NORTHERN MICHIGAN TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER l4th, 1983 frank heminger, Secretary-treas. ANTRIM DELLS GOLF CLUB 1147 santo ATWOOD,________________________ MICHIGAN traverse city, mi. 49684 _______________________________________________ __________ PHONE: 616-947-9274 The above date and location will be the information relative to our September meeting of our Northern Mich. Turf Managers Ass’n. For the benefit of you that are not sure of the location, it is at Atwood, west side of U.S. 31, 13 miles south of Charlevoix, overlooking Grand Traverse Bay. It is a beautiful 18 hole golf course built by Jerry Matthews and one of his finest. It is so well thought of that qualifying rounds for the Michigan Amateur, are played there. Considerable thought has been given to moving the tournament there in the future. Robert McElheny is golf course superintendent of Antrim Dells and he asked that we extend an invitation to play this beautiful layout, Mr. & Mrs. John Smith are the owners and co-hosts, they therefore hope that you will enjoy every minute there. Starting times are necessary and you can get them by phoning 616/599-2679. It is suggested that you also make reservations for a cart and the price for carts will be $7.50 per person. If you desire lunch, it is available at the club house overlooking Traverse Bay. A block of starting times has been set aside for the period 12:00 Noon thru 1:30 P.M. "Happy Hour" will be at the club house therefore those coming to spend the day or play golf, may we suggest that you arrange your time to be at the "BAVARIAN INN" in time for dinner at 6:15 P. M. You will pass the Bavarian Inn as you come into the drive to the clubhouse, so be on the lookout. This restaurant is famous for their Bavarian food and it should be a real treat. Those coming Just for the meeting, please schedule your arrival at the place where the meeting will be held. Our speaker for the evening will be one of our own members, whs 1st superintendent of three military golf courses in Hawaii, Mr. Walter Nagorski. Walter has put together one of the finest slide presentations of golf courses in Hawaii plus has included many ways that things are done differently in the islands. Walter has had great success constructing greens completely out of man made sand and will have the slides to prove it. The only problem after seeing them is that all our members will want to go to the Islands. It should be real interesting and every effort should be made to be present. Now the usual question, how many of you will be present? We must advise the Bavarian Inn of the count for dinner. The usual postcard is enclosed, please take a moment and return it immediately. A prize is given each meeting to someone that returns postcards and you do not have to be present to win so please get that card on its way back to your editor. We thank you for your cooperation. #*#***#*#*#*#**•**##*****•**#*** October 5th, is our next meeting at Michawye Hills however there are two other important dates that should be on your calendar. Sept. 1, Field Day at M.S.U. and Sept. 20th, M.S.U.Seminar at T.C. Country Club. All three dates are important. Overseeding Bentgrass Greens - Is It Worth It? by BRIAN SILVA Agronomist, Northeastern Region, USGA Green Section Q 6 T TRIED THAT a couple of years While many superintendents appreci­ barely disturb the surface. Very success­ I ago and didn’t see any results.” ate the advantages associated with ful results have been obtained with this JL Unfortunately, that’s often the annual overseeding, many of them hesi­ technique. response to a suggestion for annually tate to introduce still another variety Soil cultivation, i.e., aerification, is overseeding bentgrass to bentgrass into their putting greens. This is another frequently used practice in greens. But remember, “one summer a especially true on greens originally gaining seed/soil contact. The soil cores seeding does not make.” On closer planted to velvet bentgrass or vege­ should be removed and a drop seeder examination, the long-term possibilities tative creeping bentgrasses such as used for the sowing. Follow this with a for green improvement and eventual Arlington and Congressional. However, moderate topdressing of desirable success should not be even slightly close examination of greens originally quality and then slowly mat or drag the overlooked. planted to these specific grasses often material into the open aeration holes. There are many advantages to over­ reveals a less-than-claimed degree of Slow dragging is far preferable to the seeding greens. Improved color, putting purity. For example, many velvet bent racetrack technique, and it doesn’t speed, shot-holding capability, as well greens often contain as much creeping disturb the original putting surface as as rapid recovery from injury are among bentgrass and annual bluegrass as they much. the leading ones. Add to these the do velvet bent. Additionally, many Depending on the time you have factors of increased uniformity and greens planted vegetatively to two or available and the prevailing weather consistency of putting surfaces and a more strains of creeping bentgrass have conditions, you may wish to carry out a formidable, favorable argument begins suffered separation and take on the moderate vertical mowing program to take shape. patchwork appearance mentioned earlier. immediately after removing the soil Putting greens that have become a An overseeding program would provide cores as mentioned above. The vertical patchwork quilt of different bentgrasses a blending of grasses and greater uni­ mowing should be carried out to a depth and Poa annua varieties pose an unusual formity of putting surfaces. Just as which will bring a small amount of problem for the golf course super­ importantly, proper maintenance prac­ previously applied topdressing or soil intendent. The various grasses and tices will yield more consistent and material to the surface of the greens. types respond differently to basic predictable results. After removal of the thatch debris and/ management practices, such as fertili­ By now you are probably ready to or soil material brought to the surface, zation, topdressing, vertical mowing, jump on the bandwagon and wave the the holes resulting from aerification and even pesticide applications* A banner for annual bentgrass overseed­ and the slight grooves caused by vertical variable response to environmental ing. Right? Wait a minute! Certain mowing will allow an infinite number of factors such as temperature is also questions and techniques first merit seeds to make good soil contact. noted. An annual overseeding program your attention. Spiking or slicing greens with would encourage the development of mechanical disk spikes will also produce greater uniformity with regard to the a good seedbed for overseeding. It will NE OF THE keys to good germi­ grass species and variety which pre­ dominates on a putting surface. We often ask the impossible of greens O nation from any seeding program require at least three or four passes over the putting green — more if possible — is the development of proper seed tobefore actual seeding is accomplished. originally planted to bentgrass. In soil contact. On a new green, or on a Remember, overseeding is taking many instances, these greens receive no project where complete renovation is in place on actively growing turf. This additional desirable seed after they order, the development of excellent allows less than optimal conditions for become established. This is the case seed-to-soil contact is achieved with germination and the growth and develop­ even though annual bluegrass con­ relative ease. However, when over­ ment of new seedlings. An intensive sistently produces vast quantities of new seeding is carried out on an area of soil cultivation program, combining seed each season. Expecting the existing actively growing turf, the seed-to-soil aerification, vertical mowing, and spik­ bentgrasses to compete solely on a contact becomes more difficult. ing will prepare a better seedbed and vegetative basis with annual bluegrass Any one of a number of techniques, reduce the level of competition imposed may be expecting far too much. A or a combination of them, will work. If by actively growing turf. The relatively vigorous annual bentgrass overseeding you are dead serious about a bentgrass moderate topdressing which follows program can play an integral role in a overseeding program, consider first the overseeding will permit acceptable maintenance scheme designed to favor use of a small, power-driven slicer- putting conditions. Once the seed is in the growth and development of bent seeding machine that places the seed the ground, very light syringings for two and at the expense of Poa annua slightly below the putting surface. or three weeks throughout each day will encroachment. Special thin colters are available that aid in higher germination percentages. USGA GREEN SECTION RECORD 2 S TO THE seed itself, one of the HE IDEAS behind overseeding will not be immediate. Three or four A improved creeping bentgrass varieties is recommended. Penneagle or T sound great. Conditions of surface years may be required before you even uniformity and consistency on greens see a hint of progress. However, if you Penncross would represent a good can be improved. Greater competition persevere, you will improve bentgrass choice, because they have an aggressive on behalf of the desirable grasses can be populations and uniformity throughout growth rate, which allows them to gained against the encroachment of your putting surfaces. Without annual germinate and develop under less than annual bluegrass. However, these overseeding, your present putting sur­ ideal seedbed conditions. Once estab­ results will never be realized by a one- faces will, at best, remain static. The lished, their aggressive nature will shot effort. more desirable grasses will be com­ offer an increased level of competition peting on a vegetative basis and, generally A sound overseeding program must against the ever-present annual blue­ speaking, this is a losing proposition. be carried out on a continuing and grass. Expect annual bluegrass encroachment. annual basis. Frequently we are asked Much has been made of the tendency In many cases, the initiation of over­ how long the program should last. Is for such aggressively growing grasses seeding will challenge a distorted three years enough? Is five years too to thatch and become puffy under equilibrium that has developed over the long? The best answer seems to be to putting green conditions. However, years and favors annual bluegrass initiate and continue an annual over­ contemporary putting green mainte­ populations. It will take time to shift seeding program as long as it is necessary nance practices, including light and this equilibrium, but a shift will surely to keep bentgrass in the dominant role. frequent topdressing, light vertical take place through overseeding and This may well take many, many years, mowing, and judicious use of nitrogen, altered maintenance practices. but then in agriculture, only crop will keep thatch accumulation in check. If you are attracted by greens domi­ failure comes about overnight. Obviously, seedling mortality will be nated by creeping bentgrasses, an annual high. While the chances of overseeding And you can count on one more fact. overseeding program deserves your success increase with the intensity of The results gained from overseeding further investigation. seedbed preparation, relatively high seeding rates should be used. Addition­ ally, if you wish to shorten the time for higher bentgrass populations, overseed One of the best ways to overseed bentgrass into a “bentgrass" green. twice annually. Minimum seeding rates of two pounds per 1,000 square feet for the grasses suggested above are recom­ mended. On a golf course with average- size greens, this seeding rate means an expenditure in excess of $1,000 per seeding per year. Just for a minute, though, consider the expense involved in maintaining greens through the summer stress period that are comprised mainly of annual bluegrass. The extra syringing and fungicide treatments add up quickly, and substantially. Better yet, imagine the cost in actual dollars and inconvenience associated with a set of greens that come through a winter in poor shape after annual bluegrass has exhibited its all too famous susceptibility to winter injury. The timing of overseeding is critically important. While spring and fall might be the accepted times for propagating turf on a new site by seeding, they are not the best times for overseeding exist­ ing turf. Cool soil temperatures in the spring and fall, plus extreme compe­ tition on the part of annual bluegrass, render these periods inappropriate for overseeding. Carried out in the summer­ time, however, before the prime germi­ nation period for Poa annua, over­ seeding can give bentgrass seedlings an increased level of competitive ability. Soil temperatures at this time will also allow excellent germination, while diligent irrigation and fungicide treat­ ments can improve seedling survival. YOU CAN HELP IN FUND RAISING The following is a letter from Dr. Fred V. Grau, President of The Musser Foundation. Dr. Grau’s idea for raising funds for turfgrass research is a very easy way for many of us to participate in this effort. The only work involved for you is a little salesmanship on your part to convince your golf course or club to participate. If you can do it, please contact Dr. Grau at the address listed. Dear Colleague: Golf course superintendents have the rare opportunity to be the No. 1 fund raisers in the nation for turf research. The plan is simple and uncomplicated. It conflicts with no other fund-raising plan. Among the millions of golfers, there are those who rarely get the chance to play on a fine course. Many would be glad to pay a fee for the opportunity. Many private clubs are closed on Mondays. A request from the superintendent, backed by the pro, made to the Board of Directors through channels, would result in many clubs opening the course for one afternoon (or a day) to non-membe^golfers for a fee. It would not be a tournament. There would be no frills, no food - just golf. Arrangements and publicity (invitations) would be wholly in the capable hands of the superintendent and the pro. They would set the fee and collect the money. No cost to the club would be incurred. The superintendent and the pro would be doing their regular jobs. It could be an opportunity for concerned club members to play with paying guests. All should be informed that the urgent reason in back of fund raising is that research funds at experiment stations are drying up. Budgets have been slashed severely. Turf research is at the crossroads. The benefits of the research projects funded by this plan are many. Here are a few: The club can expectBetterTurfata lower cost. Members can look for Better Lawns around their homes. 1983 TURFGRASS FIELD DAY Members children can expect fewer sports-related Injuries by Thursday, September 1, 1983 virtue of Better Turf on the playing fields. HANCOCK TURFGRASS RESEARCH CENTER Biological control of pests will be investigated. The superintendent and the pro Intersection of Farm Lane and Mt. Hope Roads would be responsible for collect­ on the campus of Michigan State University ing the fees and sending the money to: Dr. Fred V. Grau, President TOPICS TO BE COVERED The Musser Foundation P.O. Box AA College Park, Md. 20740-1014 Growth regulators for highway grasses Telephone (301) 864-0090 1) The money preferably would be 2) Yellow patch disease sent in the form of a single check. 3) Nitrogen carriers on Kentucky bluegrass The money would go at once to 4) Ryegrass cultivar evaluations our treasurer to be invested in high- 5) Irrigation practices and disease management yield safe securities for maximum 6) Clipping removal from annual bluegrass turf sustained income which will be 7) A microprocessor for predicting Anthracnose on annual bluegrass used to encourage and support 8) Pre and postemergence control of crabgrass graduate students doing turf re­ Shatter core aerification search under competent super­ 9) vision. Graduate students are 10) Dollar spot fungicide tests security for the future of turf. The 11) Dormant fertility and nitrogen carriers on bentgrass Musser Foundation is dedicated to 12) Yellow tuft disease this concept. 13) Gaeumannomyces patch Projects in which the Musser 14) Evaluation of turfgrass varieties for use in Michigan Foundation have been involved financially through grants to grad­ uate students include; SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES Control of the black turfgrass ataenius. Ohio Etiology of 9:00 A.M. Registration and coffee Fusarium on bluegrass. New 9:30 A.M. Introductions - Dr. B.E. Branham, Moderator York Microclimate in turfgrass. Welcoming Comments - Dr. James H. Anderson, Dean, Pennsylvania The physiology of College of Agriculture and Natural Resources water stress and drought toler­ ance in turfgrass. Texas A&M. Gerald L. Faubel, President, Michigan Turfgrass Many other urgent projects await Foundation investigation. 10:00 A.M. Field tour of research plots Sincerely yours, 12:30 P.M. Adjourn For Better Turf, Fred V. Grau, President For further information contact Dr. Bruce Branham at (517) 353-2033. 4 THE SUPERINTENDENT’S PUBLIC We need to prevent resistance of fungicides by constant RELATION PROGRAM rotation of fungicides. Rotating among products such as Duosan, Chipco 26019, Fungo 50, Bayleton and Actl-dlone. This Is important because EPA agencies are Superintendents today are in a mixed-up critical still thick with venom against chemistry. The only period! Members are more critical than in the past. source of chemicals are spin-offs from chemicals from They play golf courses throughout the world and farm crops developed In Europe, compare your course to the finest in existance. No two Working closely with Universities has been demon­ courses are the same; their budgets vary; soil strated with dedicated, thinking superintendents such conditions differ; the amount of play also varies. On a as Dudley Smith, working with Dr. Couch and other given day a course may be beautiful and less than researchers attempting to solve the C-15 problem. desirable a few days later; yet your course is compared Superintendents need to work closely with competent to other courses when they may be at their best. distributor salesmen, such as John Lebedeus, Jim Some weeks ago I was discussing the subject of public Reed, Don Spier, Jerry Adank and Rick Johnson. There relations with Bruce Williams of Bob-O-Link Golf Club. are many other competent salesmen including Steve Bruce stated that there are several aspects to public Stewart and Wayne Trometer. Superintendents need relations. Relationships with the Golf Course Superin­ the technical service, Immediate delivery, adequate tendent and the Pro, the Club Manager and the Greens Inventory from educated, responsible salesmen. If the Chairman. Relationships with the Greens Committee, needs of the superintendent are met, suppliers are the membership, the City Fathers and with distributors entitled to a reasonable profit. Buying from the lowest and manufacturers. bidder does not save the superintendent job. Development of favorable atmosphere with employees It is important that employees are recognized as and last but not least, relationships with the Golf Important people. James John, superintendent of Course Superintendent’s Association and Universities. Northmoor Country Club, has made attractive rustic The old adage that “no chain is stronger than its name plates Identifying each employee’s parking weakest link’’ is true of a Golf Course Superintendent’s space. image. All factors must be kept high! The best line of The superintendent should train and delegate respon­ offense is a beautiful golf course. This is a must! Yet, sibility to his assistant. Mike Bavier, superintendent of , all of you have seen Golf Course Superintendents fired Inverness Golf Course, Is fortunate to have a competent even though their golf course was in perfect condition. assistant In Mike Vogt to share management while he Is It Is imperative that superintendents and the pro know leading our National organization; however, the price each other’s schedule of important events. The pro tag of management freedom Is responsibility. This is a. needs to know when you plan to aerify. He is In trait that employees must develop. constant touch with the membership. This is also A well-maintained shop can create a favorable image. necessary Information for the General Manager and the The most efficient and neatly organized shop I have Green Chairman. Doing thoughtful favors for the pro ever seen is John Ebel’s shop at Barrington Hills will pay dividends! Country Club. This Is public relations at Its bestl The superintendent needs to communicate with the Golf Course Superintendents should not bury their • members. Some superintendents write a newsletter; head under a bushel basket, but tell the story of their others post important activities on the bulletin board in profession to Rotary Clubs, Chamber of Commerces; the club house. The manager and the green chairman newspapers, television and radio. Let the community , can act as a buffer between you and the membership if know what you are doing. Yours Is a professional they are aware of your program. Lyn Hazlett, late occupation. superintendent of the Country Club of Cleveland, The superintendent should maintain a beautiful land­ posted pictures under glass on the first tee showing scaped image throughout the course from the entrance, how the course would be when a Poa annua removal to the Club House, from the tee to greens. program was In progress. Harold Frederickson, superintendent Edgewood Valley Greens members should understand your program and Country Club, effectively uses bedding plants through­ the desired results. Regular communication with the out his fine course. His sandtraps are attractively group Is desirable with both formal and informal edged. Warren Bidwell, Superintendent Olympia meetings. Fields, has always maintained beautiful tulip beds In Superintendents are faced with the possibility of front of the Club House. Beauty has been Warren valuable tools - fertilizers and pesticides - being deleted Bldwell’s trademarkl from the market-place. We need to act together to In order to Insure a sound public relations program; prevent this disasterl In 1970 seven pesticides were superintendents should maintain desirable relation­ being banned In New York State. Mel Lucas, past ships among the managers, pros, employees, green President of GCSAA, with the aid of the National committee, membership, community, golf course Association, was able to defend pesticides and keep superintendents, distributors, manufacturers and uni­ them on the market. versities. These relationships will provide a climate of The superintendent must maintain a beautiful golf Professionalism that will build a fine total program. course. He must understand the principles of soil, Cecil F. Kerr management, Irrigation, budgets, and landscaping. Mallenckrodt Inc. Needed information can be obtained by attending seminars, GCSA meetings, and working closely with Credit: "The Bull Sheet" Nov. 1981, Vol. 35 No. 6 University experts. One of the greatest enemies of the golf course Is compaction - thatch - lack of air resulting in poor water A business executive’s wife, downtown to do some shopping, penetration. This results In poor plant growth subject to walked into his office unexpectedly. disease. We must follow a program of aerification. And there he sat with his secretary Bruce Searing, Superintendent of Glenview Club, has on his lap. taken a unique attack by aerifying his fairways with a Without hesitation, he dictated: greens alre. "Gentlemen: shortage or no short­ age, I cannot conduct the affairs of my office any longer with just one chair." 5 ★ ★ ★ We are looking for meeting locations for 1984. If you and your club would J-i*e to host a meeting next year, will you please contact "Tuck" Tate so that your invite will get deep consideration. If you feel so inclined, please check with your people and bring definite information as to the day of the week, the month or months that would be most suitable and we will try to accept your invite. We would like to have scheduled by our October 5th meeting, all the locations for 1984. Please check with your people now and advise. Thanks. ########### **************#*#***##*#****##*#*#######^**########«^##^#*##0# Rumor has it that the date of our fall social party will be Oct. 22nd. This is the party for the gals, presents have been bought, so you gals that are interested in being there, may we suggest that you start vour party plans, NOW. The Annual Meeting of this Association will be at the September meeting. At this time, we will elect new directors to the Board. At this election, only Class "A" and members will be voting. All other classifications of membership do not qualify. Any member who has not paid 1983 dues, is legally not a member and therefore will not be allowed to vote. If you have not paid your 1983 dues, please do so before September 14, to our Sec.-Treas. Frank Heminger. Our nominating committee, chaired by Mike Garvale with Tom Reed and Bob Rleschl has come up with a slate of nominees for your pleasure. Threeof those elected will serve a 3 year term and one will serve out the term of M. Jos. Yoder or a 1 year term. They are Tom Courtemanche, Green Hills Golf Club Damlam Kurkowski, Gaylord Country Club Dave Longfleld, Garland Golf Club Bob Rleschl, Crystal Lake Country Club Erich Sleder, Elmbrook Golf Club Steven White, Traverse City Country Club One Class ”G" member will be elected to the Board bringing our total to 11 Board members. These Board members will serve a 2 year term and the nominating committee has the following candidates for your pleasure: Jim Bogart, O.M. Scott & Sons Robert E. Miller, Acme Maintenance Co. Jim Vince, Century Supply Co. Officers for the year 1984 will be elected by the new Board, at the October meeting and will serve a terra of office of one year. Mr. Frank Heminger and Mr. Claude Marcus are retiring from the Board.Both have given much of their time and effort on behalf of our Association. We are most grateful for their support, contributions and help during their tenure and everyone appreciates their input, for a Job well done. Nominations can be made on the floor at the meeting for either office. There is one suggestion on voting, since we are from all parts of the northern part of Michigan, we should on the Board have representation from all parts of the area that we represent. Every voting member should try to be present at this meeting to make our Association be represented by the majority of its members and not just a few. Next meeting, October 5th, Michawye Hills, Gaylord, Dr. Jos. Vargas will be the speaker. z