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GOLF: Weatherproof decoys successfully scaring away pesky Canada Geese at several area layouts
Cutout coyotes prove wily course asset
John Herbert
Special to Sun Media
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September 20, 2008
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Golfers have long complained about flocks of Canada Geese taking over ponds, along with their amazing ability to cover greens with their droppings.
John Herbert
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When it came to getting rid of them, golf course superintendents had their hands tied as it was against the law to shoot them, truck them away without permission or simply make them disappear.
A Langton-area company has apparently solved the problem. At least for now.
Everett Nieuwkoop, who operates Master's Turf Supply Co. , has a new product that is proving popular and effective-- two-sided coyote decoys. Several area clubs, including Greens of Renton near Simcoe, Otter Creek at Otterville, the Hamilton Golf and Country Club and Tillsonburg Golf and Country Club, are getting excellent results placing the realistic coyotes near ponds to scare the geese away.
The coyotes are made of weatherproof plastic and Nieuwkoop says the key is moving them around every few days. They cost $28 a pair. He says a pack of about four for each pond are required to frighten the geese away.
"Everybody laughed at me when I got them," says Nieuwkoop, who placed an order when he was at the golf show in Orlando, Fla., last January. "Pretty much everybody is happy with them."
Tillsonburg pro Rick Pero spotted the decoys at Otter Creek and noticed they had no geese. He asked his superintendent to call Otter Creek.
"They told us they were working pretty good," Pero says. "We ordered four of the cutouts. Once we put them out, the geese left. We have actually seen them fly in, see the decoy and immediately fly away. We move them around to make them more effective, but what a difference they make. They have also helped us keep the deer off the greens."
Selling coyotes is really just a gimmick for Nieuwkoop to promote his business. His prime business is selling fertilizers, seed, ball washers, chemicals and other needs of golf course superintendents.
John Herbert is a London golf writer. Contact him at 519-667-4561 or e-mail (see link).
 E-MAIL: John Herbert
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