Founded in chips pirns OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION 1936 VOL. 3, NO. 5 JULY 1997 BEHIND THE SCENES courses who knew the business as well as anyone. AT THE U.S. OPEN..... The really amazing thing about them was they had come to be part of this moment, to help their good By Tom Weinert, Jr. friend and mentor, Paul Latshaw. They, as much as anyone, wanted this to be the most meticulously The entire course was close enough to perfection manicured and hard playing course in golf history. to satisfy even the most discriminating of the USGA You be the judge as to whether we measured up to officials. Only by being there, however, could one the task. appreciate the beauty of Preparations began this exceptionally Sunday afternoon, June 8, manicured property “And there I was, moving. . .with with a general meeting in known as the the best o f the best, those special the tent of all the regular Congressional Country people that help make golf what and volunteer crew Club, and home for it is today.” members. Assignments several days to the 1997 were given out and U.S. Open. everyone was up to the challenge. Monday And there I was, moving from tee to fairway to morning came earlier than most of us would like, green with the best of the best, those special people starting with a light breakfast at about 5:00 A M. that help make golf what it is today. Oh sure, the The crews fanned out across Congressional as ten Tiger, the Shark, the Bear, and all the other greats greens cutters and five tee cutters were followed by were awesome, but they are not who I am speaking the three team members doing the clean-up. The about. These behind the scenes “heroes” of the week twenty fairway mowers worked hand-in-hand with were the guys who helped prepare and maintain the “manure” crew (clipping pickup) and the six what would be one of the toughest playing courses in fairway whippers. There were 125 in all, working U.S. Open history. One hundred and fifty-six as a team and with an enthusiasm that is rarely players with only three finishing under par certainly found. shows that some of the honors should go to the course and the best grounds crew ever assembled. My assignment was to be one of the fairway cutters, moving along fairway after fairway, The electricity and camaraderie of the group was assuring that our mowers were accurately set to overwhelming, certainly a tribute to our leader of the assure both a fair and challenging play. The work week, Paul Latshaw, Superintendent of didn’t seem hard at first because of the exuberance Congressional. Many months and years of effort (Continued on page 3) were contributed by Paul, his assistant Sam Green, and their approximately fifty member crew who brought the course to the point of readiness. Our job for the week was to add the final touches and stay in a heavy and consistent maintenance mode. ♦ Time M anagem ent. . Paul’s auxiliary crew, of which I was honored to be a member, consisted of more than seventy-five volunteers from all over the U.S. and from as far ♦ Cl Nino S trikes A gain.... away as Australia and Thailand. They were, for the most part, superintendents of their own magnificent ♦ A Word from Crenshaw B ell From theE ditor’s Desk. OFFICERS & Here it is!! A few thoughts as I sit here at my word DIRECTORS processor with the third or fourth consecutive 90 degree day with much needed precipitation now TURFGRASS 1997 taken out of the forecast. I can’t even remember ASSOCIATION one 90 degree day all last year. I suppose that is PRESIDENT one of the ever elusive, but irresistible enticements Ron Garrison, CGCS that draws us all to this profession. The Fox Hill Country Club CHALLENGE. No two years are the same. With the stress of the summer upon many of us, it is also VICE PRESIDENT a time to take a good hard look at ourselves and the Jack Bird life we are living. Of late, it seems like the The Hideout, Inc. reminders to take care of the things that matter most are everywhere - on Turfnet, in other chapter newsletters, in the local papers, and in countless books written on the SECRETARY/TREASURER subject. Mike Vella Following is some sage advice from a man named Jim Rohn reprinted from an PAST PRESIDENT article by Dick Matthews in the Summer 1997 issue of A Patch o f Green, the official Jeff Peters. CGCS publication of the Greater Detroit Golf Course Superintendents Association. Valley Country Club • What you become is what makes you valuable. Improving upon yourself can DIRECTORS only make you more valuable. Kelly Kressler • Work harder on yourself than you do on your job. In the process you become Southmoore Golf Course much better at what you do at work without even trying to improve on that part of your life. Stephen Stranzl • Develop a philosophy for everything you do. If you don’t, you will be at the Green Acres Golf Course mercy of all the other people who have developed their own philosophies and in many cases will influence others around you solely on their will to control you Jim MacLaren and not necessarily on their knowledge of what you deal with on a daily basis. Turf Specialty, Inc. • Take better care of yourself. Eat better, exercise, and take time away from work to make yourself more productive at work. Vitality is a major part of success. Thomas Wilchak People judge you by your appearance. That’s human nature. Bethlehem Golf Club • Discipline yourself to finish what you start. Discipline is the biggest step toward change. Scott Schukraft • Stop procrastinating. Let go of this self-imposed limitation. Putting off leads Huntsville Golf Club to disaster. • Success is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration. Anyone who has tried to improve upon themselves realizes that personal change is very difficult. Mr. CHIPS & PUTTS STAFF Rohn suggests trying to change only one or two habits at a time. The major step to achieve personal change is discipline; simply finishing what we start. EDITOR • Discover other interests away from work. Scott A. Schukraft • Don’t try to understand everything people do. The only one you can change is 147 Hayfield Road Shavertown, PA 18708 you. 717-675-3800 • Never stop educating yourself. You’re dealing with mother nature and who Fax: 717-675-0564 knows what she has in mind. The most successful superintendents succeed by E-Mail: sasgolf@epix.net keeping themselves current with the industry through education. EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Jim MacLaren I read the article with much interest. A lot of the points really hit home. Hang in Mark McCormick there. Cooler temperatures and more precipitation is just around the comer. Jeff Peters, CGCS George Skawski Jonathan Suitch Scott A. Schukraft, Editor Paul Weiss Managing Editor, Melinda Wisnosky (Continued from page 1) the best and the extra effort from our of the moment. I will confess, however, that by Thursday, my aching feet were relieved to be transferred to the greens tired bones was worth every minute of it. We had started at 4:45 A M. because of previous rain delays and converged on Don't Miss rolling gang. the 17th fairway with 30 greens mowers the Penn State Golf Turf Conference at moving in unison, marching as a single the Nittany Lion Inn in State College on The mornings, which always began team that epitomized the activities that November 4-6, 1997. The event is before sunrise, would see a coffee break occurred over the course of the week. attended by golf course superintendents at 9:30 A.M. with work resuming once This was a tribute to the “golf greats”, and chemical company representatives. again until about 11:00 A.M. Following the best in the business and their leader It is co-sponsored by The Pennsylvania the practice rounds and the actual who brought all of this together. State University and The Pennsylvania tournament, which was underway on Turfgrass Council. For more Thursday, we were always back at the All in all, the golfers were impressed, information you can contact Peter course in the late afternoon for clean-up, the USGA was impressed, and we were Landschoot, Dept, of Agronomy, 116 often working until dark. delighted. Not only because we were ASI Building, University Park, PA, given the opportunity to participate in 16802, 814-863-1017 OR P.T.C., P. O. The golfers, those guys we had come this great event, but because we were Box 1078, Lemont, PA 16851-1078, to see, began their practice rounds there to assist our friend Paul Latshaw. 814-863-3475 or Fax 814-863-3479. Monday morning. It was quite an This champion in his own right, having experience being on the same course hosted four Masters, two U.S. Opens, a with the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Greg U.S. Senior Open, and a PGA, has done Norman, Tiger Woods, Fred Couples, as much for the game of golf as any and a list of just about everyone in the individual. The week of June 9, 1997 “Who’s Who” of golf. The players were will be long remembered in that very focused for this tournament and, for scrapbook imprinted on my mind. the most part, not open to a lot of distractions of any kind. They were Tom Weinert, Jr. is a Technical Sales friendly enough, but we knew they had Representative fo r Growth Products, come with a job to do. Ltd. and resides in Swiftwater, PA. Some of the great moments, and there * H T & so n m e. were many, come readily to mind. P la n t N u trie n ts Watching the foursome of Greg Norman, Jack and Greg Nicklaus, and John Daly approach the green on which I was working was more than memorable; or on the 9th during practice rounds, when Tiger laid up short and the Moyer & Son is the region's leading The S cotts Com pany £ supplier of fertiaation systems and liquid crowd egged him to go for it. As most of us know, it doesn’t take much to get a n d S u b s id ia rie s ProTurf fertilizer for tne golf course industry. aggressive, and Tiger dropped another Fran B erdine ball at 280 yards out. coming up pin Executive Technical Representative If You're considering The O.M. Scott & Sons Company high to the left of the green. The Professional Business Group 199 Warn Avenue fertigation at your dub, spectators will relive that moment more 0 Pine Bush, NY 12566 Printedon Recycled Paper Telephone: 914/ 361-4105 than once. make sure to put us on your A truly exciting behind the scenes short list! OFFICE (8 0 0 ) 3 3 8 -1 4 6 6 event, which I am sure you didn’t catch HO M E (6 1 0 ) 3 8 1 -2 5 0 4 FAX (7 1 7 ) 6 4 6 -5 8 4 0 on camera, occurred on Sunday. The field had narrowed, the course was P A R -M A R C A R S , IN C . playing tough at slightly over par. and USED GOLF CARS & TURF E Q UIP M E NT TURF SUPPLIES Ernie Els would emerge several hours ALASKA STOKER STOVE DEALER later as the tournament winner at three 1 KUKENBEAKER ROAD 113 E. Reliance Rd. Souderton, PA 1 8 9 6 4 -01 9 8 P .0 . BOX 68 under par. We wanted this last day to be MARK B. BIERY LONG P O ND, PA 1 8 3 3 4 FAX (2 1 5 ) 7 2 1 -2 8 00 I f like telephone books, rolodexes and improvements in your time management HOW WELL DO YOU important manuals within arm ’s reach habits, you can probably become more MANAGE TIME?..... of your primary work area? productive. From: T urf & Landscape Press - 12. Do you organize your working If your score ranges between 25 and December 1995 tools, like pens, rulers, telephones and 44, you’ve got the right idea, but you’11 equipment, so they’re ready to use the have to work hard to begin using key Time Management experts say we can minute you want them? time management principles in your life. never really save time. We can only 13. Do you maintain a simple, but well- If your score is below 25, you’ve got a spend it. How effectively do you spend defined filing system into which you lot of work to do. With some intensive time? Do you plan your time carefully, place all loose papers and materials? reading - or even a time management treating minutes and hours as precious 14. In completing paperwork, do you course - you can dramatically improve resources? Do you spend hour achieving handle each piece of paper only once? your work habits and achieve far more personal and professional goals most 15. Do you use dictating machine for than you ever thought possible. important to you? memos, messages and correspondence? How well do you manage time? Grab 16. Do you skim magazines, journals a pencil and take this brief “time test.” and reports to learn key information? =■ ■" OVERSEEDING AND Give yourself 3, 2, 1 or no points, 17. Do you use waiting time and travel PR O SEEO — DRESSING MACHINE SAVE TIME - SAVE SEED - SAVE MONEY according to the following scoring key, time to handle small tasks or catch up as you answer each question: on reading? • If your answer is always, give 18. Do you make decisions and embark yourself 3 points. on courses of action quickly? • If usually, 2 points 19. When you start a project or task, do • If occasionally/sometimes, 1 point you have “backup” plans which can be • If never or rarely, 0 Points quickly and easily implemented if your original plans don’t work out? 1. Do you regularly review long-range 20. Do you keep your secretary, goals for personal and professional life? assistant or colleagues informed about 2. Do you spend a few minutes thinking your work so they can handle minor about and planning your day before you tasks without interrupting you? start it? 21. Do you give clear instructions to The PROSEED Overseeding & Topdressing Ma­ 3. Do you outline each day’s subordinates and colleagues - clear chine is recognized as the most efficient and time appointments and key tasks in your enough so they don’t have to come back saving machine available for introducing new grass calendar? to you with ongoing questions? seed into existing tu rf areas. 22. Do you set clear agendas for The PROSEED produces between 1000/1200 holes 4. Do you list your tasks and activities per square yard, then accurately delivers a measured in priority order and concentrate on the meetings - and stick to them? amount of topdressing on top of the seed and holes. top priorities? 23. Do you stop working on a task The PROSEED finally gently incorporates the seed 5. Do you keep and use an ongoing “to when you begin to feel stress or a loss of and topdressing into the holes with the hydraulic energy? brush. There is a rear drag brush which is spring do” list, consisting of things you’d like loaded to complete the operation.. .The surface is to do in the future? 24. Do you keep a simple time log to left ready to play. 6. Do you handle most important tasks assess systematically where and how you For more information or demo please call: of day when you feel most alert? spend your time? 7. Do you group similar tasks and do 25. Do you take time each week to AER-CORE, Inc. them all at the same time? appraise your productivity and determine whether you’ve completed the 1-800-823-7267 8. When you enter office or pick up mail, do you immediately discard goals you set out to accomplish? messages and items you don’t need? 9. When working on large project, do SCORE YOURSELF VERT1-ORAIN D E A L E R S 717-280-9004 you break the task down into small To determine your “time management ^CO NTRACTO RS 800-554-4063 FAX 717-288-9023 chunks and work on one piece of the quotient”, total the number of points you project at a time? received. If your score ranges between E S M Golf S upply Co. 10. Do you shut your door or engage in 65 and 75. congratulations! You’re a A D IV ISIO N O F H .V . IN C . 2 0 2 W O O D W A R D HILL R D ..E O W A R D S V I L L E , P A 1 0 7 0 4 “quiet time” when you must handle fine time manager. S P E C IA L IS T IN D E E P T IN E A E R A T IO N “detail work?” If your score ranges between 45 and 64 - not bad. But with some modest WILLIAM SMITH 11. Do you keep reference materials. P o ssib le El Nino B re w s sometimes causes drought there. It can impact should be felt from November have a number of effects on the through March. In P a c ific O cean! Northeast. In one mode, El Nino sends By the fall, according to the Climate W arm S eas P o rte n d o f strong winter storms churning up the Prediction Center, the evolving El Nino D isru p tiv e W e a th e r .... East Coast - and if they encounter cold weather pattern may give some Canadian air, blizzards can result. In indication of what winter will have in The potent weather disrupter known as another mode, it can block the cold air store for us. El Nino is returning, and government and make for a balmy winter. The Forecasters have developed great skill scientists say it is shaping up as one of Southeast could see a decline in in predicting El Nino’s comings and the strongest climatic events of its kind hurricanes, and Australia, Africa and goings, but their track record is not on record. Indonesia could suffer severe droughts. perfect. One of the first scientists to An El Nino occurs when westward­ While it is too early to know for sure, the forecast El Nino successfully, Dr. Mark blowing trade winds weaken, allowing a scientists say, this latest resurgence of Cane of the Lamont Doherty Earth mass of warm water normally situated abnormally high ocean temperatures in Observatory at Columbia University, off Australia to drive eastward to the eastern Pacific, which cause said the computer model on which his western South America. The atmospheric chain reactions around the predictions were based “is not coming phenomenon got its name from the world, could equal the 1982-83 El Nino, up” with El Nino this year. Spanish words for Baby Jesus because the most disruptive in this century. Other models have predicted it, he the huge, warm pool usually arrives The Climate Prediction Center of the said, adding that the warming tropical around Christmas. National Oceanic and Atmospheric seas and other signs make it look An El Nino can effect the weather in Administration Camp Spring, MD. said “almost unavoidable.” But he added that the United States in a variety of ways. the warming should continue in the “nature has a way of fooling us. so we’ll For example, while it has often brought months ahead, bringing peak El Nino see what happens.” torrential rains to California, it conditions next winter. The main EQUIPMENT FOR ALL YOUR TURF UARIUS. SEA N P. CU LLEN Territory M anager MANAGEMENT S T U L L E Q U IP M E N T C O M P A N Y Turf & Industrial Division 6 1 0 /4 9 5 -7 4 4 1 NEEDS... 201 W indsor Road Pottstown, P A 1 94 64 8 0 0 /7 2 4 -1 0 2 4 FA X 6 1 0 /4 9 5 -7 5 1 0 Thompson G<| C O M M A N D ER G O LF C O U R S E H EA DS Featuring Q uality a & C O N TR O L S Y S TE M S John D eere Products 5BTilA fA T E D T O n iU ir t: P GOLFA R COURSE TAC PARTAC PEAT T O P -D R E S S IN G C O R P O R A T IO N P U M P IN G r. 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Courses can think I was there two days before I remain pristine and natural; they do not with finally took a divot. It was so beautiful. need to be perfect. One of the charms of Ben Crenshaw & Judy Bell I really fell in love with the game, the our game is it isn’t like basketball or architecture and history, so it really football where the field is the same. Our started right there.” playing field is different every time we The following comments are excerpts play. Golf courses are natural, not from a media conference featuring Ben contrived.” (On green speed): “Who Crenshaw conducted Feb. 11 at says that the challenge is greater for speed G CSAA’s 68th International G olf than it is weight and line? As golfers, we Course Conference and Show in Las blame everything except where the blame Vegas: should go - us.” Q: What importance does the golf Q: On the golf course superintendent: course superintendent have to the “I don’t think they have a great enough game?: “Without a doubt, the most identity today. I don’t think the public important person on the golf course is knows how unusual and creative their job the man who takes care of it. It’s The following comments are excerpts is. I’d like to see that message get out.” backwards (the recognition). Those from a media conference featuring Judy men and women are far more important Bell, USGA president, conducted Feb. Q: On USGA green construction than we give them credit for. They do a 10 at the GCSAA s 68th International specifications: “We have 15 greens wonderful, incredible job, under some G olf Course Conference and Show in constructed around the country to do tough scrutiny, often times by people Las Vegas: research. Real-world testing is important. who do not know anything about the We want to take our testing to the playing job. They are amazing.” Q: Role of the golf course field. Sometimes our specifications have superintendent in the game: “We taken some heat, but we strive to be good Q: On his tourney play: “I still enjoy have a wonderful relationship with listeners. If there are concerns of competitive golf, and I feel like I’ve got GCSAA. I believe we are on the same questions we will always listen. We are a lot left to play.” page as to what we can do to improve hoping that this variety testing of grasses the game of golf. We have one mind in will be the proof of the pudding.” Q: On current golf course the direction we want to go. I can’t tell architecture: “Designers are doing you how important the golf course incredible creations on what can be superintendents are to the game of golf. called throw-away properties. We are We need to preach that, not to the choir, returning to a more classic design, but to the world. I don’t think there is which I like. I feel the timeless anything more beautiful than a golf architectural designs are the best.” course. We need to portray our work with the environment in a positive and Q: The basis for his love of golf beautiful way.” course architecture and history: “What started it was my first USGA Q: Technological advances in the Junior at the Country Club of Brookline. game: “Technology can get in the way It was the first time I had left the state of of how golf should be played. We are so • Layout and Design • Typesetting • Mac/IBM desktop publishing It’s every player’s responsibility... interface • Laser color separations ■ Repair ball marks • Scitex® electronic photo retouching ■ Replace or fill divots 31 New Hill Street, P.0 Box 507 • Full electronic prepress services Wilkes-Barre, PA 18703-0507 • Foil stamping, embossing ■ Rake bunkers 717-822-8181 • Complete bindery including FAX: 717-823-3579 saddlestitch and perfect binding A message fro m your g o lf course superintendent a n d GCSAA p*pl SUNY at Delhi, with an associate degree 2nd - 65 Garry Phillips, Sr., Gary, Jr. MEETING NOTES in horticulture. He was the assistant at Mark Albino, Chris Phillips Woodloch for two years and has been the 3rd - 66 Kelly Kressler, Ron Garrison super for the last 41/2 years. He is a John Chassard Tony Grieco member of the PTGA, PTC and GCSAA. COUNTRY CLUB AT I would like to thank Mark for inviting Second Flight WOODLOCH SPRINGS the Pocono Turfgrass Association to his 1st - 67 Jim Carville Scott McConnell club. It was fantastic! John Bodock Bill Rahling 2nd - 68 Tony Barletta John Meyers Country Club at Woodloch Springs We would also like to thank John Pillar, Ed Beson Tony Trefilletti brought a gathering of 68 golfers. We played a four person scramble to help Golf Professional, and his staff for the 3rd - 69 Jonathan Suitch Steve Colvin play move along through the hills and help throughout our golf event. John had Jim MacLaren the gorges. Some players were heard to the pleasure and honor of playing in the say: “I can carry that gorge;” or “These 1992 United States Open. Closest to Pin - Hole 8: John Vojick homes are beautiful - glad I missed the windows;” or “Here’s my ball on the Winners of the Pocono Scramble: deck;” or “Think there’s any snakes?” Longest Drive - Hole 9 Championship Flight: Mark Albino Woodloch opened in 1992. It is a Par 1st - 61 John Vojick Scott Andre 72, measuring 6,579 yards from the gold Gene Huelster Steve Luty Closest to Pin - Hole 17 2nd - 63 John Downer Robert Vail Jack Bird tees. It offers bentgrass tees, fairways, and greens and was voted one of the top JohnMcAndrew EdCimoch ten new courses by G olf Magazine in 3rd - 64 Hal Parr Ian Kunesch Jack Bird G olf Committee ’ 1993 and a Four Star Winner in 1996- Jeff Lansdowne Bill Smith 1997 by G olf Digest I I I First Flight Mark Eisele, Superintendent of this 1st - 65 Thomas Zimich Phillip Zimich beautiful 18-hole layout, is assisted by Walter Zimich The GXT-1500 Can Carry Jeff Coccodrilli. Mark is a graduate of Scott VanGorder More Than Its Own W eight 1997 MEETING SITES JULY 22,1997 OCTOBER 7,1997 - Edgewood in the Pines PTC Valentine Tournament Drums, PA Huntsville Golf Club Anthony Barletta, Host Supt. Lehman, PA Speaker: BobDickison, Scott A. Schukraft, Host Supt. Upper Montclair C.C. OCTOBER 1977 AUGUST 18,1997 - PTGA Clambake Split Rock Country Club Blue Ridge Country Club Lake Harmony, PA Palmerton, PA Scott Seidel, Host Superintendent Paul Weiss, Host Superintendent SEPT. 16,1997 Philadelphia MID-ATLANTIC Paupack Hills Golf and Country Club Greentown, PA C O R P O R A T IO N P O . B O X 158, R O U T E 29. C O L L E G E V IL L E , PA 19426 Mark Monahan, CGCS, Host Supt. Speaker: Dr. Peter Landscoot, Robert A. Vail, III Penn State Territory M anager (610) 4 89 -1 40 0 Fax: (610) 489 -9 47 8 Pa? 9 POCONO ROUNDUP The Annual Joseph Valentine Memorial Golf Tournament will be held at the Huntsville Golf Club in Lehman. PA on NEWS AND VIEWS FROM THE POCONO October 7, 1997. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Turf TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION Project at Penn State University. Contact John Chassard (610- 967-4643) or Todd Struse (215-884-2590) for more Please note the PTGA is now taking nominations for the October information. Anyone interested in assisting with the elections. If you would like to nominate someone, please call Jeff preparation of the course on the day of the event, please contact Peters. Nominations Chairman. Scott Schukraft. Superintendent at 717-675-3800. We are also soliciting PTGA Meeting Sites for 1998. What better way to show off your course than to host a PTGA meeting for all According to golf shoe manufacturer Foot-Joy, as of April 2, your fellow PTGA members. 1,524 U.S. golf courses had banned metal spikes. Could a Softspike Survey in Northeastern PA be in the making? For those who are interested two research articles appeared in recent issues of Crop Science, a Journal published by the Crop Science Society of America. They are as follows: We would like to welcome the following new members: “Effect of Repeated Fungicide Applications on Creeping Bentgrass Nestor L. Dickert, Jr., Class C, Lehigh Country Club T urf’ by Zachary J. Reicher and Clark S. Throssell Scott Gergal, Class AS & Scott McConnell, Class B. Wild Pines G. C. Fertilizer Influences on Soil and Turf Quality Patrick Williams - Class AF, Penn State Seed Co. by Wayne R. Kussow For reprints of these research reports, contact Scott Schukraft. POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION 2430 MILWAUKEE ROAD POSTAGE CLARK SUMMIT, PA 18411 TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION NAME & ADDRESS ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED.