Michigan Chapter GCSAAl^ COURSE SPRING 2018 Conditions Quarterly Publication of the Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association No SDHi controls a broader spectrum Velista® fungicide is proven to control anthracnose while emerging as a leader in fairy ring control. •44-< **' t For more information, contact: Adam Garr 248-914-4902 adam.garr@syngenta.com Sf @Superin10dent #MITurf V Velista Fungicide syngenta INSIDE THIS ISSUE: FEATURE: Plant-Parasitic Nematodes: More Common on Golf Greens than you might realize Industry Partner Profile: Tom Schemmel, Site One Landscape Supply Assistant Superintendent Profile: Trevor Mills and Dave Susalski, Crystal Mountain Resort PUR IC H IG A N* Spartan 1 Distributors We're supplying all your golf course needs. GOLF & PROFESSIONAL TURF MANAGEMENT EQUIPMENT SERVICE > EQUIPMENT PARTS IRRIGATION, WATER MANAGEMENT & LANDSCAPE LIGHTING GOLF CARS & UTILITY VEHICLES RESIDENTIAL & LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR EQUIPMENT TORO. MiGCS/4» Platinum Pakinlk 487 West Division Street Sparta, Ml 49345 1050 North Opdyke Road Auburn Hills, Ml 48326 800-822-2216 www.spartandistributors.com COURSE SPRING 2018 Conditions Quarterly Publication of the Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association FEATURE SUPERINTENDENT MiGCSA President Dan Dingman BIRFTlinGHflm 'I'll I INSIDE THIS ISSUE: FEATURE: Plant-Parasitic Nematodes: I * • More Common on Golf Greens than you might realize Industry Partner Profile: Tom Schemmel, Site One Landscape Supply Assistant Superintendent Profile: Trevor Mills and Dave Susalski, Crystal Mountain Resort PUR /M' Spartan 1 Distributors We're supplying all your golf course needs. GOLF & PROFESSIONAL TURF MANAGEMENT EQUIPMENT SERVICE > EQUIPMENT PARTS IRRIGATION, WATER MANAGEMENT & LANDSCAPE LIGHTING GOLF CARS & UTILITY VEHICLES RESIDENTIAL & LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR EQUIPMENT TORO. MiGCS/4» Platinum Pakinlk 487 West Division Street Sparta, Ml 49345 1050 North Opdyke Road Auburn Hills, Ml 48326 800-822-2216 www.spartandistributors.com ’ « t T . t r So e R n Si ^ Ou Contents 4 4 5 6 8 11 12 14 16 18 22 MiGCSA Membership Report Calendar of Events President’s Perspective The 42nd Annual Can-Am Feature: Plant-Parasitic Nematodes Technology can enhance Graduate Student Research at MSU The Wrench: By Ben Beard, Bridging the Gap 2018 Spring Opener Superintendent - Dan Dingman 2018 National Golf Day 25 26 32 34 40 43 44 47 52 54 Award of Merit Industry Profile - Tom Schemmel A Message from MTF Trevor Mills - Assistant Superintendent & Dave Susalski - Assistant Superintendent 2018 Spring Management Meetings First Green Fields Trips Continue Around the Region Michigan Wee One Fundraiser Outing Off Course: Turfheads My Visit to GCSAA Headquarters Association Update Course Conditions I Spring 2018 MiGCSA<> Conditions BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT DAN DINGMAN - 2018 Greater Detroit-Class A Birmingham Country Club VICE PRESIDENT TREASURER JEFF SWEET, CGCS Mid-Class A Bucks Run G.C. SECRETARY/ TREASURER ROB STEGER. CGCS Mid-Class A Saginaw C.C. PAST PRESIDENT MARK OSTRANDER - 20 Western-Class A The Moors C.C. BOARD MEMBERS JEFF HOPKINS Western-Class A Muskegon County Club JEFF SWEET, CGCS Mid-Class A Bucks Run G.C. RYAN MOORE Greater Detroit-Class A Forest Lake C.C. DOUG WARE Greater Detroit-Class A City of Livonia JIM BLUCK, CGCS Northern-Class A Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club DOUGH HOEH Northern-Class A Treetops Resort ANDEW DALTON Mid-Class A Metamora G&C.C. JESSEE SHAVER Western-Class A Gull Lake C.C. ASSISTANT LIAISON DAVE MAKULSKI Greater Detroit-Class C Franklin Hills Country Club COMMUNICATIONS ROB STEGER, CGCS committee Chairman KYLE BARTON Tam-O-Shanter C.C. RON BETZ The Wyndgate C.C. ANDREW DALTON Metamora G&C.C. JARED MILNER Meadowbrook C.C. BRETT ROBERTS Target Specialty Products Profile interviews conducted by Greg Johnson, Greg Johnson Media L.L.C. CALENDAR OF EVENTS THURSDAY, JULY 12 - Mid Golf Event (The Fortress, Frankenmuth) TUESDAY, JULY 24 - Par 3 Shootout (Treetops Resort Par 3, Gaylord) WEDNESDAY, JULY 25 - Tuck Tate Championship (Treetops Resort, The Jones Masterpiece, Gaylord) WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15 - MTF Field Day (Hancock Turfgrass Center, East Lansing) WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29 - MiGCSA State Championship (Hawk Hollow, Bath) FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 - Assistant & Student Networking Golf Outing (College Fields, Okemos) SEPTEMBER 10 - 16 - The Ally Challenge, Presented by McLaren (Warwick Hills G&C.C., Grand Blanc) Please visit www.MiGCSA.org for all of the latest and most up to date information. You can quickly and easily register for events, view past issues of Course Conditions, browse and post items for sale, post and browse classifieds, and so much more. If you need help logging in email us at info S migcsa.org COLLIN ROMANICK Blythefield C.C. TOM SCHALL Oakland University JESSE SHAVER Gull Lake C.C. MICAH WISE Site One Course Conditions is published 4 times a year by the Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association. Opinions expressed by guest writers do not necessarily reflect the views of the MiCGSA. For more information on Course Conditions or the MiGCSA please contact us at info@migca.org, 1-888-3-MiGCSA or 316 Glencarin Dr. NE, Rockford, Ml 49341. 4 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association . ww.migcsa.org President’s PERSPECTIVE As I sit down to write my first letter to the membership as your President, I am consumed with excitement and enthusiasm for the state of our Chapter. Membership numbers are strong, event participation is steady, and industry support for our Chapter has never been stronger. Along with the support from our industry partners, our goal to provide a value to our members enhances our profession continues to be our reality. that I speak for the entire MiGCSA Board of Directors as I remind everyone just how fortunate we are to have Adam Ikamas as our Executive Director. Adam represents our Chapter with the utmost integrity and class while conducting business on our behalf. He is looked upon as a valuable resource to everyone associated with the golf industry in the State of Michigan as well as across the country. This past off-season was a long one for everyone, and I know everyone has been extremely busy trying to catch up from the late start. Hopefully any winter damage that any colleagues experienced is on the road to recovery. As we all know, everything comes together around Memorial Day and off we go. Our chapter has a lot going on this year. After a year of development, testing, and updates, the all­ new chapter website, www.migcsa.org is live. The investment in the improved website had one goal in mind - to better serve our membership. The new site will streamline membership renewal, event registration, employment opportunity advertisement, and much more. To date, we have received a lot of positive feedback on both the appearance and functionality improvements. Any feedback is welcomed and appreciated, so please let us know what your think. In other exciting news, in 2017 your Board of Directors approved the permanent sponsorship of a hitting bay and display area at the new $3.5 million-dollar home of the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame located on the campus of Ferris State University. The MGHoF has been looking for a permanent home and with the generous donations from many the construction is underway on the state of the art Golf Management Learning Center at its' new home. Completion is Spring of 2019 and the MiGCSA has space reserved to display our Chapter history and the important role the Golf Course Superintendent has in the game of golf. Serving as your President is a great honor for me both personally and professionally. Since my first day as an officer of the board, I have learned a great deal about the golf industry in the great state of Michigan. I have been very fortunate to have met and worked with professionals from all facets of various industries across Michigan. I am extremely proud to be part of a team that works hard to ensure our golf industry continues making a positive impact on our states economy. We have many great events on the 2018 calendar and I encourage everyone to take time out of their busy schedules and attend at least one of our events this summer. Being actively involved in your chapter and spending time with your fellow members is always a rewarding experience. Best of luck to you all for a successful season! Sincerely yours, Dan Dingman Golf Course Superintendent Birmingham Country Club Course Conditions Spring 2018 The 42nd Annual Can-Am The 42nd year of Can Am competition was hosted by thanks to John Paul the General Manager of Grosse lie and Head Golf Professional Eric Ganzberger for all their help making this a great event. MiGCSA Member Todd Probert, Superintendent at Grosse lie Golf & Country Club and his Assistant John Caliguire. Special “Finally” was the thought on everyone’s mind, after a slow start to the season a perfect spring day bloomed for the close to 70 OGSA and MiGCSA members in attendance. Starting the day with breakfast and a Bloody Mary bar, the groups teed off at 11:00 with a shotgun start followed by cocktails and a steak dinner. The group heard updates from Trey Rogers on the program at MSU, Rob Pylar spoke about the 2018 Tee Times for Turf Auction and Shane Conroy from GCSAA gave some insight on their initiatives at the national. The format is a two best ball net score for one point on the front one on the back and one for the totals. This year team USA retained the cup with a 28 to 17 win over the Canadian side. The other winners from the day were: Long Drives: Gregg Menard & John Alpaugh Closest to the pins: Derrick Vergeer, Jim Higgs x2 and John Alpaugh The low teams from either side were Dan Fiesen and Vince Grainger from team Canada and for team USA Fritz McMullen & Clem Wolfram. Looking forward to the 2019 Can-Am back in Canada. Assistant Superintendent John Caliguire and Todd Probert, Superintendent of Grosse lie Golf & Country Club As MiGCSA President Dan Dingman and his partner 2014 MiGCSA President Gregg Matthews 6 D Exteris Stressgard C > < m 3 3 PROTECTION THAT STAYS PUT With Leaf-Cote™ Technology, Exteris Stressgard offers improved product retention on the leaf surface - sticking where it’s needed most - at the site of fungal activity. If you're looking to stress less over managing foliar diseases on your fairways, Exteris Stressgard has your turf covered. Get more coverage at backedbybayer.com/exteris-stressgard @BayerGolf Bayer CropSdence LP. Environmental Science Division. 2 TW Alexander Drive. Research Triangle Park, NC 27709.1-800-331-2867 www.backedbybayer-com Bayer, trie Bayer Cross. Exteris and Stressgard are registered trademarks of Bayer Leaf-Cote is a trademark of Bayer. Not all products are registered in al states. Always read and follow label directions. 02018 Bayer CropSdence LP. ES-118-EXT-228-A-R1 FEATURE Plant-Parasitic Nematodes: More Common on Golf Greens than you might Realize FRED WARNER NEMATOLOGIST MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY Introduction to Nematodes Nematodes are the most abundant animals on our planet. Scientists presently estimate that roughly 80% of all animals are nematodes. A shovel-full of garden soil may contain one million or more nematodes. Nematodes are found anywhere there is water, this includes oceans. Nematodes have been recognized for five thousand or so years as parasites of man and other animals. Nematode parasites of humans cause some heinous diseases but they are far more common in impoverished nations. For this reason, nematodes fly under the radar screens of most Americans. I have identified many biases that work against nematodes but a lack of publicity certainly is one. Although there may be some emerging problems with human parasitic nematodes in the U.S., only one disease caused by nematodes is a notifiable one according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and that is trichinellosis (or more commonly, trichinosis). This is a nematode species found in swine (historically, it was more common in pigs than it is today) and many sylvatic North American mammals. Transmission to humans is typically by the consumption of undercooked muscles of the infected hosts. Some tasty, rare bear meat anyone? I’ll pass. The soil is a great environment for nematodes. The soil contains nematodes of different trophic (feeding) groups, the most abundant are nematodes that feed on bacteria. Most people are unaware of the key role these bacterial-feeding nematodes play in nutrient cycling. But, that is a topic possibly for another article. Plant-parasitic nematodes are obligate pathogens of plants. This means they cause diseases of plants and must have living host tissue (usually roots) to feed on or within in order to grow and reproduce. Every species of plant described has at least one nematode parasite. Please don’t make the mistake of thinking the cool- season turfgrass species we grow are immune from plant-parasitic nematodes. These nematodes do very well on grass and the species of grasses we frequently use on our golf greens host about a dozen or so kinds (genera) of plant-parasitic nematodes. Plant-parasitic nematodes are easy to ignore for many reasons. They are all microscopic with the longest one measuring about 6 mm (0.25 inches) in length. For comparison purposes, a female human guinea worm, which is often rolled out of infected individuals on sticks, can measure up to 800 mm (31 inches). So, since the majority of all soil-inhabiting nematodes are microscopic, you cannot stare into the soil and tell me how many of these colorless worms are present unless you possess Superman’s vision. Let’s face it, we tend to pay more attention to things we can see (macroscopic bias). In addition, feeding by plant-parasitic nematodes typically does not result in the development of characteristic secondary (above ground) symptoms. If we combine these observations with the fact many turf managers have limited knowledge regarding nematodes, it is easy to Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association . ww.migcsa.org © Peter Mullin/2OOO JO pm Hoplolaimus galeatus female head 2OOX K.onza Prairie Big bluestern/ Scribner’s panicum ascertain their presence and impacts are often ignored. My favorite adjective to describe nematode infections of animals and plants is “pernicious.” Pernicious can be defined as highly injurious or destructive but often in a gradual or subtle way. I think this is the perfect adjective to describe nematode or other parasites. Since plant-parasitic nematodes are microscopic, proper diagnosis requires the collection of plant tissues and soil and submission of samples to a Nematode Diagnostic Lab. In Michigan, nematode analyses are done at MSU in Diagnostic Services. The present fee for a nematode analysis for a sample submitted by a citizen of our state is $25.00. Samples submitted from outside of Ml are more expensive. If you have questions about sampling for nematodes, please feel free to contact me. Proper sampling is a topic that goes beyond the scope of this article. Nematodes and Cool-Season Turfgrasses The focus of this section will be on golf greens but Kentucky bluegrass, fescues and rye grasses are also hosts for many nematodes. As mentioned earlier, Agrostis stolonifera and Poa annua are excellent hosts for many kinds of plant-parasitic nematodes. However, due to a paucity of research done on these nematodes, especially in Michigan, we don’t fully know their impacts at this time. Two surveys of golf greens were conducted in Ml, one in 1993 (this survey also included commercial turf and home lawns) and the other last year. In general, the frequencies of detection and kinds of nematodes found were close to the same but the maximum counts of those nematodes were often substantially higher last year than in 1993 (see Table). So, what has changed over those 24 years? Greens have probably become sandier, a result of regular topdressing, and sandy soils tend to be nematode- loving soils. Plus, nematodes have had a quarter of a century to feed uninterrupted except for our winters. Since we had virtually no compounds to kill nematodes in turf for a period of years, they just chomped on roots to their hearts’ (although nematodes do not possess hearts) content. I believe the older the green, the greater the probability of finding high numbers of nematodes. Evidence gathered last year tends to support this hypothesis. When turf samples are submitted to MSU, I provide nematode risk ratings based on the kinds and numbers of nematodes recovered. The risk ratings range from 0 (no risk) to 5 (severe risk). If I assign a risk rating of 4 or 5 (occasionally 3 if there are reports of symptoms observed), I will recommend nematode control. In 1993, roughly 7% of our samples received high or severe risk ratings. In 2017, that percentage jumped to 43. Although certain caveats apply, it seems obvious nematode numbers are on the rise in turf in Michigan. Plant-parasitic nematodes were detected in all the turf samples collected in 1993 and 2017.1 have never received a sample submitted to the Diagnostic Lab collected from turf, being golf fairways, greens or tees or commercial and residential lawns where I did not detect at least one kind of plant-parasitic nematode. This brings us back to the title of this article, nematodes are far more common than most people realize. What We Need to Do So far, in Michigan, we have collected historical data through sampling/ surveying. Although we are still dealing with relatively small sample sizes, I think we can safely say nematodes are present in most, if not all, areas where grass is grown and their numbers are on the rise. However, we have not conducted many controlled studies to determine the impacts of our nematode species on cool-season turfgrass species. We use threshold estimates to assist in decision making but most of those have been developed in other states or are just expert opinion. What makes assessing nematode problems in turf even more difficult is that typically 3 - 6 or more genera are found together. In Michigan, we have some nematodes Course Conditions Spring 2018 I have dubbed the 3-headed turfgrass monster because in the 2017 survey we found these three together: ring; spiral and stunt nematodes in 74 of the 100 samples submitted. If we don’t fully know the impacts of a single nematode genus or species, we certainly don’t know how they interact or if they interact. If the combined effects of these nematodes on grasses are greater than their individual effects, this can drastically alter action and damage thresholds. This doesn’t even take into account, nematodes can predispose plants to invasion by bacteria and fungi. We have yet to investigate the effectiveness of our new nematicides in replicated field trials. We also have very limited knowledge as to how well they will control the kinds of nematodes present. Since turfgrass managers will undoubtedly turn to these products if they discover they have nematode problems, we need to inform them of the best products to use. How do nematodes affect rooting? How do nematodes alter normal plant physiological processes? Can they be managed culturally? Do we have any new species? I can make this list of questions go on and on but for purposes of brevity, I’ll stop now. Trust me, when it comes to nematodes on turf, I’m full of questions but unfortunately short on answers. In conclusion, it is in my opinion, where most farmers understand and fully grasp the destructive nature of nematodes on our agricultural crops, they have been a tough sell to this audience. While I tend to believe cool-season turfgrasses can withstand quite a bit of nematode feeding, this does not preclude problems from developing. I feel it’s in your best interest, if you wish to maximize your grass health, to keep nematodes in the back of your minds at all times. OK, maybe not at all times; just please don’t ignore the possibility. Frequencies of detection and maximum counts per 100 cm5 soil for plant-parasitic nematodes recovered from survey samples of turfgrasses collected in 2017 (n = 100) and 1993 (n = 106) Frequency of Detection Maximum Counts nematode ring stunt spiral root-knot turf cyst lance stubby-root grass cyst needle lesion sheath pin dagger 2017 97.0 86.0 86.0 22.0 21.0 19.0 8.0 7.0 3.0 2.0 2.0 0.0 0.0 1993 69.7 76.1 61.5 16.5 10.1 22.0 0.9 0.0 3.7 49.5 6.4 17.4 4.6 2017 6440 3280 2160 300 J2s 141 cysts 330 100 17 cysts 50 40 460 0 0 1993 1400 880 2040 55 J2s 41 cysts 399 1 0 cysts 1 140 60 99 20 10 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association w.migc; ■I Technology can enhance BY PAUL ALBANESE, ASGCA from making phone calls, drawing plans, making site visits and everything else required to make a golf course. If a larger percentage of those hours can be "saved” by technology, then those banked hours can be utilized for tasks that make a more significant impact. For example, if a designer believes a particular part of their process is what really gets their idea across, such as working in the field with the shaper, yet they can only allocate 500 hours of the 1000 hours to that task; the other 500 hours go toward, say, drafting the documents. If technology, such as Computer Aided Design (CAD) enables that designer to draft those same documents in 300 hours, they now have an additional 200 hours to spend on the more creativity valuable fieldwork. Of course, my contention presumes that designers decide to reinvest the extra time saved by technology toward the project, and not simply use the saved time to increase their profit margins on the business side of things. Most of the designers and creative people I know don't use the technology to help their economic bottom line, but rather as a way to help increase their time being creative - as it should be. Paul Albanese, ASGCA Isa principal with Albanese & Lutzke, Golf Course Architects/Construction Managers. www.golf-designs.com paul@golf-designs.com ne knows they are getting old when they say “Do you remember when........” more often than "I can’t wait for...........” So, I guess that puts me in the former category, as I do catch myself reminiscing about how things were done in the golf world pre-high tech stuff. I was reminded how much technology has changed in the past 30 years when Adam Ikamas was flying his drone over the Can- Am tournament last week, and nobody was even in awe, as drones have become relatively ubiquitous, and are used for many commercial activities now. There are many people that eschew technology, contending that computers, cell phones, apps and gadgets take away from the creative process; that golf designs, in particular, devised using technology lose the “home baked from scratch in a brick oven” quality. This is a fallacy. Yet, if technology were relied upon completely, it would likely cause the demise of creativity and quality in a golf creation. When I first started as an architect back in the early 1990s, technical ink pens were still the norm for creating drawings. I am actually very glad I was part of this era, prior to the use of CAD systems, as it gives me a great appreciation for that skill set, and the comparably long time it would take to produce drawings and documents versus today, when similar drawings can be created in a fraction of the time using computers. Just as most people cannot fathom how they achieved all they did prior to cell phones, the same is true with the creation of a golf course design; it seems like forever ago. I contend that new age technology has enabled the creativity of golf design to be enhanced. Even if restoring an old classically designed golf course, technology can aid in making a design seem “old”; because technology helps free up time. And, with this extra time, if chosen as a priority, designers can spend more effort in areas that truly have an effect, versus using that same effort for tasks that might not be as valuable - such as drawing lines. To put some numbers to this contention, say it takes 1000 hours of a designer’s time to create a golf course from start to finish, including all tasks -----------------------1 Course Conditions | Spring 2018 n Free Online CEUs now available through your myHarrell's account. Gold Partner Your rainy-day plan for firm, healthy greens. EarthMAX Scfl Amendment Don't let excess soil moisture drown your hopes of maintaining dry, playable surfaces. Rely on the unbeatable combination of Fleet® plus EarthMAX®. Fleet® increases water infiltration and hydraulic conductivity. EarthMAX® works below the surface to enhance root growth and vitality. The result? Top-to- bottom preservation of turf playability and health, even when higher moisture conditions are possible. MIKE RUPP SEMI/NWOH 419-764-3422 ANDY GILROY SEMI 586-917-3851 TONY STALEY SW Ml/NW IN 574-340-1105 MARC MCCOY Western/Mid Ml 616-902-6196 DOUG JOHANNINGSMEIER Oakland County/SE Ml 248-302-2054 KIMBERLY ROULEAU Northern Ml 989-370-5250 For details, visit harrells.com or call your Harrell’s sales representative today at 800.282.8007. !•! Harrell’s K Growing a Better World’1 Harrell's Balanced Approach Annual Programs Your prescription for year-long nutrition Using your soil, tissue and water samples, we dial in your specific needs for a turf health program with a combination of granular fertilizer, wetting agents, foliar nutritionals & soil amendments, adjuvants & colorants, and plant protectants. Ask our TurPh.Dudes to show you the difference a Balanced Approach makes as seen in results of trials conducted at major universities. Submit your questions to turphdudes@harrells.com or Tweet us @turphdudes. Are you ready to take a Balanced Approach? Visit www.harrells.com/balancedcipproach or contact your sales representative today. f.f Harrell’s B J Growing a Better World ’ www.harrells.com | 800.282.8007 FROM CAMPUS DR. KEVIN FRANK, MSU TURFGRASS EXTENSION SPECIALIST Graduate Student Research at MSU Graduate student research and the lack of an impermeable cover and also due to the incorporation method. The results suggested no substantial effects on seeded CBG regardless of rate or seeding date. Greens height data showed desirable control of annual bluegrass, further solidifying the essential function of an impermeable cover. Chemical priming and plant growth regulator effects on drought resistance characteristics of creeping bentgrass. Francois X. Rucamumihigo (advisor Dr. Emily Merewitz) Despite widespread use of plant growth regulators (PGRs) their interaction with other plant treatments associated with stress tolerance is poorly understood. Greenhouse and growth chamber studies were conducted to determine the effects of seven chemical priming compounds on drought responses under growth chamber and field conditions on ‘TV creeping bentgrass. The treatments were: control, trinexapac-ethyl (TE), salicylic acid (SA), gamma amino butyric acid (GABA), jasmonic acid (JA), TE + SA, TE + GABA, and TE + JA. Leaf relative water content (RWC), soil volumetric water content (SWC), leaf electrolyte leakage (EL), turf quality (TQ), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), canopy temperature depression (CTD) and leaf chlorophyll content were measured in plants under well-watered and drought-stressed conditions. Under drought stress in the growth chamber, TE+SA and TE treated plants had a significantly higher TQ and lower EL than the controls. TE+SA, TE, TE+JA, and TE+GABA treated plants had a higher RWC and lower CTD than the control. In field conditions, plants treated with TE+SA, TE, and TE+JA had a higher SWC, TQ, NDVI, and RWC than the controls. The results from this study suggest that out of the chemical priming agents tested, TE and TE plus priming agents (TE+SA, TE+JA, and TE+GABA) were most effective in alleviating drought stress of creeping bentgrass through avoidance and tolerance. The supplementation of TE with either SA, GABA or JA was the same as using TE alone. On-going Graduate Student Research Projects Understanding Cyst nematodes on Cool Season Turf Anna Stouffer-Hopkins (advisor Dr. Joe Vargas, Jr.) Based on the results of a nematode survey conducted in 2017 through the MSU diagnostics lab between 20-25% of greens surveyed are infested with cyst nematodes. I am investigating the life cycle and pathogenicity of cyst nematodes on creeping bent grass and annual bluegrass. My goal is to develop molecular diagnostic tools to separate and identify the species of cyst nematodes found on turf in Michigan. Japanese Beetle Biological Control through Ovavesicula popilliae Mick Piombino (advisor Dr. David Smitley) I am interested in insect biocontrol, specifically, creating evaluating and implementing biocontrol methods to control populations of invasive insects. I have been studying a microsporidian pathogen of Japanese beetle, Ovavesicula popilliae. I am evaluating the impact of Ovavesicula infection on grubs by inoculating field plots with the pathogen in October, then collecting them in May for analysis. I education has always been a key component of the turfgrass program at MSU. Jacob Bravo and Francois X. Rucamumihigo have recently completed their Masters degree. The effect of Dazomet on accumulated annual bluegrass seed and newly seeded creeping bentgrass. Jacob Bravo (advisor Dr. Trey Rogers) Field experiments were conducted at the Hancock Turfgrass Research Center (HTRC) to examine efficacy and post-treatment seeding effects of dazomet on renovated turf surfaces. Two experimental sites were used; a simulated golf course fairway and golf course putting green. This study consisted of two factors. The first factor, dazomet rate, included four levels at the fairway height: 131 Ib/acre, 262 Ib/acre, 525 Ib/acre and a non-dazomet control and 5 levels at the greens height: 65 lb/ acre, 131 Ib/acre, 196.5 Ib/acre, 262 lb/ acre, and a non-dazomet control. The second factor, re-seeding date, consisted of 4 levels: 6, 9,11 (13 in 2017) and 15 days after dazomet treatment. Both sites were prepped with a glyphosate application followed by aggressive cultivation. Dazomet was applied and incorporated with 1 inch of irrigation. Fairway height plots were sealed using subsequent irrigation while the putting green experiment was sealed with a plastic cover. All plots were re-seeded using 11b/M ‘Pure Distinction’ creeping bentgrass (CBG). Data was collected on the number of annual bluegrass plants (ABG) and CBG plants that germinated as well as the percent area covered by CBG and percent area unaffected by the dazomet treatment. Fairway height results showed no negative residual effects on the newly seeded CBG. Control of ABG was not considered sufficient, likely due to r Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association . ww.migcsa.org 12 will compare grubs in inoculated plots to grubs in control plots by looking at the mortality rate, weight, and infection levels of Ovavesicula and other pathogens. Effects of ethylene inhibition on annual bluegrass and its physiological response to ice cover stress Kevin Laskowski (Advisor Dr. Emily Merewitz) The goal of this research was to examine the plant stress hormone ethylene and the effects of stimulating or inhibiting it on annual bluegrass and the effects it may have on survival to ice stress. The field research component to this experiment includes measuring ethylene gas and plant respiration rates during ethylene treatment prior to winter. Annual bluegrass cup cutter plugs are then taken and frozen in a low temperature growth chamber half of which will get 0.5 in. of ice cover. After either 20,40 and 80 days in the growth chamber, plugs are removed and thawed to examine survival to ice and cold stress through measuring regrowth, antioxidant activity and cell membrane fatty acid composition. Elucidating the efficacy and kinetics of Dazomet, a methyl bromide alternative, to optimize comprehensive pest management program Thomas 0. Green (Advisor Dr. Trey Rogers) The proposed research will be designed to evaluate program-style approaches which evaluate fumigant alternatives alone and in combination with cultural and chemical inputs. Integration of chemical, cultural, and mechanical practices will likely be the best strategy for methyl bromide alternatives. The long-term goal of this project is to identify specific methyl bromide alternatives in turfgrass systems. The specific objectives will be to evaluate weed control as affected by select fumigants alone and in combination with cultural practices and herbicide treatments, quantify methyl isothiocyanate (MITC) distribution in soil after dazomet application to optimize efficacy, and evaluate the economic viability of evaluated methyl bromide alternatives. An evaluation of Dazomet + fraise mowed treatments without tarp cover for the eradication of annual bluegrass species in golf course fairways Ryan Bearss (Advisor Dr. Trey Rogers) Across all disciplines of weed science, it is generally accepted that the best weed management strategy is likely one that incorporates mechanical and chemical strategies. In the Summer of 2018, two, 2-year field studies will be initiated at the Hancock Turfgrass Research Center. The first study will evaluate the efficacy of combined fraise mowing and dazomet (Basamid G) treatments set at varying rates of irrigation, depths and intervals for suppression of Poa annua in fairway managed turfgrass systems without tarp cover. The second study will evaluate how different levels of fraise mowing surface disturbance treatments interact with varying irrigation cycles to influence the efficacy of dazomet for the suppression of Poa annua in fairway managed turfgrass systems without tarp cover. 57ANOAHB GOLF TheCHIEF Designed by a golf course superintendent to be used with the "Aussie Style" of bunker maintenance. This tine-less or "toothless" rake has two sides, a smooth side to help pack down the vertical sides of a bunker, and a side with ridges to rough up the / bottom of the bunker without leaving large grooves in the sand. I ...- 'Wrrrrnvrrrrct' THE CHIEF WILL COME IN A 20" (51 CM) HEAD AND WILL HAVE THREE DIFFERENT HANDLES: 54" (137 cm) Green Aluminum 60" (152 cm) Green Gator Grip 72" (183 cm) Green Gator Grip The Chief is in stock and ready to ship! STA/VOAfTO GOLF To learn more visit standardgolf.com Course Conditions | Spring 2018 13 THE WRENCH By Ben Beard Bridging the Gap: Maximizing the relationship between Grease Monkey and Grass Growers My name is Ben Beard and I am the Equipment Manager at Walnut Creek Country Club in South Lyon, Ml. Before coming As an Equipment Manager, our job is to supply the superintendent with the properly working equipment to help achieve the best turf conditions possible. That all starts with the relationship between the Super and the EM. Now my Superintendent, Scott Rettmann, and I may not agree on all matters, but we work well together and have the same goal in mind. We have an understanding, I can make his job easier and he can make mine easier as well. r-------Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association www.migcsa.org 14 to WCCC I was a Service Tech for the John Deere Golf distributor JW Turf, prior to that I had never seen a greens mower and the closest thing I had worked on to a reel mower was a grain head of a combine. Other than golf equipment I have worked as an auto and medium duty truck mechanic, apprentice electrician, and a towing recovery operator. As an equipment manager I am able to combine my love of the outdoors with my diverse mechanical skill set. The early mornings and long days are rough but watching the sun come up over the golf course helps ease the pain. Communication is key, which we achieve on a morning ride that Scott and I take around the course together each day. We discuss everything from daily tasks and course conditions, to status updates on our children to what's for dinner. Combining that with teamwork and the interest of a common goal is a recipe for success. One key to “bridging the gap" is for the superintendent to understand not only the equipment but also what it takes to properly maintain it. A good way to accomplish this is to get in the shop and ask questions! Do we relief grind? Why do we relief grind? What is relief grinding? The better a superintendent understands the equipment the more they will appreciate the EM and what they do. Also, with a better understanding of what equipment is available and what each piece is capable of, the superintendent is more likely to choose the best piece to achieve which ever task that needs to be accomplished. Along with a vast knowledge of equipment, a successful EM should have an understanding of the agronomic science behind the art of growing grass. You need to know why the grounds staff does what THE WRENCH having a successful operation, now let's remember the Assistant Superintendents as well, seeing that they are the ones in the trenches... literally! Working together on all tasks from equipment maintance and fabrication projects to budgets, hiring staff, and agronomic practices is a key to a smooth operation. An understanding and respect for one another will be a good foundation for a strong relationship between Superintendents and Equipment Managers! they do and the benefit is has on the turf, then take that knowledge and use it to help provide the proper tools to due so. Remember that we are all here for one reason, provide the golfer will premium playing conditions. So, if topdressing is needed, don’t grumble about it, instead order some bedknives and dust off your grinder! When you start to see a slight bronzing of the fairways, pull in your mowers and sharpen your reels. We know that the first mowing after aerification is not good for the reels, but the turf is going to love it. Keep in mind that your job is maintaining the equipment but the number one task is keeping the turf happy and healthy! Bridging the gap between Equipment Managers and Superintendents is a crucial part of Course Conditions | Spring 2018 1 2018 Spring Opener Stoatin The 2018 golf season kicked off with a rescheduled event due to weather which is fitting. On April 25th at Stoatin Brae it was a beautiful day to see the new course at Gull Lake View. Thank you to our host Charlie and Jon Scott along with MiGCSA Members Alex Yost, Andrew Brandt, Steve Holladay, William Paton and William Walters. It was a beautiful sunny and windy day for more than 60 attendees. The shotgun start went off at 10:00 and the group was in by 2:30 and treated to a fantastic spread of food prepared by the Stoatin Brae staff. The golf course and service was phenomenal all around. Here were the results from the day. Closest to the pins winners: Chuck Pohl & Josh Teitsma Long Drive: Ryan Osborn Charlie Scott answers questions about Stoatin Brae. MiGCSA Board Member Jeff Hopkins thanks the 2018 Industry Partners and staff at Gull Lake View. Winning Teams: 1st place Joe Rebone, Joey Stimac, Andy Vondra & Bob Stipcak. 2nd place Chad Kempf, Micah Wise & Josh Teitsma. 3rd p|ace scott Wilkinson, Mark Fink, Scott Goniwiecha & Matt VanAcker. f Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association www.migcsa.org Advanced TURF SOLUTIONS Advanced Turf Solutions is an INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR committed to serving our customers better than anyone in the industry. We have carefully selected the best organic and synthetic granular and foliar fertilizers, post-patent and branded chemistries, professional turfgrass seed, and accessories on the market today. We are proud to carry a wide variety of name brands including several exclusive lines. Foliar-Pak /T\ HOLGANIX □■BASF healthy . Dan Shemon Cell: 248.640.4439 Email: dshemon@advancedturf.com ArmOr^TeCh The Chemical Company Cell: 248.697.7182 Email: jsingles@advancedturf.com Russ Snow Cell: 231.206.2239 Email: rsnow@advancedturf.com Cell: 269.308.9652 Email: bfry@advancedturf.com Two Michigan-Area Locations 3562 W Jefferson Hwy Grand Ledge, Ml 48837 517.622.2700 3751 Blair Townhall Rd Traverse City, Ml 49685 800.636.7039 O SF © @AdvancedTurf www.advancedturf.com SUPERINTENDENT - DAN DINGMAN Dan Dingman, is the golf course superintendent at Birmingham Country Club, and this is his eighth year at the recently renovated private facility. He is a Michigan native, a graduate of Michigan State University and has also worked in Long Island, NY. He is married, and he and his wife Angela have two sons, Tyler, 8 and Will, 5. W < Dan Dingman HOW DID YOU BECOME INVOLVED IN THE GOLF BUSINESS? My dad was a really good golfer and I spent a lot of time at the golf course from age four or five. I was always around the hometown course (Willowbrook in Byron, Mich.) and started playing at a young age. When I was in my mid-teenage years the golf course provided a good opportunity to work early morning hours in the summer time on the crew, and do other things the rest of the day like play baseball. Prior to that, I started mowing lawns when I was 10 or 11-years-old. It started out with my grandmother’s house, then all of her neighbors until I had 10 to 12 lawns that I mowed. I grew up in Durand and I kept cutting lawns and worked at the golf course, too. WHEN DID YOU DECIDE YOU WANTED GOLF TO BE YOUR CAREER? I stayed home and went to junior college for a year and worked on the golf course. One of my dad’s buddies was an insurance agent, and I thought that is what I wanted to be. His lawn was one of the ones I mowed, too. I decided I wanted to be like him, and I was going to go to Central Michigan and study business. I was all set to go, but then Willowbrook hired a new superintendent that summer from Michigan State. I started talking to him. I didn’t realize before talking to him that turfgrass was actually a profession I could get into. After picking his brain that summer, I went to MSU, met with Dr. Trey Rogers, and hit it off with him. I applied and got accepted. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE COURSES YOU HAVE WORKED AT? After Willowbrook my Michigan State internship was at The Creek Club on Long Island. Then after graduation I got a job and went back to Long Island to work at Pine Hollow Country Club. I was an assistant superintendent there for two years and in 2000 came back to Michigan to be an assistant at Tam O’Shanter in West Bloomfield. I was there for eight years before leaving for my first superintendent’s job at Grosse lie Golf & Country Club for three years. Then the Birmingham job opened in 2011 and I applied. 18 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association www.migcsa.org WHAT PART OF YOUR EDUCATION DO YOU USE THE MOST? The relationships I established with professors at Michigan State have continued to be the benefits I use the most. The guidance and advice from the professors is incredible. You can learn all the stuff in the books, but the consultation and the constant guidance for career moves has been so important. The education continues. HOW HAS YOUR JOB AT YOUR CURRENT COURSE PROGRESSED? Since 2011 it has progressed quite quickly. We had an architect when I got here (Bruce Hepner) and we started on the golf course removing trees and widening it back out to where it originally was based on research, photographs, that kind of thing. We concentrated on that from the get go, and worked on that three or four years. Then after the winter damage of 2014 when we lost 60 percent of our green surface, the club decided we could not go through that again. So upon approval we started in the fall of 2015 on what was a complete golf course renovation. It’s been busy and seems to have happened very quickly. fj WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS OF THE MICHIGAN GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION? Being president this year, my expectation is that we uphold our mission statement. The mission statement really says it all. We are dedicated to providing value to our members through programs and services that enhance and promote our profession. fj WHAT IS YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH THE MICHIGAN TURFGRASS FOUNDATION? Since becoming a board member I’ve learned a lot about what they do, the relationship with Michigan State University and how important it is that the MTF supports what we try to do. One of our goals every year is to raise funds to support MTF research, fund graduate students, community outreach and all those types of things. fi DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE GIVEN BACK TO GOLF? Serving time on the board and seeing that through to becoming president has made me feel really good and like I’ve really accomplished something. I would encourage every superintendent to go through it, volunteer their time. You learn so much about the golf business and how it affects so many things. The students at Michigan State are important to me. I take part in mock interviews. I’m involved in the turfgrass club the students run. I like to hire students right out of school. In that respect I feel I’ve done my part. DO YOU HAVE HOBBIES OR SPECIAL INTERESTS AWAY FROM THE GAME? In the off-season I love to downhill ski. That’s the thing I look forward to outside of golf the most. I also like mountain biking and playing golf. I have been involved in coaching my sons the last couple of years in baseball and soccer. I like to hike. Last year I did my first triathlon. 5 THINGS MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT ME PEOPLE 1. I started working on a golf course when I was 14 yrs old. 2. I’m afraid of the ocean. 3. I despise tomatoes but love salsa. 4. I met my wife Angela in Breckinridge Colorado. 5. I used to be a good golfer before I had kids. Course Conditions | Spring 2018 19 I enjoy the training part of it. It gives me something to look forward to at the end of a long work day. iTO WHAT IS THE HARDEST PART OF YOUR JOB? It is finding that extra hour in the day because there is always something else to do, if only to keep from having it go to the next full day, which is already scheduled. Continually staying on schedule is hard, and sometimes you just hope Mother Nature cooperates. ■71 WHAT IS THE EASIEST PART OF YOUR JOB? Watching the sun rise every day, and working alongside good people. WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST ISSUES FACING GOLF? I think time. The time it takes to play a round of golf is difficult for a lot of people. You want to play as a hobby, but if you have kids in sports it’s hard to find the time. Parents are really busy. Most people I know, mom and dad work. It is difficult to get yourself in the game, and also get the kids in the game. I think the length of the golf ball is an issue, too. Some of the greatest courses in the world are becoming obsolete because golfers are starting to drive it 350 yards. Affordability is another issue. For a nice public course you are paying $65, $70. Wages, product costs, those kinds of things are all driving that. WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 10 YEARS? I see myself still working on the golf course, being an active dad and husband. © WHO HAS INFLUENCED YOU THE MOST IN YOUR TURFGRASS CAREER? I would say the two superintendents that I served as an assistant - Gerry Kunkel at Pine Hollow (East Norwich, N.Y.) and John Cooney at Tam O’Shanter. Gerry was like a father. I was in early 20s, from a small town in Durand, and my Dad took me out to Long Island and dropped me off. Gerry took me right into his home and I’m still very close to him today. Then John was a half-father, half-brother to me. I was his assistant for eight years, and I’m close with him, too. Also, Dr. Trey Rogers at MSU. He has helped guide my career path through today. There were two others, too, like brothers in Aaron McMaster at Orchard Lake Country Club and Brian Schweihofer at Franklin Hills. Both of those guys were getting their first superintendent jobs when I was a young assistant. They became good friends, we played golf, and when I went to apply to become a superintendent they really helped me out. WHAT IS THE MOST VALUABLE THING YOU’VE LEARNED THAT YOU USE ALL THE TIME? Steve Cook who left Oakland Hills and is now at Medinah said something in the early 2000s that has stuck with me through to today. He said in what we do perception is reality. Think about it. I put everything in life up against that. HOW DO YOU RATE THE IMPORTANCE OF A SUPERINTENDENT IN A GOLF OPERATION? Without the golf course there is no game. At least in the private industry to provide exemplary services you are dependent on the grounds staff and the golf staff to communicate and the superintendent leads that. WHAT PERCENTAGE OF TIME DO YOU DEVOTE TO NON­ AGRONOMIC GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT? In my time at Birmingham I would say office, 60 percent, and course 40 percent. With all the renovations the last seven years I’ve been in the office a lot. I saw myself out on the course a little more last year. I hope it trends that way again. © WHAT IS YOUR OPINION OF THE ROLE OF AN ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT? The assistant superintendent today is the superintendent 15 years ago. He or she wears a lot of hats and is really in charge of managing the maintenance of the golf course. They are the ones who are boots on the ground, walking every green and make sure every detail is getting done. The superintendent is busy talking to members, going to staff meetings and project planning, but also getting judged on what the assistant superintendent and crew get done. ■ hi WHAT IS YOUR OPINION OF THE ROLE OF THE GOLF COURSE MECHANIC OR TECHNICIAN? The mechanic is critical to the operation. The tech must be organized, efficient and level headed. Most operations could use more than one. WHAT IS YOUR OPINION OF GOLFERS WALKING VERSUS RIDING IN A CART TO PLAY? The golf experience is best enjoyed walking versus riding. But I understand cart revenue is paramount at most facilities. The cart also keeps people in the game longer. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST PET PEEVE IN GOLF COURSE ETIQUETTE? Not fixing ball marks and replacing divots - I’m sure you’ve never heard that before. It is pretty simple. If people could get a handle on those two things golf courses would be in much better shape. © Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association . ww.migcsa.org WHAT OPINION DO YOU HAVE OF GREEN SPEEDS IN TODAY’S GAME? I don’t get too caught up in a number, or worrying about what a number is. I’m a big proponent that the speed of the greens should complement the contours of the surfaces. Golf should be fun, not hokey. r*) DO YOU HAVE A HUMOROUS OR INTERESTING STORY YOU CAN SHARE FROM YOUR CAREER? Back in July of 2015 we had to drain a pond on No. 6 for the upcoming renovation. In that pond were fish we had to do something with. When we got it drained down to about three quarters, there were a lot of fish in there. We had permission to dump fish in the Rouge River that runs through the course, so I bought six pairs of waders, some nets, grabbed some buckets and watched as the guys on our crew tried to handle the fish and transport them to the river. It was hilarious. I wish I could show you a picture. It was comical. There were hundreds of fish. It was mucky. The guys were sinking in the muck and falling down. It smelled horrible. I was laughing. The guys were not laughing, though they did have a sense of humor about it. They were betting a dollar a fish on who would transport the most. SUPERINTENDENT / 3 • £ y : A .^‘4* nF J P yNamiC-^inc. www.cdi-mi.com Jfc— Terry Kerkstra tkerkstra@cdi-mi.com 616-216-8884 Skip Hall shall@cdi-mi.com 616-350-0869 Call UsToday! 616.896.2008 Course Conditions | Winter 2017-18 1 21 2018 National Golf Day BY: JEFF SWEET, CGCS MIGCSA VICE PRESIDENT _________________________________________ hanks to an early morning flight from Lansing, I was sightseeing in our nation's Capital by 10:00 am. After a long winter that lasted well into spring it was nice to see some leaves on trees and flowers blooming, it is hard not to be awestruck by all the history and beauty that surrounds you. It was a little difficult to get close to The White House and the Capitol steps because the President of France was in town and the streets were busy. After a nice lunch it was down to the business that brought me here, National Golf Day. Tuesday afternoon started with our keynote speaker, Bret Baier. He was a very good presenter with some entertaining stories. Then it was onto various speakers to help us navigate our upcoming meetings, Wednesday. I would compare it to a briefing with the goal of informing all the participants about the issues that we would discuss with our Legislators and their staffs. From the Farm Bill and the PHIT Act to H2B Visas, all topics were covered so we could go in prepared and on point. That night was a very well done Congressional Reception at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, it was a great networking opportunity. Wednesday morning was the start of a packed schedule. First off were opening remarks, group photos and Golf Day Kick Off. The Golf Channel and other media outlets were there to cover the events. After the opening it was off to see our Michigan legislators. With a joint session of Congress, we knew that we would meet mostly with the staff of our Senators and Representatives. But don’t discount that, like Golf Course Superintendents, the people behind the scenes usually are the ones to get the real work done. I met with Sen. Stabenow’s staff, Sen. Peter’s staff, Rep. Bishop’s staff, Rep. Moolenaar’s staff and I also met with Rep. Walberg face to face. John Moolenaar is the Representative for Michigan’s 4th District (my home district), a quick hello before he had to go to the floor for a vote, his staff was great as well as everyone else I met this day. Each meeting was productive as we discussed the benefits of golf; economic, environmental and social. Chava McKeel, GCSAA’s Director of Government Affairs did an excellent job of planning the activities of the week. I would say that GCSAA had the largest participant level compared to other organizations. A quick Wednesday evening flight home and I was able to tuck my daughters into bed. Overall, it was a quick trip that was productive and eye opening. You may not be able to 22 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association www.migcsa.org make it to National Golf Day, but you do have the opportunity to attend Michigan Golf Day on June 7th and have some of the same types of meetings on a local level. All politics are local and your elected officials rely on you to help them form policy. If you can't attend Michigan Golf Day and you want to see policy change write a letter or call your elected official’s office. Your voice matters and golf’s voice is heard thanks to the efforts of GCSAA. MiGCSA Vice President Jeff Sweet, CGCS with keynote speaker Bret Baier from Fox News. JWXURF John Deere GOLF SINCE 1987 AERATION, SPRAYING, AND MOWING WHATEVER YOU NEED AND MORE! Two Michigan Locations 6445 Alden Nash Avenue SE Alto, Ml 49302 & 29321 Garrison Road Wixom, Ml 48393 jwturf.com MiGCSA# Gold Partner TO THINK, FOR SOME IT'S ONLY A GAME. Others might see your course as a place to relax. Not your crew. From sun up to sun down, they’re fighting the elements, expectations and the clock—and in their case, losing is not an option. At SiteOne? we're obsessed with helping you and your team win, delivering the solutions you need to compete and the advice to take you over the top. Let the other guys play for fun, we mean business. 4>Site0ne ---------------------------------- Golf SiteOne.com Irrigation I Lighting I Turf & Landscape Maintenance I Nursery I Golf Course Maintenance I Hardscape I Pest Control Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association www.migcsa.org Phil Owen, CGCS, Awarded 2018 GAM Superintendent Award of Merit GAM Green Committee Chairman Jay Hultz presents the award to Phil Owen at the GAM Annual Meeting. he 2018 Golf Association of Michigan Superintendent Award Of Merit was presented to past MiGCSA Board Member and Class AA Retired Member from Warwick Hills Country Club Phil Owen, CGCS, at the GAM Annual Meeting on May 8th at The University of Michigan Golf Club. Phil received this award during lunch served from 12:00 - 2:00. He joins Ted Woehrle, Clem Wolfrom, Fritz McMullen, John Fulling, Jay Eccleton, Steve Cook and Jeff Holmes as recipients of this annual award. •••••••• MiGCSA President Dan Dingman with 2018 GAM Superintendent Award of Merit recipient Phil Owen, CGCS. Course Conditions | Spring 2018 1 J 25 INDUSTRY PROFILE - TOM SCHEMMEL Tom Schemmel Tom Schemmel is 50 years-old and has worked in agronomic sales for Site One Landscape Supply since last August. Previously he was the golf course superintendent at the U.S. Naval Academy golf course in Annapolis, Maryland for 20 years. He has been married to his wife Kimberly for 23 years and they have three children - Emily, 20, Hank, 18, and Cecilia, 10. He holds a certificate in turfgrass management from Michigan State University. HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN THE GOLF BUSINESS? I started working on golf courses when I was a sophomore in high school. I worked at McGuire’s Resort in Cadillac (now Evergreen Resort). I was on the grounds crew and worked there in summers after high school. Then when I went to Central Michigan (University) I worked summers at Blythefield Country Club in Grand Rapids. I worked at Blythefield for four years for Roger Barton. After I dropped out of Central, I worked at Madden's Resort up near Brainerd, Minnesota. That’s where I got the spark to go into turf management. WHO WAS YOUR GREATEST INFLUENCE IN PERSONAL LIFE? It was my grandmother on my Mom’s side, Grandma Nelson. All her euphemisms I have found to be painfully accurate. I didn't know what she was talking about when she told me, but as I moved through life every one of them has been spot on. She used to tell me find something that you love to do, and don’t worry about the money. Do it the best you know how, and the money will come, you will be successful in life. She was really smart that way. Another one was be part of the solution, and not part of the problem, which is so true. All these things I find myself telling my kids are things I heard from my grandmother. WHO WAS YOUR GREATEST INFLUENCE IN YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE? Stanley Zontek - he was my USGA agronomist for the 20 years we were at the Naval Academy. I met him there and he became a great friend and mentor. We were at the halfway point in his territory and we would go crack crabs and drink beer. He was full of good advice on my career path, and how I approached the maintenance on my golf course, but also with how to deal with people, membership, all kinds of things. He was always somebody I turned to for advice. Another guy was Jack Lengyel, who if you’ve seen the movie Marshall, you know him as the coach after the plane crash. He was the athletic director at Navy for several years. He was also instrumental in my career. CAN YOU SHARE A FUNNY STORY FROM YOUR CAREER? One of the best happened when I was young and worked at Blythefield. They had just built the new storage barn, and that first day in there it began to rain. We were pulling equipment in out of the rain, and one of the guys on the crew pulled in the GA 30 - a riding aerator. While he was backing it up on the brand new concrete floor he accidently hit the engage pedal instead of the traction peddle. He bounced around like a guy on a wild bull trying to ride the bull at the rodeo. 26 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association www.migcsa.org WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE ARE THE BIGGEST ISSUES FACING SUPERINTENDENTS TODAY? One of the biggest issues for superintendents is with the regulatory agencies and all the regulatory demands that are being placed on golf courses. Also, I believe water management is really going to come to the forefront in the future. They are already paying for water in California and Arizona, and I think it will be a huge issue in the years forward. Really the overall smart management of water is going to be an issue. WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS WHEN WORKING WITH THE MICHIGAN GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION? I think it is important association for networking, and also it gives superintendents a support system. Also, it supports the universities and research, which I think is very important. It’s a group that has one voice with government and regulatory agencies and educating them on what superintendents actually do is really important. WHAT IS YOUR BEST ADVICE TO DECISION MAKERS WHEN DOING BUSINESS? The first thing is do your homework, know what products are out there and know what you want in a product. Do your homework. That's the main thing. It is not always about cost of the product as long as you are meeting expectations with the product. WHAT IS THE MOST REWARDING PART OF BEING IN AN INDUSTRY SUPPORT ROLE? I think being able to give advice and being part of somebody’s success whether it is providing products, information or advice. This is kind of selfish, but it is rewarding to me to see all these great golf courses now, all the different kinds of courses and see the different ways guys are going things. I’m learning as much from them as they are from me. It is rewarding for me to ride out on course and have them show me what they are doing, especially if what they are doing is different than what I did as a superintendent. WHAT IS YOUR BEST SUCCESS STORY? I think raising my children with my wife. I think it is very rewarding seeing them grow up and grow up as good people, good citizens making good decisions. That’s my biggest success story. {K WHAT DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST ABOUT YOUR POSITION? I think renewing old relationships and building new ones with superintendents and my customers, and also meeting the people in the new company I work for. I guess I’ve taken charge of my life at 50-years-old. We made a conscious decision to uproot our family from Maryland and move back to Michigan and start a new career. I’m excited to be with Site One. It’s a great company and they are great people to work with." HOW MANY DAYS OF THE YEAR ARE YOU ON THE ROAD? I haven’t been here a year yet, and we don’t go out as often in the winter, but I imagine 200 days will be the case. WHO HAS THE NICEST SHOP YOU CALL ON AND WHY? I don’t really compare shops. They are all different. Some are nicer than others. Every shop has its own character. All are unique. Some have better budgets. THINGS PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT ME 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. I enjoy spending time with family. I like to shop auctions and garage sales. I enjoy cooking. We like to explore new places and restaurants. I am a sports enthusiast. Course Conditions | Spring 2018 27 r Tracti ?n GAIN WITH NEW DUAL-FRAC TRACTION™ FUNGICIDE FRAC 29 AND 3 MODES OF ACTION PREVENT RESISTANCE DEVELOPMENT 99% DOLLAR SPOT CONTROL, STUDY AFTER STUDY COMPARED TO COMTROt/TRACTIOM APPLIED AT 1.3 FI001,000 SO FT RATE 99% DOLLAR SPOT CONTROL 99% DOLLAR SPOT CONTROL 99% DOLLAR SPOT CONTROL INGUAGIATO.J.C UCONN AUG 2,2016 INITIAL APP: JUN1 R. LATIN PURDUE AUG 26, 2016 INITIAL APP: JUN 8 JOE RIMELSPACH OHIO STATE UNIV JUL26.2016 INITIAL APP: MAY 19 Applied at 1.3 fl ozper 1,000 sq ft 114 day interval I Inguagiato, J.C. I UConn 12017 0 GREENS AND TEES FAIRWAYS AND APRONS FOR ALL COURSE AREAS QsA JASON FAUSEY T&O Technical Services Director, Nufarm Americas RICK FLETCHER Technical Services Manager, Nufarm Americas Q: HOW CAN TRACTION " HELP ME MANAGE DISEASE RESISTANCE ON MY COURSE? Because ofTraction's unique formulation containing two different mode of action groups and two different plant location strategies. Traction is very effective for use in fungicide resistance management programs. Regular use in a rotational program with other modes of action or as a tank-mix partner will prevent or delay the development of disease resistant populations at your location. Q: HOW IS TRACTION GOING TO OFFER A BENEFIT OVER SECURE* WITH THE SAME ACTIVE INGREDIENT? k: Traction offers several benefits overfluazinam alone. Fluazinam is a broad-spectrum highly active multiple site contact fungicide, yet the addition of the DMI fungicide tebuconazole brings another broad-spectrum systemic active ingredient with a second mode of action for resistance management. Q: CAN I BE COMFORTABLE APPLYING TRACTION IN THE SUMMER SINCE THE TEBUCONAZOLE IS A DMI? A: Yes. In our university evaluations. Traction has displayed excellent results and turf tolerance. We feel confident when used in a rotation program that Traction can be applied in all seasons. Q: WHY DOES TRACTION HAVE ONLY ONE LABEL RATE? .: The single use rate for Traction is based upon the EPA mandated fluazinam rate per acre. The application rate for Traction maximizes the amount of fluazinam allowed per application and provides a proven rate of tebuconazole. Q: WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE TO FIT TRACTION INTO MY ROTATIONAL SPRAY SCHEDULE? A: Traction has the flexibility and spectrum of activity to be placed throughout the spray season. It makes a great product to use and ensure a broad range of foliar diseases are controlled prior to utilizing a more targeted fungicide with a different mode of action such as Pinpoint®. ©2018 Nufarm. Important. Always read and follow label instructions Traction™ is a trademark of Nufarm Pinpoint* is a trademark of Valent U.SA LLC Secure* is a registered trademark of Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha. "TRACTION PERFORMS AGAINST MAJOR TURF CHALLENGES, CONTROLLING 19 SUMMER DISEASES AND ALGAL SCUM WHEN AND WHERE YOU NEED IT." JASON FAUSEY T&O Technical Services Director, Nufarm Americas GAIN POWER GAIN MORE WITH TRACTION NEW Traction™ Fungicide combines two unique modes of action into a convenient premix for strong performance against major turf challenges, including anthracnose, dollar spot, brown patch and snow mold. This new powerhouse stops 19 diseases and algal scum in their tracks. Plus, Traction promotes dark, green, healthy turf throughout the growing season - even during summer stress conditions. It's time to gain traction. INDUSTRY PROFILE WHICH ONE IS THE BEST TURF CARE PROFESSIONALS CAN ATTEND? I would say the golf industry show. It allows you to network with people who are not from your state. I have a lot of friends and a lot of people I know that are not in Michigan. I get to see them there, and a lot of classmates who work in different states. HOW MANY ROUNDS OF GOLF DO YOU PLAY IN A YEAR? My son plays a lot of basketball for Clarkston, which won the state championship. Now he is getting a chance to play at the next level at Grace Bible College in Grand Rapids. A lot of time is devoted to that. Now that I am not a super and I have to pay for golf, my interest level is different, too. I played probably 20 times last year, 15 to 20. HOW DO YOU THINK THE INDUSTRY WILL BE DIFFERENT IN 10 YEARS? I think be more heavily regulated. Again, that gets back to how golf courses use water and I really think that will be the big issue moving forward. ARE THERE ANY NEW PRODUCTS ON THE HORIZON? Absolutely: I think there will be, especially low active ingredient in pesticides, things like that. DO YOU HAVE A FUNNY STORY YOU CAN SHARE FROM THE ROAD? It wasn’t really a funny story, but you see things being on the road that you didn’t see working at a golf course. I was in Detroit at a stoplight for instance, and I saw a drug transaction by a dumpster. I remember telling my wife, I think I saw a drug deal for the first time. WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE BEST PRODUCT YOU OFFER AND WHY? I think our whole line is great. There is such a broad spectrum of products, and that is what makes us unique to other companies. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ITEM TO SELL/DEMONSTRATE? Anything anybody is buying. Whatever they are buying, I’m willing to show it to them. ■ 1*1 WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF COURSE TO PLAY? I think the Naval Academy Golf Course just because it was my course and the course I managed. I’ll enjoy playing it in the future now that I’m no longer the superintendent. When I played as superintendent the scorecard always ended up being my laundry list of things to do. IF YOU HAD A DIFFERENT PROFESSION, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Probably investment banking because the stock market and all the financial stuff is interesting to me. I would probably be a stock broker. J DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE GOLFER AND WHY? I have two actually. First, Byron Nelson and the whole reason is that I was able to meet him and spend a - ------------------------- little time with him. He was an amazing man. And Billy Hurley, who is on the PGA Tour now. He is a Naval Academy grad, played on the Navy golf team and I got to know him pretty well when I was the superintendent at Navy. HAVE YOU EVER HAD A HOLE- IN-ONE? Negative. I haven’t played a whole lot in the last 20 years. I played more last fall than I have in the last five years. WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES OR ACTIVITIES AWAY FROM GOLF? With the three kids, life is whatever they are doing. You don’t have a lot of time day in this day and age, especially if your kids play sports. You are taking them to field hockey, soccer or whatever. If I do get some extra time, I like to fish and hunt. IF YOU COULD TRAVEL TO ANY TIME IN GOLF WHEN WOULD IT BE AND WHY? I guess it would be the year Byron Nelson had all his victories (1945,18 wins, 11 consecutively). That would have been neat to see. WHO HAS THE BEST MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT DOG? I like any of them that won’t bite me. Each one I have encountered has been nice. HOW MANY CONFERENCES AND EDUCATIONAL EVENTS DO YOU ATTEND PER YEAR? I haven’t been doing it long enough to answer. We are continually getting updates on our products. We partnered up with Rainbird in Michigan and now we are Rainbird distributors in Michigan. I feel like I have been drinking out of fire hose since I started with a lot of conferences and meetings with all the organizations. 30 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association www.migcsa.org "I;?.' u m i 1^1 i IIRS BMIfliRW 1? 1 A Family of Unique Products Powered by Advanced Technologies Developed by an Iconic Industry Leader Target Specialty Products™ is proud to introduce two new lines of professional granular products that deliver customized solutions to the professional turf manager: • Turf Fuel G™: advanced technologies that meet the most challenging requirements • TS Pro M: quality products designed for everyday demands / TURF fuel G POWERED B - ( ' 'PRO TECHNOLOGY target-specialty.com V3B3QQ Gaylord: 855-737-4339 Grand Rapids: 616-877-3744 Wixom: 855-737-4339 Platinum Partner Michigan TURFGRASS FOUNDATIONMTF Founded 1057 A Message From Education • Research • Extension pdating items on the MTF agenda and where we are as a Foundation is easy. The MTF is in constant motion with its required fundraising, interaction with both Michigan State University and the Turf Team Professors, event planning, Scholarship, allied associations, budget considerations....to be honest, the list is limitless. Those who have served on the Board for the MTF are fully aware that the amount of time to properly address all the issues can be daunting. Those who take on the role as a Board Member do so as a volunteer....a volunteer who feels they can make a difference and improve a product that already has a pretty good reputation. But no one flourishes on past success for long. Henry Ford changed the world as we know it with his mass production process. Certainly, sooner or later someone else would have provided this method. But the fact that he did takes him to a place where others will not be able to. Your current Board of Directors have a similar mind set. They may not change the world....but they will make the MTF a better organization. Those who are members of the MTF can be assured that each of the 12 individuals are pulling their own weight knowing that success will take care of itself. The purpose of the MTF is to provide funding for research at MSU and over the years the research developed by our Turf Team has been exceptional. Our current board would like to keep the MTF membership updated on what the Turf Team is involved in and have set about a process to help produce that information. As someone who has been involved with the Turf Team for many years I can attest they are constantly in search of ways to improve the turf industry. It is the MTF’s job to relay those developments to our members. Currently, Board Members Dan Mausolf and Jeff Holmes have taken the task of gathering and forwarding this information. The Foundation looks forward to hearing any input that may help with Dan and Jeff with their efforts. As your reading this, we will have completed our TeeTimes4Turf and I would like to thank all the courses who willingly allowed us to include them on our list of courses. The TT4Turf Auction has become one of our most successful fundraisers during the year. The interaction between the clubs and Turf Research is important to both groups and the synergy from this event makes a great deal of sense. During the upcoming summer we hope to include more clubs for next years TT4Turf and if asked to participate we hope that you may consider doing so. Again, thank you to all the clubs who donated this year...as we go to print the number of clubs have increased and that can only mean additional funding for research. If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself. - Henry Ford 32 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association _ Another goal set by our President, Amy Fouty, is to increase our membership and our efforts are starting to pay off. Earlier this year we sent out mailings to all members who have lapsed/not renewed. The response to those have been significant. It indicates to us that it is important that we work harder to communicate ....any way we can ....to produce results. Membership to the Foundation has a different appeal and expectations than what many may perceive for other organizations. Certainly, research and updates to what is the most current turf news is important to our followers. But as your Executive Director, Adam Ikamas, once pointed out, information in todays world can be uncovered by a simple keystroke. Truthfully, it is a blessing to have that capability. So why belong to the MTF if research is available anywhere? There really isn’t a simple answer. But belonging to the MTF shows that we in the state of Michigan are in this industry together, we have common goals and are proud of what and who we are. And we are moving forward.... we will let the success take care of itself. Upcoming Events To Remember: L._________________________ Speaking of the Field Day. The mtf would like to acknowledge both Mark Collins and Jesse Scholl. Mark recently retired as the Manager of the Hancock Center this spring and his duties included more than you can imagine with the Turf Team, Hancock Center, MTF, MSU and so many more. He was the point person for our Annual Field Day and has been an asset to many of us over the years. Thank you Mark for all your hard work and all you did for the Turf Industry. Jesse Scholl was chosen to take over the management of the Hancock Center and the Board of Directors were thrilled with the selection of Jesse and look forward to working with him in the future. Jesse has been active with the MTF for years and he is certainly the right person to continue the work the Mark put in place. Thanks Mark and Jesse for all you have done for our industry. I would like to also take a moment to thank all those who took the time to offer their encouragement and congratulations on my taking on the role as Executive Director of the MTF. It has been exciting to be a part of something important in our industry and 1 hope to continue to improve all we have to offer. Thank you, Carey Mitchelson Executive Director - MTF LAFONTAINE June 21st, 2018 FIELD DAY August 15th, 2018 MTF ANNUAL TURF CONFERENCE January 22 - 24, 2019 Course Conditions I Spring 2018 Jl ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT - TREVOR MILLSTrevor Mills ■ B HOW DID YOU BECOME INVOLVED IN THE GOLF BUSINESS? TREVOR: My wife is an art teacher. When she got her first teaching job up here in Northern Michigan it gave me the opportunity to get in something I might love. I applied for a mow- and-go staff member opening at Crystal Mountain, and got it. I started working on the golf course. I moved up from mowing to sand traps, then learned to walk mow greens, then spray tech, then an assistant job opened up and I went for it. Luckily I got it. I’ve learned all the jobs here. I guess the key thing is to be willing to learn. DAVE: This is my first job in golf. I’ve been in the landscape industry for 40 years now in one aspect or another. I worked at nurseries, ran landscape crews, worked for lawn and garden manufacturers and finally got involved here. Three years ago Jason's daughter and my daughter were on the same soccer team. We talked at games, and he expressed to me that he wished he could find a person to trust to run the golf course. He said it at the right time. I was working for a company and I wasn't happy with it. I told him to give me a try. Long story short he interviewed me and gave me a shot. It's great it happened. Trevor, Jason and I love working together. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE JOB? TREVOR: The first day I was on a Sand Pro it felt like I was in my own little Zen garden. I’m thinking, ‘they are paying me to do this?’ I was outside, on a golf course, running a cool machine and grooming a beautiful golf course for people to play. I know I had smile on my face. That hasn’t stopped since. DAVE: I love being on the course. Cutting cups on a beautiful day when the sun rising is great. I like when everyone is in motion grooming the course. You look around, and then you focus on cutting that perfect cup. Trevor Mills is 36 and has been an assistant superintendent at Crystal Mountain Resort for three years and an employee for five years. He worked his way up from a part-time mowing job on the crew for Superintendent Jason Farah. He holds an associate degree in photography from Lansing Community College. He and his wife Elizabeth have two children - Ivy and Sam. r 34 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association www.migcsa.org ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT - DAVE SUSALSKI WHAT ARE YOUR CURRENT RESPONSIBILITIES? TREVOR: Currently Jason gets us involved in everything. We come up with game plans for the day. Typically, it boils down to getting the staff going in the morning. We are working managers. We get out on the course to make sure everything is going right, and we focus on whatever is needed for that day. There are always so many things to do. Jason is grooming me to see all sides of it. DAVE: I do everything that a head superintendent would do, including hiring and managing staff. We are definitely working assistants. We keep Jason freed up for what has been an increasing administration role in the sport. ON THE JOB, WHAT PIECE OF EQUIPMENT WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE IN YOUR ARSENAL FOR GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT? I TREVOR: It’s a big list. I guess that answer could change depend on what part of the season we are in. In the fall, leavers are a big deal. I always thought a Rake-O-Vac would be great. DAVE: I would love a Toro Rake-O- Vac. We have huge leaf management and a lot of time in just removal. That would help us in a big way. It would run non-stop three weeks in the fall. WHAT IS THE OLDEST PIECE OF EQUIPMENTY STILL BEING UTILIZED IN YOUR FLEET? TREVOR: We definitely have some older equipment. I don't know the year, but we have a Cushman. It has some quirks, but it is still going. We top- dress with it. It’s just a good utility vehicle. DAVE: I guess an old Kubota tractor. It’s amazing it still runs. It may not be the oldest piece, but it is tired. It only lifts 800 pounds. WHO ON YOUR CREW MAKES YOU LAUGH THE MOST? TREVOR: Oh man, we have a lot of characters on our staff. Jason is actually a funny dude. He knows o Dave Susalski is also an assistant superintendent at Crystal Mountain. He has been there for three years after working for 40 years in the landscape industry. He is 57 and is a graduate of Central Michigan University. He majored in general biology and minored in business administration. He and his wife Lindsay have two children, Blake and Bryden. Course Conditions | Spring 2018 how to keep pressure off while we are trying to handle business. His mission statement is to have a positive work environment and it is that. DAVE: We have a senior named Wayne Taylor. He has been with us three years and when he talks on the radio he says some funny things. We had a crazy raccoon on No. 3 last year and to hear him talk about the deranged raccoon on No. 3 was just funny. IF YOU HAD A MULLIGAN ON A DIFFERENT CAREER CHOICE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? TREVOR: It’s a true fantasy. I would want to be the first amateur golfer to slip on the green jacket after winning the Masters. DAVE: This is my Mulligan. I was in sales seven days a week, working on a laptop and driving 50,000 miles a year. I wanted to get back outdoors and this worked out really well. I was driving my wife half crazy. We are much happier. IF YOU COULD CHANGE ANY GOLF HOLE ON YOUR COURSE WITHOUT REPERCUSSION, WHICH ONE WOULD IT BE? TREVOR: I would say No. 10 Betsie Valley. It’s a crazy tee shot, blind, into a huge hill and then takes a hard dogleg to the right. The hill just needs to be redesigned. DAVE: I think No. 16 on Mountain Ridge. I wouldn’t change the hole itself, but do something about the huge mature trees on the hill on the right. Those trees make it impossible for a 10-plus handicapper like me to give it a shot to go over them. WHAT IS THE CULTURAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICE YOU COULD NOT DO WITHOUT? TREVOR: Everything we do works in concert together, so it is hard to take one out of the group. I’m a big fan of aeration with the deep tines in the fall. There is so little disruption. You can roll it out and play on it the next day. DAVE: We use a tine that goes in and fractures the soil here. It doesn’t leave a big hole, but we have to get air in the soil a couple of times a year. If we don’t, it’s a major problem. ■ W WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS FROM THE MICHIGAN GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION? TREVOR: I’m really just getting my feet wet with them. I love the networking and how they get the conferences together for everybody. A guy like me hasn’t gone through the formal training, so I have a lot to learn. I really enjoy being a part of it. DAVE: I think as resource of information and also to promote networking. Getting supers together and assistants to network is great. Education, too. Things change in the industry and you need help continuing to learn and being updated. WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST ISSUES FACING ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENTS TODAY? TREVOR: I think there is a lack in opportunities to become a career assistant. I don’t think most assistant super positions are created to be a career choice. It’s a revolving door at a lot of places, Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association I www.migcsa.org ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT •0 WHO HAS INFLUENCED YOU THE MOST ABOUT TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT? TREVOR: Definitely our Superintendent Jason Farah; he has taught me a ton. Without him I wouldn't be where I am today. DAVE: Jason Farah No. 1 because of the amount of time I have spent with him. Also, my brother- in-law Tom Stark, who is the super at Dunham Hills (near Hartland). He has been the super there for over 30 years. I walk his course and play it with him and I just absorb what he has done. © WHAT IS THE MOST VALUABLE THING YOU HAVE LEARNED? TREVOR: Jason has put me in a lot of situations and given me the range to deal with them quite a few times. As stressful as that can be, you learn when you walk through the fire. The most valuable thing he has taught me is to be organized and ready for the fires. Get there and execute. © just a stepping stone on to the next thing. I would maybe like to see change there. Keep staffs together, especially those who work well together. DAVE: Finding and keeping detail oriented labor. People who can pick up on what you are trying to do and have an eye for detail. WHAT IS THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF THE JOB? TREVOR: Getting good staff and getting them to respond. Certainly interns are passionate the way you are and enthusiastic about the details. But hiring staff, managing them and keeping them on the same page is not easy. DAVE: Having to sit down with employee who is not doing their part, and ultimately having to tell them they are no longer part of the team. WHAT IS THE EASIEST PART OF THE JOB? TREVOR: Working on the course; it is not without its challenges, and it sometimes demands a lot of time to make sure nothing happens. But compared to managing staff and hiring staff, being on the course is easier. DAVE: Doing the actual work, cutting the cup, raking the trap. WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 10 YEARS? TREVOR: For a good chunk of that 10 years I want to keep learning and hopefully can stay right where I am. I really haven’t thought about evolving beyond that point. DAVE: I see myself semi-retired, maybe still working at Crystal or another golf course part time. Playing more golf and trout fishing more, too. lPj HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED IN THE FUTURE? TREVOR: I would hope people remember me as being easy to work with and hard working. I hope they can think that my passion for the game never faded. DAVE: I want to be remembered as a good example, a guy who was hard working and treated people fairly. Course Conditions | Spring 2018 DAVE: Being that the greens are our main focus on the course, I have learned that each green is different. Each green has its own microclimate and you have to treat each differently. HOW DO YOU RATE THE IMPORTANCE OF AN ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT’S ROLE? TREVOR: It is key. The assistants have to be extensions of the agronomic goals of the superintendent, and that means being not just one thing, but many things. You have to be a politician and turf doctor at the same time. You have to be in tune with what the superintendent wants to see, and then help him execute his plan. You have to be more than a set of eyes. DAVE: I rate it high in importance. Trevor and I have a goal of having Jason feel confident that when he is not directly on the course that we are taking care of things just how he would. WHAT IS YOUR OPINION OF THE MECHANIC? TREVOR: The mechanic is crucial. I’m not one. Without a mechanic we would fall apart. We make a lot of plans, but without machinery in top-notch condition we couldn’t make them happen. Their mentality is they love the problem solving. That is the prize at the end for them. That mentality is not mine, and that is what makes them so important to me. DAVE: He plays a huge role in keeping us moving and able to complete our work. If a key piece of equipment breaks down, he comes through in timely fashion to keep us moving. ffOwHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST PET PEEVE CONCERNING GOLF COURSE ETIQUETTE? TREVOR: As a golfer and a greens keeper you live in a duality. You understand the golfer wants it nice, peaceful and private, no sounds of machinery, but you live under the pressure to get something done on the course and there will be some noise. You have to fight the urge that the golfers are in the way. I’m not sure that answers that question. DAVE: Slow play; this is a resort course and we have busy days right out of the gate. If one early group doesn’t keep moving it slows up the whole day. You end up with five and a half hour rounds and nobody has a quality experience when that happens. WHAT ARE YOUR OPINIONS OF GREEN SPEEDS AND THE GAME OF GOLF TODAY? TREVOR: I love playing on smooth fast surfaces. It is great when they are groomed that way. I would say for some it is an obsession, and maybe there is ignorance as to what it takes to produce that condition. You have a plant living within the margins of its life. In the end we strive for consistency and we pull it off. People don’t realize how close we are to losing a green at times. Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association www.migcsa.org DAVE: It’s a complex issue. We groom the course for the Michigan Women’s Open each year, but those speeds are not good for the general play. You have to adjust speeds to who is playing the course, and try to be consistent. Fw IF YOU COULD CHANGE ANYTHING ABOUT GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT, WHAT WOULD IT BE? TREVOR: I will Geek out a little here. Its automated mowers. They are coming out and it’s wild what they can do. It doesn’t take away a job. That’s not what it is about. It creates an opportunity to get more done, and that is wildly interesting to me. DAVE: It seems we are always in a battle. It would be nice not to have a constant battle, and sometimes the budget doesn’t allow what you really want to do. DESCRIBE YOUR RECYCLING PROGRAM? TREVOR: Crystal Mountain has a great recycling program as a resort. DAVE: We are a green resort. We go out of our way. AWAY FROM GOLF, WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SPORT? TREVOR: Honestly, I grew up playing all kinds of sports. Golf is the only one that truly stayed with me. I guess I’m more the artist. I’m a drummer in a band. DAVE: It is fishing by far, with trout fishing being the favorite kind. WHAT TYPE OF HOBBIES DO YOU HAVE AWAY FROM GOLF? TREVOR: I like to play music. My son Sam has a drum set and we play. My daughter plays piano. Also, when I get away by myself I like to brew beer. I’m a beer hobbyist. DAVE: I have a lot of hobbies. My wife says I have too many - draw, paint, sketch, carve wood. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE GOLF COURSE? TREVOR: Arcadia Bluffs DAVE: I haven’t played it in long time, but Black Forest at Wilderness Valley. It is very isolated and just a beautiful piece of property. DO YOU HAVE A BUCKET LIST COURSE? TREVOR: Thinking about in Michigan, I want to play The Loop (at Forest Dunes) in the worst way. DAVE: My wife and I will be married 30 years, and we are going to celebrate with a trip to Scotland. I would love to play any one of the courses the British Open is played on. WHAT IS THE FAVORITE CLUB IN YOUR BAG? TREVOR: I have an old 52-degree Vokey wedge with oil can finish. I call it Trusty Rusty. I love it and pull it out all the time. DAVE: My hybrid gets me out of a lot of trouble. WHO IS THE GREATEST INFLUENCE IN YOUR PERSONAL LIFE? TREVOR: The family unit, my son, my daughter, my wife. They keep me honest. When they are around it is harder to grab a hoagie and find the couch. ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT DAVE: John Wooden, the basketball coach. I remember as a kid following UCLA basketball, and as I got older I learned more about him and his demeanor. He never yelled. He offered positive encouragement. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE FOOD OR RESTAURANT? TREVOR: My favorite food is sushi. If you are ever Cadillac way, find the Clam Lake Beer Co. It has great food, lots of beer on tap and amazing burgers. DAVE: I cook, and everybody, family and friends at least, like to have a Perch dinner at my house. WHAT VEHICLE WOULD YOU DRIVE IF YOU HAD A MONEY TREE GROWING IN YOUR YARD? TREVOR: I’m a big Subaru fan. I drive one currently. But with the new things in technology, a Tesla Model X. It would cut down on gas. DAVE: I was just joking about this. I don’t care what people think. For its beauty and engineering a new Camaro - convertible please. WHAT IS YOUR DREAM SCRAMBLE TEAM? TREVOR: Jason, my boss, my dad (Bill Mills) and my golf buddy Dan (Heiss). We play a few times a year together in scrambles and we are pretty competitive. You always have a chance with that team. Some day we will win something. I don’t know what. DAVE: I will go with Seve Ballesteros, Fuzzy Zoeller for fun and Jack Nicklaus as my teammates. --------------------------1 Course Conditions | Spring 2018 39 MiGCSA Past Presdient Jeff Holmes, CGCS again hosted the Western Spring Meeting this year. 2018 Spring Management Meetings The 2018 education season started in Plymouth at The Inn at St Johns on March 1st. More than 80 attendees made it to see another great lineup including Andy Staples, Staples Golf Design & Mike Kuhn, Michael Kuhn & Associates, Inc. on Irrigation: Where are we headed? Dr. Brandon Horvath, University of Tennessee on How do YOU design a fungicide program? and The Changing Face of Golf: Technology Tools for Saving Money & Increasing Fun at Your Operation, Geoff Corlett, President, TDI Golf, XGD Systems on Soil Water Management and finishing the day Fritz Seyferth, Principal and Founder FS/A www.team-fsa.com spoke about Managing a Multi-Generational Workforce. The second of the three Spring Management Meetings was at Egypt Valley Country Club in Ada on March 16th. Much better weather greeted more than 80 members who attended to see Kyle Miller, BASF on Application Nozzle Technology for Today’s Turf Professional, Mark Wilson, PGA on the USGA Proposed Rules of Golf Changes for 2019, Dr. Rick Latin, Purdue University on The Dollar Spot Dilemma & Current Topics in Turf Disease Control and finishing the day with Paul Jones, Steelcase, Manager Pricing and Incentives on Managing a multi-generational workforce. The third and final meeting at Treetops on March 29th. The day started with Aaron Hathaway from MSU on New Trends in PGR Use, Wayne Kukuk a Geologist from MDEQ Drinking Water & Municipal Assistance, Where Does my Water go? Fritz Seyferth, Principal and Founder FS/A www. team-fsa.com on Managing a Multi Generational Workforce and finally we were able to see Jon Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association www.migcsa.org 1 1M 1 - • f A? • _ • • • _ L~f L*' Scott from Jack Nicklaus Design speak about Travels with Jack. Also at this meeting was another great technician track thank to Dave Ertl at Traverse City G&C.C. Thank you to Dean Morrison of Jacobsen I Textron who spoke about The Jacobsen Eclipse 322 Hybrid Technology. And the “Jacobsen Tru-Set" cutting unit head. Bill Stone from JW Turf/John Deere on Factors Affecting Cut Quality. Gary Blanchard with Schaffer Oil Products and John Garlets, Toro/ Spartan on Sprayers of the Present. Another successful Northern Spring Meeting at Treetops Resort. Course Conditions | Spring 2018 1 41 Winfield united Helping You Win Service. Solutions. Insights. When it comes to your course, you need a partner that’s consistent. Count on us for the right products and the technical insights you need to help your business thrive. Call your WinField® United representative today to learn how we can help you win. Nick Binder - Professional Sales Representative (517) 974-4209 or ndbinder@landolakes.com adjuvants • dyes/wetting agents herbicides • insecticides • fungicides fertilizers • micronutrients winfieldunitedpro.com WinField is a registered trademark of Winfield Solutions. LLC. © 2017 Winfield Solutions. LLC r Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association ww.migcsa.org 42 First Green Field Trips Continue Around the Region FROM NATIONAL s the spring finally decided to show itself in Michigan, and much of the country, superintendents are off and running with the 2018 golfing season. Superintendents continued to take advantage of whatever it was Mother Nature threw at them, with many of you using the frost mornings completing fall projects, training staff, and working on the maintenance facilities to be even more productive this season. 2018 GCSAA programs and initiatives are also off and running. GCSAA and the First Green Foundation have officially come to an agreement which will see the First Green come under the umbrella of the Environmental Institute for Golf (EIFG). If you’re unfamiliar with the First Green, it is a tax- exempt nonprofit, which utilizes innovative STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education using golf courses as hands-on environmental learning labs, which is the only program of its kind. The First Green originated in the Pacific Northwest in 1997, and offers extensive resources for golf course superintendents, including online lesson plans, tips on connecting with schools, and information about hosting a field trip at your course. Golf course superintendents and industry representatives host students on field trips to teach on a variety of topics. I have been fortunate to be involved in a handful of field trips across the region, which offer the superintendent and golf course to connect with students, teachers and the community. Field trips can last anywhere from a couple hours, to a half-day. Typically, there are a handful of learning stations setup on the golf course where students rotate through during their time on the course. Sample stations may include: Soil Science Area and Volume Measurement Golf Course Maintenance Technology These are just a few suggestions, as you can put your own spin on the field trip and incorporate areas of the course which are unique to your property. Recent field trips have included rain gardens, pollinator environments, geocaching activities, and even a bald eagle nest. The agreement with the First Green will offer superintendents the ability to reach students of all ages and communicate the benefits of our profession and great game. It allows the opportunity to connect with the local community to highlight the environmental stewardship superintendents demonstrate on a daily basis, and the positive attributes golf courses bring to the area. Many of the students involved in these field trips have never stepped foot on a golf course or swung a club. Hosting First Green field trips are a great way to introduce students to the field of golf course management, and the game of golf. First Green field trips are just another tool in the toolbox superintendents can use to be community leaders. It allows superintendents and industry representatives to educate the public on the benefits golf courses bring using first hand examples, and be part of the active community; all while inspiring the next generation of superintendents and golfers. gcsaaw in, »8 Ll^. IhImIW** rtf