Official Publication of the Michigan & Border Cities Golf Course Superintendents Association LET THE EXPERTS AT J. J. DILL HELP YOU MAKE IT BUY DIRECT • SAVE MONEY GET FAST DELIVERIES Your budget will buy more — in chemicals and equipment to apply them — when you deal direct with Dill. As manufacturer, formulator and/or distributor, Dill can save you money. Consistently. Dill offers the most com­ plete line of quality turf A chemicals in the midwest . . complete with appli- cation instructions. Dill is headquarters for complete lines of: • Fungicides • Herbicides • Algaecides • Insecticides • Fog- gers • Sprayers. PROMPT DELIVERY throughout southern Michigan and northeastern Ohio, including weekly shipment via our trucks covering the Detroit, Flint, Lansing and Toledo areas. Call Dill collect for information, prices, and to place orders. (616) 349-7755 TIP OF THE MONTH APRIL. We suggest the use of BALAN or TUPERSAN to knock out crabgrass before it can come up in fairways or lawns. We have had good reports on both in our part of the country. VALUABLE CATALOG Latest edition, up-dated in all respects. Contains a wealth of in­ formation. Lists and describes hundreds of chemicals, pesticides and equipment for maintenance of grounds and waters of golf courses, parks, recreation areas and resorts. J. J. D ILL COMPANY Box 788 KALAMAZOO, Ml 49005 Gentlemen: Please send your latest Turf Care Catalog. Dept. PG-4 NAME ADDRESS CITY____ . STATE . .Z IP . " A Patch of Green” 31823 U tica R oad, F raser, Michigan 48026 (313) 293-3540 P u b lis h e d monthly by the M ichigan and Border C itie s G o lf Course Superintendents A ss o cia tio n C irculation: 600 Ted Woehrle, Oakland Hills CC Editor Blakeman Publications Graphic A rts/ C irculation A D V E R T IS IN 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 ge...............................................................7.50 C la s sifie d Ad (per in ch )...........................................5.00 DISCOUNT RATES One Year 10 % THIS MONTH’S ADVERTISERS Agrico Chemical Division American Research Corp. C. E. Anderson Co. Century Supply Corp. Certified Laboratories, Inc. Cliff & Dean's J. J. Dill Company Gunter Co., Inc. Arthur Hills R. P. Klein & Sons Inc. Lakeshore Equipment Lawn Equipment Corp. W. F. Miller Garden Miller Sprinkling Systems (Sisco) Milwaukee Sewerage Commission National Chemsearch Corp. Wm. F. Sell & Son Turfgrass, Inc. Turf Supplies, Inc. Terminal Sales Corp. 3 MICHIGAN AND BORDER CITIES GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION P R E S ID E N T TED WOEHRLE OAKLAND HILLS COU N TRY CLUB Birmingham, Michigan Off. 644-3352, R es. 646-8512 V IC E P R E S ID E N T GERALD GILL TAM -O-SHANTER COUNTRY CLUB 3466 Walnut Lake Road Orchard Lake, Michigan Off. and R es. 626-8325 S E C R E T A R Y -T R E A S U R E R BOB HOPE KNOLLWOOD COUNTRY CLUB 6330 Inkster R oad Birmingham, M ichigan Off. and R es. 626-6062 B O A R D O F D IR E C T O R S C. H. WOLFROM, JR. D E TR O IT GOLF CLUB Detroit, M ichigan 530 Kendry (R e s .) WESTERN GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB ROBERT PRIESKORN 721 V enoy R oad (R e s.) D etroit, M ichigan Off. KE 1-1549, R es. 721-6648 ALBERT KALTZ MAPLE LAN E GOLF CLUB Sterling H eights, M ichigan O ff. 268-2130, R es. 463-2892 DAVID S. MOOTE ESSEX GOLF CLUB P.O . B ox 130 Sandwich, Ontario Off. 734-7815, R es. 966-1617 GARY BARTSCH PINE LAKE COU N TRY CLUB P.O . B ox 216 Orchard Lake, M ichigan Off, 681-1322, R es. 476-5852 ROGER GILL R O Y A L OAK GO LF CLUB R oyal Oak, M ichigan O ff. 549-7125, R e s. 573-6859 P R E S ID E N T E M E R IT U S WARD SWANSON PLUM HOLLOW GOLF CLUB 29642 W estfield (R e s.) L ivon ia, M ichigan Off. 352-2436, R es. 421-8049 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Spring is finally here. I hope your courses wintered as well as ours at Oakland Hills. We are looking forward to a good year. Now that the con­ ference season is be­ hind us, we can take time out to reflect upon them and put to work some of the things that we learned last winter. If the interest shown by your attendance is any indication of your desires to learn, we should see a tremendous upgrading in our profession this year. Over 4,000 attended the GCSAA Conference in Cincinnatti, over 500 at MSU and over 700 at Purdue. These figures are all outstanding. COMING EVENTS Essex Country Club - April 18 - Dave Moote, Host; Speaker - Mr. Ed Irish - Tree Care. Knollwood Country Club - May 2 - Bob Hope, Host; Speaker - Dr. Clayton Switzer - Turf Care. Dr. Switzer is from Ontario Agricultural College, Uni­ versity of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario. Country Club of Detroit - May 22 - Bill Milne, Host. LANDSCAPING TREES REMOVED OR TRANSPLANTED CLIFF & DEAN S__________ TREE TRANSPLANTING SERVICE C L IF F -946-5381 DEAN-291-0381 9452 HOLLAND ROAD TAYLOR, MICHIGAN True sincerity sends for no witnesses. 4 Our March meeting at Bay Pointe brought out 116 people - the most in recent years. The desire to learn is there and we will attempt to satisfy your needs with an outstanding edu­ cational program during the remainder of the year. We are fortunate in being able to secure some of our better known clubs in the district for our meetings. As long as our attendance remains high and our conduct remains in line with our profession, we will be able to con­ tinue obtaining these fine clubs for our meetings. Our image as a profession is grow­ ing and moving in the right direction now so let’ s all work to keep it going. Your President, Ted Woehrle NEW MBCGCSA MEMBERS A. Pete DeVos - Hillcrest C.C. - Dana Farms A. Robert Matheson A. Anthony Jezowski - Maple Leaf A. Robert Comeau - Wolverine Golf Golf Club Golf Course Club Inc. B. Lee Schmidt - Wabeek C.C. B. Marcel Defever - Spring Meadows Country Club D. Joseph Allen Corporation D. James Camp Corporation - Union Carbide - Agrico Chemical D. Ronald J. Dintemama - Malinerodt Chemical Company C. Roy Tabel - Indipendence Greens D. Charles King - Lubrication En­ D. Kurt Kraly - C.E. Anderson Co. D. Dean Gannon - Cliff & Dean’ s D. C liff Pierce - C liff & Dean’ s Tree gineers Tree Service Service Chemical D. William Lea - U.S.S. Agriculture 4th ANNUAL PONTIAC PRESS FLOWER SHOW Once again, Jody Headlee, Garden Editor of the Pontiac Press, has put on one of the finest flower shows in Southeastern Michigan. The show is held annually in March at the Pontiac Mall. The hallways are decorated with displays of flowers and wonders of nature. We were once again invited to par­ ticipate. Ken McRae of Edge wood Golf Club was appointed Chairman of our “ Flower Show Committee” . He reports that the volunteers to man the booth were willing and plentiful. This has been a wonderful oppor­ tunity to do a service for the com­ munity. It is amazing to hear how many homeowners have lawn problems. We are happy to be able to help. It is a wonderful way to gain some public re­ lations. Michigan State furnished several flats of Kentucky Bluegrass for oür display and, of course, all of the Ex­ tension Bulletins. live Bob Hope of Knollwood Country Club appeared on one of the local radio stations from the flower show. The Pontiac Press carried a car­ toon depicting a man looking for a sign of spring - with a caption telling the readers to visit our booth for help in solving their lawn problems. MARCH MEETING Over 100 Superintendents and their guests attended our March meeting at Bay Pointe Golf Club to hear John Campbell, Links supervisor, of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, St. Andrews, Scotland. Mr. Campbell spent two busy days visiting in Michigan. He toured the facilities at MSU on Monday, March 20, and spoke to the turf students while there. On Tuesday, he came to the Detroit area to appear on J. P. Me Carthy’ s “ FOCUS” program on station WJR. That same afternoon, he was interviewed on Channel 2 T.V. as well as participating in newspaper interviews. Jack Berry of the Detroit News did an outstanding job of cover­ ing John’ s visit to our area. His slide presentation to our Chap­ ter meeting was very informative. Something we learned was St. Andrews really has four eighteen hole golf courses and they are building another. Some of their management prac­ considering. Top­ tices dressing with Compost is almost a lost art in this country. They use over 400 tons per year. Of course, they make their own. are worth The bunkers on the “ Old” course are natural bunkers as the rabbits and sheep burrowed holes in the ground to escape the famous winds of that area. “ Old” course only has 11 The While greens for the entire 18 holes - seven greens are double greens. Several are over 20,000 square feet in size. in America, Mr. Campbell presented an old cherished trophy from the Scottish Greenkeepers Asso­ ciation to the Golf Course Superin­ tendents Association of America. This trophy will be used to present to some worthy winner of one of our tourna­ ments. We certainly enjoyed his presence here in Michigan. Perhaps we can un­ derstand some of the traditions of golf a little better now that we have seen and heard about the birthplace of the game. We had another guest appear be­ fore our March meeting to discuss problems of hosting the National Con­ ference in Detroit in 1978. Mr. Dennis Miriani of the Detroit Convention Bureau answered questions from the floor concerning our facilities for handling a conference here in Detroit. After a lengthy discussion, the membership voted to extend an invita­ tion to the GCSAA to come to Detroit in 1978. The matter will be discussed at Spring Executive Committee the meeting of the GCSAA. The last time a conference was held was in 1948. Ü GOLF COURSE CONSTRUCTION GUNTER CO., INC. D-12495 DIXIE HWY. HOLLY, MICHIGAN 313-634-4812 C O M P L E T E G O L F C O U R S E C O N S T . R E M O D E L IN G E X IS T IN G C O U R S E S IR R IG A T IO N S Y S T E M IN S T A L L A T IO N C O N V E R S IO N O F E X IS T IN G S Y S T E M S 6 HOWARD foursome One, two, three, four necessary operations are accomplished in a one pass with the all new Howard Turf-Quaker... (one) it provides complete relief of compaction; (two) opens the turf to water and nutrients; (three) permits easier movement of oxygen and carbon dioxide; (four) removes excess thatch. The result... total turf aerification for healthier turf in all seasons. This total aerification is accomplished by the unique auger­ like blade pattern exclusive with the Howard Turf-Quaker. Unlike conventional slicing equipment its blades not only slice the tu rf... they also shake it vigorously from side to side right down to its roots, aerating it and leaving it open to receive all the water and nutrients it needs. Turf-Quakers are available in 60' tractor mounted models for fairways and large acreage work and 23' self-powered hand controlled models for greens or lawns. H O W A R D 1 Wrlte or cal1 us today... ask about TTHTJTTTVTTm the Howard “ Foursome" ... no other machine can do as efficient a job. f i Model “ E . . . a brawny, hard working Turf-Quaker designed for heavy duty applications. For 35-60 H P. tractors. Model "P” Turf-Quakers (not shown) available for normal soil conditions . . . for tractors up to 40 H.P. Model “ 350” Turf-Quaker. Designed for greens and lawn maintenance . . . 23^ wide, 6.2 H P. . hand controlled, self-powered Wm. F. Sell & Son, Inc. 16555 TELEGRAPH ROAD TAYLOR, MICHIGAN 48180 TELEPHONE: 282-5100 THE IMPORTANCE OF PROPER TRAINING in First, training serves to improve employee turn in­ creases the quantity and quality of output. skill, which Second, the relative amount of e- quipment and material required to pro­ duce a unit of output is decreased. Third, executive effort will tend to shift from the disagreeable need of correcting mistakes to the more pleas­ ant tasks of planning work and of en­ couraging expert employees. returns Fourth, the various increases in productivity will find a reflection in increased to employees and last, the general tenor of relations between employers and employees, as well as their individual satisfaction, will tend to be more wholesome, re­ sulting in more pleasant and satis­ factory working conditions. All these objectives, is worth repeating, may be sought without adding to com­ pany budgets. The money is already being spent, so it may as well be spent wisely. it Training manual for mowing greens written by Oscar Miles, Superinten­ dent, Olympia Fields Country Club, Olympia Fields, Illinois. Here are the leaves from Miles’ n anual on green mowing: 1) Mechanic checks mower for bed knife to reel adjustment before mainte­ nance man removes mower from shop; the green, stop below rank and remove transport wheels; 2) Upon approaching 3) Run mower up to short collar and turn machine off; ARTHUR HILLS Golf Course Architect Tony Jacklin, Design Associate 7351 West Bancroft, Toledo, Ohio 43617 419-841-4580 Box 4086, Fort Myers Beach, Fla. 33931 8 4) Remove all ball marks from green, moving in a systematic pattern, taking about 10 square feet of green at a time. (Ball marks are preferably re­ paired with a meat fork; press turf inward from sides and then step on repaired marks); 5) Start mower, engage reel and begin mowing outline or perimeter cut. After cutting lift machine and get on line for next in­ terior perimeter cut; first circle, 6) Start cutting middle or remainder of green. Cut in direction shown on work schedule board. Aim mower at an object on the far side of the green in order to insure a straight line during the first longitudinal cut; 7) After cutting first half of green, stop mower, disengage reel and go to* the opposite side of the first longitu­ dinal cut; and 8) Engage reel and proceed to cut second half of the green; reel 9) Disengage remove mower to area where transport wheels have been dropped. Turn off mower; 10) Whip all loose clippings from green, long collars with whipping poles. Be very fastidious about this; short and 11) Put transport wheels on mower and proceed to next green site. Miles’ manual doesn’t stop with the 11 procedures listed above. He in­ structs the employee to keep the fol­ lowing things in mind when working on greens: A) Turn or reverse direction of mower only when off the green - on long or secondary collar. Make a wide loop to eliminate roller spin, which causes bruising of turf; B) After mowing a green always disengage reel before going to next one; C) If machine isn’t functioning Next Page TURF CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE ANNOUNCED Record attendance at the 42nd annual Michigan Turfgrass Conference was announced recently by James E. Bogart, Turfgrass Extension Associate Proper Training Cont. correctly, or if odd noises are de­ tected, get help from foremen or re­ turn mower to shop for checkup; D) When golfers approach a green on which you are working, stop ma­ chine and turn off mower. Remember that golfers come first! E) Don’t forget safety! Do not re­ move any foreign material from the reel without first turning off the mower; F) The shop foreman will assist you in cleaning and greasing the mower after it is returned to the shop. This is to be done every day! The shop me­ chanic is responsible for all mower settings. in the cycle The greens at Olympia Fields are cut at 5/32 inches in the spring and fall and at 3/16 in the summer. The first cut is started at seven o’ clock and moves toward one; the next cut starts at five and moves toward eleven; then it proceeds from three to nine; and is finished between six and twelve, when the cycle is repeated. Besides labor turnover, says Miles, the main reason he wrote the manual was he can’t devote as much time as he would like to training new men. at Michigan State University. Four hundred and thirty persons were regis­ tered for this year’ s two-day con­ ference. This figure tops the previous record attendance of 406 at the 1971 conference. Golf course and industry personnel accounted for nearly 61 per cent of those attending, with 130 golf course superintendents and 128 industry-re­ lated personnel attending. The next largest group represented the sod in­ dustry of Michigan. Conferees repre­ senting municipal governments formed the next largest group, followed by school personnel and cemetery super­ intendents. attended In addition, between 80 and 90 professional the third annual Basic Turfgrass Training School on the afternoon preceding this year’ s conference. Those attending the training school were well informed on subjects pertaining to irrigation, turfgrass varieties, fertilizers, and disease-nematode problems. - James E. Bogart, Turfgrass Extension Asso­ ciate turfmen Mike Bavier sends us this bit of wisdom: “ Oldie but Goodie” The only time a man grows is when he is green. The moment he is ripe, he starts to get rotten. No synthetically produced fertilizer can compare with MILORGANITE Golf Courses Use More M I L O R G A N I T E ^ i Than Any Other Fertilizer TERMINAL SALES CORR 12871 EATON AVE. DETROIT, MICH. 48227 (313) 491 -0606 9 CONTINUED INFLATION? By C. O. BORGMEIER From The ‘Bull Sheet’, March, 1972 Under the guise of controlling in­ flation the administration in Washing­ ton has actually resisted and com­ bated deflation. Instead of putting into effect a rigid policy of wage and price controls from which there would be no deviation, we have another expansion of the bureaucracy to play around with wages and prices to appease first one segment of our economy and then another. We have transferred the oper­ ation of our economy from economic control to political control, which will in a mess. What would be wind up wrong with imposing rigid controls A LASTING TRIBUTE Bob Jones, by actual measurement, was president of the Augusta National Golf Club from its inception until his passing last December - 40 years in all. He was, of course, the only presi­ dent the club ever had. Now he will have that title forever. The bylaws of the club have been amended to provide for the position of a President in Perpetuity as a lasting tribute to him. No one else will ever be elected to the position. The name of Robert Tyre Jones Jr., President in Perpetuity, will be carried on the letterhead and masthead of the club as long as it continues in existence. LES COLLINS DIES Lester Collins, former owner of L. Collins Co. and associated with W. F. Miller Mower Co. for the past ten years, passed away suddenly on Saturday, March 25th. Mr. Collins, known widely for his artestry on putting green work, will be sorely missed by every golf course superintendent in the area. 10 and then using the power of govern­ ment to reduce wages and prices, not increase them according to the whims of politicians? it jumps Deflation is unpopular with govern­ ment, union labor, business and agri­ culture. So the Department of Agri­ culture is subsidizing and supporting farm crop prices, necessitated by huge increases in production. Large food crops should be a blessing to the na­ tion and should decrease the cost of living by a price reduction in all pro­ cessed food and that would happen if the Department of Agriculture allowed the law of supply and demand to oper­ ate. Instead, in with price supports and give-away programs to appease the farm industry. The eight billion dollar farm support program is scandalous and a is not keeping family type farms but encouraging corporate oper­ ations with guaranteed prices and subsidies not justified economically. Union labor is demanding and obtain­ ing approval of outrageous wage in­ creases instead of halting inflation or reducing wages to stimulate certain segments of the economy and dis­ courage inportation of cheaper foreign goods. Generally the people accepted im­ position of the 10% surcharge on im­ ports. The government backed down on this in a hurry when foreign nations threatened retaliatory action. the August 15, 1971 the young on fraud. the It There is a feeling of shame and humiliation among many people that this proud nation, supposedly the strongest in the world, has devalued the dollar, once the soundest cur­ rency in the world. Now with the with­ drawal from South Vietnam our place in the world is degenerating fast. We can't put the blame for this on President Nixon. It started with our engaging in the no-win Korean War under President Truman and con- Continued on page 13 OUR GANG TO R O A unique mowing tractor, designed to give more cutting capacity to one man and one machine. The Parkmaster with its 9 hand adjustable Spartant mow­ ers has an 18' 6" cutting width. Mows up to 12 acres an hour, saving time and manpower. Cuts mowing costs up to 50%. Gang units are controlled by a hydraulic system that picks them up or sets them down one at a time avoiding obstacles and saving more valuable time. The Parkmaster folds up into an 8 foot width and trans­ ports at speeds up to 50 mph. It’s also available in 5 and 7 gang models. Check into Our Gang. The Parkmaster 9 from Toro. Eiclusivc mark of The Toro Company W IDTH OF C U T : Cutting width is 18 6 , which is approxim ately 28% wider than our 7 unit model, and which can e ffect up to 35% savings in mowing tim e. s jd% : PARKM ASTER 9 - DISTRIBUTED BY C. E. Anderson Co. 23455 TELEGRAPH ROAD SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN 48075 (313) 353-5300 individually IN D IV ID U A L FRA M ING : Spartan units framed and chain sus­ are pended for smoother cutting over undulating turf. Single hand adjustm ent knob adjusts bedknife against reel. to permit maximum freedom MANUAL Rain^B ird, AUTOMATIC the perfect system perfect green for J RAI N BIRD T I « • e It t 1 POWERCO^ROL competitively priced • plus quality • plus immediate availability ntur (313) 543-7730 WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTORS Complete Line of UNDERGROUND SPRINKLER SUPPLIES 3890 WEST ELEVEN MILE ROAD B E R K L E Y , M I C H I G A N 4 8 0 7 2 A R E YOU IN T E R E S T E D IN JOINING T H E MICHIGAN AND BORDER CITIES GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION? ÇL------------ v V M i c h i g a n ' / q / a l b e r t k a l t z Maple Lane Golf Club Sterling Heights, Michigan 480T7 Phone: Off. 268-2130, Res, 463-2892 Fill in the questionaire below and mail to: N A M E O F IN T E R E S T E D P E R S O N D A T E M A IL IN 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 who calls on you and give him the information needed for application. 12 Continued Inflation? C on t. tinued under all successive adminis­ trations. Our deficit, the difference be­ tween what the government collects in taxes and what it spends, is infla­ tionary because it creates 25 billion annually in additional spending money. U.S. Bonds and notes are money in a fixed form on which the U.S. Treasury pays interest if held to maturity. When the urge to spend outweighs the de­ sire to collect interest theron they are just so much more money. We are un­ dermining our dollar at home and abroad by this continued fiscal ir­ responsibility. The recent devaluation of the dollar is just a starter. The same thing will reoccur a year or two hence. like inflation because We will continue to have inflation because it is the accepted economic policy. The present administration endorses it, hopefully setting the pace financial around 4% annually. The interests it makes for liquidity of loans and debts payable with constantly cheaper dol­ lars. The merchandisers don’t object because inventories go up in value on replacement cost and losses are nega­ tive. Union labor, while giving luke­ warm support to anti-inflation mea­ sures, would not forego the periodical demands for higher wages to justify the leader’ s big salaries and expense accounts with the membership. In­ dustry doesn’t object to inflation as long as prices can be increased com- mes urate ly. The free application of the law of supply and demand would have cured inflation if allowed to function both in the field of labor and industry. It probably would have resulted in a severe depression accompanied by social upheaval and violence. So the law of supply and demand was re­ pealed, consequences post­ poned. field is all set up for con­ The tinued inflation, hopefully restrained or controlled, but slowly destructive of the dollar value in wages, salaries and fixed incomes. its or 1972 DUES ARE DUE DON’ T FORGET - 1972 dues are due now! Now is the time to come to the aid of the Secretary. IT IS NOT EASY - To apologize, To begin over, To be unselfish, To take advice, To admit error, To face a sneer, To be charitable, To keep trying, To be considerate, To avoid mistakes, To endure success, To pro­ fit by mistakes, To forgive and forget, To think and then act, To keep out of a rut, To make the best of little, To subdue an unruly temper, To shoulder a deserved blame, To recognize the silver lining - BUT IT ALWAYS PAYS. (Anonymous) W.F. MILLER NAMED DISTRIBUTOR W. F. Miller Garden and Lawn E- quipment Company has been appointed distributor of the Hesston Front Run­ ner grounds maintenance tractor and related attachments. The distributor­ ship covers the state of Michigan. This announcement was made by Neil M. Gustafson, Industrial Division Manager for Hesston Corporation. The Hesston Front Runner GMT offers 14 hp and 18 hp models with versatile quick-change attachments to all golf course maintenance meet the mower and other needs. With attachments mounted up front, the Front Runner can reach in and cut under overhanging limbs and shrubs as well as mow the grass before wheels flatten it. Other “ Up Front” features include front wheel hydrostatic drive and excellent operator visibility. Hal Vogler and Warren Hamlin manage the Miller Distributorship. The Hesston Front Runner GMT will be handled direct through the commercial sales through the company’ s dealers in Michigan. department and Hesston Corporation, headquartered in Hesston, Kans., also produces farm equipment, specializing in forage and hay handling machines. You Can RELY ON L A B O R A T O R IE S , IN C . FOR TURF CHEMICALS CALL ARNIE COLLENS 27848 K E N D A L L W O O D F A R M IN G T O N , M IC H 48024 P H O N E : (313) 4 7 7 -4 5 9 5 < 501F COURSE CHEMICALS 1 Donald Benham NATIONAL CHEMSEARCH CORP. 5589 Abington Road Birmingham, Michigan 626-1111 FOR THE LATEST & BEST CALL TURF SUPPLIES,inc 6900 PA R D EE, TA Y LO R , MICH. 48180 • Agrico Country Club Fertilizers • NEW DuPont Tersan 1991 (Benlate) • The 3 other Tersan Fungicides, plus Daconil 2787, Acti-Dione & Fore! • The Best in Bulk Grass Seeds • Weed Killers, Insecticides, Sprayers and 1 inch Hose. (313) 291-1200 TURFGRASS, INC. 365 WOODLAND DR. SOUTH LYON, MICH. 48178 PHONE: 437- 1427 PROGRAMS FOR FINE TURF Top-D ressing C hem ical s Grass Seed F e rtiliz e r Sod Fung icid es Stolons H erbicides Insecticides G eneral Supplies E U G E N E D . J O H A N N IN G S M E 1ER C O N S U L T IN G A G R O N O M IS T 14 CARL’S COMMENTS By CARL SCHWARTZKOPF Mid-Continent Agronomist USGA - Green Section Now that the winter conference and convention circuit has drawn to a close and we have a moment or two before spring is here, what should we do? It seems to be an ideal time to sit back and evaluate what the speakers said; what ideas or helpful hints were learned that would ease maintenance problems for the upcoming summer. One of the speeches at the Michi­ gan State Turf Conference that im­ pressed me was Dr. Carlson’ s talk on increased use of annuals and bedding plants, not only around the clubhouse and the entrance, but throughout the golf course. flowers The practice of brightening up is done at few areas with clubs in the Mid-Continent region. Last October, when visiting clubs in the West, this was one of the items that impressed me most. In the West, particularly California, many drought tolerant varieties and species are planted in areas that are out of play; this is done because of irrigation re­ quirements. Many golf courses in the West irrigate fenceline to fenceline. To save on water, which is an ex­ pensive commodity in California, the courses use ornamental shrubs and flowers. Ornamental shrubs that would pro­ vide color, brighten dull areas and per­ form satisfactorily in Michigan with minimal maintenance would be: lilac, redbud, dogwood, forsythia, flowering quince, Michigan holly, winter and summer witch hazel, mock orange, honeysuckle, flowering almond and some of the viburnum varieties, just to mention a few. Some of the many colorful annuals or bedding plants that require little maintenance once planted would be: petunias, marigolds, zinnias, geran­ iums, snapdragons and wax begonias (use in shaded areas only). THE SUPERINTENDENT IN THE SEVENTIES ficulty experienced in scheduling main­ tenance and construction work. We are finding it harder to “ get the job done” . I’m sure that we would agree on this increase in players and National Golf Foundation figures substantiate this belief. If we stop and think a little, we also agree that these numbers will continue to increase. Why? For sev­ eral reasons. We live in an affluent society today - not only do people make more money, but they don’t mind, it seems, spending it on recreation and hobbies as readily as on neces­ sities. today Business for a shorter work week. Unions have been discussing this. One business I read Continued on page 16 is headed I would like to review some of the obvious, forecasting some of the prob­ lems that we’ ll encounter, suggest ways that we can prepare ourselves to cope with these problems and lastly, tell you how GCSAA can help you. We know that the number of golfers is on the increase. Courses the world over are crowded - naturally, we are more aware of this on our own courses. We are aware of it because of the dif­ GREAT TURF BEGINS with... COUNTRY CLUB 16-4-12 50% Organic Nitrogen COUNTRY CLUB 16-8-8 25% Organic Nitrogen COUNTRY CLUB 16-8-8 with Benefin 25% Organic Nitrogen COUNTRY CLUB 16-8-8 with Herbicide 25% Organic Nitrogen COUNTRY CLUB 16-8-8 with Insecticide 25% Organic Nitrogen FROM TURF SUPPLIES, INC. LAWN EQUIPMENT CORP. 6900 PA R D EE T A Y L O R , M ICHIGAN (313) 291-1200 520 W. 11 M ILE ROAD ROYAL OAK, M ICHIGAN (313) 398-3636 15 Superintendent Cent. about instituted a 4 day - 37% hour work week with the same pay - on a trial period. Thus far, results are favorable! They found that their pro­ duction was equal to or exceeded that of a 5 day, 40 hour week. They rea­ soned that it was due to people having one more day free per week. It is pos­ sible that others will follow. This will mean that more people will have one more leisure day per week and many will head for the golf course. The universal adoption of a 4 day work week would probably result in the largest percentage in the increase game of golf that we’ve ever seen! When this “ boom” occurs, we will also see a corresponding increase in construction of golfing facilities. This will bring about an immediate need for more golf course superintendents. There is little doubt that prices will is increase. The nation’ s economy in the never-ending cycle of caught rising labor demands and resultant necessity of increasing prices which labor further spurs increases. The golf business is affected just as every other business. More than just the price struggle, we’ ll find that with increases in numbers will come in­ creases in problems - these problems will necessitate a larger expenditure of monies to provide the same facili­ ties as provided previously. This then is our plight: The golfer population will increase substantially, which will result in more player prob­ lems, which will increase tremendously the difficulty of growing and pro­ ducing fine turf - this in the midst of an inflated economy and rising prices. increase In addition, more golfers will call for a significant in “ new construction. Thus we are course” challenged to produce not only more, but better, golf course superintendents. These men must be able to cope with these new problems. I believe we are in a very enviable position - knowing that there will be a definite shortage of qualified superin- Continued on page 17 SISCO SALESMEN at your SERVICE MIKE BYRNES has been on the Sisco sales team for six years and has had specialized training in field installation of irrigation systems. Any questions you may have regarding piping products, sprinklers and valves in your irrigation system, dial for Mike at 548-7272. 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 c V 7 O Í 4 CO E N G IN E E R E D R A IN 16 Superintendent C on t. tendents plus an increased demand for fine golfing facilities. Economists tell us that when demand increases and supply remains the same, then the price will increase - so it appears as though the profession is in for some monetary increases in the future. I’d like to discuss with you some of the problems that this influx of golfers is going to create for us, plus other problems that are coming our way during these Seventies: The first problem that would come to mind has to do with traffic - com­ paction - complete wear out. We have been dealing with this problem for some years now and for the most part - successfully! As the traffic increases we will need to “ step up” our renova­ tion programs to alleviate these prob­ lems before they lead to disaster! I’ m sure we will agree that compaction and certain other of today’ s problems will be with us for time to come - we will continue to solve or take care of these situations until doing so becomes al­ most routine. But compaction, maintenance prac­ tices, types of fertilizer or fungicides, insecticides, herbicides, etc. are not the type problems I’ d like to discuss with you - these day to day problems are almost academic. We should con­ cern ourselves with those that we have not yet learned to conquer. LABOR: a continuing problem - and will always be! A primary reason has to do with callous or indifferent atti­ tudes toward employees. In other fields the 32-40 hour week is a reality and a worker can earn a livable wage - one that can provide for a family. On the other hand, the typical golf course worker works at least 40 hours per week and parts of most Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Even with these hours, it is doubtful that one could family comfortably. While support a many workers can take picnics or vacations whenever they choose, most crewmen working on courses must take their vacations during the off season or winter. In addition to these Continued on page 18 I. P. Khia 6 Sons. lie. TURF EQUIPMENT Serving Eastern Michigan Blades Broadcasters Chemicals Fertilizers Rakes Rollers Seed Seeders Shreaders Sprayers P.V.C. Pipe & Fittings Reliable & Fast Service for Jacobsen and Toro Equipment. Please call us for Prices & Literature 54 Brown Street C rosw ell, Mich. 48 42 2 3 1 3 /6 7 9 .2 7 0 0 67 9 .2 7 0 1 17 CALL LAKESHORE COLLECT (216) 651-1600 FOR ALL YOUR TURFGRASS SUPPLIES - QUOTATIONS ON REQUEST - - CHECK OUR PRICES LAKESHORE E Q U IP M E N T & S U P P L Y C O . - 10237 B E R E A R O A D C L E V E L A N D , O H I O 4 4 1 0 2 YOU’RE ENTITLED TO THE BEST golf course CHEMICALS (You’ ll get it - and more!) HERB CARSON AMERICAN RESEARCH CORP. 11840 MAYFIELD AVE. LIVONIA, MICHIGAN 48150 (313) 522-2400 - EXT. 2401/2402 America’s foremost turf fertilizer MILORGANITE 18 is total compensation Superintendent C on t. disadvantages, there little future for the golf course worker. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has reported that fringe benefits represent 27% of the for today’ s labor force. These benefits include insurance programs, vacations, holi­ days, sick days, pension programs and bonuses. Ask yourself, and your neighbor, what does your crew earn in the way of fringe benefits? Mr. Mitchell’ s article, The Superintendent in the Seventies, will be continued in the May issue of the P atch of Green. A LEADER we are told, has two dis­ tinctive characteristics: He knows where he is going; And he knows how to persuade other people to go along with him. CLASSIFIED ADS FOR SALE - Used 7-gang Spartan fairway mowers — R eady to go! Good condition. Call Walt Trombley, Supt„, Arrowhead Golf Club, (313) 373-6860. MILORGANITE GIVES TURF BOOKS in February Milorganite scored again! At the international G.C.S.A. A. Cincinnati they gave away Show John H. $1,000.00 worth Madison’s new bible on turf--------------- “ Principles o f Turfgrass Science’ ’ . There were 50 winners in all, Scatter­ ed throughout the United States and Canada. of Dr. Milorganite long has been noted in the education field. Their Agronomists are in constant demand as speakers on turf conference programs. Last year they gave away 100‘ ‘Turfgrass Science Monographs” on “ luck of the draw’ ’ . Looks like Milorganite may be in the library business for good. Michi­ gan State’ s Dr. Jim Beard has another major book soon to be published on turfgrass. 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BIRMINGHAM, MICHIGAN 48011 TELEPHONE: (313) 647-7700 " A Patch of Green” 31823 U T IC A R O AD FR A S E R , M IC H IG A N 48026 D r, James Beard 4562 Ottaw a D riv e Okemos, M ich. 48864