UNITED STATES GOLF ASSOCIATION GREEN SECTION S o u t h e rn T u r f l e t t er No. 2 April - 1961 DR. MARVIN H. FERGUSON 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 JAMES B. MONCRIEF S O U T H E A S T E RN A G R O N O M I ST W. WAYNE A L L EN S O U T H W E S T E RN A G R O N O M I ST SOUTHEASTERN DISTRICT 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 SOUTHWESTERN DISTRICT T E X AS A C O L L E GE S T A T I O N, T E X AS 8c M C O L L E GE T E L E P H O N E: V I C T OR 6 - S 2 10 OVERSEEDING RESULTS The overseeding of winter grasses into Tifgreen bermudagrass was observed on February 16. These plots were established by Dr. Schmidt of V.P.I, and maintained by Mr. Hurley Savage, superintendent at James River Country Club. The better plots at that time appeared to be Pennlawn fescue, Poa trivialis. and ryegrass-Pennlawn fescue seeded October 4. All of these plots were off color at the time of this observation, but because of severely cold tempera- tures the plots were not at their best. On greens recently observed at Sea Island, Georgia the combination of Poa trivially. Seaside bent and ryegrass was giving an excellent putting surface. The observations made on March 16 of the various combination plots did not show much difference between the putting surfaces produced by various grasses and their combinations. Bent and redtop for the most part got off to a slow start this year but at this time are making an excellent growth. Real good putting surfaces have been observed from overseeding on fine leaf bermudagrass. The slow starting condition has been the reason many golf courses object to bent and redtop. The courses that do establish it early are satisfied with the results. The combination of bent and ryegrass has given the Athens Country Club at Athens5 Georgia a very good winter coverage this year. They were able to get an early coverage by the use of foliar feeding when the weather was cool. During February and March much disease was present. Surprisingly enough it was brownpatch. It was very active after a heavy rainfall during a warm period. The bermudagrass has begun to fill in the open areas. Spring transition will probably be earlier than last year in the remaining portions of the greens. Tri-State Turf Conference CONFERENCE SUMMARIES About 100 people were present when the annual Tri-State Turf Conference met at the Deane Hill Country Club in Knoxville, Tenn. A full day was spent discussing various turf subjects« Of the main discussions, Dr. R. E. Schmidt., agronomist for the V.P.I. Blacksburg, Va., led the one on Turfgrass Diseases, Wade Stith showed a movie on Planting Improved Bermudagrass Fairways9 and Jim Latham showed two movies on Turf Maintenance and Equipment. Dr. G. A. Shuey, superintendent of Deane Hill Country Club, discussed his conversion of bermudagrass greens to bent. The Green Section specifi- cations for putting green construction were discussed. The Massachusetts Mid- Winter Turf School was discussed briefly by Charlie Thompson of the Chattanooga Golf and Country Club, and an excellent panel discussed Fairway Management in the Upper South« Virginia Turfgrass Conference The First Virginia Turfgrass Conference was very successful. If a person present was unaware that it was the first meeting he would have thought the conference had been held many times before. The time schedule was observed very well. Excellent use of the college staff was made. The program committee did a fine job in planning the program with J. F. Shoulders spearheading the way. All sessions were well attended and many questions asked. There were approximately 150 people present at the conference, giving evidence of the interest. There is anticipation of a larger attendance next year. Southern Turfgrass Conference The Southern Turfgrass Conference was held in Memphis on February 27-28. Two chief subjects of discussion were fertilization and overseeding of winter grasses. These subjects were discussed very thoroughly and there was evidence of much interest as demonstrated by audience participation in the panels. This conference serves as an educational focal point for turf growers from Arkansasj Mississippi, Missouri, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Charlie Danner was chosen to succeed Harold Eller as President of the Southern Association. Reg Perry continues as Secretary and general "work horse" of the association. Fifteenth Southeastern Turfgrass Conference More than 100 persons attended the conference at Tifton and were treated to a discussion of the turf research being conducted by Dr. Burton and his associates. The three day program was filled with educational and informative talks and panel discussions. Dr. G. P. Donaldson, President of Abraham Baldwin College at Tifton was the banquet speaker. Dr. Donaldson will retire this year. The USGA used the occasion to present to Dr. Donaldson a memento in appreciation for his services to golf through participation in the program at Tifton for so many years. CARPET BURWEED (Soliva) - A PEST IN FAIRWAYS Carpet burweed (Soliva sp.) has appeared in many fairways as usual for the springtime. If not controlled in fairways this pest may infest greens. Inasmuch as fairway fertilization is already or soon will be started some weed control can be accomplished, too. Ammonium sulfate or ammonium nitrate (100 lbs. per acre) applied as a spray will burn much of the burweed out. lAhile the bermudagrass will also be burned, its recovery will be rapid. Addition of urea to the spray solution will increase the solubility of the other compound used and will also assist in the killing of burweed. Adding any common household detergent to the mixture will increase the effectiveness. ( 1 50 lbs. per acre) MITT JEFFORDS MEMORIAL FUND Dr. Glenn Burton announced during the Fifteenth Annual Southeastern Turfgrass Conference that a memorial fund had been established by friends of the late Mitt Jeffords. Proceeds of the fund are to be used for turf research at Tifton. Dr. Burton stated that Mitt Jeffords had been one of the foremost boosters of the turfgrass research at Tifton. It is therefore fitting that his many friends should choose this method of honoring his memory. COMING EVENTS May 29 through June 6 National Golf Week June 5 and 6 Field Day, Mississippi State University State College, Mississippi Southern Turfletter USGA GREEN SECTION BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE P A ID College Station, Texas Permit No. 80 Dr. J. R* Watson Chief Agronomist Toro Mfg* Corp. Minneapolis 6, Minn.