chips « pms OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE Founded in POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION 1936 TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION VOL. 3, NO. 8 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 1997 In the News..... on the Hollenback Golf Course due to a couple severe summer storms, Jim got to work. But not the way you think! He took out his chain saw, but Open a newspaper lately and for one reason or instead of cutting up the trees, he carved and painted another, you’ll find an article with a golf course them. He ended up turning a thick trunk into a totem superintendent’s name in it - and he usually belongs pole and a fallen tree with multiple limbs into a to the PTGA! three-headed dragon. A picture of the “dragon” and One such article entitled “Now I’m A Believer!” Jim headlined the page, along with the caption appeared in Panorama (August 1997) concerning “Artwork scores hole in one.” Great idea, Jim. the Sand Springs Golf Course in Drums, PA. The Keith Snyder, CGCS, who was a golf course author, Joyce Steinman, described her tour of the superintendent at DuPont Country Club for 21 years, new front 9 at Sand Springs. According to the is now the golf course superintendent at Great Bear article, she was very impressed with what she saw, Golf and Country Club. “Great Bear Superintendent such as, the 5th Hole which is built in a deep quarry, Returns to Pocono Mountain Lair” was printed in the and the breathtakingly beautiful hole on No. 8 which Golf Pennsylvania - G olf Northeast , Fall 1997 will be their signature hole. Sand Springs is a public issue. Five years ago Keith bought land seven miles course located just off Route 309 in Drums, PA. from Great Bear. He had intended to use the land Although public, it has the look and feel of a private after he retired. But when he saw how close the Jack course. Jim Kohler, a PTGA member, is the golf Nicklaus signature course was to his property, he course superintendent. decided to apply for the position. There followed Jeff Peters, CGCS and current past president of two years of hectic, often 15-hour days, whereby our association, was featured in an article written by 460 acres of rugged wilderness was turned into a staff writer Bobbi Dempsey for the Times Leader on beautiful golf course. Keith toured the course with Sunday, September 28. The article was entitled Jack Nicklaus several times, and he found his “This guy’s grass always greener.” Jeff discussed experiences with Nicklaus to be both enlightening the management of a golf course, giving the general and enjoyable. The course is now open and Keith public an overview of the day to day problems and has more time to spend with his wife and daughters. procedures. He pointed out the problems of He is also getting closer to the golf course vandalism, such as the time someone drove a car maintenance end of the business - which while he across the putting green and right into a ditch. He enjoyed the construction, he stills prefers the course explained about deer and other wildlife on the course maintenance. and how they are left undisturbed. “The trend now is Country Club of the Poconos was recently certified to design courses to enhance wildlife and be as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. An article environmentally friendly,” Jeff said. At one point he was published in the Golf Course News, October was asked whether he had any problems with (Continued on page 3) groundhogs, such as Bill Murray had in the movie “Caddyshack”. With Jeff, groundhogs are not the problem, but lightning is. As you all know, lightning can play havoc with the irrigation system. The article was complete with pictures of Jeff on the golf course. ♦ Calendar of Events Another article written in the Times Leader by Erica Michelstein concerned a unique feature on a ♦ Tree Care golf course. It seems PTGA member James Woychik is quite the artist. When a few trees fell ♦ Lightning on the Links President’s Message....... OFFICERS & The leaves are falling, and the grass is growing. The staff is smaller, and the work takes longer to get finished. The air is brisk, the kids are back to school, archery DIRECTORS season is reaching its peak, Penn State is ranked #1,1 mean #2 (again), and the fall and winter conferences will be starting soon. What a great time of year! TURFGRASS 1997 The only bad thing is that we will not have another PTGA golf meeting until March ASSOCIATION or April 1998. PRESIDENT Congratulations need to be extended to our newly elected Board Members at our Ron Garrison, CGCS annual election meeting at Split Rock. Jack Bird was re-elected as Vice President, Fox Hill Country Club Scott Schukraft won the election for the Secretary/Treasurer position, Gene Huelster and Tony Grieco were elected new board members. Thank you for re-electing me as VICE PRESIDENT your President. We look forward to another exciting year. Jack Bird I need to thank Kelly Kressler, our Membership Chairman for the past two years. The Hideout, Inc. He has stepped down this year to pursue some personal goals, but he will be back! Also, thanks again to Mike Vella for handling the Secretary/Treasurer position for the SECRETARY/TREASURER past two years. Scott A. Schukraft As always, it is an honor and a privilege to be a part of this Board of Directors. We Huntsville Golf Club will again be taking some big steps in the months to come and improving our organization. We recently hired an accountant to track and update all our finances. PAST PRESIDENT He is Ronald J. Tugend, Sr., EA, from RJ Accounting & Tax Services. He is an avid Jeff Peters, CGCS golfer and has worked with numerous other organizations. We will have our annual Valley Country Club audit and new budget in place well before the end of December. We are still looking for members to volunteer for committee positions. It is going DIRECTORS to be a long, hard winter, and the association will be busy as usual. Please pick up the Stephen Stranzl phone and call your neighboring superintendent, have lunch, chew the fat a bit, and Green Acres Golf Course stay in tune with what is going on. Thanks for coming out, and I’ll see you all at the conferences and trade shows! Jim MacLaren Turf Specialty, Inc. Ronald Garrison, CGCS Thomas Wilchak Bethlehem Golf Club Gene Huelster Pocono Farms C.C. From the Editor’s Desk. Tony Grieco Silver Creek C.C. CHIPS & PUTTS STAFF EDITOR Ah, what a pleasure it is, as a chapter newsletter editor, to find another writing talent. Scott A. Schukraft Such was the case with this month’s article featured on the first page of this issue. 147 Hayfield Road While I was away vacationing in sunny Florida, our managing editor, Melinda Shavertown, PA 18708 Wisnosky, took the “bull by the horns” and her initiative produced this fine article. I 717-675-3800 must confess, I didn’t" leave her much direction, other than a pile of newspaper Fax: 717-675-0564 E-Mail: sasgolf@epix.net articles, clips, and a blurb about what I promised I would write about when I returned from Florida! Knowing all too well that the deadline would be difficult, if not EDITORIAL COMMITTEE impossible, for me to keep, she wrote the article for me. I want to thank Melinda from Jim MacLaren the bottom of my heart for a job well done! Mark McCormick Jeff Peters, CGCS George Skawski Scott A. Schukraft, Editor Jonathan Suitch Paul Weiss Managing Editor, Melinda Wisnosky (Continuedfrom page 1) 1997 CALENDAR GOLF COURSE 1997 issue entitled UCC of Poconos, ‘a OF EVENTS TURFGRASS living thing,’ joins Audubon program.” Country Club of the Poconos near MANAGEMENT PROGRAM Marshalls Creek, PA, encompasses 150 DECEMBER 9-11 - New Jersey Turf- acres of wetlands, forest, rock walls and grass Expo ‘97, Trump Taj Mahal Hotel, Applications are now being accepted mountain streams. According to Bob Atlantic City, NJ for Penn State’s Two-Year Golf Course Meaney, Golf Course Superintendent Sponsored by the New Jersey Turfgrass Turfgrass Management Program for the and member of the PTGA, “Our course Association class beginning in September 1998. accommodates the natural contours of There is an application fee of $35.00 and the land and preserves the wildlife ...and in conjunction with the NJ Turf the deadline is December 31, 1997. Ap­ habitats....but also plays like a dream.” Expo ‘97: plications can be obtained by calling They instituted many procedures that are 814-863-0129 or by writing to: Golf environmentally friendly in combating DECEMBER 8 - Maximizing Course Turfgrass Management Program, and preventing disease and infestation. Teamwork, Atlantic City, NJ, a GCSAA The Pennsylvania State University, 221 They also instituted programs to promote sponsored sem inar. Ag. Sciences and Industries Building, healthy turf while protecting wetlands, University Park, PA 16802-3504. and upgraded and expanded an irrigation system that would use less water and DECEMBER 9-12 - Ohio Turfgrass “Happiness does not come from posses­ ultimately reduce spread of turf diseases. Foundation Conference and Trade Show, sions, but from our appreciation of them. Congratulations to Bob and CC of Columbus Convention Center, Colum­ It does not come from our work, but Pocono on their Audubon certification. bus, OH from our attitude toward that work. It Another golf course, Huntsville Golf does not come from success, but from Club in Lehman, PA, recently won the the growth we attain in achieving that NE PA Environmental Partnership JANUARY 6-8 - Eastern PA Turf Con­ success.” Anonymous Award. The club was featured in the ference & Trade Show, Valley Forge Times Leader on Saturday, October 4, in Convention Center, Contact Michael ------- . T* — an article called “When On the Green Smith at 610-828-0253 or P.T.C. at 814- Means More than a Place to Golf.” The 863-3475 or fax 814-863-3479. m article explained about the various Rain^B / rd, Irrigation Equipment & Design environmental procedures that Irrigation System Service & Support Huntsville implements and also the JANUARY 29 - Northeastern PA Turf­ - r <|y j r-m KOONZ Sprinkler Supply, Inc. many partnerships with local grass & Grounds Maintenance School, IVI I t ) l \ X 39 Waverly Avenue 1 1 V y V y i 1 Springfield, New Jersey 07081 organizations, such as, Wyoming Mountain Laurel Resort, Contact An­ Seminary Lower School and the Greater drew McNitt, Dept, of Agronomy, PSU, (800) 772-8486 (201) 379-9314/FAX (210) 379-6504 Wyoming Valley Audubon Society that 814-863-1368 or P.T.C. at 814-863- helped them to win the award. 3475 or fax 814-863-3479. Huntsville, along with several other regional winners, was honored at a PARTAC GOLF COURSE PARTAC PEAT TOP-DRESSING C O R P O R A T IO N reception and dinner where Golf Course FEBRUARY 24-26 - Western PA Turf Kelsey Park Superintendent Scott Schukraft and Conference & Trade Show, Pittsburgh G reat M eadows, NJ 07838-9721 Horticulturist Karen Balchunas Expo Mart/Radisson Hotel, Contact 1-800-247-2326 accepted the environmental award. P.T.C. at 814-863-3475 or fax 814-863- Local (908) 637-4191 Congratulations to Huntsville! 3479. Fax (908) 637-8421 It may be the time of year, or simply a coincidence, but there have certainly been several very fine articles L ! .. JOHN M. BODOCK concerning golf course superintendents Cd and their courses in the newspapers lately. Who knows, maybe next time we E a rth w o rk s r\i Law n and G olf S u pp ly Co., Inc. S pecialists I n E q u ip m e n t A nd S upplies will be reading about you! Natural Organic Products on F or M aintena nce O f T urf P.O. Box 278K, Main St. Martins Creek, PA 18063 610*250*9560 PHONE: (610) 933-5801 Fax: 250*7840 (800) 362-5650 647 NUTT RD., P.O. BOX 447 Joel S im m ons oo FAX: (610) 933-8890 PHOENIXVILLE, PA 19460 LOOK OUT FOR recommended immediate reaction to dangerous situations and advised golfers LIGHTNING to seek shelter i f you feel danger from ON THE LINKS! lightning or storm is imminent. In March 1993, a foursome on the course noticed According to the New Jersey Law Jour­ lightning and began walking toward the nal, a New Jersey court has passed down clubhouse (there were no man-made the nation’s first known ruling that light­ shelters along the way). The plaintiff put ning is not an act of God when it hits a up an umbrella and was subsequently golfer. The court cited breakthroughs in struck by lightning. He survived, but engineering and forecasting that have was injured and sued the club and its to the íMem given golf courses the capability to pro­ owners. This case sets new precedence tect golfers from lightning. Therefore, that lightning is increasingly falling into the T tÇ tl a n d th eir Tamdies, though courses don’t have an affirmative the category of hurricanes and tornadoes w e w ish y o u very duty to protect their patrons from light­ - disasters that have become more pre­ ning, they are liable if they establish dictable. All managers should consider Tfappy th a n k sg ivin g protective systems and the systems don’t their options and research the expense work. The opinion suggests that courses associated with installing a warning sys­ can escape liability if, in effect, they tem and shelters. Troni the (Board o f (Directors decline to interpose themselves between o f the God and golfers. In this case, the At­ lantic City Country Club’s practice was to monitor the weather and it had an evacuation plan that consisted of the golf course personnel driving onto the course to warn golfers. According to the de­ fense, a United States Golf Association (USGA) poster placed in the clubhouse EQUIPMENT FOR ALL YOUR TURF MANAGEMENT NEEDS... Featuring Quality John Deere Products TURF EQUIPMENT, inc. 1127 Littlestown Pike (Rt. 97N) Conference and Show Westminster, MD 21157-3005 410 - 848-7211 ‘ 410 - 876-2211 Servicing MD • DE • VA • W.VA February 2-8, 1998 Anaheim Convention Center 404 Elm Avenue North Wales, PA 19454 Trade Show: February 6-8 215 - 661-0390 • Servicing PA* NJ POTASSIUM: son grasses such as bermudagrass is improved with increases in potas­ A KEY TO GOOD sium levels. The heat tolerance of TURF QUALITY cool season grasses such as Ken­ By Dr. Mike Stewart tucky bluegrass is associated with adequate levels of potassium. Turf adds to our quality of life • Improved overall ability to endure The Pocono Turfgrass Association daily...often in ways that we don’t even stressful conditions. Satisfactoy Patterson Scholarship is awarded notice. levels of potassium cause an in­ annually to second year two year Potassium is second only to nitrogen in crease in leaf turgor pressure students and fourth year four year the amounts required by turfgrass plants. (decrease in succulence), thicker students. One applicant is chosen as the Soil potassium can be quickly depleted cell walls, and increased vigor. recipient of the scholarship and given under turfgrass. Therefore, regular ap­ • Turfgrass is more likely to endure honorary membership to The Pocono plications of potassium fertilizer are usu­ and recover from stressful condi­ Turfgrass Association for that calendar ally necessary to achieve optimum per­ tions. year. formance. In some cases, the recom­ The recent trend in turf areas with mended potash rate may be as much as heavy traffic has been toward more Requirements for consideration are: twice that of nitrogen. sandy growing media to combat soil Proper potassium fertilization of turf­ compaction. Soil testing and removal ♦ Applicant must be a second year grass has been shown to be associated rates should be used to determine turf­ student in a two-year program, or a with several benefits. These include: grass fertilization needs. Stress factors fourth year student in an • Increased disease resistance such as the degree of traffic should also undergraduate program in a • Increased cold and heat tolerance. be considered when designing a turf­ turfgrass related major. The winter hardiness of warm sea­ grass fertility program. ♦ Applicant must submit in writing why he or she feels that he/she should be considered for the Sterilized Top Dressing especially formulated for your area to specif ¡cations scholarship. recommended by leading universities and testing laboratories. EXCLUSIVE WITH EGYPT FARMS: LEGACY™ G olf I r r i g a t i o n ♦ Applicant must include what he or All m aterial* are thoroughly mixed and sterilized by indirect heat in our special process. The sand particles she feels his/her contribution to the are actually coated w ith a m ixture of top soil and peat humus for completely homogenous m ixture tha* w ill not turfgrass field will be. seperato during handling and spreading. COMPUTERIZED BLENDING of soil for a superior growing Y ou r L in k to L eg acy ♦ Applicant must submit a letter of medium. CUSTOM ON-SITE SOIL BLENDING AND TESTING with a G o lf C ourse endorsement from his/her employer portable computerized blender. in the turfgrass field. This Green and Tee construction materiaJs and mixes conforming to your specifications are also available. Irrig a tio n System s endorsement may come from an W M ;^ jK |rcex- CROWN III employer from an internship •B unkerSand »Sphagnum Peat program. • Lime and Gypsum F tiT e r r a i • Natural Wallstones ♦ Applicant’s request for RUFFIN wouclace / Century Rain Aid I MfOrOMl/TlHCNTS consideration and his or her employer endorsement must be submitted TOGETHER on or before R&R Country’ Club December 31, 1997. M Pi-A in ♦ Applicants requesting consideration pnOC-JCTS A .IJ T C A U for the Patterson Scholarship should cowsTwxmoN pwooucrs inc Call Century today M iio r g a m t e TerraB ond Terra Flow send requests to: W1NTERGREEN for an on-site consultation. The Pocono Turfgrass Association Egypt Farm s c/o Melinda Wisnosky _ (P T P.O. Box 223 147 Hayfield Road White Marsh, MD 21162 (410)335-3700 • (800)899- 7645 800- 347-4272 Shavertown, PA 18708 Prune in W in t e r ? You B e t ! People tend to forget about their trees during the winter months. We assume that because the trees are dormant, little or no care is necessary or even possible. Actually, the winter months can, and should, be utilized by those of us who are concerned with the health of our trees. While dormant pruning provides the same benefits as does pruning during other times of the year, it may have definite advantages in certain situations. • During the summer, it is common for the area underneath trees to be planted with annual or perennial Tree Care flowers. During the winter months, flowerbeds do not pose as much of a Checklist risk and damage to understory plants is minimized. • Damage to turf underneath trees is WHY FERTILIZE? WHY PRUNE? negligible due to the frozen ground. • There is little interference with other gardening or recreational activities. V To enhance tree health and appear- d To cleanse the tree and enhance tree • When a portion of a tree’s canopy is ance. health. removed during the dormant season, V To improve a tree’s defenses so that ^ To clear branches from buildings, we often notice an increase in new it can fend off insects and disease. wires, traffic areas, etc. growth from the remaining V To help tree roots compete with the To remove lower branches that are, or branches. This occurs because the grass and other roots for nutrients. soon my be, obstacles. energy stored in the roots and V To help aerate the soil. To create vistas to enhance a view branches is channeled to fewer V To replace the nutrients that are lost through a single tree or groups of growth points. when twigs, leaves and other natural trees. • The absence of leaves allows the materials are not left to decompose. ^ To improve the shape and structural branching patterns of trees to be V To encourage roots and shoot devel­ integrity of a tree. easily seen. Crossing branches and opment. ^/ To remove deadwood, broken and weak crotches are more visible, V To address specific nutrient defi­ potentially hazardous branches. which enables the arborist to correct ciencies. V To create “windows” to allow light to faults and help the tree to grow into beam through areas requiring more a safer tree with a better form. sunlight. • Equipment access to trees may be improved over frozen ground. • Layout and Design • Typesetting It’s every player’s responsibility... • Mac/IBM desktop publishing interface • Laser color separations Repair ball marks | J « 1 • Scitex® electronic photo retouching Replace or fill divots 31 New Hill Street, P.0 Box 507 • Full electronic prepress services Rake bunkers fîîl# Wilkes-Barre, PA 18703-0507 • Foil stamping, embossing 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 Philadelphia. Format was better ball of Closest to the Pin MEETING NOTES partners. The Pocono boys were too hot. Gary Phillips- 5 ’10” The result: Pocono - 8; Philadelphia - 4. Ties: 2. Better luck next time, Philly Longest Drive GOLF AT PAUPACK HILLS Boys! We were lucky enough to have Warren Savini Mark play for Pocono, as he is a member September’s meeting was held at of both associations. Thanks again to Mark for his hospitality Paupack Hills Country Club with host, and all the help he gave us with this Mark Monahan. This was a joint First Flight - 70 tournament. meeting with the Philadelphia Tom Dryer Association. Guest speaker, Dr. Peter Rich Sassanan Jack Bird, Golf Committee Landscoot, showed us a slide presentation on golf course management Second Flight - 73 overseas. Mowing grass with sheep and Gary Phillips Craig Phillips I I I goats? Yes, they do! His slides proved it. Low maintenance, cheap fertilizer. Thanks, Dr. Landscoot. Third Flight - 76 Mark has been at Paupack Hills for Todd Moyer approximately fifteen years. He’s a 1970 Sankey Brumley m \ OWEN REGAN graduate of Penn State University. What P.O. BOX 418 a beautiful course! Mark has made the Fourth Flight - 81 Exeter, Rhode Island 02822 course what it is today by reconstructing John Bodock □ holes #2 and #3, building a new green on Jason Bamdt TEE& phone: 401-789-8177 #2 and changing the hole layout to a dog GREEN SOD fax: 401-789-3895 Low Gross - 73 — INCORPORATED — pager: 800-592-0675 leg left. He changed #3 from a Par Three to a Par Four by reconstructing the tees Eddie May and moving them back. He’s converted John Farrell fairways to bentgrass, and the list goes on and on. Low Net - 64 Paupack Hills is a privately owned Pete Beblavy country club, with Mr. Dewitt Cox at the Chip Presendofer helm. We would like to thank Mr. Cox and those involved for sharing their Second Net - 65 George/Tom Fazio designed course with Sean Cullen us. Bob Cevetello Mark paired up 14 teams. Pocono vs. GOLF AT SPLIT ROCK cards - 75 over Tony Grieco. Second Flight - Steve Stranzl - 85 and The new nine holes were open at Split John Downer - 86. Rock Country Club, and they ate up Third Flight - Jim MacLaren - 97, dozens of golf balls. Scot Seidel, superin­ matched cards with Tony Stranzl. tendent, did a wonderful job preparing for Fourth Flight - Mike Stranzl & Jody the attack. Scot is a 1995 Penn State Savitz. graduate. He has been at Split Rock for What a day for the Stranzl’s! two years and was previously at Golden Jonathan Suitch had Closest to the Pin. Oaks. The golf course is a Bob Sterret Short Drive was Tom Wilchak. We had design. They currently have 18 holes six skins winners. Leading off with an with 9 more holes under construction. eagle was Ron Garrison, Steve Stranzl, They hope to open the newest 9 holes by John Vojick, Jack Bird, Tony Grieco, and the spring of 1998. Good luck, Scot, with John Downer. Names like these prove all the construction and upkeep. that miracles can happen. Bragging rights went to Jonathan Suitch We would like to thank Scot and all the who won First Flight with a match of staff at Split Rock for a great day. P*# 9 POCONO ROUNDUP We would like to welcome the following new members: NEWS AND VIEWS FROM THE POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION Darrin Batisky, Class B, Glen Oak Country Club William Lopatofsky, Class AF, NE Distri. & Equipment It is with mixed emotions that we report Hal Parr, Jr., CGCS, has Doug Witcraft, Class A, Eagle Rock Golf Club accepted the Golf Course Superintendent responsibilities at The Tradition Golf Club in Burlington, Kentucky. Word is, The Tradition is the third rated club in Kentucky. Hal would like to wish Elections were held during the meeting at Split Rock Country everyone well, and he extends an invitation to stop by if you are in Club last month. Following are the results: the area. Otherwise, he will see you at the National Conference and Show. His telephone number is 606-586-5079. Our best wishes and President - Ron Garrison sincerest congratulations to Hal and his family as they adjust to a Vice President - Jack Bird “new home.” Secretary/Treasurer - Scott Schukraft Elected to the Board for two year terms - Gene Huelster and Egypt Farms has recently hired Steve Chirip as Territory Manager. Tony Grieco Steve comes to the position with 20 years of experience in the turf industry and looks forward to meeting and giving you the highest quality service and information he can. We are soliciting PTGA Meeting Sites for 1998. What better way to show off your course than to host a PTGA meeting for Darrin M. Batisky, formerly of Orange County Golf Club, NY, is all your fellow PTGA members. Please contact Vice President now the superintendent at Glen Oak Country Club, Clarks Summit, Jack Bird at 717-698-6384. PA. Welcome to the area and to the Association, Darrin. POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION 2430 MILWAUKEE ROAD POSTAGE CLARK SUMMIT, PA 18411 TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION NAME & ADDRESS ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED.