they are tighter and easier to manage, contributing to a cover’s effective, useful life. When folded up manually, covers tend to be bulky and can often snag on other things when stored. He estimates the life expectancy of a cover can be extended by about 20 per cent when using the TarpDevil. When the labour savings is factored in, the unit provides good value, he added.
“We’ve had an overwhelming response to the video and to the concept. People can really see how it improves their lives and their operations. If I can do something that makes the lives of those employees and
superintendents in the industry better, and I can bring value or improve the process to someone else, then that makes me happy.”
The TarpDevil is patent pending. Kitchen is also working with an intellectual property lawyer, and the brand name has become trademarked.
“Our lawyers worked really hard with us to get us to that stage.”
He and the shareholder group are also in the process of establishing distribution partners in both Canada and the United States.
“One of the things we’re proud to say is that this is a Canadian product.”
Among the university courses he studied at the University of Guelph in his pursuit of his masters degree was one on sustainability “which is a really hot topic now.” Kitchen said when ideas are created that make people’s lives easier and processes more efficient, they become popular and significantly change the marketplace.
“In that vein, I think TarpDevil has a very sustainable approach to improving operations for farmers, sports fields managers and golf courses.”
Kitchen estimates he has spent an average of 15 to 20 hours a week of his own time with TarpDevil, dating back to March, but added he’s had “a lot of fun” doing it. He credits John Bladon, a mentor of his, and Bladon’s Chimera Group for their help in commercializing the concept, marketing
Rolling a tarp is made easier with the TarpDevil attachment, helping to keep it compact for storage and minimizing moisture.
and channel development, and collaborating on a plan for TarpDevil.
“He (Bladon) was the guy who planted that seed in my mind.”
Kitchen said he was raised in an “innovative, industrious and entrepreneurial” family. His stepfather is a cash crop and dairy farmer who insisted his children try their hand in another field before following his footsteps in agriculture. Heeding that advice, Kitchen began working at Century Pines Golf Club in Troy, Ont. at the age of 16, pursuing his love for the outdoors.
“That’s when I fell in love with golf. I didn’t come to this industry because I was a golf buff. I came to this because I love the outdoors, I like the people, and then I came to love the game.”
After finishing high school, he studied political science in Ottawa before returning
to Century Pines. In 2011, he completed the turfgrass managers’ short course at the University of Guelph and then took the university’s diploma course the following year. For his internship, he applied to both the Hamilton Golf & Country Club as well
as a golf course in China, but Hamilton superintendent Rhod Trainor was the first to respond with an offer.
Today, he is only a few credits shy of attaining his master’s degree with a specialization in food and agri-business.
Jordan Kitchen backs up a tractor equipped with TarpDevil, ready to roll it back up for storage.
New Canadian distributors
TarpDevil has formed exclusive distribution partnerships with two well-known Canadian brands to cover the provinces from British Columbia to Quebec.
BrettYoung has partnered with TarpDevil in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba while Turf Care Products Canada will look after the Ontario and Quebec markets.
“We are thrilled to forge partnerships with progressive industry leaders in BrettYoung and Turf Care Products,” TarpDevil president Jordan Kitchen said. “They have long standing reputations of serving their clients with best-of-class solutions and we couldn’t think of better partners.”
Travis Unger, vice-president of professional turf and reclamation for
BrettYoung, said, “BrettYoung has always sought to bring leading solutions to its customer base, and this solution-based and Canadian-made innovation is something we are now proud to represent in Western Canada.”
Turf Care Products Canada sales manager Tom Fisher was equally enthusiastic about his company’s new partnership.
“I couldn’t be more pleased to announce our relationship with this innovative company and product. Turf Care has always sought to bring leading-edge solutions to its customer base, and TarpDevil fits that description flawlessly. We are proud to add this unique and Canadian product to our distribution portfolio.”
The first of its kind, TarpDevil reduces the burden of collecting and deploying covers on the golf course and in the sports
turf and equestrian arenas. The tractor-mounted, hydraulically controlled cover management system significantly reduces the labour required to manage tarps in the spring and fall.
To view a video of TarpDevil, visit www. tarpdevil.com/tarp-devil-product-videolive/.
TarpDevil’s offices and manufacturing facilities are in Puslinch, Ont.
BrettYoung is based in Winnipeg and produces forage and turf products that serve domestic and international markets around the world.
Turf Care Products Canada is based in Newmarket, Ont. with offices in London, Milton, Scarborough, Ottawa and Montreal, and is a leading supplier to golf courses, municipalities and landscape contractors.
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Choosing a profitable blade for snow removal
Efficient snow removal operations allow contractors to push for profits. By
Ryan Frey
Light and fluffy, heavy and wet, or dense and hard; regardless of the snow adjectives facing a contractor they certainly play a role in choosing the most effective and efficient snow removal equipment. But choosing a profitable tool requires digging a little deeper than snow type.
Optimal versatility, efficiency, equipment longevity and uptime are all factors contractors must address, and to do that means taking a close look at all contributors to the blade selection process, from applications and budgets to carriers and dealer support.
VERSATILITY
BREEDS EFFICIENCY
Efficiency is the hallmark of any successful business, because in most cases it equates to higher profit margins. One of the most effective ways to improve snow removal efficiency is to match the blade
to the application.
Contractors or municipalities clearing streets need a blade that can windrow snow to one side, allowing fast street clearing without stopping to push snow into a pile. This is why a blade that can angle to either side is critical for street clearing. When it comes to large parking lots, on the other hand, a box pusher works well since it allows operators to push a lot of snow long distances and stack it into piles. The challenge to maintaining efficiency, however, comes when contractors want to go from streets to parking lots and vice versa. They must stop, disconnect and attach the new blade, which is a hassle and, if it needs to be done multiple times a day, can quickly eat into profits. The ideal solution for maximum versatility is a two-in-one wing blade.
This type of unit operates as an angle blade when its hydraulically powered wings are open, then converts to a box pusher when the wings are brought ahead.
at
com or www.horstwelding.com, or by emailing sales@horstwelding.com, calling 866-567-4162 or at Horst Loader Attachments, R.R. #3, Listowel, ON, N4W 3G8.
Operators can switch from one to the other on the go, so it saves considerable time over disconnecting and attaching blades. The design also helps open new opportunities for contractors, allowing them to take on both street and parking lot work effectively and efficiently.
Even though wing blades cost slightly more, the fast return on investment quickly diminishes the cost difference. Contractors using wing blades for clearing parking lots can complete projects as much as 60 per cent faster than they can with just a box pusher. For accounts paid by the push or the season, that means contractors can either pick up more accounts, adding to additional revenue, or have more time at home with their families while making the same amount of money. Even if it’s an hourly contract, the added efficiency pays dividends. A customer who’s happy his lot was cleaned quickly for business generally tends to be a loyal customer who offers great
Ryan Frey is general manager at Horst Welding. More information can be found
www.hlasnow.
word-of-mouth referrals.
Wing blades come in a variety of sizes to work with nearly any size carrier, from smaller 70-horsepower skid steers to 60,000-pound wheel loaders. But when comparing one manufacturer’s model to the next there are some key features to consider.
Carrier tires are extremely costly. One punctured tire on the job can result in a service bill upwards of $3,000; and that doesn’t factor in lost revenue. A tire protection system eliminates the risk of the blade wing puncturing the tire as it’s angled. The mechanical system simply pushes the wing away from the tire as it’s brought back, providing worry-free operation for both novice and expert operators.
In addition to a tire protection system, the system powering the wing function on the blade can either increase or decrease maintenance costs. Wing systems are powered either by a rotary actuator or a ram cylinder. The rotary actuator system minimizes parts and offers a more robust system by eliminating pins and bushings.
Also consider how the blade and carrier will be transported to the site and choose a wing blade that will minimize hassle and the need for over-width permits. Look for units with wings that can be rotated inward, which allows the blade, when angled –even when attached to the machine – to be loaded onto and transported by a heavy haul trailer.
GETTING YOUR TOES WET
A two-in-one blade may not be ideal for all contractors, such as landscapers just starting out in the snow removal business with limited budgets and a smaller customer list. In this scenario a box pusher with a back drag is a great option. Contractors can use the units with nearly any size carrier, including smaller models such as skid steers, which are likely already in their fleet.
Box pushers are great for pushing ample amounts of snow, but what makes a blade like this really work for most accounts is a back-drag feature. Back drag allows operators to place the blade within inches of a structure, such as loading docks, curbs and doors, then pull the blade back to clear the snow. These blades are often 35 to 40 per cent of the cost of a two-in-one wing type of blade so it’s a good option for those who don’t have a lot of capital to invest, yet want to earn some serious business.
Like most snow removal blades, box pushers are available in a variety of widths, generally 4.5 to 18 feet, and can be used with 5,000 to 60,000-pound carriers to suit any size project. They are ideal for contractors who need to move a large amount of snow a long distance, such as in big parking lots.
CLEANER PARKING LOTS
Unfortunately it’s a challenge to get the cleanest results with a box pusher. Parking lots are engineered for water control, which means they have high break points and low spots for storm sewers. For operators using a traditional rigid blade that can’t conform to these varying levels, this can leave as much as 1.5 inches of snow in some areas, which means more time and money spent salting or sanding the lot.
The only Tall Fescue with true rhizomes, RTF quickly fills in damaged and bare spots in your turf with new shoots of grass. This results in less overseeding, fewer weed problems and no wideleafed ugly clumps of grass like other tall fescues can form. RTF’s extensive root system has the ability to draw moisture from a deep soil profile, which helps it use less water and makes it adaptable in a wide range of soils. It has excellent heat and drought tolerance, with less irrigation.
A better option for contractors working on large lots who want a cleaner scrape to minimize salt and sand usage is a blade that features several independent sections along its length. These sections are generally 24 inches wide and “float” along the surface; as the operator moves the carrier the sections raise or lower to follow the height of the pavement, leaving little to no snow left on the surface.
Segmented floating blades can even be used to stack snow. Modern designs feature a full metal parallel lift system, which eliminates the risk of damage that can occur with polyurethane block systems when piling and stacking snow.
These blades are generally available in 10 to 20-foot widths and can be used on 14,000-60,000-pound carriers.
WALK THIS WAY
Having a versatile and efficient blade isn’t just important for quickly clearing streets and parking lots, it’s also critical for the safety of pedestrians on sidewalks. One of the most versatile options for clearing sidewalks is a six-way blade. These blades fit smaller carriers, such as 30 to 50-horsepower compact tractors and can be used to both windrow and push snow.
Operators can angle the blade left or right to push snow to one side or the other, or use the v-blade function to push to both sides at once. Where this blade excels at efficiency, however, is at intersections.
Operators can move the wings out to create a scoop, which is ideal for cleaning up areas around stoplights, then switch back to an angle or V-blade. This type of blade can save operators from having to make as many as three passes with an angle blade to clear snow from an intersection.
ON THE MAP
There are many snow removal blades that work well regardless of location and snow type, but there also are a few options that excel at moving large amounts of snow in more challenging climates. Snow baskets, for example, feature cutout designs that allow slushy water to flow from the bucket, while the bucket carries the bulk of the snow. This is ideal for milder maritime climates, such as the Eastern U.S. and Canada where snow is wet and heavy. The cutouts also reduce the basket weight so the carrier can carry more snow rather than more basket.
Snow buckets are very similar to snow baskets, but feature cutouts only along the top edge of the blade. These buckets are typically used with smaller carriers, such as skid steers, so the cutouts give operators a clear view of the cutting edge.
Snow baskets and buckets are typically available in five to 10-foot widths and for use with 5,000 to 15,000-pound carriers.
continued on page 52
A wing blade allows operators to switch from an angle blade to a box pusher on the go, saving considerable time over disconnecting and attaching blades.
THE
CHOICE
SCALP DOWNS WITH EASE
The new Jacobsen® HF600— designed for every cut.
With the unique ability to quickly transition between three, four or five mowing reels, the new Jacobsen HF600 offers unprecedented versatility and precision. Now, a single mower can flawlessly tackle expansive fairways, trim bunkers or perform scalp downs. With a legendary quality of cut and an industry-leading 138 inches of mowing width, there’s no other choice for mastering every corner of your course.
Learn more about the HF600 at www.jacobsen.com or call 1.888.922.TURF
CUT
Congress expects 13,000 people in ‘18
45th Congress set for Jan. 9-11 at Toronto Congress Centre. www.locongress.com
The 45th Landscape Ontario Congress, scheduled for Jan. 9-11, anticipates more than 13,000 industry professionals at the Toronto Congress Centre. The event features a trade show spread over more than eight acres of floor space, several educational seminars and workshops, and networking opportunities.
The green industry show and conference is the largest of its kind in Canada, featuring more than 600 international exhibitors.
Prior to the official start on Tuesday, Jan. 9, an IPM symposium, a landscape designer conference and a peer-to-peer workshop on the business of improving business will take place simultaneously on Monday, Jan. 8.
Featured speakers and their topics for the official congress include:
TUESDAY, JAN. 9
Hiring the opposite way of what you have ever learned (Mike Pennington, Lakeridge Contracting Ltd., Whitby, Ont.). In his travels throughout the landscaping world, the most often asked question of Pennington is, “Where do you find your guys?” The answer is, “Wherever you can.” Pennington will share unique hiring strategies and policies that help to retain a full staff season after season. He says, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to
breathe free. Lakeridge Contracting and the rest of the industry need them.”
Extreme weather (James J. Garriss III, Browning Media LLC, Las Vegas, Nev.). With rising difficulties associated with changing climate, industry professionals take their talents and succeed through preparation. Weather has become more extreme. Summers are hotter, winters are colder, and storms provide more moisture in shorter amounts of time. Global warming has the potential to be controlled yet natural climate is uncontrollable. Garriss will provide insight on short and longterm climate trends that impact weather and what to expect in the near future.
Spirit of stone (Jan Johnsen, Johnsen Landscapes & Pools, Croton on Hudson, N.Y.). The use of stone is often overlooked in the landscaping industry. Johnsen, a landscape designer and author, will demonstrate how the use of the most ancient of materials can add dimension to a garden, illustrating creative techniques for using natural stone in dry streams, step -
ping stone walks, rock gardens and more.
The $50,000 presentation (Mike Lysecki, LMN, Whitevale, Ont.). The average landscape company missed 25 per cent of its potential revenue each year in waste, mistakes and inefficiencies. Lysecki will share proven technologies to drive more revenue without having to add more people. Landscape professionals are urged to bring their employees with them to the session so that they can learn new methods to crush problems robbing a company and its staff of at least $50,000 of potential.
The art of growing food (Ellen Ecker Ogden, Kitchen Garden Designs, Manchester Village, Vt.). A kitchen garden opens the senses both in the garden and in the kitchen. Ogden will explain the tools necessary to create an edible garden that is both productive and attractive. The audience will learn how to grow an ornamental garden with an eye towards beauty, easy care and pleasure.
Nature water features: designing and creating something believable and
The latest in landscaping equipment and other goods will be showcased at Landscape Congress.
beautiful (Randy Tumber, Tumber and Associates, Orangeville, Ont.). Natural-looking landscapes can be built with ponds, pools and waterfalls that have a look of permanence and timeless elegance. Tumber will share design and construction concepts that tend to elude professionals in the industry. He will share the importance of an initial concept and plan for the entire site, why natural elements are key to moving clients emotionally, an examination of the primary design concepts that should be a part of every project, construction concepts to help build what is seen, and project details from a 30-year professional.
Three surprising content marketing trends that will make a difference to your 2018 (Paul Tobey, Training Business Pros, Toronto). Email has made a comeback and is an important part of digital marketing. Contractors who don’t poll and segment their website prospects and deliver they customized, they are missing out on a chance to grow their businesses beyond their expectations. Explored will be the social alternatives in 2018 for the landscape professional looking to make social media worth his time and money.
Other offerings for the day include the keynote address by Beth Edney of Designs by the Yard in Toronto, who will lead an interactive session, a “Life Lessons at Lunch” session led by Javed S. Khan of EMpression who will discuss why “networking is in crisis,” and an “Owners Only Workshop” led by Ron Rosenberg of QualityTalk Inc. of Wake Forest, N.C. who will share strategies to “get more done, grow your business and take back your life.”
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 10
Getting to the heart of customer satisfaction (Ron Rosenberg, QualityTalk Inc., Wake Forest, N.C.). Marketing and customer service expert Rosenberg will share proven strategies to help develop an instant customer rapport, enhance customer loyalty and increase retention rates, and turn existing customers to the best salespeople.
B4 gardening: blooms for bees, butterflies and birds (Sean James, Sean James Consulting & Design, Milton,
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Ont.). Any garden can be a pollinator garden, and the session will address how, including a brief discussion about pollinators. Also discussed will be the methods and benefits of drawing birds and butterflies into the garden, along with biodiversity in general, and how incorporating these concepts can make a company more desirable to potential customers.
Recruiting to the rescue: find, attract, get onboard and keep the right people (Bill Arman and Ed LaFlamme, The Harvest Group, Wilton, Conn.). A landscaping business cannot grow with a limited workforce and labour costs that are too high. Attendees will learn how to set up a comprehensive recruitment program, including how to source, screen and select the right people. They will also learn to identify the right person for the job, creative ways to find the right people and get them to be a part of the team, how to ask questions that will root out what is really needed to be known, how to be more attractive than the competitor, and why the first 90 days is so critical to a new employee’s success.
Developing a value proposition that resonates (Dr. Charlie Hall, Texas A&M University). Consumer demand in the green industry marketplace is maturing, according to current trends and driving forces. Hall’s session will focus on a three-pronged approach for future success: value, relevancy and authenticity. What to do with a downpour (Sean James, Sean James Consulting & Design, Milton, Ont.). Urban development has led to large areas of impermeable surfaces that have triggered poor water quality and erosion. Consequently, municipalities, conservation authorities and other stakeholders are seeking low impact development. Techniques will be discussed to assist in soaking rainwater into the soil while beautifying landscapes and allowing use of a more unusual palette of plants. Rain gardens help the environment by infiltrating water to clean it and restore the water table and base flow. The session will cover how to design and build rain gardens and other LID features. Garden gems, aka awesome colour in your displays (Dan Heims, Terra Nova Nurseries Inc.,
Bill Arman
Charlie Hall
Dan Heims
Portland, Ore.). Some of the newest, most exciting and colourful perennials, tropical and woodies seen today will be discussed.
Fundamentals for long term success (Janna Bradley, TBC Environmental Inc., Whitevale, Ont.). Workflow is increased, time is freed up and profit is driven when fundamental systems in a company’s day-to-day business is improved, more so than when the focus is on growth. Better managing accounting, business development, human resources, logistics and general administration can set a company up for long term success.
Other offerings for the day include a keynote address by Harry Jongerden of Toronto Botanical Garden about “Why gardens matter, now more than ever,” a “Life Lessons at Lunch” session offered by motivational humourist Meg Soper of Meg Soper Presentations about “Getting connected and staying plugged in,” and an “Owners Only Workshop” led by Bill Arman and Ed LaFlamme of The Harvest Group in Wilton, Conn. that asks, “Are you a fierce competitor?”
THURSDAY, JAN. 11
Wood: a designer’s secret weapon (Yuill McGregor, North on Sixty, Toronto). McGregor has worked with wood his entire life and speaks from experience as to when, where and how to use wood properly in projects. He will also share the latest trends from around the world.
Shade gardening with new perennials (Dan Heims, Terra Nova Nurseries Inc., Portland, Ore.). The session will explore how to conquer problems of root and light competition. Attendees may be surprised to learn what thrives in dry, shaded areas and will learn to create outstanding shade containers. Successful content marketing: what to say and how to say it (Javed S. Khan, EMpression). While realtors emphasize “location, location, location,” success in digital marketing is about “content, content, content.” The session reveals the keys to great content and shares time saving tips, techniques and apps to help with content and the way it is shared.
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Anchor duo comes through for KEGS
KEGS upends GLAGS for
second consecutive Syngenta Cup win in match play event
The Kent-Essex Greenskeepers’ Society (KEGS) left its best for last Oct. 18 during the ninth annual Syngenta Cup golf match play competition at The Oaks Golf Club in London, Ont.
Tied 9-9 through the first six of seven matches against the host Greater London Association of Golf Superintendents (GLAGS), the KEGS twosome of Kendall Lindsay, superintendent at St. Clair Parkway Golf Club, and Paul Lemieux, superintendent at Kingsville Golf Club, scored a resounding 2½ to ½ victory over Tim Hornick, superintendent at Arkona Fairways, and Carl Kennes, superintendent at Wardsville Golf Club, to bring the hammer down on the home team.
The final 11½ to 9½ victory marked the second consecutive year and the only other time the visiting team has won the friendly match play competition between the neighbouring associations. The event alternates each year between GLAGS and KEGS-based golf courses. The 2016 competition was played at the Essex Golf Club in LaSalle.
Three individual competitions made up each match. One point was at stake for each segment, including best ball (holes 1-6), alternating shots (holes 7-12) and scramble (holes 13-18).
The Syngenta Cup – actually a trophy adorned with an oversized crystal golf ball – was presented to KEGS captain
Dan Friesen, superintendent at Orchard View Golf Club, following a post-tournament meal. A professional wrestling-style championship belt is the event’s other prize.
“You guys (GLAGS) have eaten our lunch for a couple of years now,” Friesen
said in jest upon being handed the belt by GLAGS captain Jamie Spencer, superintendent at Westminster Trails Golf Club in London.
Friesen added the event “is a fantastic atmosphere” in which not only a fun day of golf was enjoyed by a collective group
Dan Friesen, left, superintendent at Orchard View Golf Club and captain of the KEGS golf team, wears the Syngenta Cup championship belt. Offering congratulations is Jamie Spencer, superintendent at Westminster Trails Golf Club and captain of the GLAGS team.
of 28 golfers, but also a productive post-golf session during which a roomful of golf superintendents discussed a variety of topics.
“The accumulative knowledge in this room is so powerful and, if we use that, there’s not much we can’t overcome. Whether we’re losing chemistries we’re worried about, it’s fantastic to see and hear these men in this room talk about that kind of stuff. That is the biggest thing about all of these events.”
Leading the round table discussion was Syngenta turf specialist Ryan Beauchamp who talked about some new chemical products soon to be introduced to the market. He said the fungicide Daconil is currently “under the gun,” but Syngenta has been conducting trials with a replacement product called Secure that is slated for release in Canada in 2018. Already available in the United States for a few years, it is a broad-spectrum contact fungicide that works “extremely well” in trials and also helps with algae, “doing everything” Daconil did.
“Positive things are coming out of this,” he said.
Concert is another broad-spectrum fungicide proving effective against dollar spot. Because it contains Daconil, it is a guess as to whether it will remain a part of Concert’s composition once Daconil is no longer available, Beauchamp said.
Dan Albright, assistant superintendent at The Oaks, offered a brief history of the golf course, noting it was built in 1993. What makes the course unique, he said, is that
its upper reaches resemble a links style layout while its lower elevations make the course more traditional in nature. In 2014, a wholesale bunker redesign was done. A future project, although not yet green-lighted, will involve a redesign of the third and fourth holes. The current range is “kind of wonky” with its drop in elevation, he said. The potential plan is to relocate the range to No. 4’s current location and play it the other way, with that part of the course serving as the new driving range. The fourth hole will go down into the bush and come back up again. The third hole will be a par three where the top of the range is currently located.
“It would suit the golf course nicely.”
Before the night was through, members of both teams toasted the late Paul Brown, former superintendent at the Sarnia Golf & Curling Club, who died while working at the club last June. His son Greg, assistant superintendent at the Essex Golf Club, was a member of the KEGS team.
Match results
• Greg Menard (Wildwood Golf & RV Resort) & Steve Hatch (Seven Lakes Golf Club) of KEGS defeated Fred Schmoelzl (Mitchell Golf & Country Club) & Kyle Broadhagen (Stratford Municipal Golf Course) of GLAGS 2-1
• Greg Brown (Essex Golf Club) & Derek Brown (Talbot Trail Golf Club) of KEGS lost to Scott Gardner (Echo Valley Golf Course) & Jamie Spencer (Westminster
Trails Golf Club) of GLAGS 2-1
• Chris Andrejicka (Essex Golf Club) & Josh Mallot (Belleview Golf Club) of KEGS defeated Dan Lavis (Tarandowah Golfers Club) & Jerry Richard (Craigowan Golf Club) of GLAGS 2-1
• Dan Friesen (Orchard View Golf Club) & Vince Gagnier (Rochester Place Golf Course) of KEGS lost to Paul Grosvenor (Forest City National Golf Club) & Dan Albright (The Oaks Golf Club) of GLAGS 2-1
• John Pickard (Maple City Golf Club) & Ryan Beauchamp (Syngenta) of KEGS
defeated Mark Trudell (Bluewater Golf Course) & Steve Phillips (Mt. Elgin Golf Club) of GLAGS 2-1
• Jim Gammage (Ridgetown Golf & Curling Club) & Randy Hooper (Dominion Golf & Country Club) of KEGS lost to Patrick Brennan (The Fox Golf Club) & Mike Jiggens (Turf & Rec) of GLAGS 2-1
• Kendall Lindsay (St. Clair Parkway Golf Club) & Paul Lemieux (Kingsville Golf Club) of KEGS defeated Tim Hornick (Arkona Fairways) & Carl Kennes (Wardsville Golf Club) of GLAGS 2½-1½
Fall Classic Cup remains in Canada
Canadians taste victory for fourth straight year with lopsided 30-10 win.
Ihate to say it, but we got our asses kicked,” lamented Scott Dodson, captain of the Western New York Golf Superintendents Association, after his team was annihilated 30-10 at the hands of the Western Ontario Golf Superintendents Association, Oct. 16 in the 17th annual Fall Classic.
The cross border match play golf competition marked the Canadian team’s fourth consecutive victory, narrowing the overall U.S. series’ lead to 9-8. Ten separate matches were played by teams of 20 golfers at the Orchard Park Country Club near Buffalo, N.Y. The margin of victory represented the most lopsided score in the history of the Fall Classic.
“The Americans are launching a full inquiry into their drubbing at the hands of the Canadians,” quipped WOGSA team
captain John Taylor in a post-tournament email to his team members.
Canada’s fourth consecutive victory tied a four-year run the Western New Yorkers enjoyed from 2004 to 2007.
Of the 10 individual matches, in which four points apiece were at stake, the Canadian side won seven and tied three, including three victories with a perfect 4-0 score. It was the first time in the 17year history of the Fall Classic that a team didn’t surrender a single match to their opponent.
Taylor, however, believes the matches were much closer than the results indicated.
“I know a few matches came down to the final hole and happened to go our way at the end,” he said. “If a few go the other way, it is a whole different result.”
One point was awarded for each match’s winning twosome in scramble play (first six holes) and best ball (middle six holes) while two points were at stake for victories in each partner’s singles match (final six holes).
A jubilant Canadian team poses for a team photograph after having won the Fall Classic Cup by a resounding 30-10 margin.
“It was a wonderful experience out there,” Taylor, property manager at the Grand Niagara Golf Club in Niagara Falls, said after being presented with the Fall Classic Cup by Dodson. “We look forward to seeing you next year in Canada…somewhere.”
The event alternates every year between a U.S. and Canadian venue. The 2018 Fall Classic will be played at a yetto-be-determined Canadian golf course.
Taylor hinted a past host superintendent has already offered his course for next year’s matches, but added a new venue may also be pursued.
The selection of golfers to each team is based on their support of the association, whether it is by hosting an association event or by continued attendance at such events. Taylor remarked last year that the friendly competition is not about stacking teams with the best available low-handicap golfers.
“Our team has had the same core of players for the past few years which has solidified our lineup,” he said. “We have some great players and competitors in that group.”
In an exchange of emails among Canadian team members, it was facetiously suggested the Fall Classic Cup reside temporarily in each member’s hometown during the next 12 months, similar to what is done each year with the Stanley Cup by the winning team’s members.
