chips % purrs OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE Founded in POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION 1936 ASSOCIATION VOL. 4, NO. 3 MAY 1998 INDUSTRY NEWS: Penn State’s Turf Club dominated the student Turf Bowl Competition at the GCSAA Conference and Show in Anaheim, CA. Five students finished in the top 12 positions with Owen Russell finishing first and Ann Paulisich second. Other participants were Art Petrone, Dan Stockdale, and Dave Duncan. CASEY MARTIN ENTERS U.S. OPEN QUALIFYING The United States Golf Association (USGA) today received a completed entry form from Casey Martin for the 1998 U.S. Open that will be played June 18-21 at The Olympic Club in San Francisco, California. Mr. Martin is exempt from local qualifying by virtue of his Nike Tour victory earlier this year. He has elected to compete in 36-hole sectional qualifying on June 8 at Clovemook Country Club in Cincinnati, Ohio. This is one of 12 sectional qualifying sites for this year’s U.S. Open. The USGA was not a party to the recent lawsuit (appeal pending) between Casey Martin and the PGA Tour and disagrees with the verdict. However, the USGA will abide by the spirit of that decision during the 1998 U.S. Open. Fazio ringing When it opens, possibly sometime in 1999, Philadelphia’s Bell Bellewood will be the second course in Chester County designed by Fazio. The first is Hartefeld National in New Garden. Harte­ feld National will host the Senior PGA Tour’s NORTH COVENTRY, PA, Bell Atlantic Classic later this spring. Golf course architect Tom Fazio is quickly making his mark on the land of Chester County outside Philadelphia. Fazio has been chosen to transform the 172-acre Gruber estate in northern Chester County into a private, 18-hole facility called Bellewood. Bellewood will be a 6,877-yard, par-72 course straddling Route 724 just south of the Schuylkill Thinking S a fe ty River. A 16,000 square foot mansion built in 1864 Scholarship Winner will serve as the clubhouse. An additional 6,000 square foot mansion will be used for overnight O ther News accommodations and meetings. OFFICERS President’s Message...... & The golf season got off to a quick start with above normal temperatures early in DIRECTORS April. It looks like we are into a more typical spring weather pattern for now. But that changes day to day. 1998 Looks like we are going to be in for a real “buggy” season! I was nearly carried TURFGRASS away off a stream the other day while fishing! These gnats were huge. How long will ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT it be before we hear from our members, “Can’t you do anything about these bugs?” Ron Garrison, CGCS Or how about the golfer who sprays his legs with repellent of some sort while Fox Hill Country Club standing on the putting green! That looks neat. Be ready for a good year for Hyperoldes/Bluegrass Weevil. VICE PRESIDENT It was great to see everyone who attended the meeting at Silver Creek Country Jack Bird Club. Thank you Tony Grieco, CGCS, and your staff for a great day. Also, a big The Hideout, Inc. “Thank You” to John Wendorf from Novartis for the lunches and his discussion on plant conditioning with Primo. The round table discussion that was originally SECRETARY/TREASURER planned for that meeting did not take place due to lack of input from the membership. Scott A. Schukraft If you have any good topics, please get them to Gene Huelster for a future meeting. Huntsville Golf Club Jason Bamdt is shining up Berwick Golf Club for our upcoming meeting this month. I, along with Kelly Kressler, am looking forward to this first time host PAST PRESIDENT Superintendent and golf club. Keliy, who is from Berwick, started his career at Jeff Peters, CGCS Berwick Golf Club. He was one of our STAR employees at the Center Valley Club. Valley Country Club I am sure Jason will have everything ready for us when we arrive. DIRECTORS Stephen Stranzl Ronald C. Garrison, CGCS Green Acres Golf Course Jim MacLaren Turf Specialty, Inc. Thomas Wilchak Bethlehem Golf Club From the Editor’s Desk. Gene Huelster Pocono Farms C.C. As a lover of the game of golf, one of my many pet peeves is the lack of solidarity Tony Grieco, CGCS between the principle associations that preserve the game in this country. I am Silver Creek C.C. referring to the GCSAA, PGA, and USGA. Recently, I read an article about the World Golf Village which is opening in Florida. The article spoke about the significance of the three associations sitting down together for the first time, how CHIPS & PUTTS STAFF monumental it was. At first I was pleased to see these groups finally get together. I EDITORS then became ticked off after thinking about how many years were lost due to Tony Grieco, CGCS/Jim MacLaren stupidity. There are many that believe golf has reached a peak in popularity that can 147 Hayfield Road only be surpassed with change. If this is true, than so must it be true that change for Shavertown, PA 18708 the worse would have the opposite affect. I believe that change is needed not in the 717-675-3800 way we play the game, but in the way the game is managed. There must be cohesion Fax: 717-675-0564 between golfs associations for the game to make progress. 1 can only hope our E-Mail: sasgolf@epix.net association takes the lead in this issue and that this one joyous occasion leads to EDITORIAL COMMITTEE many more. Doug Bowman By the way, you can purchase a commemorative brick along the Walk of John Chassard Champions at the World Golf Village by calling 888-942-7425. Mention code 1072 Scott Schukraft for a superintendent’s discount. Jonathan Suitch Managing Editor, Tony Grieco, CGCS Melinda Wisnosky Safety Bingo game can save club big money sometimes even giving an employee their card so they could play two cards By Terry Buchen and have better odds of winning. Some­ LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA - - One of the _s___ A_98275__ 1___ s_ times employees in some departments largest expense items in a golf course 41 52 are also rewarded with an additional 5 18 68 operation is worker’s compensation in­ Bingo card if they did an outstanding surance premiums. El Niguel Country 7 27 32 47 70 job. Club’s worker’s compensation insurance “With a sign that lists how many days 3 20 0 46 63 have passed without a time/loss acci­ premiums were draining $120,000 from the budget each year and course officials dent, we further encouraged safety,” An­ 11 16 34 59 74 dreasen added. felt they had to reduce the number of accidents, provide a safer work environ­ 13 23 31 53 65 ment for their employees and save the course money in the process. More in­ and pay period is printed onto an adhe­ OFFIC E ft HOME PHONE W HITE h a v e n 7 1 7 -4 4 3 -B S S S T O P D R E S S IN G B U NK ER SA N D tense safety programs were carried out in sive label and attached to the current IN F IE L D M IX each department, with good results, but week’s Bingo card,” Mooney said. “Our C E R T I F I E D & C U L T IV A T E D course officials felt a better job still insurance company issues an HUMILL could be done. Their answer? A unique ‘Experience Modification’ percentage. BLUE RIDGE PEAT FARMS, INC. W H IT E H A V E N , P A . 1 8 6 6 1 * 9 6 7 4 and fun way for employees to really The lower the percentage number, the think and practice safety in the work­ safer and better the workplace is for P O T T IN G S O IL G EN E EVANS, OW NER place. employees, which is averaged over the s o il m ix e s P r o f e s s io n a l E n g in e e r “We started a Safety Bingo program past three years.” many years ago,” said General Manager If a golf course is in the 120 percent or Mike Mooney. “Employees from all de­ higher “experience mod” category, a partments play, drawing five numbers at representative from Occupational Safety 2:30 P.M. each Friday. The club puts and Health Administration automatically GROWTH * $50 in the Safety Bingo pot and adds $5 visits the property and performs a safety rPRODUCTS per week until one of our employees audit. El Niguel’s best “experience Tom C. Weinert, Jr. Technical Sales Representative wins.” mod” percentage has been 69 percent, Professional Liquid Fertilizers. Mieronutrients & Natural Organics He said there is usually never more “which is good,” Mooney added. P.O. Box 1259 • White Plains, NY • 10602 than $70 to $100 in the pot before some­ “If an employee gets hurt on the job GCSAA, NAA & PLCAA one wins. and fills out an insurance claim, they are Phone / FAX(717) 839-2636 • Main Office (800) 648-7626 TWeinert@GrowthProducts.com Mooney budgets $1,200 for Safety still eligible to play the following week Bingo every year. Not a bad investment, when Safety Bingo resumes,” said Alan he said, since in the first year alone we R. Andreasen, former superintendent at saved the club $49,000 in worker’s com­ El Niguel. “There is a noticeable Li­ pensation insurance premiums. amount of peer pressure by the club ed “Besides the cost savings to the club,” he said, “we really have a great spirit employees as they police each other by looking for safety items that need atten­ Earthworks rsi with our employees, to really provide a Natural Organic Products on tion, for better safety in the workplace so P.O. Box 27 8 K • 6 5 7 4 S. Delaware Drive r— safer workplace because no one wants to the Bingo game is not cancelled for one M artins Creek, PA 18063 6 1 0 *2 5 0 *9 6 5 0 CO get hurt on the job, but especially now week. Fax: 2 5 0 * 7 8 4 0 CO with the added incentive to win cash in soilfirst.com Joel Simmons oo “This safety program has probably our Safety Bingo contests.” eliminated a few frivolous claims as em­ He explained that is an employee gets ployees, for example, with a pulled mus­ hurt on the job where a worker’s com­ cle might go home and see if it hurts pensation claim must be filed, the club tomorrow after notifying their supervi­ AgrEvo does not have Safety Bingo for one sor,” he added. “Any other questionable week. A notice is posted in each depart­ injuries were sometimes not reported be­ ment stating that if there are no further cause of the Bingo game, but not a large Shaun M . Barry accidents or safety violations, Safety amount.” Senior Sales Representative Green Industry AgrEvo USA Company Bingo will resume the next Friday. Andreasen said Mooney and some of 1133 Route 127 Somerset, NJ 08873 “We use three different colored Bingo the department heads do not play Safety Telephone: (908) 846-8173 Fax: (908) 846-8113 cards that are rotated and each em­ Bingo so the other employees would banysSwilmde.hcc.com ployee’s full name, employee number have a better chance to win the pot, Turf Sales & ConsuCtation Superintendent’s Safety and Compliance Checklist.. ANDRE & SON, INC. By Terry Buchen TURF KING PRODUCTS WILLIAMSBURG, VA - - The ever- DEEP TINE AERIFICATION SERUICE expanding job description for golf course superintendents now includes employee JOHN VOJICK 2 M ill S treet 717-222-9712 M ontrose, PA 18801 safety and compliance in the workplace. 717-278-3835 FAX 1 -8 8 8 -8 8 7 -3 7 7 0 So detailed and technical is this task drain-safety that safety committees are meeting regu­ shelving-explosion proof light- larly - making this effort more efficient sprinkler system-heated/cooled- Your Link to Legacy and lowering insurance premiums. rinse aid tanks to reuse water-fire Golf Course The following checklist features some extinguisher LEGA CY Irrigation Systems of the more salient points accomplished Fertilizer storage - - 24-hour/day in day-to-day operations on all types of exhaust fan-spill containment-no courses: floor drain-safety shelving- ¡C entury Rain Aid I explosion proof light-sprinkler • Right-to-know stations/employees system-heated/cooled-fire extin­ 800-347-4272 sign -off that they have received guisher proper training Safety shower/eye-wash station • MSDA sheets pesticides-fertilizers- Wash rack-rinse aid to reuse water- all other chemicals/compounds, reg­ oil separator ister all pesticides with local fire Irrigation pump house/first aid kit- department. fire extinguisher/electrical/bilingual A E R -C O R E , Inc. • Hazardous Communication piping proper signage/heated/ Specialized Turf grass Aerification (HazCom) Program cooled/ventilated • Lock out/tag out program Fire extinguishers - - inspected • OSHA 200 Form - display as re­ monthly with signature on inspec­ CONTRACT AERIFICATION USING: quired tion tag ♦ Southern Green Soil Reliever • CPR training & certification First Aid kits (Deep Tine) • CPR instruction poster Eye-wash bottles ♦ TORO Fairway A erator • Emergency telephone number poster Disposable ear plugs ♦ TORO Hydroject • Safety training videos/notebooks Portable oxygen bottles • Wetlands/Army Corp of Engineers Goggles EQUIPMENT SALES FEATURING: • Federal minimum wage & work Glasses ♦ Southern Green Soil Reliever laws - bilingual Face shields ♦ Proseed SeederZTopdresser • State minimum wage & work laws - Paint masks ♦ Blecavator Ground Prep Machine bilingual Spray technicians/respirators with ♦ Greensgroomer Topdressing Brush • Local minimum wage & work laws spare cartridges/rubber gloves/rub- - bilingual ber boots/pesticide apron/spray EIGHT YEARS IN THE • Emergency evacuation plan suits/goggles/safety glasses AERIFICATION BUSINESS • Pesticide licenses Safety bingo ♦ Competitive Prices • Pesticide usage records Bilingual safety signs ♦ Proven Track Record • Fertilizer usage records Safety floor marking • Burn permits Safety electrical & piping sign • Used oil/fluids permit markings bilingual For Service or Demo Please Call: • Fuel storage/spill containment/fire Sign signifying “days without an 1 800 823-7267 - - extinguishers/emergency shut-off accident” bilingual Bob Eichert Bill Rahling switch/safety signs bilingual/prop- Handicap parking spaces & signs erly vented Insurance company safety audit • Pesticide storage - 24-hour/day ex­ Worker’s Compensation safety haust fan-spill containment-no floor compliance voluntary inspection Employee suggestion box. and would not be able to handle a OTHER NEWS significant increase. ARTICLES Wetlands Mitigation Banking has been OF INTEREST established in Washington under House Pass the Cloves Bill 2339, recently signed into law. The => “Helping Your Greens Make the law allows the purchase of wetlands Grade” Recent research on garlic claims “credits” as a means of making up for ( USGA Green Section Record - benefits that stem beyond warding off unavoidable impacts to wetlands from March/April ‘98) vampires and pungent flavor. Past development projects. studies have shown that cutting and => “Utilizing PreEmergence Herbicides crushing the cloves releases several With and Without Fertilizer Carri­ beneficial vitamins and compounds that ers” have possible health advantages. Garlic Sunworshippers ( USGA Green Section Record - contains vitamins A and C, potassium, Beware March/April ‘98) phosphorus, sulfur, and numerous amino acids. Sunscreen helps in preventing many => “Super Tips” Current studies are suggesting that types of skin cancer; however, it does not (Golf Course Management - April ‘98) garlic may reduce heart disease and some guard against melanoma, the 10th most types of cancer. Pennsylvania State common form of cancer in the U.S. => “A Few Minutes With Jim Arthur” University researchers have proven that According to research by the Memorial {Turf North - April ‘98) garlic lowers cholesterol levels and thins Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New the blood, which reduces clotting, the MERIT 75WSP York, genetic factors, such as fair skin, main cause of heart attack and stroke. red or blond hair, and a tendency to They have also found that garlic blocks develop moles, have six times the risk of the formation of carcinogens, reducing melanoma. Insecticide the risk of some types of cancer. More If sunscreen does not block the risk of studies are projected to further establish melanoma, what do we do? ACTIVE INGREDIENT: earlier findings of the health benefits of It has been proven that early childhood Imidacloprid, 1 -[(6-Chloro-3-pyridinyl) methyl]-A/-nitro-2-imidazolidinimine...........75.0% garlic. sun exposure has a lot to do with sun INERT INGREDIENTS.........................................................25.0% 100.0 % induced cancers, especially melanoma. Sunburn does not cause melanoma; KEEP O UT OF REACH OF CHILDREN however, it demonstrates the amount of CAUTION On the Government Front... exposure and sensitivity of the skin. Refer to accompanying manufacturer's recommenda­ Dr. Roger Ceilley, president of the tions for complete directions for use and precautions. The Army Corps of Engineers wants to American Academy of Dermatology, EPA Reg. No. 3125-439 EPA Est. 33967-NJ-1 replace General Wetlands