Notes from Spruce Meadows

Resources Met D'Arcy Finlay, Senior Operations Manager (10 years) and Manager of Grounds (13 years) Diploma in turf management, Fairview College Work experience on golf courses 26 acres of competition turf 4.5-acre International Ring of old turf Have top-dressed with sand for 20 years Smooths out undulations and holes Dries out quickly Added polyester ber to root zone then re-sodded parts Challenges Learning effects of management on animals Need to quantify compaction Need to measure tertiary (3rd degree) strength of sod (resistance to twisting) Twisting happens when horses turn corners Soil structure, compaction, and moisture are involved Would like all these combined into a rating (how ready it is for a certain type of event) Progress Has developed the skill of walking a eld to get a feel for it, so that course designer and riders will approve Leopoldo is the course designer, from Argentina, who indicates what an event needs in the way of a surface Indoor arenas have a great blend of polyester bers, wood, and sand Traction is so great that riders push horses harder than usual Occasionally results in injuries due to overcondence of riders Basic Recipes for Turf Dressage people want it rmer An "ebb and ow" system is a shallow pool of wet sand that allows adjustment of water level, to inuence rmness Like at a beach where the sand is damp along the shoreline The USGA specication for golf greens is one model; tee boxes too (where you tee-off)

(where you tee-off) Greens use bent grass, tees use bluegrass Turf can have a base of sand if you water it enough Have top-dressed sand over 35 years to a depth of 6 inches Now more concerned with plant maintenance and thatch (layer of dead and dying grass that forms at the base of the grass), rather than footing Occasionally, grass needs to be de-thatched Don't want coarse thatch but do want organic matter for nutrients and water absorption Vertical mowing Planned New Improved Surface Slope less than or equal to 1.5% Build the eld in layers Scarify (harrow) between layers to promote blending Make the plants chase the water Top-dress with sand for maintenance Layers for Planned New Surface Layer 1: 100% topsoil, seeded - 3-4 inches Layer 2: 75% soil; 25% sand - 3 inches Layer 3: 50% soil; 50% sand - 3 inches Layer 4: 25% soil; 75% sand - 3 inches Layer 5: Clay soil base This structure should encourage deep root growth as roots follow water For success when laying sod on bare ground, ensure that sod has been grown on the same soil type as the bare ground base. Aerate new sod in the rst year to encourage deep root growth. D'Arcy's Management Suggestions Understand all elements: shade, water run-on, water run-off, slope, buildings, draining, water For arenas of sand or turf: machinery maintenance is critical Make tire pressures equal Adjust groomers properly to manufacturer's specications [bad] Habits in regular maintenance leads to dips and mounds (with mowers, harrows, etc.) Consistence? No? In maintenance, inconsistency is the key Mow in alternating directions In construction, consistency is the key Build surfaces uniformly Do you roll turf?

Sometimes, as a repair tool, do the whole ring or 3x the damaged area During a competition, will hand-pack the area Consultations? When asked to recommend a recipe for a competition surface, he wants to know: Base soil type and drainage What is the event? What is the level of competition? Etc. Source of Turf Expertise Turf Management programs at college or university U of G Diploma in Turfgrass Management Work experience on other sport elds: golf, tennis, football, soccer, baseball, parks