The STA appreciates the generosity of our corporate members who sponsored the 2009 Research Tournament. They include:

• Brett Young (Dean Kachur)
• Clarks Supply (Trevor Cox, Larry Harly and Kirt Blatz)
• Consolidated Turf (Gene Sears)
• Early’s Farm and Garden (Kevin Bloski and Ron Dagert)
• Guertin Equipment (Brad Konecsni)
• Oakcreek Golf and Turf (Laurie Unruh and Mike Wirz)

These corporate members always step to the plate at all our events. A special thank you goes to Riverside Country Club (Doug Campbell) and White Bear Lake Golf Club (Larry Palmer) for their contribution to the event.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank the Wascana Country Club for hosting the annual skins game. 46 players had a great time and everyone had good comments in regards to the condition of the golf course. Thanks to Mike Kupchanko and the Wascana staff for hosting this event. Also, I must thank Laurie Unruh for his efforts in making the “Skins” an enjoyable day. This was the largest number we’ve had.

The 2009 Research Tournament Champions were Melville’s team of Mark Mohart, Mitchel Mattichuck, Jason Rieger and Doug Kreckluvich. 2nd place went to the City of Regina’s team, captained by Gord Moore. 3rd place winner was Madge Lake’s team, headed by Fred Peripiolken. Dean Kachur’s handpicked team finished 4th. The big winner however was Turf Research. We will be able to fulfill our commitment.

With the moist cool weather, an outbreak of Red Thread is making the rounds on home lawns and golf courses. Coral pink to blood-red, it’s shaped irregularly or circular and causes damage to bluegrass and bentgrass. Besides the moist cool weather and low fertility, particularly nitrogen, are factors that make Red Thread a pain in the butt. Applications of a good quality, slow release nitrogen fertilizer can help in reducing disease severity. Do not over fertilize the area.

The National Allied Golf Association has just announced the results of the Canadian Golf Economic Impact study.

• Canadian golf industry generates $11.3 billion in economic activity.
• Industry employment estimated at more than 341,000 golf related jobs.
• $439 million in philanthropic dollars generated by over 25,000 charity golf tournaments.
• Golf related travel within Canada generates nearly $1.9 billion in tourism annually.
• Estimated 70 million rounds of golf played in Canada in 2008.

Everyone likes clean equipment but be careful with water. Never squirt a hot machine … shoot water from the sky and not the ground. Use a biodegradable solvent to break down oil and grease. Before cleaning, spray this on the unit. It doesn’t take much … just a light application to machine parts will do the job. You’ll get a cleaner machine and use less water which, in turn, lessens any chance of water damage.

Linda Matthews, a horticulturist living in Saskatoon, writes this about pesticides … they are ancient history. Their use can be traced as far back as 1200 B.C. when the Egyptians used hemlock and aconite for pest control. Homer (a relative of Ron Dagert) used sulfur as a fungicide on plants in 1000 B.C. The natural source of the pesticides pyrethrin, rotenone and Bordeaux mixture were discovered in the 1800s. The first synthetic insecticides and herbicides were produced in the early 1900s. This appeared in the “Gardener”.

Just recently I visited the Lobstick Golf Course at Waskesui. After some tough years I found the golf course to be in excellent condition, far better than it has been in probably the past 10 years. STA members Gary Cross and Warren Churchill and staff are responsible for the turn around as pointed out by club manager Peter Anholt. If you get a chance don’t miss the opportunity to play a golf course in great shape with tons of natural character.

Bill Brinkworth was the golf pro at the Wascana Country Club in Regina before moving on to Jasper. In 1920 Brinkworth’s wife persuaded her brother Hubert Cooke to come from England to help in the workshop at Wascana. Cooke was only 19 at the time, but 2 years with Brinkworth followed by another 2 years as an assistant at the Winnipeg Golf Club prepared him for the head pro’s job at the Prince Albert Golf Club. He was there for 41 years. In that time the course went from 9 to 18 holes and became the Cooke Municipal Golf Course. As the professional manager, Cooke instituted perhaps the largest and finest junior program in Saskatchewan. Danny Jutras and superintendent Pierre Vezeau carry on what Hubert Cooke started many years ago.

People tell me Ed Fusik’s golf course in Birch Hills is in tremendous condition. They get great turnouts for men’s night and have an active ladies’ section. I’ve also heard Northern Meadows at Goodsoil is a hidden gem. This 18 hole facility is in great condition, with a bed and breakfast lodge and cabins available for rent. This is a must to visit if you enjoy playing a very nice golf course and relaxing in excellent accommodations. Warren Gieto is the superintendent and Jon Peichanka the assistant.

An important date to remember – The Northern Greenkeeper Open will be held September 28th at the Lobstick Golf Club in Waskesui. This is a great get together at one of the most enjoyable golf courses in the province. Call the pro-shop to register.

Did you know Cooke Municipal Golf Course has had only 2 golf professionals since Hubert Cooke, and Riverside Country Club has had only 4 green superintendents since 1912. This is a real credit to both clubs and perhaps one of the reasons they are so solid.

Many golf courses are controlling geese problems by using dogs. At the Royal Regina I watched a dog chase geese only to see them take flight, circle and come back down when the dog left. A shotgun would probably be more effective and permanent but being located beside the RCMP barracks as well as a residential area, it wouldn’t be a good idea.

That’s it people. I’ll see you at the Northern Greenkeeper Open at Waskesui September 28th. Hopefully the weather will stay as is and we’ll have a great day.