Turf Times The newsletter from the Northern Michigan Turf Managers Association f.WV Bi-Monthly Update September/October Volume 28, No. 4 J* President’s Message This will be my last enjoyable. I have met board is a group of to become involved in President's Message. many quality people dedicated and hard the N.M.T.M.A. at the My three year term is and I believe the turf working people and I board or committee up and I have decided industry is one of the would like to say thank level. I believe it not to run for a board best to work in because you to them for their would be an enjoyable position again. The the people are both support. I'm proud to experience for you. three years I have been knowledgeable and be a member of the Thanks for your sup­ president have been very supportive. N.M.T.M.A. I would port! See you at the both enlightening and The N.M.T.M.A. encourage all members next meeting. Brian Holmes NMTMA Upnorth Scramble Fundraiser Blue Tag The N.M.T.M.A. Up­ staff are to be commended the entertainment after the north Scramble held at In­ for having the golf course awards were given away. Special dian River Golf Club on in excellent shape. The If you left early, you September 14th was a huge 6100 yard layout proved to missed quite a funny success. Twenty-six teams be a worthy challenge to all show! Glad to have him at participated in the event, who played. the fundraiser this year. Hey have you heard with some traveling from as What would you do A very special thank- about the great way far away as the Upper Pen­ without a guy like Club you to Kim Olson, Mike Manager Gene Maybank. Allison and Jim Volgstadt to help out your local insula to the north, Tawas City to the east and Big Well, you wouldn’t have who helped make things association as well as Rapids to the south. A spe­ anyone to heckle. Thanks run smooth. Your endless the national. All you cial thanks to those dedi­ to Gene for his efforts in volunteering gets you have to do is pur­ cated individuals. coordinating the event, the mentioned in this upscale chase Turf-Seed, Inc. The event started out to great dinner and the hole- fishwrap. or Tee-2-Green seed be a typical Michigan fall in-one contest. with “blue tag” on day after the shotgun Ty Love and his well- Article Submitted by: them and keep the sounded. First a little over­ rested assistant did a fine Dan Bissonette tags. OK what do I cast and then a brief three job with getting the teams Walloon Lake C.C. do with the tags? to four holes played in the ready and on our way. Ty Well Turf-Seed has rain. But wait, this is has the fastest marker in Michigan!!! Sunshine tried Tuscarora Township. pledged to contribute to ruin what would have The hole sponsors this $0.50 for every vari­ been a great excuse for a year were outstanding. We ety or mixture and miserable front nine score appreciate your generosity $1.00 for every Tee- by our team. towards our cause. 2-Green Penn Pals Pat Whitman and his Mike Ridley provided (Continued on page 2) btAKU COLLECTION (Continuedfrom page 1) you out down the road, GCSAA headquarter 1- ble, here is a great, variety or mixture sold as money will be used 800-472-7878 or my­ easy opportunity to and turned in by to help make your job self and we can answer help both associations GCSAA members over easier or better. your questions. Check do more in research the next five years. So get involved and out the promotional ad­ without asking you to Fifty percent of the when you order seed, vertisement in GCM personally fork over proceeds from these keep the “blue tag(s)” and in the November/ money. tags will benefit N.M. and send them into December issue of T.M.A. as an unre­ GCSAA Foundation; Turf Times. stricted gift and fifty 1421 Research Park Thank you in Jon D. Maddern, percent will benefit the Drive; Lawrence, Kan­ advance for your help CGCS GCSAA Foundation’s sas 66049-3859, make and hope everyone had “Investing in the sure you put your a great 1999 season Beauty of Golf’ cam­ name, club, and local and will have a better paign. So every tag chapter with tags or 2000. Please do not <7* C* Çf C* C* counts and could help call Janine Sattler at leave money on the ta- J) J) J) J) J) J) NMTMA Upnorth Scramble Winners Kim Olson - Turfgrass Inc. Short Drive or Chunk!!! Paul Galligan-Grand Traverse Closest to the Pin Mark Nowak-Traverse City CC Closest to the Pin 2nd shot Scott Myles-Pine River GC Long Drive Chas Meneft-Little Traverse Farthest from the Pin Brian Anderson-Novartis Closest to the Pin Richard Buzzard.Treetops Closest to the Pin Jim Bluck-Grand Traverse Long Drive Brian Anderson-Novartis Closest to the line Hidden Valley Closest to the Pin 3rd shot Contreras, Norman, Kennedy, Luczak-Hidden Valley Resort -Had a skin on hole #5 with an eagle. 1st Place Boyne Highlands Team - 56 Breighner, Anderson, Novinski, Deweerd 2nd Place Tie Hidden Valley Resort - 58 Conlxeras,Normand,Kennedy,Luczac 2nd Place Tie Grayling C.C. - 58 Conidin, VerHage, Wilson, Ridley Congratulations to all the winners and thanks to all the prize donors. We hope everyone had fun this year. Thanks to all who made this N.M.T.M.A. Upnorth Scramble Fundraiser a success. The Upnorth Scramble Committee Ideas For Reducing High Employee Turnover Today em­ screaming at an em­ ronment where know their employees as ployee turnover is con­ ployee because he hap­ employees feel people, not just workers. If sidered the most dis­ pens to be running the comfortable in you take the time to do this concerting issue facing aerifier. Here are some asking questions. you will find that employ­ Golf Course managers tips that might help • Keep wages com­ ees will respond to some­ and employers. In make the environment petitive. If other one who cares and takes a some instances, turn­ your employee works employers are genuine interest in them as over can be as high as in more pleasant and paying more for people. 100 percent every year. productive. similar positions, High turnover is Although turnover can • Provide em­ one can expect costly for companies and be attributed to the te­ ployees with turnover to be very stressful for managers dious nature of some adequate equip­ high. involved. If you make an jobs, it is most impor­ ment and re­ • Create an atmos­ effort to create a produc­ tant for managers and sources. phere that is re­ tive and happy environ­ supervisors to deter­ • Design work laxed but empha­ ment, you might be sur­ mine what they can do procedures that sizes the impor­ prised with the amount of to effectively reduce are conducive tance of complet­ employees that stick the number of bolting to being carried ing tasks in a around a little longer. employees. out efficiently timely fashion. Some of the is­ and effectively. • Don't make un­ sues that I have seen • Communicate reasonable de­ Kevin Henley that create employee valuable infor­ mands on your G.C. Superintendent resentment are mal­ mation fre­ employees. Al­ The Natural functioning equipment, quently and in a low them to lead and ackward or frus­ way they can balanced lives. trating situations, such understand. I feel the best supervi­ as the golfer who is • Create an envi- sors are ones that get to Mark Your Calendars!! Golf Carts Stolen!!! Michigan Turfgrass Foundation Presents: 2000 MTF Turfgrass Conference Wicker Hills G.C. in Hale had five 1998 Yamaha January 17-20 golf carts stolen on October 1, 1999. Two of the carts stolen have been recovered, but are severely * MDA Pesticide test will be offered on-site damaged. The three carts that are still missing have * Excellent Speakers and Seminars the following serial #’s: * MDA Recertification Credits JN 6 - 207893 JN 6 - 209301 JN 6 - 209242 * MTF Annual Meeting If anyone receives information on these missing carts * Annual Awards Dinner please contact: Ken Emery: Superintendent * Carnival of Events 517-728-9971 (Golf Course) * Hockey (Wed Night-Bring your gear) 517-728-6087 (Home) Thank You! NMTMA Upnorth Scramble Tee Sponsors The NMTMA appreciates the support from the following businesses.. Fochman Carquest: Boyne City, Petoskey, Charlevoix 616-347-6001 Tire Wholesales Company North, Inc. Dan Cres 616-775-6666 H & D Roadbuilding Plus Tom Irwin 616-347-2547 Commercial Environmental Turf Services John Kirtland 800-231-5296 Weingartz Ron Weingartz 888-4-JD-TURF The Andersons Dave Irmen 419-891-6484 Tri-Turf Tom Reed 616-943 -8343 Boylan Sales-Yamaha.Golf Car Mike Boylan 616-685-6828 D.G. Irrigation Carl Graff 800-334-7011 Turfgrass Inc. Kim Olson 800-521-TURF Valley Turf Bob Doezema 616-369-3482 Sweeney Seed Company Frank Sweeney 800-344-2482 OptimumYield Inc. Rod Niswander 616-347-3708 Club Car Kathy Hansan 800-482-8830 TCI Fred Miller 517-725-7145 Thielen Turf Irrigation Inc. Jerry Thielen 517-773-3a09 A1 & Jim's Tree Service A1 Major 231-526-5123 Ditch Witch Sales Dave 517-546-9848 Lebanon - Country Club Kandy Rogers 248-673.7146 Novahis Brian Anderson 616-437-6947 Milliken Chemical Tommy Pinson 800-345-0372 Rhone Poulene Bob Dugan 734-782-0323 Uniroyal Chemical Dave Green 800-763-6049 W.A. Clearys Bob Ken- 419-335-7913 Zeneca Brian Winkle 888-875-9990 Benham Turf Partners Dan Banks 800-482-6520 Century Rain Aid Jim VanAn twerp 248-588-2990 E-Z Go Golf Carts John Roddy 800-536-1016 ...and we encourage you to support them For Sale 8 Foot Harley rock rake $3000.00 OBO 8 Foot Brillion seeder. 3 point hitch $3000.00 OBO Call Steve at 517-734-4909 or 517-356-5789 Catch GCSAA and the golt course superintendent in October's GOLF Magazine After reading Golf Course Management and Newsline (of course), you might want to move GOLF Magazine to the top of your reading this month. Several articles use GCSAA and member golf course su­ perintendents as sources of information. Here is a brief synopsis of the October 1999 edition of GOLF Magazine: "On Tour with John Feinstein" (pages 26 - 29) examines the course setup of the 1999 U.S. Open at Pine­ hurst. Feinstein gives special mention to the role played by No. 2's certified golf course superintendent Paul Jett and his expertise in the decision-making process. "Whose Country?" (pages 127 - 140) provides a preview of the 33rd Ryder Cup. Included are comments from The Country Club’s golf course superintendent Bill Spence. "State of the Game: Technology" (pages 143 - 187) examines the various technological advancements and their impact on the game. Included are comments from Bruce R. Williams, CGCS at Los Angeles Coun­ try Club and GCSAA Director of Information Services David Bishop. "Extra: Fall Clinic" (pages 163 - 169) provides interesting notes and facts about golf, especially pertinent to the fall. GCSAA Director of Research Dr. Jeff Nus explains the process of aerating. GCSAA NEWS GCSAA membership reaches all-time high of 20,000 Continuing a decade of strong growth, membership in the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) has climbed past the 20,000 mark. Since January 1994, GCSAA membership has grown 48 percent (up from 13,300). Membership totals are computed on the last day of each month and include all membership classifications. The GCSAA member­ ship reflects a broad spectrum of professionals, including superintendents, assistant superintendents, golf course management executives, educators, students, corporations, industry representatives and others with a vested interest in golf course management. Members enjoy the numerous services and benefits provided through GCSAA membership. A professional staff of 115 serves the membership from association head­ quarters in Lawrence, Kan. "I believe the growth affirms that GCSAA membership has value for those in the golf course man­ agement industry," saysGCSAA President Dave Fearis, certified golf course superintendent at Blue Hills Country Club in Kansas City, Mo. "The rapid growth over the last five years also validates the quality of services and representation the association provides for its members. It has great respect from peer organiza­ tions, but the best testimonial comes from those who continue to call themselves GCSAA members." Membership records indicate the GCSAA has an average annual retention rate of 91 percent. The average rate for associations is 86 percent. r The NMTMA appreciates the supportfrom the following businesses... •IRRIGATION* •FERTILIZER, CHEMICAL & SEED- •FERTILIZER, CHEMICAL & SEED* Theilen Turf Irrigation, Inc. Rhino Seeds & landscape Supply Golf Course Installations Benham Turf Partners KathleenHilbert (517) 773-3409 Leading the Industry in Turf A Ornamental Mgt. (800) 482-3130 / (877) 744-6657 (800) 482-6520 Century Rain Aid •EQUIPMENT, SERVICE & SUPPLIES- Legacy Golf Tri-Turf (800) 347-4272 A Warehouse on Wheels D & C Distributors, Inc. (616) 943-8343 / (800) 636-7039 Your One Stop Shop Valley Turf Inc. © (800) 888-7779 / Fax (248) 446-1654 Your Reel Support in Northern Michigan CHIPCO 26 GT (616) 369-3482 • (800) 688-3605 Bob Dugan Turf Services, Inc. (734) 782-0323 Matt Heiss •SOD, SOIL, &. CONSTRUCTION* (616) 842-4975 Turfgrass Inc. Beck Sod Farm We Serve You Better Weingartz Golf & Turf George or Lois Beck (800) 521-8873 Don Alexander (800) 968-2325 / Fax (517) 864-3055 (888) 453-8873 / (616) 696-2913 The Scotts Company Huggett Sod Farm, Inc. John Skaife Valley Turf Inc. Top Quality Sod/Bent, Trees A Peat (248) 698-2358 Your Reel Support in Northern Michigan (517) 635-7482 / Fax (517) 635-7484 (616) 369-3482 • (800) 688-3605 Lebanon-Composite P.LN. Fertilizer Bunting Sand & Gravel Products Inc. The Best Agronomics/ Value Available •GOLF CART SALES & SERVICE* Robert Resteiner Randy (248)673-7146 (517) 345-2373 Tire Wholesalers Company-North Sweeny Seed Company Dan Cress - Tires A Tubes Tri Turf Soils, Inc. It Pays to Plant the Best (616) 775-6666 • Fax (616) 775-8810 Precision Made Soils for all Uses (800) 344-2482 I (517) 773-5391 (616) 943-7806 / (888) 616-7806 Boylan Sales Inc. Turf Chemicals, Inc. Yamaha Golf Cars •CONTRACT SERVICES- Fertilizers For Better Turf (616) 685-6828 • (810) 742-3700 517-725-7145 Fax 517-723-7410 Commercial/ Environmental Turf Services E-Z-Go Golf Cars Distributing Soil Reliever A Terra Topper United Horticultural Supply John Roddv (800) 231-5296 / (248) 858-7700 Finest Product Available Today (800) 336-1016 / (616) 938-1118 (887) 802-2970 / (517) 274-8188 Turf Services, Inc. •ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN & CONSULTING* Matt Heiss Green Growth Supply Co., Inc. (616) 842-4975 Providing A Balance for All Seasons C. J. Colein & Associates, Inc. (800)315-5777 Fax (800) 501-9902 Carol Colein (248) 656-6805 and we encourage you to support them Northern Michigan Turf Managers Association P.O. Box 80086 Lansing, Michigan 48908 1999 Dr. James B. Beard International Sports Turf Box 10065 College Station, TX 77842 NMTMA Executive Committee Brian Holmes President Dan Bissonette Vice President Dan Hunt Treasurer Tom Reed Executive Secretary Karen O’Dell Recording Secretary BEARD collection {llilliisilf/illiifiltifitltitfttfilllfsfifiifii