INSIDE: Lone Star standouts at Golf Industry Show
PAGE 102
GCM GC al Publicationn of the Golf Course Su Superintendents Association of America
Rise
and shine Twists and turns in Paul L. Carter’s career path lead him all the way to GCSAA’s top environmental honor in 2015 PAGE 44
Trio take ELGA honors 56 Wonders in Wyoming 86 Plant disease updates 128
Golf Course Management Magazine www.gcsaa.org • February 2015
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CONTENTS02.15
44
Flying high
Paul L. Carter, CGCS, took on a major challenge at The Bear Trace at Harrison Bay. Now, like the famed American bald eagles on the property, the career of GCSAA’s 2015 President’s Award recipient is ascending to new heights. Howard Richman
Teachable moments Top ELGA honors go to the son of two lifelong educators who helped lead an environmental revolution at a municipal standout in Oakland, Calif. Scott Hollister
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74
A view from the U.K. Stephen Bernhard, executive chairman of grinder manufacturer Bernhard and Co. and a Master of the Worshipful Company of Gardeners (we’ll explain) talks about his years in golf course management and the differences and similarities between England and the U.S. GCM staff
Keeping the green at 20 below Extreme winters and native wildlife present unique challenges for golf course managers in Jackson, Wyo. Kristen Pope
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2015 GCSAA Golf Industry Show • 102 Three-for-all Three Texas-based companies — Gail’s Flags, All Seasons Turf Grass and Focus Golf Products — will stay in the Lone Star State to display their goods at the Golf Industry Show in San Antonio. Howard Richman • 110 GIS map • 112 Meet the exhibitors • On the Cover: Paul L. Carter, CGCS, the recipient of GCSAA’s 2015 President’s Award for Environmental Stewardship, was photographed at The Bear Trace at Harrison Bay by Bret Douglas.
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GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT 02.15
INSIGHTS
Turf
32
Fraze (frase, fraize, fraise) mowing Teresa Carson
Shop
34
Off-label uses Scott R. Nesbitt
RESEARCH Disease updates Reports of previously unknown diseases, sightings in areas where diseases have not been seen previously and other news of turfgrass diseases.
128
Advocacy
36 Environment 38
A year to focus on ADA compliance Chava McKeel
A call to consider … Mark Johnson
133
Tech
40
Lookin’ for tech in all the right places Bob Vaughey, CGCS
Cutting Edge
141 Teresa Carson
Low-input turfgrass species for the north-central United States Several species of low-input turfgrasses are suitable for use in the north-central region of the United States. Eric Watkins, Ph.D. David S. Gardner, Ph.D. John C. Stier, Ph.D. Douglas J. Soldat, Ph.D. Rodney A. St. John, Ph.D. Nick E. Christians, Ph.D. Aaron D. Hathaway, M.S. Kenneth L. Diesburg, Ph.D. Steven R. Poppe, A.A.S. Roch E. Gaussoin, Ph.D.
ETCETERA02.15
16 President’s message 18 Inside GCM 20 Front nine 30 Photo quiz 126 Through the green
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140 Verdure 142 Product news 144 Industry news 148 Climbing the ladder
GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT 02.15
148 On course 149 Coming up 150 In the field 151 On the move
152 New members 153 Newly certified 153 In memoriam 160 Final shot
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Golf Course Management Magazine Offcial Publication of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America
GCM 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
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KEITH KEIT A. IHMS, CGCS JOHN JOH J. O’KEEFE, CGCS PETER PET J. GRASS, CGCS PATRICK PAT R. FINLEN, CGCS RAFAEL BARAJAS, CGCS RAF DARREN DAR J. DAVIS, CGCS JOHN JOH R. FULLING JR., CGCS MARK MAR F. JORDAN, CGCS BILL H. MAYNARD, CGCS J. RHETT R EVANS J.D. DOCKSTADER
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SCOTT SCO HOLLISTER sho shollister@gcsaa.org BUNNY BUN SMITH bsmith@gcsaa.org bsm TERESA TER CARSON tcar tcarson@gcsaa.org HOWARD HOW RICHMAN hric hrichman@gcsaa.org ROGER ROG BILLINGS rbillings@gcsaa.org rbill KELLY KEL NEIS kneis@gcsaa.org kne BRETT BRE LEONARD bleo bleonard@gcsaa.org
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ADVERTISING 800-472-7878 Managing Director Marketing and Business Development Sr. Manager, Business Development Lead International Developer Account Development Managers
ANGELA ANG HARTMANN aha ahartmann@gcsaa.org
MATT MAT BROWN mbrown@gcsaa.org mbr JIM CUMMINS jcummins@gcsaa.org jcum ERIC BOEDEKER eboedeker@gcsaa.org ebo BRE BRETT ILIFF biliff@gcsaa.org bilif KARIN KAR CANDRL kca kcandrl@gcsaa.org SHE SHELLY URISH suri 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. ©2015 by GCSAA Communications Inc., all rights reserved.
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(president’s message)
The power of a helping hand Life throws all of us a curveball from time Keith A. Ihms, CGCS to time, an unexpected twist, turn or tragedy keithai79@gmail.com that forces us to slow down and evaluate where we stand on both personal and professional levels. And over the past decade, I have found myself facing these crossroads more times than I care to remember. But as challenging as each of those situations has been, they’ve also ultimately been opportunities. Opportunities for refection, for taking stock of where I have been and where I am going, and for identifying those constants in my life that have helped me sucOur association was cessfully tackle these challenges and emerge from them a better person. founded on a spirit Like most people, I have found my friends of “all for one, and and my family to be rocks that I’ve been able to grab on to during diffcult times. But standone for all,” and that ing right beside them have been other constants that have come into much clearer focus foundation remains as I enter my fnal month of my presidency of GCSAA — my membership in this great frm to this day. organization and my involvement on the national board of directors. When I suffered through the loss of my wife, Nita, in 2013, I was overwhelmed by the comfort and support I received not only from my fellow board members, but also from the general membership of GCSAA. The same held true a year later when I went through a change of jobs. That level of encouragement and reassurance was certainly heart-warming, but I can’t say that it was all that surprising. Our association was founded on a spirit of “all for one, and one for all,” and that foundation remains frm to this day. It’s one of the things that frst attracted me to GCSAA membership, and it’s one of the things I will remember most as my time on the national board of directors draws to a close. There is much that I believe GCSAA has accomplished during my time on the board of directors, despite a host of challenges that faced all of us during those years. Society as a whole has been burdened by economic hardships, and the game of golf has taken its fair share of hits as well. But as an association, I believe we have persevered and even prospered
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GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT 02.15
during these diffcult times. The success of our feld staff program is one that I believe will beneft GCSAA for many years to come, connecting members at the local and regional levels with the national association in Lawrence, Kan. We’ve moved forward with our advocacy efforts, establishing GCSAA as a true voice for the industry with legislators at all levels of government. And we’ve strengthened our relationships with our allied partners in golf, which has given the game a more unifed platform that can help ensure the success of all those involved in this industry. In no way do I view these accomplishments as the work of only one person. Reaching milestones such as these and the many others that we have enjoyed are instead a testament to the commitment of those I have served with on the GCSAA Board of Directors and to the general membership of the association that has supported our overall direction. My fnal message as GCSAA president would not be complete without many thanks to those I’ve been fortunate enough to work with and those who have supported me along the way. Thanks to my friends and family. Thanks to my fellow board members. Thanks to the staff and membership at the Country Club of Little Rock, in particular fellow GCSAA member Brandon Wright. Thanks to everyone at Bella Vista Village, including president/general manager Tommy Bailey; golf maintenance service manager Terry Pullen; and the fve course superintendents with whom I work every day — Greg Jones, Larry Shepard, Scott Seifert, Geoff Smith and Reed Holly. And fnally, thanks to you, the membership of GCSAA, for everything you have given me, given this association and given this business. You have made my time on the board of directors a memorable one, and you make me proud to be a member of GCSAA.
Keith A. Ihms, CGCS, is the golf course maintenance manager at Bella Vista (Ark.) Village and a 34-year member of GCSAA.
HOLE YARDAGE
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The art of tinkering Scott Hollister shollister@gcsaa.org twitter: @GCM_Magazine
Golf course superintendents, you see, are tinkerers. And they tend to work with other tinkerers — equipment managers, irrigation techs and the like.
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GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT 02.15
I was never much of a tinkerer growing up. I didn’t really care how my bike worked, and I never really had the urge to tear the back off of my Walkman to see what was inside. When my frst car wasn’t running right, my instinct wasn’t to dive under the hood to see if I could fgure out what was wrong. My instinct was to call my dad so he could come and fgure out what was wrong. Alas, I suspect that very few of you reading this right now were like I was growing up. After spending more than 15 years in and around the business of golf course management, I feel fairly secure in saying that most of you loved working on your bike, couldn’t wait to bust open that Walkman and spent plenty of Saturday afternoons with your head buried under the hood of a car. Golf course superintendents, you see, are tinkerers. And they tend to work with other tinkerers — equipment managers, irrigation techs and the like. And the more time I’ve spent with all of them, in and around maintenance facilities from coast to coast, the more that love of tinkering has slowly taken root in me. Now don’t get too excited. You probably still don’t want me poking around on the engine of a fairway mower. But, at the very least, my time in this business has helped me develop a healthy dose of curiosity about the iron that flls golf course maintenance facilities, how it’s designed, how it’s built and how it’s maintained. In early January, that curiosity got a good feeding during a media event hosted by Jacobsen at its production facilities in Charlotte, N.C., to introduce us to something that will be introduced to you later this year — the Truckster XD. It’s the company’s take on one of the most iconic brands in golf course management, the Cushman Truckster, and one that marks Jacobsen’s frst foray into the utility vehicle market. Product events for the media such as this one aren’t exactly rarities. Those of us who write about this business for a living get more access and more opportunities to check out the latest and greatest products coming into the marketplace than any of us really deserves. The fact that companies big and small trust us
to serve as conduits between themselves and their customers is humbling, to say the least. What made this opportunity different was the fact that the machines we got to see and test drive weren’t production ready. These were “beta” versions of the Truckster XD, among 14 such vehicles that were built as a part of Jacobsen’s R&D efforts. The vehicles were put through their paces inside the walls of the plant, and they were put through their paces in the feld, with superintendents who shared what they liked and what they didn’t like about this version of the Truckster, the original version from Cushman and competing vehicles in the marketplace. By the time the Truckster XD begins rolling off assembly lines in the second quarter of this year, customers will see plenty of changes and plenty of refnements to the vehicles that we saw last month. The bedrock features of this new vehicle — the most powerful engine and largest payload capacity in its class, a roomier cab with more creature comforts, etc. — aren’t going anywhere, but it’s safe to say that there’s still plenty of tinkering ahead for Jacobsen before you get your own sneak peek at this product at the Golf Industry Show in San Antonio later this month. And that, I think, is a good thing for all of us, proof positive that the urge to tinker, to improve, to get things right runs very deep in this business. It starts with superintendents on the front lines of the business and extends through the companies servicing those professionals, whether they make equipment, plant health products or grass seed. And it’s even made its way to a certain offce in Lawrence, Kan. Now, where did I put that Walkman? Scott Hollister (shollister@gcsaa.org) is GCM’s editor-inchief.
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Superstar entertainer Justin Timberlake is not expected to appear at the Golf Industry Show in San Antonio. His investment, though, certainly will be on stage. Mirimichi Green Express — owned by Timberlake and Chief Executive Offcer Russ Britton — plans to roll out its new environmentally driven products on the trade show foor Feb. 25 in San Antonio at the Golf Industry Show. Timberlake, often referred to as JT, has a passion for golf. He has had golf lessons with the famed Butch Harmon. For fve years, he was the host of the PGA Tour’s Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas. And, until November, his family owned a golf course. Five years after they purchased it, Timberlake and his family sold Mirimichi Golf Course in Memphis, Tenn.
Photo by Antonio Scorza/Shutterstock.com
Star powered
By the NUMBERS Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program
50% Minimally used portions of golf course property that must be maintained as natural habitat to become certifed
6 months Fastest (registration to completion) certifcation in Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses
3,000 Properties (including golf courses) enrolled in Audubon International programs
1987 Year Audubon Society of New York State (which became Audubon International in 1996) was born
80% 4
Landscape plants (excluding turfgrass) that must be indigenous to the native plant community
Minimum number of water-quality tests within one year to establish a baseline for monitoring and managing water bodies
* Source: www.auduboninternational.org
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GOLF COURSE CO OURSE MANAGEMENT 02.15
Ken Mangum, CGCS, with wife, Pam, at his induction for the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame. Photo by Howard Richman
Although he relinquished his ties to the golf course, Timberlake’s $16 million investment in it etched a legacy. It featured an eye on being environmentally sound; within one year of purchasing the facility, which was earmarked for possibly becoming a development, Mirimichi GC became the frst golf course in the United States to receive Golf Environmental Organization (GEO) Certifed status for achieving and continually improving on sustainability requirements. Additionally, it was the frst golf course in the U.S. to receive offcial Audubon Classic Sanctuary certifcation. It is no wonder, then, that Timberlake supports the product line that was spawned from the name of the golf course. “It’s exciting to be involved in an effort, a good cause, trying to promote environmental stewardship,” says Web Cowden, chief operating offcer for Mirimichi Green Express. “Having a fgure like JT behind the company is a big push as well. It’s an exciting time.” Mirimichi Green Express’s line includes granular fertilizers and soil amendments, foliar fertilizers and an organic weed control that are designed for professionals who are committed to sustainable practices. The core components of their granular products are bio-activated carbon, inoculated with high-nutrient organics. “Golf courses are really a prime target of what we’re trying to do. The carbon is really our niche piece,” Cowden says. “The carbon is a very porous structure; it holds water, air and nutrients and makes them available to the plant. It acts as a housing for all the microbial activity that goes on in your soil rhizome area. “Carbon is on the market. We have a higher-quality carbon, a much cleaner carbon, than what is on the market today. It’s something that really has never been commercially available at this quality and this quantity and at a really affordable price.” — Howard Richman, GCM associate editor
Mangum receives hall call Ken Mangum, CGCS, joined an elite group Jan. 17. Mangum, director of golf courses and grounds at Atlanta Athletic Club, was offcially inducted into the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame. What made it extra special is the location. The event, attended by more than 400 people, was held at Atlanta Athletic Club. Mangum had several family and friends there, including past GCSAA presidents Palmer Maples Jr., CGCS Retired; Mark Woodward, CGCS; and Tommy Witt, CGCS. Mangum became one of only three superintendents to receive such an honor. The others: Maples and Mark Esoda, CGCS. In all, they are among 102 members who have been inducted. Mangum was overwhelmed to join a group that includes golfng legend Bobby Jones. “That’s pretty high company to be in. It’s a pretty amazing feeling,” says Mangum, a 40-year GCSAA member, who is retiring May 30, nearly three months after his 62nd birthday. “It is something very, very special.” Some of Mangum’s work has been viewed worldwide. On his watch, Atlanta Athletic Club has been the host for PGA Championships in 2001 and 2011, the 1990 U.S. Women’s Open, 2002 U.S. Junior Amateur and, last year, the U.S. Amateur. Before the PGA Championship four years ago, Mangum acted as a trendsetter by switching grasses, converting to all warm-season turfgrasses on both courses at Atlanta Athletic Club, including Champion ultradwarf bermudagrass greens, Tifton 10 bermudagrass roughs and Diamond zoysiagrass fairways. The hall of fame simply adds to the trove of honors that Mangum has accumulated throughout the years. In 2002, he was selected as the Georgia Superintendent of the Year. In 2013, Mangum received GCSAA’s Col. John Morley Distinguished Service Award. Once upon a time, Mangum dabbled in the restaurant business. His mother-in-law owned three restaurants, so Mangum tried it for six months. That was enough time to realize golf course management was a better option.
Based on all that he has achieved, Mangum made the right decision. “I thought the golf business was tough. Restaurants are open at 6 a.m., seven days a week,” says Mangum, who even worked double shifts occasionally. “I’m glad I did it, though, because it helped me learn about business, people. Golf is full of great people. And I’ve always liked a challenge. There have been a lot of challenges here.” As for the future beyond Atlanta Athletic Club, Mangum is uncertain, but says he prefers to remain in golf in some capacity. — Howard Richman, GCM associate editor
411 4
The
Hughes to step down at NGCOA
it’s a good time for me to pursue a new challenge,” Hughes says. “Although I have no defnite plans at this time, I look forward to leading the NGCOA for 2015 and being part of the golf industry for many more years to come.”
CEO Michael Hughes of the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) is stepping down at the end of 2015, it was announced Jan. 16. Hughes will have completed 25 years of service at that time. The early timing of the announcement allows NGCOA’s board of directors enough time to identify a replacement and facilitate a smooth transition to a new CEO by the end of the year. “I’ve enjoyed working with the NGCOA staff and volunteer leaders immensely over the years,” Hughes says. “I am very proud of what we have accomplished to improve and protect the business of golf course owners and operators all over the world.” Hughes began serving as executive director of the NGCOA in 1990. Under his guidance, NGCOA increased its membership from 250 to more than 6,500 worldwide. “The association is in great shape, and I have decided
WHERE’S GIS?
McPhearson receives Budding Award Roland McPhearson, equipment technician at Azalea City Golf Course in Mobile, Ala., was the 2014 recipient of the Edwin Budding Award from the International Golf Course Equipment Managers Association (IGCEMA). He’ll be honored during the Golf Industry Show in San Antonio. McPhearson is credited with developing the Roller Tamer, a tool that assists in rebuilding cutting unit rollers. His nomination form read: “Although the need to properly rebuild rollers has been a constant, it hasn’t been until now that Roland took the concept through extensive engineering and fnalized a commercial product through his personal effort. This product serves as nothing short of
Locations for every GCSAA conference and show since the frst one in 1927.
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1 22
13 17 19 2
14
9
3 6 4 5
15
24 21 20 26
25 27
28 29
30
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7 31 8
1 – Portland, Ore., 1977 2 – San Francisco, Calif., 1968, 1986, 1995 3 – Los Angeles, Calif., 1949 4 – Long Beach, Calif., 1956 5 – San Diego, Calif., 1963, 2004, 2010, 2013 6 – Anaheim, Calif., 1974, 1981, 1989,1993, 1998, 2007 7 – Las Vegas, Nev., 1984, 1991, 1997, 2012 8 – Phoenix, Ariz., 1987 9 – Denver, Colo., 1971 10 – San Antonio, Texas, 1978, 2015 11 – Dallas, Texas, 1994, 2001
24
11 10 12 – Houston, Texas, 1960, 1970, 1988 13 – Minneapolis, Minn., 1976 14 – Kansas City, Mo., 1939, 1966 15 – St. Louis, Mo., 1955, 1980 16 – New Orleans, La., 1975, 1982, 1992, 2000, 2009 17 – Chicago, Ill., 1927, 1933, 1942, 1951, 1959 18 – Louisville, Ky., 1930, 1957
GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT 02.15
16 12
19 – Cincinnati, Ohio, 1938, 1972 20 – Columbus, Ohio, 1931, 1952 21 – Cleveland, Ohio, 1936, 1946, 1965 22 – Detroit, Mich., 1928, 1941, 1948 23 – Toronto, Ont., Canada, 1935, 1961
32 33 34
24 – Buffalo, N.Y., 1929 25 – New York, N.Y., 1932, 32 – Orlando, Fla., 1990, 1940, 1947 1996, 1999, 2002, 26 – Pittsburgh, Pa., 1934 2005, 2008, 2011, 2014 27 – Philadelphia, Pa., 1964 33 – Miami Beach, Fla, 1962, 28 – Washington, D.C., 1937, 1969 1958, 1967 34 – Miami, Fla., 1954 29 – Boston, Mass., 1950, 1973 30 – Atlantic City, N.J., 1953 31 – Atlanta, Ga., 1979, 1983, 2003, 2006 Source: GCSAA
a third hand and proves invaluable to the roller rebuilding procedure.” IGCEMA CEO Stephen Tucker said: “Roland embodies what our profession is all about. While Roland took his idea to production, he has done what many in our profession do every day, and that is try to improve things with what we are given.”
Florida chapter honored The Florida Golf Course Superintendents Association (FGCSA) earned the 2015 Excellence in Government Relations Award from GCSAA for its statewide collaboration with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to establish best management practices for golf courses. This honor lauded the completion and long-term use of the publication titled “Best Management Practices for Enhancement of Environmental Quality on Florida Golf Courses,” which was frst published in 2007 and has been adopted by nearly 300 of the state’s more than 1,000 golf courses. GCSAA annually recognizes a chapter or superintendent for outstanding advocacy or compliance efforts in government relations. The chapter will formally be recognized Feb. 25 at the Opening Session of the Golf Industry Show in San Antonio. “What we have done can be a good foundation for a lot of other associations,” says Bill Davidson, CGCS, president of the FGCSA. The goal was to agree on attainable management practices to keep golf a proftable business in Florida while protecting state water and natural resources, according to the Clean Water Act and other state and local ordinances. The result is a valuable document that has become an aid for all state regulatory agencies, including Florida DEP, the Florida Department of Agriculture and the Florida Department of Community Affairs.
Dillon receives lifetime achievement award Paul R. Dillon has been honored with the John Reid Lifetime Achievement Award. Dillon, former Metropolitan Golf Association president and coach at Fordham University for two decades, received the honor Jan. 14. The award is presented annually to an individual who, through a continuing lifetime commitment, promotes the science and art of golf course management and the professional image of the golf course superintendent. Dillon has devoted countless hours of service to golf, including The First Tee of Metropolitan New York and the development and expansion of junior golf programs.
Five superintendents win trip to Golf Industry Show The Bayer Superintendent Grant Program, GCSAA and the Environmental Institute for Golf, and the Environmental Science Division of Bayer CropScience are sending fve
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GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT 02.15
One in a million Scott Sundeen recently learned it pays to watch GCSAA TV. Sundeen, superintendent at Copper Creek Golf Club in Frisco, Colo., and 17-year member of GCSAA, was the 1 millionth viewer at GCSAA TV. The honor comes with a prize. Copper Creek is getting a Workman HDX, courtesy of The Toro Co. superintendents to the Golf Industry Show this month in San Antonio. They are: Grover L. Alexander, Class A superintendent, Hudson Hills Golf Course, Ossining, N.Y.; Todd Canyock, superintendent, Foothills Golf Course, Denver; Curt Morgan, Class A superintendent, McMenamins Pub Course, Troutdale, Ore.; J. Kevin Rotti, superintendent, Eagle Dunes Golf Club, Sorrento, Fla.; and James D. Stanger, Class A superintendent, Heritage Links Golf Club, Lakeville, Minn. All fve of them receive airfare, hotel accommodations for fve nights, conference full-pack registration, two education seminars and $200 spending money. The purpose of the grant is to assist superintendents with their professional development through participation in the annual event. The winners were chosen in a random drawing.
Bayer CropScience attains Gold Partner status Bayer CropScience increased its support of the GCSAA and has reached Gold Partner status. As part of its increased commitment, Bayer will continue to fund GCSAA education programs, webinars, scholarships, leadership opportunities and publications dedicated to golf industry professionals — a minimum investment of $300,000. “GCSAA is delighted with Bayer’s partnership and continued dedication to the golf industry,” GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans says. “Without the support of Bayer and our industry partners, critical education programs and industry events would not be possible.” At this month’s Golf Industry Show in San Antonio, Bayer is serving as the GCSAA Golf Championships breakfast sponsor. “Bayer is thrilled to further strengthen its industry partnership with the GCSAA,” says David Wells, Bayer’s golf business manager. “We strive to provide the highest-caliber professional development opportunities to help golf course superintendents, distributors and other turf professionals continue to succeed in their roles.”
Miller receives full-time job at LPGA In a way, John Miller is going home again. Miller is leaving his position as feld staff-regional representative for GCSAA to become the full-time agronomist for the LPGA. Miller, who served the Great Lakes Region for GCSAA, originally came to GCSAA in 2007 as the LPGA agronomist, a position that was funded by GCSAA. In 2011, the contract was not renewed and Miller became a feld staff representative. “I have really enjoyed my time with GCSAA. It has been great watching the feld staff program grow and develop,” says Miller, who begins his new job this month. “One of the great rewards of the feld staff position is getting to work closely with the chapters and the members. I really think we have been able to help members better appreciate GCSAA and what their membership provides them.” Miller oversaw a region with one of the largest populations, supporting over 20 chapters. Recently, Miller received an environmental stewardship award presented by the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation. “Because of the work the feld staffers are doing, our members see that there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes, especially in government relations, that they were not and many are still not aware of, and how important GCSAA is to the success of the facility and the golf course superintendent,” Miller says.
Com
Boo e see u in S th 2 s in 3 an Ant 024 on io!
Tweets
RETWEETS Scott Griffth@UGAGCAgronomy @turf_hewitt@samuelawelch @ KenMangum Who has the most severe slopes on Bermudagrass greens in the Atlanta market? Chase Best, OCGC@chaserhb Well it’s 2015 and still no Hover Board.
PAGCS@PAGCS_Assoc For your viewing pleasure: The PAGCS proudly presents “Profession That Makes Golf Playable.”... http:// fb.me/7ap8onMVH Joe Hollis@Turf_Joe32 Mowed greens speed of 11.5, just shy of .2” of rain, CPO today, cleaning debris, laying straw, weed control, moving stuff to new bldg. Bear Trace @ HB@BearTraceHB Proud to have received our 2014 Groundwater Guardian designation from@groundwaterfdn. Nice start to 2015. pic.twitter.com/mBI9NezfyD Ian Kinley@IanKinley Started 2015 as we mean to go on!! Another topdressing with@Hughkingsand washed dune sand#30Tonnemonthlytarget pic.twitter. com/zQtBjEZ0Hx
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California course tackles water issue
Inverness to host U.S. Junior Amateur
North Ranch Country Club superintendent Ryan Bentley gets the water issue in his state. He is doing whatever it takes for others to come aboard with him. Bentley, an 11-year GCSAA member at the club located 30 miles north of Los Angeles, pushed for the decision to remove more than 35 acres of turf that would save the club $500,000 annually within fve years (after counting initial costs and rebate). The Metropolitan Water District (MDW) of Southern California doubled its incentive program for turf removal to $2 per square foot. Bentley loved the opportunity. “I’d like to think that North Ranch is on the front end of this. It’s one of the largest projects of its kind in the state. But it’s also about being the leader in our community,” Bentley says. Southern California has experienced less-than-average rainfall in each of the past three years. Currently, the U.S. Drought Monitor classifes 80 percent of the state to be in extreme drought and 55 percent of it is in exceptional drought. The state has mandated a water reduction of at least 20 percent for everyone by the year 2020. Others in the state are acting like North Ranch. Requests for turf removal rebates since 2014 have nearly doubled. The rebate program calls for California-friendly plants and drought-tolerant landscaping to fll in where turf has been removed.
Historic Inverness Club has been the site for many national championships. In 2019, however, the club will encounter a frst. The U.S. Junior Amateur championship is scheduled that year at Inverness, located in Toledo, Ohio, where Steve Anderson, CGCS, a 20-year GCSAA member, is superintendent. Inverness has been the host for seven USGA championships, but never a U.S. Amateur. It has been the site of four U.S. Opens and two PGA Championships.
Bevacqua named World Golf Foundation chairman Pete Bevacqua, chief executive offcer of the PGA of America, was named chairman of the World Golf Foundation (WGF) Board of Directors for 2015. “Since joining the PGA of America over two years ago, I’ve enjoyed working closely with leaders of the game’s most infuential organizations to create a more collaborative industry,” Bevacqua says. WGF is a nonproft organization that develops and supports initiatives that positively impact lives through the game of golf and its traditional values. The foundation was founded in 1993 and is supported by major infuential golf organizations.
In the
NEWS Ohio course may be nearing fnal days
Virginia residents rally to save course
River Cliff Golf Course in Fremont, Ohio, could change hands. If that happens, golf will vanish from the premises. The city has reached an agreement to purchase the course and turn it into a nature area, according to The News-Messenger, but the deal may not happen unless the city receives a grant to help pay for it. www.thenews-messenger.com/story/ news/local/2015/01/09/fremont-aims-turn-golfcourse-nature-walk/21517625/
More than 300 residents rallied in January to seek the preservation of Reston, Va., National Golf Course, according to RestonNow. They are fghting the possibility of the golf course disappearing in place of residential development. www.restonnow. com/2015/01/12/residents-rally-to-save-restonnational-golf-course/
Coachella Valley region making its case Water conservation is a hot topic in California. Coachella Valley, located in Southern California, is no different. According to The Desert Sun, golf courses can apply for turf reduction rebates that can reap as much as six fgures for the facility. www.desertsun. com/story/news/2015/01/04/cvwd-golf-turfrebates-offered/21256155/
Neighbors have concerns over potential changes at San Jose course Operators of Boulder Ridge Golf Course in San Jose, Calif., are considering the addition of a swimming pool and ftness center, much to the chagrin of some of those who live near the course, the San Jose Mercury News reports. Neighbors are concerned the additions will infringe on the environment surrounding the course. www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ ci_27300224/still-teed-off-residents-upset-overlatest-plan
By John Mascaro President of Turf-Tec International
(photo quiz)
Turfgrass area: Putting green
Location: Wilmington, Del.
Grass variety: Poa/bentgrass blend
(a) PROBLEM
Depression on green and collar
Turfgrass area: Area between teeing grounds
Location: Charlotte, N.C.
Grass variety: 419 (Tifway) bermudagrass
(b) PROBLEM Presented in partnership with Jacobsen
Yellow area on turf Answers on page 154
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Teresa Carson tcarson@gcsaa.org twitter: @GCM_Magazine
(turf)
Fraze (frase, fraize, fraise) mowing No matter how you spell it, fraze mowing is a new way of looking at removing thatch and organic matter and/or preparing a playing feld for overseeding. Fraise mowing, as it was originally called, was developed in Holland in 1996 by Ko Rodenburg, a sports feld manager. To improve management of Kentucky bluegrass/perennial ryegrass felds, Rodenburg invented a machine, which became known as the KORO Field Topmaker. Depending on the operator’s settings, the Topmaker can remove as much as 2 inches of soil and thatch and most, if not all, of the perennial ryegrass while leaving behind most of the crowns, roots and rhizomes of the Kentucky bluegrass. The plant material that remains in the feld promotes regrowth of the grass. Information from the manufacturer of the KORO Field Topmaker claims that fraze mowing will remove thatch, black layer and weed seed, including Poa annua. Turf managers who decide to pursue fraze mowing need to be prepared — the treatment is aggressive, and vast amounts of material are removed from the playing surface. The initial appearance of the treated feld can be quite shocking, and grow-in times will vary depending on the type of grass and the weather conditions. The technique has only recently arrived in the United States, where it has been used on bermudagrass. Turf managers at FC Dal-
Presented in Partnership with Barenbrug
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Fraze mowing has been practiced in Europe since the late 1990s, but has only recently been attempted in the U.S. The process removes large quantities of thatch, organic material, turfgrass and soil, as seen in the truck on the right. Photo by Joel Riecker
las (Texas) Park fraze mowed a Tifway bermudagrass practice feld, and three patriot bermudagrass felds were fraze mowed at Maryland SoccerPlex Grounds at the Maryland Soccer Foundation, Boyds, Md. Some universities have also used the practice to renovate their athletic felds. At Purdue University, the Patriot/Riviera bermudagrass varsity soccer feld was renovated using fraze mowing with a KORO Universe Field Topmaker. Researchers at Ohio State University have explored the method, and the Ohio Turf Foundation’s 2014 feld day included a session on using fraze mowing to improve athletic felds. Fraze mowing is also being investigated at the University of Missouri-Columbia, the University of Kentucky and Mississippi State University. Iowa State University renovated its football practice feld in spring 2014, with assistance from Iowa Cubs Sports Turf Management. Iowa Cubs used a GKB Combinator, which, like the KORO Field Topmaker can be used for fraze mowing. Iowa State turfgrass professor Nick Christians, says, “I was amazed at how fast the operation was. I was very impressed by the speed.” Christians says the machine produced a very uniform surface, but he also points out that the process generates large volumes of debris that must be hauled away. Kevin Hansen, a graduate student at Iowa State and a full-time employee of the university’s athletic department, used the renovation as an opportunity to evaluate turf establishment methods when fraze mowing has been used. Hansen had six treatments: a control and fve fraze-mowed plots that were seeded at 5 or 10 pounds of Kentucky bluegrass
(50 percent Rush, 25 percent Nudestiny and 25 percent Award)/1,000 square feet with or without a turf cover. The treatments were replicated three times. Percent cover of Kentucky bluegrass was monitored for three months, by which time nearly all of the plots had 100 percent cover. As Hansen expected, the covered plots grew back much faster than the uncovered plots and the plots with a cover and the higher seeding rate flled in the fastest. Despite the initial advantage provided by the cover and the higher seeding rate, by the end of the experiment most of the uncovered plots had caught up with the covered plots and even the control had grown back. At this time, fraze mowing is extremely rare in golf course management, if it can be said to exist at all. In its May 2014 issue, Greenkeeper International reported that Blumisberg Golf Can Country Club, Fribourg, Switzerland, is using fraze mowing to renovate all its fairways, a section at a time, without closing any holes. The 10-year project was started in 2012. A report of a fraze mowing demonstration on a Celebration bermudagrass fairway on a golf course in North Carolina was published in the August 2013 issue of SportsTurf magazine. Some turfgrass researchers in the U.S. have expressed interest in studying its use for golf course maintenance, and undoubtedly the results of those research projects will be published in these pages in the coming years.
Teresa Carson is GCM’s science editor.
(shop) Scott R. Nesbitt ORPguy@windstream.net
Off-label uses In medicine, a drug developed for one thing sometimes turns out to work for something else. Here are a pair of off-label uses that can work to solve some problems that every golf course service department encounters. Taping glue cans Unless you’ve got a Godzilla grip, you need
Above: Tape designed for pipe joints does a fne job keeping air out and extending the shelf life of plastic pipe cements. Photos by Scott Nesbitt Right: Just add water and some forms, and the little tiller made quick and easy work of creating a stair landing that has inset fagstones for a decorative touch.
pliers to open a can of pipe cement. Once the can is open, the liquid inside thickens into a useless gummy paste after a few weeks. Try wrapping the threads on the can with Tefon tape. Four or fve winds around the threads forms a good seal that keeps the air out, extending the useful life of the product. This works best if you wrap and then screw the cap back on before you start using the product. That makes it easier to wipe dribbles off the threads, improving the seal. Having tried both the white and yellow Tefon tapes, I fnd the yellow works better. It’s thicker and is designed for use on gas pipes. It seems to better resist the fumes that naturally come off the adhesive, and it takes fewer wraps to get a good seal. The tape works on all the cleaners and primers in my stock. It also works pretty well for other screw-cap containers used for volatile stuff like paint thinner.
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Mini-mixer for small concrete jobs To meet building codes for a new deck, I needed a 4- by 4-foot by 4-inch concrete landing. The job was too small for a ready-mix truck, but a mighty load for my creaking joints — nine 80-pound bags of concrete mix (720 pounds) plus 72 pounds of water (nine 8-pound 1-gallon jugs). I’m too old to mix 792 pounds of mix in a container and pour it into the forms. By the time the last bag went in, the frst would be dry. My little Mantis rotary tiller dug out the heavy dry clay for the landing hole and did a great job. What the heck — give it a try. I prepared the entire hole by coating it with a ½-inch layer of dry mix, then installed the 2-by-4 forms on top of that. After wetting it all down with a sprinkler, I let it sit overnight. The idea was to prevent soil from mixing into the concrete — and it worked. I used fber-reinforced concrete mix, so I wasn’t messing with wire or rebar. I began flling the hole by dumping two bags into the center, starting up the tiller using medium speed and slowly adding water to get a rather dry mix — all particles wetted with a nice high slump, not a bit soupy. Using a hoe, I pulled the material to the corners and sides, and kept adding mix and water to fll the form. I made a few fnal passes at low speed, in two directions, to get it all mixed together, then tamped down with a 5-foot-long 4-by-4 to knock out air pockets and compact the damp concrete. While waiting for the concrete liquids to rise to the surface, I hosed the residue off the Mantis, and tried it in some nearby dirt to make sure it worked. No problem. I used the 4-by-4 as a screed, and then improved the surface texture by brushing it with an old, soft broom. After six months, the landing is solid and crack-free and the tiller has showed no signs of harm while digging trenches to install underground drain lines and doing the garden work it was designed to do. I’m also glad to report that my back, legs and arms never suffered, and the building inspector was happy.
Scott R. Nesbitt is a freelance writer and former GCSAA staff member. He lives in Cleveland, Ga.
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Chava McKeel cmckeel@gcsaa.org twitter: @GCSAA
(advocacy)
A year to focus on ADA compliance In the fall of 2014, the members of GCSAA’s Government Relations Committee crafted the 2015 Priority Issues Agenda. The GCSAA Board of Directors approved the agenda as recommended at the winter board meeting in December. Again, the committee and board agreed the Americans with Disabilities Act should remain a priority focus for GCSAA and its members. The priority issue position states: As golf course management professionals, the members of GCSAA will continue to work to make golf accessible to all persons by promoting policies and practices that consider the needs and safety of all golfers, promote the growth and vitality of the game and maintain the agronomic integrity of the golf course. GCSAA members call the government relations department regularly to inquire about ADA compliance. Superintendents want to know how to comply with this important civil rights law: Can I ask a golfer who requests accommodation under the ADA if he/she has a disability that is covered by the ADA? Do I have to redo all my tees? Do I have to put in a paved continuous path around the golf course perimeter? If the course is closed to all but walkers, but an individual with a disability is seeking a modifcation, do I have to offer it in all cases? Am I required to allow single-rider golf cars on the greens at any time? Government relations staff provides oneon-one counseling regarding ADA compliance. GCSAA is also a founding member of the National Alliance for Accessible Golf. The alliance’s mission is to increase participation of people with disabilities in the game of golf.
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Photo © Mitch Gunn / Shutterstock.com
Since its inception in the summer of 2001, GCSAA has served on the alliance’s board of directors. The alliance includes representation from all of golf’s allied associations. It moved its headquarters to the World Golf Village last summer, and now Steve Jubb of the PGA has taken over as executive director. The alliance is focused on awareness, training, education and technical resources for golfers and golf facilities, and funding. It creates and promotes awareness about the benefts of accessible golf through online publications and social media marketing and is engaged in speaking opportunities at conferences and public events. The alliance also founded GAIN (Golf: Accessible and Inclusive Networks), a community-based instruction program primarily focused on assisting individuals with disabilities to become involved in the fabric of their community. The alliance provides technical assistance and training to golf facilities. In 2012, the alliance published an updated “Toolkit for Golf Course Owners and Operators” to provide guidance to golf course owners and operators seeking ways to make their golf courses more accessible to golfers with disabilities. This toolkit is available at Government Relations Online under the Community tab at www. gcsaa.org. Finally, with a grant from the USGA, the alliance administers the grant application process for organizations providing golf programs for individuals with disabilities. GAIN is a fexible approach that allows agencies and organizations within a community to implement a golf program as a new stand-alone program or to incorporate a program into existing community golf instructional programs. According to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau survey, there are approximately 57 mil-
lion Americans with some form of disability. This includes 19 percent of the total U.S. population. Almost one in fve residents has a disability. Your golf facility may interact with an individual with a disability in the future. You may also fnd new revenue opportunities by welcoming this population to your course. In both cases, it is important you know how to comply with the ADA. Accordingly, GCSAA is hosting the government relations program, “Myth Busting the Americans with Disabilities Act,” at the Golf Industry Show in San Antonio at the end of the month. The program is from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 24. Learn what your facility needs to do to stay compliant and what you do not need to do. Learn how to save money. Learn how to keep your facility out of legal trouble. Arm yourself with information to take back to your course management and get your ADA questions answered. Leading golf course architect Jan Bel Jan of Jan Bel Jan Golf Course Design will moderate the session. Other panelists include Peggy Greenwell, training coordinator for the U.S. Access Board in the District of Columbia; Dana Dempsey, director of the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children; Roy McCoy, president of the Southwest Amputee Golf Association; and 2015 Leo Feser Award winner Robert A. Samuelson, CGCS, the superintendent at Wildhawk Golf Club in Carmichael, Calif. Government relations staff is available to help your facility become ADA compliant. Make this priority for GCSAA a focus for your golf facility in 2015.
Chava McKeel is GCSAA’s associate director, government relations.
Mark Johnson mjohnson@gcsaa.org
(environment)
A call to consider … January and February bring us many good things, and one outstanding thing for sure: The Super Bowl brings us our football champions. We — the golf course management industry and superintendent profession — also celebrate our “champions” annually through our awards recognized at the Golf Industry Show and in this issue of GCM. We humans love to recognize success in sports, work and life. Our champions and awards demonstrate what can be accomplished by humans and teamwork. It’s all about passion, enthusiasm, leadership and more. That’s all great, but do champions and awards actually serve a much higher purpose? Religious opinions aside, consider the words of Dr. Albert Schweitzer, Nobel Prize winner and theologian: “Example is not the main thing in infuencing others; it is the only thing.” Schweitzer was and is an example for many because his actions so passionately demonstrated sacrifce and service to others. All the award winners, past and present, that our own industry recognizes and celebrates are like Schweitzer — examples that we use to portray our ongoing efforts and to infuence outsiders. After all, how could we demonstrate our commitment to the environment, research and professional land management without solid evidence that we do, indeed, do what we say we do. These men and women who are our champions — our examples — help to provide that evidence. We can read articles in GCM and other publications to learn how superintendents incorporate water management, energy conservation, integrated pest management and other key practices into their course operations. Their leadership extends into outreach, communications and education. But it doesn’t stop there for the industry or our needs.
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GCSAA’s Golf Course Environmental Profle series of surveys provides data that tell us nearly all superintendents, and not just the “champions,” implement best management practices to help provide quality turf playing surfaces and to protect the environment. For every award winner, there are many other unsung heroes who do this job and don’t receive awards. Their work also serves as examples, which can be measured by the profle surveys. But we need more of these specifc stories through venues like the awards as well as the data supporting superintendents’ efforts to demonstrate to the media, regulators, legislators, activist groups and others that we are what we say we are: environmental stewards and professional land managers. “We are able to show that the golf course industry has best management practices that are developed and supported by university research, and that’s very important. What’s equally signifcant is that we can provide success stories from our awardees and actually demonstrate our professional land management practices involving the use of inputs and natural resources to regulators and legislators,” says Chava McKeel, GCSAA’s associate director of government relations. These success stories help answer the question regarding actual use and effectiveness of best management practices within the golf course industry. “Their efforts are supplemented by all the men and women in golf who step forward and promote the industry efforts in light of pending regulations as well,” McKeel adds. “We need more superintendents documenting their efforts, applying for awards, and telling their stories to help ensure the future of the industry.” Paul L. Carter, CGCS at The Bear Trace
at Harrison Bay in Tennessee and recipient of the 2015 President’s Award for Environmental Stewardship, says, “We pursue environmental certifcations and awards to help get the word out about our environmental projects and programs and to help give our work more credibility. The ‘free’ publicity and promotion that comes with the award and news articles is not bad, either.” Recognition is defnitely not about an individual ego; it’s about promoting the game, the course and the profession because you can’t assume everyone knows what’s behind the golf course landscape. Superintendents invest time and effort for players to enjoy the game and have their own defnitions of what is successful. Carter refects, “I would have never dreamt in 2008 when we put up our frst bluebird nesting house on the course that we would have the recognition all around the world that we do now. Changing our operational mentality from ‘all green’ to ‘all natural’ has allowed The Bear Trace at Harrison Bay to stand out and be recognized with some of the best-known courses in the nation.” Carter continues, “I would strongly encourage each superintendent to become more environmentally active and to actively pursue local, regional and national recognition for their work through certifcations and awards such as the GCSAA Environmental Leaders in Golf Awards. If you let the world know all the good things your golf course is doing, then the world will know about your golf course.” Every day superintendents work — they “serve” — to provide the quality turfgrass playing surfaces millions of golfers depend on. In turn, the courses provide signifcant social, economical and environmental benefts within their communities. Additionally, we know that investing time in outreach, communications and completing award applications or nominations will help provide these very important examples to infuence those within and outside our industry. In closing, consider one last quote from Schweitzer: “I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: The ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.”
Mark Johnson is GCSAA’s associate director, environmental programs.
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Bob Vaughey, CGCS bobbyslo@me.com Twitter: @rollinghillsgcm
(technology)
Lookin’ for tech in all the right places Superintendents go to the Golf Industry Show looking for what’s new this year or what will be new later on. The trade show allows superintendents the opportunity to make purchasing decisions, plan for the future, better run their courses and get a glimpse of what different companies are looking at down the road. One area of rapid advance is the addition of technology to equipment. For example, there are golf cars that have GPS that can trace where each car has been that day and its current location. A multitude of options are available in terms of the data that can be collected from each car. Golf cars can also be programmed to restrict them to certain areas of the golf course. I haven’t seen this at show, but I’m looking for it. A few trends have been obvious over the past few years. For one, more and more machines are powered by batteries. Batteries are quieter and don’t use fossil fuels, which make them a boon both to superintendents trying to comply with noise ordinances and also to those who are reducing their dependence on non-renewable resources. Irrigation systems are also becoming more effcient, reducing the need for feld satellites, and offering more-adjustable sprinkler heads and better information about the system and where the water is going. Spray rigs are being loaded with GPS devices, individual nozzle control and mapping. One promising innovation (and so far, it has only been promised) is a tow-behind unit
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Photo by Jimmy Thomas
that will provide the superintendent with a map of the golf course and its moisture levels, salt levels and stress levels. This information could be used in many ways to better manage golf courses and apply products and water more effciently. Most superintendents currently use sensors on greens, but the information received is limited to a specifc spot on a green. To have course-wide data would be a leap forward in a superintendent’s ability to monitor a golf course. Maybe this will be the year it debuts at GIS. The golf course industry is changing to be more economical, more targeted, more effcient and more environmentally friendly. The products of the future will be geared toward reducing inputs for a better environment and supplying more information for better decision making. At the trade show foor in San Antonio this year, superintendents should look at items that may be coming to the workplace in the next fve — or even 20 — years. Perhaps an investment in a moisture meter could save thousands of dollars in water, or a GPS-guided spray rig could reduce pesticide use and save money over the long (or short) term.
One bit of advice for superintendents at GIS: Company reps want to talk to superintendents — and not just to sell them something. GIS offers superintendents an opportunity to tell the companies what they need, what their dream mower would look like, and all the features that are sorely lacking from the latest and greatest irrigation system. The company representatives generally enjoy the conversations — it gives them useful information to pass along to the folks who develop new products (or revamp old ones), and they get a break from giving a sales pitch. The more people speak up about the products they need, the products they want to see on the show foor, the faster those products should become available. Companies are defnitely trying to sell their products, but they are also hoping for information about what superintendents would like to see at the show and on their courses.
Bob Vaughey, CGCS, is the director of agronomy at Rolling Hills Country Club in Palos Verdes, Calif., and an 11-year GCSAA member.
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& still growing There’s a good reason Penncross has been the number one selling bentgrass in the world for the last 60 years. Its durability, predictability and versatility have defined the modern golf experience and paved the way for countless varieties. Revolutionary then. A classic today.
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Flying
HIGH Paul L. Carter, CGCS, took on a major challenge at The Bear Trace at Harrison Bay. Now, like the famed American bald eagles on the property, the career of GCSAA’s 2015 President’s Award recipient is ascending to new heights. Howard Richman
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02.15 GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT
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Top: Eloise soars above The Bear Trace at Harrison Bay. Photo by Bret Douglas Above: Assistant superintendent Mitch Sivley (left) and Willie Hamby install one of many bluebird nesting houses on the golf course. Photo by Paul Carter Opposite page: American Eagle Foundation President Al Cecere (left) holds a rehabilitated eaglet (HB5) before it is released back into the wild. Carter and his daughter, Hannah, look on. Photo by Bret Douglas
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Back in the day, people would approach Paul L. Carter, CGCS, for answers. He had go-to-guy written all over him. Still does, too. Surely you have heard about Carter by now. His name is mentioned. Often. You want a rising star in the industry? Carter certainly is shining bright, on top of his game at a model for environmentally sound facilities that is an Audubon International-certifed showcase for wildlife galore. And have you seen his Eagle Cam on the Web? Cool stuff. In 2013, Golf Digest presented him and The Bear Trace at Harrison Bay, a public course on the outskirts of Chattanooga, Tenn., with its Green Star Award for outstanding environmental practices. Carter and The Bear Trace also earned the GCSAA/Golf Digest’s National Public and Overall Environmental Leaders in Golf Award. Now, this: Carter is being honored with the 2015 President’s Award for Environmental Stewardship from the GCSAA Board of Directors. “This is the highest member honor. To recognize us — that we even deserve to be nominated — is special,” says Carter, a 22-year GCSAA member. “We want to be relevant in our industry, in our community.” All this hoopla is no stunner to The Bear Trace staffer Bill Greene. “Best boss I ever worked for,” Greene says. “If you’re in a ditch, he’s in there with you. Total team concept with our crew.” It also is no shocker to Ron Whitten, architecture editor for Golf Digest. If there is a modern-day superintendent, he says Carter fts the profle. “He is well-versed in negotiating, educating others and educating himself,” Whitten says. “He has been able to convince his bosses, governmental entities, to change. He’s not just about growing grass — he is about growing a total environment. That is being cutting edge.” Now, go back and read the frst four words in this story. Back. In. The. Day. As in the late 1990s, when Carter landed his frst superintendent job at The Medalist at Avalon in Lenoir City, Tenn. Ultimately, he parted ways with that facility after a brief stay. Suddenly, at a career crossroads, Carter contemplated his next move. There was no guarantee — which, based on his overachiever status nowadays, seems incomprehensible — that he would be a superintendent again. “I thought, ‘Will I ever get another chance?’ Nothing is guaranteed,” Carter, 45, says. Carter spent the interim doing whatever it took to provide for his family. So, back in the day, he accepted a job to make ends meet. If you saw Carter at that point in his life, he may have been easy to spot. He was employed at Lowe’s Home Improvement in Alcoa, Tenn., team outft and all. Back
in the day, he tried to have all the answers to customers’ questions about everything from air purifers to padlocks. “If you’ve got that red apron on, the customers think you know everything,” Carter says. “I worked outside in home and garden, but if I was inside, I’d answer questions in just about any department. “It was a paycheck.” Back in the day, Carter realizes he may not have been ready to be a superintendent, anyway. “I thought I worked hard at Avalon,” he says, “but, looking back, I didn’t give it my full ability.” A second chance arrived and Carter grasped it. Obviously, he hasn’t let it go. Those who know him well realize Carter has a frm handle on what he does. “He always uses the word ‘us.’ As a crew, we know we couldn’t do it without him,” says assistant superintendent Mitchell Sivley. “He’s been the backbone of the operation.” This time in his life, obviously, proves Carter has left those back-in-the-day days behind. “I could have packed it in and gone to work in a factory,” Carter says. “I would have been miserable. Everyone around me would have been miserable. My upbringing provided me with the mentality to stick with it and never give up.” From coal country to Tennessee It is 5-something in the morning and activity at The Bear Trace for Carter begins at the soda tap inside the clubhouse. He partly flls a cup with Cherry Pepsi, just enough to fuel his purpose in life. Back in the day, Carter downed as many as six Pepsis daily until a co-worker suggested it might not exactly be a healthy ritual. Carter agreed, noting that it
“He always uses the word ‘us.’ As a crew, we know we couldn’t do it without him. He’s been the backbone of the operation.” — Mitchell Sivley
02.15 GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT
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Top: The No. 6 green at The Bear Trace at Harrison Bay. Photos courtesy of Paul Carter Above: A native plant display garden along the No. 1 tee area.
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was a “wakeup call.” When The Bear Trace came calling in 2001 to offer him another shot as a superintendent, Carter listened. It took some convincing, however. At the time, Carter’s industry comeback had led him to a landscape position at Council Fire Golf Club in Chattanooga, where he worked for GCSAA Class A superintendent Gary Weller. Before he accepted The Bear Trace job, Carter and Weller went to play The Bear Trace. It was quite an eye-opener. “Their greens were a big issue. I said, ‘You sure you want to tackle this, Paul?’ They had some rain and the cups were full of water,” says Weller, a 27-year member of GCSAA. Actually, this opportunity was right in Carter’s wheelhouse. He was hungry to prove himself at a course where he could put his fngerprints on it and transform The Bear Trace into something special. If this really was a roll-up-your-sleeves moment, Carter possessed the background for it. He was raised in coal mining country: Wise, Va. He is one of two sons of David Carter, an independent contractor welder, and Betty Carter, an English teacher. “Our town typifed Appalachia,” Carter says. “Good people who work hard. It’s a place you leave your doors unlocked, and Dad would know what you did before you got home.” At one point after high school, Carter thought he would become a tax attorney. That was, at least, until junior college economics
classes diverted his path. “I didn’t even know what a checkbook was,” Carter says with a laugh. Eventually, Carter checked into Auburn University, studied under the guidance of people such as Extension specialist Coleman Ward and interned for Lee McLemore, CGCS, director of golf course operations at Country Club of Birmingham (Ala.), and discovered his niche. In fact, Carter led the transition at the club from paper to digital records. His techsavvy ways scored big points. “He was very sharp, intuitive,” McLemore, a 29-year GCSAA member, says. “The wheels were always turning. He helped us bridge taking that next step. Along the way he taught some old dogs like myself a few things.” So what may have seemed like a risk by accepting that job at The Bear Trace did not prevent Carter from taking a crack at it. Although he never likes to fll that cup full, Carter entered this task viewing it as a “glass nearly full” proposition. “The rough at Harrison Bay was bluegrass fescue 6 inches tall. It was beautiful, but you couldn’t fnd your ball,” says Carter, whose frst job out of college was as an assistant at Valley Hill Country Club in Huntsville, Ala. “The fairways were (Tifway) 419 right up to the edge of the greens. It looked horrible. Some of the bunkers were white-capped, didn’t drain at all. I knew I had my work cut out for me. But I had wanted to get back in the business and I really could see the potential.”
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Wild turkeys and the staff-built gravity feeders they use on No. 17 at The Bear Trace at Harrison Bay.
“I knew I had my work cut out for me. But I had wanted to get back in the business and I really could see the potential.” — Carter
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A decade, and beyond, of excellence This is the 10-year anniversary of when it all changed for Carter at The Bear Trace. Well, that is partly true. The golf course, which was nothing but wooded area until it was designed by legend Jack Nicklaus and opened to the public in 1999, changed ownership in 2005. Redstone Golf Management was out; the state of Tennessee’s Department of Environment and Conservation gained control of the property. Quickly, the mindset switched from wallto-wall green to accentuating wildlife and the environment. The revival of The Bear Trace, though, arguably began two years earlier. In 2003, the greens were converted to Champion ultradwarf bermudagrass, making them more receptive to summertime. “Best decision we ever made,” Carter says. More key decisions followed. They naturalized over 50 acres of turf. Seven mallard nesting tubes, 12 wood duck boxes and 44 bluebird houses were built. Wild turkeys use the gravity feeders that were installed. Carter is one of 99 handpicked stewards for Audubon International, serving as a resources guide for other facilities that may seek to follow in the footsteps of The Bear Trace. “They have excelled and have gone above and beyond at The Bear Trace,” says Tara Pep-
perman, director of cooperative sanctuary programs for Audubon International. “They are always looking for ways to broaden outreach. They have made the golf course a great way to enjoy wildlife. It is a wonderful example.” Two years ago, with the help of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s Offce of Sustainable Practices, The Bear Trace replaced gas-powered equipment with battery-powered, fully electric, zero-emission mowers, utility vehicles, bunker rakes, etc. They saved 9,000 gallons of fuel in a single year because of it and over the last two years have totaled approximately 300 zero-emission days (the exception was backpack emissions). “The biggest thing is the noise we don’t hear anymore,” Carter says. The Tennessee Valley Authority and Army Corps of Engineers oversee management of water leaving and entering The Bear Trace, where 11 of its holes are adjacent to Lake Chickamauga. Extreme buffer zones of vegetation help to keep chemicals and fertilizers from entering the lake. Mission accomplished: The Bear Trace was the frst site in the state to be certifed as a Groundwater Guardian Green Site by the Groundwater Foundation. The Bear Trace also is one of only six U.S. courses to earn certifcation from the Golf Environment Organization. Twice it has received Tennessee’s Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award.
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Top: Potected wetland area on No. 13. Above: A pileated woodpecker family near the No. 14 green.
Carter accomplishes all this with a full-time staff of six (in addition there are two part-timers) and a modest budget. That endears him to Mike Nixon, director of golf operations for the Tennessee State Parks, which includes nine state park golf courses on the Tennessee Golf Trail, where Carter also serves as director of agronomy. “There is so much red tape in everything we do. We have a very limited budget, and the state is a big animal,” Nixon says. “We’re at the bottom when it comes to excess funds. We have to make things last longer because we know it’s hard to replace. We’ve done more with less, and Paul’s helped me through this. He has a love for the business, love for his job. I think he’d do it for nothing if he could.” No place like home at The Bear Trace The Bear Trace general manager/PGA club professional Robin Boyer is thrilled that Carter is still on the premises. “I’m really surprised he hasn’t left,” Boyer says. “I would think he could go anywhere if he wanted. Paul is such a great ambassador, driven. I learned a long time ago the most important person you have on your staff is the golf course superintendent. It’s not me. People come out here for the course conditions.” The Bear Trace averages nearly 30,000 rounds annually, Boyer says, which is a testament to the efforts of Carter and his staff. “You drive past four or fve courses to get here, so conditions are vital for us to be successful,” he says. “It’s all on him (Carter).”
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Carter, active in the Tennessee Turfgrass Association (he is its president), has a full plate. Frequently, he gets requests to speak to groups, including visits this year to Providence, R.I., for the New England Regional Turfgrass Conference and Show and this month at the Golf Industry Show in San Antonio. His message is clear. “I tell people not everybody can do everything we do, but do what you can. Everybody can do something,” he says. You don’t have to come to Tennessee to see what is happening on Carter’s watch. Since 2010 an Axis Q6045-E Network Camera has documented the comings and goings of the eagles Elliot and Eloise (Carter’s daughter, Hannah, named them) that nest near the top of the 130-foot pine situated between the No. 10 green/No. 11 tee. In that time, the Eagle Cam has gotten more than 1 million hits on the Web (www.harrisonbayeaglecam.org). The eagles’ decision to stay at The Bear Trace and make it home serves as validation for what Carter has spearheaded. Back in the day, when The Bear Trace was not even on Carter’s radar, who knew his career would soar like eagles? “To know we’re the place they want to raise their family — that’s the biggest stamp of approval,” Carter says. “It says we’re doing something right. Or not doing something wrong, whichever way you want to look at it.” Howard Richman (hrichman@gcsaa.org) is GCM’s associate editor.
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2014 elga
GCSAA/Golf Digest Environmental Leaders in Golf Awards, presented in partnership with Syngenta and Rain Bird
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Built on a closed landfll and surrounded by environmentally sensitive wetlands, Metropolitan Golf Links follows BMPs and an IPM program to prevent hazardous runoff. Photos courtesy of Metropolitan Golf Links
(ELGAs) Scott Hollister
Teachable moments Top ELGA honors go to the son of two lifelong educators who helped lead an environmental revolution at a municipal standout in Oakland, Calif.
2014 elga l
Gary Ingram, CGCS, has combined a love of nature and a passion for teaching to become the national overall and public course winner of the 2014 Environmental Leaders in Golf Awards.
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Those who know Gary Ingram, CGCS, well are rarely surprised when they learn that he comes from a family of teachers. His mother and father both spent their entire careers in education, and even though Ingram didn’t necessarily follow them into the family business, it’s clear that his parents’ commitment to education and their dedication to giving back to future generations took full root with the director of agronomy at Metropolitan Golf Links in Oakland, Calif. His golf course is a textbook living laboratory, home to the Oakland Turfgrass Education Initiative (OTEI), an innovative educational program that reaches nearly 200 students a year In with lessons in agronomy, natural resource management and environmental stewardship — a w natural extension of everything Ingram has stood for in his nearly 40 years in the business. n Away from the course, he seldom shies away from opportunities to give back. He’s coached and offciated almost every organized sport imaginable, from golf and basketball to baseball and football. He developed a class on agricultural chemistry and botany that can be taught in Oakland schools. He helped in the creation of a professional turf management degree at a nearby community college. “I’ve always enjoyed teaching, working with youth, learning from them and helping them learn from me,” the 34-year GCSAA member says. “I’ve always believed that if you want to change the world, the best way to do that is by working with young people, showing them what’s possible and helping them establish their own core values. I’ve been very fortunate that
Top (left): Through the Oakland Turfgrass Educational Initiative, Ingram and others at Metropolitan provide hands-on education for area students. Above and right: Despite its proximity to Oakland International Airport, Metropolitan Golf Links has numerous environmentally sensitive wetlands that provide a haven for waterfowl and birds of prey.
I’ve been able to do that both at home and at work.” And now Ingram fnds himself with one of the most teachable opportunities of his career, courtesy of his selection as the Overall and National Public winner in the 2014 Environmental Leaders in Golf Awards, presented by GCSAA and Golf Digest in partnership with Syngenta and Rain Bird. He joins Mike Crawford, CGCS, and Rocky Ebelhar as National ELGA winners who will be recognized during the Opening Session at the 2015 Golf Industry Show in San Antonio later this month. The overall ELGA award is one that Ingram knows comes with a unique international platform, one that will allow him to take the story of Metropolitan and what’s been achieved there to a whole new audience of eager students. Rising from the ashes The story of Metropolitan Golf Links is a fascinating one from several different angles. Take its location, for starters. Look at any online map of Oakland, and Metropolitan sticks out as one of the few green islands amid a sea of concrete and urban sprawl, a 150acre tract of golf alongside San Francisco Bay whose nearest neighbor is Oakland International Airport. The site has been a home to golf for nearly 50 years, frst as the home of Lew Galbraith Golf Course, a busy municipal layout that hosted more than 60,000 rounds annually in its heyday. In 1995, the course closed so the
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landfll beneath could be properly closed and it was identifed as the only logical home for 1.2 million cubic yards of sludge that had been dredged from the bottom of the bay during a project to deepen its shipping channels. Six years later, the sludge had fnally dried up and the land could be used for other purposes once again. Deciding those purposes should include golf, the city and port brought in golf course development and management frm CourseCo Inc., which leased the property and hired Johnny Miller and Fred Bliss to design the course. In 2003, Metropolitan opened for business. Ingram joined the project as the grow-in superintendent and soon realized managing and maintaining a golf course on this property would take some doing. In light of the property’s previous life, there were obvious environmental concerns to consider. Soil with high salt content meant there were agronomic challenges to deal with, too. They even had to worry about incoming and outgoing air traffc that regularly roared over the course. Ingram worked diligently on providing a recreation facility that the community could enjoy and would be an environmental asset. He had received numerous community and environmental awards, but knew more could be accomplished. So he led an effort to create a sustainability action plan, which has been the root of many of the facility’s achievements, including the overall ELGA, Ingram insists. “I always thought I was doing a pretty good job with our sustainability efforts, but after we put together this plan on paper, we
TRANZ-FORM HOW YOU DO THIN S “We started rolling fairways six days a week versus cutting, which provided a monumental saving in labor and fuel consumption. We also leased our fairway mowers for three years, but now that we put less hours on them, we’re able to lease them for six years.” MATT SHAFFER Director of Golf Course Operations Merion Golf Club See the video to learn how the Tranz-Former saves Matt money and time at www.salsco.com/products/videos
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The proof of those efforts — or lack thereof, as the case might be — is in the product. Metropolitan was recertifed as an Audubon International Sanctuary in 2014. They hosted a bird count on the course in 2014 that identifed 39 individual species, a list that included numerous waterfowl and wetland species along with several birds of prey. And they did it all within the confnes of the FAA regulations.
Top: Ingram leads students on a tour of the course, which is also pictured above.
Learn more about the Oakland Turfgrass Education Initiative, one of the key programs overseen by Gary Ingram, CGCS, the overall winner of the 2014 Environmental Leaders in Golf Awards, at Metropolitan Golf Links in Oakland, Calif., in this feature from GCSAA TV. www. gcsaa.tv/view.php?id=128
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were all surprised how far we had to go,” he says. “There were so many things that we were not doing as well as we thought, that as soon as we began to put some extra attention on them, things turned around quickly. That caught our attention, and I think it caught the attention of others, too.” The plan’s impact was felt in nearly every corner of the course’s operations. They made signifcant steps toward becoming a “zerowaste” facility, reducing the amount of trash that went into landflls by almost 40 percent. Their plan includes a reduction in petroleum and electrical usage to slice their emissions and reduce their overall carbon footprint. Overall energy use has been signifcantly reduced after regular staff meetings were scheduled to share savings ideas and engage the entire team. Feeling right at home About the only area where Ingram had his hands tied somewhat is one that has been a key for many other facilities that have achieved ELGA greatness in the past — wildlife habitat enhancement and conservation. Because of Metropolitan’s close proximity to the airport, work on anything that promotes the growth of bird and animal populations on the golf course was prohibited as a matter of public safety. But that doesn’t mean wildlife didn’t come anyway. “It’s a diffcult balance. There are numerous environmentally sensitive wetlands throughout the course. We can’t actively encourage wildlife, but we do make an effort to make sure that whatever would be on our property naturally is allowed to succeed and survive there,” Ingram says.
Giving back For both professional and personal reasons, one of Ingram’s proudest accomplishments at Metropolitan is the OTEI. It’s an initiative born from one of the core values of both the facility and CourseCo Inc. — community involvement and outreach — but it is also one that honors much of what Ingram inherited from his upbringing in a home built by educators. “I’ve always believed that you have to give back and work with youth if you want to make a difference with future generations,” Ingram says. “I’ve been fortunate to have that opportunity on a regular basis here at Metropolitan.” OTEI is a nonproft program that facilitates a series of hands-on learning opportunities at the golf course for local schools. This past year, over 200 students took part, being introduced to environmental and natural resource management, sustainability and agromomic efforts through hands-on STEM education. The kids even look into the clubhouse side of the business, with sessions led by Metropolitan’s general manager, club professional and food and beverage staff. The course is also home to The First Tee of Oakland, where Ingram teaches ball mark and divot repair and other golf course management skills. Through these programs, Ingram has helped bring golf to a whole host of students who otherwise might not consider golf courses as community assets, or consider golf as a recreational opportunity — in some cases, a lifelong career. “We’ve had over 60 high school interns at our facility, and a number of them are still working in golf,” he says. “When they have successes, I hear from them. And when they have failures, I hear from them too. It’s always rewarding to know that you did make a positive impact on their lives and that programs like these really helped create relationships like the ones I’ve been lucky enough to have here.”
Naturalized areas planted with tall fescue reduce water use at TPC Sugarloaf. Photos courtesy of TPC Sugarloaf
National Private Mike Crawford, CGCS TPC Sugarloaf Duluth, Ga.
2014 elga l
State-of-the-art pesticide storage and mixing/loading areas prevent runoff and contamination of the environment.
