COURSE Issue #53 - Q4 2021-22 Conditions Quarterly Publication of the Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association FEATURE SUPERINTENDENT Alex Lincoln Flint Golf Club INSIDE THIS ISSUE: FEATURE: Back to Golf’s Future Industry Partner Profile: Adam Palmatier, Branch Manager, Helena Assistant Superintendent Profile: Sam Bekins, Assistant Superintendent at American Dunes Golf Club 866.743.9773 • StandardGolf.com © 2021 Standard Golf Company. All rights reserved. Setting the Standard in Golf Course Accessories since 1910. PATENTED, NATURAL, LIQUID HUMIC & FULVIC ACID ∙ Enhanced root growth, better overall plant health, less plant disease, better soil health and decreased soil compaction ∙ Lower application rates and fewer application than other humics ∙ Increased photosynthesis, nutrient uptake, and bio-mass ∙ Naturally sourced from leonardite “The color holding is remarkable … The drought resistance that the fairways have been able to withstand is incredible.” David Eichhorn - Superintendent “This is the best it’s ever looked in the summer … and I’ve noticed less dollar spot on the fairways as well.” Scott Rohlfsen - Superintendent e lena: Adam Palma r at H tie ge r na Ma h Bran c 26 33 49 ta Be Assis kins n Supe ol rin nc te Li nt S n de ex Sa nt o Al er m f Flint Golf Club: up in te u b: nd Cl e nt a Golf t Ame s r ic a n Du n e Contents 4 MiGCSA Board of Directors 33 Industry Profile - Adam Palmatier 5 President’s Perspective 38 MTF Message 8 FEATURE: Back to Golf’s Future 44 GCSAA Update 12 2021 Assistant Superintendent Championship 47 MI-OH Matches 14 Having Fun With Woodworking 49 Assistant Superintendent - Sam Bekins 17 Retirements 54 2021 Western Golf Day Fundraiser 22 The 2021 Big Event Fundraiser 56 The 2021 MIGCSA State Championship 25 2021 MSU Student Scholarships 58 Association Update 26 Superintendent - Alex Lincoln Course Conditions | Issue #53 - Q4 2021-22 3 COURSE Conditions Profile interviews conducted by Greg Johnson, Greg Johnson Media L.L.C. BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT DOUG WARE JESSE SHAVER ROSS MILLER EQUIPMENT MANAGER LIAISON Greater Detroit-Class A Western-Class A Detroit-Class A BEN BEARD City of Livonia Gull Lake C.C. Country Club of Detroit Western-Class EM American Dunes G.C. SCOTT PULASKI JARED MILNER VICE PRESIDENT RYAN MOORE Northern-Class A Detroit-Class A TREASURER Greater Detroit-Class A Walloon Lake C.C. Meadowbrook C.C. COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE Forest Lake C.C. JESSE SHAVER TOM SCHALL, CGCS CRAIG MCKINLEY ADAM GARR Gull Lake C.C. Oakland University Mid-Class A Detroit-Class A Chairman SECRETARY/ DOUG HOEH ROB STEGER, CGCS Buck’s Run Golf Club Syngenta Professional Products TREASURER Northern-Class A CRAIG MCKINLEY Red Run Golf Club GENE DAVIS Buck’s Run Golf Club Treetops Resort Northern-Class A ASSISTANT LIAISON MICAH WISE Elk Rapids Golf Club JARED MILNER Site One KYLE SCHIERLINGER Meadowbrook C.C. PAST PRESIDENT ROB STEGER, CGCS JEFF HOPKINS Forest Lake C.C. JOE ETTAWAGESHIK Mid-Class A Western-Class A BRETT ROBERTS Lochenheath Golf Club Red Run Golf Club Muskegon County Club Target Specialty Products ANDY DALTON COLLIN ROMANICK Blythefield C.C. 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, MI 49341. 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 4 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association | www.migcsa.org President’s PERSPECTIVE W hat a season! I’m sure there are quite a few of us that are very happy it has come to a close. It was a long season full of ups and downs with record setting numbers of players for most, if not all of us. Of course, with courses closing and winter setting in it doesn’t mean the work stops for us. Many will stay busy with tree work, drainage projects and even some renovations. I do hope that all of us will get to spend some time away from the course with our family and DO UG WARE friends. This year was not easy and a little rest and relaxation will go a long way. Some big news for the MiGCSA is the candidacy of Steve Hammon (Traverse City CC) for GCSAA Board of Directors. I had the opportunity to travel with Steve to the GCSAA Delegates meeting in Kansas City. That meeting allowed Steve to talk to the voting delegates from almost every GCSAA chapter across the country. Steve was fantastic! He received a ton of compliments and got his campaign off to a great start. If elected, he will be an outstanding representative for Michigan and the GCSAA. Hope to see you in San Diego at the GCSAA Conference to celebrate Steve’s election victory. Some may have heard about Steve’s son Elliot and the health issues he and his family are dealing with. Please, keep Elliot, Steve and the entire Hammon family in your thoughts during Elliot’s recovery. With the start of 2022 came the opportunity to return to the MTF Conference. It was great to finally be back and have it in person. I wanted to take this chance to commend the MTF on the conference they were able to hold. The education they were able to provide was excellent and the change of venue worked out wonderfully. I really hope we are able to return to Soaring Eagle Resort again in 2023. With this being the President’s perspective I figure it’s the appropriate time to share how I gained some serious perspective in my life this season. On August 15th, at what I thought to be a normal Sunday dinner at my parent’s house, my family sat me down to talk with me about my alcohol drinking habits. They pointed out some hard truths to me. Definitely took me by surprise and frankly angered me at the time. Angry at them, angry at how the situation was being handled, but mostly angry at myself. I knew I had an issue that needed to be addressed, but really wanted to take care of it on my own. My “social” drinking had become “self medicating”. A relaxing beer or bourbon after work became drinking away the stress and anxiety of life. That very next day I decided to begin to channel that anger and disappointment. I decided to take it out on my treadmill. No longer allowed it to sit there and collect dust. I of course started slowly, walking everyday. The key to my success was actually my Apple Watch. I paid close attention to the activity rings. It honestly became, and still is a bit of an obsession. Making sure I closed all three everyday. With all this activity and lack of alcohol the pounds began to melt off. One day I decided it was time to start running again. Strapped up the shoes and went for a run around the neighborhood. That turned into running at least 3 miles a day. It wasn’t easy, but to this day I’m still following through with it. It’s not perfect, but it helps me deal with my issues in a healthier way all while dropping about 50lbs. As for the drinking, I’m still on the wagon. I figured attending golf events, holiday parties and conferences would be really difficult and stressful, Course Conditions | Issue #53 - Q4 2021-22 5 but that was not the case. The amount of support I have received through this from family, friends and peers has been overwhelming. I’m fortunate to have a family that did the difficult thing and confronted me with their concerns. I know I’m not the only one out there that has gone, will go, or is currently going through this. For whoever needs to hear this, you are not alone. There can be a light at the end of the tunnel. If anyone reading this ever needs to talk, please call, text, email, stop me if you see me at an event. As you can see, I am not afraid to share my story and will help in any way I can. I will finish this by saying, it has been an honor to serve as the MiGCSA President this past year. Things have not always gone according to plan, but I think we made the best of it. I’d like to thank the Board of Directors for their work and support. I especially like to thank my Executive Officers, Ryan Moore and Doug Hoeh. They will do great things in the coming years for the MiGCSA. I also must thank our Executive Director Adam Ilkmas. He makes sure things run smoothly for all of us and we are lucky to have him. Lastly, I need to thank my family. They supported me through all of what I mentioned before, plus allowing me to be at every fundraiser, meeting or event. Thank you all. Sincerely, Douglas Ware GCS City of Livonia MiGCSA President IT’S ALL ABOUT THE ACCESSORIES Customize yours today! Call us at (269) 685-6828 6 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association | www.migcsa.org Innovating for success As we reflect on this past year, we want to express our gratitude for the members and staff of MiGCSA and your valued commitment to the golf course industry. Thank you for supporting our three powerful new innovations and allowing us to better serve the needs of Michigan superintendents. • Alucion™ 35 WG insecticide - The only non-restricted use pyrethroid labeled for golf courses, delivering fast-acting control of surface-feeding insects • Encartis™ fungicide - Long lasting, preventive and curative protection from dollar spot and ten other key foliar diseases • Finale® XL T&O herbicide - Pinpoint accuracy and fast control of the toughest weeds We look forward to continuing our work with you to ensure the health and success on your golf courses in the year ahead. betterturf.basf.us Contact your BASF representative: Matt Weber matthew.weber@basf.com (614) 512-0718 Please read and follow label directions. All products may not be registered for sale or use in all states. Please check with your state or local Extension Service. Alucion and Encartis are trademarks, and Finale is a registered trademark of BASF. ©2021 BASF Corporation. All rights reserved. BACK TO GOLF’S FUTURE BY PAT JONES L et’s jump into Marty McFly’s DeLorean for a minute and take a spin back to 2019. There (then?) we would find 2019 Pat Jones giving the same state of the industry speech he’d been giving for five years. In a nutshell: n Courses were slowly dying off because play had been sluggish for years but this was actually healthy in the long run to normalize supply and demand n Supers’ biggest problem was labor and the possibility of mandatory $15 minimum wage n Baby boomer supers were starting to retire n Budgets were largely flat n We were at the tail-end of a decade-long remodeling boom that made Gil Hanse rich n Robot mowers and autonomous operations were the future n On the bright side, a few more women and girls were coming to the game and golf as exercise was growing in popularity. Then the thing happened and lots of stuff changed. Let’s review. First, everyone needs to get one fact straight: the pandemic didn’t save golf…superintendents saved golf. Supers are, first and foremost, problem-solvers and the craziness of March 2020 demanded that big problems be solved fast and cheap. You folks, with a handful of staff, showed up and kept the big green things alive and viable as businesses. Golf should be forever grateful to its turfheads. But don’t hold your breath. And, what’s more, the years of grassroots work, participation in state and national lobbying and relationship-building by supers and associations paid off in spades. In many regions, chapters took the lead in responding on behalf of the other 8 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association | www.migcsa.org FEATURE associations. More than a decade of proactivity by GCSAA and chapters like Michigan GCSA paid off big-time. I know it wasn’t perfect, but golf returned much more quickly than I had ever dreamed it could. By the end of the year, rounds were up 25-35% nationally and in basically the rest of the world. The press about golf was great and, rather than hurting some of the good trends we’d been nurturing, the pandemic accelerated play by women, kids and, of course, avid golfers who were no longer tethered to an office Monday through Friday. The only economic downsides pandemic-wise were the loss of group and event revenue in 2020 at facilities that do a lot of outside stuff and, of course, wear-and-tear costs caused by more play and single-rider carts (where that was a thing). It was a huge win for an industry that needed it. So, golf’s problems are all solved! Happy days are here again and we all can sail off into a profitable sunset, right? As Lee Corso says, not so fast my friends! We learned in 2021 that retaining the gains of the Great Covid Golf Bubble (I refuse to use the word “boom”) won’t be easy. For one thing, weather still dictates the success or failure of the golf business and Mother Nature was not nearly as kind about golf-friendly weather in 2021 vs. 2022. Rounds lagged behind 2020 but were still way ahead of 2019 in most places. Better cash flow slowed course closings to about half of recent years but, honestly, we need to get supply and demand right some day. There are still too many courses out there just selling 18 holes for $18 without really creating much value in the market. Oversupply remains a big problem. Course Conditions | Issue #53 - Q4 2021-22 9 FEATURE Then there’s the issue of exhaustion. I’ve lost n Supers (and their bosses) need to rethink their count of the number of supers I’ve talked with old staffing and wage assumptions and figure who describe the pandemic golf era as one long out how to field a smaller, smarter, better-paid grueling 20-month season. It was a short winter and highly motivated crew. and then a sloggy mess through the actual ’21 golf n Baby boomer superintendents are retiring – or season. And, of course, most maintenance teams being retired – rapidly. Demand for up-and- remained at what felt like half-strength. Virtually coming turf pros hasn’t been this good in 30 every superintendent asked said they were at 40- years and salaries will reflect that. 60% of necessary staffing, particularly after they lost students in August. n Many budgets will jump 15% but much of that will go to hourly wages, gas and fertilizer. The result has been way more hours and time spent out on the course for most superintendents and, of n Gil Hanse is still getting rich but our friend course, their assistants. Everyone was wiped out. Andy Green is right up there with him. And until we right-size wages for staff and salary/ Renovations are massive among the “haves.” work life balance issue for assistants, this problem will continue. n Robot mowers are still coming. I swear. If there’s one thing about the pandemic of which I Finally – and most importantly – 2022 Pat will finish am certain it’s that it turbocharged a bunch of trends his speeches with a reminder that golf has this one that were already emerging. Families played a lot shining moment to respond and grow and not just more. Women took up the game with a passion. blow another opportunity to expand the reach of And the growing WFH (work from home) trend this great game. We cannot go back to treating blew up. The good news is that is here to stay. women, kids and anyone who’s not an old white guy Corporate America is thrilled to be getting out of like second-class customers. Stop letting the geezers the commercial real estate business. WFH is the new dominate your agenda. Focus on fun and exercise normal for a big chunk of our best customers. Woo- and families and, most importantly, hospitality. hoo! The difference between the winners and the losers Pandemic magnification also continued to widen in the Great Golf Covid Bubble will be making the gap between the “haves” and “have nots” in the customers feel welcome and appreciated. It’s as spectrum of facilities. Clubs with good resources simple as that. In that way, the post-pandemic and leadership made the most of it by greenlighting future really isn’t all that different than the past. The improvements, adding apprenticeship programs, question isn’t so much what changed during all this offering new services and – as always – emphasizing craziness, but whether we can use this moment to hospitality. At the other end of the business, it’s still evolve and get back on track to a better future for a struggle. Too little of that new cash flow is trickling golf. down to maintenance. And that struggle will get even tougher as wages, fuel and cost of goods all rise in 2022 and play – weather permitting – stays at levels above 2019. So, where does that leave 2019 Pat’s key points? Let’s update them for 2022. n Course closures have temporarily slowed but will ramp back up as more folks move out of cities and countryside real estate development starts to gobble up failed facilities. 10 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association | www.migcsa.org 2021 Assistant Superintendent CHAMPIONSHIP BY KYLE SCHIERLINGER, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT, FOREST LAKE C.C. T he MiGCSA assistants capped off the hectic year with another successful Assistants Championship! This year we were hosted by Superintendent Mike Montney at Western Golf and Country Club in Redford Township, MI. However, the event didn’t go off without a hitch this time around. Like so many of us, Mike had been battling the seemingly endless rains (or maybe monsoons) of 2021 and a few days before the originally scheduled date, he came in to find that Western looked more like a wetland park than a golf course. There were pins on greens that could barely keep their flags above water and widespread damage across the rest of the course to turf and trees alike. All this is to say how proud and ecstatic we were that Mike, and his team were able to quickly get everything back in order and reschedule to host us only a couple of weeks later. Once we were able to tee it up, we continued our streak of great weather days, this time in October! The course played great, and once again we topped the previous year’s turnout. The 2021 championship saw nearly 30 participants come out and included MiGCSA President Doug Ware and Dr. Kevin Frank from MSU and MTF. This year’s setup was similar to last year- individual and best 1 of 4 team scoring with long drives and closest to the pins. Once again, we spent time at the 19th after the round, grilling steaks and having a great time discussing the day and all the stories from the past summer over some good food and drinks. Dr. Frank and Doug Ware also gave us updates on the MTF and MiGCSA respectively. 12 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association | www.migcsa.org We crowned Matt Prince as the 2021 Assistant Champion. Big congrats to him for holding off a competitive field as many of the other guys kept it very close. Thank you to our host Mike Montney The outlook for 2022 continues to look up for MiGCSA’s assistants. As we continue to navigate the “new normal”, more events and career building opportunities are on the horizon. We’re all looking forward to a more typical winter that includes things like the MTF and GIS conferences (in person!) and of course a few months of relaxation and recharging under a blanket of snow. Another well-deserved thank you to our host Mike Montney, his staff and Western GCC membership for having us out to that wonderful The 2021 Assistant Superintendent Champion property. Also, to Adam Ikamas and Matt Prince from Franklin Hills the MiGCSA as a whole for the help organizing and for providing these opportunities to get together each and every year. Here’s to a great 2021 and to a safe and happy holiday season for everyone! Course Conditions | Issue #53 - Q4 2021-22 13 HAVING FUN WITH woodworking BY SCOTT RETTMANN, SUPERINTENDENT, WALNUT CREEK C.C. M y passion for wood working began when I was Some of my favorite items I have made so far living and working in Philadelphia. Tree removal include a wine rack, a liquor shelf and wine glass was the main item on our agenda for winter hanger, serving trays with epoxy inlays, and a kitchen work so there was plenty of good wood available. Living sideboard. Most have been from black walnut, which in an apartment wasn’t ideal for woodworking so I used of all the woods I have worked with is my favorite. the golf course shop after hours. The first thing I tried I’m currently working on my favorite project yet to build was a clock from a slice of a tree trunk and it which just so happens to be the hardest and most was an epic fail. I purchased an orbital sander, a router, complex piece; a full black walnut dining room table and a clock making kit online. I had been very careful with two benches. I used google sketch up to come to cut what I thought was a nice even slice out of the up with the design and I’ve been working on it for the tree trunk and figured making the clock would be a last 3 winters (I don’t have any time in the summer, breeze. After countless hours of sanding, the slab was obviously). I started by acquiring a tree cut down by still uneven and had plenty of deep grooves from the a local construction crew and I had the trunk sections chainsaw blade. I was frustrated and stopped working milled by a mobile saw mill. The wood was then kiln on it. dried; I ended up building a wood rack so I could Fast forward 5 years and my wife and I had moved safely store it in my garage. I planed down some of back to Michigan and bought a house. Having a long the boards and turned them into dimensional lumber list of home improvements and a spacious garage to so I could work with them. I built one bench and complete them in allowed me to start seriously thinking was very happy with it and decided to move on to about woodworking again. I started by acquiring new the actual table. I again planed down six boards and tools needed to complete those home improvement used a track saw to take off the live edge, then used plans, which included finishing the basement, installing a mortise and tenon jig to join and glue the boards new interior doors, installing hardwood floors, building together and form the raw table top. Unfortunately, custom closets, building an eat-in kitchen nook, building I’m still learning, and regretfully did not use a jointer kitchen cabinets to enclose our refrigerator...just to name to make sure my edges were perfectly square. When a few! Doing these things sparked by interest again in the glue was dry, I released the clamps and the woodworking and fueled the start of my new favorite tabletop was so warped that I wasn’t able to flatten it hobby. using my router planer jig...ouch. Completing home improvement tasks was fun, but After that huge blow, I reevaluated how I was going my true passion has been learning how to do more to build the table top and planed down another 6 fine woodworking. I started to follow woodworkers boards. This winter I plan to run each board through on instagram and researching blogs which gave me the jointer to square up the edges and I will try it new ideas and taught me a few new things. I began again. When the table top is finished I plan to build understanding why my clock didn’t turn out as I had the table base and last bench. The project is certainly wished years ago! I quickly added tools like a planer big and frustrating, but also rewarding, and, most of and a jointer to my shop as well as a fancy tool called a all, fun. mortise and tenon jig for future projects. 14 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association | www.migcsa.org OFF FEATURE COURSE After working on a lot of different woodworking projects, I’d say the most important thing is to take your time and measure! In fine woodworking, a truly good cut matters. Precision in cuts makes an enormous difference in the outcome and professional appearance of the finished piece. It’s easy to rush through portions of a build because a particular part isn’t as fun but you won’t be happy with it in the end. A good starter project for an aspiring woodworker is anything you’re interested in. If you’re a bird hunter, maybe a bird call is a good starter. If you enjoy wine, maybe a wine rack. Have fun with PS10121 what Prime you’re Source buildingHalf and Page don’thorizontal stress out 8.5 x 5.5 if you MiGCSA make Sublime/Quintessential1 mistakes along the way! “ SUBLIME, QUINTESSENTIAL. “ (That’s about all we can say about our two innovative new herbicide formulations.) Because frankly, Sublime™ , the first herbicide that combines triclopyr, dicamba and mesotrione for selective post-emergent weed control in turfgrass — and Quintessential™, an enhanced quinclorac herbicide that delivers indispensable control of crabgrass and other extreme problem weeds — says it all. THE SOURCE MATTERS Sublime is pending USA EPA registration. Quintessential is pending state registrations. ©2021 Albaugh, LLC. Prime Source, Sublime and Quintessential are trademarks of Albaugh, LLC. Always read and follow label Precautions and Directions For Use. PS10121_MiGCSA_SQ2.indd 1 10/11/21 3:25 PM Course Conditions | Issue #53 - Q4 2021-22 15 THANK YOU TO MiGCSA’S 2021 INDUSTRY PARTNERS SUPPORT THE COMPANIES THAT SUPPORT YOUR ASSOCIATION FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE INDUSTRY PARTNER PROGRAM PLEASE CONTACT THE MIGCSA AT INFO@MIGCSA.ORG OR (616) 834-0450 16 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association | www.migcsa.org Retirements THE Dahlin Family MEADOWS At Grand Valley State University Ron Dahlin, superintendent at The Meadows at GVSU R on Dahlin’s first retirement task is building, with his wife KaLee, a new home in Northern Michigan, just outside of Honor on the Platte River. “I would not be leaving right now if I didn’t have the task of building a new home in front of me,” said the 63-year-old Dahlin, who has been the head superintendent at The Meadows at Grand Valley State University in Allendale for the last 20 years. “I’m a little worried about not staying busy, but with nine acres to take care of and a house to build I should be good for a while. And I’ve been married to a wonderful woman for over 30 years, and it’s time I spent a little time around her as well.” Dahlin and KaLee have been working on their retirement plan for the last five or six years with 2022 in mind. KaLee recently retired from Amway Corp., after working there 30 years in research and development, food, and nutrition. They have two children, Bryson, who is 24 and has a career in construction, and Caitlin, 21, who is a junior in the nursing program at Grand Valley. “It’s a great time for us to leave our careers behind,” Dahlin said. “We are still young enough and healthy enough to do the things we want to do. We have been diligent, saved money for retirement and our financial planner, a couple years ago, gave us permission to be done.” Ron Dahlin Golf on the Edge Course Conditions | Issue #53 - Q4 2021-22 17 Prior to coming to The Meadows, Dahlin was the school golfers and six NCAA national championship superintendent of the Valley course at the 36-hole tournaments in the last 20 years. Egypt Valley Country Club in Ada, working for 10 years with the facility’s longtime golf course manager Jeff “NCAA Tournament golf is awesome,” he said. “You Holmes. spend the amount of prep time like any tournament, building it up to give them the best product you He is originally from LaSalle, Colo., where he grew up on can and then you see really great golf,” he said. “It’s a farm 50 miles north of Denver. He has always worked rewarding to the staff, to everybody involved at Grand outside, first in weed and pest control and then at age Valley.” 27 embarked on undergraduate work in biology and agriculture and a masters in horticulture and turfgrass Jeff Bodziak has been Dahlin’s assistant at The Meadows management. for the last 19 years and is taking over in 2022 as the head superintendent. Dahlin is elated. “In my masters’ program we worked a lot with golf courses in Colorado,” he said. “Colorado for the most “I worked really hard to keep him here,” he said. “He part is an easy place to grow grass. There are some knows the physical property better than I do. He is a issues, but the big cost is on water management and person that can match the right person to the right job. keeping your course irrigated. When I came to Michigan He has a knack for that. I feel so good about him taking it was a different ballgame. There are more plant and over. At a public golf course you see things that make disease issues here. The money spent in Colorado on you shake your head at times, but Jeff knows that and water, is spent here on taking care of the plant.” has helped me manage that.” Dahlin said he simply got into the sport of golf and Dahlin has been greatly involved in the Michigan Golf taking care of courses. Course Superintendents Association (MiGCSA) since its inception. “I really think it is a noble sport, and a noble profession to be in,” he said. “The people who work in golf are a “It is bigger now than I ever thought it would be, and great group of individuals to be associated with. They better than I thought it would be,” he said. “There are so work hard, they try their best, there is great camaraderie many good and intelligent people working together to and I latched on to that. That’s the hardest thing to give move it forward. Before, we were scattered all over the up in retirement.” state on different boards, and now we work together. Adam Ikamas (executive director) gets a gold star. He Working for a golf course on a university campus has has been great.” been great Dahlin said. For the future Dahlin would love to see more young “I’ve enjoyed working with the (college) kids,” he said. people embrace working in turfgrass at golf courses and “They are just working and their goal is not to work plan to become superintendents. on a golf course for a career, but they are super and some of them have never had a job before. I enjoyed “The job is to make the value of the product the best teaching them what it meant to work, and some really it can be every day,” he said. “I was blessed to be in an bought into working in golf. We’ve had 10 students go industry like that. I’m excited to move on to another on to Michigan State after Grand Valley to be in the turf stage in my life, but when I look back I don’t have a program there.” regret at all. It’s been good for me and my family, and I loved getting out there every morning and seeing the He said the highlights over the years was The sunrise.” Meadows hosting multiple state tournaments for high 18 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association | www.migcsa.org RETIREMENTS Tom Stark Tom Stark, superintendent at Dunham Hills Golf Course T om Stark’s retirement day and last day as the superintendent at Dunham Hills Golf Course in Hartland was Dec. 31, his 65th birthday and the final day of 36 years working at one course with one ownership family and one goal each day. “I always tried to get everything about good as you can get it,” he said. The superintendent’s job at Dunham Hills was the only head superintendent’s job in his career. He worked two years at Riverwood in Mount Pleasant and two years as an assistant at Western Golf & Country Club in Redford before taking on the lead role at Dunham Hills in 1985. “I’ve been here ever since and I had really good owners (Lefler family) that never really interfered with me and what I did with the golf course,” he said. “They were owners who had another business. They always knew what was going on, and they knew the golf course conditions and they let me be my own boss that way. They trusted I “I’m tired, don’t have a lot of staff and no assistant knew what needed to be done and I wasn’t scrutinized. It’s and the last few years I was the mechanic, spraying, hard to beat the situation.” and doing maintenance seven days a week April through Thanksgiving,” he As for retiring, he said it is just time. said. “My wife (Margaret) retired three Course Conditions | Issue #53 - Q4 2021-22 19 RETIREMENTS years ago and I think she was getting impatient for me greens the way the golfers wanted them, setting the pin to retire. It’s time.” locations, having something different to do every day, staying busy and I was never bored working outside.” He said it might sound strange but he will miss Saturday mornings at the course the most. He said he will not miss having the weather dictate everything he did on the job. “Getting there with the guys ahead of the first tee shots and get the course as good as you can get it, and it just “That has taken a toll on me, too,” he said. “We have so always seemed like a good day,” he said. “I’ll miss doing many trees here and there was always a tremendous that with the guys.” amount of cleanup. When you have 2,500 trees out there, it’s a lot of work.” Stark is originally from Bridgeport, graduated in the centennial class of 1976 from Bridgeport High, met He said the fall when the leaves are starting to change Margaret in high school and they have been married and fall cleanup hasn’t started might be his favorite 45 years and have one son, Sam, who has also made time of the year outside. his career in golf. Sam Stark is in his first year as the head golf coach for men and women at Ferris State “You made it through the hot summer and you are University where he was also a standout collegiate looking forward to college football,” he said. player from 2010-2015. He was most recently the head One of his favorite things to do with his staff was to run coach at Coker University in Hartsville, S.C., and prior to a “pool” for the guys during the golf majors. that Alderson Broaddus University in West Virginia. “We’d have 20 guys and each drew three names each, Stark said Sam grew up on the golf course, became a and of course we had one guy who complained about standout amateur that played in Golf Association of the guys he had no matter who he had,” he said. “Then Michigan and USGA tournaments and eventually turned one year he wins two of the four because he had professional via the Professional Golf Management Charles Schwartzel winning the Masters and Darren Program at Ferris State. He still competes at the section Clarke winning the British Open. He couldn’t complain level in PGA tournaments but is otherwise building the about that. I’ll miss doing that kind of stuff with the games of those he coaches. guys.” “That’s one of the things we plan to do in retirement, He said he probably won’t sleep in a lot even in go to tournaments, especially when they go south, and retirement. watch the kids play and Sam coach,” Stark said. “We’ve been doing some of that and we really enjoy it. I walk, “But I will get up and not have to think about being my wife rides on the cart with Sam as he coaches. responsible for the crew and whatever the situation is We went all over the place when Sam was playing, with the weather,” he said. “It will be an adjustment. I the Michigan Amateur, Michigan Open, USGA Publinx was always on the go. Maybe I’ll get a part-time job or tournaments. We enjoyed that, too.” something. I think I will work on the golf game. I feel like I’m a halfway decent golfer and I would like to try Stark said he is happiest when he is outside and he and play some.” loves competition. “Even in my work I was competitive,” he said. “I wanted to maintain a better course than the guy down the street. It wasn’t always easy, but I enjoyed getting the 20 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association | www.migcsa.org The 2021 BIG EVENT FUNDRAISER T he 2021 Big Event was hosted by Aaron McMaster at Orchard Lake & Country Club on Monday October 4th. This event is the last of the three fundraisers the MiGCSA has every year. All of the proceeds from these events go to fund the future of our industry by the way of scholarships, philanthropic causes related to turf and funding research at Michigan State via donation to the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation (MTF). A very special thank you to our Premier Fundraiser Sponsors BASF, Bayer, EZGO, Matt LaFontaine Automotive, Site One Golf, Spartan Distributors & Adam Garr with Syngenta. Thank you to our hole sponsors Baker Vehicle, Bio Health, FIP Irrigation, Golf Cars Plus, Harrell’s, Revels, Michigan Synthetic Turf, NuFarm, Porous Pave, Rhino Seed, Standard Golf, Target Specialty Products & Trimax/Timberwolf Turf. Complimentary beverage station thanks to Earthworks and Herman & Associates. Thank you to our host Aaron McMaster MiGCSA President Doug Ware thanks the many event sponsors and industry partners 22 12 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association | www.migcsa.org Here are the results: Closest to the pins were won by Scott Gardiner, Brad Lear, Rod Leversee, Tom Lewis the long drives were won by Trent Foreman and Jeff Davis Bob Badovinac and longest putt was Trent Foreman. Winning Scramble Teams: 1st place – Jeff Davis, Archy Hosvepian, Matt Siemiantkowski and Jarrett Weinrich 2nd place – Kevin Frank, Jeff Nabozny, Michael Leach and Scot Gardiner 3rd place – Andy Keilen, Don Knop, Bob Badinovich and Adam Ikamas One skin was won by Jerred Barley, Greg Hodges, Doug Rusiecki and Jamie Wilson with an Eagle on #12. Course Course Conditions Conditions | Issue #53 | Winter - Q4 2019-20 2021-22 23 13 ® Is Your Fairway Up for a Challenge? Rayora® is ideal for fairways with its 21-day interval applications. Rayora® Fungicide redefines what it means to be strong and safe on turf — for longer. Powered by Flutriafol, Rayora® is absorbed and translocated quicker than any active ingredient in its class, giving complete and proven dollar spot protection on fairways — for 21 days! Visit www.fmcprosolutions.com Always read and follow all label directions, precautions, and restrictions for use. Rayora fungicide may not be registered for sale or use in all states. Contact your local FMC representative or distributor for more details. FMC, the FMC logo, and Rayora are trademarks or service marks of FMC Corporation or an affiliate. ©2021 FMC Corporation. All rights reserved. 2021 MSU Student SCHOLARSHIPS BY GENE DAVIS, MIGCSA SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN The MiGCSA scholarship committee once again had the privilege of interviewing currently enrolled students in the turf program at MSU and awarding them much deserved scholarship dollars. On December 15th 2021 the committee traveled to East Lansing and interviewed nine applicants for this year’s awards. The committee was extremely impressed with all of the applicants and enjoyed hearing about their future goals and aspirations within the turf industry. After the interview process the committee decided to award four of the applicants with awards. Adam Nadeau, Connor McBride, Matthew Dishon and Brendan Stuchell received the 2021 scholarships. We encouraged all applicants to continue to be involved with the association and take advantage of this great scholarship opportunity in the future. On behalf of the MiGCSA and more specifically the scholarship committee I would like to thank committee members Jesse Scholl, Jim Priebe, Tony Geib and Co-Chair Jared Milner. Course Conditions | Issue #53 - Q4 2021-22 25 SUPERINTENDENT — ALEX LINCOLN OF FLINT GOLF CLUB ALEX Lincoln BY GREG JOHNSON “It’s probably one of the worst to get creative and get things done times ever to start a new job,” with a minimal crew,” he said. “I was Lincoln said and laughed. “It has hired here to try and bring plant been a struggle but we’re making health back as a priority. There’s progress.” been some hiccups. Some people would tip-toe into a new job, but I Alex Lincoln Lincoln, 30 and a native of Ionia, went for it, killed some grass in a started as superintendent has a bachelor’s degree in turfgrass few spots, but we are bringing it at Flint Golf Club in March and crop and soil sciences from back and it will be great. It’s a cool, of 2020 just as a global Michigan State University, but first old Willie Park (designed) course pandemic shut down the studied to become an engineer. and really has been untouched to a country. certain extent. We’re working with “I realized I would hate a desk job,” Mike DeVries (golf course architect) he said. on our greens, a few at a time, and slowly over time bringing things He has been doing essentially three back that were lost.” jobs at Flint working without an assistant or a mechanic on his crew He first worked in golf in his for two seasons. hometown of Ionia at Shadow Ridge Golf Course, which was formerly “It has been difficult, starting in known as Ionia Country Club and the COVID year and that being was a unique nine-hole design of followed by a year where everybody Donald Ross. is having labor struggles so we had 26 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association | www.migcsa.org “I just started there as a grounds head superintendent job back in Being part of that project is great guy thinking I would like to southwest Michigan in 2019 at and I like working outside. I can’t work outdoors and along the Whitaker Woods where he worked see doing something else.” way I became interested in turf before taking the job at Flint Golf sciences,” he said. “I was a golfer, Club. Time management of his job is enjoyed being on golf courses and currently his biggest challenge. just applied at Shadow Ridge. I He has settled in at Flint, met worked in the pro shop and then assistant golf professional Andrea “With having to-do tasks that on the grounds for a year and Richards and they have a seven- an assistant or a mechanic working on the grounds intrigued month-old son Jackson. might do I really have to figure me. From there I ended up at time for everything,” he said. MSU.” “It works well for us right now,” “Thankfully I’ve had some great he said. “Andrea brings Jackson field experiences. It was great to Between his junior and senior in with her, and he is sort of a learn all the chemistry and how year at MSU in 2012 he worked pro-shop mascot and then I take applications work and the ideas an internship at Country Club of him home. I hope to be here behind what we do but putting it North Carolina and landed his a while, see our restoration of into play is most important and first assistant superintendent job the greens through and see the making time for it all isn’t easy. “ out of school for three seasons at club kicking butt and bouncing Lost Dunes Golf Club in Bridgman. back from these last few years. Lincoln is hoping golf’s resurgence His next stop was Chikaming We’ll see about down the road. in rounds and more people playing Country Club in Lakeside for five I know I want to continue being the game and returning to golf will seasons where he worked for Eric a superintendent. Restoration help his role in golf. Rank and then he landed his first and renovation really interest me. 5 1. I’m color blind with red and green so I had to learn to find stress in grass different ways. It was my first THINGS problem as an assistant. 2. I have four brothers, ages 13 to 33. PEOPLE 3. I played varsity golf for four years in Ionia, but I was MAY also a trumpet player in the marching band, jazz band and symphonic band. I don’t play anymore. NOT KNOW 4. I met Andrea Richards here and we have a son. She is ABOUT ME assistant pro and now director of operations, which makes her one of my bosses, too. 5. I have a five-year-old lab, Cooper. He is with me all day every day and the members tell me he has made the situation with geese here at Flint better. Course Conditions | Issue #53 - Q4 2021-22 27 SUPERINTENDENT “Right now the interest in golf is not translating to an uptick in resources at least at the club level – we’re being asked to do more with the same amount of resources because play is up – but let’s hope that eventually comes into more of a balance,” he said. “Then Covid could be a blessing in disguise for us.” Lincoln credits Rank, his boss at Chikaming, for having considerable influence on him and he hopes to influence young employees to stay in turf and become superintendents. “He took me under his wing when I was still kind of green from working just a short time at Lost Dunes and then gave me the opportunity to do anything and everything in golf course operations – tee renovations, all sorts of stuff that is paying off now. I’ve modeled the way I do crew management and the treatment of staff from the way he did things, too. I think it’s the biggest thing for the future in turf – getting young people interested in this as a career like he did for me. That’s missing right now.” Away from the course for Lincoln means spending time with Jackson. He likes to play video games when he has time, and he remodeled his last home in Berrien Springs and doubled his investment when he sold it. “I don’t play much golf anymore even though I would like to play more,” he said. “I don’t think I’m much of a player any more, and I haven’t ever beaten Andrea. She is scratch.” Andrea would make his dream foursome, of course. “I would go for fun with myself, Andrea, Tiger Woods and Bill Murray,” he said. 28 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association | www.migcsa.org CONTROLLED-RELEASE FERTILI YOU CAN COUNT ON. 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With more efficient nutrient uptake, significantly less environmental loss ANDY GILROY KIMBERLY ROULEAU and fewer applications required, SE MI Northern MI you get more with less! agilroy@harrells.com krouleau@harrells.com (586) 917-3851 (989) 370-5250 MARC MCCOY Western/Mid MI mmccoy@harrells.com (616) 902-6196 MIKE RUPP SE MI/NW OH mrupp@harrells.com (419) 764-3422 DOUG JOHANNINGSMEIER Oakland County/SE MI djohanningsmeier@harrells.com (248) 302-2054 www.harrells.com | 800.282.8007 Employee -Owned MADE BY PROFESSIONALS. FOR PROFESSIONALS. In your work, you need results you can count on. That’s why you need WinField United Pro. The one who the true pros count on to get the job done right. CONTACT YOUR WINFIELD UNITED REP TO SEE HOW WE CAN DELIVER FOR YOU. NICK BINDER GREG WARD 517-974-4209 616-286-0604 NDBinder@landolakes.com GWard@landolakes.com AMVAC • Aquatrols • Bayer • BASF • BioSafe • BioWorks • Civitas • Control Solutions • Corteva • FMC • Griggs • MGK • Nufarm • PBI Gordon • ProPeat • Redbox • Sepro • Syngenta winfieldunitedpro.com | @winfieldpro Michigan ©2021 GolfWinField WinField United. Course Superintendents is a registered Association trademark of WinField United. | www.migcsa.org INDUSTRY PARTNER - ADAM PALMATIER ADAM Palmatier 1 HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN THE GOLF BUSINESS? I got started in golf when a superintendent friend (Bob Stipcak) of mine needed some extra help in the evenings and on weekends. After a couple of months he came to me and said: “You’re really good at this, have you ever considered making a career out of it?” The rest is history from there Adam Palmatier had been 2 WHO HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST INFLUENCE IN PERSONAL working as a territory account manager LIFE? My wife, Ronda. at Helena in Central and West Michigan for 18 months and recently was promoted 3 WHO HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST INFLUENCE IN YOUR to Branch Manager, in this role he will PROFESSIONAL LIFE? There have been so many that it is continue the same service to his territory impossible to name just one: Dr. Joe Vargas, Bob Stipcak, and customers. He was previously the Nancy Dykema, Al Bathum, Charles Fort, Jim Cola, and operations coordinator at the Hancock Billy Goodrich to name a few. Turfgrass Research Center for Michigan State University. He has also been a research assistant in turfgrass pathology, a golf course superintendent, and a lawn care owner/operator. He and his wife Ronda have been together since high school and were married in 2000. They have three children. The 48-year-old Palmatier attended Lansing Community College with the intention of becoming a school teacher. After receiving an associates degree he went to Michigan State University where he earned his two- year certificate in golf turf management. Course Conditions | Issue #53 - Q4 2021-22 33 4 WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE ARE THE BIGGEST ISSUES 8 WHAT IS THE MOST REWARDING PART OF BEING FACING SUPERINTENDENTS TODAY? I’m sure I IN AN INDUSTRY SUPPORT ROLE? For me it’s sound like a building relationships, but a close second is the self- broken record, but no doubt it’s labor or lack of it. gratification of helping a customer. That can be a recommendation or something as simple as getting 5 WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS WHEN them their product on time. WORKING WITH THE MICHIGAN GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION? For them to be 9 WHAT IS YOUR BEST SUCCESS STORY? My Family. knowledgeable, well-informed, and professional. My wife Ronda and I have been together since I was a sophomore at Ashley High School (1990). We 6 DO YOU HAVE AN EMBARRASING CAREER MOMENT were married in 2000 and have lived in Williamston YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE? Probably calling a since 2002. We have three children; Noah, 20, Meah, customer by the wrong name. 17 and Ava Marie, 14. Noah attends Michigan State University and is majoring in packaging and minoring 7 WHAT IS YOUR BEST ADVICE TO DECISION MAKERS in business. He also is the men’s soccer team student WHEN DOING BUSINESS? Don’t put off until manager. Meah is the captain of the varsity volleyball tomorrow what you can accomplish today. team, plays on a national AAU volleyball club and shows pigs. Ava Marie plays volleyball, soccer and shows pigs. 10 WHAT DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST ABOUT YOUR POSITION? One the things I enjoy most about being a branch manager is the fact that each day is different. I enjoy traveling to each part of my territory on a regular basis. I also enjoy working with Territory Manager Mike Leach and the rest of our staff at our specialty branch in Greater Lansing. 11 DO YOU HAVE SOME TRAVEL TIPS? We bought into the Disney Vacation Club when the kids were young and we have really taken advantage of it. 12 HOW MANY DAYS OF THE YEAR ARE YOU ON THE ROAD? About 200 days but I’m back home most every night. I put on close to 80,000 miles. 13 WHO HAS THE NICEST SHOP YOU CALL ON AND WHY? I’m sure folks will say I’m “butt kissing” but I like Egypt Valley Country Club’s layout and design. It seems like it is very efficient. The Hancock Center’s shop is nice to work in too. 34 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association | www.migcsa.org INDUSTRY PROFILE 14 DO YOU HAVE A FUNNY STORY YOU CAN SHARE FROM 19 DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE GOLFER AND WHY? THE ROAD? There are too many to tell, but most of them Right now, I am partial to Jon Rahm. He goes revolve around common acquaintances in our industry. after it. I can be in the middle of nowhere see a golf course and just stop in and sure enough the superintendent 20 DO YOU HAVE A NICKNAME AND IS THERE A will know someone I know or we will share a story from STORY BEHIND IT? Palm, and I think it’s kind of turf school or our internships. These times are always obvious (PALMatier). funny and enjoyable for me, being able to relate with superintendents and knowing how I have been in their 21 HAVE YOU EVER HAD A HOLE IN ONE? Not yet… shoes before. 22 WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES OR ACTIVITIES 15 WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE BEST PRODUCT YOU AWAY FROM GOLF? Well, like most parents, your OFFER AND WHY? There are many, but my favorite is hobbies become the hobbies your kids are into Helena’s ORBIX next-gen foliar product. It maintains doing. Ours happens to be showing pigs. My kids balanced growth for up to three weeks while producing have become some of the top show performers stronger plants. in the Midwest. 16 WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ITEM TO SELL/ 23 WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING OUTSIDE OF DEMONSTRATE? Our CoRoN line of products is my WORK? Most everyone knows I hunt here in favorite product to sell because it has proven throughout Michigan, primarily at my family’s farm north the years to be a phenomenal slow release liquid fertilizer of St. Johns. We have season tickets for MSU with balanced growth. football and basketball, and although I haven’t done it in a couple of years, I really enjoy 17 WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF COURSE TO PLAY? coaching youth sports. Buck’s Run in Mount Pleasant. 24 WHO HAS THE BEST MAINTENANCE 18 IF YOU HAD A DIFFERENT PROFESSION, WHAT WOULD DEPARTMENT DOG? Drew Paxton at Spring Lake IT BE? If I were in a different profession it would have Country Club. something to do with livestock. Over the years I have learned a lot about the feeding and raising of pigs in 25 HOW MANY CONFERENCES AND particular. Raising a good show hog is a lot like raising EDUCATIONAL EVENTS DO YOU ATTEND a quality turfgrass plant. One has to know how much or PER YEAR? The average would be seven 5 how little to put into it to get the high-quality results. or eight. THINGS MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT ME: 1. I’m Vice President of the Ingham County Youth Livestock Association. 2. I collect Disney Pin’s. 3. I have been shot by a 243 deer rifle. We won’t say where… 4. I attended the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and saw the Dream Team. 5. I graduated high school with 36 people (and that’s a big class). Course Conditions | Issue #53 - Q4 2021-22 35 INDUSTRY PROFILE 26 WHICH ONE IS THE BEST TURF CARE PROFESSIONALS CAN ATTEND? Not taking anything away for the others, but I prefer the MTF Conference. 27 HOW MANY ROUNDS OF GOLF DO YOU PLAY IN A YEAR? I am starting to get back in the swing more and more, so I would say around 25-30. 28 HOW DO YOU THINK THE INDUSTRY WILL BE DIFFERENT IN 10 YEARS? The industry will continue equipment and chemical innovation that will result in fewer inputs on the environment. Lower use rates products, along with the use of adjuvants, surfactants and bioscience materials will play a large part in reducing those inputs. With the lack of labor help we will see more and more autonomous vehicles. 29 ARE THERE ANY NEW PRODUCTS ON THE HORIZON? This falls right in step with the previous answer, Helena is now offering a program called Rx360. This program will allow turf managers to have an accurate picture of each and every variable on the course from soil management, tissue testing, water analysis, diagnostic reports and more. This is done with precise property mapping and electro-magnetic equipment that can be turned into app ready controller files. It’s rumored there were once earthworm castings on this fairway. Golf superintendents who add Sea 3 to their spray tanks see some major benefits: Lower stress, greater thatch reduction, easier water manage- ment and firmer playing conditions. But what they don’t see is even more remarkable: Worm castings on their fairways where they used to appear. More and more, Sea 3 users report that above-ground worm activity in the Spring and Fall seasons has abated since adding Sea 3 to their spray applications. So much so, that we’re in the process of conducting univer- sity trials to verify the reports. Sea 3 couldn’t be simpler to use. Just add a gallon per acre to your spray tank and see how much easier life can be. Then ask your sales rep about what they hear from superintendents across the country about not having to deal with worm castings on their fairways when they use Sea 3. Chad Kuzawa Upper-Midwest Regional Agronomist chad@soilfirst.com • 616.255.2818 A Deeper Respect www.earthworksturf.com • 800.732.TURF 36 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association | www.migcsa.org Shoreline Aggregate Solutions. Your ace in the hole. A leading supplier in golf aggregates, and a proud member of the MiGSCA, Shoreline Aggregate Solutions is your trusted aggregate partner when it comes to all your golf course aggregate needs. With over 35 years of experience, we have supplied many of the premier golf courses in southwest Michigan and the Midwest. Our USGA approved top dressing sands, bunker sands and divot mixes meet and exceed the standards set by the United States Golf Association. When you need an ace in the hole to put your course conditions over the top, Shoreline delivers. (219) 878-9991 shorelineaggregate.com A Message From Michigan Turfgrass Foundation makes $1 million lead gift to Michigan State University to endow a chair in Turfgrass Pathology A $1 million gift from the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation to the Michigan State University (MSU) College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) launches a $5 million campaign to endow the Joe Vargas Chair in Turfgrass Pathology. The Michigan Turfgrass Foundation made a $1 million gift to the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources on Jan. 4, 2022 to endow the Joe Vargas Chair in Turfgrass Pathology. 38 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association | www.migcsa.org EAST LANSING, Mich. – A $1 million gift from the Funding for the endowed Joe Vargas Chair in Michigan Turfgrass Foundation to the Michigan State Turfgrass Pathology will ensure that a strong and University (MSU) College of Agriculture and Natural robust program is possible in perpetuity, and that Resources (CANR) launches a $5 million campaign to MSU’s land-grant tradition of linking research endow the Joe Vargas Chair in Turfgrass Pathology. to our region’s needs continues to advance the economic development, environmental “Endowed positions are a cornerstone for recruiting stewardship, and improved quality of life in outstanding faculty and supporting innovative Michigan and around the world. research,” said MSU President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D. “We are fortunate to have the Michigan This endowment honors Dr. Joe Vargas who Turfgrass Foundation’s partnership in our efforts to has dedicated his 51-year career to improving advance solutions to pressing challenges in turfgrass the quality of turf on every continent except science in ways that will improve lives and strengthen Antarctica. His knowledge has been shared in communities.” over 200 articles and over 1,000 presentations. YOUR TRUSTED PARTNER From tee to green and beyond, Helena is your full-service turf management partner. Helena offers a wide range of innovative products, including nutritionals, wetting agents, pest control products and more. To achieve the quality you desire, contact your local Helena representative to learn more. Michael Leach Adam Palmatier (517) 257-9263 (616) 340-9557 LeachM@helenaagri.com PalmatierA@helenaagri.com helenaprofessional.com | First five people to respond to this ad will receive a free YETI surprise. Always read and follow label directions. Helena and People...Products...Knowledge... are registered trademarks of Helena Holding Company. ©2020 Helena Holding Company. HPG0920P Course Conditions | Issue #53 - Q4 2021-22 39 As an international expert on turfgrass diseases, he is a member of the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame. “At the forefront of our turfgrass program are our faculty members who are global leaders in their areas of expertise,” said Brian Horgan, Ph.D, chairperson for the MSU Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, which houses the Turfgrass Program. “By investing in this endowed chair position, Michigan Turfgrass Foundation shows their commitment to creating new knowledge through research, while educating and inspiring the students who will become the next generation of leaders in turfgrass Brian Horgan, Ph.D. science.” Established in 1957, the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation (MTF) is a non-profit organization which supports turfgrass research and education. The organization’s members represent a vast portion of the industry including: homeowners, golf courses, seed, sod and stolon growers, municipalities, parks and recreation, schools, landscape and lawn care contractors, athletics and cemeteries. MTF annually sponsors the Michigan Turfgrass Conference and supports the MSU Turfgrass Field Day at the Hancock Turfgrass Research Center in East Lansing, Mich. “The Joe Vargas Endowed Chair continues the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation’s partnership with Michigan State University that has been successful for over 50 years,” said Carey Mitchelson, Michigan Turfgrass Foundation executive director. “This initiative helps to ensure that the MSU Turfgrass Program continues into perpetuity, sustains MSU’s place in cutting-edge turfgrass technology, and furthers the advancement of turfgrass students. The combined efforts of MSU and the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation exhibit the true meaning of a land-grant university working with its partners to provide a template and foundation of future research and educational programs for generations to come.” Joe Vargas, Ph.D. 40 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association | www.migcsa.org THE GAME HAS NOW CHANGED This is the season of recreation, outdoor pursuits and renewed focus on fine turf surfaces. Turf Fuel’s innovative new Vertical and Infinite products will surely give you a fresh edge and ensure a successful growing season. 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The programs users, from our back yards to world-class golf courses. bring together faculty, specialists, and educators who work with both professional turfgrass managers The research taking place within the turfgrass program and homeowners in managing turfgrass in an not only serves to positively affect our campus environmentally responsible manner. community and the state of Michigan’s economy, but also the U.S. and the world. Greenspace and Learn more about the Joe Vargas Endowed Chair turf are valuable for communities, as these spaces in Turfgrass Pathology at https://canr.msu.edu/ provide positive ecosystem services including turfgrassendowedchair. stormwater management, pollinator friendly habitats, urban cooling and environmental protection and preservation. Dan Shemon Territory: Southeastern Michigan Cell: 248.640.4439 Email: dshemon@advancedturf.com Eric Denoyer Territory: Northern Michigan Cell: 231.645.2933 We are your one stop shop for Email: edenoyer@advancedturf.com fertilizer, chemical, and seed Brad Fry solutions for your golf course. Territory: Southwestern Michigan Cell: 269.308.9652 We have carefully selected the best organic and synthetic Email: bfry@advancedturf.com granular and foliar fertilizers, post-patent and branded chemistries, professional turfgrass seed, and accessories on the market today. We are proud to carry a wide Chad Miller Territory: Southeastern Michigan variety of name brands including several exclusive lines. Cell: 260.602.1104 Email: cmiller@advancedturf.com Joe Singles Territory: Central & Southeastern Michigan Cell: 248.697.7182 Email: jsingles@advancedturf.com TWO MICHIGAN-AREA LOCATIONS: 37702 Enterprise Court 4123 Vance Rd Farmington Hills, MI 48331 Traverse City, MI 49685 248.341.3521 231.943.8343 Contact your ATS sales rep to learn www.advancedturf.com more about our current offerings! @AdvancedTurf 42 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association | www.migcsa.org TAKE YOUR COURSE TO THE NEXT LEVEL with new Makita product at SiteOne Landscape Supply® GAS PERFORMANCE ONE SYSTEM. ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES. WITHOUT THE HASSLE The LXT® System is the world’s largest compatible cordless ∏ No gas, no mixing tool system powered by 18V slide-style batteries. Makita’s purpose-built motors, battery technology, and enhanced ∏ Instant starts communications work together to deliver unmatched power, ∏ Reduced maintenance speed, and run time. Get maximum performance and efficiency with LXT products for every trade. SCAN TO SEE LOCATIONS 2021.5083 BY SHANE CONROY AND GCSAA STAFF UPDATE • engine technology • hydraulic systems • metalworking and fabrication • spray systems • fundamentals of turfgrass operations Exams don’t need be taken all at once. You can take one exam or complete all eight to earn the EMCP Level 1. The Equipment Management Certificate Program Level 2 naturally follows the EMCP Level 1.The Level 2 certificate is earned by successfully passing one proctored exam which addresses the following competency areas: A few areas I want to highlight in this • Administrative Management article include the Equipment Manager • Best Management Practices Certificate Program (EMCP), the various video series available to GCSAA EM members • Cutting Units at GCSAA.org as well as the Melrose Equipment • Drivetrains Management Experience. • Electrical Systems The Equipment Management Certificate • Engine Technology Program Level 1 is a series of exams designed • Hydraulic Systems to demonstrate proficiency in key competency areas related to turf equipment. The exams • Metalworking allow EM to earn certificates and skills • Spray Systems recognition in the various areas needed to be • Turfgrass Operations successful in their role. To be eligible to begin EMCP Level 2, you must The program is made up of eight exams complete EMCP Level 1. covering the key competency areas of: The second area I want to highlight are the • cutting units various education video series available to EM • drivetrain systems members. These series include: • electrical systems 44 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association | www.migcsa.org FROM NATIONAL Shan e Conroy 5-MINUTE FIX VIDEOS Finally, the Melrose Equipment Management Experience supports the professional development This collection of 5-Minute Fix Videos offers quick needs of GCSAA golf course equipment manager and simple solutions to equipment-related issues. members by providing select individuals the Current videos available cover everything from opportunity to attend the GCSAA Conference and backlapping, to hydraulic hose repair, to cleaning Trade Show. carburetors, and many in between. EM members can submit a great idea for a 5-Minute Fix Video to The Melrose Equipment Management Experience add to the video library. was established in 2019 by the late Ken Melrose, retired CEO and chairman of the board of The Toro Co., and is supported by a $1-million gift to the GCSAA Foundation from The Kendrick B. Melrose Family Foundation. This program will have a positive impact for each equipment manager selected and inside the shop ultimately, the game of golf. Presented by Hector Velazquez Class members will receive the following: INSIDE THE SHOP VIDEOS • GCSAA Conference and Trade Show registration The “Inside the Shop” area at the 2019 Golf Industry Show was an instant success, and host Hector • Education seminars and leadership Velazquez presents a monthly Inside the Shop sessions video series with trouble shooting, how-tos and • Airfare demonstrations concerning many areas of golf • Five nights’ hotel accommodations course equipment management. • $200 spending money The Michigan GCSA has one of the more robust EMCP PREP SERIES VIDEOS EM memberships in the country. Combined with You’ve heard about the eight exams that make the local education, events and camaraderie up Level 1 of the EMCP, but did you know GCSAA provided at the chapter level, there are numerous now has courses to help you have a positive result resources available to EM members. I hope you take when you take the tests? Seminars held at GIS were advantage of these resources, and as always, please recorded, edited and are now available On Demand don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything. All in the Learning Hub. the best this season! Course Conditions | Issue #53 - Q4 2021-22 45 Well Performing Equipment is... “Par for the Course!” Check us out for all your Jacobsen & Cushman parts needs! CLEVELAND COLUMBUS 9035 Freeway Drive | Macedonia, Ohio 44056 6316 Seeds Road | Grove City, Ohio 43123 For a complete list of all we handle: www.bakervehicle.com 800.843.2250 | Follow us on @BakerVehicle MI-OH Matches T he inaugural MI-OH Matches were played on October Consolation winners Jay Eccleton 19th at Sylvania Country Club hosted by Golf Course & Greg Pattinson (sub for Marc Superintendent Steve Brown. This is a new annual event McCoy). with a team from Michigan and from Ohio. The Ohio team was represented The MiGCSA Team was comprised of MiGCSA President Doug by Kyle Fredrick, Jon Soukup, Ware & State Champion Josh Shaw, Match Play runners up Joe Enciso, Eric Skorich, Andy Terry Poley & Aaron McMaster, Match Play champion’s Kevin McCormick, Jacob Selby, Harry Haack & Skip Connolly (sub for Bill O’Connell) and Match Play Helsel and Nathan Goebel. In the end the 18 hole stableford scoring matches were tied at 142! It was decided to go out to #10 the par 3 10th hole for a sudden death between one player from each team, Josh Shaw hit a great shot in and two putted for par to win the hole and the inaugural MI-OH matches for team MiGCSA! The 2022 matches will be played in Michigan. Get into the match play championship, the state championship and the Tuck Tate shootout to qualify! Course Conditions | Issue #53 - Q4 2021-22 47 Course Conditions | Issue #50 - Q1 2021 ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT - SAM BEKINS SAM BEKINS BY GREG JOHNSON Bekins, 25 and single, rocks he said. “I find if I get it all out talents beyond the golf course. before the crew gets there we He plays guitar and he got a can avoid some problems by chance to meet Kid Rock during finding it early and things go a the grand opening of American lot smoother. I’m involved in the Dunes last spring because of planning, the normal day-to-day The dream scramble his day job. He is an assistant maintenance, special projects, all team foursome for superintendent at the golf of those things.” Sam Bekins course/monument to the Folds of Honor Foundation created by American Dunes, recreated in a includes his Grandpa Howie, natural sand dune area close to Jack Nicklaus on the former site who introduced him to the Lake Michigan, presents some of Grand Haven Golf Club. game of golf, Jordan Spieth, unique challenges for Bekins “I talked to Kid Rock and saw and the rest of the golf course who he enjoys watching him hit a few golf shots, too,” he maintenance staff. He has compete on the PGA Tour said. “Music is a big part of my been involved from the start of and musician Kid Rock. life. I wanted to meet him.” seeding. Bekins has performed with his “It’s a whole different beast guitar at American Dunes, but than I’ve worked before and much more of his time is spent a big learning experience,” on the golf course. he said. “I went from working with heavy soils and mainly “I get there before the crew clay push-up greens and and pull out all the equipment now I’m working with a we plan to use for the day,” Course Conditions | Issue #53 - Q4 2021-22 49 New for 2022 We’ve added more suppliers to our lineup for 2022 - Quality Solutions - More Choices - Technical Service 616.805.4718 / www.greatlakesturf.com ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT straight sand layer. It demands different “It was a very family-like after graduating worked for management of water to get through the atmosphere. Everybody Wuskowhan Players Club near day with play.” treated me like family and it Holland. was a family-owned business. His road to American Dunes can be “I kept learning and liking It was fun place to work, and traced back to his start in the golf it and here I am,” he said. great experience for a first job. industry. He was 16 and his parents “I’ve kind of been in the right It ended up with me thinking said it was time to get a job. Evergreen place at the right time. I’ve I’m going to do this. I’m going Golf Course in Robinson Township worked at some great places, to go to school for it, too, so I outside of his native Grand Haven took and when I found out Joe make better money I decided him on under the guidance of then (VerDuin) was at Grand Haven to go for it.” superintendent Joe VerDuin, who these (Golf Club) I let him know I days is the superintendent at American He enrolled at Northwestern was ready. He had really been Dunes and Bekins’ immediate supervisor. Michigan College in Traverse my mentor all along.” City and dual enrolled in “From the first day at Evergreen I had Bekins comes from a family of Michigan State University’s a landscape rake and started raking mechanics in other industries, landscape management bunkers,” he said. “The first year was and it helps him appreciate program. While in Traverse also Joe’s first year there and he and the mechanic at the golf City, he worked at I had free rein of the whole place. We course, too. Lochenheath Golf Club, and took trees out, cleaned up ponds, did mechanics and we ended up hiring my 5 Grandpa on Tuesdays and Thursdays to service carts. THINGS MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT ME: 1. I’m a type 1 diabetic and I wear the pump. I’ve had it since I was 13. 2. Music is more than a hobby. I play electric and acoustic guitar, I sing and I write music and perform in bars, at weddings, things like that. 3. I played four years of soccer, two years of golf and two years of basketball in high school. I’m only 6-foot, but I did get a dunk in a game. 4. When I was 15 I tried to be a charter boat mate on Lake Michigan. 5. I played an outside gig at American Dunes last summer and it was awesome. Course Conditions | Issue #53 - Q4 2021-22 51 ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT “I have a high level of respect for what they do and anything I can help with, I’m right there,” he said. His start at American Dunes happened about the same time as a significant wind storm off of the waters of Lake Michigan toppled about 80 trees a few weeks before the planned start of seeding. “That pushed seeding back some, but we got it cleaned up and going,” he said. “It’s been great since day one there.” He thinks American Dunes, beyond its mission to help the Folds of Honor Foundation, is a special place. “It’s one of the most special places I’ve golfed at, and not just because I helped grow it in and all that,” he said. “I think it’s because almost any golfer can go there and have a good time. As long as they play the right tees or tee it forward, they will have good shots and enjoy it. It’s really a great design.” As for his job at American Dunes, Bekins is concerned about the manpower situation at the course and many others in the state, and he thinks the hardest part of his job is keeping the crew morale in a good spot. “It’s important to get out on the course and check on everybody while they are working, make sure we try to keep a good family atmosphere and not just be people working,” he said. “I try to “The easiest part of the job, that’s just being outside in a keep a smile on my face and keep beautiful place, seeing sunrises. The sunrises, and the sunsets, people motivated, smiling and ready to especially here on the West side of the state, are spectacular.” work.” After sunset, music takes over. He said he emulates John In the end he tries to create and build Mayer and his influences include Van Morrison, the Zach relationships. Brown Band and Tom Petty among others. “I think that’s the key to almost any “If I’m not at the golf course, I’m doing music, and if I’m not job, and it takes some work,” he said. doing music, I’m at the golf course,” he said. 52 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association | www.migcsa.org PUT LONG-LASTING DISEASE PROTECTION INTO MOTION Featuring three leading active ingredients in different FRAC groups, Posterity® XT and Posterity Forte fungicides are the driving forces for powerful disease protection that lasts. UP TO 28 DAYS OF CONTROL of SPRING DEAD SPOT control plus more than 20 diseases including TAKE-ALL ROOT ROT control BROWN PATCH, SUMMER PATCH and DOLLAR SPOT UP TO 28 DAYS of strong DOLLAR SPOT control with added BROWN BROAD-SPECTRUM CONTROL of more PATCH and LEAF SPOT protection than 25 cool-season turf diseases on fairways, tees, greens or roughs Find your fit at GreenCastOnline.com/PosterityXT and GreenCastOnline.com/PosterityForte or contact your local Syngenta territory manager: Adam Garr | adam.garr@syngenta.com | (248) 914-4902 @SyngentaTurf #Time4Posterity All photos are either the property of Syngenta or are used with permission. ©2021 Syngenta. Important: Always read and follow label instructions. Some products may not be registered for sale or use in all states or counties and/or may have state- specific use requirements. Please check with your local extension service to ensure registration and proper use. GreenCast®, Posterity®, 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. 2021 Western Golf Day FUNDRAIS I t was a great day for the MiGCSA Members and friends took part in the 2021 Western Golf Day Fundraiser at Spring Lake Country Club on Monday September 27th. This event is the second of the three fundraisers the MiGCSA has every year. All of the proceeds from these events go to fund the future of our industry by the way of scholarships, philanthropic causes related to turf and funding research at Michigan State by way of donation to the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation (MTF). A very special thank you to our Premier Fundraiser Thank you to our host Drew Paxton Sponsors BASF, Bayer, EZGO, Matt LaFontaine Automotive, Site One Golf, Spartan Distributors & Adam Garr with Syngenta. Thank you to our hole sponsors Baker Vehicle, Bio Health, FIP Irrigation, Golf Cars Plus, Harrell’s, Revels, Michigan Synthetic Turf, NuFarm, Porous Pave, Rhino Seed, Standard Golf, Target Specialty Products & Trimax/Timberwolf Turf. Complimentary beverage station thanks to Earthworks and Herman & Associates. The winning team of Skip Conolly, Joe Hancock, Kevin Frank and Kevin McVay 54 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association | www.migcsa.org ER Thank you to Golf Course Superintendent Drew Paxton, Assistant Superintendent Derek Koster and Equipment Manager James Apsey! Also special thanks to Kevin Green, General Manager, Josh Lathwell, Head Golf Professional, Kristen Rappleye, Clubhouse Manager, Ray Davis, PGA Assistant Golf Professional, Brandon Jamieson, PGA Assistant Golf Professional, Emily Umstead, Events Coordinator and the Membership of Spring Lake Country Club. Course Conditions | Issue #53 - Q4 2021-22 55 The 2021 MiGCSA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP MiGCSA Class A Member Troy Looney hosted the 14th annual State Championship, the MiGCSA Major, on September 15th at The Emerald G.C. in St. Johns. This event is not just for those competing for the trophy there is also a 1 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 Troy and his staff. The 2022 event was well contested with a few rounds in the 70’s on a tough layout and set up. In the end the 2020 Champion defended his title, Josh Shaw, Superintendent at Timber Trace in Pickney with a 69. The low net champion was Dylan MacMaster, Superintendent at Lochmoors C.C. who shot a net 69 to win. Congratulations to both of our individual winners! The best 1 of 4 net game was won by the team of Adam Garr, Dylan MacMaster, Doug Johanningsmeier and Doug Palm with a 59. The long drive was won by Josha Shaw. The closest to the pins were won by Derek Koster, Chet VanDenburg and Jay Eccleton who had a hole in one on #4! The longest putt on #18 was won by Adam Garr. With this win Josh will be heading to the Michigan Open in 2022 thanks to the exemption offered thanks to the Michigan PGA. Thank you to our 2021 Industry Partners for making events like these possible. 56 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association | www.migcsa.org Course Conditions | Issue #53 - Q4 2021-22 57 ASSOCIATION UPDATE Thank you RON DAHLIN, CGCS I n 2006 I was asked to join the Northern I always admired Ron’s family first focus. Ron Michigan Turf Managers Board of is a great friend of mine, and I will continue to Directors. During this time there was call on him when I need help in life with work talk of forming a statewide chapter. or family. John Fulling was the tip of the spear MiGCSA Founder and 2010/11 President with many right there with him from the Jay Eccleton, CGCS: Organization, leadership, other chapters like Steve Hammon, Dan and communication are three ingredients Bissonette, Jay Eccleton, Tim Dorner, to a true mentor. I would categorize Ron Rick Hakken, Kirk Carls, Mike Jones, Mike Dahlin as a great example of one. His Mulkey, Greg Pattinson, Mike Morris, Jeff continued support of the MiGCSA and his Holmes and Scott Pulaski to name a few incredible dedication to the formation of (sorry if I missed anyone, it was a long this statewide organization has created the time ago all of the sudden!). One of the pathway for what we now know as the new most involved in every aspect of this normal. In the early stages of the formation transition was Ron Dahlin. of our MiGCSA state chapter, Ron dedicated Ron was an absolute critical part of this enormous amounts of time and energy to the process, His attention to detail as de facto formation of By-laws, membership outreach, secretary whipping out minutes in almost communication, and the overall organization minutes, usually the evening of the meeting of information and people resources to make in deep detail. Simply put there is no way this a reality. this chapter is where it is today without Ron. As the MiGCSA Board of Directors is purely He is retiring from Grand Valley this winter voluntary and the commitment of time is and I have asked a few of the others involved sometimes daunting, Ron never wavered in in those early years to help me thank him for his passion to create something that gives all he did for all of us. back to his industry that he loves dearly. MiGCSA Founder and 2009 President His acceptance of roles and responsibilities Steve Hammon: Ron’s passion and dedication and his time on the Executive Board were for improving the lives of golf course as faced with many uncertain times as the superintendents and their golf courses association was developing its legs. As we in Michigan and around the country is look back at the success of the MiGCSA, we unmeasurable. The period of time that he can never forget the contributions that Ron spent leading the phosphorus use legislation so graciously contributed. in Lansing was just one of those examples of I am sure so many others could share stories his strong leadership. Ron worked with the about Ron and his professional and personal committee creating a plan, then educated impact he has had on so many people. I am and testified in front of the legislation on a better person because of my time spent behalf of all golf properties in the state of with Ron. I am happy for him and his family Michigan. that he is retiring, and I look forward to his This natural leadership really shined during continued guidance for the chapter and for the long road of merging four chapters myself. Congratulations Ron! in Michigan. Ron’s style and sharp focus working through those tough obstacles to actually merge these groups together was a key part of the successful process and ultimately the merger. Adam Ikamas, CGCS MiGCSA Executive Director 58 Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association | www.migcsa.org From Haulers and Carts... ...to Sprinklers and Mowers. Partnering with Michigan golf courses since 1947. 487 West Division Street Sparta, MI 49345 1050 North Opdyke Road Auburn Hills, MI 48326 800-822-2216 www.spartandistributors.com PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID LANSING, MI 316 GLENCARIN DR. NE | ROCKFORD, MI 49341 PERMIT NO.689 Two major pests. One complete solution. Set a new benchmark in white grub and ABW control. 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