PROCEEDINGS

4 6 ™
A N N U A L CONFERENCE
MID-ATLANTIC GOLF COURSE
SUPERINTENDENT A S S O C I A T I O N
January 6 - 7 , 1 9 7 5

BALTIMORE HILTON INN
PIKESVILLE, MARYLAND

The proceedings o f the 46th Annual Conference o f

the

M î d - A t l a n t î c A s s o c i a t i o n o f Golf Course S u p e r i n t e n d e n t s were
published through the combined e f f o r t o f the U n i v e r s i t y
Maryland C o o p e r a t i v e E x t e n s i o n S e r v i c e ,

the U n i v e r s i t y o f

Maryland Department o f Agronomy and the M i d - A t l a n t i c
o f Golf Course

Paul

Barefoot,

President

Kenneth Braun
Angelo Cammarota
David Cammarota
John R. Hai 1,
Robert

III,

Turfgrass

U n i v e r s i t y o f M a r y l a n d , Department o f Agronomy.

Program P l a n n i n g Committee
J.

Association

Superintendents.

M a n u s c r i p t s were e d i t e d by John R. H a l l ,
Specialist,

of

III

Miller

W i l l i a m Emerson, Chairman

TABLE OF CONTENTS

P l a n n i n g a Disease Control
Herbert Cole, J r .

Program

1

A Look a t Warm Season - Cool Season Combinations
Douiglas T . Hawes

k

Some Observations on Growth R e t a r d a n t s For Turf
R, E. Schmidt & S . W. Bingham

7

Nematodes in T u r f g r a s s
Joseph T r o l 1
E f f i c i e n c y and S a f e t y
Rai ph E . Engel

10
in C o n t r o l l i n g Weeds on the Golf

Course

C u t t i n g Corners w i t h Equipment
Alexander M. Radko

17

E f f i c i e n t Labor Management
Richard E. V a l e n t i n e

20

Making Research and Extension Work f o r You
John R. Hal 1 , I I I

23

PLANNING A DISEASE CONTROL PROGRAM
Herbert Cole, J r .
P r o f e s s o r , Department o f P l a n t Pathology
Pennsylvania S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y
In these days o f c l i m b i n g p r i c e s and s t a t i c o r d e c l i n i n g budgets many
g o l f courses are faced w i t h reduced purchasing power.
Cutbacks are occurring.
From the s u p e r i n t e n d e n t s v i e w , can he provide the same l e v e l o f
maintenance on fewer d o l l a r s , o r must standards a l s o be reduced? The answer
depends on h i s s k i l l and the degree o f c u t b a c k .
For the present w i t h most
net r e d u c t i o n s ( i n f l a t i o n a r y r e d u c t i o n in buying power and s t a t i c o r reduced
budgets) in the 0-20 p e r c e n t range, I b e l i e v e the same standards can be maintained without loss.
Very few o f us a r e so e f f i c i e n t t h a t we cannot f i n d
b e t t e r ways of doing t h i n g s f o r l e s s e x p e n d i t u r e s .
In an attempt to help you maximize e f f o r t s in a t l e a s t one a r e a , namely,
disease c o n t r o l s , I have prepared a check l i s t o f ideas f o r you to c o n s i d e r
in planning a 1975 program.
The sequence o f p r e s e n t a t i o n r e p r e s e n t s a p r i o r i t y
ranking from my view but my p r i o r i t i e s may d i f f e r v a s t l y from y o u r s .
If just
one o f these ideas i s o f some use then I won 1 1 f e e l my e f f o r t s have been wasted.
1.

Disease c o n t r o l c a n ' t be separated from the t o t a l management p i c t u r e .
E v e r y c u l t u r a l p r a c t i c e in some way e f f e c t s d i s e a s e i n c i d e n c e and
severi ty.
a.

I r r i g a t i o n - o v e r w a t e r i n g in general makes d i s e a s e more
severe.

L i g h t s y r i n g i n g i r r i g a t i o n (except Fusarium b l i g h t ) w i l l u s u a l l y make
summer d i s e a s e s more severe - example f a i r w a y d o l l a r spot and brown
patch.

2.

b.

F e r t i l i z a t i o n - nitrogen manipulation
and can be both a p l u s o r minus.

is especially

c.

Vigorous grass (not s u c c u l e n t s o f t g r a s s ) w i l l
r a p i d l y and s u s t a i n l e s s damage.

recover more

There i s no s u b s t i t u t e f o r a complete b a s i c knowledge o f a l l
di seases.
identify

critical

turfqrass

a.

D i a g n o s i s - know the problem,

it.

b.

Prognosis - the f u t u r e course o f the d i s e a s e , the o u t l o o k .
Is i t serious, or j u s t c u r i o s i t y ?
W i l l i t get b e t t e r o r
worse r e g a r d l e s s o f what you do o r w i l l your e f f o r t s change
i t s course.

c.

Control - be a b l e to choose among a l l p o s s i b l e a v a i l a b l e
o p t i o n s , then s e l e c t the b e s t one f o r your s i t u a t i o n and
budget.

3.

E s t a b l i s h p r i o r i t i e s f o r maintenance f o r the v a r i o u s areas o f a g o l f
For example t h i s would be my s e l e c t i o n .

course.

a*

Greens - kO y e a r s ago t h i s was the major g o l f course c o n s i d e r a t i o n ,
i t s t i l l should be #1. W i t h poor greens a l l e l s e i s wasted.

k*

Tees - T h i s i s the green companion; on s h o r t h o l e s the in between
i s j u s t walked o v e r .
F a i rways - In a c r i s i s during mid-summer a more o r l e s s brown
droughty area can s t i l l s e r v e as a f a i r w a y ( t h e d u f f e r gets a
better r o l l ) .
Sheep p a s t u r e s o r i g i n a l l y provided f a i r w a y s , a t
l e a s t yours w o n f t have the sheep manure problem u n l e s s t h i n g s
r e a l l y get tough.
Roughs - Nobody has any r i g h t to be here anyway.
encounters i s h i s own f a u l t .

e.
k.

6-

Don't f o r g e t the f l o w e r s and c l u b house a r e a .
A few b r i g h t
spots can make a dismal s i t u a t i o n much b r i g h t e r .

Work as c l o s e l y as p o s s i b l e w i t h the greens committee and/or c l u b management.
Be sure t h a t your p r i o r i t i e s and t h e i r s are in agreement.
a.

5.

What he

When a cutback o r change w i l l have a n o t i c e a b l e e f f e c t , be sure
they are appraised o f t h i s ahead of t i m e . T r y to get them to
assume r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r the changes t h a t come from f i n a n c i a l
constraints.
You should not be the blame-taker f o r poor f a i r ways on a reduced budget.
Be sure the club does not save money
by r e p l a c i n g you w i t h your a s s i s t a n t o r foreman.

Measure the c o s t e f f e c t i v e n e s s of a l l you do.
E v a l u a t e each p r a c t i c e in l i g h t of what your d o l l a r s produce.
Time i s
money but in some i n s t a n c e s time i s a v a i l a b l e and money f o r equipment and
materials is not.
a.

Most g o l f courses on slow r e l e a s e f e r t i l i z e r s have e x c e l l e n t
r e s i d u a l c a r r y - o v e r of p l a n t n u t r i e n t s in f a i r w a y s from y e a r to
year.
You can c u t back here but perhaps not on greens.

b.

Does t h i s f u n g i c i d e
a p p l i c a t i o n r e a l l y r e s u l t in a response?
I s the response you get worth the e x p e n d i t u r e ?

c.

Maximize the b e n e f i t / c o s t r a t i o .
Some e x p e n d i t u r e s a r e m a r g i n a l ;
o t h e r s r e p r e s e n t a v e r y wide b e n e f i t / c o s t d i f f e r e n c e .
Seek the
wide margins.

Where p o s s i b l e use c u l t u r a l management p r a c t i c e s to r e p l a c e high c o s t
fungi c i d e s .
a.

Frequent and l i g h t top d r e s s i n g i s one o f the most e f f e c t i v e
d i s e a s e c o n t r o l p r a c t i c e s f o r greens and t e e s .
M o i s t s o i l speeds
c l i p p i n g and t h a t c h decay and p r o v i d e s b a c t e r i a l a c t i o n f o r supp r e s s i n g fungal d i s e a s e organism s u r v i v a l .

7.

8,

b0

On b l u e g r a s s f a i r w a y s w i t h Helminthosporium l e a f spot and crown
r o t problems a d e l a y in N a p p l i c a t i o n s from March to June can
save $40.00 to $50.00 per acre in f u n g i c i d e m a t e r i a l c o s t s plus
$3o00 to $9o00 per a c r e in a p p l i c a t i o n cost«

Co

I f f a i r w a y f u n g i c i d e s are not f e a s i b l e in t h i s y e a r f s budget
then take a hard look a t i r r i g a t i o n *
I r r i g a t i o n of the f a i r ways in mid-summer makes f u n g i c i d e s imperative f o r c o n t r o l l i n g
the w e t , hot summer d i s e a s e s .

Consider a p a r t i a l c u r a t i v e program f o r d i s e a s e c o n t r o l
complete p r e v e n t i v e program*

0.

than

a.

T h i s depends on your l o c a l i t y and past e x p e r i e n c e ;
problem areas ahead of time.

b.

W i l l you trade s e v e r a l thousand d o l l a r s worth of f u n g i c i d e
e x p e n d i t u r e s f o r a t w i c e day examination of greens and t e e s ?
Fungicide
insurance treatments are a poor s u b s t i t u t e f o r
c a r e f u l examination.

Consider p a r t i a l
appear.
a.

9*

rather

t r e a t only

treatment of p o r t i o n s of the g o l f course as problems

In many cases the real troublesome a r e a s where d i s e a s e s appear
y e a r a f t e r y e a r may i n v o l v e o n l y a few greens, t e e s , or f a i r ways.
T r e a t these on a p r e v e n t i v e b a s i s , l e t the r e s t continue
on a c u r a t i v e b a s i s .

Measure e f f e c t i v e n e s s of

treatments.

a.

Very o f t e n we see what we wish to see.
A f t e r an expensive
treatment we v e r y much d e s i r e good r e s u l t s .
Often the r e s u l t s
w i l l not stand up in the c o l d l i g h t of o b j e c t i v e e v a l u a t i o n .
You cannot a f f o r d chemical p r a c t i c e s based on good i n t e n t i o n s
and hope f o r r e s u l t s .

b.

Leave check areas and u n t r e a t e d

Apply chemicals

strips.

in the best p o s s i b l e manner.

a.

Calibrated

b.

Proper n o z z l e s .

c.

Precise

d.

Good t i m i n g .

E v e r y t h i n g must be

right.

equipment.

dosages.

In summary p l a n n i n g a d i s e a s e c o n t r o l program w i t h a s h r i n k i n g budget w i l l
require the best of your a b i l i t y .
The rewards can be g r e a t .
Money f r e e d f o r
other purposes can produce much more t a n g i b l e r e s u l t s than unnecessary f u n g i c i d e
treatments.

A LOOK AT WARM-SEASON - COOL-SEASON COMBINATIONS
Douglas T. Hawes
Assistant Professor
U n i v e r s i t y o f Maryland
Here in the t r a n s i t i o n zone from my p o i n t o f v i e w , t h e r e are f o u r primary
turf species.
These are c r e e p i n g b e n t g r a s s , Kentucky b l u e g r a s s , bermudagrass
and z o y s i a .
In a t a l k to t h i s o r g a n i z a t i o n in June o f 1974, I compared the
advantages and disadvantages o f these f o u r s p e c i e s .
As you are w e l l aware,
none of these are e x a c t l y p e r f e c t in t h i s area f o r tees and f a i r w a y s .
Because
of t h i s many o f you are t r y i n g p e r e n n i a l r y e g r a s s overseedings into e i t h e r
bermudagrass o r Kentucky b l u e g r a s s .
In the summer and f a l l of 1973, I i n i t i a t e d an experiment w i t h e i g h t
combinations o f warm and cool season p e r e n n i a l s , and the four p e r e n n i a l s by
themselves.
They were as f o l l o w s :
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
10)
11)
12)

'Meyer 1 z o y s i a by i t s e l f
'Meyer 1 z o y s i a and a blend o f f i v e Kentucky b l u e g r a s s v a r i e t i e s
'Meyer' z o y s i a and ' P e n n c r o s s ' c r e e p i n g bentgrass
'Midwest' z o y s i a and the b l u e g r a s s blend
'Midwest' z o y s i a and ' P e n n c r o s s '
' T u f c o t e ' bermudagrass and the b l u e g r a s s blend
' T u f c o t e ' and ' P e n n c r o s s '
' T i f g r e e n ' (328) bermudagrass and the b l u e g r a s s blend
' T u f c o t e ' by i t s e l f
' T i f g r e e n ' and ' P e n n c r o s s '
' P e n n c r o s s ' c r e e p i n g bentgrass by i t s e l f
the blend of f i v e Kentucky b l u e g r a s s v a r i e t i e s

The Kentucky b l u e g r a s s blend c o n s i s t e d of equal p a r t s of the
F y l k i n g , Merion, P e n n s t a r , A-34 and A d e l p h i .

varieties

Two f e r t i l i z e r treatments were i n i t i a t e d f o r these grass combinations
in May 1974. A summer program was imposed over h a l f of the experiment.
This
c o n s i s t e d of 4 lb of N/1000 square f e e t a p p l i e d as ammonium n i t r a t e in one
pound a p p l i c a t i o n s d u r i n g the summer. A f a l l to s p r i n g program of the same
amount of ammonium n i t r a t e was a p p l i e d to the o t h e r h a l f .
The whole experiment
received 2 lb of N as ureaformaldehyde in e a r l y September and two pounds of
phosphorus and potash as a 0-20-20 s o l u b l e f e r t i l i z e r .
The experiment was
mowed a t 3/4 inches in the summer and 1 inch in s p r i n g and f a l l .
The bermuda and z o y s i a v a r i e t i e s were e s t a b l i s h e d f i r s t .
Then h e a v i l y
v e r t i c a l l y mowed and seeded in September 1973 to the b l u e g r a s s blend and
'Penncross' to g i v e the d e s i r e d combinations of warm and cool season g r a s s e s .
The f o l l o w i n g r e p o r t i s the r e s u l t s from the e s t a b l i s h m e n t phase and the
f i r s t summer o f t r e a t m e n t .
These r e s u l t s should thus be e v a l u a t e d as o n l y
preliminary findings.
The b l u e g r a s s blend and z o y s i a v a r i e t i e s were slow s t a r t e r s and h a v e n ' t
looked as good as the bermudagrass v a r i e t i e s and ' P e n n c r o s s ' .
I t i s expected

t h a t the z o y s i a w i l l prove to be more promising w i t h time.
The stand of both
z o y s i a v a r i e t i e s was reduced by ' P e n n c r o s s ' overseeded into them but not by
bluegrass.
'Meyer' z o y s i a and both z o y s i a - b l u e g r a s s combinations were slow
to heal 4 inch c u p - c u t t e r s c a r s l e f t a f t e r removing samples from the p l o t s .
Zoysia combinations had low q u a l i t y r a t i n g s during the summer. These same
combinations rated much b e t t e r than s i m i l a r bermuda combinations in the f a l l
a f t e r the f i r s t f r o s t .
The reason f o r t h i s was the z o y s i a combinations r e t a i n e d
more of the cool-season grasses through the summer than the bermuda p l o t s .
However, 'Meyer 1 p l o t s were s t i l l v e r y p a t c h y .
'Meyer 1 does not appear to
blend as w e l l w i t h the cool-season grasses as ' M i d w e s t ' .
T h i s was expected as
'Midwest' has long s t o l o n internodes and was o r i g i n a l l y s e l e c t e d f o r the purpose
of being used in b l e n d s .
I p e r s o n a l l y found 'Midwest' to be too c o a r s e .
The wide blades of t h i s
v a r i e t y did not form a uniform t u r f w i t h e i t h e r the b l u e g r a s s o r b e n t g r a s s .
The bluegrass blend became w e l l e s t a b l i s h e d in the z o y s i a and bermuda
p l o t s by the summer of 1974. However, in the bare unprotected p l o t s where
i t was supposed to form a pure stand of b l u e g r a s s , i t did not produce a s a t i s f a c t o r y stand by the time f e r t i l i z a t i o n treatments were i n i t i a t e d .
With less
immediate competition from z o y s i a , the zoys?a-bluegrass p l o t s had more bluegrass in them a t summer's end than the bermuda p l o t s d i d .
W h i l e bermuda
competition reduced the percentage of b l u e g r a s s under both f e r t i l i z e r programs
in the bermuda-bluegrass p l o t s , the bluegrass percentage in z o y s i a - b l u e g r a s s
p l o t s responded d i f f e r e n t l y .
There was a reduction in the percentage of bluegrass in the z o y s i a p l o t s r e c e i v i n g summer N a p p l i c a t i o n s o n l y .
I t should be
noted t h a t t h i s o c c u r r e d w i t h o u t a s i g n i f i c a n t i n c r e a s e in the z o y s i a under
t h i s f e r t i l i z a t i o n treatment.
A r e d u c t i o n in b l u e g r a s s under t h i s f e r t i l i z a t i o n treatment a l s o o c c u r r e d in the pure b l u e g r a s s blend p l o t s .
B l u e g r a s s seed moved by wind and w a t e r e s t a b l i s h e d s i g n i f i c a n t s i z e
b l u e g r a s s stands in the p l o t s t h a t were supposed to be pure ' T u f c o t e ' and
pure ' M e y e r 1 , but not in any p l o t overseeded to b e n t g r a s s .
The ' T u f c o t e '
q u i c k l y crowded out t h i s b l u e g r a s s during the summer, but the b l u e g r a s s
s t i l l maintained a s i g n i f i c a n t l e v e l in the 'Meyer' p l o t s t h a t were r e c e i v i n g
the w i n t e r N program.
The percentage o f bentgrass was not s i g n i f i c a n t l y reduced by summer
heat and c o m p e t i t i o n as the b l u e g r a s s was. There was s i g n i f i c a n t l y l e s s
bentgrass under the summer f e r t i l i z i n g program in the Meyer-bentgrass and
the ' T i f g r e e n ' - b e n t g r a s s p l o t s but not in the pure bentgrass p l o t s .
During the o v e r s e e d i n g w i t h ' P e n n c r o s s ' t h e r e was c o n s i d e r a b l e contamination of other p l o t s .
In May a f t e r the f a l l seeding, bentgrass had establ i s h e d s i g n i f i c a n t s i z e stands in the p l o t s t h a t were suppose to be pure
' T u f c o t e ' and pure 'Meyer' but not in p l o t s overseeded to b l u e g r a s s .
'Tufcote'
competed w e l l enough during the summer to reduce t h i s contamination to an
i n s i g n i f i c a n t percentage.
However, the 'Meyer' p l o t s had s i g n i f i c a n t l y more
bentgrass in them by the end of summer than the 1 T u f c o t e 1 - b e n t g r a s s p l o t s .
T h i s again emphasizes the slow r a t e of spread found w i t h 'Meyer' z o y s i a g r a s s .
The ' T i f g r e e n ' - b e n t g r a s s combination remained c l o s e s t to a 50:50
mixture and appears to be the most promising m i x t u r e .

In r e v i e w , I would l i k e to say t h a t in the t r a n s i t i o n zone combinations
of warm and cool season grasses may o f f e r a b e t t e r a l l around t u r f than s i n g l e
species.
However, more research and much time must pass before I am ready
to recommend anything but a t r i a l approach to t h i s p o s s i b l e s o l u t i o n to your
t u r f problems.

SOME OBSERVATIONS ON GROWTH RETARDANTS FOR TURF
Ro E. Schmidt*
A s s o c i a t e P r o f e s s o r , Department of Agronomy
V i r g i n i a P o l y t e c h n i c I n s t i t u t e and S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y
Blacksburg, V i r g i n i a
and

Virginia

So Wo Bingham
P r o f e s s o r , Department of Agronomy
P o l y t e c h n i c I n s t i t u t e and S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y
B l a c k s b u r g , Vi rgI ni a

The s t u d i e s we have conducted to e v a l u a t e growth r e t a r d a n t s on f i n e t u r f
enable one d e f i n i t e conclusion«
None of the chemicals t e s t e d can be c o n s i d e r e d
a panacea«
This has been shown by o t h e r s t u d i e s performed in v a r i o u s p a r t s of
the country«
Although we have not e v a l u a t e d a l l chemicals t h a t are c o n s i d e r e d
growth r e t a r d a n t s , we have s t u d i e d s e v e r a l t h a t have the most p o t e n t i a l f o r
t u r f usage«
Some may be good t u r f management t o o l s i f used properly«
How does one use growth r e g u l a t o r s

properly?

F i r s t of a l l , the p r e s e n t l y a v a i l a b l e growth r e g u l a t o r s should not be used
on t u r f areas t h a t a r e intended t o m a i n t a i n a f i r s t c l a s s c o n d i t i o n «
Retardants
may g i v e undesired r e s u l t s on greens, t e e s , and f a i r w a y s «
Slowing growth w i t h
chemicals reduces p l a n t q u a l i t y «
The most e f f e c t i v e r e g u l a t o r s u s u a l l y cause
a t l e a s t a temporary p h y t o t o x i c e f f e c t on the grass«
General appearance may
become u n s a t i s f a c t o r y as the o l d e r l e a v e s d i e and new l e a v e s are slow to develop.
Mowers a r e s t i l l the best grass growth r e g u l a t o r s on these types of t u r f a r e a s .
The most a p p r o p r i a t e p l a c e t o use r e t a r d a n t s a r e on a r e a s t h a t c a n ' t be
mowed e f f i c i e n t l y and where a temporary o f f - c o l o r can be t o l e r a t e d «
For example,
d i t c h banks, rough a r e a s w i t h shrubs o r t r e e s , or steep slopes on which a mower
cannot be d r i v e n are areas where a growth r e t a r d a n t can s a t i s f a c t o r i l y be used.
S e c o n d l y , i t appears t o be w i s e t o delay a p p l i c a t i o n of the chemical u n t i l
a f t e r some s p r i n g growth has been made, p o s s i b l y a f t e r the f i r s t mowing i f some
color is desired.
I f t r e a t e d in e a r l y s p r i n g before new growth i s e v i d e n t the
new l e a v e s a r e r e t a r d e d and subsequently f a i l t o p r o v i d e green t u r f c o l o r as the
o l d e r l e a v e s senesce and d e t e r i o r a t e «
S i n c e most roots of temperate grasses a r e
formed in e a r l y s p r i n g , the a p p l i c a t i o n of a growth r e t a r d a n t w i l l hinder root
development.
A p p l i c a t i o n a f t e r t h e r o o t s a r e formed seems t o have a l e s s d e t r i mental e f f e c t .
T h i r d , heavy dosages should be a v o i d e d .
Increased a p p l i c a t i o n r a t e s w i l l
not p r o v i d e p r o p o r t i o n a l l y i n c r e a s e d p e r i o d s of reduced growth.
A l s o heavy
dosages may perform as s t e r i l a n t s r a t h e r than r e g u l a t o r s «
*Paper was presented by Dr. R« E .

Schmidt

F o u r t h , a p p l i c a t i o n s must be uniform to o b t a i n f a v o r a b l e r e s u l t s .
The
growth r e t a r d a n t s although u n i f o r m l y a p p l i e d may not be u n i f o r m l y e f f e c t i v e .
Each s p e c i e s in a t u r f mixture w i l l r e a c t d i f f e r e n t l y to the r e t a r d a n t .
Even
when the r e t a r d a n t s a r e a p p l i e d t o monospecies t u r f , completely uniform r e s u l t s
may not be o b t a i n e d .
V a r i a t i o n s of s o i l , f e r t i l i t y , and microenvironments
w i t h i n the t u r f community w i l l cause p l a n t s having the same genotype to respond
differently.
Our r e s e a r c h shows t h a t the growth r e g u l a t o r s we i n v e s t i g a t e d w i l l reduce
topgrowth f o r about 6-8 weeks. A f t e r t h i s p e r i o d t h e r e i s some topgrowth
stimulation.
This regrowth can be checked w i t h a second a p p l i c a t i o n .
It is
best t o permit some recovery before a second a p p l i c a t i o n i s made in o r d e r to
prevent complete d e t e r i o r a t i o n of the p l a n t s .
P h y t o t o x i c ! t y e f f e c t s a r e g e n e r a l l y g r e a t e r w i t h summer a p p l i c a t i o n s of
r e t a r d a n t s than w i t h s p r i n g t r e a t m e n t s .
I t i s p o s s i b l e t h a t lower dosages in
summer would o f f s e t these e f f e c t s .
The slower growing leaves showed more
symptoms of d i s e a s e , p o s s i b l y because they remained in the sward f o r a longer
p e r i o d and t h e r e f o r e became l e s s r e s i s t a n t t o i n f e c t i o n as they became o l d e r .
Heavy i r r i g a t i o n and f e r t i l i t y l e s s e n the e f f e c t i v e n e s s of the r e g u l a t o r s .
On the o t h e r hand, p l a n t growth hindered by l a c k of moisture or f e r t i l i t y w i l l
show l i t t l e response from an a p p l i c a t i o n of a growth r e g u l a t o r .
Seedhead production was reduced w i t h a p p l i c a t i o n of a l l
studied.

the i n h i b i t o r s we

Delaying s p r i n g a p p l i c a t i o n of c e r t a i n growth r e t a r d a n t s f o r one month
a f t e r underground development s t a r t e d gave an i n c r e a s e in Ky bluegrass roots and
rhizomes o v e r p l a n t s t r e a t e d e a r l i e r .
However, t u r f not r e c e i v i n g an a p p l i c a t i o n of the r e g u l a t o r produced s i g n i f i c a n t l y more roots and rhizomes than any
of the t r e a t e d g r a s s .
The r e t a r d a n t s t h a t were most growth i n h i b i t i v e a l s o caused the t u r f to
have the poorest appearance.
However, the e f f e c t was temporary and grass from
a l l p l o t s recovered in f o u r weeks a f t e r the i n i t i a l a p p l i c a t i o n .
T h i s was a l s o
observed when a summer a p p l i c a t i o n ( J u n e ) was made f o l l o w i n g a s p r i n g treatment
(April).
Although we a r e not in a p o s i t i o n to recommend any growth r e t a r d a n t based
on the l i m i t e d data we have o b t a i n e d , we f e e l t h a t t h r e e may have p o t e n t i a l .
S u s t a r , M a i n t a i n , and HIR-R07-6145 gave the most topgrowth c o n t r o l w i t h the
least phytotoxic!ty.
HLR-R07-6145 gave e x c e l l e n t c o n t r o l of chickweed and V e r o n i c a , a d i f f i c u l t
weed t o c o n t r o l .
I t a l s o gave some r e d u c t i o n of O x a l i s .
Maintain provided
e x c e l l e n t c o n t r o l of chickweed and O x a l i s and p a r t i a l c o n t r o l of V e r o n i c a .
No
o t h e r weeds were observed t o be c o n t r o l l e d by the o t h e r c h e m i c a l s .
A greenhouse t e s t in which one inch of i r r i g a t i o n was a p p l i e d a t d i f f e r e n t
i n t e r v a l s a f t e r treatment showed t h a t i r r i g a t i o n should not be a p p l i e d f o r two
hours a f t e r a p p l i c a t i o n of the r e g u l a t o r s .
This was e s p e c i a l l y t r u e f o r the
Sustar treatment.

Although growth r e t a r d a n t s a r e not completely p e r f e c t e d f o r use on f i n e t u r f ,
î f used w î t h î n t h e i r l i m i t a t i o n s they can be e f f e c t i v e in some t u r f a r e a s .
Retardants appear to be most e f f e c t i v e on f i n e t u r f s p e c i e s t h a t are of the dwarf
or slow growing t y p e .

NEMATODES IN TURFGRASS
Joseph
Professor,

Troll

Department of P l a n t and S o l l
U n i v e r s i t y of Massachusetts
Amherst, Massachusetts

Science

"Nematodes in t u r f g r a s s , " permits a v e r y broad coverage of the s u b j e c t .
However, I intend t o d e s c r i b e what p l a n t p a r a s i t i c nematodes a r e , review b r i e f l y
what i n j u r y they can cause t o g r a s s , r e l a t e some of my e a r l i e r work on nematodes
and my present endeavors w i t h one nematode, and a l s o touch on chemical c o n t r o l .
Nematodes a r e found on land and in water from the A r c t i c t o the E q u a t o r .
The g r e a t e r numbers, however, a r e most o f t e n found in the warmer r e g i o n s .
There
are a l l types of nematodes:
those a s s o c i a t e d w i t h a n i m a l s , o t h e r s w i t h p l a n t s ,
and s t i l l o t h e r s f e e d i n g on decaying o r g a n i c m a t t e r .
Our i n t e r e s t i s w i t h those
t h a t p a r a s i t i z e c e l l s of t u r f g r a s s roots and a r e pathogenic.
T h e i r s i z e , length
and w i d t h i s measured in microns.
A micron i s about one t w e n t y - f i v e thousandths
of an i n c h .
Because of t h e i r s i z e and the f a c t t h a t they a r e t r a n s l u c e n t , a
microscope i s needed t o observe them.
I t i s not uncommon f o r t u r f managers to
mistake the t h r e a d - l i k e l a r v a e of b e e t l e s f o r nematodes.
Even the l a r g e r p l a n t
nematodes a r e not e a s i l y d i s c e r n i b l e w i t h the naked e y e .
They v a r y in shape
according to s p e c i e but most nematodes i n f e s t i n g t u r f a r e snake or worm-like.
T h e i r l i f e c y c l e , in g e n e r a l , c o n s i s t s of an egg, f o u r l a r v a l s t a g e s , and an
adult.
P l a n t nematodes a r e o f t e n d i v i d e d i n t o groups a c c o r d i n g to t h e i r method
of p a r a s i t i s m .
There a r e e c t o p a r a s i t e s which complete t h e i r l i f e c y c l e o u t s i d e
the h o s t , f e e d i n g on the p l a n t ' s s u r f a c e or near s u r f a c e c e l l s .
The o t h e r group
is known as e n d o p a r a s i t e s which spend p a r t or a l l of t h e i r l i f e c y c l e f e e d i n g
w i t h i n the p l a n t t i s s u e .
P l a n t p a r a s i t i c nematodes f e e d by i n j e c t i n g a n e e d l e - l i k e s t r u c t u r e , termed
a s t y l e t , i n t o the l i v i n g c e l l of the g r a s s r o o t .
A d i g e s t i v e enzyme i s then
pumped by the nematode through the s t y l e t i n t o the c e l l .
The c e l l contents a r e
p r e d i g e s t e d and withdrawn through the s t y l e t f o r i n g e s t i o n .
Enzyme s e c r e t i o n s
by some nematode s p e c i e s cause an a l t e r a t i o n of the p l a n t ' s c e l l growth which
r e s u l t s in a b n o r m a l i t i e s of the root t i s s u e .
P e r i o d i c a l l y p u b l i s h e d r e p o r t s of p a r a s i t i c nematodes a s s o c i a t e d w i t h
t u r f g r a s s e s suggest p l a n t i n j u r y by the organism.
They f a i l t o r e l a t e the t r u e
nature of the r e l a t i o n s h i p o r i t s p a t h o g e n i c i t y .
Such r e p o r t s a r e o f t e n simply
the r e s u l t of a f i e l d s u r v e y .
For i n s t a n c e , in 195*+ I took samples from a
l a r g e number of g o l f greens in Rhode I s l a n d and Massachusetts.
These t u r f g r a s s
samples were taken from a r e a s t h a t d i s p l a y e d symptoms of c h l o r o s i s and/or
dieback.
Many of the nematode s p e c i e s e x t r a c t e d from these t u r f samples were
i d e n t i f i e d as p a r a s i t i c .
However, no experiments were i n i t i a t e d t o determine
i f these suspected pathogens a c t u a l l y caused the c h l o r o s i s o r d i e b a c k .
Nematode
p a t h o g e n i c i t y on t u r f g r a s s i s not always e a s i l y determined but c o n s i d e r a b l e
progress toward t h i s end has been made in the l a s t twenty y e a r s .
As mentioned above, nematodes f e e d on i n d i v i d u a l c e l l s .
Depending upon the
s p e c i e s of nematode, i t s e f f e c t on the c e l l , the p o p u l a t i o n of nematodes f e e d i n g ,
and the p a r t i c u l a r h o s t , v a r y i n g and m u l t i p l e symptoms may o c c u r .

There are known nematodes t h a t feed on grass root c e l l s w i t h o u t causing
n o t i c e a b l e i n j u r y to c e l l s , but t h a t do b r i n g about a reduction of e i t h e r the
p l a n t ' s top growth, root growth o r both.
There are some nematodes t h a t cause
a s h r i v e l e d shortened root system but not root l e s i o n s .
Others cause v a r i o u s l y
shaped s w e l l i n g s of the r o o t .
S t u n t i n g of both p l a n t roots and shoots, c h l o r o s i s
o f the l e a v e s , as w e l l as root g a l l s , are caused by s t i l l o t h e r nematode s p e c i e s .
I t i s a l s o important to p o i n t out t h a t nematodes can s e v e r e l y reduce t u r f g r a s s
root systems w i t h o u t producing n o t i c e a b l e above-ground symptoms.
However,
symptoms may become e v i d e n t when the p l a n t s are s u b j e c t e d to s t r e s s .
Nematodes have been shown to be v e c t o r s of v i r a l d i s e a s e s .
They a r e in
c o n s t a n t a s s o c i a t i o n w i t h s o i l microorganisms i n c l u d i n g fungi and could v e r y
w e l l be i n v o l v e d w i t h fungus-caused d i s e a s e s of t u r f .
Root i n j u r i e s i n c u r r e d
by nematodes could a l s o provide areas of e n t r a n c e by pathogenic f u n g i .
As a
m a t t e r of f a c t , o b s e r v a t i o n s of fungus d i s e a s e s on t u r f g r a s s appearing to have
been a f f e c t e d by nematodes have a l r e a d y been r e p o r t e d .
Dr. H a l l r e c e n t l y
wrote to me of t h i s p o s s i b i l i t y o c c u r r i n g in Maryland t u r f .
My l a t e s t endeavor
i s one t h a t f o l l o w s along s i m i l a r l i n e s , t h a t i s , experimenting w i t h a s p e c i e
Lonqidorus.
Longidorus, a r a t h e r l a r g e nematode, has been known to t r a n s m i t
v i ral d i seases.
Lonqidorus was found to be i n f e s t i n g p o o r l y growing Poa annua on s e v e r a l
New England g o l f c o u r s e s .
The i n f e s t e d t u r f was s h o r t rooted and could be
peeled back l i k e a c a r p e t .
Experimentation w i t h nematodes r e q u i r e s a f a i r l y
c o n s t a n t source of inoculum. A review of l i t e r a t u r e i n d i c a t e d t h a t the organism could be propagated on spearmint grown in sandy s o i l .
However, a more
i n t e n s i v e study o f the l i t e r a t u r e showed t h a t Lonqi dorus i s a v e r y d e l i c a t e
nematode.
To c u l t i v a t e i t the host p l a n t must be watered w i t h demineralized
w a t e r and the w a t e r must be a p p l i e d by s u b i r r i g a t i o n methods.
In a d d i t i o n
o n l y c e r t a i n types of f e r t i l i z e r can be used to supplement the p l a n t ' s n u t r i tion.
A p p l i c a t i o n of the wrong form of f e r t i l i z e r and water would r e s u l t in
the death of the organism.
The p o i n t i s , i f such c a r e i s r e q u i r e d to propagate
Long!dorus, one wonders how i t s u r v i v e s In the f i e l d .
To date the o n l y r e s u l t
we have been a b l e to o b t a i n i s t h a t the nematode does cause a s w e l l i n g of
spearmint root t i p s .
The nematode i s pathogenic on spearmint.
The t e s t s ,
however, w i l l c o n t i n u e f o r a t l e a s t one more y e a r .
Grass s p e c i e s , as w e l l as c u l t i v a r s , v a r y in s u s c e p t i b i l i t y to nematode
pathogenicity.
Warm temperature i s one f a c t o r t h a t f a v o r s nematode a c t i v i t y
and because of the temperature f a c t o r southern grown grasses are more o f t e n
affected.
There have been many p u b l i c a t i o n s r e p o r t i n g damage by many d i f f e r e n t s p e c i e s of nematodes on grasses grown in the S o u t h e a s t .
S t i l l , many of
the p a r a s i t e s belonging to the same genera have been found on t u r f g r a s s e s
grown in the North.
In the e a r l y to m i d - s i x t i e s a study o f two of these
nematodes and t h e i r e f f e c t on s e v e r a l t u r f g r a s s s p e c i e s was made.
The two nematodes s t u d i e d are known as Ty1enchorhynchus, the s t u n t nematode, and P r a t y l e n c h u s , the l e s i o n nematode. The former i s an e c t o p a r a s i t e
and the l a t t e r an e n d o p a r a s i t e .
These two nematodes were chosen f o r study
because of t h e i r widespread occurance on t u r f and because both nematodes
could be c u l t u r e d a x e n i c a l l y .
R y e g r a s s , c r e e p i n g red fescue and Kentucky
b l u e g r a s s were s e l e c t e d as h o s t s .

The experiments c o n s i s t e s s e n t i a l l y of r e p l i c a t i o n s of each of the three
grass s p e c i e s , each grown s i n g l y in a n u t r i e n t agar in t e s t tubes f r e e of organisms. A c e r t a i n number of each grass specie were i n d i v i d u a l l y i n o c u l a t e d w i t h
l e s i o n nematodes and another group w i t h the s t u n t nematode.
P l a n t s of each
grass s p e c i e were a l s o kept as c o n t r o l s .
Semi-weekly t h e r e a f t e r two p l a n t s of
each grass s p e c i e were removed from the tubes, the roots examined, and the
nematodes then r e - i s o l a t e d and counted.
Shoot growth of the t h r e e grass s p e c i e s was not a f f e c t e d by e i t h e r nematode.
Many l e s i o n nematodes and t h e i r eggs were l o c a t e d o n l y in the c o r t e x
of both primary and l a t e r a l roots of ryegrass and fescue but the nematode was
found o n l y in the roots of two Kentucky b l u e g r a s s p l a n t s .
Nematode l e s i o n s
were never apparent on the roots of any of the i n o c u l a t e d grasses but the w a l l s
of the c o r t i c a l c e l l s were torn by movement of the p a r a s i t e .
The i n j u r e d c e l l s
were not d i s c o l o r e d nor was t h e r e any semblance of n e c r o s i s .
The s t e l l a r t i s s u e ,
phloem and xylem, appeared u n a f f e c t e d .
The s t u n t nematode, an e c t o p a r a s i t e , was never found w i t h i n the roots of
any of the grasses nor was i t s s t y l e t puncture of the c e l l s e v e r d i s c e r n i b l e .
A s e r i e s o f greenhouse experiments was made to determine the gross e f f e c t s
of the same two nematodes on the same t h r e e t u r f g r a s s e s .
Ten p l a n t s of each
grass s p e c i e were p l a n t e d in s t e a m - s t e r i l i z e d s o i l placed in p l a s t i c p o t s .
The
requirements o f the grass in each p o t , pH, f e r t i l i t y , w a t e r , and mowing h e i g h t ,
were m a i n t a i n e d .
Each pot of t u r f g r a s s was i n o c u l a t e d w i t h e i t h e r 5000 l e s i o n
or 5000 s t u n t nematodes and c o n t r o l s were maintained.
Three and o n e - h a l f
months a f t e r i n o c u l a t i o n the nematodes, were e x t r a c t e d and counted.
The top
growth of the nematode-infested r y e g r a s s and fescue appeared as h e a l t h y as
the top growth of the c o n t r o l g r a s s e s .
No l e s i o n nematodes were removed
from e i t h e r the s o i l o r roots of Kentucky b l u e g r a s s .
The s t u n t nematode
caused r e d u c t i o n o f the root weight of c r e e p i n g red f e s c u e .
A second t e s t was made s i m i l a r to the f i r s t greenhouse t r i a l , except t h a t
no f e r t i l i z e r was added during the experiment and nematodes were recovered a f t e r
two months.
Both nematodes p a r a s i t i z e d the t h r e e grass s p e c i e s .
Y e t , the top growth
of the t h r e e grass s p e c i e s i n f e c t e d w i t h e i t h e r nematode appeared h e a l t h y .
The l e s i o n nematode s i g n i f i c a n t l y reduced the root weight of r y e g r a s s , however,
the shoot weight of the r y e g r a s s i n f e s t e d w i t h the s t u n t nematode was i n c r e a s e d .
R e s u l t s of these experiments i n d i c a t e d t h a t both nematodes were pathogenic but
the e f f e c t s on the grasses were s l i g h t , p a r t i c u l a r l y when the grass was growing
well.
I n j u r y to the c o r t i c a l c e l l s of the grass by the l e s i o n nematode could
a f f e c t the uptake of n u t r i e n t s and w a t e r , p a r t i c u l a r l y in the f i e l d where
these f a c t o r s are l i k e l y to be l i m i t e d .
Nematode c o n t r o l can be o b t a i n e d in a number of ways but on e s t a b l i s h e d
t u r f i t can be seen t h a t the a p p l i c a t i o n of chemicals i s n e c e s s a r y .
There are
a number of nematocides on the market, some more e f f e c t i v e a g a i n s t a p a r t i c u l a r
s p e c i e than o t h e r s .
A l l a r e t o x i c to humans but s e v e r a l a r e extremely t o x i c .
However, w i t h the many v a r i a b l e s o c c u r r i n g in the f i e l d i t i s not always poss i b l e to c r e d i t t u r f improvement to a reduction o f nematodes r e s u l t i n g from an
a p p l i c a t i o n of a nematocide.

We c o n d u c t e d nematocide t e s t s in the p a s t and a g a i n l a s t s p r i n g .
The
e a r l i e r i n v e s t i g a t i o n i n v o l v e d the e v a l u a t i o n o f seven n e m a t o c i d e s compared
to an a p p l i c a t i o n o f f e r t i l i z e r .
To d e t e r m i n e the e f f e c t s o f t r e a t m e n t s ,
c l i p p i n g and r o o t w e i g h t s were m e a s u r e d .
The f e r t i l i z e r and one nematocide
increased c l i p p i n g weights.
F e r t i l i z e r improved t u r f c o l o r .
A l l nematocides
reduced the number o f p a r a s i t i c nematodes, two o f them more e f f e c t i v e l y than
the o t h e r s «
The f e r t i l i z e d p l o t s c o n t a i n e d the h i g h e s t number o f p a r a s i t i c
nematodes.
Root w e i g h t s were n o t a f f e c t e d by any n e m a t o c i d e t r e a t m e n t .
In l a s t y e a r ' s nematocide t r i a l a s i n g l e chemical was a p p l i e d a t t h r e e
different rates.
A t a l l r a t e s the chemical i n j u r e d the t u r f , w h i c h r e c o v e r e d ,
a l l the t r e a t e d t u r f p l o t s a p p e a r i n g d a r k e r g r e e n in c o l o r and h e a l t h i e r than
the c o n t r o l s .
The p o i n t , however, i s t h a t t h e r e were v e r y few, i f a n y , p a r a s i t i c nematodes in any o f the t e s t p l o t s p r i o r to chemical a p p l i c a t i o n .
It
i s p o s s i b l e t h a t in both nematocide t r i a l s , s t i m u l a t i o n o f g r a s s growth may
have been b r o u g h t about by the e f f e c t s o f s o i l f e r t i l i t y and i t s i n t e r a c t i o n
w i t h the n e m a t o c i d e s .
A l s o , in the f i r s t t e s t the n e m a t o c i d e s reduced p a r a s i t i c nematodes and a t the same time i n c r e a s e d n u t r i e n t a v a i l a b i l i t y , b o t h
o f w h i c h c o u l d have s t i m u l a t e d p l a n t g r o w t h .
In a d d i t i o n , some n e m a t o c i d e s
a r e known to have e i t h e r i n s e c t i c i d a l o r f u n g i c i d a l a c t i v i t y and t h i s i n s e c t
o r f u n g u s c o n t r o l c o u l d a c c o u n t f o r t u r f improvement. When w o r k i n g w i t h a
b i o l o g i c a l e n t i t y , e s p e c i a l l y s o i l i n h a b i t a n t s , i t can be v e r y d i f f i c u l t to
obtain clear-cut results.
To sum up - - T h e r e a r e many p a r a s i t i c nematodes p a t h o g e n i c on t u r f g r a s s
and they a p p e a r to be most damaging to t u r f g r a s s e s in the S o u t h e a s t .
Pathog e n i c nematodes c a u s e r o o t l e s i o n s , s l o u g h t i s s u e , v a r i o u s l y shaped s w e l l i n g s
o f the g r a s s r o o t , and o t h e r e f f e c t s .
Above g r o u n d symptoms most o f t e n are
n o t d i s c e r n i b l e e x c e p t p o s s i b l y when p o p u l a t i o n b u i l d - u p and s t r e s s o c c u r .
C h l o r o s i s and t h i n n i n g a r e the u s u a l top symptoms.
N e m a t o c i d e s , some more
s p e c i f i c f o r the c o n t r o l o f a p a r t i c u l a r nematode than o t h e r s and s e v e r a l
more t o x i c , w i l l reduce nematode p o p u l a t i o n .
Remember, they reduce numbers
and repeated a p p l i c a t i o n s may be needed to keep p o p u l a t i o n s low.
Most
i m p o r t a n t - i f nematodes a r e s u s p e c t e d , b e f o r e a p p l y i n g a c o n t r o l , c h e c k
w i t h a t r a i n e d n e m a t o l o g i St.- Have him i d e n t i f y the p a r a s i t e s p r e s e n t and
t h e i r numbers, then c h o o s e and a p p l y the c o r r e c t c o n t r o l s .
L a s t , there i s
a need f o r i n c r e a s e d and more t h o r o u g h i n v e s t i g a t i o n o f p a r a s i t i c nematodes
found a s s o c i a t e d w i t h t u r f g r a s s e s .

Couch, H. B.
1973.
D i s e a s e s o f t u r f g r a s s e s c a u s e d by p a t h o g e n i c nematodes,
Diseases of Turfgrasses.
Krieger,
New Y o r k .
Chap. 3 , PP* 1 5 8 - 1 8 4 .
Monku, R.

1959.

Natural

enemies o f nematodes.

C a l i f . Agr.

13 ( 9 ) ,

24.

T r o l l , J . and R. A . Rohde.
1966.
Pathogenicity of Praty1enchus penetrans
T y 1 e n c h o r h y n c h u s c l a y t o n i on t u r f g r a s s e s .
Phytopath, 56: 995-998.
T r o l l , J . and R. A . Rohde.
1966. The e f f e c t s o f n e m a t o c i d e s on
growth.
P l a n t D i s . R e p t r . 50: 4-90-492.

turfgrass

and

EFFICIENCY AND SAFETY IN CONTROLLING WEEDS ON THE GOLF COURSE

Professor,

Ralph E . Engel
S o i l s and Crops Department
Rutgers U n i v e r s i t y

Chemical weed c o n t r o l has become a g r e a t t o o l in growing t u r f .
I t has brought
more improvement in the l a s t 25 y e a r s than any o t h e r phase of t u r f g r a s s management.
Y e t , c a r e l e s s use of t h i s procedure i s dangerous t o t u r f ; and, on o c c a s i o n s ,
h e r b i c i d e s have done more harm t o the g r a s s than we have r e a l i z e d .
C e r t a i n steps g e n e r a l l y apply when we attempt t u r f g r a s s weed c o n t r o l hoping
to o b t a i n the best r e s u l t s w i t h the g r e a t e s t e f f i c i e n c y and s a f e t y .
The f i r s t
step i s growing good t u r f .
T h i s reduces the n e c e s s i t y f o r frequent use of h e r b i cides t h a t may i n j u r e the g r a s s .
S e c o n d l y , choose the c o r r e c t h e r b i c i d e .
This
becomes more d i f f i c u l t as more and more h e r b i c i d e s and v a r i a t i o n s of t h e i r use
occurs.
I f t h e r e i s no c l e a r answer as t o which chemical should be a p p l i e d , use
the e s t a b l i s h e d chemicals t h a t you have known and worked w i t h b e f o r e .
There a r e
times when you must t r y a new chemical f o r the f i r s t t i m e .
Check w i t h o t h e r
p r o f e s s i o n a l t u r f g r a s s managers on such o c c a s i o n s .
This may be a good procedure
even though you know the c h e m i c a l .
T h i r d , know when to use a h e r b i c i d e .
One
aspect of determining when to use a chemical i s the r e l a t i v e b e n e f i t s and r i s k s
involved.
No h e r b i c i d e makes the grass grow b e t t e r .
I f the weed problem i s worse
than the i n j u r y r i s k , treatment i s j u s t i f i a b l e .
A p p l i c a t i o n at the c o r r e c t time of the y e a r i s an important concern in
h e r b i c i d e use.
W h i l e dandelions can be t r e a t e d too e a r l y w i t h 2,4-D f o r good k i l l ,
i t is j u s t as important to apply t h i s chemical in time t o prevent a l a r g e crop of
seedheads.
In the case of preemerge h e r b i c i d e s , most of these perform best when
they are a p p l i e d 2 o r 3 weeks in advance of c r a b g r a s s g e r m i n a t i o n .
Fourth,
applying the c o r r e c t r a t e i s important.
Too l i t t l e g i v e s poor c o n t r o l and too
much can cause s e r i o u s i n j u r y and waste money.
The f i r s t step i s determining
the amount of chemical c o n c e n t r a t e r e q u i r e d per u n i t area f o r use in c a l i b r a t i o n
of the spreader or s p r a y e r .
Recheck the c a l c u l a t i o n s to assure no mistake has
been made.
The second step i s to c a l i b r a t e the spreader or s p r a y e r .
This may
take c o n s i d e r a b l e time i f you a r e u n f a m i l i a r w i t h equipment or i t i s working
poorly.
At the time of c a l i b r a t i o n , make sure the equipment has a uniform
spreading p a t t e r n .
A t t a i n i n g complete c o n t r o l of t u r f weeds, i . e . , to the l a s t weed, i s
e f f i c i e n t f o r many s i t e s .
This i s e s p e c i a l l y t r u e on small areas and w i t h weeds
such as c r a b g r a s s , d a n d e l i o n , and goosegrass.
Once the number of weeds i s
reduced t o a few, hand removal o r spot treatment on a r e g u l a r b a s i s may be e a s i e r
and s a f e r than a l l o w i n g a few weeds to i n c r e a s e i n t o a problem t h a t r e q u i r e s use
o f a s e v e r e h e r b i c i d e treatment a t an e a r l y d a t e .

Suggestions on S e v e r a l Weeds and H e r b i c i d e s
I t i s standard procedure to use 2,4-D f o r d a n d e l i o n , buckhorn and b r o a d l e a f
plantain.
Y e t , a s p e c i a l d i s t i n c t i o n should be made on g o l f t u r f where bentgrass
and annual bluegrass are o f t e n the major g r a s s e s .
W i t h these s p e c i e s , use of 1/2
t o 3/4 l b . a c t i v e i n g r e d i e n t per a c r e (Al/A) of 2,4-D w i l l g i v e q u i t e s a t i s f a c t o r y
c o n t r o l w i t h l e s s r i s k to the t u r f .
This c o n t r a s t s w i t h the 1 t o
l b . Al/A
r a t e which i s a p p r o p r i a t e on Kentucky bluegrass lawns and roughs.
On o c c a s i o n s ,
use low v o l a t i l e 2,4-D f o r g r e a t e r s a f e t y to nearby p l a n t s .
When c l o v e r , c h i c k weed and/or knotweed a r e present in bentgrass-annual b l u e g r a s s f a i r w a y s in the
s p r i n g , use the lower r a t e of 1/2 lb Al/A 2,4-D w i t h 1/8 t o 1/4 lb Al/A of
dicamba.
Some may p r e f e r to use the commercial mixes f o r these weeds on the
g o l f c o u r s e , but these h e r b i c i d e p r e p a r a t i o n s should be checked f o r the t o t a l of
the r e l a t e d compounds o f 2,4-D, S i l v e x and mecoprop. When these t o t a l 1 lb/A o r
more, the r i s k to the t u r f becomes s i m i l a r t o the use of a high r a t e of 2,4-D
alone.
When c l o v e r , chickweed and/or knotweed o c c u r , s p r i n g t r e a t m e n t , w e l l in
advance of hot w e a t h e r , i s recommended.
U s u a l l y , t h i s can be done as soon as
the c l o v e r has good l e a f growth. When these weeds occur w i t h no d a n d e l i o n s ,
dicamba a t 1/4 lb Al/A i s adequate.
Some may wish to use the phenoxys such as
mecoprop and s i l v e x .
A g a i n , w i t h bentgrass-annual b l u e g r a s s t u r f , t h i s r a i s e s
concern over the l a r g e t o t a l o f phenoxy m a t e r i a l being a p p l i e d .
S i l v e x i s always
q u e s t i o n a b l e on f i n e t u r f and r a t h e r than use mecoprop a l o n e , i t might be
combined w i t h dicamba.
Preemerge f o r c o n t r o l of c r a b g r a s s and gooseqrass — Control of c r a b g r a s s
w i t h the a v a i l a b l e preemerge h e r b i c i d e s is q u i t e good but they a r e o f t e n l e s s
s a t i s f a c t o r y on goosegrass.
Y e t , the t u r f g r o w e r has no c h o i c e but to use these
chemicals on many o c c a s i o n s .
C a r e f u l and we 11-conceived use o f these chemicals
becomes important.
Control of annual b l u e g r a s s -- B e f o r e g o l f course s u p e r i n t e n d e n t s in the
c o o l e r l a t i t u d e s c o n s i d e r a l l - o u t a t t a c k s on annual b l u e g r a s s , they should
c o n s i d e r t h e i r chances o f growing t h i s g r a s s s u c c e s s f u l l y .
In some of our
c o o l e r c l i m a t e s , i t should not be looked upon as a weed.
I f you c o n s i d e r annual
bluegrass a weed, you must s t i l l r e l y h e a v i l y on management f o r c o n t r o l because
we do not have h e r b i c i d e panaceas.
Of the chemicals a v a i l a b l e , t r i - c a l c i u m
a r s e n a t e has g i v e n the best c o n t r o l in s p i t e of the f a c t t h a t i t i s a r i s k y
chemical.
C u r r e n t l y , the u n a v a i l a b i l i t y of t h i s chemical does not l e a v e us w i t h
any simple method of e l i m i n a t i n g the annual b l u e g r a s s problem.
A number of our
preemerge h e r b i c i d e s a r e q u i t e good a t p r e v e n t i n g annual b l u e g r a s s g e r m i n a t i o n .
But the need f o r longer r e s i d u a l a c t i v i t y from l a t e summer through s p r i n g plus
t h e i r i n a b i l i t y t o c o n t r o l the v e g e t a t i v e types of annual b l u e g r a s s do not make
them a good p r o s p e c t f o r c o n t r o l of t h i s weed.
Endothal showed some s e l e c t i v i t y on annual b l u e g r a s s in bentgrass t u r f i n
our t e s t s of some y e a r s ago. We n e v e r , and do not now, propose t h a t i t can be
used as an e r a d i c a n t f o r annual b l u e g r a s s .
When used in e a r l y s p r i n g during
c o o l e r w e a t h e r , before the f l u s h of heavy growth, s e v e r a l endothal treatments w i l l
depress the annual b l u e g r a s s content of the t u r f and c o n t r o l c l o v e r .
This type
procedure w i l l help bentgrass remain dominant.
The endothal treatment i s
inexpensive and l e a v e s no r e s i d u e problem.

When concerned about annual b l u e g r a s s , u t i l i z e the management t o o l s t h a t
minimize t h i s weed.
F i r s t , a v o i d l o s s of t u r f b y :
(a) w a t e r i n g t o save the
bentgrass - not annual b l u e g r a s s , (b) d i s e a s e c o n t r o l , (c) i n s e c t c o n t r o l ,
(d) d i s c r e e t mowing and (e) spreading t r a f f i c .
S e c o n d l y , use the minimum amount
of water f o r bentgrass growth in l a t e summer when annual b l u e g r a s s might germinate.
T h i r d , use a minimum of n i t r o g e n r e q u i r e d f o r the b e n t g r a s s .
No M i s t a k e s w i t h

Herbicides

"No m i s t a k e s " i s a big o r d e r but the d i s a s t e r of a wrong h e r b i c i d e a p p l i c a t i o n i s about the worst t h i n g t h a t can happen t o a t u r f .
An important step in
a v o i d i n g mistakes i s knowing the c h e m i c a l s .
Do not r e l y on t r a d e names o n l y ;
l e a r n to a s s o c i a t e these w i t h the common chemical name. M a i n t a i n i n f o r m a t i o n on
such t h i n g s as the s a f e r a t e s of a p p l i c a t i o n , residue problems, s a f e t y concerns
f o r the a p p l i c a t o r , the weeds t h a t a r e c o n t r o l l e d e f f e c t i v e l y , e t c .
Possibly,
such records should be maintained f o r each chemical and weed on a 5 x 8" c a r d .
Check w i t h o t h e r s on the use of a h e r b i c i d e .
This is e s p e c i a l l y true for
the newer c h e m i c a l s .
Opinions on such t h i n g s as c h o i c e of c h e m i c a l s , r a t e s of
a p p l i c a t i o n , e f f e c t i v e n e s s of the t r e a t m e n t , and t i m e l i n e s s of the a p p l i c a t i o n
commonly need c o n s i d e r a t i o n .
Do not h e s i t a t e t o c a l l someone e l s e f o r a quick
opinion.
Mistakes in a p p l i c a t i o n r a t e and techniques can be avoided.
Allow
p l e n t y of time to prepare f o r an h e r b i c i d e a p p l i c a t i o n .
T h i s w i l l permit
rechecking the r a t e .
A l s o , i t g i v e s time t o check on the d e l i v e r y r a t e of the
a p p l i c a t i o n equipment and the u n i f o r m i t y of d i s t r i b u t i o n .
C o n t i n u a l l y recheck
the a p p l i c a t i o n r a t e during use of the c h e m i c a l .
H e r b i c i d e s a r e one of our most v a l u a b l e t o o l s in t u r f p r o d u c t i o n .
Adversely,
they a r e among the most r i s k y p r a c t i c e s .
Keep up-to-date on h e r b i c i d e s and
s t r i v e c o n t i n u a l l y to improve your p r o f e s s i o n a l i s m w i t h h e r b i c i d e s .

CUTTING CORNERS WITH EQUIPMENT
Alexander M. Radko
E a s t e r n D i r e c t o r and N a t i o n a l Research
USGA Green S e c t i o n
Highland P a r k , New J e r s e y

Director

New courses today have a wider s e l e c t i o n of b e t t e r equipment than e v e r
before.
The g o l f course s u p e r i n t e n d e n t has a c h o i c e of the one motor and frame
(power pack type) w i t h s e v e r a l i n t e r c h a n g e a b l e u n i t s f o r v a r i o u s maintenance
f u n c t i o n s or the c o n v e n t i o n a l complete u n i t each p r o p e l l e d by i t s own motor
and used mainly f o r j u s t one t a s k .
The former i s not a new concept, i t has
been t r i e d b e f o r e , but now manufacturers are responding to g o l f maintenance
needs b e t t e r than e v e r b e f o r e .
We a l l have seen recommended equipment l i s t s f o r an 18-hole g o l f c o u r s e .
We have one of our own which has been published in our Green S e c t i o n Record.
I t l i s t s a l l the necessary equipment f o r normal o p e r a t i o n , i t emphasizes the
need f o r a mechanic and a we 11-organ?zed workshop as the beginning o f a sucn Down-time M must be kept to a minimum, o t h e r w i s e
cessful operation.
it will
ruin you. T h e r e ' s no b e t t e r way to keep machines going than to employ a good
mechanic.
A s u p e r i n t e n d e n t cannot t i e h i m s e l f down to the bench - too much
gets away from him, c o n t r o l i s l o s t and soon he loses out i f he t r i e s to double
as a mechanic.
Good equipment begs good o p e r a t o r s ; they must be t r a i n e d in proper equipment use. They must know what the s u p e r i n t e n d e n t ' s goals a r e , they must know
what i s expected of them so t h a t they can do e v e r y t h i n g r i g h t the f i r s t time.
To do i t r i g h t means t h a t the equipment should be in good running c o n d i t i o n
a t a l l times.
Good mechanics know they must read and understand the s e r v i c e
i n s t r u c t i o n s t h a t accompany e v e r y p i e c e of equipment.
A good mechanic has
good rapport w i t h the crew so t h a t he can r e l a y the s p e c i a l i n s t r u c t i o n s f o r
the use of e v e r y machine and the crew in turn can a c c u r a t e l y r e p o r t back
t r o u b l e symptoms to him.
E f f i c i e n t use of equipment a l s o means the r i g h t machine f o r e v e r y j o b .
The s u p e r i n t e n d e n t must o r g a n i z e and manage so t h a t the machinery r e q u i r e d i s
o p e r a b l e when needed.
Mechanical sand rakes, t r i p l e x greens mowers, a e r a t o r s ,
t h a t c h e r - s e e d e r s and a l l kinds of e x c e l l e n t mowing machines have made the j o b
e a s i e r and have i n c r e a s e d j o b e f f i c i e n c y f a r beyond what was p o s s i b l e not too
many y e a r s ago.
How you harness t h i s e f f i c i e n c y and a l l o c a t e s a v i n g s to o t h e r
areas of maintenance r e f l e c t s upon your a b i l i t y as a l e a d e r and s u p e r v i s o r .
A
harmonious r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h your membership and crew is dependent upon your
a b i l i t y to s e t up j o b p r i o r i t i e s in a workable manner and execute them w i t h
d i spatch.
To have machinery in t i p - t o p shape the year-around depends g r e a t l y on
whether you are e f f e c t i v e in w i n t e r r e p a i r .
Major o v e r h a u l i n g i s done in the
o f f - s e a s o n by the work crew as d i r e c t e d by the mechanic o r by sending i t out to
a r e p a i r shop. When s p r i n g comes, a l l machinery should be ready to go and
h o p e f u l l y w i l l l a s t the season, except f o r the usual minor r e p a i r , adjustments,
spark plug replacement, b a c k - l a p p i n g , e t c .
Read and abide by the s e r v i c e
manuals - they a r e the key to more e f f i c i e n t r e p a i r , which in turn i s the
springboard to more e f f i c i e n t o p e r a t i o n o f a l l equipment.

There i s no easy s o l u t i o n to
s u p e r v i s o r has h i s own technique
e f f e c t i v e end. The goal f o r a l l ,
the important ways of g e t t i n g the

the e f f i c i e n t use of equipment«
Every
in blending man and machine to the most
however, i s the same and here a r e some of
most out of your equipment.

(1)

T r a i n o p e r a t o r s in proper use and h a n d l i n g of machines c o r r e c t speed, i . e . , two-cycle engines are run a t h i g h e r
speeds and t h e r e f o r e more a l e r t o p e r a t o r s are r e q u i r e d ,
f o u r - c y c l e machinery should not be used on h i l l s , e t c .

(2)

A l l o w the mechanic to a t t e n d s e r v i c e schools
f i rms.

(3)

Assign one machine (where p o s s i b l e ) to one worker who w i l l be
r e s p o n s i b l e f o r c a r e and f a u l t l e s s o p e r a t i o n of t h a t s p e c i f i c
machine; he w i l l r e p o r t problems in w r i t i n g , c l e a n and
s e r v i c e i t w i t h o i l , gas and grease i t b e f o r e s t o r i n g i t in i t s
assigned p l a c e a f t e r each o p e r a t i o n .

(k)

Any s e r v i c e beyond t h a t mentioned above should be handled by
the mechanic. A i r f i l t e r c l e a n i n g or changes, adjustments,
g r i n d i n g , back-lapping, e t c . should be the r e s p o n s i b i l i t y of
the mechanic.
Keep needed small p a r t s stocked - keep a good
small p a r t s i n v e n t o r y .

(5)

Have a check l i s t f o r e v e r y p i e c e of equipment f o r
b e f o r e and a f t e r e v e r y use.

(6)

Use v e h i c l e s to t r a n s p o r t s m a l l e r machines where p o s s i b l e .
S i n g l e greens mowers e s p e c i a l l y could be knocked out of
adjustment e a s i l y i f walked from green to green.

(7)

Be sure to use the w a r r a n t y t h a t comes w i t h e v e r y p i e c e of
equipment. Warranty r e p a i r c o s t s a r e f i g u r e d i n t o the r e t a i l
f a c t o r y p r i c e so why not take advantage of them.

run by equipment

inspection

Ways to Reduce R e p a i r s
The best approach to minimizing r e p a i r s i s to f o l l o w a p r e v e n t a t i v e
program of maintenance and c a r e .
Change o i l and f i l t e r s , l u b r i c a t e , a d j u s t ments are a l l p a r t of p r e v e n t a t i v e maintenance.
Common sense in o p e r a t i o n good o p e r a t o r s who share a sense of p r i d e in doing a j o b w e l l w i l l a l s o see
to i t t h a t t h e i r equipment i s running p r o p e r l y ; i f i t i s n o t , they w i l l be
quick to check i t out w i t h the mechanic o r s u p e r i n t e n d e n t .
Good o p e r a t o r s
w i l l not abuse the equipment - they w i l l e x e r c i s e c a r e in t r a n s p o r t i n g , u s i n g ,
c a r i n g f o r ( c l e a n i n g , e t c . ) and s t o r i n g a l l equipment.
In s t o r i n g equipment
c a r e should be e x e r c i s e d to insure i t i s not wrecked, abused o r ruined in
any way.
Good storage technique again means a b i d i n g by the r u l e s s e t down
in the equipment manual - i t w i l l save you many d o l l a r s in r e p a i r b i l l s .
One common e r r o r c i t e d by a salesman of s p r a y e r s i s t h a t the l i d i s c l o s e d
t i g h t w h i l e the sprayer s i t s exposed in the hot summer sun.
i t corrodes
the i n s i d e s and causes a host of o t h e r problems.
Many s p r a y e r s have been
junked long b e f o r e they should have been had good a i r c i r c u l a t i o n been
provided during s t o r a g e .

When buying equipment, t r y to buy heavy duty types where p o s s i b l e they w i l l l a s t longer and g i v e b e t t e r performance in the long run, i . e . ,
double-edged bedknives, tungsten-carbide t i p s f o r a e r a t o r t i n e s , e t c .
L i g h t e r u n i t s such as r o t a r y mowers and o t h e r equipment considered expendable
a f t e r a y e a r o r so of use can be bought f o r the best p r i c e o f f e r e d «
We see
a l l kinds of r o t a r y u n i t s in our t r a v e l s around g o l f courses which i s t e s t i mony to t h i s t h e s i s .
Ways to Reduce Purchase Cost
(1)

When buying new equipment, t r y to buy in b u l k , i . e . , one l a r g e o r d e r
has a b e t t e r chance of being discounted than s e v e r a l small ones.

(2)

Put one manufacturer a g a i n s t another.
Toro v s . Jacobsen can be an
i n t e r e s t i n g b a t t l e and can p o s s i b l y get some concessions on p r i c e s .

(3)

Pay in cash.

(4)

Trade-in.
D o n ' t f o r g e t the
hundred d o l l a r s allowed f o r
something in s a v i n g s .
This
and o b s o l e t e equipment t h a t
shop. T r y to get something

(5)

Lease equipment.
W i t h l e a s i n g t h e r e i s no i n i t i a l purchase c o s t ,
but r a t h e r a s i n g l e monthly payment.
Study could be given to the
tax advantages in t h i s method, e s p e c i a l l y where a club has l i t t l e
working c a p i t a l .
Some of these plans run on a 12, 18, 2k o r 38
month l e a s e .
Some are open-ended where the equipment goes back to
the l e a s e r a f t e r the p e r i o d of l e a s e i s up, whereas o t h e r l e a s e
plans a t the end of payment p e r i o d , the equipment becomes the p r o p e r t y o f
the l e a s e e .
There could be some advantages h e r e .

Most d i s t r i b u t o r s g i v e cash d i s c o u n t s .
al1-important t r a d e - i n s .
Even a few
o l d or used p i e c e s of equipment can mean
is a l s o a good way of c l e a n i n g out o l d
would o t h e r w i s e be c l u t t e r i n g up the
for i t .

In c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h t h i s , short-term l e a s i n g could a l s o save you some
money, e s p e c i a l l y on seldom-used p i e c e s of equipment l i k e r o t o t i l l e r s , trenc h e r s , o r even s e e d e r s .
I t could be w o r t h w h i l e looking i n t o the i n v e n t o r y
of l o c a l r e n t - a l l companies.
They could s u r p r i s e you.
(6)

I f money i s t i g h t , look to your d i s t r i b u t o r or other g o l f courses
o f f e r i n g used or r e c o n d i t i o n e d equipment f o r s a l e .
Some real
b a r g a i n s are a v a i l a b l e through t h i s , but e s p e c i a l l y where a new
s u p e r i n t e n d e n t comes i n t o a club and, s a y , i s a Jacobsen man and
r e p l a c e s a l l the Toro equipment, o r v i c e v e r s a .
Some s l i g h t l y
used equipment can be had a t r e a l bargain p r i c e s by t h i s method.

(7)

Check i n t o the d i s t r i b u t o r ' s demonstrator models.
I f covered by
the o r i g i n a l w a r r a n t y , even though used, nothing can be l o s t and
some d o l l a r s can c e r t a i n l y be saved.

(8)

On some small purchase l i k e r o t a r y mowers, c h a i n saws, r o t o t i l l e r s ,
o r even small garden t r a c t o r s , perhaps the p r i c e of l o c a l discount
s t o r e s could be compared w i t h t h a t of the d i s t r i b u t o r .
A small
hand r o t a r y mower i s a small hand r o t a r y mower, so i f some money can
be saved by purchasing i t a t a d i s c o u n t o u t l e t , then why not do i t .

EFFICSENT LABOR MANAGEMENT
Richard E. Valentine
Superintendent
Merion Country Club
Ardmo r e , Pennsylvan î a
F i r s t o f f , l e t me make t h i s p e r f e c t l y c l e a r . . . w h a t I am about to say r e l a t e s
to the Labor Management Program as I have experienced i t in o v e r 20 y e a r s of
employment a t the Merion Golf Club.
I wi11 not attempt to suggest to you what
you should do a t your own g o l f c o u r s e .
I w i l l t e l l you how we o p e r a t e a t Merion,
(a n o n - p r o f i t p r i v a t e g o l f c l u b ) .
E v e r y g o l f course i s d i f f e r e n t .
Every g o l f e r ' s
needs and demands are d i f f e r e n t .
Consequently, e v e r y g o l f maintenance program
v a r i e s somewhat.
B e f o r e attempting to d e s c r i b e a thorough , e f f i c i e n t Labor Management Program,
l e t me f i r s t e x p l a i n what kind of labor f o r c e 1 have a t Merion:
My Labor Force c o n s i s t s o f men t h a t have been employed by Merion from
one y e a r to f i f t y y e a r s .
S i x o r seven men a r e f u l l time ( y e a r round)
w h i l e some work 7-8 months each y e a r .
Others are p a r t time.
(Summer
help i n c l u d e d ) .
T h e i r ages v a r y from teenagers to e i g h t y y e a r s .
As
long as a man can produce a f a i r days work, I s h a l l continue to employ
him - no matter how o l d he i s .
I get j u s t as good and, f r e q u e n t l y ,
b e t t e r work performances from s t e a d i e r , o l d e r , r e l i a b l e men.
This

i s what Merion p r o v i d e s the Labor F o r c e :

1.

Good Pay S c a l e - b e t t e r than average in a r e a .

2.

Cost of l i v i n g and pay i n c r e a s e s

3.

Bonuses - Christmas

time.

A.

Blue Cross & S h i e l d

Program.

5.
6.

E x c e l l e n t v a c a t i o n program.
New pension p l a n .

yearly.

I l i s t these employee p r o v i s i o n s because 1 t h i n k i t i s important to have
these i f a Labor Force is to be r e s p o n s i b l e and e f f i c i e n t .
B e f o r e the G o l f Course Superintendent can attempt to be an e f f i c i e n t ,
e f f e c t i v e l a b o r manager, he should f u l l y understand e v e r y phase of work under
h i s charge.
He should study and l e a r n as much as he can about e v e r y duty
performed on the g o l f course.
At t h i s time o f the y e a r and e s p e c i a l l y w h i l e a t t e n d i n g t u r f conferences
such as t h i s - my mind r e f l e c t s back to t h i s past y e a r ' s course maintenance
performances and I r e a l i z e how I would have d e l e g a t e d assignments d i f f e r e n t l y ,
b e t t e r u t i l i z e d equipment and a p p l i e d m a t e r i a l s d i f f e r e n t l y in v a r y i n g proportion.
H i n d s i g h t i s e x p e r i e n c e and i s i n v a l u a b l e .
I f e e l t h a t I can do and have done most of the d a i l y tasks on the c o u r s e .
Upon t h i s b a s i s , I am ready to d e l i v e r assignments to o t h e r s , knowing what
performance to expect and how much time i t takes to complete any j o b .
Through

o b s e r v a t i o n on how each man performs h i s d u t y , I make job s e l e c t i o n s ,
p l a c e the r i g h t man in the b e s t p o s s i b l e s i t u a t i o n .

t r y i n g to

Merion G o l f Club Green S t a f f
1.

-

Superintendent

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.

Should have an understanding o f a l l phases of
course maintenance procedures and I l i s t j u s t
a few - not n e c e s s a r i l y in o r d e r of importance:

Agronomist, E n t o m o l o g i s t , N e m a t o l o g i s t ,
Mechanical and e l e c t r i c a l .
A d m i n i s t r a t i v e - p u r c h a s i n g , budgeting,
I r r i g a t i o n & drainage.
Landscaping.
Public relations.
Construction.

etc., etc., etc.,

2. A s s i s t a n t Super-

etc.
etc.

etc.
Should be w i l l i n g to assume a l l o f the superi n d e n t ' s r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s and be w i l l i n g to
t a c k l e any j o b .

intendent

Shop Foreman

The mechanic a t Merion i s p r e s e n t l y one of the
best around.
He understand h y d r a l i c s , d i e s e l ,
e t c . and i s i n v a l u a b l e .
He keeps me o p e r a b l e
and d o e s n ' t work on the c o u r s e .
He i s too
busy s e r v i c i n g equipment f o r both c o u r s e s .

4.

Foreman - E a s t

T h i s man i s a hard-working j a c k - o f - a l 1 - t r a d e s .
He can weave w i c k e r s , climb t r e e s , b u i l d w a l l s ,
etc., etc., etc.
He i s t r u l y a m a s t e r f u l
course renovation and c o n s t r u c t i o n man.

5.

Foreman - West

Old timer in h i s 50th y e a r a t Club.
Sets
course up d a i l y .
Understands the e n t i r e
operation.
Doubles as d r i v e r and plumber.

6.

Drivers

(2)

Do a l l l a r g e range u n i t mowing.
Understand
mower adjustments.
Older men t h a t can go on
and on and on — I hope. These 2 men double
as a p p l i c a t o r s and understand techniques in
applying m a t e r i a l s .

S e c t i o n a l Equipment
Operators {k)

Mow d a i l y .
Operate a l l mowing-renovation
equipment, e t c .
Power spray and power rake
as wel1.

Common Laborers

Hand rake - weed t r a p s .
S c y t h e around
bunkers.
P i c k up d e b r i s , e t c . , e t c . , e t c .

8.

(2)

Groundsmen (summertime) 3-4 ( t u r f students when a v a i l a b l e )

Do e v e r y j o b imaginable.
I f t u r f students
then I can u s u a l l y make out w i t h 3.

10.

I r r i g a t i o n Man - West
Course (summer)

Evenings and e a r l y morning.
p a r t time w o r k e r .

11.

Club House Gardener
p a r t time

( I n d u s t r y r e t i r e d man) - works 3 days a week.
Excellent situation.
Conscientious and
neat.

12.

C a r t Man - West Course
Guard, Gardener a l l in
one

Retired chauffeur.
E x c e l l e n t worker.
to work and g i v e s e r v i c e .

9.

W i t h a s t a f f such as I have l i s t e d ,
to be s e l f s u f f i c i e n t .

it

Sometimes use

Loves

i s easy to see how Merion i s a b l e

We o p e r a t e as a d o - i t - y o u r s e l f c l u b .
T h i s i s n ' t new - we have always
operated as our own c o n s t r u c t i o n and maintenance team and, h o p e f u l l y , w i l l
continue to do so in the f u t u r e .
A l l of t h i s makes f o r p l e a s a n t ,
to e f f e c t i v e management.

i n t e r e s t i n g working c o n d i t i o n s ,

leading

WAYS TO SURVIVE

IN 1975

John R. Hal 1
Assistant Professor
U n i v e r s i t y o f Maryland
There can be no doubt t h a t we a r e l i v i n g in a very f a s t changing w o r l d .
As we read the d a i l y newspapers and l i s t e n and watch radio and t e l e v i s i o n newsc a s t s we are c o n s t a n t l y aware t h a t events are o c c u r r i n g a t an a s t o n i s h i n g pace.
The t u r f g r a s s i n d u s t r y is changing at the same r a t e as the r e s t of the business
world.
The rapid i n c r e a s e in M a r y l a n d ' s p o p u l a t i o n from 3.1 m i l l i o n in I960 to
3.9 m i l l i o n in 1970 provides adequate evidence t h a t we are l i v i n g in one of the
most r a p i d l y growing areas in the U n i t e d S t a t e s .
The number of home lawns in
Maryland i s estimated to have increased 74% in that ten year p e r i o d .
Homeowners
in Maryland were spending an estimated 42.2 m i l l i o n d o l l a r s a n n u a l l y to m a i n t a i n
lawns in 1971. During t h a t same ten y e a r p e r i o d the number of g o l f f a c i l i t i e s
in Maryland increased from 93 to 164.
I t was estimated in 1972 t h a t more than
80 m i l l i o n d o l l a r s was being spent by the t u r f g r a s s i n d u s t r y to maintain t u r f
in Maryland. (1)
There can be no doubt t h a t t u r f g r a s s in Maryland i s b i g b u s i n e s s .
Few
people are aware of the r e a l economic impact of the t u r f g r a s s i n d u s t r y upon
the S t a t e of Maryland, however, the more p r o g r e s s i v e a s s o c i a t i o n s are making
e v e r y e f f o r t to b r i n g t h i s f a c t to the a t t e n t i o n o f the people of the s t a t e .
In t h i s rapid moving world the s u p e r i n t e n d e n t ' s job r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s have
not remained stagnant.
Todays p r o g r e s s i v e superintendent has to be a q u a l i f i e d
agronomist, e n t o m o l o g i s t , n e m a t o l o g i s t , p a t h o l o g i s t , 1abor management s p e c i a l i s t ,
business manager, purchasing agent, accountant and almost a lawyer to keep
abreast of c u r r e n t Environmental P r o t e c t i o n Agency (EPA) and Occupational
S a f e t y and H e a l t h A d m i n i s t r a t i o n (OSHA) d i r e c t i v e s .
T o d a y ' s superintendent
needs to s t a y on top to s u r v i v e .
U n l i k e M spoon f e d " e x e c u t i v e s in b i g b u s i n e s s ,
the superintendent must persona 11ycfesign and implement h i s e d u c a t i o n a l programs.
He must seek the e d u c a t i o n a l information t h a t he needs.
What sources of

information are a v a i l a b l e

to the p r o g r e s s i v e

superintendent?

E v e r y superintendent must r e l y h e a v i l y on the v a s t volume o f t u r f g r a s s
management information t h a t e x i s t s in the minds o f the 300 o r more superintendents
in the M i d - A t l a n t i c Region.
The v a l u a b l e p r a c t i c a l experience which serves to
make up the ART of t u r f g r a s s management i s w i t h i n the minds of the experienced
superintendents in the Mid A t l a n t i c A s s o c i a t i o n of Golf Course S u p e r i n t e n d e n t s .
The exchange of information between peers is e s s e n t i a l to the maintenance of a
v i a b l e and f u n c t i o n i n g body of knowledge on t u r f g r a s s management.
S e v e r a l t u r f courses are o f f e r e d by the U n i v e r s i t y of Maryland and V i r g i n i a
P o l y t e c h n i c I n s t i t u t e and S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y .
A four year program in Turf and
Urban Agronomy i s a v a i l a b l e in the Department of Agronomy at the U n i v e r s i t y of
Maryland.
T h i s program leads to a B a c h e l o r of S c i e n c e Degree.
The I n s t i t u t e
of A p p l i e d A g r i c u l t u r e o f f e r s a two year t e c h n i c a l degree and in depth t r a i n i n g
in T u r f g r a s s Management preparing students to become Golf Course S u p e r i n t e n d e n t s .
Every s p r i n g the U n i v e r s i t y C o l l e g e D i v i s i o n of the U n i v e r s i t y o f Maryland o f f e r s
an advanced course in t u r f g r a s s management, Agronomy 405, during the evening as
a p a r t of t h e i r c o n t i n u i n g education program.

The C o o p e r a t i v e E x t e n s i o n S e r v i c e i s designed to s e r v e the s u p e r i n t e n d e n t ' s
e d u c a t i o n a l needs.
I t o r g a n i z e s F i e l d Days, e d u c a t i o n a l conferences and S h o r t
Courses to keep you aware of changes in t u r f g r a s s management. There a r e s e v e r a l
e d u c a t i o n a l pamphlets and p u b l i c a t i o n s a v a i l a b l e which a r e designed to communicate
knowledge to the Golf Course S u p e r i n t e n d e n t .
The E x t e n s i o n S e r v i c e continues to
be a v a i l a b l e to p r o v i d e i n p u t , when asked, t h a t i s h e l p f u l in keeping A s s o c i a t i o n s
v i a b l e and a c t i v e .
A s s o c i a t i o n s a r e e s s e n t i a l to the e d u c a t i o n a l process because
they provide an important means o f t r a n s m i t t i n g and accumulating knowledge.
The p r o g r e s s i v e superintendent remains a g g r e s s i v e in c o n s t a n t l y pursuing
research information as i t becomes a v a i l a b l e .
E x t e n s i v e research programs a r e
underway a t s e v e r a l o f the U n i v e r s i t i e s in the N o r t h e a s t .
These programs c o n t i n u o u s l y
p r o v i d e v i t a l information
to superintendents about new v a r i e t i e s , f e r t i l i z e r s ,
p e s t i c i d e s and management techniques.
I t i s the j o b o f the p r o g r e s s i v e superintendent to make Research and Extension
work f o r him. T h i s means d e s i g n i n g e d u c a t i o n a l programs which are r e l e v a n t and
valuable.
I t means communicating your i n d i v i d u a l needs through your a s s o c i a t i o n
to U n i v e r s i t y p e r s o n n e l , l e g i s l a t o r s and a d m i n i s t r a t o r s .
I t i s your mind t h a t i s at
stake.
Strong research and e d u c a t i o n a l programs can make o r break your f u t u r e .
I t i s e s s e n t i a l t h a t p r o g r e s s i v e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t s work f o r t h e i r a s s o c i a t i o n
and keep i t a c t i v e and v i a b l e .
I t i s e s s e n t i a l t h a t the A s s o c i a t i o n s work f o r t h e i r
membership and p r o v i d e meaningful e d u c a t i o n a l programs.
Continuing education i s your
1 i f e blood.
Reference
1.

Importance to Maryland Economy,
H a l l , John R. 1972. T u r f g r a s s Maintenance:
The Agronomist, U n i v e r s i t y of Maryland, V o l . 9 No. 12.