Permit says that the study looked at sunscreen Nationwide 26 with regional “activity use in the 10 years prior to the melanoma Net Contents 1.6 ounces based” permits. Nationwide 26, which diagnosis. “Skin cancer usually occurs 907073 032394 expires at the end of 1998, is a general decades after damage is done by the permit for activities affecting ten acres or less of wetlands. The Corps’ new sun,” said Ceilley. Hence, it is essential Bayer that sun protection should begin at proposal would give EPA and the public childhood and continue throughout life, more influence over permitting by especially if you are more susceptible to John W. Wiblishauser Field Sales Representative basing permit conditions on regional the harm of the sun. concerns. According to Environmental Ceilley also warns people not to Agriculture Division Policy Alert, the regulated community dismiss sunscreen all together. Garden & Professional Care says the new process could require much Overwhelming evidence supports the more individual permitting which is beneficial effects of sunscreen usage. To generally a much slower and more be most effective, sun protection should Bayer Corporation burdensome permitting process. 31 8 E. Glenside Avenue, Glenside, PA 19038 begin in childhood and continue Phone: 215-887-8936 ♦ Fax: 215-887-0971 Industry sources say the Corps is already throughout life. Voicemail: 888-242-4200, ext. 3605 overwhelmed with individual permits Patterson Scholarship 1998 GCSAA Scholars Recipient... Competition... Josh Gehman, a fourth year student The GCSAA Scholars Program was de­ enrolled in the Agronomy/Turf Science veloped to recognize outstanding students Program at Delaware Valley College in planning careers in golf course manage­ Doylestown, PA, and current President ment. Applicants shall be evaluated based of the DVC Turf Club is this year’s on academic skill, potential to become a recipient of the Patterson Scholarship. leading professional, employment history, The Patterson Scholarship is awarded extracurricular activities and the recom­ annually by the PTGA to a second year mendation of a previous superintendent student in a two-year program, or a and a current academic advisor. Applica­ fourth-year student in an undergraduate tion deadline is June 1, 1998. program in a turfgrass related major. In Please call the GCSAA Foundation team his application, Josh wrote “However, I at 800-472-7878, Ext. 622, if you need soon began to realize that today’s turf applications. An application may also be field is not simply about attending Patterson Scholarship Recipient Josh found on the GCSAA Home Page. college, obtaining a degree, and getting a Gehman receiving Awardfrom PTGA (www.gcsaa.org) job. Today’s turf field involves a career Secretary/Treasurer Scott A. Schukraft. that also demands constant education about turf, managing employees, and meeting today’s environmental concerns. It also needs leaders and people to invoke inspiration in others. After seeing A EGYPT Dean S n yder P resident that to be the case, I decided I need to FARMS become more involved in not only Egypt Farms, Inc. school, but also my local golf course P.O. B o x 2 2 3 W h ite M arsh, M aryland 2 1 1 6 2 superintendents association.” Josh’s Phone: 8 0 0 -8 9 9 -7 6 4 5 application was supported by H. James L ocal: 4 1 0 -3 3 5 -3 7 0 0 Pager: 8 0 0 -7 0 5 -0 4 3 0 Loke, CGCS, Golf Course Manager at Fax: 4 1 0 -3 3 5 -0 1 6 4 Bent Creek in Lancaster, PA, where he completed a formal internship last summer. Josh’s father, John Gehman, is the owner/superintendent at Butter Valley Golf Course and current president of the Central PA GCSA. \© U A R 1US IR R IG A T IO N S U P PLY. CSC. Congratulations to Josh. We look CUSTOMER SERVICE IS forward to seeing him at several PTGA OUR #1 PRIORITY meetings this summer PA 1 8 0 0 - 9 8 9 -7 3 7 4 NJ 1 8 0 0 - 9 2 2 -0 7 1 7 It’s every player’s responsibility... • Layout and Design • Typesetting • Mac/IBM desktop publishing interface • Laser color separations ■ Repair ball marks • Scitex® electronic photo retouching ■ Replace or fill divots • Full electronic prepress services 31 New Hill Street, P.0 Box 507 ■ Rake bunkers i i î l 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 P * 'f 1998 PTGA MEETING SITES June 23,1998 - C. C. at Woodloch Springs August 1998 - Blue Ridge Country Club Host: Mark Eisele Host: Paul E. Weiss, Jr. July 7,1998 - Shawnee Inn and C. C. September 1998 - Delaware Water Gap Host: Steven Taggart Host: Charles LaBar October 12,1998 - Fox Hill Country Club Host: Ron Garrison, CGCS October 19,1998 - Philadelphia Cricket Club 22nd Annual Valentine Memorial Golf Tournament Call John Chassard for details at 610-967-4643 Superintendent Profile Jason has been the Superintendent t!) N O V A R T I S there for a little over a year. Origi­ Results from last month’s meet­ nally from Hellertown, Jason got ing at Silver Creek: Tony Grieco Bringing you the finest in turf his start in the turfgrass industry in and Kelly Kressler won the net management products including: 1990 when he worked under Ron division with a blistering 71. Great Garrison during the construction of job TONY! Scott Schukraft and the Center Valley Club. He gradu­ Tom Weinert won low net with a ated from Rutgers in 1995. He has 59, while Jim MacLaren and Sean been married to his wife Melissa Barricade® Cullen finished second with a 61. for almost two years. Jason’s hob­ Primo® Thanks again to Tony and the Sil­ bies include golfing and ice ver Creek staff for the great course Banner Maxx® hockey. I don’t think he wanted conditions and the fantastic food people to know that he is a big Sentinel® and service. The course was in Flyers fan, but unfortunately he is. great shape, even after one inch of Subdue Maxx® Oh well, better luck next year, Ja­ rain the previous day. son! This month’s meeting will be held at Berwick Country Club John Wendorf where Jason Barndt is the Superin­ Tel 302-731-5616 tendent. The course has a great PARTAC PARTAC PEAT Fax 302-731-5606 GOLF COURSE layout and will be challenging. TOP-DRESSING CORPORATION john.w endorf@ cp.novaitis.com Kelsey Park The first 9 holes were built in 1920 Great Meadows, N] 07838-9721 and designed by Frank Meehan. 1- 800 - 247-2326 Local (908) 637-4191 Check out our website at The remaining 9 were built in 1959 Fax (908) 637-8421 www.ep.us.novartis.com and designed by Paul Fahringer. PAft ? POCONO ROUNDUP NEWS AND VIEWS FROM THE POCONO Skytop Lodge is undergoing a multi-million dollar face lift - TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION new irrigation, clubhouse, etc. Look for exciting things from Tarriment Resort! Bill Rusak, formerly of Glen Brook Country Club, is now the assistant to Jeff Peters, CGCS, at Wild Pines. As of April 28, 1998, Crabgrass & Summer Patch is developing 15 to 30 days ahead of normal! If preemergence products were Eagle Rock Resort (Doug Witcraft), Sand Springs (Jim Kohler), and not applied earlier than anticipated, expect some crabgrass Wild Pines (Jeff Peters) are all preparing to open their new venues of control failures. golf SOON! Many instances of cool season brown patch have been detected. Tony Barletta, formerly of Edgewood in the Pines, is now manager The best control for this problem is “Why spray!” of Blue Ridge Trail. August 12-13,1998 - Penn State Turfgrass Field Days Mr. Laurel Resort is still not open. They are hoping to open the Joseph Valentine Turfgrass Research Center and Lanscape Spring of 1999. John Walton and crew are keeping the course Management Research Center, The Penn State University, maintained until the “legal eagles” decide what to do. University Park, PA 16802. Contact: Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council, P. O. Box 1078, Lemont, PA, 16851-1078, 814-863- Buck Hill Falls is in the process of constructing their NEW Golf 3475, Fax - 814-863-3479, OR Mr. George Hamilton, Maintenance Facility. As you know, their maintenance building was Department of Agronomy, 116 ASI Building, University Park, completely destroyed by fire on March 29. PA 16802, 814-865-3007 or e-mail h8x@psu.edu. POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION 147 HAYFIELD ROAD POSTAGE SHAVERTOWN, PA 18708-9748 TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION NAME & ADDRESS ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED.