September, 1974 Published monthly by the Metropolitan Golf Course Superintendents Association MGCSA MEETING NOTICE Date: Thursday, September 26,1974 Place: Whippoorwill Club Golf: Lawrence Labriola Memorial Tournament Superintendents Class A*B*C* Member Guest Tournament Foursomes only: 1 Supt + 3 guests, 2 Supts + 2 guests or all 4 Supts Tee-off-between 8 AM and 3 PM Individual 18 hole stroke play, Maximum handicap 18 Prizes: Supt (A) 1st, 2nd, 3rd, low gross 1st, 2nd, 3rd, low net All others—1st, 2nd, 3rd low gross 1st, 2nd, 3rd, low net Closest to pin—longest drive CADDIES: bring your own CARTS: limited—make early reservations Luncheon: 11 AM-2 PM buffet luncheon Free Beer All Day Cocktails: 7 PM Hors D’oeuvres—open bar Dinner: 8 PM Host: Chuck Martineau Vol. Ill, No. 7 Nominating Committee President Harry Nichol has appointed Ray Twombly and William Caputi Co-Chairman of the Nominating Committee. They will submit a slate in the Oct. issue of Tee To Green. MGCSA NEWS: Our thanks to Ted and Nancy Horton, Sherwood and Marie for all their hard work at the MGCSA picnic. It was a nice warm evening for the event. Where was everybody? Woodie, Frank, Londy and Red all helped with the cooking. The old men beat the young sprouts in volley ball. Reservations: all reservations must be made by Sept. 18th accompanied by payment of $25.00 per person. Make checks payable to MGCSA, any further questions please call Chuck Martineau-273-3755 or 273-3011. Please return card with payment and handicaps. Master Chef Woodie oversees grill at MGCSA picnic. COMING EVENTS: September 18th MGCSA Field Day-“ Support your Field Day” Be there on the 18th September 19th NJGCSA meeting, Montammy Country Club September 24th HVGCSA meeting Osiris C.C. September 26th Labriola Memorial Tournament, Whippoorwill Club October 3 MGCSA Invitational, Brae Burn Country Club November Annual Meeting December 2-5 New Jersey Turf Expo, Cherry Hill, N.J. Sponsored by R utgers and New Jersey Turfgrass Association replaces 3 day turf conference normally held in January December 21 Christmas Party, Burning Tree Country Club Bob Depencier had Westchester C.C. in great shape for the classic. Bob did an anti-rain dance on Friday so that the round could be almost completed and eliminate an extra day of play. Thanks again, Bob, for the complimentary tickets to our association members. It was Friday the thirteenth but August 23rd proved to be a damp day. Gus Powell did a great job getting ready for the Superintendents Championship under trying weather condi­ tions. Naturally Chuck Fatum, took the honors. We had a nice turnout for dinner. The weather again played havoc with our program as our scheduled PGA officials were all tied up until dark trying to get the second round of the Westchester classic completed. The 1974 season has to be one of the best we have seen in many years. Everytime we were stressed a little it either rained Editorial Staff Co-Editor Co-Editor S taff Writer Garry Crothers Ted Horton Scott Benty OFFICERS President: Harry H. Nichol, Elmwood C.C. Office 914-592-6608, Home 914-268-9370 Garry N. Crothers, Apawamis Club Office 914-967-2100, Home 914-234-3770 First Vice President: Second Vice President and Edward C. Horton, Winged Foot Golf Club Acting Secretary: Office 914-698-2827, Home 914-937-3613 Treasurer: Robert Alonzi, Burning Tree C.C. Office 203-869-5779, Home 914-937-1527 Sergeant at Orlando Casterella, Westchester Hills G.C. Arms: Office 914-948-5020, Home 914-698-3976 JOB OPENING: Position available: Cornell University Golf Club, Superin­ tendent Salary: 9,000-11,000 Blue Cross, Blue Shield Major Medical Cornell Retirement Free tuition (if children are admitted to Cornell) Transportation, Pass to all athletic events Contact: Mr. James Fenner Golf Professional Cornell Univ. G C Ithaca, N.Y. JOB OPENING: Position available: Assistant Supt., Burning Tree Country Club Contact: Robert Alonzi, Supt. Burning Tree Country Club Perkins Rd. Greenwich, Conn. 203-869-5779 Not copyrighted. I f there is good here, we want to share it with all chapters - unless author states otherwise. or we had cool nights to help the poa survive the usual August fade out. Mother nature never lets you forget her and certainly we all knew it the first week in September when we received 8-10 inches of rain. In her subtle way she just wanted to check out your new drainage systems. That she did, and I am sure we all found a few places where more drainage will be needed. The usual cart battle was on. The member seeing the sun naturally wants to play golf. He sees the black top is dry so it must be drying out on the course. The superintendent informs the committee that the water is running on the surface. They just can’t understand why its still wet after all the drainage work. They don’t realize that mother nature just dumped about 25 million gallons on the golf course in one week. That’s more than some golf courses pump from their irrigation system in 3 yrs. I’ve blown my steam off for this issue. Superintendent Championship ResultsChampionship flightlst low gross - Chuck Fatum 2nd low gross - Vinnie Pentenaro 1st low net - Frank Bevelaqua 2nd low net - Jim Fulwider Class A 1st low gross - Tom Gryalski 2nd low gross - Bob Phipps 1st low net - Bob Alonzi 2nd low net - Ralph Castelli 3rd low net - A1 Tretera Class B low gross - Mark Millet low net - Chip Chiappetta Class C low gross - Nick Marino low net - Bill Barrett Longest drive - Frank Lamphier—Closest to pin - Nick Marino MGCSA picnic host, Sherwood Moore — a skilled "clamdigger" from Jersey Shore days. Some Observations made at the University of Rhode Island Turfgrass Field Day 1. The importance of Balanced Fertility was shown by: a greater incidence of Striped Smut Disease on grass which had received little or no phosphorus. and a tendency to show more mechanical injury if the plot had not received potassium. 2. Herbicide applications should be lim ited. F requent applications of Dicamba appear to result in a greater incidence of Poa annua in fairway turf. 3. Slow release fertilizers do not seem to be the answer yet. From the test plots it appears that we cannot yet make one fertlizer application per year to obtain uniform growth. Slow release sources of Nitrogen such as IBDU, Ureaform, and Sulfur Coated Urea were applied to bluegrass turf to study the effect of the different sources of Nitrogen relative to the time and rate of application. It appears that combinations of the above materials and split or more frequent applications yielded the best results. THE 1974 TURF FIELD DAY WED., SEPTEMBER 18,1974 1:00-5:00 P.M. VALHALLA DAM PARK VALHALLA, NEW YORK SEE: Latest Turf - Landscape - Lawn Equipment - Supplies - Irrigation ACTUAL FIELD DEMONSTRATION MGSCA was well represented at U.R.I. ASK: Experts Will Answer All Your Lawn & Shrub Questions 4. In the Disease Studies, Dr. Jackson commented on the increased evidence of Fairy Ring, noting that the systemic fungicides appear to have possibly upset the balance between the “good guy and bad guy” organisms in the soil. No control for the Fairy Ring Fungi was noted but it was suggested that we could aerate, water and perhaps apply wetting agents to help mask the evidence. Dr. Jackson noted that, in his opinion, the systemics need not be watered into the soil for the control of Dollar Spot disease but should be watered in for the control of Striped Smut and Fusarium Blight. 5. Competition between turfgrasses and ornamental shrub­ bery for nutrients provided a dramatic study. The results seemed to indicate that the nutrients applied to the plants were all taken by the turfgrass resulting in dwarfed ornamentals unless separately fed or protected from the turfgrass by mulching, on open soil. ' Ted Horton Who's working, Ted? John & Charlie, of course! Enjoy! Free Door Prizes Free Parking Free Admission Refreshments Available Sponsored By: METROPOLITAN GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT’S ASSOCIATION Rain Date 9/19/74 Andy, again, was an outstanding host at his beach cottage after the U.R.I. Turfgrass Field Day. Thus each applicant may bring whatever material he desires into the testing room. Because of the time limit, he must be prepared to proceed fairly rapidly through the test questions. Those taking the examination on Sunday may make a Thursday afternoon appointment to review their test results with either the Chairman of the Certification Committee or the GCSAA Director of Education. Those taking the tests on Friday will receive their results by mail after the conclusion of the Conference. Any further questions contact Garry Crothers—Certifi­ cation Committee. MEMBERSHIP NEWS The Board of Directors would like to announce that Peter Strazza has been changed from A membership to Life in the M.G.C.S.A. — He was formerly Superintendent at Bruce Golf Course. The hazy, lazy days o f autumn are busy days for m any fungi Bob O'Krefski, Co-operative Extension Agent, Nassau County, will assume the duties of Dr. Henry Indyke at Rutgers University. Bob will also be taking courses at Cooks College of Agriculture. OFFER CGCSA TESTS IN NEW ORLEANS Qualified members will have two opportunities to take the GCSAA Certification examination during the 46th Annual Conference and Show in New Orleans. Offered Sunday and Friday of Conference week, the test will be given in one room, with all applicants taking the test at the same time, similar to the law profession’s bar examination procedure. December 2, 1974, has been established as the cut-off date for all members to have completed their applications and to indicate their intention to take the examination during the Conference. A completed application must be verified by other GCSAA members, and then the applicant will be notified of his eligibility to take the examination on the date he indicated. All completed applications and letters indicating an intent to take the examination during the Conference must be received at the headquarters office no later than the cut-off date. Those wanting to be re-examined on sections which have not previously been successfully completed must also notify the headquarters of their desire to be re-tested during the Conference. This notification must indicate which sections the applicant wants to be re-tested on, and must be received by the cut-off date of December 2. Monitors will be provided for these testing periods, thus the members will not have to make special arrangements with a university staff member to act in this capacity. Some members have indicated that making these arrangements has been difficult on occasion, and this was one of the major reasons for offering the examination during Conference. As with all Certification examinations, these tests will be open book, and there will be an over-all time limit of six hours. start tall disease control now with Eü E D Acti-dione TCP When nature slows down, don't be caught napping. Use Acti-dione TGF regularly to control dollarspot, leafspot, rust and powdery mil­ dew. Call us now for help in planning fall disease control. a ÿSïSiSKSS’ controlled with maximum safety to sensitive grasses and ornamentals U.S. Patent 3.284.186 THE MOST CONTROL AT THE LEAST EXPENSE RESEARCH REVIEW by Wayne C. Morgan IntPG da©ing THEGREAT AMERICAS CHAINSAW ■ Powerful 3.5 cubic inch hemihead engine. All new design ■ Extremely low vibration—“Fail Safe” constrained-motion isolation mounts ■ Quiet Softone™ muffler—Dual chambers for low noise with high horsepower ■ Super CD ignition ■ Lightweight—balanced design ■ Unique chain tensioning screw ■ Adjustable automatic oiler ■ One piece Unidyne clutch HOMELITE* 3 5 0 AUTOMATIC HOMELITE Route 1 - Boston Post Rd. Port Chester, N.Y. 937-3562 METHODS TO PERMIT TURF GROWTH IN HEAVILY TRAFFICKED AREAS The principal deterrent to the growth of grass in heavily trafficked areas is soil compaction. Abrasion of leaf surfaces is contributory but of secondary importance. This is evident from the survival of grass and weeds growing in cracks of city sidewalks. Some valuable information on different materials used in the construction of a grassed walk subjected to considerable traffic should be of considerable interest to all persons engaged in the growing of turfgrasses. This report by Dr. Glen W. Wood of the University of Vermont was published in the November-December, 1973, issue of the Agronomy Journal. The persistence of grass growing in concrete cracks under these conditions can be attributed to the protection afforded the rhizosphere by the energy-absorbing cement or asphalt surface. Under these conditions soil compaction is virtually eliminated, evaporation is very low, and soil aeration is excellent, at least in proximity to the crevice through which the plant has penetrated. Nutrition then, and not soil compaction or wear, becomes the prinicipal factor affecting persistence. In Netherlands and in France, the use of the energy-ab­ sorbing materials in the form of spaced bricks and/or perforated concrete blocks to permit limited motor vehicle travel and parking on turfed areas has been successful. Grass occupancy of 78% is claimed in Dutch trials. The present study was designed to apply this principle of energy-absorption protection to areas subjected to concentrated foot traffic. MATERIALS AND METHODS The site selected for the study was a heavily traveled campus foot-path with an estimated 8% slope leading to and from the university library. The soil was loamy with a poorly developed B horizon, probably a result of previous disturbance during landscaping. Because of heavy student traffic, the area had become compacted, made almost impervious to water and was completely denuded of all vegetation. All soil, 6 inches deep and 3 inches wide, was removed from the site in preparation for the installation of the experimental walk. Three types of energy-absorbing materials were used in the construction plots that made up the walk. These materials were: 1) crushed stone varying from 3 to 5 cm in length and diameter, 2) cement bricks 19x5.7x9.2 cm, and 3) standard returnable half-liter (pint) coke bottles, 28.5 cm long with a 6.5 cm diameter bottom tapering to a 2.5 cm diameter top or lip. The bottles were filled with sand before being driven into the ground, bottom up, with a 1 kg rubber mallet. They were spaced 2 inches apart at the surface. The bricks were set in staggered rows with a 2-inch spacing and in two orientations, i.e., perpendicular and parallel to the direction of travel. The stone was placed in a sandwich manner, 2 inches of stone, 2 inches of soil, and 2 inches of stone. All materials were laid so as to be flush with the adjacent soil surface. With the exception of the stone-soil-stone plots, all plots were filled to within IV2 inches of the walking surface with soil. The soil for all plots was half on-site material and half a greenhouse potting mixture. The potting mixture was made up on a volume basis of one-third sandy loam soil, one-third sphagnum Onceyou usea Chipco something. You’ll be using Chipco everything. peat moss, and one-third medium grade horticultural perlite. Before seeding, the experimental walk was fertilized with 10-5-5. The N was derived from 75% ureaform, 5% of which was water insoluble nitrogen (WIN). A surface seeding was made on August 3, 1972, with a mixture of 50% Manhattan perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and 12.5% each of the following Kentucky bluegrasses (Poa pratensis L.): Fylking, Merion, Nugget and Pennstar. Because of the slope, the seeding was covered with tobacco netting. On August 14, the netting was removed because the ryegrass had made considerable growth. The area was irrigated as needed for rapid establishment. Starting on August 23, and thereafter at weekly intervals, the walk was mowed with a rotary mower set to cut at 1 inch. On September 3, a second application of the 10-5-5 fertilizer was made. The walk was opened to foot traffic on October 3, 1972, at which time a thick stand of mostly ryegrass had developed. Credit Divot News May 1974 AQUA-QRO AQUA- T Q u a lity Blended W etting Agent L o w Cost Blended W etting Agent STOMA-SEAL Chemical C o n tro l o f W ilt Convenience o f A p p lic a tio n □ 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 AQUA-QRO GRANULAR # „ THE STORM! Winds and Rains seething in utter disdain, With rage thundering in stubborn reign — So volatile a course of vengeful plight — Tearing the Fairways deeply apart. A relentless Foe now breathes supreme, With humid tears piercing its earthly disease, Forming hues like a Picasso Palette — Torturing the Greens weeping in disguise. Suddenly! — A hush of silence ends its wrath, With a tranquil breeze sweeping motion — Halting! — Heat and Rain in its path — Pity! — Nothing remains but its seedless womb. CHIPMAN DIVISION OF RHODIA. INC. New B ru n sw ick, N .J. 08903 The “ Super” is wroth in tears and pain — Thousands of toil hours lost in vain — His knowledge galore will lend beauty again, By mending it all with the touch of his hand. Frank Paladino The P o w e r h o u s e ROUTE 6 & DINGLE RIDGE ROAD • BREWSTER, NEW YORK 10509 • Phone 914 279-7181 Serving Westchester, Rockland, and Fairfield Counties Emanuel Sliemin Horticulturist Toro Turf Equipment Toro Irrigation Ryan Equipment Myers Sprayers Otis Vehicles Turf Vac Vacuums Lindig Equipment Fitchburg Chippers GREENHOUSES • NURSERIES C o m p le te C o v e ra g e "OUR STANDARD IS EXCELLENCE" 1081 KING STREET GR EEN W IC H , CONN. 06830 TEL. (203) 5 3 1 -7 3 5 2 - 0 1 4 ) 937-4644 One Stop is par for the course at Only golf course su p p lie r to offer a full line of QUALITY PRODUCTS for BETTER TURF WHOLESALE CENTER Distributors of Arico - Rockland USS Agri-Chemicals ADS Drainage Pipe Hollytone Lawn Sprinkler Systems Turf Chemicals Broadleaves & Evergreens Flowering Trees Flowering Shrubs Shade Trees Grass Seed Fencing Railroad Ties Prairie-Film Fir & Pine Bark Wealher| matic. Lawn S p r in k le r Systems From one pro to , another USS and VERTAGREEN are registered trademarks Order now from Cloro-Spray Save Time and Money Wetting Agents Liquid Fertilizers Iron Chelate Anti-Desiccants Seed Sprays M aintenance Cleaners Ball Wash Liquids Specialty Lubricants Lubrication Equipment Cutrine Algaecides Complete coverage on sales and service, too -w ith warehouses in: • Los Angeles • Dallas • Detro it • Pittsburgh • Bristol CLORO-SPRAY For c o m p le te coverage Telephone c o lle ct (215) 426-7723 475 Be a. er Street • Bristol, Pa. 19007 frr •• USEPl8'74 0 r / l > -a ' \ / r ; *■■ ■ y vV. /Vu VJ xv l ir,0.3661 k m*r- v1k !b Edward C. Horton 6 Wilton Road Portchester, New York First Class MELVIN garden B LUCAS JR A CITY GOLF CLUB 3l'j SVEWART AVL G A R D E N c i t y NY ll-)3 Agrico 18-4-10 Works More Efficiently. And Well Go To Any Links To Prove It! It’s a fact. Agrico Country Club Fertilizer for tees and greens provides more efficient feeding. It gets down to the grass roots quicker, and gives you more feeding power for your money. We ll prove it to you on your own course, free of charge. While other fertilizers are still at the surface level—where they can be mowed away by greens mowers—Agrico’s 18-4-10 formula is already rapidly penetrating to the root zone. The key to its rapid penetration is Agrico’s scientifically sized, extremely dense particles. These tiny, non-burning granules are quickly dissolved and absorbed to provide instant, longer lasting feeding power. With far less pick-up by mowers. Proven on leading golf courses, Agrico’s 18-4-10 contains the balanced nutrient formula necessary for controlled sustenance of high-quality turf. Ten units of water insoluble nitrogen provide the balanced ratio necessary for continued, long-term feeding. Quickly available sources of nitrogen cause immediate green-up... Sulphate of potash increases summer durability and winter hardiness, while reducing disease incidence. Agrico’s low phosphorus content avoids excessive build-up while promoting vigorous, deep root form atipn.^ “W e’ll Go To Any Links” To prove that Agrico works more efficiently, 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 18-4-10 formula for tees and greens. And we ll fill you in on Agrico’s full line of dependable course-care products. Dan Brogan l 14 Wiedemann Avenue Clifton, New Jersey 07011 Please contact me for a free product demonstration of 18-4-10 and for information on Agrico’s other course-care products. N am e_______________________________________ T itle _______________Golf Course_______________ Street or P. O. B o x_________________________ ____ Phone Number______________________— --- -------C ity___________________State _________ Zip__ Otter good only in Agrico trade areas.