JUNE 1983

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Official  Publication  of  the

Michigan  &  Border  Cities  Golf  Course  Superintendents  Association

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PLEASE  SEND  FOR  PRICE  BROCHURE  AND  AD D ITIO N A L  INFORMATION

2

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.  663-9213
VICE  PRESIDENT
MICHAEL  EDGERTOH
Meadowbrook  Country  Club
3066  Sesame
Howell,  Michigan 48843
Off.  349-3608  -   Res.  (517)  546-5927
SECRETARY-TREASURER
KEVIN 
Bloomfield H¡Us  Country  Club 
159  Willards  Way 
Union  Lake,  Michigan  48085 
Off.  642-0707  -   Res.  698-2924
BOARD  OF  DIRECTORS
CLEM  WOLFROM 
Detroit  Coif Club
530  Kendry
Bloomfield Hills,  Michigan  48013 
Off.  345-4589  -   Res.  334-0140

DUSHANE ,CGCS

THOMAS  MASON  Jr.
Birmingham  Country  Club 
3640 Oriole  Rd.
Troy,  Michigan  48084
Off.  644-6320 -   Res.  362-32 01
CHARLES  GAIGE 
Lakelands  Golf <S  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 
Off.  294-6170 -   Res.  774-1394

DANIEL  UZELAC 
Dominion  Golf Club 
RR  No.  1
Oldcastle,  Ontario,  Canada NOR  1LO 
Off.  (519)  969-4350  -   Res.  (519)  969-4350

THEODOREWOEHRLE,  CGCS 
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"
P u b l¡ s h e d   m o n th ly   by  the 

MICHIGAN  AND  BORDER  CITIES  GOLF 

COURSE  SUPERINTENDENTS  ASSOCIATION

Circulation:  1,250

Ted  Woehrle,  CGCS,  Oakland  Hills  C.C. 

EDITOR

P r in t e d   A t

BLAKEMAN  PRINTING  COMPANY

31823  Utica  Road 

Fraser,  Michigan  48026 
Phone:  (313)  293-3540

MONTHLY  ADVERTISING  RATES

D o u b le   P a g e   S p r e a d ............................................. $ 1 5 0 .0 0
B a c k   O u t s i d e   P a g e .................................................   7 5 . 0 0
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D I S C O U N T   R A T E :   One  Y e a r   10%

N o t e :   A d v e r t i s i n g   f e e s   m ay  n o t   be  d e d u c te d  

fro m  

th e   a b o v e   r a t e s .

*7t(¿4  

'MtoH

Century  Rain-Aid 
Dupont
Great  Lakes  Mineral 
Lakeshore  Equipment  Corporation 
Lawn  Equipment  Corporation 
Lebanon  Chemical  Corporation 
W.F.  M ille r  Garden  &  Equipment 
Oxford  Peat  Company 
Raven  golf  Ball  Company 
Rhone-Polenc,  Inc.
O.M.  Scott  &  Son,  Inc.
Wm.  F.  Sell  &  Son.  Inc.
Terminal  Sales  Corporation 
T ire   Wholesalers,  Inc.
Turfgrass,  Inc.
Turf  Supplies,  Inc.
Wilkie  Tu rf  Equipment  Division,  Inc.

3

Research Review

by Wayne  C.  Morgan 

Biological  Control  of Turfgrass 

Diseases -  An  Unrealized  Potential

Golf course superintendents may have 
an ally which provides defense against 
certain  turfgrass  diseases.  Dr.  R.M. 
Endo  and  Dr.  P.F.  Colbaugh  of  U.C. 
Riverside  wrote  such  an  outstanding 
article  on  the  biological  control  of 
turfgrass  diseases  for  the  June,  1974 
Golf  Superintendent  magazine,  it  is 
important that their information be re­
emphasized whenever possible.
A  method  to  control  certain  fungal 
diseases  of turfgrass  —  always  there 
but  unrecognized  —  has  been  found. 
This  is  biological  control.  In  other 
words,  nature  provides  defenses 
against a group of fungal diseases. We 
came to this realization as the result of 
the reserch Dr. P.F. Colbaugh has been 
conducting on Helminthosporium leaf 
spot  at the  University of California at 
Riverside.
Let us review  certain  know facts  : 
Whenever  temperature  and  moisture 
conditions  are  favorable  and  certain 
parasitic  fungi  are  present, 
fungal 
diseases  may  develop  on  susceptible 
turfgrass  varieties.  Behaving  in  this 
manner are the obligate parasites, such 
as the rust and powdery mildew fungi, 
rather than facultative fungal parasites 
such  as  the  Helminthosporium  leaf 
spot and  Sclerotinia dollar spot fungi. 
With  the  exception  of  the  rust  and 
powdery Mildew fungi, all other fungal 
parasites affecting turf are faculatative 
parasites.
O B LIG A TE   AND   F A C U L A T A T IV E  
P A R A S IT E S
The two kinds of parasites differ in that 
obligate  parasites  obtain  their  food 
only  from  living  plants  and  are  in­
capable of breaking down dead plant or 
animal  remains,  while 
faculatative 
parasites are able to obtain food from 
both  living and  dead plants.
It  is  this  difference,  we  believe,  that 
makes it common for facultative fungal 
parasites to be biologically suppressed 
in turfgrass so that disease occurs only

4

erratically.  The  obligate  parasites,  on 
the  other  hand,  are  not  suppressed 
appreciably  by  saprophytic  micro­
organisms  because  they  seldom  come 
in  contact  with  competitive  and  an­
tagonistic microorganisms.
The life cycle of obligate parasites is as 
follows :
1.  Spores  of  the  rust  fungi  are  pro­
duced  within  the  microorganism-free 
interior of the  host plant;
2.  The  spores  become airborne where 
they  normally  encounter  few  micro­
organisms;
3.  The  spores  germinate  and  infect 
vigorously  growing  leaves  and  stems, 
which  bear  low  populations  of sapro­
phytic  microorganisms.
In  contrast,  faculatative  parasites  of 
turfgrass  are  subject  to  biological  in­
fluences  throughout their  lifetime  be­
cause  they  are  constantly  being  ex­
posed  to  antagonistic  forces  and  to 
competition 
turfgrass 
microorganisms  in  these  ways :
1.  The  density  and  short  prostrate 
growth  habit  of  turfgrass  places  the 
aerial portions of the plant in contact or 
in  close  proximity  to  the  microbio- 
logically  active  crop  debris  and  soil.
2.  The  plants  are  constantly  being 
exposed to  microorganisms  by means 
of  foot  traffic,  by  maintenance  prac­
tices such as mowing, fertilization and 
irrigation,  and  by the varied activities 
of  such  creatures  as  earthworms, 
nematodes,  birds,  and  insects.
3. Depending on the depth of the grass 
debris, a variable amount of the stems 
and  roots  will  be  covered  by  the  bio­
logically active  crop  debris.
4.  Because  of  the  extreme  plant 
density,  nutrients  diffusing from fresh 
as  well  as  dead  grass  clippings  may 
stimulate microbial activity on the root 
surfaces as well as the microorganisms 
inhabiting 
the  decomposing  crop 
debris.

from  other 

CONTINUED  PAGE  16

TERSAN 1991
Put the proven performers 
control of brown patch, 
serious
Tersan*  1991  fungicide  and  Daconil 
2787* fungicide are two of the most effec­
tive disease control products on the market. 
And  now,  these  proven  broad-spectrum 
fungicides  are  labeled  for  tank  mixing. 
Together, they give you even better control 
of major turf diseases than either product 
used alone. You get  improved  control, yet 
without the problem of phytotoxicity com­
mon with some tank mixes.

A Tersan  1991/Daconil 2787 tank mix 
will  give  you  consistent  performance 
against brown patch and dollar spot—the 
two  most  troublesome  diseases  on  turf 
each summer. You’ll also get strong action 
on leaf spot and other important diseases. 
It’s  the  kind  of performance  superinten­
dents  depend  on  when  a  quality  course 
can’t be compromised.

•Daconil 2787 is a registered trademark of Diamond 
Shamrock Corporation.

^Daconil 2787s
together for even better 
dollar spot and other 
diseases.

Tbnk mixing brings other advantages, 
too. With Tersan 1991 in your tank, you get 
systemic action for protection from within 
the  turf plant.  Disease  control  is  longer- 
lasting  and  is  less  affected  by  rainfall  or 
frequent  irrigation.  Tank  mixing  fungi­
cides with  different  modes  of action also 
reduces  chances  of benzimidazole  resis­
tance. You help insure the long-term effec­
tiveness  of Tersan  1991  in your  disease 
control program.

This year, plan on using T ersan 1991 in 
combination  with  Daconil  2787.  It’s  the 
tank mix turf diseases can’t match.

With any chemical follow 
labeling instmctions and 
warnings carefully.

5

BROWN  IS NOT BAD

A unique problem occurred this year at 
several  country  clubs  in the  Philadel­
phia  area.  Due  to  a  water  shortage, 
their  bentgrass/Poa  annua  fairways 
were  not  irrigated.  To  the  surprise  of 
some,  the  bentgrasses  survived  in 
excellent  condition,  but,  as  expected, 
the  Poa annua died.  The  good  golfers 
were pleased with the excellent playing 
conditions  and  the  tight,  firm  playing 
surfaces.
The brown areas where Poa annua died 
were  a  shock  to  some  of  the  other 
members.  The  average  club  member, 
with  10  to  30  years  of  country  club 
experience,  has  been  conditioned  to 
lush, green playing surfaces. Golfers at 
these  clubs  like  to  boast  about  the 
“ picture  green”  color  of  their  turf. 
Most  older  club  members  were  not 
concerned since they remembered the 
days  before  fairway irrigation.
The  bentgrasses  actually  improved 
with  water  that  came  only  from  rain. 
Golf course superintendents observed

the  bentgrasses  spreading  into  the 
dead  Poa  annua  areas  during  the 
summer months.  This  further demon­
strated  that  bentgrasses  require  little 
water during the  summer.
The drought conditions which began in 
the summer of 1980 continue through­
out  the  region.  Further  water restric­
tions may be imposed in the future.  It 
appears  that  golf  courses  which  are 
encouraging  drought-tolerant  species 
will be  better prepared for the future. 
Many  older  golf  courses,  with  high 
populations  of  Poa  annua,  a  water­
demanding  plant,  will  have  a  signifi­
cant  transition  period  unless  other 
grass  species  are  introduced.
The  transition  period  will  be  very 
difficult  for  many  golf  courses.  Club 
members  will  have  to  accept  brown 
areas  in the  beginning of the program 
until  the  permanent  grass  population 
increases.  In  all  cases,  it  will  take  a 
strong  golf  superintendent  and  an
CONTINUED  PAGE  15

OTTERBINE

Spray Sculpture Floating Fountains. 

Now you can clean up ponds 

and lakes naturally.

These  self-contained  water  quality  improvement  systems  help  you  keep 
unsightly algae growth and objectionable odors under control naturally, with­
out costly chemicals.

For free information contact this Otterbine dealer:

P T ilu ir ii|ia in a iD

31691  Dequindre 

Madison  Hts.,  Ml 48071 

313/588-2990 

22159 Telegraph
Southfield,  Ml 48034

313/358-2992

6

In Defense of the Stimpmeter

by Donald D.  Hoos 

Director,  Western Region,

USGA  Green  Section

To an archeologist in the 25 th century, 
this extruded aluminum bar, 36 inches 
long, with a v-shaped groove extending 
along  its  entire  length,  may  well  be  a 
puzzle.  But  to  us,  it’ s  a  Stimpmeter! 
We  use  it  to  measure  the  speed  of 
greens,  it  has  a  precisely  milled  ball- 
release  notch  30 
inches  from  the 
tapered end (the end that rests on the 
ground).  It  is  simple  enough.  How­
ever,  this  simple  device  has  been 
embroiled in controversy  ever since it 
became available to golf course super­
intendents  in  1978.  Why  the  contro­
versy?
Some  opponents  feel  too  much  em­
phasis is being placed on green speed. 
As  an  example,  one  can  point  to  the 
greatly publicized rebuilding of greens 
at the  Augusta National  Golf Club,  in 
Augusta,  Georgia. The objective of the 
rebuilding  was  to  regain  speed  and 
uniformity  that  had  diminished  with 
the  passage  of  time.  The  publicized 
average  speed of greens  at this year’s 
Masters  Tournament  ranged 
from 
feet,  with  an 
11.32 
average of 11.48 feet. Fast by anyone’s 
standards.
Prior to manufacture and release of the 
Stimpmeter  to  member  clubs,  it  was 
thoroughly  tested  by  the  Green  Sec­
tion  staff  and  Frank  Thomas,  Tech­
nical  Director  of  the  USGA.  Putting 
green  speeds  throughout  the  United

States were measured under all kinds 
of  conditions.  Measurements  were 
made  at  championship  sites  as  well. 
From all these measurements,  general 
ranges  for  putting  green  speed  were 
determined  and  published  as  part  of 
the 
instruction  manual  with  each 
Stimpmeter.
Unfortunately,  most  club  members 
never see the  Stimpmeter Instruction 
Manual.  What they  know  about  putt­
ing  green  speed  is  what  they  learn 
during telecasts of the U.S.  Open and 
Masters Tournament.  Speeds at these 
events  generally  are  in  excess  of  10 
feet.  Also, not pointed out during tele­
vision  coverage  is  that  the  course 
hosting  such  events  has  worked  very 
carefully over a period of several years 
to have the golf course in the very best 
condition.  These  are  courses  with 
higher 
than  average  maintenance 
budgets  peaking  their  greens  at  in­
credibly  fast  speeds  for  a  one-week 
period.
But  it  should  be  pointed  out  that 
quality  of  putting  greens 
is  not 
measured by  speed alone.  Perhaps  as 
important as speed is consistency from 
green  to  green.  The  Stimpmeter  is  a 
tool that can gauge consistency, just as 
a  height  of  cut  bar  gauges  mowing 
height.  Smoothness  and  lack  of  grain 
are important factors in putting quality
CONTINUED  PAGE  10
No synthetically produced fertilizer can  compare  with

feet  to  11.61 

MILORGANITE

Golf Courses  Use  More
M I L O R G A N I T E * » ,

Them  Any Other Fertilizer

TERMINAL SALES CORR 12871  EA TON   A V E . 

D E T R O IT ,  M IC H .  48227 
(313)  491  -0606

7

CLEM  WOLFROM  left.  MERITORIUOS  SERVICE  AWARD 
RECIPIENT.  BEING  CONGRATULATED  BY  JIM  TIMMERMAN. 
PAST  PRESIDENT  OF  MTF.  WOLFROM  RECEIVED  THE 
AWARD  WHICH  IS  PRESENTED  BY  THE  MICHIGAN  TURF- 
GRASS  FOUNDATION  AT  THE  1983  MICHIGAN  TURFGRASS 
CONFERENCE.

Your  1982  Michigan  Turfgrass  Foundation  Board  of  Directors.  Left  to  right  are  Michael  Edgerton,  Gordon 
LaFontaine  Executive Secretary).  Kurt Thuemmel,  Jerry  Faubel  (President).  Robert  Hope.  Jerry  G ill  (Vice 
President).  Bruce  Wolfrom  (Treasurer),  James  Timmerman  (Past  President),  Gary  Bartsch  and  Tuck  Tate. 
Not  pictured  are  Billy  Olsen  and  John  Read  who  had  to  chair  afternoon  sessions  when  the  picture  was 
taken.

670  SERIES 
ROTARY  SPRINK LER

TORO.

CHECKOMATIC

IRRIGATION  DIVISION

Multi-cycle  for  wind  or  runoff  problems,  frost control, 
dew removal without low-head  drainage.  Available for 
hydraulic normally open,  hydraulic normally closed or n 
24-volt electric systems. Valve accessible through top 
of head
Checkomatic Models
Stops  low-head  drainage  in  block  systems  with 
spring-loaded check valve in base of sprinkler.
Manual Override
Allows  normally  closed  and  electric  valve-in-head 
models to be turned on  manually or be cancelled out 
of automatic program.
Pressure Regulation
For  more  equal  water  distribution  over  large  areas. 
Compensates  for  large  pressure  differentials.  Regu­
lates pressure to nozzles on normally closed and elec­
tric valve-in-head models.

NORMALLY  OPEN 
VALVE-IN-HEAD

SPECIAL FEATURES 
Positive Spring Retraction
Minimizes tampering  and  accidents  by pulling  nozzle 
and  cap  down  out of  the way of  people  and  mowers 
when  watering  is  done.  Strong  spring  discourages 
vandals.
Rugged Cycolac® Case
Almost indestructible engineering  plastic  has tremen­
dous impact resistance, won’t rust, corrode or disinte­
grate because of time or water-carried minerals. 
Long-Life Gear Drive
Rotation drive gears are vacuum-packed with grease 
and  isolated  from  water  stream  for  long,  trouble-free 
life.
Valve-In-Head Models
All the advantages of head-by-head control at a much 
lower  cost  than  valve-under-head  installations.  Cus­
tomize  watering  to  fit  turf  use,  topography  and  soil.

W ILKIE

Turf Equipment Division, Inc.

24  V.A.C.  ELECTRIC 

VALVE-IN-HEAD

P.O.  Box  749  •  1050  Opdyke  Road 
Pontiac  •  Michigan  •  4805b 
313/373  8800

NORMALLY  CLOSED 

VALVE-IN-HEAD

8

But if you treat your turf with Chipco* RONSTAR* G

herbicide, it makes no difference.

It’s hard to tell the difference be­

tween goosegrass and late-germinating 
crabgrass.

R O N STAR  gives excellent control of both, season-long... 
and it’s convenient to use, because there’s no leaching prob­
lem, no root pruning, and no problems with ornamental 
plantings.

So, for the best control of grassy 

weeds, use RONSTAR. Rhône- 
Poulenc Inc., Agrochemical 
Division, Monmouth Junction,
N J 08852.

Please read label carefully, and use only as directed.

9

Stimpmeter,  cont.
and are just as important on fast greens 
as  on medium-fast greens.  The  speed 
at which  greens  are  to  be  maintained 
should  be  a  membership  decision.  If 
the  membership  wants  fast  greens, 
then  they  must  be  willing  to  provide 
budgetary  support to reach this  goal. 
To achieve fast greens on a daily basis 
requires  more  maintenance.  Fast 
greens must be mowed more frequent­
ly.  Fertilization must be on a light and 
frequent basis. Watering must be done 
more carefully.  Lower mowing heights 
needed  to  achieve  fast  greens  also 
place  the  turfgrass  plant  under  more 
stress. A reduced rooting depth can be 
expected under lower mowing heights. 
The  shorter  roots  require  more  fre­
quent  irrigation  and  syringing  during 
the  summer  to  sustain  the  turfgrass 
plant.  Shorter  roots  also  reduce  the 
grass  plant’ s  ability  to  recover  from 
insect and disease attack  An increase 
in insecticide and fungicide use may be 
needed.
To achieve putting green speeds above 
8’6” generally requires mowing heights 
below 3/16  inch.  Mowing at these low 
heights requires additional time by the 
mechanic  adjusting  and  setting  the

putting  green  mowers.  Additional 
grinding  and  backlapping  of  bed- 
knives and reels will be needed. Again, 
pressure is placed on the maintenance 
budget because  of these  practices. 
Weather  conditions  also 
influence 
putting green speed. Through the year 
as day length and temperatures change, 
variations  in  growth rate  occur.  If the 
growth rate  is  slow,  daily mowing and 
other practices  produce faster speeds 
than if the grass is growing vigorously. 
In areas of the country subject to high 
summer temperatures,  growth of cool- 
season  grasses  almost  ceases.  Bent- 
grasses  become  partially  dormant. 
Maintenance  practices  that  produce 
fast  putting  green  speeds  can  be  es­
pecially  dangerous  under  these  con­
ditions.  The  plant’ s  ability  to  recover 
from  stress  is  especially reduced;  one 
mistake  could  result  in  turfgrass  loss 
that  could  require  the  rest  of  the 
season to recover. It is of little value to 
have fast greens on July 4  if there  are 
no  greens  in August.
Comparisons  between  putting  green 
speeds  from  one  club  to  another  are 
inevitable.  Comparing  the  speed  be­
tween greens at neighboring clubs has
CONTINUED  PAGE  13

Scotts most 
successful product is 
not available for sale...
only for advice and 
support... your ProTurf Tech Rep.

Jim Bogart
Executive Technical Representative

Jim Brocklehurst
Technical  Representative

ProTurf.

ProTurf Division 
O.M . Scott &  Sons

66 Gibralter Road 
Rockford, Michigan 49341 
Telephone: 616/866-9389

ProTurf Division 
O. M . Scott &  Sons

1964 Catalpa Street 
Berkley, Michigan 48072 
Telephone: 313/547-9632

TOR O WQRKMASTER

HEAVY  DUTY  INDUSTRIAL-QUALITY  HYDROSTATIC  DRIVE  gives  infinite  speed 
control, 
instant  forward/reverse,  high  torque  to  rear  wheels  for  drawbar  pull  that 
surpasses  competition.  It’s a  closed,  self-lubricating drive  system as  in  our Sand  Pro 
and  Groundsmaster 72;  No gears to change,  no clutch to slip.
UP-FRONT  SEATING  FOR  TWO,  with  passenger  safety  grip  handle,  means  safe, 
comfortable seating for operator and  passenger.
EASY  ACCESS  TO  ALL  COMPONENTS  saves  maintenance  time.  You  don’t  have  to 
empty the  box to get at  the  battery.  All  frequently  serviced  parts are easy to  get at. 
STANDARD  BOX  SIZE  carries  existing  engine-driven  top  dressers,  sprayers,  mowers 
and  other maintenance equipment.
AUTOMOTIVE  CONTROLS  AND  MORE  LEG  ROOM  FOR  OPERATOR  helps  reduce 
learning time,  give  greater security  and  comfort than  competitive  machines.
LOWER  CENTER  OF  GRAVITY  -   long wheel  base;  low  box  bed-height  gives  greater 
safety and stability,  reduces  lifting.
SPRING  SUSPENSION,  SHOCK  ABSORBERS  ON  ALL WHEELS,  provides  comfortable 
ride.  Easily  carries  1000  lb.  payload.
OVERSIZE  23  X  8.50  X  12  REAR  TIRES  give  the  WORKMASTER  a  soft  footprint, 
excellent traction,  for greater hill  climbing ability and sidehill stability.

WILKIE

Turj Equipment Division, Inc.
1050  OPDYKE  ROAD 

PONTIAC,  MICHIGAN  48057

(313)  373-8800

Great  Laibes  Minerals  Co.

Topdressing Sands

TDS  -   50
CONTROLLED  TO  USGA  SPECIFICATIONS

TDS  -   50  is  a  Free  Flowing,  Sterilized  sand  .  .  .  proven  ideal  for 
topdressing  and  tee  and  green  construction.

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12

Stimpmeter.  cont.
been  going  on  since  golf  has  been 
played in this  country,  and it will con­
tinue, with or without the Stimpmeter. 
However, rather than compare putting 
green speeds, perhaps the comparison 
should  be  in  dollars  budgeted  for 
putting  greens,  water,  pesticides,  and 
labor.  Perhaps  a mathematician could 
develop  a formula to  compare putting 
green speed and budget and also add in 
the weather for good measure. It is the 
grand total of innumerable  agronomic 
practices  that  equals  good  putting 
qualities.  Don’t  be  blinded  by  speed 
alone.
The  stimpmeter  is  a  tool,  plain  and 
simple. It was invented in the 1930s by 
Edward  S.  Stimpson  and  refined  by 
the  USGA  Green  Section  to  give  the 
golf  course  superintendent  a  way  to 
measure  the  consistency  in  putting 
greens on his course.  By using the tool 
on  a regular  basis,  great  inequities  in 
putting  green  speeds  over  the  course 
can  be  detected.  If  great  disparity 
exists, then maintenance practices can 
be adjusted to even out the variations. 
Many superintendents have found the

Stimpmeter to  be  a valuable tool and 
have  made  it  work  for  them  to  make 
their courses even better. If you are one 
of those who consider the Stimpmeter 
an  enemy,  I  would  challenge  you  to 
know  your  enemy.  Learn  about  the 
Stimpmeter.  Educate  your  member­
ship  about  its  uses  and  how  it works. 
Make it a tool you  can use.  A1 Radko, 
former National Director of the  Green 
Section,  has  suggested  the  following 
four-step  program 
for  use  of  the 
Stimpmeter:
Step  1.  Following  the  steps  recom­
mended in the Stimpmeter Instruction 
Booklet, measure all greens thoroughly 
and record the average speed of each 
green.  By thorough measurement it is 
meant  that  all  areas  of  each  putting 
green  be  averaged  and  recorded  to 
determine the overall average of every 
green, including the practice green. At 
minimum, three separate areas of each 
green  should  be  tested  and  averaged, 
except where  contours  or slopes  limit 
the  number  of  measurements  per 
green.
Step  2.  If  the  average  speed  of  any
CONTINUED  NEXT  PAGE

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than you have problems.

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13

Stimpmeter,  cont.
green  varies  widely  from  the  average 
speed  desired,  determine  the  cause 
and correct this deficiency to bring the 
reading  up  to  the  desired  average 
speed. This may be done by additional 
mowing  at  first  and  if  this  does  not 
correct  the  deficiency,  by  altering 
other  management  practices  on  de­
ficient  greens.
Step  3.  Once  the  average  speed  is 
attained  and  the  average  speeds  are 
consistent  (within  plus  or  minus  6 
inches  among  all  greens),  then  it  will 
only be necessary to test three or four 
greens  daily to  insure  that the  greens 
remain  consistent  throughout.  The 
number tested daily will depend on the 
number of mowers used — i.e., if three 
different mowers are used, then it will 
be necessary to test one green mowed 
by each, etc. If triplex mowers are used, 
then four greens at minimum should be 
tested daily (two on the front side and 
two on the  back side).
Step  4.  Once  every  month,  re-test  all 
greens 
to  determine  whether  the 
average  speed  continues  to  be  uni­
formly  consistent.
Variations  in  speed  can  do  more  to 
negate a player’s skill than perhaps any 
other factor on the golf course. Consis­
tency  is  the  key  word  -   not  speed. 
Putting greens kept at speed over 8’6” 
as a daily average will need extra labor 
and  manpower  because  of  additional 
maintenance 
required. 
Under  extreme  weather  conditions, 
there  is  also  a much  greater potential 
for  turfgrass  damage  when  putting 
green speeds are maintained above the 
fast  range  for  regular  membership 
play.  As  with  any  other  tool,  I  would 
urge you to use the Stimpmeter to your 
professional  advantage.

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13557  Dunham Road
Milford,  Michigan 48042
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Home  -  887-8256  Off - 887-6044
Conzelman,  Dale 
Midland Country Club
P.O.  Box 2083
Midland,  Michigan 48640
Home - 517  631-8050 Off - 517  835-6549
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Executive  Director,  P.G.A.
21125  Northwestern Hwy.
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503 Abbington  Place 
Schaumburg,  Illinios  60194 
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understanding  membership  to 
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For further reading, we refer you to the 
article  which  appeared  in  the  August 
1977  issue  of “ Golf Journal”  entitled 
“ Green  is  not  Great” .  It  emphasizes 
the 
importance  of  using  minimal 
amounts  of  fertilizer  and  water  to 
maintain the  grases.  This method will 
result  in  the  growth  of  tough,  perm­
anent grasses.

15

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for 

disease 

required 

susceptibility. 

Research  Review,  cont.
5. Faculatative fungal parasites usually 
survive  in the  soil  and  crop  debris  as 
well  as  in  infected  plants.  Surviving 
propagules of the  parasites  in the  soil 
and crop debris are exposed directly to 
the  activities  of  saprophytic  micro­
organisms and their survival is related, 
in  large  measure,  to  the  intensity  of 
microbiological  activities  in  the  sur­
rounding  environment.
IN CID EN C E  LOW;  W HY?
In  view  of  the  millions  of  acres  of 
turfgrass  in  the  U.S.  alone,  we  find  it 
surprising  that  diseases  caused  by 
facultative fungal parasites occur only 
sporadically  and  infrequently.  This  is 
difficult  to  explain  since  even  a  small 
lawn  consists  of  millions  of  low-lying 
plants  of  similar  genetic  background 
and 
The 
crowded  plantings,  dense  turf canopy 
and  surface  litter favor the  prolonged 
retention  of  high  humidities,  of  gut- 
tation  fluid,  and  of dew  and  the  even 
temperatures 
fungal 
growth and rapid plant-to-plant spread 
of disease. Turfgrass pathologists have 
had to rely on natural development of 
the  diseases  in  the  field  in  order  to 
evaluate  the  effectiveness  of  fungi­
cides  because  most  attempts  to  arti­
ficially induce disease have failed.  It is 
generally unknown why there are such 
failures.
Much  debris  collects  around the turf­
grass  plant  :  grass  clippings,  dead  or 
dying  lower  leaves,  stolons,  rhizones, 
roots and tillers, all in various stages of 
decomposition.  For  convenience,  we 
will  hereafter  refer  to  this  debris  as 
litter.
As 
fresh  clippings  are  constantly 
added to the litter during the growing 
season,  an  effective  and  continuing 
source of substrates is provided for the 
litter- inhabiting  microorganisms,  we 
believe that the  parasites usually lose 
out in this unevenly waged combat and 
exist  in  or  on  the  moist  litter  in  an 
inhibited or  dormant state. 
E V ID E N C E   OF  B IO LO G IC A L 
C O M P E T IT IO N
Observation 
experimentation 
suggest  that  the  saprophytic  micro- 
flora can play a major role in influenc­
ing  the 
incidence  and  severity  of 
facultative fungal parasites that attack 
turfgrasses.  Experiments  using  10

and 

different facultative fungal parasites of 
turfgrass  indicated  that  more  disease 
was  produced  on  plants  grown  in 
sterile  soil  than  on  plants  grown  in 
untreated  fertile  soil.  One  experi­
menter  was  able  to  greatly  decrease 
root  infection  of  wheat  seedlings  by 
spores  of  Helminthosporium  sativum 
by  adding  a  minute  quantity  of  non- 
sterile  soil  to  sterile  soil.  C.J.  Gould 
noted  that  the  “ take-all”  fungus  de­
velops best on bentgrass greens follow­
ing  soil  fumigation,  while  J.R.  Cook 
observed that the same fungus causes 
less  disease  following  the  addition  of 
take-all  suppressive  wheat  soil  to 
bentgrass  greens.
Several  workers  have  demonstrated 
that soil moisture deficiency is associa­
ted  with  an 
increased  amount  of 
turfgrass diseases caused by the dollar 
spot  fungus,  by  the  greasy  blight 
fungus,  and  by  the  Fusarium  blight 
fungus.  Field  studies  in  California 
demonstrated that Helminthosporium 
leaf spot and foot rot are most severd 
within  temporarily  drought-stressed 
areas  of  Kentucky  bluegrass.  The 
Helminthosporium  fungus  spores  did 
not  germinate  on  grass  clippings  that 
were  kept  moist (Figure  1);  but  if the 
grass clippings were first air-dried and 
then  remoistened,  the  spores  germ­
inated  (Figure  1),  colonized  the  clip­
pings  and  sporulated  abundantly.
The inability of these spores to germ­
inate was associated with microorgan­
isms  on  moist 
(Figure  1); 
specifically,  certain  bacteria  from  the 
litter  produced  a  gas  that  inhibited 
spore germination.  The multiplication 
and  growth  of  the  litter-inhabiting 
microorganisms 
drastically 
reduced by drying the litter. It was also 
demonstrated 
litter 
following  remoistening  released  a  far 
greater concentration (300 per cent) of 
proteins and carbohydrates into water 
than  did  continually moist litter.
Thus,  we  believe  that  spores  of  the 
Helminthosporium  fungus  exist  in  an 
inhibited,  inactive  condition on moist 
litter.  When  the  litter  dries  out,  the 
inhibitory  has  produced  by  certain 
litter-inhabiting  bacteria  disappears, 
and  the  bacteria  and  other  micro­
organisms become dormant. Following 
irrigation,  the  spores  on  the  remoi­
stened litter germinated in the absence

that  air-dried 

litter 

were 

of the inhibitory gas, and a short period 
of time is required before the bacteria 
that  produce  the  inhibitor  can  re­
establish a  suppressive  environment. 
Following  germination,  the  spores  of 
the  Helminthosporium  fungus  grow 
very rapidly and vigorously because of 
the  release  of  proteins  and  carbo­
hydrates  from the remoistened,  form­
erly  dry  litter.  The  antagonistic  and 
competitive  saprophytic  microorgan­
isms  also  benefit  from  the  released 
proteins  and  carbohydrates,  but  be­
fore they can reestablish an inhibitory 
environment the parasite has infected 
the  leaf sheath.  Thus,  we  believe that 
H.  satinum  develops  following  alter­
nate  cycles of wetting and  drying. 
C O M P E TIT IO N  IS  A B S E N T 
Snow mold  diseases  are  common  and 
destructive  under  snow  cover  in  the 
northern  U.S.  and  Canada  This  may 
be  because  most  of  the  saprophytic 
microorganisms  are  inactive  at  low 
temperatures  while  the  snow  mold 
fungi  are  unaffected.  Therefore,  the 
various  snow  mold  fungi  probably 
sevelop  in  the  absence  of the  compe­
tition  and  antagonism.  In  addition, 
freezing and thawing of dead and living 
grass  tissues  prob ab ly  also  releases 
abundant  nutrients 
fast­
for 
growing  snow mold fungi 
The opposite  situation should also  be 
investigated,  since  at very high temp­
eratures  (above  100  degrees  F)  the 
growth  of  the  saprophytic  micro­
organisms  may  also  be  reduced.  This 
may  permit  high-temperature  para­
sites  such  as  Pythium  aphaniderma- 
tum to grow in the relative absence of 
competition.
D O LLA R   SPO T LIM IT E D  
Finally,  the  limited  size  of patches  of 
turf affected by the dollar spot fungus 
may  be  due  to  the  competitive  and 
antagonistic  microflora.  The  Sclero­
tic a  fungi commonly produce enzymes 
that break down  components  of plant 
cell walls and various constituents may 
leak from the  dead  cells  as  well.  This 
sudden  release  of  nutrients  may 
greatly  stimulate  the  multiplication 
and  activities  of  the  saprophytic 
microflora  which  probably  occur  in 
fairly  high  numbers  on  the  nitrogen- 
deficient  turfgrass  plants  that  are 
attacked commonly by the dollar spot
CONTINUED  NEXT  PAGE

the 

17

Research  Review,  cont.
fungus.
B IO LO G IC A L C O N T R O L IN  FIELD  
We  believe  that  biological  control  of 
faculatative fungal parasites is actually 
operating in turfgrass in the field. This 
is  an 
important  phenomenon  that 
should be  explored as a supplemental 
or additional method of control.
Our research with the Helminthospor- 
ium  leaf  spot  disease  suggests  that 
control of this disease can be obtained 
by  simply  through  watering  in  such  a 
way as to keep the litter moist but not 
sopping  wet.  If the  canopy  is  sparse, 
the  root  system  short or the  soil thin, 
several short weekly waterings may be 
necessary  as  well  to  keep  the  litter 
moist.
The  research  also  indicated  that  the 
cause  of the  dry  spots  must be  found 
and  corrected -   e.g.,  wind destruction 
of sprinkler patterns, insufficient over­
lap  of  sprinklers,  uneven  terrain,  soil 
compaction,  water  repellency  of  the 
litter,  too rapid  delivery of water,  etc. 
We have been successful in completely 
stopping  the  progress  of the  Helmin- 
thosporium  disease  in  several  home 
yards  and  golf greens  by recommend­
ing  aerification  of  the  dry  spots  and 
proper watering.
C U L T U R A L   PR A C T IC E S   H E LP  
The  Significance  of  the  research  of 
Helminthosporium is that understand­
ing  the  basis  of  initiation  of  fungal 
activity  in  the  field  has  provided  us 
with  a  new  method  of  control  -   Le.; 
biological control We are hopeful that 
further research will reveal  additional 
examples of biological control  We are 
hopeful  that 
further  research  will 
reveal  additional  examples  of biologi­
cal  control  that  can  be  exploited 
through slight changes in management 
and cultural practices. Proper watering 
in  order  to  avoid  drought  stress  is 
probably one  of the  most important. 
Biological control may not be as effec­
tive  with  turfgrass  varieties  that  are 
highly susceptible since  even very low 
populations  of  the  parasites  could 
initiate  infections  that  spread  rapidly 
throughout  the  infected  plant.  Some 
degree  of  host  resistance  appears 
necessary to fully exploit the potential 
of biological  control.

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