Golf Course Management - September 2013 by Golf Course Management

www.gcsaa.org • September 2013 Offcial Publication of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America

golf course management

Make the Best even Better:

healthy grass Rhizomatous Tall Fescue

Moonlight MADNESS

T E C H N O LO G Y

Better Turf with Less Water

Barenbrug is recognized as a leader in innovative grass seed coatings and seed enhanced establishment. Seed coated with Yellow Jacket® establishes faster and requires less water. Yellow Jacket simultaneously helps seed thrive while conserving water. Yellow Jacket includes DormBreakerTM which helps break seed dormancy and APRON® XL which provides protection against seedling diseases. Making the best even better, Barenbrug seed enhanced with Yellow Jacket.

The Yellow Jacke t ® Advantage n

Provides moisture during seed germination

Improves rooting and establishment

Absorbs and releases nutrients to seedlings

Their offce is a canvas of green,Improves batheduniform in moonlight. seed application Yet even in an era where modern technology Proven performance rules, in demanding applications night watermen still have a place to shine. PAGE 42 n n

Kentucky Bluegrass Engineered for Turf Health

healthy grass T E C H N O LO G Y

Fast Germination and Aggressive Establishment Outstanding Traffc Tolerance and Recovery Early Spring Green-up

Exceptional Summer Patch Resistance Highest Rated Kentucky Bluegrass for 16 Traits in 2005 NTEP Trial* PATENT PENDING

* Data for Barvette HGT

Available in TuRF Blue - Premium Bluegrass Blends

www.gcsaa.org â&#x20AC;˘ September 2013 Offcial Publication of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America

golf course management

Moonlight MADNESS

Their offce is a canvas of green, bathed in moonlight. Yet even in an era where modern technology rules, night watermen still have a place to shine. PAGE 42

Multi Pro 1750 – Coming Fall 2013 ®

Multi Pro 5800

Multi Pro 1750

速

PUT A PROVEN CHAMPION

ON YOUR GREENS. Introducing the Multi Pro 1750. The advanced spray system 速

design of the extremely successful Multi Pro 5800 is now available in 速

a 175 gallon size. From aggressive agitation, faster response, consistent and accurate application rates and intuitive rate set up, to precise vehicle control, this sprayer has it all. The Leader in Golf.

Think people donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t notice the accessories? On a golf course every detail is important. So make sure your accessories work as hard as you do to enhance the image of your golf course.

Wherever golf is played.

The right accessories improve course conditions and make golfers want to come back for more. More than ever, you have to wow golfers with your golf course. That’s because the No. 1 reason golfers give for not returning to a golf course is “poor course conditions.” But there’s more to course conditions than greens, tees, fairways and bunkers. Consider accessories – something golfers see, touch and feel on every hole. Having well maintained, proper golf course accessories is a crucial part of course conditions. They make an important and lasting impression on golfers and reinforce the course’s (and your) reputation. Quality accessories from Par Aide can improve course aesthetics and playability while saving you time and money. Find out how we can make your accessories budget work harder than ever.

P A R A I D E . C O M

8 8 8 - 8 9 3 - 2 4 3 2

It’s why Jeff Corcoran puts our hybrid technology to work at Oak Hill.

The last major of the year, the 2013 PGA Championship, is coming to Oak Hill for the third time. And Jeff Corcoran, manager of golf courses and grounds, will be ready, thanks in part to John Deere. “Most importantly, the equipment does what we ask it to do. There’s the peace of mind you get from the removal of the hydraulics from the reels. That, along with the relationships you build with the people in the company, it’s been really important for Oak Hill and it’s been a great partnership.” So while your course may never host a major, you can have the same performance and support Jeff and his crew experience everyday. Call your local John Deere Golf distributor for a demo today.

Trusted by the best courses on Earth.

Oak Hill, East Course

JohnDeere.com/Golf 55770

contents

September 2013 Volume 81 â&#x20AC;˘ Number 9

42 The night life Even in the 21st century, as automated irrigation systems have become the standard at most golf courses, night watermen still exist. Those who have done it and are doing it now all seem to have a pretty good story to tell. Howard Richman

56 Doubling down Paul B. Latshaw and his team at Muirfield Village prepare for the rare task of hosting their second professional event of the year, the 2013 Presidents Cup. David McPherson

62 On the level A California club digs deep to create a unique new practice area that serves not only its members but also its maintenance department. Zachary Ohsann

68 Just rewards Veteran superintendents share ideas for fun and cost-effective ways to show appreciation for the golf course crew. Mike Scott

On the Cover

A moonlit golf course serves as the office for the night waterman, an old-school job in golf course management that still has some relevance today.

We were looking for something that would visually contrast our fairways against the bluegrass roughs. Te blue-green color of Crystal BlueLinks stands out more than the traditional lime greens of the bentgrasses. It is highly resistant to most diseases, and fungicide applications are minimal.

It is one of the fnest fairway grasses that I have ever seen. Don McFaul | Director of Agronomy Oak Bay Golf and Country Club | Port Severn, Ontario, Canada

BENTGRASS. IT'S ALL WE DO. Crystal BlueLinks is also available in PureFormance Fairway Blend.

www.tee-2-green.com | bentinfo@tee-2-green.com

contents

RESEARCH

76 Soil salinity and

quality of cool-season turfgrasses under sprinkler and subsurface drip irrigation

THEINSIDER

Most cool-season grasses in an arid to semi-arid transition climate cannot maintain acceptable quality levels under saline irrigation. Elena Sevostianova, Ph.D. Bernd Leinauer, Ph.D.

90 Cutting edge Teresa Carson

The Insider: Career

The Insider: Shop

The Insider: Environment

The Insider: Turf

Winning marketing tools: Cover letters and references Carol D. Rau, PHR Ordering, storing plastic retainers Scott R. Nesbitt Calculating runoff: No more guessing games Fire ant venom: A natural fungicide?

DEPARTMENTS

www.gcsaa.tv

http://gcm.typepad.com

@GCM_Magazine

GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT (ISSN 0192-3048 [print]; ISSN 21573085 [online]) is published monthly by GCSAA Communications Inc., 1421 Research Park Drive, Lawrence, KS 66049-3859, 785-841-2240. Subscriptions (all amounts U.S. funds only): $60 a year. Outside the United States and Canada, write for rates. Single copy: $5 for members, $7.50 for nonmembers. Offce of publication and editorial offce is at GCSAA, 1421 Research Park Drive, Lawrence, KS 66049-3859. Periodicals postage paid at Lawrence, Kan., and at additional mailing offces. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to: Golf Course Management, 1421 Research Park Drive, Lawrence, KS 66049. CANADA POST: Publications mail agreement No. 40030949. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to P.O. Box 122, Niagara Falls, ONT L2E 6S8.

12 GCM September 2013

16 18 20 28 30 74 92 96 97 98 102 102 104 108 112

Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s message Inside GCM Front nine Field reports Photo quiz Up to speed Industry news Product news On course Coming up Newly certified New members On the move In memoriam Final shot

A smooth transition.

Transitionâ&#x201E;˘ HC turf colorant helps manage turf color throughout fall and spring transitions of overseeding programs. The high concentrate formulation allows for fexibility in application rates, with color lasting up to 30 days. betterturf.basf.us

Golf Course Superintendents Association of America

golf course management OUR MISSION Golf Course Management magazine is dedicated to advancing the golf course superintendent profession and helping GCSAA members achieve career success. To that end, GCM provides authoritative “how-to” career-oriented, technical and trend information by industry experts, researchers and golf course superintendents. By advancing the profession and members’ careers, the magazine contributes to the enhancement, growth and vitality of the game of golf. GCSAA BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Vice President Secretary/Treasurer Immediate Past President Directors

Chief Executive Offcer

PATRICK R. FINLEN, CGCS KEITH A. IHMS, CGCS JOHN J. O’KEEFE, CGCS SANDY G. QUEEN, CGCS RAFAEL BARAJAS, CGCS DARREN J. DAVIS JOHN R. FULLING JR., CGCS PETER J. GRASS, CGCS BILL H. MAYNARD, CGCS J. RHETT EVANS

GCM STAFF Editor-in-Chief Sr. Managing Editor

endoROOTS® Granular Mycorrhizal Rooting Stimulant

Sr. Science Editor Associate Editor Sr. Manager, Creative Services Manager, Creative Services Traffc Coordinator Traffc Coordinator

SCOTT HOLLISTER shollister@gcsaa.org BUNNY SMITH bsmith@gcsaa.org TERESA CARSON tcarson@gcsaa.org HOWARD RICHMAN hrichman@gcsaa.org ROGER BILLINGS rbillings@gcsaa.org KELLY NEIS kneis@gcsaa.org SHELLY URISH surish@gcsaa.org BRETT LEONARD bleonard@gcsaa.org

GCSAA This Week/Turf Weekly

Help your turf recover from aerification with endoROOTS. Containing a balanced blend of

Editor

ADVERTISING 800-472-7878 or 785-841-2240

vitamins and mycorrhiza, endoROOTS

Managing Director Marketing and Business Development

significantly increases the root system’s ability to

Sr. Manager, Business Development

take up valuable nutrients, water, and recover. To

Lead International Developer

find out more, call or visit us online.

Best of all Worlds™ www.LebanonTurf.com 1-800-233-0628

DARCY BOYLE dboyle@gcsaa.org

Account Development Managers

MATT BROWN mbrown@gcsaa.org JIM CUMMINS jcummins@gcsaa.org ERIC BOEDEKER eboedeker@gcsaa.org BRETT ILIFF biliff@gcsaa.org KARIN CANDRL kcandrl@gcsaa.org SHELLY URISH surish@gcsaa.org

The articles, discussions, research and other information in this publication are advisory only and are not intended as a substitute for specifc manufacturer instructions or training for the processes discussed, or in the use, application, storage and handling of the products mentioned. Use of this information is voluntary and within the control and discretion of the reader. ©2013 by GCSAA Communications Inc., all rights reserved.

President’s Message by Patrick R. Finlen, CGCS

Following your North Star Among the most frequent questions asked of GCSAA board members is, “What is the board’s vision for the association?” As golf course superintendents, we are all asked similar questions about our vision for the facilities we manage. Your answer may be to talk about what you have planned for the coming year or to look many years down the road. The GCSAA board of directors takes a similar approach to its work in planning for the future of the association. One level focuses on the upcoming year through a study of the annual business plan and budget, a task that allows us to allocate our resources to programs and services that best serve our mission and our members. The second level takes a longer, more strategic view, and studies planning from a broader organizational perspective. This strategic planning process is the development of GCSAA’s “North Star,” and provides us direction in serving our members, their facilities and the industry. For example, many years ago GCSAA members helped to develop and ultimately approve a set of membership standards. That strategic process set the foundation for the annual allocation of resources to a plan that enabled the association to implement the standards in place today. Since its founding in 1926, GCSAA has engaged members about the future. Today, we do this through our committees, at meetings with chapter representatives and at our annual Chapter Delegates Meeting. We ask about issues in the workplace — compensation and benefts, job security, employeremployee relations, etc. We ask about outside infuences on the job of the superintendent — government regulation and legislation, the demands of golfers, the rising infuence of the environmental community. We ask about the skills superintendents need now and in the future — agronomy, business management, leadership, communications. This information, along with data gathered through a variety of member surveys, lays the groundwork for a strategic plan for the association that guides decisions on resource allocation. We know we can’t accomplish everything we would like to, so it’s imperative we have solid information to establish a priority list of what is important. This past March, the board held a two-day strategic planning meeting. Instead of looking ahead just three to fve years like we have at many previous meetings, we looked toward 16 GCM September 2013

the year 2020 and took an in-depth look at what we believed the profession, the game and the association would look like. One of my favorite quotes about the future comes from a toplevel manager at Apple Computer, who said, “The best way to predict the future is to invent it.” While we may not be inventing the future for the game of golf, we certainly can be a driving force when it comes to what takes place and how it affects each and every GCSAA member. One area your board paid particular attention to in this

While we may not be inventing the future for the game of golf, we certainly can be a driving force when it comes to what takes place and how it affects each and every GCSAA member. exercise was technology. We all know how important technological advances have been in the progress we have seen in golf course management in the past two decades, and we know technology will remain a major driving force for the industry. Although the board has taken what it believes to be solid frst steps in planning for the future of both the association and the industry, the real direction in moving toward 2020 will come from direct member input. And with the 2013 Chapter Delegates Meeting right around the corner (Oct. 1-2 at GCSAA headquarters in Lawrence, Kan.), now is the time to provide us with that input. We want all GCSAA members to have a stake in this process, so I encourage chapters that have regularly scheduled meetings between now and then to make a discussion on the future of GCSAA and the industry a part of their agendas. I also encourage you to reach out to me directly at pfnlen@olyclub.com to offer your thoughts. GCM Patrick R. Finlen (pfinlen@olyclub.com) is the director of golf at The Olympic Club in San Francisco and a 28-year GCSAA member.

Exceptional Results for Your Green Assets! Scan QR Code for video proof

CORE RECYCLER

Super 500

Re-use Sand and Collect Thatch.

Picking up debris

MEGA TWISTER

Terra Rake

Swivels 270º, Over 14,000 CFM’s.

Dethatch Fairways and Roughs.

Terra Groom

Terra Spike XF

Effciently Brush Greens.

Fastest Deep Tine on The Market. Watch the Side-by-Side Comparison.

North America, LLC

912-790-3004 | 866-790-3004 | www.wiedenmannusa.com

Inside GCM by Scott Hollister

Night watch yields a gem When I have the opportunity to speak with golf course superintendents about GCM and what goes into the production of each issue of the magazine, they’re often surprised at just how involved the process is for our staff. They’re surprised at how far in advance we work, how carefully we plot out each issue and the intricate thought that goes into each and every story that makes its way into the magazine. Yet despite a planning process that rivals the most detailed golf course renovation you can imagine, sometimes the best story ideas simply fall into your laps. And that’s defnitely the case with the lead feature story in this issue of GCM, Howard Richman’s thoughtful and detailed look at a vanishing breed in the golf course management industry, the night waterman (“The night life,” Page 42). Earlier this year, I received an email from Marvin Seaman, the superintendent at Pole Valley Players Club in Hartford, N.Y. In that email, the six-year GCSAA member told me the story of Hal Robbins, a longtime night waterman at this selfdescribed “mom-and-pop golf course,” who had died unexpectedly late in 2012. He asked me if GCM would be able to do anything to honor Robbins’ memory. At frst blush, I honestly didn’t think we could. I receive a number of similar emails every year from superintendents all over the country. They all tell compelling stories of individuals dedicated to both their jobs and their families, and they all tug at my heartstrings. But realistically, we can’t feature them all in the pages of GCM, and if we can’t feature them all, we probably can’t feature any of them and remain fair in our treatment of our readers. There was something about this one, though, that made me pause before sending Seaman my regrets. Robbins was a true character, an eccentric who would have ft in as comfortably on an episode of “Duck Dynasty” as he did at Pole Valley. He had worked at a job that, frankly, I didn’t think existed in our industry anymore. And he had worked at the kind of course I’m always looking to showcase more often in the pages of GCM, the quintessential small-town, family-owned and open-to-the-public “little guy.” So instead of saying, “no,” I passed the story idea along to Richman for a little further examination. If nothing came from it, we fgured, then so be it. It was at least worth a phone 18 GCM September 2013

call and a little more digging on our parts before we dismissed it out of hand. That phone call confrmed to us that Robbins was as much of a character as Seaman had suggested in his original email. But, almost as important, it got us thinking about night watermen. They were once commonplace in the industry, but had gradually been rendered unnecessary by the advent of computerized irrigation technology. Still, if there was one course in upstate New York employing a night waterman in 2013, that meant there had to be others, right?

Robbins was a true character, an eccentric who would have ft in as comfortably on an episode of “Duck Dynasty” as he did at Pole Valley. Right. As Richman would discover as he dug deeper and deeper into what was becoming a much broader story, the job of the night waterman isn’t quite the lost art we frst thought. There are still courses that rely on the work of these night owls to keep their greens, tees and fairways in top condition. And even at golf courses where that job is no longer needed, there remain fond memories of the position and the men and women who plied that trade, some of whom used the work as a gateway to other jobs within the profession. And what became of the story that started this whole thing, that of Robbins and Pole Valley? We’re sharing that one in this issue, too, as a featured sidebar to Richman’s main story. It’s the least we could do for Seaman, the folks at Pole Valley and to honor the memory of someone as unique as Robbins. GCM Scott Hollister (shollister@gcsaa.org) is GCM’s editor-in-chief.

LM 315

TriPlex GREENSMOWER

Contact Your Local Baroness Dealer!

front NINE

see more @ www.gcsaa.org

Annika Sorenstam, one of the fnest women’s golfers of her generation with a well-earned reputation for charity, has been selected to receive GCSAA’s 2014 Old Tom Morris Award.

V v v

Vollie Carr, a familiar face around tournament golf who spent three decades with the Jacobsen companies as product and tournament support manager, died Aug. 5 at the age of 81. Carr received the International Golf Course Equipment Managers Association (IGCEMA) Edwin Budding Award in 2011.

20 GCM September 2013

Sorenstam to receive Old Tom Morris Award Annika Sorenstam, like many natives of Sweden, wanted to be like Bjorn Borg. Borg was a well-known tennis champion who impressively won fve consecutive Wimbledon championships. Sorenstam was a youth during Borg’s era of dominance, so no wonder he made an impression on her. In time, though, Sorenstam chose to take up another sport. And, like Borg, she dominated. That is only one reason, though, why Sorenstam is being honored with GCSAA’s 2014 Old Tom Morris Award. The World Golf Hall of Fame inductee has an equally impressive record of giving back, through her own charitable foundation as well as many others. “Annika thrilled us as a champion golfer and has inspired us through her compassion in giving back to others in a variety of charitable endeavors,” GCSAA President Patrick R. Finlen, CGCS, says. “We are honored that she will be joining us to accept the award and share her message with us. Undoubtedly she is a popular choice among our members.” Sorenstam will be presented the award Feb. 5, 2014, during the Golf Industry Show’s Opening Session, which is being presented in partnership with Syngenta. The award, presented annually since 1983, goes to an individual who “through a continuing lifetime commitment to the game of golf has helped mold the welfare of the game in a manner and style exemplifed by Old Tom Morris.” No doubt Sorenstam has contributed to the game in a variety of ways. On the course, she totaled 89 worldwide victories, including 72 on the LPGA Tour. Ten of those were major championships. Her frst triumph? The 1995 U.S. Open at The Broadmoor. In 2001, Sorenstam recorded the frst and only 59 by a player

in the LPGA, posting the magic number in the Standard Register Ping at Moon Valley Country Club in Phoenix. Ten years ago, in 2003, Sorenstam went where no woman had gone before in 58 years. She received a sponsor’s exemption to play in a PGA Tour event, the Bank of America Colonial at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas. The event resulted in quite a media circus as Sorenstam, the frst woman to play a PGA Tour event since Babe Zaharias in 1945, missed the cut after shooting a 5-over-par 145 (rounds of 71 and 74). In 2008, she ended her competitive career to start a family with husband Mike McGee (son of former PGA Tour player Jerry McGee), and they now have two children, Ava and Will. Sorenstam has been just as impressive off the course. The Annika Foundation focuses on helping children lead a healthy, active lifestyle. The Annika Academy in Orlando, Fla., serves people who desire golf instruction, while the Annika Financial Group was established to help professional athletes protect their wealth while assuring their peace of mind. She also launched a limited-edition namesake fragrance. Sorenstam continues to fnd ways to make a difference for people of all ages. In August, she announced that the Annika Foundation had partnered with the Sun SafeTee program to help promote sun protection education and skin cancer awareness to golfers. Representatives from Sun SafeTee will be invited to speak at Annika invitationals to let junior golfers know how they can reduce their risks of cancer and premature aging. Past Old Tom Morris Award recipients include Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson and golf course architect Mike Hurdzan, Ph.D., who received the award in 2013. Read more about Sorenstam in the December issue of GCM.

front NINE

see more @ www.gcsaa.org Ralph’s wife, Joyce, is secretary. One charity that AFSN has targeted is the Frankie Lemmon School in Raleigh, N.C., a facility geared toward children with special needs where Cameron was once a student. The goal of the charity is to help families with children who may have developmental delays, cerebral palsy, autism and other special needs. Climbing mountains is only one way to raise funds for charity, and AFSN will pursue other adventures, such as bike rides and hikes. Peters’ goal for the upcoming climb, scheduled Sept. 15-20, is to raise $20,000. All donations go directly to the charity. Taxdeductible donations can be made at www.adventurers4special needs.com/donation.html. Ñ Howard Richman, GCM associate editor

LebanonTurf breathes new life into Country Club line

Brian Peters’ experiences with his own son, Cameron, led him to create the charity Adventurers for Special Needs. He’s scheduled to climb Mount Rainier in Washington this month in an effort to raise money for the charity. Photo courtesy of Brian Peters

V v v

There is a recommendation on the table that the short game practice facility under renovation at Prairie Dunes Country Club in Hutchinson, Kan., be named in honor of the late Stan George, CGCS. George, who was the superintendent at Prairie Dunes, died April 27 at age 57. He had been superintendent at Prairie Dunes for 30 years.

22 GCM September 2013

Youth movement: GCSAA member climbs for charity Brian Peters plans to scale monumental heights for a good cause. When that is done, his mission will be far from complete. No problem. That is how he likes it. Peters, a Class A superintendent for Traditional Golf Properties, has other interests. Helping youths who need it tops the list. Peters launched a non-proft charity called Adventurers for Special Needs (AFSN) to beneft children with special needs. This is personal for Peters, a 10-year member of the association. His 10-year-old son, Cameron, is a special needs youth who was born at 24 weeks and has endured multiple surgeries. In order to raise funds for the charity, Peters is seeking adventures that will make it happen. First, he has scheduled a climb this month of Mount Rainier. The climb begins at 5,600 feet, ascends to 10,200 feet, and then comes the summit at 14,411 feet. In all, the climb and descent cover 18 miles. “This will be my second climb there,” Peters says, “but this one has a whole lot more meaning behind it. Our family feels thankful and blessed. It’s time to give back.” Peters, 41, completed the turfgrass program at North Carolina State, entering an industry that is so challenging that it makes the tasks even more enjoyable. Peters is involved at North Carolina courses Chapel Ridge, The Preserve and Falls Village Golf Club. “Whether it’s helping your mechanic fx a piece of machinery or the growing side of it or the day-to-day struggles, I get to work with some real pros who are down-to-earth, rough-and-tumble type of people,” Peters says. “I like the diversity. There is always a lot going on.” Not enough, though, that it could prevent Peters from making a difference away from the golf course. He heeded the advice of his father, Ralph, who suggested the charity idea to his son. Now, the entire family is committed to the cause. Brian and Ralph are co-founders of the charity; Brian’s wife, Jennifer, is treasurer; and

A familiar fertilizer to golf course superintendents has gotten a major makeover. LebanonTurf launched Country Club MD in early August, touting the newly formulated version of a longtime industry staple as a signifcant step forward in golf course nutrition. The company says it provides not only long-lasting traditional nutrients for, primarily, golf course greens, but also a mix of biostimulants for an additional boost of stress protection. “This uniquely formulated fertilizer is going to make a big impact on the golf course industry and how superintendents manage their greens,” said Dave Heegard, executive director of sales and marketing at Lebanon Seaboard, in a news release. “Country Club MD allows superintendents to beneft from both premium nutrients and healthy biostimulants in one granular greens-grade product.” The original Country Club fertilizer products had been commonplace in golf course maintenance facilities over the years, but had gradually fallen out of favor in the face of competing products with improved slow-release technology and smaller particle sizes for today’s denser turf canopies on greens. So Country Club MD addresses some of those competitive gaps with all three of the formulations (12-0-24, 18-0-18 and 220-16) it offers. It features its own slow-release technology, most notably with its Meth-Ex slow-release nitrogen, which is made up of four different types of nitrogen. It also features a blend of sea plant kelp meal and humic acids, biostimulants that LebanonTurf says contribute to improved stress tolerance in turf. The product also features a much smaller particle size than its predecessor, with a SGN (Size Guide Number) of 80, that disperses rapidly into a green’s canopy after irrigation to virtually eliminate the possibility of granules being picked up by greens mowers, according to the company. The unveiling of Country Club MD brought along with it plenty of fanfare from the company. It had been teasing the product through a series of cryptic advertisements in industry publications, including GCM, the launch of a product-specifc website (www.countryclubmd.com) and a media event in Hershey, Pa., prior to the offcial announcement. Ñ Scott Hollister, GCM editor-in-chief

front NINE

see more @ www.gcsaa.org and services needed to achieve optimum results consistently and effciently.” “We are in this together,” Finlen said. “Our discussions with Syngenta only reinforced what we have seen and heard before. Not only does it produce the products that beneft superintendents on the ground, but it supports GCSAA members on the chapter and national levels by helping us to present numerous professional development opportunities. In turn, we can help further the interests of our industry partners so they can be successful. “We talk about the bond that superintendents have, but it goes beyond that level. We all rely on our industry partners — from the CEO to those in the feld — for help. I saw it frsthand when I hosted the 2012 U.S. Open. At every turn we had industry ready and willing to support us in any way possible. But it doesn’t take a U.S. Open to experience that backing. It happens every day at every golf course.” — Jeff Bollig, GCSAA’s senior director, communications

Left to right: Immediate Past President Sandy Queen, CGCS; President Patrick R. Finlen, CGCS; and GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans toured Syngenta facilities in both England and Switzerland during a recent visit. Photo courtesy of Syngenta

V v v

GCSAA and the Environmental Institute for Golf, in conjunction with the Carolinas GCSA, have signed on as Steward Level partners for a new environmental event set for early October on Hilton Head Island, S.C. “Sustainability in Golf … Beyond the Green” is a two-day event organized by Experience Green, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to build sustainable communities. Set for Oct. 3-4 at Sea Pines Resort, the event brings together multiple facets of the golf industry for a full-day symposium of panel discussions and presentations by local and national experts on golf and sustainability as well as tours of various environmental efforts around the resort.

24 GCM September 2013

Tour strengthens bonds for GCSAA, Syngenta When GCSAA made a commitment to build a feld staff program, it signaled an organizational desire to better connect with members away from the typical association meeting and/or trade show foor setting, or through more traditional communications. “We saw a need to be out in the feld,” GCSAA President Patrick R. Finlen, CGCS, says. “It wasn’t that our communications were lacking, but we were missing an element of direct contact in a setting that was conducive for building relationships and sharing information that ultimately helps us to live our mission by serving members.” That philosophy extends beyond the feld staff program, Finlen notes, and includes interaction with industry partners at corporate headquarters, manufacturing facilities and/or distribution centers. Such connections offer GCSAA the opportunity to serve the industry member and explore the common goal of serving golf course superintendents. One such opportunity was Syngenta’s invitation for GCSAA leaders to visit various company facilities, including Jealott’s Hill International Research Centre in England and another research facility in Stein, Switzerland. Joining Finlen on the recent visit were Immediate Past President Sandy Queen, CGCS, and GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans. “The thing that stood out to me, and it has with the other industry partners we visit, is the commitment to serving golf course superintendents,” Evans said. “There is a huge investment in developing products that beneft GCSAA members. There is no doubt industry has played a huge role in making the game enjoyable and helping superintendents to be successful.” Offcials from Syngenta were quick to point out the value of having GCSAA visit its operation centers. “It was a great pleasure for us to be able to present this behind-the-scenes tour of Syngenta’s specialist research facilities to executive members of the GCSAA,” said Eric Brown, the global head of marketing, turf for Syngenta. “By understanding more deeply the GCSAA and the needs of its members — our customers — we can better work together to supply the tools

Seeking an offce beyond the golf course Bruce Burger ponders whether he should continue in politics. Glenn Miller and Brian Stiehler continue to seek to advance their political careers. What do they have in common? All of them are certifed golf course superintendents. Burger, who oversees The Quarry Golf Club in San Antonio, Texas, failed to earn a city council seat in a May election in Shavano Park. “I learned quite a bit during this election and frankly enjoyed meeting many new people and working on my public speaking skills,” Burger says. “Would I do it again? I don’t know. Frankly, I’m exhausted from 10 weeks of campaigning.” Miller, meanwhile, is running for the 28th District Senate seat in California. He is in charge at The First Tee of Coachella Valley in Palm Desert, Calif. Miller has served as mayor and councilman, and has been part of the local planning commission. The primary election is June 2014; the general election is November 2014. Stiehler, superintendent at Highlands Country Club, is running for mayor in Highlands, N.C. The election is in November. Miller tells GCM, “What motivated me to dedicate my personal time to public service was a chance to produce results for those residents who entrusted me to be their voice and their champion. It is the chance to be a small part of making peoples’ lives better, one of the greatest honors of my life.” Are there similarities in being a superintendent and a politician? “The correlation between golf and politics is that both jobs require you to strive to please everyone, but you usually only please a majority,” Miller says. “You are always trying to get better, knowing that you will be judged on your last decision. If you do it right in both professions, they are both about honor and integrity.”

It’s all teed up and ready to go.

All the benefts of CIVITAS in an easy-to-use, pre-mixed formulation.* Earn points towards amazing rewards. Register today at civitasturf.com/ tee2green.†

Now it’s even easier to empower turf to reach its full potential. CIVITAS ONE provides effective disease control and insect suppression, while helping to maximize turf quality, wear resistance and appearance. Plus, it enhances plant effciencies meaning less inputs are required to achieve picture perfect turf. CIVITAS ONE is the Total Turf Health Solution.

For all of this and more visit civitasturf.com † Conditions apply. See website for program details.

Note: CIVITAS brand captures both CIVITAS mineral oil – Isoparaffn & Harmonizer 2 pack system – and CIVITAS ONE products.

™ Trademark of Suncor Energy Inc. Used under license.

front NINE

see more @ www.gcsaa.org

GCSAA announces show changes

Atlanta Athletic Club’s Riverside Course has followed in the footsteps of the facility’s Highlands Course, host to the 2011 PGA Championship, in converting their greens to Champion ultradwarf bermudagrass. Photo courtesy of Ken Mangum

V v v

The second Rounds 4 Research auction of 2013 brought in nearly $40,000 that will be used to fund turfgrass research efforts at both the local and national levels. The auction capped off a very successful year for R4R, with a June auction raising more than $107,000. Since launching in summer 2012, R4R has raised more than $170,000 for turfgrass research. The August auction, which took place during the week of the PGA Championship and concluded on Aug. 11, featured a total of 370 items, a list that included rounds of golf at facilities all over the country as well as travel packages to major golf and other sporting events in 2014.

26 GCM September 2013

Greens makeover for Atlanta Athletic Club Atlanta Athletic Club has completely parted ways with bentgrass greens. Both of their golf courses, including the famed Highlands Course that most recently was host to the 2011 PGA Championship, have gone all Champion ultradwarf bermudagrass on their greens. The Highlands Course went that way in 2009. In July, Atlanta Athletic Club began making the switch to bermudagrass on the Riverside Course. Why now? For a couple reasons, says Ken Mangum, CGCS, director of grounds and golf courses at the facility. First, it gives the club a uniform look for next year’s U.S. Amateur. Second, it simply is a more desirable grass for the region, able to better withstand Georgia summers. “It’s a win-win-win situation,” Mangum says. “We don’t have to be babysitting (the greens) 12 months. Now we can manage them during normal working hours.” Mangum, a 39-year GCSAA member, says the club made its fnal decision in April to go with all bermudagrass greens. It wasn’t a simple decision. “We had a few people that had to get comfortable with the idea,” he says. Ultimately, it is a major beneft for a facility that knows a thing or two about majors. “The bottom line is we’re giving members more good months to golf,” Mangum says. “That’s what matters. We won’t have hoses interrupting play, we will save on power, save on fungicides. This is going to be more environmentally friendly, more member friendly, more economical.” — Howard Richman, GCM associate editor

Minor changes are coming to the annual Golf Industry Show. Unlike in recent years, there are no scheduled activities for Friday of the week of the GCSAA education conference and trade show, which is set for Feb. 3-6 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. The USGA Green Section Session, which had traditionally taken place on Friday, will now occupy the 8-10 a.m. slot on Thursday, before the start of the second day of the trade show, and will become the General Session. Also, to alleviate the overlap between the GCSAA Golf Championships and educational opportunities for attendees, the golf tournament dates were moved back one day. The Four-Ball Competition is set for Sat., Feb. 1, while a shamble tournament will be Sun., Feb. 2. The GCSAA National Championship and the GCSAA Golf Classic will be held Sunday and Monday, Feb. 2-3. “The focus will remain on keeping the agenda as condensed as possible to minimize expense and time away for both attendees and exhibitors,” GCSAA Chief Executive Offcer Rhett Evans says. “Our post-event surveys indicate that our efforts to shorten the week were seen as positive, but there were a few instances where conficts were created. We have shared the new schedule with some of our committees, and the response has been good.”

A source of pride Golf courses mean more to a community’s water supply than people may know, but the Sun-Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., does its best to detail just how much the course can make a difference. GCSAA’s Greg Lyman, director of environmental programs, is featured in the story. www. sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/f-boynton-golf-courseaquifer-20130713,0,4142715.story

A landmark in New Jersey? Famed Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfeld, N.J., where Mark Kuhns, CGCS, a 33-year GCSAA member, serves as director of grounds, has been nominated for National Historic Landmark status. The New York Times reports on what it may take for it to happen, and a history of other sports venues that have been considered for the honor. www.nytimes. com/2013/07/29/sports/golf/baltusrol-is-a-landmarkcourse-in-almost-every-sense.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

Correction A listing for the U.S. Senior Open in the “On course” section of the July issue of GCM (Page 104) contained incorrect information about the personnel at Omaha (Neb.) Country Club. Eric McPherson, CGCS, is director of green and grounds at the club. Spencer Roberts is lead assistant superintendent, while Jared Kalin and Jeffrey Thorman are assistant superintendents.

Course opens after four-year hiatus ColoVista Golf Course had been shuttered since 2009. That all changed in July, however, and the Austin AmericanStatesman provides details on how and why they are back in business deep in the heart of Texas. www.statesman. com/news/news/local/bastrop-golf-course-returns-with-abang/nYs7t/

FIELD reports

Northwest Southwest Central Plains Great Lakes South Central Southeast Florida Northeast Mid-Atlantic

Editor’s note: Field Reports highlights news, notes and information from the front lines of the golf course management industry. To submit items for Field Reports, send them to editor-in-chief Scott Hollister (shollister@ gcsaa.org). To learn more about GCSAA’s efforts on the local and regional level through its affiliated chapters and field staff program, visit www.gcsaa.org/chapters/default.asp.

Southeast Members of the golf course management industry in the state of Georgia and John Deere recently teamed up to give youngsters from The First Tee of Atlanta an inside look into potential careers in the golf industry. Mike Crawford, CGCS at TPC Sugarloaf in Duluth and a member of the Georgia GCSA board of directors, hosted 24 members of the local First Tee chapter for a day-long course and maintenance facility tour, all as a part of the new Careers On Course program that is a part of Deere’s $1 million commitment to the First Tee. Stops along the tour included information on greens management, plant protection, water management, golf and the environment, turfgrasses and equipment. Assisting in the event were TPC Sugarloaf assistant superintendent Andrew Saft; Ralph Kepple, CGCS at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta; staff members of local John Deere distributor Greenville Turf and Tractor; and Clint Waltz from the University of Georgia. “Hopefully, we helped open some eyes for these kids about future career paths they might follow in golf,” Crawford says. “Some of the kids were very, very engaged and their questions were outstanding. They showed a genuine interest in the industry, not just the game.” 28 GCM September 2013

Nine students have received 2013 Georgia GCSA Legacy Scholarships, the chapter recently announced. The scholarships offer aid to children and grandchildren of chapter members, and total $5,250 this year. This year’s top winner was Addison Esoda, daughter of Mark Esoda, CGCS at Atlanta Country Club in Marietta. Other winners included: Amanda Martin, the daughter of Mike Martin from Hampton Golf Village in Cumming; Jeania Alford, the daughter of Jerry Matthews, CGCS at Brookfield Country Club in Roswell; Ann Drinkard, the daughter of James Drinkard from Athens Country Club; Morgan Kepple, the daughter of Ralph Kepple, CGCS at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta; Sydney Marshall, the daughter of Kyle Marshall from Capital City Club in Woodstock; Hallie Murray, the granddaughter of Buzz Howell; Lindsey Womac, the granddaughter of Bill Womac, CGCS; and Ariel Edwards, the daughter of Jason Edward from E&E Golf Management.

Central Plains The Siouxland District of the Iowa GCSA conducted its annual scholarship tournament in late July at Landsmeer Golf Club in Orange City, Iowa, raising money to fund scholarships that have been awarded to area students interested in a turfgrass career. In addition, the district funds a legacy scholarship for the children of member superintendents not enrolled in a turf-related program and also received a donation of $3,800 for the Paul Morin Memorial Scholarship. Traditionally, the district

hands out between $1,500 and $2,500 annually. This year’s event attracted almost 60 participants, who also contributed money to a fund to help out two area superintendents who had been diagnosed with cancer. The district presented checks for $500 to both Doug Schultz from Willow Creek Golf Course in LeMars, Iowa, and Aaron Nedved from Holstein (Iowa) Town and Country Club.

Northeast Two familiar faces from the golf course management industry will be honored with induction into the Western Massachusetts Golf Hall of Fame this year. Golf course superintendent Jackie Mattson and Joseph Troll, Ph.D., are among five individuals who were selected to be a part of the seventh class of inductees into the hall of fame. Mattson served as the superintendent at the Country Club of Wilbraham (Mass.) for 37 years and also enjoyed an accomplished playing career as a junior golfer in the area. Troll established himself as one of the most renowned turfgrass researchers in the nation through his work at the University of Massachusetts–Amherst. The school’s turfgrass research center is named after him, he was a 1983 recipient of GCSAA’s Col. John Morley Distinguished Service Award and received the USGA Green Section Award in 1991.

PHOTO quiz

John Mascaro President of Turf-Tec International

Identify the problem PROBLEM A Two parallel lines on turf in April Turfgrass area:

Fairways and roughs Location:

Pine City, Minn. Grass variety:

Kentucky bluegrass and Poa annua fairways, bluegrass and fescue roughs

PROBLEM B Material on rough in springtime Turfgrass area:

Rough Location:

Sycamore, Ill. Grass variety:

Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass and fescue

Presented in partnership with Jacobsen

B Answers on page 100

30 GCM September 2013

These conversations are happening around the country as more and more golf courses experience the performance and qualityof-cut of Jacobsen mowers. Whether it’s the ECLIPSE® series of greens mowers with adjustable frequency-of-clip settings and 15-blade reels, the surprisingly affordable LF510TM fairway mower, or the AR-522TM rough mower with TrimTekTM decks, Jacobsen mowers will get your course talking – and texting. For more information about Jacobsen or to ﬁnd a Jacobsen dealer near you, visit jacobsen.com.

1.888.922.TURF | www.jacobsen.com

THE INSIDER: career

Carol D. Rau, PHR

Winning marketing tools: Cover letters and references Most professionals in the golf and turf industries have a résumé and know its importance in

NEWS & notes

Danny Ibanez, a 33-yearold member of the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians, recently completed a three-year internship program at Journey at Pechanga Golf Course in Temecula, Calif., through a tribal program before becoming the assistant superintendent there. A three-year member of GCSAA, Ibanez concurrently attended the University of California Riverside as a full-time student and earned a bachelor’s degree in turfgrass management and agronomics. Ibanez says he originally applied for the tribal internship program with a job in marketing as his goal. “That department did not have any space available, so I chose golf, and in the long run, it was the best decision,” he says. Ibanez knows the Journey landscape intimately and says he feels a kinship to the grounds on which the course is built. “I grew up here and played in these hills as a child, so working here now really brings everything full circle,” he says.

32 GCM September 2013

conducting a successful job search. Did you know that the accompanying documents can also play a signifcant role as you market yourself? Yes! In this month’s career column, I will share tips and strategies for creating cover letters and reference listings to help you be successful in your job search. What is a cover letter? Simply put, it is an introduction letter associated with a résumé. This is your chance to introduce yourself to a prospective employer; an opportunity to create a winning frst impression and provide insight into your career, experience and qualities as a professional. First, keep your cover letter short and professional. In our fast-paced world, longer letters simply will not be read fully, and your best points will be overlooked. Three to four short paragraphs is typically suffcient. Describe two to three highlights in your career that directly relate to the target employer’s needs. Choose these carefully based upon your research and determining the key qualities you believe the hiring committee is seeking. Second, answer the question in the reader’s mind, “Why are you applying for this job?” Mention a distinct aspect about their golf facility that prompted you to apply. Articulate your genuine interest in their specifc facility, instead of simply writing that you are seeking a job and your experience matches the job posting. Third, complement — don’t duplicate — your résumé. You are introducing yourself to inspire the prospective employer to want more details and engage in reading your résumé, not to simply summarize the résumé contents. Do not waste valuable space in your cover letter to list what is already in your résumé, rather give a glimpse of relevant achievements and gain interest for the reader to learn more about you. As you consider references, I would like to offer answers to two primary questions my team receives often from GCSAA members: Should I include references with a résumé? Yes. Relationships can play a vital role in conducting a job search in the golf and turf industries. We recommend listing your references at the end of

your résumé or attaching a reference page along with your résumé. Include three to fve listings with name, title and contact information (including email), and best phone number. Who should I list as references? Remember this is a strategic part of your overall career documents, not just an alphabetical listing of past supervisors. Consider the audience and the highlights you are conveying that are important to the hiring committee. Who would be best to support and reiterate your claims in these areas? Think of all aspects of your career and the individuals who can speak to your skills from various angles. In addition to listing a current and/or former manager, consider listing outside consultants, golfers/ committee chairs, golf course architects, agronomy consultants and colleagues. I challenge you to incorporate these strategies and create strong marketing tools to supplement your résumé. You will put your job search on a winning pathway to set you apart and ultimately advance your career. GCM Carol D. Rau, PHR is a Career Consultant with GCSAA and is the owner of Career Advantage, an employment consulting frm in Lawrence, Kan., specializing in golf and turf industry careers. GCSAA members receive complimentary résumé critiques by Rau and her team, résumé and cover letter creation for a reduced member rate, along with interview preparation and portfolio consultation. She can be contacted at careeradvantage@sunfower.com.

VISIT

http://griggbros.com

JOIN

http://gri.gg/join

http://gri.gg/fb

SUBSCRIBE http://gri.gg/tv

THE INSIDER: shop

Scott R. Nesbitt

Right: Plastic retainers are easy to fnd when a sample is mounted to the front of a plastic drawer with extra-thick contact adhesive. Left: Fastener removal is easy with end-nipper pliers, the duller the better. Photos by Scott Nesbitt

Ordering, storing plastic retainers The search began with

NEWS & notes DripTips is a new educational website and electronic newsletter from The Toro Co. The website, driptips.toro. com, seeks to educate new and existing drip irrigation users by sharing best practices, how-to guides, tips, trends, videos, webinars, design tools and case studies. In addition, visitors will find the latest irrigation and agricultural news. DripTips updates and replaces Toro’s previous educational website dripirrigation.org, improving site navigation and networking capabilities. Toro says the site was specifically designed to encourage interaction. “The site’s blog allows visitors to post comments or ask questions,” says Sky Anderson, marketing communications manager for Toro Micro-Irrigation. Users can also seek advice or ask Toro’s drip irrigation experts questions directly through the “Ask an Expert” function and can subscribe to the DripTips eNewsletter. The newsletter, which will be sent to subscribers every other month, will provide top news stories and special features and list upcoming events.

34 GCM September 2013

the purchase of a good used self-propelled Baker chipper/shredder/ vacuum (just $100!) that needed a drive belt and about a dozen plastic fasteners we have come to know as “push retainers.” The Baker had one plastic fastener and a bunch on push retainers and grommets that come in a of ¼-inch bolts, washers and locknuts holding the fat box with dividers. Our shop relies on wallshields. Getting at the nuts required draining the mounted cabinets with plastic drawers, so we oil, tipping the machine on its side, and recruiting borrowed an idea. (Thanks, Mr. Reeder!) one bold fool to hunt blind in dark spidery spaces We use “Shoe Goo” to stick a sample of the with an open-end 7⁄16 wrench while the lucky guy part on the face of the plastic drawer. The ulgot to turn the bolt heads. The Baker also needed tra-thick contact adhesive sets up in 15 minutes. some of those square nylon nuts that expand when When fully dry in two to three days, the Shoe a screw is installed. We’ve come to know these as Goo feels like it will stick forever. The system makes it quick and easy to grab the retainer or “nylon grommet clips.” The terms “push retainers” and “nylon grom- other specialty fastener needed. While the plasmet clips” were how we fnally found the fasten- tic fasteners are corrosion resistant, they get ers when we searched eBay. Although plastic (or brittle with age. When in doubt, we replace old nylon) fasteners appear in many vehicles and ones during service, now that we have a supply other products, the fasteners are not commonly available. Many sizes of push retainers are available with available at reasonable prices. Having grown frustrated buying them in small pricey packages a Phillips screw head that allows you to back out at auto parts stores, we looked for larger quan- the central spike — convenient but rather delitities at big-box stores or old-timey hardware cate. The threads make it harder to pull the spike stores. Industrial supply stores and auto dealers when you ruin the screw slots. I prefer the ones either had to order them, or wanted made-of- with plain heads. They’re easily removed with a platinum prices. pair of 6-inch end-nipper pliers with dull jaws Cost on eBay was 10 to 20 cents each in packs that won’t cut plastic. I’ve also taken an old fatof 10 to 25, with free freight. Since most turf and blade screwdriver and heated and bent the end to highway vehicles have gone metric, these fasten- make a mini-crowbar. ers are listed by the metric size of the hole they ft. GCM Approximate size equivalents are: The common 10-mm head bolt has a 6-mm shaft; a ¼-inch hole is 6.5 or 7 mm; 5 ⁄16 inch is 8 mm; ⅜ inch Scott R. Nesbitt (ORPguy@windstream.net) is a free-lance writer and former GCSAA staff member. He lives in Cleveland, is 10 mm; 7⁄16 inch is 11 mm, ½ inch is 13 mm. If you add the word “assortment” to your Ga. eBay search, you’ll fnd some reasonable prices

Experienced industry professionals committed to exceeding your expectations. We’ll help protect your course and your reputation.

Formulated in the USA, the technical experts of Select Source continue to develop an ever-expanding portfolio of the highest quality, performance proven turf and ornamental plant protection and specialty products, all to help you keep your golf course at its very best.

We believe that only the best will do for our customers. If you appreciate consistently exceptional service, professional integrity and an honest, straightforward “customer ﬁrst” approach to business, give us a call at 877.235.0043 or visit www.selectsourcellc.net.

Ask your distributor about Select Source.

THE INSIDER: environment

The new turf and ornamental planter at GCSAA headquarters becomes a test for the national stormwater calculator. Photo by Roger Billings

NEWS & notes GCM tested the EPA’s National Stormwater Calculator by plugging in the address for GCSAA headquarters in Lawrence, Kan. The application downloaded smoothly, and navigation was intuitive. GCSAA recently implemented a number of improvements to the facility, including total reconstruction of a multi-level patio area behind the building to incorporate a large ornamental/turf planting area enclosed on the downslope end with a low stone seat wall (pictured above). This project fairly closely matched the calculator’s description for “Street Planters” under the Low Impact Development tab. According to the calculator, the new planter at GCSAA has plenty of potential of preventing runoff from the surrounding concrete patio: Given the site’s local soil characteristics and historical climate, as well as a soil media thickness of 18 inches and a gravel bed thickness of 12 inches, the planter offers a runoff capture ratio of 6 percent. This type of information could be an important element in a golf facility’s communication with members regarding proposed improvements to the property.

Presented in partnership with Aquatrols

36 GCM September 2013

Calculating runoff: No more guessing games How do your facility’s efforts to manage stormwater runoff (and its potential to pollute local waterways) add up? It’s easy to fnd out, thanks to a new desktop computer application released this past summer by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Part of the Obama administration’s Climate Action Plan, the National Stormwater Calculator has been included in a virtual climate resilience toolkit to help property owners, site developers, urban planners and green industry professionals make informed land-use decisions. The application estimates the annual amount of stormwater runoff from a specifc site, based on local soil conditions, slope, land cover and historical rainfall records. Users can enter any U.S. location and select different scenarios to learn how specifc green infrastructure changes, including inexpensive changes like rain barrels and rain gardens, can prevent pollution. Golf course superintendents might also try calculating the amount of runoff that could be prevented through implementation of several other types of low impact development (LID) controls such as green roofs, ornamental planters and porous pavement. “EPA’s research is providing innovative solutions to protect our nation’s water resources,” says Lek Kadeli, principal deputy assistant administrator for EPA’s Offce of Research and Development. “The stormwater calculator demonstrates different types of green infrastructure approaches which can result in protection from fooding, energy savings, improved air quality, increased property values, healthier communi-

ties and cost savings for the American people.” Every year, billions of gallons of raw sewage, trash household chemicals and urban runoff fow into U.S. streams, rivers and lakes. This adversely affects plants, animals and people as well as the economy — from closed beaches to decreased fshing and hunting in polluted areas. The EPA cautions that the estimates used by the stormwater calculator can be affected by limitations on site-specifc information and uncertainties about future climate, and recommends that superintendents and others develop a range of results using various assumptions about model inputs (impervious surface, soil type, sizing of green infrastructure, etc.). An update to the stormwater calculator, which will include the ability to link to several future climate scenarios, will be released by the end of 2013. Climate projections indicate that heavy precipitation events are very likely to become more frequent as the climate changes. For additional information, including instructions on how to install the stormwater calculator on your computer, check the following: • National Stormwater Calculator: www.epa. gov/nrmrl/wswrd/wq/models/swc/ • Virtual climate resilience toolkit: www.white house.gov/sites/default/fles/image/ president27sclimateactionplan.pdf • EPA’s Green Infrastructure research: http:// water.epa.gov/infrastructure/greeninfrastruc ture/index.cfm • Demonstration video: www.youtube.com/ watch?v=ibZTm4_ZQxg&feature=youtu.be

Better Moisture Distribution

Better Playability

Better Stress Response

Better Root Growth

The Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Leading Soil Surfactan t

www.aquatrols.com

THE INSIDER: turf

Fire ant venom: A natural fungicide? (Solenopsis invicta) has been a signifcant pest in turfgrass in the United States ever since its introduction sometime between 1918 and 1930. The tables appear to be turning, however, as scientists may have discovered a benefcial use for fre ant venom. Scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture/Agricultural Research Service’s Biological Control of Pests Research Unit in Stoneville, Miss., have found that venom from red imported fre ants contains alkaloid compounds (piperideine and piperidine alkaloids) that can prevent the development of a soil-borne pathogen, Pythium ultimum. The pathogen is one of several causal agents of the pythium root-rot complex in turfgrass and also causes damping-off diseases that affect seeds and seedlings in crops worldwide. Pythium diseases are currently controlled by chemical fungicides. ARS microbiologist Xixuan Jin and coworker entomologist Jian Chen in Mississippi worked cooperatively with Shezeng Li from the Institute of Plant Protection in Baoding, China, to explore the possible use of fre ant venom for managing plant pathogens in the soil. The researchers extracted both the piperideine and piperidine alkaloids from the venom glands of red and black imported fre ants. The two alkaloids were tested on P. ultimum mycelia and sporangia in petri dishes, and separate solutions of the alkaloids were applied in a drench to cucumber seedlings in the greenhouse. The venom alkaloids successfully reduced P. ultimum mycelia and sporangia, and cucumber seedlings treated with the alkaloids were taller than the untreated seedlings. The successful petri-dish and greenhouse experiments have led the researchers to conclude their results “may lead to the development of a new group of fungicides.” Because fre ants are plentiful in the southern United States, the source of the raw materials for new fungicides based on the fre ant venom alkaloids is assured. However, extracting and purifying enough of the alkaloids for commercial production on a large-scale basis would require a major effort. Researchers at the University of Mississippi have developed synthetic versions of

The red imported fre ant

NEWS & notes JoAnne Crouch, a scientist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture/Agricultural Research Service’s systematic Mycology and Microbiology Laboratory in Beltsville, Md., was able to identify the fungus that causes anthracnose disease in centipedegrass in the southern U.S. Crouch, a contributor to the research section of GCM, discovered that the fungus infecting centipedegrass was Colletotrichum eremochloae and not C. sublineola as had been thought. Crouch was able to identify the fungus by referring to the USDA’s collection of more than a million reference specimens of fungi. Identifying the correct pathogen makes it possible for turf managers to apply appropriate fungicides for disease control.

Presented in partnership with Barenbrug

38 GCM September 2013

The red imported fre ant, Solenopsis invicta, has been a pest of turfgrass and crops ever since it was brought to the United States from South America. Photo by Richard Nowitz (USDA/ARS)

the alkaloids, which may better lend themselves to large-scale production. In addition, more research on disease-control mechanisms and phytotoxicity is required before work can proceed on developing a commercial product. The information in this column was taken from “Fire ant venom compounds may be useful as a fungicide” by Jan Suszkiw published in the August 2013 issue of Agricultural Research magazine. The original research article was: S. Li, X.Jin and J.Chen. 2012. Effects of piperidine and piperideine alkaloids from the venom of red imported fre ants, Solenopsis invicta Buren, on Pythium ultimum Trow growth in vitro and the application of piperideine alkaloids to control cucumber damping-off in the greenhouse. Pest Management Science 68:1546-1552. doi: 10.1002/ps.3337.

The

NIGHT LIFE

Even in the 21st century, as automated irrigation systems have become the standard at most golf courses, night watermen still exist. Those who have done it and are doing it now all seem to have a pretty good story to tell. Howard Richman

Brad Wood, night waterman at Pole Valley Players Club in Hartford, N.Y., prepares to get busy. Photos by Jason McKibben

All the fuel Brad Wood needs is two 16-ounce bottles of caffeinated Pure Leaf Iced Tea and the memory of his brother. In his line of golf course industry work — a job in which few have survived, mainly because modern technology has all but rendered humans obsolete — the ability to stay alert and awake is essential. Wood, you see, is a night waterman at Pole Valley Players Club in Hartford, N.Y., a small town more than three hours northeast of New York City near the Vermont border. That’s right. Night waterman. They do still serve a purpose. As the sun begins to set, Wood prepares for his duties in the dusk, which grows dimmer by the minute until the backdrop eventually fades to black, engulfng Pole Valley in darkness. For Wood, the canvas is void of all light except the moon, and that is only if clouds don’t hide its glow. He harvests his own light by using a golf car that features headlights. Wood also carries a mini fashlight with him to do his job, a position that anyone who prefers not to work after, say, midnight would avoid at all costs. “I like still being here when the sun comes up in the morning,” says Wood, 55, whose brother Matthew worked on a golf course before he died of cancer in 2008. “I also know I have a lot of responsibility and people are counting on me.” The head count of souls like Wood appears to be dwindling. That wasn’t the case decades ago, before irrigation systems — a time when quick couplers and pop-up rotary sprinkler heads served a purpose and dragging hoses was the norm for night watermen, who in most cases realized this type of work put a crimp in their social lives as they went about their business mostly in solitude. “It had to be done. You had to apply water to grass,” says William Nigh, CGCS Retired, a 46-year member of the association. The roll call of former night watermen is lengthy. It includes people such as 26year GCSAA member and Iowa GCSA executive offcer Jeff Wendel, CGCS, who got his start in 1971 as night waterman at Newton Country Club (which is now a public course called Cardinal Hills Golf Club in Newton, Iowa). Mark Willmore, who spent 25 years as superintendent at Shawnee Country Club in Topeka, Kan., also entered the industry this way. “I didn’t mind it at all. I was single then, enjoyed what I was doing,” Willmore, a 39-year GCSAA member, says. “I was cutting my teeth. Back in those days, you had to learn from the ground up.” For years, during an era when drive-in movies fourished and the Beatles ruled, night watermen patrolled golf courses across America. In time, irrigation companies such as Buckner, Febco, Rain Bird and Skinner appeared on the scene. Their arrival signaled what has resulted in the gradual demise of golf courses needing night watermen to stay on the premises until the superintendent’s crew arrived at dawn. Still, though, night watermen have their niche at a place such as Pole Valley, where fnances are closely monitored in order to stay afoat. Another example is San Bernardino (Calif.) Golf Club, which opened in 1968. They have always employed a night waterman. “We have never been able to justify spending the money and putting in an automatic system,” says GCSAA Class A superintendent Sonny Hammond, a 20-year member of the association. His night waterman, Leonel Barragan, has worked 15 years for Hammond. Those who have been there, done that, have some wonderful, often hilarious, stories to tell. Heck, even the father of a famous quarterback served as a night waterman. It’s a job that isn’t cut out for just anyone, however. “It was a thankless job,” says 1975 GCSAA President Palmer Maples, CGCS Retired, “but everybody knew it was an important job.”

44 GCM September 2013

September 2013 GCM 45

Top: Leonel Barragan works deep into the night at San Bernardino GC. Photo by Paul Lester Bottom: Oliver Luck, former NFL quarterback and father of Indianapolis quarterback Andrew Luck, was a night waterman. Photo courtesy of West Virginia University.

46 GCM September 2013

Night shift His last name appears on replica jerseys, across America, because his son is that famous and that good. Meet Oliver Luck, who wasn’t too bad on the gridiron either. Way before he played quarterback for the Houston Oilers — and years before his son Andrew Luck was the No. 1 draft choice in 2012 by the Indianapolis Colts — Oliver Luck made quite a name for himself at Mayfeld Country Club (now called The Mayfeld Sand Ridge Club) in South Euclid, Ohio. How did he do that? He was a night waterman. Apparently, he was a very good one, too. “Our green chairman said he had a young man he wanted me to hire,” says Charlie Tadge, CGCS Retired, who oversaw Mayfeld. “It was Oliver Luck. He was very good. I didn’t have to worry about him. He did everything well.” Luck, currently director of intercollegiate athletics at West Virginia University, recalls riding his bicycle three miles to Mayfeld in 1974 to work at the club. Luck was a caddy before graduating to Tadge’s crew. “I was probably one of the younger guys, but Charlie entrusted me to mow the greens,” Luck says. “I loved being outdoors; it was a great way to stay in shape. I remember the Cushman cart, driving it around in pitch darkness, pumping out sand traps

after storms. I felt as if I could drive blind in that Cushman, probably because I walked that course as a caddy hundreds of times.” You could hear it in Luck’s voice that he fondly remembers those late nights at Mayfeld. There are so many others like him, memories that are sprinkled throughout this story. I think about riding around the course in a fourwheel drive Jeep. One night I wasn’t there, and the mechanic and another guy drove off course, across the road, through a barbed wire fence that fenced in some horses. Soon we had fve horses loose on the golf course, running across the greens. Horse hoofs and greens don’t make for a very good combination. — Jon Francis, former superintendent at the Country Club of Blue Springs in Blue Springs, Mo. The 1949 Chevrolet convertible served Cliff Dipman well. It was 1963 in the heartland of America and Dipman spent nearly 16 hours a day at Park Hills Country Club in Pratt, Kan., part of that time earmarked for night watering. “The Chevy was white, had a threespeed on the column,” says Dipman, a 37year GCSAA member who went on to be the superintendent at Manhattan Country Club in Manhattan, Kan., until retiring in 2012. “There was a road on the perimeter

George Jennrich had an interesting experience as a night waterman.

and I drove it to move the sprinklers four or fve times a night. I made 50 cents an hour.” When he was superintendent north of the border in Ontario, John Grightmire made certain his night waterman earned a tad more for it. “I paid a little bit extra, 25 cents (extra) an hour at that time. It was worth it,” says Grightmire, a 52-year member of GCSAA. Considering what night watermen had to put up with sometimes, the money was well earned. On occasion, there were forces working against the night waterman. In the early 1970s at Lawrence Country Club in Lawrence, Kan., Brian Wright was a young teenager who lived on Princeton Blvd. that runs along the northern perimeter of the club. Wright, who has caddied in the PGA Championship, recalls how he and some friends had fun at the night waterman’s expense. “Summer was like having your own 150acre interactive playground and you didn’t

One Hal of a guy Hal Robbins wore rubber boots. Always. No doubt that he left his footprints throughout Pole Valley Players Club, where the last green was seeded on Sept. 11, 2001, a day that will live in infamy for other reasons. “His main job then was watering those in,” says six-year GCSAA member Marvin Seaman, who oversees Pole Valley. “Summer nighttime irrigation is your lifeline. Really, Hal did everything. He was invaluable.” Seaman speaks about Robbins in past tense. Robbins died one year ago this month, Sept. 29, 2012, but his impact on Pole Valley lives. Robbins was night waterman at Pole Valley, which Seaman describes as a “small, mom and pop course” located in Hartford, N.Y., 9 miles west of the Vermont border. “Because of fnances, we couldn’t put in irrigation. Hal grew in 90,000 square feet of greens surfaces with a hose,” says Pole Valley co-owner Steve Forbes. Robbins, tall and lanky at 6-feet-4 and 185 pounds, had eccentric written all over him. He possessed a thick beard, trademark cap, tie-dye shirt and a jacket that Forbes gets the honor of describing. “I’d say, ‘When are you going to change the oil in that jacket, Hal?’ If you saw him, you probably would run away from him,” Forbes says, “but he was one of the neatest guys. Extremely intelligent, a walking encyclopedia of sports, well-versed in

48 GCM September 2013

Hal Robbins

politics. He loved the Washington Redskins.” One late evening, when Robbins was watering greens, Forbes went to check on him. “I walked up from behind to spook him,” Forbes says, “and later I said, ‘I hate to leave you alone.’ He just said, ‘Schizophrenics are

never alone.’” According to Forbes, Robbins’ mother found him dead in his car, on the passenger side, and the radio still on. Later it was determined that Robbins died from undiagnosed cancer. “He was dedicated to his work. The knowledge he had is something he took to the grave with him,” Forbes says. Robbins left behind a legacy on the golf course and beyond. “It’s pretty rare, at least from my experiences, that you fnd people who are there just for the golf course,” Seaman says. “He’d do anything to make Pole Valley better.” Forbes never will forget Robbins — for all the right reasons. “He was the most honest, trustworthy friend I ever had,” Forbes says. — H.R.

need a driver’s license, ” Wright says. “We’d play cat and mouse (with the night waterman). You could see his lights coming four holes away. We’d be lying there, all quiet, like we were playing Army. We were more of a nuisance than a threat.” At times, Wright wished he could be that night waterman. “I always thought that it was the coolest job around,” he says. “You’re out at night, dragging a hose around, you’re on a golf course, driving around in basically a big Go-Kart. It sure would beat de-tasseling corn on the Kaw River.” Speaking of watery scenarios … I was driving the Cushman. About the seventh hole, I fell asleep, drove into a pond. I got a chain, a tractor, and I pulled it out. It was one of those nights I was really tired. — George Jennrich, whose summer job as night waterman at Somerset Country Club in Mendota Heights, Minn., helped pay for his college tuition. Jennrich was forgiven and kept his job. Other night watermen that had issues weren’t so fortunate. Tadge, 53-year member of GCSAA who served as the association’s president in 1979, recalls handing a pink slip to a night waterman who crossed the line. “I had one bad experience with a night waterman. I didn’t realize he was an alcoholic,” Tadge says. “I went to a function, and later was coming back from it, drove by the golf course, and the sprinklers were in the same spot. When I saw him (night waterman), he had a bottle of whiskey, was having his own party. I fred him.” As part of Paul R. Latshaw’s frst job out of college at Sewickley Heights Golf Club in Sewickley, Pa., he did night watering, which was no simple task. “Bear of a job,” says Latshaw, 48-year GCSAA member. “You ran yourself ragged all night long. When I got into the business, usually the superintendent did it himself because it was hard to fnd good people. I don’t think anybody … regrets not having that job.” There are night watermen so good that superintendents remember them, even 50 years later, such as Raymond Burroughs. He worked for Maples at The Standard Club in Atlanta, where they used a singlerow, snap-valve system for night watering. It wasn’t a perfect system. Leaks would occur,

Wood sets his plans in motion for the late-night shift at Pole Valley. Photo by Jason McKibben

noticeable at sunrise, images of washed out bunkers the proof. “When I got there in 1958, we didn’t even have quick couplers on the greens. We had a hose at each green,” says Maples, a 54-year GCSAA member, “and he (Burroughs) would take a sack of sprinklers in a burlap bag, and a fashlight, and he’d walk the course. Those guys (night watermen) got made fun of, being out there, kidded that they were sleeping on the job. But if they were sleeping on the job, it wouldn’t take long to show up.” Cops and robbers I was standing on a tee, probably midnight, looking out toward the eighth fairway (at Somerset Country Club in Mendota Heights, Minn.). We had a drinking fountain. Out of the corner of my eye I caught a little bit of movement. A guy was hiding there. I called a friend of mine, a sergeant on the police force, told him what was happening. He told me they were looking for somebody in the area. I went back out (on the course). I got him pinned (at the drinking fountain). In those days, you’re invincible. I said to him, ‘Sit right there or I’ll knock you out.’ The police got there, and they told me he had burglarized a home. —Garold Murphy, CGCS Retired, 53-year GCSAA member

50 GCM September 2013

So what is it with these New Jersey golf courses and the police? Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, N.J., was paid a visit by a member of the police force after his curiosity was piqued by pickup truck headlights coming from the golf course late at night. “Somebody called the police when they saw the lights, and here comes a policeman, drove right onto the course, right across one of the greens,” says Lee A. Webb, CGCS Retired, a 46-year member of the association. “The only trouble was that the back of the green dropped off about 5 feet, so he leaped right off of it. He was a little shaken up. So was I. I’m pretty sure he (policeman) just wanted to hang his head and go hide.” At Deal Golf and Country Club in Deal, N.J., an electric pump that had issues created quite a stir. “The muffer blew off of it in the middle of the night,” says 44-year GCSAA member John Schoellner, CGCS, who was in charge at the time. “I was out watering on the other side of the lake. The pump house was on the low point of the golf course on the lake, and I didn’t hear it but some of the neighbors did and called the police, and they came looking for me. I got over there, and it sounded like an Indy stock car.”

Stephen and Carla Ehrbar

Date night For a young lady named Carla, romance under the stars was a common theme. Carla, you see, was dating Stephen Ehrbar, whose duties included being night waterman at The Country Club in Pepper Pike, Ohio. In order to advance the relationship, it sometimes called for meeting at the golf course in the evening. “Really, it was the only way if I wanted to see him,” Carla says. Ehrbar’s boss, superintendent Alfred Muhle, actually encouraged their golf course rendezvous. “They (women) might as well fnd out what our jobs entailed,” Muhle, a 49-year GCSAA member, says. On those golf course dates, Carla would bring a book, snacks and, most importantly, a fashlight. “If she was going to be in it for the long run, she had to know about my hours, what the business is all about,” says Ehrbar, a 31year association member. Carla obviously was OK with the whole night waterman thing. Her last name now is Ehrbar. Today, her husband is the certifed golf course superintendent at Jupiter Hills Club & Village Course in Jupiter, Fla. “We have been married since summer 1985,” says Carla. “I have fond memories of those nights. It was peaceful. Defnitely romantic. I’d steal a kiss every once in a while.” Nocturnal encounters He could see the foxes in the distance, says G. Wayne Zoppo, CGCS Retired, because their eyes would shine in the dark. One late night, as he went to change out a 52 GCM September 2013

Wood, whose hands are often wet, takes care of business. Photo by Jason McKibben

sprinkler at Mt. Pleasant Country Club in Boylston, Mass., Zoppo got the feeling that something was eyeballing him. “A possum was hanging from a tree, staring me in the face,” says Zoppo, a 48year GCSAA member. Even past GCSAA presidents had their moments. A couple times, I found a nocturnal predator. Skunks. I bathed myself in the sprinkler. Fully clothed. What were you going to do? Nobody wants you at home with that smell. — Melvin B. Lucas Jr., CGCS Way before he served as GCSAA president in 1980, Lucas was a young superintendent at Garden City Golf Club in Garden City, N.Y., where every now and then teenagers liked to stage beer parties late nights on his golf course, a practice that wasn’t about to fy on his watch unless they obeyed his rules. Lucas didn’t want to play the ultimate heavy, but he also didn’t want his golf course ruined. “I told them, ‘If you don’t do any damage to my greens, I won’t do anything to you.’ At that time I’d just gotten out of the Army. I was 23, 24, felt like I could’ve taken them all on,” says Lucas, a 51-year GCSAA

member. “Word got out you don’t mess with the guy on the golf course.” Lucas trained them well. “In the morning I’d fnd bags with empties, no damage to greens,” he says. At Green Meadow Golf Club in Hudson, N.H., 56-year-old Bobby Jackson is night waterman for 22-year GCSAA Class A superintendent Andy McHugh. Jackson still vividly remembers a late-night meeting with a coyote. “The thing was 10 feet from me,” Jackson says. “He wasn’t afraid, but I sure was a little. Nothing happened. Some nights it gets a little bit spooky out there.” For Wood, who moved to New York when his brother became ill, there is no time to be concerned with what may lurk in the shadows as he takes care of Pole Valley, trying to ensure golfers enjoy their days because of what he accomplishes at night. “I like the peace and quiet, nobody bothering you, and I really like having the golf course look nice,” Wood says. “That’s why I am here.” GCM Howard Richman (hrichman@gcsaa.org) is GCM’s associate editor.

Doubling

down

Paul B. Latshaw and his team at Muirfeld Village prepare for the rare task of hosting their second professional event of the year, the 2013 Presidents Cup. David McPherson The eighth hole at Muirfeld Village in Dublin, Ohio, site of the 2013 Presidents Cup. Photo by Jim Mandeville

Muirfeld Village’s owner/designer Jack Nicklaus (far left) reviews changes that have been made to the course in advance of the 2013 Presidents Cup with director of grounds operations Paul B. Latshaw, CGCS (second from right), and Muirfeld superintendent Lucas Lownes (far right). Also pictured is Chris Cochran of Nicklaus Design (behind Nicklaus). Photos courtesy of Muirfeld Village

Forgive Paul B. Latshaw, CGCS, if he didn’t get much sleep these past six months. You see, the director of grounds operations at Muirfeld Village in Dublin, Ohio, has been feeling the pressure to prepare the home that Jack Nicklaus built for not just one, but two PGA Tour-sponsored events in the same year. Come October, Muirfeld plays host to the 2013 Presidents Cup, just fve months removed from hosting the annual Memorial Tournament. Added pressure? Sure. Sleep deprivation? You bet. But Latshaw takes it all in stride. The 47-year-old is no stranger to prepping golf courses for big-time tournaments. He arrived at Muirfeld in 2004 from Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, N.Y., where he prepped that classic Donald Ross design for the 2003 PGA Championship. This past August, his good friend and former assistant, Jeff Corcoran, repeated that task when the year’s fnal golf major returned to Rochester. Before his tenure at Oak Hill, Latshaw spent seven years at Merion Golf Club (1992-98). So, while grooming courses for major events is old hat for Latshaw, hosting two professional golf events in less than six months is a frst, even for this seasoned superintendent. When it rains … Latshaw knows too well that things don’t always go as planned in golf course management. Just a few weeks removed from Matt Kuchar’s win at a rain- and weather-plagued Memorial Tournament and a quick visit to see his good friend Matt Shaffer, Merion’s director of golf course management, during the week of the U.S. Open, Latshaw’s computer crashed. While disconcerting, his IT emergency was the least of his worries. Prepping Muirfeld for the Presidents Cup was top of mind. The course setup for this huge international competition will be very similar to what is done each year for The Memorial Tournament. The only difference is that there will be more spectator areas and corporate tents, especially on the back nine. “Everything is heavily weighted 11 through 16 since the Presidents Cup is match play,” the 26-year GCSAA member says. “The last two holes are very demanding. No. 16 was remodeled two years ago in preparation for this event. It was realigned so there would be more space for the gallery and all the tents on 15 and 16.” The green speeds will be the same — as Nicklaus loves them frm and fast — and the rough might not be as thick, to create more excitement. The only other setup change Latshaw can see is moving the tee forward on No. 14 to encourage some players to go for the green on that hole. 58 GCM September 2013

When asked about how prepping for this international event differs from a regular PGA Tour stop, Latshaw says besides the size, it’s Mother Nature and the unpredictability of fall weather. “There is always the potential threat for a frost in early October,” he says. “There is also going to be . . . the likelihood of having to remove debris as leaves start falling off the trees.” The one difference Latshaw hopes he and his crew of staff and volunteers can use to their advantage is the fact that tee times for a Presidents Cup typically don’t begin until later in the morning. “That should allow us a lot of extra time in the morning to prepare the golf course as long as the weather cooperates. I’m optimistic it will since September and October are usually our drier months,” he says. Latshaw explains that the luxury of having an event like the Memorial every year is the opportunity it provides to tweak your agronomic programs year-to-year, learning from any mistakes you made in the past and focusing your energies on things you want to refne. “Ultimately, you are always at the mercy of the weather,” he says. Setup challenges As far as the setup, Latshaw mainly takes his cues from Nicklaus and PGA Tour agronomist Paul Vermeulen, who talks to Latshaw frequently. The veteran director of tournament agronomy spent two weeks at Muirfeld in early June during the Memorial and returned to Dublin in August. Leading up to the Presidents Cup in October, the pair has been in close contact. Vermeulen has no worries that Latshaw is up to the task. “The track record for Muirfeld Village since Paul started as superintendent has been almost blemish-free,” says Vermeulen. “He has put together a rock-solid agronomic plan from the frst day of the year to the last day of the year, and not surprisingly, the conditions of the greens under his direction have been absolutely wonderful. “That’s why it’s so comforting to work with a guy like Paul,” he adds. “You can trust if there is challenging weather in the forecast, he is not going to do something that would topple the condition of the grass. He is not going to dry the greens out at the wrong time; he’s not going to mow at the wrong time, etc. That speaks to his experience, his background and education,

which tower over most.” The procedures Latshaw has followed the last couple of years getting the course in perfect condition for the Memorial are the same procedures he intends to follow in advance of the Presidents Cup. Vermeulen says it’s a set of practices that produces a very predictable — and very good — set of results. “There is a detailed record of daily maintenance and daily playing conditions the week before and the week of the Memorial. Using that source of information, Paul can predict exactly what will happen if he double-cuts greens, if he double-cuts and rolls the greens, if he single-cuts, cuts at a particular mowing height,” Vermeulen says. “He knows the end result because he has such great records from the tournament in the spring. There’s nothing left to chance.” A facelift on a deadline Of course, the one thing that Latshaw and his team couldn’t practice for was squeezing in a few signifcant construction projects in the four months between the conclusion of the Memorial and the start of the Presidents Cup. The most notable of those was the construction of new tee boxes for the 18th hole to accommodate a new back tee that will add about 30 yards to that par-4 fnishing hole. In and of itself, the addition of that tee wasn’t a major project. It was the chain reaction of other projects necessitated by that new tee that resulted in what Latshaw describes as “the third- or fourth-biggest project we’ve done since I’ve been here.” To make room for the new tee, a spectator area for the 17th green needed to be recontoured. Two cart paths had to be moved. A new forward tee was also added while this work was being done. Some trees had to be removed and then replanted. Oh, and the entire area had to be regrassed with a new bentgrass mix during the middle of the summer. In early August, crews were still working on these areas, but Latshaw was confdent all of the work would be completed in plenty of time. Helping hand Like they are at other major events, volunteers are another key to the success of the Presidents Cup. Latshaw says when they arrive it’s like “getting a shot in the arm.” Finding and recruiting these extra bodies to 60 GCM September 2013

While hosting two professional events in the span of less than six months will be a challenge, the experience gained from hosting the annual Memorial Tournament should pay big dividends for Latshaw and his team during the Presidents Cup. Photo by Jim Mandeville

pitch in during this international event was not a problem. The challenge is that with the college students who make up most of his regular summer staff returning to school, his core turf team is reduced by 25 percent in the fall. To fll this gap, Latshaw worked with Michigan State and its international exchange program to engage some interns from China. Closer to home, Ohio State’s turf department also lent a hand. “Staffng is defnitely one of the biggest issues to make sure you have enough people,” Latshaw says. “Once you have these volunteers, you also have to worry about the burnout factor. You can talk to a volunteer and tell him you are going to work 120 hours, and he says, ‘No problem,’ and then he is a walking zombie for two weeks.” A lot of people who did not volunteer for the Memorial wanted to volunteer for the Presidents Cup since it’s a bigger international event. “Every year for the Memorial we get guys from Oak Hill, Merion, etc.,” Latshaw says. “It’s great for guys to put on their résumé, and the networking that goes on is really cool. You have a bunch of guys that are working toward a common goal, working countless hours, the camaraderie. Anything they are asked is for one reason — to make the golf course the best it can possibly be for that one week for the golfers, the gallery and everyone else. It’s always neat to see it come together.”

The stretch run As the event drew closer and closer, the greens at Muirfeld Village were the recipient of most of Latshaw’s focus. But the rest of the layout also received attention, even though an annual August aerifcation that closes the property for four days was postponed for this year. “We obviously won’t be executing that agronomic program this year because the rough renovation would be too aggressive … for the Presidents Cup,” Latshaw says. “That said, we will probably do something on the greens, maybe remove some organic matter, but that will almost be a game-time decision. “We are always trying to fnish the year strong,” he adds. “We will be making sure the rough is even, do an extra fertilizer application and get more hand watering out so we go into this event as strong and healthy as possible.” Asked for one fnal piece of advice for other superintendents who fnd themselves in a similar situation, Latshaw says fexibility and a less-is-more approach can be the best strategy. “Sometimes the best move is the move you don’t make,” Latshaw concludes. GCM David McPherson is a freelance writer based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and a regular contributor to GCM.

You have a hand in creating unforgettable memories.

Long before the frst pairing tees off, you’re on the job, making sure the course is in the best condition possible. It’s the kind of hard work that often goes unnoticed. And yet, your devotion and resiliency is unwavering. Because the end result is always where your workday begins. Visit TurfFacts.basf.us or scan the QR code to watch a video.

gcm ex t ra

Lake Merced GC’s new practice facility was built entirely with in-house labor and on a shoestring budget. Photos courtesy of Zachary Ohsann

On the level A California club digs deep to create a unique new practice area that serves not only its members, but also its maintenance department.

Zachary Ohsann 62 GCM September 2013

The key to any practice facility is utility. Can the members use it? Will they use it? What does it cost to build? And how easy is it to maintain? While these are simple questions, they sometimes require intricate and creative solutions to solve an existing problem. At Lake Merced Golf Club in Daly City, Calif., we are challenged to accommodate our active membership within a relatively compact footprint. Our golf course sits on approximately 135 acres, so needless to say, space is at a premium. Although we have a practice range just outside the pro shop door, as well as an adjacent practice bunker and pitching green, and an ample practice putting green, we faced a problem. Due to the slope of our driving range, it was impossible for players to practice a 75- to 100-yard wedge shot while seeing the ball land. There just wasn’t enough fat ground to do that. This left us without a place where members could work on golf’s true “money shot” and be able to gauge distance on this key short-game component. Moreover, our one practice bunker was so deep in most parts that our members couldn’t watch a sand shot land and roll out. People would hit practice shot after practice shot, but never knew precisely how far they were hitting the ball or how it was rolling once it landed. To compound the problem, our practice bunker and the surrounding pitching area were getting beaten up due to excessive use. An opportunity emerges But we had an opportunity to change things after we moved our maintenance facility from the middle of the course to a location in the southwest corner. The construction of that facility, (as well as our new clubhouse and recycled water storage tank) was the subject of a previous article in the Green Section Record (see “Getting It Right,” November-December 2005, Page 12). As a result of that move, we

LL GET ON 5 SF RE

They can’t eat if they’re

DEAD

KILLS NEMATODES ON CONTACT. An all out nematode attack can kill turf and playability on your course. Destroy root eating nematodes with MultiGuard Protect®, a natural, liquid contact nematicide derived from sugar cane that can also be used with other nematicides or green treatments. MultiGuard Protect® will leave no harmful residue on the plant or soil, and it promotes a healthy root system, improving plant uptake. Learn more at multiguardprotect.com or call 908-272-7070.

BUY 20 GALLONS OF MULTIGUARD PROTECT

AND RECEIVE 5 GALLONS FREE. Valid September 3 through December 13, 2013 through any of our authorized distributors, Direct Solutions, Harrell’s or Howard Fertilizer & Chemical

gcm ex t ra freed up a nice little stretch of land in the middle of our property — and it was ripe for conversion into an additional practice area. The process may have taken a few years, but we were able to come to consensus about what we wanted and how to achieve it. Working entirely “in house,” we designed a practice area that also doubles as our turf nursery. We now have three nursery greens — 10,000 square feet of good ground on which to grow, test and analyze turf. The area is bordered by our 14th, 15th and 16th holes. In the area between two of the nursery greens, we constructed a unique and very user-friendly practice bunker. The new bunker has two distinct levels. Approximately two-thirds of it is 3½ feet deep, simulating our course’s typical “shallow” bunker shot. In this portion of the bunker, a player can indeed see his or her shot fy, land and roll out. It’s a great spot to hone one’s sand game. The remainder of the bunker is what we call “the Basement.” It is almost 6 feet deep and replicates the deep bunker shot found on many of our holes. This section enables our members to take a few steps down and practice an escape that they will need should they encounter one of our deeper bunkers. Because the new practice bunker is between two of the nursery greens, players can hit shots in several directions. They can experience every type of wind and sun condition. The variety of different shots is endless. The long and short — really, the up and down — of this story is that we have a single bunker that serves multiple purposes. Instead of two separate bunkers, our crew now needs to tend to only one, with fewer edges to maintain. Wood planking and steps make entry and exit easy for all. If a player hitting pitch shots over the sand wants “direct line” access to the green, he can simply walk right through the middle of the bunker without disturbing anything. What really makes this area attractive — beyond the one-of-a-kind duallevel bunker — is the fact that players can hit a 100-yard shot as well as every other kind of short-game approach, right down to little running chips to one

64 GCM September 2013

Before construction of a new practice facility at Lake Merced GC in Daly City, Calif., the slope of the driving range prevented golfers from seeing the practice bunker. The new facility, which is positioned in the middle of the golf course, features a new practice bunker whose edges are visible from a distance.

of our nursery greens. In the weeks to come, we expect to see our members inventing small short-game tournaments on and around our practice area. Hopefully, this forgotten part of the property will now become a great gathering spot in the early evening for after-hours fun (and practice!). Making it work In constructing the bunker, we worked entirely with our own crew — no outside construction frm was involved. Whenever possible, we tweaked the design to accommodate future maintenance needs (such as convenient entry points for mowers and other equipment). The most diffcult issue confronting a project such as this was cost. We had to balance the need for a secondary practice area to alleviate heavy traffc on the existing area against the burden of spending money to create an added facility on our property. Needless to say, this challenge is one superintendents (and boards of directors) face every day all across the country. When responding to inquiries, it was essential for us to premise support on the agronomic benefts of the new turf nursery, and in addition, to focus attention on an equally important aspect of the project — the added benefts of a new practice area for our club members. The enhancement of the existing turf nursery — and the possible creation of this very compact, added practice area — has been a constant discussion topic at green committee meetings for nearly three years. The fact is, many members wanted more space to work on their wedge play, bunker shots and especially chipping from all angles. With many veteran green committee members supporting such a project, it was essential for our golf maintenance staff to gain their insight concerning the layout of the area from a playability standpoint. We asked the green committee members (and anyone else who was interested) to meet with our staff at the old nursery area to discuss possible locations for additional nursery greens and some type of practice bunker. The primary focus of the meeting was to determine how to maximize the playing surface of such a small area. Looming over everything was the question of cost. But the green committee members who participated were receptive to the cost implications arising out of many of the suggested designs (e.g., moving existing irrigation). As Lake Merced’s superintendent, I was able to work my way through the fnancial issues and come up with a plan that would satisfy everyone. We were determined as a

gcm ex t ra

group, working cohesively, to get the job done right for the right price. Fortunately, our working group embraced the challenge of enhancing the area on a small budget and with few resources. We solicited member feedback throughout the project. But equally important, we rolled up our sleeves to get the job done. With the help of a working group representing a wide range of golf handicaps, the green committee and our staff reached a consensus by incorporating maintenance input into the fnal design. Getting their hands dirty Once we locked in a design concept, a thorough proposal was created for the purpose of formalizing the discussion and itemizing all costs that would be as-

V v

Leo Feser Award candidate This article is eligible for the 2014 Leo Feser Award, presented annually since 1977 to the author of the best superintendent-written article published in GCM during the previous year. Superintendents receive a $300 stipend for articles. Feser Award winners receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the Golf Industry Show, where they are recognized. They also have their names engraved on a plaque permanently displayed at GCSAA headquarters.

66 GCM September 2013

Located between two nursery greens, the practice bunker was designed with ease of maintenance in mind. Wood planking and steps dividing the upper and lower levels helps prevent golfers from disturbing the sand.

sociated with the project. One key element in our plan was to do the necessary work only when staff was available. We wanted to make this project a reality without having to sacrifce course conditions (or other maintenance needs) in any way. To that end, the work was completed during the crew’s “down time.” There was very little overtime or added labor expense involved. We also were able to rely on labor from two of our interns, Tim Crowley and Nick Dowe, who proved to be more than just a little resourceful. The raw materials utilized (sand, gravel, drainage pipes, planking and seed) totaled less than $7,000. At the end of the day, we were able to accomplish a fnished, grown-in practice area for under $10,000. With the bulk of the project’s cost going to sand and gravel materials, we were under pressure to complete the project using only the resources we had on site, and Crowley and Dowe were front and center in those efforts. Instead of renting a trencher to install the drainage pipe, we used old-fashioned muscle. They were forced into a position where they had to create something out of nothing by reusing irrigation sprinklers, cutting drainage line lengths cautiously and relying only on the equipment and implements at hand. In a position where their intention was to create a grand practice area with limited resources, the experience of working under such circumstances proved to be invaluable. While the success of the practice area has been largely attributed to the blood, sweat and tears that Crowley, Dowe and our entire staff put into the project, it is important to address the efforts our entire green committee and one particularly energetic member of that committee, who was intimately involved from the get-go. He was the one who actually designed the layout of the practice area, conceived the idea of a two-level bunker, prodded us to install planking and even stepped up with shovel in hand to help shape the bunker itself. He spent untold hours with us tweaking details in the feld, and took considerable time away from his day job, not to mention his golf game, to focus on the project. All of these sacrifces were worth it for all concerned. Indeed, building a useful, creative practice facility at this cost, and knowing that it will last for a generation, is one of the greatest bargains in the long history of our club. GCM Zachary Ohsann is the golf course superintendent at Lake Merced Golf Club in Daly City, Calif., and a nineyear GCSAA member.

gcm ex t ra

Members of the turf care staff at the Reserve Vineyards GC in Aloha, Ore., pose for a group photo at the annual Cinco de Mayo event organized by Mike Turner, CGCS. Photo courtesy of Mike Turner

Just rewards Veteran superintendents share ideas for fun and cost-effective ways to show appreciation for the golf course crew.

Mike Scott 68 GCM September 2013

National Employee Appreciation Day may be held in February, but superintendents and their management staffs can celebrate the efforts of a greens crew any time of the year. When it comes to such efforts, a little can go a long way. There are many creative ways that superintendents can express their thanks and appreciation for the work done by their staffs. In his 2010 article, “The ten ironies of motivation,” reward and recognition guru Bob Nelson writes, “More than anything else, employees want to be valued for a job well done by those they hold in high esteem.” He adds that people want to be treated as if they are adult human beings. Organizing an appreciation event can be a challenge during a busy work season when the golf course is packed every day and ongoing projects never end. But some type of an event is most effective in recognizing staff accomplishments, especially when it’s supported by the golf course, club or resort management. Several years ago it was more common for a superintendent to include the cost of a small appreciation event in his or her budget at the start of a fscal year. That would allow superintendents the fexibility of planning something without worrying about receiving approval. Unfortunately today that is not always possible with budgets tighter than ever.

A SIGN OF THE TIMES More superintendents are taking an advanced approach to maintaining course appearance and playability by applying fertilizers Driven by Duration. This next generation polymer coating consistently delivers nutrition from 45 to 180 days—providing precise control, plus the exibility to ne-tune nutritional programs. The advantage is knowing exactly what the turf is getting and when. And since temperature, not moisture, regulates the release, irrigation and rainfall don’t even come into play. Times are changing. Now there’s an advanced way to manage your turf.

Contact your distributor today.

A BETTER WAY TO FERTILIZE.

Longevities to ﬁt your program: DURATION 45 DURATION 90 DURATION 120 DURATION 180 Particle sizes for every area of your course: 250 SGN (roughs/fairways) 190 SGN (fairways) 150 SGN (close-cut fairways/tees) 90 SGN (greens)

gcm ex t ra ‘One big party’ Like many superintendents, Mike Turner, CGCS, has employees from a number of different demographic backgrounds as part of his staff. Turner, a 15-year GCSAA member, is the director of agronomy at The Reserve Vineyards Golf Club in Aloha, Ore. Many of Turner’s full-time crew of 23 and 10 to 12 seasonal part-time employees are Hispanic Americans and are not avid golfers, so he has developed an annual Cinco de Mayo event in which the non-golfers can play soccer and enjoy barbecue and other outdoor activities. Those who do play golf will get to tag along with Turner at least once a year to a neighboring golf club, often a private one, where they get to play 18 holes and enjoy lunch and/or dinner as part of the day. Turner thinks those activities allow his staff to experience activities they enjoy the best. “Either way it’s a fun activity where one is a big party and the other allows us to enjoy golf in a different setting from where we work,” Turner says. In fact, he uses the golf trips to other courses as a bit of an informal teaching tool, where he and his employees will view and discuss course management and upkeep strategies that are being implemented there. “It’s interesting how different people, including me, will see and notice different things being done to the course,” Turner says. “It’s one of the things we’ll discuss during or after the round — how they are handling the sand traps or types of grass used.” Pennies for pizza Jim Alwine recently took over as the GCSAA Class A superintendent at Bernardo Heights Country Club in San Diego after working in a similar role in Stockton for several years. During his time as a superintendent, the 14-year GCSAA member has sold old department equipment to help raise money for team or club staff events. He also has installed a pop machine for the department with inexpensive cans of pop (40 cents). The department nets a proft of about 2 cents per can,

70 GCM September 2013

A challenge course tests team skills at Bernardo Heights CC in San Diego, where Jim Alwine is the superintendent. Photos courtesy of Jim Alwine

which also goes into the event fund. With that money, Alwine has purchased small prizes for various events. For example, he has hidden money of various denominations in balloons and then had his staff use darts to reveal what they would win. He has thrown pizza parties and hosted par-3 competitions, fnding that even staffers who are not regular golfers can enjoy par-3 events as well as chipping and putting contests. He took one idea he read about and created an obstacle course on the golf course property. Team members tested their skills in several challenges, such as circumventing “mines” in a feld while wearing a heavy backpack. That type of event really helps the working relationship of a staff, Alwine says. “We’ve had these fun little events and then we’ll get prizes for just about everyone, including last place,” Alwine says. “With that obstacle course event, we had people cheering for each other and really having a blast. Giving people money is not how you motivate them, I have found, but it is these fun events that you can do together that everyone really enjoys.” Getting creative Alwine’s opinion is supported by the book “The Human Capital Edge” by authors Bruce Pfau and Ira Kay. Pfau and Kay write that people want recognition for their individual performance with pay tied to their performance. Employees want people who don’t perform fred; in fact, failure to discipline and fre non-performers is one of the most demotivating actions an organization can take — or fail to take. It ranks on the top of the list next to paying poor performers the same wage as nonperformers in defating motivation, Pfau and Kay write. Additionally, the authors fnd that a disconnect continues to exist between what employers think people want at work and what people say they want for motivation. “Employers far underrate the importance to employees of such things as fexible work schedules or opportunities for advancement in their decision to join or leave a company,” they write. Alwine also may tell some of his staffers to take off from work a few minutes early on the clock if they have been working hard on a particular course project or have gone the extra mile. He says it may only be for a 10- to 15-minute period but such “rewards” are appreciated, especially after a long day or week of work. A few years ago as the U.S. economy was starting to slide, most of the discretionary funds Turner had previously used to fund staff events were taken away. So, much of the money for the Cinco de Mayo event is raised from recycling empty pop and beer cans. In Oregon, those returnables can be taken to any retailer for

Take a good look. You may never see it again.

{fig. w-42}

Poa annua

ÂŽ

Apply less. Achieve more.

Specticle from Bayer provides effective, long-lasting pre-emergent weed control. Specticle gives you superior control of Poa annua, crabgrass and goosegrass as well as 75 other troublesome grasses and broadleaf weeds. Get ready to achieve more with Specticle. For more information, visit www.BackedbyBayer.com/Specticle.

Specticle G is now available as a spreadable granule. Bayer CropScience LP, Environmental Science Division, 2 TW Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. 1-800-331-2867. www.BackedbyBayer.com. Bayer, the Bayer Cross, and Specticle are registered trademarks of Bayer. Not all products are registered in all states. Always read and follow label directions carefully. ÂŠ2013 Bayer CropScience LP.

gcm ex t ra

a 5-cent refund. Turner estimates that the course collects up to $3,500 per year from returnables that are thrown away or recycled by players. “We run golfers through here pretty solidly throughout our golf season,” Turner explains. “It’s a busy course.” Turner’s staff also will participate in the annual employee appreciation event for all departments, often held at a local bowling alley with family members, including children, invited. Employees can win such giveaways as Portland Trailblazers tickets, weekend hotel stays and gift cards that are purchased by or donated to the course. Turner will often receive gifts or free items from vendors he purchases supplies from during the course of the year. He’ll save those items, which can include various tools and landscaping products, and give them to employees as rewards for going the extra mile. “We have to be creative with how we recognize our employees because we don’t have the same amount of discretionary money we used to, and I think that is true just about everywhere,” Turner says. “But I try to mix it up so that everyone on my staff gets some recognition during the year.” Scheduling fun As a result of these and other activities, Turner experiences very little turnover. Many of his employees have worked at The Reserve Vineyards GC since before 2004, when Turner himself arrived. When Alwine attends industry events such as the Golf Industry Show, he grabs as much SWAG (“stuff we all get,” or giveaways such as hats, T-shirts, candy, pens, pads of paper) as he can to share with his staff. In addition members at courses where he has worked in the past will often be willing to put together a small collection of donated money for the staff for a fun event, even if it is $5 per member.

72 GCM September 2013

Bernardo Heights staff members select items that Alwine brought back from the Golf Industry Show to share.

“There are times obviously I just take my team out somewhere or bring in pizza with my own money because I remember my bosses doing that for me when I was younger,” Alwine says. He has never really budgeted for such events as part of his annual expenditures, but adds that there are plenty of creative ideas available to help recognize staff. Here are a few ideas for events and activities from business consultants and superintendents around the country: • Staff cookout/dinner. A signifcant recognition event would include higher-end food and some sort of formal recognition for the staff. A luncheon could be ideal so that staff who work both the morning and evening shifts can attend without much hassle. • Tickets to a local sporting event, such as a professional or minor league team or a major college team. The San Diego GCSA, for example, traditionally holds an appreciation day for members’ staffs at a San Diego Padres game at Petco Park. Renting transportation, such as a bus, can be effective. Superintendents will need to be cognizant of early morning work schedules the next day. • Half-day with pay. This could be built into the budget. While it may not be an effective way of publicly recognizing certain employees, a paid holiday may be the most appreciated form of recognition. • Gift cards. These could be awarded through random drawings, or to specifc team members for specifc achievements, or to everyone on staff. Choose gift cards that can be used anywhere or ones from major online retailers to appeal to the broadest range of tastes. • Golf tournament. Even if they are not golfers, almost everyone on your staff will enjoy a casual golf event. Making this tournament a fun competition with small prizes and even trophies for teams or individuals can add to the camaraderie of a staff. GCM Mike Scott is a freelance writer based in White Lakes, Mich., and a frequent contributor to GCM.

Up to Speed by Thomas A. Nikolai, Ph.D.

Results may vary . . . “It depends” is often an unsatisfactory answer to the question, “Can I expect the same results on my golf course if I follow that program?” However, “It depends” is often the most honest answer because it takes into account infinite variables — turfgrass species, soil type, climatic conditions and water quality are a few — that can affect the outcome of an experiment. What follows is an example of how research can translate to real-world benefits. Bob Banham is the assistant superintendent at Belvedere Golf & Country Club in Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada, where golfers enjoy sunlight (as much as 17 hours daily) from June through August. Historically, Banham’s putting green maintenance routine included mowing greens at 5 a.m. and again at 11 a.m., when there is a lull in play. The daily double-mowing of the greens has been necessary to provide adequate playing conditions for the late afternoon or evening hours. While Banham understands the importance of customer satisfaction, he was also concerned that daily double-mowing put additional stress on his mowers and stretched his maintenance budget. While attending a turfgrass conference in fall 2011, Banham became intrigued with Paul Giordano’s (Michigan State University) effort to discover why frequent lightweight rolling reduces dollar spot on the putting surface. To examine the impact that dew and/or guttation water might have on dollar spot, Giordano mowed his bentgrass research green at sunrise six days per week. Two treatments in his study were: (1) rolling fve times per week immediately after mowing, and (2) rolling fve times per week at 1 p.m. Results from the three-year study indicate that frequent lightweight rolling decreases dollar spot regardless of the time of day rolling occurs. This suggests that frequent rolling has a more signifcant impact on disease reduction than dew removal. With this study in mind, Banham initiated a maintenance experiment on his practice green. All treatments were mowed at 5 a.m. daily. The three treatments were: (1) single-mowed; (2) double-cut daily with the second cut at 11 a.m.; and (3) rolled at 11 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday with the vibratory roller and double-mowed the other four days of the week. Banham’s objectives were to fnd a management method to 74 GCM September 2013

decrease the number of times per week he would double-mow while retaining customer satisfaction with the hope of observing a reduction in disease commonly attributed to frequent rolling. Besides taking green speed measurements more than 20 times during the course of the experiment, Banham measured infltration rates and air-flled porosity on June 12 and Aug. 12, 2012. Banham’s study indicated that infltration rates decreased

“I used to make fungicide applications every three weeks on the greens. This year I have only applied a fungicide once due to the increased rolling.” similarly on all treatments in the top 1-inch of root zone from June 12 to Aug. 1; the decrease was similar on double-mowed plots and rolled plots. Compared to the double-cut treatment, the rolling treatment also slightly increased green speed. As a result of the study, Banham aerates with solid tines monthly in June, July and August, and he has decreased the number of days he double-mows his greens by increasing the number of days he lightweight rolls. The golfers continue to be satisfed with the playing conditions, and Banham has made a rather dramatic observation. “In the past, I used to make fungicide applications every three weeks on the greens. This year I have only applied a fungicide once due to the increased rolling.” Banham’s story indicates the importance of continuing education and being patient with the implementation of changes to an already successful turfgrass management program. Would his new management routine be successful on your golf course greens? Well, it depends. GCM Thomas A. Nikolai, Ph.D., is the turfgrass academic specialist at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Mich., and a frequent GCSAA educator.

research

Soil salinity and quality of cool-season turfgrasses under sprinkler and subsurface drip irrigation Most cool-season grasses in an arid to semi-arid transition climate cannot maintain acceptable quality levels under saline irrigation. As the demand for potable water and the need for its conservation continue to grow, it is imperative that efforts be made to use nonpotable, recycled or other impaired water sources and to increase irrigation effciency to sustain quality and functionality of turfgrass areas. Although some studies have examined survival and performance of warm-season grasses under drip irrigation with saline water, similar information is scarce for cool-season grasses. New Mexicoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s climate is characterized as transitional semiarid to arid with wide seasonal and diurnal temperature fuctuations. Because of the cold winters, cool-season grasses are widely grown

Elena Sevostianova, Ph.D. Bernd Leinauer, Ph.D. 76 GCM September 2013

and are commonly found on residential turf areas and athletic felds in New Mexico. Furthermore, almost all golf courses grow cool-season turf on greens, tees and fairways. A study was conducted at New Mexico State University to assess the effects of water quality and type of irrigation on root-zone salinity and turf quality of several cool-season grasses in the arid Southwest.

Materials and methods The study was carried out at New Mexico State Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s golf course in Las Cruces, N.M. (USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8), from 2005 to 2007.

The research site at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, N.M., as it appeared after leveling and before installation of irrigation systems. Photos by B. Leinauer

research

Turfgrasses Seven cool-season turfgrasses were established in 2004: Southeast and Tar Heel II tall fescue [Festuca arundinacea (Schreb.)]; Brightstar SLT and Catalina perennial ryegrass [Lolium perenne (L.)]; Fults and Salty alkaligrass [Puccinellia distans (L.) Parl]; and Dawson fne fescue [Festuca rubra (L.)]. Turfgrass quality was rated monthly on a scale of 1 to 9, where 1 is dead turf and 9 is dark green, uniform turf. The monthly ratings were averaged every three months (March-May, June-August and September-November) and analyzed as three different seasons. Digital photographs were taken monthly from March to November at full sunlight from one hour before until one hour after solar noon. Digital images were analyzed for percent green coverage. Coverage data were averaged every three months and correlated with visual quality. During the growing season (March-November), plots were mowed biweekly at a height of 3 inches (7.5 centimeters) and clippings were collected. Plots were fertilized at a rate of 1 pound nitrogen/1,000 square feet with 15-15-15 quickrelease fertilizer in April, June, August and October. A micronutrient fertilizer (Pro-Mate, Helena Chemical Co.) containing calcium (1.0%), magnesium (4.3%), sulfur (18.2%), copper (0.3%), iron (14.3%) and manganese (2.6%) was applied in the summer at a rate of 2 pounds/1,000 square feet (10 grams/square meter). Soil The soil at the site consisted of a sandy loam, a sandy, skeletal, mixed, thermic Typic Torriorthent, an entisol typical for arid regions. Composite soil samples were collected in mid-June and mid-November from depths of 0-4 inches (0-10 centimeters), 4-8 inches (10-20 centimeters), and 20-24 inches (50-60 centimeters). Data are presented on electrical conductivity (EC), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and sodium content. Irrigation Plots were irrigated with potable, moderately saline or saline water. Saline water was pumped from a nearby saline aquifer to the research site. Moderately saline water was prepared by mixing municipal water with the saline groundwater to EC of 2 decisiemens/meter. According to the U.S. Salinity Laboratory (17), the moderately saline water is classifed as high in salinity and low for sodium hazard (C3-S1), and the saline irrigation water is classifed as very high in salinity and

Chemical analysis of irrigation water used in the study Constituents

Water quality Potable

Moderately saline

Saline

7.98

7.69

7.52

Electrical conductivity (decisiemens/meter)

0.6

2.0

3.5

Total Dissolved Solids (milligrams/liter)

400

1,300

2,200

Magnesium (milliequivalents/liter)

0.8

1.68

2.52

Calcium (milliequivalents/liter)

2.8

3.19

5.05

Sodium (ppm) Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR)

230

400

1.55

6.41

8.94

Potassium (milligrams/liter)

4.6

28.0

51.2

Carbonate (milliequivalents/liter)

0.00

Bicarbonate (milliequivalents/liter)

2.84

6.43

9.95

Not detected

1.56

2.38

Residual sodium carbonate (milliequivalents/liter)

Table 1. Chemical analysis of potable, moderately saline and saline water used in the study.

medium for sodium hazard (C4-S2). A detailed description of ion concentrations in the irrigation waters are listed in Table 1. Irrigation systems. Grasses were irrigated with either a sprinkler or a subsurface drip system. From February to November, irrigation was scheduled daily at 120% of reference evapotranspiration (ETo) (1) using Nimbus II Central Control System irrigation software (Rain Bird Corp.) that also scheduled the golf course irrigation system. During December and January, irrigation was scheduled manually twice weekly for approximately 10 minutes. Climate data used to calculate ETo were collected at a weather station located on the golf course near the study site. Irrigation for each sprinkler and subsurface-drip main block was regulated by a separate solenoid valve and pressure regulator. Sprinklers. The sprinkler system was made up of eight Walla Walla MP2000 Rotators (Walla Walla Sprinkler Co.) operated at 30 psi (200 kPa) and spaced 12.5 feet (3.8 meters) apart to allow uniform irrigation. Irrigation audits conducted during each year ensured that distribution uniformity was never lower than 0.7 and provided data necessary to compare actual water delivery rates with computer settings. Subsurface drip system. The subsurface drip system consisted of porous emitterless line source pipes (Precision Porous Pipe) with a diameter of

September 2013 GCM 77

research

EC, sodium and SAR, 2005-2007 A

Moderately saline Saline

Electrical conductivity (decisiemens/meter)

Potable

A A A A A

B A

A B

C B

Results

Sodium (ppm)

B A B

A A

B C

A Sodium adsorption ration (SAR)

A A B

A A

B B

B C

B November 2006

June 2006

November 2005

June 2005

June 2007

Root-zone salinity at depths of 0 to 8 inches When data were pooled over both sampling depths and irrigation systems, soil salinity, sodium content and SAR values exhibited a peakand-decline pattern during 2005 and 2006. Peaks in June refected salt accumulation from March to June from irrigation and minimal natural precipitation, and declines in salinity values in late summer and early fall were due to leaching of salts from the root zone as a result of the rainy season (Figure 1). A similar trend was observed for EC in plots that were irrigated with potable water (Figure 1) and plots irrigated with saline water between June and November 2007. Over the three-year research period, root-zone salinity was at its highest in June 2006, with EC values reaching 4.8 decisiemens/meter; sodium, 1,247 ppm; and SAR, 20.7. Salinity values did not change between November 2006 and November 2007 on plots irrigated with potable or moderately saline water. Salinity values within the root zone generally refected the values of the irrigation water, with highest values measured in plots irrigated with saline water and lowest values in plots irrigated with potable water (Figure 1). The EC values did not differ between plots irrigated with moderately saline water and those irrigated with potable water on four of six sampling dates. High

November 2007

B C

0.5 inch (1.27 centimeters) operated at 30 psi. Irrigation water use on subsurface-drip-irrigated blocks was recorded with water meters (Invensys Process Systems), and run times were calculated based on recorded water delivery rates. Uniform water distribution on subsurface drip-irrigated blocks was monitored three times over each growing season. Soil moisture values were subsequently analyzed for distribution uniformity, similar to distribution uniformity calculations on sprinklerirrigated blocks.

Figure 1. Electrical conductivity (EC), sodium content and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) in soil at depths of 0-8 inches irrigated with potable, moderately saline or saline water. Data are pooled over two irrigation systems (subsurface drip and sprinkler) and two depths (0-4 inches and 4-8 inches). Letters denote the differences in EC, sodium and SAR among the three water qualities separately for each sampling date. Installation of the subsurface drip irrigation system at the research site.

78 GCM September 2013

research

EC and SAR 0-4 inches

Sprinkler

Drip

4-8 inches

0-4 inches

Electrical conductivity (decisiemens/meter)

A B

Sodium adsorption ratio (SAR)

Figure 2. Electrical conductivity (EC) and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) in soil at depths of 0-4 inches and 4-8 inches. Data are pooled over three water qualities (potable, moderately saline and saline) and six sampling dates. Letters denote the differences in EC and SAR between the two irrigation systems depths separately for each sampling depth.

Sodium content, 2005-2007 A

Sprinkler 0-4 inches

A Drip 0-4 inches B A

Drip 4-8 inches

C C

November 2007

June 2007

November 2006

June 2006

June 2005

November 2005

Sodium

Sprinkler 4-8 inches

Figure 3. Sodium content in soil depths of 0-4 inches and 4-8 inches, irrigated from a subsurface drip or sprinkler system. Data are pooled over three water qualities (potable, moderately saline and saline). Letters denote the differences in sodium content between the two irrigation systems and two depths separately for each sampling date.

80 GCM September 2013

amounts of precipitation during spring and summer 2007 resulted in lower peaks of EC, sodium and SAR in summer 2007, and none of the three measured parameters differed over time on plots irrigated with potable or moderately saline water. Electrical conductivity and SAR values. When EC and SAR data were pooled over all water qualities and depths but analyzed separately for sampling dates and irrigation types, EC was highest in drip-irrigated plots on four of the six sampling dates. Type of irrigation system did not affect EC in June 2005 or November 2006. Sodium adsorption ratio values were higher in sprinkler-irrigated plots than drip-irrigated plots on the frst sampling date but did not differ between the two irrigation systems from November 2005 to November 2007. When data were averaged over all water qualities and sampling dates and analyzed separately for the two depths and irrigation systems, EC was highest at depths of 0-4 inches under drip irrigation compared to sprinkler irrigation. At a depth of 4-8 inches, EC did not differ between sprinkler- and drip-irrigated plots (Figure 2). In contrast, the type of irrigation system did not affect SAR at 0-4 inches, but at depths of 4-8 inches, values were higher on sprinkler-irrigated plots than on drip-irrigated plots (Figure 2). Sodium content. Water quality and type of irrigation system affected sodium content in the top 8 inches of the root zone differently than for SAR and EC (Figure 3). When sodium data were pooled over all three water qualities and analyzed separately for root-zone depths, irrigation systems and sampling dates, sodium values were highest in drip-irrigated plots at 0-4 inches in June and November 2005 and in June 2006. Sodium levels in drip-irrigated plots at depths of 4-8 inches were either equal (November 2005 and June 2006) or lower (June 2005) than those observed in sprinkler-irrigated plots. Soil depth did not affect sodium content in sprinkler-irrigated plots throughout the research period or in plots irrigated with a drip system from November 2006 to November 2007. Root-zone salinity at depths of 20-24 inches EC and sodium content. Changes in EC and sodium values at depths of 20-24 inches followed the same irrigation and precipitation pattern as changes at depths of 0-8 inches. Electrical conductivity and sodium was highest in June 2005 and 2006 and dropped to lower levels in November of both years. Salinity levels (EC and sodium) stayed consistently low from November 2006 to November 2007. When EC and sodium values were pooled over irrigation systems and sampling

LAYING DOWN A WHOLE NEW STANDARD IN TOPDRESSING

CONTROL AND PRECISION.

INTRODUCING THE

WIDESPIN 1550. ™

Topdressing is no longer a guessing game. With the new WideSpin™ 1550, you’re in complete control of your topdressing program. You’ll get the application rates you want, when you need them…without leaving the seat. NEW PATENT-PENDING CONTROLLER allows you to calculate your rates while also giving you a wider range of rates to choose from. Lock in your favorites using the controller’s four presets. NEW HYDRAULIC SYSTEM AND SPINNER DESIGN makes the patented WideSpin technology even more versatile while delivering a consistent, even spread. Go from a new, superlight application to heavy, and everything in between. NEW HOPPER has 20% greater capacity and the widest opening in the industry—you’ll refill faster and spill a lot less when you do. Whether you use a tow-behind or truck-mount, see why the WideSpin 1550 is the new standard in topdressing. Give us a call and we’ll arrange for a head-to-head comparison with your current topdresser.

CALL 1-800-679-8201 for a FREE on-site demonstration, or VISIT WWW.TURFCO.COM

research

Turfgrass quality, 2005-2007 Cultivar

2005

2006

Summer

Fall

Spring

Summer

5.4ab†

5.3c

5.2cd

5.6bc

Catalina

5.0c

5.1cd

5.2cd

5.0cd

Dawson

5.6a

6.1ab

6.1b

Fults

5.0bc

4.7d

Salty

5.5a

5.1cd

Southeast

5.5a

5.9b

Tar Heel II

5.6a

6.6a

5.4ABC

5.5A

Brightstar SLT

Mean

Spring

2007 Fall

Mean

Fall

Spring

Summer

5.5b

5.3cd

4.5bc

4.1bc

4.5b

5.1cd

5.4b

4.8de

4.2c

4.1bc

4.4bc

4.8de

5.8ab

5.8b

5.5bc

4.7b

4.2b

4.0bc

5.3c

4.3e

4.1e

4.0d

3.9f

3.8c

3.4d

3.8c

4.1f

4.7de

4.9d

4.9c

4.4ef

4.2c

3.7cd

4.2bc

4.6e

5.5bc

5.4bc

5.8b

5.9b

5.6a

5.7a

5.6a

5.7b

7.3a

6.3a

6.8a

7.2a

5.8a

5.9a

6.0a

6.4a

5.5AB

5.3BC

5.5ABC

5.3C

4.7D

4.5E

4.7D

†

Lowercase letters denote differences among cultivars separately for each season (in columns); uppercase letters denote differences of the mean values among seasons during three years (in row). Values followed by the same letter are not signifcantly different from one another. Table 2. Quality (1-9, where 1 = worst and 9 = best) of seven cool-season turfgrasses during spring, summer and fall of 2005, 2006 and 2007. Data are pooled over three water qualities (potable, moderately saline and saline) and two irrigation systems (sprinkler and drip) and represent an average of 18 readings (three water qualities, two irrigation systems and three replications).

Turfgrass quality under three water qualities Cultivar

Water quality Potable

Moderately saline

Saline

Brightstar LST

5.8bA

†

5.4cA

3.9cB

Catalina

5.7bA

4.9cB

3.8cC

Dawson

5.9bA

5.1cB

5.0bB

Fults

4.3d

4.2d

3.9c

Salty

4.9c

4.5d

4.5b

Southeast

5.7bA

6.1bA

5.2aB

Tar Heel II

6.7aA

6.8aA

5.7aB

Mean

5.6A

5.3A

4.6B

the exception of June 2007 sampling dates, SAR in plots irrigated with moderately saline water fell between those measured in plots irrigated with saline and potable water. When SAR data were averaged over water qualities and displayed separately for each sampling date and irrigation system, sprinkler irrigation resulted in higher SAR than drip irrigation on all but the last sampling date. Moreover, changes in SAR did not follow the same seasonal peak-and-decline pattern observed for EC or sodium. Under plots that received sprinkler irrigation, SAR was highest in November 2006 and lowest in June and November 2007. In drip-irrigated plots, June and November SAR values did not differ in 2005 and 2007, but lower levels were found in November 2006 when compared to June measurements.

†

Lowercase letters denote differences among cultivars separately for each water quality (in columns); uppercase letters denote differences among three water qualities (in rows). Values followed by the same letter are not signifcantly different from one another. Table 3. Quality (1-9, where 1 = worst and 9 = best) of seven turfgrasses irrigated with potable, moderately saline and saline water. Data are pooled over two irrigation systems (sprinkler and drip) and values represent an average of six readings (two irrigation systems and three replications).

dates, the highest EC and sodium content were measured in plots irrigated with saline water. Electrical conductivity and sodium did not differ between plots irrigated with potable and moderately saline water. SAR values. Soil SAR at soil depths of 20-24 inches mirrored the SAR of the irrigation water on each of the sampling dates. The values were highest in plots irrigated with saline water, and lowest in plots irrigated with potable water. With 82 GCM September 2013

Turf quality Turfgrasses tested in this study exhibited highest quality in 2005 and in spring and summer 2006. From fall 2006 until the end of the investigative period in 2007, overall quality declined to an average of 4.7 when data were pooled over all grasses (Table 2). During spring 2005, fve of seven grasses performed equally well, whereas at the end of the 2007 growing season, only the tall fescue cultivars Tar Heel II and Southeast exhibited highest quality ratings. Fults alkaligrass was among the grasses displaying poorest quality throughout the research period (Table 2). Effects of water quality. When data were pooled over irrigation systems and analyzed separately for three water qualities, overall turfgrass qual-

research

Turfgrass quality, 2005-2007 Potable water Sprinkler

Visual quality

Drip

Moderately saline

Visual quality

Saline

Discussion

A B

Summer 2006

Fall 2007

Summer 2007

Spring 2007

Fall 2006

Fall 2005

Summer 2005

Spring 2005

Visual quality

Spring 2006

Figure 4. Visual quality of cool-season turfgrasses during spring, summer and fall in 2005, 2006 and 2007, irrigated with potable, moderately saline or saline water. Data are pooled over nine cultivars. Letters denote the differences in quality between the two irrigation systems separately for each sampling date.

84 GCM September 2013

ity was lowest under saline irrigation and highest under irrigation with potable and moderately saline water (Table 3). Four grasses, Tar Heel II, Fults, Salty and Brightstar SLT, exhibited the same quality under potable and moderately saline water, while the performance of Catalina and Dawson was affected by moderately saline irrigation water. Turf quality of Catalina declined further with increasing salinity in the irrigation water (Table 3). Salinity did not affect performance of Salty or Fults, but both grasses rated lowest in quality for each of the three water qualities (Table 3). Tar Heel II averaged a rating of 6.7 for quality under irrigation with potable water, followed by Dawson (5.9), Brightstar SLT (5.8), Catalina (5.7) and Southeast (5.7) (Table 3). Fults, averaging 4.3, displayed the poorest visual quality under irrigation with potable water. Tar Heel II (5.7) and Southeast (5.2) had the highest quality under saline irrigation during the investigative period. Brightstar SLT, Catalina and Fults exhibited poorest quality under saline irrigation. Effects of irrigation system. Type of irrigation system had no infuence on turfgrass quality on plots irrigated with potable water or on those irrigated with moderately saline or saline water for most dates (Figure 4). Plots irrigated from a drip system with moderately saline water rated lower in quality in summer and fall 2007, and plots that were drip-irrigated with saline water exhibited lower quality in spring and summer 2006 (Figure 4). Irrigating cool-season turfgrasses with saline waters in a climate with limited rainfall necessitates adding a leaching fraction to the required irrigation amount to prevent detrimental levels of salt accumulation (3). In this study, we irrigated at 120% ET and relied on natural precipitation during the rainy season (June-September) to manage salinity in the top 8 inches of the root zone. Generally, changes in soil EC, sodium content and SAR refected seasonal changes in irrigation and natural precipitation. Higher values for EC, sodium content and SAR were measured in summer 2005 and 2006 before the onset of the monsoon season. These peak salinity levels were followed by lower values in the fall, after the rainy season, which typically begins in early July and continues into early fall (Figure 1). These fndings are in agreement with results of other researchers (5), who demonstrated successful salt leaching in a desert Arizonan soil with the help of monsoon rains. These fndings are also similar to results

GCSAA Education Conference | Trade Show | GCSAA Golf Championships

Orange County Convention Center Orlando, February 1- 6 Visit golfndustryshow.com for more information

research obtained in a parallel study conducted by the authors on warm-season grasses, where seasonal changes in soil salinity concomitant with changes in natural precipitation were observed (15). Irrigation type Type of irrigation systems had a greater impact on sodium content during the drier, frst half of the study period (June 2005-June 2006) than during the wetter, second half (Figure 3). Similarly, EC was affected by irrigation systems in November 2005 and June 2006. Turf plots irrigated by a drip system exhibited greater sodium content at a soil depth of 0-4 inches from June 2005 to June 2006 and greater EC in November 2005 and June 2006 than turf plots irrigated by a sprinkler system (Figure 2). These fndings corroborate our hypothesis that drip irrigation is less successful in leaching salts from depths above the drip lines than sprinkler systems at similar depths. However, at depths below the drip lines (4-8 inches), EC, sodium and SAR were either lower than or similar to values measured on sprinkler-irrigated plots (Figures 2, 3) throughout the study period. Precipitation during 2007 appeared to be

Cool-season grasses that were irrigated with moderately saline water from a subsurface drip system. The photo was taken in March 2005, one year after establishment. The tan-colored plots were sprayed with Roundup.

86 GCM September 2013

responsible for a successful leaching of sodium from both drip- and sprinkler-irrigated plots. However, precipitation did not affect total salinity, as EC was again higher in drip-irrigated plots than in those that were sprinkler-irrigated. During the course of the investigative period, highest values for EC (6.1 decisiemens/meter) and sodium (943 ppm) were measured on drip-irri-

gated plots at depths of 0-4 inches in June 2006. The highest values recorded on warm-season grasses subjected to the same salinity treatments but irrigated at 110% ETo were 4.3 decisiemens/ meter EC and 793 ppm sodium (15). Electrical conductivity and sodium were approximately 30% and 20% lower on warm-season grasses than on cool-season. A longer growing period with a correspondingly longer irrigation period and higher total irrigation amounts contributed to greater salt inputs from the irrigation water into the root zone on cool-season turf. However, a higher leaching fraction on cool-season grasses should have compensated for the greater salinity input. The greater accumulation of salts at depths of 0-8 inches in cool-season grasses could be due to their higher ET rates compared to warm-season grasses, which result in less remaining water available to leach salts from the root zone. Irrigation type and water quality did not affect EC and sodium at soil depths of 20-24 inches on any of the sampling dates. These results differ from our fndings on warm-season grasses (15), which suggested that water quality affected EC and sodium at these depths. However, both irrigation type and water quality affected SAR values. As was observed at root-zone depths of 0-8 inches, SAR values refected the quality of the irrigation water at 20-24 inches. It remains unclear why water quality infuenced all measured salinity parameters at depths of 0-8 inches but not at 20-24 inches. Non-uniform water distribution in drip-irrigated plots, as indicated by slightly greener plants on top of the drip lines compared to between the lines, may have affected water movement into deeper profles. Layering of different soil types at the research site could also have affected water movement and salt accumulation and may have contributed to our results. Further research that includes salinity measurements at depths throughout the soil profle might help elucidate these differences in salt accumulation. Turfgrass quality Among all cultivars included in our study, both tall fescue cultivars exhibited highest visual quality, whereas alkaligrasses had the lowest quality (Tables 2, 3). The low quality ratings of alkaligrasses in this study may not be due to salt stress, as it was lowest even when irrigated with potable water (Table 3). Low turf quality of alkaligrass has been reported during summer in southern New Mexico, even when irrigated with potable water in suffcient amounts to avoid drought stress (14; Leinauer, unpublished data, 2007). Therefore, poor performance by alkaligrass during the

SILVER partners

SILVER PARTNER

Partner Recognition Program LebanonTurf is an innovative and progressive manufacturer of both granular and foliar fertilizers, as well as the pioneer in the cutting edge feld of biological plant nutrition. With more than 60 years of experience, LebanonTurf applies the most advanced research and technology to the development of modern, yet practical fertilizer and grass seed solutions for the turf and landscape maintenance industry. Through the acquisition of Emerald Isle premium foliar products, the Roots brand of organic-based biologically active products and the PHC line from Plant Health Care, LebanonTurf produces today’s most diverse and complete line of nutritional and physiological plant health solutions. The Lebanon, Pa. base company is a longtime supporter of the GCSAA and its philanthropic organization, The Environmental Institute for Golf, reaching the Champion’s Club distinction for their cumulative level of contributions. Country Club MD - The Next Stage in the Evolution of Golf Course Fertilizer Country Club MD, LebanonTurf’s newest innovative golf course fertilizer, is redefning how superintendents approach managing their putting greens. In addition to providing premium nutrients for the turf plants, Country Club MD also delivers stress-buffering biostimulants that help prepare greens for the inevitable stressful conditions that occur in every growing season. This unique combination affords superintendents the opportunity to have their greens maintain their optimum performance longer into stressful conditions and recover faster once growing conditions return to normal.

