Rob Wilke, superintendent at the Skeena Valley Golf & Country Club in Terrace, B.C., was named the CGSA/Rain Bird Environmental Achievement-of-the-Year Award winner in 2022. Not only has he reduced water use on the course (mostly out of necessity), but he has developed a liquid compost product that is made on-site. Since he started spraying the compost tea on his fairways and greens, the Microdochium patch has been SEVERELY reduced - to the point that he has dramatically cut down on synthetic pesticide use. This episode covers turf management in extremely rainy, and extremely dry environme ..read more

Your hosts Dr. Sara Stricker (Guelph Turfgrass Institute) and Jason Haines (Sunshine Coast Golf & Country Club) chat about the start of a new season for Canadian Turf Talks ..read more

Jeff Mingay is a golf course architect based in Toronto who has been recently working to renovate Cutten Fields in Guelph, Ontario. Jeff and Bill Green, Superintendent at Cutten, join our co-hosts to discuss the renovations and golf architecture in general. Due to some unforeseen circumstances, the renovations at Cutten were completed entirely "in-house" over the past four years - thanks to a superstar team and the stars aligning. This episode covers construction, design, and re-interpretation of golf courses. SUMMARY KEYWORDS turfgrass, Ontario, golf, architecture, constr ..read more

Rob Heggie is the Director of Grounds at Toronto Football Club, which is also known as BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario. From horticulture to golf to soccer and now football - Rob has even hosted an outdoor ice hockey game on his grass! When you're pushing the limits of environmental factors, plus use and abuse of the turf stand, how does he keep the surface green and playable? This episodes covers Rob's craziest ideas and biggest challenges working at one of the most prestigious sports fields in Canada.  SUMMARY KEYWORDS sports field, turfgrass, Barbados, sports, soccer, football, artificia ..read more

Mike Schiedel's family has been farming along the Grand River in Waterloo County for 80 years. GreenHorizons Group of Sod Farms is one of the largest sod farms in Canada, and Mike is also the President of the Nursery Sod Growers Association of Ontario. Mike says that the sod business needs to be your hobby, your career, and your passion. This episode covers how sod is produced, the challenges issued by Mother Nature, and soil health. SUMMARY KEYWORDS turfgrass, Ontario, farming, sod production, business Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and ..read more

Amanda Hoewing a Regional Sales Manager for Professional Turf at DLF North America in Ontario. DLF Seeds is a global seed company headquartered in Roskilde, Denmark. Amanda gets us "up to seed" on the supply side of the turf industry, from breeding to sales and everything in between. This episode covers the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the turf seed industry, #NoMowMay, and what's coming next from turf breeders. SUMMARY KEYWORDS turfgrass, Ontario, golf, lawn, golf course construction, horticulture, breeding, seed production Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program ..read more

Paul MacCormack is the General Manager and Superintendent at Fox Meadow Golf Course in Stratford, Prince Edward Island. He is also a blogger, meditation coach, and inspirational speaker.  We talk about the artistry of turf management: the good times, the bad times, and how to use gratitude to improve your life.  SUMMARY KEYWORDS superintendent, golf, turf, struggles, meditation, mindfulness, Fox Meadow, leadership, PEI, diversity, inclusion, gratitude Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or pos ..read more

Jason Steadwell is a Turf Specialist at Syngenta Canada in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He is possibly the "best travelled" in the Canadian turf industry, since he is supporting superintendents from Alberta to northern Ontario. From economics to raking bunkers and now acting as a PROBLEM SOLVER, Jason shares his experience with us. This episode covers some of the new projects underway at Syngenta (this is not a paid ad) and some suggestions for professional development in the golf industry. SUMMARY KEYWORDS Disease management, Microdochium, golf, Alberta, Manitoba, superintendent, active ingredient, Sy ..read more

Leasha Schwab is the Superintendent at Pheasant Run Golf Course in Sharon, Ontario and she is the founder of the Ladies Leading Turf initiative. She is an inspirational leader and her goal is to foster positive relationships with her employees to ensure a safe and happy work environment. This episode touches on horse dancing, cocktail hours, dogs of turf, and much more.  SUMMARY KEYWORDS turf, people, golf, superintendent, staff, women, work, life, networking, Pheasant Run Golf Course Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necess ..read more

Kyle Tobin is the CEO of LawnSaversLawn Plant Health Care Incorporated in Vaughan, Ontario. As an entrepreneur and leader in the turf industry, Kyle has many words of wisdom to share with our listeners. This episode touches on rock stars, integrated pest management, and the biggest challenge facing the lawn care industry: PEOPLE.  SUMMARY KEYWORDS people, turf, industry, business, lawn care, life, hiring Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent ..read more