chips %puns OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE Founded in POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION 1936 www.ptga.org VOL 11, NO. 7 OCTOBER 2005 TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION Irem Temple Country Club Kris Pries, Golf Course Superintendent October brings us to yet another Tillinghast course. This time, Irem Temple will be hosting our monthly meeting and annual election. Tillinghast originally designed this course as a 27-hole facility. Around 1936 or so, the course was changed to its current 18-hole layout. The Par 72, 6654 yard track has many greens that say Tillinghast. Kris Pries and his staff should have the place in wonderful condition. Kris Pries, Golf Course Superintendent is a 2003 Rutgers University graduate. Kris had previ­ ously worked at Fox Hill from 1996 until taking the reins at Irem Country Club in 2003. Kris began on the crew, grew to Assistant Superintendent, and decided to pursue a career in turf man­ agement through the Rutgers Program. John Potera, Assistant Superintendent, is in his second year at Rutgers and has been with Kris since 2003. John and Kris have a year round staff of 5 and swell to 12 crew members during peak season. The course sits among 550 acres in Dallas, PA that belong to the Shriners. During the next few months a new driving range will be started. Incorporated with that pro­ ject will be the construction of a new maintenance facility. Kris hopes to have a much larger structure than he currently has, along with all the accoutrements of the newer facilities in the area. Projects that have already been done are renovations to bunkers on the 15th and 18th holes and, by the time we play, renovation work should be started on the 14th hole bunkers. President’s Message....... Kudos to Ray Waddell and the staff at Elmhurst Country Club for Officers & Directors 2005 making the rest of us look really bad (that's a compliment, Ray). In a summer that most of us would like to forget, Ray has done a great job. TURFGRASS \mmmm I have never had the chance to play Elmhurst. My only experience was once walking onto the course behind the maintenance building PRESIDENT and setting sight on that blind, uphill par three. Expecting to see Eric Reed, Valley C.C. 570-788-4277 seventeen more holes just like that one, you can understand my Barley5@ptd.net amazement at the rest of the course. Thanks to Chuck DeAngelo and VICE PRESIDENT Golf Cars, Inc. for sponsoring the meeting. Next month, we are at Irem Duane Schell, Blue Ridge Trail G. C. Temple. If I don't get another opportunity to say it, I would just like to 570-868-8113 again thank our meeting sponsors, our meeting hosts, and all those djschell@epix.net who were able to make it to the meetings this year. Attendance was TREASURER consistently good for the entire season, something we have not John Downer, Elkview C.C. 570-840-0078 experienced in a long time. Thanks also to Jim Gurzler and Melinda for j_s_downer@juno.com their work on the newsletter, and Darrin Larkin for doing a great job SECRETARY with the website. Darrin Larkin, Panorama Golf Course Best of Luck to Duane Schell as he takes the reins and becomes your 570-222-9260 next president. DIRECTORS Steven Chirip, Grass Roots, Inc. Eric Reed 973-418-3468 Andrew Jubinski, Finch Turf 570-378-3043 glenturf@epix.net Jeff Koch, Glenmaura National C.C. 570-457-8733 Matthew Brown, Philadelphia Turf Assistant Editor 215-340-5401 CHIPS & PUHS STAFF Well, the weather has begun to break and fall should definitely be EDITOR in full swing by the time of this meeting. I am hoping a windbreaker Eric Reed will be daily attire and that all the stressed turf will be a thing of the Barley5@ptd.net past. Also, the hum of the A/C is gone and the new noise is that of Assistant Editor Jim Gurzler Daniel Joseph, the newest member of my family. Thanks to all those well wishers. Managing Editor I haven't received any articles and the time should allow such Melinda Wisnosky things now, also remember please let us know about births, engage­ Editorial Committee ments, weddings, and other such things so that we may all hear Jeff Koch good news about friends. These items can be sent via email to me Matt Brown atjim@gurzler.com or to your favorite board member for submission to Chips and Putts. As I write this, New Orleans is still flooding and threads on the GCSAA website are talking of where the GIS show will be. Hopefully, those affected by Hurricane Katrina have found solace and there is a plan in place for the repair of that historic city. This month will bring elections, and I hope that we will have candi­ dates that will perform as well as any outgoing officials so that the Pocono Turfgrass Association will continue its growth. PTGA Office R.R. 1, Box 219 Thanks again to all the sponsors and thank you to Chuck DeAngelo Harding, PA 18643 and Golf Cars, Inc for sponsoring the September meeting. Phone/Fax: 570-388-2167 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. We would appreciate a credit line. PATRON SPONSORS AERIFICATION AND OVERSEEDING Aercore Dennis DeSanctis 610.327.3390 IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 Finch Services Andy Jubinski 610.213.8597 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 Shearon Golf Charlie McGill 609.466.0666 E&M G olf Supply Stephen Michael 800.554.4863 Koonz Sprinkler James Gurzler 570.788.2061 Finch Services Andy Jubinski 610.213.8597 PSA Turf Pete Coughlin 610.760.2895 Lawn & G olf John Bodock 800.362.5650 Philadelphia Turf Co. George Skawski 610.554.9366 Shearon G olf Charlie McGill 609.466.0666 Matt Brown 484-357-6312 Shearon Golf Charlie McGill 609.466.0666 ARCHITECTURE & CONSTRUCTION SERVICES Land Studies, Inc. Mark Gutshall 717.627.4440 PLANT PROTECTANTS Shearon G olf Charlie McGill 609.466.0666 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 Rich Gdovin 570-278-1131 EQUIPMENT Bayer Corporation Sean Barry 732.846.8173 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 John Wiblishauser 609.774.3310 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 Finch Services Andy Jubinski 610.213.8597 E&M G olf Supply Stephen Michael 800.554.4863 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Finch Services Andy Jubinski 610.213.8597 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 570.839.3399 G olf Cars, Inc. Chuck DeAngelo 570.457.7420 Harrell’s Turf Specialty Jim MacLaren 570.443.7154 Lawn & G olf John Bodock 800.362.5650 Lawn & Golf John Bodock 800.362.5650 Philadelphia Turf Co. Matt Brown 484.357.6312 Lesco Stuart Hartman Northern Nurseries Dan Fick 610.863.6006 FERTILIZER Premier Turf Solutions Joe Sellers 484.678.2809 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 Syngenta Lee A. Kozsey 610.861.8174 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 Earthworks Joel Simmons 800.732.8873 SEED & SOD Egypt Farms Dean Snyder 800.899.7645 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 Finch Services Andy Jubinski 610.213.8597 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 AT Sales Chip Presendofer 215.886.6011 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 570.839.3399 Finch Services Andy Jubinski 610.213.8597 Harrell’s Turf Specialty Jim MacLaren 570.443.7154 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Lawn & G olf John Bodock 800.362.5650 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 570.839.3399 Lebanon Products John Farrell 800.532.0090 Lawn & Golf John Bodock 800.362.5650 Lesco Stuart Hartman Northern Nurseries Dan Fick 610.863.6006 Northern Nurseries Dan Fick 610.863.6006 Harrell’s Turf Specialty Jim MacLaren 570.443.7154 Plant Food Company Tom Weinert 609.448.0935 Stull Equipment Co. Marc Shotzberger610.495.7441 SynaTek Craig Lambert 201.874.7383 SynaTek Craig Lambert 201.874.7383 GREEN AND TEE SUPPLIES TOPDRESSING / SOIL AMENDMENTS 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 Finch Services Andy Jubinski 610.213.8597 AT Sales Chip Presendofer 215.886.6011 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Blue Ridge Peat Farms Gene Evans 570.443.9596 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 570.839.3399 Egypt Farms Dean Snyder 800.899.7645 Lawn & Golf John Bodock 800.362.5650 Finch Services Andy Jubinski 610.213.8597 Lesco Stuart Hartman Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Partac Peat Corp. Jim Kelsey 800.247.2326 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 570.839.3399 Stull Equipment Co. Marc Shotzberger610.495.7441 Lawn & Golf John Bodock 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 Golf Car Specialties Thomas Trifelitti 610.409.0333 NURSERY STOCK/HARDSCAPE MATERIAL Northern Nurseries Dan Fick 610.863.6006 Support our Sponsors - They support us! The Three “R’s” Recovery, Replenish and Return By Keith Happ,Senior Agronomist Weather patterns have moderated and some parts Also, lush turf is much of the region have experienced precipitation that has more susceptible to dis­ helped the turn recover from a very difficult season. ease, particularly pink snow mold ( Also, nighttime temperatures have been much lower, patch). When it comes to fertilizing for recovery, which is allowing root systems to recover and replenish take the "steady as she goes" approach. It will carbohydrate reserves. Unfortunately, many parts of pay off over fhe long term. our region have received little nor no rainfall in the last We are now beginning to see grub damage in six weeks and that has greatly hindered recovery pro­ bordering rough. Foraging animals and even grams. flocks of turkeys are searching for this food source. Recovery begins with a plan. For example, aerate to Site specific treatment to control grub activity open the soil and remove thatch that for many may be necessary this fall. Flowever, chart and caused serious problems this season. Introduce as map the current areas of damage so treatments much topdressing sand as possible to ensure air ex- can be scheduled and implemented next year hange is encouraged and drainage is promoted. In when the maximum control can be achieved. other words, return to the basics of turfgrass manage­ Questions and concerns about gray leaf spot ment! Any recovery plan should focus on a strong ag­ have been fairly steady this fall. Diagnostic labs ronomic foundation before using fine tuning tech­ have confirmed many severe outbreaks this sea­ niques. son. Explore all options when recovery programs Fertilze in a controlled manner. All too often fertilizer are developed. The use of turf-type tall fescue is applied in the fall to promote the most rapid recov­ and dwarf turf-type fescue has become much ery possible. Don't compromise natural growth. more aggressively practiced. The turf-type tall Rather, support it so that growth proceed above and fescues are classified as drought avoidant due to below soil level. Excess fertilization in the fall will pro­ their deep, extensive root structures. To date there mote excess topgrowth at the expense of root growth. are no confirmed cases of gray leaf spot on turf- type tall fescue in the Mid-Atlantic Region. As always, if the Mid-Atlantic Region agrono­ mists can be of assistance, contact Stan Zontek Lee Kozsey (szontek@usga.org) or Darin Bevard Territory Sales Representative Syngenta Professional Products (dbevard@usga.org) at 610-558-9066 or Keith Happ (khapp@usga.org) at 412-341-5922. C \# n rt t i l SvngenCa Crop Protection, Inc. 3 J 1 1 B *•*-* 3710 Amherst Court Bethlehem. PA 18020-1356 Tel. 610-861-8174 Fax 610-882-9358 Mobile 215-796-0409 w w w. sy nge nta.co m lee.kozscy@syngctUa.ciMn fisher son company, inc. Craig Lambert Superior Products for the Turf & Horticultural Professional Technical Sales Representative 261'Schoolhouse Road * Suits 4 Soudsrton, PA 18964-2416 Main Office: 888-408-5433 Bob Seltzer Home Office: 973-663-3368 165 North Center Street * Fredricksburg, Pa 17026 Cell: 201-874-7383 - Fax: 973-683-4734 c!ami;mrt@$ynatekso!uiions.ooni 610-704-4756 * fax 717-865-4712 POCONO ROUNDUP PTGA MEETING SCHEDULE NEWS AND VIEWS FROM THE POCONO November Whitford C.C. w/Philadelphia TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION Steve Chirip and Andy Jubinski At the Elmhurst Country Club Meeting Smile, Guys! POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION R.R. 1, BOX 219 POSTAGE HARDING, PA 18643 NAME & ADDRESS O CO o S) co CD ^ CQ TJ C/) C/) ^ * 9L 3 - !"§ Ï CD c/> CL Ë S CD * ^5 . ccod c- b;r JCD S(t>^ O CDCDCD S-MM=- 3. COCO- Q §)'2 If O) COOs M^ ^> c 2. N M cq* D IÛ)?3T (J1 o CO o -P*--P°* 0 — *■<(D O ^ — H> < H D t ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED.