Western Views Official Publication of the Western Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association W estern M ichigan G olf C ourse S uperintendents A ssociation Founded 1938 M arch / A pril 2002 Editor John Fulling Board of President: Jeff Hopkins Vice President: John Fulling D i President’s Message I really appreciate the West Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association. Sec / Treas: Keith Paterson Past President: AI Bathum Directors: Tony Geib Joe Hancock Jeff Holmes JoeJehnsen Gary Peters Kevin Welp Upcoming Events: WMGCSA Meetings; April 22: Pilgrims Run G C ’’Summer Stress / Turf Quality” May 13: Gull Lake C C “Planning for Retirement” June 17: Point O ’ Woods CC “ USGA Update: Latest technology” I came to this conclusion while I was in Florida, at­ tending the GCSAA Confer­ ence & Trade Show. Through conversations with other su­ perintendents and vendors, I realized how special of a group we have here. You can call anybody in the roster book( which, by the way, looks great with thanks going to John Fuiiing and Joe Jehnsen) and get information and helpful hints from every­ one. Nobody is out there try­ ing to keep all the tricks and secrets to themselves. If you have a particular question or concern, call a peer - young - old, rookie - seasoned vet­ eran, all are out there to help each other. We have a few good meet­ ings planned over the next couple of months: March 6: Blythefield CC Spring Roundtable Meeting April 22: Pilgrims Run GC Golf Meeting May 13: Gull Lake CC Golf Meeting June 17: Point O’ Woods Golf Meeting Try to attend as many of these as possible, you are sure to get something out of them that you can take back to your own course. By now you have all re­ ceived your 2002 Roster Book. It is just chuck full of helpful information and num­ bers. If there are any errors, and I say IF, please notify Jeff Hopkins or John Fulling so we can take care of them before next time. E mail ad­ dresses are changing con­ stantly, so please check them closely. It is that time of year where you start spending a little bit more time on the course, less in the office and you are coming in earlier along with leaving later. I can almost hear my mowers starting up - no, not yet. Til it thaws, Jeff Hopkins WMGCSA Education Programs Strong for First Half of Season The W MGCSA education committee has a strong line up of education for the first half of the season. Following the round table meeting there are 3 regular meetings; April 22, May 13, and June 17. The April meeting will be at Pilgrims Run GC, and the featured speaker is Dr. David Spak of Aventis / Chipco. David will do a I hour presenta­ tion entitled “Summer Stress and Turf Quality.” The information will be very timely as we head into the season. Thanks to Joe Grippi and Aventis for picking up the cost in getting Dr. Spak to Michigan for us. The May 13 meeting will be at Gull Lake CC. Our featured speaker is Robert Jansen, CPA. Bob is the principal partner of his accounting firm Jansen, Furgason & Valk PC, and was the Secretary / Treasurer of Kalamazoo Country Club from 1994- 2001. Bob will discuss tax and retirement options available to you and your club. He’ll outline pro­ grams available to your club that allow you to maximize your investment potential. He’ll touch on industry trends, and how they might effect us specifically. Continued on page 2... Western Views Education Programs cont’ from pg 1 Bob Vavrek of the USGA Green Section will be our featured speaker for the June 17 meeting at Point O ’ W oods CC in Benton Harbor. Bob will talk about the latest technology that is being used throughout the country. He’ll also discuss poten­ tial turf issues for the upcoming season. Bob visits more than 100 clubs a year, and is a great source for current information. W e hope you plan on attending all these meet­ ings. The education and fellowship are a great part of being a W M G C SA member! Bill Madigan and Clem Wolfrom Re­ ceive distinguished service awards at GCSAA show in Orlando Bill Madigan and Clem W olfrom received distinguished service awards from the W estern Michigan G C SA and the Greater Detroit G CSA at the Michigan room during the G C SA A conference and show. Bill has been superintendent at the Country Club of Jackson for 33 years. Clem has been superintendent at D etroit Golf Club for 40 years. Many friends and colleagues from Michigan and elsewhere were in attendance to pay tribute to these gentlemen, and rightly so... Both have had great careers at their clubs. They are both responsible for the growth and strength of the Michigan golf course superintendents associations... And both Bill and Clem worked for many years (and con­ tinue to work) on the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation boards and committees, helping to perpetuate what has become the strongest state turf association in the country. It was a treat to hear them speak about their careers. N ot once did either say the word “ I,” except to thank all those who have helped along the way. Both gentlemen stressed the importance of education, selfless volunteer- ism, and giving back to the organizations the helped get us where we are. They called for our young members to get involved and stay involved. If ever you have an opportunity to sit and talk with ei­ ther of these gentlemen, do so. Their wealth of knowledge is staggering. Their desire to teach is inspiring , and their commitment to this profession is unsurpassed. Page 2 Membership Newy! Mark and Allyson Ostrander (the Moors Golf Club) had a baby girl born on Feb­ ruary I st. Her name is Molly. Joe Grippi of Aventis / Chipco and his wife Jackie had a baby boy on November 27th. His name is Jordan. Steve Osborn of Lesco and his wife Lucinda are expecting their second baby in October. Andy Albertson of Grand Rapids Golf Club and his wife Deana are also expect­ ing a baby in early summer. If you have any more good news, please let us know. You can either Call John Fulling: (6 16) 345-5013 O r e-mail John Fulling: kccjfull@voyager.net O r E-mail wmgcsa: westm igcsa@ hotm ail.com Corrections: Pat Mertz was left off of the Turfgrass ad in the Roster. Pat’s # is (5 17) 8 19-1 19 1. Steve Osborn of Lesco was left out of the ros­ ter book entirely. Steve’s # is (6 16) 560-7168. Ron Calhoun of MSU didn’t make it either. Ron’s # is (5 17) 353-3275 calhoun@msu.edu Sorry for these blunders. There are still more. Congratulations to both Bill and Clem. wv Keep me informed of changes! Western Michigan Golf Course Superintendent’s Association W estbrn M ichigan G olf Course Superintendents A ssociation Founded 1938 MEMORANDUM 3-01-02 To: All WMGCSA Class A, B, C, Affiliate, and Retired Members From: WMGCSA Scholarship Committee W. BRUCE MATTHEWS LEGACY AWARD Dear members and friends, One o f the great many benefits we receive as members o f the WMGCSA is the opportunity for our children, stepchildren, or grand children to win a $1,000 scholarship award through the W. Bruce Matthews Legacy program. The eligible candidate is a current college student, or has been accepted into an accredited college for the next academic year. Their field of study must be any area outside of the turf industry. You must be at least a 3 year member of the WMGCSA for your child to be eligible. Your child or grandchild will be sent an application upon your request. The application asks the candidate to highlight academic achievement and honors, community service and volunteer work, and extra curricular activities. The candidate will also be asked to write a 500 to 750 word essay on their parent’s or grandparent’s (YOUR) involvement with the turf industry and/or the WMGCSA. An independent panel of college professors will judge the applications and essays. One winner will be chosen, and a check presented to that winner at one of our spring regular meetings. We urge you to take advantage of this great opportunity. All of your children, stepchildren, or grand children are eligible. Each individual student can win the award only one time. They can re­ apply every year until they either win the award or leave school. Please call John Fulling at (616) 345-5013 for an application and for more information You can also request an application through e-mail at The deadline for returning the appli­ cations will be April 26. 2002. so please call soon. 3 News from the: MICHIGAN TURFGRASS FOUNDATION A Summary of Research Projects 2002 The Michigan Turfgrass Foundation continues to develop partnerships that fund a variety of research pro­ jects related to turf. These partnerships leverage MTF money and thus create a much larger research im­ pact. Projects span the various segments o f turf, and projects focused on one segment often have an impact in other segments as well. A good example o f this is seen in research related to wear. While the project may focus on athletic fields, results are usually applicable to most other segments. Research work in turf is a blend o f both applied and basic research. It is important not to lose sight o f the need for both. Applied research helps us deal with our problems today. It tends to be more reactive. Basic research strives to answer fundamental questions that will prevent problems. It is proactive in its nature. University support for turf continues to be strong. Turf is recognized as an important commodity in Michi­ gan. At MSU, turf is recognized as providing leadership for all of agriculture. Because of this role, we have been able to attract faculty interest in turf. Currently, thirteen faculty members are involved in turfgrass teaching, research and extension, including two department chairs. Graduate students and support staff add over twenty more professionals working in turf. It is this involvement that makes the turf program at MSU so dynamic and exciting. Following is a sampling of projects funded in 2002. This is by no means a complete list but gives a good representation of work being conducted. MTF funding is listed as well as the total funding for the project. Environmental Stewardship: MTF Total Michigan Environmental Stewardship Program for Golf $125,000 Lawn and Landscape Management Stewardship Program $ 8,000 $ 62,000 Long Term Fate of Nitrogen $10,250 $ 43,250 4 MTF Research cont’ Western Views Turfgrass Cultural Management; Lightweight Roller Weight and Frequency to Reduce Diseases, Moss, Black Cutworms and Broadleaf Weeds $10,000 $ 10,000 Sloping Green Construction and Improved Water Management $ 3,000 $ 34,000 Enhancing Turfgrass Growth Under Reduced Light $ 3,000 $ 11,000 High Wear Turfgrass Management: Athletic Field Systems Research $ 7,000 $ 44,000 Modular Systems for Golf Greens and Athletic Fields $ 7,000 Athletic Field Renovation and Regeneration Techniques $10,000 $ 50,000 Turfgrass Weed Ecology and Management: Best Management Practices for Weed Control $ 5,000 $ 10,000 Managing Difficult-to-Control Weeds in Michigan $ 2,500 $ 12,500 Biology and Management o f Annual and Rough Bluegrass $12,000 $ 20,000 Moss and Algae Insect Management: $ 3,500 3,500 Long-term Solutions for Outbreaks of European Chafer and Japanese Beetle $12,000 $ 77,000 Introduction of Two New Pathogens of Japanese Beetle to Leading Edge Infestations in Michigan $ 5,000 $ 40,000 Management of Ants and Earthworms on Golf Courses $ 5,000 $ 5,000 Disease Management: Weather Factors Influencing Pink Snow Mold $ 22,000 5 MTF Research corn’ Western Views Turfgrass Breeding and Genetics: Center for Turfgrass Breeding and Genetics - Developing Dollar Spot Resistant Bentgrass; DNA Fingerprinting of Dollar Spot; Understanding the Mechanism o f Dollar Spot Infection $30,800 $ 79,800 Introgression of Festucamairei Genome Into perenne$25,540 $ 25,540 Bentgrass Breeding for Snow Mold Resistance Bentgrass Genetics $ 20,000 $ 10,000 TOTALS $152,590 $711,590 This represents almost a five-fold return on MTF funds. The partnerships we develop as a foundation make this return possible. As we look to the future, the scope and cost of research will continue to in­ crease. Our ability to develop a variety of partnerships is critical to the continued success o f this program. As a partner, we thank you for your continued support. Dr. Frank Rossi Lined up for October GCSAA Seminar W e ’re very fortunate to have D r Frank Rossi present “ Poa annua ecology and m aintenance” fo r o u r O cto b e r 22 G CSAA seminar, held at the Highlands in Grand Rapids. This is the m ost re­ quested seminar on the G CSAA seminar circuit, and ro u tin e ly sells o u t w henever offered. .7 G CSAA CEU’s w ill be awarded fo r attendance at this program . This w ill be a chapter adm inistered G CSAA seminar. The chapter w ill be responsible fo r pay­ ing the in stru cto r directly, booking the venue, setting up lunch, making the manuals, advertising, and handling the registrations. Sounds like a lot, but it’s w o rth it. W e should be able to offer the seminar to o u r members fo r substantially less than the norm al $120 seminar cost. The W e ste rn Michigan group is the second in the country to do a chapter adm inistered seminar. In addition, last m onth the W M G C S A board voted to allocate m oney to w a rd supplementing this G CSAA seminar fo r it’s members. The board wants to provide real value fo r m embership in the W M G C S A. The money w ill offset some o f the costs associated w ith the seminar and help in reducing the price to around $60, o r half the standard rate. The seminar is open fo r all to attend, but the half price o ffe r is extended only to W M G C S A members. All others must pay the standard $120 rate. This is to discourage others fro m choosing a W estern Michigan seminar over th e ir ow n chapter’s, simply because o f pricing. Make plans to attend this great G CSAA seminar featuring D r. Frank Rossi on O cto b e r 22 at the Highlands. Look fo r registration form s w ith in the next 60 days. wv 6 Western Views Page 7 Letter from award winner Brian Jenks WMGCSA turf i 4 i ) V E K T l 5 E 1 ? 5 • . . It I would like to take this opportu­ nity to sincerely thank the members of the W estern Michigan G olf Course Superintendent’s Association. is truly an honor for me to be chosen as the recipient of your scholarship award. I am looking forward to start­ ing my career in W est Michigan and becoming an active member of the WMGCSA. In closing, I would like to especially thanks the members of the selection committee. The class and congratulations you shared were greatly appreciated. Very Sincerely, WMGCSA Future Meetings March 6: Blythefield CC (Round Table) April 22: Pilgrims Run GC May 13: Gull Lake Country Club June 17: Point O ’ W oods C C September: Gull Lake View (Golf Day) October: Kent CC (Annual Meeting) O ctober 22: GCSAA Seminar @ the Highlands in GR Please patronize our advertisers as they have made this newsletter possible. Aventis Environmental Science............................ ((616) 844-7551 Boylan Sales............................................................ Commercial Environmental Turf Services......... (616) 685-6828 (800) 231-5296 Custom Aerification Services, Inc....................... (800) 824-3956 Ellis Sales, Inc.......................................................... (800)962-4128 J. Mollema & Sons.................................................. (800) 2245328 Parmenter & Andre............................................... (616) 458-1546 Peerless Midwest................................................... (219) 254-9050 Professional Lake Management........................... (800) 382-4434 Rhino Seed & Landscape Supply.......................... (800) 482-3130 Spartan Distributors............................................. (616) 887-7301 Turf Services........................................................... (6 1 842-4975 Michigan State Seed Solutions............................. (800) 647-8873 T riT u rf................................................................... (800) 636-7039 Tri Turf Soils, Inc................................................... (888) 616-7806 Turfgrass, Inc.......................................................... (800) 521-8873 Green & Grow, Inc................................................ (810) 323-9875 Weingartz............................................................... (616)696-2913 Simplot Partners...................................... ............. (877) 593-8873 Helena...................................................................... (517) 699-4852 Prosource One...................................................... (6 16) 657-1949 (6 16) 450-0225 John Deere Landscapes....................................... Turf Chemical, Inc................................................. (517) 725-7145 Model First Aid & Safety....................................... (800) 968-6491 Thielen Turf Irrigation, Inc.................................. (989) 773-3409 Syngenta Professional Products........................... (616) 682-0108 Valley Turf, Inc....................................................... (616) 532-2885 Lebanon Turf Products......................................... (248) 673-7146 E-Mail Database!!! Classified Ads! W e’re still building our member e-mail database. If I do not have your e-mail, and you’d know it if I did, please send it to me at: kccjfull@voyager.net or westmigcsa@hotmail.com Used equipment for sale: Hastings Country Club: Jason Larabee (616) 948-4190 1969 Toro parkmaster 7 gang ready to mow...BO 22 rainbird 1” impacts...BO 211” quick Couplers...BO 15 Japanese Beetle traps... BO • • • • • Cushman green saver 3 pt aerator...BO Classified Ads! Gull Lake Country Club: Joe Jehnsen (616)629-9866 • 1998 Goosen Versa Vac PTO used 5 times... $6,000 OBO G ot something to sell? List it here for free. Just send a list of the item(s) with your asking price to me at the address below, or e-mail me a list at: kcgfull@voyager.net Spring Lake Country Club: Kirk Carls (616) 842-4840 • Used Par Aid Bunker Pro rakes in good condition 54” handle and 15” head... $5 each SERIALS n i ' T i i) j r . - MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES *388* l!AI ONISNVT '3 Aavaan oot ojni ssvaodani lAIVHONWOOO 313d 86* oaw aaxiiAi.......................... ujOD|!6unoq©esD2!Uujss/A 8 0 0 6 * u d Sil id iw b m j q p u o p /o o 6 0 S X uonopossy siuapuauiuadns asjnoj J/0 9 uoSitpi^/ 8f6l ®*®**>d N0LLV130SSV SI>3aK3±Nni3d lS 'dsianoj i 109 nvomdiw n* us3m 6 0 0 6 * S83HVW NVOIHDIW 3» \ n aivd 3ov±sod s n a w a N V A S CBJLUOSddd S M 3 j / \ U J 34.S 3 M