NORTHERN MICHIGAN TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION C. E. "TUCK” TATE, PRESIDENT THOS. J. REED, SECRETARY-TREAS. MICHAEL T. GARVALE, VICE-PRESIDENT-' • 3733 APOLLO DRIVE TRAVERSE CITY, Ml. 49684 PHONE: 616/943-8433 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 vx., LAKEWOOD SHORES COUNTRY CLUB, Our next meeting will be at the above location on the date indicated. This is a fine 18 hole golf course designed and built in 1970 by the famous Michigan architect Bruce Matthews. It is a fine layout located on the east side of the state and owned by Westinghouse Credit Corporation. For those of you that do not know how to get there, Oscoda is located on U.S. 23. Stay on U.S. 23 coming from the south, go straight thru Oscoda, north four miles to Gaston Lane. On this intersection there is Pete’s Party Store plus a Lakewood Shores Golf sign. Here turn west to the first stop sign, then turn right or north about four miles and you will pass the club. For those of you desiring to play golf, Eave Little, the host super and Dick McQuiag, general manager, invites you to a real golf challenge Starting times at this time of the year are not necessary, however the entire package will cost you $20.00 per person. This will represent $7.00 for cart, $3.00 for golf and $10.00 for a fine prime rib dinner. Prime ribs are a speciality at this Westinghouse resort and very famous for it. For those coming for the meeting and dinner, we will start dinner promptly at 6:00 P.M., so that everyone can get an early start back. For you who wish to play golf, please pace your program to be avail­ able at 6:00 P. M. Our speaker for the evening will be Mr. Robert Moore, President of Aquatrols Corporation of America. Bob has some very special information on work done recently at several colleges and this is very important to being on top of the latest info . As usual, the postcard is enclosed and we do appreciate the return immediately. Don’t procrastinate, get off your duffand please mail. Remember, we are giving prizes for returning your card and you don’t have to be present to win. The October 2nd meeting will be held at The Grand Traverse Resort. We will play all 18 holes of the new Jack Nicklaus "Bear" course. This day of play will be limited, to members ONLY. Reason, the starting times available are not sufficient to permit guests. Guests will be turned away. We hope that we will have your cooperation and that everyone understands the situation. Thanks. *#***#*****###*#*#*******#*#****###***#**#**'M-*#*********tt#**■«•*■«•*#*** CORRECTION: Only the front 9 holes of "THE BEAR” course will be played. After playing on Aug. 27th, Jack decided on a few changes. 1 CREDIT \ \ _________________________________________________________________________ MTF NEWSNO^S * « FIELD RESEARCH AT THE HANCOCK CENTER those of you who have access to good temperature By DR. BRUCE BRANHAM data, we have seen the best results with an applica­ tion when 50 growing degree days have accumu­ The summer of 1984 has been my first full year lated. Annual bluegrass will produce seedheads for initiating field research at MSU. I would like to throughout the summer, and one application of take this opportunity to discuss some of the field Embark at the proper time will control the major­ research that I’ve begun. ity but will not control seedheads produced from First, a new graduate student, Mr. Roch Gaus- late June on. Embark may enhance summer surviva­ soin, has started his Ph.D. studies under my direc­ bility of the poa because Embark keeps the plant in tion with a grant from the Michigan Turfgrass the vegetative stage and prevents the plant from Foundation. Roch has started a very intensive field using its reserves for seedhead production. While project that will be of interest to all people in the this hypothesis sounds plausible, we don’t have golf course industry. The first field study estab­ enough data yet to prove it. lished was designed to look at the competition Cutless (El-500) may have the opposite effect in between annual bluegrass and creeping bentgrass as that it seems to selectively remove annual blue­ affected by five management variables. These five grass from creeping bentgrass. We have several factors consist of three levels of irrigation, two studies out to try and determine what rates and levels of fertility, three plant growth regulator application dates give the best results. Cutless does treatments, clippings removed versus clippings re­ give a selective phytotoxic response to annual turned, and overseeding or no overseeding with bluegrass which is exhibited as a yellowed, chloro­ bentgrass. Thus, the intent of the study is to estab­ tic turf. Thus, anyone who has more than 50% lish the combinations of management practices annual bluegrass fairways had better be ready to which favor either annual bluegrass or creeping accept predominantly yellow fairways when using bentgrass. Ideally, the experiment will allow us to this material. The possibility of using lower rates of develop a cultural adaptivity spectrum permitting a Cutless and taking more time to make the transi­ superintendent to employ one set of cultural prac­ tion to creeping bentgrass needs to be investigated. tices to favor creeping bentgrass and another set to Cutless was available in Detroit this year under an favor annual bluegrass. In addition a companion experimental use permit and will be available under study was started to examine the effects of com­ the same program in 1985. Cutless will probably paction and core cultivation on the competition be marketed in 1986. between the two species. Compaction is applied These are just a portion of the studies being with a water filled roller to half of the treatments conducted this year at the Hancock Research and then different frequencies of core cultivation Center. I hope to see you at the 1984 Field Day are applied to the compacted and uncompacted and Trade Show on September 6, when all of our plots. By combining the two studies, seven factors research will be on display. and their interactions will be examined for their effects on the competitive ability of annual blue­ grass. I think this study will go a long way towards defining the conditions needed to encourage either annual bluegrass or creeping bentgrass. The main emphasis of my field research this summer focused on herbicides and plant growth regulators. Two plant growth regulators receiving considerable attention from the golf course indus­ try are Embark and El-500 (Cutless). These two PGR’s may have opposite uses. Embark can be used effectively to control annual bluegrass seedheads from developing. I would recommend rates of be­ tween 4-8 ounces of product per acre. Embark seems to control seedheads for about one month. In order to control the flush of seedheads that occur around the 3rd-4th weeks in May, Embark needs to be applied in early May (May 1-5). For 2 1617 ST. ANDREWS DRIVE LAW LAWRENCE, KANSAS 66044 Ri 11 y J. Shelton, Media Relations Manager 913-841-2240 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August. P, 1QRA The age of the computer has come to GCSAA! At the touch nf a button, the Association can learn almost anything it. is necessary to know about a member. What advantages are available through computer use7 Ask James 0. Prusa, CGCS, GCSAA Associate Executive Director. "I met a couple of members on one of my trips. After returning to the office, I wanted to drop them a note. I didn't have their addresses so I went to the GCSAA computer. Py pressing a few keys on the computer keyboard, I was able to find their addresses, telephone numbers.. .al1 kinds of information -- just like that!" Another example comes from Billy J. Shelton, GCSAA Media Relations Manager. "The LPGA called requesting the names of the professional superintendents at. three courses where the LPGA was conducting tournaments. I went to the computer, and in less than five minutes had the names of the superintendents for those courses In both examples, it might have taken hours — possibly days — to find the information without the computer. The computer will provide more information than phone numbers and names. By knowing only an individual's name, information such as phone numbers, addresses, club name, chapter affiliation, education, certification, awards and honors, committee assignments and personal information can he found. Other information is also stored in the computer that can be retrieved at the touch of a button. (more 1 3 Also, by knowing only the club name, the superintendent's name can be found through the computer; and vice versa. GCSAA emphasized personal or sensitive information about. memhers is treated as confidential. Security of computerized records is maintained by pass codes to which only key GCSAA officials have access to further insure confidentiality. The following depicts the information shown on the computer screen: MEMBERSHIP master file INQUIRY CODE... MEMBER in#... PHONE... NAME... ADORI... FOREIGN... COUNTRY... ADOR?... AIRMAIL... ADDR3... MAIL TO... CITY... STATF... ZIP... VOT'G STATUS... TYPF MFMRER... unknown... title... SELFCTOR MFNII 1 = STATISTICS ? = OFMOGRAPHICS 3 = GOLF COURSE AFFILIATION 6 = CHAPTER AFFILIATION S = EOUCATION/CFRTIFICATION fi = CONTINUING EDUCATION 7 = COMMITTEE PARTICIPATION P = honors/awaros Q = COMPLIMENTARY SUBSCRIPTIONS ENTER SELECTION (CONTROL II FOR NEXT RFCORD, CONTROL IV TO ENO1 For further information on GCSAA's computer, call toll free, 1-BOO-GSA-SUPT. ###**###*#»#♦#»###**##*###*#**##*#*####**»#**####**#**************#*** Purdue Midwest Field Day will be held on Tuesday, September 25th, 1984 at Purdue Agronomy Farm, on Highway 52 NW, West Lafayette, In. For further details, Please call Dr. W.H. Daniel Dr. R. P. Freeborg 4784 Jo Horn, Secretary 8039 Anyone wishing to stay 7 days or longer at Washington, D.C. for the G.C.S.A.A. Conference in Feb., there are one bedroom condominiums which are available at $65 per night and 2 bedroom condos for $85 per night. Contact Sylvia Nomicos of Condominium Rentals, Ltd. at 800/638-4888 for information. Literature will be mailed to you. This is a nice alternative to hotel rooms. . EVERYTHING YOU DID NOT WANT TO down with its’ forepaws, bracing the body with its hind feet KNOW ABOUT MOLES and chews it from the front end backwards. A single mole I will tell you about those pesky little buggers. They have will eat 40 to 80 lbs. of food per year. It does not need to drink a name; the common mole and they belong to the Mammalion when feeding on worms, as they are 85% water. classification; order of Insectivora and family Tolpidae and The moles have no natural enemies except possibly man their general species of T. Micrura. But, what I REALLY call and then only when he leaves a wooded area and trespasses them would make Abdulla, the camel driver blush!!! into lawns, parks, and golf courses. There is a long list of The mole is not very big; about 51/4 inches long and has remedies to rid moles but most of them are old folklore. But a cylindrical body with a club-shaped tail. The female is slight­ as a personal note, I think at one time or another, I have tried ly smaller and they have a long snout which is rather pointed. them all with various degrees of results. The examples are: Moles have small eyes that are hidden in the fur; an internal Drowning: Not practical because of the length and depth ear that is no more than a ridge. The head and snout have of runs: you can have water in a lot of places where you don’t long bristles. need it. The fur is velvet and very soft to the touch. Usually, it is Carbon Monoxide & Other Gases: again, due to runs, gas dark gray to almost black; although, moles have been found can be all over and create some problems, especially on that were grey-yellow, orange, cream, or white. Ladies’ Day. All four limbs are short and enclosed within the skin of the Strychnine Treated Worms: somewhat effective but you body. The limbs are well foreward; the front paws are broad do not know if you really got him or if he moved. with 5 toes and an extra crescent bone, giving even greater Poison Peanuts: moles will avoid these because they breadth. Each toe has a strong claw; the hind feet are small recognize that the run has been disturbed and also they do by comparison but not as weak as they are usually described. not normally eat peanuts. Moles are solitary and are seldom seen together except Trapping: somewhat effective, but care must be used in at maturing times when females will build a nest from 18 in­ setting trap; mole can recognize run has been disturbed. ches to 3 feet below the surface and will stack it with dead Physically Catching: being at the run when mole is work­ grass and leaves. They usually mate during late March and ing; kicking him out of the run, then killing. After getting a early April and the litter is born in 5 to 6 weeks. They are blind, mole out of the run, don’t stand there and admire him; just naked, and pink in color and start getting their fur in 2 to 3 that quick, he can be back into the ground and gone. I feel weeks. There are usually 3 to 4 moles in a litter but there this is the best way. can be as many as 7 and as few as 2. Young moles leave Distractors: windmills or anything that will cause vibra­ the nest at 5 to 6 weeks and go out on their own. They become tions; the moles extreme sense of touch will sense the vibra­ sexually mature at 10 to 11 months old. tions and move to another area. The mole is a restless creature and will alternately rest, Chemical Distraction: Spraying barrier strips with an in­ feed and hunt every 31/2 to 4 hours. It is quite common for secticide using 11/2 rate and 6 to 10 feet wide; the mole them to be tunneling right after sun-up, right after noon and doesn’t like the taste and will move on and will not cross it at sunset. if it is wide enough. Their natural habitat is the forest or woodland areas but John Stephensen, CGCS they will seek any place that may offer food. They live almost wholly underground, seldom coming to the surface and when they do, it is only for short spells and they are looking for a Verticutting: Here To Stay new run. Their chief senses are smell and hearing and they have an extraordinary sense of touch at a distance. They can pick Thirteen years ago when I entered the golf course up the slightest of vibrations. profession, verticutting was sparingly done. Usually Surface runs are primarily for feeding and hunting and they during the first mowing in the spring, it was used to help can travel at a rate of 7 to 8 inches a minute. When in an stand up the grass plant which had been lying down all area they have as many as 3 layers of tunnels; surface, as winter. I think that in the last few years, with pressure mentioned; another at 3 to 6 inches below the surface (also being put on the superintendent for faster, tournament for feeding); and then a set 18 to 20 inches below for resting. There is no pattern for these tunnels. They seek the path of conditioned greens, verticutting has evolved as a widely least resistance or if the soil is distasteful, they will go in used practice for better grooming. another direction. A mole can cover anywhere from 1/2 to 4 By setting your vertical cutting units so they are just acres with intersecting tunnels. When not digging, he can barely touching the surface of the turf they will stand up move rapidly through these tunnels, using a swimlike method. any of the grass blades which have been lying down not It can move equally well either backwards or forewards. When being cut by your mower. The result is a smooth even a large mound is seen in an area of a surface run, this is surface. Followed by regular mowing it will hardly be usually a nesting or resting area and may be a vertical tun­ noticed what you’ve actually done. If your club has two nel to as much as 3 feet in depth. triplex greens mowers this can easily be accomplished The mole eats insects, wirworms, cutworms, grubs, etc., without inconvenience to the golfers. however, its principle food is earthworms. It cannot survive We all know that thatch has ruined many a good golf more than a few hours without feeding and when earthworms green, but by verticutting on a regular schedule of once a are plentiful it may store them. It bites off the tip of the worm’s week, thatch can be reduced, allowing better penetration head. With its four teeth it twists the worm into a knot and pushes it into a cavity in the soil. These stores can sometimes of water, fertilizer, and chemicals. include hundreds, even thousands of earthworms. Should the Over the years many ideas have come and gone, but mole not need them, the worms in time regrow their heads it’s safe to say, verticutting is here to stay. and burrow away. When eating a worm, the mole holds it (Credit-"Our Collaborators Kurposka CREDIT MTF NEWSNOTES Turf Cultivation and Compaction Loft's Turf Graduate Students Research at M.S.U. Combine To Aid The Hancock Center By JAMES A. MURPHY Loft’s Seed Inc. and the crew of the Hancock Department of Crop & Soil Sciences Turfgrass Research Center recently undertook a project to help pay for the operation of the Han­ Compacted soil is a major problem on many cock Center. The project, organized by research high use recreational turfs. A soil’s physical proper­ and extension technician Shawn McBurney, con­ ties change as it is compacted. Air and water move­ sisted of seeding a 6 acre site on the MSU campus. ment through the soil are reduced as a soil be­ Loft’s donated 700 pounds of their Palmer and comes more dense. Slower water movement results Prelude perennial ryegrasses to the project. The in slower drainage and increases the chance for Hancock crew consisted of technicians McBurney, water ponding and runoff. Therefore, water use Mark Collins and Carrie Haynes and graduate stu­ efficiency can be reduced under compacted soil dents Roch Gaussoin, Lee Berndt, Jim Murphy and conditions. The physical resistance to root growth Mike McElroy. The project netted $2,500 towards increases as soil density increases. In general, the the operation of the Hancock Center. Our sincere overall quality of the turf is lower in a compacted thanks to Loft’s and the Hancock Center crew for soil. One practice used to combat compaction is their contribution to turf research. turf cultivation. Turf cultivation can take on many forms, such Water infiltration rates are often drastically reduced as coring, spiking, slicing, and subaerification. Each on football and soccer fields after heavy use in the type of cultivation affects the turf and soil below fall. The Aerway, Dedoes drum type, and Ryan’s in different ways. Therefore, each type must be open spoon aerifiers will be evaluated on their evaluated for its effectiveness in achieving the ability to increase water infiltration rates. Earlier desired results, such as, relief of compaction, im­ research has indicated the possibility of a cultiva­ proved rooting, thatch control, or increased water tion pan forming as a result of coring. A field study infiltration. designed to induce a pan below the zone of cultiva­ Several types of cultivation are currently being tion should help confirm or disprove this idea. investigated to determine their overall effectiveness After many coring treatments on a Kentucky blue­ in modifying soil physical properties. Cultivation grass turf, the soil will be examined at one inch types of particular interest are hollow tine coring intervals to a depth of 6 inches to determine the (drum and vertically operating units), shattercore influence of coring on soil properties. aerification, and the Aerway aerifier. Laboratory studies will examine the influence Much interest has been shown in shattercore of hollow and solid tine coring on prepared soil aerification. Shattercoring is aerifying with solid cores. Areas of interest include tine speed during tines. These solid tines replace the hollow tines on penetration of the soil, initial soil bulk density the conventional vertically operating aerifying units. and moisture content, and the tip and overall shape Proponents claim that fracturing of the soil occurs (design) of the solid tine. as a solid tine impacts and penetrates the soil. Based on preliminary observations we feel that soil mois­ ture content and bulk density play important roles in the ability of shattercoring to adequately modify a soil’s physical properties. A field study has been initiated on Penneagle bentgrass putting green to determine the effectiveness of shattercoring and hollow tine coring at different moisture contents on a soil with varying bulk densities. Other experiments include determining the po­ tential hazard of dessication of a turf after aerifica­ tion. Moisture content of the soil will be monitored after aerifying to see how rapidly water loss occurs. Shattercoring and hollow tine aerification will be the methods of cultivation evaluated. Also, cultiva­ tion treatments on athletic fields will be evaluated. 6 Tfye Constitution- By-Laws states that the annual meeting of this ''Association will be held in September, at which time election of «'board of Directors will take place. The slate of candidates proposed by the nominating committee shall appear in the notice of the annual meeting. Additions to the nominees recommended by the nominating committee shall be accepted if proffered from the floor at the time of the election. The election shall proceed by secret ballot and be decided by a simple majority. Only Class "A" and "B" members are permitted to vote. Unless 198L dues have been paid, no member shall be permitted to vote at this election. These are the ground rules and there are no exceptions so please be sure that your 198*1 dues are paid. Your nominating committee composed of Cave Longfield, Chairman, with Harold Birtles, Joe Burda, John LaBoskey and Leonard Powell are submitting the following names for your choice to a three year term on the Board: Tom Courtemanche, Green Hills Golf Club Bob McElheny, Antrim Dells Golf Club Jim Olli, Hidden Valley Bill Bost, Grayling Country Club Gary Pulsipher, Cadillac Country Club Bob Steinhurst, Jr., West Branch Country Club Jon Scott, Grand Traverse Resort One person will be elected from the Class "G" membership to serve a two year term on the Board. The committee has submitted the following names for this position: Fred Miller Tom Reed Nothing in the By Laws prevents a person now serving on the Board from being reelected unless he has already served two consectutive terms. None of the above names will fitiinto this category. The only person now whose term of office is expiring and cannot be reelected to the Board is Tuck Tate, who must step down having served thirteen years on the Board. Officers to run this Association will be elected at the October meeting at Grand Traverse Resort. At that time, the Board will elect the new officers whose terra will run for the next fiscal year or until replaced. #**###•»########*#######*»###*»#»#*# # * ###*### it- ■>(•*■«•* -K- The date of October 27th has been set as big night for the gals or the big social party. Details for the location, price, plus will be forthcoming in our next newsletter. At that time we are promised that there will be pleasant surprises for everyone. So gals, starting now, please put your act into gear and be sure that you will be with us. * ***»#####*#####»####**#*###### * «• Other important dates in September which should be on your calendar: Sept. 6th, Field Day, Equipment Show and Auction, M.S.U. Hancock Center Further details will be forthcoming to all members of M.T.F. 18th, M.S.U. Seminar, Traverse City Golf & Country Club, registration at 8;45 A.M., full morning program in Clubhouse plus an afternoon of calibration of spreaders, sprayers, both dry and granular, power equipment and hand operated showing all the fine points and letting you decide which is the best method and type of equipment for you and your budget. GOLF CARTS CALLED AS MUCH A HAZARD AS CA TALLAHASSEE—Mildred Meister, pausing for a drink of & motorized with gas engines, some have electric engines. I water before the eighth tee ata Hollywood-area golf club, think we’re getting hung up on the definition of a golf was stepping out of her E-Z-GO cart in August 1978 cart.” when a runaway cart pinned her against a rest-area But Joseph Kashi, attorney representing Emerald Hills, building. argued that golf carts are not motor vehicles and are not She wants to collect damages from the golf club, but an dangerous instruments. They are not as dangerous as appellate court said she can’t, because a golf club is not cars, nor as widely found on public thoroughfares, the responsible for its golf carts as long as they are in good attorney argued. working condition. "Golf carts on golf courses are not used on a highway," But Mrs. Meister’s attorney, Mark Hicks, argued before he said. “We feel the fact that a vehicle ... is principally the Florida Supreme Court Thursday that carts like the designed for use off the public highways takes away from one that injured Mrs. Meister are as dangerous as [its] menacing nature." automobiles. The justices seemed fascinated by this argument that Just as much as the driver of the vehicle, Emerald Hills depends largely on comparing the varying safety of Country Club should be responsible for paying for the vehicles, from mopeds to tractors. multiple, painful fractures to her leg, Hicks argued. Justice Parker McDonald asked with a smile how If the high court accepts Hicks’ argument, country much a ruling that carts are dangerous might affect clubs, airports and any other owners of similar carts cart fees. would be responsible for injuries caused by the carts, Much of the questioning sought the shades of differ­ even if there is no way they could have prevented them. ence between injuries from a car and those from a cart. The "dangerous instrumentality” doctrine, a rule that The suit against the driver of the cart, w«ho was a friend dates to the era of the Model T, covers cars and several of Mrs. Meister’s, is pending until the golf cart issue is other motor vehicles, making the owners liable for their settled. Mrs. Meister named the country club in the use. same suit. The Sunshine State, with its ever-present golf courses, Last fall, the 4th- District Court of Appeal in West Palm should include golf carts in that rule, Hicks contended. In Beach ruled that golf carts are motor vehicles but fact, every motorized vehicle, including lawn mowers and declined to consider them dangerous instruments. possibly electric wheelchairs, can be dangerous instru­ The state Supreme Court is expected to issue a ments, he said. decision on the status of golf carts in several months. “A golf cart is a car,” the attorney said. "Some [cars] are Credit: Fort Lauderdale News DO YOU JUST BELONG? THINK IT OVER! "If the day looks gloomy by Marsha Harnrln And the chances kinder slim, Are you an active member If the situation's puzzlin' The kind who would be missed? An' the prospects are grim, And problems keep pressin' Or are you just contented that Till Hope is nearly gone — Your name is on the 11st? Jus' bristle up an' grit your teeth COLLECTION Do you attend meetings And keep on Keepin' On!" And mingle with the flock? Or do you stay away Courtesy is the lubricant which keeps the ma­ And criticize and knock? chinery of human intercourse running smoothly; Do you take an active part right or wrong, if you are courteous you will get To help the work along, consideration. Or are you satisfied to be The kind who just belong. The Blonde Down the Hall says one good idea put to use is worth a hundred buzzing around in Do you ever work on committees the back of your head. To see there 1s no trick, Or leave the work to just a few, The Old Bach' says the fellow looking for a soft And talk about the clique job is sure to find hard sledding. So come to the meetings often And help with hand and heart Doing the best you can with the little opportuni­ Don't be just a member ties that come along will get you further than idly But take an active part wishing for the big chance that may never arrive. Think 1t over, members, You know right and wrong; Are you an active member, It is better to plan Or do you...just belong? less and do more. 8 William Ellery Channing