Final Cut: Three Decades of Dedication

With 33 years of service, Sylvain Nadon has worked hand-in-hand with members of Club de Golf de Rosemère’s longstanding turf maintenance crew, including Daniel Labelle, who has been with the club for 23 years, and Jean Lacasse, who has nine years of service. Photo courtesy Club de Golf de Rosemère

By Jason Cramp

Sylvain Nadon is as dedicated as they come. He has been the sole equipment technician at Club de Golf de Rosemère in Rosemère, Que., for more than 30 years. Since starting his career at 17, he has worked for five different superintendents and has earned the reputation as the club’s ‘super mechanic,’ helping to keep all of the equipment in tip-top shape to ensure the course stays in pristine condition for its members. He is the proverbial jack of all trades as he also handles snow removal on the greens in the spring and operates the club’s heavy equipment.

Daniel Read, the current superintendent at Club de Golf de Rosemère, describes Sylvain as their most loyal and valued employee and says the word ‘No’ does not come easily to him.

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The Benefits of Using Synthetic Turf Tee Lines: The Next Step—Preparing the Base

Newer technologies in base construction allow courses to take advantage of the benefits of gravel and concrete subgrade installations via the use of engineered structural base panels. Photo courtesy Synthetic Turf International of Canada

By Scott Smockum

After selecting the type of yarn used to manufacture the synthetic turf, perhaps the most important decision is preparing the base. Generally, there are three options to consider: straight concrete or asphalt, crush and compacted gravel, or an engineered structural base system.

Concrete will provide the most firm and smooth base; however, its drawback is it can be very expensive. The initial install can be costly and, once installed, there is not much leeway when it comes to relocating or removing the tee line.

Gravel is by far the most common subgrade used for synthetic turf tee line installations. It is effective, cheap, and easy to install. However, it has recently been discovered, when using a synthetic turf tee line with a low face weight, the gravel will eventually migrate into a washboard effect. Over time, the impact of the club head creates a slight depression in the subgrade. The next range ball will roll to the low spot and the golfer hits from there. This cycle continues until the depression becomes evident enough to the golfer. The golfer will then move the ball roughly 101 mm (4 in.) behind or in front of the depression and the cycle continues.

Newer technologies in base construction allow courses to take advantage of the benefits of gravel and concrete subgrade installations by using engineered structural base panels.

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Avoiding Issues with Seasonal Employment: Terminology is not the Determining Factor

By Chelsea Gibson, BA, LLB and Kevin Thompson, B.Sc.

The type of contract the employment relationship falls under is not determined solely by the terminology used in the contract itself. The overall character of the employment is the determining factor for whether a contract is considered fixed-term or one of indefinite duration. A written employment agreement, regardless of duration, is prudent from a business perspective. Establishing the nature of the employment from the outset in clear and understandable language will help alleviate issues when the season ends and employment must end for the winter in one way or another.

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The Benefits of Using Synthetic Turf Tee Lines: The Pros and Cons of Each Yarn—Polyethylene

By Scott Smockum

Polyethylene is a very soft yarn and should be avoided for synthetic turf tee line applications. As the yarn is so soft, it will not only wear out quickly, but it will also leave markings on the club head. Further, the softness will allow the fibres to lie flat, which in turn could knot up, making it impossible to insert a tee.

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The Benefits of Using Synthetic Turf Tee Lines: The Pros and Cons of Each Yarn—Polypropylene

By Scott Smockum

Polypropylene is the most common yarn used to manufacture synthetic turf found in driving range hitting mats. It is not only cost effective, but it can easily be considered a durable product. When thinking about a synthetic turf tee line dense enough to hold a tee, while keeping costs in mind, polypropylene is a great product. Although it does show signs of wear, the wear pattern in polypropylene is straight down. This allows users to stick a tee into the product throughout its life and will also stand tall enough to allow the club head to travel ‘down and through.’

Drawbacks in using the polypropylene would be the possibility of it leaving some green markings on the user’s clubs. Another disadvantage is increased colour loss. As the club head is chaffing the fibres with each impact, over time (three to five years, dependent on use) they will begin to fray and become lighter in appearance. In comparison, nylon does not wear down nearly as much and it can be said it has a much higher colour steadfast.

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