CHIPS & PUTTS OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION www.ptga.org Founded in 1936 VOL. 22 NO. 7 September 2016 September Meeting Mt. Airy Golf Club Host: Andy Faist, GCS The original Mount Airy Lodge opened in the early 1950’s and holds a place in history as the corner- stone of the legendary Pocono Mountain vacation retreats. Considered America’s premier “honeymoon hide- way” for almost half a century, Mount Airy Lodge once had 890 hotel rooms, indoor and outdoor pools, skiing, snowmobiling, hiking, archery, sports center and a variety of other recreational activities. In the late 1970’s, resort owners developed the 18-hole Mount Airy Golf Club to add to the long list of resort amenities. A premier golf course for its day, the eighteen holes of Mount Airy were said to be designed after the 1966 Sports Illustrated article “The 18 Best Holes in the United States.” With the decline of Pocono Mountain tourism in the 1980’s and 1990’s, Mount Airy Lodge would eventually go into foreclosure in 1999. As the original hotel and much of the property fell into disrepair, the golf course would remain open as bank management companies sought a buyer for the property. In 2004, the property was purchased by Dunmore businessman, Louis DeNaples, with the ambition of redeveloping Mount Airy into a casino/resort under Pennsylvania’s newly approved gaming laws. Over the next several years, the entire original Mount Airy Lodge was demolished and subsequently replaced with the new Mount Airy Casino-Resort. Opening in 2007, the four-star resort includes a casino with Continued on page 6….. Page 2 President's Message..... Officers & Directors 2016 First, I would like to thank Greg Boring for his years of service as President of the Association. His term was during some of the toughest times courses in the Northeast have ever seen. I look forward to continuing the great service the Association has brought to our members in the past. PRESIDENT Gino Marchetti, Glen Oak C.C. The past few weeks have brought many challenges to courses 570-586-5791 in our area with wet wilt, mechanical damage and various VICE PRESIDENT diseases. Just know that everyone has been affected in some way on TREASURER their course. If there is anything that we as an Association can do to Patrick Healey, Scranton Canoe Club help with repair or your membership concerns, please don't be afraid to 570-378-2249 ask us for help. We are all here to support one another when times are SECRETARY tough. Please email or call me or any Board member, and we will do Chris Moran, Honesdale C.C. 570-253-9094 our very best to help or direct you to someone who can. The good news is that the weather is finally changing and the DIRECTORS Steven Chirip, Grass Roots, Inc. geese are flying south, so let’s all finish this year strong. 973-418-3468 Corey Pries, Powell’s Excavating 570-762-0394 Ron Garrison, Fox Hill C.C. Gino Marchetti 570-655-1065 Jerry Decker, Elkview C.C. 570-282-3080 Past Prresident Greg Boring, C.C. of Scranton Editor’s Notes….. 570-587-4046 __________________________ CHIPS & PUTTS STAFF EDITOR Brian Bachman, Genesis Turfgrass, Inc. September is supposed to be easier…..here’s to hoping it actu- 484-661-6105 ally gets easier soon. bbachman@genesisturfgrassinc.com Managing Editor Thanks for all the pictures this year…..keep sending them. Melinda Wisnosky 570-388-2167 mmel500@aol.com 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 News from the SRBC The purpose of this message is to notify you that on June 16, 2016, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (Commission) adopted a new Regulatory Program Fee Schedule, effective July 1, 2016. Please visit the Com- mission’s website at www.srbc.net to view the Regulatory Program Fee Schedule. Significant changes include: • Simplified the Regulatory Program Fee Schedule by consolidating project review application, modification, and renewal fees into a single table. • Increased standard groundwater application fees by 10 percent and municipal groundwater application fees by 3 percent. • Reduced Approval by Rule [18 CFR § 806.22(f)] application and renewal fees by 20 percent. • Added Minor Modifications as defined in 18 CFR § 806.18 to the Regulatory Program Fee Schedule. • Changed the application of the Annual Compliance and Monitoring Fee from each approved project to each approved facility, and added a municipal discount for the fee. • Increased Consumptive Use Mitigation Fee (Table 3) from $0.325 per 1,000 gallons consumed to $0.33 per 1,000 gallons consumed. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Commission at (717) 238-0423 or via e-mail at srbc@srbc.net. If there are others within your organization that need to be informed of this notification, please forward. Thank you! Susquehanna River Basin Commission PagePage 3 4 Outbreak of Mysterious Pythium Disease on Golf Courses By: Dr. John Kaminski, Penn State From Turfdiseases.org. August 26th 2016 This week I visited a couple of golf courses that are dealing with serious disease issues. After looking at the samples and touring the courses, I have determined that this is likely similar to what I found in the NY Met region in 2005. Pythium mimics summer patch In 2005, I observed some unique disease symptoms on a few golf courses that looked like summer patch. However, traditional summer patch fungicides didn’t control it. Upon closer examination our lab determined that we were dealing with a species of Pythium that was selectively taking out the annual bluegrass in mixed bent/Poa stands. Some key info (watch the slideshare for more info):  Patch disease caused by a Pythium species  Symptoms are identical with summer patch (bentgrass fills in damaged patches)  Signature programs the primary Pythium fungicide being used  Foliar Banol or Segway is recommended for curative control (don’t water-in)  Follow initial spray 3-5 days later with Segway or Subdue Maxx Over the next few years we continued to talk about this problem, but it basically went away. Apparently it’s back. Here’s a slideshare of what I talked to golf course superintendents about based on the limited information we had at the time. Our lab is now actively seeking samples of this disease in an effort to concentrate research time to identify the pathogen and find management options. Page 6 Continued from page 1…. 2500 slot machines, casino table games, a 188-room hotel, spa, restaurants ranging from casual to high end Italian and steak house….and of course the original golf course. The early stages of development of the $412 million Mount Airy Casino-Resort project saw little atten- tion directed toward the golf course, as focus was understandably on the revenue generating foundations of the casino and hotel. Recent years have seen a firm commitment by management to invest in the golf course and bring it back to its original glory as Mount Airy Casino-Resort once again seeks to establish itself as a premier resort destina- tion in the Poconos. Since 2010, the Mount Airy Golf Club has seen the installation of a new irrigation system, re-surfacing of cart paths, extensive tree work, new equipment purchases, a new clubhouse, new putting green, and an increased maintenance budget. Mt. Airy is overseen by Superintendent Andy Faist, who has been there for 10 years. Assisted by Dio Al- varez, they supervise an in-season staff of 9 on the par 71 golf course and another 4 just for the casino landscap- ing. Andy, originally from the New England area and a UMASS grad, uses his history as an assistant at three dif- ferent clubs, including Glenmaura, to manage the 6500 yards of poa/bent greens, rye/poa tees, and Heinz 57 fair- ways at Mt. Airy. Page 7 August Meeting Results Closest to the Pin - #2 1st Place - 55* Skins (4 Total Skins) Mark Brown 3’1” Tony Barletta, Jake Popowicz Josh Popowicz & Duane Schell Team 2A Closest to the Pin - #7 (Hart, Decker, Rogan) Fred Hutterer 9’0” Eagle #1 & #6 2nd Place - 55 TJ Hart, Jerry Decker & Chase Rogan Closest to the Pin - #9 Team 12A Les Lear 11’8” (Schell, Barletta, Popowicz, 3rd Place - 61* Barry Goodhart, Shaun Marcellus, Popowicz) Closest to the Pin - #11 Eagle #16 & #18 Jamie Devers & Brian Cross Josh Popowicz 5’8” *Denotes U&SGA Method Closest to the Pin - #15 Longest Drive - #14 for match of cards. Jamie Devers 6’10” Jerry Decker 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 This unfortunate snapping turtle was stuck in this drain pipe af- ter some of the heavy rainfalls back in late July/early August. Thanks to our friend Shaun Bar- ry for sending this picture from Toms River C.C. in NJ. (The crew ultimately did set the turtle free.) Page 8 A Super’s Observations with Etiolation By Dr. John Kaminski, Penn State From: Turfdiseases.org, July 28th, 2016 A couple of weeks ago, Scott Blough from Nassau Country Club asked me about the impact of applying DMIs on turf that was showing symptoms of etiolation. While I had heard varying thoughts on this from the industry, my only real suggestion was, “Go ahead and try and let me know what happens.” Well here’s Scott’s response to what he observed with his etiolation issues that started to show up earlier this month. “As soon as the weather changed from being dry to more humid, etiolation began to develop in certain areas of my Alpha, A1 and A4 greens. It started in the collars and moved to the greens only in areas with little to no morning sun. All greens were sprayed up for Pythium Root Dys- function and Rot. There was labeled rate of Primo applied just prior to the start of the etiolation. Once the weather turned cooler, 2 oz/m of Banner Maxx was applied and left on the surface. All etiolation disappeared shortly after the application and has not developed again. Strictly Trim- mit was applied after this and Primo was completely taken out of the program. Ammonium Sul- fate was also not used any more. The decline has subsided and are now in recovery. The key to the recovery is stopping the algae from setting in by using Daconil and Fore in rotation. Eliminating the Ammonium Sulfate, even if watering in, and also Primo. Spraying Trimmit has also helped. It is good to spend the time to scratch the decaying leaf blades and raise them up to allow air and also new plants to emerge in the declining areas. I feel it is important to not apply P, because it seems to encourage the algae growth. Also, remove trees that prevent morning sunlight on Bentgrass greens.” Scott Blough, Superintendent Nassau Country Club While these are only observations, Scott’s take home message for his issue was to remove ammonium sul- fate and Primo from his program and that the DMI application appeared to knock back or prevent additional etiolation symptoms. While these are anecdotal observations, at this point I think superintendents are willing to try anything as there doesn’t seem to be a lot of research based management options out there. 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 Sept 13 PTGA Meeting @ Mt. Airy Congratulations! Congratulations to Pat Healey, Superintendent Sept 26 Met Tournament @ at Scranton Canoe Club, and his wife Marissa, on the Scranton C.C. birth of their daughter, Grace Maryanna, who was born on Friday, September 16. Oct 26 PTGA Meeting@ Blue Ridge Trail Nov 15-17 PSU Turf Conference 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.