CHIPS V- PUTTS OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE Founded in POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION 1936 TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION VOL. 5, NO. 4 JUNE 1999 SOME ECOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES OF TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT By D. B. White It is often useful to take a non-traditional view of condition (which some might call normal). our turf situations. A new perspective often results in It is something like running as fast as you some new ideas. My objective is to apply ecological can for as long as you can. The longer you principles to turf management that run, the longer it takes to recover may give some insights into why “The first principle is really my and catch your breath. Optimum things happen in the turfgrass definition o f Turf Management. ” means the best or most favorable community. I’ve added a few condition for c o n t i n u e d principles to my list and hope they are useful to you as reproducible performance. The lesson for us guideposts in examining problems and developing is that if we drive our turf as hard as it can programs. go (say by mowing as close as possible), it The first principle is really my definition o f Turf will sooner or later fail and the harder it has Management. been driven (the closer it has been mowed), (# 1 ) “Turf management is the management of the longer it will take to recover. competition between desirable (turfgrasses, trees, etc.) (# 4 ) “There are limits of tolerance related and undesirable (weeds, etc.) vegetation.” to conditions under which turf can grow.” This says we manage our turf to favor the plants we Shade and non-shade tolerant grasses offer want, while penalizing the plants we don’t want. an example. There is a minimum amount of Mowing, for instance, favors turfgrasses while light under which “Baron” Kentucky penalizing young woody plants and most course weeds bluegrass can maintain competitive growth. that can’t tolerate decapitation. If the minimum is exceeded, “Baron” will The other principles are not definitions and are not be able to compete with, say “Glade” described below. which utilizes light more efficiently and (#2) “All plants are different in response to the tolerates lower light levels. Another major growth factors (light, water, nutrients, air) and example is that elite type Kentucky mowing.” bluegrasses tolerate a lower mowing height The differences allow us the opportunity to manage than common Kentucky bluegrasses. Lower the competition. Another example with mowing is the height of cut and you eliminate the that most turfgrasses respond to regular mowing in a “Elite” types and end up with poa annua or way that increases the population of tillers. The turf bentgrass. becomes denser, capturing more light and crowding (#5) “There are interactions between out or not allowing other plants to become established. (Continued on page 5) (#3) “There is an optimum set of conditions when considering the major growth factors under which any ffv ......... plant type will be most productive and competitive.” If we can discern the optimum level for light, water, • The pH Factor nutrients, soil, air, mowing, etc., for the plants we desire and maintain these conditions, then our turf • A Synopsis -April Meeting will always be functioning at the best level of quality. An important note here is that optimum is not meant • An Environmental Hero to be maximum. A maximum condition can only be maintained briefly and then a recovery period is required to bring things back to a sustainable OFFICERS President’s Message....... & DIRECTORS We kicked off our season with our first meeting at Silver Creek C.C. Tony Grieco, CGCS, had the course looking great, only to have it beat up by 40-plus “golfers”. The PTGA wants to thank the management for allowing us to utilize TURFGRASS 1999 their facilities and Tony for a fine job in preparation. ASSOCIATION I am sorry to announce that Tom Wilchak resigned from the Board of Directors PRESIDENT last month. Tom served on the Board since October 1996. He was currently Golf Jack Bird Chairman and Vice President. I respect his personal reasons for