The Golf Industry is on a Collision Course with Anti-Pesticide PROHIBITION.
Anti-Pesticide PROHIBITION has already DESTROYED the Modern Professional Lawn Care Industry in many jurisdictions across Canada.
Golf Facilities Are NEXT !
Attempts are being made to encourage as much involvement as possible on the pesticide issue by getting the attention of players using golf facilities.
Avoiding the Destruction of the Golf Industry
To encourage as much involvement as possible on the pesticide issue, I wanted to get people’s attention, so we spelled out the word « WHY » with garbage bags and sprayed over top of the bags.
The hope was that the areas covered with the bags would be riddled with disease while the surrounding area would be green and healthy and show no disease.
When people asked what the « WHY » meant I would use that question as my lead-in to the cosmetic pesticide debate.
However, stuff happens.
In the race to get everything ready for winter we forgot the location of the « WHY » and sprayed right over it and, as a result, the area I was hoping to act a show piece for disease came through looking great !?!
I guess the good news / bad news is there is lots of other areas to show the importance of an overwintering spray to Kimberley Golf Club but you need to know where to look.
Take a look …
No. 4 Fairway.
The left side of picture shows the control achieved with the low rate of an over-wintering fungicide, while the right side had no fungicide applied and is covered with Snow Mold Disease.
I like to leave some areas on the golf course untreated for cost reasons, but also for reference points to get an indication the disease pressure from year to year.
The following pictures are from No. 8 Fairway.
Had we not treated sections of No. 8, the whole fairway would look like the area in the first picture.
I took the picture of No. 12 Fairway from on top of the hill on the right of the fairway.
The line between treated and untreated on the fairway is obvious.
In my opinion, I don’t think the disease pressure was exceptionally high this year based on what I’ve seen on untreated areas of turf.
I am comfortable with the rate that we used, and I would be hard pressed to give up treating fairways based on cost or legislation.
How long will it take for those area we didn’t spray to recover ?
This is where Annual Bluegrass is good because I know we have a huge seed bank in the soil so, ultimately, the grass will come.
How long it takes depends on weather and other stresses ( play, mowing, etc … ).
There are things we can do to speed recovery, but with this year’s, budget we don't have the man power or necessary equipment to address these areas adequately.
As you play the course this year keep an eye on those areas shown in the previous photos, and see how long it takes for those fairway areas hit by Snow Mold to recover to a playable condition.
For me, none of the sprays we did last fall were for cosmetic reasons.
There is too much golf to choose from locally to risk not having the course in the best possible condition.
Unlike damage from other winter stresses ( ice, crown hydration, etc … ), I have some level of control on how severe winter disease damage can be by applying fungicides.
Actual risks associated by application of products for cosmetic reasons are, perhaps, best demonstrated by this photo ―
May 1st, 2012
Tim Foley, Golf Course Superintendent
Kimberley Golf Club Outdoor Operations Blog
Province of British Columbia
Selected and adapted excerpts
Pest Control Products Are NOT Cosmetic
Pest control products are used very selectively, and only when necessary to PROTECT THE HEALTH of turfgrasses and ornamental plants in our Urban Landscapes.
They are applied to help PROTECT OUR LANDSCAPES from the damage caused by insects, weeds, and disease.
First and foremost, pest control products are NOT USED PRIMARILY FOR AESTHETIC REASONS.
They are tools that help to ENSURE A HEALTHY LANDSCAPE.
The fact of the matter is that pest control products used on lawns and gardens are designed as tools to address specific pest problems infesting valuable landscapes ― they are not « cosmetic » at all.
The use of these products PROTECTS OUR LANDSCAPES as VALUABLE ECOLOGICALLY-IMPORTANT Green Spaces.
Pest control products contribute to HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES, and GREATER WELL-BEING and PROSPERITY.
Pest control products are the PRIMARY TOOLS OF HEALTH AND PROSPERITY in the era of the 20th and 21st Century.
Pest Control Products Are SELECTIVE
Pest control products used in the Urban Landscape SELECTIVELY AND EFFECTIVELY CONTROL disease, insect, and weed pests, but are COMPLETELY SAFE for other non-target organisms ― they DO NOT INJURE TURFGRASSES, and have NO persistence beyond season of use.
These products can be USED SAFELY because the amount required to affect human health is SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER than any potential level of exposure.
The concept that a low level of exposure to a substance will not adversely affect human ties directly into the fundamental principle of toxicology ― the study of negative effects on living systems ― that « the dose makes the poison ».
We are exposed daily to numerous examples of man-made and natural substances that may impact human health, but harmless in small doses ( example : low levels of naturally-occurring cyanide in almonds ), and conversely, ordinarily harmless substances that can be deadly if over-consumed ( example : water ).
The impact of pest control products on human health is EXTENSIVELY EVALUATED by the Environmental Protection Agency and Health Canada to ensure that these compounds, like other chemicals, such as prescription drugs and vitamins, are SCIENTIFICALLY-SAFE when directions for use are properly followed.
B.C. Special Committee on Cosmetic Pesticides
By the end of 2012, the NEEDLESS, SENSELESS, and MALICIOUS PROHIBITION of pest control products used in the Urban Landscape WILL BE IMPOSED throughout the Province of British Columbia under the PRETEXT of somehow protecting health and environment.
In 2011, the Government of British Columbia invited the public to participate in MOCK-CONSULTATIONS concerning a proposal to PROHIBIT pest control products in the Urban Landscape.
The MOCK-CONSULTATIONS by Special Committee on Cosmetic Pesticides were DONE IN BAD FAITH.
The British Columbia PROHIBITION will be 100 per cent Politically-Based and 0 per cent Science-Based.
And PROHIBITION will INEVITABLY include the GOLF INDUSTRY.
The Golf Industry DESERVES Anti-Pesticide PROHIBITION as much as the Professional Lawn Care Industry.
In a DESPICABLE effort to DISTRACT activists, government officials, and the public, several trade associations like Western Canada Turfgrass Association ( WCTA ) have SUPPORTED the PROHIBITION of pest control products in the Urban Landscape since 2008.
Even MORE DESPICABLE, some Golf Industry trade associations like Golf Canada have FINANCIALLY SUPPORTED Anti-Pesticide Organizations such as Canadian Cancer Society in their CONSPIRACIES against the Professional Lawn Care Industry.
The Golf Industry MUST DEMAND that Golf Canada ( a.k.a. RCGA ) TERMINATE ALL RELATIONSHIPS with all Anti-Pesticide Organizations that conspire to prohibit pest control products, like Canadian Cancer Society.
The fund-raising program Golf Fore The Cure MUST BE TERMINATED.
Golf Canada MUST CEASE SUPPLYING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS to organizations that have publicly THREATENED, REPEATEDLY, the Golf Industry with Anti-Pesticide PROHIBITION.
With NO REMORSE, Golf Industry trade associations TORPEDOED the Professional Lawn Care Industry.
The government officials who are members of the Special Committee on Cosmetic Pesticides may consider following the advice of organizations like Canadian Cancer Society, and recommend to IMPOSE PROHIBITION on ALL those industries that use pest control products, INCLUDING THE GOLF INDUSTRY.
The PATCH-WORK of VARYING DEGREES of PROHIBITION may be deemed as UNDESIRABLE in British Columbia.
The Golf Industry enjoys the benefits from an Anti-Pesticide PROHIBITION EXCEPTION STATUS despite the fact that it uses the VERY SAME INGREDIENTS used in Professional Lawn Care maintenance.
If it is safe to walk and play on a pesticide-treated golf course putting green, it is also safe to walk on a pesticide-treated lawn.
WHEN the Special Committee on Cosmetic Pesticides concludes that pest control products are NOT SAFE for use on HOME LAWNS, then it MAY also conclude that the very same products are UNSAFE for use on GOLF FACILITIES.
Moreover, Golf Course maintenance requires MORE PESTICIDE-INPUTS than Professional Lawn Care turf.
Golf Industry trade associations ALLEGE that the best way to MINIMIZE INPUTS is through the use of Integrated Pest Management ( IPM ), despite the fact that, overall, IPM cultural practices DO NOT CONTROL PESTS of established turf and ornamentals.
Consequently, the Golf Industry MUST CEASE focusing on the INEFFECTIVE practices of Integrated Pest Management ( IPM ) as the solution to its public affairs problems.
Golf Industry trade associations also ALLEGE that pest control products are not used « cosmetically » on golf courses, and yet, a DEBATE RAGES ON about GO BROWN Anti-Cosmetic Golf Maintenance.
The Golf Industry must plan for the INEVITABLE and TOTAL REVOCATION of its EXCEPTION STATUS in British Columbia and across Canada.
The Golf Industry must adopt the policy that the ONLY COURSE OF ACTION AGAINST Anti-Pesticide PROHIBITION is through LITIGATION.
The Golf Industry must TERMINATE ALL RELATIONSHIPS with all Anti-Pesticide Organizations that conspire to prohibit pest control products, like Canadian Cancer Society, World Wildlife Fund, and others.
All related charitable tournaments that provide financial donations and support to these Anti-Pesticide Organizations must be SUSPENDED.
The Imminent Demise of the Golf Industry
Anti-Pesticide PROHIBITION has already DESTROYED the Modern Professional Lawn Care Industry in many jurisdictions across Canada.
It is NOW DESTROYING the Lawn Bowling Industry.
It will soon begin its DESTRUCTION of the Golf Industry.
Anti-Pesticide PROHIBITION was/is NEEDLESS, SENSELESS, MALICIOUS, and UNNECESSARY.
PROHIBITION is NOT NECESSARY since pest control products are GOVERNMENT-APPROVED, FEDERALLY-LEGAL, SCIENTIFICALLY-SAFE, PRACTICALLY-NON-TOXIC, and CAUSE NO HARM.
Any PROHIBITION against pest control products is NOT JUSTIFIED because STRICT REGULATIONS based on scientific research already PROTECT our health and our environment.
ALL PROHIBITIONS are 100 per cent Politically-Based and 0 per cent Science-Based.
Anti-Pesticide PROHIBITIONS represent a TRIUMPH OF SENTIMENT OVER SCIENCE.
The MAJOR SOURCE of exposure to pest control products is from FOOD SUPPLY, and NOT the Urban Landscape.
PROHIBITION is NOT necessary, and has led to CATASTROPHIC CARNAGE such as BUSINESS FAILURES and UNEMPLOYMENT, and even DEATH.
IN THE 9|11 ERA OF ANTI-GOLF TERRORISM …
The Golf Industry is on a COLLISION COURSE with the BLACK DEATH of Environmental and Anti-Pesticide Terrorism !
Golf facilities WILL become ABANDONED WASTE DUMPS !
The Anti-Pesticide Terrorists will ANNIHILATE the Golf Industry !
We Are Now Living in the 9|11 Era of Environmental-Terrorism Against the Green Space Industry ― which includes the IMMINENT DEMISE of the Golf Industry.
The PROHIBITION CONSPIRACY against pest control products has now attained NATIONAL proportions, and the provinces are FALLING LIKE DOMINOES.
The Professional Lawn Care Industry has been systematically ANNIHILATED by Anti-Pesticide Terrorists across Canada.
PROHIBITION has led to HORRENDOUS and CATASTROPHIC CARNAGE for businesses operating in the Professional Lawn Care Industry, in the form of IMMENSE LOSSES OF REVENUES, BUSINESS FAILURES, BANKRUPTCY, and UNEMPLOYMENT, and even HORRIFIC FINES.
The Golf Industry can eventually EXPECT THE SAME CARNAGE.
In virtually all Anti-Pesticide jurisdictions, the Golf Industry has been provided with an EXCEPTION STATUS, and its use of pest control products HAS NOT BEEN PROHIBITED.
The Golf Industry can eventually EXPECT TO LOSE ITS EXCEPTION STATUS.
The Golf Industry, because of the attitude of its trade association leaders ― an attitude of denial, protectionism, and mock-dismay at any form of criticism ― ignored the supreme historic opportunity to join forces with the Professional Lawn Care Industry, and LITIGATE against the forces of Anti-Pesticide Terrorist-Evil.
A failure to do so was LETHAL, and future generations will someday ask the question ― WHY DID YOU NOT ACT ?
The SUBVERSIVE CONSPIRACIES OF ANTI-PESTICIDE PROHIBITION WILL NEVER END ― and it will SPREAD to the Golf Industry.
The Golf Industry is on a COLLISION COURSE with the LOOMING SHIPWRECK of Anti-Pesticide and even Anti-Fertilizer TERRORISM !
For the first time within collective history, it can honestly be said that there is NO LONGER A HOPEFUL FUTURE for anyone in the Golf Industry.
IN THE YEAR 2020 …
● The game of golf is NO LONGER a flourishing Billion-Dollar-Industry.
● Canadian Cancer Society has succeeded in ANNIHILATING the Golf Industry.
● The Golf Industry is SEVERELY WEAKENED by aging and declining membership, falling revenues, over-saturated market, unstable economy, volatile weather, and ANTI-PESTICIDE SUBVERSION.
● Golf facilities are ANNIHILATED by Enviro-Lunatic LAWSUITS with FALSE ALLEGATIONS of pesticide and fertilizer pollution.
● Enviro-Lunatics SHUT-DOWN golf facilities under the PRETEXT of saving obscure and meaningless animal species like tadpoles and snakes.
● Enviro-Lunatics also SHUT-DOWN golf facilities under the PRETEXT of saving bees.
● ORGANIC PESTICIDE-FREE golf course maintenance DOES NOT WORK.
● Bethpage and Vineyard, once used as U.S. examples, are DISMAL FAILURES.
● Pest control products are PROHIBITED NATIONALLY, despite being INDISPUTABLY SAFE to use.
● Anti-Pesticide PROHIBITION in Anti-Pesticide countries like Denmark DESTROYS most of golf facilities.
● Integrated Pest Management and Green Alternatives are DISMAL FAILURES.
● The ENTIRE Golf Industry has its PESTICIDE EXCEPTION STATUS REVOKED.
● Pest problems are TOTALLY UNMANAGEABLE without conventional products.
● The labour now needed for pesticide-free maintenance is STAGGERING.
● The concept of Brown Is Beautiful is also a DISMAL FAILURE.
● Golfers NO LONGER want to play on BROWN DEPRESSING UNPLAYABLE courses.
● Golf facilities can no longer offer BEAUTIFUL RESTFUL green spaces to its clients.
● Playing conditions are TOTALLY DISMAL at virtually ALL pesticide-free golf facilities.
● Only the VERY RICH ELITE golfer can afford GREEN HEALTHY PLAYABLE courses.
● Over seventy per cent of golfers ABANDON the sport.
● All golf facilities are considered as WORTHLESS investments.
● No one can buy or sell a golf facility, and owners are FRANTIC.
● Golf facilities can NO LONGER AFFORD to pay the property taxes.
● In North America, over sixty per cent of all golf clubs CLOSE DOWN or GO BANKRUPT.
● Superintendents are NO LONGER NECESSARY or NEEDED.
● The Multi-Billion-Dollar-Golf-Industry is ANNIHILATED.
● Large numbers of golf facilities become ABANDONED WASTE DUMPS.
● The Golf Industry succumbs to BLACK DEATH.
For the original copy of this Force Of Nature Report, go to the following link …
For more information about the GOLF INDUSTRY, go to …
GOLF – GO BROWN – ANTI-COSMETIC GOLF MAINTENANCE
GOLF – SHARP PARK GOLF COURSE ( USA ) – ENVIRONMENTAL TERROR UNDER THE PRETEXT OF PROTECTING OBSCURE AND INSIGNIFICANT SPECIES
GOLF – THE GOLF INDUSTRY COLLISION COURSE – DEMISE IS IMMINENT
GOLF – THE LOOMING GOLF INDUSTRY SHIPWRECK – NO LONGER A HOPEFUL FUTURE
