January/February 1979 Published monthly by the Metropolitan Golf Course Superintendents Association COMING EVENTS January 26 USGA Green Section Educational Conference January 31 N.Y. Turf & Landscape Conference, Tappen Zee Town House February 4-9 50th International Turfgrass Conference & Show, Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, Georgia February 27, 28 1979 University of Massachusetts Turf March 1 Conference, Springfield Civic Center, Springfield, Mass. May 24 MGCSA Monthly Meeting, Westchester C.C. June MGCSA Monthly Meeting, Mt. Kisco C.C. 1979 U.S. Women’s Open, Brooklawn C.C., July 9-15 Fairfield, Conn, (for info call 203-334-5116) MGCSA Monthly Meeting, Innis Arden G.C. July 19 July 25 Univ./Mass. Annual Turf Field Day August 16-19 Westchester Classic Univ/Rhode Island Turfgrass Field Day August 22 September 20 MGCSA Invitational, Ridgeway C.C. MGCSA NEWS Our annual Christmas Party held on December 22nd at the Greenwich Country Club was a most enjoyable event. A total of eighty-six of us dined and danced ’til the early morning hours. Our thanks to Kathy and Paul Caswell assisted by Patricia and Bob Mullane along with everyone at the Green­ wich Country Club. President Alonzi Appoints Committees At the MGCSA Board of Directors meeting held at the Burning Tree Country Club on December 7, Bob Alonzi named the following committees for 1979: Membership: Paul Caswell John Traynor Program: Mike Maffei Mark Millet Golf, Invitational & Kickers: Dennis Flynn Mark Millet 50-50 Raffle: Dennis Flynn Peter Rapoccio Public Relations & Publicity: Ted Horton Pat Lucas Roster: Ted Horton Mike Maffei John Musto Vol. IX , No. 1 Tee to Green: Ted Horton Pat Lucas Mike Maffei Christmas Party & Summer Event: Sherwood Moore Bob Tosh John Traynor Summer Picnic: Sherwood Moore Welfare: Dennis Flynn Pat Lucas Peter Rapoccio Scholarship & Research: Ted Horton Pat Lucas Mike Maffei Sherwood Moore By-Laws: Richard Allen Terry Mulligen John Musto Bob Tosh John Traynor Advisory: Ted Horton Bob Tosh Nominating: GCSAA Delegates: Dave Marmelstein Terry Mulligan Also at the Board of Directors meeting the following mem­ bership applications were voted upon and approved: Donald Baker—Candlewood Valley Country Club—Class A Peter Rapoccio—Silver Spring Country Club—From Class B to Class A Bryon T. Johnson—Ridgefield Golf Course—Class B John McPike—Garden City Golf Course—Class B Glenn Moore—Glennmore Landscaping—From Class B to Class C Welcome to the MGCSA. GCSAA NEWS GCSAA reports exhibition space sold out for the 50th In­ ternational Turfgrass Conference and Show beginning February 5th in Atlanta. There will be over 220 exhibits to visit. It appears that the Atlanta Conference and Show will be the biggest Show yet! The Atlanta Housing Bureau has informed Headquarters that all rooms held by GCSAA in the Atlanta American Exhibit Hall Schedule: Tuesday, February 6, 1979 Editorial Staff Ted Horton, Co-Editor Pat Lucas, Co-Editor President Office: 914-698-2827 Home: 914-937-3613 Office: 203-637-3210 Home: 203-637-3939 OFFICERS Robert Alonzi, Burning Tree Country Club Office 203-869-5779, Home 914-937-1527 Vice-President Michael Maffei, Back of Beyond Golf Course Office 914-279-7179, Home 914-279-7895 Secretary Paul Caswell, Greenwich Country Club Office 203-869-1000, Home 203-661-8949 Sherwood Moore, Woodway Country Club, Inc. Office 203-329-8257, Home 203-322-0004 Treasurer Not copyrighted. I f there is good here, we want to share it with all chapters - unless author states otherwise. Motor Hotel, Hyatt Regency, Marriott and Peachtree Plaza have been reserved for Monday and Tuesday nights. Rooms in additional hotels are being reserved to meet the large demand. Room confirmation may be with one of these additional hotels, particularly if the housing request form was recently sent. If you have not sent your housing request, please do so immediately. 9:00 a.m.—6:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 7, 1979 9:00 a.m.—6:00 p.m. Thursday, February 8, 1979 9:00 a.m.—2:00 p.m. With over 220 exhibits to visit at the Show this year we hope some of the above pointers will be useful. MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY TO BE KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT ANNUAL TURFGRASS CONFERENCE A recognized authority on organizational behavior will be the keynote speaker at the GCSAA 50th International Turf­ grass Conference and Show, Feb. 4-9, in Atlanta. The annual conference and show is sponsored by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. Dr. George H. Labovitz is professor of organizational be­ havior at Boston University School of Management and presi­ dent of Organizational Dynamics, Inc., a management train­ ing firm. His speech is titled “ Managing for Productivity.’’ Labovitz is a frequent keynote speaker for national asso­ ciations and has written many articles on organizational be­ havior for academic and management journals. He has served as a consultant for many companies in the United States and Europe. The keynote address, which will be given Monday, February 5, at 9:30 a.m., marks the beginning of four days of educational sessions that will feature 77 speakers from uni­ versities, the turfgrass industry and GCSAA. John M. Schilling Director o f Communications, GCSAA Please excuse the rush, he’s on his way . . . . to the 50th International Turfgrass Conference and Show in Atlanta, February 4-9th. He says with a program like this, his club feels they can’t afford for him to miss it. For further information, contact GCSAA Headquarters at 1617 St. Andrews Drive, Lawrence, Kansas 66044 (913 8412240 HOW TO ENJOY AN EXHIBIT In order to take full advantage of the Show we offer you a guide on how to enjoy an exhibit: 1) Plan to visit—schedule a special time in your busy week. 2) Browse—you’ll surely miss something of value to you if you merely peek in. 3) Look—see them all; there’s always something new under the sun. 4) Listen—the exhibitor is ready to talk with you about his display. 5) Get the facts—don’t depend on rumors. 6) Follow up when you get home—exhibitors are glad to help throughout the year; not just during meetings. Christmas Party, 1978 — Greenwich Country Club Mrs. Joe Austin and Kim Alonzi AVIS DISCOUNT CARD Recently a memorandum and brochure was sent to the membership from President Cleaver regarding the Avis RentA-Car discount being offered as a new membership service. The brochure indicated that this was. . . “ A special service to employees of: GCSAA.” Though the previous phrase uses the terminology “ employee,” the discount is being offered to “ members” of GCSAA. There has been some confusion on this and we hope that you will make an announcement at your chapter meeting so that the situation can be more clearly understood. WELFARE: Please contact any member of the Welfare Com­ mittee regarding any hospitalizations, etc. of members of the MGCSA: Dennis Flynn (914) 636-8700; Pat Lucas (203) 6373210; Peter Rapoccio (203) 438-6720. DID YOU KNOW? The Metropolitan Golf Associations’ Handicap Service provides for free handicap subscription for the Golf Course Superintendent as the subscribing club. •u o p n p o ssn jn o lip u a q o i sn ip iM 3JBqs ot j u b m noA ip iijM aauauadxa u b UMop jo f p u B dots jo u ’ sja q u ia u i jn o o j lip u a q j o s a p p jB p u B q t s jy j o j S u iip jB a s UM op 3p is-dn 3DIJJO s lip S u iu jn t aapAV FOR SALE: Spare 48” rotary unit for Simplicity Garden Tractor. $100. Sweepster Broom for garden tractor mounting. Excellent condition. $400. Used Buckner Model 8286 (Febco Model 86) gear driven ir­ rigation sprinklers. All in working condition. Variety of nozzle sizes available. Large quantity available. Sprinkler alone: $10.00 each Sprinkler w/casing & cover: $15 each Contact: Mike Maffei, Back O’Beyond, Brewster Phone: 914-279-7179 Please Patronize Our Advertisers It’S P la y a b le Gus Powell, Dan Cancelleri, Tony and Sandi Savone. Q U A L IT Y D E N S IT Y W EAR TOLERANCE SHADE TOLERANCE Used straight or mixed with other elite bluegrasses, your turf problems are all but sol­ ved. Highly disease and drought resistant and it can be mowed down to 1/2 inch...ideal from the tee to the green. BENTGRASS SOD OR STOLONS Penncross - Cohansey C-7 - Toronto C-15 Available as Sod, Sod Blend, Sod Plugs and Seed. TVcwiettA TURF NURSERY. INC. R.R. 1 - Box 240-D (Lower & Gardnerville Roads) New Hampton, NY 10958 - Phone: 914/355-6162 Peter Rapoccio, Paul and Cathi Caswell. PURCHASING VALUABLE TREE SNAGS For many years foresters have removed dead trees (snags) from existing stands of trees. They felt that insect pests and disease organisms would prosper in the confines of the snags. Thus, the pests could invade a healthy stand of adjacent trees from these presumed foci of infection. Only recently have we begun to weigh the effects of snag removal and consider what benefits might be accrued from their preservation. Approximately 85 species of birds in North America nest in cavities which may often be found in snags, dead tree limbs, or diseased trees. These cavities are formed by the natural de­ cay of the wood or by the excavation of nesting or roosting holes by woodpeckers and other “ primary hole nesters” (e.g., nuthatches). A myriad of “ secondary hole nesting” birds will use abandoned woodpecker holes. The effect of “ clean for­ estry ” (i.e., snag removal) on these bird populations is obvious. Recent research has demonstrated that most of these cavity-nesting-birds are insect eaters and that collectively they help to control the damage wrought by foliage- and fiber-eating insects. Most investigators feel that the benefits we derive from these insectivorous birds far outweigh the po­ tential for snags serving as reservoirs of insect populations. Furthermore, these birds are esthetically pleasing to many of us. Bluebirds, wood ducks, and tree swallows are but a few of the birds that nest in snags. Some owls and raptors that feed on destructive rodents nest in snags or use them as perch sites. In addition, squirrels, raccoons, opossums and other mammals will use snags as their den locations. Snags that fall to the ground are still used by feeding birds and as den sites for mammals; thus, a snag’s value for wildlife continues until it decays to leave its nutrients for a future generation of trees. Overmature trees should be regarded as potential snags and should be preserved to replace the natural loss of snags. From all the evidence, it seems clear that we receive greater economic (insect control and removal labor) and esthetic benefits by preserving snags than if we remove them. R.J. Gutierrez Extension Service Newsletter Editors Note: About four years ago, Manhattanville Col­ lege conducted a course in Purchasing as part o f its Club Management Program which was attended by a dozen area Superintendents. Part o f the study included PRINCIPLES & STANDARDS OF PURCHASING AGENTS advocated by the N A T IO N A L A SSO C IA TIO N OF PURCHASING AGENTS. Their principles and standards are reprinted below. I think they *re a good anchor to have. Pat Lucas Principles & Standards of Purchasing Practice Advocated By National Association of Purchasing Agents 1) To consider, first, the interests of his company in all transactions and to carry out and believe in its established policies. 2) To be receptive to competent counsel from his colleagues and to be guided by such counsel without impairing the dignity and responsibility of his office. 3) To buy without prejudice, seeking to obtain the maximum ultimate value for each dollar of expenditure. 4) To strive consistently for knowledge of the materials and processes of manufacture and to establish practical methods for the conduct of his office. 5) To subscribe to and work for honestly and truth in buying and selling and to denounce all forms and manifestations of commercial bribery. 6) To accord a prompt and courteous reception, so far as conditions will permit, to all who call on a legitimate business mission. 7) To respect his obligations and to require that obligations to him and to his concern be respected, consistent with good business practice. 8) To avoid sharp practice. 9) To counsel and assist fellow purchasing agents in the per­ formance of their duties, whenever occasion permits. 10) To cooperate with all organizations and individuals en­ gaged in activities designed to enhance the development and standing of purchasing. CECIO BROS., INC General Excavating Contractors P.O. Box 4100 500 Old Post Road #3 Greenwich, Conn. 06830 SERVING THE PROFESSIONAL TURF INDUSTRY SINCE 1903 ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ JOHNS-MANVILLE/BUCKNER IRRIGATION EQUIPMENT PUMPS, VALVES, CONTROLLERS FUNGICIDES HERBICIDES INSECTICIDES FERTILIZER ANDREW WILSON INC. 1170 U S. ROUTE 22 MOUNTAINSIDE, NEW JERSEY 07092 (201) 654-5800 Sales Representative — Brian Makar (914) 969-5932 (203) 869-2340 “OVER 50 YEARS OF SERVICE” • • • Lake Dredging Excavating Paving Equip. Rental Rock Excavation Drainage Sewers Sea Wall Const. Road Construction LICENSED DEMOLITION CONTRACTOR I wish to express my personal appreciation to the Metropol­ itan Association for their continued interest and generosity in support of turfgrass research at Rutgers. Supporting contributions such as provided by your Association make it possible to conduct research leading to improvements in fine turf for golf. I am certain that it also provides a fringe benefit in generating increased enthusiasm in Dr. Funk to receive the backing of the golf industry. Our sincere thanks to the Metro­ politan Golf Course Superintendents for their kind considera­ tion. Henry W. Indyk Specialist in Turfgrass Management Rutgers University Something To Think About Bob Alonzi, President MGCSA, presenting MGCSA donation to Dr. Reed Funk for Bentgrass Research at Rutgers University. Credit: Rutgers University SCHOLARSHIP AND RESEARCH: Enclosed please find a photo recording the presentation of the Metropolitan Golf Course Superintendents Association check in support of the bentgrass program at Rutgers. You may wish to include it in a future issue of Tee To Green. “One ship drives east, another drives west, With the self-same winds that blow. ’Tis the set o f the sails and not the gales Which tells us the way to go. Like the waves o f the sea are the ways o f fate, As we voyage along through life. fTis the set o f the soul which decides the goal, And not the calm or the strife. “ —Ella Wheeler Wilcox Vertagreen A product for all reasons Yertagreen > Balan offers pre-emergence control of Poa Annua, crabgrass, goose grass, water grass and foxtail. * Uniform particles flow smoothly, spread evenly. F e r tiliz e r For Professional Turf with Balan 1 7 -0 -8 >One-fourth the nitrogen is Urea-Formaldehyde. >Contains secondary and micro-nutrients. Agri-Chemicals Division of United States Steel P.O. Box 1685 Atlanta, Georgia 30301 ****** Pat Lucas, Editor 87 Tomac Avenue Old Greenwich, Conn. 06870 First Class MELVIN B LUCAS JR A P I P I N G ROCK CLUB LOCUST VALLEY NY 1 15 60 Sterilized Top Dressing Bob Lippman EGYPT FARMS •WTE M ARSH, Ml 301-335-3700 WESTCHESTER TURF SUPPLY, INC. Chemicals, Fertilizer, Seed, Supplies, Irrigation “ SERVING THE FINE TURF PROFESSION” IT’S THE SERVICE THAT COUNTS RESIDENCE OFFICE AND WAREHOUSE (914) 248-5790 (914) 937-6523 EGYPT FARMS EXCLUSIVE! D ivision of The Upjohn C om pany Acti-dioneTGF' fits Acti-dione RZ your for your tees, greens and fairway program. Acti-dioneTGF 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: top Egypt Farms top dressing is formulated especially for the transition zone to specifications recommended by the United States Golf Associ­ ation, Texas A&M , Penn State, North Carolina, and the University of Maryland. Many years of research and testing by these leading universities have produced a soil mixture for superior growth; to maintain the best bal­ ance of percolation; to resist compaction; for good aeration; and for the retention of usable water and nutrients in the growing medium. *Green and tee construction materials and mixes conforming to U.S.G.A. specs are also available. D ISTR IB U TED BY: METRO-MILORGANITE, INC. (914) 769-7600 TUCO ah dressing ingredients are thoroughly mixed and sterilized by indirect heat in our special pro­ cess. The sand particles are actually coated with a mixture of top soil and peat humus for a completely homogenous mixture that will not separate during handling and spread­ ing. WAGNER SEED CO., INC. (516) 293-6312 T RC PRODUCTS FRAM FILTERS fairway and greens disease problems to a tee. 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 SP DAVID J. SYLVESTER A R E A SALES REPRESENTATIVE HOME: 47 M AIN STREET, EAST B E R LIN , CONN. 06023 203/828-3790 LUBRICATING EQUIPMENT MARVEL PRODUCTS THE REICHERT COMPANY s ARD 03) 6 3 ^ 9 5 8 M A IL P.O. BOX 273 RIVERSIDE, CT. 06878