February 1980

Property  of 

JAMES  B.  BEARD 

Soil,  Crop  Sciences  Dept. 

Texas  A&M  Univ.

A  PATCH

Official  Publication  of  the

Michigan  &  Border  Cities  Golf  Course  Superintendents  Association

MICHIGAN  &  BORDER 
CITIES GOLF  COURSE 
SUPERINTENDENTS 

ASSOCIATION

PRESIDENT

JAMES  TIMMERMAN,  CGCS 

O RCHA RD   LA K E  CO UN TRY   CLU B 

7183  B uckthorn 

O rchard  L a k e ,  M ichigan  48033 
Off.  682-2150,  R e s .  682-7234

VICE  PRESIDENT
ROBERT  HOPE,  CGCS
TH E  LOCKMOOR  C LU B  

20740  Marter  R oad

G ro s s e   P o in te   Woods,  M ichigan  48236 

Off.  881-8112,  R e s .  884-8684

SECRETARY-TREASURER

BRUCE  WOLFROM,  CGCS

BA RTO N   HILLS  CO UN TRY   CLU B 

435  Stein  R oad 

Ann  Arbor,  M ichigan  48103 
Off.  662-8359,  R e s .  663-9213
BOARD  OF  DIRECTORS

KEVIN  DUSHANE

WABEEK  CO UN TRY   CLU B 

2191  G reer

Sylvan  L a k e ,  M ichigan  48033 
Off.  852-1689,  R e s .  681-3515
MICHAEL  EDGERTON

MEADOWBROOK  CO U N TRY   CLU B 

3066  S esam e 

H owell,  M ichigan  48843 

Off.  349-3608,  R e s .  517-546-5927

CHARLES  GAIGE

L A K ELA N D S   G O L F   &  CO UN TRY   C LU B  

7390  R ic k e tt 

Brighton,  M ichigan  48116 

Off.  231-3003,  R e s .  227-4617

WATERS  ED G E  C O UN TRY   CLU B 

ED  HEINEMAN
10531  B e lle v u e  

G ro s s e   lie,  M ichigan  48138 
Off.  675-0927,  R e s .  676-3095
FRITZ  MCMULLEN,  CGCS
F O R E S T   LAKE  CO U N TRY   CLUB 

3912  F ie l d v ie w  

O rchard  L a k e,  M ichigan  48033 
Off.  335-1410,  R e s .  363-8030

B LO O M F IEL D   H ILLS  CO UN TRY   CLU B 

CHRIS  MYERS
2831  Saturn  Drive 

L a k e   Orion,  M ichigan  48035 
Off.  642-0707,  R e s .  391-2074
PRESIDENT  EMERITUS

CLEM  WOLFROM 

D E T R O IT   G O L F   CLU B 

530  K endry

Blo om field  H ills,  M ichigan  48013 

Off.  345-4589,  R e s .  334-0140

"A  PATCH  OF  GREEN”
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MICHIGAN  AND  BORDER  CITIES  GO LF 
COURSE  SUPERINTENDENTS  ASSOCIATION

Circulation:  1,250

Ted  Woehrle,  CGCS,  Oakland  Hills  C.C. 
James  Timmerman,  Orchard  Lakes  C.C. 

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rfctventcWM-• •

Benham Chemicals
Crown  Lubricant  &  Specialties  Ltd.
FDS  Fertilizers,  Inc.
Golf Car Distributors 
Lakeshore  Equipment Corporation 
Lawn  Equipment  Corporation 
Lebanon/Agrico
W.F.  Miller  Garden  &  Equipment 
Oxford  Peat  Company 
O.M.  Scott &  Son,  Inc.
Wm.  F.  Sell  &  Son,  Inc.
Sprinkler  Irrigation  Supply 
Terminal  Sales  Corporation 
Tire  Wholeslers,  Inc.
Turfgrass,  Inc.
Turf Supplies,  Inc.
USS  Agri-Chemicals
Wilkie Turf  Equipment  Corporation

2

SUPERINTENDENTS  -

  CHOOSE  HONDA  FOR  1980
I

H O N D A .
ENGINES

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2  7/16  x 3/4  DIA.  TAPPED 

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3 31/64  x  1  DIA.  TAPPED 

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(2)  N!
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(6)  JB -  Electric Start  (with SN muffler and 
(7)  JD -  Electric Start  (with 80w lamp coil, w/o 

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GO LF CAR DIS
1980  W.  W ID E  TRA C K   DR.  (1
MON. - 1
338-0425 
SPECIAL  PRI

ÎTRIBUTORS
JS  10)  P O N T IA C .  M IC H .
FRI.  8-5,  SAT.  8-1
ICES  TO  M.B.C.G.C.

Easy  Terms 

To  Fit  Your  Budget
S.A.  MEMBERS

3

Control of Creeping Speedwell 

in  Turfgrass

John  E.  Kaufmann,  Michigan  State  University,  East  Lansing

Creeping 

speedwell 

lawn  pest  because 
in  well-maintained, 

(Verronica 
filiformis)  has  recently  become  an 
important 
it  is 
competitive 
irri­
gated 
lawns  and  golf  courses.  While 
its  spread  is  more  rapid  in  shade,  it 
can  survive  and  spread  in  sunny  areas 
as  well.  Creeping  speedwell  spreads 
by  both  seed  and  vegetative  parts. 
During  cool  weather  of  spring  and 
fall,  cuttings  are  dragged  by  the  mower 
to  new  sites  where  they  easily  root 
when  in  contact  with  the  soil.

it 

Creeping  speedwell  was  introduced 
into 
the  United  States  as  early  as 
1930  as  a  rock  garden  plant  because 
it  had  an  attractive  blue  and  white 
flower.  Subsequently 
it  escaped  into 
adjacent  lawns.  Although  a  somewhat 
is  considered 
localized  problem, 
serious  because  of  (1) 
its  disease 
susceptibility,  (2)  lack  of  tolerance  to 
extreme  environments,  and  (3)  general 
disruption  of  lawn  uniformity.  Most 
major  metropolitan  areas  have  at  least 
one  older  subdivision  densely  infested 
with  creeping  speedwell.  Often  the 
origin  of  the  weed  in  a  locale  can  be 
traced  back  to  a  single  homeowner 
who  imported the  weed.
Creeping  speedwell 

is  tolerant  of 
2,4-D,  and  has  varying  degrees  of 
tolerance  to  silvex,  MCPP  and  dicam-

desirable 

reestablish 

(glyphosate) 

If  site  examination 

ba.  In  the  1950’s,  1  pound  per  acre  of 
endothall  was  found to  control  creeping 
speedwell.  Higher  rates  were  too  toxic 
to  desirable  grasses  while  lower  rates 
were  not  effective  in  controlling  the 
weed.  However,  endothall  treated  areas 
were  often  reinfested  within  two  years.
Since  creeping  speedwell  may  cover 
80  to  90  percent  of  the  area,  chemical 
control  measures  must  include  methods 
to 
turfgrass 
species.  Recently,  Dacthal  (DCPA), 
Roundup 
and  Atrinal 
(HLR  Sciences)  have  been  found  to 
effectively  control  creeping  speedwell.
in­
sufficient  desirable  turfgrasses  present 
for  reestablishment,  Roundup  can  kill 
both 
speedwell  and  turf­
grasses,  but  will  allow  reseeding  of 
the  treated  area  soon  after  application.
Atrinal  has  been  used  as  an  experi­
mental  chemical  growth  retardant  of 
turfgrasses  as  well  as  for  selective 
control  of creeping  speedwell.  In  areas 
where  creeping  speedwell  covers  80 
percent  or  more  of  the  surface,  Atrinal 
than  encourages  re­
inhibits  rather 
maining 
in  areas 
left  vacant  by  the  pest.  Thus  the  role 
of  Atrinal 
controlling  creeping 
in  areas  where
speedwell  would  be 
Continued  on  page  17

turfgrasses  to  fill 

indicates 

creeping 

in 

(Scotts)

PrcTurf Helping the superintendent 

through turf research...

■ Controlled  Release Fertilizers 
■  Fertilizer/Pesticide Combinations 

■  Fungicides—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 

Jim   Brocklehurst

Technical  Representative
1964  Cataipa
Berkley,  Michigan 48072 
Telephone:  313-547-9632

4

Grooming  The  Putting  Surface

by James  T.  Snow,  Agronomist,  Northeastern  Region

little  more 

To  most  golfers,  turf  management 
than  mowing, 
involves 
irrigating  and  occasional 
fertilizing, 
applications  of  chemicals  to  control 
various  unidentified  pests.  The  many 
details  of  a  good  turfgrass  management 
program  go  unnoticed  by  most  of  us, 
and  perhaps  this  is  as  it  should  be.

concern 

One  of  these  details  which  golf 
themselves 
superintendents 
with 
is  the  grooming  of  the  putting 
surface.  Providing  a  smooth,  true, 
fast  surface  involves  much  more  than 
frequent  mowing.  Many  little  tricks  of 
the  trade  are  utilized  to  obtain  the 
desired results.

Both 

bentgrass 

To  appreciate  fully  why  some  of 
these  techniques  are  necessary  and 
how  they  work,  it  is  helpful  to  under­
stand  how  the  putting  green  grasses 
if  they  receive  only  minimum 
grow 
maintenance. 
and 
bermudagrass,  two  of the  most  impor­
tant  grasses  cultured  for  use  on greens 
in  this  country,  tend  to  produce  pros­
trate-type  growth  when  they  receive  a 
minimum  program  o f  regular  mowing. 
If  allowed  to  continue,  this  results  in 
a  textured,  leafy  appearance  which  is 
sometimes  referred  to  as  grain.  Grain 
is  the  subject  of  lengthy  arguments  in 
many  locker  rooms,  but  there  is  little 
doubt  that  slow,  bumpy,  untrue  greens 
are  one  of the  consequences.

To  combat  this  problem,  techniques 
have  evolved  to  force  the  prostrate- 
type  growth  to  grow  more  upright.  The 
results  are  comparable  to  putting  on  a 
shag  rug  versus  putting  on  a  tightly- 
knit,  dense  carpet,  although  the  actual 
cutting  height has  much less to do  with 
the  difference  than  many  people  be­
lieve.

it 

growth,  before 

can be  mounted  to  the  frame  and  project 
out  in  front  of  the  mower  as  it  moves 
across  the  green.  These  brushes  are 
made  of  wire  or  thin  metal  strips  and 
act  to  fluff  up  the  turf,  especially  the 
prostrate-type 
is 
mowed  to  produce  a  crisp,  clean  cut. 
Another  accessory  is  the  comb,  which 
is  mounted  near  the  front  roller  on  the 
mowing  unit.  It  is  simply  a  bar  with 
metal  teeth  which  project  down  into 
the  turf  and  fluff  it  up  before  it  is 
cut.  Also,  a  special  grooved  roller, 
called  the  Wiele  Roller,  can  be  used 
instead  of  the  traditional  solid  roller 
on  the  front  of  the  mowing  unit.  This 
grooved  roller  tends  less  to  mat  the 
grass  down  before  it  is  cut  than  the 
other.  These  three  accessories  are 
inexpensive  and  convenient  to  use. 
They  function  as  part  of  the  mowing 
machine  and  do  not  require  an  extra 
operation  to  achieve  the  desired  re­
sults.  However, 
other 
techniques  also  must  be  employed  to 
combat 
successfully  the  buildup  of 
grain  on the  greens.

sometimes 

An  effective,  easy  method 

is  to 
drag  some  type  of  mat  across  the  turf 
surface  before  the  green 
is  mowed. 
This  works  on  the  same  principle  as 
the  mower-mounted  brushes,  but  good 
results  are  achieved  usually  much 
faster.  The  mats  are  made  often  of 
metal,  but  any  convenient  material 
may  be  used.  In  fact,  utility  brooms 
are  used  often  to  brush  the  greens 
before  mowing.

Another  very  effective  technique 
for  grooming  the  turf  is  to  vertical 
mow  the  greens.  This  is  known  also 
as  verticutting 
the  greens  and  in­
volves  the  use  of  specialized  mowing 
units  with  vertical  cutting  blades  to 
cut  down  into  the  turf  surface.  They 
are  similar  to  the  units  available  to
Continued  on  page  18

Perhaps  the  best  place  to  begin  a 
program  of  grooming  the  putting  turf 
is  with  the  greens  mower  itself.  Some 
models  have  accessory  brushes  which

5

Today's Confusing 
Economic Language

Have  you  ever  wondered  what  some 
some  of  these  terms  meant  when  you 
heard  them?  .  .  .  Budget  deficit,  Con­
sumer  Price  Index  (CPI),  Depression, 
Gross  National  Product  (GNP),  Infla­
tion,  Prime  Rate,  Recession,  Stagfla­
tion.

Budget  deficit—A  situation  in  which 
the  government  spends  more  than  it 
takes  through  taxes  and  other revenue. 
Governments  finance  deficits  by  bor­
rowing from  the public.  The  interest  on 
the  public  debt becomes  part  of govern­
ment  spending  in future  years.
Index 

(CPI)-A  
statistical 
figure  that  measures  the 
change  in  price  of  a  selected  market 
basket  of  goods  assumed  to  be  pur­
chased  by  the  average  urban  worker 
with  a  wife  and  two  children  (often 
called the  cost-of-living  index).

Consumer  Price 

Depression  -   A  period  of  low  gen­
eral  economic  activity  marked  especi­
ally by  unemployment.

Gross  National  Product  (GNP)  -  
The  total  dollar  value  of  goods  and 
services  produced  by  the  economy  in  a 
given  year.  It  is  the  broadest  measure 
of  the  health  of  an  economy.  “ Real”

GNP  is  the  GNP  adjested  to  eliminate 
the  distorting  effects  of inflation.

Inflation  -   The  situation  in  which 
prices  in  general  are  rising.  There  are 
two  kinds  of  inflation:  Cost-push  in­
flation  which  comes  about  because 
special 
interests  have  the  power  to 
force  wages  or  prices  up  on  their  own; 
excess-demand  inflation  which  occurs 
when  demand  for  goods  and  services 
rises  more  swiftly  than  the  society’s 
ability  to  produce  them.  Both  types  of 
inflation  may  occur  at the  same  time.

Prime  rate  -   The  rate  of  interest 
charged  by commercial  banks  for  short­
term 
loans  to  the  most  credit-worthy 
corporations.

Recession  -   A  period  in  which  the 
economy’s  output  of  goods  and  ser­
vices  undergoes  a  prolonged,  deep 
decline.  Many  economists  consider  a 
recession  a  decline  in  real  Gross  Na­
tional  Product  that  stretches  on  for 
more  than  six  months.

Stagflation  —  A  new  word  coined 
several  years  ago  to  describe  the  situ­
ation  in  which  output  is  constant  or 
falling  (stagnation)  while  prices  are 
rising  (inflation).
-  The International  Teamster,  Nov.  974

ROWN  LUBRICANT & SPECIALTIES  LTD.

%

Lubricants  • • •   Designed 

to make the Superintendent s job easier.

WE  A RE  G EA RED   TO  SER V E  YOU  B E T T E R

CHAS.  W.  KING 
313/525-3902 

BOX  2065 

LIVON IA,  MICH.  48151 

CHAS.  W.  KING,  JR .

313/398-5964

6

ANNOUNCEMENT-From 

Dr.  Harry  Niemczyk

This 

The  first  national  “ Symposium  on 
T u r f g r a s s  
Insects”  will  be  held 
Tuesday  and  Wednesday,  October  14 
and  15,  1980,  in Columbus,  Ohio.

scientific  meeting  will  be 
sponsored  by  the  Chem  Lawn  Corpora­
tion  and  is  open  to  everyone.

the  time 
approaches,  more 
program, 
lodging, 
will  appear  in the  Patch  of Green.

for  this  Symposium 
information  on  the 
registration,  etc. 

As 

Midwest  Regional  Turf Conference

March 3 - 5 ,   1980 
Purdue  University 

Once  again  the  program  will  be 

divided  into  three  segments.

Private 

and  Public  golf  course 
the  Lawn  Care  In­
operations  and 
dustry.  The  Program 
looks  great. 
There  will  also  be  a  portion  devoted 
to  athletic 
fields  on  W e d n e s d a y  
morning,  March  5,  1980.

16  Attend  USGA  Meeting  in  Chicago 

January 25,  1980
Ted Woehrle 
Clem  Wolfrom 
Bruce  Wolfrom 
Jack Lorenz 
Harry Schuemann 
Ward Swanson 
Jim Timmerman 
Glenn Korhorn 
Mike Edgerton 
Chris  Myers 
Lee  Bidwell 
Roger Barton 
A1 Bidwell 
Jeff Gorney 
Gerald Faubel 
Roy Peck

Many  ideas  grow  better  when trans­
planted  into  another  mind  than  the  one 
where  they  sprang  up.

Oliver Wendell  Holmes

sw srrr  4<?x<)ßujiruKߣ

t <

JO ton 

SJi 
B E N H A M   C H E M I C A L S

’ nnounet

etßo.

r u .lt  A/£W 
M S M  

IB DP

Pnttii.t.t.

ûtnkam  (2k t mie ali
3/90 Mattin
Walled ¿aka. MSJ 48088

624-3200

WAREHOUSE  PHONE:  834-3010

7

6 ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS 

WE NEVER THOUGHT YOU’D ASK

(BUT DECIDED TO ANSWER ANYWAY)

ter  superintendent.  One  way  it  does  this  is 
through  educational  seminars  and  con­
ference  sessions  it  sponsors  each  year  to  help  you 

become  better 
pesticides,  landscaping and  management practices.

informed  about  turfgrass  diseases, 

I Yes,  GCSAA  can  help  you  become  a  bet­
2 

Yes,  GCSAA  Is  helping  to  further  the  ad­
vancement  of  the  turfgrass 
Industry.
Through the GCSAA Scholarship & Research 
Fund,  Inc.,  GCSAA  provided  more  than  $13,500  last 
year  in  research  grants  to  leading  turfgrass  programs. 
GCSAA also  provides educational  opportunities to  turf­
grass students through annual turfgrass scholarships.

3 

Yes, GC8AA provides a meeting 
ground  for  superintendents.
Each  year,  GCSAA  sponsors  an 
annual conference and show for its members. 
Last  year  more  than  6,500  educators,  in­
dustry  representatives and  members from  all 
over the  world  attended.  GCSAA’s executive 
committee  decided  at  its  last  board  meeting 
that the conference experience is so valuable 
that first-year members should be encouraged 
to attend by being given free admission.

4  

Yes,  GCSAA  offers  recognition 
for  superintendents.  Through  its 
public 
its 

relations  efforts, 

magazine,  and  its  award  programs,  GCSAA 

helps  promote  the  image  and  the  profes­
sionalism of the superintendent.  GCSAA also 
provides 
to  superintendents 
about  how  they  can  use  public  relations  to 
promote their own image to their course, their 
community and their association.

information 

5 
6 

Yes, GCSAA provides each member with a 
life insurance program. Supplemental insur­
ance,  disability  and  pension  programs  also 
are available.

ho,  GCSAA can’t help you with your golf 
handicap.  You’ll  have  to  work  on  that 
yourself.

#  GCSAA
more  than just a  name.

The  association  that  offers you 

1617 ST. ANDREWS DRIVE  •  LAWRENCE,  KANSAS 66044 

013 / 841-2240

8

Walter  Buetikofer

Walter  Buetikofer  and  his  wife  Isabel  (Dodie)

Walter  Buetikofer,  the  singer-enter­
tainer  from  Erie,  Pennsylvania,  came 
to  Detroit  in  about  1936.  Walter  bought 
out  the  Ideal  Mower  Sales  &  Service, 
that  had  been  struggling  to  stay  alive 
for  many  years.  Not  knowing  much 
about  the  mower  business,  he  joined 
the  Michigan  &  Border  Cities  Golf 
Course  Superintendents  Association. 
His 
association  with  us 
started  by  singing  Wagon-Wheels  at  the 
Meetings,  and  he  won  the  friendship 
and  good  will  of  all  our  membership. 
We 
looked  forward  to  Walter’s  songs 
and  the  sing-alongs  we  so  often  had.

friendly 

In  about  1940,  Walter  started  the 
first  Christmas  party  for  all  the  mem­
bers  and  their  wives.  The  first  time 
we  were  to  take  the  girls  with  us.  It

was  at  his  office.  Two  of  the  girls 
baked  a  turkey  and  each  of  the  men 
brought  a  bottle  on  their  hip.  Walter 
furnished  the  mix,  entertainment,  and 
prizes.  We  often  played  bunko.  This 
was  the  beginning  of  the  fine  Christ­
mas 
today.  Walter
always  attended  and  supported  our
Turf  Conferences 
at Michigan  State
University  and  liberally  supported  our 
Turf  Foundation  and  Turf  Research
work  these  many  years  and  still  does 
to this  day.

party  we have 

Congratulations,  and  thank  you  for 
all  the  nice  things  you  did  for  your 
friends  and  the  Michigan  &  Border 
Cities  Golf  Course  Superintendents 
Association.

No  synthetically produced fertilizer can  compare  with

MILORGANITE

Go If  Courses  Use  Mori'

M ILO R G A N IT E

Any  Other  Fertilizer

TERMINAL SALES CORR 12871  EATON  AVE. 

DETROIT,  MICH.  48227 
(313)  491  -0606

9

Driving Damage  on Golfing Surfaces

Typical  vandalism -  Easy  to  repair,  but damage 
remains visible  for  a  long time.

Driving on  white  frost -  Damage  remains for  several 
days.

"PREMIUM PRODUCTS-Economically Priced’’

Wfe Distribute:

Fertilizers 
Seeds
Chemicals 
Accessories
Lime & Gypsum 
Paving Blocks
Trees & Shrubs 
Equipment
F D S   FERTILIZERS, INC.

5324 W. BLOOMFIELD LAKE  •  W. BLOOMFIELD, Ml. 48033 
____________________ PHON E: (313)851-7766

10

GREENSMASTER 3' 
worth more 
Still the leader... 
... outsells competion two to one.

Features like:  Thatching Reels 
Powered spikers 
Variable Quick Height of Cut 
Unit Interchangeability

B acked by T he Toro Prom ise  -   and 

W ilk ie Turf Equipm ent Com pany

WILKIE TURF Equipment Company

P.O.  BOX  749  •   PONTIAC,  MICHIGAN  48056 
1050  OPDYKE  ROAD  •  PHONE  (313)  373-8800

11

USGA OFFICERS  FOR  1980

President
Vice-President
Vice-President
Secretary
Treasurer

Will  F.  Nicholson,  Jr.
William  C.  Campbell
James  R.  Hand
William  J.  Williams,  Jr.
William  C.  Battle

Denver,  Colo.
Huntington,  W.  Va.
Ossining,  N.Y.
New  York,  N.Y.
Eden,  N.C.

NEW  GENERAL  COUNSEL John  C.  Baity

M a m a r o n e c k ,  N.Y.

NEW  EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE  MEMBERS

C.  Grant  Spaeth
J.  Kimball  Whitney

RE-NOMINATED  TO
EXECUTIVE  COMMITTEE

Howard  J.  Carey,  Jr.
Howard  L.  Clark
Gordon  H .  Ewen
James  R.  Gabrielsen
Stephen  J.  Horrell
John  K.  Mahaffey,  Jr.
Edward  E.  Marshall
Arthur  W.  Rice,  Jr.

San  Francisco,  Calif
Wayzata,  Minn.

Hutchinson,  Kans.
New  York,  N.Y.
Winnetka,  111.
Atlanta,  Ga.
El  Cajon,  Calif.
Pittsburgh,  Pa.
Bethayres,  Pa.
Chestnut  Hill,  Mass.

ARE  YOU  INTERESTED  IN  JOINING  THE
MICHIGAN AND BORDER  CITIES 
GOLF  COURSE  SUPERINTENDENTS 

ASSOCIATION?

F IL L   IN  THE  QUESTIONAIRE  BELOW  AND  MAIL  TO:

BRU CE  WOLFROM,  CGCS 

BARTON  H ILLS  COUNTRY  C LU B 

435  Stein  Road 

Ann  Arbor,  Michigan  48103 

Office  662-8359,  Residence  663-9213

D A T E   ______

NAM E  _____________________________________________________________________________

A D D R E S S   _______________________________________________________________________

C IT Y   _______________________________________   S T A T E   _____________________  Z IP   _________________
OR  YOU  MAY  C O N T A C T   T H E   N E X T   G O L F   C O U R S E   S U P P L I E R   WHO  C A L L   ON 

YOU  AND  G IV E   HIM  T H E   IN FORM ATION   N E E D E D   F O R   A P P L I C A T I O N .

12

USS Tournament Plus 19-5-9... 
We’ll help put the green 
back in your fairways!

T

If  you’re  looking  down  yellow 
or  off  color  fairways,  take  a  walk 
on  them  with  your  local  USS 
Vertagreen  distributor  as  soon 
as  possible.  H e’ll  show  you  how 
USS  Tournam ent  Plus  19-5-9  can 
be  the  answer  to  your  problems. 
This  great  product,  developed 
especially  for  fairways,  will  re­
lease  48%  of  its  nitrogen  content 
in  a  sustained,  uniform  manner 
because  of  the  urea-formaldehyde

content.  And  that  deep,  dark 
green  color  will  come  from  the 
sulfate  of  potash.

It  also  contains  guaranteed 

amounts  of  secondary  and  micro­
nutrients  as  well  as  chelated  iron 
for  uniform  growth.  USS  Tourna­
ment  Plus  is  another  reason  we 
say  “see  the  best,  for  the  best”
— and  that's  your  local  Vertagreen 
distributor.  H e’ll  put  the  green 
back  in  your  fairways.

Agri-Chemicals

Division of  United  States Steel
P O  Box  1685,  Atlanta,  Ga  30301

13

'W tone 

(ZAniafatOA“P a n ttf “PcctuncA

14

Green  Seminar 

at the

Detroit  Golf  Club

Remember 

this  date:  Saturday, 

March  8,  1980,  8:30  AM  -  3:00  PM.

The  GAM  and  Michigan  and  Border 
Cities  GCSA  plan  on  holding  another 
one  of  their  highly  successful  Green 
Seminars  at  the  Detroit  Golf Club.
8:30  -  9:30  Registration &  coffee
9:30  -  10:30  Winter  injury  -  panel 
10:30  -  10:45  Break 
10:45  -  11:45  Living  with  Poa  annua 

Lunch
1:00  -  2:00  Sand 

topdressing 

- 

Energy

the  golfer.

2:00  -  3:00  Course  maintenance  and 

Sometime  during  this  program,  the 
new  USGA  film  “ The  golfer  and  the 
golf  course”  will  be  shown.  DO  NOT 
MISS  THIS  PROGRAM!

L A K E S H O R E
EQUIPMENT  &  SU PPLY  CO.

HOME OF

LESCQ  PRODUCTS

And

SU LFU R   COATED  FERTILIZERS

Distributor  & Formulator

G R A SS  SEED ,  FERTILIZERS 

IN SECTICID ES  FUNGICIDES,  H ERBICIDES 

Call  Us  Today 
TOLL  FREE 

1-800-321-5325
Price Quotation  On  Request

300  S.  Abbe  Rd.  Elyria,  Ohio 44035 

(216) 323-7544

'For Land's Sake-'Use Peat"

OXFORD  FEAT CO.

1430  E.  Drahner  Rd. 
Oxford,  Michigan  48051

PROCESSED  PEAT 

Bulk  or Bag 

Custom  Blending

FRED LATTA

313/628-5991

15

COUNTRY CLUB

THE

BALANCED
FERTILIZER

.....a valuable  asset—*
in  growing good  turf

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 

LEBANON CHEMICAL CORP.

P.O.  Box 647 

Danville, IL 61832

If  you  have  changed  your  address, 
please  let  us  know  so  we  can  keep 
our  addressing  plates  up  to  date.

Did
You
Know?

5.3%  of  the  land  surface  area  of 
Michigan  is  maintained  in  some  form 
of turfgrass?

Turfgrass  maintenance  generates 
than  $500  million  of  business 

more 
each year  in  Michigan?
Michigan’s  more 

than  500  golf 
courses  play  an  important  role  in  the 
business  “ environment”  of  the  State 
of  Michigan?

Over  $750,000  of  revenue  to  the 
State  of Michigan  is  derived  each  year 
from  tourists  who  indicate  on  surveys 
that  golf 
is  the  primary  reason  for 
their  visit?

LATE  ANNOUNCEMENT

This  announcement  will  be  too  late 
for  this  year,  but  plan  to  attend  next 
year’s  meeting.

February  13-14,  1980 
Public  Golf  Course 
Operations  Institute 
MSU - Kellogg Center 

“ Up front Golf Course  Management” 
Power  Carts  -  Lease  or  purchase 
Golf Fees  and Charges 
Golf  Course  Safety 
Operation  of Golf Driving  Ranges 
Golf Special Events 
Off Season  Activities 
Promoting Golf Operations

EDITORIAL  NOTE

Present  Address:

N AM E

A D D R E S S

C I T Y  
Fill  In  New  Address:

S T A T E  

N A M E

A D D R E S S

Z I P

Z I P

In  case  you find  any  mistakes  in this 
magazine,  please  remember  they  are 
put  there  for  a  purpose.  We  try  to  offer 
something  for  everyone  in  this  mag­
azine.  Some  people  are  always  looking 
for  mistakes.

S T A T E  

C I T Y  
Mail  this  form to:
A  PATCH  OF  GREEN
31823  Utica  Road 
Fraser,  Michigan 48026

16

PUSH!

Kubota front dozer 
blades are available for 
B-Seriesand L-Series 
Kubota diesel tractors, 
and are ideal for a wide 
variety of dozing type 
functions.

$ 5 2 3
A ran UNI Of
HÜKUB0TR

Test  drive  a  Kubota  Diesel  Tractor  now  at:

WM.  F.  SELL &  SON,  INC.

16555  TELEG RAPH  R O A D  
T A Y LO R .  M IC H IG A N   4 8 1 8 0  
T e le p h o n e :  3 1 3 /2 8 2 -5 1 0 0

TURF  SUPPLIES INC.

6 9 0 0   Pardee  Rd.,Taylor, Michigan

(313)291-1200

DON’T  EVEN  THINK 
OF  BUYIN G.........................

GRASS  SEED
FERTILIZERS
FUNGICIDES
WITHOUT  C A LLIN G

291-1200

Creeping  Speedwell  cont.
pest  density  is  50%  or  less.

it 

h e r b i c i d e  

speedwell.  Dacthal 
because 

Dacthal  is  normally  used  as  a  pre­
for  annual 
emergence 
it  also 
is  an 
grasses.  Surprisingly, 
turfgrass  for 
effective  herbicide 
in 
the  selective  post-emergence  control 
of 
creeping 
is 
advantageous 
can  kill 
creeping  speedwell,  prevent  the  es­
tablishment  of  annual  grassy  weeds, 
but  allow  perennial  turfgrasses  on  the 
site  to  grow  and  spread  throughout the 
treated  area.  Chemical  treatment  of 
is  most  effective 
creeping  speedwell 
when  the  plant 
is  actively  growing, 
usually  in the  spring  or fall.

In  research  trials,  granular  formula­
tions  of Dacthal  did  not  control  creep­
ing  speedwell,  indicating  that  Dacthal 
must  be  applied  to  and  absorbed  by the 
foliage.  Both  the  wettable  powder  and 
the  flowable  formulations  were  effec­
tive.

Flowing 

application  of  Dacthal, 
the  visual  appearance  of the  lawn  is 
improved.  Creeping 
speedwell,  nor­
mally  yellow-green  in  color,  will  dar­
ken  and  blend  better  with  the  turf­
grasses.  This  symptom  remains  for 
4  to  5  weeks.  At the  end  of that  period, 
the  creeping  speedwell  begins  to  curl, 
wilt  and  disintegrate.  At  no  time  does 
the  pest  turn  the yellow  or  brown  color 
that 
commonly  associated  with 
is 
injury.
herbicide 

Dacthal  applied  on  creeping  speed­
well  at  the  recommended  rate  and  time 
for  preemergence  crabgrass  control  in 
the  spring  has  been  found  to  control 
both  pests  very  effectively.  Fall  treat­
ments  of Dacthal  may  not  kill  creeping 
speedwell  until  the  following  spring. 
The  pest  may  still  appear  dark  green 
and  healthy  at  snowfall  but  will  simply 
be  non-existant  after  the  snow  melts. 
The  fall  treatment  has  been  used  very 
successfully  on  golf  courses  since  at 
no  time  does  the  golfer  notice  adverse 
symptoms.

TURF  SUPPLIES INC.

6900  Pardee  Rd.,Taylor, Michigan

(313)291-1200

To  achieve  all  that  is  possible,  we 

must  attempt the  impossible.

17

the 

Grooming  Putting  Surface  cont.
the  homeowner  from  rental  centers  and 
are  used  for  dethatching  lawns.  This 
is  based  on  the  principle 
technique 
the  vertical  blades  will  cut 
that 
through 
thatch  and  remove  the 
to  produce  a 
prostrate-type  growth, 
smooth, 
true  putting 
surface.  The 
secret  of  this  operation  is  to  set  the 
units  very  shallow,  so  that  they  just 
nick  the  surface  of the  turf.  A  good 
rule  of  thumb  is  that  if  you  can  see 
the  grooves  the  machine  is  making,  it 
is  cutting  too  deeply.  It 
is  recom­
that  verticutting  be  done 
mended 
frequently,  several  times  per  month  is 
possible,  especially  during  the  spring 
and  fall  when  weather  conditions  are 
favorable.  Verticutting  greens 
is  a 
very  effective  means  of  controlling 
the  grain,  but  it  requires  the  purchase 
of  a  separate  machine  or  units  which 
fit  into the  triplex putting  green  mower, 
and  it  takes  extra  time  to  perform  the 
operation.  However,  the  results  would 
appear to justify the  means.

on  greens 

Other  factors  must  be  considered 
the  development  and  control  of 
for 
including  cutting 
grain 
fertility  pro­
height  and 
grams, 
the 
species  or  variety  of  grass  involved, 
etc.

topdressing 

frequency, 

programs, 

To  be  as  much  as  we  can  be,  we 

must dream of being more.

Tire  Wholesalers 

Company,  Inc.

Phone:  (313)  354  5644
TRUCK-CAR 
M OTORCYCLE 
INDUSTRIAL 

TRAILER 

itUI 
J 
UNIROVAL

A
WHOLESALE  PRICES  TO  COMMERCIAL  ACCOUNTS

TIRES

.

E N G IN E E R E D   R A IN  
mmm 

Turf Topics-

m  mmm 

m

Precision Controllers 
With Unmatched Flexibility.
J-M Buckner is first in the industry to offer you solid-state 
microelectronics in an irrigation controller. Our KCS line of 
controllers are as easy to operate as pocket calculators. 
KCS offers unmatched flexibility with 12 or 24 individual 
circuits and four 14-day schedules ... all with timing 
accuracy down to a fraction of a second. The KCS totals 
daily watering time, allows skipping up to nine days, has 
both automatic and manual syringe cycles for services 
such as dew removal and many more unique features. 
Operation is simple, fast and accurate.

NOW  is  the  time  to  consider  converting 
existing  quick  coupling  valves  or 
manual  systems  to  automatic  --  with 
J-M/Buckner,  solid  state  KCS  automatic 
equipment  and  new  automatic  valves  and 
sprinkler  heads.
You  may  do  it   yourself  --  or  check  with 
Jim  Vince  on  design  and  installatio n.

Write or call direct

O t A C a
ENGINEERED  RAIN

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

18

1

HOWARD

COMMERCIAL TURF EQUIPMENT

COMMERCIAL 60” MOWER

The  Howard  60”  Com m ercial  M ow er  with  forward  m ounted 
cutting  head  affords  m axim um   visibility,  non-tracking  per­
form ance  and  unparalleled  trim m ing  capabilities  around  and 
under  bushes,  chains,  guard  rails,  picnic  tables,  etc.  By  having 
your  cutting  head  out  in  front,  independently  attached,  you 
can  actually  see  the  m ow er  following  the  contour  of  the

vT O *

ground,  not  the  tractor.  The  Howard  Comm ercial  M ow er  with 
hydrostatic transmission enables you  to set your cutting  speed 
to  an  infinite  range,  between  the  speeds  of  0 and  6.2  M .P .H ., 
d ep e n d in g   on  yo u r  m o w in g   c o n d itio n s .  T h e  heavy  d u ty 
tran sm issio n   and  d iffe re n tia l  allo w s  for  a  re s p o n s iv e , yet 
smdoth,  operating  forward  and  reverse  action 
in  open  or 
congested  areas.  The  transmission  is  backed  by  the  strongest 
warranty  in  the  field.  The outstanding  versatility  of  our  tractor 
is  evidenced  by  the  attachm ents  which  are  available.  The 
attachm ents  are  quick  change  and  may  be  run  off  our  live 
P.T.O.

LAWN  EQUIPMENT  CORPORATION

520 W.  U  MILE  ROAD 

ROYAL  OAK,  MICH.  48068 

TELEPH O N E:  (313) 390-3636

19

The

E-Z-GO

Maintenance

Machine.
The  E-Z-GO  GT-7  Truck 

is  a  vital  part  of any 
efficient  maintenance 

system.

The  GT-7  is  engineered 

for  versatility  and 

durability.

Its  all-steel  construction 
takes  on  the  tough  jobs 

longer.

E-Z-GO
TEXTRON
W.F. Miller Equipment Company

Call Now For A Demonstration And Price Quotation

1593  S.  WOODWARD  A VE. 

BIRMINGHAM,  MICHIGAN  48011 

TELEP H O N E:  (313)  647-7700

"A  Patch  of  Green"
31823  U T IC A   RO AD  

F R A S E R ,  M ICHIGAN  48026

DEPT,  SOIL  &  CROP  SCIENCES 
TEXAS  A  &.  M  UNIVERSITY 
COLLEGE STATION,  TEXAS 
ATTN:  DR, JAMRS BEARD

77840