<3 1/ ° t ! P ■ Al P S l i f e SOth Year Ja n u a ry/F e b ru a ry 1986 V * 4 L A PATCH GREEN of S E R I A JAN Z IbeS OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE MICHIGAN & BORDER CITIES GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION SDI Features The Most Advanced Spraying Devices In Turf Care LEAK-PROOF LID Trouble free and easy-to-use CAM LOCK lid latch prevents leakage so commonly found in other makes. HEAVY-DUTY FIBERGLASS TANK All spray tanks come with color impreg­ nated in exterior gel coat to insure extra long-life, easy care and superior looking finish. Resistant to all chemical sprays. Non-corrosive fittings and hardwarel are Stainless Steel or Nylon. LONG-LIFE ENGINE 8HP Kohler (cast iron) engine with dual element air-cleaner, ball bearings on both ends of crankshaft, stellite exhaust valves & seat, safety designed retractable starter, engine mounted throttle/choke controls with integral kill switch, convenient oil fill dipstick and crankcase drains on both left & right sides. Briggs & Stratton and Honda engines also available. HYPRO-PISTON DIAPHRAGM SPRAY PUMP By far the most advanced spray pump available. It handles all: Liquid fertilizers, all spray chemicals wet or powdered, can even be run “dry” with NO DAMAGE to liquid end. REGULATOR RELIEF VALVE Four super-fast adjustable positions for 0-550 PSI. Works easily at low or high pressure. GATE VALVE Easy-to-reach and use suction line gate valve, suction strainer and tank drain. AGITATOR Self-lubricating, non-corrosive mechanical agitator is standard on all models. Out­ standing features include: Fiberglass rein­ forced nylon packing gland & rear bearing, teflon packing, non-corrosive 304 Stainless Steel shaft & paddles on all skid and trailer models. For Information or Demonstration Call TOM BRADSHAW or DON DUPUIS WEINGARTZ Since 1945 “We Service What We Sell’ 46061 VAN DYKE (Va MILE NORTH OF M-59) UTICA 731-7240 Michigan's Largest Lawn & Outdoor Power Equipment Dealer MON 8 30 to 8 TU E S -FR I 8 30 5 30 SAT 8 30 5 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Kevin Dushane Golf Course Superintendent Bloomfield Hills Country Club With this message being my first communication to the general membership I would like to thank everyone for their support and encouragement dur­ ing the past few years. I take this challenge as being your President very seriously and with great pride. I totally intend to perform my duties of the president to the best of my abilities. Having been on the Board of Directors for the last 1six> years, two as Director, two as secretary/treasurer and two years as Vice-Presi­ dent, I have gained a measurable amount of ex­ perience in the operation of our fine organization. Working with the Board of Directors I want to build on the foundation laid by our past presidents and make our Association stronger than ever. The new Board of Directors have already conducted two meetings with many new ideas and programs discussed. One such idea is the participation of member superintendents on Association committees. I encourage you to get involved with the Association by volunteering to take part on a committee. I know there are many good superintendents in our organiza­ tion who could be a tremendous help and make the Association stronger by participating in its operation. This will give you an opportunity to see how the MBCGCSA operates and be able to express your thoughts and opinions which may benefit all of us. Each Board member has been assigned committees and each committee and the chairman are listed at the end of the President’s Message. Please contact me or any Director or Officer if you are interested in joining a committee. As you can see the list is long and your involvement would be most welcome. I would like to congratulate Mike Edgerton, immediate Past President, for his performance as President the past two years. His hard work and determination have been a tremendous asset to the Michigan & Border Cities. Also, I would like to thank Craig Roggeman, who after having served six years as Director, has decided to leave the Board. Craig had been golf chairman the past fours years and did a fine job. A special thanks to Bruce Wolfrom who is leaving the Board after having spent 14 years at the forefront of the Association diligently working for the betterment of our profession. His dedication and wisdom will be sorely missed. The hospitality room will once again be open at the National GCSAA Conference in San Francisco. “The Michigan Room” is a joint effort of all the local Superintendent organizations in the state. The West­ ern Michigan GCSA, the Northern Michigan Turf Managers Association, the Mid-Michigan Turf Mana­ gers Association and our Association will participate in the operation of the suite. All members who attend the conference should make it a point to come to the room and meet other superintendents within our own state as well as others across the country. Also, Andy Bertoni will be receiving the prestigious Disting­ uished Service Award from the GCSAA at the opening session of the Conference. On that Friday night Andy will be honored at the Hospitality Room and we ask everyone to please make plans to attend in honor of Andy for receiving his well-deserved award. Jerry Faubel, currently serving on the GCSAA executive committee wil be running for re-election in San Francisco. As president of the Michigan and Border Cities GCSA I would like to extend to Jerry our full support in his re-election bid. Jerry’s per­ formance on the executive committee the past year has been outstanding. His work on the Research and Scholarship committee and the Governmental Rela­ tions committee has benefitted all members of GCSAA. We wish Jerry the best of luck on a successful election. Tom Mason and Jon Maddern have been designated delegates for the MBCGCSA and will be responsible for representing our Associa­ tion during the election of officers of GCSAA. In closing, I want to stress that the communication channel between you, me and the Board of Directors is always open. The main goal of the Association is to make our profession better and stronger - which will be beneficial to all of us. These goals can be met with good communications, hard work, dedication and comradery amongst ourselves. Don’t let apathy be part of your life, get involved! Sincerely, Kevin Dushane COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS Education - Jon Maddern, Roger Gill Membership - Roger Gill, Ed Heineman By-Laws - Dan Uzelac Golf - Jim Timmerman, Ken DeBusscher Fund Raising - Ed Heineman Christmas Party - Charles Gaige Publicity & Awards - Jim Timmerman Ethics - Mike Edgerton Finance - Tom Mason MTF Liaison - Kevin Dushane, Tom Mason Editorial - Kevin Dushane Welfare - Tom Mason Historian - Dan Uzelac Policy Book - Dan Uzelac Hospitality Room - Jon Maddern GAM Seminar - Charlie Gaige, Roger Gill Picnic - Ken DeBusscher, Mike Edgerton Industrial Relations - Ken DeBusscher Golf Day - Ed Heineman, Dan Uzelac Scholarship - Jim Timmerman, Tom Mason 3 4 JOHN DEERE COMPACT DIESELS The most versatile equipment a groundskeeper can own □ Mowers 50 to 76 inches □ Snow Blowers □ Front Blades & Brooms □ Vacuum Attachments & Cabs Available £ □ Gas or Diesel Engines Panther l JO HN D£E * € / fM1 Sales 2274 TELEGRAPH, BLOOMFIELD HILLS Phone 335-5149 WINTER HOURS - MONDAY-FRIDAY 10-7 SA TU R D A Y 10-2 job. More than 50 capacity-matched attachments are available to keep the tractor you buy busy the year round. See us for a test drive soon, John Deere compact diesels come in eight models, so you can match horsepower to your needs. All are packed with performance fea- tures that make them small giants on any big JOHN DEERE FRONT MOWERS N O TE S FRO M T H E UNDERG RO UND by Harry Roote I just finished reading a book titled Growing Up by Russell Baker. Written in 1982, Growing Up is an autobiography by Baker, who incidently won a Pulitzer Prize for his literary efforts. It tells of his life with his family as he was going through his childhood and the subtle importance his growing-up had on his adult life. The story he tells is both comic and tragic with many humorous moments overshadowing the bad times. The text is so well written you will find it difficult to put the book down once you start reading it. If you find the opportunity to read this novel by all means do, because it will bring back all of the good memories during your childhood that may have faded in time. The story by Baker compelled me to look back on my younger days and especially as it related to golf. For instance, I reflected back to when I bought my first real set of golf clubs. I was about 13 years old at the time and the only clubs I possessed were the Heinz 57 varieties type. You know the kind - a Ben Hogan driver, a Northwestern three-iron, Spalding five-iron, a few wood shaft clubs and probably, a mashie.Some were too short, other too long and the grips were frayed and loose at the ends. That didn’t concern me though, they suited me just fine. That was until the day I walked past the display window of Roger’s Sporting Goods Store. There perched on the rack was a brand new set of Sam Snead Blue Ridge irons and woods. The clubs were propped up C O N T IN U E D P A G E 16 SERVING GREATER OAKLAND COUNTY AREA DAWSON TREE SERVICE TRIMMED - TOPPED - REMOVED FREE ESTIMATES LICENSED AND INSURED DEEP ROOT FERTILIZING FIREWOOD (Seasoned Hardwood delivery available) CLIFFORD DAWSON P.0. BOX 157 373-5264 WATERFORD, Mi 48095 MIDWEST LARGEST IRRIGATION TRADE SHOW and SEMINAR Century Rain Aid’s 1986 TRADE SHOW T uesday M arch 4 — 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM W ednesday M arch 5 — 1:00 PM to 10:00 PM TROY HILTO N — Troy, M ichigan Ra in ^ 'B ir d S T A - R I T E $ m fM i d Hunter ÎJCHDEL I : n i b c o : mini's SEM INARS • D EM O N STR A TIO N S • EXHIBITS OTTERBINE © iIL CREEK PLASTICS MAUBU SÜß!! Maxijetf FI0WIRON To confirm your attendance — please call Shirley Touchette 313/588-2990 rTilm^ainaip 31691 Dequindre Madison Hts., Mi 48071 22159 Telegraph Southfield, Mi 48034 3400 Jefferson S.E. Grand Rapids, Mi 49508 FEBRUARY 1933 V o l u m e VII N u m b e r 2 C/fte N a t i o n a l Greenkeeper Official Organ of The National Association of Greenkeepers of America Horton Smith Talks Sense One of America’s sensational young golfers with international experience discusses without fear or favor, what a golf course should be. Greenkeepers stand by. I am writing this article with the hope that the opinions of my golfing experience will be of benefit to the greenkeepers of America, and the further con­ tinuance of their splendid progressive work which has been a substantial contribution to the development of golf to its present state of enjoyment, popularity and greatness. I congratulate the greenkeepers for this service. To me, condition is very important in the selection of an enjoyable golf course; I am happy to say therefore that I am pleased with the high standard of maintenance that exists at the many golf courses I have played. GREENS SHOULD NOT BE MUSHY SOFT On regulation size greens I prefer greens that are not mushy soft. Many greens are watered so much that absolutely no skill is required to stop a ball on them. Mushy greens are also detrimental to ideal putting conditions. A half-topped mashie or iron will stop on the many greens that I have played. This is wrong as the player who is off the proper line can play to the hole equally as well as the player who is perfectly placed from the tee. The plan of the hole, the trapping and the size of the green should be considered in watering. Natur- C O N T IN U E D P A G E 14 TREE TRANSPLANTING LARGE TREES UP TO 11” DIAMETER ARMSTRONG LAWN AND TREE, INC. “YOUR EVERGREENS SHOULD BE MOVED NO W .” 44275 Whithorn Sterling Heights, Michigan 48078 731-5550 264-8803 7 GREEN COMMITTEE The past season was another good one for turfgrass. Weather was most favorable for turfgrass manage­ ment highlighted by an early spring and concluded with a nice October. Very few prolonged periods of unusal temperatures, either hot or cold occurred. The Golf Association of Michigan’s heavy tournament schedule encountered only two rain delays and one cancelled event. Both rain delays lasted under two hours. The season was easily seven months long in 1985. The golf world’s attention was focused on Oakland Hills in June for the US Open and the golf course was magnificently conditioned and held up under mis­ erable weather. Many were concerned about the North Course and vehicle damage during the Open, but in only a few weeks it had fully recovered, as had the Championship site, the South Course. Superin­ tendent Ted Woerhle and his assistant Tom Gray, performed admirably at this year’s Open and their efforts were noticed. Jerry Faubel, Superintendent at Saginaw Country Club, was elected to the Board of Directors of the Golf Course Superintendents Associa­ tion of America and he receives our congratulations as well. the Detroit Golf Club. This year we will return to the Detroit Golf Club and add a second seminar in Grand Rapids, an expansion of our seminar schedule. The GAM will again solicit Member Clubs for donations to the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation for research at the Robert W. Hancock Field Laboratory at MSU. The club participation and funds donated grow each year. MSU was also named headquarters for the USGA’s computerized turfgrass research library. We applaud the university for this honor and compiiment the USGA for their excellent judgement. Neil J. MacPhee, Chairman Robert C. Hall, Vice Chairman Frederick M. Adams, MD Charles E. Baer Thomas W. Chisolm Arthur W. Nolen, DDS MEMBERS AT LARGE r Servicing Michigan & Border Cities Superintendents With Nearly 150 persons attended a Green Seminar hosted by the GAM and the Michigan & Border Cities Golf Course Superintendents Association in March at Kevin Dushane Michael Edgerton E. Clem Jensen Tom Loupee Keith Paterson William R. Riggin A “Store On Wheels” J. M. Vargas Ted Woerhle Bruce Wolfrom Clem Wolfrom Kenyon T. Payne James Timmerman complete line of fer­ a unique truck concept LESCO brings direct to you Utilizing tilizers, control products, grass seed, replacement parts and a wide assortment of tee markers, flags, sandtrap rakes and other golf course accessories. The LESCO equipment lineup includes the the popular LESCO Rotary Spreader, recently-introduced LESCO Gang Mower, our new LESCO Aerator-30, as well as gasoline and electric sprayers in both 100-and 200-gallon models. LESCO brings what you need right to your door. You can also call us toll-free at (800) 321-5325. In Ohio call (800) 362-7413. LESCO, Inc., 20005 Lake Road, Rocky River, Ohio 44116 • (216) 333-9250 8 DUTCH ELM DISEASE CONTROL PROGRAM by Dr. Thomas L. Green Research Plant Pathologist Morton Arboretum The majestic American Elm is still found throughout the Chicago region despite the Dutch elm disease (DED) epidemic. There are a few municipali­ ties, cemeteries, parks and golf courses that have managed to preserve most of their original elms. However, the disease continues to take its toll. Although costs for DED control can be high, they don’t necessarily have to be. 1. Establish a priority for the elms on the course. This is best done with an inventory of the golf course trees. Rank landscape and key trees higher than fairway and rough trees. Landscape trees are those around the buildings that add value to the property by their size, stature and location. Key trees are those so positioned on the fairway that their loss would affect the play of the game, making the hole less difficult. 2. Look for a source of the disease from the properties surrounding the golf course. If DED is not being controlled on the properties surrounding the course, there is a greater threat to the golf course elms. The courses surrounded by forest preserves SAVE ON GUARANTEED REPLACEMENT PARTS LOW PRICES JACOBSEN TORO ROSEMAN RYAN MOTT ROGERS EXCEL OLATHE TO FIT HAHN-WESTPOINT PAR AIDE JOHN OEERE NATIONAL CUSHMAN RANSOMES FORD YAZOO NEW PARTS G O O D Y E A R * BELTS * TIRES *GREENSAIRE PARTS * REELS * BEARINGS * STEERING CABLES AMD MORE IN MICHIGAN CALL TOLL FREE - 1-800 824-8769 YOUR DEALER IS: ] % ' d is t r ib u t o r s 51000 GRAND RIVER AVE. WIXOM, MICHIGAN 48096 (313) 349-7779 M IC H IG A N 'S ONLY STO C KIN G DEALER FOR R & R PRODUCTS 9 stand the greatest threat of all. 3. The most important control strategy is sanitation. It is absolutely essential to remove all diseased trees before the beetle vectors can emerge and transmit the disease to adjacent healthy elms. The beetles begin emerging in April and continue emerging until cold fall weather. Therefore, dead elms should be re­ moved before April. Trees that begin dying during the spring and summer should removed immediately. The wood has to be removed from the grounds or burned. It should not be kept for firewood. When a tree begins to die, do not wait more than 30 days after the onset of symptoms. The disease may spread to adjacent trees via root grafts when they are left standing and will provide a source of beetles. 4. If there is a threat of root graft transmission, especially to key and landscape trees, root grafts will need to be interrupted. This can be done with a trench 24-36” deep, or with chemicals (under the direction of a trained arborist). 5. Surveillance. If disease symptoms are observed early enough, there is about a 75% chance to save the tree by pruning. The pruning MUST be done immediately. Elms are most susceptible to DED in the spring when they are growing rapidly. Beetles emerging in April and May will carry the disease to healthy trees. The disease, often transmitted to the top of the tree, will begin moving downward. The windier and hotter the weather, the faster the downward spread. This makes May and June the period for an active surveillance program. Once each week someone should be scanning the tree tops looking for the ‘kflags”-an off-green, yellow or brown leaf color. This can be done by someone mowing around the trees. If a flag is spotted, it should be watched for a day or two. The flagging symptoms for DED will pro­ gressively move down. DED causes the wood beneath the bark to turn brown, healthy wood is white. When the flag is high in the tree the brown streak will fade out. If the branch is cut 7-10” below the point where the brown streak fades, there is a 75% or more chance of saving the tree by pruning alone. A tree that has had DED pruned out must be closely watched. If additional symptoms are ob­ served, the trees should be completely removed if there are any elms within 50 feet to prevent root graft transmission. Branch samples can be sent to the Extension Service for DED identification. But don’t wait for the results. By the time the results come back, it may be too late to save your tree. 6. Insecticide Sprays. Key and landscape trees can be C O N T IN U E D P A G E 15 WORKMASTER 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 comfort­ able ride. Easily carries 1,000 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. W ILKIE Turf Equipment Division, Inc. 1050 OPDYKE RD. • P.O. BOX 749 • PONTIAC, MICHIGAN 48056 • (313) 373-8800 10 TORO The No. I name in golf course irrigation The right amount of water In the right place At the right time / « ¡IS WILKIE Turf Equipment Division, Inc. mac 1050 OPDYKE RD. • P.O. BOX 749 • PONTIAC, MICHIGAN 48056 • (313) 373-8800 11 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 Fill In New Address: S T A T E Z I P N A M E A D D R E S S S T A T E C I T Y Mail this form to: A PATCH OF GREEN 31823 Utica Road Fraser, Michigan 48026 Z I P ÆÆGREEN LIFE WW WINDBURN AND ICE PROTECTION FOR YOUR GREENS. • Proven system for w inter protection. • Lightweight and easy to install. • Lasts for years. • Allows green to BREATHE! People like to work for a leader who is fair and square in every respect. It’s a pleasure to work for someone you can trust, always a problem to work for someone you can’t. Leaders who want to enjoy this kind of reputation have to earn it. The first step is to make up your mind to show the same consideration for everyone whether they’re weak or powerful, loud-mouthed or mousey, a personal friend or someone you don’t care much for. Run a fair ship without favorites. And don’t try to kid anybody. Call a spade a spade. Say what you mean and mean what you say. People don’t like double-talk. They prefer a leader who gives them straight facts - even when they’re not very pleasant. It’s a lot better than a manager who tries to gloss things over and make black look white. Be obvious, simple, straight-forward. When people know for sure you’re being fair with them, there’s a good chance they’ll be fair with you. SNOW CONTROL FENCE • Lightweight Plastic • Highly Visible • No Sharp Edge • Low Cost • Strong Yet Flexible • Easily Erected • 7-8 Year Life Comes in Orange or Black. Either 4 ft. or 6 ft. high by 100 ft. long. DONN ELLIS & CO. — Turfgrass Division Call us for details: Highland, Michigan 1- 800 - 621-7007 313 - 887-6767 CHRISTMAS PARTY 1985 MORE PHOTOS ON PAGE 17 Jim & Debbie Hyde of Turf Chemicals, Inc. Charles & Andra Gaige, Chairpersons of the Christmas Party. Charlie is Supt. at Lakelands Golf & Country Club Newly elected President Kevin Dushane & his wife Mary Outgoing President 1985 Mike Edgerton & his wife Janet Dinner at the beautiful Lovett Hall, Henry Ford Museum Dawn & David Sapp Craig Mathews & Jim Armstrong President Ron Wisniewski, Mid-Michigan GCSA & Marv Dominic, Benham Chemicals 13 HORTON SMITH, CONT. ally, small, tightly trapped greens should be kept softer than large, open ones. I like a green that is turfy and medium soft, but I would condemn a green that is so mushy that a pitched ball would displace the turf entirely and form a divot hole that is over one-half inch deep. Of course, the green should be soft enough for the ball to make a noticeable impression. I prefer seeded greens as, from my experience, it produces a softer, more upright and even growth of grass. For ideal putting surface, upright grass is far superior to a grainy growth. SMITH LIKES FAST GREENS I like a green on the fast side, as 1 feel it places a much greater premium on skill and a fine putting touch. I dislike a green where a ball will gain momentum of its own accord. Slick greens are not a fair test of putting skill, but fast ones are. On sharply contoured greens I prefer higher cutting of the grass. This to be regulated according to the degree of the slope. From a playing standpoint, it makes absolutely no difference to me whether the same type of grass is on all the greens so long as the different types are good putting surfaces. I would not necessarily favor uniform speed of greens - I would consider contour, as previously mentioned. MOST TEES ARE TOO SOFT Most tees I play on during my travels are too soft, or too spongy. I like a firm tee - soft enough to allow spikes to enter easily - with the grass cut medium short. Long grass on a tee is bad, as the juice of the grass between the club and ball causes slipping or skidding. I like bent tees, and have played on some very good ones that seem to endure best of all types. I do think it is essential to have tees set at right angles to the line of the hole. I think that we will see the time when there will be tee construction variation as a hazard to make the game more difficult. That is, have the tees contoured instead of the level. My friend, Donald Ross, has advocated this for ten years. I look forward to such, at least for championship purposes. I do not prefer either extreme width or narrowness in fairways. I would base this judgement on the type of the hole and the contour of the fairway. Medium type fairways are best. Not so soft that any ball will land dead, but soft enough to prevent extreme roll. I think a well hit low shot should be rewarded with a reasonable bounce and roll. EXTREME WATERING OF FAIRWAYS IS BAD I think extreme watering of fairways is bad, as excessive moisture causes the ball to slip or skid, instead of grip as it should when properly struck with the face of the club. After a good, strong turf foundation is established, a slight watering keeps it in ideal playing condition. I am very strongly for clean and bright flags and flag poles, and very much like to see the yardage clearly marked on each tee. Personally, I see no real purpose for yardage markers along the fairway. 14 Rough grass should never be allowed to grow higher than six inches - this height constitutes hazard enough - and allows the ball to be found easily. It also is much better for the general appearance of the course. I am also strongly against rock piles, unkept bushes, trees or ditches. A player with skill should be able to play from any position on the course. In other words, under normal conditions there should be no impossible lie within the reasonable playing zone of the golf course. All water hazards and special hazards should be definitely outlined, as should all boundary lines. Prominent stakes with a connecting wire or cord form the best boundary line - the cord or wire should be on the ground. Of course, a fence serves the purpose also. I like very much to have water and clean towels on the course. Personally, I play a clean ball each hole. SETTING OF THE CUPS DESERVES CONSIDERATION A point that deserves consideration is the setting of the cups. I notice all the difference in the world in this and all that is required is careful, conscientious work. I hate to see the edges of the cup irregular or broken. Cups should be changed frequently enough to prevent the edges from becoming rounded. When proper care is not taken, I have seen cups that “telescope” - that is the edges bulge higher than the surface level. This makes putting extremely difficult and should be avoided.uim.F.sell & Son,ine. SINCE 1923 RENTAL SALES - SERVICE ★ LOADERS ★ SWEEPERS ★ TRENCHERS ★ MOWERS ★ ROTARY CUTTERS ★ BACK HOE DIGGERS ★ BACK FILL BLADES ★ POST HOLE DIGGERS JOB TAILORED EQUIPMENT COMPLETE LINE OF MATERIAL HANDLING & FARM EQUIPMENT CALL 282-5100 16555 TELEGRAPH RD. - TAYLOR 1 Mile South of Eureka 'J tu n A & U e A , * )< € C , FORMERLY TURF SUPPLIES, INC. Let’s Talk Fungicides! We stock the Proven Best. Tersan 1991, 2#-Proven 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 Spectrum Syst. Fore (Dithane), 50#-Leaf Spot & Rust Cntl. Acti-Dione Thiram, 10#-Brown & Dollar. Acti-Dione R.Z., 10#-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 Would Like to Take Your Order 6900 Pardee Road Taylor, Michigan 48160 (313) 291-1200 THE JOHN WALTER AWARD The first annual “John Walter Award” for the best article in “A Patch of Green” for 1985 was presented to Ken DeBusscher, Superintendent of Wabeek Country Club. Along with the beautiful plaque, which was presented by President Mike Edgerton, Ken was presented a check for $100.00. The winning article was selected by a committee of golf writers consisting of Jack Berry of the Detroit News, Jack Saylor of the Detroit Free Press and Terry Moore, Editor of the Michigan Golfer. The article appeared in the July issue and was entitled “Keep the Worms Inside.” The article stressed crew safety and Ken suggested that the can is already open so far as safety is concerned and we should do our best to keep the worms in the can. We the Editors would like to thank the selection committee and all the Golf Course Superintendents that took the time to write articles for our magazine. The purpose of the John Walter Award is to encourage Superintendents to write and perhaps win $100.00 for their efforts. DED, CONT. considered for insecticide treatments. A dormant oil spray (in late winter or early spring) containing Methoxychlor is recommended. The insecticide is like an insurance policy, but sprayed trees can still get DED. Some Chicago area municipalities have dropped spray programs because of costs. They found spraying only reduced losses by about 1 - 1lA %. 7. Systemic Fungicides can be used to prevent DED and also to “cure” trees infected with DED. When more than 20% of the crown shows symptoms, the chances of recovery are greatly reduced. Again, key and landscape trees should be considered for fungi­ cide treatment. There are three-year guarantees being offered by some arborists. When DED is dicovered early, pruning (below brown streak) and fungicide injection have been found to be quite effective. The key to a successful DED program is regular surveillance by a trained scout and immediate action (i.e. removal, pruning, fungicide injection) when DED is suspected. For additional information on DED and its control, see Illinois Cooperative Extension Publica­ tion No. 647. FOR SALE RYANS GREENSAIRE II - 1977 WORTHINGTON G6 TRACTOR - 1961 30 h.p. IRRIGATION PUMP AND MOTOR, good conditon, almost new SMALL REBUILT SHREDDER, CHIPPER Call Marty, Knollwood C.C. - 855-9716 15 HARRY ROOTE, CONT. in a small semi-circle with sparkling shafts, shiny irons, woods that were polished smooth and leather grips that were actually wrapped tight. I absolutely had to buy these clubs. These new clubs were going to knock at least four strokes off my score and possibly make me play as good as Sam Snead himself. So with the money saved from my paper route and a little financial aid from my parents, I purchased my first set of golf clubs. This wasn’t the first time I had to have something. There were the ball gloves, foot­ balls, a new set of ice skates and the bicycles to name a few. But the point is these golf clubs were all mine and had never been used by anyone else. That was important to me as a child. Those clubs would get quite a workout in the next few years. Looking back to when my brother, cousin and I would go down to the local school and build a nine hole golf course on the football field brings back fond memories. The field was solid gravel and dirt, not what you could call plush turf. Using old Sunkist orange juice cans for cups we would rake off pebbles and stones in areas and designate them as greens and bury the cans in the dusty ground. After nine holes were strategically designed and built our golf tournaments would begin. The course we developed did not rank with Augusta or Oakland Hills but for us, playing those self-designed “links” was pure enjoyment. The kids in our neighborhood were always playing baseball or football but not many played golf. I was fortunate in that my father was an avid golfer. If it wasn’t for him finding the time to take my brothers and I golfing and teaching us the game, I probably wouldn’t be in the golf business today. My parents never pressured me to be a banker, lawyer or whatever and truthfully, I never knew what I wanted to do with my life until I was about twenty years old. Both my mother and father allowed my brothers and sisters to grow into what suited us best and we were never pressured into doing anything we did not like. For that I will always be thankful. Many kids get their first exposure to golf course by becoming caddies. Taking a “loop” for $4.00 per 18 holes was what put spending money in our pockets during the summer months. When I caddied we learned not only about the game of golf but about the facts of life, too. When you get a hundred teenage boys together at one time you can just imagine some of the stories that were told. Little did I know at the time that most of the stories told were fabricated. Also, there was no such thing as a girl caddie when I was young. Now, you see more and more girls carrying bags at country clubs. If the same stories are told now as they were when I caddied, I sure wouldn’t allow my daughter to be employed as a bag toter. I would dare say the tales told today by the younger generation would have me in a sweat. My brother and I would caddy for father in his weekly Knights of Columbus golf league. Watching him play his matches was really exciting for us and gave us the incentive to play the game. Although the C O N T IN U E D P A G E 18 ?