CHIPS & PUTTS OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION www.ptga.org Founded in 1936 VOL. 21 NO. 7 September 2015 September Meeting Elkview Country Club Host: Russell Hauenstein, GCS Nestled between Crystal and Newton Lakes, Elkview Country Club was founded in 1919. James John- son of the Johnson and Johnson family donated the land and the Hemelright and Niles families financed the clubhouse and course. Legendary Scottish architect Donald Ross designed the course, and the first nine holes opened in 1923. The course has three acres of poa greens, twenty five acres of bent grass and poa mix fair- ways, four acres of fescue grass and over an acre of colorful flowerbeds highlighting the layout of the course. Most notable are the lakefront views from nearly every hole and a private beach on Crystal Lake. Superintendent Russell Hauenstein and Assistant Superintendent Jerry Decker manage a grounds crew of thirteen people who work diligently to ensure the course is in pristine condition. Russell earned a Bachelor’s degree in Plant Science and Turf Grass Management from The State University of New York Cobleskill and has worked at Elkview for thirteen years, taking over as Superintendent in 2012. Continued on page 7…... Page 2 President's Message..... Officers & Directors 2015 It’s that time of year. Leaves are starting to fall. Nighttime temperatures are dipping down into the 40’s. The Aerifers are in high gear. And most important, there is plenty of football to watch on the weekends. It’s the time of year where turf has a chance to recover from the stress of summer. It’s also time for superintendents to begin to recover from PRESIDENT the stress of summer. Next week our meeting schedule will be taking us to Greg Boring, CC of Scranton 570-587-4046 Elkview Country Club. This will be a great opportunity to enjoy a day with VICE PRESIDENT your peers and relax for a day. Gino Marchetti, Glen Oak CC The Clambake this year was a huge success. Thanks to tee sponsors 570-586-5791 and attendees, we were able to replenish our Scholarship Account and also TREASURER raise $2,100 for the Louis Koch Memorial Scholarship at Holy Cross High Patrick Healey, Scranton Canoe Club 570-378-2249 School. I want to thank everyone who contributed to these two important causes. SECRETARY Chris Moran, Honesdale CC Hope to see all of you at Elkview 570-253-9094 DIRECTORS Greg Boring Steven Chirip, Grass Roots, Inc. 973-418-3468 Corey Pries, 570-994-8270 Ron Garrison, Fox Hill CC 570-655-1065 Jerry Decker, Elkview CC 570-282-3080 __________________________ CHIPS & PUTTS STAFF Editor’s Notes….. EDITOR Brian Bachman, Genesis Turfgrass, Inc. 484-661-6105 bbachman@genesisturfgrassinc.com Managing Editor Only two more golf meetings left to get out and enjoy the great Melinda Wisnosky 570-388-2167 courses in the Poconos and create camaraderie with friends. mmel500@aol.com A big “Thank You” for this month’s photo from Jeff Lipics at PAST PRESIDENT Ray Waddell Fernwood….I’m always looking for photos!! 570-903-9571 It was a great day at C.C. of Scranton, as usual, for the annual clambake. We were able to not only raise money for the PTGA schol- arship fund, but also raise money for the Louis Koch Memorial Schol- arship. Hope to see you at Elkview to enjoy the beautiful fall weather. 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 THANK YOU!! At the annual clambake recently held at C.C. of Scranton, the PTGA raised $2,100 towards the Louis Koch Memorial Scholarship. Below is a letter from Louis’ father, Jeff Koch, Superintendent at Glenmaura National. Dear Industry Professionals & Friends, I wish to extend a sincere thank you from our family, for the fund raising event which was held during the Annual Pocono Clam Bake held at the Country Club of Scranton following the passing of our son, Louis Koch. The Pocono Board of Directors had arranged for funds to be collected and awarded to the Holy Cross High School in support of The Louis Koch Memorial Scholarship, an annual scholarship created, which will be awarded to students meeting high academic standards and certain commu- nity service criteria. Louis was an excellent student, a gifted reader, an avid outdoorsman, and an outstanding son. Louis’ time passed all too quickly, but we will forev- er have his memories. Louis was an integral part of my staff and for those who knew him, you would always be greeted with the biggest smile. Each day has its challenges following our loss but the prayers and support continue to lift us up. I was overwhelmed with emotion when I heard the Association arranged this fund raising opportunity and the gesture further instilled in me that we are not alone through this tragedy. Once again, I can’t begin to thank you enough for your prayers and thoughtfulness during this difficult time in our lives. We are forever grateful. Sincerely, Nardimar, Julian, & Jeffrey Koch PagePage 3 4 Current Turfgrass Research Being Conducted At PSU Written by Chase Rogan, Mid Atlantic GCSAA Field Rep We all know how important university research is to the vitality and future success of our industry. This post will serve as the first feature of a blog mini-series highlighting the research being conducted around the Mid-Atlantic region. Next time, I will take you inside the research programs at the University of Maryland and Virginia Tech. To get us started, here is a little bit of what's going on in Happy Valley. Dr. Max Schlossberg's research trials on Kentucky bluegrass are evaluating efficiency and recovery of controlled-release granular nitrogen fertilizers. These studies involve weekly measures of canopy color/ density, growth, and fertilizer-N recovery. Field trials investigating organic N fertilizers and liming agents are also underway. Lastly, the Turfgrass Nutrition team is repeating several flux-chamber studies measuring am- monia volatilization (loss) following foliar and granular applications of urea and stabilized-urea fertilizers. The outcomes of this N-fertilizer research include guidance on fertilizer selection, rate(s), and cultural practice that support resilient golf course roughs, sports fields, and lawns; while limiting non-point N loading of water resources. Dr. Ben McGraw and his team are working on interesting research involving turfgrass ants. Some be- lieve that turfgrass ants are major predators of Annual Bluegrass Weevil (ABW) eggs, and Dr. McGraw wants to learn more. By monitoring these ant colonies using pit-fall traps and ABW egg stations, the entomology team hopes to gain insight into the impact that ants have on ABW populations. In answering this question, Dr. McGraw would gain insight on whether conserving these ants on fairways may actually help reduce ABW populations in the future. Speaking of ABW, Dr. McGraw’s graduate student, Ben Czyzewski, is researching how different greens cultural practices (mowing height and N fertility) affect ABW survival rates, egg laying, and larval de- velopment. Since ABW damage is rarely reported on greens, this research helps gain insight into whether or not ABW can lay eggs on greens-height grass. Furthermore, Ben is learning more about ABW foraging activ- ities using a time lapse camera – pretty cool. He actually marks the adult ABWs with a UV pen, and then can easily pick up their activity on the camera. Dr. Kaminski and his research technician, Tim Lulis, are embarking on a long-term study looking at how to maximize playability without compromising plant health. In short, what is the point of diminishing returns when it comes to high intensity management and the expected gains? The idea is to come up with a sort of mathematical equation that can be used to attain maximum playability with the fewest necessary in- puts. Think: Is that extra roll or cut necessary to attain speeds of “X”? Or, given “X” weather conditions, your greens can only attain “Y” speeds, with “Z” inputs. Complex, yes. But they hope this information is useful for tournament preparation in the future. Some of the influencing factors include mowing frequencies, mowing heights, etc. As far as data col- lection, there is a ton, including thermal photography, ball roll, and plant color and quality. They are currently working on a bentgrass green, with plans to replicate the study on a fine fescue green as well. Pretty interest- ing. Continued on Page 5 Page 5 Continued from Page 4 Dr. Landschoot is working on some research that aims to control poa annua within a Kentucky bluegrass stand. While controlling poa is hard enough, controlling poa in a stand of Kentucky bluegrass is even harder, since both grasses are in the same genus. His research is showing a positive response to an Exonerate and Tenac- ity mixture. In this case, the exonerate kills the poa, and the Tenacity serves as a pre-emergent. While there is some phytotoxicity associated with this treatment, the results are pretty promising. Lastly, Dr. Andy McNitt and Tom Serensits, manager of Sports Turf Research, are working on a project looking at the playability of warm season grasses on athletic fields in northern climates. The trial is evaluating three bermudagrasses up against new Kentucky bluegrasses. Some of the evaluation parameters include traction and divot resistance. In other work, the McNitt group is experimenting with fraze mowing and various sodding techniques for NFL fields. In closing, I'd like to thank all of the Penn State Turfgrass Faculty and Staff for presenting their research, and the hard work they continue to put forth to serve our industry. GOOD NEWS!! The PTGA is now accepting SAME DAY credit card payments for our monthly meetings. Page 6 Yellow Spot Dr. Peter Dernoden via turfdiseases.org Yellow spot recently was observed in the mid-Atlantic. Yellow spot is an undescribed malady, which mainly is seen in creeping bentgrass grown in sand-based root-zones on greens and tees. Symptoms appear in the summer and yellow spots generally range from one to three inches in diameter. Turf within spots does not die, and in most cases, does not even thin-out. Hence, yellow spot is a visual problem. The malady usually appears overnight in large numbers in the summer dur- ing periods of high humidity, rain and high night time temperatures (>70ºF). They develop in full sun and shaded environ- ments. Maryland researches demonstrated that yellow spot can develop during dryer periods when there is a need for frequent syringing and irriga- tion. In that study, almost no yellow spot developed when turf was allowed to wilt prior to irrigation. Yellow spot usually disappears with the advent of cooler night temperatures; however, they can remain evident into early autumn. The proposed causal agents of yellow spot are cyanobacteria (aka blue-green algae). The mechanism responsible for the chlorotic appearance induced by cyanobacteria is not by infection. According to researches, cy- anobacteria filaments migrate at night from thatch to the base of plants, and glide up leaf sheaths and onto leaf blades. It has been suggested that cyanobacteria induce or elicit a chlorotic response either through the pro- duction of a toxin or by iron chelating compounds. Other researchers, however, failed to find cyanobacteria in association with yellow spot in some cases. The yellow spot symptoms do mimic the description given for yellow dwarf, a mollicute (i.e., a bacteria-like organism bound only by a membrane) disease of bentgrass golf greens in Japan. Yellow spot is effectively controlled by Daconil (i.e., chorothalonil) and Fore (i.e., mancozeb) when preventively and fortui- tously applied. These same fungicides control blue-green algae on greens and lend evidence that these organisms (i.e., cya- nobacteria or mollicute) may be the cause of yellow spot. Curatively, two or three applications of the aforementioned fungi- cides on a seven day interval effectively reduce yellow spot. Page 7 ……..Continued from page 1 Over the past three years Elkview has been in the process of greens drainage and bunker renovation. Also in the fall of 2014 Elkview’s two signature holes had the greens reshaped to make the holes more playable for the membership. Many tees have been leveled and new tees built by the staff, with many more to be done in the next few years. August Meeting Results C.C. of Scranton Championship Flight 1st Place - Chris Moran, Eric Williams, Irv Williams, Jeff Tamblyn 2nd Place - Ron Garrison, John Polak, John Chassard, Ryan Fogel 3rd Place - Tom Weinert, Ryan Oliver, Mike Brunelle, Barry Kronman 17th Place - Steve Chirip, Tom Moore, Tom Grimac, Paul Brandon Closest to the Hole #11 - Shawn Sullivan Closest to the Hole #3 - Brent Wood Longest Drive #9 - Russell Hauenstein Longest Drive #18 - Pat Knelly Page 8 Page 9 MORE BIG NEWS!! PTGA is now on twitter: @PoconoTurfgrass 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). September Photo of the Month No one ever likes to see vandalism on their golf course….but at least this is a little comical. I’m as- sured that this is the only photo from these “artists” that was suitable for pub- lic consumption. Thankful- ly this display didn’t do any long term damage. Thanks to Jeff Lipics from Fernwood for sharing!! 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! PTGA SCHEDULE POCONO ROUNDUP Sept 22 PTGA Golf Meeting Congratulations! Elkview GC Congratulations to GCSAA Mid-Atlantic field staff representative Chase Rogan and his wife on the birth Oct 6 PTGA Golf Meeting of their first child. Fitzgerald (Fitz) McNeal Rogan Fox Hill CC was born on August 7. Nov 10-12 Penn State Turf Conference Dec 8-10 NJ Turf Expo Jan 5-6 Eastern PA Turf Conference Jan 28 NEPA Turf Conference Woodlands 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.