SUPT. GOLF COURSE k MICHIGAN I ASSOCIATION g Work Savers BY Pro Lite SOD CUTTER TURFCO Cut circles in minutes Sculpt flow er beds n" oae' 8W>U/ * 5 hp B&S l/C engine • 12" cutting w idth $2549® ® Edge-R-Rite Edge sand traps — flow er beds — tree rings Remove drainage problems in minutes 4-blade options for all your needs Model 85302 • 3 hp B&S l/C engine w ith traction kit $ 1 2 9 9 0 0 Michigan’s Largest Lawn, Snow & Outdoor Power Equipment Dealer Utica 46061 Van Dyke 1/2 Mile North of M-59 810- 731-7240 Since 1945 Best Price Best Service Best Selection Fairnington Hjlls 39050 Grand River East of Haggerty 810- 471-3050 HOURS: M onday & Thursday 8:30-8:00 • T-W -F 8:30-5:30 • Saturday 9:00-4:00 A Patch of Green - 2 - Spring Issue, 1996 Michigan & Border Cities Golf Course Superintendents Association Officers President Paul Dushane Vice President Paul Kolbe Committee: GAM Seminar, Christmas Party, Co-Golf President Emeritus Jay Delcamp Committee: Ethics, By-Laws, Nominating Secretary/T reasurer Roy Szyndlar Committee: Finance, Welfare, Policy Book, Co-Hospitality Room Directors Tim Dorner, C.G.C.S. Committee: POG Editor, Member Relations Ed Hock, Jr. Committee: Co-Special Olympics, Co-Golf Day, Co-Education Mike Jones Committeee: Membership, Co-Education, Co-Golf Mark McKinley Committee: Co-Golf Day, Co-Hospitality Room, Historian Rick Murphy, C.G.C.S. Committee: Awards, Picnic, Clothing Jane St. John, C.G.C.S. Committee: Co-Special Olympics, Publicity, Industrial/Environmental Relations Tom Mason Committee: GCSAA Liaison, GCSAA Voting Delegate The Official Publication of the Michigan and Border Cities Golf Course Superintendents Asociation Contents 5 ..................... On Par W ith The President 6 ............................................................... W elfare 7 .............................. In Memory of Roger Gill 8 ......................... Tem perature Variation Maps 9 . . G AM -G reater Detroit G.C.S.A. Seminar 11 ................................The View From M.S.U. 13 . . . . Growth Regulators and Poa annua 16 . . Dr. Rieke Receives G.C.S.A.A. Award 1 7 .................................. Planning Your Future 1 8 .................................. M em bership Meeting 1 9 ..................................... New M em ber Roster 2 3 .......................................... The Cutting Edge 2 5 ..................................... March Board Meeting 2 6 ................................. January Board Meeting 2 9 ........................................................Classifieds 3 0 ..................................... Calendars of Events Contact for Kate Mason MBCGCSA Executive Secretary Information MBCGSA P.O. Box 173, Troy, Ml 48099 (810) 362-1108 Fax (810) 362-1736 P rinted by: Schaltenbrand Printing Company 16315 Harper Avenue Detroit, Ml 48224 (313) 882-4343 A Patch of Green - 3 - Spring Issue, 1996 TURF6RASS SPECIALISTS FREE N E X T DAY DELIVERY BRIGHTON (800) 482-3130 FAX: (810) 632-5840 BRADLEY (800) 632-1998 FAX: (816) 792-0700 A Patch of Green - 4 - Spring Issue, 1996 par i f f president Change(chanj) 1., make different; alter. 2., replace by another; substitute. 3., become different; pass from one condition or state to another. That’s Webster’s definition of the word and a simple explanation of events our association is proceeding through as of late. A new name, a proposed reaffiliation with G.C.S.A.A., resuming publishing responsibility for our Patch of Green magazine and a new Executive Committee of President, Vice President and Secretary Treasurer just to name a few. An author once wrote..."it behooves us to adapt oneself to the times if one wants to enjoy continued good fortune." That is how I view the changes that our board has endeavored to achieve, as an adaptation to the evolving industry of golf course and enviromental management in an effort to keep our association and each of its members as educated and informed of the evolution as possible. Some of the goals that I have laid out to reach during my term as President are in response to what I view as age-old, nagging and persistent problems. These problems have causes that are difficult to define and describe, which make solutions even more difficult to theorize. For example: 1. ) Increasing member involvement 2. ) Increasing self improvement and self promotion 3. ) Increasing job security I believe that all three of these issues interact with each other and that working towards achievement of the first two increases the possibilities of the third. Some of my proposed ideas on solutions to the first problem include participation and classification standards for continued association membership, round table meetings that require verbal commitment from each person in attendance and the availability of both seminars and reading material pertinent to the second problem. If each of us works toward solving the involvement and participation problem, we will be simultaneously solving the self promotion and improvement problem. This, I propose, will eventually lead to increased job security, which I feel is a golf course superintendent’s largest nemesis. So please, become involved at meetings, don’t just show up and observe. Contribute your perspective and opinion; each of us can learn a great deal from our peers. This will allow us to strengthen our skills together for every superintendent’s benefit. Together we can strive to be the best golf course superintendents we can be, and this should in turn increase the security we so much deserve in our jobs. Paul Dushane A Patch of Green - 5 - Spring Issue, 1996 WELFARE by Roy Szyndlar Remember how you felt when someone gave you a pat on the back for a job well done? Or how about the time you received a promotion or new job, or maybe you had an addition to your family? You were just busting at the seams to tell someone. Or, as happened the past year, you heard of the passing of a fellow superintendent but it was too late to respond the way you would have preferred. It felt good to be recognized for an accomplishment and comforting to know that family and friends care about you even when you are down. We too, the members of MBCGCSA, are a family. We are a family of professionals tied together by the invisible threads of the turf industry. And as members of the same family, we also would like to give you that pat on the back or extend that helping hand. What better way to spread the word than through family members? But, in order for us to do this we need to hear from you. Whether it’s something that impacts you directly or if you know of another member who has news to share. We as an association, as a family, need to do a better job of keeping in touch. In this day and age of modern technology we can do a better and faster job of spreading the word. We will be better able to get the word out if everyone takes the time and makes the effort to pass along worthwhile information. The MBCGCSA does not rely on a singular method to spread the word. We will use the telephone, fax, or maybe the Patch of Geen to spread the word. But all this technology is wasted if no one will take the time to use it. With that thought in mind, if you have news about a fellow member, whether it be a blessed event or a serious illness, we would like to know about it so that we may acknowledge it and inform our members. You may call me at 313-246-1368 or call Kate at 610- 362-1108. New Name For Michigan and Border Cities By a 2/3 majority vote, the Name Change proposal was passed at the Salt River Meeting on March 11, 1996. By May 1, 1996, the official name of the association will be: Greater Detroit Golf Course Superintendents Association POWER WASHING EQUIPMENT Factory Authorized Sales & Regional Service Center For: “Where The Professionals Buy” 1- 800- 788-2503 PARTS / SERVICE FOR ALL BRANDS • Steam Cleaners • Hot Pressure Washers • ALL ELECTRIC Pressure Washers: Steam / Hot • Gas / Diesel Powered Hot Pressure Washers • Waste Water Treatment Systems • Over 5400 Parts IN STOCK • Catalog Available RENTALS • CHEMICALS • SALES 3 1 Mi-T-M* CORPORATION Pumps & Accessories 5420 OAKM AN BLVD. • DEARBORN, MICHIGAN 48126 (313) 581-2543 • FAX (313) 581-1458 A Patch of Green - 6 - Spring Issue, 1996 In Memory of Roger Gill by Jim Timmerman The Greater Detroit Golf Course Superintendents Association lost a friend and stalwart supporter with the passing of Roger Gill on November 14, 1996. He was the golf course superintendent at Pine Lake Country Club in Orchard Lake, Michigan. Roger was only 53 and died from complications of cancer. Roger, who worked tutfgrass business for all of his adult life, got his start in golf course management in 1959 at Maple Lane Golf Course. He trained at Maple Lane under Clarence Wolfram, Sr. for seven years. Roger then took the job as golf course superintendent at Royal Oak Golf Club in 1966 and remained there until 1972. In 1972 he became the superintendent at Pine Lake Country Club. the in Roger, throughout his career, was a strong supporter and tireless worker for the golf course industry. During the early 1970’s when the Michigan & Border Cities Golf Course Superintendents Association was just getting started in fund raising in support of turf research at Michigan State University, Roger gave of his time and talents above what was called for to ensure that the MBCGCSA fund raising efforts would be successful. I remember spending much time with Roger sorting raffle tickets at turf related outings, golf courses and the Home and Garden Show at Cobo Hall trying to raise money for turf research. Roger also volunteered his time to work at "The Big Event" each Octobor and this event was held at Pine Lake CC a number of years while Roger was superintendent. Roger was a fine individual to work with as he was always upbeat and did not let the stress of being a superintendent get him down. His personality was a big factor in our fund raising efforts. Roger had a great sense of humor and he made the long hours of selling tickets fun, and this really helped some of the younger guys when they would get discouraged. Roger remained committed to those efforts until he was no longer able to work. He will be missed. Roger was an excellent superintendent. We would sometimes have lunch together and visit each other’s golf course to discuss the latest in turfgrass technology or the latest problems. I always came away from these meetings with some new ideas that Roger had come up with or new techniques to solve our mutual problems. I have played Pine Lake CC on a number of occasions and it was always in top shape. Roger was a member of the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation and the Founders Club. He was a member of the MBCGCSA for 27 years and served as a Director and Vice President. Roger is survived by three children, Tom Gill, Tammie Weaver and Tracy Gill, and by his former wife, Gloria. He was preceded in death by his brother, Jerry Gill, who also was a superintendent for many years at Tam O’Shanter CC. I came across this saying by President Theodore Roosevelt which I feel best describes the Roger Gill I knew and the way I believe he should be remembered. It is titled "The credit of life does not go to the critic who stands on the sidelines and points out where the strong stumble, but rather, the real credit in life goes to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face may get marred by sweat and dust, who knows great enthusiasm and great devotion and learns to spend himself in a worthy cause, who, at best if he wins, knows the thrill of high achievement and if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that in life his place will never be with those very cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat." "The Man Who Plays The A Patch of Green - 7 - Spring Issue, 1996 :. . -\W - V ; DAVEY OFFERS EVERY TREE CARE SERVICE YOU’LL EVER NEED. You know that mature trees add challenge as well as beauty. You also know ma­ ture trees are impossible to replace. Davey knows how to help protect these valu­ able assets from decline, lightning, storm damage, insects and disease. Davey professionals will inventory your trees, evaluate the condition of each one, and give you a report prioritizing treatments. Over time, expert care from Davey will actually reduce your tree maintenance costs. Keep your most valuable assets standing tall with the leader in tree care since 1880. Call Davey today at (810) 689-2200 (in Troy) or (313) 459-8690 (in Canton Twp.) DAVEY# TREE AND LAWN BEAUTY and it goes like this: HISTORICAL TEMPERATURE RANKINGS BY STATE SUMMER (J U N E -A U G U S T ) 1995 97 LEGEND Among the ten coldest Among the ten warmest | 1 -3 3 : COLD 3 4 -6 8 : NEAR NORMAL 69-1 0 1 : WARM Based on preliminary data generated by the National Climatic Data Center This chart depicts the ranking of the specific parameter, as measured during the period indicated, with respect to all other such periods on record since 1895. CLIMATE PREDICTION CENTER, NOAA HISTORICAL TEMPERATURE RANKINGS BY REGION AND NATION SUMMER (JU N E -A U G U S T ) 1995 0 2 ? LEGEND Among the ten coldest 1 1 Among the ten warmest 1 -3 3 : COLD 3 4 -6 8 : NEAR NORMAL 6 9-1 01: WARM CLIMATE PREDICTION CENTER, NOAA Based on preliminary data generated by the National Climatic Data Center This chart depicts the ranking of the specific parameter, as measured during the period indicated, with respect to all other such periods on record since 1895. U.S. NATIONAL TEMPERATURE SUMMER (JU N E -A U G U S T ) 1895-1995 LONG-TERM VARIATION Xzuisc I