d9ers*^° Turf Times The news,etter from the Northern Michigan Turf Managers Association "r CA-P1 Bi-Monthly Update September/October Volume 30, No. 4 '<> % President’s Message How do I tie the terrible tragedy in New York and the Pentagon to what we as turf superintendents do for a living??? Well first of all, you realize how small the world really is and my turf related problems are truly insignificant to what is happening to the human race at this time. While we could draw parallels to turf by saying: “ My shaded greens were in great shape until the algae destroyed them.” (Hi-jacked plane hitting the World Trade Center and Pentagon) “ My owner or Board of Directors want faster greens, so I am mowing them at .90” and rolling six times a week.” (Osama bin Laden telling his followers that killing people is all right and will get you to a higher place) “Fellow superintendents in our association will help out with advice, equipment or labor in the time of need ...UNCONDITIONALLY!!! (Fireman, policeman, Red Cross workers, steel workers, doctors, search and rescue people, volunteer people in general helping wherever needed in the time of need ... UN­ CONDITIONALLY!!!) “ The numbers of golf rounds at many courses this season were down from previous years due to the uncertain economy” (Wall Street on the decline following the disaster and speculation of the uncertain economy) Nothing in our business can equate to what happened on September 11, 2001 in New York, Penn­ sylvania and Washington D C. Thousands of lives will be lost due to this inhumane act of terrorism. More, if military action takes place. Our lives and the freedoms we enjoy are to be changed forever. The golfing industry will feel these changes. From boarding an airplane to the National Conference, going to a sporting event (Ryder Cup), the Drummond Island to Canada snowmobile excursion, the interna­ tional hockey competition Greater Detroit has with Canada, International tourism, hiring of migrant labor to the financial investments made or not being made at the golf courses, equipment parts distribution (Next Day Air), biological and chemical control development will be monitored more closely, fertilizer and fuel costs are among the many things we will be dealing with in the future. The price of freedom just got more complex and expensive. The common denominator seems to be throughout this tremendous ordeal is the love for humanity, cooperation among people, and the spirit to endure this horrific crime. Let’s hope this continues for the sake of future generations. God Bless and Green Side Up, Daniel J. Bissonette > Golf Courses It’s Time “Fore” Safety Businesses in the “Green In­ By: Martha Yoder, Chief, dustry,” including lawn care, Charles Lorish, Regional Supervisor, landscape, nursery and horti­ General Industry Safety Division culture, face many of the same hazards as golf courses. The arrival of spring in Michigan brings with it an increase in outdoor activities and recreation. Golf­ ing is a favorite Michigan warm-weather pastime. In fact, Travel Michigan refers to Michigan as “America’s Summer Golf Capital.” With more than 800 public golf courses in Michigan-more than any other state in the country-there is a course for every skill level. It takes a substantial number of workers to keep Michigan golf courses in top playing condition. And all of those workers are covered by the safety and health provisions of MIOSHA. Employers who re­ quire employees to use chemicals, powered equipment, hand tools, mowers and tractors must be mindful of the applicable MIOSHA standards. As one of many members of the “Green Industry,” golf course operations rely on a significant num­ ber of seasonal workers. These businesses must diligently work to protect their workers, particularly in the area of hazard recognition and employee training. During the past 10 years, MIOSHA inspections have iden­ tified the following areas most frequently during inspections of golf courses. Hazard Communication/Employee Right to Know (RTK) programs to address chemicals used in the workplace were the most frequently cited area. This included lack of an overall program, posters, MSDS (material safety data sheet) sheets to provide information on chemicals used, and training for employees. Employees must be trained prior to initial assignment and whenever a new chemical hazard is introduced into the workplace, and all containers of chemicals must be labeled. Sample Hazard Communication Programs are available from the MIOSHA Consultation Education & Training (CET) division. The basic goal of a Hazard Communication Program is to be sure employers and employees know about chemical hazards and how to protect themselves. In addition to MIOSHA’s RTK requirements, golf course owners must also be mindful of Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) requirements. MDA requires that all employees who apply pesticide products for commercial purposes be either a certified or registered technician. Employees who are asked to use pesticides to manage pests of turfgrasses, ornamental plants, seeds or to preserve wood are subject to MDA rules. For more information on MDA requirements, contact the Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division, 517.373.1087. Guarding of power transmission was the second most frequently cited condition. This includes belts, pulleys, chains, and sprockets on equipment such as grinders, drill presses, air compressors, refrigeration units and mobile equipment. Compressed Gas Cylinders, such as the CO2 cylinders for pop, must be restrained, and was the third most frequently cited hazard. (Continued on page Page 2 NMTMA Scholarship Fundraiser 2001 The NMTMA Up North Scramble event held at The Black Lake Golf Club was a big success with 31 teams entered and at least 12 turned away. (My sincere apologies) Doug Kendziorski and his staff had the course in superb condition, but we expected nothing less from the Polish Prince. Director of Golf, Pam Phipps and her people deserve kudos for all their help in making this day fun for everyone who played. The course played long due to the rainfall the day prior to the event, but when I chose to use the blue tee markers, I meant to say BLUE CHEESE markers to go with all the whine that was produced after the golf round. But non the less, the Hessel Ridge team of Baker, Rutledge, Slater and Delmonte completed their trifecta for 2001 and won with a net score 58. (Hessel has won all three events this year FYI.... Congratulations!) The team from Grayling C.C came in second and wishes to remain anonymous so their relatives don’t try to hawk on their winnings. Third place Crooked Tree scored net 62. Skop, Jorgenson, Simpson and Christenson comprised that sandbagging team. The last place prize went to Davis, Addison, Cooper and Cooper from Devils Knob. They were awarded $100 for their efforts and bonus points for fin­ ishing in less than five hours. The skin pot was earned by the team from Walloon Lake C.C. comprised of Bissonette, Blumke, Massey and Ingersole. They donated $350 of the ill-gotten booty to the scholarship fund. Chuck Demicoli from Lakewood Shores luck ran hot when he won the 50/50 drawing, but he proba­ bly gave it back at the casino’s scholarship fundraiser. A special thanks to all who donated prizes, tee sponsors, and beverage cart sponsors. Without you, this tournament would not be a success. THANK YOU !!! Next year, the Up North Scramble will be held at Wild Bluff Casino and Resort in Brimley. Dan Bissonette MTF Fund-raiser 2001 This year’s Michigan Turfgrass Foundation fund-raiser was held on the Tradition Course at Treetops Resort on June 19, 2001. The golf course was in excellent condition thanks to course superintendent Brian La- tuszek and his staff. The weather was perfect thanks to Director of Grounds, Mark Wildeman and thanks to PGA golf pro Scott Head for his help and hard working staff. Seventy players signed up to help support the MTF. Thanks to everyone who dropped off an amazing amount of raffle prizes. Shirts, hats, jackets, cash and loads of free golf certificates where brought in by con testants and sponsors to help raise money for turf research. Thank you to all of the MTF fund-raiser spon­ sors (listed on page 5) for your continued support of this special event. This year the NMTMA will contri­ bution $8,212.96 to the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation. Thanks again to Mark, Brian, Scott and the owners of Treetops for all of their hard work and dedication be­ fore and during this event, thanks for sharing Treetops. Steve Hammon Page NMTMA Tee Sponsors The Northern Michigan Turf Managers Association would like to thank the sponsors for making this years fundraiser a huge success. Please take the opportunity to thank them personally and we hope you would consider them for any future turf related purchases. Charlevoix 231-347-6001 Tire Wholesalers Company North, Inc. Dan Cress 616-775-6666 Weingartz Ron Weingartz 888-4-JD-TURF Spartan Distributors John Read 800-822-2216 Tri-Turf Tom Reed 231-943-8343 Bovlan Sales-Yamaha Golf Cars Mike Bovlan 800-886-GOLF D.G. Irrigation Carl Graef 800-334-7011 Turfgrass Inc. Kim Olson 800-521-TURF Valiev Turf/Rainbird Irrigation Valiev Turf/Textron Golf and Turf Bob Doezema 231-369-3482 Optimum Yield Inc. Rod Niswander 231-347-3708 TCI Fred Miller 517-725-7145 A1 & Jim’s Tree Service A1 Major 231-526-5123 Syngenta Brian Anderson 616-437-6947 Aventis Kevin Fuchs 734-782-0323 Uniroval Chemical Dave Green 800-763-6049 E-Z Go Golf Cart John Roddy 800-336-1016 Rhino Seed Company Jon Santina 800-482-3130 United Horticultural Supply Steve Fent 877-802-2970 Lesco Inc. Jim Bluck 248-760-1678 Overby Farms Bob Adams 248-647-3274 Grigg Brothers Foliars Mark Grigg 888-246-8873 Century Rain Aid Jim Van Antwerp 231-881-6874 For Sale For Sale Lastec 721R Articulator wide area rotary mower, 1 lfoot cut, 7/21 inch decks, PTO driven, 3 Jacobsen Walking Greens Mowers with Mow and maintained very well and works like a charm, Go Trailers some belts, bearings and wheels included, $2500.00 each or $7000 for all three $1,500.00 call Steve Hammon @ 231-947-0487 Marquette Trails Golf Club 231-898-2812 1991 Jacobsen F-10 Perkins Diesel, 10 Blade Reels Great Condition, 2300 HRS. $12000 or make offer Contact: Bear Lake Golf Association, Garret 1 (231) 864-2731 Page 4 2001 Sponsors for MTF Fundraiser Aventis - Joe Grippi Beck Sod Farm - George Beck Boylan Sales - Jim Atchison Century Rain Aid - Jim VanAntwerp Charlevoix Country Club - Ty Conklin Deep Roots Aerification - Don Myers Flowtronex - Tom Zakrzewski J. Mollema & Son - Steve Adamczyk Kodiak Equipment - Mike Meindertsma Lesco - Jim Bluck Dan McCormick Ford - Hole-in-one car Rhino Seed - Jon Santina Spartan Distributors - Jack Rogers Simplot Partners - Sue Shockey Thielen Turf Irrigation - George Thielen Tri-Turf - Tom Reed, Sr. Turf Chemicals - Fred Miller Turfgrass Inc. - Jim Bogart Uniroyal - Dave Green United Horticultural Supply - Steve Fent Watertronics - Michael Wilczynski Weingartz - Jim Hirschman Upcoming Michigan Congratulations Turfgrass Event Congratulations to the following people for be­ The 72nd Annual Michigan Turfgrass Conference will ing elected to the NMTMA Board of Directors be held January 21-24, 2002, at the Holiday Inn South- Hotel and Convention Center in Lansing, Michigan. Mike Normand - Otsego Club This Educational Conference includes presentations Steve Hammon - Traverse City C.C. from over 40 different speakers on topics related to the Steve Sump - Hidden River Golf and Casting turfgrass industry. Details regarding this event will be Club mailed in November. For further information contact Jim VanAntwerp - Century Rain Aid Kay Patrick at 517-321-1660, or visit the MTF Web Site at michiganturfgrass.org. Page 5 (Continued from page 2) Electrical equipment must be properly maintained. This, the fourth most cited area, includes covers on electrical equipment, maintaining flex cords, and ensuring strain relief. Examples of electrical hazards j identified at golf courses include: running flex cord around poles and through the ceiling to plug in ice and pop machines; damaged cords on food service equipment, coolers, fans, blowers; missing switch plates; and lack of plugs in unused electrical openings. In addition to the top four cited areas, the following work-place safety issues are commonly cited during inspections of golf courses. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) needs must be determined by the employer. The MIOSHA General Industry PPE Standard, Part 33, requires that an employer must perform a written assessment of hazards. Common hazards requiring personal protective equipment at golf courses include the use of ground- skeeping equipment such as mowers, blowers, weed whips, and trimmers which require eye protection and foot protection when operating walk behind equipment. Use of maintenance equipment including grinders and welders, and handling of chemicals such as battery acid, pesticides, and herbicide, all require a minimum of eye protection and may require face, body and hand protection. Sample assessment information for neces­ sary personal protective equipment is available from the CET Division. In addition, Occupational Health Part IV, General Workplace Requirements, addresses the issue of eye washes and safety showers for those employees who may be exposed when handling chemicals such as battery acid, pesticides and herbicides. Tractors must have the power take off guarded with a shield. Tractors of 20 horsepower or more operated on a slope that could cause the tractor to overturn must be provided with rollover protection and a seat belt for the operator. The operators must be trained and tested in accordance with the rules found in the MIOSHA General Industry Tractor Standard, Part 22. Fueling of equipment must be done with an approved and labeled safety can. Plastic gas containers | are not acceptable. Where employees are required to trim or remove trees, additional equipment and PPE requirements are specified in the MIOSHA General Industry Tree Trimming and Removal Standard, Part 53. Finally, for golf courses with a driving range where operators are required to collect balls while golf­ ers are using the range, workers must be protected by an enclosure and wear head protection while exposed to the possibility of being hit. Given the seasonal nature of their business, golf course operators have an obli­ gation to furnish necessary training to their employees. Proper orientation and training are crucial to creating a safety culture in the workplace. The CET Division is available to assist employers with their safety and health training and consultation needs, and can be contacted at 517-322-1809. Renovation of an Island Tee Dan Hunt, Superintendent Treetops/Jones Course Over the years our island tee on the Robert Trent Jones course had been settling. We decided it was time for total renovation of the tee. The job was a big one and it would include: striping the sod off the whole tee, installing a seawall for erosion and settling control, bringing in fill to raise the tee’s height, install­ ing drainage, installing new irrigation and a good finish grade. There was one major problem, the bridge to the tee was only four and a half feet wide. We wouldn’t be able to get our heavy equipment there to work (Continued on page 7) Page 6 (Continued from page 6) on it. All hand work had to be done on a 3500 square foot tee. The first thing we did was cut all the sod off on one end and stack it on the other end of the tee. Next we purchased seawall which came in 16 foot sections. It was recommended to be installed a mini­ mum of 18 inches below the bottom of the pond. So we cut them into 4 foot sections. Since we weren’t able to get a backhoe or excavator to the tee, the only alternative was a jackhammer. Each piece of sea­ wall had to be cut. They come in one foot widths and it interlocked together as we drove them down. We soon found out that the seawall was not going to be easy to drive down to the recommended depth. During original construction they used whatever was available (which mostly consisted of large rocks and clay) to fill in and build up the original tee. We decided to drive each piece as far as we could which now ranged from 12 to 18 inches. One guy had to be on scaffolding operating the hammer and the other guy had waders on in the water guiding the seawall to be level. Next was the tricky part. We wanted to raise the tee height about one and a half feet. How would we get all of that fill down to the tee with the bridge being over 100 feet long and only four and a half feet wide. The first thing we thought of were wheelbarrows. We decided it was going to be too labor intensive for six people. We started calling around to see if we could find a conveyor belt or a crane to make the job a little easier. What we came up with was the powered wheelbarrows that are used for hauling concrete. They were narrow enough to fit through the bridge with little room to spare. Next we had to figure out a way to fill these units without hand shoveling everything. We took a sander truck used in the winter for sanding the roads and took the whole bottom part that included the spinner off. Now it was only the belt auger taking the mix into the shoot. This appeared it was going to work well until we saw how tall the wheelbarrow was com­ pared to the trucks shoot. We still needed to get the truck up about a foot so they would clear each other. Cart path and a small work area would not allow us to dig a hole for the wheelbarrows. So we dumped some mix on the cart path and put planks on top of the mix to build a ramp. It was pretty tough to keep the large truck on the ramp. We had two powered wheelbarrows hauling between 1/3 and 1/2 a yard of mix each pass. Finally everything is moving smoothly until the weather starts to give us problems as it always can on any given November day. Four inches of snow made it a problem for the wheelbarrows to get back up the bridges incline. The sun and some warmer temperatures finally took the snow away. With the seawall drove down we started to cut off the pieces so they were level on top from piece to piece. We then put two 2x6 treated boards horizontally sandwiched together with the seawall in between attached with 10 inch carriage bolts. This made the seawall stronger and provided a place for the top board or cap board to sit. The 2x6 board had to be grooved on the backside in order to turn the comer of the rounded tee. Anchors were put every 4 to 6 feet apart to make the wall more stable for the fill. Next we installed the irrigation. We installed eight small heads 25 feet apart. This improved the irri­ gation coverage immensely since it used to be one large head to cover the entire tee. We had the sea wall up and the fill in place. We compacted the mix to settle it enough to complete the finish grade. We really wanted to work the mix more than with just landscape rakes. We wanted to use our sand trap rake to do the finish grade. Having the bridge only four and a half feet wide, we took the wheels off our powered sand trap rake and put floor jacks underneath it to roll it down the bridge. It proved to be worth it, saving time and making the finish grade excellent. We then started to put the sod back down and had an­ other setback finding it was frozen. We made a tent and put heaters in it overnight to thaw out the turf. After laying the sod we painted a line where we wanted the tee to be (about 3 feet from the edge of the wall) and then put the rough sod around the perimeter. The backside was then finished the same way and we had a renovated tee in about 10 working days. Dan Hunt, Superintendent Jones Course Page 7 The NMTMA appreciates the support from the following businesses... r- •IRRIGATION- •FERTILIZER, CHEMICAL A SEED* FERTILIZER, CHEMICAL A SEED, conL Theiien Turf Irrigation Slmplot 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 H (; •SOD, SOIL, A CONSTRUCTION* Chlpco •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 Naw Serving Northern Michigan in Gaylord Huggett Sod Farm, Inc. (517) 705-8180 / (866) 705-8180 Welngartz Supply Bent dc Bluegrass Sod, Shade Trees dc 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 A 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. Lyn 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 / (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 GolfCars (616) 685-6828 Turf Services United Horticultural Supply Contractual Services Signature Brand Fertilizer “You Have Our Name On It" E—Z-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 Paul Witte Kodiak Equipment Company Tire Wholesalers Co., Inc. (800) 315-5777 / (616) 878-9922 Parts, Service, Ncw/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 Inn Grayling (616) 541 -3000 / Pager (616) 230-9158 Dawn Umphrey (517) 348-7611 / (800) 292-9055 B.. ...and we encourage you to support them Northern Michigan Turf Managers Association P.O. Box 80086 Lansing, Michigan 48908 Information Center GCSAA 1421 Research Park Dr. Lawrence, KS 660 W-3£Si NMTMA Executive Committee Dan Bissonette President Steve Hammon Vice President Dan Hunt Treasurer Tom Reed Executive Secretary Doug Kendziorski Recording Secretary liJlntHiiîlifuInlIiliütiltlnlHlililHliuliliiilUiilil