, b k l F " V M o b t f [ i ^ J OCTOBER 1982 '4 # il Vji>" ; micwm SR.; wavusai Official Publication of the Michigan & Border Cities Golf Course Superintendents Association method of reel ' s< pipf' aJ| 5 ponds and lak \ te most Reclaimed balls - Washed, Sorted and Striped - ready for use. Supply your driving range and pro shop with retrieved balls. scorrer golf ball company today! 3o!f Ball Company ^ B R O C 6148 Thornycroft Street Utica, Ml l y i i l % * V AND ADDITIONAL I U H R E TOUGH N EW BATTERY Tough, because the Superior Battery heis what it takes to get your golf cars through long tough days. And long tough seasons. Our deep cycle design helps assure that strong, continuous p ow er will be delivered to the m otor. To m ake And when you put us in service, you get the added benefit o f dealing with a company that manufactures its batteries right here in Michigan. A company that s just a phone call away. A company that s interested in making one kind of battery. A golf car battery. AND WE’RE MADE RIGHT HERE IN MICHIGAN. SUPERIOR BATTERY 49600/Martin Drive/ Wixom/Michiga MICHIGAN & BORDER CITIES GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT BRUCE WOLFROM, CGCS Barton Hills Country Club 435 Stein Road Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103 Off. 662-8359 - Res. 884-8684 VICE PRESIDENT WALTER TROMBLEY Arrowhead Country Club 3130 Orion Road Lake Orion, Michigan 48035 Off. 373-5240 - Res. 693-2924 SECRETARY-TREASURER KEVIN DUSHANE,CGCS Wabeek Country Club 159 Willards Way Union Lake, Michigan 48085 Off. 851-1689 - Res. 698-2924 BOARD OF DIRECTORS CLEM WOLFROM Detroit Golf Club 530 Kendry B loomfield Hills, Michigan 48013 Off. 345-4589 - Res. 334-0140 MICHAEL EDGERTON Meadowbrook Country Club 32136 Hees Livonia, Michigan 48150 Off. 349-3608 - Res. 522-6238 CHARLES GAIGE Lakelands Golf & Country Club 7390 Rickett Brighton, Michigan 48116 Off. 231-3003 - Res. 227-4617 CRAIG ROGGEMAN St. Clair Shores Country Club 22185 Masonic Blvd. St. Clair Shores, Michigan 48082 294-6170 DANIEL UZELAC Dominion Golf Club RR No. 7 Oldcastle, Ontario, Canada NOR 1LO Off. 969-4350 - Res. 969-4350 THEODORE WOEHRLE Oakland Hills Country Club 3390 Witherbee Troy, Michigan 48084 Off. 644-3352 - Res. 649-6849 PRESIDENT EMERITUS JAMES TIMMERMAN, CGCS Orchard Lake Country Club 7183 Buckhom Orchard Lake, Michigan 48033 Off. 682-2150 - Res. 360-0238 "A PATCH OF GREEN” Pub l¡sh ed monthly by the MICHIGAN AND BORDER CITIES GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION Circulation: 1,250 Ted Woehrle, CGCS, Oakland Hills C.C. EDITOR P rin ted 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 Full Page.......................................................... 65.00 Half Page........................................................ 40.00 Quarter Page.................................................... 30.00 E i ghth 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. *76cd TH*ntA'd r fd v e n ti& e M ,- • Allingham Corporation Golf Car Distributors Lakeshore Equipment Corporation Lawn Equipment Corporation Lebanon/ Agrico Mallinckrodt, Inc. W.F. M iller Garden & Equipment Oxford Peat Company Rain-Bird Sales, Inc. Raven Golf Ball Company O.M. Scott & Son, Inc. Wm. F. Sell 8» Son, Inc. Sprinkler Irrigation Supply Co. Superior Battery Terminal Sales Corporation Tire Wholesalers, Inc. Turfgrass, Inc. Turf Supplies, Inc. Wilkie Turf Equipment Div ision, Inc. 4 SYSTEM. Because the flexibility of the Cushman Turf-Care System saves you time and money. Here’s how! The System is built around the rugged, versatile 18 hp Turf- Truckster, 3-or 4-wheel model. With this one power source and options, you can haul, spray, spike, spread and top dress. And save as much as 35% on equipment in the process. Because, instead of buying separately powered units for each job, you buy only the Turf- Truckster and the modular Cushman accessories you need. So you pay less in total for equipment... and have only one power unit to maintain. C U S H M A N 9 TURF-CARE EQUIPMENT OMC-Lincoln, a Division of Outboard Marine Corporation 6201 Cushman Drive P.0. Box 8 2 4 0 9 Lincoln, Nebraska 68501 But that’s not all. The System is also a time saver that can cut your labor costs. Accessories mount on the back of the Turf-Truckster. Your men do their work quickly, efficiently... and then move on to the next job at speeds up to 22 mph. There’s less wasted traveling time, so you get more work out of each hour of labor cost. The Cushman Turf-Care System. Versatility, superior performance, economy. It’s a tough system to beat. Write today for your free Cushman Turf Care Catalog. Ybu can't beat the system . CALL NOW For a demonstration and price quotation. (313) 338-0425 GOLF CAR DISTRIBUTORS 1980 W. Wide Track Drive (U.S. 10) Pontiac, Michigan 48058 Phone: (313) 338-0425 5 Late Season Nitrogen Research in Minnesota & W hat it Can Mean to You Dr. Don White, Professor & Turf Specialist Department of Horticultural Science & Landscape Architecture University of Minnesota “ Grass is the forgiveness of nature . . . her constant benediction . . harvests perish, flowers vanish, but grass is immortal.” John J. Ingalls (1833-1900), speech to Senate, 1874. The beauty of the words by John Ingalls fails us on an occasional spring when a young man’s fancy turns toward all sorts of things. But the golf course superintendent’s fancy turns toward bringing the course back from another average Minnesota winter. Average in that there are no two alike. We do lots of things to “ bring the course back” after winter. We aerify, vertical mow, overseed, top dress, fertalize and hope no one really wants to know what happened. Some of the most productive things we can do, however, can be accomplished in the fall before winter. This is the time for us to be thinking about spring. It is the time when grasses develop roots and rhizones and lay down storage materials that will help carry the plants through the winter and winter-spring transition when most damage seems to occur. Research here at Minnesota has shown that one of the most productive things we can do to help grass plants over­ winter is to ensure that a late season nitrogen supply is available to the grass community. Late season meaning after October 15 in the Twin city area. Until recent years standard recommendation has been to stop fertilizing with nitrogen by 10-15 Sep­ tember. The concern was that the nitrogen would stimulate growth and not allow plants to “ harden” for the winter. At the same time many super­ intendents were applying snowmold treatments mixed with organic fertil­ izer with excellent results. That was alright because everyone knew that the organic fertilizer would not release any nutrients because it was too cold to decompose. But still many of the greens treated in this manner came through the winter better than others. That was one of the reasons why we Continued Page 18 No synthetically produced fertilizer can compare with the MILORGANITE Golf Courses Use More MILORGANITEx r ^ ^ y Than Any Other Fertilizer TERMINAL SALES CORR 12871 EATON AVE. DETROIT, MICH. 48227 (313) 491 -0606 6 The A rt o f Y esterd a y The S cience o f Today by William H. Bengeyfield National Director, USGA Green Section It is one of the fascinating paradoxes of our profession. Turfgrass management - for golf - is indeed both an art and a science. It was always meant to be so. The keeper-of-the-green profession has a heritage going back 400, perhaps 500 years. How much it has changed! Science has changed it. And yet, para­ doxically, how little it has changed. It is still basically an art form. The thoughts that follow are mostly concerned with science, but my real message is about art. Science and the Earthworm Back in the 1930’s, Dr. John Montieth, then Director of the Green Section, recalled golfers of that day continously complained about earthworm casts on the surface of greens. Invariably, they told him, the casts would deflect their putts away from the hole. Now, from a scientific and statistical point of view, he felt surely a ball would occasionally be deflected into the hole, over the years, he never reclled hearing one complaint about this occurrence! Science has long ago solved the earth­ worm problem - and many more. Weed control, disease devastation, better machinery, better fertilizers - we are all better off because of turfgrass science. Science and the Stimpmeter “ Science” has even developed a little stick we now roll a ball down th test the speed of the green. The Stimpmeter is Continued Page 15 ARE YOU INTERESTED IN JOINING THE MICHIGAN AND BORDER CITIES GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION? FILL IN THE QUESTIONAIRE BELOW AND MAIL TO: CLEM WOLFROM DETROIT GOLF CLUB 530 Kendry Bloomfield H ills , Ml 48013 Off. 345-4589, Res. 334-0140 D A T E ____________________ NAME _____________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS ________________________________________________________________ C IT Y ___________________________ S T A T E ______________ Z IP ___________ OR Y O U M A Y 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 Y O U A N D G I V E H I M T H E I N F O R M A T I O N N E E D E D F O R A P P L I C A T I O N . 7 PROPER TRANSITIONAL MANAGEMENT FOR NORTHERN GRASSES REDUCES DISEASES, PROMOTES EARLY GREEN UP Autumn’s shorter days and cooler temperatures bring fewer golfers out on the courses, but this is the beginning of another critical time for superin­ tendents: the transitional period. “ The worst is over, but transitional management for northern grasses such as bluegrass, bentgrass, perennial rye­ grass and creeping red fescue is im­ portant,” states Todd Cutting, TUCO Agricultural Chemicals technical field extension “ Proper cultural management practices during the transitional period (early Septem­ ber to freeze-up) pay off next spring in terms of fewer disease problems, healthier turf and earlier green-up.” This period poses as a dilemma for the superintendent. On one hand, he must maintain a good golfing surface through the late season. On the other hand, he representative. shouldn’t do anything to cause exces­ sive growth which can increase turfs susceptibility to diseases and winter injury. “ Many superintendents start off with exceptionally good disease control programs, but tend to slack off during the transitional period,” notes Cutting. “ The available labor supply dwindles students return to school, the budget is nearly depleted and winter is fast approaching. However, what you do in the fall determines what you get next year.” To maintain good surfaces for fall play while preparing the turf for winter and ensuring healthy turf for the spring, Cutting recommends the following steps: 1) Continue the fertility program to Continued Page 13 ¿LLINGHANl CORPORATION DETROIT A CRANE AND COMPRESSOR RENTAL SERVICE COM PA NY” Water lines must be blown out before freeze-ups cause extensive repairs. For portable air compressor rental call. . . (313) 444-8850 ANYTIME - DAY OR NIGHT FROM 150 cfm TO 1600 cfm MACHINES AVAILABLE 21250 W. 8 MILE RD. SOUTHFIELD, Ml 48075 8 GOLF CORRECTING WATER USAGE IMAGE Determined to correct the onerous and inaccurate image it has in the water usage area, the game of golf has initiated a nationwide 1982-83 cam­ paign to remove itself from an often pictured villainous role within nature’s water cycle. To identify golfs vital place in the world’s water supply cycle, a logo has been developed by a Research Task Force representing the national golf association community. Man’s survival depends on water. Less than one percent of the world’s total water supply, 359 quadrillion gallons, can be consumed by man. By the year 2000, the demand on the world’s per capita water supply will increase by 33 percent because of greater population alone. It is imperative that alternative sources of water be identified and that nature’s water cycle be understood by all, whether they play golf or not. Golf Courses and other green areas play a vital role in the water cycle. Turfgrass serves as a filter which removes impurities that would other­ wise find their way into our rapidly dwindling ground water supplies. It can also purify recycled water from factories treatment facilities and return it to underground aquifers. Acording to James E. McLouglin, Executive Director of the Golf Course Superintendents of America, “ What we are trying to get across is that golf courses recycle water, whether it’s by using effluent water or simply by filtering water from natural sources. Golf should be looked on as one of the good guys in this scenario instead of part of the problem. Association and sewage 6ro c ^ > BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF FARIY RINGS TEN QUALITIES OF A LEADER The most common cause of fairy rings in turfgrasses is Marasmium oreades. All isolates of this fungus are antagon­ istic to each other. (Have you noticed that fairy rings never overlap?) Bio­ logical control is based on this mutual antagonism The steps in control are: 1. Strip the sod from two or more fairy rings. 2. Rototill the soil beneath the rings. 3. Collect and then thoroughly blend the dense white ‘’spawn” from under the rings. 4. Spread the blended spawn back over the soil under the rings. 5. Rake or rototill the spawn into the top several inches of soil. 6. Rake or roll the soil level. lace the sod and water thoroughly 7. Replace the sod and water thoroughly until it is established. Continued Page 14 1. He must be able to take criticism. No person in a position of authority will be I immune from it. He must learn to sort out the constructive, from which he can learn, and the malicious which he must ignore. 2. He must learn to stand adversity. Things will not always go well. Failures will happen. A good leader will bounce back. 3. He must be able to delegate authority. He must be able to give up power, to trust those under him. 4. The leader must make decisions. ( The person who can not take a stand does not deserve to lead others. 5. The leader must be free from preju- ( dices. “ Prejudice,” someone once said, “ is a luxury only little people can j afford.” 6. He must learn to praise others, to Continued Page 14 FOR ALL YOUR IRRIGATION NEEDS YOUR FULL STOCK FULL SERVICE DISTRIBUTOR NELSON JIM VINCE AUSTIN MILLER PETE ASARO SPRINKLER IRRIGATION SUPPLY CO. 1312 N. CAMPBELL ROAD ROYAL OAK, Ml 48067 PHONE: (313) 398-2233 10 TORO Tòro Debris Handling Equipment Two machines in one Makes cleaning a breeze With the Toro Vacuum/Blower you can clean up to a quarter- acre In less than an hour. The 5-horsepower vacuum has a 30" vacuum head that rakes In leaves, twigs, and even cans. For better vacuum action, it has a flexible rubber lip on the vacuum head and seven height ad­ justments. The heavy duty bag can handle seven bushels and has a sturdy metal zipper. The vacuum is available In hand-propelled or self-propelled models, and with an optional attachment, hitches to the back of a tractor or rider-mower. Both Toro vacuum models can be converted to a leaf blower in about 5 minutes - without costly optional equipment or tools. Just take off the vacuum head, attach the special discharge chute, rotate the impeller housing, and raking becomes a breeze! As a blower, it uses a 100 M.P.H. “ jet stream” to blow damp or dry debris into an easily bagged pile. The air discharge chute converts to straight ahead or side use, too. And, there’s an optional hose kit to get in and out of . . . corners and tight places. The two and only Toro Vacuum/Blower. It’s a product of over 60 years of experience in lawn maintenance equipment. WILKIE Turf Equipment Division, Irte. P.O. Box 749 • 1050 Opdyke Road • Pontiac • Michigan • 48056 • 31 3/373-8800 11 12 i Proper Management, Cont. maintain adequate grass growth for good playing surface while not causing excessive growth. “During the transitional period, turf begins replenishing depleted growth reserves by storing carbohydrates and sugars in its roots and begins making tillers instead of leaves. Tiller produc­ tion is greatly increased by raising the supply of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium” explains Cutting. Cutting recommends using a balanced fertilizer containing V2 lb. nitrogen in early September. Nitrogen supplies nutrients for root growth and provides for dark green color in early spring. The more root growth that occurs in autumn, the greater tillering that can occur in early spring. Potassium helps prevent winter damage, regulate water retention and increase turf s hardiness to heat, cold and drought. 2) Maintain watering program to en­ sure good surface playability while encouraging root development. “ Over­ watering interferes with root develop­ ment and can cause lush growth which increases the plant’s susceptibility to disease and tissue freezing. Excess water also favors development of common fall diseases such as leaf spot and dollar spot,” notes Cutting. 3) Continue disease control program to reduce the numbers of overwintering sclerotia for dollarspot and spores for leaf spot, and also early snow mold. Cutting recommends two applications of Acti-dione RZ - the first in late October and the second in mid November. This fungicide contains the antibiotic Actidione and PCNB. “ Acti-dione knocks down any diseases that are actively working, and PCNB component provides a fungistatic bar­ rier which prevents diseases from spreading,” says Cuting. “ PCNB is broken down by bacteria in the soil. Because these organisms become in­ active at temperatures below 50 de­ grees F., PCNB remains in the thatch layer and suppresses disease activity until spring. Actidione RZ used on a regular basis establishes a barrier that continually suppresses the germina­ tion of fungal inoculum..” 4) Dormant fertilize when the grass is Continued Next Page 13 Don't Settle for Less than the Best POSITIVE SNOW MOLD CONTROL Calo-Clor & Calo-Gran Proven # 1 in University Tests Usually only one application per season Effective against both grey and pink snow mold Extremely economical cost in use Put your Green & Tees to bed this winter with Calo-Clor or Calo-Gran and feel safe. AVAILABLE THROUGH THE FOLLOWING AUTHORIZED DEALERS - BENHAM CHEMICAL 624-3200 LAWN EQUIPMENT 348-8110 TURFGRASS, INC. 437-1427 Proper Management, Cont. done growing. Depending on the course’s location, Cutting recommends applying fertilizer which contains 1-2 lbs. nitrogen in late October to early December before snowfall. By incorporating these transitional management tips into your disease control program, you can achieve disease-free turf as well as early spring green up. True Leader, Cont. share the credit, and to give credit where it is due. If he tries to take credit for everything, he will not lead, he will only frustrate those under him. 7. A leader must be able to concentrate under difficult conditions, to keep the goal constantly in mind, to keep his head when all about him are losing theirs. 8. A true leader will assume responsi­ bility for his own mistakes. 9. Nor will be trying to avoid responsi­ bilities for the mistakes of others. He will, like Robert E. Lee, take the re­ sponsibility for the mistakes of his lieutenants. 10. A good leader will grow and learn. Stagnation is not leadership. Fairy Rings, Cont. This biological control for fairy rings is superior to the “ masking” of symp­ toms by deep coring followed by: (1) a recommended nitrogen plus iron fertil­ ization program, and (2) saturating the soil in the green outer ring, up to 24 inches deep, using a tree-feeding lance or root-feeder attachment on a garden house. Keeping the soil more saturated for several weeks is suggested since fairy ring fungi are severely inhibited in high moisture soils. Also remember that there are NO chemicals that will kill out fairy ring fungi in the soil without killing the grass when it is left in place during treatment. 14 FOR SALE 7 Year Old Toro Triplex Mower with a 2 Year Old Kohler Engine PLUS 4 Jake Walk-Behind Mowers 6 & 7 Years Old Call KENT JACOBY 651-9140 Make Your Best Offer The best in Turf Supplies— LESCO 100% Sulfur-Coated Fertilizers , Golf Course Accessories, Chemicals including LESCOSAN' A Highly Effective Pre-Emergence Crabgrass and Poa Annua Control Lescosan (B etasan-R eg. TM o f Stauffer ____________________________C hem ical, Co.) (800) 362-7413 IN OHIO (800) 321-5325 NATIONWIDE Available From: Lakeshore Equipment & Supply Co. ‘‘Home Of LESCO Products” 300 South Abbe, Elyria, OH 44035 'For Land's Sake-'Use Peat" OXFORD p m CO, 1430 E. Drahner Rd. Oxford, Michigan 48051 PROCESSED PEAT Top Dressing Blends Custom Blending FRED LATTA 313/628-5991 Tire Wholesalers Company, Inc. HHIHffiiEU Southfield. Mich. 48075 ( V, MIX «.at 1 SwtMI.M * • * ) 19240 West Eight Mil« m m TRUCK-CAR jhi • MOTORCYCLE H I A. TRAILER TIRES WHOLESALE PRICES TO COMMERCIAL ACCOUNTS Art & Science, Cont. designed to establish speed criteria - not to make every green lightning fast, virtually impossible to putt off to main­ tain a healthy turf. Man did that! Those who condemn the Stimpmeter over­ look the fact that there is an art in using it. The speed of any particular set of greens must surely be at that level best suited for the membership and the conditions that prevail. Science and Soils Science has given us specifications for putting green construction. The Green Section Specifications, written in the early 1960’s, are officially entitled, “ A Method of Putting Green Construc­ tion.” No one in a responsible position with the Green Section ever said or claimed they would produce the per­ fect foolproof green. Someone else said that. But science produced the data. It is up to us to execute, to use the data, to make it work. An artist does that. Science and Research Now a new era of research, to be sponsored by the USGA Green Section, lies just ahead. Conceived by A1 Radko, a long-range, multi-million-dollar re­ search project on minimal mainten­ ance turfgrasses will soon be under­ way. The objective is to develop turf­ grasses that will have greater winter hardiness, wear resistance, drought and temperature tolerance, disease and insect resistance, salt tolerance, require lower fertility levels, and still produce superior playing qualities. Grass plant selections in Asia and South Africa are now underway by U. S. scientists, sponsored by the Green Section. Once the work is complete, an intensive plant breeding program will begin. Genetic selections will be made by advanced computer analysis that cuts years off of previous plant breed­ ing techniques. The full study will take at least 10 years. It will require an estimated outlay of $5 million. It is an exciting undertaking, the largest of its kind in history! It will need your help and your support. Science and Computers Computers have been mentioned and they are indeed a new “ science” . They are going to affect our professional and Continued Next Page cduiUNTRY CLUB TURF PRODUCTS —Homogenous Granulation —High UF (W.I.N.) —Balanced Feeding —Fits Your Budget Distributed by.^— Lebanon Chemical Corporation P.O. Box 847, Danville, Illinois 61832 uim.F.seii & Son,Inc. SINCE 1923 RENTAL SALES - SERVICE Tractors Equipment Complete line of Material Handling & Farm Equipment * SWEEPERS * LOADERS * TRENCHERS* MOWERS * ROTARY CUTTERS * BACK HOE DIGGERS * BACK FILL BLADES * POST HOLE DIGGERS JOB TAILORED EQUIPMENT 282-5100 16555 TELEGRAPH RD. - TAYLOR 1 MILE SO UTH OF EUREKA 15 TURF SUPPLIES ING. 6 9 0 0 Pardee Rd.,Taylor, Michigan (3 1 3 )2 9 1 -1 2 0 0 DON’T EVEN THINK OF BUYING........................ GRASS SEED FERTILIZERS FUNGICIDES WITHOUT CALLING 291-1200 TURF SUPPLIES INC. 6 9 0 0 Pardee R d .,Taylor, Michigan (313) 2 9 1 -1 2 0 0 If you have changed your address, please let us know so we can keep our addressing plates up to date. Present Address: N A M E A D D R E S S C I T Y S T A T E Z I P Fill In New Address: N A M E A D D R E S S C I T Y S T A T E Z I P Mail this form to: A PATCH OF GREEN 31823 Utica Road Fraser, Michigan 48026 16 lives immeasurably Art & Science, Cont. private in the immediate future. Dr. V.B. youngner, University of California, Riverside, recently said,“ Computers are an un­ believably fast and unbelievably accurate machine, they are also incredibly dumb. Man, on the other hand, is an extremely slow and in­ accurate machine. However, he is brilliant! Bring these three forces to­ gether, i.e., speed, accuracy and brilliance, and there is no limit to what may be accomplished.” Notice, if you will, it is man’s brilliance, his art that makes the difference, he makes the computer work. And so it is in turfgrass management, in cooking, in driving an automobile, in just about any pursuit in life. You can have all the science in the world, but if you don’t have that certain ability, that perception, that art, to bring it all together in the right manner: If you don’t have that “ touch,” You don’t have very much! Science and Irrigation Science has also given us improved methods of irrigation. Now here is a topic we can all relate to as a science and an art. Who among us will disagree that automatic is not AUTOMATIC? Any type of irrigation is, at best, an inexact science. There are so many variables: wind, cloud cover, temperature, soil types, humid­ ity, cutting height, type of grass, shade factors, etc. The more variables one must deal with, the greater the “ art” becomes. Good irrigation is indeed an art. Science and Us Perhaps one of the greatest gospels you and I can preach today in turfgrass management is that “ green does not necessarily equal good.” This story should be told over and over again, especially to American golfers. Now, I have heard the quick voices of dissent among us regarding this phil­ osophy. There are always quick voices of dissent. But before we agree to argue about it, let’s first be sure we under­ stand what is being said. No one has said, “ Green golf courses are bad!” That’s foolishness. But the demand by some for a green, green, green golf course, overly watered, overly fertil- irrigation ized, not properly mowed for good playing conditions (but mowed instead for a good green appearance) does NOT make it a good golf course for golf. Our concern, our job today is much the same as it was for the “ keeper of the green” 500 years ago. It is to provide the best possible playing surfaces for the game of golf, not necessarily the greenest ones. Science will help us immeasurably in our work. But it takes more than science. It takes that special, magical ingredient known as YOU. It is you who make it all come together. You make it happen. You are the artist. Please don’t ever forget that! Golf Digest Reinstates Oakland Hills in Top 10 The Augusta National was replaced by Oakland Hills in the Top 10 ranking, according to the panalist because they failed to place a premium on accurate driving. Augusta’s wide fair- wa and sparse rough give any undue advantage to the long hitters. Oakland Hills, often dubbed the “monster,” has been the site for many major championships, - the latest in the U.S. National Senior Open last summer. The Sporting Life “By the way, did the course manager ever give the greenskeeper the raise he demanded?” u-, (S- ' h >-4 ! < ' ■ » . < —"SI A. ^ Serving W ith Q U A L IT Y ------ MALLINCKRODT LEWIS FORE PAR CLEARY COUNTRY CLUB CHICOPEE Upjohn FOX VALLEY Chipco d ia m o n d s h a m r o c k Yankee c y c l o n e PBI Gordon Aquatrols Turfgrass Products PanaSea SOUTH LYON, MICHIGAN 48178 Phone: Areo 313 437-1427 GENE JOHANNINGSMEIER Late Nitrogen Research, Cont. started to research late season nitro­ gen nutrition in the 1960’s. One of the first things we found was that nitrogen was released from the organic fertilizer even with late applications. We have been conducting experiments every year since then, investigating nitrogen effects on growth, overwinter­ ing and hardiness. In fact we have done many things like applying nitrogen weekly during the fall to try to in­ fluence hardiness in the turfgrasses. Results from these experiments have clearly shown that late fall nitrogen applications in the proper amounts do not affect the grass plants ability to harden in the fall. Indeed the late fall fertilized treatments always turned out at lease as hardy as the regularly fertilized turves which did not receive nitrogen after September 10. (See Figure 1) RELATIVE HARDINESS OF PENN AFTER POSTHARDENED (OCT 0 years but results have been similar with all three sources. If you are on a slow release nitrogen source program, results have been more comparable if the fertilizer is applied two to four weeks earlier than the soluble fertili­ zers, around the end of September. Remember to be sure the grass is dry when you apply a soluble nitrogen fertilizer if you cannot water it in. If you decide to try it this year, now is the time for you to plan your program, order your fertilizer and prepare for making the application. If you decide not to try it, I suggest that you identify a small area on the course where you can experiment and put out your own plots. In summary our research shows that late season nitrogen applications: (1) do not adversely affect hardiness. (2) result in more green matter carried overwinter and an earlier start in the DSS CREEPING BENTGRASS FERTILIZER TREATMENTS UJ . Cxi CU £ ]S "10 C cn cm -zz (-H c:Q. CD _pfl on I— CD § !-* > ~> °^ C -40 ZD “ -50 / / \ X ■ ^ / / V f / Control (Sept, fertilized ? Milorganite 0.5 Kg N/100 nr) » 12 year extreme minimum temperatures Q' Benefits that have resulted from the late season nitrogen application are: 1) more green leaves and stems over­ winter; 2) earlier growth initiation in the spring; 3) better recovery from winter diseases; 4) more moderate growth pattern in the spring (no flush of growth as is usual with spring applications); 5) no need for a spring nitrogen application until June; 6) and in many cases a reduction in yearly total nitrogen while maintaining quality. Our experiments show that the results are associated with season (October 15-November 10) applica­ tions of one pound of nitrogen (actual) per 1000 square feet, of a soluble nitrogen source such as Ammonium nitrate or Urea or an organic such as Milorganite. the results have often favored the ammonium nitrate over the late spring with higher quality turf. (3) better recovery from winter diseases. (4) moderate growth patterns in the spring. (5) a reduction in the total amount of nitrogen needed over the year. )6) the soluble forms of nitrogen have a long lasting effect in the spring often maintaining quality to mid-June. Best wishes for the end of another good season and a better year in 1983. THE INFORMATION GIVEN IN, THIS PUBLICATION IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. REFERENCE TO COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS OR TRADE NAMES IS MADE WITH THE UNDERSTAND­ ING THAT NO DISCRIMINATION IS INTENDED AND NO ENDORSE- , MENT BY THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA IS IMPLIED. 18 FAMOUS GIANT-VAC’S GIANT-BIO GIANT BLO GIANT-VAC Mfg.,lnc. Affiliate of H.L.Diehl Co.lnc. • South Windham,Conn.06266 Chaic« of 4 H.P. Kohler pngsn« (No. 4B) or 5 H.P. Briggs & Strat­ ton engine (No, SB) to x 2.5Q semi-pneumatic wheels are stand ard, Fully pneumatic 10 x 3.50 wheels eptmnai. Giant-Bio whisks away leaves and debris at super-hurricane velocities. Well balanced for operator ease and maneuverability. A Giant-Bio will clean many acres in a fraction of the normal time. A unique exhaust deflector is standard on all models and directs the air in either a side or forward direction. This is ideal for cleaning hard to get at places. Intake and Ex­ haust hose kits are also available. Giant-Bios clean debris as neatly as hand raking, yet, 11 times faster and 10 times easier. ... . Sold and Serviced by LAWN EQUIPMENT CORPORATION NOVI, MICH. 48050 46845 W. 12 MILE ROAD P.O. BOX 500 (313) 348-8110 720 SWEEPER Sweep and Dethatch in One Operation (optional thotcher thinner) 720-E SWEEPER Rubber Finger Pickup System Cleans Up Everything \ \ I C ▼ ▼•A» I V X I l l t i l Equipment Company 1593 S. WOODWARD AVE. BIRMINGHAM, MICHIGAN 48011 l V I i l l ^ r Garden & Lawn TELEPHONE: (313) 647-7700 "A Patch of Green” 31823 U T IC A R O A D F R A S E R , M IC H IG A N 48026 CHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY -IBRARY - SERIALS EAST LANSING, MICII, 48823