l ô v f V I I ¿H : » ô c - b t OCTOBER 1983 A PATCH Official Publication of the Michigan & Border Cities Golf Course Superintendents Association MICHIGAN & BORDER CITIES GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT BRUCE WOLFROM, CGCS Barton H ills Country Club 435 Stein Road Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103 Off. 662-8359 - Res. 663-9213 VICE PRESIDENT MICHAEL EDGERTON Meadowbrook Country Club 3066 Sesame Howell, Michigan 48843 Off. 349-3608 - Res. (517) 546-5927 SECRETARY-TREASURER KEVIN DUSHANE,CGCS B loomfield H ills Country Club 159 Willards Way Union Lake, Michigan 48085 Off. 642-0707 - Res. 698-2924 BOARD OF DIRECTORS CLEM WOLFROM Detroit Golf Club 530 Kendry Bloomfield H ills, Michigan 48013 Off. 345-4589 - Res. 334-0140 THOMAS MASON Jr. Birmingham Country Club 3640 Oriole Rd. Troy, Michigan 48084 Off. 644-6320 - Res. 362-3201 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 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 THEODORE WOEHRLE, CGCS Oakland H ills 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 i n t e d A t BLAKEMAN PRINTING COMPANY 31823 Utica Road Fraser, Michigan 48026 Phone: (313) 293-3540 MONTHLY ADVERTISING RATES Double Page Spread......................................$150.00 Back Outside P a g e ............................................ 75.00 Full P a g e .............................................................. 65.00 H alf P a g e ............................................................ 40.00 Quarter P a g e ....................................................... 30.00 E i ghth P a g e ....................................................... 1 5.00 Sixteenth P a g e ..................................................... 10.00 C lassified Ad (per column in c h ) ................ 7.50 DISCOUNT R ATE: One Year 10% Note: Advertising fees may not be deducted from the above rates. A llingham Corporation C hem -Line, Inc. HDN Book Sales Lakeshore Equipm ent Corporation Law n Equipm ent Corporation Lebanon C hem ical Corporation W .F. M ille r Garden 8> Equipm ent Oxford P e a t Company O.M . Scott 8t Son, Inc. Wm. F. Sell & Son, Inc. Term inal Sales Corporation T ire W holesalers, Inc. Tu rfg rass, Inc. T u rf Supplies, Inc. W ilkie T u rf Equipm ent D iv is io n , Inc. 2 PROS AND CONS OF SAND TOPDRESSING C O N T IN U E D FROM S E P TE M B E R ISSUE 8. Tough to germinate seed - less moisture near the surface and less moisture retention will tend to make seed germination more difficult. Ex­ tremely careful water control must be exercised when attempting to germi­ nate seed in these high sand soils because they dry out so quickly. 9. Possibility of more winter desiccation on Poa annua. Because these soils hold less water under severe desiccation pressure in the winter susceptible grasses such as Poa annua may have somewhat increased potential for win­ ter injury due to desiccation. 10. A committment to one type of topdress­ ing material - it has been said many times but it is worth repeating again that once you begin a sand topdress­ ing program you must essentially stay with it forever. In realty, you have determined the basic type of topdress­ ing material to be used on that green for the remainder of its useful life. Some people simply don’t like to make that committment. 11. Must maintain quality control of the sand both physically and chemically - all sands are not alike. Some are high pH (Calcarerous) and others are neutral to slightly acid (silica based). Also, care must be exercised to make sure that the sands don’t vary in their particle size analysis. You don’t want to use coarse sand one time, medium sand the next followed by an application using very fine sand. Conceivably, you could CONTINUED PAGE 18 Destructive Turf Insects By DR. HARRY D. NIEMCZYK A field guide and reference Over 130 color photos Easy-to-read language Life cycles, identification and diagnosis for north­ ern and southern insects and mites Color photo guide for easy identification in soil, thatch, Principles of controlling pests Equipment and methods for detecting turf insects 8 x 1 1 , cerlox bound with heavy duty plastic cover leaves and stems handling for single copies and $0.25 per additional copies. Ohio residents PLEASE add sales tax - $1.04 (5.5%) Send To: HDN BOOK SALES 2935 Smithville W. Rd. Wooster, Ohio 44691 3 It’s hard to tell the difference be­ tween goosegrass and late-germinating crSrb^rsss But if you treat your turf with Chipco* RONSTAR* G herbicide, it makes no difference. RONSTAR 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. Rhone- Poulenc Inc., Agrochemical Division, Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852. (gRHONE POULENC 4 Please read label carefully, and use only as directed VOX POP "Low Bidding” *with Andrew Bertoni Or maybe this should be entitled, “Don’t kill the goose that lays the golden egg”. Whatever. There is one thing that is very disturbing - it is the insidious poison of jumping on the ridiculous low bid. When they asked the astronaut what his thoughts were during the blast off, he responded, “It was assuring that the program and capsule did not go to the lowest bidder!” The Super has been trained to save money, which is good, as opposed to wasting money. But where does that money go that he has saved? To the Club House for draperies? Or for the ladies powder room again? Or maybe to replace last year’s new rugs? Actually, what you save on low bids is a very small part of your budget. A manager does not ask for low bids on steaks, or on roasts, or on liquor. A pro does not seek low bids on sets of clubs. A member does not request the lowest bid for membership dues. I feel that you are deceiving the golfer if you give him the poorest return for his money. Low bidding degrades the Super and eventually he strangles himself by continually lowering his and the club’s standards. Another cause for concern is that the supplier who gives service - and that is an intangible that no price can set - will no longer be able to finance that service, and he is the one who has regularly supported the National, CONTINUED PAGE 14 n SANDER/ GRINDER CATALOG NO. 6145 HEAVY-DUTY • COMPACT, LIGHTWEIGHT, 4-1/2 LBS. • POWERFUL 5 AMP MOTOR • 10,000 RPM • MADE IN U.S.A. DISC DIAMETER CATALOG NUMBER 6145 .50 ▲ Flange designed to accommodate 7/8" hub depressed center wheel. For Info Contact: CHEM-LINE, INC. 10,000 4-1/2" 120 5.0 1/2"-13 10-1/2" 4-1/2 lbs. 6-1/4 lbs. 30769 Oak Valley Dr. • Farmington Hills, Ml 48018 • (313) 661-2771 5 ■ How to Turn Complaints to Your Advantage a necessitates someone to blame for a bad round. However, if you stay cool, he will soon realize he is out of line. Hear him out. Many people who have honest complaints only reveal portions of their grievances because they are afraid you don’t have time to listen to them. When you’ve heard the whole thing, try to give a thorough explana­ tion. Above all, don’t cut him off abruptly, even if you are in a hurry. Try to set up a time when you can go into the problem in detail if you think it is necessary. Don’t try to laugh is off. If he is serious about his complaint, he probably won’t be very receptive to joke about it. After all, he may have a point. Don’t try to cover up. Even if it’s your How do you handle complaints from golfers? Nobody finds it easy to take criticism, especially when the gripes come from someone whose only turf- grass experience is his dandelion-free lawn. Unfortunately, golf courses were built and superintendents hired for the benefit of golfers, a situation which often kid-glove approach to complaints. Even if complaints are supposed to go to your green chairman, chances are you’ll still have to field a few questions and comments from golfers who catch you on the course. Generally, they will be friendly, but there are always a few who aren’t. The first rule is keep your temper. Some people actually enjoy harassing and employee and others have to find With 27 field-proven formulas we may have more solutions than you have problems. Distributed by: CONTINUED PAGE 15 the professional’s partner Andersons Lawn Fertilizer Division P.O. Box 119 Maumee, Ohio 43537 Ohio: 800-472-3220 Outside Ohio: 800-537-3870 LAWN EQUIPMENT CORPORATION 46845 W. 12 MILE ROAD NOVI, MICH. 48050 \ P.0. BOX 500 (313) 348-8110 SERVING ALL OF MICHIGAN! 6 LOOK OUT Remember . . . Accidents don’t just happen - They’re caused, either by an unsafe act, an unsafe condition, or a combination of both. Correct unsafe conditions or report them to your supervisor immediately. into Unsafe conditions are usually created by Careless Housekeeping, Improper Loading or Piling, Defective or Broken Equipment, Guards Not On Machinery, Defective Substances, Improper Ven­ tilation, Improper Lighting, Improper Dress, Unsafe Design or Construction, Congested Area, Hazardous Arrange­ ment, Defective Guards. Unsafe acts usually stem from these sources: Reaching running machinery, Not using safety guards and devices, unsafe speeds, taking chances, not wearing protective equipment, unsafe tools or equipment, unsafe handling of materials, horse­ play.To avert unsafe acts and conditions: stay alert on the job, follow safety rules, know your job. An important contribution to your own safety is a “Safe Attitude”. Recognize that an accident can happen to you and then act accordingly. D&B HERE COMES AN ACCIDENT Equipment Repair Specializing in unit repairing and sharpening Servicing: Jacobsen Worthington & Toro Spartan Complete Parts and Service - Pick-up and Delivery Winter Storage Available - SATISFACTION GUARANTEED 313 534-5515 or 313 565-2561 Ask For MARK 7 HO W LAWS ARE ENACTED IN THE U S Most persons are aware of the United States government’s tri-level (senate, house and executive branches) voting of new laws and amendments, but few actually know the procedure that is followed when a bill is enacted. Thou­ sands of bills are introduced during each Congress, which lasts two years, and hundreds become law. All bills not enacted by the end of the two-year period are “killed”. Ideas for new laws come from many sources. The President, members of Congress, and other government offi­ cials may produce laws. Suggestions also come from individual citizens; special-interest groups, such as farm­ in addition ers, industry and labor; newspaper ed­ itorials; and public protests. Congress­ ional committees, to lawyers who represent special-interest groups, actually write most bills and put them into proper legal form. Spe­ cialists called legislative counsels in both the Senate and House of Rep­ resentatives also help prepare many bills for congressional action. Each bill must be sponsored by a member of the House or Senate. Up to 25 representatives and any number of senators may co-sponsor a bill. A bill may originate in either house of Con­ gress unless it deals with taxes or “A CRANE AND COMPRESSOR RENTAL SERVICE COM PANY” 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 spending. The constitution provides that all such bills must be introduced in the House. The tradition that money bills must begin in the lower house of the legislature came from England. There, the lower house-the House of Commons-is more likely to reflect the people’s wishes because the people elect it’s members. They do not elect the upper house, the House of Lords. The rule has little meaning in the United States because voters elect both houses. A bill is introduced into the senate and the House, in either order, depending upon which congressional body it is introduced. It may die at almost any stage of the process if no action is taken on it. A majority of the bills introduced in Congress fail and never become law. Following the normal path of a bill given first to the House the bill is introduced to the house by a sponsor; by giving it to the clerk of the House or by placing the bill in a box called the hopper.The clerk reads the title of the bill into the Congressional Record in a procedure called the first reading. The Government Printing Office prints the bill and distributes copies. The speaker of the House assigns the bill toacommittee for study. TheHouse has about 20 standing (permanent) committees, each with jurisdiction o- ver bills in a certain area.The committe studies the bill and hears testimony from experts and other interested per­ sons. In some cases a subcommittee conducts the study. The committee may release the bill with a recom­ mendation to pass it, revise the bill and release it, or lay it aside so that the House cannot vote on it. Releasing the No synthetically produced fertilizer can compare with bill is called reporting it out, and laying the proposed law aside is called tabling. The bills goes on a calendar, a list of bills awaiting action. The Rules com­ mittee may call for quick action on the bill, limit debate, and limit or prohibit amendments. Without the commit­ tee’s help, a bill might never reach the floor of the House. Consideration by the House begins with a second read­ ing of the bill, the only complete read­ ing in most cases. A third reading, by title only, comes after any amendments have been added and before the final vote. If the bill passes by a simple majority (one more than half the votes), it goes to the Senate. To introduce a bill, a senator must be recognized by the presiding officer and announce the introduction of the bill. A bill that has passed either house of Congress is sometimes called an act, but the term usually means legislation that has passed both houses of Con­ gress and become law. The Vice-President of the United States, who is presiding officer of the Senate, assigns the proposed law to a committee for study. The senate has about 15 standing committees. The committee or one of its sub-com­ mittees studies! the bill and may hold hearings. The committee may approve the bill as it stands, revise the bill, or table it. The bill goes to the Senate to await its turn. Bills normally reach the Senate floor in the order that they come from committee. But if a bill is urgent, the leaders of the majority party might push it ahead. Senators can debate a CONTINUED PAGE 17 MILORGANITE G olf C ourses Use Mo M IL O R G A N IT E « ': Than Any Other Fertilizer TERMINAL SALES CORR 12871 EATON AVE. DETROIT, MICH. 48227 (313) 491 -0606 9 ARE YOU INTERESTED IN JOINING THE M IC H IG A N A N D B O R D E R CITIES GOLF COURSE S U P E R IN T E N D E N T S 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 I T 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 O N 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 . 690 SERIES ROTARY SPRINKLER TORO IRRIGATION DIVISION 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 Almort indestructible engineering plastic has tre­ mendous impact resistance, won't rust, corrode or dis­ integrate 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. Multi-cycle for wind or runoff problems, frost control, dew removal without low-head drainage. Available for hydraulic normally open, hydraulic normally closed or 24-volt electric systems. Valve accessible through top of head. Checkomatlc 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 Regulstion 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. 2-Speed, 60-120° Models For more even precipitation over area covered by single-row fairway configuration. Runs at half speed in non-overlap areas. 2-Speed, 180° Models For more even precipitation where only a selected area is covered by an overlap, such as is often found on greens. Runs at half speed on the half circle where there is no overlap. WILKIE TUrf Equipm ent DhAsion, Inc. (313) 373-8800 1050 O P D Y K E R O A D P.O. BOX 749 P O N T I A C , M I C H I G A N 48056 T O R O Tòro Debris Handling Equipment Two machines ¡none M akes 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 flexib le 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! A s a blower, It uses a 10P 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 Titrf Equipment Division, Inc. P.O. Box 749 • 1050 Opdyke Road • Pontiac • Michigan • 48056 • 313/373 8800 H iring and Firing and E m p lo yee P ackag es Did you know that: You should main­ tain personnel records on every em­ ployee and these records should be re­ tained for three (3) years after the em­ ployee has left your employment. You should have an employee manual describing all the aspects of employ­ ment at your course. It should detail your hiring and firing policies, promo­ tions, raises, hours to be worked, rulesa and regulations of your course. You should have the employee read and sign a statement saying that he/she has read the employee policy manual. You should post federal and state posters stating employment standards. By following these items, along with thorough documentation of your em­ ployees, you should be able to reduce your club’s legal liability in today’s legal arena. You should be particularly careful in the hiring of minors, as they are strictly governed by state and federal laws. You should document all office con­ ferences concerning raises, promo­ tions reprimands, praises and accidents in the employee file. You should abide by the Fair Stan­ dards Labor Act, pertaining to mini­ mum wage, overtime, and hours worked for minors. If you need more information you can call: Federal Wage and Hour Division Phone # 226-6935. State Wage and Hour Division Phone # 256-3584. Scotts most successful product is only for advice and support... your ProTurf Tech Rep. Jim Brocklehurst Technical Representative Jim Bogart Executive Technical Representative ProTurf Division O. M. Scott & Sons 1964 Catalpa Street Berkley, Michigan 48072 Telephone: 313/547-9632 ProTurf Division O.M. Scott & Sons 66 Gibralter Road Rockford, Michigan 49341 Telephone: 616/866-9389 12 Pennsylvania Turfgrass Conference £ Trade Show HERSHEY LODGE & CONVENTION CENTER, WEST CHOCOLATE AVENUE & UNIVERSITY DRIVE, HERSHEY, PENNSYLVANIA. CONTACT: CHRISTINE E. KING, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY- TREASURER, PENNSYLVANIA TURFGRASS COUNCIL, 412 BLANCHARD STREET, BELLEFONTE, PA., 16823. (814) 355-8010 December I2-I5, I983 CHARGING THE PRESSURE TANK For those who have automatic pump­ ing plants which incorporate a pres­ sure tank, it is suggested that the air- water operating ratio be 60% air and 40% water. This ratio will permit the pressure pumps to operate within the desirable pressure limits. One method to obtain the above 60/40 air-water ratio in the tank is to start the air compressor, while the tank is still empty and raise the air pressure to 60% of the system operating pressure, LE. if the system operates at 100 lbs. then operate the air compressor until the pressure reaches 60 lbs. (100 x 60%), or if the system pressure is 130 lbs. then run the compressor until the air pressure in the tank reaches 130 x 60%, or 78 lbs. Once this pressure is established in the tank the pressure pump can be started and when the tank becomes 40% filled with water it will be found that the tank pressure has increased to the desired operating pressure of the system. In other words, the original volume of air in the tank has been compressed into 60% of its former volume and the pressure in­ creases in direct proportion. C.E. (Scotty) Stewart 13 Vox Pop, Cont. State, and local turf grass programs. Also, you can write off any donation for the local association’s summer picnics and Christmas parties. He has always been the mainstay of educational meetings. It becomes a two way street. The supplier must survive to help you, the Super, and the Country Club to survive. If the unreasonable low bidding con­ tinues, one competitor will drive out all the rest, and then a monopoly will be created. This is a big worry to in­ terested people. If you think supplies, equipment, etc. are high now, wait until you deal with a monopoly with no healthy competition. The Arab oil monopoly will be a mickey mouse operation compared to this! Why am I interested? I’m afraid that you, the Super, will get burned - and badly. The service you have been accustomed to will falter. The part you wanted at 5.00 a.m. Monday may take 3 days in the mail. The warm friend­ ship of the supplier, who you need every bit as much as he needs you, will become very cold and businesslike. Sometime take time out to ponder what you, the turf man, owes the green industry. The tremendous strides we have made in turf grass management has been a cooperative effort of education, industry, and you. In our golf operations, we need all the help we can get. Don’t sell yourself cheaply - or your Club. (If your committee or members complain, then how come they play, eat, and drink at the Club and pay dues for the privilege, when they could do the same elsewhere and save the dues?) Far-fetched? I don’t know! Let me quote John Ruskin: “The common law of business balance pro­ hibits paying a little and getting a lot - it can’t be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add some­ thing for the risk you run. And if you do that, you will have enough to pay for the something better!” I feel that self respect in this wonder­ ful world of golf is important. Please don’t take it away from yourself, your club, or your reputable supplier. S ccfifijU ea, % c. Let’s Talk Fungicides! We stock the Proven Best. Tersan 1991, 2#-FVoven systemic action. Tersan LSR, 3#-Leaf spot & rust control. Tersan S.P.. 3#-Snow mold & Pythium. Daconil 2787. 2#-Very broad spectrum. Daconil 2787 2 Gal.Flowable. liquid. Benomyl Gran, 24#-Dry. spreadable. Chipco .26019. 2#- Broad spec, systemic. Foie (Dithane), 5Q#-Leaf spot & Rust cntl. Acti-Dione Thiram, 10#-Brown & Dollar Acti-Dione R.Z., 10ft-Anti-biotic Fungicide Acti-Dione TFG. 1#-Water-Sol, Anti-biotic Bayleton 25W, 2#-Fusarium prevent & cure Dyrene Gran.. 10#-Snow mold cntl. & cure KEN, DAVE, GEOFF & CINDY WOULD LIKE TO TAKE YOUR ORDER 6900 Pardee Rd. Taylor, Ml 48180 (313) 291-1200 14 ATTENTION ADVERTISERS! THOSE ADVERTISERS WHO WISH SPECIAL CHRISTMAS ADS OR ADDITIONS SHOULD SUBMIT SUCH INFORMATION BEFORE DECEMBER 1ST. The best in T u rf Supplies» LESCO 100% Sulfur-Coated F e rtiliz e rs , G olf Course A ccessories, C hem icals including LE S C O S A N ' A H ighly E ffe ctive Pre-Em ergence Crabgrass and Poo Annua Control *Lescosan ( B e t a s a n - R e g. TM of Stauffer Chemical, 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 Tire Wholesalers Company, Inc. R.Ml) 19240 Wast Eight MHa ___________ (VflK Wot SouthfiaM. Mich. 49075 Phone: (313) 354 5644 TRUCK CAR MOTORCYCLE INDUSTRIAL TRAILER Ihll J TIRES A WHOLESALE PRICES TO COMMERCIAL ACCOUNTS 'For Land's Sake-'Use Peat" OXFORD PEAT CO. 1430 E. Drahner Rd. ~ Oxford, Michigan 48051 PROCESSED PEAT Top Dressing Blends Custom Blending FRED LATTA 313/628-5991 * Andrew Bertoni C.C., Began his golf course career in 1946 when he was named Superintendent at Burton Hills C.C., Ann Arbor, Michigan where he remained until 1952. Andy’s next move was to Northville, Meadowbrook Michigan where he resided until 1969. While Superintendent at Meadowbrok he hosted 5 Major Golf Tournaments; including the 1955 National PGA Tournament. During the course of his career as a Superintendent, Andy served on the GCSAA Board of Directors for 6 years. After receiving his BS degree from the University of Michigan in 1945 Andy moved on to Notre Dame University where he did his Post Graduate work. Dedicated the Golf Course Superintendent. . . who Andy calls “the number one man in the golf industry,” our guest columnist is now employed by the W.A. Cleary Corp., Somerset, New Jersey as that com­ pany’s Midwest representative. to promoting Complaints, Cont. fault, he’ll be more impressed with your forthrightness than with a slick, superficial explanation which blames everything from the weather to last month’s ladies tournament. There are some positive steps you can take to head off complaints. You can keep members informed of construc­ tion, maintenance operations and other problems areas on the course by posting signs in the pro shop. If your club has a monthly newsletter, you can use it to keep members informed of upcoming operations and explain why they are necessary. Some superinten­ dents have found it helpful to compile regular reports of their operations so that everyone, including club em­ ployees, knows not only what and when but also why an operation is taking place.You can also train your crew to successfully deal with problems on the course. Make sure they have enough information to handle the problem and that they realize they are representing you and the club when they handle a complaint or answer a question. GCSAA Fore Front 15 FIELD DAY DR. PAUL RIECKE EXPLAINS SOME PRINCIPLES OF SOIL PHYSICS. OPENING SESSION OF THE SEPTEMBER 1 FIELD DAY, AT THE HANCOCK CENTER- MICHIGAN STATE UNIVER­ SITY. "TOP DISTRIBUTOR" FOR THE THIRD YEAR - GENE JOHANINGSMEIER, right, RECEIVES AWARD FROM BUD CAMP OF THE LEBANON CHEMICAL CORPORATION. 16 uim.F.seii & Son,Inc. SINCE 1923 U. S. Laws, Cont. bill indefinitely, unless they vote to limit discussion. When there is no fur­ ther debate, the Senate votes. Most bills must have a simple majority to pass.A conference committee made up of members of both houses works out any differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill. The revised bill is sent back to both houses, for their final approval. The bill is printed by the Governmemit Printing Office in a process called en­ rolling.The clerk of the House of Con­ gress that originated the bill certifies the final version. The speaker of the House signs the enrolled bill, and then the Vice-President signs it. Finally, Congress sends the proposed new leg­ islation to the White House for con­ sideration by the President. A bill passed by Congress goes to the Pres­ ident, who has 10 days-not including Sundays-to sign or veto it. The Pres­ ident may also let a bill become law by letting 10 days pass without acting. After approving a bill, the President signs it, dates it, and often writes the word approved on it. The bill becomes law and is given a number that in­ dicates which Congress passed it. For example, a law enacted by the 95th congress might be designated Public Law 95-250. A vetoed bill must be returned to Congress with an explanation of the Prsidents objections. If a two-thirds majority of both houses approves the vetoed bill, it becomes law despite the President’s veto. The President might not veto the bill but may fail to sign it to show dis­ approval of some parts. If the Pres­ ident holds the bill for 10 days-Ex- cluding Sundays-while Congress is in session, it becomes law without the signature of the chief executive. A bill that reaches the Presient fewer than 10 days-excluding sundays-before con­ gress adjourns connot become law without the President’s signature. If the President fails to sign the proposed law, it dies, this procedure is called a pocket veto. Exerpted From the world book Encyclopedia, Volume 20, Pgs. 79-82 RENTAL SALES - SERVICE Tractors Equipment Complete line of Matetici Hondling & Fatm Equipment * SWEEPERS * LOADERS A TRENCHERS* MOWERS * ROTARY CUTTERS * BACK HOE DIGGERS * BACK FILL BLADES * POST HOLE DIGGERS JOB TAILORED EQUIPMENT 282-5100 16555 TELEGRAPH RD. - TAYLOR 1 MILE SOUTH OF EUREKA cduiUNTRY CLUB TURF PRODUCTS —Homogenous Granulation —High UF (W.I.N.J —Balanced Feeding —Fits Your Budget Distributed by: § SOUTH LYON, MICHIGAN 48178 GENE JOHANNINGSMEIER Phon* Area 313 437 1427 Lebanon Chemical Corporation P.O. Box 847, Danville, Illinois 61832 17 Pros & Cons, Cont. get into some serious layering prob­ lems by using different sands. Truly, sands are not all the same and once you begin using one type you really should stay with that same basic type of material. 12. Concern about placing a faster draining layer over a slower draining soil as is found in so many greens. There is some concern about what happens when water moves through the sandy profile, strikes the slower draining underlying topsoil and then backs up. In essence a type of “septic tank effect”. There is some concern that when this occurs, es­ pecially in the summer, problems with roots may arise. 13. Uncertain future - no one has been topdressing with sand for a very long period of time so there is no sure example of what to expect from long-term useage of sand for topdress­ ing greens. There may or may not be a problems but the uncertainty of not knowing for sure what to expect can be a negative aspect to this type of program. These then are the basic advantages and disadvantages I see for straight sand topdressing. Some obviously are more valid than others, some may or may not be a problem but in traveling throughout the region these are the basic concerns I see expressed. There may be some additional ones but I have attempted to group them into fairly major categories. I am certain for many years to come there will be a continu­ ing discussion on straight sand top­ dressing. It is controversial now and it will probably stay that way for some time to come or at least until we know just how valid some of these pros and cons really are. Stanley J. Zontek, USGA Green Section North-Central Director An amateur woodsman walked into a sporting goods store and bought a compass for his first trip into the wild. When he turned the compass over, though, he noticed it had a mirror on the back, so he asked the clerk why he needed a mirror. “Well,” said the clerk, “you just look in there and it tells you who’s lost.” 18 }