NORTHERN MICHIGAN TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION
WEDNESDAY,    OCTOBER     5th,    1983        FRANK HEMINGER, SECRETARY-TREAS.
MICHAYWE HILLS GOLF CLUB                                               1 1 47 SANTO
GAYLORD,____________________ MICHIGAN
                                                          TRAVERSE CITY, Ml. 49684
                                                                PHONE: 616-947-9274
Be prepared to play a fine golf course located south of Gaylord and
Just off old U.S.27, turn east on Charles Brink Road. We have been
at this location for meetings and social parties so frequently, that
everyone should be familiar with how to get there. Should you run
Into any trouble, call either of these numbers:                         |
                      Pro Shop         517/939-8910                    #7 J
                      Club House            939-8919                   /SJx
The General Manager and Director of Golf Is Mike Husby, Jim Sparling
is the Golf Course Superintendent and both invite you to play this
beautiful 18 hole golf course.
Tee times will be blocked off from 12:00 Noon til 1:30 P.M. and you
should have starting time for your group. There will be plenty of
golf carts available for everyone to ride. For starting time, please
call the Pro Shop.
We will use the same procedure which we adopted for our last meeting,
namely.that you will procure a ticket for your golf cart, your entry
golf fee and dinner payable at the time that you register for golf.
The purpose of our meetings is not to play golf nor entertain friends
by bringing them to fine golf courses without paying green fees, it
is for the express purpose of continuing education through the fine
speakers that we bring you. This meeting, our speaker will be Dr. Jos.
M. Vargas, Michigan State University Plant Pathologist and internationally
known authority on turfgrass diseases. He come at a time when most of
us are thinking about preserving and preventing disaster by winter
diseases. The advise that we will get is fresh out of the so called,
"Horse’s Mouth” or the latest information available from research
scientists on the subject. How anyone can efficiently serve as a golf
course superintendent with last years knowledge,with so many changes
taking place, is interesting and not what we are being paid for.
Those of you coming for dinner and the meeting, dinner will be served
at 6:45 P.M. We sincerely hope that you will schedule your time to
be there for "Happy Hour", if you so desire.
As usual, we must tell Mlchaywe Hills of the number that will be there
for dinner and I think it will be "Prime Ribs". As usual, a postcard is
enclosed if you are a member. Please get this in the mail with your
answer as early as possible. Like today. The winner for sending in post
cards at our last meeting was Leo Peterson even though he was not present.
This time we will also give a prize to the person whose postcard is
received first. So get your answer back immediately. Thanks.
#############*###*###########»*##*###*#»*####**#***********************
 A SPECIAL LETTER WILL BE COMING OUT ON THE SOCIAL PARTY SCHEDULED FOR
 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, GIVING DETAILS, TIME, PLACE, COST, ETC.


                                               Cooperative Extension Service
                                                                                                           Plant Science Dept.
                                               Durham, N.H. 03824
                                                                                                           Nesmith Hall
                                                                                                           Tel. (603) 862-1200
                                               University of New Hampshire
      June 16, 1983
      Mr. C. E. Tate
      Northern Michigan Turf Managers Association
      P. 0. Drawer 472
      Frankfort, MI              49635
      Dear Mr. Tate:
      Enclosed is some information that you requested about different materials that
      will help protect the greens during the winter and provide an earlier spring
      greenup. At the University of New Hampshire we have worked with various pro­
      tective covers for the last two winters and I am going to include the product
      that I consider to be the most promising. The product is called Reemay which
      is produced by the DuPont Company and is comprised of a spunbonded polyester.
      The weight of the material is 1 oz. per sq. yd. and the cost will be
      approximately 4<? per sq. ft. You can expect to get two to three seasons use
      out of this and it will fold nicely after you are done using it in early
      spring.
      The Reemay will come in widths of approximately                                       15 by 100 ft. and is secured
      into the ground by placing wire pins every 2 to                                       3 feet. DuPont is interested
  * in utilizing this product forthe use of putting                                          greens and is in the process
      of completing a survey of 150 golf courses which                                       tried it last year.
      I am currently in the process of summarizing the data from the last two years
      and hope to publish this in one of the popular magazines. At this time, I
      will send you the summary of Reemay’s performance during last winter’s condi­
      tions; and I hope this will give you some idea of its potential. The super­
      intendents who have used Reemay in New Hampshire have found it to be promising,
      and we are quite excited about its use in the future.
      If you are interested in obtaining more information and a sample of this
      material, you can contact Gary Anderson, E. I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., Inc.,
      Textile Dept., Centre Road Building, Wilmington, Delaware 19898.
      John M. Roberts
      Extension Specialist, Turf
      JMR: cam
      Encs.
The New Hampshire Cooperative Extension Service's programs and policies are consistent with pertinent Federal and State laws and regulations on
non-discrimination regarding race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or handicap.
College of Life Sciences and Agriculture; New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development; County Governments; United States
D j rtment of Agric»          aerating.                                     9


                                              Cooperative Extension Service
                                                                                                                Plant Science Dept.
                                              Durham, N.H. 03824                                                Nesmith Hall
                                                                                                                 Tel. (603) 862-1200
                                              University of New Hampshire
                                                                                 September 28, 1982
    William L. Garrett
     E. I. duPont de Nemours 6 Co.
     Centre Road Building
    Wilmington, DE                19898
     Dear Bill:
     This past winter, we evaluated Reemay as a protective cover over golf greens in New
     Hampshire. Wind and ice damage is severe in this area as it frequently is in colder
     climates.         Our objective was to determine if a light weight, inexpensive cover would
     minimize winter desiccation damage to golf greens.
     The results are exciting as you can see from the photograph, providing greens with a
     higher quality turf up to two weeks earlier in the spring than would have otherwise
i    been the case. A protective putting green cover of Reemay accomplishes several
     beneficial functions:
             * Reduces turf desiccation - Reemay shields the turf from drying winds and
                 keeps moisture in the plant and soil surface.
             * Speeds spring green-up - Reemay captures the sun’s energy increasing soil
                 temperature (up to lr F.) which allows late fall fertilizer to release
                 quicker in early spring and hastens the rate of turf growth (roots and plants)
                 and color by 5 - 14 days.
              * Keeps traffic off - Reemay prevents golfers from trampling the turf and soil
                 surface in those days shortly after the snow melts and air temperature rises.
              * Faster germination rates - When Reemay is placed over early spring seedings,
                  the increased soil temperature increases germination rates by 7 - 10 days.
      To install Reemay               over golf greens and other critical areas on the course:
              * Time of Application - Apply Reemay as soon as possible before snowfall or
                  after the course is closed for the winter.
              * How to Pin Reemay Down - Cut fencing wire (14 guage) into 10-inch lengths
                  and bend in half (into a U shape). Place one pin every 4 feet through the
                  cover holes provided along the reinforced edge of the cover.
              * Date of Removal - Leave Reemay on until you are ready to mow or open the
                  course.        In other words, as long as possible.
                                                                                  Sincerely
                                                                                  John M. Roberts
                                                                                  Extension Specialist, Turf
       JMR:cam
  The New Hampshire Cooperative Extension Service's programs end policies are consistent with pertinent Federal end State lews end regulations on
  non-dtscnm» nation regarding race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age. or handicap.
  Cottage of Lite Sciences and Agriculture; New Hampshire                      of Resources and Economic Development; County Governments; United States
  Department of Agriculture cooperating.


Procedure
On Nov. 24, 1982, Reemay was applied to an Emerald bentgrass putting
green turf at the University of New Hampshire’s research facility(Kingman
Farm). The putting green would be considered to be in satisfactory
condition and Is maintained under golf course conditions. Reemay was pinned
down with the use of metal pins which penetrate5 inches into the soil surface
These pins were placed every 3 feet along the edge of the Reemay and I
found them to be very successful in holding the blanket down during the
winter months.
All the data taken in the tables presented occurred during mid afternoon
on sunny days. This is Important to keep in mind in terms of soil temper­
ature readings because Reemay acted no differently than an untreated control
on cloudy days. The blankets were removed 1 week after spring was"in the
air" (3—23—83) and the second removal of Reemay occurred two weeks later
(3 days before local golf courses opened). The idea here was to look at the
effect of time of removal of the Reemay.
Discussion
As you can see from table 1, the turf conditions entering the winter under
Reemay were very satisfactory. A primary concern to the grower when using
a protective blanket is when to apply and when to remove it. The data in
Table 1 shows that the turf entered the winter with improved leaf and soil
moisture which I consider to be very Important, This additional moisture
content did help the plant from dessication during the winter months. There
was some additional growth of the turf under Reemay entering the winter
period; however, the amount would not be considered excessive. In the field
I would recommend to growers that the putting greens be mowed immediately
prior to the application of Reemay to counter balance any additional growth
after the blanket has been put on.
The importance of Reemay in protecting the turf can be seen in Tables 2
and 3. In Table 2 notice thatthe turf came out of the winter with improved
and leaf moisture in particular. The soil moisture content was surprisingly
similar and actually less than the control which is difficult to explain.
Notice also while there was someadditlon in the amount of clippings removed,
the amount of growth under the Reemay was not excessive. We do not want a
material that produces excessive growth under the blanket too early inthe
spring and fortunately Reemay does not do that.
Approximately 3 weeks after spring had arrived (Table 3) we can see that
there had been some cold weather occur since the early removal. Notice
that the color ratings of the control have dropped during this 2-week time
period; yet, turf still under Reemay was substantially greener. Early
removal of Reemay reduces turf color and growth, so it is best to leave
Reemay on as long as possible in the spring. Notice also that the soil
temperature was 1? degrees warmer than the control which is beneficial
not only to plant growth but also to the release of Nitrogen which is put
on in late fall. Of importance also is the Increase in root length that
occurred under the Reemay and also there was no incidenceof disease under
the treatments.
In terms of seed germination rates,we can see that in Table 4, Reemay
will help Increase the rate of germination approximately 7 to 10 days
ahead of an untreated seeding. I think the potential use of Reemay in
hasteningof late fall and early spring seedings is something to be excired
about and also the fact that Reemay helps promote growth of damaged turf
during this critical early spring time period.
                                               (continued on next page)
                                    4


Discussion continued
Notice In Figure 1 how Reeraay Increases the soil temperature on a sunny
day. During midday we could see Increased temperatures up to 15 to 17
degrees F warmer under Reemay. There was some retention of soli temperature
during the evening of approximately 3 to 4 degrees F but as we can see
the majority of heat was lost when the sun went down.
Summary
In summary, I was very encouraged about this year’s results and feel that
Reemay will definitely be successful in the turf market for the protection
of turf during the winter period. Still, more information needs to be
obtained about the effectiveness of Reemay under ice; but preliminary
indications show that Reemay helps protect the plant from drying winds
after ice has melted. The growers who have tried Reemay in this area
have been extremely pleased with its performance. I would be interested
in pursuing the development of Reemay for turf uses with DuPont in the
future.
  Figure 1. The influence of Reemay on soil temperature on a sunny day.
                   The minister, of a rural church deep in the Ozarks suggested to his
                parishioners that they purchase a chandelier. It was put to a vote and all
                the members voted it down.
                   “Why do you oppose the purchase of a chandelier? asked the
                preacher.      *                                    ,     „ .      ,
                   “¡Well,” drawled one of his flock, “first we can’t spell it, so how can
                we order it? Second, even if we get it, no one can play it, and third what
                 we really need is more fight.”               -
                 n       1                                              Cathedral Chimes
                                                 5


    (Continued from page 5)
     Table 1.        The influence of Reemay on turf entering the winter months                     (12-31-82)
                                            Surface               Soil             Plant            Leaf              Soil
     Treatment            Color*         Temperature          Temperature         Height         Moisture          Moisture
                                              °F                   °F                cm             % wt              % Wt
       Reemay              8.6                39                   36               1.4             23.5              22.4
       Control             8.1                34                   32               1.0             19.2              21.9
     Table 2.        The influence of Reemay on turf in early spring                  (3-23-S3).
                                             Surface               Soil             Clipping            Leaf              Soil
     Treatment            Color*           Temperature          Temperature          Weight           Moisture          Meistur
                                                  °F                of              g/sq. m             % Wt              % Wt
       Re emay             7.5                    58                 54                 31                40              21.4
       Control             6.0                    40                 42                 22                25              23.2
Table 3.         The influence of Reemay on turf during the spring                  (3 days before local golf
                 courses opened, 4-7-83).
                                   Surface              Soil          Clipping         Leaf           Soil         Root      Sr
Treatment          Color*       Temperature          Temperature        Weight      Moisture       Moisture       Length     Me
              •                      ^F~'                ôy ”         g/sc. ir.        $ Wt           % Wt           cm
  Reemav             7.8              76                 70              35             60             25          5.0
  Control            4.0              72                 53              27             24             23           7.4
                                               r*
♦Color rating 1-9;           1 = yellow, 9 = green
                                 Table 4.     The influence of Reemay on germination rates
                                              of early spring seedings (seeded 4-28- 83) .
                                                             Time Required to Germinate
                                 Treatment           Kentucky bluegrass          Velvet Bentgrass
                                                                            days
                                  Reemay                      15                          11
                                  Control                     22                          19
   If there is righteousness in the heart,
there will be beauty in the character.                                                         ★ ★ ★
   If there be beauty in the character,                                             A New England grade school
there will be harmony in the home.                                               teacher is saving one test paper
   If there is harmony in the home,                                              answer to the question: “Why did
there will be order in the nation.                                               the Puritans come to this country?”
                                                                                    One tyke replied: “To worship in
   When there is order in the nation,                                            their own way and make other
there will be peace in the world.                                                people do the same.”
                                Chinese Proverb
                                                                                               ★ ★ ★
                                                             6


                                                                           HOW PLANTS KILL EACH OTHER
        SAND TOPDRESSING OF PUTTING                                                                         /
      GREENS MAY BE BEST TO BEWARE                                    The lowly but beautiful sunflower may soon become
   Golf Course Superintendent, Warren Bldwell (Olympia Fields      one of our most potent weed killers.
   Country Club) states that caution should be used for those         Scientists have long known that certain plants and
   considering or already on sand topdressing of greens. Work­     trees have the ability to poison neighboring plants with
   ing more than 53 years In the turfgrass Industry, Warren has    toxic secretions from their leaves or roots (a process
   made It a point to discuss topdressing mixes with many turf­    called allelopathy). Such common flora as the black
  grass advisors at the PhD level. Research information through    walnut tree, creosote bush and wild cherry tree possess
  work completed a various experimental turf plots has shown       the trait.
  that sand topdressing is not all sunrise.                           Now scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture
  Dr. Elliot Roberts, formerly of Iowa State University, proved    are testing the highly allelopathlc sunflower to see just
  In the laboratory and In the field that a healthy and strong     how It can knock out such Insidious weeds as Johnson
  roof system is directly related to top growth development
                                                                   grass and ragweed and how, through crossbreading, this
  which can be accomplished without sand topdressing. At the
                                                                   ability can be enhanced.
  Canadian Conference, Dr. Roy Goss, from the University of
                                                                      U.S.D.A. plant physiologist Gerald Leather said that it
  Washington told me that we haven’t seen the end results of
                                                                   may be possible one day to extract the key weed-killing
                                                                   chemical directly from the sunflower or, more likely, to
  this sand topdressing work. When you overlay a sand, soil,
                                                                   develop a synthetic compound that’s similar. Or sun­
  and peat mixture (which we all have done going back to the
                                                                   flowers could be planted along with certain Immune
  1920’s) with 100% sand could have ending results on our
                                                                   crops to help control lateseason weeds.
  putting greens 20 to 25 years from now.
 While on a sand topdressing program you are not to aerify
  because you do not want to mix the sand topdressing with
 the sol, underneath. You are stuck topdressing right over
 already compacted soil and then you expect excellent results.
 Sand topdressing originated with the touring Golf Profes­            PRESS NOTICE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 sionals. They are never satisfied with the speed of the greens
 unless they’re as fast as a bullet passing a train. The Golf         The 18th Annual Wisconsin Golf
 Pro’s want poo, table surfaces. When superintendents are             Turf Symposium will be held at
 preparing for a tournament the putting green cut Is lowered          the Pfister Hotel, Milwaukee, on
 to 9/64” In order to increase the speed on the greens. When
                                                                      October 26 and 2?, 1983. The
 the tournament is over, the height of cut is back to 3/16” for
 plant protection and stability. During the tournament the
                                                                      subject will be,
 members get used to those faster than norma, greens. So
when you walk through the men’s grill you are likely to hear          "FACTS AND FALLACIES IN POA ANNUA
 “when the hell are you going to cut those greens”. Top                                   MANAGEMENT"
growth and root growth are directly related. I find It very dif­
ficult to accept lower and lower cutting heights. The younger         Subject matter will range from
generation, who I do respect, must please its members. For            protection of Poa Annua through
a superintendent to survive at a club for any given tenure,           new methods of suppreslon to
he must follow the directives of the locker room agronomic            replacement with other species.
experts. This is the way of life around our many private and          The program is expected to give
publicly owned golf courses.                                          an update on all angles of Poa
Working as a superintendent at two golf clubs where major
                                                                      Annua production or control (?)♦
golf Championships were played the putting greens were
never topdressed with 100% sand. The putting speed and
turf quality remained excellent.
                                                                      James M. Latham, Manager
“The Driving Should Be Left To Us”. The Golf Course                   Marketing and Agronomy
Superintendent has the expertise, good judgment, research             Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage
data, and education that allows him to make professional              District.
decisions In manicuring turfgrass. Club members have to start
confiding in their Golf Course Superintendents and not other
neighboring clubs. Sol, modification is a solution but 100%
sand could only be a quick fix.
                                      Warren Bldwell, C.D.G.A.
                               Greens Seminar - April 5, 1983                     Back in the days when Victoria was queen,
                                                                               a pompous professor at an English medical
                                                                               college wrote this on the blackboard between
                                                                               classes: “Your esteemed professor wishes his
                                                                               students to know that he has this day been
                               *    *     *                                    appointed physician to Her Majesty Queen
                                                                               Victoria.“
                  Seems funny how we are all wishing
               for things we don't have. But then, what                           When he returned to the classroom later,
               else is there to wish for?                                      he found these words neatly printed below
                               *    *     ❖                                    his announcement: “God save the Queen!“
                                                                 7


To refresh your mind about our fiscal year, October 31st, ends our
fiscal year and the new year starts with November 1st. Therefore dues
for 1984 should be paid as early as possible. If you feel that there
should be a change In your classification, now Is the time to remind
us of this and It should be In writing. Verbal suggestions or statements
relative to such an important subject should only be in writing. If
there is any change in your address, telephone number, club affiliation
or whatever, now Is the time when we should have it for bringing our
records up to date. Everyone will get an Invoice for their dues and
for the record, a dues increase of $5»00 per person was approved at
our August Board Meeting. This was the first dues increase In many
years and the second increase felnee we atarted. It breaks down to:
                       Class "A" Membership       now $20.00
                                       «I
                             "B"                       15.00
                             "E”       «I
                                                       10.00
                             «•pw                      15.00
                             "G"       91
                                                       30.00
                             «8«       ft
                                                       12.50         BEARD
                                                                    COLLECTION
If there is any question or you do not understand the various categories
of membership, please feel free to contact any of the Board members.
##*####*################*#####»####*#♦♦*#*###########*###*##*#####*##*##*
Our September meeting was our Annual Meeting and the election of new
members of the Board of Directors. Elected to the Board for a term of
three years were Dave Longfield, Garland Golf Club, Bob Bieschl Crystal
Lake Golf Club and Steve White, Traverse City Golf & Country Club. Also
elected to fill out the term of M. Jos. Yoder, for one year was Tom
Courtemanche, Green Hlls Golf Club. To bring our Board up to it full
capacity, Jim Bogart, O.M. Scott & Sons, was elected to a terra of two
years.
Officers for the coming 1984 fiscal year, will be elected by the Board
at their October Meeting at Michaywe Hills.
Retiring from the Board are Frank Heralnger, Claude Marcus and Erich
Sleder. To these men, our sincere thanks for your time, help, input
and the giving of your fine effort on behalf of our Association. We
are most grateful for your continued support.
m######*#######*#*#**##########*#*#*#######*###*###***#######*#*#*##***
Several By-Law changes have been recommended by that Committee and they
are listed for your viewing and will be voted upon at the next meeting.
1. Class "AE" and "BE” members will be permitted to vote but not hold
   Office.
2. No member may serve more than two terms on the Board of Directors
   without a break of one year off the Board.
#*######»»#################*####»#########»#########*#########*##########
It has been brought to our attention that many country clubs, golf courses
are not receiving notices from Michigan State University of such events
as Field Day or Seminars through the U.S.Mall. If your location does not,
then it is because you are not listed on their mailing list. You can either
write MSU, Department of Crop & Soil Science or Join the Michigan Turfgrass
Foundation. Applications for the Foundation are available from Tom Reed.
                                     8              YOUR POSTCARD, Please