OTS Session Details
Day 1
Guelph Turfgrass Institute Update - Dr. Sara Stricker
A quick update on the education, outreach, and research from the past year at the GTI.
Advancements in Turfgrass Varieties: Reducing Inputs Without Compromising Quality - Dr. Kyley Dickson
This presentation will explore recent developments by the Alliance for Low Input Sustainable Turf (A-LIST) in creating high-quality turfgrass varieties that require fewer resources. As an independent, non-profit organization, A-LIST promotes environmental stewardship in turfgrass by evaluating and endorsing varieties that thrive with reduced water, fertilizer, and chemical inputs. Through rigorous industry trial guidelines and evaluation protocols, A-LIST assesses factors like drought and heat tolerance, water conservation, and low-fertility resilience—all without fungicides or insecticides. Approved varieties gain the A-LIST Approved symbol, highlighting their performance and sustainability. Attendees will learn about the A-LIST program’s impact on resource conservation and see how reduced-input varieties can meet the demands of professional turf management without compromising quality.
The business of golf - Jason Pick
This presentation dives into the business side of golf, offering superintendents valuable insights into how golf clubs generate revenue and manage expenses. Drawing on the latest statistics from the Canadian Society of Club Managers and Golf Now, we’ll explore key profit and cost centers in golf facilities. From green fees and pro shop sales to food and beverage operations, superintendents will gain a deeper understanding of the financial workings behind the scenes. In addition, the talk will cover important human resource considerations. We’ll discuss the benefits of zero-cost after-tax perks for all staff, strategies to support living wages, and ethical hiring practices. Attendees will leave with actionable items to immediately implement at their own facilities. These initiatives are designed to boost employee satisfaction, reduce turnover, and foster a healthier work environment. This presentation is not only about understanding where the money comes from but also about how to ensure your team thrives, making your facility more efficient and profitable in the long run.
Renovating Alumni Stadium at the University of Guelph (synthetic turf) - Cam Lawrie
The renovation of the synthetic turf at the University of Guelph’s Alumni Stadium is a critical investment for both athlete performance and safety. Over time, synthetic surfaces endure significant wear and tear due to constant use, exposure to UV rays, and environmental conditions. As these surfaces age, they become less responsive, increasing the risk of injuries and reducing playing quality. Renovation not only restores the field's optimal playing conditions but also ensures it continues to meet the high standards required for competitive sports. Renovating the surface improved the player experience, ensuring consistent ball play and reducing injury risks associated with worn-down surfaces. It also offered us the opportunity to install updated materials that may be more sustainable and technologically advanced, supporting the university’s commitment to innovation and excellence in athletics. Through photos and videos of the process, learn more about the field decommissioning, demolition, and new installation, step by step, and bring your questions!
Cultural Practices for Resilient Lawns - Dr. Katerina Jordan
Are your clients' lawns showing signs of compaction, surface pooling or thinned growth in patches? This presentation will help to refine your expertise on choice and timing of appropriate cultural practices such as aeration, topdressing, thatch removal, and rolling. We will cover how to assess soil and turf conditions to determine when these practices are needed and how to best improve soil structure and root growth for more even growth and ultimately, weed and pest tolerance. We will also share effective strategies for communicating the long-term benefits of these practices to clients in order to help them understand how a proactive approach will save on water, fertilizers and maintenance as a whole.
Nematodes and what you need to know- Dr. Nathan Mitkowski
This presentation delves into the fascinating world of nematodes, one of the planet’s most abundant organisms, and their role as pests in cool-season turf. Nematodes have been on Earth for millions of years, existing in nearly every environment. Interestingly, if all other matter were removed from Earth, the planet's form would still be recognizable—entirely composed of nematodes. Despite their prevalence, our understanding of plant parasitic nematodes (PPNs) remains incomplete, especially in cooler climates like Canada. PPNs are notorious for causing significant damage in agriculture, with estimated global losses exceeding $1 billion annually. While well-documented in warm, tropical regions, where they are primary pests in turfgrass, their impact in cooler, Northern climates is less clear. In these regions, extended winters limit PPN populations, making severe damage less common. However, PPNs still contribute to the cumulative stress that turfgrass faces throughout the season. Identifying nematode damage is challenging due to the subtle, non-specific symptoms they cause, such as yellowing, thinning, and diffuse patches, which are often mistaken for other pests or environmental stressors. This presentation will explore how turf managers can better understand and monitor PPN populations in their soils, despite the lack of clear patterns and established research. Attendees will gain insights into sampling methods, population monitoring, and strategies for managing PPNs as part of a comprehensive integrated pest management program.
Panel Discussion: Behind the Scenes Look at Holding National Tournaments - Joe Breedon, Trevor Warner, Casey Colthurst, and Jamie Kell
This presentation will explore how sports field managers prepare for (and recover after) national sports tournaments. When hosting high-profile events, field managers face significant challenges to ensure playing surfaces meet national and professional standards. Preparation begins months in advance, focusing on turf quality, safety, and playability. With national tournaments, the spotlight is on the field’s ability to withstand intense use over a short period. Additionally, sports field managers must coordinate logistics with event organizers, including establishing maintenance schedules around team practices and games. Special attention is given to managing traffic patterns, installing temporary structures, and ensuring compliance with league regulations. Beyond the turf, there are several behind-the-scenes elements to consider such as funding grants, accommodation, recreation outside of the tournaments, local business sponsorships, and hospitality. This presentation will provide an inside look into the meticulous planning and execution involved in delivering a top-tier experience, ensuring that both athletes and spectators enjoy a seamless experience.
Lawn weeds and their management - Dr. François Tardif
This presentation will cover key turf weed pests affecting lawns in Ontario and provide practical management strategies for lawncare professionals. Attendees will learn to identify common turf weeds including crabgrass, plantain, creeping Charlie, and knotweed focusing on their unique characteristics and growth habits. Proper identification is critical for selecting the best control methods. We’ll explore integrated weed management options, including cultural practices like proper mowing height, aeration, and irrigation to create healthy turf that outcompetes weeds. Chemical control options will also be discussed, with an emphasis on selecting products that comply with Ontario’s pesticide regulations. This session will equip lawncare professionals with effective tools to manage weed pests, improve turf quality, and promote environmentally responsible practices, ensuring customer satisfaction while maintaining healthy, vibrant lawns.
Turf species identification for lawncare professionals - Mike Van Beek
This presentation will focus on identifying key cool-season turfgrass species and understanding why it’s important for turf managers and lawncare professionals. We will cover how to identify three major species: Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, and perennial ryegrass. These distinctions are critical for managing different growing conditions such as drought or shade tolerance. A hands-on demonstration will allow participants to examine live turf samples of each species. This interactive experience will help attendees hone their identification skills, enabling them to apply their knowledge in real-world settings. By the end of the session, attendees will be equipped to make informed decisions for maintaining healthy, resilient turf areas.
Solutions for Golf Turf’s Toughest Pests: Connecting the Dots for Sustainable Turf Management - Dr. Katerina Jordan
A recent 2024 survey revealed the most challenging pests in golf turf: white grubs, ants, and annual bluegrass weevil among insects; dollar spot, take-all patch, and Microdochium patch among diseases; and crabgrass and annual bluegrass in bentgrass greens as the top weeds. This presentation focuses on using a sustainable approach to address these persistent issues in a coordinated way. By connecting common factors and applying targeted integrated practices, turf managers can effectively reduce the impact of multiple pests at once, lowering economic costs while promoting sustainable, healthy turf.
Robotics in sports turf management audience - Terry Henderson and Rory Doucette
This presentation will explore the growing role of robotics in maintaining both natural sports fields. Robotics technology is transforming how turf managers handle routine tasks, such as mowing and painting field lines. Robotic mowers offer precision cutting, reducing turf stress and promoting healthier growth. Meanwhile, autonomous field line markers ensure accurate markings for games, improving efficiency and consistency. These technologies not only save time but also reduce labor costs and increase sustainability by optimizing energy and resource use. Attendees will gain insights into the latest advancements in robotic equipment, how these technologies enhance field quality, and the potential benefits of integrating robotics into sports field management programs.
Recognizing and managing common turfgrass insect pests in lawn - Dr. Sara Stricker
This presentation explores common insect pests impacting lawns, including hairy chinch bugs, white grubs, and leatherjackets. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies, including accurate pest identification, monitoring, and the use of both cultural and biological controls, will be discussed. Furthermore, the ingredients on the "Allowable List" of Pesticides for Cosmetic Use in Ontario will be covered. The goal of this talk is to help lawn care professionals minimize pest populations to maintain healthy, resilient lawns.
Day 2
Recent Research from the Prairie Turfgrass Research Centre - Jason Pick
This presentation will cover the latest research initiatives at Olds College and the Prairie Turfgrass Research Centre. Key projects include ongoing herbicide trials and a thatch reduction product trial for Premier Tech. In addition, research into the biostimulant market is evaluating microbial solutions to enhance thatch degradation, which is a significant issue in Ontario and BC due to organic matter buildup. The goal is to develop practical, applied solutions for turf managers. This summer also marked the establishment year for a Drought Tolerance Trial in collaboration with the City of Calgary and Sod Growers Commodity Group. The trial aims to identify minimum sustainable irrigation levels that prevent primary wilt, using Calgary’s Yard Smart formula of mixed plants and sod plots from leading Western Canadian producers. Alongside this, low-growing ground covers such as Creeping Thyme, Sedum, and Beeturf are being tested. The long-term goal is to provide city planners and landscape architects with sustainable planting strategies and irrigation systems that can be applied across Canada, supporting resilient urban landscapes.
Foliar Diseases on golf course greens and fairways - Nathan Mitkowski
This presentation will address fungal diseases affecting turfgrasses, focusing on pathogens that pose significant challenges for turf managers. Some of the most common pathogens, like dollar spot (Clarireedia spp.) and foliar Pythium blight continue to be problematic and require constant attention. Other pathogens like root Pythium have become more damaging and perennial as climate change and increased precipitation have given them additional opportunities to thrive. Climate change has also allowed other pathogens, like grey leaf spot (Pyriculara grisea), to now survive in locations where they were once rare or seasonally active. Finally, a discussion of take-all patch and summer patch will explain how these pathogens are regularly over-diagnosed and likely result in far less turf damage than is regularly attributed to them.
Managing turfgrass in cemeteries involves balancing aesthetics, durability, and sustainability. Cemeteries face unique challenges, such as heavy foot traffic, limited irrigation, and shaded areas created by monuments and trees. To keep the turf healthy and functional, it’s essential to apply effective management practices that promote root health and prevent soil compaction. Thoughtful weed and pest control measures are also vital to ensure a lush, peaceful landscape that honors visitors and loved ones alike. Ultimately, the goal extends beyond thriving turfgrass—it’s about cultivating a serene, well-maintained environment that leaves a lasting impression.
Chicago District Golf – Newer Ways to Control Silvery Thread Moss in Greens & Disease Diagnostics in 2024 (Roots?!?) - Dr. Derek Settle
Chicago District Golf is leading advancements in turfgrass disease diagnostics with a focus on precision and early intervention. This enables superintendents to identify root pathogens and stress indicators before visible symptoms appear. This represents a shift towards smarter, data-driven turf management. Pests like silvery thread moss, a persistent challenge on golf greens, are now being tackled with improved cultural practices, biostimulants, and targeted organic herbicides that disrupt invasion while preserving turfgrass. Meanwhile, new diagnostic tools are enabling more in-depth understandings of annual bluegrass weevil, yellow ring patch, and root-feeding nematodes. By focusing on plant health, turf managers can proactively address issues that impact plant resilience and recovery. These developments represent a shift toward more holistic turf management, integrating sustainable practices with advanced diagnostics to maintain healthy greens.
