President’s Message When I think of October and November in the golf business, I think of five things; leaf removal, projects, irrigation blow-out, the final spray and high school football. I love the fall season. The pace is a bit slower but we all keep thinking about that first snow that stays on the ground for good. We all work to meet deadlines, this deadline has no date, and we all know it’s out there but we just don’t know when it’s coming. What is coming is our annual meeting and chapter championship. We have had great attendance during the August and September meetings, lets all get together one more time for a quick meeting and a round of golf at Dave Little’s Red Hawk Golf Course. Speaking from experience, the extra drive is worth it. It’s a really enjoyable layout with excellent conditions. The agenda for the annual meeting is pretty basic. We will discuss finances, give quick committee reports and vote on three board member positions; Jim Bluck from Forest Dunes, Paul Emling from Arcadia Bluffs and Steve Shane from Lochenheath are running for board positions. I wili also give everyone a briefing on GCSAA business; I at­ tended the delegates meeting in September. Service points (.1) are available. One week following the Tuck Tate chapter championship will be a mechanics meeting at Treetops Resort. Refer to page 5 or the web site for more information. The week after the mechanics meeting is a GCSAA seminar hosted by the Western Michigan fellows. This is a heck of deal, check out the seminar insert. Everyone should have received their dues notice in September for the 2004 season. If you didn’t, please contact Kay to get another invoice. The payment of your membership dues is extremely important for the livelihood of this association. Congratulations to Greg Lyman for accepting a new position with GCSAA! Greg will be the new director of GCSAA’s Environmental Institute for Golf. Greg and his family will continue to keep their roots living in Michigan. Thanks for your hard work dealing with all of the state agencies on our industries behalf. Greg’s position with MSU and the Michigan Turfgrass Environmental Stewardship Program are obviously tied together. During a MTESP steering committee meeting, each chapter representative was educated and brought up to date on how his position was funded as well as what some of the future possibilities may be regarding this position. Representatives from the MTF, MDA, DEQ, Department of Agriculture and MSU administration are beginning to discuss the vacancy. The chapter representatives are all writing support let­ ters to have the state agencies continue funding MSU’s environmental specialist position. With a situation like this, I can finally see the need for a statewide group voice from our industry. One large group speaks stronger that four or five smaller groups when it comes to red tape state issues. I think we may (continued on page 2) (continuedfrom page 1) need to have one voice in the future for issues like water and phosphorus legislation that we all know are com­ ing. I know that my co-chair on the state association committee is falling out or his chair right now, sorry Dan; they pulled me over to the dark side. Remember, you can sign up for any of our events online at nmtma.org. I hope to see you at Red Hawk or the mechanics meeting and good luck with your deadline that’s hanging out there somewhere. Steve Hammon steveh@tcgcc.com Opinion Column I would like to respond to your recent emailing on GCSAA's new PDI program and have it printed as an editorial in the Newsletter. It has been a long time since I've actively offered my opinion on matters of State, so to speak, but those who remember me from my years in Northern Michigan and as a Past President of our Association know that I don't hold back. I would like to state, however, that this is just an opinion, my opinion, and not that of my employer, the PGA TOUR. The Professional Development Initiative, or PDI as it is known, has good intentions and was conceived by very well meaning members of GCSAA. Their purpose, as I see it, is to further upgrade the image and credibility of the golf course superintendent by following the lead of the PGA of America's classification sys­ tem for head professionals. This takes the concept of Certified Golf Course Superintendent and pushes it downward into the ranks of the vast majority of the superintendents in the organization, thus raising the visibility of the profession as a whole rather than the elite. Unfortunately, I think it will back­ fire unless entry is made more accessible for young, aspiring superintendents who may have elected to get a two year degree in turf management, or who may have other educational backgrounds to go with their practical experience. It will also backfire if the experienced superintendents who do not yet belong to GCSAA and have not previously seen the value in a membership are approached and told that they must complete some years of formal education before they can be validated as qualified superintendents in the profession. Both of these categories of potential GCSAA members will probably opt to remain outside GCSAA membership, and that will be our loss as much as theirs. When I was on the Board of NMTMA, and then President, we made a concerted effort to expand our membership and target the small, low budget golf courses that proliferate in Northern Michigan. This was the old NMTMA and we wanted to make sure we didn't get too fond of ourselves that we forgot our roots and the people that needed our support most. I am very proud that we were successful in these efforts, and many current members were recruited dur­ ing this period of our history. There was a lot of pressure at that time to exclude members who were not will­ ing to join GCSAA, and to our credit, we resisted that isolationist philosophy. We felt that if we could expose a superintendent or course owner to what this great profession was all about, then they may be more inclined to join and be an active member in GCSAA on their own terms. I see the current trend of the PDI and higher requirements for Class A membership status as reopening that debate, and I am still on the side of inclusion, rather than exclusion, in my philosophy about professional associations. To be truly seen as one brotherhood, we must not alienate those who for their own personal reasons or due to their employment situation choose not, or cannot fulfill the requirements set forth in the membership classification revisions. In my opinion, we are heading down the wrong path. Jon Scott/PGA TOUR Page 2 For Sale 1998 Jacobsen LF 135 Fairway Mower Company: Petoskey Bay View C.C. Description: LF 135 in excellent shape. Only 701 hours, have not used the last 2 seasons due to purchase of other mowers. Had to wait for mower to depreciate so ... More on the web @ nmtma.org Contact: John Mastenbrook Phone: 231-347-2706 Irrigation Materials Company: Walloon Lake Country Club Description: Due to an irrigation renovation project, we have slightly used irrigation materials available for sale at WLCC. More irrigation materials will become ... More on the web @ nmtma.org Contact: Daniel Bissonette Email: dan@upnorth.net Phone: 231-535-2373 Greens Aerifier Company: Forest View Golf Course Description: This is a Ryan Greensair II, it is in good shape and runs good. We have used it very little, and don’t need it anymore. We bought a tractor mounted ....More on the web @ nmtma.org Contact: Roger Blackford Email: roger@forestviewgolf.com Phone: 989-837-8644 Olathe 395 roller Company: St. Ives & Tullymore Description: I am looking for this item. I do not have any for sale. Would like something for parts! Good machines they just do not make them any more.... More on the web @ nmtma.org Contact: Alex Greenacre Email: grassguru2001@yahoo.com Phone: 231-972-8011 Driving Range Bag Racks Company: Traverse City Golf & Country Club Description: I have eight driving range bag racks for sale. They are painted brown and are in good condition. They fold up nicely for storage. More on the web @ nmtma.org Contact: Steve Hammon Email: steveh@tcgcc.com Phone: 231-947-0487 Page 3 2003 N.M.T.M.A ANNUAL MEETING Tuck Tate - Chapter Championship Date: Tuesday, October 7, 2003 Where: Red Hawk Golf Course East Tawas, MI Host: Dave Little - Golf Course Superintendent Reservations: Deadline, October 1, 2003 Please register on line at www.nmtma.org Any questions, please call Kay at 517-327-5474 Schedule: 9:00 a.m. Check in 10:00 a.m. Annual Meeting 11:00 a.m. Shotgun Following Golf: Steak Dinner Prizes for low gross and low net Cost: $65.00 - Meeting, golf, dinner, prizes $20.00 - Dinner only Directions: At the intersection of M-55 and US-23 in Tawas City. Follow M-55 west one mile to Wilber Rd. Go north on Wilber Rd. five miles to Davison Rd. Turn left on Davison and go west V2 mile to the course. (Note: Monument Rd. crosses Wilber Rd. at an angle and may be somewhat confusing. Wilber Rd. is straight and without curves through the above described stretch) Page 4 GCSAA FALL SEMINAR MANAGING TURFGRASS DISEASE CONTROL Dr. Houston B. Couch Monday, October 20, 2003 1 Day Seminar Egypt Valley Country Club Education Points: 0.7 Grand Rapids, Michigan GCSAA Member Fee: $85 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (7:30 arrival) Non-Member Fee: $175 Continental breakfast and buffet lunch provided Seminar Description: Profiles of basic fungicides, as well as the result of ongoing university research is discussed. The non-target effects of fungicides, strategies for avoiding fungicide resistance, the effects of synergism and antagonism, and control programs for specific diseases of both cool - and warm season grasses are presented. The textbook, Diseases of Turfgrass, Third Edition, is required for this seminar (included in the cost of the seminar and will be handed out at the seminar). Instructor: Houston B. Couch, Ph.D. Dr. Houston Couch’s long career includes more than 400 presentations to 121 professional turfgrass organizations and universities in the United States and internationally. He is a professor of plant pathology at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, teaching an undergraduate course on the nature and control of turfgrass diseases. He also conducts research on the chemical control of turfgrass diseases and the effects of various environmental factors on turfgrass disease development. Registration form for: Maximizing Turfgrass Disease Control - October 20, 2003 Cost: $85 (GCSAA member) Attendee Name: Please print Phone # $ 175 (non-member) $___________ $___________ $___________ Attendance limited to 1st - 125 registrants Total Cost $___________ Return bottom portion of this sheet with check payable to WMGCSA to: WMGCSA 8585 Winter Forest Rockford, MI 49341 REGISTRATION DEADLINE OCTOBER 10, 2003 Northern Michigan Turf Managers Association Mechanics Meeting Tuesday, October 14, 2003 The NMTMA board members understand how important the mechanic is to every golf course operation. This will be a 1/2 day event. The first meeting will be a basic get together and shop tour at Treetops Resort. Lets get our mechanics together for equipment discussions and a nice lunch. This meeting is sponsored by the NMTMA and will be free of charge. Date: Tuesday, October 14, 2003 Location: Treetops North Maintenance Facility - 4787 Winnie Hill Rd., Gaylord, MI (Take Wilkinson Rd. past main resort and continue on paved road to four-way stop. Continue north 3.5 miles to north entrance. Turn left into north property and take first paved road on right. Look for signs) Time: 9:30 - 1:00 p.m. Cost: Free Topics: Some of the topics discussed • Hydraulic hose maintenance ideas and replacement schedules • We can share equipment stories and repair techniques • Treetops maintenance building and shop tour • Discuss topics and dates for future meetings Deadline: October 13, 2003 Registration: Please register on line at www.nmtma.org / Any questions, please call Kay at 517-327-5474 Do not let your mechanic miss this great event! For Sale cont. Goossen Debris Blower Company: Traverse City Golf & Country Club Description: Goossen Debris Blower BL 2000 , The biggest one made. Excellent condition .Only used on a home lot .More details @ nmtma.org Contact: Mike Teter - Steve Hammon Email: miket@teterop.com Phone: 231-342-0970 - 231-947-0487 Rainbird Eagle 700 series Earthsafe Aboveground Fuel Tank Company: Eagle Glen Golf Course Company: Crystal Downs CC Description: Description: 6 new Rainbird eagle 700's '92 dual 500 gallon (1000 gallon capacity) vaulted above­ Complete bodies with heads ground fuel tank with two (2) pumps. Used for golf cart A little dirty but never used. More on the web fleet, now we have electric carts. More on the web @ @ nmtma.org nmtma.org Contact: Dudley Strauch - George Shephard Contact: Michael Morris Email: dudleystrauch@yahoo.com Email: mmorris@crystaldowns.org Phone: 1(989)588-6599 Phone: 231-352-4241 Page 5 p 1 The NMTMA appreciates the supportfrom the following businesses... ‘IRRIGATION* ‘FERTILIZER, CHEMICAL & SEED* ‘EQUIPMENT, SERVICE & SUPPLIES* John Deere One Source Rhino Seed and Supply Great Lakes Turf Equipment One Source for All Your GolfNeeds Next Day Delivery Guaranteed! Quality Used Turf Equipment (800) 642-3706 / (231) 632-3337 (800) 790-1898 I (800) 677-1006 (248)640-1174 *SOD, SOIL, & CONSTRUCTION* Lesco, Inc. Spartan Distributors Mark Hensley Your Full Line Toro Distributor Tri Turf Soils, Inc. (800)321-5325 (800) 822-2216 “USGA Screened Soils” (231) 943-7806 / (888) 616-7806 Sweeney Seed Company Weingartz Golf & Turf It Pays To Plant The Best Distributor ofJohn Deere Equipment Great Lakes Golf Construction, Inc. (989) 773-5391 / (800) 344-2482 (616) 696-2913 / (248) 295-0105 Experts In Remodel & Repair (231) 582-6783/(231) 582-5269 FAX Tri-Turf *GOLF CART SALES & SERVICE* “A Warehouse On Wheels ” Huggett Sod Farm, Inc. (231) 943-8343 / (800) 636-7039 Boylan Sales, Inc.—Yamaha Golf Cars Bent & Bluegrass Sod, Shade & Ornamental Trees Jim Atchison (989) 635-7482 Turfgrass, Inc. (269) 685-6828 / (269) 437-2602—Cell Serving Northern Michigan From Gaylord Beck Sod Farm, Inc. (989) 705-8180/(866) 705-8180 Kodiak Equipment Company David Beck Golf Cars, Parts, Service, Rentals, Accessories (989) 864-35491 (800) 968-2325 Turf Chemicals, Inc. (888) 746-0800—Kalkaska / (866) 743-6817—Flint Russ Hancock Great Lakes Bentgrass (989) 725-7145 / (800) 733-7145 Finest Quality Sand Grown Sod (734) 677-3618 United Horticultural Supply *TIRES & TUBES* Steve Pent *CONTRACT SERVICES* (989) 277-4704 Tire Wholesalers Company Dan Cress Turf Services, Inc. *OTHER* (231) 775-6666/(231) 775-8810 Matt Heiss (616) 842-4975 Holiday Inn Grayling (989) 348-7611 / (800) 292-9055 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 NMTMA Executive Committee Box 10065 Steve Hammon President College Station, TX 77842 Craig Hoffman Vice President Dan Hunt Treasurer Tom Reed, Sr. Executive Secretary lilllllllltlllll rm i rmnsi