NORTHERN MICHIGAN ANAGERS ASSOCIATION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22nd, 1983 GARLAND GOLF CLUB FRANK HEMINGER. Secretary-Treas. LEWISTON,_____________ MICHIGAN 1 1 47 SANTO TRAVERSE CITY. Ml. 49684 The above date and location are very special in that it is our seventh annual benefit day for THE MICHIGAN TURFGRASS FOUNDATION, 6,6947~9274 at one of the finest golf layouts in Northern Michigan. This year it is something new as they now have 36 golf holes and we are going to play the new course. Garland Golf Course is owned by Garland Manufacturing Co. and was built about thirty three years ago by Mr. Herman Otto, President and owner with Mr. Ossie Pynnonen as the superintendent. This was a private golf course at that time and had only 9 holes. In 1972, the back 9 holes was started under the direction of "Snuffy" Bunting and opened June 1, 1973. He has also built a third 9 holes plus started the fourth 9 holes which will be the course that we will play. We are fortunate to be able to play this golf course and it is a real test of golf requiring many fine shots to the greens and avoiding the water. Starting times are necessary and carts are a must. We suggest that you get together a foursome, make your starting time by phoning 517/786-227^. The complete package for the day including dinner will cost you $30.00. Breakdown of this, a donation to Michigan Turfgrass Foundation, | cart and dinner. The game that will be played will be a "Scramble" and the "Best Ball of the Foursome". Everyone will drive, then a choice of which ball every one will hit from where that ball lies, this continues until everyone has holed out. Dave Longfield is the Superintendent of these 38 holes and he has informed us that starting times will be from 10:30 A.M. until 2:00 P.M. He has reserved this period for our group so please make your reservation early. Alex Redman is the Golf Professional and together, they make a fine team. When you make your reservation for starting times, you will be calling the Pro Shop. That number again is 517/786-227^. Dinner will be served at 6:30 P.M. promptly and we are fortunate in having as our speaker, Mr. Stanley Zontek, U.S.G.A. Representative from Crystal Lake, Illnois. There will be no business meeting other than giving of golf prizes prior to introduction of our speaker. As usual we must have a count of the number that will be there so we are enclosing a postcard for you to return. Please list on this card, the number that will be in your group. Don’t wait to mail this card, get your group together and fill out the card plus MAIL. Your cooperation on this will be greatly appreciated. Thanks. 1 ***#*#***#*##*####**#*##•»*■»**#***##*#♦**♦**#*#*#*####■»####*##*#»##*•»*#*«# The USGA has once again extended complimentary grounds and clubhouse privileges at all USGA Championships, to GCSAA members with Class A, B and retired A and B cards. Presentation of your Gold membership card at the "will call" booth will gain you admittance on a day-to-day basis. This procedure must be repeated each day you wish to attend. This privledge includes the U.S. Open and all other USGA sponsored Championships. ■ SNOW MOLDS: WHAT’S NEW by Dr. Lee Burpee Assistant Professor Dept. of Environmental Biology, University of Guelph Guelph, Ontario Canadian golf course superintendents PCNB Controversy based. This is exactly what has hap­ probably know more than any other Field tests with PCNB fungicides for pened to Fusarium nivale. Recently, group of turfgrass managers about the control of Fusarium patch have pro­ researchers have found that this fungus biology and control of snow molds. vided inconsistent results. Some does not possess all the characteristics Therefore, I’ll refrain from discussing the reports indicate that PCNB provides that are normally associated with the basics of diagnosis and management, excellent control, others indicate just genus Fusarium. Therefore, it has been and I’ll try to outline some of the the opposite, and two articles that I’ve removed from Fusarium and given the research findings that have come to read report an increase in the incidence name Gerlachia (gur-lak-ee-ah) nivalis. light in the last few years. of Fusarium patch after PCNB applica­ As golf course superintendents and tion. This probably explains why, out of plant pathologists, name changes such Fungicide Resistance four lists of fungicide recommendations as this really shouldn’t bother us; In 1980, strains of Fusarium nivale (the for turfgrass, two recommend PCNB for because after all, even though the name pink snow mold fungus) that were resis­ Fusarium patch control and two do not. I of an organism may change its biology tant to benzimidazole fungicides (eg. guess we’ll all end up flipping coins on does not. And that's what we’re really Tersan 1991, Easout, Benomyl) were this one. interested in, right? Right! isolated from turfgrass in Germany. In Personally, I have not tested PCNB for A problem can arise however, when a 1981, iprodione (Rovral) resistant fall or spring Fusarium patch control disease is named after the organism strains were isolated from creeping spring, 1983 will be the first attempt). that causes it (eg. Fusarium patch, bentgrass in the state of Washington. However, the handful of superinten­ Ophiobolus patch, Fusarium blight). Are What significance does this have for dents that I’ve talked to, who have used we obliged to change the name of the Canada? PCNB, are pleased with the results. disease when the name of the pathogen When we consider late-fall fungicide changes? This could lead to chaos. applications for snow mold control, the Fortunately, most turfgrass diseases information on fungicide resistance is of What’s in a Name are not named after the organisms that minor significance because Rovral and Occasionally, scientists decide to incite them (eg. brown patch, dollar spot, the benzimidazole are seldom used change the scientific names of living anthracnose, fairy ring). For the few when control is required under months things. These decisions are not made diseases that are so named, patholo­ of snow cover. However, we all know lightly. They are usually based on hours gists probably should opt for name that in addition to pink snow molds, of close examination during which time changes. Hopefully in the future as new Fusarium nivale causes Fusarium patch the examiner may discover that an diseases are described, they will not be disease, a common disease of creeping organism does not really fit the original named after the organisms that cause bentgrass during fall and spring. Since description on which its name was them. Rovral and the benzimidazoles are frequently recommended for control of Fusarium patch In Canada, the possibility of encountering fungicide resistant strains cannot be overlooked. Can resistance be avoided? The simplest answer to this question would be yes, fungicide resistance can be avoided by simply eliminating Rovral and the benzimidazoles from a Fusarium patch control program. Unfortunately, if a turf manager chooses not to apply these fungicides, he must forfeit the benefits of long-term systemic activity (eg. spraying every 10 to 20 days as opposed to every 7 to 10 days). I believe that Rovral and the benzimidazoles can, and should, be retained in a Fusarium patch manage­ ment program in Canada It is quite obvious however, that repeated use of these fungicides should be avoided. Alternating the use of Rovral or the benzimidazoles with application of PCNB (Quintozene, Terraclor, Scotts FF II), PM AS, and/or mancozeb (Fore) is recommended. 105. Gerlachia patch of Poa annua golf green. (Courtesy S.G. Fushtey) APRIL 1983 GREENMASTER _ (continued on next page) Snow Mold Sleuths “How Fast Is Fast?” We are fortunate to have some of the worlds too authorities on low- By Sherwood A. Moore temperature-tolerant fungi working Superintendent of Golf Courses, Winged Foot Golf Club right here in Canada. Agriculture In the English language the word fast has many meanings, Canada scientists such as James such as you can run fast, hold fast, go on a fast, have fast women Traquair from Harrow. Ontario and J. Drew Smith from Saskatoon have made and have fast greens. significant contributions n increasing The topic of conversation around the locker and grill rooms of our knowledge of snow molds. In 1981. golf clubs these days is “how fast are the greens today?” In some Jim Traquair discovered the true areas of the country it is referred to as “the roll of the green.” It identity of the snow mold known for all boils down to the speed of the ball on the green. Lost is the art years as LTB (low temperature basidiomycete). The fungus is a cousin of stroking the ball — today a tap is all that is required. I think of the inky-cap mushroom that we’ve all some of the golfers want the ball to roll into the cup just by look­ seen in fairways, roughs and nome ing at it. At some clubs they post the speed of the green on the lawns. bulletin board for the day. Drew Smith has devoted many years Are we becoming victims of the stimpmeter, fast greens and to the study of snow mold fungi. He has made us aware of the many different tournament play? When big tournaments are on T-V all we hear types of snow molds that actually exist. about is how fast the greens putt, that they double cut the greens In a recent review article he discusses daily, even triple cut, and yes, on some greens quadruple cut to seven different snow mold diseases of increase the speed. turfgrasses I’m afraid that the days Whenever a group of golfers or superintendents congregate, when snow molds were either pink or grey are long gone. golf and turf are naturally discussed, greens speed for the aver­ age club is a favorite topic. Seven, eight, nine, ten or more feet is suggested. Has the superintendent contributed to the dilemma? Yes, in a Or Lee Buroee way. He probably has perfected his course to the point where 971-BA. Gettysburg College • Biology only incredible fast greens will save par. Also the competition to ?74-Ms Penn State University - Plant Pathology ' 978-Ph D Penn State University - Plant Pathology have faster greens than your neighbor is not helping the situation 1978 1982-Plant Pathologist. Bermuda Dept. of in any way. Agriculture 1982-Present-Assistant Professor. Dept of In any event, an increasing amount of pressure is put on the Environmental Biology. U. of Guelph. Superintendent to increase the speed of the greens. Every Specializing in diseases of turfgrass and cereal crops. Superintendent has heard the following remarks: “Are the greens going to be mowed today?” “When are you going to lower the height of cut?” “The greens at such and such a club are faster than ours.” Seriously, I am concerned about this trend of “fast greens.” TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR Can we afford to maintain greens of this caliber - that require LIVING WITH PEOPLE frequent topdressing; frequent verticutting; daily cutting ordou-.- 1. Speak to people. Nothing Is so nice as a cheerful ble cutting of greens; close, close mowing - even to the point df greeting. grinding the underside of already thin bedknives. 2. Smile at people. Takes 72 muscles to frown, 14 to smile. And in all my conservation and reading and listening, I have 3. Cali people by name. Sweetest sound is ones own never heard anyone mention a thing about the little grass plant. name. How is it standing up under all this abuse? I was tutored under 4. Be friendly and helpful. If you want friends, be a the late Professor Lawrence Dickenson of Massachusetts and friend. one of his often quoted phrases was “Give the grass plant half a 5. Be Cordial. Speak and act to prove everything you do chance. It wants to live.” Under these conditions of shaving the is a genuine pleasure. 6. Be genuinely interested in people. Just try and you grass plant to '/s" or less are we giving it “half a chance?” I do not can like almost everyone. think so. We are giving it very little chance. Sooner or later we 7. Be generous with praise—and courteous with are headed for trouble. criticism. We all know that the root growth of the grass plant is in prop­ 8. Be considerate with others. There are often three sides to a controversy; yours, his and the right side. ortion to the top growth. That the grass plant needs leaf surface 9. Be alert to give help...what we do for others lives for survival - for transpiration, respiration, the manufacturing and is immortal. of carbohydrates to maintain life and growth. It also needs nitro­ 10. Add to all this a good sense of humor, loads of gen and other nutrients that we are withholding so as to increase patience, a dash of humility and you will be rewarded speed by limiting plant growth. many fold. I predict that in the not too distant future we will get back to John S. Swift Co., Inc. the basics of a good putting green surface - that the demands of the grass plant will be given equal or more consideration than the demands of the golfers. A firm, true, healthy green with The caravan moves no faster than the slowest wagon. reasonable speed is much more pleasurable than putting on dead grass and plain soil. We will return to stroking the ball, not tap­ Harry C. Mabry ping it. >3 CREDIT TEE TO GREEN Ynir Portable Handicap When our courses are rated under the new system, golfers from courses of differing difficulty may compete on equal footing. ANDICAP PORTABILITY may sound like a culty factor to cover the different levels of ability, then H fancy phrase describing a wheelchair’s function, but such is not the case; rather, it defines a handicap with him and have it adaptable to any course developing a USGA Handicap/Strokes-Received Table from the degree-of-difficulty factor. player’s ability, under a new procedure, to carry his Courses would be rated for the scratch player and for the average golfer, weighing the influence of obstacles he may play, regardless of its easiness or difficulty. on performance by players of various levels of ability. Under this procedure, scores may be adjusted Ratings might look like these: 70.2/125 or 70.4/94. The upward or downward, depending on the course’s degree added factors, 125 and 94, are the degree of difficulty. of difficulty, to the standards of a mythical average For example, Golfer A plays Panther Mountain, course. This portability is an essential element in and enters his 96 score for handicap. This score will be creating the best possible equalizer of players, the adjusted downward by the computer from 96 to 90, this Handicap. adjustment based on the degree of difficulty factor that If American golfers played only one golf course and Panther Mountain was given by the rating team. If the competed only against other players at that course, same player turns in a score of 84 from Open Flats, the handicap portability would be meaningless. Golfers, degree-of-difficulty factor will cause the computer to however, move from one town to another, and from one adjust his score upward from 84 to 90. state to another; they play inter-club competitions; they In fact, each of these scores has been adjusted to play at resort courses during vacations; and they enter what the golfer would have shot at a mythical Perfect local, regional, state, and national tournaments. American Valley Golf Club, which represents something close to golfers, like their countrymen, enjoy variety. an average course (although it is likely that less than half Enter handicap portability, stage right. of the nation’s courses fit this category). In matches between players from different courses, The problem is half-solved; every golfer now has a the handicap golfer from the more difficult course will handicap, and the adjustments have, in effect, turned usually win. Courses traditionally have been rated by a all the players into members of Perfect Valley. This is method using distance as the major factor. Obstacles fine only if golfers with the same handicap play a match, may influence the rating, but because ratings are based regardless of the venue. on the scratch player, obstacles confronting most of us Golfers of differing abilities — and, thus, differing haven’t been given much weight. They do not affect the handicaps (for example, 5 and 15) — cannot use only the scratch player’s average score very much. Yet, hazards, 10-stroke difference in these handicaps to play both trees, and rough can ruin the average golfer’s round. Panther Mountain and Open Flats and expect to have Less than one-half of one percent of our golfers play an equitable competition. to scratch; most of us are in the 14 to 17 handicap range. The 15-handicapper will shoot approximately 93 It may not matter as much to the scratch player whether at Panther Mountain and the 5-handicapper approxi­ he plays the tough Panther Mountain Country Club, mately 78, a difference of 15 strokes. At the easier Open with its small, fast greens, jungledike rough, and Flats course, the probable difference would be only recurring out-of-bounds areas, or the Open Flats Country seven strokes. Club, where the nearest out-of-bounds is somewhere in To resolve this disparity, each course would have a the next county. It matters greatly, however, to our specific USGA Handicap/Strokes Received Table. For average players. example, at Panther Mountain, the 15-handicapper may Handicap players from rugged Panther Mountain get 23 strokes and the 5-handicapper eight strokes, a would welcome the chance to take on Open Flats golfers; difference of 15 strokes if they play each other at that they would even send a limousine for them — what might course. be called (privately, of course) the Pigeon Express. Two associations have already re-rated the courses Panther Mountain and Open Flats represent in their state, and seminars are continuing throughout extremes, of course; however, errors in the system may the country. For further information, contact the Handi­ be as great as 12 strokes at the average golfer’s level of cap Director, Golf House, Far Hills, New Jersey 07931 ability when comparing handicaps developed at different [tel. (201) 234-2300]. courses. For many golfers who are baffled by the current system, this may seem even more complicated; it would SOLUTION, developed over the past several years also seem more fair. The only players who may be dis­ A by the USGA Handicap Research Team, involves appointed by this procedure are those who have been two steps: re-rating each course, using a degree-of-diffi- happily exploiting the Pigeon Express Limo Service. November/December 1982 Golf Journal FLOWERING ANNUALS BRIGHTENS COURSE PLANTINGS Everything that grows on a golf course are not necessarily green. Flowering plants add a bright touch to the clubhouse and course areas, and some superintendents, use potted flowers as tee markers on ladies' days. Two of the most popular flowering annuals in the United States are zinnias and marigolds. Unlike the ever popular petunias and snap-dragons, which are usually transplanted as bedding plants, marigolds and zinnias can easily be grown from seed. Michigan State University floriculture specialist Lowell Ewart points out that they are quick to flower and persistent, providing bright splashes of color until frost. "One of the best things about these plants is that they need almost no care," Ewart says. "Toss the seeds on the ground, kick some dirt over them, give them a little water and watch them grdw." Both marigolds and zinniascome in a wide range of flower types and flower and plant sizes. Varities are available that can be used as tall hedges or screens, as intermediate plantings and as low-growing borders. The range of flower color in zinnias goes from white and cream through pinks and reds, yellows and oranges. There are even some green-flowered varities. Marigolds come in various shades of yellow, orange, gold, rust and dark red. Variegated flowers are available in both. Zinnias and marigolds, like most flowering annuals, do best in a bright sunlit area. For shade, Ewart recommends coleus, and the white, pink, salmon, red and variegated blossoms of impatiens provide color to brighten a shady corner. He notes that the newer varities of impatiens that have variegated foliage need more sun that the standard shade-loving varities. A sunbaked spot where many flowers fail in midsummer is ideal for portulaca, or moss rose. This ground-hugging annual can be seeded direct in early spring or set in May as transplants. It quickly covers an area with blossoms in a rainbow of colors. Alyssum is another popular flowering plant. Compact and low-growing, it is often used as a border plant. Like portulaca, it can be seeded into the garden or planted as transplants. It grows best in full sun, where it remains covered with tiny white, rose-pink or purple flowers from early summer through frost. For dry, sunny areas with poor soil, consider nasturtiums. White, red, yellow, salmon and variegated flowers appear in about six weeks after sowing and continue until frost. Climbing, semitrailing and upright varities are available. For foundation plantings or a lowdecorative hedge, try four o'clocks. This old fashioned plant gets its name from its habit of opening its flowers in late afternoon. It blooms all night, then closes up its blossoms in midmoming. It is easy to grow and very fragrant. The best way to get good results with these and other annualsfrom seed is to follow the directions for planting and care on the seed packets and in the seed catalogs, Ewart says. With good quality seed and a minimum of care, any of these plants should perform well. ***** ««««««««««««-ft***#*#**#****-********************#******#-**-»-**#-*'»#-»-»'»# A patient waiting to be pushed into the operating room said to the nurse, “I’m nervous. This is my first operation.” The nurse replied, “So am I. My husband is the doctor and it’s his first, too?’ 5 The National Golf Foundation announced the establishment of a new two- year Golf Management School at Oglebay, a resort and municipal park operated by the Wheeling, W. Va. Park Commission. The basic intent of the school is the operational skills for managers of public golf facilities. We believe there is a need for such a school and that the combined expertise of Oglebay and the Foundation wiol make the venture successful. The first five day session is scheduled for Jan. 8-12, 1984 A $200.00 fee will cover tuition, books and supplies. Registrants are expected to participate in both the 1984 and 1985 sessions. More information is available from Randy Worls, Oglebay, Wheeling, WV 26003, phone 30^/242-3000. WANTED, Slit seeder, 24 or J6 inch width, in good working order. Contact Robert E. Miller, Box 64, Acme, Mi. 49610, phone 616/938-1290. #******##*•»*###***#*#*•»####**■»#*****###***#»*#*#*##**####**##*#'»■»******# A report dated May 17 th, stated that Stripe smut symptoms are now becoming evident on golf course greens and home lawns. The symptons are thinned areas with stunted, clumpy appearing turf. On golf greens the disease may appear as turf that has not broken dormancy. Most susceptible cultivar is Toronto creeping bentgrass. Examination of the individual plants will reveal black streaks running lengthwise in the grass blades and sheaths. Fungicide treatment at this time will not be effective. A dormant application of Bayleton, Tersan 1991, Fungo, Cleary’s 3336 or Rublgan, next spring will help control this disease. • Stripe smut is a systemic disease and can only be controlled on semi­ curative basis. Once a plant is infected it will remain so for life. Rieke #*######*##*##***#*####«**#*## ##******###*#*♦***######*##•» GRASS AROUND TREES INHIBITS SPECIAL NOTE GROWTH, BUT NOT FOR THE REASON For this special benefit day for YOU MAY THINK The Michigan Turfgrass Foundation, we would welcome contributions, donations, gifts, prizes or anything Turfgrass growing close to the stem or trunk of a woody which might be appropriate for ornamental can inhibit the plant’s growth, and two prizes. Would you please contact scientists looking for the exact cause of the supression have found that it is due, in part, to chemicals exuded Tuck Tate, 616/352-4101 of your from the grass roots — the process of allelopathy. Until intent so that we can also give now it was supposed that the growth supression was you or your firm the appropriate caused by competition for moisture and nitrogen, with credit in our next newsletter the grass taking up the nutrients before they percolated plus Inform The Michigan Turfgrass down to the roots of the tree or shrub. To conduct their research, R.C. Wakefield, a Foundation of your kindness. Any professor of plant and soil science at the University of contribution is fully tax deductible Rhode Island, and S.L. Fales, a research associate, under 501 (c)(3). We thank you. grew flowering dogwood and forsythia plants in plots both with and without turf cover. They were not surprised to find that the plants with no turf cover performed better, but additional water and fertjJiz .Please mail that POSTCARD didn’t help the supressed (turf-covered) plants increai their growth rate. To see if allelopathy was partially^,, blame for the differing growth rates, the scientist« Our next meeting is July 8th,1983 leached some chemicals from the roots of various hat HIDDEN VALLEY, Gaylord. Make a species of grass (perennial ryegrass, red fescue andi- Kentucky bluegrass) and applied the leachates to*? lotch on your calendar potted forsythia plants growing in greenhouse sand culture. Very shortly the liquid slowed the growth of the lany a man spanks his children plants, demonstrating that allelopathy was at least -ror things his own father partially to blame. should have spanked out of him Crops and Soils Magazine, June-July, 1982 Don Marquis