3ÖCOA0 ampi % pm i OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE Founded in POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION 1936 TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION VOL. 10, NO. 1 MARCH 2004 Attention Vendors: We are in the midst of lupdating our “Chips and Putts” Directory. Due to all the changes in Vendor personnel this year, we would like to lupdate this section ASAP. We are asking for your |help! Please send any April Meeting: Woodstone Golf Club Icontact name/number/ Superintendent, Chris Butler vendor category changes to Charlie This year’s meeting schedule starts off with a bang. Superintendent Chris ](fertseedchem@ Butler and the staff at Woodstone were gracious enough to host the April Meeting. Woodstone GC was designed and built all ‘in-house’. Construction jaol.com) or Melinda started in 1998 and was finished for the club opening in May 2000. It is a ] (mmel500@aol.com) via 7000+yd, par 72, private golf club (we will be playing the 6,381 yd Men’s lEmail or fax. We would tees). The club has L-93 bentgrass greens and tees, and Southshore bentgrass (like to have the changes fairways. The course features 90 bunkers and some beautiful elevation changes. Some recent projects include: Clubhouse expansion/renovation, jcompleted by the next and additional tee construction/expansion. lissue. Thank you! Prior to Woodstone, Chris started his career at Woodland Hills GC as summer help. He is a graduate of Delaware Valley College. After school, he became an assistant superintendent at Bedford Golf and Tennis Club in Westchester Charlie Koennecker County, NY. He decided to leave NY after a year andreturn to his roots in the Lehigh Valley. He became the assistant at Center Valley GC. After 3 years at Center Valley, Chris left to become the Superintendent at Woodstone. He is currently starting his third season at Woodstone. Chris currently lives on the course with his wife Jodi, and daughter Kaitlyn (age 3.5). He is entering this season without an assistant, who left on April 2, and he is currently accepting resumes. Dr. David Spak from Bayer E.S. will be speaking on Poa Seedhead Suppression. The meeting will be sponsored by Bayer. Please plan on attending! President's Message............ Officers & Directors TURFGRASS 2004 ASSOCIATION It appears that the 2004 golf season is upon us. I hope everyone accomplished what they had hoped for in the off­ PRESIDENT season, and I wish you the best for this upcoming season. Your Eric Reed, Valley C.C. Pocono Board has been hard at work once again to put together 570-788-4277 what promises to be another enjoyable year. Next month’s Barley5@ptd.net newsletter will feature our annual State of the Association report. VICE PRESIDENT Best Wishes to Rich Sweeney, who has moved on to Bermuda Jason Barndt pastures in Virginia. Rich was the person responsible for this past year’s return to a solid educational foundation. He will be missed. Also, welcome to Charlie Koennecker, who has stepped up to the plate as our new newsletter editor. I have assured Charlie that the TREASURER biggest challenge with the newsletter is sifting through the pile of John Downer, Elkview C.C. 570-840-0078 member contributions every month. We are also excited to have j_s_downer@juno.com Lee Kozsey on board with the newsletter. Lee has promised to get SECRETARY our newsletter into national title contention. Duane Schell, Blue Ridge Trail G. C. 570-868-8113 djschell@epix.net Eric Reed DIRECTORS Steven Chirip, Grass Roots, Inc. 973-418-3468 Andrew Jubinski, Jr., Glenmaura National G.C. 570-457-8733 Jeff Koch, Wyoming Valley C.C. From the Editor's Desk. 570-823-0740 Darrin Larkin, Panorama Golf Course 570-222-9260 The season is here! The forsythia is in bloom, seedheads are popping, aerators are punching, and meeting notices are arriving. As the season takes shape, keep in mind, the past two seasons CHIPS & PUTTS STAFF have seen the extremes. Super dry, then super wet. As we continue EDITOR Charles Koennecker to ride the roller coaster of the weather cycles, keep in mind there fertseedchem@aol.com is a mid point somewhere. Let’s hope this season is just that. We Managing Editor could certainly use a ‘normal’ season. The golf business has seen Melinda Wisnosky the extremes and it is time for a return to normalcy! Returning to Editorial Committee normal depends on how you define normal. For most, it is longer Jim MacLaren Lee Kozsey hours, lower budgets, less resources and more government Eric Reed intervention. Adjusting to these changes is paramount for success in any business. By getting involved with YOUR association, you can make these adjustments easier. Your association is currently helping PTGA Office to fund turfgrass research, and addressing statewide water issues, RR 1, Box 219 among other things. These projects help you, the superintendent, Harding, PA 19643 Phone/Fax: (570) 3 8 8 -2 1 6 7 do a better job. We will have more on the state of your Association in the next issue. For now, let’s hope for good weather, good health, and a ‘normal’ season ahead. See you at Woodstone! Charlie Koennecker Any opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author and/or person quoted, and may not represent the position of PTGA. Information contained in this publication 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. How to Suppress Seedheads on Annual Bluegrass Putting Greens By:J.A. Boraer, IL W atschke,M .D . Soika o f Penn State University To some degree, annual bluegrass (Poa annua) is the same site for several years have noticed earlier present on most putting greens in the Mid-Atlantic. seedhead emergence on certain greens. In fact, annual bluegrass can be the predominant Consequently, these greens can be used as an species. effective monitoring tool. Although botanically, annual bluegrass is a winter To determine the “boot" developmental stage, annual and considered a weed in most turfgrass select an annual bluegrass plant from the site and communities, it is often the desirable species on remove the outer leaves. At the “boot" stage, a putting greens. When a turfgrass manager chooses small stem will be evident growing from the crown to cultivate annual bluegrass as the dominant of the plant. The annual bluegrass plant may also population, it's not considered a weed. In fact, if the have a noticeable bulge at the base. This is the desired turfgrass is annual bluegrass, then creeping seedhead forming and also considered the “boot” bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) or any other turfgrass stage of development. present in the sward should be considered a weed. If the seedhead is visible (beyond “boot” stage), Some of the highest-quality putting surfaces often PGRs cannot suppress that seedhead. The window consist of more than 80 percent annual bluegrass. of timing (“boot" stage) for PGR application can If annual bluegrass is the species of choice, the range from one or two days to a week. Therefore, turfgrass manager must manage the seedhead daily monitoring of the development stage is production of the annual bluegrass because it can required. If the PGR application is made too early, adversely affect the playability of the putting then the annual bluegrass may produce seedheads surface. In addition, when annual bluegrass later in the spring if a second PGR application is not produces a seedhead, carbohydrates are diverted made. to the production of that seedhead at the expense In most areas of the Mid-Atlantic region, one of growth in other areas of the plant. This diversion of properly timed PGR application will effectively carbohydrates is evident shortly after the seed suppress annual bluegrass seedheads. Multiple PGR matures and shatters from the plant. applications may be required where the seedhead At this time, the annual bluegrass has become production persists beyond the limits of a single PGR weakened and less competitive. As a result, the application. turfgrass manager must take extra care in the There are several other factors to consider when cultivation of the annual bluegrass to provide the using PGRs to suppress annual bluegrass seedheads necessary quality for the playing surface. on putting greens. Some PGRs can be phytotoxic, Mechanical cultivation (verticutting) can eliminate causing a temporary yellowing or tip burn of the some of the seedheads on a putting green after turfgrass. The phytotoxicity, combined with the emergence. Groomers or brushes attached to the amount of annual bluegrass seedhead suppression greens mower will remove some of the seedheads, (plus other factors) can affect the overall quality of but these tactics do not prevent the formation of the putting surface. Quality is subjective. The seedheads. When such mechanical means are turfgrass manager must decide the acceptable employed, the equipment must be properly level of quality required for the putting surface. adjusted to avoid damage to the turfgrass plants. Many researchers have documented the This mechanical removal of seedheads will need to effectiveness of Embark Turf and Ornamental continue until the seedhead production ceases. Growth Regulator (mefluidide) for the suppression of Plant growth regulator (PGR) use has become annual bluegrass seedheads. Embark T/O is a “class more commonplace over the past several years C” PGR (Watschke and DiPaola). This class of PGRs and can be effective for the suppression of annual are mitotic inhibitors that prevent cell division, which bluegrass seedheads. is required for seedhead formation. PGR application timing is critical for success. When applied alone, Embark T/O can suppress 85 Annual bluegrass will begin to form seedheads in the percent or more of the annual bluegrass spring of the year. Therefore, the PGRs must be seedheads. However, there can be some temporary applied at the “boot” stage of development, which (seven to 10 days) phytotoxicity (turf yellowing) is prior to the seedhead emergence from the associated with the application. To reduce this turfgrass plant. To determine the seedhead growth temporary hytotoxicity, Embark T/O can be tanked stage, a sampling of the annual bluegrass is mixed with Ferromec AC Liquid Iron (15-0-0), which necessary. Turfgrass managers who have managed contains nitrogen, iron and sulfur. When Ferromec is added, a general trend has been observed in P *? 11 which seedhead suppression decreases by 10 90 percent seedhead suppression. Additionally, percent to 15 percent. when MacroSorb Foliar (an L-amino acid bio­ In the Mid-Atlantic region, a single application of stimulant) was added to the tank mixture, the Embark T/O, with or without Ferromec, usually small amount of phytotoxicity was reduced even suppresses seedhead formation for the season. further while annual bluegrass seedhead However, some turf managers prefer two suppression remained constant. applications applied about four weeks apart Turfgrass managers who choose to cultivate the because of the potential for prolonged seedhead annual bluegrass populations on putting greens development. Normally, seedhead suppression will can use PGRs to suppress the seedheads. This last for about six weeks from a single application of tactic will improve the overall annual bluegrass Embark T/O. plant health and provide the golfer with a higher- There is inconsistency associated with the quality playing surface. effectiveness of Proxy (ethephon) on the suppression of annual bluegrass seedheads. On the Borger is a research support technician at West Coast, acceptable seedhead suppression has Pennsylvania State University. Watschke is a been documented when Proxy is used but it professor of turfgrass science at Penn State and appears less effective when used on the East Coast. undergraduate coordinator for the turfgrass Proxy is a “class E” PGR. This class of PGRs acts science major. Soika is a research support hormonally in the plant to prevent growth. technologist in the Department of Plant Primo Maxx (trinexapac-ethyl) provides little Pathology at Penn State. annual bluegrass seedhead suppression. Primo Maxx is a “class A” PGR. This class of PGRs blocks the production of gibberellic acid late in the production pathway in order to encumber the 1103-elongation of plant cells to reduce plant growth. Seedhead production is primarily driven by cell division, not cell elongation. Lee Kozsey Territory Sales Representative However, when Proxy and Primo Maxx are tanked Syngenta Professional Products mixed, annual bluegrass seedheads can be QW M Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc. suppressed on putting greens. 1 B& ^ B 1 3710 Amherst Court In a two-year study at Penn State, this PGR Bethlehem, PA 18020-1356 Tel. 610-861-8174 combination has consistently provided more than Fax 610-882-9358 Mobile 215-796-0409 85-percent suppression of the annual bluegrass www.syngenta.com seedheads on putting greens with only slight lee.kozsey @syngenta.com phytotoxicity. In this study, multiple applications of fhe Proxy/Primo Maxx tank mixed combination, applied three weeks apart, provided greater than AMERICA'S PREMIUM HIGHLIGHT GOLF HOLES, TOP-DRESSINGS IMPROVE VISIBILITY; FOR GREENS & TEES! & MAINTAIN CONSISTENCY POROUS CERAMIC SOIL CONDITIONER U.S. GOLF HOLE PARTAC GOLF COURSE TH E ULTIMATE SO LUTIO N TO UNSIG HTLY DIVOTS TARGETS AT TELEVISED TOURNAMENTS! TOP-DRESSINGS PARTAC COLORED CERAMIC GREEN SAND DIVOT REPAIR MIXES PARTAC® GREEN SANDS BLENDED W ITH PARTAC® PREMIUM TOP-DRESSING FOR EXCELLENT DRAG MATS, RAKES & BRUSHES GERMINATION AND TerraFtoijr WINDSCREEN & BALL NETTING DEEP GREEN COLOR! T he B est D ivot R epair M ixes Available! CONSTRUCTION, CART PATH, AND DIVOT REPAIR MIXES PARTAC PEAT CORPORATION KELSEY PARK, GREAT MEADOWS, N.|. 07838 Drainage Systems TYPAR® & TerraBond 800-247-2326 AND MANY MORE TURF BLANKETS & GEOTEXTILES 908-637-4191/FAX 908-637-8421 GOLF SPECIALTY PRODUCTS Frequently Asked Questions on Act 220 Basic Information about Act 220 Superior Products for theTurf and Horticultural Professional »What is Act 220? Act 220, also known as the Water Resources Planning Act, was signed into law in December 2002, requires the Department of Bob Seltzer 165 N. Center Street * Fredricksburg, Pa 17026 Environmental Protection (DEP) to update the State Water Plan and 610-704-4756 * Fax 717-865-4712 conduct a statewide water withdrawal and use registration and www.fisherandson.com reporting program. This water resources inventory will allow the DEP to determine how much water Pennsylvania has, how much is being grass roots Grass Roots, Inc. used, and how much will be used in the future. RO. Box 336 »Who needs to register under Act 220? Mount Freedom, NJ 07970 Act 220 states each public water supply agency and each 1248 Sussex Turnpike c/o Mt. Ridge Business Park hydropower facility, irrespective of the amount of withdrawal, and each Steve Chirip Units A-1&2 person whose total withdrawal or withdrawal use from one or more Technical Sales Rep. Randolph, NJ 07869 points of withdrawal within a watershed operated as a system, either (973) 418-3468, Mobile (570) 839-3399, PA Office concurrently or sequentially exceeds an average rate of 10,000 gallons (973) 361-5943, NJ Office (973) 895-1388, NJ Fax per day in a 30-day period, shall register with DEP the source, location Service ♦ Technical Support ♦ Quality Products and amount of withdrawal or use or both. •Which sources should be registered? Each source, such as, but not limited to, wells, interconnections to public water supplies, and surface water withdrawals, that use more r : i than 10,000 gallons per day over a 30 day period MUST be registered. If the combined water use of all your sources equals more than 10,000 gallons per day averaged over any thirty-day period, then all of the sources must be counted. TORO. Also, registration is so u rc e specific n o t necessarily site specific. For L ___________________________________ J example, a school district with 7 schools that all draw from the same 2 sources would only have to register the two sources; a farm TURF EQUIPMENT operation which several buildings at different sites but all withdrawing MATT BROWN from the same well would only have to register one source-the well. If MOBILE: 484-357-6312 you still have questions, call the Act 220 Hotline at 1-888-457-6653. IRRIGATION •What is the purpose of Act 220? GEORGE SKAWSKI The State Water Plan has not been updated in over 25 years and MOBILE: 610-554-9366 does not tell us which areas have critical water needs. As a result, EMAIL: g.skawski@philyturf.com we don't know who is running out of water until wells and local supplies dry up. »Are there anv fees involved? There are no fees associated with registering under Act 220. •What are the penalties for not registering under Act 220? Act 220 provides for enforcement, including enforcement and civil penalties. For further details, referrer to Act 220 at http:// www.leais.state.pa.us/WU01 /LI/BI/BT/2001 /0/HB2302P4697.HTM Pre-Registration •Where can I get pre-reaistration forms? Pre-registration forms may be downloaded from the web at: www.dep.state.pg.us Keyword “Water Resources" Or call the Act 220 Hotline at 1-888-457-6653. •Why is pre-registration necessary? Earthworks Pre-registration allows the DEP to know if you want to register for Act Natural Organic Products 220 Joel Simmons using the internet or paper forms. If you want to register using paper P.O. Box 278K www.soilfirst.com forms, a summary sheet, instructions, paper forms, and a summary 6574 S. Delaware Drive Fax: 610-250-7840 sheet will be mailed out to you soon after the department receives Martins Creek, PA 18063 Phone: 610-250-9560 your request. Those who indicate they want to register over the 800-732-TURF internet will get these materials, as well as a PIN and a password that is necessary when registering online. Office & Home Phone Top Dressing White Haven 570-443-9596 Bunker Sand Registration Fax 570-443-9590 Infield Mix •I have determined mv farm, business, etc, has to register under Act 220. Who from this organization should fill out the registration form? Blue Ridge Peat Farms, Inc. It is up to each organization to decide who should fill out the White Haven, PA 18661-9674 registration form. It should be noted that whomever performs this function when filling out the paper form will have to fill out a Potting Soil Gene Evans, Owner certification section that verifies the information is true and correct. Soil Mixes Professional Engineer Similarly, those using the web must agree to a trading partner agreement, which lists the conditions for electronic reporting. •What is the deadline for registering? Those who have pre-registered must return their registration forms by March 16, 2004. The department will continue to accept registrations Simplest Ÿ A Emploi R S SIMPLOT TURF & HORTICULTURE after that date. Any applicable water use that begins after February w 16, 2004 must be registered within 30 days of the applicant’s initiation. SIMPLOT PARTNERS BUS 570/443-7154 Jim MacLaren •How can I get more paper registration forms? FAX 570/443-7015 SALES REPRESENTATIVE MOBILE 570/650-4982 Download them from the Act 220 Resource Site at PAGER 570/978-5649 jmaclaren@simplotpartners.com www.dep.state.pa.us Keyword "Water Resources” or Call the Act 220 Bringing Earth’s Resources to Life Hotline at 1-888-457-6653. •I am already registered with a river basin commission flDRBC or SRBC) and/or have submitted Annual Water Supply Reports in the past. Do I need to still register under Act 220? Premium sod for golf courses Yes, even those registered with a river basin commission or those who have submitted an Annual Water Supply Report to the DEP must still Chip Presendofer A T Sales Associates, Ltd. 1011 Church Road register under Act 220. Oreland, PA 19705 •Where can I get more information? Contact the Act 220 Hotline at 1-888-457-6653. Tel 215-886-6011 Fax 215-886-1203 Pager 800-983-3430 • L a y o u t a n d D e s ig n • T y p e s e ttin g I t ’s e v e ry p la y e r ’s r e s p o n s ib ilit y ... • M a c /IB M d e s k to p p u b lis h in g in te r fa c e d E S s. • L a s e r c o lo r s e p a r a tio n s Repair ball marks • S c ite x ® e le c tr o n ic p h o to re to u c h in g • F u ll e le c tr o n ic p r e p re s s s e r v ic e s Replace or fill divots 31 Hill Street, P.0. Box 507 Rake bunkers fm Wilkes-Barre, PA 18703-0507 • F o il s t a m p in g , e m b o s s in g A message from your golf course superintendent and GCSAA 5 7 0 -8 2 2 -8 1 8 1 • C o m p le te b in d e r y in c lu d in g FAX: 5 7 0 - 8 2 3 - 3 5 7 9 s a d d le s t it c h a n d p e r fe c t b in d in g Disease Alert: Unidentified Creeping Bentgrass Disease Some golf course superintendents in the Eastern We have shown that the following fungicide United States have been battling an unidentified treatments are effective for curative control of this disease in creeping bentgrass putting greens. The disease: problem has been most prevalent in newly • Subdue Maxx (1 fluid ounce/1,000 square feet, not constructed (5 years old and younger) greens. Most watered in) cases of this disease have occurred in the • Chipco Signature (4 ounces/1,000 square feet, not Southeast, but some have been observed in the watered in) Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern states. Although the • Terrazole 35WP (3.25 ounces/1,000 square feet, disease has been referred to as “summer crown watered in with 1/8” of irrigation) rot", this designation is not official because the • Heritage 50WG + 3336 50WP (0.4 + 8 ounces/1,000 pathogen has yet to be identified. square feet, watered in with 1/8 inch) Two golf courses in the Raleigh, N.C., area observed mild symptoms of this disease in the fall Equivalent products containing the same active and spring during relatively cool weather. One case ingredients will perform similarly. Of these occurred in November 2003 and another in March treatments, the true Pythium fungicides have 2004. proven most effective curatively and will probably In samples from these fall and spring cases, a perform best preventively as well. Because Heritage Pythium species was observed causing significant + 3336 was only moderately effective on a curative damage to the new root growth. Last fall, we basis, this treatment should probably not be used for identified the suspected pathogen as Pythium preventive control. More research is needed to volutum. We have not yet identified the isolates identify the most effective rates and intervals for collected this spring. Research is ongoing to preventive control of this disease. determine whether this Pythium species causes this disease. We have found that the following program is most Our current theory is that this disease is caused by effective after symptoms of the disease appear: a Pythium species that does most of its damage in 1. Heritage 50WG + 3336 50WP (0.4 + 8 ounces/1,000 the spring and fall when temperatures are cool. Low square feet, watered in with 1/8 inch) nitrogen fertility and close mowing seem to induce 2. Terrazole 35WP (3.25 ounces/1,000 square feet, expression of the symptoms in the spring and fall, watered in with 1/8 inch) but severe symptoms do not appear until summer 3. Subdue Maxx + Nitrogen (1 fluid ounce/1,000 when heat and drought stresses overwhelm the square feet + 1/8 pound/1,000 square feet, not infected turf. Any other factors that reduce root watered in) growth in the fall and spring, or increase the amount These treatments are typically applied three to five of stress on the turf during the summer, will likely days apart and have been shown to provide up to increase the severity of this unidentified disease. three weeks of disease suppression. If our theory is correct, then spring and fall will probably be the best time to control this disease Lane P. Tredway . P h .D . with fungicides. Superintendents in the Southeast Extension Spe c ia list in Turfgrass Pathology who have had severe cases of this disease should North C arolina Sta te University consider initiating a preventive Pythium program as soon as possible. Those in the Northeast and Mid- This article found on www.gcsaa.org Atlantic who have had this problem can probably wait until creeping bentgrass root growth begins this spring. A EGYPT Dean Snyder President Your One Stop for G olf & Turf Solutions. F in c h FARMS EGYPT FARMS, INC. P.O. BOX 223 White Marsh, Maryland 21162 D ne S ource New&Pre-Owned: ♦ John Deere ♦ Salseo ♦ Landpride Phone: 800-899-7645 ♦ Lastec ♦ Ty-Crop ♦ Agrimetal ♦ Irrigation Local: 410-335-3700 Fax: 410-335-0164 Cali 8 0 0 -8 7 5 -T U R F or visit us on the web at w w w .fin c h in c .c o m _______________________________________________________________ 4 P*# POCONO ROUNDUP NEWS AND VIEW S FROM T H E POCONO SILVER DONORS TURFG RASS ASSOCIATION Aer-Core, Inc. Allegheny Lawn & Golf Products TH A N K YO U! & Stull Equipment Bayer Corp., John Wiblishauser AGCSAP would like to thank the following Frontier Construction Co. companies for their support for fhe Year 2004: Grass Roots Turf Products Krigger & Co. D IA M O N D D O N O R Lawn & Golf Supply Syngenta BRONZE DONORS Lee Kozsey, Mark DelSantro Aspen Corporation Blue Ridge Peat Farms Brutt’s Specialty Tires P LA TIN U M D O N O R D.M. Boyd Company Finch Services Eagle Irrigation Ray Finch Fisher & Son Company, Inc. George E. Ley G O LD D O N O R S Montco/Surfside A T Sales Associates, Ltd. P A Blakley Contracting Philadelphia Turf Pocono Turf Supply Shearon Environmental POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION c/o MELINDA WISNOSKY POSTAGE R.R. 1, BOX 219 HARDING, PA 18643 TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION NAME & ADDRESS ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED.