President's Message... NMTMA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Happy 1994 to everyone! I am looking forward to an exciting, educational and fun year for the NMTMA. Before President commenting on 1994, let me touch on 1993 for a moment. Michael Meindertsma 1993. It was a great year for your association. I hope that Vice-President you all got as much from our offerings as possible. We had Brian Holmes many educational opportunities, were able to experience many excellent golf courses at our summer meetings and Executive Secretary Thomas J. Reed fundraisers, and had many chances to share ideas and develop 3733 Apollo Dr. a strong camaraderie among our group. Traverse City, Ml 49684 President Our successes in 1993 would not have been possible with- Phone 616-943-8343 Michael Meindertsma out excellent leadership. We all owe a big thanks to Jeff Holmes for his enthusiasm, vision and time spent to better our organization. Jeff's three- year term was filled with accomplishments that we can all be proud of. We must now Directors continue on our mission that Jeff has guided us on for the past three years. Thank you, Jeff. Jeff Dorrell Dave Foucher 1994 will be filled with opportunity for all involved with the NMTMA. The Michigan Tom Heid Turf Foundation Conference is just around the corner. The GCSAA Annual Conference Kimberly Olson and Show will be held in Dallas in February. Also in February, the NMTMA & GCSAA are David Little, CGCS presenting a two day regional seminar on Protection of Water Resources to be held in Jon Maddern, CGCS Pat Mertz Gaylord. March and April offer our David Pretznow Golf Association of Michigan and Mark Wildeman Michigan State University Mini- Conference educational meetings. Page Before we know it, we will be at­ Past Presidents Ed Karcheski NMTMA Will Subsidize Attendance................2 tending our summer golf and educa­ C.E. "Tuck" Tate, CGCS tional meetings and our annual As­ David Longfield, CGCS Mechanic's Corner.............................................3 sociation fund raisers. All Jonathon Scott, CGCS educational meetings promise to of­ Tom Brogger Building a Pond.................................................. 4 Jeffrey Holmes, CGCS fer diverse topics and opportunities NMTMA Member News.................................... 5 to exchange ideas and experiences The Religion of Golf...........................................6 during the season that will soon be MTF Liaison OSU Golf Course Maint. Short Course..............6 upon us. Jon Maddern Hopefully, you can, and will, take DowElanco Awards Safety Items....................... 7 advantage of these opportunities. Deadline Extended for Golf These events are easily the most val­ CCSAA Liaison Course Maint. Book............................................7 uable educational opportunities at Jon Maddern our disposal. Handbook of Integrated Pest Management Released........................................7 I want to personally invite you, and encourage your participation, Newsletter Editor GCSAA News Releases.....................................8-9 not only in our meetings and confer­ Michael Morris P.O. Box 1575 PLCAA Introduces New Cert. Program.............. 9 ences, but also to offer your input Frankfort, Ml 49635 and assistance in guiding the associ­ GCSAA Correspondence Courses Offered.... 10 ation. Don't hesitate to give your Turf Beds Down for Long Winter's Nap...........11 opinions and ideas to your board Pesticide News Briefs........................................12 members. The strength of our group lies in our diversity and progressive RECYCLED PAPER On Service.........................................................15 attitude. Calendar of Events............................................. 16 t Finally, a simple wish that 1994 brings you health and happiness. Classified Advertising .......................................16 Good luck in all you do. \__________ ______________________ / NMTMA Will Subsidize Member Attendance at February Meeting By David Little, CGCS NMTMA will be sponsoring its first GCSAA Regional Scott Harrison, both from Pennsylvania State University, Seminar - Protection of Water Resources - Basic Hydrology cover fundamental principles of hydrology of both surface for turf managers, on February 23 & 24 at Treetops Sylvan and groundwater interactions of water - petroleum - Resort near Gaylord. agricultural chemicals. Also discussed will be contamination Registration fees, which include luncheons on both days and degradation pathways. Completion of the course and and take-home reference materials, will be $200.00 for passing of the test will earn a certificate and 1.4 CEUs GCSAA members and $230.00 for non-members. NMTMA toward recertification. members that are not associated with GCSAA are Seminar registration can be made by contacting GCSAA encouraged to attend this timely seminar. Our organization Regional Seminars at (913) 832-4444. is willing to reimburse our non-GCSAA members $30.00 at Overnight lodging is the individual's responsibility. the time of registration at Sylvan Resort on February 23, Treetops Sylvan Resort will be holding 15 rooms at $59.00 1994. You must be registered in advance with GCSAA to per night, single or double occupancy. Evening skiing will attend. also be offered at a reduced rate. Reservations can be made Seminar topics, instructed by Dr. Richard Parizek and by calling 1 (800) 444-6711. r-——————————————————-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- . Change of Address, Membership Application info available Any member with a change of address should immediately contact Thomas J. Reed 3733 Apollo Drive Traverse City, Ml 49684. He should also be contacted if any person would like to apply for membership in NMTMA. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- / Yamahaulalotastuff. The only utility vehicle tough enough to carry the Yamaha name. If you’re looking for a utility vehicle you can truly utilize, look to us. The convertible bed gives you the flexibility you want, while the heavy duty construction and the O.H.V. four-stroke engine give you the dependability you need. Give us a call for more information. We’ll get you better acquainted with the utility vehicle whose name says it all. Boylan Sales, Inc. Burlington Golf Car Distributors P.O. Box 358 149 N. Perry Street Plainwell, MI 49080 Pontiac, MI 48058 (616) 685-6828 (313) 338-0425 2 Wien It Comes to Twf Management... By Brian Holmes, Superintendent, Lost Lake Woods Club Spraying the bottom of cutting decks with liquid wax, Nobody Knows such as car washes use, helps make the deck easier to keep clean and easier to clean off when maintenance is Like Your needed. Wilbur-Ellis Pro --------------------------------------- \ Letters to the Editor You can communicate directly with the Northern Michigan Turf Managers Association and your fellow members by writing to: Turf Times Your one-stop shop for all turf management needs. Ask about our c/o Mike Morris complete line of chemicals, fertilizers and seed. P.O. Box 1575 Frankfort, Ml 49635 Wilbur-Ellis. . .dedicated to quality, customer service and environmental stewardship. Share your thoughts and feelings about our organization or the industry in general. Brian Anderson 1 (800) 873-5599 I It AS II (III I _______________________________________________ / • FLORIDA • GEORGIA • ILLINOIS • INDIANA • KENTUCKY • MICHIGAN • WISCONSIN I FLORIDA • GEORGIA • ILLINOIS • INDIANA • KENTUCKY • MICHIGAN Their Approach Our Approach To Boosting Potash. To Boosting Potash. to AOLF’S IRRIGANO £ < How CRA Helps Superintendents: o X IgiiSomplete stock of irrigation supplies o |;iiWater conservation analysis & troubleshooting o Assistance in pumping improvement => and pumping cost efficiency LU iÖrainage solutions < Improved disease tolerance. Enhanced drought z jfountains • Aerators • Pump Management < resistance. And a complete, balanced feeding. In a homoge­ Q neous mixture to ensure uniform nutrient distribution. Ifnprovements of energy-usage cost Country Club 8-4-24 simply outdistances the competition. Technical Assistance CO o Country Club [Century TidJ < 8-4-24 o cr FREE CATALOG! o LU 1-800-347-4272 • WISCONSIN Ü Distributed By Product Sales Manager Southfield, Ml 46034 < Ann Arbor, Ml 46 104 Grand fiapfds, Ml 49512 Madison Heights, Ml 46071 Tri-Turf Randy Rogers Q 2461S. Industriai Hwy. 4620 40th St., S.E 31691 Dequlndre 22159 telegraph Traverse City, MI cr (313)666-1020 (616) 954-0660 (313)566-2990 (313) 356-2994 Michigan o —I Fax (313) 666-7143 Fax (616) 954-0664 Fax (313) 566-3526 Fax (313) 356-1022 (616) 943-8343 (313)673-7146 Li- • FLORIDA • GEORGIA • ILLINOIS • INDIANA • KENTUCKY • MICHIGAN • WISCONSIN • 3 By Brian Holmes, Lost Lake Woods Club What are we going to do with that large wet area in the would be needed. With 16 plus feet of solid clay the need fairway? for a liner was eliminated. It took 32 hours to dig the pond, Every spring and fall, and after heavy rains, this area holds using a club-owned back-hoe and two five-yard dump water for weeks. When golf carts travel through it the turf is trucks. The last ten yards of material from the pond was damaged - sometimes beyond repair. Mowing also damages used to build up the low end of the pond. the turf. So what ARE we going to do with it? Let's dig a The pond was then filled, using the irrigation system, to pond! the desired level. A weir was installed at the overflow ditch This is what we decided to do with our #8 fairway at Lost to maintain the water level, and the banks were sodded to Lake Woods. The area was a depression at the bottom of a the water level. small hill about 80‘ X 120'. First, Miss Dig was called so any The finishing touch to the pond was a "fountain". This utilities could be located and marked. Next, the general consisted of a 1 1/2 inch PVC line off the irrigation system shape of the pond was marked out and a transit was used to into the middle of the pond, with a cap drilled out to form a determine how level the area was for the pond, and where trumpet pattern. A gate valve was installed on the line to the water level of the finished pond would be. The water control the pattern and also to turn off the fountain. level needed to be determined so a ditch for overflow could The pond was built with all in-house labor and materials. be planned. It was determined that the bank at one end of Final cost of the project was $435.00 - mostly for fuel and a the pond would need to be built up by two feet to attain the few fittings for the fountain. desired water level. The pond has solved a maintenance problem, and adds The usable sod from this pond area was then stripped off aesthetically to the golf course. and saved. The sod was later used to resod the banks to the The things that made this project worthwhile were all the water level when the pond was finished. positive comments made regarding the new pond. This has The digging started with a test hole to determine if the encouraged us to attempt other similar projects in the not material under the topsoil would hold water or if a liner too distant future. ROADBUILDINGPLUS Air conditioner. CONSTRUCTION SERVICES: CLEARING, GRADING, SHAPING, BUNKERS, CART PATHS CREATING SPECIALTY SANDS: I TOP DRESSING & BUNKER SAND Golf Course Construction Since 1977 id you know a golf course actually improves the Request for References Encouraged D atmosphere? It’s an invaluable green belt that acts as a “heat sink*’ to moderate surrounding air tempera­ tures and it releases pure oxygen into the air in exchange for carbon dioxide. ROADBUILDINGPLUS Asphalt Paving • Concrete Who’s in charge of keeping these amazing ecosys­ Paving • Excavation • Airports • Golf Courses • Site Devel­ tems in harmony with nature? Today’s golf course super' opment • Tennis Courts • Sand & Gravels • Underground intendents. They’re part troubleshooter, part business Utilities • Plus, Plus, manager, part scientist and all environmentalist— dedb cated to making our world a greener place. H&D INC., 2081 W. CHARLEVOIX AVE., PETOSKEY, Ml 49770 (616) 347-2547 WE KEEP GOLF GREEN. 4 NMTMA~ Bed? Swl Few Member News, (517) 864-3549 New Directors Take Office Mike Meindertsma......................................................President Brian Holmes.....................................................Vice President Tom Reed...................................................Executive Secretary • Quality Sod • Shade Mix New Directors are Mark Wildeman, Pat Mertz, and Dave Foucher (replacing Kathy Antaya). • Bluegrass Blend • Northern Mix Thanks to Jeffrey Holmes, Michael Morris and Kathy An­ taya for their dedication in past years. • GOLF GREENS MIX '93 NMTMA Chapter Golf Champs Tom Brogger............................................................ Low Gross • SHADE TREES Howard Altman........................................................... Low Net • BULK HORTICULTURAL PEAT MOSS Blazer Crest/Medallions Offered Wear the NMTMA logo proudly on your sport coat with a new stitched pocket medallion. Cost is $20.00. Contact Tom Reed for more information: (616) 943-6343. NMTMA to host GCSAA Seminar Tee Time® Mark your calendars for February 23-24 as the NMTMA Quality Turf Care Products and GCSAA present "Protection of Water Resources" in Gay­ lord. See enclosed article for more information. • Greens Grade Fertilizers with Nutralene 93-94 NMTMA Scholarship Winner • Fairway Fertilizers Fertilizer with with Nutralene Congratulations to Scott Pulaski and Best Wishes from the NUTRALENE* NMTMA. the professional's • Quality Sulfur Coated partner Area Fertilizers TheCC«* • Combination Products Anderst New Newsletter Format in '94 • Granular Insecticides In an effort to better serve the membership we will be sending our newsletter bi-monthly in a ten to twelve page • Granular Fungicides format. Meeting announcements will be mailed on post­ cards. Let us know how this works for you! Distributed by : TURFGRASS, INC. Call Toll Free: Golf & Meeting Locations Needed P.O. Box T 28064 Pontiac Trail 1-800-521-8873 or (313) 437-1427 Please contact Brian Holmes if you are interested in host­ S. Lyons, Ml 48178 (Call Collect) ing an outing in May, July or September of 1994 or any time J in 1995. 5 The Religion of Golf By Larry Gilhuly It is my imagination or has there been a movement out it! If your ball is buried in a bunker - hit it and continue there by a select number of golfers who actually believe the on your way! If your ball does not roll far enough on GAME of golf is more than just a game? These fanatics who the first green - adjust your putting stroke for the rest of insist that under all circumstances putting greens should be the round! maintained at or above ten feet, that fairways should be There are far to many golf course superintendents maintained both firm and uniformly green, that bunkers whose livelihoods are being threatened by those that should be maintained such that bad lies are never a look at golf as a religion rather than a game. For those possibility, and that tees should be maintained perfectly flat of you that have still not gotten the message, allow your and mowed to a height that only a military barber can superintendent to do the following: appreciate! Maintain greens at a moderate speed that puts the turf At the same time, they want roughs at 2" or higher and the first and the speed second. Most golfers truly prefer golf course set up for championship competition. Oddly smoothness over speed with an B'G" - 9' Stimpmeter enough, these same fanatics seem to have forgotten that reading being entirely acceptable for normal play. most golfers have handicaps of 16 and above. Maintain conditions in the fairways such that large Guess who's caught in the middle of this? You guessed it, areas of turf are not lost due to deficit irrigation. the golf course superintendent. Regardless of the physical Remember, the superintendent's main function is to state of the irrigation system, topography, weather keep players from messing up their own golf course! conditions, turfgrass species, amount of play, size of greens, Let us realize that golf course superintendents have soil type and countless other circumstances, they are an entire staff and family that rely on their expected by this vocal minority to perform miracles in turf decision-making skills. While golf should be a game to care. golfers, it is a livelihood to the superintendent. We To this minority of vocal players, I wish you would should all try to remember this fact the next time we remember one thing. That is, golf is a game that is supposed explode after missing a four footer and immediately to be fun! Sure, it is exasperating and difficult, but it is not a blame everyone but ourselves! It truly does put the matter of life or death. If your ball lands in a wet spot - play GAME of golf in its proper perspective. Hallelujah! The Ohio State JACOBSEN University Golf TEXTRON Jacobsen Division of Textron. Inc Course Maintenance Short Course The eighth annual OSU Golf Course Maintenance Short Course will be conducted January 17-21 at the Holiday Inn on the Lane in Columbus, Ohio. This short course will provide current and valuable information on golf course turfgrass maintenance. Emphasis will be placed on principles of soils and fertility, weed control, entomology, plant pathology, and golf course design for tournaments. The short course is designed for all golf course personnel including golf course employees, foremen, and superintendents seeking a more formalized training in turfgrass maintenance. Attendees will qualify for recertification credits from the Ohio Department of Agriculture for Licensed Pesticide Applicators. Certified Golf Course Superintendents will qualify for continuing education units from the GCSAA. Grandville n ■lllliiiiilllll Kalkasko The registration fee is $350. The deadline to register is when 60 applications have been received. Lodging facilities are available at the Holiday Inn on the Lane, or other local hotels. VALLEY TURF INCORPORATED For more information, please contact Barbara Bloetscher at (614) 292-7457 for short course content, or the Tel (616)532-2885 Fax (616) 532-5553 Department of Conferences and Institutions at (614) 292-4230 for course registration. 6 BaySide Printing, Inc. Support the N.M.T.M.A. And get your printing done too! Any N.M.T.M.A. Member or Advertiser who has work done at BaySide Printing, Inc. will have 10% of their total bill donated to the N.M.T.M.A. Offset Printing/Duplicating Computer Typesetting / Graphic Design 1000 DPI Laser Printing with 135 Typefaces Masterpiece Studios Announcements High Speed Copying Desktop Publishing and Composition Editing and Copyediting Advertising Layouts .. .and much more Specialty Advertising Products Ice Scrapers • Key Chains of every Shape and Size Coffee Mugs • Pins & Buttons Desk Calendars • Watches Desk Clocks • Wine Glasses Pens & Pencils • Embroidered Patches Ribbons & Plaques • T-Shirts & Caps Golf Related Items (Call for details) • Flags and Banners . . . and countless other specialty and novelty items! 400 Main Street • Frankfort, MI 49635-1124 • Phone/Fax (616) 352-4440 DowElanco Awards Deadline extended for Golf Safety Items Course Maintenance Book DowElanco Specialty Products awarded nine turf and or­ Superintendents' Handbook for Golf Course namental professionals with safety items from the compa­ Maintenance & Construction, which will consist of a ny's Responsibility Comes First product stewardship pro­ "cookbook" format with the chapter topics including putting gram. Recipients were chosen from a random drawing greens, fairways, roughs, wildlife management, equipment, during the Green Industry Expo in Baltimore, Nov.15-18. IPM, etc., has extended its deadline for submission of entries Winners of an Emergency Eyewash Station were: Doyle to April 10, 1994. The entries sent in will then be used to Watson, Belle Mead Country Club, Nashville, TN; Mark develop the chapters on maintenance and construction Spence, Lawn-Tech, Ltd., Tinley Park, IL; Ed McGuire, The practices that superintendents have successfully used at their Lawn Company, S. Dennis, MA; Mike Shaw, D.L. & L.S., golf courses. Inc., Columbia, MD; and Les Wilshusen, Mike's Lawn Ser­ "Contributions at all levels, from superintendents across vice, Storm Lake, IA. the country, have been received," says editor Dr. Trey Other winners, listed with their respective prizes, were: Rogers of Michigan State University. He added, "This is an James Beaver, Landmaster, Gastonia, NC, Spill Response excellent opportunity to give back to the industry, and to Kit; Dale Amstutz, Northern Lawns, Omaha, NE, Decontam­ receive full recognition now and forever in a published ination Kit; Scott Schrader, Service Master Lawn Care, Mo­ form. Superintendents should bear in mind that what might line, IL, Personal Safety Kit; and Edward Lennon, Lennon be elementary to them may be a brand new page to others. Lawn Service/Lawn Doctor, Sanderstown, Rl, Spill Response To this end, they should consider all of their ideas Station. bookworthy." DowElanco developed the Responsibility Comes First pro­ Contributions should be 1-5 pages in length, and include gram to assist businesses in responding to safety and regula­ photographs to aid in describing the practice. Topics as tory issues in a responsible and cost-efficient method. By diverse as tee marker strategy, philosophy for green purchasing active ingredients available in DowElanco committee meetings, and how to build a retaining wall are branded turf and ornamental pesticide products or formulat­ welcomed. All contributions will be reviewed by an ed goods, businesses earn points to redeem for safety items. editorial board of distinguished superintendents. For an information brochure about Responsibility Comes For more information and/or to receive a contribution First or to participate in the program, turf and ornamental packet, please write: Handbook for Superintendents, PO professionals should call 1-800-352-6766 or contact their Box 799, Okemos, Ml 48805-0799. local DowElanco sales representative. r Handbook of Integrated r The TORO Pest Management for L_____ J Turf and Ornamentals of Competition Lewis Publishers announce the release of the Handbook of Integrated Pest Management for Turf and Ornamentals, an essential reference providing complete coverage of YOUR COMPLETE LINE OF IRRIGATION integrated pest management (IPM). With more than 40 PRODUCTS AND SERVICES recognized experts, the book details the rationale and benefits of employing an IPM plan, as well as providing THE LEADER THAT WORKS technical information on each aspect of plan development. FOR YOU This handbook integrates research work on pest problems with information on the practical implementation of the 90% OF ALL AUTOMATIC GOLF COURSE SYSTEMS tools, and provides case studies of successful operations. IN WESTERN AND NORTHERN MICHIGAN ARE Topics covered in the Handbook of Integrated Pest Management for Turf and Ornamentals include the dynamics of the urban landscape, preparation for a healthy “TORO” landscape, blemishes on the perfect landscape, integrated management of weeds, insects and disease, biological controls (current and those under development), and new THE RIGHT CHOICE! generation chemical controls. Additional areas include special considerations for golf courses, and combining the pieces to develop an integrated pest management plan. Spartan Distributors, inc. Handbook of Integrated Pest Management for Turf and 487 W. DIVISION ST. • P.0. BOX 246 • SPARTA, MICHIGAN 49345 Ornamentals is available for $95 from Lewis Publishers, 2000 Corporate Boulevard, NW, Boca Raton, FL 33431, 616-887-7301 (800) 272-7737 (within the continental US) or (407) 997-0555 (outside the continental US). 7 GCSAA News Relt GCSAA and its membership. This program takes that support GCSAA Names Writing to new heights," said Nichols. "The company really is seri­ Award Winner ous about being a leader in this industry and it's willing to back it up financially. I can't tell you how good it feels for a The 1994 Leo Feser Editorial Award will be presented to company like Scotts to make a commitment like this. It's a Thomas A. Christy, CGCS, golf superintendent at Riverside real vote of confidence for GCSAA and its membership." Golf & Country Club in Portland, OR. To find out more about the new O.M. Scotts Scholarship The award is presented annually to the author of the best Program call GCSAA's development department at (913) article written by a member of the GCSAA and published in 841-2240. Complete details and applications will be availa­ the association's magazine, Golf Course Management ble in early spring. (GCM). It recognizes service to the profession via excellence in writing for the professional journal. Christy will be recognized Thursday, February 3rd, 1994, during the opening session of GCSAA's 65th International GCSAA Selects New Executive Golf Course Championship and Show in Dallas. The confer­ ence and show is hosted annually by GCSAA, whose Maga­ Director zine Committee selects the winning article and author. Steve Mona has been named Executive Director/CEO for GCM is GCSAA's monthly turfgrass and golf course industry the GCSAA by the association's board of directors. Mona, of technical publication. Marietta, GA, has been the Executive Director of the Geor­ Christy's prize-winning article, "Redesigning Equipment gia State Golf Association since 1983. Washdown Pads," was published in the April 1993 edition. In announcing the GCSAA board's selection, GCSAA In his article, Christy described an innovative system that President Randy Nichols, CGCS, noted that the association he devised for wash water containment and recycling. The is at the threshold of advancing to the next level in its 67 system was inspired by regulations put into effect by the fed­ year history, and it is vital that leadership with a clear vision eral Clean Water Act and local water-use restrictions enact­ be on board. ed as a consequence of the Western drought. "Steve Mona's experience has given him the kind of The award is named in honor of Leo Feser, a pioneer golf knowledge and perspective essential in guiding GCSAA to course superintendent and a charter member of the GCSAA. its next level of development," Nichols said. "The fact that Feser is credited with keeping the association's official his background has been focused within the world of golf publication alive during the Great Depression. For three associations is clearly a big plus for us. years he wrote, edited, assembled and published each issue "He brings to out top executive's position an established of the magazine from his home in Wayzata, MN. familiarity with the game's key organizations, an outstand­ ing record as a leader, and the attitude of a genuine "people person". We look forward to having him represent GCSAA, Largest Ever Donation Launches and we anticipate continued success as we move ahead with him at the helm," Nichols said. Internship Program Mona, 36, has established a strong career record of ser­ Students from around the United States will have an op­ vice to the golf industry, beginning in 1980 with a two-year portunity to earn while they learn, thanks to a new program stint as tournament director of the Northern California Golf created by a partnership between the O.M. Scott & Sons Co. Association. He then spent a year as assistant manager of and the GCSAA Scholarship & Research (S&R). press relations for the USGA. In 1983, Mona became execu­ The O.M. Scotts Scholarship Program will offer students tive director of the Georgia State Golf Association. summer internships with Scotts corporate and field sales In addition, Mona has served as president of the Interna­ staff and on golf courses throughout the country. Students tional Association of Golf Administrators, of which he re­ who successfully complete their internships will then be eli­ mains a member. Besides sitting on the Golf Administrators gible for special Scotts/GCSAA collegiate scholarships. The board, Mona has been a director of the National Golf Foun­ goal of the program is to identify outstanding students from dation and an officer and member of several Georgia golf non-traditional backgrounds and give them a broad intro­ associations, as well as a leader among civic and associa­ duction to the industry. tion groups. "We're looking for ways to open doors for young people His background includes relationships with the turfgrass who traditionally haven't been well-represented within our industry as well. He is a director of the Georgia Turfgrass As­ industry," said Dick Stahl, general manager of Scotts Pro sociation, a trustee of its Foundation Trust and also a mem­ Turf Division. "Scotts and GCSAA have formed a unique ber of the advisory committee for Abraham Baldwin Agricul­ partnership to accomplish that goal." tural College's Turfgrass Management Program. To fund the program, Scotts will provide grants totaling Mona received a B.A. in journalism (cum laude) from San more than $150,000 over the next three years. The gift is the Jose State University in 1980. He and his wife, Cindy, have largest ever made to GCSAA S&R by a corporation. GCSAA three children. President Randy Nichols, CGCS, called the grant "a superb Mona will be on the job at GCSAA headquarters by early investment in the future of our industry." january, in time for a quick orientation before the associa­ "Scotts has always been tremendously supportive of tion's annual conference and show in Dallas. 8 eases PLCAA Introduces New Certification Program for GCSAA Names New Financial Turfgrass Professionals Officer At a November 17 press conference in Baltimore, the Julian Arrenondo has been named chief financial officer Professional Lawn Care Association of America an­ (CFO) by the board of directors of the Golf Course Superin­ nounced the availability of the new Principles of Turf­ tendents Association of America (GCSAA). Arredondo was grass Management training course and certification pro­ formerly vice president and CFO of Midwest Titan Construc­ gram. tion Co., in Olathe, KS. The program, developed in conjunction with the GCSAA President Randy Nichols, CGCS, said of the Univ. of Georgia, leads to the designation of Certified GCSAA board's hiring of Arredondo, "The position of Chief Turfgrass Professional. It is the first comprehensive na­ Financial Officer for this association (a new executive at tional training course and certification program for the GCSAA headquarters) brings with it maximum responsibility lawn care industry. and accountability to our membership. I am confident that Principles of Turfgrass Management is structured as a Julian Arredondo's past success, fine reputation and deep- home study correspondence course. It covers 14 topics seated integrity all speak with consistent accuracy of what appropriate for all regions of the United States. we can expect from him. "In planning the course program, we wanted it to set "The growth of GCSAA over the past decade has been a standard for the turfgrass industry in all parts of the paralleled by strong growth of revenues and our operating country," said PLCAA Executive Vice President Ann E. budget," Nichols said. "Julian comes to this position well- McClure. equipped to exercise the professional oversight required to Course author Dr. Keith Karnok, Professor of Agrono­ effectively manage and monitor our finances." my at the University of Georgia, says the program will Prior to his responsibilities at Midwest Titan - a commer­ allow lawn care operators to learn the technical aspects cial general contractor with a $50 million annual budget - of turfgrass management without having to attend struc­ Arredondo spent several years in the Kansas City office of tured lectures or labs. "Along with the experience of Touche Ross & Co., a leading national accounting firm. working in the lawn care field, professionals receive val­ Arredondo, 35, graduated from Rockhurst College, Kansas uable training on topics of great importance in today's City, MO, with a business administration degree. He and his industry," he said. wife, Monica, have four children. Topics covered include: Types of turfgrass; Adapta­ Arredondo began at GCSAA December 1, 1993. tion to soil and climate; Fertilization; Mowing & irriga­ tion; Insects, weeds & pesticides; Turfgrass diseases; En­ vironmental issues & regulations; & customer relations. GCSAA Announces New In addition to earning the designation of Certified Turfgrass Professional, those who successfully complete Operations Officer the course (by passing two monitored exams) will earn Joe O'Brien has been named chief operations officer 12 Univ. of Georgia Continuing Education Units (CEUs), (COO) by the board of directors of the GCSAA. O'Brien for­ equivalent to 120 hrs of training. CEUs are recognized merly was the president of the American Hotel Foundation as a standard training unit in business and industry. (AHF). Also, some states recognize completion of technical On the selection of O'Brian, GCSAA President Randy correspondence courses as having satisfied require­ Nichols, CGCS, said, "Among the strengths Joe brings to ments for pesticide recertification credit. A list of states GCSAA are the experience he gained with his previous em­ approving the course for such credit will be available af­ ployers and the many friends he has made in golf. His skills, ter March 1994. talents, nature and background should mesh nicely with the According to McClure, PLCAA member Steve Derrick other members of the GCSAA executive team." of Orkin Lawn Care was instrumental in garnering sup­ O'Brian previously worked for the PGA of America from port for the program through the association. "Steve's ef­ 1973 to 1990. He began as assistant director of education. forts made it possible for us to benefit from the expertise Three years later, he became director of education. In 1983, of the Agronomy Department at the Univ. of Georgia." O'Brian became manager of membership services. He was The course enrollment fee is $275 per person. Dis­ promoted to senior director for strategic planning in 1987. counts for multiple enrollments from the same company O'Brian then went to Marriott Golf, Bethesda, MD, where are available. Those interested in participating should he served for two years as senior business developer. For the call the University of Georgia at 706-542-1 756. PLCAA past year, he has been president of the AHF, which advanc­ members should call 1-800-458-3466 for information es the hospitality industry by providing financial assistance on special rates. for education, research and developing travel awareness. Program contributors include: Orkin Pest Control; O'Brian, 48, holds a bachelor of science degree in mar­ Miles Specialty Products; O.M. Scott; Leseo; Lawnmark keting from the University of Illinois, and a master of busi­ Lawn Care; Sandro Agro Inc.; The Andersons; PLCAA ness administration degree from DePaul University. He and Education & Research Foundation; ISK Biotech; PBI his wife, Nancy, have two children. Gordon; and Sunbelt Seeds. O'Brian will start his COO responsibilities this month. 9 GCSAA has developed correspondence courses on the following timely and important topics Personal Stress .7 CEU p Community Right-To-Know .7 CEU Ì Management J This correspondence course will help you under- ï stand and comply with the Federal Emergency Plan- t ning and Community Right-To-Know Act which may ■ affect your golf course maintenance operation. You will also receive instruction on developing a chemi­ cal emergency preparedness plan specific to your workplace. Tips on crisis communication round out ^Jhis course. Ways to deal effectively with stress are discussed in this course which explains the benefits of "good" stress and the warning signs of too much "bad" stress. Exercises include an assessment of your per­ Media 1.2 CEUs A sonal stress level and structured activities for manag­ Relations ing stress. This course focuses on providing techniques and pro­ cedures for you to deal effectively with the media. Story writing, establishing media contacts and public ------------------------------------------------------------------------ - relations are discussed in detail. Time Management .7 CEU Emphasis is on both personal and professional time management. Exercises provide opportunities for un­ Underground covering the major Storage culpritsTank that cut(UST) .8 CEU into productivity and effectiveness. Time wasters and reasons for pro­ A Hazard Communication 1.5 CEUs A crastination Monitoringare and identified, with clear methods for Recordkeeping Program i eliminating these stumbling blocks. By completing a series of exercises and activities, you will develop the materials required for compli­ ance with the Hazard Communication Standard, in­ cluding a written program, employee training proce­ dures, recordkeeping and documentation. A full discussion of the regulations regarding leaks and cleanup procedures is included. EPA compli­ ance requirements and a plan for establishing and maintaining contact with state and federal agencies Asisdemands also presented on theintimedetail. of golf course superintendents increase, options for accessible continuing education - particularly programs that allow superintendents to work at their own pace without requiring them to take time away from their jobs - are becoming more and more appealing. No one can argue with the value of attending a seminar. Having the opportunity to learn from experts in a classroom set­ ting as well as to share concerns and experiences with colleagues who best understand them can be extremely beneficial. However, correspondence course learning provides an often-needed alternative. These courses allow superintendents the freedom to work in their homes as their schedules allow. These GCSAA correspondence courses are designed to be completed in 7 to 15 hours and contain extensive reference ma­ terials that can be added to your own professional library. This benefit allows you to refer to the materials whenever you want to refresh your skills or understanding. Upon successful submission of each course's exercises, the number of Continu­ ing Education Units (CEUs) designated above and a certificate of achievement will be awarded. The cost of each course is $50. For more information or to register for courses, call the GCSAA Education Department at (913) 832-4444 or 1 (800) 472- 7878. 10 Turf Beds Down for Long Winter's Nap Michigan State University News Release Stop Snow Mold The Silverdome turfgrass is like a prizefighter after a big With aChipco 26019/Daconil Combination. match. It's laying around, growing, sucking down water and ferti­ lizer. After all, it has gone where no athletic turf has gone before. Inside. The turfgrass that Michigan State University turf manage­ ment scientists John "Trey" Rogers, James Crum, Paul Reike and research assistant John Stier created for the 1994 World Cup Soccer Tournament is getting ready for a long winter's nap. Well-deserved, since it had a big summer. After being successfully nurtured, the grass was planted in 1,850 hexagons, 88 triangles and 60 trapezoids and moved into the Silverdome to form a 232-foot by 375-foot field. There, rolled and mowed into prime condition, fully with­ stood the pummeling of a U.S. Cup soccer game and other contests in June. Now the MSU turf management team is gearing up for the latest challenge in its landmark project to provide high- quality turf for one of the world's biggest sporting events. "One thing this grass has never done is go through winter on the Silverdome parking lot," Rogers said. "So no one really knows what will happen. We don't have a long histo­ RHONE POULENC AG COMPANY P.O. BOX 74398, ROMULUS, MICHIGAN 48174-0398 ry of performance of grass on Silverdome parking lots, so (313) 782-0323 FAX (313) 782-6344 Daconil is a registered we're not going to take any chances." CHIPCO is a registered trademark of Rhone Poulenc. trademark of ISK Biotech. The field has summered on the Silverdome parking lot, taking up 400 parking spaces that are worth seven dollars apiece. But the high-priced real estate doesn't necessarily mean Utopia for turf. While the grass in our yards freezes mainly HUGGETT “— on top, the turfgrass also is subject to freezing from the bot­ tom, thanks to the shallow trays in which it lives. "It would be like going on a three-day drunk and not eat­ SOD FARM, INC. ing," Rogers said. • TOP QUALITY SOD • The turf team placed 1,200 sandbags across the field's pe­ rimeter to help block the icy winds that can rake across the NUGGET + II (BLUEGRASS BLEND) lot. They then covered the field with a tarp for further pro­ Grade A or commercial on peat tection. or top soil base Meanwhile, Rogers and crew continue their research at the "Silverdome West" - a domed mini lab they've built at SHADE MIX (BLUEGRASS, FESCUE MIX) the Hancock Turf Facility on the southeast side of campus. It Good on sandy soils or in shade. duplicates the conditions at the Silverdome, allowing them to continue with their studies. PENNCROSS BENT "What we do is pretty boring to most folks, but it makes Grown on washed mason sand or loam soil. our eyes light up," said Rogers. • DELIVERY • There's little room for error in work done under a spot­ light. Soccer is virtually religion across the globe. In 1990, Michigan «Ohio* Indiana 1.5 billion people tuned in to watch the World Cup. That's • SHADE & ORNAMENTAL TREES • roughly a third of the world's population. In Las Vegas on December 19, the FIFA (Federation Inter­ • BULK SPAGNUM PEAT • nationale de Football Association, soccer's world governing body) Final Draw placed the 24 World Cup qualifying na­ tions in seeded brackets throughout the nine venues. The event is expected to pull in as many as 1,200 journal­ (800) 432-2763 ists from around the world - and even more focus on the pi­ (517)635-7482 oneering turf. 4114 East Marlette Rd. • Marlette, Ml 48453 The Pontiac Silverdome will host six nations. The opening match will be on June 17, 1994. 11 Pesticide News Briefs... Additional follow-up of the farmers and lawncare operators Pro Star 50WP (flutolanil) Receives does make sense, she said. EPA Registration The special group down-played findings from a single Nor-Am's Pro Star 50WP fungicide received EPA epidemiological study of dogs exposed to the herbicide. The registration for use on turf to control brown patch, red review draft cited evidence suggesting that "these animals thread, pink patch, yellow patch, Southern blight fairy ring, are at risk from exposure to 2,4-D or use of a lawncare gray snow mold and large brown patch. It can be used on service." In the final draft, the finding is that dogs may be at both warm and cool season grasses. risk from 2,4-D exposure, and reference to lawncare service is deleted. The report recommended the following steps to help 2,4-D Carcinogenicity resolve the 2,4-D controversy: found Inconclusive A joint committee of EPA's Scientific Advisory Board 1) completion of EPA-requested rodent studies (SAB) and Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP) found no 2) animal carcinogenicity studies that test 2,4-D with other conclusive evidence of a cause and effect relationship substances that might reflect the human exposure between 2,4-D exposure and non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL) in a draft report. Principal reviewer Dr. Margaret situation Kripke, an immunologist with the M.D. Anderson Cancer 3) a replication of the dog epidemiology study Center in Houston, Texas, asked the special joint committee to state explicitly that evidence is lacking both for and 4) additional case/control studies, with careful attention to against any relationship between the herbicide and NHL exposures, particularly multiple exposures cancer. Special joint committee chair Dr. Genevieve Matanoski, 5) human studies, particularly cohort studies designed to Johns Hopkins University epidemiologist, replied that, while assess both relative risk of NHL and comparative risk of absolute risk from 2,4-D is small at best, she would all mortality (or all disease incidence, if possible) recommend a continuation of ongoing studies because of widespread use of the herbicide. 6) additional follow-up and analysis or worker cohorts Kripke called the SAB members' emphasis on rodent involved in production of 2,4-D. bioassays "misplaced" and suggested that animal studies of 2,4-D generally have been "pretty uninformative". Credit: Pesticide Notes, November-December 7 993 EVEN WHEN IT'S EMPTY, IT'S LOADED. Even in its most basic form Carryall by Club Car offers more standard features than the competi­ tion. Each model is strong and versatile, with plenty of performance options to choose from. There's no better way to load up on quality, dependability and lasting value. Call your nearby authorized Club Car Club Car representative for details on how DRIVE IT TO WORK. Carryall can do it all for you. CLUB CAR, INC. MICHIGAN BRANCH 33025 Industrial Road • Livonia, Michigan 48150 (800) 482-8830 Contact Dave Nelson, Northern Michigan Sales Manager 12 Our Family is Growing No one can accuse John Deere 26-inch cutting units. Deere of standing still. Since The Gators are stable, quiet, January of 1992, we’ve carry large payloads, and added six totally new feature wet-disk brakes. machines to our Golf & Turf Talk with your John Deere Equipment family. All The 1800 Utility Vehicle brings benefits of hy­ Golf & Turf Equipment drostatic drive to spraying & spreading jobs. designed and manufactured distributor today for more by John Deere. information on our growing First to arrive were the lineup of machines. 1800 utility vehicle and 3365 Professional Turf Mower. The 1800 brought the NOTHING precision of hydrostatic drive to your work, while the 3365 New 6x4 and 4x2 Gator Utility Vehicles are stable, quiet, and cany large payloads. RUNS LIKE was the first machine to carry A DEER John Deere designed and manufactured cutting units. New machines for 1993 The 3365 Professional Turf Mower features include the 2653 Professional John Deere designed and manufactured cutting units. Utility Mower (pictured above) and 6x4 and 4x2 KLOOSTER EQUIPMENT, INC. Gator Utility Vehicles. WORK ‘N PLAY SHOP The 2653 features the 9821 U.S. 31 unique combination of ELLSWORTH, Ml 49729 hydraulic reel drive and John (616) 599-2822 13 Precision Laser Measurement PUMPING Joining Together To SYSTEMS Increases Play Better Serve Our Customers Laser your course properly with the We Now Offer complete laser measurement fairway ■ Over 70 years of combined water industry experience marking system from ■ The largest selection of pump station models and options ■ Vertical Turbine - Centrifugal - Submersible ■ Constant speed hydraulic or electronic butterfly valve pressure regulation FAST PLA Y TECHNOLOGY ■ Pump manager software ■ Smart pump controls ■ Variable speed VFD stations Fairway Management at its’ finest ■ Combined national service organization ■ Existing station retro-fit upgrades ■ Deep well consulting services • Incremental 25 yard markers To find out more about how we can help solve your water pumping requirements. Call now! • Color-coded posts every 50 yards Watertronics Pumping Systems Commercial Pump Services, Inc. Hartland, Wisconsin Swanton, Ohio 800-356-3386 800-426-0370 • Par 3 tee boxes •100-150- 200 yard markers • Sprinkler heads • Cart paths labeled • No maintenance interference 10*2*6 • Professionally installed • Endorsed by Michigan PGA Professional Rodger Jabara Lush, beautiful greens and tee boxes are well-known to Stop complaints about slow play superintendents who use Ringer Greens Products. With five finely- granulated formulations available, you can match our fertilizer to your needs throughout the seasons. Each formulation releases the precise Call or write today for more info: amount of nitrogen needed to eliminate burning and green-up greens evenly The remaining nitrogen is reserved for slower release to encourage consistent FAST PLAY TECHNOLOGY growth. Try Ringer Greens Products. Your greens will 32102 Howard ph: (313) 583-4851 be in good company Madison Heights, Ml 48071 fax:(313)583-3179 Contact your local distributor or Ringer's Golf & Commercial Turf Division at 9959 Valley View Road. Minneapolis, MN 55344, (612) 941-4180. Ringer offers a complete line of fertilizers for greens, fairways and general turf applications. 14 Opinion Page: On Service By Matthew Trulio When my wife left her job and went back to school three I can't believe you'd treat a good regular customer this years ago to pursue a Ph.D., I moonlighted as a waiter to way." make up for the lost income. Four days a week I'd leave my I stopped right there - it's amazing how a moment of office and head for this madhouse restaurant in Los Angeles, lucidity can penetrate even the darkest rage. I knew I'd wait tables until midnight, then drive home. I'd usually get always given him excellent service before. I also knew that to bed by one a.m., get up at 6:30 a.m., and be back at my at this moment the past didn't matter. Service is a matter of desk by 7:30 a.m. For two years, that was my everyday today, right here, right now, not yesterday. I was saying no schedule. because I was busy, didn't want to make the extra effort, Now if this is starting to sound like one of those stories and because I could. It was my call, not his - he knew your grandfather used to tell about walking barefoot through nothing about the business. snow to shovel coal 26 hours a day, forget it - I enjoyed it, I was saying no for all the wrong reasons and probably at least for the first year. The money was great, the people I would have kept on saying it had he not challenged my worked with, most of them younger than I, were full of life "service." and promise. Plus, in many ways, being in the service I apologized and brought him what he wanted. The rest of business, and being good at it, is immensely satisfying and the night went beautifully. Most importantly, a regular rewarding. customer was not lost. The restaurant was almost always crazy - line out the door How does this apply to sports turf management? We're all every night, loud bar, louder kitchen, and many, many in the service business, folks, and it's easy to say no. regulars. You would "turn" your six-table station no less Sometimes it pays to pause and take a look at why we're than five times in a night, meaning you'd wait on at least 30 saying it. tables in a five-to-six hour period. The regulars were often demanding and difficult. They Credit: Sports Turf zz... in many ways, being in the service business, and being good The next generation in at it, is immensely satisfying and fertilizer performance. rewarding." knew the menu better than most of the servers and felt perfectly comfortable making up their own dishes (one item became so popular the owner put it on the menu). They TECHNOLOGY were also our bread and butter, especially on those rare slow nights. Compared to SCU fertilizers, Poly-S™ technology offers: One Friday evening, I waited on one of my favorite • Best Fertilizer Value - With its unprecedented Poly-S technology, Scotts® can offer you the performance of a poly­ regular customers. He was one of the more popular regulars mer-coated fertilizer at a price comparable to SCU products. - he used "please" and "thank you," and if you served well, • Nutrient Efficiency - Poly-S technology provides he tipped well. On this particular evening, he wanted higher nutrient efficiency than SCU fertilizers, with the something special from the kitchen, something we'd done capability for a consistent, programmed linear nutrient re­ lease unattainable with SCU. before many times, but couldn't always do. There was a • Environmentally Compatible Performance - With rather "gray" policy on special orders, usually left to the Poly-S technology, there’s minimal potential for leaching, server's and the kitchen's discretion. run-off and volatilization, with a significant reduction in On this particular night, I said no. The customer went clippings associated with surge growth. • “User-Friendly” Application - Each Poly-S fertilizer is through the ceiling. He cited numerous instances where specially designed for use with a broadcast spreader, with no we'd done it before. I tried to explain that there were conditioner and no wax, eliminating the potential for lumps, reasons we couldn't always make the dish, the primary one wax build-up and other application problems. being the general craziness of the kitchen at the moment, It is the most efficient — and cost-effective — turf fertilizer technology ever developed. For more informa­ but the customer challenged any explanation I tried to give. tion about Poly-S fertilizers and their perfor­ Being human, I eventually became defensive, and started to mance advantages, contact your Scott Tech Rep. ProTurf argue when he said, "This is the worst service I've ever had. Or call 1-800-543-0006. 15 (____ Classified Advertising__ EQUIPMENT FOR SALE: 2D Lely pull-behind spreader, $600 • Toro Sand Pro, $1100 • Vertidrain 305.2, $15,000. Call Al Bathum at Cascade Hills, (616) 949-1420. FOR SALE: 1987 Toro 300 Greensmower. Great shape, sharpened. $4,500 Toro 3 Wheel Trap Rake. New engine, tires, seat, painted. $3,200 1988 Ransome 350D Fairway Mower. Good Shape. $10,000 7 Gang Jacobsen Fairway Mower. New reels, semi-pneumatic tires, good frame. $3,800 Turfco Topdresser. 20 hours self-propelled, mint condition. $3,200 Call Tom Calverley, D&C Distributors, Inc. - (810) 904-0990 GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT NEEDED: Must be a certified pesticide applicator in Michigan. Send resume to: SNOWSNAKE MT., Att. Dale Brockway, 3101 East Mannsiding Rd., Harrison, Ml 48625. FOR SALE: 84 inch National with elecrtlc reel lift kit. 1,500 hours. Asking $2,500. Call Jon Maddern at (517) 785-4683 16