O r D o w n r ig h t O b s e s s iv e? For those who think their fairways can never be too clean, we submit our B Series Lightweight Fairway Mowers and our Fairway Tender Conditioners (FTCs). Just by putting FTCs on our 3215B, 3235B, or our new 3225B, you’ll discover what clean really means. Grass stands up for an even, clean cut and a true playing surface, And the rear roller power brush finishes the job up right by removing built-up material as well as dispersing any leftover clippings. You’ll also find an improved yoke and ball joints for better grass collecting; and an electric fan drive for improved noise levels and engine cooling. Nothing Runs Like a Deere® WEINGARTZ Cedar Springs 11875 Northland Drive 877-465-9040 www.weingartz.com “We Service What We Sell” Since 1945 Farmington Hills 39050 Grand River 888-4JD-TURF John Deere www.JohnDeere.com The Official Publication of the Greater Detroit Golf Course Superintendents Asociation Contents 5 ............................ On Par With The President 7 ......................................... Member Viewpoint 1 4 ............................Association Championship 1 5 .................................. Boat Cruise Wrap-Up 1 6 & 1 7 ............................ Boat Cruise Pictorial 1 8 ................. Holiday Party Announcement 1 9 .................................. The View From M.S.U. 2 0 .......... Associations Still Have Their Souls 21 23 ................................. June 2 4 ................... . . . . . June 26 Board Meeting 25 & 26 . . . ...................... New Member Roster 2 7 .............................................. Roster Update 3 0 .....................................Calendars of Events .........Special Olympics Fundraiser Update 12 Board Meeting 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 Dayv Co-Awards, Industrial Relations Terry Poley Committees: Co-Social, Co-Michigan Room Jon Shreve, CGCS Committees: Co-Special Olympics, Co-Education 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 - Mid-Summer Issue, 2001 Install Confidence. Install Rain Bini®. IMI We have complete confidence. From the most advanced, user-friendly central control systems to top quality rotors and innovative swing joints, Rain Bird focuses on engineering complete golf course irrigation systems to cover all of your specific watering needs—both today and tomorrow. Rain Bird’s reliable and easy-to-use systems are proven and fully supported by outstanding service. As your irrigation requirements change, Rain Bird will change with you by ensuring that our latest innovations are compatible with your existing equipment. Because you need to trust your irrigation system, install Rain Bird and be confident. Valley Turf Grandville 616-532-2885 Kalkaska 231-369-3482 Detroit 810-220-2040 Ra/n ^ B /rd www.valleyturf.com on par 1? president I was driving to work one morning and heard a portion of a commercial that dealt with receiving something extra or some bonus material. One of the examples given was finding three peanuts in the same shell. The mental image that I drew immediately made the message hit home with me. I, like many people, enjoy receiving something for nothing and it usually does not take much of a bonus to bring a smile to my face. Even today, finding that third peanut in the same shell gives me the feeling that I have received a bonus peanut. The third peanut in the same shell, when taken at face value is not much, and not very significant when it is viewed in the grand scale of life, but when it is broken down to a very elementary level it then begins to have relevance. Now I would like you to think back to an earlier time when any one of the following events happened to you. Have you ever found three peanuts in the same shell, or perhaps you found a couple bucks in an old pair of jeans, or received a compliment that was totally unanticipated? Remember at first there was the pleasant surprise of receiving something that was totally unexpected and which brought a smile to your face? Then came the thrill and exhilaration of receiving something extra that was totally unforeseen. And finally, what probably followed was a sense that you were lucky or fortunate and you probably had a special feeling that things were looking up. Such little things and yet they had a profound impact on us. Remember that it did not cost us any more and yet we gained a lot from it. Some may say that these are just trivial things and not worth much, and not important. But it did bring a smile to your face, and put some spring into your step. Maybe it turned your whole day around. We must remember that we are not alone in our need for recognition and rewards. We should never forget the people we work with. A few words of encouragement, a pat on the back or a simple "thank you"' can have a huge impact. How about we, in the words of a famous television chef, "kick it up a notch"? How about some donuts in the morning, or a few extra minutes for lunch or some cool refreshments in the afternoon? As the golf season roars along with league play, invitationals, outings, club championships and more, let's not forget the little things that will add up to make it a successful summer. I for one will never tire of finding that third peanut in the same shell. Sincerely, Roy A. Szyndlar A Patch of Green - 5 - Mid-Summer Issue, 2001 THE MOST PROFITABLE SQUARE FOOT ON YOUR COURSE. ■ Avoid costly weather delays and expenses. Use the accurate and easy-to-use forecasts and current radar maps to schedule staffing, chemical applications, irrigation, and course maintenance. ■ Maximize course scheduling and tee times. With access to current, accurate weather information, course events and tee times can he postponed or delayed, rather than canceled, increasing your profits and ensuring players' safety. ■ Use a single source to quickly and easily access the information you need. The C&P Press Turf Product Index is included with your system, along with évapotranspiration tables, a helpful tool for accurately planning watering and chemical applications, and much more. Call Toll Free: 1-866-230*1020 www.dtnweather.com NOW AVAILABLE: THOR GUARD LIGHTNING PREDICTION SYSTEM A Patch of Green - 6 - Mid-Summer Issue, 2001 Member Viewpoint Changes I Have Experienced In My Golf Course Career by Dick Matthews, C.G.C.S. Golf Course Director Riverview Highlands Golf Course I can vividly remember, when I began working in the golf industry in 1973, the first time I saw a Green Machine Weed Eater. It was, without a doubt, the greatest invention I had experienced as a young grass trimmer. You might ask what kind of nut would make such a statement? Let me explain. At that time it was customary for me to push a rotary mower around all of the trees on the original 9- hole golf course at Riverview Highlands, a job that was never ending. And any strands of grass that were missed were trimmed by bending over with a pair of those hand grass the that maintenance shop over invention was astounding. And when it broke down that first time, it was a bummer to be told to start pushing that old mower all over the place again. Thank goodness it was only a 9-hole golf course then. the excitement this new trimmers. So, filled The notes above outline just one of many changes that have come along during my career in the golf industry since that time. Nowadays, the staff members using the line trimmers might think I'm a little crazy in saying that the weed eater is a great addition to the tools that help to increase one's output and improve the quality of the work at the same time. But, this change, this improvement to the options available to the golf course superintendent has had one of the most amazing affects on the turfgrass maintenance industry. What about other changes that have occurred in our industry since that time in 1973? Let's see now, there was the introduction of the triplex greens mower, which took the place of those walking greens mowers that were so popular for so long. Ah, you youngsters thought those triplex mowers were around forever, did ya? I had the dubious honor of walk mowing the greens on the original 9 holes and I sure was delighted to be taught the ins and outs of operating that first triplex greens mower. I could mow 9 holes in 1.5 hours, change the cups while I was doing the mowing and move the tee markers while moving from one hole to another. When it used to take me about 6 hours just to walk mow the greens, it became apparent that the new riding greens mower was a great addition to the fleet, allowing us to be so much more effective and productive. I know that many courses still incorporate the use of a walking greens mower for some or all of their greens mowing, but the advent of triplex greens mower revolutionized the greens mowing industry, without a doubt. How about the invention of the Accu-Gauge by John Kosmalski? I worked for John when he was the Director of Golf at Riverview Highlands and he was always interested in developing a way of setting heights of cut on greens mowers. He later came up with this idea that has transformed the height setting from the archaic process used prior to the introduction of his tool in the late 1970's. To set the heights in my early days, we used that bar of steel with the screw threaded through it. Does anyone remember this technique? There may still be someone out there using this technique, but this newest tool saved a number of headaches and allowed the mechanic to adjust heights more accurately and less often. The mechanic was afforded more time within his normal work day to devote to other repairs of equipment, a direct positive result of the development of this tool. No other tool has had such a profound affect on the golf industry in my mind. This one tool made it possible to set heights of cut at such an accurate level that there remains no doubt about the quality of cut that will occur. Speaking of heights of cut, it was customary for us to mow our greens at one quarter inch. That's right, .250". A far cry from today's heights that are being achieved: .10" has got to be an amazingly fast surface to putt a golf ball on. It has to be like trying to putt in a bathtub with the thought being to have the ball stop short of the drain: Impossible. Ah, the Stimp meter. The tool that was supposed to help the golf course superintendent provide his members with consistant putting green speeds. The tool that later caused such a competitive atmosphere between golf course superintendents when members would announce that they played so and so's golf course and their greens were faster because their superintendent said his greens were Stimping at 9 and we hear ours are only rolling at 8. And so the competition caused by this simple tool resulted in an industry embroiled in providing the fastest greens. The spinoff is that the members of this industry rose to the occasion to find ways to provide the fastest greens ever. And find it, they did. Now, it's not uncommon to hear that A Patch of Green - 7 - Mid-Summer Issue, 2001 Simplot p . R T N e ^ T, The global leader in turf and horticulture products Local Michigan Offices 24800 N. Industrial Drive Farmington Hills, Ml 48335-1557 (248) 474-7474 • (800) 482-6520 Fax (248) 474-3228 85147th Street SW • Suite C Wyoming, Ml 49509-5103 (616) 257-8492 • (877) 593-8873 Fax (616) 257-8495 Call your local Simplot Partners Salesman for more information Dan Shemon 248.640.4439 Marty Dominick 248.640.4440 Mark Frever 517.202.6660 Scott Trbovich 810.577.2507 Sue Shockey ’48 866 6081 Start the Maturai Cure All natural Nature Safe fertilizer feeds your soil and provides a High Energy Food Source for your golf course. Call your Simplot Partners salesman for details on the "Buy 3 pallets . . . Get One Free" program! J4CI W A Patch of Green - 8 - Mid-Summer Issue, 2001 a private club is offering green speeds that a few years ago would have been impossible to imagine. I am amazed that it is possible to sustain the life of these grass plants at such short heights of cut. Who is maintaining greens at the height of .10"? I can't wait to give them a try. Do you think that Donald Ross could have ever imagined that his greens would be mowed to the levels they are being kept at in this day and age? I mentioned the use of triplex greens mowers earlier. But I also remember the fairway mowers that I pulled behind the tractor (that's right, we used a tractor to cut fairways). It was a seven gang of Roseman's and each mower had a lever to engage or disengage the unit to spin the reel when the tractor began to move. The reels were spun by movement across the ground. The weight of the unit on its rear wheels turned a sprocket which rotated a chain to spin the reel when the tractor pulled the unit. None of that sissy hydraulic pressure stuff. Pure and simple mechanics at work here folks. Each reel had to be disengaged before leaving the fairway or it would scalp the rough. So it was off the tractor to disengage, then back on the tractor to drive to the next fairway, then off the tractor again to engage the reels to cut the fairway, then back on to cut the turf, then back off to disengage the reels, then back on to transport to the next fairway. I think you get the idea. All that on and off the tractor was great exercise, but a vast amount of time was used to do the job. The advent of the riding fairway units with hydraulic lift drive units made it possible to be more effective and provide a better quality surface to play from. I'll take the quality of today in our fairways over yesterday’s conditions any day. One thing for sure, we got our exercise in those days at work while on the clock. I didn't know of too many golf course maintenance people then who were paying to get exercise after hours at a fitness center. The changes in the maintenance of the roughs has also been a great blessing. We used to pull a five gang of Roseman rough mowers behind a tractor. These mowers were engaged and disengaged by the same routine as the fairway units mentioned above. The good part of that work was only having to get off the tractor to engage and disengage the mowers to move across a road or to travel across a bridge to another section of the golf course. There was not a concern for scalping, so often times we just drove across the fairway to get to the roughs on the other side. Then we purchased our first set of reels with hydraulic lift and belt drive to the reels. We became very efficient for we could mow and mow and mow without having to get off the tractor to engage and disengage the reels. Just had to work that power take off (p.t.o.) lever. What a time-saver. And now we are using pull-behind rotary mowers to provide and even better quality playing condition with less time involved. One problem though; all these changes caused us to have to find a way to stay in shape away from work. Climbing on and off those tractors had its reward. Are you getting the idea here? The changes just keep on coming. Whether we want them or not. They keep coming. We can accept this fact or we can fight it, but sooner or later, the changes have a way of moving into our programs. Some by choice, others because it is required. irrigation How about improvements in the industry? Automatic systems replaced the need for night water staff members. I used to dread watering at night when I would find some of the heads turned off or moved by those ghosts that roamed the course after hours. I would come to a spot where I knew there was supposed to be a head running, and it would be up the fairway a couple more valve locations. Oh, that was eerie. But the irrigation industry hasn't stopped there with the advent of making systems operate automatically. How about the older electro-mechanical by computers that provide multiple use capabilities to the superintendent? And radio frequency controlled field receivers. Operation of individual sprinkler heads through the use of a hand-held radio. Water management systems. Computerized pump station control panels. The invention of gear-driven sprinkler heads. Valve improvements. Computerized pump control systems. Pre-assembled swing joints. P.V.C. and polyethylene pipe. I'm sure many of you can remember more changes in the irrigation industry than I have noted above. And, there's more to come, you can be sure of that. irrigation clocks replaced How many of you are still picking up the clippings from the fairways to reduce the level of heat production at the surface of the turf? Was it the added heat at the surface or the heavier equipment in those days causing more compaction that caused detriment to the turf? Those grass piles in the maintenance yards sure were something to deal with in those days! The changes that have occurred with turfgrasses is quite astonishing. I graduated from Michigan State University's Turfgrass Management Program in 1976 and it makes my head spin to think of the many changes that have occurred with the types of grasses that were available then as opposed to now. As I mentioned earlier, heights of cut on greens were at .250" then. Penncross Creeping Bentgrass was the choice of seed type for the greens. And now the alphabet bentgrasses are making it possible to mow at heights that provide green speeds equal to U.S. Open standards on a regular basis. Merion Kentucky Bluegrass was a regular in the seed bags at that time, but as time moved on, Merion became susceptible to Fusarlum Blight. From that sprang the development of a great variety of bluegrass types to assist the turf manager with more resistance to diseases and insects, along with wear tolerance, color, blade width, density and more. Many of the turf types have gone through similar transitions and are now available in blends and mixes that make it interesting when deciding on the types to use on one's golf facility. A Patch of Green - 9 - Mid-Summer Issue, 2001 C H I P C p P R O F E S S I O N A L P R O D U C T S Aventis Insecticides Chipco* • • De I ta Gard' • Sevin’ Choice™ Fungicides • 26GT • ProStar” • Banol’ • Chipco* Signature™ • Chipco* 26019 • Miette* Herbicides • R o n s t a r ’ • Prograss’ • Acclaim’ Extra • llloxan* Plant Growth Regulators • Proxy’ Keeping Golf Courses Green effective, responsible controls with Aventis Environmental Science chipco Professional Products Joe Grippi Sales Representative Tel. (616) 844-7551 Fax (616)844-7550 Voice Mail (800) 577-5163 Ext. 3350 Mobile (616) 460-8560 e-mail: Joe.Grippi@aventis.com 13821 148th Avenue Grand Haven, Ml 49417 Aventis Environmental Science USA LP / Chipco Professional Products / 95 Chestnut Ridge Road / Montvale, NJ 07645 / 201-307-9700 A Patch of Green -10- Mid-Summer Issue, 2001 it became important the to manage And if it wasn't for plant pathology, where would we be? When I graduated from M.S.U., it was customary for poa annua to take a nose dive in the middle of the summer. It was thought to be wilt, but was later identified as anthracnose. Instead of trying to syringe the turf to keep it moist, turf ecologically and with fungicides to co-exist with the disease and provide a better stand of grass, even in the summer months with that devilish grass commonly known strictly by the name "Poa," which, by the way, used to strike fear into the hearts of many of us just to hear its name spoken in those days. And how about that famous fungicide, "Benomyl." It was lauded as the fungicide to end all fungicides. You'll never need another disease prevention product ever again is what I remember hearing. Oops, the diseases had a surprise in store: resistance. Good thing the plant pathologists recognized the need to develop other types of controls for disease prevention. Plant pathologists, without a doubt, have made it possible to provide more excellent playing conditions at lower heights of cut. Thanks to these individuals, we can now maintain turf at heights of cut in healthy condition, heights that just a few years ago would not have been considered possible. Topdressing greens just came to mind. I've seen quite a transition with this concept through the years. I recall many a day spent loading up a small trailer with topdressing mix and then spreading the mix, one shovel full at a time, across the greens. We would cover the entire green surface with a fairly thick layer of a dark, black soil mix and if we were good with the application, you couldn't see one bit of grass through the mix. After covering the green with the mix, and after considerable time for drying, we would push a magnesium rake across the green with the flat side facing downward to drive some of the mix into the surface of the green. A good amount of the mix would end up being spread across the aprons and into the surrounding rough grasses with this process. And as you can imagine, we were exhausted after a day of this fun. It would take all summer to get one good application on the greens. By the time we progressed to the last green, our coverage was a little less than perfect. One could actually see turf showing through our well metered application. Then along came the idea to apply lighter amounts of topdressing to the surface of the greens on a more regular basis throughout the year. What kind of blasphemy was this? How could this work? There went all that fun and free exercise. We now have incorporated this topdressing idea into our program for quite a number of years, to provide smoother putting surfaces, to keep the thatch layer thinner, resulting in less disease pressure and to keep a better surface for receiving golf shots. I don't know of anyone still employing the old shovel routine for topdressing application, but if you need a lesson in the proper technique, give me a call. I'll come out and explain it, just don't ask me to show you how it's done. I'm way out of shape now. Remember the beginning of the "Right to Know Laws?" I know I was sure we would never be able to get a handle on that one. I'll be the first one to admit that this was a move in the right direction to protect us, and those around us. This change has brought about a much safer and more efficient way of operating than experienced prior to being instituted. That riding trap rake hasn't always been part of the fleet. The first unit purchased at Riverview Highlands was outfitted with a drag unit that only allowed us to rake the sand. Prior to that time in 1973, many an hour was spent raking the bunkers by hand. Oh, that was some hot work then because the greens had to be mowed in the morning, along with changing cups and moving tee markers. Then you prayed that someone else would have to go out in the hot afternoon sun to hand rake those big bunkers while you got to mow the tees and aprons with that beautiful green Locke mower, the one with the hard metal seat. Nowadays, there are so many options available on a trap rake to help with raking sand, and cultivation of turf, it's hard to call it a trap rake anymore. Speaking of raking sand, the bunker sand styles have gone through quite a transition over time. My good buddy Roy Szyndlar (the Prez) says he remembers courses that used to keep their native soils loosened as sand bunker material. Now we install material that is screened to meet all kinds of criteria before being considered acceptable. And at quite a high cost as well. Today's sands are much more golfer friendly. Even a player like me can keep it on the green out of the newer white sands that most courses are using these days. I've mentioned a few of the changes that have occurred in this industry since I began working at Riverview Highlands Golf Course in March of 1973. I'm sure many of you have similar experiences come to mind as you review what has transpired at your facility. Even those who have been in this industry a short time can surely bring to mind a number of changes that have taken place. They are coming at a fast pace, a pace that is often hard to keep up with. My experiences with changes span a short period of time when compared to the likes of individuals like Ted Woerhle and Clem Wolfram. They can really take you back to times that are light years away from where we are at present. I have used this space to awaken you to the great affect that changes have had on our industry and in our lives. These improvements have made it possible to be more productive and provide a better product for our members and customers the comments heard at Riverview Highlands are very positive about the conditions of the facility, which is a direct result of the changes that have occurred in the golf maintenance industry since the golf course was first opened on May 15, 1973. Are you ready for more? I know I am. Can't wait to see what's coming next. Don't hide your head in the sand thinking you can avoid what is coming. Better yet, embrace the idea that the coming changes can assist in to enjoy. Anymore, A Patch of Green -11 - Mid-Summer Issue, 2001 THE BIG EVENT Monday, October 1, 2001 36th ANNUAL TURFGRASS RESEARCH BENEFIT $125 PER MAN 4 MAN SCRAMBLE Choose the site! Bay Pointe Golf Club (W. Bloomfield) Great Oaks Country Club (Rochester) Knollwood Country Club (W. Bloomfield) Lakelands Golf & Country Club (Brighton) Meadowbrook Country Club (Northville) y c i c ENTRY FCRA4 IS IN THIS ISSUE 0E A PATCH ©E GREEN A Patch of Green - 12- Mid-Summer Issue, 2001 F l i g h t C q a w o z ™ A BIRD REPELLENT THAT WORKS! • Visual detection through UV sensitivity of birds • Insoluble, stable and virtually odorless • EPA registered • Apply at 0.5 gallons per acre Ask your LESCO sales representative for more information or call 800-321-5325 A LESCO Industry Exclusive LESCO isaregistered trademark ofLESCO. Inc. Flight Control is a trademark of EBI. Iml Cart Paths Specializing in: your developing better management skills. Get yourself ready for laser mowers and robotic units that will mow your golf course at night while your home sleeping. How about genetics in turfs that will change all that we do to keep them alive and in excellent playing condition? The changes are coming, just read the Patch of Green and the GCSAA Management The Superintendent) magazines to know this to be true. Be flexible and absorb all you can because you will need to keep up with what your competitors are providing. Who are your competitors you might ask? It could be the superintendent at the neighboring golf course. Of course, with all parts of the world becoming so much easier to experience, you could be competing with the conditions a superintendent is producing on the other side of the planet. Oh, that's food for thought. (formerly entitled I write this article in recognition of the maintenance techniques used throughout my career that were always the most up to date and affordable turfgrass maintenance concepts of their time. And as time has marched on, so have the improvements to the maintenance concepts at Riverview Highlands. We had to change and Improve to keep up with those around us. If we had tried to stay the same, not any one person would be Interested in playing our golf courses with greens cut at a height of.250". Let's see now, that would maybe roll at somewhere around 4 on the Stlmp meter once the grass dried in the late morning. Yes, I think it was best for us to recognize the changes that needed to be made as the years went on by. Thanks for taking the time to read this article all the way to the end. I hope I've been able to inspire you, at least a little bit, about the changing world that we work and live within. Good luck to you all. Installation of new asphalt cart paths Installation of stone paths ♦ ♦ Resurface existing cart paths ♦ ♦ Grading ♦ Sub-grade preparation ♦ Sub-base preparation ♦ Restoration WHETHER YOUR COURSE IS WELL ESTABLISHED OR IN THE DEVELOPING STAGES, LET ASPHALT CART PATHS HELP TO INCREASE YOUR REVENUE. Free Estimates State Qualified Insured References PRO-LINE ASPHALT (248) 651-7271_________ A Patch of Green -13 - Mid-Summer Issue, 2001 THE ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONSHIP Jon Shreve, CGCS Lakelands Golf & Country Club This year's tournament was held on Thursday June 21st at the new and spectacular Boulder Pointe Golf Club, located just north of Oxford, which is about 12 miles north of the Palace. When I got there, I was wishing I had more than shorts and a short sleeve shirt on, as it was quite cold and cloudy. It wasn't long until it began to rain, so I put on the rain gear and continued to play. As the day went on the rain continued until my playing partners and I decided to call it quits after 14 holes. My decision may have had something to do with the fact that I was 18 over par and out of contention for the tournament. I certainly can't blame my poor play on the condition of the course though, as Scot Gardiner and his crew had the one- year- old course in great shape. I was impressed with the sheer size of the property and surrounding development, not to mention the dramatic elevation changes afforded by utilizing a former gravel pit for a course layout. In talking to Scot later, I was informed that the 27-hole course comprises 360 acres of a 1,500 acre development that someday will be completely surrounded by homes and condominiums. Many of the homes and condos were already up but appeared to be a bit out of my price range. One cool thing to help us around the course was a cart-mounted GPS that displayed an aerial view of the hole and a distance to the pin. Once on the green, your work was far from over, as you had to negotiate the fast undulating greens, created by the design team of Conroy and Dewling. That's where I seemed to have most of my problems, as I'm used to the small, flat greens at my home course. In addition to the panoramic views from the higher elevations, there were at least a dozen large ponds throughout the layout to provide challenge and beauty to the round. Scot has been working with Greg Lyman and company in implementing buffer strips around the ponds that will be aesthetically pleasing while protecting these open waterways from runoff. After all the wet participants finished golfing we gathered in the beautiful big clubhouse, where Greg Lyman's team gave a nice presentation on buffer strips. Although many of us have heard about this before, Greg has developed new guidelines for us to follow at our courses. If we can let the grass grow a little higher around the pond edges it will certainly help to slow down the flow of runoff as it enters the water feature. There was some discussion as to whether this philosophy would fly at older established courses where playability and aesthetics would be affected. I can't see a place like Augusta National allowing buffer strips around their ponds that would stop player's balls from entering the water hazards. That decision will be up to the people at their respective clubs with the hope that they will protect the environment with their maintenance decisions. This year's winners were as follows: Low Gross Champion- Aaron McMaster- 80 Championship Flight / 0-10 handicap - Chris Andrejicka 83-7=761 Low Net Flight A /11-20 handicap - Mark McKinley- 86-14=72/Low Net Flight B / 21-30 handicap - Joe Singles-91-23=68/Low Net Vendor Flight Winner- Tim Barno- 81-13=68 Chris Andrejicka and Don Knop won the two closest-to-the-pin contests and there were six skin winners: Tim Osburn, Dale Wojcik, Tim Barno, Fritz McMullen, Chris Frank and Jim Higgs. Once again, many thanks to Scot Gardiner and his crew for preparing the course and to Carton Smith and Ezell Gaddis and their staffs for their help on the course and in preparing the fantastic meal. A Patch of Green -14- Mid-Summer Issue, 2001 Custom Aerification Services Inc. A c m e : > g n f X* W L • • 3 John D ee re A ercore 1 5 0 0 ’s for your fairw ay s. 1 John D ee re A ercore 8 0 0 for your greens a n d tee s. C a ll N o w ! S e t a d a t e e a r ly ! T a lk to D o u g o r Josh ( 5 1 7 ) 3 5 1 - 7 5 6 5 1 -8 0 0 -8 2 4 -3 9 5 6 Custom Aerification Services can aerate up to 15 acres a day using state of the art equipm ent and experienced operators. Let us show you why contracting your aerifica­ tion just simply makes a lot of sense. 1 3 2 3 Cedaitiill Dr. East Lansing, Mich. 4 8 8 2 3 www.CustomAerification.com Serving the Midw est since 1991 Versatility on wheels A turf tractor is only as good as the tools you can attach to it. Thanks to Quick-Hitch, Steiner turf tractors are the best in their field. With it's many and varied attachments, a Boat Cruise Wrap-Up by Rick Murphy and Ron Abbott This year's annual social event took place on the Portofino’s friendship boat, which is located in Wyandotte, on the Detroit River. All 82 passengers boarded the boat at 8:00 p.m. and headed up the river for a night cruise. Along the way we enjoyed the music of the Windever Saxophone Quartet, while viewing the many attractions on both sides of the river. Although it was a bit cool (not a terrible thing this time of year) we all enjoyed the sites and the camaraderie of our friends, family and peers, ft was a unique opportunity to do something different. Our summer social event has taken the place of the annual picnic. We would like to do something different and unique each year. If you have suggestions or ideas for such an event, please contact a board member. Best wishes for a productive and peaceful second half of the year. P.S. - Check out the photos from the trip on the following pages! And behind Quick-Hitch, you'll find the only turf tractor with con­ stant four-wheel drive, smooth power steering and our unique articulated frame. All backed by the Steiner reputation for reliability. For versatility on wheels, see your authorized Steiner dealer today. STEINER Steiner becom es anything you want it to be in five minutes or less. You can mow, move dirt and snow, edge, blow, chip, aerate and more. Financing available through Sheffield Financial, Corp. (800) 438-8892 THE STEINER A TURF TRACTOR WITH A DIFFERENT TWIST INDUSTRIAL VEHICLE SALES, INC. 45896 Woodward Avenue Pontiac, Ml 48341 (248) 338-1590 Fax(248) 338-4604 A Patch of Green -15 - Mid-Summer Issue, 2001 c m o o i - ö O 0 O ( O < m o < H O C C D — C O U J A Patch of Green -16 - Mid-Summer Issue, 2001 A Patch of Green -17 - Mid-Summer Issue, 2001 FREE NEXT DAY DELIVERY Seed & Landscape Supply Custom Grass Seed Mixing Wood & paper mulch Custom blend fertilizer Herbicides & Fungicides Straw & Wood erosion control blankets Staples, tackifier, dye and other hy­ droseed supplies Knowledgeable staff to solve ALL lawn problems We are dedicated to giving you the BEST quality and service available in the industry!! Brighton (800) 482-3130 B radley (877) 744-6657 S ag in aw (800) 790-1898 H arbor Springs (800) 677-1006 FREE NEXT DAY DELIVERY HOLIDAY PARTY ANNOUNCEMENT We are planning a Holiday Party that you won't want to miss. the Fox Theater, Dinner at followed by the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. So, mark for December 8th and join us for what promises to be a truly memorable evening. calendar your S & F CONSTRUCTION INC golf course specialists 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 -18 - Mid-Summer Issue, 2001 The View From M.S.U. Turfgrass Happenings from Michigan to Kansas to Toronto by Dr. Kevin Frank Crop and Soil Science Department Michigan State University What has happened to summer? Looking at my calendar today, I can hardly believe it's nearing the end of July. I could swear that just yesterday I was enjoying the Memorial Day weekend. It’s definitely been an interesting summer, as much of Michigan was very wet in May and early June, only to see the rains completely shut-off for the majority of June and July. Here in the Lansing area we experienced roughly four weeks of weather without any significant rainfall and the turf certainly shows it. Hopefully, the brief rains we’ve seen in the last couple of days will continue and wake the turf from its dormant slumber. If you’ve been cursing the hot temps and lack of rain, fear not, fall is on the way soon enough. I have had the privilege of attending two turfgrass research 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 meetings this summer. The first was the yearly North Central Region Turfgrass Research Meetings, which were hosted by Kansas State University at Colbert Hills Golf Course in Manhattan, Kansas. Many of you have probably heard about Colbert Hills, as the GCSAA has featured the course in several articles in Golf Course Management. The course is built out of the native prairie Flint Hills region in Kansas and is indeed a unique setting. At 7525 yards from the back tees it is definitely enough course to challenge anyone. The day we toured the course the winds were a brisk 30 mph, and yes, even I was smart enough to avoid those black and blue tees at over 7000 yards. The turf team at K.S.U. is using the golf course and the surrounding prairie ecosystem to evaluate the effects of golf courses on the environment, both pre- and post-construction. Stay tuned for the results as their research unfolds. The second meeting was the Ninth International Turfgrass Society Research Conference in Toronto, Canada. This meeting included turfgrass researchers from six continents and over 200 research presentations. This meeting afforded the opportunity to interact with scientists from around the world and gain new appreciations for aspects of turf management, such as cricket pitches. Turfgrass research continues to evolve and the expectations for genetically modified turfgrasses becoming available in the future are great. Beyond herbicide resistance, many researchers are working to develop turfgrasses tolerant to temperature extremes and disease pressure. M.S.U. was well represented at the meetings and I, Thom Nikolai and John Sorochan presented papers. Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the upcoming Michigan Turfgrass Conference, January 21-24, 2002. It seems like a very long way away, but if any hot topic ideas have struck you feel need consideration for the conference, please feel free to contact me. The program is rounding into shape nicely, but there's always the potential to squeeze one more talk in. My ears are always open, so give me a jingle. this summer that you A Patch of Green - 19- Mid-Summer Issue, 2001 Reprinted from Golf dom Magazine, July, 2001 Associations Still Have Their Souls by Joel Jackson Only you can protect the image and integrity of the profession. No marketing campaign or Professional Development Initiative has as much effect on how people perceive you as your own work ethic, conduct and appearance. Personal appearance seems to get overwhelming attention in some circles, though it's only a small part of your image. One superintendent recently told me his crew calls him "The Chameleon" because he often changes clothes if he has to go to the clubhouse for lunch or a meeting. He’s not being a prig; he's just being professional. Being a professional doesn't only mean wearing a coat and tie and knowing which fork to use at dinner. It means being knowledgeable in your field and using common courtesy and honesty in your everyday dealings with co-workers, members, customers, suppliers and superiors. But if superintendents control their own destinies, who controls the images of our local and national associations? The responsibility for those images, in part, falls to each group's board of directors. When the boards adopt programs and create partnerships, they don't operate in a vacuum. & MARC DUTTON I N C . I R R I G A T I O N , Y O U R IR R IG A T IO N PUMP STATIONS R E S O U R C E IN M IC H IG A N IRRIGATION Installation Automation Electrical repairs Mechanical repairs Controller upgrades Radio controls Installations Service Upgrades Authorized Service for FLOWTRONICS PSI WE INSTALL AND SERVICE ALL MAJOR IRRIGATION SYSTEMS 4720 Hatchery Road Waterford, Michigan 48329 (248) 674-4470 FAX (248) 674-3091 Contact DAVE or ED Although they may meet in small groups to conduct association business, they have to answer to the entire membership in the end. While we as superintendents wrestle with our own individual images, associations wrestle with the problem of how they appear to their members. Our national association, the GCSAA, is no exception. Though the GCSAA has clearly become a player in the golf business, some superintendents might wonder if it has purchased its place at the table for the price of its soul. I don't believe it has. A few years ago, when the GCSAA formed partnerships with industry corporations to sponsor many of its ongoing programs and conference events, the move met with significant resistance from traditionalists, who saw such partnerships as selling out superintendents' interests to those of the almighty dollar. They claimed it tarnished the image of the independent nature of superintendents. Coming on the heels of every PGA tour event and college football bowl game having a corporate name in the title, it was an understandable concern. But most people I have talked to consider it an investment, and they believe there was much soul searching and debate among board members before these partnerships. they approved There is a certain level of trust we should have in the board members to make decisions on the national association's behalf. The GCSAA doesn't have a PGA Tour, Ryder Cup or U.S. Open to raise money for programs or professional development. On the other hand, it does have valued industry partners who willingly contribute to the betterment of the profession. local chapters have done The GCSAA's corporate partnership program is a reflection of what for years. Local associations solicit sponsorships and donations from local suppliers for their own golf outings, tournaments, field days and state conferences frequently. They put up signs and run newsletter ads recognizing the vendor support. I don't see any difference between those long-standing practices and what they're doing on the national level. If there's a concern about our image, we shouldn’t look to the national to take care of it for us anyway. Look in the mirror first. If you're happy with the person looking back at you, you should have no worries. Joel Jackson, CGCS, retired from Disney's golf division in 1977 and is director of communications for the Florida GCSA. A Patch of Green - 20 - Mid-Summer Issue, 2001 SPECIAL OLYMPICS FUNDRAISER UPDATE $17,000 was raised this year at the May 18th outing. $15,000 will be donated to Michigan Special Olympics and $2,000 was used to purchase much needed items for the Group Living Facility in Flint. The freezer, dryer, microwave, bedding, hampers, dishes, towels and electric woks are much appreciated. Below are some "Special” thank you notes from our friends at the Group Home. (This is what it's all about, folks!) Consider yourself a can d id ate. Applications for the 2001 Environmental Leaders in Golf Awards are available from the May issue of Course Management magazine, chapter leaders, Golf Digest, participating sponsors and the GCSAA Service Center (800/472-7878) or the GCSAA Web site (www.gcsaa.org/environ/elga_form.html). We’ll look forward to receiving your application by October 1, 2001. A Patch of Green - 21 - Mid-Summer Issue, 2001 Specializing in Storm Water Management And NPDES Phase II Compliance Clarkston Yard Sashabaw Rd. & 1-75 6438 Sashabaw Road Clarkston, Michigan 48346 PH: (248)625-3303 FAX: (248)625-3304 Toll Free: (888) 752-7766 Romulus Yard Wayne Road and 1-94 35560 Goddard Road Romulus, Michigan 48174 PH: (734)941-4545 FAX: (734)941-4547 Toll Free: (888) 527-7660 Polyethylene; Storm / Sanitary: Custom Fabricated Caleb Basins HOPE Dual W all Corrugated Pipe Custom Fabricated Dual W all Fittings Corrugated Single W all Tubing / Fittings Edge D rain - Sock W rapped and Plain Sumps / Basins / Lids Septic Material: Polyethylene Cham ber Systems Polyethylene Septic Tanks Zabel Filters Pumps / Dosing Cham bers Polyethylene P ip e * Solid / Perforated Septic Fabric / Straw Erosion Blankets Steel Grating: Custom Channel Crating (6* thru 12*) Round C rating (Light / Medium / Heavy Duty) CUSTOM FABRICATION UPON REQ UEST Metal Culvert: Piping - Round and Arch Fittings End Sections Sch 40 / Seh 30 PVC Pipe / Fittings SDR 35 / SDR 28 PVC Pipe / Fittings HOPE Dual W ail Storm Sew er Pipe C ast Iron M an Hole Fram es / O rates Water Service: C -900 PVC W ater M ain / Fittings Polyethylene W ater Service Tubing / Fittings Copper W ater Service Tubing / Fittings Landscaping: HOPE Catch Basins / G rates NDS D rainage / M ASTER DISTR IB U TO R Geotextifes: W oven / Nom W oven / G eo G rids S lit Pence / Straw Erosion Blankets Other Supplies: Concrete - M ortars / Cem ents Solvents - PVC G lue / Prim er / SDR Lube Ferneo Couplings / Safety Fence KSI GRATES KSI CATCH BASIN CD > 3CLa> C/5O3 >0 ** CD *11c3CLo> OoCL n p □ n CTQ 3n> □ leXoiiun □ Jjn i Bilia □ ouiixjjnx □ biuo§u¿s □ su^sns □ j p o pujpums □ P^S □ apjpjaARi □ V Providing quality seed, mulches erosion control blankets, and starter fertilizers for all of your fall projects. TURFGRASS INC. 1-800-521-8873 1-248-437-1427 E-mail: lorac1991@ yahoo.com □ jj EoHOh□ cd Co o Oh□ < Oh□ "O 2 £□ -3O+•» □ c First in 2-Speed Sprinklers ♦> First in Computerized Central Controls ♦> First in Radio Control for Irrigation ❖ First in a Support Network for Irrigation Computers (NSN) Toro “Red Iron" - Your Course is Worth a Toro ♦> Solutions for Managing Your Business ♦> Make the Most of Your Time, Money, & Effort ♦♦♦ Investing in the Lifeblood of Your Course ♦> There’s No Time for Downtime ❖ ❖ ❖ Equipment that Doesn’t Quit at the I8lh Hole All Around Performers, All Around the Course Invest in Proven Technology and Techniques Spartan Distributors, Toro and You... Leadership Experience The Toro Difference Product Dependability A Strategic Alliance that Keeps You in Control! ❖ ❖ ❖ ♦> A Record of Success ❖ A Tradition of Dependability CHANGING PERSPECTIVES... ON TURF... ON WORTH. * QUALITY * LEADERSHIP * INNOVATION TORO. Spartan VK 1 Distributors 1050 Opdyke Rd. Auburn Hills, MI 48326 800.822.2216 487 W. Division St. Sparta, MI 49345 800.822.2216 We Believe the Future o f Golf is Worth Investing In! Pull the Plug on Soil Compaction. Ryan® Greensaire® Aerators W hether you need a walking, riding or towable aerator, the Ryan Greensaire series offers the productivity and versatility your course demands. The Greensaire 24 delivers 36 holes per square foot and has a walking transport speed of 4-mph. The Greensaire 30 riding aerator offers variable tine spacing and precise coring at depths of 3-3/4 inches. And for your fairways, the Cushman Greensaire 60 has a 60-inch coring width to aerate up to 1.5 acres per hour. For the leading aerators in the industry, come in or call today. TEXTRON / ^ \ www. ttcsp. textron. com ASRY-GA-0599 © 1999 Textron Turf Care And Specialty Products. All rights reserved. Printed in the IJ.S.A. WJ. MILLER CO. Ä The Professional's Choice On Turf 25125 Trans-x Road P.O. Box 605 Novi, Michigan 48376 248-349-4100 Phone 248-349-0406 Fax www.wfiniller.com RY A N TEXTRON TURF CARE AND SPECIALTY PRODUCTS P.O. BOX 173 Troy, Ml 48099 USA The Official Publication of the Greater Detroit Golf Course Superintendents Association 24 8 ****3c*3c* * * * 5 - d IG IT 48824 PETE COOK INGHAM MSI! M A I N L I B R A R Y / W 2 H 2 EAST L A N S I N G M3 48824 lini )}) ]} l i i l m h h l u l l In II PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PONTIAC MAILING SERVICE