CHIPS & PUTTS OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE Founded in POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION 1936 VOL.. 15, NO. 1 February/March 2009 Northeast Turf Conference January 29, 2009 Jim Gurzler Once again Dr. Andrew McNitt, Penn State University and the Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council hosted a great meeting at The Woodlands Inn and Resort in Wilkes-Barre. The icy parking lot was the only negative I noticed on the day of the event. Attendance was very good, although golf attendance was down slightly according to Dr. McNitt. The vendor attendance was at its usual level for the event, 32 by my count. The morning topics gave the latest updates from Penn State and Rutgers with regard to all those issues dealt with each season on golf courses. The afternoon was a more varied selec- tion that covered such topics as “What the fields go through at the Little League World Series” and “The Pros and Cons of Synthetic Fields.” As a vendor, I noticed more discussions on price and value then in years past as more budgets are facing scrutiny in these trying times. Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed the meetings and look forward to next year at the Woodlands. Editors Note: On an aside, I also attended the KAFMO meeting a few weeks later and heard a couple of good discussions down there. One was on topdressing both native soil and sand based fields. This would be a great talk for superintendents to hear. The other was on phosphorus usage on germination rates, which could be a budget helper. Keep an eye out next year for the an- nouncement on where and when the KAFMO meeting is as our relatives who take care of sports turf aren’t that distant. Page 2 Officers & Directors 2009 President’s Message....… I want to thank everyone who attended the Elk Mountain S.N.O.W. day on January 30. The Annual Ski Meeting continues to be successful. PRESIDENT Darrin Larkin, Panorama Golf Course The 2009 meeting schedule is almost finalized and we will be 570-222-9260 starting with Silver Creek C.C. in April. VICE PRESIDENT Rick Anglemyer, Water Gap CC 570-424-6391 Darrin Larkin TREASURER John Downer, Elkview C.C. 570-840-0078 SECRETARY Ray Wadell, Elmhurst CC 570-842-4705 DIRECTORS Steven Chirip, Grass Roots, Inc. 973-418-3468 Matthew Brown, Turf Equipment & Supply 215-340-5401 Greg Boring, C.C. of Scranton 570-586-5791 Patrick Knelly, Sugarloaf Golf Club 570-384-4724 Thomas Height, Frosty Valley C.C. 570-275-4266 Chris Snopkowski, Wyoming Valley C.C. Editor’s Notes….. __________________________ CHIPS & PUTTS STAFF Another March is right around the corner and Memorial Day is just EDITOR a skip away from that. Where did the winter go? Jim Gurzler, George Schofield Co. 732-433-5474 jim@gurzler.com My travels have seen budget cuts, layoffs, and firings. Hopefully, golf will be recession proof although it doesn’t look good. Managing Editor Melinda Wisnosky 570-388-2167 Early reports from the GIS say attendance was down 40%. That Editorial Committee should be enough to wake up everyone. The tradeshows that I have Darrin Larkin Matt Brown attended this season seem to have good support from both sides of the desk, supers and salesman. This could be a time when the local Past President shows are the best value for everyone to gain information and net- Duane Schell, Blue Ridge Trail G. C. 570-868-8113 working contacts that help you do your job. djschell@epix.net The golf schedule is roughed in, speakers have been sought and the season isn’t that far away. Hopefully, these meetings don’t go by the wayside this year in the ever tightening budget crunch. If you use these as what they are, tools to gather information and to pick up a couple ideas that might make your course a little better or your PTGA Office job a little easier, they are well worth the time and money you invest. R.R. 1, Box 219 Harding, PA 18643 Phone/Fax: 570-388-2167 Jim Gurzler 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, without special permission, as long as the true context is maintained. We would appreciate a credit line. Page 3 From the news wire: Hundreds Protest Global Warming Photos from the Woodlands Thanks to Scott Schukraft and all the staff for another great event! Page 4 Killington 2009 - Reserve your space now for 2010. Contact Matt Brown Elk Mountain 2009 The Woodlands will be John with new “Chips And Putts” January 28th so news staff photographer and blogger! the next Elk Meeting is Thanks for the pictures, Terry! NETS +1= Fun 2009 S.N.O.W Meeting January 30, 2009 Elk Mountain Superintendents once again proved that they like other weather when they converged on Elk Moun- tain. Thirty or so attendees found great conditions for skiing...a nice, partly sunny day, good food and fine fellowship. Although our fearless leader was un- able to attend, Steve Chirip was his normal self and ran registration until he heard the sound of a twist top break free. After a great day of skiing, the crowd headed over to Chet’s to while away the evening and sup- port the local economy. There were many a happy skier après ski. The ski shots went down and there are pictures on the Pocono Turfgrass blog courtesy of Terry Salak. Treat her well. John, I like having pic- tures for the newsletter! Page 5 Penn State Now Accepting Applications Golf Course Turfgrass Management Program Press Release UNIVERSITY PARK, PA -- Applications are now being accepted for Penn State's Two-Year Golf Course Turfgrass Management Program for the class beginning in September of 2009. There is an application fee of $35 and the deadline for applications is April 1, 2009. Applications can be obtained by calling (814) 863-0129 or by visiting our web site at http://turfgrass.psu.edu/turfgrass_management/ or by writing to: Golf Course Turfgrass Management Program, he Pennsylvania State University, 441 Agricultural Administration Building, University Park, PA 16802. According to the USGA, the guideline for placement of bunker rakes is "out and down." The rake should be placed out- side the bunker, lying flat on the ground, and pointed in the direction of play (parallel to the likely flight of the ball). By the way, the USGA also reminds us that the proper term is "bunker," and never "trap." Good luck! Page 6 It is time to take a walk... Don’t Guess; Know What’s Going on Under the Snow! By Keith Happ, Senior Agronomist January 30, 2009 Recent phone conversations with golf course superintendents have focused on early concerns about ice accu- mulation on greens in the northern tier of the Mid-Atlantic Region. Fluctuating temperatures, recently as high as 50o F in Pennsylvania, allowed snow to melt rapidly. Temperatures again have plummeted to single digits resulting in a layer of ice forming as moisture followed surface drainage patterns. Despite the surface melt, the soils re- mained frozen and there is a very good chance that winter hardiness of the turf was not compromised. With that said, don’t take anything for granted. Take a walk around the property and inspect any areas that have been problematic in the past. Brush off the snow and inspect the surface for ice accumulation. While we have not been covered with snow and ice for very long, it is a good idea to formulate a plan just in case the weather patterns persist and ice needs to be removed. A darkening agent, whether it is a natural organic fertilizer, black sand etc., can be used very effectively to accelerate the melt. On another subject, many calls have been received regarding maintenance budgets and maintenance plans. Some superintendents have resubmitted the operating budgets several times, and, in every case, allocation of funds for the care and presentation of the golf course has decreased. It is a sign of the current economic climate. Still, golf will be played and golfers will want to play on a well conditioned golf course! Separating needs from wants can be difficult. Now is the time to look at every element of the turf maintenance operation and the play of the course. Despite what many committees might think, the golf course is a revenue center! If course conditions suffer; the main play areas decline, golfers will stay away, and the downward spiral in overall course income will continue. Committees should clearly define course conditioning expectations in order for superintendents to design and develop maintenance programs for a good golf course. Golfers should not, however, assume that the course can be presented and conditioned in the same manner if budget dollars are reduced drastically. It is time for solutions and suggestions, not complaints and confusion. For example, can things be done differently and still achieve the desired result? Do conditioning expectations need to be adjusted? Should the focus of turf care be shifted more to the center lines of the course? Is it realistic to have shot-gun starts four days a week when funding for labor has been reduced? Can gap maintenance be implemented so work can get done in a timely fashion? Answering these questions will be a start! Now is the time to come to the table with ideas and alternatives for the upcoming season. These and many more issues can be addressed during a Turf Advisory Service visit. Stan Zontek, Darin Bevard and I are here to help. We look forward to talking with many of you during the conference season. Don’t forget our Green Section Regional Conferences February 24th at The Country Club of Virginia and March 10th at Woodholme Country Club in Balti- more, Maryland. Remember, the Mid-Atlantic Region agronomists are part of your agronomic support team. If you have a question or concern, give us a call or send an e-mail. Stan Zontek (szontek@usga.org) or Darin Bevard (dbevard@usga.org) at 610-558-9066 or Keith Happ (khapp@usga.org) at 412-341-5922. Page 7 Shaun Barry recognized for dedication to the industry Shaun Barry, golf sales representative for Bayer Environmental Science, was recently recognized by the Rutgers University Turfgrass Alumni Association for his "outstanding dedication, service and con- tribution to the turfgrass industry." The award was presented at the annual alumni banquet held at Rutgers University. During the ceremony, Barry presented the Bayer Turf Scholarship Award, continuing a 34-year tradi- tion. Among the companies and associations attending the banquet, some $85,000 worth of scholarship money was awarded to deserving turf students. "Shaun is a true turf champion who works tirelessly for the advancement of the turfgrass industry in New Jersey," said Mike Ruizzo, Eastern Regional Sales Manager for Bayer. "We congratulate him on his achievement." Barry has been an active member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of New Jersey for 30 years. He is president of the GCSANJ Foundation, whose mission is to support research, scholarships and charities through- out the state. He also takes an active part in the New Jersey Turfgrass Association. REMINDER! We are still accepting advertising for “Chips & Putts.” There are still some spaces available in all Type categories. Contact Melinda at 570-388-2167 or mmel500@aol.com The facts about golf course pesticides Well-managed golf courses provide substantial ecological and community benefits Science is on our side. • Independent university research supports the fact that well-managed golf courses do not pose significant risks to environmental quality, wildlife or human health. • The modern pesticides and fertilizers used to maintain healthy golf course turf have been thoroughly tested and are considered safe when used according to label directions. • A pesticide product today has typically undergone more than 120 studies at a cost of $50 million before it is registered by the Environmental Protection Agency. From the GCSAA 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 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 George Skawski 610.554.9366 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 Syngenta Lee A. Kozsey 610.861.8174 FERTILIZER Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 SEED & SOD Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 Genesis Turfgrass Jim MacLaren 570-443-7154 East Coast Sod & Seed Kevin Driscoll 609.760.4099 Brian Bachman 484.661.6105 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Genesis Turfgrass Brian Bachman 484.661.6105 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 TOPDRESSING / SOIL AMENDMENTS GREEN AND TEE SUPPLIES 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 Blue Ridge Peat Farms Gene Evans 570.443.9596 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Genesis Turfgrass Brian Bachman 484.661.6105 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 Support our Sponsors - They support us! POCONO ROUNDUP PTGA MEETING SCHEDULE 2009 Golf Schedule April 13 Silver Creek New England Regional Turfgrass Show May 19 Berwick June 24 Eagle Rock March 2-5, 2009 July 21 Jack Frost National See website www.Nertf.orf Aug 17 Elmhurst Clambake USGA Green Section Regional Conference Sept 15 Huntsville Golf Club Oct 15 Glen Maura National Championship Woodholme Country Club Tuesday, March 10, 2009 300 Woodholme Avenue Baltimore, Maryland 21208 Speakers will be at each meeting For information on registration contact except the Clambake. Marti Zontek (mzontek@usga.org) Don’t forget that GCSAA points REMINDER! are also available at each meeting. If you have not paid your dues for 2009, please send them in ASAP. They are now past due! Thank you! POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION R.R. 1, BOX 219 POSTAGE HARDING, PA 18643 NAME & ADDRESS ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED.