CHIPS & PUTTS OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE Founded in POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION 1936 VOL. 14, NO. 4 JULY 2008 The Pocono Turfgrass Association would like to congratulate all our members whose courses were chosen for WNEP’s Elite 18 golf holes. Viewers of WNEP e-mailed the Sports De- partment about their favorite golf holes within the area. A WNEP celebrity would play a hole and air the results on Thursday nights. The courses were limited to those open to the public. 1) STONEHEDGE #2 PAR 4. 2) MILL RACE, #16 PAR 5, #16. James Hartkorn 3) WOODLOCH, # 14 PAR 5. Jeff Hugaboom 4) BLUE RIDGE TRAIL # 8 PAR 4. Duane Schell 5) PANORAMA # 15, PAR 4. Darrin Larkin 6) BELL SPRING, MILL HALL 7) W-B MUNI #11 Gregory McElhattan 8) SCRANTON MUNI #14 PAR 4. 9) SHAWNEE # 7 PAR 3 Steven Taggart 10) WYNDING BROOK, #5 PAR 5. 11) WHITE DEER #15 PAR 5. 12) SAND SPRINGS, # 5 PAR 3. 13) LIBERTY VALLEY, # 15, PAR 5. 14) HIDDEN VALLEY, #9, PAR 4 15) MAHONING VALLEY #9 PAR 3. 16) TOWANDA #13, PAR 4 Corey Pries 17) SHADOWBROOK, #16 PAR 3. 18) MOUNTAIN GOLF COURSE, #18 PAR 4 Page 2 President’s Message....… Officers & Directors 2008 I would like to thank everyone that made it to Panorama G.C. for the July meeting. I have to apologize as the course was playing a little short that day. Diana Kern of the GCSAA would like me to tell everyone to keep track PRESIDENT of their education and service points for the PDI. Although Melinda Darrin Larkin, Panorama Golf Course 570-222-9260 enters our meeting attendance for us, it is your responsibility to verify that your transcripts are accurate. VICE PRESIDENT Rick Anglemyer, Water Gap CC 570-424-6391 Ray Waddell will be hosting the clambake on Wednesday, August 13th. TREASURER This is a week before he hosts the Nationwide at Elmhurst C.C. Please John Downer, Elkview C.C. contact Ray to see if you can be of help. 570-840-0078 SECRETARY Darrin Larkin Ray Wadell, Elmhurst CC 570-842-4705 DIRECTORS Steven Chirip, Grass Roots, Inc. 973-418-3468 Matthew Brown, Philadelphia Turf 215-340-5401 Greg Boring, Glen Oak C.C. 570-586-5791 Patrick Knelly, Sugarloaf Golf Club 570-384-4724 Thomas Height, Frosty Valley C.C. 570-275-4266 __________________________ CHIPS & PUTTS STAFF EDITOR Jim Gurzler 570-466-6416 jim@gurzler.com Managing Editor Melinda Wisnosky 570-388-2167 Editorial Committee Darrin Larkin Matt Brown Past President Duane Schell, Blue Ridge Trail G. C. 570-868-8113 djschell@epix.net PTGA Office R.R. 1, Box 219 Harding, PA 18643 TOWANDA COUNTRY CLUB Phone/Fax: 570-388-2167 HOLE #13 GREEN 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. Page 3 Developing and Maintaining Native Areas at Edgewood Country Club By Paul E. Dotti, Class A member, Superintendent Edgewood Country Club, Rivervale, NJ PART II In order to have wildflowers flowering throughout the year, we needed to go in and reintroduce new seed, so annuals would be present and some of the older perennials could be replaced. Each spring, we went in and tilled these areas to offer a nice seed bed, similar to what we did to get them established. We then seeded in late March or early April and hopefully April showers allowed them to germinate. The first year or two of doing this we had promising results, but each year after, the flowers were less and less and weeds were becoming more of an issue. We believe the constant tilling of the soil brought weed seeds up and not having irrigation to allow the flowers to germinate first, brought on the problem. Some years the weeds were manageable, but others they were domi- nant and we had large weed patches in high visibility areas. We could not continue to do what we were doing because we did see the decline in flowers and increase in weeds over time. Wildflowers are very sensitive to her- bicides and it is hard to spray these areas, even with hand sprayers to target the individual weed plants. We did experiment with Plateau, an herbicide that allows you to make pre-emergence or post-emergence applications with sprays right over the flowers. Of course you will not drive a sprayer through these areas when they are fully established, so we went the pre-emergent route and saw mixed results. We experimented with slice seeding and aeravating, to limit surface disruption, but created enough areas for seeds to germinate. These areas too had some successes and failures. In 2007, we decided to use 3 areas and import screened topsoil. These areas were sprayed with roundup first, capped with a couple of inches of top- soil, leveled and then seeded. The seed was “dimpled” in with sand pro tires and we applied no fer- tilizers or nutrients to aid the establishment. We did cover the areas with salt hay to keep soil moisture in. The results were much improved over the previous years and flowers bloomed for the entire season. Weeds were present, but they did not have a negative effect on the overall appearance of the areas and we did not go in and remove them manually or chemi- cally. In the spring, we did have to use portable sprinklers or hand water these areas due to the lack of rainfall dur- ing establishment. The other seven areas that were previously wildflower areas were treated with roundup in October of 2006, aeravated in several directions, and seeded with a fine fescue and little bluestem mix. By the spring of 2007, these areas were about 90% grown in and looked very attractive for the 2007 season. It is im- portant to note that none of these areas get irrigation, including the wildflowers. Around the fescue areas irriga- tion heads were converted to part circles heads in order to eliminate any water from entering the areas. Here are some conclusions and lessons drawn about the development and maintenance of wildflower and na- tive areas at Edgewood Country Club: Continued on Page 4 Page 4 Continued from Page 3 • There is no such thing as zero maintenance ar- eas on the golf course. Some manpower will be needed to remove unsightly vegetation and you should mow down the areas in the fall and possibly the spring of each year. Wildflowers, as beautiful as they are, will require maintenance after a few years. The first year or two wildflower areas will be abso- lutely striking, but trying to introduce new seed over time will create new problems. • It may be beneficial to have irrigation in wild- flower areas to help with establishment, but elimi- nate the use of water once they become estab- lished in the summer. • Keep the members informed at all times and educate why you want to create native or wild- flower areas. The benefits of the areas will out- weigh the negative elements, but you must dem- onstrate the importance of developing the areas. • Also, be flexible on where you locate new na- tive areas. Remember, Edgewood is relatively tight, so a native area may be out of play on one hole, but in play on another. I have cut back some areas when complaints arose, but also stuck to my guns with others. • Experiment with different seed varieties, flower species, and even seed brands. You may find a variety or brand that looks better than another and it may be wise to use different kinds the first year to see what works for you. • Make sure you document your successes and failures before, during and after establishment. It is a great reference to review where you may have made mistakes or could make improvements. • Finally, native areas are much easier to estab- lish and maintain than wildflowers. Start slow with the flowers and research what varieties work best in your zones and only do an area or two the first year to have a good handle on what to expect. Page 5 PANORAMA GOLF COURSE HOLE #15 Page 6 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! The Elmhurst Country Club in Moscow, PA, will be hosting the PGA Nationwide Tour NE PA Clas- sic from August 18 through August 24, 2008. We are in need of volunteers to assist our Mainte- nance Staff in providing the quality playing conditions required by the PGA Nationwide Tour. If you are able to volunteer, please contact Steve Chirip (e-mail: stevechirip@hotmail.com, cell phone - 973-418-3468); or Ray Waddell (e-mail: rpwgolf@moscowmail.com, cell phone - 570-903- 9571). We anticipate a need for volunteers for morning and afternoon work each day of the tourna- ment and possibly some help the week before the tournament. Any help you can offer will be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Ray Waddell PTGA 2008 SCHOLARSHIPS Deadline for Scholarship Applications July 31, 2008 Applications should be submitted to: Rick Anglemyer Water Gap C.C. P. O. Box 725, Delaware Water Gap, PA 18327 570-424-6391 ( Page 7 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 Lesco Brent Wood 570.499.1441 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 710.933.5801 Turf Equip. & Supply George Skawski 610.554.9366 Matt Brown 484-357-6312 EQUIPMENT PLANT PROTECTANTS Aer-Core, Inc. Dennis DeSanctis 610.608.3181 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 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Turf Equip. & Supply Matt Brown 484.357.6312 Genesis Turfgrass Jim MacLaren 570-443-7154 George Skawski 610.554.9366 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Harrell’s Josh Kopera 201.213.8693 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 Lesco Brent Wood 570.499.1441 FERTILIZER PBI/Gordon Corp. John Patten 609.970.1546 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 SynaTek Mike Zellner 484.357.9197 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 Syngenta Lee A. Kozsey 610.861.8174 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Genesis Turfgrass Jim MacLaren 570-443-7154 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Harrell’s Josh Kopera 201.213.8693 SEED & SOD Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 SynaTek Mike Zellner 484.357.9197 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 East Coast Sod & Seed Kevin Driscoll 609.760.4099 Finch Services Andy Jubinski 610.213.8597 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Genesis Turfgrass Jim MacLaren 570-443-7154 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 GREEN AND TEE SUPPLIES Harrell’s Josh Kopera 201.213.8693 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 Rich Gdovin 570-278-1131 SynaTek Mike Zellner 484.357.9197 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 Lesco Brent Wood 570.499.1441 TOPDRESSING / SOIL AMENDMENTS SynaTek Mike Zellner 484.357.9197 Andre & Son, Inc. John Vojick 570.278.1131 Rich Gdovin 570.278.1131 Blue Ridge Peat Farms Gene Evans 570.443.9596 Fisher & Son Bob Seltzer 610.704.4756 Genesis Turfgrass Jim MacLaren 570-443-7154 Grass Roots, Inc. Steve Chirip 973.418.3468 Harrell’s Josh Kopera 201.213.8693 Lawn & Golf Chris Butler 610.933.5801 Partac Peat Corp. Jim Kelsey 800.247.2326 SynaTek Mike Zellner 484.357.9197 Support our Sponsors - They support us! POCONO ROUNDUP PTGA MEETING SCHEDULE PENN STATE FIELD DAYS April 30 Fox Hill Country Club May 22 Sugarloaf June 2 Three Ponds Golf Club July 15 Panorama Golf Course August 13 Elmhurst Country Club The Penn State Field Days will be held on September 29 Frosty Valley CC Wednesday & Thursday, August 6 & 7, 2008. October 13 Wyoming Valley CC • Pesticide and GCSAA credits are expected to be offered to all paid attendees. • Vendor demonstrations and product displays Please note: • Family Pig Roast at Toftrees Resort (limited number of reservations available) The August Clambake • will be held on Contact Heather Treaster at 814-863-0129 or Wednesday, August 13, 2008! hgw1@psu.edu or Sue Eisenhauer at 814-865-6542 Exceeding POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION R.R. 1, BOX 219 your expectations. POSTAGE HARDING, PA 18643 Every day. One hundred and thirty dedicate d peo ple with the NAME & ADDRESS best parts, pro d- ucts and service for the green in- dustry Turf Equipment and Supply Phone: 215-345-7200 Fax: 215-345-8132 ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED. Web: www.turf-equipm ent.com