TURF News - June 2024

Research shows that daily dew removal will help reduce the occurrence and severity of turf disease. pg. 22

the Grass pg. 18

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inside

Non-Judgment Day

Internally many of us live our lives from a place of constant judgment and opinion.

Country Hills to Host GCSAA First Green

On June 24, we’re very excited to have a chance to show what we do, while engaging with our members.

What’s on your ‘To Dew List’?

Research shows that daily dew removal will help reduce the occurrence and severity of turf disease.

Swing into Precision Exploring the Impact of Water Moisture Sensors on Golf Course Maintenance.

President’s Message pg. 5

Irrigation Corner pg. 17

Behind the Grass pg. 18

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Advertising Inquiries

AGSA Inc

571 Willow Avenue, Unit 1

New Glasgow, NS B2H 2A1

www.agsa.ca

Executive Director

Jim Nix

1967agsa@gmail.com

Turf News Editor

Jim Nix

Contributors

Matt Blackburn, Barry K Stone, Natalie Russell, Derrick Hawley P.Ag, Paul MacCormack, Nichole Parker, Jasmine Morning, Renee Schmaltz Atlantic Golf Superintendents Association

June 25, 2024

Your Host: Matthew Blackburn, Superintendent

Schedule of Events

Monday, June 24, 2024

Tuesday, June 25, 2024

Sunset patio meet and great at Chester Golf Club. 9:00 Breakfast

10:00 Walk-about with Jeff Mingay on Design and Architecture

12:00 Lunch

1:00 CGSA Shamble Tournament Kitchen Party at Chester Golf Club

GOLF

Best Ball shamble format is sure to be fun for everyone .

ACCOMMODATIONS: Oak Island Resort & Conference Centre, 36 Treasure Drive, Western Shore

Special rates are available at $175 - $185/night. Book your accommodations at 902 -627-2600 Located just 45 minutes from the city of Halifax, wake up on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean with salty breezes and breathtaking views at Oak Island Resort & Conference Centre. Unwind in one of our newly renovated nautically inspired guestrooms, cozy Oceanside chalets, or luxurious seaside villas.

The Seminar will focus on Design and Architecture on Tuesday , June 25, 2024 after breakfast.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact Barb Manifold at 416-626-8873, ext 25 or bmanifold@golfsupers.com

Thank you to our key event sponsor

SEMINAR: Course Walk-about with Jeff Mingay

president’s report

It is an honour to be writing this report as AGSA President. So many dedicated people have come before me and have given so much to this association. I would like to thank John Mills for all his work and support as he exits the board. He graciously agreed to help Robert and I for the last two years as Robert and I moved into executive positions.

It sounds like most of the turf has come through winter in great shape. This always makes for a much easier start to the season.

This spring has started dry somewhat like last one. However, we have just had some rain with some more in the forecast. I’m sure we are all hoping for not such a dry May and obviously a drier summer. It sounds like most of the turf has come through the winter in great shape. This always makes for a much easier start to the season. I’m sure like myself many of you are finishing up fall projects before things get too busy. I’m sure we weren’t the only ones doing drainage last fall!

Rene George (Old Ashburn) and I sat on a panel at the Atlantic PGA Conference in April. It was a great opportunity to answer questions and be able to share some of our side of the business with them.

I would like to invite everyone to sign up for the CGSA Summer Shamble at Chester Golf Club. This is a new event put on by CGSA to make more events accessible to members in all regions. It is on Tuesday June 25th and the format is: everyone hits their drive; you take the best one and everyone plays their own ball from there to finish out the hole.

The Turf Conference was again a great success and well attended. The committee has made it a priority to bring in more headliner speakers to continue to provide value to our members. We are already well on our way planning this coming year’s event with some great speakers confirmed.

I hope everyone has a great season and also finds time to get away and enjoy the summer!

Matt Blackburn

AGSA President

Matt Blackburn | AGSA President

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NON-JUDGMENT DAY

by Paul MacCormack

We live in a world that thrives on judgment and opinion. These often harmful habits were amplified during the pandemic and have only grown stronger since then. Many people have retreated to their corners and are refusing to come out, stuck fast in the belief that their take is the right one. World leaders serve us daily rhetoric that only serves to fuel a deepening a sense of division and further their own agendas. Then there is social media. Via our devices, the algorithms drip feed a constant dose of what we want to hear, sealing us off from alternative viewpoints and only serving to strengthen our own sense of righteousness.

Internally many of us live our lives from a place of constant judgment and opinion. We spend a great deal of time and mental energy

lining ourselves up against “the norm”, feeling that we are falling short and constantly striving to make up the difference somehow. We create stories that become our internal narrative about the way things are, and feed these stories instead of questioning their validity. We inadvertently maintain the status quo this way. There is a strange and quieting comfort when we are quite certain about things. It means we don’t have to push any boundaries or step out of our comfort zones. We can stay safely tucked away in our own little bubble, content to live our lives judging ourselves and everything around us without any self examination or any drive to challenge ourselves towards betterment.

Let’s pause and think of our own industry for a moment.

The ruinous nature of our work lives being constantly fueled by external expectations and endless comparison are form of judgment, but what often stands out the most is how we stay glued to “the way things have always been done”. The reasons for our willingness to maintain the status quo in this way can be varied; they can be market driven, there may be real limitations at your particular facility, or it may even originate from a simple fear of change. Whatever the reason, there are many properties that collectively resist change and innovation just because it’s more comfortable to live in ignorance.

And yet there’s another way forward and through. It‘s rooted in a less rigid and more playful quality of being… It’s curiosity.

On the golf course, when we begin to be curious we start to form better questions. Whether it concerns our cultural practices, leadership strategies, or even our own personal work patterns, questioning the status quo can reveal so very much. When we open our minds to alternative explanations, learning and unlearning occur spontaneously. Seeking to answer these new queries leads us to measure and quantify things differently, leading us to see our old worn out practices in an entirely new light.

Think of all that we held as sacrosanct twenty years ago. Where would we be if someone hadn’t challenged the prevailing opinions and asked better questions? The list of new, alternative initiatives and perspectives has been staggering. From cultural practices, fertility and moisture management, hiring practices and flexibility in work arrangements, new data collection practices, expanded learning and leadership development, the long overdue recognition of gender and diversity inclusivity, and even some guy talking about the importance of mindfulness and taking care of ourselves! The list is almost endless and none of it would have been possible if someone hadn’t paused and become curious.

When we, as a society, bring a mindset of curiosity to wider cultural divisions, funny things start to happen here as well. We realize that we are all far more similar than we’ve been lead to believe. As a species our fundamental needs are the same. We all want to be happy, to feel like we belong, and most importantly, to be loved. Curiosity allows us to break down long held opinions and stereotypes and begin to ask deeper questions of ourselves and those around us.

As we do so we begin to see through the thin veneer of our stories, and realize that many of our ingrained habits and patterns no longer serve us well. We begin to see that all of our deeply held opinions weren’t ours to begin with. Just a bunch of ideas that accumulated over time which we had convinced ourselves were important and true.

As we begin to view ourselves through a different lens, we also begin to connect on a deeper level with those around us. We come to see our common humanity by realizing that our suffering is not unique, and that we share many of the same issues with our broader communities. This realization inevitably leads to less opinion, less comparison, and less judgement. Instead we embrace a newfound sense of compassion and understanding.

Judgement contains us.

Opinions cut us off from possibility. Comparison only serves to limit us. Expectations fuel anxiety and lead us further away from ourselves.

Curiosity opens us to new perspectives. It fuels creativity and innovation. It reminds us that there is elegance in simplicity. It shows us that we need not seek to divide or conquer, but rather mend and heal. It shows us who we really are…and that, in the end, is such a gift.

Thanks for reading.

COUNTRY HILLS GOLF CLUB

Set to Host GCSAA First Green

Sometimes, something in life inspires you so deeply, you make it a mission to continue it or carry it with you in any way you can. That’s how I felt after my First Green event. I was on the volunteer crew at the 2023 US Women’s Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links, where I had the chance to take part in my first First Green event.

First Green is an education initiative that was created by the GCSAA in 1997 to promote the learning of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) concepts on a golf course. Youth have a chance to learn the science and the “why” behind key golf course maintenance practices. The goal as hosts, is to turn your golf course “into a living, breathing, classroom”. At Pebble, we partnered with the First Tee program in Monterey County to have 60 kids come out to the course. We taught stations on water conservation, soil sciences and cool tools. The kids were excited and engaged. Many of them, tough they played golf in some way, were unfamiliar with golf course maintenance practices, let alone how involved it is, or even that it could be a career option. After spending an hour or so going through the stations with them, 100% of the kids said they learned something new. It was so rewarding.

That’s why, when we began out Audubon recertification this year, I thought of First Green as an aspect to add to our “Outreach and Education” branch. There are many other reasons why you may choose to host a First Green event. Recruitment, good press/word of mouth, or member engagement are just some examples. Setting up a First Green event is incredibly easy.

The GCSAA has almost every resource you could need on the website - www.thefirstgreen.org. There, you can find examples of lesson plans, hand outs for students, and resources for finding groups to partner with. Though it’s typical to have a class of students come and participate, there are other ways to bring kids out for the event. We are holding ours for the junior members at our club. There are also youth programs such as Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

Once you register to host, you are promptly contacted by a GCSAA employee to help you get set up. You then set the details of your trip (how many kids, who they are, date and time) and register your field trip. The GCSAA provides more resources to host courses such as grant applications and swag bags for attendees. Getting to choose which lessons you want to teach is also important. We chose cool tools, water conservation and soil sciences (along with a putting contest!). The commitment from our club is on the low end. We’re blocking off a practice green for 2 hours and having 8-10 instructors from the grounds crew come out. And that’s about it! The payoff greatly outweighs the efforts we are putting in.

Our event is set for June 24th. We are very excited to have a chance to show off what we do, while teaching and engaging with our members. If you are interested in hosting a First Green, need assistance with teaching your stations, or want to know more, I’m happy to answer any questions via email at natalie.russell@countryhills.ab.ca

WHAT’S ON YOUR ‘TO DEW LIST’?

By Derrick Hawley, P.Ag.

Warm days cool nights soggy sock season begins on the golf course!

Dew is a contributor to this moisture and plays a significant role in the incidence and severity of turf diseases such as dollar spot. As such, a dew management program should be on your ‘to dew list.’

DEW FORMATION

Dew on golf courses is common in the early morning hours. Air warmed during the day can cool overnight to reach its dew point temperature (the point where the air is completely saturated with water vapour). When turfgrass leaves are colder than the dew point temperature of the surrounding air (the air condenses or changes from vapour to water droplets on the blades of grass).

Key meteorological factors favourable to dew formation include:

• warm days

• cool nights

• clear sk ies

• light wind

• relative humidity

THE ISSUE

Dew water increases the leaf wetness period creating a favorable environment for foliar pathogens such as dollar spot. Dollar spot is one of the most destructive and costly diseases for superintendents to manage on closely mowed turf. Atlantic Canada is no exception! In addition to fungicide treatments, superintendents have and continue to utilize a variety of management practices to help mitigate the occurrence and severity of dollar spot. A practice to consider is dew removal.

DEW REMOVAL

The main goal of a dew removal program is to reduce the leaf-wetting period. There is considerable research supporting that daily dew removal will help reduce the occurrence and severity of turf disease. Extended fungicide performance has also been demonstrated by dew removal. If your dew management program is effective, this could translate into reduced fungicide use (cost savings) and help reduce potential fungicide resistance and environmental concerns. As such, dew removal aligns with the concept of integrated pest management (IPM) to help suppress disease development in an economically and environmentally sound manner.

Dew removal programs do not need to be costly or complicated to be successful. For example, daily mowing and or rolling are primary and supplementary cultural practices that also remove dew from the turf canopy. Including guttation fluids and wound exudates that accumulate on leaf surfaces due to root pressure. These organic compounds can also contribute to disease development.

Areas such as fairways, tee boxes, collars and approaches are mowed less frequently. Ideally, these areas should be supplemented with daily dew removal (when conditions exist) to help reduce the incidence and severity of dollar spot. Fortunately, there are several dew removal options available to accomplish this task.

DEW REMOVAL OPTIONS

Dew management options to consider include:

• Using irrigation system to syringe target areas

• Sur factants

• Daily mowing and/or rolling (greens)

• Dew whipping (collars, greens, and tees)

• Brushing

• Rubber hose or weighted rope to drag fairways, tee boxes & approaches

Dew removal should not be performed when dollar spot is actively developing (e.g., turf covered in mycelium) as this could spread the disease and likely lower your self-esteem.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

Dew removal can also improve playing conditions by knocking heavy dew water from the turf canopy (drier socks) and helping scatter grass clippings and earthworm castings on your fairways. Thereby enhancing the overall golfing experience and course presentation.

CONCLUSION

Dew management strategies on golf courses have a long and successful history in helping mitigate disease pressure. As such, this article is a reminder to experienced and new superintendents of the importance of maintaining a ‘to dew list’ to help manage diseases such as dollar spot.

Derrick Hawley is a turf specialist with Halifax Seed covering the Maritime provinces.

Sources

Bell, G. 2011. Turfgrass Physiology & Ecology: advanced management principles.

Chen, L., Meissner, R., Zhang, Y., and Xiao, H. 2013. Studies on dew formation and its meteorological factors. Journal of Food, Agriculture & Environment Vol. 11 (2): 1063-1068. 2013.

Delvalle, T., Landschoot, P., and Kaminski, J. 2012. Removing Dew to get More from your Fungicide Program. Turfgrass Trends. February 2012.

Giordano, P., Vargas, J., Nikolai, T., and Hammerschmidt, R. 2012. Why Lightweight rolling decreases dollar spot. Golf Course Management, February 2012.

Sapkota, S., Catching, K., Raymer, P., Martinez-Espinoza, A., and Bahri, B. 2022. New Approaches to an Old Problem: Dollar Spot on Turfgrass. Phytopathology Review 2022. 112:469-480

Linear Aeration • Root Pruner

Steven Walsh, President

IRRIGATION CORNER

Based on the cool damp spring irrigation is most likely the furthest thing from many minds. However warmer dryer weather may be just around the corner, and these forgotten systems will be in full service.

A concern after spring startup is the potential of frost damage and minor leaks, which seem to be at a record low level this spring so the best way to determine leaks is watching the pressure drop in pump houses during non-watering periods. Very tight systems will often be at rest for 30 minutes or more before a PM pump is required to operate and restore pressure. Leaky systems will only last minutes before a pump is called on to restore pressure. Although the priorities of the season may dictate that resources be used in other areas, these leaks will cost you, in power and in pre-mature pump wear.

Another area to become aware of is the increased demands placed on users of water resources where provincial and federal permits are required. Many clubs are getting caught off guard when it is time to renew their water withdrawal permits, often the club has had a grandfathered agreement and renewal is a simple process. However under many new provincial and federal rules, intake screens, water meters and flow rates in the water courses must be considered and actions taken to meet these new rules.

The cost of DFO approved intake screens and monitoring devices can often exceed current irrigation budgets and catch clubs with surprising large invoices.

The best advice I can offer is be proactive and start asking questions prior to your renewal deadline, so you can properly forecast your budget requirements and timelines required to complete and meet the new standards.

Lastly don’t forget your friends in the pumphouse mainly the motors and pumps, follow the proper maintenance procedures change the oils, grease all required items and check for damaged or worn parts, and use good safety practices when working around these units, always use lockout/tagout procedures and never attempt repairs that you are not trained for or uncomfortable with.

Have a great summer season

Barry K Stone CGIA

MATT BLACKBURN, CHESTER GOLF CLUB BEHIND THE GRASS

Interviewed by Nichole Parker

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

After moving from Cape Breton where Matt worked at The Lakes Golf Club and Resort to the Western Shore of NS to work at Chester Golf Club. Matt and his wife Stacy along with their two children are in the middle of a major home renovation.

When he’s not at the golf course or working on his home Matt can be found enjoying a round of golf, fly fishing or running.

What made you decide on Turf as a career?

After a few seasons of working at the New Ashburn Golf Club as a backshop employee, Matt was able to understand the workings of the golf course better than he ever had before. Watching the grounds staff doing various tasks and being out on the course sparked an interest in Matt, in return he attended the Agricultural College in Truro where he completed his 4 year degree.

What or Who was the biggest influence/influencer in your career?

Brian Gouthro played an important role in showing Matt the ins and outs of our industry, from mowing greens to raking bunkers. He provided a mentorship for Matt to grow in our profession.

Hugh Yorke also played a large role in his success as Hugh was the first mentor Matt had when he reached the management level. This is where he learned the business aspect of our career as well as his people and time management. He was also given the opportunity to take on a large construction project alongside Hugh. How would you sell our industry to a room of undecided students?

It would have to be the ability to work outdoors all summer long, mixed with the variety of the job. You will always be on the move doing different things, making it hard to become stagnant or repetitive. It can also be a selling point for many students that with our early hours they can still work a full day before any of their extracurricular activities.

What are your thoughts on the younger generation in relation to hiring and retention?

In terms of hiring the new generation the hard labour and early mornings can be hard to sell. Along with many courses being remote the commute can become a challenge. However once Matt hires them on, he says “they never want to leave”. They learn to love the early mornings, once they realize they have their afternoons off. They also seem to love being outdoors and being active on the golf course, having pride in the product they are producing. Chester Golf Club also offers the staff benefits which help with the retention of his staff. They offer health benefits, which the club pays for in the off season, golfing privileges, In season staff parties and a Christmas party.

How do you integrate data collection and Technology into your management plan?

Matt is a low tech, minimal data Superintendent. Currently he is integrating his TDR and stimp readings into his management plan along with the new Cirrus Pro irrigation system. Although in the future he would like to implement a digital job board and hour tracking system. Allowing him the flexibility to change the daily plan on the fly, track the hours per task as well as the budgeting and water usage features.

How are you currently fighting the constant traffic and wind at Chester Golf Club, also do you ever have reverse effects from salt spray?

Currently the biggest traffic areas are Matt’s tee decks, some of them being so small there isn’t much room for

tee placements. This has become a constant battle for him, and his team as they try to stay consistent with filling the divots and allowing them time to establish themselves.

With little cart traffic at Chester Golf Club, he doesn’t seem to have too many compacted or worn-out stands of turf. Although he has begun slicing the few high traffic areas, they do have such as exit points of greens, tees and paths.

I also had figured that with much of his property being along the coast he may have adverse effects from the wind and salt spray. I was surprised to hear Matt say that he only struggles with the constant wind. They haven’t seen any damage from the salt content although it is thought that there’s a potential the turf has become acclimatized to the salinity.

How is your relationship with your EM, and what does that look like?

Having a good EM is an important aspect of every golf course operation. They provide the Superintendent with the tools and equipment needed to produce the best product. Matt and his EM have a good working relationship, they communicate daily to ensure they are on the same page about what needs to be ready, repaired or checked with a corresponding timeline. They also work together to communicate the after-cut appearances, the HOC and overall performance of the equipment.

What made you want to serve our industry at the association level?

After watching Hugh being as involved as he was for many years, Matt felt the desire to continue giving back to our industry.

He also would encourage anyone on the fence about volunteering to give it a shot. Being involved in our association has provided Matt with countless opportunities to network, build relationships and expand his connections beyond Atlantic Canada.

You volunteered to host this the CGSA 2024 Shamble, are you doing anything additional in preparation for the event?

Nothing specifically towards the CGSA Shamble, however they are wrapping up last minute projects such as drainage, sodding and general seed and soil.

Lastly do you have any words of wisdom for the next generation of Superintendent’s?

Have a well thought out plan and stick to it but always have the ability to adapt. Don’t second guess your plan because of temporary losses or plateaus -stick to your guns.

Matt also thinks it’s important for new and old superintendents to know that they shouldn’t let themselves be caught up in the day to day.

Lastly treat your team with respect, encouragement, and empathy. A good leader doesn’t micromanage his team, he trusts in what they’ve been taught and their character.

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SWING INTO PRECISION:

Exploring the Impact of Water Moisture Sensors on Golf Course Maintenance

Written by Jasmine Morning and Renee Schmaltz

When I was taught to hand water greens, I was given a TDR and told to aim for 18-20%. It was a very unsophisticated exercise at the beginning: put some water down, check again, top it up or move on. Over time, I began to understand evapotranspiration and our site’s specific moisture requirements beyond the narrow context of VMC readings, and my hand watering skills became more strategic and accurate. Such is the story of data driven decision making in greenkeeping, a universal progression where more data and more understanding of our turfgrass systems leads to more effective use of resources and better playing surfaces.

Some folks first learned to water by eye, or armed with a pocket knife, soil probe, or with bare feet on the green. These are all methods of data collection with varying degrees of technical sophistication supported by instinct and experience. From manual watering systems with night watering staff, to automatic systems with 2,000 heads, there are a many ways to manage moisture, just as there are varied growing environments within the same property and varied water requirements throughout the growing season. Ultimately, we all share the goal of reducing inputs while creating resilient surfaces that are fun to play on, and the more we know about our property and how it reacts under different conditions, the more well equipped we are to do that.

I am certainly not going to try and tell anyone how to water their grass; I turned some of mine purple just last weekend. But, there is a new tool being added to the data collection toolbox that brings with it some exciting possibilities for future research, more accurate application of fungicides, and more strategic water use.

This May at The Briars GC in south central Ontario, we installed a SPIIO sensor in our 10th green (102 years old, Poa annua, frequent victim of anthracnose, and a perennial problem child). The wireless in-ground sensor is about the size of a can of Coke, and is installed in the root zone to provide hourly data 24 hours a day straight to your phone. Two cup cutter plugs removed

and replaced was all it took. We measured the distance in a straight line from two nearby sprinklers for ease of location during aerification, and chose a spot on a problem green that will be quick to tell us when we are drying down.

It has been interesting figuring out how the information it provides will fit into our day to day- I managed to not hit it with the Pro-Core my first time venting since installation, so we’re off to a good start. My first impression was it’s great to not have to remember to stick a thermometer in the ground at the same time every day, and that it is interesting to watch the rate that we dry down after these heavy spring rains in real time, but the potential uses certainly do not end there.

It may also be an interesting study on our work habits, and our ability to disconnect work and home. With predominantly poa greens surrounded by old, large trees, they can be temperamental even at the best of times. As a result, we spend very long hours watering, and thinking about watering. Having live data on our phones 24/7 will either help us or hurt us in this regard, but checking moisture levels at the dinner table might not be considered a step in the right direction. That said, The Briars is located right on a lake that often causes rain storms to just barely miss us, so having sensors in 18 greens would be a great way to know if and where we can turn off irrigation much more accurately and quickly than watching the radar all night and hoping that the rain hit (or didn’t).

The sensors are not all that one dimensional though: with salinity, soil temperature, and light data that can also be used to visualize trends throughout the season and compare year to year. I am far from a subject matter expert on SPIIO sensors, but Scott White is. As Syngenta’s Digital Platforms Marketing Manager for North America, when he’s not busy cutting greens at The Briars on weekends and listening to me get wound up about Microdochium, he’s thinking about how we can take advantage of the influx of data both in our daily operations and in future research.

Our sensor’s primary objective is collecting data to help

Syngenta improve Summer Patch modelling, and soil temperature plays into the timing and understanding of many other key applications like Take All Patch, Spring Deadspot, Crabgrass pre-emergent, broadleaf postemergent, even Pythium. In Scott’s brave new world, SPIIO sensors have a lot more to offer than moisture management and application timing, though.

Strategically placed sensors could one day be integrated with cart GPS systems like Visage, blocking off zones to golfer traffic when they become too wet, and removing restrictions as the course dries throughout the day. Temperature thresholds could help communicate opening and closing dates and when courses are able to withstand play.

Monitoring salinity data is critical for properties using effluent irrigation water and combined with VMC can be used to observe the effectiveness of flushing practices. It may also provide insight into the release of Nitrogen from slow-release fertilizer applications: at the Briars we are seeing spikes in salinity with rainfall events, potentially indicating that fertilizer is being released or moving into the root zone. This is particularly notable as we have only used foliar forms of Nitrogen thus far this season. Our root zone is shallow and the SPIIO is only two inches deep, so perhaps there is enough product remaining on the leaf for a few days to be further washed down. We do not use effluent water so salinity data is new to me and provides an opportunity to monitor this trend un-contaminated by the influence of an effluent water source. Combined with clipping volume data, the potential to study nutrient release and uptake is tremendous.

In ground sensors could also eventually improve winter outcomes. Across the country there are countless approaches to preparing greens for winter, and each year presents slightly different conditions and challenges. There is always the risk of doing too much or too little; to cover or not to cover, to remove snow or leave them insulated. There is simply not much data available to back up the decisions we make about our greens while they are under tarps or snow cover. Collecting light, temperature, and moisture data throughout winter (with sensors above and below ground, under tarps or snow) could support more data driven decisions.

The information also has great potential as a communication tool with greens committees, memberships, and key decision makers when proposing projects aimed at improving growing environments. The data collected with the sensors can be presented alongside commentary on conditions, budgets and capital project planning to discuss drainage or irrigation upgrades, tree removals, cultivation planning and renovations, and the list goes on.

Ultimately, we cannot manage what we cannot measure. The ability of superintendent’s to access more data to support their bare-feet-on-the-greens intuition will inevitably mean better use of resources and strengthen our ability to adapt to climate, labour, and budget pressures.

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Use of pesticides on golf courses: Important information from Health Canada

This document has been prepared by Health Canada to increase awareness of legislative requirements under the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA) within the golf courses industry.

In Canada, pest control products, commonly known as pesticides, are regulated at municipal, provincial/territorial and federal levels The federal Pest Control Products Act (PCPA) primary objective is to prevent unacceptable risks to the human health and the environment from the use of pesticides. Regulated parties can be subject to a compliance verification by Health Canada inspectors When a violation is identified as a result of an inspection, sample analysis or verification of records , enforcement actions are taken in accordance with Health Canada’s Compliance and enforcement policy for pesticides Health Canada has a number of enforcement tools at its disposal, including warning letters, compliance orders and administrative monetary penalties up to $10,000 per violation.

Most relevant legislative requirements

☐ Unregistered pest control products - PCPA 6 (1): No person shall manufacture, possess, handle, store, transport, import, distribute or use a pest control product that is not registered under this Act, except as otherwise authorized under subsection 21(5) or 41(1), section 48 or 51, any of the sections 53 to 59 or the regulations.

Example of non-compliance: Using, possessing and storing pesticide products not registered by Health Canada.

☐ Misuse of pest control products - PCPA 6 (5)

No person shall handle, store, transport, use or dispose of a pest control product in a way that is inconsistent with (a) the regulations; or (b) if the product is registered, the directions on the label recorded in the Register, subject to the regulations.

Example of non-compliance: Using a pesticide contrary to the label directions, including:

o Product applied in a location which is not specified on the label.

✓ Did you know that? Products used on golf courses must generally be registered for use on a golf course or for application on turf.

o Product applied at a higher rate than the maximum rate allowed.

o Number of applications superior to the maximum number of applications allowed in a given period of time.

✓ Did you know that? Fungicide products often have restrictions on the total number of applications allowed.

o Method or equipment used during application which is not approved on the label

o Storage or disposal of products in a way that is inconsistent with the label directions.

☐ Activities that endanger health, etc. - PCPA 6 (8): No person shall manufacture, possess, handle, store, transport, distribute, use or dispose of a pest control product in a way that endangers human health or safety or the environment.

Recent regulatory changes

Pesticides are re-evaluated periodically by Health Canada to ensure that they continue to meet health and environmental requirements. Re-evaluation decisions may result in the cancellation of products or product uses. Health Canada may also request changes to a product's label, including adding, removing or changing mitigation measures, use sites and application methods. The following decisions, published since 2018, are currently applicable to the use of pesticides commonly used on golf courses.

Cancelled Products

• Chlorothalonil: Products available in dry flowable or water dispersible granules form

• All chlorpyrifos products

Label changes to

• Chlorothalonil products

• Imidacloprid products

• Iprodione products

• Imidacloprid

✓ MERIT SOLUPAK (Reg. no 25932)

✓ MERIT GRANULAR (Reg. no 25933)

✓ QUALI-PRO IMIDACLOPRID 75 WSP (Reg. no 29130)

✓ QUALI-PRO IMIDACLOPRID 0,5 (Reg. no 29185)

• Fosetyl-Aluminium products

• Thiophanate-methyl products

• Trinexapac-ethyl products

For information on changes to label of products containing those active ingredients, consult the available factsheets on Health Canada’s Pesticides compliance and enforcement resources webpage.

Read and follow the label

All pesticides registered in Canada has a Health Canada-approved label with a registration number:

• Reg. No. 00000 P.C.P. Act

• Registration No. 00000 Pest Control Products Act

Using a pesticide contrary to label directions is a violation of the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA). To find the most up-to-date label of a product, use Health Canada’s online label search tool. Labels of pesticides used on golf courses contain information on mitigation measures to which users must adhere, including requirements on:

Personal protective equipment

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is any clothing or equipment that is worn to minimize pesticide exposure and protect your health. PPE can be as simple as chemical -resistant gloves and footwear worn with a longsleeved shirt and long pants; or may involve using a respirator and protectiv e suit. When using pesticides, it is important to always use the appropriate PPE specified on the product’s label. To learn on how to protect yourself and anyone exposed to pesticides , consult the Personal Protective Equipment and Pesticide Gloves factsheets on Health Canada’s Pesticides compliance and enforcement: Resources webpage.

Drift mitigation

Spray drifts are airborne movements of droplets or particles of pesticides outside of a target area. It can occur during or shortly after pesticide spraying. Minimizing drift is essential to protect human health and the environment. Mitigation measures may be specified on pesticide labels to help reduce drift. To learn on how to mitigate pesticide drifts, consult the Management of pesticides spray drift: applicator’s summary guide factsheet on Health Canada’s Pesticides compliance and enforcement resources webpage.

Re-entry interval

Time specified on the label of a pest control product that must be respected by anyone before entering an area treated with pesticides. Re-entry intervals may be expressed quantitatively (in hours or days) or qualitatively (e.g., "until residues are dry").

Reporting incidents involving pesticides

A pesticide incident is a negative effect (adverse reaction) to humans (ex. skin rash, headache or nausea) , animals (pets or livestock) or the environment (plants or wildlife) that can result from being exposed to a pesticide. To report a pesticide incident, consult Health Canada’s Report a Pesticide Incident webpage.

For more information

Regulatory framework

• Pest Control Products Act (PCPA): https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/p-9.01/

• Health Canada compliance and enforcement policy for pesticides: https://www.canada.ca/en/healthcanada/services/consumer-product-safety/reports-publications/pesticides -pest-management/policiesguidelines/compliance-enforcement-policy-pesticides.html

The above documents are the official Health Canada documents. In the event of any discrepancy with the contents of this document, they shall prevail.

Pesticide compliance

• Pesticides compliance and enforcement resources: https://www.canada.ca/en/healthcanada/services/pest-control-products/pesticides-compliance-enforcement/resources.html

• Search product label: https://pr-rp.hc-sc.gc.ca/ls-re/index-eng.php

Pesticide Incident reporting

• Report a Pesticide Incident: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/consumer-productsafety/pesticides-pest-management/public/protecting-your -health-environment/report-pesticideincident.html

Health Canada's Pesticide Compliance Program (PCP) is responsible for the enforcement of the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA). For more information on this program, visit: https://canada.ca/pesticidecompliance or contact pcp-pcp@hc-sc.gc.ca.

This document is also available in French.

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