«v chips %puns OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE Founded in POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION 1936 VOL. 5, NO. 3 MAY 1999 QUALITY TURF REQUIRES GOOD Turfgrass requires large amounts of FERTILITY MANAGEMENT potassium. B y D r. W . M . S tew a rt Potassium is second only to nitrogen in the amounts required by turfgrass plants. Soil potassium can be quickly depleted under People have used turfgrass for centuries to improve turf. Therefore, frequent applications of their environment and quality of life. potassium fertilizers are usually necessary to A few of the many practical benefits that turf achieve optimum performance. The provides include soil erosion control and dust recommended rate of potash fertilizers can prevention, surface water quality improvement, heat be as much as twice that of nitrogen in some dissipation, noise abatement, and glare reduction. A cases. Proper potassium fertility critical component in the production and maintenance management has been shown to be of dense and healthy turf is proper soil management associated with increased disease resistance, and fertilization. Response of turfgrass to various increased heat and cold tolerance and fertilizer elements is generally measured in terms of improved overall ability to endure stressful color, density, uptake, and clipping yield. conditions. Adequate potassium levels Nitrogen is required in the largest quantities of all improve the winterhardiness of warm season the plant essential mineral elements and is often grasses such as bermuda grass and the heat the most limiting nutrient in turfgrass growth. tolerance of cool season grasses such as The most obvious result of nitrogen fertilization is a bentgrasses. Satisfactory levels of potassium rapid green-up and increased shoot growth and overall produce turf that is more likely to endure turf density. Nitrogen nutrition also affects root stressful conditions such as drought and growth, stress tolerance, recuperative potential, and excessive traffic. weed encroachment. Secondary and micronutrient fertilizer is often Nitrogen fertilizers used on turf are classed as essential in the production of healthy turf. quick release or slow release. For example, turfgrass color is often Quick release sources like ammonium sulfate, urea, improved with foliar applications of iron. and ammonium nitrate tend to cause flushes of growth Balanced fertility management can reduce that last for only a few weeks. Therefore, the most the risk of encountering many problems in effective way to apply quick release nitrogen is by turf production. “spoon feeding” in frequent applications. Slow Soil and tissue tests in conjunction with release nitrogen sources like sulfur coated urea field observations should be used in (PCSCU), IBDU, Ureaformaldehyde (UF), methylene determining the need for all nutrients. ureas (Nutralene/Meth-Ex40), and Polyon provide a way to avoid the more erratic growth cycles encountered with quick release sources. (f \ t& s s l \/1/14aC % Phosphorus is an important component of turfgrass nutrition. Sufficient phosphorous fertility of turfgrasses is • What is the Allied? associated with increased root growth and branching, increased tillering, hastened maturity, reduced • Questions of 25 years ago encroachment of some weed species, and improved • Preventing Patch Disease drought tolerance and recovery. Excessive phosphorous applications have in some cases been related to annual bluegrass (poa annua) encroachment. OFFICERS President’s Message....... & DIRECTORS Winter kill! Old Man Winter left his mark on many of us here in Northeast PA. I, for one, now know what it is and how devastating it can be. Poor drainage after a heavy rain, to be followed by an ice storm, did me in on two greens, with damage TURFGRASS 1999 done to several other greens and fairways. So the fun begins! ASSOCIATION We started aerating, verticutting, overseeding, topdressing and fertilizing PRESIDENT everything. We even overseeded the second and third time. Covering the greens Jack Bird with plastic to help with germination and getting the ground temperature up was The Hideout done. Now we sit and wait. “Patience” is the key word in this case. Once you have done all you can, you must be patient. Mother Nature has got to do her part. VICE PRESIDENT I called on some of our fellow supers who have dealt with this before, and who are dealing with it now for the first time, and we discussed ways of dealing with this. It’s nice to know your fellow superintendents are there to help out with advice and SECRETARY/TREASURER equipment. That is also what the P.T.G.A. is about - helping one another. Tony Grieco, CGCS Membership dues should be in by now, giving us a solid number for our budget. Silver Creek Country Club We will give you some numbers next issue. No scholarship was awarded this year as we received no applications. The money allotted for this scholarship was put PAST PRESIDENT back in the education fund. Ron Garrison, CGCS There will be a “Strategic Planning Meeting” held on May 21, 1999. Please plan Fox Hill Country Club to attend. Don Bretthauer from the GCSAA will be guest speaker. Ron Garrison will be gathering more information concerning this meeting. DIRECTORS There will be a few changes proposed in the Pocono Turfgrass by-laws. They will Jason J. Bamdt be announced at three different meetings and voted on at the annual meeting in the Berwick Golf Club fall. Hope to see everyone soon. Darrin M. Batisky Jack Bird Glen Oak Country Club Gene Huelster Pocono Farms Country Club Jim MacLaren From the Editor’s Desk. Turf Partners, Inc. As of this writing and traveling the highway and byways of the Poconos, the Mark Eisele common thread of comments seems to be “We need some warm weather and where Country Club at Woodloch Springs do you find good help or any help?” The warm weather will come in time, but with the economic trend we are in and a burgeoning economy, the unemployment is down; so is the workforce pool. CHIPS & PUTTS STAFF Other comments heard have been “Why is the cost of meetings so expensive?” EDITOR Well, if you compare the cost of other association meetings that can run as high as Jim MacLaren $100.00 plus per day, we aren’t so bad. I beseech each and every one of you to poll your own facility and cost out a day of golf, carts, lunch, dinner, prizes, etc. In other Managing Editor, words, a day you would be proud of to showcase your facility to your fellow Melinda Wisnosky members. THEN offer your facility to our disposal. Otherwise, we will pursue the R.R. 1, Box 219 way things are!! Harding, PA 19643 And while we are on this subject, some of the amenities we enjoyed at Silver 570-388-2889 Creek would not have been possible (at that cost) without the generous contribution Fax: 570-388-2167 from NOVARTIS and John Fowler. In other words, we could not have had such a BANNER day with PRIMO amenities. It would have been a more SUBDUED EDITORIAL COMMITTEE affair. Sankey Brumley Tony Grieco, CGCS Jim MacLaren Doug Witcraft & 'P o r tfø PATRON SPONSORS AERIFICATIO N AND OVERSEEDING IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE Aquarius Irrigation Joe Jaskot 201.423.0222 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 Century Rain-Aid Phil DeMarco 800.642.3706 Aer-Core,Inc. Bill Rahling 610.458.0890 Koonz Sprinkler Supply Todd Robinson 800.772.8486 Bob Eichert 610.458.0890 Lesco Don Liprando 570.868.3592 E&M Golf Supply Bill Smith 800.554.4863 Philadelphia Turf Co. George Skawski 215.345.7200 Valentine & Sons Rich Valentine 610.525.5710 Purcell & Associates Jerry Purcell 215-230-1911 Valentine & Sons Rich Valentine 610.525.5710 EQ UIPM EN T PLANT PROTECTANTS E&M Golf Supply Bill Smith 800.554.4863 Finch Turf Equipment Bill Sablich 800.875.8873 AgrEvo Shaun Barry 732.846.8173 Samuel Baird 800-875-8873 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 Lawn & Golf, Inc. John Bodock 800.362.5650 Bayer Corporation John Wiblishauser 215.887.8936 Mid-Atlantic Equipment Bob Vail 610.489.1400 Lawn & Golf, Inc. John Bodock 800.362.5650 Philadelphia Turf Co. Matt Brown 215.345.7200 Lesco Don Liprando 570.868.3592 Valentine & Sons Rich Valentine 610.525.5710 Novartis John Fowler 610.998.2896 Aer-Core Bill Rahling 610.458.0890 Turf Partners, Inc. Jim MacLaren 570.443.7154 Bob Eichert 610.458.0890 Zeneca Prof. Products Lee Kozsey 610.861.8174 FE R T IL IZ E R i SEED & SOD Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 Earthworks Joel Simmons 800.732.8873 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 Egypt Farms Dean Snyder 410.335.3700 Lawn & Golf John Bodock 800.362.5650 Lawn & Golf, Inc. John Bodock 800.362.5650 Lesco Don Liprando 570.868.3592 Lesco Don Liprando 570.868.3592 Turf Partners, Inc. Jim MacLaren 570.443.7154 Turf Partners, Inc. Jim MacLaren 570.443.7154 Seedway Dennis Wagner 800.836.3720 Philadelphia Turf Co. Matt Brown 215.345.7200 Plant Food Company Tom Weinert 800.562.1291 TOPDRESSING / SOIL AMENDMENTS Seedway Dennis Wagner 800.836.3720 Valentine & Sons Rich Valentine 610.525.5710 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 Aquatrols Phil O’Brien 800-257-7797 Blue Ridge Peat Farms Gene Evans 570.443.9596 G REEN AND T E E SUPPLIES Egypt Farms Dean Snyder 410.335.3700 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 Partac Peat Co. Jim Kelsey 800.247.2326 Lawn & Golf, Inc. John Bodock 800.362.5650 Plant Food Company Tom Weinert 800.562.1291 Partac Peat Co. Jim Kelsey 800.247.2326 Turf Partners, Inc. Jim MacLaren 570.443.7154 Lesco Don Liprando 570.868.3592 Valentine & Sons Rich Valentine 610.525.5710 G O L F CARTS The Pocono Turfgrass Association would like to Golf Cars, Inc. Paul Szymanski 215.340.0880 acknowledge the efforts o f Llewellyn & Me Kane, Inc., Mid-Atlantic Equipment Bob Vail 610-489-1400 Manufacturers o f Fine Printing. They are located at 31Hill Street, P. O. Box 507, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18703-0507, Phone: 570-822-8181; Fax 570-823-3579. Support our Sponsors - They support us! A Successful Season... Starts with Century L E G A C Y Golf Course Services by Hunter Century offers the complete line of Legacy Golf products to help yo u control water labor and energy costs. Featuring Legacy rotors, valves, Genesis central satellite and Viking decoder control systems. Legacy Golf System wmmm O SyncroFlo, Inc. Efficient and econom icalSyncroFlo pum ping stations are the solution to m a ny golf course irrigation problems. SyncroFlo Eagle Pumps B oard T ron icsM Repair or upgrade your Rain Bird or Toro golf controllers. Replacement boards can be shipped from the Century National Service Center within 24 hours. Call 888-855-9132. Controller Board Repairs Century Rain Aid Hat*- ' V*M* 5^ £IKfr«■i Sprinklers •Valves • Controllers • Pump Stations Controller Board Repairs • Fountains Improve water quality with an aerating An inviting, well-maintained course means challenging play...and a profitable fountain, or create water features from season. As a golf superintendent you can achieve this success with Century existing golf course streams an d ponds. Golf Course Services. Century's team of professionals can help you solve irriga­ Aqua Master Fountains tion or drainage problems and show you what's new in clubhouse lighting, water features and more. Call today for a free catalog and on-site consultation. 800 - 347-4272 www.rainaid.com SLEG A CY Monitor Course Conditions, 1 Z by H m i t c r Control Irrigation Costs With a Legacy System Retrofits • Upgrades • New Construction Legacy by Hunter is one of the most recognized nam es in If you are considering a course retrofit, upgrade or are planning golf course irrigation. This premium product line of rotors, new construction, Legacy by Hunter can supply a complete valves and control system s is manufactured by Hunter system that offers programming flexibility and total control over Industries, a m o n g the world leaders in professional irrigation operations. The versatile Legacy system also allows you irrigation equipment. to retrofit to existing field controllers, wiring and stations. Featuring Hunter Rotors •Valves • Controllers Genesis Field Controller Stand-Alone; Hardwire or Radio Legacy G60, G70 Genesis controllers can handle up and G90 Golf Rotors to 60 stations as a powerful stand­ With Hunter's proven gear alone unit or as part of a network drive technology, Legacy that manages the entire course. closed-case rotors ensure The modular design allows quick years of reliable perfor­ and easy field upgrades. Genesis mance and positive pop-downs in all soil conditions. features 20 programs and start Like all Hunter rotors, they feature through-the-top time combinations. Manual/ adjustability and rugged construction. Impact and vandal- semi-automatic starts. Multiple/ resistant. With block check, check-o-matic and N.O. hydraulic continuous cycles with cycle delay or electric valve-in-head models. capabilities. Solid construction and dependable operation. Genesis Central Computerized Control System Genesis Viking Two-Wire Fully-featured yet simple Decoder Control (, Unrt:! -# * j to operate, the Genesis Central Control System •5 Q I The Genesis can manage a 9-hole Viking Two-Wire course or a 36-hole resort Decoder is an complex. This easy-to economical use Windows™-based solution with unit allows full pro­ program flexibil­ gram m ing and control of Genesis radio or hardwire field ity. It operates controllers, data retrieval units and weather stations from a from stand-alone single location. Expandable to meet future needs. consoles or a W indow s™ driven Genesis central system. Connect heavy-duty watertight decoders to both select and power valves and/or electric valve-in-head sprinklers. Genesis Data Retrieval Sensor Readying Device Connect the "real world" to your central system. Now you can monitor flow, wind speed and direction, rain /Ccwri/gr g4/N>!//>/ and other key conditions on the course to provide updated input for system 800- 347-4272 w w w .rainaid.com status, custom reports and alarm monitoring. Interfaces with up to 6 sensors for maximum efficiency. G et m ore for you r dollar Rebuilt Yamahaulers cost about V2 as much as new, competitive, utility vehicles And they work just as well, prices start at $1,985 - . Why pay top dollar for a brand new utility vehicle when a fully reconditioned Yamahauler will do the same job and save you a lot of money? Time-tested Yamaha engines are well known for their reliability The Black Box: Basic Yamahauler with G l (2 Stroke) and durability. As an exclusive Yamaha or G2 (4 Stroke) engine and carry box 2 4 ” x 3 9 ” x 9 ”. dealer with a full stock of parts we turn reclaimed vehicles into like-new condition. Experienced mechanics remanufacture each vehicle from the ground up for long life. ■ Full one year drive train warranty ■ Financing and terms available I Customization available on request The G2: Yamahauler with G2 (4 Stroke) engine and a MID-ATLANTIC diamond plate carrier for large payloads 3 3 ” x 4 2 ” x 11”. ^ Sa ilP IIifiK T C O R P O R A T IO N Authorized dealers for Yamaha and E-Z-GO/Textron Products Route 29 18960 Woodfield Road, Golf Cars of Florida, Inc. Collegeville, PA 19426 Gaithersburg, MD 20879 3572 S.E. Dixie Highway 800-526-7278 800-962-3804 Stuart, FL 34997 407-286-7416 W eb address - http://w w w .golfcart.com Robert A. Vail III Territory Manager (610) 489-1400 Fax: (610) 489-9478 The G l: Yamahauler with G l (2 Stroke) engine and a http://www.golfcart.com diamond plate carrier for large payloads 3 4 ” x 4 3 ” x 12”, 1999 MEETING SITES I Lee A. Kozsey I Senior Territory Sales Lead May 25, 1999 Great Bear Golf & C.C. Zeneca Professional Products Keith Snyder, CGCS 3710 Amherst Court Bethlehem, PA 18020-1356 Telephone (610) 861-8174 June 22, 1999 C. C. at Woodloch Springs Mobile Fax (610) 730-9185 (610) 882-9358 Mark Eisele E-mail lee.kozseyOAGNA.Zeneca.com Voice Mail (888) 875-9990, X0163 July 20, 1999 ZENECA A business unit of Z E N E C A Inc. Skytop Lodge Tom Williams August 16, 1999 Pocono Farms C.C. (Clam Bake) Gene Huelster September 20, 1999 Eagle Rock Resort Doug Witcraft October 19, 1999 Bethlehem Golf Club Tom Wilchak 1999 MEETING NOTICES K O O N Z Sprinkler Supply, Inc. PESTICIDE TRAINING COMING EVENTS Pool Update & Exams May 19, 1999 & June 2, 1999 Vietnam Memorial Wall 814-863-1948 August 17-22, 1999 Core offered. Tannersville Elementary School Weed Science May 21, 1999 610-388-1000 Plant Disease Irrigation supplier to the June 11, 1999 Golf Course Superintendent 610-388-1000 FINANCIAL REPORT N o one know s The PTGA continues to operate within a irrigation like Koonz comfortable range of our budget. Due to the $10 increase approved last season, 8 0 0 -772-8486 we now have in excess of $8,000 in our 39 Waverly Avenue, P.O. Box 55 Springfield, NJ 07081 Earthworks Scholarship and Research Fund. We still have a long way to go until this Natural Organic Products Pj P.O. Box 2 78K • 6 5 7 4 S. D elaw are Drive fund is self-sufficient, but we are pro­ M a rtin s Creek, PA 18063 • R a in ^ B ir d G R E E N -R E L E A F . 6 1 0 * 2 5 0 *9 5 6 0 q gressing very nicely now. Fax: 2 5 0 * 7 8 4 0 CZ> soilfirst.com Joel Simmons °0 Tony Grieco, Secretary/Treasurer r Pa# (f More of what goes around comes around. D o n L ip r a n d o 1000 Springbrook Avenue Moosic, PA Turf & Ornamental Specialist 18507 Questions posed 25 years ago by: 800.650.1936 L E S C O , Inc. The Golf Course Superintendents JJESCO” 911 Fox Lane Mountaintop, PA Of N ew England. 18707 4217 Fritch Drive 717.868.3592 Bethlehem, PA 610.778.4003 Pager 18017 717.868.3597 Fax 610.866.6665 Is my equipment accessible without tearing up the whole maintenance building? Would my building be suitable for a meeting of the club’s Board of Directors? A EGYPT D ean S n yd er President (Probably should have one!) FARMS E gyp t Farms, Inc. Would I think twice about staying overnight P.O. Box 223 in my maintenance facility? White Marsh, Maryland 21162 Phone: 800-899-7645 Local: 410-335-3700 Could I offer the restroom facilities in my building Pager: 800-705-0430 Fax: 410-335-0164 to anyone without fearing the possibility of being embarrassed? Is there a clear path from one end of the building to the other? Is my building a firetrap? G O L F C A R S IN C . LEASING ♦ SALES • SERVICE PAU L S Z Y M A N S K I S A L E S Could I wear a suit in my building without 4180 SKYRON DRIVE fear of having it soiled or permanently damaged? BUCKINGHAM, PA 18912-0247 215-340-0880 O FFICE • 215-340-1634 FAX Editor’s Note: Sounds like a casting call fo r “Caddy Shack!” More Quotable Quotes: Every man o f action has a strong does of egotism, pride, hardness, and cunning. But all those things will be regarded as high qualities i f he can make them the means to achieve great ends. PHILADELPHIA TURF COMPANY ICenturyRain AidI 4049 L A N D IS V IL L E RO AD, B O X 865 D 0 Y L E S T 0 W N , PA 18901-0865 O F F IC E 215-345-7200 FAX 215-345-8132 Your Link to Legacy Golf Irrigation Systems CENTURY GOLF PROFESSIONALS NEW JERSEY/PENNSYLVANIA MATTHEW W. BROWN GEORGE J. SKAWSKI, JR. PHIL DEMARCO * 800-642-3706 Commercial Products Irrigation Products VALENTINE & SONS » 610-525-5710 Voice Mail Voice Mail 215-340-5401 215-340-5450 LEGACY" Call today for an TOROj on-site consultation. CARRYALL DRIVEfTTOWORK.EEEJ * KNOW YOUR SOIL TEST REPORTS B y D r. T . S co tt M u rrell Soil testing is an essential part of a fertility program. centimoles of positive charge per kilogram of oven-dry soil How much fertilizer should you apply this fall? Your (cmol(+)/kg). Both units are a measure of the positive charge answer may be “The same amount I always have.” But are that can be held by the soil. The units are equivalent, so 20 your fertilizer applications efficient and profitable? meq/100g is the same as 20 emo(+)/kg. Soils with a higher Universities dedicate many resources to develop profitable CEC are generally more fertile, since they are capable of recommendations based upon soil test levels. Soil testing is providing more nutrients to crops. Soils with a CEC less than inexpensive and effective and will provide you with the 6 meq/100g should not be fertilized in the fall, since they are knowledge you need to make wise decisions. However, it is unable to keep ammonium, nitrogen or potassium from being useful only if you are able to understand the reports generated leached away with winter and spring precipitation. CEC is from a laboratory. also needed for following label restrictions on pesticides. Soil test levels. Percent base saturation. Soil testing laboratories often report the levels of nutrients in In addition to many plant nutrient cations, soils hold units of parts per million (ppm) or pounds per acre. If the aluminum and hydrogen, which are also cations. Hydrogen sample represents soil cores taken to a depth of 6-2/3 inches, and aluminum reduce soil pH and are therefore considered you can convert ppm to pounds per acre by multiplying ppm acidic cations. Soils with a low pH may have high levels of by two. For instance, a soil test of 15 ppm nitrate is equal to hydrogen and aluminum, causing plant growth problems. 30#/acre. For nitrate and chloride, these numbers indicate the However, in soils with pH levels that are slightly acidic or amount actually in the soil. However, for the remaining basic, cations such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, and nutrients, the amount reported represents only a portion of the sodium are more abundant. These cations are therefore total amount present. For instance, a soil test report with a considered basic. The percent of soil’s CEC that is occupied value of 300# per acre of potassium does not mean the soil by basic cations is termed the percent base saturation. contains 300# of potassium per acre. Instead, the value is an Soil testing is essential to profitable crop production. index of the availability of potassium to crops. The number However, the work doesn’t stop when the soil is sent into itself is meaningless unless it has been related to yield the laboratory. Spend the time to learn what your soil test response. Universities have developed databases that relate report means. Only then can wise management decisions be made. soil test results to appropriate fertilizer rates. Lower soil test levels require higher amounts of fertilizers. Soil pH and buffer pH Soil pH is a measure of soil acidity. The pH scale ranges from 0 - 1 4 . A pH of 7 is neutral. Values less than 7 are i. Preserving trout bait! I acidic, while values greater than 7 are basic. The availability of soil nutrients depends greatly upon soil pH. The pH range In order to preserve our earthworm populations avoid using optimum for production varies by crop. At low soil pH values, the following products that affected the worm population two- typically less than 5, aluminum and manganese may be soluble three weeks after treatment, and up to 20 weeks. enough to become toxic to some crops. Lime is used to increase soil pH. The amount of lime to apply depends upon the buffer pH value. Buffer pH is an indicator of the soil’s ability to resist pH changes. Generally, soils with a higher buffer pH require more lime. Universities and certified soil Dursban 4E (32.3% Diazinon 14G (58.4%) testing laboratories have databases that relate buffer pH to Triumph 4E (59.4% Benomyl (60.0%) lime requirements. Thiophanate-methyl (88%) Sevin SL (89.8%) Cation exchange capacity. Fonofos (96%) Mocap (96.8%) Cations have a positive charge. Plant nutrients that are Turcam 2.5G (99%) cations include ammonium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper, iron, manganese, and zinc. Soils generally have a negative charge, so they are able to hold cations and keep them from being leached away with water. The ability of soils to hold cations is measured by the cation exchange capacity (CEC). The units used by soil test laboratories for CEC are millequivalents per 100 grams of oven-dry soil (meg/100g) or D iary o f a G reenskeeper TUESDAY A E R - C O R E , In c . Specialized Turfgrass Aerification Went in at daylight - the air feels like a police iog’s breath. Got the sprayer working Can’t figure out why the chemical companies package dusty chemicals in bags For Service or Demo Please Call: that are impossible to open without getting it all over 1 800 823-7267 - - yourself and the sprayer, not to mention breathing it. The Bob Eichert Bill Rahling cheapest cereal on the market is packaged in easy to open and easy to close containers. We should all go with granules; that would snap their eyes open. Fairway tractor is stuck in a wet spot the crew calls Iran. Why are there so VALENTINE & SONS Turf and Landscape many cars in the parking lot? The pro shop says it’s a Supplies & Services ladies’ member-guest that transferred from another club that had a fire in their kitchen. I think I’ll set one in ours so they have to eat at Burger King. Got home early, power napped RICH VALENTINE A Di mioa of VmUmMiu Gol/ Aisuewiei Ime. through dinner. Wife mad again - too tired to be mad. Mowed rough ‘till dark. 204 Rodney Circle Office: 610-525-5710 Showered, ate cold supper. Felt sexy, wife still mad from last evening. Lost Bryn Mawr, Pa Fax: 610-525-1480 interest. 19010-3730 Pager: 610-501-9891 Biography of Jason Bamdt Seed, Fertilizer & Soil Erosion Berwick Country Club |s e e o W a y .| Control Material for Golf, Athletic, Landscape Director of PTGA Construction & Maintenance D E N N IS L. W A G N E R Territory Sales Representative I was bom and raised in Hellertown, PA. I spent my summers in high school Seedway working at the Silver Creek Country Club for Bill Yob. Upon graduating high 980 Loucks Mills Road York, PA 17402 Home Ph: (610) 921-8779 school I attended flight school. With school loans piling up, I needed to work. My Ph: (800) 836-3720 Fx: (610) 921-8779 Fx: (717) 848-2261 Email: greenthumb2@aol.com brother talked me into working construction on a new golf course that was being built. I then went to work for Ron and Kelly at The Center Valley Club. I was fortu­ nate to see the last stages of construction, followed by the highly anticipated opening day. At this time the aviation industry was hurting, and I was enjoying the golf course business so much, I decided to attend the two year turf program at Rutgers’ University. After my first year at Rutgers, Mel hired me as his assistant at Brookside C.C. After two years at Brookside in March 1997,1 attained the Superintendent’s UARIUS. position at the Berwick Golf Club. I have been married for almost three years to my wife, Melissa, who gave birth to CUSTOMER SERVICE IS our first child, Alexis, on St. Patty’s Day. In my free time I like to golf, play ice OUR #1 PRIORITY hockey, water and snow ski, and I try not to change dirty diapers. PA 1 8 0 0 -9 8 9 -7 3 7 4 NJ 1 8 0 0 -9 2 2 -0 7 1 7 • Layout and Design • Typesetting It’s every player’s responsibility... • Mac/IBM desktop publishing interface • Laser color separations ■ R epair ball m arks • Scitex® electronic photo retouching ■ R eplace o r fill divots 31 Hill Street, P.0. Box 507 • Full electronic prepress services ■ R ake b u n k ers w m Wilkes-Barre, PA 1 8 7 0 3 -0 5 0 7 • Foil stamping, embossing 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 V p ^ What is the Allied Golf Course Preventing Patch Diseases Superintendents of Pennsylvania? The best way to control patch diseases is to prevent them from occur­ The Allied was established (in conjunction with the ring in the first place. The trouble is, many of your cultural practices GCSAA) for the purpose of fostering the highest may actually be stimulating the development of disease organisms. For standards of professionalism and integrity in the golf example, low mowing enhances symptom expression. And heavy use turf industry, promoting public understanding and of nitrate-based fertilizers can also encourage the growth of patch diseases. recognition of the profession of the golf course A balanced IPM program incorporates all available methods to help superintendents, promoting fraternal and professional you maintain the quality and beauty of your golf course. In addition to contacts between golf turf professionals, and acting as an fungicide applications, cultural practices designed to alleviate stress advocate in furthering the aims, objectives, and concerns and promote root development should be part of your IPM program. of the organization and the golf turf industry. This can help weak turf become strong enough to resist disease. The Allied consists of seven golf course By incorporating the following IPM practices into your turf manage­ superintendent’s associations in Pennsylvania. They ment program, you will reduce your risk to patch diseases: are: Central PA, Greater Pittsburgh, Keystone, Mountain Valley, Northwestern PA, Philadelphia, and Pocono Turfgrass. Each chapter assigns two of its • Minimize environmental stress to turf. members to serve on the Board of the Allied for two-year • Encourage turf growth to reduce disease risk. terms. The current Pocono liaisons to the Allied are • Enrich the soil and fertilize for proper nutrition. Mark Monahan and Gene Huelster. The current • Remove standing water from your turf and promote good soil president of the Allied is John Shaw from the Greater drainage. Pittsburgh Association. • Plant disease-resistant turfgrass cultivars. The Allied Board recently met on March 25, 1999 at the Elks Club in State College, PA. The Board is in the • Prune shrubs and trees to improve air circulation and reduce process of formulating a readiness program in which all shaded areas. chapters will participate. This program will prepare us • Topdress, core aerify, or verticut to prevent thatch buildup. (This to take immediate action in the event that a statewide or allows fungicides to penetrate the soil for more effective control of even a regional problem pertaining to our profession patch disease pathogens.) would occur; such as, further regulating products and/or • Raise mowing heights in late summer and periods of high heat procedures necessary to our livelihood. A schedule of stress. Low mowing enhances the severity of patch disease symp­ mailings will be organized in order for each chapter to toms. contact the state Senators and Representatives from their • Integrate into your program a broad spectrum fungicide for year- area. The larger the voice, the better the chance to be round control. heard. The allied also discussed the hospitality suite which is • Fertilize with 1/2 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 sq. ft. per month to held in conjunction with the Annual GCSAA encourage fill-in of infected areas. Conference & Trade Show. The suite enables us to • Re-seed to encourage fill-in of areas where disease has attacked. represent the Pennsylvania Superintendents on a • Use light, frequent irrigation for shallow rooted turf. Light, fre­ national level, socialize with fellow superintendents and quent irrigation helps cool plants and provides water for short root our suppliers (who sponsor the funding of the room), systems. and show our support when one of our fellow • Irrigate deeply and infrequently when normal turfgrass root sys­ superintendents is running for national office. Over the tems are present. past ten years, Pennsylvania has been successful in having two of our fellow superintendents ascend to the presidency of the GCSAA. Currently, Sam Snyder, CGCS, is serving his second term as GCSAA director. Anyone who stops learning is old, The Allied will continue to support the annual whetlrer twenty or eighty. Anyone who hospitality suite and seek the support of the statewide keeps learning stays young. The greatest suppliers who have generously supported us in the past. thing in life is to keep you mind young. The Allied Golf Course Superintendents of Pennsylvania is alive and well, and is prepared to serve its constituents. M ark Monahan, CGCS 4 POCONO ROUNDUP NEWS AND VIEWS FROM THE POCONO NEW MEMBERS TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION The Pocono Turfgrass Association would like to welcome the following new members: MEETING NOTES Michael C. Condur, C. C. of the Poconos, Class B Shaun A. Henry, Wyoming Valley C.C., Class B The meeting this month will be held at Great Bear Golf and Derrick E. Hudson, Wyoming Valley C.C., Class C Country Club, and our host will be Keith Snyder, Superintendent. William A. McCausland, C.C. of the Poconos, Class C Great Bear Golf and Country Club is a Jack Nicklaus Signature Michael J. Paff, Woodstone Golf Club, Class C Course which opened for play in the summer of 1997. Greens, tees and fairways are southshore Bentgrass. The course is Par 71 and the length varies from 5,000 yards at the forward tees to 7,000 ROSTER BOOKS yards at the back tees. The 1999 Roster Books should be out shortly. All data listed in Keith Snyder started in golf course maintenance at Water Gap the book is based on our records as of March 31, 1999. Country Club and Tamiment in the early 1970’s. He graduated from the two-year Turfgrass Management Program at Penn State in 1975. Keith worked 20 years at DuPont Country Club in Wilmington, Delaware, before returning to the Poconos in the fall Quotable Quotes of 1995 at the start of construction for Great Bear. He lives in When you reach for the stars, you may not quite get one, Marshalls Creek, PA, with his wife Judy and daughters Jennifer hut you won't get a handful o f mud, either. and Jessica. POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION 147 HAYFIELD ROAD POSTAGE SHAVERTOWN, PA 18708-9748 TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION NAME & ADDRESS ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED.