The S.T.A. had their Fall Board of Directors Meeting in Saskatoon. Among items discussed was the Fall Wind-up. Bob Randquist will be the Seminar speaker. The even zones are up for election, along with the Northern Commercial Director. If you are interested in serving on the S.T.A. board, contact me or S.T.A. President Kevin Bloski.

 

You have an important date to remember. It’s the S.T.A. Fall Wind-up, November 28th… mark that down on your calendar. Along with the Annual Meeting, we will have a seminar on Bunker Maintenance. The Seminar is free to S.T.A. members but will cost non-members $245. Lunch and the Banquet that follows the Annual Meeting will cost each S.T.A. member $40.00. The meeting, by the way, will be in Regina at the Wascana Country Club. Be there guys… we need your attendance.

Other Board discussions included educational programs to be held in March in Saskatoon and Regina. The Board wants these to be first class Seminars that you cannot miss. The venue for the 2007 Research Tournament was a source of positive talks. To date three Clubs have come forward, wanting to host the 2007 event. If you would like to submit your Club as a candidate, contact me as soon as possible.

Just recently many golf courses had a visit from the Provincial Pesticide Officer Al Bakke. I don’t know what his exact title is or if I spelled his name right. I shudder to think what he has found. This is serious stuff guys. Golf Courses in particular have a very important role to play in getting in line with the Provincial regulations and more importantly, their recommendations. The S.T.A. has decided to end the $75 pesticide license rebate. The reason being the Golf Club should be responsible for their Superintendent to obtain the license. Simply put, it is part of doing business in this industry.

On a happy note, the S.T.A. presented three bursaries to people in the province. They are Mark Berg, Assistant Superintendent at the Lashburn Golf and Country Club; Mike Carey, Assistant Superintendent at the Meadow Lake Golf Course and Derrick Gramson, Grounds Maintenance Foreman at the Delisle Golf Club. Berg is at Fairview College while Carey and Gramson are enrolled at Olds College. All three more than meet the requirements as set by the S.T.A. for a bursary.

Zone 1 Director Ray Popoff has submitted his resignation as a S.T.A. Director. Ray is moving from Wascana to Vernon, British Columbia, which is closer to Rays home. Ray did a great job not only at Wascana but as a board member on the S.T.A. He always contributed in a positive manner and was an unselfish worker on the various committees he served on. While we will miss him we wish him the very best of luck in his new location.

Every now and then, particularly in the fall, I receive calls from Golf Clubs asking about aerification benefits. These calls generally come from a member of their executive committee. Most say it is designed to destroy their 18-something handicaps. You can talk until you are blue in the face about the benefits of this necessary exercise. None of this matters to golfers who complain to executives, pros or managers. Usually the greens superintendent is ordered to stop aerification.

This winter you’ll have the opportunity to attend many seminars starting with the fall Wind-up November 28th. The Canadian Golf Superintendents Association suggests various ways to get the most out of seminars, and for that matter, educational sessions:
1) Always bring a pencil and paper with you. Not all sessions have hand outs.
2) Listen carefully and if you don’t understand or want more information, ask questions!
3) Share relevant experiences with the group. This can be very beneficial for everyone involved.
4) Join discussions with enthusiasm and be considerate of the opinion of others.
5) Give and receive feedback at appropriate points in the seminar in a positive and constructive manner.
6) Ensure you cell phone is turned off.
7) Have a great seminar!

The most popular topic among Golf Course Superintendents, Park Managers and Commercial friends this fall has been the weather. It has been, is and always will be the single most important aspect of a Turf Managers success in regards to the result of his or her’s maintenance practices. And, unlike all other factors, it is absolutely uncontrollable.
I’ve had a couple of nominations for the Dr. Drew Smith Member of the Year Award. If you have anyone in mind, please submit his or her name to President Kevin Bloski. To qualify for this award the nominee must be:
1) A member of the S.T.A. in good standing.
2) Dedicated to the turfgrass industry and our Association.
3) Willing to help fellow superintendents.
4) Able to show the utmost in professionalism.

Here is a kind farewell message from Reg Bloski who is starting a new career in the oil business, we wish him all the best:
“The end of the 2006 golf season is near and with it comes the end of my 16 year career in the golf course industry. I am leaving the position of golf course superintendent at Silver Lake Regional Park to pursue a career with Husky Oil. I will miss working on the course and the friends I have made in this profession. There are a good bunch of guys involved and the get-togethers I have attended were always a good time.Thanks to Glenn Wilderman for starting my interest in Golf Course Management, the advise given by those I’ve asked and for the ears that I’ve bent.”     – Reg Bloski