o ^ers«^6° Turf Times The new8,etter from the Northern Michigan Turf Managers Association tW Bi-Monthly Update March/April Volume 33, No. 1 President’s Message Well, are you ready? Even though I have a job where I can plan and organize for four months, I don’t feel ready for the season. With all of the planning, or­ dering and office work, I still don’t feel ready. I think it’s kind of like having a baby, you never really feel ready until it finally happens, and then you shift gears and go for it. When I call my staff back and finally get outside for a change, I’m sure I will be ready. I want to thank my fellow board members for their hard work and planning dur­ ing our winter board meetings. Some of the topics we discussed were; current and future financial planning, scholarship interviews and awards, membership levels, web site changes, fundraisers, education, mechanics programs, GCSAA affiliation agreement and HQ location study, by-law changes for 2005 and fir'?.* 5. I would also ’ike to thank Dan Hunt for his time serving on the NMTMA board of di­ rectors for the past six years. Dan was a key element for the associations continued financial stability; thanks for all of your time Dan. The mini-conference agenda looks outstanding, thanks to Craig Hoffman and Jim Bluck. GCSAA educa­ tion points and MDA credits will be available, see the insert for more information. Our first golf event of the year is always the MTF fund-raiser. This year, Kings Challenge Golf Club in Leelanau County will be hosting the event on June 8. Pick your team and sign up now at nmtma.org. While you are on the web site, check out all of the 2004 events and the new NMTMA history section. Speaking of events, stayed tuned for information on this year’s Golf Association of Michigan, “Super GAM Day,” the date is June 1. This special event is geared towards educating owners, members, influen­ tial golfers, committees and boards. All superintendents are encouraged to bring a group of their decision makers. The day begins with a one-hour tour of the Hancock Research Center then the participants play golf at Forest Acres Golf Course. The education of the day will be “A// Things Green Speed.” There will be on course questions and answers for you and your group to discuss regarding green speed issues. Here is your chance to educate your ownership about the current issues relating to green speed. The GAM moved the starting time back from 7:30 to 9:00 just to accommodate our northern drive time. Please talk with your employer about attending this great event. An official announcement will be coming soon. I hope your golf course comes out of winter in great condition and I will see you at the mini-conference. Steve Hammon 2004 Schedule of Events GAM Super Day 06-01-2004 Location: Hancock Center - Forest Acres MTF Fund-raiser 06-08-2004 Location: Kings Challenge Golf Club MTF Field Day 07-21-2004 Location: MSU - Hancock Research Center August Golf Outing and Education 08-12-2004 Location: Gaylord Country Club NMTMA September Fundraiser 09-14-2004 Location: The Nightmare Tuck Tate Chapter Championship 10-13-2004 Location: Walloon Lake Country Club October Equipment Technician Meeting 10-20-2004 Location: Forest Dunes Member’s Scholarship Application Forms Available NMTMA member’s scholarship application information will be available at the Mini-Conference in Gray­ ling at the Holiday Inn on March 31, 2004, on the NMTMA webpage, or by contacting Jim Bluck. The pur­ pose of this scholarship is to offer financial aid to children of NMTMA members and also as an additional benefit to our members. Eligibility requirements are as follows: One or more of the applicant’s parents or step-parents must currently be an active member of the NMTMA for at least the past two years, the student must be studying or planning to study in a field unrelated to golf course management and there is a limit of one scholarship per level of education (e.g. undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate. Criteria for selection is as follows: The student must be enrolled full-time at an accredited institution or higher learning or, in the case of a high school senior, must be accepted at such an institution for the next academic year and the stu­ dent must complete an essay. The award will be in the. amount of $1,000 and will be awarded at the Sep­ tember meeting. , Page 2 * Have you hugged your Sales Representative lately? As we become consumed with the everyday pressures ranging from going to work, dressing our children for school, finishing winter equipment repairs and managing a golf course with 5 less employees, we often for­ get what certain areas of our lives would be like without the things we assume will always be there. A constant that we seem to have taken advantage of is the education and financial support of our distribu­ tors and their sales representatives. I reflect on the past 14 years that I have been in this business and try to remember when a golf event or educational seminar was not supported in some way through sponsorships. I recall attending events in which it seems the attendees (superintendents) think it is the obligation of the distributors to give up their profits for the enhancement our experience. This sponsorship in my opinion is 100% voluntary and yet goes, at times, unappreciated. If company XYZ didn’t sponsor an event and you needed a product they sold, would you still purchase this product? This is just one example of giving money to our profession as being voluntary. We all need the products they sell and the information they possess and where would we get it if they weren’t there? How many of you have taken advantage of or have benefited from any of the following, NMTMA direc­ tory, NMTMA turftimes newsletters, fundraisers, MSU field day, Michigan Hospitality Room, GCSAA conference, GCSAA website, MTF conference and the list can go on and on? These are just a few of the areas that are supported with voluntary donations. I have had the fortunate opportunity to see this business from the other side of the superintendent’s desk and have taken a new found appreciation for the trials and tribulations our sales representatives go through daily. Until each of you have had this experience, I suggest that you do not view any sales representative that calis on you as an inconvenience or nuisance because it is what they and the companies they work for do, that make our job experiences much easier. I am not suggesting that one must purchase products from everyone that stops by, but a mere suggestion that each person is treated with dignity and respect and offer them a few minutes of your time. As the economy continues to weight heavily upon the golf industry, let’s make a commitment this season to say thank you to the distributors you do business with that sponsor all the things we take advantage of be­ fore they are gone. A hug may be a little much!!! Jim Bluck Golf Course Superintendent Forest Dunes Attention Members If you have any problems with receiving e-mails, invoices, Turf Times, meeting notices etc., please contact Kay Patrick at 517-327-5474 or e-mail her at nmtma@comcast.net. Her information is only as cur­ rent as you keep it. The 2004 NMTMA Members Directory will be arriving shortly. If you are interested in signing up for events early for 2004 you may do so online at nmtma.org. Page 3 2004 NMTMA MINI CONFERENCE WEDNESDAY, March 31, 2004 HOLIDAY INN: GRAYLING, MI Registration: 8:00am - Conference Begins @ 8:30am Welcome - NMTMA President, Mr. Steve Hammon Past board member service recognition - Mr. Dan Hunt Retirement recognition - Mr. Dave Longfield Program host - Mr. Craig Hoffman Distinguished Service Award Presentation - Mr. Jonathon Scott Presented by Mr. Jeff Homes Mr. Andy Norman, MSU Extension Agent - Turfgrass Research Trials at the Leelanau County Experiment Station Mr. Greg Lyman, GCSAA Environmental Specialist The Environmental Institute for Golf Mr. Tom Smith, Executive Director of the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation - The State Phosphorus Issue and Future Legislation Mr. Larry Aylward, Editor of Golfdom Magazine - How to Promote Yourself to the Press Mr. Ron Calhoun, Michigan State University Weeds, PGR’s and the MTESP Lunch provided Mr. Dave Barrons, Chief Meteorologist, 9 & 10 News The Weather and Your Turf Industry Mr. Paul Galligan, Director Golf & Grounds, Grand Traverse Resort Hosting and the History of the PGA Michigan Open Mr. Dan Bissonette, Superintendent, Walloon Lake Country Club Mr. Steve Hammon, Superintendent, Traverse City Golf & Country Club The NMTMA Web Site and You. COST: $35.00 - Includes morning coffee, rolls, lunch and afternoon soft drink. Registration is online at nmtma.org the deadline is March 26. New Member Incentive: Sign up a new member at the door and they will receive complimentary admission to the mini conference. Please call Kay prior to the conference at (517) 327-5474 if you will be taking advantage of this new membership opportunity. Page 4 Your 2003-2004 Board of Directors and Committees President............................................................. Steve Hammon Vice President................................................... Craig Hoffman Treasurer ........................................................... Joe Breighner Secretary........................................................... Jim Bluck Executive Secretary........................................ Tom Reed Sr. Director.............................................................. Craig Hoffman Director.............................................................. Scott Pulaski Director.............................................................. Mike Normand Director.............................................................. Steve Sump Director.............................................................. Steve Shane Director.............................................................. Jim VanAntwerp Director.............................................................. Paul Emling Director.............................................................. Steve Princinsky Committees: Program & Golf: Mike Normand, Joe Breighner, Steve Shane Student Scholarship: Jim Bluck, Scott Pulaski Members Scholarship: Jim Bluck, Scott Pulaski Membership: Jim VanAntwerp, Steve Princinsky By Laws/Ethics: Steve Shane, Scott Pulaski Finance: Joe Breighner, Steve Hammon, Paul Emling Education: Craig Hoffman, Steve Princinsky, Jim Bluck MTF Fundraiser: Steve Hammon, Mike Normand, Joe Breighner NMTMA Fundraiser: Mike Normand, Joe Breightner, Paul Emling Environmental: Craig Hoffman, Steve Sump, Jim Bluck Publications/Website: Scott Pulaski, Steve Hammon, Joe Breighner Hospitality Room: Steve Hammon Membership Welfare: Jim Bluck Mechanics Steve Hammon, Paul Emling, Bill Hughes Website Items for sale @ nmtma.org The following items are available to be viewed at the NMTMA website. John Deere 2653 Irrigation Materials Company: Walloon Lake Country Club Company: Walloon Lake Country Club 721 Lastec Articulator Toro Greens Master 300 Company: Little Traverse Bay urse Company: Traverse City Golf & Country Club Terra Topdresser Company: Crystal Downs < Page 5 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —1 The NMTMA appreciates the support from the following businesses... *SOD, SOIL, & CONSTRUCTION* *FERTILIZER, CHEMICAL & SEED* *GOLF CART SALES & SERVICE* Tri Turf Soils, Inc. Sweeney Seed Company Kodiak Equipment Company Tom Reed, Sr. It Pays To Plant The Best Golf Cart Sales, Parts and Service (231) 943-7806 / (888) 616-7806 (989) 773-5391 I (800) 344-2482 (888) 746-0800 / (231) 264-9900 Huggett Sod Farm Rhino Seed and Supply Boylan Sales—Yamaha Golf Cars Bent & Bluegrass Sod, Shade & Ornamental Trees Next Day Delivery Guaranteed! Jim Atchison (989)635-7482 (800) 790-1898 I (800) 677-1006 (269) 685-6828 / (616) 437-2602 Beck Sod Farm, Inc. UHS/Verdicon David Beck Steve Fent *TIRES & TUBES* (800) 968-2325 / (989) 864-3549 (989) 277-4704 Tire Wholesalers Company, Inc. Great Lakes Golf Construction, Fnc. Lesco, Inc. Dan Cress Christopher Furness Mark Hensley / Jason Pettus (231)775-6666 (231)582-6783 (800)321-5325/(248)789-8315 Tri-Turf *EQUIPMENT, SERVICE & SUPPLIES* ”A Warehouse On Wheels” *CONTRACT SERVICES* (231) 943-8343 I (800) 636-7039 t WEINGARTZ GOLF & TURF John Deere One Source Turf Services, Inc. Turf Chemicals (877) 465-9040 / (616) 696-2913 Matt Heiss Russ Hancock (616) 842-4975 /(616)638-5819 (989) 725-7145/(800)733-7145 W. F. MILLER COMPANY Mark Vogler Cleary Chemical Corporation (800)555-8189/ (248)349-4100 Scott Trbovich - "There When You Need Us” *EQUIPMENT/IRRIGATION* (248) 830-6065 / (248) 236-9435 Spartan Distributors Lebanon Fertilizers and Seed John Read or Jeff Rogers Better Technology For Todays Turf (800) 822-2216/(616)887-7301 “Mesa”- SR N & “EXPO” - SR N-K - ...ana 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 Box 10065 College Station, TX 77842 NMTMA Executive Committee Steve Hammon Craig Hoffman Joe Breighner Tom Reed, Sr. President Vice President Treasurer Executive Secretary a? *ZBEARD COLLECTION : : xi i. T •«.* ? I n I«• 11 * 1 * i I i u i 1 h s n t S s i * {* 1 h I h ♦: 1 • h ? I t • • I