SUNDAY February 28, 2010

Tee Talk with the USGA   (TOP)

Duration: 90 minutes of instruction
Format: Panel Discussion
Date: Sunday, February 28, 2010
Speaker: Larry Gilhuly, Adam Moeller, Bob Vavrek; USGA Agronomists

Keith Bartlett, Superintendent, St. George’s Golf Club and host of the 2010 Canadian Open will moderate a panel of three USGA consultants from the three USGA regions that cover Canada discussing current issues, problem areas and new opportunities for superintendents and golf course management.

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Winterkill Solutions   (TOP)

Duration: 1 hour of instruction
Format: ½ hour education, ½ hour open discussion
Date: Sunday, February 28, 2010
Speaker: Dr. Kevin Frank, Associate professor, Michigan State University

Is winterkill simply “part of golf course management in Canada”?  Dr. Frank will discuss solutions and give you and your colleagues a chance to share your real life victories over or defeats at the hands of winterkill.

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Grass Options for Greens, Tees and Fairways   (TOP)

Duration: 1 hour of instruction
Format: Education Session
Date: Sunday, February 28, 2010
Speaker: Adam Moeller, Agronomist, United States Golf Association

What variety of turf would best suit my soil and climatic conditions? What options are available? Are there new varieties coming on to the market. Learn all this and more!

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The Impact of Spray Tip Technology on Application Effectiveness   (TOP)

Duration: 1 hour of instruction
Format: Education Session
Date: Sunday, February 28, 2010
Speaker: Dr. John Kaminski, Assistant Professor, Penn State University

Discuss and learn ways in which you can improve your turfgrass disease control through effective use of technology and proper selection of fungicides. (more...)
Pathogen resistance has been blamed for recent reductions in fungicide efficacy on golf courses. However, application strategies and techniques are often a primary reason for the lack of disease control. Recent research has revealed that proper selection of nozzles can enhance disease control while maintaining low environmental impacts due to drift. This seminar will discuss ways in which you can improve your turfgrass disease control through effective use of technology and proper selection of fungicides.

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Public Speaking & Presentation Skills for the Superintendent   (TOP)

Duration: 1 hour of instruction
Format: Education Session
Date: Sunday, February 28, 2010
Speaker: Mike Jousan, Founder and President, Clear Communication

Knowing how to project confidence and knowledge, make your point quickly and deal with difficult questions are all skills that will make you a better presenter and improve your media relations skills. If these sound like desirable training objectives, this session is for you
Environmental issues, tournaments or major charitable events – these are all potential media events. As a key part of the management team and the person with responsibility for the golf course, you will be front and centre.

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Golf Course Construction and Renovation   (TOP)

Duration: 1 hour of instruction
Format: Education Session
Date: Sunday, February 28, 2010
Speaker: Steven Young, S. Young Design Inc.

Your role during construction and renovation projects will be the key outcome of this session.  In defining the superintendent role, the role of the contractor, architect, suppliers and others will be also be identified.

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Ontario Cosmetic Pesticides Ban – How Golf is Affected   (TOP)

Duration: 1 hour of instruction
Format: Education Session
Date: Sunday, February 28, 2010
Speaker: Teri Yamada, Executive Director, IPM Council of Canada and Principal of TY Environmental Strategies Ltd.

Teri Yamada, Executive Director, IPM Council of Canada will explain what golf courses must do under the new ban and provide information about the IPM Council’s strategic direction for a national IPM Accreditation Program.

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Nutrient Use on the Golf Course   (TOP)

Duration: 1 hour of instruction
Format: Education Session
Date: Sunday, February 28, 2010
Speaker: Brian Horgan, Ph.D, Associate Professor, University of Minnesota

Keeping your turf on a balanced diet is critical to the course’s good health. This hour long session will provide the parameters needed to design your courses “balanced diet” and provide a framework for the development of a nutrient plan.

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Implementing Integrated Pest Management   (TOP)

Duration: 1 hour of instruction
Format: Education Session
Date: Sunday, February 28, 2010
Speakers: Brenda Nailor, Ph.D; Pam Charbonneau, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Rural Affairs, Turfgrass Specialist

This session will prepare the golf course IPM agent to plan, document and report in the format designated in Ontario. Golf course personnel will leave this session with the start of a calendar-based plan to implement IPM at their golf course. (more...)
For the last decade, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in turfgrass has been taught as a means to better manage golf course turfgrass through integration of knowledge about the pest, plant, environment and the tools available for control. In Ontario, golf courses now face provincial regulations that mandate IPM be practiced and reported, and that golf courses are accredited and audited. Similar legislation is expected in several other provinces or municipalities across Canada in the future. This session will use case studies to explore the practical aspects of IPM, and will prepare the golf course IPM agent to plan, document and report in the format designated in Ontario. Golf course personnel will leave this session with the start of a calendar-based plan to implement IPM to the standards stipulated in the Ontario regulations.

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Transitioning from Superintendent to General Manager   (TOP)

Duration: 1 hour of instruction
Format: Education Session
Date: Sunday, February 28, 2010
Speakers: John Gravett, General Manager, Granite Club

Superintendents looking to capitalize on their educational background and knowledge of golf course operations will benefit from learning the pros and cons of making the transition to General Manager or Director of Golf. This session will also be of benefit to those who wish to learn valuable tips on enhancing their working relationship with their GM. (more...)
Superintendents looking to capitalize on their educational background and knowledge of golf course operations will benefit from exploring the pros and cons of making the transition to General Manager. This session will also be of benefit to those who wish to learn valuable tips on enhancing their working relationship with their General Manager. Opportunities will be provided for a question and answer period during the session.

This session will also discuss:

• The relative merits of exploring the role of the General Manager & Chief Operating Officer
• Why Superintendents ‘qualify’ for the General Manager’s position
• General Manager and/or Chief Operating Officer – what’s the difference?
• Common misconceptions and truths about the General Manager’s position
• Knowledge is power – getting to know your General Manager
• Steps to consider when considering a move to the General Manager’s role
• Top 10 things you’ll need to know along the General Manager’s highway
• Building your skill-set towards a transition

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Managing Organic Matter in Golf Course Turf/Soils   (TOP)

Duration: 1 hour of instruction
Format: Education Session
Date: Sunday, February 28, 2010
Speaker: Dr. Katerina Jordan, University of Guelph

This talk will look at managing organic matter in golf course soils, both from a beneficial and a detrimental perspective.  A portion of the talk will focus on the effects of an excessive thatch layer as well as draw on recent research aimed at reducing thatch levels on golf course greens.  The other portion of the talk will discuss the potential benefits of organic amendments and how their appropriate use can increase microbial activity and potentially microbial antagonism for natural biological control.

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Using Photoshop to Enhance Your Presentations   (TOP)

Duration: 1 hour of instruction
Format: Education Session
Date: Sunday, February 28, 2010
Speakers: Andrew Klapatiuk, Adobe Certified Instructor

This session will provide tips and techniques on how this program can be used to enhance course renovation presentations and make your ideas easier to visualize for your Greens Committee and staff.

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Using Technology to Improve Watering Practices   (TOP)

Duration: 1 hour of instruction
Format: Education Session
Date: Sunday, February 28, 2010
Speakers: Serge Gauthier, Rain Bird

What technology is available and how you can utilize it to make your irrigation practices more efficient and effective, are the two “take aways” from this session.

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Effective Use of Water on Golf Courses   (TOP)

Duration: 1 hour of instruction
Format:Education Session
Date:Sunday, February 28, 2010
Speakers: Tim Fredericks, Fredericks McGuire Ltd.

Using less water can have significant benefits for your course.  This session will explain why and tell you how to determine the different needs for specific areas of the golf course.

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MONDAY MARCH 1, 2010

Turf Disease Identification/Treatment/Causes   (TOP)

Duration: 1 hour of instruction
Format: Education Session
Date: Monday, March 1, 2010
Speaker: Dr. Bruce Clarke, Extension Specialist, Rutgers University

Participants will be provided with valuable tips and techniques to assist them in determining the type of disease affecting their turf, the causes and the most effective treatment method to use in specific circumstances.

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The Architects Panel   (TOP)

Duration: 1 hour of instruction
Format: Panel Discussion
Date: Monday, March 1, 2010
Speaker: Jason Straka, Ian Andrew, Douglas Carrick

A one hour panel discussion hosted by a prominent moderator and involving three architects looking at current design issues, trends and expectations.

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Communications & Crucial Conversations   (TOP)

Duration: 1 hour of instruction
Format: Education Session
Date: Monday, March 1, 2010
Speaker: McKinley Solutions

Effective communication begins with effective listening, such that you build trust and work toward achieving insight through a step by step process. You will learn the active listening model and how it is part of the learning and development process that is so important to all generations in the workplace and not only the newest generation – the Millennials.(more...)
One of the more difficult elements of being a leader and even a team member for that matter is delivering feedback, yet it is a critical component of trust and effective performance. While delivering feedback is what first comes to mind when we think of crucial conversations, there are also a number of crucial and difficult conversations that should be considered, for example:

• Giving Effective Praise that portrays sincerity and generates motivation and enthusiasm.
• Asking Effective Questions to probe for facts and provoke for ideas
• Arguing without Offending
• Communicating to Build Rapport and Create Trust
• Conducting or participating in effective Performance Review sessions
• Conducting or participating in an effective Interview for a new job or promotion
• Making an Apology that touches the heart and convinces the mind.
• Communicating to Create Collaboration and Engagement
• Communicating to Resolve Conflict and Reach Agreement

Effective communication begins with effective listening, such that you build trust and work toward achieving insight through a step by step process. You will learn the active listening model and how it is part of the learning and development process that is so important to all generations in the workplace and not only the newest generation – the Millennials.

Some of the communication challenges and issues to be addressed include:

• The elements of a typical effective conversation and dialogue model such as being present, recognizing and working with interdependence, suspending judgment, inquiry – asking questions and reflection to gain insight
• How to better understand yourself through purposeful reflection
• How best to communicate with all generations in the workforce
• The values and attitudes about work and life of the different generations and how best to manage and motivate them.

There are many stories that demonstrate the qualities of being a great leader and The Fred Factor by Mark Sanborn is a perfect metaphor for anyone who wants to achieve and excel in the 21st century. Truth is transferable, and the four principles of being a “Fred” apply to any person in any profession: # 1 - Everyone makes a difference, #2 - Everything is built on relationships, #3 - You must continually create value for others, and #4 - You can reinvent yourself regularly.

The leadership role brings with it what Patrick Lencioni describes as “temptations” for those both new to the role as well as established leaders. These temptations include:

• Choosing status over results - make results the most important measure of personal success
• Choosing popularity over accountability - work for the long term respect of your employees not their affection
• Choosing certainty over clarity - Make clarity more important than accuracy. People will learn more if you take decisive actions than waiting for more information
• Choosing Harmony over productive conflict - Tolerate discord. Encourage your direct reports to air their ideological difference, and with passion.
• Choosing invulnerability over trust - actively encourage your people to challenge your ideas.

Practical methods of identifying and managing these temptations as well how to apply the four Fred principles will be discussed.

 

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Determining Golfer Exposure and Risk to Pesticides   (TOP)

Duration: 1 hour of instruction
Format: Education Session
Date: Monday, March 1, 2010
Speaker: Dr. Paul Hoekstra, Syngenta Crop Protection Canada, Inc.

Knowledge of golfer exposure to pesticides and the risks associated with this exposure is critical for dealing with club officials, members, golfers and the public.  This session will provide what you need in order to be a resource to those stakeholders.

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Aerification   (TOP)

Duration: 1 hour of instruction
Format: Education Session
Date: Monday, March 1, 2010
Speaker: Dr. Robert Carrow, Professor, University of Georgia

Tips and techniques on aerification from Bob Carrow, the “Doctor of Soil”, and a frequent speaker at CGSA conferences. (more...)
Participants in the session will learn about the following topics:

• The primary reasons (goals) for cultivation in turfgrass systems will be discussed for high sand soils, fine-textured soils, and sites with excessive organic matter layers.
• Influence of low soil oxygen on turfgrass shoot and root growth
• Influence of low soil oxygen on soil microbial populations and activities
• Effectiveness of different cultivation methods
• Steps to developing a successful cultivation program to deal with site-specific problems, including frequency and timing of cultivation events.
• Methods to use Precision Turfgrass Management spatial maping of soil hardness for site-specific cultivation

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Employee Contract Negotiation Skills for Golf Course Superintendents   (TOP)

Duration: 1 hour of instruction
Format: Workshop
Date: Monday, March 1, 2010
Speaker: Ross Dunsmore, LLB, Dunsmore Law

Leave this session with an understanding of negotiation theory and with a defined set of actions and skills that will improve your ability to negotiate in every employment situation.

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Water Quality and Turf Health   (TOP)

Duration: 1 hour of instruction
Format: Education Session
Date: Monday, March 1, 2010
Speakers: Dr. Eric Lyons, Assistant Professor, University of Guelph

Learn how the make up of your water affects the quality of your turf and the cultural and management practices necessary to counter water quality impacts.

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TUESDAY MARCH 2, 2010

Managing The Newest Generation of Employees – The Y Generation   (TOP)

Duration: 1 hour of instruction
Format: Workshop
Date: Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Speaker: Cam Anderson, President; Randy Sabourin, Vice President, Anderson-Sabourin Consulting

This highly interactive, 2 hour session, will summarize some key findings from the full day session on Friday February 26th and will offer an overview of the key behavioural challenges faced by superintendents on a daily basis. From how we pay attention and what we are distracted by, to our leadership, social, communication and performance under pressure styles, this session will be both thought provoking and fun. (more...)
The role of golf superintendent has never been more challenging. Changing environmental standards, economic and financial pressures, turfgrass science and equipment advancements combined with unpredictable weather patterns all conspire to make these interesting times indeed. And none of these factors address the ever present people issues in the day to day running of your operations. From your own self awareness of your primary, hard wired tendencies, to becoming a more effective member of the course management team, we constantly need to better manage ourselves and those around us. This highly interactive, 2 hour session, will summarize some key findings from the full day session on Friday February 26th and will offer an overview of the key behavioural challenges faced by superintendents on a daily basis. From how we pay attention and what we are distracted by, to our leadership, social, communication and performance under pressure styles, this session will be both thought provoking and fun.

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Golf Course Renovation Panel   (TOP)

Duration: 75 minutes
Format: Panel Discussion
Date: Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Speaker: Hugh Yorke, Superintendent, Oakfield Golf & Country Club;
Jeff Stauffer, Superintendent, Credit Valley Golf & C.C.;
Adam Zubek, Superintendent, Capilano Golf & Country Club

Three golf course superintendents, three different scenarios, three different parts of the country and three different processes for implementing change. This session will provide plenty of helpful advice to those of you contemplating or initiating renovation projects at your courses.

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Golf Course Analytics   (TOP)

Duration: 1 hour of instruction
Format: Education Session
Date: Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Speaker: Dave Smith, Soil & Turfgrass Consultant, DCS Agronomic Services

Soil PH, nutrient levels, IPM records, these and many other measures are part of the superintendents daily activities. This session provides you with the knowledge to make sense of these measures and use them to your advantage.

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Communication Skills for the Superintendent   (TOP)

Duration: 1 hour of instruction
Format: Education Session
Date: Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Speaker: Dave Fearis, GCSAA Director of Membership

Learn the secrets of effective and efficient communication with all of your stakeholders including employers, management team, Board members and golfers. (more...)
Superintendents have excellent agronomic skills however, most superintendents aren’t let go from their jobs because their golf course was in bad condition. They are let go because they were not communicating with their employees, golfers and/or maintenance staff. This session will focus on ways to improve this communication.

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Patch and Root Diseases   (TOP)

Duration: 1 hour of instruction
Format: Education Session
Date: Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Speaker: Dr. Katerina Jordan, University of Guelph

Dr. Jordan discusses the causes behind patch and root diseases in turf in Canada. After this hour you will know the three prime causes and the most effective treatments.

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Environmental Stewardship Requires a Plan   (TOP)

Duration: 1 hour of instruction
Format: Education Session
Date: Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Speaker: Dr. Robert Carrow, Professor, University of Georgia

A number of environmental issues (pesticides, water conservation, nutrient management, etc.) confront the golf course industry.  In this presentation, a proactive, overall strategy will be discussed that applies to any environmental issue.(more...)
Included will be presentation and handout material related to:

• Key components of a strategy plan to address an environmental issue – and which component is most often left off the list, but is the most important one!!
• What are the most successful “environmental management” plans and why do they work.
• How the golf course industry can develop the very best environmental stewardship plans and foster their adoption at the site-specific, territorial/state, and national levels.
• Guidelines for developing Best Management Plans for a single environmental issue.
• Guidelines for developing Environmental Management Systems, where an EMS includes all environmental issues of concern in one document
• How can we enhance environmental stewardship in a manner that includes economic, environmental, and societal considerations – role of certification and sustainable stewardship standards?

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Hiring/Disciplining/Terminating Employees   (TOP)

Duration: 1 hour of instruction
Format: Workshop
Date: Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Speaker: Ross Dunsmore, LLB, Dunsmore Law

Ross Dunsmore provides you with the tips and techniques that will improve your annual hiring process, provide a system for taking proper disciplinary action and keep you and your club out of court when termination of an employee is required.

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Seeing the Forest and the Trees – Developing Your Golf Course Tree Management Plan   (TOP)

Duration: 1 hour of instruction
Format: Education Session
Date: Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Speakers: Steven Mann, Owner/President SJM Arboricultural Consulting Services Ltd.

The process, the required resources, the necessary approvals and the overall benefits of developing a tree management plan will all be outlined and elaborated upon during this 60 minute session.

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Tour Events and the Superintendent   (TOP)

Duration: 1 hour of instruction
Format: Education Session
Date: Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Speakers: Scott Bowman, Superintendent, Glen Abbey Golf Club

Scott Bowman Superintendent at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ontario will provide you with a checklist of superintendent responsibilities when hosting a PGA Tour event.

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