CHIPS & PUTTS OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE Founded in POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION 1936 VOL 13, NO. 3 May 2007 Elkview Country Club June Meeting Host: John Downer, Golf Course Superintendent June brings us to yet another Donald Ross course in the Pocono Mountains, Elkview Country Club. The Johnson and Johnson Company on the family’s summer lands in Carbondale, PA conceived Elkview back in 1949. The original clubhouse, Fern Hall, is currently the lodge of the Scottish Glen Golf Club. Originally built as a nine-hole course, the other 9 holes were built after Mr. Ross' death and completed in 1957. The Par 72 course plays 6600 yards from the blue tees with a slope of 128 and a rating of 72.1. Currently, a major tree removal program is underway to restore some of the original play­ ability to the course. This past winter, 50 trees were removed, with 50 more planned for this coming winter. John Downer has been at Elkview for the past 20 years. Prior to his position at Elkview John worked at Scranton Muni during high school and college and then moved on to the TPC at Cromwell. John is a graduate of University of Scranton and Penn State University. Helping manage the course’s 152 acres is Russell Hauesstein, a graduate of SUNY Cobleskill, who has been at Elkview Country Club for the past 5 years. Prior to Elkview, Russell began his golf career at Honesdale Golf Club. John and Russell have a summer staff of 16 and a winter crew of 8 to manicure the 2.5 acres of greens, 2 acres of tees, 20 acres of fairways, and 30 acres of rough that make up the main­ tained turf areas at the club. The staff has also seen new tees completed on the front side of the course in 2001 and renovation of the bunkers in 1999. The course is irrigated with a mostly (90%) manual irrigation system, which takes up quite a bit of maintenance time. Continued on Page 3 President’s Message....... Officers & Directors 2007 The majority of us in this industry grew up with a love of the outdoors. We either started out working on a golf course at a young age or played golf and decided it would be an enjoyable summer job. From there, it evolved from a job into a profession. Whatever path we have PRESIDENT taken to get where we are today, we have one commonality among Duane Schell, Blue Ridge Trail G. C. us: too many hours spent in the sun. I am sure all of you remember to 570-868-8113 djschell@epix.net put on your wide brimmed hat and SPF 30 every morning. Once I found someone to actually marry me knowing what I did for a living I VICE PRESIDENT Darrin Larkin, Panorama Golf Course was persuaded by my wonderful wife to have a thorough skin cancer 570-222-9260 screening yearly. It sometime stretches to two years; however, I still TREASURER manage to make it. This year, however, I had two moles removed that John Downer, Elkview C.C. were tested and found to be pre-cancerous. I don’t know how many 570-840-0078 j_s_downer@juno.com of you go, but I feel it is well worth your while to be checked out by a reputable dermatologist yearly. SECRETARY Jeff Koch, Glenmaura National C.C. On a different note I would like to thank Andy Dumas and his staff 570-457-8733 at Silver Creek on hosting our April meeting. Unfortunately, I was SERGEANT AT ARMS unable to attend, but I heard a lot of good things about the course. I Steven Chirip, Grass Roots, Inc. would also like to thank Mike Salinetti and the C.C. of the Poconos for 973-418-3468 hosting our May meeting. It was a great opportunity to play some new DIRECTORS courses, and I look forward to seeing many of you at Elkview in June. Ray Wadell, Elmhurst CC 570-842-4705 Rick Anglemyer, Water Gap CC Duane Schell 570-424-6391 Matthew Brown, Philadelphia Turf 215-340-5401 CHIPS & PUTTS STAFF Editor EDITOR Jim Gurzler 570-249-1450 jim@gurzler.com Yet another newsletter goes to the printer later than I would have liked, but it is closer. The season has gone into full swing with disease, Managing Editor Melinda Wisnosky drought, insects and stress taking their tolls already. The rapid approach of summer has given a glimpse to what may Editorial Committee lie ahead. “ Be prepared” is the Boy Scout motto, and a good rule Jeff Koch of thumb for superintendents, in my opinion. Although the weather Matt Brown dictates much of what can and cannot be done on the course, Past President planning is key to help keep issues from becoming problems. Plan Eric Reed, Valley C.C. wisely, adapt well and enjoy the spring until summer arrives fully— 570-788-4277 Barley5@ptd.net Hopefully, with ample and well-timed rains. Let us hope this isn’t a season of excesses. This issue has an interesting article on how temperature can affect chlorophyll production and cause red leaf spot type symptoms which may explain some of the off color turf that was seen this spring. It is a good read on Page 6. Anyway, enjoy the weather, try to make our monthly meetings and above all, be safe. PTGA Office R.R. 1, Box 219 Harding, PA 18643 Jim Gurzler 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, Continued from page 1 In addition to the tree work, cart paths are being relocated to improve playability from exposed landing areas that the tree removal process has opened up. One of John’s first projects at the course was the renovation of the 7th tee, which had been let go and had trees growing on it. The trees were removed, the tee repaired, and the hole took the original shape Donald Ross had designed. Currently there is a tree blocking some of the mounding placed by the architect to the left of the green, but that tree had been discussed as a candidate for removal to complete the restoration of the club’s signature hole. If the course doesn’t provide enough challenges for the crew in the winter, they find alternative means to keep busy. This past winter those means were the donning of leather tool belts and Norm Abrams’ type checked shirts to help the club renovate the Pro Shop. This was a project that John and crew took great pride in and did a won­ derful job with. This month’s planned speaker is Bill Pensick. He will be speaking on “The Bare Root of Trees”. Thanks also to our meeting sponsors, John Vojick of Andre and Son and Golf Car Services Inc. www.synateksolutions.com LAWN AND GOLF SUPPLY CO., INC. Chris Sutler SynaTek The Turf Solutions People Sales Representative 647 Nutt Rd., PO Box 447 Craig Lambert Technical Sales Representative 261 Schoolhouse Road • Suite 4 Phoenixville, PA 19460-0447 Souderton. PA 18964-2416 Cell: 610-657 6923 Main Office: 888-408-5433 Home Office: 973-663-3368 610-933-5801 Ext. 201 Fax: 610-933-8890 Cell: 201-874-7383 * Fax: 973-663-4734 clambert@synateksolutions.com Thanks to all who helped make the Hospitality Suite in Anaheim such a success! 2007 HOSPITALITY SUITE SPONSORS DIAMOND $1500 Bayer Environmental Science Lesco Inc Scott Waltz Ken Painter John Wiblishauser Todd Mason Sunburst Turf Solutions Syngenta Michael Nati Jon Cuny DryJect Mark DelSantro Chris Collins Lee Kozsey PLATINUM $1000 Finch Services Seeton Turf Warehouse LLC GOLD $500 A T Sales Associates, LTD Aer-Core Inc Allegheny Lawn & Golf BASF Harrell's Turf Specialty Philadelphia Turf Company Primos Fioratine Gro Power SILVER $250 Best Sand Davisson Golf, Inc George E Ley Company Ferti Soil Grass Roots, Inc Hearon Environmental Design Forse Design Farm & Golf Supplies Krigger & Company Inc Pro Aer, Inc Total Turf Services Inc Lawn & Golf Supply Co., Inc. U AP Golf Cars, Inc BRONZE $125 Aspen Corporation Atlantic Irrigation Specialties Beidel Design Associates Cleary Chemical Corp. East Coast Sod & Seed Fisher & Son Company, Inc Golf Car Specialties Golf Car Supply, Inc Hodges Rash Company Jim Blaukovitch Associates Nutramax Agriculture, Inc PA Blakley Contracting, Inc The Sanctuary Plant Food Company, Inc Waitkus Design & G.C. Constr. U S Silica Company Walker Supply, Inc PEWTER Brutt Specialty Tires DM Boyd Company E H Griffith, Inc JIMGURZLER JIMG@ SALES REPRESENTATIVE SEETONTURF.COM East Coast SOD & SEED Seeton Turf Kevin Driscoll Warehouse, LLC 3983 MANN RD 609 760 4099 CELL 856 769 9555 OFFICE 609 561 5384 fax CELL: (570) 249-1450 HUNTINGDON VALLEY, PA 596 Pointers Auburn Road Pilesgrove NJ 08098 OFFICE/FAX: (570) 788-2061 19006 Chips & Putts PATRON SPONSORS AERIFICATION AND OVERSEEDING IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 Atlantic Irrigation Joe Jaskot 973.445.9418 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 Finch Services Andy Jubinski 610.213.8597 Finch Services Andy Jubinski 610.213.8597 Philadelphia Turf Co. George Skawski 610.554.9366 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 710.933.5801 Matt Brown 484-357-6312 PLANT PROTECTANTS EQUIPMENT Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 RichGdovin 570-278-1131 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 Finch Services Andy Jubinski 610.213.8597 Finch Services Andy Jubinski 610.213.8597 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 570.839.3399 Philadelphia Turf Co. Matt Brown 484.357.6312 HarrelFs Turf Specialty Jim MacLaren 570.443.7154 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 PBI/Gordon Corp. John Patten 609.970.1546 Seeton Turf Jim Gurzler 570.249.1450 SynaTek Craig Lambert 201.874.7383 FERTILIZER Syngenta Lee A. Kozsey 610.861.8174 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 Finch Services Andy Jubinski 610.213.8597 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 SEED & SOD Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 570.839.3399 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 Harrell’s Turf Specialty Jim MacLaren 570.443.7154 RichGdovin 570.278.1131 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 East Coast Sod & Seed Kevin Driscoll 609.760.4099 SynaTek Craig Lambert 201.874.7383 Finch Services Andy Jubinski 610.213.8597 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 570.839.3399 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 Harrell’s Turf Specialty Jim MacLaren 570.443.7154 GREEN AND TEE SUPPLIES SynaTek Craig Lambert 201.874.7383 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 Rich Gdovin 570-278-1131 Finch Services Andy Jubinski 610.213.8597 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 570.839.3399 TOPDRESSING / SOIL AMENDMENTS Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 SynaTek Craig Lambert 201.874.7383 RichGdovin 570.278.1131 Blue Ridge Peat Farms Gene Evans 570.443.9596 Finch Services Andy Jubinski 610.213.8597 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 570.839.3399 Harrell’s Turf Specialty Jim MacLaren 570.443.7154 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 Seeton Turf Jim Gurzler 570.249.1450 SynaTek Craig Lambert 201.874.7383 Support our Sponsors - They support us! Summer Stress AERIFICATIONFUNGICIDE ALLOTMENT AMINO ACID IRRIGATION LARVAE POA LIGHTNING OVERSEED ANNUA POTASSIUM QUICK COUPLER SPRAYER SPRINKLER SYRINGE THUNDERSTORM TURFGRASS WETTING AGENT Skin Cancer Awareness How many people will die from skin cancer? The American Cancer Society estimates there will be about 10,710 deaths from skin cancer in 2006 - 7,910 from melanoma and 2,800 from other skin cancers. Grass Roots, Inc. P.O. Box 336 LESCO Sales Representative 570.499.1441 Cell grass roots Mount Freedom, NJ 07970 4 Middlebury Blvd. 7562 Penn Drive #160 Allentown, PA 1000 Springbrook Avenue Moosic, PA 18106-9010 18507-1832 Suite 7 610.336.4953 570.451.7450 Randolph, NJ 07869 294 N 1st Street 4217 Fritch Drive Steve Chirip (973)418-3468, Mobile Stroudsburg, PA Bethlehem, PA (570)839-3399, PA Office 18360-2517 18020-9413 Technical Sales Rep. (973)252-6634, NJ Office 570.421.4847 610.866.6665 (973)252-6630, NJ Fax www.lesco.com 196*49*4837 Nextel Service ♦ Technical Support ♦ Quality Products Turfgrass Tips is a service of the Illinois Turfgrass Foundation and UIUC Turfgrass Group. May 2002, No. 2 WHAT HAPPENED TO THE COLOR OF BENTGRASS? I thought the putting greens were looking good; I even consulted my last Turfgrass Tip (Nitrogen Fertilization in Early Sorina) prior to purchasing and applying an application of fertilizer. I decided to use a synthetic organic product that contained readily available nitrate. I was concerned with the cooler temperatures we faced and needed something that would not be temperature-release dependent. Soon thereafter, the plants responded. Leaf color darkened and the growth rate increased. I was pleased; after all, there were still many ball marks from last fall that needed to heal. As the temperatures rose, the growth rate of my greens did the same. We broke high temperature records that second week in April and it seemed that we were going to miss spring and jump into summer. However, reality hit soon thereafter. It cooled off drastically, rains came and the sun went away. So did the color of the bentgrass on my putting greens! The annual bluegrass didn't seem to mind the swing in temperatures, but the bentgrass looked like a Monet up close, mottled and variable in color. I looked for signs of a pathogen, was it a leaf spot of some sort? I thought it could be possible until I consulted Dr. Randy Kane of CDGA fame. Most of us are aware of the response putting green grass plants have to cold tem­ peratures in the fall. There is often a dramatic color change from green to red and purples on our putting greens. The turfgrass leaves change color just as the anticipated leaves on trees do in the fall. WHERE DOES THE COLOR COME FROM? The response stems from the shifting carbohydrates in the plant. When growing conditions are optimal, sugars or carbohydrates, are produced through photosyn­ thesis in the leaves and sheaths. At night, these carbohydrates are redistributed or translocated to the crowns of the plant. Most of the carbohydrates are stored in the crown and can be used for other physiological processes when needed. However, when the plant experiences very cool or cold nights, the process of translocation is slowed and some of the carbohydrates remain in the leaf and stems of the plant. One of the carbohydrates or sugars produced is glucose. Bonded to glucose molecules are plant pigments called anthocyanins. Not much is known of these pigments other than they provide the blue-red-purple color in plants. It is known that chlorophyll, the pigment that colors turf green, reaches a maximum content in creeping bentgrass when temperatures are be­ tween 75 and 85°F. Most of the time the chlorophyll masks the presence of anthocyanins and the grass appears green. When cooler temperatures prevail the anthocyanin pigments remain in the leaf blade and stem. The cooler temperature also causes the chlorophyll to become denatured in the leaf blade and the masking effect is lessened. Some of the blue-red-purple pigments become more prevalent in the turfgrass blade and color the plant. This shift of anthocyanin / chlorophyll concentration in the leaf blade can also occur in the spring. Weather is the deciding factor. Uncommon warm temperatures in early spring can cause bentgrass and annual bluegrass to green up quickly. When followed by a drop in temperature, the concentration of anthocyanin can increase and a reduction in chlorophyll can occur. This shift in "seeable" pigmentation can cause bentgrass to turn reddish brown, brick red or purple colors in the spring. This condition can be aggravated by cultural practices including: • Topdressing • Brushing • Core cultivation • Foot traffic • Vertical grooming • Use of plant growth regulators • Dry and windy weather Continued on Page 7 Continued from Page 6 Perhaps, I failed to mention that I did get a topdressing application down just prior to the onset of the cold weather. I did set my vertical groomers to "aggressive" and used them in two different directions on the same warm windy day. Perhaps, I forgot to mention that I also used a brush on the putting greens to take care of some stub­ born horizontal growth and then one Monday, I even rolled them. I did notice the color change of the bentgrass days after the cold temperature swing. Then a few wet and cold days later I noticed spot like lesions on my bentgrass leaf blades. "Leaf spot", I thought was the culprit. However after my talk with Dr. Kane, I was informed it wasn’t leaf spot but the weather and a couple of other applied cultural factors. The cold snap turned my bentgrass blue, okay maybe red-brown but blue has a nice sound. The cultural practices I applied may have injured the turf further, but the lesions I saw were not the cause of my altered turf color. The lesions or "leaf spots" that were present on the bentgrass blades were most likely due to opportunistic saprophytes taking advantage of my weather-weakened bentgrass. It should be noted, that an application of a fungicide may help to control these weak saprophytes, but an application of fungi­ cide to control the weather will not work. No need to panic. The best remedy for this problem is around the corner. Warm weather, some sunshine and a little bit of plant available nitrogen will ease the distress caused by the cold weather. May Meeting Results CC of Poconos Territory Lee A. Kozsey Manager Turf, Ornamental & Aquatics Thanks again to Mike Salinetti and the staff for hosting us. It Syngenta Crop Production, Inc. was a wonderful day, and the course was in great shape. Thanks also to Jim MacLaren of HTS and John Wiblishauser of syngenta 3710 Amherst Court Bethlehem, PA 18020 Bayer for sponsoring our meeting. Thanks also to Lance See­ Tel 610-861-8174 Fax 610-882-9358 ton and Jim Gurzler for picking up the bar tab. Mobile 213-796-409 Our first order of business was the talk on Growth Regulators www.syngentaprofessionalproducts.com lee.kozsey@syngenta.com given by Jeff Borger. Thanks, Jeff. It was a very informative talk. I, for one, always enjoy when questions are asked. The For further assistance, contact our Customer Resource Center at: 866-Syngenta (866-796-4368 room was full of questions, which means to me it was talk that hit home. So the meeting was off to a great start. The 50/50 winners were Jim Gurzler, John Wiblishauser, and our host, Mike Salinetti. The other winner was the scholarship which is growing. Thanks to all for that. Office & Home Phone Top Dressing The tournament was a two man scramble won by the team White Haven 570-443-9596 Bunker Sand of Mike Condor and Don Jennings from Great Bear with a 65. Second place went to Chuck DeAngelo and Jim Ghigiarelli of Fax 570-443-9590 Infield Mix Elmhurst, while third place went to Greg Boring of Glen Oak and Paul Brandon of Finch Equipment. The long drive was Blue Ridge Peat Farms, Inc. won by Chris Butler of Lawn and Golf, and Jeff Lesoine of Wa­ ter Gap won our Closest to the Pin competition. White Haven, PA 18661-9674 Skins were awarded as well, and they were won by Mike Condor and Don Jennings (4 skins), Greg Boring and Paul Brandon (2 skins) and the teams of Tom Height &Andy Jubin- Potting Soil Gene Evans, Owner ski, and Rick Anglemyer and Jeff Lesoine (1 skin each). Soil Mixes Professional Engineer Thanks again to Country Club of the Poconos for hosting our meeting. The course was great, the weather beautiful, and the food fabulous. I am looking forward to seeing everyone at Elkview in June. Gurz POCONO ROUNDUP PTGA MEETING SCHEDULE NEWS AND VIEWS FROM THE POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION Monday June 25 Elkview Country Club Tuesday July 24 Shawnee Inn and Resort Monday August 27 Woodloch Springs Congratulations to Andy Faist, on his new position as Tuesday Sept. 25 Woodstone Golf Club superintendent at Mt. Airy CC in Mt. Pocono, PA. TBD October Blue Ridge Trail Get well soon to Kelly Kressler, recovering from a bro­ Field Days: ken pelvis. Kelly is the superintendent at Southmoore Penn State University Golf Club in Bath, PA. Joe Valentine Research Center August 9th and 10th Our condolences go out to the Valentine Family on the University Park, PA passing of Richard Valentine. Richard (Richie) Valen­ tine was a Class AA member of Central Pennsylvania Rutgers University Golf Course Superintendents joining in 1960. Hort. Farm II July 31,2007 Best wishes to Carmen Magro on his new position with New Brunswick, NJ Floratine. Cornell University Cornell Turf and Landscape Management June 19, 2007 Bluegrass Lane Ithaca, NY POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION R.R. 1, BOX 219 HARDING, PA 18643 GCSAA INFORMATION CENTER 1421 RESEARCH PARK DRIVE LAWRENCE, KANSAS 66049-3859 Phone: 215-345-7200 Fax: 215-345-8132 Web: www.phillyturf.com ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED. PHILADELPHIA TURF COMPANY