The Official Publication of the Northwest Turfgrass Association

44th Annual Conference
Exhibitor Invitation
Invitations have gone out to some 5-6 hundred companies inviting them to participate in the 1990 Northwest
Turfgrass Conference Exhibition sponsored by the
Northwest Turfgrass Association being held Monday,
September 17, 1990 at the Rippling River Resort in Welches, Oregon. We are anticipating a turnout of between
300-400 professionals interested in the latest research
technology, equipment and products for maintenance of
golf courses, parks, grounds and lawns. We have reserved
the Rippling River Conference Center, a 7,000 square foot,
beautifully refurbished, carpeted exhibit space with room
for around 50 table-top exhibitor spaces.
The format for this year's exhibition has been changed
from that of years past. This year, exhibitors will not have
the traditional draped booths. Instead, they will have 8'
draped tables spread around the exhibition area which will
have at the center of the space a beautiful heavy hor
d'oeuvres setting. Also in the hall will be no-host bars
serving alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. The intent
of this new format is to create a warm, casual, comfortable
atmosphere for registrants and exhibitors to meet and get
acquainted with one another.
Any potential exhibitor that has not already received an
invitation to exhibit and sign-up for should contact the NTA
Office (206) 754-0827 for the materials.

1990 Membership
Certificates
Membership certificates for 1990 were mailed recently
with the annual directories. Members that should have
received certificates include: regular, student and honorary members, if you did not receive a certificate and think
you should have, contact the NTA Office.

1990/91 Membership
Directories
The Directory of the Northwest Turfgrass Association for 1990/91 has been published and distributed to the
members of the association. This year's directory has a
much different look than the one last year.
Efforts have been made to ensure that all information
in the directory is accurate; however, some mistakes have
undoubtedly been made. Please check your own listing for
accuracy and let us know if there are any corrections
necessary.

Vol. 33. No. 4 Summer 1990

We want to thank the suppliers that chose to advertise
in this year's directory. They made it possible to provide this
service to the members.

Board Director
Nominations
The Nominations Committee, chaired by Past President Mike Kingsley, has selected a slate of nominees for
the three board director vacancies that are to be voted upon
at the Annual Membership Meeting to be held during the
conference at Rippling River.
Further nominations for the vacancies will be accepted
from the "floor" during the Annual Membership Meeting.
Two of the director positions have terms of 3 years and
one position has 1 year left on an unexpired term.
The nominating committee nominees are as follows:
Larry Farwell - Position B-1
Superintendent
(Wenatchee Golf & Country Club)

(term 9/90 - 9/93)

Rebecca R. Michels, - Position B-2 (term 9/90 - 9/93)
President
(Messmer's Landscaping Service, Inc.)
Jon Hooper, - Position C-1
Grounds Manager
(University of Washington)

(term 9/88-9/91)

Annual Conference Registration
Materials Have been Mailed
All the facilities are reserved; speakers are scheduled;
the exhibitor sign-up is going great; the tour busses are
chartered; the menus selected; the registrations and housing reservations are beginning to roll in; and all those other
details that go into the planning and execution of a conference like the NTA 44th Annual Northwest Turfgrass
Conference and Exhibition are being completed.
Registration materials for the conference scheduled
for September 17-20,1990 at Rippling River Resort in Welches, Oregon have been mailed to all members. For those
planning on attending, the registration form as well as
special events forms, should be completed and returned to
the NTA Office as soon as possible.

(continued on page 3)

President's Corner
by Dr. William J. Johnston

The 2nd annual NTA
TurfgrassSummerfest held June
25-26was an outstanding event.
Theorganization, promotion, and
sponsoring of the Summerfest is
another example of the expanding list of benef its and opportunities for participation available to
you through NTA membership.
m j a m J
If you missed the event this year,
plan on making it next year. It is worth your time and effort
and the proceeds are used to support turfgrass research
and scholarship in the Pacific Northwest. This year's Summerfest generated over $6,000 for the research and scholarship fund.
The Summerfest opened Monday with the R.L. Goss
Turfgrass Research Golf Tournament at Canterwood Golf
and Country Club. We only played 18 holes but with a
course rating of 72.5 and a slope of 135 it seemed like 27.
The golf tournament was followed by an excellent lunch at
the clubhouse. A special thanks goes to the management
at Canterwood for the use of their facilities, Superintendent
Mark Cupit, Pro Doug Gullickson, and NTA board member
Don Hellstrom who"s hard work made the tournament so
successful. Thanks also to the 110 NTA members and
guests who participated.
Tuesday of the Summerfest began with the WSU
Puyallup Turfgrass Field Day. Dr. Stan Brauen showed the
overflowing group of 250-300 plus participants the latest in
turfgrass research being conducted at Farm 5. This research included water requirements of turfgrass species,
influence of antitranspirants on turfgrass water use, growth
regulator influences on annual bluegrass seedhead development, evaluations of herbicides and plant growth regulators, nutritional studies on sand profiles, shatter core aerification, and persistence of athletic turf under simulated
wear and deficit irrigation. Dr. Gwen Stahnke discussed her
work with pesticide movement in soils and Dr. Gary
Chastagner's group showed their latest research on Necrotic Ring Spot disease. The field day publication put out
by Stan and Gwen is worth the trip to Puyallup. Thank you
Stan, Gwen, and your crew for the excellent field day.
At noon the Summerfest moved to the High Cedars
Golf Club for the barbecue and large equipment and
irrigation show. Wally Staatz, owner of the High Cedars
Golf Club, provided the staff for the barbecue and donated
the use of the driving range area for the equipment and
irrigation show. NTA board member Pat Nibler organized
the show and the increase in exhibitors from 6 to 17 speaks
well of his hard work and your participation at the show.
With the Summerfest behind us it is time to think about
the 44th Northwest Turfgrass Conference and Exhibition
scheduled for September 17-20,1990 at the Rippling River
Resort in Welches, Oregon. Bill Griffith, Conference Program Chairperson, has finalized a great event. This year we
will again have the mixed general and split session format
that has been so well received at our recent conferences.
One of the split session tracks will be designed for golf
course personnel and the other will be for parks, grounds,
and athletic field personnel. Our feature speakers will be
Dr. A.J. Turgeon of Penn State University and Dr. Robert
Sherman of the University of Nebraska.

The 1990 Conference promises to be an excellent one
and if I missed visiting with you at the Summerfest I hope
to see you in September at Rippling River Resort.

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Manufacturers, Formulators and Distributors
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(continued from page 1)

Housing reservations must be received by the Rippling River Resort by August 15,1990, if registrants hope
to get a room as a part of NTA conference room block.
There are no guarantees concerning lodging availability
after that date.
We are looking forward to a great conference and we
hope you will be there to be a part of it all.

1990 Turfgrass Summerfest
A Great Success
The second annual NTA Turfgrass Summerfest was
a booming success. With the weather cooperating this
year, attendance was even greater than last year. Estimates of between 250 to 300 people were in attendance at
the WSU/Puyallup Research & Extension Center turfgrass
field day and the equipment display and demonstration
following at High Cedars Golf Club. The day before, over
100 golfers golfed in the R.L. Goss Golf Tournament For
Research held at Canterwood Golf & Country Club.
In this year's equipment display and demonstration
tripled in the number of suppliers from the previous year. In
talking to those wandering through the display, everyone
was pleased and impressed with the display and the
participation.
Many individuals and companies deserve our thanks
for making the summerfest the success it was. To mention
a few warranting particular thanks, we want to recognize
Canterwood Golf & Country Club; High Cedars Golf
Club; WSU/Puyallup Research & Extension Center;
and, Wilbur-Ellis and Superior Turf Equipment.
We also want to express our thanks and appreciation
to the following suppliers demonstrating and displaying at
the equipment show at High Cedar Golf Club: Advanced
Drainage Systems, Inc.; Barnett Implement Company;
Briargreen, Inc.; Evergreen Outdoor Power; Evergreen
Pacific Supply, Inc.; Lesco, Inc.; Machinery Components Company, Inc.; Pacific AGRO Corp.; Pacific
Horticultural Supply; Puget Sound Seed Co.; Superior
Turf Equipment; Turf Equipment Northwest, Inc.; United
Pipe & Supply; Valmar Airflow, Inc.; Western Equipment Distributors; Yeager-Twose Equipment; and, H.D.
Fowler.
Suppliers advertising on the golf course at the tournament included: JR Simplot Company; Madden Enterprises: and, PBI Gordon Corp.
Others making miscellaneous donations to the cause
included: Montco/Surf-Side; Ringer Corp., and, Dr. Stan
Brauen.

Research and Scholarship
Fund Raising Campaign
Tom Wolff, chairperson of the NTA Research and
Scholarship Fund Committee, asks everyone to remember
the 1990 Research and Scholarship fund raising campaign
currently underway.
Intimately involved with turfgrass management, we
realize more than most, that today's turfgrass quality is the
result of knowledge and technological gains resulting from
research and education accompanied by hard work and
effort. We owe our thanks to those who donate their time
and money to make the research and education possible,
for without them we would have to rely on our own slow trial
and error methods.

Few of us are independently capable, nor prepared, to
conduct the research or develop the education program
necessary to keep the industry on the leading edge. Recognizing this, the Northwest Turfgrass Association created
a research and scholarship fund to help make it possible for
each of us to participate significantly in the advancement of
present and future knowledge. Through this fund, each of
us can financially contribute to industry research and
education advancements.
Donation forms have been mailed to members and
industry supporters. Contributions are tax deductible and
those contributing to the research and scholarship fund
each year are recognized in the NTA Annual Directory.
Buy a share today in better turfgrass for tomorrow.

1990/91 Turfgrass Topics
Advertising Space Available
Invitations to advertise in the 1990/91 (October 1990—
September 1991) quarterly issues of the NORTHWEST
TURFGRASS TOPICS were mailed to potential advertisers this past week. The invitations were also mailed to nonsupplier members of the association with hopes that they
will pass the information on to suppliers they work with
regularly.
Advertisers have made it possible for NTA to produce
the quality, informative quarterly publication we have been
receiving these past few years. We thank those who have
advertised in the past and hope they will continue to
advertise in the future.

Scott has the
answer to minor
element deficiencies
in turf

To provide your turf with all the major
nutrients along with selected micronutrientsmagnesium, sulfur, copper, iron, manganese,
molybdenum and zinc-and to prevent
deficiencies from occurring, incorporate
ProTurf 26-4-13 Fertilizer with Minors in
your fertilizing program.
Ask your ProTurf
Tech Rep for details.
ProTurf

Don Clemans
(206) 254-8748
Mark Jones

(509) 255 6033

26-4-13

Fertilizer
wrtn Minors
83S6S"—-

The $34,000.00 worth of research and support activity
above are samples of how the NTA Research & Scholarship Fund monies are working to improve the industry.

NTA Gives
$34,000 for Research
Each year the NTA Research & Scholarship Committee entertains proposals for the use of NTA Research and
Scholarship Fund monies from the higher education institutions in the Pacific Northwest involved in some kind of
turfgrass industry support activity. This year proposals
requesting over $50,000.00 were received from WSU and
OSU.
After extensive analysis by the committee and deliberations by the NTA Board of Directors, the following
research grant request were approved for 1990/91:
OSU/Corvallis, OR
Professor Tom Cook
$3,000.00

Teaching Lab Facility

WSU/Pullman, WA
Dr. William Johnston
$13,000.00

Protective Turf Covers
Necrotic Ring Sport
Poa Annua Biotype
Turfgrass Equipment

WSU/Puyallup, WA
Dr. Stan Brauen

Water Use Efficiency
in Turfgrass

WSU/Puyallup, WA
Dr. Gwen Stahnke
$5,000.00

Pesticide/Fertilizer
Use Survey

WSU/Puyallup, WA
Dr. Gary Chastagner
$5,000.00

Necrotic Ring Spot

$8,000.00

u

R.L. Goss Golf Tournament
for Research Winners
Winners in the R.L. Goss Golf Tournament for Research were as follows:
Low gross of the field was Mike Bauman (75). Flight
winners were:
Flight No.
One
Two
Three
Four

1st
Jeff Wright (74)
Greg Baker (70)
Mary Jensen (76)
Jeff Landers (72)

2nd
Greg Hall (75)
Joe Alba (75)
Crystal Mclntyre (77)
John Cory all (74)

3rd
Noel Smith (75)
Earl Omeg (75)
Leo Finnegan (78)
Darin Thompson (74)

The Golfing Boom
Gary Shampeny, The Toro Company

In recent years a lot has been written about the sport of
golf ; the increased participation the sport, the need for new
courses to accommodate the increased demand, and the
increased spending levels on equipment. Should you be a
statistician, the numbers validate the afore-mentioned
statements. So, let's take a look at the numbers.
The golfing public today numbers some 23.5 million
people. The number represents daily fee, municipal and
private golfers. Significant changes in the participation
levels have only come since 1970. In the past 20 years we
have experienced an increase in excess of 95%. Currently,
male participation accounts for 76% of the golfers. How-

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ever, the more encouraging number is that the greatest
participation, 49%, comes from the 20-39 year age group.
The next highest participation, being 26%, comes from the
40-59 year olds. Despite the high number of golfers in
Florida (1.2 million), California (2.4 million), and Texas (1.7
million), more than half of all golfers reside in the Northeast
and Midwest.
With all of these golfers and almost half still in the 2039 year age group, the question is "Where are all of these
people going to play golf?". Today we currently have
approximately 13,600 golf courses to accommodate the
23.5 million golfers. Should you be a golfer, you know that
we do not have enough facilities to accommodate our
current golfing population. Tee times are difficult to arrange, green fees are rising, and the times to play an
average round is increasing - 4 hours plus and maybe 5
hours plus. Remember, participation has increased 95+%
since 1970, while the number of facilities has ONLY increased a meager 24%.
If golfers want to keep up with the same frustrations
experienced today, and if there is 0% growth in the sport
(that is that we maintain the cu rrent % level of participation),
there has to be one new course opened every three days
until the year 2000. If there is a modest growth of 2% there
has to be one new course opened every day until 2000. A
3% growth rate would create the need for 3 courses every
two days. The course-opening numbers, at the 0-3% rate
will ONLY keep the same course-availability rate experienced today!
The sobering fact or realization is that the real growth
rate is much more. During 1985-88 there was a 15%
growth, 1986-87 saw a 7% increase, and 1987-88 saw a
similar 7% increase. The resulting three-year average is
9%.
Construction levels are approaching those of the boom
eras, 1920's (approximately 4,500 courses built), and the
1960's (approximately 4,000 courses built). Course openings in 1985 numbered 100,1986 - 1 1 6 , 1 9 8 7 -145,1988
- 211,1989 - 210 during the first seven months. Encouragingly, there are currently 450+ courses in the planning
stage, and another 380+ under construction. Relief is slow
in coming, but as can be seen, the numbers offer some
promise.
Demands put forth by the golfer for better and better
playing conditions throughout the golf courses have created many challenges for the golf course superintendent.
Along with stricter regulations by various governing bodies
and agencies, the challenges and costs of maintaining a
golf course have and will continue to rise.
Manual-quick coupler irrigation systems are a thing of
the past, dwindling water supplies have emphasized the
need for automation. Automation to the degree of high
efficiency sprinklers, controlled individually by satellite
controllers, linked to personal computers loaded with site
specific soil-stope-exposure-ET-species-varieties data, and
in turn linked to a weather station feeding critical up-to-date
information that the computer can utilize to make adjustments in the irrigation management schedule, and the use
of effluent water as a water supply in arid areas and the use
of the golf course as a disposal site for the effluent.
A current trend back to labor-intensive practices in the
daily mowing regime is underway. Walk greensmowers are
being used by an ever increasing number of private courses
and yes, daily fee courses as well. Who would have ever

thought of mowing fairways with riding greensmowers, a
common practice of many golf courses. Increased aeration
of all turf areas is seen; greens, tees, fairways and rough
with labor-intensive equipment such as greens type aerators.
The current conditions, trends and practices translate
into ever-increasing expenditures to equip new golf courses.
It is not uncommon to see$1 million being allocated for new
irrigation systems, and initial equipment purchases of
mowing and related maintenance equipment in excess of
$550,000. Utilizing averages; 250 courses being constructed annually, average irrigation of $100,000 and
mowing equipment of $125,000. The new golf business
annually generates $56 million.
YES, there is a golfing boom! It is a boom being driven
by the demand of a large segment of our population in their
selective years that desires to participate in the sport of golf.
As a result of the changing environmental conditions and
demands by the golfer, there are opportunities for the
industry to supply products that are currently available or
soon-to-be-developed to meet the challenges.
All parties involved, whether directly or indirectly, must
take an active role in the golf boom to assure that it
continues, and continues in a most favorable way.
Source: The Perfect Lie/June 1990

Dr. Gwen Stahnke is
New Extension Agronomist
Dr. Gwen Stahnke is the new Extension Turfgrass
Specialist and Assistant Agronomist with Washington State
University located at the WSU/Puyallup Research and
Extension Center. Dr Stahnke is from Illinois. Prior to
coming to Puyallup, she was an Assistant Superintendent
at Medinah Country Club at Medinah, IL, Area Agronomist
for TruGreen Corporation and a turfgrass instructor in the
turfgrass and landscape management training program at
Lace City Community College in Florida. She has also been
employed in the sod production industry in Georgia.
Gwen received a Master's degree under Dr. James
Beard at Texas A&M University and completed requirements for the doctorate degree under Dr. Robert Shearman
at the University of Nebraska last summer. She spends
75% time in Turfgrass Extension in a similar position
vacated Dr. Goss and the remaining 25% appointment is
spent in turf science research. She arrived at Puyallup
around September 1,1989 in time to be introduced at the
NTA annual conference in Tacoma and she will be a
speaker at the the upcoming conference in Rippling River.
Gwen can be reached by calling the WSU/Puyallup
Research and Extension Center at (206) 840-4513.

Turfgrass Research
You Can Use
by Dr. Ali Harivandi, U. of California

Turfgrass research and extension in the West continues to be as strong as ever. Although the retirement of
several productive researchers in the past few years created a vacuum in several locations, now that all these
positions are "refilled", the western turf research and extension is in full swing again. The following are examples of
research which should be of interest to readers.

Turf grass Research (continued)
Species and Variety Development
Wu, Huff and Harivandi, UCA-Davis, reported their
findings of a series of experiments with the goal of improving and introducing a better quality buffalograss (Buchloe
dactyloides) to the market. This cultivar exhibits high turf
density, extended winter green color and rapid growth rate.
It is also highly drought resistant.
Baltensperger, NM State U., released a new seed
propagated bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) variety
named 'NuMex Sahara', developed for shorter internode
length, greater turf density and increased summer green
color. NuMex Sahara has received higherturfgrass quality
ratings than the other two seed-propagated bermudagrass
cultivars, Common and 'Guymon'.
Henry, Gibeault, Leonard and Cockerham, Riverside,
evaluated several new zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp.) lines
developed by UCA to determine their response to nitrogen
fertilizer. During the warm growing months, the zoysiagrasses required high application rates to effect acceptable
turf color ratings. Osmocote at the high rate gave the most
sustained color response. Generally, the higher the nitrogen rate the greater the weed infestation.
Some turfgrass species, such as bermudagrass, bluegrass (Poa pratensis), and bentgrass A grostis spp.), are
recognized as thatch-builders while others, notably tall
fescue (Festuca aurandineacea) and perennial ryegrass
(Lolium perenne), are perceived as having no thatch accumulation problem. It was surprising, therefore, to find a
substantial thatch layer present in plugs taken from a
mature sward of turf-type tall fescue by UCA Riverside
researchers Leonard, Autio Gibeault and Cockerham. Further sampling indicated a positive correlation between improved texture and increased thatch.
VanDam, Leonard and Gibeault, UCA-Riverside, evaluated the performance of both annual (Lolium multiflorum)
and perennial ryegrasses along with tall fescue and roughstalk bluegrass (Poa trivialis) for dormant bermudagrass
overseeding purposes. Their study demonstrated the persistence of overseeded perennial ryegrass, as well as tall
fescue, for more than one season. It also proved the good
compatibility of tall fescues with common bermudagrass.
Water
Hays, Mancino, Forden, Kopec an Pepper, UAZTucson, evaluated the use of secondary municipal sewage
effluent for irrigation of common bermudagrass overseeded
with perennial ryegrass. Effluent irrigation lead to significantly lower seed germination and resulted in higher EC,
Na, nitrate-nitrogen (No3-N), P and K concentrations in
soils. Based on visual evaluations of turf quality, secondary
municipal sewage effluent was used successfully for turf
irrigation but the researchers cautioned that the greater Ec,
Na and nutrient content of the water needs to be considered
by the turf professional making management decisions.
The effects of different subsurface drip line spacings
(24, 35.8, and 48 in., respectively) on bermudagrass response for two soils (sandy loam and clay) when using
saline water (EC = 2.2 dS/m) for irrigation was investigated
by Devitt and Miller, UNV-Las Vegas. The results showed
that salinity was the major limiting factor for turf production
under subsurface drip irrigation in the sandy loam soil,
whereas in the clay soil the major limiting factor was availability of soil moisture.

Gibeault, Meyer, Autio and Strohman, UCA-Riverside,
conducted a study to evaluate the turf quality of low-waterrequiring turfgrasses and ground covers when irrigated at
low irrigation levels and maintained with regular mowing.
Of the 27 turfgrasses and ground covers tested in this
study, bermudagrasses and seashore Paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum) were the best performing turfgrasses
under very low irrigation regimes. Two species of saltbush
(Atriplex spp.), buffalograss, and two varieties of Phalaris
also gave comparatively good cover and quality.
Pests and Pesticides
The recent increase in demand for low maintenance
turf and landscape plants makes hard fescue, (Festuca
longifolia) a prime candidate for a minimum maintenance
"grass" ground cover (non-mowed turf). To evaluate hard
fescue's reactions to commonly used herbicides, a series
of studies were conducted by Harivandi and Elmore, UCA.
The results of postemergent herbicides application indicated that the treatments containing MSMA alone or in
combination with broadleaf herbicides (i.e., Quadmec)
injured hard fescue after one application. None of the other
postemergent herbicides injured the turf above a rating of
3 on a scale of 1-10.
Kopec, et al., UAZ-Tucson, conducted a study to
determine the effects of turfgrass cultivar, mowing height
an dimazaquin herbicide (Image) on purple nutsedge
suppression, the data showed that a combination of all
factors, grass type, mowing height, and herbicide effects
are effective in reducing purple nutsedge infestation levels
in turfgrass stands.
Ali Harivandi, UCA, conducted a study to determine the
efficacy of selected insecticides for whit grub control. The
insecticides evaluated were Triumph 4E, Mocap 10G, and
fonofos 5G. Triumph at 1 lb ai/Ac provided the highest
control with 74% reduction, followed by Mocap at 5 lb ai/Ac
with 66, fonofos at 6 lb ai/Ac with 39% and fonofos at 4 lb
ai/Ac with 27%.
Recently, a root-knot nematode problem on warm
seasons grasses was reported in southern California.
Because of the implications of spread of this nematode
during vegetative propagation, a series of trials were conducted by Radewald, Shibuya, and Westerdahl, UCARiverside on various methods of control. Dry heat as well
as hot water dips were investigated. Chemicals were not
considered to be a reasonable approach for controlling this
pest on planting material. It was found that the nematode
could successfully be controlled with the hot water dips and
the grass would survive the treatment.
Fertilization
Media used in golf green construction are typically at
least 75% sand by volume. Fry, Harivandi, and Minner,
COSU, conducted a field study over 8 years on a sand
medium to determine creeping bentgrass quality response
to phosphorus (P0 and potassium (K0. A significant response of creeping bentgrass quality to increasing P level
was observed each year. Potassium had no effect on visual
quality of creeping bentgrass.
The California lawn care industry requires nitrogen
fertilizers that provide fast initial color response, uniform
dark green color, and a residual response that lasts 8 to 10
weeks. Studies have been conducted by Gibeault, Leonard
and Cockerham, UCA-Riverside, to evaluate nitrogen
source, application rate, and timing on cool season

required time period irrespective of nitrogen source.
Several zoysiagrass lines were evaluated by Henry, et.
al., UCA-Riverside, to determine their response to turfgrass
nitrogen (NO fertilizer sources and application rates. The
zoysias responded to (NO in a linear manner with slow
release fertilizers requiring high application rates (4 lbs. N/
100 ft2) gave the most sustained color response.
Bowman, UNV-Reno, has continued research on the
fate of fertilizer nitrogen. The potential for direct root absorption of three new slow release fertilizers has been
identified, and studies are underway to characterize nitrogen mineralization from these products. Studies on the
foliar absorption of soluble nitrogen sources by several
turfgrasses, using 15/N-labeled fertilizers, indicate that a
large fraction of the applied N remains on the turfgrass
leaves. Of the nitrogen absorbed, most is partitioned between new and old leaves, with very little being transported
to the roots.
Growth Regulators
Brauen, etal., WSU, have studied application alternatives of growth regulator mefluidie (Embark) and have been
successful in reducing visible turf injury due to phytotoxicity. Nearly 80% growth reduction of turf and 80% of annual
bluegrass seedheads were controlled with 1/4 pint/acre of
Embark. Embark significantly increased turfgrass discoloration at all rates (1/4 to 3/4 pint/acre), but the addition of
Ferromec (at 1.4 to 2.7 gallon/acres) corrected 40 to 80%
of the discoloration and produced good quality turf.
Devitt and Morris, UNV-Las Vegas, conducted an
experiment on common bermudagrass in the greenhouse
using three soil types, four nitrogen (N) levels and three
plant growth regulators. Cutting biomass, cumulative height,
turf color,and evapotranspiration were studied over a 9
week period. Cutless (flurprimidol) reduced cumulative
height by as much as 83% and water consumption by as
much as 27%. Embark (mefluidide) and Limit (amidochlor)
did not provide significant long-term height suppression at
any rate or any N level on the three soils.
Other Research
Solid-tine and hollow-tine and alternate solid/hollowtine aerification were studied by Brauen, et. al., WSU, for
five years at 0 , 2 , 4 and 6 times annually on an established
bentgrass fairway type turf. Sanding followed each aerification and cores from hollow-tine aerification were removed
from the plot area. The average thatch ashed dry weight,
depth, and density measurements afterfive years were not
significantly different between aerification types used, but
hollow-tine and alternate hollow/solid tine systems were
numerically more favorable than solid-tine. Only the intensity of aerification was effective in reducing the rate of
increase of thatch depth and 2 or 4 aerifications were
insufficient to keep thatch in check from prestudy levels.
Density of thatch was decreased by all aerification methods, but hollow-tine was more effective than solid-tine.
Morris, Devitt and Bowman, UNV, have investigated
the possibility of disposing composted municipal sewage
sludge on turfgrasses. Growth and mineral composition of
tall fescue in response to sludge loading rate and soil type
were examined. It was concluded that loading rates of up
to 60% by volume may be effectively used to produce
excellent turf growth.

TURF-SEED PRODUCTS

ARE DISTRIBUTED IN THE
NORTHWEST BY 'THE CHIEF

Norm Whitworth

KENTUCKY
BLUEGRASSES

Columbia'Midnight
Challenger
Galaxy Blend

FINE FESCUES PERENNIAL
•Shadow-Flyer
RYEGRASSES

• Fortress

•Citation II'Birdie II
HARD FESCUES •OmegaII "ManhattanII
• Aurora •Waldina •CBSII Blend
SHEEPSFESCUE TALL FESCUES

•Olympic *Apache
• Monarch
CREEPING
BENTGRASSES •Triathalawn Blend
•Penncross'Permeagle
Wildflower mixture
• PennLinks
• Pennway blend • Bloomers

• Bighorn

Norm
Whitworth
Turf Products Division

PO. Box 68314 • Oak Grove, OR 97268

503/659-3114

Water Conservation:
Our Shared Concern
The drought of 1988 created public awareness of an
issue that the turfgrass industry has been concerned with
for years. Water is a precious commodity. It is not unlimited
and, without it, life, as we know it, cannot exist.
Giventhisundisputable fact, the Minnesota Golf Course
Superintendents' Association (MGCSA) has responded by
assuming a proactive stance in identifying water use by its
member courses and charting a course of action that will
further encourage wise use of this limited resource.
The logical starting point was to identify the industry
status quo. A survey of member clubs was conducted. Data
gathered from the survey and other sources are presented
as the base from which to develop a responsible course of
action. Data from and action by the golf industry in Minnesota pertinent to this process area:
• Directly generates revenues between $255,000,000
and $300,000,000 annually.
• Generates in excess of $18,000,000 in state sales
tax revenue annually.
• Provides more than 16,000 jobs.
• Over 20% of golf rounds impact tourism.
• 75% of the respondents host charitable events with
54 specific charities identified. Golf has been documented in one area to be second only to United Way
in raising funds for charity.
• Host numerous events for recreation and/or competition for juniors, junior and senior high school boys
and girls, senior citizens, college, university and corporate participation.
• No segment of the turfgrass Industry spends more
on research and updating of equipment aimed at
conservation, including computer-controlled irrigation, drought-tolerant grasses, tensiometers, surfactants, cultural practices and others.
• 80% of the respondents reported using some form
of water conservation.
• Establishment of a full-time Water Resources
Committee. The golf industry in Minnesota has an
enormous impact on the quality of life that we are so
proud of in our state. Besides offering the recreational

QUALITY

AT ITS

(BEST)

and competitive opportunities already mentioned,
each individual golf course property has an environmental impact in the following way:
• 100 acres of actively growing turf produces enough
oxygen to support approximately 7,000 adults.
• This same process is the greenhouse effect in
reverse as carbon dioxide is used to produce the
oxygen.
• Grasses reduce undesirable noises by 20-30%.
• Wildlife is attracted to grassy and treed areas.
• Grasses modify temperature. This same 100 acres
has the cooling capacity of more than 7,000 tons of air
conditioning.
• Grasses absorb and reduce glare.
• A typical golf course will recharge the water table
with approximately 10 times the amount it uses.
• Dense turf has more than three times the water
infiltration rate of thinly covered areas.
• Grasses absorb pollutants and trap paniculate
matter from the atmosphere.
• Grasses are the most effective form of plant life for
the prevention of soil erosion.
Numerous other environmental, economic, mental and
physical health statements can be made, however, the
above is meant to be indicative of the contribution that the
game of golf makes to the State of Minnesota and the
respective communities that are located within the state.
The MGCSA study found that an average of nearly
300,000 gallons of water per acre were used in 1988 on the
courses whose superintendents responded to the questionnaire. One disturbing thing that became obvious was
that some do not know how much water they use on their
property.
As a result of this study and its on-going concern for its
industry and the environment, MGCSA commits to the
following action items:
• Encourage the installation of effective metering
devices on all golf course irrigation systems in the
state of Minnesota.
• Permanently install a functioning committee for
the increased conservation of water and other resources.
• Intensify the educational opportunities available
to our membership, specifically addressing water
conservation.
• Continue contributions, and expand as resources
permit, to research dedicated to water conservation
in areas such as irrigation equipment, plant breeding
and selection for better drought tolerance as well as
lower water use, and cultural practices that will reduce the use of water, reduce run-off, improve water
retention and facilitate the expanded use of effluent
water.
Source -MGCSA Water Resources Committee

J. R. SIMPLOT COMPANY

(best)

FERTILIZER
(206) 822-3895

The Green Industry-How Big is It?
The Green Industry Council acquired the services of a
professional survey firm, Spectrum Economics, Inc., to
conduct a survey of the green industry in California. The
results of that survey were recently completed and published in a report. The following is an executive summary of
that report.

The Green Industry keeps urban California alive and
beautiful. This vital industry includes landscaping services,
retail and wholesale nurseries, garden stores, florists, golf
courses, and garden equipment manufacturers. Altogether,
they employ over 140,000 people with a payroll of over $2
billion, retail sales total over $6 billion. Makers and sellers
of irrigation equipment, fertilizers, and agricultural chemicals and public employees who maintain public plantings,
are in addition to these key sections of the Green Industry.
Agriculture, the consumer of the vast majority of
California's water, is often thought of as California's largest
industry. Actually electronics is now California's largest
industry. Furthermore, keeping urban California green and
beautiful, the job of the Green Industry, is our largest
agricultural industry. The $5 billion total retail sales of urban
agriculture - the Green Industry - come close to equalling
total California farm sales, which were only $8 billion in
1987., There are over 15,000 establishments in the Green
Industry with an average of about eight workers per firm.

Spraying With Oil In Summer
Horticultural oils, complex mixtures of petroleum hydrocarbons, have traditionally been used in the spring as
dormant oils to control insect pests of woody ornamental
landscape plants. It was believed that summer use of such
oils would harm the plants.
Several oil-refining companies make many grades of
horticultural oil and they are labeled for different purposes
and seasons of application. New research shows that newgeneration oils can safely be used in the summer, and on
a great variety of plants.
In fact, horticultural oils can be applied anytime specific
pests and diseases are identified in the garden, not just in
the spring.
The new oils are relatively non-toxic and safer to use
than most other products now available. In fact, oil in its
purest form can literally be eaten by humans, with no
damage.
Horticultural oils can be used safely and effectively to
control a wide variety of garden pests: sucking insects such
as aphids, leafhoppers, and mealybugs; scale insects; and
the larva and egg stages of insects such as caterpillars,
sawflies, and leaf-feeding beetles.
The oils are not nearly as hazardous to beneficial
garden predators such as ladybugs, nor do they interfere
with naturally occurring parasites that also help control
garden pests.
The oils are not toxic to wildlife, but should not be used
near ponds or other areas that contain animals that breathe
through their skin or gills.
Horticultural oils, when used and applied correctly, are
so safe they can even be used on indoor plants.
Tender plants, including foliage plants and annuals,
can be safely treated with the oils.
The oil can be sprayed on garden vegetables and fruits
and will leave no residue; in fact, produce could be consumed just after spraying, with no harm to the consumer.
The oils should not be applied on plants that are water
stressed. Plants should be growing vigorously and show no
signs of wilt, before the oil is applied. Do not spray on flower
blossoms; spotting may result. The oil is not as effective
against pests in the adult stage. As in any sensible pest
management program, the pest affecting the garden, and

its current life stage, should be identified before any control
is used, including oil.
If the oil is used in a higher dosage than the label
specifies, the plant could be harmed. And if used on
conifers that have a bluish tint, such as the Colorado blue
spruce or blue rug juniper, the color will be affected.
'The plant itself won't be harmed and new, unsprayed
foliage will grow in the desired bluish tint."
Nor should oils be used on the eastern black walnut,
which is harmed by them.
Another problem is that su mmer use of horticultural oils
is a new enough technique that only one company is now
promoting summer spray oil: Safer Products is the only
source and sole distributor.
If gardeners check the label on other products, though,
they may find others that can be used for spring and
summer spraying, and other agricultural chemical companies are currently working on developing and labeling a
summer oil.
Resource: Warren Johnson, Department of
Entomology, New York State College of Agriculture
and Life Sciences, Cornell.

Lawn Wastes Continue To Pile Up
by Robin Pendergrast

What to do with lawn waste such as grass clippings,
leaves and shrubbery is no longer a problem that can be
swept away easily. To put it plainly, the problem has
become a big mess that eventually will require lawn maintenance firms, homeowners and local legislative officials to
pitch in and clean it up.
But right now, lawn maintenance firms are caught
between a rock - in this case, current and pending legislation to ban grass clippings and other lawn debris from public
landfills; and a hard place - customers who expect a wellgroomed lawn to mean a lawn with no clippings.
It's the Law
Legislation to ban lawn debris has been smoldering for
years. But recently smoke has turned to fire. Some states
have banned debris outright from public sites while dozens
of their legislatures are contemplating the same. The
reasons for recent legislation is obvious: during the past 30
years, throw-away refuse in this country has increased
from 80 million tons annually to approximately 200 million.
In that same time, the number of landfills has decreased
from 30,000 to about 6,000. Half of those will be full by the
mid-90's.
As a result, Illinois, Wisconsin, Florida and Minnesota
are among states that will enforce bans, beginning in 1990,
prohibiting landfills from accepting grass clippings and
brush. New Jersey already has banned leaves from its
landfills, while Pennsylvania and Connecticut have done
likewise. By 1993, clearly half the states in the union could
have similar bans in place.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is supporting such legislation to decrease the load on landfills an
to avoid some of the potentially toxic waste found at landfill
sites.
Viable Solutions
Landowners need to know there is a problem and what
they can do about it. They probably don't want to let their

grass clippings lie, so they must be educated why and how
they can make the most of their yard wastes.
Tell them blades of grass are essentially bundles of
water-filled green straws. The moisture and nitrogen in the
clippings nourish the lawn and help to save water. When
clippings are kept short, they decompose rapidly an do not
contribute to the buildup of lawn-choking thatch.
Let them know the value of composting their leaves,
explaining how to do it. The process involves formulating a
compost pile four to six feet wide in an isolated area. Mix
leaves into the pile in four- to six- inch layers, along with
garden soil and other matter. Potato peelings, onion tips,
old newspapers and even dead fish have been used to
make compost. The pile should be kept moist.
After brewing throughout the winter months, the pile's
contents will be ready to assume its soil-enriching role in
the spring.
Keep customers informed about local community efforts to create a common composting site. Even let them
know what they can do at home in addition to composting;
e.g., using old orange juice containers an mayonnaise jars
for planters.
Providing recycling information will help everyone in
the long run while enhancing your image now as a professional lawn maintenance firm.
State of the Art
Everyone must pitch in.
Manufacturers such as Snapper, John Deere, Simplicity and Toro are aggressively pursuing debris-handling
solutions via equipment modifications. Snapper, for example has devised a lawn mower accessory that grinds and
shreds leaves into a compostable material. John Deere,
among others, has published recycling and composting
booklets to help get the message across. And Lawn-Boy is
conducting a national community education campaign on
this issue.
Non-power manufacturers have also answered the
challenge. Minnesota-based Ringer Corp., a producer of
turf and lawn-enriching products, is currently marketing
materials to turn brown leaves and grass clippings into
compost in as little as 60 days. Gardener's Supply of
Burlington, VT, has introduced the Green Magic Compost
Tu mbler, an easy-to-put together bin for making a backyard
compost pile.
Neutralysis USA of Northfield, IL, has formulated a
process that does more than dispose of all types of excess
waste. Within the process, waste is channeled into a kiln
and turned into an energy source for manufacturing a clay
aggregate to be used in construction. The first neutralysis
plant in the United States is under construction in Saginaw,
Ml, and is scheduled to begin processing in 1992.
Down the Road
The waste disposal problem seems to become more
widespread and complex every day. The November 27,
1989, issue of Newsweek featured a cover picture of
garbage spread across a map of the United States and a
story describing how the situation is assuming extreme
proportions.
As the waste disposal problem persists, the technology
to deal with it will become more complex. But technology
alone is not the answer. Lawn maintenance firms, homeowners, manufacturers and legislators must work together

to keep the lawn waste disposal problem from accelerating
into an even bigger predicament.
Robin Pendergrast is a partner with Illinois-based
International Marketing Exchange.

Misdirected Good Intentions Can
Spell Trouble: Are You Chemically
Dependent?
by James F. Moore, Director, Mid-Continent Region,
USGA Green Section

The greatest challenge ever to our careers, our industry, and our game is racing towards us with the speed and
power of a bolt of lightning. That challenge is the concern
for our environment. And these thoughts are directed
toward representatives of every aspect of the golf industry
- club leaders, superintendents, golf professionals, managers, architects, golf course builders, trades people, researchers, and players.
I take great pride in calling myself an optimist. I admire
people who, when you ask them how things are going,
answer with an emphatic "Good!" Perhaps it is this optimism that leads me to believe that the entire environmental
issue (which many of you see as a threat at this time), will
actually benefit our game and industry in the long run.
However, I also believe that we are in for some very
tough times at first. While optimism is wonderful, pessimism suggests that many of us will not be up to the
challenge. Let me share my perception of the near future
that is blended with optimism, pessimism, and what I hope
you will agree is a great deal of realism
Inthe nearfuture.the number and amount of pesticides
available will decrease tremendously. No amount of lobbying will prevent this. Public perception, whether right or
wrong, is growing that all pesticides are bad, and those who
use them are harming the environment. Once this occurs,
some superintendents will find the "tools" they have relied
on so heavily in the past are no longer available.
Not all superintendents are good turf managers. There
are those who are able to keep their courses in good
condition because they can apply enough pesticides an
spend enough money to compensate for a lack of turf management skills. There are also many who actually cause
more problems on their courses than they correct. Some
apply chemicals a nonchalantly as they do water. The
"preventive program" includes apply products to protect
against virtually every known turfgrass pathogen. Imagine
what would happen to your health if your physician used
this same logic.
Invariably, it is this superintendent who finds his greens
suffering one crisis after another. His response is to apply
even more chemicals on a curative basis. This superintendent and his course are truly chemically dependent. When
allowed to progress far enough, this vicious cycle of events
often results in the failure of large areas of turf and eventual
replacement of the superintendent.
Because the science of our industry has not yet progressed to the point that we can completely eliminate
pesticide use while meeting the demands of the player,
even the best turf managers are likely to experience problems when pesticide restrictions are significantly increased.
However, their courses will fare much better than most and
will serve as clear indications of the value of a skilled superintendent. His stock will rise significantly. Those of you who

Because every drop counts.

/

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7

Respect for its value.

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Concern for its use.

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Commitment to its conservation.
All critical components in the creation of waterefficient irrigation products.
Rain Bird has been a technological leader in the
design and manufacture of water
management products for more than 50 years. And we
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"Good to the last drop" no longer is just a catchy
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For more information, call our TOLL FREE number

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fall into the category will gain from the demise of your lessskilled colleagues.
Soon a superintendent will not be able to apply pesticide based only on his perception about when they should
be applied. The leadership of golf clubs will determine when
and if applications can be made. Their decisions will be
made based upon reducing the club's liability to the extent
possible. The risk of lawsuits will be given much higher
priority than the superintendent's assessment of the risk
from pythium and brown patch. The first reaction to reduce
the club's legal exposure will very likely be to require all
pesticide applications to be made when the club is closed.
While this may seem a blessing at first, since more superintendents would love to see their courses closed one day
each week, it is likely that such a restriction would actually
backfire interims of reducing pesticide use.
Superintendents would find themselves applying pesticides based strictly on the calendar rather than on actual
need. If brown patch pops up on Wednesday, how many
superintendents will be able to walk Until the following
Monday to treat? Since most will feel they cannot, the
natural reaction will be to treat every Monday to ensure
problems do not arise during mid-week.
In the not-too-distant future, the cost of applying pesticides will skyrocket. The products will cost more due to the
testing expenses, labeling requirements, and lawsuits
against manufacturers. Pesticides and the rinsate will
require special handling and storage containers. Insurance
akin to malpractice insurance carried by physicians will be
required by superintendents. To compensate, clubs will be
forced either to increase the maintenance budget or accept
a reduction in the overall appearance of the course. Realistically, most clubs will choose a combination of these two
options.
The application of fewer pesticides on golf courses will
result in courses that are less immaculate than the average
golfer has come to expect. While the perceived quality of
most courses will suffer, those courses managed by a
superintendent who has relied too heavily on pesticides will
deteriorate the most. Without the equalizer of unlimited
pesticide availability, the varying abilities of turf managers
will be highly visible to all.
You may not accept all of these predictions. However,
if you accept even one, you must also accept that our
industry and the game of golf will be strongly affected. Many
will choose to ignore the inevitable until it is too late. You
assume the industry associations will handle your public
relations, the researchers will develop chemicals that are
so safe they will have Rachel Carson's picture on the label.
You will not be up to the challenge and you will not survive.
If you are a superintendent, you might blame your
demise on the USGA and the Stimpmeter. The architect
can blame the golf course builder who did not follow his
plans. The builder can blame the superintendent who can't
properly "grow in" the course. The USGA agronomist can
blame the architect who made the course too difficult to
maintain. What a party we can have. Ironically, the only
thing that may keep us all from cutting each other's throats
will be a shared dislike of the organizations we consider
environmental radicals, along with their lawyers.
Or...
We can each take steps right now to prepare ourselves. Let's become "survivalists" not by stockpiling guns
and ammunition but by reducing our exposure to the threat.

Immediate options are available to each branch of our
industry.
To the superintendent: Leam to be a better turf manager. Emphasize your skills in water manager, disease
identification, soils cultivation, and fertilization. Review the
principles you learned in Turfgrass 101 and simplify your
programs as much as possible. A strong, healthy turf is
unquestionably your best defense. You have a history of
being the greatest and boldest experimenters with new
products. It is time to begin to experiment more with doing
with less. Use every skill you have to reduce your chemical
needs.
To players and club officials: Realize that you will be
affected by these changes in the industry. Understand that
absolute perfection on the course is no longer a realistic
goal. Greater emphasis should be given to playing quality
and the agronomic needs of the turf. Quit judging a
superintendent's worth based on the speed of the greens.
Realize that nature cares very little about your tournament
schedule and that maintenance practices must be given
higher priority than they have in the past. Consistent
management is vital. Develop long-range plans and quit
changing green chairman every year.
To the architect and golf course builder: Al those
involved with the development of new courses must make
major changes. Stop selecting grasses with total disregard
of local climate. Just because a turf can be grown (with
enough pesticides and a big enough budget) does not
mean it should be. Stop cutting corners on green construction. Stop building greens in holes where air movement in
non-existent. Pay greater attention to drainage throughout
the property.
To the researcher: Give us facts. Prove that what we
are presently doing is not harmful, if that is the case.
However, of equal and even greater need in my eyes is the
identification of what to expect and do under low or no pesticide use. And, of course, the continued development of
superior turfgrasses is critical.
To the golf professional: Emphasize playing quality to
the golfer. Remind players that golf is a game to be enjoyed,
not an exercise in f rustration or an opportunity to be critical.
Emphasize the positive aspects of your course. With the
help of a good pro, even the smallest budget can give great
enjoyment to the player.
To my colleagues in the USGA; Let us avoid the
temptation to offer quick but short-lived fixes to problems.
While solid agronomic advice may not be glamorous or
offer instant improvement, it is what is needed most of all.
We are perhaps in the best position to gather the facts from
other groups and disseminate them to the entire golf
industry.
To the leadership of the USGA: I hope our organization
will use its tremendous influence to educate golfers and
make them more receptive to changes that are coming.
Equally important will be the continued funding of turfgrass
research.
To those who are not a part of golf: Realize that golf is
an industry that does care forthe environment. Golf courses
have tremendous positive effects on both the land and the
people who use it. This should not be a case of you versus
us. We will stand a better chance of achieving common
goals if we work together.
As I said, I am an optimist. I see the significant challenges we face as an opportunity to better our industry, our

game, and ourselves. Let's make the power of the lightening bolt work for us instead of against us.

GCSAA Gives
$35,000 For Research
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of
America (GCSAA) will present a record $35,000 contribution to the joint USGA/GCSAA Turfgrass Research Committee to support research into turfgrass breeding environmental considerations. GCSAA will make the presentation
to the United States Golf Association during the 1990 U.S.
Open.
"We certainly appreciate the support the GCSAA has
shown us—not just the financial support, but also the moral
support that golf course superintendents have given us,"
said Dr. Mike Kenna, USGA research director.
Last year GCSAA — through its Scholarship & Research Fund — donated $25,000 to the committee for
general support of turfgrass research and an additional
$25,000 earmarked to fund a full review of all scientific
literature on the environmental impact of golf course management practices. Results of the review are now serving
the starting point in the development of a comprehensive
manual of best management practices. GCSAA's 1990
contribution will go into the committee's general fund and
will support research that results from the review's
findings.According to Kenna, even though many superin-

4

A

J

tendents already considerthe environmental consequences
of their management practices, the manual will provide
needed documentation of environmentally responsible pest
control. "I feel confident that we're in good shape to meet
the challenges not only of the '90s, but of the next century
as well, especially in the area of water use," Kenna said.

We have Created a Monster!
by Dave Feavis, CGCS

At a recent superintendents' meeting, one of the topics
of conversation was the comments made by the golfers
concerning the condition of the courses during our recent
heat wave. By heat wave, I mean temperatures reaching
into the 100s with hardly any rainfall. Comments like, "How
come there are dry spots on the course when our lakes are
full?" or "Why can't you sod that worn area by the cart path
on #6?" Little do the golfers know or even attempt to
understand that just because you might have an unlimited
supply of water, dry spots can still occur, or you're not going
to lay sod when the temperature is over 100 degrees. The
problem is, we have created a monster! That monster is the
golfer who expects perfection and doesn't remember five10 years ago when the conditions of golf courses were far
below what they are today. A decade ago, golfers were
happy with good greens; then it evolved into good tees,
then good fairways. Now it is to the point of everything
better be good, even the rough.
If you haven't read the August issue of GOLF maga-

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zine, do so. Frank Hannigan has authored an article called
"A super job." He refers to situations like, "If the clubhouse
manager and the pro stopped showing up for work, the club
members would be inconvenienced. But if the course
superintendent and his staff go on strike, the game is over."
In two weeks you would have what's known as a "passive
recreational park" with a lot of tall weeds." He further
comments, "There is also increasing pressure to produce
putting greens that are super fast, like those at the Masters
or at a U.S. Open. Golfers don't understand that those
greens have been specially prepared for one week. They
can't possibly be maintained at such speeds throughout the
year." My favorite quote of the article is when Mr. Hannigan
makes reference to the touring pros ":crying" about the
condition of the greens and Mr. Hannigan comments,
"Klauk kept his temper. He managed to restrain the impulse
of saying, 'Who the hell are these guys who have never
done a thing in their lives except hit golf balls to criticize my
work and my golf course?'" In one of the final paragraphs
of the article, realization strikes when Mr. Hannigan says,
"Superintendents get fired. As a rule of thumb, if the superintendent has two bad years in a row, even if the climate has
produced noting but fire and brimstone in that time, he's
gone— and he goes without a golden parachute."
how are we going to tame this monster? Good question! The only way that I know how is communication,
communication, and more communication. The days of us
being "grasscutters" and "hiding" in the "maintenance shack"
are gone. We have to be visible and quell the rumors and
misunderstandings before they start.

Agency Adopt Rules
on Use of Pesticides
Olympia - The Department of Labor and Industries
(L&l) today adopts new rules for workplace safety and
health on the use of pesticides.
The rules were proposed at a series of public hearings
in January and have been adopted with minor changes as
a result of public testimony.
Among the areas affected are:
WAC 296-306-400, posting requirements regarding
the use of pesticides. Growers may opt to use the official
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warning sign instead of the adopted L&l warning sign. Growers also must
post warning signs at least 24 hours before the pesticide
application, but not more than seven days before application.
WAC 296-306-40003, general requirements for the
use and storage of pesticides on agricultural crops. Employers must meet certain requirements for data on pesticide records.
WAC 296-306-40005, pesticide record form, which
makes minor changes in record keeping requirements.
Four versions of the pesticide application record form have
been adopted. Growers may choose the form that best
meets their needs and type of operation, i.e. single applications, repeat applications or irrigation system applications.
These rules were designed in conjunction with the
Washington State Department of Agriculture.
Fo r more information about the rules or for copies of the
standards, contact the department at (206) 753-6381 or
write to: The Department of Labor and Industries, Technical Services Section, 805 Plum St. SE, Mail Stop HC-432,
Olympia, WA 98504.

Pesticide-Contaminated Clothing
Requires Special Attention
Applicator safety is a key component of any
superintendent's overall management plan. In properly
educating and training employees, turf managers invariable stress the need for pesticide applicators to handle the
chemicals they work with in a safe and professional manner.
GCSAA, through educational offerings and service on
the Environmental Protection Agency's Pesticide Packaging Committee, has taken a leadership role in continually
reminding the turf industry and its professionals of the
necessity for safe container design and handling.
At the beginning of every work day, while you are still
fresh, it's easy to remember the basic rules of applicator
safety. At the end of a long and tiring day spent maintaining
acres of valuable turf, though, it's easy to forget that the
clothing you've worn while applying turf chemicals demands special attention. While many course now have
disposable coveralis, it's important to keep in mind these
basic tips, supplied by Cornell University's Cooperative
Extension Sen/ice, when laundering pesticide contaminated clothing:
• Don't wash your work clothing at home with your
family clothes. Chemicals in your clothing can easily
migrate to other clothes in the same washload. Consider providing a washing machine on-site, specifically dedicated to the washing of pesticide-contaminated clothing. (For some operations, an outside
laundry service may be the best answer.)
• When pre-rinsing, use one of three methods: hose off
the garment outdoors, rinse in a separate tub or pail,
or agitate in an automatic washer. For garments that
are heavily contaminated, be sure to use a concentrated-strength liquid.
• Wash garments that are contaminated with the same
pesticide together.
• Wash only a few garments at once. Resist the temptation to load the washer as full as possible or to save
up clothing for one big load.
• Be sure that you use a full water level and that you use
HOT water, preferable 140 degrees or higher.
• Be sure to use the normal, full 12 minutes of your
wash cycle.
• Use heavy-duty detergent in the amount recommended on the package. If your clothes are heavily
soiled or if you have hard water, increase the amount
of detergent.
• Use tow full rinse cycles.
• Line dry your clothing to avoid any possible contamination of your dryer.
• After the wash cycle has finished and you have
emptied your clothes, run your washer through a
complete, but empty, cycle. Use hot water and detergent during this empty cycle.
• Wear waterproof gloves when handling highly contaminated clothing. Dispose of these gloves periodically.
• Remove contaminated clothing, if possible, outdoors
or in a specially-designated area. Be sure to empty
your pockets and cuffs.
• Save clothing that you wear while handling or applying chemicals for that use only.

• Wash contaminated clothing after each use. When
applying pesticides daily, wash clothing daily.
Make these recommendations part of your applicator
safety training to help ensure that your workers stay safe,
healthy and on the job.

Employment of
Minors in Agriculture
Rules for minors in agriculture were proposed March
21 by the Department of Labor and Industries. Public and
expert testimony was sought at seven hearings statewide
April 24 through May 9. Final rules will be effective Nov. 1,
1990, except meal and rest break requirements, which will
be effective Aug. 1,1990.
The rules, developed in conjunction with the Advisory
Committee on Agricultural Labor, cover hours of work and
other employment standards for children under age 18
working agricultural labor. The rules do not apple to immediate family members of farm owners.
Age of
employment
The minimum age to work will be 14. Children 12 and
13 can work only during non-school weeks for handharvesting or hand-cultivating of berries, bulbs, cucumbers
and spinach.
Hours of work
Age 12 and 13: Can work up to eight hours a day and
40 hours a week during non-school weeks.
Age 14 and 15: When school is in session, 14- and 15year-olds can work up to three hours a day before or after
school and up to 21 hours a week. This includes up to eight
hours per day on weekends. When school is not is session,
they can work up to eight hours a day and 40 hours a week.
Age 16 and 17: When school is in session, 16- and 17year-olds can work up to four hours a day before or after
school and up to 28 hours during school weeks. When
school is not is session, they can work up to 10 hours per
day and 50 hours a week. For the when, hay and pea
harvests, up to 10 hours a day and 60 hours per week is
permitted.
Start and Finish times
Age 12 and 13: 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., when school is not in
session.
Age 14 and 15: On school days, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.,
except for work in dairy, livestock and irrigation, which can
begin at 6 a.m. On non-school days, 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Age 16 and 17: 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., but not later that 9
p.m. on consecutive school nights preceding a school day.

Days per week
All minor workers can work a maximum of six days per
week. Those who work in dairy, livestock, hay and irrigation
may work seven days per week, with one day off every two
weeks.
Prohibited and hazardous
employment
Minors under age 16 are prohibited from certain dangerous work as prescribed by federal standards. Federal
work prohibitions include operating corn pickers and grain
combines.
The following prohibitions apply to all minors:
• Handling, mixing, loading or applying dangerous
pesticides.
• Transporting, transferring or applying anhydrous
ammonia.
• Handling or using blasting agents, such as dynamite
or blasting caps.
• Harvesting crops prior to the expiration of the preharvest interval. The pre-harvest interval is the time
required between the last pesticide application and
harvest of the crop, according to Environmental Protection Agency labeling requirements.
Some prohibitions that currently apply to non-agricultural workers will be extended to agricultural workers.
Examples include operating power-driven wood and metal
working machines, meat packing or processing, and roofing, among other.
Meal and rest breaks
A paid 10-minute rest break must be provided for every
four hours worked. Employees working more than five
hours shall receive a meal period of at least 30 minutes.
Minor work permits
Employers will be required to obtain a minor work
permit from the department within three days after hiring a
minor. These permits must be posted in a conspicuous
place at he work site.
Parental and school
authorization
Before employing minors, employers must obtain written permission from the minor's parent and from the school.
School authorization is required only during the school year
and the school must specify the number of hours (up to the
maximum) the student can work.
Variances
Variances will be allowed for weather emergencies. In
addition, other variances to hours of work and type of
employment also may be granted when they will not:
• harm the minor's health, safety or welfare, and
• harm the minor's school performance.
Variance will not be granted for age of employment,
meal and rest breaks, minor work permits, and parent and
school authorization.
For more information, or copies of the rules, please
contact the Department of Labor and Industries at 1-800547-8367 or (206) 753-6311.

Calendar of Events
1989-90

NTA Board of Directors
President
William J. Johnston
Agronomist Turfgrass Science
Department of Agronomny & Soils
Washington State Universiey
Pullman, Wsahington 99164
(509) 335-3620

Directors (continued)
Thomas M. Wolff
Golf Course Superintendent
Sahalee Country Club
21200 N.E. 28th Street
Redmond, Washington 98053
(206) 868-1600

Vice President
William B. Griffith
Golf Course Superintendent
Walla Walla Parks & Rec. Dept.
Veterans Memorial Golf Course
P.O. Box 478
Walla Walla, Washington 98362
(509) 527-4336

Patrick J. Nibler
Operations Manager
PRO GRASS
8600 S.W. Salish Lane
Wilsonville, Oregon 97070
(503) 682-6076

Treasurer
Bo C. Hepler
Turfgrass Agronomist
Senske Lawn and Tree Care
P.O. Box 9248
Yakima, Washington 98909
(509) 452(0486
Past President
Mike L. Kingsley
Golf Course Superintendent
Spokane County Park Dept.
NeadowWood Golf Course
N. 111 Wright
Liberty Lake, Wshington 99010
(509) 255-6602
Directors
Don L. Hellstrom
Golf Course Suiperintendent
Seattle Dept. Of Parks & Rec.
Jackson Park Golf Course
1000 N.E. 135th
Seattle, Wsahington 98125
(206) 684-7521

Alan L. Nielsen
Golf Course Superintendent
Royal Oaks Country Club
8917 N.E. 4th Plain Blvd.
Vancouver, Washington 98662
(206) 236-1530
David P. Jacobsen
President
Farwest Turf Equipment
2305 N.W. 30th
Portland, Oregon 97210
(503) 224-6100
Director Emeritus
(Nonvoting)
Roy L. Goss
Extension Agronomist
(Retired)
13716 Camas Road
Anderson Is., Washington
98303
(206) 884-4978
NTA Executive and Editorial
Office
P.O. Box 1367
Olympia, Washington 98507
(206) 754-0825

Rebecca R. Michels
President
Messmer's Landscaping Svc. Inc. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
2466-156th S.E.
Blair Patrick
Kent, Washington 98042
(206) 228-5779

NORTHWEST
TURFGRASS
ASSOCIATION

It
t ii
s IS

September 16

NTA Board of Directors Meeting
Contact: NTA Office (206) 754-0825

September 18

NTA Annual Meeting of the Membership
Contact: NTA Office (206) 754-0825

September 19

NTA Board Orientation
Contact: NTA Office (206) 754-0825

September 17-20

NTA 44th Northwest Turfgrass
Conference & Exhibition
Contact: NTA Office (206) 754-0825

October 10

Inland Empire Golf Course Superintendents
Association Meeting
Contact: IEGCSA Office

October 15

15th Annual Musser Golf Tournament
Contact: Norm Whitworth (503) 659-3114

October 21-24

20th Annual Educational Conference of the
National Institute on Parks and Grounds
Contact: NIPGM (414) 733-2301

November 15-16

17th Annual Conference of Washington
Pesticide Consultants Association
Contact: Preston Henry (509) 966-7357

November 19

NTA Board Meeting
Contact: NTA Office (206) 754-0825

December 12-14

Second Annual Pacific Coast Turf and
Landscape Conference and Trade Show
Contact: Jones and Associates (509) 327-5904

January 22-23 (91)

Fifth Annual Inland Northwest Turf and
Landscape Conference and Trade Show
Contact: Jones and Associates (509) 327-5904

ADVERTISING/EDITORIAL
DEADLINE
15th OF MONTH
PRECEDING PUBLICATION

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Cook, Thomas W.
Oregon State University
QSU-Horticulture Dept.
Corval1 is OR 97331