The GTI Advisor 13(6)

Flooding has been a fact of life on many golf courses this summer.

From the Editor

Many regions of Ontario have experienced record amounts of rain this season with much of it falling in the last few days. In some areas, thunderstorms, hail and high winds have caused flooding as well as landscape and property damage. Most turf managers are no doubt thankful for the rain as long as it doesn't have too much of an impact on user groups, be they golfers or soccer players. Poorly drained areas on fine textured soils that receive significant play or traffic will have compaction problems you'll have to deal with in the future. On a positive note, Environment Canada is reassuring us that August will be sunnier and drier.

For those of us in close proximity to the half century mark of life, Greg Norman's run at the British Open gave reason to be less fearful of the late middle age landmark. The Open is always one of my favourite majors as the course characteristics and conditions are so different from what we see on this side of the pond. If you are interested in what is happening in turf management in Europe, a good starting point is Golf Environment Europe. I had the opportunity to meet the GEE Executive Director Jonathan Smith when we were part of the panel discussion at the BIGGA conference in England as few years ago. Under Jonathan's guidance, the GEE is playing a significant role in the move towards sustainable golf in Europe.

While we are on the subject of professional golf, all the best to Scott Bowman and his staff at Glen Abbey as they welcome the pros for the RBC Canadian Open this week. Early pro-am and practice rounds have been plagued by heavy rains and flooding. The forecast for the tournament looks a little better. Hopefully the staff at the Abbey have seen the last of bunker washouts and green squeegees.

Associate Diploma Update

Reports are coming in on a regular basis from diploma students who are serving their internships across Canada and as far away as St. Andrews, Scotland. The internship program provides an opportunity for students to enhance their learning experience with on-the-job placements. Students are required to have specific learning objectives for their internship and maintain daily journals. Reflecting on the internship experience is a significant component of the second year of the program. If you have someone in your organization this summer who is showing an affinity for the profession, please direct them our way. Only a few seats remain in the Associate Diploma in Turfgrass Management program for this coming fall semester. Follow this link for more information about the program.

Field Trip Hosts Needed

Each fall I lead a first semester introductory course called The Turf Industry. The course consists of a series of weekly field trips to visit various operations representing the diverse opportunities and activities within the turfgrass industry. If you are undertaking an interesting project this fall, or feel that you could share your experience and some insight into your operation with future turf managers, please let me know. Although I have a core of regular field trip visits, I am always looking for new hosts to keep the course interesting for both the students and myself. The only criteria is that you are within ~1.5 hours travel from Guelph and are willing to spend an hour or two showing the students your operation. Field trips take place on Thursday mornings. If you are interested, please contact me by phone (519-824-4120 ext. 56886) or email.

City of Brampton to Host the Sports Turf Association’s 21^st Annual Summer Field Day

Chinguacousy means 'Land of the Tall Pines'. At Brampton's Donald M. Gordon Chinguacousy Park you will also find sports fields, a curling rink, volleyball courts, tennis courts, a botanical garden and Mount Chinguacousy for winter downhill sports. The park is home to many events, including the 21st Annual Sports Turf Association Field Day on September 11, 2008.

Brampton, Canada's 'Flower City' is the third largest city in the Greater Toronto Area. Home to more than 430,000 residents representing 62 distinct cultures, Brampton has positioned itself as a global economic contender and combines big city conveniences with a traditional quality of life. It is conveniently located to welcome sports turf managers from across Ontario.

Kicking off the event is Toronto Argonaut Mike Vanderjagt. Regarded as the most accurate field goal kicker in NFL history with a staggering 86.5% average, Vanderjagt spent nine seasons in the NFL, primarily with the Indianapolis Colts and part of one season with the Dallas Cowboys. The day's program focuses on safety, seed and stretching your budget.

The Sports Turf Association was conceived in 1987, when, at a ‘brain storming’ session at the University of Guelph, a broad segment of the turf industry endorsed its need. Of particular concern at that meeting was the need to minimize and avoid injury to participants using athletic fields where they relate to sports turf. Over twenty years later the STA continues to promote safe, natural sports turf through education and professional development. Visit the STA website for complete event details or contact the STA office by phone 519-763-9431 or email.