Northwest

Vol. 29, No. 3

TURFGRASS TOPICS

December 1986

PUYALLUP, WASHINGTON

C O N F E R E N C E SITE:
S A L I S H A N LODGE 1987

By Mark Snyder

Plans and details are being worked out for the 41st Northwest Turfgrass Conference at Salishan Lodge next September.
Salishan has set aside a 'block" of seventy rooms, of which
twenty have already been reserved by conference attendees. For
those of you who have not visited Salishan within the last two
years, many enjoyable surprises will await your return this fall.
Notably, the remodeled Dining Room and the new Sports Fitness Center, to name just two new facilities. We welcome your
stay at the Lodge during the conference and invite you to call
for reservations, tool-free at: 1-800-452-2300 for inside Oregon and 1-800-547-6500 for out of state guests.
Sharing the Lodge with the NTA will be another group of
conference guests, but all of the necessary meeting space for
the turf conference has been reserved on a complimentary basis.
The golf tournament, for both men and ladies, will be played
on our 6300 yard course; which is rated number two in difficulty in the State of Oregon.
Plans are in effect for a "Supplier Field Day" on the East
end of the Driving Range to compliment the evening "Supplier Social Hour and Show", Tuesday evening.
The Ladies Program is going to be fun! Lots of activities are
scheduled, including tours of the European Wine Cellar at the
Lodge, which houses more than twenty-thousand bottles of
wine. Area shopping excursions to nearby Depoe Bay may include, for those "Sea-Faring" guests...on an optional basis... deep sea trips to watch whales, if ocean conditions permit.
Plan now to attend the 1987 Conference, as we look forward
to your arrival at Salishan Lodge and a great conference experience!
4

PRESIDENT'S CORNER

Bo Hepler

There are a lot of things the board is trying to accomplish
this year besides the regular duties. These issues are not only
worries for the board, but should be areas of concern for each
of you as well. This is why I am extending the invitation to
each of you to express your ideas or thoughts as we all face
the future of the Northwest Turfgrass Association together.
Dr. Roy Goss will be retiring around January of 1988 and
unless you have served on the board or looked into the workings of the NTA, I don't believe you can imagine the work that
he has done for this Association. There are several key roles
that Roy plays which will need to be replaced if this Association is going to continue to serve the Northwest turf industry
at the same professional level it has over the last forty years.
The board has formed a special committee to search out the possibilities of using a management firm or executive secretary to
do the detailed work such as bookkeeping, billing, publishing,
etc., for the Association and fill these areas which in the past
Roy has been instrumental in filling.
We believe that the NTA thus far has only reached about half
of the turf industry in the Northwest. A management firm would
be able to help us use more effective ways of reaching these
people.
Any person working in the turf industry is a representative
of all of us in the field. Everyone in the field needs to belong
to, and be active in this Association to keep up with what is
happening now, and in the future with regard to turfgrass. We
must actively recruit these people so that we can have the finest,
well managed turf areas as possible.
This year's chairperson for membership is Tom Cook of
OSU. Tom has a lot of good ideas for locating a possible five
hundred plus new members from Northwest turf industry. I
Jcnow we are going to see a big jump in membership this year
flue to Tom's efforts.
We have a good board of directors this year serving the NTA,
which practically guarantees that we will be able to accomplish
a great deal. I will be speaking of each of them in our up-coming
issues and their projects which they have undertaken.

r

THE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
OF THE NORTHWEST
TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION
WISH ALL OF YOU
A MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY,
HEALTHY & PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR.

Set your calendar for Salishan Lodge this September. Our
1987 conference should prove to be very educational as well
as enjoyable, especially after a long summer. In the meantime,
best wishes are sincerely sent your way for a warm and cherry
Holiday Season, and a profitable, green, healthy New Year.

1987 W E S T E R N C A N A D A
TURFGRASS CONFERENCE

Ask for Emerald because it's Natural GrassP! ^

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This year's Western Canada Turfgrass Association Conference will be held at the Sheraton Landmark Hotel at Vancouver, B.C., from February 23-25, 1987. This Conference has
grown in quality and size over the past 15 years and is an outstanding production.
The conference not only has the educational program, but a
good trade show and ladies program.
Some of the speakers on the educational program will include
Dr. Steve Fushtey, Agassiz, B.C., Dr. Jack Butler, Colorado
State University, Dr. Roy Goss and Dr. Gary Chastagner,
Washington State University, WWREC, Puyallup, Mr. Dirk
Oostindie, North Vancouver Parks, Brad Clark, Rainbird, Mr.
Bruce McTavish - native plants, Mr. T. Thomas - Safety and
loss prevention, and several other speakers with interesting
topics.
The ladies program will include some of the following features. Arrangements have been made for the ladies program
on Monday, February 23 - Welcome and information coffee
party followed by color draping. Tuesday, February 24 - British Columbia Pavilion at the Expo site to see Discovery B.C.
and theatre, Trees of Discovery', 'Challenge B.C.' with presentation followed by lunch at Nat Baileys. If you were lucky
enough to see it at Expo, see it all again on a guided tour without the lineups.
There will be ample time for shopping and brousing. The hotel
is ideally located on Robson Street, close to every shopper's
dreams.

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EDITOR NOTE: It is the professional turfgrass manager's
responsibility to avail himself of all educational opportunities
for professional advancement. This is another excellent opportunity.

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2

WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY
WINTER TURF SCHOOL

N o r m W h i t w o r t h Ltd.

Consultants

Each year a turf school or short course is held on the Washington State University campus. This year, Drs. Bill Johnston and
Ken Morrison have put together a good program with 1-1/2 days
packed with interesting subjects. This turf school is designed
for essentially anyone, but particularly those people concerned
with managing commercial turf such as golf courses, parks,
cemeteries, schools and sod farms.
The following is the program as it will be presented, so make
your plans now to attend and be better prepared for 1987 maintenance.
MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 1987
12:00-1:00
Registration
Session Moderator: Dr. Ken Morrison, Extension Agronomist,
WSU
1:00-1:15
Welcome to Washington State University
Dr. J. C. Engibous, Acting Director, Cooperative Extension Service, WSU
1:15-1:45
Foliar Fertilization of Turf
Dr. Roy Goss, WWREC, Puyallup
1:45-2:30
Theories and Principles of Reel and Rotary
Cutting Units
Mr. Gary Shampeny, National Golf Sales
Mgr., Toro Co., Minneapolis, MN
2:30-3:00
Chemical Disease Control for Turfgrasses
Dr. Ron Ensign, Dept. of Plant, Soil and Entomological Sciences, University of Idaho,
Moscow.
3:00-3:20
BREAK
3:20-3:45
Update on Necrotic Ring Spot Disease
Dr. Otis Maloy, Extension Plant Pathologist,
WSU
3:45-4:00
Necrotic Ring Spot Disease As It Affects The
Sod Industry
Mr. George Thayer, Thayer Seed & Sod,
Rathdrum, ID.
4:00-4:15
Necrotic Ring Spot Diseases As It Affects
The Landscape Industry
Mr. Mike Damery, Damery's Flowers &
Landscape, Colfax, WA.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 1987
Session Moderator: Mr. Bo Hepler, Senske Super Green, Yakima, WA.
8:00-8:30
Turfgrass Chemical Growth Regulators for
Poa annua Control for Fairway Use
Dr. Jim Frelich, O. M. Scott's & Sons, Gervais, OR.
8:30-9:00
2,4-D Herbicide Update
Mr. Dick Maxwell, Extension Ag. Chemicals Specialist, WSU
9:30-9:45
NTA and IEGCSSA Membership-Why You
Should Join!
Mr. Bo Hepler, President Northwest Turfgrass Association and Mr. Mike Kingsley,
President Inland Empire Golf Course Superintendents' Association.
9:45-10:00
BREAK

Norm Whitworth
CHIEF

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3

Athletic Fields Maintenance in Eastern
Washington
Dr. Roy Goss, WWREC, Puyallup
10:45-11:15
Golf Greens Construction
Mr. John Steidel, Golf Course Architect,
Kennewick, WA.
11:15-11:45
Golf Greens Construction-The Hard Way
Mr. Dan Vollmer, Golf Course Superintendent, Avondale-On-Hayden, ID.
11:45-1:30
LUNCH (No-Host)
Session Moderator: Mr. Mike Kingsley, Coeur d'Alene Golf
Course, Coeur d'Alene, ID.
How New Turfgrasses Are Developed1:30-2:00
Industry's Criteria
Dr. Doug Brede, Jacklin Seed Company,
Post Falls, ID.
2:00-2:45
Maintenance Safety and Liability
Mr. Sam Angove, Spokane Parks Department
2:45-3:15
Fall Fertilization of Turf
Dr. Bill Johnston, Department of Agronomy
and Soils, WSU
3:15
ADJOURN

RESEARCH WITH
EMBARK 2S AND FERROMEC TO
FINE A N N U A L B L U E G R A S S /
COLONIAL BENTGRASS TURF

S.E. Brauen

Annual bluegrass/colonial bentgrass turf has been treated with
mefluidide (Embark 2S) for the past three seasons to determine
the effects of this plant growth regulant on the color, visual quality, seedhead development and rooting of annual bluegrass. Prior
to this period, our 1980-81 applications of Embark 2S, when
applied at 3 pints per acre (0.55 oz per 1000 fit ) provided unacceptable quality to fine turf for a period of three weeks following application. However, further studies in 1982 and 1983
showed adequate growth control was attained at 2 pints per acre
(0.36 oz per 1000 ft ) and the initial decline in turf quality
seemed less severe as compared to previous experiences. Following a period of lower quality turf which occurred from one
to three weeks after application, the treated turf then exhibited
excellent quality from four to six weeks following application.
The turf during this time was very uniform in growth, dark color
and free of annual bluegrass seedheads.
About this time, researchers on the east coast were conducting similar studies and suggested that annual bluegrass may be
better prepared to enter summer stress following Embark 2S
application if one effect of elimination of seedhead development
was to improve rooting mass or rooting depth or both which
may condition the plant to be better able to avoid moisture stress.
This concept seems feasible since reduced root growth following seed production has been reported in ryegrass species and,
in general grasses with deeper and more extensive root systems
are able to withstand greater moisture stress.
The data that have been reported so far seems to suggest that
Embark 2S applied at the preflowering stage does not result in
improved annual bluegrass visual quality during the following
summer and fall period. This has been true in tests conducted
at Puyallup from 1982 to 1986, at Ithaca, New York from 1980
to 1983, and at Columbus, Ohio in 1983 and 1984. However,
the Embark 2S applications have been effective in reducing seedhead appearance in annual bluegrass, thus providing improved
turf quality to a period of two to three weeks which begins at
about four weeks following application. This quality improvement for a short period may provide an incentive to use Embark 2S to control annual bluegrass seedhead emergence in
selected areas. This improved quality is primarily related to Embark 2S application time and the time-lapse after application.
A loss of quality for the period from one to three weeks after
application may be unacceptable to many turf managers or users.
Our efforts in 1985 and 1986 have been directed at attempting
to find application systems that will lessen the phytotoxicity
(reduced color quality) from one to three weeks following Embark 2S application. In 1985, the rate of Embark 2S applied
to turf was varied from 1/4 pint to 1 pint per acre (.045 to . 184
oz per 1000 ft ). In this test, the higher application volumes
which were equivalent to Embark 2S solution dilutions decreased
the discoloration (phytotoxicity) associated with Embark 2S application. In addition, including Ferromec as a tank mix with
the spray also decreased the discoloration associated with Embark 2S application. The overall color improvement was two
to four points on a scale of one to nine.
2

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In 1986, the effects of Ferromec and ferrous sulfate tank mix
additions to Embark 2S was again tested. On turf that had been
fertilized alternately with urea and ammonium sulfate and had
not received supplemental iron or sulfur, Ferromec and ferrous
sulfate were highly effective in reducing discoloration following Embark 2S application. The degree of improvement in
decreasing turf discoloration was related to the rate of iron application and iron was less effective in reducing discoloration
as the rate of Embark 2S was increased. At 3/4 pint Embark
2S per acre (0.28 oz per 1000 ft ) turf discoloration with iron
was rated at 4.5 while without iron the rating was 3.1. Untreated
turf ratings were about 8.0. Although the high rates of iron improved turf quality as compared to non-iron treatments, the turf
quality was probably unacceptable even for a short period. Seedhead elimination was excellent.
As the rate of Embark 2S was reduced, iron was more effective in eliminating discoloration, but annual bluegrass seedhead
control was also reduced. About twenty to forty percent of the
seedheads were eliminated at the Embark 2S rate of 1/4 pint
per acre (0.091 oz per 1000 fit ) while the Embark 2S rate of
1/2 pint per acre (0.184 oz per 1000 fit ) controlled 60 to 80
percent of the seedhead emergence. The inclusion of Ferromec
at 12 oz per 1000 fit with the 1/2 pint Embark 2S rate provided
marginal to acceptable turf quality with minimum discoloration.
Thus, studies in 1985 and 1986 seem to suggest that Embark
2S at 0.2 oz (5 to 6 ml) per 1000 fit may provide sufficient
suppression of seedhead production and improve annual bluegrass appearance 4 to 6 weeks following Embark 2S applications during late spring. Increasing application volume may
provide additional protection; however, some discoloration
should be expected from one to three weeks following application. The consistent incorporation of this activity into a turf
management program may reduce annual bluegrass seed populations which may alter future annual bluegrass regeneration.
The window for application of Embark 2S for suppression of
the greatest number of annual bluegrass seedheads has commonly occurred during the last two weeks of April.
2

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N E C R O T I C RING S P O T D I S E A S E
R E S E A R C H AT W A S H I N G T O N
STATE U N I V E R S I T Y IN PUYALLUP

BILL HAMMER AND GARY CHASTAGNER

NTA S C H O L A R S H I P W I N N E R

Jon Heselwood, is presently the golf course superintendent
at Eagle Bend Golf Club at Bigfork, Montana. John started out
as a pre-med student at the University of Oregon and has decided
that he would rather be a golf course superintendent and work
with nature, so he has transferred his credits at Washington State
University and is completing a degree in Agronomy with a turfgrass major.
Jon helped to build Eagle Bend and will continue with maintenance. He sandwiches in his golf course superintendent duties
with alternate semesters at Washington State University. This
is quite an undertaking and we certainly wish Jon well.
Jon could easily have turned to the golf professional ranks
since earlier in his career he was a tournament golfer. He is
also a member of the Northwest Turfgrass Association and the
Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. We are
pleased that Jon was chosen for a Northwest Turfgrass Association scholarship.

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5

Necrotic Ring Spot (NRS) is a disease affecting bluegrass and
fine leafed fescue turf in North America. Since 1982, it has been
reported in many areas of the United States and in the Pacific
Northwest has been observed in Washington, Idaho, Oregon
and British Columbia. NRS has been found to be a component
of the disease complex formerly known as Fusarium blight. NRS
is most often found on turf that was established from sod and
is caused by the soil borne fungus Leptosphaeria korrae. This
fungus also causes Spring Dead Spot, a disease affecting bermudagrass turf in the United States and Australia.
Disease symptoms usually appear as circular dead patches in
late spring to early fall. The affected areas range in size from
a few inches to several feet in diameter and actively growing
patches may have a reddish brown margin. Some patches coalesce to form large irregular shaped areas. Grasses and broad
leafed weeds can recolonize the centers of diseased patches giving a doughnut shaped or frog eye pattern. During the hottest
part of the summer the turf may recover, masking the symptoms
temporarily.
Under microscopic examination, dark fungal mycelium, also
called runner hyphae, can be found on the roots of infected
grasses. Fruiting bodies, called pseudothecia, containing spores
are occasionally found on roots. Unfortunately, symptoms and
or the presence of runner hyphae can not be used for positive
identification of the disease. The symptoms can resemble dry
spots or diseases such as Fairy Ring, Yellow Patch, or Summer Patch. Summer Patch is caused by a Phialophora spp. and
also produces runner hyphae on the roots and crowns. Thus,
in areas where NRS and summer patch occur, it can be very
difficult to identify which disease is present based on symptoms
and the presence of runner hyphae. Leptosphaeria fruiting bodies could be used for identification purposes but are not always
present.
During the past three years, we have been studying the pathogenic variation, morphological characteristics, and sporulation
of Leptosphaeria isolates obtained from diseased turf that have
been collected from Washington State and from other parts of
the country. Presently, trials are being run in the greenhouse
and in environmental control chambers to study the influence
of temperature and moisture levels on growth and pathogenicity of the collected isolates.
In the laboratory, we have found several simple, consistent
methods to induce fruiting body production. These methods will
make it easier to properly identify L. korrae and enable us to
study the effects of temperature, moisture levels, and light on
sporulation. At this time it is not know what role spores plays
in spread of NRS and more research in this area is needed.
The results of these trials and increasing our knowledge about
the biology of L. korrae and factors affecting the development
of NRS will help in the development of effective control programs. As part of a continuing program, research is being carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of fungicides in the control
of this disease. Results indicate that a single application of Ru(Continued on page 6)

bigan in May will provide effective disease control during the
late summer and fall, but yearly applications are needed. The
experimental fungicides Banner and Spotless have also been effective in controlling NRS. For more information, complete
results of the fungicide trials are published in the 1983-86
Proceedings of the Northwest Turfgrass Conference.
EDITOR NOTE: Bill Hammer is a graduate student working
on a masters degree in the Department of Plant Pathology at
WSU. During the past 2-1/2 years Bill has been working on
necrotic ring spot at WWREC at Puyallup. Funding to support
Bill during this period has come from Washington State University and proceeds from the Chicona Farm, which is administered
by WWREC.

INTRODUCING YOUR NEW DIRECTOR
NORMAN J. W H I T W O R T H
Norm graduated from San Jose State University in California with a bachelor of science degree and proceeded on to become a golf course superintendent. Following his tenure as golf
course superintendent, he worked for major fertilizer and chemical companies for several years.
In 1972, Norm started the Norm Whit worth Turf Products
Company, and in 1981, he initiated Norm Whitworth Consultants.
Norm's company represents Tee-2-Green Corporation, TurfSeed, Inc., H. J. Stoll Company (Simplot), and Wilbur-Ellis
Company.
Norm's wife is Linda, and they have three children, all boys.
Norm has been a member of the Northwest Turfgrass Association for 19 years, has previously served on the Board of
Directors and was President of the Northwest Turfgrass Association in 1982. Norm is chairman of the Promotion and Finance Committee, and you will be hearing lots more from
Norm.
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INTRODUCING YOUR NEW DIRECTOR
JIM C H A P M A N
Jim Chapman has been associated with the turf industry for
over 29 years, including working as an assistant golf superintendent, operating his own lawn service businesses, and 22 years
in commercial turf sales and services. He is a member of several
service groups including those for nurserymen, landscapers,
cemetery owners, lawn care maintenance people, golf course
superintendents, and commercial spray applicators. Currently
Manager of Commercial Turf Services for Lilly/Miller, Jim
lives in Bellevue with his wife, Julia (who works at the Broadmoor Golf Club in Seattle). Their two sons are both in college
- Jud at WWSU and Eric at WSU (Turfgrass Major). You may
reach Jim at work (206) 762-0818 or 1-800-562-7013. He has
been on the NT A board before, serving as Treasurer and Program Chairman.
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INTRODUCING YOUR NEW DIRECTOR
RANDY SHULTS
Randy Shults is presently the superintendent at Tualatin Country Club at Tualatin, Oregon. Prior to becoming golf course
superintendent, Randy served as assistant superintendent for two
years at the same club and succeeded on to the top job.
Prior to his work at Tualatin, Randy served as golf course
superintendent at Summerfield Golf Course.
Randy served as President of the Oregon Golf Course Superintendents Association from 1981 to 1984, and is presently
serving as a director of the Oregon Golf Course Superintendents Association.
Since coming in as director of the Northwest Turfgrass Association, Randy has been appointed chairman of the Research
and Scholarship Committee.

INTRODUCING YOUR NEW DIRECTOR
KEN W E I D E R S T R O M
Ken Weiderstrom was born in Seattle, Washington on June
25, 1939 and graduated from Roosevelt High School where he
was a varsity baseball player. He attended the University of
Washington and received a bachelor's degree in finance and,
again, was on the University of Washington varsity baseball
team.
Prior to graduation from the University of Washington, Ken
says that he sold Christmas trees. After graduation from the
University of Washington, Ken went to work for the People's
National Bank until 1980, where he was a branch manager.
On April 1, 1980, Ken purchased in partnership the Northwest Mowers, Inc. in Seattle where they handle lines of Jacobsen, National, Olathe, Standard, Par Aide, and in February
1982, they acquired the Cushman and Ryan lines of equipment.
Ken is a single man and enjoys golfing, fishing, boating, photography, and most spectator sports.

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PRELIMINARY FIELD STUDIES WITH
RUBIGAN TO CONTROL
ANNUAL BLUEGRASS IN
BENTGRASS PUTTING GREEN TURF

RONALD FREAM DESION GROUP, LTD.
GOLF C O U R S E ARCHITECTURE

J. L. Gullikson and W. J. Johnston

The use of the fungicide Rubigan 50W (fenarimol) for the
control of annual bluegrass (Poa annua) in creeping bentgrass
turf is under continued research at Washington State University. Field studies have been carried out on the WSU golf course
to evaluate the effects of multiple applications of Rubigan on
annual bluegrass populations in a bentgrass putting green.
Monthly and bimonthly applications of Rubigan were applied
to the bentgrass green in late fall, winter, and early spring of
1985-1986. Cumulative rates ranging from 0.6 to 0.8 oz Rubigan 50W per 1000 fit were included in the trials. Annual bluegrass populations were monitored over the course of a year.
Color and quality ratings were also taken.
Preliminary results indicate that fall and early winter applications of Rubigan had a greater effect on reducing annual bluegrass populations than did early spring applications. The greatest
reductions were seen when single applications of 4.0 oz Rubigan 50W per 1000 ft were made in early winter, or when early winter applications of 4.0 oz were preceded with early fall
applications of the same rate. While the above treatments caused
reductions in annual bluegrass populations, they were also
responsible for the greatest declines in bentgrass quality in ear-

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ly spring. The most promising results were seen with monthly
(Sep., Oct., and Jan.) applications of 2.0 oz per 1000 ft . This
treatment not only gave good results for reducing annual bluegrass but showed minimal effects on the bentgrass turf in 1986.
Although this treatment shows promise, it exceeds the labelled
rate of Rubigan 50W for annual bluegrass control.
The above results are based on one year's data. The study
is being continued to examine the long term effects of Rubigan
applications on annual bluegrass and creeping bentgrass turf.
Studies are also being conducted at WSU to evaluate the effect
Rubigan applications have on seedling growth of bentgrass and
annual bluegrass, and the competitiveness between the two grass
species.
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BEN MALIKOWSKI
P.O. Box 18128
Spokane, WA 99208
(509) 467-8710

ERLING OLSON
4850 156th Ave. NE Apt. 226
Redmond, WA 98052
(206) 885-3349

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MICHAEL P. KENDALL
8530 Woodtrail Place
Burnaby, B.C. V5A 4A9
(604) 421-2583

Montco Products Corp.
Moses Lake Country Club Moses Lake, WA
Nanaimo Golf & Country Club Nanaimo, BC, CANADA
Nile Country Club Seattle, WA
Northshore Golf Club Tacoma, WA
Northwest Mowers, Inc. Seattle, WA
Oregon Golf Association Portland, OR
Oregon Golf Course Superintendents Assoc.
Oregon Turf Farms Hubbard, OR
Oswego Lake Country Club Lake Oswego, OR
Overlake Golf Club Bellevue, WA
PGA Pro-Ams (Western Wash.) Seattle, WA
Pacific Agro Co. Renton, WA
Persco, Inc. Puyallup, WA
Pickseed West Tangent, OR
Pleasant Valley Golf Club Clackamas, OR
Port Ludlow Golf Club Port Ludlow, WA
City of Portland West Delta Golf Course Portland, OR
Portland Golf Club Portland, OR
Pro-Grass Hubbard, OR
Puget Sound Seed Co. Seattle, WA
Rainier Golf & Country Club Seattle, WA
City of Redmond, Parks Dept. Redmond, WA
Redmond Lawn & Tractor Redmond, WA
Riverside Golf & Country Club Portland, OR
Riviera Country Club Anderson Island, WA
Sahalee Country Club Redmond, WA
Salishan Golf Club Gleneden Beach, OR
Sand Point Golf Club Seattle, WA
Seattle Golf Club Seattle, WA
Senior Estates Golf Club Woodburn, OR
Sham-Na-Pum Richland, WA
Similk Beach Golf Course Anacortes, WA
Skagit Golf & Country Club Burlington, WA
Soden-Hines & Assoc. Bellevue, WA
Spokane Country Club Spokane, WA
Sunland Golf Club Sequim, WA
Sun River Properties Bend, OR
Sun Valley Golf Course Sun Valley, ID
Tacoma Country & Golf Club Tacoma, WA
Tapps Island Association Seattle, WA
Tualatin Country Club Tualatin, OR
Twin Lakes Golf & Country Club Federal Way, WA
Walla Walla Community College Walla Walla, WA
Wanderniere Golf Club Spokane, WA
Washington Tree Service Seattle, WA
Waverley Country Club Portland, OR
Wenatchee Golf & Country Club Wenatchee, WA
Western Equipment Distributors, Inc. Kent, WA
Whidbey Golf & Country Club Oak Harbor, WA
Norm Whit worth, Ltd. Gladstone, OR
Wing Point Golf & Country Club Bainbridge Island, WA
Charles M. Woosley Corvallis, OR
Yakima Country Club Yakima, WA

A WARM THANK YOU
TO T H E CONTRIBUTORS TO T H E
NTA S P E C I A L R E S E A R C H F U N D

\ Once again, it is time to say thank you' to all of you who
have contributed to the Northwest Turfgrass Association Special Research Fund in 1986. As we have said a number of times
before, without this type of support, your research and scholarship programs would essentially be nonexistent. We want you
to know how important you are and how much we appreciate
it. We sincerely hope that you will continue your support in
the future and encourage others to join in with a small contribution that collectively will be a significant boost to all turfgrass programs.
Agate Beach Golf Course Newport, OR
Alderbrook Golf Club Union, WA
Cumberland Valley Turf Farm Sumner, WA
Bellingham Country Club Bellingham, WA
Black Butte Ranch Sister,s OR
Bothell City Parks Bothell, WA
Broadmoor Golf Club Seattle, WA
Buffalo Hill Golf Club Kalispell, MT
Capilano Golf & Country Club W. Vancouver, BC, CANADA
Chelan City Golf Club Chelan, WA
Coos Country Club Coos Bay, OR
Corvallis Country Club Corvallis, OR
Crane Creek Country Club Boise, ID
Emerald Turfgrass Farm Sumner, WA
Eugene Country Club Eugene, OR
I Everett Golf & Country Club Everett, WA
Everett Landscaping Company Everett, WA
Evergreen Pacific Supply, Inc. Bellevue, WA
Fairwood Golf & Country Club Renton, WA
Farwest Turf Equipment Company Portland, OR
Fircrest Golf Club Tacoma, WA
Forest Lawn Cemetery Seattle, WA
Ronald Fream Design Group, Ltd. Santa Rosa, CA
Full Circle, Inc. Madras, OR
John A. Gardner Milwaukie, OR
Glendale Country Club Belle vue, WA
Golf Mountain Golf Course Gorst, WA
Phoebe W. Haas Charitable Trust A' Philadelphia, PA
Hayden Lake Golf Club Hayden Lake, ID
Hi-Cedars Golf Club Sumner, WA
Don Hogan & Associates Seattle, WA
J-B Sod Silverton, OR
Jacklin Seed Company Post Falls, ID
Kah-Nee-Tah Resort Warm Springs, OR
Carl Kuhn Mercer Island, WA
Lake Wilderness Golf Course Maple Valley, WA
Lakeside School Seattle, WA
Leavenworth Golf Club Leavenworth, WA
L'il Augusta Golf Club Redmond, WA
Linden Golf Club Puyallup, WA
Longview Country Club Longview, WA
Manito Golf & Country Club Spokane, WA
McCormick Woods Golf Course Port Orchard, WA
Meridian Valley Country Club Kent, WA
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4

9

Happy New Year

OUR APOLOGIES TO FARWEST
TURF EQUIPMENT

TURFGRASS EDUCATION PROGRAMS
AT WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY

By Dr. Bill Johnston

We have discovered an embarrassing omission in the 1986
program for the Northwest Turfgrass Conference. Farwest Turf
Equipment's advertising and generous support of the Northwest
Turfgrass Association was omitted and we hope that you will
accept our apologies.
Farwest Turf Equipment and Northwest Mowers jointly share
in the trade show each year and both have been generous supporters of the Northwest Turfgrass Association. David Jacobsen and his company have been most generous with Oregon State
University in helping to provide equipment for program operations at OSU.
Once again, we sincerely appreciate the tremendous support
from our commercial friends.

The turfgrass management education program at Washington State University (WSU) was founded in 1942 by Professor
Alvin G. Law. The first turfgrass conference was in 1948.
Last year, there were nine undergraduate turfgrass majors.
There were two graduate students working on M.S. degrees.
Enrollment in the turfgrass program is up over what it was in
1980; however, enrollment in agriculture as a whole is down.
WSU offers the four-year B.S. in agronomy. We also offer
the M.S. and Ph.D. program.
The trend toward four-year college degrees in turf management has been established and will become more prevalent during the next 10 years. The demand for more intensive education
at higher levels is very good. This is indicated by the increase
we are seeing in the number of college-trained turfgrass professionals and in the enrollment in the college-level turfgrass culture correspondence course offered at WSU.
It is also very important that golf course superintendents continue their education over the years, and WSU strives to help.
In addition to field days and short courses, formal college
training and credits can be obtained by correspondence. Some
of the courses offered by WSU through correspondence relevant to turfgrass managers are turfgrass culture, soils, agricultural entomology, horticultural plants and gardens, plus several
business courses.
In addition to a fine program, good field and laboratory facilities and an excellent faculty, our location is probably the
most unique feature of the program. WSU is one of the few
programs in the Pacific Northwest offering the B.S., M.S. and
Ph.D. degrees in turfgrass science. Also, we have a very strong
program in seed technology that complements the turfgrass
program.
What makes us better is our excellent faculty and turfgrass
field facilities - and the fact the WSU also has a strong graduate student program.
The turf program is supported by major programs in seed
technology and physiology, weed science and biotechnology.
The opportunities for academic achievement of the student are
limitless.
To help turfgrass management students financially, College
of Agriculture and Home Economics scholarships are available. The total amount is in excess of $100,000. Of this, agronomy students received $4,800 in 1985. Within the Department
of Agronomy and Soils, there are scholarships available from
various sources in excess of $10,000. Specifically, scholarships
that go mostly to turf majors are:
- Washington Garden Club, $1,000
- Inland Empire Golf Course Superintendents Association,
$500
- Northwest Turfgrass Association, $500
- Washington-Idaho Seed Association, $1,000
I am not sure there is either a shortage or an excess of turfgrass managers today. The market for turfgrass managers has
been continually expanding over the past decade, and thus there
has been a steady demand for turfgrass majors. The important

1986 T U R F G R A S S
C O N F E R E N C E EVALUATION

Tom Cook summarized the 74 responses turned in by Conference attendees, and the following is a summary of the
responses, which is probably fairly indicative of everyone's feelings about the Pasco site. In general, we were all pleased with
the overall outcome, but each individual's evaluation is important to the Board of Directors of the Northwest Turfgrass Association.
Educational program
Conference location
Lodgings
Food quality
Food service
Meeting rooms
Educational program
Banquets
Trade show

Excellent
33 ( 4 5 % )
33 ( 4 5 % )
16 ( 2 2 % )
13 ( 1 8 % )
44 ( 5 9 % )
53 ( 7 2 % )
19 ( 2 6 % )
42 (57%)

Good
27 ( 3 6 % )
32 ( 4 3 % )
40 (54%)
30 ( 4 1 % )
29 ( 3 9 % )
17 ( 2 3 % )
31 ( 4 2 % )
25 ( 3 4 % )

Fair
7(9%)
1(1%)
9 (12%)
18 ( 2 4 % )
1(1%)
3(4%)
5(7%)
3(4%)

Poor
1(1%)
2(3%)
3(4%)
5(7%)

1(1%)
3(4%)
4(5%)

m

6(8%)
6(8%)
6(8%)
8 (11%)

16 ( 2 2 % )

There were some 70 comments with respect to the most enjoyable aspects of the Conference, but most of them had to do
with a well diversified and informative program with excellent
quality speakers.
There was a smaller list of what aspects that the attendees
did not like about the Conference. Some of the comments were
things like 'Conference rooms were too dark, they couldn't stay
awake' (next year we will provide Nodoze - ED); 'Several
speakers were long-winded' (your Editor promises to be more
brief after 1988); 'College professors need to talk more layman's language rather than presenting material as a college
class' (Editor agrees, up to a point).
One comment was with respect to lack of handouts on talks.
Your Editor would like to remind you that all talks presented
at the Northwest Turfgrass Conference have been duplicated
in a Proceedings and will be mailed to you in very short order,
perhaps by the time you receive this issue of Turfgrass Topics.
We do appreciate all of you filling out these evaluations since
there are many good suggestions, including some 34 suggestions for Conference educational topics in the future. You can
rest assured that your Program Chairman, Jim Chapman, is
looking this list over carefully for next year's program.

10

(Continued on page 11)

thing is that our students have been finding jobs. About 85 percent of our turfgrass majors are placed in turfgrass management jobs, and about 30 percent are involved in golf course
operations. About 10 percent of our turfgrass graduates are
fcwomen.
I think over the next 10 years there will be a steadily increasing demand for turfgrass managers. This will be particularly
true in the lawn care and service sectors of the industry.
Among our more distinguished alumni are Dr. Roy Goss, a
leader in turfgrass research and extension for more than 25
years; Larry Gilhuly, western director of the USGA Green Section; and Tom Cook, associate professor of horticulture and head
of the turfgrass teaching and extension program at Oregon State
University.
The biggest issues facing turfgrass management education today are:
- Loss of excellent faculty to industry.
- General lack of funding for education.
- Students needing more training in English, mathematics,
business and other studies - not just turfgrass management
courses.
There will be a trend toward better and broader education
of turfgrass managers, i.e., training in sciences, business and
personnel management. Also, there will be more emphasis on
learning other aspects of turfgrass management besides grass—
for example, ground covers, shrubs, bedding plants and trees.
Compared to 10 years ago, today's turfgrass majors are more
interested in the business aspects and personnel management
side of turfgrass management. They are interested in a wide
^array of plant materials other than grasses to be used in the landscape. Also, they are more aware of pesticide safety and regulations.
Compared to 20 years ago, today's majors are more interested in the scientific aspects of turfgrass management - for example, chemical weed control, compaction and water
management - rather than just the aesthetic side of turfgrass
management.
For additional information on the WSU Turfgrass Management program, contact Dr. William Johnston, Department of
Agronomy and Soils, Washington State University, Pullman,
WA 99164-6420.

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11

97321

LATE S E A S O N
N I T R O G E N FERTILIZATION

POWERS—WHITWORTH

By Roy L. Goss

Late season nitrogen applications to enhance turfgrass quality, density and root development has been a recommendation
from the research program at Washington State University for
over 20 years. Prior to that time, turfgrass areas in western
Washington, Oregon and British Columbia were found to be
nitrogen deficient during most of the winter and emerged in early
spring with low vigor and turfgrass density. We also observed
that moss establishment and takeover was significantly higher
on lawns with poor fertility maintenance, especially in the late
fall.
There was and, to a limited extent still is, some concern about
over-stimulation of growth and enhancement of fall diseases,
particularly Fusarium patch and grey snow mold from nitrogen applications. Under no circumstances have we ever recommended over 1 lb of nitrogen per 1000 fit from soluble sources
as late fertilization. September and October applications of nitrogen may enhance fall diseases and lack of winter hardiness when
excessive applications are made. For this reason, nitrogen applications in September or October should not exceed 1 lb of
nitrogen per 1000 fit either.
Turf managers in eastern Washington observed color enhancement much later into the fall and better spring greenup and better spring vigor when their fall fungicides were applied in their
fertilizer mixture. Since these observations, some fall nitrogen
application has been the standard.
Recent work at the Ohio State University by A.J. Koski and
J.R. Street have added further information to the late season
nitrogen fertilization concept. Their research has indicated that
root growth of cool season turfgrass species definitely occurs
during the fall after shoot growth has slowed or ceased. Roots
grow quite well when soil temperatures are between 40 and
65 °F, while shoot growth is favored at temperatures over 55
Their work showed that some root growth occurs as long as
the soil remains unfrozen.
Koski and Street indicated that for the late season concept
to work successfully, it is essential that the turf be green when
the late October or November nitrogen application is made (Editors Note: Early November is generally recommended east of
the Cascade Mountains, and late November to the first week
in December for areas west of the Cascade Mountains). According to these researchers, the October-November application should be delayed if extended periods of unusually warm
weather (average daily temperatures greater than 55 °F) occur
during November.
In summary, their research indicated that late season fertilization lengthens the fall-winter green period and enhances the
rate of spring greenup without stimulating excessive shoot
growth, thus allowing the turf plant to maintain higher levels
of carbohydrates than when spring-summer fertilizer is used.
Nitrogen applied during early spring increases shoot growth
rates and decreases the levels of available carbohydrates in the
plant, resulting in depressed root growth rates. Late season nitrogen applications have no similar negative effects on root growth.
No winter damage or snow mold occurred as a result of late
season nitrogen applications.

Golf Course Architecture
Site Planning and Consultation

PRELIMINARY AND FINAL DESIGN WORK FOR:
Phased upgrading, new construction, site
developments, construction drawings
specifications, inspections, and athletic
field planning.
CONSULTATION SERVICES:
Safety and liability, tax valuation, and
financial backing services.
Consultation relating ta Soil conditions, turf
problems of light, aeration, diseases, insects,
proper chemical and fertilizer selections for
turf vitality, and turf seed varieties.

2

DAVE POWERS
Golf Course Architect
1981 M a p l e l e a f R o a d
Lake O s w e g o , OR 9 7 0 3 4
( 5 0 3 ) 635-5369

2

N O R M WHITWORTH
C o n s u l t a n t & Turf Products
PO. Box 6 8 3 1 4
O a k G r o v e , OR 9 7 2 6 8
( 5 0 3 ) 658-3114

Ask us about the all new

LILLYTMILLER

P R O F E S S I O N A L TURF &
GROUNDS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
The Chas. H. LILLY Co.
Seattle
(206) 762-0818

Spokane
(503) 256-4600

Spokane
(509) 922-3333

In Washington, call our Seattle office
toll free 1-800-562-7013

12