CHIPS & PUTTS OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION www.ptga.org Founded in 1936 VOL. 17 NO. 1 February/March 2011 2011 GCSAA GIS SHOW WRAP UP Golf Industry Show Total attendance for those utilizing the two registration portals was 14,781. This is a 4 percent increase over 2010. Qualified buyers attendance increased 11 percent for a total of 5,752 qualified buyers. There were 551 exhibitors spread across 180,000 net square feet of exhibit space; this is a 4 percent decline from last year in San Diego. From my personal perspective it felt much smaller than recent years but those in attendance seemed to be in more of a buying mood and were talking positively about the future. I believe the show was a success when put into context of the current economy. It certainly doesn’t compare with Orlando shows of the past but is an improvement over recent years and indicates that things are moving cautiously in a positive direction. I, for one, feel that one of the appeals of the National is the bigness of it and hope that we can get some of that back in upcoming years; but even if it stays at this level of participation it will remain a great sales and networking opportunity for the participants. Education Conferences Running concurrently with the Golf Industry Show were the annual education conferences for the Golf Industry Show presenting partners. Numerous educational sessions and seminars focused on solutions to operating in challenging times, environmental management, financial benchmarks, leadership and communications. I thought the seminars that I attended were excellent, especially those that were taught by active Superintendents, as these were more down to earth and practical for those of us looking to apply the instruction at our own courses. Annual Meeting The annual meeting was held on Friday, February 11th, the results were: A member dues increase of $20 annually for Class A members and $10 annually for Class C members was passed. Robert M. Randquist, CGCS, director of golf course and grounds at Boca Rio Golf Club in Boca Raton, Fla., was elected president. Randquist will serve as president until the 2012 annual meeting and election. Sanford G. Queen, CGCS, manager of golf operations for the city of Overland Park, Kan., was elected vice president. Check Page 8 for the 2011 Golf Schedule. Qualifying for Met GCSA Tournament starts in April! Remember - each meeting gets you points for the Stableford which helps get you to Galloway National, the fabulous Tom Fazio course in Galloway, NJ. It could make for a great weekend getaway to Atlantic City in the fall of 2011. Page 2 President's Message..... Officers & Directors 2011 Well another season is almost upon us. Can I get an Amen Brother! This has been a rough winter for most, but not all, I suppose. PRESIDENT Plans for the upcoming meetings are moving along very nicely. There Rick Anglemyer, Water Gap CC are just a few more details to work out and then let the fun begin. 570-424-6391 VICE PRESIDENT Good luck to everyone this year; hope to climb to higher ground and John Downer, Elkview C.C. 570-840-0078 recoup some budget dollars. Looking forward to seeing you at meeting real soon. TREASURER Ray Wadell, Elmhurst CC Rick Anglemyer 570-842-4705 SECRETARY Patrick Knelly Sugarloaf Golf Club 570-384-4724 DIRECTORS Steven Chirip, Grass Roots, Inc. 973-418-3468 Matthew Brown, Turf Equipment & Supply 484-357-6312 Greg Boring, Country Club of Scranton 570-587-4046 Thomas Height, Country Club of Scranton 570-237-0878 Gino Marchetti, Glen Oak CC. Editor’s Notes….. 570-586-5791 __________________________ CHIPS & PUTTS STAFF EDITOR Jim Gurzler, George Schofield Co. 732-433-5474 Thanks to Ray Waddell and Jennifer McMorrow for their articles. jim@gurzler.com Keep the information coming please, I love the help. Managing Editor Melinda Wisnosky 570-388-2167 Wow, another 1st issue, another spring, another golf season is upon Editorial Committee us. The Board has been working to provide education at the golf Darrin Larkin meetings for the coming season. You can see that we have a pretty Matt Brown good slate of speakers, so try to make the time to come on out, Past President network with your peers, enjoy some fun and learn something new. Darrin Larkin, Greenfield Power Equipment 570-222-4330 All I have heard all winter is how the trade show is dying and how information is available online in an instant, but tactile learning is far better in my opinion. I always liked the EDGE method — Explain, Demonstrate, Guide and Enable success, which I believe allows for better retention. Speaking with others about turf helps you and the person with whom you’re speaking. With the exchange of ideas, growth occurs, making you and our Association stronger. So don’t let PTGA Office the lack of golf skills or the course hold you back. Make a couple 309 Terrace Avenue meetings this year, we will all be better for it. Harding, PA 18643 Phone/Fax: 570-388-2167 Any opinions expressed in this publication are those of the Jim Gurzler 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. PagePage 3 3 MY FAVORITE TURF DISEASES By Jenny McMorrow of Turf Diagnostics Inc. There is nothing more exciting as a turf pathologist could see the dark ectotrophic hyphae on the roots than receiving a sample that is loaded with of the young bentgrass I had under the microscope mycelia and spores. It launches a euphoria so but other labs could not confirm presence of any great that it keeps me coming back to work day disease. It was exhilarating to solve the problem of after day. I marvel at how resilient turfgrass truly is. what disease was afflicting the greens and then work There have been samples of Paspalum that were to find an appropriate fungicide to cure Take-all loaded with so many diseases at such great Patch. quantity it was staggering to imagine how this grass was still putting out new growth. Also, A discussion of my favorite diseases probably Bermudagrass Decline is a constant struggle for wouldn’t be complete without quickly mentioning my some golf courses yet the superintendent puts out a least favorite disease. Pythium volutum is an good product despite the almost constant disease annoying pest because it can be present but not pressure. necessarily produce symptoms. I still feel we have not nailed down a good fungicide control method for the The most exciting disease to study under the disease. It also is still not clear what environmental microscope has to be Fusarium Patch (formerly conditions are conducive to a P. volutum outbreak. called Pink Snow Mold). It produces large mycelia Time, asking the right questions and looking at lots of with distinct cross walls. The spores are a samples with this disease will finally unravel the magnificent crescent moon shape and are mystery. abundant. The symptoms can look like anything from a small spot that looks like Pythium to a large I couldn’t ask for a better job than being a turf patch with a frog-eye. Control is easy as long as pathologist. Every day brings new adventures and the superintendent uses a contact fungicide to new challenges. I love working on the microscope clean up the spores and a systemic fungicide to because every slide tells a story of what that turf has clean up the mycelia. We know that the disease is been through. The superintendents I work with are consistent with cool, overcast weather and loves knowledgeable, hard working and a lot of fun to talk available nitrogen. Fusarium Patch wins the award to. Good people and interesting work. I couldn’t ask as my favorite turf disease. for more. The runner-up goes to Take-all Patch. This disease was the culprit of my first “tough” case in 1992. I PLEASE NOTE! The Membership Directory will be going to print in early April. If you have any changes to your information, please send it to Melinda ASAP mmel500@aol.com Page 4 Continued from Page 1 Peter J. Grass, CGCS at Hilands Golf Club in Billings, Mont., Keith A. Ihms, CGCS at Country Club of Little Rock in Little Rock, Ark., and John J. O'Keefe, CGCS, director of golf course management at Preakness Hills Country Club in Wayne, N.J., were each re-elected to another two-year term. Rafael Barajas, CGCS at Hacienda Golf Club in La Habra Heights, Calif., was appointed to the GCSAA Board of Directors, filling the remaining year of Finlen's term, created by his election to secretary/treasurer. William H. Maynard, CGCS at Milburn Golf and Country Club in Overland Park, Kan., remains on the board with one year remaining in his two-year director term. James R. Fitzroy, CGCS, director/superintendent at Wollaston Recreational Facility/Presidents Golf Club in North Quincy, Mass., will serve on the board for one year as immediate past president. Mark D. Kuhns, CGCS, director of grounds at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, N.J., retires from the board after serving the last year as immediate past president. Next Year Vegas! So remember quit smoking at least one month prior and eat light meals while in Vegas so the kidney harvesters don’t have any issues. Page 5 Managing Expectations 2011 Darrin Bevard, USGA Senior Agronomist, Mid-Atlantic Region The last Mid-Atlantic update was titled “What’s Under short term reduction in playability. This specific All That Snow and Ice?” Warmer temperatures have discussion brought to mind a great challenge as we allowed the question to be answered in much of the head towards another growing season: expectations region. Overall, what we have seen and heard and desire for improvement, perhaps with limited regarding putting green turf is positive. While it is too resources (budget). early to tell exactly how the grass will fare in the coming weeks, but our opinion is -- so far, so It is not too early to make a very important point for good. That’s the good news. The bad news is that 2011. Expectations need to be managed. Better another arctic blast sent rough, better bunkers or better temperatures into the low single whatever will not come without digits in parts of the region. This is a some inconvenience and extra costs cause for concern after the series of on the golf course. If having the best days that saw daytime of everything, or at least having temperatures in the 50’s and everything just right, was easy, every 60’s. Recent research on winter golf course would have everything injury to Poa annua suggests that just the way the golfers wanted even a short period of warmer it. However, when a problem is temperatures can rapidly reduce present, it often did not develop winter hardiness of this grass. As for overnight. Similarly, these problems creeping bentgrass, there is little will not be fixed overnight, concern for any winter damage on either. The golf course that this more winter-hardy grass. maintains a high level of conditioning has invested in their golf course maintenance operations and the On a completely different topic, a recent walk infrastructure of the golf course. Very few dramatic around a local golf course raised some questions improvements come without investment and some about improving the quality of rough. The goal is to level of inconvenience. develop a maintenance plan that promotes rough that is more uniform with limited off-type grasses and The Mid-Atlantic Region agronomists are part of your weeds. The rough should be more visually appealing agronomic support team. If you have a question or and offer improved playability. Of course, all of these concern, give us a call or send an e-mail. improvements must be accomplished without disrupting the golf course or having any significant Stan Zontek (szontek@usga.org) and Darin Bevard Page 6 SKI Vermont 2011 Or CSI Vermont For the seventh year in a row several PTGA members six hours or so. Garmin (supposedly) took one vehicle’s and friends have taken an annual trip to Killington, passengers on an impromptu tour around Syracuse Vermont to enjoy a favorite wintertime activity, and before arriving in Vermont. In a final, strange turn of show strong support for the food and beverage portion events, we experienced a real life CSI - Vermont. of the economy. Conditions for skiing were pretty Thankfully, no one was seriously injured, but the good over a three-day stretch, and all came back investigation is still ongoing and a couple pictures have without any major bodily harm (from skiing), thanks to been released to the media for help in identifying a the hot tub, some ice baths, and a year’s supply of suspect, so please review them carefully. Ensure! It’s always a great trip away with fellow colleagues when sampling a number of fantastic meals The names of those partially or fully involved in any of (endless appetizers, steak night, and “the whole-half of the previously mention events have been removed for ham”) all while creating some epic stories. their protection. However, I’m sure at the next meeting; you can twist a few arms and get better A new house rental this year created a few snags, one details with a little persuasion. of which was our house didn’t get major networks and therefore no NFL playoffs!? Thankfully there was a local Respectfully submitted, albeit anonymously establishment we were able to visit and make home for 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 Finch Services Ted Zabrenski 484.614.6436 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 John Deere Brent Wood 570.499.1441 Growth Products Craig Lambert 973-601-3303 Harrell’s Fran Berdine 201-424-7900 FERTILIZER Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 607.768.0575 Syngenta Lee A. Kozsey 610.861.8174 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Genesis Turfgrass Jim MacLaren 570-443-7154 Brian Bachman 484.661.6105 SEED & SOD Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 607.768.0575 Growth Products Craig Lambert 973-601-3303 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 Harrell’s Fran Berdine 201-424-7900 East Coast Sod & Seed Kevin Driscoll 609.760.4099 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 Finch Services Ted Zabrenski 484.614.6436 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Genesis Turfgrass Brian Bachman 484.661.6105 Jim MacLaren 570-443-7154 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Harrell’s Fran Berdine 201-424-7900 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 GREEN AND TEE SUPPLIES Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 607.768.0575 Rich Gdovin 570-278-1131 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 TOPDRESSING / SOIL AMENDMENTS Genesis Turfgrass Brian Bachman 484.661.6105 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 607.768.0575 Jim MacLaren 570-443-7154 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Blue Ridge Peat Farms Gene Evans 570.443.9596 John Deere Brent Wood 570.499.1441 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 Genesis Turfgrass Brian Bachman 484.661.6105 Jim MacLaren 570-443-7154 Geo. Schofield Jim Gurzler 732-433-5474 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Harrell’s Fran Berdine 201-424-7900 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 Support our Sponsors - They support us! PTGA SCHEDULE POCONO ROUNDUP April 20 Southmoore Bath PA Kelly Kressler, Supt Under the “If your going to be dumb, you have to Joe Gallagher, Pond Management be tough” category: May 17 Jack Frost National, Blakeslee, PA Our best wishes for a speedy recovery, go out to Chris Bryan Nuss, Supt. Vojick on his hip surgery after the great fall while snow Dr. Peter Landscoot, PSU boarding June 21 Mountain Valley, Frackville PA Best Wishes to Greg McEllehattan, Wilkes Barre Muni, Robert Kaufmann, Supt. on his continued recovery. Congratulations to Barry Goodhart, for surviving a July 12 Scranton Canoe Club, Lake Winola, PA whole day in Vermont without injury. Pat Healey, Supt. John Kaminski , PSU Kudos to Steve Chirip of Grass Roots on his NJTA Hall of Fame award (ask Steve to sign his new card with Aug 16 Buck Hill Country Club Buck Hill Falls, PA HOF signature for you) Tim Stem, Supt. Bylaw changes are underway to correct or clarify some items. You should see them in the next few Sept 27 Paupack Hills Country Club, Greentown PA weeks. If you have ideas, please email Melinda at Mark Monahan, Supt./GM mmel500@aol.com or Rick Anglemyer at Doug Linde, Del Val turfgap@hotmail.com with your issues for consideration by the committee. Oct 18 Blue Ridge Country Club, Palmerton PA Pete Bablevy, Supt Stan Zontek, USGA POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION 309 TERRACE AVENUE HARDING, PA 18643 PHONE/FAX 570-388-2167 WEBSITE: ptga.org ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED.