Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/137861
wcta12jj--rev 6/18/13 11:52 AM BOARDROOM YARN Page 1 BY DAVID L. DOHERTY FLOATING IN A ROOT ZONE OK…we've had hundreds of meetings. We've done all of our homework. We've selected an architect and a construction company, and chosen the type of grass for surfacing or resurfacing our greens. We've had the sands that are available to us analyzed frontwards and backwards, upside down and inside out. We've have lab certification of what the physical properties will be for all of our possible different root zone mixes, using each of the different sands with both organic materials and inorganic amendments in ratios of 100/00, 95/05, 90/10, 85/15, 80/20 and sometimes 75/25. We've crossed our Ts and dotted our Is and are ready to go forward with our project with great anticipation, but maybe a little apprehension. We have chosen a mix of 90/10 based on many factors: Physical properties that meet USGA recommended specifications, monetary issues, quality of irrigation water, type of grass selected, and surface air movement On the chosen date, the construction company begins the process of very carefully floating our selected 90/10 ratio greens' mix into the greens' cavities. After floating the mix into the greens' cavities the construction company or the grounds crew will water the mix to help it settle and to add some firmness before seeding or sodding. This is in many cases all that is done when firming up our greens' mix, and in many cases this limited procedure is not enough. Since we selected a 90/10 mix, we need to work a little harder to settle or firm up our new greens. Additional watering as well as extensive rolling is required. Many courses that have selected to go with a lighter mix such as a 90/10 will need to water extensively and roll the During the entire planning and execution process we have formed a mental picture that we must be very, very, very careful not to modify the greens mix. greens with a two-ton roller until the desired firmness is achieved. This watering and rolling process is normally done after the greens' cavities have been filled and shaped. If the superintendent or grow-in specialist is not familiar with bringing in greens of the lighter mix this last step of firming before seeding or sodding can be very intimidating. During the entire planning and execution process we have formed a mental picture that we must be very, very, very careful not to modify the greens mix. Extreme caution does need to be taken so that the drainage system is not compromised. This mental picture carries over to a feeling of not bruising or hurting the mix with anything mechanical, and to the less experienced person it can be a rather scary thing to instigate and execute. A course I have worked with for many years and has a reputation of having some of the finest greens in the world compacts newly built greens in four segments, each of three-inch increments. After the drain system and gravel is in place three inches of greens' mix is added/floated into the greens' cavity, watered and compacted using a vibration method – 9 to 12 inch depth. This process is continued three more times for the mix at the six to nine inch depth, the three to six inch depth and the surface to three inch depth. Once seeding or sodding is completed these greens are ready for play and with very settling over the next few years and with the proper agricultural practices, very little change over the life of the greens. And when removing the top three to four inches when regrassing, the same watering and compaction procedure should be executed before seeding or sodding. Dave Doherty is CEO and founder of the International Sports Turf Research Center, Inc. (ISTRC) and holds three patents regarding the testing of sand and soil-based greens. He can be reached at (913) 706-6635 or via email: daveistrc@hotmail.com. CONFERENCE NEWS BY WCTA STAFF 2014 CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL TURFGRASS CONFERENCE & TRADE SHOW Feb. 17-21, 2014, at the Vancouver Convention Centre and Fairmont Waterfront Hotel, Vancouver, BC Once again, the Western Canada Turfgrass Association, in cooperation with the BC Golf Superintendents Association, will host the Canadian Golf Superintendents (CGSA) and the Canadian International Turfgrass Conference & Trade Show (CITCTS) taking place February 17-21, 2014 at the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre. Jointly held conferences between the groups have a long and successful history with events taking placing in Vancouver in 2011, 2006, 2001, 1989 and 1981. Plans for 2014 are underway and will include a number of significant changes in response to both delegate and exhibitor input. New for next year, delegates attending CITCTS will be able to attend the event within the normal work week. The program will be staged from Tuesday to Thursday with Specialized Learning Workshops (SLW) scheduled on the preceding Monday and the following Friday. Education opportunities were a priority throughout the CITCTS review. The new format will embrace concurrent conference sessions, keynote plenary presentations, industry sponsored time slots, tech talks and demonstrations as well as full and half day SLW as every avenue is explored to address your training and information needs while providing as many viable options for you to gain continuing education credits as is possible within the five day program. The trade show is also changing. Exhibitors have regularly expressed concern that competing time components of the education program and trade show are not productive. The 2014 CITCTS trade show will consist of eight to nine hours of non-competing trade show time, up from the 6.5 hours under the previous format. There will be no competing hours. The timing has been reconfigured from a Monday and Tuesday format to a Tuesday early evening and all day Wednesday format and will be complemented by demonstrations, tech talks, prizes, food and beverage and other activities to encourage enhanced attendance by CITCTS delegates. CITCTS will continue to have a robust social program providing a number of networking opportunities for delegates including the President's Reception, Awards Luncheon, Trade Show Social Hour and the Party Night. The Annual Dinner is being discontinued given the decline in attendance and the high cost per person of staging a gala event. The new format will provide many evening opportunities for personal time to explore the host city and get together with friends as well as for industry attendees to provide hospitality activities for delegates. In many respects CITCTS 2014 represents significant change, change based on input and feedback from users, members and suppliers. In many ways it will be business as usual, as we bring the Canadian turf and golf course management profession the biggest annual professional development and exhibit opportunity available in Canada. Go ahead and mark the dates on your calendar and stay tuned for much more exciting show information! WESTERN CANADA TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION 39