chips %puns OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE Founded in P O C O N O T U R F G R A S S A S S O C IA T IO N 1936 ASSOCIATION VOL. 6, NO. 5 JULY 2000 The Mysterious Role and Composition of Humus Understanding the nature and value of humus basket. Fibrous plant tissues may in addition is a worthy enterprise for tu rf grass managers contain thick cell walls reinforced with gluelike because of the tremendous capacity of humus substances, lignin, cutin, waxes, or oils, all of to increase the health of the turfgrass root which are resistant to moisture. Woody roots system. In order to gain such an understanding, and stems have such secondary walls resistant it is necessary to delve into the processes that to degradation by most organisms. However, turn organic matter such as compost into even tree roots and trunks can he degraded by humus. certain fungi that secrete special digestive Humus is a substance with incredible enzymes. These biological catalysts breakdown properties. It can be the product of microbial the secondary walls, releasing sugars and other decomposition of plant or animal tissue. Its nutrients to the decomposing organism, and turn exact composition can be very different the wood to a soft, dark peaty material. depending on the nature of the starting The organic matter that naturally falls to the material, the decomposing organisms, and the ground includes hardwood leaves, conifer microclimate. W e can compost animal manure needles, tree branches, and the flowers, fruits, or brewery sludge mixed with plant materials seeds, stems, and leaves of grasses and other such as sawdust or leaves to yield partially annual and perennial plants. The tim e required decomposed material that is excellent for for decay at the soil surface depends on the type encouraging plant growth. Recommendations of plant material, the temperature, whether it is for the use of compost in fruit, vegetable, and buried, m oist, and in an oxygen-rich ornamental gardens are nearly universal since environment, and whether the appropriate organic matter is such an important soil decomposing microorganisms are present. amendment. Composts provide nutrients, Grass tissue resists degradation because of increase the ability of the soil to retain nutrients sturdy cellulose cell walls, lignins and waxes rather than allowing them to leach away, and which humans can’t digest, but ruminants can. help to suppress disease-causing bacteria and Humans are lim ited in their ability to digest plant fungi. These advantages are due to the living material by the enzymes secreted into the organisms of the compost as well as the stomach, the acid conditions tolerated, and by partially degraded m aterials that provide the the activities of the beneficial bacterial bulk. When compost is further degraded by population that resides there. Wheat bran is microorganisms in the soil, it becomes humus, considered roughage in our diet because it is a gel-like m ixture of soil minerals, remnants of high in cellulose and passes through the human the microbes, and organic matter. system only partially digested. Ruminants like Steps in Decomposition of Plant Debris cows, goats, and deer can digest hay because of When a plant cell dies, the membrane (Continued on page 3) surrounding the cell breaks apart, and the liquid or gel-like cell contents or cytoplasm leaks out. f ix t & s l ........... The cell membrane and cytoplasm are the most nutritious components of the cell, containing sugars, proteins, and oils. High in nitrogen and available energy, these cell • Links for Life components are easily digested by animals or • A Testimonial microorganisms. The next step in decay is much slower - . “What is Golf?” the breakdown of the bulky cell wall structure of plant leaves, stems, and roots. Plant cells are supported by a cellulose wall that is like a rigid In lieu o f the President’s Message and the Editor’s Desk: OFFICERS & DIRECTORS Tribute to TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION 2000 William Isansdowno PRESIDENT Ron Garrison, CGCS On Thursday, July 13, 2000, the members of The Country Club of Scranton lost Fox Hill Country Club one of their most trusted and valuable employees, B ill Lansdowne. Since 1968, Bill served as Golf Course Superintendent with class, dedication and immense VICE PRESIDENT pride in the course he once described as “a beautiful old girl”. Bill was the con­ Gene Huelster summate professional and gentleman who lived for his work. Most of us are un­ Pocono Farms Country Club aware that Bill never went on vacation or even took a day off. SECRETARY/TREASURER Bill nurtured our facility for 32 years, creating course conditions widely accepted Tony Grieco, CGCS as the finest in our area. His expertise and tireless work ethic were primarily re­ Silver Creek Country Club sponsible for establishing the Club as the pre-eminent regional golf facility and DIRECTORS subsequently propelled it to statewide prominence. This is evidenced by our being Jason J. Barndt selected to host the Pennsylvania Open in 1992, the Pennsylvania State Men’s Berwick Golf