New Jersey Golf Course Report Vol. Ill, No. 7 December, 1970 President’s Message It is that time of year when we should sit down and recap the past season, and write down the things we have accomplished, and also the things we should have done to have a better golf course. To recap our Association’s activities, your Board Members were very active this year. We started the Workshop Meetings, which were well received and participated in with great enthus­ iasm. Our monthly meetings have been at­ tended with great interest and Jim Gil­ ligan has come up with some new in­ novations for after dinner programs. We have endorsed the pension plan of Morrissey Associates, and with the cooperation of our membership we plan to have a life insurance policy before the end of this year. Our Field Day has just passed and proved to be one of our finest to date, with Maurice “Skip” Camaron, his staff, and the committee doing an ex­ cellent job. Jack Martin did his usual great job as Program Chairman with the July picnic being attended by the largest number of people. He has planned an excellent Christmas Party at Shacka- maxon C.C. on December 18, 1970, and those who attended last year’s party will verify the fine meal and party we had. A special thanks goes to Charles Tantum who will again be our host Superintendent. I sincerely thank the Board and the Members of the N.J.G.C.S.A. for ex­ tending me the privilege of being Pres­ ident of this fine organization. Sincerely, Alfred Caravella President Ideas and Articles Wanted The best source of original material for our Newsletter is the Golf Course Superintendent or professional turf man, himself. Send any ideas you have. Don’t worry about writing “a perfect article.” If your effort has ac­ curate information and interest, re­ quired changes can be made by the editors. Leo Cleary, newly elected President of the New Jersey Turf Grass Association, pre­ sides at the inaugral meeting. Pesticides — New York Roy Bossolt, Terre Company The Pesticide Dilemma continues to grow in New York State. Gov. Rock­ efeller, on October 2nd, announced a list of restricted use pesticides to be­ come effective in January, 1971. While most of the commonly used pesticides will be permitted for com­ mercial use in New York State, with a license, many can be sold only at re­ duced concentrations. Among those pesticides which are prohibited for use are: D.D.T., BANDANE, and mercury compounds. The pesticide picture in New Jersey is not yet clear. Much behind the scenes handiwork is taking place. A new Department of Environmental Protection is now responsible for the enforcement of the Economic Poison Laws. To grow the kind of turf needed for athletic fields, parks, playgrounds and golf courses, pesticides are a neces­ sity. We all hope sensible pesticide reg­ ulations will be forthcoming for 1971. What is the New Jersey Turfgrass Association? Dr. R. E. Engel Your editorial committee asked me for comments on the newly organized New Jersey Turfgrass Association. This organization arose from a long­ standing belief by some that New Jer­ sey should have a turfgrass association. Many State Turfgrass Associations have been organized to force develop­ ment of an extension, teaching, and research program at the state univer­ sity. Of course, this is not the reason for a New Jersey Association because these programs have been underway for many years. The purpose of the Association is to give the turf indus­ try a common voice to: ( 1 ) the pub­ lic, (2) the State University adminis­ tration, and (3) those assigned to turf work at the university. The values of the association might be summarized as follows: 1. It will be an organization that can speak for all turf. 2. It will provide a mechanism for you as an individual to express your­ self on what happens at the univer­ sity and Agricultural Experiment Station. This can include advice on research, teaching, or extension. 3. It will provide individual associa­ tions, such as the Golf Course Su­ perintendents Association, a chance to collaborate and exchange infor­ mation with other associations such as the Sod Growers, Cemetery Su­ perintendents, Park Superintend­ ents, and Landscape Associations. Yet any of these associations can speak as a group through its rep­ resentation on the Executive Com­ mittee of the Turfgrass Association, or their strength as a block of mem­ bers. 4. A publication will start in January 1971, which should bring technical information on turf to you as well as information on the Association activities and its membership list. 5. Additional activities can be devel­ oped by the Association as it wishes. The Association and the proposed activities raise questions for the indi­ vidual. Some of these are: “How much time will be required?” The Associa­ tion contemplates two general meetings per year; during the three day course, and the turf research field day. Offi­ cers or committee assignments will in­ volve additional time, but those who participate gain the most. It is hoped the publication will be concise and timely rather than something you will not have time to read. “Who will run the Association?” It is hoped that non­ college persons will take full charge. This is the only way those of us at the University can obtain the best expres­ sion from your groups. College per­ sonnel will support the organization enthusiastically with work and voice, but no vote. How effective will the organization be? This depends entirely upon the people who will join and participate. Surely this is an excellent opportunity for you to gain turfgrass information and influence the turf programs of the state for 3, 5, 10, or 25 years hence. You can become a member by send­ ing $10 to Gene Field, Secretary of the New Jersey Turfgrass Association, at the Essex County Park Commission, 115 Clifton Avenue, Newark, New Jersey 07114. Education Committee Report The education program this year was planned to provide the Superin­ tendent with a diversified range of top­ ics. We wanted speakers and events to stimulate our audiences; to get them to think of other areas of the turf management profession. We brought speakers from within our own profes­ sion and most important, men from other fields; a man from a manage­ ment consultant firm, a personnel di­ rector of a large college, a factory rep­ resentative of a large turf equipment manufacturer, and a man who holds a cabinet level position in our state gov­ ernment. We also offered a film, an interesting golf film, highlighting a na­ tional championship, played on a course here in New Jersey. This program is planned to continue in the coming years to encompass all aspects of our jobs, whether it be self­ improvement, labor relations, public relations, or most important, improve­ ment of our turf management. In order to gauge our success, we must hear from the superintendents; we want to know your reactions to the individual speakers and topics. We hope we succeeded in a small way to help each superintendent make his job easier and better for the man, himself. The educational committee this year included James Gilligan, Robert Dobbie, and Joseph Spang. James Gilligan Chairman EDITOR’S NOTE: All irrigation repre­ sentative and suppliers were asked for comments on the state of the industry. At press time the follow­ ing was the only article received. It is hoped there will be more to follow. Automatic Irrigation Robert Wiley, Fertl-Soil Company Why? I’m sure we all agree there is nothing wrong with the principle of quick cou­ pling valves and impact heads as a means of distributing water over the golf course. The draw-back in such a system is the element of time required related to labor at hand. Not enough time with the man hours at our dis­ posal to accomplish the job to be done. Automatic irrigation systems are the answer to this critical problem. The Golf Course Superintendent contemplating the installation of an automatic irrigation system should make use of all available knowledge on the subject. Discuss the subject in depth with those whom he believes to have a broad experience in the tech­ nical and practical application of all the equipment available today. When he thoroughly understands the opera­ tion of the equipment he can proceed then to adapt it to his needs. Most anything that anyone could expect of an irrigation system can be done to­ day. The range of choices the Super­ intendent has is broad and since he is the one who will have to live with it he should be able to make wise de­ cisions. He should decide whether the greens can be properly watered with a single automatic valve controlling all the pop-up heads around the green, or whether it would be better to install two valves and be able to segregate one half of the green from the other, or perhaps he might see value in in­ stalling an automatic valve for each pop-up head around the green so he can time and use each head independ­ ently of the other. Red Wender at Plainfield Country Club, Joe Malikow- ski at Hollywood Golf Club and Karl Ostburg at Upper Montclair Country Club all saw benefits to be derived from the independent control of each pop-up head around the green. Red Wender at Plainfield C.C. can auto­ matically operate one head on each of 19 greens at the same time because he chose to have installed an automatic controller for each green. The fairway pop-up heads in a sin­ gle row are normally mounted on an individual automatic valve and is op­ erated independently of all other fair­ way valves. However, it is possible to tie up to four of these fairway valves together so that they are activated all at one time and will all run for the same length of time controlled by the same station on the automatic con­ troller. When more than one auto­ matic valve is operated by a single station on the automatic controller the system becomes less flexible and may not meet the needs of the grass. If it is desired to convert an exist­ ing quick coupling valve system on a partial basis such as greens first fol­ lowed by tees at a later date and then the fairways at still a later date it is best to have the total system designed and work from the plan. If trenching is required for the wires to service the valves at the greens it no doubt would save a lot of labor in the future if the wire (where feasible) for the tees and fairways is laid in the same trench, labeling same for future reference. Single Row Versus Double Row Systems? This is a question that I find most difficult to answer. If we approach it from the technical point of view I’m sure we will all agree that a double row system will distribute the water more evenly, hence, more efficient use of the water. It is more expensive es­ pecially when converting an old center line system to automatic. The approx­ imate difference in the width of mean coverage over a single row is 15-20 feet (8-10 feet on each side). An im­ portant question arises here and that is how far into the rough do you wish to water. Every foot means more maintenance. The next question that comes up is does a double row pro­ cedure produce better grass? If spend­ ing more money automatically means better grass then the answer should be yes. I have yet to see that this is the case. Let’s not become so technical that we cease to be practical. I be­ lieve that Ted Robert at Canoe Brook Country Club had the practical ap­ proach to fairway irrigation when he combined the two on the South Course, which is nearing completion. Many Superintendents today are taking advantage of the newer tech­ niques of installing pipe and are up­ grading their old systems on their own. When pipe up to 2" can be installed at the speed of a foot per second with readily available inexpensive equip­ ment we can look forward to many more hand watered greens and tees be­ ing surrounded by pop-up sprinkler heads with manually operated valves. The first step to automation and for the Superintendent a giant step for­ ward. FOR SALE: Booster pump; in-line Peerless pump. Will increase pres­ sure 45 p.s.i. Call Karl Ostberg, Up­ per Montclair C.C. Woodlake Country Club Chuck Wilson, Supt. Mark Your Calendar- Make Your Plans Early The new Woodlake Country Club designed by Edward Lawrence Pack­ ard of LaGrange, Illinois is situated in a heavily wooded natural area adjoin­ ing the Ocean County Park in Lake­ wood, N. J. As part of a Leisure Tech­ nology Corp, total recreational com­ munity, the course comprises 150 acres of the 253 acre complex. Clearing started in August of 1969 and earth moving operations contin­ ued throughout the winter in spite of the sub-freezing temperatures. Seven lakes were constructed while consid­ erable swampy areas were drained and filled. Approximately 45,000 cu. yd. of native peat was encountered in depths to 6 feet. It was necessary to excavate this material and transport it to the sandier areas of the project, where it was spread and incorporated into the existing soils. The final shaping of the greens, traps and tees was accomplished by Beech Excavating Co. using a 1150 Case bulldozer with a six way blade. The versatility of this machine and the op­ erator affected the construction with a minimum of time and expense. J. J. Theibault Inc., Lakewood, N. J., a landscape contractor with ex­ tensive experience with our native soils, was awarded the final grading and seeding contract, completing the project in 61 working days. This con­ tract involved placement of 2000 tons of sand in 52 traps. The mixture and placement of 6,500 cu. yds. of amend­ ed soil for putting surfaces, the instal­ lation of 14,000 L.F. of greens drains, as well as the normal liming, fertiliz­ ing and seeding. The putting surfaces are seeded to Penncross bentgrass, with fairways and tees, a mixture of 80% astoria and 20% seaside colonial bentgrasses. The rough areas and steep slopes were seeded with 40% Kentucky Bluegrass, 40% Pennlawn Fescue and 20% Perennial Rye. All seeding was done with Brillion Seeders and putting surfaces, as well as steep slopes were Hydromulched using Wey- erhauser P.F.M. wood cellulose fiber both as an anti-erosion safeguard and for its water retention capabilities. DeMarco Turf Irrigation installed a completely automatic double row Feb- co irrigation system. Water is supplied from the seven inter-connected lakes on the course and distributed by 2 pump houses supplying some 400 sprinkler heads through 12 miles of P.V.C. pipe. The 29 field controllers are grouped in clusters to afford the maximum in convenience. The pump houses are likewise completely auto­ Let’s make this Christmas Party the biggest and best ever. Your Host: Charlie Tantum Place: Shackamaxon C.C. Scotch Plains, N. J. When: Friday, December 18 7 P.M. to 8 P.M. — Cocktails and hor d’oeuvres (Same as last year — The Best) 8 o’clock — Full Course Dinner 8 P.M. to 1 A.M. — Music and Floor Show provided by “Lefty and his Dominos.” (This group has per­ formed on the Ed Sullivan TV Show and are very entertaining.) OPEN BAR TO 1 A.M. Cost: $25.00 per couple (NO EXTRA CHARGES) Your Christmas Party Committee is working hard to make this party one to remember. We would like to ask the coopera­ tion of each and every member by ask­ ing one thing . . . PLEASE COME Your Christmas Party Committee, Jack Martin Bill Gaydosh Al Rathjens, Jr. Bert Jones matic having a combined capability of 1000 G.P.M. The course takes advantage of the natural beauty of the area and utilizes the ponds for 10 water affected holes and 6 dog legs with several combina­ tions. The course should prove to be a challenge to the best golfer while en­ abling all players a game with min­ imum frustrations. The 7000 yd. Par 72 course is presently scheduled for opening in fall 1971. Turf Clippings Les Carpenter has been named Supt. of Braidburn Country Club. “Sgt” John Tuck has moved from Copper Hill C.C. to Jumping Brook C.C. Otis McWorter follows Tuck at Copper Hill. “Wanna” free cigar? Send a self­ addressed envelope to Phil Scott c/o Bamm Hollow C.C. Charlene Lee Scott weighed in at 8 lbs. 2 ozs. “Chuck” Wilson, Supt. Woodlake C.C., Lakewood, N. J. reports his new club completed. The target date for opening is summer ’71. No one has seen much of Ted Roberts lately. He’s been working overtime on top of over­ time to complete the “new” South Course at Canoe Brook. It has been reported from South Jersey that our own “White Fox” Or­ mond sleeps in until 6 A.M. these days. George Burton, Skip Camaron’s predecessor at Mountain Ridge, is liv­ ing proof that retirement never hurt anyone. We saw George at the Field Day and he looks great! Jim Roach is reported to have been fishing off Hatteras, N. C. The Supts. Invitational Meeting at Manasquan River proved to be a tre­ mendous success. Ninety stayed for dinner. Host Joe Flaherty is still up to his old tricks: producing a mag­ nificent golf course year in and year out. Jim McNally, Supt. of Green Brook C.C., and Paul Boizelle, Supt. of Nav­ esink C.C., have been appointed by President Caravella to represent the New Jersey Chapter as Delegates to the National Conference in Denver, February 7-12. It’s good to see Bert Jones back in the swing of things. Our Chatham re­ porter tells us that “Sky” Bergen traded in his crutches for a cane. John Monticalvo has moved from Willingboro C.C. to Wood Crest C.C., Haddenfield, N. J. John follows in the steps of veteran Supt. Vincezo Evan­ gelist, newly retired. Phil Scott in­ forms us that the new nine at Bamm Hollow has been completed. If our addition is correct, Phil now has 27 holes to keep him occupied. New Jersey “Shore and Points South” Supts. plan to resume “Work­ shop” sessions in early December. Last year 18 members of this group met at least once each month during the win­ ter to discuss everything from labor problems to seed production. Con­ ducted along informal lines the meet­ ings reflected every success. Al Foster reports he is “coming along.” Al underwent surgery not too long ago. Flanders Valley (Morris County) C.C. members are singing praises about their veteran Supt. Pat Campbell and the tremendous golf course he’s afforded them each season. Hats off to Skip Camaron and Don Marshall for another superb Field Day. Because of the great effort extended by these two member Supts. our Field Day enjoyed every success. Don’t be fooled for one minute by the ease in which this affair appeared to unfold, untold hours are spent working out details et al. Don’t forget the Christmas Party. Make your plans now to attend the “Greatest Yet.” Host Charlie Tantum tells us our Christmas Party Commit­ tee is working hard to make this N.J.G.S.A. social event one to remem­ ber. Blair Academy’s Bob Atkinson is no longer a hospital patient, and is now convalescing at home. Jim McCor­ mick, Supt. Bea Ley C.C. is reported hunting in Nova Scotia, where he tells us the deer are BIG, and even BIG­ GER! Jim Gilligan will narrate the film “Your Best Effort” at the Mid­ Atlantic Conf, in January. P. Boizelle Bamm Hollow Expands to 27 Holes Phil Scott, Supt. Bamm Hollow Country Club in Lin­ croft has enlarged its golf course to 27 holes with the addition of 9 more holes. The new course, built by Ern Construction of Marlboro, New Jersey, was completed in mid-September with a projected opening in mid-summer of 1971. The course was seeded to Fylk- ing, with Penncross greens and tees. The greens will average 8000 sq. feet CLEARY PRODUCTS FOR BETTER TURF “PMAS” — Crabgrass & disease “CADDY” — Liquid cadmium “SPOTRETE” - 75% Thiuram control fungicide Fungicide “ALL WET”-Wetting agent “THIMER” - Mercury & Thiuram Fungicide “METHAR” & “SUPER METHAR” - Crabgrass Control “CLEARYS MCCP” - Weed control in “TRU-GREEN” - Liquid Chelating bent grass agent “CLEAR-SPRAY” - Anti-dessicant Protective Sticker W. A. CLEARY CORP. New Brunswick, New Jersey and the tees 4000 sq. feet. The new course will measure 3026 yards from the ladies’ markers, 3157 from the men’s markers and 3244 from the championship markers. The additional holes have a completely automatic ir­ rigation system with both Febco and Toro equipment being used. Having an automatic system, this dry fall en­ abled us to get a tremendous germina­ tion. Tentative plans are to operate as three 9 hole courses. A red course, a white course and a blue course. Golf­ ers first playing the red course would then go to the white course; golfers starting on the white course would then go to the blue; and golfers be­ ginning on the blue would go to the red. The existing 18 holes remain the same with the exception of the 18th hole. It has been replaced with a hole of the same length and toughness. All three nines will begin and end at the clubhouse. Dear Mr. Chairman: It is to be admitted that my reports have been rather lacking in recent months, but I do take it rather unkind­ ly that it has been the House Chairman that has called your attention to the gap. I mean really, it has been on his demanding behalf that we have been up to our behinds working in mud for the past six weeks. Sorry, but I won’t take it back. Am I really so lowly re­ garded, or write so stupidly, that the report I wrote on the Club water sys­ tem back in 1965 couldn’t be under­ stood? As you may be able to gather from the files of the former Chairman I said at that time that if the valves on the domestic system were replaced im­ mediately after fifty years of use, our crew might be able to do the job. Why is it that five years later the Board ap­ propriated about two-thirds the neces­ sary amount of money required for the job in the first place, and told us to hire a plumber? Well Sir, we did hire a plumber, and in the first place for a fee he told us we should have done the job at least five years ago, and we’re still doing most ourselves! In the meantime the “Locker Room Group” has been unmerciful in their comments on the situation with the leaves. Is there any way we would take out a subscription to the local paper for every member? Why don’t they understand that every year for the past 72 we have burned all of the leaves on the course each Fall, and that now we can’t burn a single piece of the beautiful crap. And could you have the Club Attorney render an opin­ ion as to why the local Air Pollution Scab tells me to sell the wood from our many Gypsy Moth killed trees (that we can’t spray) as cord wood so that people can burn it in their fireplaces! And then again would you ask him why the Federal Government says I can only sell the cordwood that I was told to get rid of to Members only if they pick it up, or loose the Club’s (quote) tax exemption. In a lighter vein, it is my understand­ ing that after three hard years you will be going off the Board at the end of this year. I really can understand your stand in not giving me the raise we had agreed to earlier in the season, as it would take effect after you are out of office. But could you explain to the Board before you leave that this is the fourth time this has happened to me in the last twelve years, and it’s beginning to leave me a little short. In closing I wish you the best of the future, and interpret your letter’s clos­ ing statement that I have nowhere to go but up to mean the same. Enclosed please find my usual tri-annual bill for $3000 to cover the cost and agrivation of training a new Chairman. Yours truly, Peter Poa New Jersey Golf Course Report Editors: Paul Boizelle Don Marshall Box 194 Montclair, N. J. 07042 201-239-1800 JACOBSEN FOR SALES & SERVICE CALL WILFRED MacDONALD CO. 340 Main Ave. CLIFTON, N. J. 201-471-0244 3800 Park Ave. WEEHAWKEN, N. J. 201-866-1225 JEP SALES INC. 4351 SO. BROAD ST. YARDVILLE, N. J. 609-525-2300