Turf Times The newsletter from the Northern Michigan Turf Managers Association Chaf" '«Sers-** Bi-Monthly Update May/June Volume 30, No. 2 J BEARD President’s Message comcnoN- Save, save, save.... For­ hope your spring is going well. balls from your company is be­ get, forget, forget... This mes­ ing requested for a fund-raising sage is brought to you by a se­ Don't forget the Michi­ effort toward The Foundation. nile old man. Had another long gan Turfgrass Foundation Fund­ One golf ball will be on display winded story for everyone and raiser this June 19th at Treetops at the International show in Or­ didn't hit save on the keyboard. Resort, The Tradition. Proceeds lando, Fla. next year, while the What an excuse for Scott. I help support programs in educa­ other two spheres will be auc­ would use" the dog ate my mes­ tion and turf research at Michi­ tioned off online. Details are sage" excuse , but he doesn't gan State University. As you all available at the GCSAA web­ like electronic components. know, remaining the leader in site. Turfgrass research needs our fi­ Well, spring has sprung nancial support. For a chuckle, take a and the Morels are in bloom. look at the spring 2001 MTF The snow mold damage is start­ The GCSAA is celebrat­ Newsnotes. (NMTMA Award ing to green up. (Does anybody ing its 75th anniversary this year presentation). "So I've got that have an answer for this past by offering a Brick and Balls goin' for me." winter???) The dandelions are a program. A $50 commemorative little more yellow than I remem­ brick can be purchased to be Have a great spring!!! ber. But then again, I may be placed around the Old Tom having a flashback of Kevin Morris sculpture at the GCSAA Green side up, Henley throwing snow in my headquarters in Lawrence, face with the Ski-Doo MXZ. I Kansas. Also, a sleeve of golf Daniel J. Bissonette Founding NMTMA Member Passes Away. Traverse City — Edward L. Kar- at Traverse City Golf and Coun­ try Club for 32 years and was an Traverse City Junior Golf Association cheski, 86, of Traverse City, Scholarship Fund died on Sunday, April 1, at the avid gardener. C/O Robert Lober Munson Medical Center in Tra­ Memorial contributions 10090 E. Pickwick Court verse City. may be made to the Traverse Traverse City, MI 49684 Edward served his coun­ City Junior Golf Association Scholarship Program or the Amy Amy Karczewski Scholarship Fund try in the U.S. Army throughout C/O Northwestern Michigan College Europe during World War II. Karczewski Scholarship Fund 1701 East Front St. He was the Golf Professional c/o Northwestern Michigan Col­ Traverse City, MI 49684 and later Greens Superintendent lege. Travels with Jim Tollefson It was not my first trip to Bill Alband, a two-year M.S.U. of 60 miles everyday. In the Copper Harbor with my wife of graduate from the class of 1980. meantime I have become thank­ 24 years but on this day, Sep­ Bill grew up in Detroit and then ful that I only have a 5 mile tember 20, 2000, we decided to at 13 years of age, moved with drive to work, a drive I check out the Keewanau his family to Eagle Harbor, lo­ sometimes make by bicycle. Mountain Lodge. This facility, cated down the Keewanau coast Bill's mechanic, often located in Copper Harbor, is the about 12 miles south of Copper times will get to work by 4 in northernmost golf course lo­ Harbor. As a youth he spent 3 the morning and begin mowing cated in Michigan. This 9 hole years working on the crew at greens. The greens were found course was built in the early the Keewanau Mountain Lodge. to be in fantastic condition. Bill 1930's. Because of the closure After that, he was infected with told me that his greatest chal­ of all the copper mines in the the "keeping of the green" bug. lenge at Keewanau Mountain area, unemployment in this area After graduating, Bill took on a Lodge is keeping the course reached 70 to 80 percent. To stint with the Oakcrest Golf green. At best the topsoil in the help relieve the unemployment Club in Norway, Michigan. fairways and rough is 1 to 2 problem the Civilian Work Act Finally, Bill's dreams came true inches in depth. In other places (CWA) was put into action and and in the spring of 1999 found it was less than that, with rock as a result, the 9 hole layout got an opening at the club where he outcroppings here and there. started in 1933. Timber that is currently superintendent. The majority of the irrigation was cut from the fairways Bill told me that he is mains were found laying on top would be used to later construct employed for 8 months during of the ground in the rough. The the clubhouse in 1934. the year and sees about 12,000 only way to get it in the ground Who was that "key fig­ rounds played at the club. He would be to dynamite it through ure" that was the superinten­ oversees 3 other employees and the solid rock below. Currently dent? How long was the finds his greatest frustration to the crew is in the process of season up here? How big of a be when one of the workers burying the pipe by getting crew worked there? What were doesn't show up in the morning. dump truck loads of topsoil and the joys and the difficulties of Bill nearly has this problem covering the pipe. Also, when running such a facility? These, taken care of however. You see the course was built, sprinkler as well as a host of other ques­ Bill lives in Allouez heads were often spaced too far tions were asked as I secede to (pronounced Al-oo-aa) a drive apart resulting in many dry ar­ discover answers. of 30 miles. On his way to work eas in the fairways. Never have As I entered the pro he stops at another small town I seen more undulating fairways shop I asked the lady working if called Mohawk and picks up than here; it is nearly impossible she could direct me to the Su­ two other coworkers, so they to find a level lie. With only perintendent's office. She didn't better be up and ready to go. It 12,000 rounds played per year understand who I was asking is normal for Bill's day to begin the predominately fescue fair­ for so I then asked for the per­ at 4:00 A.M. so he can get his ways hold up very well. Trying son responsible for keeping the chores done around home and to hit the fairways can be an­ course in such great shape. She pick up his coworkers so they other problems; often times directed me to the clubhouse can start by 6:00 A.M. After a only measuring 70 feet in width. and there I met the Superinten­ busy day, Bill repeats the proc­ Irrigating the course takes a dent who was in a meeting with ess, dropping his coworkers off while due to undersized pipe the general manager. and getting home by mid- and having to utilize manual After a short wait I met afternoon if all goes well. In the valves to turn heads on process, Bill drives a minimum (Continued on page 3) Page 2 (Continuedfrom page 2) so intense. However beautiful mower. Fortunately Bill has a and off. the landscape and surrounding fantastic general manager to Bill told me that about areas are, Bill still finds the most work for and has been able to the only other problem he en­ stressful part of his job is ma­ update a lot of his equipment to counters is in keeping the mem­ neuvering his vehicle safely to make the job easier. The 1932 bers carts a good distance from work day in and day out. After Toro tractor still remains on the the greens. "Oftentimes hitting both deer and bear on his course, not currently in running they will park right on the edge morning commutes he has condition but definitely in re­ of the green," laments Bill. His learned to be extremely wary of storable condition. "It's a good greatest joy is keeping the anything that moves. reminder to me," Bill relays, course green and looking its When Bill first worked "of how difficult it was not that best. A joy all of us fellow su­ at the Keewanau Mountain long ago to maintain this tract perintendents can relate to. Lodge as a teenager, there were of land. I really love it here, it As I stood on the first only a few pieces of equipment is a great place to be." tee with the American flag to be found. Included in that snapping sharply to a brisk early inventory was a working James Tollefson, CGCS northerly wind and looking 1932 Model 'B' Toro tractor A-Ga-Ming G.C. southerly to a panoramic view complete with steel wheels, a of the Brockway Mountains be­ mid 1950’s set of silver Wor­ hind the first green, I could see thington 7 gang mowers, a walk­ why Bill's love for the area was ing greensmower, and a rotary For Sale: Needed: Jacobsen tri-king 1900-D reel mower. Like new Jacobson verticut reels for a greens triplex 40hrs. $10,000 or best offer. Lely fertilizer spreader Call Paul Emling at 231-889-3008 or 1-800-494-8666. Contact: Denny Curtis at 231-313-5778 Correction NMTMA Events Page 5 of the NMTMA 2001 Directory: Extension Consultant to NMTMA Area codes for L. Andy Norman should be June 19................. MTF Fundraiser (231) Page 65 of the NMTMA 2001 Directory: Treetops Resort, The Tradition L. Andy Norman July 22.......... .......NMTMA Annual Picnic Net: norman@msue.msu.edu Beaver Creek Resort Campus number is: 517-355-6755 August 14............. The Rock on Drummond Island August 22............. MSU Field Day Please Add: Ed Carmody G-659 September 13...... NMTMA Fundraiser Pursell Technologies, Inc. 41638 Village Blvd.-#103 Black Lake Golf Course Canton, MI 48187 October 2............. Tuck Tate Championship Phone: 734-844-0669 Michaywe’ Hills, The Pines FAX: 734-844-0709 email: ecarmody@polyon.com Page 3 The NMTMA at Jes the support from the following businesses... •IRRIGATION* •FERTILIZER, CHEMICAL A SEED* FERTILIZER, CHEMICAL A SEED, cont Theilen Turf Irrigation Sim plot Partners Lesco Over 40 Years OfExperience Sue Shockey, Sales Manager Jim Bluck “Grow With Us " (517)773-3409 MI Only (800) 482-6520 / (248) 474-7474 (800) 321-5325 Century Rain Aid Tri-Turf The Anderson’s Hunter GolfRotors, Valves, and Central Control Systems A Warehouse on Wheels John Skaife For New installations and Retrofits (800) 347-4272 (231) 943-8343 / (800) 636-7039 (248) 698-2358 •SOD, SOIL, A CONSTRUCTION* Chipco •EQUIPMENT, SERVICE A SUPPLIES* Joe Grippi Beck Sod Farm, Inc. (616)844-7551 Spartan Distributors David Beck John Read (800) 968-2325 / (517) 864-3549 Turfgrass Inc. (800)822-2216 Now Serving Northern Michigan in Gaylord HuggettSod Farm, Inc. (517) 705-8180 / (866) 705-8180 Weingartz Supply Bent dc Bluegrass Sod, Shade Trees & Bulk Peat John Deere, Lastec and More (800) 432-2763 / Fax (517) 635-7484 Rhino Seed, Golf A landscape Supply (877) 465-9040 / (888) 4JD-TURF Jon Santina Bunting Sand & Gravel Products Inc. (800) 677-1006 / (231) 218-3991 Valley Turf Inc. Robert Resteiner A Cut Above (517)345-2373 Lebanon-Composite P.I.N. Fertilizer (231) 369-3482 / (800) 688-3605 The Best Agronomics/ Value Available Tri Turf Soils, Inc. Randy (248)673-7146 West Michigan Power and Equipment, Inc. Tom Reed, Sr. Lvn Turner (231) 943-7806 / (888) 616-7806 Sweeny Seed Company (800) 821 -6522 / (231) 861 -2175 It Pays to Plant the Best •CONTRACT SERVICES* (800) 344-2482 1 (517) 773-5391 •GOLF CART SALES A SERVICE* Commercial/ Environmental Turf Turf Chemicals, Inc. Soil Reliever Service Fertilizers For Better Turf Boylan Sales Inc. (248) 858-7700 / (800) 231-5296 517-725-7145 Fax 517-723-7410 Yamaha Golf Cars (616) 685-6828 Turf Services United Horticultural Supply Contractual Services Signature Brand Fertilizer “You Have Our Name On It" E-Zr-Go Golf Cars (616) 842-4975 / Cell (616) 443-0868 (877) 802-2970 / (517) 274-8188 Dick Ellis (231) 348-5660 / Cell (231-409-2106 •TIRES A TUBES* Green Growth Supply Company Paid Witte Kodiak Equipment Company Tire Wholesalers Co., Inc. (800)315-5777 / (616) 878-9922 Parts, Service, New/Used, Rentals Dan Cress (888) 746-0800 / (231) 258-0603 (231)775-6666 J. Mollema A Son, Inc. “We Treat You Like Family” OTHER - Holiday I nn Grayling (616) 541 -3000 / Pager (616) 230-9158 Dawn Umphrey (517) 348-7611 / (800) 292-9055 k- ...and we encourage you to support them Northern Michigan Turf Managers Association P.O. Box 80086 Lansing, Michigan 48908 Dr- James B. Beard Rational Sports Turf 6900 E. KeJenski Dr Cedar, MI 49621 NMTMA Executive Committee Dan Bissonette President Steve Hammon Vice President Dan Hunt Treasurer Tom Reed Executive Secretary Doug Kendziorski Recording Secretary beard UX1ECT1ON