chips %puns OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE Founded in POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION 1936 VOL. 6, NO. 2 APRIL 2000 Does Bentgrass Overseeding Work? FRANKS. ROSSI, CORNELL UNIVERSITY TURFGRASS TEAM Player expectations continue to the golfer. Herein lie the ecological principles increase for superior playing conditions. In that govern shifts in populations of organisms. particular, the putting green is the most Competition for Resources scrutinized, managed area on the golf course. It In the early years of golf course follows then that golf course superintendents management, it was common to manage weeds regularly strive to utilize all available through the drastic manipulation of soil pH. For technology to produce the highest quality example, large amounts of elemental sulfur or product. The golf course construction lime would be applied to alter the pH so that boom of the 1990’s resulted in hundreds of r . the weeds could not be successful. This is a new putting surfaces across the country, C practical example of “altering a niche.” built with the aid of the latest technology A niche is described as the range of in root zone and plant materials. In addition, conditions that are required for a species to superintendents are becoming more aware ^ survive and reproduce. In the example of the advantages of using the “new genera- ' above, by drastically altering the pH, the niche tion” of bentgrass cultivars. This has occurred is altered to the point that the resource needs of because golfers are playing on the new the weed are unable to be met. In addition, while surfaces and pressuring superintendents (a severely weakened, the turf is still able to exploit phenomenon that has increased following the the available resources so that it will U.S. Open Championship at Pinehurst where successfully compete with the weeds and the greens were converted to a new cultivar), or survive. The result is a population shift in favor as a result of research on cultivar performance. of the turf. In either case, there is significant appeal to Researchers have suggested that there are providing acceptable quality at mowing heights significant sim ilarities among the resource re­ below 0.125” with the ability to produce ball roll quirements for bentgrass cultivars. It was im­ distances in the 11 to 13 feet range. plied that the existing cultivar would always have Most golf facilities are not in a position the com petitive advantage because it is to reconstruct the putting greens; however, they established and already utilizing the resources would like the benefits of new technology, that a new cultivar being introduced would also especially increased ball roll. As a result, golf require. Therefore, it appears that without sub­ course superintendents at established facilities stantial alteration of the niche, the conversion have been interested in introducing the new (Continued on page 3) cultivars into existing putting greens. This desire to alter the species composition of the putting green is not new. For years, fix t& x s f ........... superintendents have attempted to increase populations of bentgrass in mixed stands of • Do Winter Covers Work? annual bluegrass ( Poaannua) and creeping bentgrass. The major obstacle to successful • Meeting Schedule for 2000 population shifts has been the obtrusiveness of • Drought Notes the practices required to affect a noticeable change. Simply, it has been a challenge to shift populations in a way that is transparent to President’s Message....... O FFICERS The second meeting of the year is over and I would like to thank our two & hosts, Greg Kozar and Tony Grieco, CGCS, for providing us with their DIRECTORS facilities and the great day of golf! There is a lot of work and tim e put into setting up these meetings. The host and the PTGA G olf Chairman, Greg Phillips, are busy each year planning and coordinating these monthly TURFGRASS 2000 ASSOCIATION meetings. The PTGA Board received a letter from one of our members in regards to the seemingly ever-increasing monthly meeting costs. I sent a personal letter back to this member, and he has since responded with appreciative remarks. PRESIDENT However, I w ill now address this concern to all, in hopes to explain our Ron Garrison, CGCS position with host clubs. Fox Hill Country Club We are very fortunate to have members who offer to host our monthly meetings and knowingly incurring lost revenue from that day. Each meeting, VICE PRESIDENT we the PTGA, hope to break