Voi. V II, No. 1 Published monthly by the Metropolitan Golf Course Superintendents Association MEETING NOTICE: March 24, Thursday Place: To be announced Luncheon: 12:30 Program: Business Meeting and Luncheon COMING EVENTS: March 2-4 University of Mass. Turfgrass Conference Springfield Civic Center, Springfield, Mass. March 24 MGCSA meeting (location to be announced) April May Old Oaks C.C. (tentative) June 23 Mt. Kisco C.C. July Waccabuc August MGCSA picnic September 29 Round Hill—Supt. Invitational Golf Club October 11 Siwanoy C.C. Meeting dates are still not committed. Please call Paul Caswell if you can offer your club for a meeting this coming year. 203-869-1000. MGCSA NEWS: It’s that time of the year when we all attend Turf Conferences to renew and further our education. There is always a new thought or thoughts at every conference. Ted Horton gave an excellent talk at the recent Professional Turf and Landscape Conference. It was not an easy topic— Estimating and Bidding Industrial and Commercial Land­ scape Maintenance. Bob DePencier will be on the Program at the University of Mass. I think the most talked about item throughout much of the country is the weather. Certainly we should expect some winter injury which hasn’t been the case in the past few mild winters. One of the big problems this winter has been that the Canadian Geese for some reason came back and can be seen trying to survive on any open grass or bare area they can find. All the normal ponds, lakes, rivers have been frozen for sometime. I am sure all Supts. have been asked if they have any firewood. We may find ourselves converting those gas heaters to good wood burning heaters. They have some excellent ones on the market and they do the job. I have heated my house almost solely with wood this winter via wood burning heater and fireplace. This is just another area where you as a Supt. can help in a National Problem which we all must face. At the recent New York Turf and Landscape Conference there was emphasis placed on conservation (naturally). There are some excellent new block products which can be used for parking areas, possible traffic areas with carts. Jan.-Feb. 1977 It allows soil between spaces thus allowing grass to grow and the water perculates into the soil rather than being wasted as runoff. There are also new paving products that allow water penetration. We must continue to find means to replenish our underground water supply. Blacktop is not the answer. Garry N. Crothers Sympathy: The MGCSA extends our sincere sympathy to two long standing members of MGCSA, Frank Zukosky formerly at Cold Spring C.C. before retirement and James Keough, life member who retired from Fresh Meadow C.C. Advisory Committee Appointment: President Ted Horton has set up an advisory committee. This committee will consist of past presidents, charter members, and members of long standing in the Association to become active in policy decisions of the Association. This committee will be co-chaired by Ray Twombly and Sherwood Moore. Christmas Party 1976: Thanks go to Bob DePencier and his committee; the Carriere’s, Bill Caputi, Bob Mullane, Bob Lippman and the many others who helped make it a success. The raffle which covered the additional costs of the Christmas Party was won by Frank Malara. Terry Mulligan is the chairman for the Christmas party in 1977. Please contact Terry for any suggestions you might have for ’77. Robert DePencier receiving the Outstanding Contribution to MGCSA plaque from President Ted Horton at the Christmas party at the Elks Club in PortChester. Editorial Staff Garry Crothers Ted Horton Co-Editor Co-Editor OFFICERS President: First Vice President: Second Vice President: Secretary: Treasurer: 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. ADVERTISING RATES FOR “TEE TO GREEN” 1/6 page Vz page Vi page 2/z page 2/3 page (Back Cover) 1 page $ 40.00 60.00 80.00 100.00 per issue per issue per issue per issue 130.00 150.00 per issue per issue NOTICE The Powerhouse has informed the MGCSA that they still have some Toro or other demonstration equipment in the field that has yet to be returned. Could anyone possessing such equipment please inform them by telephoning 914 279-7181 as soon as possible. , Scholarship and Research: MGCSA has continued $150.00 to the O.J. Noer Research Foundation which is being matched by Metro Milorganite in the name of the Association. We have received a thank you letter from Dr. Reed Funk of Rutgers, Cook College Department of Soils and Crops for MGCSA’s $300.00 contribution to the Bent Grass Breeding Program. The Scholarship and Research Committee will review other requests at the next board meeting. Myperodes weevil and Dung Beetle Research Program: Those who have contributed to date will receive a 6 page report. Each Class A member will also receive a statement and Progress Report. We hope that you will submit this statement to the club so that we may add more clubs to the present 38 clubs. Garry Crothers receiving the Past President's plaque and jacket from President Ted Horton. PRESIDENT FORD SIGNS TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT Effective January 1, 1977, “The toxic Substance Control Act” becomes law. Signed by President Ford in October, this strong bill will be administered by EPA. The new law authorizes the EPA to regulate toxic substances and requires chemical manufacturers and processors to notify the Agency of the planned manufacture of new chemical substances at least 90 days prior to production. The EPA may require manufacturers to submit toxically test data for new and existing chemicals, and limit or prohibit the manufacturing, processing, or distribution of chemicals found to present an unreasonable risk to health or the environment. The EPA may request other federal agencies such as OSHA to take action against a chemical substance under laws administered by them, but the EPA may assume jurisdiction if the other agency fails to act within a specified time. The EPA also has the authority to conduct inspections and assess civil penalties for violations of its orders. Hopefully, this law will not overburden either the regulatory agency, the regulated industry, or the American people. Students seeking summer employment 1. Mr. Michael Steinle 506 Dickinson Hall U. Mass Amherst, Mass., 01003 Available April 1,1977 to August 31,1977. Student at Stockbridge School of Agriculture. 2. Mr. William Luthin 105 Howard Drive Old Tappan, N.J. Available mid-March. Student at the Michigan State University Turf Program. 3. Mr. Paul Veshi 442 Baker U. Mass Amherst, Mass., 01003 Available mid-March. Student at Stockbridge School of Agriculture. LIVING WITH POA ANNUA by Bob Williams—Supt. at Bob O’Link Golf Gub Wisconsin Turf Symposium—October, 1976 My philosophy on poa annua as a golf turf for fairways, simply stated, is that until the research people can give me a practical, efficient and safe method for removing poa from bentgrass turf, I will continue to make every effort to live with poa annua. I have witnessed the scorching programs on fairways with sodium arsenite followed by bent overseeding. Within two or more years the poa was back again and the membership discouraged. I have witnessed the lead arsenate programs which have given varying degrees of success. However, this material is no longer available. I have witnessed the calcium arsenate programs with results running all the way from success to disaster, with many of the superintendents involved losing their jobs as members became unhappy with the unpredictable results. Currently, we have new chemicals being advertised as specific controls for poa. Frankly, I am not up to date as to whether or not these chemicals are doing the job. My primary purpose in attending this conference is to keep abreast of the latest developments so that when a breakthrough does come to light, I’ll be informed. Carl Hopphan, at the Aurora C.C. is one superintendent that I know of who has licked poa annua. However, he did it with bluegrass fairways, not bent. He tells me that he too had his ups and downs in the process of achieving his ultimate victory. My membership neither knows or much less cares what specie of fairway grass they are playing on. They are only concerned with the playability and the aesthetics of that turf. Having made the judgement to attempt to live with poa annua, just what can I do to maintain satisfactory turf throughout the season? Let’s talk about fairways first. The main weakness with poa annua as a fairway turf is its shallow root system. Due to this short root system, the poa plant has a very low drought and heat tolerance. It is disease prone and has a poor resistance to golf cart and foot traffic. At the same time I am mindful that poa annua does make a good playing turf and it is persistent due to its heavy seeding capability. Generally speaking, if the poa plant in a fairway is supplied with adequate moisture for transpiration on a hot, humid or arid day, the plant will survive. This means that the moisture must be available in that shallow root zone at the time of stress. So we can see why superintendents who are trying to live with poa-bent fairways must use the light, frequent application method of irrigation. Automated irrigation is ideally suited for this purpose. My normal fairway irrigation program calls for approximately 10 to 15 minutes on an almost every night basis. I’m really trying to keep the soil moisture at a constant level. Only replacing daily, that moisture we have lost through evapotranspiration. This kind of irrigation program dictates that we must keep the soil surface open for water penetration and uniformity. To do this, we rely on frequent aerification with spoons, knives or discs depending on the time of the season. During July and August, I prefer to use the triangular knives following a good rain. Next to watering, perhaps the most significant feature towards keeping the poa in our fairways, is the height of cut. In our procedure, the mechanic places the mower unit on a 4 foot square steel plate and then accurately gauges the setting with a ruler. I have found in practice, that poa-bent fairways mowed within the range of 7/8th to 1 and l/8th inches will survive much better than the 5/8th 3A ” range. But, now comes the argument, will the membership stand for fairways mowed 7/8ths to l-l/8 th ? My answer and experience is definitely yes, providing the turf will support the ball and allow for a clean hit. In fact, every year when the touring golf professionals are in the area we have a number of them who play our course. I always make it a point to ask them what kind of fairway lies they are getting and how the ball is responding. They invariably reply, “ Super,” just like setting on a tee, no fuzz behind the ball. And this is when we are at the 1” height. If there is a secret to this, it lies in having a full dense turf that will support a ball for a clean hit. I’m afraid that all too often superintendents have had to go along with low handicap members who insist on Vi fairways just because that’s what the professionals want. Now I’ve proven to myself that the golf professionals do not necessarily want a Vi” lie. What they really mean is a clean lie where grass blades will not stand up between the clubface and the ball. I’m sure you have noticed that the tour professionals do not place their ball on the tight turf of the par 3 tees. No, they use a wood tee to make sure there will be no grass between clubface and ball. In contrast to the professional, the average clubmember is a fifteen handicapper who has had a successful round of golf if he has gotten most of his shots airborne. In order to do this, most golfers require a cushion of turfgrass under the ball but not behind it. In my procedure, I start mowing fairways in the spring at 7/8ths, move up to 1 inch about the middle of June and if it looks like a difficult season for turfgrass. I’ll go up again to 1 and l/8th, by the middle of July. We then move back down in two steps starting about the middle of August. Additionally, in a stretch of 90 degree weather we may skip mowing altogether for as much as a week at a time. We try to accomplish our fairway mowing either in the early morning or the evening /{ and ESUPPLy, IRC. |J rfii ]\ ri I —^ 66 ERNA AVENUE P. O. B O X 9 M IL F O R D , C O N N E C T IC U T 0 6 4 6 0 TELEPHONE (2 0 3 ) 8 T 8 -0 6 5 8 Distributor of: lo y a l lEoadi Sprinklers • Peerless Pumps • Pump Controls & Control Valves • Pipe, Valves & Fittings Sales & Service hours, to avoid the peak stress period for the grass plants. My theory on height of cut for poa-bent fairways is that there must be a compromise between what is best for the golfer and what is best for the turfgrass. Each must give-a-little to keep everyone happy. But how does the membership feel about this? I believe the answer lies in the fact our members had come to expect that poa fairways automatically killed out every July. That was before my time at Bob O’Link. Over the past 18 years, I have made a constant effort to communicate to the membership that if they will accept playing on slightly higher cut on fairways, they could expect minimal if any loss of turf. We seldom ever hear any discussion on the subject anymore. I really believe the superintendent who has poa in his fairways, has been his own worst enemy in yielding to the pressures of the Vi inch cut for fairways. Two years ago, Jim Latham brought Mr. Allis, green chairman from thè Milwaukee C.C. down to Chicago to visit several clubs. He was particularly interested in fairway maintenance. While at Bob O’Link, he tried a number of iron shots from the one inch poa-bent fairways. His conclusion, “I see it but I don’t believe it.” Fertility, of course, has to play a significant role in providing a dense turf. My practice has been to use approximately 2 lbs. of actual nitrogen, 1 lb. of phosphorus and 2 lbs. of potash per year. We use milorganite at about 1,000 lbs. per acre in the dormant winter season and apply urea, superphosphate and sulphate of potash as supplements. This program has been effective, efficient and most economical. In fact, my fairway fertilizer expense this past year was $3,600 for approximately 35 acres or roughly $100 per acre. Perhaps modern day disease control ranks equally important with automatic irrigation in learning to live with poa annua. For the past 20 years I havebeen using a strong disease control program on fairways. In 1976, we used a total of 13 fungicide applications to date and will apply one more in November. We rotated 3 different prescriptions: 1st— Daconil at 1 gallon per acre. 2nd— Combination of PMAS at 1 quart per A with Thiram at 3 lbs. per A. 3rd— Combination of Acti-Dione TGF at 2 pkg. per A with Thiram at 2 lbs. per A. The 14 applications started in May with 1 treatment, 4 in June, 3 in July, 2 in August, 2 in September, 1 in October and the final will be in November. Total cost for fairway treatment was about $6,000. The rotation of the 3 formulations was determined on the basis of what was most appropriate at any time in relation to the weather, phytotoxicity, and type of specific disease that might be expected. One disease problem I have not controlled is fairy ring. We have experienced a minor problem now for about 4 years. Dr. Vargus of Michigan State agrees with my suspicion that this might be a negative side effect from the former use of systemics. When it comes to poa annua on putting greens, I have a different attitude and a different approach. I detest having to tolerate poa in our greens and yet I am at a loss as to a painless method of eradication. Poa is particularly bad on putting greens when it is seeding and we have some greens with perhaps as much as 20 or 30% poa. My long range program for greens is to grow our own poa-free turf in our nursery and resod. This project is now underway with 20,000 square feet seeded this fall and we expect to add another 10,000 square feet next spring. The soil was sterilized with methyl bromide. Allow me to conclude this report with a couple of observations. First, I have noted that some of our courses with the poorest irrigation systems have the most bentgrass in their fairways. (Providing they have seeded in bent rather than bluegrass). I’ve also noticed that with a single row irrigation system, you will find more bent along the outer edges of the fairway and into the short rough where less water is applied. My closing observation is that our golfers in the Chicago area pretty much judge our greenkeeping ability on the basis of how well the greens putt and whether or not we are to hold the fairway turf throughout the season. They are quite intolerant with even moderate loss of grass on fairways regardless whether bent or poa. So, I believe most of us are doing whatever we can to live with poa on fairways until something better and painless comes along. Credit: The Bull Sheet, February, 1977 Dick Gonyea, Chairman, far right. Poa annua panel, I. to r., Terry Mulligan, Garry Crothers, Sherwood Moore and Chuck Fatum. B a f iu n ^ (A-34) RATED FIRST FOR WEAR TOLERANCE RATED FIRST FOR SHADE TOLERANCE RATED HIGH IN DISEASE RESISTANCE 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. Available as Sod, Sod Plugs and Seed *2/Jst**/>** '/t / / TURF NURSERY, INC. / / R R 1 ' Bo« 240-D (Lower & Gardnerville Roads) New Hampton, New York 10958 <914)355-6162 Bob Alonzi receiving gift from Dick Gonyea as winner of the monthly meeting raffle - money to go to the scholarship fund. GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS TO HONOR THREE The 1977 Distinguished Service Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), will be presented to three past presidents of the Association during the opening ceremonies of GCSAA’s 48th International Turfgrass Conference and Show February 6-11 in Portland, Ore. Harold W. Stodola, Paul E. Weiss Sr. and Robert M. Williams were nominated for the award on the basis of their outstanding service and contributions to the profession of golf course management, bringing to 28 the total number of recipients of this special award in the Association’s 50-year history. Stodola, golf course superintendent of the Mendakota Country Club, St. Paul, Minn., served as GCSAA president from 1941 to 1945, the second longest tenure in the Association’s history. He was cited for his work as president in keeping the Association intact during World War II, when no meetings could be held, by personal correspondence with members and local chapters throughout the country. Weiss, who was golf course superintendent of the Lehigh □ 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 Ted Horton speaking at the recent N.Y. Turf and Landscape Conference. Country Club, Emmaus, Pa., for 44 years until his retirement in 1970, served as GCSAA president in 1957. He is widely known as an innovator of methods and turf maintenance equipment, a builder and designer of several golf courses and as an adviser to a number of others. Williams, golf course superintendent of the Bob O’Link Golf Club, Highland Park, 111., was GCSAA president in 1958. During his 50-year career in golf course management, he has spoken at more than 100 turfgrass conferences and has contributed as many articles to turf publications. Williams has trained more than 60 young men in golf course management, and his course is rated nationally as one of the best in the country. He is currently serving on a special GCSAA Organiza­ tional Study Committee to explore the philosophical and organizational concepts of the Association. Stodola, Weiss and Williams will be recognized by some 5,000 colleagues when they receive commemorative plaques during the opening session of the Conference and Show Monday, February 7. In addition, their names will be added to a permanent plaque housed at GCSAA Headquarters, Lawrence, Kan. Credit: GCSAA News CHIPCO protects your turf from the world’s toughest critic... The golfer RHODIA INC. AGRICULTURAL DIVISION Monmouth Junction, New Jersey 08852 AN INVITATION FROM ARNOLD PALMER NATIONAL CHAIRMAN, USGA ASSOCIATES This is my personal invitation for you to join me in an inner circle of serious golfers as a USGA ASSOCIATE. This is your opportunity to be in this important new category of golf at its very beginning. As you know, USGA is the ruling body of golf in the United States. The Association works endlessly to promote all that is good in the game. For example, adherence to the Rules of Golf and the maintenance of the Amateur code—two principles which I learned many years ago when I was playing amateur golf. By joining me as an ASSOCIATE of the United States Golf Association, you can support the USGA and its varied and vital programs that promote and improve golf. We look forward to adding your name to our list as a recognized USGA ASSOCIATE, and as a person who is serious about golf. Add my name as a qualified USGA Associate Annual Subscription: □ A d u lt..................................... $12.00 □ Husband & W ife .................$16.00 □ Jr. Under 1 8 ...........................$8.00 □ Jr. Without Jo u rn a l...............$4.00 □ Payment enclosed □ Bill me □ Bill me I’m a subscriber If you currently subscribe to GOLF JOURNAL send no money now! Check the—Bill me I’m a sub­ scriber—block and a pro rata adjust­ ment will be made. conditions, expertise regarding fertilizers and their uses, and much more. You can build your reputation as a resident expert and increase public awareness of the skills it takes to operate a golf course, simply by sharing what you already know. Write articles, for instance, for the garden section of your newspaper—if there isn’t a lawn section, offer to write a column for the Sunday paper and YOU become the lawn and ornamentals editor. Offer to accept questions from newspaper readers and answer them in print. (Beware of giving out your phone number or sending personal replies, however, or you won’t be able to get your regular work done. Handle it all professionally and in writing.) How about starting a garden club among your course’s players? You could meet with them once a week or once a month to present programs, answer questions or invite other experts you know to speak. No one knows as much as you do about turfgrass, and they’ll be glad to hear whatever information you can give them. Perhaps you could even start a trouble-shooting lawn service and suggest remedies for troubled lawns. You could write for some national publications. Trade journals, like THE GOLF SUPERINTENDENT, will welcome timely articles from you. Another market to build your image among your members is the consumer magazine field. House and Garden and Better Homes and Gardens both buy articles from experts in lawn and garden care. Some of the less well-known consumer magazines probably are better markets at the beginning. Use the library’s copy of The Writers Market, a reference book that lists magazines, what they buy and how much they pay, to select magazines for your articles. No one will know the quality, depth and breadth of your expertise unless you show them by sharing that special knowledge. The possibilities are limited only by your own imagination and energy. Be careful, of course, not to create competition for your golf course or club, and always offer only your best work to others. Start today to boost your image—you’ll be glad you did. Geo. Schofield, Co., Inc. 0 MAKE FULL USE OF YOUR EXPERTISE You’re the expert—yes, you, the golf course superintendent, the turfgrass manager or the manager in charge of several golf courses. Your talents and knowledge are needed by your club members, by the people who play golf on your public course, by your neighbors and the readers of your local newspaper. What do they want? What do you have that they need? You have expert knowledge about horticulture and agronomy, ideas for landscaping, an understanding of which plants will grow and the care they need for your climate and soil (201) 356-0858 WHITE TRAP SAND Landscape chips & Pebbles Volcanic Rock Planters Bark Mulch Patio Pavers P.O. Box 110 • Bound Brook, New Jersey 08805 USS Vertagreen 17-0-8 with B alan... We’ll help you weed and feed! Fertilizer For Professional Turf with Balan 17-0-8 Your local USS Vertagreen distributor has a proven fertilizer for professional turf that performs two jobs at once. USS Vertagreen 17-0-8 with Balan gives your fair­ ways a healthy shot of quick­ acting nitrogen —and the supply continues because 25% of the nitrogen is derived from ureaformaldehyde. It also controls Poa Annua, crabgrass, goose grass, water grass and foxtail — thanks to Balan, the highly effec- tive pre-emergence herbicide. This versatile and economical product contains sulfate of potash for lush, green color and is rounded out with vital secondary and micro-nutrients including chelated iron. USS Vertagreen with Balan is another reason we say, “ see the best, for the best” —and that’s your local Vertagreen distributor. He can help you weed and feed. Agri-Chemicals Best Products! / Best People! Division of United States Steel P.O. Box 1685, Atlanta, Ga. 30301 TRADEMA RK MGCSA Box 37 Rye, New York 10580 First Class M E L V I N II LIM GARDI. N C I T Y 313 ST EWART GARDEN C I T Y .manuel ohe Horticulturist GREENHOUSE A AS *JR GOL I CLUB AVE NY 11530 NURSERIES One Stop Wholesale Center Turf Sales Dept. Distributors of •E V E R G R E E N S • TREE STAKES • FLOWERING TREES • R A ILR O A D TIES I «SHADE TREES • MULCHES • GROUND COVERS • CONTAINER M A TE R IA L •F E N C IN G • TU R F CHEMICALS • F IR & PINE BARK •H O L L Y T O N E • GRAVELS •SP R A YIN G • GRASS SEED EQUIPMENT •A R B O R IS T SUPPLIES • A-D-S-DRAINAGE SYSTEMS Weather TRUE TEMPER TOOLS TURF M AINTENANCE SUPPLIES HO M ELITE CONST. EQUIPMENT Turf Products and Service Fertilizer - Lime - Seed Mulches - Soil Conditioners Insecticides - Herbicides - Fungicides Top Dressing - Trap Sand Tools mafic. Lawn Sprinkler Systems Safe-T-Lawn Lawn Sprinkler Systems — For Quotations Call — Gayle J. Losey 7 Timberly Drive EMANUEL SHEMIN - HORTICULTURIST Goshen, N.Y. 10924 1081 KING STREET, BOX 64, GLENVILLE STATION GREENWICH, CONNECTICUT06830 Phone-Office-Home (914) 294-7823 (203) 531-7352 (914) 937-4644 ALMSTEAD TREE CO., INC. For Better Trees For Better Care of Trees, Call ALMSTEAD • • • • Spraying Pruning Feeding Trimming — Harrison 835-4668 «a • Removals • Topping • Stum p Removal • 7 5 ’ Bucket Truck Com plete G olf Course Service — New Rochelle 576-0193 Pelham 738-5238