1994 Meeting Schedule Aug. 9 ..........Forest Hills G.C., afternoon coffee Aug. 10........The Moors G.C., morning coffee Aug. 11........Marywood G.C., afternoon coffee Sept. 12.......Battle Creek G.C., Golf Day Oct. 4............Silver Lake C.C., Annual Oct. 25. Meeting and golf . .Equipment Managers Seminar* Only the Geese enjoy the temporary lakes created by July's heavy rains *Date or sight still pending JULY MEETING The July 12th meeting at Winters Creek Golf Club was an enjoyable one. There was around 40 people in attendance for lunch, which was held in the clubhouse at Winters Creek. A round table discussion was held during lunch, in which a variety of topics were covered. Algae and moss control, along with wet humid weather disease prevention or control were some of the hot topics discussed. After lunch, golf followed with around 35 people taking part in the scramble format. The weather was great, and the golf course was in fine shape. A big thanks to the staff, Jim Granfield, and the Owner of Winters Creek Golf Club, for the top notch accommodations. Editors Note: Please write me if you have any corrections or if you are interested in doing an article for us at: Western Views 1447 Hope S.E. Grand Rapids, Ml. 49506 ENVIRONMENTAL PROFILE It is important to publicly recognize those who are involved in conservation and wildlife enhancement activities. It is even more important to recognize the achievements and leadership of our peers and colleagues in this profession. This thought in mind, I am honored to announce that Bruce Wolfram, CGCS/Golf Course Manger at Treetops/ Sylvan Resort, Gaylord, MI was awarded the Regional Environmental Stewardship Award (Great Lakes Region) for the second straight year. This prestigious award along with others, will result in thousands of dollars donated to the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America’s Scholarship and Research Fund. To qualify for this award, Bruce had to implement innovative practices demonstrating environmental stewardship, such as: setting aside wildlife areas, state of the art pesticide facilities, and by upgrading water management programs by use of weather station and computerized irrigation system. This combined with regular community involvement to heighten awareness of environmental concerns. Bruce has taken a very proactive stance towards the environment and has initiated programs on the resort from tree harvesting to educating our guests of the resort’s environment commitment. He also is the driving force whereas a portion of golf green fees have been donated to the MTF for continued research on environmentally sound practices. His community See Profile page 4 1952 he joined Michigan State University as Head of Department of Farm Crops. In 1964 he went to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka as Dean of Agriculture in con­ junction with the MSU/AID program for developing that university. On returning to Michigan State in 1966, in addition to his work in turfgrass breeding, he took over a program of training students for careers as golf course superintendents. During his career, Dr. Payne was named a Fellow in the American Society of Agronomy and in the Crop Science Society of America. He was the recipient of the Meritorious Service Awards from the Michigan Turfgrass Founda­ tion and the GCSAA. He was a member of the Golf Collectors Society and the International Turfgrass Society. In February 1994, he was the recipient of the 1994 Green Section Award from the USGA. After retiring, Dr. Payne and Gerald Faubel formed Dr. Ken Payne Passes Away At age 76, Kenyon Thomas Payne, Ph.D., passed away on June 15 after a long illness. He was bom January 3, 1918 in Amherst, Ma. He grew up in Manhattan, KS, where his father was on the faculty of Kansas State University. He received a Ph.D. in Agronomy and Plant Genetics in 1948 from the University of Minnesota. From 1948 to 1952 he taught at Purdue University as Assistant Professor with specialties in teaching and breeding of turfgrasses and forage crops. In g ^ g j||l!g g jAdvertisers Please Patronize them as they Have .made' this newsJetter poesIWe. J g Amturf >. Benham Chemical Century Rain Aid Custom Aerification D t C Distributors D; G. Irrigation Environmental Structures Green Growth Supply Co. 4. John Gomey, Inc. Kleins Fertilizer Lebanon Total Turf Care le s c o Michigan Sand Co. Michigan Turf Equipment Mollema & Son Myles Excavating Noram Chemical Nugent Sand Co. O. M. Scott Parmeter & Andre Peerless-Midwest Raymer Pump Spartan Farm A Lawn Spartan Distributors | Standard Sand T .C . I. i Turfgrass Inc. Valley Turf Van Manen Oil W ilbur-Etlis Executive Golf Search, an indus­ try service for golf course superin­ tendents. Dr. Payne loved the game of golf almost as much as he loved working with students and continually encouraged his students to hone their golf skills as much as possible. In addition to teaching, Dr. Payne collected antique golf equipment which he and his students restored and which is part of the MSU Mu­ seum collection. Courtesy of the Lansing State Journal Tedhams Gets Certification Congratulations to Steve Tedhams, CGCS. He has been desig­ nated by the GCSAA as a Certified Golf Course Superintendent, joining more than 1,300 active GCSAA members nationwide with that designation. To become certified, a candidate must have five years experience as superintendent and pass a rigorous six-hour examina­ tion covering knowledge of GCSAA and its certification program, the rules of golf, turfgrass management, pest man­ agement, safety and compliance, and financial and organizational manage­ ment. Steve has been superintendent at Forest Hills Country Club, near Grand Rapids, since 1989. He is on the Board of Directors for the WMGCSA where he is in charge of organizing golf events. CLASSIFIED ADS Toro Irrigation Heads for sale Model 630’s & 660’s, call Steve Tedhams 949-8330. WMGCSA members, to place add, write editor. Ad will be placed in next available issue. PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE August has arrived!! June and July were interesting between torrential down pours and drought stress with parcels of high temperature. August will be a walk in the park, unless it snows, which probably would not surprise anyone. The monthly coffee sessions have been a great time and very interesting. These sessions consist of general conversation, and a variety of topics, including problems and concerns relating to our profes- sions in general. The month of August has 3 sessions: August 9 Forest Hills G.C., afternoon coffee August 10 The Moors G.C., morning coffee August 11 Marywood G.C., afternoon Please mark one of the dates on your calendar and try to attend. The flyers for the 1994 Golf Day will be going out soon. Harry Schuemann^ President p , - After the July meeting at Winter's Creek, members prepare for work My mechanic here at Blythefield Country Club is Don Ring. Don has been here for over ten years and will be retiring this year leaving a legacy of customized fabrication jobs. His latest work involves taking a couple of eight year old gas carts and turning them into custom cup cutter carts. He used an eight inch piece of PVC to hold the soil bucket, which is attached at the back left corner of the cart. A six inch piece of PVC was used behind the seats and placed diagonally with a block of wood at the bottom so the cup changer slides right in from the drivers side. Between the right side seat and the bottom of the cup changer tube is the tube for the flags. We use § red, white and gold flags, and the tube is attached in place vertically for easy access. With some modification the bag holders are lowered so that a large rectangu­ lar trash can will sit nicely in the’ back. Bungie cords are used along the right side to hold a recycling can in place for tee towels or rotating tee balls and tournament markers. When rotating newly painted cups, they can sit on the right seat. The up front compartments are then free for tools (or bug spray). The radio in the drink holder completes the cart as we use it. Don has also modified a cart for himself for irrigation repairs, and on the course equipment repairs. If there is an irrigation problem he can be off in a moments notice, with just about everything in that cart that he may need. This helps a lot for we all know a mechanics time is in great demand!! Doug Boyle Golf Course Superintendent Blythefield Country Club MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES Profile from page 1 involvement includes serving on the Otsego Co. Water Quality Committee,and the DNR’s Environmental Stewardship Program, called Michigan Clean Stream. This committee identifies waterways most vulnerable to impact from pesticide management practices, and designs voluntary programs to protect water quality. Bruce believes Golf Course Superintendents on an individual basis are the best avenue to promote and educate the public about our profession and impact on the environment. I find it difficult to argue with that, it is simply a matter of being responsible stewards of the land. Something entrusted to all Golf Course Superintendents. The keys to improving the quality of our environment are communication and involvement. Bruce has taken steps to build the bridge between these two keys by actively addressing environmental concerns, and then implementing programs and projects to meet these concerns head on. Many of these programs he has implemented are unbelievably easy, and invites anyone interested to contact him. They are the kinds of things you would do anyway to save money, especially if you knew how much you could save. This most exemplified by his efforts with New York Audobon Society. The end result is Treetops has become a Certified Audobon Cooperative Sanctuary. Bruce’s leadership should motivate all of us as individuals to get up and do something about environmental problems. Attacks by environmental activists and coverage by the media have put the turf industry on the defensive. Yet we all have seen even the most difficult problems march toward solutions when everyday people get involved. This decade has already made many of us aware that large institutions and organizations alone, can never solve the problems that result from the “inconsequential” actions of millions of individual is the root of the problem, he/she is also the genesis of its solutions. In this profession and industry, Brace Wolfram is an excellent example. Article by: Mark Wildeman Superintendent, FazioCourse Treetops/Sylvan Resort BULK RATE U. S. POSTAGE PAID GRAND RAPIDS, MI PERMIT NO. 582 1447 Hope S.E. Grand Rapids, Ml 49506 Pete Cookinghan MSU Main Library W - 212 East Lansing HI 48824