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.
Thank you, ONCourse Committee!! Without your time and efforts, we would not be able to pull off yet another great issue for our members. Enjoy, everyone!
Lisa Marie Guilfoyle Writer & Content Development; Assistant Superintendent, Oakville G&CC.
Long Days & Summer Strides
As I sit down to write this message, I find it hard to believe it is already August. Every year I feel the same thing, that time goes by too fast, and I don’t remember where the season has gone. We went from an early spring right into summer, and it feels like our teams have not had the chance to breath or relax. Staff have been out dragging hoses and keeping turf alive for weeks while golfers everywhere get to enjoy the excellent conditions. I have learned over the years that everyone tends to get a little tired mentally this time of the season. The long days and weekend shifts begin to wear on us as August arrives. It is a good time to remind ourselves that taking a break to enjoy the summer is ok. Taking a long weekend, or an extra day off to spend with family and friends will do wonders for our health. Allowing our staff to recharge this time of year will give them the extra strength mentally and physically to push through this final stretch of warm weather.
Despite all of this, it’s during this time that we find ourselves especially grateful for the strides in technological advancement, and in turfgrass research to help us do what we do best. It’s why the OGSA uses part of the funds raised through membership dues to support the Ontario Turfgrass Research Foundation in its endeavor to continually support and move the turfgrass industries forward.
In the last 20 years, the OGSA and its members have donated over $300,000 to the OTRF to support turfgrass research. We are pleased to share that we are adding
to this total with another annual donation of $20,000, which will be presented at their sold-out fundraising tournament on August 26th at Rosedale Golf Club.
Our membership renewal is October 1 and I encourage you not only renew but evaluate who on your team is not a member, and sign them up to be a part of this great association. As we grow, we will have the ability to increase programs and services as well as
It’s during this time that we find ourselves especially grateful for the strides in technological advancement, and in turfgrass research to help us do what we do best.
funding for the research that we rely on to support our mandates as superintendents and your team will benefit from the networking and professional development opportunities we provide.
The OGSA and the CGSA have been working throughout the summer to build the framework for what promises to be the best conference for golf course management in Canada. The conference takes place in Niagara Falls again this year, all under
one roof, and this time we are welcoming colleagues from across the country. This year’s event will also include an equipment manager’s education series, a women-in-turf networking breakfast event, and the largest industry tradeshow in Canada. This will be the biggest conference in the history of our two great associations, so come celebrate with us in Niagara Falls. Early bird rates are available, so take advantage of the savings and bring your team.
It’s exciting to see that the OGSA golf events are now some of the main networking and social events of the year. I want to thank the sponsors of these events. With your continued support of the association, we are able to provide our members with first-class networking opportunities. The Assistant’s tournament, held at St. Thomas Golf & Country Club and hosted by Wade Beaudoin, Dylan Oderkirk & Jordan Satchell sold out once again, and the OGSA Championship, held in Muskoka sold out in 7 days. I am looking forward to connecting with you at these events.
Before I close, I’d like to invite you to reach out to myself, the OGSA office or any of the board members with suggestions for how we can better serve you, the members. We review our strategic plan once a year and often pivot as we move through the year. We are also interested in hearing from members who would like to volunteer their time with the OGSA as a committee member on ONCourse, or as a board member.
I hope you all have a great end of season! ■
Ian McQueen, OGSA President, Superintendent at St. George’s Golf & Country Club.
WHAT’S NEW
By Courtney White, Executive Manager OGSA. manager@ogsa.ca
The summer is off to a great start for First Green!
The OGSA was invited to host a minifirst green agronomy station in conjunction with the First Tee program held at the RBC Canadian Open this year. Ryan L. Scott, Kevin Doyle, and Cam Shaw were in fine form, taking over 2000 students through bunkers, machinery and greens maintenance on the course in just over 4 hours. The agronomy station had an overwhelmingly positive response from both students and teachers! This non-stop opportunity provided the OGSA with the chance to promote First Green as a field
trip option for students in 2025.
On July 12, Ken Tilt, Superintendent at the Club at North Halton hosted the largest First Green event to date! Ken and his team welcomed two elementary school classes, 39 students, to his golf course. The team covered: science, technology, cool tools, stimpmeter, turefirm, TDR, height of cut prism, engineering, GPS sprayer, irrigation system, architecture, and math. A big thank you to Ken Tilt, David Mackenzie, Dawson Riml and Mitchell Jewell, Pullan Hanson and Ryan L. Scott for making the event a success!
The impact of First Green is substantial.
It inspires students’ and sparks interest in STEAM by providing a hands-on experience on a golf course. It brings awareness to your community about the work that superintendents do every day, it helps to advance golf by exposing youth to the career opportunities on a golf course, and it’s fun.
The OGSA hopes to help host a number of these events each season. If you are interested in participating in this valuable event, contact the OGSA staff at admin@ogsa. com; or scan the QR code!
We can’t wait to see you all there.
WHAT’S NEW
SUPERINTENDENT RECOGNITION
On Thursday, June 27 OGSA Board Member Kevin Collier, alongside Golf Ontario, presented West Haven G & CC Superintendent Joel Johnston with a certificate of recognition for his outstanding efforts in hosting the 109th Ontario Women’s Amateur & Mid-Amateur Championship. Congratulations to Joel & his team!
Kevin Collier, OGSA Director & VP, recognized Randy Booker and his team for their outstanding efforts in preparing for the 102nd Ontario Junior Boys’ Championship. Thank you to Golf Ontario for celebrating excellence in golf management!
In partnership with Golf Ontario, Ryan Scott, OGSA Director & past president, presents Scott Dyker, Superintendent & Bill Carvalho, Assistant Superintendent at Beverly GCC with a certificate of recognition for their efforts in hosting the 90th Ontario Junior (U19) Girls Championship. Congratulations to Scott, Bill & their team!
OGSA Board Member Ryan Scott, together with Golf Ontario, awarded Dan Sliasas, Superintendent of St. Catharines G & CC, a certificate of recognition on Thursday, June 27. This was in appreciation of his exceptional efforts in hosting the 102nd Ontario Men’s Amateur Championship. Congratulations to Dan and his team on this achievement!
SUPERINTENDENT RECOGNITION
A big thank you to Allturf for partnering with us on our Superintendent Recognition program again this year! We are looking forward to seeing many of our members to celebrate their contribution to golf this season!
SCHOLARSHIPS
Members with children who are working through their post secondary education! Don’t miss the chance for your family member to apply for the Heritage Award. The value is $1,500 and is for children or grandchildren of members! The deadline is September 2.
OGSA Board Member Jason Crawford, alongside Allturf rep Alexandra McNeill, presented Wooden Sticks Superintendent Scott Clayworth and his team with a certificate of recognition for their efforts in hosting the Junior (U19) Boys’ Spring Classic on May 21!
On May 21, Ian Hiltz & his team at FireRock Golf Club hosted the Junior (U19) Girls’ Spring Classic! OGSA Board Member, Kevin Collier & Allturf Representative, Kerry Whale, celebrated the efforts that made it all happen! Congratulations Ian & Team - you rock!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Deadline for Submissions
September 2, 2024
Heritage Award Applications
September 2, 2024
Superintendents and Assistants! The Professional Development Award in partnership with Syngenta deadline is September 2. Two winners will receive $1,500 plus a full conference pass to The Canadian GCMC in February 2025.
to Our New Members
Jordan Satchell Class C
St. Thomas Golf & Country Club
Kyle Groetelaars Class C
Cardinal Lakes Golf Group
Ryan Moore Class A
Forest Lake Country Club
Connor Dickson Class E
Flatlands Turf
Professional Development Awards, in partnership with Syngenta
September 30, 2024
Today In Ontario Photo Submissions
Upcoming OGSA Events
September 10, 2024
International Thank a Superintendent Day
September 23 & 24, 2024
OGSA Championship Event Muskoka Bay Resort & Taboo Resort
February 25-27, 2025
The Canadian Golf Course Management Conference, in concert with the OGSA Niagara Falls, Ontario
ABOUT THE COURSE
Located in Aurora, Ontario, on part of the Oak Ridges moraine, it is the original horse farm of the Stronach family. The vision was a high-end private golf club of Mr. Frank Stronach. The Golf Course was originally owned by Magna International as part of their Magna Enteartainment division, which included Horse Racetrack and Gaming Operations. The Golf Course has since sold to Trillyan Investment; however, it continues to operate under its original membership concept. The club has 275 members. The club strives to offer the ultimate golf and social experience while at the club.
Architect: Doug Carrick
Type of Club: Private membership
Number of holes: 18
Number of rounds annually: 15,000
Practice Facility: Yes, with a tee at each end, with target greens, chipping area and practice bunkers.
Number of staff year-round/seasonal: 46 at peak season
Member since 1983
Wayne Rath Superintendent, Magna Golf Club.
By Marco China, Director of Turfgrass Operations, Deer Ridge Golf Club.
The word “passion” comes to mind when talking about our industry and all those who are involved in it. It’s that passion for the game and for the job that keeps many of us going through those long stretches of the summer grind. For many of us, it’s the passion for the game of golf that ultimately led us to our passion for turf management, inspiring others to follow a similar path.
When speaking with Wayne Rath, superintendent at Magna Golf Club in Aurora, one can hear the passion in his voice
when he talks about turf, a topic he loves to discuss with his staff. This inspired passion has driven many who have worked for him to go on and be successful on their own paths: “I love working with young people who want to do this for a living and mentoring them,” says Wayne. His journey is filled with mentors who guided him and gave him the chance to learn and grow.
For Wayne, the journey started at Victoria Park in Guelph, where he often hung around trying to hone his golf game to reach the pro level. He even took a job picking balls on the range so he could be there more often. It was Carmen DeCorso who offered him a job on
Wayne Rath, superintendent at Magna Golf Club.
Q: Favourite golf tournament?
A: US Open.
Q: Favourite piece of turf equipment?
A: Toro HydroJect, Smithco Sprayer.
Q: Favourite golf course?
A: Cypress Point.
the grounds crew when he was 14 years old. During this time, Wayne attended school for mechanical engineering, but his passion for golf remained the focus. Realizing that a pro golf career might not be attainable, DeCorso encouraged him to take the 2-year turf management program at Seneca College in 1984. After graduating, DeCorso let Wayne operate Victoria Park West course for a year before accepting his first superintendent role at Guelph Country Club at 22 years old.
After a season at Guelph Country Club, he sought more knowledge and applied for the assistant superintendent role at Credit Valley Golf and Country Club. Under the guidance of Doug Sutor, Wayne began to refine his skills and see things differently. This was
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Predominate grass type: Greens, Tees and Fairways are Providence /SR 1119 Blend
Predominant soil type: Sandy loam on our south side / Heavier soil on the North part of the property
Types of greens: Modified California free drain greens with Hutcheson Sand Mix
Course Length: Six sets of tees ranging from 5108 yds. to 7307 yds. from the back tees
Size of Property: 200 acres
Size of Greens: 130,000 sq. ft
Size of Tees: 155,000 sq. ft
Size of Fairways: 31.5 acres
Major Challenges: Aging infrastructure, particularly Sand traps, Irrigation Upgrades and Cart Path Replacement. Managing almost 9 acres of original bunkers, major washouts are becoming a major concern.
Q: Ultimate foursome?
A: Paul Dermott, Thom Charters, and Bill Fach
Q: Lowest round and where?
A: 66 - Islington Golf Club.
Q: Favourite Meal?
A: Carrie’s homemade lobster mac and cheese.
Q: Favourite Movie?
A: Caddyshack
Q: Favourite Season?
A: Fall
Q: Favourite Band?
A: Gino Vanelli – Black Cars.
where he learned the importance of nitrogen management. He recalls when Credit Valley purchased one of the first fleets of triplex mowers with buckets to collect clippings: “We were only getting through about half a pass before we had to dump the buckets! This was where I realized we needed to
control nitrogen; in those days, we were just throwing it down by the skid”. Times have certainly changed, but that story has followed him throughout his career as he became a leader in bentgrass management.
After two years at Credit Valley, learning from
“I have been fortunate to know Wayne for over 30 years. He is a great leader and mentor but is an even better friend. Wayne’s agronomic knowledge is on the cutting edge and he is always improving his skills through education and research. Wayne is on the forefront of turf management and is respected by Superintendents across Canada.”
– Ian McQueen, Golf Course and Property Manager St. George’s Golf and Country Club
Wayne and Carrie with their dog Sailor, daughter Sarah with spouse Robert and granddaughter Georgia with their dog Winnie, Son Mitchell with his girlfriend Grace.
Sutor, he moved on to the superintendent job at Islington Golf Club at age 24. He spent ten years at Islington from 1988 to 1998, where mentoring and teaching others became a passion for him: “I have always enjoyed teaching and learning. Some people came with experience, and you knew they were going to be great. Others came in and learned the skills, showing interest, and we would give them opportunities to show their skills, helping everyone along the way”.
During his time at Islington, he met another pivotal figure in his journey: Canadian golf course architect Doug Carrick, who gave him the opportunity to consult on many projects putting together the maintenance protocols for many of Carrick’s projects. One of these projects was Magna Golf Club. In 1998, Wayne took the position of superintendent at Magna Golf Club, where he oversaw the construction and grow-in of one of Canada’s finest courses. He has continued to push the limits of championship golf conditioning at Magna for over 25 years.
Wayne credits much of his success to the unwavering support of his family. “During the first year at Islington I worked everyday, my wife Carrie would jokingly say no plans were final until Wayne got there”, Wayne said, “my family knew what I did and supported it, we became a skiing family because it worked for us”. Wayne said things have changed since those early days, and he has achieved a greater balance between work and life but has always known that he has the support of his entire family.
When asked what has kept him interested and motivated throughout the years, Wayne
says that “ultimately, I am a lover of growing grass; that’s where my passion is. Growing grass has changed a lot over the past 30 years. We do things differently now, and I enjoy being creative in how we deliver championship conditions every day”. In 2000, Wayne’s greens at Magna won the best 18 greens in North America by Seed Research. It was from here that he got involved with the bentgrass advisory committee with Seed Research and surrounded himself with others – from doctorate professors to agronomists to other superintendents – who share his passion for growing grass. This passion for growing grass led him to start Turfgrass Solutions seven years ago. Turfgrass Solutions offers alternative fertilizer options that are not nitrogen-based, bringing it back to that lesson learned long ago at Credit Valley. Wayne takes pride in receiving calls from other superintendents seeking advice or help with their fertilizer programs, offering cost-effective solutions for their turf: “It has been a great learning experience for me and has exceeded our expectations”.
When writing about Wayne, you can’t overlook the fact that he has mentored and taught many individuals throughout his career. So many, in fact, that listing them all would take up several pages of this magazine. This is a testament to his passion for the industry and the people who make it what it is: “I have always enjoyed the people. I am out in the field every day with the staff, talking to them and learning about their lives”. He has always believed in having a wide range of ages on staff, with team members ranging from teenagers to those in their 70’s. It’s clear that everyone is given the opportunity to shine
when working with Wayne; your skills are put to the test, but not before you learn them.
Networking is a common theme that many longtime superintendents will tell you is extremely important: “Don’t be afraid to network, people are always open to questions in our industry, very rarely will people not answer the phone, talking and asking questions is a huge resource to use in our industry” says Wayne. Wayne said he doesn’t play in as many industry golf tournaments anymore but always enjoyed playing golf with industry colleagues: “Make time to be at events and the opportunities that are given to you by the industry”. He stated that it was at these events where he met some of the most influential people in his career.
When finishing my conversation with Wayne, I asked him if he had any words of wisdom he could share with me. He quickly remarked “I am a big believer in that good people get what they deserve, work hard and surround yourself with good people you can learn from”. It is clear that Wayne’s journey is defined by passion, hard work, and the strong relationships he has built along the way, and these are lessons from which we can all learn from a true mentor. ■
Brooke Henderson walking up 18th fairway at the 2019 CP Women’s Open.
Preparing for the RBC Canadian Open AFTER A HISTORIC RENOVATION
By Corey Young, Assistant Golf Course Superintendent, Hamilton Golf & Country Club.
Hamilton Golf and Country Club hosted the RBC Canadian Open for the seventh time in the club’s history from May 28June 2, 2024. This comes on the heels of a monumental full-course renovation, that started in 2019 and concluded in 2022. Its scope was immense, involving the reconstruction of all 27 green sites, building 101 new bunkers, installing a state-of-the-art irrigation system, multiple new tees, adjusted fairway lines, and extensive drainage improvements. It has been a busy five years and 2024 will be no different. This may be a lot to some, but it is just another day in the office for our team.
After embarking on the renovation project led by Martin Ebert of Mackenzie Ebert International Golf Course Architects in the fall of 2019, HGCC proudly opened the first of its three nine-hole courses on July 26, 2021. This was an incredibly exciting milestone for the Club, membership, and the Course & Grounds team. The renovated golf course presented and played differently than the previous one.
The past two growing seasons have required the Course and Grounds team to learn on the fly, adapt, and accept that there will be, at times,
some trial and error. We were managing a new golf course. One example of learning by trial has been our new bunkers. Martin Ebert’s flashy, rugged bunker style is very different from the previous bunker style. We worked hard to thin the fescue on the faces to achieve a wispy look and have evolved our raking style over the past two seasons. We now rake in what we like to call a modified “Aussie-style”. This is the raking style we used during the RBC Canadian Open this spring.
When going through all these changes and achieving the result, we recognized the importance of team buy-in. Led by Golf Course Superintendent Jordan Kitchen, the Course and Grounds team bought into the new ideas and programs to ensure success for years to come. Team buy-in is a pivotal part of the success of any renovation. Explaining the “why” and taking the time to teach our
Drone shot of the RBC Canadian Open staging at Hamilton G&CC. Photo provided by HGCC.
Jordan Kitchen, Golf Course Superintendent, Hamilton Golf & Country Club.
SIGNIFICANT CHANGES THAT OCCURRED:
• The old bent/poa push-up greens were replaced with a USGA sand-based green California construction style with increased pinnable area and were seeded to modern bentgrass.
• The renovated golf course now featured bentgrass roll-offs around all greens. The course went from having four to ten acres of approaches and roll-offs. This new feature provides players of all skill levels with increased shot options.
• Bunkers were rebuilt and repositioned with a more rugged links-style look with fescue on the faces and bluegrass on the bottom edges. The new bunkers were built using the Better Billy Bunker system.
• A state-of-the-art Toro irrigation system was installed, which included full upgrades to all green sites, tees, and a three-row system on all fairways.
team members also helps build purpose for how necessary each change is to our operation.
The spring of 2024 was mild, which allowed us to bring team members back early to begin the onboarding and training process that would be required to get everyone caught up on how we operate at Hamilton. The opportunity of a lifetime was the message we were sending to all our staff, to work at a club that hosts a PGA tour event is a rarity, and to do so in a country that only hosts one presents a special opportunity. With the golf tournament being hosted two weeks earlier than usual, that meant we had to train our team members quickly!
Most of our full-time employees started in the third and fourth week of March, this consisted of our full-time seasonal employees and our large equipment operators. Our university students, however, did not join the team until late April, or early May, which gives us 3 weeks to train as many students to walk mow, and perform as many tasks as possible while learning our property. Patience and a strong message helped get our team into the position they needed to be in to perform during the week of the tournament.
Even with all the planning and training, nothing can prepare you for when the ropes go up on the Wednesday morning of Advanced week. Hamilton Golf and Country Club went from being a golf course to a sporting venue in one day. The 250,000 square feet of hospitality space is daunting, but the golf course changes once the ropes go up. Our staff and terrific volunteers navigated the new challenges well, thankful that we had an additional 50-plus volunteers to lend their services over the two weeks. Events like this cannot happen without the great help and terrific pride that our volunteers bring throughout the week. It truly makes you proud to be a part of such a terrific industry.
Tournament week got off to an interesting start. From Sunday
night to Tuesday morning, we were met with 1.5” of rain that soaked the golf course, daily morning squidging was required on the holes that have the Ancaster creek running through them. Generations of drainage have been installed into these holes, but if the creek level rises, the drain tiles will backfill and flood the fairways. Thankfully by Wednesday afternoon, all the standing water on the property had soaked in and we were met with dry weather for the remainder of the week.
By Sunday the golf course was in peak form, and a worthy champion was crowned in Robert MacIntyre. Something very special that the Course and Grounds team learned on Sunday was that Robert’s father is a proud greenskeeper back in Scotland.
Dougie works at Glencruitten Golf Course in Oban, Scotland. During the ceremony, we asked Dougie if he wanted to be included in our team picture; we could not think of a more fitting person to be included. This certainly was an amazing moment to cap off such an incredible week.
1820 days is the number of days between the 2019 and 2024 Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf and Country Club. During that time, a 27-hole renovation was executed and matured to host our national championship. A long road that was met with a triumphant conclusion that the entire Course and Grounds team at Hamilton should be very proud of. ■
Figure 1 - Photo Credits Jordan Kitchen.
Figure 2 - Photo Credits Chad Oberle.
From Greens to Screens
VIRTUAL HIRING IN THE TURF INDUSTRY
By Marco China, Superintendent, Director of Turfgrass Operations, Deer Ridge Golf Club.
The turf industry has traditionally been known for its hands-on approach and reliance on physical presence on the golf course, as well as during the interview process for potential new jobs. While the adoption of virtual hiring and interview processes has been common in other industries and sectors, it has been slower in the turf industry. However, as technology continues to permeate every sector, the turf industry and its affiliated golf clubs are embracing these digital innovations to streamline recruitment, improve efficiency, and attract a broader talent pool.
THE SHIFT TO VIRTUAL HIRING
Historically, the turf industry has relied heavily on face-to-face interactions. From greenskeepers to turf managers, the hiring process typically involved in-person interviews. However, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of virtual technologies across industries, including turf management. With travel restrictions and social distancing measures in place, employers had to adapt quickly to continue their operations. This necessity led to the widespread acceptance of virtual hiring platforms, which had been around prior to the pandemic but saw rapid adoption out of necessity.
Today, many golf clubs and organizations in the turf industry are leveraging virtual tools like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and specialized recruitment platforms. Hiring agencies and talent recruiters have also adopted these techniques, making them commonplace in formal interview processes. These tools allow employers to conduct interviews, assess candidates, and even onboard new hires without requiring physical presence.
BENEFITS OF VIRTUAL HIRING IN THE TURF INDUSTRY
Wider Talent Pool: Virtual hiring eliminates geographical barriers, enabling turf industry employers to reach a larger group of industry professionals.
Time Savings: Scheduling and conducting virtual interviews can be more efficient than coordinating in-person meetings. This efficiency can speed up the hiring process, allowing organizations to fill positions more quickly.
Flexibility: Virtual interviews offer greater flexibility for both employers and candidates. They can be scheduled at convenient times, reducing the need for candidates to take time off work or travel long distances.
Enhanced Assessment Tools: Modern virtual hiring platforms come equipped with various assessment tools that can help evaluate candidates more effectively. For example, video interviews can be recorded and reviewed multiple times, ensuring a thorough assessment. One such assessment tool is a one-way interview, where prearranged questions are answered by prospective candidates virtually while recording themselves. These answers are recorded in an allotted amount of time and submitted for review.
Michael Gregory, Managing Director and Partner with GGA Partners says, “The one-way interview is just another tool for us to use in the hiring process; it adds something new to the traditional hiring process.” Michael explained that the one-way interview is a great way to see how someone thinks on their feet and gives candidates an opportunity to do research ahead of time. “It shows who has done their homework and who can draw on past experiences related to what the prospective clubs may be looking for. Knowledge on the property ahead of time is an asset because you can speak to what the club may be looking for.”
CHALLENGES OF VIRTUAL HIRING
While the benefits are significant, virtual hiring in the turf industry also presents a couple of challenges:
Technical Issues: Connectivity problems, software glitches, and hardware malfunctions can disrupt virtual interviews. These technical issues can be frustrating for both interviewers and candidates and may affect the interview’s outcome. Practice runs ahead of time will help immensely with making a virtual interview go smoothly. Prepping your space will help make you more comfortable in the setting, easing any nerves created from a more foreign interview approach.
Lack of Personal Interaction: Virtual interviews can lack the personal touch of face-to-face interactions. Non-verbal cues, body language, and the general feel of the interaction can be harder to gauge through a screen. Practice runs and preparation ahead of time will help make the interview more comfortable. Prepare for a virtual interview by using virtual platforms like Zoom; this preparation will make you feel more comfortable and will highlight any glitches or connection problems you may face so you can remedy those before the interview.
OVERCOMING THE CHALLENGES
To address these challenges, the turf industry can adopt several strategies:
Technical Support: Providing candidates and interviewers with technical support can help mitigate connectivity and software issues. Pre-interview checks and training sessions can ensure everyone is comfortable with the technology. There are many resources available online to help familiarize yourself with this newer format of the interview process.
Hybrid Approaches: Combining virtual interviews with in-person assessments can offer a balanced approach. Initial interviews can be conducted virtually, followed by in-person interviews for shortlisted candidates. The virtual platform allows for a shorter timeline when sifting through applicants to create a shortlist. This allows more time to be spent with in-person candidates since the list has already been shortened before any in-person interviews are conducted.
FUTURE PROSPECTS
The trend towards virtual hiring in the turf industry is likely to continue growing. As technology advances, virtual hiring tools will become more sophisticated, offering even better features for assessing candidates. There is no question that virtual hiring platforms can be uncomfortable, especially with our industry being new to these forms of interviews and thus slower to adopt this change. It takes practice to overcome that uncomfortable feeling. Hiring firms see this as a great tool because of that uncomfortable feeling. It puts you out of your element and gives you the ability to showcase how you can adapt and overcome the pressure. While challenges exist, many clubs see the benefits of reaching a wider talent pool, time savings, and enhanced assessment tools, making virtual hiring an attractive option. By addressing technical issues and becoming more comfortable with the various software used, the turf industry can successfully navigate this digital transition. As technology continues to evolve, virtual hiring is set to become an integral part of the turf industry’s future, paving the way for a more efficient, inclusive, and sustainable approach to recruitment. ■
Cordova Bay Golf Course, Cordova Bay, BC
WHAT’S IN YOUR CARBON?
YOU KNOW ALL PLANTS NEED CARBON — BUT DO YOU KNOW WHY?
It aids in metabolizing nitrogen, providing a more robust root zone, and reducing thatch. Since most soils are void of adequate levels of soluble carbon, a properly formulated carbon source is highly beneficial in getting nutrients where they’re needed most — into the plant.
We work with our partners Redox and Earthworks to offer unmatched carbon diversity and availability, giving your turf what it needs to provide optimum conditions.
ASK YOUR BRETTYOUNG REPRESENTATIVE TODAY WHICH CARBON SOLUTIONS YOU CAN COUNT ON THIS SEASON.
GROWTH RATE Keep It Simple
By Andrew Marsan, Turf Technical Sales Representative, Plant Products.
Don’t overcomplicate simple things. Easier said than done, right? It’s a common human tendency to complicate our day, which is especially easy to fall into in this profession. There are a lot of moving parts: staff management, budgeting, financial management, environmental compliance, member and guest relations, safety and risk management, record keeping, continuing education, etc. And then, of course, there’s that greenkeeping thing—that’s important too.
In 2020, I stumbled across a book titled “A Short Grammar of Greenkeeping” by Dr. Micah Woods, founder and Chief Scientist of the Asian Turfgrass Center (ATC). Looking back, it’s mind-boggling that a 15-dollar online purchase, which I read in its entirety during a frost delay, could have such a profound effect on me as a golf
course superintendent. There was nothing fancy about it, nothing to dissect. It was an insight into greenkeeping at its most basic. I remember putting the book down and I
How does one monitor and maintain the desired growth rate? Measure the clipping volume. Instead of calendaror schedule-based nitrogen and PGR applications, pay attention to how the grass is actually growing.
started to look at turfgrass management in a completely different light.
Dr. Woods provides a simple definition of the core principle in golf course maintenance:
“Greenkeeping is managing the growth rate of the grass to create the desired playing surface for golf.” I think about this often and realize that we’ve talked about data collection and, more recently, OM246, but where this series should have started is at the beginning, with the growth rate.
Consider this. Every maintenance practice carried out on the golf course is in some way or another related to managing the growth rate of the turf. There is no one-size-fitsall approach to achieving the proper growth rate for your surfaces; it depends on a variety of factors. One thing is for certain: maintaining a growth rate that is as slow as possible while not compromising the ability to recover from the traffic that comes with daily play is ideal and produces the best playing conditions. It is explained like this: if there was a golf course with no golfers and therefore no traffic, the optimum growth rate would be no growth at all. For a busy golf course, putting through hundreds of
golfers a day who are walking and driving on the turf, making divots, and leaving ball marks, the optimum growth rate required would be much faster. Whether too slow or too fast, both come with their own set of issues. If the grass is growing too slowly, its ability to recover from daily stresses is a concern. This also encourages the possibility of disease invasion and weed encroachment, and we run the risk of breaking the cardinal rule: always maintain 100% grass cover. A growth rate that is too fast will ultimately result in an abundance of organic material being produced, and we know how that can turn out. Of course, playability can and will suffer on both ends of the spectrum.
If the most critical aspect of golf course maintenance is controlling the growth rate of our turf, and we know that growth is directly linked to photosynthesis, then what are the factors that we can control? Dr. Woods states that four main contributing factors control growth: temperature, light, leaf nitrogen content, and plant water status. Unfortunately, temperature and light are out of our hands, but it is still important to understand the influence of both. We know that turf will grow best when it is grown in full sun, and any restriction will ultimately restrict growth. We also know that the coolseason grasses we manage here in Ontario grow best when temperatures are closest to the optimum for growth, between 16° and 24° C. One can also utilize the turfgrass growth potential (GP) model to better understand the effect of temperature on
growth. Keeping this in mind, we can shift our focus to what we can influence: leaf nitrogen content and plant water status. Our goal should be to maintain a level of plant-available water in the soil that prevents us from reaching a wilting point, therefore not restricting growth. If we can agree on this, then what are we left with? Nitrogen. Two things are going to happen when nitrogen is applied: there will be a colour response, and the grass will grow faster. More nitrogen = increased growth; less nitrogen = decreased growth. It’s that simple. If we look at utilizing nitrogen as a tool to manage the growth rate, and we’ve determined a desired growth rate for our surface, then one can adjust accordingly to maintain optimum conditions.
Everything else will start to fall into place once we get this right. How does one monitor and maintain the desired growth rate? Measure the clipping volume. Instead of calendar- or schedule-based nitrogen and PGR applications, pay attention to how the grass is actually growing. Growing less grass is ultimately going to produce less organic material and can lead to a reduction in the frequency of cultural practices. Monitor your OM246 levels to determine a site-specific benchmark that allows you to hit your performance goals with the least amount of disturbance to the surfaces possible. If nothing else, let’s keep one philosophy simple and quote Dr. Micah Woods: “Greenkeeping, at its core, is about controlling the growth rate of the grass. ■
The Switch Up
HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES FOR THE MIND & BODY
“The human body has been designed to resist an infinite number of changes and attacks brought about by its environment. The secret of good health lies in successful adjustment to changing stresses on the body.”
Harry J. Johnson
By Lisa Marie Guilfoyle, Assistant Superintendent at Oakville Golf Club.
How many times a day do you check in on yourself? Think about it … when it comes to your golf course, the first thing you do when you arrive is check in on it; what is the weather going to be like today? What are my moisture levels at? Is it time to put down more fertilizer? What are the trends from my data collection? How am I doing with my fungicide protection? The list goes on and on … As Superintendents and Turf Managers we put in the work daily, even minute by minute, to find the balance in providing and maintaining a healthy golf course. But arere we doing the same when it comes to our own body and mind? It is just as, if not more, important to monitor oour own health the same as we would our golf course. The two go hand and hand … and our golf courses (as a whole) will be healthier because of it!
My intention here is to pass along helpful suggestions, friendly reminders and alternative ways to manifest a peaceful state of mind that will transpire into your body allowing you to be your most
optimal self. The truth of the matter is: the mind and the body are not separate. What affects one, affects the other. Here are some alternative ways to switch things up.
BREATHWORK
Breathing, something we do day in and day out, naturally. Have you ever taken the time to notice how you breathe or even where your breath lies? When stressors like budgets, expectation and disease pressure arise, your breathing pattern may land in the chest. This causes short and quick breaths triggered by our flight or fight response (sympathetic state) which ultimately sends less oxygen to the brain. Fortunately, we have the power to deliberately change our own breathing, allowing for stress response managementespecially in stress related situations. When mindfully taking full breaths into the abdomen and expanding the diaphragm, your brain communicates to the body that you are safe and can remain in its rest and digest (parasympathetic) state. Abdominal breathing helps to control the nervous system and encourages the body to relax, bringing about a range of health benefits such as lowered blood
pressure, reduced levels of lactic acid in your muscles, improved immune functioning and increased energy. Present findings indicate that breathwork changes brain activity and mood and induces mystical experiences. These results are promising and suggest that such techniques are useful to improve your The Switch Up … Healthy Alternatives for the Mind & Body overall mental wellbeing. It is recommended to spend 10-15 minutes a day just simply breathing. With intention, consciously and deeply.
There are many approaches when it comes to breathwork. Each a little different than the other but all carry the same intention. I have been practicing the Wim Hof Method and have developed my own practice within retention and recovery breath techniques. You can find an array of videos on YouTube that will help you get started. For the readers out there, I highly recommend picking up a copy of ‘Breath’ by James Nester for some insight behind the science of our breath.
COLD WATER THERAPY
For those who know me well, know that I have been practicing this for nearly four years. In the twenty plus years I have worked in this industry, I have always gone home after a hot summer’s day to a cold shower with little to no education on the benefits behind exposing your body to the cold. Now that my practice has evolved, you can find me sitting in an ice bath, or better yet, walking into Lake Ontario all winter long. Frequent exposure to the cold is associated with
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By implementing even some of these practices, you will start to notice a change in your body as well as a shift in your perspective.
multiple health benefits such as inflammation reduction, improved quality of sleep, improved immune response and metabolism, higher energy levels and heightened mood. With inflammation being one of the biggest contributors to disease, this practice has also been linked to minimizing your chances and the management of some auto-immune diseases.
Check out this quick read at healthline.com/health/cold-watertherapy for more information, or feel free to reach out with any questions you may have.
MINDFULNESS
Mindfulness is the practice of purposely focusing your attention on the present moment and accepting it without judgement. It is being closely examined scientifically and has been found to be a key element in stress reduction and overall happiness. There are three pillars to mindfulness; Intention (choosing to cultivate your awareness), Attention (to the present moment, sensations, and thoughts) and Attitude (being kind, curious, and non-judgmental). Adapting these pillars can light up parts of our brain that are not normally activated when we’re mindlessly running on autopilot, which can be the case for a lot of us. Remember, you are not your thoughts. You have all the control when it comes to how you allow those thoughts to infiltrate. Choose to untether yourself from that voice inside (even though it sounds a lot like someone you know very well) and embrace the joy that will surely follow.
Many of you may be familiar with Paul MacCormack - The Mindful Superintendent. His blog is accessible via turfnet. com/blogs and deserves the read. He covers many topics while speaking from personal experience, wisdom and a fresh perspective.
PRACTICING GRATITUDE AND GIVING THANKS
We have all been trained to do a job and to do it well, applying what we have been taught, constantly perfecting and learning new ways - ever evolving! How great is that? We all have it in us to find a solution, make the changes and rely on our colleagues for advice. But let’s be honest here, our jobs can be stressful and not everything comes that simply. The key to all of this is keeping an open mind and not giving too much energy away toward the things that are out of our control. This can be obtained just by switching your focus. Encouraging a new perspective. Instead of dwelling on what may be lacking, find gratitude in the abundance of your surroundings and remember to give it thanks. It is all about the choices you make. You are in the driver’s seat. ‘Quality is not an act; it is a habit’ - Aristotle
Three Ways to Practice Gratitude from calm.com
1. Notice good things, look for them, appreciate them
2. Savour, absorb, and really pay attention to those good things
3. Express your gratitude to yourself, write it down, or thank someone.
SPENDING TIME IN NATURE & SHINRIN-YOKU
Nature is a marvellous healing space. As much as we are exposed to it every day, it is possible to become immune or desensitised to the beauty that surrounds you. As I scrolled through social media the other day, I came across a reel featuring Douglas James Sr. of the Lummi Nation. His message resonated. “Let nature have its way with you, because all you’re going to find is beauty, peace and harmony. Be still and know what the birds are trying to tell you. They’re not worried about tomorrow. They’re not worried about yesterday. They are right here, right now, rejoicing!”
Translated as “forest bathing” or most literally, “being in the atmosphere of the forest”, Shinrin-Yoku has deep roots in Japanese culture. The concept of forest bathing is as such; spend intentional time surrounded by trees, slow down and let your senses experience what is happening all around you. Take the time to sit down, feel the earth beneath you. Find a place to be still and observe. In the last couple years there have been new studies conducted to support this holistic way of healing in managing mental health as well as certain auto-immune diseases.
Want to dive deeper into this theory? Read Forest Bathing: How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness By Dr. Qing Li.
SENSORY DEPRIVATION TANKS
A.K.A FLOATING
This style of therapy has been around since the 1950’s and developed to monitor how the nervous system would respond to being in an environment devoid of all external stimulation. While floating, one lies in water about a foot deep set to 95.5 degrees Fahrenheit (35.2 degrees Celsius) containing approximately 25 percent concentration of Epsom Salts (Magnesium Sulfate) allowing optimal buoyancy. All senses are eliminated. No light, no sound, and floating weightlessly at the body’s natural temperature. Benefits from floating are similar to those gained from breathwork and meditation. Reducing anxiety, amplifying relaxation, improving sleep quality, lowering blood pressure and assisting in pain relief. Look for the closest float centre near you and give this experience a go!
By implementing even some of these practices, you will start to notice a change in your body as well as a shift in your perspective. You will experience a response to things as opposed to a reaction, your mind will feel less clouded allowing your focus to be sharp. Think of it as topping up your soils with fertilizer, what is the turfs response? Vigorous growth, rich colour and strength to withstand added stress. For those of you that attended the 2024 Ontario Golf Course Management Conference and sat in on Pat Jones’ session, Double-Edge Sword of Superintendent Culture, you may recall him touching base on the topic of work/life balance. He shared an inspiring perspective. He suggests looking at a work/health balance yet not even balancing them but intertwining the two to be cohesive. The takeaway from this session was clear. It is important to reinvent your way of thinking (and doing) for longevity of the greater good in oneself as well as finding ways to become proactive and eliminate the reactive. ■
LOOKING BACK
A Trip to the Beer Store FROM GREEN IS BEAUTIFUL 1984
The following is a true story as told by Brooklea GC golf professional Russ Howard to the participants of the final golf day of the Georgian Bay Superintendents Association:
Saturday, August 25 started out as a normal Saturday at Brooklea. We had 4 tournaments booked back-to-back, we had reserved more gas cars than we owned, and the superintendent was off for another weekend. To make matters worse, my accountant, who I try to keep very happy, was in one of these tournaments and as luck would have it, he had reserved one of the “invisible” gas cars. As he is partially disabled, I had to find him a gas car or probably find myself declaring bankruptcy at years end.
Since I had no intention of taking my life in my hands and marshalling the course that day, I decided to rent out our ranger car. This particular car is ungoverned and moves out at just under the speed of sound. I figured my responsible accountant would treat this car with respect, so I rented it to him. For some unknown reason, he decided to exchange this car with two unsavoury types for a more sedate Yamaha.
All seemed to be going well until I heard reports from the course that the Marshall car was being flipped over with some regularity.
Not having a vehicle left, I jogged out to the 12th tee, confirmed the fact that they managed to keep their beer from spilling when they flipped the car, made sure the car still ran then told them to have a good time. As I jogged away, I stopped within earshot to warn them to take it easy, then sped off with my remaining energy knowing all the while they had the fastest car man has ever seen.
I thought everything was fine until the phone rang and my brother inquired as to why our Marshall car was at the Brewers Retail, where he is employed. I told him there must be some mistake, but he assured me there aren’t many lime green golf cars with “MARSHALL” emblazoned all over it in bright yellow letters. Not knowing what to do, I jumped in my car to try to stop these fellows before someone got hurt. The beer store happens to be over 3 miles away with half of it being 4 lane highway. There are also 3 sets of lights to contend with along with 2 malls, various other businesses, and the police station. As I approached the first set of lights, I saw my Marshall car coming over the hill in the middle of the passing lane. I turned around to give chase and thought a Steve McQueen style cut-off might intimidate them. I guess Steve was a better driver than me because I lost all control and slid into the ditch as I attempted this impressive maneuver. I jumped from my car in time to receive a parting toast from one of
the culprits. Good fortune did come my way momentarily as an acquaintance happened by and drove me to the course but with no sign of the Marshall car.
Once at the course, I realized this situation required some police attention, so I phoned the OPP and asked for a hand in controlling some drinking golfers and an errant golf car. The officer said they were indeed interested as they had a report of a car being forced into a ditch by these characters (I didn’t tell him it was my car in the ditch).
The police arrived, commandeered a golf car, and chased the perpetrators around the course and finally cornered the car and driver minus the passenger. When questioned as to the whereabouts of his partner in crime, our inebriated criminal said he had lost him going through the cornfield (what next?).
The officer then began to dress this fella down as to the stupidity and danger of the affair when our star quickly retorted how stupid and dangerous it is to put a car in the ditch trying to act like a stunt driver, all the while looking directly at me. When he finally remembered his last name (really), he was charged with liquor other than a place of residence. No other charge was laid as he wasn’t caught on the highway by the police.
I do have the last laugh though as these two jerks forgot their clubs and I’ve been renting them out at $3.50 a crack to this day. ■
LOOKING BACK Forty Years Ago, Today
In 1984 the board of directors of the O.G.S.A were as follows: Al Draper (president), Greenhills, Hugh Kirkpatrick (vice), Westmount, Rusty Warkman (past pres.), Oshawa, Bob Kennedy, Garden City, Barry Endicott (newsletter editor), Chinguacousy, Bill Fach, Essex, Gordon Nimmo, Sarnia, Scott Dodson, Chedoke, Thom Charters, Islington, Shorty Jenkins, Bay of Quinte, and Gordon Witteveen, Board of Trade.
1984 was the 60th anniversary of the OGSA and Jackie Dermott was office secretary.
ON THE MOVE
Dr. Clayton Switzer, who was the former Dean of OAC, became Ontario's Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food. David Gourlay moved from Ancaster as assistant to Toronto Ladies as superintendent. Ed Doda took the position at Barrie Golf Club and Rick Serrao moved to Glen Cedars from Markland Wood Golf Club where he was the assistant.
IN MEMORIAM
Ab Reeve passed away on December 3rd, 1984. Ab was a charter member of the CGSA, and he retired in November 1982 after 20 years as superintendent at the Whitevale Golf Club. After retiring he worked at the Seaton Golf Club until his death.
EVENTS
The C.G.S.A Conference took place in Toronto from March 11-14. Dr. Clayton Switzer was the keynote speaker. Other turf experts who spoke included Dr. James Beard and Dr. Richard Skogley. There was a pre-conference golf tournament held at the Board of Trade Country Club on March 10th.
The GCSAA Convention was held in Las Vegas. Keith Nisbet was presented with the Distinguished Service Award for his dedication and service to golf course
superintendents and the profession. The Leo Feser Award was presented to Gordon Witteveen in recognition of the best Superintendent written article in Golf Course Management magazine.
There was a Michigan and Borders Cities and OGSA joint meeting on April 25 at Beachgrove hosted by Ron Heesen
An OGSA meeting was held at Sawmill Golf Club hosted by George Julie. Al Draper presented a check to Paul Dermott, president of the OTRF for $1,000. Neil Acton was presented with a plaque for becoming a Certified Golf Superintendent of the GCSAA and Rick Zeigel was presented with a scholarship for the Turf Managers Short Course presented by Jack Webb, president of the OGA. Dean McEwen presented the Clayton Switzer trophy to Keith Nisbet and Bill Hynd for their best net aggregates. Other winners were 1st low gross Bruce Burger (74), 2nd low gross Hugh Kirkpatrick (74).
1984 O.G.S.A. Board of Directors (back row) Tom Simpson, Scott Dodson, Gord Nimmo, Barry Endicott, Gord Witteveen, Thom Charters, Bob Kennedy. (front row) Bill Fach, Rusty Warkman, Al Draper, Hugh Kirkpatrick. (absent) Shorty Jenkins.
TOURNAMENTS
The Superintendent/Pro Tournament was held at the Aurora Highlands hosted by Paul Dodson on July 3rd. Low gross team was John Davis (pro) and Steve Miller (super) with 151.
The OTRF fundraising tournament was held at the National with the $75.00 entrance fee raising over $8,000.00.
The Galt Field Day was once again held at the Galt Country Club hosted by Paul Scenna
The 11th Annual President, Greens chairman, Superintendent Tournament was held at the Sunningdale Country Club hosted by Ken Nelson. The winning team was from Tillsonburg, Ross Thurston with a score of 109 pts. Bob Moote, John Arends and Whitey Jones fashioned the
golfing attire which would have been worn at the first President, Green chairman, Superintendent Tournament in 1924.
Joe Reed was the McClumpha Tournament winner at the Glen Eagle Golf Club on October 1st, hosted by Bill Calhoun.
The Georgian Bay Superintendents Association was in full swing with tournaments at Brooklea, Neil Acton, Midland, Alex LaBelle, Royal Downs, Stew Picken, Barrie, Ed Doda, Blue Mountain, Kim Hanley and Borden, Ray Richards. Ray Richards was the president and Alex LaBelle was the secretary.
RECOGNITIONS
Al Draper presented with Aldo Bortolon the ODH scholarship at the Spring Convocation.
Gordon Witteveen was the Score Magazine Award Winner as the 1984 Top Canadian Superintendent.
Minimum wage increased from $3.85 to $4.00/hr.
The stimpmeter, friend or foe, was just introduced to superintendents after being tested by the USGA Green Section. General ranges for putting green speed were determined and published as part of the instruction manual. ■
Alex LaBelle presenting a cheque on behalf of GBSA to Paul Dermott, president of the OTRF.
Bob Moote, John Arends and Whitey Jones portraying our first President, Green chairman and Superintendent of 1924.
Golfers at the pre-conference golf tournament held at the Board of Trade on March 10 before the CGSA conference and show.
TURF OR CONSEQUENCES
SUMMER 2024 My Lists
By Doug Breen, Superintendent, Golf North Properties.
Today I played a course in Perth, Ontario - which claims to be “Canada’s Oldest Golf Course”. It must be true, because there’s a sign at the road and everything! I’ve been known to make up the odd fact here or there in the name of marketing, but once the sign people are involved –well those people have some ethics and standards! The Signmakers’ Guild would never stand for exaggeration or prevarication. According to the Golf Canada website, and confirmed by a random guy in the Perth GC Proshop, the front nine was laid out in 1890. Random Proshop guy also told me that three of the existing holes are original, and were laid out by a British Officer / Gentleman Farmer some 134 years ago … although he ‘wasn’t sure which ones’.
presenting). The next tab, is my lifetime list – there were some hazy games in my twenties, so I know that this list isn’t very accurate, but I should get to 300 unique courses by the end of this year.
I am aware that there are a handful of other Canadian golf clubs which predate 1890, but either they no longer exist, or aren’t in their original locations. There is one other Ontario course (Niagara on the Lake) which claims to be the “Oldest Golf Club in North America” (take that, Perth Golf Club). It’s a widely known fact, that John Geale Dickson had the course ready for play by the 1875 season. It’s also true, that a local newspaper reported on a match played there in 1878, where a “pony cart followed them from hole to hole, laden with every possible beverage which the human tongue could desire”. They also have a sign at the road! So which sign is correct?
Niagara on the Lake GC is built on a War of 1812 battle site. At one time, the second hole was a blind par three over the tower and earthworks of Fort Mississauga. The land is controlled by the Canadian Government - and explains why there was considerable pressure to stop whacking balls over, into, and off of a historic fort, battlements, and graveyard. In fact, in the early 1970’s there was a movement to close the course entirely.
But this is how Perth GC gets to keep their sign – during WW1, like many Canadian golf courses, Niagara on the Lake was expropriated as a training base for soldiers. Perth is the oldest golf course in Canada in continuous operation, while Niagara on the Lake is the oldest North American golf course in its original location.
So why did I tell you that story? Because the history of Canadian golf is fascinating, and unlike the history found in a museum, you can still go and play these places. You can literally book a tee time and walk on the history of North American golf design. You can putt on a green where people have been putting since 1875, and chip out of a moat where soldiers took shelter during the war of 1812. Kingswell Glen in Petrolia (1895) was laid out among the drilling rigs where the oil industry was born. I played a course in Virginia that was criss-crossed with trenches from the Civil War.
I have many spreadsheets on my laptop (most of them very dull and drenched with anxiety and responsibility), but my favourite spreadsheet is one called “Doug’s Golf Tour”. There are multiple tabs on that spreadsheet. I keep track of every course that I play each year. At a minimum, I play every hole, on every course under the GolfNorth umbrella (got to play them to know what we’re
The last two tabs are my favourites. I am on a quest to play as many Stanley Thompson designed courses that I can before I die (I’m sitting at 33). I’m also trying to play any course that is over 100 years old (I’m at 21 of those). Now that my kids are grown up, and I don’t spend all my free time in hockey arenas and beside football/rugby/ horse fields – I needed a project. I’m becoming obsessed with the history of Canadian golf, and golf design.
When you play one of these unique properties, you can see the development of golf architecture; beginning with natural contours, evolving into hand built Victorian style landscapes, and ultimately into the natural look and the age of the machine. You can see how designers like Stanley Thompson borrowed from the camouflaged earthworks of WW1 France. The master, Alister MacKenzie said that he learned about “natural design” from the disguised trenches of the Boer war. It’s all out there to be seen.
Many of the least altered locations are relatively inexpensive to play, and a joy to find – that’s a shout out to you, Allendale! Architect Ian Andrew called it the most original Stanley Thompson course in Ontario. Many well-intentioned greens committees have done some truly horrid things to some really good golf courses.
If you haven’t done it, I urge you to go out and visit some of these classics. You’ll play some very fun holes, see some very interesting ideas, and if you listen closely, you might even hear some ghosts. There will definitely be a random old guy in the Proshop who can’t wait to tell you some stories. ■
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