CHIPS & PUTTS OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION www.ptga.org Founded in 1936 VOL. 16 NO. 8 September/October 2010 September Meeting Pine Hills Country Club Hosts: Greg Kozar & Eric Duffy Greg Kozar and Eric Duffy are our hosts for the September meeting at Pine Hills Golf Course. Greg and his brother, Scott, purchased the course about 10 years ago from their uncle. Since then, they have been improving course conditions, adding bunkers, constructing greens and renovating the Par 3 course. The course has gotten a new irrigation system and pump station as part of the renovation work. Pine Hills was constructed in 1966 by Hank Evanish as a 9 hole course with construction being completed by Greg’s uncle in 1972 for the 18 hole course. Greg began to work for his uncle before the partnership that is the current ownership was formed. Greg, Scott, and superintendent Eric Duffy formed a partnership where they set out to provide a safe, fun, affordable golf course for the public to enjoy. With this mindset they have made the improvements listed and have goals of more changes in the future. In 2006, the pitch and putt course was renovated to offer golf in a different way to the public. This Par 3 short course of 735 yards of challenging target golf is available to us at our meeting. The course is run with a summer staff of 4 and just 1 in the winter. They have a 1500 square foot heated garage for winter repairs and an additional 2500 square feet of cold storage. Greg has a great day planned for us with our regular tournament, a par 3 tournament with a prize from TES equipment, Thanks George, and a great pig roast for dinner. Come on out and enjoy the day. Thanks to our meeting sponsor for this event: Syngenta. Thanks for all your support, Lee. The PTGA really appreciates all your help! Page 2 President's Message..... Officers & Directors 2010 Well, there’s another year down the drain! Hope you all made it through and had a great season. I saw a few new faces at our meetings this year and hope to see many more next year. A ton of thanks to everyone who hosted a meeting; they all were fun. Once again, I feel the Board has done some good work this PRESIDENT term and moving forward there is still a lot to do. Thanks to Melinda for Rick Anglemyer, Water Gap CC her help and patience, as well as every Board member. 570-424-6391 VICE PRESIDENT John Downer, Elkview C.C. 570-840-0078 Rick Anglemyer TREASURER Ray Wadell, Elmhurst CC 570-842-4705 SECRETARY Patrick Knelly Sugarloaf Golf Club 570-384-4724 DIRECTORS Steven Chirip, Grass Roots, Inc. 973-418-3468 Editor’s Notes….. Matthew Brown, Philadelphia Turf 215-340-5401 Greg Boring, Country Club of Scranton I write again an apology to the Association membership about 570-587-4046 Thomas Height, Frosty Valley C.C. the delay in getting the last two newsletter out. There is little 570-275-4266 material that isn’t out via some sort of internet site, social media Gino Marchetti, Glen Oak CC. 570-586-5791 outlet, or other direct-to-user source to glean information from that is __________________________ relative to the Association, in this editor’s opinion. CHIPS & PUTTS STAFF EDITOR On my ride to a tradeshow the other day, I was thinking of how Jim Gurzler, George Schofield Co. 732-433-5474 everyone is saying the tradeshow is a dying breed. Oh, how I wish it jim@gurzler.com were true, but on the drive home, I reflected back on those people Managing Editor that I interacted with at the show, in the Hard Rock café, and in the Melinda Wisnosky hotel common areas. I realized that this is a great time to catch up 570-388-2167 with friends. In our phone-based society, between texting, Editorial Committee posting, emails, and instant gratification, I find the time spent with Darrin Larkin Matt Brown others to be of great value. Past President Darrin Larkin, Panorama Golf Course I read somewhere, I believe it was a post from Peter McCormick 570-222-9260 of Turfnet fame, that a great gift would be 2 hours with family with no distractions and no electronics — just conversation. It would slow the world down for us and make for memories we don't have to post for the whole world to see. Wow, I got sentimental sitting alone writing that, so let’s change P the mood . I could really use some direction on what info you would like to see in the newsletter. I can continue stealing articles from our TGA Office R.R. 1, Box 219 allied sources or I could print relevant info about the PTGA, which is Harding, PA 18643 my desire. Anyway, send those photos, short stories, or quick fixes to Phone/Fax: 570-388-2167 us here at PTGA for others to see. I could really use the help with the Any opinions expressed in this publication are those of newsletter info. 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 PagePage 3 3 Meeting Results from September Meeting at Pine Hills Country Club A day filled with great weather greeted the participants at Pine Hills Country Club. We had around 40 players for this event which featured 18 holes of blind draw partners for the regular tournament and a shootout on the Par 3 Course. Pat Knelly won on both venues with a partnership featuring Gino Marchetti on the 18 hole and a hole out on the first hole of the shootout. Second place went to Joe Walsh and Joe Bilyo, with Duane Schell and George Skawski taking 1st place in the first flight. Closest to the pins were had by Jack Rude and Tom Cullem. Barry Goodhart had the longest drive on 18. The 2010 Pocono Turfgrass Directories have been mailed out. If you didn’t receive one please give Melinda a call and check your address with her. Thanks to Eric Reed, CGCS, for working on getting that out to the printer for us! Page 4 What a year! The challenges continue. By Keith Happ, Senior Agronomist Mid-Atlantic Region Drought stress has a firm grasp on much of the Mid-Atlantic Region. Although dry weather is good for the golfer, it makes it very difficult for the turf manager to establish new sod, germinate new seed, and, most of all, prepare the turf for winter. Recovery of damaged areas is very slow for this time of year, due to lack of rain. As of this update, many turf managers are faced with making difficult decisions about the care of the course due to water shortages! All of Pennsylvania is either under a drought warning or drought watch. This involves either a mandatory or voluntary reduction in water usage. This can have an effect on golf course fall renovations. Only renovate what you can support with irrigation! Drought-stressed grass should be cut less, fertilized less (a real problem if turf must recover from the summer), raise mowing heights, and restrict cart traffic from drought- sensitive grasses like fairway bentgrass. When will this year’s weather problems be over? Though many turf managers can buy water, doing so will affect the bottom line. Many courses had to make adjustments to their budgets as the year began, and it was not uncommon to hear from superintendents that the line item for water was slashed. The last two years were somewhat benign compared to this season. Monies not spent for water last year were viewed as potential savings this season rather than a real estimate of need during a tough year. The decision to purchase water should be based on agronomics rather than economics. It will cost far more over the long term to reestablish playing surfaces from seed or sod compared to the cost of water needed to sustain the current stand of turf this fall. The critical issue this fall is to prepare the turf for cold temperature stress. Properly hydrating the turf is the first step towards maximizing cold temperature tolerance. During the fall, sugars are produced and act as an anti-freeze within the plant. This is referred to as hardening. Without water (irrigation/or precipitation), it is very difficult to fertilize the turf, maintain surface density, maximize root mass, recover from disease or mechanical damage, or even implement basic grass growing techniques such as aeration. And, if faced with a choice, a turf manager would always prefer rainfall to irrigation in order to stimulate the grass. We can’t duplicate what Mother Nature can do. For more information specific to your area (current and forecast) go to http://drought.unl.edu/dm. Many courses continue on the road to recovery, but turf mangers are still battling turf diseases. Summer Patch (Magnaporthepoae) for example, has been a persistent problem in most of the region. Summer patch has affected Poa annua on greens and in bluegrass rough. Although pest control measures can be enacted, it is essential that fertilizers be used to grow grass this fall. Using holistic practices continues to provide the best results. Give us a call; we are here to help. The Mid-Atlantic Regional agronomists are part of your agronomic support team. If you have a question or Page 5 Our heart felt condolences go out to Tom Drayer and his family on the passing of his wife: Barbara A. Drayer Barbara A. (Dox) Drayer, 62, of Orefield, died Friday, September 3, 2010 in the Hospice House of the VNA of St. Lukes, Lower Saucon Township. She was the wife of Thomas H. Drayer. The couple celebrated their 38th wedding anniversary last May 20. Born in Allentown, October 2, 1947, Barbara was the daughter of the late Frank J. Sr. and Anna (Stubljar) Dox. She was employed as a teacher’s aid in the Parkland School District for the last 4 years. Prior to that, she worked in the same capacity at Sand Spring Children’s Center, Schnecksville for 10 years. Barbara was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church, Orefield. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph the Worker Memorial Fund c/o the funeral home, P.O. Box # 196, Schnecksville, PA 18078-0196. Page 6 Chips & Putts PATRON SPONSORS AERIFICATION AND OVERSEEDING Aer-Core Ryan Davidheiser 610-310-3925 IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 607.768.0575 John Deere Brent Wood 570.499.1441 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 PLANT PROTECTANTS EQUIPMENT Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 607.768.0575 Aer-Core Ryan Davidheiser 610-310-3925 Rich Gdovin 570-278-1131 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 607.768.0575 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 Genesis Turfgrass Brian Bachman 484.661.6105 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 Jim MacLaren 570-443-7154 Reel Sharp Brian Grebeldinger 845-597-7738 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Turf Equip. & Supply Matt Brown 484.357.6312 John Deere Brent Wood 570.499.1441 George Skawski 610.554.9366 Growth Products Craig Lambert 973-601-3303 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 Syngenta Lee A. Kozsey 610.861.8174 FERTILIZER Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 607.768.0575 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 SEED & SOD Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 607.768.0575 Genesis Turfgrass Jim MacLaren 570-443-7154 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 Brian Bachman 484.661.6105 East Coast Sod & Seed Kevin Driscoll 609.760.4099 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Growth Products Craig Lambert 973-601-3303 Genesis Turfgrass Brian Bachman 484.661.6105 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 Jim MacLaren 570-443-7154 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 GREEN AND TEE SUPPLIES TOPDRESSING / SOIL AMENDMENTS Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 607.768.0575 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 607.768.0575 Rich Gdovin 570-278-1131 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Blue Ridge Peat Farms Gene Evans 570.443.9596 Genesis Turfgrass Brian Bachman 484.661.6105 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Jim MacLaren 570-443-7154 Genesis Turfgrass Brian Bachman 484.661.6105 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Jim MacLaren 570-443-7154 John Deere Brent Wood 570.499.1441 Geo. Schofield Jim Gurzler 732-433-5474 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! PTGA SCHEDULE POCONO ROUNDUP Nothing to report or nothing reported! PTC New Venue for Valley Forge January 11-13th, 2011 Send your info to us so we may keep the members Crowne Plaza Valley Forge abreast of your good news. Northeast PA Turf Conference Best Wishes to Paul Brandon on a speedy recovery. January 27, 2011 The Woodlands Inn and Resort Send your announcements to the PTGA. Help others stay current on the things going on in our area. GIS Show February 7-11 Orlando FL PTGA Holiday Party February? Stay tuned for details POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION R.R. 1, BOX 219 POSTAGE HARDING, PA 18643 NAME & ADDRESS ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED.