Published by Blenheim INK Administration Office: 503-5340 Lakeshore Road Burlington, ON L7L 7A8 www.blenheim.ca
ONCOURSE 2024
Although every effort is made to check material for publication, the association is not responsible for material published on behalf of its contributors. All rights are reserved by the publisher and any reproduction in whole or part without the written permission of the publisher is prohibited. Although some trade names may be mentioned in articles contained in this publication, no endorsement is intended or implied by the Ontario Golf Superintendents’ Association.
OGSA is committed to serving its members, advancing their profession, and enriching the quality of golf and its environment.
Be sure to thank your ONCourse Committee! Without their support and major contributions, we would not have been able to deliver another four profound issues of ONCourse. Enjoy!
Lisa Marie Guilfoyle Writer & Content Development; Assistant Superintendent, Oakville G&CC.
Schwemler
Joel Johnston Writer & Content Development; Superintendent, West Haven G&CC.
Gratitude, Growth, and Goals
As I write my final message of 2024, I want to thank our membership for their continued support of the OGSA and its 100-year-old mission to serve superintendents, advance the profession, and enrich the quality of golf and its environment. Without you, we couldn’t be where we are today with over 900 members, financial strength, and improved programs and services. Over the century, Ontario superintendents have risen to the challenge to serve and lead this association with determination and resilience – often faced with unpopular but pivotal decisions to strengthen our association and today, we share in the pride of what we’ve built together. It’s been an exciting year of celebration and we’re grateful for all of you who joined us at our conference, meetings, or golf events to be a part of this historical year.
With our celebrations behind us, the OGSA looks to the future which includes continued progress, and embracing every opportunity to engage with and promote our members. This year the OGSA proudly supported the Ontario Turf Research Foundation fundraising efforts with a $20,000 donation to help support research in the turfgrass industry. We’ve provided over $15,000 in scholarships and awards, in partnership with Allturf and Syngenta, to support our members and their families.
We’ve turned our attention to engaging youth in golf and turfgrass management through the First Green program and recently partnered with Golf Ontario’s to complete the 1000 ball challenge. This fundraising activity supports youth development in the golf sector and raised funds for the OGSA to further support the First Green program. With these funds, the OGSA can now offer some subsidy to courses or schools to offset some of the cost to host a First Green event. If you would like to participate in First
Green next year, I encourage you to reach out to Ryan Scott or Kevin Collier for more information about hosting.
We’ve also executed our first benefits and compensation survey since 2018. I want to thank those who participated in the survey. We had just over 120 golf courses participate (36% of courses who have membership with the OGSA) providing us with an excellent snapshot of compensation plans across Ontario. We consider this an excellent participation rate, and I hope that participants find the results valuable. Please
With our celebrations behind us, the OGSA looks to the future which includes continued progress, and embracing every opportunity to engage with and promote our members.
keep in mind that results are confidential and are only available to those who participated. If you missed your chance this year, don’t worry, we will open this survey on a regular basis and encourage everyone to participate in the next round.
Winter is just around the corner and conference season will be here. The OGSA has partnered with the CGSA to co-host this year’s Canadian conference in lieu of our own. This is a great opportunity for you to network with superintendents from across Canada, benchmark your performance, and attend
a wide range of professional development sessions. This conference has multiple stages, a Women in Turf networking breakfast, an Assistant’s Networking Reception, and an equipment manager’s education series. Attendees will also have a chance to visit the industry tradeshow and connect with suppliers and we’re also heading back to the Niagara Parks Power Station for our welcome reception, which will be awesome, and I encourage you to bring your whole team. Groups of four or more qualify for $50 off each registration; just email admin@ogsa. ca before you register, and the OGSA team will send you a unique promo code.
This is also a great time to check out the Ontario Best Management Practices document that we published in January. You can download the provincial document for your facility, or there is now an opportunity for Ontario GCSAA members to create their own unique facility BMP using a creation tool on the GCSAA website. If you are interested in this, again, please email admin@ogsa.ca and the OGSA can help get you started.
I would like to take the time to thank our Board of Directors who have volunteered their time to guide the OGSA into the future. I would especially like to thank past president Ryan Scott who has served the board for 8 years, participated on several committees, agreed to serve an additional year as we continued to welcome new directors, and most recently championed the launch of the First Green program. Ryan will complete his tenure with the board in February 2025, and it goes without saying that he will be missed. I would also like to thank our executive director Courtney White and the OGSA staff for their support over the last year; 2024 was an outstanding year, and I am excited for what lies ahead. ■
Ian McQueen, OGSA President, Superintendent at St. George’s Golf & Country Club.
WHAT’S NEW
By Courtney White, Executive Director OGSA. manager@ogsa.ca
We’ve had a busy year celebrating 100 years of elevating superintendents in the golf course industry but that hasn’t stopped us from delivering the programs and services you expect and coming up with a couple more! The compensation and benefits survey has been completed and we’ve released the employment agreement template that superintendents can use to help with the negotiation process.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Feb 25th, 2025, Fallsview Casino Conference Centre, Niagara Falls, ON.
The OGSA Annual General Meeting will take place on Feb 25th, 2025, at the Fallsview Casino Conference Centre, Niagara Falls, ON., after the day’s sessions. Financial statements and the annual report will be available through the online member portal prior to the meeting. Copies will be available at the meeting. Members can also find the official notice of meeting and the agenda on ogsa.ca, in accordance with our bylaws.
TODAY IN ONTARIO
The Today in Ontario Calendar featuring our top 13 photo submissions for the year is included with this issue! Have a look through for our finalists and scan the QR code located on the calendar to vote for your favourite photo! One vote per person! The winners are to be announced on February 25 at the Annual Awards Luncheon taking place in Niagara Falls at The Canadian conference. See you there!
MEMBERSHIP DUES
It’s membership renewal time and all members should’ve received their renewal links. If you haven’t, please email admin@ogsa.ca so we can update your file. The links are automatically scheduled to send out reminders periodically between now and Dec 31. Click the link and update your profile. If you have changed clubs or classification, send us a note before you renew, and we will help you update your details. Once you complete the renewal process, you can select your form of payment. If you prefer to pay by cheque, you can select that option. If you require an invoice to submit, just send us a note and we can help you through the process.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AWARD WINNERS
We are excited to annouce our Professional Development Bursary winners in partnership with Syngenta: Dylan Oderkirk, St. Thomas G&CC, and Adam Kimber, Westmount G&CC, who each received $1,500 and a full conference pass to the Canadian GCMC, February 25-27, 2025 in Niagara Falls.
THE OGSA TAKES ON GOLF ONTARIO’S 1000 BALL CHALLENGE!
On October 2nd, the OGSA team hit an impressive 1000 golf balls at Eagle’s Nest Golf Club, raising over $8,500 to support the Golf For All and First Green Initiatives. This incredible effort showcases the OGSA’s commitment to making golf accessible for everyone and promoting youth engagement in our industry. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this meaningful cause!
HERITAGE AWARD WINNERS
We also congratulate our 2024 Heritage Award winners Mya Kay, daughter of Mark Kay, Stone Ridge GC, and Luke Beausoleil, son of Perry Beausoleil, Hylands GC, who each received $1,500 to support their post secondary education. We appreciate all applicants and encourage everyone who qualifies to apply throughout the year.
SUPPORTING TURF RESEARCH
with $20,000.
Over the past 20 years, the OGSA has proudly donated over $300,000 to the OTRF to advance turfgrass research. Continuing this tradition, this year’s $20,000 donation underscores our commitment to supporting vital turf research. A big thank you to the OTRF for their outstanding work and to our members for your continuous support, which makes such contributions possible.
Brad Hutchinson, OGSA Director (Warkworth GC) presents OTRF President Perry Brazeau (Target Specialty Products)
(L-R) Kevin Collier, Courtney White, Greg Brown, Ian McQueen, Owen Russell, Ryan Scott, Jason Crawford & Brad Hutchinson.
Dylan Oderkirk, Assistant Superintendent, St. Thomas G&CC.
Adam Kimber, Assistant Superintendent, Westmount G&CC.
Mya Kay, Software Engineering Student, U of W.
Luke Beausoleil, Chemical Engineering Student, U of O.
WHAT’S NEW
FIRST GREEN PROGRAM
AT RIVERBEND GOLF COMMUNITY – AUGUST 1, 2024
OGSA Vice President, Kevin Collier introduced 30 children, pre-teens, and teens to the First Green program at RiverBend Golf Community on August 1, 2024. This was a valuable opportunity to engage young people in the field of turf management. Kevin’s efforts allowed the participants to engage in hands-on learning about the basics of golf course management. The First Green program provides important insights
Ryan Sloan
A Brockville GC
Cyrus Brandt
S University of Guelph
Nick Brown
S University of Guelph
Gideon Foley
S Penn State University
Jeremy Gilbert
B
Sawmill Creek Golf Resort & Spa
into environmental science, technology, and sustainable practices. Feedback from participants highlighted their curiosity and interest in how golf courses operate. By offering these educational experiences, we are helping to nurture future professionals in the turf management industry. If you are interested in hosting a First Green session at your course, please contact us or visit https://thefirstgreen.org/
Alexander Lovelace
S University of Guelph
Ryan Mueller
Dragon’s Fire GC
Samuel Savard
S University of Guelph
Bradley Sizer
A Picton G&CC
Palmer Spoorenberg
S University of Guelph
Superintendent Recognition – Allturf
A big thank you to Allturf for partnering with us again this year! We are looking forward to seeing many of our members to celebrate their contribution to golf this season!
OGSA Director & Past President Ryan Scott & Allturf rep Kerry Whale celebrate Superintendent Dave DeCorso & Assistant Superintendent Jack DeCorso of Victoria Park East for their efforts in hosting the Ontario Peewee (U13) Championship on August 13th
OGSA Director Brad Hutchinson & Allturf rep Peter Sojak celebrate Superintendent Matthew Eastman & his team at Cataraqui G&CC for hosting the Ontario Women’s Match Play Championship on June 13th
OGSA Director & Past President Ryan Scott & Allturf rep Mike Fraser celebrate Superintendent Kim McCarthy and her team at Chedoke GC for their efforts in hosting the Ontario Bantam (U15) Championship on August 9th
OGSA President Ian McQueen & Allturf rep Nigel Rennie celebrate Superintendent John McLinden & his team at Ladies’ GC of Toronto for their efforts in hosting the Ontario Women’s & Sr. Women’s FourBall Championship on Sept. 16th
OGSA VP Kevin Collier & Allturf rep Nigel Rennie celebrate Superintendent Zach Robertson and his team at Tarandowah GC for their efforts in hosting the Ontario Men’s & Sr. Men’s Match Play Championship on June 13th
OGSA Director Greg Brown & Allturf rep Steve Hatch, celebrate Superintendent Ryan Campbell and his team at Ambassador GC for their efforts in hosting the PGA Tour Americas BioSteel Championship on August 1-4.
OGSA Director, Paul Snider & Allturf rep, Mark McIvor celebrate Superintendent Matt Dodson & his team at the Club at Bond Head for their efforts in hosting the Ontario Champion of Champions on May 14th
In partnership with Allturf, OGSA Member Philippe Losier celebrate Superintendent Cory Hofferd and his team at Hollinger GC for their efforts in hosting the Ontario Juvenile (U17) Championship on August 21st
OGSA VP Kevin Collier & Allturf rep Kerry Whale celebrate Superintendent Ian Hiltz and his team for their efforts in hosting the Ontario Summer Games on August 4th
Superintendent Recognition - Golf Ontario
OGSA Secretary-Treasurer Andrew Nieder recognizes Superintendent Craig Moody & his team at North Bay G&CC for their efforts in hosting the Ontario Men’s Mid Amateur Championship on July 31.
OGSA Director & Past President Owen Russell recognizes Rob Ackermann, Superintendent & Dave Jacobson, Assistant Superintendent, at Weston G&CC for their efforts in hosting the 6th Ontario Adaptive Championship on July 16th
OGSA Director Paul Snider recognizes Superintendent Michael Richardson & his team at The GC at Lora Bay for their efforts in hosting the Ontario Sr. Women’s Championship on August 8th
Superintendent
OGSA Director Jason Crawford recognizes Superintendent Stuart Bradshaw & his team at MontHill G&CC for their efforts in hosting the 3rd Indigenous Ontario Championship on August 14th
OGSA Director Brad Hutchinson recognizes
Ryan Sloan and his team at Brockville CC for their efforts in hosting the Golf Ontario Sr. Men’s Championship on July 25th
Assistants’ Tournament
AUGUST 12, 2024
Once again, we had an outstanding turnout for the Annual Assistants’ Tournament held at St. Thomas G&CC. A huge thank you to Wade Beaudoin, Dylan Oderkirk, and Jordan Satchell for hosting us at their beautiful course. The tournament, with a four-person scramble format, was packed with prizes for both skilled and lucky winners, including Longest Drive, Closest to the Pin, and a Hole-in-One contest. Unfortunately, no one claimed the $10,000 Hole-in-One prize sponsored by Plant Products—but there’s always next year!
This event is a wonderful opportunity to honour our assistants, and we’re now considering potential hosts for 2025. If you’re interested in hosting, please reach out to the office!
(L-R) Dylan Oderkirk, Courtney White, Wade Beaudoin, Jordan Satchell.
1st Place Team (L-R): Taylor Lehn (The Pulpit Club), Sean Van Beurden (Envu), Mike Nuttall (Whistle Bear GC), & Matt Hague (Credit Valley G&CC).
Closest to the Line (L-R): Makenna Best, Watson’s Glen GC, Ed Van Dyk, Podolinksy, & Phil Bodini, Mississaugua G&CC.
4th Place Team (L-R): Cameron Rennie (Ladies GC) & Amanda Frend (Ladies GC), Brendan Wield (GT Golf & Turf), & Mike McGhee (GT Golf & Turf).
3rd Place Team (L-R): Bill Martel (Turf Care Products), Mike Giblin (Turf Care Products) & Brendon Suess (Cherry Hill Club). Missing from photo: Jon MacAleese (Barrie CC).
2nd Place Team (L-R): Jared Foster (Redtail Golf), Derek Fox (Maple City CC), & Mark Thordarson (Redtail Golf Club). Missing from photo: Leif McFadden (Georgian Bay Club).
A big thank you goes out to all of our sponsors who made the event possible. Our events are awesome because of your support.
3RD ANNUAL
OGSA Championship
SEPTEMBER 23 & 24, 2024
The OGSA’s 3rd Annual Championship Event took place on September 23rd and 24th, hosted at Muskoka Bay Golf Resort and Taboo Muskoka Resort & Golf. Host Superintendents Chris Goodman from Muskoka Bay Golf Resort and Owen Ledwith from Taboo Muskoka Resort & Golf ensured that the course conditions were in top shape, providing a challenging yet enjoyable two-day golfing experience for all.
Despite the overcast skies and some rain, participants enjoyed the camaraderie and friendly competition! Day one started with an exciting shoot-out event featuring 27 players, with the winning shot going to Gary Gravett. There was great fun and competition during Monday’s scramble event at Muskoka Bay. Day two brought wet and windy conditions at Taboo Muskoka, where golfers competed in the event using individual stroke play and a Stableford point system.
The culinary offerings enhanced the overall experience, with day one including a delicious burger bar for lunch and a braised beef short rib dinner at Muskoka Bay Golf Resort, complemented by a tasty breakfast spread and taco bar lunch in the Boathouse at Taboo Muskoka on day two. A special thank
you to both clubs and their exceptional teams for taking such great care of us! Overall, the event provided a valuable opportunity for members to connect and share experiences, leaving everyone looking forward to next year’s championship, which will be held at Deerhurst Highlands GC and Grandview
Shoot Out winners (L-R): Mark Durand (Envu), Rob Bell, Copper Creek (3rd place), Gary Gravett, Goderich Sunset Golf Club (1st place), & Rob Stevens, Turtle Creek Golf Club (2nd place).
Longest Driver winner (L-R): Nick Berdusco, BrettYoung & GT Golf & Turf rep Mike McGhee.
Closest to the Pin winner (L-R): Scott Bowman, Speare Seeds, & Ontario Seed Company rep Dave Schmelefske.
Host Superintendent Chris Goodman (R), Muskoka Bay Golf Resort with OGSA SecretaryTreasurer Andrew Nieder (L), Deerhurst Resort.
Host Superintendent Owen Ledwith (L), Taboo Muskoka Resort & Golf, with OGSA SecretaryTreasurer Andrew Nieder (R) Deerhurst Resort.
place
Supplier Flight A winners: Brendan Wield (L), GT Golf & Turf & Billy Joe Carey (R), Belchim Turf with OGSA Secretary-Treasurer Andrew Nieder (M), Deerhurst Resort. Missing from photo: Jonathan Albert, Aquatrols.
GC on September 22 - 23, 2025.
A final thank you goes to our sponsors: Podolinsky (Scramble Dinner & Awards), Turf Care (Championship Lunch & Awards), G.C. Duke (Day 1 Lunch), Vanden Bussche Irrigation (Beverage Tickets), Hutcheson Sand & Mixes (Day 2 Breakfast), Envu (Shoot-out), Target Specialty (Registration Desk), BrettYoung (Hole-in-One), Ontario Seed Company (Closest to the Pin), DLF (Golf Cart), GT Golf & Turf (Longest Drive), and our hole sponsors: Belchim, Allturf, Aquatrols, Mobilicab, Hydrowick, BASF, Plant Products, and Nufarm. Special thanks to GT Golf & Turf for providing our participants with bag tags!
Supplier Championship Flight winners: 1st place, Brock Smith, GT Golf & Turf (R) and 2nd place Jason Ireton, Plant Products (L) with OGSA Secretary-Treasurer Andrew Nieder (M), Deerhurst Resort. Missing: Andrew Hardy, BrettYoung, 3rd place.
Third
Scramble winners (L-R): Mike Giblin (Turf Care) & Kyle Griffis (Bridgewater CC) with Podolinsky rep Gary Graham.
2nd Place Scramble winners: Nick Berdusco, BrettYoung (L) & Tyler Szela, National GC of Canada (R) with Podolinsky rep Gary Graham (M).
1st Place Scramble Winners (L-R): Dave Jocobsen, Weston G&CC & Jordan Barber, Beacon Hall GC with Podolinsky rep Gary Graham.
GC Flight A winners (L-R): OGSA Director, Jason Crawford, Eagles Nest Golf Club, 2nd place winner Darryl Lewis, Kedron Dells Golf Club, 1st place winner Scott Clayworth, Wooden Sticks Golf, & 3rd place winner Bradley Miller, Granite Golf.
WHAT’S NEW
GC Flight B winners (L-R): 2nd place winner
Fred Schmoezl, Bluewater GC, OGSA Secretary & Treasurer Andrew Nieder (M), Deerhurst Resort, 1st place winner Bill Green, Cutten Fields, 3rd place winner Kevin Hart, Emerald Hills Golf Club.
Shootout (sponsored by Envu)
GC Flight C winners (L-R): 2nd place winner
John Taylor, Grand Niagara Golf Club & 1st place winner Darren Little, Cedar Brae Golf Club. Missing: 3rd place winner Jay Sisko, Idylwylde G&CC.
CONGRATULATIONS, TOURNAMENT WINNERS!
1st place for $500: Gary Gravett, Goderich Sunset GC
2nd place for $300: Rob Stevens, Turtle Creek Golf Club
3rd place for $200: Rob Bell, Copper Creek Golf Club
Longest Drive (sponsored by GT Golf & Turf) for $250: Nick Berdusco, BrettYoung
Closest to the Pin (sponsored by Ontario Seed Company) for $250: Scott Bowman, Speare Seeds
Hole-in-One (sponsored by BrettYoung) for $10,000: Better luck next time!
Scramble Winners
1st place: Dave Jacobsen, Weston G&CC & Jordan Barber, Beacon Hall GC
2nd place: Nick Berdusco, BrettYoung & Tyler Szela, National GC of Canada
3rd place: Mike Giblin, Turf Care & Kyle Griffis, Bridgewater CC
Championship Winners
Supplier Flight A
1st place: Brendan Wield, GT Golf & Turf
2nd place: Jonathan Albert, Aquatrols
3rd place: Billy Joe Carey, Belchim Turf
Supplier Championship Flight
1st place: Brock Smith, GT Golf & Turf
2nd place: Jason Ireton, Plant Products
3rd place: Andrew Hardy, BrettYoung
Golf Course Flight C
1st place: Darren Little, Cedar Brae GC
2nd place: John Taylor, Grand Niagara GC
3rd place: Jay Sisko, Idylwylde G&CC
Golf Course Flight B
1st place: Bill Green, Cutten Fields
2nd place: Fred Schmoezl, Bluewater GC
3rd place: Kevin Hart, Emerald Hills GC
Golf Course Flight A
1st place: Scott Clayworth, Wooden Sticks Golf
2nd place: Darryl Lewis, Kedron Dells GC
3rd place: Bradley Miller, Granite Golf
Golf Course Championship Flight
1st place: Dave Paterson, Summit GC
2nd place: Jason Crawford, Eagles Nest GC
3rd place: Jordan Barber, Beacon Hall GC ■
GC Championship Flight winners (L-R): 2nd place winner Jason Crawford, Eagles Nest GC, 1st place winner Dave Paterson, Summit GC, & 3rd place winner Jordan Barber, Beacon Hall GC.
1725 Mississauga Rd, Mississauga ON L5H 2K4
(905) 278-4857
www.mississauguagolf.com
ABOUT THE COURSE
Established in 1909, Mississaugua Golf and Country Club is one of Canada’s top and most historic golf courses. Like many of its era, MGCC has gone through generational renovations and restorations. The original 9-hole route was expanded to 18 in 1909 by George Cumming of Toronto Golf Club. Names such as Ross, Thompson and Carrick have since left their own mark.
Type of Club: Private
Other amenities: Pickleball, tennis, curling, golf sims & a full sized gym
Number of holes: 18
Average number of rounds per year: 28,000
Number of staff year round and seasonal: 9 year round and 36 seasonal
Jerry Knight
Equipment Manager, Mississaugua Golf & Country Club.
Written by Mark Wiebe, Assistant Superintendent, Oakdale G&CC.
Thunder seemed to shake the building as we talked. Deciding to meet not far from Mississaugua G&CC at a local sports bar, we continued our conversation through the odd late-February thunderstorm.
Jerry Knight, Head Equipment Technician at MGCC, was always willing to talk and make time. We’d originally met in 2018 at Piper’s Heath GC. At the time, Jerry was into his ninth year as the Equipment Technician,
and it was my first as the club’s Assistant Superintendent. Jerry and I hit it off from our first meeting at Piper’s Heath and have stayed in touch.
With an occasional glance over at a flash of lightning, time flew by as we went through my interview questions. Each answer led to more questions, conclusions, and theories, many of which came back to the same things: the value of networking, communication, good routines, staying consistent, breaking the mold, making time for hobbies and other interests, balance... We agreed on much and, sharing ideas or
Jerry during his racecar career.
Jerry Knight, Head Equipment Manager, Mississaugua G&CC.
Q: Favourite Food?
A: Burgers
Q: Favourite Movie?
A: Days of Thunder
suggestions, fed our similar values of positive change, life balance, and having a lot of fun along the way.
Jerry, now into his fifth year as the Head Equipment Technician at MGCC, has in a short time greatly expanded his network and knowledge. He started a WhatsApp group with fellow equipment technicians, opening another avenue for communication and collaboration. He’s also taken every other opportunity to expand his knowledge and network by attending numerous trade shows, conferences, seminars, and even appearing as a guest speaker on Reel Turf Techs podcast. More recently, Jerry teamed up with Iain Johnstone, Head Equipment Technician at
Q: Favourite Band?
A: AC DC
Q: Favourite Sporting Event?
A: F1
Donalda G&CC, teaching at the University of Guelph. Acting as visiting instructors, they were able to pass down their knowledge and industry expertise to students in the Diploma in Turf Management program.
Before getting into the golf course industry, Jerry spent 20 years in the race car industry. His long-time love for racing naturally transferred into the mechanical side of things. After advancing to a race-team mechanic and teaching others how to race, he came to a fork in the road. Traveling from event to event left little time at home. Wanting to settle down and have a family, he decided to start a new career.
Q: Favourite Tool?
A: Reel & bedknife grinders
Q: Favourite Season?
A: Fall
Q: Favourite Piece of Equipment?
A: Greens Walk mowers
Seeding is Believing
While on his search, Jerry saw a sign outside of Piper’s Heath advertising their job fair. Not one to pass up an opportunity, he arrived thinking he could use his high school fast food experience on their F&B department. After a short look at his resume, he was directed to greens maintenance.
“It was a bit of a shock at first, all the different pieces of machinery and intricacies of the job,” he recalled, “but that’s what made it more interesting. My experience at Piper’s Heath gave me a great turf-mechanics foundation.”
Jerry’s now taken on a mentorship role with MGCC’s Assistant Equipment Technician, Marko Bistori. Into year three of working together, they’ve been able to get Marko on a quick progression as the Club’s facility attendant. This expansive role included everything from cleaning and getting to know all the machines, to cutting fairways and greens. Before long, Marko advanced to Assistant Equipment Technician.
Jerry at the shop.
“I’m grateful to have landed this opportunity at Mississaugua. Golf was an interesting transition from the automotive world. It was a different kind of pressure…in a good way.
“Don’t let the shell reform,” said Jerry when speaking about the human tendency to retreat into comfort zones. “And don’t idle.”
Jerry’s been a great mentor and has had a lot of patience with me since I started. I’ve made a lot of mistakes along the way, but these same mistakes helped me grow and ultimately build a lot of trust between Jerry and me. I’m hoping to further hone my skills and one day be an equipment manager myself.”
“It’s important to let them be a part of everything. Being open and approachable is essential to build trust and respect.” Jerry’s answer to how he builds a positive and productive relationship with Marko was the same for the rest of the Mississaugua G&CC team. “Everyone’s an assistant to some extent. Getting feedback and firsthand information from the ones operating the equipment can be so important in diagnosing and preventing problems.”
When he’s off work, Jerry spends time with family at their summer trailer, rebuilds cars and motorcycles, and goes on adventure trips. His friendly nature and willingness to share information has spread networks into his restoration hobbies and other interests as well.
“Don’t let the shell reform,” said Jerry when speaking about the human tendency to retreat into comfort zones. “And don’t idle.”
Like all my past meetings with Jerry, I walked away with a boost of energy and inspiration.
Byproducts of his good-nature, openness, and a cool handed way of conversing, it was a feeling I expect has been shared by many who’ve had the pleasure of knowing Jerry.
Though a short glimpse into his story, it was easy to see examples of adaptability and consistency. Remaining positive and creating networks to stay in the know was something
he’d done wherever he went. All the while, he’s maintained his own source of energy and selfdiscipline to keep getting better.
With the odd February storm moving away in the horizon, the sun came out as we walked out of the local sports bar to our cars. “Don’t stay idle,” I thought to myself as I drove home towards the passing storm. ■
Jerry acting as a visiting instructor to help teach Diploma in Turf Management students at the University of Guelph.
Jerry and Iain Johnstone, Head Equipment Technician at Donalda Golf and Country Club, help teach Diploma in Turf Management students at the University of Guelph.
Insurance ARE YOU COVERED?
By Chris Lecour, Sr. Sales Representative, BASF.
The following article would not have been possible without the contributions of Eric Ruhs, Superintendent, Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club and Jason Winter, Superintendent, Walter Gretzky Golf Course.
Managing golf courses presents daily challenges, particularly for those located in flood-prone areas. Jason Winter, then superintendent at Deer Ridge GC in Kitchener faced one of these challenges on June 24, 2017. The club which is situated within a 6,800 square-kilometer watershed in Southern Ontario experienced unprecedented flooding after an upstream storm dumped nearly two months’ worth of rain in just four hours. Although the intense rainfall did not directly hit the course, it led to the largest volume of water since the 1960s in nearby tributaries, resulting in severe damage. On that June day in 2017, fifteen of the eighteen holes were affected, with 13 of the 21 greens covered in silt, 43 of 78 bunkers losing over 600 tons of sand and damage to retaining walls and electrical components, and course hardware being washed away. The extensive damage necessitated a significant restoration effort and prompted the club to file an insurance claim, establishing a new standard for mitigating future impacts from the Grand River.
Following the flooding, once the damage to the course could be assessed, Winter began the process of creating an action plan of recovery that was broken down into three parts:
1. Complete on-course cleanup, tracking hours for staff by area as debris was collected, silt washed from playing surfaces, and the collection of items from around the property.
2. Determine the scope of work that would have to be completed by contractors (feature reconstruction and replacement volumes for materials such as sand, mulch, etc. that was lost).
3. The on-going time and cost involved for the future cultural practices required to mitigate any future effects from the flooding and potential layering within the turfgrass profile.
Winter shares how the club’s management and board of directors worked with the insurance company and an independent investigator to make the claims process move as smoothly as possible. “Certain members of the Board of Directors were appointed to work with the insurer and submit the documentation for the claim with my assistance. A third-party professional was appointed by the insurer to inspect the property and verify that all claims were legitimate. The insurance industry associate that was on-site reviewing the damage
Ottawa Hunt #5 West.
claim looked closely at the overall scope, loss of components, the reconstruction work involved and on-going cultural practices that would be required to ensure the performance of the course was not compromised by the flood. With the verification that the proposed restoration work was justified and not exaggerated, the claim moved through without a significant delay.” This attention to detail and extensive documentation ensured the claims process from submission to payout was relatively smooth.
Reflecting upon the recovery efforts, Winter offers the following advice to other superintendents in preparation for such an event:
FIVE STEPS FOR PREPARATION
1. Understand your insurance coverage and limitations
2. Have an Emergency Action Plan ready with assigned roles for staff and an updated contact list
3. Quickly and effectively document every details –pictures, video, notes
4.Establish regular communication and updates with stakeholders
5. Develop quick action plans for future events – remove irrigation satellite components, waterproof electrical connections, remove high value course furniture and accessories, etc.
On May 21st, 2022, a derecho caused significant and widespread damage in Central Canada, the path of destruction stretching from Southwestern Ontario through to Eastern Quebec. A derecho is a severe windstorm associated with fast-moving thunderstorms, featuring straight-line high winds. They are most common in late spring and summer and these storms can cause extensive damage. Wind gusts were estimated to have reached 190km/h and multiple tornadoes were reported along the storms path.
While the storms path stretched up to 1000km, the Ottawa Hunt and GC received a good deal of media attention not only for the amount of damage inflicted on the club that day but also because the club was scheduled to host the CP Women’s Open in late August that year. Eric Ruhs, Superintendent at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club since 1987 reported that 1100 trees came down in just 15 minutes. Pine trees that reached 80 to 100 feet either snapped partway up the tree or were uprooted by the high winds. And while the club was in a good position to clean up and rebuild from an insurance perspective, the psychological toll of facing such a daunting task was not something their team had really been prepared for.
The club was able to successfully recover from the damage and host another successful CP Open (its fourth time hosting the event since 1994). Ruhs shared his experiences navigating the claims process, saying the process was “ongoing for over a year as it took that long to submit all the claims and establish accurate costs to remove all tree debris and repair some infrastructure. Initially it required clarity as to whether we were actually covered for the claim of tree removal – it was determined that we were covered which constituted the lions share of the claim.” The claim included lost revenue from being closed 16 days
Ottawa Hunt between #1 West & Practice Facility.
Ottawa Hunt log staging area - south parking lot.
ESTABLISH AN INSURANCE POLICY
WHEN ESTABLISHING AN INSURANCE POLICY, OWNERS SHOULD CAREFULLY EVALUATE SEVERAL FACTORS TO ENSURE COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE AND PROTECTION:
Coverage Types: It is important to determine the types of coverage needed, which may include property insurance for the clubhouse, greens, tees and fairways, and other facilities such as cart storage barns, the maintenance facility, and pump houses, as well as liability insurance to protect against accidents that could occur during adverse weather conditions.
Flood and Storm Specificity: Not all insurance policies automatically cover flood damage. Owners should ensure that their policy specifically includes coverage for flooding and storm-related damages, as these can be significant in Ontario.
Valuation of Property: Accurate valuation of the property and its assets is crucial. Owners should have a clear understanding of the replacement cost for buildings, equipment, and landscaping to ensure they have adequate coverage in the event of damage. An accurate assessment of the value of property should be updated on a regular basis.
Deductibles: Understanding the deductibles associated with different types of coverage is important. A higher deductible may lower premiums but could result in significant out-of-pocket expenses in the event of a claim.
Exclusions and Limitations: Owners should carefully review policy exclusions and limitations. Some policies may have specific conditions that could affect claims, such as maintenance requirements or geographical restrictions.
Local Climate Considerations: Given Ontario’s unique weather patterns, owners should consult with local experts to understand the risks specific to their area, which can help in tailoring coverage effectively.
Risk Mitigation Strategies: Insurers often look favourably on properties that have risk mitigation strategies in place, such as proper drainage systems or flood barriers. These can sometimes lower premiums and improve coverage terms.
Review and Update Regularly: Insurance needs can change over time due to renovations, new equipment, or changes in local regulations. Regularly reviewing and updating the policy is essential to ensure continued adequate protection.
following the storm, damage to railings, fences and cart paths as well as repairs to get the irrigation pumphouse up and running again, all of which he says were related to fallen tree damage. Two club members, both retired insurance agents, completed a full summary of damages which helped the claim, along with the adjuster who provided guidance during the process and was indispensable at ensuring timely payments to claims once he was able to witness the damage first hand. Ruhs also credits the insurance company with providing guidance during the process and support from the administration team at the club. “My department just tracked expenses relative to the cleanup and in turn provided this detail upstream.”
Considering the unpredictable nature of weather and the risk of severe events, securing adequate insurance coverage is crucial to safeguarding an owner’s investment in the golf course.
Ruhs also offers some commonsense advice on how to prepare for and deal with property damage and the ensuing insurance claim journey. “Be sure you know what you are covered for now – don’t wait and be disappointed or take a sigh of relief because you were lucky and had coverage. You may decide not to obtain coverage and decide to self insure but at least you know in advance – In our case I think there was serious uncertainty immediately after the storm. When the adjuster finally came out there was a ‘wow’ moment on both sides. The insurance did not cover replacement costs. We basically hit the ceiling in coverage and have incurred continued expenses for the last two and a half years on continued clean up as the weakened trees are now dying which is prompting ongoing removals.”
When a large storm system hits a region and property damage occurs on a golf course or any type of property for that matter, once the storm has passed property owners and managers can often be left wondering: are we covered? While not every situation and extreme event can be anticipated and planned for, there should be some clear understanding about what should and should not be covered by insurance. And though it can take what seems like an eternity to wade through investigations, audits, and damage claims, ideally all parties involved should be able to take a breath and have a strong sense of assurance that all reasonable precautions and policies were put into place to minimize the financial and emotional struggle of rebuilding. ■
Deer Ridge #12 bunker washed out.
Deer Ridge rushing water in front of #3 green.
Unleashing Innovative Ideas
THE USE OF CHATGPT IN THE TURFGRASS INDUSTRY
Written by Marco China, Superintendent, Deer Ridge GC.
In our meticulous world of managing turf on golf courses, precision, efficiency, and expertise are paramount. Maintaining a golf course demands continuous attention to detail, proactive problem-solving, and innovative solutions. In recent years, advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have revolutionized various industries, and the field of turfgrass management is no exception. One such groundbreaking tool is ChatGPT, an AI-powered language model developed by OpenAI. Matt Legg Professional Solutions Technical Lead with Syngenta Canada led a very informative presentation at this year’s Ontario Golf Course Management Conference in Niagara Falls enlightening the audience on this powerful new tool. During Matt’s presentation “Unleashing Innovative Ideas: Redefining Turfgrass Management with Digital Technologies,” the general response from the audience indicated that the potential value Chat GPT could offer the turfgrass field has so far been underestimated.
In the world of turfgrass management, we are not new to adopting and adapting to new technologies and practices to enhance the quality of our work and make our lives a little easier. The term “AI” has been floating around media outlets more and more recently, and I can personally say I never thought much about how it could be applied or relevant to our work, after all, we spend most of our time outdoors, maintaining golf courses; how would this help us? Matt’s presentation made a clear case for AI as an impactful and valuable tool for the turf industry.
In his enlightening presentation, Matt walked the audience through what Chat GPT is and how it works. To do this, Matt provided a live demonstration by asking the tool the following: “how does Chat GPT work?” and having it describe itself to the audience. Chat GPT provided the concise and reader-friendly response below:
“Imagine ChatGPT as a super-smart computer program that’s been trained on heaps of written material—like books, articles, and websites. This training helps it understand human language really well. When you type something to ChatGPT, it takes what you said, analyzes it using its training, and then comes up with a response that makes sense based on what it learned. It’s like having a conversation with a really knowledgeable friend who’s read a lot of books. The more you talk to ChatGPT, the better it gets at understanding and responding to you. It’s always learning from our interactions, so it keeps improving over time. It’s a bit like teaching a computer to be a great conversationalist by showing it lots of conversations and letting it learn from them.”
As the presentation continued, Matt shared how turfgrass managers can integrate this technology into our daily work on the golf course. One suggested integration was to leverage AI to improve how we communicate on the job.Think of how much time you’ve spent tweaking and reading over a message to send out to members... For example, informing the members of restricted cart use on the golf course that day. Many of us could agree, that the time taken to craft a clear, succinct,
professional, and error-free message is time that can be better spent managing the golf course. AI can offer support in this task. Simply type or speak into Chat GPT the message you are trying to convey, and it will generate a response that you can review and tweak to your liking. It’s important to note that AI is different than a typical Google search. Unlike Google and other search engines that use specific key words or phrases, to use ChatGPT, input your question or topic as if you’re having a conversation with a person. ChatGPT can interpret broader inquiries and provide more nuanced answers and respond to follow up questions. Out of my own curiosity, using Matt’s tips of asking clear questions and giving Chat GPT parameters for it’s response (i.e., the number of words to use), I asked the following question:
Help me craft a message to membership explaining that due to heavy rains last night golf carts will not be allowed on the golf course. In 150 words.
Chat GPT’s Response:
Subject: Temporary Suspension of Golf Cart Usage
Dear Members,
Due to heavy rainfall last night, golf carts are temporarily prohibited on the course to prevent damage and ensure safety. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your cooperation. Walkers are welcome to enjoy their rounds. Updates will follow as conditions improve.
Thank you,
[Your Name]
[Your Position/Title]
Now, that you have the generated response it is at your disposal for customization. This response may not be perfect or sound natural to you, but it is a great starting point to build from. You can add more info or simply ask it another question to enhance the response.
The ease and user-friendliness of this tool led me to reflect on those early morning instances when important decisions and communications must be shared promptly with all relevant parties. The efficiency and time-saving potential of this tool are truly exciting, improving your ability to communicate effectively and placing you in a stronger position.
The potential applications of Chat GPT extend far beyond just communication with our membership; its versatility makes it a strong asset in our business, capable of tackling diverse tasks. Matt’s presentation title aptly captures the essence of Chat GPT’s potential impact on our industry. This program is not only poised to redefine, but also reimagine how we approach turfgrass management. It’s important to recognize that Chat GPT doesn’t replace our expertise; rather, it supports our skills and our industry’s resilience in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. By embracing Chat GPT and similar AI services, we can better position ourselves at the forefront of innovation, ensuring our ongoing adaptability and effectiveness in an era where technology continues to transform the landscape of our operations. ■
Lead-Up ADAPTING AS A LEADER
Written by Mark Wiebe, Assistant Superintendent, Oakdale G&CC.
We all know what it’s like to start a new job. These first few days, months, or years may be cautious and questioning at first, but they are usually leading us towards something; hopefully a better version of ourselves.
Most of us have these defining memories of adapting to a new environment and a new team. Times thereafter seem to reflect what has been established between oneself and one’s teammates within this “lead-up.”
Many of us have had help along the way. Mentors assist in shaping leadership styles, decision making skills, and overall work personas. Through the efforts of these individuals and the unique journeys of every career path, a better understanding of oneself develops over time. Like the effort required to introspect and be mindful, we may also put consistent effort into becoming more aware of those around us. If our own perceptions paired with those of everyone around us equals a whole, then awareness of this collective mind could become an important part of our adaptation as leaders.
inner foundations become their own source of energy and knowledge. Knowing everyone else is experiencing something similar, we empathize.
Apart from bringing us closer to a viewpoint of understanding, every time we make these intrapersonal evolutions, we’re also continuing to adapt the inner workings of our own leader: our inner voice, directing mind, or decision making. We all do it. Spending time reflecting on one’s words and actions is natural and could even be said to be an essential part of human evolution.
If we do not make and maintain consistent improvements upon the state of the work environment as a whole, then it may be manipulated and shaped into something undesirable, conflicting, and imbalanced.
Understanding the source, cause, or reason behind one’s words and actions may require more effort. After a time, our empathetic viewpoint may consider the interconnecting nature of our own journey with everyone else’s; the more awareness and understanding we have with ourselves, the more we have with those around us.
RELATIONSHIP AWARENESS
By becoming more aware of our teammates, we can learn more about their strengths, weaknesses, preferences, etc., and that much like our own, they are interchangeable under different circumstances.
INTRAPERSONAL EVOLUTIONS
Although the steps we take through our respective industries will vary, we’re all going through a similar journey within ourselves. A uniquely human experience: it’s a journey that can, at times, seem elusive, out of reach, or cliché. But, traversing this landscape builds and rebuilds foundations that help us weather future storms. These
While it’s not entirely up to the leader to eradicate negativity that may enter the work scene, it is a leader’s responsibility to try to maintain a peaceful environment by practicing the will to communicate. By encouraging the team to get to know one another, we can all become aware of what makes each other tick, or on the contrary, feel fulfilled and most content in our roles. Good communication and mindfulness within the group will help avoid or at least tame the negative emotions
that can cause thoughts and actions to stray.
But effective communication isn’t always so straightforward as it often requires different delivery styles or doses, as well as the will to communicate. For some, communication comes as second nature, but for others, finding the will takes a special spark, or a jolt of energy and excitement, something to motivate them as social creatures to make eye contact and communicate.
Those who have to work a little harder to practice effective communication face some sort of perceived negativity in association with the act, like for example the novel concept of contingent fear of the unknown. Accepting the unknown and finding a way to alter any negativity into positivity, or just a neutral respect, also takes a certain amount of effort by all parties involved. If we can better understand the things that animate a person’s or group’s willpower to eradicate negative thoughts, we can then provide significant support, encouraging team members to step outside of their comfort zones.
If ultimately there’s two different sources of motivation exuding from any individual or group, one of chaos and conflict and another of order and cooperation, it’s up to us as individuals to choose the latter. As well as doing our best to choose the correct responses, we can also do our best to create an environment that stimulates that second source of motivation. Working in this cyclical pattern, the behaviours and actions of each individual has some kind of effect on the team as a whole. Leaders typically have the biggest impact on their respective environments, social and otherwise.
Always changing and adapting to its environment, this living manifestation of a team’s moral or personality has the potential to either keep us confined as individuals, or free us into team synergy.
THE WHOLE
Creating, maintaining, and improving upon the state of a whole, that is, a collective mind, mood or personality occupying any social or team environment can only be a dynamic process. Or is it?
Just as much of a living, breathing entity surviving in the same state of constant change as our golf courses, recognizing the whole’s existence is the first and biggest step. Like recognizing the dynamic between our own strengths and weaknesses, we may also recognize the importance of existing between the strengths and weaknesses of the team as a whole.
If we do not create and maintain consistent improvements upon the state of the work environment as a whole, then it may be manipulated and shaped into something undesirable, conflicting, and imbalanced. Established behaviours of a positive work culture and the systems and processes in place to govern are some key ingredients, but these too should be adaptable to an ever-changing environment.
Although maybe meant to be at first cautious and questioning, our adaptation as leaders never really ends. As if continuously arriving for our first day at a new job, we may therefore choose to treat it as if we’ll never quite arrive. Much like the ever-changing natural environments affecting golf courses and the evolutionary nature of survival, adapting as a leader is a perpetual process. But, taken on by a free and driven will and a sincere desire to continue improving, it’s a process that will always lead-up to a better version of ourselves, our teams and our golf courses. ■
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MEMBER MOMENTS
Blair Rennie
will be forever held in the hearts of those who knew him.
On Thursday September 12th Whitevale GC took time to pay homage to the man they called their golf course superintendent for 20 years, Blair Rennie. Blair passed away on April 30th after suffering a brain haemorrhage 2 weeks earlier. While it’s not unusual for a club to recognize a loyal employee with a tree planting or a bench on a tee, Whitevale’s recognition went to a different level.The Board of Directors informed the family that not only would they be naming the new maintenance facility completed in 2020 after Blair, but he would be the first non-member to be inducted into their Wall of Fame. Normally a process that takes place every 5 years accepting proposals for entrance, and accepting only 2 inductees per cycle, the board fast tracked his recognition for the highest honour available within Whitevale. Here is the address given at the reception and unveiling.
“Blair spent 20 years of his professional career at Whitevale Golf Club, where his dedication and warmth left a lasting impact on both members and colleagues. Known for his great sense of humour, great smile and friendly wave of greeting, Blair brought laughter to those around him, making every moment memorable. A man of deep familial love, Blair’s greatest pride was his family. His unwavering support and unconditional love were the cornerstones of their lives. He nurtured his sons with kindness and taught them the value of integrity and hard work. Blair will be remembered for his generous spirit and ability to make everyone feel like a friend. He leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and cherished memories that
In March of 2004, a committee was formed to hire a new greens superintendent. During the interviewing process, the committee was impressed with the fact that Blair walked the course twice before his interview and made observations about erosion and tarps for the greens and tee decks. He also asked if the McBroom contract had been signed yet and said if hired, he would look forward to managing that project. Of all the candidates, the committee unanimously chose Blair. He then became Whitevale’s fourth greens superintendent in April 2004. Blair graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a Certificate in turf management, and then from Seneca College with a Diploma in Turf Management. His experience prior to joining Whitevale included superintendent of Unionville Golf Centre, an internship at Beacon Hall, superintendent at Emerald Hills, and Diamondback Golf Courses; hosting several PGA Buy.com and Nationwide events at the latter. There is not an area of our golf club where he has not made a significant mark on the course and facilities over the 20 years that he was our superintendent. Blair played a vital role in our course re-design and overseeing the construction, the new clubhouse, and practice grounds project, the Blair Rennie Turf Center, and most recently plans for our bunker renovation project. He was a leader by example and was well respected by his staff. He was a mentor, particularly to Kyle Young over the 20 years they worked together. It is through this relationship and friendship that we are extremely fortunate that Kyle is now capable of managing our turf team going forward as our fifth superintendent. Blair taught his team to
respond to the forces of Mother Nature, solve mechanical issues, and maintain the course to the standards the membership demanded and expected, and he always came through. He just said a few days before he passed away that in his 20 years the course conditions for our opening were the best he had ever seen; it was too bad he was not able to be there for it. Blair was open to suggestions from the membership and would try to accommodate all requests. But as everyone on the previous boards know, he would stand up for what he felt was right for the Club even if it was not popular with some of the membership. For that we are grateful because there is no doubt, we have a world-class facility golf course, turf shop, and practice range. Blair was highly respected by the golfing community and his fellow greens superintendents in Ontario. He presented experiences with colleagues at conferences and maintained long standing memberships in both the Canadian and Ontario Golf Superintendents’ Associations. When we did member tours of our new turf facility, which Blair wanted to do, his look of pride and joy was plainly evident as he led the tours and explained how the operations worked. As we play our fine course, we will miss seeing him out in his cart coming into sight with his infectious smile, unique wave, and always willing to engage in a friendly chat. Blair, you will always be in our minds and hearts!”
The Rennie family, including his wife Cristina and twins Ben and Jake are very grateful for this honour establishing Blairs’ legacy as a builder of what Whitevale GC has become. The actions by the Board of Directors are a testament to the culture of the club’s members and appreciation of the role of the Golf Course Superintendent as a critical part of the club’s success. ■
Written by & photos provided by Nigel Rennie, Chief Integration Officer, Specialty Products, Allturf and Brother.
LOOKING BACK
Five Years Ago, Today
2019 Board of Directors (L-R): Tim Muys, VP; Ryan Scott, Director; Al Schwemler, Secretary/Treasurer; Cory Janzen, Immediate Past President; Mike Pellerin, Director; Sally Ross, Executive Director; Owen Russell, Director; Jason Boyce, President; Ian McQueen, Director; Jessica Aytoun, Director.
The Board of Directors of the OGSA in 2019 were: Jason Boyce (pres), Smuggler’s Glen, Tim Muys (vice), Piper’s Heath (vice), Cory Janzen (past), Westmount, Al Schwemler (sec/tres), The Toronto Golf Club, Ryan Scott, Club at North Halton, Jessica Aytoun, Sutton Creek, Owen Russell, Markland Wood, Ian McQueen, St. George’s and Mike Pellerin, Saugeen. The office staff consisted of Sally Ross (Executive Manager), Courtney White, (member services, ONCourse editor) and Kathy Holland, (accounts).
OGSA president, Jason Boyce had a meeting at Queen’s Park for the removal of the IPM public meeting.
The Ontario Course Managers’ Conference was held at Blue Mountain. James Wyllie was presented with the William Sansom Distinguished Service Award.
The Hugh Kirkpatrick Award winners were Chris Schurmanns, Victoria Park East and
Carol Turner, Ladies Golf Club; Turfgrass Award to Scott Powers, University of Guelph; Paul Brown Internship Award to Connor Hamilton, University of Guelph; Heritage Award to Martina Scenna; Best Photo to Kendra Kiss, Magna; and the Barry Endicott Award went to Matt Eastman, Mississaugua.
25-year members plaques were presented to Robert Trask, Chelsea Lake Camp, Michael Ettles, Oshawa Airport, Andrew Keffer, Club Link Corp., Peter Kinch, Lambton, Rocco Lamanna, Bloomington Downs and Roy Mundy, Wasaga Sands.
25-year associate members were Podolinsky Turf Equipment, Syngenta, and Zander Sod Company.
ON THE MOVE
John Gall retired from Cherry Hill Golf Club and was replaced by Jeremy Krueger, who was the assistant at Westmount. After
(L-R) Steven Muys accepts Heritage Award on behalf of Cecilia Muys; presented by Immediate Past President, Cory Janzen.
34 years, Ed Doda retired from the Barrie Country Club and was replaced by Grant Murphy Dennis Piccolo retired from St. Catherines Golf and Country Club and was replaced by the assistant Dan Sliasis and Warren Vout retired from Kendron Wells Golf Club. Dan Wiechers became the superintendent at River Edge Golf Club. Greg Jewell left Wolf Run Golf Club and was replaced by Jason Cooper who was the assistant at Donalda Club. Jeff Alexander left Parry Sound Golf and Country Club to go to the Ridge at Manitou Golf Club.
IN MEMORIAL
Michael Burton, superintendent at Heron Point Golf Club, passed away.
TOURNAMENTS
The 43rd Can/Am tournament was played at the Essex Golf and Country Club hosted by Chris Andrejicka. Canada won 37.5 to 22.5
and the cup was presented to the first low gross team Mark Durand, OSC and Doug Wilson, Black Horse, with a score of 73.
The Pro/Superintendent Challenge was held at the Summit Golf and Country Club hosted by Dave Paterson. The winning team from Lakeview Golf Club was Brad Bell, (superintendent) and Martin Mitchel (pro) was presented with the Bill Bowen Trophy. ■
(L-R) 25-year associate members Scott White, Syngenta & Alex Dickie, Zander Sod with Past President Mark Prieur.
(L-R) Hugh Kirkpatrick Award winners Chris Schurmanns & Carol Turner with Immediate Past President, Cory Janzen.
ONCourse editorial award winners (L-R): Matt Eastman, Mississaugua G&CC; Phil Scully, Granite GC; & Kendra Kiss, Magna GC with Secretary Treasurer, Al Schwemler.
(L-R) 25-year member Robert Trask, Chesley Lake Camp GC, with past president Mark Prieur.
(L-R) Past President, Cory Janzen presents the William Sansom Distinguished Service Award to James A. Wyllie.
CAN/AM 2019: Jason Boyce (C) acknowledges host superintendent Chris Andrejicka (R) & assistant superintendent, Greg Brown.
(L-R) Mark Durand (OSC) and Doug Wilson (Blackhorse GC), accept the CANAM Cup on behalf of the winning Canadian teams, presented by Jason Boyce.
To Whom It May Concern
By Doug Breen, Superintendent, Golf North Properties.
I just heard from a particularly unhappy customer. He was emphatic that not only is greens aeration unnecessary, and that ‘nobody else does it anymore’ - but that we had deliberately scheduled aeration to ruin his ‘birthday event’. Let’s start with the birthday part. We might have known that it was his birthday, if he had booked a small group, or arranged a gathering in the clubhouse, or literally done anything to support the club or let us know about it – but he didn’t. The ‘birthday event’ was him playing with his regular group for the 167th day in a row and heading to the Legion for cheap draught. But that’s not the point – let’s get back to aeration.
Since COVID, Ontario golf courses have welcomed countless new golfers into the fold, and there is no reason why they wouldn’t be taken aback by the sight of us violating the putting surface in a way that must seem unthinkable to the uninitiated. I recall being horrified the first time I saw a greens aerator doing what greens aerators do. That would make sense - but we have golfers who have been around for decades, who are still shocked by routine maintenance practices. Or similarly caught off guard by annual naturally occurring events. Apparently, it is the Superintendent’s fault when leaves fall off trees or there is a frost delay. We had a foursome demand their money back, because our “website didn’t warn that there would be bugs”.
Last Father’s Day (the busiest day of the year in public golf), we had a group who kept trying play as a fivesome, while they took copious social media pictures and shot video for Tik Tok. By the time they got to the second green, there was a two-hole gap in front of them, even though they had let multiple groups play through. The ensuing fracas with the Course Marshall, ultimately
led to the Police being called to escort them off the property. I got a message the next day from one group whose ‘Father’s Day was ruined by our overly aggressive Marshall’, and a bunch more from other groups whose ‘Father’s Day was ruined by our overly passive Marshall’.
As replying to these types of messages is now a large part of my Monday morning, not to mention sifting through customer feedback forms and social media posts –I have composed an open letter to all the golfers out there - customers past, present, and future:
Dear Golfer:
We - the Golf Course Superintendents of Ontario have a message for you. Whether you are new to golf, or whether you’ve been around since the days of Old Tom Morris. We’re not trying to ruin your game. We don’t aerate or topdress because we want to see you three putt – we do it so the greens will be far better 98% of the time. It’s short-term pain, for long-term gain.
We don’t select difficult pin placements to make you so miserable that you never play our course
again – we move them around to distribute wear, while making every attempt to make the course play with the same degree of difficulty each day. They did a double-blind study - it turns out that golfers putting uphill rate greens as slow, while those putting downhill rate them as fast.
We don’t take perverse pleasure in holding up the first tee on a frosty morning – your footsteps will literally shred the plant cell walls with the ice crystals inside. And no, you can’t go on the putting green or driving range either – as they are made of grass too. It isn’t relevant that there was no frost at your house.
We do our best to collect leaves, and to keep the rough cut so you can find your ball. Speaking of grass, it’s slippery when it’s wet – stop suing us every time you fall.
Golf is played in a natural environment, so your clubs will get dirty, your shoes will sometimes get grass stains, and occasionally you will find stones in bunkers. There are also roots at the bottom of pretty much every tree. You will be attacked by mosquitos, black flies, and Canada geese – be thankful that we don’t have alligators and grizzlies.
Some days it will be cold, others it will be hot. Sometimes it rains. Contrary to popular belief, the OGSA doesn’t control the weather – only the CIA can do that.
It would be counterintuitive, to think for a moment, that the on-course staff have a vested interest in making your experience so awful that our course becomes unpopular, and ultimately unprofitable. We aren’t trying to ruin your day – we actually spend every waking hour striving to create the best playing environment possible within our physical and budgetary restrictions. We want you to have fun!
