Northwest TURFGRASS TOPICS Vol. 19—No. 2 PUYALLUP, W A S H I N G T O N SEPT., 1976 30th Annual Northwest Turfgrass Conference PROGRAM 30th Annual Northwest Turfgrass Conference Spokane Sheraton Hotel Spokane, Washington September 29, 30, and October 1, 1976 General Chairman - John Monson, President Program Committee - Clayton Bauman, Roy Goss TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 - Golf Tournament, Hangman Valley Golf Club For all who wish to participate. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 Morning 8:00-12:00 Registration Afternoon Chairman - Bud Ashworth, Hangman Valley Golf Club, Spokane, WA. 1:00- 1:15 Introduction and Welcome, John Monson, President, NTA. 1:15- 2:00 "Turfgrass Reflections", Charles G. Wilson, Milwaukee Sewage Commission, Milwaukee, WI. 2:00- 2:45 "Adapting Turfgrasses to Shaded Conditions", Dr. John Thorne, Vaughn Jacklin Seed Co., Dishman, WA 2:45- 3:10 Break 3:10- 3:55 "Turfgrasses for Low Rainfall/High Salt Conditions", Dr. J. D. Butler, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO 3:55- 4:35 "Pre and Post Emergence Poa annua Control Program", Tom Cook, Research Associate, Washington State University, WWREC, Puyallup, WA 4:35- 5:15 Research Reports THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 Morning Chairman - Sam Angove, Director of Spokane County Parks and Recreation, Spokane, WA •8:30- 9:15 "Bluegrass, Fescue and Ryegrass Varietal Evaluations After Three Years Testing", Dr. S. E. Brauen, Washington State University, WWREC, Puyallup, WA 9:15-10:00 "The Economy in Turfgrass Management Programs", Bill Bengeyfield, USGA Green Section, Tustin, CA 10:00-10:20 Break 10:20-11:00 "Current Status of Pesticides Used In Turfgrass Management", Dick Maxwell, Extension Ag Chemical Specialist, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 11:00-11:35 "The Need for Technically Trained Turfgrass Superintendents for Parks", Joe Lymp, Sunriver Golf Course, Sunriver, OR 11:35-12:00 Annual Business Meeting Afternoon Chairman - Richard Schwabauer, Waverley Golf and Country Club, Portland, OR 1:15- 2:00 "The Past, Present and Future of Turfgrass Disease Control", Dr. Charles J. Gould, Plant Pathologist, Washington State University, WWREC, Puyallup, WA 2:00- 3:30 "Remodelling Existing Golf Courses", Ronald Fream, Golf Course Architect, Los Gatos, CA., Milt Bauman, Certified Golf Course Superintendent, Seattle Golf Club, Seattle, WA, John Monson, Certified Golf Course Superintendent, Broadmoor Golf and Country Club, Seattle, WA, Roy Goss, Moderator. 3:30 Free Time Evening 6:00- 7:00 No Host Cocktail Hour 7:00 Banquet, Awards, Speaker FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1 Morning Chairman - John Monson, Broadmoor Golf & Country Club, Seattle, WA 8:30- 9:15 "Low Maintenance Trees and Shrubs for Parks, Golf Courses, Etc.", Dr. B. G. Wesenberg, Extension Horticulturist, Washington State University, WWREC, Puyallup, WA 9:15-10:00 "Overseeding Programs That Really Work on Golf Courses, Parks and Schools", Dick Malpass, President, GCSAA, Riverside Golf and Country Club, Portland, OR, and Dr. Roy L. Goss, Washington State University, WWREC, Puyallup, WA. 10:00-10:20 Break 10:20-10:50 "Turfgrass Iron Problems and Solutions", Dr. J. D. Butler, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 10:50-12:00 Research Reports 12:00 Adjourned 30th Annual Northwest Turfgrass Conference The President's Corner By John Monson Since this is the last Turfgrass Topics before the conference, 1 would like to thank everyone in the association for the co-operation this past year, especially in supporting our special research program. At this time, we have enough funds to finish this year's program. We do not want to forget however that this is an ongoing program, and we need to encourage everyone to continue to make their annual contribution. It is still the private golf clubs and the Spokane Chronicle Pro Am that contributes the bulk of the money. Several segments of the recreation industry benefit from our research program, and I would hope that all the parks departments, school districts, cemeteries, public golf facilities, sod growers, and seed producers would be able to budget funds to help us next year. The conference in Spokane is all set, and the program is great. Some new topics and areas for thought will be discussed, and I'm sure everyone will find something they can benefit from. The golf tournament is all arranged, and hopefully everyone will pre-register as requested. Thanks again for the past year as president, it has been a wonderful experience, and one which 1 hope everyone will be able to experience. Working closely with Dr. Goss this past year makes you appreciate how lucky we are to have such a dedicated man on our side and it certainly opens your eyes to the area he covers. 1 can't thank him enough and I'm sure all of us feel the same. See you in Spokane. (Ed. Note: Thanks John for your interest and enthusiasm, you've done a great job — the feelings are mutual.) TURF-SEED, INC. P.O. Box 2 5 0 Hubbard, Oregon 97032 This will be your final notice of the annual Turfgrass Conference for 1976. The educational Conference will commence promptly at 1:00 p.m. on September 29 at the Sheraton Hotel in Spokane. Registration for the Conference will run from 8:00 a.m. Wednesday morning on through the Conference. All members of the Northwest Turfgrass Association will register for $10.00 and all others will pay a registration fee of $25.00. Anyone wishing to play golf on Tuesday before the Conference will find a pre-registration form for the golf tournament to be held at Hangman Valley Golf Club on Tuesday, September 28. The Conference program as it is presented in this issue of Turfgrass Topics is varied and has a considerable amount of interest for nearly anyone in the turfgrass management field. We have a list of good speakers and good topics so this will be your opportunity to update yourself in what's happening in the turfgrass field. It will be more desirable for as many people as possible to stay at the Sheraton Hotel although there are many hotels and motels in the Spokane area where you may stay at your own choice. All events will occur at the Sheraton. Ladies Program Northwest Turfgrass Conference A hearty welcome and interesting program awaits the wives of men attending the Northwest Turfgrass Conference September 28 through October 1 at the Sheraton in Spokane. Festivities will begin with a golf tournament on Tuesday, September 28, at Wandermere Golf Course. Prizes will be awarded at the conference banquet Thursday evening at the Sheraton. Wednesday at 10 a.m. the ladies will meet in the lobby of the Sheraton for a get-acquainted hour. Coffee and donuts will be served. At 11 the ladies will depart for a tour of Riverfront Park — the former Expo '74 grounds — and a ride on the gondola over the Spokane River. At 2 p.m. participants will board a bus for the Duncan Gardens at Manito Park and a guided tour of the Japanese Gardens. A luncheon will be held at the Spokane Country Club Thursday at noon. There will be a program and door prizes. Following will be a tour of the new Indian Center. The ladies program is being planned by Mrs. Sam (Pat) Angove, Mrs. Herb (Sandy) Brown, Mrs. Chet (Alice) Albee and Mrs. Bud (Nancy) Ashworth. FREAM/STORM/ASSOCIATES, LTD. INTERNATIONAL OOLF COURSE ARCHITECTS fi P L A N N I N G CONSULTANTS b 2 OLD TOWN. LOS GATOS. CALIFORNIA 95030 (408) 354-8240 LONDON MELBOURNE VANCOUVER The Thatch Patch by Jim Chapman Well, the ruling on mercury for golf course use seems to have ended the on-again, off-again guessing game. It's nice to be able to rely on the old proven fungicide for at least the next two years. Be sure to read the new labels EPA has required for the new packaging — effective around January 1, 1977. Note that sales can only be to golf courses and applications must be under the supervision of a golf course superintendent. Also note — the superintendent is required to become a certified pesticide applicator. So, if you haven't taken your test, better be checking into it. Around the Pacific Northwest — Don Packer has moved from Roseburg Country Club to Emerald Valley Golf Club, Criswell, Oregon. Replacing Don is Art Mausfield. Ed Stepnowski is the new superintendent at Prineville. Virgil Hicks at Laurel wood Golf Club, Dean Quam at Oakway Golf Club, Dave Landing is at Green Acres; all in Eugene. The new owners of Green Acres are Chuck Hogan and Bob Schafer. And a welcome to the Whalen family — Dan and Gerri are new and enthusiastic owners of Fiddler's Green, Eugene. Tom Parrish and beautiful wife, Eloise, have left Sunset Grove Golf Club to move to Arrowhead Golf Club, Moelala where they will work with Dan Schultz, Superintendent and Joe Clarizzio, Pro-owner, in an operations manager capacity. Glen and Cindy Butherus moved from Vernonia Golf Club to the Forest Grove, Oregon course replacing Tom and Eloise. You all know Rich Malpass, Jr. has moved from Grants Pass to the Olympia (WA) Golf and Country Club. John Richards has returned to Grants Pass after a 6-year term as superintendent at Reams Golf Club in Klamath Falls. Wayne Allen is now superintendent at Useless Bay Country Club, Whidbey Island. Brian Cariveau is now supervisor of golf maintenance at the Tyee Valley, Enumclaw and Highlands (Tacoma) courses. Bill Keene is back at work looking better than ever after a heart attack. Take it easy, Bill. Don't dance the night away with your pretty wife in Spokane. The Skagit Country Club needs you. See you next trip and don't forget to get your soil tested this winter. (Treasurer's Note: Sorry about not getting your new plaques to all ofyou in 1976. WE ran out and should have the rest in Spokane. You'll like the new ones.) Cumberland Valley Turf Professional Turf Growers Supplying Top Quality Sod • Seed • Fertilizer Call Us For Prices 45533 - 212th Ave. S.E. Enumclaw, Wa. 98022 (206) 825-5266 We Deliver F k i r i e q u ^ mobile service TURF & TORO MOBILE SERVICE 6001 Maynard Ave So. TORO RO 2-7242 Snohomish - King County Grounds Mngrs Organized by William Lex I would like to inform the readers of the Turfgrass Topics of a new organization that has been formed in our area called Snohomish-King County Grounds Managers Association with the hope that this type of organization will be formed in other areas of the State. Since we are just a new group, membership merely consists of only people from school districts and parks, but anyone interested in this field is certainly welcome to join. We meet once a month at different locations to view other areas and get more knowledge on landscaping, turf, etc. and exchance ideas. We discuss equipment, and if the need arises, borrow or rent the equipment from each other. We are planning to have a one-day seminar twice a year on turf, landscaping and maintenance. Our men will attend these seminars which gives them a great opportunity to become more knowledgeable in their field. During these seminars, speakers are invited who are experts, as in the past, we had Dr. Goss who gave us an excellent report on turf. We feel that this type of an organization is very valuable and hope in the coming year we have membership grow considerably. If you have any questions concerning our research tested, course proven pr< products. (Scotcs) P r o T u r f organization, please feel free to write to me at the Mukilteo School District No. 6, 9401 Sharon Drive, Everett, WA 98204. William Lex Maintenance/Transportation Dept. Phone No. 335-3061 (Editor's Note: Inasmuch as organizations need to be formed to discuss their specific problems, this is an excellent idea to form this organization. We hope that this organization will feel that the Northwest Turfgrass Association will serve their purposes as well and become an active part of this association.) NORTHWEST MOWERS, INC. JACOBSEN 926 North 165th St. 542-7484 Seattle, Wash. 98133 Turfgrasses - An Important Industry to the Pacific Northwest kwh NATIONAL by Roy L. Goss Washington State University published a Turfgrass Survey in 1967 regarding the extent and value of the turfgrass industry. It would be interesting to have the completed updated survey since it has been 10 years since the survey was conducted. However, the costs of conducting the survey again would be in excess of $45,000, and there appears to be no chance to come up with this kind of money. I have recently done some re-evaluation based upon census and estimated cost figures. Just to mention a few of the areas, I have estimated 107,250 acres in home lawns at an annual maintenance factor of 664,350,000. This was estimated at approximately $600 per acre which is probably slightly on the low side. This compares favorably well to a recent Florida Turfgrass Survey of approximately $760 per acre annually. Our best estimates for golf courses shows approximately 104 eighteen-hole golf courses, 70 nine-hole courses and 20 par-three courses at an estimated maintenance cost of $13,210,000 annually. Florida indicates about 512 golf courses with a total maintenance bill of approximately $67,000,000. According to the Florida Survey, they show a total maintenance and new turf value at $523,348,000. The estimated cost of maintaining all of the turf in the State of Washington conservatively is over $100,000,000 annually without the value of equipment being calculated. One can readily see that the turfgrass industry in the State of Washington is one of the major industries and especially when all turfgrass areas and their associated irrigation and equipment are added to the total cost. Copies of the Florida Turfgrass Survey can be obtained from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Marketing Division, Tallahassee, Florida 32304. THE ED SHORT CO. Powered Turf and Garden Equipment SEATTLE: 18303 Andover Park West Tukwila, WA — Ph. (206) 575-0281 PORTLAND: 106 North Main Milwaukie, OR.— Ph. (509) 653-0071 EXCEL TOP VITALITY FOR YOUR TURF . . . with VELSICOL Chemicals VELSICOL BANVEl® 4S This new herbicide was developed especially to combat stubborn broadleaf weeds . . . even those considered tolerant to phenoxy herbicides. It's absorbed two ways — through the leaves and through the roots—for complete control. And it works in either cool or warm weather. 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. DAN HACKETT Home: 827-5239 Work: 283-5340 I HAND PUMP TYPE SPRAYER 1 USED IN SPRING OF 1870 NORTHWEST MALSBARY WE SERVICE MORE (206) 283-5340 2232 - 15th AVENUE WEST SEATTLE. W A S H I N G T O N 98119 THAN WHAT WE SELL JOHN BEAN DEALER H P. PUMPS & PARTS SPRAYERS - ACCESSORIES Back to Basics — Preventative vs. Curative It doesn't happen too often in the Pacific Northwest, but occasionally we have one of those summers — what summer? The occurence of excessively cool wet weather generally throughout the Pacific Northwest in the summer of 1976 has created conditions favorable to turfgrass diseases, particularly Fusarium patch disease which normally does not occur to any significant extent until September or October. We have responded to numerous calls and have otherwise been informed of many golf course superintendents whose putting greens have been hit with Fusarium patch during the month of August. Normally, our conditions are hot and dry and little of the disease is experienced. If we stop and analyze the weather factors, we find that August was very similar to late September and early October for temperature, light intensity and precipitation. This brings us to the point of the necessity of fungicidal applications for prevention. We did have a little summer weather in late May, June and July, and for the most part, many turf managers shut off the fungicide program with the advent of this weather. Since the spores of Fusarium nivale are generally always present, this allowed them a 2 to 3 month period to build up and when conditions became optimum for severe infection, the disease progressed rapidly. Some superintendents immediately initiated fungicidal applications when the weather cooled down while others had hope that the August weather would come back again. Fusarium infections ranged from light to severe on a number of golf courses during this period of time. The safe approach for protection would be to continue fungicidal applications at least every three to four weeks on putting greens or at least carefully observe turf conditions and weather factors, and if the weather changes, immediately initiate fungicide applications. A few other strange incidents have occurred. Some cases of turfgrass thinning and discoloration which characteristically resembles Helminthosporium attack have occurred. Again, the weather conditions were quite suitable for this type of infection. The temperatures were not low enough to stop Helminthosporium and the other factors such as humidity, surface moisture, and fertility programs were adequate to stimulate this type of attack. Here again, fungicide applications on a preventative basis may have prevented some of this damage. The Helminthosporium-like damage has occurred predominately on putting greens with high populations of Poa annua. Most of the bentgrass putting greens did not show this damage. Also, the damage occurred on putting greens with heavier soil conditions which were excessively moist, compacted and poorly aerated. Under these circumstances, it would be best to aerify, maintain light sand topdressing programs and practice moderate applications of nitrogen. Other nutritional factors that tend to help include: adequate levels of potassium and regular applications of ferrous sulfate or ferrous ammonium sulfate. Continued on Page 7, Col. 1 LILLYIMILLER Controlled Release FERTILIZERS also SEEDS & CHEMICALS Portland 256-4600 • Seattle 762-0818 Spokane 838-8211 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 7737 N.E. Killingsworth St. Portland, Ore. 97218 ATTENTION " G R E E N S - K E E P E R S " of Golf Courses FAST, LOW COST E X T E R M I N A T O R 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 Northwest Turfgrass Conference Sept. 29 to Oct. 1 Continued from Page 6, Col. 1 Potassium is known to help prevent many plant diseases when levels are adequately high. It is also a known fact that the heaviest drain on soil potassium occurs during the best growing months of May through August. The higher the clipping yield, the greater the removal of potassium; hence, this element can become deficient at a critical time. Potassium sulfate has a lower salt index and will cause less turf burn during the summer months and will supply some needed sulfur as well. Applications of l lb of product (this supplies |/ lb of K 0 potash) per 1000 sq. ft. three or four times during the summer period will help to maintain adequate potassium levels in addition to your narmal fertilization program. Iron will help to maintain better turf color and will aid in chlorophyl synthesis which helps the plant to recover from wear and minor disease attacks. If phosphorus levels should fall low during this period of time, light applications of soluble phosphorus such as diammonium phosphate can be applied to stimulate needed root growth during the stress period and generally improve turf vigor. We do not as a rule recommend high phosphorus applications, but there are times when judicious use of phosphorus will definitely enhance turf quality. The important thing during the summer is to maintain excellent surface drainage, carefully regulate the application of water and maintain a balanced nutritional program. Aerification will help to maintain better soil oxygen relationships and sand topdressing will likewise help as well as maintaining smoother and firmer surfaces. 2 2 TURF & TORO DISTRIB., INC. Toro—Moist-O-Matic—Ryan, Standard, Par-Aid 6001 Maynard Ave So. RO 2-7242 Sunset Northwest • C U S H M A N 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 Jacobsen Cushman Vermeer Standard and Par-Aide AUTOMATIC - MANUAL Sprinkler Systems COMPLETE LINE OF T U R F EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES Complete Line of W a t e r Handling Equipment POLSON CO. BALTZ & SON DISTRIBUTORS SEATTLE 9 8 1 7 E. Burnside Portland, O r e . 9 7 2 1 6 SPOKANE MA 2-2891 FA 7-9571 P r o T u r f Helping the superintendent through turf research... • Controlled R e l e a s e Fertilizers • Fertilizer/Pesticide C o m b i n a t i o n s ungicides-Herbicides-Insecticides • FFungic • Soil T e s t i n g - W e e d & Disease Identification SCOTTS • LELY • GANDY SPREADERS Finest quality turfgrass s e e d - F a i r w a y s • G r e e n s • T e e s • Roughs Scotts W i n d s o r and Victa blends L. Ben Malikowski N. 8007 H o w a r d S p o k a n e , W a . 99208 (509) 326-4344 James R. Chapman 17012 N E 21st St. Bellevue, Wa. 98008 (206) 746-1569 (Seattle) (503) 287-3414 (Portland) 254-6593 o Instant Lawn 7) H X Consistant high quality Oregon sod Fast forklift delivery (1000 sq. ft. or more) Serving Washington Nurserymen & Landscapers 5760 - 110th Ave. S.E. £ Bellevue. Wa. 98006 O H C Q H £ m c/> H aor00 -J— CH a o J) C K>-n C I U z t 7) > S* ii (/> 0) M l / f t f e FERTILIZERS J O SO ~ C/5 © © £ 00 ' Suppliers of All TURF CHEMICALS and FERTILIZERS o > FUNGICIDES - HERBICIDES SOIL AMENDMENTS TACOMA BR 2-5171 1424 Thorne Road Tacoma, Wash. 98421 H SEATTLE MA 2-3228 IT'S TIME TO LIME Grass will not grow without sufficient available CALCIUM! Kiln dried - Fine ground limestone Flour HEMPHILL BROS. INC. Seattle MA 4-6420 J. A. JACK & SONS, INC. High Calcium, Sacked, Bulk or Spr-ad SOD 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 Pro's Know... > o • NITROFORM Agro quality really counts! • WEED KILLERS Pacific Agro Company 903 Houser Way No. • HYDROPRILLS Renton 98055 • FUNGICIDES P.O. Box 326 • 228-6565 Suppliers of all your professional needs! Officers of the Northwest Turfgrass ASSOCIATION John Monson Richard Schwabauer Jim Chapman 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 Jim Chapman, 17012 N.E. 21st St., Bellevue, Washington 98008, 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 Research and Extension Center, Puyallup, Washington 98371.