WHERE has the past decade gone? It’s hard to believe the first 10 years
of this new century will be behind us in mere days. It almost seems
like yesterday that is was 1999.
The 2010s are almost upon us, and with the start of a new decade we
face change. Most of it, we hope, will be good, especially when it
comes to the economy. Some of it will be refreshing and some might take
a little time to get used to. All change, however, will be different.
In British Columbia, a changing of the guard has taken place within the
ranks of the Western Canada Turfgrass Association. Bob Wick, the
association’s executive director since 1991, recently retired and has
passed the office over to Jerry Rousseau.
In this issue, Wick reflects upon his tenure as executive director while Rousseau projects what lies ahead for the WCTA.
In Ontario, change in the way lawns, parks and sports fields are kept free of pests has been made. Professionals involved in their maintenance and upkeep have completed their first full season without the aid of many familiar chemical pesticide products which were officially banned in April.
This form of change might be contagious. Both British Columbia and New Brunswick might soon be following the same path already laid down by Quebec and Ontario. P.E.I. is already poised to ban 2,4-D.
The aforementioned economy is the biggest potential change we might see in 2010. Some positive signs of improvement already exist, and this would be just what the doctor ordered for the turf industry’s many equipment manufacturers and suppliers.
We, too, at Turf & Recreation are not immune to change. With this issue, we welcome a new regular contributor to our publication in Sean Jordan, an agronomist with Nutrite who will provide our readers in the coming months with an assortment of topical articles, including spring fertility, often overlooked cultural practices and lesser-known management of turfgrass diseases, and cultural practices to reduce heat and drought stress on turfgrass. He begins his new association with us in this issue, addressing the subject of equipment selection.
There is much to look forward to in 2010. Change is often a good thing, and we’re optimistic most changes will be for the better.
On a personal note, in spite of the not-so-good economy, 2009 did have its highlights. I got the chance to play The National Golf Club of Canada which is perennially ranked among the top two golf courses in the country. The day couldn’t have been better weather-wise, making for a complete golf experience.
I was also pleased to be invited to play in the first annual match play event between the Greater London Golf Course Superintendents (GLAGS) and the Kent-Essex Golf Superintendents (KEGS). Playing at the St. Thomas Golf & Country Club (another top 50 ranked Canadian course) and being a part of the winning side made the experience that much more special.
Did I mention I like my golf? Only three more months to go.
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