CP TURF TIME Volume 17 No. 5_ TUESDAY, JULY 12th, 1988 WEST BRANCH COUNTRY CLUB The July meeting of this Association and the Mid-Michigan Association will be a joint effort, bringing together two of Michigan's superintendent groups. For those of you that have never been to this fine golf course, we would like to fill you in on directions: From the south, take 1-75 to exit 212, business loop to West Branch. Turn right on Fairview, Country Club is 2 blocks on Right. Coming from the north, take 1-75 to exit 215, business loop into West Branch and turn left at Fairview. Coming on M-55 either from the east or west to Houghton Ave. and turn on Fairview. Host Superintendent: Bob Steinhurst, Jr. CGCS Phone: 517/345-1424 Golf Professionals: Brian and Ina Davis Phone: 517/345-2501 Starting times will be from 10:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. and are necessary. For reservations, please phone 517/345-2501 Price of golf carts will be $8.00 per person Price of dinner $16.00 TOTAL PACKAGE: $26.00 Golf Tournament $2.00 LUNCH IS AVAILABLE AT THE COUNTRY CLUB AND THE FOOD COMES VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Please use the enclosed postcard so we may tell the club of the number that will be there for dinner. Thanks. DINNER WILL BE SERVED AT 5:45 P.M. ********************************************************************* August 10th, Cheboygan Country Club will be our next meeting. Please mark your calendar. NORTHERN MICHIGAN TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION © EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 3733 APOLLO DRIVE • TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN 49684 • 616-943-8343 ? « BEHIND THE GREENS Thomas Brogger President A Monthly Message From The Board by Tom Brogger, President Paul Holmes Vice President Howdy Pardners! Gee, where you been? You look like you been out Jonathon Scott, CGCS on the long dusty trail. What's that you say? You just came in off the Immediate Past President golf course? Oh, My!!! Excuse me for lightening the mood a little, but I know everyone is going crazy over this dry spell and you know, if we don't get some rain pretty soon, those dusty trails are going to get even Directors longer before it's all over. The toughest part in all of this is that the Kimberly Olson majority of our time is spent with our water systems while a lot of other Jeffrey Holmes projects and routines have to take a back seat. We are also very limited Wm. Brent Nelson Thomas Courtemanche in what we can and can't do during times like this and, hopefully, everyone Damian Kurkowskl understands the situation. It's probably a good time to be communicating Charles Menefee, CGCS some of these situations to our club officials. James Olli, CGCS David Sapp Robert Steinhurst, CGCS At this time, I would like to thank all of those who took part in this year's Turfgrass Benefit Day at Garland. Mother Nature provided us with sun-baked skies and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Past Presidents Congratulations to the winners! Their efforts were rewarded with our Ed Karcheskl largest prize list ever. A tournament of this size and magnitude would C. E. “Tuck” Tate, CGCS never have run so smoothly if it weren't for the hard work and preparation David Longfield, CGCS by Chairman Charlie Menefee and Host Superintendent, Dave Longfield, as well as the entire Garland staff. Dave, your golf course is in absolutely fantastic shape! You're in a beautiful location and you have a lot to be Executive Secretary proud of. Thank you everyone for your participation in what will again Thomas Reed provide substantial funds for future turfgrass research. 3733 Apollo Dr. Traverse City, Ml 49684 Phone 616-943-8343 Our next gathering will be a joint meeting with the Mid-Michigan Association at West Branch Country Club. We met with our neighbors to the south last year at the Grayling Right To Know seminar, and because we got along so well, we thought we'd do it again. If you know someone from Mid-Michigan, this might be a great time to give them a call and make plans to get together for our meeting that day. See you at West Branch! “Whoever is careless “The trouble with the truth in small matters with being punctual is cannot be trusted that there's nobody there with important matters." to appreciate it." — ALBERT EINSTEIN — HAROLD ROME Bunkers ana Sandtraps Ninety percent of all sand traps are "status symbols". Top players can get “up and down" out of sand traps around greens 65 percent to 75 percent of the time. The golfer who can't ever get out of the traps 50 percent of the time doesn't need sand traps to penalize him in the first place — most greens are over-trapped and under­ trapped throughout. The countless 400-yard par 4-holes YOU with 4 or 5 traps around the green, some extending back toward the tee for 35 to 40 yqrds, look great in the maga­ “For living at your office, for living zines but not on the average golfer's scorecard! The in your hojne, or for living anywhere in toughest shot is the long trap shot. The low handicapper the world: doesn't miss a green by 20 to 30 yards; so these long traps don't catch him. Such long traps catch only the weekend If you open it — you close it. If you turn it on — you turn it off. golfers, defeating the purpose of pleasure and faster play. If you unlock it — you lock it. Fairway traps are somewhat similar, depending on If you break it — you repair it. location and degree of penalty. In a carefully designed If you can’t fix it — you get some­ course, the fairway traps rarely can be reached by the body who can. average player, but they should welcome the long hitter If you borrow it — you return it. who "strays." A trap doesn't bother the good golfers unless If you use it — you take care of it. he has an unfortunate lie. A penal trap designed to make If you make a mess — you clean it him recover with an eight-iron, when a five-iron Is needed up. from that distance to the green, is another story and such If you move it — you put it back. traps used sparingly and judiciously on the course have If you make a promise — you keep it. their place in golf. If you don’t know how it works — Courses with two or three fairway traps per hole, some of don’t touch it. them 80 to 100 yards long, are on their way out. Most If it doesn’t concern you — don’t courses overdo the fairway traps because trees are under mess with it. utilized. Well-placed “tree traps", either natural or If it’s your turn — then take it. planted, can stop the very long hitter far more effectively If you love her — tell her. and with far less maintenance expense than sand traps. The bottom line is this — today is Yet the average golfer lands so far back of well-placed your day, so go for it. trees that he can better negotiate such obstacles with his This kind of basic training will fit shot. any age, in any field, in any dimension it applies to kids or to codgers — Sand traps today might cost from $750.00 to $2,500.00 and those on their way in any direc­ each, depending on rough grading required, cost of tion. sand, etc., but the maintenance cost of raking, edging, It speaks for itself so eloquently that occasional new sand, etc., usually averages $100.00 to it needs no explanation.” $150.00 per trap per year, and probably the only persons getting in such useless traps are the maintenance crew. From: Jasper Dorsey (editorial), Compare this with three good trees planted at $100.00 to Athens Daily News, February 10, 1986. $300.00 each and maintained at $5.00 to $15.00 per tree Credit: GGCSA per year. Cutting out 50 traps can save $50,000.00 plus $7,500.00 per year in maintenance. A different treatment of trap edges can save another $2,000.00 to $4,000.00 per year in maintenance and result In "cleaner" sand traps. A study of the old master golf course architects, like Russ, Mackenize, and Tilling Hast, show that some of their great­ est courses had few traps. The original 8th green at Augusta National, which made the hole a magnificent test of golf, didn't have a single sand trap! As I study the latest Augusta Course map I find a 14th hole without traps beautiful and provide a measure of targeting and some­ at all. This is a superb example of subtle design which times protection, we have had too much of a good thing. rewards a bold, well-placed shot while making a very Grass bunkers and mounds can be more effective and tough approach shot to the pin — the penalty for a sloppy much less costly. Grass’can be mowed low for most of the second shot on the great holes. growing season for average play and allowed to grow Most of today's courses are excessively over-trapped higher for 3 weeks before an important tournament. Golf from the viewpoint of speed of play, first cost, mainten­ courses of the future most likely will have only 8 to 20 sand ance, and poorly designed from a reward punishment traps, with many more strategically placed grass mounds, standpoint. While it is true that well-designed traps are grass bunkers, and tree traps. Credit:N.M.G.C.S.A 3 Managing Greens Under Stress by STANLEY J. ZONTEK Director, Mid-Atlantic Region, The result ofputting green turf cut too low while under stress. The longer grass in the depressed USGA Green Section area of the wheel mark survived well. AMONG THE responsibilities of a departure from the normal equi­ close mowing when it is too hot), the /^today’s golf course superintendent, librium.“ For the turf manager in the turf can be severely weakened, and may X jLthe need to maintain a good field, stress is what causes the grass to wilt and die. When this occurs on greens, stand of grass on putting greens is per­ wilt and die right before his eyes, just it means an immediate public relations haps the most basic of all. Greens are like it did during the summer of 1987, problem between the golf course super­ the bread and butter of a golf course, the East’s summer of despair. The turf intendent and those who play the course. and the reputation of a course and the on greens is exposed to many elements Following is a listing of some of the superintendent who maintains it is often that can cause stress. The turf manager management factors the golf course determined by the consistency of those has little or no control over some of superintendent can control to some greens. As long as the greens look good these factors, such as the amount of play degree as he manages his turf under and putt well, golfers are inclined to a course receives, under what weather conditions of stress. Some may seem overlook other weaknesses on the course. conditions this play occurs, and whether obvious, while others are less obvious, If this consistency fails for even a short the players wear spiked or spikeless but all of them are worth considering time, though, the superintendent will shoes. Other stress factors are imposed in preparing for another period of heavy be criticized — and golfers can be merci­ by the superintendent himself. These summer play and the accompanying less in their criticism of even the least include extremely close mowing, the stresses. After all, loss of turf on greens significant flaw. abrasion caused by turning heavy triplex is something that every golf course super­ Maintaining good putting green turf mowers on the green perimeters and intendent and golfer wants to avoid. for most of the season is not as difficult collars, deep vertical mowing, too much as it once was. Science has given us a or too little irrigation, and misapplying Managing Mechanical Stress better understanding of how to maintain certain chemicals. These stresses can be closely cut, heavily trafficked turf, and broadly grouped under mechanical • Raise the mowing height. Mowing well-timed practices such as aeration, stress. the grass too close when temperatures topdressing, fertilization, overseeding, The other category of stress the turf and humidity are too great is a common and other renovation work can prepare manager must deal with is given the cause of summer turfgrass failure. In the turf and the soil for the next period name environmental stress. Temperature many cases, the golf course super­ of stress. With the coming of the summer or humidity that is either too high or intendent feels pressured into sustaining stress season, however, putting green too low, rainfall that is too much or too low cutting heights for the sake of fast management often takes on a meaning little, and the presence of frost, are greens, resulting in thin, weak, or dead all its own: doing what is necessary examples of environmental stress. turf, and a mob of angry golfers. to keep the grass alive under stress Generally speaking, any of these What should be done? When the grass conditions. environmental or mechanical stress is under severe stress and is being cut Turfgrass stress can be defined in a factors will not cause the loss of grass less than 3/ 16ths of an inch, and where number of different ways. By the book, by themselves, but when a combination thinning and scalping damage is seen, stress is the “strain or pressure causing of stresses occurs at the same time (e.g., raise the mowing height as quickly as 4 Continued WJ^885 possible. Even a slight I/64th- to behind mowers during the summer stress In summary, do whatever is necessary l/32nd-inch increase in cutting height season. The pleasing, traditional striping to minimize mechanical stress to cool- can have a very beneficial effect. In effect it causes is an added advantage of season grasses when they are under pro­ contrast, lowering the cutting height by hand mowing. Finally, many super­ longed heat stress. Putting green speed this small increment to increase green intendents feel that walk-behind units and quality may be sacrificed slightly speed can have a disastrous effect. The do a consistently better job of cutting, during this time, but it is a small price old saying slow grass is better than no while minimizing wear stress at the same to pay for avoiding the loss of turf and grass is so very true. time. the turmoil which would accompany • Skip mowing. The physical act of • Watch out for grooved rollers. such a loss. cutting grass with a heavy machine is The Wiehle roller is an excellent groom­ itself a significant stress. Common sense ing device for creating better putting Managing Environmental Stress would suggest when the grass is under green texture and quality, compared to extreme heat stress (its rate of growth mowers with other types of rollers. Heat, moisture, disease, and nutrient slows anyway) to skip a few days of When the grass is tender and under stresses are key problems in maintaining mowing each week. The greens may lose stress, however, the extra abrasion these healthy turf during the summer. Good a little speed, but again, slow grass is rollers cause, especially on the perimeter management techniques can minimize better than no grass. cut, can be a major source of stress. these stresses, though sometimes the Thus, use grooved rollers religiously chemicals and materials used to prevent • Avoid double-cutting greens. While when mowing the grass during non­ injury cause stresses of their own. Fol­ double-cutting is one of the most useful stress times, but consider replacing them lowing is a checklist of management techniques at the disposal of the golf with solid section or swedge rollers when factors to consider for handling various course superintendent to achieve and the turf is under stress. environmental stresses. maintain fast greens, it is, nevertheless, • Defer routine maintenance opera­ • Syringe the turf occasionally to another form of mechanical stress. tions like topdressing and vertical mow­ reduce heat and moisture stress. Apply­ Therefore, when the grass is suffering ing of greens. While bermudagrass ing the correct amount of water is the from heat stress, defer double-cutting tolerates and may even thrive with an key to this program. Syringing is often until conditions moderate. occasional summer topdressing and overdone, causing wet wilt and disease. • Use walk-behind mowers. Walk- vertical mowing, cool-season grasses Syringing is best done by hand, using behind units place less mechanical stress can be injured by such programs if poorly trained workers with some good judge­ on the turf than triplex mowers. While timed. This illustrates a significant dif­ ment, and applying water only to those it is true that triplex mowers are mar­ ference which exists between the manage­ sections of the greens that require it. velously efficient machines, they do ment of cool-season and warm-season Hand syringing is time consuming dur­ cause extra stress on the turf, especially grasses during the summer. Warm- ing the summer, but it is necessary, given on the clean-up cut around the greens. season grasses flourish when tempera­ the demands of golfers today. This mechanical wear is one of the most tures are hot, while cool-season grasses • Open up pocketed greens. Summer compelling reasons why more and more can suffer heat stress when temperatures heat stress problems are always more golf courses are going back to walk- reach the high 80s. severe on pocketed greens, those partly A green cut with a triplex mower one season (left) and the same green cut with a walk-behind unit the next season (right). USGA GREEN SECTION RECORD 5 enclosed by a dense stand of trees and cide labeled to control that disease. nutrients seem to work well at rates as underbrush. It is always hotter and Also, be sure to alternate materials or low as 1 / 16th or as high as one-quarter more humid in these pocketed areas, tankmix contact and systemic fungicides pound of actual nitrogen per 1,000 and the grass is always weaker because when appropriate for broad spectrum square feet per application. Non-burn­ of it. Air circulation can be improved disease control and to reduce the poten­ ing, low-nitrogen-content natural organic by thinning out the extraneous trees and tial for fungal resistance problems. fertilizers can also be used to good underbrush near the green and pruning • Do not apply pesticides, fertilizers, advantage, but keep the rates low, in up the lower branches of the remaining or combinations of products that have the range of one-quarter pound of nitro­ specimens. Without a doubt, good air the potential to burn the turf. Cool- gen per 1,000 square feet. Keep in mind circulation is critical in allowing the season grasses under heavy stress often that more fertilizer can always be added turf to transpire and cool itself by re­ react negatively to what are usually if it is needed. If excess fertilizer has leasing moisture through its stomata. considered mild herbicides or moderate been applied, though, nothing can be Providing good air circulation is also rates of certain types of fertilizers. If in done but live with the consequences. helpful in drying the green to minimize doubt, spray during the cooler evening • If the greens begin to thin and you disease and algae problems. Therefore, hours or defer treatments until tempera­ feel they are in trouble, consider aerating anything that can be done to improve tures moderate, when the turf can the turf. That’s right, aerate. Though it air drainage in the vicinity of golf greens tolerate the applications better. If crab- may seem inconsistent to aerify while at should receive high priority by the grass or other weeds must be treated the same time trying to avoid turf stress, green committee. during the summer, consider hand pick­ there is usually more to gain than to lose. • Control diseases. Many turf dis­ ing rather than using herbicides. Though Aeration helps a soft, wet soil dry out, eases become active when the weather is time consuming, it may be better than and allows oxygen back into the root hot and humid and the turf is under dealing with burned grass. zone where it is so badly needed. It also stress. A good example is Summer Patch Misapplications can be especially improves water infiltration into tight, (Magnaporthe poae), a disease of Poa devastating during stressful weather. compacted soils, and relieves the effects annua and one where disease severity is Applying the wrong rates or allowing of isolated dry spots. Very often, the turf directly related to the degree of stress overlapping (which essentially doubles begins to improve within a few days experienced by the Poa annua. Con­ the intended rate) is a common cause of after aerification. As a precaution, use trolling this and other diseases during turf injury during hot weather. If you’re small tines, and do not let the green the summer is particularly important, as not confident about important appli­ dry out too much. Solid-tine aerification turf lost from disease activity at this time cations, consider using foam markers or or deep spiking may also be of help in of year will be slow to recover. To pre­ application dyes for spray applications, this situation. vent this from occurring, compress your or switch to granular formulations and • Consider applying hydrated lime preventive fungicide spray schedule if drop spreaders if necessary. when conditions warrant. For example, necessary, be sure to make an accurate • If fertilization is deemed necessary, when algae becomes established on the diagnosis of the disease if symptoms are keep rates in the light to ultra-light surface of the greens and cannot be observed, and use curative rates of the spoon-feeding range. Soluble fertilizer controlled with fungicides containing most effective yet least phytotoxic fungi­ sources containing N-P-K plus micro­ maneb, a light application of hydrated lime sometimes does the trick. Consider hydrated lime also when a green takes on an acidic, musty odor (ominously Doing a proper job of hand watering is one of the best means of limiting summer stress. referred to as the smell of death), usually during periods of hot, humid weather. As with aerating greens under severe stress, something may be gained by sweetening the surface of the soil with a light application of not more than one pound of hydrated lime per 1,000 square feet. This is an old remedy that can still be used to good advantage. Be careful. While light rates of hydrated lime have little effect on the grass, heavier rates can burn. • Finally, communicate with the people at your course. Discuss the situ­ ation with the green committee chair­ man, president, golf professional, course administrator, general manager, or any­ one else who has a need to know. Begin the conversation by saying something like, “Gentlemen, we will have a prob­ lem if things continue as they are . . . .” That should get their attention. No one likes a surprise, especially finding dead greens that only a few days before were fully turfed and in beautiful condition. MAY/,JUNE 1988 Continued on pa^ Continued, from page 6 BY LAW CHANGES Tell them the story in clear, concise terms. People tend to be understanding At a recent meeting, it was voted to give all if they know the facts. After all, no matter how good a job a golf course Class G members, the right to vote and hold « superintendent does, he cannot control office in this Association. the weather. Without a doubt, weather ******** ******************************** ****** extremes remain the number one stress » factor on golf courses today. WINNER OF NAMING OUR NEWSLETTER When the Weather Breaks ... When the period of stress is over, In our last or rather first edition of "TURF assess the condition of your golf course. TIMES", we stated that someone was a winner Count your losses and analyze what you of naming our newsletter. ®t is my pleasure think caused the problems your course to report that Jim Olli CGCS is the winner. experienced. After all, there is nothing I do not know what the prize is however rumor like a prolonged period of stress to bring out whatever strengths and weaknesses has it that it is a trip to Hawaii or someplace. exist on the course. You may determine Maybe Gaylord? Anyone know the prize? the greens need more and deeper aera­ *********************************************** tion, that a better irrigation system needs to be installed, or that trees need to be removed from around pocketed NEW G. C. S. A. A. MEMBER greens. Also, use the experience in a positive We have learned that Paul Holmes has recently way to determine which practices need become a member of our national association to be altered and which programs should be implemented to better manage turf of which we are affiliated, the GCSAA. We when it is under stress. Rest assured, congratulate you Paul as this being another summer heat, with its associated stress- fine step in professionalism of your career. related problems, will occur again. *********************************************** NEW MOWER FOR SALE “The right to be heard Boyne Highland has a brand new HF5 Jacobsen/ does not include the right Textron 5 gang Hydralic Mower for sale @ to be taken seriously.” $20,000. Suggest you contact Jim Milbrandt — HUBERT HUMPHREY 616/526-2171. *************************i ********************* LIGHTNING V/"*ni’i»,'»V»“ ’’ DON'T STAY IN YOUR GOLF CAR In 1959 two Chicago golfers were killed as they raced toward the clubhouse in their DON'T GET UNDER A car during an electrical storm. DON'T RAISE CLUB OR METAL UMBRELLA LONE THEE .a. . ... .1. ........ Several golfers have been "electrocuted" More golfers are killed in rain DON'T GET IN A SMALL SHELTER when their raised club or umbrella acted storms in this manner than any y as a lightning rod, attracting the bolt. other. Single trees are especially attractive to lightning. MICHIGAN TURFGRASS BENEFIT DAY, JUNE 11th, GARLAND GOLF CLUB It was a grand success in every respect with about 240 golfers that participated in two shot gun starts. Cooperation on the part of the Pro Shop, Club House, Cart Personnel and Green Crew is something which Ron Otto can be very proud of. Dave Longfield had the course in fine condition and everyone raved about, when can we come back. We want to thank all the participants and especially to our members that made up many of the groups that came. To those staff members of our Association who gave so freely of their time and effort in putting this event together, we are very proud of you and thanks. Of course their are winners and we are sorry if we do not have all the names of those who were successfull, but please bear with us: WINNING FOURSOME: A.M. P.M. Chuck Schaudt, Thunder Bay Bob Aube, Alpina Golf Mike Libby, Roger City Bill Peterson, Alpena Juan Mathias Ken Senchuck Paul Krueger LeRoy Schenk WINNER OF CLOSEST TO PIN TELEVISION SET: Kail Holmes, 4 Feet 9 Inches OTHER WINNERS IN CLOSEST TO PIN: Jeff Blackett Brian Holmes Bill Clink Jay Reeb Pat Whitman LONGEST DRIVE: A.M. P.M. Gene Maybank Jim Tubbs STRAIGHTEST DRIVE: A.M. P.M. Tom Ryan There are many companies that have donated their time and sponsered many of the prizes, that deserve special "THANKS" making this occasion the great success that it was. We can also show our g titude to them by remembering this special effort on their part, when it comes to our purchases. These companies are: Bandit Industries Boylan Sales Century Rain Aid D & C Distributors Ellis Sales Ideal Mower Sales Lawn Equipment Lebanon Chemical Corp. Miller West Monsanto Orv Tripp Signs Par Golf Pifer, Inc. Rhone-Poulenc Ag Co. Scotts Pro Turf Spartan Distributors Turfgrass, Inc. Tri Turf, Inc. U A P Special Products ************************************************************************* “Remember, a plant is a living thing, and should be treated accordingly. Unlike most living things, it has no way to make its needs known other than its appearance, which will reflect the kind of treatment it receives from its guardian —Author Unknown 8