NORTHERN MICHIGAN TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION © EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 3733 APOLLO DRIVE • TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN 49684 • 616-943-8343 JUNE TREE TOPS COURSE AT SYLVAN RESORT, GAYLORD, MICHIGAN DAMIAM KURKOWSKI, SUPERINTENDENT 3962 WIIJCINSON ROAD (Turn Just east of the Entrance to Hidden Valley) 8, 1987 RICHARD C. SMITH, PROFESSIONAL Phone:(517) 732-6711 Jonathon Scott President Proceeds will go to ENTRY FEE: $60.00 per player Michigan Turf Foundation ($240.00 per team) Turfgrass Research Fund Paul Holmes Vice President FOUR MAN BEST BALL Best Two of Four Full Handicap C*w|reetops JL SYLVAN RESORT A A Robert Trent Jones, Sr. Team Prizes & "MASTERPIECE” David Longfield Prizes For Includes: Immediate Past President Individual Events: 1. Golf (Shot Guns 8:00 am or 1:15 pm) 2. Golf Carts Longest Drive Sylvan lodge rooms are available 3. Cheese Board - Cocktail Hour for those desiring to stay over. 4. Dinner (Morning Players • 2:30. * Closest to the Pin 1-800- 368 4133 Afternoon - 7:30) Directors and Morel James Bogart In case of inclement weather the banquets will be held as scheduled. Thomas Brogger Thomas Courtemanche ENTRY FORM Damian Kurkowski Players- Handicap Preferred Starting Times All Tee Times are assigned Charles Menefee on a first- James Olli Shot Gun 8.00 am --------------- come, first- served basis David Sapp or and will be > Robert Steinhurst confirmed by Shot Gun 1:15 pm --------------- mail. David Little Make checks payable to H.M.T.M.A. and along with entrees, send to: TOM BROGGER Past Presidents 175 Snyder Ed Karcheski Harbor Springs, Ml 49740 C. E. “Tuck” Tate Dear Northern Michigan Turf Malingers: As the seasons change «nil our interests move back on to the golf course, your M.T.F. Benefit Committee is busy wrapping up Executive Secretary the details for this years' fund rniser. We are very fortunate to have as our host, Damian Kurkowski and The Sylvan Resorts Thomas Reed Treetops Golf Course, truly a Robert Trent Jones "Masterpiece.” The participation we experienced nt Shanty Creeks’ Legend Golf 3733 Apollo Dr. Course in 1986 wus outstanding. The $6,0(1(1.00 raised for turf Traverse City, Ml. 49684 reseorch was our largest donation ever. With this momentum and the reputation Sylvan has already gained, we are sure iy87's event Phone 616-943-8343 will be on even bigger success. The format has been changed slightly this year to a double shot gun beginning nt 8:00 AM and 1:15 PM. There will also be two separate banquet dinners, as well ns prize winners from the morning and afternoon rounds. These changes were made to cut down on the long waiting period between the beginning of golf and dinner. Another obvious change is the increase in entry fee from $50.00 to $60.00. As turf managers, we can ell appreciate the information we have gained from turf research in the past. Our additional contributions will help guarantee that this quality research will continue in the future. Putting aside the idea of "supporting your own" for just a minute, consider that end» contestant receives a round of golf at the Treetops, cart, dinner (prime rib and other entrees), and a chonce to win many prizes which will include for the first time, golf and cart certificates from some of Northern Michigan’s lop courses. With this great opportunity to be one of the first to challenge tlie Treetops’ layout and along with the camaraderie and renewal of old acquaintances that goes with all our meetings, we feel we are going to have something very special this year. So sharpen up your games and we’ll see you on June 8th at the Treetops. BEARD Sincerely, COLLECTION Your M.T.F. Benefit Committee: Tom Brogger (Chairman) Damian Kurkowski Jim Bogart Charlie Menefee Paul Holmes Jim Olli NEXT MEETING WILL BE AT HIDDEN VALLEY ON JULY 8, 1987 SO MARK YOUR CALENDAR WHILE IT IS FRESH IN YOUR MIND. JIM OLLI, IS THE GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT AND MARK HOGAN, IS THE GOLF PROFESSIONAL. (517) 732-4653 BEHIND THE GREENS A MONTHLY MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD BY JON SCOTT, PRESIDENT It seems we have entered the "age of yesterday" this year. By that, I mean that everything has to be done by then. Everyone I have talked to so -far this season is trying to "catch up", whatever that means. Your Board is no exception. We needed just one more month to tie up all the loose ends before the season started, and WHAM! It started. Hopefully, all things promised will be done, but if not, we hope you'll understand that we are all as busy as you have been, and our primary responsibility is to our jobs. What doesn't get done this year can be addressed next fall and winter. After all, if we did it all at once, there wouldn't be anything to look foreward to; right? A significant news item appeared in the Traverse City Record Eagle recently which may signal a new approach by the media and citizen interest groups toward pesticide usage. As most of you know, the prime focus of these groups has been the lawn care industry. The golf courses have been relatively overlooked in the campaign to limit or remove pesticides from the environment. I'm afraid that luxury may be ending, as the article seems to point to the golf course as a source of pollutants to trout streams. While this is not new, it has generally been a concern of a few disgruntled property owners and loosely organized environmentalists. Those days are ending. Golf courses, especially new ones, either planned or under construction, are likely to be targeted for increased scrutiny by the media and public on the urging of well orgainized environmental groups professionally trained in public relations. Some of you may be directly involved in making statements to the press or public forums, but many more of you will be indirectly involved by the increased public awareness of what pesticides you use and how you apply them in your turf management programs. The article in the Record Eagle demonstrates what can happen when a well intentioned reporter senses a newsworthy topic of national interest with local impact. As most of you know, The Homestead has been trying to gain approval for a golf course development near Empire, east of Traverse City. Many environmental groups, including one in Traverse City, have allied against this project because of its proximity to a wildlife area, including a trout stream. Coverage of this controversy in the Record Eagle, as well as most statewide newspapers, such as the Detroit Free Press, has been both regular and, at times, sensational. Similar, but less agressive, has been coverage of other developments such as Michawe Hills and Sylvan Resort's Treetops. Other projects under way or in planning face certain study by local and state environmental groups. The most sensitive questions raised in these inquiries center around water, both surface and subsurface. Michigan's clean water is hot property in promoting industry and tourism. Anything that may negatively affect water quality will be newsworthy. How does that impact us? It puts turf managers on the defensive, and defensive battles can be lost if preparations are not adequate. Step one in preparation is awareness. We must believe that this is not the other guy's problem. It can quickly be you! Read the capers and pay attention to local environmental controversies. If you are involved with a development project, consult with agencies such as 2 6CSAA and PLC-AA to gain in-formation on how to handle environmental concerns. The more in-formed you are, the better you can in-form. Second, we should make sure our programs are sound and in compliance with all laws. Don't assume that you can get away with any violations o-f the guidelines, no matter how minor. Make sure the chemicals you choose to apply are used according to label directions, and pay careful attention to any environmental warnings such as -fish and wildlife toxicity statements. Try to use products which break down Quickly in the soil once applied. Calibrate your equipment, and carefully train and supervise your applicators when not doing it yourself. If you are applying pesticides and fertilizers responsibly and legally, it will be easier to .justify your pesticide management program should it come under review. Next, be careful of your statements. Don't assume you won't be quoted, or that what you say will be printed as you said it. It is common when being interviewed to be asked leading questions that allow you to qualify your answer, only to have the qualifier omitted when the item gets to print. News space is expensive. Uninteresting statements are cut to save room for attention getters. It is not news when you say pesitic ides are safe to use in the environment when applied properly. It is news when the printed article contains the statement "Local turf manager thinks pesticides can be dangerous to the environment when misused.” Both statements are true. The second one obviously gets attention. Sometimes, the safest statement is no corwnent. The worst that can be said is "Local turf manager refuses to respond to our questions." While that may sound like you are guilty of something, at least you haven't given any statements which may be twisted or taken out of context. Newspeople are not "out to get you". They merely want to get a story. If they can't find one in you, they are likely to go elsewhere to meet their deadlines. No one can make you comment or return calls. Common sense will keep you out of bad si tuat i ons. A Question that has been asked at our board meetings concerns what our association can or should do when articles such as the Record Eagle's appear, or one of our fellow managers comes under fire. Not surprisingly, we haven't arrived at an answer. If one of us becomes a spokesperson, will that manager be exposed for targeting? What if our organization comes under scrutiny? Will what we say be accurately presented and properly interpreted? Past experience demonstrates the difficulty in this area. This may be one of the most important issues your association tackles this year and next. For the time being, don't hesitate to call for help. Some of us have had experience in dealing with the media and environmental groups. We may be able to assist you in this arena. We will be formulating a more formal procedure in later meetings, and we welcome your comments and ideas. There is no doubt that a follow up will be done by the media on the issues raised in the Record Eagle article. How we handle that follow up may determine whether we remain able to use pesticides and fertilizers in our turf management programs. We are no longer immune to citizen concerns. We must address these issues professionally and agr-essively as they are raised. Chemicals are a given part of the modern world. If we can demonstrate that we share the same citizen concerns about the environment we all live in, we can be part of the solution instead of the problem. See you at Sylvan. 3 tr g Er os P g|£, Û3 &s:° £ £ ^OQ O iMhhKi’h« >"1 w 05 X> ss» œ S 5 UQ w os o c »— ¡M q- 3 £ "1 rS £-*> *>S‘Í**íts?,§ I? sr ">& o »i'p SX: o* o 8 ü> p £ 03 5?'s ?£s *5 B -« g;S 2 ” Ho-' S. » g ,, § 3 - s? e g 8 8 ’ 3SÌ I l S*- w co «< Q S »B. 03 5 out. 20 years to 14 years in the past 20 manage the body’s- response to ten- V .x “Probably the easiest term for it is years. sion. - r- exhaustion. People are simply tired of Alschuler says stress has been Alschuler, who says he is a 11111 e / what they’re doing. They just can’t linked with almost every known overweight, counterbalances his own / put out anymore.” human disease. work with karate workouts’ three Its victims include/business ex­ “The cause and relationship times a week with his son, Alfie, 9, ecutives, human services workers, between stress and these diseases is and his oldest daughter, Lisa, 14. He / social workers, psychologists, not exactly clear but it does seem to and his youngest daughter, Britt, 11, J teachers and policemen. be an aggravator of whatever take care of the family horse. This << i “It> a phenomenon that cuts across tendency you have toward disease.” makes for quality time with his fami’ ' occupational lines,” says Walter Some research, he says, indicates iy. •> .• < Gorski, chief psychologist for the that people with high stress levels are In the last 10 years, he has traveled National Association of Chiefs of far more likely to have an accident or across the country between college Police. illness within a significant period of semester breaks as a consultant to ’ “It occurs to anyone who is time. more than 300 different organizations, primarily involved in problems hav­ Gerald Arenberg. editor of Police most of them educational. He has ing to do with other people,” says Times, a magazine for members of written a dozen books dealing with the Alschuler, “primarily because human the National Association of Chiefs of psychological and social problems in ; problems are simply not solvable in Police, quotes studies that show schools and has two more in the the same way that a problem with career police officers, both active and works. He has done radio and televi­ your car or television set is solvable.” retired, die younger than most other sion programs. Alschuler says the symptoms of occupational groups and suffer a high At age 41, he avoids burnout by burnout include distance from people, rate of health problems. choosing his level of workload and spending less time on the job, in­ Gorski says burnout among police pacing himself. creased cynicism and negativeness officers leads to psychosomatic ill­ “I have learned how to say no to and emotional and physical fatigue. nesses, ulcers, backache and hundreds of attractive pieces of work. Silvia Rodriguez, 35, suffered some hypertension because “they have to I hold certain times of the day and of these symptoms and burned out deal with unpleasant situations over week as sacrosanct. For example, after more than 10 years of teaching and over and over.” from Friday evening to Sunday eve­ in the Connecticut school system. Among the primary causes of burn­ ning, my children come before By her own account, she had been out are: anything else. dedicated to her students. She wrote — Too much responsibility, at work her own class materials for her high or in your personal life. There are a number of effective school language courses to make — A lack of perspective on the anti-burnout programs for teachers them more interesting. She gave up stresses that do occur in your life. and police officers, emphasizing, her weekends for such causes as the — The inability to manage your physical conditioning, good nutri­ March of Dimes walkathon and the tion and working out tensions.'Most-, body’s reaction to stress. Special Olympics for handicapped ly, common sense helps. — Poor time management and the When racial disturbances hit Opa- children. She gave the needy food and inability to work effectively with clothing. other people. locka, Fla., last May, Police Chief She felt she wasn’t appreciated by Robert Ingram saw a potential for — Singlemindedness, the lack of school administrators or the com­ burnout among his officers because of some important diversions in your the long shifts and the threat of at- munity itself. life. Then in the spring of 1979 there was Moving, divorce, business problems ; tack. He called in Alschuler to give a fight between two students in her create environmental stress, him a hand in stress reduction train- classroom. She was hurt. Alschuler says. The condition you are ’ ing. “I went home and I began feeling in and bad habits affect your ability to “It worked very well as far as I was very sick. I was out of school for three handle stresses. Too much caffeine, I concerned,” says Ingram, who picked weeks. My body was in a lot of pain 1 too much processed sugar only make up a few tips himself in time manage- began looking at myself and I re­ t things worse. ■ ment. alized it was not worthwhile.” “If you don’t have a positive addic- ! “One of the stresses that I dis- “I was increasingly tired, in­ , tion like jogging, or ceramics, or gar­ ’ covered,” he says, “was the time creasingly bored. The thought of hav­ dening, or even watching television, management process. You schedule ing to go back to teach was very something you can do to take your j everything but time io yourself.” scary, very petrifying. I really had a mind off work completely, that’s a Dr. Jodi Kassove , a psychologist tremendous fear when I went back to major cause,’’ says Alschuler. ! and business consultant in Colorado that classroom. : He suggests talking about your j Springs, Colo., says burnout “is sub- “When I realized I had lost the trust i problems with a friend, your spouse i stantial among business executives of my students and that I was not feel­ ; or your lover, reducing the amount of I and one of the symptoms is denial. I ing comfortable in their company any incoming stress in your personal life think some of the more huma­ longer, I decided they did not need or professional hie. -qualifying your nistically orientated companies are me.” values to put into perspective what’s , just beginning to address the ; She left teaching in June 1979 and really important and managing your • problem.” WARN INC SI (¡NS Of BURNOUT AND EXCESS I V E STRESS 1. Sudden change in behavior, usiuilly directly opposite ol the person’s normal behavior - becomes .suddenly gloomy and pessimistic. 2. A gradual change in behavior th.it points to a deterioration in performance, self-esteem, and attitude - increasing lethargy, depression and sullen behavior. 3. Erratic work habits - coming to work Lite, leaving early, abusing comp­ time and breaks. 4. increased use of sick leave tor minor ailments. ♦ 5. inability to maintain a train of thought. Rambling conversation, preoccupa­ tion, difficulty in sticking to a specific topic. 6. Excessive or obsessive worrying about what might happen at the exclusion of other thoughts. 7. Grandiose behavior - preoccupation with religion, politics, etc. 8. Excessive use of alcohol and/or drugs, disinterested in appearance, hangovers, bragging about drinking, indicates avoidance of problems. 9. Continual fatigue -- lethargy, sleeping on the job. 10. Peer complaints - others refuse to work with the person. 11. Excessive complaints from clients ol the general public - sarcastic comments relating to clients. 12. Consistency in complaint patterns, picks on specific groups. 13. Sexual promiscuity - "recreational sex" used as an escape from stress and prob 1 ems. 14. Excessive accidents or injury - not paying attention to driving, handling machinery, etc. 15. Manipulation ol lei low workers and citizens - uses others ot achieve one’s own needs without caring lor their we 11 are. 7 (Oak Wilt cont’d.) Oak Wilt — A Serious Threat Or Just ings of oaks it may be advisable to sever root grafts to create One More Disease? a barrier between the apparently healthy trees around an infec­ by James A. Fizzell tion and the next healthy trees, just in case the disease has Horticulturists, Univ. of Illinois already moved through root grafts. The summer of 1986 was marked by an unusually high in­ Diseased trees should be removed immediately unless such cidence of Oak wilt throughout North Eastern Illinois. operations would injure nearby healthy oaks. Oak wilt is a disease closely related to Dutch elm disease. Wood from diseased trees may be used as firewood, but It affects a tree in much the same manner as does D.E.D., plug­ should be burned or debarked before spring. ging the xylem, preventing water movement throughout the tree. There is speculation as to the reasons for increased incidence Infected trees of the red oak group, those with pointed lobes of the disease last year. There may have been unusually high on their leaves, are killed quickly, usually within months of the populations of sap beetles because of the mild winter. Or, trees appearance of the first flagging. Leaves bronze, dry and drop. which were previously infected simply showed no symptoms Members of the white oak family (rounded lobes on their leaves) until stressed; Appearance of a new vector is possible, as well. die back gradually, becoming stagg-headed before succumb­ Keep a close watch this spring as your oak trees develop. If ing. Leaves on affected branches become light green, tan, and you see suspicious symptoms, be prepared to take appropriate dry, remaining attached. There are reports of spontaneous steps to protect nearby oaks. If you need assistance in diagnosis, recovery by white oaks, which seem to be capable of walling contact our office or the Cooperative Extension Service office off infections if the trees are vigorous enough. Affected bran­ in your county. CREDIT! SHEEp ches of all species show characteristic brown streaking of the xylem. Oak wilt has been around for many years with localized out­ 1 ne oonoxious customer was giv­ breaks reported in red and black oak stands every year or so. ing the clerk in the department store Spread has been mostly by root grafting, although obviously a bad time. Finally, she said, “Isn’t something had to bring the fungus into the area to start with. there a smarter clerk I can get to Fortunately, there has been no powerful vector such as elm wait on me?” bark beetle which efficiently moved D.E.D. throughout elm “No, lady,” the clerk said. “All plantings nationwide in only a few years. 1986 was different. BEARD of the smart clerks ducked out when COLLECTION they saw you coming.” Oak wilt appeared in many places. It showed in individual oaks far removed from other oak trees. The first occurrance verified by our lab was in a pair of red oaks in the middle of a fairway, nearly V2 mile from another oak. No other infection was found “Walking the Tightrope with ( in thè vicinity. The pattern was repeated all season. Ultra-Fast Putting Greens” Apparently, something is moving the disease more efficient­ ly than we have seen in the past. Dr. R. T. Kane, Turfgrass Advisor Sap beetles are known to carry spores from fungus mats Over the last few years, new standards for putting green quali­ beneath the bark of wilt-killed black and red oaks, to open ty has emerged, with the primary emphasis on green speed. wounds on healthy trees. These insects could be carried miles Mowing heights for greens are now commonly in the 1/8 inch by winds. Squirrels, too, could carry spores; but this has not range (. 125”), and other management practices such as frequent been proven. sand topdressing, verticutting, and brushing are used to accen­ Once the disease gets started, it spread quickly to any adja­ tuate speed and improve smoothness. cent oaks through root grafts. There is no cure, so prevention However, these same management techniques can be quite is the only means of control. detrimental to the bentgrass and Poa annua plants that com­ Prevention includes care to avoid wounding of healthy trees prise the putting surface. Low mowing heights and the abrasive during the growing season, quick treatment of wounds, break­ action of sand, verticutting, and other grooming activities reduce ing of root grafts and prompt removal and destruction of diseas­ the leaf surface available for plant growth which, in turn, ed trees. reduces root depth and volume. The result is a weakened plant Wound infection is most likely to occur from bud break in which lacks vigor and is much more susceptible to environmen­ spring until growth ceases in early summer. Pruning or any other tal stresses and pathogen invasion (e.g. bacteria and nematodes). work around oaks which could result in open wounds should During summer heat and humidity, the superintendent must be delayed until well past this time, preferably until the trees balance water, pesticide, nutrition, and other inputs in order are dormant. to insure survival of the green. Wounds during the critical period must be treated promptly. De-emphasizing green speed as a determinant of putting quali­ This is one case where wound dressing is recommended to pre­ ty would make the superintendent’s life easier. Ultra-fast greens vent the insects from coming in contact with the damaged wood. are not required to test the ability of the average golfer on a Paint generously with orange shellac, and cover with an asphalf- day-to-day basis. Raising the cutting height as little as 1/32” based tree dressing. (to 5/32”) will reduce plant stress and help insure a healthy, Sever root grafts betwen diseased and healthy trees as soon green putting surface through the entire season. Improved plant as symptoms are observed. The sooner the better. In large plant- vigor will add a safety net of sorts to the tightrope walking routine. Credit: “The Score Card”, Spring 1987 8