March 1979 A PATCH Official Publication of the Michigan & Border Cities Golf Course Superintendents Association MICHIGAN & BORDER CITIES GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION P R E S I D E N T CLEM WOLFROM D ETROIT G OLF CLUB 530 Kendry Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48018 Off. 345-4589, Res. 334-0140 V I C E P R E S I D E N T JAMES TIMMERMAN, CGCS ORCHARD LAKE COU NTR Y CLUB 2474 Lafay Orchard Lake, Michigan 48038 Off. 682-2150, Res. 682-7234 S E C R E T A R Y - T R E A S U R E R BRUCE WOLFROM, CGCS BA RTON HILLS C OUNTR Y C L U B 639 Barber Street Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103 Off. 662-8359, Res. 663-9213 B O A R D O F D I R E C T O R S JAY DELCAMP GOWANIE GOLF C LUB 19957 Great Oaks Circle South Mt. Clemens, Michigan 48043 Off. 468-1432, Res. 791-8481 WATERS EDGE COU NTR Y C L U B ED HE INMAN 10531 Bellevue Grosse lie, Michigan 48138 Off. 675-0927, Res. 676-3095 ROGER O’CONNELL, CGCS RED RUN G OLF C L U B P.O. Box 38 Royal Oak, Michigan 48068 Off. 541-3184, Res. 399-6916 WALTER TROMBLEY, CGCS ARROWHEAD GOLF C LUB 3130 Orion Road Lake Orion, Michigan 48035 Off. 373-5240, Res. 693-2924 MICHAEL EDGERTON MEADOWBROOK C O U NTR Y C L U B 3066 Sesame Howell, Michigan 48843 Off. 349-3608, Res. 517-546-5927 FRITZ MC MULLEN, CGCS FOREST L AK E C O U N TR Y C L U B 3912 Fieldview Orchard Lake, Michigan 48033 Off. 335-1410, Res. 363-8030 P R E S I D E N T E M E R I T U S GEORGE W. PRIESKORN BURROUGHS FARM G OLF C L U B 5341 Brighton Road Brighton, Michigan 48116 Off. 227-1381, Res. 229-9437 "A PATCH OF GREEN” P u b lish e d monthly by the MICHIGAN AND BORDER CITIES GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION Circulation: 1,250 Ted Woehrle, CGCS, Oakland Hills C.C. James Timmerman, Orchard Lakes C.C. CO-EDITORS P rin te 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 P a g e ............................................ 75.00 Full P a g e .............................................................. 65.00 H alf P a g e ............................................................ 40.00 Quarter P a g e ....................................................... 30.00 Eighth P a g e ....................................................... 15.00 Sixteenth P a g e ..................................................... 10.00 C lassified Ad (per column in c h ) ................ 7.50 DISCOUNT R A T E : One Year 10% Note: Advertising fees may not be deducted from the above rates. ‘Tfoutfit • • • Century Supply Company FDS Fertilizers, Inc. Golf Car Distributors Lakeshore Equipment Corporation Lawn Equipment Corporation Lebanon/Agrico W. F. M iller Garden & Equipment O. M. Scott & Sons Company Sprinkler Irrigation Supply Terminal Sales Corporation Tire Wholesalers, Inc. Trees Inc. Turfgrass, Inc. Turf Supplies, Inc. USS Agri-Chemicals Wilkie Turf Equipment Company • Large or small trees planted or transplanted - up to 10" Dia. trunks. • A variety of trees available - both conifer and deciduous. • U tilizing proven methods and the most modern equipment avail­ able. • Tree management and counseling services. • Experienced in golf course techniques and requirements. • We invite our fellow members of the Michigan and Border Cities Golf Course Superintendent Association to call upon us anytime to talk about trees. □REE □ELOCATION □ JÂ E x c a v a t io n S p e c ia l is t s A / # 627-9I55 * GRAND LEDGE TREES INC. 817 PLEASANT GRAND LEDGE, Ml 48837 Phone: 517-627-9155 GCSAA elects new officers Charles H. Tadge, CGCS, South Euclid, Ohio was elected president of the Golf Course S u p e r i n t e n d e n t s Association of America today at their annual membership meeting. Melvin B. Lucas Jr., CGCS, Long Island, N.Y., was elected vice president. Each man will serve a one-year term. Michael R. Bavier, CGCS, Palatine, 111., and Edward F. Dembnicki, CGCS, Myrtle Beach, S.C., were elected directors for three-year terms. The election was held during the 50th International Turfgrass Conference and Show in Atlanta, the largest in GCSAA history. GCSAA’ s new president, Charles H. Tadge, CGCS, has been a member of for 19 years. He was vice GCSAA president in 1978, and served as a director since 1974. He is golf course superintendent of the Mayfield Country Club, South Euclid, Ohio, where he has been for 12 years. He came to Mayfield from the Miami Valley Golf Golf Club, Dayton, Ohio. Tadge received his bachelor’ s degree in industrial management from the University of Cincinnati and did postgraduate work in agronomy at Purdue. M e l v i n B. Lucas Jr., CGCS, GCSAA’ s vice president, has been a member of the association for 15 years. He has been a director since 1974. He has been golf course superintendent of the Piping Rock Club, Long Island, NcYc, since 1977, coming to the club from the Garden City (N .Y.) Golf Club. Lucas is a graduate of the two-year turfgrass management at Pennsylvania State University, Uni­ versity Park. program Bavier has been a d i r e c t o r of GCSAA for two years and has been a member for 13 years. He is superin­ tendent of the Inverness Golf Club, Palatine, 111., where he has been for nine years, coming there Calumet (111.) Country Club. from the Bavier is a graduate of the Penn­ State U n i v e r s i t y Turf sylvania Management program. Edward F. Dembnicki, GCSAA director, has been a GCSAA member for 14 years. He is superintendent of the Arcadian Shores Golf Club, Myrtle Beach, S.C., where he moved last year from the Country Club of North Carolina, Pinehurst. studied Dembnicki Ornamental Horticulture at the Long Island Agri­ culture and Technology Institute and received a bachelor’ s degree in agri­ culture from the University o f Georgia, Athens. He also did postgraduate work at the University of Georgia in agri­ cultural genetics. the Members also voted to accept two proposed bylaw changes, first slightly changing the language of the secretary-treasurer’ s duties and the other stipulating that all meetings of the a s s o c i a t i o n be conducted in accordance with Robert’ s Rules of Order. A Patch of Green Placement Service GOLF MANAGER WANTED - $16,355 to $19,695.Education equivalent to two years of college (60 semester hours) specializing in turf grass management and three years experience as a Senior Greenskeeper (Supervises and partici­ pates in the maintenance of the greens and grounds of a municipal golf course). OR Education equivalent to completion of the 12th school grade and five years experience as a Senior Greenskeeper. Apply City of Flint Personnel Office, 1101 S. Saginaw St., Flint, Ml 48502. For further details call 766-7280. The filing deadline is 4:30 p.m., Friday, April 6, 1979. for applications 6,501 attend GCSAA Conference & Show Registration totaled 6,501 when the doors closed today on the 50th Inter­ national Turfgrass Show, held this week in conjunction with an educa­ tional conference, both sponsored by the Golf Course S u p e r i n t e n d e n t s Association of America. This year’ s show was the largest in GCSAA’ s history, and is the only national or international show devoted industry. More than to the turfgrass 100 visitors the ILS. viewed the exhibits during the show’ s three-day duration. from outside The event has a t t r a c t e d con­ siderable notice foreign firms, many of whom have indicated interest in in coming years. A number of companies increasing their participation from also took advantage of the record crowds to unveil the newest additions to their product lines. S u p e r i n t e n d e n t s attending the conference participated in 150 hours of educational to increase and enhance their skills in maintaining a golf course in peak player condition. designed programs consultants Speakers at the conference included USGA Green Section personnel, uni­ versity professors, environmentalists, management and other turf management specialists. Topics of discussion during the week covered water usage, turf management, land­ scaping, fertigation, pesticides, greens c o n s t r u c t i o n , dealing with flood damage and sand topdressing. GCSAA golf tournament February 1 and 2, two hundred golfers of G.C.S.A.A. and their guests braved cold and windy weather at Sea Island Golf Club, Sea Island, Georgia, for the annual golf tournament for the Golf Course Superintendents Associa­ tion of America. In addition, A Ladies’ tournament was held Feb. 2 at the nearby Sea Palms Golf Club. Winners in these tournaments were: The Low Gross Wi nne r - Dan Meyers, Temple Terrace, Florida. Superintendent-Pro - Paul Schurtz, Hackettstown, N.J. Chapter Team - Iowa G.C.S.A. Seniors - Vaughn Barker, Murray, Utah. Associates - Larry Vetter, Minnea­ polis, Minn. If You Don’t Know The Answers, At Least Know Where To Find Them. G CSAA SEMINARS Club Officials - John Haines, Hunt - Becky Tate, Frankfort, Valley, Md. Ladies Michigan. Other winners from Michigan: George Prieskorn - 8th Low Gross Green Championship Flight. Bob Prieskorn - 8th Seniors Low Andy Bertoni - 4th Seniors Low Net Gross 146 Earl Prieskorn - 7th Seniors Low Net 150 Jeff Gorney - 5th Championship Flight (Black) Low Gross Jay Dele amp - 4th Championship Flight (Black) Low Net Kevin Dushane - 6th Championship Flight (Black) Low Net Frank Forier - 2nd Associate Low Net. Jim Timmerman - 10th Championship Flight (Red) Low Net Jean Prieskorn - 2nd Ladies -Callo­ Congratulations to all winners! way. MTF elects new officers at conference The Michigan Turf grass Conference at MSU, East Lansing, Jan. 16-17, 1979, was one of the largest in its 49 year history. The four newly elected directors are: Keith Paterson, Superintendent, Spring Lake Country Club, representing the Western Michigan GCSA; Donald Benham, L&E Chemical, representing the commercial suppliers; Gerald Gill, Superintendent, Tam-043hanter Country Club; and James Timmerman, Superin­ tendent, Orchard Lake Country Club, elected as At-Large Representative. The Board of Directors elected C.E. “ Tuck” Tate as President and James Timmerman was elected as Vice- President of the Turfgrass Foundation. Above: Dr. Paul E. Rieke (left), P r o f e s s o r at Michigan State University is presented with a GCSAA Research Grant from Ted Woehrle, past president of Golf Course Superintendents Associa­ tion. (le ft), Right: Fred C. Janke Mayor of Jackson, Michigan accepts posthumously the Michi­ gan Turfgrass Foundation Meri­ torious Service Award for Robert W. Hancock from James Standish III, Secretary-Treasurer, M TF and Executive Secretary, Golf James M. Sparling (L), two-year student at Michigan State University from Caro, Michigan, is presented with a GCSAA scholarship by Ted Woehrle. Gary K. Carls (L), two-year turfgrass student at MSU, is presented with MTF Norman W. Kramer Outstanding Scholar Award by Ward Swanson, Supt. of Plum Hollow GC, and member of the MTF Board. Patrick E. Klein (left), two-year turfgrass management student at MSU is pre­ sented with MTF Outstanding Student Award by James Timmerman, Supt. of Orchard Lake CC, and Vice President of the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation. Honestly, Can One Budget lot about At this time of the year when new budgets are being constructed we hear the comparison of golf a course expenditures and the amount that they vary. The emphasis being on who spent how much and what did the members get their money. This article by William H. Bengeyfield in the USGA Green Section appeared Record about two years ago, but a repeat is very timely. for Be Compared With Another? by WILLIAM H. BENGEYFIELD, Former Western Director, USGA Green Section Can the budget of one club really be compared with the budget of another? The answer matters very little, because the plain truth is that budgets and golf courses will be compared. Man, especially in economic matters, must be logical. He must standardize; make a formula; figure the percentages. He must always compare. This is his nature. How often have you heard something like this: “ Sleepy Links Golf Club only spends $40,000 a year, has a crew of 4 men and the course is in good condition! Why do we have to spend so much money?” The speaker is obviously not a member of Sleepy Links. He has only skimmed the surface. He doesn’ t know all the facts, and maybe he doesn’ t want to know them. But in all fairness, he should stop and ask himself: 1. How many rounds are played at Sleepy Links each year? 2. How often are fairways, and tees mowed? the g r e e n s , 3. Is the course closed for main­ tenance one day a week? 4. Does the maintenance crew stop work as members play through or does it continue to work? And so on. Comparing two budgets or two golf courses is like comparing two of anything else. They may appear similar at the outset, but the more you know about them, less similar they become. the Golf courses cannot be standar­ dized. They do not fit any formula. Their value, beauty and enjoyment depends on their individuality. The variation in size of tees and greens; the length of the course; the types and location of trees; the size, outline and Continued on page 13 ' No synthetically produced fertilizer can compare with MILORGANITE TERMINAL SALES CORR 12871 EATON AVE. DETROIT, MICH. 48227 (313) 491 -0606 TORO. GREENSMASTER 3 Still the leader... ... outsells competion two to one. w o r th m o re Features like: Thatching Reels Powered spikers Variable Quick Height of Cut Unit Interchangeability Backed by The Toro Promise - and W ilkie Turf Equipment Company W ILKIE TURF Equipment Company P.O. BOX 749 • PONTIAC, MICHIGAN 48056 1050 OPDYKE ROAD • PHONE (313) 373-8800 HONDA. OUTBOARDS-GENERATORS TILLERS - ENGINES - WATER PUMPS WATER PUMPS W id e s p re a d a p p lic a tio n . The super-dependable Honda water pumps enjoy a multitude of uses, from irri­ gation and livestock watering on farm or ranch to con­ struction applications and emergency stand-by use in your home. And because they're powered by economical Honda four-stroke engines, they're easy to start and never require fuel pre-mixing. Two m odels no w a v a ila b le . The Honda pumps are available in two capacities: 158 and 290 gallon-per- minute models. Both are lightweight and easily portable and built to take on the tough jobs. GENERATORS P o rta b le H ond a p o w e r. These strong Honda gen­ erators seem to be turning up just about everywhere these days—from farm and ranch to construction site, campsite and home. More people than ever are turning to Honda for their power needs. ENGINES S m all b u t stro ng! Honda general purpose engines bring what's best in Honda technology down to size: models are available from 3.5 to 8 hp. Again, all are of the four-stroke design, which contributes to smooth, economical operation without fuel pre-mixing. B u ilt to u g h . Honda engines feature many long-life engineering characteristics such as cast-iron cylinder sleeves and ball-bearing supported crankshafts. All feature the Honda Automatic Decompression System for easy starting. Honda engines are ideal for many replace­ ment applications and are enjoying increasing popularity. Check the specs chart in this brochure and consult with your Honda dealer for your particular requirements. TILLERS H ond a g a rd e n p o w e r. Just put a sturdy Honda tiller to work, and suddenly the hardest garden jobs get a whole lot easier. Tilling, mulching, furrowing, compost­ ing and weeding come quite naturally to the Honda tillers. The cutting edge on quality. Among power mowers, one stands alone above all others: the new Honda. Feature for feature, there's nothing else like it! Consider its powerful 3V2-hp Honda engine, renowned for reliability. The easily adjustable cutting height, slim rear-mounted bag, clearly marked handle-mounted controls. Plus, CD ignition on some models. Not to mention Honda's exclusive Roto-Stop™: just release the lever and the blade stops within seconds. For safety and performance, we dare you to compare the new Honda mower! GOLF CAR DISTRIBUTORS D/V. Anderson Sales & Serv. Inc. 1980 W. WIDE TRACK DRIVE (U.S. 10) PONTIAC, MICHIGAN 48058 (313) 338-0425 H O N D A MOWERS YHNAMfV Compact diesel perform ance. From the world’s leading producer of small diesel e Category (1) Implements Available: Backhoe • Frt-End Loaders Blades • Sprayers • Rakes Dozer Blades • Tillers • Mowers Post Hole Digger • Sno-Blowers Yanmar. One of the first companies in the world to develop a small diesel engine. Today the world’s largest small diesel manufacturer. Because of the features we build into every engine. Like those in our 13, 15, 19, 24 and 33 HP compact diesel tractors. Swirl pre-combustion chamber systems, which maximize combustion efficiency to reduce fuel consumption. Trouble-free fuel injection systems for smooth running under all conditions. Thermostart, our advanced cold starting aid. And sub-tank cooling systems (YM195(D), YM240(D), YM330) which virtually eliminate radiator servicing. The result is unbeatable economy, reliability, and ease of operation. Yours with every Yanmar. The world’s first choice in small diesels. Now available in a feature-packed series of compact tractors. TWO & FOUR WHEEL DRIVE TURF 0R*Ag TIRES Y A N M A R TRACTOR DIESEL GOLF CAR DISTRIBUTORS Div. Anderson Sales & Serv. Inc. I980 W. WIDE TRACK DRIVE (U.S. 10) PONTIAC, MICHIGAN 48058 (313) 338-0425 The over-achievers. Put yourself in the driver’s seat. And find out what we mean. ARE YOU INTERESTED IN JOINING THE MICHIGAN AND BORDER CITIES GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION? F ILL IN THE QUESTIONAIRE BELOW AND MAIL TO: BRUCE WOLFROM BARTON HILLS COUNTRY CLUB 639 Barber Street Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103 Office 662-8359, Residence 663-9213 NAME _________________________________________________ ADDRESS _____________________________________________ D A T E ____ CITY _________________________ STATE _____________ Z IP __________ OR YOU MAY C O N T A C T TH E N E X T G O LF COURSE S U P P L IE R WHO C A L L ON YOU AND G IV E HIM TH E IN F O R M A T IO N N E E D E D FOR A P P L IC A T IO N . Budget comparison cont. number of bunkers, the topography - these are the wonderful differences. This is their nature. if Can categories be standardized? I wonder what is meant by “ categories” ? If it means can we develop a standard method of recordkeeping and place particular jobs in certain categories, then the answer is probably “ yes.” However, it means allocating a fixed percentage o f our budget for each category - and thereby permit compari­ son in dollars of one course budget with another, then I must answer an emphatic NO! There are just too many variables. The p e r s o n a l i t y of an individual golf course, its membership and staff are all involved, and no one can standardize personalities. One can’t compare a $10,000 fertilizer item at one course with $2,000 for the same item at another. To digress for just a moment, I think we do ourselves and our profes­ injustice by c o n s t a n t l y sion an referring to the rising cost of golf course maintenance. Of course it’ s rising - and so is everything else! Ours is not the only rising curve in golf course operations. Inflation eats at all of us, but we grass growers didn’ t inflation, nor did we start it. In fact, because of improved methods, equipment, and materials, the golf course maintenance operation is far more efficient today then it has ever been. We are doing a better job than 20 years ago, and usually with invent labor. Compare this with other less phases of club operation. If it is the nature of man to compare, and if it is the nature of the golf course to defy comparison, have we then reached an impasse? Not, I think, if we wish otherwise. Golf is only enjoyed to the fullest when the course provides the best possible playing conditions and pleasant surroundings. Emphasis of these points in relation to the money being spent is therefore important and the main point. In fact, it is the only point. It’ s not what one spends, it’ s what one receives for it that counts. More next month on budgets and a standard chart of accounts. INTERESTING FACTS To find diameter of a circle multiply circumference by .31831. To find circumference of a circle multiply diameter by 3.1416. To find area of a circle multiply square of diameter by .7854. To find surface of a ball multiply square of diameter by 3.1416. To find side of an equal square multiply diameter by .8862. inches find cubic To in a ball multiply cube of diameter by .5236. Doubling the diameter of a pipe increases its capacity four times. Double riveting is from 16 to 20% stronger than single. Helping the superintendent through turf research... I Controlled Release Fertilizers I Fertilizer/Pesticide Combinations I Funmcides-Flerbicides-Insecticides I Soil Testing—Weed & Disease Identification SCO TTS • LELY • G A N D Y SPREADERS Finest quality turfgrass seed—Fairways • Greens • Tees • Roughs Scotts Windsor and Victa blends Jim Brocklehurst Technical Representative 1964 Catalpa Berkley, Michigan 48072 Telephone: 313-547-9632 How to succeed as a Greens Chairman by C. MICHAEL DUNN Commodore Royal Palm Yacht and Country Club Boca Raton, Florida Next to being a major league umpire I can think of no job as thankless as a Greens Chairman’ s. A Greens Chair­ man needs a thick skin, a green thumb, a soft heart, a hard head, a refill able prescription for sleeping pills and an unlisted telephone number. In a club with 400 golfing members he has 400 assistant chairmen, not including the wives, some of whom should count double. The Greens Chairman must produce greens that will stop a flyer out of the rough within two feet of the hole. He must engineer the fairway grass long enough to make the ball stand up as if it were teed and yet roll 50 yards after it it’ s his responsibility to limit the rainfall between the hours of lands, 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. and never let it rain hard enough to close the course. He’ s e x p e c t e d to make a greens mower last indefinitely and a fairway mower even longer, Gadgets such as trucksters, sodcutters and rototillers are looked upon by the Board of Governors as unnecessary frills. weedeaters, Now I hate yard work. I have always hated yard work. I don’t see eye to eye with things that grow. When I look at flowers, they wilt. Born on a farm in Northern Michigan, I’ ve always been grateful to my father for having the good sense to move to Chicago where most of the land is covered with con­ crete. So, when the Commodore of our club tapped me for the Greens Chair- (USS) V e r t a g r e e n A p r o d u c t f o r a li r e a s o n s _ ' Vertagreen Tournament Plus Special Turf Food Formula for Fairways U niform particles that flow sm oothly and spread evenly. 48% of the nitrogen in slow release form . U niform balance of secondary and m icronutrients. All potash derived from sulfate of potash. (U$S) Agri-Chemicals ^