^7GCSAA Michigan Chapter Golf Cours© Superintendents Association of America COURSE i»ue**.<»2020 conditions Quarterly Publication of the Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association 1 v; FEATURE ff A $ SUPERINTENDENT Joe VerDuin > * American Dunes Golf Club - INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Feature: We’re all in this together: a fairway annual bluegrass control story Industry Partner: Jake Green, Nufarm’s Regional Sales Manager for the Great Lakes Region Carrie Thomas, Assistant Superintendent at Oakland University’s Katke and Sharf golf courses PUR ICHIGAN BAYER They’ll come for the view, but come back for the course. ... J1 | — 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 Contents 4 MiGCSA Board of Directors 28 From National 5 President’s Perspective 35 Industry Profile - Jake Green 7 Feature: We’re all in this together 41 Spooktacular: The Biggest Social Event 15 To Tree or Not to Tree.............that is 46 Carrie Thomas - Assistant Superintendent the Question 53 MTF Updates 18 The Wrench: Professionalism and 56 Oakland Hills South Course work/home life balance Renovation Tour 20 The 2020 MiGCSA State Championship 58 Association Update 22 Superintendent - Joe VerDuin Course Conditions I issue #48 - Q3 2020 Michigan Chapter MsGCSAAGolf Course Superintendents Association of America COURSE -------------------- Profile interviews conducted by Greg Johnson, Greg Johnson Media L.L.C. Conditions BOARD OF DIRECTORS EQUIPMENT BEN BEARD PRESIDENT ROB STEGER, CGCS BOARD MEMBERS JEFF HOPKINS MANAGER LIAISON Western-Class EM Mid-Class A Western-Class A American Dunes G.C. Saginaw C.C. Muskegon County Club COMMUNICATIONS JESSE SHAVER COLLIN ROMANICK GENE DAVIS Blythefield C.C. COMMITTEE Gull Lake C.C. VICE PRESIDENT DOUG WARE Northern-Class A Chairman TREASURER Greater Detroit-Class A Elk Rapids Golf Club TOM SCHALL, CGCS City of Livonia CRAIG MCKINLEY Oakland University JARED MILNER Buck’s Run Golf Club ROB STEGER, CGCS Detroit-Class A Meadowbrook C.C. JARED MILNER Saginaw C.C. SECRETARY/ RYAN MOORE TREASURER Greater Detroit-Class A Meadowbrook C.C. MICAH WISE Forest Lake C.C. ADAM GARR Site One BRETT ROBERTS Detroit-Class A Target Specialty JOE ETTAWAGESHIK Syngenta Professional Products Products Lochenheath Golf Club PAST PRESIDENT JEFF SWEET, CGCS Mid-Class A ASSISTANT LIAISON TIM MATTY Bucks Run G.C. Greater Detroit-Class C Country Club of Detroit 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. SNOW MOLD SOLUTION GET TOUGH ON SNOW MOLD Traction 26/36 One late-season application provides economical snow mold control with improved turf quality and color. Learn how you can grow a better tomorrow. GRAY SNOW MOLD NUFARM.COM/USTURF/TRACTION ©2020 Nufarm. Traction™ is a trademark of Nufarm. 26/36® is a registered trademark of Cleary Chemical, LLC. Grow a better tomorrow Photo: William M. Brown Jr., Bugwood.org Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association | www.migcsa.org President’s PERSPECTIVE n October 1st I’ll be starting as the O Superintendent at Red Run Golf Club. Filling the shoes of a renowned Superintendent like Gary Thommes, CGCS will not be easy, but I am excited for the challenge. While preparing myself for the move with a new team to lead I can’t stop thinking about the great people that I have worked with and for during my career. My first job on a golf course working with one of my best friends raking bunkers and mowing greens for one of the most laid-back Superintendents I have ever met, Norm Brown. Norm had a calmness about him that kept everyone and everything level even when dealing with challenging issues. This was the job that made me think about changing majors and going into turf. My second job in turf was for Steve Sonoga, CGCS, Steve taught me about giving the golfers what they want, not necessarily what you want. As an intern at TPC Michigan working with 14 employees from Guanajuato, Mexico who took me under their wing teaching me their language and showing me how to work hard to provide for your family. TPC is also where I learned about intensity and extreme attention to detail, the Superintendent (John Kulka) was the polar opposite of Norm Brown but both gentlemen produced results. At Bird Creek I met a young man (Kevin Risch) who had a work ethic second to none, he also changed majors and is now the Lead Assistant at Saginaw CC. Our Equipment Manager (Aaron Kirsch) has always been willing to go the extra mile to help us produce great turf conditions. Kevin and Aaron are more than employees, they are friends. I think the friendships developed in the golf business make it different than any other line of work. The members at Bird Creek and Saginaw Country Club have been so amazing to me and my family, breaking the news that I was going to be moving on was difficult. When leaving for a new opportunity there is a part of me that feels like I am letting someone down, that part is always difficult. Each time I have interviewed for a Superintendent position (that I landed) I could feel immediately how badly I wanted to work for the people that were interviewing me. When I drove to Bird Creek 14 years ago, I was going for interview experience; after hearing what they had to say, I wanted to work for them. It was no different when interviewing at Saginaw Country Club and I had ’W Course Conditions I issue #48 - Q3 2020 1 5 the exact same feeling while interviewing at Red Run Golf Club. I left the first interview excited for the opportunity to work for the members I met and their COO Joe Marini. As Superintendents, I think this is not only how it should be; but how it MUST be. We pour so much of ourselves into the job that we do each day, I think it is critical to have the same values as the people you work for. I am so extremely thankful for everyone who has helped me get to this point, there have been so many. I have been lucky to work with some of the best crew members in the business; people who put the golf course second to only their families. I’ll miss each staff member at SCC but am excited to get to work with a new team at Red Run! Rob Steger, CGCS TO SUCCEED ONE MUST ADAPT TO THE CHANGING ENVIRONMENT INTRODUCING NO TOUCH GOLF ACCESSORIES COVID-19 LOCAL RULES SIGN STA/VOAm GULF COMPANY EMPLOYEE OWNED 866.743.9773 StandardGolf.com © 2020 Standard Golf Company. All rights reserved. Setting the Standard in Golf Course Accessories since 1910. 6 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association I www.migcsa.org FEATURE Jared Milner stands atop his patch work fairway ABG control plots. We’re all in this together a fairway annual bluegrass control story 5 DR. THOMAS A. NIKOLAI LED BY AARON HATHAWAY AND JARED MILNER ost have heard the proverb M “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade” which suggests we should strive to make the best out of a bad situation. Clearly, members and management at Meadowbrook Country Club (MCC) chose to make a lemonade stand from their misfortune. Misfortune number 1 was the application of the very effective broadleaf herbicide aminocyclopyrachlor (Imprelis) in 2010 which led to significant tree damage/death and an eventual settlement of over 2 million dollars. If you are too young to know the story, simply Google “Imprelis”. Course Conditions I issue #48 - Q3 2020 IMAGES 2 & 3 In the fall of 2018 Aaron Hathaway sprayed the same experimental product to control annual bluegrass in creeping bentgrass greens. Both greens were within 10 miles of one-another and were sprayed on the same day by the same person, with the same equipment. Both images were taken on April 30, 2019. Clearly, the image on the right has some good control of ABG in the 3 plots that can be seen in row 1. Even more clearly, the amount of damage caused by the product in image 2 is unacceptable. These two images show 1) why it takes so long to get an experimental product to market and 2) whenever you use a new herbicide or PGR on your side it is prudent to be cautious and start with some small plots before making a blanket application on all your greens, tees, or fairways. Misfortune number 2 became evident with the snow melt in late winter/early spring of 2014 exposing a significant loss of annual bluegrass (ABG) due to winter kill. These combined misfortunes led to 72% membership support for redesigning their Willie Park Jr. course under the direction of architect Andy Staples. Ground was broken for reconstruction in October 2015 with plans to have it ready for play in May of 2017. Obviously, the expectation among some of the members was their course would be rid of ABG forever. On November 30, 2015 Jared Milner was hired as the golf course superintendent to oversee the grow-in. The Jared Milner early on in the construction phase at fairways at MCC were seeded to PureFormance Blend Meadowbrook Country Club. Do, in part, to difficulties (Crystal blue links, Penn links II, and Pure Select) creeping in finding qualified labor Jared brings in his daughter bentgrass. Prior to seeding, the fairways were sprayed Naydine in for assistance. 3 times with glyphosate (Roundup) in an attempt to kill all the vegetation. Dazomet (Basamid) soil sterilant was Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association www.migcsa.org FEATURE considered, however, the members chose not to spend Branham. It was a plant growth regulator the additional $150,000.00 for the application. study that included an experimental product called trinexapac-ethyl (Primo). Clearly a lot Jared knew that keeping ABG out of the fairways was has changed in the world of ABG since then very important to many of his membership, so 30 days and I have not stayed on top of all of them so after the initial seeding he started using bispyribac- I was delighted when asked to be involved. sodium (Velocity) to keep ABG at bay. Jared explained, “During reshaping, some of the fairways had 1-inch or Products chosen to be included in the study more of the soil removed. Those areas did not have very along with their rates are presented in Table 1. much ABG encroachment. However, in areas that did not have soil removed there was visible encroachment Aaron Hathaway became involved in turfgrass of ABG early on.” Jared added, “Velocity has been doing weed research in 1999 and he graduated a nice job keeping ABG controlled on our fairways, with his master’s degree from MSU in 2005. but even though the members do not want the return His master’s research compared many of of ABG, many object to the discoloration caused by the new bentgrass cultivars, which have Velocity” and, of course, the production of Velocity was vastly increased tiller densities compared to halted in 2017 making it harder to acquire. older and once more common cultivars like Penncross. The Hancock Turfgrass Research At the 2019 Michigan Turfgrass Foundation Conference Center is basically an ABG farm, we actually in East Lansing, Ml I walked into a conversation between harvest the ABG seed to plant research plots. Jared and Aaron Hathaway. A plan was being hatched Aaron established putting green surfaces with to perform an ABG control study on MCC’s fairways with different bentgrass cultivars, trafficked them, the objectives of keeping the infestation to a minimum and measured the infiltration of ABG with little, preferably no, discoloration. The first research into each of them over time. I ever performed was in 1990 working for Dr. Bruce Table 1. Product Treatment Rates, respectively Formulations, respectively Anuew 12 ounces/acre wettable granule (WG) Anuew + Xonerate 8 oz./acre & 1 oz./acre WG& WG Anuew + Trimmit 8 oz./acre & 10 fl. oz. /acre WG & suspension concentrate (SC) Trimmit 12 fl. oz./acre SC Trimmit 20 fl. oz./acre SC Xonerate 70WG 1 oz./acre WG Anuew + Torque 12 oz./acre + 35 fl. ox./acre WG&SC Velocity 17.6SG 2 oz./acre Soluble Granule (SG) Anuew + Velocity 8 oz./acre + 2 oz./acre WG&SG Untreated control Course Conditions I issue #48 - Q3 2020 9 FIGURE 1. Intuitively, one would think the Percentage of Annual Bluegrass per treatment from Meadowbrook greater the density of a bentgrass Country Club Fairways 2019. cultivar the greater the reduction of ABG infiltration, however, Aaron’s research surprisingly showed that older cultivars, such as Penncross, performed better in the summer heat and made-up density when ABG struggled and the newer cultivars did not necessarily shine in the high heat of summer either. Key point, Aaron’s data shed light on the fact that ABG populations were always moving up and down, fluctuating with the seasons, along with the strengths and weaknesses of the differing bentgrass cultivars the ABG infiltrated. 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 MrGCSAA Golf Course Superintendents Association of America Bronze Partner Contact: Mike Wilczynski 419-356-6717 jwilczynski.htp@earthlink.net 10 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association I www.migcsa.org FEATURE Aaron states, “There have been, 30 g ai/A) or a few well-timed spring applications of Xonerate will and there remains, a select very selectively and effectively kill ABG on a fairway. This would be few effective herbicides for great if the fairway has 5-10% ABG, but older fairways have much ABG removal or prevention in more ABG. Due to that fact we began to treat postemergence cool season putting greens, so herbicides like PGRs, applying them at much lower rates to injure other methods for ABG control the ABG and favor the bentgrass hoping that, over time, ABG will are important. Back in 2005 fade away and bentgrass will take over. However, it seems that paclobutrazol (Trimmit) and superintendents really didn’t like either option - bare ground was flurprimidol (Cutless) were out and season-long use of herbicides that also injure bentgrass really the only options for ABG (not kill, but cause phytotoxicity) was also out. Really, golf course control in bentgrass greens. managers want something better - a product that effectively kills In fairways, the same 2 plant all ABG in a medium amount of time yet allows the bentgrass to fill growth regulators (PGRs) were in with very little visible turnover.” available, but I started to work with a few herbicides categorized In 2016, Jared started spot spraying areas he knew had the most as postemergence herbicides for ABG populations with Velocity at the 3 oz. rate, however, when ABG control like Velocity and spot spraying, phytotoxicity in treated areas stood out to the amicarbazone (Xonerate). Neither members. Jared added, “Blanket treatments resulted in every were commercially available at fairway displaying even amounts of turfgrass injury which were not that time and today only the as objectionable as the phytotoxicity from spot spraying. For that Xonerate remains as an option. reason I won’t go back to the spot spraying method of application Ethofumesate (Prograss) was again.” another product on the market and some gutsy superintendents So in the spring of 2019 a replicated study was initiated in a fairway actually used Roundup like a at MCC with the 11 treatments listed in Table 1. Nine applications PGR at low rates to slowly favor were made two weeks apart followed by %ABG and phytotoxicity the bentgrass over ABG. Certain ratings taking place by Jared, Aaron, and myself separately preemergence products have been and together on several occasions. Again, the objective was to around for a long time, but few are determine which treatment led to the greatest decrease in the willing to use them. It makes sense %ABG with as little visible phytotoxicity as possible. to use preemergence herbicides to control a weed like ABG that The percentage of decrease of ABG per treatment was taken on primarily infiltrates golf turf September 20, 2 weeks after the final treatment of the season, through germination of seeds, but and is listed in Figure 1. Notice the Xonerate and the Torque plots the potential for root pruning and had a greater %ABG than the untreated check. The treatments the inability to interseed in a pinch that resulted with plots having the least %ABG were treated with is a huge drawback. Anuew, Trimmit at the high rate, Velocity, and the Anuew/Velocity combination treatment. In Figure 2 are the quality ratings taken on Control of ABG on golf courses is five dates from each treatment throughout the year. Quality ratings difficult because it is almost always were taken 5, 5, 4,17, and 11 days after treatments were applied, a considerable percentage of the respectively. For this study quality ratings took into account the overall turf stand. The decision density of the plots, color, and most significantly the phytotoxicity to control ABG often becomes a caused by the treatment. It should be noted that Trimmit, in decision to kill much of that stand particular, can cause wider leaf blades and longer along with injuring the favorable internodes which would have been included in overall turfgrass species. For example, quality ratings subjectively. Velocity at higher rates (2 apps at 1 Course Conditions I issue #48 - Q3 2020 11 FIGURE 2. me always picked out Anuew or Bentgrass fairway quality ratings on a scale of 1-9 from Meadowbrook Anuew + Trimmit.” Aaron added, Country Club Fairways 2019. Quality ratings in this case took into “Results we have from this spring account the density of the turfgrass, color, and most significantly the (i.e. 2020) are much different from phytotoxicity caused by the treatment. The number 1 reflects the worst possible rating, 6 and above is acceptable quality for a bentgrass what we had at the end of 2019. fairway, and 9 is turfgrass quality only God can obtain on a bentgrass Much of the ABG came back, which fairway in Michigan and he was not on our team. means we were really suppressing ABG with some of these - this is definitely part of the story: PGRs (Trimmit and Anuew in particular) will work to suppress ABG in bentgrass over time and serve as a tool in the tool chest. Velocity plots had ZERO ABG this spring - but it cannot be purchased anymore so one less tool. I think PGRs can be helpful especially if you start with very little Poa, but other tools are necessary, such as dry downs, a postemergence herbicide [like Velocity or maybe PoaCure], and, perhaps, well-timed preemergence herbicides.” The long-awaited methiozolin (PoaCure) product has hit the market and it is promising. PoaCure To interpret the data, the number 1 reflects the worst possible should be watered in to inhibit rating, 6 and above is acceptable quality for a bentgrass fairway, root production of ABG slowly and 9 is turfgrass quality only God can obtain on a bentgrass (usually) killing ABG over time and fairway in Michigan. Notice the Velocity treatment resulted in allowing bentgrass to fill in the below acceptable fairway quality on each rating date primarily voids as it works. PoaCure also due to phytotoxicity on the turfgrass. Tank-mixing the Anuew provides preemergence activity with the Velocity decreased the visible injury and overall the in the soil, which, again, is a huge Trimmit at the low rate and the Anuew resulted in the best plus for control of ABG, but can overall fairway quality at MCC. cause problems if any reseeding is necessary. Every golf course is So, given the results in Figures 1 and 2 and the stated objective of different and even every putting the study it is easy to conclude, that for the mixture of bentgrass green has differences that affect species grown in the soil at MCC the best product in this study the starting health of the ABG and was Anuew. So I asked Jared, “Did the results of this study the majority of biotypes (more change how you will perform ABG control on your golf course perennial or annual types), which fairways?” Jared’s more cautioned response was, “Yes, but still changes how quickly a herbicide not sold on a product or program. Time will tell. Velocity was will kill ABG. Aaron added, “No the ticket but it is gone. Members who looked at the plots with matter which herbicide or PGR I 12 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association I www.migcsa.org FEATURE have used over the years, they work differently will be. I consider myself fortunate to be included and/or more quickly at one site versus another in studies like this. I had planned to travel to even when I apply the same product at the same several golf courses and sod farms this summer rate on the same day in locations a half-mile apart.” to gain insights. Last year I was also included in Please see Images 2 and 3. a project with the support of Jerry Husemann, Kimberly Rouleau, Mike Morris, and Don Roth The golf course turfgrass business is made-up of looking at control of weeds in “no mow areas” that different pillars. The key pillars are the golf course I had planned to continue this year but that was superintendent, industry, and research (Image 4). not to be. Perhaps this pandemic will be behind us No one group leads, but we are all bound together next growing season and I can continue down that and the more we communicate and work together path. Until then, thanks for your support and be the stronger and more knowledgeable our business assured you have mine. Is your soil living up to its full potential? If you aspire to grow championship-quality turf, then building a foundation of soil teaming with bioactivity should be your #1 goal. We offer you a complete product line and proven methods to attain those results. Along with a deeper respect for the work you do. Earthworks^ A Deeper Respect Course Conditions I issue #48 - Q3 2020 (Order Early And Save Even More.) Dan Shemon Advanced Turf Solutions is an INDEPENDENT Cell: 248.640.4439 DISTRIBUTOR committed to serving our Email: dshemon@advancedturf.com customers better than anyone in the industry. Now is the time to lock in 2020 pricing, save with discounts and rebates, earn rewards, utilize extended payment terms, Eric Denoyer and secure inventory early for exclusive ATS brands while Cell: 231.645.2933 Email: edenoyer@advancedturf.com saving even more on manufacturer early order programs. Foliar-Pak □■BASF Brad Fry The Chemical Company Cell: 269.308.9652 Email: bfry@advancedturf.com healthy grow Km/ professional Amor4TKh n Nufarm Joe Singles Cell: 248.697.7182 Email: jsingles@advancedturf.com Two Michigan-Area Locations: 37702 Enterprise Court 4123 Vance Rd Farmington Hills, Ml 48331 Traverse City, Ml 49685 517.622.2700 231.943.8343 Russ Snow Cell: 231.206.2239 Email: rsnow@advancedturf.com f SP © @AdvancedTurf www.advancedturf.com To Tree or Not to Tree............... that is the Question BY A. PAUL ALBANESE, ASGCA Trees on golf courses. Controversial, usually. hole, creating what I call the “postcard” view. It is artistry. And then, much to the chagrin of the original architect, a tree will be planted that will take away, and sometimes When golf started back on the links land of Scotland, there ruin, this picture. Clearly, the planter of these offending was no talk of trees with relation to golf, because there trees did not account for this artistry, especially when the were not any. The controversies of that era were more trees are planted literally in front of a bunker the designer about rabbit holes, sheep dung and whether golf interfered meticulously created for the beholder to enjoy; only to have with archery practice. it bifurcated by the tree planter. Before planting a tree, at a minimum, one should view the hole from the teeing area to But, as golf evolved, and especially as it migrated across appreciate the canvas on which they are splashing a tree. the pond, trees became part of the golf design palette. And then, reconsider. And, like all golf design elements, trees have been utilized both well and poorly over the years. Golf is a hard-enough sport already. And, I often see trees planted in locations that just make the game too hard. The Recognizing there are not “right” or “wrong” answers in art favorite being near a green complex, supposedly “off to and design, this commentary is simply my take on what I the side” and not interfering with the visual composition or think works well with regard to how trees are used in golf even the turf conditions. Yet, located on the outside edge architecture. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and the of a bunker, this type of tree will often create the almost following comments are not meant as golf design gospel, impossible shot. A golfer finds his ball under or behind this but simply what I have seen over 28 years in golf design. tree, and they then have unenviable position of not being able to run the ball up to the green due to the bunker, and Trees are often quite beautiful and people playing on a golf also not hit a higher shot due to the limbs of the tree. In course appreciate their splendor. Yet, golfers also enjoy my book, this is patently penal (read: unfair) golf course hitting off turf and putting on bent grass versus dirt. And, I design. A golfer should not be penalized with an almost recognize where this column is being printed and that I am impossible shot by simply hitting it near a tree not far from preaching to the choir on this point. So, a simple question a the green. golf superintendent can ask any golfer that decries the loss of a tree: Do you want quality turf or a beautiful tree? It is Specimen trees can be a great addition to a golf hole, a choice that golfers need to comprehend, and the decision when properly vetted and thought about prior to planting. is simply one of science. You cannot physically have both. And, once ONE good tree is planted, there is usually no reason to continue planting more trees around it. In fact, Another tree issue that continues to amaze me, are how on many old turn-of-the-century designed golf courses, many trees have been planted in locations that diminish we spend a lot of time and effort removing the many trees the optical composition of a golf hole. An architect usually that have been planted around that unique specimen tree. has a vision for how they believe a golf hole will look when The results always being “less is more” and viewed from the teeing area. They will often place bunkers the removal of many trees will often make that in spots that work to offset another visual aspect of the © Course Conditions I issue #48 - Q3 2020 single specimen tree become more focal, interesting and to one side of the fairway, or not be able to have the ball memorable. move from side to side, which is not something even the pros do. Golfers don’t hit the ball straight off the tee. They often start out right or left, and then move one way or the other, Tree planting seems like a benign endeavor for a greens with hopes of ending up in the middle of the fairway. Yet, committee or golf operator to do. People love trees and those planting trees will often stand in the middle of a tee who would argue about beautifying a golf course? But, if box, and point a straight line to the fairway and declare the trees are an imperative, they need to be designed, planned trees on the edges of the hole a non-issue. Inevitably, these and managed with similar diligence as all other aspects of trees grow, and then force golfers to only be able to play the design. turfventures Erwin McKone is a Michigan native, growing up in Flint, Michigan was introduced to turf at Genesee Valley Meadows. Erwin earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of Michigan and was a Research Assistant for Bruce Branham at the University of Illinois. Erwin served as Chief Operating Officer and Director of Golf Operations at Briar Ridge Country Club prior to joining the Turf Ventures team in 2016. Turf Ventures is a major distributor of chemicals and supplies. The company philosophy emphasizes playability as guiding principle for agronomic decisions. Turf Ventures believes in common sense agronomic principles and proven cultural practices to ensure the success of its partners. Erwin H. McKone, CGCS 219-688-0089 erwin@chicagolandturf. com 16 n | www.migcsa.org BAKER VEHICLE SYSTEMS i REPRESENTING the FINEST TURF & INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT since 1940! JA Cl3BS=r www.bakervehicle.com Follow us on @BakerVehide THE WRENCH BY: HECTOR VELAZQUEZ EQUIPMENT MANAGER, WALNUT CREEK C.C Professionalism and work/home life balance irst, I want to start off with a special thank you to F Craig McKinley for asking me to write an article about professionalism and work/home life balance. I touched on this topic during Technician Day at Walnut Creek Country Club a while back. I will start off with professionalism in the shop because that is the easier topic to dive into. After five years traveling across the country full time, we visited and worked in a good amount of golf course maintenance facilities. Sometimes it was just a quick hello and other times it was for tech training or shop renovations. All too often I would walk in a shop that was not exactly the safest place to be in, to put it kindly. Being a mechanic, we are often labeled as a “Grease Monkey” because people picture a shop that is dirty and grimy with junk all over the workbench and reels laying around everywhere and a mechanic that’s wearing grease stained clothes and holey pants. We do not have to be a “Grease Monkey” just because we are mechanics. It is up to us to change that stigma and to be seen as a professional. It does not cost anything to clean up our operation. We can organize Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association | www.migcsa.org THE WRENCH This article will be in every issue of Course Conditions featuring a new idea and author. If you have a helpful tip and would like to provide a contribution please contact the MiGCSA at info@migcsa.org. Is your Equipment Manager an MiGCSA Member? They can be for only $25 a year. our workbenches, put tools away, sweep floors, and and what can wait until the next day. Sure, pick up trash laying around. It does not cost much to you will have days where you cannot help wear a clean shirt to work and tuck it in. Hold your but to stay late and take care of business chin up and work that swagger across your clean but that should not be every day and every shop. Walking into a nice clean and organized shop week. You can change things up by going changes your attitude and most likely will change into work earlier, rather than staying later on the staff and superintendent’s attitude as well. They some days. Have a heart to heart with your will not want your shop to look better than their boss if you need to and communicate what is office and the staff will want to make sure they are important to you and put a plan together so cleaning the equipment better to help keep the shop you can make the most of your time while at looking stellar. It changes the whole moral in the work. It definitely helps when you have a boss maintenance facility. That same swagger will carry that you can see eye to eye with. Sometimes out to the course! You have heard that saying “ Show sacrifice has to happen. Let us just make sure me who your friends are, and I will know who you it is not always our families that are doing are”. That same thing applies here, “Show me your the sacrificing. Balance looks different to shop and I will know your course”. You see, it all everyone. Do what works for you and your starts in the maintenance facility. family and the season that your family is in. It changes continually. Be encouraged, you can Balancing work life and home life is not easy, and make it work as long as you are making it a it requires one to be more intentional. Everyone priority to stay connected with has their reasons as to why they are not balancing the relationships that work and home life. Sometimes it is easier to be a mean the most to you. workaholic or maybe that is all you know how to do. Keep the communication Maybe you use the excuse “well it comes with the open. It may not be easy, 1 \ title”. If you have a family to come home to, count but it is definitely your blessings, as all do not have that privilege. Do worth it. ) I not come home one day and realize, whoa who are you? Time goes by so fast and children grow up quick, spouses go through personal growth, and we need to not miss out on that because of a job. Work will always need to be done. You cannot do it all in one day. Prioritize what needs to be done right now Course Conditions I issue #48 - Q3 2020 19 Thank You 2020 Industry Partners Spartan Rl SiteOne 1 Distributors M syngenta 1,1 Harrell’s twtijrf ® TARGET The 2020 B%Nufarm MiGCSA State Winfield Great Lakes turf Championship M ah. Earthwork^ ? PRIME SOURCE Otrjma& >turf « Please Support Those Who Support You Thank you 2020 Industry Partners MiGCSA Class A Member Bob Stipcak, CGCS hosted the 13th annual State Championship, the MiGCSA Major, on August 18th at Timber Ridge G.C. in Bath. This event is not just for those competing for the trophy there is also a 2 of 4 net team event so everyone can get in the game. The course was really in remarkable condition thanks to the great work by Bob and his staff. The 2020 event was well contested with a few rounds in the 70’s Josh Shaw, the 2020 State Champion on a tough layout and set up. In the end the 2020 State Champion was Josh Shaw, Superintendent at Timber Trace in Pickney with a 73. Finishing second overall in the competition was MiGCSA Past President Jeff Holmes, CGCS of Egypt Valley with a personal lifetime best of 75 to win the low net contest with a net 63. Congratulations to both of our individual winners! The best 2 of 4 net game was won by the team of Ryan Moore, Eric Davey, Marc McCoy and Jeff Holmes with a 125, second place was Tyler Cooper, Scott Mincher, Brett Roberts and Josh Shaw with a 129 and the third place team of Jim Apsey, Derek Koster, Kevin Frank and Robert Klingbeil shot 134. The long drive was won by Scott Mincher. Kevin Frank and Robert Klingbeil won the Jeff Holmes, CGCS the Thank you Bob Stipcak, CGCS closest to the pin competition. 2020 Net State Champion our 2020 Host With this win Josh will be heading to the Michigan Open in 2021 thanks to the exemption offered thanks to the Michigan PGA. Thank you to our 2020 Industry Partners for making events like these possible. This fall and all year please remember to support those who support you. 20 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association o 4^ FLORATINE SOIL ME^IIANIX FPG PHYSICAL PROPERTIES LABS THE CORE SOLUTION FOR SOIL PROBLEMS INCLUDED IN ANALYSIS: Total Core Wate Particle Density o % RAPID. RELIABLE. AFFORDABLE. GIT GSreat cience B L, akes ased P TDurf erformance riven Phone: 616.805.4718 /Website: www.greatlakesturf.com /Twitter: @greatlakesturf SUPERINTENDENT — JOE VERDUIN AT AMERICAN DUNES GOLF CLUB VerDuin ■ ■ HOW DID YOU BECOME M WHEN DID YOU LEARN IT WAS INVOLVED IN THE GOLF GOING TO BECOME AMERICAN BUSINESS? I needed a summer DUNES? I heard that someone job when I was 16.1 walked who was a big deal was coming into Spring Lake Country Club to the course. They didn’t really and they were hiring. I worked tell me or anybody what was there for probably four years going on. It was probably July of Joe VerDuin and Kirk Carls said to me that 2018 and Jack Nicklaus showed is the superintendent for the it seemed like I enjoyed myself, up with his head designer and soon-to-debut American and that I had a knack. I went to Dan Rooney. That was mid-day Dunes Golf Club in Grand a community college trying to maybe 4 o-clock. There were Haven. He started in the figure out what I wanted to do. golfers on the course and Jack business working at Spring Then went to Western Michigan and his designer got in carts and Lake Country Club at for a little bit, too, before I found took a spin around the entire age 16. He is currently 30 the golf industry. golf course. He was buzzing by and studied turfgrass at people, and they were playing Michigan State University WHAT PART OF YOUR golf out there. People were kind and business at Grand Valley EDUCATION DO YOU USE THE of angry at first, and then they State University where he MOST? Things have changed were like that’s Jack Nicklaus. It also worked at The Meadows even in the last two years to was an interesting day. I was then tell the truth. I used more of my told at a fall meeting in 2018 the Golf Course at GVSU. He and current knowledge, especially final word, that they were going his wife Emma have been with this grow-in. I was here to do the whole course. I was married four years and have when it was Grand Haven Golf told we’re going to make this a two boys. He has been at Club in 2017 and 2018 and they different place. I was like, sweet, what was Grand Haven Golf needed help with the turf when I yeah. Club and is now American got here. I worked hard on that. Dunes since 2017. He has also worked at National Golf Links and Arcadia Bluffs. Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association | www.migcsa.org y TELL US ABOUT THE done I think we will have to of Honor, a non-profit that helps TRANSFORMATION? We kept do a little snow fencing in the children and spouses of our fallen the irrigation and there’s almost winter. We have acres of exposed military with scholarships. It’s a double the heads now, roughly sand out there. No dirt came in cool thing to be involved with. I 1200 heads, and we probably during construction or went out. didn’t go into the military, but it saved 700 off the old course. Everything here was here. feels good to be involved in this All through 2019 there was indirect way. The better we do in tj WHAT HAS BEEN THE just construction, bulldozers, this department, the more people backhoes, everything you can EXPERIENCE WITH JACK will come to the course and it will imagine. It was mostly taking NICKLAUS? I would say he has help people down the line. out trees at first. The first tree been here at least 10 times, and hit the ground March 11. We did he really seemed to like the site WHAT ABOUT THE SEEDING? a first round of clearing, and that and the project. I think he wanted The really kind of cool thing we wasn’t quite enough, so we did to make the place extra special did was hydroseeding all around another and then another if I because of his connection with the greens. We couldn’t find any remember right. Then on July 15 the majority owner, Dan Rooney sod that matched our soil profile. we had a huge storm and that and what they are doing with the It looks great on the first nine. night more than 100 trees got Folds of Honor charity work. He It looks like it has worked pretty knocked down. We had irrigation would drive around and he would well. The other nine holes should in the ground, so those had to ask questions. He was super nice, be ready to go in May 2021 and be cleared carefully because but he was all business out there. then with a good spring we will holes were being shaped and It was great stuff watching him be open. moved, too. We had to strategize work. WHAT ARE YOUR and deal with some things, and WHAT IS THE MISSION OF EXPECTATIONS FROM THE we had a pretty cold spring AMERICAN DUNES? All of the TURFGRASS FOUNDATION? I and then not a lot of snow in the winter so sand was blowing profits of American Dunes, once have questions right around out there. Once we’re the bills are paid, will go to Folds now about the research THINGS 5 1. I am 50% Mexican American. 2. I played water polo at MSU and won a Big Ten Title. PEOPLE 3. I have a business administration degree from MAY Grand Valley State University. 4. I have 3 older brothers (one in the Turf industry). NOT KNOW 5. When I was 18,1 emailed Nicklaus Design to see how ABOUT ME I could get into golf course design, and if they took interns. Course Conditions I issue #48 - Q3 2020 on how quick I can put down a growth WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ARE SOME OF regulator. You know, 12-week-old grass? THE BIGGEST ISSUES FACING GOLF 10-week-old grass? Do I go through a TODAY? I guess the biggest one is the full growing program. Most people tell amount of time it takes for people to you not to put it down until you are all play a round. I know for me, to come up the way grown in. I will be looking for with four hours to play with us having more answers on that, and things like two small kids is tough. The last thing that. I like the research they do. my wife really wants to hear after I’ve been working at the golf course for so DO YOU HAVE HOBBIES OR SPECIAL many hours is that I want to go back to INTERESTS AWAY FROM GOLF? I like the golf course to play. to watch basketball and I love college football, and it usually means the WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN season is slowly wrapping up. My wife 10 YEARS? Hopefully still here. I don’t and her family love to hunt. I met her see why not. This place has so much when I was working at The Meadows. potential and the cause is so great with She worked in the shop there. Her Folds of Honor. I would like to see the family has 100 acres by Greenville, so impact it makes and be part of that. we go up there and hunt some. After the season I’m kind of an inside person, HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE but I do love to golf. My wife played REMEMBERED 100 YEARS FROM golf in high school. I like to get on a NOW? As a hardworking, positive course when I can. person. There’s a lot to be said about how you treat people and I want people WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE MOST to think I treated them well. It normally CHALLENGING PART OF YOUR JOB? works out. Every once in a while you’ve When I first got here we really had got to use a little more stick than to clean the equipment and organize carrot, but I like being a person who the shop, and now it has moved to treats people with respect, works hard changing from a smaller operation to and leads by example. offering this world-class golf course. It’s going to be different. WHO WAS YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCE IN THE TURFGRASS INDUSTRY? If I WHAT IS THE MOST SATISFYING PART had to point one person out it would be OF YOUR JOB? When people see and Kirk Carls because he was the one who enjoy the hard work you have put in. asked if I ever thought about going into It’s great when somebody comes up the industry. I had never even thought and tells you they noticed. It means a about it before that. And then I would lot when people understand the late have to mention all the superintendents nights you work and everything that I’ve worked for. I’ve learned a lot from goes into making a golf course work. I all of them. We all learn something love it when people say they enjoyed from everybody we work with. Good, playing. Then you know they enjoyed bad, or indifferent, it has all led to me the hard work you and your team put being the kind of person I am. in. That’s pretty sweet. o Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association I www.migcsa.org What if a Pythium Product Did More? Introducing Union™ Fungicide SC: Dual mode-of-action control of all Pythium diseases and 17 other diseases in a single product. Union™ Eliminates. • All Pythium Diseases • Brown Patch Union FUNGICIDE SC • Summer Patch • 15 More Turf Diseases Provides Exceptional Control of Listed Patch and Pythium Diseases in Turfgrass +Plus Union also eliminates the time and labor needed to tank mix fungicides. ► For more information contact Don Botkin at 612.655.8787. pbi /Goradon conpoRation Always read and follow label directions. Union™ is a trademark of PBI-Gordon Corp. 01/20 05865 Employee-Owned WHAT’S THE MOST VALUABLE THING THAT YOU HAVE LEARNED THAT YOU USE ALL THE TIME? I would go back with a golden rule, and that’s to respect everybody. The more respect you show them, and if they see you working hard, it works. It is easier to pull people in than to push people, right? trf WHAT PERCENTAGE OF TIME DO YOU DEVOTE TO NON-AGRONOMIC GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT? Right now 40 percent, and maybe more once we are fully open. Right now I have 12 guys, including myself, one mechanic, one assistant and the assistant just came on recently. We’re all working. WHAT IS YOU OPINION OF THE ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT? It’s huge. Before April I was doing both and a few other jobs. It anything broke, I was fixing it. If we needed to spray, I had to do it. The assistant is also that other set of eyes to see things. WHAT ABOUT THE EQUIPMENT MANAGER? I have learned quite a bit about fixing things over the years, but the backbone of a golf course operation is the mechanic. They are that important. rv WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST PET PEEVE REGARDING GOLF COURSE ETIQUETTE? People not using the cart paths. It is ridiculous. They are there for a reason. WHAT WOULD BE YOUR DREAM FOURSOME? Jack Nicklaus. I can’t have anybody read this and not see Jack in there. Tiger, definitely and throw Gary Woodland in there. He’s a huge Folds of Honor guy. It would be a great group. ^^WHO HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST PERSONAL INFLUENCE? I have learned quite a bit about fixing things over the years, but the backbone of a golf course operation is the mechanic. They are that important. Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association | www.migcsa.org SUPERINTENDENT tr rnax/poiM MOWING SYSTEMS 7 ™w® PERFORMANCE. THE VERSATILITY OFA ROTARY WITH A WORLD CLASS CUT. 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 MADEIN THE 3 YEAR SPECIFICATIONS 320 400 Cutting Width 10 7 13 1 FEATURES > Flat or Uplift LazerBladez™ > Sealed Spindles > LocTEK Stubless Roller > QuikLIFT Retention System > Articulation Ability > Full Width Rollers > Zero Turn CALL OR TEXT TO BOOK YOUR FREEDEMO! > Easy Height Adjustment > Industry Leading 6162921305 GORDIELAFONTAINE > Auto Belt Tensioners 3 Year Warranty Course Conditions I issue #48 - Q3 2020 27 FROM NATIONAL F GCSAA Golf Course Superintendents Association of America BY SHANE CONROY AND GCSAA STAFF 2021 Golf Industry Show to be presented virtually Your space. Your pace. All in one place. REGISTRATION OF FEBRUARY time away from work. It is a unique situation where we have the ability to connect more industry professionals from all corners of the world than ever before.” You can view John’s announcement of the 2021 Golf Industry Show here. Registration for the 2021 Golf Industry Show will open Oct. golfindustryshow.com O • O 13 on the Golf Industry Show website. Your Space. Your Pace. All in One Place. GIS 2021: Q&A with GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans The 2021 Golf Industry Show is going virtual. GCM sat down with GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans to discuss the Amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, GCSAA announced today that move to a virtual GIS, the reasons behind it, what attendees the annual education conference and trade show will be presented in a can expect, and what the future might hold for other virtual format instead of the previously planned in-person event in Las upcoming conferences and trade shows. Vegas. Q: At the time of this interview in early August, we’re The decision was made in conjunction with GCSAA’s presenting GIS six months out from the scheduled dates for an partners, the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) in-person GIS 2021. Why did GCSAA decide now was and the Golf Course Builders Association of America (GCBAA). The the right time to make this decision? organizations say the virtual event will offer an experience that A: The short answer is that it was simply the right thing continues the Golf Industry Show’s long tradition of connecting to do - for our members, our exhibitors, our GIS attendees, exhibitors and industry experts through a week of presenting partners, and our staff who work so hard to unparalleled educational opportunities and access to golf facility plan and execute the Golf Industry Show each year. solutions for industry professionals. As any organization that conducts an event as In addition to the education, trade show and special events that will substantial as GIS would do, we have been carefully take place live on the virtual platform the first week of February, monitoring the situation, tracking its effect on the attendees will also have the option to view or review all content from event and trade show industry, and gathering feedback the show for an extended period after the event concludes. from GCSAA members and longtime GIS exhibitors. In The theme of GIS 2021 - “Your space. Your pace. All in one place.” - addition to planning for an in-person event in Las Vegas, not only reflects the ability of participants to attend the show from the we were working concurrently on several contingency safety of their homes or offices and consume the content when they plans, all with the safety, health and comfort of all GIS want to, but also speaks to the convergence of industry experts that is attendees at the forefront of our thinking. a hallmark of GIS and will remain so in the virtual format. As we entered the month of August, circumstances “As we monitored the national landscape and sought input from our made it clear that now was the time and that an members and exhibitors, it was clear that a virtual event would offer the all-virtual event was our best course of action. The safest and best way to provide a quality GIS experience,” said GCSAA pandemic remained a source of great concern for all of President John R. Fulling Jr., CGCS. “We are confident our attendees our constituents, and it was clear that concern would will embrace this interactive, cutting-edge virtual platform. In addition, likely continue into the new year. Additionally, several we believe the virtual event will offer opportunities for those who may other prominent events we had been watching closely have not been able to attend in-person shows due to travel costs or - most notably, the 2021 Consumer Electronics CONTINUED ON PAGE 32 www.migcsa.org — TRUE CHAMPIONS MORE TIME, MORE CONTROL BUILDING A THOUGHTFUL EOP: THE FMC 2020 EARLY ORDER PROGRAM WAS DEVELOPED WITH YOU IN MIND. How? FMC asked. Given the impact of this year effected each golf course differently, FMC listened to superintendents from across the country on how to best build a ‘thoughtful’ EOP with your needs in mind. With ‘More Time, More Control’ you’ll see: • Low minimum to qualify • Longer payment terms • Extended In-Season Savings • More ways to reach RebateLock Visit FMCTrueChampions.com to enroll or contact your local FMC Market Specialist for more information. EXTENDED SAVINGS NEW KIT OFFERINGS ADDED REBATELOCK TIERS RebateLock Always read and follow all label directions, restrictions and precauZ^^C^rne products may not be registered for sale or use in all grates. FMC, the FMC logo, True Champions and RebateLock are trademarks or service marksofW^orpdfatiob Or an affiliate ©Wo Al! lights reserved Introducing our two newest allied partners Call your sales rep for a demo today! Digging the future www.jwturf.com Show and the the disease. But in the end, based on the best available 2020 GIE+EXPO - information, we think we made a sound decision that best announced that their serves everyone involved with GIS. events would either Q: How will this virtual GIS be delivered to attendees? Have go virtual (in the you determined a technology partner yet? case of CES) or be A: A: We evaluated several potential vendors who all offered postponed (in the cutting-edge products, but ultimately selected one whose case of GIE+EXPO). platform we all agreed was highly interactive, visually We were also engaging and easy to use. The core content offered on this cognizant of the platform will be the same world-class offerings that you’d need to give time find at an in-person GIS. The lineup will include concurrent for all involved to education sessions, networking opportunities, special events GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans. adjust and plan and a virtual trade show along with some fun features and Photo by Montana Pritchard for any changes to special guests that are unique to the virtual platform. GIS that we might Check out a preview of the virtual GIS 2021 experience: need to make. When you take all of that into consideration, it became clear that transitioning to a virtual event was our best Q: There is official GCSAA business conducted each year option, and the time to make that decision was now. at GIS, from the presentation of major awards to the association’s annual meeting and election, plus special Q: You mention the contingency plans you had been events such as Celebrating Certification and the Health considering during GIS 2021 planning. Why was an all- in Action 5K run. How will those be affected by this virtual event selected as the best scenario to pursue? decision? A: As we began to plan in earnest for GIS 2021, all in the midst A: GIS always presents such a great opportunity to acknowledge of the pandemic, we felt it prudent to work concurrently on excellence in our industry and to recognize the notable work other potential scenarios for the event. Those ranged from of our members. That will certainly be a different exercise in a a normal, in-person GIS, to a hybrid event that would offer virtual setting, but we’re committed to doing it in a way that both in-person and online offerings, to an all-online, virtual will make it a special and memorable occasion for those being conference and trade show. honored, whether those are Distinguished Service Award We ultimately decided on the virtual-event option, because winners or members who have earned or maintained their it was clear it was the one that best took into account the status as certified superintendents. clear preferences of our members and exhibitors while still Similarly, our annual meeting and election are crucial offering those groups an experience they would find valuable, elements to the business of our association, and those events educational, interactive and profitable. will also take place in the virtual format. We must make sure Q: What factors and feedback were considered in the those are conducted in accordance with association bylaws, decision-making process? but we will have an annual meeting and election in February. A: We kept close tabs on national developments in the event Q: What does this mean for the GCSAA Golf Championships? and trade show industry, with a specific eye on Las Vegas Will those events be conducted as scheduled, or are and the state of Nevada. To assist in that effort, we engaged changes planned? with a veteran trade show consultant to guide us through the A: We know how important the golf tournament is to so many process and offer his analysis on trends and best practices of our members and how much they were looking forward to that were available to us. our return trip to Palm Springs (Calif.). Regrettably, though, We also conducted surveys of our members and GIS the decision to transition GIS to an all-virtual event means attendees to gauge their preferences and comfort levels with that the GCSAA Golf Championships will not take place as an in-person event versus an online, virtual offering, and the planned. data from those surveys made it clear that a virtual option We do remain strongly committed to this tournament. We was strongly preferred. In addition, we also regularly worked have a wonderful corporate partner in The Toro Co. that has with our GIS exhibitors to make sure their feedback was supported it for the past 26 years and a host of loyal and received and considered as we came to this final decision. enthusiastic participants who take part year after year. As a There were other factors that we took into consideration, result, we’re hopeful we’ll be able to offer an alternative event from virus-related travel restrictions to progress on the later in 2021, if conditions warrant, and I can say that we’ll development of effective treatments and vaccines for do all we can to bring this event back to Palm Springs just as Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association I www.migcsa.org FROM NATIONAL soon as we can. that will translate select GIS content into as many as 10 different languages, which we think will broaden the appeal Q: What will a virtual event provide for someone who has even further. never had the opportunity to attend an in-person GIS before? Q: What would you say to members or industry partners A: Quite a lot, actually. In fact, one of the things we’re most who might be skeptical that a virtual GIS experience will excited about in this transition to an all-virtual event in 2021 deliver the same value they receive at an in-person event? is what it can offer those who have been unable to attend an A: I would say those feelings are understandable. GIS is such in-person GIS in the past or haven’t been able to take part as a unique event that delivers so much to so many. It offers frequently as they would have liked. an unmatched opportunity to bring our industry together and focus attention on what makes superintendents such We are certainly aware that there can be obstacles for some an integral part of the game of golf. We share in the who are interested in taking advantage of an in-person disappointment that we’re not going to be able to experience GIS. There are financial constraints, time constraints, family that in person in 2021. obligations. It is our hope that savings in travel costs - airfare, lodging, food, etc. - from not having an in-person That said, we are extremely confident that we’ve settled on event, the flexibility offered by a virtual platform, and the fact a virtual option that will create a memorable and valuable that registered attendees can access GIS information for a experience for attendees and exhibitors alike. We took great period of time after the event ends will be enticing to those pains to make sure we found a tool that looked good, would members. be easy to use, and would be interactive. When you pair that with the world-class content delivered by industry experts Similarly, we think the virtual platform opens up significant from around the globe, we’re confident that GIS 2021 will be a opportunities for international attendees for many of those great experience for all involved. same reasons. 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Course Conditions I issue #47 - Q2 2020 Nufarm [][] REWARDS PROGRAM GROW YOUR EDGE WITH BIG REWARDS ON PROVEN TURF PROTECTION PRODUCTS ADD SAVINGS EARN REWARDS MORE WAYS INSTANTLY WITH FASTER WITH TO SAVE WITH OUR NEW ONLINE OUR LOW $2,500 NEW VOLUME CALCULATOR MINIMUM BONUS OFFERS REGISTER TODAY NUFARMREWARDS.COM Nufarm Grow a better tomorrow ©2020 Nufarm. INDUSTRY PARTNER - JAKE GREEN JAKE Green HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN THE GOLF BUSINESS? My Dad (Pat Green) was a Superintendent and then he wised up (maybe) and moved into a GM position. I was 8 years old when he helped build Triple Crown Country Club in our home town, Union KY. Besides getting to ride around on bulldozers and excavators I loved watching the place take shape from beginning to end. Once complete and play started I worked filling divots, weed whacking and doing anything I could to help out. It still remember the joy and sense of accomplishment each time I learned to do something new and how excited I was to walk mow greens for the first time. Jake Green is Nufarm’s To me, at age 13, that was the holy grail, graduating from mowing Regional Sales Manager for the rough, tees, collars and approaches and finally being trusted to Great Lakes Region that includes mow greens. The love of this industry is kind of a bug you catch and once you have it, it never goes away. Kentucky, Indiana, and Michigan. He has been with Nufarm for WHAT STOPS HAVE YOU MADE IN YOUR CAREER? I did internships in 19 months and has grown up in Colorado then Connecticut where I ended up taking an Assistant the golf business as the son of a position at Country Club of New Canaan. I was hired by Mike Reeb. golf course superintendent and I was there for 10 years then decided I wanted to try something new. I got into sales for a distributor and was a rep for four years general manager. He received his 2015 through 18 and ended up wanting to move back home and be BS in Turfgrass Management at closer to family. I moved back in 2018 and was lucky enough to get Eastern Kentucky University and a position with Nufarm. makes his home in Union, Ky. He is 38 and he and his wife Amy WHO WAS YOUR GREATEST INFLUENCE IN PERSONAL LIFE? My dad. He was in the business since I was four. I loved growing up working have two children, Lucas, 8, and on the golf course. Allie, 4. Ej WHO WAS YOUR GREATEST INFLUENCE IN YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE? I worked for several Superintendents over 15 years and was influenced by all of them. You pick up a lot of great management traits from everyone you work with as well as management styles you don’t want to follow. CAN YOU SHARE A FUNNY STORY FROM YOUR CAREER? Very early in my career, about age 9,1 was driving a golf cart on a dirt road during a construction project. The not so funny part is I got thrown off the cart full superman style while screwing around standing up and taking my hands off the wheel while driving. The funny part is when I came walking back to the construction area my dad and a group of guys were working and they all turned and looked at me scraped up from the neck down. I made up the story that a bug flew in my eye, I took my hands off the wheel to get it out, the wheel turned sharply and tossed me out. I was pretty sure he didn’t believe me, but he let me stick with -a that story. We still laugh about it today. 1 Course Conditions I issue #48 - Q3 2020 35 fl DO YOU HAVE AN community. We are involved WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE ARE with Greencare for Troops THE BIGGEST ISSUES FACING EMBARRASING CAREER which matches veterans with SUPERINTENDENTS TODAY? MOMENT YOU WOULD LIKE lawn care companies for free Currently Covid-19 and I think we TO SHARE? I have lots, but lawn service. We also fund the all can agree that labor is a major one that sticks out is my first EXCEL Leadership Program ongoing issue. Besides that, it Asst Superintendent job. It for Assistant Superintendents. is the ever-increasing demands was a Sunday morning and It’s not always about selling and expectations from members instead of waking to an alarm the product but creating and golfers. They just don’t truly I woke up to my boss banging relationships and providing understand the time effort it takes on my bedroom door in the the best solutions. to get what they see on TV or staff housing. Needless to say, when they visit the super high- I was up a little late and had • H WHAT IS YOUR BEST end clubs that really don’t have a a few too many “sodas”. I was SUCCESS STORY? Just where budget. I’m not saying that more never late again. I’m at today. Early on I knew money and more help will fix all fl WHAT IS YOUR BEST ADVICE I wanted to be in the golf your problems, but it sure does course industry and I’m still help. TO DECISION MAKERS WHEN doing it although in a little DOING BUSINESS? Try new different capacity from when WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS things, do your research, have I started. It started with a WHEN WORKING WITH THE check plots, understand what’s love of being outdoors and MICHIGAN GOLF COURSE really making the difference growing up working on SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION? on you course. Work with courses with my dad. No expectations, just looking to someone you trust and who help out where I can and of course will always steer you in the WHAT DO YOU ENJOY play some new golf courses. The right direction. THE MOST ABOUT YOUR group has been great to work o WHAT IS THE MOST POSITION? Helping people with so far and everyone has solve problems. We have a been very inviting and welcoming. REWARDING PART OF BEING great team at Nufarm and The MiGCSA team does a great IN AN INDUSTRY SUPPORT some of the best technical job keeping everyone informed ROLE? I get to meet with guys around. If I don’t have with industry news and continues lots of great people in the an answer, these guys are to fight for its members when industry, visit the best golf always there ready to get on needed. I guess my expectation courses around and help the road or phone call to lend would be for that to continue. support many causes. With a helping hand. I have enjoyed Nufarm it’s about people and learning more and working 36 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association I www.migcsa.org INDUSTRY PROFILE with all the industries we support ■0 DO YOU HAVE A FUNNY STORY line but It’s always nice to from golf to lawn care, tree care, YOU CAN SHARE FROM THE demonstrate a new product greenhouse/nursery and sports ROAD? On my first trip to when it comes out. turf. I pick up new tricks of the Michigan after starting with trade everywhere I go and get to Nufarm, I’m heading up to the WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE share that knowledge “unless I’m spring meeting in Grand Rapids. GOLF COURSE TO PLAY? sworn to secrecy” with others that I’m used to driving in snow after Anything with great water may need help. It’s a great industry views. I love playing Highland living in Connecticut for 12 years. and everyone is always willing to But as I’m rolling up the southwest Links in Cape Cod. Just a fun help their peers. 9-holer with great views. Only side of the state near Kalamazoo, water view course I’ve played the snow is blowing sideways and 03 DO YOU HAVE SOME TRAVEL while moving along straight in my in Ml so far is Arcadia Bluffs TIPS? Pack plenty of snacks and pickup, suddenly the wheels just and it was spectacular. something to drink. It’s a good seem to break loose from the road 10 IF YOU HAD A DIFFERENT idea to always keep your GPS on and I’m fishtailing all over. I finally even when you know where you’re get to the side of the road and PROFESSION, what would going, you never know when a IT BE? A world traveler. stop. I locked it in four-wheel drive road may be closed or delayed. after that. I call it my welcome to 10 DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE Always keep a role of TP in your Michigan moment. vehicle. W GOLFER AND WHY? I do like 10 WHAT is your favorite item to watch golf. I’m not sure I ■El HOW MANY DAYS OF THE YEAR TO SELL/DEMONSTRATE? I don’t would call him a favorite, ARE YOU ON THE ROAD? More really have a favorite. I like to but I like to watch than I’m home. Brandt Snedeker. He Ws support all of our Nufarm product Does the lA/eeiFHonster live in your pon4? 7th Hole Pond Transformation 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. Contact Roy Cole: Cell 248-640-1149, Email Roy@RIGERO.com Visit rigero.com/golf-course Course Conditions | issue #48 - Q3 2020 37 INDUSTRY PROFILE doesn’t mess around with pre­ their supers and assistants. shot routines. He walks up and The GCSAA works hard for our hits the ball and keeps things industry day in and day out and loose. I like his demeanor and puts on a great lineup. GIS has how he goes about playing. great education opportunities and it’s a great time to network. HAVE YOU EVER HAD A HOLE The best part is meeting up with IN ONE? No. I’m happy to hit the old and new friends to trade green. war stories from the season. This is when many manufactures Ql WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES OR showcase new products and ACTIVITIES AWAY FROM GOLF? equipment and gives you the I like anything outdoors like chance to have in depth one on taking hikes with family, fishing, one conversations about them. boating, and camping. rfl HOW MANY ROUNDS OF GOLF WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING DO YOU PLAY IN A YEAR? OUTSIDE OF WORK? Spending About 10. Working in the time with family and friends. business means less golf. I play when I attend the events. ffy IF YOU COULD TRAVEL TO ANY TIME IN GOLF WHEN WOULD HOW DO YOU THINK THE IT BE AND WHY? The late 1800s INDUSTRY WILL BE DIFFERENT early 1900s when the classic IN 10 YEARS? I think you will golf courses were being built. I see more robotic mowing and would like to see the processes more use of GPS for sprayers, of construction then versus now. and more technical tools. I don’t It was also the era when greens- think the labor situation will keeping really became a thing. be any better, but there will be rOwHO HAS THE BEST better tools and more to combat the problem. MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT DOG? Met a lot of great dogs ARE THERE ANY but we had a cat at the course NEW PRODUCTS in Connecticut. The cat was ON THE HORIZON? there by time I arrived. Story is We have a it showed up with a broken tail, few numbered THINGS PEOPLE MAY they took the cat in, named it compounds at Mulligan and we never had a university trials NOT KNOW ABOUT ME mouse problem. and plan to launch a new fungicide in HOW MANY CONFERENCES late 2022. We are 1. I moved to Connecticut after college and AND EDUCATIONAL events always trying to fill worked there for 13 years. DO YOU ATTEND PER YEAR? gaps in solutions for supers to help 2. I am Bengals and Reds fan (they keep I would say 10 to 15, including with resistance making it hard to root for them) some of the ones the company puts on themselves. management and 3. My given name is Jason but I’ve gone by pests that need Jake since elementary school. WHICH ONE IS THE BEST TURF better control. CARE PROFESSIONALS CAN 4. I once owned a stake in an oil well in ATTEND? I still think GIS is the Kentucky. The outcome...l’m still working. best one to attend. I wish more 5. Hobbies include fishing, hunting and courses would pay to send hiking. 38 4 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association | www.migcsa.org Take the load off next season's stress Let us handle the heavy lifting !•! Harrell's gf Growing a Better World® © © EOP H*™** fi ft 2020 Htejs* h Bayer syngenta □‘BASF The Chemical Company Save on the trusted products you need NuFarm most when you order early. Take advantage of our warehousing. SePAQ -FMC Order now, receive it when you need it. 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Turf was removed from the low- temperature chamber and 20 days later regrowth percentage was determined by counting green BASE K-26™ leaves compared to all leaves in the sample. A high K formulation utilizing ultra safe and highly absorbed potassium acetate fortified with proprietary G2D™ biostimulant technology. MZ-23™ A strong dose of manganese, zinc, phosphite and sea weed Research performed at Michigan State University 2015/2016 extract, MZ-23 provides the essential micronutrients required for many essential plant functions. Gain rich color without growth going into a long hard winter. itfTARGET SPECIALTY PRODUCTS™ Contact us at info@target-specialty.com target-specialty.com/winter I OFF COURSE SPOOKTACULAR: THE BIGGEST SOCIAL EVENT BY JIM PRIEBE, POLO FIELDS C.C. hen I first began at Polo Fields, all I heard about was this Halloween event and all the prep that goes into it. I’ve never really been into Halloween so I wasn’t excited and assumed this would be a small and corny membership event. However, with being informed this was the biggest social event of the season and one all the members talk about and look forward to, I knew I had to be a team player on this one. The Prep: During our weekly meetings, we begin brainstorming about ideas and which department does which part of the event months in advance. The four main stations are food & beverage, haunted basement, young kid/ non scary play zone, and the famous haunted hayride. With the grounds crew always doing the outside work it was easy for us to take on the haunted hayride station. This past season was the first time in years they had the hayride so we had to make sure it was a memorable one. Majority of the other department staff had been with Polo for years so it was easy to lean on them for help and support. We rented a wagon from a local farmer, who supplied the hay bales as well. Most of the A Course Conditions I Issue #48 - Q3 2020 41 OFF COURSE props were already on site and ready to be used. We just went through them and made sure they were ready to go for the main event. The Event: The weather last year was perfect for the event, not too cold, not too hot and no rain insight. In the morning after our normal golf course maintenance work, we started putting out the props on the course for the hayride route. We returned at 4:00PM to finish the setup and had a quick meeting to discuss everyone’s role. Just like any social event it was slow at first and mostly the younger kids. Our first few hayrides were geared towards young children and more family oriented, plus it was just getting dark so not very scary yet. As the night got darker the “I’m not scared teenagers showed up.” This was when we were able to shine. We switched gears and the hayride turned into a more traditional haunted ride. We had staff members dressed up and hiding in the bushes waiting to scare them. We used a utility cart with a scary clown driving with a chain saw and swerving near the wagon. I made the mistake of bringing my 8 year old on the hayride who rarely gets scared and gripping onto me for most of the ride. This part of the hayride went over well with attending each year, it is important to change it up a bit. Gradually, everyone else and people were glad to some of the props could be updated or replaced within the next year see it return. or so. I think this season we will have multiple hayride routes instead of just one, so the families can ride more than once or friends won’t Recap: ruin it for each other. We will switch up the scare points along the ride as well. There is talk of adding a second longer hayride with a For it being my first year with this stop along the way to grab a pumpkin for the younger kids. I think we event I thought it went well, but as need to keep building on it and improving the experience as much as always feel there is plenty of room for possible. We have been already planning our event for this season; we improvements. With so many people just hope we can have it without many COVID restrictions. 42 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association I www.migcsa.org AVAILABLE AT 4>SiteOne y////y/y LANDSCAPE SUPPLY / • ? UPGRADE — WHAT YOU PUT DOWN With three new enhanced efficiency fertilizers and a revolutionary line of carbon-based products, we’re giving you new ways to get the most from every acre. These technologies are engineered for those who want to deliver more, compromise less, and push turf conditions to the next level. 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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. Briskway®, GreenCast®, the Alliance frame, the Purpose Icon and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Syngenta Customer Center: ® 1-866-SYNGENT(A) (796-4368). ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT - CARRIE THOMAS CARRIE Thomas ■ ■ HOW DID YOU BECOME M WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE INVOLVED IN THE GOLF PART OF THAT FIRST JOB? I BUSINESS? I was at Lock Haven loved working outside and I love studying to be an athletic trainer. mowing fairways. The first piece By the time I was a senior I knew of equipment I used besides a I didn’t want to do that, but I bunker machine was a fairway decided to finish the program and mower, and I loved it. graduate. The husband of one of Carrie Thomas is my professors was a golf pro, she Cx WHAT ARE YOUR CURRENT the assistant superintendent knew I wasn’t going to continue in RESPONSIBILITIES? My job is at Oakland University’s Katke athletic training after graduation, doing the daily job assignments, and Sharf golf courses. She and she suggested the turfgrass doing the hiring for the seasonal has been employed there science program at Penn State. I staff, doing all the training, enrolled at Penn State and got a supervising the staff, taking since 2008, including nine job at a golf course near campus - care of watering during the years as a union greenskeeper Centre Hills Country Club. day, inspecting and diagnosing and the last three as the irrigation issues, disease scouting assistant superintendent. WHAT KEY THINGS DID YOU and then fill in wherever needed. LEARN FROM YOUR FIRST JOB? I I filled in as a mechanic for a few The Pennsylvania native has liked doing it was my takeaway. I months last year. Our spray tech a degree in health science learned a lot of things and maybe recently left, so I fill in as a spray from Lock Haven University the key thing was to always tech. I fill the gaps. in Pennsylvania and degrees make friends with the mechanic. in Turfgrass Science and It helped he was a good guy. If I Landscape Contracting from needed something, it got done first. Making friends with the Penn State University. She is mechanic goes a long way. 45, married, and has two dogs and a cat. 0 ON THE JOB, WHAT PIECE OF EQUIPMENT WOULD Andy Miller. His stories are hilarious. He just cracks me up. ■ M WHAT IS THE CULTURAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICE YOU COULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE IN YOUR NOT DO WITHOUT? I think aerifying is IF YOU HAD A MULLIGAN ON A ARESENAL FOR GOLF COURSE probably the most important thing we DIFFERENT CAREER CHOICE, MANAGEMENT? We have a do. Over the years we have switched to WHAT WOULD IT BE? I think if lot of wooded areas and areas deep tining the Katke greens and the with autumn olive and weedy I could do it again I would be a change has been astounding. shrubs. I would love to have a CSI. If CSI came on TV 10 years skid-steer loader with a forest earlier that is what I would t|| WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS mower attachment. They are be doing now. I like science, FROM THE MICHIGAN GOLF COURSE incredible. They can do so much details, looking for clues and SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION? work. The work it would take putting puzzles together. I think they should provide us a crew of four two days or 16 CJ IF YOU COULD CHANGE ANY information on what happens in hours, a skid-steer can knock it the field and provide educational GOLF HOLE ON YOUR COURSE out in an hour’s time. And skid opportunities for us, and they do that. WITHOUT REPERCUSSION, steers are just fun to drive. WHICH ONE WOULD IT BE? 0 WHAT IS THE OLDEST PIECE OF EQUIPMENTY STILL BEING We have a couple holes on Katke that are in the plans to be HOW HAVE YOU GIVEN BACK TO YOUR PROFESSION? I try. I’ve encouraged staff members here to take UTILIZED IN YOUR FLEET? We changed. Waiting for funding. classes, and two are doing Penn State recently have been eliminating Hole No. 4 is a short par 4 and on-line. I taught turf grass management most of the old stuff, but we the fairway goes out and drops at OCC one time, too. have a couple of Club Cars from to the approach and the green. the late 1990s. It is completely blind. Due to WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST the fact I’ve almost been killed ^3 WHO ON YOUR CREW MAKES YOU LAUGH THE MOST? It going through there, that’s a hole I would change. I would ISSUES FACING ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENTS TODAY? Probably lack of time. Having a work-life seems to change yearly, but shave down the high point and balance is really tough with the right now our new mechanic move the green back. hours that we put in. I’ve been working 70-hour weeks and haven’t had a day off since we returned from COVID-19. It is what needs to be done, but it wears on you, and that balance is tough to find. We’ve been having a hard time finding people to work, which accentuates the problem. flO WHAT IS THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF THE JOB? Beside waking up 3 a.m.? Professionally the most difficult part is managing people. You work with a lot of different personalities, a lot of different people, and you have to find the best way to motivate them. We are also short-staffed, and it’s tough to get people to continuously give extra. They get tired. We all do. An extra hitch here is that part of the crew is union and part is not, and you have to manage the differences there, too. On a more personal note, the long hours mean I’m missing out on my family and friends. My sister and her kids are back in Pennsylvania. I don’t get to see them nearly enough, and that’s been hard. I miss them a lot. WHAT IS THE EASIEST PART OF THE JOB? I don’t know what’s the easiest, but one of my favorite parts, which makes the getting up early a little easier, are the sunrises here. We have some pretty spectacular sunrises. When it looks like it’s going to be a good morning, I have a loop I take to catch some of my favorite spots. It really is beautiful here. fl3 WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 10 YEARS? If everything goes according to plan I will be superintendent here. ■Q HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED IN THE FUTURE? In the future I would like to be remembered as a good person, great friend, and an awesome aunt. tFl WHO HAS INFLUENCED YOU THE MOST ABOUT TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT? A couple people. Tom Schall, my superintendent here. I’ve been at OU for 12 years and have learned so much from him. He is probably the most hard-working person I know. He’s I www.migcsa.org ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT a good man, has taught me a ton about some of the burden off him. than that is when they drive turfgrass and the job, and has helped me I’m an extra set of eyes for carts where they shouldn’t grow into my current role. I moved to him, and do what I can to be. We have long rough areas Michigan to work for Heather Nabozny, bridge the communication and if a cart goes through who is an amazing groundskeeper and between him and the staff. those you see if for months. person, that I respect more than anyone. QI WHAT IS YOUR OPINION She not only honed my attention to WHAT ARE YOUR OPINIONS detail, and been a mentor to me, she also OF THE MECHANIC? The OF GREEN SPEEDS AND THE introduced me to George Toma (NFL’s mechanic is a key position. GAME OF GOLF TODAY? I most famous groundskeeper). George I rely on him so much, not think that people don’t want took a liking to me and is the reason I’ve only to keep the equipment the green speeds they think had the opportunity to work on 16 Super going, and blades sharp, but they want. They say faster, Bowls. to help be a problem solver. but the faster we make it the If I let him know what I need, slower they play. You can get ■Pl WHAT IS THE MOST VALUABLE THING or what I’m trying to do, he Katke greens too quick. If we you HAVE LEARNED? Probably that makes it happen. He keeps do, you can watch groups there is always more that I could learn. everything running. It’s really four-putt all day. They can’t as simple as that. handle the speeds they think FVJ HOW DO YOU RATE THE IMPORTANCE they want. OF AN ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT’S WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST PET ROLE? I believe it is important. I do my PEEVE CONCERNING GOLF everything I can to help Tom out the best COURSE ETIQUETTE? Golfers I can, and be that person who can take not fixing ball marks makes me crazy, but maybe more •fy PRIME SOURCE MADE IN prime-sourcellc.com • 877.235.0043 • info@prime-sourcellc.com USA 1 Course Conditions I issue #48 - Q3 2020 49 IF YOU COULD CHANGE my main assignment, and it feels ANYTHING ABOUT GOLF COURSE like home to me. Sharf is beautiful MANAGEMENT, WHAT WOULD IT too. The scenery reminds me of BE? Somehow find a way to get southwest Pennsylvania. I guess I young people to want to get into would like to play Katke and drive this field. We need people. around on Sharf. rQ away from golf, what is WHAT IS THE FAVORITE CLUB IN YOUR BAG? They’re all going to YOUR FAVORITE SPORT? Baseball to watch and softball to play. betray me eventually, but I guess my 5-iron is the most cooperative WHAT TYPE OF HOBBIES DO YOU at the moment. HAVE AWAY FROM GOLF? I read a WHO IS THE GREATEST lot and I like going to movies and INFLUENCE IN YOUR PERSONAL walking the dogs. I haven’t had a LIFE? My dad Jim Thomas and my chance yet this season, but we go up north to the Upper Peninsula, Nanny, who is my mom’s mom. at least once a year, and I love it My dad was a great guy. He was up there. I play softball in a coed a heavy equipment operator, league on Thursday nights. I also and worked a lot when I was a like motorcycles and we try to take kid, but when he was home, he a trip every year. was actually present. He never complained about being too tired, DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE and my sister and I always knew GOLF COURSE? Haven’t played how important we were to him. He that many. I don’t play much was always there when I needed and would like to golf more. I him. We would go for drives a lot like our two courses and Katke on the winding roads and hills. I is probably my favorite. When I would ask him if we were lost on originally started here, Katke was some of those drives and he would always say no, we have a full tank THINGS PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT ME 1. I received a Ducktorate degree from Disney’s college program 2. I’ve worked on the grounds crew for 16 Super Bowls and 8 International games 3. My bullmastiff Dottie (named after Dottie Hinson from A League of Their Own) is a Grand Champion who made it to the preliminary rounds at Westminster. 4. I read close to 100 books a year, but a textbook with put me to sleep in under 3 minutes. 5. I believe that chocolate and fruit are both delicious separately, but they should never be eaten together. 50 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association I www.migcsa.org ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT of gas. He had a great way of looking at things. My with. Jodi and Shannyn are friends of mine and Nanny (Margaret McGreevy) was a strong, smart, they are a complete riot. So, me, Jodi, Shannyn and funny woman. She was that person who encouraged Heather, even though Heather hates golf. me to try new things, explore different places, and always let me know she was proud of me. She made you feel like you could do anything. She was the best. ®do you have a favorite food or restaurant? Italian food is probably my favorite. There’s a place in Ferndale called Pops and their pizza and pasta are both amazing. Qj WHAT VEHICLE WOULD YOU DRIVE IF YOU HAD A MONEY TREE GROWING IN YOUR YARD? I want a BMW X-6 and then purely for fun a Dodge Challenger Hellcat WHAT IS YOUR DREAM SCRAMBLE TEAM? I’m not a serious golfer, so a round with professional golfers would be 4 hours of hell for me. I would go with people who I know I’m going to have a great time Non-retouched client photo: GreenJacket System coming off in the spring! PROVEN BY 20+YEARS OF SUPERINTENDENT SUCCESS. • Patented IMPERMEABLE Reinforced Winter Cover Turf Protection System. • PERMEABLE Reinforced Grow-in Covers increase healthier turf growth. Find out how the GreenJacket System can make a difference for your turf. Call 888-786-2683 or Email info@greenjacket.com See Research atGreenJacket.com Course Conditions I issue #48 - Q3 2020 FORTIFY YOUR FOUNDATION. UNLEASH THE POTENTIAL. Grow stronger, more resilient turf with Orbix®, a next-generation foliar nutritional. Orbix strengthens plants by activating the turf's natural defenses to chemical, biological and environmental stresses. Enhanced with ENC® Formulation Technology, it provides critical nutrition with more efficient uptake and utilization. Fortify your foundation, and unleash your turf's potential with Orbix. For more information, contact Greg Ward at (616) 340-9557 and Michael Leach at (517) 257-9263, or visit HelenaProfessional.com. ’ ORBIX ENC|=iX" Nutritional HELENA) AGRI-ENTERPRISES, LLC Important: Always read and follow label instructions. Some products may not be registered for sale or use in all states and counties. Please check with your Helena representative to ensure registration status. Helena, ENC and Orbix are registered trademarks of Helena Holding Company. © 2020 Helena Holding Company. HPG0420P Michigan TURFGRASS A Message From FOUNDATION BY CAREY MITCHELSON, MTF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MTF Education • Research • Extension Founded 1957 MTF Updates ount me in among those The MTF Mission Statement is as C contented to see this year’s follows: Summer collapse. It has been unlike any other... and hopefully... one never to return. There have been “The mission of the Michigan countless words and endless articles Turfgrass Foundation is to work written regarding the effects of the in partnership with Michigan pandemic and how it has impacted “All at once every phase of our lives. A return to State University, supporting ongoing programs in research, some normalcy will be welcomed and Summer hopefully a new beginning for everyone. education, and extension in the Those thoughts were expressed when area of professional turfgrass collapsed into the MTF Board of Directors met (via management that will benefit Zoom - naturally) and it was decided all individuals who manage Fall.” to step into the water and see if they turfgrasses or derive pleasure from can bring some symmetry yet this year. the results of such management.” - Oscar Wilde Each of our Board members accept a leadership position when the agree to participate in a voluntary role with the Supporting the Turf Team is a key Board. This year has stretched the limits portion of that statement and the of everyone’s personal and professional board had to work thru the dynamics of lives...and certainly impacted our what would be acceptable and feasible normal MTF operations. However, like fundraising efforts while understanding The MTF hopes you other past boards, taking on difficult the industry and its supporters are taking those decisions can be expected, and it is struggled with day to day operations. chances at home important that the mission of the MTF be calculated into the choices made. “In tough times will you whine... and at work. Supporting the Turf Team and providing or shine?" a solid ground for future boards is Daren Martin important part of the process. It was decided that a survey would help determine the appetite our TT4Turf courses would have for donating their facility in order to help fund Turf Research. We received an overwhelming positive response to host the auction fundraiser...even under the o Course Conditions I issue #48 - Q3 2020 53 restricted circumstances that many courses faced. After can do so on the MTF Website or by calling 517-392- reviewing the survey results, TT4Turf Chairman -Scott 5003. We welcome all and encourage everyone to find Rettmann encouraged the Board of Directors to go the time to attend and enjoy themselves. forward with an amended auction in late summer. The auction was reduced from a normal 2-week event to Dr. Kevin Frank has been diligently coordinating all single week (Aug 1 - Aug 9) and bidders would have a the communications coming from MSU since the limited time to claim the precious tee times. This year’s shutdown in Mid-March. He is to be commended for all online auction generated $30,000 with over 100 courses his efforts in trying to keep everyone updated as best donating to support Turf Research and the Turf Team at possible despite all the restrictions he faces as part of MSU. The MTF thanks all courses who participated for the Universities requirements. In addition, Dr. Frank their generosity and committment to the Turf Program has teaching duties (suspended temporarily), research in Michigan. The list of courses who donated this year obligations, extension responsibilities and serves as the can be viewed on our website. Liaison for the Turf Team for the MTF, apretty full day. His extension responsibilities with the University include The LaFontaine Golf outing also faced a postponement coordination for both our Field Day and Turf Conference decision. events. Both events are key components to our funding research. “Don’t focus on who let you down. Appreciate who lifted you up. Don’t focus on who darkened your days. Dr. Frank serves as the hub for a great deal of what Appreciate who brightened them.” the Foundation provides and we are fortunate to have such a dedicated individual. Like so many of our Karen Salmansohn superintendents at courses in Michigan who go about their work without notice or appreciation, Kevin plugs The words above provide a glimpse at why Gordie away with little fanfare. But a thank you now and then LaFontaine is in the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame and has can go a long way. From our Board of Directors - Thank been honored by almost all allied golf organizations you Dr. Frank and by Michigan State University as well. Inspiration, appreciation and commitment to goals are qualities that produce what others cannot even envision. Gordie Membership guided the MTF for many years with these talents and it Many of you will be receiving your membership was his vision for the Turf Team that provided many of renewals soon. Anniversary dates can now be used the tools required to enhance the Turf Program at MSU. when renewing. If you prefer a certain date, it can be The LaFontaine Golf Outing appropriately serves to set for any date you wish. Most members still receive benefit funding for Graduate Students for the Turf Team our annual notice for renewal by Oct 1 and that is at MSU. The outing reflects the possibilities that Gordie still acceptable for our system. The MTF is aware that envisioned when requesting the MTF Membership to cost cutting is part of the process we are all a part of. support of the MSU Turf Team and the service they However, when we finally see a better future, MSU will provide. Graduate Students are the core of research and be instrumental to courses returning to normal and the they are also the future that represent MSU and golf in Turf Team be a part of that process. Your support will Michigan for years to come. be important. Thank you for your consideration. This year’s event will be held September 17th at Coyote Preserve Golf Club. With so many changes and Board Update cancellations this year we hope this is one day that many of you can find the time to relax, enjoy some When accepting a positon on the Board of Directors, golf and camaraderie while supporting a great cause. A many incoming members are not aware of all the small breakfast - 9am shotgun - boxed lunch and short responsibities and decsion making that may come with cocktail hour to follow will be the timeline for everyone. a voluteer postion. Mark Wildeman is an exception. Those interested in playing or participating as a Sponsor Mark was asked to serve a second time on the MTF 54 4 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association I www.migcsa.org Board after after previously seving in the 1990’s This as he serves as the current MIGCSA President the go around, he took on the Secretary position as well as term volunteer takes on a whole new level. Thank handling other activites made use of his experience and you Rob for taking on the appointement. judgement. Mark recently notified the MTF Board that he will be taking some time well earned time with family and relaxation. The MTF is fortunate to have individuals in our industry like Mark Wildeman. The MTF, members of the "Coming together is a Foundation and all those who know Mark certainly will miss his direction, but more importantly thank him for being an important part of our industry. Thanks Mark.... for all you beginning, have done. Replacing Mark as Secretary is Scott Rettmann staying together is - our current TT4Turf Chairman. Scott has been actively involved with the Foundation since coming on board and progress, and we look toward to Scotts involvement with the Executive working together is Committee. Marks position on the Board was filled by appointment at the last Board Meeting by Rob Steger. The success." MTF looks forward to Robs input to the Foundation ...and Henry Ford ... 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Environmentallg Friendlg This pour-in-place material is ideal for: • Made from recycled tires • Patios & sidewalks • Cart paths Fast installation • Bridges • Trailways • Mixed on-site, applied 1 ” thick, Sand Guard • Pool surrounds fully cures in 24 hours • Low impact installation allows the fairway to remain in-play while Sand Guard is installed No Sub Base Needed Course Conditions | issue #48 - Q3 2020 ne of the most Club in River Grove, Illinois and Oak Hill Country O famous golf courses in the world is right here in Michigan, Oakland Hills Club before that. Phil was very generous with his time by providing the opportunity for our members to attend any one of the four two-hour tours Country Club’s South he hosted August 4th and 5th. The morning Course. Built in 1916 major sessions started at 9:00 and the afternoon at championships hosted 1:00. The tours were complete from the shop to include the 2016 U.S. every stage of construction and grow in across Amateur, six U.S. Opens, the entire South Course property. Phil went into three PGA Championships, depth about the unique greens mix, extensive the 2004 Ryder Cup, drainage projects, the Precision Air units for all GCSAA Field Staff Rep Shane Conroy two U.S. Amateurs, a U.S. 18 greens and putting green and all aspects of and Phil Cuffare Women’s Amateur and two the Gil Hanse restoration of the Donald Ross U.S. Senior Opens. With original design. these championships in mind for the future the membership approved a total renovation Thank you to our 2020 Industry Partners who to be completed by Gil Hanse. In 2018 Phil made the day possible, to Phil and Oakland Cuffare was hired as the Director of Agronomy Hills and the attendees who took advantage of at Oakland Hills coming from Oak Park Country this amazing opportunity. Phil Cuffare and GCSAA President John Fulling, CGCS Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association I www.migcsa.org Daybreak Shake Midday Shake INTRODUCING Evening Shake Whether it's a dewy morning, a dry afternoon, or before the sprinklers turn on at night, □steel Sedges. Kyllmg* ' Introducing Vexis® Herbicide Granular revolutionizes sedge and kyllinga control. Vexis offers: • Turf safety: Labeled for the most sensitive turf species • Flexibility: Apply to wet or dry turf • Simplicity: Granular formulation reduces drift Shake up your weed control program with innovative Vexis. ► For more information contact Don Botkin at 612.655.8787. pbi /GQRdon PBIGordonTurf.com conpoRation Always read and follow label directions. Vexis® is a registered trademark of PBI-Gordon Corp. 2/20 05888 Employee-Owned ASSOCIATION UPDATE Back to “Normal” ormally this time of year we are is a cup in the green and a flagstick. N gearing up for the Western and What sort of expense do these Big Event Fundraisers. Normally extra items have? It may be a good we are scheduling our first board opportunity to do a deep dive into this meeting since early spring and having and ask your owners/members/golfers detailed meetings about the spring if this is how they want their payments meeting that is scheduled to head up allocated. I think many would rather to Northern Michigan in 2021. Normally see those funds invested into greens we are searching for a spot to host the rather than hazards or teeing areas. Michigan gathering at GIS. Normally After all they are paying a greens fee, we are doing back to school shopping not a bunker rake fee. for our 7 and 4-year-old. As all who are reading this know there is just not For the MiGCSA we are extremely much normal left. So, we can rage fortunate to have strong support against the impact of COVID or we can of our Industry Partners every year Never let a use it to our advantage. As Winston including this one. As we go into the Churchill and many more have said early order and planning season please good crisis “Never let a good crisis go to waste.” consider the companies that support you in your decision-making process. go to I think a massive upheaval like the COVID-19 pandemic can be an We have revamped our calendar to try to get some more in person events opportunity. I have heard of a few going safely. We continue to work on waste. courses that still have not placed bunker rakes or ball washers back out, had this been an item to be virtual options and are open as always to suggestions from our membership. Please call me directly or speak to voted on there is no way it would your local board member. be considered. However now golfers have seen what it is like and I hope many of you were able to use Superintendents have too. As I asked this to your advantage and enact a non-industry friend of mine “How some change that would have taken much would you pay per year to have months or years to complete before rakes in the bunkers at your club?” COVID-19. 2020 has been a lemon of a “If you had to write a bunker rake year, use it to make some lemonade. check every spring, what would it be?” He did not have an answer but the thought of paying for them was not very palatable. As we all know there is a cost to having them out there, same as ball washers and I will even go so Adam Ikamas, CGCS far as to say tee markers. This year has MiGCSA Executive Director really shown us what we need. I think a case can be made that all we need 58 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association I 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 WinField19 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 PRESORTED Michigan Chapter STANDARD GCSAA Golf Course Superintendents Association of America U.S. POSTAGE PAID LANSING, Ml 316 GLENCARIN DR. 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