New Jersey Golf Course Report SEPTEMBER 1976 OFFICERS AND BOARD — 1976 GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSN. OF N. J. front row l. to r. Ex. Dir. Henry Indyk; Past Pres. Al Rathjens; V.P. Joe Flaherty; Pres. Paul Boizelle; Sec. Glenn Gallion; Treas. Ed Nickelsen; back row Directors I. to r. Jack Montecalvo; Jim Gilligan; Buckie Carpenter; Bob Dickison; Harry Harsin; Dave McGhee degree of professionalism that belongs to each one of us by learning to stand up and be counted. As your President, I urge each of you to write to your respective state legislator; to your congressman, on all matters pertaining to our future as professionals. Dennis Wagner, Director, District #6, represents our association as Chairman of the Legislative Committee. I encourage you to direct your constructive criticism to Dennis. Rest assured he will represent you well. Dennis has served us untiringly for the past three years; and continues to do a splendid job in our behalf. As I bring this brief message to a close, I would like to take this opportunity to wish each one of my fellow members the highest degree of success for the coming season. But in so doing, I would like to remind you that “success is never a matter of luck, background or magic. And although anyone can wish or promise you success, no one can really give it to you. That’s because success is a very personal decision, and the best anyone can do for you is offer you the opportunity to succeed.” Paul Boizelle President, N.J. G.C.S.A. * Lewis Weiland, now 78 years of age; currently active as President of his own landscaping firm; was at the time of the associations first meeting the Golf Course Superintendent at Springdale Golf Club, Princeton, N. J. where he remained for twenty-eight years. **Look for an article pertaining to “the early days” to appear in a later issue of this paper. President’s Message On September 14, 1926, a small group of men calling themselves “greenkeepers” met at Crestmont Country Club, West Orange, New Jersey. According to Lewis Weiland*, “this is where it all began”. That first meeting was held “under a big tree .... next to the barn.” John Anderson, later to become President of our national association, (1936) was host. Why was the meeting called that day? Simply because two of their number felt there was need for them to get together “to discuss common every day problems that related to the golf course”. And so they invited their fellow greenkeepers** to meet with them at Crestmont. Yes, in 1926, our profession had it’s share of problems. No doubt, many of the problems confronting them “in their time” are still with us today. But one . our fellow thing is certain . . professionals of that by-gone era had no idea what a “bureaucratic jungle” the superintendent of 1976 would be laboring in. Hardly a day passes that we of the “green industry”; the golf course superintendent, in particular . . . aren’t confronted by the dictates of the various regulatory agencies at both state and federal levels. There are several of these groups who appear to be growing stronger with each new day. Here are just a few of them: Environmental Protection Agency, OSHA, Department of Conservation and Economic Development (a division of this agency is better known to us as The Division of Water Policy and Supply), both state and federal Labor Boards, the local and state agencies that regulate the “burning of leaves” etc. With just a little more research, I’m sure we could name other agencies that effect, or have bearing on, our every day operation. Perhaps some good has come out of current day legislation; perhaps not. This, obviously, is a matter of opinion. One fact remains, however . . . there is more to come. And that brings me to the point of this message. What part can we, as superintendents, play in. the legislative future ... a future that no doubt will attempt to impose more in the way of regulatory devises? There is really only one answer to this question.. . and that is ... to begin exercising that 1976 Officers and Directors Golf Course Superintendents Association of New Jersey OFFICERS President..................Paul Boizelle Fiddlers Elbow Country Club Vice President ... Joseph Flaherty Baltusrol Golf Club Secretary ................Glenn Gallion Maplewood Country Club Treasurer........ Edward Nickelsen Montclair Golf Club DIRECTORS Past President ... Alfred Rathjens Raritan Valley Country Club District #1 ............... Michael Leary Montammy Country Club District #2..........Robert Dickison Upper Montclair Golf Club District #3..........Leslie Carpenter Braidburn Country Club District #4............David McGhee Oak Hill Golf Club District #5................ Jim Gilligan The Bedens Brook Club District #6............ Dennis Wagner Trenton Country Club District #7.............. Harry Harsin Twin Brook Golf Center District #8............Jack Montecalve Woodcrest Country Club Board Assignments - 1976 Awards Benevolent By-Laws Christmas Party Editorial Ethics Education Field Day Finance G.C.S.A.A. Coordinating Governmental Relations Logistics Long Range Planning Membership Public Relations Special Assignments Research Ex-Officio to all Committees Joe Flaherty Al Rathjens David McGhee Bob Dickison Joe Flaherty Mike Leary Dennis Wagner Ed Nickelsen Al Rathjens Al Rathjens Jim Gilligan Harry Harsin Bob Dickison Dennis Wagner Chairman Chairman Chairman Chairman Chairman Chairman Chairman Chairman Chairman Chairman Dennis Wagner Chairman David McGhee Glenn Gallion Mike Leary Jack Montecalvo Glenn Gallion Les Carpenter Joe Flaherty Mike Leary Paul Boizelle Chairman Chairman Chairman Chairman Chairman Chairman YOUR AD CAN BE HERE A Critter With Resistance "Ataenius spretulus,” — a name that first became familiar to golf course superintendents in 1973. At that time it was, at least in our area, just one more problem to be thought about among the many others of the tough year of “73”. However, this bug is rapidly becoming an impossible situation. The following is a condensation of an article published in the “Golf Superintendent” of March 1976, by Dr. Harry D. Niemczyk, Professor of Entomology at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster, Ohio. Larvae of A. spretulus feed on turf roots. The first symptoms of injury in Ohio were observed in mid-June, when the turf in fairways wilted despite regular irrigation. Wilted areas were especially visible against the rays of the sun. Under continued stress from summer heat and from larvae, the turf died in irregular patches. In Connecticut, larval populations of 100 to 150 per square foot caused extensive damage. In one case, populations of more than 500 larvae per square foot were found. Observations in Ohio and Connecticut indicate that the insect overwinters as an adult in outlying areas around the golf course. The adult returns to the course in early spring. Exactly when this occurs is not yet known. Most eggs apparently are laid during May and June. Clusters of nine to 10 eggs can be found about one-half inch deep in the soil beneath the turf. Some eggs are laid as early as mid-April. From June to mid-July, when larval populations are high, wilt symptoms are common in heavily infested fairways. The larvae burrow two to three inches deep in the soil to pupate in late July and early August. The adults, which are first reddish and then black, often are numerous under turf killed by the larvae. Black adults also are commonly found around incandescent and fluorescent lights on the golf course. During August the adults lay more eggs, thus giving rise to a second generation of larvae. In 1975, one golf course in Cincinnati, which had first generation larval populations of 200 or more per square foot, sustained further injury to fairways of bentgrass and annual bluegrass from second generation larvae. The population of these larvae averaged 300 per square foot. The second generation larvae burrow down to pupate in October, change into adults and apparently leave the golf course as soon as they can fly. A few larvae can be found as late as November, but it is doubtful that any survive the winter. Observations made in Connecticut by Dunbar tend to corroborate the Ohio observations that show that A. spretulus has two complete generations each year and overwinters in the adult stage. Dieldrin, applied at the rate of three pounds active ingredient per acre to the fairways of one Cincinnati golf course in February 1974, failed to give any degree of control against larvae the following June. This, and other observations,gave rise to the suspicion that A. spretulus might be resistant to the chlorinated cyclodiene insecticides aldrin, dieldrin, chlordane and heptachlor. The results of tests confirmed the suspicion that the insect was resistant to the cyclodiene insecticides. They should not be applied for control of A. spretulus until the possibility of resistance is eliminated. The effectiveness of three organophosphate insecticides, which are now labeled for control of other species of grub, was tested against second generation A. spretulus grubs in August 1974 and first generation grubs in June 1975. The insecticides were applied when the larvae were actively feeding on the turfgrass roots. All treatments were watered in immediately after application. The results showed that none of the insecticides were very effective. The best control, 76 per cent, was achieved with a two per cent granular formulation of diazinon. Liquid applications of diazinon gave poor control when used to treat small test plots as well as entire fairways. Control with trichlorfon (Dylox) was fair in the plot tests. Application to fairways gave variable results. The best control was achieved by first irrigating the fairways, then by applying the insecticide and finally by irrigating again with one-half inch of water before the spray dried. Chlorpyrifos (Dursban) gave little or no control in the plot tests. It was not used on fairways. Research, conducted at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center during the past five years, has shown repeatedly that thatch interferes with the penetration of diazinon and chlorpyrifos. Laboratory findings confirmed that both insecticides were readily bound to the thatch and, therefore, did not reach the grubs under it. Dense thatch layers, one- fourth to one-half inch in depth, are sufficient to hold back the insecticide. Diazinon and chlorpyrifos are effective for grub control when they are applied to turf with little or no thatch. Recent research at the center also has shown that the addition of nonionic wetting agents to the spray tank markedly improved the effectiveness of diazinon and chlorpyrifos in controlling grubs under thatch. Importance of Water pH Trichlorfon is not readily bound on thatch and, therefore, is somewhat more effective against A. spretulus grubs than are chlorpyrifos and diazinon. However, variable results can and have been obtained. Trichlorfon is susceptible to chemical breakdown when sprays are prepared with water that has a pH value much above 7.0. The time required for a 50 per cent breakdown is 63 minutes at pH 8. This means that if the water has a pH value of 8, the spray should be applied immediately to avoid breakdown of the active ingredient. Status of Control Currently, no insecticide is specifically labeled or approved for use against A. spretulus. The present label covering trichlorfon (Dylox and Proxol) could be interpreted as including this insect because the insecticide is labeled for use against white grubs. A. spretulus is a white grub. Research data are needed on the effectiveness and safety of insecticides before they can be labeled for legal use against A. spretulus. One or two new insecticides recently tested look promising. Programs to evaluate these and other insecticides and other approaches to control are planned for 1976 in Ohio. EDITORIAL One of the principle problems facing all organizations is that of communications. Pertinent information must be passed on to the membership and a channel open for membership needs to the organization. It is in that vein that this newsletter is being published. The information coming from the Association will be geared to the problems facing golf course superintendents in New Jersey. Our problems are many and varied. Along with other segments of the economy, we are facing a period of intrenchment; struggling to hang on to the facilities we now have, with the tax man and inflation tearing the doors down; fighting legislators who take away the tools of our profession, while seeking their co-operation in maintaining the open spaces so necessary for our endeavors; cultural problems that have a way of compounding themselves as soon as new methods of correction are devised, removed, banned or a resistance to them developed; labor management in a society with a degenerating work ethic; decision making in an atmosphere of confusion; etc. The challenges and demands upon our skills will continue to increase. Without a forum necessary to provide the vehicles for the exchange of information and ideas, we may become lost in our societies ponderous advancement. The Golf Course Superintendents Association of New Jersey is one forum. This newsletter is but one vehicle. As with all newsletters, if the information and material does not remain pertinent and timely, its usefullness and justification for existance becomes questionable. Because its purpose is to serve the Association’s membership, information will be published based on what the membership needs appear to be. This appearance can be illusionary or factual. The factual needs can be derived only by the direct response of the membership. Let your problems be known. Write or call the district directors or the committee chairman. If you have come up with a solution to some problem, take the time to jot down its description and send it to the editors. Its publication could be of great benefit to the membership. SUPER - in - tendent Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a mocolotive, able to leap tall sand traps in a single bound: Look! up on the green; it’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s SUPER - in - tendent! This spring, disguised as a normal person, this strange visitor from another planet came to our course with power and ability far beyond those of mortal superintendents. Mr. Chairman, the above parody may seem extreme to you; but the combination of complaints from the locker room and the weather conditions this spring have made this comparison necessary. The construction of the phone booth adjacent to the maintenance building is proceeding as planned. The cape and the kryptonite are back-ordered through one of our distributors. We have attempted this spring to make the grass grow when it didn’t want to, make the crew work when they didn’t want to and make you listen to me when you didn’t want to. With tongue-in-cheek, perhaps I should apologize to the lady golfer who asked me, what was good for dandelions and I told her oil and vinegar as a salad. My only excuse is that in four years this woman didn’t know I existed until she needed some free information. As for the environmentalist who asked what we were spraying on the greens.. . I didn’t realize the “live cancer cell” answer would cause such a stir in the locker room. We will refrain from such answers in the future. From now on we will herd the woodchucks off the course before play begins. It is cruel to run them over with trucksters and we do understand why the requisition for a shotgun was turned down. You have asked about our equipment and labor situation. In brief, we have hidden the equipment which you authorized me to purchase but which the Board has now reneged on. We have assembled a cast of characters which, if we are lucky, will not rape, rob or ravage the golfers. We hope that the membership will do the same. It will take some time before the crew knows the layout of the course but in the meantime the shopping center, water tower, gas station and garbage dump will serve as a means of direction. The hard hats, which we all are required to wear, have been a life saver so far. Only three crew members have been hit in the backside. One other item before closing this months report. I would appreciate it if the Tennis Site Committee would inform me when they change the location of the courts. We will try to hide the trees we cut down at the original site and now take care of the new one. The environmental impact study for the new site will be ready in two months. Yours for better turf, Clark Kent Editor’s Note - Next: The Dynamic Duo Meet Wonder Woman Letters The July 1, 1976 edition of the “Star- Ledger” published the following letter. Dear Editor: Sid Dorfman is to be congratulated for his recent fine article in The Star- Ledger. As a golf course superintendent, it is absolutely appalling to me to read the ridiculous comments by some of the so called professional golfers about the conditions at the Atlanta Athletic Club. Prima donnas might be a better name for them. As Ron Funseth put it, “The guys who play good never complain. Only the guys with bad scores measure the size of the grass.” It is most unfortunate that the average layman has no idea of what goes into the production and maintenance of a fine golf course, especially for a major tournament such as the Open that has taken years of preparation. We superintendents are expected to produce these fine conditions everyday for our members, who incidentally pay for it, not just professional golf tournaments. Many hours, days and years are expended into producing a quality golf course. Reputations that take years of hard work to build are ruined in a second by the terse comment of a temperamental golf pro. These complainers fail to realize that without the golf courses and the men who take care of them, they (the pros) are out of business. There is much more to being a pro than just hitting golf balls. Perhaps the P.G.A. should introduce, along with its other curriculum, a course in “Deportment of a Pro” in the P.G.A. school. It’s too bad that an organization such as the P.G.A. that is in the public eye so often should be tarnished by such narrow-minded individuals. Jack Martin, Superintendent, Shackamaxon Golf & Country Club, Westfield Editors Note Richard Tufts, long a member of the U.S.G.A.’s Rules Committee, stresses what he calls the “two great principles“ of the rules of golf; first, play the course as you find it. Second, put the ball in play at the start of the hole, play only your own ball and do not touch it until you lift it from the hole. “Play the course as you find it, “could also be the basic principle of a course in deportment. Clippings In the recent past, several men have assumed new positions. Among these are: Bob Ribbans, former Asst. Supt. at Fiddler’s Elbow, has assumed the responsibilities as Superintendent at Roxiticus; Gregg Hutch, former Asst. Supt. at Montclair G. C. has taken the position of Superintendent at Fairmount C. C. formerly held by Bill Gaydush who has moved further north to Edgewood C. C. Tom Schultz moved up to Superintendent at Forsgate C. C. to host a major L.P.G.A. tournament this June. Congratulations Tom, the course was in great shape. Those in attendance at Fairmount C. C. for the state P.G.A. will have to agree that Gregg Hutch did a fine job preparing the course. Congratulations are in order for John Schoellner, Paul Boizelle and David McGhee. Each has recently been awarded the hard earned title of Certified Golf Course Superintendent from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. Bob Dwyer, of Storr Tractor, recently became the father of a baby boy and Charlie Dey, of Springdale G. C., became the father of a girl. Happiness is a two o’clock feeding followed by a two o’clock syringing. The U.S.G.A. Green Section has some staff changes. Al Radko (we trust his recent surgery will have him stronger than ever) has been appointed National Director of the Green Section. Stanley Zontek has taken over the duties as Director of the Northeastern Region. Two new agronomists have been added to this staff. Bill Brewer and Jim Snow, both out of Cornell University, via experience on golf courses to the U.S.G.A. Their combined “national” experience will certainly make some of our decisions a bit easier. YOUR AD CAN BE HERE