Greens keeper Gift

The previous article on Gordon Witteveen, a Golf Course Greens Specialist had me looking closely at the   Turf and Recreation Magazine which is promoted as the only Canadian "  Turf and Ground Maintenance "

Magazine Heading

 Magazine. Probably also an  Authority on Greens Maintenance in Canada. In the end, I felt that if bowlers and clubs executives knew a bit more about this magazine, someone on the club executives just might (in Canada) order it for their greens maintenance staff.

 Although most of the information on Turf maintenance would apply to Lawn Bowls Greens I was interested to  find if there was any direct mention of "Lawn Bowling Greens".  Hopefully even an article. !!,  I figure a lot of Canadian Clubs probably subscribe this magazine for the news about  lawn care  products.
The search only had two  mentionof the words "Lawn Bowls Greens"  Really ??

A photo tweeted which breaks my heart

Certainly there are articles which touch all of the problems encountered by Green maintenance personnel.. An example is an article on Turf Academy which discuss problems with "Take-all patch", "Dollar spot", "Aanthracnose" an even something as strange as the important of adequate air movement on (putting) greens."


The first search  result was about the important of using a fertilizer allowing a proper distribution of nutrient for the lower HOC (height of cut) greens. Suggesting the important when  applying nutrient sources that will produce a colour response ( nitrogen, iron and magnesium) to an area with a lower height of cut (e.g. golf course greens, tees and fairways and lawn bowling greens) it is necessary to use a fertilizer."  Yes that was the only reference  of my search words in that article.

 As a bowler this article about green nutrient is not really important in my game, but it open our eyes to the professionalism of our green keepers and volunteers, has made me want to look a bit further.

The magazine has a very good structure for search,and you should request exact words for the best results. which  can help your club or greens keeper find almost anything about proper Greens keep. 

Interesting are articles such as  the one on Ontario Turfgrass Research on DNA  , where studies toward dandelion weed suppression by modified natural controls. And how almost $40,000 raised by golf tournaments for this research.

The second search result was more important and helpful to us Canadian bowlers because it referred to lawn bowling clubs which have had more above seasonal temperatures and the warmer nights (climate Change impact probably) and the effect this temperature change has on the greens (grass). 
Did you know grass breath ??  YES !!! " The warmer weather contributed to turf conditions that were a little out of the ordinary." write Mike Higgens of Turf and Recreation magazine (and continues)

While doing a tours of four Ontario golf courses, Dr. Joe Vargas, of Michigan State University explains
"the hotter-than-normal nighttime temperatures posed challenges to ( golf} turf. He said it caused the plants to continue to respire at a high rate which led to burned up stored carbohydrates. The plants essentially photosynthesized a few hours each morning, producing the products they needed to survive. During the remainder of the day and night, carbohydrates were burned up through respiration".

Interesting..   Point being made.. a Magazine which the club should buy for it Greens maintenance personnel if not already a expense of Greens Maintenance.

I was surprise to discovered the important of morning dew being removed as a preventive measure for dollar spots..   If a little information can go a long way... maybe  clubs with this magazine in the greens keepers library, will get enough interest from club members in greens maintenance to find them becoming volunteers .

This article also go on to explain a more important  Canadianl Lawn bowlers issue, that of   Ban on cosmetic pesticide  by government and the use of fertilizers as per local bylaws.

This article reads.

"It wasn’t just golf superintendents who faced challenges this year. The keepers of lawn bowling greens, especially at smaller, remotely-located clubs, are finding it increasingly difficult to come up with the necessary funds to keep their playing surfaces in tiptop shape".

"In Ontario, lawn bowling greens have been granted exemption status under the provincial cosmetic pesticide ban which still allows them to use conventional pesticide control products on their playing surfaces. The problem, however, is that the greens must be sprayed by licensed applicators who also have become fully accredited in integrated pest management".

"Green keepers at lawn bowling clubs are often members who look after the greens’ upkeep on a voluntary basis. It was one thing for these individuals to acquire their applicator licenses, but the add-on requirement of IPM accreditation has made it cost-prohibitive for many smaller clubs."

"This forces these clubs to hire the services of an accredited applicator from a neighbouring golf course or a private contractor, but a number of geographically-isolated lawn bowling clubs must look far beyond their communities to find the qualified personnel. Paying them to make the journey to these remote regions becomes an additional cost, and one which is threatening the bottom line of these clubs."

Update (2/30/2016)

  "Following e-mail contact with Turf & Recreation editor Mike Jiggens, I am advised that any Lawn Bowling club executive or Green Keeper wishing a complimentary copy of the magazine can have it mailed by simply requesting on club letterhead or from club e-mail.  Supply your  Club's or Greens keeper Postal address and Code  and a copy would be mailed.

Although, a Canadian Magazine, I am sure the information is of interest to greens keepers throughout the world. and a subscription is less than a single membership fee.   I also understand that in an attempt to reach out to Lawn bowling Clubs and their greens maintenance personnel, Mr. Jiggens is attempting to add a Lawn bowls Column in the future.