chips %p m OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE Founded in POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION 1936 VOL 8, NO. 2 A P RIL 2 0 02 DEPUrges All Courses to Permit ThePennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has mandated that all counties under drought emergency must first apply for and receive water usage permits before any water may be used for r* '* irrigation purposes. Should ■ •;% , « Northern Tier counties currently under a drought "w atch" label be classified as drought emergency TOM WILCHAK TO HOST counties at any time, you APRIL MEETING will not be permitted to use any water for irrigation On April 22, 2002, the Pocono purposes until you have Turf grass Association’s spring been granted a permit. meeting will be held at the Beth­ There is no grace period lehem Golf Club. The course is involved. Permits will be owned and financed by the city effective for a period of of Bethlehem and was built in three years. For more info: 1956. This Gordon design plays to www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/ subject/hetopics/drought / a length of 7,017 yards and a par 0IIIS of 71. The 325-acre property fea­ V- „ ‘ ' * . v*. . , ,i or I -888-457-6653. V ..; tures 18 championship golf holes and an additional 9-hole minia­ ture course, which measures 2,600 yards. The land also features a driving range for its patrons and for winter activities, an ice skating rink. tSk The turf types on the course consist of bent/poa annua greens which is standard on a mature course and a blend of ryegrass, bluegrass, and poa annua for the tees and fairways. The rough remains consistent with the rest of the course and has primarily the same varieties of grass as the tees and fairways, but also includes fescue. President's Message....... All right, I am about to go on a rant here, but before I do, I want to Officers & Directors thank the Board of Directors. We had a very productive meeting on 2002 March 13, 2002, at Big Daddy’s. I left that meeting feeling that the PTGA is headed in the right direction. Now onto my soapbox. TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION While at the PA Allied Hospitality Suite, I had numerous conversations with many superintendents and other professionals within the industry, PRESIDENT but one conversation has bothered me since I returned from Orlando. Gene Huelster, White Beeches 201-262-3365 While this conversation was not one on one, I felt as if it was directed turfman@ezaccess.net towards me, being president of the Pocono Turfgrass Association. VICE PRESIDENT Someone within the industry made the comment "we need to get the Ron Garrison, CGCS, Fox Hill C.C. Pocono on board.” Now, I am going to accept responsibility for not 570-655-2383 questioning what that comment meant. After reflecting on it, I must rgarrison@golfsat.net take offense to it, because it was brought up again to our Past Vice SECRETARY/TREASURER President in Pittsburgh. I'm going to assume this individual meant we Mark Eisele, CGCS, C. C. at Woodloch Springs 570-685-2980 need to contribute more money to research, or could it be more eiselemk@ltis.net involvement in a particular association. Well, excuse me, but I got involved with this association for one reason— fo help the members of DIRECTORS Jason J. Barndt, Berwick Golf Club the association— period. I’m sorry if we are not doing enough for 570-759-6480 someone’s research project or are not helping to fund a new building. grassman72@hotmail.com Some of the superintendents in this area cannot get their club to pay Steven Chirip, Egypt Farms, Inc. for their dues! How and why should this membership put other interests 570-894-3131 first? We are going to continue to work on a self-sustaining scholarship John Downer, Elkview C.C. for our members and continue to work towards more affordable 570-222-9247 meefings. Joseph Henry, Hideaway Hills G.C. I see that I have taken a lot of room for something I should have 610-681-6000 handled right away. So for that I am sorry. Next month I will finish my jrcmhenry@earthlink.net original plans for this article (GCSAA or not?) and hopefully, have an Eric Reed, Valley C.C. update on my earlier rant. Thanks for reading while I vent. ‘Till next 570-788-4277 barley5@aol.com time.... Duane Schell, Blue Ridge Trail G. C. G en e Huelster 570-868-8113 djschell@epix.net CHIPS & PUHS STAFF From the Editor's Desk...... EDITOR Eric Reed The head feather ruffler (see President’s Message) told me that you Managing Editor Melinda Wisnosky know you are following a worthwhile journalistic trail when you foment a response from your audience (yes, those exact words). Apparently, Editorial Committee Jason Barndt that occurred with last month's article concerning soil analysis. If there Jeff Koch is anything that this profession has taught me, it's that there are 100 Jim MacLaren different ways for 100 superintendents to do their jobs, and none of them are incorrect. Everyone is in search of the “big panacea” for PTGA Office turfgrass management, and we are all willing to try anything if we feel RR 1, Box 219 Harding, PA 19643 it gets us closer to that ideal. I don’t intend to write gospel, I just try to Phone/Fax: (570) 388-2167 report what I find interesting and helpful. Next moth.... "Purveyors of Serpent Suds: Uncovered.” Eric Reed A ny opinions expressed in this pu blication are those o f the author a n d /o r person quoted, and m ay not represent the position of PTGA. Inform ation co ntained in this p u blication m ay be used freely, in w h o le or in part, w ith out special perm ission as long as the true context is m aintained. W e w o u ld a p p re cia te a credit line. DRIVE HERBICIDE Shaun M. Barry (Editor’s Note: The purpose of this article is not to endorse the use of this prod­ "Aventis Sales Representative CHIPCO Professional Products uct, rather to educate turf managers about the research findings o f this poste- mergent herbicide formulation.) Aventis Environmental Science 1133 Rt. #27 Somerset, NJ 08873 Drive (quinclorac)is the most recent addition to the postemergent Tel. (732) 846-8173 herbicide arsenal. Drive has been a good-to-excellent post crabgrass Fax (732) 846-8113 herbicide. The recommended label rate of Drive is .75 lbs. ai/A. Ohio emaikShaun. Barry@aventis.com State University research has shown that young crabgrass can usually be controlled with rates of .25 to .50 pounds ai/A. Most consistent and reliable results will occur at the .75 rate where Drive is being applied under a range of environmental and landscape site conditions, and where crabgrass may be in various maturity stages. Drive efficacy sher does not appear to be as sensitive to soil moisture as Acclaim or Ac­ ompanyinc. claim Extra. However, the label recommends applying Drive when soils Superior Products for the are moist. Drive can be applied in combination with broadleaf herbi­ Turf and Horticultural Professional cides. Drive also exhibits some broadleaf herbicide activity, especially Mark Reed ( 610) 282-2381 fax ( 610) 282-2392 237 East King St. Malvern PA 19355 on legumes like black medic and clover. PH. 1-800-262-2127 FAX (610) 644-7791 www.fisherandson.com Drive’s rate of kill is rapid, with crabgrass kill usually occurring within one to two weeks after an herbicide application. Young crabgrass may turn brown and die within one week. Drive activity is obviously John Fowler Syngenta Professional Products more rapid than Dimension or Acclaim. Research showed that Drive provided excellent early postemergent crabgrass control and good- to-excellent late postemergent control. Drive efficacy was somewhat syngenta Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc. 325 Mill Pond Lane Oxford, PA 19363 variable at the intermediate crabgrass maturity stage. There are other Tel. 610-998-2896 Fax 610-998-2987 research trials and field observations to suggest that Drive efficacy at www.syngenta.com the intermediate crabgrass maturity stage may be somewhat weaker john.fowler@syngenta.com and/or variable. The authors suggest avoiding or delaying Drive appli­ cations on intermediate crabgrass to a later maturity stage. This ap­ proach should work effectively because Drive appears to be more ef­ ficacious on more mature crabgrass than on intermediate maturity N orthern N u r s e r ie s , in c . crabgrass. Professional Turf Products Division Drive is considered in the agricultural literature to have both foliar Il I RT 115, Sullivan Trail and root activity and is used in some crops as a preemergent herbi­ Wind Gap, PA 18091 cide. It has not performed well as a reemergent herbicide in turf due Phone: (610) 863-6006 Fax: (610) 863-6384 to perhaps soil biomass interactions not encountered in agricultural systems. In fact, our research indicates Drive is predominantly a foliar Home Phone/Fax: DAN FICK (610) 562-6812 herbicide in turfgrass. Several research results that support its foliar ac­ SALES REPRESENTATIVE Pager: (610) 791-8336 tivity include: • Irrigation applied shortly after applications significantly reduced efficacy. • The addition of surfactants has significantly improved efficacy. J o h n D eere Some surfactants enhance Drive’s efficacy more than others do. LAN D SCAPES • Watered-in applications in OSU research have resulted in poorer Fearuring Hunter Golf Irrigation Systems efficacy than applications that were not watered in. Pump Stations • Fountains • Landscape Lighting • A period with no rain of 6 to 12 hours was necessary to ensure ac­ Controller Board Repairs and More ceptable control. Therefore, Drive herbicide should be used as an herbicide that's ab­ 800 642-3706 - sorbed through the leaves. Here are application techniques to insure maximum absorption: (Continued on page 4) k Office & Home Phone White Haven 570-443-9596 Top Dressing Bunker Sand PlantStar F .. .Solutions to Grow Oni ertigaon Fax 570-443-9590 Infield Mix PLANTSTAR, Inc. in association with CARBTROL Corp. Announce the introduction of its Blue Ridge Peat Farms, Inc. ADVANCED WASHWATER RECYCLE SYSTEM White Haven, PA 18661-9674 Engineered system provides: Designed to integrate: • Zero pollutant discharge »Vehicle wash 'w Potting Soil Gene Evans, Owner • Best available technology • Fueling Soil Mixes Professional Engineer • High reliability and low maintenance • Chemical mixing/sprayer storage Let us show you how INTEG RA TED C H E M IC A L M A N A G E M E N T can w ork fo r you! Simplot a R T N E r e To learn more about PlantStar and our services, call us at: 8 0 0 * 2 7 7 * S T A R w w w .p la n tsta r.co m SIMPLOT TURF & HORTICULTURE SIMPLOT PARTNERS b u s 570/ 443-7154 Jim M acLaren AMERICA'S PREMIUM HIGHLIGHT GOLF HOLES, FAX 5 7 0 /443-7015 SALES REPRESENTATIVE TOP-DRESSINGS IMPROVE VISIBILITY, MOBILE 570/650-4982 FOR GREENS & TEES! & MAINTAIN CONSISTENCY PAGER 570/978-5649 jmaclaren@simplotpartners.com POROUS CERAMIC Bringing Earth’s Resources to Life PARTAC G O LF COURSE SOIL CONDITIONER THE U LTIM A TE S O L U T IO N T O U N S IG H T LY D IV O T S U.S. G O LF HOLE TARGETS AT TELEVISED T O U R N A M E N T S ! TO P-D RESSIN G S Lee Kozsey PARTAC® Syngenta Professional Products COLORED CERAMIC GREEN SA N D M ^ ^ Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc. S y l l g c n i a 3710 Amherst Court D IV O T REPAIR MIXES * Bethlehem, PA 18020-1356 PARTAC® GREEN SANDS BLENDED Tel. 610-861-8174 W ITH PARTAC® PREMIUM Fax 610-882-9358 TOP-DRESSING FOR EXCELLENT Mobile 215-796-0409 DRAG MATS, RAKES & BRUSHES www. syngenta. com GERMINATION AND WINDSCREEN & BALL NETTING DEEP GREEN COLOR! PLUS BUNKER SANDS, TerraFlow lee. kozsey @syngenta. com CONSTRUCTION, CART PATH, T he B est D ivot R epair M ixes Available! AND DIVOT REPAIR MIXES PARTAC PEAT CORPORATION KELSEY PARK, GREAT MEADOWS, N.J. 07838 Drainage Systems (Continued from page 3) TYPAR® & TerraBond TURF BLANKETS & GEOTEXTILES 800 247-2326 - 908-637-4191/FAX 908-637-8421 AND MANY MORE GOLF SPECIALTY PRODUCTS • Apply when crabgrass is actively growing. • Apply when soil moisture is adequate. • Provide adequate spray contact/spray coverage using an appropriate water volume. • Mow high grass before application to ensure the herbicide contacts the leaf surface. • Use a surfactant. Best choices are methylated seed oil or crop oil concentrates. • Avoid irrigation or rainfall within at least 6 to 12 hours after application (most labels call for 24 hours. In tolerance studies, Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, and perennial ryegrass exhibited good-to-excellent toler­ ance to Drive. Finer grasses are less tolerant. Creeping bentgrass is sensitive to Drive herbicide with discoloration (primarily yellowing) occurring at rates of .5 to .75 lbs ai/A. Higher rates will not only discolor bentgrass but cause thinning. Lower-cut crabgrass appears more sensitive to Drive, resulting in acceptable control at lower rates. Superinten­ dents using Drive at half-rate or less can reduce discoloration and still get acceptable control. Sprayers must be operated carefully to eliminate overlap rates, and at constant speeds to ensure proper appli­ cation. It is suggested Drive not exceed one-half the recommended rate on creeping bentgrass. In seedings, Drive herbicide can be used for postemergent crabgrass control with Kentucky bluegrass, peren­ nial ryegrass, and tall fescue at 30 days after emergence or beyond. Fine fescues are more sensitive to injury than other cooi-season grasses. Drive will effectively control or severely stunt mature crabgrass, favoring the competi­ tive edge of the desirable grass. It also provides some control or suppression of a variety of broadleaf weeds. It is -—Ö7 (Continued on page 6) PA# S USGA DROUGHT CONCERNS DOMINATE SUPERINTENDENT CONVERSATIONS. By Darin S. Bevard The major topic of conversation throughout much of the Mid-Atlantic Region is the dry conditions that continue to persist, especially in the eastern half of fhe region. Flow levels for many of the rivers, streams, and creeks in Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania are much below normal. Some examples: flow of the Potomac River was 82% below normal for January, and the Susquehanna River flow into the Chesapeake Bay is at its second lowest level since record keeping was initiated in 1937. Additionally, many reservoirs are at levels equal to or below lev­ els recorded in the 1999 drought. With no considerable snow pack for the spring melt, this is a serious situation. To date, Delaware is in a drought warning with voluntary water restrictions. Drought restrictions in Maryland are imminent. In Pennsylvania, all but six counties are under some sort of drought restrictions. Virginia is also very dry. Superintendents and course officials alike need to communicate the severity of the situation to their clientele and work to meet regulatory requirements. Unless unprecedented rainfall occurs between now and June, golf course superintendents will be significantly impacted. Less than perfect turf conditions will need to be tolerated. Cart re­ strictions should also be considered. Now is the time to communicate the potential problems, not when the hot­ ter, summer weather arrives! On another note, the warm weather has superintendents in a three point stance just waiting to get to work on the golf course. Do not rush things; while the above normal winter temperatures may cause some slight differ­ ences, in the overall scheme of maintenance, they will be minimal. The earlier course conditioning can be imple­ mented, the happier the golfers. Do not start too early or course conditions may suffer rather than be improved. As always, if the agronomists of the Mid-Atlantic Region can be of assistance at all, you can contact Stan Zon- tek (szontek@usga.org) or Darin Bevard (dbevard@usga.org) at 610-696-4747 or Keith Happ (khapp@usga.org) at 412-341-5922. SPRING HAS SPRUNG? By Stan Zontek Has spring arrived? In the USGA Green Section's Mid Atlantic Region, it is a question people ask daily. Of all the operations superintendents need to schedule at this time of year, the application timing of preemer- gent herbicides for crabgrass control are critical. In order to be effective, the products need to be applied to the surface of the ground prior to the germination of the crabgrass seed. Normally, there are all sorts of indicators as to when to apply preemergent herbicides. One of the most used (and most inaccurate) is the flowering of for­ sythia. With the weather we have experienced this year, forsythias were flowering in January! Nonetheless, the normal guideline is to apply preemergent herbicides sometime between the middle of March and the middle of April. Obviously, in this region, there is a difference between the eastern lowlands around the Chesapeake Bay and the mountains of western Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. In any event, it is time to start thinking about these applications, especially in the Eastern Mid-Atlantic Region. Compounding this timing has been the dry weather and mandatory water use restrictions for golf courses. It may be wise to apply a preemergent sooner versus later. Most preemergent products must be activated by wa­ ter. We may be looking at an earlier timing this year than normal. PA tfi (Continued from page 4) more efficacious and safer fhan ofher postemergenf annual grass options. For example, Acclaim will stunt and can severely injure young seedlings of cool-season grasses. Drive can be an interesting new tool for annual Natural Organic Products grassy weed control in spring and summer seedings. Joel Simmons P.O. Box 278K www.soilfirst.com Postemergenf Treatments for Crabgrass Vary in Effectiveness by Dr. John R. 6574 S. Delaware Drive Fax: 610-250-7840 Street and Pam J. Sherratt, Turfgrass Trends, Section 2, Volume 11, Issue 3, Martins Creek, PA 18063 Phone: 610-250-9560 March 2002. 800-732-TURF (Continued from page 1) The superintendent is Thomas Wilchak. Tom is entering his eighth season as golf course superintendent and is assisted by 10 full-time and 10 part- time employees during peak months. Prior to Mr. Wilchak's current posi­ tion, he was the superintendent at Kennett Square for two years, after be­ ing in the assistant's position for two years. Tom was also an assistant in New Jersey at a golf club named Fiddlers Elbow. He is a graduate of the Delaware Valley College with a 4-year degree in Ornamental Horticulture. Over the years Tom has developed a goal-oriented staff with a general work philosophy to be honest and show respect for a hard day’s work. When not maintaining the golf course, Tom enjoys spending quality time with his wife of 11 years, Jane. They complete their family with 2 daughters, Jill and Taylor, and a son Zachary. As a hobby, the outdoors rank very high in Tom's life and fishing is a close second. He and his family also spend a great deal of time in the Buffalo area of New York visiting family members. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Gene Huelster, President Jason Barndt, Education Ronald Garrison, CGCS, V. President, Steven Chirip, Sgt. At Arms Government Relations Duane Schell, Membership, Mark Eisele, CGCS, Sec/Trea., Finance Scholarship & Research John Downer, Social & Welfare, Survey Joe Henry, Bylaws Eric Reed, Publicity/Editorial * Layout and Design * Typesetting It’s every player s responsibility... * 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 C SA A ft* T WATCH YOUR STEP Nothing Runs Like A Deere A team of researchers from the Medical College of Ohio has discovered that Canada geese may TOM BRAGO DALE ANDREW pose a more serious public health threat than previ­ ously believed. The geese, which often congregate in large numbers on FINCH TURF EQUIPMENT, INC. (215) 661-0390 419 Industrial Drive (800) 875-TURF courses, are known for the mess they make. North Wales, PA 19454 FAX: (215) 661-9161 Web Site: www.finchlnc.com PARTS: (800) 78-DEERE It is not uncommon for each goose to produce up to a half pound of fecal matter per day, and this is where the danger lies. According to the study, those droppings often contain parasitic microorganisms that cause gastrointestinal illnesses. Among the parasites are Giardia and JO H N M. BO D O C K Cryptosporidium, which was responsible for the death of 100 people in Milwaukee, Wisconsin eight years ago. Lawn and Golf Supply Co., Inc. Dr. Brian Harrington, one of the study's authors, says the parasites are S pecialists In Eq uipm ent A nd Supplies For Maintenance Of T urf found throughout the country and are primarily transmitted via hand-to- mouth contact. While they may cause only minor stomach irritation to P H O N E : (610) 9335801 healthy individuals, Harrington warns that in cases where the individual is (800) 362-5650 647 N U T T R d . P .O . B O X 447 F A X : (610) 933-8890 P H O E N IX V IL L E , P A 19460 elderly or has an already compromised immune system, infection can be fatal. The Medical College of Ohio is urging routine testing for the parasite in course maintenance workers and in golfers who are exposed to geese droppings and suffer characteristic intestinal problems. They are also ask­ ing that workers wear protective clothing and wash thoroughly after work. "People should take precautions where ever possible,” Harrington says. “Washing equipment and hands is very important because the parasites TORO. are highly resistant to disinfectants. The parasites can become imbed­ ded on shoes and transmitted to people who themselves have not even visited a golf course.” T U R F E Q U IP M E N T MATT BROWN TELEPHONE: 215-340-5401 Golf Journal, October 2001 PAGER: 888-896-5094 IR R IG A T IO N PTGA MEETING SITES FOR 2002 GEORGE SKAWSKI TELEPHONE: 215-340-5450 Month Golf Course Date PAGER: 888-376-2074 EMAIL: g.skawski@philyturf.com April Bethlehem Golf Club 22nd May Available June Windsor Heights 10th July Skytop 9th August (joint Meet) Lehigh C.C. 12th Sept, (clambake) Blue Ridge Trail 17th October (Elections) Available November Available We still have some meeting dates available. Please contact Tony Grieco at 610-866-6305 if you are interested in hosting a meeting— especially May!! P a# 2 POCONO ROUNDUP immediate family member being a member of NEWS AND VIEWS FROM THE POCONO the PTGA. TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • Applicant must submit in writing why he/she should be considered for the scholarship. • Applicant should include what he/she Teels that PATTERSON SCHOLARSHIP his/her contributions to the turfgrass field will be. If the applicant is enrolled in a non-turf related program, he/she must explain the ties to the turfgrass field. • Applicants must submit a letter of endorsement from his/her employer or family member The Pocono Turfgrass Association is now accepting associated within the turfgrass field. applications for the Patterson Scholarship. The deadline for the application is May 1,2002. The following is a list Applicants requesting consideration for the of guidelines for ail individuals interested in applying for Patterson Scholarship should send requests to: the scholarship. Duane Schell • Applicant must be a second year student in a two- Scholarship Committee Chairman year program, or a fourth year student in an Blue Ridge Trail Golf Club undergraduate program. Preferably enrolled in a turf 260 Country Club Drive program. However, the student may be enrolled in Mountaintop, PA 18707 a non-turf related program. • The applicant must either be a member of the PTGA, employed by a member of the PTGA, or an