CHIPS & PUTTS OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION www.ptga.org Founded in 1936 VOL. 21 NO. 4 June 2015 June Meeting Scranton Canoe Club Host: Patrick Healey Speaker: Dr. John Kaminski, PSU Our June meeting was at a local favorite, Scranton Canoe Club. The Scranton Ca- noe Club has a long history developed by sportsmen's love for the outdoors. For approxi- mately five years, starting in 1903, Nelson Sommers and Edward Beavers lived weekends on the Susquehanna River during the summer months. By this time, canoeing had become popular and a group of young, energetic and outdoor minded young men, who genuinely enjoyed the sport of canoeing, banded together to form a club to further enjoy and en- courage this sport. On March 1, 1909, the first mortgage bonds were issued for the con- struction of the clubhouse. The bonds were in $10.00 denominations, totaling $3,000.00. The active membership was set at 75 members. As times changed, the ambitions of the Club’s leaders also changed. Golf was gain- ing in popularity in the area and, noticing a lag in tennis and also a mild decrease in canoe- ing, the challenge of building a golf course on club property was bandied about for some time. Continued on page 7….. Page 2 President's Message..... Officers & Directors 2015 PRESIDENT Greg Boring, CC of Scranton 570-587-4046 VICE PRESIDENT Gino Marchetti, Glen Oak CC 570-586-5791 TREASURER Patrick Healey, Scranton Canoe Club 570-378-2249 SECRETARY Chris Moran, Honesdale CC 570-253-9094 DIRECTORS Steven Chirip, Grass Roots, Inc. 973-418-3468 Greg Boring Corey Pries 570-994-8270 Ron Garrison, Fox Hill CC 570-655-1065 Jerry Decker, Elkview CC 570-282-3080 __________________________ CHIPS & PUTTS STAFF EDITOR Editor’s Notes….. Brian Bachman, Genesis Turfgrass, Inc. 484-661-6105 bbachman@genesisturfgrassinc.com Managing Editor Melinda Wisnosky Well…..I’m a little late on June’s newsletter. Sorry about 570-388-2167 that Pat Healey!! mmel500@aol.com PAST PRESIDENT Ray Waddell We will use June’s newsletter as a recap to the meeting 570-903-9571 that took place at Scranton Canoe Club. The weather was a little sketchy that day, but a good time was had by all, and a special thank you to John Kaminski for speaking to us. 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. Page 3 EPA Finalizes the Clean Water Act (WOTUS) Rule What is the #WOTUS all about? If you don’t know, or don’t think it can affect you then think again. The government is enacting new laws and rules to govern almost every possible water source (including those on golf courses) which can and will impact your applications, construction, im- provements, and even maintenance practices. Even drainage ditches can now be regulated. The articles are too long to include in this newsletter, but if you’d like to read more, follow the link below: http://cqrcengage.com/gcsaa/app/document/7964511 PagePage 3 4 DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP IS JUNE 30, 2015 Pocono Turfgrass Association 2015 Scholarships 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, 2015. The following is a list of guidelines for all individuals 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 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. 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, 2015. 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, Applicants must include a letter of endorsement from their PTGA relation with their application. For a copy of the application, please go to the Pocono Turfgrass Association website at: ptga.org Applications should be submitted to: Greg Boring Country Club of Scranton P. O. Box 269 Clarks Summit, PA 18411 Page 5 Product Voluntarily Recalled Social media and my email blew up yesterday following the voluntary recall of ArmorTech ALT 70 Fungicide. According to the letter, “United Turf Alliance (UTA) has been notified of a few turfgrass incidents in the North- east regarding the use of ArmorTech ALT 70 Fungicide.” Damaged Bentgrass After many frantic phone calls and email exchanges, it appears that superintendents throughout the Metro- politan NY region (and reports in NC as of this morning) have severe bentgrass decline and in some cases complete death where the product was allegedly involved. Older bentgrass varieties have been reported to be more sensitive, but all bentgrasses are being affected. Annual bluegrass appears to be much less impact- ed. While testing and evaluations are ongoing and no conclusion has been met at this time, superintendents should proceed with caution. It is important to note that although several superintendents have been seeing a decline in their turf since as early as late April and early May, there is currently no data available at this time to draw a cause and effect relationship. Anectdotal information also suggests that at least one other generic Aluminum tris product may be causing similar damage to bentgrass. Evaluations under way Apparently, at least two Universities are evaluating samples of the various products and tank-mix combinations and our lab is repeating these trials at Penn State this week. I will follow up with more information when we have it. Post by Dr. John Kaminski On Turf Diseases..org June 6, 2015 Assistant Professor of Turfgrass Science at Penn State University. Dr. Kaminski conducts research on turfgrass is- sues on golf courses and also serves as the Director of the Golf Course Turfgrass Management Program. John is also passionate about photography and educating others about the effective use of social media as a means of communication. Page 6 April Meeting Results 1st Place: Russell Hauenstein and Jerry Decker 2nd Place: Greg Boring and Paul Brandon Closest to the Pin #16: John Polak, Jim Green, Jerry Decker Skins: Holes 9, 13, 14: Greg Boring and Paul Brandon Hole 5: Ron Garrison and John Polak Hole 7: Russell Hauenstein and Jerry Decker Page 7 Continued from page 1 To the rear of the clubhouse and above the road was a plot of land that would be ideal for the purpose. George Waters, who lived in West Scranton, was the owner of the land. The Club purchased the land from Mr. Waters for the price of $1,000.00. The land was a mass of scrub, bushes and trees of varying size. At every opportunity the members cleared out the thick un- derbrush, working with large organized gangs or at times singly. Trees that might be of value were left standing, but saplings were cut down. The location of the various tees and corre- sponding greens were staked out and work proceeded. Fairways were put into shape and in 1926, two years after commencing work the course was put into play. In the meantime, to beautify the course, 80 maple trees were planted around the outer edge. The completed course had seven holes and it had considerable play over the years. In playing the 7-hole course, the golfer would play Nos. 1 through 7 and repeat play a second time, then play Nos. 1 through No. 4 again, thus obtaining their 18 holes of play. As time went on, it became the ambition of the Club to add two more holes to the course, thus updating it to its present num- ber of 9 holes of play. Overseeing a crew of 2 full time and 3 part time seasonal employees, Scranton Canoe Club is maintained by long time superintendent Patrick Healey who has been there for 10 years now. A Penn State grad with experience at other local gems like Fox Hill C.C. and Glenmaura National, Patrick has overseen some major projects to the Par 30 tract, including the installation of XGD drainage on all greens, irrigation on surrounds, and a new irrigation pump installed just this year. Patrick enjoys time away from the course with his wife Marissa, daughter, Ella, and dog, Riley. An avid outdoorsman, Pat also enjoys woodworking and skiing. Page 8 June 5, 2015 Dear United Turf Alliance customers: Within the last 10 days, United Turf Alliance (UTA) has been notified of a few turfgrass incidents in the Northeast regarding the use of ArmorTech® ALT 70 Fungicide. As we initiate a full and complete investigation, I am voluntarily stopping the sale of ArmorTech ALT 70 and offering our customers the opportunity to return the product for full credit. Our investigation began this week with onsite visits to two golf courses that tank mixed ArmorTech ALT 70 in multiple product spray programs on Bentgrass/Poa putting greens, collars and approaches and reported compromised turf. Turfgrass growth regulating products were also used in the course of these two spray programs. University Cooperators at Rutgers and the University of Rhode Island have been contacted to review the use patterns, programs and the effects on turf. We have not concluded that the product affected the turfgrass. We have learned that the product was used according to label directions as part of the spray programs. The ArmorTech ALT 70 manu- facturer (Tersenderlo Kerley Inc.) has conducted laboratory testing showing that the product was within the manufacturer’s proper specification. I want to personally assure you that we are working diligently with the product manufacturer and university researchers to resolve this issue and return the product to the market. In the meantime, please visit our website www.utaarmortech.com for details and updates or contact me with your questions. You may reach me at email tzech@utaarmortech.com or phone (770) 335‐3015. Regards, Tim Zech President Page 9 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 pho- to, send it to me (bbachman@genesisturfgrassinc.com) and share it for everyone to enjoy (or laugh at). June Photo of the Month This is not a newly designed water feature. Everyone has seen something like this over the years Thanks to Chris Reverie at Allentown Municipal for sharing his pain….. Chips & Putts PATRON SPONSORS AERIFICATION AND OVERSEEDING Aer-Core Stephen Thompson 610-972-5933 IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE William Mast 610.327.3390 John Deere Brent Wood 570.499.1441 Air2G2 Saturated John Downer 570-840-0078 Turf Equip. & Supply George Skawski 610.554.9366 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 607.768.0575 Michael Longyhore 610.390.8827 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 Lawn & Golf Matthew Brown 610.933.5801 PLANT PROTECTANTS Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 607.768.0575 EQUIPMENT Rich Gdovin 570-278-1131 Aer-Core Stephen Thompson 610-972-5933 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 William Mast 610.327.3390 Genesis Turfgrass Brian Bachman 484.661.6105 Air2G2 Saturated John Downer 570-840-0078 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 607.768.0575 John Deere Brent Wood 570.499.1441 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 Growth Products Craig Lambert 973-601-3303 Lawn & Golf Matthew Brown 610.933.5801 Lawn & Golf Matthew Brown 610.933.5801 Turf Equip. & Supply Michael Longyhore 610.390.8827 Syngenta Lee A. Kozsey 610.861.8174 George Skawski 610.554.9366 Finch Services Ted Zabrenski 484.614.6436 SEED & SOD Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 607.768.0575 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 FERTILIZER Finch Services Ted Zabrenski 484.614.6436 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 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Genesis Turfgrass Brian Bachman 484.661.6105 Lawn & Golf Matthew Brown 610.933.5801 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Growth Products Craig Lambert 973-601-3303 Lawn & Golf Matthew Brown 610.933.5801 Plant Food Co., Inc. Tom Weinert 914.262.0111 TOPDRESSING / SOIL AMENDMENTS Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 607.768.0575 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 Blue Ridge Peat Farms Gene Evans 570.443.9596 GREEN AND TEE SUPPLIES Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 607.768.0575 Genesis Turfgrass Brian Bachman 484.661.6105 Rich Gdovin 570-278-1131 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Lawn & Golf Matthew Brown 610.933.5801 Genesis Turfgrass Brian Bachman 484.661.6105 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 John Deere Brent Wood 570.499.1441 Lawn & Golf Matthew Brown 610.933.5801 Support our Sponsors - They support us! POCONO ROUNDUP PTGA SCHEDULE July 6 PTGA Golf Meeting Congratulations! Glen Oak CC Congratulations to Lance Heil on taking over Aug 31 PTGA Clambake as superintendent at Water Gap CC. Scranton CC Lance, who formerly worked at Shawnee, is moving back to the area after a several year hiatus in New England. Sept 15 PTGA Golf Meeting Mt. Laurel GC Congratulations also to Tom Stem on his new position as superintendent at Pocono Man- Oct 6 PTGA Golf Meeting or. Fox Hill CC POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION 309 TERRACE AVENUE HARDING, PA 18643 PHONE/FAX 570-388-2167 WEBSITE: ptga.org