Fax number
New MGSA fax number - 1-866-701-3786
 
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Credit Cards accepted
Visa and Mastercard are now accepted for all payments
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2009 AGM News
The 2009 AGM was held on November 29 at the Windsor Park Canad Inn. Greg Mitchell, Superintendent at Bel Acres, is the 2009 Superintendent of the Year. Greg was also elected to the Board of Directors, along with Craig Campbell, Assistant Superintendent at Niakwa. Congratulations to Greg and Craig. Michael Trager, 2008 Superintendent of the Year, takes over as President from Darren Kalyniuk.
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Greg Holden Special Award
2009 ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ABOUT THE AWARD WINNERS AND OTHER NOMINEES
In the Individual category: Anders Swanson was nominated by Bike to the Future Co-Chair, Kevin Miller. Anders has been a tireless advocate for cycling and bicycles in Winnipeg, leading the way to a comprehensive network of cycling routes and infrastructure designed to make cycling safer, easier and more accessible. He has paid particular attention to the needs of inner city children, teaching them to repair and build their own bikes. In fact, on the evening of the awards presentation, he will be leaving his volunteer work at Orioles Bike Cage a bit early in order to attend. His creative website, OneGreenCity.com is used by Active Transportation promoters of all stripes, and he has gained the respect of politicians, city administrators and community groups with his hard work, non-confrontational style and absolute commitment to making Winnipeg a greener place. Anders either founded or belongs to at least 6 community groups, including the BIZ Transportation committee, North Winnipeg Commuter Cyclists, the Physical Activity Coalition of Manitoba and the River East Neighbourhood Network. He is also a member of the Mayor’s Environmental Advisory Committee.
In the Group category: The Organic Food Council of Manitoba has been building awareness about healthy local organic food, and connecting farmers with consumers for nearly a decade. Through innovative projects like Growing Up Organic and the Farm Mentorship Program, OFCM is facilitating local organic eating in child care centres and other institutions, and is assisting a new generation to learn sustainable agriculture from seasoned practitioners. OFCM worked with local producers to help make Manitoba organic milk a reality, has played a key role in pushing for government policy improvements for organic growing, and is instrumental in the growing movement to build a just, sustainable and local agricultural economy in the Province. OFCM was nominated by Anne Lindsey.
Greg Holden, Superintendent of the Clear Lake Golf Course is the winner in the “Special” category. Greg was nominated by Celes Davar, of Earth Rhythms, an eco-tourism provider in Riding Mountain National Park. Greg has led the operation of the Golf Course and restaurant at Clear Lake for 16 years, transforming it from a conventional pesticide and fertilizer-laden, waste-stream driven course to a model of sustainability, innovation and recycling. The conversion stems from Greg’s personal commitment to the health of the planet – he has also been a certified organic garlic grower, built his own energy efficient home, and provides sustainability presentations to Riding Mountain visitors. Innovative features of the golf course include: the use of composting toilets and a digester to minimize waste, create a resource for natural fertilization of the course, and eliminate the requirement for 300,000 gallons of groundwater for conventional flushing; use of compost teas and a variety of natural and biological controls for weeds and fungi; over the past several years, diversion of about 10,000 litres of waste cooking oil from area restaurants as a biodiesel source for golf course vehicles and tractors; composting of all kitchen waste, grass clippings and leaf debris for use on the course and in the herb gardens; and use of native species for plantings around the golf course. As Greg embarks next year on a term as President of the Canadian Golf Course Superintendent’s Association, he will be taking the examples and lessons learned at Clear Lake to a national audience – one that needs to hear his message of sustainability for this popular sport.
Other nominees:
Manitoba Eco-Network also wishes to acknowledge all the other award nominees in 2009. They are: Ryan Anderson, who biked across Canada to raise awareness of environmental issues; Gabriel Gagne, a La Broquerie area resident who practices and shares with rural neighbours a low-impact, sustainable way of life; Curt Belton, a Winnipeg school principal who has inspired students and teachers alike in developing both action and education for sustainability at Rockwood School, and Shelmerdine Nurseries which led the way in taking toxic pesticides and garden products off the shelf, choosing instead to promote environmentally friendly alternatives.
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Scholarship Winners 2010
John B Steel - Chuck Harris $500
MGSA - Jonathan Peters $500
Groege Kendall - Josh McFadden $300
A.C. Ferguson - Brett Stuesser $200
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Scholarship Winners 2009
Ben Neufeld - John Steel - $500
Chuck Harris - MGSA - $500
Andrew Lewis - George Kendall - $300
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Elections
Congratulations to Kerry Watkins, the MGSA's nomination for the position of Manitoba Director of the CGSA.
Congratulations also to Alan Haufek, the new MGSA Commercial director, replacing Todd Fanning's position on the Board of Directors
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Congratulations - Wally Hall and Pleasant Valley
Congratulations to Wally Hall and Pleasant Valley for being nominated for the "Most Beautifully Brutal Golf Holes" in the North American contest put on by John Deere Credit. It is the only course, along with Banff Springs, to make it to the final listing among some very prestigious courses on the continent.
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Sample Pesticide ad
A sample ad has been posted in the Environment section for use by any club. You can make any adjustments you need to make it fit your particular situation.
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Assistance Consultation Helpline
Jim Barr (204)256-0545
East from #34 to #59, South from #16 and #1 to US Border
Joel Baggley(204)523-7517
East from MB/SK border to #34, south of #1
Rob Officer Work - (204)632-3971 Res - (204)444-6085
North of #1 and Perimeter
rofficer@rrc.mb.ca
Ralph Schofield (204) 888-2867 Ext 6
City of Winnipeg courses, within 10 miles of the Perimeter Hwy
lsteen5@shaw.ca
Bob Turcotte (807) 548-5997
East of Hwy 6, North of TCH #1, including NW Ontario
minakibob@hotmail.com
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Environment and Pesticides
Rob Officer, RRC, has consented to be the spokesperson for the MGSA on matters pertaining to environmental concerns. He can be reached at 632-2302
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New Mmebrs 2011
Michael Shaw, B
Gary Laidlaw, Commercial
Patrick Solski, Assistant
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New Members 2010
Jonathan Peters, Student
Brett Stuesser, Student
Bert Bos, Commercial
Jason Anseeuw, Commercial
Bruce Rogers, Assistant
Shirley Anderson, Commercial
Desmond Koop, Assistant
Shawn Jeffery, Commercial
Brock Hepburn, Commercial
Ethan Butcher, Student
David Chegwin, Esterhazy, A
Cody Matheson, Student
Andrew Walker, Student
Steph Gagnon, River Oaks, Assistant
Russ Romaniuk, Turf Canada, Commercial
Josh McFadden, Student
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New Members 2009
Jason Chwartacki, Kitchen Creek, B
Cory Neufeld, Grand Pines, Student
Kyle Paskurak, Selkirk, Assistant
Jim Riopelle, Oak Island, A
Kito Nishibata, Teulon, A
Jeff Kowal, Players, Assistant
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New Members 2008
Tom Kiddey, Gilbert Plains, A
Nevin Martens, South Interlake, Student
Kelly Watkins, Commercial, Keso Turf Supplies
Mitch Perrrault, Herons Landing GC, B
Cal Surgenor, Commercial, Bayco
Ron Wach, Commercial, Central Lift
Tim Muys, Green Blade Lawn Care, B1
Curtis Ramsden, Buhler Rec Park, Associate
Jason Munroe, River Oaks, Associate
Andre Carriere, Assistant, La Verendrye
Ryan Ostertag, B, Fisher Branch
Trevor Fehr, B, Oakview
Rebecca Dola, Assistant, Glendale
Chris Unrau, B, Boissevain GC
Jason Derouin, Assistant, Beauty Bay
Blake Karasiuk, Commercial, Maxium Golf Leasing
Geoff Fedowich, Commercial, Rossmere Landscaping
Ryan Myers, B, Poplar Ridge GC
Hartley Gerbrandt, Commercial, Pembina Landscaping
Daniel Gange, Commercial, Earthquake Aeration
Cory Henley, student, Beauty Bay
Trevor Hodgson, Assistant, St. Charles
Benjamin Neufeld, Student
Glen Gusta, Commercial, Gusta Sod Farms
Derek Alexander, Associate, St. Charles
Kyle McNaughton, Associate, St. Charles
Ryan Skelton, Student
Rollie Richard, Commercial, Brett Young
Chris Want, Commercial, Guertin Equipment
Craig Atkinson, Assistant, Clear Lake
Drew Thunder, Student
Kirby Ashcroft, Student
Jeff Anderson, Student
Charlie Harris, Student
Michael Shaw, Student, Swan River
Kyle Ratz, Assistant, Oak Island GC
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Web Page Hits
Sept. 2011 Total - 8,628 Public - 6,681 Members - 1,947
August, 2011 Total - 10,255 Public - 8,092 Members - 2,163
July 2011 Total - 8,881 Public - 6,718 Members - 2,162
June 2011 Total - 9,669 Public - 6,710 Members - 2,959
May 2011 Total - 10,021 Public - 7.757 Members - 2,264
Apr. 2011 Total - 10,207 Public - 7,025 Members - 3,182
Mar. 2011 Total - 11,595 Public - 9,179 Members - 2,416
Feb. 2011 Total - 9,124 Public - 7,580 Members - 1,544
Jan. 2011 Total - 10,982 Public - 9,004 Members - 1,978
Dec. 2010 Total - 9,063 Public - 7,270 Members - 1,793
Nov. 2010 Total - 11,525 Public - 9,625 Members - 1,900
Oct. 2010 Total - 10,332 Public - 7,792 Members - 2,540
Sept 2010 Total - 9,585 Public - 7,371 Members - 2,214
Aug. 2010 Total - 9,980 Public - 7,058 Mmebers - 2,922
July, 2010 Total - 8,837 Public - 6,568 Members - 2,269
June 2010 Total - 9,029 Public - 6,312 Members - 2,717
May, 2010 Total - 8,709 Public - 6,309 Members - 2,400
Apr. 2010 Total - 8,961 Public - 5,897 Members - 3,064
Mar, 2010 Total - 9,681 Public - 6,314 Members - 3,367
Feb. 2010 Total - 6,960 Public - 4,975 Members - 1,985
Jan. 2010 Total - 7,538 Public - 5,626 Members - 1,912
Dec. 2009 Total - 7,480 Public - 5,703 Members - 1,777
Nov. 2009 Total - 8,223 Public - 6,309 Members - 1,914
Oct.. 2009 Total - 8,456 Public - 5,968 Members - 2,488
Sept 2009 Total - 7,731 Public - 4,849 Members - 2,882
Aug 2009 Total - 9,129 Public - 5,250 Members - 3,879
July 2009 Total - 8,405 Public - 5,294 Members - 3,111
June 2009 Total - 8,076 Public - 5,389 Members - 2,687
May 2009 Total - 7,918 Public - 4,340 Members - 3,578
April 2009 Total - 8,871 Public - 4,718 Members - 4,153
Mar 2009 Total - 7,394 Public - 4,450 Members - 2,944
Feb 2009 Total - 5,135 Public - 3,628 Members - 1,507
Jan 2009 Total - 6,017 Public - 4,202 Members - 1,815
Dec 2008 Total - 5,536 Public - 3,950 Members - 1,586
Nov 2008 Total - 8,292 Public - 5,499 Members - 2,793
Oct 2008 Total - 10,194 Public - 6,300 Members - 3,894
Sept 2008 Total - 14,750 Public - 10,655 Members - 4,095
Aug 2008 Total - 10,170 Public - 6,201 Members - 3,969
July 2008 Total - 7,784 Public - 4,748 Members - 3,016
June 2008 Total - 7,166 Public - 4,496 Members - 2,670
May 2008 Total - 7,899 Public - 4,282 Members - 3,617
Mar. 2008 Total - 8,655 Public - 4,090 Members - 4,565
Feb. 2008 Total - 6,212 Public - 3,302 Members - 2,910
Jan. 2008 Total - 5,261 Public - 3,161 Members - 2,100
Dec. 2007 Total - 4,342 Public - 2,081 Members - 1,261
Nov. 2007 Total - 6,109 Public - 3,578 Members - 2,531
Oct. 2007 Total - 6,597 Public - 3.689 Members - 2,908
Sept, 2007 Total - 6,074 public - 3.064 Members - 3.010
July, 2007 Total - 6,455 Public - 3,876 Members - 2,579
June, 2007 Total - 6,696 Public - 3,666 Members - 3,030
May, 2007 Total - 6,300 Public - 3,527 Members - 2,773
April, 2007 Total - 6,198 Public - 2,777 Members - 3,421
March, 2007 Total - 6,167 Public - 3,645 Members - 2,522
February, 2007 Total - 5,269 Public - 2,712 Members - 2,557
January, 2007 Public - 2968 Members - 1478
December, 06 Public - 2508 Members - 699
November, 06 Public - 2429 Members - 985
October, 06 Public - 2486 Members - 1093
September, 06 Public - 2396 Members - 1404
August, 2006 Public - 2530 Members - 1647
July, 2006 Public - 2933 Members - 1511
June, 2006 Public - 2915 Members - 1987
May, 2006 Public - 562 Members - 422
April, 2006 Public - 620 Members - 380
March, 2006 Public - 623 Members - 387
February, 2006 Public - 2574 Members - 1532
January, 2006 Public - 3029 Members - 2136
December, 2005 Public - 2153 Members - 1163
November, 2005 Public - 2403 Members - 1469
October, 2005 Public - 2331 Members - 1959
September, 2005 Public - 1994 Members - 1683
August, 2005 Public - 2717 Members - 1583
July, 2005 Public - 3098 Members - 2266
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MAGA letter to City of Winnipeg
Dear Councilor Jenny Gerbasi, Councilor Mike Pagtakhan and Committee Members,
The Manitoba Allied Golf Association commends the efforts of the City of Winnipeg to reduce the use of pesticides. In fact, the golf industry has been actively reducing their use for well over 15 years. A serious statement of intent was published in 1993 and updated in 2006 (see Appendix III). The Environmental Guidelines for Canadian Golf Clubs was used as a model, when the Royal Canadian Golf Association was asked to consult on the development of the Environmental Principles for Golf Courses in the United States and when the European Golf Association Ecology Unit created their Environmental Strategy for Golf in Europe.
The golf industry’s position with respect to pesticide use is that federally registered products used by provincially licensed technicians should not be restricted but should be available as part of an integrated pest management strategy. This position is based on evidence from the scientific community and confirmed by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency division of Health Canada, that these products pose no unacceptable risk when used according to label instructions. The Canadian golf industry uses only federally registered products approved for use on golf courses and these products are applied only by licensed professionals.
The golf industry is committed to the protection of our communities, patrons and employees. The golf industry has a track record of tangibly supporting the reduction of need for pesticide use. As an industry we invest over $100,000 annually in research to find hardier species that require fewer inputs and alternative maintenance methods to further reduce the need for control products. These products are expense items and are used only when needed. However, when they are needed, there really are no other options.
There are many reasons why it is reasonable for golf’s responsible and judicious use of pesticides be specifically allowed to continue:
• Golf course superintendents are trained and licensed to use, store and properly dispose of pesticides. (Appendix I, II)
• The Pesticides and Fertilizer Control Act is the provincial body responsible for applicator licensing.
• Pesticides are federally regulated through the PMRA (Pest Management Regulatory Agency). Approval of pesticides through this agency is extremely stringent (amongst the toughest in the world – our superintendents have fewer control products available to protect turf than their USA counterparts) and takes years of study and review.
• Turf on the golf course in NOT cosmetic. The greens, tees and fairways are playing surfaces that are the golf course’s lifeblood. Poor turf conditions will result in economic losses for a golf course and the community.
• Golf courses have controlled access. Visitors must pay to use the golf course and pesticide usage signs are posted giving customers the choice to play or not which is a form of consent.
• The turf on a golf course is a very different species than that is found on a residential lawn or parkland. Creeping bentgrass and annual bluegrass were developed specifically for low mowing heights to create a special, quality playing surface. Low grass heights result in extremely stressed turf that is much more susceptible to suffer from infestation, disease, and die-off. On average for most golf courses greens are mowed at 1/8th of an inch, tees and collars are ¼ to ½ inch and fairways ½ inch to 5/8’s. Only a golf course “rough” area being mowed at 1 ½ to 2 inches compared to a recommended minimum height of 2 ½ inches for residential/sports field conditions comes close to being comparable. However, the mowing frequency and short heights of cut required to maintain these standards definitely provide stress to the leaf/plant and the maintenance requirements to allow the plant to survive are completely different than the average lawn or park area.
• The amount of wear on a golf course would be equivalent to 25,000 to 40,000 people walking/driving across a homeowner’s lawn each year. Therefore the required management practices for golf courses cannot be fairly equated to a homeowner’s lawn.
• It is sometimes suggested that golf courses are not “essential,” and thus the use of pesticides is merely for cosmetic use. This overlooks the tremendous benefit golf courses provide to our quality of life and to the overall environment. It is well-documented by turfgrass educators and the turf resource center, that grass and other plants help to modify air pollution by absorbing particulate matter and carbon dioxide while preventing soil erosion. The extensive hectares of grass on a golf course also helps to supply oxygen and is a excellent filter as water moves through the thatch and root layers. Irrigated turf also is an excellent fire break between forests or prairie and our homes.
• According to the 2006 Golf Participation Study conducting by Ipsos Reid for the RCGA, Manitoba has the second highest number of golfers per capita of any Canadian province with 28.6% of Manitobans reporting to have golfed at least once in the last year.
• Golf facilities work to create an environment that is pleasant and relaxing for members of the community as well as being a sanctuary for birds and other wildlife. An average 18-hole golf course sits on approximately 214 acres. Much of the property consists of natural low-maintenance areas, which provides a home for wildlife and a diverse variety of native plants and large stands of trees. Greens are the most intensely managed areas where the majority of pesticides are used. The greens only constitute two per cent of the total land area.
• As an industry we support research to find biological alternatives such as a biological control for snow mould. However, even after ten years and over a $500,000 in funding from the golf industry, we are still several years away from a marketable product. Research takes time and money.
• In the interim, we do know from research conducted at Bethpage State Golf Course on Long Island by Cornell University that an Integrated Pest Management program can reduce pesticide use by 35-50%. However, a zero pesticide regime resulted in dead greens. All these greens had to be re-surfaced.
• Fungal organisms such as Pythium spp. (seen above) are capable of destroying entire golf greens or larger acreages overnight. The only control for these disease organisms is a fungicide and it is required immediately. Without application in a timely fashion the risk of total loss is extremely high.
• The essence of a good turf management is to manage the growing conditions to prevent the plants from becoming stressed. It ensures that conditions conducive to disease development are reduced. But golf superintendents cannot control the weather and will still require some pesticides to provide the playing conditions golfers expect. The practice of waiting for an infestation to occur will not work. This condition will require blanket spraying that will result in a total load of pesticides greater than if small amounts were used for spot spraying as part of good turf management.
The Manitoba Allied Golf Association is a coalition of the Manitoba Golf Superintendents Association (MGSA), Golf Manitoba, the National Golf Course Owners Association Canada (NGCOA Canada) - Manitoba Chapter, the Manitoba Professional Golf Association (MPGA), and other affiliated organizations, associations and member clubs.
The economic impact of the more than 21 golf courses operating in Winnipeg who directly and indirectly, employ hundreds of individuals is enormous. Municipalities across Canada have been investigating restrictions to pesticide use and in almost every case where by-laws have been enacted, exemptions have been provided for golf facilities based on the existing regulations and the commitment of professionalism by members of the golf industry.
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Super Moves
David Linstead from Breezy Bend to Wildewood
Greg Baker from Kitchen Creek to Spruce Creek, Morson
Jason Steadwell from Oak Lake 4 Seasons to Even Spray and Chemicals
Jeremy Sokol from Minnedosa to Granite Hills
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2007 New Members
Lenn Samborski, Commercial, Samborski Garden Supplies
Tyler Kearns, Commercial, Grant Golf
Shane Daerden, Commercial, Consolidated Turf
Justin Smith, Student, Virden Wellview
Sean Smith, Commercial, I.C.E. Marketing
Larry Warner, Commercial, Amazing Grassworks, Morden
Dan Bailey, Superintendent, Gladstone GC
Gordon Maxwell, Superintendent, Boissevain GC
Ryan Major, Student, Carman GC
Shawn Major, Student, St. Charles CC
Nijoe Trudeau, Student, Oakwood Golf Course
Scott Longstaffe, Student, Morgan Creek Golf Course, BC
Steve Kurta, Superintendent, Tuscarora, GC, New York
Michael Warwick, Assistant, Oakwood
Rodney Burrows, Assistant, Tuxedo
Mike Gottfried, Commercial, Stephenson Equipment
Andrew Lewis, Associate, St. Charles
Braydon Gilbert, Assistant, St. Charles
Mike Kuypers, Assistant, St. Charles
Brian Johnstone, 1st Yr Assoc Heron Landing Golf Course
Cubby Ford, Associate, Beauty Bay GC
David Guenette, Student, Niakwa Country Club
George Nykulaik Associate Linrose
Gerald Breukleman 1st Yr Assoc Northern Lights GC
Les Thomas, Commercial Black Diamond Asphalt & Contracting
Mike Buhler 1st Yr, Assoc Dauphin Lake Golf Club
Mike Komar 1st Yr Assoc Dragon Hills GC
Nolan Rieger Assistant Elmhurst G & CC
Tim Dyck Commercial Brett Young
Scott Christopherson, Assistant, Breezy Bend
Norbert Philippot, A, Winnipeg Golf Services
Brett McCallum, B, Roland GC
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New Members - 2006
Brock Coates - Superintendent - Maplewood (Rat River)
Mike Smith - Superintendent - Swan River
Steve Mymko - Buhler Recreation Park
Bud W. Stuart - Assistant - Roland
Jason Magnusson - Student
Carmen Henry - Student
Mike Mudry - Assistant - Tuxedo
Russell Parry - Assistant - Links at the Lake
Don Rose - Assistant - St. Boniface
Kerry Watkins - Superintendent - St. Charles
Kerry Laing - Student
Matthew Kulczycki - Student
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