As the water management experts, Precision Laboratories develops innovative products that help superintendents manage water at the source, in the spray tank and in the soil. Our aquatic products including Precise Pond™, Devour™ and Spectrum™ work at the source in lakes and ponds to keep them free of sludge and algae while Jet Black™ and True Blue™ lake and dyes keep water features looking great Adjuvants from Precision Laboratories like Sync™, Delux™, Transport Ultra™, Chem-Stik™ and Microyl™, help superintendents save water by maximizing the performance of turf protection inputs, getting the most out every spray tank through improved management of spray droplet output and conditioning the water. Our soil surfactants like Cascade Plus™, Duplex™, Magnus™ and EZ Tabs™ hydrate the soil and improve water infltration to help you manage water, no matter the conditions. Manage water wisely with products and expertise you can only get from Precision Laboratories, the water management experts.

research

Top: Salinity buildup is evident in the cool-season turfgrass plots during February 2006. Bottom: Cool-season grasses that were irrigated with potable water from a sprinkler system. The photo was taken in April 2006.

88 GCM September 2013

three-year research period appears to be the result of inadequate heat tolerance and is not necessarily due to salt stress. Tall fescue provided the highest quality among the cool-season grasses in our study. These fndings support those of other researchers (8,10), who rated tall fescue either moderately tolerant or tolerant to salinity. Superior salinity tolerance of tall fescue compared to other cool-season grasses may be the result of salinity avoidance, which is achieved by developing a deep root system that remains viable at depths below those at which salt accumulates. Although rooting depth was not measured in our study, other authors (9,13) have reported that tall fescue is able to avoid drought through its deep and extensive root system. Others have observed a high root/shoot ratio in salt-stressed tall fescue (2). In our study, tall fescue quality received an average rating of either 6 or 7 when irrigated with saline or moderately saline water (Table 3). Similar turf quality was observed for inland saltgrasses A138 and DT16 and bermudagrasses NuMex Sahara and Transcontinental, both of which are generally considered more salt-tolerant than cool-season tall fescue (15). However, more research is necessary to determine whether quality of tall fescue grown in a saline environment can remain as high as that of salt-tolerant warm-season grasses on a long-term basis. Visual quality ratings of Brightstar SLT, Catalina and Dawson support other research (4,8) that ranked salinity tolerance of perennial ryegrass as similar to that of slender creeping red fescue cultivars. In our study, perennial ryegrasses Brightstar SLT and Catalina only maintained acceptable quality under irrigation with potable water (Table 3). Irrigation with moderately saline and saline water resulted in turf quality below an acceptable minimum of 6. In our study, the quality of Dawson under saline irrigation was higher than that of both perennial ryegrass cultivars. As in alkaligrasses, the low quality we observed in both perennial ryegrasses and creeping red fescue may have been due to high summer temperatures and not salinity stress. This would explain why quality ratings for these three grasses never exceeded 6, even under potable irrigation (Table 3). Other studies have also found perennial ryegrass and creeping red fescue to be heat-sensitive species (6,11). Moreover, no recovery was observed for Catalina plots after summer 2006 or for Dawson and Brightstar after winter 2006, despite lower salinity levels in the root zone compared to previous years (Table 3, Figure 1). Simultaneous heat and salt stress may have been detrimental to both species, resulting in

little or no recovery. In contrast, tall fescue successfully recovered to acceptable quality levels at the end of the research period. Investigating the relationship between salinity and turf quality revealed that more than one stressor affected visual quality of cool-season grasses in our study. Despite a wide range of salinities measured over the three-year research period, quality could only be signifcantly predicted from soil salinity for four cultivars. Furthermore, only 18% and 27% of the variations in quality can be explained by soil salinity. Further research in cooler climate zones is needed to investigate the role of temperature and salinity on turf quality of cool-season grasses. Visual quality of turfgrasses was not affected by the type of irrigation when potable water was used. Other research (7) reported a signifcant reduction in quality of Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass and tall fescue under drip irrigation as opposed to sprinkler irrigation. However, our results agree with recent research in New Mexico (14,15) that reported no decline in turf quality of subsurface-irrigated cool-season grasses during a four-year research period and no difference in quality between sprinkler and drip-irrigated plots of several warm-season cultivars. In our study, cool-season turfgrass plots irrigated with saline water from a sprinkler system exhibited higher quality than plots irrigated from the drip systems in spring and summer 2006. The higher turf quality of sprinkler-irrigated plots may be due to lower EC and sodium content at rootzone depths of 0-4 inches (Figures 2, 3) compared to drip-irrigated plots. During summer and fall 2007, grasses that received drip irrigation with moderately saline water exhibited lower quality than grasses that were sprinkler-irrigated. By the end of the research period, the turf quality of both sprinkler- and drip-irrigated plots receiving moderately saline or saline water was below the acceptable minimum rating of 6, suggesting that cool-season grasses generally do not perform well when irrigated with more-saline water on a longterm basis in a transitional desert climate. The high correlation between percent ground cover and quality suggests that reduced turf quality is mainly due to a lack of green cover. However, loss of green cover may not necessarily be attributed to a complete loss of plants, as several other researchers (8,12,16) have reported leaf fring and loss of pigmentation during the early stages of salinity and heat stress in cool-season turfgrasses.

Conclusions Our results indicate that most of the cool-

research season grasses included in this study could not be maintained at an acceptable quality level in a transition zone climate when irrigated with saline water regardless of irrigation system. Salinity levels in our irrigation water were either higher or matched those found in recycled water currently used in the Southwest to irrigate turf areas. Based on these and earlier fndings, with the exception of tall fescue, warm-season grasses appear to be the logical choice for turf areas irrigated with saline water from either a drip or a sprinkler system in transitional semiarid or arid climate zones. Funding Financial support of the study was provided by New Mexico State University’s Agricultural Experiment Station, Offce for Facilities and Services, and Water Resources Research Institute; the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture under Agreement no. 200534461-15661 and 200545049-03209; Southwest Turfgrass Association; and Seeds West Inc. The authors are also grateful for the donations from Helena Chemical Co., Precision Porous Pipe, Pure Seed Testing and The Scotts Co. Acknowledgments The authors are grateful for the help and support of Bruce Erhard, golf course superintendent at New Mexico State University’s golf course. A longer version of this paper was published as “Soil salinity and quality of sprinkler- and drip-irrigated cool-season turfgrasses” by Elena Sevostianova, Bernd Leinauer, Rossana Sallenave, Douglas Karcher and Bernd Maier in Agronomy Journal 103:1503-1513 (2011). It was posted online on Aug. 8, 2011, and is available freely online through the author-supported open access option (doi:10.2134/agronj2011.0162). Literature cited 1. Allen, R.G., I.A. Walter, R.L. Elliott et al. 2005. The ASCE Standardized Reference Evapotranspiration Equation. American Society of Civil Engineers, Reston, Va. 2. Alshammary, S.F., Y.L. Qian and S.J. Wallner. 2004. Growth response of four turfgrasses species to salinity. Agricultural Water Management 66:97-111. doi:10.1016/j.ag wat.2003.11.002 3. Ayers, R.S., and D.W. Westcot. 1985. Water quality for agriculture. FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 29 (Rev. 1). Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, Rome, Italy. 4. Carrow, R.N., and R.R. Duncan. 1998. Salt-Affected Turfgrass Sites: Assessment and Management. Ann Arbor Press, Chelsea, Mich. 5. Choi, C.Y., and E.M. Suarez-Rey. 2004. Subsurface drip irrigation for bermudagrass with reclaimed water. Transactions of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers 47:19431951. 6. Christians, N.E. 2007. Fundamentals of Turfgrass Manage-

ment. 3rd ed. John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, N.J. 7. Gibeault, V.A., J.L. Meyer, V.B. Youngner and S.T. Cockerham. 1985. Irrigation of turfgrass below replacement of evapotranspiration as a means of water conservation: Performance of commonly used turfgrasses. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal 7:347-356. 8. Harivandi, M.A., J.D. Butler and L. Wu. 1992. Salinity and turfgrass culture. Page 225. In: D.V. Waddington et al., eds. Turfgrass. Agronomy Monograph 32. ASA, CSSA and SSSA, Madison, Wis. 9. Jiang, Y., and B. Huang. 2001. Physiological responses to heat stress alone or in combination with drought: A comparison between tall fescue and perennial ryegrass. HortScience 36:682-686. 10. Lunt, O.R., V.B. Youngner and J.J. Oertli. 1961. Salinity tolerance of fve turfgrass varieties. Agronomy Journal 53:247249. doi:10.2134/agronj1961.00021962005300040012x 11. McCarty, L.B. 2009. Best golf course management practices. 3rd ed. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, N.J. 12. Nabati, D.A., R.E. Schmidt and D.J. Parrish. 1994. Alleviation of salinity stress in Kentucky bluegrass by plant growth regulators and iron. Crop Science 34:198-202. doi:10.2135/ cropsci1994.0011183X003400010035x 13. Qian, Y.L., J. Fry and W. Upham. 1997. Rooting and drought avoidance of warm-season turfgrasses and tall fescue in Kansas. Crop Science 37:905-910. doi:10. 2135/cropsci1 997.0011183X003700030034x 14. Schiavon, M., B. Leinauer, E. Sevostianova and F. Rimi. 2010. Cool season turfgrass performance under drip irrigation in an arid climate. Pages 188-190. In: A. Zuin, ed. Proceedings of the 2nd European Turfgrass Society Conference, Angers, April 11-14, 2010. European Turfgrass Society, Angers, France. 15. Sevostianova, E.B., B. Leinauer, R. Sallenave et al. 2011. Soil salinity and quality of sprinkler and drip irrigated warm-season turfgrasses. Agronomy Journal 103:1773-1784. 16. Suplick-Ploense, M.R., Y.L. Qian and J.C. Read. 2002. Relative NaCl tolerance of Kentucky bluegrass, Texas bluegrass, and their hybrids. Crop Science 42:2025-2030. doi:10.2135/cropsci2002.2025 17. U.S. Salinity Laboratory Staff. 1954. Diagnosis and improvement of saline and alkali soils. USDA Handbook 60. U.S. Government Printing Offce, Washington, D.C.

GCM E. Sevostianova is a research associate and B. Leinauer (leinauer@nmsu.edu) is a professor and turfgrass Extension specialist in the department of Extension plant sciences and natural resources at New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, N.M.

V v v

The research says ➔ Changes in soil EC, sodium content and SAR reflected seasonal changes in irrigation and natural precipitation; EC and sodium values were highest in June 2006 on drip-irrigated plots at depths of 0-4 inches. ➔ Electrical conductivity was higher in drip-irrigated than sprinkler-irrigated plots on four of the six sampling dates. ➔ Irrigation type and water quality did not affect EC and sodium at soil depths of 20 to 24 inches. ➔ For four of the seven grasses tested, EC, sodium or SAR values showed a significant but weak relationship with turf quality, indicating that more than one stressor affected visual ratings. ➔ With the exception of tall fescue, the cool-season grasses in this study could not be maintained at an acceptable quality level in a transition zone climate when irrigated with saline water regardless of the irrigation system.

September 2013 GCM 89

cutting edge

Research in progress

tions of fenarimol (2 pounds ai/acre), fenarimol + zinc (19.62 and 80.29 pounds zinc/acre), and prodiamine (1 pound ai/acre). Zinc applied at 159.70 pounds/acre controlled annual bluegrass 80% throughout the season. Prodiamine, which is currently not labeled for putting greens, controlled annual bluegrass 90%; applications of fenarimol controlled annual bluegrass only 40%. These data indicate that by applying 80.29-159.70 pounds zinc/acre, it is possible to greatly reduce annual bluegrass populations. However, the environmental and long-term impact of such zinc applications requires further study. — Caleb Bristow III; J. Scott McElroy, Ph.D. (jsm0010@auburn.edu); and Elizabeth A. Guertal, Ph.D., Auburn University, Auburn, Ala. Photo by C.M. Baldwin

Application timing and perennial ryegrass glyphosate tolerance In an established stand under optimal growing temperatures, perennial ryegrass cultivars JS501 and Replay can tolerate a maximum glyphosate rate of 22 ounces/acre using a 4.17 pounds/U.S. gallon formulation. The objectives of this research were to determine seedling tolerance and low-temperature response following a late-season glyphosate application to both cultivars. Field trials were in Idaho and Oregon. For the low-temperature response trials, glyphosate (4.17 pounds/gallon) was applied at rates of 0-96 ounces/acre from late September to early October. For the seedling tolerance trial, glyphosate was applied at the 1- to 4-leaf stage at rates of 0-16 ounces/acre. Results suggest avoiding glyphosate applications >4 ounces/acre as minimum air temperatures approach 32 F and avoiding rates >8 ounces/acre at the 3- to 4-leaf stage. — C.M. Baldwin, Ph.D. (cmb907@msstate.edu), Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Miss.; A.D. Brede, Ph.D., and J.J. Mayer, Jacklin Seed, Post Falls, Idaho; and R.C. Golembiewski, Ph.D., Bayer Crop Science AG, Columbus, Ohio.

Response of annual bluegrass to zinc in bermudagrass

Photo by Phil Bruner

Teresa Carson 90 GCM September 2013

Annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.) is one of the most problematic weeds in turfgrass. Initial research shows that zinc, which is commonly applied as a micronutrient, negatively affects annual bluegrass when applied at non-agronomic rates. Field studies were conducted at the Auburn University Turfgrass Research Unit from 2009 to 2011. The study was conducted on a non-overseeded bermudagrass putting green. Treatments included four zinc rates (19.62, 40.14, 80.29, 159.70 pounds/acre), single and multiple applica-

Photo by K.R. Hivner

Field evaluation of enhancedeffciency nitrogen fertilizers Atmospheric loss of nitrogen from urea fertilizer applied to turfgrass is due to urease activity in soil, thatch and verdure. In the presence of water, urease hydrolyzes the urea molecule into ammonia (NH3), ammonium (NH4 +), and bicarbonate (HCO3-). Hydrolysis of urea at the soil/thatch/ leaf surface incites volatilization of the ammonia counterpart. Volatilization may account for >30% urea-nitrogen loss and is favored by elevated temperatures, soil pH levels and limited moisture/ humidity. Superintendents’ concern over the fate of fertilizer nitrogen necessitates feld evaluation of currently available stabilized/enhanced urea fertilizers and urea-additives (each containing urease- and/or nitrifcation-inhibitors). Direct measurements of volatilization loss and fertilizer use effciency resulting from Umaxx, Ufexx, urea and coated-urea fertilizer treatments were initiated in July on Kentucky bluegrass and creeping bentgrass systems. Additional treatments included Nutrisphere-N, Hydrexx and dicyandiamide (DCD) additives to urea (each applied at label rates). Study results will be made available in 2014. — Maxim J. Schlossberg, Ph.D. (mjs38@psu. edu); Derek T. Pruyne; and Kyle R. Hivner, Penn State University, University Park, Pa.

GCM Teresa Carson (tcarson@gcsaa.org) is GCM’s science editor.

GCSAA Partners Support Your Future PLATINUM partners

GOLD partners

GCSAAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s industry partners support you and

SILVER partners

your profession through the funding of GCSAA education programs, scholarships, leadership opportunities and networking events. They are dedicated to you, your profession and your GCSAA. Support our partners and together we can all continue to strengthen the golf course management industry.

PRODUCTnews INDUSTRY news Happenings and people you should know about

The 2013 Shields Tournament raised more than $15,000 for student scholarships and turfgrass educational programs at the University of Maryland’s Institute of Applied Agriculture (IAA). More than 90 scholarships totaling $93,000 have been awarded to students majoring in golf turf management at the IAA through the years. The tourna-

Stadium is used by the Armed Forces for sporting events and for celebrations of the fort’s past, present and future. TSG, more than two decades old, has provided services in 42 states in the U.S. and several foreign countries.

ment honors the Shields brothers — Ray, Roy and Bob Shields — who owned and operated golf courses in Maryland. Bob Shields was president of the Mid-Atlantic Association of Golf Course Superintendents in 1951 and also served in that capacity in 1952, 1955 and 1958. In 1965, he was president of GCSAA. Shields was superintendent at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Md., from 1952 until his death in 1982.

Bayer’s turf and ornamentals operation launched a Twitter account @BayerGolf. It focuses on the golf market and will share Bayer news as well as answer golf course maintenance questions and provide advice to superintendents. Bayer also plans to share informative industry articles.

Turfgrass Solutions Group (TSG) designed and constructed a synthetic turf multipurpose feld for the U.S. Army base at Williams Stadium in Fort Lee, Va. TSG was challenged to create a feld that would satisfy football, soccer and other sports for Fort Lee, which was named after Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. TSG worked with Centennial Contractors from November 2011 to May 2012 excavating material from the pre-existing natural turf feld. They inserted a subgrade drainage system to carry excess water away from the feld, and synthetic turf was installed and game lines were completed for football and soccer. Williams

92 GCM September 2013

Bernhard and Co., manufacturer of Bernhard Grinders, selected Buffalo Communications to manage public relations and marketing communications in North America. “Golf courses are businesses, and

they are accelerating purchases and leases of Bernhard Grinders,” says Rich Katz, managing director of Buffalo Communications. “Topline gains of more than $100,000; labor, fuel, water, chemical and fertilizer savings; and mitigating risk of inferior playing conditions are just some of Bernhard’s advantages.” DLF-Trifolium, a Danish company, acquired The Pickseed Companies Group, which operates under the Pickseed, Mapleseed, Seed Research of Oregon and TurfOne brand names. Pickseed was founded in 1947 and became a North American pillar in the development, production and distribution of turfgrass and forage crop seeds.

Profile hits safety mark

DEMAND SPECS EXPECT RESULTS Profle Products was honored for 1 million consecutive hours without a lost-time accident at the company’s manufacturing facility in Blue Mountain, Miss. The company reached the milestone April 8 — and the streak began in March 2002. Offcials from the Mississippi Development Authority and the state legislature joined employees of Profle Products for a celebration June 12. Profle Products offers environmentally sound, site-specifc solutions, including soil modifcation, erosion control and plant establishment. To ensure its 45 employees remain up-to-date on safety procedures, the company has biweekly safety meetings. Monthly safety tours are conducted to check machines for defciencies and to certify employees have safe access to equipment. “We are grateful to Profle Products for making the safety of its employees a top priority and for setting such a great example for other Mississippi businesses,” says Brent Christensen, executive director for the Mississippi Development Authority. Geoponics announced a partnership with Foster-Gardner. Geoponics is best known for providing soil surfactants and natural-looking, cost-effective turf colorants. Geoponics (based in Florida) and FosterGardner (along with its sister company West Coast Turf), will now offer turf products and service from one coast to the other. Eco-Roofs donated 300 of its green roof Eco Trays to West Virginia University. They will be used to create the green roof as part of the school’s entry in the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2013 Solar Decathlon. West Virginia is one of 20 entrants from around the world in the biennial event, which challenges collegiate teams to design, build and operate solar-powered houses that are cost-effcient, energyeffcient and attractive. Eco Trays are made of 100 percent recycled black

plastic HDPE material. The trays have been planted and are growing at a California nursery to be acclimated and ready for the Oct. 3-13 competition. Green Grass, a sod farm in Brazil, was selected as the sod producer to grow Zeon zoysiagrass to be planted on the golf course that is being constructed for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Zeon zoysia is said to be environmentally friendly, drought-tolerant turf. Green Grass owner Marcelo Matte says, “This is the frst time golf is in the Olympics after 100 years, and we’ll have the whole world watching the best players for weeks in Rio. I can imagine it will be the most important golf course in the year of 2016.” The Golf Environment Organization (GEO) has been accepted as an ISEAL Alliance associ-

When choosing your renovation materials, demand product specifications and expect results. Since the advent of bunker liners, Sandtrapper has been there, delivering consistent quality and performance that professionals rely on. We’ve made reliability the hallmark of our manufacturing and customer service processes so the facility can make renovation project decisions easily and with confidence. Contact us today for the details of bunker liner dynamics and product specifications.

888-970-5111

www.sandtrapper.com September 2013 GCM 93

ate member. ISEAL is a global leader in defning credibility in sustainability standards systems.

PEOPLE news Rhona Aime is the new chief fnancial offcer for the PGA of America. Aime oversees all fnancial and information technology matters pertaining to the PGA of America, located in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Aime has 21 years of experience in leading multinational companies in North America, South America and Europe. Most recently, she held various regional roles with Group Danone, a Paris-based multinational food-products corporation. Before that, Aime spent nearly 12 years with The Coca-Cola Co. in roles ranging from principal auditor to fnance director of Coca-Cola Netherlands. Aime is a native of Scotland.

E-Z-GO announced the addition of Brian Tidwell as general counsel and Cheryl Fremaux as senior director information technology. Tidwell is providing legal leadership, guidance and counsel at the strategic and tactical levels. He also is serving as general counsel for Jacobsen, which like E-Z-GO is a Textron company. Previously, Tidwell worked for Bell Helicopter in its customer support and services organization and its supply chain function. Fremaux, meanwhile, is leading all aspects of information technology, formulating and executing strategies to help the company meet its growth objectives and managing the company’s talent and resources. Most recently, Fremaux was operations manager in Textron’s fnance shared services center. Carmen Magro is the new vice president of business development and agronomy for Stevens Water Monitoring Systems. Magro,

94 GCM September 2013

a former golf course superintendent, directed the golf course turfgrass management program and turfgrass research facilities at Penn State University. He also has been lead agronomist and director of education with Floratine Products Group and vice president of agronomy with UgMO Technologies. Magro founded an international consulting frm, Agronomy Management Solutions, which provides consultation services for agriculture, golf, sports turf, residential and environmental land use applications.

Jay Houle was named national turf accounts manager for Exacto Inc. Houle, who has spent the last seven years as Northeast territory manager for Exacto, is leading the company’s expansion into turf management and related markets. Houle’s work experience includes serving as store manager for Lesco and sales manager at Valley Green Inc. He graduated from the University of Rhode Island in landscape architecture.

Paul Bially is the new biostimulant product manager for Lebanon Turf. Bially began his career in the turf care industry as a formulations chemist at Aquatrols. Later, he served as district sales manager for Precision Laboratories. Recently, Bially worked as a sales and technology specialist for Lamberti USA, where he managed that company’s line of surfactants, oleochemical derivatives, synthetic polymers and pigments designed for turf and ornamental manufacturing applications. Steve Christman is receiving

the Perry Dye Service Award from the Golf Course Builders Association of America (GCBAA). Christman is owner/president of Eagle Golf & Landscape Products, which distributes pipe, drainage materials and erosion control products to the golf industry. Christman develops, manufactures and distributes Eagle Interface, a rootzone and moisture barrier specifcally designed for greens and bunker construction. The award is given periodically by the GCBAA to recognize one of its members who is an exceptional individual, who has been a loyal member of the association and who has devoted time and infuence to foster positive changes for the association. The Club Foundation announced the recipients of the 2014 Joe Perdue Scholarships. They are Quichen “Emma” Li, Niagara University; Rachel Zilka, Niagara University; Calli Oreschnigg, University of Houston; and Richard Albert, University of WisconsinStout. The Club Foundation established the scholarship in honor of the longtime educator and pillar of the club management industry. The scholarships provide tuition support to students who are pursuing careers in club management. Since its inception, The Club Foundation has awarded more than 172 student scholarships totaling more than $300,000. Any individual who is actively seeking a managerial career in the club industry and is currently attending an accredited fouryear college or university undergraduate program may apply to The Club Foundation for scholarship aid.

CJ Nash was hired for the newly created role of technical manager for specialized chemistries at Precision Laboratories. Nash oversees product development, laboratory operations and certifcation as

well as sales team orientation for new products. Previously, Nash worked for Dow Chemical as a senior technologist and in the U.S. Army, where she specialized in response to nuclear, biological and chemical warfare. She has a master’s degree in chemistry from Loyola University in Chicago and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Purdue University. Mark Roberts, sports turf manager with The Steward School in Richmond, Va., was selected as the second of four grand prize winners in the year-long “Watch and Win” giveaway from Turface Athletics. The giveaway offers sports feld managers, coaches and feld volunteers a chance to win big simply by watching one of the many educational videos at Turface.com. The frst winner was Mike Skender with Gurnee (Ill.) Park District. To enter the giveaway, participants can visit www.turface. com/50years/watch-and-win and watch the educational video. Viewers will receive a promotional code at the conclusion of the video that allows them to complete an entry form.

GOLF briefs The Northeast Golf Co., led by Robert McNeil, ASGCA, renovated six courses in the spring. The culmination of the projects was completion of a comprehensive practice/teaching facility at Charles River Country Club in Newton, Mass. The company also directed work at Fairmount Country Club in Chatham, Madison Golf Club in Madison, Roxiticus Golf Club in Mendham and Mendham Golf and Tennis Club in Mendham. Projects ranged from new bunkering and tee complexes to reimagining strategy and hole routings. MetroWest Golf Club in Orlando will complete its $1.5 million renovations by November, the club says. Under the direction of Billy Fuller Golf Design of Atlanta, the project at the Robert Trent Jones Sr. Signature Course includes resurfacing all greens with TifEagle. Also, all tee boxes will be

laser-leveled and resurfaced, and the practice facility will be expanded with a new teeing area. MetroWest is a Marriott Golf-managed facility. Hamilton Farm Golf Club is now managed by KemperSports. An exclusive private club in Gladstone, N.J., Hamilton Farm has 36 holes, including an 18-hole par-3 course. Hamilton Farm Golf Club, 2012 Club of the Year as chosen by the New Jersey PGA, was the site of the LPGA’s Sybase Match Play Championship from 2010 to 2012. Texas A&M University in College Station is set to showcase in late October the redesign of its golf course. Jeff Blume, a Texas A&M graduate, was the architect of the redesign. The course is a complete redesign of the original, which opened in 1950. Golf Course Architecture magazine reported that some of the new features are the addition of sand soil base to the fairways, elevated greens

and a new irrigation system.

PBI-Gordon goes to Washington

Pacifc Links International entered into a reciprocal play program with GolfBC, granting members of each organization mutual access to both groups’ collection of courses. It includes GolfBC’s nine courses in British Columbia and two courses in Maui, as well as more than 80 courses that are part of Pacifc Links International’s growing portfolio throughout Hawaii, Nevada, California and West Virginia.

GCM Submit items for “Industry News” to hrichman@gcsaa.org.

Waite leads team in John Deere Classic PBI-Gordon representatives (from left) Doug Obermann, Jim Goodrich, Ray Funkhouser and Scott Wanzor at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., for PLANET's Legislative Day on the Hill event.

PGA Tour pro Grant Waite headed the winning team in this year’s John Deere Classic Pro-Am in July at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill. His team included (from left) Rich Hohman, president, Kitson and Partners Clubs of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.; Rob Jeske, general manager corporate business division, John Deere Agriculture and Turf Division; Waite; Ben Tilley, superintendent, Headland Golf Club, Queensland, Australia; and Jason Manfull, superintendent, Crow Valley Golf Club, Davenport, Iowa. The team fnished with a net score of 54, prevailing after a card-back tie.

Representatives of PBI-Gordon traveled to Washington, D.C., on July 22-23 to participate in two events coordinated by the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), the national trade association for landscape industry professionals. The outreach included the annual Renewal & Remembrance volunteer cleanup and maintenance event at Arlington National Cemetery and a Legislative Day on Capitol Hill. On the frst day, PBI-Gordon reps Jim Goodrich, Scott Wanzor, Ray Funkhouser and Doug Obermann joined hundreds of landscape and lawn care professionals mulching, upgrading sprinklers, cabling and installing lightning protection for trees, pruning, applying lime to 150 acres, planting, and aerating the soil throughout the cemetery. On the second day, PBI-Gordon and PLANET members met on Capitol Hill with their local offcials and discussed an array of issues impacting the landscape industry, including H-2B, overregulation and Lyme disease legislation. “This is my fourth year participating in Renewal & Remembrance,” Goodrich says. “It is always an honor and a privilege to take part in this event. I’m a U.S. Navy veteran who fought for our country, and it means so much to be able to give back and honor the fallen, those who have given the ultimate sacrifce fghting for the rights provided by the U.S. Constitution, and to help preserve this national treasure for generations to come.”

September 2013 GCM 95

PRODUCTnews

What’s new and hot for your course

and targeted microenvironments, the company says. Contact Green Sweep Technologies, LLC, 414-305-5290 (www.greensweeptech.com). Precision Laboratories introduced “Soil Surfactants,” a free educational iBook for iPad users. Designed to educate professional turfgrass managers, “Soil Surfactants” brings water management to life using photos, videos and information to emphasize that no conditions are the same for all golf course superintendents and sports turf managers. It provides detailed information and solutions for specifc daily challenges. “Research shows that soil surfactants are often misunderstood in the marketplace,” says Don Spier, vice president of turf and ornamentals at Precision Laboratories. “The approach with our “Soil Surfactants” iBook is to visually describe the benefts of soil surfactants in a new and unique way, while highlighting the importance of hydration and infltration for managing conditions.” To download, search for “Soil Surfactants” in the iBookstore or go to http://www.precisionlab.com/ ibooks.

SnowEx released its SuperMaxx II spreaders for ice management. Available with 3.3-, 4.3- and 6.0-cubic-yard capacities, the units are engineered for superior wetting integration and optimal weight distribution, making them ideal for large contractors and municipalities. The spreaders feature an enhanced material feed system with a stainless steel trough, where brine and salt are mixed before being delivered to the spinner. The spreaders, completely electric-powered, also have cab-forward hoppers with up to 33 percent better payload distribution, resulting in improved safety and reduced stress on the carrying vehicle, the company says. Hoppers are made from lightweight, corrosionresistant polyethylene and include a multi-angle design to promote a continuous fow of material to the auger feed system. Contact SnowEx, 800-725-8377 (www.snowexproducts.com).

Toro’s Tier-4 compliant Reelmaster fairway mowers now are available. Reelmaster 5410-D/5510-D models feature ultra-low emission engines to the direct-injection design, supporting cleaner air while also saving fuel.

96 GCM September 2013

They include Yanmar 36.8-hp diesel engines, common rail electric systems, cooled exhaust recirculation, diesel particulate flters and InfoCenter LED displays. Contact Toro, 800-348-2424 (www.toro.com). “Original” Green Sweep from Green Sweep Technologies LLC is a newly introduced patented tool designed by turf managers (including Patrick Sisk, CGCS, from Milwaukee Country Club) to aid golf course superintendents and sports turf managers interested in incorporating topdressing material into the soil profle without injury from brushes or mats. “Original” Green Sweep is designed to ft most walkbehind blowers with rectangular output ports (5.5 inches × 5.5 inches × 24 inches). “Original” Green Sweep is large enough to make quick work of large-volume sand applications and small enough to get into the intricate details of putting greens, tees, infelds

TurfEx introduced the TS95 walk-behind drop spreader, which it says is ideal for use in confned areas. The spreader distributes material in a controlled pattern to reduce waste and prevent material from being applied to unwanted areas. TS95 features a corrosion-resistant polyethylene hopper with a 120-pound capacity.

It is capable of spreading a variety of granular materials, including fertilizer, pesticide, herbicide and seed, in a 28-inch-wide pattern. The material fow rate is precisely controlled through an adjustable gate. It is equipped with large pneumatic tires and a clear poly cover as standard equipment to protect material in the hopper from moisture. Contact TurfEx, 866-588-7339 (www.turfexproducts.com). The OvoControl automatic feeder has been upgraded with a new model. Assembly now requires no tools, and new features include a lock-and-load lid with integrated trail camera mount and a tan color that blends in readily to most areas. Contact OvoControl, 858-759-8012 (www.ovocontrol.com).

Precise Path announced that it has extended the versatility of TruEdge, which is now available for most major brands of walking and riding greens mowers. TruEdge eliminates greens creep that occurs over time due to mowing errors and enables the operator to maintain the exact shape of the greens, the company says. TruEdge quickly mounts onto existing mowing equipment and provides the operator with an intuitive display that indicates where the edge of the green is located. Contact Precise Path, 317818-8185 (www.precisepath.com). Hunter Industries received WaterSense labeling on its ACpowered controllers when paired with the appropriate Solar Sync sensor. Using onsite weather data, the Solar Sync sensor adjusts daily run times on Hunter controllers to maximize water savings. Controllers to carry the WaterSense label include Hunter’s XCore, Pro-C, I-Core and ACC product families. Previously installed controllers with Solar Sync compatibility can be converted to meet WaterSense requirements by adding the Solar

Sync, eliminating the need to replace the entire controller. Contact Hunter Industries, 760-744-5240 (www.hunterindustries.com).

Edgetite Products Inc. launched Paver Edging Spikes that are designed to make paver installations stronger. Edgetite spikes help solve the separation problem that can occur when installing paver edging with common spikes, the company says. It features a patent-pending angled tip design. As an Edgetite spike is hammered into the compacted base, the angled tip defects away from installation while the head pushes the edge restraint tightly against the brick. The angled fnal position of an installed Edgetite spike resists frost heave while adding strength and longevity to a brick project, the company says. Contact Edgetite Products, 630-514-0052 (www.edgetite.com).

Echo launches new chain saw

Echo introduced the CS-620P, a 59.8-cc high-power professional chain saw designed for arborists, loggers and professional frewood operations. The CS-620P is based on the CS-600P, but with a modifed engine to produce 13 percent more power. The CS-620P is available in 18-, 20-, 24- and 27-inch bar lengths. Features include an aluminum handle with rubber grip, a magnesium sprocket guard, dual bumper spikes and a Performance Cutting System. It also uses a decompression valve to greatly reduce the starting effort, has a tool-less air flter cover, G-Force Engine Air Pre-cleaner, two-piece air flter and see-through fuel tank. Contact Echo, 847-540-8400 (www.echo-usa.com).

ute Total, a post-emergence herbicide, is made to deliver broad-spectrum control in one complete solution to help lawn care managers and golf course superintendents selectively remove grassy and broadleaf weeds, sedges and kyllingas. Contact Bayer, 866-992-2937 (www.bayercrop science.us). Glamos Wire Products is now producing landscape staples for a variety of uses including sod and turf, landscape fabric and staking irrigation hoses. All Glamos products are made in the U.S., and the company has been in business since 1899. Contact Glamos Wire Products, 800-328-5062 (www.glamoswire.com). TokensDirect showcases brass and bronze arcade and amusement tokens available in a range of sizes to suit any preference or need. David Blumenfeld, director of marketing for Osborne Coinage, says laboratory studies in Cincinnati showed that tokens have inherent anti-microbial properties and may actually help control the spread of germs. Contact TokensDirect, 866274-0868 (www.tokensdirect.com).

Tribute Total from Bayer was approved for use on zoysiagrass. Trib-

Larson Electronics unveiled the HALSS-EMG-48-2LLED Hazardous Area

Light Fixture designed to stand up to wet and corrosive marine environments while providing the improved power and light quality of LED lighting technology and emergency operating capability. It features a built-in battery backup system that operates the fxture automatically in the event a power failure occurs. Contact Larson Electronics, 800-369-6671 (www.magnalight.com).

GCM Submit items for “Product News” to hrichman@gcsaa.org.

ON course Sept. 5-8 — Web.com Tour, Chiquita Classic, River Run Country Club, Davidson, N.C., Michael Cagiano, superintendent. Sept. 5-8 — European Tour, Omega European Masters, Cranssur-Sierre Golf Club, Crans Montana, Switzerland. Sept. 6-8 — Champions Tour, Montreal Championship, Vallée du Richelieu, Rouville, Sainte-Julie, Quebec.

September 2013 GCM 97

Golf Preservations Inc. Nationwide Golf Course Drainage Company

Sept. 7-8 — USGA, Walker Cup, National Golf Links of America, Southampton, N.Y., William Salinetti III, CGCS. Sept. 12-15 — PGA Tour, BMW Championship, Conway Farms Golf Club, Lake Forest, Ill., Chad Ball, CGCS. Sept. 12-15 — Web.com Tour, Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship, The Ohio State University, Scarlet Course, Columbus, Ohio, Dennis Bowsher, CGCS. Sept. 12-15 — LPGA, The Evian Championship, Evian Masters Golf Club, Evian-les-Bains, France. Sept. 12-15 — European Tour, KLM Open, Kennemer Golf & Country Club, Zandvoort, The Netherlands.

Specializing in Drainage Installation on Existing Greens, Approach and Fairway Drainage

Sept. 17-19 — USGA, Women’s Team State, NCRCC South Course, Kettering, Ohio, James Campion III, GCSAA Class A superintendent. Sept. 19-22 — PGA Tour, Tour Championship presented by Coca-Cola, East Lake Golf Club, Atlanta, Ralph Kepple, CGCS.

98 GCM September 2013

504 Gloucester Ave Middlesboro, KY 40965 606-499-2732 www.golfpreservations.com Email: golfpreservations@yahoo.com

Sept. 26-29 — Symetra Tour Championship presented by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, LPGA International Champions Course, Daytona Beach, Fla., John Lammrish, CGCS. Sept. 26-29 — European Tour, Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, The Old Course, St. Andrews and Carnoustie, Kingsbarns, Scotland. Sept. 27-29 — Champions Tour, Nature Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach, Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach, Calif., Chris Dalhamer, CGCS.

COMING up Sept. 9-12 — Florida Turfgrass Association Conference, Hotel Caribe Royale, Orlando Phone: 800-882-6721 Website: www.ftga.ereﬂorida.com

Sept. 19-22 — European Tour, 70 Open d’Italia, Golf Club Torino, Turin, Italy.

Sept. 10 — 19th annual University of Arizona Maricopa County Short Course, SRP Pera Club Contact: Kai Umeda Phone: 602-827-8200 Website: www.turf.arizona.edu

Sept. 20-22 — Champions Tour, Pacifc Links Hawaii Championship, Kapolei Golf Club, Kapolei, Hawaii, William Lucena, golf course maintenance director, GCSAA Class A superintendent.

Sept. 12 — GCSAA Webcast: SCOR for Strategic Planning Contact: GCSAA Education Phone: 800-472-7878 Website: www.gcsaa.org/education/ webcasts.aspx

Sept. 20-22 — Symetra Tour, Volvik Championship, Reunion Resort, Kissimmee, Fla., Edmond Maltby III, regional superintendent, GCSAA Class A superintendent.

Sept. 16 — Georgia GCSA Bermudagrass Forum, King & Prince Golf Course, St. Simons Island, Ga. Contact: Tenia Workman Email: tenia@ggcsa.com Website: www.ggcsa.com Phone: 706-376-3585

Sept. 21-26 — USGA, Women’s Amateur, CordeValle, San Martin, Calif., Thomas Gray, CGCS.

Golf Preservations Inc.

Sept. 26-29 — Web.com Tour, Web.com Tour Championship, TPC Sawgrass, Dye’s Valley Course, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., Lucas Andrews, superintendent.

Sept. 21-26 — USGA, Senior Amateur, Wade Hampton Golf Club, Cashiers, N.C., Thomas Bailey IV, GCSAA Class A superintendent.

Sept. 26 — GCSAA Webcast: My best feature is tees Contact: GCSAA Education Phone: 800-472-7878 Website: www.gcsaa.org/education/ webcasts.aspx

Oct. 3 — GCSAA Webcast: My best feature is rough Contact: GCSAA Education Phone: 800-472-7878 Website: www.gcsaa.org/education/ webcasts.aspx Oct. 3-4 — Sustainability in Golf … Beyond the Green, Sea Pines Resort, Hilton Head Island, S.C. Website: www.experiencegreen.org Oct. 6-8 — Northeast Turfgrass Association Conference, Tri-Cities, Wash. Website: www.wwgcsa.org Phone: 253-219-8360 Oct. 9 — Intermountain GCSA Annual Conference/Trade Show, Wendover, Nev. Website: www.igcsa.org Phone: 801-282-5274 Oct. 9 — University of Florida Citra Field Day Website: www.foridagcsa.com Phone: 800-732-6053 Oct. 10 — GCSAA webcast: My best feature is greens: Green

speed management update Contact: GCSAA Education Phone: 800-472-7878 Website: www.gcsaa.org/education/ webcasts.aspx Oct. 14 — AmeriTurf Meeting, Oklahoma GCSA Contact: Dawn Coleman Phone: 405-564-4266 Website: www.okgcsa.com Oct. 17 — GCSAA webcast: My best feature is bunkers Contact: GCSAA Education Phone: 800-472-7878 Website: www.gcsaa.org/education/ webcasts.aspx Oct. 22-23 — NCGA Assistant Boot Camp, Monterey, Calif. Email: californiagcsa@aol.com Phone: 559-298-6262 Website: www.californiagcsa.org Oct. 23-26 — Professional Grounds Management Society GIE+Expo, Galt House Hotel, Louisville, Ky. Phone: 410-223-2861 Website: www.pgms.org

Oct. 23 — GCSAA webcast: SNAG and your community Contact: GCSAA Education Phone: 800-472-7878 Website: www.gcsaa.org/education/ webcasts.aspx Oct. 24 — GCSAA webcast: My best feature is greens: Nutrient use and requirements Contact: GCSAA Education Phone: 800-472-7878 Website: www.gcsaa.org/education/ webcasts.aspx Oct. 29 — Green Day Event, Chaparral Pines, Rim Club, Payson, Ariz. Email: Carmella@cactusandpine.org Phone: 480-609-6778 Website: www.cactusandpine.com Oct. 31 — GCSAA Webcast: My best feature is ornamentals Contact: GCSAA Education Phone: 800-472-7878 Website: www.gcsaa.org/education/ webcasts.aspx Nov. 4-8 — Irrigation Show and Conference, Austin, Texas

Phone: 703-536-7080 Website: www.irrigationshow.org Nov. 7-8 — Virginia Turf Summit, Wintergreen Resort, Wintergreen, Va. Phone: 804-747-4971 Website: www.vgcsa.org Nov. 13-14 — 2013 Turf and Ornamental Seminar, West Lafayette, Ind. Contact; Jennifer Biehl Phone: 765-494-8039 Email: biehlj@purdue.edu Website: www.agry.purdue.edu Nov. 19-20 — Carolinas GCSA Annual Trade Show, Myrtle Beach Convention Center, Myrtle Beach, S.C. Phone: 800-476-4272 Website: www.carolinasgcsa.org _____ To learn if you can receive education points for any of these upcoming programs, visit the External Education Listings in the education section at www.gcsaa.org/education/externaled/ current.aspx.

September 2013 GCM 99

PHOTO quiz answers

John Mascaro President of Turf-Tec International

PROBLEM A These two parallel lines are each 2 inches wide, about 3 inches apart and cross several fairways and roughs. The lines were visible at various locations throughout the golf course and were discovered after the snow on the course melted in late April. The lines were created by cross-country skiers using the same tracks every time they traversed the course. The superintendent reported that two couples regularly ski on the course, so they installed snow fencing around the greens to keep the skiers off. The brown areas on the fairways and roughs were so pronounced this year that the superintendent reported that he could follow their entire track around the course. The superintendent assumes that their skis created ice that suffocated the turf in their tracks, causing these brown areas. In the past, the course has not restricted skiers, but they will in the future. The golf course crew aerated all the fairways and made an extra pass over the areas with the ski tracks. Verticutting followed, and the worst areas were seeded. Most areas had healed over by the latter part of May. Photo submitted by Geoff Jordan, the superintendent at Pine City (Minn.) Country Club and a 10-year member of GCSAA.

PROBLEM B When Jeff Donahoe took over as the superintendent at Sycamore Golf Club, located in northern Illinois, he was warned about fooding issues, but dismissed the warning. Fifteen years and at least 15 foods later, he has accepted foods as an annual event. Through the years, Donahoe has seen foods leave picnic tables, tires, tons of mud and a multitude of dead animals and plant debris ranging from cornstalks to tree-size branches. It was this last food that surprised him and his staff most. When the waters receded, there was a haystack-shaped pile of cornstalks, sticks and mud neatly left behind. Because the ground was still saturated from the food, the pile had to be removed manually. A crew of four armed with pitchforks and scoop shovels had to load two separate turf utility vehicles six times. Photo submitted by Steve Tritt, the assistant superintendent at Sycamore (Ill.) Golf Club and a 10-year GCSAA member. Jeff Donahoe, the GCSAA Class A superintendent, is an 18-year member of the association.

If you would like to submit a photograph for John Mascaroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Photo Quiz, please send it to: John Mascaro, 1471 Capital Circle NW, Suite #13, Tallahassee, FL 32303, or e-mail to john@turf-tec.com. Presented in partnership with Jacobsen

100 GCM September 2013

If your photograph is selected, you will receive full credit. All photos submitted will become property of GCM and GCSAA.

SUPERIOR QUALITY-OF-CUT. SURPRISINGLY AFFORDABLE. LF510

™

The new Jacobsen LF510™ fairway mower offers affordability from the start, simplifed maintenance and a reliable Kubota diesel Tier 4 fnal engine – making it easy to afford, use and maintain through its entire life. The LF510’s clean and consistent quality-of-cut is provided by the new TrueSet™ cutting units with Classic XP™ reels that boast an industry-leading 425-lbs. of holding power. Mow your fairways without scalping your budget with the new Jacobsen LF510. See your local Jacobsen dealer for more information.

_____ We want to know about your event in advance. To submit an entry for “Coming up,” please send your information fve to six months before you'd like to see it in the magazine. We run event information for three months. Send a contact name if all details are not fnal. Contact Golf Course Management, Attention: Coming Up, 1421 Research Park Drive, Lawrence, KS 66049-3859; 785-832-3638; fax: 785-832-3665; email: hrichman@gcsaa.org.

NEWLYcertifed Jason E. Habeck, CGCS, Lewiston Golf & Country Club, Lewiston, Idaho Michael Holt, CGCS, Santee National Golf Course, Santee, S.C.

NEWmembers ALABAMA Parker C. Bolt, Student, Auburn ARKANSAS Wendy M. Barnes, Class C, Bella Vista CALIFORNIA Jim Beyer, Class C, Trabuco Canyon Alvaro H. Fitzsimmons, Supt. Mbr., San Jacinto Trevor W. Longmore, Class C, Avila Beach COLORADO Kevin Bemis, Associate, Estes Park Douglas A. Coleman, Associate, Aurora CONNECTICUT Ryan M. Carey, Student, Storrs FLORIDA Rickey C. Hayden, Class C, Winter Haven Alex B. Huetten, Class C, Fort Myers

Padric W. Kramer, Class C, Boynton Beach Stephen R. Nunez, Class C, Bonita Springs Christopher K. Worthy, Class C, Ponte Vedra Beach GEORGIA Dustin J. Bucher, Student, Clarkesville Clint A. Connard, Student, Athens ILLINOIS Reed Anderson, Student, Malta Grey Harrison, Student, Normal Jason Jung, Class C, Woodstock INDIANA Jeremy Tredway, Class C, Evansville LOUISIANA Patrick T. Gill, Class C, New Orleans MARYLAND Mathew D. Harvey, Class C, Glenwood MICHIGAN Peter J. Breighner, Class C, Harbor Springs

Nathan P. Hollenbeck, Supt. Mbr., Capac Jonathan A. Jay, Class C, Highland MINNESOTA Christopher T. MacKenzie, Associate, Minneapolis Scott Schornack, Supt. Mbr., Ottertail MISSISSIPPI Ethan T. Flournoy, Student, Mississippi State MONTANA David K. Crawford, Student, Bozeman NEBRASKA Carson Kaufman, Student, Lincoln NEW HAMPSHIRE Andrew J. Fowler, Supt. Mbr., Claremont NEW JERSEY Ryan B. Ades, Student, New Brunswick Kyle A. DeNuys, Class C, Wayne Timothy M. Kelly, Class C, Brielle John Petrovsky, Supt. Mbr., Lakewood

FINALLY, A PHOSPHORUS YOU CAN ROOT FOR Add Crystal Green® to your nutrient program. A season-long supply of slow-release P, N, plus Mg in each granule builds high-performing, wear-resistant turf. Te unique, plant-activated mode-of-action releases nutrients only when roots ask for them, minimizing nutrient loss caused by tie-up or runof. Tat means fewer applications, reduced rates and lower costs. Enhanced efciency Crystal Green® Phosphorus when your turf needs it. Peace of mind when it doesn’t.

www.crystalgreen.com

Crystal Green® is a registered trademark of Ostara Nutrient Recovery Technologies

Recognizing golf course superintendents and golf courses for their commitment to

environmental stewardship

2013

Presented in partnership with Syngenta and Rain Bird Corp., Golf Division

GCSAA/ Golf Digest Environmental Leaders in Golf Awards Applications are available online at www.gcsaa.org. â&#x20AC;˘ Deadline for entries is October 18, 2013.

NEW YORK Jeffrey K. Bray, Class C, Croton-onHudson OHIO Adam M. Fackler, Class C, Sylvania Brian J. Laurent, Affliate, Columbus PENNSYLVANIA Nick L. Dalton, Student, State College Jerry E. Decker, Class C, Carbondale Michael P. Gurcsik, Student, University Park Russell L. Hauenstein, Supt. Mbr., Carbondale Jordan S. Roberts, Student, University Park John M. Yanatsis, Student, University Park SOUTH CAROLINA Michael F. Moore, Supt. Mbr., Isle of Palms Tony R. Taylor, Student, Conway TENNESSEE Austin T. Hood, Student, Knoxville

John B. Wyne, Class C, Flower Mound VIRGINIA Solomon B. Stern, Class C, Glen Allen WISCONSIN Aaron J. Hansen, Student, Madison Sterling A. Solberg, Class C, Minocqua WYOMING Jesse Johnson, Associate, Jackson CANADA Michael R. Cranidge, ISM, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia Jeff M. Taylor, Student, Guelph, Ontario GUATEMALA Luis Roberto Aguirre Ruano, ISM, Guatemala City UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Russ Hewitt, ISM, Dubai

GCM TEXAS Jared Hotchkiss, Class C, Wichita Falls

Editor’s note: The information in this report was pulled from GCSAA’s member

database on July 23, 2013.

ON THE move ARIZONA Douglas J. Long, formerly (AF) at Momentum Golf, is now (AF) at Staples Golf in Scottsdale. CALIFORNIA Jon M. Christenson, formerly (A) at Monarch Bay Golf Club, is now (A) at Oakhurst Country Club in Clayton. Ung C. Kong, formerly (Supt. Mbr.) at Rio Bravo Country Club, is now (Supt. Mbr.) at Bixby Village Golf Course in Long Beach. Tony Rudge, formerly (Supt. Mbr.) at Hunter Ranch Golf Course, is now (Supt. Mbr.) at La Purisima Golf Course in Lompoc. Michael Scully, formerly (A) at Woodcreek Golf Club, is now (A) at Creekside Golf Course in Modesto. Michael Swing, CGCS, formerly (A) at Visalia Country Club, is now (A) at Valley Oaks Golf Course in Visalia. Troy L. Thompson, formerly (A) at

Valley Oaks Golf Course, is now (A) at Green River Golf Club in Corona. Christopher Thurber, formerly (Supt. Mbr.) at National City Golf Course, is now (Supt. Mbr.) at Eastlake Country Club in Chula Vista. COLORADO Scott A. Ellis, formerly (C) at South Suburban Golf Course, is now (Supt. Mbr.) at Evergreen Golf Course in Evergreen. Brian W. Naffn, formerly (A) at Stone Canyon Club, is now (A) at South Suburban Golf Course in Littleton. FLORIDA James M. Branstrom, CGCS, formerly (AF) at Horizon, is now (A) at Sugar Cane Golf Club in Belle Glade. Nathaniel A. Golczynski, formerly (C) at Normandy Shores Golf Course, is now (C) at The Fisher Island Club in Miami Beach. Grant Harvey, formerly (S) at Rutgers University/Cook College, is now (C) at Naples National Golf Club in Naples. Chad M. Kroeger, formerly (A) at The Champions C. at Summerfeld, is now (Supt. Mbr.) at Abacoa Golf Club in

Jupiter. Blake Kummer, formerly (S) at Penn State University-University Park, is now (C) at Grand Cypress Resort in Orlando. Jason B. Morris, formerly (A) at Kings Ridge Golf Club, is now (A) at Orange County National Golf Center in Winter Garden. Craig Ricciardi, formerly (A) at PGA Golf Club, is now (A) at Woodfeld Country Club in Boca Raton. Joseph S. Samulak, formerly (C) at Laurel Oak Country Club, is now (Supt. Mbr.) at Laurel Oak Country Club in Sarasota. Robert D. Taylor Jr., formerly (C) at Tara Golf & Country Club, is now (Supt. Mbr.) at Misty Creek Country Club in Sarasota. Justin P. Wheeler, formerly (A) at Hurlburt Golf Course, is now (A) at Bay Palms Golf Complex in Tampa. GEORGIA John Fields, formerly (C) at The Governor's Towne Club, is now (Supt. Mbr.) at Ashton Hills Golf Club in Covington. ILLINOIS Alan R. Hill, formerly (Supt. Mbr.) at Klein Creek Golf Club, is now (Supt. Mbr.) at Cress Creek Country Club in Naperville. C. Michael Moran, formerly (A) at Harborside International Golf Center, is now (A) at Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale. John L. Parkes, CGCS, formerly (A) at Stone Creek Golf Club, is now (AF) at JLP Lawn Care and Landscaping LLC in Camargo. Kerry Satterwhite, CGCS, formerly (AA) at Turfine Inc., is now (AA) at Challenge Unlimited in Alton. KANSAS Cory Henson, formerly (C) at Windermere Golf Club, is now (C) at Indian Hills Country Club in Prairie Village. Austin Murphy, formerly (Supt. Mbr.) at Lindsborg Golf Course, is now (Supt. Mbr.) at Indian Hills Golf Course in Chapman. MARYLAND Michael R. Legere, CGCS, formerly (A) at Holly Hills Country Club, is now (AA) at Baltimore County Maryland in Glen Arm. Jason A. Owens, formerly (Supt.

Mbr.) at Forest Park Golf Course, is now (Supt. Mbr.) at Carroll Park Golf Course in Baltimore. MICHIGAN Dennis Nordling, formerly (A) at Fellows Creek Golf Club, is now (A) at Barton Hills Country Club in Ann Arbor. Colin G. Seaberg, CGCS, formerly (A) at Ozaukee Country Club, is now (A) at Barton Hills Country Club in Ann Arbor. MINNESOTA Samuel Linkert, formerly (SW) at Anoka Technical College, is now (C) at Elk River Country Club in Elk River. Scot Milstroh, formerly (C) at Wapicada Golf Course, is now (Supt. Mbr.) at Wapicada Golf Course in Sauk Rapids. MISSOURI Jim Naudet, formerly (A) at Country Club of Leawood, is now (AA) at Athletic Facility Management in Kansas City. Brad J. Seidt, formerly (C) at Heritage Hills Golf Course, is now (C) at Club at Porto Cima in Lake Ozark. NEVADA David S. Morrow, formerly (C) at Metropolis Country Club, is now (AF) at Helena Chemical Co. in Las Vegas. NEW JERSEY Michael A. Deal, formerly (C) at Olde York Country Club, is now (Supt. Mbr.) at Olde York Country Club in Chesterfeld. NEW YORK Justin M. Beach, formerly (C) at Abenaqui Country Club, is now (C) at The Edison Club in Rexford. Eugene C. Burnell, formerly (S) at Delaware Valley College, is now (C) at Brynwood Golf and Country Club in Armonk. Gregory Kolodinsky, formerly (A) at Wheatley Hills Golf Club, is now (A) at South Bay Country Club in Oceanside. Mason M. Swancott, formerly (C) at Turning Stone Resort, is now (C) at Atunyote Coures at Turning Stone Resort in Verona. Jason Tomko, formerly (C) at New Mexico State University Golf Course, is now (C) at Scarsdale Golf Club in Hartsdale.

September 2013 GCM 105

NORTH CAROLINA Richard L. Crouse, formerly (S) at Guilford Tech Community College, is now (C) at Deep Springs Country Club in Stoneville. John W. Crowe, formerly (Supt. Mbr.) at Grandover Resort, is now (Supt. Mbr.) at Jamestown Park Golf Course in Jamestown. Joseph D. Foley, formerly (Supt. Mbr.) at Badin Inn and Golf Club, is now (AF) at Jacobsen A Textron Co. in Charlotte. Dustin Perdue, formerly (C) at McArthur Golf Club, is now (C) at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte. OHIO John C. Cummings, CGCS, formerly (A) at Sandy Brae Golf Course, is now (A) at Cliffside Golf Club in Gallipolis. James E. Robinson, formerly (C) at Pine Hills Golf Club, is now (Supt. Mbr.) at Pine Hills Golf Club in Hinckley. OKLAHOMA Keith T. Callery, formerly (C) at Emerald Falls Golf Club, is now (Supt. Mbr.) at Muskogee Country Club in Muskogee. Colton W. Fees, formerly (S) at Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City, is now (C) at Lakeside Golf Course in Stillwater. Thomas S. Werner, CGCS, formerly (A) at Las Colinas Country Club, is now (AA) at Luber Brothers in Bethany. OREGON Ryan J. Bancroft, formerly (A) at Salishan Spa & Golf Resort, is now (AF) at Ground FX Landscape Management in Newport. William O. Barnes, formerly (C) at Salishan Spa & Golf Resort, is now (Supt. Mbr.) at Salishan Spa & Golf Resort in Gleneden Beach. PENNSYLVANIA John Colo, formerly (A) at Country Club of York, is now (A) at Hartefeld National Golf Course in Avondale. SOUTH CAROLINA Christopher L. Bennett, formerly (A) at Settindown Creek at Ansley Golf Club, is now (A) at Forest Lake Club in Columbia. Michael S. Denny, formerly (C) at Sun City Hilton Head-Hidden Cypress Course, is now (Supt. Mbr.) at Sun City Hilton Head-Argent Lakes Course in Okatie. Jason M. Harris, formerly (A) at The

Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards Golf Club, is now (A) at The Cliffs at Mountain Park in Marietta. TEXAS Landon Braud, formerly (C) at Squire Creek Country Club, is now (C) at Cordillera Ranch in Boerne. Matt Child, CGCS, formerly (A) at Tenison Park Golf Course, is now (A) at Old Brickyard Golf Course in Ferris. John Walker, formerly (A) at Blackhorse Golf Club, is now (A) at Bentwater Country Club in Montgomery. Brian Woolard, formerly (A) at Willow Springs Golf Course, is now (A) at Brackenridge Park Golf Course in San Antonio. VIRGINIA David R. Dettmer, CGCS, formerly (AF) at John Deere Golf, is now (AF) at John Deer Landscapes in Chantilly. Marshall T. Hibbs, formerly (C) at Stonewall Golf Club, is now (Supt. Mbr.) at Penderbrook Golf Club in Fairfax. Nathaniel F. Reams, formerly (S) at Clemson University, is now (C) at Augustine Golf Club in Stafford. Timothy R. Wolfe, formerly (C) at Salisbury Country Club, is now (C) at Hermitage Country Club in Manakin Sabot. WASHINGTON Branden L. Herrell, formerly (Supt. Mbr.) at River Ridge Golf Course, is now (Supt. Mbr.) at City of Enumclaw in Enumclaw. BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS Jimmy Germana, formerly (C) at Eagle Creek Golf & Country Club, is now (C) at Blue Tip Golf Course in Grand Cayman. CANADA Jessica C. Aytoun, formerly (C) at Sutton Creek Golf & Country Club, is now (Supt. Mbr.) at Sutton Creek Golf & Country Club in Essex, Ontario.

GCM Editor’s note: The information in this report was pulled from GCSAA’s member database on July 23, 2013.

Invest in Certification

Invest in You You are good at your job as a golf course manager. You know that keeping up with the latest changes in the industry requires a never-ending quest for knowledge. Earning GCSAAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Certifed Golf Course Superintendent designation (CGCSSM) can provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to meet the demands of your profession.

Take the first step towards achieving this success. Call us at 800.472.7878 to develop your plan for achieving certification.

IN memoriam David P. Amirault, 51, died Feb. 7, 2013. Mr. Amirault, a 21-year member of GCSAA, was superintendent at Deer Creek Golf Club in Jacksonville, Fla. He also was a past president of the North Florida GCSA. Amirault, who attended the University of Massachusetts, was an avid sportsman and bowler. He also played golf every Friday. Mr. Amirault is survived by his wife, Shelley Amirault; son Jacob Amirault; parents, Paul and Anne Amirault; sisters Diane Ranaldi and Carol Erb; niece Alica Erb and daughters Kayla and Candace. J. Harry Hanson, CGCS, 76, died Feb. 18, 2013. Mr. Hanson, a 23-year member of GCSAA, was tournament chairman at Berlin Golf & Country Club in Berlin, Germany, and also was an assistant superintendent at Heidelberg Golf Club. He was an assistant at several courses in Florida, including Mariner Sands Country Club, Boynton Beach and PGA National. Hanson, who graduated from Lake City, Fla., Community College, recorded nine holes-in-one. In 1986, he carded a 75 at The Old Course at St. Andrews in Scotland. Hanson is survived by his wife, Margaret Ann Hanson; daughters Carol Cunningham, Rita Hanson, Rose Neel, Mary Hanson and Rae Lee Hanson; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Ray L. Jacomo Sr., 73, died Dec. 2, 2012. Mr. Jacomo, a 46-year member of GCSAA, was a third-generation superintendent. He spent most of his working years in Louisiana (Sherwood Forest Country Club and Shenandoah Country Club) and Oklahoma (Jimmie Austin Golf Club and Lake Murray). He is survived by his wife, Ella Jacomo; son Ray Jacomo Jr.; daughter Jill Larwig; stepson Jack Leader; stepbrother Doyle S. Fraser Jr.; grandchildren Christopher Larwig, David Larwig, Angela Adams, Catherine Jacomo and Amy Garder; great-grandchildren Royal Garder, Jacob Adams and Madeline Adams. Charles W. Mock, 78, died June 22, 2013. Mr. Mock, a 54-year member of GCSAA, entered the industry in 1950 as a greenskeeper at Army-Navy Country Club. Later he worked as an

assistant superintendent at Greens Fairfax Course. He worked there from 1966 until his retirement in 1994. For the next two years, Mock served as a contractor for Greens Fairfax Course. He was involved in the Environmental Institute for Golf (EIFG). He is survived by his wife, Helen Mock; sons Curtis Nolan Mock and Charles Wallace Mock; daughter Cindy Grace Mock; brother John Lee Mock; and several nieces and nephews.

GCM

AD index Advertiser Telephone

PARTNERS

Page number URL

AMVAC (888) GO-AMVAC PLATINUM PARTNER John Deere Co. (800) 257-7797

4-5 www.johndeere.com/Golf

The Toro Co. (888) 664-7489

IFC-1 www.toro.com/leaderboard

GOLD PARTNER Jacobsen (800) 232-5907

31, 101 www.jacobsen.com

Syngenta Professional Products Cover 4 (909) 308-1633 www.syngentaprofessionalproducts.com

67 www.amvac-chemical.com

Agrium Advanced Technologies (970) 292-9000

Kelly's Green Team (660) 627-5500

110-111 www.kellysgreenteam.com

37 www.aquatrols.com

Army Museum (PSA)

21 www.armyhistory.org

Landmark Seed (800) 268-0180

53 www.turfandnativeseed.com

13 www.beckerunderwood.com

Lastec (866) 902-6454

99 www.lastec.com

BoardTronics (800) 782-9938

6-7 boardtronics.com

Milorganite (800) 287-9645

105 www.milorganite.com

Bos Sod Farms (800) 267-7763

110-111 www.bossod.com

MultiGuard (908) 272-7070

63 www.multiguardprotect.com

Becker Underwood (800) 232-5907

Champion Turf Farms (888) 290-7377

8-9* www.championturffarms.com

East Coast Sod & Seed (856) 769-9555

GCSAA Services (800) 472-7878 69 www.drivenbyduration.com

Page number URL

Aquatrols Corporation (800) 257-7797

Experience Green

SILVER PARTNER

Advertiser Telephone

59 www.agrotainturf.com

Ostara Nutrient Recovery Technologies, Inc. (604) 408-6697

102 www.ostara.com

110-111 www.eastcoastsod.com

Peat, Inc. (800) 441-1880

110-111 www.peatinc.com

73 www.experiencegreen.org

Pifer (888) 442-8442

110-111 www.pifergolf.com

8-9*, 71, 83, 85, 87, 91, 103, 107 www.gcsaa.org

GE Capital, Equipment Finance (469) 586-2010

Koch Agronomic Services, LLC. (888)547-4140

79 www.gecapital.com/golf

29 www.planetair.biz

Select Source

35 http://selectsourcellc.net/

Barenbrug USA (800) 547-4101

39*, Cover tip www.barusa.com

Golf-Lift Div. Derek Weaver Co., Inc. (800) 788-9789

Baroness (707) 283-0610

19 www.baroness.us

Golf Preservations (606) 499-2732

BASF (888) 566-5506

54-55, 61 www.betterturf.basf.us

Greenjacket (888) 786-2683

110-111 www.greenjacket.com

Turf Screen (267) 246-8654

65 www.turfmaxllc.com

71* www.backedbybayer.com

Grigg Bros. (888) 623-7285

33 www.griggbros.com

Turfco (800) 679-8201

81 www.turfco.com

Bayer Environmental Sciences (800) 643-4266 Civitas Fungicide (a.k.a.Petro Canada) Floratine Products Group (901) 853-2898 Lebanon Turf (800) 350-6650 Par Aide Products Co. (513) 470-0160 PBI Gordon Corp. (800) 971-7233 Precision Laboratories, Inc. (800) 323-6280 Quali-Pro (888) 584-6598 Tee-2-Green Corp. (800) 547-0255

25 www.civitasturf.com

Growth Products Ltd. (800) 648-7626

75 www.foratine.com

IVI-Golf (Sand Trapper) (888) 970-5111

14-15 www.lebanonturf.com/

110-111 www.golf-lift.com

PlanetAir Turf Products (507) 446-8399

98 www.golfpreservations.com

27 www.growthproducts.com 93 www.sandtrapper.com

J2 Golf Marketing (877) 263-1614

106, 108 www.j2golfmarketing.com

The Andersons, Inc. (800) 253-5296

Cover 3 www.AndersonsPro.com

TRIMS Software International Inc. (800) 608-7467

110-111 www.trims.com

Wiedenmann North America (866) 790-3004

17 www.terraspike.com

Winfeld Solutions (855) 494-6343

47 www.winfeld.com

*Denotes regional advertisement

Denotes affliate member

2-3 www.paraide.com 21*, 49, 104 www.pbigordon.com

golf course management

23 www.precisionlab.com

Easy Ways to Subscribe

51 www.quali-pro.com

1421 Research

11, 40-41 www.tee-2-green.com

800.472.7878

FAX 785.832.3643

P.O.Park Box 219004 Drive, Kansas City, MO Lawrence, KS 64121-9004 66049

WEB www.gcsaa.org

YES, I WANT TO SUBSCRIBE TODAY! Name________________________________________________Title __________________________________________________ Company/Club ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Address_________________________________________________City____________State_____Country_______Zip ___________ Phone ________________________________________________Fax __________________________________________________

Your current job title or position (check one only): (GCS)

Golf Course Superintendent

(GREP)

Golf Association Rep.

Your current place of employment (check one only): (PUBL)

Daily Fee/Public Golf Course

#of holes

36+

(SUPT)

Superintendent/Owner

(CONS)

GC Construction Ind. Rep.

(SPRV)

Semiprivate Golf Course

#of holes

36+

(GCMD)

GC Maintenance Dir.

(CREP)

Company Representative

(PRV)

Private Golf Course

#of holes

36+

(AGCS)

Asst. Golf Course Super.

(INST)

Educator/Extension Officer

(REST)

Resort Golf Course

#of holes

36+

(EMPL)

GC Maintenance Staff/Emp.

City/State/Muni./Military GC

#of holes

36+

(OWNR)

Club/Course Owner

(S) (RET)

(CP)

Club President

(UNEM)

(GC)

Green Chairman

(OTHR)

(GCM)

Other Golf Course Management

Turfgrass Student

(CSMM)

Retired

(CONS)

Architectural/Construction Firms

Unemployed

(MANU)

Manufacturer/Distributor

Others Allied in the Field

(OTHR)

(please specify)

Other Facilities Allied to the Field (please specify)

(OGC)

Other Golf Courses (please specify)

SignatureDate

Prepayment Required: (To begin your subscription, payment must be enclosed.)

DOMESTIC

INTERNATIONAL/CANADA/MEXICO

1 year-$60 (12 issues)

1 year-$110 (12 issues)

Method of payment U.S. Funds Only Check Enclosed

American Express

MasterCard

Visa

(U.S. dollars drawn on U.S. bank.) Please allow six weeks for delivery.

Rate includes airmail costs Credit Card # ___________________Exp. Date ____________

2 year-$99 3 year-$142 Best Value! Rates subject to change.

Card Holders Name _________________________ (Please print)

SUB September 2013 GCM 109

GCM arketplace

NOW AVAILABL

2013 GCSAA Compensaton and Benefts Report Key access to • demographic data • salary trends • valuable beneft informaton

www.gcsaa.org

BENTGRASS SOD

Greens Height • Tee/Fairway Height

FESCUE

Fine • Blue/Fine • Tall

BLUEGRASS

Regular • Short-Cut INSTALLATION AVAILABLE

EAST COAST SOD & SEED 596 Pointers Auburn Road • Pilesgrove, NJ 08098 www.eastcoastsod.com

856-769-9555 110 GCM September 2013

GCM arketplace

September 2013 GCM 111

the fnal shot

Photographer: Joe Sudol Title: Assistant golf course superintendent Course: Ballyowen Golf Course, Hardyston, N.J. GCSAA membership: Three-year member The shot: As the sun rose over Ballyowen Golf Course on the morning of June 15, Sudol captured this shot of the mist rising off the water that meanders around the courseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seventh green (foreground) and sixth tee (center).

Do you have a photograph that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like the GCM staff to consider for The Final Shot? You can submit photos for consideration by e-mail to thefinalshot@gcsaa.org or to GCM editor-in-chief Scott Hollister at shollister@gcsaa.org.

YEAH, YOU COULD SAY THIS IS A HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT. FOR THE TURF, THAT IS.

Day in, day out—your turf has it tough. It must endure daily mowing, UV rays, golfers and extreme weather conditions, not to mention the constant threat of disease. Daconil Action™ fungicide combines the power of Daconil® fungicide with a revolutionary Turf Protein Booster that helps turf activate its own natural production of PR proteins. Use on a regular application interval for stronger and healthier turf that is better able to defend itself against disease while offering greater drought tolerance. So whether it’s disease or cleats, it’s not a problem. To learn how to rotate Daconil Action with Secure™ fungicide, visit GreenCastOnline.com/programs

To hear what superintendents are saying, visit GreenCastOnline.com/DaconilAction © 2013 Syngenta. Important: Always read and follow label instructions before buying or using Syngenta products. The instructions contain important conditions of sale, including limitations of warranty and remedy. Daconil Action is not currently registered for use or sale in all states. Please check with your state or local extension service prior to buying or using this product. Daconil,® Daconil Action,™ the Alliance Frame, the Purpose Icon and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. Secure™ is a trademark of ISK Biosciences Corporation. Syngenta Customer Center: 1-866-SYNGENT(A) (796-4368).