leaving and would The Hideout welcome him back on the Board any time. Thanks, Tom, for your time and contributions to the Association. I hope to see you soon at one of our meetings. VICE PRESIDENT I called GCSAA Chapter Relations about the vacant position of Vice President. Gene Huelster They responded: “The position should be filled by a person currently on the Board Pocono Farms Country Club by the President or the Executive Committee.” This does not go against the GCSAA by-laws or the by-laws of the PTGA. 1 called Gene Huelster of Pocono Farms C.C., SECRETARY/TREASURER and he accepted the position of Vice President for the rest of the term. This leaves a Tony Grieco, CGCS directorship position open. 1 will have appointed someone (John Downer) by the Silver Creek Country Club time this is printed and that person will fill that position until elections at our annual meeting in October. PAST PRESIDENT There are more happenings! Come out to a few meetings and check things out. Ron Garrison, CGCS Fox Hill Country Club DIRECTORS Jack Bird Jason J. Barndt Berwick Golf Club Darrin M. Batisky Glen Oak Country Club From the Editor’s Desk. Jim MacLaren Turf Partners, Inc. Good Press, Bad Press? Mark Eisele Country Club at Woodloch Springs Lately in the local WiIkes-Barre/Scranton area, newspapers have run feature stories on local golf courses. GOOD PRESS? Maybe. The gist of the articles was John Downer on the demise of greens at various golf courses because of last winter’s ice damage. Elkview Country Club Two local superintendents were interviewed on what had occurred to cause the damage, etc. GOOD PRESS, but the press dwelled more on what had happened, rather than what is necessary to repair the damage and get the greens back in playing condition, BAD PRESS. In instances, other than the two superintendents; CHIPS & PUTTS STAFF interviews, the information came from either the golf pro or general manager who EDITOR collectively have no clue as to what really happened, or didn’t happen, and what it is Jim MacLaren going to take (and how long) to regain playing conditions. Who is at fault? Maybe we as an Association or the Superintendent individually. Managing Editor, How much public relations do we do collectively with the local press, specifically Melinda Wisnosky the sports editor, as he/she comes to the course to cover local events. Probably none! R.R. 1, Box 219 Why? Because we probably don’t even know the sports/golf editor on a personal Harding, PA 19643 basis. This Association is actively addressing this situation by inviting the golf 570-388-2889 editor to our monthly meetings in the area in which their paper is published. We, as Fax: 570-388-2167 individuals, should do our part and get to know these people on a personal basis and open lines of communication. Good press can become bad press and visa versa. EDITORIAL COM M ITTEE When did you last hug a sports editor? Sankey Brum ley Tony Grieco, CGCS Jim MacLaren Doug Witcraft 1999 MEETING SITES VERT1-ORAINDEALERS 71 7-200-9004 &CONTRACTORS 000-554-4063 FAX 717-200-9023 June 22, 1999 C. C. at Woodloch Springs E S M G o l f S u p p l y C o . Mark Eisele A DIVISION OF H.V. INC. 20S WOODWARD HILL RD., EDWARDSVILLE. PA 1B7CM SPECIALISTS OEEPTINE AERATION July 20, 1999 Skytop Lodge Tom Williams W ILLIA M SMITH August 16, 1999 Pocono Farms C.C. (Clam Bake) Gene Huelster A EGYPT D ean S nyder President September 21, 1999 Eagle Rock Resort FARMS 0changed) Doug Witcraft Egypt Farms, Inc. P.O. B o x 2 2 3 W h ite M arsh, M aryland 2 1 1 6 2 October 19, 1999 Bethlehem Golf Club Phone: 8 0 0 -8 9 9 -7 6 4 5 Tom Wilchak L ocal: 4 1 0 -3 3 5 -3 7 0 0 Pager: 8 0 0 -7 0 5 -0 4 3 0 Fax: 4 1 0 -3 3 5 -0 1 6 4 GOLF CARS INC. LEASING • SALES • SERVICE PAUL S ZY M A N S K I S A LES JUNE MEETING SITE 4180 SKYRON DRIVE BUCKINGHAM, PA 18912-0247 215-340-0880 O FFIC E • 215-340-1634 FAX The Country Club at Woodloch Spring Private Resort - 18 holes Bentgrass Greens, Tees, and Fairways 60 sand traps, 6,679 yards championship tees Rocky Roquemore design One of the top ten new courses - 1993 {Golf Magazine) 4 Star great value - 1994 {Golf Digest) New York’s representative Golf Course - 1999 (Golf Digest) Mark Eisele - Golf Course Superintendent since 1993 Associate Degree Plant Science/Horticulture at State University of New York at Delhi Mark is single, likes fishing, hunting, golf, and visiting Civil War Battlefields. AER-CORE, Inc. Specialized Turfcrass Aerification • Deep-Tine, Coring & Hydroject • Greens, Tees. Fairways and Athletic Fields • Competitive Prices UARIUS. • Soil Reliever Distributor (call for demo) • Proven Track Record - Six Years in Business • M ultiple Units for Fast Completion ______ Look to AQUARIUS for all your golfcourse needs: CARRYALL 47 Heron Hill Drive Phone: 1-610-458-0890 Fountains, Irrigation supplies, d r iv e rr t o w o r k .E H S 1 Downingtown, PA 19335 Pump stations e tc ..... Bob Eichert Bill Rahling PA 1800-989-7374 NJ 1800-922-0717 A SYNOPSIS OF The April Meeting at Silver Creek Country Club TURF Jim MacLaren A good time was had by all in attendance at our April Meeting at Silver Creek SPECIALTY Sales Representative I N C. Country Club. Tony Grieco, CGCS, gave us a rare treat and allowed us to play the “Hill Nine”, part of the original 18 holes. The course, as usual, was in impeccable Office: (717)443-7154 condition, attesting to the fact that Tony is one of the top twenty golf course superin­ 14 James Place Pager: (717) 978-5649 tendents in the Lehigh Valley. White Haven, PA 18661 Fax: (717) 443-7015 Many thanks to the Silver Creek C.C. membership for availing their course to our use and to Mr. Jay Gallo and his staff for the excellent and courteous service. The educational portion on “Lyme Disease” was excellent, with many questions being offered by the membership. PHILADELPHIA TURF COMPANY 4049 LANDISVILLE ROAD, BOX 865 GOLF WINNERS D0YLEST0WN, PA 18901-0865 O f the Best Two Ball of Four (Full Handicap) OFFICE 215-345-7200 FAX 215-345-8132 MATTHEW W. BROWN GEORGE J. SKAWSKI, JR. Congratulations to: Commercial Products Irrigation Products Voice Mail Voice Mail 215-340-5401 215-340-5450 1st 2nd 3rd TORO, Tony Stranzl Ron Garrison (Footsie) Charlie McGill Steve Stranzl John Chassard John Doyle Rich Pany Darrin Batisky Mark Oesterling Tom Drayer Gene Huelster Mark Reed KOONZ 'er Supply, Inc. WHOOPS! A mishap occurred during the golf portion of the meeting. Apparently one of our esteemed members didn’t propel his ball in either the proper direction or the proper distance to his satisfaction, so he applied a “footsie” to the windshield of the cart. He will reimburse Silver Creek for its replacement! Whether you THINK you can or THINK you can 7 - y o u ’re right. Irrig a tio n supplier to the G o lf Course S uperintendent Turf Salts & Consultation JOHN M. BODOCK No one knows ANDRE 8c S O N , IN C . irrigation like Koonz L a w n an d G o lf S u p p ly C o ., Inc. TURF KING PRODUCTS S pe cia lists I n E q u ip m e n t A nd S upplies Serving The Area Since 1914 F or M a in ten a n c e O f T urf 8 0 0 -7 7 2 -8 4 8 6 39 Waverly Avenue, P.O. Box 55 JOHN VOJICK 2 M ill S treet Springfield, NJ 07081 717-278-1131 Work MONTROSE, P A 18801 PHO NE: (610) 933-5801 717 -2 22 -9 71 2 Res. 7 1 7 -2 78 -3 83 5 FAX (800) 362-5650 647 NUTT RD„ P.O. BOX 447 FAX: (6 1 0 )9 3 3 -8 8 9 0 PHOENIXVILLE, PA 19460 Ra in ^ B ir d G R E E N -R E L E A F . (Continued from page 1) growth factors and we must realize that when we change one condition we change them all.” An example might be if we increase irrigation, we increase leaching potential (interaction of water with nutrients) and decrease air in the soil (interaction with oxygen and soil) and can change pH, etc. The more we understand interaction the easier it will be to manage turfgrasses. (#6) “There is an accumulation effect associated with constant or regular treatment applications.” If we constantly mow elite Kentucky bluegrasses at the normal height for “Common” bluegrasses, the effect will likely be to accumulate excessive organic matter, thatch. If we continually apply lime when it is not needed, it will accumulate a higher pH which may lead to reduced availability of some nutrients. If we regularly mow a putting green at the lower limit of tolerance, the effect will likely be to accumulate a continuing reduction in not only top growth, but also root growth and consequently accumulate an increased susceptibility to drought and wear damage. (#7) “One shot treatments do not accumulate effects, but tend to move things off center only briefly. Usually the tendency is for the situation to return to the original condition.” It is comforting to remember that nature is forgiving in many ways (just don’t make the same mistake twice) and grass grows in spite of us! Application of this principle allows us, for example, to mow shorter than is desired occasionally, say for overseeding, without doing a great deal of lasting damage. Conversely, we must realize that in order to really change things we usually need to establish a program for continuing application of the change factor. (#8) “When things are not going right, an effective strategy is to identify the factor or condition furthest from the optimum and correct it first.” This is a very important principle because it adds incentive to learn the others and occasionally allows us to perform seemingly magical things. The reason is that all factors interact and when the furthest from the optimum is corrected, it usually interacts to shift responses to all the other factors closer to the optimum. There are several more principles that are applicable to turf management situations. Maybe the best one to end up with is (#9) “If things are working well, don’t 'fix’ them.” TURF \ i j ' AN ENVIRONMENTAL HERO! The more than 25 million acres of lawns in the United States provide environmental benefits such as: => OXYGEN PRODUCTION. 625 square feet of lawn provides enough oxygen for for one person for an entire day. => TEMPERATURE MODIFICATION. On a block of eight average homes, front lawns have the cooling effect of 70 tons of air- conditioning. => ALLERGY CONTROL. Turf controls dust, in addition to pollen from plants that can cause serious health problems for some individuals. => POLLUTANT ABSORPTION. Turfgrass absorbs gaseous pollutants such as carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide, converting them to oxygen. => PARTICULATE ENTRAPMENT. Turfgrasses trap an estimated 12 million tons of dust and dirt released annually into the at­ mosphere. => FIRE RETARDATION. Grass around buildings helps retard the spread of fire. => WATER QUALITY. Reducing runoff, turfgrass filters the water that helps to recharge groundwater supplies. Because of its filtering capability, turf has been used for years between agricultural fields as a buffer to prevent pesticide runoff. According to EPA’s publication Healthy Lawn, Healthy Environment: “Healthy grass provides feeding ground for birds, who find it a rich source of insects, worms and other food. Thick grass prevents soil erosion, filters contaminants from ground water, and absorbs many types of airborne pollutants, like dust and soot. Grass is also highly efficient at converting carbon dioxide to oxygen, a process that helps clean the air.” D iary o f a G reenskeeper WEDNESDAY ICentury Rain AidI Your Link to Legacy Golf Irrigation Systems Slept late, went in at 5:30. Changed cups, 18 greens hit 14 rocks, no record, but close. Thirteen green has a disease that looks like vomit, on closer inspection, it is vomit - what a relief. m L E (* é £ z You can hose off vomit. Birds working on greens, how many cutworms does it take to fill up a crow? I think their mother was CENTURY GOLF PROFESSIONAL NJ/PA raped by a rooster the way they scratch with their black toenails > PHIL DEMARCO » 800-642-3706 and dig with their beaks. The member who owns an ice cream plant told me we need more sand in the traps. I told him his maple walnut needs more nuts! He said, “Times are tough.” I agree. Went to the clubhouse for a cup of coffee and the manager asked me if I knew anything about the septic backing up? Left without getting coffee. Fairly normal afternoon except we are down to one Cushman. Are flat tires contagious? Home for dinner at the right time for a change. No one is home. Note says to heat up a TV dinner. Go down to The Olde Eagle Inn and wash down a steak with a half dozen hinnies. Finish mowing rough. Wife mad. Don’t care. Fall asleep on the floor after watching the Sands o f Iwo Jima. Love Big Duke! Lee A. Kozsey TREES I Senior Territory Sales Lead AN ENVIRONMENTAL HERO (also) Zeneca Professional Products 3710 Amherst Court Bethlehem , PA 1802 0-1356 Trees bring beauty and practical benefits to modern society. They provide shade, Telephone (610) 861-8174 Mobile (6 1 0 )7 3 0 -9 1 8 5 beautify properties, strip pollutants from the air, and much more. Kept healthy by Fax (6 1 0 )8 8 2 -9 3 5 8 E-mail lee.kozseyOAGNA.Zeneca.com specialty pesticides and mechanical controls, trees: Voice Mail (888) 875-9990. X 0163 => Save energy. One large tree has the same cooling effect as 15 room-size air- ZENECA A business unit of Z E N E C A Inc. conditioners. Mature trees shading homes cut energy costs by 18-50%. => Increase property value. Trees can add up to 20% to the value of a home. How­ ever, without proper maintenance, the value of trees declines. Timely use of spe­ cialty pesticides controls disease and insect damage. Od => Clean the air. One acre of trees removes 5 tons of carbon dioxide from the air annually. According to the American Forestry Association, on average, mature tree absorbs 26 pounds of carbon dioxide per year. The same tree cleans up pol­ Earthworks Natural Organic Products rsi on P.O. Box 278K • 6574 S. Delaware Drive lution created by a car driven 11,300 miles, as well as gives off enough oxygen Martins Creek, PA 18063 for a family of four to breath for a year. 610*250*9560 CD Fax: 250*7840 CD soilfirst.com Joel Simmons oo • Layout and Design • Typesetting I t ’ s e v e r y p la y e r ’s r e s p o n s ib ilit y ... • Mac/IBM desktop publishing interface • Laser color separations ■ Repair ball marks • Scitex® electronic photo retouching • Full electronic prepress services ■ Replace or fill divots 31 Hill Street, P.O. Box 507 Wilkes-Barre, PA 18703-0507 • Foil stamping, embossing ■ Rake bunkers 570-822-8181 • Complete bindery including FAX: 570-823-3579 saddlestitch and perfect binding A message fro m your g o lf course superintendent a n d G CSAA THE pH FACTOR: A Basic Understanding of the Effects of pH in Spray Tank Solutions clog the sprayers. The pH of water that is available is something which you Although when these metals are chelated, they become have no control. You can be blessed with a source that runs immune to hydrolysis and are totally and completely available to 6.5-7.0, or can be cursed with a water that runs as high as 8- the plant. 9, or even 10. This article is confined to the effect of pH of Correcting the pH of the water in the spray tank is possible water on various pesticides in the spray tank and the and achievable, but should not be done haphazardly. The measures one can take to partially compensate for some of accurate way to monitor pH is with a pH meter. But these the deleterious effects of alkaline waters. meters can go haywire unless they are checked and In general the loss in effectiveness is due to hydrolysis; standardized on a daily basis. The use of pH paper is a and the rate hydrolysis is determined by: (1) the pH; (2) cruder way of checking pH and will not be accurate the chemistry of the pesticide; (3) time of exposure in the within 0.5. But since a pH between 6.5 and 7.0 is an spray tank; (4) temperature of the water in the spray acceptable range, one can get by with pH paper. tank. ^ The one acide that is readily available to everyone is (1) pH is measured in logarithmic units, in other vinegar. It should be carefully added to the water in the words a pH of 8 is ten times more alkaline than a pH of spray tank in small increments, checking with the pH 7 and a pH of 9 is 100 times more alkaline than 7. The paper. If too much vinegar is added and the pH drops hydrolysis rate of an alkaline sensitive chemical will below 6.5, the pH can be brought back with household increase by a factor of ten for every pH unit. ammonia. Always adjust the pH of the water before adding the (2) The chemistry of the pesticide is an extremely chemicals to the spray tank. important factor. Most chemicals will undergo alkaline There is an important caution that you must be made aware of: hydrolysis. On the other hand, some are acid sensitive and the effect on postemergent herbicides. Specifically, herbicides will undergo acid hydrolysis. such as 2, 4-D, MCPP, MCPA, and Dicamba are water insoluble (3) Time of exposure in an alkaline mediums also a critical acids that have been put in solution with amines. These factor. What comes out of the spray tank during the first solutions are always alkaline, and if they are acidified these hour of spraying could be more effective than what comes out herbicides drop out as water insoluble gums, which will foul up during the last hour of spraying. the spray tanks. They are best sprayed with the alkaline water. (4) An increase of temperature of 10 degrees C (18 degrees Never adjust the pH of herbicidal sprays! However, F) will double the speed of decomposition. The sun’s rays methylarsonates such as MSMA and DSMA are unaffected by beating down on a spray tank will have some effect on the pH. rate of hydrolysis, and so will constant agitation tend to To conclude, remember that unless you carefully and warm up the spray mixture. painstakingly adjust the pH of the water within the narrow limit Various pesticide manufactures have supplied data of between 6.5 - 7.0, it would be better for you to accept the showing the effect of pH on the half life of their pesticides alkalinity of your water and do nothing at all. and is reported on their label. Surprisingly, the insecticides Dursban and Diazinon, although affected adversely by pH, still have extremely long half-lives at high pH’s. This is not consistent with what the RAFFLE TICKETS golf course superintendent is finding in the field. Perhaps resistant Once again it is time to raise money for our scholarship fund. strains of insects play a more important part than pH. Every member of the PTGA has received raffle tickets which On the other hand, products like Sevin, Malathion, and should be sold by clam bake time. The prizes consist of golf Dylox (Proxol) are severely affected by high pH’s. Adjusting equipment and free golf for a foursome. the water in the spray tank would most assuredly improve The drawing will take place at the Clam Bake on July 17 at their effectiveness. Pocono Farms C.C. You may either bring the ticket stubs and Aside from pesticides, there are tremendous amounts of money to the clam bake or mail them to me. Any unsold tickets iron, magnesium, and other trace elements being used as must be returned to me. My address is: adjuvants in spray mixtures. With the exception of bom, which is not truly metallic, all the metallic salts will undergo Address to send Raffle money, stubs, unsold tickets: hydrolysis at a pH of above 7 and end up as hydroxides and Jason Barndt oxides which are totally inactive. The classic example is PO . Box 1484 ferrous sulfate which hydrolyzes rapidly and will end up as Albrightsville, PA 18210 inactive iron oxide rust, sometimes in sufficient amount to P*p POCONO ROUNDUP n ew m em bers NEWS AND VIEWS FROM THE POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION The Pocono Turfgrass Association would like to welcome the following new members: John D. Fowler, Novartis, Class AF REPORT CARD Desri L. Pursell, Sweeney Seed Company, Class AF Jeff F. Siglin, Skytop Lodge, Class B FOR TH E 1998 CHIPS & PUTTS Edward R. Zimmerman, Lesco, Inc., Class AF FROM TH E GCSAA Out of a possible 85 points for a perfect score, the 1998 editions Roster Books of our Chips & Putts fared with a 58. Not too bad, considering we were penalized for things like: The Roster Books have been mailed out. Anyone who did not receive one, please call Melinda and let her know (570-388- V Lack of contributing articles by superintendents 2889). If you should like an extra book, the cost is $5.00. V Balance of original material and pre-printed material V Placement/use of photos But Chips & Putts got an above average grade for “Overall Congratulations! Design.” Todd Ahner, Olde Homestead Golf Club, and his wife Jamie are the proud parents of a bouncing baby girl, Ashlyn Shey, who was born on May 26. Todd and Jamie now have two girls. Il&YYllTlCCeYl Monies for the sale of Raffle Tickets MUST be in by the Clam Bake at Pocono Farms on July 17! POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION 147 HAYFIELD ROAD POSTAGE SHAVERTOWN, PA 18708-9748 TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION NAME & ADDRESS ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED.