Official Publication of the Michigan & Border Cities Golf Course Superintendents Association LET THE EXPERTS AT J. J. DILL HELP YOU MAKE IT 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 A chemicals in the midwest . . complete with appli- cation instructions. Dill is headquarters for complete lines of: • Fungicides • Herbicides • Algaecides • Insecticides • Fog- gers • Sprayers. P R O M P T D E L I V E R Y 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) 3 4 9 - 7 7 5 5 i s TIP OF THE MONTH IT ’S SPR IN G ................ N o w is the time for broad leaf co n tro l w ith K L E E N T U R F M C P P and 2 , 4 - D Spra y now A M I N E . for le a f spo t, F L O W A B L E M A N E B is a go o d c h o ic e . Start now for b ro a d s p e c ­ trum s y s te m ic co n tro l - C a l l u s for the n e w e s t d e v e lo p m e n t s and r e c o m ­ m e n d a tio n s . VALUABLE CATALOG Latest edition, up dated in all respects. Contains a wealth of in­ formation. Lists and describes hundreds of chemicals, pesticides and equipment for maintenance of grounds and waters of golf courses, parks, recreation areas and resorts. J. J. DILL COMPANY Box 788 KALAMAZOO, Ml 49005 Gentlemen: Please send your latest Turf Care Catalog. Dept. PG-4 NAME — ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ADDRESS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- C ITY _________________________________ STATE---------------------------------- ZIP 2 " A Patch of Green” 31823 U tic a R o a d, F ra s e r, M ic h ig a n 48026 (3 13) 293-3540 the M ic h ig a n and P u b l is h e d m o n th ly by B o rd e r C i t i e s C o i f C ou rse S u p e rin te n d e n ts A s s o c ia t io n C ir c u la t io n 1,050 Ted Woehrle, Oakland Hills C.C. Clem Wolfrom, Detroit Golf Club C o - E d ito r s Blakeman Publications G ra p h ic A r t s / C ir c u la t io n A D V E R T I S I N G R A T E S I Double Page Spread................................. 9100.00 I Back Outside Page......................................65.00 I Full Page.....................................................55.00 Half Page.....................................................35.00 I Quarter Page................................................25.00 I Eighth Page....................... 12.50 I Sixteenth Page...............................................7.50 I Classified Ad (per inch)................................5.00 DISCOUNT RATES One Year 10% T H I S M O N T H ’S A D V E R T I S E R S A g r i c o (B u d C a m p ) A m e r ic a n R e s e a r c h C o rp o r a t io n C e n tu ry S u p p ly C o r p o r a t io n C e rt if ie d L a b o r a t o r i e s , Inc. C h e m a g r o D i v i s i o n of B a y c h e m C h ip m a n D i v i s i o n of R h o d i a W. A. C l e a r y C o rp o r a t io n C o w b e l l S e e d s , Inc. J. J. D i l l C o m p a n y G o r d o n ’s C h e m i c a l s Gunter C o ., Inc. R. P. K l e i n & S o n s , Inc. L a k e s h o r e E q u ip m e n t L a w n E q u ip m e n t C o rp o r a t io n L & E C h e m i c a l s W. F. M i l le r G a rd e n M il w a u k e e S e w e r a g e C o m m i s s i o n O a k la n d M a rin e C o n s t r u c t i o n C o ., Inc. 0 . M. S co tt & S o n s C o m p a n y S p rin kle r Ir rig a tio n S u p p ly T e rm in a l S a l e s C o r p o r a t i o n T u r f g r a s s , Inc. Tu rf S u p p l i e s , Inc. W ilk ie T u rf E q u ip m e n t C o m p a n y \ 3 MICHIGAN AND BORDER CITIES GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION P R E S I D E N T GERALD G ILL TAM-O-SHANTER COUNTRY CLUB 3466 Walnut Lake Road Orchard Lake. Michigan Off. 626-8325. Res. 851-7904 V I C E P R E S I D E N T GEORGE PRIESKORN 5341 Brighton Road (Res.) Brighton. Michigan 48116 BURROUGHS FARMS QOLF CLUB Res. 227-1381 S E C R E T A R Y - T R E A S U R E R BOB HOPE LOCHMOOR COUNTRY CLUB 20740 Marter Road Grosse Pointe Woods. Michigan 48236 Off. 881-8112. Res. 884-8684 B O A R D O F D I R E C T O R S C. H. WOLFROM, JR. DETROIT GOLF CLUB Detroit. Michigan 530 Kendry (Res.) A LB E R T K A LT Z MAPLE LANE GOLF CLUB Off. 268-2130, Res. 463-2892 Sterling Hgts.. Michigan ROGER G IL L 1894 Alton Circle PINE LAKE COUNTRY CLUB Walled Lake, Michigan 48088 Off. 681-1322. Res. 624-6931 WILLIAM W. MILNE COUNTRY CLUB OF DETROIT Orosse Pointe Farms, Michigan Off. 881-8000, Res. 886-9319 220 C.C. Drive BAY POINTE GOLF CLUB DONALD LA F O N D 3635 Union Lake Road Union Lake, Michigan Res. 863-1142 JAMES G. VLASSIS 709 Devonshire LAKE LANDS GOLF CLUB Brighton, Michigan 48116 P R E S I D E N T E M ER I T U S OAKLAND HILLS COUNTRY CLUB TED WOEHRLE Birmingham, Michigan Off. 644-3352. Res. 646-8512 A Challenge It looks like the Michigan farmer is going to put enough pressure on the State Legislature to curtail the use of farm type fertilizer on golf courses and other non-agricultural turf areas. find o u r s e l v e s As the fertilizer shortage worsens, we facing a new problem; that of growing grass with less fertilizer than we have grown accustomed to. My first reaction is to sit back and wait to see what happens. Let’s see if there really is a shortage, after all many of the fertilizers that we pre­ sently use are not s u i t a b l e for agriculture. These certainly will not be eliminated. Perhaps the shortage is really not a shortage. It may only require a simple solution of redistribution of the basic elements. Nitrogen and “ mixed fertilizers” made up of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potash, are used heavily here in Michigan for agriculture and certainly the farmer is far more important to the well being of man than is the game of golf. If the shortage is real, what can be done? First and perhaps the most impor­ tant thing we can do is analyze your soil for exact shortages of specific chemicals. Only apply the elements needed to correct the deficiencies found in your soil test. Do not waste fertilizer. Cut down on Nitrogen use. Many golf course superintendents have found that less fertilizer sometimes produces healthier turf. Begin a compost pile, create your own source of plant food. The grass 4 clippings and tree leaves mixed with soil and a little fertilizer will decom­ pose and produce a rich mixture of I organic matter for top dressing. Less fertilizer will allow you to I cut down on water use and this will I allow you to cut down on mowing intervals which in turn will also conserve fuel for your tractors. The Poa annua problem may also become less of a problem. Fortunately, most of us have our summer’s supply of fertilizer and we do not have to face the problem at this time. We would be wise, however, to I begin conserving our fertilizer in case this shortage is a real one. See how many ways you can cut down on fertilizer and see how well the grass will do. Sure, you might have more dollar spot but then again you may survive the heat stress much better. Let’s wait and see. We did it once before, we can do it again. G o o d N e w s We are happy to hear that Clarence Wolfrom is back to work. Clarence went to the hospital for a short visit after he developed some lung conges­ tion. I guess our bodies need a little attention once in a while (a 30,000 mile check up). Ken Farr is on the mend back here in Michigan. Ken had an unfortunate accident while wintering in Florida. He is home now and experiencing some pain, but he is able to get around. Pesticide Seminar 1 The Golf Course Superintendent’s j Association of America presented its 1 first series of Pesticide Seminars at . the University of Illinois on March 19 and 20 and again at Michigan State University on March 27 and 28. T wenty-nine S u p e r i n t e n d e n t s i attended the Seminar in Illinois. There were Superintendents from Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, and Indiana in atten- 1 dance as well as Illinois. Dr. A1 Turgeon and his fellow staff members from Illinois did an outstanding job of j conducting the Seminar. Such things as a history of pesticides, the metric system, measurements of small areas, * calibration of equipment and crew just s e v e r a l of the safety were subjects covered. Forty Superintendents attended the Seminar in Michigan with Superinten- Dr. James Beard of MSU Turf School discussing Pesticide Seminar Program with Bill Madigan, Supt. of Jackson C.C. dents attending from Minnesota, Wis­ consin, Indiana and Ohio, as well as those from Michigan. This Seminar was designed as a membership service to help the Super­ intendent understand the safe use of pesticides in today’s environment. the aid, first Besides above mentioned and chemical subjects storage and disposal of chemical containers was discussed. OSHA and EPA regulations were also covered. A short exam was given after each Seminar. From the looks of the results, the Superintendents did a good job of learning. FO R E-PA R M ANUFACTURING C H IC O PEE M ANUFACTURING CO. 3M EN VIRO NM EN TAL PRODU CTS AGRICO F E R T IL IZ E R S FOX V A L L E Y MARKING SYSTEMS E. I. DU PO N T ACTI-D IO N E PRODUCTS V E L SIC O L CH EM ICA LS CO N TAIN ER D E V E LO PM E N T CYCLO N E S E E D E R COMPANY M A LLIN C K R O D T CH EM ICA LS 5 ÙKFCÜASS, J TURFGRASS, INC. Phone: Area 313 437-1427 A New Concept in Insect Control Dr. Howard Schneiderman of the I University of California, at Irvine I reported to a recent meeting of the I Entomological Society of America that we can expect a new chemical to I control insects. He is using an artificial growth hormone to cause the adult insect to I become sterile. This causes eggs to I die before hatching. insects It is a very safe product and will I eliminate becoming I immune or resistant to the chemical I because exposed produce. insects cannot re- from Insects are the greatest carriers of disease. They cause more deaths in the world than anything else. “ Man” Management. is the principal syllable in President’s Message Now that spring has sprung and all activities return to normal, let me just remind you that all committees in our association have been appointed. If you are approached to serve on a committee, please consider serving. Our Golf Day Chairman, Jim Vlassis, has set the date for our Annual Turf- grass Research Benefit and I am sure will be appointing committee chairman shortly. These chairmen will be soli­ citing help for the various committees. R e m e m b e r it requires total involvement by our association to have a successful day. Lets get involved, it takes you the member to make this day a success. President Jerry Gill that 6 Ted Woehrle is Re-elected The annual meeting of the GCSAA was relatively calm, as meetings go. A bright spot for the MBCGCSA was the re-election of Ted Woehrle as Director of the GCSAA for a two-year term. Bob Hope and Gerald Gill did an outstanding job soliciting the votes needed to get Ted re-elected. Officers and Directors of the GCSAA elected at the annual meeting are listed below: Charles Boskin from Connecticut was elected as President; Palmer Maples, Jr., from Georgia, is the Vice- President; and new Directors elected for two-year terms are: Charles Tadge, from Ohio; Melvin Lucas, Jr., from New York; and of course, Ted Woehrle from Michigan and the MBCGCSA. Answers to March puzzle. Once you use a Chipco something. You’ll be using Chipco everything. □ Chipco® Chip-Cat® □ Chipco Spot Kleen □ Chipco Microgreen Liquid □ Chipco Turt Herbicide“D” □ Chipco Spreader Activator □ Chipco Thiram 75 □ Chipco Crab Kleen □ Chipco Turt Herbicide MCPP □ Chipco Buctril □ Chipco Turf Kleen C H I P M A N D I V I S I O N O F R H O D I A . IN C . New Brunswick, N.J. 08903 7 W E T S O I L S . . . a n d n o w a y t o S p r a y Oakland Hills used a helicopter to spray fairways when the tractor and sprayer was too heavy for the soggy soil. No synthetically produced fertilizer can compare with _____ M!LOR G AN ITE Go If Courses Use M ore MILORGANITE T h an Any O ther Fertilizer TERMINAL SALES CORR 12871 EATON AVE. DETROIT, MICH. 48227 (313) 491 -0606 W eKnowAgrico 18-5-9 Can Improve Your Fairways. And W ell Go To Any Links To Prove It! We know Agrico Country Club Fertilizer can improve fairways. Because it feeds more efficiently to help build plusher turf—turf that will approach your greens in quality. We ll prove it to you on your own course, free of charge. Formulated with moderate-size granules, Agrico 18-5-9 can be spin-spread faster and more accurately. Once spread, 18-5-9’s power-feeding formula makes your fairway turf uniformly thicker. This helps “keep the ball high on every lie” and gives your golfers better fairway shots. Because 18-5-9 is high in nitrogen content, you need fewer bags for normal fertilization. A real savings when you’ve got 40 to 65 acres of fairways. The nitrogen is derived from organic as well as quick green-up sources. Five units of nitrogen are in water insoluble form to keep your turf greener—longer. Higher potash content, one-third from sulphate, makes turf so resilient that it resists tracking—even under heavy traffic conditions. Five units of phosphorus will maintain, but not increase soil levels. “We’ll Go To Any Links” To prove that Agrico can improve your fairways, we ll go to any links. Complete the coupon below and we ll come to you—with a free product demonstration. We ll prove beyond a doubt the effectiveness of Agrico’s 18-5-9 formula for fairways. And we ll fill you in on Agrico’s full line of dependable course-care products. AgricoCountry Club Bud Camp 5208 Renfrew Drive Ft. Wayne, Indiana 46815 Please contact me for a free product demonstration of 18-4-10 or 18-5-9 and for information on Agrico’s other course-care products. Name______________________________________ Title______________ Golf Course_______________ Street or P O. Box_____________________________ Phone Number_______________________________ City__________________ State_________ Zip____ Offer good only in Agrico trade areas 9 Fertilization Practices and Soil Pollution by J A M E S R. W A T S O N , P h . D . V i c e P r e s i d e n t , C u s t o m e r R e l a t i o n s T o r o C o m p a n y Pollution in pollution A great deal of attention and publi­ city has been given to the subject of environmental recent years. Because some of this informa­ tion has had little basis in fact and because there seems to be a tendency for the uninformed to transfer facts applicable environmental situation to another c o m p l e t e l y unrelated situation, it seems necessary to review various aspects of pollution in order to arrive at an acceptable understanding and definition of “ soil pollution.” one to P ollu te means to make unclean or i mpure or dirty. Thus, render to pollution implies the presence of impurities or “ too much” of a sub­ stance or a material. This contami­ nated state or c o n d i t i o n may be transitory, temporary or permanent. Thus, air, w a t e r or soil may be polluted at any given time in any number of ways with a wide array of materials. The “ excess” connotation of pollution implies a standard or a base from which to measure. And, when one is dealing with a “ pure” substance or a medium in which there is a recog­ nized and acceptable level of known ingredients, “ pollution” - an exces­ sive amount of suspended material or an excess concentration of one or - may be more harmful substances identified, readily quantified and defined. In the case of water for drinking purposes, the soluble and the insoluble compounds may be identified and the concentration or amounts necessary to contaminate accurately quantified. Thus, if acceptable stan­ dards for the presence or absence of t h e s e i n g r e d i e n t s have been established, any amount of an unde­ sirable or potentially harmful compound in excess of the p r e d e t e r m i n e d acceptable identify the water as “ polluted” at that particular time. level would found although The procedures for identifying and quantifying the c o n t a m i n a t e s or in any volume of substances water, perhaps complex, nevertheless are relatively uncompli­ cated and easy to determine and to understand. For example, the addition of a t a b l e s p o o n of an impure or Continued on Page 16 ProTurf H e lp in g th e s u p e rin te n d e n t th ro u g h t u r f re s e a rc h ... I Controlled Release Fertilizers I Fertilizer/Pesticide Combinations S C O TT S • LELY • G A N D Y SPR EA D ER S Finest quality turfgrass seed—Fairways • Greens • Tees • Roughs Scotts Windsor and Victa blends I Fungicides-Herbicides-Insecticides I Soil Testing-Weed & Disease Identification Charles Croley Technical Representative 1120 Jefferson Street Lapeer, Mich. 48446 Telephone: 313/664-8266 10 TORO PROFESSIONAL, HEAVY-DUTY REEL MOWERS The “ Pro’s” tradition: quality — in the machines themselves and in the way they cut. The result is a family of high-capacity preci­ sion reel mowers that have earned a lot of respect: the Toro Professionals. Take your choice of the 70 inch Professional", 76 inch Profes­ sional", or the 81 inch Super Pro". All feature three power driven reels with outboard “wing” reels articulated to hug ground contours. WILKIE TURF Equipment Company 1 0 5 0 O R D Y K E R O A D P O N T I A C , M I C H I G A N 4 8 0 5 7 (313) 373-8800 TORO 11 b r id g e s • P e d e s t r ia n » G o lf C a r t • M a in t e n a n c e E q u ip m e n t • L a k e S h o r e • P o n d s • S t r e a m s • R iv e r s •STEEL SEAWALLS •EROSION CONTROL p e r m a n e n t d o c k s PORTABLE DOCKS FLOATING DOCKS •PILE DRIVING Dredgint L a k e s & P o n d s 1500 FOOT REACH CODEN WALI elevated; Oakland Marine Construction Co., Inc. 290 Liberty St., Apt. 10 Pontiac, Michigan 48053 313-334-7164 SISCO SALESMEN at your SERVICE JIM VINCE has been designing irrigation systems for all types of turf areas for the past 13 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 Chicago (312) 629-7730, Kalamazoo (616) 381-0506, 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? ALBERT KALTZ Maple Lane Golf Club Sterling Heights, Mich. 48077 Phone: Off. 268-2130, Res. 463-2892 Fill in the questionaire below and mail to: N A M E O F I N T E R E S T E D P ER S ON D A T E M A I L I N G A D D R E S S ____________________________________ _________________________ C I T Y ________________________________________ S T A T E _________________ Z I P _____ Or you may contact the next golf course supplier who calls on you and give him the information needed for application. 14 The Fickle Weather After breaking the high temperature records in early March, we were treated to a record low temperature in late March - on March 25 it went down to 3 degrees. April quite often brings severe weather to the Midwest. Tornados are very common after a warm spell. Excessive moisture continued to fall all during March. Despite all the heavy snow during the winter, the turf came through the winter in excellent condition. The grass began to green up early and it appeared that we would be mowing by March 20. As it turned out the grass turned off color and actually became dormant during the last week of March. --------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------ T URFGRASS SPECIALISTS / 15 TWO COMPLETE SEED INVENTORIES Merion Baron Winter Green Fylking Nugget Norlea C O W B E L L TELEPHONE WAYLAND 616-792 2241 t y * / ) / ) ^ T 1 ! I î / T I T WAYIAND MICHIGAN BRIGHTON MICHIGAN GOLD TAG SEED QUALITY b l e n d s Special M ixes particular need E E D s / l N C O R P O R A T E D for your •<’ 348 48116 ★ BRIGHTON 313-229-6169 GRAND RAPIDS 616-877-4614 Fertilizer Practices Cont. offensive substance to a glass of “ clean” water causes it to become undesirable as drinking water and and, therefore, “ polluted” . However, this same glass of water could be completely satisfactory for turfgrass irrigation purposes. Thus, the concept of “ use” for a particular purpose needs to be considered when dis­ cussing pollution. Fertilizer Practices is Fertilization the process of supplying plant nutrients to supple­ ment the natural supplies of the soil. It is a necessary process and one of the key cultural techniques in golf course maintenance programs. The kind and the amount of fertilizer material, as well as the time and the frequency with which it is applied, are functions of the kind of grass, the soil, the climate, the weather, the season of the year, and the degree and extent of use to which the turf is 3336 TURF FUNGICIDE - A broad spectrum sys­ temic fungicide that prevents and controls all 6 major turf diseases. Non-toxic, non-mercurial. BROMOSAN TURF FUNGICIDE - The newest broad spectrum systemic fungicide for those persistent problem areas or areas that have gotten out of hand. CADDY — Economical Liquid Cadmium Fungicide. PMAS (10%) — Crabgrass and Disease Control. SPOTRETE - 75% Thiram Fungicide. CLEARY'S GRANULAR TURF FUNGICIDE - For snow- mold, spring and summer diseases. CAD-TRETE — Broad spectrum fungicide containing Thiram and Cadmium. MCPP — Control of chickweed, knotweed, clover on bentgrass greens and fairways, bluegrass and fescues. MCPP—2,4-D — Controls chickweed, knotweed, dock, dandelion, plantain, ragweed, pigweed, etc. METHAR 80 — Controls Dallisgrass and crabgrass. Water soluble. METHAR 30 — A super crabgrass killer. AMA PLUS 2,4-D — Control of Dallisgrass, silver crabgrass, plaintain, dandelion, knotweed, chickweed, and other broad- leaf weeds. AMA (SUPER METHAR) — The new "A M A ” liquid crabgrass killer. ALL-WET — Added to water, it allows quicker and deeper penetration...enables soil to retain needed moisture. CLEAR-SPRAY — Liquid Hygrostatic Sticker to protect against w ilt and winter kill. TRU-GREEN — Liquid Chelating agent. GRASS-GREENZIT — Permanent green pigment, restores green color to dormant or discolored grass. Not a dye. C O R P O R A T I O N 16 These factors, subjected. among others, influence and modify the basic fertilizer programs followed by today’s golf course superintendent. Collec­ tively, these procedures, programs and techniques may be called “ fertilizer practices.” soils, chemical An extremist point of view could be that soil pollution results each time fertilizer practices on a golf course create an excess of one or more fertilizer materials or plant nutrients. Obviously, this is a totally unaccep­ table viewpoint to one who under­ stands fertilizer and plant growth. Nevertheless, it points up the fact that an acceptable definition of pollution must take into account the physical, and biological properties of the medium to which or in which a material may be added. Soil and soil mixtures used to support golf course from widely variable parent materials which have been subjected to various soil is a forming processes. Thus, soil heterogeneous mixture of inorganic and organic compounds and living and dead organisms. For this reason, it is almost impossible to define or specify a “ pure” base as may be done with water or air. turfgrass are derived Soil Considerations Soil is dynamic. It contains large living organisms, each numbers of and with demands. As these are satisfied, physical and chemical changes occur. Continued on Page 19 requirements individual You Can RELY ON L AB ORA TORI ES , INC. FOR TURF CHEMICALS CALL ARNIE COLLENS 2 7 8 4 8 K E N D A L L W O O D F A R M I N G T O N , M I C H 4 8 0 2 4 P H O N E : (313) 477-4595 FIVE WWS TO GUARD ®DYLOX insecticide Fast-acting selective insecticide gives quick clean-up of sod webworms. Dissolves readily in water for application with any spray equipment. «BAYGON insecticide This carbamate controls turf insects, including species resistant to chlorinated hydrocarbons and organophosphate insecticides. For great turf that gives your golfers great shooting, order these Chemagro turf pesticides from your chemical distributor. Chemagro Division of Baychem Corporation, Box 4913, Kansas City, Missouri 64120. RESPONSEability to you and nature 7459 B These Chemagro turf pesticides make it easier to have great turf on your golf course. ®DYRENE turf fungicide DYRENE controls dollar spot, plus all Helminthosporium strains— melting out, leaf blight, leaf spot. Also controls copper spot, stem rust, brown patch and snow mold. "DEXON fungicide Stops Pythium. Non-mercurial also extremely effective in prevent­ ive programs to control cottony blight. "DASANIT nematicide Broadcast DASANIT 15% Granular for season-long control of microscopic “eel-worm” nematodes that destroy turf root systems; cause grass seedlings to wither and die. Thorough watering leaches it into root zone for maximum control. 17 from ROCKY MOUNTAIN REPORTER $4 ^alj (Joutise jfatit/ Once upon a time there was a superintendent who had the perfect golf course. His course was so perfect that all the grass was watered fence to fence and every blade of grass was well fertilized and cut to just the right height. There were no clumps of tall grass or other unkept places where a golfer could lose a ball. Even the edges of the traps were sharp and clean. All the members of the club were very happy because they could play sloppy golf and still score well be­ cause the rough was short and the greens were lush and very soft. But there was an uneasiness in the land and many of the golfers became bored. One dark day a strange phenomenon came over the land. Energy had to be conserved. Fertilizer was high in cost and very hard to get. What was the superintendent to do? Despite all his valiant efforts to keep up the course in the usual way it became evident that some of the grooming would have to suffer. In time things were so bad that the superintendent had less, fertilizer less, and pump less water for irrigation. As a result the roughs were kept at a higher cut. The greens to mow were pale from lack of the high nitro­ gen program and firm from the lack of overwatering. The sand trap edges were hand cycled in the old fashion way to save on gasoline. The golfers soon found they were playing a dif­ ferent type of golf course. They had to hit their drives straighter because poor shots were penalized by landing in long rough or were lost. They could no longer putt out of the traps. Much to their surprise, however, the greens putted better than ever. There was no puffiness from over fertilizing and the blades of grass were finer and stiffer. Holding a shot on the green was harder to do, so many golfers had to use more finesse around the greens. Much to the surprise of the superin­ tendent all that talk about trying to make the course longer stopped. The golfers came to find out that a course does not have to be long to be good. Some of the well traveled golfers commented the course resembled some of the fine features they had seen in Scottish golf courses. Even after the energy crisis passed the golfers decided their course was better than before and lived to play it happily ever after. Stan Metsker GUNTER CO., INC. D-1 24 95 DIXIE HWY. HOLLY, MICHIGAN 313 6 3 4 -4 8 1 2 GOLF COURSE CONSTRUCTION C O M P L E T E G O L F C O U R S E C O N S T . R E M O D E L I N G E X I S T I N G C O U R S E S I RR IG A T I O N SYS T EM I N S T A L L A T I O N C O N V E R S I O N O F E X I S T I N G SYSTEMS 18 Fertilizer Practices Cont. chemical \ In addition, the interplay of physical and processes produce change in the inorganic constituents. The soil is a medium in which there is continual change. A static or fixed situation seldom, if ever, exists under field conditions. Materials added in amounts or concentrations immediately toxic or deleterious to one or more organisms may be beneficial to another. And, in the process of utilization, these compounds may be reduced to or converted to non-toxic . harmless materials. Thus, from a practical standpoint the concept of time chemical and biological degradation or abatement must be considered. and physical, levels Fertilization k tion, in solution. As In the case of trufgrass fertiliza- the application of fertilizer materials greater than can be used by the permanent grass is not necessarily detrimental. Plant nutrients must be present in the soil solution before they can be absorbed and utilized by the grass roots. If this does not occur in the upper layers or zones, the material * may move downward through the pro­ file this solution i moves through the root zone, the ; usused nutrients, especially nitrogen, may be picked up by other plants, animals or micro-organisms. In this manner, the nutrients may become available to the permanent grass at a long as the excess later date. As material is not toxic to the grass root - and, specifically to the roots of the permanent grass being cultured or grown - its presence should not brand it as a pollutant. If, however, the excess cannot be adsorbed or ab­ sorbed, used, or c o n v e r t e d to a harmless state, and it moves through the soil and finds its way into the ground water or into reservoirs, lakes, streams or rivers, its presence may cause it to be classified as an impurity or undesirable agent. R.P. KLEIN & SONS, INC. TURF EQUIPMENT SERVING EASTERN MICHIGAN AGRICO BEAN BERRIEN BRILLION DUPONT LELY ROYER YORK Please Call Us for Prices & Literature 54 Brown Street Croswell, Michigan 48422 (313) 679-2700/679-2701 CALL LAKESHORE COLLECT (216) 65 M 60 0 FOR ALL YOUR TURFGRASS SUPPLIES - QUOTATIONS ON REQUEST - - CHECK OUR PRICES - LAKESHORE E Q U I P M E N T & S U P P L Y CO. 1 0237 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 TURF SUPPLIES INC. 6900 Pardee Rd.,Taylor, Michigan (313)291-1200 DON’T EVEN THINK OF B U Y IN G .......................... GRASS SEED FERTILIZERS FUNGICIDES WITHOUT CALLING 291-1200 TURF SUPPLIES INC. 6900 Pardee Rd.,Taylor, Michigan (313)291-1200 19 Next Page Fertilizer Practices Cont. The characteristics of the indivi­ dual fertilizer elements and the manner in which they are adsorbed, held and released by the collodial complex control, in part, their potential for becoming a polluting agent. Nitrogen is taken into the plant root as the nitrate ion. In this form it is highly mobile, is not adsorbed by the collodial complex and moves freely in the soil water. Nitrogenous fertilizer materials are of two forms - inorganic and organic. The inorganic sources are soluble and readily available. The ammonium forms (ammonium sulfate and ammo­ nium nitrate) are subject to dissolution when applied to turf areas. Ammonium nitrogen is initially adsorbed by the soil complex. However, it is rapidly converted to the nitrate form by the nitrifying bacteria. Urea, although organic compound, chemically breaks down easily and is readily an converted subsequently to the nitrate form. to the ammonium and \ The natural organics (sewerage ^ i sludge, etc.) and the organic portion of the synthetic organics (ureaformal- dehyde, etc.) are dependent upon I microbial activity for their breakdown I j and conversion to the nitrate form, This process takes a longer period of i time and, most importantly, causes the 1 release of nitrogen to occur over a j longer period of time. Coated slow release fertilizer materials represent a third category of j products. They are dependent on hydrolytic action for initial release of j nitrogen and the other nutrients they § may contain. Once dissolved and j released, their behavior follows the j pattern already described. This difference - in the rapidity with which the nitrogen carrier is 1 form and j converted reaches the soil solution - is a basic 1 Next Page 1 to the nitrate 22159 Telegraph Rd. Southfield, Mi. 48075 .... 356-9137 irrigation system s RAIN-BIRD . . . SAFE-T-LAWN . . .NELSON Good Quality dr3 Good Service consultation — design - materials Wh 0 1 e r ibu tor 3890 W. EI even Mile Rd. Berkley, Mi. 48072 . . . .543-7730 20 Fertilizer Practices Cont. consideration governing sound fertili­ zer practices. It is a key point in controlling the potential fa- nitrate pollution. Soluble forms of nitrogen must be used more frequently and in smaller amounts than organic forms, or nitrate may leach. L i k e w i s e , watering practices must be keyed to the texture, structure and porosity of the soil. These factors control the infiltration and percolation rates, the waterholding capacity and, in part, drainage characteristics of a the soil. Excess water moving given the root zone will cause through excess leaching of nitrogen, and, under some conditions, will produce erosion through surface runoff. Con­ trolled thus becomes a key technique for minimi- 5 zing pollution. automatic irrigation Phosphorus is held tightly by the soil collodial complex and moves downward from its point of application only very lightly. Even when applied in soluble forms (mono-calcium and reacts ammonium quickly and less l s o l u b l e (di- or tri-calcium phosphates). Soil phosphorus becomes available very slowly and tends to accumulate near the surface. is converted to phosphates) forms it Phosphorus is lost primarily through erosion - the soil particle to which it is attached is transported by water or wind over the soil surface. Potash fertilizers are soluble. They dissociate readily and the potassium ion is adsorbed near the point of application. Potassium, unlike am­ monium, is held tightly by the collodial it vecomes relatively ! complex and immobile. It becomes available to plant roots through the process of base exchange and is rarely lost by leaching. “ F e r t i l i z e r P r a c t i c e s and S o i l P o l l u t i o n ' * i s s u e of A in the M a y will be c o n t in u e d PA TC H O F G R E E N . America’s foremost turf fertilizer MIL0R6ANITE YOU’RE ENTITLED TO THE BEST Call Us For Your Needs GOLF COURSE CHEMICALS | (You’ll get it - and more!)| H e r b C a r s o n M a r v in R o t h m a n AM ERICAN R E SE A R C H CORP. 11840 MAYFIELD AVE. LIVONIA, MICH 48150 (313) 522-2400 Ext. 2401/2402 21 Lawn Equipment Corporation announces our New Division: In order to serve our customers better, we have formed a separate company to specialize in Chemicals. We are proud to be handling the following products: Chemagro Products Cutrine DuPont Diamond Shamrock Elanco Products Mallinckrodt S w ift-P arE x-IB D U 5 2 0 W. 11 M I L E R O A D R O Y A L O A K , M I C H I G A N 4 8 0 6 8 ( 3 1 3 ) 3 9 8 - 3 6 3 6 ROSEMAN M o d e l H G 7 H y d r a - G a n g M o w e r 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, RO YA L OAK, M ICHIGAN 48068 (313) 398-3636 23 CRUISER 2 E N G I N E : K o h le r, 8 H P , 4 c y c l e P O W E R & D R I V E S : T r a n s m i s s i o n : 2 s p e e d A P E X gear type G E N E R A L : W eight - C o m p le te : N o load — 8 3 0 lbs. F u e l C a p a c i t y , T y p e : 3 g a l., reg u la r S e a t in g C a p a c i t y : 2 - s i d e by s i d e T a i lg a t e : F o l d i n g ramp s t y l e D I M E N S I O N S : L e n g t h 111 in, H e i g h t 4 2 in, Width 6 2 in. P E R F O R M A N C E : T u r n i n g R a d i u s : 0 in. in s id e , 88 in. o u t s id e F o r w a r d Speed: 1st ge a r — 4 .8 M P H F o r w a rd Speed: 2nd gear — 12.5 M P H R e v e r s e Speed: 5.4 M P H B o x C a p a c i t y : V o lu m e — 11 cu. ft. B o x C a p a c i t y : W e ig h t — 1 00 0 lbs. H o u r Meter: Sta n d a rd E q u ip m e n t W. F millerGARDEN AND LAWN EQUIPMENT COMPANY 1593 S. WOODWARD AVE. BIRMINGHAM, MICHIGAN 48011 TELEPHONE: (313) 647-7700 " A Patch of Green” 31823 U TIC A ROAD FRASER, MICHIGAN 48026 MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY - SERIALS E. LANSING, MI. 48623