Update November, 1992 Vol. 21, No. 13 ^gers • CCSAA AFFILIATE The newsletter from the Northern Michigan Turf Managers Association ALERT! Do Not New NMTMA Board of Directors Meet Pay Michcomp and Set 1993 Goals A fraudulent group of people calling themselves The NMTMA Board of Directors for 1993 consists of: Officers - Jeff Holmes, President; MICHCOMP is soliciting Mike Morris, Vice President; Tom Reed, Executive Secretary; Class A Directors - Kathy $50.00 from anyone who Antaya, Jeff Dorrell, Brian Holmes, David Little, Dave Pretznow, Jon Maddern, and Mike may have an underground Meindertsma; Class G Directors - Tom Heid and Kim Olson. storage tank. Do not pay The Board met for their first meeting on November 4th at the Grayling Holiday Inn. The these people anything. Board welcomed the newly elected directors: Jeff Dorrell of Cadillac Country Club, Dave All official UST corre­ Pretznow of McGuire's Resort, and Kim Olson of Turfgrass Incorporated. spondence will be mailed The business of the day focused on committee selection and goal setting for the 1993 on State of Michigan letter­ season. Some of the goals include better coordination of summer golf outings and head. educational sessions, expanding our early season educational meetings, expanding the For your safety, check ref­ duties of the membership committee, continuing our long range planning for fund raisers erences on all consulting and the Christmas Party, and continuing to build upon our mechanic's group. companies. If you have any ideas you would like to share, please contact any director. Also, if you are interested in participating on a committee, please contact a director. The Board encourages member involvement as a means of better serving the NMTMA. GCSAA offers time manage­ Applicator Recertification ment course by David Little, CGCS Not enough hours in the EDITOR'S NOTE: I am reprinting this article from our July '92 Quarterly for your informa­ day to do everything you tion. We all have to recertify, and it's time to seriously start thinking about how to do it. Fol­ need to do, plus everything lowing the article is a list of the meetings and dates you may have attended, and which may you want to do? A new cor­ have offered recertification credits. respondence course offered by the Golf Course Superin­ tendent's Association of This article was written intending to tell our membership how nice it will be not America (GCSAA) was de­ having to retest for our M.D.A. Pesticide Applicators License this year. This is what signed especially to help I was planning on doing myself this year, after patiently waiting in the sign-up lines overcome this "time-less" at the MTF/MSU Conference, Rossi Seminars and other functions sponsored by the problem. NMTMA and other organizations. The "Time Management" I called the MDA to get some background information and also to get a running correspondence course was total on my point accumulation to know if I needed more credits and in what areas written by one of the (Turf/Ornamentals/etc.). GCSAA's most popular sem­ What I was told by the MDA was that they had no idea of my credit accumulation inar instructors, Bree Hayes, and that it was my responsibility to keep track of the date, seminar name, location Ph.D., president of the and the number of credit points assigned to each event. Hayes Group. She says the After giving the date, name, and location, MDA told me they could not find these course was designed to be functions listed on their official log. We decided it would be best to send me a copy comprehensive, practical, of the log, so I would be able to tally my credits earned myself. and challenging - "a real After receiving my information packet from MDA, I did find some of the seminars I journey of self-exploration." had attended, but not even half were listed. I also found that the points received for (Continued on back page) (Continued on next page) "Represent your organization with class. Nice sport clothes are required for all golf outings no blue jeans, t^rmi the like. Sweaters or jackets with ties are recommended for all dinners and meetings. Good golf etiquette, faime, sportsmanship are expected at all golfing events. Applicator Recertification... ffitsfatbutorei, 3Tnt. (Continued from previous page) attending and consuming all this information were less 51000 Grand River Wixom, Michigan 48096 than I receive for attending a similar length seminar (313)349-7779 FAX (313) 349-4670 sponsored by GCSAA. 1 If we are going to be able to recertify by attendance at these functions, the sponsoring group must be responsible Midwest's Largest Stocking Dealer For for putting the number of credit points received at the R&R PRODUCTS place of sign-up so we will be better able to tally our points received. More work needs to be done to make this option easier to obtain. Get started now if you plan on QUALITY REPLACEMENT PARTS recertifying by attendance, otherwise good luck on your TORO JACOBSEN HAHN-WESTPOINT MDA Applicators Tests. All licenses expire on 12-31-92. CUSHMAN RYAN ROSEMAN RANSOMES MOTT NATIONAL 1990 YAZOO FORD EXCEL REEL SHARPENING COMPOUND NMTMA/GAM Meeting March 13 Gaylord NMTMA Mini-Conference April 9 Grayling FLYWIO - POWER PRUNER - AaR-SORROIL EMULSIFIER "Handle with Care" Frank Rossi Seminar Gaylord 1991 CALL US TOLL FREE 800-888-7779 Lansing MTF Conference Jan 21-23 NMTMA Seminar March 4 Grayling YOUR ONE STOP SHOP "Train the Trainer" March 21 Grayling FOR YOUR GOLF COURSE MOWING EQUIPMENT NMTMA Mini-Conference April 8 Grayling REPAIR PARTS AND SUPPLY ITEMS FLAGS • POLES • RAKES • CUPS "Is it Safe?" Seminar May 3 Traverse City _________________________________________________ / MSU Turf Mgt. Dec. 2-6 Hickory Corners ( r A 1992 MTF Conference Jan 20-22 Lansing PROFESSIONAL NMTMA Mini-Conference March 31 Grayling If you have questions about certification call or write: UKUUN Michigan Department of Agriculture Pesticide & Plant Pest Management Division If you’re in the busi­ ness of “keeping grounds” 611 W. Ottawa, 4th floor take a close look at our P.O. Box 30017 new Kubota L Series tractors designed speci­ Lansing, Ml 48909 fically for the landscaping (517) 373-1087 and turf professional. Avail­ able in both two-wheel and four-wheel drive, our new line of rugged and dependable tractors comes with 20.5 to 33 PTO horsepower. Available with a standard transmission or a Glide Shift Transmission, these tractors are loaded with special features. Like direct-injection Kubota diesel engines, wet disc brakes, 8 forward and 8 reverse speeds and Welcome New Members hydrostatic power steering. A wide range of implements are available to give you the diversity and performance your of the NMTMA job demands. So, if you’re looking for a pro­ fessional groundskeeper, take a look at our Kubota L Series. Chet Puroll................................................Shanty Creek James Bluck................................Grand Traverse Resort Kubolo Brian Anderson............................................Wilbur-Ellis GINOP SALES INC. Norman Martin.......................... Fast Play Technology 11274 M-68 9040 E. M-72 Clifford Lacy............................ Twin Oaks Golf Course Alanson, Ml 49706 Williamsburg, Ml 49690 (616) 548-2272 (616) 267-5400 John Farrell....................................Mobil Oil Company 1-800-344-4667 Golf and Our Community: Setting the Record Straight EDITOR'S NOTE: In response to a recent political The golf course industry also offers our community areas for campaign in the 104th District, the NMTMA published the non-golf recreation such as bird watching, cross country following article in the Traverse City Record Eagle on skiing and running, walking trails and fishing. October 31, 1992. Other benefits the golf course industry provides include. . . Please feel free to use any or all of this material to promote or • providing employment and a positive working defend your profession. These are not empty statements - live environment for high school and college students; up to your profession. • providing scenic landscaping for the community; • providing a playing ground for high school golf teams In her recent campaign advertisements, the candidate for at minimal or no charge. the 104th Congressional District Gerry Green implies that the golf course industry in Northern Michigan could be detrimental to our community and environment. The NMTMA would also like you to know that the Golf The Northern Michigan Turf Managers Association Course Green Superintendent is a responsible environmental (NMTMA) objects to Gerry Green's rhetorical question,. is manager. As individuals we are mostly college educated and another golf course worth what we could stand to lose have a high priority for environmentally safe management environmentally?" The NMTMA also disagrees with her practices. We use mechanical and cultural agronomic statement; "This is one place we can't afford to build another practices, and use fertilizers and chemicals only as needed- a golf course." As a group of individuals dedicated to the art practice commonly called Integrated Pest Management. And and science of managing golf course operations and we are actively involved in continued education through our protecting our environment, the NMTMA asserts that the golf local and national organizations. course industry offers Northern Michigan everything to gain. As a group the NMTMA works closely with state and Please consider the following benefits the golf industry affords federal regulatory agencies, eg., the Environmental Protection our community and environment. Agency, the Michigan Department of Agriculture, the Regarding wetlands specifically, when a golf course is Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Cooperative responsibly developed and constructed. . . Extension Agency, the Department of Labor, and the • new wetlands may be created; Occupational Safety and Health Administration. We have • water entering the wetlands is effectively filtered by the organized a program for the safe and proper disposal of turf covered soils; unusable and outdated agricultural chemicals. We are • managed turfgrass controls erosion and keeps silt from licensed and certified by the state to use pesticides properly. entering wetlands; And we are at the forefront of underground storage tank • a golf course can be an effective buffer between other cleanup, container recycling, and worker safety. forms of development (i.e., roads, building, parking lots) Nationally, the golf course industry is actively doing its part and wetlands. for the environment. The Golf Course Superintendents Golf Courses provide an effective wildlife habitat with . . . Association of America has an accredited certification • nesting, feeding, and mating grounds; program for the continued education of the leaders in this • a safe haven for endangered species (i.e., the Bald industry, as well as funding environmental research projects Eagles at Garland Golf Course in Lewiston, Ml); around the world. The United States Golf Association has • a resting place for migrating waterfowl; committed $3,200,000 for environmental research at major • a complete wildlife food chain from vegetation to colleges and universities focusing on water issues, pest and insects, birds, predators, scavengers, and decomposers; drought tolerant grass species, and the effects of golf course • a safe haven for game animals such as Whitetail Deer. activities on people and wildlife. The United States Golf Other environmental benefits of golf courses include. . . Association has also joined forces with the Audubon Society, • an effective recharge and filtration area for ground and is actively educating golf course superintendents about water supply; developing "natural areas" as part of their Cooperative • the recycling of organic debris; Sanctuary Program. • the recycling of drainage water and effluent water; It is easy to be misled by the scare tactics and emotional • the creation of recreational and educational arboreta; politics of environmentalism. Therefore, we urge you to • the production of oxygen and consumption of carbon consider the preceding facts about golf courses and the golf dioxide; course industry as you decide about their value to our • the filtration of airborne contaminates through rainfall community. We would like political candidates such as Gerry (12 million tons annually on all turfed areas of the U.S.); Green to refrain from erroneous accusations about the golf • the control of runoff and drain water with drainage industry, ultimately hurting an industry which is putting its systems and pond construction. heart and soul into environmental protection and research. The economic benefits of the golf course industry for our And finally, we invite you to talk to your local golf course community include the creation of jobs and revenue through: superintendent about the facts of our business, and to • the employment of many skilled and unskilled laborers; research the proactive scientific work being done by our • the patronage of local businesses, regional companies, national organizations and universities. and local contractors by the golf course; • generating tourism revenues for local businesses; Sincerely, • increasing the tax base for schools and government by increasing the land value and real estate; • attracting professionals and their businesses to our Northern Michigan Turf Managers Association community; 3733 Apollo Drive • providing a place for charity fund raisers and benefits. Traverse City, Ml 49684 New Reference Book Available for Superintendents: Golf Course Management and Construction: Environmental Issues. This book presents a comprehensive summary and assessment of technical and scientific research on the environmental ef­ fects of turfgrass system construction and maintenance. The book is a great introduction to the concepts of nonpoint source environmental impacts of turfgrass management for turfgrass scientists and specialists, and golf course superintendents. Features of the book include: • New, easy-to-read reference with chapters on wildlife, water use and pesticide applications and more, each with an ex­ tensive reference section at the end of the chapter. • Covers the scientific rather than emotional analysis of the environmental effects of golf courses and should prove invalu­ able to those working with golf course development and maintenance. • The first complete book on golf and the environment, it contains over 900 pages of information. When you need valuable, credible information, this book has it. • Golf Courses, architects and turfgrass managers are challenged by providing quality operations while balancing this with limited water supplies, pesticides, wetlands, wildlife, in short the entire environment. Golf Course Management and Con­ struction: Environmental Issues will help to achieve this balance. Call Toll Free 1-800-272-7737 Monday through Friday or (407) 994-0555. OR WRITE LEWIS PUBLISHERS, 2000 Corpo­ rate Blvd., N.W., Boca Raton, Florida 33431. The cost of the book is $65 U.S., $78 Outside U.S. .. .Time Management Course (Continued from front page) During the course, the student will analyze personal time expenditures, assess time "wasters" and "thieves," and learn how to set goals, delegate work, and stop procrastinating. The course also includes "essential" time management tips. GCSAA also has correspondence courses on the topics of media relations, underground storage tank management and haz­ ard communication. GCSAA and its entire curriculum of seminars and correspondence courses are nationally accredited by the Accrediting Council on Continuing Education and Training, which is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. Successful completion of the "Time Management" correspondence course earns 0.7 CEU towards GCSAA certification or renewal. The course costs $50. To order by credit card, contact the GCSAA education department at (913) 832-4444, FAX (913) 832-4433. Mail written orders to GCSAA Education Department, 1421 Research Park Dr., Lawrence, KS 66049-3859. Expert Panel Meets at GCSAA to discuss pesticide exposure study A distinguished committee of industry and university research experts met recently at the headquarters of the GCSAA to discuss possible studies examining the issue of pesticide exposure and its effects. The government, media and public have expressed concerns about the potential for adverse health effects caused by expo­ sure to the pesticides used on golf courses. Because turfgrass pesticides are perceived by some people to be used only for aesthetic purposes, critics suggest that they pose an unacceptable health threat with little benefit to offset the risk. GCSAA held this meeting to discuss the feasibility of sponsoring studies on human exposure to pesticides through its Schol­ arship & Research program. Such studies would be utilized to document worker safety, address public concerns about pesti­ cide exposure, and guide GCSAA education and research programs. GCSAA is completing its summaries of the meeting for presentation to the association's board of directors, who will decide later this fall which studies to undertake. /X.A'1 Northern Michigan Turf Managers Association C/O Tom Reed 3733 Apollo Drive Traverse City, Ml 49684 0EA8D -OLKHON Michael DeVoe Morris Â-27Î P.O. Box 1575 RECYCLED Frankfort Ml 49635 PAPER