Editor: AI Bathum President's Message: Masters of Disaster So, how's your year going? What do you say when asked this question this year? Maybe you say that "I've learned to maximize the situation and convert a possible negative situation into a positive outcome," or something to that effect. Turning negatives into positives and dealing with "fires" is what we do. We are or become Masters of Disasters. Whether it's drought, storms with tree damage, irrigation problems, diseases or construction, we are the guys that get it done. The Sunday of the big storm, did you have golf? Of course you did, unless you were one of the unlucky few that had a true disaster. I've yet to hear an explanation of what happened that Sunday. I know it's an "el nino" thing. Yah, right. Anyway, it's been quite a year so far. Hang in there, odds are it will all even out. Thank yous need to go out to a few people for their help with the last few meetings. Pat Fifer needs to be thanked Meetings of the Minds The Greater Detroit and West Michigan Superintendents met at Travis Point for a meeting recently. The results were somewhat less enjoyable than in years past. The West Michigan group relinquished the trophy to the gang from the east side. The meeting was a large success with a good turnout from both associations. John Seefelt and his crew and the club house staff did a great job for a great day at Duck Lake. With Dr. Baird, Dr. Rieke and the Mid-Michigan Supers, it made for a special day. Thanks to Paul Richter for filling the Board post left by Jon O'Connor (Good Luck Jon!!) and for holding the May meeting. I thought Dr. Rogers' comments very interesting about the total lack of students for assistant positions. The joint meeting at Travise Point went well. It was nice of us to let the GD's win one! Thanks to Dr. Vargas for breaking his plans and coming over to speak with us. His comments about future Brown Patch and its increased severity the second time around if weather conditions get hot, were very interesting. Also, thanks to John Seefelt for not having us play the back tees on a hot day (next time!). Hope to see you and your crew at the Whitecaps game on August first! Sincerely, Doug Boyle C.G.C.S. President and we appreciate their hospitality. John Fulling and Mike Jones did a nice job organizing the meeting and the score keeping. Although, I've heard that the eraser on John's pencil is wearing out. We will have to check that at this next meeting. All kidding aside, thanks also to Joe Vargas for coming to the meeting on short notice. This summer has been fairly conductive to his type of research. 1998 Meeting Schedule Western Michigan GCSA August 4 August 1 White Caps Stadium Day State Superin­ tendent's Tournament Forrest Acres Michigan State August 17 Kalamazoo C.C. September 21 Golf Day Cascade Hills CC October 13 (Annual Meeting) Wuskowhan Players Club Fall Party Kent CC November 7 July Meeting at Stonehedge -------------- The July meeting at Stonehedge was a good one. If you missed the meeting, it was a great day and we look forward to seeing you at the next one. If you were there I'm sure you would like to thank Brian Anderson and Novartis along with Charlie Scott and his crew in the Gull Lake area. The barbecue lunch and speaker were very worthwhile and the golf course was in great shape. A real nice layout I might add. We appreciate the hospitality that was extended to us and look forward to going back at a future date. Editor's Note: Please write me if you have any corrections or if you are interested in doing an article for us at: Western Views 3725 Cascade Rd., S.E. Grand Rapids, Ml 49546 Western Michgian Update Scholarship Update It serves currently Each year the Western Michigan GCSA selects outstanding students to receive the Turf Student Award and the W. Bruce Matthews Legacy Award. is rewarding to report on the excellent progress of some past winners. Dave Datema, one of two 1997 T urf awardees, as Superintendent at Saddlebrook Resort, Florida. One other 1997 winner, Ken Cascaddcn, is a dedicated Assistant Superintendent at Blythe!icld CC. Both the 1998 Turf Award recipients work for member courses. Kirk Carls, Assistant Superintendent at Walnut Hills CC, looks forward the upcoming LPGA Oldsmobile Classic. Rick Kuilenda is w orking the dirt as Assistant Superintendent at a new Reese Jones project north of Grand Rapids. Our Legacy winners are proving their mettle as well. Melissa Magee, the 1997 Legacy recipient is continuing her pursuit of an engineering degree from Michigan State University. And we proudly announce that our 1998 W. Bruce Matthews Legacy Award Winner is Megan Kirtland. Ms. Kirtland currently attends Arizona State University. As a sophomore, she is working toward a degree in Nutrition Science. We should be proud of our award winners because they are doing an excellent job o f representing our the Association. Many thanks to to How could you tell times in New York were really tough? - The Mafia laid off four judges. members! Special thanks to the 1998 host superintendents and their staff for the extra effort they put into our events: • Duck Lake CC - Pat Fifcr, Superintendent • Spring Lake CC - Pam Richter, CGCS • Travis Pointc CC - John Secfelt, Superintendent (joint mtg. with Greater Detroit GCSA) • Stonehedge North - Charlie Scott (joint mtg. with Northern M TM A) • Mullenhurst GC - Kent Enyart, Superintendent • Cascade Hills CC - A1 Bathum, • Wuskowhan PC - Ron Brandon, CGCS CGCS Kathy Antaya, C.G.C.S. Scholarship Committee for their hard work and fine selections. If you know of any students that qualify for these awards, please encourage then to apply or call a Western Board member. Meetings Our M onthly Meeting Committee worked diligently to produce an excellent schedule for this season. They try to balance the sites around our western territory for the convenience of all members. T hey arc also working on future schedules. If you are interested in hosting a meeting, please contact a Board member. We encourage all members to volunteer their course. While it can be nerve-wracking to invite superintendents to play your course, the benefits are good. High motivation for the staff, every hallmark and divot repaired, and you’ll hear nothing but compliments (and/or empathy) from all the golfers! Attendance at our meetings fluctuates, mostly due to the weather. However, more members need to recognize the benefits of meetings and appreciate the perspective gained after leaving your own course for a few hours. Shop talk, especially during the season, is a great way to get advice and sympathy on your course troubles. Turf managers are always willing to share opinions and talk about possible solutions. Who among us isn't flattered when asked for advise? Your Board and Committee members are constantly seeking ways to encourage attendance. One suggestion is the buddy system. Make arrangements to attend with a colleague. Then hound each other to do it! Or better yet, reward your assistant for all those hours by promising to take him/her to the next meeting. If something comes up that day, you stay back and let that poor assistant go. In any case, make a commitment to attend a few meetings and get involved. This association is only as good as its Welcome New Members Wc would like to welcome the following people to our organization! Wade Austin Assistant Superintendent, Watermark C.C. Dirk Burma Irrigation Sales, Valley Turf Inc. Roger Griffith Steven Powell Sales, Century Rain Aid Assistant Superintendent Timber Ridge G.C. Ed Simone Assistant Superintendent The Meadows G.V.S.U. Tim Topoloinski Superintendent Quail Ridge GH.C. takes money from me quite regularly. In fact, I now just send a check to his children's college fund after every meeting. With the weird weather swings; storms, heavy rains, drought and heat, I have to hand it to all of you. Although it hasn't been the summer of 1995, it has been a tester and all the courses I've played have been in great shape. Hats off to all of you. Also included in this are the assistants and the crews — without them we would have a large gap to fill. Note from the Editor: And The Band Plays On!!! It's the end of July and the humidity is 95 along with the air temperature. M any south o f Grand Rapids have received rain and aren't in need of much more. I'm sure the pythium and brown patch are loving it. Here in Grand Rapids on the south and west side many have received rain. Here at Cascade Hills the crew of hand watering people eagerly watch as one storm after another comes at us and then splits and goes south and north and then reforms towards Lansing. I have a towel rack next to the hose rack for the hand watering crew. Not another day with wet feet. Well one good thing is aerification time is coming and usually that's a sure bet for some rain. And even before that is the Senior Tournament at Egypt Valley and that almost always spells rain. Sorry Jeff and crew but wc need to pull out all the stops for a little moisture. I've had the good fortune to play a few courses in the state this summer, although my game does not show much for it. John Fulling, Kalamazoo C.C., Please patronize our advertisers as they have made this newsletter possible. Advertisers Benham Chemical................................(810) 474-7474 Boylan Sales......................................... (616) 685-6828 Commercial Turf Equipment................. 1-800-231-5296 Ellis S ales............................................. 1-800-962-4128 Haz-Stor................................................. 1 -800-727-2067 Kubota of Grand Rapids...................... (616) 364-7031 Lebanon Fertilizers............................... (810) 673-7146 Lesco..................................................... 1-800-321-5325 Michigan Turf Equipment......................(616) 554-3310 J. Mollema & Sons................................ 1 -800-234-4769 O.M. Scott..............................................(616) 361-2106 Parmenter & A ndre............................... (616) 458-1546 Peerless-Midwest.................................(219) 272-9050 Professional Lake Management......... 1 -800-382-4434 Rhône-Poulenc..................................... 1-800-334-9745 Spartan Distributors............................. (616) 887-7301 Standard Sand......................................(616) 842-5180 T.C.I........................................................ (517) 725-7145 Terra International Inc........................... 1-800-412-1300 Turfgrass, Inc......................................... 1-800-421-8873 Turf Services.........................................(616) 842-4975 Valley T urf............................................. (616) 532-2885 Van Manen O il...................................... 1-800-654-4244 W.F. Miller Co......................................... 1-800-555-8189 * * * * * Classified Ads WANTED Irrigation - Used Equipment: Need 25 green size sprinklers valve in head. Also 63 fairway size sprinklers. Call Jamie Simons, Shadow Ridge 616-527-1180. Golf Course Equipment Mechanic: Prior golf course maintenance experience required. Responsible for all repairs, preventative maintenance scheduling, shop supplies and inventory. Ability to train and assist in directing other golf course staff; work w ith m inim um supervision and maintain positive customer relations. Must be organized and thorough with good housekeeping skills. Must have valid driver's license. Excellent wages and support for training and continuing education. Position open immediately. Review of applications w ill continue until the position is filled. Send cover letter and resume to: Kathy Antaya, CGCS, The Meadows Golf Club, 4645 W. Campus Drive, Allendale, MI 49401. EOE/AA/ADA In Memory Recently long time member and form er board member Tom McGuinness lost his father to illness. We would to o ffe r our condolences to Tom at this time. like BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID GRAND RAPIDS, Ml PERMIT NO. 582 C o o k x n g b am Pp 1 0 MSU M a in L i b r a r y W - 212 M I E a s t L a n s in g 4 8 8 2 4