THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE GREATER DETROIT GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION M IC H IG A N » E N T S 18th Year of Special Olympics Outing at Bald Mountain Puts GDGCSA Contributions to Michigan Special WvePthe$100, Mark Olymjfibs S o o n will have the chance to be cut like never before. 00,000 greens Officili G«tf Couru Soon, greens everywhere will experience a tri-plex mower that not only delivers a superb straight cut but also excels at the cleanup cut. That's the essence of the new John Deere 2500 - a quality of cut that's second to none. The 2500's John Deere-designed and manufactured cutting units feature a new bedknife-to-reel design. The patented offset-cutting- unit design provides the operator with a clear view of the center cutting unit and helps reduce "tri-plex ring." Operators have never had it so good. The operator station on the 2500 has convenient fingertip controls for the throttle, reel drive, and cutting unit lift/lower. The 2500 is also extremely service friendly. Cutting units can be detached in seconds, with adjust­ ments designed with the technician in mind. And daily service points can be checked from one side of the machine. Let your greens experience the unique cutting prowess of the John Deere 2500. Call us for a demonstra­ tion soon, www.deere.com North America's Largest Outdoor Power Equipment Dealer Utica 46061 Van Dyke 1/2 Mile North of M-59 810-731-7240 Cec/ar Springs 11875 Northland Dr. Just North of 14 Mile 616-696-2913 Farmington Hills 39050 Grand River East of Haggerty Road 888-4-JD-TURF Greater Detroit Golf Course Superintendents Association The Official Publication of the Greater Detroit Golf Course Superintendents Asociation Officers P resid en t Paul Kolbe V ic e P resid en t Roy Szyndlar, CGCS Committees: GAM Seminar, Historian, Co-Pol icy Book P resid en t E m eritus Paul Dushane Committees: Ethics, By-Laws, Nominating S e c reta ry /T reasu rer Mark McKinley Committees: Co-Social, Co-Awards, Finance, Welfare Directors Ron Abbott, CGCS Committees: Co-Golf Day, Co-Michigan Room Tim Dorner, CGCS Committees: POG Editor, Publicity, Co-Golf Day Mike Jones Committees: Co-Special Olympics, Co-Hospitality Room Rick Murphy, CGCS Committees: Membership, Co-Education, Finance Industrial Relations Tom Schall, CGCS Committees: Co-Special Olympics Co-Education Gary Thommes, CGCS Committees: Co-Awards, Co-Social Contents 5 ...................... On Par With The President 7 ......................... In Memory of Leo Bishop 9 .............................Canadiens Regain Cup 10-12............................... Special Olympics 1 3 & 1 4 ..................The View From M.S.U. 1 5 & 1 6 ............. Retention of Labor Force 17 & 1 8 .............................Irrigation Corner 19 & 21 ...................... New Member Roster 2 3 ......................................Roster Changes 2 5 .................................March Board Meeting 2 7 ................................ April Board Meeting 29 ...................... Financial Statement 3 0 ............................... Calendars of Events Contact for Kate Mason GDGCSA Executive Secretary Information GDGCSA P.O. Box 173, Troy, Ml 48099 (248) 362-1108 Fax: (248) 362-1736 E-Mail: gdgcsa@aol.com Printed by: Schaltenbrand Printing Company 16315 Harper Avenue Detroit, Ml 48224 (313) 882-4343 A Patch of Green - 3 - Summer Issue, 1999 Shaping the Renovation Scene Golf Course Renovations & Const Turf Drain Inc. Turf Drain Inc. 39555 Orchard Hill Place Suite 600 Novi, Ml 48375 Tel (248) 471-6750 Fax 1-800-330-5981 ( lüRFCRASS I A Featuring: The Anderson's Emerald Isle Zajac Performance Seeds Naiad Cascade Novartis Agrevo Chipco Zeneca Regal-Systec Profile Lebanon Lange-Polyon Standard Par-Aide Hydro-seed supplies People who want to help, with products that can help. Kimberly Olson James Bogart Dan Johanningsmeier Doug Johanningsmeier Keith Richards Dar Howard Steve Princinsky Richard Locke Bruce Wotring Todd Griebe - Mgr. 1 (800) 521-TURF A Patch of Green - 4 - Summer Issue, 1999 on par ’aiS1 president Mother Nature has given us an early summer, with above normal temperatures and minimal rainfall. While the season started early, it is never too early to ask the question, "What can I do for our association?" This fall at our annual meeting, the election is an important event and I would like to see many candidates and voting members in attendance. You have to be a class A or B member to run for the board of directors and voting privileges are for class A, B, and AA members. Involvement on the board takes commitment, responsibility and time management. Along with our monthly board meetings, you are expected to attend the educational and social functions. Your main assignment is to be chairman or co-chairman