THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE GREATER DETROIT GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION TTpqitgT? k MICHIGAN À SPRING, 2000 «te d P From head to tail, it’s one tough Gator. The JOHN DEERE Turf Gator 4 cycle 17.5 hp OHV engine High floatation turf tires Large 11 cu. ft. cargo box 900 lb. towing capacity Continuously variable transmission Optional bedliner, bumper, & hitch available c h a s e Suggested Retail $6390.00 Nothing Runs Like A Deere® WEINGARTZ North America’s Largest Outdoor Power Equipment Dealer L* A t * ié T j 1 I T M i CEDAR SPRINGS 11875 Northland Dr. å ? > : FARMINGTON HILLS 39050 Grand River M å k å tfid ts J a 4 4A A - UTICA . ■ m 46061 Van Dyke (810) 731-7240 (248)471-3050 www.weingartz.com (616) 696-2913 Greater Detroit Golf Course Superintendents Association Officers President Roy Szyndlar, CGCS Vice President Mark McKinley Committees: GAM, Historian, Co-Awards President Emeritus Paul Kolbe Secretary/T reasurer Rick Murphy, CGCS Committees: Co-Social, Welfare, Policy, Finance Directors Ron Abbott, CGCS Committees: Co-Golf Day, Co-Michigan Room Tim Dorner, CGCS Committees: POG Editor, Publicity, Membership Bob King Committees: Co-Special Olympics, Co-Education Dick Matthews, CGCS Committees: Co-Golf Day, Co-Awards, Industrial Relations Terry Poley Committees: Co-Social, Co-Michigan Room Tom Schall, CGCS Committees: Co-Special Olympics, Co-Education The Official Publication of the Greater Detroit Golf Course Superintendents Asociation Contents 5 ...................... On Par With The President 7 ............................. The View From M.S.U. 8 & 9 ..................The 2000 Michigan Room 11 ................................. Salt River Meeting 13 - 15 Professional Development Initiative 16 & 17 . . . . . 75th Anniversary Look Back 1 8 & 1 9 ...................... Bob Pontius Retires 21 ...................................... Heritage Award 23 . . . . .................. January Board Meeting 25 . . .................. . February Board Meeting 27- 29 ............................... Roster Update 30 .............................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 - Spring Issue, 2000 Ra in ^ B ird Rain Bird announced its 1999 National Awards as presented last month in New Orleans, LA: Rain Bird outstanding sales and service by a distributor. Top Flight Award: Ron Brink, Valley Turf Inc. for Rain Bird Ron Murdock, Valley Turf Inc. Sales Person oftheYear—Great Lakes Reg Congratulations to Ron Brink, Ron Murdock and all the dedicated team members at Valley Turf. Continued Success! Ra in ^ B ird I/¿Hey Turf A Patch of Green - 4 - Spring Issue, 2000 par president Welcome to the new millennium and to the Y2K golf season. The Y2K bug, fact or fiction, a real concern or an over-hyped glitch? I prefer to believe that the time, money and energy expended was a good thing and the lack of any major problems was the proof of these efforts. That is the last time that I’ll say anything about Y2K. Thank you for the vote of confidence in electing me as your new president. I promise to do my best for the organization and hope to carry on the fine work of my predecessors and continue to grow and build our chapter, so that you are proud to be a member. I’m sure that you are aware of PDI (Professional Development Initiative). This is a huge proposal coming out of the national headquarters. At this time there are still a lot of questions to be answered. Everyone should take the time to read and evaluate this proposal. It can and will affect us all in one way or another. Ask yourself, "How will it affect me?" "How will it affect my job?" and "How will it affect my profession and our organization, both in the near and distant futures?" I for one do not, at this time, have the answers to these questions, but I am going to take the time to find them out, as you should too. Rarely is an idea perfect at its inception. A good idea usually becomes better through many hours of discussion and debate. It is torn apart, massaged and tweaked, then put back together again until it has gotten the bugs out. This is where we are at the present time with PDI. We have time to take a thorough look at it and mold it into something that can be of value to you, me, our organization and our profession. Our industry certainly is not stagnant. Just look back at the last 20 years, the last 10 years, or even the last 5 years and you will find new grasses, new equipment, new chemicals and many other new products. Some were good, others were not so good. How many of you are following the exact same practices, using the exact same products as you were five years ago? I would venture to say that all of us have changed something in our programs; we have not remained stagnant. We all wanted our courses to be better, our workplace improved and our lives to be better, so we made changes or adjustments. Personal and professional growth is a dynamic process. Let’s take the time and effort necessary to assure that PDI will be a positive part of this process. Please feel free to contact me if you have any thoughts or comments. (I know that I promised, but I could not resist one more). Let’s make this Y2K, a Year To Know. Respectfully yours, A Patch of Green - 5 - Spring Issue, 2000 Serving Greater Detroit with. Quality Products: Fertilizers Anderson’s Tee Time Grigg Bros. Bio Turf Gro Harmony Lebanon Country Club Polyon Scotts Sustane Chemicals Aventis Bayer Becker-Underwood W.A. Cleary Griffin Miller Milliken/Emerald Isle Novartis Precision Regal Riverdale Uniroyal Zeneca ■üRFCRASS k I A Quality People: Dan Johanningsmeier eith Richards ar Howard oug Johanningsmeier ichard Locke ruce Wotring Quality Service: Technical Information Soil and W ater Testing Free Timely Delivery Seed Bloomcoat Lebanon/Seaboard Medalist America Seed Research Golf Accessories Accuform Accu-Products Fore-Par Fox Valley Master of the Links Par Aide Standard Other Birchmeier Sprayers Compliance Safety Prizelawn Spreaders Profile Products Scotts Spreaders TURFGRASS INC. 1-800-521-8873 1-248-437-1427 E-mail: tgrass@ismi.net f t 4 % \ A V \ & MARK YOUR CALENDAR FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2000 Mxt&AsCtvh. SpœoiaL OLyfKjpÀX* 19th Annual Fundraiser for at Sponsored by Greater Detroit Golf Course Superintendents Association Bald Mountain Golf Course "6 man scramble" (get your groups together) $100 per man Your local suppliers, who make this event possible, will all be on site. A great day is planned for you! C & e o k y C u s i A Patch of Green - 6 - Spring Issue, 2000 The View From M.S.U. Greetings, Greater Detroit Golf Superintendents by Dr. Kevin Frank I have recently been appointed to Michigan State University as the Turfgrass Extension Specialist and would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself and present my ideas for my extension and research programs. I am a native of the great state of North Dakota, so there is no need for concern over whether I will be able to survive the winters in Michigan. As an undergraduate, I attended the University of Wyoming and majored in Crop Science and participated on the golf team. From Wyoming, I moved east to the University of Nebraska, where I completed both my Masters and Ph.D. in turfgrass physiology and management and learned all about Husker football. The title of my dissertation was Nitrogen Allocation of Three Turfgrass Species and Turf-type Buffalograss Management. I defended my Ph.D. dissertation on February 4th and have spent the time since then moving to Michigan and finding my way around Michigan State. As I am writing this the temperature has dropped about 50 degrees from the previous day. I guess it isn’t spring in Michigan just yet. it’s to time That’s enough about me, talk turf! My appointment here at Michigan State is 60% extension and 40% research. As a new faculty member, I’m not entirely sure what the first year will bring but I’ll give you my best guess and my plans for extension and research. When I first learned there were approximately 800 golf courses in Michigan, I quickly realized I won’t be able to visit all of them in the first year. I have already been scheduled to speak at several of the Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association chapter meetings and look forward to attending as many meetings as my schedule allows. Being new to Michigan, there are many places to see and faces to meet and I am ready to hit the ground running and discover all that Michigan golf has to offer and the challenges the diverse climate presents to managing turf. With the proximity of the Detroit area to Lansing, I anticipate significant involvement in this region and will look to the golf course superintendents to find out what problems they are facing and strive to develop a research program that can help solve some of the difficult problems commonly encountered in growing turf. My first major research project is to assume leadership of the Sloping Green Project. I, along with Dr. Baird, Dr. Crum, Thom Nikolai and several of the other turf staff at Michigan State will carry out the research on water retention and movement in an undulating green that was originally initiated by Dr. Rieke’s group. Two problems on putting greens, Localized Dry Spot and Black Layer, are often these problems associated with moisture extremes in the root zone of putting greens. In an undulated putting green the high areas often experience deficit moisture conditions while the lower areas of the green are often saturated with water. With in mind a putting green was constructed with variable rootzone depths in order to investigate whether a more shallow rootzone depth on the high area of a green and a deeper rootzone depth on the lower area would alter moisture retention. Our research objectives are two-fold: first, to study the effects of different rootzone depths and materials (sand, sand/peat, and sand/soil) on water flow and soil moisture content in an undulated USGA specification putting green; secondly, to investigate if altering the rootzone depth would increase the water content near the soil surface in high areas and decrease the water content of the rootzone mix in low areas. If effective, the altered rootzone depth would alleviate moisture stress from the areas of elevation extreme and result in improved turfgrass quality. I am very excited about the Sloping Green Project and believe the potential for additional research on the green is unlimited. When I look to the future of my research program I am interested in investigating turfgrass fertility and developing fertility programs that ensure the applications applied are being used by the turfgrass and not lost from the system. Potential areas of research the interaction of nitrogen rate and irrigation frequency and analyzing the effects of micronutrient applications on turfgrass quality. investigating include I would like to take this opportunity to invite everyone to the Michigan Turfgrass Field Day, which will be held on August 23rd at the Hancock Turfgrass Research Center in East Lansing. The field day is one of our key events and gives us the opportunity to showcase the research projects underway at Michigan State. I hope to see many of you there! I am planning on attending several of the Greater Detroit Superintendent Association meetings this year and look forward to meeting you and learning all about growing turf in Michigan. Please feel free to contact me if I can be of any assistance in the coming year. I can be reached at (517) 432-9461 or by e-mail at frankk@msu.edu A Patch of Green - 7 - Spring Issue, 2000 Jim Naugler gets recognition Tom Mason accepts award Michigan Room attendees Roger Barton speaks at Michigan Room Tom Reed, Sr. addresses Michigan Room folks A Patch of Green - 8 - Spring Issue, 2000 2000 Michigan Room at the Golf Course Superintendents Association Conference and Show February 16-18 New Orleans, Marriott If attendance was any indicator, this year’s Michigan room was a rousing success. Several hundred guests shared in the good cheer, pleasant conversation and refreshments over the three days of the reception. The festivities began on Wednesday following the opening session, featuring keynote speaker Peter Ueborroth. Thursday was the busiest night, with each of the four Michigan chapters honoring a distinguished member of their association. The honorees were: Northern Michigan TMA Mid-Michigan TA Western Michigan GCSA Greater Detroit GCSA Tom Reed, Sr. Jim Naugler Roger Barton Tom Mason Tri Turf Goodrich CC Pohlcat CG Birmingham CC Friday evening’s room was once again well attended, with that day’s opening trade show the topic of many conversations. A warm thank you goes out to those individuals who contributed to the room’s success, as well as our generous vendors listed below: Eagle Turf Partners Ace Golf Course Construction Leseo Norvartis Rhino Seed Spartan Dist. W.F. Miller Par Art Hills & Assoc. D&C Distributors Emerald Isle Ltd. Osburn Industries Peerless-Midwest Scotts Company Tri Turf Turf Drain Birdie Aventis Environment Century Rain Aid Leibold Irrigation Pifer, Inc. Turfgrass Inc. United Horticultural Valley Turf Weingartz Other Contributors Club Car Commercial Environmental Davey Tree Experts Deep Roots Aerification Green & Grow, Inc. J. Mollena & Sons, Inc. L.A. Links Windsor Factory Supply A Patch of Green - 9 - Spring Issue, 2000 Happy Holidays! ??? The GDGCSA Board of Directors cordially invites you to our Annual Holiday Party. This year’s party will be held at the newly restored GEM Theatre on December 2, 2000. Come have dinner with your peers and enjoy the sounds of the Ed Wells Trio Jazz Band. Afterwards, our group will "take in" some culture as we move to the theatre for an entertaining play (to be determined in June). An "afterglow" (dessert, coffee, tea and talk) in the dining area will round out the evening. We are looking to make this a memorable evening, but need you and your wife (or "significant other") to make it happen. Mark your calendars now and look for a formal invitation in late October. Please note that, due to limited dining capacity, the party will be limited to 120 people. For further information, please contact Terry Poley at (248) 681-1322 or Rick Murphy at (248) 363-0144. T O P Q U A L I T Y S O D Penncross or Providence or Pennlinks Bent Nugget +II Bluegrass Blend Shade M ix Fescue/Bluegrass Mix Shade & Ornamental Trees Bulk Sphagnum Peat Nifty Fifty Big Roll Soil Free Sod Available Toll-Free 1-800-432-2763 Delivery in Ml, OH & IN “ ■ H u g g e t t S o d F a r m , I n c . “ “ * Ph 5 1 7-6 35-7 48 2 ♦ Fax 51 7-6 35-7 48 4 4 1 14 E. Mariette Road Mariette, M l 48453 MARC DUTTON I R R I G A T I O N , YOUR IRRIGATION I N C . RESOURCE IN MICHIGAN IRRIGATION Installation Automation Electrical repairs Mechanical repairs Controller upgrades Radio controls PUMP STATIONS Installations Service Upgrades Authorized Service for lAIATCDTDn IllirQ WE IN S TA LL A N D SERVICE A L L M AJOR IR R IG A T IO N SYSTEMS 4720 Hatchery Road Waterford, Michigan 48329 (248) 674-4470 FAX (248) 674-3091 Contact DAVE or ED A Patch of Green -10 - Spring Issue, 2000 Salt River Meeting Salt River Golf Club, in New Baltimore, once again hosted the Greater Detroit Golf Course Superintendent’s Annual Etonic and Bowling Meeting on March 7th. The temperatures were ranging in the low 70’s and the sun was shining, but the turnout was great! Thanks to everyone who attended. The day began with Tavis Horton, assistant superintendent at Birmingham Country Club, receiving the 1999 John Walter Award. It is given to the author of the best written article contributed to Patch of Green. Tavis’ article recounted his experience at the U.S. Open at Pinehurst and being part of the Toro Championship Training Program as a volunteer on the superintendent’s team. Congratulations, Tavis. Our education program was presented through the Etonic’s Leadership Series, Professional Presentation Skills, by Dr. Bree Hayes. Dr. Hayes is a consulting psychologist and international management consultant. Her areas of expertise lie in training, process consulting and team assessment and development. Dr. Hayes consults turf and golf organizations. For the last 13 years she has been on the faculty of the GCSAA. regularly with landscape, PENN G-2 Creeping Bentgrass What makes it so different is what makes it so good The list of what makes PENN G-2 so different and so good goes on and on. Moderate fertility, heat tol­ erance, disease resistance and reduced Poa annua in­ vasion are just a few of the highlights. W hat it all comes down to is simple. Whether you are building, renovating or interseeding, PENN G-2 is your grass, Why? Because it’s as good as it is different. Putting Green Quality Creeping Bentgrass A large percentage of our membership often addresses a group of people and the ability to present a topic in a professional manner is desired by all. Dr. Hayes taught us how to break a presentation into a general format and build it from there. She also offered many tips on overcoming the fear of speaking, what will make your audience comfortable, using audio visual material and many other helpful hints. There was a lot of participation in the presentation, which helped form new and stronger bonds between our members. the recorded After a delicious buffet lunch we headed to the bowling lanes. The team of Don Fields, Keith Richards and Jim Eccleton team-high score. Second game high score was charted by the team of Bill Jackson, Joe Singles and Mike Casey. John Cooney and Don Knop won the mystery games. We also had two winners in a strike ball contest: Bob King and Brian Birdwell. first-game, Thank you, to Don Davis, host Superintendent Mark O’Mell and the entire team at Salt River for providing a great day of education and fun. TERRY MALBURG ILi LANDSCAPING, INC. TEES ★ GREENS ★ FAIRWAYS ★ BUNKERS ★ The same Bentgrass used at the 1999 U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 JJE S C O 800- 321-5325 810-752-3489 810-752-1026 FAX 810-560-3388 PAGER FOR DETAILS TERRY MALBURG PRESIDENT LESCO is a registered trademark of LESCO. Inc. The PENN G-2 logo is a trademark of LESCO. Inc. PENN G-2 is a registered trademark of Tee-2-Green. Corp. A Patch of Green -11 - Spring Issue, 2000 i 0 * c D IS T R IB U T O R ^ V k 3 ? 248-446-1651 * 1-800-888-7779 * Fax 248-446-16S4£ New Hudson, Michigan 48165 29593 Costello Drive . l \ r p BIG ENOUGH TO SERVE YOU BETTER SMALL ENOUGH TO CARE CALL US FIRST - YOU'LL BE SLAP YOU DIP !! • Genuine Kohler • Jacobsen • Cushman • • Toro • Roseman • Ransome • Briggs & Stratton • and Much More.. 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Ml 48347 industrial Sand Specialist for 3 Generations Golf Course Sands - Aggregate - Custom Greens Mix Brad J. Paddison Mobile (313) 410-5201 Office (248) 673-3177 ^ D&B Landscaping, Inc ptX L ------------------------- Established in 1972 ----------------- — , • "W* Jlelp. A/cUuAø' CALL US TOLL FREE 1 - 8 0 0 - 8 8 8 -7 7 7 9 WE GUARANTEE WHAT WE SELL! VISIT OUR WEB PAGE AT http://www.dcdist.com S pecializing In: ► Golf C ourse M aintenance iBHousE M anagement > . Landscape I nstallations > Lam^ ^ e R ejuvenation www.db-iandscaping.com S |l|l To Discuss How We Can Help You. Contact Howard Altman -at 734-524-1030 x230 A Patch of Green - 1 2 - Spring Issue, 2000 Editor’s Note: One of the requests made during the Chapter Newsletter Editors Session in New Orleans was for articles about the Professional Development Initiative (PDI). Hannes Combest, CGSAA’s Director of Education, is writing four articles about the PDI. This is the first of four articles that will be published in POG. The Professional Development Initiative by Hannes Conbest In the last three years, GCSAA has embarked on a journey to develop a system that would elevate the professional qualifications and recognition of our members, through a project called the Professional Development Initiative. You may have attended a chapter presentation to learn about it. Or you may have seen the Talking It Over discussion forum on the GCSAA Web Site. Or maybe you have just heard about it from your members. Or maybe, just maybe, you are just now hearing about it. So, what is it all about? Discussion on the Professional Development Initiative began in 1996 and has continued to this day. It was a member-driven initiative, one designed to establish credentials for members so that the golf course be appropriately recognized as a key contributor to the golf course. Shortly after the delegates meeting when it was first introduced, then-President Paul McGinnis, CGCS, appointed the Membership Standards Resource Group (MSRG). superintendent can The group developed a mission statement that discussed the need to improve the knowledge, skills and abilities of the professional superintendent that will contribute toward improved playing conditions and the enjoyment of the game of golf. The MSRG believed increased salaries will measure success, as will enhanced job security, improved job opportunities by employers. They then began to outline the process for achieving these goals. recognition intensified that and Four research projects were conducted to provide the MSRG needed information. These included: 1) a job analysis to determine the responsibilities of a golf course superintendent; 2) an employer study to determine their attitudes about superintendents; 3) a study to determine what our members thought of GCSAA’s education; and, 4) a review of GCSAA’s educational programs by curriculum experts. like Many of the conclusions drawn from these research projects validated preexisting assumptions. For example, golf course superintendents need a broad range of skills and knowledge to perform their jobs successfully. Employers often don’t understand what superintendents do. And finally, although GCSAA members the current education program, research proved it will be inadequate in meeting future needs. In designing the PDI, the MSRG used the results of the research. They identified what the employers of golf course superintendents need, want and value from the golf course superintendent. Then, they began the arduous task of detailing the knowledge, skills, and attributes required of superintendents to satisfy employers’ needs. The MSRG knew that education provides the means for superintendents to fill any gaps between those competencies that superintendents have and those that they need. So GCSAA began to develop a state-of-the-art course curriculum that superintendent the challenges they face in managing the agronomic conditions of the golf course, the staff and the budget. Furthermore, the MSRG recommended that GCSAA the accomplishments of the professional superintendent with a competency-based classification system. provides the tools needed golf to meet positioned recognize the be to restructure The MSRG also began to develop recommendations to the classification system. Their recommendations are the marketplace with a benchmark of what it takes to be to provide intended A Patch of Green -13 - Spring Issue, 2000 There's No Mistaking an Original. ZENECA m USE TO CONTROL CERTAIN DISEASES O f TURF The outstanding perform ance of a reliable, economical, multi-site fungicide. systemic strobilurin fungicide T h e tw o to p s e llin g f u n g ic id e s in g o lf, H ERITA G E* a n d DACONIL* .zenecaprofprod.com ¿ S 3 Z E N E C A Professional Products Always read and follow label directions carefully. DACONIL® and HERITAGE® are registered trademarks of a Zeneca company. D 2000 Zeneca Ag Products Inc. Zeneca Professional Products is a business of Zeneca Ag Products Inc. ZPP-TRF-020 A Patch of Green -14 - Spring Issue, 2000 T h e P ro fes sio n al D e v e lo p m e n t In itiative (continued) a superintendent by more closely aligning m em bership requirements. the to m arketplace requirem ents b e f o r e issue and recognized d e v e l o p i n g that classification is a The MSRG they began with a set of personal t h e i r a s s u m p t i o n s recommendations. For example, they wanted GCSAA to remain an inclusive organization; in other words, everyone who wanted to be a member should have that right. However, they wanted to be able "mean something." The model they are proposing is only their recommendations. They are seeking member input and will be accepting member input through May before making their final recommendations at their June meeting. the classification system to have Currently, they propose the following for Class A membership: • A member must hold the job responsibility of a superintendent; • A member must take a self-assessment based on the competencies being identified; • A member must pass a validation of the self-assessment (to be determined); • A member must have a bachelor’s degree or have completed a two-year turf program (with a minimum number of hours) from a nationally accredited college or university; and, • A member must possess a current pesticide license. certified members. Finally, they recommended that all current Class B members transition into the Class B category but be allowed to apply for Class A membership by only passing the validation of the competency assessment and experience. Then as Class A members, they too would be responsible for ongoing requirements. So what happens next? The MSRG will continue to make presentations throughout the country through May. They will be collecting information from these presentations as well as from individuals on the web. Then in June they will meet to make their final recommendations. These recommendations will be distributed to all members early in August, prior to the Chapter Delegates meeting in September, and more than six months before any bylaws vote is scheduled in February of 2001. If adopted, the requirements would go into effect the following year, July 2002. There are many unanswered questions that relate to the PDI, but the MSRG is working to keep members well informed about this proposal, through constant communication in Newsline and with chapters. If you have questions or comments, please feel free to send them by e-mail to pdi@gcsaa.org or by regular postal mail to PDI, 1421 Research Park Drive, Lawrence, Kansas 66049. requirements which are yet In addition, Class A members would be assessed ongoing to be determined. The MSRG recommended that these requirements be fulfilled through an administrative renewal cycle of every three years and that it contain a blend of continuing education and professional education. They also recommended that certification be to align more closely with the Class A membership requirements, but at a higher competency level. restructured The MSRG realized that many superintendents have been in the business for many years and have been contributing members of GCSAA. As a result, they recommended that all current Class A members be moved into the new Class A categories and be responsible for only the ongoing requirements. They made the same recommendation for all currently A Patch of Green -15 - Spring Issue, 2000 Michigan State University was well represented at our Annual Golf Day at Oakland Hills. Left to right - Dr. Paul Rieke, Soils Department; Dr. Joe Vargas, Plant Pathologist; Dr. Kenyon Payne, Plant Breeding and Student Coordinator Some of the gang from Crooked Creek - they came in style and proudly supported our effort. i Left - Gordy LaFontaine, Lawn Equipment Corporation, Treasurer and Coordinator; Right - General Chairman Clem Wolfrom, Superintendent, Detroit Golf club A Patch of Green - 16 - Spring Issue, 2000 I ! I I GDGCSA 75th Anniversary GDGCSA is celebrating its 75th year. In recognition of this milestone, we will reprint articles and pictures from past issues of POG. If you have any articles or photographs of historical significance, please contact Tim Dorner or Kate Mason. Reprinted from the October, 1972 Patch of Green Magazine 1972 GOLF DAY A SUCCESS! Most of the details are in and it looks like another huge success for our Annual Golf Day, held this year at Oakland Hills C.C., Birmingham. Despite the heavy rains the night before, we teed off 365 golfers and fed 385 people. It was a great association effort and Clem Wolfrom, the General Chairman, is to be congratulated for his indiviual work. committee chairmen and their members did an outstanding job. Our raised George Prieskorn, the Ticket Chairman of over Committee, $4,000. Contributions for prizes were solicited by Ward Swanson, who did another fine job. The lucky winner of the drawing was Danny Uzelac, Superintendent the Dominion Club, Windsor, Ontario. He won a four day trip to Las Vegas for two. Golf of Marshal Committee: Chairman Clarence Wolfrom, Superintendent of Maple Lane Golf Club on cart; Gene Johaningsmeier, Director of Michigan Turf Foundation, on left, and J.D. Armstrong, immediate Past President of the Michigan Turf Foundation. The Beer Committee: Jim Vaughn (McLoud), Superintendent of Dearborn C.C. and A1 Katz, Superintendent at Maple Lane Golf Club - Co-Chairman A Patch of Green -17 - Spring Issue, 2000 Storage Against Fire Environmental, Inc. 1568 Cloverdale Ave., Highland Park, IL 60035 (847) 831-0188 Fax: (847) 831-5002 3112 Coolidge Hwy #204, Royal Oak, Mi 48073 (734) 667-2666 Fax: (734) 667-2613 THR THRIFTY ALTERNATIVE “Our clients need to eliminate soil and groundwater contamination, stay in compliance, and control expenses. As a pre-fabricated enclosures are superior, costs 25-40% less, and ready for use.” Contact us for a our custom no cost consultation if you are considering these applications: r * CHEMICAL STORAGE LOCKERS *RINSEATE PAD SYSTEMS *EQUIPMENT/MAINT. ENCLOSURES * STRUCTURAL STEEL CANOPIES “ TURK F YSER VICES” Engineering / Permitting Project mgt. / Site prep Off-loading / Installation Custom Colors & Sidings A Patch of Green -18 - Spring Issue, 2000 Bob Pontius Retires by Paul Kolbe Superintendent Bob Pontius, CGCS, retired last fall after 58 years in the business. He received his GCSAA 45- year pin last fall and has been certified for the last 29 years, and been re-certified five times! camping and survival techniques in the woods. A hunting trip to Alaska was memorable, as evident by the pictures. Bob hinted he might find a golf crew position to keep him involved, while still enjoying his hobbies. Bob started in 1942 at Congress Lake Club, located outside Akron, Ohio at the ripe age of 12 years old. He was able to get his license at 12 because of the labor shortage during the World War II period. Bob worked himself up to assistant position at Congress Lake Club, and earned his first superintendent job at Squaw Creek Country Club in Northern Ohio. Bob was there for over seven years and then moved to Acacia Country Club for eleven years before relocating to Michigan and taking over the job at Franklin Hills Country Club. The Donald Ross design course was Bob’s home over the next 16 years. For his last 11 years he was at Taylor Meadows Golf Club, with the last nine years maintaining the course under the management company he established, called Topcourse Services. A management firm, Environmental Golf, bought the contract from Bob in the fall of 1999, and his retirement commenced. His son Rick, was hired by Environmental Golf to be supervisor of Taylor Meadows. Bob’s been married to Gertrude for 52 years, and they have four grown children that all reside in Michigan. Daughters Roberta and Nancy are the nursing profession, David works for Roadway trucking and Rick Pontius is superintendent at Taylor Meadows. Bob’s hobbies are a family affair. His love for snowmobiling, fishing, and hunting were included in family vacations, even if they were long weekend trips during the summer months. He taught his siblings the secret to hunting, in The biggest changes he has seen in the industry are the lower mowing heights and the better chemicals to maintain these preferred mowing heights. Growing the grass has become easier, but personnel and communication skills are just as important. Politics in the private sector can’t be avoided, but can be manageable through communication and being honest with your superiors. Monitor your soil test and water quality. Organic content in soil is vital and the use of organic fertilizers will make the environment conducive for quality turf. Keeping the soil micro-organism population active, which helps reduce the thatch layer, is the key to good putting surfaces. His goal was to maintain stimpmeter readings at 9 to 9.5. During the stressful summer months, never let your guard down. Keep an eye on the course and make sure your crew is following your orders. Bob liked to hire his assistant by promoting within his crew; they already have the course knowledge and are less likely to leave after a couple years. His former Franklin Hill’s assistant, Jim Hardy, is superintendent at the city of Farmington Hill’s course, San Marino Golf Club. Congratulations on your retirement and good luck Bob! Editor’s Note: Gertrude Pontius passed away after this article was written. Our condolences to Bob, Rick and their family. Gertrude and her caribou - one shot from 2000 yards Gertrude and her 1400 lb. moose - one shot, 70 yards A Patch of Green -19 - Spring Issue, 2000 G O L F Century offers the complete line of Hunter Coif products to help you control water, labor and energy costs. Featuring Hunter rotors, valves, Genesis central satellite and Viking decoder control systems. Hunter Coif System O SyncroFlo, Inc. Efficient and economical, SyncroFlo pumping stations are the solution to many golf course irrigation problems. SyncroFlo Eagle Pumps BoardTronics1 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 Starts with Century Golf Course Services Sprinklers • Valves • Controllers • Pum p Stations Controller Board Repairs • Fountains An inviting, well-maintained course means challenging p!ay...and a profitable season. As a golf superintendent, you can achieve this success with Century Coif Course Services. Century's team of professionals can help you solve irrigation or.drainage problems and show you what's new in clubhouse lighting, water features and more. Call today for a free catalog and on-site consultation. w w w .rainaid.com A Patch of Green - 20 - Spring Issue, 2000 Heritage Award Essay In 1996 GDGCSA initiated the Heritage Award to recognize individuals in non-turf related post graduate secondary education, whose parents are members of our association. The recipients are selected on the basis of an essay. This year’s participant’s essays were based on their response to the following question: Describe what values you have learned from the game of golf and your parents’ involvement in the golf industry. Award winners for 1999 were: Julie Ann Abbott and Laura J. Kraly. If you have questions about the Heritage Award, contact Co-Awards Chairmen Mark McKinley or Dick Matthews. by Laura J. Kraly I played high school varsity tennis for two years, and one of the things my coach used to tell me was that tennis was a "game for life". I find this statement to be very true when considering the game of golf. It truly is a game for life, one that a person can enjoy regardless of their age, gender or other personal attributes. Through the game of golf one can learn valuable lessons, another one of its "game for life" aspects. Patience, respect, friendship, and that no one is good at everything are some of the things that I find it teaches. You learn these lessons through the game of golf, which is a valuable instructor. First of all, golf teaches patience. It is a complex game, with many written and unwritten rules. It takes a lot of time to learn the official rules as well as the etiquette that governs the game. It also takes a lot of patience to actually physically play the game. There are so many things to get right: the swing, club selection, reading the course. It takes a person with self-control to play golf the correct way. The business of golf also teaches patience. As a pro shop attendant at White Lake Oaks Golf Course, I learned to deal with the golf-playing public, which demanded patience at certain times. To be a true representative of the golf business, you have to show that you are willing to work with the guest (patiently) to ensure that their golf experience is satisfying. Another value that golf espouses is the time-honored tradition of having a code of conduct, and letting your play be governed by that code. Golf is a rather genteel game, but one that can be played with a lot of passion. The main difference is that the passion in golf, while just as deep as other sports, is one born of satisfaction for a game well played. As I mentioned before, there is a golf etiquette, which, when followed, makes the game a pleasure to play. It is a game of companionship and one that seems to be free of the usual conceits of sports. Good grace is a quality highly valued in golf, and I think that the conduct of the golfers matters just as much as the game itself, because when golf lives up to its standards, it is a pleasure to watch. Golf also promotes friendship. At work, most of the people who came in to play were with their friends. It provided an opportunity for often-busy people to get together and have some fun. Golf is often a family affair as well. Fathers and mothers and their kids, as well as cousins, uncles and aunts, and grandparents in various combinations all enjoyed the game of golf together. Playing golf is an opportunity to have fun with the people you love. It can also be used in the business sense to hammer out details or demonstrate products in an atmosphere other than offices or conference rooms. Personally, golf taught me that you could not be good at everything. I tended towards the overachiever end of the social spectrum, and the game of golf convinced me that I was not, in fact, destined to succeed at everything I tried. Being really bad at golf is something that centers me and reminds me that I am only human. As far as my parents’ involvement goes, golf has, since I can remember, been a large part of my family life. It is an interest that both my mother and father and their friends have in common, and they have been playing golf since before they were married. My father, Kurt Kraly, has been working in the golf industry for a very long time now. When I was a little girl, he worked for Wilke Turf, W. F. Miller Co., and today works for Club Car. These are all prestigious companies in the golf business, and his involvement with these companies has offered me the opportunity to see how the business aspect of golf really works. He has supported my family through his work with these various companies of the golf industry, and so golf has always been an integral part of my life from a strictly monetary point of view. Most of my parents’ friends have been involved in the golf business, and now I myself am a part of the trade due to my work at White Lake Oaks. Finally, golf has set the scene for many of my memories. Company picnics, visits to the LPGA tournament, and even just watching golf on television with my father, uncles and great-aunt are all among some of my fondest family memories. Golf lessons with my brother provided a sibling experience, and my familiarity with the game has often given me the basis for conversations I have engaged in with other people, with whom I might not have anything else in common. Working at the golf course has been the basis for many relationships with my co-workers and others in the county system that I would have never had otherwise, as well as quite a few amusing moments to think about. Golf has meant a lot to my family and me, and I think that many aspects of my life would be much poorer if the game had not been present in them. A Patch of Green - 21 - Spring Issue, 2000 Upcoming Turfgrass Event Mark your calendars and plan to join us on Wednesday, August 23, 2000, for the Michigan Turfgrass Field Day. The event partners the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation with Michigan State University and will feature morning tours of the research trials involving golf turf, athletic field/sports turf and commercial turf management. Turfgrass suppliers from throughout the industry will display the latest equipment and supplies during the vendor show. After the BBQ lunch, the afternoon will conclude with a series of turf educational classes. Plan to bring your whole staff and pass the word to your colleagues. Look for registration brochures to arrive in June. For further information, contact Kay Patrick at 517-321-1660. S & F CONSTRUCTION INC golf course specialists Turf Chemicals Inc. 1011 E. Main P.O. Box 451 Owosso, Michigan 48867 Phone: (517) 725-7145 FOR ALL OF YOUR FERTILIZER, CHEMICAL AND GRASS SEED NEEDS EXPERIENCED, DEPENDABLE PEOPLE TO SERVE YOU • Russ Hancock • JaySiddock • Fred Miller • Wes Riddle »Ted Kasel • Mike Horvath seamless patching, curb work, lightweight equipment and flexible working arrangements with staff etc. (810) 752-4889 (810) 752-2401 Fax: (810) 752-6719 A Patch of Green - 22 - Spring Issue, 2000 DAVEY KEEPS THE GIANTS OF GOLF STANDING TALL You know that mature trees add challenge as well as beauty. You also know mature trees are impossible to replace. Davey knows how to help protect these valuable assets from decline, lightning, storm damage, insects and disease. Davey will inventory your trees, v evaluate 1 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. Davey also provides turf fertilization and broadleaf weed control services, too! Keep your valuable assets standing tall with the leader in tree care since 1880. Call Davey today! DAVEY T ree & Lawn Care Experts Since 1880 (248) 371-%007 • Auburn Hills (734) 459-8690 • Canton Twp. Board Meeting Highlights Knollwood Country Club Tuesday, January 25, 2000 GAM SEMINAR (McKinley): Date: Saturday, March 25, 2000 Site: Detroit GC Agenda and speakers set. POLICY BOOK (Murphy): Board members to update policy. GCSAA willing to publish booklet for distribution to board members. WELFARE (Murphy): Ed Heineman’s mother and Paul Kolbe’s step-father passed away in Dec. GOLF DAY (Dorner/Abbott): Donations made from "The Big Event" revenue - $32,500. MSU Turfgrass Awards: 2-year: $1,000 4-year: $1,500 Michigan Turfgrass Foundation: Research - $18,000 Rieke Foundation - $1,500 O.J. Noer Foundation: $500 GCSAA: Investing in the Beauty of Golf - $5,000 Platinum Tee Club - $5,000 75th ANNIVERSAY (McKinley): 2000 marks the 75th anniversary of our local chapter. Board is considering ways to celebrate. SURVEY (Szyndlar): Survey will be taken of A, B and AA members. Deadline 2/29. Will use to formulate education, activities, etc. ROLL CALL: Present - Abbott, Dorner, Dushane, King, Kolbe, McKinley, Murphy, Poley, Schall, Szyndlar Absent - Matthews FINANCE (Murphy): Dec. Assn, svgs.: $53,176.48 Dec. Assn, chkg.: $954.71 Dec. Fdtn. svgs.: $26,311.24 Dec. Fdtn. chkg.: $5,376.61 Director Abbott appointed to the Finance Committee. AWARDS (McKinley/Matthews): Heritage - Julie Ann Abbott and Laura J. Kraly EDUCATION (Schall/King): 2000 Schedule sites finalized. Will be posted in POG. MEMBERSHIP (Dorner): Total membership - 408 Applications -1 Class Change Requests - 2 Reinstatements - 1 Robert Pontius retired. MICHIGAN ROOM (Abbott/Poley): Plans complete. Rec’d approx. $16,000 in sposorship donations. Honoree for GD is Tom Mason, Birmingham CC HOLIDAY PARTY (McKinley): 75 attendees - Balance ($74.65) New venues being considered for next year. EDITOR (Dorner): Roster - used previous format. To be mailed by Feb. 11. Plans for a statewide roster tabled. Other associations opted not to join with us in this venture. POG: Deadline for articles, Feb. 25. SPECIAL OLYMPICS (Schall/King): Date: Friday, May 19, 2000 Site: Bald Mountain GC First committee meeting in Feb. A Patch of Green - 23 - Spring Issue, 2000 Success with BioJecf Fresh Solutions for Biological Turf Management ££ -4 999 was a tough year but we only had to spray fairways and I tees three times. One ounce of Banner in June, July, and August. We installed a BioJecf system in Spring 1999 and applied Spot-Less™ (Tx-1) through the irrigation system every time we watered. I wanted to reduce the number of chemical sprays we were doing due to the fact we have a number of adjoining homes and an abundance of wildlife, without sacrificing the quality of our turf. JJ Paul Reising, CGCS Prestwick Village Golf Club Highland, Michigan Paul Reising employed the BioJecf to integrate ' into his turf management program Prestwick Village Golf Club. t Treadwell Golf Associates' latest project, Copper Ridge Golf Club, we installed a BioJecf to speed the rate of estab- of the new seedlings. We had seeded a little later than we'd planned and wanted to do everything we could to open as early as possible the following year. When compared with other grow-ins I've been involved in, the seedlings seemed to be much more vigorous and aggressive. The turf filled in . I feel that the Azospirillum bacteria really made a differ- Golf is a game. It’s also a business. If we can grow the course in more quickly, we can open and generate revenues more quickly. I feel the BioJecf has helped us do that, yy Jeff Parks Vice President of Agronom y Treadwell G olf Associates Southgate, Michigan Jeff Parks applied the ReGliBffNf program through the Bioject during the grozv-in of Copper Ridge Golf Club. --------- -------------------------- * The Bioject System's BioReactor multiplies benefi­ cial microbes to high concentration for daily distri­ bution through the irrigation system. For more information contact your local Turf Partners’ representative in Michigan at 248-474-7474 or Eco Soil 800-331-8773 www.ecosoil.com A Patch of Green - 24 - Spring Issue, 2000 B oard M eetin g K n o llw o o d C o u n try C lub T u esd ay , F e b ru ary 28, 2000 ROLL CALL: Present- Abbott, King, Kolbe, McKinley, Poley, Schall, Szyndlar Absent - Dorner, Matthews, Murphy FINANCE (Muphy): Jan. Assn, svgs.: $57,027.62 Jan. Assn, chkg.: $3,675.62 Jan. Fdtn. svgs.: $1,332.68 Jan. Fdtn. chkg.: $5,212.01 Proposed budget - $136,000. Approval tabled til March mtg. EDUCATION (Schall/King): Next meeting: Date: March 7 Site: Salt River GC Agenda: Etonic Leadership Series. Speaker, Bree Hayes. Professional Presentation Skills .35 CEUs Fall Seminar Date: November 7, 2000 Agenda: Speaker, Jerry Sweda: Managing on the Job Behavior MEMBERSHIP (Dorner): Total membership - 410 Applications - 4 Reinstatements - 1 AWARDS (McKinley): John Walter Award - Recipient was Tavis Horton, Assistant at Birmingham CC, for his article entitled "US Open - Toro Training Program". He’ll receive a plaque and $100, to be presented at the Salt River meeting. SURVEY Rec’d approximately 65 responses. Kolbe to compile results. Results will be mailed to A, B & AA members. GCSAA New Scholarship available - "Footsteps on the Green". For children and grandchildren of GCSAA members. Info mailed to GCSAA members. Seed & Landscape Supply Turf Grass Specialists Custom Mixes & Blends NEXT DAY DELIVERY TO YOUR GOLF COURSE Let us serve you in all your golf course needs. GRASS SEED - FERTILIZER - LAWN PATCH WILDFLOWER, NATIVE & FIELD SEEDS LANDSCAPING PRODUC TS - TOOLS EROSION CONTROL PRODUCTS HYDROSEEDING SUPPLIES AVAILABLE . ........... - ~ . ......... . Brighton Bradley 800-482-3130 877-744-6657 Saginaw 800-790-1898 A Patch of Green - 25 - Spring Issue, 2000 Classifieds... To place your Classified Ad contact A Patch of Green at (248) 362-1108, or fax your ad to (248) 362-1736, or mail your ad to P.O. Box 173, Troy, Ml 48099. Payment must accompany ad! Charge: $.85 per word. Minimum: $25.00. Additional charge: borders, bold lettering or special setup. FOR SALE: 1994 Smithco Sweepstar Turf Sweeper. 147 hrs., self-propelled, 23 h.p. Kohler engine. Excellent condition. $9,000 or Best Offer. Contact Mike Blasky (248) 417-7773 FOR SALE: Pump station motors for sale: $250 each. Call Steve Cook, Oakland Hills CC (248) 433-0679. South: 2 - 50 hp„ 230/460 Volts, 116/58 Amps, 3450 RPM. South: 1 - 20 hp„ 200-230/460 Volts, 54-48/24 Amps., 3500 RPM North: 1 - Triclad Vertical Motor, General Electric, 60 hp„ 230/460 Volts, 137.8/68.9 Amps, 3555 RPM North: US Motors, Holloshaft Pump Motor, 40 hp. AVENUS ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE BOB DUGAN P.O. Box 74398 Tel. (734) 782-0323 Romulus, MI 48174-0398 Fax: (734) 782-6344 • e-mail: bob.dugan@aventis A Patch of Green - 26 - Spring Issue, 2000 New Member Roster Note: If you are a member of GDGCSA and are not listed in the roster or in the following pages, please contact Kate Mason at (248) 362-1108. Welcome to our new members. Add them to your roster. Aerification Service Featu rin g th e Southern Green Deep Tine Soil Reliever Don Myers (248J 640-2718 Kevin Myers C248J 640-2719 Tim LeBlanc C248J 640-2717 We've Helped Someone You Know OSBURN CUSTOM TOP DRESSING BLENDS CUSTOM CONSTRUCTION BLENDS Trap Sand — Best 530 • Best 535 Cart Path Stone & Slag • Pea Pebble • Parking Lot Stone Call fo r D etails (313) 292-4140 (Ask for Tim) CARABELLI, ROBERT L. (CAROL) AFFILIATE Torre & Bruglio 850 Featherstone Pontiac, Ml 48342 H-(810) 781-0817 0-(248) 452-9292 FAX-(248) 482-9293 DEKKER, DOUGLAS (KATHY) AFFILIATE Custom Aerification Services, Inc. 1323 Cedarhill Dr. E. Lansing, Ml 48823 H-(517) 351-1232 0-(517) 351-7565 JANNETTA, DENNIS J. CLASS BN Scalawags Country Club 43244 Mound Rd. #101 Sterling Heights, Ml 48314 H-(810) 323-2806 O-(810) 949-7308 KRAUSE, RONALD J. (VICKI) CLASS AN Somerset Golf Club 2646 Hessel Rochester Hills, Ml 48307 H-(248) 852-1892 0(248) 643-7042 FAX-(248) 816-9904 A Patch of Green - 27 - Spring Issue, 2000 New Member Roster MEISTER, KEVIN A. CLASS CN Bay Pointe Golf Club 9640 Log Cabin Trail White Lake Twp, Ml 48363 H-(248) 698-4615 0(248) 363-0144 FAX-(248) 363-3696 SKOLNIK, SHAYNE S. CLASS BN Brentwood/Beacon Hill LLC 5419 N. Milford Rd. Highland, Ml 48356 H-(248) 887-5048 0-(248) 684-1148 FAX-(248) 684-1075 SPOONER, SCOTT R. CLASS BN Oak Pointe Country Club 275 Lake Village Dr. #101 Ann Arbor, Ml 48103 O-(810) 227-4597 Make these changes to your roster: Business phone (pg. 32) BARNO, TIMOTHY J. Prime Turf O-(800) 677-8097/ (708) 301-1110 Cell-(248) 797-2124 Fax-(734) 207-1645 Club, phone (pg. 37) DAVIS, DONALD W. Rochester Hills Golf Club 0-(248) 852-4800 FAX-(810) 852-0546 Club, address, phone (pg. 45) HUGHES, THOMAS Great Oaks Country Club 111 Great Oaks Blvd. Rochester, Ml 48307 0-(248) 651-9159 FAX-(248) 651-9247 E-Mail (pg. 48) KELLER, JAMES A. golfjak@hotmail.com Commercial/Environmental Turf Services Contract Aerification Includes: Soil Reliever Aerifier Terra Topper Top Dresser Terra Power Broom ni© ' * * * * * * Schedule your appointment early! 1-800-231 LAWN (5296) 1-248-858-7700 FAX 1-248-338-0429 Turf Pros Nobody knows turf like the folks at Michigan State Seed Company. Whether it’s a tee box or fairway, rough or green, the experts at Michigan State Seed Company evaluate your specific situation, make recommendations, and deliver exactly what you need to make your turf look its finest. (Which makes you look pretty fine, too.) Choose from our wide selection of proven bentgrass performers, such as: • Providence • Penncross • Pennlinks • Penneagle • SR1119 • Dominant And ask about our custom mixture programs formulated for your site and budget. YouTl never come up short at Michigan State Seed Company. We contract with numerous research and production firms so we have access to the best varieties available. Give us a call today and we’ll help you improve your turf score. Michigan State Seed Company Seed you can count on plus a whole lot more. Mulches Establisher Low Maintenance Care-free Fine Fescue Erosion Control/Blankets Futerra Wildflowers/Grasses For reclamation areas 717 N. Clinton • Grand Ledge, MI 48837 800-647-8873 • 517-627-2164 A Patch of Green - 28 - Spring Issue, 2000 M ake T h e s e C h a n g e s To Y o u r R oster Custom Aerification Services toe. Custom Aerification Services can aerate up to 15 acres a day using state of the art equipment and experienced operators. Let us show you why contracting your aerifica­ tion just simply makes a lot of sense. 1323 Cedaitiill Dr. East Lansing, Mich. 4 88 23 www.CustomAerification.com Serving the Midwest since 1991 3 John Deere Aercore 1500's for your fairways. 1 John Deere Aercore 800 for your greens and tees. Call Now! Set a date early! Talk to Doug or Josh (517)351-7565 1-800-824-3956 Club, phone (pg. 49) LA BELLE, PATRICK J. Davey GC Mgmt 0-(248) 332-6690 Address (pg. 52) MAXFIELD, LLOYD R. 14 Lake Linden Dr. Bluffton, SC 29910-6418 Club, phone (pg. 54) METZNER, CARL O. Inkster Valley Golf Course 0-(734) 467-5956 Club, phone (pg. 53) MC VETY, JERRY L. Oakhurst Golf & Country Club 0-(248) 393-3353 FAX-(248) 393-3356 Club, address, phone (pg. 57) NOWAKOWSKI, JOHN E. Port Huron Golf Club 4101 Fairway Drive Ft. Gratiot, Ml 48059 O-(810) 385-3091 FAX-(810) 385-8699 Club, phone (pg. 57) O’MELL, MARK A. Salt River Golf Club O-(810) 725-2424 FAX-(810) 725-8289 Address, phone, spouse (pg. 66) SOWATSKY, ERIC J. (GINNY) 36682 Jefferson Ct. #5104 Farmington Hills, Ml 48335 H-(248) 427-0864 Club, address, phone (pg. 67) THOMPSON, JASON A. Caves Valley Golf Club 205 Riverway Ct. #204 Owings Mills, MD 21117 H-(410) 654-1660 O-(410) 356-1317 Address (pg. 68) TYRPAK, JOEL T. 7730 Charrington Dr. Canton, Ml 48187 It's not just well built, it’s also well rounded. Meet the Steiner 525, the ultimate in performance and versatility. Constant four-wheel drive and a fully articu­ lated frame make the 525 downright agile, and Steiner craftsm anship makes it strong and reliable. But the real beauty of the 525 is its ability to do the work of more than a dozen different single-purpose machines. In a few minutes, thanks to its "Quick- Hitch" attachments, you're ready to mow, move dirt and snow, edge, blow, chip, aerate and more. So, if you're ready for a tractor that's as well rounded as it is well built, have we got a Steiner for you. Financing available through Dealers Credit, Inc. (800) 735-1903 THE STEINER A TURF TRACTOR WITH A DIFFERENT TWIST STEINER INDUSTRIAL VEHICLE & TURF SALES 361 S. SAGINAW PONTIAC, MI 48341 PHONE: 248 338-1590 * FAX: 248 338-4604 A Patch of Green - 29 - Spring Issue, 2000 For This Millennium... D rinn L IJIJIJ Trust This Millennium... Distributed by: TURFGRASS, INC. P. O. Box 66n 28064 Pontiac Trail S. Lyon, MI 48178 Call 800-521-8873 or 248-437-1427 (call collect) Tee Time • Uniformity • Consistency • Expertise Andersons Greater Detroit GCSA 2000 Calendar Bald Mountain Special Olympics Annual Golf Championship Site & Date TBA Picnic Links of Pinewood "The Invitational" April 24 West Shore GCC Joint Meet w/ Ontario GCSA May 19 June 15 Greystone July Aug. 3 Aug. 23 MSU Sept. 20 Maple Lane GC Wolfram Classic Oct. 2 "The Big Event" Oct. 16 Nov. 4 Dec. Dec. 12 Plum Hollow CC Annual Business Meeting Double Tree Novi GCSAA Regional Seminar Gem Theatre Birmingham CC Supt. Only Roundtable Holiday Party Field Day Mid-Michigan Turf Association 2000 Calendar Pohlcat GC Joint Meeting w/WMGCSA May 3 May 9 Wheatfield Valley Ubley Heights CC June July 10 Fore Lakes GC Aug. 21 Flint Elks GC Sept. 11 Bay City CC Site & Date TBA Annual Meeting Oct. Fundraiser Western Michigan GCSA 2000 Calendar Heritage Glen GC Pohlcat CC Pilgrims Run GC Quail Ridge GC Chapter Championship Egypt Valley CC Golf Day Muskegon CC Joint Meeting w/MMTA Annual Meeting April 18 May 3 June 13 July 18 Sept. 18 Oct. 9 Northern Michigan Turf Managers Association 2000 Calendar Grayling Holiday Inn Mini-Conference Treetops Resort Meeting & Golf Beaver Creek Annual Picnic The Loon GC Emerald Vale GC Fundraiser Traverse City GC Tuck Tate Championship April 10 May July 16 Aug. 8 Sept. 12 Oct. 2 A Patch of Green 30 - Spring Issue, 2000 "Our Commitment to the Greater Detroit Area Continues to Grow." Distributors 1050 North Opdyke Rd., Auburn Hills, Michigan 800.822.2216 Spartan Distributors would like to welcome Mike Casey, our new Golf Irrigation Service Technician. The Reel Deal. Get the Deal of the 2000!! Mow with a touch of class...SAVE up to an additional $ 2 0 0 0 on your best deal!! ♦Purchase one additional set of Groomers, Verticuts, 7, 9, or 11 Blade cutting units, or set of Tournament rollers for an additional $ 1,599.00 with the purchase of a New Tri-Plex mower w/ cutting units Call your Sales Professional Today!! CUSHMAN JACOBSEN RANSOMES RYAN W.F. MILLER CO. f ‘ K i S The Professional’s Choice on Turf 25125 Trans-X Drive P.O. Box 605 Novi, Ml 48376 Phone: (248) 349-4100 Fax: (248) 349-0406 E-mail: sales@wfmiller.com www.wfmiller.com TEXTRON TURF CARE AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS 4 3 1 5 * * * * * * * - * * * * 5 _ q j G JT 4 8 8 2 4 PETE COOKINGHAM MSU MAIN LIBRA RV /W 212 EAST LANSING MI 4 8 8 2 4 lilii) )iili) ii)iii) iji) P.O. Box 173 Troy, Ml 48099 USA The Official Publication of the Greater Detroit Golf Course Superintendents Association BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID PONTIAC MAILING SVC