NORTHERN MICHIGAN TURF MANAGERS'ASSOCIATION C. E. "TUCK” TATE, PRESIDENT THOS. J. REED, SECRETARY-TREAS. MICHAEL T. GARVALE, VICE-PRESIDENT 3733 APOLLO DRIVE MONDAY, JULY 9,1984 TRAVERSE CITY. Ml. 49684 HIDDEN VALLEY COLLECTION PHONE: 6,6/043-8433 GAYLORD,________ MICHIGAN The next meeting of this Association will be held at the above listed location on the day indicated. This could be a full day if you care to participate and take advantage of everything to be offered. Thanks to Fred Miller, he has again procured for us a qualified instructor in cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if you are interested. We must know in advance of the number that would like to take advantage of this opportunity so that they may schedule enough equipment for you to work on. It is necessary that you either telephone "Tuck" Tate or place a note on the enclosed postcard that you will take the course. Hidden Valley has been kind enough to provide us with a room near the golf course and classes will start at 9:00 A.M. By taking this course, you could save the life of someone near and dear to you. At the same time, credit for the course will help in recertification at G.C.S.A.A. The next part of our program for the day will be golf. Starting times are a must between the hours of 10:30 A.M. and 2:00 P. M.. To arrange for times, the number to call is 517/732-4653» The golf professional is "Chuck" Snyder and "Jim" Olli is the golf course superintendent. They together with Mr. "Pat" Duffy, invites you to play their lovely 18 hole golf course. You will be expected to pay cart fees plus two bucks for the golf kitty. This year for dinner at Hidden Valley, we have been Invited to have our dinner, cocktails and meeting at their River Cabin. Steaks will be the main item of food and you can expect a good onq as George Barker has always served us the finest food on every occasion. Transportation from the golfing area to the River Cabin, will be in Hidden Valley’s transportation. They will take us there and will bring us back so we will have our own private party which is something to look forward to. Cost of dinner will be $11.50 including tax and tip. Dinner will be served at 6:15 P.M. therefore those coming just for dinner should plan your arrival so as to get to the River Cabin. Those who will take C.P.R., 9:00 A.M. is starting time for class, those who will play golf, schedule your starting time keeping dinner time in mind. Our speaker, Dr. Ralph Hepp, Professor of Finance at Michigan State University, will speak on financial matters dealing with Estate Planning and Pensions. In this letter, we have included a page out of Golfdom Magazine by Dr. Fred V. Grau, dated 1973. Many years have passed since its publication however it is more true today probably then it was when he wrote the article. You can never start your own pension or retire­ ment plan too early, as tomorrow seems never to come. We have had Dr. Hepp before and we promise a very interesting talk. Bring your personal notes and questions, with you. One last thing, THE POSTCARD, make up your mind and mail it today. Remember CPR, please Indicate. 1 Whether lightweight clubs are a fad or a fixture in golf equipment, their introduction is causing conversation by Claud Corrigan A FEW YEARS ago I flew to Guadalajara, Mexico, Now I wonder whether I was being offered a lesson Zion a golf trip. When 1 claimed my luggage, I learned that I just wasn’t ready for. I talked recently with a friend, JL JLto my exasperation that the airline had left my and we marveled at the excitement the featherlight clubs golf clubs in Dallas, where they weren’t going to do me were causing. When he remarked that he had played one any good (or harm, for that matter). So, on my first day of his best rounds several years ago using a borrowed set in Mexico, I was forced to rent a battered set at the Club of women’s clubs, I remembered my own experience in de Golf Atlas, in Guadalajara. Guadalajara. It dawned on me that perhaps the world Once I was out on the course, I discovered rather was now ready for a fine, new notion. quickly that most of the irons were women’s clubs. No matter; I hit them very well that day. As a matter of fact, HE WORLD of custom clubmaking, certainly, is that round was the lowest I shot on the trip, several strokes better than anything I managed after my own clubs an ived. T inhabited by devotees of the game who are aware of new developments in golf equipment almost before the manufacturers can produce prototypes. It follows that nothing has excited them quite like the featherlight clubs that were introduced early this year during the PGA Merchandise Show, in Miami Beach, Florida. I know this because, as a part-time clubmaker, I received phone calls about the concept just about the Ci.At i) Corrigan is an editoi, handyman, and low-handicap time I first read some of the details. Most callers asked golfer who lives near Washington, D.C. He has previously whether very light clubs would really work; if I thought connibuted to Gole Journal. they would, could I make sets for them? Gol I JnVKNAI 2 Young reporter to successful businessman: “What’s the secret of your success?’’ Businessman: “A strong will.’’ Reporter: “Can you elaborate on that?’’ Businessman: “Yes, a strong will that left me $1 million.” at the level of the waist, so that the clubhead is moving more slowly from that point on. Photographs taken with stroboscopic light of good golf swings appear to support the basic premises. IGHTER CLUBS are not a new idea. One manu­ L facturer has sold lightweight stiff shafts and relatively light swingweights (C-9) with commercial success since they first came out, but the featherlights go far beyond that, measured in terms of light weight. The featherlights range in swingweight from B-8 to C-6, depending on the maker, and they do not use stiff shafts, because of the lighter weight in the clubhead. If they did, the clubs would lack “feel,” a word used to describe the slight flexing of the shaft when the club is waggled. When you discuss the various shafts available, you encounter a certain amount of double-talk. For example, the developer of the shaft used in several of the first featherlights places stress on frequency-matching — that is, matching the shafts used in a set of clubs by their rate of vibration when they are plucked. According to this theory, shafts that vibrate at the same frequency will react alike when they strike a golf ball. Skeptics claim that only a golfer of consummate skill would benefit when shafts are matched to this extreme. My offhand answers were nothing very definitive. Moreover, some scientists who play golf believe After all, the initial field testing of featherlights was that the rate of vibration, or harmonics, has little, if performed by one of the manufacturers, so the results anything, to do with a shaft’s performance. They point the company reported might be open to argument. And out that a shaft vibrates at one frequency in one position, yet, the manufacturer was so impressed with the results but if it is rotated 45 degrees and plucked again, the that he converted his entire production to the new clubs. frequency rate will change. Another 45-degree turn will Tests had involved golfers of varied skill hitting shots produce a different rate of vibration. This variance with their own traditional clubs and with the feather- indicates that one side of the shaft wall is stronger or lights. weaker than the others. So, should the strongest side of The three or four major manufacturers who first the shaft be inserted into the clubhead to face the way the offered the clubs for sale in January have since been joined shaft flexes, thus providing the strongest reaction? by another half-dozen or so, and if the clubs fulfill even At this point, the real question may be: just how some of the promises, they could be a big item in this technical do we want to be about our golf games? year’s market. The basic theories behind the featherlights are these: Y INITIAL experiment in building a featherlight They may be swung faster, and the greater clubhead speed will produce more distance; the lighter shaft, which M supported the reasoning that these clubs must have relatively soft shafts if they are to be playable. Using reduces clubhead drag, delays its release (return to a a carborundum wheel, I ground down the back of the straight position) almost until impact, and this results blade of an old stainless steel 5-iron head until it was in more accurate shots. significantly lighter than it had been originally. Clubhead speed with conventional, heavier clubs Next, I inserted a weak shaft (A flex) into the head. reaches its maximum when the player’s hands are about This shaft is recommended usually for senior golfers July 1984 3 Golf Journal “Dang it — these new featherweight clubs are ruining my game! I never used to reach that bunker!” and strong women players. With the light head, however, I sent him the experimental 5-iron. When he returned, the shaft felt much stronger. When I finished the grinding he told me that the shots he hit with it during his trip and polishing, the club’s swingweight was B-8, and it so impressed him that he now wanted an entire set made weighed more than an ounce less than a standard 5-iron. up. He told me that he had shown the club to a number It was now time to test my handiwork. I headed for of professionals and that most of them had a hard time my club, 5-iron in hand. Despite the bad weather in believing a club that hit the ball so well was really only a Virginia at that time of year, the practice range was open. B-8 swingweight. I hit a few shots; to my surprise, the club felt quite solid, Whedon still has that 5-iron, and I have since put although the trajectory of my shots was higher than together four woods and seven irons to go with it for him. normal for me. Moreover, I have built a set for myself, and I have used Several people saw me, and they wanted to try my them. I have found that the woods swing very well, and 5-iron — including a few skeptical assistant professionals. I’m able to hit a nice, straight ball. With the lighter irons, Most of them were impressed by the performance of the however, I’ve discovered that there is a tendency to be a trial featherlight club. Indeed, two of them have since little quick, thus producing more fat shots than I like. bought commercially produced sets of featherlights Although I may be approaching believer status, only when they became available in the golf shop. time will tell if the proponents of this unorthodox approach to equipment are correct. It might be just the WAS STILL evaluating the club, and searching for meteoric start of another fad; after all, who can forget I lighter heads that wouldn’t need to undergo the grinding process when Bill Whedon, an old customer the great aluminum shaft gamble of 15 or 20 years ago, in which everyone lost — makers, sellers, and users? of mine, called from Connecticut. He wanted a sample So, the jury is still hearing evidence, and the trial’s featherlight to use during a golf trip in Florida. end is not in sight. 4 Golf Journal HOT EYEfS f| GOLD WATCH continued GOLD (UflTCII vania or in Kansas or in Calilornia. It is very nearly universal. Details are not a part of this editorial. They will be documented in a later article for golfdom. In the meantime, it is Current evidence indicates that there is a wide spread my hope that club officials will have read this piece and will make a lack of pension plans for superintendents. Many meaningful start toward establishing superintendents, upon retirement, are finding them­ an adequate pension-retirement pro­ selves with nothing to show for their years of loyal gram for the golf course superinten­ dent. It is later than you think! service by FRED V. GRAU WHAT? NO PENSION? The brief article that follows stresses who may have missed it the first A good friend of long standing, a re­ once again a serious problem that time around. tired golf course superintendent now was brought to light in an earlier Currently, Dr. Grau is research­ living in Florida, wrote to me recently. editorial by Dr. Grau, “What? No ing the problem of inadequate pen­ After 26 years of devoted service to Pension?“ Because this issue is of sion plans for superintendents, and his club (and he had many good years such vital importance to superin­ his findings will be the basis of an in- of service left) he was “retired,” ac­ tendents, the original editorial is depth article in an up-coming issue tually dismissed, without a pension of also included on page 44 for those of GOLFDOM. any kind. I know the man and I know the club. He introduced innovations in Most of us recall a man who was a equipment, fertilizers, ground covers loyal employee of a railroad or some and many other things. What I don’t industrial firm. At retirement time, understand is how the businessmen he was given a testimonial dinner, an for whom he worked could so cal­ He ask our readers to help Dr. engraved gold watch and many ad­ lously turn him out to pasture without Grau by writing him directly at monitions to “stay healthy." At that the thank you and the courtesy of Drawer A A, College Park, Md. point he was considered unem­ some sort of pension or endowment, 20740. Tell him what kind of pen­ ployable and, in many cases, when it is a bit like unharnessing the horse, sion plan you have. Or if you pres­ forced into unaccustomed idleness, opening the pasture gate and giving ently have no plan, let him hear he just “dried up and blew away." I him a slap on the rump. about it. Individual letters will be knew one who died the day before This friend is understandably bitter, kepi in the strictest confidence. his “retirement party." soft-spoken as he is. It is too late to As I receive reports from friends turn back the clock for him, but his Having concentrated on helping in turf, I gain the distinct impression experience, which is shared by many, people grow turf for so many years, that many long-time superintendents should guide present and future nego­ 1 must confess that 1 have not given have been summarily retired or re­ tiations between club and superinten­ adequate attention to the very im­ leased, often without the customary dent. Surely there must be some portant consideration of pensions dinner, watch and admonitions. guidelines that can help the new or and retirement benefits for golf What a pity! old superintendent achieve a just and course superintendents. Only re­ At this point, I will answer my honorable contract, which will help to cently have I become painfully own question unequivocally and sustain him when he retires. Club offi­ aware of serious deficiencies in the without hesitation or fear of con­ cials should bow their heads in shame “system." 1 now ask the rhetorical tradiction. Yes, there is a problem. if they do not insist upon some such question, “Is there a problem?" just The problem is not just in Pennsyl- stipulation in the contract. One may for openers. coniinued safely assume that nine out of 10 In developing a background for an 8/73 GOLFDOM MAGAZINE 43 businessmen in the club have made honest answer to the question, I have sure that they will have a retirement contacted leaders in Pennsylvania income. Shouldn’t they also do the and across the nation by letter, by same for one of their most devoted telephone and in face-to-face conver­ employees? sations. My real contact with golf I have just talked with another good course superintendents started in friend who has been at his club since 1935 when I began my 10-year trav­ it was built about 1952. He has tried to els in Pennsylvania helping the negotiate a retirement benefit for sev­ “greenkeepers" to understand the eral years, but each time he is told basics of producing better turf. I've that he is being selfish in wanting made a lot of friends, many of whom something just for himself. These now are about to retire or have re­ short-sighted officials one day will tired. Some, of course, have pre­ wonder, “Why can’t we attract good ceded us into eternity with little or men?” The horse is not likely to be no recognition. Those whom I first drawn to an empty feedbag. □ knew have now been in the business 5 GOLFDOM MAGAZINE 8 73 for 40 years or longer. 44 Our Michigan Turfgrass Foundation Benefit day at Boyne Highlands was very successful and we had 84 golfers participating plus an additional group that came just for the dinner and fine talk given by "Jim” Timmerman, president of G.C.S.A.A. "Jim" brought out about the close alliance with with the same goals between these two turfgrass organizations. Research for the future, for the grasses that everyone would like to see. All this of course requires money and the new plan between is to get the player to help contribute through private clubs, public golf courses and where- ever people that benefit may contribute to this worthy cause. Mr. Jim Vince with the help of Mr. Jim Sage, put on a "Closest to The Pin" contest again and we thank them for their contributions as a result. In addition for their donations, our thanks to Jim Bogart, Tom Reed and Dave Sapp. We also asked superintendents to bring prizes, so thanks to Baumer, Long- field, Tate and White for their donations as prizes. *######*#***#***##*#*##*####### «««** ** *#***#####*##*#*#*##***#*####**## TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT UPDATE, M.S.U. While clovers, black medic and plantains can be easily controlled at this time with a combination herbicide, other broadleaves are past prime control time. Combination herbicides including mixtures of 2,4-D and MCPP or 2,4-D, MCPP and Dicamba. With the continued hot dry weather, moisture stress problems are developing. The most common one is mowing water- stressed turfs. Tire patterns will develop later in the day and in extreme, cases can totally kill some turf. This is a particular severe problem on newly sodded lawns. Stress problems can usually be avoided by completing turf operations by 10 or 11 in the morning or by properly irrigating beforehand. On the disease front, Dollarspot should soon become a problem on untreated golf turfs. Bleached out patches of 1 or 2 inches are symptomatic of this disease. Symptoms and controls can be found in Eztension Bulletin E-li^O. Anthracnose may also become a problem if the warm, humid nights continue. Symptoms and controls can be found in Extension Bulletin E-15^1. Initial infestations of sod web worms may now be occurlng. While the larvae of this insect prefers bluegrass lawns, especially sodded ones, they can affect all turfgrass species. Identification and control of this summer­ time pest can be found in Extension Bulletin E-1480 «#♦**###**###*###**#*##♦*♦♦**#*#*#*##**#♦##♦*»»#*#♦###***#*#*####****** Marie Pompei, Research Agronomist with Lofts, Inc. announces the 5th edition of the "Guide to Seed and Sod in the U.S. and Canada" is now available to anyone who has interest in the growing and maintenance of turf. The guide which she co-authored with Richard Hurley, Lofts Director of Research,is ready reference presenting complete information for grass adaptation, recommended uses, and planting rates and dates in a clear and concise format. For your free copy contact: Karen Ciosek, Lofts Inc,, P. 0. Box 146, Bound Brook, N. J. 08805, (201) 560-1590 *#*##***#**»#*#***#*#*♦****»##*»♦♦♦*♦##»***♦###*##♦#*«***«#****** “I’d move heaven and earth to break 100,” announced the duffer golfer as he banged away in a sand trap. “Try heaven,” advised his partner. “I think you’ve already moved, BEARD enough earth.” i . collection PLEASE, GET YOUR POSTCARD IN THE MAIL SO WE CAN INFORM HIDDEN VALLEY....