Club Amateur Championship in 1997, the Pennsylvania State Women’s Amateur Championship in 1999, and the upcoming Pennsylvania State Men’s Amateur Darrin M. Batisky again in 2002. Glen Oak Country Club The Golf Association of Philadelphia Magazine has described The Country Club Jim MacLaren of Scranton as 4Cthe jewel of the northeast”. This is certainly a tribute to golf Turf Partners, Inc. course conditions established and maintained by Bill Lansdowne and his loyal staff. His legacy to our Club was on full display, in all its glory, during the recent Mark Eisele Donald T. Nolan Memorial Member-Guest Tournament. He certainly would have Country Club at Woodloch Springs been proud. John Downer Bill’s expertise in agronomy and turf management was affirmed in 1973 when, as Elkview Country Club a member of the first class of candidates, he gained certification by the Golf Course Superintendent’s Association of America, a significant and widely coveted Gary Phillips distinction in the industry. For years Bill has been the dean of local course super­ Racqueteers Sports Complex intendents. He was a past president of the Pennsylvania Turf Grass Association. Although soft spoken, Bill enjoyed the utmost respect and loyalty from his staff CHIPS & PUTTS STAFF and fellow department heads. He was completely trusted and admired by our EDITOR members, past and present, who were fortunate enough to get to know him. He Darrin Batisky was a true friend to this Club. Managing Editor, Our sincere condolences go out to Bill’s wife, Joan, and his sons, Bill Jr., Jeff and Melinda Wisnosky Reis. R.R. 1, Box 219 Harding, PA 19643 The above tribute to Bill Lansdowne appeared in The 570-388-2889 Country Club o f Scranton ’s July newsletter. Fax: 570-388-2167 EDITORIAL COMM ITTEE Jim MacLaren Tony Grieco, CGCS (Continued from page 1) a specialized four-part stomach, with a microbial fermentation cycle followed by repeated chewing. Specialized beneficial bacteria thrive on chewed hay in the moist, warm culture of the stomach. The NOVARTIS physical breakdown from chewing the cud combines with activity of the microbial enzymes. In this way, chemical cleavage releases soluble nutrients, valuable food substances both to the microbes and John D. Fowler Novartis Crop Protection, Inc. T u rf a n d O r n a m e n t a l 3 2 5 M ill P o n d L a n e to the animal whose stomach is the incubator. The solids that pass Sr. M a r k e t in g S p e c ia lis t O x fo rd , PA 1 9 3 6 3 through the gut are still rich in nutrients and living microbes. w w w .c p .n o v a rtis .c o m Tel 610 998 2896 The decomposition of grass tissue can take place in soils when Fax 8 0 0 3 3 4 9 4 8 1 E x t 5 8 9 9 given the right conditions: Fax 6 1 0 9 9 8 2 8 9 7 jo h n .fo w le r@ c p .n o v a rtis .c o m air, moisture, high nitrogen-to-carbon ratio, and an active microbial population. This soil process is important to the degradation of thatch, the layer of dead grass stems and lower leaves that forms a barrier between the roots and the green portion of the grass plant. A small amount of thatch is healthy, acting to shade the roots and cushion physical impacts. A thick layer of thatch can make chemical GOLF CARS INC. LEASING • SALES • SERVICE treatments less effective, absorbing pesticides and blocking PAUL SZYMANSKI SALES dispersal into the root zone. 4180 SKYRON DRIVE BUCKINGHAM, PA 18912-0247 215-340-0880 OFFICE • 215-340-1634 FAX Contributions of Microbes and Earthworms TURF 1 The decomposers in the soil contribute to the bulk of the organic matter. Earthworms take in soil mixed with dead and living organisms and pass it through their gut, depositing castings rich in digested substances and microbes. Their physical remains add to the soil organic matter. There are groups of fungi like the water molds that have cell walls made of cellulose or other unique variations of sugar chains bonded together. Bacteria and some fungi have cell walls made of chitin, a molecular structure sim ilar in composition to the exoskeleton of insects and crayfish. Each type of cell wall can be broken down by certain decomposers that have the genetic ability to make the needed enzymes for release of the component molecules. This release provides nutrition for the decomposer or microbe, and left behind are undigested organic matter, secreted gluey substances, and dead microbial cells. What is so Special About Humus? Humus is the end product of ordinary decomposition. It is a MSOLMI mucous-like mixture of the most resistant tissues of plants and animals, and the dead cells of soil bacteria and fungi. Humus is a remarkable material, with a cation exchange capacity (CEC) several tim es that of clay particles. This means that humus can hold Carryall Turf positively charged molecules (called cations), then release them later as the components in the soil water solution change. A soil with high CEC will retain nutrients on clay or humus, then release the nutrients, making them available to roots as the plant roots or microbes release hydrogen ions into the soil water. In acid soil p l a y to win“ conditions there is a high concentration of hydrogen ions, and cations such as calcium, potassium, or magnesium are exchanged more rapidly into the soil water. Humus and partially degraded organic matter retain water in a surface film that is still available to plant root hairs after the free water has drained away from the root PHILADELPHIA TURF COMPANY zone. Humus will continue to break down very slowly over time, as 4049 LANDISVILLE ROAD, BOX 865 D0YLEST0WN, PA 18901-0865 weather conditions, nutrient availability, and microbial populations OFFICE 215-345-7200 FAX 215*345-8132 change. Tropical soils contain very little humus and organic matter since they are rapidly degraded and disappear completely at high MATTHEW W. BROWN GEORGE J. SKAWSKI, JR. temperatures. Commercial Products Irrigation Products Voice Mail Voice Mail The microbes of the soil make nutrients available to roots by 215*340*5401 215*340*5450 (Continued on page 4 TORO (Continued from page 3) degrading complex substances into sim pler molecules. But how can humus change the texture of soil? This occurs because a natural byproduct of microbial decomposition is a gluelike ¡C entury Rain Aid I substance, a sticky material used by fungi and bacteria to remain fixed to the surface of the material on which they grow or divide. Featuring These glues called glycoproteins become part of the colloid mixture that is humus, causing aggregates or larger particles to form in the soil. This results in a coarser texture if the soil is Rotors ‘ Valves • Central Control Systems composed of clay, silt, or loam, a better soil for plants that is more 800 - 347-4272 friable, looser, and drains more freely. The microscopic root hairs w ill grow into the humus and organic matter, taking advantage of the added nutrients, beneficial rhizosphere microorganisms, and water retained by the humus. These root hairs have much more surface area than larger roots, such as those that grow rapidly into wet sand. Greater surface area leads to significantly more absorption of water and nutrients. A larger root system can support healthier top growth. In addition, the humus will retain water to Earthworks Na-tural O rganic P ro d u cts provide a safety net in dry conditions. Joel Simmons P.O. Box 278K www.soilfirst.com Why Increase the Humus? 6574 S. Delaware Drive Fax: 610-250-7840 Why should a turfgrass manager try to increase the humus in Martins Creek, PA 18063 Phone: 610-250-9560 the root zone? For three reasons: 1) humus increases nutrient 8 0 0 -7 3 2 -T U R F availability for microbes and plants, 2) humus retains nutrients, reducing leaching, and, 3) humus improves soil texture through aggregation, increasing drainage. The sources of organic matter in turfgrass soils are the original amendments at tim e of installation, grass clippings, thatch, and dead roots. In addition, soil insects, algae, earthworms, bacteria, fungi, and nematodes add substantially to the organic matter of the turfgrass root zone. Topdressing with compost is an excellent way to increase the organic matter, fertility, and microbial activity. Additionally, compost w ill reduce the problems of thatch layers, w ill help to suppress disease organisms, and over the long So you want to upgrade existing term w ill increase humus, reduce leaching, and improve the sprinklers but don’t want to dig up your oíd TORO* or Rain Bird* resilience of the turfgrass in tim es of stress. sprinkler bodies... When a nitrogen-rich compost is topdressed over turfgrass, offers the soil microbes will have a new source of nutrition. They w ill use the nitrogen from the breakdown of compost to increase the the solution. degradation of dead roots and thatch. The complex substances in the compost w ill favor a new balance of microbes with the specific ability to degrade the kind of organic matter present. There will be an increase in humus in the soil, leading to better nutrient-holding capacity (due to the increased cation exchange capacity and reduced leaching). Increased microbial activity will also speed up the degradation of pesticides in the soil. The high activity of microbes will tend to reduce the incidence and severity of turfgrass root rot diseases. After about three years of topdressing with compost, the improvement in the stand and resistance to drought and disease w ill be obvious. The health of the turfgrass and increased root surface area will reduce the necessity for pesticide applications. Understanding the microbial processes leading to decomposition of organic matter, including thatch and dead roots, will help move the turfgrass manager further along the integrated pest management continuum. Healthy turfgrass requires less maintenance and sets up the scenario for a more profitable season. JanaLamboy, IPM Specialist; Cornell University Turfgrass Team, Cornell University Turfgrass Times, Summer 1999, Volume Ten, Number Two ____________________________________________________________________________ LINKS FOR LIFE Saving Lives on the Golf Course Saving Lives on the Golf Course n isn’t in cardiac arrest. W ith training and proper use, there is virtually no risk to either the AED user or A 1the cardiac arrest victim . Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the e V > U.S. today, and it can strike any one, anywhere, any To encourage the widespread use of AEDs, tim e - even on the golf course. more than 40 states, including Pennsylvania, have W alking the course has many health benefits, in­ passed “Good Samaritan” laws to lim it the liability cluding reducing the risk of heart attack. But when a of AED users who are properly trained. medical emergency does happen, a course can be a dif­ ficult place for emergency medical teams to reach quickly, and in cases of cardiac arrest, every minute can mean the How You Can Help Save Lives difference between life and death. Fortunately, there are things golf courses can do to help It’s easier than you think to make a difference that improve the chances someone w ill survive a cardiac arrest could save a life: on the course. The most important is to provide access to a critical life-saving therapy known as defibrillation. • If you think someone is having a medical emer­ gency, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number as soon as possible. Conquering Sudden Cardiac Arrest • Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) strikes more than 250,000 American Heart Association’s four-hour Heartsaver people every year in the U S. Only about 5 percent of them AED course covers both CPR and bow to use an survive. The American Heart Association estimates that AED. Heartsaver FACTS is an eight-hour course thousands of additional lives could be saved if defibrillation that also includes basic first aid. therapy could he administered in adequate time. The healthy heart is a pump that beats in a methodic, e ffi­ cient rhythm to send blood throughout the body. In the most • Find out what kind of safety equipment is available common form of SCA, an electrical malfunction causes the on your course. In addition to AEDs, some golf heart to quiver ineffectively. Blood flow to the brain and courses have installed radio transm itters or other other vital organs stops. A person in cardiac arrest quickly communication devices at the far holes, to make it loses consciousness and the ability to breathe, and will die easier to call for help. within minutes unless treatment is administered. That treatment is known as defibrillation - a controlled For more information, or to find out how easily you electrical shock to the heart that can allow a normal heart can implement an AED program, contact Michelle rhythm to regain control Markley at the American Heart Association at: (717) Until recently, defibrillation could only be administered by 975-4800, X130 or mmarkley@heart.org. highly trained medical personnel. But a generation of devices known as automated external defibril­ “Links for Life” a project of Golf Digest, the American lators (AEDs) makes it possible for laypersons - such as Heart Association and Medtronic Physio-Cortrol course marshals or security staff - to adm inister this life ­ - is a public education and awareness campaign aimed saving therapy. at improving survival from sudden cardiac arrest and heart attack on golf courses and in other public places. How AEDs Work Other organizations participating in “Links for Life” include the National Golf Course Owners Association, An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a safe, port­ Club Managers Association, G olf Course Superinten­ able device equipped with a computer that can tell when a dents Association and the National Safety Council. patient’s heart is not beating properly. W ith voice prompts and screen messages, the device is designed to lead anyone Editor’s Note: Manygolf courses are buying with minimal training through a short series of steps, quickly units. At Glen Oak CC we purchased two. One is kept arriving at a decision by the machine to shock or not. in the pro shop and the other in the restaurant. They include training materials and seem to be relatively easy What About Liability? to use. The cost of each unit that we purchased was AEDs are highly accurate and will not shock a person who $3,200. A Letter from Walter Whitney to the Board o f Directors July 13, 2000 Dear Sirs: W e’re enclosing this check of $100.00 toward the Pocono Turfgrass Association Scholarship Fund. Also enclosed is the card with the poem I composed while relaxing and watching the golf channel. I hope you enjoy it. Sincerely, I Lee A. Kozsey I Senior Territory Sales Lead W alter W hitney Zeneca Professional Products (former greenskeeper) 3710 Amherst Court Bethlehem, PA 18020-1356 Telephone (610) 861-8174 What is Golf Mobile (610)730-9185 Fax (610)882-9358 By W alt W hitney E-mail lee.kozsey® AGNAZeneca.com Voice Mail (888) 875-9990, X0163 G olf is more than just hitting a round ball ZENECA A business unit of ZENECA Inc. into a round hole. It is walking out onto a green carpet, looking down a fairway Steve Chirip Territory Manager Seeing a row of trees of difference shapes and sizes EGYPT FARMS, INC. in different shades and beautiful colors ff f â i Lm s Ï 8754 Country Place Drive Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania 18466 giving you fresh clean air to breathe and looking at streams and ponds Phone: 410-335-3700 that reflect the landscape around you. Mobile/Pager 443-255-6471 Home/Office 570-894-3133 G olf is more than just hitting a round ball into a round hole. It is making new friendships. VERTI-ORAIN D E A LE R S 71 7-288-9004 It is giving respect. & CONTRACTORS 800-554-4863 It is receiving respect. FAX 717-288-9023 It is learning patience. And it is experiencing accomplishments. E S M G o lf S upply C o . A DIVISION O F H.V. INC. 2 0 2 W O O D W A R D H IL L R O ., E D W A R D S V IL L E , P A 1 8 7 0 4 This is golf. SP E C IA LIST IN D E E P TINE AEFtATION Stephen Michael It’s every players responsibility... * Layout and Design * Typesetting * 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.0. 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 from your g o lf course superintendent and GCSAA — 07 A TESTIMONIAL TO WILLIAM LANSDOWNE, CGCS P r e m i u m s o d f o r g o lf c o u r s e s From: FRAN DAVITT, III Chip Presendofer A T Sales A ssociates, Ltd. As everyone probably knows, on July 13, 2000, everyone who is connected with golf 1011 Church Road Oreland, PA 19075 course management lost a very important individual to our profession, William Lans- Tel 215-886-6011 downe, CGCS. I hope everyone in the Association had the great privilege of knowing Fax 215-886-1203 Bill. Pager 800-983-3430 I have known Bill for thirty years and thought the world of him. He was my dad’s best friend. They attended Rutgers University together and were extremely close friends. After my father passed away, Bill was my mentor and advisor. He offered me an assistant’s position when I graduated from Penn State, which I was honored to ac­ Office & Home Phone Top Dressing White Haven 570-443-9596 Bunker Sand cept. Working with Bill and my father was very important and proved a valuable les­ Fax 570-443-9590 Infield Mix son beyond belief. I’m sure anyone who worked with Bill would say the same. His Blue Ridge Peat Farms, Inc. work ethic and extreme dedication provided his assistants throughout his tenure with White Haven, PA 18661-9674 knowledge unsurpassed by any book. His golf course was in the best condition of any in the area, consistently, and could have hosted a major with little or no effort. Potting Soil GENE EVANS, Owner Bill was extremely important to me, and I considered him father-like. He will be Soil Mixes Professional Engineer missed by many in our profession. I will truly miss our weekly calls where we would discuss many topics both professional and personal. I hope all members sent their prayers out to the Lansdowne family, and please send cards to: Joan Lansdowne 2312 Milwaukee Road Clarks Summit, PA 18411 Shaun M. Barry Aventis Sales Representative CHIPCO® Professional Products Aventis Environm ental Science 1133 Rt. # 2 7 Somerset, NJ 08873 Tel. (732) 846-8173 Fax (732) 846-8113 e-mail: Shaun.Barry@aventis.com N o r t h Pen fèsu r n N u r se r ie s , i n c m l Turf Produce Dnsim Ed Zimmerman u J.. Market Sales Representative RT 115, Sullivan Trail Wind Gap, PA 18091 P h o n e: (610) 863-6006 \ W wè JE S C O LESCO, Inc. 1121 Lehigh Street Allentown, PA Fax: (610) 863-6384 'SrdhjW' 18103 800.321.5325 V.M. 6284 DAN FICK Home phonç/Fa*; (610) 562-6812 610.432.2919 Office S a l e s R e p r e s e n t a t iv e Pager (610) 791-8336 POCONO ROUNDUP NEWS AND VIEWS FROM THE POCONO USGA Senior Open Championship TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION 2000 Edition at the Old Course at SAUCON VALLEY C.C. Penn State Field Days Congratulations and a job well done to Terry Laurent, CGCS, and his able staff on a SUPER job pre­ If you were not in attendance at Field Days, you missed a paring and maintaining the course for this prestigious GREAT opportunity to observe the performance of products event. We must mention his most capable Superinten­ that we now have in our arsenal and the promise of new dents and their Assistants: products that are in the pipeline. The pig roast was a great event with many fam ilies showing => Al Seigfreid, Superintendent & Neil McNutt, Assistant up for the event. Rumor has it that the “Family” type at the Old Course atmosphere might be a thing of the future. => Glen Brader & Greg W ister at the Grace Course => Bob S tiffler, Superintendent, & his Assistant, Bob Grey Leaf Spot W olverton Even though the disease erupted its ugly head back in July, Everyone who was there, or watched on television, can it didn’t take much of a toll so far. Maybe because attest to the conditions. Even the more “astute” TV com­ Superintendents were better protected by using the tools now mentators had nothing but praise. Word has it that it will available for forecasting. The largest damage has been return in 2008. observed in the first cut of rough that maybe was not protected. POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION c/o MELINDA WISNOSKY POSTAGE R.R. 1, BOX 219 HARDING, PA 18643 TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION NAME & ADDRESS ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED.