CHIPS & PUTTS OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION www.ptga.org Founded in 1936 VOL. 19 NO. 4 June 2013 June Meeting Pocono Manor Golf Club Host: Corey Pries, GCS Speaker: Dr. Mike Fidanza, PSU Our June meeting will bring us to a fixture in the Poconos for over 100 years - Pocono Manor Resort. The classic East Course, designed by Donald Ross, just celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2012. Like many classic Pocono courses, the Manor has hosted a wide array of celebrities and events over the years. With its poa greens and ryegrass tees and fair- ways, the layout of the East Course will both interest and challenge you. While Pocono Manor is steeped in history, as with all things, change comes with it. The Resort is currently working with a company in the planning and construction of the largest water park in the United States. This water park would be built in conjunction with a convention center and hotel and will require some land that currently houses the West Course which would ulti- mately lead to Pocono Manor going from a 36 hole facility to a 27 hole one. Continued on Page 5 Page 2 President's Message..... Officers & Directors 2013 PRESIDENT John Downer, Marjon GC 570-840-0078 VICE PRESIDENT Patrick Knelly, Sugarloaf Golf Club 570-384-4724 TREASURER Greg Boring, Country Club of Scranton 570-587-4046 SECRETARY Ray Wadell, Elmhurst CC 570-842-4705 John Downer DIRECTORS Steven Chirip, Grass Roots, Inc. 973-418-3468 Patrick Healey, Scranton Canoe Club 570-378-2249 Thomas Height, Country Club of Scranton 570-237-0878 Gino Marchetti, Glen Oak CC. 570-586-5791 James Gurzler, Green Valley Landscaping 570-592-2473 Editor’s Notes….. Corey Pries, Pocono Manor GC 570-994-8270 Chris Moran, Honesdale CC 570-253-9094 __________________________ CHIPS & PUTTS STAFF EDITOR Brian Bachman, Genesis Turfgrass, Inc. In our continuing series from Dr. Mike Fidanza, who will also 484-661-6105 bbachman@genesisturfgrassinc.com speak at our June meeting, we will take a brief look at wetting agents to try to get a better grasp on which ones do what. Managing Editor Melinda Wisnosky 570-388-2167 Thanks to Dr. Mike for the articles he has provided!! mmel500@aol.com PAST PRESIDENT Thanks to Bryan Zukawski to submitting this month’s photo. Rick Anglemyer, Water Gap CC 570-424-6391 And keep those pictures coming….. Brian Bachman PTGA Office 309 Terrace Avenue Harding, PA 18643 Phone/Fax: 570-388-2167 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. PagePage 3 3 Pocono Turfgrass Association 2013 Scholarships The Deadline is June 30, 2013! The Patterson Scholarship for Turfgrass Related Studies The Pocono Turfgrass Association is now accepting scholarship applications for the Patterson Scholarship. The deadline for application is June 30, 2013. The following is a list of guidelines for all individuals interest- ed in applying for the scholarship: 1. Applicant must be in his or her final year of study or a recent graduate of a two- or four-year turf relat- ed program. 2. The applicant must be a member of the Pocono Turfgrass Association, employed by a member of PTGA, or an immediate family member of a member of PTGA. 3. The applicant must submit, in writing, why he or she would like to be considered for the scholarship. The essay should include what he or she feels their contribution to the turfgrass field will be. 4. Applicants must include a letter of endorsement from their PTGA relation with their application. The Pocono Turfgrass Association Scholarship for Non-Turf Related Studies The Pocono Turfgrass Association is now accepting applications for a non-turfgrass related field of study scholarship. The deadline for application is June 30, 2013. The following is a list of guidelines for all individ- uals interested in applying for the scholarship: 1. Applicant must be in his or her final year of study or a recent graduate of a two- or four-year non-turf related program. 2. The applicant must be a member of the Pocono Turfgrass Association, employed by a member of PTGA, or an immediate family member of a member of PTGA. 3. The applicant must submit, in writing, why he or she would like to be considered for the scholarship. The essay should include information pertaining to field of study, educational achievement, and future goals with respect to utilization of his or her education. 4. Applicants must include a letter of endorsement from their PTGA relation with their application. Applications should be submitted to: John Downer 461 Swartz Valley Road Springbrook, PA 18444 Page 4 PTGA Membership Drive Calling all Assistants Thinking of becoming a Do you have an Assistant PTGA Member?? who could benefit from membership? Anyone who joins the Association (with their paid dues and approved application of course) will be able to attend any monthly meeting immediately following their membership for half price!!! (Half-price meeting excludes the Clambake ) Talk to any Board Member for additional details. May Meeting Wrap-Up Thanks to Ron Garrison and his staff for hosting our May meeting. We had 62 members/guests in attendance. It’s al- ways a treat to visit Fox Hill. 1st Place Mark Brown, Tony Kenia, Bill Ramakus, and Joe K. 2nd Place Ian Kunesch, Chris Boyle, Ed Cimoch, and Jeff Sutphen Closest to the Pin Brent Wood Russell Hauenstein Long Drive Russell Hauenstein Skins John Vojick TJ Hart Chris Snopkowski Tony Kenia Page 5 Continued from Page 1 These changes will be overseen by Pocono Manor Superintendent Corey Pries. Corey has been at the Manor since 2009, tackling projects such as extensive tree re- moval, building 4 forward tees, construction of a new bridge (see last month’s Photo of the Month), and other various projects. Prior to the Manor, Corey was the superin- tendent at Towanda C.C. and got his feet wet in the business at Fox Hill back in 1998. He is assisted in his efforts by a seasonal staff of 8 and his right hand man and me- chanic Henry. Please join us for what will undoubtedly be a great day of camaraderie and golf at Pocono Manor! Page 6 Research to Reality: Wetting Agent Chemistry The last published article by the late Stan Zontek (USGA Green Section) was a few years in the making, and written in collabo- ration with Dr. Stan Kostka (Director of Global Development, Aquatrols Corporation). The two ‘Stans’ spent a great deal of time trying to bring order to wetting agent chemistries, similar to how fungicides, herbicides and insecticides are classified. First, all wetting agents (or surfactants or soil surfactant prod- ucts) are not the same. Second, here’s what the two Stans came up with , in no particular order*: 1. Anionic or Blends of Anionics 2. Nonionic: 2.1 Polyoxyethlene (“POE”) 2.2 Block Co-Polymer -Straight -Reverse Jo Dow hn -Blends of Straight& Reverse ner 2.3 Alkyl Polyglucosides PT G 2.4 Modified Methyl Capped Me A mb Block Co-Polymer er 2.5 Humic Substance Redistribution 2.6 Multibranched Regeneration 3. Cationic 4. New (“place-holder” for future discoveries) As a service to our members and a way to say thank you…..all PTGA How can turf professionals use this information? Another way members will receive their own bag to ask, is which products “hold” or “push” water in the root- tag to proudly display. zone? Research is needed to quantify and/or clarify a green- keepers’ view and perception of how these products work in Please pick up your tag at the sand-, soil-, and modified-rootzones under different manage- meetings throughout the season. ment regimes and at different times of the year. For now, we finally have a system for placing these products into chemical classes or categories, thanks to two guys named Stan, and their shared Polish heritage! Source: Zontek, S.J, and S.J. Kostka. 2012. Understanding the different wetting agent chemistries. USGA Green Section Rec- ord 50(15). *Anionic (negative charge); Nonionic (no charge); Cationic (positive charge). Mike Fidanza, Ph.D., Professor of Plant and Soil Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, Berks Campus, Reading, PA; (email: fidanza@psu.edu; Page 7 Photo of the Month We all see interesting things every day….wildlife (like bald eagles and bears), strange turf problems (like a lightning strike), an employee who stayed out too late the night before, etc. So if you have a great photo, send it to me (bbachman@genesisturfgrassinc.com) and share it for everyone to enjoy (or laugh at). June Photo of the Month This month’s photo is from Bryan Zukawski at Terra Greens G.C. in East Stroudsburg. This is a picture of Bryan’s father and uncle installing the irrigation on #2 fair- way….old school!! It took a man (or two) to use that pipe wrench. Thanks, Bryan, for sharing some of your family history and the course you know and love. Chips & Putts PATRON SPONSORS AERIFICATION AND OVERSEEDING Aer-Core Stephen Thompson 610-972-5933 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 Michael Longyhore 610.390.8827 EQUIPMENT PLANT PROTECTANTS Aer-Core Stephen Thompson 610-972-5933 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 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 Genesis Turfgrass Brian Bachman 484.661.6105 Turf Equip. & Supply Michael Longyhore 610.390.8827 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 George Skawski 610.554.9366 John Deere Brent Wood 570.499.1441 Finch Services Ted Zabrenski 484.614.6436 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 SEED & SOD 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 Finch Services Ted Zabrenski 484.614.6436 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 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 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Genesis Turfgrass Brian Bachman 484.661.6105 John Deere Brent Wood 570.499.1441 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 Profile Products LLC Dan Fick 610.562.0547 Support our Sponsors - They support us! PTGA SCHEDULE POCONO ROUNDUP June 11 PTGA meeting @ Congratulations! Pocono Manor GC Speaker: Dr. Mike Fidanza Congratulations to Matt Shaffer and Merion C.C. on hosting the 2013 U.S. June 13-16 U.S. Open at Merion CC Open this month!! July 29 PTGA Annual Clambake C.C. of Scranton Speaker: Dr. John Kaminski August 26 PTGA meeting @ Elmhurst Speaker: Dr. Buckley Rutgers University POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION R.R. 1, BOX 219 POSTAGE HARDING, PA 18643 POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION 309 TERRACE AVENUE HARDING, PA 18643 NAME & ADDRESS PHONE/FAX 570-388-2167 WEBSITE: ptga.org ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED.