Michigan Chapter GCSA A1 Golf Course Superintendents Association of America a COURSE Issue #47-02 2020 Conditions Quarterly Publication of the Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association FEATURE SUPERINTENDENT 2020 MiGCSA President Rob Steger, CGCS Saginaw Country Club , 1 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Feature: Rebuilding the Bunkers at Edgewood Country Club Industry Partner: Matthew Weber, BASF, Sales Specialist Blaine Burch, Assistant Superintendent at Kalamazoo Country Club Michigan Chapter GCSAAlb MICHIGAN GOLFCOURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION Platinum Partner From Haulers and Carts A Textron Company to Sprinklers and Mowers. TORO. Spartan ffll Distributors Partnering with Michigan golf courses since 1947. 487 West Division Street Sparta, Ml 49345 1050 North Opdyke Road Auburn Hills, Ml 48326 800-822-2216 www.spartandistributors.com Contents 4 MiGCSA Board of Directors 26 From National 5 President’s Perspective 31 Industry Profile - Matthew Weber 7 Feature: Rebuilding the Bunkers 37 Off Course: Oakland County Sportsmen’s at Edgewood Country Club Club has been Promotes Michigan’s Outdoor Sporting Activities 11 The landscape spaces in between and alongside golf holes 42 Blaine Burch - Assistant Superintendent 16 Superintendent - Rob Steger, CGCS 47 MTF Updates 22 Call from Campus 50 Association Update Turf Team Activities during the Shutdown Course Conditions | issue #47 - Q2 2020 Michigan Chapter ©gcsaa COURSE Conditions BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT ROB STEGER, CGCS Mid-Class A Saginaw C.C. VICE PRESIDENT DOUG WARE TREASURER Greater Detroit-Class A City of Livonia SECRETARY/ RYAN MOORE TREASURER Greater Detroit-Class A Forest Lake C.C. FREE ONLINE GUIDANCE FOR TURFGRASS COMPLIANCE PAST PRESIDENT JEFF SWEET, CGCS Mid-Class A Bucks Run G.C. www.MTESP.org BOARD MEMBERS JEFF HOPKINS DOUG HOEH Western-Class A Northern-Class A Muskegon County Club Treetops Resort The modules in the program are: JOHN TUCKERMAN • Program Overview GENE DAVIS Northern-Class A Western-Class A • Site Evaluation Elk Rapids Golf Club The Ravines Golf Club • Wellhead Protection JARED MILNER JESSEE SHAVER Detroit-Class A Western-Class A • Pesticide and Fertilizer Storage Meadowbrook C.C. Gull Lake C.C. • Pesticide Mixing and Loading Pad ADAM GARR • Pesticide Handling and Application Detroit-Class A Syngenta Professional Products • Fuel Storage • Equipment Wash Pad ASSISTANT LIAISON TIM MATTY Greater Detroit-Class C • Emergency Response Country Club of Detroit • Buffer Strips EQUIPMENT BEN BEARD • Green Purchasing, Conservation, & Waste Reduction MANAGER LIAISON Western-Class EM American Dunes G.C. • Irrigation • DNR Wildlife Module COMMUNICATIONS JESSE SHAVER COLLIN ROMANICK COMMITTEE Gull Lake C.C. Blythefield C.C. Chairman MTESP Partners TOM SCHALL, CGCS CRAIG MCKINLEY Oakland University 1111 Buck’s Run Golf Club ROB STEGER, CGCS «■ JARED MILNER Saginaw C.C. Meadowbrook C.C. MICAH WISE Mfi iRTTna l|DAeyje I pprnen t] BRETT ROBERTS Site One HI Target Specialty JOE ETTAWAGESHIK 33MS U^MIflW Products Lochenheath Golf Club ITiB MGI Km Profile interviews conducted by Greg Johnson, Greg Johnson Media L.L.C. iMisiwaiMi 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. Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association ■ www.migcsa.org President’s PERSPECTIVE world without bunker rakes. If there is one A positive thing the global pandemic has done for us, it has showed us what is important in life (and golf). Instead of worrying about where the next baseball practice was my family turned our thoughts to having enough food in the pantry/freezer to sustain us for a couple weeks if necessary. The daily texts from my incredible wife about who needed a ride to what practice ended and we focused on our family. I would be lying if I didn’t say this wasn’t refreshing. The only issue is, I don’t think we were made to sit. Soon we began and finished projects started around the house and I found myself getting up earlier and earlier for work trying to formulate a plan that made our small staff as efficient as possible. My Twitter feed was filled with pictures of pool noodles in cups and discussions about how to make golf safe. The beauty of our profession and the game of golf is that they both allow social distancing. I’ve never seen players so happy to be on a golf course, especially a golf course that was not, and is still not up to our normal standards. Putting on slow greens with a smile, just happy to have the sun on their faces. Let’s hope this mentality stays when the world gets back to normal. It wouldn’t be right to not thank our Executive Director Adam Ikamas for all the hard work he put in on our behalf. I had the pleasure of talking to Adam almost daily during the shut-down, discussing the ever-changing regulations outlined in each Executive Order. As you all know what we could do seemed to change by the day and sometimes by the hour; carts, no carts, then carts again. The relationship the MiGCSA has with the Michigan Golf Alliance has helped golf have a voice in Lansing. The MiGCSA Board of Directors has also been incredibly dedicated, answering emails promptly and taking time to have Zoom meetings to tackle decisions that needed to be made on behalf of the Association. Making decisions when you have all the facts in front of you is easy, making decisions based on rules that have not been made yet is much more difficult. I’ve heard stories from around the State about how golf has fed healthcare workers or made sure laid off staff had food on the table and money to pay bills. The MiGCSA was able to raise $3,860 for members who needed financial assistance due to Covid-19 hardships (thank you Gene Davis for the incredible Course Conditions i issue #47 - Q2 2020 5 PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE idea). We have made three $500 payments, if you know someone who needs assistance please encourage them to apply. I hope that the philanthropic work that golf does for the community will someday change the narrative that golf is somehow the ‘bad guy’ and golf will be recognized for the 'good guy’ that it is. I did hear my first complaint about the length of the rough last week, so maybe things are starting to get back to ‘normal’; if the bunker rakes (and ball washers) never leave the barn, I would be ok with that. Rob Steger, CGCS GOLF COURSES GREENS HEALTHY TURF FAIRWAYS ROUGHS TEES PLUS ATHLETIC FIELDS 35 years of experience, quality SOCCER workmanship & customer satisfaction BASEBALL/SOFTBALL FOOTBALL Michigan Chapter MsGCSAA Golf Course Superintendents Association of America Bronze Partner Contact: Mike Wilczynski 419-356-6717 jwilczynski.htp@earthlink.net Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association | www.migcsa.org FEATURE Rebuilding the Bunkers at Edgewood Country Clu BY BRIAN BILFINGER, GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT, EDGEWOOD C.C. dgewood Country Club was established in 1928 and became member owned in E 1970. The course has updated and changed throughout the years however, the bunkers had not been touched since the 1990’s, with the exception of additional sand added as necessary. Easily the weakest feature on the course, the membership voted overwhelmingly to restore and rebuild the bunkers in the fall of 2018 with the project slated to begin in the fall of 2019. Course Conditions i issue #47 - Q2 2020 ’ 'Bl S8E Over time the original contours had expanded or shrunk, pea stone filled drainage trenches had lost their infiltration capacity, and rocks had migrated into the actual profile. The old bunkers were a labor expense vacuum, requiring large amounts of man hours to keep them even relatively acceptable. Surprisingly though, only a few actually had water holding issues. This could be due to some functionality in the 20-year-old drainage but more likely, benefiting from a naturally well-draining site. As the contours of the bunkers changed over the years, so did the enter/exit points for maintenance. Namely, they receded leaving only one spot for machines to access, resulting in pronounced and unsightly wear patterns. We contracted Midwest Construction out of Commerce, Michigan to perform the restoration. Utilizing a master plan by Bruce Matthews (and some on-site consulting), we broke ground September 23rd and were able to complete the project by the first week in December. The steps of the process are as follows: 1. Paint out new contours 2. Remove existing sand, drainage lines and 4” of the subgrade 3. Install new subgrade (clean clay source) and compact 4. Paint and install drainage lines 5. Install Best 535 Sand and compact Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association I wwvy.migcsa.org FEATURE Almost all of the bunkers followed these guidelines with the exception of four fairway bunkers. These were all constructed from scratch. As the game and grass lines evolved, the originals became obsolete. So, the new position was selected due to distance off the tee and proximity to the existing fairway line, bringing in the risk­ reward factor. Existing bunkers that were just “restored” were also brought back into play as well but already had sufficient yardage from the tee. While not quite the scale of project that I’ve experienced in the past, this was a much needed, affordable undertaking that checks another box in Edgewood’s effort to update infrastructure. Member feedback for the short amount of time they were allowed to play was very positive, specifically in regards to aesthetics and consistency in playability. If anyone is looking to perform a similar operation at their course, please contact me. I’d be more than willing to share any information that I gained during the process. Course Conditions I issue #47 - Q2 2020 Nutrition Comes Before Medicine HIGHLY EFFICIENT NUTRITION Efficient delivery of the essential nutrients to power daily growth and extreme stress fighting functions in the plant. Found in Photo Fuel, Minors Fuel Kelp, MZ-23 NUTRIFENSE™ Conditions fine turf for improved performance under stress. A collection of defense activators, plant extracts, antioxidants and protein precursors, sourced from 5 continents around the world. 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JOHN HARVEY, ASGCA, ASLA ne of the largest land uses found on a golf course approximately 121.5 acres on a 150 acre cool season or O is the area between golf holes are commonly warm season turfgrass course. comprised of grasslands, dunes, woodlands, fields, While much of the game of golf is focused from tee, meadows, wetlands, open water, rock outcroppings and fairway to green, a typical piece of land that hosts a course other notable landscape features. These areas can often be layout has unused or “wasted” slivers of land that can have under appreciated by golfers, course managers and course significant aesthetic, environmental and ecological value owners. Depending upon a myriad of factors related to the that should not be overlooked. specifics of each property’s physical characteristics, course design style, maintenance parameters and recognized It is often documented that the forested edge of a field or ecological diversity, this landscape can often be treated as golf corridor is the most ecologically diverse transition area an afterthought and consciously or subconsciously placed on a golf course. The sensitive or keen observer certainly low on the priority list from a maintenance perspective. At can attest to this account by the visual recognition of a times, very little attention is paid to these areas of the golf wide variety of plants, animals and insects species that are landscape if at all. In the worst cases, these spaces are present and traverse or inhabit these connective spaces. sometimes treated as orphan lands. As a golf architect, like my superintendents, my favorite time of the day on a golf course is early in the morning at According to Greg Stacey, Senior Manager of Market about daybreak where much of the birdlife and animals Research & Data with the Golf Course Superintendents wake up and can be seen and appreciated. Association of America, the median acreage of an 18-hole golf course in the US is comprised of 150 +/- acres, Much of the game today is focused on pace of play, ready where of that acreage, 95 acres are maintained turfgrass. golf and making the game great again, all of which I Therefore, the average net balance of 55 acres generally agree with and support 100 percent. However, part of the consists of: experience for me as a golfer, designer and as a person who appreciates nature is to embrace these “left over • 2.4 acresof Bunkers spaces” on the course’s property and understand how they • 2.2 acres of Buildings can be incorporated into the “experience” of the game • 2.4 acresof Parking Lots and help nurture their potential for all to enjoy, appreciate • 6.4 acresof Water Features and learn from. As golf course superintendents, you are • 15.6 acres of Cart Paths, Maintenance stewards of the landscape of golf and environment period. Facility & Misc. There’s no question that the traditional greenswards of golf require priority management within the budget, but how • 26 acres of Natural Areas can we embrace these areas and nurture them along when By taking a closer look at these figures, with approximately Mother Nature needs a little assistance? 26 acres of Natural Areas, there’s about 39% of an average Throughout my career, I’ve found that the most successful golf course that may have property that’s under-utilized superintendents are quite often the ones who actively and perhaps underappreciated or understood. In 2015, the involve their memberships, committees and average percentage of turfgrass on a US public and private stakeholders and encourage them to engage in bPI golf course averaged about 81% of irrigated coverage, or Course Conditions I issue #47 - Q2 2020 helpful dialogue and in the end, provide a civil forum for • The next step would be to conduct an inventory the exchange of ideas, education and appreciation of what of the spaces of land in between the golf holes is involved with course maintenance and enjoyment of the and along the perimeter of the parcel and identify property. the current plant materials types such as woody, wetlands, also the land’s hydrology, water features, When I fly into airports around our country, I often soils types, current maintenance practices (if notice golf courses and parklands. If it wasn’t for these any), grasses, wildlife value, cover, species habitat greenspaces, few vestiges of greenery would exist in major desirability, food sources and catalog native and metropolitan areas. They help make up literally “the lungs invasive species as potential criterion. Documenting of the city”. So how can we actively be the guardians of animals present through visual signs and game trail these pieces of the golf landscape for golfers, creatures cams may also be helpful. and critters to enjoy and thrive? As more suburban areas become built up, fewer and fewer open spaces are available, so how can we provide a management program Implementation of Plan that addresses underutilized and perhaps low functioning After establishment of the vision and review and cataloging wildlife areas on the golf course? of existing conditions, figure out a plan with interested parties that considers and evaluates the landscape value Development of a Vision that exists at the present time and how with the concept for enhancement of these spaces can be created, enhanced The creation of a “Vision Statement” is the first step in and cultured with budget dollars available or specifically this process. It will help guide the incorporation of these allocated to support the new vision initiative over the next neighboring spaces alongside the golf holes, more fully into 3-5 years. Here are a few tactics that can be considered for the golf course experience. incorporation into your plan of action. • Establishment of a vision for the golf course to be • If your natural areas have invasive plant species, prepared by the aforementioned parties and perhaps establishment of a tolerance threshold can be a in concert with the eyes and ears of your golf significant part of the program depending upon architect. There are other industry professionals that the site, origin of plant materials, species and plan may also lend some value to the team as needed. of action developed. Be proactive in developing They include arborists, wildlife biologists, consulting strategies on minimizing and reducing their presence agronomists, USGA Green Section member and native and influence on the surrounding plant communities. plant material specialists. While involvement of these professionals isn’t absolutely necessary, adding their • Part of the beauty and charm of a particular golf skillset to the team can complement and be beneficial course deals not only with the design strategy of to the overall outcome. the layout and inherent course aesthetics, but the ancillary charm of the surrounding landscape or Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association | www.migcsa.org within the natural landscape of the course. As an • Where cart paths on the course are routed alongside example, if trees and low growing understory trees these slivers of land, sometimes they can serve as a and shrubs block views to a rock outcropping, divider of play maintained play areas on the fairway significant stately tree or other feature of the side and a transition into rough, high rough and other property like a waterfall or distant views. Reclaim vegetative patterns like trees, wetlands and wildflower the experience by selective clearing/thinning of the areas on the opposite side of play. vegetative material obstructing the pleasant views. • The removal of widow-makers or dead, perhaps Remember, trees adjacent to irrigation and fertilized dying hazard trees is good arboricultural practice. turfgrass play corridors typically grow faster than However, where trees exist that presently are, or could standing alone in nature, even so, their enhanced become habitat for cavity nesting bird species and growth often goes unnoticed. mammals, perhaps more of a delicate and judicious • Reduce wall-to-wall mowing of out of play areas approach to their full scale removal makes sense. if currently part of course maintenance regimen. There’s no question, that a “safety first” approach Depending on soil types, existing soil seed bank, should be followed when evaluating removing and irrigation, fertility, insect and weed pressure, keeping snags and hollow cavity trees, but if they are these areas can be reestablished with grasses and out of “normal” play corridor, consider leaving these wildflowers that encourage pollinators, birdlife while trees and monitoring their inhabitants as part of the nurturing, food, cover and habitat for these beneficial sustainable initiative. These vertical tree skeletal inhabitants. structures can also be used by raptors for roosting and hunting perches. • Reduce irrigation - low or no spray zones upon establishment. Much of the plan of action for various identified location on the property will depend upon soils and moisture holding capacity. If some areas are targeted for spraying with a non-selective herbicide, tilling and replanting with grasses or wildflowers, once these vegetative areas are established, back off watering. • Depending on management plan and location, spot spray and/or cut down woody plants and broadleaf weeds or otherwise undesirable vegetation from Trees and Snags for nesting designated zone of treatment area to encourage NWF.org - Pileated Woodpecker the desirable vegetation to flourish. The links-style vegetation look of fine fescue and bluestem is often sought after, but it takes good planning, plenty of Snags - The Raccoon Wildlife patience, the right growing conditions and proper Tree wdfw.wa.gov cultural practices to help make it flourish. • If your club has an active group of people who are interested in the environment on the property, consider getting involved with BioBlitz. BioBlitz is a free species-counting competition designed to showcase the environmental value of the natural habitats found on your golf course. Participants that may include golfers, youth groups and other members of the community who gather at your course to identify plant and animal species located on your property. Contact Kat Findlay, Environmental Program Specialist, at kat@auduboninternational. org to sign up to receive information on the program. Also visit jhhttps:// auduboninternational.org/ BioBlitz. Image of #14 Ballyowen GC - Hamburg, NJ (Fescue & Bluestem mounding creates a great a great amphitheater for golf - Designed by Rulewich & Harvey) Course Conditions | issue #47 - Q2 2020 • Stormwater Management - with the amount of often found in forested habitat near water, which are impervious pavement on the property from cart insect rich areas. The mosquito-rich and forest-edged paths, clubhouse, parking areas and the maintenance environment along golf holes are similar to what facility, are there areas to capture and collect some bats prefer in the wild, says wildlife ecologist Kevina of this runoff to be used as ecologically beneficial Vulinec of Delaware State University. Because local biofilters and bio-retention areas to help “polish” and bat populations are threatened by habitat destruction clean the water for beneficial reuse on the course to and the fatal pandemic, White-nose syndrome, she supplement irrigation? Today, there are permeable says, golf courses can provide an important refuge. pavement materials available for cart paths that support The feeding rate of bats can help tame the summer groundwater recharge instead of point discharge insect issues quite commonly experienced by your of stormwater from sheet flow. Urban runoff from golfers, especially if you’re on a property that includes adjoining properties may also be a consideration for wetlands and other water features that are breeding incorporation into a water management system. grounds for mosquitoes. Quite often part of a management strategy can be to attract bluebirds to the property. Not only are they beautiful, but their song is a wonderful sound to enjoy on the golf course. More than half of an eastern bluebird’s diet consists of beetles, crickets, grasshoppers, and caterpillars. When the weather is cooler and insects are scarce, it’ll also eat fruits and berries. They make good partners in keeping insects in check. Saratoga National GC - Hole #15, SNGC Image (designed by Rulewich & Harvey) This strategic pond guarding the greensite of this par 3 is part of a lagoon system that was designed to provide strategy, esthetics and function of biologically polishing the stormwater runoff entering the property from upstream that contains sediments and leachates from the neighboring landfill and urban runoff. Bluebird House - Photo by Jeremy Woodhouse - Radius Images Including attracting When a diverse ecosystem is present on your property, bats as part of your depending upon location, various raptors including bald ecology program. There eagles can become frequent visitors as well. are 9 (nine) species of • If your program includes creation and cultivation of bats found in Michigan. plant material for food, cover and habitat preferred Bats feed on a variety by monarch butterflies and other pollinators, of moths, flies, beetles consider doing some research into Audubon and other insect like International’s Monarchs in the Rough program. mosquitoes. When This Program is offering free native milkweed and feeding under normal wildflower seed to golf course superintendents in conditions they can 28 states (including Michigan) to help facilitate the capture 600 to 1,000 creation of on-course oasis for monarch butterflies. mosquito-sized insects This program can be a great resource for assisting per hour. Bats are most Image of Typical wood bat house 14 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association | www.migcsa.org clubs with guidance and support for attracting are arguably important as well. Since a large percentage of golf these wonderful butterflies. courses can contain these “left-over” spaces, they should not be overlooked. By actively charting a vision and seeking to involve interested stakeholders at your facilities, you can establish a program to help enhance, create and establish more diversified ecological systems of the land adjacent to the play corridors. In the end, your golfers and community can become close allies in fostering an enriched appreciation for wildlife and the landscape found on a golf course, while initiating positive steps to enhance these spaces for wildlife. Sources cited in the preparation of this article and for assistance with documentation of a plan for your golf course: Monarch butterfly on swamp milkweed in Michigan. 1) Environmental Institute for Golf (EIFG) www.eifg.org Photo by Jim Hudgins/USFWS. 2) The United Sates Golf Foundation (USGA) www.usga.org 3) Audubon International www.audubobinternational.org Summary 4) Findlay, Kat. “Help save the monarch butterfly with free seed for your As golf course superintendents, you’re curators of the golf course.” Audubon International, September 27. 2019 5) Audubon International's BioBlitz Program landscape of golf and stewards of the environment. 6) Ogale, Yasmin. “Do golf Courses make Good Bat habitats?” American Not only are the greens, tees, fairways and roughs Association for the Advancement of Science, August 12, 2011 important for the enjoyment of the golfing 7) GCSAA’s 2017, Golf Course Environmental Profile, Phase II, Volume IV experience, but the environmental value and benefit of Land Use Characteristics and Environmental Stewardship Programs of the surrounding pieces land and connective spaces on U.S. Golf Courses study. Course Conditions I issue #47 - Q2 2020 SUPERINTENDENT — ROB STEGER, CGCS AT SAGINAW COUNTRY CLUB Steger, k1 u WHEN DID YOU DECIDE YOU WANTED GOLF TO BE YOUR u WHAT ARE SOME OF THE COURSES YOU HAVE WORKED CAREER? I was studying AT? At Green Oaks in Ypsilanti I Electrical Engineering at worked for Norm Brown. Green UM-Dearborn and working on Oaks was a public course built a golf course for a summer job on sand with fast greens. Norm (Green Oaks in Ypsilanti). I was by far the most laid-back Rob Steger, CGCS, worked with one of my best superintendent I ever worked 43, has been the friends. We would carpool and for. I had keys to the shop on superintendent at Saginaw after finishing our work for the my third day. We always wanted Country Club for 12 years. day, we would play a minimum to get a lot done for Norm of 18 holes. My Dad noticed how because we liked him so much. He holds a Bachelor of happy I was that summer and At Dearborn Hills, I worked for Science degree in Turfgrass asked if superintendents made a Steve Sonoga, CGCS. Steve Management from Michigan decent living. He then went on started to teach me about how State University. He and his to explain that he did a job he to take care of a golf course. wife of 15 years, Adrienne, hated for 33 years and wished He was also pretty patient with that he could have chosen a a young kid who didn’t always have five children: Kellen 14, career that he enjoyed. After make it to work on time. He Enza 12, Chase 10, Everett 7, that conversation, I investigated decided every time I was late and Reid 2. Rob Steger, CGCS superintendent salaries and I would take the boat out until was voted to be the next decided I was going to transfer to lunch and dig purple loosestrife President of the MiGCSA at Michigan State. off the islands we had in our the Annual Meeting in East ponds. It was awful, stinky work on a hot day. At the end of Lansing. that season, I learned to get to work on time and the purple Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association I www.migcsa.org loosestrife was gone from the Club. I have been at SCC for 12 been amazing when it comes to property. At TPC of Michigan, I years. The membership at SCC allowing me to do what I need worked for John Kulka. At that was welcoming to both me and to do to provide for our family. time, we hosted the Ford Senior my family from the start. The With an incredible staff the job Players Championship. I learned Club has been supportive of has gotten easier, but we are that working on a golf course everything we have tried to do always looking for new things wasn’t always easy. Along with since I arrived. I have a really to make the golf course better picking up a lot of agronomy strong staff at SCC. They make or satisfy another goal of the skills at TPC, it taught me mental my job easier every day. I’ll never membership. toughness and how to push forget the phone call offering me through fatigue or anything else the position here; it still brings a WHAT ARE YOUR to get the job done. My first smile to my face whenever I think EXPECTATIONS OF THE summer there was the hardest about it. MICHIGAN GOLF COURSE summer of my life, but I kept SUPERINTENDENTS fl HOW HAS YOUR JOB AT coming back for more. I spent ASSOCIATION? To continue seven years there before leaving YOUR CURRENT COURSE to support our membership for my first head superintendent PROGRESSED? I think the through education, advocacy and position. That was at Bird Creek first three years at a new leadership on all issues facing in Port Austin. I remember going position are probably the most superintendents and their staff to that interview to gain more challenging but they can be the members. interviewing experience. I wasn’t most rewarding if done right. I sure if I was interested in the job remember being at work a lot. It WHAT IS YOUR EXPERIENCE but by the end of the interview takes time to create the culture WITH THE MICHIGAN I wanted to work for the people and work environment that leads TURFGRASS FOUNDATION? I interviewing me. I wanted the to great results. Until everyone became a Founders Society opportunity to show them how begins to work toward the same member in 2019 and I have many good their course could be. Then goals and objectives, it is hard to friends that are on the it was on to Saginaw Country not be there. My wife has always MTF Board. I really 4Q THINGS 1. I owned a screen printing and embroidery business with a couple 5 of longtime friends. 2. I’ve been hit by a boat, which led to some days in the hospital PEOPLE as a kid. MAY 3. My nickname growing up was Buddha, the nickname was NOT KNOW originally given to me by a grade school basketball coach after James “Buddha” Edwards. There are people I went to HS with ABOUT ME who still probably don’t know my real name. 4. I missed a 3’ putt on 18 to shoot 69, that was a very long time ago. 5. I’ve had kids born in 3 different cities. Course Conditions I issue #47 - Q2 2020 Vi-fi like the idea of the MiGCSA and the MTF fl WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING working together to help the MTF support PART OF YOUR JOB? SCC is very flat and turf research. dealing with excess water is our biggest challenge. DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE GIVEN BACK TO GOLF? I’ve always had a C| WHAT IS THE MOST SATISFYING PART problem with keeping ideas to myself. OF YOUR JOB? Watching a plan come Several years ago, I took exception to a together (like Hannibal from the A-Team). move the GCSAA was making regarding There is nothing more satisfying than a speaker at GIS. Phil Owen was on the creating a well thought out, highly efficient MiGCSA Board at the time. He gave me a plan and having a big day at the golf call and listened to my concerns and ran course. them up the flagpole so to speak. I have always respected Phil and the job he did WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST ISSUES FACING at Warwick Hills, and the fact that he took GOLF? Lately Golf has been painted in time out of his schedule to listen meant a negative light by both politicians and a lot to me. When Phil’s term ran out, he the press. Golf seems to be the easy called to ask if I had any interest in being target. Somehow, we need to change a part of the MiGCSA BOD. Knowing that the narrative. Golf does a lot for the he had stuck his neck out for me, it was community, and someday I hope golf gets impossible to say no. I like to think that I the credit it deserves for being a leader in have matured since those days, but I still our communities. tend to speak my mind. I have learned much more about what the GCSAA does J WHO HAS INFLUENCED YOU THE MOST on our behalf, and I am proud of our IN YOUR TURFGRASS CAREER? Probably profession and association. I don’t feel John Kulka. John was an extremely that I have given much back to be honest; demanding boss. He taught me how to my involvement with our Association has push turf to the limit. I’ll never forget given me more than I have given it. The standing next to Cal Roth while I was hand chance to take a member’s call or email watering the 18th green as in intern during and try and help them solve an issue gives the Ford Senior Players Championship. me a sense of accomplishment the same Cal asked if that was dust stirring up way solving something on the golf course behind John’s cart as he drove down the does. I think everyone in this business is a middle of the 18th fairway. At that time, I servant-leader at heart. We all sleep better wouldn’t have had the guts to take a golf when we know we did something to make course to that level of firmness, but it sure someone else’s day a little better. was fun to work for someone who did. DO YOU HAVE HOBBIES OR SPECIAL (F WHAT IS THE MOST VALUABLE THING(S) INTERESTS AWAY FROM THE GAME? If I YOU’VE LEARNED THAT YOU USE ALL am not at the golf course, I am probably THE TIME? Give the membership what at one of my kids’ practices or games. they want, and you don’t putt on roots. Between baseball, soccer, football, Playing conditions are #1. Growing healthy volleyball, basketball, and cross-country turf is easy if you aren’t worried about life is always busy. conditions. Creating a great playing surface is easy if you don’t care about Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association | www.migcsa.org 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 Course Conditions I issue #47 - Q2 2020 19 healthy turf. In my mind, our important decisions. Kevin and for everyone. I understand job is to walk that line, giving I feed off each other; some days the use of carts, but if I had a the best conditions possible I am the one with seemingly choice walking with a caddy is without killing turf. impossible goals for the day, the way I prefer to play golf. (W HOW DO YOU RATE other days Kevin wants to get 5 more things done than I had on WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST THE IMPORTANCE OF A the list. PET PEEVE IN GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT IN A ETIGUETTE? Probably golfers GOLF OPERATION? The WpJ WHAT IS YOUR OPINION not paying attention to signage. Superintendent should be OF THE ROLE OF THE In my experience, signs don’t the most versatile employee GOLF COURSE EQUIPMENT work. You must use physical at a golf course and the best MANAGER? Our equipment barriers like roping. problem solver. The nature of manager is second to none. our job forces us to learn how Aaron Kirsch has the same <£• WHAT OPINION DO YOU HAVE to do many different things. work ethic as Kevin. They call OF GREEN SPEEDS IN TODAY’S We are all HR managers, themselves the “gruesome GAME? This will probably be plumbers, accountants, twosome” when working on a an unpopular opinion, but I like therapists, agronomists, project together. Aaron came to playing on fast greens almost equipment managers and us from Gander Mountain where as much as I like producing politicians daily. When there is he was the gun department fast greens. Per Dr. Nikolai’s a difficult problem to solve, the manager. He knew nothing suggestion, we did a green superintendent is usually called about golf or maintaining golf speed survey when I started at upon. equipment when he started SCC. It was a blind survey that here. In the interview process I he created with Mike Morris. It tO WHAT IS YOUR OPINION OF saw that he could learn and that was very simple: golfers rated THE ROLE OF AN ASSISTANT he was extremely smart and their satisfaction of the greens SUPERINTENDENT? The hard-working. We took a chance when they finished a round of assistant superintendent is an on him and got him the training golf while I recorded the speed extension of the superintendent. he needed. Taking a chance on twice a day (the recorded They must be on the same page Aaron was one of my better numbers were not shared with about the goals and objectives decisions as a superintendent. the golfers). I was then able of the day. I am extremely to figure out the number that lucky to have Kevin Risch as IK WHAT IS YOUR OPINION OF made the most people happy. our assistant superintendent. GOLFERS WALKING VERSUS I found that between 11.5-12’ We have worked together since RIDING IN A CART TO PLAY? made the most people happy. my time at Bird Creek. He is There is no better way to see Our goal is to produce 11.5’-12’ hard-working and smart, and a golf course than walking but speeds every day. I think it is I value his input when making walking 18 holes isn’t an option also important to point out that 20 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association | www.migesa.org SUPERINTENDENT firmness plays a huge roll in the me we had a night waterman. I the golf course in the distance. perception of speed. When the carpooled with a friend to Green We debated about calling greens are very firm and 11’, I Oaks every morning. Our job at the police. We were trying to get more comments about how was to have the greens mowed remember Norm’s number fast they are than when they are and bunkers raked before the (this is before cell phones). soft and 13’. golfers started each day. We That’s when the truck started had to start early because tee heading our way. We were Gp do you have a humorous shots were usually in the air off trying to gather weapons as OR INTERESTING STORY YOU number one before the sun was we hid behind the building. The CAN SHARE FROM YOUR up. It was probably only our gentleman pulled into the lot, CAREER? While at Green Oaks fifth or sixth day working when got out of the truck and asked we had a night waterman. As I we noticed a set of headlights us who we were with a beer in mentioned earlier, I was given on the course. It freaked us out. his hand. The bed of the truck the keys to the gate/shop on We could see what looked to be had about 18 empties rolling my third day, but nobody told a small truck driving around on around. Otrimax MOWING SYSTEMS // PERFORMANCE. _ THE VERSATILITY OFA ROTARY WITHA WORLD CLASS CUT. B" Used on prestigious courses around the world, the Trimax Snake requires significantly less maintenance than self-propelled units and delivers exceptional cut and spread. INDUSTRY LEADING WARRANTY MADE !N THE YEAR SPECIFICATIONS 320 400 Cutting Width 10'7' 13'T Flat or Uplift LazerBladez1 Sealed Spindles LocTEK Stubless Roller QuikLIFT Retention System Articulation Ability ER Full Width Rollers Zero Turn CALL OR TEXT TO BOOK YOUR FREEDEMO! F Easy Height Adjustment Industry Leading GIG2921305 GORDIELAFONTAINE Auto Belt Tensioners 3 Year Warranty Course Conditions I issue #47 - Q2 2020 21 Michigan TURFGRASS FOUNDATION MICHIGAN STATE Education • Research • Extension UNIVERSITY Turf Team Activities during the Shutdown BY KEVIN FRANK ‘fol* Michigan State University Turfgrass Science CUSTOMIZE CHANNEL 826 subscribers HOME VIDEOS PLAYLISTS CHANNELS DISCUSSION ABOUT Uploads ► PLAY ALL MSU Turf Team Update: MSU Turf Team Update with April 28,2020 Weather MSU Turf Team Update April Lawncare University - Lawncare University - Thatch Weather with Dr. Jeff... Dr. Joe Vargas. May 5,2020. Forecast with Dr. Jeff... 28, 2020 Renovation 8.7K views • 8 years ago 110 views ♦ 2 days ago 162 views • 2 days ago 45 views • 1 week ago 95 views • 1 week ago 2.3K views • 8 years ago Popular uploads ► PLAY ALL Lawncare University - "l*ve Lawncare University - Lawncare University - Grub Lawncare University - Dealing Lawncare University - Lawncare University - Fall Got Moles!* Problem Weeds Damage in the Spring with Leaves Crabgrass Control Weed Control 158K views • 8 years ago 72K views • 8 years ago 47K views • 8 years ago 32K views • 8 years ago 15K views • 8 years ago 15K views • 8 years ago The last couple months have challenged all of us both are posted on our YouTube channel, simply search for professionally and personally in dealing with the Covid- ‘Michigan State University Turfgrass Science’ channel 19 outbreak and stay at home orders. Classes at MSU on YouTube. We will continue to post video updates went online on March 11, the stay at home order went throughout the season. All of our written articles are into effect on March 24. Golf courses were closed for published on the College of Agriculture and Natural play but minimal maintenance continued. Professional Resources webpage https://www.canr.msu.edu/golf_ lawn care applications stopped for over a month. All courses/index. of us were affected and at MSU we have certainly had to adjust how we educate and communicate. We’ve Thanks to the direction of Dr. Trey Rogers and our adjusted to working at home and communicating Department IT specialist, Dominic Colosimo, a new via Zoom. We started Zoom webinars on April 7 and turfgrass team website is now live, https://www.canr. continued live webinars for 3 weeks before transitioning msu.edu/turfgrass/. What started as a web site to shorter recorded video clips. The video clip updates to house student class and homecoming float © 22 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association I www.migcsa.org RAYORA FUNGICIDE. Goodbye Dollar Spot. - Rapid root and shoot uptake - Preventative and curative Dollar Spot control - Preventative Brown Patch and Gray Leaf Spot control - Rainfast in two hours - Application safe in summer heat - Easily, effectively tank mixed Visit rayorafungicide.com for a free sample. Rayora ** Fungicide FMC is proud to support the golf industry with the launch ------ FMC ------ of our FMC True Champions program. Through August 2020, — TRUE CHAMPIONS a percentage of all Fame' SC fungicide and Rayora fungicide sales will be donated directly back to local GCSAA chapters. FMCTrueChampions.com To learn more, visit FMCTrueChampions.com. •FMC Always read and follow all label directions, precautions and restrictions for use. Some products may not be registered for sale or use in all states. FMC, the FMC logo, Fame, Rayora and True Champions are trademarks or service marks of FMC Corporation or an affiliate. ©2020 FMC Corporation. All rights reserved. pictures, past scholarships and the Cutter cup matches, acceptable condition. The August 14 summer field day is transforming into a complete turfgrass program has been postponed. We are considering a couple webpage showcasing the program from both a historical options, moving the date to September or conducting a and current perspective. virtual field day. As soon as a decision is made, we will provide further information. As of this writing research activities are slowly resuming at the Hancock Turfgrass Research Center. We were If you need any assistance with any turfgrass issues don’t fortunate that during the shutdown we were able hesitate to reach out. We are currently limited in our to continue minimal maintenance practices so that ability to travel but we are hopeful that by the time you as research slowly resumed the turfgrass was in an read this the situation has improved. Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association I www.migcsa.org THE PROS OF BEING A PRO EXPERT ADVICE At SiteOne® Landscape Supply, our industry pros deliver ideas and answers to help you take your course to the next level. When you package that with a large inventory of leading brands, time-saving delivery service and flexible financing options, it s easy to see why SiteOne is the top choice for green industry pros. <$> SiteOne --------------------------- Golf Visit us at any of our 20 SiteOne Landscape Supply Michigan locations or online at SiteOne.com SiteOne.com Irrigation I Lighting I Turf B Landscape Maintenance I Nursery I Golf Course Maintenance I Hardscape I Pest Control — GCSAA Golf Course Superintendents Association of America BY SHANE CONROY AND GCSAA STAFF Communication is necessary What a few months it has been. During this time communication • MSU/Vendors has been difficult, however that does not mean it is any less Michigan State University professors have been important. Whether in a professional setting, with your significant an excellent resource and have done a great job other or with friends, an open line of communication usually leads communicating and connecting with superintendents to increased success. Technology has afforded us new avenues throughout the state utilizing Zoom meetings. to communicate ‘face-to-face’ and across multiple platforms. Additionally, vendors have written some informative Communicating with the proper individuals and entities both on pieces during this time and continue to offer and off the golf course is essential. As golf courses across the resources for superintendents and their staff. Be sure Michigan have had to adjust practices, it is critical those who are to utilize their resources as they are made available involved with your facility are all working and communicating for you. together. • Staff • Management/legal teams Ensure staff are familiar in their roles and Due to the current situation, in person meetings have been responsibilities. This includes staff who are currently challenging. How are you communicating and ensuring working at the golf course, as well as those who everyone is well versed on your agronomic practices and the may have been furloughed or laid off, as well as practices of the facility? What are the expectations of you the seasonal staff who may have not yet started. and the golf course from the owners, GM or boards as you I’ve heard great stories from superintendents who adjust practices or work with limited staff? Connect with your are using this time to develop deeper bonds and management teams to ensure all are on the same page and relationships with staff members who are still there are no question marks on your role and expectations working. There are also countless instances of during this uncertain time. Communicating with superiors is superintendents cooking out for crews (with proper essential to ensure a successful season. social distancing requirements of course), ordering takeout, or providing crews with food from the • State and local authorities clubhouse. We know this is a stressful time as you try In many parts of the country, enforcement of the executive to maintain the golf course with limited resources, orders has been at the local level. It’s paramount the as it is for the crew members who are trying to do appropriate authorities know about your operations as you the same. Superintendents are not only prioritizing remain open for play. As executive orders begin to ease their staff’s physical health, but also focusing on their restrictions, please be sure to connect with local authorities to mental health and helping their staff where they can. know their interpretation of the orders and to educate them on your practices. • Golfers Golfers also must play their role while at the golf • Michigan GCSA course. It is important golfers are well-versed on I can’t stress this enough, if you have questions or concerns, the proper social distancing requirements at your please touch base with MiGCSA leaders. Whether it is Adam facility and know how to proceed as they arrive on Ikamas, CGCS, President Rob Steger, CGCS or a board member, property, during their round and once their round these individuals are on the front lines and will have the most is completed. Be sure to work with clubhouse up-to-date information from across the state. Chapter leaders and proshop staff as you collaborate on golfing are a great resource and I commend each of them as this has procedures and golfers are well-informed. been a particularly demanding time, especially for executive directors and presidents. 26 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association www.migcsa.org FROM NATIONAL • Media and know their roles moving forward. GCSAA has I know not everyone has had media requests during created a BACK2GOLF toolkit to help you prepare your this time, however, as state executive orders have course, facility, and crew during this time. been announced, we have seen increased local media coverage on certain aspects of our game. If you do • Get Involved receive a media request, please feel free to reach out to Local affiliated GCSAA chapters and chapter leaders your local chapter and GCSAA. Resources are available have been at the forefront of how COVID-19 has to help you navigate and prepare for these requests affected the golf industry. If you would like to be should you receive one. part of your local chapter, please reach out to your chapter executive director or board. GCSAA • Develop a Plan grassroots ambassadors have also been instrumental Ultimately, this is what it is all about. Once you have in communicating the value of golf to state and federal communicated with the appropriate parties and lawmakers. determined which course of action you and your team are going to take, it is important to develop I commend each superintendent as you have continued the appropriate plan. Once your plan is developed, to represent the industry at the highest professional level it’s important to communicate it with all involved. and ensured your staff members remain safe in these As executive orders ease restrictions on golf, ensure challenging times. everyone is aware of your specific facility processes Here at Prime Source we pride ourselves on our service and commitment to our great industry. We stand United States strong during these challenging months and hope you and your families are getting back to work and your lives. Being an American owned and operated company, all of our Prime Source products are formulated right here in the US. We manufacture a full line of quality fungicides, insecticides, herbicides, wetting agents, liquid fertilizers and adjuvants. Talk to your local sales rep about our lineup. Here's to you! PRIME SOURCE prime-sourcellc.com • 877.235.0043 • info@prime-sourcellc.com 1 Course Conditions l issue #47 - Q2 2020 27 PLAYABLE + NATURALIZED AREAS, GROWING HARMONY Naturalized areas can be both beautiful as well as beneficial to your bottom line. However, it is important to remember that naturalized dreds do require some level of maintenance to prevent takeover by undesirable weeds. Our line of herbicides will help you achieve optimum balance between naturalized, yet managed, landscape settings and our team of golf experts will guide you every step of the way. ASK YOUR LOCAL NUFARM REP ABOUT OUR NATURALIZED AREAS PROGRAM ★★★★★ ★★★★★ +++++ “The fairways are “It was like playing “The course is in immaculate!” on carpet” amazing shape. ” ★★★★★ +++++ “Best fairways and greens “Great lies in the I’ve ever played on” fairways!” |k'g When you can protect your fairways like your greens, you’ll get rave reviews. Golf’s leading fungicide, Secure®, is now even better. New Secure® Action™ fungicide now includes a boost of acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM), giving turf abiotic benefits such as increased drought tolerance, heat tolerance and ■ quicker recovery. The enhanced formulation also offers improved dollar spot performance, including an increased control interval of 14-21 days. Visit GreenCastOnline.com/SecureAction to learn more or c Adam Garr | (248)914-4902 | adam.garr@syngenta.com Twitter: @Superin10dent --.. y SecureAction Fungicide syngenta® IF @SyngentaTurf #Time4SecureAction ©2018 Syngenta. Important: Always read and follow label instructions. Some products may not be registered for sale or use in all states or counties. Please check with your state or local extension service to ensure registration status. Action? Greencast® the Alliance Frame, the Purpose Icon and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. Secure® is a trademark of Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha. LTD. All other trademarks used herein are the property of their respective owner. MW 1LGG8011 09/18 Make your own environmental i m pact Sustainability begins with you. Operation Pollinator is a way to beautify your course and provide pollinating insects the habitat they need to thrive. Syngenta provides over ten years of expertise in developing pollinator friendly plots, as well as communication tools to promote the positive environmental benefits of Operation Pollinator to golfers and local communities. To see how your course can benefit from a sound ecological initiative, visit OperationPollinator.com. For more information contact Adam Garr at adam.garr@syngenta.com or 248-914-4902. Or connect with Adam on Twitter: @Superin10dent #MITurf w Operation Pollinator Multifunctional Landscapes syngenta #OperationPollinator ©2020 Syngenta. Important: Always read and follow label instructions. Some products may not be registered for sale or use in all states or counties and/or may have state-specific use requirements. Please check with your local extension service to ensure registration and proper use. The Alliance Frame, the Purpose Icon and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. All other trademarks used herein are the property of their respective owner. MW 1LGG7011 01/20 \ . • • WORTH THE Anuew 3 REASONS ANUEW™ PGR PERFORMS BETTER ON BENTGRASS - TRIAL PERFORMANCE VS THE COMPETITION - Long-lasting and more active at lower application rates Only late-stage inhibitor to evenly regulate Poa in mixed stands Fast improvement of turfgrass density and appearance II SEE RESULTS AT NUFARM.COM/USTURF/ANUEW FIRST EPA APPROVED LABEL WITH GDD MODEL APPLICATION TRACK IT ON GREENKEEPERAPP.COM ©2020 Nufarm. Anuew'M is a trademark of Nufarm. Grow a better tomorrow In these challenging times Let’s stay □■BASF We create chemistry INDUSTRY PARTNER - MATTHEW WEBER Matthew Weber HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN THE GOLF BUSINESS? A friend from high school talked me into spending the summer working on a golf course grow in. After high school I attended Ohio University. That spring when they started maintenance of the campus golf course and I just wanted to be out there. I was undecided on a major at the time, so I started looking at going to school for turf. I looked at Penn State and then at Ohio State and I decided to stick with the in-state tuition. WHO WAS YOUR GREATEST INFLUENCE IN PERSONAL LIFE? My Matt Weber has dad has been the greatest influence in my life, in everything from been working with BASF teaching me to enjoy the outdoors and having an appreciation since January as a sales for building relationships. He was a teacher, so there is a lot of specialist whose territory that rolled into it because he was a great teacher. He passed away this past August. It has been tough not to be able to share includes Michigan. He lives this success with him. in Aurora, Ohio, just outside of Cleveland. He is 43 and a WHO WAS YOUR GREATEST INFLUENCE IN YOUR PROFESSIONAL 2000 graduate of Ohio State LIFE? I have a few. Todd Voss was the first superintendent I University in turf science worked for at Fox Meadows near my hometown. He’s now at Double Eagle near Columbus. I was just a high school kid and management. Matt and his he told me working on a golf course could be a career and that wife Jennifer have a daughter, I could go to school for it. Then there’s Chad Mark, a college Addison, who is 5. roommate of mine. He convinced me to do an internship with him at Sand Ridge where we worked for John Zimmers. Chad became a superintendent at Kirtland Country Club while I was working in Colorado, I moved back and worked for him in 2010. He’s now at Muirfield. He has been a professional colleague and mentor, but also a really good friend, like a brother who pushed me when I needed it most. He helped direct me to recognize the skills I had that would make a good salesman. Lastly, there are a bunch of guys I have worked with over the years, too many to name, but a great peer group that I can still bounce stuff off of when I have problems, questions, ideas. Having been able to build a peer group like that is my favorite part of this industry. WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE ARE THE BIGGEST ISSUES FACING SUPERINTENDENTS TODAY? We all know there is a labor issue, but I also think there is an issue for guys to find a greater I 1• n balance in their lives. In part because of labor shortages, guys put so much time into having to care for a living, breathing thing. I think they need to step back and give themselves a little more □-BASF Course Conditions I issue #47 - Q2 2020 31 ft WHAT IS YOUR BEST time away from it. In Northern pushing a product. They Ohio and in Michigan guys are in should feel they can trust SUCCESS STORY? It is where short seasons, these labor issues what you tell them, and I am at right now. Ten years require them to work long days they shouldn’t always make ago, I never imagined being to get the golf course right. That the decision based on a salesperson. I thought my leads to not much time to take price, but who will be there role in the industry was to care of themselves and their for them with ideas and be a superintendent, and I’ve families. answers when they have a found it is to go out and help real problem or emergency. superintendents. The skills I’ve WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS learned is my best success |EI WHAT IS THE MOST WHEN WORKING WITH story. I’m best at helping the THE MICHIGAN GOLF REWARDING PART OF BEING guys as opposed to being the COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS IN AN INDUSTRY SUPPORT one growing grass. ASSOCIATION? I don’t have ROLE? I guess it is that I a lot of experience with the can go out and see what WHAT DO YOU ENJOY organization, but when I started everybody else is doing and THE MOST ABOUT YOUR meeting them in January I noticed relay that to customers in POSITION? I enjoy the everyone is very open and friendly. conversations. That’s not freedom of deciding where I have felt very welcomed to what just about my products my time is spent, and how feels like a tight-knit community. either. It could be on golf best to spend my time. I enjoy I want to be part of something course bunker drainage or seeing certain courses and like that, maintain relationships maintenance . I can ask a helping guys find solutions. between BASF and them. I like the guy if he has tried it this way way the group here encourages because I saw a guy who did DO YOU HAVE SOME TRAVEL that. it that way, things like that. TIPS? Pack for anything. Pack O WHAT IS YOUR BEST ADVICE Guys get stuck in certain light but be prepared for any ways of doing things over conditions. The states where TO DECISION MAKERS WHEN the course of their career. I work are all in that wait five DOING BUSINESS? The biggest My experience, what I’ve minutes and the weather will thing I would tell them is to think seen at other facilities, helps change area so I carry work about who is going to be there sometimes. boots, rain gear, my Carhartts for you when you need it most. I in case I have to get dirty look at myself as a resource with helping someone, and I always experience, not just somebody take a spare change of clothes INDUSTRY PROFILE even on a day trip. The work is hits one out there about 250, longer lasting fungicides and allow outside. and finally Stokely gets up for more infrequent application. d HOW MANY DAYS OF THE YEAR there and hits one right into In these times of labor shortage, the water and then his second and obviously we are in a minimal ARE YOU ON THE ROAD? About into a massive fairway bunker. situation right now, those products 250. We are kind of captive there allow a superintendent to get the 10 WHO HAS THE NICEST SHOP YOU and I’m the last one to judge a most bang for the buck through golfer’s game, but McDaniels labor and chemical costs. We have CALL ON AND WHY? The Country leans over and asks me what some better fungicides that are Club in Cleveland. It is something. I think of Stokely’s shot. I more expensive, but these last a It has red brick walls in the storage used to be a Browns fans, so little longer and are great tools for barn. It is amazing with a great it is hard for me to be around superintendents right now. membership. It’s an incredible Broncos anyway, so I say “if he 10 WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF facility that has everything. can’t do it in front of nine of ■R DO YOU HAVE A FUNNY STORY us, then how is he going to do COURSE TO PLAY? In sales now I in front of 60,000 people on have more opportunity to play, but YOU CAN SHARE FROM YOUT I don’t play a lot. When I was an Sunday?” Those guys laugh but TIME IN COLORADO? I worked assistant superintendent I didn’t I can tell by Stokely’s face he in Colorado on a course where a want to play very often. I guess is not happy with what I said. bunch of Denver Broncos played. I do have a favorite course that I We go back to work, and then Kyle Orton (quarterback of the have played - The Heritage Golf suddenly we hear a scream Broncos at the time) lived on the Collection in Hilton Head. from down the fairway. I look course. We were working on a up and Stokely has hit that shot ■ 0 IF YOU HAD A DIFFERENT drainage problem one day with a out of the bunker and holed it. team of guys, and we had to pretty PROFESSION, WHAT WOULD IT He is holding his arms up and much stand aside when groups BE? I would probably be a teacher looking back at me screaming came through. Well, this group like the rest of my family. I’m the “What do you think of that?” comes through with Kyle Orton, only one in my family who Josh McDaniels (head coach of IE) WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE is not an educator. the Broncos at that time), Josh BEST PRODUCT YOU OFFER McDaniels’ brother and Brandon AND WHY? Right now, I’m Stokely (wide receiver at the going to go with some of our time). We are by a tee, like nine newer fungicides, Maxtima and THINGS PEOPLE of us, and Orton, a great player, Navicon. They are a little bit S hits a big drive. Then McDaniels MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT ME 1. I was the first American to work on the grounds crew at Wimbledon 2. I lived in Colorado for 10 years after graduating college. 3. One of my favorite sports is European Soccer. I am huge Manchester United fan. 4. Going to outdoor concerts is one of my favorite summer activities. 5. My favorite baseball team is the Atlanta Braves. Course Conditions I issue #47 - Q2 2020 33 INDUSTRY PROFILE DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE GOLFER AND WHY? Payne Stewart is it. I like the modern guys. Who can’t like Tiger and what he has done for the industry? I like what Payne brought to the game. He was fun to watch. He had a great personality and he understood the impact of tradition in the game. DO YOU HAVE A NICKNAME AND IS THERE A STORY BEHIND IT? With my last name I’ve had all forms, Webster, Webby, but the one that has stuck came from my buddy Chad from my days at Kirtland. When I show up at Muirfield one day, and as I walked up, he called me Webdog in front of the whole crew. That one has stuck and now they all use it. © G HAVE YOU EVER HAD A HOLE IN ONE? No, I’m lucky if the ball is in the short stuff. WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES OR ACTIVITIES AWAY FROM GOLF? My wife’s parents were professional water skiers so boating is something I was introduced to through her. I never thought I would go boating being in the turf industry, but we have a boat, my wife is an unbelievable wake boarder and it’s great way to spend summer weekends. I used to bird hunt in Colorado but don’t do it much here. I also like to putz in the yard and spend time with my daughter. © IF YOU COULD TRAVEL TO ANY TIME IN GOLF WHEN WOULD IT BE AND WHY? When Jack (Nicklaus) was making his run and Arnie was still awesome. My grandfather, my mom’s dad, was a Colonel in the Air Force. He took me for my first lessons. He was a great golfer. He gave me a book on Chi Chi. I remember when we would go over there for Sunday dinners, golf would be on television, Jack and Arnie, and it was great. I would love to see the conditions they were playing on then. I know golf courses, even since the 1980s and 90s, are now so much better maintained. I want to see what they were putting on back then. concerning to me. I think there is an art G WHO HAS THE BEST MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT DOG? I think I had the best maintenance course dog - a German Shorthaired of understanding nature and working with it as opposed to just number Pointer. She is a hunting dog, and I think a dog living on a golf crunching. I don’t want to see that lost. course pretty much has its best life. Her name is Penny. 3 ARE THERE ANY NEW PRODUCTS ON G © G HOW MANY CONFERENCES AND EDUCATIONAL EVENTS DO YOU W THE HORIZON? BASF, not that others ATTEND PER YEAR? 15 to 20 don’t have it, but they understand they have to help superintendents with HOW MANY ROUNDS OF GOLF DO YOU PLAY IN A YEAR? Maybe chemicals that give them their best 10 to 12. bang for the buck. BASF understands the diversity of products and that they HOW DO YOU THINK THE INDUSTRY WILL BE DIFFERENT IN 10 have to have some products that last YEARS? I think it is going to be data driven. It seems to be getting longer. I like that BASF cares about the more technical. The art of golf maintenance is getting neglected industry. to some degree. More data, automation, and robots will be around if we continue to have lack of labor in the industry. 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HPG0420P OFF COURSE OAKLAND COUNTY SPORTSMEN’S CLUB PROMOTES MICHIGAN’S OUTDOOR SPORTING ACTIVITIES BY DENNIS MCVETY, EQUIPMENT TECHNICIAN AT MEADOWBROOK COUNTRY CLUB itting on over 200 acres of land and lakes, Oakland (plus one more S County Sportsmen’s Club has been promoting and on the way!) all preserving Michigan’s outdoor sporting and recreational relish their time activities and traditions since 1943. The family friendly spent outdoors. club prioritizes conservation, and works closely with local Whether communities to sustain our environment through wildlife it’s fishing, education programs and youth sporting instruction and snowmobiling up weapons safety courses. The Sportsmen’s Club offers a north, hunting wide variety of activities and amenities to our membership, deer, turkey and including multiple indoor and outdoor shooting ranges for bear, or simply archery and rifle, indoor pistol and .22 ranges, skeet and trap camping out shotgun ranges, muzzleloader, fishing, and even a couple and cooking different racing associations. Adapting to the wants and needs over the fire, of our members is also a top priority for the Sportsmen’s there is always Club. Recently, they have added modern pistol programs and a way for us to leagues including the International Defense Pistol Association spend quality (IDPA) and Police Pistol Combat (PPC). Archery is another time together activity that the club has seen increased interest in, especially and have a ton of fun while we’re at it. The Oakland in the youth of the community thanks to movies and TV series County Sportsmen’s Club provides us with a great like The Hunger Games (2012-2015). The Sportsmen’s Club local spot to enjoy some of these activities, and I has placed a high priority on nurturing and growing this youth frequently utilize the club’s facilities to keep my skills participation, and the club sharp, especially for hunting season. My family and I has leagues available at all have plenty of great memories from our time spent times of the year as well at the club, and that’s why I am always happy to give as instruction for all ages. back and support the club however I can. My family and I are all My volunteering at the club started out in archery and active participants in has grown steadily from there. I was a participant in just about everything the club’s archery leagues going back to even before that could be considered I joined the club, so when my oldest daughter was Michigan outdoor sports. finally old enough to start archery herself, I began My wife, Janay, our two volunteering as a youth archery instructor. From there, daughters Brianna and my volunteering schedule began to grow. I wound up Meranda, my son-in-law running a winter indoor National Field Archery Evan, and my grandkids Association (NFAA) archery league. Currently, I Addilynn and Colton sit on the club’s nominating committee, and in Course Conditions I issue #47 - Q2 2020 the past I have been on the Junior Sportsmen’s Day to station, showing them something new at each one. committee as well. I started helping out with other This is where I volunteer as a group leader. Activities club events including the spaghetti dinner fundraiser, that rotate in and out depending on the year include the hunter’s banquet, the bow hunter’s jamboree, survival skills like geocaching, building a fire, compass D.R. Wilson’s Banquet and Friday fish frys. Recently reading, fishing and fly tying, and a variety of animal I became involved in some “coffee house” dances calls like turkey, duck, coyote and deer. We try to make which are held at our club and directly benefit disabled these events as fun and as memorable as possible, with children. The list goes on, and I am always happy to each kid in the group actively participating and taking lend a hand when and where I am needed. However, home gifts (duck calls, backpacks, frisbees, squirt guns, one of my favorite events that I volunteer for is the etc.) to hopefully stoke their interest even further. We club’s Junior Sportsmen’s Day. also have a core group of activities that are yearly staples, including .22 rifle shooting, a shotgun station, Junior Sportsmen’s Day is an annual event that the club a muzzleloader I firestarter I tomahawk rotation area, started back in 2008 as a way to focus on increasing and an archery station. Every participant has the chance youth interest and participation in outdoor sporting. to try all of these activities if they would like to and are The event has grown and evolved each year as we at taught about the safety required for each. Year after the club try to introduce as many outdoor sports and year, I am amazed by how much fun the kids in activities to the participants and their parents as we my group have while learning about and trying possibly can. At the start of the day, we split up into these new activities. groups of about a dozen kids and we take them station 38 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association I www.migcsa.org OFF COURSE Sediment Removal System Pond & Lake Restoration ak a MUCKMEH We remove sediment from golf course ponds and irrigation wet wells. We Don’t 1 For a limited time we are offering a 207o* Around Discount on our daily rates forALLMiGCSA members! ’emoving sediment from a wet well tact Russ at 844-682-5636 or email srsrusst@gmail.com www.sedimentremovalsystem.com *20% discount applies to our standard sediment removal system only. Discount does not apply to mobilization costs, geo-tubes, permit fees or our larger equipment if needed. Course Conditions I issue #47 - Q2 2020 OFF COURSE In my eyes, the real value of events like the Junior Sportsmen’s Day lie in the lessons taken home, not just by the participants, but by their parents and the volunteers as well. Outdoor sporting goes beyond recreation alone. It can teach us and the next generation respect for our fellow sportsman or woman, and it gives us real appreciation for the environment that all of us Michiganders live in. If we want our state’s forests, hills, lakes and dunes to survive and thrive in the future, passing our outdoor sporting traditions on to the next generation is crucial. The Oakland County Sportsmen’s Club provides us with a remarkable setting for this, and I am so proud of the work that we do to ensure our kids and grandkids can enjoy nature in Michigan just as I have my entire life. For more information on the Oakland County Sportsmen’s Club, go to ocsc.club or call (248) 623-0444. Patent Pending Michigan Chapter MsGCSAA Go* Court* tkoamMnekmn AwaoMun oi Amadu Bronze Partner 7th Hole Pond Transformation live in your pon4? Stop Feeding the Monster and Start Restoring Your Pond Bio-Health Pod Systems work 24/7 generating billions of beneficial microbes that aggressively consume and digest bottom muck and the nutrients that lead to algae blooms. 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On that same day, Governor Whitmer issued as we had new information. There were more than a few Executive Order 2020-4. This order declared a state of after the kids were in bed chats. This actually led to an emergency across the state of Michigan. opportunity for relationship building with my counterparts in the Alliance that will last far longer than COVID-19, For golf it all started on Monday March 16th, 2020 with silver linings right. Executive Order 2020-09 which was interpreted to close golf across the state. Quickly that was reversed with an March 27th - “necessary to conduct minimum basic answer on the Q&A page “Golf courses are allowed to operations”. This phrase in section 4b of EO 2020-21 stay open for play. Indoor facilities like clubhouses or allowed golf course maintenance to continue, for most. restaurants must close for on-premises consumption, but We still had reports of inconsistent enforcement from may continue to offer food and beverage through walk­ local authorities. With multiple requests (begging) for up service and other means expressly permitted by the clarification from the Governor’s office on this we advised Executive Order." This was a confusing time, but little did our members to meet with their local authorities and we know what was still to come. work with them to formulate a plan to maintain and do it safely. This varied from city to county and course but 9:30 am March 22nd - The first online meeting of the overall was met with much success, until we were told Michigan Golf Alliance. This group is comprised of The to stop telling our members to do this by the Governors Golf Association of Michigan, The Michigan Golf Course office. Our speculation is there was a flood of calls from Association, Michigan Section of the PGA, Michigan Golf law enforcement that initiated this request to stop. Course Superintendents’ Association, and the Greater Michigan Chapter, CMAA from here on out I will refer to April 2nd through April 8th - Average daytime this group as the MGA. We did not know that this meeting temperatures in the low to mid 60’s. Golf operations would not end for weeks... range from closed with no maintenance to open with food and carts. March 26th, EO 2020-21 Q&A - “Q: Are golf courses allowed to stay open? A: No. While EO 2020-21 April 7th 8:00 pm - Attorney General Dana Nessel contemplates outdoor activity, opening a golf course to tweets: “I just can’t hear about one more black health the public does not fall under the designation of critical care worker, police officer or bus driver die while infrastructure. Consequently, a golf course may not getting a barrage of complaints from white folks designate employees as critical infrastructure employees outraged because they can’t go golfing." This seemed and authorize them come to work.” This is when it really to be an unnecessary comparison but one that has been hit the fan, especially for our members. Thankfully we used many times in the past and will be done again to Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association | www.migcsa.org juxtapose golf vs. (fill in the blank). Something like this Golf courses may designate workers whose in-person was expected especially as the news was filled with presence is strictly necessary to conduct minimum basic images of golfers out playing while course were supposed operations, such as ensuring security. Minimum basic to be closed. This was an unfortunate distraction, the operations do not include serving the public. Under golf alliance persisted privately advocating for Michigan’s the order, all work must be carried out remotely to $4.2 Billion dollar Golf Industry that is proud to employ the greatest extent possible, and any in-person work 60,000+ Michiganders with $1.4 Billion in wages & more that is permitted must be done in accordance with the than $120 Million to charity while providing 127,500 acres mitigation measures required under section 10 of the of professionally managed greenspace & wetlands. It was order." Well that finally cleared up the maintenance we unfortunate that a small number of golfers and golf media were all doing already. With snow in the forecast the used this tweet as a way to promote their presence online pressure to be open for facilities was decreasing, but we by calling out the MGA for not directly responding. They all knew it would not be for long. did this with no actual facts or information from us, or even any attempt to get that information. The real issue April 24th, EO 2020-59 - The Governor was set to was they had no risk of repercussions for being wrong do a press conference at 11:00 to introduce this new EO. while we have a 4.2 Billion dollar industry and hundreds That morning the MGA had multiple reports that golf of members we are trying to protect and represent. That was going to be opened but we did not know when. At was irresponsible and another unnecessary distraction 10:30 I received a call from the Governors office to tell me for us and the general golfing public while trying to work golf is open would be announced in 30 minutes with no with the Governor on actual realistic solutions. carts, 30 minutes is not much time but at least we were on the list! Finally, with weather in the 70’s in the forecast April 13th, EO 202-42 Q&A - “Q: Are golf courses golf was open, sort of. This order along with others had allowed to stay open? A: No. While EO 2020-42 a reoccurring theme that was geared towards golfers contemplates outdoor activity, opening a golf course to playing and not the actual business of golf. Most of the the public does not fall under the designation of critical people who are members in the associations represented infrastructure. Consequently, a golf course may not by the MGA did want to do the right thing but there were designate employees as critical infrastructure workers some glaring holes in these orders that just and authorize them come to work for that purpose. did not make sense for the golf business. Course Conditions I issue #47 - Q2 2020 JWTURF John Deere GOLF 8900A PrecisionCut LARGE AREA REEL MOWER r-; A better way for your rough and fairways. ® Two Michigan Locations 6445 Alden Nash Avenue 7060 Kensington Road Alto, Ml 49302 Brighton, Ml 48116 (616)868-6747 Michigan Chapter GCSAAlb MICHIGAN GOLFCOURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION Gold Partner ASSOCIATION UPDATE “7a. Individuals may leave their home or place of Mayl3th EO 2020-77 Q&A - Q: Are golf courses residence, and travel as necessary: allowed to be open? A: Yes, subject to specific conditions as required by this order and Executive Order 2020- (1) To engage in outdoor recreational activity, consistent 69, governing places of public accommodation. Tee with remaining at least six feet from people from times must be scheduled and payments must be made, outside the individual’s household. Outdoor recreational online or by phone. Tee times must be spaced to avoid activity includes walking, hiking, running, cycling, multiple foursomes from clustering or gathering at any boating, golfing, or other similar activity, as well as any stage of the course, and players must remain six feet comparable activity for those with limited mobility.” from one another at all times. Workers at golf courses who perform work that is traditionally and primarily April 27th, EO Q&A page - “Q: Are golf courses performed outdoors, including groundskeepers and allowed to be open? A: Yes, subject to strict conditions workers who prepare and provide golf carts and other as required by this order and Executive Order 2020-43, equipment for safe and sanitary use, are permitted for governing places of public accommodation. Tee times in-person work as needed. Clubhouses and pro shops must be scheduled and payments must be made in must remain closed, and food and beverage may be sold advance, online or by phone. Tee times must be spaced for takeout. Nothing in the order prohibits a golf course to avoid multiple foursomes from clustering or gathering from arranging for an accommodation for a golfer with at any stage of the course, and players must remain a disability who requires one under state or federal law; six feet from one another at all times. Maintenance confirmation of and arrangements for any such necessary workers and groundskeepers can come to work to accommodation must be carried out with the course in maintain the safety and sanitation of the course, but advance, online or by phone. Under the order, all work neither the course nor its workers may provide goods, must be carried out remotely to the greatest extent supplies, equipment, or services to golfers on premises. possible, and any in-person work that is permitted must Accordingly, caddies, starters, and golf carts may not be be done in accordance with the mitigation measures and provided, and clubhouses, pro shops, driving ranges, and heightened social-distancing rules required under section miniature golf courses must remain closed. The order, 11(i). however, does not prohibit a golf course from arranging for an accommodation for a golfer with a disability who Every EO had its issues with golf that lead to one or more requires one under state or federal law; confirmation of of the MGA Executives in the barrel being asked questions and arrangements for any such necessary accommodation we did not have answers to. Early on it was all of us when must be carried out with the course in advance, online golf was closed then rapidly re opened. Then it was my or by phone. Food and beverage may be sold for turn as maintenance was in question. During this time, I takeout, but may not otherwise be served to golfers. was able to accurately measure the amount of confusion Under the order, all work must be carried out remotely by how many times my phone died in a day. This was to the greatest extent possible, and any in-person work mainly phone calls and text but there was certainly a that is permitted must be done in accordance with the strain on the battery trying to keep Disney+ streaming for mitigation measures required under section 11 of the my 7 and 3-year-old who have been home since March order—including the heightened social-distancing rules 13th. If screen time is as bad as everyone says my two required under section 11(h).” girls are in for some real trouble. My wife works in the benefits department for Spectrum Health a huge hospital May 8th, EO 2020-77 - “Golf carts are permitted with and healthcare company and the largest employer in social distancing. Work primarily performed outdoors by Grand Rapids, she has her temporary office set up in our individuals such as starters, caddies and golf cart staff is basement and has been thoroughly busy during his time permitted. Golf shops may be open for curbside pickup. to add more challenges to our day to day. Food and beverage services may be provided to golfers excluding alcohol (LARA link). Food and beverage may not be served for dine-in.” Course Conditions I issue #47 - Q2 2020 53 ASSOCIATION UPDATE In my 9 years of doing this job there has never been been an amazing leader for me and our board during a time that has been more stressful and the pressure this time. Neither of us knew what he was getting into in for information instantly can be overwhelming. The January when he became our 12th President, I could not responsibility to our members, their family’s safety and have asked for more from him, please when you think livelihood was, and still is, ever present and front of about thanking me thank Rob instead. The entire MiGCSA mind. As stressful as it would get or as frustrating as it Board of Directors has been so involved in decisions was I always felt it was important to step back, take a after thoughtful and thorough discussions via email, text breath and remember how fortunate we are to be in an and online meetings. Again, I will direct so much credit industry that has a high probability of not just surviving to Vice President Doug Ware, Secretary/Treasurer, Ryan this pandemic but to actually grow from, and out of it. Moore, Past President Jeff Sweet, CGCS, Jesse Shaver, The huge amount of support from our community with Doug Hoeh, Scott Pulaski, Gene Davis, Jeff Hopkins, Adam the members in need fundraiser was a shining example of Garr, Jared Milner, John Tuckerman, Assistant Liaison Tim the deep care and respect we have for one another. The Matty & Equipment Manager Liaison Ben Beard. I promise always present ability for Golf Course Superintendents to you these guys are doing their absolute best to represent adapt and lead in times of confusion and challenge. The every member. Please feel free to give them a call and let intrinsic value of the Superintendent that was exposed them know they are appreciated if you feel so obliged. when only essential employees were allowed to go to Finally thank you to every single member in our chapter. work, the decision on who was first on that list was very From paying your membership dues to the simple act of evident very quickly. I hope this is remembered as we opening an email from us and everything in between, this get back to whatever normal we are heading into as all is all for you, by you and only sustains because of you. too often the work of our members goes unnoticed or as expected. I personally appreciate all the calls, text and email thanking me for what we are doing during this time. As Adam Ikamas, CGCS I often said in response to those messages it goes well MiGCSA Executive Director beyond me. As with all things MiGCSA I happen to be in a seat that puts me in front but so much happens that allows me to sit in that seat and try hard to represent our members every day. First off, the steadfast support from our industry partners, these amazing people and companies have never wavered in their financial support of your chapter, without them none of this is possible. It may sound like a cliche at this point but there has never been a more important time to support those who support you. Our President Rob Steger, CGCS has Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association I www.migcsa.org MMHHMMHNMMHMHM FLORATINE BEAT THE HEAT SUMMER HEAT STRESS FOLIAR APPLICATIONS Great Lakes Turf SCIENCE BASED, PERFORMANCE DRIVEN PRESORTED Michigan Chapter STANDARD ©GCSAA U.S. POSTAGE PAID LANSING, Ml 316 GLENCARIN DR. NE | ROCKFORD, Ml 49341 PERMIT NO.689 l>■llll•lllllllll•,lll,,,ll,lll,l,■llll,,,ll,lllll,,,lll,,lll,", ******************AUT0**3-DIGIT 488 PETE COOKINGHAM PROJECT DIRECTOR MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY 324 E RIVERSIDE ST WILLIAMSTON Ml 48895-1145 541/4 BAYER They’ll come for the view, Provide outstanding playing conditions, that’s what they’ll talk about at the nineteenth hole. How? With your dedication and precision and a little help from Bayer. Your Success, Our Science For more information, contact Robert Pylar 248-330-2638 | robert.pylar@bayer.com www. EnvironmentalScience. Bayer. US @BayerGolf Bayer Environmental Science, a Division of Bayer CropScience LP, 5000 CentreGreen Way, Suite 400, Cary, NC 27513. For additional product information, call toll-free 1-800-331-2867. Bayer and the Bayer Cross are registered trademarks of Bayer© 2020 Bayer CropScience LP. ES-0420-GLF-0111-A-1