President’s Message Professional News Notes I n this month’s message, I’d like to start off by calling attention to some of the recent MetGCSA committee accomplishments and activities. First, the Communications Commit­ tee, for the third consecutive year, has produced an award-winning newsletter. The Tee to Green has taken the prize for “Best Overall (among periodicals 16 pages and under)” in the 1991 GCSAA Chapter Publications Contest. Con­ gratulations to Tim Moore, newsletter editor and superintendent of Knollwood Country Club, and the entire Tee to Green staff for producing a publication we can all be proud of. (See Notable Notes on page 3 for more on the award.) Our Membership Committee, chaired by John O’Keefe of Preakness Hills Country Club, is currently hard at work gathering the data for our 1992 Membership Directory, and you know what that means: MetGCSA dues are due. Please send them in as soon as possible so the committee can speed the directory into production. The Tournament Committee has lined up an impressive list of clubs for the 1992 season. Have a look at the schedule on page 7. Our Education Committee, co­ chaired by John Carlone of Middle Bay Country Club and Will Heintz of Hampshire Country Club, orchestrated another winning (continued on page 2) Special Feature Swapping Trade Secrets—and Software— With Superintendents Across the Country nlike corporate managers, superin­ it was difficult to get online. So Turf­ Byte became Patton’s baby. tendents can’t walk out of their With Gadd’s help, Patton became a office and jaw with a peer about a part-time system operator of TurfByte job-related problem. But thanks to TurfByte—and computers—superin­ in February 1988. Patton has since installed a separate phone line, and with tendents can invite quick input from the help of the GCSAA, he’s bought a colleagues not just up the road, but computer system and software that around the country. An electronic bulletin board system allow him to keep TurfByte online 24 (BBS) for golf course superintendents, hours a day. TurfByte evolved from an idea origi­ Is TurfByte for you? Duane Patton and Middle Bay Country Club Superin­ nally discussed in the November 1987 issue of Golf Course M anagement in an tendent John Carlone, a MetGCSA article written by Jon Scott, now of member and an avid TurfByte user, will Golden Bear International in North help you answer that question in the Palm Beach, FL, and Bill Spence of The following article, which they coauthored Country Club in Brookline, MA. . . . across TurfByte lines. The article caught the attention of The Benefits of Tapping Into TurfByte Lawrence (Kansas) Country Club Su­ perintendent Duane Patton, who along At last count, TurfByte averaged 500 with Jon Scott, started TurfByte on a calls a month from about 130 callers. BBS run by Dale Gadd, then a GCSAA The calls were coming in from 25 states employee. But this proved less than in the U.S. and from Canada and, be­ satisfactory because Gadd’s BBS fea­ lieve it or not, Thailand. Connecting tured a “games section” that attracted with TurfByte allows you to make many so many Kansas University students that long-distance (continued on page 4) U Also in This Issue ( 2 ) Where Our Research Dollars Are Going ( 5) New York Superintendents Doing Without (3) Committee Chairmen at Your Service ( 7) 1992 Meeting Schedule. . . Industry Events (3) Tee to Green Triumps Again! . . . Member News ( j ) Scholarship Applications Ready and Waiting President's Message (coni, 1) Professional News Notes Winter Seminar. Held January 8 at Westchester CC, the event drew 115 members and guests, who were treated to a series of informative talks. At least two of the speakers were re­ cipients of research grants from both our association and the Tri-State Re­ search Foundation. For instance, Dr. Richard Cooper of the University of Massachusetts discussed his preliminary test results on putting green bentgrasses. The MetGCSA has supported Dr. Cooper in his work to identify bentgrasses that produce the highest quality playing surfaces. Another featured speaker, Dr. Bruce Clarke of Rutgers, discussed the latest patch disease controls he uncovered thanks, in no small part, to the funds he received from the Tri-State Research Foundation. Now that brings me to another point I’d like to touch on in this message. It’s something you’ve all heard before, many times—unless, of course, you haven’t read our past presidents’ mes­ sages—but it bears repeating. We must all do what we can to support industry research that promotes environmentally sound turfgrass management practices —particularly in an era President Bush has dubbed the “decade of the environ­ ment.” That means giving, as gener­ ously as possible, to such endeavors as our own S & R Fund, the NYSTA Poa Annual Golf Tournament, and the TriState Research Foundation. The foundation, by the way, will be soliciting contributions from 500 clubs in the tri-state area this spring. Last year, only 30 percent of those clubs responded to the foundation’s fund drive. Let’s see if we can make a more impressive showing in 1992. Consider the donation an investment in your fu­ ture—and the future of our profession. Finally, as you chart your strategies and programs for the coming season, I’d like to encourage you to build in a little extra time for our association. We could always use a helping hand on one of our 10 committees. Call a commit­ tee chairman or two and offer your ser­ vices. We’ve provided an at-a-glance guide to the M et’s 1992 committee chairmen on the following page for your convenience. Enjoy what’s left of our off-season, and I’ll look forward to seeing you all at the March 26 Business Meeting. TIM O’NEILL, CGCS President Board of Directors President TIMOTHY 0 ‘NEILL, CGCS Country Club of Darien Vice President JOSEPH ALONZI, CGCS Fenway Golf Club Secretary JOHN O’KEEFE, CGCS Preakness Hills Country Club Treasurer EARL MILLETT Ridgeway Country Club Past President LAWRENCE PAKKALA, CGCS Wood way Country Club JOHN CARL0NE Middle Bay Country Club MATTHEW CEPL0 Westchester Hills Golf Club WILLIAM HEINTZ Hampshire Country Club MICHAEL M 0N G 0N Areola Country Club TIMOTHY MOORE Knollwood Country Club JEFFREY SCOTT, CGCS Apawamis Club STEVEN SWEET Westchester Country Club ALLAN TRETERA Official Business Turf Products Corp. Executive Secretary Research Dollars Well Spent JAN RUSSO Too to Breen Staff t the Annual Meeting November 14, the MetGCSA Board of Direc­ tors approved the following re­ search awards for 1992: • $1,500 to Dr. Richard Cooper of the University of Massachusetts to ena­ ble him to further his promising research on bentgrasses suitable for putting green surfaces. This is the second consecutive year we are funding his work. • $2,500 is going to the Tri-State Research Foundation, which plans to use the money to fund research on bio­ logical insect controls being conducted by Dr. Michael Villani of Cornell University. • $2,200 was presented to Cornell A (2 ) Tee to Green January/February 1992 University’s Turf Research Foundation. These funds were raised at the Poa An­ nual Golf Tournament held at the Blue Hill Golf Club in May and will be used to further turfgrass research. Because Cornell University has a pol­ icy of matching donations, both Dr. Villani and the Turf Research Founda­ tion will derive double the benefit from our contributions. For a summary of each of these re­ search projects, you can either contact S & R Chairman Joe Alonzi at Fenway Golf Club, Old Mamaroneck Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583, 914-472-1467 or write the MetGCSA at P.O. Box 396, Mamaroneck, NY 10543. Editors TIM MOORE MIKE M0NG0N 914- 592-7829 201- 843-6960 Managing Editor PANDORA C .W 0JIC K Editorial Committee TONY BAVIELL0 MATT CEPL0 LARRY PAKKALA DENNIS PETRUZZELLI STEVE SWEET Advertising Manager MIKE M 0NG0N 201- 843-6960 Photographer DOMINIC RICHICHI TEE TO GREEN is published eight times a year. Copyright © 1992 the M etropolian Golf Course Superintendents Association. ADDRESS: P.0. Box 396, Mamaroneck, NY 10543. U nlike T he C o m p e t i t i o n , W e ' ve A l r e a d y Ma d e O ur P r o d u c t s T r u e ... 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'G ROWTH ÌPRODUCTS For m ore inform ation please , call 914 - 428-1316 r - t , ■* <4 j GROWTH PRODUCTS '9 2 PRODUCT UST Nitro-28 10 - 10-10 With 40% ORGANIC Slow Release 85% ORGANIC Slow Release Nitrogen Nitrogen Arbor Care 15-8-4 18-3-6 with 50% ORGANIC Slow Release Nitrogen Plus Micronutrients 40% ORGANIC Slow Release Nitrogen Plus Micronutrients fa ll feed 8-4-24 Hi-Kal 15-0-10 With Micronutrients \ Hi-Kal 15-2-10 40% ORGANIC Slow Release Nitrogen Plus Iron Sure Start 6-14-8 40% ORGANIC Slow Release Nitrogen Plus Iron with 20% ORGANIC Slow Release Nitrogen Estate Keeper Azure 20-3-3 with 20% ORGANIC Slow Release Nitrogen Blue X-Xlra Iron 8% Fe++ AC Complex Sulfur Fe 4% (6-0-0) Micrel Total Nine (6- 0- 0) Essential Micros Spray 6%, S Indicator 3.5% (15-0-0) All products are available in the following package sizes: 2 x 2 1/2 gallon case 30 gallon drum 55 gallon drum New for ’92: portable storage tanks for 500 gallons and up EARTH WORKS, Inc. Specialists In Deep Aerification Treatments EARTH WORKS is the only FULL SERVICE helped hundreds of turf managers solve their soil problems. We can help you make the right choice and get to the ROOT of your soil problems. Deep Aerification com pany offering FOUR state-of-the-art machines. This technology, coupled with our extensive experience, has Floyd-McKay Deep Drill ■ Bores through hardpan ■ Loosens com pacted soil ■ Greens playable immediately ■ Improves drainage with deep air fracturing up to 26"! and /or ■ Modifies soil composition by injecting granular materials at the same time. Verti-Drain Deep Tine Toro HydroJect EARTH WORKS remains committed to offering the latest technology available to help amend soil conditions and give you greater control of air and water movement in the soil. Call Earth Works to discuss a program and schedule treat­ ment dates. EARTH WORKS, Inc. Patrick Lucas, CGCS 81 Tomac Avenue Old Greenwich, CT 06870 (203) 698-0030 Official Business Notable Notes Tee to Green Meet Your 1992 Committee Chairmen Honored—Again! lease feel free to contact any of the following committee chairmen with questions or comments. We’ve provided their numbers, here, for your convenience. P Awards Larry Pakkala, CGCS, Woodway C C 203-329-8257 Bylaws Joe Alonzi, CGCS, Fenway GC 914-472-1467 Communications • Tim Moore, Knollwood C C 914-592-7829 • Mike Mongon, Areola CC 201-843-6960 Education • John Carlone, Middle Bay C C 516-766-1838 • Will Heintz, Hampshire C C 914-698-6131 Government Relations/Public Relations • Joe Alonzi, CGCS, Fenway GC 914-472-1467 • Class B Rep: Steve Sweet, Westchester CC 914-967-6000, ext. 360 • Class C Rep: A1 Tretera T u r f Products Corp. 203-763-3581 Long-Range Planning Larry Pakkala, CGCS, Woodway CC 203-329-8257 Membership John O’Keefe, CGCS, Preakness Hills C C 201-694-0260 Scholarship and Research Joe Alonzi, CGCS, Fenway GC 914-472-1467 Social and Welfare Jeff Scott, CGCS, A paw am is Club 914-967-2100, ext. 149 Tournament • Matt Ceplo, Westchester Hills GC 914-948-5023 • John Carlone, Middle Bay C C 516-766-1838 T ee to Green, for the third consecu­ tive year, took the prize for Best Overall (among periodicals 16 pages and under) in the GCSAA Chapter Publications Contest. A panel of three judges evaluated Tee to Green and about 25 other eligible contestants on overall excellence, ap­ propriate design, editorial judgment and content, scope and quality of writ­ ing, and presentation. The Florida Green of the Florida GCSA won in the Best Overall category for periodicals more than 16 pages. Four other periodicals were honored for Best Cover, Best Flag, Best Original Editorial Content, and Best Visual Format. The 1991 contest judges were Jerome Ducker, CGCS, of Hallbrook Farms Country Club; Nancy Harper, owner of Harper & Associates, an advertising/communication firm; and Lois Wolfe of the National Federation of Press Women. New Members Timothy Garceau, Class B, Orange County Golf Club, Middletown, NY. Frank Marra, Class C, The Scotts Company, Patchogue, NY. David Polidor, Class B, Lakeover Country Club, Bedford Hills, NY. Births Megan Kristina to Matt and Jasmine Ceplo, January 26. Matt is superinten­ dent at Westchester Hills Golf Club, White Plains, NY. Ian Baker to Earl and Donna Millett, January 4. Earl is superintendent at Ridgeway Country Club, White Plains, NY. Congratulatory Notes Steve Cadenelli of Metedeconk Na­ tional Golf Club in Jackson, NJ, was recently named “Superintendent of the Year” by the Connecticut Association of Golf Course Superintendents. This prestigious annual award is based on the individual’s knowledge and under­ standing of turfgrass and related sciences, understanding of the game of golf, contributions to local and allied associations, and excellence in course conditioning. And as if that’s not enough, Steve and Metedeconk, were chosen as the recipients of the 1991 New Jersey Turf­ grass Recognition Award. Explaining why Steve and his club were selected, The Greenerside wrote, “The way the course is built and maintained by Steve in the environmen­ tally sensitive wetlands and forests, that are on the edge of New Jersey Pine Barrens, is living proof that quality turf can be maintained in ecological har­ mony with nature. Furthermore, Steve has done all this while serving as presi­ dent of the GCSAA.” Ken Flisek, former MetGCSA member and editor of the Tee to Green, has won the GCSAA’s prestigious Leo Feser Editorial Award for having written the best superintendent article in Golf Course Management. His award-win­ ning prose, titled “Using Proven Basic Principles to Improve Your Professional Image,” appeared in the February 1991 issue of GCM. One of the highlights of the December 13 MetGCSA Christmas Party at the Apawamis Club was the Annual Bill Caputi Scholarship Raffle. A total of 14 cash prizes were awarded. This year, the $1,000 grand prize went to a group of clubhouse staffers from Apawamis—a nice tribute to our party host. The $500 second prize went to MetGCSA member Dave Dwinell of St. Andrews, and the $250 third and fourth prizes were awarded to two nonmember ticket holders: John Ferrucio of Turf Keeper Inc. in Carmel, NY, and Robert Finnesey of Tree Tech in Randolph, NJ. We sold all 200 raffle tickets, en­ abling us to raise $4,000 for our Schol­ arship Fund. Note: Forms are now available to anyone interested in apply­ ing for a scholarship (see notice on page 7). Tee to Green January/February 1992 ( 3) Special Feature (coni, 1) Swapping Trade Secrets—and Software— With Superintendents Across the Country : friendships and offers an unparalleled learning experience. TurfByte has a simple menu system that you’ll learn to navigate without difficulty. It’ll take you through the BBS’s three main sections: the bulletin section, the message section, and the files section. Here’s how they work: 1. The Bulletin Section . In this sec­ tion, you’ll find hot-off-the-press infor­ mation. For example, when Diazinon was taken off the market several years back, it was posted on TurfByte within days. When the contaminated Terramec SP was released two summers ago, Turf­ Byte users knew about it a week before the GCSAA was notified. From time to time, it’ll also carry pertinent articles written by superintendents, professors, and others. 2. The Message Section. Most Turf­ Byte users find this section the most in­ teresting because this is where the bull sessions take place. If you’re searching for the answer to a burning question— a turf-related problem, for instance— here’s the place to ask it. Your message can be read by anyone who comes on­ line, so you’re able to tap a tremendous pool of knowledge. If users make a discovery that others would profit from, this is the place they post it. A while ago, someone discov­ ered a great new weather program. Called WeatherBrief, it allows you to phone up a central weather-data com­ puter and translate the data into weather maps and charts on your computer screen. The superintendent left a mes­ sage about it, and before long, a num­ ber of TurfByters were using it. Interestingly, you can also leave pri­ vate messages to another TurfByte user. Of course, nothing on a BBS is ever completely private since the system oper­ ator has access to all messages. But the BBS allows you to post a message, and the person it’s addressed to can retrieve it at any time—kind of like a message left on an answering machine. 3. The Files Section. Virtually all bul­ letin boards have a files section. This is where you’ll find from a few to literally thousands of files that you can down­ load on your computer. Most of these ( 4) Tee to Green January/February 1992 files are public domain; in other words, they’re completely free. But others aren’t. These are called shareware and are basically software programs that various authors pour into the BBS. You can download them on your sys­ tem, try them out, and if you decide to keep one, you’re honor-bound to buy the program from the creator. Most shareware programs sell for $50 or less. Some of the best programs available have been developed using this concept —like ProComm, a top-notch commu­ nications program. How many com­ mercial programs have you paid for and then found out they don’t fit your needs? With shareware, you try it, then buy it. Quickie computer courses at local colleges are a great way to get started, but only practice makes perfect. You have to spend time at the keyboard. 2. A computer system. It’s preferable, but not absolutely necessary, that you purchase an IBM or IBM compatible. 3 . A modem. Though you can get away with a 300-baud modem, your best bet is to purchase a 2400-baud modem, which will transmit and receive informa­ tion over the phone line at 240 charac­ ters per second, as opposed to a lowly 30 characters per second with a 300-baud modem. The speedier the modem, the lower your phone charges. For a 2400bauder, you can expect to pay between $100 and $200, depending on the brand. Equipping Yourself to Connect to TurfByte 4. A communications software pro­ gram . The two standards are ProComm If you’re sold on the pros of TurfByte, the next step is to “equip” yourself to access it. Here’s what you’ll need: 1, Some basic computer knowledge. and ProCommPlus. ProCommPlus is the upgraded version of ProComm and sells for about $100. FOR THE PERFECT PUTT You’ve seen the Smooth Roll in action - grooming the greens at the following major events: ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ PGA LAS VEGAS INVITATIONAL 1992 PGA-QUALIFIER 2nd ROUND CANADIAN SENIOR MENS AUSTRALIAN OPEN AUSTRALIAN MASTERS MITSUBISHI LPGA PRO-AM VICTORIA OPEN SOUTH AUSTRALIAN OPEN AUSTRALIAN PGA EXCLUSIVELY DISTRIBUTED BY Westchester Ford Tractor, Inc. Meadow Si. Goldens Bridge, NY 10526 Phone #: 914-232-7746 » ) Clippings New York Chemical Controls: Stiffer, Not Smarter The Price You Pay After you’ve purchased your equipment and software, the only costs associated with operating TurfByte are your long­ distance telephone charges. A typical visit takes five to 10 minutes—and as little as under two minutes, if you’re using a 2400-baud modem and you’ve become proficient on the system. You can join us online by calling 913-842-0618, 24 hours a day. TurfByte operates at 300, 1200, or 2400 baud, 8 bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit. If you don’t know what all this means now, don’t worry; you will when you start to work with your communi­ cations software. If you have any trouble once you’re ready to roll, give one of us a call; we’ll be happy to help you along. DUANE PATTON (913-842-0592) Lawrence Country Club JOHN CARLONE (516-766-1838) Middle Bay Country Club id you know the New York De­ partment of Conservation (DEC) may actually be stymieing state superintendents’ efforts to reduce overall chemical use on their golf course? That’s what you might surmise from a recent GCSAA news release, which points out that the New York DEC is sitting on approval of several new prod­ ucts that could actually result in lower chemical application rates to control turfgrass, ornamental plant, and aquatic weed problems. Among the many products that have yet to clear registration: • Confront, a nonphenoxy type postemergent herbicide that could re­ place some of the 2,4-D products now being used. In addition, Confronts active ingredient application rate is less than half of that for 2,4-D products used to control such weeds as dandeli­ ons and clover. D • Gallery, a preemergent broadleaf herbicide. • Cutless, a herbicide used to con­ trol the growth of poa annua. By re­ ducing the poa population, a superin­ tendent could decrease water and fungicide applications needed to keep the poa, a turfgrass species that is not drought- or disease-tolerant, alive dur­ ing the growing season. • Sonar, an aquatic herbicide. • Triumph, an insecticide used principally to control white grubs. To make matters worse, many other states across the country have already approved all of these products, includ­ ing neighboring Connecticut and New Jersey. Maybe it’s time for us to write our state legislators to let them know that the effectiveness of these chemicals far outweighs any of the potential risks associated with using them—particu­ larly in the hands of skilled applicators. Westchester Ford Tractor, Inc. M eadow St. G oldens Bridge, NY 10526 Phone #: 914-232-7746 The Premier Choice O f Golf Course Maintenance Pro's. BUNTON 22" and 26" GREENSMOWERS H H When it comes to greens mainte­ nance, the Bunton 22" and 26" walkbehind greensmowers are rapidly becoming the industry standard. LIGHTWEIGHT TURF MOWER Golf courses, country clubs, schools, parks, airports, sport complexes are just a few of the challengers thatthe Bunton BT74 will easily take on. This rugged, precision-built reel mower is ver­ satile, durable, and provides a superb, quality cut that you ex­ pect from a Bunton. BUN TON BT74 BUNTON 5-GAN G F A IR W A Y M OWER Give all your fairways the look of a professionally manicured golf course with the Bunton light­ weight 5-Gang Fairway Mower. Tee to Green January/February 1992 (5 ) Alfred K. Dolge Company RAN SO M ES EGYPT FARMS WHITE MARSH, MD (301) 335-3700 1-800-899-S0IL 39 Indian Hill Rd. 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Egypt Farms top dressing is formulated especially for your area to specifications recommended by leading universities and testing laboratories. • Computerized blending of soil mix­ tures for a superior growing medium. • Custom on-site soil blending and testing with a portable computerized blender to meet your specifications. • Bunker Sands • Mulch • Canadian Sphagnum Peat A l D olge 203 - 454-1993 Milorganite . STEVEN WILLAND INC. (201) 579-5656 '7H¿icD