Official Publication of the Michigan & Border Cities Golf Course Superintendents Association LET THE EXPERTS AT J. J. DILL HELP YOU MAKE IT " a g t p m ' BUY DIRECT • SAVE MONEY GET FAST DELIVERIES Your budget will buy more — in chemicals and equipment to apply them — when you deal direct with Dill. As manufacturer, formulator and/or distributor, Dill can save you money. Consistently. Dill offers the most com­ plete line of quality turf chemicals in the midwest . .t*%omplete with appn-*“ cation instructions. Dill is headquarters for complete lines of: • Fungicides • Herbicides • Algaecides • Insecticides • Fog- gers • Sprayers. PROMPT DELIVERY throughout southern Michigan and northwestern Ohio, including weekly shipment via our trucks covering the Detroit, Flint, Lansing and Toledo areas. Call Dill collect for Information, prices, and to place orders. (616) 349-7755 ¡¡St TIP OF THE MONTH FOR FALL & EARLY WINTER . . . Order your snow mol d c o n t r o l chemicals now! Call us for n e w e s t develop­ ments and recommenda- ations. VALUABLE CATALOG Latest edition, up-dated in all respects. Contains a wealth of in­ formation. Lists and describes hun dreds of chemicals, pesticides and equipment for maintenance of grounds and waters of golf courses, parks, recreation areas and resorts. J. J. DILL COMPANY KALAMAZOO, Ml 49005 Gentlemen: Please send your latest Turf Care Catalog. Box 788 Dept. PG-4 NAME ADDRESS C ITY-------- . STATE. .Z IP . " A Patch of Green” 31823 Utica Road, Fraser, Michigan 48026 (313) 293-3540 Published monthly by the Michigan and Border C itie s G o lf Course Superintendents A sso ciation C irculatio n 750 Ted Woehrle, Oakland Hills C.C. Clem Wolfrom, Detroit Golf Club C o-Editors Blakeman Publications Graphic A rts /C ir c u la tio n ADVERTISING RATES Double Page Spread...........................................• 100.00 Back Outside P a g e...................................................65.00 Full P age.......................................................................55.00 Half P age...................................................................... 35.00 Quarter P a ge................................................................25.00 Eighth P a ge..................................................................12.50 Sixteenth P a ge...............................................................7.50 C lassified Ad (per in ch )...........................................5.00 DISCOUNT RATES One Year 10 % THIS MONTH'S ADVERTISERS American Research Corp. Century Supply Corp. Certified Laboratories, Inc. J. J. Dill Company Gunter Co., Inc. Lakeshore Equipment Lawn Equipment Corp. W. F. Miller Garden Miller Sprinkling Systems 0. M. Scott & Sons Company Turfgrass, Inc. Turf Supplies, Inc. Terminal Sales Corp. Wilkie Turf Equipment Co. 3 MICHIGAN AND BORDER CITIES G O LF COURSE SU PER INTEN D ENTS ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT TED WOEHRLE Birmingham, Michigan OAKLAN D HILLS COUNTRY CLUB O ff. 644-3352, R es. 646-6512 TAM-O-SHANTER COUNTRY CLUB VICE PRESIDENT GERALD GILL 3466 Walnut Lake Road Orchard L ake, M ichigan Off. and R es. 626-8325 SECRETARY-TREASURER BOB HOPE KNOLLWOOD COUNTRY CLUB 6330 Inkster Road Birmingham. Michigan Off. and R es. 626-6062 BOARD OF DIRECTORS C. H. WOLFROM, JR. D E TR O IT GO LF CLUB D etroit, Michigan 530 Kendry (R e s.) ALBERT KALTZ M APLE LANE GOLF CLUB Sterling H gts., Michigan Off. 268-2130, R es. 463-2892 GARY BARTSCH PINE LAKE COU N TRY CLUB P .O . B ox 216 Orchard Lake. Michigan Off. 681-1322, R es. 476-5852 ROGER GILL R O YA L OAK GO LF CLUB R oyal Oak, Michigan Off. 549-7125, R es. 573-6859 GEORGE W. PRIESKORN 5341 Brighton R oad (R e s .) Brighton, M ichigan 48116 BURROUGHS FARMS GO LF CLUB R es. 227-1381 WILLIAM W. MILNE 220 C .C . Drive COUNTRY CLUB OF D ETROIT G rosse P oin ts Farms, Michigan O ff. 881-8000, R es. 886-9319 PRESIDENT EMERITUS WARD SWANSON PLUM HOLLOW GOLF CLUB 29642 W estfield (R e s .) L ivon ia, M ichigan Off. 352-2436, R es. 421-8049 The President’s Message forecast The economic for 1973 looks like a good one. The p u r s e strings should loosen up a little. Let’s hope that your Club or business will have a profitable year. responsibility The OSH Act will continue to make its presence felt. We can expect to hear more from them. Our particular areas of can be q u i t e r o u t i n e l y h a n d l e d by making necessary changes now to help comply to their laws. One a r e a o f concern that most Clubs would fail would be in electrical supply lines— most of them are inadequate and outlets are usafe. Ted Woehrie Be prepared to make corrections. Don’t fight it. It’ s here to stay. New equipment ideas continue to come from the manufacturers. Wait until you see some of the new ideas at the Equipment Show in Boston. F e r t i l i z e r s and chemicals are always improving. We are indebted to industry for continuing to supply us with materials jobs easier. that make our The irrigation field is still in its infancy and 1973 will bring forth some equipment that will revolutionize the industry. Plant breeders continue to strive for that perfect grass. We are getting closer and closer to that goal. Let’s all hope and pray that 1973 will be that year that we’ve all been waiting for - that perfect year. Your President, Ted Woehrie P.S. Your Officers and Directors will all be doing their part in making this another banner year for the Michigan & Border Cities Golf Course Superinten­ dents Association. Robert Mauk Passes Away The Superintendents of Michigan and B o r d e r C i t i e s Golf Course Superintendents Association regret to announce the passing of Mr. Robert Thomas Mauk, born August 15, 1937, buried January 2, 1973. Mr. Mauk was Superintendent of Franklin Hills Country Club. & GOLF COURSE CONSTRUCTION GUNTER CO., INC. D-12495 DIXIE HWY. HOLLY, MICHIGAN 313 634 4812 COMPLETE GOLF COURSE CONST. REMODELING EXISTING COURSES IRRIGATION SYSTEM INSTALLATION CONVERSION OF EXISTING SYSTEMS 4 Christmas Dinner Dance The Edgewood Country Club was the site of our annual Christmas Dinner Dance. Seventy couples showed up for cocktails, dinner and music. Host Ken McRae and his lovely wife, Elizabeth, are to be congratulated for their hopsitality. Chairman Earl Prieskom and his wife, Jean, provided each couple with a set of cocktail glasses with our crest painted on the glass. They will make a good conversation piece for a time to come. The door prize was won by Mr. & Mrs. Clarence Wolfrom. The cocktail party was sponsored by Acme Paint Co. (Ed Stallings), American Research Corp. (Herb), Cen­ tury Supply Corp. (Ernie & Dick)» Inc. (Arnie), Certified Laboratories, (Jim), Harley Fairway Sales Co. Davidson Golf Carts (Bob), Hiram God­ win and Sons (Horace), R. P. Klein & Sons, Inc. (Ron), Lakeshore Equipment Supply Co. (Herb), Lawn Equipment Corp. (Bob, Bert & Gordy), Lubrication Engineering, Inc. (Charles), Michigan Turf Specialities (Doug), Sprinkler Irrigation Supply Co. (A.J. & Jim), W. F. Miller Co. (Hal), Modern Research Corp. (Bill), National Chemsearch Co. (Don), O.M. Scott Co. (Chuck), The (Don & Bill), Terminal Gunter Co. (Frank), Turfgrass, Inc. Sales Corp. Inc. (Gene), Turf Supplies, (Phil), USS Agri Chemical Co. (Russ) and Wilkie Turf Equipment Co. (Walter). Thanks a million guys, for helping to make our party a success. Bob Prieskom (left) presenting Jim Vlassis with Golf Trohpy. Bob just completed 16 years on the Board of Directors. We’ ll miss you Bob. “ I WON! I WON! The first thing I’ve ever won!” Barbara Timmerman wishes she had won too. Jim really doesn’t care. 5 ... Christmas Dinner Dance June Hicks, Garden Editor of the Detroit News, and her escort for the e v e n i n g , Joe Messana, were our honored guests for the evening. Presi­ dent Ted Woehrle presented her with an engraved charm bracelet from our association in appreciation for her help in preparing our weekly articles in the News. Dr. and Mrs. Joe Vargas of Michigan State University were also present, along with Mrs. George Prieskorn, Sr. of Burroughs Farm. Bob Prieskorn, retiring Chariman of the Golf Committee, presented Jim Vlassis with the golf trohpy for his championship of 1972. A small committee of girls supplied us with some of their handywork by making our centerpieces. They were: Elizabeth McRae, Jackie Hope, Norma Benham and Mary Gill. Thanks girls. Club Manager, Max Richardson, did an outstanding job in decorating the club and once again his food was delicious. Surprise guest was Bud Hooper and wife, member from Milwaukee. MBCGCSA President Ted Woehrle dancing with his wife, Mary. Dr. Joe Vargas and his lovely wife. Ted Lazaroff and wife Nadine? It can’t be, she’s too young — Nice try Ted. Bob and Jackie Hope sitting one out. 6 Bud Hooper, member from Tripoli Golf Club, Milwaukee, Wis., and Mrs. Danny “ Lucky” Uzelac. Doug Forier and wife. Ralph N. Cock Passed Away Word comes to us from member Bob Williamson that an old member has passed away. Ralph Newton Cock, of the Ralph N. Cock Enterprises, died on November 12, 1972. Ralph was an Associate Member for many years. He was a resident of Windsor, Ontario. Golf Day Host Needed We are still looking for a club to host our annual Golf Day for 1973. If you would like to offer your club for this worthwhile cause, contact Roger Gill. See masthead for telephone and address. Meeting Hosts Needed If you would like to host one of contact Gary monthly meetings Bartsch. See masthead for telephone and address. Return Roster Questionaire Remember to fill our your Roster questionaire and return it to Bob Hope . . . NOW! Clarence and wife — They were the lucky winners of door prize. RainS'Bird. IRRIGATION SYSTEMS. SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO MEET THE MOST DEMANDING WATERING REQUIREMENTS OF ANY GOLF COURSE. WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTORS ( 313) 543-7730 3890 WEST ELEVEN MILE ROAD BERKLEY, M I C H I G A N 4 8 072 7 Job Security Main Topic at December Meeting The Holiday Inn in Southfield was the site for our December Meeting. The main discussions i n c l u d e d National affairs and instructions to the Voting Delegates, Bob Hope and Ted Lazaroff, and the subject of Superinten­ dent Job Placement. A great concern for our job security and placement was shown by a number of members. Several of the questions were: Is it possible to stop manage­ ment enterprises from operating golf courses? Can we influence a club when Chairmen Appointed President Ted Woehrle appointed the following committee chairmen at the December Board Meeting: Education — Bill Milne Arrangements — Gary Bartsch Golf — George Prieskorn Golf Day - Roger Gill Asst. Chairman, Clem Wolfrom Membership — A1 Kaltz Christmas Party — Gerald Gill Publicity — Ward Swanson A Patch of Green - Ted Woehrle and Clem Wolfrom, Co-Editors By-Laws — Gerald Gill The feeling hiring a Superintendent? (Set minimum standards) Should we become involved in the placement of members at clubs? about management companies was unanimous. We are against them! But there is little that we can do to stop it. What a club does about its operation is its own business * and we cannot alter their decision. Usually a club that finds itself in a position where it is floundering will grasp for straws in an attempt to save itself from failure and will easily be > sold a management program. \ in their 1 This removes the burden of respon­ sibility from their shoulders and gives them the feeling that their problems are being handled in a professional manner. As long as they are using q u a l i f i e d Superintendents operations we should not feel too badly about them. Can we influence a club when they are hiring a Superintendent? Quite often the President is asked for help in suggesting names for a position. The only names ever offered are those that are presently unemployed and those who have requested help in relocating. We do not offer preferences — we can­ not sit in judgement of a members’ ability. Continued on Page 11 No synthetically produced fertilizer can compare with MILORGANITE TERMINAL SALES CORR 12871 EATON AVE. DETROIT, MICH. 48227 (313) 491 -0606 8 TORO helps you Take Better Care GREENSMASTER 3 OUTPERFORMS 4 MEN Here's the kindest cut of all, as well as the fastest. The new GREENSMASTER 3 gives you the best of both worlds, by delivering 18 ribbon-cut greens in about 3)4 hours, and paying for itself in a single season. The GREENSMASTER 3 saves time because of simplified operator controls - simple pull knobs to change cutting heights - single foot control to raise or lower cutting units, with simultaneous engage- disengage - a mere 15 inch turning radius inside a 58 inch cut width - and a transport speed of 7 MPH. Wilkie Turf Equipment Company The Anderson Division 23455 TELEGRAPH RD., SOUTHFIELD, MICH. 48075 • PHONE: 353-5300 9 SISCO SALESMEN at your SERVICE JIM VINCE has been designing irrigation systems for all types of turf areas for the past 12 years. That covers a lot of valuable experience for you in applying products to make up an irrigation system. Give Jim a call and he will be there. SISCO sales office and warehouse is conveniently located west of 1-75 and 12 Mile Road exit (Royal Oak). Sprinkler Irrigation Supply Company, Division of A. J. Miller, Inc., 1316 N. Campbell Rd.. Royal Oak, Mich. 48067, (313) 548-7272 Chicaqo (312' 629-7730, Kalamazoo (616) 381-0506, Columbus. Ohio (614) 888-1782 / / E N G I N E E R E D R A I N ARE YOU INTERESTED IN JOINING THE MICHIGAN AND BORDER CITIES GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION? Fill in the questionaire below and mail to: NAME OF INTERESTED PERSON DATE a l b e r t k a l t z Maple Lane Golf Club Sterling Heights, Michigan 48077 Phone: Off. 268-2130, Res. 463-2092 MAILING ADDRESS________________________________________________________ C I T Y ------------------------------------------------------------- S T A T E _______________ ZIP _____ Or you may contact the next golf course supplier who calls on you and give him the information needed for application. 10 December Meeting Cont. The GCSAA does offer a placement service to its members. You can request all information about job openings as long as you are a member. Universities are quite often ap­ proached for help in filling the position of Golf Course Superintendent. They have an obligation to their students in helping them locate employment. If a club hires such a student they certainly are aware of what they are d o i n g . Many clubs are looking for that pro­ fessional ability that college kids are supposed to have. Should association become involved in the placement of its mem­ bers? It would be great if it could be done in an honest manner that would seem equitable to all concerned. From ex­ perience learned by other locals we have found out that it doesn’t work. It feelings because only creates hard someone will always feel that they our should have had the upper hand. Here are a few possible solutions to the problem: The Association c a n n o t help a person keep his job, but we can keep our members informed of job openings. The GCSAA does this for its members in a very efficient manner. You simply notify them that you wish your name placed on their list. Becoming a true professional golf course Superintendent may be the best way possible to protect your job or to help you find a new job. If we continue to insist on being grass growers, and only grass growers, we leave the door open for a better qualified Superintendent to come in, or for a club to hire a General Manager that they feel will give them the pro­ fessional management that all clubs ate looking for. We really have ourselves to blame for the present situation. Let’ s quit Continued on Page 13 Remember. . . How Good Your Golf Course Looked When You Last Used . . . W ell........................ G & F? Borden's Famous G & F (Greens & Fairways) is Available in Michigan Again for ’73 . . . IN NOT JUST ONE, BUT SIX G & F ’ s - TO GIVE YOU ULTRA-MODERN, HIGH ANALYSIS, NON-BURNING FERTILIZERS IN SUPER-UNIFORM, DUST-FREE PELLETS. GREENS & FAIRW AYS “ T H E GREENS & FAIRWAYS GREENS & FAIRW AYS GREENS & FAIRW AYS GREENS & FAIRW AYS 16-5-11, 50% Organic with all needed trace elements. GREENS” 13-3-9, 65% Organic, Fine Texture, all trace elements. 16-8-8, All Mineral, Uniform Fairway Pellets. 16-8-8, 25% Organic with all needed trace elements. 15-0-15, “ No Phos” , with trace elements. 10-0-0, All Natural Organic, Odor Free leather tankage. LIBERAL QUANTITY AND EARLY SHIPMENT DISCOUNTS Turf S U D D Ü 6 S Inc. 6900 PARDEE ROAD, TAYLOR, MICHIGAN 48180 PHONE 291-1200 M l V 11 Pruning Standards for Shade Trees National Arborist Association CLASS I FINE PRUNING objectionable Removal of dead, dying, diseased, and interfering, weak branches. Fine pruning shall consist of the removal of the described branches on the main trunks and limbs inside the leaf area and any that extend beyond this area. The described branches to* 1/2” (size of dime) diameter may remain within the main leaf area to their full length. This work must be accomplished with the following specifications: A. All cuts to be made sufficiently close to the p a r e n t stem so that healing can readily start under normal conditions. B. All in diameter limbs one inch i to prevent (size of a quarter) or over must be precut s p l i t t i n g . All in diameter should branches 3-1/2” be lowered by proper ropes to the ground. C. Remove one of all crossed or rubbing branches where practicable so the removal will not leave large holes in general outline of the tree. D. Paint all cuts old and new one inch in diameter (size of quarter) and ( over, with an approved tree wound I dressing. On old wounds care is to be ! taken to paint exposed wood only. E. On trees known to be diseased, tools are to be d i s i n f e c t e d with alcohol after each cut and between I is known to be I trees, where there : Continued on Next Page 12 Pruning Standards Cont. danger of transmitting the disease on tools. F. Old scars not healing properly and where callus growth is not already e s t a b l i s h e d are to be traced and painted, unless is treatment other G. All girdling roots visible to the eye, where practicable, should be treated as follows: 1. Cutting of root at either end. 2. Notching of root in center with . designated. chisel. 3. Removal of entire root without injury to bark or parent stem. 4. Report girdling roots. H. Any structural weakness, decayed trunk or branches, split crotches, or branches, should be reported. The National Abrorist Association’s “ Pruning Standards for Shade Trees’ ’ will be continued in subsequent issues of “ A Patch of Green.” December Meeting Cont. hiding our heads in the sand and do s o m e t h i n g about it. Make yourself indespensible through your performance at your club and eventually all clubs will finally realize that the position of Golf Course Superintendent can only be filled by a qualified professional man — and you are that man! Take advantage of our educational programs on the local level and attend some of the National programs that are offered. You Can RELY ON LABORATORIES, INC. FOR TU R F CHEMICALS C A LL ARNIE COLLENS 27848 K E N D A L L W O O D F A R M I N G T O N , M IC H 4 8 0 24 PHONE: (313) 477-4595 If You Need TREES Contact Us Shade and Ornamental • We will handle over 100,000 lining out and finished trees this spring alone. • Over 6,000 two inch and larger trees excellent for balling. • Over 50 Michigan cities bought trees from us last year. • Over 600 acres of land used for tree production. • Distributor for three of the largest and finest nurseries in Oregon. • We now supply many major golf courses with trees. PLEASE CALL COLLECT TO (517) 882-5728 Ask for: Ted Myers, Bill Hicks, Chuck Reed or Forest Shipman In Detroit: Bill Poleo (313) 242-7343 OR SEND YOUR REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS. The Gottage gardens, Inc. ^ NICK I. W. KRIEK MAROLD E. HICKS SOUTH WAVERLY AND BISHOP RDS., LANSING, MICH. 48910 13 CALL LAKESHORE COLLECT (216) 651-1600 FOR ALL YOUR TURFGRASS SUPPLIES - QUOTATIONS ON REQUEST - - CHECK OUR PRICES - LAKESHORE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLY CO. 10237 B E R E A R O A D C L E V E L A N D , O H I O 4 4 1 0 2 YOU’RE ENTITLED TO THE BEST golf course CHEMICALS (You’ ll get it - and more!) HERB CARSON AMERICAN RESEARCH CORP. 11840 MAYFIELD AVE. L IV O N IA , MICHIGAN 48150 (313) 522-2400 - EXT. 2401/2402 Turf Care the GRANULAR WAY Controlled Release Fertilizers Fertilizer- Pesticide Combinations Fungicides/Herbicides/lnsecticides —• — Granular Spreaders L E LY /S C O T T S /G A N D Y Turfgrass Seed High Quality / Wide Selection P ro T u rf Charles Croley 1120 Jefferson Street Lapeer, Michigan 48446 Phone: 313/6 64-8266 Carl’s Comments by CARL H. SCHWARTZKOPF, Mid-Continent Agronomist USGA — Green Section Now that the end of another golf season is behind us, and the winter conferences are beginning to fill our calendar, this is an opportune time to take a moment or two to look over the past year and anticipate the year ahead. The upcoming conferences make this easy to do, by meeting with fellow Superintendents and professional turf managers. Meeting with your peers provides a good time to e x c h a n g e problems of the past summer and how you solved them; at the same time you can find out how he solved his. This j interaction is a significant part of attending not only conferences and conventions, but also the local meet- * ings of your association. The formal part of conferences, the e d u c a t i o n a l pro g r am, has some ^ speakers that lull one to sleep with a monotone voice and volumes of boring statistical information. Fortunately, I the majority of speakers do not fit this category. However, the remaining pro- f gram can be very beneficial, especi- j ally when a person says to himself, j “ How can I use the information being presented to improve playing conditions at my course as well as make my tasks easier?” The average turf conference has anywhere from 6 to 16 speakers a day, sometimes with many sessions running I simultaneously. Think of the potential f of an individual if he can use one or two ideas from each speaker heard. Also think how much easier and more efficient your responsibilities can be L if you apply some of this new found knowledge. It is hard to hear what a person says when his character speaks more loudly. — Salada Tea Bag Tag 14 Roseman Hydra-Gang M ow er Model HG 7 The Roseman 7 unit Hydra-Gang Mower utilizes the tractor hydraulic system to power the cutting reels and provides hydraulic lift for each mower unit. The Hydra-Gang mounts on Ford 2000 and 3000 All Pur­ pose model tractors, equipped with live power take-off. Drive power for reels taken directly from the tractor engine eliminates need for excessive draw bar pull and minimum weight for traction. Hills and banks can be mowed easily regardless of soft or wet turf conditions. Individual mower units follow ground contour with un­ limited flexibility without scalping. LAWN EQUIPMENT CORPORATION 520 WEST 11 MILE ROAD, ROYAL OAK, MICHIGAN 48068 (313) 398-3636 15 (UsS) Vertagreen turf foods and Vertagard turf protection chemicals. The full course treatm ent for professional tu rf. Weed & Feed /@ > for _ i Vertagreen i Professional Turf Designed for Poa-Annua and Crabgrass control... plus gives you a full fertilizer feeding Contains Balan®. the selective pre-emergence herbicide Professional Turf =*=*% Tee Green [vertagreen ( Tech. Turf Technic el Turf food lor Tee* 4 Green» IS-0-8 1 Plus 1 Food for Tees & Greens 16-0-8 | Tee-Green Plus Tech. Turf Food (50% U.F.) Designed and formulated for use r when a zero phosphate grade is desired Contains fritted micronutrients Tournament Plus Tournament Plus f Vertagreen ^ Special Turf Food Formula for Fairways 12-4-8 A long-feeding slow-acting granulated fairway fertilizer in a 3-1-2 ratio 25% of nitrogen content is derived from Urea- Formaldehyde Also contains guaranteed formulated amounts of calcium, magnesium, sulfur, copper, iron, and zinc. Chemicals Division of United States Steel Golf courses are like finger prints No two are exactly alike No two experience the same soil and weather conditions and daily use Your problems are unique to you and your course Plan to * get in touch with the nearest VERTAGREEN Turf Specialist from USS Agri-Chemicals today He’ll sit down with you and discuss how the USS Professional Turf Program can help you overcome present problems and allow you to reach your objectives .1 beautiful and better playing golf course Vertagreen for Tees... Greens... and Fairways If. F. Hiller GARDEN AND LAWN EQUIPMENT COMPANY 1593 S. WOODWARD AVE. BIRMINGHAM, MICHIGAN 48011 TELEPHONE: (313) 647-7700 " A Patch of Green” 31 8 23 U T IC A R O A D F R A S E R , M IC H IG A N 48026