GM 9 7 5 .A l P 3 November/December 1987 Our 62nd Year / -------------------------------------------- A PATCH o fGREEN DEC 10 W CIlCHiüft» si Ait uriiwtKSiTY libraries OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE MICHIGAN & BORDER CITIES GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION J Our best to you! ■üRFCRASS L I 'T S A TURFGRASS INC PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE With the end of 1987 closing out my term as President of the Michigan and Border Cities Golf Course Superintendents Association I would like to extend my appreciation and thanks for the support and encouragement I received from all of the members of our organization. Also, Bloomfield Hills Country Club has been most supportive of my duties as President and has allowed me to take the time to cimmit to the Association. The past two years have been a great experience for me and I enjoyed the challenges and rewards the position offered me. I would especially like to thank the Board of Directors for the excellent job they have done the past two years. Withour their efforts many of the successful programs accomplished would not have been real­ ized. The MBCGCSA Annual meeting held in October at Maple Lane Golf Club was well attended with 42 golf course superintendents voting in the elections of new officers and directors. I would like to congratulate Charlie Gaige on his well deserved election as our next President. I have worked along side Charlie the past seven years in MBCGCSA affairs and I know his leadership abilities will be a big plus for our organization. Also, Tom Mason was elected as our next Vice-President and Jon Maddern as Secretary- Treasurer, both very capable individuals with a lot to offer the MBCGCSA. Gary Thommes was elected to the Board of Directors this Fall and I congratulate him on his first term as Director. I am looking forward to 1988 with great enthusiasm knowing our Association is in good hands. Everyone, have an enjoyable holiday season. MA PATCH OF GREENM P u b / i shed B i-M o nth ly by the MICHIGAN AND BORDER CITIES GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION President KEVIN DUSHANE Vice-President CHARLES GAIGE Secretary/Treasurer TOM MASON Directors JON MADDERN KEN DeBUSSCHER ROGER GILL JIM TIMMERMAN ED HEINEMAN JAY DelCAMP President Emeritus MIKE EDGERTON Editor TED WOEHRLE Printed at BLAKEMAN PRINTING CO., Fraser, Michigan (313) 293-3540 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 Sincerely, Kevin Dushane President, MBCGCSA C I T Y Fill In New Address: S T A T E Z I P POND DREDGING SPECIALIST O ff Road Trucking Wide Track Bulldozing Shore Line & Land Developm ent Grading & Trenching SWEETCO INC. 218 Audubon South Lyon, Mi. 48178 313-437-1830 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 3 1987 At a Glance Once again the Michigan & Border Cities Golf Course Superintendents Association presented a busy schedule of Golf Outings, educational meetings, fund raisers and social gatherings. The Board of Directors, led by President Kevin Dushane, is to congratulated for an outstanding year. Following is list of events for 1987 - JAN. 6 - Meeting at Bay Pointe Golf Club - a discussion about GCSAA MAR. 2 - Salt River Golf & C.C. - the IRS and afternoon of bowling. MAR. 26 - Detroit Golf Club - joint meeting with GAM APR. 27 - Essex C.C., Windsor, Ontario - joint meeting with Canadian Superintendents EXTRA! APR. - Opening the baseball season at Tiger Stadium MAY 6 - Special Olympics fund raiser at Links of Pinewood JUNE 1 - Pine Knob Golf Club - golf and educational meeting JUNE 30 - Burroughs Farms - Golf meeting JULY 21 - Port Huron Golf Club - joint meeting, golf AUG. 18 - Kensington Metro Park - Annual picnic SEPT. 3 - Field Day at MSU SEPT. 14 - Forest Akers Golf Club - 1st Annual State of Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Golf Championship SEPT. 28 - Forest Lake C.C. - Annual MBCGCSA Golf Championship, also GCSAA guest speaker OCT. 5 - Annual Turfgrass fund raiser at 16 local clubs, dinner at Bay Pointe C.C. OCT. 21 - Maple Lane Golf Club - Annual Meeting NOV. 3 & 4 - Lansing - GCSAA Seminar on Construction DEC. 5 - Barton Hills C.C. - Annual Christmas Party. DR. JOE VARGAS OF MSU, left, RECEIVING MUCH APPRECIATED GIFT FROM PETER ROEHL OF MAPLE LANE GOLF CLUB. THE DONATION WILL GO TOWARDS THE CLARENCE WOLFROM CONFERENCE ROOM AT MICHIGAN STATE. MICHIGAN That makes sixteen functions available at attend. It offered something for everybody. Chairman of Edu­ cation was Roger Gill. Thanks Roger. Some of the highlights from the above events. The hospitality room in Phoenix was a huge success - this is a joint venture with the other chapters of Michigan. We are looking forward to Houston. Jim Timmerman noted that we gained 24 new members in 1987. Clem Wolfrom received the prestigious Meritorious Award at the Spring Meeting with the GAM. 120 attended the picnic and enjoyed the Pig Roast. Walter Wilkie donated $250,000 to MSU to initiate a training program of two year students in the Lawn Care Industry. Peter Roehl, owner of Maple Lane Golf Club continued his generous support of the Clarence Wolfrom Conference Room at MSU. The Special Olympics fund raiser at the Links of Pinewood raised $4,000. Thanks to Mrs. Kurt Kraley C ONTINUED PAGE 25 GLENN KORHORN, SUPERINTENDENT SALT RIVER GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB, CONTEMPLATING THE ELECTION. JIM VLASSIS, left, WINNER OF THE CLARENCE WOLFROM TROPHY AND EARL PRIESKORN, OVERALL 1987 GOLF CHAMPION. 4 MAXI III...Th .. from Coast to Golf’s Premie]* Irrigation Control Çystem Repeatedly the choice of the world’s leading architects and super­ intendents, MAXI® III from Rain Bird is recognized as golf course irrigation’s most exciting and versatile ____________ _ computerized control system. Sophisticated. Reliable. Powerful. MAXI® III offers state-of-the-art irrigation tech­ nology. An IBM computer, too. Not to mention the ability to handle a wide range of important functions. Lighting—securi­ ty—and a host of other necessary operations. Legends in the making—the great golf courses of tomorrow are being built today. And MAXI® III is there! Controllers. Rotors. 50 years of golf course irrigation experience. Rain Bird — the choice from coast to coast __ ' _ Stadium Course, PGA West R a in ^ B /r d IC entury Rain Aid / .................313-588-2992 31691 Dequindre, Madison Hts., Ml 48071 22159 Telegraph, Southfield, Ml 48034....................... 313-358-2994 Michigan TOLL FREE 800/544-9219 5 RANSOMES TRADE UP TRACTOR SAlf HUGE SAVINGS on Current Models T18B W ith 61" Deck $6,49?.“ , ular Retail $7895.00 • Briggs & Stratton, twin cylinder, 18 horse­ power engine. • Simple twist of spring latches gives fast, easy underhood access. • New lug nuts on rear steering wheels makes tire removal fast and easy. • Instrument panel has choke, throttle, electric key starter, ammeter and hourmeter. • Safety seat interlock shuts off engine whenever operator leaves seat. Regular Retail $4999.00 T-1861 With 6 1 " Deck $ 3 9 9 9 .0 0 ■Briggs & Stratton, twin cylinder 18 hp ■Optional Kohler ■5 Speed transaxle w/reverse ■Electric key start has ammeter, hourmeter and fuses on easily viewed panel ■About 0" inside wheel turning radius ■Oise brakes and electromagnetic PTO drive clutch W / T R A D E For information or demonstration, call Rich Hetrick or Ed Stesny, Turf Manager at: (313) 541-4660 Ideal Mower Sales 811 W oodward Heights Ferndale, Michigan 48220 6 B io lo g ical C on trol F o r Annual B luegrass East Lansing, MI - A new method of weed control, using biotechnology instead of chemical-based herbi­ cides, may soon allow farmers, homeowners, and lawn care specialists to control annual bluegrass with a bacterium that is harmless to humans, animals and other plants. “The bacterium is specific only for its host plant - it will infect only annual bluegrass plants,” says David L. Roberts, the Michigan State University plant pathologist who discovered the bacterium. “The bacterium enters through small natural openings in the leaf blade and grows through the plant’s vascular system.” Roberts discovered the bacterium when examining annual bluegrass samples to determine what caused the plants to die. This was the first time this strain of the Xanthomonas bacterium had been identified in North America. It could be new to the continent, or researchers may simply not have identified it in the past. “At first I didn’t even realize the potential of the bacterium,” Roberts says. But after diagnosing the problem, he began to wonder if the bacterium could be of some benefit. Laboratory testing proved Roberts’ suspicion that the bacterium could be used to control annual bluegrass. After application, the bacterium begins growing within the plant, destroying its ability to transport water. After three or four days, the plant begins to wilt. After a week, the plant usually turns brown and dies, or it is suppressed to the point where it is no longer a problem. When applied to lawns or other areas of mixed grasses, the bacterium does not affect other plants, regardless of the concentration, Roberts says. “I suspect the bacterium is absolutely safe for use around humans,” Roberts says. “Similar bacteria in the genus Xanthomonas have been found on vege­ table and field crops that people have eaten for years without any problems.” Research shows that the bacterium is very effective in controlling annual bluegrass. Because it grows inside the plant, it does not have to compete with other microrganisms in the soil or on the plant’s surface. This increases its ability to destroy the host plant. Tests show it may take two or three applications per CONTINUED PAGE 26 The No. I name in golf course irrigation The right amount of water TORO ‘ '.A * a ^ In the right place the right time WILKIE Turf Equipment Division, Inc. 1050 OPDYKE RD. • P.O. BOX 749 • PONTIAC, MICHIGAN 48056 • (313) 373-8800 7 ANNUAL ELECTIONS HELD AT MAPLE LANE GOLF CLUB OCTOBER 21, 1987 The newly elected President of the Michigan & Border Cities Golf Course Superintendents Associa­ tion for 1988 is Charlie Gaige, Superintendent of Lakelands Golf & Country Club. His Vice-President is Tom Mason, Superintendent of Birmingham C.C. The newly elected Secretary/Treasurer is Jon Maddern, Superintendent of City of Farmington Hills. Directors, elected for two-year terms are Gary Thommes, Superintendent of Red Run Golf Club and Ed Heineman, Superintendent of Waters Edge C.C. Ed was reelected. Those remaining on as Directors are Jim Timmer­ man, Superintendent of Orchard Lake C .C .; Jay DelCamp, Superintendent of Katke Cousins Golf Course; Ken DeBusscher, Superintendent of Wabeek C.C. and Roger Gill, Superintendent of Pine Lake C.C. Kevin Dushane becomes the President Emeritus, replacing Mike Edgerton, Superintendent of Mea- dowbrook C.C. NEWLY ELECTED OFFICERS OF MBCGCSA FOR 1988. Left to Right, TOM MASON, VICE-PRESIDENT, JON MADDERN, SECRETARY/TREASURER, AND CHARLIE GAIGE, PRESIDENT. NEWLY ELECTED DIRECTOR, GARY THOMMES AND RE-ELECTED DIRECTOR, ED HEINEMAN. 4LLINGHANI CORPORATION DETROIT “A CRANE AND COMPRESSOR RENTAL SERVICE COMPANY” Water lines must be blown out before freeze-ups cause extensive repairs. For portable air compressor rental call. . . (313) 444-8850 150 cfm - 1600 cfm M AC HINES A VA ILA B LE CALL ANYTIME - 24 HRS. DAY OR N IG H T 21250 w . 8 m il e r d . SOUTHFIELD, Ml 48075 8 THE TEN CARDINAL SINS OF GREENS CONSTRUCTION by David W. Gourlay Director of Golf Operations Beacon Hall Golf Club Aurora, Ontario 3. Using sphagnum peat moss. Sphagnum peat moss is hydrophobic, relatively undecomposed, and has only a very limited amount of microbial activity in it. Being hydrophobic, it is extremely difficult to blend into the medium. Once blended, it has been shown to plug up the non capillary pore spaces (air spaces) due to its fibery nature. 4. Not including the apron in the green’s construction Always include the apron in the construction of the green. A 90 degree edge should be included to insure adequate moisture retention in the apron, as a wicking action from the heavier soil around the perimeter will dry out the apron. This will help to avoid hand watering in the hot summer months. 5. Using improper drainage stone. Use only 3/8” - 1/4” of clean, clear pea stone in the drainage system. The purpose of the pea stone is to insure water drainage away from the rootzone medium, and to create a perched water table. Without the pea stone, the dry subsoil will draw water out of the rootzone medium which will lower the water retention of the mix. 6. Using a roto-tiller. Never use a roto-tiller to on site mix your amendments for rootzone medium. A uniform me­ dium can never be produced by this method. This procedure also produces a double-perched water table in your green’s profile. The top roto-tilled medium has to become saturated before any water enters below into the untreated medium. This creates a more complex management program. 7. Sodding a new green. Never sod a new green unless the sod is grown on exactly the same rootzone medium as the green. Sodding using a different growing medium will also produce a double perched water table. Seeded greens can be put into a higher level of playability faster than sodded greens, at a consider­ ably lower cost. Believe it or not! C O N TIN U ED PAGE 24 SEVERE HYDRATION DAMAGE RESULTING FROM POOR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES. PHOTO BY DAVID W, GOURLAY. 1. Using a rootzone medium with poor physical properties. It is highly unrealistic to expect the turfgrass to perform to its potential if one or more of the physical properties is limited. Laboratories test the infiltration rate, moisture retention rate, pore space distribution and bulk density value to insure they meet your specific requirements. Turfgrass grown under ideal physical conditions will recover from stress at a higher rate than turfgrass grown under less than ideal conditions. 2. Using a rootzone medium without correcting and chemical deficiencies. When looking at the chemical make-up of your rootzone medium, remember the word balance. In other words, avoid planting the turfgrass without correcting any chemical imbalances. It is always harder to correct any deficiencies after the turf is established. Avoid using calcareous sands if possible. These sands are usually extremely high in calcium which raises the pH of the rootzone to an unaccept­ able level. Also, the calcareous sands will break down, and a deteriora­ tion of the physical properties will occur. in areas of acid rainfall, 9 ENOUGH IS ENOUGH OR The last word on “Black Layer” by Ted Woehrle The Black Layer - What is it? What caused it? How do you get rid of it? How do you prevent it? I have read more words about the subject, written by more confused people, than any subject since the great “ice sheet damage” debates of 1962. More educational sessions have been presented around the country about the “Black Layer” than on any subject in recent memory. And still no answers to the above questions. There are a few summations that one can make from all of the theories expounded. All agree on one thing - Anaerobic conditions (anaerobics) are responsible for black layer. This is true whether the lack of oxygen was caused by poor construction or caused by poor management. One of the more famous case histories at a famous resort course in Northern Michigan is perhaps a combination of both poor construction and poor management. During a recent visit to this golf course, it was noted that a few cups on the greens were full of water (a high water table caused by trapped water). Defin­ itely poor construction. On closer examination of the soil profile it was noted that a dense layer of soil at the surface covered the coarse sandy soil of the green. This layer was severely curtailing good air and water movement into and out of the soil. This combination most certainly caused ideal conditions for the “black layer” to form. Two other courses that I visited had problems of black layer under sandy surfaces created by sand topdressing. The topdressing layer (about five or six years old) was made up of two distinct layers of sand. Again a finer more dense layer on top of a coarse layer. The other course had a mixture of sand topdressing mixed with aerifier plugs ground up and worked into CON TIN U ED PAGE 23 OTTERBINE DECORATIVE FOUNTAINS OTTERBINE Aerators can helpyou keep unsightly algae growth and objectionable odors under control naturally. The fact that OTTERBINES also create beauty - is just one of the many benefits of using our Spray Sculpture Floating Fountains. We create beauty while solving problems. LIG HTING A V A ILA B LE FOR DRAM ATIC N IG H TIM E B E A U T IFIC A T IO N CALL TOLL FREE 1 - 800 - 544 - 9219 [ c ehtury Rain Aid! 31691 Dequindre Madison Hts., Ml 48071 313/588-2992 22159 Telegraph Southfield, Ml 48034 313/358-2994 10 3400 Jefferson S.E. Grand Rapids, Ml 49508 616/452-3373 TURF TALK FROM “OLD KOZ” The trade magazines and chapter newsletters are featuring the so-called black layer. It’s nothing new. Old Koz investigated the black layer in Georgia in 1973-74 and with the help of a very capable microbiologist we looked into both methane and hydrogen sulfide producing bacteria. In actuality we found that the black layer is produced by hydrogen sulfide producing bacteria which are anaerobics. We found these to be of the genus Desulfovibrio, a finding which has been recently corroborated by reseachers at Michigan State University. My original suspicion was that such organisms existed and were responsible for the black layer and that greens sands from a single river source harbored the organisms. We were right! Since then we have come to realize that these organisms may be omnipre­ sent. A that time at least five golf courses in the Atlanta area had greens constructed from this single source. The original course investigated still has this problem and on of the others came down with the condition last year. The others may have had the condition in intervening years. As far as black layer in Georgia is concerned now, I think the main thing is to determine if in fact the Desulfovibrio bacteria are not a product of the poultry industry. Anyone willing to support this knd of research? But then, even that research is not really necessary. I know Til be straining some friendships when I point out (as I did with the Spring Dead Spot in 1974) that the black layer is caused by mis­ management, which may have roots in pre-construc­ tion. Turf managers get black layer when they allow anaerobic conditions to exist in their soils. To deny sulfur to the grass, to alter phosphorus levels, to place excessive emphasis on control of algae, is to promote mis-management of turf. The only prevention, and cure, for black layer is to make sure that soils are always well-oxygenated. That may require complete rebuilding of greens and replacing with soils passing tests for adequate percolation. George M. Kozelnicky Reprinted from Georgia News, July/August, 1987 Ia R oche In d u s t r ie s in c. NEW OWNER A FOR A PROVEN PERFO RM ER Professional Turf Products ^ v e r t a « g r e e n . Since 1948 TURF FERTILIZERS FORMULATED TO MEET YOUR COURSE REQUIREMENTS, PLUS HERBICIDE AND INSECTICIDE COMBINATIONS Chi cago Hts., IL 1 - 8 0 0 - 3 2 3 - 6 4 1 6 1 - 8 0 0 - 9 4 2 - 0 5 8 9 (IL) G r e e n s b o r o , NC 1 - 8 0 0 - 8 3 3 - 1 4 3 8 Atl ant a, GA 1 - 8 0 0 - 2 4 7 - 7 5 3 1 11 Great Lakes Minerals Company 2855 Coolldge, Suite 112 Troy, Michigan 48084 (313) 649-3700 OUR PRESIDENT RUNS AND FINISHES MARATHON by Ted Woehrle On Sunday, October 18, 1987, Kevin Dushane, along with 3,000 others, ran in the 10th Annual Detroit Free Press Marathon. The proceeds from this charitable event were donated to Multiple Sclerosis, the dreaded crippling disease of many. The race started in Windsor, Ontario, Canada on a cool cloudy day. The race wound through the streets of Windsor and after seven miles headed for the tunnel going under the Detroit River. As Kevin charged out of the tunnel he looked relieved and excited. He did say afterwards that the run through the tunnel was “a little spooky” and that he was glad to get out and see daylight and the good old US again. KEVIN - BEGINNING TO LOOK TIRED AT THE 21 MILE MARK JUST A LITTLE OVER 5 MILES TO GO. I am proud to know Kevin and respect his desire and hard training preparing for this grueling event. He started last spring by jogging and running several miles a day and increasing the pace and distance throughout the summer. He also gave up smoking and adopted a very regimented diet. It was quite an accomplishment. Kevin is the first personal friend that has ever run in a Marathon and finished. I’m proud of him. For those of you who do not know Kevin, he is the golf course superintendent at Bloomfield C.C. and is the outgoing President of the Michigan and Border Cities Golf Course Superin­ tendents Association. CLASSIFIED AD REEL GRINDING Green Fairway Rough Mowers Call MATT FELKER (after 3 p.m.) (313) 349-3608 or (313) 227-4487 KEVIN DUSHANE, NUMBER 565 RUNNING IN THE 10TH ANNUAL FREE PRESS MARATHON - AT THE 9 MILE MARK LOOKING STRONG. About this time of morning, roughly an hour after starting, the clouds began to break up and the sun started to shine. The runners proceeded up Wood­ ward for a short distance and turned back towards Michigan Avenue where they turned right and headed out past Tiger Stadium about four miles and then returned back past the stadium at about the 21 mile mark where Kevin began to look a little tired and sore. It looked bleak for Kevin but he was able to summon additional energy and desire for the last five miles as he headed through town and out to Belle Isle where he finished in 3 hours and 43 minutes. As he finished he was heard to say, “Never again. T11 never run another Marathon.” Later that evening he went out and bowled three games in his Sunday night league. On the following Wednesday, at our annual meeting, he changed his mind and said that he can’t wait until next year. 13 IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING BUYNG A SPRAYER CONTACT WEINGARTZ FIRST JOIN THE PROFESSIONALS WHOUSESDI— * TANK SIZES 50 TO 1,000 GALLONS * PUMPS 9,5 GPM TO 51 GPM AND UP TO 850 PSI * ALL SPRAYERS CAN BE SKID MOUNTED ON YOUR TRUCK, OR SEVERAL TRAILER OPTIONS * WE CUSTOMIZE TO MEET YOUR NEEDS For Information or Demonstration Call TOM BRADSHAW WEINGARTZ Since 1945 "We Service Whet We Sell" 46061 VAN DYKE (V2 MILE NORTH OF M-59) UTICA 731-7240 Michigan's Largest Lawn & Outdoor Power Equipment Dealer MON 8 JO toB IU E S -F R I B 30 5 30 SAI B 30 5 14 GCSAA NEWS The Nominating Committee of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) has submitted a slate of candidates to the association’s board. The committee selected the nominees during recent meetings at the association’s headquarters in Lawrence, Kansas. The candidate’s names will be on the official ballot when elections are held during the 1988 Annual Meeting in Houston on Monday, February 8. The nominees are: For President: borough Country Club, Pa. John A. Segui, CGCS, Waynes- For Vice-President: Gerald L. Faubel, CGCS, Sag­ inaw Country Club, Mich.*, and Dennis D. Lyon, CGCS, City of Aurora, Golf Division, Colo. For Directors: Joseph G. Baidy, CGCS, Acacia Country Club, Ohio; Gary D. Bennett, CGCS, Blythewood Golf Links, SC; Lee C. Dieter, CGCS, Washington Golf and Country Club, V a.; William R. Roberts, CGCS, SentryWorld, W is.; Kenneth A. Sakai, CGCS, Franklin Canyon Golf Course, C alif.; and Michael Wallace, CGCS, Hop Meadow Country Club, Conn. The President and Vice-President are elected to a one-year term, and the Directors are elected to two-year terms. Three Directors will be elected from the six nominees. The President will appoint the organization’s Secretary/Treasurer after the election. * Gerald Faubel is one of our members - we will make certain he is a winner. OHIO TURFGRASS FOUNDATION On behalf of the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation membership committee, I would like to extend an invitation to you to join Ohio’s premier turfgrass association. The organization is made up of over 360 individuals in addition to 289 organizational mem­ berships. Our members represent golf courses, parks, lawn care firms, sod growers, cemeteries, land­ scapers, suppliers and others. The purpose of our organization is to promote the turfgrass industry, encourage further study and research and address matters of policy affecting the turfgrass industry - all of which provide better turf for everyone. O .T.F. is a very active organization. Some of the services provided are: Education: An annual turfgrass field day and other seminars. Ohio Turfgrass Conference & Tradeshow: An annual seminar offering the latest in management practices and technical information in addition to over 250 exhibits. If you are concerned about the continuation of the turfgrass industry, you may want to consider joining the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation at this year’s con­ ference at the Ohio Center, Columbus, Ohio, De­ cember 7-10. Joining at this time will qualify you for reduced conference registration at both the 1987 and 1988 conferences and you will join us in assuring the success of your industry. Sincerely, Joseph Motz Fred Bosch O .T.F. Membership Committee Government Regulations: Positive action is taken on issues affecting professional turfgrass managers. For more information contact MBCGCSA member Fred Bosch. Quarterly Newsletters: Provides information of the affairs of the foundation and the latest developments in research. 15 THE SEARCH FOR BETTER GRASSES by Patrick M. O’Brien, Agronomist USGA Green Section - Mid-Atlantic Region Every golf course superintendent dreams of a grass which would better please his golfers and would cost less to maintain. Unfortunately, there has never been a national effort to plant breeders backed with the millions of dollars necessary to develop the ultimate grasses. Today, this most important research is now a reality. In March, 1982 the USGA Turfgrass Research Committee was formed to guide the UGGA’s long range multi-million dollar turfgrass research plans for the coming decade. The purpose is to develop minimal maintenance turfgrasses for golf with par­ ticular emphasis on a 50 percent reduction in water use requirements and 50 percent lower maintenance cost overall. In 1983 the USGA invited the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GC - SAA) to join the research committee, the GCSAA is an active and valued participant on the Research Committee. The program is now almost four years old. From 1983 to 1985, over $827,000 was spent on the project. In 1986, approximately $440,000 is currently allo­ cated to this effort. This will bring the total first four years’ expenditures to almost $1.3 million dollars. Truly, the search for better grasses has begun. The research program is divided into five main areas: (1) Stress Mechanisms, (2) Turfgrass Research Library, (3) Turfgrass Breeding-One, (4) Turfgrass Breeding-Two, (5) Cultural Practices. The first major priority was to develop a Research Reference Library. This is well on-track as over 6,000 entries are now in the computer and it is now open for business to all in the turfgrass industry. The Library is at Michigan State University under the director of Peter Cookingham. Overall, the USGA/GCSAA Research Committee is very satisfied with the progress to date. There is an C O N TIN U ED PAGE 21 The No. I name in golf course irrigation. It’s no coincidence that the country’s top golf courses use TORO irrigation systems. Because there are more TORO systems installed on golf courses than any other kind. For a number of very good reasons. W IL K IE TUrf Equipment Division, Inc. TORO IRRIGATION DIVISION 1050 OPDYKE RD. • P.O. BOX 749 • PONTIAC, MICHIGAN 48056 • (313) 373-8800 16 Nothing Runs Like a Deere JOHN DEERE COMPACT DIESELS 52 INCH - 2 YEAR WARRANTY 17 TO 67 HORSEPOWER 2 OR 4 WHEEL DRIVE 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 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 \JOMN DCtaCy' Sales 2274 TELEGRAPH, BLOOMFIELD HILLS Phone 335-5149 SUMMER HOURS - MAY 1 MONDAY-FRIDAY 8-7 SATURDAY 8-12 job. More than 50 capacity-matched attachments are available to keep the tractor you buy busy the year round. 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WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT AND CONFIDENCE, WE WOULD NOT HAVE ENJOYED THE SUCCESS WE DID THIS YEAR. WE PLEDGE TO YOU, OUR VALUED CUSTOMERS, OUR CONTINUED EFFORT TO MAKE 1988 AN EVEN BETTER YEAR FOR ALL OF US. THANKING YOU SINCERELY, WILKIE TURF EQUIPMENT D IV IS IO N , INC. DANDELIONS BEWARE! An environmentally safe way to destroy dandelions without harming the surrounding grass is a step closer to reality, says a University of Guelph environmental biologist. Dr. Lee Burpee plans to take a natural fungus that kills dandelions and adapt it for com­ mercial use. Burpee, who is director of the university’s new Turfgrass Institute stumbled upon the idea by acci­ dent when a colleague mentioned seeing a dandelion patch that seemed to be dying off because of a fungus. The scientist went out and found diseased dandelions in the field and brought them back to the laboratory, where he isolated the fungi and bacteria from the plants. “Some of the fungi we have isolated are doing an excellent job of killing dandelions,” says Burpee. “We have had good success with one species of fungus that kills an eight-week-old dandelion plant in just four days.” The next step is to grow dandelions in turgrass plots at the University-operated Horticultural Re- search Station in Cambridge this spring, inoculating the plants at different stages of growth to observe what happens. The scientist and his colleagues are collecting the dandelion seeds this month and will stagger the seeding over a three-month period. “That way,” says Burpee, “they’ll be able to see how the fungi act on plants at different stages of development. Because dandelions are perennial plants, they’ll do another study next spring. “We want to know the exact age of the plants we’re inoculating. It may turn out that the inoculation will have to be done only once every second or third year.” The research looks promising in the lab trials, he says, but the field trials this spring will “make or break it.” Burpee, who has worked in the area of turfgrass for 14 years, says there has been considerable interest in the last five years in the development of biological pesticides and herbicides. A naturally destructive substance like fungus has an environmental advan­ tage because it is biological, not chemical. “The fact that it is natural means the toxic effects on animals or humans will be minimal,” says Burpee. “In this case, the fungus already exists in nature, and we have not changed it in any way.” The scientists have yet to determine the effect of the inoculator on other broadleaf plants. Although grass is not susceptible to the fungus, other plants may be. “We’re working on a method of keeping the fungus CONTINUED PAGE 21 WHEN THE FROST IS ON THE PENNCROSS When the frost is on the Penncross and the water line is drained, And ever Southward go the golfers; Cads and Jags so aimed, Hear the rustle of the leaves as they cover rough and green . . . And traps and tees and fairways . everywhere between; Oh, It’s then the time a feller is a feelin’ at his best With the rising Sun to greet him from a nite of peaceful rest, As he wears a sweater mornins’ & the clocks have all been changed, When the frost is on the Penncross and the water line is drained. . and most . There’s somethin’ kinda hearty-like about the at­ mosphere When the heat of Summer’s over and the coolin’ Fall is here . . . Of course we miss the foursomes and the washers and the tees And the rumble of the mowers and the buzzin’ of the bees; But the air’s so appetizin’; and the landscape through 19 the haze Is the crisp and sunny wonder-land of early Autumn days And you can count up on your fingers all the times it’s rained When the frost is on the Penncross and the water line is drained. The husky, rusty rustle of the seed heads on the Poa. The clank and bang of units as in the shed they go; The flags in the greens . . . kinda lonesome like, but still there’s a few die-hard golfers whose needs we have to fill; The ball-washers are in the workshop; the sprayers in the shed; The hose is coiled up neatly on the rafters overhead! Oh, it sets my heart a-beating . . . with a fury never tamed When the frost is on the Penncross and the water line is drained. By William “Bill” Smart with assitance from some Irishman named Riley ‘THE LITTLE RED HEN’ (REVISED) ONCE UPON a time there was a little red hen who scratched about and uncovered some grains of wheat. She called her barnyard neighbors and said, “If we work together and plant this grain, we will have some fine bread to eat. Who will help me plant the wheat?” “Not I,” said the cow. “Not I,” said the duck. “Not I,” said the goose. “Then I will,” said the little red hen - and she did. After the wheat started growing, the ground turned dry and there was no rain in sight. “Who will help me water the wheat?” said the little red hen. “Not I,” said the cow. “Not I,” said the duck. “Not I,” said the pig. “Equal rights,” said the goose. “Then I will,” said the little red hen - and she did. THE WHEAT grew tall and ripened into golden grain. “Who will help me reap the wheat?” asked the little red hen. “Not I,” said the cow. “Not I,” said the duck. “Out of my classification,” said the pig. “I’d lose my ADC,” said the goose. “Then I will,” said the little red hen - and she did. When it came time to grind the flour, “Not I,” said the cow. “I’d lose my unemployment compensation,” said the duck. When it came to bake the bread, “That’s overtime for me,” said the cow. “I’m a dropout and never learned how,” said the duck. “I’d lose my welfare benefits,” said the pig. “If I’m the only one working, that’s discrmination,” said the goose. “Then I will,” said the ittle red hen - and she did. SHE BAKED five loaves of bread and held them up for her neighbors to see. “I want some,” said the cow. “I want some,” said the duck. “I want some,” said the pig. “I want my share,” said the goose. ‘No,” said the little red hen. “I can rest for while and eat the five loaves myself.” “Excess profits,” cried the cow. “Capitalistic leech!” screamed the duck. “Company fink,” screamed the goose. “Equal rights,” grunted the pig. They hurriedly painted picket signs and marched around the little red hen, singing “We shall over­ come.” And they did. For when the owner came to investigate to commotion, he said, “You must not be greedy, little red hen. Look at the oppressed cow. Look at the disadvantaged duck. Look at the underprivileged pig. Look at the less fortunate goose. You are guilty of making second-class citizens of them.” “But - but - but I earned the bread,” said the little red hen. “Exactly,” the wise owner said. “That’s the CONTINUED PAGE 24 20 Shemin Nurseries, Inc. Everything Under One Roof 0 CHEMICALS NURSERY 0 TOOLS 0 FERTILIZERS 0 GRASS SEED 6 IRRIGATION Ò POWER EQUIPMENT 0 TERRA COTTA Prompt, Efficient Delivery Our Standard is Excellence Check Our Prices Shemin Nurseries, Inc. 6900 Pardee Rd. Taylor, MI 48180 313-291-1200 1-800-544-5127 MICHIGAN TOLL FREE m MAKE LILES & TIPPIT, INC. YOUR SOURCE FOR TOP QUALITY REPLACEMENT PARTS TO FIT ALL EQUIPMENT USED FOR GROUNDS MAINTENANCE BY: GOLF COURSES • PARKS • UNIVERSITIES CEMETERIES • LANDSCAPERS REEL MOWERS FLAIL MOWERS ROTARY MOWERS FAIRWAY MOWERS GREENS MOWERS AERIFIERS SOD CUTTERS POSTHOLE DIGGERS ROTARY TILLERS TOP DRESSERS TRACTORS GOLF CARS AIR COOLED & WATER COOLED ENGINES LAPPING COMPOUND MARKING PAINT TRAFFIC PAINT GOODYEAR INDUSTRIAL & GOLF CAR TIRES & TUBES GOLF COURSE FLAGS & POLES TEE TOWELS & OTHE RSUPPLIES HEAVY DUTY GEAR OIL GOLF COURSE CHEMICALS ROPE PLASTIC CHAIN ROLLER CHAIN TURF PLUGGERS MONOFILIAMENT LINE CHAIN SAWS WEED TRIMMERS SATISFACTION GUARANTEED SAVE FAST FREE DELIVERY LILES & TIPPIT, INC. 523 WEST POPLAR • COLLIERVILLE, TENNESSEE 38017 1-800-238-4406 «within Tennessee) «out-of state) 1-800-238-5354 TOLL FREE NUMBER wm.F.seii & Son,inc. 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 282-5100 C A |± 16555 TELEGRAPH RD. - TAYLOR 1 Mile South of Eureka 21 HANDY NUMBER FOR PESTICIDES Service Extension Fortunately, all offices do not close at 5, leaving us out in the cold when important information is needed after normal working hours for most people. The Virginia Cooperative has announced in their September 1986 issue of HORT- FACTS that the National Pesticide Telecommunica­ tion Network (NPTN) is an around-the-clock service funded by the United States Environmental Protec­ tion Agency. A toll-free call to NPTN at 1-800-858- 7379 from anywhere in the contiguous U.S. will access information in a hurry on pesticide poisoning treatment, pesticide product information, clean-up and disposal recommendations, regulatory laws, etc. From Landon’s Turf Tips, Landon C. Miller - May/June Carolinas Newsletter. DANDELIONS BEWARE!, CONT. from sporulating so it won’t move to other, non­ target plants,” he says. Commercial use of the product would require the same precautions used with any lawn care product to ensure there is minimal drifting. Methods of granula­ ting the fungus will be developed this summer. Considerable government and private interest has been shown in Burpee’s research, with funding commitments coming from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, the Ministry of the Enivironment and Philombios, a Saskatoon-based biotechnological firm. Credit: June, 1987 GREENMASTER BETTER GRASSES, CONT. agreement that the breeding and stress mechanism phase is going very well. We must constantly remind ourselves that new, improved turfgrass cultivars take a long time to develop, usually from eight to twenty years, and we must not grow impatient. In future up-dates I will cover how your club can participate , how to collect grasses at your club for the program, identify the Researchers, more on the turfgrass Library, news notes from specific projects and how your suggestions and guidance is desired. The development of improved minimal main­ tenance turfgrass is a worthy goal for everyone, not just for golf, but for all who labor and are concerned with conservation and the environment. It is impor­ tant for all who enjoy the beauty and recreation of the outdoors and what it has to offer our modern world. The research program is certainly on schedule after the first four years. Credit: Mountain State Greenletter SPECIFY THE BEST FOR YOUR GOLF COURSE Warren's® TerraBond SLOPE EROSION CONTROL PUTTING GREEN CONSTRUCTION SANDTRAP LINING TerraBond Fabric O verlapped Use TerraBond as a replacement for the usual 2" coarse sand layer between the greens mix and the gravel dralnfield. The fabric will eliminate downward migration of the mix into the gravel and the subsequent reduction of water flow from the green. TerraBond’s high water permeability and highly engineered uniform density and EOS (AOS) make It an ideal fabric for this use. It will not rot in the soil-water environment. Its horizontal (planar) flow characteristic moves excess water horizontally out to the sides. Line the entire golf sand trap with TerraBond, Including 6'' under the surrounding sod. The sod’s roots will knit the fabric to the soil beneath. Clay and rocks will be totally restricted from moving up into the sand. Sand wash-down in rainstorms will be dramati­ cally reduced, because TerraBond Interrupts the interface of sand/soil. Rakeup will be greatly reduced. Time will be saved. Also, “ wrap the it flowing gravel’ ’ indefinitely. TerraBond’s polyester will resist chemical and ultraviolet degradation. in the trap drain to keep TerraBond Is utilized beneath cut slope stone protection (rip-rap) as shown above. The fabric provides long-term confinement of cut slope or fill material. Being constructed of soft and pliable needle- punched polyester, TerraBond will remain stable and in spite of potential exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays and/or concentrated hydrocarbons such as gasoline, diesel fuel, oil or hydraulic fluid. for many years, functional TerraBond also can be used construction, patio construction and planter filtration/separation. in weed control, gravel path filtration, subsurface drainage, retaining wall Warren's' TerraShield Polyester t Geotextile Ground Covering ... the best greens BLANKET in the business. THE EXPERTS AGREE Winter 1984-1985 Wind Desiccation Damage Test on bentgrass greens (Univ. of Nebraska-Test compared the protection of TerraShield cover with clear plastic cover and uncovered control area.) • Desiccation injury around test site was severe. Uncovered control area had 60% damage. TerraShield covered area had no injuries. Control area produced only 36% of the green cover obtained under TerraShield blanket. • Green-up occurred 24 days earlier with TerraShield . . . and the uncovered control remained significantly greener than area for 21 days after cover was removed. ^ • TerraShield produced 3 times the recuperative potential of the control area . . . and twice that of clear plastic covered area. • TerraShield enhanced soil temperature compared to uncovered control area. • TerraShield remained in place all winter with no ripping or tearing despite heavy winds. *CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION, SAMPLES, AND WHO IC entury Rain Aid/ 31691 Dequindre 22159 Telegraph Madison Heights, Ml 48071 Southfield, Ml 48034 313-588-2992 313-358-2994 3400 Jefferson, S.E. Grand Rapids, Ml 49508 313-452-3373 CALL TOLL FREE number MICHIGAN 1-800-544-9219 22 BLACK LAYER, CONT. the sand topdressing in an attempt to provide a gradual transition zone from the native soil to the sand layer. This finer soil from the plugs clogged the pore spaces in the sand - or the sand clogged the pore space in the soil - thus sealing proper air and water movement. One warning about mixing soil of any amount with sand topdressing. Have both materials tested first. Find out exactly how much soil can be mixed with the sand (proper proportions) without making ce­ ment. Once you find this out, you should remove all plugs when aerifying and run them through a shredder. Remember, have this soil tested along with your sand. Then mix the proper amounts of aoil with the sand and THEN AND ONLY THEN apply the mix to the green. In succeeding years you can gradually decrease the amount of aoil until you eventually reach pure sand. There is no sure short cut that you can trust when attempting this gradual transition. Another lesson that has been learned the hard way by many superintendents - DO NOT change sand sources once you start a sand topdressing program. There are many courses in the Milwaukee area that have been on this sand program for over 10 years and they are not experiencing a black layer problem. In studying all the articles and listening to many speakers one can come to these conclusions - ‘Black layer” occurs when soils become anaerobic Sulfur and iron do not cause black layer. Sulfur at rates presently used on most golf courses will not cause “black layer” - black layer is caused by the lack of oxygen. Sulfur does not cause a lack of oxygen. A review of Sulfur from past articles in the Patch of Green. Plants absorb sulfur as the sulfate ion. If applied as elemental sulfur it must be oxidized by solid organ­ isms into the sulfate form before being utilized by plants. Sulfur does not easily translocate in the plant and it is relatively immobile in the soil - it just doesn’t move easily. Sandy soils, low in organic matter are most likely to show sulfur deficiency. Elemental sulfur will not oxidize properly under saturated (waterlogged) con­ ditions. Instead, hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg smell) may be produced. Temperature, pH, soil organisms also influence the rate of oxidation. Oxygen is an absolute necessity for organisms to change elemental sulfur to sulfate. Maximum oxida­ tion of sulfur to sulfate occurs at field capacity moisture. Above or below this level the oxidation of sulfur is impeded. Sulfur is oxidized more readily in acid soils. How can you prevent or cure black layer? First you must control water use and improve aerification - quite often you may have to rebuild to improve drainage. Unfortunately many new golf course are being built with poor drainage. If you have produced an impervious layer with improper use of sand - start over. . • .... I*.-,IK-* <• *► *► 4 * *► (D u z n /l/i± ( lE ± f o Z t t lE cM otiday