March 1975 MAR 13 1975 St -, i MJCHlb/iN AI PATCH LIBRARIES b o »<>w «>T ' t s 0 0 L f * LE T T H E E X P E R TS A T J. J. D IL L H E L P Y O U 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 chemicals in the midwest . . complete with appli­ cation instructions. is headquarters for complete Dill 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. DIAL TOLL-FREE (WATTS) 800-632-4057 » t * T IP OF THE M O NTH THIS SPRING . . . Don't be caught this Spring without adequate chemical supplies! Order your 1975 supplies NOW and assure prompt delivery and favorable prices. 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 KALAMAZOO, Ml 49005 Gentlemen: Please send your latest Turf Care Catalog. Box 788 Dept. PG-4 NAME ----- ADDRESS C ITY _____ . STATE . .Z IP . 2 Goall out with Balan. You’ll get the best of the worst weed grasses The pre­ emergence program you can afford: Holds fast despite rain, irrigation. Balan clings to soil particles and forms a protective zone where weed grasses germinate. It won't leach away. Long-lasting effectiveness. If your her­ bicide fizzles out early, late germ i­ nating weed grasses such as goose- grass (crowfoot or silver crabgrass) have a field day. Balan stays on the job. No fear of build-up in soil. Balan offers a comfortable safety margin. It is de­ signed to break down gradually and naturally after its job is done. Economically priced for all-over use. Balan gives you highly effective results at a bargain price. Phase out Poa annua (annual blue- grass). Poa annua represents a sizable dilemma for many superintendents. Balanlfirst choice for professional turf. ORDER YOUR BALAN NOW (Balan* — benefm. Elanco) DIVISION of LAWN EQUIPMENT CORPORATION Don Benham, R e p re se n ta tive 520 W. 11 MILE ROAD ROYAL OAK, MICHIGAN 48068 (313) 398-3636 J Y K \ \ i I P ¿MICHIGAN AND BORDER CITIES GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION J ~ / MfCMIfiÀN -5 r P R E S ID E N T GERALD GILL TAM -O-SHANTER COU N TRY CLU B 3466 Walnut Lake R oad Orchard L ake, M ichigan 48033 Off. 626-8325, R es. 851-7904 V IC E P R E S ID E N T GEORGE W. PRIESKORN BURROUGHS FARM GO LF CLUB 5341 Brighton R oad Brighton, M ichigan 48116 O ff. 227-1381, R es. 229-9437 S E C R E T A R Y -T R E A S U R E R ROBERT HOPE, CGCS THE LOCHMOOR CLUB 20740 Marter R oad G rosse P ointe W oods, M ichigan 48236 O ff. 881-8112, R es. 884-8684 B O A R D O F D IR E C T O R S COUNTRY CLUB OF D E TR O IT WILLIAM W. MILNE 220 Country Club Drive G rosse P ointe Farms, M ichigan 48236 PINE L A K E COUNTRY CLUB ROGER GILL 1894 Alton C ircle Walled L ake. M ichigan 48088 O ff. 681-1322, R es. 264-6931 DON LA FOND BAY PO IN TE GOLF CLUB 3635 Union Lake R oad Union Lake, M ichigan Off. 363-0144. R es. 363-1142 BARTON H ILLS COUNTRY CLUB BRUCE WOLFROM 639 Barber Street Ann Arbor, M ichigan 48 105 Off. 662-8359. R es. 663-9213 CLEM WOLFROM D E TR O IT G O LF CLUB 530 Kendry B loom field H ills, M ichigan 48013 Off. 345-4589. R es. 338-6375 LA K E LAN D S GO LF AND C .C . JAMES G. VLASSIS 8760 C hilson Road Brighton, M ichigan 48116 Off. 227-5441, R es. 227-6926 P R E S ID E N T E M E R IT U S TED WOEHRLE, CGCS Birmingham, M ichigan OAKLAN D H ILLS COU N TRY CLUB O ff. 644-3352. R es. 646-8512 "A Patch of Green" 31823 U tica Road, Fraser, Michigan 48026 (313) 293-3540 P u b lish e d monthly by the Michigan and Border C itie s G o lf Course Superintendents A sso ciation C irculatio n 1,250 Ted Woehrle, Oakland Hills C.C. Clem Wolfrom, Detroit Golf Club C o-Editors Blakeman Publications Graphic A rts /C irc u la tio n A D V E R T IS IN G R A T E S Double Page Spread...........................................• 100.00 Back O utside P a g e...................................................65.00 Full P a g e ...................................................................... 55.00 Half P a g e...................................................................... 35.00 Quarter P a ge................................................................25.00 Eighth P a g e..................................................................12.50 Sixteenth P a ge.............................................................. 7.50 C la s sifie d Ad (per in ch )...........................................5.00 DISCOUNT RATES One Year 10 % T H IS M O N TH ’S A D V E R TIS E R S Century Supply Corporation Chemagro Division of Baychem Chipman Division of Rhodia Cowbell Seeds, Inc. J.J. Dill Company L & E Chemicals Lakeshore Equipment & Supply Co. Lawn Equipment Corporation Lebanon/Agrico W.F. Miller Garden O.M. Scott & Sons Company Sprinkler Irrigation Supply Terminal Sales Corporation Turfgrass, Inc. Turf Supplies, Inc. USS Agri-Chemicals Wilkie Turf Equipment Company 4 What to expect this Spring of clubs did not get protective The early snow cover of December 1st was not anticipated and many of the proper our amounts fungicides applied. This happens quite frequently when an early snow, of the depth that we experienced, comes and stays for several weeks. Because of this untimely incident there will be heavy snow mold damage. We have noticed that many courses are already showing some damage but fortunately it seems to be superficial and a few mowings next spring will rid the turf of this blemish. It was indeed unfortunate that the early snow remained on the ground for such a long period of time (of course it takes a long time for 19” of snow to melt). Most clubs apply their protective chemicals on the greens during early December. Even if we get an early snow it usually melts in a short time and the application of the chemical can still be put down in time to pro­ tect the grass. least we shouldn’t get much dessication this year which usually is more damaging than snow mold. We also noticed some ice damage At on fairways. Let’ s keep our fingers crossed. Winter Damage — These areas appeared in a swale or valley. They were under water and the crowns were damaged when cold temperatures occured. Winter Damage —Dead ring around a healthy green area was caused by melted edge of ice cover. Turf was saturated for a period of time and when temperatures fell there was crown damage. Reducing Energy Requirements for Maintenance of Turfgrass Areas from MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY Have you ever wondered how much it will take to support the money following work and research? The Turfgrass Industry: Functions: noise environment - provides a more healthy, aesthetic, quality for people to live in through: soil erosion control, sediment and dust stabilization, heat dissipation, abatement and control of visual pollution. These aspects are particularly important in high density urban areas. - contributes to mental and physical health of people through its use as a recreational surface. - functions as the primary surface for outdoor sports activities. Turfs pos­ sess to recover from intense traffic damage without using non^enewable resources and provide a protective cushion against injury resulting from falls. the ability Size: cemeteries, - involves over 2.1 million acres in Michigan and an annual maintenance cost of more than $500 million. - includes home lawns, sport fields, parks, courses, roadsides, grounds, industrial grounds, school grounds, airfields, recreational areas, sod growers, nurserymen, lawn care service companies, landscapers, seedsmen, suppliers, and equipment suppliers. golf institutional chemical slopes, ski Needs: increased - reduced mobility of people caused by increasing energy costs will result in an intensity of use (traffic) particularly in urban areas. This translates to greater turfgrass damage from wear and soil compaction plus more turf maintenance problems. - need to develop grasses and cultural practices that will conserve energy, fertilizer, and water. stresses low cost, environmental low 1. Development of maintenance cultural programs andf establishment methods while main­ taining a stress tolerant, functional turf. The object is to maintain a moderate growth rate and color which will not require frequent mowing. The reduced nitrogen rates and mowing frequencies will reduce energy inputs necessary to maintain the turf. Al­ ternative grass species not now in wide use need to be evaluated under low cost, low energy use maintenance systems. The use of growth inhibitors as a partial replacement for mowing is being pursued. 2. Study of the mechanisms involved in stress tolerance. In terms of long range needs, the ability to tolerate and survive heat, cold, drought, and related is best achieved through development of varieties possessing physiological tolerance. Currently these problems are minimized by high cost energy inputs fertility, and mowing to modify the external environ­ ment. Since this approach will be too costly research is needed concerning the mechanisms of injury and hardiness so that stress this information in b r e e d i n g tolerant grass varieties. plant 3. Development fescue b r e e d i n g of varieties which possess low nitrogen and water requirements, quick estab­ lishment, a strong creeping habit, (le a f spot) and Helminthosporium resistance. The susceptibility of most low nitrogen requiring species and varieties to leafspot is very high. The result is severely reduced turfgrass quality and functionality during and following infection periods. Presently Continued on Page 8 through fine-leafed can be used irrigation, future, stress the of in 6 Michigan Ranks 3rd in Nation with 9 CGCS's Michigan now ranks third in the the number of Certified nation Golf Course Superintendents. in Don Creed - Orchard Hills C.C., ; Niles. George Graber G.C., Benton Harbor. - Blossom Trails Bob Hope - Lochmoor Club, Grosse Don Oslund - Warwick Hills G and Bob Pontius - Franklin Hills C.C., Pointe Woods C.C., Grand Blanc Franklin C.E. G.C., Frankfort “ Tuck” Tate - Frankfort Walt Trombley, Arrowhead G.C., Ted Woehrle - Oakland Hills C.C. - Pontiac Birmingham Clarence Wolfrom - Maple Lane > I G.C., Sterling Heights I George Prieskorn Re-elected The Directors of the Turf Founda­ tion elected George Prieskorn for a second term and Jim Smith will serve his second year as Vice President. George is the Superintendent of the Burroughs Farm Golf Club and Jim is * with the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority. ' The Executive Director will be * James Standish III of the Golf A ssoci­ ation of Michigan. \ __________________________________________ __ We forgot... \ nition with We failed to mention in the January edition that not only did Clarence Wolfrom and his wife receive recog- the presentation of a beautiful wall plaque, but the thirteen men honoring Clarence also presented him and his wife, Viola, with beauti­ ful gold wristwatches. CHIPCO the most effective arsenal ever assembled to prelect your turf □ Chipco Spot Kleen □ Chipco Microgreen Liquid □ Chipco Turf Herbicide“D” □ Chipco Spreader Activator □ Chipco Thiram 75 □ Chipco Crab Kleen □ Chipco Turf Herbicide MCPP □ Chipco Buctril □ Chipco Turf Kleen RHODIA INCORPORATED AGRICULTURAL DIVISION Somerset, New Jersey 08873 It is to the initial variety intense tolerance Energy Requirements Cont. fine-leafed fescue breeding pro­ the is half way toward the goal of gram releasing (or varieties) possessing these desired properties. the only fescue breeding program in concentrating on leafspot disease resistance. 4. Evaluation of traffic effects on intensively used turfs. Species and cultivars presently utilized by the industry must be evaluated turfgrass for traffic. Effects of cultural practices, such as (nitrogen rate, nutrient fertilization balance), watering, and mowing height, need to be determined as they affect wear tolerance of widely used grasses. The value of cultivation of established for relief of soil compaction caused by intensive use will be studied. Particular emphasis on these studies is needed for school athletic fields, recreational areas, and parks. The meadow fescue, developed at M.S.U., will be an important com­ ponent in the studies. 5. Development of pest management systems for turf. The objective is to increase safety and reduce costs and for the rates of pesticides needed sods of the diseases, that affect (a) standard cultural prac­ control nematodes, insects, and weeds. This involves the total management program. Included ' are tices susceptibility to I (b) emphasis on fore- I these pests, casting the most effective timing of (c) evaluation pesticide application, of pesticides which could control more than one pest, and (d) use of resistant cultivars (varieties). 6. Dissemination of information on maintaining low cost, low maintenance to the general public. As re­ turfs search results in reasonable means of reducing energy and fertilizer inputs required lawns must be disseminated promptly if the research is to be meaningful to the public in Michigan. There is a signi­ in adult education and ficant void dissemination of information at the time because a turfgrass present specialist has not been extension e s t a b l i s h e d to assist Michigan j citizens. the maintenance of > turfs, this | recreational We need your support to accomplish I this work. Contact your State Legis­ lators now and use these figures to illustrate the need. and for Annual Research Budget Required to Pursue these Problems 1. Low energy cultural systems 12,000 2. Environmental stress hardiness 15,000 3. Breeding low maintenance disease resistant turfgrass 15,000 4. Traffic effects - wear and soil compaction 10,000 5. Low energy pest management programs 9,000 6. Research overhead 3,000 7. Turfgrass extension 33,000 Total $97,000 ( S c o rre ) ProTurf Helping the superintendent through turf research... ■ Controlled Release Fertilizers ■ Fertilizer/Pesticide Combinations SCOTTS • LELY • GANDY SPREADERS Finest quality turfgrass seed-Fairways • Greens • Tees • Roughs Scotts Windsor and Victa blends ■ Fungicides-Herbicides-Insecticides ■ Soil Testing-Weed & Disease Identification Ted Mulcahey T ech n ica l R epresentative 7205 S. Jennings Road Swartz Creek, Mich. 48473 T elephone: 3 18 /055-4702 8 that makes tu rf unplayable fo r w eeks d u ring spring and sum m er. Easily applied w ith any co n ve n tio n a l granula r in se cticid e applicator. Thoro ugh w atering leaches in se cticid e in to root zone fo r m axim um con trol. ®DYLOX insecticide. The fast-acting s e le ctive in se cticid e gives qu ick clean-up of sod w ebw orm s. D issolves readily in w ate r fo r ap plication w ith any type of spray eq uipm e nt. ®BAYGON insecticide. A carbam ate Add ®NEMACUR to the growing line of high-performance Chemagro pesticides that help keep your turf in top playing condition N E M A C U R 15% G ra nular is a fast-acting nem aticide that provides m onths of residual co n tro l o f all m ajor tu rf nem atodes. R equires no in je ctio n —ap ply w ith a granular ap plicator and w ater in. *D Y R E N E fungicide. D YREN E co n tro ls do lla r spot, plus all H e lm in th o sp o riu m diseases — m e ltin g out, leaf bligh t, leaf spot. Also co n tro ls co p p e r spot, stem rust, brow n patch and snow mold. Its sm all cost offsets th e big cost o f re pairin g after disease gets started. ®DEXON fungicide. Stops P ythium . This no n-m e rcurial fu n g ic id e is also e xtre m e ly e ffe ctive in p re ve n tive program s to co n tro l co tto n y bligh t. It's com patible w ith o th e r tu rf pesticides. in se cticid e that co n tro ls tu rf insects, in clu d in g many species resistant to c h lo rin a te d hydrocarbon and organo pho spha te insecticides. S afe to Berm uda, zoysia, rye. clover, colon ial bentgrass and oth e r com m on varie tie s w hen used as dire cted. For great tu rf that gives yo u r golfers great shooting, o rd e r these C hem agro tu rf pe sticid es fro m you r chem ical d istrib utor. C hem agro A g ricu ltu ra l D ivision. M obay C hem ical C orp ora tion, Box 4913, Kansas City, M issouri 64120. 7559B RESPONSEability to you and nature •D A S A N IT nem aticide/insecticide. Broadcast D A S A N IT 15% G ra nular fo r c o n tro l of m icro scopic ee l-w o rm " nem atodes that de stroy tu rf root system s, cause grass seedlings to w ith e r and die R equires no in je ctio n T H H E H GROWING UNEFOR FINE TURF 9 Overgrooming is Overspending by PAUL VOGKIN, Supt. Briorwood C.C. Deerfield, Illinois During the last few recession years, North American golf courses, especial­ ly the private country clubs, have been in a serious financial situation be­ cause of skyrocketing operation costs. These operational costs have increased so much that many clubs are now having difficulty keeping their heads above water. Some, as you know, have sold out to home builders and high-rise developers. Others are desperately looking to fill their decreasing member­ ships and reluctantly lowering then- application standards in order to exist. In the Chicago area, the situation is becoming floomy. The overall econom­ ic picture is critical. Our Board of Directors and Management are working hard to find means of surviving for the future, without drastically cutting out the gracious living syndrome familiar to clubs. Many concerned meetings have been held in our area and I am happy to announce that some have been productive in finding solu­ tions to cut down operating costs. The first place they look, of course, has been where they always lose the most money - the Clubhouse. I have never known a large private club to ever come out in the black. The best mana­ gers at most are heroes when they can maintain or reduce operational costs lower than the neighboring private Country Clubs. country Now what about the superintendent’ s situation? What about the golf course? Though I have always stated that a clubhouse, without a golf course, is nothing more than a roadside inn, with other gourmet restaurants in the area as good or better, the officials of our country clubs are also looking in our direction with a frugal eye. They are looking and saying to u s :What can you as golf course superintendents do to cut down expenditures? It’ s your turn now. Gentlemen, it’ s been our turn since I got into this profession twenty years ago. But this time the situation is obviously different and their concern is even more grave. Though we have always tried to be conservative and have held tight reins on our expendi­ tures for many years, we too have been caught up in this inflation and have had to increase our budgets annually in order to keep up with higher wages and accelerating maintenance costs. But ironically in spite of bigger and better budgets, we are being short changed by the economy. We are get­ ting less for the club dollar in every way. Our labor staffs have been re­ duced. The parts for our machinery are more expensive and sad to say less durable. Equipment and supplies are getting costlier every year and de­ liveries are slow. Another additional expense that has come upon us sudden­ ly in Illinois is the new law stating that we can’t burn anymore, but must haul away our dead leaves and trees to state-approved dumping areas. But all the time without any let up in sight, the demand for agronomic perfection and achievement keeps hammering at us. And, in spite of all these draw­ backs, we have nobly succeeded with fantastic results. Our golf courses are meticulously groomed and maintained. So well in fact, that here in the mid­ west we are called the major league of the golf courses and have the repu­ tation of being the best in the nation, and perhaps the world. But this con­ tinuing on grooming and spotless maintenance of our superb golf courses, and trying to keep up with the inflated dollar, has increased our budgets to alarming proportions. pressure 10 Continued on Page 13 “Doesn’t Toro make a high-capacity rotary that’s a trimmer, too?” Toro does. Like nobody else. THE GROUNDSMASTER 72 WILKIE TURF Equipment Company 1050 OPDYKE ROAD PONTIAC, MICHIGAN 48057 (313) 373-8800 TORO 11 NOW IS THE TIME TO PLAN YOUR SPRING NEEDS! Do you need: Compression Couplings? Repair Clamps? dtuckner* Parts? I We stock for your irrigation needs. GIVE US A CALL! Sprinkler Irrigation Supply Company Division of A. J. Miller, lnc.# 1316 N. Campbell Rd., Royal Oak, Mich. 48067, (313) 398-2233 Chicago (312) 629-7730 ENGINEERED RAIN ARE YOU INTERESTED IN JOINING THE MICHIGAN AND BORDER CITIES GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION? Fill In the questionaire below and mail to: M A IL IN G AD D R ESS_____________________________________________ _ C IT Y ________________________ S T A T E ______________ Z IP ______________ Or you may contact the next golf course supplier who calls on you and give him the information needed for application. 12 Overgrooming Cont. We are in a serious rut, and gentle- . men, l have a startling fact to reveal. r You superintendents are responsible. • You, whim I have admired too much and tried to emulate, have brought us to this predicament. The best among you are to blame for the situation we are in. You have set the standards too high. Let me explain quickly what I am talking about and what I think the problem is before I get shot by a friend or teacher. The problem, as I see it, is over-grooming our golf courses. We do too much of it. The desire to improve and excel in the maintenance of our golf courses has been carried to a ridiculous and costly extreme. My , c o n t e n t i o n is that if we did less grooming, the country clubs could save i money and have a more challenging golf course with fewer headaches. Let me also say, at the same time, that I definitely do not advocate reverting to the European type of maintenance which really is cow pasture grooming by North American standards. However, many golfers who travel overseas are crazy about them and think they have arrived at Mecca even though they do less grooming over there. And much this fact, gentlemen, supports my arguments today. Please also under­ stand I am not in any way talking about reducing the upkeep and management of our greens and I am talking only about possibly reducing the cost of grooming in other areas that we do so diligently maintain now. In my opinion we can let some of the areas grow a little shaggy, a little hippy so to speak and still have a great golf course. fairways, At Briarwood, we mow our greens at a tight 3/16 of an inch and our wide bent collars at Vi inch or less. Our sloping aprons that meet the fairways in the front are cut at 3/4 of an inch and then we use a triplex mower to mow around the traps and the back mounds is all accomplished before we even come to the rough which is also mowed too short and too frequently, but my mem­ bers love it that way. The fairways are mowed from 5 /8 to 3/4 inch with a of the green. This ACTI-DIONE in your Program Acti-dione Thiram Broad spectrum Turf fungicide TUCO TURFGRÀSS, INC. SOUTH LYON, MICHIGAN 48178 Phone: Areo 313 437-1427 13 or too Overgrooming Cont. strip two outside our fairways which we call intermediate rough. On a couple of holes, especially for the ladies, I mow even lower from tee to fairway because the ladies’ tees on on those particular holes are too far away from the “ nice grass.” Next example are our tees which, except to be level, are really not that important. frequently, They seeded, fertilized too often. The tee banks are also mowed constantly so as not to look shabby. The precarious mowing of fairway bunkers and the laborious hand mowing around all trees on the golf course also devour a lot of time and expense. At my club this never stops and missing a day or two, because of a steady rain, gets me into a nervous dither. sodded, and are mowed jobs, I am not going to mention other numerous areas of grooming that I do at Briarwood but I think you get the idea. I am sure there are many of you here who have to contend with other consuming time like mowing high creek banks and cultivating shrubs around tees, over edging of traps, pruning too high under low trees, and perhaps raking branched into play, traps mulching every in Autumn and mowing out of the way areas that really don’t have to be groomed at all. I found this out a couple of years ago when I left un­ mowed all season, two acres on the remote west side of my course. No one fact no one even complained. noticed - except the birds, rabbits, and butterflies. They loved the wild leaf that drops that don’t come preservation we left untouched for them and even a few wild flowers came up. This year I was bolder. I left approximately 10 acres unmowed in the rough and this time everyone noticed and commented on the wild jungle-like elephant grass. The only way out was with a sand wedge. There were some complaints even though most of the wild rough was remote from the playing area and the player deserved a penalty if he got into it. In the end I think they rather admired my bold move and Briarwood’ s new dimension. The membership was especially proud to show this unusual hazard to guests whose remarks often is that?” I were, won’t comments when their golf balls got lost in it. “ What the hell repeat their that the membership Gentlemen, what I am saying is that it’ s becoming too expensive to maintain 160 acres like our own back­ yards. The machines are going con­ stantly from morning to night. And now I want to correct once and for all the chronic complaint by us super­ intendents is playing too much golf and are inter­ fering with our work. No so. It’ s the other way around: we are the ones who are interfering with their play. We have spoiled the golfer rotten with expensive around-the-clock grooming. Now we have the high-cost monster over looking s h o u l d e r with fangs, and we can’t afford j hungry him for a pet anymore. Let me give you an a n a l o g y , j Remember when we used to go to a to get a plain ordinary barbershop haircut? But now, it’ s a different Continued on Page 16 our In No synthetically produced fertilizer can compare with MILORGANITE Golf Courses Use More MILORGANITEasM Than A ny Other Fertilizer TERMINAL SALES CORR 12871 EATON AVE. DETROIT, MICH. 48227 (313) 491 -0606 14 m M K Ê M WRITE FOR COMPLETE SPECIFICATION SHEETS Agri-Chemicals Division of United States Steel P O Box 1685. Atlanta. Ga 30301 Overgrooming Cont. story. We have a thing called hair­ styling. In order to look even nicer, we have our hair rinsed with a little coloring, then razor cut, styled with a hot-air blower and set with a hair net and finally perfumed with men’ s hair spray. All this orgy is created by a hairstylist who, instead of recom­ mending more use of a hair comb, recommends a special electric brush and stud hairspray. And instead of talking mostly about hockey in reply to our questions, tells us about hair shampoo and men’ s body deodorants, and even advises us that perhaps a moustache would look so-o-o nice. And we love this attention because all of us are vain to some degree or other; especially as we get older. However, all this extra grooming costs money and it’ s alright as long as we can afford it, but once we can’t then overgrooming is over-spending. And that applies to our golf courses. Now important question you will ask is, how much will this save? Here’ s what I did. I went over first the is traps comes my time sheet from April to October 1973 and came up with these figures. Mowing rough at $3.50 per hour, 700 hours - $2,450.00. Mowing with a “ Professional” around greens and tees, plus some the practice tee, comes to 350 hours and $1,225.00 Triplex around tees, and green and fairway to 400 hours times $3.50 equals $1,400.00. Ro­ to 250 taries around hours w h i c h $875.00. Total grooming cost is $6,000.00. I only chose these items because they are four maintenance items which I feel I could reduce by 50% or by about It would still give the $3,000.00. m e m b e r s h i p presentable, but slightly tougher and a definitely more interesting golf course. trees comes Some of you, perhaps, are not too impressed by a meagre savings of $3,000.00. That doesn’t sound like much. But gentlemen, the point is, in a tough ball game, every run counts and can accomplish other important savings, for example, in machinery. I know I could save an besides, we a 5 0 Lb N et W eight LEBANON C w ttyC M FERTILIZER TURF PRODUCTS A DIVISION Of LEBANON CHEMICAL CONPOBATION THE BISHOP COMPANY N. PA 17042 A New Outside Appearance - Same Dependable Quality Inside E i W v « FERTILIZER * Good Nam es To G row By Call your Country Club Distributor or James L. Camp, (219) 485-6828. 16 - that I mentioned Overgrooming Cont. item of impressive amount on this machinery over the years because, instead of having my present two or more pieces of equipment for the four jobs - rotaries, triplex, rough and pro, I could get along with one piece of machinery in each category because of less demand for grooming. There is $5,000.00 more saved right there. Not to speak of in mechanical upkeep and saving gasoline. Also, there would be a substantial saving in having to use less fertilizer and pesticides, because the grass would be longer and there­ fore be stronger and better able to cope with the elements with less attention. Traffic damage by carts would definitely decrease. And keep in mind please, the fact that I chose only items that I can reduce easily by a full 50%. There are many other maintenance aspects that can be reduced by perhaps 40%, 30%, or 20%. It all depends on how far you want to go and still have a presentable golf course. four Now the question is: Why don’t I do less grooming? My reply is that unless other outstanding golf courses in my area agree to follow suit, I wouldn’t try it without a solid agree­ ment from my club. I would be afraid, I think, that unless I had it in black and white I might jeopardize my job. I am not exaggerating. The accent on quality grooming in my area is that important. I don’t dare do less main­ tenance. The problem is also com­ pounded by 200 other greenskeepers at my club who play other country clubs in the area and then come back and tell me what great shape your golf courses are in. They unfairly always golf course the compare grooming but give no thought to or have any knowledge of local condi­ tions such as drainage, soil problems, water source, and work force and also overlook important variables such as budgets, equipment and size v of golf course. They sadly forget the ) more acreage, the more grooming is other required. I But I stand by what I have said I here today. In the near future we just 17 Y o u r B e st B e t " f o r IRRIGATION SPRINKLER SUPPLIE8 RAINBIRD-NELSON-SAFE-T-LAWN BUCKNER-MOODY-SKINNER PIPE & FITTINGS — PVC — Sewer & Drain (Corr) — Polyethylene — Galvanized — Copper — Aluminum PUMPS AND PUMPING STATIONS COMPLETE IR R IG A TIO N — Systems Design — Specifications — Budget Estimates WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTORS CENTUR9 SUPPLU GORP. 3890 W. Eleven Mile Rd. Berkley, Mi. 48072 RAIN-AID DIV. 22159 Telegraph Rd. Southfield, Mi. 48075 (313) 543-7730 (313) 356-9137 LAKESHORE E Q U IP M E N T & S U P P L Y C O . D I S T R I B U T O R & F O R M U L A T O R GRASS SEED - FERTILIZERS INSECTICIDES. FUNGICIDES-HERBICIDES REPLACEMENT MOWER PARTS REPLACEMENT TIRES LESCO Products P ric e Quotation On R equest C A L L O U R N E W O F F I C E 300 So. Abbe Rd., Elyria, Ohio 44035 (216) 323-7544 M I C H I G A N C U S T O M E R S Call Toll Free: (800) 321-7423 TURF SUPPLIES INC. 6900 Pardee Rd.,Taylor, Michigan ( 3 1 3 ) 2 9 1 - 1 2 0 0 DON’T EVEN THINK OF B U Y IN G ............... GRASS SEED FERTILIZERS FUNGICIDES WITHOUT CALLING 29T1200 TURF SUPPLIES INC. 6900 Pardee Rd.,Taylor, Michigan ( 3 1 3 ) 2 9 1 - 1 2 0 0 - little little more Overgrooming Cont. men and board of directors and show I them with cost charts, that grooming everything meticulously to the point of almost pricing ourselves right out of the game, is ridiculous. And we may have to further explain that letting longer and the grass grow a become a like old St. Andrews will actually make the game a little more challenging and more enjoyable. And the way golf should, be - the way it was meant to be. Every | other sport, such as hockey, baseball, tennis, football, etc. have regula­ tions for size. The playing areas are the same for everyone, hard or easy depending upon your ability. Golf is the only accepted game where we can make an established area easier or difficult by maintenance procedures and techniques. We have spoiled the golfer to the point where he is pos­ sessed with always having the ball in play. It started with the touring pro, and now the member is possessed also. The playing trend has swung from accuracy to an emphasis on long ball hitting and never landing in trouble. It’ s time we started back the other way. I believe the paramount objective of the founders and archi­ tects of this wonderful game was not the idea of present day “ hairstyling” conditions and excessive grooming factors that are pricing us right out of the game. If they were here now, they would say to us, “ Do less grooming - Put skill back into the game.” Our criteria should be more on how a golf course responds to par and not so much on expensive grooming. T U R F G R A S S SPECIALISTS TWO COMPLETE SEED INVENTORIES Merion Baron Winter Green Nugget Norlea WAY LAND 1 MICHIGAN 49348 ★ BRIGHTON MICHIGAN 48116 y * / SEED QUALITY GOLD TAG Special M ixes for your particular need C O W B E L L TELEPHONE WAYLAND 616-792-2241 t EEDS , *1 N C O R P O R A T E D ________/ BRIGHTON 313-229-6169 GRAND RAPIDS 616-877-4614 18 HEIGHT OF CUT V i" to 3‘4 " in any desired increment. 6" front caster wheels W ' to 2^"; 8" front caster wheels 1!4" to Cutting height is gauged by ground reference to provide even cut over undulations. WIDTH OF CUT 30" per unit. Cutting swath varies for 3, 4, 5 & 6 mowers with maximum of 15' for 7 gang. TRANSPORTATION WIDTH From operator’s position all mowers are quickly raised and locked into 8' transport width. Overall length 12'. TRANSPORT CONTROL Five control levers raise or lower number 4, 5, 6 or 7 units individually and the three center units simultaneously. REEL 7!4" diameter 4-blade or 6-blade. Heavy duty chrome-nickel alloy. r e e l po w er - Each reel mounted directly to individual hydraulic motors. po w er s h a r p e n in g - Back lapping by reversal of control valve handle. b e a r in g s - Anti-friction reel 8. roller, m ow er f r a m e - All steel welded. b e d k n if e - Oil-hardened alloy steel, a d j u s t m e n t - Hand, no tools needed. c a s t e r w h e e l s - Moulded rubber 6" or 8" diameter. LAWN EQUIPMENT CORPORATION 520 W. 11 MILE ROAD ROYAL OAK, MICH. 48068 TELEPHONE: 313-398-3636 19 DEINES 1648 RIDING MOWER • M A N U A L L I F T H E A D E R • Z E R O T U R N I N G R A D I U S • 0 - 5 | M P H F O R W A R D O R R E V E R S E • 48" C U T T I N G S W A T H • F R O N T D R I V E • D U A L H Y D R O S T A T I C T R A N S M IS S IO N • SNOW T H R O W E R , D O Z E R & V A C U U M C O L L E C T O R A T T A C H . A V A I L A B L E . • 1 C Y L . , 16 H P E N G I N E • 12 V O L T , E L E C T R I C S T A R T • 833 L B . W E I G H T C A L L W .F . M IL L E R F O R A D E M O N S T R A T IO N W.F. MILLER Gorden & Lawn Equipment Company 1593 S. WOODWARD AVE. BIRMINGHAM. MICHIGA N 48011 (313) 6 4 7 - 7 7 0 0 "A Patch of Green” 31823 U T IC A R O A D F R A S E R , M IC H IG A N 48026 11ICHI GAN STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY • SERIALS E. LANSING, MI. ¿ 8 3 /3