Oviinbyrd, site of the Georgian Bay Golf Superintendents Association's 2008 closing event.

 

Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs Advisory Reports 

OMAFRA Turfgrass Management Report

OMAFRA Nursery & Landscape Report

 

From the Editor

Guelph Student Jay Lavis Memorial Scholarship Winner

GBGSA President John Bontje (L) presents the Jay Lavis Memorial Scholarship
to University of Guelph student Darren Fritz.

Second year Associate Diploma in Turfgrass Management student Darren Fritz was the recipient of the 2008 Jay Lavis Memorial Scholarship awarded by the Georgian Bay Golf Superintendents Association. The scholarship is awarded annually by the Association to recognize academic accomplishment and interest in the turfgrass industry. Darren spent the past summer working as an intern at Saugeen Golf Club under the guidance of Superintendent Scott Jamieson. In support of his application for the scholarship, Scott spoke very highly of Darren's commitment and enthusiasm.

The scholarship was presented at the GBGSA closing event on October 8th at Oviinbyrd Golf Club in Muskoka. The scholarship is named in honour of the late Jay Lavis who was an energetic and well-known member of the Ontario turfgrass industry who died tragically in a workplace accident.

 

2008 Golf Tournament Another Success for OTRF

The 25th annual Ontario Turfgrass Research Foundation (OTRF) Golf Tournament teed off August 11th with a full field of 144 golfers hitting the links in support of turf research. The OTRF is proud to announce that the event raised $26,000 for the cause.

The day featured a number of highlights including the fantastic venue, Westmount Golf and Country Club in Kitchener. The Stanley Thompson designed parkland course was in pristine condition, providing participants with an outstanding day of golf and camaraderie under sunny skies. Golfers were also treated to an excellent banquet meal, where OTRF President Kevin Falls was on hand to thank sponsors and participants for their support and discuss future goals of the organization.

A number of industry partners provided significant contributions to the OTRF, including Platinum sponsor Greenhorizons Group of Farms Ltd. Turf Care Products, another significant supporter of turf research, provided the proceeds from their tee contest and sponsored the carts. The Golf Association of Ontario (GAO) also presented their annual donation of $50,000, recognizing that turf research is an important part of golf.

The OTRF would like to thank Westmount Golf and Country Club for hosting the 25th annual tournament, and extend a special thanks to Superintendent Cory Janzen for providing an immaculate setting for the day. Thank you is also extended to all the golfers and sponsors that participated and continue to support turf research in Ontario.

The OTRF will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2009. Next year’s tournament will take place at The National Golf Club of Canada in Woodbridge, Ontario, and the OTRF is looking forward to another exceptional day of golf.

Ontario Turfgrass Symposium Looks at THE CHALLENGE OF GREEN

The University of Guelph will host the 18th annual Ontario Turfgrass Symposium (OTS), February 18th and 19th, 2009 at Rozanski Hall. Speakers from both industry and academia will provide valuable insight reflecting the OTS 2009 theme - The Challenge of Green.

Recent governmental policies have placed demands on turf managers that require new insight and skills. Delegates will participate in sessions providing current information that respond to the complexities of maintaining healthy turf in today’s more restrictive growing environment. Sports and recreation staff, lawn care, and golf course workers and nursery sod growers can all benefit from the many topics including: the economics of the turf industry, new pest and disease controls, safety issues for staff and other industry-related topics.

Turf industry leaders and associated staff will benefit from both learning sessions and the ability to network with colleagues in the turf industry. Share success stories and strategies to create optimum conditions for healthy turf. Attending OTS allows for insight into best practices coming from Ontario, Canada and internationally.

 

Canadian Harvest of Professional Grower Peat at Critical Levels

The Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association (CSPMA), whose members represent 95% of the North American peat production, is concerned with the level of harvest for the 2008 season.

According to Paul Short, CSPMA President, the Canadian peat harvest, at the end of August is only at 43% and carry-over inventory at 17%. This is a record low of 60% in comparison to the last 5 year average of 75%. The inevitable result will likely be a shortage of professional grower peat.

Abnormal and persistently wet conditions throughout all Canadian peat harvest regions have impacted the ability of the industry to harvest expected volumes. The area most hard hit is Eastern Canada, with New Brunswick and Quebec accounting for 66 % of all of Canada’s peat production. The outcome is that the peat moss industry is facing one of its poorest peat harvest seasons on record.

The peat industry is committed to working cooperatively with its commercial business partners to minimize the short and long term impacts for the horticulture industry.

Out There on the Internet

New Stadiums Go Underground

Construction has reportedly started on the world's first underground stadium, being built in Qatar. This may be a trend as the proposed new Los Angeles Stadium design is also somewhat embedded in the ground. 

 

Turfgrass Industry Calendar