NEWSLETTER OF THE FLORIDA GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION

SPRING

D O N A T I O N S ARE IN T H E

AIR

30th Annual Suncoast Scramble

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I

THANK YOl SPONSORS

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2012 Suncoast Scramble (l-r): Darden Nicks, Mark Todd, George Cook, State Senator Nancy
Detert, FGCSA Vice President Nancy Miller, Nick Kearns and Zach Lane. Senator Detert and
Nancy Miller, CGCS were guest speakers, and the SCGCSA presented Miller with a FGCSA
research fund check for $1,500. Photo by Lee Crosby.
CALENDAR

OF

EVENTS

MAY 2

JUNE 2

WEST COAST G C S A SOCIAL MEETING
COURTSIDE GRILL NEAR FEATHERSOUND
MAY 1 4
PALM BEACH G C S A MONTHLY MEETING
HIGH RIDGE COUNTRY CLUB
MAY 1 7 - M A Y

20

MAY 1 8

TOURNAMENT

NAPLES BEACH HOTEL AND GOLF CLUB

THE FALLS

MAY 2 2

JUNE 5

TREASURE COAST G C S A BLUE PEARL

WEST COAST G C S A CHAPTER

TOURNAMENT
QUAIL VALLEY GOLF CLUB

EVERGLADES G C S A POA ANNUA
MAY 2 2
MAY 1 7
SUNCOAST G C S A ANNUAL MEETING
F G C S A BOARD MEETING AND
SARA BAY C C
F G C S A PAST PRESIDENT'S DINNER

PALM BEACH G C S A FUTURE OF GOLF

F G C S A POA SEMINAR

CHAMPIONSHIP
OLD MEMORIAL GOLF CLUB
JUNE 7
RIDGE G C S A INVITATIONAL
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS GOLF COURSE

PRESIDENT'S
BY

MARK

REPORT

KANN

May is almost here and normally, I'd be gearing up to start core
aerifying up here in North Central FL. Like I said, normally.
Actually, I'm gearing up for a second time to aerify this year. Where
did the winter go? And, soon, we'll all be saying, where did the
spring go?
As I mentioned in my previous message, the tournament
season is upon us. I hope everyone will take advantage of these
many events to participate in some capacity. Whether it be as a
golfer, sponsor, or a volunteer - everyone can help make each
event a success! I am looking forward to participating in the 19th
Annual Jeff Hayden Memorial Envirotron Golf Classic tomorrow.
I've been volunteering for this event for the last 12 years and have
enjoyed every minute of it. Did I mention I have only played in the
tournament once? It's a lot of work but it is definitely worth all the
Mark Kann
work. My many thanks go out to all the volunteers that help make
these great events succeed.
I hope everyone will seize the opportunity to attend all or a
BOD Meeting and our Past
portion of the Poa Annua Weekend in May. This annual event
President's Dinner where we
includes a seminar on Friday morning, the GC Horn Memorial
will award this year's
Tournament on Friday afternoon, and the Poa Tournament on
Saturday morning. The weekend is capped with a luau on Saturday recipients of the
Distinguished Service and
evening. It's a great opportunity for some education, golf, and
Marie Roberts Lifetime
enjoying some food and drink with your colleagues. Prior to ali
Achievement Awards. It is
these events, on Thursday we will be holding our Spring FGCSA
sure to be memorable.
I have mentioned the
Golf BMP Certification
Program many times
throughout the year. We
needed to go back and really
develop a set of guidelines
for running the program and
Editor:
Financial Support:
we hope to have them
This issue of the Green Sheet
Joel Jackson, CGCS
finalized at the Spring BOD
is being sponsored by:
(407) 248-1971 (fax/phone)
meeting. Again, we want to
E-mail: FLGrn@aol.com
Golf Ventures
make sure we do this right.
News Coordinator:
5101 Gateway Blvd., Suite 18
This
mission has been at the
Jennifer Bryan
Lakeland, FL 33811-2704
top of my list of priorities, so
PO Box 65
800-330-8874
800-481-8911
Jensen Beach, FL 34958
we are chugging along as
888-222-7072
(772) 334-7515
quickly as possible. Many
(772) 334-6015
E-mail:fgcsa@comcast.net
All material submitted for printing will
people have given so much
be edited at the discretion of the editor.
to make this program what it
Material must be typed or clearly
is. Thank you to all that have
printed. Photos are encouraged. Items
The Green Sheet is a bimonthly FGCSA
must be for the good of the association.
Newsletter printed as follows: Jan/Feb,
contributed so much of their
March/April, May/June, July/August,
time.
Deadline next issue June 15.
Sept./October, November/December.

FROM

JENNIFER'S

DESK:

It is hard to believe that we have just about completed
another membership year of the FGCSA! Most of you will be
attending your chapter's annual meetings and year end
events in June as this year's activities come to an end. Our
new fiscal year and membership period begins on July 1st!
Membership Renewal Forms and e-mail reminders will begin
to clutter your mailboxes to renew your membership Don't
overlook these renewal forms. Get them filled out and
mailed back to your local chapter or the FGCSA. The earlier
you get these renewal forms in, the more assured you will be
to remain on the mailing list of the Florida Green and Green
Sheet as well as get listed in the FGCSA Directory. Please
be sure to take the time to completely fill out your
membership renewal forms; especially if your class status
has changed or your place of employment. Without this
information, you will miss out on receiving important
information from the FGCSA.

Calendar of Events continued from page 1

JUNE 1 4
EVERGLADES G C S A VENDOR APPRECIATION
COLLIER'S RESERVE
JUNE 1 6
PALM BEACH G C S A FISHING TOURNAMENT
JUNE 2 1
SEVEN RIVERS G C S A ANNUAL MEETING AND VENDOR
APPRECIATION
CANDLER HILLS GOLF CLUB
JULY 1
M E M B E R S H I P R E N E W A L - ALL CHAPTERS
JULY 1 0
EVERGLADES G C S A ANNUAL MEETING
GREY OAKS COUNTRY CLUB

Also, this is a great time to log onto the FGCSA website and
update your personal information there, too. If you have
never logged on to the website, please use the first initial of
your first name as your login id and your last name as your
password. You will be able to change your password once
you have logged on for the first time. The website is kept up
to date with association wide chapter information along with
links to registration information, job postings, on-line payment
information and membership renewal forms. If there is
something else you would like to see on the website, please
let me know.
As Manager of your Association, my job is to ensure the
FGCSA has another successful year, so please get your
membership renewal forms completed. As always, feel free
to contact me with any questions or suggestions. Your
feedback is important, fqcsa@comcast.net or 800-732-6053
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Tom Cowan (left) was roasted and toasted
by his friend George Clifton as he was
presented with the 2012 Keeper of the
Green Award at the NFGCSA Memorial
Tournament at Marsh Creek C.C. in St.
Augustine. The North Florida chapter also
donated $1,500 to the Florida Gateway
College General Scholarship Fund and
$500 to the First Tee of St. Johns County.

JULY 1 1
WEST COAST G C S A ROUND TABLE DISCUSSSION
BEEF O'BRADY'S
JULY 2 3
PALM BEACH G C S A ANNUAL MEETING
BROKEN SOUND CLUB

EXECUTIVE

DIRECTOR'S

REPORT

By Joel Jackson, CGCS
Regulatory Issues
Water Restrictions: I checked all the Water
Management District websites on April 15th and the
currents status report is: St. Johns River WMD - Stay
within your permit. Southwest Florida WMD - Has
declared a Phase 3 Water Shortage Alert, and South
Florida WMD's latest Water Watch notice says also to
stay within your Water Use or Consumptive Use Permit.
The Southwest Florida site says golf courses are to
water fairways only once per week and greens and tees
no more than three times per week. However, I have
heard conflicting reports that letters from SWFWMD
directing golf courses to go to a link that says in part that
courses should follow irrigation BMPs. To be on the safe
side, everyone one should either call or go online to find
out what sub-regions within the district may be required
to do. Each district has regions that may enact more or
less stringent restrictions based on water levels. So
check with your local water management district office to
make sure you are in compliance with current water
shortage orders if any are in effect in your sub-region of
the district.

Twenty regulators from EPA, DEP, and Florida Water
Management Districts are welcomed to Old Collier by
host Tim Hiers, CGCS on March 19th as part of the
annual FFVA Spring Regulator Tour of Florida
Agriculture. Other tour hosts included Ricardo Uriarte of
Old Collier, Kyle Sweet and Jacob Craft from The
Sanctuary G.C. Ornithologist George McBride and Joel
Jackson, CGCS.

Federal Rules: The National Pollution Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) is largely resolved in
that only applicators of pesticides used for aquatic
weed and mosquito control are primarily affected and
must submit Notice of Intent applications for permits.
Golf courses that are applying pesticides only to
turfgrass (terrestrial applications) do not have to have
apply for a Permit. However, if you have an accidental
spill or discharge to waters of the state you will have to
file a report.
Numeric Nutrient Criteria and the H-2B Worker Visa
issues are not fully resolved as challenges and appeals
go back and forth. The EPA was leaning toward
partnering with Florida's DEP to allow that state agency
set nutrient criteria numbers based on their extensive
sampling, monitoring and evaluations of various water
bodies (streams, rivers, lakes, estuaries, bays, etc.) in
the various basin regions. However, activists once
again complain about the slower moving process and
demand via legal action through the courts that EPA
criteria be applied ASAP.
In this and the H-2B Visa issues, grass roots action and
advocacy efforts have made Congress take notice and
discussions continue to hopefully resolve these matters
in a fact based, common sense fashion that does not
cripple local economies and businesses. One troubling
factor was the apparent lack of knowledge of the impact
or concern over the H-2B visa issue by many club
managers around the state. You might want to copy or
print out some of the GCSAA Take Action alerts that
have been emailed to all FGCSA members and show
your club manager the talking points.
FGCSA & Chapter News: We're in that time of year for
annual chapter/state events so clear your calendars
and make time to participate in such worthwhile events
like the Everglades Poa Annua Classic May 17th 20th, which includes the FGCSA Spring Board meeting
and the USGA/FGCSA Seminar on Friday, May 18th at
the Naples Beach Club. Then there's the Treasure
Coast Blue Pearl Tournament on May 22nd at the
Quail Valley Club, which raises funds for environmental
programs and education in the east coast region. The
Florida GCSA Golf Championship is moving to
August 24th at Southern Dunes GC and The Florida
Turfgrass Conference will be held in September at the
Caribe Royale Hotel in Lake Buena Vista, FL. A new
Continued on page 5...

.. .continued from page 4.

North Florida GCSA event will debut
in October this year to provide a 5th
golf qualifier now that GCSAA has
expanded the national teams to five
players. And The Central Florida
Crowfoot Open will be moving to a
December date. More information will
be forthcoming on those events and
dates.
Florida Green Magazine: The
summer issue will feature Ricky
Reeves and the Miami Beach G.C. as
the cover story. The Hands On topic
will be: Growth Regulator Programs
and Products. We all know about
Primo, but how much, how often and
exactly where are you applying it or
other products to help turf health,
appearance, moisture management
and clippings removal in the grass
growing warm season. See what tips
your peers have for making growth
regulators part of your management
program.
In the Fall issue, we will visit with Bill
Davidson, CGCS at the Country Club
of Naples and Hands On will explore:
Developing Your Assistant, Foreman
and Technicians We'd like to hear
about your training and continuing
education programs for these key
people at your facility. Article Deadline
- August 31, 2012. Look for the Fall
Call for Articles details coming soon on
our website at www.floridagcsa.com .

NFGCSA Memorial Winners shooting a 59
(l-r): Chris Neff, Tom Brennan, Rocky
Fraleigh and Bill Burgstiner (not pictured).

SFGCSA President Marcus Prevatte and Dr. John Cisar co-host the 24
Annual South Florida Turf Expo in Ft. Lauderdale on March 22nd. The
SFGCSA and Palm Beach GCSA led the funding for the construction of
the Otto Schmiesser Research Green at the IFAS Research and
Education Center.

^fvORi^X

USGA
Regional Meeting
A Multi-Speaker Presentation in collaboration with the FGCSA
SEMINAR SCHEDULE

COURSE CONTENT
Participants will be able to:

Where: Naples Beach Hotel and Golf
Club
Time:

7:30-8:00.. Registration
8:00

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Seminar begins

9:30-9:45..15 min. break

•

10:45-11:0015.. min. break
•
Noon

Seminar Ends

SPECIAL NOTE
An entry to the Poa Annua Classic or
to the G.C. Horn Memorial
Tournament is not required to attend
this seminar. However, the seminar
will end at noon so that attendees
may play in the Horn Tournament. If
you do plan to register for one of
these golfing events, you may preregister for this seminar on the same
form sent by the Everglades GCSA
Poa Committee. Registration to the
seminar is open to all FGCSA
members and guests, and any
interested parties in the golf course
industry.
Overnight accommodations can be
made directly through the Naples
Beach Hotel Group Reservations at 1800-866-1946.
This seminar has been approved for
.35 CEU's by the GCSAA for
Education Points. Any questions on
the seminar should be directed to the
FGCSA at 1-800-732-6053. Or

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Learn to make informed decisions
on treating the irrigation water
and/or soil for salinity and sodium
concerns
Learn a simple guide to making
fertility plans based on soil tests
Learn key agronomic practices for
producing healthy turf and
optimizing playing quality of the golf
course
Learn what factors impact playing
the game when marking the course
Learn to identify pest damage when
the pests aren't there
Learn to make the best selection of
appropriate pest control treatments
Learn from case studies of a new
putting green fertilization program
that allows increased mowing
heights to be maintained while
increasing putting speeds and
improving turf health
Receive an update on current
GCSAA programs and activities

SPEAKER INFORMATION
Getting Back in Balance and Optimizing
Playing Conditions: Focusing on proven
agronomic practices will always be the best
strategy for dealing with today's challenges
and optimizing the playing quality of the golf
course

John H. Foy, Director, USGA Green
Section
The Superintendent's Role: Factors
that impact enjoyment and playing of
the game when setting up and marking
the golf course
Kathy Gordon, Director,
Southeastern Regional Affairs, USGA

Damage Detective: How to figure out
what is eating your turf, ornamentals or
house, even if the pests aren't around!
Lee Bloomcamp, Syngenta
Professional Turf and Landscape
GCSAA Update
Ralph Dain, GCSAA Field Staff,
Regional Representative (FL)
Paradigm Shift. A different strategy
for increasing green speeds and
smoothness while improving turf
health: Learn from three case studies
of South Florida golf courses that have
made the switch to granular low-rate
nitrogen programs that allow
superintendents to raise mowing
heights and reduce stress while
increasing putting speed.
Todd Lowe, Senior Agronomist,
Florida Green Section
Soil Test Interpretation Simplified Part 2: Soil test interpretation for turf
managers that don't have time to ready
hundreds of soil tests!
Brian Whitlark, Agronomist,

FGCSA EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR REGISTRATION FORM
Cost:
Pre-registration = $50 per person
At the door = $60.00 per person
Deadline for Pre-registration: May 11th. Credit card payments accepted online at www.floridagcsa.com/poa
Please make check payable to the FGCSA and mail to:
Florida GCSA, PO Box 65, Jensen Beach, FL 34958 (800)-732-6053
NAME:
AFFILIATION:
MAILING ADDRESS:
CITY, ZIP C O D E :
BUSINESS PHONE:

AMOUNT

ENCLOSED:

The consequences of high
temperatures on golf courses
Here's what superintendents are doing
to manage turf in extreme heat
conditions.
Prolonged periods of high
temperatures - and in some cases
excessive rainfall - and high humidity
have made life uncomfortable for
golfers and golf courses alike, with
Mother Nature holding all the cards for
true relief.
It is beginning to look like 2011 could
be a repeat of 2010 when conditions
for managing golf courses were
extreme.
"The simple fact is the cool-season
turfgrasses such as bentgrass, fescue,
bluegrass, annual bluegrass (Poa
annua) and others are stressed when
temperatures climb and humidity is
high," Bob Randquist, CGCS, and
president of the Golf Course
Superintendents Association of
America, said. "Golf courses in many
parts of the country experience this
every year, however what made the
situation so dire last year were the high
levels of extended heat and humidity,
and the sizeable part of the country
affected (Midwest, Mideast, Northeast
and Mid-Atlantic). We are already
seeing this is an issue that could
potentially match the conditions of last
year."
Why heat stress is so difficult on golf
course turf
According to Randquist, golf facilities
and those entrusted with managing the
golf course - golf course
superintendents - are not alone in this
battle with the elements. However, the
nature of their product makes their
challenge greater.
"Certainly homeowners, athletic fields
and businesses suffer turfgrass
damage brought on by these kinds of
conditions," Randquist said. "What
makes it more difficult for golf facilities

are the mowing heights are much
lower and traffic is much heavier.
That just adds to the stress on the
turfgrass."
Randquist indicates that golf course
superintendents are addressing the
issue with a variety of management
practices to make sure turfgrass
survives. While there may be some
short-term impact on payability of the
course, the alternative is the loss of
grass, the closure of the course and
the additional costs of re-establishing
playing surfaces (primarily putting
greens).
He also cautioned golfers from
thinking that water, whether from rain
or irrigation, is the answer to the ills.
There is a difference between heat
stress and drought stress. Adequate
irrigation will alleviate drought stress.
Adequate irrigation will not alleviate
heat stress. It is not only possible,
but likely, for a turfgrass plant to be
adequately watered and still suffer
from heat stress under extended
periods of high temperatures.
Managing turf under heat stress
Randquist indicated that during
periods such as this, it becomes easy
to compare golf course conditions
and pressure decision makers into
actions that might prove detrimental
to the long term health of the playing
surface. "We know the weather
conditions will become more
agreeable. What is important right
now is to manage the golf course in a
manner so that turf can be kept alive
until that point. Relying on the
expertise of the golf course
superintendent and understanding
the focus in on the long term is the
best guide for facilities."
Among the practices that
superintendents are implementing to
manage golf courses include:
• Raising the mowing heights of
playing areas, most notably

•

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putting greens.
Alternating daily practices of
mowing and rolling putting
greens, with consideration to
skipping a day if the schedule
of play allows.
Forgoing double mowing,
topdressing, verticutting or
grooming greens.
Watering to provide adequate
soil moisture, but not over
watering as saturated soil will
cause the turfgrass to decline
rapidly.
Hand watering as much as
feasible. If a green has a dry
spot or two, superintendents
will hand water the dry spots
only and will not water the
entire green. When the entire
green shows stress from a lack
of water, superintendents use
the overhead sprinklers and
water the entire green.
Avoid aerifying using large
diameter tines that penetrate
deeply into soil and remove a
core of soil. If a superintendent
feels the putting surface is
sealed, venting using small
diameter solid tines or other
similar technique is employed.
If fertilizer is required, small
amounts of fertilizer are applied
via a sprayer and observation
of the response occurs before
fertilizing again.
Monitoring and adjusting golf
car traffic patterns to minimize
stress to turf.
Provided by the
Golf Course Superintendents
Association of America

Lakeland: 800-330-8874
Jupiter: 888-222-7072

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