August 1977 Published monthly by the Metropolitan Golf Course Superintendents Association MEETING NOTICE: Date: September 12 Place: The Whippoorwill Club Lunch: Available in grill room Golf: Starting times—Annual Lawrence Labriola Memorial Tournament sponsored by MGCSA—All members invited Cocktails: 6 PM Dinner: 7 PM Host: Charles Martineau—Reservations call: 273-3755— 273-3011 Directions: Take I 684 to exit 3 Armonk, take route 22 to route 120, take route 120 north. First road to right is Whip­ poorwill Road which leads to club. COMING EVENTS: September 15 LIGCSA Fresh Meadow Golf Club September 29 MGCSA Invitational, Brae Burn Country Club October 11 MGCSA Siwanoy C.C. (2nd round Supt. Championship) October 11 LIGCSA Hampton C.C. October 4 NJGCSA Annual Turfgrass Equipment Irrigation and Supplies Field Day, Hopewell Valley Golf Club, Hopewell, N.J. 12-5 November 15-17 N.Y. State Turf Conference, Turf Inn, Albany, N.Y. November MGCSA annual meeting MGCSA NEWS: We sure had a nice meeting at Waccabuc C.C. It certainly is a nice homey country like atmosphere. A1 Moore had the course in great shape, especially since this was after that heat wave. Now I know you won’t forget the heat wave of 1977. If you got through the heat wave you probably survived the summer, although the weeks that followed were touch and go with showers, high humidity and pythium. We seem to be seeing more and more of it and certainly nobody wants it. We should feel lucky after seeing George Thompson’s slides at a recent NJGCSA meeting, George is from that lovely Washington DC area. Some of the fellows in that area haven’t had much turf since last year. They lost their Bermuda last winter along with winterkill and the summer has been a real wipeout with pythium. It seems one of our former members doesn’t like the South either. Pat Lucas will be returning to the Met area next year at Innis Arden. Vol. V II, No. 7 John Traynor certainly had his 1st year headaches with the vandalism just prior to the Westchester C.C. Classic. It turned out O.K. and John gave them some rough that they hadn’t seen before and the scores showed it. The rabbits enjoyed playing Fairview C.C. Boy, what a way to make money. 170 players to qualify for 7 spots for the Westchester Classic. Word has it that Vic Cedrone is now one of the Superin­ tendents at Pinehurst, working under Bob DePencier. Good luck Vic. Sherwood and Marie Moore along with Roger Morhardt, Dan Cancelled, Terry and Joan Mulligan, did a great job at the picnic at Woodway Beach club. It was a nice turnout, lots of kids, games, good food and a lot of fun. Too bad more of you didn’t enjoy it. Everybody is always glad to see Labor Day roll around so why don’t you enjoy a real nice golf outing sponsored by MGCSA. The Lawrence Labriola Memorial Tournament. Our dear friend the hyperodes weevil has been busy along with the Dung Beetle. We sure could use some more monies from clubs and Individuals. We can’t do it without your support. Garry Crothers Welfare: We know that Mel Lucas Sr. along with an old friend and life member Jack Ormond would appreciate hearing from you. Both have been ill and are on the mend. Also, condolences to the Vadala family, Bruno’s mother passed away and soon after his father-in-law. MGCSA President Ed Horton presenting John Musto, CGCS, with his certification plaque. Editorial Staff Garry Crothers Ted Horton President: First Vice President: Second Vice President: Secretary: Treasurer: Co-Editor Co-Editor OFFICERS Edward C. Horton, Winged Foot Golf Club Office 914-698-2827, Home 914-937-3613 Charles Martineau, Whippoorwill C.C. Office 914-273-3755, Home 914-428-3826 Richard Gonyea, Rye Golf Club Office 914-835-3203, Home 914-835-3204 Michael Maffei, Back of Beyond Golf Course Office 914-279-7179, Home 914-279-7895 Robert Alonzi, Burning Tree C.C. Office 203-869-5779, Home 914-937-1527 Not copyrighted. I f there is good here, we want to share it with all chapters - unless author states otherwise. MGCSA Research Fund Report To date we have heard from 26 clubs but we still haven’t heard from many of the clubs that contributed last year. Many individuals also have not sent in their contribution for this year. MGCSA is committed to raising at least $8,000 for the research work to be conducted this year. If you or your club has not contributed to date, please try and help us in this important research for all of us. To date the following clubs have contributed: Piping Rock Club The Apawamis Club The Ardsley Country Club Ridgeway Country Club Blind Brook Club Rockland Country Club Bedford Golf and Tennis Club Round Hill Club Brae Burn Country Club St. Andrews Golf Club Century Country Club Sleepy Hollow Country Club Elmwood Country Club Waccabuc Country Club Fenway Golf Club Wee Burn Country Club Knollwood Country Club Whippoorwill Club Greenwich Country Club Winged Foot Golf Club Wood way Country Club Old Oaks Country Club Wykagyl Country Club Pelham Country Club MGCSA Quaker Ridge Golf Club Metropolis Individuals: Robert Alonzi Terry Boles Garry Crothers Michael Dale Roger Harmonay Edward Horton Roger King Jerry Scafa Phil Santucci Robert Tosh Dan Verrille Dr. Andrew Virtuoso Almstead Tree Co. Inc. Robert Phippe Ted Joswich Mike Russo Alan Tretera Paul Caswell John Corsi Paul Sartoretto Bob Bruce AL KRAUTTER ADDRESSED MGCSA by Steve Puvogel, Winged Foot Golf Club Mr. Alfred Krautter was our guest speaker at Waccabuc Country Club. He is the proprietor of Sprain Brook Nursery Inc. and president-elect of the New York State Nurserymen’s Association. He asked for us all in the horticulture industry to pull together for more legislative power and to show society the value our industry offers in the form of aesthetics and recre­ ation. On the horticultural note Mr. Krautter discussed the uses of annuals and perennials. He stated that successful use of these plant materials comes from good planning. Areas to consider are: PICK THE PLANTS FOR THE LOCATION Sun versus shade. Dry versus moist soils. Formal versus informal area. SUCCESSION OF BLOOM Length. Profusion. Color. SOIL PREPARATION Fertilizer—lime. Organic matter. And whatever soil ammendments might be needed. MAINTENANCE Select low maintenance plants, weed control—mulch, and herbicide are most effective. USE OF ANNUALS VERSUS PERENNIALS Annuals —Hold display all summer —More formal. —More effective when massed. Perennials —Need depth. —Informal. —Effective in strategic spots. *Keep in mind both are more effective when used together. Some of the better plants mentioned: Impatiens—Good for shady location, better massed with good color until frost. Zinnias—Informal annual that blooms around July until frost, practically pest free effective when massed, use mixed colors. Marigolds—Excellent flower bloom, especially with Nugget variety, use different heights for different effects. Agultum—Blue flower, low grower, good in mass planting, good border plant. Day Lillies—Good hardy plant with orange and yellow flowers depending on variety. Caladium—Foliage plant that needs shade and lots of water. Dusty Miller—Foliage plant that does best in full sun, goes well with Salvia. Salvia—Well drained fertile soil is best with blue and red flowers depending on variety. Ivy 238th St.—Good winter hardiness and climbs well. Hosta—Excellent perennial flowers in mid-summer. Pest and maintenance free. Multiplys readily, propagated by di­ vision. Lidune—Good poor soil plants, good rocky plants, flower depends on variety. Mums—Excellent fall color, pinching helps flower profu­ sion, still has interest after frost. Candy tuft—Good spring color and has evergreen foliage. Spirea—Excellent woodland plant that is hardy and dura­ ble. Climates—Nice vine, vigorous grower with excellent fall color. Phlox—Good summer color divides easily, color depends on variety. NON-CREDIT COURSE ANNOUNCEMENTPEST CONTROL OPERATIONS New York City Community College has announced a series of courses designed for those already working as pest control operators as well as for those wishing to enter this field. A certificate will be issued for successful completion of each course. The courses begin in mid to late September. If interested, contact the New York City Community College of the City University of New York, 300 Jay Street, Brooklyn, N.Y., 11201, Division of continuing education and extension Services. Mr. Ted Horton Winged Foot Golf Club Mamaroneck, N.Y. August 10,1977 Dear Ted: Hello Again. May we ask you to contact your memberships and request that they return the Course Maintenance Survey within the month of August. To date we have about 25 surveys in and would like to get to at least 75. You might advise your members that if any question bothers them—to simply leave the answer blank. Also, no names of clubs will be published with the results. Second copies of the survey were mailed to the superin­ tendents last week. Thank you for your cooperation on this matter. Regards, James E. McLoughlin Executive Director Waccabuc Country Club Superintendent Al Moore with his Assistant Superintendent Ed Binsse. ALMSTEAD TREE CO., INC. For Better Trees For Better Care of Trees, Call ALMSTEAD • • • • Spraying Pruning Feeding Trimming • Removals • Topping • Stump Removal • 7 5 ’ Bucket Truck — Complete G olf Course Service — Harrison 835-4668 New Rochelle 576-0193 Pelham 738-5238 TURFGRASS INDUSTRY LEADERS MEET AT CORNELL Leaders from New York’s turfgrass industry participated in an invitational forum at Cornell University, Ithaca on June 16, 1977. Presidents of 26 associations of golf course, cemetary, school grounds, and landscape maintenance supervisors, and of sod producers and nurserymen were invited. Since formal associations of some specialties (sod production, landscape maintenance and seedsmen) are lacking in some areas of the State, recognized leaders from each geographic area were invited to represent their interests. A cross section of the State’s chemical and equipment suppliers, of cooperative extension agents, and of the U.S. Golf Association were also invited, as were the Cornell turfgrass research and extension personnel, Department chairmen, and Associate Directors of Research and Extension. The day began with a breakfast and discussion session which was hosted by the New York State Turfgrass Associa­ tion. The group then toured the University’s Turfgrass and Nursery Field Research Facility, and were briefed on the current research being conducted throughout the state on insect, disease, and weed control, on turfgrass fertility, and on variety evaluations on both full-sun and heavy-shade plots. After a box lunch on the shade research plots, the industry leaders reunited at the University Golf Course’s Moakley House for further discussions. Preliminary results from the T RC PRODUCTS survey of New York’s turfgrass industry were presented. The survey is based largely upon computerized retrieval of data accumulated in highly accurate aerial photographic surveys of New York. Nearly all specific uses of turfgrass are categorized separately, and over 1.1 million total acres (3% of the State) are currently identified. Plans for extending the survey into mean­ ingful economic terms were also discussed. Round table dis­ cussions concluded the turfgrass leaders forum. Topics dealt primarily with teaching, research and extension program priorities needed by the industry. Techniques for developing a more effective dialogue between Cornell University and the turfgrass industry were also discussed. Future meetings of the turfgrass industry leaders are planned at Ithaca, and at the 31st Annual New York State Turfgrass Conference in Albany, November 15-17. ATTRACTANT DESTROYS ELM BARK BEETLES The Dutch elm disease has devastated elm populations in the Northeastern United States and presently threatens Ameri­ can elms throughout their natural and cultivated range, according to Patent 4,034,080, received this week by the Department of Agriculture for a means of eliminating the bark beetle that transmits the disease. One of the seven inventors is Prof. Robert M. Silverstein of the College of Environmental Science and Forestry of the State University of New York, in Syracuse. Four of his colleagues and two research scientists from the Forest Service are the co-inventors. The invention is regarded as offering important protection against the European elm bark beetle, ranked as one of the most pernicious destroyers of elm trees. The inventors identi­ fied a beetle secretion that is an attractant, and devised a synthetic simulation consisting of three chemicals. Traps containing the mixture may be set out near the infested areas and when enough beetles have been lured, they can be removed and destroyed. Or a poison such as methoxychlor can be placed in the area to kill the lured beetles. Credit: The New York Times, July 9,1977 TU CO Division of The Upjohn Company Acti-dione TGF* fits Acti-dione RZ your for your tees, greens and fairway program. LUBRICATING EQUIPMENT PRODUCTS Acti-dione TGF helps eradicate and protect against turf diseases. It’s watersoluble, easy to handle, and won’t harm beneficial bacteria in soil. For more information call: fairway and greens disease problems to a tee. Acti-dione RZ A sod webworm larva can eat up 20 square inches of turf in its 20- to 40-day lifespan. A cutworm larva can chew up 36 square inches. Control them both with Proxol 80 SR THE REICHERT COMPANY DAVID J. SYLVESTER PHONE (203)661-1816 RES (203)637-2958 MAI L P.O. BOX 273 RIVERSIDE, CT. 06878 AR EA S A L E S R E P R E S E N T A T IV E H O M E : 4 7 M A IN S T R E E T , EAST B E R L IN , C O N N E C T IC U T 0 6 0 2 3 2 O 3 /0 2 8 - 3 7 9 O never stopped learning. He reads everything he can get his hands on. He belongs to the local superintendents’ associa­ tion, the Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council and GCSAA. Rarely does he miss a meeting, a conference or a chance to talk with his fellow superintendents or his professional and academic friends. His zeal for knowledge in his profession is contagious, infecting those who work with him. Many are motivated to take university courses so they, too, can become top superin­ tendents. “From this analysis of my husband’s progress, and from seeing other superintendents operate, I have developed a deep sense of pride. I have come to realize that there is more—much more—to being a superintendent than just helping grass grow for the pleasure of a privileged few. “I’d like to erect a monument to those who transform areas of ordinary appearance into places of beauty by planting and maintaining grass, flowers, shrubs and trees. “Now, when someone asks what my husband does for a living, my heart swells with pride and I say, ‘He is a golf course superintendent!’ Then if they ask what that entails, they had better be prepared to listen, because I’ll tell them, verse and chapter. One I started on his accomplishments it would be hard to stop me. All superintendents’ wives should be inordin­ ately proud of their husbands and what they do for mankind. I Our picnic hosts: Sherwood and Marie Moore. In the back­ ground is Frank Bevelacqua. This woman’s letter touched me. She gave me permission to send it to you. Dr. Fred V. Grau Consulting Agronomist Musser International Turfgrass Foundation Credit: Golf Superintendent July 1977 for tougher TURF fertilize with — 1 MILWAUKEE _ ^ * T H E Volleyball action at the picnic. NATURAL OÑGANÍC FERTILIZ E R • LONGER LASTING • EASIER TO APPLY • W O N ’T BURN Long-lasting Milorganite provides soil with everything necessary for strong, vigorous grass growth. It promotes a healthy root system that resists drought, insect pests, and disease. Milorganite is easy to apply, too: it's dust-free, free flowing, and does not cake or deteriorate in storage. Use spring, summer, and fall. METRO M ILORGANITE INC. P.O. Box 267 Hawthorne, N .Y . 10532 Tel. (914) 769-7600 John Wistrand Tony Grasso Our chefs: Lowdy and Roger. ROOTS HOW THEY GROW It is probable the broad subject of plant—soil—water relationships is the least understood of all the maintenance factors to be considered on the golf course. True, there is much information on the relationships mentioned, but sometimes it is not clear enough as to what the information is trying to say. For one thing, there is a considerable failure to qualify statements made because they do not distinguish between saturated and unsaturated water conditions. The reactions of plants growing in saturated, unsaturated and dry environ­ ments is considerably different. No doubt our understanding here needs to be broadened. One area difficult to understand is in the area of root growth and extension as related to water supply. Recommendations have been made, but without enough qualification concerning a definition of the existing water conditions as related to cause and effect. For example, what water and soil conditions exist if you water thoroughly and less frequently? I believe the mean­ ing is to avoid saturated conditions, but it needs to be so stated. Then if this is the meaning—where do we stop? Water less frequently but how much less in definitive terms? It has been written that deep infrequent watering encourages deep root growth. ‘But why? Surely it’s because roots don’t grow in saturated soil. But they don’t grow in dry soil either. It has been said that roots go down into the soil and search for water. It might be better to say roots proliferate and grow in the immediate area where the best combination of water, air and mutrients exist. It is doubtful if much happens when the root comes upon an area where any one of these items is missing. Roots should not be expected to go through an area of saturated or heavily compacted soil because of the limited oxygen. Nor should it be expected to go through a layer too dry to supply adquate water to the extending root. Nutrients are not so limiting in practice. There is little doubt, that of the three limiting factors mentioned, (water, air & Nutrients) air or oxygen is the most predominant. Shortage of oxygen is usually related to excess of water or to compaction. An excess of water should be easiest to eliminate. Compaction is more difficult. You may feel it best to begin a green reconstruction program. If you do this be sure you don’t build back in the very things you are trying to eliminate! A thorough reading and study of this material and analysis of your own situation with plenty of good consultation from the right sources should be adequate guidance. CRC. Credit: REPORTER March 1977 MORE THAN A “SERVANT” I received the following letter from the wife of a golf course superintendent a month after I met her in Portland at GCSAA’s conference and show. “Dear Dr. Grau: “I have read many of your articles and I know some of your accomplishments. I was glad to meet you in Portland and I appreciate your interest in others. For a long time I’ve wanted to tell this story. I was encouraged by a conversation with another superintendent’s wife and by your interest. “During my first few years of married life I was embarrassed when someone asked, ‘What does your husband do for a living?’’ My husband worked as assistant to his grandfather, who was a country club superintendent. To me—then—he seemed to be just a ‘servant’ for demanding, wealthy people who needed him (or someone like him) to keep their expensive ‘playground’ green and in good condition for their amusement. His job, to me, seemed Commercial exhibits) Banquet in tropical poolside s e ttitfl) is a valuable resource and COSTLY when purchased to irrigate your golf course. For 18 years AQUA-GRO, used on a regular program has given savings in water dollars up to and exceeding 30%. Is the question really “DO WETTING AGENTS PRO­ DUCE BETTER TURF?”. . . . or just plain common sense applied to your water budget dollars? Aquatrols Corporation of America 1400 Suckle Highway, Pennsauken, N. J. Spouses welcome: Get acquainted with your capital (childcare available). For information and prerefjistrafcûm. contact: Mrs. denm Spruclc Exec. Secy $ Flint Food Amityville, Hy. njoi Ny lists it own noxious and secondary noxious weeds. Most states allow secondary noxious if written on the tag. These weeds are usually annuals and not a serious hazard when used for ornamental purposes where the grass is continually mowed, such as, a lawn, golf course, or park. Many states now treat Poa Annua as a noxious weed and prohibit any seed containing Poa Annua from being sold in their state and will remove it from being sold. This is where judicious buying by the supplier comes in and naturally, seed that has Poa Annua is cheaper than seed that is Poa Annua and Bent free. All purchases should specify in the contracts that the seed you purchase must be Poa Annua and Bent free if this is your desire. Any other seed not of the type purchased is considered by experts who want a pure variety as a crop or a weed seed, such as Poa Annua which is considered a noxious weed in some states but not in Illinois. GERMINATION To get the percent of germination, 100 seeds are put on a germination tray and placed in a germination cabinet that has high and low temperature controls resembling Mother Nature. Then it is incubated for the usual time allotted for the different varieties of seed and the percent of live seed is thus deter­ mined. For instance, if 11 seeds do not produce a hair root, the germination is 89% of live seed. HOW CHEAPER SEED IS OBTAINED Some shippers have been known to buy some good lots of seed on the basis of 85% pure, but tests show a 92 purity and For the superintendent ProTurf offers research tested, golf course proven professional turf products. Just give me a call. ProTurf Senior Technical Representative RFD # 1—Terry Lane Brookfield, Conn. 06804 Telephone: 203/775-3472 mimmmmsmm 89 germination. They then blend some cheaper seed showing 78 pure and 71 germination at a much cheaper price. By blending the two, you get 85-80 and a cheaper price of say 5 cents under market and sell it as first grade seed. The weed content in the first lot could be .05 or 5 hundredth of 1% and the second lot could be .55% or 55th hundredth of 1% so that the mixed seed would show 85 purity, 80 germination, .30 weeds, and it might contain Poa Annua and Bent. The crop seed would be figured the same way. Here you have a bargain seed. SEEDING IN THE FALL If seeding in the fall, the best seed to use is a high grade, high purity, high germinating seed with low weed content of the seed harvested in the previous year because new crop seed reaches its best germination in the following January or February of the next year, such as 76 crop will germinate better in January or February because of the natural curing process. The best known way of buying seed is know your seedsman and his reputation as a buyer of the highest grades available on the market. Believe it or not, there are some who sell the best by test but lose out on a price basis which is not the best way to purchase seed. Buyers should ask the seller for a laboratory test showing lot number and name of seed one ach type of purchased. Good seed sellers should be able to furnish this information to the buyer, especially if a fairly large quantity of seed is involved. Credit: The Bull Sheet, July 1977 USS Vertagreen Fall Fairway Fertilizer... W e ll help winterize vour fair wavs! £ Vertagreen Fall Fairway Fertilizer Hit the fairways- this fall with an application of this great new USS Vertagreen fertilizer and you’re on your way to fewer turf problems next spring. This quality product is ideal for fall fairway fertilization because it has a high potash analysis ...and that means less winter kill. A soil test in the late summer or early fall will determine if your fairways lack this vital nutrient. If they do, USS Verta­ green Fall Fairway Fertilizer is the answer because it’s formulated with primary nutri­ ents specifically for your area. See your USS Vertagreen distributor and he’ll show you how to winterize your fairways this fall. Next spring you’ll be glad you did. Agri-Chemicals Division of United States Steel P.O. Box 1685, Atlanta, Ga. 30301 TRA OCM ARK MGCSA Box 37 Rye, New York 10580 First Class MELVIN B LUCAS JR GARDEN CI T Y GOLF CLUB 315 STEWART AVE GARDEN CI T Y NY 11530 A Herbicides M CPP M CPP P lu s 2 ,4 -D M eth a r 8 0 M eth a r 3 0 AMA P lu s 2 ,4 -D AMA (S u p e r M ethar) Fungicides 3 3 3 6 T u rf F u n g ic id e a broad spectrum system ic fu n g ic id e th a t prevents and c o n tro ls all six m ajor tu r f diseases. B ro m o sa n T u rf F u n g ic id e Specialties The newest broad spectrum system ic fu n ­ gicide fo r those persistent tro u b le areas. S p e c tr o All W et C lea r S p ra y T ru-G reen G rass* G reen z it A c o m b in a tio n con tact and system ic w hich co n tro ls d o lla r spot, copper spot, brow n patch, and leaf spot. C ad d y PM AS (10% ) S p o t re te G ranular T urf F u n g ic id e C ad -T rete BEn5ui uwOBfiRV CHEmiCflL CORPORATION 1049 Somerset Street, Somerset, NJ 08873 (201) 247-8000 KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS (A-34) and f SUPPLy, RATED FIRST FOR WEAR TOLERANCE RATED FIRST FOR SHADE TOLERANCE RATED HIGH IN DISEASE RESISTANCE 66 TELEPH O N E / (2 0 3 ) 8 T 8 -0 6 5 8 Distributor of: ®mjal (tarif S>jjrinklrr0 • Peerless Pumps Available as Sod, Sod Plugs and Seed TURF NURSERY, INC. 9 M IL F O R D , C O N N E C T I C U T 0 6 4 6 0 BenSun (A-34) Kentucky bluegrass was the only bluegrass, out of 18 tested, to receive an excellent rating, for wear toler­ ance on golf courses. This test was conducted by a leading university doing turfgrass research. BenSun (A-34) is also rated first for shade tolerance (up to 65%) and near the top in disease resistance. It grows vigorously in shade, sun, cool and warm climates, high and low altitudes, poor soil and even sand. Write for more detailed information, a list of golf courses now using BenSun (A-34) and the research ratings referred to above. T V c w ie tù ERNA AVENUE P. O . B O X • Pump Controls & Control Valves R.R. 1 - Box 240-D (Lower & Gardnerville Roads) New Hampton, New York 10958 (914) 355-6162 • Pipe, Valves & Fittings Sales & Service _EARD co u cn o N