UNITED STATES GOLF ASSOCIATION GREEN SECTION S o u t h e rn T u r f l e t t er No. 1 February - 1960 D R. M A R V IN H. F E R G U S ON M I D - C O N T I N E NT D I R E C T OR N A T I O N AL R E S E A R CH C O O R D I N A T OR J A M ES M. L A T H A M. J R. S O U T H E A S T E RN A G R O N O M I ST J A M ES B. M O N C R I EF S O U T H W E S T E RN A G R O N O M I ST S O U T H E A S T E RN D I S T R I CT U N I V E R S I TY OF G E O R G IA A T H E N S, G E O R G IA T E L E P H O N E: L I B E R TY 8 - 2 7 41 S O U T H W E S T E RN D I S T R I CT T E X AS A a M C O L L E GE C O L L E GE S T A T I O N, T E X AS T E L E P H O N E: V I C T OR 6 - 5 2 10 GREEN SECTION STAFF CHANGES James M. Latham, Jr. has resigned (effective April l) from his position as Southeastern Agronomist to accept other employment. We' regret the loss of Jim's capable services but we know he will continue to work for the cause of better turf. Best wishes, Jim, for a successful future. James B. "Monty" Moncrief will assume his duties as Southeastern Agronomist on March 1. Monty has a thorough knowledge of the problems of southern golf courses and is at home among southern people. Monty will replace Jim Latham in this capacity„ The changes noted above have brought about the appointment of a new Southwestern Agronomist. He is W. Wayne Allen. Mr. Allen is a graduate of Texas A. & M. and has completed the requirements for the Master's Degree in Agronomy. Wayne's investigations during the period of his graduate study have dealt primarily with weed control. His addition to the staff will provide added special knowledge in this important phase of turf management. VIS ITS TO GREEN SECTICN VIS ITING SERVICE SUBSCRIBERS The official policy in 1960 with respect to Green Section visits to subscribing clubs may be stated as follows: written report will be made to each subscribing club. A second visit will be made at no additional charge if such a visit is requested by the subscribing club. expenses. For additional visits, clubs will be billed at the rate of $50 plus One scheduled half day visit followed by a BENTGRASS PERFORMANCE TEST AT ATHENS In the last few years there has been an acceleration of interest in bentgrass in this area. Despite the continued use of Tifgreen bermudagrass in most areas, clubs in the upper South have wanted a permanent, year-round grass for putting greens. Successful use of bentgrass has been reported by Charlie Danner, superintendent of the Richland Country Club, Nashville, Tennessee. Although most trials have worked out we11, a question still arises as to the best variety for this section. Several types have been used, but no actual comparisons have been made. Through the cooperation of Mr. J. W. Dudley, Green Committee Chairman of the Athens Country Club, a 2000 sq. ft, bentgrass variety test was established in the fall of 1958. This followed a preliminary planting by M r. Dudley in the fall of 1957. The area was prepared for bentgrass by establishing a tile drainage system which was covered by 6 inches of crushed stone. Over this, the topsoil mixture was placed to a depth of 10 inches. This mixture, composed of 60% concrete sand, 30/o loamy topsoil, and 10% peat, was recommended following a thorough physical analysis. Four of the more widely used varieties, Penncross, Seaside, Cohansey and Arlington-Congressional mixture were used in the main body of the test. Here, each variety was planted in 10 x 10* plots, replicated 4 times. Observational plots of Old Orchard, Washington and Nimisila were added to obtain comparative information. f The results of one year's growth indicate that the bentgrasses have a definite place in golf courses in the upper South. With proper soil conditions success is dependent only on management techniques. Performance of the varieties was quite similar. No major difficulties were encountered all season, although a minor amount of wilting was noted on one plot in September. The outstanding varieties are Old Orchard, Penncross and Arlington-Congressional mixture. Nimisila has also performed quite well, although its light color results in downgrading by some individuals. Washington, due to its coarseness and poor winter color was also downgraded. t ^ Seaside did not hold up well during hot summer weather. With a temperature stress, this variety was reduced in density and exhibited a general browning tendency. The thinning resulted in a shaggy turf with lack of uniformity. Cohansey is probably the greatest disappointment. This variety was the most susceptible to diseases of any tested and seemed to be one of the first to show moisture stress« Winter color,, being a yellowish green, wasjudged poor. had Development of grain was noticed in all varieties. Old Orchard., however only a very slight amount. Part of this graining is attributed to mowing the same direction most of the year, which was done in order to avoid turning the mowers on new turf. 9 Fungicide treatments were quite frequent during some periods of the summer. The longest time between applications was 10 days«, the shortest 3 days. Syringing frequency depended upon weather conditions. Usually, however, this vas done once a day just after noon. Drawing conclusions from one year's observation is not sound, but certain trends can be discussed. Primary in these thoughts is that, given proper soil con- ditions and management, bentgrass turf can be grown in the transition zone between cool and warm-season grasses. Although all varieties survived satis- factorily, there is a definite difference in management requirements. Cn the basis of only one year Congressional mixture show the best promise for use in the Southeastern area. s results Old Orchard, Penncross and Arlington- 1 WEED CONTROL PRACTICES For the last 3 years, Southeastern golf courses have shown great interest in weed control programs. The basic stimulus was caused by the success of disodium methyl arsonate in dallisgrass control. Three to four pounds of this material, plus one pound of 2,4-D per acre, applied twice at a 7-day interval provided many courses with their first weed-free fairways. Often a third application of DMA was necessary, due to rainfall, skips, etc. single year project. Seedling emergence, poor early bermudagrass growth and other factors have permitted regrowth during the second year. Usually, how- ever, second year control can be easily accomplished through spot spraying. This mixture gives good control of most other warm weather weeds, including crow- foot (silver crabgrass or goosegrass), crabgrass, plantain, etc. Superintendents who have coupled this program with adequate fertilization have produced excellent fairways and club members have been well pleased with the results in spite of the seemingly high cost. This has not proven to be a WINTER WEEDS -- Check back in your Turfletter file and find the February issue for 1959. This publication carries an account of the troublesome winter weeds in turf and control measures to be used. greater detail in the September 1959 issue of the USGA Journal. Poa annua control is discussed in SOUTHERN TURFGRASS CONFERENCE February 22-23 Claridge Hotel, Memphis, Tennessee 14th ANNUAL SOUTHEASTERN TURFGRASS CONFERENCE April 11-12 University of Georgia Coastal Plain Experiment Station Tifton, Georgia Southern Turfletter USGA GREEN SECTION BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID College Station, Texas Permit No. 80 Kaxph W. White, Jr. ;;opt. Ornanental Horti. university of Florida Gainesville, Florida