CHIPS & PUTTS OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION www.ptga.org Founded in 1936 VOL. 22 NO. 6 August 2016 August Meeting Glenmaura National Golf Club Host: Jeff Koch, GCS This year’s annual clambake brings us to another beautiful and highly ranked golf course which is Glenmaura National Golf Club. Opened in 1995 and boasting a solid membership of 350, Glenmaura plays nearly 7,000 yards from the tips. Designed by Hurzdan-Fry, Glenmaura is currently ranked 17th in the state by Golf Digest. Its bentgrass greens, tees, and fairways are framed by the classic tree lines of many Pocono golf courses, while the architect also designed a large amount of naturalized fescue areas throughout the course. Additionally, Hurzdan-Fry incorporated several natural features into the course, such as large rock out- croppings and the waterfalls on #18. In a delicate balancing act between providing a tour level challenge with a member friendly day to day playability, Glenmaura’s 94 bunkers are complimented by 6 sets of tees. This balance appears to have been successful, as Glenmaura has hosted the Nationwide Tour from 2000-2008, the NCAA Eastern Regional, and a US Open Qualifier, among other events. Another unique and defining aspect of the course is that Glenmaura is one of only 3 courses in the world that does not have a pump station for their irrigation system. The system is run entirely on natural water pressure from the large reservoir located above the course. Our host superintendent, Jeff Koch, has been at Glenmaura as the superintendent since 2004. Jeff, a 1997 Penn State grad under the late George Hamilton, took a job at Talbot C.C. as his first job out of col- lege. It didn’t take long before Jeff returned to PA to serve in his first stint at Glenmaura as the assistant Continued on Page 6 Page 2 President's Message..... Officers & Directors 2016 Greg Boring PRESIDENT Greg Boring, C.C. of Scranton 570-587-4046 VICE PRESIDENT Gino Marchetti, Glen Oak C.C. 570-586-5791 TREASURER Patrick Healey, Scranton Canoe Club 570-378-2249 SECRETARY Chris Moran, Honesdale C.C. 570-253-9094 DIRECTORS Steven Chirip, Grass Roots, Inc. 973-418-3468 Corey Pries, Powell’s Excavating 570-762-0394 Ron Garrison, Fox Hill C.C. 570-655-1065 Jerry Decker, Elkview C.C. 570-282-3080 __________________________ Editor’s Notes….. CHIPS & PUTTS STAFF EDITOR Brian Bachman, Genesis Turfgrass, Inc. 484-661-6105 There’s nothing like rain!!! Merciful rain has come through bbachman@genesisturfgrassinc.com the area and most everyone is breathing a sigh of relief. Managing Editor Melinda Wisnosky Now, hopefully, everyone can make it out to our annual meet- 570-388-2167 mmel500@aol.com ing and clambake at Glenmaura this month. The pressure from the weather has decreased (at least a little) so I hope to see you there. We will also be paying tribute to long time PTGA member and friend to many Jim MacLaren. 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 Some Favorite Memories of Our Friend Jim MacLaren When I think of Jim I have many found memories. My first meeting with Jim was at a Central Penn meeting when he walked up to me and said something very sarcastic and then just walked away. I asked the guys I was with, who the smart ass was and they said Jim MacLaren from Lebanon Country Club. Following our first encounter, we got to be good friends and spent many early mornings on the phone waiting for daylight so we could look at our courses and plan our day. One of my wildest stories of Jim happened when we went to Atlanta to the 1983 GCSAA meeting. A group of us were going to meet at a restaurant on the outskirts of Atlanta. The first taxi left as ours pulled up. Bertie, Gloria and I got into the back seat and Jim got in the front and said to the driver “$50.00 if you beat the other taxi to the restaurant." In no time at all we were going 80+ mph down the city streets. Our wives were hanging on to anything they could grab, and we off to the races! We drove for about 15 minutes at high speeds when our driver announced that he was lost. After he found the way to the restaurant we arrived right behind the other taxi . Jim didn't give him the $50.00, but he did give Bertie and me a ride we never forgot. This was Jim, always fun to be around. A good and true friend. Ken Dietrich That smile and shit eating grin will never be forgotten. Jim was a very funny man with a great outlook on life. He never took himself too seriously, but always would be there as a professional colleague delivering product at 5:00 in the morning so we could spray, or offering an opinion on his vast knowledge of turf and experience. But most importantly, he was always there as a friend and to put a smile on my face. I will always remember his days at Lebanon CC, Atlantic City CC, or pulling up to my shop in his pimped out red pickup truck pedaling turf products always with that grin from ear to ear. Thank you, Mr. MacLaren, for that smile and the memories; you will be dearly missed! John Chassard Continued on Page 4 PagePage 3 4 Continued from Page 3 Jim MacLaren is remembered by many of us as a hard working, intelligent, “tell it as it is” guy, with a great dry sense of humor. I would like to speak of another admira- ble character trait that of which many of us have been a recipient – his generous nature. Barb and I have spent the last three Februarys in Treasure Island, Florida. When we learned last year that Jim was a year round resident of Treasure Island we made contact with him and his friend Betty Altero. An example of Jim's generous nature was his desire to pick up the check every time we dined to- gether. After this occurred several times, I started to feel very uncomfortable concerning his insistence to take care of the bill. I unsuccessfully tried to get the check many times, but Jim was very quick at hand to get the it. I was frustrated! However, a situation developed at a restau- rant where Jim and Betty were frequent customers. So frequent that when Jim passed by the cashier on his way to be seated he just handed his credit card to the cashier. I saw this happening as I walked behind Jim. At last! A chance for Barb and me to pay for the meal. I quickly and discretely gave my credit card to the cashier and silently pointed to myself to indicate I wanted to be charged for the meal. It worked. On discovering he didn't get charged, Jim’s comment was “you know we are not a poverty case.” At last we got to show our appreciation for his giving nature. We, like many others of the turf industry who have visited Jim in Florida, have fond memories of Jim and his generous nature. Terry Wueschinski I have so many memories of Jim that I could probably write a book. Jim took me under his wing when I came to Lebanon and our fast friendship was born. He was a father figure, big brother, best friend, fellow superintendent, confi- dant and partner in crime all wrapped in one. I owe him a great deal of thanks for the success I have had in business. He taught me a lot and kept me from falling on my face more then once. He will be missed by so many. If you nev- er got to know him, the stories just won’t do it true justice, but will give you a little hint to know what it was like to be in his company. The best story that is not totally off the wall involves our trip to Vegas. As a “newbie” to the Central Penn, I “volunteered” to book all the rooms for the Convention. With Jim’s help we reserved rooms at the beautiful Landmark Hotel, once owed by Howard Hughes during the Vegas heyday. I was going to show all my new friends how great I was at helping and impress them with my fantastic rooms and beautiful views of the Strip! Long story short ……… the place was a dump (and was blown up right after we left – hence renamed the Landmine.)) Most of us had rooms that were dirty, smelly and had views of a dumpster. Greg Borzok and I spent many moments wondering if the elevator would ever make it up – or down to our floor. Great job impressing my fellow supers and their wives ……except for Jim …... He invited us down to his “garden suite” every day! King sized beds, sitting room, with a full patio and wet bar that walked out into the pool. Somehow, to this day, I still think I was set up but will never know! Rest in Peace buddy – I will miss you! Jim Jones Page 5 Cool and Wet Weather Abruptly Turns Hot and Dry - Causing Damage to Greens Peter H. Dernoeden, Ph. D. There were about 20 days of overcast, cool and rainy weather in May. The persistent wet and overcast weather made it nearly impossible to keep up with mowing. Some greens became puffy and were scalped. Sunny days ar- rived in early June, but the weekend of June 11 and 12 brought a blast of summer weather that shocked turf. On the aforementioned weekend, temperatures reached 90ºF, winds were constant and in excess of 25 mph, and relative humidity was less than 45%. The rapid drying led to damage from drought stress or from mowing wilting turf. It also brought on localized dry spots. Hot windy weather caused drought dormancy over a weekend, even in common Bermuda grass, June 2016. Prolonged wet weather caused this green to become puffy and was scalped, May 2016. Continued on Page 9…... Page 6 Continued from Page 1 superintendent from 1998-2002. He then moved on to Wyoming Valley C.C. to take his first superintendent po- sition, which he held from 2002-2004. Then, just as quickly, the superintendent position at Glenmaura opened up again in 2004, and Jeff has been there ever since. Jeff, and his assistant Emanuel Santos, oversee a seasonal staff of 24. Projects of recent note include an ongoing in house bunker renovation (all greenside bunkers have been completed with the fairway bunkers com- ing this fall) and the constant maintenance of their concrete cart paths. We hope that you’ll join us for a memorable day at another of the Pocono’s finest venues! Page 7 July Meeting Results 1st Place T.J. Hart, Les Lear Closest to the Pin Skins John Alexander Jerry Decker, Russell Hauenstein 2nd Place T.J. Hart, Les Lear Ryan, Thomas Closest to the Pin Brian Zukawski, Guest Mike Shakrok John Alexander, Jeff Smolha Most Honest Ben Poole and his Guest Longest Drive T.J. Hart 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 August Photo of the Month Seems as if they forgot they had the chipper at- tached while cleaning up these branches. Thanks to Chris Reverie at Allentown Municipal for this reminder that we should use the tools we have to make life easier. Page 9 Continued from page 5 May weather promoted excessive growth and everyone mowed feverishly. Players could not find balls in roughs and everyone was complaining. The surface organic layer (i.e., thatch plus mat) in some greens became puffy as the wet conditions made thatch and stems swell. Puffy organic layers cause mowers to sink and scalp, injuring both leaves and stems. Recovery can be slow from this type of damage. Attacking thatch layers is a constant battle on greens. Coring with wide diameter tines spring and autumn in combination with heavy topdressing is very important, but organ- ic layer management measures are needed throughout the growing season. A good, yet largely forgotten tool is the spiker. Greens can be rapidly spiked with minimal damage. The knives of the spiker cut into organic layers to allow for ingress and egress of gases and water; mixes sand into the organic layer; disrupts algal scums; and cuts stems to promote density. Periodical coring with small diameter solid tines and light topdressing greens are most helpful during the golfing season. I recognize that many courses have limited staffs and tight budgets, but try to accomplish some form of periodical surface aeration in the summer. Grooved rollers are preferred during cool and wet weather, but now that summer heat is upon us it is best to switch to less potentially injurious solid rollers. Turf on green, collar and surround damaged by being mowed when wilting. High temperatures, low relative humidty and winds caused Similar mower damage can occur during wet wilt events in summer, June 2016. localized dry spots to appear over a weekend in this approach A combination of bright sun, high temperatures, gusting winds and low humidity, dried soils rapidly on June 11 and 12. Drought stress, damage associated with mowing wilting turf and localized dry spots became troublesome. Dur- ing daytime hours in summer, the best way to deal with stress on greens, collars and approaches is via syringing. Syringing cools leaves and allows for the natural movement of water from soil to roots (assuming available water present) and through opens pores (i.e. stomates) on both lower and upper leaf surfaces. This effect is called transpirational cooling, which is powerful in alle- viating heat stress. Syringing by hand is ideal, but many clubs just don’t have enough staff and thus will need to use the overhead system. Regardless of using a hose or irrigation heads, someone needs to be scouting vulnerable greens from about 10AM to 4PM on bright summer days. When syringing by hand, it should take no more than 5 minutes to syringe the average size green. The objective is to deliver a light coating of water without getting too much water into the thatch-mat layer. A few turns of irri- gation heads are an alternative. When using heads, it is important not to deliver so much water that thatch-mat layers become saturated on hot and sunny day. Water saturated organic layers can actually promote excessive heat stress in stems and roots. It is most important to avoid puddles, which can kill turf (i.e., scald) within an hour or two on a hot sunny day in low cut grass. Soil moisture must be replenished throughout the rootzone at night. Deep watering after sunset gives turf all night to rehydrate (i.e., become turgid), recover normal function and for water to drain properly before early light when it is time to mow. Pre-dawn wa- tering is preferred if greens are not protected by fungicides. Localized dry spots (LDS) are common on golf courses during summer and mostly are restricted to sand-based rootzones, or where sand topdressing has been used over native soils. Water repellency is caused by microbial decomposition of organic mat- ter, which releases hydrophobic substances that coat individual sand particles rendering them hydrophobic. The water repellant zone typically is restricted to the upper few inches of soil. Curative LDS management involves breaking through the water repel- lent zone using a combination of coring and flushing-in a soil wetting agent. Preventive applications work best and do not require special application procedures. To be most effective, preventive wetting agent applications should be initiated several weeks prior to the anticipated onset of hot weather. Fungicides have no known effect on LDS. 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 John Downer 570-840-0078 Turf Equip. and Supply George Skawski 610.554.9366 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 607.768.0575 Les Lear 570.903.8412 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 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 George Skawski 610.554.9366 Syngenta Lee A. Kozsey 610.861.8174 Les Lear 570.903.8412 Finch Services Ted Zabrenski 484.614.6436 SEED & SOD Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 607.768.0575 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 FERTILIZER Coombs Sod Farms John Downer 570-840-0078 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 607.768.0575 Finch Services Ted Zabrenski 484.614.6436 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Genesis Turfgrass Brian Bachman 484.661.6105 Genesis Turfgrass Brian Bachman 484.661.6105 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Lawn & Golf Matthew Brown 610.933.5801 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 GREEN AND TEE SUPPLIES Blue Ridge Peat Farms Gene Evans 570.443.9596 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 607.768.0575 Fertl Soil John Downer 570-840-0078 Rich Gdovin 570-278-1131 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Genesis Turfgrass Brian Bachman 484.661.6105 Genesis Turfgrass Brian Bachman 484.661.6105 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Lawn & Golf Matthew Brown 610.933.5801 John Deere Brent Wood 570.499.1441 Lawn & Golf Matthew Brown 610.933.5801 Support our Sponsors - They support us! POCONO ROUNDUP PTGA SCHEDULE Condolences Aug 10-11 PSU Field Days We would like to extend our condolences to Aug 15 PTGA Annual Meeting and George Skawski on the passing of his father Clambake on June 22. Glenmaura National We would also like to extend our condolenc- Sept PTGA Meeting @ Mt. Airy es to John Vojick on the passing of his father on August 4. Oct PTGA Meeting @ Blue Ridge Trail Scholarship Donations We are still accepting scholarship donations in Jim MacLaren’s honor. Checks are payable to PTGA, c/o Melinda at the address below. Please note on the check that it is a contribution to the scholarship in Jim MacLaren’s name. The total amount contributed will be announced at this meeting. POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION R.R. 1, BOX 219 POSTAGE HARDING, PA 18643 NAME & ADDRESS POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION 309 TERRACE AVENUE HARDING, PA 18643 PHONE/FAX 570-388-2167 WEBSITE: ptga.org ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED.