WCTA Report for BCGSA April 2016
prepared by Jerry Rousseau
Thank you for the opportunity to present a report.
Our largest annual undertaking, the 53rd Annual WCTA Conference and Trade Show held for the first time in Whistler, BC, is now part of this association's history. Feedback on the education program, food, venue, service and surroundings, among other things, has been tremendously positive and we’re very happy that both exhibitors and delegates thoroughly enjoyed the event.
• 256 delegate participants and a grand total of 444 turf management industry personnel made their way to Whistler to take part.
• net revenue slightly surpassed our expectations due in large part to excellent support of the trade show and education program sponsorship.
• $10,471 was raised for turf research project funding from our annual Silent Auction ($5211), Kwantlen Turf Club Student Raffle ($4010) and the BCGSA contribution ($1250). Thanks everyone for the support!
The conference had many highlights but perhaps the most relevant to the golf industry as a whole was the societal benefits of golf and multi-functional use of golf courses messaging from our very special conference guests/speakers, Maria Strandberg and Bruno Hedlund from the Scandinavian Turf and Environmental Research Federation. It seems Europe may be ahead of North America when it comes to golf engaging communities, at least in terms of performing actual research on the subject, and many of their points speak to the grow-the-game challenges we face. Here’s an excerpt from their report:
Golf courses are large and varied green areas, but only about a third of this area is used for golf. The concept of multi-functionality on a golf course is based on the premise that the course provides more than golf. Examples of multi-functionality could be ecosystem services such as biodiversity preservation, environmental protection, preservation of landscape values or recreational services for non-golfers. Social values can also be relevant in terms of creating a good relationship between the golf course and the local community.
Broadening the use of the golf courses could increase the willingness to preserve urban green areas, as well as connecting these golf courses to the surrounding society. A higher number of visitors could also contribute to the economy of golf clubs, visiting restaurants, cafés and in enjoying other activities.
With the conference complete, we’ll shift focus to many other activities:
• work on our summer event/meeting schedule is preliminary at this point but there are already many allied events on the books (that we will participate in time permitting). Internally, we’re in the process of organizing a major field day in Calgary this August and two potential First Green events.
• communication efforts are being bolstered with a move to 4 digital Turf Line News magazines plus 2 hardcopies per year (from 4 hardcopy) with the first digital edition scheduled for launch in a couple weeks.
• the Canadian Turf Research Foundation is expected to announce their administrative service provider within the next few days. An RFP was circulated in February for the tender – the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association has been providing management services pro bono for the past several years subsequent to the RCGA dropping the program due to budget cuts. The WCTA Board felt the association was perfectly suited to manage this national turf research funding body (and a registered charity) and submitted a proposal for the contract. If successful, we will be spending some time over the next few months setting up systems for this new function.
• tracking software for pesticide applicator points has been in development, Phase 3 is complete and work on Phases 4 and 5 will resume shortly with the goal of having the system operational later this summer.
• work with YVR continues on a goose management strategy that will include lower mainland golf courses and areas with safety concerns (and therefore resources) like airports.
• preliminary contact has been made with the BC Ministry of Agriculture to undertake a provincial level turf industry profile study. Last one was 2006.
• Planning and production work on the 54th Annual Conference and Trade Show, taking place February 15-17 in Penticton, BC has begun. This will be an affordable, world-class event focused on the regional needs of golf course, sportsfield and other turf management professionals. Members and non-members alike are welcome to attend and we welcome any input on the education, social and trade show programs.
Advocacy and Regulatory Update
IPM
BC M.O.E. staff did a talk on IPM regulation changes at the Whistler conference which will come into force July 1st. The ministry’s focus will continue to be on education versus enforcement for the time being. All golf courses will now be required to:
• obtain a pesticide use licence ($250 annually)
• submit an IPM program report to the gov’t annually
• hire or contract certified pesticide applicators
• post signage when applying pesticide products
As previously reported, the Environmental Advocacy Committee unanimously choose Mario Lanthier of CropHealth Advising & Research to update the IPM Manual. The Committee felt that Crophealth met or exceeded all required components of the RFP. Expected cost is $30,000 which leaves us $15k short. I had an opportunity to ask Mary Polak about funding status at the BCGA AGM and she replied, “If you haven’t heard anything by now, it was probably not approved.”
PMRA proposes registration cancellation of two major turf fungicides
As part of their regular re-evaluation process, Health Canada has proposed major changes to two popular turf fungicides. No they don’t have it out for golf, these products are widely used through many different sectors.
Trade name ‘Daconil’ – this is a relatively inexpensive and effective contact fungicide heavily relied on by golf courses across Canada.
“The PMRA examined the toxicological risk data for chlorothalonil and possible exposure for all uses in Canada, and decided that exposure risks were too great for many agricultural uses (including all uses on ornamentals).”
The main concern is re-entry exposure. One late fall application will be allowed on turf. A national webinar on the subject was hosted by PMRA April 8th; WCTA Director Jim Ross attended, has written a status report and we have received the powerpoint given by the PMRA. Public comments will be accepted until June 30th.
Our advocacy efforts include contacting the BC Ministry of Agriculture to express our concerns on behalf of WCTA members, we have been in touch with the manufacturer and are currently crafting a response to the PMRA. The goal is to coordinate this response with other turf industry stakeholders, ie. CGSA and we have contacted BC representative Greg Austin on the matter.
Trade name ‘Rovral’ – this product has been a highly effective fungicide alone and in combination with others for snow mold and other diseases.
“The PMRA has assessed the available information and concluded that the use of iprodione and associated end-use products in accordance with the label poses potential risks of concern to human health. Specifically, potential health risk concerns were identified from exposure to iprodione in food and drinking water and from exposure to occupational workers under certain use scenarios. Therefore, the PMRA is proposing to cancel all uses of iprodione in Canada.”
The main concern is exposure and environmental risk. This product will most likely be banned entirely. May 17 is deadline for comments. The same advocacy approach is being taken for this product however the PMRA has not yet provided further information like they have with chlorothalonil, ie. hosted webinar presentation.
Water Use
No further contact has been initiated with Metro-Vancouver regarding water use strategy for golf courses since our meeting last December. Kevin Heaney spoke at the BCGA AGM on the subject of drought in California, key messaging he brought forward is to make sure golf is ‘in the room’. Our messaging to Metro-Van authorities this past December included:
• The golf industry understands the importance of water conservation, wants to work with Metro-Vancouver on this issue and notes this policy has wide-reaching impact throughout the province.
• Golf courses have well-documented benefits to the environment, especially in urban centres. The golf industry has an already proven track record in environmental stewardship including managing our water resource at all times, not just in drought situations and has invested heavily in water management systems. Golf uses water wisely and efficiently with built-in incentives.
• Golf courses are businesses and very large contributors to the economy. They are a source of tax revenue and employment.
• There is a large social and environmental benefit to golf courses in our urban communities. Golf courses serve as valuable community assets. They are an important recreational outlet for hundreds of thousands of Metro-Vancouver citizens (golfers live longer).
• Golf needs actively growing grass to function. Golf wants to be able to manage the water resource versus be restricted by well-meaning but less effective regulatory framework that negatively effects the golf product.
• Golf can set an example for other industries and the public, and can assist with messaging, ie. reinforce the importance of conservation to hundreds of thousands of golfers.
Recommendations for improvements to the water use management plan included:
• Any plan should be pragmatic;
• Regulation should focus on water use management vs. arbitrary restrictions by time and/or area like the strategies in the 1993 GCRD water use plan and more recently, in the state of California;
• Ensure the public and media are informed (of water restrictions) in a manner that does not cause unnecessary duress;
• Ensure that water restrictions are implemented and rescinded objectively.
Potential next steps by the golf industry:
• Solicit & compile industry metrics o what courses are on wells, effluent, municipal o number of irrigated acres o actual water use by volume ;
• more detailed economic impact data for Metro-Vancouver area (and beyond);
• more efforts applauding the environmental benefits of golf courses and turfgrass
• further research into what other areas are doing, present this information to decision-makers;
• determine AGA-BC’s final position and create a resource for golf courses to use, ie. policy, position statement, briefing document, press release or whatever.
The BC Water Sustainability Act comes into force this August. Keith Lyall, EAC Chair, provided an update in his last report.
Allied Golf Association of BC
• most recent meeting took place April 7th, member groups are PGA of BC, BC Golf Association, NGCOA BC Chapter, CSCM BC Chapter, BCGSA, BCGMA, WCTA;
• Financially, AGA is supported by member dues and special contributions. Other funding models have been attempted without success, ie. Eagle1 captive insurance (hole-in-one):
o All Directors are volunteers, no paid staff which limits capabilities;
o AGA has a very simple message: golf is good for the environment, golf is good for the economy of British Columbia and golf is good for the health and wellness of British Columbians. Also, AGA functions to help move all golf sectors forward together assuming what’s best for golf will benefit all stakeholders;
o Approx. $22k left in EAF. 30% of lobbyist cost is paid from this fund. Lobbyist is budgeted to continue to Sept 30, 2016;
o Special contributions this fiscal year: BCGA $19,195.96, WCTA $5000, NGCOA considering $5000, Pros considering $5000, still expect a $5000 loss at year-end however. More funds are needed to continue the advocacy efforts.
• To help with communication, AGA-BC is planning to produce a quarterly e-newsletter focusing on BC golf industry issues spanning the different sectors:
o First issue targeted for early May distribution, draft is ready;
o BCGA absorbing labour cost to produce;
o Distribution will be through BCGA database and AGA member organizations, goal is to have an independent golf industry contact list for this publication.
• Recreational golf participation program inventory survey completed:
o 312 golf facilities targeted, 300 surveys issued, 205 responses;
o Primary goals to track methods to teach golf, participation numbers;
o To make a long story short, many of the formal programs have very low awareness whereas traditional things like men’s night, ladies night, seniors league do fairly well;
o This study will allow AGA to help decide which initiatives are better left to individual courses and what could be done to grow the game on a provincial level.
• Results of 2015 Golf market analysis:
o Overall participation declined since 2012, rebounded in 2015 from 2013 low;
o New golfers driving recent growth;
o Strong support from core & casual golfers;
o Numbers are consistent with NGF and USGA reports;
o Grow the game strategies can now be developed.
• BCGA report:
o wants to create a ‘golf house’ and has invited expressions of interest from other groups. This is basically an office building that could potentially house all the golf sectors.
o golf themed loyalty licence plate, similar to verterans and Olympics plates, on track for fall 2016 release. Public can purchase these, promotes BC golf. Funds generated will be directed toward kids golf programs and marketing BC golf as a destination.
• BCGMA report:
o Received 100% of ask for golf destination tourism marketing funding. Big news, funding will increase from approx. $90k to $250k, seen as a major boost for golf in BC and an unprecedented investment in golf by gov’t. This is a direct results of our lobby efforts over the past 4 years.
• NGCOA report:
o Conference November 17th Whistler
Respectfully submitted,
Jerry Rousseau, WCTA Executive Director