CHIPS & PUTTS OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE Founded in POCONO TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION 1936 VOL. 14, NO. 2 JUNE 2008 Panorama Golf Course Darrin Larkin, Golf Course Superintendent July’s meeting takes us to the Northern Tier of Pennsylvania. Panorama Golf Course is lo- cated just outside of Forest City in Susquehanna County. Panorama is an 18 hole daily fee course that plays 7,256 yards from the tips. Bill Griffiths, a local pro, laid out the course in 1963 on a former dairy farm that was owned by Paul Vauter. Panorama opened the following year and is still owned by the Vauter family. The clubhouse is part of the original barn, and the former milk house is currently being used for reel and bedknife sharpening, as well as fer- tilizer and pesticide storage. The many pine trees that you will see there were planted by Paul and his son Dick, the current owner. A staff of four full time and two part time employees as- sist Darrin in maintaining the 150 acre layout. Darrin Larkin has been the superintendent since 1997, after completing the two-year program at Penn State under George Hamilton. While at PSU, Darrin interned at Buck Hill Falls Golf Course. Darrin also serves as the current president of the Pocono Turfgrass Association, as well as sitting on the Board of the Pennsylvania Golf Course Superintendents Association. Since our last meeting at Panorama, there have been some changes. Cart paths have been put in, over 250 poplar trees have been removed, and many bunkers have been reno- vated. Bunker renovation is still an ongoing project, with more work to be done in the fall. Other future projects include additional tee boxes for the seniors and a retaining wall along the creek on #11. Panorama is well known for its length, but its most memorable hole is #15. Hole #15 is a dogleg right with a tee shot over a pond to a small landing area. From there, the green is protected by trees to the right and behind the green and an elevated bunker to the left. This hole was recently highlighted by WNEP as one of its “Elite 18” golf holes. With only two par 3’s and two par 5’s, you’ll be challenged by some very long par 4’s. Page 2 President’s Message....… Officers & Directors 2008 I would like to thank John Hollick for hosting the June meeting at both Three Ponds Golf Club and Knoebel’s Amusement Resort. I don’t think we have had the opportunity to have a monthly meeting and a family day wrapped up in one convenient event. This was a joint meeting with the Keystone, but it might be a venue where all of Pennsylvania’s seven chapters can have a joint meeting. Everyone that went PRESIDENT thoroughly enjoyed the day. Whether this can become an annual Darrin Larkin, Panorama Golf Course 570-222-9260 event or one that we schedule every few years remains to be seen, but I’m sure we’ll be going back soon. VICE PRESIDENT Rick Anglemyer, Water Gap CC 570-424-6391 If anyone would like to contribute to Chips and Putts, please contact TREASURER Melinda at the PTGA office. Writing an article yourself or passing one John Downer, Elkview C.C. on that you feel our members will benefit from would be greatly 570-840-0078 appreciated. SECRETARY Ray Wadell, Elmhurst CC 570-842-4705 Darrin Larkin 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 Panorama Country Club, Hole #12 PTGA Office R.R. 1, Box 219 Harding, PA 18643 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. 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 I Not all golf courses were historically designed or constructed with native or natural landscape areas, like many courses are today. The idea of native land- scapes can be a challenging proposition for superin- tendents, who manage courses that were built with the sole emphasis on “areas of play”. These native areas were originally created for several important reasons: • The first reason, which probably was the main selling point, was the reduction in la- bor, fuel, water, pesticides and fertilizers by reducing the maintenance in these areas, which would be reflected in our budgets. • The second reason was to preserve or en- hance the wildlife on or around our golf courses. • The final reason was to add contrast or challenge to the golf course by having bronze fescue or blue- stem areas surrounding manicured turfgrass. The challenge includes, but is not limited to, designing new areas, creating layouts, identifying maintenance issues, se- curing implementation costs, dealing with golfers’ expecta- tions, and addressing complaints. At Edgewood Country Club, there are 27 holes developed within a location that would probably be acceptable for 18 good holes. We started off slow with one area and con- verted it to wildflowers and established another area as a low maintenance area, where no seed was added, and we just let it grow to see what happened. Many of our rough areas were not irrigated, so this was an easy transi- tion for us. The first year the members raved about the wildflowers. Continued on Page 4 Page 4 Continued from Page 3 We decided to naturalize as many areas as possible during the second year. Approximately 30 acres later, the golf course had a totally different look. We had at least 10 areas or holes that had wildflowers and an addi- tional 8 areas that were simply native areas. Wildflowers were visible from every part of the golf course and large natural areas were almost on every other hole. We became a Certified Audubon Sanctuary with Audubon International shortly after developing these areas and most members accepted the environmental stance we were taking. Our savings in labor, fuel, fertilizers, water and pesticides totaled close to $10,000 per year. Wildlife be- gan to increase with more hawks and foxes looking for prey in these newly created areas. Songbird populations were diversified as new blue bird boxes, purple martin houses and wildflower areas offered nesting and food sources. In my experience, the original perception from our members was that we were not maintaining the golf course or we were forgetting to mow certain areas. The golf course went from being maintained from tree line to tree line, to now having these areas that were very natural in appearance. Once these areas matured, es- pecially wildflower areas, the complaints turned to compliments. We rode these waves of compliments for a good year or two before some complaints began surfacing. Suddenly, the wildflower areas did not have that full season of blooming flowers after the annuals died back the year before and the perennials were only flow- ering in mid summer. The native areas were beginning to show more green vegetation in the form of weeds, which stuck out like sore thumbs. Then, the complaints of lost golf balls and slow play came about and now the shift was from full acceptance of this program to justifying why we were doing it….again. Page 5 Page 6 NOW, I KNOW EVERYTHING...... . A dime has 118 ridges around the edge. A cat has 32 muscles in each ear. A crocodile cannot stick out its tongue. Al Capone's business card said he was a used furniture dealer. A dragonfly has a life span of 24 hours. All 50 states are listed across the top of the Lincoln Memorial on the back of the $5 bill. A goldfish has a memory span of three seconds. A "jiffy" is an actual unit of time for 1/100th of a second. A shark is the only fish that can blink with both eyes. A snail can sleep for three years. Almonds are members of the peach family. An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain. 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 POCONO ROUNDUP PTGA MEETING SCHEDULE FAMILY EVENTS April 30 Fox Hill Country Club May 22 Sugarloaf June 2 Three Ponds Golf Club July 15 Panorama Golf Course The recently held Family Fun Night with the Yankees was a great suc- August 11 Elmhurst Country Club cess. The PTGA would like to thank September 29 Frosty Valley CC Matt Brown and Tom Drayer of Turf October 13 Wyoming Valley CC Equipment and Supply for sponsoring the event. Another great family get together -Knoebels Three CONDOLENCES Ponds– not only a joint meeting with Keystone, but a chance to bring out the family and enjoy some time Our deepest condolences go out to the family of together in the park. John Farrell who passed away on Monday, June 23, 2008. 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 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!