Most importantly, growers and consumers use the data collected to purchase species that are drought tolerant, pest resistant, attractive and durable.  Evaluation of turfgrass species and cultivars is difficult because it is a subjective process and is based on visual estimates of factors. Factors include genetic colour, stand density, leaf texture, uniformity and quality. It is a measure of aesthetics and functional use, not yield or nutritive value like other agricultural crops. The visual scale gives a rating from 1 to 9, 1 being the poorest or lowest and 9 being the best or highest rating. A rating of 6 or above is considered acceptable.

The quality and scientific merit of NTEP data is extremely important because its findings are used by so many in the turfgrass field. They are currently doing “trait specific testing” on cool season grasses to determine drought and traffic tolerance. With the introduction of Bill 64, which prohibits the use of pesticides by homeowners in Ontario, the findings of the NTEP will be increasingly vital. Their future trials could feature testing to help determine which turfgrasses are most resistent to broadleaf weeds and could result in the cultivation of new weed-resistent species.

The first guest speaker was Dr. Tom Hsiang, an expert in plant patholgy and professor at the U of G. He gave an informative and funny presentation on plant diseases and some of the trials being run at the GTI http://www.guelphturfgrass.ca to combat these diseases. Next up was Ron Schiedel, co-owner of Greenhorizons group of sod farms. He talked from an entrepreneurial viewpoint and analyzed some of his successes and failures in 20 years of business. The final guest speaker was Keith Bartlett, superintendent of St. George’s G&C.C., site of the 2010 Canadian Open golf tournament. He talked about some of the upgrades and modifications being done to ensure that course conditions are of championship quality.

In the ”beat the clock” segment, 5 students each talked for 2 minutes on a turf topic. The topics were communication, internships, fertilizer alternatives, electric mowers and human resources. Followed by a free lunch and door prizes. The event was well organized and went off without a hitch. The opportunity to network with industry peers and gain from their wealth of knowledge was invaluable. I look forward to attending next year’s symposium and getting to know more passionate turf professionals.

The National Robotics Engineering Center at Carnegie Mellon University in conjunction with Toro have developed an excellent robotic turf mower. It navigates by using GPS satellites and inertial data to accurately determine its position on the golf course. It also has an obstacle detection system that utilizes a sweeping laser to build a 3D map of the area in front of the mower. The system can distinguish between a tall blade of grass and a golf ball or any other object in its path.

By using a robotic turf mower there is a reduction in reliance on skilled operators, which saves in the cost of labour. It can be operated at night or during off-peak hours with minimal supervision, creating a better golfing experience [no interruption of play]. It is also able to produce the striping pattern desired on the fairway with precision down to the centimeter. With golf courses looking for new ways to save time and money, I see the robotic turf mower becoming much more common in the years to come. A video demonstration can be seen at http://www.rec.ri.cmu.edu/projects/toro/application/index.htm

The best way to address this noise issue is to use an electric greens mower, which produces almost no noise at all. It runs on Eight 6V batteries that are  charged at the end of the day and requires no fuel. So it also saves money, while improving  public relations with your neighbours. You can cut the greens as early as you want without risk of noise complaints.This is especially important for 8:00 am shotgun tournaments when all the grass must be cut before golfers begin play.

Electric greens mowers also produce no emissions, require little maintenance and have no risk of  environmental damage from oil and fuel leaks. This will surely improve dealings with environmental groups and boost public opinion. Plus, your greens mower operator will certainly enjoy the clean air and lack of engine noise and your mechanic will spend less time [and money] servicing it [no oil changes]. The electric greens mower is the answer for any golf course with noise by-laws and neighbours nearby.www.jacobsen.com

The symposium will feature 3 guest speakers, each with a unique perspective on the issues facing the turf industry today. Keith Bartlett, superintendent of St. Georges Golf and C.C., site of next years Canadian open will offer his insight into the challenges he will face in the coming year. Ron Schiedel, co-owner of Green Horizons sod farm will offer his views from the entrepreneurial side of turf and how the recession has affected his business. Dr. Tom Hsiang, a University of Guelph agriculture professor will speak from a researchers point of view. http://www.guelphturfgrass.ca/

With the current economic downturn and potential of the pesticide ban being extended to include golf courses, the turf industry is entering into unknown territory. Budgets are getting smaller, but golfers still expect ideal course conditions with more “bang for the buck”. Now is the perfect time for turf pro’s to come together and find ways to stretch the dollar. This symposium will provide people in the turf industry a way to express their opinions on how we can continue to maintain beautiful turf surfaces with less money.

One of the major issues is the par 3 15th hole and its potential liability for the golf club. Running parallel to the hole is a roadway that golfers often hit their balls in the direction of. If a ball were to strike a moving car and cause an accident the club could be held accountable. The erection of a large net that would stop balls from leaving the club’s property has been considered. This has already been done on the 3rd hole to protect houses that line the area to the right side of the fairway. The fence is 80 feet high and was constructed at a cost of $325,000.

Many see the net as an eyesore that takes away from the courses natural beauty. The only realistic option is to redesign the 15th hole by relocating the green to a safer spot. This involves cutting down many trees and angling the hole away from the road providing a buffer zone between the roadway and the golf course. Cutting down trees will also help the green receive the sunlight necessary to keep it strong and healthy.

Our host was Scott Bowman, Head superintendent of the club. He spoke of the challenges involved in getting the golf course ready for PGA tournament play. Preparation begins the previous fall when the staff aerify and de-thatch the fairways. In the months leading up to the event the staff are topdressing, verticutting, grooming and hand watering specific areas. The week prior to the tourney the PGA tour officials inspect the site and give recommendations. The rough must be cut at 3 inches, aprons are brushed to provide a better cut and previous hole plugs cannot be visible on the greens. This involves the use of a hole puncher, a rolling pin, some water and a keen eye.

After viewing this years Canadian open and noting the horrible weather conditions, I have a far greater appreciation for the work that Scott and his staff do to prepare for it. Their turf  knowledge and attention to detail allow the course to reach its full potential. Seeing some of the issues he deals with on a daily basis and hearing ways to address them was a great benefit.

On Sept. 1 2009 a greenskeeper at Stanedge G.C. in Ashover, England was killed. The incident happened while he was cutting a steep slope on a green and the ride-on mower fell on top of him, trapping him beneath it. Ambulance workers used hydraulic cutting and lifting equipment to release the man. He died in hospital from his injuries. A similar case happened only weeks before in Derbyshire, England. A maintenance worker suffered serious injuries when his ride-on mower slid down a hill and toppled over a wall onto a road. www.yorkshirepost.co.uk

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics a total of  66 occupational fatalities occurred between 2003-2006 while operating a ride-on mower. Many of those deaths were caused by the machine rolling over and crushing the operator. It is time for the turf industry to take a closer look at this issue. Most accidents could have been prevented with increased safety training and awareness of the potential dangers. A steep slope and slippery or uneven terrain is the biggest hazard on any golf course.

There are an increasing number of  alternatives to traditional pesticides. Organic pesticides reduce the harm caused to beneficial plant life and insects, while killing off the harmful ones. They are safe to use around animals and have less environmental impact. Some organic pesticides that contain matrine, nicotine, azadirachtin and/or rotenone have produced positive results. Switching to a natural pesticide in conjunction with a proper maintenance strategy can have a drastic effect on turf conditions. Aeration, watering, fertilization, proper mowing procedure and seeding techniques are all part of a good maintenance stategy. 

With the McGuinty government’s commitment to lowering harmful pesticide use, more focus has been put on finding alternatives to traditional pesticides. It is time for golf courses to start the move towards natural alternatives that don’t have a negative impact on the environment. This must be done before the ban extends to golf courses, so the effects of these organic pesticides can be studied further before they are a requirement.  If nothing is done to smooth the transition to organic pesticides or other alternatives  many superintendents will be left  scrambling for solutions. A pro-active approach must be taken with regards to finding these alternatives.

While attending the Sports Turf Association field day in Brantford, Ontario one of the featured speakers was Dr. Eric Lyons, a professor at the University of Guelph http://www.guelphturfgrass.ca. The main message he conveyed was that the turf industry has to change it’s perception on communication between industry peers. This type of peer to peer communication is extremely important. The best way to incorporate new stategies in golf course maintenance is by talking with others who face the same challenges and issues. This makes it easier to determine what course of action you wish to take. http://www.sportsturfassociation.com

Good communication can save you time and money by eliminating costly trial and error and therefore making your day to day operations more efficient. If you know that a specific technique was used by a fellow professional and produced effective results, then you are more likely to try it at your golf course. As budgets get tighter, even more emphasis is placed on getting more done on the course for less money. If talking to other turf pfofessionals can save you time and money you would have to be crazy not to do it.