CHIPS & PUTTS OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION www.ptga.org Founded in 1936 VOL. 15 NO. 6 August 2009 Elmhurst Country Club Ray Waddell, GCS Moscow, PA Elmhurst Country Club will again be the venue for our annual scholarship fundraiser, "the Clambake”. Probably our most well attended event, the Clambake affords the PTGA the opportunity to fund the scholarship which has grown to two categories, a turf scholarship and a non-turf scholarship. See the article inside for more information on this. Ray Waddell, a graduate of Rutgers University, has been superintendent at Elmhurst since 2005 . Dave Weber was promoted to assistant superintendent this season and is active in helping Ray and the staff prepare for both the PTGA visit and the Nationwide Tour event, the Northeast Pennsylvania Classic the week of August 24. Over 150 players from around the country will play in this event. If you have some time during the week, I am sure Ray would be grateful for a little help in getting the course ready for this event. Since out last visit to Elmhurst, Ray and club have been busy with some projects to improve the playability of the golf course. One of the projects was a reworking of the 9th hole. This project included renovation of the tee ground and softening of the hill in front of the green for a better line of sight. Another of the projects was the re- building of the 14th green surround. This project included bunker renovation and the sodding of the surround. These projects were done utilizing Greenscene Landscaping and Elmhurst staff. Elmhurst Country Club has a staff of about 20 in the summer for maintenance and trims this down to 4 in the winter for snow removal and equipment maintenance, as well as project work as the weather allows. Elmhurst Country Club was incorporated in 1929 as a 9-hole course. These 9 holes became the back nine in 1931 when the course was expanded to 18 holes. For those of you who haven’t been able to make a clambake this is a great one to attend. The course is in great shape and the club always treats the Pocono Turfgrass very well. Thanks to Chuck DeAngelo for helping to sponsor this year’s event. President's Message.... Officers & Directors 2009 I would like to thank Ray Waddell for hosting the Clam Bake again this year. It’s a lot on his plate with the Nationwide Tournament the PRESIDENT following week. Darrin Larkin, Panorama Golf Course 570-222-9260 VICE PRESIDENT Congratulations go to the winners - Joe Sellers, Bob Seltzer, and Rick Anglemyer, Water Gap CC Mike Zellner. Who gets to keep the trophy? Or will it be like the Stanley 570-424-6391 Cup and they each get it for a while? TREASURER John Downer, Elkview C.C. 570-840-0078 I would especially like to thank all our tee sign sponsors. We had another successful year adding to our scholarship fund. SECRETARY Ray Wadell, Elmhurst CC 570-842-4705 DIRECTORS Steven Chirip, Grass Roots, Inc. Darrin Larkin 973-418-3468 Matthew Brown, Philadelphia Turf 215-340-5401 Greg Boring, Glen Oak C.C. 570-586-5791 Patrick Knelly, Sugarloaf Golf Club 570-384-4724 Editor’s Notes..... Thomas Height, Frosty Valley C.C. 570-275-4266 Chris Snopkowski, Wyoming Valley C.C. August is here already. Wow, another summer is nearing its end. CHIPS & PUTTS STAFF I can’t believe back to school flyers are in the Sunday paper, and EDITOR we haven’t even experienced 90 degrees four times this year yet. Jim Gurzler, George Schofield Co. 732-433-5474 Maybe we will have some summer yet, so don’t winterize that jim@gurzler.com sprayer too soon. Managing Editor Melinda Wisnosky There are some great golf courses yet to come this season. I have 570-388-2167 heard many are looking forward to the chance to play Huntsville Editorial Committee Golf Club and Glenmaura National. Don't forget that attendance is Darrin Larkin Matt Brown part of the qualifier for the Met Team Championship tournament that the Pocono supports each season. If you haven’t gotten to a meet- Past President ing yet, there is still time. Remember, we want to see everyone at- Duane Schell, Blue Ridge Trail G. C. 570-868-8113 tend our meetings, but be kind and register early so the host knows djschell@epix.net what to expect. Last minute registration costs your another $10.00, so register by the deadline. The list of some education opportunities is on the back page, so maybe the next time you are caught in the office you can register early for one of those, as well. Be sure to communicate the need to continue your education by attending some of these events to bring PTGA Office new ideas and technology back to your club. R.R. 1, Box 219 Harding, PA 18643 Phone/Fax: 570-388-2167 Have a great overseeding and find some time with family and friends as Labor Day will be here before you know it. Any opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author and/or person quoted, and may not represent the position of PTGA. Information contained in this publication may be used freely, in whole or in part, Jim Gurzler without special permission, as long as the true context is maintained. We would appreciate a credit line. The Rules, your course and its golf course management staff It's not uncommon to hear a golfer say, "The Rules of “The(Blank) (defined by(Blank)) is ground Golf are too complicated." under repair from which play is prohibited. If a player’s ball lies in the area, or if if interferes But what's most important for golfers to understand is with the player's stance or the area of his in- that many of the rules are actually intended to help tended swing, the player must take relief un- them out. For instance, most golf courses have cart der Rule 25-1. paths, sign posts, permanently anchored yardage markers, ball washers, etc. Of course, there are other times when The These are immovable obstructions, and Rules of Golf can help you on the course. golfers are permitted relief from them One of the regular maintenance practices What’s most important for under rule under 24-2. that can have an effect on play is the aeri- golfers to understand is fication of greens, tees and fairways. Ac- In addition to those permanent features many of the rules are cording to The Rules of Golf: of the course, golfers and/or their golf ball will interact with the work of the golf actually intended to help When a course has been aerated, a Local course maintenance staff, or with natu- them out. Rule permitting relief, without penalty, from ral situations that affect the course. an aeration hole may be warranted. The These are called “abnormal ground following Local Rule is recommended: conditions” and also offer relief under Rule 25. “Through the green, a ball that comes to rest in or on an aeration hole may be lifted For instance, in wet weather, portions of the course without penalty, cleaned and dropped, as can have standing water outside of a water hazard. near as possible to the spot where it lay but This is casual water and golfers can also get relief from not nearer the hole. The ball when dropped it under Rule 25. must first strike a part of the course through the green. When the golf course management staff is working on the projects such as resodding, maintaining or repair- On the putting green, a ball that comes to rest ing the irrigation system, or renovating bunkers, these in or on an aeration hole may be placed at areas maybe marked as ground under repair. In such the nearest spot not nearer the hole that cases, golfers are entitled to relief from the area. avoids the situation. If the committee wishes to protect an area of the The Rules even offer a specimen local rule for frees course such as new sod, The Rules of Golf also recom- that have been planted: mend identifying the area as ground under repair, and requiring players to take relief from it. The recom- When it is desired to prevent damage to mended local rule is: young trees, the following Local Rule is recom- mended: Continued on Page 4 Lee A. 732.356.SAND Fx. 732.356.5161 Kozsey Territory Cell. 732.433.5474 Manager Turf, Ornamental & Aquatics Syngenta Crop Protection, syngenta Inc. 3710 Amherst Court Bethlehem, PA 18020 JAMES GURZLER Sales Associate Tel 610-861-8174 Fax 610-882-9358 Mobile 215-796-0409 www.syngentaprofessionalproducts.com lee.kozsey@syngenta.com Quality Materials Engineered Sands & Soils jamesg@geoschofield.com For further assistance, contact our Customer Resource Center at: 866-Syngenta (866-796-4368) PO Box 110, Bound Brook, NJ 08805 Continued from Page 3 Golf Rules Trivia “Protection of young trees identified by(Blank) 1. Out of Bounds stakes may be treated as ob­ — If such a tree interferes with a player's structions? True or False stance or the area of his intended swing, the 2. A player may lay his or her golf bag parallel to ball must be lifted, without penalty, and the line of putt to shield the ball from the wind? dropped in accordance with the procedure True or False prescribed in Rule 24-2b (Immovable Obstruc­ 3. In match play, what penalty does a player in­ tion). If the ball lies in a water hazard, the cur for hitting in front of the tee markers? player must lift and drop the ball in accor­ a. No penalty, opponent may require dance with Rule 24-2b(i) except that the near­ player to re-hit est point of relief must be in the water hazard b. 2 strokes and the ball must be dropped in the water c. loss of hole hazard or the player may proceed under Rule 26. The ball may be cleaned when lifted. Go to the PTGA Facebook page for the answers or wait for the September newsletter. While the rules don’t specifically address the mainte­ nance staff itself, golfers need to remember that sometimes the work to be done puts golfers and the staff on the course at the same time. At those times, a Lawn and Golf supply co. inc. little patience can make for a safer, more productive Chris Butler day for the staff, and produce better golf course con­ Sales Representative ditions when the project is done. 647 Nutt Road, PO Box 447 Phoenixville, PA 19460-0447 Cell: 610-657-6923 cbutler@lawn-golf.com www.lawn-golf.co m Phone: 610-933-5801 Fax: 610-933-8890 EarthWorks • Grigg Borthers • Lebanon Turf • PHC A Do n w d • e B r s a y Fisher & Son o e n r s • • B S COMPANY, INC. A S y F n The "Green Industry" Supplier • g e Bob Seltzer F n 610.704.4756 Have experience. Will travel. a t bseltzer@fisherandson.com M C Dow • DuPont • LideoChem • PROKoz • TriCure If you're looking for some help on your course, consider the Stores-on-Wheels® We can deliver agronomic Grass Roots. Inc. expertise, top brands and more straight to your course. P.O. Box 336 Call us at 1 -800-321-5325. We can help with whatever grass roots Mount Freedom. NJ 07970 job you have in mind. www.JohnDeere.com/golf 4 Middlebury Blvd Suite 7 Randolph. NJ 07869 Steve Chirip (973)418-3468, Mobile (570) 839-3399, PA Office Technical Sales Rep. (973) 252-6634, NJ Office (973) 252-6630, NJ Fax Service ♦ Technical Support ♦ Quality Products From the GCSAA .................. approval of any H-2B petition on or before the Sept. 30, 2009 deadline. Employers are encouraged to file as USCIS accepting new H-2B soon as possible and to request premium processing by petitions for fiscal year 2009 filing a Form 1-907 and submitting the $1000 premium processing fee, which will allow for expedited process- ing. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) To qualify for a FY2009 H-2B cap number, employers announced Aug. 6 it is reopening the FY2009 (Oct. 1, must: submit the Form 1-129 Petition for a Nonimmigrant 2008-Sept. 30, 2009) H-2B petition filing period and will Worker to USCIS with all required documents, including immediately accept petitions from employers to bring an approved Alien Employment Certification from the foreign workers to the U.S. to fill temporary nonagricul- U.S. Department of Labor that is valid for the entire em- tural jobs for which there is a shortage of available ployment period stated on the petition. The petitioner U.S. workers. must also indicate an employment start date before Even though the visa cap for the second half of Oct. 1,2009. FY2009 was met back on Jan. 7, 2009, the Depart- Petitions received on or after Oct. 1,2009, and/or ment of State received fewer than expected requests requesting a starting date on or after Oct. 1,2009, will for H-2B visas, and as a result, has issued only 40,640 H- be considered towards the FY2010 H-2B cap and are 2B visas for FY2009 to date. USCIS is now making subject to all eligibility requirements for FY2010 H-2B fil- 25,000 visas available. ings. The normal (non-premium processing) time frame Visit the USCIS Web site for more information and a for H-2B petitions is 60 days. USCIS will make visa num- Q&A document. You may also contact Chava McKeel, bers available to petitions in the order in which the GCSAA senior manager of information and public pol- petitions are filed. However, because H-2B petitions icy, at 800-472-7878 or cmmckeel@gcsaa.org for more (Form 1-129) for FY2009 visas must be received, evalu- information ated, and adjudicated on or before the FY2009 deadline of Sept. 30, 2009, USCIS cannot guarantee Jack Frost Meeting Results The skill prizes were two Closest to the Pins Bryan Nuss hosted the July meeting at Jack and a Long Drive contest. The closest to the Frost National. It was another new club for pin on #3 was won by Gary Phillips and the the PTGA to visit and another well attended closest to the pin on #11 was won by Dr. Joe meeting. This month, Mark Fine was our Brown. The long drive was won by Russell guest speaker. Mark was there to discuss Hauenstein of Elkview Country Club. bunkers and maintenance practices that would benefit the clubs. A skins tournament was held and 7 skins held up. Our speaker, Mark Fine, won a skin on the Our tournament was the Pink Ball Tourna- first hole. Jack Sudlesky had a skin on the sec- ment and more than one group finished this ond hole, Joe Roach had one on the fifth, Dr. year with the ball still in their possession, so Joe Barrett had a skin on the sixth, Barry scoring was important. The winning team Goodhart had one on eleven, Pat Healey had a skin was Chuck DeAngelo, Jim Ghigerelli, Walt Godek, on the fourteenth, and Joe Y (sorry no last name) won and Joe Roach, with a score of 73. In second place was the team of Jack Sudlesky, Dr. Joe Barrett, Gary the final skin on the 10th hole. Phillips Sr. and Gary Phillips Jr., with a score of 77. Thanks to Bryan and Jack Frost for hosting our tourna- ment this year. Thanks also to Mark Fine of Fine Golf The low gross for the tournament was won by Walt Design for speaking this month. Thanks also to our Godek, with a 76 on a match of cards over Joe Roach. meeting sponsors, George Ley and Turf Equipment Supply for helping with our meeting costs. SOD East Coast & SEED SAVE THEDATE Kevin Driscoll 609 760 4099 CELL 856 769 9555 OFFICE 609 561 5384 FAX 596 Pointers Auburn Road • Pilesgrove NJ 08098 October 5, 2009 Office & Home Phone Top Dressing LET’S HELP AN INDUSTRY FRIEND! White Haven 570-443-9596 Bunker Sand Fax 570-443-9590 Infield Mix We have the opportunity to help one of our own on October 5th at Lehigh Country Club in Allentown, PA. Blue Ridge Peat Farms, Inc. We are holding a golf outing to support Ed Zimmer- White Haven, PA 18661-9674 man, Golf Sales Representative for John Deere Golf for the past 10 years. Potting Soil Gene Evans, Owner Ed was diagnosed with melanoma four years ago, Soil Mixes Professional Engineer and, after successful surgery and chemotherapy, he was in remission for two and half years. Last year, the cancer returned, and now his fight continues. Ed has endured multiple surgeries and very difficult chemo- therapy to combat this disease. Ed has been a trooper through this entire process with- out a complaint. This is our time to show Ed how much we care for him and to show him how big his family really is. This will be a great opportunity for you, your crew and members to support Ed and play at one of the finest golf clubs in Pennsylvania. This will be a shotgun-style tournament with great prizes and a silent auction that will have some great deals for ATLANTIC you and your club. This will only be available to the first 36 teams that sign up. The cost will be $800.00 per IRRIGATION team. More information to follow. SPECIALTIES INC Check back regularly for information on how you can sponsor this event! Locations in NY, NJ, PA, CT Ph 973-379-9314 Contact the PAGCS office with questions: Fax 973-379-6504 Contact Fred Rapp LET'S HELP AN INDUSTRY FRIEND Mike Yarussi Monday, October 05, 2009 Ken Givens Kristen Liebsch Suppliers of all your irrigation needs Executive Secretary Philadelphia Association of GCS 156 Roslyn Avenue Glenside, PA 19038 215-758-2320 Rain Bird phillyagcs@comcast.net Summer Always Comes Eventually, The other major problem persisting throughout the summer is dollar spot disease, especially in fairways. Doesn’t It? With budgets tight, efforts to use reduced fungicide rates and extended spray intervals on fairways has By Darin S. Bevard, senior agronomist led to difficult-to-control dollar spot outbreaks. In August 19, 2009 each instance where the disease has been a serious problem, nitrogen fertility was low. While excessive One of the common comments heard from mem- nitrogen applications can create turfgrass problems, bers and golfers during our late July and early Au- the grass needs to be fed to keep it healthy. gust visits was "summer is just about over; there The other challenge of summer resurgence has should not be much to worry about." During these been aeration. Many courses scheduled mid-August conversations, we always point out that it does not aeration with the thought that the weather would take two or three weeks for problems to occur. With be breaking at this point in time rather than having the right weather conditions, rapid turfgrass decline the peak of summer temperatures. Be cautious dur- can happen in three or four days. Mind you, there ing aeration. At this point in the growing season have not been many recent catastrophes, but there abrasive dragging or other grooming practices may has been much more stress on the grass in our re- create problems. Err on the conservative side of cent travels, especially in the areas that received maintenance. Use smaller tines, especially if the ample rainfall in conjunction with the arrival of high turfgrass is already weak. Self-inflicted stress can ruin temperatures. a good growing season. Anthracnose has been more of a problem in re- The weather will break soon enough, but, until cent weeks than it has been in quite some time. Nui- that time, be wary of the problems that can still oc- sance disease levels have been replaced with no- cur during this late summer heat wave. Although it's ticeable turfgrass thinning in several instances. Sum- been a mild summer, it only takes a few days of sum- mer patch and bacterial wilt have added to prob- mer stress to forget the mild July weather. lems with Poa annua populations on greens. Make sure that frequent, light applications of nitrogen are The Mid-Atlantic Region agronomists are part of made to keep the grass growing and healthy both your agronomic support team. If you have a ques- to resist and recover from these diseases. Spoon- tion or concern, give us a call or send an e-mail. feeding through the sprayer is still a very good way Stan Zontek (szontek@usga.org) and Darin Bevard to deliver approximately 1 /10 lb. of actual N per (dbevard@usga.org) at 610/ 558-9066 or Keith Happ 1,000 sq. ft. on a 7-10 day interval. Stress-related dis- (khapp@usga.org) at 412/ 341-5922. eases generally are worse under low nitrogen fertility. Turf Grass Disease updates by University Professors is a blog started by Dr. John Kaminski of Penn State University. The blog is updated by many professors with up to minute information on diseases they have encountered. A great place to learn how to Tweet or link to one of your networks to stay up to date with what is going on. See the blog at http://turfdiseases.blogspot.com/ www.synateksolutions.com Ryan Davidheiser Cell: 610-310-3925 Office: 610-327-3390 Fax: 610-327-0581 SynaTek The Turf Solutions People Mike Zellner Technical Sales Representative 261 Schoolhouse Road • Suite 4 Souderton, PA 18964-2416 1486 S. Hanover St. Main Office 888-408-5433 Pottstown, PA 19465 Cell 484-357-9197 www.aer-core.com Turfgrass Services Fax: 267-203-1613 rdavidheiser@aer-core.com Equipment Sales mzellner@synateksolutions.com Chips & Putts PATRON SPONSORS AERIFICATION AND OVERSEEDING IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 Atlantic Irrigation Joe Jaskot 973.445.9418 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 Turf Equip. & Supply George Skawski 610.554.9366 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 710.933.5801 Matt Brown 484-357-6312 EQUIPMENT PLANT PROTECTANTS Aer-Core, Inc. Dennis DeSanctis 610.608.3181 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 Rich Gdovin 570-278-1131 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 Genesis Turfgrass Brian Bachman 484.661.6105 Turf Equip. & Supply Matt Brown 484.357.6312 Jim MacLaren 570-443-7154 George Skawski 610.554.9366 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 SynaTek Mike Zelher 484.357.9197 Syngenta Lee A. Kozsey 610.861.8174 FERTILIZER Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 SEED & SOD Genesis Turfgrass Jim MacLaren 570-443-7154 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 Brian Bachman 484.661.6105 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 East Coast Sod & Seed Kevin Driscoll 609.760.4099 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 SynaTek Mike Zellner 484.357.9197 Genesis Turfgrass Brian Bachman 484.661.6105 Jim MacLaren 570-443-7154 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 SynaTek Mike Zellner 484.357.9197 GREEN AND TEE SUPPLIES Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 Rich Gdovin 570-278-1131 TOPDRESSING / SOIL AMENDMENTS Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 Genesis Turfgrass Brian Bachman 484.661.6105 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 Jim MacLaren 570-443-7154 Blue Ridge Peat Farms Gene Evans 570.443.9596 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 Genesis Turfgrass Brian Bachman 484.661.6105 SynaTek Mike Zellner 484.357.9197 Jim MacLaren 570-443-7154 Grass Roots, he. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 SynaTek Mike Zellher 484.357.9197 Support our Sponsors - They support us! PTGA MEETING SCHEDULE POCONO ROUNDUP 2009 Golf Schedule Congratulations! Aug 17 Elmhurst Clambake Congratulations to Samantha Kramer. She has taken Sept 15 Huntsville Golf Club over as Superintendent at Riverview Country Club in Easton, PA. Sam has been at Riverview since May Oct 5 Lehigh Country Club 2004 when the course was being built. Ed Zimmerman Benefit Tournament Looking for Photos Oct 15 Glenmaura National Championship Got a strange photo or interesting sunset? Maybe a bear at the tee box? Send your photo or story in for publication. Let others in the area hear what is going on at your course. Conferences & Expos Nov 10-12 Penn State Turf Conference Local Tournaments State College, PA Northeast PA Classic Elmhurst CC Nov 10 & 11 GCSANJ Crystal Conference Moscow, PA August 27-30th Crystal Springs Resort, Hamburg NJ Dec 8-10 NJTAExpo The Barclays Fed Ex Cup Playoff Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, NJ Liberty National Jersey City NJ August 27- 30th Moving POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION R.R. 1, BOX 219 Ahead To HARDING, PA 18643 Serve You Better YOUR FRIENDS AT... TURF ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED. EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLY COMPANY 888-384-8676 • www.turf-equipment.com