CHIPS % PUTTS OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE F o u n d e d in POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION 1936 VO L 9, NO. 6 October 2003 G o lf Rules Trivia ‘Tis the season for this question. Larry is playing a spectacular par three over water, featuring a beach bunker between the edge of the water and the green. His nine-wood tee shot falls | short of the green and lands in the bunker. After two inches of rain the previous night, the pond has risen and the bunker is I completely filled with Andy Jubinski, Golf Course Superintendent | casual water and Larry's ball is lying smack dab in Glenmaura National Golf Club the middle of it. Larry has | four options in this situation, The O ctober meeting for the Pocono Turfgrass Association was held at one of which is to play the Glenmaura National GC. Glenmaura National was designed by Dr. Mi­ ball as it lies. Can you chael Hurdzan and Dana Fry in the early 1990’s. Even though Glenmaura is determine the other three relatively young, the course has started on the right path to a successful options? Your clue is that history. Glenmaura is currently the annual host of the Northeast Pennsyl­ one of the options is without vania Classic (on the Nationwide Golf Tour). As many of you know, the penalty, the other two course is built on the side of a mountain, and features one of the only grav­ involve one stroke ity-fed irrigation systems in the world. In addition to the challenges of the I penalties. irrigation system, Andy and his crew face many challenges related to the Answer is in the topography on which the course was built. Recent major projects include, Pocono Roundup! major bunker renovation last year by McDonald and Sons, as well as a lot of drainage work done in house. Prior to Glenmaura, Andy received his BS in Agronomy from The Pennsyl­ vania State University in 1987. He started working on golf courses as a kid at Shadowbrook Re­ sort. He says the reason he got into the business was because he did not enjoy being a Me­ chanical Engineering major and was enjoying work on the course during the summers so Agronomy was a better fit. After college he moved to New Jersey to become the Assis- tant/Superintendent at Medford Lakes CC and then crossed the river to become the (Continued on page 4) <6cay President’s Message....... ¡¡§ Officers & Directors 2003 TURFGRASS Well, it's another year In the books... The golf season, as it has been A SSO CIA TIO N of late, was a strange one. A very wet fall of 2002 lead into a winter PRESIDENT with heavy snowfall, a very wet spring and finally above average RonGarrison, CGCS, Fox Hill C.C. rainfall amounts for the summer. But.... we survived! 570-655-2383 This will be my last President's message. Your Board of Directors has Rgarrison@aol.com positioned themselves for a very long tenure with successive excellent VICE PRESIDENT candidates for executive position. I would like to thank them all very Eric Reed, Valley C.C. 570-788-4277 much for their support and volunteerism over the past twelve months. Barley5@aoi.com They righted the ship, so to speak, and have worked hard to get the TREASURER Pocono re-organized. Only good things are planned for the future of Mark Bsele, CGCS, C. C. at W oodloch Springs the Pocono, and it is going to be very enjoyable being part of this 570-685-2980 association for years to come. eiselemk@ltis.net A big "Thanks'" goes out to all superintendents who opened their SECRETARY courses to us this year. We already have a few commitments for next Jason J. Barndt, Berwick Golf Club 570-759-6480 season. Thanks to all! grassman72@hotmail.com I would also like to thank Melinda Wisnosky for hanging in there with DIRECTORS all of us over the past few years of uncertainty and unrest. Things will only get more efficient. Steven Chirip, Egypt Farms, Inc. And lastly, thank you to all the members. We are nothing without 570-894-3131 you! To all our affiliate members, their support and participation over John Downer, Elkview C.C. the years has kept the Pocono afloat. 570-222-9247 THANK YOU ALL! Andrew Jubinski, Jr., Glenmaura National G.C. 570-457-8733 See you at the meetings! Duane Schell, Blue Ridge Trail G. C. 570-868-8113 Ron Garrison,C GCS djschell@epix.net Richard Sweeney, CGCS, Glen Oak C.C. 570-586-5791 r.j.sweeney@att.net CHIPS & PUnS STAFF From the Editor’s Desk. EDITOR Eric Reed M a n a g in g Editor Melinda Wisnosky Congratulations to our newly crowned PTGA Golf Champions, and Editorial C o m m itte e thanks to Andy Jubinski and his staff for providing us with a wonderfully Jason Barndt manicured golf course to crown our First Annual Association Jeff Koch Champions. Congratulations also go out to Duane Schell, Paul Jim MacLaren Brandon, Steve Chirip, and Charlie Koennecker. These four represented the Pocono Turfgrass Association at the Joe Valentine Tournament at Bent Creek. They cruised to a second place finish, one PTGA Office RR 1, Box 219 stroke back of the winners. Harding, PA 19643 I would also like to take this time to thank the staff at the PTGA Phone/Fax: (570) 388-2167 newsletter department. Field Reporters Jason Bamdt and Jeff Koch, Photographer Jim MacLaren, and Publisher Melinda Wisnosky, for their time and assistance. Jeff Koch will be taking over the reins as editor, so please keep those great ideas and volumes of information flowing his way. Any opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author a n d /o r person quoted, and may not represent the position of PTGA. Information contained in this publication Eric Reed may be used freely, in whole or in part, without special permission as long as the true context is maintained. W e would appreciate a credit line. Pushing Back Fall M aintenance Comes at a Cost By Darin S. Bevard, Agronomist The 2003 golf season has been one to remember. aeration to alleviate compaction; a little extra fertilizer Many rounds of golf were lost due to excessive pre­ in these areas would not hurt either. cipitation, late snow cover, and an occasional hurri­ On putting greens, fairways, and tees, aeration tim­ cane. Turfgrass maintenance programs also were de­ ing can vary dramatically. The peak germination of layed or postponed by inclement weather and Poa annua is between mid-September and mid- cleanup. Unfortunately, golfers were opposed to any October. Thus, if you are trying to control Poa annua, additional disruption or reduction in playability during aeration should be performed prior to this period to the season. The result has been late implementation allow the existing turf to heal before the Poa annua of maintenance programs, which may not provide germination period. Healing is an important element. the results needed next spring. If putting green aeration is performed too late in the When isthe latest that rough can be overseeded fall the holes may not heal until next spring resulting in successfully? The answer to this question varies dra­ golfer discontent. Ideally, aeration should be per­ matically by the turfgrass used. Turf-type tall fescues formed to take advantage of optimum turfgrass and perennial ryegrass will germinate into late O cto­ growing conditions for quick healing. ber if weather conditions remain mild. Kentucky blue- As maintenance programs are pushed back into grass has a substantially longer germination period. As cooler temperatures and shorter days, the chances October day length shortens and temperatures cool for achieving success are reduced. This is an impor­ Kentucky bluegrass will be difficult to establish. Often, tant factor to consider when deciding on scheduling the grass that emerges after a late Kentucky blue- for important maintenance programs that are greatly grass seeding is Poa annua, which rapidly deteriorates dependant on mild temperatures for success. early next summer, returning the rough to the condi­ Leaf drop is occurring at an accelerated pace tion that led to overseeding in the first place. The bot­ throughout much of the region. Blowing and remov­ tom line is that overseeding operations in the rough ing leaves from the golf course is time consuming and need to be scheduled in late summer or early fall to tedious. In some instances, the leaves fall as fast as have a reasonable chance for success. An early win­ they can be cleaned up. Golfers need to be patient ter could lead to failure if the seed is incorporated too during this time and realize that they will lose some late, wasting time and money. golf balls in fallen leaves. What about aeration? The timing of aerafion de­ If the Mid-Atlantic Region agronomists can be of pends upon the area impacted. In the rough, over­ any assistance, contact Stan Zontek seeding can be performed through slit seeding rather (szontek@usga.org) or Darin Bevard than aeration followed by broadcast seeding. How­ (dbevard@usga.org) at 610-696-4747 or Keith Happ ever, high traffic areas need to be addressed through (khapp@usga.org) at 412-341-5922. September Golf Results Valley Country Club - Individual Stableford Format 1st Duane Schell Longest Drive Rich Sweeney 2nd Paul Brandon Closest to Pin #2 Steve Chirip 3rd Steve Chirip Closest to Pine #9 Bob Seltzer 4th Charlie Koennecker (Continued from page JJ O ctober Golf Results Assistant at Huntington Valley CC under the guid­ ance of Superintendent Scott Anderson. Andy left Glenm aura National Golf Club - Huntington Valley to come back up to NEPA and work at Glenmaura as Assistant Superintendent un­ PTGA Championship der Bo Chichuniec and then Steve Campbell. Fol­ lowing Steve's departure, Andy was promoted to superintendent. Andy has been the Superintendent at Glenmaura since 1996. He credits Bo Chichuniec Superintendent Gross Champion Ian Kunesch 82 and Scott Anderson for teaching him to become a Superintendent Net Champion Gary Phillips 73 successful superintendent, and hopes to pass on that knowledge to his own assistants. Mike O'Neill is Affiliate Gross Champion Charlie McGill 82 currently completing his first season as Andy's able Affiliate Net Champion Rich Pany 70 assistant. Prior to Mike, Jeff Koch served as assistant superintendent and is now finishing his second sea­ Longest Drive Charlie Koennecker son as Superintendent at Wyoming Valley CC. Closest to Pin #2 George Skawski Andy is currently ‘enjoying the single life' and enjoys Closest to Pin #15 Paul Brandon skiing, reading and playing video games when not managing turf. He currently serves on the Pocono Turfgrass Board of Directors as the Education Chair­ person. Grass Roots, Inc. grass roots P.0. Box 336 Mount Freedom, NJ 07970 1248 Sussex Turnpike c/o Mt. Ridge Business Park Steve Chirip Units A-1&2 Technical Sales Rep. Randolph, NJ 07869 fisher son (973) 418-3468, Mobile (570) 839-3399, PA Office (973) 361-5943, NJ Office company inc. (973) 895-1388, NJ Fax S u p e rio r P ro d u c ts for th e Service ♦ Technical Support ♦ Quality Products T u rf an d H o rtic u ltu ra l P ro fe ssio n a l M ark R eed (610) 282-2381 fax (610) 282-2392 237 East King St. Malvern PA 19355 PH. 1-800-262-2127 FAX (610) 644-7791 www.fisherandson.com Robert Seltzer Market Sales Representative 15885 Sprague Road JESCO Strongsville, OH 44136-1799 Ç5 * A Irrigation Specialists 717.865.4771 4 CjVlf Course Irrigation IZen^ai'upn 800.321.5325 VM 6125 V, -A* 4 Irrigation Additions 717.865.4771 Office/Fax J S sls2p8@lesco.com i I 4 Clubhouse <5 Landscape Irrigation T u rf ô Irrigation 4 \Zeelcrafi PCj'M Syringing Sy$terns Lee Kozsey 4 Irrigation Service & Repairs Syngenta Professional Products ****** 4 Prainag<* ¡¡ A \ y‘ Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc. syngenta 3710 Amherst Court Bethlehem, PA 18020-1356 V Äm* - X Tel. 610-861-8174 Fax 610-882-9358 Mobile 215-796-0409 www.syngenta.com \ J Customer Satisfaction is our #1 Çoai lee.kozsey @syngenta.com P eie Coughlin pjcoughlin^att.net 610- 7 6 0 -2 8 9 5 ACT 220: Making Pennsylvania a leader in ^ ^ Tur/ Sates & ConsuCtation water resource management and conservation. f ANDRE & SON, (NC. Not only is water resource management and conservation essential to pro­ • TURF KING PRODUCTS & tecting the environment and keeping residents healthy, but it also is vital for CONTRACTED SERUICES fueling the economy. Water is a strategically important resource that can pro­ vide a competitive advantage in helping Pennsylvania attract and retain busi­ JOHN V0JICK nesses and jobs. V0ICE/FAX 1.888.887.3770 EXTN 671 CELLULAR 1.607.768.0575 2 MILL STREET In 2002 the Pennsylvania General Assembly enacted the Water Re­ RESIDENCE, V0ICE/FAX 570.222.TURF MONTROSE, PA 18801 sources Planning Act (Act 220), designed to help the state better assess and plan for current and future water uses and needs. Pennsylvania is committed to making sure we have answers to basic questions such as how much water we have, now much we use and how much we need. Achieving this goal de­ N o r t h e r n N u r s e r i e s , in c . Professional Turf Products Division , i. pends upon water use registration by all turf related businesses. Act 220 requires individuals and operations that withdraw or use more RT 115, S ullivan T rail than 10,000 gallons of water per day from their own source(s), averaged over W in d G a p , PA 18091 Phone: (610) 863-6006 j¡ m any 30-day period, to register their water use with the Pennsylvania Depart­ Fax: (61 0 ) 863-6384 ment of Environmental Protection. Those users whose sole source of water is H o m e P h o n e /F a x : from a Public Water Supplier do not need to register their use at this time. Us­ DAN FICK (610) 562-6812 ers of less than 10,000 gallons per day are asked to register voluntarily. This SALES REPRESENTATIVE P a g er: (61 0 ) 791-8336 information will be used as the foundation to update Pennsylvania’s State Win­ ter Plan, which will involve stakeholders at both regional and statewide levels. Why is this legislation so important? Consider these facts: Seed, Fertilizer & Soil Erosion Control Material for • The State Water Plan has not been updated in over 25 years, and it does Golf, Athletic, Landscape, Construction and Maintenance not tell us which areas have critical water needs. As a result, we do not know who is running out of water until wells and local supplies dry up. DENNIS L. WAGNER • Since 1900, residential use of water has increased from 5 gallons to 62 Territory Sales Representative gallons per person per day. Total water use in Pennsylvania has climbed to 10 Seedway 980 Loucks Mill Rd. billion gallons per day, and there are increasing conflicts over the same sources York, PA 17402 HOME: of water. York Ph: (800) 836-3720 Phone: (610) 921-8779 York Fax: (717) 848-2261 Fax: (610) 921-8779 Emmaus Ph: (800) 225-4131 email: greenthum2@aol.com • Only about 5 percent of the municipalities in Pennsylvania know their “water budget” - how much water is available and how much is being used. • Last year alone, 27,000 new homes were built in Pennsylvania. Steve Chirip • 18,000 new wells are drilled in Pennsylvania each year. EGYPT A Territory Manager • Pennsylvania has experienced drought conditions during 8 of the past 10 FARMS EGYPT FARMS, INC. years. AXA HCI, Box 54B Swiftwater, PA 18370 Business, industrial and agricultural users will receive a pre-registration form in the mail, asking them to choose a method of registration, either on-line Phone:410-335-3700 using a pre-assigned pin number, or by completing a paper copy. A registration Mobile/Pager: 443-255-6471 Fax: 570-839-3399 form will be required for each source of water and must be returned or com­ pleted on-line to the Bureau of Watershed Management no later than March 16, 2004. A representative of the Bureau will be attending the following Turf con­ ferences and trade shows: Office & Home Phone Top Dressing White Haven 570-443-9596 Bunker Sand Fax 570-443-9590 Infield Mix 1. Penn State Golf Turf Conference, November 11-13, 2003 2. Eastern PA Turf Conference and Trade Show, January 13-15, 2004 3. Northeastern PA Turf School and Trade Show, January 29, 2004 Blue Ridge Peat Farms, Inc. 4. Western PA Turf Conference and Trade Show, February 23-25, 2004 White Haven, PA 18661-9674 At these conferences you will be able to ask questions and receive assis­ Potting Soil Gene Evans, Owner tance in completing the required registration forms. Those wishing assistance Soil Mixes Professional Engineer in completing the forms should bring all the necessary documentation including (C o ntin u ed on p a g e 6) PAfri (Continued from page 5) Bayer CropScience pump test records, drilling records and water use records for all sources for 2003. John W. Wiblishauser Help us get a comprehensive water resources picture for Pennsylvania. It’s Field Sales Representative not only good for Pennsylvania, it’s good for business, too. Bayer CropScience 318 E. Glenside Avenue For more information about Act 220 and the registration process, call the Act Glendside, PA 19038 220 hotline at 1-888-457-6653 or visit the PA PowerPort at www.dep.state.pa.us. Phone: 215 887-8936 Voicemail: 888 242-4200 x3225 Fax: 215 887-0971 john.wiblishauser@bayercropscience.com Shearon Golf Natural Organic Products SHEARON A division o f Shearon Environmental Design TORO. Joel Simmons P.O. Box 278K www.soilfirst.com 6574 S. Delaware Drive Fax: 610-250-7840 Specializing In: Martins Creek, PA 18063 Phone: 610-250-9560 TURF EQUIPMENT 800-732-TURF Construction / Maintenance MATT BROWN MOBILE: 484-357-6312 M arc S h o tz b e rg e r Restorations / Renovations IRRIGATION T e rrito ry M a n a g e r S tu ll E q u ip m en t C o m p an y GEORGE SKAWSKI P ro fe s s io n a l Tu rf P ro d u cts Arboriculture MOBILE: 610-554-9366 201 Windsor Road EMAIL: g.skawski@philyturf.com Pottstown, PA 19464 Design 610/495-7441 800/724-1024 (ext. 153) Fax: 610/495-7510 Drainage Experts Mobile: 215/880-1716 www.stullequip.com mshotzberger@stullequip.com Custom Spray Applicators Certified Irrigation Installers 337 Route 31 ■ Hop 5160 Militia Hill Road ■ Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462 CHUCK DeANGELO Contact Charlie McGill at (609) 466-0666 or -----------------SALES------------------ GOLF CARS, INC. (610)828-5488 ■ www.shearongolf.com 570-457-7420 OFFICE MAIN OFFICE 215-340-0880 570-499-2216 CELL MAIN FAX 215-340-1634 570-457-3279 FAX 41 80 SKYRON DRIVE DeAngelo46@aol.com BUCKINGHAM, PA 18912-0247 It’s every player s responsibility... • Layout and Design • Typesetting • Mac/IBM desktop publishing interface • Laser color separations Repair ball marks • Scitex® electronic photo retouching Replace or fill divots 31 Hill Street, P.O. Box 507 • Full electronic prepress services 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 A Two New Grants A vailable Officially Fall And Still Wet By Keith Happ,Senior Agronomist The Environmental Institute for Golf and GCSAA are pleased to announce two new grants which are funded by Bayer Environmental Science and Par Try as they may, golf course superintendents can­ Aide. In addition, Syngenta has expanded the Leg­ not control the weather. Most of the Mid-Atlantic Re­ acy Award Program. gion was hit by rain and wind from hurricane Isabel along with other severe weather. Normal course Superintendent Conference and