OGSA ONCourse Magazine August 2022

AUGUST 2022

Black-Faced Suffolk Sheep at the Paintbrush

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: 2022 RBC Canadian Open Mentorship in the Industry CANADA POST PUBLICATIONS MAIL PUBLICATIONS AGREEMENT No. 40027105 Postmaster: Please return undeliverable copies to The OGSA, 328 Victoria Rd. S., Guelph, ON N1L 0H2

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TSPC CGCSA GREENMASTER AD R4_02-07-22

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

L

ong gone are the cold wet days of spring , and as I write this, we are two weeks into the so-called “Dog Days” of summer, which is an astrology reference to Sirius, the Dog Star. During this period, the sun occupies the same region of the sky as Sirius, the brightest star visible from any part of the earth. Thus, the term “Dog Days” of summer came to mean 20 days before and 20 days after the alignment of Sirius with the Sun, usually around July 3 to August 11. (You can find more astronomical information about the Dog Days in the Farmers’ Almanac.)

Ryan L. Scott, We associate the “Dog Days” of summer with working in OGSA President. unbearably hot and humid weather dragging hoses, setting up roller bases, trying to keep turf alive through drought conditions. Our irrigation systems are working overtime. Turf stress tolerance and OUR stress tolerance levels are being put to the test. We also find ourselves using our energy to motivate others, to get the most out of our staff and provide our members and clients with the best possible playing conditions. Pro tip: Freezies are a great motivator no matter how old you are.

Many of us are working to achieve all of this with reduced or new staff. The number of job postings that come across the OGSA desk this year have not gone unnoticed. We certainly celebrate those that have received promotions over the last couple of years or have changed roles altogether, and we all know the transition isn’t always easy, especially during a season like this one. Credit to all of you that have successfully adapted to these challenging times and have been able to maintain stability within your departments while keeping standards high. It’s a tall order.

There are some mornings during this stretch in the season where I find myself pressing snooze, just one more time, before I drag myself out of bed. Coffee and music help with my morning motivation, as I typically hit my Metallica playlist and crank up some of their early work. Many superintendents have implemented alternative scheduling to give their staff and themselves a little more time away from the demands of the job. Innovative scheduling has worked extremely well with all my staff keeping them fresh and productive. This has dramatically reduced the dreaded August burnout. It is so important, to find the time to take care of our own health and well-being during the season. Be sure to step away from the course, get together with friends and colleagues, grab a pint, and share some laughs. These couple hours spent with those of who you enjoy being with are so significant to our well-being.

Be sure to visit the What’s New page for the latest initiatives from the OGSA like, how we’ve removed student membership fees with the hope that we will engage and encourage more students throughout their studies to stay in the golf turf industry, and in Ontario. We certainly look forward to seeing them at our conference in January at Blue Mountain! Be sure to reach out and say hello. It’s a great chance to begin building relationships with up and coming superintendents.

Take care of yourselves and take care of each other.

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

- Ferris Bueller ■

Non-retouched client photo GreenJacket system coming off in the spring

Editor Courtney White manager@ogsa.ca Publisher Diane Davey diane@blenheim.ca Advertising & Administrative Manager Diane Davey diane@blenheim.ca Tel: 289-337-4305 Production & Design Patrick Kilborn patrick@blenheim.ca

ONCourse is published four times a year (November / March / June / August)

by Blenheim INK for:

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE INDEX OF ADVERTISERS ALMACK AGRONOMIC SERVICES INC.

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AQUATROLS www.can.aquatrols.com

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BANNERMAN www.sportsturfmagic.com

14 Features

BELCHIM www.belchimturf.ca

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BRAEMAR BUILDING SYSTEMS www.braemarbuildings.com

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BRETTYOUNG www.brettyoung.ca

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GREENJACKET www.greenjacket.com

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JOHN DEERE www.JohnDeere.ca/Golf

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ONTARIO SEED COMPANY www.oscturf.com

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P.D. SOLUTIONS www.pdsolutions.ca

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14 The 2022 RBC Canadian Open

TARGET SPECIALTY PRODUCTS www.target-specialty.com

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20 Mentorship in the Industry

THE ANDERSONS www.andersonspro.com

10 GC Highlight & Member Profile Nick Amsen, Mono Hill CC

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13, 29

22 Black-Faced Suffolk Sheep at the Paintbrush Regular Contributors

TURF CARE PRODUCTS CANADA www.turfcare.ca ZANDER SOD CO. LIMITED www.zandersod.com

12 6, 32 23

26 Golf Cart Safety Issues

14

27 Off the Fairway 28 Looking Back 15 Years Ago, Today 30 Turf or Consequences Departments 3 President’s Message

22

6 Editorial Message 7 What’s New

ON THE COVER

ONCOURSE EDITORIAL COMMITTEE

Black-faced Suffolk sheep at the Paintbrush.

Photo provided by Rob Wright, Superintendent, and Gabi Best, Communications Coordinator at The Pulpit Club.

Marco China, Joel Johnston, Chris Lecour, Steve Rabski, Lisa Marie Pearce, Al Schwemler, Courtney White, Madeleine White

ONCOURSE 2022 Although every effort is made to check material for publication, the association is not responsible for material published on behalf of its contributors.

All rights are reserved by the publisher and any reproduction in whole or part without the written permission of the publisher is prohibited.

Although some trade names may be mentioned in articles contained in this publication, no endorsement is intended or implied by the Ontario Golf Superintendents’ Association.

OGSA is committed to serving its members, advancing their profession, and enriching the quality of golf and its environment.

AUGUST 2022 | ONCourse 5

EDITORIAL MESSAGE

T

ransitioning into a new role is exciting and challenging. It gives us a chance to reflect on our strengths, and of course, opportunities for improvement. Between planning two tournaments this year for our members and playing my first round of golf in about 10 years at Bacon’s Par 3 (9- hole) Golf Course in Amherst Nova Scotia (a tip of the hat to the superintendents who maintain the pretty little par 3s that welcome aspiring golfers), there is no doubt that, as the OGSA executive manager, I could learn more about playing the game of golf. As I blew the dust off an old putter, my golf enthusiast cousin Michael handed me his Scotty Cameron Phantom X 11.5 MOTO and suggested I give it a try. I felt like someone handed me the keys to their luxury vehicle and suggested I try driving for the first time. I basically sunk the putt and went pro immediately afterwards, but the point is there’s a lot to know. Whether we’re learning to play golf or maintaining the field, we need the right mentors, the right tools, and a comfortable learning environment to stay engaged.

This issue features some valuable information around mentorship in our

industry. Check out Joel Johnston’s ‘Mentorship in the Industry’ article, where he provides the necessary steps to take when finding a mentor, explains the meaning behind “inclusive mentoring,” and shares the benefits of mentorship in the industry.

Doug Breen asks an important question: where have all the Supers gone? In this issue’s Turf or Consequences, he addresses opportunities for young superintendents and suggests informal apprenticeship programs.

As an aspiring superintendent, volunteering at a professional golf tournament might be one of the best ways to develop professionally, and this golf season FINALLY saw the return of professional golf at St. Georges Golf & Country Club!

Read all about the RBC Canadian Open and the trials, tribulations, and ultimate successes superintendent Ian McQueen (and OGSA director) and his team faced in June. Thank you, Marco China, for sharing the team’s experiences in hosting this much anticipated championship!

Of course we love to feature animals on the course whenever we can! How did the

Pulpit Club establish a truly Scottish feel on the course? Black-faced Suffolk sheep!

Rob Wright’s article on what started out as a dream and eventually became reality; take a read for this interesting backstory.

As always, our regular contributors have provided us with some great content. Bill Godkin reviews the importance of golf cart safety protocols, Chris Cumming’s Off the Fairway article walks us through the importance of staying on top of weeding along with tips and tricks to do so, and Barry Endicott’s Looking Back takes us to 2007, 15 years ago.

Huge thank you to our ONCourse committee who have spent so many hours helping us pull together this issue! We hope you enjoy! ■ Courtney White, Executive Manager, OGSA and ONCourse Editor. manager@ogsa.ca

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WHAT’S NEW

By Courtney White, Executive Manager, OGSA.

OGSA Board of Directors

The Board of directors have met twice since our last publication on May 18th and July 13th, 2022. These meetings were conducted via zoom. It’s business as usual, and key projects continue to progress:

Best Management Practices

The OGSA is well underway with its best management practices document in partnership with the GCSAA. Al Schwemler, Paul Snider, Brad Hutchinson, and Kevin Collier are working with Burnside Golf Services and other industry stakeholders to create this tool. BMP programs help superintendents manage golf facilities in an efficient manner while providing quality playing surfaces and protecting the environment. They also enable the golf course facility to operate where regulatory pressures exist, and they offer the industry a significant platform for advocacy, education, recognition, and demonstration of professional land management.

Free Student Memberships!

We are now offering FREE student memberships. The OGSA will visit the U of G DTM program in the fall to encourage students to sign up and take advantage of all the OGSA has to offer during their studies! We look forward to welcoming them to the association and supporting their career development.

Ontario Golf Course Management Conference 2023

As announced in the June issue, our conference committee has been busy planning an IN-PERSON conference at Blue Mountain, Collingwood, from January 17-19, 2023. We have an awesome speaker line up and we look forward to the chance to see all of you in January! Registration will open August 29th, 2022.

Assistants’ Tournament

We’ve successfully secured the beautiful Woodington Lake Golf Club, Legend Course, which hosted the PGA Tour of Canada this summer. We’d like to thank Marco China for volunteering again this year to help organize this event for assistants! We’d also like to extend our gratitude to Delky Dozzi and Troy Hoxey for hosting us!

New Website & Member 365

The OGSA has selected a new member management tool that will help the association to manage its members’ details more effectively. As we work toward our transition currently scheduled for the fall, we will provide more information about the changes and new log in details via clippings and email in the coming days. As with any new roll-out, we may experience some bumps in the road, but we will do our best to achieve a smooth transition.

Not only can members look forward to a more modern approach to member management, we will also unveil a new website! The website is being developed

by SF Creative Culinary Services Inc., a small business that is also working with the OTRF, and comes highly recommended.

The Inaugural OGSA Championship

The OGSA Championship takes place September 26-27 in Muskoka, just in time for members to unwind and connect after the busy golf season! This is our first ever 2-day golf event, and we have sold out. Any members who would like to be put on a waiting list can reach out to the office, admin@ogsa.ca.

Thanks to our sponsors, we’ve planned two days of golf, contests and prizes, food, and networking. I’d like to extend a special thanks to the golf committee: Ian McQueen and Andrew Nieder for developing the idea and coordinating our hosts Rocky Crest and Lake Joseph! This will be a great event.

Good luck to our members who signed up for the shootout, which kicks off this new and exciting 2-day event.

See you there!

#TodayInOntario

Don’t forget about the Today in Ontario social media contest! Let’s continue to acknowledge the positive impact that golf and golf courses have on our environment, wildlife, people, and our communities.

Capture life on the course and tweet it; use #TodayInOntario and tag @OntarioGSA! You could even win a cash prize. ■

WELCOME to Our New Members

Colin Nicol Class F Legacy Ridge Golf Club Jason Hebert Class A Roseland Golf & Little River Kyle Griffith Class F Rockway & Doon Valley Henry Schnurbach Class E Covertech Industries

MARK YOUR CALENDARS UPCOMING OGSA EVENTS SEPTEMBER 26 & 27, 2022 OGSA Championship, Lake Joseph Club & Rocky Crest Resort October 6, 2022 OGSA Assistants' Tournament Woodington Lake Golf Club, The Legend Course JANUARY 17-19, 2023 Ontario Golf Course Management Conference, Blue Mountain

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WHAT’S NEW

By Courtney White, Executive Manager, OGSA.

Superintendent Recognition Program For the second year in a row, we partnered with Allturf to support the Superintendent Recognition Program, an initiative established in the spring of 2003 to recognize superintendents and their teams for their considerable efforts in preparing for and hosting provincially significant championships.

We have been paying visits to various golf courses in Ontario to acknowledge these contributions with a plaque presentation and refreshments for the teams!

The recognition program will run until the beginning of October. Be sure to follow us on twitter at @OntarioGSA to see the photos and share in the recognition of your colleagues! Thank you to all the teams who have allowed us to visit their courses so far and thank you to Allturf for your partnership in this excellent initiative. ■

Ryan Scott, OGSA President, and Nigel Rennie, Allturf, recognize superintendent (and OGSA Director) Ian McQueen and his maintenance crew, St. George’s G&CC, for hosting the RBC Canadian Open.

Sean Gunn, OGSA Director (L), and Alex McNeill, Allturf (R), recognize superintendent Scott Clayworth, Wooden Sticks GC, for hosting the Jr. Boys’ Spring Classic.

Sean Gunn, OGSA Director, and Nigel Rennie, Allturf, recognize superintendent Chris Contois and his maintenance crew, Spring Lakes GC, for hosting the Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship.

Owen Russell, OGSA Vice President (L), Nigel Rennie, Allturf (R), recognize superintendent Keith Bartlett, Scarboro G&CC, for hosting the 100th Men’s Amateur.

Sean Gunn, OGSA Director (R), and Nigel Rennie, Allturf (L), recognize superintendent Jeremy Julie, Sawmill GC, for hosting the Jr. Girls’ Spring Classic.

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Kevin Collier, OGSA Director (L), Alex McNeill, Allturf (R), recognize superintendent Paul Lemieux and his maintenance crew, Kingsville G&CC, for hosting the Jr. Girls’ Championship.

GC HIGHLIGHT | MEMBER PROFILE

Mono Hills Country Club 20 Sideroad, Orangeville Ontario L9W 2Z2

Aerial view of Holes 8 and 9 at Mono Hills CC.

Member since 2008

Nick Amsen Superintendent, Mono Hills Country Club

About the Course Mono Hills CC was constructed by Jim Torrance, the original architect and first owner of the property. Graham Cooke and Corey Black have recently worked with the club re-designing the first hole, which has now been reshaped and seeded. The course is 9 holes with tee blocks set to make it an 18-hole routing. It’s truly is a hidden gem!

Architect: Jim Torrance, recent work by Graham Cooke and Corey Black Type of Club: Private Number of Holes: 9 Practice Facility?: No Number of staff year-round, seasonal: 5 seasonal, 2 year-round How many mechanics, assistants: 0

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By Marco China, Assistant Superintendent, St. George’s G&CC.

A

career in golf course and turfgrass management is a rewarding one, and we all have our stories that include challenges, triumphs, twists, turns, and bumps in the road. However, we do the work because of what it brings to us; for a great many of us, it is the love of the job that keeps bringing us back. When I first met Nick Amsen, it was very clear that he loves what he does. I was fortunate to meet with Nick recently at Mono Hills Country Club, where he has been the golf course superintendent since 2010.

Located off an unassuming driveway on Sideroad 20 in Dufferin County, Mono Hills CC is one of the most unique golf courses in Ontario. When you arrive, there is no prominent sign or clubhouse; you are greeted by a quiet golf course overlooking

Nick and Luna.

the rolling terrain of Dufferin County.

There is one peculiar detail - unlike most other golf courses, no one is playing. As I park my car at the course, I am greeted

by Luna, Nick’s one-year-old Viszla dog.

With a big smile, Nick asks if I found my way to the course okay and if I have ever heard about the course. Nick explains that

In the Hot Seat Q: Favourite Major?

A: Masters

Q: Lowest round ever and where?

A: 87 at Mono Hills

Q: Favourite golf course?

A: The Pulpit Club’s The Paintbrush

Q: Favourite Piece of Equipment?

A: Toro Multipro 1250

Q: Favourite movie?

A: Top Gun

Q: Favourite Ski Destination?

A: Jackson Hole

Q: U ltimate foursome?

A: My friends, nothing beats that!

Q: Favourite meal?

A: Steak and potatoes

Q: Ultimate Trip?

A: Switzerland or Cabot Cliffs

it was built in the 1960s by a family that lived on this property and has since sold off building lots on the property. There’s a catch – you have to be a member of the golf course and only those that live on the property are members. In total, there are 18 family members at Mono Hills.

Needless to say, getting a tee time is never an issue. Here, life seems a little different – more peaceful and tranquil with that early-morning feeling all day long.

Mono Hills is currently in the process of relocating the first hole, so Nick is overseeing the construction of a new green and layout of the fairway for that hole. He was seeding the green that afternoon and was very excited to grow in his first green from seed. Nick tells me that some of the things he loves most about the job is being outside every day and taking on new challenges; that each day isn’t like the last and you are always changing, adapting, and constantly learning.

Nick was born in Corner Brook, Newfoundland. His family moved to Ontario when Nick was a baby because

What You Need to Know Predominate grass type: Bent/Poa Mix on greens, tees, and fairways. First hole is now 007 bent on green and Mackenzie bent on the fairway Predominant soil type: Sandy Loam Types of greens: Push Up

he was born with a hearing impairment and Ontario offered more programs for the hearing impaired. Nick has a cochlear implant that helps him hear but relies on his lip-reading abilities to better understand in-person conversations and utilizes text messaging and email rather than phone calls. Nick shared his gratitude for these methods of communication; often taken for granted, these advancements in technology were some the biggest game-changers in his life. They helped him overcome barriers, allowing him to effectively manage his staff and better communicate with others in his life.

In 1997, Nick landed a summer job at Shelburne Golf Club where he quickly gained an interest for the business. Brooks Young, the superintendent at Shelburne GC, guided him into Seneca College’s turf program where he graduated in 2000.

Nick started at the Pulpit Club that fall, working mostly on the Paintbrush course, and in 2005, with encouragement from Jayson Griffiths at the Paintbrush,

Nick with his son Logan and dog Luna at Mono Hills CC.

“ It has been well over a decade since working with Nick Amsen at the Devil’s Paintbrush… but my memories are clear, Nick was “connected” in the sense of genuine awareness to the people and land that surrounded him.

A reliable, passionate, sharp greenkeeper eager for an opportunity

Size of greens: 4500 m2

to prove his independence; he got it at Mono Hills. I am very happy

Size of tees: 4000 m

for his accomplishments on the course but more importantly the

Size of fairways: 3.6 Ha

lessons he teaches us all – the love for family, and a big infectious

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smile. We can all learn a lot from Nick.”

Major Challenges Drainage in the valley holes (3-6). It is a lowland and the area used to be a swamp in the 1960s before it was turned into golf holes.

– Jayson Griffiths, Director of Agronomy and Grounds London Hunt and Country Club

AUGUST 2022 | ONCourse 11

Nick getting ready to take the stairway at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.

he accepted the opportunity to be the assistant superintendent at Mono Hills working under Doug Suter and Al Beeney. In 2010, he assumed the role of superintendent.

Nick and his crew of five personnel manage the golf course daily, working together to produce spectacular conditions. He showed me many of the course improvements that have taken place during his tenure at Mono Hills. Nick was an early adopter of the Traqmatz system for managing cart path wear. He installed it in some of his valley holes leading from green to tee in areas where mulch or gravel cart paths would wash out frequently; this system has helped create a clean look for members and helps manage the wear in a difficult growing environment. He continues to look for ways to improve the property and is excited for the future of the golf course.

In Nick’s spare time, he enjoys spending time outdoors and mountain biking with his son Logan and his dog Luna. An avid, year-round mountain biker, he can often be found biking the endless trails around the Dufferin County, Caledon,

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Luna on a peaceful morning at Mono Hills CC.

and Nottawasaga areas with Luna leading the way and setting the pace (after seeing Luna on the course, this pace is sure to be a very fast one!). He continues to bike in the winter on his fat bike with studded tires; he says it is a great time and the tires make it really easy to navigate the snow-covered trails. The winter season is really where Nick’s passions come out with his love for skiing. He and his son Logan enjoy skiing together and are Ikon Pass holders, giving them access to many resorts across the US and Canada. As we drove around, I quizzed him on all the places he has been skiing and we shared stories of places we have ridden and runs we have taken. He enjoys steep and tight terrain with Jackson Hole in Wyoming being his favourite place to ski. The setting there is beautiful and the skiing is some of the most technical and world renowned. I’m looking forward to getting the chance to ride with Nick this coming winter at Blue Mountain where his big mountain riding experience will surely make it difficult to keep up!

Throughout our meeting, Luna ran either alongside or ahead of us. She bounds along the golf course as if she owns the land; Nick says she follows him all day long wherever he goes. She has a natural instinct to herd, and she was in and out of the ponds on the property, not letting anything slow her down. At the end of the day, Nick says she is worn out but is a great lap dog that will relax at night and be ready to go the next morning.

My time with Nick really emphasized the idea that life is what you make of it. We all face challenges in our lives – whether that be creating our own worklife balance or solving problems on the golf course – but it is how we overcome these challenges. I asked him what the best piece of advice he has been given was and he said, “learn and adapt, never look back, and just keep moving forward.” These words stuck with me, and as I reflected on our meeting, they brought Nick’s brandnew green to mind; it is a chance to grow something new, learn from it, and adapt to any challenges that may be faced. ■

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The 2022 RBC Canadian Open

Sunset on the beautiful 10th hole.

By Marco China, Assistant Superintendent, and Caleb Evans, Assistant in Training, St. George’s G&CC. Photos provided

by Marco China.

T

he time had finally come, the long awaited and much anticipated return to professional golf in Canada! The stage was set and the best players in the world descended upon St. George’s Golf and Country Club. Who would be the one to take home the trophy?

The players were excited and the buzz around the event grew as the date came closer. The team at St. George’s, led by Ian McQueen, had never been more prepared and excited for this event. Getting to this point had been a test of patience and determination to finally see this tournament through and put on the best show in golf that Canada had not seen in many years.

When Ian assumed the role of golf course and property manager at St. George’s G&CC in 2017, there were rumors about potentially hosting the RBC Canadian Open. His mission since day one has been to consistently bring playing conditions to St. George’s that rivaled the best clubs in the world. The daily practice of delivering these conditions prepared Ian and his team for the challenge when it came time to finally host the RBC Canadian Open. Preparation began in the spring of 2019 after completing a full bunker renovation and re-grassing around all green surrounds in 2018. The goal was to fine tune and improve

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all agronomic programs to a level that would make an already-difficult golf course even more so when the pros arrived.

Each year, the team faces spring not knowing what the effects of the past winter has done to the golf course. The winter of 2018/2019 was a test to see what a more extensive winter plant protectant program would look like; this gave the team a chance to see what areas may need more attention for the next winter.

The early June start for the Ian McQueen, Superintendent, St. RBC Canadian Open meant George’s G&CC and OGSA Director. that if major damage occurred from the overwintering process, there was very little time to get the course back to standard before the tournament was set to arrive. It was through a successful season in 2019 with positive member feedback and a “thumbs up” from PJ Ringenberger, the PGA Tour agronomist in charge of the RBC Canadian Open,

2022 RBC Canadian Open staff and volunteers after completing their final shift on Sunday.

that the team was confident they could pull it off. Everything was This was shaping up to be the biggest Canadian Open yet! ready for a successful 2020 Open but the world was affected by The buildout began in November of 2021. When asked about the pandemic, and it was another two years of patiently waiting the logistics, Ian said “the complete setup was tight, there was until we got our chance. Despite the uncertainty, those two years no space for contractors to set up, and all our staff parking and gave the team ample time to sand storage areas were taken fine tune all processes and over by contractors to take allowed the management team deliveries for setup and tear and equipment manager time down. We had to adjust our The golf course has undergone major changes since maintenance activities around to work out all the details that would lead to a Canadian Open their use of our limited space.” the last time the tournament had been played at for the history books.

The lack of staging areas meant The logistic challenges faced that grandstands were built one St. George’s in 2010, and so it was on Ian to work

by St. George’s are endless: 18 at a time as there was limited with the Tour to help make decisions that would holes surrounded by residential space for material. The increase development with a golf course in popularity meant that as the make the golf course fair yet challenging. and clubhouse separated by tournament grew nearer, more an extremely busy road; the and more structures were added two-year gap in the Canadian to the build. According to Ian, Open saw exponential growth one of the biggest challenges in popularity for the game of golf and ultimately led to a very “was tracing the irrigation while the tournament size kept eager fan base yearning for a chance to watch the best in the growing, as it led up to the tournament week. Signage around world on home soil; and a larger pool of financial supporters for the course was added and changed constantly and every time the tournament in a number of new partners looking to align the irrigation had to be traced. It was difficult to keep up with themselves with Golf Canada in an exploding market for golf. all the changes and make sure we were there before they started AUGUST 2022 | ONCourse 15

Amy Bultena, intern at St. George’s G&CC setting the 18th Pin.

Staff and volunteers gathered in the St. George’s meeting area.

pounding stakes in the ground.”

The layout of the golf course poses even more challenges.

The course, designed by famed Canadian golf course architect Stanley Thompson, was designed through the natural rolling terrain of the Humber Valley. Small greens and tight fairways wind through the property with adjacent holes not far away, and the golf course does not return to the clubhouse after each nine.

The players were scheduled to play from holes 1 and 9 tees on the practice rounds, as well as the Thursday, and Friday rounds.

The final round was also played using the split tees because of potential weather delays. This minor difference to someone unfamiliar with the property would seem insignificant but to the team at St. George’s, that puts a tremendous amount of pressure to finish work on holes 1-15 by the time the first groups teed

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Crowds gather around Cameron Smith, contending with the deep rough on #7.

off. Ian and his team took the two-year gap in tournament play to find out what the required number of staff would need to be to ensure everything was mowed, raked, and fluffed, as well as making sure the holes were changed and all the little details tended to; 3:30 AM start times were required to get the jobs done on time. In total, there were 85 staff and volunteers. With 85 staff comes the need for more equipment and the team was faced with the challenge of acquiring it during a time when delays and shortages were common because of Covid. The team was fortunate to have the help of G.C. Duke, Jacobsen, and the neighbouring Islington GC and Lambton G&CC to provide the crew with everything they needed to get the job done right. Pawel Torunski, equipment manager at St. George’s, had the monumental task of making sure all equipment coming in was up to standard, and keeping all these moving parts working and in order was no small task with 10 fairway mowers, 18 walk mowers, 60 carts, 25 backpack blowers, 3 tow behind blowers, and 3 rollers. This also meant taking on the task of twice daily checks of each piece of equipment and the orchestration of all machinery performing at optimal levels.

The week of the tournament saw the wettest conditions we had experienced since early spring. The golf course was in as

perfect condition as possible and was ready to play hard and fast.

The rain came and softened the course however, the golf course fortunately drains extremely well and although the surfaces may have softened, the bite from the rough was still as hard as ever.

The rain made the long, thick, rough even more difficult. It seemed all the talk leading up to and during the tournament was about the rough and how brutal it was. This was a source of pride for the team as we had practiced for two years to figure out what makes the rough happy. The course was categorized as penal but

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AUGUST 2022 | ONCourse 17

Team of fairway mowers mowing #1.

fair, as it played consistent and difficult but nothing that the year gap in professional play, everything really came down to the world’s best couldn’t handle; it separated the best players from people that wake up in the quiet of the night; individuals who are rarely seen in the background but without their expertise, the rest of the field.

Ian placed a lot of responsibility on his management team skills, and dedication, the world’s best would not have a place to to make sure everything ran smoothly. He credits “a great team showcase their talent. It was truly an amazing and memorable of staff and volunteers, everyone bought into their roles and experience to be a part of. New friendships were forged and ideas responsibilities and executed them at the highest level” as the key shared. The group of volunteers and staff quickly learned their to success. The golf course has undergone major changes since tasks and delivered their best performance twice a day for eight days. When asked to reflect on the last time the tournament the most memorable moment of had been played at St. George’s the tournament, Ian references in 2010, and so it was on Ian the opportunity to share the to work with the Tour to help experience with his family. make decisions that would Without the support of the industry and its “Having my family here with make the golf course fair yet partners, events like this would not be what they me on Sunday, my wife and two challenging. The newly built daughters walking around with USGA bentgrass greens and are. It is truly special to see groups of people come them, taking everything in; it Better Billy Bunkers performed was a special moment for my extremely well and the rains together and join in a common goal. family and I.” seemed to have very little effect Without the support of the on their playability. These were industry and its partners, events some of the major differences like this would not be what they since it was held in 2010, which meant the PGA could not go off of their old notes from the are. It is truly special to see groups of people come together and course. Deciding pin locations is a tricky task at any Stanley join in a common goal. It is not an easy task by any stretch to Thompson course, with his characteristically extreme sloping maintain a golf course at PGA Tour standards, but anything can greens with false fronts and large swales perfect for quickly be done when you bring people together that are as excited and exiting potential runoff waters over our Canadian winters but passionate as the group that formed a bond together at the 2022 difficult to pin when greens are rolling at the speeds the tour RBC Canadian Open. We all walked away with memories and players are demanding. With all challenges aside and the two- stories to tell for a lifetime. ■

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Fairway mowers taking on the tricky to mow the 4th fairway on a wet morning.

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Mentorship in the Industry

By Joel Johnston, Superintendent, West Haven G&CC.

L

ife is full of relationships. Many of them are with family and friends; you choose to be around the people you love and share similar values with and ultimately, you try to spend your time around people who make you the best version of yourself. This is the same for the relationships we build in the workplace. One notable work relationship involves the common professional bond between a mentor and mentee. A mentor is a seasoned professional who guides a less experienced person in their professional endeavors. Mentorship is a way to hone professional skills and learn invaluable lessons from someone with years or decades of experience and practical knowledge in your field. Mentorship can take on two forms: formal and informal.

Informal mentors are the people we learn life lessons from by merely observing, partnerships, and on-the-job experience. Formal mentorships are ones we seek out.

INCLUSIVE MENTORING Over the past few years, there have been great strides made in encouraging women to follow turf maintenance as a career path. Some groups have organized mentorship programs aimed at making this industry a more welcoming and inclusive place. These advancements deserve our praise and support. However, this model could be used further to encourage untapped demographics to enter an industry that has not always had open arms. Knowing that there is someone who has faced the same challenges you may face entering this industry who will be there to support and guide you could make all the difference.

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BENEFITS FOR THE MENTOR “The best leaders of their generation develop the best leaders for the next generation.”

– Bill Walsh

This all might sound great if you are a mentee, free advice to help your career progression is a great deal. But what is in it for the mentor? What is the motivation to engage in this partnership?

Well, there is equally as much to learn for this party. Being a mentor is the perfect opportunity to gain leadership and communication skills that could make you better at your job. These might be the exact things missing to take you to the next level. You might also surprise yourself and pick up a few tips and tricks from your mentee that you might not have otherwise thought about. A large part of being a mentor is enriching personal legacy. By simply sharing your own learning’s you’re able to have a remarkable impact on a person’s future. Seeing assistants and former employees land their first Superintendent job can produce a great deal of joy and satisfaction for a mentor. If you are doing a great job of creating leaders within your club or the industry, this is strengthening and improving a profession that we all care a great deal about. Finally, mentoring can serve an opportunity to reflect on the progress you’ve made and build confidence as you realise that you have unique knowledge which is valuable for others.

FINDING A MENTOR It is important to note that in a mentorship, neither party owes each other anything; it’s built on mutual respect and trust that you value each other’s time. Finding a mentor starts with the pursuit of the following steps: • Understand and define your own career goals and aspirations – This is instrumental in building a career road map that will eventually be supported by your mentor. A career road map is a completely personal way of setting goals. What do you value in a club you are looking to work for? Work life balance? Exceptional architecture? The opportunity to host championship level events? This requires some thought and reflection. A good starting point is to examine what your dream job might be followed by building a relationship and a natural rapport with the person who has achieved these same goals. This may require some persistence to find the right mentor.

• Identify your weaknesses – This process will require some honest reflection along with seeking honest feedback from your peers. You might, for example, be a natural born leader but lack technical knowledge.

Picking a mentor that has had great success agronomically may be a good strategy. Understanding that each superintendent or industry leader has their own strengths and weaknesses is important.

• Experience level – Most of us immediately think of a veteran near the end of their career handing over the reigns to the next person. Alternatively, seeking a mentor that has recently faced situations that you might take on can offer a fresh and energetic perspective. Look at this as seeking relevant experience vs. most experienced.

At the end of the day, the mentee has the responsibility to take the pieces that work from the people they work with throughout their career to develop individual style that will lead to the greatest success.

PAYING IT FORWARD I have worked in this industry for 13 years. I remember reading ‘Career Spotlights’ (from this very magazine) in the early days of my career and attending a Canadian Open or a GC Management Conference and thinking,“I really respect that specific superintendent.”

Years later, I look around and many of the best superintendents in this province were assistants of those superintendents I respected so much. I know I have had many positive influences on my career; some of the most impactful mentors I have had are the superintendents I have worked for. How can the respect and appreciation earned be repaid to these leaders? Following their lead and being open to those who may seek my advice and mentorship is a good start. I am sure each of us has people to thank for their help along the way.

Consider being open to returning the favor or “paying it forward” as a sign of gratitude. ■

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AUGUST 2022 | ONCourse 21

Black-Faced Suffolk Sheep at the Paintbrush

Sheep enjoying the sunset at The Pulpit Club. Photo taken by Daniel Gelder.

By Rob Wright, Superintendent, The Pulpit Club. Photos provided by Rob Wright and Gabi Best, Communications Coordinator, The Pulpit Club.

N

ewly re-branded, The Pulpit Club (formerly The Devil’s Pulpit Golf Association), has two very unique golf courses within it. The Pulpit is a Parkland style course with extreme challenges both from the player as well as maintenance practices. This gem provides breathtaking views from every hole including an awe-inspiring tee shot off #1 directly

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at the CN Tower. The Paintbrush brings back the roots of golf providing a linksstyle experience very much true to golf courses across Scotland. The rolling hills, wide fescue fairways, wispy native fescue surrounding every hole, and sod wall bunkers throughout create an experience that mimics links golf in all its glory. Is there anything truly missing to fully create that pure Scottish feel…? We believe there was and here is the Baaa-ckstory!

Many years ago, original course superintendent Ken Wright and his

assistant at the time, Jayson Griffiths (now Director of Agronomy at London Hunt Club), thought that adding sheep to the paintbrush would be perfect and would create an additional ambience to this unique golf course. At the time, there was very little support for this idea, and it quickly faded away. In 2020, when the club was purchased by Longridge Partners, I decided to plant that same seed about bringing in sheep. Everyone was very skeptical at first as there aren’t any golf courses in the GTA with farm animals on

Sheep at holes #12 and #14 at The Pulpit Club.

them. But, through persistence and shaping the idea, it became clear that the dream of bringing black-faced Suffolk sheep would become reality.

Once the idea received the green light, we took all plans into action. Through our preliminary planning stages, we had determined two locations on the property that would suit the sheep well. Each being 2.5 acres in size would provide enough fescue grazing to support the purchased 15 black-faced sheep through our season.

A local farm co-op was used to acquire the electrical fence components, as well as all supplies needed to properly raise and care for them. This includes water troughs, hay feeders, salt licks, straw, and bedding. In the Spring of 2021, construction began on installing the cedar posts for the fenced in paddocks as well as the two shelters to protect the sheep from sun and as potential larger-animal threats such as coyotes at AUGUST 2022 | ONCourse 23

Sheep at hole #10 at The Pulpit Club.

night. An irrigation line was installed off care for the sheep as well as their habitat. barn on-site with a small, fenced in area the current system that runs to a water The shelter is cleaned out twice a week on The Pulpit’s course where they can be trough, with a float to provide constant and fresh straw and bedding is installed. A cared for by our team. This will reduce water for their hydration. As production nighttime caretaker comes to the property outside costs and deem positive in the continued, our membership became and feeds the sheep supplement feed long run.

The addition of 15 blackcurious of this action, as we had faced Suffolk sheep was kept this a secret until the big primarily to enhance the feel of a reveal. Rumors inevitably floated Scottish-style course in Canada. around but eventually the truth ...the sheep have done a very good job However, the sheep have done became clear. As expected, many a very good job at maintaining members were not on board at maintaining the fescue in their 5-acre plot the fescue in their five-acre plot with the idea but as it became of land; although it was never reality, the 150 members that of land; although it was never designed designed for this purpose, it came out to see the sheep on could be an opportunity for their opening day, we knew this for this purpose... the future. There are challenges wasn’t a baaaaad idea. with this strategy, primarily The black-faced Suffolk sheep keeping them contained and were purchased from a farm in avoiding damage to playable Kingston where they only raise this kind of sheep. They informed us on pellets and locks them up in their shelter areas throughout the course. The sheep how to care for them and after the sheep’s for protection from predators in the area. have also gained popularity world-wide arrival, we called in a nearby, remote Every morning the sheep are let out into as many people across the globe have veterinarian to provide vaccination shots their paddock to graze fescue alongside heard about our unique course additions and have stayed in contact with them if any the golf holes. At the end of the season, which has generated additional income they are taken off property to a local farm for the club from various angles. Firstly, health issues arise.

As the season progressed, a daily where they are cared for during the winter. members are bringing out more guests to maintenance schedule was put in place to We are currently looking into building a the Paintbrush to see the sheep first-hand

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Sheep at holes #10 and #11 at The Pulpit Club.

and experience a true links-style course.

Internally, we have also created a “3rd Logo” and an exclusive event for members called The Black Sheep Tournament. This twoday event which kicked off last year was sold out within an hour! Our exclusive line of sheep apparel is available at the

Paintbrush’s pro shop and can be found on shirts, hoodies, hats, and head covers.

Throughout these past few years, it’s truly been amazing experience. I am very proud of being able to bring this unique idea to life and having the support of our owners and management team to make it happen.

I hope many of you get the opportunity to come out to the Paintbrush and see this for yourself. If you have the chance to play the links, make sure to hit em’ straight, as this new “Out of Bounds” area has succumbed to many baaaad shots! ■

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1:09 PM AUGUST 2022 |2021-10-19 ONCourse 25

Golf Cart Safety Issues

By Bill Godkin, CEsafety.

“G

olf carts being operated by customers who drive recklessly can lead to serious, and in some cases fatal, injuries. Here are some comments from one of the leaders in the golf insurance industry.

We have heard of 4 extremely serious cart roll overs this season alone and in every case, it was due to a golfer driving too quickly and ejecting themselves and/or the passenger. The injuries can be as severe as permanent brain damage, including paralysis.

Golf Carts are too fast and are driven by golfers who may have never driven a cart before and may not know the golf course grounds. Pathways must have speed bumps and signage at hills and before tight corners to alert drivers to the risks. We recommend that you manage your “traffic flow”, this includes the regulars/members, staff and most importantly, first timers. Look at the golf course from the eyes of a first-time guest.

Golf Carts are incredibly dangerous. They have become faster and are silent. You don’t hear them coming and they can be very difficult to stop (particularly on wet grass). Golf course owners and operators need to review their rental policies particularly at public courses where the golfers do not know the course and can be caught off guard by steep hills and tight corners.

It also goes without saying that golf courses must demand to see a current driver’s license at the time of rental and require a through Waiver Release before they allow anyone to drive a cart.

The golf community needs a reminder that one bad accident will put them out of business.”

- Jim Grant, President, Signature Risk Partners Inc. Earlier this year, there was a fatality when a golfer lost control of their golf cart resulting in their death. When there is a critical or a fatal injury on the premises of a workplace in Ontario, such as a golf course, the golf course is required by the Occupational Health and Safety Act to immediately contact the Ministry of Labour so they can send an inspector to perform an investigation. The end result may not be charges laid against the golf course as a result of the unfortunate incident, but that golf course will then be on the Ministry of Labour’s radar and will most likely have the MOL review their health and safety program in its entirety to ensure it meets current regulations.

The golf course can also expect to see an inspector on a regular basis if the initial inspection by the MOL does not go well. Orders and fines unrelated to the initial incident can also be levied if the golf course is deemed to be not in compliance. Taking the simple precautions described by Jim Grant could help prevent serious issues and consequences from arising.

Jim also reported that there have been some serious fire incidents related to the improper storage and recharging of golf carts and their batteries. “As a result of the Cart Barn fires and rollovers, insurers have already put upward pressure on insurance premiums for golf courses.

This has had an immediate impact on EVERY golf course in Canada and rates will continue to rise if the accidents keep happening. As you know, once rates go up, it takes a decade before they come back down

26

again so golf course operators need to protect themselves and improve their risk management practices now.”

When a battery is being recharged, it emits hydrogen gas that is extremely flammable and very dangerous! Any area where batteries are being recharged must have a means of exhausting the fumes.

Warning signs should be posted advising those nearby not to allow sources of ignition in that area. Some obvious examples are smoking and using a hand torch, but the not so obvious examples can include the use of cell phones or tools that are not spark proof. If your workers are refilling batteries with acid and/or distilled water, then they must be wearing splash proof goggles, a face shield, long sleeve neoprene gloves, and an acid resistant apron. There should be a spill kit nearby to deal with any spills and baking soda to sprinkle on any acid to neutralize it.

There should also be an eyewash station available within ten seconds of unencumbered access of this area as is required by regulations.

By taking some reasonable precautions, those of us in the golf industry can ensure that players can safely enjoy the game we love, and our workers can do their jobs without suffering an injury.

Please contact me for more information.

Bill Godkin CEsafety.com Call 613-583-3722 Seven days a week ■

OFF THE FAIRWAY

Weed Management M

ost people find the most tedious task of garden and landscape maintenance is weeding. I personally don’t mind it; it’s fairly easy and when it’s completed there’s an instant improvement to the aesthetic appearance of an area.

When weeding your gardens be sure to look within and around the base of your desirables for weeds that have hidden themselves in the crowns or under the canopy. They will often blend in and go through life unnoticed all the while spreading and throwing seeds until one

STAY ON TOP OF WEEDING! It’s extremely important to stay on top of weeding for a few reasons: 1) If left too long weeds will go to seed and drop potentially thousands of seeds in the garden making it extremely challenging to stay on top of. So never let the weeds in your garden go to seed. Some times this can happen in what seems a blink of an eye. Monitoring, planning and prioritizing when and where you put your weed management resources are very important.

2) Some weeds are more aggressive or invasive than others. You want to get these out before they start to establish a colony. Horsetail, Clover, Japanese Knotweed are a couple examples. Any plants that spread through stolons or rhizomes need to be dealt with as soon as they are spotted. If left they become very difficult to control.

3) Weeds use nutrients, water and light that you want left for the desirables in your garden.

It’s impossible to prevent weeds from showing up but there are some things you can do to really minimize how many weeds show up.

1) Use soils from a known source. Meaning start your gardens with soils that you know have been sterilized through processing. Use professionally processed garden soils high in organic matter. When amending existing beds be sure to use these types of soils as well.

2) Mulch your beds. Cover your beds in a minimum of 3” depth of mulch. This will prevent any weed seeds in the soils from germinating.

3) Grow healthy, full plants that will take up space and out compete weeds and shade the soil. Minimize open spaces or bare soil spaces.

4) Have a hard deep cut edge in beds that are against turf areas. This will slow the spread of the turf into the bed.

day they are noticed and the plant they have infiltrated becomes taken over and has to be removed in order to deal with the weeds. I often see this in ornamental grasses, Day lilies and Iris’s. The culprits are usually grass species that blend in to the foliage and are impossible to remove from the crown of the plant once they get established. Interestingly, there is mimicry in the plant world. One version of mimicry, for the sake of this topic, is called cryptic mimicry. This is where one plant avoids predator detection by resembling its host through visual or textural changes.

We being the predator wanting to remove the weed and the weed snuggling up to something it resembles be it through colour, texture, or leaf shape hoping to go unnoticed.

Some tips to make the actual task of weeding easier and more successful are to weed when the soil is moist. Hard, dry soils make it tough to pull the entire plant and they often break leaving behind enough of the weed to survive and regrow. Using tools like hoes or cultivators to dig in around the weed to loosen the soil help with full removal of the plant. Thirdly, having a good soil structure high in organic matter will remove the chance of compaction or tightening making for soft soils with lots of pore space allowing for easy weed removal.

Happy weeding! ■ Chris Cumming CLP, Horticulturist Cell: 705-644-3994 chriscumming@live.ca

AUGUST 2022 | ONCourse 27

LOOKING BACK

15 Years Ago, Today

Back Row (L-R): Chris Andrejicka, Jarrod Barakett, Randy Booker, Jeff Stauffer, Randy Twyman, and Doug Breen. Front Row (L-R): Trevor Clapperton, Jennifer Pendrith, Sean DeSilva, Bob Burrows, Jeff Alexander, and Rob Gatto.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Board of Directors in 2007 were: Sean DeSilva (president); Coppinwood, Robert Burrows (past), Banff Springs; Jeff Stauffer (vice), Credit Valley; Randy Booker, Otter Creek; Jeff Alexander (sec), Parry Sound; Chris Andrejicka, Essex; Jarrod Barakett, Deer Ridge; Doug Breen, Golf North; Rob Gatto, King’s Forest; Scott Heron, Bigwin Island; Jennifer Pendrith Kawartha; and Randy Twyman, Taboo. Dorothy Hills was the executive manager and Pat Thomas and Deborah Badger were the office staff.

ON THE MOVE Keith Bartlett moved to St. George’s and Greg McFarlane took over at Thornhill.

Nicholas Bell, moved to Muskoka Highlands, Steven Holmes to Rosedale, Jay Weiss to Maple Downs, Jason Dowling to Northern Dunes, Gary Stadnek to Westview, Brian Taylor to Knollwood,

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Randy Booker to Otter Creek, Brian Carver to Mystic Ridge, Tyler Ruest to Dalewood, Anthony Frake to Cranberry Resort, Michael McCarthy to Glen Eagle, and Robert Burrows to Banff Springs.

Chris Nelson from Markland Wood left for Plant Science Inc. and was replaced by Owen Russell. Ron Heesen moved from Monterra to Nottawasaga Resort.

IN MEMORY We regret to announce the passing of Graydon Goff, formerly of Turf Care, Ernie Amsler, Angus Glen, Jay Lavis, Dol Turf Restoration, and Frank Kuypers, Shawneeki Golf Club.

TOURNAMENTS The Spring Field Day was held at Ariss Golf Club hosted by Rick Lane. Low gross for 1st flight was Chris Andrejicka, Essex, and low gross 2nd flight winner was Dave Schemelefski, Ontario Seed Co.

(L-R) OTRF tournament champion Thom Charters, Bayview GC, honorary member of the OTRF and chair of the GTI Advisory Board with Chris Dew.

The Can/Am Tournament was held at the Ambassador Golf Club hosted by Dave Cours and Tom Brydon. The low Canadian team was Thom Charters, Bayview and Wayne Rath, Magna with a 65.

The Pro/Super Tournament was held at Devil’s Pulpit Golf Course hosted by Ken Wright. The winning team was from Credit Valley Golf and Country Club, Jeff Stauffer (68).

The 1st Annual Seniors’ Tournament was held at Mono Hills Golf Club on July 17th hosted by Doug Suter and Alan Beeney.

The President’s Day Tournament was held at Coppinwood Golf Club hosted by Sean DeSilva. The winning team was from Weston.

The McClumpha Memorial Tournament was held at Peterborough Golf Club, hosted by Greg O’Hearn. The low gross winner was Gary Stadnek, Westview, with a 79. The George Darou Trophy was won

by Bill Sikes with an 81.

(L-R) John Bladon presents Andre Sabbah from Lambton G&CC, Stafford Smith from Westview GC, Mark Scenna from Turf Care Products, and Jeff Eichenberger from Raven GC, winning team of the Assitants’ Tournament, with the championship trophy.

(R-L) OGSA Director Chris Andrejicka present superintendent Dave Cours and his assistant, Tom Brydon from Ambassador GC with a plaque for hosting the 2007 CAN/AM Challenge.

(L-R) Mark Scenna, Turf Care Products, presents Bill Gilkes with the George Darou trophy for winning superintendent over 50 with low gross – Bill had an 81.

President’s Day Tournament 1st place team from Weston G&CC with the William Sansom trophy.

MILESTONES

AWARDS

Zander Sod Company Ltd. celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Congratulations to OGSA member Paul Dermott who was named recipient of the John B. Steele Distinguished Service Award at the CGSA Fall Field Day in Whistler.

EVENTS The OGSA Conference & Trade Show was held in January at the Sheraton Centre chaired by Jeff Stauffer, Credit Valley.

The Ontario Turfgrass Research Foundation was proud to announce that more than $30,000 was raised for turf research at the 2007 OTRF Fundraising Tournament on August 20th. The event was held at the Georgian Bay Club in Collingwood hosted by Bert McFadden.

Thom Charters, from Bayview, was the low gross winner.

Barry Endicott Retired Golf Course Superintendent Brampton, Ontario Tel: 905-846-1440 barry.endicott@gmail.com

Seeding is Believing

Congratulations to Blake McMaster, Royal Montreal, on being named Canadian Superintendent of the Year for 2007 and for hosting a very successful President’s Cup. Gordon Witteveen won the William Sansom Distinguished Service Award and Allen (Whitey) Jones received his 50-year OGSA members plaque. The following were presented with 25-year membership plaques: James Moore, Puslinch Lake; Gord Nimmo, Sawmill Creek; Bruce Burger, Lakeview; Rod Hermitage, Ag Turf; Don Crymble, Markham Green; and Sean Evelyn, Cedarhurst.

Congratulations to Andrew Hardy, assistant superintendent at Pheasant Run Golf Club, this year’s recipient of the Hugh Kirkpatrick Bursary and to Aaron Weinberg, winner of the 2007 OGSA Turfgrass Education Award. ■

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TURF OR CONSEQUENCES

Summer 2022

Where Have all the Supers Gone?

By Doug Breen, Superintendent, Golf North Properties.

L

et me take you back to the last millennium.

To the wild and crazy 1990’s, when there was no internet, and people actually went out and did things – in public – without fear of being recorded or photographed for future cancellation. There was a stand-up comedy boom, so there was a microphone and a stool in the corner of every dive bar, sports bar, brothel, and wedding venue. There was a live music boom – so every one of those places also had a stage (suitable in size for a one-man comedy show), where we’d try to pack a double bass drum set and three Marshall stacks, along with four human beings.

But most significantly there was a golf boom.

Originally it was attributed to the avalanche of retiring Boomers, who we all assumed would continue to spend $100 on a round of golf after they gave up their company credit card – which they didn’t. They continued to play golf, but it turns out they all became fiscally conservative when it was their own money on the counter. Then Tiger Woods got the credit for making golf look attractive to young, fit people who were – well – attractive, young and fit. Some said that it was the result of New Canadians taking up the game in record numbers. Others felt that it meshed well with “Bro Culture” which was everywhere at the time.

Whatever the reason, we were told that we needed to open a new golf course every week for a decade to meet the current demand. And we did. We made them longer, more difficult, with ridiculous amounts of bentgrass, and bunkers which were impossible to maintain. We built them without business plans or viable financial potential, but banks were lining up to lend money to any project with the word ‘golf ’ in it.

Superintendents were hot commodities. There was a constant rumour mill surrounding what courses were under construction, who was leaving a course, which courses were accepting resumes, and who was going to be on the hiring committee. A new build would hire a superintendent, and in five minutes the GM of the club they were leaving would be getting resumes through their fax machine. Bear in mind that we did this without twitter, and with extremely limited email.

I didn’t even have a cell phone until 1999.

Every year at the OGSA Conference, we’d all throw our resumes into a big pile and swap jobs. It was like a 1970’s ‘Key Party’, only with slightly less potential to damage one’s marriage. We were changing jobs constantly and trying to climb to the top of the heap. As a result, half the Community Colleges in Ontario had some type of Turf Management program. We were hired and fired and training and competing and jockeying for position.

And then it ended.

Ever been in a bar after closing time when they turn on all the lights?

30

Ever toured an Olympic facility ten years after the last medal has been handed out? The party was over. Courses were going into receivership and being sold for cents on the dollar. Budgets were being slashed. Bunkers were being filled in. Green Fees were dropping like my hopes for a single digit handicap - because supply was far beyond demand.

Some courses closed. The colleges stopped producing new superintendents (there’s only a couple left in the whole country now). Many of my colleagues left for the greener pastures of Municipal jobs and estate landscaping. We treaded water for more than a decade.

Then COVID happened.

We’re not building new courses; but the ones we have are as busy as they have ever been, and it has made the superintendent’s job a lot more difficult. More golfers mean: more feet, more carts, more divots, more ball marks, more unraked bunkers, and more stress. At the same time, many superintendents are thinking of winding down their careers, not going from 150 golfers per day to 250 golfers per day.

There is a labour crisis in the industry generally, but there’s one coming in our world as well. According to the R&A – the average age of a superintendent is 57 years old, which means that half of us will be retiring within ten years. And it seems to be bleak for those who remain - a Canadian poll found that 37% of Canadian superintendents are “actively seeking employment outside the golf industry”. If you’re looking for recent graduates of Turf programs – there aren’t very many, and they aren’t going to come close to filling the gap.

Where have all the Supers gone?

Being a ‘glass half full’ kind of guy – I see this as a golden opportunity for young superintendents, and for those who may not have considered it as a career. They will be in high demand, and renumeration will have to follow accordingly. I have two kids in their 20’s and I’m advising them both to take a serious look at becoming a golf superintendent. While I hope that some of the Ontario colleges will rethink the abandonment of their turf programs, we can’t wait for that. We need to create an informal apprenticeship program to recruit hard working kids, with great attitudes into the fold. There was a time when we wouldn’t look at anyone as an assistant without formal education, but we need to become the educators to fill the gap.

We are approaching a crisis point in the world of superintendents, and what old folks like us (you know who you are) do over the next decade, is going to have a lot to do with how well we weather the impending storm. One of the best things we can do to support the clubs who employ us today, is to find, recruit, and train the next generation.

Golf clubs have never been great at succession planning, but we have the tools to set up the turf industry for long-term viability. The ball is in our court. ■

AUGUST 2022 | ONCourse 31

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