'ä V e s t e r n V ie w s M. G. C. S. Official Publication of the W. A. Photo courtesy of Jan Janson — raul Richter Winter 1992 ■ NEXT MEETING Tuesday, March 17 Crystal Springs C.C. Hosted by Harry Schuemann DATES Wednesday March 25, 1992 G.A.M. Meeting Jackson C.C. Host by William Madigan Monday April 20, 1992 Grand Haven G.C Hosted by Lou Krepp Nothing cuts like the Ransomes 5 gang reel team RANSOMES Fast-cutting, diesel-powered, all-hydraulic systems save time and money. Motor 350D ■ Kubota 38 HP Diesel ■ All hydraulic driven reels and lifts ■ 24" turning radius and uncut circle "0" ■ 11' 6 " w idth cuts 8 acres per hour LAWN EQUIPMENT SERVICE & SALES 151 N. PERRY PONTIAC, MICHIGAN 48058 (313) 858-7700 Special leasing terms available — TURFGRASS INC. b P \ w Serving you b etter w i t h . . Technical information Fungicide programs Free timely delivery . . . Q u a lity p ro d u c ts Fertilizers Chemicals Seeds Spreaders & Sprayers G olf Supplies The Andersons, Lebanon Country Club, Nitroform, Turfgrass Dupont, Ampel, Ciba-Geigy, W.A. Cleary, Chipco, Daconil, Mobay, Elanco, NAIAD, Dow, Monsanto, Bio Greenskeeper, Agri Diagnostics, Mallinckrodt, Nor-Am, Riverdale, Pana Sea, Miller, Agri-Plex 4X Northrup King Medalist Turf Products Cyclone, Spyker, Back Pack, Wheely, Spray-Hawk Lewisline, Par Aide, Standard, Fore- Par, Yankee, United Stockmen, Chix, Fox Valley Safety Equipm ent Mine Safety Equipment Soil Management Grid System, TerraFlow, TerraBond, TerraCover Markers Richway, Blazon 1-313-437-1427 O ffice Jim Bogart Turfgrass Agronom y 1-800-521-8873 Gene Johanningsmeier (M ichigan O nly) Turfgrass Agronom y Kim berly Olson Sales R epresentative TABLE OF CONTENTS P R E S ID E N T ’S M E S S A G E ....................................................Pg. 3 R IC H T E R ’S R A M B L IN G S ......................................................Pg. 5 D ATES TO R E M E M B E R ........................................................ Pg. 5 W ES TE R N N E W S ............................................................... Pg. 6-7 T H A N K S TO FALL PARTY C O N TR IB U TO R S . . . Pg. 7 G C SAA N E W S ........................................................................... Pg. 8 TH E 1991 S E A S O N ..................................................... Pg. 9-11 H EIFER S TO D U F F E R S :................................................. Pg. 15 W H Y FAR M ER S G O LF M ILO R G A N ITE AS A DEER R E P E L L E N T .............Pg. 16 O R G AN IC FO O DS BUG M E .................................Pg. 16-18 FLO W ER S: P E T U N IA .......................................................Pg. 20 HAS IT! Everything you need for professional turf management. •Fertilizers •Control Products «Seed •Irrigation »Equipment »Replacement Parts •Golf Course Accessories «Safety Products •Service Brochures • Low Voltage Lighting (8 0 0 ) 321-5325 Your Grow th Partner LESCO, Inc., 20005 Lake Rd., Rocky River, Ohio 44116 -2— PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Now that winter has set in upon us, we have the time and many opportunities to get a little bit smarter. If you are at all like me, you have been piling up magazines and now will consolidate a year’s worth of reading into the next four months. There are also many conferences, seminars and schools throughout the winter months that are available to the enquiring mind. On a national and international level there is the GCSAA Turf Conference and Show in New Orleans, February 10 -17. In Lansing the Michigan Tur- fgrass Foundation put on its annual Turf Conference, which was held on January 20, 21, and 22. The Golf Association of Michigan also puts on a yearly seminar, which will be held at the Country Club of Jackson in March. Last year’s program was excellent and I hope this year’s is as good. On a smaller scale there are several companies that offer schools that avail us with much valuable and perti­ nent information for the upcoming season. These schools include Fertilizer and Chemicals Usage, Equipment and Irrigation Repair and Maintenance, and more. The Western Michigan GCSAA is very strongly commit­ ted to education. This year we will be having fewer for­ mal meetings, but for the meetings that we do have we hope to have a good speaker with relevant subject mat­ ter for your benefit. I would like to single out one valuable meeting that I strongly urge every superintendent and assistant to attend. That is our March Round Table Discus­ sion. This format has been going on for several years and has improved its attendance each year of its existence. The speakers are not pathologists from Polytechnic In­ stitute or Soil Researchers from the University of Georgia, but fellow superintendents from the Western Michigan GCSAA. The agenda is very simple. Our education chair­ man usually will line up about six or eight superintendents to speak on various subjects of concern to them and hopefully to you. Usually the presentations are made with questions and discussion following. Many times the speaker will encourage questions during his presentation. Regardless if the discussion is during or after the presen­ tation, the ideas that are exchanged are usually extremely valuable to all in attendance. This year’s Round Table Discussion will be hosted by Harry Schuemann at Crystal Springs Country Club. That date has not been set yet, but we will be getting that in­ formation to you soon. I hope to see you there and at other meetings this winter. Chris Fochtman 1992 WMGCSA OFFICERS Chris Fochtman, C G C S............................................ President Egypt Valley Country Club 7333 Knapp St., Ada, Ml 49301 Work (616) 887-7977 Home (616) 676-2280 Paul Richter......................................................... Vice President Spring Lake Country Club 17496 Fruitport Road, Spring Lake, Ml 49456 Work (616) 842-4840 Home (616) 842-7504 Bill Fountain...............................................Secretary/Treasurer Railside Golf Club 6925 Greendle Ct., Jenison, Ml 49428 Work (616) 669-8081 Work (616) 878-9191 Fred Pastoor....................................................... Past President Beaver Creek Golf Course (517) 732-1785 DIRECTORS Paul Hoag Scott Lake Golf Club, 801 Hayes Rd., Comstock Park, Ml 49321 (616) 784-1355 Charlie Scott Gull Lake View Golf Club, 7981 N. 43rd St., Augusta, Ml 49012 (616) 731-5074 William Madigan, CGCS Country Club of Jackson, 11810 Sauk Trail, Jerome, Ml 49203 (517) 787-0650 Harry Schuemann, CGCS Crystal Springs Country Club, 7631 Walcott, Portage, Ml 49002 (616) 698-0822 Pat Meersman, CGCS Mary wood Golf Club, 21405 North Ave., Battle Creek, Ml 49017 (616) 962-9784 Gary Spahr Rams horn Golf Club, 1100 Rams horn Dr., Fremont, Ml 49412 (616) 924-6820 EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Paul Richter.............................................Chairman-Advertising Spring Lake C.C., 17496 Fruitport Rd., Spring Lake, Ml 49456 Work (616) 842-4840 Home (616) 842-7504 ADVERTISERS Please patronize them as they have made this newsletter possible. Arthur Hills & Associates Benham Chemical C & R Grinding Century Golf Team D & C Distributors Glenscott Motor Controls J. John Gorney, Inc. Grand Rapids Tree Ideal Mower Jennings Lebanon Total Turf Care LESCO Matthews & Associates, P C. Michigan Sand Co. Miller West Mollema & Son NorAm Chemical Nugent Sand Co. O.M. Scott Parmenter & Andre Peerless—Midwest Raymer Pump Spartan Distributors Standard Sand T.C.I. Turf grass —3— NOR-AM INTRODUCES Turcam 2/2G INSECTICIDE ALL THE ADVANTAGES OF TURCAM IN A C O N VEN IEN T GRANULAR FO RM ULATION • FAST ACTING • GOOD RESIDUAL • DOESN’T TIE UP IN THATCH • EASIER TO APPLY Don Maske District Manager (815) 838-8164 Now available in 40-lb. bags IMPORTANT Pteaie lemembef al««ays to lead and folio«« caielully ail label dnections ««hen applying any chemical • ADVANCED CARBAMATE CHEMISTRY • COST EFFECTIVE W N O R -A M NUI AM Cut MICAL COMPANY liSOfc» Snivel side Road PO Bo« M9S WUnunylun |)| I'JHUl GRAND RAPIDS TREE CARE A DIVISION OF WEST MICHIGAN TREE SERVICES, INC. CORRECTIVE & PREVENTIVE TREE MAINTENANCE • DIAGNOSING OF TREES & SHRUBS • INSECT & DISEASE CONTROL • BRONZE BIRCH BORER CONTROL • DUTCH ELM DISEASE CONTROL • DEEP ROOT FERTILIZATION • QUALITY PRUNING & REMOVAL • MAUGET INJECTIONS • LAWN FERTILIZATION EXPERT TREE & SHRUB CARE SINCE 1924 RADIO DISPATCHED 364-4143 FULLY INSURED 2 1 4 6 DEAN LAKE ROAD. N.E —4— MEMBER M E M B E R N A T I O N A L ARBORIST A S S O C I A T I O N RICHTER’S RAMBLINGS At an informative Michigan Turfgrass Conference, presentations by USGA representatives Bob Varek and Dr. Beards were the highlights. The information presented by Dr. Eric Nelson of Cornell on the effectiveness of com­ post on certain diseases was enlightening. When will the Turf Conference outgrow the Longs/Clarion/Holiday Inn Convention Center? Soon, if it already hasn’t. Enjoy these remaining weeks of winter and don’t wish spring upon us too soon. By August, “ Winter, hurry up!” will be the cry, so enjoy the ice and snow and hope that El Nino doesn’t redevelop as predicted. DATES TO REMEMBER March 9, 10, 11....................Pesticide Training Seminar Railside Golf Course, Byron Center, Ml (616) 878-9191 Hosst - Bill Fountain March 17 (Tuesday)............... Round Table Discussion Crystal Springs C.C., Kentwood, Ml (616) 698-0822 Host - Harry Schuemann, CGCS March 25 (Wednesday)........................ G.A.M. Meeting Jackson Country Club, Jackson, Ml (517) 787-0650 Host - William Madigan, CGCS April 20 (Monday).................................. Spring Meeting Grand Haven G.C., Grand Haven, Ml (616) 842-3970 Host - Lou Krepp May 11 (Monday)............... Joint Meeting/Mid-MI GCSA Timber Ridge Golf Course, Lansing, Ml (517) 339-8000 Host - Steve Fiorillo June ? .................................Northern Michigan Golf Day Early in December I attended the Ohio Turfgrass Con­ ference in Cincinnati and was very impressed by the quali­ ty of the talks and the trade show. If a superintendent is unable to attend the GCSAA Conference and Show, the Ohio Conference would be a great substitute. The educa­ tional program has nationally known turf researchers such as Drs. Petrovich, Niemczyk, Riordan, and Danneberger to mention a few. And the trade show is similar to the na­ tional on a half scale, with all of the major equipment, fer­ tilizer, and chemical dealers present. The Conference is held either the first or second week of December in Cin­ cinnati or Columbus. Congratulations to John Mastenbrook on his recent move to Bayview Golf Club in Petoskey, where he was hired as the superintendent. Also to Steve and Cathy Adamczyk on their latest addition, Caroline. Bill Madigan had a successful elk hunting trip to Alber­ ta in September, where he bagged a 5x5. Thank you to Bob and Jackie Hope for hosting the Fall Party. A good time was had by all. Mike Saffel returns to the Big Sky as superintendent at Meadowlark Country Club in Great Falls, Montana. He will be missed by Dr. Rieke and the rest of us turf managers in Michigan. Thanks, Mike, for your hard work and insight and we’ll see you down the road. A reminder - I am not the Secretary/Treasurer of the association. That position is now held by Bill Fountain. Please make all of your inquiries pertaining to associa­ tion business to him. More often than occasionally, members call me with questions regarding the associa­ tion and I just don’t have the answers. My only respon­ s ib ly is the newsletter. My analogy in regards to compliance with the new pesticide regulations is that complying is alot like filing your 1040 with the IRS. You had better do it correctly, because someday you may get audited. It may not be next week, next month or even next year, but eventually it could happen and you had better have filed correctly. In the same regard the Department of Agriculture may not be by next week, next month or next year, but when they do stop to inspect you have better been following the regulations. If the Coffees during the summer months were held at taverns in the afternoon, instead of breakfast places in the morning, would they be called Beers? The opening day of ice fishing is here and gone and back again. With any luck those of you who partake in this winter pasttime have iced a few by now. Whatever happened to the word use. People love to replace use with utilize. Both words have the same mean­ ing, only one word is three syllables and the other is one. Maybe in our profession, anyway, it is because utilized rhymes with fertilize. —5— WESTERN NEWS NEW BOARD MEMBERS Gary Spahr, Superintendent at Ramshorn G.C. in Fre­ mont and Pat Meersman, CGCS, Superintendent at Marywood G.C. in Battle Creek, are the new members of the West Michigan GCSAA Board of Directors. Gary has been the superintendent at Ramshorn for three years. Previously he worked at Lincoln Golf Course in Grand Rapids and for Pete Ashe, CGCS at Hillsdale Country Club. Originally from Hillsdale, Gary enjoys bowl­ ing, boating, pheasant hunting as well as golf. A second generation superintendent, Pat is in his se­ cond year at Marywood. Prior to working at Marywood, Pat was at Erskine Golf Course in South Bend, Indiana, for fourteen years. His brother, Mike, is the superinten­ dent at Pine View Golf Course in Three Rivers. The Meersman’s father, Jim, is now semi-retired and out of the turf business. He was the superintendent at South Bend Country Club from 1968 to 1980. NEW SUMMER MEETING FORMAT During the months of June, July and August there will not be formal meetings of the WMGCSA. Instead, coffees will be held at locations to be designated at a later date. These coffees will be for informal and a chance superintendents to meet and discuss problems they may be having (golf course only). The meetings will be held in each of following areas: Lansing-Jackson, Kalamazoo-Battle Creek, and Grand Rapids in each month. the The reason for this concept is that during the busy sum­ mer months it is difficult to break away for an entire day to a golfing meeting. But it would be nice to meet with your grass growing colleagues to trade information. So the cof­ fee concept was created and 1992 will be a trial year. If this does not work, coffees won’t be back in 1993. G.A.M. MEETING AT JACKSON COUNTRY CLUB Members of the Western Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association are urged to attend the Golf Association of Michigan meeting on Wednesday, March 25, at Jackson Country Club. And plan to bring your Green Chairman or Board Member, as the meeting will be very informative. Details on the content of the meeting will be available soon. MICHIGAN STATE STUDENTS AWARDED WMGCSA SCHOLARSHIPS Andrew Socie and Gary Johnson are the 1992 reci­ pients of the WMGCSA Turf Scholarships. The awards SyncroFlo Pumping Systems Save Time and Money. Call Now For Your FREE Estimate 1- 800- 347-4272 • SyncroFlo provides the design; installation, service and technical support you need. • Two-Year Total System Guarantee On System Components, Parts and Materials. No Questions Asked. • Five-Year PC Guarantee - Includes Parts and Materials, EAGLE®Series Performance Guaranteed! [ C m m Rain Aid I • Madison Heights, MI • 31691 Dequindre • (313) 588-2990 • Ann Arbor, MI • 2461 S. Industrial Hwy. • (313) 668-1020 • Grand Rapids, MI • 3400 Jefferson S.E. • (616) 452-3373 • Southfield, MI • 22159 Telegraph • (313) 358-2994 • Advanced Screen Filter Option prevents clogging, pro-longs system life and prevents downtime. —6— were presented at the 62nd Michigan Turf Conference in Lansing. These turfgrass students were selected from 12 applicants, after interviews conducted by Harry Schuemann, CGCS, Bill Fountain and Paul Hoag. Upon completion of the turf program in March, Socie will return to work for Mike Bay at Tam O’Shanter Coun­ try Club. Prior to enrolling at Michigan State Socie was a superintendent at Cueris Country Club in Clearfield, Pennsylvania. Gary Johnson worked for Jon Maddern at Elk Ridge this past year, and hopes to continue working in Michigan when finished with school. Johnson has worked at Bell River Golf Course and Salt River Golf Course. MICHIGAN TURFGRASS CONFERENCE SETS ATTENDANCE RECORD Interest in growing better grass is running at an all time high, as 1200 people attended the Michigan Turfgrass Conference held January 20-22 in Lansing, Michigan. A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THE CONTRIBUTORS TO THE FALL PARTY HORS D’OEUVRES TABLE Arthur Hills & Associates Behmam Chemicals D & C Distributors Distributors Group Inc. Dwight Pierson Ellis Sales Fred R. Anderson Isolite Porous Ceramics Jennings of Michigan Inc. Lawn Equipment Service and Sales Lesco Mathews & Associates, P.C. Miller West Inc. J. Mollema and Son, Inc. Parmenter and Andre Raymer Water Supply Contractors Standard Sand Corp. Spartan Distributors, Inc. Turf Chemicals Inc. Turfgrass Inc. West Michigan Tree Services, Inc. ---------------------------------------------------------- \ Scotts« fluid fungicide line is what you need to fight turf diseases Turf troubled by diseases? One of the ProTurfft0 Fluid Fungicide products will help: • Fluid Fungicide prevents and controls dollar spot, brown patch, red leaf spot and pink snow mold • Fluid Fungicide II prevents and controls Pythium blight and damping off, brown patch and dollar spot • Fluid Fungicide III prevents and controls anthracnose, leaf spot, dollar spot, brown patch and pink snow mold Ask your ProTurf« Tech Rep for details. Fred Anderson C.G.C.S. Technical Representative 4931 Cedar Ridge Grand Rapids, Ml 49505 (616) 361-0971 ProTurf, * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * USED EQUIPMENT FOR SALE TORO PARKMASTER 78 9 Gang, Perkins Diesel, 7-Blade reels, runs excellent — $8,000. TORO TURF-PRO 84 ’81 $1,000 or best offer METE-R-MATIC TOPDRESSER Self propelled, year ? $150 or best offer CUSHMAN TOPDRESSER Good condition, fits on Cushman — $300 DUMP TRAILER ONE YARD Dual tires, works good for small jobs or tight areas. Best offer takes it. Call Paul Richter Spring Lake Country Club (616) 842-4840 —7— GCSAA NEWS LEGISLATIVE - Congressman Addresses Environmen­ tal Issues — Rep. Jim Slattery. (D-Kan.) said that Con­ gress will have to pass legislation to help straighten out wetlands delineation problems. Slattery spoke before a conference called in Jeopardy,” where representatives from the National Audubon Society and National Wildlife Federation ex­ pressed concerns that the proposed revisions to the wetlands delineation nual and House Bill 1330 would allow the destruction of valuable wetlands. “ Kansas Wetlands: Resource Even though Slattery is a co-sponsor of H.R. 1330, he says it contains provisions that are unacceptable. He told the conference attendees he “ is confident that the bill has no chance of passing in its present form.” Slattery noted his concerns about revisions to the delineation manual and said he would support efforts to have an independent scientific advisory committee examine the ramificantons of porposed changes. In another environmental matter, Slattery stated that Congressional representatives have cautioned EPA Ad­ ministrator William Reilly to enforce Congress’ intent on the provisions of the Clean Air Act and not to give in to White House pressure. “ We (Congress) know what we meant when we passed the Clean Air Act and I don’t want anybody in the White House telling EPA what they think this piece of legislation means,” Slattery said. REGULATORY - EPA Unveils Pesticide In Groundwater Strategy — The EPA has released its strategy for manag­ ing pesticides that pose a risk of contaminating the na­ tion’s groundwater resources. F. Henry Habicht II, EPA’s deputy administrator said, “ Current findings do not in­ dicate a public health problem.” The agency will focus on preventive measures to minimize threats to ground- water resources associated with pesticide use. The new strategy is not a regulatory measure, but describes how EPA intends to regulate some pesticides in the future. If EPA determines that (1) a particular pesticide has or is likely to contaminate vulnerable ground- water as a result of normal use, and (2) labeling and other national-level restrictions are insufficient to protect ground- water, the agency may require individual State Manage­ ment Plans as a condition of continued use of that pesticide. State Management Plans are essentially an alternative to cancellation. Since risks to groundwater are the result of localized conditions, national cancellation y not be necessary if an EPA-approved management plan is followed. According to the strategy, State Management Plans would focus on vulnerable areas of the state and could choose from a wide variety of measures, including pesticide edcuation for users, modified pesticide applica­ tion practices, use restrictions or prohibitions in specific —8— places, and best management practices to reduce risks of groundwater contam ination. JUDICIAL - Environmental Penalty Upheld — An ap­ peals court has upheld a 33-month jail term for a wastewater plant manager. The Fourth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled that the U.S. District Court acted pro­ perly and that sentencing guidelines wre not violated. Mark Irby of Piedmont, SC, was convicted in November 1990 of six criminal violations of the Clean Water Act for dumping millions of gallons of partially treated sludge in­ to a South Carolina waterway. EPA Region IV Administrator Greer Tidwell said the rul­ ing should serve as a warning to others who may be temp­ ted to willfuully disregard environmental laws. CREDIT: GCSAA’s Briefing Turf Chemicals Inc. 1011 E. Main P.O. Box 451 Owosso, Michigan 48867 (517) 725-7145 ★ RUSS HANCOCK ★ LOU BECKMAN ★ JIM HYDE ★ FRED MILLER ★ TED KASEL FOR ALL OF YOUR FERTILIZER, CHEMICAL AND GRASS SEED NEEDS EXPERIENCED, DEPENDABLE PEOPLE TO SERVE YOU THE 1991 SEASON — AT LEAST IT W ASN’T BORING by James M. Latham, Director USGA Green Section, Great Lakes Region The 1991 season has been a good news/bad news af­ fair so far, with weather conditions determining the dif­ ference much of the time. Good news came to the West in the spring, with timely rains which have brought precipitation records up to par for the first time in 5 or 6 years, but they were preceded by winter desiccation damage to greens, tees AND fairways on many courses. Desiccation? How about 80 mph winds with still air temperatures at 20 degrees below zero! Crown hydration/winter of Poa annua, which has plagued northern latitudes of Wisconsin to Montana the last two years, moved south to the Wisconsin-lllinois state line area and southward. Rather than general, across-the- board damage to all courses, it was a patchwork of turf loss. One course could be almost undamaged, while a neighbor was hurt severely. This provided an early season supply of grist for the mills of locker room agronomists. At the same time, though, it gave superintendents an op­ portunity to reintroduce bentgrass into weak spots and justify the formulation of pro-bent maintenance programs. For other areas, the worst was yet to come. Southern Michigan and Chicagoland went through a most dis­ quieting season. It was an accelerated growing season, according to one Michigan superintendent. July weather came in May, August in June, and a breath of September in late July. Not a very deep breath, though, because another spell of hot, humid weather finished off a lot of Poa annua already weakened by disease and the hot, humid, but rainless weather earlier in the summer. Any time winterkill or Summer Patch become destructive is the time to present a plan for regeneration of bentgrass to The Powers so that a means of funding can be found. In this way, adversity might become a positive beginning to more reliable playing surfaces. All of these woes were not shared democratically, however. Many courses have come through the hard times in fine condition. Those with a predominance of bent-grass and Kentucky bluegrass fared well. Naturally, Poa annua seedlings came on strong after winterkill, but the high temperatures in late spring applied some degree of stress. m 453-3212 IF NO ANSWER 45 3 -3 2 1 3 OR MARNE 677-1070 Raymer . .. developers of UNDERGROUND WATER SUPPLY SINCE 1890 • C O M M ER C IA L IN D U STR IA L • RESIDENTIAL WELLS and PUMPS 4" and LARGER PU M P SALES & SERVICE DEEP WELL TURBINE & SUBMERSIBLE 4 ” RESIDENTIAL WELLS GIVEN SPECIAL ATTENTION F A S T ROTARY DRILLING SOIL TEST BORING & ANALYSIS EARTH RESISTIVITY SURVEYS ENGINEERED GROUND W ATER SUPPLIES WE SPECIALIZE IN GOLF COURSE WELLS & PUMPS 3311 3 MILE RD., N.W. • GRAND RAPIDS —9— Hopefully, the new Poa plants got a lot of competition by inter- or overseeding with more dependable species. In hot weather, the percentage of bentgrass or bluegrass seedling survival is low, but poa competition will not be as great as it is in either fall or spring. And what is wrong with aeration, slit-seeding, etc., weak or dead areas dur­ ing the prime playing season? At least the golfers see something positive being done to their course rather than our usual moaning about that blankety-blank P.a. Golf Courses in the Midwest Have you noticed the number of golf championships be­ ing played in the MidLands these days? Medinah, Hazeltine, Oakland Hills, Crooked Stick, Cog Hill, Edin­ burgh USA, SentryWorld, Crystal Downs, Kemper Lakes, Interlachen, Otter Creek, Golden Valley, Indianwood, and other have become better known to competitive golfers of all ages in the last few years because of the USGA and PGA championships conducted in these environs in re­ cent years. Architecture and style are, of course, the primary reasons for the associations to accept invitations to use these venues, but you can bet that course care comes next. The golf course superintendents at these courses, with backing by forward-looking Green Commit­ tees, have produced turf quality fit for champions as well as the non-handicapped. The playing conditions at these courses did, at some time, favorably impress visiting golfers who communicate with The Powers who make decisions on competition sites. Potential hosts may not even be aware of this. That’s why playing quality of the turf is usually as important as cosmetic greenness. Probably more. Thatchy, over­ watered fairways are underwhelming, regardless of the shade of green. P.J. Boatright believed that play to firm, fast, fair greens demands, firm, fast fairways. The Courts Litigation or legislation? When the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that communities could indeed promulgate rules ex­ ceeding those of USEPA, the door was opened for the political intimidation of governing bodies of all sizes. Timid politicians and highly vocal Anti groups can legislate away all pesticide use unless someone locally speaks up in their favor. This means individual golf course superintendents, golfers, pros, club managers, as well as their organizations, will have to speak up. that We must talk to and inform our downhome folks in wards or precincts. Company lobbyists and pro-pesticide organizations cannot be of much help at community levels. If golf course managers do know more about pesticides than anyone in the neighborhood, they better begin speak­ ing up. And before restrictions are proposed, not after­ ward, because the Anti’s already have their ducks in a row. Remember that they know how to intimidate the polls, and scientific facts are of little concern. They deal in fear of the unknown and threaten law-givers with fear of be- "We happen to think playing in the sand can be quite enjoyable under the proper circumstances." The Nugent Sand Co., Inc. Since 1912 producers of clean, high quality Top Dressing Sand. At reasonable prices. NUGENT 480 TD S IE V E 25 30 35 40 50 60 70 100 140 200 290 MM .71 .60 .50 .43 .30 .25 .21 .15 .11 .08 .05 % R E T A IN E D .4 .9 4.1 7.0 33.6 18.2 19.3 14.3 2.2 0 0 ■ Consistent Screen Analysis ■ Certified Shipments ■ Own Trucks for Scheduling Convenience ■ Ship Wet or Dry ■ Two Plant Locations ■ Less than .25% Clay ■ Sub Angular Grains NUGENT SAND CO., INC. P. O. Box 1209 Muskegon, MI 49443 (616) 755-1686 —10— ing unseated. Golf courses in America are, or should be, prime examples of positive pesticide use, without distor­ ting the population balance among ‘harmless’ bugs or beasts. The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary program has at­ tracted a great deal of positive comment from both public and private golf operations in this initial year of operation. It is a first step in removing some of the unintended secrecy about golf course operations. This program does require an accountable performance of some projects, but if it didn’t, it would mean nothing to anyone. It provides living proof that good golf course operations do not in­ terfere with the natural scheme of things. It also provides a means of communicating with golfers and neighbors and politicians that golf courses exert a positive effect in their environment. It will also be to the advantage of golf course superintendents to tell anyone, whether they are deeply interested or not, about the special environmental research being funded by the USGA. It is a Straight-Arrow evaluation of what happens to fertilizer and pesticides after they’re applied and have done what they were supposed to do. They don’t just disappear, so what does happen to them? The nationwide study is being conducted by outstanding researchers at a number of cooperating universities. Talk it up to show people that golf is a respon­ sible member of a community. Green Section Greens An inordinate amount of ink has been sloshed around this year about some imagined or contrived controversy about well-established procedures which have proven to be successful for over 30 years. CONTROVERSY! is a media cliche used to grab attention by creating doubt or fear, not unlike the words used by Anti groups. The Green Section is making use of Dr. Norm Hummel’s expertise in soil laboratory technique to ensure that the physical tests on putting green mixtures are consistent with the pro­ cedures established early on and that their results are reproducible. Anytime a single green building procedure is adopted on a national basis, some local problems arise. That leads to a lot of nickel and dime nit-picking by people who ought to know better, thus confusing the issue and distorting the purpose of this construction technique. Personalities, pre­ judices and pettiness get in the way of performance. And who suffers? The golf course superintendent trying to do the best for his organization, who has learned that hip pocket soil mixes are hazardous to his employment longevity but is being misled by egotists or corner-cutters riding on short-term performance. Green Section greens are real and they perform accor­ ding to the construction procedures used. Maintenance is easy when one learns their characteristics. They are easily overwatered because they accept water so easily. You might be surprised at the low water requirement when the perched water table is managed properly. And that, Virginia, is the reason we harp on having a sharp textural —11 — change just below the growing medium and feel that an intermediate sand layer is necessary between it and the gravel drainage bed below. Green Speed When the putts don’t fall and approach shots don’t hold, what’s the matter? According to some competitors in the Senior Open at Oakland Hills, the greens became “ crispy and faster” during the gorgeous weather they enjoyed dur­ ing the Thursday-Sunday rounds. To answer that com­ plaint, we measured the greens in the afternoon as well as in the morning. At 6:30 a.m. Stimpmeter readings were 10.5 feet and at 5:30 (or so) in the afternoon they were 9.5 feet, except near holes where the distance was 10.0 feet. So when your speed demons ask for more Stimp distance, ask late afternoon. to play mid-morning, not them PEERLESS-MIDWEST a* YOUR FULL SERVICE WATER SUPPLY CONTRACTOR Well Rehabilitation Pump Service Drilling Services ^1 Hydrogeological Services Fire Protection ^1 Water Treatm ent Environmental Remediation ... >AU y& u , JfARTT C O R P O R A T I O N USA Sieve MM %Retained 20 30 40 50 60 70 100 140 200 270 PAN .84 .60 .42 .30 .25 .21 .15 .10 .07 .05 .0 .5 6.0 29.0 25.6 27.1 11.0 .8 .0 .0 TDS 2150 TOPDRESSiNG SAND ■ Meets USGA specfications ■ Consistent Quality ■ Lab Reports with Every Shipment ■ Michigan's Largest Topdressing Sand Supplier ■ 87% Between .21 and .50 MM (Current Tests) Standard Sand Corporation P.O. Box 290 Grand Haven, Michigan 49417 Contact: Roy Hanson (616) 842-5180 —18— Pump With The Best... GLENPHASE^ G/enscott motor controls, ine. Glenphase made in U.S.A. NOW, you can operate LARGE THREE PHASE SUBM ERSIBLE P U M P S -up to 100HP from sin g le phase 2 4 0 /4 8 0 VAC by using the GLENPHASE E le ctron ic C onverter, and enjoy STANDARD MOTOR W ARRANTY COVERAGE! G/enscott • • • m o to r controls, inc. For additional information contact a GLENSCOTT dealer listed below. Milan Supply Co.-Jim Eash 616-775-5832 Springbrook Irrigation, Inc.-Jim Bakker 616-396-1956 Valley Farms Supply, Inc.-Butch Henry 517-482-1697 —19— PETUNIA (pe-tu'ni-a hib'ri-da) Solanaceae SCIENTIFIC NAME/FAMILY: Petunia x hybrida COMMON NAME: Petunia LEAVES: Alternate, sometimes opposite on upper leaves, broad-ovate to cordate shaped, 1 1/2" to 3" long, simple, entire margin, surfaces of leaves and stems covered with a viscid-pubescence. FLOWER: Flower 2" to 4" long; has funnel-shaped cor­ olla tube with a very broad limb. Various cvs. have flowers varying in size, form, and color, often deeply fringed or fully double. Many colors available from white to deep pur­ ple with various striped or starlike markings. HABIT: 8" to 15", round or trailing habit. SEASON OF BLOOM: All Summer CULTURE: Sun to partial shade; light, well-drained soils. Petunias will grow in heavy shade, but they will not bloom satisfactorily. UTILIZATION: Grandiflora and multiflora singles are us­ ed in beds and borders; doubles are used in flower boxes, containers. Doubles have a tendency to lodge in the garden. PROROGATION: Seeds germinate 72-75°F. DISEASES AND INSECTS: Botrytis, tobacco mosaic, stem rot, aphids, and flea beetle. Tobacco mosaic, which in one week at —20— is transmitted by aphids, is the principle problem. CULTIVARS: 4 categories 1. Single grandiflora - huge blossoms sometimes 5" across with ruffled or fringed petals. 2. Single multiflora - great number of 2" to 3" 3. Double grandiflora - fewer but large double 4. Double multiflora - great number of doubles about blossoms. blossoms. 2" across. baskets. 5. Cascade types - longer stems, adapted to hanging The type of petunias is quite varied and the list of cultivars seems to be endless. It is difficult to list some without leav­ ing out some very good forms. Furthermore, the list is added to yearly. The best way to keep abreast of petunia cultivars is to visit gardens, garden centers and read cur­ rent articles and seed catalogs. ADDITIONAL NOTES: No other bedding plant even ap­ proaches the petunia for universal dependability, garden value, and long season of bloom. Add to this the diversity of color, flower forms and growth habits and you have the answer to why it stays atop the popularity list. Petunia is derived from Petun, a colloquial name for tobacco, to which petunia is related. Native to South America. Annual. AUDUBON PROGRAM RECOGNIZES COURSE The Honors Course in Ooletwah, TN has been chosen as the first golf course to be recognized for its conserva­ tion and preservation efforts under the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program. Superintendent David Stone, an avid naturalist, has in­ stituted several programs to help identify, monitor and en­ courage a variety of wildlife species at The Honors Course. Stone and Rod Dodson, executive director of the Audubon Society of New York, will serve as instructors for a new seminar scheduled Feb. 12, at the International Golf Course Conference and Show in New Orleans. “ Wildlife Management and Habitat Conservation” will of­ fer information on ways superintendents can identify and encourage wildlife habitation at their courses. The Honors Course, which hosted the 1991 U.S. Amateur Championship, was constructed in harmony with the existing site topography, thereby minimizing the negative impact of excessive soil disturbance. Naturaliz­ ed tall grasses are encouraged to grow in areas between greens, tees and landing areas, while native shrubs and tall grasses border the roughs, streams and pond shorelines. Nest boxes for birds are located throughout the course. As of early September more than 175 golf courses had registered to participate in the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program. The program is sponsored by the USGA and administered by the Audubon Society of New York State. Gone Fishing. Thanks to 7-3-22 with Team: For controlling grassy weeds and restoring potash levels, there’s no more economical, effective and time-saving combination than Country Club® 7-3-22 with Team* pre­ emergence herbicide. Country Club 7- 3-22 T E A M * So start applying an advanced herbicide and fertilizer in just one step. And take advan­ tage of all that free time for more W I T H leisurely pursuits. ‘ Trademark of DowElanco. Country Club^ is the Registered Trademark of Lebanon Chemical Corporation. BENHAM CHEMICALS - TURFGRASS, INC. - (313) 474-7474 (313) 437-1427 Lebanon Turf Products STOCKING THESE FINE PRODUCTS FOR PROMPT SERVICE FUNGICIDES INSECTICIDES HERBICIDES WETTING AGENTS TEE & GREEN ACCESSORIES SPRINKLING EQUIPMENT PVC PIPE & FITTINGS WEST MICHIGAN DISTRIBUTORS OF M ï l o r g a n ï t e FERTILIZER 1042 MICHIGAN ST, N.E. • GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN 49503 • P.O. BOX 2411 PHONE (616) 458-1546 —21 — jS". . J r ^ , U nderneath some beautifully conditioned, cham ^ pionship golf courses ajg^pountains of trash, the scars left by years of garbage replaced by a beautiful, in' valuable green belt. And, landfill covers are only one way today’s professionally managed golf courses are helping make our world a better place. W ho’s in charge o|J|!eping these amazing ecosys' terns in harmomMiiiit nature? Today’s golf course super' intendents. manager, |^ ^ B e n tis t and all environmentalist— dedi' cated to rfSitIng our world a greener place. part troubleshooter, part business WE KEEP GOLF GREEN. » ä m 1 ifÿ fè Rain^bird Links Master Flexible. Powerful. Affordable. A new dimension of irrigation control! Call Now For Your Special Price! 1- 800- 347-4272 • Linking - permits uninterrupted watering between groups and eliminates the need for cycle time calculations, dramatically reducing costly pump cycling. Syringe starts, irrigation starts, or both, may be linked. • Stacking - up to four irrigation starts and four syringe starts eliminates the need to calculate cycle lengths. • Separate Syringe Timing - with each group and each station having its own syringe timing provides absolute flexibility in setting specific schedules for individual areas. • Upgradeable - to a Maxi-Central control system without future disruption to the golf course. ICentury Rain Aid • Madison Heights, MI • 31691 Dequindre • (313) 588-2990 • Ann Arbor, MI • 2461 S. Industrial Hwy. • (313) 668-1020 • Grand Rapids, MI • 3400 Jefferson S.E. • (616) 452-3373 • Southfield, MI • 22159 Telegraph • (313) 358-2994 —22— J. MOLLEMA & SON, INC. West Michigan's Only Full Service Horticultural Distributor Mollema's 36th Street Warehouse and Office The Mollema Turf Team Kurt Brace, Tom Kline, and Steve Adamczyk Weekly delivery throughout outstate Michigan and Northern Indiana J. MOLLEMA & SON, INC. J m m u s v L , WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTOR Horticultural and Turf Supplies 5400 36TH STREET S.E. GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN 49508 PHONE 616/940-1441 WATS 1-800-234-GROW FAX 616-940-0401 —23— 0u£ Owiv #U£IM05 li> ^AtiP. • • UV; w $ 4 t fy 1 \v w m r è '& U filltf ftpmytôl ir far ty&âÿûtMV $ r e m - ò & M r # t o ' C n m C m ix iu ü m r j \ i X - U i - ^ " ú t - A ' A M M & Ï & O f A W - áoi-P c o u & S -f ¿U ftflIMTfhlr^fíT^ ASSOCI. wore. J \ nMíth'tytoi Çmà Co, me. « s ü r v e a •(S\DW-2úlO- t —24— JENNINGS PARK • PLAYGROUND • SCHOOL EQUIPMENT supplier of Shelters Storage Buildings Rest Rooms Bridges Benches/Tables/Litter Recepticles Pool Furniture ★ ★ NEW ★ ★ Hazardous Materials Storage Building — Relocatable, meets E.P.A. standards CALL: ]m for a complete listing! Country Club Greens Grade Fertilizers Gold Cup quality for great-looking greens, tees & fairways. •Small Homogeneous Granulation • Less Mower Pick-up • High Methylene Ureas • Four Unique Formulations 18-4-10 90% Org. 8-4-24 30% Org. 18-3-12 70% Org. 18-0-18 80% Org. GREAT ON FAIRWAYS EVEN AT LOWER RATES WON’T SPECKLE LIKE BLENDS TO TA L T U R F C A R E 1-800-233-0628 ‘WESTERN VIEWS’ 15784 Pruin Street Spring Lake, Ml 49456 W -212 ,C° K k Ìn g h a m srssi; inf° Bulk Rate U.S. Postage PAID Permit #3 Nunica, Ml