Calculating realistic user fee systems - Terry Piche
Developing realistic user fee systems for municipal sports fields and recreational surfaces involves balancing affordability with the need to fund maintenance and improvements. Effective fee structures should consider factors such as usage frequency, facility quality, and maintenance costs. It is imperative for municipalities to ensure fair pricing while encouraging broad community access. It's also essential to account for asset management by considering the capital costs associated with wear and tear from different types of activities, adjusting fees to reflect varying impacts on the surfaces. Ultimately, a well-designed user fee system supports long-term recreational facility quality without overburdening users, fostering a positive experience for all.
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The newest technology for measuring putting green performance - Tom Gould
The USGA Green Section has a long history of supporting golf courses through research, consulting, and education. While it has developed only a few physical tools—such as the TruFirm and Stimpmeter—it has now introduced the innovative GS3. The GS3 helps superintendents collect key putting green performance data, enabling better decision-making. It measures green speed, trueness, and smoothness through a simple rolling process similar to using a Stimpmeter. Additionally, the GS3 can assess green firmness using a drop fixture. Data collected from GS3 are logged automatically in Deacon, where various analysis and other tools can be used to make the data digestible. Learn more about this comprehensive tool and how it can be used to improve surface performance and maintenance practices at golf facilities.
The Year of the Armyworm Invasion with Mike Schiedel
This presentation will examine a 2019 case study of armyworm and cutworm infestations that caused significant damage to sod farms in Southern Ontario. We will explore the factors that led to the outbreak, its impact on turfgrass health and farm productivity, and the response strategies used to manage the pests. Key lessons learned will be shared to improve preparedness for future infestations.
Pest Scouting Best Practices for Sod Farming - Matt Legg
This talk provides essential guidance on monitoring pest pressures and optimizing turf health on large-scale sod operations. Attendees will learn what to look for and the best times of year to scout effectively for common turfgrass pests, including chinch bugs, cutworms, white grubs, and crane flies. The session will cover effective insect scouting methods, helping growers identify key indicators and establish practical thresholds for intervention. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies will be highlighted to reduce reliance on chemical controls by promoting sustainable practices that work across large sod acreages. Whether you’re deciding when to act or which methods to prioritize, this presentation will equip sod farmers with proven techniques for healthier, more resilient turf.
Panel: New Trends in Recreation Grounds - Linda Whitehead, Frank Cain, & Terry Piche
New trends in the operation and management of parks and open spaces are focusing on sustainability, community engagement, and multi-use designs. With growing emphasis on environmental stewardship, many municipalities are adopting eco-friendly practices, volunteer programs, and public feedback tools. Technological advancements, such as remote monitoring systems and digital booking platforms, are enhancing operational efficiency and user experience. Additionally, recreation grounds are being designed with flexibility in mind, accommodating a variety of activities to maximize space utilization and encourage greater community participation. This panel will discuss how recreation facility managers can create vibrant, well-maintained spaces that meet diverse community needs while prioritizing long-term sustainability.
Invasive Pests of Landscape Plants - Cassie Russell
This presentation will provide an overview of invasive landscape pests affecting Ontario’s urban environment, including box tree moth, spotted lanternfly, and more. Several invasive pests pose significant threats to trees and shrubs in urban and recreational areas, making proper identification and management critical. In addition to pest identification, we will cover which pests should report and how, as well as integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, including cultural, biological, and chemical controls. Attendees will leave increased awareness and knowledge to report and protect ornamental and horticultural plants from invasive pests, while promoting environmental sustainability through responsible pest management practices.
