From the soil up

It’s coming to an end

Mika Pehkonen — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 02:14:39 +0000

I can’t believe we’re one week away from graduation! Until now, I’ve been itching to put school behind me; but now I find myself holding on to each passing day. If only there were a few more months left with my fellow Turfies at the University of Guelph.

I will truly miss my life as a turfgrass student. So many memories made and I’m going to do my best to savor these last few classes (and last few beers). Work will be an exciting change, especially the reintroduction of income, but it will be hard to say goodbye to the last 2 memorable years.

The TOCA

Mika Pehkonen — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:11:57 +0000

My interest in the green industry has grown over the last few months. During my turfgrass education thus far, I’ve greatly increased my knowledge in landscape and turf management, but I’ve also become more aware of the importance of environmentally friendly practices. Our days of irresponsible pesticide use are over. The 2009 cosmetic pesticide ban in Ontario most likely begins the revolution of a pesticide free nation. Success in the future of our turf industry heavily relies on effective green communication. This is why the Turf and Ornamental Communicators Association (TOCA) has grabbed my attention.

Turf and Ornamental Communicators Association

The TOCA “serves communicators in the Green Industry by fostering an open exchange of information regarding issues that affect how we communicate to our various audiences” (toca.org). They serve their members with newsletters, annual professional improvement meetings, contests, as well as allow you to develop contacts with active members. The association is made up of writers, publishers, photographers, and industry leaders in green communications to name a few.

Taking part in the green industry is a goal in my future. I am passionate for turf management and strongly support the green industry. This is why I’d like to use my communication skills and experiences to positively influence the ways in which we manage our landscapes. Turf professionals of tomorrow need to highly prioritize the health of the environment to maintain a positive status. I hope to play a key factor in communicating this message.

Golf future looks bright thanks to the 2016 Olympics

Mika Pehkonen — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 20:43:08 +0000

In 2016, Rio de Janeiro will host the summer Olympic Games with the addition of golf. This will be the first time golf has been a part of the competition since the 1904 St. Louis Games. Many professional athletes will take part, like they have in the past. For example, the NBA’s Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, tennis’s Roger Federer and Williams sisters, and soccer’s Ronaldinho were all contending in Beijing last year. Therefore, it’s about time to include superstar Tiger Woods who has singlehandedly changed the way we look at golf today.

When Tiger Woods won the Masters in 1997, the golf world exploded. People began playing golf just like any other pastime (baseball, basketball, football). Courses around the world began to increase in number, and golf on television began to air on the most popular television networks. The golf industry as a whole prospered and it continues to be famous throughout the continents. Now with golf in the Olympics, there looks like there will be even more growth in the already flourishing Tiger Woods era.

I’m excited to be a part of this time in the golf industry. I feel the Olympics will further increase the sports popularity, just like it did when Tiger came into the picture over ten years ago. With all the future media coverage for the 2016 Olympics, and players like Tiger joining the fight for gold, our industry looks promising and the demand for professional turf managers will only get higher. Let’s hope Mike Weir can take a gold medal home for Canada in 2016!

Dress for success

Mika Pehkonen — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 20:05:20 +0000

You have a job interview and all you’re thinking is that the person you saw interviewed before you was dressed very elegantly. Their shoes were polished, their tie complimented their shirt, and their jacket looked like it was stolen off the back of James Bond himself. Now your khakis, which barely reach your feet, and faded ‘polo’ don’t look so great and you’re lacking the confidence you once had. Have you ever felt under dressed? If so it’s time to make some changes.

Last week our turf communications class hosted a symposium titled “Doing more with less: Turf in tough times.” The event was a huge success thanks to our hard work and professional attitude. This professionalism was evident in the planning, as well as on the day of the symposium. Each student dressed in appropriate business attire that consisted of a shirt, tie and jacket for the men, and dress pants or skirt with an attractive top for the woman. The guests were greeted on their way in and we did an excellent job presenting ourselves as the hosts and as future professionals in the turf industry.

The symposium was an effective teacher of the importance of attire in the professional world. I have a better understanding on what it means to present one’s self not only through your personality, but also through your appearance. A first impression begins with the way you look so if you have that wrong, good luck. Take a glance at the leaders in our industry. Do they dress well? Start mimicking these people and you’re on your way to professionalism and therefore, a successful future.

Avoid the hockey jersey

Leader in the industry

A diploma in turfgrass management at the University of Guelph

Mika Pehkonen — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 19:10:35 +0000

From a student’s perspective, there is nothing worse than paying thousands of dollars for a subpar education. It’s possible that “you dropped a hundred and fifty grand on a education you could of got for a dollar fifty in late charges at the public library” (Good Will Hunting). Post-secondary schooling seems to be losing its relevance in the professional world. Is it just another money grabbing business? The turfgrass management program at Guelph proves hope that there are still worthwhile university educations out there.

I have recently finished turfgrass management semester one at Guelph and I’m thrilled thus far with the programs structure. Each of our classes plays a significant role in preparing us to be professionals in our industry. Perhaps turf communications and the turf industry are the courses that separate this program from the rest. In turf communications, our class organized a very successful symposium with over 130 attendees. The turf industry class included weekly fieldtrips to golf courses like Glen Abbey and Lambton, businesses like Agrium Advanced Technologies and Ontario Seed Company, and presentations at the Sports Turf Association field day and from Turf Systems Incorporated.

Guelph Turfgrass Institute

The concepts I’ve learned this semester, especially from our fieldtrips and symposium committees, cannot be taught in the classroom and I am pleased to be involved with this program at Guelph. It offers so much more than the average university course. I have never had a semester where I have learned so much about my area of study and I credit that to the course dynamics. The classes allow me to retain information and bring our classroom knowledge out into the real world. Our upcoming summer internships will continue to prove that Guelph’s turfgrass diploma is worth every penny.

T-1 bentgrass

Mika Pehkonen — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:35:45 +0000

With the amount of grass seeds available on the market it’s tough as a turf manager to select a seed type for your course construction and renovation. The science involved with creating a durable and dependable turf has come a long way and it’s up to the superintendent to be mindful of the successful cultivars available. Recently I was introduced to the new T-1 creeping bentgrass (zones 1-6) by Jacklin seed which seems to already be a popular choice thanks to its outstanding characteristics.

This week our class visited the Ontario Seed Company where we toured their product warehouses. We were told that the demand for T-1 creeping bentgrass is very high. Some of the new courses that have seeded with it are extremely pleased with the rates of germination and dependability and have highly recommended it. Here are some of its characteristics from the Jacklin seed website:
• Aggressive against Poa annua, tenacious ground cover
• The forgiving bentgrasses: championship conditions with the championship maintenance
• Excellent disease resistance
• The #1 darkest green bentgrass variety in the world
• T-1 is listed as “TeeOne” on the OECD/EU Catalog
More information can be found at http://techsheets.simplot.com/Jacklin/t1_management.pdf.

I am excited to begin to explore the variety of seed types available to us as turf managers. It is an area that a superintendent must be highly educated since the seed they put down will determine the future maintenance and condition of their course. This is something I will begin to show a dedicated interest in and look forward to hearing anyone`s feedback on their grass seed selection.

Turfgrass Symposium November 27th

Mika Pehkonen — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:06:11 +0000

The turfgrass management students at the University of Guelph will be hosting a symposium on November 27th 2009 titled “Doing more with less: Turf in tough times.” This event will be held at the Cutten Club in Guelph, Ontario and the theme relates specifically to the turfgrass field during the current economic struggle. The goal is to educate and motivate our industry with strategies to succeed in today’s market.

Speaking at the symposium will be Keith Bartlett, superintendent at St. George’s Golf and Country Club, site of the 2010 Canadian Open, entrepreneur Ron Schiedel, co-owner of Green Horizons sod farms, and pathology expert, Dr. Tom Hsiang of the University of Guelph and the Guelph Turfgrass Institute. These speakers will share their turfgrass expertise and relate how they are balancing the economy in their situation. Also, some of the students will be giving two minute presentations detailing their thoughts and knowledge of issues significant to turfgrass management. This will all be followed by a free lunch with prizes throughout the day.

I think the symposium is a great opportunity to promote the importance of communicating and networking as an industry during good times and in bad. It is a rare occasion to bring turfgrass professionals from around the province together with Guelph turfgrass students and faculty which proves the events worth. The symposium allows the students to gain an insight to their future and allows professional relationships to develop and strengthen so we can learn to do more with less. Sometimes it’s about coping with what you have. This is turf in tough times.

Turf education equals opportunity

Mika Pehkonen — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:19:17 +0000

When I tell people I’m enrolled in turfgrass management at Guelph they usually ask, “What can you do with that?” To keep it simple I often tell them that most turf students go on to manage golf courses or begin lawn care companies. That seems to make the most sense to ordinary Joe; however, I feel it’s no longer an adequate answer.

This week in our turf communications course we had Tim O’Connor, president of O’Connor Golf Communications, speak to our class. Tim is an experienced writer and journalist and is a golf fanatic. These characteristics have allowed him to build a thriving career proven through his business which is the current communications organization for ClubLink and Nike Golf Canada. Tim shared the importance of establishing ‘good relations’ with people and staying connected in order to achieve success in our future careers.

Tim has opened my eyes by showing me that our diploma program does not limit our careers to turfgrass management alone. Our turf communications and turf industry course introduce job opportunities, like Tim’s, we may have never considered. Working as superintendents or lawn care specialists are definitely familiar options upon graduation, but over the past week I have realized there are areas I have yet to explore. With that said, I’ll hold on a second when I tell people what turfgrass students go on to be. I think it’s safe to say we’re getting our foot in the door to the turf and golf world. They might laugh, but at least you know it’s true.

Modern Irrigation

Mika Pehkonen — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:02:01 +0000

Irrigation is arguably the most critical practice when maintaining a golf course. It’s not as simple as spraying water here and there; it requires education and experience to understand the specific water needs of golf turfgrass. In today’s demand to play, it’s tough to schedule times to effectively irrigate an entire course which is why new technology has its advantages. Highly advanced irrigation systems allow for more play without sacrificing the health of the turf.

Last Thursday Cory Janzen, the superintendent at Westmount Golf and Country Club, showed our class the components of their state of the art irrigation system installed in 2002. The apparatus includes a variable speed pump station, a 4,000,000 gallon reservoir, digital satellite boxes, and Cory’s office where the entire system is controlled with the click of a mouse. With up to the minute weather updates, the system measures evapotranspiration levels which allows for precise watering.

Irrigation satellite box at Westmount

Technology is always improving which makes it impossible to stay ahead. With that said, I feel investing in a new irrigation system should be at the top of every golf courses’ priority list in order to keep from falling too far behind. Westmount is cutting on energy, labour, and time because of their irrigating techniques which allows the superintendent to water exactly how they like. As a result, they are better at their jobs and can put more energy into improving the course in other areas; not to mention players are more satisfied with the consistent course conditions, rain or shine. Falling behind in the latest iPod technology is one thing, but falling behind in the latest irrigation practices is embarrassing and possibly detrimental to the future of a course.

Westmount in the late fall

Who are your stakeholders?

Mika Pehkonen — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:54:47 +0000

Turfgrass students may not be aware that a major responsibility for golf course superintendents is managing people. Maintaining your course is a priority, but managing people, especially a stakeholder, is something to expect and to not be taken lightly. “A stakeholder is any person or group that has a vested interest in the final outcome of a project” (Robin Stafford, Islington Golf Club). There are an infinite number of circumstances that arise when managing a course and stakeholders need to be addressed before any action can be taken.

This week we made a trip to Islington Golf Club where superintendent Robin Stafford focused largely on the impact of stakeholders during course projects. On Islington hole three, there is a large home on the right side where several balls constantly ended up from golfers on the tee. Long story short, this issue became a court case and resulted in the erection of a 80 foot tall fence along the fairway that cost over $300,000. The stakeholders involved in this project were the neighbours, the Urban Forestry, the golf club members, and the city council, all of which Robin had to deal with and understand their opinions.

Islington Golf Club: hole three

I am now well aware that the better you become at managing your stakeholders, the more positive action will take place. Course projects will not begin until the majority of people are happy, therefore, be prepared to address them and to answer questions. Knowing who your stakeholders are, what their impact on a project can be, and how to communicate with them is going to affect the future of your course; no superintendent wants a massive fence.