Match results
• Craig McCutcheon & Andrew McQuillan (Canada) tied John Fleck & Jack Leising (U.S.), 2-2
• Gavin Kellogg & Dan Sliasas (Canada) tied Adam Mis and Jim Baldwin (U.S.), 2-2
• Mark Prieur & Mike Jiggens (Canada) defeated Gary Hughes & Brian Conn (U.S.), 4-0
• John Taylor & Mike Slack (Canada) defeated Scott Dodson & Thad Thompson (U.S.), 4-0
• Don Liska & Ang Capannelli (Canada) defeated Luke Rogers & Aaron Campbell (U.S.), 3½ - ½
• Steve Phillips and Duane Schmitz (Canada) defeated Eric Tuchols and
Nick Ciaccio (U.S.), 2½ - 1½
• John Gall & Craig Robinson (Canada) defeated Jim Frey & Jon Cuny (U.S.), 3-1
• Dan Lavis & Trevor Hunter (Canada) defeated Alex Ludwig and Matt Plosila (U.S.), 3-1
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Playing a role in slip & fall safety
Human factors associated with pedestrian movements must be factored into snow and ice management plans. By George Melchoir, ASM
In 2014, unintentional fall-related injuries were the leading cause of unintended emergency room visits in the United States, accounting for more than nine million injuries, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In the same year, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that more than 40,000 workers lost time at work due to ice-related slip-and-fall injuries. In spite of education and emphasis on fall protection across the industry, a review of the annual data reveals that these numbers continue to increase annually. More concerning, the snow and ice management industry at large continues to exercise an understated, if not absent, approach to affirmative ice management on walking surfaces. To reverse the trend of ice-related injuries, and the costs associated with those injuries, owners and operators must consider human factors associated with pedestrian movements
across their properties when developing their snow and ice management plans.
THE HUMAN FACTORS
Human factors are our physical and behavioural tendencies that influence how we interact within a system, such as the built environment. Human factors are considered in design and operations of various products and systems such as smartphones, automobiles, roadways and buildings. The two human factors most prominent in wintertime operations of pedestrian facilities are vision and the human gait.
VISION
The optical environment in which they see objects and discern between them in their visual settings influences how and where a person walks. The optical environment is experienced through vision. Basically, there are two parts to human vision: foveal (central) vision, and peripheral vision.
George Melchior, ASM, is a registered architect and professional engineer and owns GVM Consulting, based in Portsmouth, N.H. He can be contacted at gwmelchior3@gmail.com. This story was originally published in Snow Business, the official publication of the Snow & Ice Management Association.
Foveal vision is a narrow vision that comes from the centre of the retina and is the part of our vision that we use to maximize detection of detailed information in the optical environment, including object characteristics such as shape, texture, aspect and colour. Peripheral vision has a much wider aperture and a lower resolution. Our peripheral vision is insensitive to colour and detail. Instead, we use our peripheral vision to detect objects of high contrast, or objects in motion, which we then shift into our foveal vision to ascertain detailed information.
If a person is walking across a parking lot to his car at quitting time, assuming that the lot is clear and has been treated, they are more apt to walk with their heads up so as to train their foveal vision toward oncoming vehicles or their destination. In doing so, the person leaves the detection of unforeseen ice and other hazards to peripheral vision, which is not
suited to detect the subtle indications of the presence of ice. Icy conditions on walking surfaces are difficult to discover with peripheral vision because subtle anomalies associated with ice, such as light reflection on the icy surface, or changes in colour caused by entrained air in the ice, do not provide enough contrast for peripheral detection. Detection of ice is even more difficult on overcast days, or during non-daylight hours, both of which are plentiful in the winter.
MECHANICS OF GAIT
The other contributing human factor to ice-related pedestrian injuries is the human gait, which is the measured pattern of movement of one’s limbs as they move across a surface (e.g., walking), and is largely a function of their base of support. Standing upright, a person’s base of sup -
An average person who slips and falls will strike the ground with about 2,000 lbs. of force
port is the area under and between their feet and supports the person’s weight. The point through which the entire weight of a body is concentrated is the centre of gravity, which is generally just inside and above one’s navel and is situ-
ated in the middle of the base of support. Contrary to standing, when walking across a level surface, we shift our centre of gravity in front of our base of support to initiate and maintain motion in the forward direction.
We apply a pushing force at the point where the foot meets the walking surface. With the centre of gravity forward, and our planted foot pushing to the rear, the body will temporarily be in an unstable position. Therefore, to maintain an upright posture when walking, a person’s stability becomes a function of his ability to reestablish his base of support with each step. This motion is generally described by four successive phases of a gait: heel strike, midstance, toe off, and swing.
When stepping on an unforeseen, undetected icy surface, the most susceptible phase of the gait for loss of balance is the
heel strike. As a person walks across a surface, such as a parking lot, he is shifting his centre of gravity forward in his base of support with each phase of his gait, and so his weight shifts from foot to foot. The point that weight is shared and
shifted is the re-establishment of the base of support, which is when the heel contacts and acts as a stable pivot point to shift body weight onto the forward foot.
If the heel is to act as a weight pivot point, it must be firmly situated on the
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surface. Because the heel of a shoe or boot is moving forward and away from the body on contact with the surface, a person must rely heavily on friction between the heel of their footwear and the walking surface to create firm, stable contact. It is the lack of friction inherent of icy surfaces that causes the heel strike phase of the gait to fail by allowing the heel to slide instead of plant. When that happens, the body is placed in a prolonged state of instability as the centre of gravity is shifting, which results in one’s feet slipping out from under him such that he falls sideways or backwards before impacting the surface.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
An average person who slips and falls backwards on undetected ice will strike the ground with approximately 2,000 pounds of force, more than enough impact force to tear ligaments, separate joints and fracture bones.
As such, property owners and operators should consider pedestrian vision and gait in their ice management plans for walking surfaces:
• Surfaces should be well lit and should not rely on distant lighting that will have low angles of reflection off of icy surfaces.
• Lighting should be uniform and absent of glare at the pedestrian level.
• Ice mitigation and treatment plans should have a deliberate focus on maintaining adequate friction between footwear and the walking surface through the prevention of ice formation
• Inspection and maintenance of walking surfaces should be an ongoing endeavour rather than just a component of post-storm cleanup and treatment.
• Create designated walkways or changes in the mode of operations so as to reduce distraction during pedestrian movements.
Considering human factors such as vision and gait during ice management planning will greatly reduce the probability of ice-related slip and fall incidents and injuries.
Lions QB to deliver WCTA keynote talk
Travis
Lulay to speak about field playing conditions at winter conference.
B.C. Lions quarterback Travis Lulay will be the keynote speaker in February at the Western Canada Turfgrass Association’s 2018 conference in Richmond, B.C.
The 34-year-old football player from Aumsville, Ore. understands the value of turf at the highest levels, and part of his presentation will be about field playing conditions as well as his own career and experiences.
Lulay has spent his entire Canadian Football League career with the Lions, appearing in 117 games, throwing for 17,165 yards and 104 touchdowns. He led the Lions to a Grey Cup championship in 2011 and was named the game’s most valuable player. That same season, he was the CFL’s most outstanding player award winner.
“What a great way to showcase the value of turf,” WCTA president and conference committee chairman Peter Sorokovsky said of the keynote address. “Mr. Lulay will bring a perspective we’ve never heard before, and I think turf managers from all sectors will better understand that what we do is important at so many levels.”
The WCTA conference will take place at the River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond Feb. 14-16.
“The speaker lineup will start and end strong with plenty of great talks in
between,” WCTA executive director Jerry Rousseau said. “The organizing committee has done an excellent job creating this year’s educational programming and, on another note, the River Rock venue is both amazing and affordable. If you haven’t been there before, look to be impressed.”
Other conference highlights include:
• Pre-conference workshops Wednesday, Feb. 14, including a British Columbia Golf Superintendents Association/WCTA co-sponsored session with Dr. Micah Woods of the Asian Turfgrass Center, and pesticide applicator training with Mario Lanthier. Both sessions will take place at the Point Grey Golf Club.
• Sports Turf Canada synthetic turf safety and maintenance certification course on Wednesday, Feb. 14 at the River Rock Resort.
• The inaugural iTurf Golf Tourney for Turf Research, hosted by the Point Grey Golf Club begins at 12:30 p.m. on
Wednesday, Feb. 14. Pre-conference seminar attendees can participate at no extra cost. Participants can play one of the province’s foremost private clubs and support turf research at the same time.
• The Dave Creamer Memorial Hockey Game will be played at 7:15 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15.
• A three-hour-plus maintenance facility tour, including the Point Grey Golf Club and Richmond City Works, will take place Friday, Feb. 15.
• Dedicated trade show time is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 15 from 3-6 p.m. and on Friday, Feb. 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• B.C. and Alberta CEC/CEU points will be available.
For more information or to register, visit www.wcta-online.com.
Keeping abreast of golf turf in winter
Know the challenges turf faces during the winter months.
By Myron Love
Katie Dodson grew up in golf course management. Her father and grandfather, two uncles and a brother all are –or were – golf course superintendents, and she herself was an assistant superintendent (in Whitehorse) before switching to the research side almost 15 years ago.
On Nov. 17, the senior turfgrass research scientist at the Dr. Robert Turner Research Centre at Olds College in Alberta was in Winnipeg to share the latest information on winter cover with Manitoba golf course superintendents and their crews (and students) attending the 2017 Manitoba Golf Course Superintendents annual golf and turf conference.
Dodson opened her presentation with an overview of how turfgrass can be damaged over the winter. Desiccation, she explained, occurs when the amount of moisture has been depleted due to lack of snow cover.
“Turfgrass needs access to a small amount of moisture to survive the winter,” she said.
Anoxia – a lack of access to oxygen –can take place when greens are covered over with ice or in some cases when impermeable tarps are sealed with heavy snow cover for long periods of time.
“The biggest problem comes from people walking on or driving over frozen turfgrass,” she noted.
Other potential dangers that she identified were thaws followed by freezing temperatures in the spring and soil microbes that are active over the winter.
Dodson next addressed the topic of cold hardening in the fall and hardiness levels throughout the winter. She
explained that hardening is promoted by a combination of low temperatures, shorter periods of daylight and reduced moisture levels. Primary hardening is brought about when the temperature nears zero.
“Secondary hardening seems to need freezing temperatures,” she said. “We
A golf tee that is predominantly in shade. Olds College’s Katie Dodson said the more turf is exposed to sun, the more cold hardy it will be.
are still doing research in this area. Maximum cold hardening takes place in late November and December.
“I can tell you that if you overfeed your turfgrass in the fall, it will not be fit for the winter.”
She noted that plants de-harden in the spring when the temperatures warm up. Once again, though, a thaw followed by a freeze can harm the grass.
Dodson spoke about research ongoing at Olds as to the use of tarps or other covers to protect turfgrass over the winter.
“Tarping,” she said, “helps eliminate standing water and insulates the plants from deep freezes. Tarps reduce temperature fluctuations and desiccation and prevent ice buildup.”
One potential concern that she identified in using tarps is anoxia that can occur when the tarp is laid down on still warm soil. The solution, she said, is to use venting systems such as micro perforations. The perforations should be punched out so that they create hillshaped mounds that allow for gas exchange, while limiting water accumulation on the canopy.
“We are still working to establish guidelines as to when to install tarping and how often venting should be undertaken,” she noted.
Dodson and her fellow researchers have also determined that shade is a factor in poor turfgrass health.
“Shade results in shorter roots, longer stems and grass that is least tolerant to cold,” Dodson reported. “Turfgrass cold hardiness is best when the grass is exposed to a lot of sunshine.”
Soil salinity on putting greens may also be a factor in how well turfgrass overwinters, she added.
“We are the first to do research in this area,” she said. “Sandy soil or poor water quality may result in higher levels of salinity. In our research, we have found that creeping bentgrass fares better in sandy soil than annual bluegrass when it comes to cold tolerance.”
She added that poa annua is more susceptible to cold and winter injury than bentgrass.
Dodson also addressed the efficacy of fungicides in controlling overwintering diseases such as grey and pink snow mould. Pink snow mould, she said, can occur even when there is no snow cover. Grey snow mould develops after 90 days
of snow cover.
“We tried Insignia, Instrata, Trilogy and Premium,” she said. “They all performed well. We are currently experimenting with a fungicide called Affirm.”
Travel light and right this conference season
Learn the tricks of air travel to make your trip stress free.
With industry conference season fast approaching, landscape professionals, golf superintendents, sports turf managers and others involved in the professional maintenance of turfgrass are starting to make their travel plans. In many cases, such travels involve air transportation.
Venture capitalist, college professor, speaker and author Richard Moran –himself a veteran of many business flights – offers his list of do’s and don’ts when traveling by air with the aim of making trips by aircraft as effortless and worryfree as possible.
In his latest book, he recounts one of his own trips from San Francisco to New York City during which everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. The disaster involved a red-eye flight, a last-minute re-ticket to a middle seat, a seatmate toting a cat (to which Moran was allergic), someone else’s medical crisis, an emergency landing in Chicago, a
post-landing “sink shower” and public suit change in the JFK lavatory, and a stressful taxi ride rushing to a meeting that was ultimately canceled at the last minute.
“There were many trips like that, and after a while one becomes inured to the indignities,” Moran, author of The Thing About Work: Showing Up and Other Important Matters (Routledge, 2016, ISBN: 978-1-62956-158-5, $22.95), said. “But along the way you learn tricks from fellow road warriors, the tricks they typically don’t want to tell the newbies.”
Moran, who currently serves as president of Menlo College in Atherton, Calif., has pioneered the “Business Bullet Books” genre for more than a decade. Blending corporate and academic experience and leadership with everyday insight, relaxed humour, and a touch of pathos, his advice is not only highly applicable to any person contemplating how to navigate their career as well as its travels; it makes the contemplation and journey itself more enjoyable.
Back to the subject at hand, the entire process of business air travel is fraught with land mines that, if navigated incorrectly, can ruin the way you get there, and maybe even your performance after you do. Here, Moran spells out 10 travel do’s and don’ts to learn before you leave for the airport:
Don’t check a bag. “It’s not about the fees or the schlep factor,” he said. “It’s about changing flights, which you’ll want to do at some point. When this inevitably happens, the first question any gate agent will ask you: ‘Did you check a bag?’”
Don’t get behind the family. “When it comes to airport lines, find a fellow road warrior to get behind,” Moran said. “As cute as babies are, getting in line behind the family with the stroller at security is just plain inefficient, and it’s going to slow you down.”
Don’t expect an upgrade. “Getting a surprise upgrade may be everyone’s fantasy, but the chances of this happening these days, even for frequent business travelers, are few and far between in the
Reading on a plane offers a constructive break from the work you bring onboard.
age of computerized automated seating and stricter airline regulations,” he said. “But do remember as you file through those marginally larger, overpriced seats on your way to coach: You’re all ending up in the same place.”
Bannerman Trilo:Layout 1 7/25/16 10:41 AM Page 1
Do go into Zen mode... You may be thousands of feet in the air, but any kind of travel is a breeding ground for anxiety, impatience, and frustration. While total inner calm is probably impossible, do your best to not let the sounds, smells, and other annoyances get to you.
“Your state of mind won’t magically transform when the wheels hit the runway, and ‘disgruntled’ isn’t productive.”
...so, don’t travel with your boss on a flight that lasts more than an hour. Being stuck inches away from your boss isn’t “Zen” conducive. They say the experience of traveling together is so illuminating that it can decide if your significant other is truly “the one.”
Alas, your boss is not your boyfriend, girlfriend, or anyone you’d want to reveal the cooped-up, trapped-in-the-air side of your personality to, and certainly not the best shoulder to sleep (and probably drool) on.
Don ’ t use the front pockets. The Bermuda Triangle of air travel is real, and it’s sitting right in front of you.
“Anything you place in the handy pocket will likely be forgotten, lost, and never retrieved,” Moran said. “Airlines aren’t exactly known for their lost and found departments.”
Do bring reading material. “No matter how much work you have to do, breaks are essential,” Moran advised. “Bring a book, either a paper or electronic one. And People magazine doesn’t count. Remember, interesting people do well, and interesting people read.”
Do bring headphones. “You may not be a music enthusiast, but nothing says, ‘I don’t want to talk to you,’ like a good pair of headphones,” he said. “Plus, airline headphones aren’t very good. Pop in your own pair and save yourself a lot of distraction.”
Do be alert for bad news. There are certain phrases that every seasoned
traveler knows signal doom. They range from the obvious “unfortunately...” to “shuttle bus,” “system problems,” “storm,” or, “The president is in town,” to what Moran considers the absolute worst: “We’re going to need to check that bag.”
They can come from the cockpit, a text, or maybe even the mouth of another
weary traveler. And Moran reminds us: The “good news, bad news” expression never carries real good news.
And last...don’t go (if at all possible). Moran reminds us of the airplane conundrum of the seat-in-front-of-you kickback. No matter your etiquette, there’s no way you’ll have room for your laptop.
The Trilo VCU 200 Ver ticut unit is specially designed for spor ts fields, flat areas and parks, and is the solution for all your thatch problems Features include:
• More effective utilization of fer tilizer • Increased water penetration
• Earlier spring green-up • Fall seed bed preparation
• Completely mechanically driven, no hydraulics
• Working width of 78”
• Removes thatch down to a depth of 1.5”
• Multi-tipped blades, 3mm thick on 1.25” centres
• Quick depth of cut, adjustable by calibrated screw jacks
• Cable debris scraper on gauge roller
• Requires minimum 20 HP tractor
NHL Hall of Famer to speak at CGSA
Former Montreal Canadiens
great Yvan Cournoyer will be the keynote speaker in February at the Canadian Golf Course Management Conference in Quebec City.
Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1982, “the Roadrunner” is one of only a handful of NHL players to have won 10 Stanley Cups. When he retired in 1979 after years of chronic back pain, he trailed
only Guy Lafleur, Maurice Richard and Jean Beliveau on the Canadiens’ all-time goal scoring list.
Among his career highlights was his inclusion on Team Canada in the 1972 Summit Series against the Soviet Union and winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the 1973 Stanley Cup playoffs.
The winter conference of the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association is
scheduled for Feb. 27-28 and March 1. Educational sessions are to be presented from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the first and third days of the conference as well as from 2-5 p.m. on the second day. Dedicated trade show time is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 28.
Among the confirmed speakers and their topics as of press time include: If organic is so good, why am I tearing up my greens to get rid of it?
(Dr. Roch Guassoin, professor, department of agronomy and horticulture at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln). The presentation is based on more than 12 years of research on creeping bentgrass and is expected to provide a solution to organic matter accumulation and management.
Renovation for tournament success: a collaboration between architect and superintendent. (Dr. Michael Hurdzan, golf course architect, Columbus, Ohio; and Eric Ruhs, superintendent, Ottawa Hunt Club). The presentation will explore the working relationship between architect and superintendent during the development of new green and bunker complexes at the Ottawa Hunt Club.
Stories from the greens and traits for longevity in the business. (Dr. Michael Hurdzan, golf course architect,
Columbus, Ohio). His presentation will examine seven areas of concern, including health, family, friends, faith, financial, work and community, that are all deemed important to one’s success.
Although other speakers have yet to be confirmed, topics scheduled to be addressed during the education sessions
include:
• Email etiquette: habits that demonstrate professionalism and save time.
• Technology to guide agronomics.
• Communicate like a pro and save time.
• Tuning up the tees on your golf course and driving range.
• The difficult conversation: how to say it with confidence and ease.
• Hire the right people for the right job.
• Managing member communications: giving effective feedback.
• Performance leadership, management and development
• Project management: lesson from the trenches.
Prior to the start of the conference, specialized learning workshops will be held on Monday, Feb. 26.
For more information or to register, visit www.golfsupers.com.
Yvan Cournoyer
continued from page 32
IN THE DETAILS
Regardless of blade type it’s important to keep an eye out for a few features that will help ensure blade longevity and minimize downtime.
A carbide-tipped cutting edge, for instance, can last as much as seven times longer than traditional heat-treated steel blades. For a contractor or municipality operating multiple plows, that can add up to saving a lot of shop time associated with replacements.
Rubber cutting edges present another option, but keep in mind they don’t do well in cold dry climates. Rubber becomes brittle when cold and if used on dry pavement they will tear quickly. Rubber cutting edges should be used more like squeegees where there is always lubrication from water. This is why they are ideal for milder climates.
In addition, look for blades with a spring trip cutting edge. These edges trip back and bounce over obstacles and then spring forward to their original position. This protects the blade and carrier from damage as well as the operator from injury if the blade hits a manhole or unforeseen protrusion.
Lastly, a good rule of thumb to choosing a durable blade is if it doesn’t look high-quality, 99 per cent of the time it isn’t. A high-quality snow removal blade will have thick steel and adequate welding where needed.
GRAB A PARTNER
One of the most crwitical aspects to minimizing downtime is to ensure wear parts – such as cutting edges, wear shoes and hoses – are available when needed. Therefore, working with a trusted and knowledgeable dealer is important. Choosing a blade made in North America also ensures parts are available quickly. These types of manufactures typically work closely with dealers and provide support for troubleshooting and blade selection.
Work with a local dealer who can provide recommendations on blades based on regional factors, such as snow type and types of carriers. For example, a dealer in Maine may recommend a two-foot shorter blade for the same carrier in North Dakota since snow in the East is generally wetter and heavier.
Whether faced with dry, wet or heavy snow, moving it efficiently while leaving precise clean results can be a challenge. But where there’s a challenge there’s a way, and the best way to ensure optimal results is to choose equipment that offers the most profit potential for the application, budget and location.
OGSA conference returns to Niagara
The Fallsview Casino Resort Conference Centre in Niagara Falls will again be the site for the Ontario Golf Course Superintendents Association’s annual conference, Jan. 16-18.
The event will feature 2½ days of education sessions, an opening night
party, the OGSA annual general meeting, industry-sponsored hospitality receptions and networking opportunities.
Keynote speaker for the Tuesday opening day is comedian and motivational speaker Bill Carr who for the past 25 years has injected humour into what is trivial while helping his audiences think deeply about what counts. He is scheduled to
speak at 9 a.m.
The lineup of speakers and their topics includes:
Tuesday, Jan. 16
• Just what the grass requires: using and understanding the MLSN guidelines for nutrient recommendations (Dr. Micah Woods, chief scientist, Asian Turfgrass Center).
• Fungicide rotation (Dr. Geunhwa Jung,
VERSATILE
University of Massachusetts, Stockbridge School of Agriculture).
• Leaves of grass: applications and implications of clipping volume (Dr. Micah Woods, chief scientist, Asian Turfgrass Center).
• Relationships matter (Bob Farren, director of golf course maintenance, Pinehurst Resort).
Wednesday, Jan. 17
• Drones, robots and the metric system (Paul Robertson, superintendent, Victoria (B.C.) Golf Club).
• Work inspired (Bill Carr, comedian and motivational speaker).
• Fairway rolling on control of dollar spot and thatch management (Dr. Geunhwa Jung, University of Massachusetts, Stockbridge School of Agriculture).
• Turning the clock back to a sustainable future for Pinehurst (Bob Farren, director of golf course maintenance, Pinehurst Resort)
Thursday, Jan. 18
• High performance putting surfaces (Dr. Frank Rossi, New York extension turfgrass specialist, Cornell University).
• Panel session: the summers of 2016 and 2017 (panelists to be determined). For more information about the conference or to register, visit www.ogsa.ca.
Dr. Micah Woods, seen on the cover of bizgolf magazine, will speak in January at the OGSA conference.
Equipment Showcase
Ecolawn Applicator
introduces the ECO 600 Top Dresser Attachment. Its New Generation ECO 600 uses PTO drive, precise zero-turn technology, great visibility with frontal discharge and counterweight mechanisms for better weight distribution and stability. This makes handling heavier products feasible without sacrificing maneuverability or ease of operation. Whether applying compost, sand, soil or a custom blend to existing turf, the ECO 600’s larger capacity hopper (22 cu. ft) and out-front design allows professionals to broadcast bulk material in a 180-degree arc, making topdressing quick, smooth and effortless. ecolawnapplicator.com
Bannerman’s
“Easy Load” Truck Loading Ramp (B-TLR)
is easy to install with absolutely no welding required! It is powder coated black for durability during the winter, can easily be swapped between ramp and tailgate, has a universal fit for most major trucks, is lightweight constructed that is both tough and durable, and features spring-assisted folding. It can be used to load any and all equipment from large to small. Additionally, it can be used to load ATVs, motorcycles, furniture, appliances and more. New is a two-foot extension kit that is available and extends length of the loading ramp from eight feet to 10 feet. sportsturfmagic.com
Billy Goat Next Gen 18” Hydro-Drive Sod Cutter
At the forefront with its next gen drive and cut system, superstructure frame and intuitive operator controls, Billy Goat’s SC181H hydro-drive sod cutter now features additional cutting edge technology with an exclusive laser clad cutting blade. The blade’s hardened leading edge offers precision cut and 3x longer blade life! A heavy-duty gear box and cutting system with oversized sealed bearings, tight shaft mounted eccentrics, one-inch lateral stability bar and superstructure frame with 50 additional pounds of steel offer unparalleled durability. Variable speed hydro-drive with fingertip control in both forward and reverse provides unmatched cut control and productivity. billygoat.com
The
Max-Snow snow blower from Agrimetal offers high performance under the worst conditions. Developed in conjunction with professional snow removal contractors, it has been designed to increase productivity as a heavy-duty, light and more manoeuvrable snow-clearing machine. It is also more efficient than other two-stage snow blowers, enabling snow to be removed faster. The frame’s structure is made of high-quality steel. The high-strength QT-400 steel is used in strategic areas to increase structure rigidity while reducing overall weight. The design of the snow deflector makes it virtually impossible to clog the chute, even under wet snow conditions. agrimetal.com/en/max-snow-snow-blower
Bauman Drop Spreaders
deliver uncompromised product quality. The spreaders prevent waste and property damage with the most accurate de-icing dispensing equipment on the market. New this year, variable speed control is available on model 1040SI and 440E to control product output, saving you sand or salt. Bauman drop spreaders are available with hydraulic, PTO or electric drives. Backed by a tradition of quality for more than 40 years and with seven models to choose from, Bauman has the right solution for you. baumanmfg.com
The STIHL FS 94 R 2-stroke brushcutter
Dependable performance meets variable speed control. The STIHL FS 94 R 2-stroke brushcutter delivers one of the best power-toweight ratios in its class, weighing just over 10 pounds - great for manoeuvering around hills, landscaping stones and other terrain. Its innovative control handle features an ECOSPEED throttle set wheel, allowing you to set the most effective throttle speed for a specific application, such as low throttle around delicate plants. Combined with a high-powered, low exhaust emission engine and anti-vibration system, this brushcutter is a great everyday landscaping tool for professionals. stihl.ca
Equipment Showcase
The Laski VD500P debris loader is designed for collecting of leaves, short-cut (mowed) grasses, various municipal waste, papers and wooden chips, where gathered after upkeep and cleaning of parks and green areas. For better resistance of the machine against abrasive materials, it is equipped with replaceable abrasion-resistant Hardox linings on the inside walls of the impeller. The VD500P includes an 18-inch, six-bladed impeller, 20’ wandering hose, 25-hp Kohler engine and full road ready trailer. easternfarmmachinery.com
The Turf-Stripper is used to mow, level, de-thatch, and renovate turf areas, as well as to harvest sprigs. It is ideal for use on golf courses, sports fields, and sod farms. It’s rotary action removes material and deflects it onto a conveyor system to be hauled away. An optional verti-cut blade kit can also be installed. The machine is highly productive and can be adjusted in small increments. redexim.com/product/turf-stripper-12002000
HF600 Hot Product
With the unique ability to mow with three, four or five reels, and the durability to master the rigors of the deepest rough, the new HF600 provides a legendary quality of cut. The exclusive combination of the industry’s widest cut and narrowest transport width gives you the ability to mow between bunkers, around trees or down fairways with ease. A comfortable seat and controls mounted on an adjustable armrest make operation easy and efficient. The pairing of unrivaled quality of cut and the performance to execute a multitude of applications, including scalping, gives the HF600 unrivaled flexibility. textrongolf.com
Land Pride APS15
all-purpose seeders are ideal combination planting and cultivation tools for golf courses, schools, municipalities, sports fields and other sites. Their narrower widths make them effective for seeding on residential lots, parks, sporting facilities, and golf courses. Unlike wider seeders, these units are more effective for planting in areas where undulations, moguls, and depressions are prevalent. Available in four, five, six and seven-foot widths, the seed box is equipped with standard fluted seed cups and an agitator, enabling highly accurate and uniform delivery of most turfgrass seeds. The spiked front rollers can be adjusted for more or less “crab-action” cultivation, making them ideal for opening up and planting in hard or thatchy soil profiles. landpride.com/products/139/aps15-series-all-purpose-seeders
Radius zero-turn mowers are the next great professional-grade lawn mower from Exmark. With an innovative commercial design that provides unsurpassed operator comfort and ergonomics, reducing vibration and fatigue, Radius mowers deliver the durability and cut quality that you expect from Exmark, at an unbeatable value for landscape professionals and acreage owners alike. Radius mowers are available in three models: E-Series, S-Series and X-Series. Each features Exmark’s exclusive UltraCut decks, heavy-duty unibody frames, large front caster and rear drive tires and commercial-grade engines for superior handling and long-term durability. Find your local Exmark dealer or visit Exmark. com to learn more about the Exmark Radius. exmark.com
Lithium Battery Powered Zero Turn Mowers
For 2018 Greenworks Commercial is launching 2 Lithium Battery Powered Zero Turn Mowers for Professional Landscapers. Both the 48” Stand On and the 60” Rider have safe UL Listed Lithium -Ion Batteries. We also have a complete assortment of landscape equipment that includes, String trimmers, Hedge Trimmers, Handheld and Backpack blowers, Lawnmowers as well as chainsaws and polesaws. Our best in class 82 Volt Lithium Ion Battery technology is more than capable of providing gas comparable performance without the noise, vibration and fumes as well as expensive maintenance associated with current gas powered equipment. We are the future. info@greenworkstools.com • greenworkscommercial.com
Spider 2SGS
Shading can have a huge impact on the performance of solar photovoltaic panels. That’s why Dvorak, the Czech Republic-based manufacturer of the Spider range of remote-controlled slope mowers, has introduced the new Spider 2SGS, a remote-controlled mower specially designed for the maintenance of turf areas on solar farms. Adapted from their Spider ILD02 slope mower, the Spider 2SGS features upgraded hydraulic motors and a lower profile, making it ideal for maintaining the turf beneath and around PV panels. New rubber fenders have been added to reduce any impact damage to the sensitive framework supporting the panels. j-sperformance.com • slope-mower.com
Brouwer Aerator
The NEW Brouwer Aerator is the latest tool to make grass grow and mature sooner! It punctures surface to root level while maintaining ability to harvest or use turf immediately. Allows water, air, fertilizer and chemicals to penetrate turf and go into the holes to make the rhizomes grow. The Heavy duty frame, follows ground contours and it has special spikes for golf courses. A Single lift cylinder makes it easy for transport. Available in 8 ft. and 12 ft. models and can be used multiple times each year, which makes it the best aerator for sod fields and golf courses on the market. brouwerkesmac.com
John Deere Commercial Mowing Z955M ZTrak Mower
The ZTrak™ Z955M model offers professionals an Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) engine with higher horsepower for increased fuel efficiency and power in varied mowing conditions. The Z955M boast a 29 HP (21.6 kW), 824 cc EFI engine, and is available with multiple deck offerings including – 60-inch side discharge, 60inch Mulch On Demand™ (MOD), and a 72-inch side discharge. The increased horsepower makes quicker work of common activities, such as material collection, mulching and mowing in thick turf conditions, and the EFI engine improves overall fuel economy. johndeere.com/commercial
Shindaiwa Introduces PS262
A Shindaiwa exclusive, the new PowerBroom ™ PS262 is the only unit on the market with an integrated gear case and an impressive 40:1 gear ratio providing fast switch-outs of the optional broom attachments. Magnesium powerhead construction makes this unit durable and 1.4 lbs lighter than the PS344! Design enhancements have delivered industry-best hot restarting, larger fuel tank for extended run times, premium handles, improved anti-vibration, 2-stage air filtration and tool-less air filter cover. Equipped with a solid drive shaft, the 25.4 cc PS262 delivers outstanding power to perform any sweeping chore and is backed by a two year commercial warranty. shindaiwa.ca
ECHO’s New PB2520 Handheld Blower
When it comes to blowers – performance is key! The new PB2520 rated at 453 CFM/170MPH, boasts an enhanced engine and fan/volute design producing performance ratings in excess of 20% versus comparable competitive models and a whopping 27% higher than the ever-popular PB250LN. That’s POWER! New double-grid technology reduces intake clogging delivering superior air flow and consistent unit performance while the new tool-less air filter design provides superior retention and improved filtration. Equipped with variable cruise and Echo’s rotational control technology, the gyro effect and resulting strain is limited, reducing user fatigue. Backed by ECHO’s 2-year commercial warranty – this blower delivers. echo.ca
Cub Cadet’s PRO Z Commercial zero-turn mowers
set a new benchmark across North America, providing more strength,a performance and comfort than ever. The full line-up consists of the PRO Z 100, 500, 700 and 900 Series and is designed to meet the different needs of landscaping crews. The PRO Z Line is loaded with category-leading features, including the only triple-7-gauge deck on the market which is available in 54, 60, and 72-inch cutting widths. The steel cutting deck has three layers of 7-gauge steel, a rolled leading edge and side reinforcements, making it the thickest, strongest steel deck in the industry. Visit CubCadet.ca for specs and additional information. cubcadet.ca/pro
Equipment Showcase
Pro-Flex
120B: It is all about ADDED
VALUE!
Since 1999, Progressive’s ProFlex 120B has become the contour / rough finishing mower of choice of leading Superintendents and Equipment Managers. With 5 independent floating decks and a 10’ wide cut, the Pro-Flex easily follows contours, producing a uniform quality cut that is demanded by Superintendents and members alike. The simplicity and low operating cost of a tractor & Pro-Flex is a key advantage. Requiring about half the horsepower of a similar width Tier 4 ride-on mower, the combination directly translates to a large savings in fuel cost, year-after-year, and increased equipment utilization as the tractor can be used for other tasks. Add-in no daily maintenance and it’s easy to see why the Pro-Flex 120B is the first choice of leading Superintendents. progressiveturfequip.com/SLOPE-PRO
TrailPro
Wood
Bay Turf Technologies’ FDS 9200 turf dethatcher is ideal for use on sports fields, golf courses, lawns and gardens, parks, landscape construction areas, and horse and race tracks. On natural turf, it offers high-speed dethatching, helping to prepare turf for overseeding; is a less intrusive alternative to verti-cutting; evenly spreads topdressing sand and/or rubber infill on synthetic playing surfaces; and increases thatch removal for healthier turf with the FDS tines relieving surface compaction to help water, air and fertilizer penetrate the root zone quickly. On artificial surfaces, it revives compacted turf to get the spring back into rubber crumb topdressing in one pass. Its soft spring tines will not pull out fibres like other machines. Other features include four free-floating sections, three-point hitch and parking rods. woodbayturftech.com
The
Groom your trails faster with one machine, one operator and in one pass! 3-in-1 heavy-duty unit from Reist Industries. Unique edging discs removes the weeds and grass from the sides of the trail leaving it with clean edges. It reclaims the gravel and stone dust built up along the edge and redistributes it across the trail, eliminating the cost of regravelling. Angled blades remove high spots and level trail, spinning motor pulverizes and separates root balls and stone dust, carbide tipped teeth spin at 540 RPMs, leveling blade leaves the trail smooth and ready for the public. reistindustries.com
Toro Workman® GTX Utility Vehicle Line
The new Toro Workman® GTX utility vehicle combines superior comfort, control and versatility, and provides all the features to help tackle any task on and around turf. Equipment managers can select from gas or electric models, two- and four-seat configurations, a variety of attachments including garbage cans, hose reels or walk spreaders, and a number of bed options to haul a wide variety of materials. With over 300 configurations to fit almost any application, the Workman GTX is a highly versatile and cost-effective work machine. To learn more about the Workman GTX, visit commercialvideo.toro.com
FSA 130 R professional brushcutter is the latest addition to our battery-powered line-up. Its well balanced construction makes working on large areas of tough grass and around any rugged terrain a breeze. The power and performance will complete any task effectively and efficiently, while not exhausting the user, as it is lightweight. The quiet operation of the FSA 130 R cordless brushcutter makes it possible to do those demanding maintenance jobs in noise-sensitive environments. The speed is adjustable to three settings to ensure longer runtimes. The FSA 130 R is durable, reliable and ideal for precise clearing along fences, paths, steps or around trees and gardens. stihl.ca
Walker S18
The S18 continues to build on the Model S platform with an 18 HP engine and Walker’s patented Grass Handling System with Thru-Shaft PTO. It is faster and more powerful, and with reduced weight, the S18 is designed to be productive and efficient. Able to run 36 to 56 inch decks, the new S18 is the perfect choice for residential properties, gated yards, or demanding customers. The S18 is also useful during other seasons with a 48” dozer blade, 36” single stage snowblower, and lawn dethatcher. Request a free, on-site demo today! walker.com/tractors/s18
Kleen Sweep Power
Vacuum - Model 220 10-cubic-yard capacity with 7-Ft. (84”) pick-up deck w/ Brush or Rubber Finger pickup with 4 Wheels for floating deck to follow ground contours. Comes with a Stainless steel liner in the impeller housing with an 8-bladed fan for a Kleen Sweep. Also available with a Hose Kit. advancedequipmentsales.ca
New Dakota controls on its Turf Tenders material handlers make spreading light, heavy, wet or dry materials easy. Features include a 4.3inch LCD display, four memory presets, variable belt and spinner speeds, engine start/stop and throttle control, and reference screens for unit settings and adjustments. dakotapeat.com
THE PREMIER TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK
UPDATED AND EXPANDED
Fundamentals of Turfgrass Management is the longstanding authority on all aspects of the science and practices behind world-class turfgrass care. This fully revised Fifth Edition comes enriched by two new authors who share their cutting-edge research and real-world expertise on such topics as growth, soil testing, nutrition, herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides. Whether you’re earning a degree or a paycheck, Fundamentals of Turfgrass Management, Fifth Edition remains the most complete, respected guidebook of solutions for developing and maintaining the finest-standards of turfgrass.
S TAY O N T O P
AD INDEX
Advanced Equipment Sales Pg. 13
Agrimetal Pg. 51
Alliance Agri-Turf Inc Pg. 61
Bannerman Ltd. Pg. 49
Bartlett Tree Experts Canada Division Pg. 61
Bauman Manufacturing Ltd. Pg. 47
Billy Goat Industries Inc. Pg. 35
Botanix-Oxford Insta-Shade Inc. Pg. 45
Club Cadet Pg. 7
Dakota Peat & Equipment Pg. 50
Eastern Farm Machinery Limited Pg. 40
Echo Power Equipment Canada Pg. 9, 64
Ecolawn Applicator Pg. 53
Exmark Manufacturing Company Pg. 63
Greenhorizons Sod Farms Pg. 18
Greenworks Tools Canada Pg. 15
Hunter Industries Inc. Pg. 37
Hutcheson Sand & Mixes Pg. 39
J & S Performance - Spider Pg. 36
Jacobsen A Textron Company Pg. 32, 33
John Deere Pg. 5
Kesmac Pg. 52
Land Pride Pg. 44
Ontario Seed Company Pg. 53
Ontario Turf Aeration Pg. 61
Outdoor Supplies and Equipment Inc. Pg. 35
Pickseed Canada Inc. Pg. 61
Practical Turf Care Pg. 61
Progressive Turf Equipment Inc. Pg. 29
Redexim North America Pg. 19
Reist Welding (Elmira) Ltd Pg. 41
RTF Turf Producers Association Pg. 31
STIHL Limited Pg. 2
The Toro Company Pg. 26, 27
Turfgrass Canada Pg. 61
Vanden Bussche Irrigation & Equipment Ltd. Pg. 21
Walker Manufacturing Company Pg. 54
Wallah Fairway Markers Pg. 53
Western Canada Turfgrass Assoc. Pg. 23
Wood Bay Turf Technologies Pg. 43
Zander Sod Company Ltd. Pg. 28
Two-stage snowblower joins commercial market
A new commercial two-stage snowblower from the Toro Company has joined the market: the Toro Power Max HD Commercial 1028 OHXE (38806). It offers the benefits of the Power Max HD line with several innovative features incorporated into the new design.
Drift breakers and a reinforced handle come standard on the new unit, while a 28-inch-wide swath and 21.5-inch cutting depth allow the operator to tackle deep snow with confidence. Equipped with a Toro Premium 302cc, OHV 4-cycle engine, the new model is both reliable and powerful. Additionally, this unit is covered by a one-year commercial warranty and a three-year residential limited warranty. Operation is simple and intuitive due to the Quick Stick chute control system, which allows the operator to easily change chute direction and deflection with a single control. Integrated hand warmers add operator comfort and productivity. Extra-large, 16-inch squared-off, deep lug tires, power steering and heavy-duty cast iron skids all contribute to maximum control and performance.
Additionally, the Power Max Anti-Clogging System (ACS), a commercial-grade auger gear case, and a large 14-inch serrated auger all come standard on the new Power Max HD Commercial 1028 OHXE.
As the most powerful commercial two-stage snowblower offered by Toro, the Power Max HD 1028 OHXE rounds out the existing Toro commercial snow removal product offering. The complete commercial snow removal product line includes the following equipment categories:
• Power Clear commercial single-stage snow blower
• Power Max HD two-stage snow blowers
• Power Broom dedicated rotary broom
• GrandStand MULTI FORCE stand-on mowers equipped with a BOSS snow plow or a new power broom attachment.
For more information, visit www.toro.com/en/ professional-contractor/snow-removal.
Bulletin Board
Duffer
By Rod Perry
It’s a thankless job that someone must do
With Christmas right around the corner, it’s time to dig out those special outfits worn only during the festive season. I’m not talking about those garish sweaters we tend to wear at this time of year. You know the ones. They’re usually hand knit, include virtually every colour of the rainbow and depict pictures of Santa or reindeer or elves or some other Christmassy image.
They’re ugly as sin, but we can get away with wearing them for a few weeks during the Yuletide season because it’s almost the “normal” thing to do, and we can laugh at ourselves the entire time. Others will laugh, too, and I suspect it’s more at us than with us.
And that’s why I don’t own any of these ugly Christmas sweaters. No, the special Christmas season outfits I’m talking about are the shirts and pants that have some give to them to accommodate all the extra calories that tend to be consumed during this period.
Christmas in our household is not a two or three-day event that spans Christmas Eve to Boxing Day. It stretches from U.S. Thanksgiving clear to New Year’s Day and often beyond.
The Yuletide baking season usually begins about the fourth weekend in November. I’m not the baker, but my job as head of quality control is just as important. Someone has to taste test the dozen or so varieties of cookies before they can be shared with guests or given away as gifts. It’s one of those thankless jobs that someone has to do.
After all, I could never live with the guilt if a houseguest was offered
a small plate of cookies that might get an approval rating of only nine out of 10. These baked goods absolutely must be rated a perfect 10. Batches that fall short – say, garnering only a 9½ score – must be properly disposed of. Not wanting to see anything go to waste, these cookies that don’t quite measure up to my standards of perfection are usually disposed of by being inserted into my mouth.
Rarely does a batch come out of the oven that doesn’t rate a perfect 10, but the task of quality control must go on…if nothing else for the peace of mind.
Even though it’s just a seasonal job for me, I have a special uniform to wear in my position as head of quality control. The pants must have an expandable waist and the shirt is the male equivalent of a woman’s maternity top. The uniform is usually buried at the back of my closet and comes out specifically for this time of year.
It’s funny, but I still find myself wearing this same uniform when I’m off duty, keeping it close at hand often until about the middle of January. It just goes to show how dedicated I am to my job that I’m willing to wear my uniform during my days off.
This is a job I readily volunteer to do each year. I’m paid solely in merchandise. In all honesty, I probably should have retired from this position years ago because it’s really putting a strain on my body.
I’m not nearly as physically active during the winter months as I am in the summer, and any personal goals I make to shed inches and pounds from my waistline don’t get underway until well into January. After all, the inventory of baked goods must
I’d pour eggnog onto my morning cereal as a means to use it up.
be dealt with before I can embark on any reduction plan. And it’s more than just cookies and fruitcake we’re dealing with here. (Yes, I’m seemingly among the minority of people who likes his fruitcake.)
By New Year’s Day, there are usually an unopened carton or two of eggnog remaining in the fridge along with leftover cranberry sauce from Christmas dinner. Neither of these must be allowed to go to waste.
I have a particular weakness for eggnog that dates back to when I was a kid. In those days, there was a product available in grocery stores called PDQ that was essentially the eggnog equivalent to Nestle’s Quik chocolate milk mix. You simply stirred a couple of tablespoons of PDQ crystals into a glass of milk and, voila! Instant eggnog! Why this product went by the wayside in the early 1980s is beyond me. With the demise of PDQ, I’ve had to shell out a small fortune every Christmas season on overpriced eggnog to satisfy my cravings. At a cost of a few bucks a litre, there is no way I’m ever going to let it reach its expiry date.
Rarely
does a batch come out of the oven that doesn’t rate a perfect 10, but the task of quality control must go on…
In addition to drinking a glass of eggnog with my evening meal, I also substitute cream in my morning coffee with a dash of eggnog. Until a few years ago, I’d pour eggnog onto my morning cereal instead of milk as a creative and flavourful means to use it up, but I discontinued that practice once I could sense my arteries were beginning to harden.
As for leftover cranberry sauce, it makes a great companion to peanut butter in sandwiches. It spreads just like grape jelly and is a delicious and effective way to use it up.
One of these days, my Christmas outfit will be just a normal-fitting pair of pants and shirt. It won’t be this year. Right now I’m about 35 pounds overweight, but my goal is to reach my normal weight of 15 pounds overweight.
Rod Perry, aka Duffer, is a Niagara-based freelance writer.
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