fH 5 I N ovem ber 1978 A PATCH Official Publication of the Michigan & Border Cities Golf Course Superintendents Association MICHIGAN & BORDER CITIES GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT CLEM WOLF ROM DETROIT GOLF CLUB 530 Kendry Bloomfield H ills, Michigan 48013 Off. 345-4589, Res: 334-0140 VICE PRESIDENT BRUCE WOLFROM, CGCS BARTON HILLS COUNTRY CLUB 639 Barber Street Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105 Off. 662-8359, R es. 663-9213 SECRETARY-TREASURER ROBERT HOPE, CGCS THE LOCHMOOR CLUB 20740 Marter Road Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan 48236 Off. 881-8112, R e s. 884-8684 BOARD OF DIRECTORS JAY DELCAMP GOWANIE GOLF CLUB 19957 Great Oaks Circle South Mt. Clemens, Michigan 48043 Off. 468-1432, R es. 791-8481 ED HEINE MAN WATERS EDGE COUNTRY CLUB 10531 B ellevu e Grosse lie, Michigan 48138 Off. 675-0927, R es. 676-3095 ROGER O’CONNELL, CGCS RED RUN GOLF CLUB P.O. Box 38 Royal Oak, Michigan 48068 Off. 541-3184, R es. 399-6916 WARD SWANSON PLUM HOLLOW GOLF CLUB 29642 Westfield Livonia, Michigan 48150 Off. 352-2436, R es. 421-8049 JAMES TIMMERMAN ORCHARD LAKE COUNTRY CLUB 2474 Lafay Orchard Lake, Michigan 48033 Off. 682-2150, R es. 682-7234 WALTER TROMBLEY, CGCS A R R ^ H E A D GOLF CLUB 3130 Orion Road Lake Orion, Michigan 48035 Off. 373-5240, R e s. 693-2924 PRESIDENT EMERITUS GEORGE W. PRIESKORN BURROUGHS FARM GOLF CLUB 5341 Brighton Road Brighton, Michigan 48116 Off. 227-1381, R es. 229-9437 "A PATCH OF GREEN” th e P u b l i s h e d m o n t h ly b y MICHIGAN AND BORDER CITIES GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION Circulation: 1,250 Ted Woehrie, CGCS, Oakland Hills C.C. James Timmerman, Orchard Lakes C.C. CO-EDITORS P r i n t e d A t BLAKEMAN PRINTING COMPANY 31823 Utica Road Fraser, Michigan 48026 Phone: (313) 293-3540 MONTHLY ADVERTISING RATES Double Page Spread.................................$150.00 Back Outside Page................................. 75.00 Ful I Page...................................................... 65.00 Half Page...................................................... 40.00 Quarter Page................................................30.00 Eighth Page................................................ 1 5.00 Sixteenth Page.............................................. 10.00 Classified Ad (per column inch).............. 7.50 DISCOUNT RATE: One Year 10% Note: Advertising fees may not be deducted from the above rates. 7 ^ 4 rfc to w ttite 'U - Century Supply Company FDS Fertilizers, Inc. Golf Car Distributors Jessen's, Inc. Lakeshore Equipment Corporation Lawn Equipment Corporation Lebanon/Agrico W. F. Miller Garden & Equipment Oxford Peat Company 0. M. Scott & Sons Company Sprinkler Irrigation Supply Terminal Sales Corporation Turfgrass, Inc. Turf Supplies, Inc. Wilkie Turf Equipment Company 2 C ushm an T u rf-T ru c k s te r w ith Pow er H ydraulic Dump Box INCLUDES: 18 h.p. engine, auxiliary transmission and options, flatbed with sides and tailgate (large box), hydraulic system, P.T.O. with stub shaft, power hydraulic dump set. PLUS: Any two (2) of the following three (3): 1. Tachometer 2. Speedometer 3. Hour Meter C om plete Package fo r $ 4 ,2 9 5 .0 0 (Sale good until January 1, 1979) CALL NOW For a demonstration and price quotation. (313) 338-0425 GOLF CAR D IS TR IB U TO R S 1980 W. Wide Track Drive (U.S. 10) Pontiac, Michigan 48058 Phone: (313) 338-0425 All Cushman Turf Vehicles and equipment purchased with vehicle on sale until January 1,1979. Control of fongos diseases on torfgrass by P. 0 . Larsen, Associate Professor The Ohio State University and The Ohio Agricultural Department of Plant Pathology Research and Development Center of Control any practice fungus diseases on turfgrass is a troublesome and expen­ sive problem. There are a number of management practices that can lessen, if not totally prevent the incidence of diseases caused by paint pathogenic fungi. Since fungus spores require their production and moisture for germination, that will lower relative humidity or prevent the prolonged presence of free water on foliage will generally be helpful in c o n t r o l l i n g many turf diseases. Thinning tree and shrub foliage to reduce shade and increase air move­ turf areas should lower ment over atmospheric humidity increase evaporation of water from leaf surface. Removal of dew and plant exudates from grass on fairways, greens and tees by syringing or dragging a hose across frequently practiced by golf course superinten­ dents. Dethatching and aerification are helpful reducing over-wintering inoculum and improving soil drainage, the latter being particularly important in the control of certain soil borne fungi such as Pythium. these areas and in is A balanced fertilization program will also do a great deal to minimize the incidence of disease. Generally speaking, a vigorous, healthy plant is less susceptible to attack by disease- causing micro-organisms. Therefore, any ma na ge me nt practice which encourages good plant growth will probably aid in disease control. In some instances, cultural prac­ tices are not enough to prevent disease initiation and fungicides are required. One needs to answer several questions before deciding what fungicide to use in a disease control program: What is the disease? What fungicides are effective the disease and which ones are available? What is the cost of the fungicides that are known to be effective on a per unit area basis at the recommended rate? against The disease type will frequently determine whether systemic or contact fungicides should be used. Presently, systemic fungicides are more effective than contact fungicides for the control of Fusarium blight and striped smut. there are no s y s t e mi c However, Continued on page 8 - MECHANIC NEEDED - FOR TURF EQUIPMENT Experience & Tools Necessary W. F. MILLER COMPANY 1593 South Woodward BIRMINGHAM, MICHIGAN 48011 Telephone: 313-647-7700 LAKESHORE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLY CO. D I S T R I B U T O R & F O R M U L A T O R GRASS SEED - FERTILIZERS INSECTICIDES - FUNGI Cl DES-HE RBI Cl DES REPLACEMENT MOWER PARTS REPLACEMENT TIRES LESCO Products P r i c e Q u o t a t i o n O n R e q u e s t C A L L O U R N E W O F F I C E 300 So. Abbe Rd., Elyria, Ohio 44035 (216) 323-7544 M I C H I G A N C U S T O M E R S Call Toll Free: (800) 321-7423 GOLF DAY lAbove right: Gerald G ill, left with Marv Dominic, center, and Bob Kope checking the ticket sales. MORE PHOTOS OF OUR GOLF DAY AT BAY POINTE C.C. Right: Bruce Wolfrom tabulating khe golf scores. Below right: One of the gaming tables - filled with hopeful players. 5 Update on cool weather Brown Patch a continuing problem By H. Cole, Jr., L. L. Burpee and P.O. Sanders For years Brown Patch has been recognized as a warm temperature, humid weather disease of colonial bents and the older mixed creeping b e n t g r a s s e s of greens and tees. Typically the disease would smolder causing patches of brownish discolored grasses until the weather became especially “ muggy” and warm when smoke rings and active patches would appear overnight. Older writings about golf course diseases contain references to winter Brown Patch but these brownish rings or p a t c h e s were little more than curiosities. In the mid 1970’s, however, persistent reports of brown rings or yellowish brown rings or patches were being made from golf courses through­ out the East. Often these symptoms occurred when temperatures were in the 50’s, 60’s, or 70’s. Superficially, they resembled typical Brown Patch, but in many instances symptoms were not controlled by the common Brown Patch fungicides or at best were checked for only a few days. As the reports filtered in, we were about to blame the disease on fungicide resis­ tant t e mp e r a t u r e strains of Rhizoctonia solani and we were going low to publish a note about the resistance Fortunately, Dr. Robert problem. Sherwood of the U.S.D.A. Pasture Research Laboratory asked a most important question: How do you know the fungus is Rhizbctonia solani, the cause of the common warm temperature Brown Patch? To make a long story short, we didn’t and it wasn’t. The looked fungus like R. the relationship Solani, stopped. After much literature and laboratory searching the fungus turned out to be a Certobasidium sp., a Rhizoctania relative to R. Solani but completely different temperature requirements and fungicide sensitivity. The Current Situation superficially there but in rolled occurrences As more samples and reports of it disease became apparent that we were not dealing with a curiosity but with a problem of consequence on golf turf. Sympt oms have been reported on fairways, greens, tees, and aprons. We could isolate the Ceratobadidium fungus from many of these turf areas; from some we could isolate neither Ceratobasidium nor R. Solani but still other unidentified fungi. At present we Continued on page 13 in, ( Scotts) ProTurf H elping th e su p erin ten d en t thro u g h tu r f research ... ■ Controlled Release Fertilizers ■ Fertilizer/Pesticide Combinations ■ Funmcides-Herbicides-Insecticides ■ Soil testing—Weed & Disease Identification s c o t t s • l e l y • g a n d y s p r e a d e r s Finest quality turfgrass seed-Fairways • Greens • Tees • Roughs Scotts Windsor and Victa blends 6 Steve Dearborn T ech n ical R epresentative 6152 Cold Spring Trails Grand Blanc, Mich. 48439 Telephone: 3 1 3 /6 9 5 -2 7 3 8 1979 O fficers and Directors Clem Wolfrom, Superintendent of the Detroit Golf Club, Detroit, Michigan was re-elected President of the Michi­ gan and Border Cities Golf Course Superintendents Association at the annual meeting on Tuesday, October 3, 1978, at the Maple Lane Golf Club. James Timmerman, Superintendent of Orchard Lake Country Club was elected Vice President, replacing Bruce Wolfrom who became our new Secretary-Treasurer. Bruce the Superintendent of Barton Hills Country Club. is The elected two new Directors of the three year Association terms are Mike Edgerton, Superinten­ dent of the Meadowbrook Country Club and Fritz McMullen, Superinten­ dent of Forest Lake Country Club. to The two retiring Board members were Ward Swanson, Superintendent of Plum Hol l ow Golf Club and Jim Timmerman who moved up to Vice President. After announcing the winners of the election, President Clem Wolfrom, gave a special thank you to Bob Hope for his tenure as Secretary Treasurer all these years and to Ward Swanson for 16 years of his service as a Director and past President. PEOPLE. . .are like stained glass windows that sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but in the darkness true beauty is revealed only if there is a light within. FORE-PAR MANUFACTURING CHICOPEE MANUFACTURING CO. 3M ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCTS AGRICO FERTILIZERS FOX VALLEY MARKING SYSTEMS E. I. DUPONT ACTI-DIONE PRODUCTS VELSICOL CHEMICALS CONTAINER DEVELOPMENT CYCLONE SEEDER COMPANY MALLINCKRODT CHEMICALS 7 # TURFGRASS, INC. Phone: Area 313 437-1427 Fungus diseases continued fungicides that are known to control Helminthosporium leaf spot or melting out. Similarly, only contact fungicides are currently available for control of Pythium blight. In some instances, as with Sclerotinia dollar spot, both systemic and contact fungicides are available for control of a disease. The choice of fungicides in this situation should not be made solely on the price of the chemical per pound of packaged weight, but rather on the amount of material needed per unit area and the duration of time for which the fungicide will be effective. Even though most systemic fungicides are generally more expensive per pound, they usually are applied at lower rates and are effective for longer periods of time. is Another consideration in the choice of fungicides the possibility of treating more than one disease with a single fungicide when there is overlap of diseases. By carefully examining the labels of fungicides and personally observing their performances regarding disease control, it may be possible to save time and money at certain times of the growing season by using a single fungicide to control more than one disease. In these situations, one should take note of whether the fungi­ cide rates applied are adequate for control of all c ompo n e n t s of the disease comples. For example, the rate of systemic fungicide necessary to effectively control Fusarium blight is about 3-4 times higher than that needed for Sclerotinia dollar spot, whereas similar rates of several commercially available contact f u n g i c i d e s are effective against Helminthosporium leaf spot and dollar spot. The decision as to whether to treat a disease on a preventive or an “ as needed” (curat i ve) basis is governed by several factors. A pri­ mary concern usually is cost of the material. If there has been no history of a given disease in that area, we could certainly not recommend the indiscriminate use of a fungicide, or any pesticide, where they are not needed. Pythium blight is an example of a disease which is g e n e r a l l y treated on a curative basis, since incidence of the disease is not always certain every year even though an area may have a history of the disease. Fungicides that are presently avail­ able for Pythium blight control are contact fungicides, usually having a residual property of no longer than a few days to a week. Therefore, effec­ practical control of Pythium tive, is dependent on daily early blight morning inspection of the suspected areas and the immediate application of an appropriate fungicide at the first sign of disease. He l mi n t h o s p o r i u m leaf spot, Fusarium blight and striped smut are e x a mp l e s that are extremely difficult to control unless you use a preventive program. This fungicide implies is first Continued on page 11 of diseases that the No synthetically produced fertilizer can compare with MILORGANITE Golf Courses Use Mo re M I L O R G A N I T E i Thun Any Other Fertilizer TERMINAL SALES CORR 12871 EATON AVE. DETROIT, MICH. 48227 (313) 491 -0606 8 Introducing T h e m Toro HTM-175. Me most advanced hydraulic mewing machine ever offered. Full 171/2 Foot Cut • Diesel Powered • Excellent Hillside Tractor Cuts From 3/8 Inches to 11/2 Inches • Backed By The Toro Warranty Hydraulically Drive Reels • Quick Height and Cut Adjustments Sold and Serviced by Wilkie Turf Equipment Company P.O. Box 749 • 1050 Opdyke Road PONTIAC, MICHIGAN 48056 Telephone (313) 373-8800 See it at the SSSm shew in 9 COUNfRY CLUB PROFESSIONAL TURF PRODUCTS G IV E Y O U M O R E ! aN-SS®*5®* \ lì ! \ \\u \ 1 ★ ★ ★ ★ Full W eight (High Density) for easy, fast, full w idth spread. A Com plete Feeding in every granule of needed turf-grass nutrients. A Balanced Fertilizer Ratio w ith no inert fillers. through a netw ork of Available only trained distributors, thus assuring you of lower sales costs, meaning greater value to you. For M ore In form ation , Contact: James L. Camp (219) 4 8 5 -6 8 2 8 ARE YOU INTERESTED IN JOINING THE MICHIGAN AND BORDER CITIES GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION? BOB HOPE The Lochmoor Club 20740 Marter Road Grosse Pointe Woods, Mi. 48236 Off. 881-8112, Res. 884-8684 NAME OF INTERESTED PERSON DATE MAILING ADDRESS. C IT Y ____________________ STATE. Z IP . Or you m a y c o n t a c t th e n e x t g o l f c o u r s e s u p p l i e r w h o c a l l s o n y o u a n d g i v e h im th e in f o r m a t i o n n e e d e d fo r a p p l ¡ c a t i o n . 10 u r / . D /s /n iT N S /5 6 Sulfur Coated Urea c m on and “M icro-Prill” Fall Dorm ant Feedings 3 2 -0 -0 -2 4 E^CUUSIVEL-V o f f e r e d bv FDS FERTILIZERS, INC. 5324 W. BLOOMFIELD LAKE W. BLOOMFIELD, MI 48033 PHONE: (313) 851-7766 Fungus diseases continued applied prior to the time when the fungus first becomes active or before disease symptoms appear. Leaf spot is a disease in which spores are produced on the leaves of diseased plants. Since no systemic fungicides are available for leaf spot control, uniform applications of contact fungi­ cides at regular intervals are required to provide continued pr ot ec t i on. Fusarium blight and striped smut are both caused by fungi which invade the vascular tissue of plants. This makes disease control difficult after these the grass plant. Once appear on grass infected with the Fusarium blight or striped smut pathogens, it is quite difficult to control the diseases even with systemic fungicides. This obser­ vation points to the need for awareness of when these diseases usually occur during a growing season so that fungi­ cides can be applied prior to the invaded symptoms i pathogens have Re c o mme n d a t i o n s initiation of disease activity, but still not so early that unnecessary or pre­ mature fungicide application will occur. concerning specific fungicide use for turfgrass diseases can be obtained from Exten­ sion Service bulletins available from The Ohio State University. The preceding comments on disease control are certainly not all-encompas­ sing, but they are intended to aid in making decisions concerning the use of fungicides for controlling turfgrass September Issue, Divots diseases. Editor, E.J. Sylvester . THE VISITOR. .paid his green fees, fixed up a match, and went out to the first tee. Taking his stance, he gave a wild swing, and missed com­ pletely. “ By Jove!” he said to his opponent, “ it’s a good thing I found out early in the game that this course is at least two inches lower than the one I usually play on.” 11 E N G I N E E R E D RAIN ■ ■■ ■ T u rf ö p ic s 4P ?S A NY QUESTIONS ON W IN TER IZIN G ? Winterizing time is here. Before that first hard freeze hits, w e’d like to remind you to take a moment now to plan your shutdown and winterizing program. Your SISCO salesman is equipped to answer any questions you may have and provide any material or parts you may need. C all him and ask about his F all close-out specials, and save $$. J-M irrigation systems save water, time and money J o h n s - M a n v ille It Write or call direct E N G IN E E R E D R A IN Sprinkler Irrigation Supply Co. A division of A.J. Miller Inc. 1316 No. Campbell Rd. Royal Oak, Mi. 48067 Phone (313) 398-2233 Chicago Sales Office/Warehouse 1738 Armitage Court, Addison, III. 60101 (313) 629-7730 12 Terminal Sales adds Rep for Professional Trade Terminal Sales Corp. of Detroit, proudly welcomes Tom Kennedy to their sales organization. Tom will be the calling on landscape, nursery, greenhouse, apartment groups, and parks trade in southeast Michigan. Tom’s formal training was in Horti­ culture, Floriculture, Soil Science and Landscape Management at Michigan State University. After completing the Nursery and Landscape Management Course at MSU, Tom served as Land­ scape Manager at the George Young Nursery in Oak Park for 8 years. Tom was Technical Turf Sales Con­ sultant for Agrico Chemical Co. for 13 years, and recently completed 5lÆ years as Sales Engineer for Sprinkler Irriga­ tion Supply Company. Q Q I P It is a science - the study of a lifetime In which you may exhaust yourself but never the subject. It is a contest, a duel or a melee. Calling for courage, skill, strategy and self control. It is a test of temper, a trial of honor, a revealer of character. It affords a chance to play the man and act the gentleman. A It means going into God’s out of doors, Getting close to nature, fresh air, exercise. s we e p i n g away of the mental cobwebs. Genuine recreation of the tired tissues. It is a cure for care, an antidote for worry. includes c o mp a n i o n s h i p with friends, Social intercourse, opportunity for courtesy, opponent. K i n d l i n e s s and generosity to an It promises not only physical health but moral force. David R. Forgan Brown Patch continued believe that the disease is not going to become the scourge of turf grass but merely another problem to be solved on i the way to qualify turf. It would appear is most that humid, cool weather favorable for disease development. Where did the problem come from: Why Ceratobasidium now and not 10 years ago? Any new problem always stimulates the question of why not? and not before? Answers have ranged from: the discontinuance of growing season I use of mercury to the introduction of ' the benzimidazole systemic fungicides . in wide use. Others have blamed shifts in the weather towards cooler, wetter summers. At this point there is no correct answer and there may never be one. The best we can do is speculate based on the facts on hand. Our best estimate is that increased Red Thread severity has also brought Cool Weather Brown Patch to prominence. Fungi respond to their j environment. Those that are favored by a change in the environment become more common; that are less favored become less common. f prevalence those and Where do we go from there? The major practical problem that the turfgrass manager faces is disease control to a level compatible with the uses of the area in question. At present we just do not have enough information to make clear recommendations for either cultural or fungicide control. Continued on next page the d i s e a s e \ about "For Land's Sake-'Use Peat" OXFORD v m to . 1430 E. Drahner Rd. Oxford, Michigan 48051 PROCESSED PEAT Bulk or Bag Custom Blending TURF SUPPLIES INC. 6900 Pardee Rd.,Taylor, Michigan (3 1 3 )2 9 1 -1 2 0 0 DON’ T EVEN THINK OF B U Y IN G ............................ G R A SS SEED FERTILIZERS FUNGICIDES w it h o u t c a l l in g 291-1200 TURF SUPPLIES INC. 6900 Pardee Rd.,Taylor, Michigan (3 1 3 )2 9 1 -1 2 0 0 FAIRWAY ROUGH GREENS H & IR e fto ù tù t PICKUP & DELIVERY CALL COLLECT FOR FREE ESTIMATE JE S S E N ’S inc. OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT 3365 Highland Rd. (M-59)-Highland Milford, Michigan 48042 FRED LATTA 313/628-5991 (313) 887-1500 13 W h e n yo u ta lk ir r ig a tio n , ta lk to us . . . we’re the answer people An engineering staff to consult with you on irrigation systems design & specifications, and budget estimates. The largest selection & stock in the midwest: PIPES & FITTINGS: PVC • Sewer & Drain (Corr.) Polyethylene • Galvanized Copper • Aluminum Pressure Reg. Valves • Elec. Valves Pressure & Flow Switches Controllers PUMPS & PUMPING STATIONS E X C L U S IV E F R A N C H IS E D D IS T R IB U T O R B R a ih & . imUTTjrnainaio ir d WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTORS 31691 Dequindre Madison Hts., Ml 48071 (313) 588-2990 341 Lively Blvd. Elk Grove Vill., III. 60007 (312) 640-6660 Environmental manipulation does not seem to offer promise, especially for the golf course superintendent who is locked into a multitude of other concerns dealing with irrigation and culture. From a fungicide view the best recommendation would be to stick with success. If Cool Weather Brown Patch does appear and your current is not holding it, program then try shifting to other fungicides labeled and registered for Brown Patch until you meet the fungicide situation. Dan Loughner, who is working on his M.S. in Plant Pathology with us, will be evaluating fungicides in the laboratory, green house, and with luck, in the field. We will be screening both the Rhizoctonia solani warm temperature Brown Patch group as well as the Ceratobasidium cool temperature group of From The Keynoter, Penn. Turfgrass fungi. Council THE HISTORY O F A LIE First, somebody told it, Then the room wouldn’t hold it, So the busy tongues rolled it Till they got it outside: Then the crowd came across it, And never once lost it, But tossed it and tossed it, Till it grew long and wide. This lie brought forth others, Evil sisters and brothers, A terrible crew, As headlong they hurried, The people they flurried And troubled and worried, As lies always do. So, evil-boded, This monstrous lie goaded, Till at last it exploded, In sin and shame. But from mud and from mire The pieces flew higher, Till they hit the sad liar, And killed his good name. Reader of Ann In The Monett Times Thanks - George A. Davis 14 the Hahn PD-2 Power Drag one mon-9 /2 ft. swath 3 hp Briggs & Stratton Engine • Belt-type Clutch Chain Drive • Tubular Steel Frame • One-pie^ Galvanized Flexible Ribbn«*b aivam zea t-ie xm ie ,105. O Q Hahn T U R F P R O D U C T S LAWN EQUIPMENT CORPORATION 520 W. 11 MILE ROAD ROYAL OAK, MICH. 48068 TELEPHONE: (313) 398-3636 15 SPECIAL FALL PRICE . Miller Garden & Lawn Equipment Company BIRMINGHAM, MICHIGAN 48011 1593 S. WOODWARD AVE. TELEPHONE: (313) 647-7700 "A Patch of Green” 31823 UTICA ROAD FRASER, MICHIGAN 48026 MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSIT LIBRARY - SERIALS EAST LANSING, MICH. 48023 U S PQ6TAOE paid! PERMIT NO 37