GREEN SHEE if I ' -.9. s. i VOLUME IX, PART 1, JANUARY/FEBRUARY, 1993 NEWSLETTER OF THE FLORIDA GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION UPCOMING EVENTS Jan. 9 FGCS A Board Meeting, Mariott Courtyard, Orlando Jan.11 Central Florida chapter's Research Tournament, Interlachen CC Jan. 12 North Florida chapter meeting, Palm Harbor GC Jan. 14 Assistant Superintendents Day, Palm Beach Community College Jan. 15 Annual Mid-Florida Turfgrass Conference, Sanford. Contact Uday Yadav, 407-836-7570 Jan. 18 Suncoast chapter meeting, Bradenton CC Jan. 19 Everglades chapter sponsored Pesticide seminar, Airport Ramada, Fort Myers Jan. 2330 64th International GCSAA Conference, Anaheim Jan. 27 FGCS A Reception, Anaheim Hilton Hotel, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Feb. 23 Suncoast chapter meeting, Misty Creek G&CC March 2 USGA Green Section Regional Conference, Marriott Hotel, Palm Beach Gardens March 4 USGA Green Section Regional Conference, Marriott, Orlando April 1 University of Florida/IFAS Field Day, Fort Lauderdale Research Center Ron Dodson describes the benefits ofthe Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program at the GCSAA/FGCSA Regional Seminar. The Naples Beach Hotel was the setting for the November 13th GCSAA Regional Seminar presented by Ron Dodson of the New York Audubon Society. He is the originator of a program co-sponsored by the USGA entitled the "Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program" for golf courses. This program is founded on the principle that golf courses can enhance and protect wildlife habitat and water resources. Its purpose is to provide an advisory service to help golf courses develop effective conservation and wildlife enhancement programs within their practical limitation. We may never change the mindset of those who argue that the best use of the land is to leave it alone, but critics will be hard pressed to find fault with such a proactive approach to land management. Ron's testimony of the open opposition and skepticism of many of the members of his organization and other "environmental" groups to this program clearly demonstrates golfs poor environmental image and our need to change it. For more information on this program, the USGA office in Hobe Sound has copies of a video available for loan to FGCS A members entitled "Gi;een Sanctuaries". Call Shelly Foy at 407-546-2620 to request a copy for your members. Editors Note: See Page 3 for Editorial Comment. ^ President's Message President's Message by Mark Jarrell, CGCS As the year closes, I think it appropriate to use this space to update FGCS A members on their association's activities. The expansion of the FGCSA research green in Ft. Lauderdale has taken place and most of the putting green quality grasses to be evaluated have been planted. Included are two promising varieties brought back from Hawaii by Dr. A1 Dudeck. Our thanks to Quality Grassing and Golf Agronomics for providing the construction services and materials at cost. At this writing, the results of the turf research fund-raising programs through Ciba Geigy and DowElanco have not been tabulated but it appears we fell short of expectations. It is hoped that we will be able to continue and expand such programs in 1993, and that our members will get behind these efforts and support them. On November 13th at the Naples Beach Club, an outstanding GCSAA Regional Seminar was presented by Ron Dodson of the New York Audubon Society. The subject was the Cooperative Sanctuary Program for golf courses. I was so impressed that I wrote a lengthy article for the December 19th issue of Golf week. Those of us in attendance learned a lot about how golf courses can enhance and protect wildlife and water resources. It really opened my eyes to the possibilities for golf courses to reverse the perception that golf is an environmental bad guy. The great thing about the program is that every golf course can participate at some level regardless of its physical, political, financial, or regulatory limitations. I highly recommend that every golf course look into this program. For details, please contact the USGA or call Ron Dodson at (518) 767-9051. The GCSAA proposed by-law changes have created quite a controversy around the country and prompted a special meeting of your Board on December 2nd. We asked GCSAA Director Gary Grigg and GCSAA Standards Committee member Kevin Downing to attend our meeting to answer questions and provide more detailed information. Our purpose was to determine how we are going to vote for these various proposals as a state organization. We have printed the results in this issue of the GREEN SHEE Editor: Tom Benefield, CGCS Ballen Isles CC of JDM 100 Ballen Isles Circle Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418 (407) 625-5737. News Coordinator: Mrs. Marie Roberts 1760 N.W. Pine Lake Drive Stuart, FL 34994 (407) 692-9349 (407) 692-9654 (Fax) The Green Sheet is a bimonthly FGCSA newsletter printed as follows: Jan./Feb., March/April, May/June, July/Aug., Sept./Oct., Nov ./Dec. Financial Support: This issue of the Green Sheet is being supported by: Golf Ventures 2101 East Edge wood Dr. Lakeland, FL 33803 (813) 665-5800 All material submitted for printing will be edited at the discretion of the editor. Material must be typed or clearly printed. All photos must be black and white. Items must be for the good of the association. Deadline next issue, February 15 Green Sheet (see pages 4 and 5) to give our members the opportunity to vote as an individual if they disagree with our position. A secondary purpose was to propose alternatives or modifications for the GCSAA Board to consider for any of the proposed by-law changes that fail to get passed in Anaheim. The actions we have taken should clearly demonstrate Florida's integrity and sincerity to avoid back-door politics. A recent letter from Jack Mathis of the Florida Golf Council has raised the question of our continued financial support for that organization. The FGCSA Board will probably decide on this at the January meeting, after tabulations on our fund-raising programs have been calculated. These CGCS numbers and our commitment to fund half the cost of a lobbyist with the FTGA will factor heavily into this decision. Those of us in the South Florida Water Management District owe a great debt to Tom Benefield for the very favorable treatment golf courses will receive under the recently adopted water use rules changes. Tom has taken this project on almost single-handedly over the past couple of years and his hard work and diligence have paid off for all golf courses in the district. As most of you know, Tom has also taken on the duties as Editor of the Florida Green magazine. In 1993 we will be returning to four issues per year. Thanks, Tom! All External Vice Presidents were recently given the names of the DACS inspectors in their areas, following a letter to DACS Administrator Elizabeth Braxton, with the recommendation thateach local chapter invite them to a meeting to find out what they will be looking for during their inspections. Some south Florida courses have already found out how tough these guys M a r k J a r r d U Aububon Program can be, citing such violations as mixing two products together when the label of one said it should not be mixed with any other pesticide. Read your labels carefully! Seriously consider inviting these inspectors to your chapter meetings. We begin the new year with a trip to Anaheim for the GCSAA Convention. Don't forget that the FGCSA will be holding a reception at the Anaheim Hilton Hotel on Wednesday, January 27th. Happy holidays to all FGCSA members and their families. A FGCSA Reception in Anaheim The FGCSA is sponsoring a reception at the Anaheim Hilton and Towers, Laguna Room, on Wednesday, January 27, 1993, from 6-8 p.m. All FGCSA members and their guests who are attending the GCSAA Convention are invited to attend for cocktails and hors-doeuvres. This reception was well attended last year in New Orleans and we hope all our members who are attending the Conference will drop by to socialize with their fellow Florida superintendents. ^ m* Central Florida Research Golf Tournament Stuart Leventhal and the Interlachen Country Club in Winter Park are hosting this year's Central Florida Research Golf Tournament on Monday, January 11, 1993. This year's tournament is a two-man team scramble. The teams will consist of a golf course superintendent and an official from his club. The meeting will begin promptly at 10:00 with talks by Dr. A1 Dudeck on new grasses and Dr. Bert McCarty who will give an update on the Envirotron. Entry fee is $120 per team. Editor's Comments: The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program by Thomas Benefield, CGCS To hear Mr. Ron Dodson speak you would never believe that years ago he used to be someone who did not look kindly on golf courses. But then he started to look at the cold, hard facts of what his association, the National Audubon Society, stood for and how they arrived at their conclusions. He decided he wanted to know the truth about their issues and he dug for the facts. What he came back with was that sometimes the NAS was wrong, sometimes they were harming the very resource they set out to preserve by not looking honestly at the facts. What Ron found out about golf courses was that they could be an integral part of his association' s goals. What he found out was that instead of eliminating wildlife sanctuaries, these much maligned "playgrounds for the well heeled" were also a valuable link in the preservation of large numbers of animal and bird species. That's when he decided action was needed to exploit this resource for what it could be and to work with the golf industry instead of against it. Such was the conceptualization of the environmental program, The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses. With grant money from the USGA, Ron has set out to illustrate to the rest of the environmental movement that you have to put issues and industries in their proper perspective. His program is one which does not dictate how you run your golf course but rather one which will provide guidance and information on habitat enhancement and conservation. One of the keys to realizing just how committed Ron is to the program and to the full usage of golf courses can be summed up in this statement in a letter he wrote back to me. He said, I fully agree with you that golf courses "are the last vestige of green space in many parts of the country and it is us acting like wildlife managers that allow for the continued existence of many species that could not find a home elsewhere". His message has not fallen on deaf ears; to date over 500 golf courses nationwide are participating with more waiting to be certified. There are plenty of reasons to become involved with this program. The largest reason is that of public perception of golf courses and the alleged damage they do to the environment and particularly the wildlife populations. It is thru programs such as these that we are able to focus the public on what reality is, to gain some hard data on what we provide for the environment and to convince people in power that we are not part of the problem, rather we are part of the solution. I think every golf course owes it to the industry to become involved in this program. Mr. Dodson and the USGA have provided us the vehicle. It is our duty to get in and ride; the rewards will benefit us all. If you missed Ron's presentation and would like to see it, there is opportunity to take it again in Anaheim at the GCSAA Conference and Show. I think you will agree it is well worth the time and money spent. ^^ Winter Board I Meeting . FGCSA Ö^TIi; SH^räa^, Jan uàry 9 TIME: 12:00 noon PLACE: Marriott Courtyard Orlando Airport Ajì FGCSÀ rrtèrabers are invited to attend J ; : FGCSA Position Statement MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE FGCSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGARDING GCSAA BY-LAW CHANGES A meeting of the FGCSA Board of Directors was held on Wednesday, December 2,1992, at Palm Beach National GC. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the proposed GCS AA ByLaw amendments and establish a "Position Statement" that would be published in the next issue of the Green Sheet and Florida Green. All officers were present. Also attending were External Vice Presidents Dale Kuehner, Prentice Knotts, Alan Puckett and John Gallagher. Kevin Downing who served on the GCSAA Standards Committee and Gary Grigg, GCSAA Board member were also present. President Mark Jarrell began the meeting by stating that the FGCSA wants to be open-minded about our views on the proposed amendments. Much time has been spent studying them at board meetings, informal discussions, and at the local chapter level. By coming up with a published "position statement", the FGCSA is letting our position be known so that any FGCSA member who is planning to vote with the FGCSA block and disagrees with any of our views, will still have time to remove their name from the block at Anaheim during checkin. It is no secret that the FGCS A is opposed to many of the proposed changes and we do not feel that we are the only chapter opposed to the amendments as they are written. We feel that compromises could be made to make them more acceptable and, where prudent, will offer suggestions to improve the current procedures. Our statement is not to be misconstrued as a vote of "no confidence" to the current GCSAA Board, rather we feel it is our inherent right as dues paying members of this association to disagree with any proposed change to the GCS A A ByLaws that we feel are not in our best interest. After some discussion, the following was established for each of the ballot proposals. In the interest of space, we have condensed the reasoning behind the decisions. Ballot A: Name Change. Position: YES Ballot B: Majority Vote. Position: NO Reason: We feel that if the proposed amendment is a good amendment then it should not have trouble getting 2/3rds of the voters to agree that it should pass. If it can not get this type of support, then maybe it is not a good amendment. Ballot C: Elimination of Voting Delegate Position: NO Reason: While we feel there are some problems with the current method of voting at the Annual Meeting, we do not feel that a members right to vote thru either a delegate or a proxie should be eliminated. Rather we propose that it be amended to allow for voice vote or have all vote results published, listing each chapter's vote. Ballot D: Legal changes Position: YES Ballot E: Qualifications for memberships Position: No Reason: Qualifications for Class A memberships should be set and approved by member vote. Ballot F: Additional Classifications Position: YES Ballot G: Dues increase without membership approval. Position: NO Reason: We feel this proposed amendment could merit our approval if it were re-written to include a ceiling for the amount the increase could be in any one year, and perhaps a time lapse period between increases. As far as anyone could remember, the GCSAA has always received approval by the membership when a dues increase was needed. Ballot H: Voting Procedure Position: NO Reason: As stated above, we are in favor of Delegate Voting. However, we do agree with the proposal to vote for Secretary/Treasurer rather than having an appointed position. We also agree with having the option of running the President Elect unopposed Ballot I: Majority Voting Position: NO Reason: See Ballot B above. The FGCS A Board voiced their concerns with the Field Staffing program. Even though the majority of the Board is in favor of Field Staffing, it was felt that this should be phased in very slowly. This person should do more than recruit new members. Concern was raised over the type of person that would be hired for these positions. Would we be creating our own outside consultants? The Board is aware that if Ballot G is not approved, there will be a vote at the Annual Meeting to increase dues to cover expenses of Field Staffing. We, the FGCSA, feel that the best course of action on many of these proposed amendments would be to restructure them into member-oriented positive changes which would merit further consideration and put to rest those proposed changes which offer little value to the membership. In that line of thinking, we have offered brief descriptions of how some of the changes might be changed for the betterment of the association. In the essence of space we deliberately made them brief and are available for further discussion on the options we feel are open to us. Letter to the Editor LETTER TO THE EDITOR trusting your vote to someone who knows the people and understands the politics better than you do? If businesses and elected their leaders with:f The letter below was receivedfrom governments out proxy and votes, many Pas( President Cecil Johnston, Mis would be in muchdelegate worse condition. thoughisand concerns on the proposed D. I don't like saying that a Bylaw changes are of such great inter- "GolfBallot Course is reest to our association that it was deemed sponsible for theSuperintendent" environmentally sound appropriate to publish them In (his is- management of a golf course. I wouldn't sue. We appreciate Cecil's candid want sued by someone who tries to statements and encourage other mem- use thisto be document prove my responsibers to write letters to the editor on bility. I think eventogreater ; topics they would like to share ' their ity lies with the owners of theseresponsibilproperties viewpoints on. and then maybe general managers. I Editor wouldn't want an owner someday saying that the superintendent accepted responsibility for the environment and was Dear Tom: negligent. I received the ByLaw change inforExample: "After all, the superinmation today and I'm wondering what tendent said he was a GCS AA member. you are thinking. The GCS AA ByLaws state that the suI guess what bothers me the most is perintendent is responsible for the enthe way our media has given such a one- vironmentally sound management of the sided viewpoint. Before the vote has golf course. I even paid his dues to be a even been taken, brochures have been member." sent out about the changes that only Maybe we are going a little overexpress the need for change with no board here — is mentioning environdissenting opinions. I saw alotof smiling mental responsibility really necessary. faces saying how necessary and imporThis is a minute point but is 30 tant the changes are and that was it. members constituting a forum at a speSurely there is some wisdom in the cial meeting really a fair representation ByLaws we have successfully lived with of an association of more than 11,000 all of these years. members? When it comes time for the mail-in Ballot F (Section 3). What is wrong votes next year, will all of the individu- with members voting on what memberals voting get the same one-sided snow ship classes they want in their organizajob? Is it really better for mail-in voters tion? If the board wants to make other to choose candidates they have never membership classifications, why don't even met? I wonder if this type of voting they just come out and tell us? Can't might lead to a lot of "yes" men as they call a meeting or wait until the directors with no consideration as to annual meeting? OK, they say they have how these individuals may interact with a plan to expand our membership base. others on the board. Why doesn't someone tell our members I know as a past voting delegate that what the plan is or are they worried that even after meeting the candidates, most members (a 2/3rd majority) might hearing them speak, and watching them not really want everyone remotely ininteract with others, it was still very volved with our industry as members. It difficult to decide who would be best for already bothers me somewhat when I our organization. Will these people give see an affiliate or associate member a fair analysis of character and abilities advertise that they are a member of the of each candidate so the mail-in voters GCSAA. People on this side of the can make a wise decision or will they, in planet still think it is important when fact, control the elections even more someone says they are a member of the than at present? GCSAA and I hate to see this privilege Ballot C. What is so bad about abused. Ballot G. Let me get this straight. The board wants to set all different types of (discount?) dues rates for all different types of memberships so more people are involved. Then the GCSAA will need a larger staff to help all of these people. Next, they want to increase our dues $40-50 per year to pay for increased services. Some of this new staff will be assigned to visit courses where the superintendents are not members and try to encourage the superintendent and owners of courses that they should become members of the GCSAA (I hope they don't start going door-to-door on Sundays!). Maybe they can also start a consulting service like the USGA Greens Section soon after that! Ballot H. You already know my concerns about individual voting. Article IV, Elections. Brings a few more questions to mind. It is going to take 7-20 days for me to receive a letter. If that letter must be returned to the Association within 15 days, I guess I had better vote at the annual meeting. Does a ballot being postmarked by a certain day qualify the same as "being returned to the Association by a certain day". When you establish a 15 day window for members to mail-in their votes, and no longer permit proxy or delegate voting, I wonder how many people will actually be making the decision of who will lead our Association. One factor to consider is that 60-45 days before the annual meeting, some members may consider budget planning and holiday affairs more important. I am also a little skeptical about the future efficiency of the mail system preceding the holidays. Time will tell. I assume that all mail-in votes will be kept in confidence until after the vote at the annual meeting. Now that there may or may not be an Election Committee, I suppose it is possible that members of the Board or others could hear some of the preliminary results. I prefer that the existence of an impartial Election Committee be specified in the ByLaws. Sincerely, Cecil Johnston, CGCS Green Valley Engineering Co Thailand Industry Update JOB CHANGES Dwight Pickelt.CGCS, has moved from Monarch CCtO become super ihteiident at Piperà landing GO in Stuart Jack Hester has been moved up to head superintendent at Monarch CC. John Sixyèx> formerly at PGA National, is now superintendent at Ken<3ale Lakes David Bailey is now the superintendent at Emerald Hills C C ' . Robert Swmsom formerly at Magnolia Pointy is now superintendent at the Champions Club, Mike Sbarro is the new superintendent at Magno! la Point. Bobby Ellis, formerly at OakbridgeGrasslands, & now superintendent at Queens Harbipàrìn Jacksonville, Frank S b ^ o , fonneriy àt Queens Harbor, l i now at TPC Sawgrass. Ö l i i l l i ÉIÉst i l f e e i K l e n t Phil Peterson, formed y at lupi ter Dunes > i$ npvif'liS sujp|ririiéndent at Indian River Planlätiph in Stuart. Chris Leahy is now at AÉiiìà'GC^: Marcus Prevatte, FGCSA technician has been busy sprigging the Tifdwarf plots at the Otto Schmeisser Research Green in Fort Lauderdale. y Tifdwarf Comparison Project by Kevin Downing, CGCS Research Chairman The FGCSA Research Committee announces that the Tifdwarf project has begun on Research Green located at the University of Florida POSITIONS AVAILABLE IFAS stationthe inOttoFortSchmeisser Lauderdale. Companies participating in the Tifdwarf demonstration are: Central Florida Superintendent. Contact Chris Sovaat Turf, Nutri-Turf, Pursley Turf, Quality Grassing, Rapid Turf, Southeastern Grassing, Southern Turf Nurseries, South Florida Grassing and Tifton Turf. • l l l l l l i l l ® at : Woodfield, Send : Each company has been given a 500 sq. ft. plot. To date, five of these plots resume to Andy Lemmel, 365Ö Club have been planted, with an average of 250 plugs per section. All soils are being root j^aton.FL 33496, washed from the plugs to insure the growing medium is consistent. For purity sake, Às^starit $ùperinteiidènt Stonebrìdge there will be a 12" sand strip between each plot which will be chemically maintained G i S l S Ä t Bob lacks a 483-8444. on a monthly basis. All plots will be aerified, verticut, and top dressed at separate times to maintain purity. All plots are expected to be planted by the end of the year. Other plots which will be planted with experimental grasses from the University of Our Condolences Florida and the USGA samplewill be done in the spring. The purpose of this project is to establish a source where those of you who Tresca Industries was saddened by the recent death of Mike are rebuilding your greens may go to evaluate the different grasses available to you. Richards. He passed away on Decem- Neither the FGCSA nor the University of Florida will evaluate these grasses. ber 3rd after a brief illness. He is survi ved Beginning in the late spring, superintendents may bring their Greens Chairman or by his wife, Mary Anne, son Michael other interested parties to the Fort Lauderdale site for observation or to select material Jon, II and daughter, Elizabeth Deane for planting. The plots will be numbered. After the superintendent has selected the Wilcox. Mike has been at Tresca's since plot that is considered best for his golf course, he will be told the name of the company ^¿s 1968. He'll be missed by all. ^¡L that is responsible for the plot. All other plots will remain anonymous. Built like a truck... works like a fleet. Cushman turf-care implements make the Cushman Turf-Truckster™ one of the smartest investments on the course today. The Truckster is designed to accommodate a wide variety of functions, while each implement gives you top performance, DeBRA ENTERPRISES, INC., d/b/a DeBRA TURF & INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT COMPANY 901 N.W. 31st Avenue Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33311 (305) 792-6005 12090 Metro Parkway Ft. Myers, FL 33912 (813) 768-3188 year after year. And they're all backed by the best service in the industry. Call today for a free demonstration. You'll see that when it comes to perfect turf, there's no question about it-the answer is Cushman. [a||e-|_ NflVZ P™-S3UniN3AJ109 9|BpJ9pne-| -y _ y y g g g yßnojLii vpuo/j ui p9inqu}siQ iN3iAidinö3 i m dum ISBNIJ S.VGIdBIAIV NO A13Ü "düNVIAIdOdddd QNV '3Í11VA NOSIdVdlMOO Ü0d 1 jB ¡ss xrwMsno NVAÜ NVIAIHSnO FGCSA Policy Statement on GCSAA Proposed ByLaw Changes. See Page 01.--07.--93 WEST PALM BEACH FL 3 3 4 0 6 FGCSA Secretary Mrs. Marie Roberts 1760 N.W. Pine Lake Drive Stuart, FL 34994 FIRST CLASS U.S. Postage PAID Permit #137 Stuart, FL ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED Beard, Dr. James B. International Sports Turf Institute 1812 Shadowood Drive College Station, TX 77 84 0 BEARD COLLECTION ^IIUIhÜÍÜHÍHÍÍ