even. In the past, more often than not, we did Gene Huelster incur a slight loss at these meetings. Now, with improved accounting Pocono Farms Country Club practices in place, we have been able to come closer to a break-even event or, in some cases, have a small profit. SECRETARY/TREASURER As you know, the host clubs are in the golf business to make money. We Tony Grieco, CGCS make every effort for them to lim it their revenue loss on our meeting day as Silver Creek Country Club much as possible. Your fee for the day includes the following: Cart fee, prizes, lunch, dinner, speaker fees, tax and gratuity. W e also have been DIRECTORS fortunate to have members who have provided a donation to offset a portion Jason J. Barndt of the lunch cost. Thank you! More often than not we try to keep our monthly Berwick G olf Club meeting cost below $65 per person. That is a great bargain when you consider what you are receiving. I know, I know... not all of our members Darrin M. Batisky have their meeting costs picked up by their club...That’s their fault. If they Glen Oak Country Club still do not see they are getting a great value for that day... The Association is in constant change. The only way we can get better is Jim MacLaren by letting your PTGA Directors know of your concerns and problems. They Turf Partners, Inc. should address such items at the tim e and bring them forward to the rest of the Board. If no action or an explanation is given, call me. Mark Eisele W e have come a long way, and we still have a long road ahead of us. Get Country Club at Woodloch Springs involved! See you all at the meetings! John Downer Elkview Country Club Ron Garrison, CGCS Gary Phillips From the Editor’s Desk. Racqueteers Sports Complex Another month goes by and we all find ourselves in the thick of CHIPS & PUTTS STAFF readying our courses for yet another season. From talking to many EDITOR superintendents I think the general consensus across the region has been Darrin Batisky totally different from last spring, as the turf seems to have made it through winter in good shape. Ice damage was replaced by some minor desiccation, Managing Editor, and turf loss was low to none for most of us. Spring is an important tim e of Melinda Wisnosky the year as we begin our maintenance practices. I thought the cover article R.R. 1, Box 219 was of particular interest as we begin aerification/seeding procedures and Harding, PA 19643 can be used as a reference when we prepare for fall overseeding. I believe 570-388-2889 the theme of the article is one that can be applied to most situations on the Fax: 570-388-2167 golf course. It’s message is: Without some minor (and sometimes major) inconveniences in playability (to the golfer), improvements and will OQtbe realized! EDITORIAL COMMITTEE As always, your comments are welcome. Jim MacLaren Darrin Batisky Tony Grieco, CGCS (Continued from page 1) management procedures. seems a form idable challenge. The types of cultural and environmental Conversion Techniques influences observed with annual bluegrass and Annual Bluegrass Conversion bentgrass are not likely to exert a significant influence The process of conversion begins with recognizing on existing bentgrass stands. In addition, the surface the necessary requirements for altering the disruption on putting greens is more frequent niche. This has been shown to include i and intense than what would occur on a tim ing of procedures, chemical suppression ' fairway. Consequently, if high populations of of existing vegetation, mechanical surface Researchers have 1 annual bluegrass exist on surfaces where disruption, introduction of the new cultivar, | new bentgrass cultivars are to be introduced, and post-plant care. Individually or col­ identified several I techniques must consider altering the niche lectively, these techniques are used to im portant aspects o f 1 for the surface vegetation while taking into weaken the existing vegetation, establish a | account contributions from the seedbank, seedbed and implement practices that the species conversion likely to exploit a highly disrupted surface. favor seedling growth. process..... | Bentgrass Conversion The conversion process is sim ilar W ithout the competition from the to previous work conducted to investigate fseedbank, it appears that weakening the techniques for population shifts of existing vegetation combined with mechani­ bentgrass/annual bluegrass surfaces. Research on the cal surface disruption could lead to successful conversion from annual bluegrass has been prim arily conversion. However, several issues remain to be conducted on fainway height turf. W hile it might seem an resolved such as, will this be transparent to the golfers? easier task to convert from annual bluegrass to bentgrass. W hat are effective post-plant procedures that do not Based on the previous assertion that different species may weaken seedlings? And finally, how is cultivar have different niches, annual bluegrass is well adapted to conversion determined? disturbed environments. Therefore, not only must Research funded by the GCSAA and the USGA practices address existing plants, but also must consider has involved conversion of existing Penncross greens to the contribution from the seedbank when the surface is either Crenshaw, L-93, or Penn A-4. In each case, a disrupted. significant amount of effort went into determining a Researchers have identified several important precise method for distinguishing among cultivars, so aspects of the species conversion process that involve that conversion could be quantified. The researchers cultural practices. These cultural practices, such as developed genetic marking techniques that allows for clipping removal, were suggested to result in altered soil separation of the cultivars. Unfortunately, in some cases fertility, potential allelopathic effects of clippings and the cultivars are so closely related genetically that it is reduced contribution to the seedbank. Furthermore, our difficult to find marker differences. Nevertheless, research here at Cornell University indicates that annual sufficient data were available to make some conclusions bluegrass population shifts occur naturally in response to based on the conversion techniques that were investi­ environmental factors and independent of conversion gated. /f— 7 y Nothing R u ns Like A Deere & N O V A R T IS ¡CENTURY RAIN A ID 1 f 1/ l —•—, Featuring M WILLIAM SABLICH John D. Fowler Novartis Crop Protection, Inc. Turf and Ornamental 325 Mill Pond Lane Sr. Marketing Specialist Oxford, PA 19363 www.cp.novartis.com Tel 610 998 2896 (215) 661-0390 Fax 800 334 9481 Ext. 5899 Rotors «Valves • Central Control Systems FINCH TURF EQUIPMENT, INC. (800) 875-TURF Fax 610 998 2897 404 Elm Avenue FAX: (215) 661-9161 john.fowler@cp.novartis.com 800-347-4272 North Wale«, PA 19454 www.finchinc.com PHILADELPHIA TURF COMPANY 4049 LANDISVILLE ROAD, BOX 865 N atural Organic Product-© DOYLESTOWN, PA 18901-0865 OFFICE 215-345-7200 FAX 215-345-8132 MATTHEW W. BROWN GEORGE J. SKAWSKI, JR. Jo el Simmons Commercial Products Irrigation Products Voice Mail Voice Mail PO. Box 278K www.soilfirst.com 6574 S. Delaware Drive Fax: 610-250-7840 215-340-5401 215-340-5450 Martins Creek, PA 18063 Phone: 610-250-9560 TORO, 8 0 0 -7 3 2 -T U R F Dr. Richard W hite at Texas A & M University surfaces, whether the new cultivars are present or not. conducted experiments at the Extension Center and at the Summary Dallas Country Club. Plots were interseeded in April 1995 Altering a niche in a way that favors one species and evaluated for up to 14 months. It was concluded that over another, such as annual bluegrass versus bentgrass, mechanical disruption did not substantially influence spe­ has been shown to present a formidable challenge. In cies conversion and that topdressing following seeding addition, where there has been success reported, severe was all that might be needed. This is not surprising when reduction in quality is followed by a significant alteration of the size of a bentgrass seed is considered. In addition, management. Therefore, based on the latest information chemical suppression with glyphosate resulted in a 95% available, without severe suppression (or kill) of existing increase in Crenshaw population. However, it was bentgrass surfaces, the overlap in resources required observed that recovery of existing vegetation and the (sim ilarity of niches) make successful conversion a seedlings was not sufficient to be a practical option. formidable challenge. This will require a well-articulated Interestingly, at the Dallas Country Club, initial (4 week) action plan that informs the golfers of the transition evaluation indicated a significant conversion; by the 6- expected during the conversion process and the likelihood month evaluation Crenshaw made up less than 10% of the of long-term success without significant short-term stand. reductions in playability. In essence, bentgrass Drs. Sweeney and Danneberger at Ohio State overseeding can work, but not without significantly altering University observed conversion of a Penncross green over the playing quality of the surface. a 4-year period. Mechanical disruption and seeding It was put best by Goethe, “One must obey followed by alteration in mowing heights to possibly nature’s laws even while he denies them; he is forced to encourage the new cultivars that are more adapted to produce with her aid even when he imagines that he is close mowing, resulted in little if any new cultivars being able to work against her.” introduced. These researchers utilized the genetic marker Reprinted from: Cornell University Turfgrass Times; methods sim ilar to those employed in the Texas study. Volume Ten, Number Four Winter 2000 Dr. Dan Bowman at North Carolina State utilized com binations of mechanical disruption, chemical suppression and seeding to convert Penncross greens to either L-93 or Penn A-4. Preliminary results are sim ilar to previous reports, however, a one year 20% increase in Penn A-4 using a shallow surface cultivation procedure (Jobsavers) and low use rates of trinexepacethyl (Primo) was demonstrated. It was concluded that subsequent years w ill include more aggressive mechanical disruption procedures. Altering the Niche Mark W ilson, CGCS of Valhalla G olf Club in Louisville, KY has been attempting to convert 12 year old greens for the past several years and serves as a good example, both of the practical aspects of conversion and the principles of ecology (how plants respond to the environment), specifically altering the niche. Conversion begins by weakening the existing vegetation and allowing the greens to thin during the summer months by reducing fertility. Next, chemical suppression is utilized to further weaken existing vegetation, followed by aggressive mechanical disruption (2 or 3 passes with a core cultiva­ tor). Seed is applied then managed to favor seedling growth over existing vegetation by reducing mowing, topdressing and light, frequent watering. These practices, “put a priority on the post-plant watering and fertility of the seeding procedures, and not on everyday golf play.” Therefore, it could be concluded that this is not transparent to the golfer, and why should it be? Success of these practices at Valhalla may not be as precisely determined as in the controlled research studies, however, Mark ^ has indicated that there is improved quality of the p Do Winter Covers Work? Throughout the northern climates, there is consider­ to snow cover. able concern regarding turfgrass winter injury. It is esti­ The Quebec site that sustained deep snow cover re­ mated that many northern turf areas w ill suffer some form sulted in no significant difference in injury or measured of severe w interkill at least once every 3 to 5 years. This is temperatures, however significant injury was noted from particularly problematic on high value areas such as golf snow mold disease. In contrast, the Montreal site demon­ putting greens where snow cover is inadequate to protect strated a clear benefit of the protective covers that main­ the turf from temperature extremes. Consequently, golf tained an air space below an impermeable cover, in fact, tu rf managers have been using various types of protective covers without the air space resulted in significant win­ covers to essentially mimic the protective effects of snow terkill of the annual bluegrass. Therefore, it can be con­ cover, with literally no scientific data to support any bene­ cluded that under prolonged snow cover the most impor­ fits. tant aspect of survival is disease prevention, yet under To address this important issue from a scientific per­ fluctuating snow cover, insulating materials such as spective, researchers at Laval University in Canada, in­ curled wood mat, straw or air space under an imperme­ vestigated the influence of various winter protective covers able cover can reduce soil temperature fluctuations, on turfgrass winter injury, soil and crown level tempera­ minimize the influence of freezing temperatures and thin tures. The study was conducted at locations in Quebec snow cover consequently enhancing the winter survival City, with thick, stable snow cover on creeping bentgrass, of golf greens. and in Montreal with thin, unstable snow cover on annual From: Dionne, I., PA. Dube, Laganiere, and Y. Desjar­ bluegrass. Five covers plus an uncovered plot were tested dins. 1999. Golf green soil and crown-level temperatures under including, 1) permeable and 2) impermeable Evergreen winter protective covers. Agronomy Journal 91.227-233. covers, 3) a curled wood-shaving mat (AKA, Excelsior Mat); and 4) 2 inches of air space plus an impermeable cover, and 5) 7 ni ches of straw with an impermeable cover. Covers were applied in early to late November prior I Lee A. Kozsey I Senior Territory Sales Lead UARIUS. IRRIGATION SUPPLY, INC. Zeneca Professional Products 3710 Amherst Court Bethlehem, PA 18020-1356 Telephone (610) 861-8174 tio in p s a n Mobile (610)730-9185 Fax (610) 882-9358 COMMANDER E-mail lee.kozsey® AGNA Zeneca.com GOLF COURSE HEADS Voice Mail (888) 875-9990, X0163 & CONTROL SYSTEMS ZENECA A business unit of ZENECA Inc. ¿WATERTPOWICS Dean Snyder PUMPING President EGYPT STATIONS FARMS EGYPT FARMS, INC. P.O. Box 223 White Marsh, Maryland 21162 AQUARIUS Phone; 800-899-7645 IS YOUR RELIABLE SOURCE Local: Pager; 410-335-3700 800-705-0430 FOR ALL YOUR Fax: 410-335-0164 GOLF PRODUCT NEEDS. WITH FIVE LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU. %/ERTl-ORAIN D E A L E R S 71 7-200-9004 & CONTRACTORS 000554-4063 FAX 717-200-9023 Hawthorne, N.J. 201-423-0222, S. Plainfield, N.J. 908-753-5200, E S M G olf S upply C o. Dover, N.J. 201-366-2366, Conshohocken, PA 610-941-6662, A O M S IO N O F H .V .IN C . 2 0 2 W O O D W A R D HILL R O ., ED W A R O SV 1LL E. PA 1 0 7 0 4 New Castle, DE 302-328-3326 SP E C IA L IST IN D E E P TIN E A ER A TIO N WILLIAM SMITH PAfri M EETING & EDUCATION CALENDAR 2000 The Education and G olf Committees have composed the golf/speaker schedule for the monthly meetings this year. An array of topics w ill be covered that, hopefully, everyone can learn a thing or two and have some fun on the golf course. If anyone has any comments or suggestions on the topics chosen please contact Jason at (570) 759-6480 or grass- man72@ hotmail.com. Start thinking about topics to be discussed at the roundtable meeting for July and let Jason know. Jason Barndt, Education Chair Gary Phillips, Golf Chair April 24 S ilver Creek CC Roger Stewart with the GCSAA Topic - Professional Development Initiative May 16' W ater Gap CC Greg Soit from Penn State Cooperative Extension Topic - Effective plantings to attract w ildlife & goose control June 13, W oodloch Springs CC Ron Tugent (our Association’s accountant) Topic - Establishing a 401K or Pension at your club July 18, Stonehedge GC Topic - Roundtable Discussion August 14, Pocono Farms CC Clam Bake September 19, Mountain Valley Terry Laurent, CGCS, from Saucon Valley C.C. Topic - Review of hosting the 2000 U.S. Senior Open October 17, Blue Ridge Trail Annual Elections Winners of the April Meeting at Silver Creek CC (better ball of partners) Low Gross Low Net 1st 71 - Kirby Putt/Pete Ramsey 60 - John Segui/Lou Amando 2nd 7 2 - DaveTeed/Kurt Schaubel 61 - Jim Carville/Bill Rawlings 3rd 73 - Mark Albino/Gary Phillips, Jr. 62 - Doug Ray/Chris Ward Closest to the Pin Longest Drive #9 Jim MacLaren #15 Steve Ehrhart #13 Lou Amido It’s every player’s responsibility... * Layout and Design * Typesetting 9 Mac/IBM desktop publishing interface * Laser color separations ■ Repair ball marks * Scitex® electronic photo retouching ■ Replace or fill divots 31 Hill Street, P.0. Box 507 * Full electronic prepress services Wilkes-Barre, PA 18703-0507 * Foil stamping, embossing ■ Rake bunkers 570-822-8181 9 Complete bindery including FAX: 570-823-3579 saddlestitch and perfect binding A message from your g o lf course superintendent and GCSAA * SOME NOTES ON DROUGHT REGULATIONS Office & Home Phone Top Dressing White Haven 570-443-9596 Bunker Sand Fax 570-443-9590 Infield Mix On Tuesday, January 25, a group of Pennsylvania golf course superinten­ dents, along with Dr. Pete Landscoot of P.S.U. and Keith Happ of the U.S.G.A. Blue Ridge Peat Farms, Inc. White Haven, PA 18661-9674 met with representatives of DEP to discuss our current drought regulations. The key points of the discussions were: statewide metering of golf course water Potting Soil GENE EVANS, Owner Soil Mixes Professional Engineer usage, percentage reduction of water usage during a drought emergency and fle xib ility for the superintendent to use the allotted water in a manner that best suited the needs of his golf course. The two groups came to agreement on all points and the revised proposed drought regulations will be made available to Jim MacLaren - Sales Rep. the public in early February. tt «_»■=«»= 570-443-7154 - Office ** m * * w r 570-443-7015 -F a x I think it is important to note that the persons contacted for these meetings 570-650-4982 - Mobile were golf course superintendents. Would that have been the case 15-20 years Fran Bardine - Sales Rep. 914361-4105 - Office & Fax ago? I doubt it. The golf course superintendent was largely an unknown com­ 201-4247900 - Mobile modity to everyone except his peers and golfers that played his course. In Central PA we have at least five superintendent/general managers and most superintendents today also enjoy at least a parallel position with other manag­ ers within their club. Was this the case fifteen years ago? I don’t think so. The framework for this development began with Superintendents like Riley Heckert, GOLF CARS INC. LEASING • SALES • SERVICE W hitey Suttles and John Boyd and has been carried on by guys like Kenny PAUL SZYMANSKI SALES 4180 SKYRON DRIVE Dietrich and Terry Wueshinski. The common denominator for this group has BUCKINGHAM, PA 18912-0247 been integrity. Now that responsibility rests on each and every one of our 215*340-0880 OFFICE • 215-340-1634 FAX shoulders. The proposed drought regulations will give every superintendent the TURF1 ability to obey the law, and maintain his facility. The current regulations were, for the most part, abused or ignored by most golf course superintendents, own­ ers and memberships. As a result, the golf community got a black eye in the view of DEP, SRBC, law enforcement officials and the general public. In clos­ ing, I’m not trying to pull the wool over anyone’s eyes. Obeying the proposed drought regulations and maintaining a quality golf facility w ill require planning, resourcefulness, hard work, creativity and of course, integrity, but it can be done. Bill W all Bio on Bill Wall: Bill is the superintendent at Dauphin Highlands Golf Course in Oberlin, PA, and has been an advocate for turfgrass management and golf course superintendents at the state level in PA for 20+ years. He is a member o f GCSAA and the Central PA Golf Course Superintendents Association. MSOUM Premium sod for golf courses Carryall Turf Jim MacLaren Office: (570) 443-7154 Chip Presendofer A T Sales Associates, Ltd. 1011 Church Road FAX: (570)-443-7015 Oreland, PA 19075 Pager: (570)-978-5649 Mobile: (570)-650-4982 play t o win- Tel 215-886-6011 Fax 215-886-1203 Pager 800-983-3430 PA# 2 POCONO ROUNDUP NEWS AND VIEWS FROM THE POCONO As mentioned earlier in this edition, thank you’s TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION were expressed to Tony Grieco, CGCS, and his staff at Silver Creek. For those of you who have ■hosted meetings in the past, you know how much For those of you not aware, Paul Weiss has been retired work is involved by not only the golf course crew, but also from Blue Ridge C.C. and has been replaced by his most the Pro Shop Staff and the Food Service Staff. This capable Assistant, Pete Beblavy. W e wish them both well meeting was exceptional because of the LARGE turnout Paul has moved to Bedford, PA and his new address is as from all three associations, the previous wet weather, and follows: 300 Cumberland Road, Bedford, PA 15222, 814- the fact that the clubhouse was supposed to be closed on 623-5965. Monday. A sincere thank you again from all persons who enjoyed the day. Also, Tony , who supervises the golf Jason Barndt, Supt. at Berwick C.C. has been course staff, took a week o ff prior to the meeting to play blessed with a new maintenance building, large golf in Scotland and broke 85 in all his rounds of golf, in­ enough to hold an old fashion country dance. cluding the Olde Course at St. Andrews. This attests #1 to his golfing prowess and also the talents of his assistant, As you have no doubt read in local publications, Glenmaura John Regenye. National G. C. is hosting the buy.com (form ally the Nike) golf tournament this year. A phone call to Andy Jubinski or his As of this writing, we are in a cold/wet spell which I am assistant Jeff Koch offering assistance either in moral sure has many superintendents in a quandary as to when support, equipment loan, or slave labor would be in order. Spring will be here, or are we going right into Summer. In some locations Sky-Bit had crabgrass germinating, then it Four Season G.C. in Exeter has been purchased by Gothem went back to zero because of the frosts. Sky-Bit has been Golf. Their local holdings also include Edgewood in the Pines a very useful tool for those who are on the program. and Mt. Laurel G.C. Good Luck to Bob Price, Supt. POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION c/o MELINDA WISNOSKY POSTAGE R.R. 1, BOX 219 HARDING, PA 18643 TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION NAME & ADDRESS ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED.