VOLUME 3 ISSUE 1 MARCH 1990 PER

Sport Turf ...for better, safer Sports Turf 3(1) 1990

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

As president for the next two years, my first task is to acknowledge and thank our immediate past president, Mike Bladon for being our ardent organizer, nurturer, supporter, ambassador and very professional and progressive leader.

It has been through him and his various committee's hard work and long hours that our organization has come so far in such a short time, but we cannot sit back on our laurels now. This Association has many goals and objectives still to accomplish. Some of these are:

1. to continue to increase our membership 2. establishment an executive secretary position 3. finding a permanent Association headquarters 4. increase our funding support for research 5. establishing & operating our bursaries and scholarships 6. Improve our main source of communication - our newsletter to provide more up to date and practical information.

I'm sure with the enthusiasm and dedication shown by our newly elected executive committee we can start to accomplish these goals, that in the end, will help us continue to serve our members better.

One other thing, I would like to personally thank Annette Anderson, OMAF, Turfgrass Extension Specialist for all her time and effort in help- ing us organize and operate our annual conference and field days.

Lastly, my sincere wishes to each of our members for a successful year.

Bruce Calhoun

I\Ul\lwu\U The 2nd Sports Turf Association Conference Conference Proceedings This panel consisted of Bob Wil- understanding of maintenance The second S.T.A. conference fea- liams from City of Mississauga, practices, including height cut of tured many fine speakers and Chris Mark from York University two inches. And they cut a different another first. It was nice to see that and Mike Regan from City of Lon- way each week. Chris uses a C02line another group, the Nursery Sod don,P.U.C. marker with latex paint. He stopped Growers Association along with the using Roundup because of dished S.T.A. worked in co-operation with Bob Williams has a big job on his area which resulted, making an the CGSA to hold their own sessions hands. The park system is 4000 extra maintenance headache. Last at the Canadian Turfgrass Con- acres, has 92 baseball fields and, 170 purchase was a topdresser. Do very ference at the Toronto Convention soccer fields. In 1981the Parks Dept. little dormant seeding because of Centre. We need to encourage more successfully changed sports group poor results. York University, Chris of these cooperative efforts with all attitudes in the community. Each stated, will be relocating their ath- sectors of the turf industry. field is now rated in cooperation letic fields in the 1990's. Right now with the group in question. These ball diamonds are on the outer The trade show was excellent. Con- groups consist of T-Ball, senior fringe away from any buildings. gratulations to the distributors for the baseball, slow pitch and fastball. amount of work they pu t into their The City provides a maintenance Mike Regan operates Labatt Park, a exhibits. It should be mandatory that program for senior baseball taper- beautiful facility which seats 5500 each delegate at a conference go ing to T-Ball. These groups help the people, for the London Knights through the exhibit area once. city with the field maintenance. Baseball Club. Mike cuts his grass There are boxes with tools, markers, on a grid pattern (checkerboard) Another highlight was the presen ta- etc. at each location. Because of ex- using a Turf King triplex mower and tion of two honorary life member- pectations by groups, the city did uses a Greensaire to do his core cul- ships to Mr. James Boyce, turf two things: 1) provided a standards tivation. Other maintenance prac- consultant for some 57 years and to manual- available soon by con- tices include the use of moist clay for Mr. Norman Rothwell, Rothwell tacting Bob Williams, 2) produced a the pitcher's mound which he then Seeds, both founding members of "Mississauga Sports Mix" - mixed covers with wet burlap; if it rains the the S.T.A. Association. for them to their specifications by a mound is kept safe. Then burlap is At the S.T.A. Annual Meeting Bruce local gravel company. It is good be- removed before the game and the Calhoun of Bannerman was elected cause it has no sharp particles and area topdressed with Turface. Mike president, Peter Kleschnitzki, Town brushes off an athlete easily. showed slides of the home plate of Oakville vice-president, Bill where a piece of square tubing at- Chris Mark at York University has Harding, City of North York moves tached to the bottom fits into a to treasurer, Bob Allen, City of 600 acres of hea vy clay and 250 acres sleeve in the ground. By loosening are grassed. Baseball and softball Toronto stays on as secretary, Geof- material around the plate he can frey Corlett is 1990 Conference are not a big thing at York and foot- change same in less than five Chair and Michael Bladon, Univer- ball teams play at Esther Shiner minutes. For batting circles he uses sity of Guelph, takes on the newslet- Stadium in North York. Problems a steel hook which fits on the turf are over use and lack of funding. ter, Chris Mark of York University edger affixed to a steel pin in the was appointed a director and Badly infested with weeds for the centre of the circle. He uses Hol- last three years. He has a 250 gallon Stephen Bodsworth, Humber Ar- lywood bases which are pebbled. boretum, continues his term as boom sprayer with anti-drift noz- These are scrubbed with water and director. S.T.A. members approved zles and sprays in early May and brush then given a light coat of latex September. Also uses Weed-n-feed. several amendments to the bylaws paint. The field has a 1% slope from and the hiring of an executive Chris applies 4 lbs. of Nitrogen per home plate to centre field. Because secretary. season in five applications (16-4-4 his irrigation system is hand June, July, August and September) operated he waters continually. Mike Bladon, Past President plus a dormant application mid- Lastly, material is brushed out of November. Core cultivation is prac- grassed infield back on to base paths - 1989 TUrfgrass Trial Report - ticed before fertilizer is applied and daily. This means no ridge is left, the fields crossed in two directions. hence better ball response. A Now available from Oseco Inc., Grasses consist of 100% Palmer groomer is used, part of which was P.O. Box 219, Brampton, Ontario, perennial rye and Yorktown II Ken- designed by Mike and the P.U.C. L6V 2L2. Facsimilie: (416) 846-6909. tucky blue. Operators have a good NEWS RELEASE:

Conference Proceedings TURFGRASS CAMPAIGN Talked about water as being critical OFF TO A FLYING START to many in the landscape industry. Major expense is the pump and the irrigation system. Poor quality water The $1.5 million fund raising cam- computer will link the facility with can be toxic to the soil and plant paign for the Guelph Turfgrass In- turfgrass centres around the world. growth. Quality raises with use. stitute, announced at a news Landscape industry first to be cut off conference in Toronto recently, is off "Most people take healthy lawns, with water bans, considered non-es- to a flying start. George M. (Mac) sports fields and city parks for sential. Many areas spend large Frost and his wife Beth, who have granted," says Chris Hall, director amounts of money to water every owned and operated courses in of the institute. "But environmental month. concerns about lawn-care chemi- the Toronto area since 1946, have We need to know the chemical and cals, frequent watering restrictions donated $500,000 to the campaign. physical properties of soils including and increased use of public particle size, bulk densi ty, porosity "Such money that is raised by the playground areas demonstrate the and infiltration rates. We need to campaign will provide the institute need for continued research into know chemically the ratio of Phos- with a research and information new varieties of turfgrass, as well as phorus, Potash, Calcium and Mag- centre that will serve as a focal point new production and management nesium. Mentioned Cation for the Canadian turf industry and techniques." Exchange Capacity - the ability of the public," said Ron Craig, presi- soil to absorb cations. Cations are dent of the Ontario Turfgrass Re- The Institute is a joint project of the positively charged. The soil has to search Foundation. "The new centre Ontario Turfgrass Research Foun- have the ability to absorb and hold a will provide services to alleviate dation, the Ontario Ministry of charge. Many soils require the incor- some of the pressures caused in Agriculture and Food and the poration of organic matter. Sodium recent years by the housing boom, University of Guelph. Noting sulphate and gypsum help to restore increased demand for open park Guelph's expertise in the natural soils very slowly. Amount of sodium space and more outdoor leisure ac- sciences and agricultural research, that will accumulate in the soil is tivities," he said. university president Brian Segal ex- presses satisfaction in "working co- dependant on soil type. Dr. Chris- Frost said that the donation "is the operatively to enhance the turfgrass tians also talked about sewage ef- result of a long-term involvement in ind ustry that is so important to our fluent for watering. Costs involved turf and greens maintenance and an province and our country." are proximity of material and appreciation of the importance of storage facilities. Often full of heavy ecologically sound turf research and Bill Ingratta, OMAF's program metals and other contaminants such practices." Over the years, with the manager for horticulture, says his as lead; mercury, cadmium, copper help of partners and his wife, Beth, ministry is pleased with the in- and nickel. Boron can be a problem Frost developed Brookwood Golf stitute. 'We believe we are building even 1-2 ppm. Turf can tolerate but Course, Park view and a centre of excellence in Canadian trees and shrubs are affected at 355 Spring Lakes , which turfgrass education and extension." ppm. Ensure adequate testing first was recently sold. and cost estimation before im- Recent research carried out by the plementa tion. Established in 1987, the Guelph insti tu te focuses on turfgrass Turfgrass Insti tu te conducts re- management and renovation, weed search and extension activities, and control and growth regulation, pes- Change of Address supplies information on turfgrass ticide residues, soil and nutrition production and management to all and turfgrass seed production. Turf Care Products Limited sectors of the industry. The centre or will house world-class facilities for For more information contact Ron R.M.C. Equipment Limited research and education, policy Craig at 416-836-0988 or Andrea Mudry Fawcett in media relations at development, conferences and for 200 Pony public access to publications and Ext. 3839 at the University of Guelph, 519-824-4120. Newmarket, Ontario, L3Y786 computer-reference material. A (416) 836-0988 PROPOSED SPORTS DEVELOPMENT CENTRE

King Campus Dufferin Street North of King Side Road

In May, 1989, Seneca College programs that can be offered at received authorization from the King. Provincial Government to proceed with a plan for the development of The Centre will encompass the fol- a Sports Development Centre at the lowing activities: golf, cross-county College's King Campus. The skiing, cycling, eq uestrian activities, College's Board of Governors has field sports including: soccer, field authorized the dedication of a por- hockey, baseball and archery. tion of this 710-acre campus for the creation of a most unique sports Of special interest is the fact that a facility that will provide state-of- consorti urn of Canadian and the-art "hands-on" learning American golf course architects laboratories for participants in have agreed to participate in the many programs offered by the Col- design of the golf course itself which lege or organizations that relate to will provide students in our Golf the sports involved. Course Technician Program with the opportunity of exposure to a The College did not request any course that will contain elements of grant or tax dollars for this purpose design and construction not found but proposes to develop this facility at anyone site. through private sector funding. Be- cause of the nature of the concept While the Centre will provide a itself and the many advantages that teaching facility for students in will be there for organizations and courses such as Golf Course Tech- sponsors involved, the College will nician, Outdoor Recreation Tech- proceed on a "partnership" basis. nician, Parks Operation, Recreation Facilities Management, Coaching, The facilities are to be of internation- Applied Communications and re- al calibre in design and construc- lated Business programs, it is also tion, open to the public and, most intended to provide a facility and important of all, operate on a finan- service to the many organizations cial plan that would see the Centre involved with the sporting activities become self-supporting from day encompassed in the Centre. one. Through meetings with virtually every association involved in these The King Campus has already been sports, training needs have been picked as the official site for Archery identified and the Centre, when should Toronto be successful in its completed, will endeavour to pro- bid to host the 1996 Olympics, and vide a most unique site for those the Sports Development Centre will groups wishing to participate. add a further dimension to the

NOTICE ... SORRY ...

Effective January I, 1990 Otto Pick & Last issue, we failed to note "Winter Turf Sons Seeds Ltd. has made an official Covers-Pros and Cons" courtesy of Turf name change to PICKSEED CANADA Notes by Annette Anderson, Turf Exten- INC. sion Specialist, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food. This is purely a name change and not a change in ownership. POSITION AVAILABLE

CITY OF PRINCE ALBERT

GOLF COURSE GREENSKEEPERI SUPERINTENDENT

COOKE MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE

Reporting directly to the Golf Profes- sional/Manager, the golf Greenskeeper/Superintendent is responsible for managing the day- to-day operation of the Cooke Municipal Golf Course. Duties in- clude planning, coordinating, super- vising and performing work relating to the construction, maintenance, repair and upgrading of the Golf Course and includes such areas as turf and trees, internal roadways and paths, signage, irrigation sys- tems and programs relating to her- bicide, pesticide and fungicide spraying.

Additional responsibilities include the purchasing of supplies and materials used at the Golf Course and assisting in the preparation of annual Golf Course budgets.

Applicants must possess Grade XII, a valid Saskatchewan Driver's License, a valid Pesticide Applicators's Permit and have a min im um of five (5) years ex- perience in the operation of a regulation grass green Golf Course. Preference will be given to can- didates who possess a diploma in Horticulture from a two-year tech- nological program at an approved Institute or a University degree in a related discipline.

This is a contract position with an annual employment term from March 15th to November 15th.

Please respond as soon as pos- sible:

Director of Personnel City of Prince Albert 1084 Central Avenue Prince Albert, Sask. S6V 7P3 There are many varieties of valves Before reassembling the valve, flush before removing the solenoid. Then available today, but our discussion it to ensure there is nothing lodged check the actuator (plunger) to en- is confined to inline remote control in the inlet chamber. When reassem- sure that it moves freely in the valves. Most of these are the bling, bring the cover bolts down solenoid barrel. Also, check the ac- balanced-diaphragm type, meaning snugly in a criss-eross pattern. Final tuator seat for any debris. that valve operation relies on the torquing of the cover bolts must be pressure differential between the done using a cross-bolt torque tech- Next, check the exhaust fitting for upper chamber and the inlet side of nique to avoid warping or bowing wear or grooving in the area in the valve. This valve type can be the cover and to clamp the which the actuator seats. If the seat- operated electrically or hydraulical- diaphragm evenly. ing area of the exhaust fitting is ly. damaged, replace the fitting. Valve won't close: Locating The Problem: Next, check the diaphragm for Check the valve for leaks at the damage. For forward-flow valves Valve won't open: cover and solenoid. Will the valve ported through the center of the close when the controller reaches diaphragm, check the screen at the Is this the only valve that won't the end of its irrigation cycle? port entry. open? Have you verified that the water is on and that the valve has Are you using a master valve? Is the For valves that use metering pins, not been isolated from the mainline problem in the valve wiring? Either check them for a buildup of by a manual valve? the valve wires are nicked, or the minerals or scale and remove any splice connections are bad. If the you find. Have you verified that the system splice connections are bad, this can controller is supplying the correct cause leakage current (a transmittal Flush the valve before reassem- output voltage to the valve? Is there of current from one wire to another bling, checking for debris on the a broken wire through the ground), causing the inlet side of the valve that may be valves to hang on. Find out the short jamming the diaphragm open. Does the valve you are working on to ground and correct it. When reassembling, again bring the have a flow-adjust stem? Did you cover bolts down snugly in a criss- make sure the flow-adjust is not Does the valve have a flow-adjust cross pattern. shut off? Verify that the flow-adjust stem? If so turn the flow-adjust stem stem has not been used to shut the down until it contacts the The troubleshooting steps listed valve off and then not reopened. diaphragm. Then turn the flow-ad- above apply to both brass and plas- Check the valve's solenoid area. just stem two more complete turns tic valves. Make sure to turn off the water and stop. Give the valve 15 to 20 supply before removing the seconds to close. If the valve closes solenoid. on its own at this time, you have cured the problem. What has hap- Check the actuator (plunger) to pened is that the diaphragm has verify that it moves freely in the stretched enough so that it has solenoid barrel. Use a small sealed off flush against the cover diameter wire to verify that the ex- and is not allowing water to get to haust fitting is clear. With brass val- the top of the diaphragm. ves, the problem encountered most often is that the male adapter (or If the valve does not close within 30 nipple) has been over-tightened and seconds, continue to close the flow- has subsequently sealed the ex- adjust stem until the valve closes or haust-fitting discharge-port. If this the flow-ad just stem becomes hard is the case, remove the cover and to turn. Do not use a wrench on the drill out the exhaust fitting hole in flow-adjust stem because you will the valve body. only damage the valve more than it already is damaged. Remove the valve cover and inspect the diaphragm for damage. If it has Check the solenoid area of the valve, been damaged, it must be replaced. making sure the water is turned off Judith Brede, Jacklin Seed gave a thoroughly to remove salts then by pathogens. Final stand much most interesting talk on her work dried and tested for germination. thicker. Glade, Adelphi and Ram I with presoaking/priming of some They then tried light with 25% and were slowest. Kentucky bluegrass of the grasses. Kentucky bluegrasses subjected others to eight hours dark- emerged same day as perennial rye. are the slowest to germinate and ness. Twice as much Kentucky bluegrass Annual rye the fastest. She stated in plots that were primed after three that presoaking of seed is fine but is Findings were that seed requires months. very susceptible to damage when light and high oxygen require- planting. Has to be planted right ments. Seeds excrete toxins that in- Primed seed was stored at 60'F or away and into a damp seed bed. hibit germination andstanding below for over one year. Ms. Brede water is no good either seed will go stated that work toward commer- Presoaking with hormone Gibberel- cialization of primed seed has lic Acid 100ppm at 77'F using aera- begun and will include the follow- tion the seed germinates three days Presoaking of seed ing: • Laboratory investigation • sooner. A small prototype then a larger is fine but is very prototype • Field trials • Build- Priming has long been used in the susceptible to ing of a large scale primulator vegetable industry. It is a treatment capable of processing 10,000Ibs, per where moisture is controlled allow- damage when week • Field trials already indi- ing germination to occur to the seed planting cate higher seed yields. Problems, radical emergence and no further. however, with variable climate and So the seed can be planted anytime lack of rain. Priming of seed is con- and moisture applied. She has kept dormant. Higher germination with sidered the most desirable, the idea primed seed stored for a year. Her air and oxygen. Gennination differs being to keep the cost down to the experiment involved 50 seeds between species, varieties and seed consumer. Extremely useful in areas soaked in Polyethylene Glycol at lots. Priming advantage - invaded with a short growing season. 60°F. The seed was then rinsed

We Get Letters. ..

Dear Mike: Dear Sir, I regret that I didn't have more time to spend with you on Why does the association bring in so many speakers for Tuesday. As you know I had to get back to Ottawa for a the conference and field days that are from the u.s.? trip to hospital on Wednesday. Everything is "A-OK". So What is wrong with hearing from Canadians working with I'm in the clear for another six months. or under Canadian conditions? One always thinks of the things that he should have said George Hostetler after a more or less impromptu talk. I know you realize Hamiota, Man. how very much I appreciated receiving the first Honorary Life Membership from S.T.A. but I failed to convey what should have been my most important message and that Dear George, was my most sincere congratulations to you on the great success of your years as President of the Association and We try each time to get as much Canadian content as pos- my best wishes for equal success by your successor in sible. However, we have to recognize that much of the ex- the position. pertise and research has been done outside Canada. Canada lags behind the U.S., Great Britain, the Nether- Anything that I can do at any time to help the S.T.A. I will lands and some of the Scandinavian countries with regard most surely do to the best of my ability. to athletic turf. All the best, If you or any other members out there have suggestions Jim Boyce for Canadian speakers please let us know. We would be P.S. Success seems to be the key word on this page. May pleased to contact them and thank you for your comments. you enjoy the best of it in all your endeavours. The Editor. FOURTH ANNUAL ATHLETIC TURF FIELD DAY WELCOME NEW MEMBERS JUNE 20,1990 Phil Lalande KITCHENER AUDITORIUM, OTTAWA ST. Soil Enrichment Systems Barrie, Ontario

Brian Sheridan 8:15 - 8:45 a.m. Registration St. John, New Brunswick (late registration $45.00)

8:45 - 8:55 a.m. Mr. Bruce Calhoun David Huycke President, S.T.A., Arnprior, Ontario Opening Remarks Bruce Atkinson 8:55 - 9:05 a.m. Mr. Fred Graham Parks and Recreation Commissioner for Parks, Kitchener Grimsby, Ontario Welcome

9:05 - 10:05 a.m. Judith Ferguson-Gockel Topdressing 19.90 BOARD Of 10:05 - 10:30 a.m. Coffee / Meet with distributors DIRECTORS 10:30 - 10:45 a.m. Dr. Chris Hall- Guelph Turfgrass Institute Update on Research 1990 PRESIDENT Bruce Calhoun 10:45 - 12:00 noon Panel- Mr. Allan Downey, Town of Vaughan VICE·PRESIDENT Mr. Bob Reynolds, Landscape Planners Ltd. Peter Kleschnitzki Design/Construction of Athletic Fields PAST-PRESIDENT Michael Bladon 12:00 -1 :15 p.m. Lunch and Exhibits SECRETARY 1:15 - 2:05 p.m. Equipment Show and Exhibits Robert Allen (One Piece Demo) TREASURER William Harding 2:15 - 2:45 p.m. Dr. Michael Clarfield, DIRECTORS: Athletic Injuries Geoffrey Corlett Alan Eagleson Sports Centre (1990 Conference Chair)

2:45 - 3:15 p.m. Judith Ferguson-Gockel Stephen Bodsworth Parameters for Sports Fields Christopher Mark

3:15 p.m. Coffee

~ Lundy's Law of Communication ~

Law Number One: At whatever Law Number Two: In whichever level you are in an organization, you department you work, you and your feel that you tell your subordinates departmental associates wish that everything they need to know - the people in other departments but you wish that your own super- would communicate, cooperate, visor would keep you better in- and collaborate with you more. formed.

U I\VlllIIW\U