Show Grant preparation activities were halted in most areas by This grant is funded by Bayer E.S. and will send five saturated soil and debris resulting from high wind and golf course superintendents to GCSAA's Interna­ flood waters. Areas of the Mid-Atlantic Region re­ tional Golf Course Conference and Show. The pur­ ceived as much as 10 inches of rain in as little as 3 pose of the grant is to assist the superintendents with days. their professional development through participa­ Fall is normally the time the turf begins the recovery tion in the annual event that features the most com­ process prior to winter weather. Fertility is intensified to prehensive education program available in the in­ fortify root structures and build reserves to better toler­ dustry. All superintendents who have not attended ate cold temperature stress. When the soils are satu­ GCSAA's Conference and Show for the prior two rated programs have to be modified to nurse weak­ years are eligible to apply. Deadline 11/14/03 ened turf back to health. For example, using a little fertilizer but applying it more frequently is an Joseph S. Garske Collegiate Grant agronomically sound technique to implement. How- This grant, funded by Par Aide offers educational ever, even this can be difficult to accomplish when grants to children and stepchildren o GCSAA mem­ the course is so wet that the applicator cannot get to bers. Par Aide funds the award of $2,500 in honor of all areas of the course. the founder of the company, Joseph S. Garske. Several questions have been asked regarding turf Deadline 3/31/04. management under severe conditions. The most fre­ quently asked is, "the greens are so wet I'm afraid we Legacy Award Program won't be able to aerify. What should we do?" Don't This program is funded by Syngenta Professional panic. While it would be better to core and topdress Products and offers 20 educational scholarships to to fill the holes don't hesitate to alter your plans to fit children and grandchildren of GCSAA members. the practice to the situation. The program has been expanded to include • Accomplish what you can. Turfgrass management. Deadline 4/15/04 • Make every effort to vent the soil by slicing, spiking or using solid tines. Anyone interested please call Melinda at 570-388- • Topdress when weather allows and don't bury the 2167 or applications can be found at: turf. Apply product in a manner that allows the Http://www.gcsaa.org/career/pursuing/ turf to grow without creating abrasion. scholarships/scholars.asp. • Multiple low volume applications may be in order rather than treating too heavily. We will soon be gathering leaves and the tem­ peratures will drop. The fall clean-up process usually signals the end of the season. We may still have some good weather to enjoy golf and condition the turf before winter weather arrives. AER-CORE, Inc. Specialized Turfgrass Aerification If we can be of assistance, contact Stan Zontek (szontek@ usaa.oral or Darin Bevard For Service or Demo Please Call: (d b evard@ usaa.oral at 610/696-4747 or Keith Happ 610-327-3390 (khapp@ usaa.oral 412/341-5922. Bob Eichert Bill Rahling P*# 9 POCONO ROUNDUP NEWS AND VIEWS FROM THE POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION October Election Results Elections were held at the October 7 meeting at Answer to the Green Box Trivia Question Glenmaura National Golf Club. Following are the results: Larry may take maximum relief within the bunker as long as his ball is no nearer the hole. With the bunker President Eric Reed being completely filled with water, Larry would be Vice President Jason Bamdt permitted in this situation to take relief in shallower Secretary Duane Schell water, without penalty, in lieu of his ofher two options. Treasurer John Downer The second option for Larry would be fo fake a drop outside of the bunker, keeping the point where the Mark Eisele resigned from the Board. Jeff Koch was ball last crossed the margin of the bunker between appointed to fill this vacancy. Darrin Larkin was himself and the flagstick. Since the pond is adjacent nominated and appointed to the Board. to the margin of the bunker, Larry would have to take his drop, with penalty of one stroke, on the other side Steve Chirip was nominated and elected to serve on of the pond. The third option is for Larry to declare his the Board representing the commercial members. Also ball in an unplayable lie, and to re-tee his ball, with on the Board are Andrew Jubinski, Rich Sweeney, and one stroke penalty. Ron Garrison as Past President. POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION c/o MELINDA WISNOSKY POSTAGE R.R. 1, BOX 219 HARDING, PA 18643 TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION NAME & ADDRESS ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED.