Turf Times The newsletter from the Northern Michigan Turf Managers Association ^"'«r chap“' waers*f*’ Bi-Monthly Update May/June Volume 28, No. 2 President’s Message Recently I had the aged and supported by will be compiled and your course. Both par­ opportunity to partici­ the staff. sent to the membership. ties would benefit from pate in a resource group The resource group I There will be sugges­ this type of information at the G.C.S.A.A. head­ am involved with is tions of what we can do exchange. Maybe you quarters in Lawrence, called the LIMITED- to help make the game could lend them equip­ Kansas. It was a very BUDGET RESOURCE of golf grow. ment or offer to sell enlightening experience GROUP. The group I believe the growth them used equipment for me. I would like to was asked to identify needs to begin at the instead of trading it in speak about two points ways the G.C.S.A.A. local chapter level and on the purchase of new that I became aware of could better serve lim­ be supported by the G. equipment. Call and at this meeting. ited budget facilities. C.S.A.A. Starting at invite them to a chapter I was very im­ The main idea focused the local level might be meeting, offer to drive pressed with the profes­ on how to grow the contacting a fellow su­ to the meeting. Let us sionalism of the staff. game of golf. The perintendent and offer­ reach out to all superin­ They are all very dedi­ group felt when the ing your help. This tendents even if they cated and diligent in game of golf grows, help could be in the are not members of the their areas of responsi­ everyone from the form of advice on a N.M.T.M.A. or the G. bility. Their focus is in smallest to the largest problem they have, of­ C.S.A.A. Let's all help the best interests of the club benefits in some fering to tour their golf grow! G.C.S.A.A. Member­ way. In the near future, course with them, or ship input is encour­ the ideas of the group inviting them to tour Brian Holmes listed as one of the Di­ completing the require­ tending the NMTMA Editor’s rectors. My apologies ments to become a Family Picnic on July to Steve for making “Certified Audubon 11 at Beaver Creek in Note........... this error. Cooperative Sanctuary” Gaylord. I hope everyone If anyone would Mark your cal­ Thank you to has received their 1999 happen to come across endars. On June 14 all who advertised in Directory. If not, an error in the direc­ join your fellow col­ this years Directory and please let myself or tory, be sure to let me leagues for an enjoy­ “Turf Times”. Without Kay Patrick know and know and I will publish able day at Hidden you, these publications we will get you a copy. the correction in the River Golf & Casting would not be possible! Correction: next issue of “Turf Club for the MTF Any articles you On page 7 of the direc­ Times” Fundraiser. would like to submit tory, Steve Hammon Congratulations Looking for a for the next issue from Traverse City to White Pine break from your daily please e-mail them to Country Club should be tional Golf Cli routine? Plan on at­ me by July 11, 1999. BEARD COLLECTION Pooch sniffs out golf course’s elusive PVC Brutus, Mich.- Think brought him out here to started poking around find that had grown dogs are just good for chase the geese,” Sump through the water and over with grass. “I’d chasing geese off golf said. “We don’t have clippings trying to find take him out in dry courses? Well, Steve any geese now. We’ve the caps. Meanwhile, conditions and say Sump, Superintendent got more turkeys than Buddy splashed in the ‘Find a cap.’ He’d be­ at Hidden River Golf & anything, and a few dark green liquid. gin sniffing and then go Casting Club here has ducks. I got him to un­ “For some rea­ from cap to cap to cap, a PVC-seeking missile derstand not to chase son I said ‘Bud, find pulling them out, some­ of a Labrador Retriever the turkeys or the your drain,’ the name thing it would have that can find clogged ducks.” we’d given his cap taken me hours to do. drainage caps through Being a re­ toy,” Sump said. “All On other courses, I’d the deepest, murkiest triever, Buddy loved to of a sudden he starts sent guys out for hours standing water allow­ pick things up and looking around, paws at a time with a pitch ing Sump to get the bring them to Sump. under the water and fork and shovel looking flooded parts of his One of the items Buddy pops out one of the for those things. Now I course back in play in would frequently carry drain caps. have a dog that can go two shakes of a dog’s back was an extra 4- “I thought out and find them.” tail. inch, green drainage maybe it was a fluke, To keep his Buddy is an 18- cap that fit over a drain that he’d just happened PVC senses honed, month old, 80 pound tile. The cap quickly to step on it. So we Sump occasionally yellow lab who had became one of his fa­ went to another area sends Buddy off in lived in the Sump vorite toys. and I said ‘Hey Bud, go search of a cap, household since he was Following a find a drain.’ He starts whether he needs to six weeks old. Buddy particularly heavy rain sniffing around, paws find one or not. began accompanying last June, parts of the under the water again, “Last week [late Sump to work almost Hidden River course lifts out another drain February] we got 15 immediately, riding on were flooded when the cap and the water starts inches of snow,” Sump the superintendent’s drainage caps scattered to drain down the hole. said. “I went out on cart and quickly devel­ around the course He must have found 10 my snowshoes and I oping into a top-flight clogged with debris and caps that day.” started wondering if goose deterrent. clippings. Sump re­ Sump knew Buddy could find a cap “I originally moved his shoes, rolled there were other caps through the snow. Sure up his pant legs and he’d been unable to (Continued on page 3) Think Snow Yes, that's what ited to 60 riders. We for one to four nights dent to attend this meet­ it says. For those of you have approximately 30 (in case of a long busi­ ing. Anyone who loves to turf grass sled heads, signed up. ness trip), two day trail snowmobile is welcome. winter was too short. Cost will be de­ permit to Canada, trail For more informa­ But it's not to early to termined as we ap­ guides, and lots of fun. tion about the Drummond register for the Febru­ proach our limit of rid­ Snowmobile Island/Canada Excursion, ary 1st and 2nd meeting ers. To be included rentals are available. please call: at Drummond Island are speakers, some You do not have to be a Craig Hoffman 906-493- next year. Space is lim­ meals, room packages golf course superinten­ (Continued on page 3) White Pine National Golf Club Recognized for Environmental Excellence! Spruce, MI - White wildlife habitat and ment in mind and every­ chose to construct White Pine National Golf protect natural re­ thing we have done, Pine National had to lend Club has achieved des­ sources. from the concept of to­ itself to those environ­ ignation as a “Certified “To reach certi­ day’s maintenance and mental concerns. It took Audubon Cooperative fication, a course must next year’s game plan 10 years to find the right Sanctuary” by the demonstrate that they has environmental im­ piece of property. After Audubon Cooperative are maintaining a high pact on the top of the that was taken care of, we Sanctuary System degree of environ­ list”, declares Bruce knew exactly what we (ACSS), the educa­ mental quality in a Wolffom, who with his wanted to do. Now we’d tional division of number of areas,” ex­ brother Clem, designed like to share what we’ve Audubon international, plained Zeh. These and built White Pine. learned with the commu­ endorsed by the United categories include: En­ Bruce continues to be nity at large in order to States Golf Associa­ vironmental Planning, “hands on” in the day to maintain the beauty and tion. White Pine Na­ Wildlife & Habitat day operation of the ambience of Northern tional Golf Club is the Management, Outreach course to ensure the best Michigan.” 9th in Michigan and the and Education, Inte­ playing conditions avail­ In addition to golf 149th course in the grated Pest Manage­ able and continued atten­ courses, the Audubon Co­ world to receive the ment, Water Conserva­ tion to environmental operative Sanctuary Sys­ honor. tion, and Water Quality impact. tem also provides pro­ In 1994, White Management. Golf “Environmental grams for schools, indi­ Pine National Golf courses from the issues can be addressed viduals and businesses. Club joined the Audu­ United States, Canada, and top playing condi­ For more information, con­ bon Cooperative Sanc­ and Europe have also tions can be achieved at tact Audubon Interna­ tuary Program for Golf achieved certification the same time. This has tional, 46 Rarick Rd., Sel­ Courses which pro­ in the program. been our goal and our kirk, MY 12158, USA, vides information and The design of mission and we are com­ (518) 767-9051, e-mail guidance to golf White Pine National mitted to continually them via the Internet at courses to help them was conceived with the strive to better our best acss@audubonintl.org, or preserve and enhance quality of the environ­ efforts. The site we visit their website at www. (Continuedfrom page 2) Last fall while the shop,” Sump said. (Continued from page 2) enough , in 30 seconds blowing out his irriga­ “He’d be bored, I’d he had his head down tion lines, Buddy helps hide his drainage cap 5658 in a snow bank and out find numerous lost somewhere here in the Dan Bissonette *616- pops a drainage cap... quick couplers, locating shop and give him his 535-2373 (new area code If he sees one some­ the brass sprinklers treat when he located it as of June 5th is *231 *) times he’ll go and pop heads by scent of their and brought it back to it out on his own. small, PVC tops. me. That’s the only down­ Basically we Article written by: side. He’ll bring it to trained Buddy by just Peter Blais you and sit there, wait­ playing with him when Golf Course News ing for his treat.” he was a puppy here in April 1999 Your Voting Delegate I have heard in been trying to find? should be addressed. I of the package. The the past from several Have you asked them if ask you all to think “skills” that we possess members and through they have any informa­ about this over the next or should possess are the “grapevine” that tion on policies, proce­ couple of months and let what will be discussed in GCSAA doesn’t do dures, negotiating bene­ me know what you want detail. Also how to anything for me. All I fits, career development, me to talk about as I rep­ “rate” these “skills”, and get for my membership professional develop­ resent YOU out in Kan­ how strict they should money is a magazine ment, interview skills, sas. Feel free to call me be, to be considered a subscription. Well, communication, rating or E-mail with your Class A member. It is maybe I am a bit bias, your own golf operation, questions and concerns. going to be a big deal but I do not agree. I hiring a professional and I feel each of you have had the great for­ staff? Well, that is the One of the “hot” should read whatever tune of being on a kind of stuff that they do you can on this matter. topics at this years meet­ GCSAA committee for and have for YOU, the ing is going to be the Again, if you have any the past 3 years and so GCSAA MEMBER. I membership standards questions feel free to call maybe I have a little have used a lot of it and initiative. This is going or e-mail me. different perspective, it is helpful. You just to be discussed at this but I don’t think that have to ask. The people forum so that each chap­ Respectfully submitted, matters. at GCSAA are not mind ter has a fair chance to Karen O’Dell readers, they can’t help give their opinion. I got Superintendent Some of the re­ if you don’t let them a good taste of it when I Black Bear Golf Resort sponsibility needs to be know what you want was in Kansas about a Net: put on your own shoul­ help with. I have even month ago for my com­ kode!131 @hotmail.com ders. Have you ever called there when I was mittee meeting and we picked up the phone, looking for a product started to discuss the called GCSAA for that I wasn’t sure where topic then. There were help, and not got to purchase it, they as many opinions as help??? Have you pointed me in the right there were people in at­ ever called Steve Mona direction. It is as easy as tendance. In case you to express your opinion a phone call. are not aware of what of the job they are do­ this is, I will explain. ing at GCSAA? Have The reason I The membership stan­ you ever got online to chose to tell you that in­ dards initiative is going use the chat board that formation is because to be put in place so that is in place, not only to again this year I am the our bosses (owners, express your opinion, voting delegate for green committee, board but to get help from NMTMA and I will be of directors, etc.) will your fellow superinten­ going out to Kansas in know exactly what they dent? Have you ever September for the Chap­ are getting when they volunteered for a com­ ter Delegate meeting. hire a GCSAA Class A mittee? Have you used At this meeting each member. Right now it is the resume’ critiquing chapter has the opportu­ just a matter of years of service? Have you nity to express their con­ service in a certain posi­ called and asked if they cerns about the organi­ tion and paying your have “that certain zation, its future direc­ dues. “Skills” as a su­ form” that you have tion and any needs that perintendent are not part Employee Evaluations These individual quotes were taken from actual employee performance evaluations in a large US Corporation. (1) "Since my last report, this employee has reached rock bottom.... and has started to dig." (2) "His men would follow him anywhere,.......but only out of morbid curiosity." (3) "I would not allow this employee to breed." (4) "This employee is really not so much of a 'has-been', but more of a definite 'won't be'." (5) "Works well when under constant supervision and cornered like a rat in a trap." (6) "When she opens her mouth, it seems that it is only to change feet” (7) "He would be out of his depth in a parking lot puddle." (8) "This young lady has delusions of adequacy." (9) "He sets low personal standards and then consistently fails to achieve them." (10) "This employee is depriving a village somewhere of an idiot." (11) "This employee should go far,.... and the sooner he starts, the better." (12) "Got a full 6-pack, but lacks the plastic thing to hold it all together." (13) "A gross ignoramus - 144 times worse than an ordinary ignoramus." (14) "He certainly takes a long time to make his pointless." (15) "He doesn't have ulcers, but he's a carrier." (16) "I would like to go hunting with him sometime." (17) "He's been working with glue too much." (18) "He would argue with a signpost." (19) "He has a knack for making strangers immediately." (20) "He brings a lot of joy whenever he leaves the room." (21) "When his IQ reaches 50, he should sell." (22) "If you see two people talking and one looks bored,.... he's the other one." (23) "A photographic memory but with the lens cover glued on." (24) "A prime candidate for natural deselection." (25) "Donated his brain to science before he was done using it." (26) "Gates are down, the lights are flashing, but the train isn't coming." (27) "Has two brains: one is lost and the other is out looking for it." (28) "If he were any more stupid, he'd have to be watered twice a week." (29) "If you give him a penny for his thoughts, you'd get change." (30) "If you stand close enough to him, you can hear the oceans." (31) "It's hard to believe that he beat 1,000,000 other sperm to the egg." (32) "One neuron short of a synapse." (33) "Some drink from the fountain of knowledge;.... he only gargled." (34) "Takes him 2 hours to watch 60 minutes." (35) "The wheel is turning, but the hamster is dead." Scott Pulaski * You may want to hang on to these for your next evaluations Janzen, Michelson, Nicklaus, Floyd to tee off in PGA Tour at Treetops Dover TWP.- The the tournament. Each circle is complete. hole will be worth Two-time U.S. Open $20,000, with a $10,000 champion Lee Janzen bonus on each hole for will tee up with Pro­ the player whose tee shot fessional Golf Asso­ is closest to the flag. If a ciation (PGA) golf­ hole is not won, the ers Phil Michelson, $20,000 will carry to the Jack Nicklaus and next hole. Potentially, Raymond-Floyd the last hole each day Monday-Tuesday, could be worth July 26-27 at Tree- $270,000. tops-Sylvan Resort in working with, are join­ onships between them, Tickets must be Dover Township. ing two of golfs all- and Michelson has the purchased through Tree- This event time greats in Jack longest current victory tops at $30 for a one-day has been called a Nicklaus and Raymond streak on the PGA pass and $50 for both “feather in every­ Floyd,” said Rick Tour with at least one days. There will be a one’s cap” for the Smith, Treetops direc­ victory in each of the limited number of tickets Gaylord Golf tor of golf. last six years. available, but there is no Mecca. The players This event is an Treetops has a limited number of tickets will golf nine holes eagle for the Gaylord three year commitment a person can buy at this during the day both Golf Mecca, which to host the PGA- time. To reserve tickets days, and ESPN will will receive national sanctioned tournament now, call 732-6711, ext. televise the event exposure. Bringing in which will be played 2499. Anyone interested during primetime 8 these four celebrities at the resort’s in corporate packages to 10 p.m. at night. of golf is no small mat­ “Threetops” par three should call 732-6711 and “I’m really ter. According to offi­ course. ask for Jerry Albert. pleased that two of cials at Rick Smith En­ This event is By: Shelly R. Burgess the best young play­ terprises, Inc. Nick­ definitely on par with Staff Writer for: HER­ ers in golf (Janzen laus, Floyd and Janzen a $1 million bonus for ALD TIMES and Michelson), two have 26 major champi­ holes-in-one during players I have been For Sale: Two Ransomes 3000 Triplexes w/ Groomer Attachment All Reels Ready To Cut $2,000.00 each Contact Mark Wildeman 517-732-6711 Ext. 2810 Slow play - golfs timely curse Etiquette, course grooming, quette (23 percent) as More than 40 percent tions over the next five environment topic of super­ years, the environment intendents ' survey the primary causes of cited golfers for driving on or too close to greens figured prominently. The slow play. as the most common three most common pre­ Golfer disdain for Superintendents said violation, while ignoring dictions were an increase slow play is shared by they have combated slow play by either low­ daily posting of golf car in environmental regula­ the professionals respon­ tions, improved environ­ sible for the beauty, per­ ering the rough (46 per­ restrictions was next (33 percent). mental management formance and upkeep of cent), or widening the Asked how play­ techniques, and a de­ the nation's golf courses, fairways (25 percent). ing conditions have crease in water usage. according to a survey re­ Unlike efforts to changed in the last five Environmental leased today. control slow play, super­ years, respondents iden­ issues have been a major The 1999 intendents are not react­ tified increased green focus for superintendents GCSAA GolfLeadership ing to the distances for several years. The Survey was conducted at achieved by new golf speed (40 percent), im­ proved fairway condi­ survey found there is no GCSAA's 70th Interna­ balls or advances in golf tions (23 percent) and economic penalty for en­ tional Golf Course Con­ club/shaft technologies. 84 percent of superinten­ height of turf (15 per vironmental compliance ference and Show in Or­ on the course. 60 percent lando, Florida, from Feb­ dents said they were not cent) as the most signifi­ grooming their courses cant. of respondents claimed ruary 9 - 12, 1999. The not to have increased op­ computer-based survey to compensate for in­ The survey also creasing distances of revealed increased tele­ erating costs to pay for probed 1,275 golf course environmental compli­ superintendents on golf balls. vision exposure is af­ Superintendents fecting how golfers ance. trends in golf and golf Weather has a management. The survey identified failure to re­ think their course should look. As picture perfect large impact on the work reveals slow play is a pair ball marks on the putting green as golfers' golf courses have be­ of superintendents. Per­ function of golfs popu­ haps the most far- larity, golfer inexperi­ worst breach of etiquette come the norm rather (60 percent), followed than exception, it is little reaching example of this ence, and golf course in the past several years, conditioning. The 1,200 by failure to rake bun­ surprise that 70 percent kers (18 percent) and to of superintendents say was the El Niño phe­ respondents overwhelm­ nomenon of 1998. 44 ingly cited increased repair divots (8 percent). TV golf has heightened Moving viola­ expectations of golf percent of superinten­ course traffic (33 per­ dents said its effects in­ cent), high rough and tions on the golf car course conditions. In predicting creased operating costs fast greens (26 percent) paths were also a con­ changes in course opera­ at their golf facility. and decline of golfer eti­ cern of superintendents. 1999 Meeting Schedule June 14 MTF Fundraiser Hidden River Golf & Casting Club- Brutus, MI July 11 NMTMA Picnic Beaver Creek Resort- Gaylord, MI August 4 Lakes of the North Mancelona, MI September 14 NMTMA Fundraiser Indian River Golf Club- Indian River, MI October 5 Tuck Tate Championship/ Red Hawk - Tawas, MI Annual Meeting The NMTMA appreciates the support from the following businesses... •IRRIGATION* •FERTILIZER, CHEMICAL & SEED- •FERTILIZER, CHEMICAL At SEED- Tfeeilen Turf Irrigation, Inc. Benham Turf Partners Rhino Seeds At landscape Supply Golf Course Installations Leading the Industry in TurfA Ornamental Mgt. KathleenHUbert (517)773-3409 (800) 482-6520 (800) 482-3130 / (877) 744-6657 Century Rain Aid Tri-Turf •EQUIPMENT, SERVICE 4c SUPPLIES- Legacy Golf A Warehouse on Wheels (800) 347-4272 (616) 943-8343 / (800) 636-7039 D & C Distributors, Inc. O Your One Stop Shop Valley Turf Inc. CHI K O 26 GT (800) 888-7779 / Fax (248) 446-1654 Your Reel Support in Northern Michigan Bob Dugan (616) 369-3482 • (800) 688-3605 (734) 782-0323 Turf Services, Inc. Matt Heiss •SOD, SOIL, 4c CONSTRUCTION* Turfgrass Inc. (616) 842-4975 We Serve You Better Beck Sod Farm (800) 521-8873 Weingartz Golf 4c Turf George or Lois Beck Don Alexander (800) 968-2325 / Fax (517) 864-3055 The Scotti Company (888) 453-8873 / (616) 696-2913 John Skaife Hnggett Sod Farm, Inc. (248) 698-2358 Valley Turf Inc. Top Quality Sotl/Bent, Trees A Peat Your Reel Support in Northern Michigan (517) 635-7482 / Fax (517) 635-7484 Lebanon-Composite P.I.N. Fertilizer (616) 369-3482 • (800) 688-3605 The Best Agronomics/ Value Available Bunting Sand At Gravel Products Inc. Randy (248) 673-7146 •GOLF CART SALES At SERVICE* Robert Resteiner (517) 345-2373 Sweeny Seed Company Tire Wholesalers Company-North It Pavs to Plant the Best Dan Cress - Tires A Tubes Tri Turf Soils, Inc. (800) 344-2482 / (517) 773-5391 (616) 775-6666 • Fax (616) 775-8810 Precision Made Soils for all Uses (616) 943-7806 Z (888) 616-7806 Turf Chemicals, Inc. Boylan Sales Inc. Fertilizers For Better Turf Yamaha Golf Cars •CONTRACT SERVICES- 517-725-7145 Fax 517-723-7410 (6,6) 685-6828 • (810) 742-3700 Commercial/ Environmental Turf Services United Horticultural Supply E-ZrGo Golf Cars Distributing Soil Reliever A Terra Topper Finest Product Available Today John Roddy (800) 231-5296 / (248) 858-7700 (887)802-2970/ (517)274-8188 (800) 336-1016 / (616) 938-1118 Turf Services, Inc. Green Growth Supply Co., Inc. •ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN 4c CONSULTING* Matt Heiss Providing A Balance for All Seasons (616) 842-4975 (800) 315-5777 Fax (800) 501 -9902 C. J. Colein 4c Associates, Inc. Caro! Colein (248) 656-6805 h ........ ........ .4 and we encourage you to support them Northern Michigan Turf Managers Association P.O. Box 80086 Lansing, Michigan 48908 Dr. James B. Beard International Sports Turf 6900 E. Kelenski Dr. Cedar, MI 49621 NMTMA Executive Committee Brian Holmes President Dan Bissonette Vice President Dan Hunt Treasurer Tom Reed Executive Secretary Karen O’Dell Recording Secretary BEARD COLLECTION