Northwest TURFGRASS TOPICS f Vol. 18—No. 2 The President's Corner I PUYALLUP, WASHINGTON SEPTEMBER, 1975 29th Annual N.W. Turfgrass Conference PROGRAM Headquarters: Chinook Motel and Towers Product and Equipment Show: Wayne Dean, Chairman; Basement, Chinook Motel and Towers Program Chairman: Bud Ashworth Conference Coordinators: Wayne Dean and Roy Goss TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1975 Golf Tournament—Wayne Dean and Sam Zook. Exhibits open at 9:00 a.m. The President's Corner Cliff Everhart As my term as President of the Northwest Turfgrass Association draws to a close, I wish to express my thanks to all of those who have extended their support to make this year a success. We have seen our organization realize one of their many goals to hire Tom Cook as a research associate at the Western Washington Research and Extension Center at Puyallup, Washington. This was done entirely with donations and a lot of sweat and hard work from various sources brought about by our membership. We must continue this effort in every way in the future since problems in research and maintenance increase almost daily and to continue the fine program we have at this time will require the help of each member. We are most fortunate to have in this area dedicated people like Dr. Roy Goss, Dr. Chuck Gould, Al Law and Dr. Ken Morrison and many others who are so willing to provide us with helpful service and information with problems we have the year around. After having attended every turf conference since it was organized, I hope this will be the best one — See you in Yakima on September 16 through 19. "The trouble with kicking a man who is down is that he may get up." WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1975 MORNING 8:00 Registration on Mezzanine Floor of Chinook Motel and Towers — Dick Haskell, treasurer. Exhibits open. AFTERNOON Chairman—John Monson 1:00 Invocation—Gottlieb Schmitt, Esmeralda Golf Course, Spokane, Wa. 1:00-1:15 Welcome—Cliff Everhart, Pres. NTA and Supt. Manito Golf and Country Club, Spokane, Wa., and Bert Broad, Mayor, City of Yakima, Yakima, Wa. 1:15-2:00 Developing Professionalism—Dick Malpass, Supt., Riverside Golf and Country Club and Vice Pres., GCSAA, Portland, Or. 2:00-2:45 Fertilizers: The Present and Future—Dr. J. C. Engibous, Chairman, Department of Agronomy, Washington State University, Pullman, Wa. 2:45-3:15 Break 3:15-4:00 The Present and Future Status of Pesticides— Stan Frederickson, Mallinckrodt, St. Louis, Mo. 4:00-4:45 Leaf and Tiller Growth of Turfgrasses as Affected by Temperature, Mowing and Other Practices—Dr. Vic Youngner, Prof, of Agronomy, University of California, Riverside, Ca. EVENING 6:30-7:30 No Host Cocktails 7:30 Banquet—Al Law Presents India Continued on Page 2, Column 2 Continued from Page I, Column 2 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1975 MORNING 8:30-9:10 Chairman—Rich Schwabauer Budgeting for Parks and Golf Courses—Sam Angove, Park and Recreation Director, Spokane County Parks, Spokane, Wa. 9:10-9:40 Irrigation Management to Meet Current Needs—Dr. Vic Youngner, Prof, of Agronomy, University of California, Riverside, Ca. 9:40-10:20 Developing New Parks and Recreation Areas—Robert W. Bignold, Pres. ORB Architects, Planners and Engineers, Renton, Wa. 10:20-10:45 Break 10:45-11:30 Research Reports 11:30-12:00 Northwest Turfgrass Association Annual Membership Meeting 12:00-1:15 Lunch (L-R) Dr. Gould, Dr. Goss and Bill Bengeyfield USGA Helps Support Research for WSU Pictured above with Mr. Bill Bengeyfield are Drs. Charles J. Gould and Roy L. Goss receiving a check from the United States Golf Association — Green Section to help support turfgrass work being conducted at Washington State University's Western Washington Research and Extension Center at Puyallup, Washington. During the past three years the USGA has contributed $7,000 to programs at Puyallup in support of Bentgrass Varietal Screening for Resistance to Fusarium patch disease under the supervision of Dr. Charles J. Gould and for sulfur research conducted by Dr. Roy L. Goss. Both of these programs have generated significant information regarding these two factors and research is still ongoing. The United States Golf Association — Green Section has made many similar grants to various research stations over the United States over the many years of its existence. A large share of the fees collected by the Green Section for golf course consultation goes directly back to Experiment Stations to help defray costs of research work. Your support of the USGA—Green Section Service will be repaid by the many benefits both from the visiting service itself and through research dividends as supported by USGA. We express our sincere appreciation to Bill Bengeyfield and the entire USGA—Green Section for their confidence and support of research programs in the Pacific Northwest. 2 AFTERNOON Chairman—Frank Zook 1:15-3:00 A Look at Turfgrass Maintenance Equipment and Problems — (1) Babe Brinkworth, Toro Manufacturing Co., Cupertino, Ca. (2) Ned Brinkman, Jacobsen Manufacturing Co., Racine, Wi. 3:00 Free time for exhibits, recreation, etc. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1975 MORNING 8:30-9:10 9:10-9:40 9:40-10:00 10:00-10:20 10:20-11:00 11:00-12:00 12:00 noon Chairman—Dick Fluter Chemical Compatability forTurfgrasses, Roy L. Goss, WSU, Western Washington Research and Extension Center, Puyallup, Wa. Seed Quality and Seed Forecasts—Alvin G. Law, Washington State University, Pullman, Wa. Research Reports Break You—Your Golf Course—And the Turfgrass Consultant, Bill Bengeyfield, USGA—Green Section, Tustin, Ca. Research Reports Conference Adjourned Conference Registration Members: $ 10.00 Additional Attendees from Member Organizations: $10.00 Non-members: $25.00 Ladies Program and Registration: contact main registration desk, hotel mezzanine, Wednesday morning, September 17, 1975 — Mrs. Wayne Dean, Yakima, Chairwoman. Research Fund # Contributors for 1975 • The Northwest Turfgrass Association Special Research Fund Committee has been hard at work since the beginning of the year to beat the bushes to drum up financial support for research programs sponsored by the Northwest Turfgrass Association. Recent mailings have been made to persons who will benefit from the Research Program and to others who may be interested in contributing to this program. In this issue of Turfgrass Topics we recognize those who have contributed to date and will so recognize those whose contributions come in after closing date of this publication: Auburn Municipal Golf Course (Torp Peluso) Emerald Turfgrass Farms Hercules, Inc. D. A. Hogan and Associates Loft Pedigreed Seed Northwest Turfgrass Association Pacific Northwest Section — PGA of America Pickseed West Seattle Golf Club Similk Beach Golf Course (Earl Morgan) Sunriver Properties and a big thank you to the Spokane Chronicle Pro-Am from the Inland Empire. Their significant contribution has been a joint effort between the Spokane Chronicle, The Inland Empire Golf Professionals, The Inland Empire Association of Golf Course Superintendents and the many amateurs in the Inland Empire area. The Northwest Turfgrass Association expresses its sincere thanks to all who have contributed to this program regardless of the amount of the contribution. It all adds up to the support of a program that we feel will make significant contributions to you, the ultimate beneficiaries. Bluegrass-Fescue Variety Trials Variety plots established at the Puyallup Station have completed their second year of growth and evaluations. This section of the turfgrass research is headed up by Dr. S. E. Brauen with R. L. Goss and C. J. Gould as cooperators. In general, many of the bluegrass varieties and cultivars have changed in their appearance and quality since their first year of establishment, as would likely be expected. Some of the bluegrass varieties that got off to a slow start have come on strong during the second year while some of the others have shown tendencies toward certain weaknesses under the climatic conditions of Western Washington. For the second year varietal susceptibility to rust will be evaluated during August, September and October. Some of the varieties are already beginning to show significant susceptibility to rust at this time. A little later in the season, those susceptible to Helminthosporium will show this characteristic and will be evaluated for the record. The fine leaved fescues are exhibiting striking differences. We have a number of excellent appearing varieties and cultivars that are vastly superior to a number of the older varieties that have gone into most of the seed mixtures over the past few years. It is still not known with a great degree of certainty the seed production potential of the fescues and bluegrasses as well. Therefore, it may be another two or three years before some of these better varieties will have enough seed produced to meet market demands. The variety plots have attracted a number of both foreign and domestic breeders and seed processors throughout the last year and we feel that these trials will provide additional information to both the breeders, seed growers and the ultimate consumers. The number of varieties included in these tests is too numerous for detailed information in this article and we anticipate a more detailed report in a future issue of Turfgrass Topics. You are welcome at any time to visit the plots and observe them for yourself. Plot plans are available at the Agronomy office at Puyallup if you care to stop in and observe the plots. SOD Golf Tournament Notice The golf tournament at the Northwest Turfgrass Association Conference will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 16, and will be for any time during the day. The ladies golf tournament will be at Suntides Golf Course on Tuesday, also. Women will be required to pay green fees at Suntides. Other times that golf will be available for the men will be announced at the registration desk or from Wayne Dean or Sam Zook who are on the Golf Tournament Committee. LAWNS — TEES — APRONS BEAUTIFUL — DURABLE Ask us for price FOB Sumner or your location Emerald Turfgrass Farms RT. 1, BOX 146A, UN 3-1003 SUMNER, WASH. 98390 VE 8-9911 The Thatch Patch Jim Chapman Just when we begin to breathe a little easier — even fertilizer pricing is starting to improve — we get hit by a restriction on chlordane. It is fortunate that we have some good insecticides to fall back on. When mercuries are finally gone — latest word says early 1976 now — the alternate fungicidal picture isn't as well defined. The July issue of the Golf Superintendent contained an interesting article by Dr. Joe Vargas on fungicidal degradation. (Due to space limitations in this issue, I recommend you read the original article—Ed.) At this writing there are still job openings at Glendale Country Club in Bellevue, Fircrest Golf Club in Tacoma, Willamette Valley Country Club in Canby, Oregon. Henry Land, Jr., has moved to Kayak Point Golf Course, near Marysville, Washington, where he hopes to complete construction of the 18-hole county park project next year. Joel Howe is now Superintendent at the new Mill Creek Country Club near Everett. Ray Schmidt has been awarded a contract for maintenance and hired Joel as his head superintendent on the job. Bill Larson replaces Joel at Fairwood Country Club, Renton. Ed Erickson has assumed the superintendent position at Rolling Hills Golf Club in Bremerton. Randy Brush took Ed's former position with Lake Cushman Golf Club, Hoodsport. And what's the rumor J heard the other day about Cliff Everhart? My reaction was the same as when I heard that Johnny Harrison was retiring . . . What will things be like without Cliff (or Johnny)? I suspect we'll go on, but we will miss the Man from Manito. Since Cliff plans to travel, perhaps we will still enjoy his company from time to time and place to place. Now Andy Hoiland has been hard at work these few months, just as he has for years, but at a new job. Andy turned lllahe Hills Country Club over to Jeff Pritchard and went a few miles east of Salem to build an interesting and certainly challenging 18-hole golf course in the Elkhorn Valley for Don Cutler. Kip Much replaced Jeff Pritchard at Springfield Country Club. Name familiar? Son of Joe Much of the National Golf Foundation. If 1 missed anyone, my apologies. Look for me next trip. Scotts P r o T u r f • • F R E A M / S T O R M / A S S O C I A T E S , LTD. INTERNATIONAL GOLF COURSE ARCHITECTS fi P L A N N I N G 6 2 OLD TOWN, LOS GATOS. CALIFORNIA 95030 (408) 354-8240 LONDON MELBOURNE VANCOUVER NORTHWEST MOWERS, INC. JACOBSEN 522-0722 1149 North 98th / Seattle, Wash. Mu/if? F f e r t i u z e Suppliers of A l l FUNGICIDES - HERBICIDES SOIL A M E N D M E N T S TACOMA BR 2-5171 1424 Thorne Road Tacoma, Wash. 98421 Fungicides-Herbicides-Insecticides Soil T e s t i n g - W e e d & Disease Identification Finest q u a l i t y turfgrass s e e d - F a i r w a y s • G r e e n s • Tees • R o u g h s Scotts W i n d s o r a n d Victa blends 4 s TURF CHEMICALS and FERTILIZERS SCOTTS • LELY • GANDY SPREADERS L. Ben Malikowski N. 8007 Howard Spokane, Wa. 99208 (509) 326-4344 r Helping the superintendent through turf research... C o n t r o l l e d Release Fertilizers Fertilizer/Pesticide C o m b i n a t i o n s CONSULTANTS Gerald Sweda 1614 Richardson St. Victoria, B.C. (604) 598-6561 James R. Chapman 17012 NE 21st St. Bellevue, Wa. 98008 (206) 746-1569 (Seattle) (503) 287-3414 (Portland) SEATTLE M A 2-3228 New Sand Putting Green Established A sand putting green experimental area was established at the Western Washington Research and Extension Center at Farm 5 in July, 1975. The purpose for establishing this green is to conduct research with nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur and pre-and post-emergent herbicides for the control of Poa annua. The putting green was built up 6 inches deep over existing Puyallup fine sandy loam soil and is composed of 75% specified sand and 25% fir sawdust by volume. In order to determine if both nutritional and herbicidal practices which have shown good results at the Experiment Station can be projected to golf courses and other areas using essentially sand culture, it was deemed necessary to establish such an area for these tests. Although it is reasonable to expect that research conducted on a fine sandy loam soil will probably respond similarly to sands with various levels of organic matter, there are many factors that do influence nutrition and herbicide activity that can only be accurately determined in sand culture. It is a well-known fact that herbicide retention in heavier soils and those with high organic matter content is greater than soils composed chiefly of medium fine to fine sand. The leach rate of herbicides as well as nutrients is excelerated under sand conditions and may be retained for longer periods of time in heavier textured soil. It is also known that smaller amounts of herbicides are required to produce certain toxic conditions on sand than in heavier textured soils due to fixation which cannot occur in sands. The experimental area was seeded to Emerald bentgrass and was overseeded with a known amount of annual bluegrass seed so that both plants would develop simultaneously. A complete fertilization program has been practiced since planting but will later be changed to conform to the experimental design. Some of the information that we would like to gain from this project can be enumerated as follows: 1. To determine the efficacy of both pre- and postemergent herbicides on sands. 2. To determine proper timing procedures for application of both pre- and post-emergent herbicides. 3. To determine the role of phosphorus in Poa annua development on sands. 4. To determine the effectiveness of various levels of sulfur to inhibit Poa annua on sands. 5. Combinations of both nutrition and herbicides on Poa annua development and/or control. This is a cooperative project between Tom Cook and Roy Goss and will be conducted over a period of approximately 3 to 4 years. Some of the better responses that Tom Cook has experienced to date in a large number of herbicide tests will be incorporated into this experiment to determine their activity on sand culture. We are very grateful and express our appreciation to Glacier Sand and Gravel, Inc. of Tacoma, Washington for their contribution of 175 yards of plaster sand for this experiment and to International Seeds, Inc. of Halsey, Oregon for the contribution of the Emerald bentgrass seed. This area will be well established by the time of the Turfgrass Field Day in May of 1976 and treatments should be well initiated at that time. Wake Up America— Or Is This One Of Us? Do you sometimes get the feeling that you are being dictated to? Well, you are; by every manufacturer of mechanical equipment in the country. They are always pushing the consumer around. They try to tell you what kind of fuel to burn in your engines, what kind of lubricating oil is best for your engines, and what lubricants should be used in various types of gear boxes. They tell you which is the proper way and safest way to operate the equipment they manufacture; and what speeds will do the best job, give the longest life, and offer the lowest maintenance costs. They even have the guts to ask you to read the owner's manual so you become familiar with how the machine is operated, adjusted and maintained. Well, we are starting a movement to stop all of this pushing and shoving around; why? Well, we are Americans, and we don't have to listen because we can operate our equipment any way we please; safely, unsafely, out of adjustment, without preventative maintenance, and we don't have to listen to anyone about anything. It's our right to abuse our equipment because we paid for it, we pay for all the worn out parts, and if we don't want to get our money's worth, or life expectancy out of each piece of equipment we buy, it's nobody's business but ours. I say, "Keep resisting America, we'll show those know-it-alls who's boss." The way I see it, we'll win in the end. We have the majority working on our side. Just think, the only thing we will lose, is our right to warranty and to be able to complain to the manufacturer about what a lousy product he built. If you want to join OU R team, simply listen to all those engineers, test experts, manufacturers, quality control people and above all the guys who had to learn the hard way. Yours truly, Mr. I. Abuzit (Borrowed from Mid-Atlantic News Letter, August, 1975) • End Turf Moisture Problems • with DIALOAM • a soil conditioner that absorbs 1 5 0 % of its weight in water. Not a clay • W i l l not compact * Write for free sample and prices. MANUFACTURED BY EAGLE-PICHER INDUSTRIES, INC. Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 DISTRIBUTED BY Chas. H. Lilly Company 5200 Denver Avenue, South Seattle, Wash. 98108 Chas. H. Lilly Company 228 W . Pacific Avenue Spokane, Wash. 99204 Chas. H. Lilly Company 109 S.E. Alder Street Portland, Ore. 97214 5 exclusively from Lofts! Baron Kentucky Bluegrass is the perfect choice for golf course fairways. It is a dwarf variety which germinates rapidly. Baron remains shorter and needs less frequent mowing than the k n o w n varieties of Kentucky bluegrass, which affords obvious economic advantages. It takes low mowing beautifully, even as low as % inch. The sturdy, broad blades interlock to make a " c r i s p " surface that holds a golf ball well on the fairway. The dense t u r f is winter-hardy w i t h a fine winter color. Its leaves stay relatively unblemished by leafspot, rust or stripe smut. A l l Baron seed is C E R T I F I E D BLUE T A G , poa annua and bentgrass free. Baron sod is available f r o m leading sod growers across the country. KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS •U.S. Dwarf Variety Plant Patent No. 3186 Husky BARON cluster (left), common bluegrasses (right), mowed about one inch. THREE GRASSES RELEASED FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND Exeter Jamestown • RED FESCUE (A Chewings Type) COLONIAL BENTGRASS A great new winterseeding grass for golf greens is Jamestown Red Fescue, marketed exclusively by Lofts Pedigreed Seed, Inc. It is a top-rated, rapid germinating, Chewings-type fine fescue. Just right for overseeding Bermuda greens.. .hefty enough for convenient sowing and excellent vigor, small enough for economical, high-population stands. . .Jamestown provides the rich, deep color and low, dense growth so ideal for putting surfaces. Highly recommended by Dr. Fred Ledeboer (pictured at right), Director of Lofts Research Department. Here's a highly disease, drought, and mold resistant seed ideal for fairways alone or in combinations w i t h other grasses. Exeter greens up earlier, stays green better in summer. ° "A For information and pricing, write or call: 6 Certified Certified MEMBER Kingstown mmm Certified VELVET w BENTGRASS This is the only velvet bentgrass—for achieving the finest-textured golf greens—commercially available in the United States! Requires less maintenance. Over 8,000,000 seeds per pound. rai LOFTS fcy \ ^ Exclusive North American Grower and Distributor: Lofts Pedigreed Seed, Inc. Bound Brook, N.J. 08805 / ( 2 0 1 ) 356-8700 Lofts / New England Chanderlin Seed Co. Great Western Seed Co. Loft Kellogg Seed Co. 20 Beck Road Arlington, Mass. 02174 Ray Bentley Call collect (617)648-7550 Div. of Lofts Pedigreed Seed, Inc. P.O. Box 387 Albany, Oregon 97321 Larry McKennon Call collect (503) 926-2636 322 E. Florida St. Milwaukee, Wis. 53201 Don Stein Call collect (414) 276-0373 Bound Brook, N.J. 08805 John Morrissey Call collect (201)356-8702 Oregon Compost Heap Share the Wealth Byron Reed Beginning with the December issue of Turfgrass Topics a column will be devoted to comments from the turfgrass managers in the field. The editor will welcome any comments regarding your experiences, new ideas, new methods or anything you have learned that can be passed on to help other people. This column also will accept comments regarding contents of the Turfgrass Topics and your suggestions for content to improve the publication. We here in Oregon were all saddened by the death of friend, Dr. Harry Schoth. Harry passed away August 2, 1975, in Corvallis, Oregon. Harry was a particular friend to the Oregon Golf Course Superintendent's Association and made many contributions to the same. We all shall miss him and cherish the memories of Harry. Earlier this year we were saddened by the death of Charles Beauford. For those who did not have the pleasure of knowing Charlie, as his friends called him, Charlie was the Superintendent of Broadmoor Golf Club, here in Portland, Oregon. Prior to Broadmoor Golf, Charlie was the superintendent of Alderwood Golf Club of Portland, Oregon, that was closed by the Portland Airport. Andy Hoiland has resigned as Superintendent of lllahe Golf and Country Club in Salem, Oregon and has moved to construction of a new golf club to be called Elkhorn Valley Golf. This club is 50 miles east and north of Salem on the Little North Fork of the Santiam River. Mr. Don Cutler is the owner. Dan Bacon has resigned as the superintendent of Willamette Valley Country Club in Canby, Oregon. Jeff Pritchard, formerly of Springfield Country Club in Springfield, Oregon, has accepted the position of superintendent of lllahe Golf Club. 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Approved for use on St. Augustine, Centipede, Bermuda, Zoysia, Bentgrass and Bluegrass — Banvel 4S effectively controls: Curly dock, common chickweed, mouse-ear chickweed, stitchwort, dog fennel, carpetweed, knotweed, sheep sorrel, clover, knawel, chicory, lawn burweed, spurry, henbit, English daisy, spurge, purslane, pepperweed. hawkweed, creeping charlie, spotted spurge, and many others. dried - Fine ground limestone Flour HEMPHILL BROS. INC. Seattle M A 4-6420 J. A. JACK & SONS, INC. H i g h C a l c i u m , S a c k e d , Bulk or Spr-ad THE Ed Short Co. MOTT-NATIONAL EXCEL HUSTLER 2450 Sixth Ave. So. Seattle, Wa. 98134 (206) 622-6711 7 ATTENTION "GREENS-KEEPERS" of Golf Courses FAST, LOW COST EXTERMINATOR Bentgrass Varietal Evaluations At the present time we have 159 varieties, selections and cultivars of Agrostis tenius, A. plaustris, A. stolonifera and A. canina under test at Puyallup. Dr. C. J. Gould is project leader with Roy L. Goss and S. E. Brauen cooperating. Several of the varieties that showed initial resistance to Fusarium patch disease have become more susceptible as the turfgrass stand becomes older. At the present time no variety or selection has shown complete resistance to Fusarium nivale although a number of them have high resistance to attacks from this disease. Nine of the entries of the seeded types are completing their second year under advanced management which includes high and low fertility with and without fungicides. Thirteen of the more resistant vegetative entries are included in this same trial. It is anticipated that four or five new entries will be added to the advanced management plots this summer. Some interesting differences have appeared by season in 1975. In general, all entries receiving 12 lbs. of available nitrogen per 1000 sq. ft. per year had the highest rating for color, density and texture until July. Since July these differences are less obvious and the lower fertility plots (51b. nitrogen per 1000 sq. ft. per year) have almost caught up in quality with the higher nitrogen plots. The plots are rated for color, texture, density, thatch development, scalping and Poa annua invasion. Nearly all of the stolonized varieties developed excessive growth and severe scalping occurred from higher nitrogen applications as compared to the low nitrogen plots. Poa annua invasion, in general, has increased more under higher nitrogen treatments than low nitrogen. Some of the varieties show little difference to Poa annua invasion regardless of nitrogen treatment. The Inland Empire Association of Golf Course Superintendents met at Hangman Valley Golf Course at Spokane, Washington on August 11 to observe bentgrass varietal plots at that location. Bud Ashworth, superintendent of Hangman Valley has generously donated his time and efforts in maintaining the plots while Al Law from Pullman has cooperated closely in helping to evaluate varietal responses. More detailed reports and names of superior varieties will be appearing in the Northwest Turfgrass Conference Proceedings and future issues of Turfgrass Topics. AUTOMATIC - MANUAL Sprinkler Systems Complete Line of Water Handling Equipment POLSON CO. DISTRIBUTORS SEATTLE SPOKANE MA 2-2891 FA 7-9571 We now have available a new Hand inexpensive cartridge loaded unit which dispenses poison bait automatically underground in pocket gopher's natural runway, out of reach of harmless birds and pets. $29.95. Write for detailed information to: George Merriman, Inc. 3211 East Trent Spokane, Wa. 99202 509-534-9339 Sunset Northwest •CUSHMAN Turf Vehicles •SIMPLICITY Power Products •COOPER Power Products • ROPER Power Products •ADVANCE Industrial Sweepers •CYCLINE — •AMERICAN-McKISSIC 1919 - 120th N.E. Bellevue, Wa. 98004 455-5640 Dine in Distinctive Open Da.iy n To 10 Sun 12 To 8 Old World Charm YOUR HOSTS WALT & VIVIAN MEYER First Year Evaluation Of Topdressing Program Bob Johnson Claimed by Death By Roy L. Goss A topdressing program originally designed by Dr. John Madison and associates at the University of California at Davis and revised to meet needs of Pacific Northwest conditions by Roy Goss has been in operation at the Western Washington Research and Extension Center for a little more than one year at the present time. The properly specified sand together with bentgrass seed has been applied at the rate of 3 cu. ft. per 1000 sq. ft. approximately 16 times to date. In summary, the responses can be enumerated as follows: Bob Johnson, 63, the Spokane Chronicle's veteran sports editor died in a Spokane hospital on August 4, 1975 from a heart ailment which had plagued him in recent years. Johnson joined the Chronicle editorial staff on January 11, 1937 as a sports writer and had remained on the sports staff continuously except for a period of military service during World War II. He became sports editor on October 26, 1957, and had held that job since that time, even though a recurring heart problem had forced him to miss work for short periods several times. Bob was an average sports racer and enthusiast having driven hydroplanes in competition throughout the years. He was also an amateur boxer including one year under Washington State University's retired boxing coach, Ike Deeter. Bob was also an avid Cougar fan (Washington State University's Cougars) in which capacity he could both criticize and compliment. There was a lot of good natured bantering between Johnson and Coach Sweeney with regard to quarterbacks and Johnson once wrote in his column that he was a self-appointed quarterback coach for the Cougars, and Sweeney went along with it. 1. The putting green surface has significantly improved. 2. The turfgrass texture is significantly better. 3. The topdressing has produced a very uniform profile of sand, roots, crowns and stems without layering. 4. Approximately 3/4 inch of new uniform profile. 5. Only a slight gain in bentgrass population without significant reductions in Poa annua. We proposed when initiating this topdressing program that it would be carried out for a minimum of three years, hence this is the end of only the first year and definite assessments will not be made regarding this program until the full experimental period has been completed. In an effort to increase bentgrass populations and retard Poa annua, one-half of the experimental area is being subjected to high sulfur applications. Since we already have an abundance of good data regarding the action of sulfur on Poa annua, we shall apply elemental sulfur in five split applications until approximately 5 lbs. of sulfur per 1000 sq. ft. has been applied and then assess any differences in Poa annua between the two portions of the plot. The experimental area is being carried out on a sand/organic mixture and the results should be compatible with putting greens built by similar methods. Experiences from Other Turfgrass Managers At the present time a few golf course superintendents are experimenting with this program. Significant recovery of turfgrass on putting greens at Oakbrook Country Club at Tacoma has been reported by Superintendent Larry Proctor and observed by the writer on greens that were previously injured from weather factors, play, etc. Several thin, weak greens have almost completely recovered at the Auburn Municipal Golf Course by following this topdressing program since September, 1974. The course is run by Torp Peluso and Kevin Van is the superintendent carrying out the program. What it all boils down to is that if you have putting greens that are in trouble, there is absolutely nothing to lose by trying this program and you have everything to gain. We are not encouraging everyone to go on this program until we have more positive information and response here in the Pacific Northwest. While Bob was in the hospital Jim Sweeney wrote, "I am still having quarterback troubles" and added "this is no time for you to quit just because we are losing." Of important consideration to those of us in the Northwest Turfgrass Association is the fact that the Inland Empire Pro-Am tournaments which have generated several thousand dollars for the Washington State University turfgrass research fund is officially known as the Chronicle-Pro-Am. A great deal of the leadership and drive of this Pro-Am organization has been fostered by Bob Johnson over the years. The Northwest Turfgrass Association is deeply indebted to Bob Johnson and all the Chronicle Pro-Am participants for their significant contribution and hope that this type of cooperation will continue. We express our sincere sympathy to the Robert W. Johnson family and all of his many friends and associates. Jacobsen Cushman Rainbird Standard and Par-Aide COMPLETE LINE OF TURF EQUIPMENT A N D SUPPLIES BALTZ & SON 9817 E. Burnside Portland, Ore. 97216 254-6593 9 TURF & TORO DISTRIB., INC. m c/> Toro—Moist-O-Matic—Ryan, Standard, Par-Aid 6001 Maynard Ave So. 0 H 1£ u " s RO 2-7242 î* H 5 ^ p m C/3 • F so S oc to z Cumberland Valley Turf ICVT Professional Turf Growers H S 52 33 -n Ot i ~ > £ (/) (/> OO> H O z Supplying Top Quality Sod • Seed • Fertilizer Call Us For Prices (206) 825-5266 We Deliver 45533 - 212th Ave. S.E. Enumclaw, Wa. 98022 LILLY'S Organic Fertilizers "Keeps Grass Greener — longer" "fr Custom mixing of seed and fertilizer to your requirements. Chas. H. Lilly Co. Portland Seed Co. MA 2-8484 Officers of the Northwest Turfgrass ASSOCIATION BE 2-5135 Inland Seed Co. TE 8-8211 Bring A Friend To The Conference Cliff Everhart John Monson Dick Haskell Dr. Roy Goss President Vice-President Treasurer Exec. Secretary NORTHWEST TURFGRASS TOPICS is sponsored by the Northwest Turfgrass Association and financed through funds of this organization. Any communications concerning distribution of this paper or association business should be directed to Dick Haskell, 1000 N.E. 135th, Seattle, Wash. 98125, or Roy L. Goss, Western Washington Experiment Station, Puyallup, Washington 98371. Communications concerning content of this paper should be directed to Dr. Roy Goss, Editor, Western Washington Experiment Station, Puyallup, Washington 98371.