chips %p m OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION www.ptga.org VOL. 11, NO. 2 MAY 2005 *******MQy Meeting Notice Enclosed.****** Blue Ridge Country Club Pete Beblavy, Golf Course Superintendent Pete Beblavy, Golf Course Superintendent at Blue Ridge Country Club, will host this month's meeting on Wednesday, May 18. Pete, a 1996 graduate of Delaware Valley College, where he received his BS Is Agronomy, has been superintendent at BRCC since 2000. Prior to becom­ ing superintendent, Pete was the assistant for 4 years. Pete was born and raised in Palmerton and has worked at the club since 1988. Congratulations go out to Pete on his recent engage­ ment to Stacy Sault. His current assistant Dion Barner, has been with BRCC for the past two seasons. Dion, a 1997 graduate of Penn State University, holds a BS in Turfgrass Science. Prior to working at BRCC, Dion worked at Turbot Hills, Shade Mountain, and performed an internship at Congressional to round out his education. Blue Ridge C.C. was founded as a 9-hole course in 1915. Since then, membership has grown to its current level of 430 members. It was decided in 1990 to move forward with a plan to build an additional 9 holes and bring the course to its current 6700 yards. Jim Blauckovich provided the club with a master plan, which has provided guidance to the club during construction of the new nine. All the work at the club relating to the construction of the new nine was per­ formed in house. When not building a golf course, Pete and his staff can be found honing their carpentry and drywall skills. In 2002, BRCC started construction of the maintenance facility and although the drought delayed some of the finish work, today the staff of BRCC has a wonderful new shop. Two years ago, BRCC was able to build a new clubhouse. No doubt the Chefs will provide another typically wonderful fare, just as the Golf committee will provide another enjoyable for­ mat for golf. The speaker this month is Carmen Magro of Penn State University. Carmen is the turfgrass technical coordinator and also an instructor at the university. It should be a great day at Blue Ridge Country Club and hopefully the membership c J L will come out in strong support of this meeting. ------ President’s Message Officers & Directors 2005 Greetings to all on this fine spring day. I am relieved to say that the early July we were experiencing is finally gone. One nice thing about that weather stretch was that we were able PRESIDENT to enjoy our first Pocono Turfgrass Association meeting under sunny Eric Reed, Valley C.C. 570-788-4277 skies. Thanks again to Mel Leaver, Jeff Flamisch, and the staff at Barley5@ptd.net Brookside Country Club for a great day. Also, thank you to all those VICE PRESIDENT who were able to attend the meeting and spare the PTGA from a Duane Schell, Blue Ridge Trail G. C. completely humiliating turnout. For any choir members reading 570-868-8113 this... .support the PTGA or there will be no PTGA to support. djschell@epix.net TREASURER Eric R e e d John Downer, Elkview C.C. 570-840-0078 j_s_downer@juno.com SECRETARY Andrew Jubinski, Finch Turf Assistant E d i t o r . .... 570-378-3043 glenturf@epix.net DIRECTORS On Wednesday, May 18, 2005 Blue Ridge Country Club will host the monthly meeting of the Pocono Turfgrass Association, Pete Beblavy Steven Chirip, Grass Roots, Inc. and his staff will undoubtedly provide a fine site for our meeting, and I 973-418-3468 am looking forward to bettering my golf at the course. Jeff Koch, Glenmaura National C.C. With this being my first issue as associate editor, I will provide the 570-457-8733 necessary begging and groveling for articles and materials for the up­ Darrin Larkin, Panorama Golf Course coming newsletters. As I discussed this editorial role with Eric, I had the 570-222-9260 brainstorm of an article on spring irrigation system start up. I have M atthew Brown, Philadelphia Turf learned that articles take time and although I have gone through two 215-340-5401 revisions and various phone calls with knowledgeable sources, the CHIPS & PUHS STAFF deadline has come and gone so you will have to wait for next year. I II EDITOR have now tabled those drafts for an outline on irrigation system winter­ Eric Reed ization so that I will have it ready for October. Good luck and may the Barley5@ptd.net rain this year be timely. Assistant Editor Jim Gurzler Jim Gurzler \ M a n a g in g Editor A l Dean Snyder Melinda Wisnosky \ /1 \ President E G Y PT ia r t H M fo r k s Editorial C o m m itte e N a tu r a l O r g a n i c P r o d u c t FARM S e g y p t FA R M S, IN C . Jeff Koch / I \ P .O .B O X 223 M att Brown Joel Sim m ons W hite Marsh, Maryland 21162 1500 Uhler Rd. 800-732-TURF Phone: 800-899-7645 Easton, PA18040 Ph: 610-250-9560 Local: 410-335-3700 jsimmons@soilfirst.com Fax: 610-250-7840 Fax: 4 10-335-0164 w w w .s o ilf i r s t .c o m Lee Kozsey Territory Sales Representative Syngenta Professional Products - ^ - f i s h e p ^ ^ o n C \# r |O p Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc X . c o m p a n y i n c . 1 l l i < a 3710 Amherst Court PTGA O ffice Bethlehem, PA 18020-1356 R.R. 1, Box 219 Superior Products for the Tel. 610-861-8174 Harding, PA 18643 Turf and Horticultural Professional Fax 610-882-9358 Mobile 215-796-0409 Phone/Fax: 570-388-2167 www.syngenta.com Mark Reed (610) 282-2381 fax (610) 282-2392 lee.kozsey@syngenta.com Any opinions expressed in this publication are those of 237 East K ing St. Malvern PA 19355 the author and/or person quoted, and may not represent FH. 1-800-262-2127 FAX (610) 644-7791 www.fUherandaon.con> 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. We would appreciate a credit line. MEETING NOTICE Date: Wednesday, May 18th, 2005 Location: Blue Ridge Country Club 2230 Fireline Road Palmerton, PA 18071 Hosts: Pete Beblavy, Golf Course Superintendent Meeting Officials: Duane Schell, Eric Reed, Steve Chirip 10:30 am Registration 11:00 am Lunch Buffet: 11:30 am Speaker: Carmen Magro, Director, Penn State Short Course Program, “PSU Turfgrass State of the Union” 12:30 pm Golf: Shotgun Start, 2-man teams, Fourball (net Better Ball of Partners), full handicap 5:00 pm Draft Beer, Cash Bar, and Buffet Dinner Meeting Cost: $4.50 Lunch $10.50 Cart Fee $2.50 Host Fee $2.50 Speaker Fee $6.00 Prizes $25.00 Dinner Total Cost: $51.00 $28.00 Dinner Only Directions: From PA Turnpike: Northeast Extension Exit 34, take 209 Sodth to 248 East. Take Palmerton Exit and travel through town for approximately 10 blocks. At fork in road, bear left (Texaco is on right), travel 1/4 mile and turn left at Blue Mountain Pub. Travel 2 miles past Palmerton High School. Golf course is on the right. From Allentown/Bethlehem: Follow 248 W est to Palmerton Exit; then see above instructions. ■ Pocono Turfgrass Association May 2005 Meeting Send Payment to: PTGA 1 Member R.R. 1, Box 219 Harding, PA 18643 ■ Guest(s) Deadline: May 13, 2005 ! Amount Enclosed If you are not a member of the PTGA, please accept our invitation to be our guest POCONO ROUNDUP PTGA MEETING SCHEDULE NEWS AND VIEWS FROM THE PO C O N O May 18 Blue Ridge Country Club TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION June 16 Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort July Joint Meeting w / NJ at Fiddler's Elbow August 15 Water Gap C. C. (Clambake) Golf Results from September 8 Elmhurst Country Club Brookside Country Club * October 5 Irem Temple C.C. November Whitford C.C. w/Phlladelphia 1st Place Ron Walczak & Mike Skumlch (Elk View) 2nd Place Ron Garrison & John Vojlck 3rd Place Tim Sage & Paul Brandon l£s Not Too Late! Longest Drive: Bill Owens (PTGA Accountant) For those who vjould still like to advertise in Chips & Closest to the Pin: Scott Rabenold (Brookside) Putts, you still have time. We have several openings for the Type A Business Card. We also have advertis­ Skins: ing available on our website www.ptga.org. Please Paul Brandon & Tim Sage #5 call Melinda at 570-388-2167 If you are interested in Mel Leaver & Jeff Flämisch #14 placing an ad either with in the newsletter or on the Ron Garrison & John Vojick #4 (was an Eagle) website. Joe Sellers & Darrin Larkin #6 Art Schmidt & Chris Reverie #7 Shearon Goif POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION. ! A division o f R.R. 1, BOX 219 d Z L " s h e a r o n Shearon Environmental Design HARDiNG. PA ,8643 D/\Trf s«,»!, □ WO Si,,;,, Specializing In: D NO Sjli', . v, Construction / Maintenance o wo o- ~ " t o t " f / lC lf Restorations / Renovations RICHARD W. PATTERSON P. O .J30X 77 Arboriculture SP/ Design Drainage Experts Custom Spray Applicators Certified Irrigation Installers 337 Route 31 ■ Hopewell, NJ 08525 5160 Militia Hill Road■ Plymouth Meeting, PA 1946. ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED. Contact Charlie McGill at (609) 4664666 or (610) 828-5488 www.shearongolf.com ■ BITING FLIES J o e Kehn, S up erin ten dent a n d O w n e r W indy Hills G o lf Course Easton,N Y By 2001 the biting flies on our course were so bad that we had seriously discussed selling the course that took us five years to build. The flies not only were driving our staff crazy, but, worst of all, were af­ fecting our golfers, resulting in fewer rounds....and lost revenue. We solved the problem and wrote about the solution in the January 2003 issue of Golf Course Man­ agement. Since then I have received many “ How's it going?" inquiries and felt that an update four years later would be helpful to those with a similar problem and for those who might have missed the original article. Our course, Windy Hills Golf Club, in Easton, NY, is surrounded by many natural wet areas along the Batten kill River. It so happens that wet areas are the kind of breeding grounds that this family of flies seeks, Although our particular problem was deer flies, other members of this family of biting flies are the horse fly and yellow fly. My initial investigation of how to address our fly problem was discouraging. Because insecticides are ineffective, many of the entomology web sites (and fellow superintendents) said that there was no so­ lution to the problem. You just had to wait the season out. This turned out not to be true. Fortunately, in 2001 we found a trap on the web that effectively trapped biting flies and purchased six of them, We placed the traps where the files were most numerous and out of the way of the golfers. That first year we estimated we trapped between 600 to 700 flies each day. It is dramatic to see the many dead flies in the trap, but the real biological significance is that none of those dead flies will be laying eggs for the coming season. That first year we reduced our deer fly problem by about 75%. It reduced our number one com­ plaint to a tolerable problem. The Increase in green fees that first season quickly paid off the expense of the traps. The traps have required virtually no maintenance and with proper winter storage, still are in good shape after five seasons. Subsequent seasons have seen a steady reduction In the number of biting flies to the point where they are no longer a significant issue for our customers or staff. Continuing to use the traps each year has allowed us to keep the fly problem from recurring. Last year the traps continued to catch biting flies, although at a reduced rate given the lower number of flies that appear each year. After five years we remain very pleased with our solution. The traps we used are available from Newman Enterprises; www.bitingflies.com or toll free 1-888- 685-2244. ‘TurfSaks & ConsuCtatum P re m iu m sod fo r golf c o u rs e s f i V N D R £ & s ° N’ ^ c - Chip Presendofer A T Sales Associates, Ltd. TURF KING PRODUCTS & 1011 Church Road CONTRACTED SERUICLS Oreland, PA 19705 JOHN V0JICK V0ICE/FAX 1.888.887.3770 EXTN 671 ...... CTDCCT Tel 215-886-6011 CELLULAR 1.607.768.0575 2 STREET Fax 215-886-1203 RESIDENCE, V0ICE/FAX 570.222.TURF MONTROSE, PA 1880 Pager 800-983-3430 & Puttà PATRON SPONSORS AERIFICATION AN© OVERSEEDING Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 Finch Services Andy Jubinski 610.213.8597 E&M Golf Supply Stephen Michael 800.554.4863 Shearon Golf Charlie McGill 609.466.0666 Finch Services Andy Jubinski 610.213.8597 Atlantic Irrigation James Gurzler 570.788.2061 Lawn & Golf JohnBodock 800.362.5650 Philadelphia Turf Co. George Skawski 610.554.9366 Shearon Golf Charlie McGill 609.466.0666 Matt Brown 484-357-6312 Shearon Golf Charlie McGill 609.466.0666 ARCHITECTURE & CONSTRUCTION SERVICES Shearon Golf Charlie McGill 609.466.0666 PLANT PROTECTANTS Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 Rich Gdovin 570-278.1131 EQUIPMENT Finch Services Andy Jubinski 610.213.8597 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 570.839.3399 E&M Golf Supply Stephen Michael 800.554.4863 Harrell’s Turf Specially Jim MacLaren 570.443.7154 Finch Services Andy Jubinski 610.213.8597 Lawn & Golf JohnBodock 800.362.5650 Golf Cars, Inc. Chuck DeAngelo 570.457.7420 Northern Nurseries Dan Fick 610.863.6006 Lawn & Golf John Bodock 800.362.5650 Syngenta Lee A. Kozsey 610.861.8174 Philadelphia Turf Co. Matt Brown 484.357.6312 SEED & SOD FERTILIZER Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 AT Sales Chip Presendofer 215.886.6011 Earthworks Joel Simmons 800.732.8873 Finch Services Andy Jubinski 610.213.8597 Egypt Farms Dean Snyder 800.899.7645 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Finch Services Andy Jubinski 610.213.8597 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 570.839.3399 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Lawn & Golf JohnBodock 800.362.5650 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 570.839.3399 Northern Nurseries Dan Fick 610.863.6006 Harrell’s Turf Specialty Jim MacLaren 570.443.7154 Harrell’s Turf Specialty Jim MacLaren 570.443.7154 Lawn & Golf JohnBodock 800.362.5650 Northern Nurseries Dan Fick 610.863.6006 TOPDRESSING / SOIL AMENDMENTS Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 GREEN AND TEE SUPPLIES Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 Aqua-Aid Bert Brace 800.394.1551 Rich Gdovin 570-278-1131 AT Sales Chip Presendofer 215.886.6011 Finch Services Andy Jubinski 610.213.8597 Blue Ridge Peat Farms Gene Evans 570.443.9596 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Egypt Farms Dean Snyder 800.899.7645 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 570.839.3399 Finch Services Andy Jubinski 610.213.8597 Lawn & Golf John Bodock 800.362.5650 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Partac Peat Corp. Jim Kelsey 800.247.2326 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 570.839.3399 Lawn & Golf JohnBodock 800.362.5650 Northern Nurseries Dan Fick 610.863.6006 GOLF CARTS Partac Peat Corp. Jim Kelsey 800.247.2326 Golf Cars, Inc. Chuck DeAngelo 570.457.7420 Harrell’s Turf Specialty Jim MacLaren 570.443.7154 NURSERY STOCK/HARDSCAPE MATERIAL Northern Nurseries Dan Fick 610.863.6006 Support our Sponsors - They support us! JLTJ2JJ: UU U U U US us us ¿¡unse Researchers generally agree that the cause of water-repellency in soils is the result of organic coatings on the soil particles. Research also suggests that these coatings are the result of natu­ rally-occurring microbial breakdown of organic matter (thatch, plant tissue, root exudate, fungal exudate and fungal hyphae) that produce high molecular weight polymer compounds. Humic substances, such as humic acid and fulvic acid, have been identified as compounds that contribute to the formation of hydrophobic organic coatings on soil particle surfaces. When subjected to repeated wet-dry cycles, these humic sub­ stances undergo structural changes that render the soil particle Electron microscope photo of hydrophillic “clean sand.” water-repellent. Because of their small surface area, coarse- textured sands used to construct greens and tees are highly susceptible to becoming water-repellent. There is a strong correlation between humic substances on soil surfaces and localized dry spot (LDS) and non-uniform movement of water in greens and tees. SURFACTANTS - A MANAGEMENT APPROACH The application of surfactants is a valuable tool used by golf course superintendents to temporarily alleviate symptoms of water-repellency. Soil surfactant molecules are attracted to the water-repellent (non-polar) coatings on soil surfaces. Electron microscope photo of hydrophobic Surfactant molecules attach to these coatings and create sites sand showing humic substance coating. where water can attach to the soil surface (adhesion). Re­ establishment of water attachment sites on soil particles pro­ motes the uniform movement of water into and through the OARS - soil matrix and improves the amount of available water to TAKING CORRECTIVE ACTION meet transpirational and metabolic demands of the turfgrass. OARS is a patented combination of an organic solvent and a surfactant complex that, under extensive testing, has proven to It should be remembered that surfactants are used to maintain be effective in removing accumulations of hydrophobic humic reduced levels of water-repellency and manage its symptoms. substances on soil surfaces. OARS represents a major break­ Surfactants cannot and do not deal with the cause of water- through in dealing with water-repellent soils. Unlike surfactants repellency—organic coatings on the soil particle surface. Indeed, and other soil amendments that just alleviate the symptoms of biodegradation of the surfactant molecules will return the soil soil water-repellency, the chemistries in OARS work to correct profile to its pre-treatment water-repellent state. the cause of water repellency. HOW DOES OARS WORK? OARS should be applied to soils using conventional spray As the humic polymer molecules unfold, they reach a threshold equipment. Its surfactant components attach to the non-polar point and break (“flake off”). The patented formulation of sites on hydrophobic soil surfaces and thatch to provide: OARS encourages the unfolding process by hydrating the • Uniform movement of water into and through humic substance molecule. This facilitates monomer separation the soil matrix and also aids in moving the fragments of the humic substance • Patterns of wetting and re-wetting that will improve the polymer through the soil profile. amount of water in the soil to meet transpirational and metabolic demands of turfgrass • Long lasting surfactant activity In addition to its surfactant characteris­ tics, OARS contains an organic solvent Organic Solvent that weakens the chemical bonds of Water Molecules “packed” or “collapsed” humic sub­ stances that coat the surface of soil particles. The organic solvent in OARS OARS OARS disrupts the hydrogen bonds on the humic substance molecule which allows the poly­ mer structure to reconfigure, “unfold” and undergo “polymer swelling.” The surfactant compo- & K Hydrophobic Humic Substance Undregoes nent also aids in the hydration of Humic Substance Polymer Unfolding & Swelling Monomer Separation & Hydration the unfolded humic molecule. TEST RESULTS - 27% REDUCTION IN HUMIC SUBSTANCES FROM SAND SOIL SURFACES OARS has been thoroughly researched and tested to verify its ability to remove humic substances from hydrophobic sands. Replicated trials were conducted on hydrophobic sands comparing two treatments of OARS with two water treatments used as a control. The sand samples were then flushed with water, dried, and the remaining humic substances were removed from the sand samples, measured, and analyzed according to methods approved by the International Humic Substance Society (IHSS). Results were consistent. After just two treatments with OARS, over 27% of water-repellent humic substances were removed from the sand soil surfaces. Distributed by: USE DIRECTIONS Apply OARS at 6-7 oz. per 1000 sq. ft. in 2 gallons of water. For best results, apply monthly through­ out the growing season. No water-in is required when used at recommended rates. 54 84 S. O LD C A R R IA G E RO AD R O C K Y M O UNT, N.C. 27803 1-252-937-4107 • 1-800-394-1551