of a committee. The committees have different time requirements to complete the job. Our executive secretary, Kate Mason, facilitates the chairman in helping him stay organized and being prepared for the event. Kate is a tremendous help to each board member. You need your employer’s support and your maintenance staff’s support as well. Explain to your staff your responsibilities and reaffirm your expectations of them. The rewards are everlasting. You enhance your communication skills in all facets—public speaking, written communications, delegation and organization skills. You meet new people related to golf and in turfgrass education who could benefit you in future endeavors. If interested in running for the board of directors, call Paul Dushane, our nominating chairman, and call any board member about the job. Hope to see you on October 18, 1999 at Twin Lakes Golf Club. A Patch of Green - 5 - Summer Issue, 1999 L E G A C Y b y Hunter Century offers the complete line of Legacy Golf products to help you control water, labor and energy costs. Featuring Legacy rotors, valves, Genesis central satellite and Viking decoder control systems. Legacy Golf System O SyncroFlo, Inc. Efficient and economical, SyncroFlo pumping stations are the solution to many golf course irrigation problems. SyncroFlo Eagle Pumps BoardTronics Repair or upgrade your Rain Bird or Toro golf controllers. Replacement boards can be shipped from the Century National Service Center within 24 hours. Call 888-855-9132. Controller Board Repairs Improve water quality with an aerating fountain, or create water features from existing golf course streams and ponds. Aqua Master Fountains CENTURY GOLF PRO FESSIO NALS BRIAN B IRD W ELL w 248-588-2990 > RO GER G R IFFITH » 616-954-0660 > RA N D Y LA N E * 800-347-4272 A Patch of Green - 6 - Summer Issue, 1999 In Memory of Leo Bishop 1911-1999 "One of the true masters of the golf world'1, says Ted Woehrle of his friend Leo Bishop, who passed away on January 3, 1999. Leo was a long-time member of the Michigan Border Cities GCSA, as well as a member of the GCSAA. During his lengthy and Illustrious career, which started shortly after his discharge from the military in 1945, he built a driving range In Toledo, Ohio. He also worked In a greenhouse to supplement his income. This is where he learned about and developed his love for plants and flowers, which served him well throughout his career in golf. A few years later, he designed and built nine holes at the Tecumseh Country Club in 1947, where he raised his family. He became quite proficient In his golfing skills while at Tecumseh and started playing competitive golf with the likes of Frank Stranahan, another Toledo area golfer. Leo finally turned professional, but continued as superintendent at Tecumseh until 1961, when he went to Red Run Country Club In Royal Oak, Michigan as superintendent. In the mid 60’s he designed and built the executive course at the Somerset Park apartments in Troy, Michigan, as well as all the landscaping for the entire apartment complex. At that time, Somerset was the largest apartment development In the country. It was a feature story in Life magazine. Leo remained there, managing the maintenance, until he left to build "Lake in The Woods." His next project was building the 18 holes at Pine Knob Golf Club and the accompanying landscaping for the music complex. During much of this time he was the gardener at Oakland Hills Country Club, where his talent was displayed In his cottage type gardens. He always had cut flowers for the clubhouse and was able to manage special bouquets for the ladies’ locker room on ladies’ day. His gardens were always bright and cheerful. He served In a similar capacity as advisor and gardener at the "Mission Hills" Golf Club at the old St. John’s Seminary. Leo was self-educated. He enrolled in art classes and gardening classes, where he learned to sharpen his skills in landscape design. He learned all the botanical names of his plants. Leo also loved to cook. He probably could have been a chef. While at Oakland Hills, he always had an herb garden that the chef used dally during the summer. Leo is survived by his wife Laura and two daughters, Sandy Hitch and Debbie Dunstan. Sandy has the distinction of being the only woman PGA member in Michigan for 13 years. She still gives golf lessons in her studio in Rochester Hills. The family and his friends at the Somerset Park apartments are planning a tree planting program sometime in July. A memorial plaque noting his handiwork will be presented at that time. We have lost a real friend who made the world a better place to live. The Greater Detroit Golf Course Superintendents extend our heartfelt condolences to Leo’s family. 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