Official Publication of the Michigan & Border Cities Golf Course Superintendents Association MICHIGAN AND BORDER CITIES GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION "A Patch of Green” 3 1 8 2 3 U t ic a R o a d , F r a s e r , M i c h i g a n 4 8 0 2 6 ( 3 1 3 ) 2 9 3 - 3 5 4 0 P u b l i s h e d m o n t h ly b y th e M i c h i g a n a n d B o r d e r C i t i e s G o l f C o u r s e S u p e r i n t e n d e n t s A s s o c i a t i o n C i r c u l a t i o n : 6 0 0 Ted Woehrle, Oakland Hills CC E d i t o r Blakeman Publications G r a p h i c A r t s / C i r c u l a t i o n A D V E R T I S I N G R A T E S Double P age Spread............................................ $100.00 Back O utside P a g e...................................................65.00 Full P a g e.......................................................................55.00 Half P a g e.......................................................................35.00 Quarter P a g e................................................................ 25.00 Eighth P a g e............................... 12.50 Sixteenth P a g e...............................................................7.50 C la ssifie d Ad (per in ch )...........................................5.00 DISCOUNT RATES One Y ear 10 % TH IS M O N T H ’S ADVER TISER S C en tu ry Supply C o rp o ratio n K e l-C ris C orp o ratio n L a w n E qu ip m en t C o rp o ratio n W .F . M ille r M ille r S p rin klin g S ystem s (Sisco) Modern R es e a rc h C o m p any N a tio n a l C h e m s e a rc h C orp. T e rm in a l S ales C o rp o ratio n T u rfg ra s s , Inc. T u rf S u p p lie s , Inc. P R E S I D E N T WARD SWANSON 29642 W estfield, L ivon ia, Mich. (R e s.) PLUM HOLLOW GOLF CLUB O ff. 352-2436, R es. 421-8049 V I C E P R E S I D E N T TED WOEHRLE OAKLAN D HILLS COUNTRY CLUB Birmingham, M ichigan Off. 644-3352, R es. 646-8512 S E C R E T A R Y - T R E A S U R E R GERALD GILL TAM -O-SHANTER COUNTRY CLUB 3466 Walnut Lake R oad Orchard L ake, M ichigan O ff. 626-8325 B O A R D O F D I R E C T O R S WILLIAM P. MADIGAN COUNTRY CLUB OF JACKSON 3135 Horton R oad J ackson , M ichigan C. H. WOLFROM, JR. D ETROIT GOLF CLUB Detroit, M ichigan 530 Kendry (R e s .) B loom field H ills, M ichigan O ff. 345-4589, R es. 338-6375 ANDREW A. BERTONI H OLLY GREENS GO LF COURSE 11450 H olly R oad H olly, M ichigan O ff. 634-8241, R es. 349-1708 ROBERT PRIESKORN WESTERN GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB D etroit, M ichigan 721 V enoy R oad (R e s .) Off. KE 1-1549, R e s. 721-6648 ALBERT KALTZ M APLE LANE GOLF CLUB Sterling H eights, M ichigan O ff. 268-2130, R es. 463-2892 DAVID S. MOOTE ESSEX GOLF CLUB Sandwich, Ontario P .O . B ox 130 O ff. 734-7815. R es. 966-1617 P R E S I D E N T E M E R I T U S DONALD A. ROSS HIGHLAND MEADOWS GOLF CLUB P .O . Box 197 Sylvania, Ohio 43560 O ff. 882-6492, R es. 882-3113 How to Raise $5,000 for Turf Research year we changed the location and im­ proved the eating and meeting facility to the point where we feel now that we have reached a level of profession­ alism in running the event. Here is how it is done. First, you pick out a very capable Chairman. This year we made a wise decision and picked Don Benham of National Chem- search. He in turn picked his Com­ mittee Chairmen. These included: The registration desk busy at work trying to get things started pictured above. The Michigan and Border Cities Golf Course Superintendents Asso­ ciation has a habit of doing good things for golf. They have been leaders in raising money for turf research at Michigan State University. Over the past six years they have raised around $35,000.00. This has been accom­ plished in several ways. At first the majority of the income came from selling raffle tickets. The effort was culminated with a golf outing and dinner where the results were an­ nounced and the money was turned over to the Michigan Turfgrass Founda­ tion. In 1969, the format was changed to include a golf tournament as part o f the festivities. The first such event was held at Oakland Hills Country Club. This proved successful enough that it was decided to expand the tournament effort and really do it right. The following year we added several other steps to the tournament and it proved to be highly successful. This Gordie LaFontaine of Lawn Equip­ ment. His primary duty was to collect money from entry fees and raffle ticket sales and place them in the checking account so he could pay the bills. Bob Hope, Superintendent of the Knollwood Country Club, Chairman of the Raffle Ticket Committee. This is the Committee that makes the profit. Tickets were distributed to all mem­ bers of the Association and then the money was collected before the draw­ ing for prizes. Gary Bartsch, Superintendent, Pine Lake C.C., Chairman of the Tourna­ ment Entries. Posters announcing the Continued on next page event were sent out to all member Clubs along with entry blanks. A s the entries were sent to Gary, he would tee off times and sent the assign money collected to Gordie. Clem Wolfrom, Superintendent, Detroit Golf Club, Chairman o f the Prize Committee. This is one of the thankless jobs. Clem had to go out and solicit money or prizes from our sup­ pliers and any other people interested in helping our cause. He did a tremen­ dous job. The prizes were outstanding1 Doug Forier, Michigan Turf Spe cialties Corp., Chairman of the GoH Event. He controls the type of event and the administration of the event Keeping scores and deciding the wi&l ner can be very hectic. Another one of) the thankless jobs. Under the heading of golf events, we had George Carson, W. F. Mille Left to Right: Don Benham, General Chairman of our 6th Annual Golf Day, Ted Fuller, one of the owners of Bay Pointe, and Don LaFond, host Superintendent of Bay Pointe Golf Club. Head table dignitaries with golf and raffle prizes displayed on table. 4 Company, Chairman of the “ Closest to the hole” event. This is a money maker. The prize here was a set o f woods. Charlie Croley of Scotts helped also. Another golf event on the course was run by A1 Kaltz, Superintendent of Maple Lane Golf Club. He ran the “Inside the circle” event. Another good money maker. Prizes here in­ cluded golf balls. Jerry Gill, Superintendent, Tam 0 Shanter Golf Club, was in charge of all secretarial work and he bought the beautiful bag tags that were presented to contestants. Incidentally, we still have quite a few of these available for the asking. Ted Woehrle, Superintendent, Oak­ land Hills Country Club, Chairman of Publicity, in the papers, TV, and radio. created exposure The most important people, of course, are Don Lafond, Host Superin­ tendent, and the Fuller Brothers, the owners of Bay Pointe. We appreciated the use of the Upon arriving at the Club on the morning of September 17, 1971, the skies were cloudy and a light rain was falling. The temperature was cold and it looked like it was going to be a miserable day. By 9:30 the sun came out and the sky cleared up and we couldn’t have asked for a nicer day. Dick Mauer won the set of Woods for being closest to the pin (14 in­ ches). The team entry of A to Z Land­ scape Co. won the team championship and our old friend Louis Sinnelli, Superintendent, Barton Hills Country Club, won the Color TV in the raffle ticket drawing. course very much and enjoyed the en­ tire day. Because of the tremendous hospitality and the fine food and drink we were able to enjoy ourselves and raise our $5,000.00. Many thanks to all of our members that participated in the running of the events and the selling of the raffle tickets. This day has become a true team effort. Thanks again. One of the attractive hostesses selling raffle tickets out on the course to a happy foursome MORE PICTURES OH NEXT THREE PAGES 5 55W4/ jt :eiveP Cf/vmy i i Mum4 ' M M w 1 | Mm// w / m » s tm OM seen a CHAi cacifl 1 JSS Clem Wolfrom holding raffle ticket container for one of Bay Pointe’a pretty waitresses to select the next lucky number. Doug Forier at mike announcing the winning raffle ticket number of 521 which was a color TV for Louis Sinnelli. 6 I ■ ■ ■ ■ Charles Croley (left) of Scotts measuring the distance of 14 inches for the Closest To The Pin contest, won by Dick Mauer on the right. President Ward Swanson (center) presenting trophy and 1st Place prizes to winning team from A to Z Landscaping (Left to Right: Don Trombly, Albin Zupance, Bruce Harris , and Kenneth Mott). 7 44From one beer ¡over to another” . . . Dr. Ken Payne, on right, presenting Clarence Wolfrom, Supt. of Maple Lane Golf Club, with a picture taken last year on Golf Day. -»■RECEIVED FROM Dr. James Beard, of MSU, expressing his thanks to the Association for the continued I effort given turf research in the State of Michigan. A lg a e : T h e S p o ile r CIITRINI[ 8 Be free of the odor, scum and harmful effects of algae. C U T R IN E , used as d irected , elim inates ALL forms of algae at safe limits to other living things. No other algaecide can make this claim . U .S .D .A . Registered (No. 8 9 5 9 -1 ). Use water im m ediately. TERMINAL SALES CORP. D E T R O IT , M ICH IG AN 48227 12871 E A TO N A V E . (313) 491 -0 6 0 6 M BCGCSA MEETING The monthly MBCGCSA monthly meeting was held on October 4th at Maple Lane Golf Club-Host, Clarence Wolfrom, guest speaker, Dr. James Beard. Dr. Beard gave us a progress report of work accomplished at MSU in Turf Research over the past ten years. His talk was accompanied by colored slides. Many of the projects carried on at MSU have been covered in past issues of the “ Patch of Green.” The pur­ pose for his visit to our meeting was GOLF DAY DONORS The following is a list of suppliers who donated to our 6th Annual Golf Day. A. J. Miller Sisco Walter Hagen Company Shock Bros., Inc. Rain Bird W. F. Miller Company Lakeshore Equip. Supply Company Agrico Fertilizer Aquatrols Corp. of America Carr Company Paige Electric Terminal Sales Corp. Parklane Tree Company Radio Dist. Milwaukee Sewerage Commission C. E. Anderson Company Lawn Equipment Corp. Amveo Industrial Products Div. Century Sprinkler Inc. Plastiline, Inc. Roseman Mower Corp. March Irrigation Supply 0. M. Scott - Charles Croley USS Agrichemicals Thermoplastics Elmer Scherer in to keep us abreast of work being done at MSU and explain to us the impor­ tance of our annual contribution to the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation. Later on the meeting Don Benham reported that his Golf Day Committee was able to collect $5,000 from our Annual Golf Day held at Bay Pointe Golf Club, September 17, 1971. He thanked the following people for the tremendous job done: Treasurer, Gordon LaFontaine, Lawn Equipment; Host Supt., Don LaFond; Bay Pointe Golf Club; Tickets, Bob Hope, Supt., Knoll wood CC; Entries, Gary Bartsch, Supt., Pine Lake CC; Bag Tags, Jerry Gill, Supt., Tam-O- Shanter CC; Golf Event, Doug Forier; Par 3 Event to Hole), George Carson, W.F. Miller; Selling a lot of tickets, Dick Monohan, Century Supply; Par 3 Event (Jn the Circle), A1 Kaltz, Supt., Maple Lane GC. (Closest MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT The Norm Kramer Memorial Tourna­ ment held on October 4th was a hugh success. About $2,000 was raised for the Scholarship & Research Fund of the GCSAA. The event was sponsored by the Western & Michigan GCSA. GOLF COURSE CHEMICALS Donald Benham NATIONAL CHEMSEARCH CORP. 5589 Abington Road Birmingham, Michigan 626-1111 9 WHOLESALE IllSillllH HIHS for Sprinkler Supply Brochure Rate Card for Design and Layout Service Complete Ra in ^ B ir d Catalogue and Price List Undo ground Sprinkler Supplies hires - Controls-Pipe ■ Fittings 3 8 9 0 W. 11 M I L E R O A D B E R K L E Y , M I C H I G A N 4 8 0 7 2 ( D E T R O I T ) 3 1 3 - 5 4 3 - 7 7 3 0 ARE YOU INTERESTED IN JOINING THE MICHIGAN AND BORDER CITIES GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION? Fill in the questionaire below and mail to: ALBERT KALTZ Maple Lane Golf Club Sterling Heights. Mich. 48071 Phone: Off. 268-2130, Res. 463-2892 N A M E O F I N T E R E S T E D P E R S O N D A T E _______________________________ M A I L I N G A D D R E S S ___________ _______________________________________________ C I T Y ____________________________ S T A T E ________________ Z I P _______________ Or you may contact the next golf course supplier that calls on you and give him the information needed for application. l f P * I The President's f l Message Our thanks to the host superin­ tendents for allowing us the use of their facilities for this year. We appre­ ciate the privilege extended by their members and boards of directors. These meetings are improving in quality and hopefully they will con­ tinue to make our group a tightly knit one that can communicate successfully with each other. Our recent picnic was a smashing success through the efforts of George Prieskorn and his mother Lucille. When the wife and kids tell you it was great - then you know you’re in. The brochure with appropriate liter­ ature has arrived from Mr. Miriani, Head of Detroit Convention facilities for our consideration. A discussion of our intentions will take place at a future meeting. Our invitation to the Detroit area is dependent on our mem­ bership’ s decision and all of you Your President, Ward Swanson ELECTION SLATE of Jim Vaughn, Chairman the Nominating Committee, and his com­ mittee, have presented the following slate for election at the Annual Meeting: President, Ted Woehrle; Vice Presi­ dent, Jerry Gill; Secretary-Treasurer, Bob Hope; Board of Directors (2) to be elected, Bill Madigan, Gary Bartsch, Roger Gill, James, Vaughn. Nominations will be accepted from from the floor. Jerry Gill, Secretary 11 DID YOU KNOW? Attendance at the Michigan Turf- grass Conference held annually at the Kellogg Center has risen from 70 to 500 during the past ten years. It is now the largest in the State Extension Pro­ gram. The total attendance at the two Turf Field Days this year was over 600. There are now 100 turf students attending classes at Michigan State University. There are 75 in the two year program, 25 in the four year pro­ gram, and 9 graduate students working in turf. TURFGRASS, INC. 365 Woodland Dr. South Lyon, M ic h .48178 Phone 4 3 7 -1 4 2 7 PROGRAM S FOR FINE TURF T o p - D r e s s i n g C h e m i c a l s F e r t i l i z e r G r a s s S e e d Sod F u n g i c i d e s S t o lo n s H e r b i c i d e s I n s e c t i c i d e s G e n e r a l S u p p l i e s Eugene D. Johanningsmeier Consulting Agronomist lists GREATEST TESTS OF GOLF issue of “ Golf The November Digest” five Michigan golf courses in “ America’ s 100 Greatest Tests o f Golf.” Listed in 1st 10; Oakland Hills CC, Birmingham. Listed in 2nd 10; Point-O-Woods Golf & Country Club, Benton Harobr. Listed in 5th 10; Country Club of Detroit, Grosse Pointe Farms. Listed in 2nd 50; Boyne Highlands Golf Club, Harbor Springs; Warwick Hills Golf Club, Grand Blanc. Some people are like blisters. They show up when the work is done. Lightning B y R I C K G R E E N , M o o d y S p r in k le r C o m p a n y The occurrence of rainfall brings positive charged ions from the air to the ground, leaving a surplus of elec­ trons in the air. When the potential dif­ ference between the earth and sur­ rounding air builds to a certain limit, an arc is formed as the electrons move at the speed of light toward the posi­ tive charge. Ionization of air between the two areas of positive and negative charge generates the flash of light and discharge of energy called lightning. seek PROTECTION OF SPRINKLER EQUIPMENT FROM LIGHTNING Lightning, or any other form of electricity, will the path of least resistance in its attempt to reach ground potential. If lightning strikes an area where both an electrical in­ sulator and a metal object are present, both tied to ground, the lightning will strike the metal object, since it is the path o f least resistance to ground. sprinkler system which uses electrically operated remote control valves will usually have a common wire tied to all valves in the system. If this wire is not grounded and light­ ning strikes it (with many thousands of volts) an instantaneous current will flow through all the solenoids to the control wires and eventually through the insulation to ground. This instan­ A 12 taneous high voltage and current will destroy any solenoid through which it passes. It is recommended that in order to protect against destruction of all sole­ noids in areas susceptible to lightning, that the common wire to the valves be grounded to any good electrical ground. This ground can be a metal water pipe, a third ground wire provided with the 115 volt service, or a steel rod driven into the ground a minimum of 6 feet. The electrical path of least resistance will then be through the water pipe (or other ground connection) and not through the solenoid. If lightning does strike a solenoid or a control wire to the solenoid, the current will pass through only that solenoid to ground. The other solenoids will therefore be protected. Automatic controllers should have their grounded. Controllers which actuate pumps should use the pump switch to actuate only a pump relay. This will isolate the pump cir­ cuit from the controller and isolate any possible electrical overload in the pump circuit from acting on the controller. cases The 115 volt power lines to the controller should have a lightning pro­ tection device installed in each con­ troller between these two lines. This device will protect the input side of the controller against high voltage trancients caused by lightning striking the power lines. There are two basic types of light­ ning arresters presently available. The most common is the spark gap type of i arrester. This is a device which has two electrodes mounted in a capsule! filled with gas. When voltage reaches1 a predetermined maximum the gas is ionized creating a direct short be­ tween the two electrodes. With one of the electrodes connected to ground, Continued on next page LIG H T N IN G C O N T. the high voltage trancient is shorted to ground, thus protecting any devices down the power lines. Spark gap type of protectors generally protect against voltage surges above 1000 volts with response times anywhere from instan­ taneous to one second. Some are good for only one shot and then must be replaced. Others may be reset or are good for 50 to 100 strikes. Zener type protectors are solid state devices which can be purchased to protect against voltage surges of 6 volts and up. Due to the precise firing level that can be obtained from this type of device, they are excellent for sensitive electronic circuitry. They will dissipate up to 1500 watts of peak pulse power or 200 amps for 1/120 second. protecting In summary, grounding of all com­ mon wires and insertion of lightning arresters lines where necessary, will virtually elimi­ nate mass damage to irrigation sys­ tems caused by lightning. incoming power in DEATH TAKES LEO JOHNSON Leo Johnson, age 53, Superinten­ dent, Walnut Hills Golf Club, East Lansing, Michigan, died suddenly Sep­ tember 4, 1971, after a short illness. Before coming to Walnut Hills in 1964, Leo was Superintendent at the Washtenaw C.C., Ypsilanti, Michigan, for many years. While at Washtenaw, joined the Michigan and Border Leo Cities Superintendents Association and was not only an active member, but a faithful member. He served as Di­ rector, Vice President, and President o f our Association. He was always in­ terested in better turf and better meth­ ods of maintaining it. Leo trained a number of young men who are now Superintendents or in some related turf fields. Leo was a long time member of the GCSAA and attended most of the con­ ferences. His hobbies included fishing and deer hunting. He enjoyed the out- of-doors. He leaves to mourn his wife, Micky, and son, William. SISCO SALESMEN at your SERVICE D O N V O S has w orked w ith pumps and piping system s for the past seven y e a rs . H is e x p e rie n c e can be v a lu a b le to you. irrig a tio n is his s p e c ia lity for any turf grass a re a . Don tra v e ls the W estern part of M ic h ig a n and w ill g la d ly stop by your co urse. C a ll K a la m a zo o 6 1 6 -3 8 1 -0 5 0 6 . A u to m a tic Sprinkler Irrigation Supply Company, Division of A. J. Miller, Inc., 1316 N. Campbell Rd., Royal Oak, Mich. 48067, (313) 548-7272 Chicaqo (3121 629-7730, Kalamazoo (616) 381-0506, Columbus, Ohio (614) 888-1782 e n g i n e e r e d r a in 13 about 12 years. He moved up through the various offices and was President for 1 year. Bob has been the perennial Seniors Champ of the GCSAA for the past three years and has served in the ca­ pacity of voting delegate of our asso­ ciation for a number of years. Good nature is the oil that makes the day’ s work go without squeaking. For The Latest and Best Call Turf Supplies, Inc. 6 9 0 0 P A R D E E , T A Y L O R , M I C H . 4 8 1 8 0 • A g r i co C o u n t r y C l u b F e r t i l i z e r s • N E W D u P o n t T e r s a n 1 9 9 1 ( B e n l a t e ) • T h e 3 o t h e r T e r s a n F u n g i c i d e s , p lu s D a c o n i l 2 7 8 7 , A c t i - D i o n e & F o r e ! 3 1 3 /2 9 T 1 2 0 0 • T h e B e s t in B u l k G r a s s S e e d s • Weec/ K i l l e r s , I n s e c t i c i d e s , S p r a y e r s a n d 7” H o s e . MEET THE BOARD This month we are featuring Bob Prieskom, Superintendent, Western Golf Club. Bob said he started in the golf business when he was about this high (pointing to his waist). He first worked at the Birch Hill C.C. in west­ ern Wayne County about 1930 or 1931. His family has traditionally been con­ nected with golf for many years. He worked with his Dad, brothers, and now sons and nephews. The Prieskorn name is well known in Michigan Golf. In 1953 he became the Superinten­ dent of Western Golf Club. Bob has been a faithful member of the Michi­ gan and Border Cities Golf Course Superintendents Association for many years. He has served on the Board for 15 years, during which time he has been Chairman of the Golf Committee £323. CORPORATION Phone: (313) 477-1730 252T6 SKYE DRIVE, FARMINGTON, MICHIGAN 48024 GOLF COURSE CONTRACTING SPECIALISTS 14 cNow! c 4 Model-tyM 5 Turf Sweeper by jurfTÂcà {full^five-^foot Engine: 12 HP Frame: welded structural steel Hopper: 5 cu. yards Welded steel construction Overall: Width 5'-4" * PICKS UP EFFICIENTLY * FULL 5' SW EEP * HUGE HOPPER CAPACITY * EASY DUMP * FLOATING SCOOP * EASY TRANSPORT * LOW MAINTENANCE * PICKS UP WET OR DRY C A L L F O R A D E M O N S T R A T I O N ( 3 1 3 ) 3 9 8 - 3 6 3 6 LAWN EQ U IPM ENT CORPORATION 5 2 0 W E S T 11 M I L E R O A D R O Y A L O A K , M I C H I G A N 4 8 0 6 8 15 Aeri-Vac Turf grass Vacuum New turfgrass vacuum that thoroughly cleans and grooms acres-per-hour W. F m erGARDEN AND LAWN EQUIPMENT COMPANY 1593 $. WOODWARD A V E . B IRM ING HAM , M IC H IG A N 48011 T E L E P H O N E : (313) 847-7700 "A Patch cf Green” 31823 U T IC A RO AD F R A S E R , M IC H IG A N 48028 J o n e s B e a r d O r . *<562 O ttaw a D r iv e O k e a o a , M i c h . *> 8 8 6 4