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Mike Crawford’s passion for environmental stewardship has been apparent throughout his career in golf course management. It’s an ethos that extends far beyond the golf courses he’s cared for, though, including TPC Sugarloaf northeast of downtown Atlanta. It’s also been clear in the 25-year GCSAA member’s environmental outreach efforts that have yielded positive results in his local community, throughout the state of Georgia and even around the country. In 2008 and 2009, Crawford was a key player in negotiations between the Georgia GCSA and the state’s environmental protection division that yielded commonsense water use and management regulations for golf courses Mike Crawford, CGCS during times of drought, efforts that earned him GCSAA’s Excellence in Government Relations award in 2010. He’s maintained that dedication through current roles as the chairman of Georgia Allied Golf Group and as secretary/treasurer of the Georgia Golf Environmental Foundation. Closer to home, Crawford has regularly opened his doors to outside groups looking for a glimpse of the ways golf can coexist with and even enhance its natural surroundings. In 2013, he hosted a group of participants from the First Tee of Atlanta and the First Tee of East Lake for “Careers on Course,” a program sponsored by John Deere and The First Tee that educates participants about environmental efforts on golf courses and the wide variety of career opportunities available in the game. He’s shown off his operations at TPC Sugarloaf to students in Gwinnett Technical College’s turf and ornamental program previously. He’s even done a turn as a guest on the Weather Channel, chatting
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Buffer zones around water features and water-quality testing help to ensure that water coming off the course is as clean or cleaner than it was coming in.
Tree and limb debris from the golf course property is chipped into mulch on site and used for landscaping.
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about golf courses and the positive environmental effects they can have. Of course, Crawford wouldn’t be able to talk the talk if he didn’t walk the walk in his day-to-day operations at the 27-hole TPC Sugarloaf, and the judges who awarded him the ELGA’s National Private crown certainly recognized that he does that and then some. His efforts in water conservation and water quality management, for example, bear that out. Originally constructed with 37 acres of non-irrigated naturalized areas planted with tall fescue, Crawford and his team have added 7 acres to those totals in recent years, which has resulted in accompanying water savings. The club also utilizes a comprehensive set of
water conservation BMPs, on fle with both the Georgia GCSA and the Georgia EPD per the terms of the agreement he helped broker back in 2009, that outlines the tools and methods the club uses — from regular irrigation audits to hand watering and the use of soil moisture meters — to help conserve water. Nestled within a housing development with over 800 individual sites, the golf course also plays a key role in maintaining good water quality by helping retain and flter stormwater from those neighborhoods. Buffer zones around all water features and annual water quality testing help confrm that both the water used to irrigate Sugarloaf and the water that does move into nearby waterways is as clean as or cleaner than when it came onto the property. Those previously mentioned naturalized areas also help preserve habitat for wildlife that call Sugarloaf home and create riparian corridors throughout the 300-acre, Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary that have attracted deer, foxes, raccoons, coyotes and other animals. And state-of-the-art wash systems and storage areas for all chemicals used in the golf operations pair with cutting-edge energy saving practices throughout the maintenance facility — for example, motion-sensor lights and programmable thermostats — and help bring Crawford’s environmental efforts full circle.
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TPC Louisiana uses recycled water for irrigation and soil moisture meters to help maintain consistent moisture levels throughout the course. Photos courtesy of TPC Louisiana
National Resort Rocky Ebelhar TPC Louisiana Avondale, La.
2014 elga l
Rocky Ebelhar spearheaded efforts to bring TPC Louisiana into compliance with the e-par environmental management system.
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Tucked around the fertile swamplands just west of downtown New Orleans, TPC Louisiana has never wanted for a wide variety of wildlife since its opening in 2004. But that abundance of natural riches hasn’t stopped the team there from maintaining and even enhancing the areas that provide such attractive habitats for birds, woodland creatures and, yes, even alligators. Efforts such as those, along with a host of other accomplishments, are what helped earn the course and its former assistant superintendent, Rocky Ebelhar, the 2014 ELGA in the National Resort category. Now a territory manager with Grassroots, Ebelhar ran lead on TPC Louisiana’s environmental efforts, including the recent construction of beaches along the shores of many of the facility’s lakes to offer alligators a more convenient spot to sunbathe instead of their previous favorite spots along the course’s greens, tees and fairways. Birdhouses also were installed across the property, and the use of wild grasses in mulched areas along the layout’s many forested areas helped create additional natural habitats are and corridors. an To help protect all that work, TPC Louisiana employs a comprehensive integrated pest management (IPM) plan that includes setting an annual chemical and fertilizer agenda based upon the results of extensive soil, turfgrass and water testing from the previous year. They’ve also adopted the e-par environmental management system, something that Ebelhar played a key role in implementing.
Unlike many facilities, TPC Louisiana has few concerns about water availability; the area averages over 65 inches of rain annually. But that abundance has given the team there, under the direction of GCSAA Class A head superintendent Robb Arnold, an 18-year association member, plenty of fexibility when it comes to irrigation. Aside from extended dry periods, they favor hand watering over the use of the club’s irrigation system. When they do utilize irrigation, that decision is based on realtime water usage data and daily weather information. All of that data collection is used in other areas as well, a process that certainly earned points for Ebelhar and TPC Louisiana from
ELGA judges. The club has installed easily accessible quick couplers near common dry spots on the golf course — determined through both daily observation and that data collection — to take better advantage of hand-watering opportunities. The maintenance facility also is designed to maximize environmental sustainability. For example, the mixing area in the chemical and fertilizer storage building, and the equipment
wash bay both feature dedicated drains that direct any runoff from those areas to an offproperty storage area to prevent contamination on the golf course. That system also features a sophisticated alarm system that monitors for potential leaks.
Scott Hollister (shollister@gcsaa.org, @GCM_Magazine) is GCM’s editor-in-chief.
2014 GCSAA/Golf Digest Environmental Leaders in Golf Awards NATIONAL WINNERS Overall and Public Gary Ingram, CGCS Metropolitan Golf Links Oakland, Calif. GCSA of Northern California Private Mike Crawford, CGCS TPC Sugarloaf Duluth, Ga. Georgia GCSA Resort Rocky Ebelhar TPC Louisiana Avondale, La. Louisiana-Mississippi GCSA
Marc Weston, CGCS Indian Hill Country Club Newington, Conn. Connecticut GCSA
Jay Neunsinger Tilden Park Golf Course Berkeley, Calif. GCSA of Northern California
Timothy Connolly TPC Jasna Polana Princeton, N.J. GCSA of New Jersey
Alex Stuedemann TPC Deere Run Moline, Ill. Northwest Illinois GCSA
Dale Hahn, CGCS TPC Summerlin Las Vegas, Nev. GCSA of Southern Nevada
Mark Krick, CGCS The Homestead Golf Course Lakewood, Colo. Rocky Mountain GCSA
Sean O’Brien The Ritz-Carlton Member’s Golf Club Suncoast GCSA Bradenton, Fla.
Jeff Clouthier, CGCS Golf Courses at Incline Village Incline Village, Nev. Sierra Nevada GCSA
CHAPTER WINNERS Private Brian J. Stiehler, CGCS Highlands Country Club Highlands, N.C. Carolinas GCSA
70
Public Andrew J. Jorgensen, CGCS Candler Hills Golf Club Ocala, Fla. Florida GCSA
GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT 02.15
Resort Tom Vlach, CGCS TPC Sawgrass: Players Stadium and Dye’s Valley Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. North Florida GCSA
MERIT WINNERS Private David Davies, CGCS TPC Stonebrae Hayward, Calif. GCSA of Northern California Public Thomas Doyle Callippe Preserve Golf Course Pleasanton, Calif. GCSA of Northern California
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AT THE TURN GCM staff
Stephen Bernhard takes a global view of the golf course management industry from his company’s home base in central England. Photos courtesy of Bernhard and Co.
(business)
“The only way we can really support the industry at large is to help maintain, as much as possible, the true professionalism of the leaders.”
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GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT 02.15
A view from the U.K. Stephen Bernhard, executive chairman of grinder manufacturer Bernhard and Co. and a Master of the Worshipful Company of Gardeners (we’ll explain) talks about his years in golf course management and the differences and similarities between England and the U.S. Editor’s note: T is is t e frst in a periodic series of stories in GCM featuring discussions wit rominent fgures in t e golf course management industry, including golf course superintendents, educators, offcials wit ompanies doing business in golf course management, and ot er industry personalities. For many reasons, golf course management is an industry that elicits great passion from those who answer its call. Exhibit A of this phenomenon is Stephen Bernhard. The founder and executive chairman of grinder manufacturer Bernhard and Co., Bernhard is among the industry’s most recognized and respected leaders, one who wears his enthusiasm for golf, for superintendents and for the entire green industry on his sleeve. His passion for the business spurred the launch of the company back in 1972 and continues unabated to this day, despite an ever-increasing list of commitments, which fll Bernhard’s days. In addition to managing affairs with a company that has equipment in 70 percent of the world’s top 100 golf clubs, Bernhard is also an entrepreneur with wide business interests. He is involved with property and land development, is a qualifed horticulturalist and also owns his own restaurant. Bernhard is also a much sought after public speaker who is fuent in four languages, and last year, was named Master of the Worshipful Company of Gardeners (more on that later).
Bernhard and his wife, Jenny, are the parents of two, daughter Alex and son James, who live in Rugby, U.K., near the company’s base of operations in the central part of England.
GCM: With such a long career in the golf course management business, you can bring a great perspective to discussions on the current state of the industry, both in the United States and worldwide. How would you assess the overall health of the industry in the U.K., Europe, Asia/Pacifc and beyond, and what is your view on the state of the U.S. golf business?
Bernhard (shown in the ceremonial robes of the Master of the Worshipful Company of Gardeners) says he is honored that his father, his two children and his son-in-law are all members of the livery.
Stephen Bernhard: Wow — that’s a big one to start with! Have you got all day? First, we have to see the several markets globally as quite different in their many characteristics. Each has a unique situation, especially in Asia and in Europe where each country has a different culture, language, economy and history/development of golf. All developed golf markets have experienced substantial changes globally. In the more developed countries, the golf business has been reduced dramatically in line with the pressure each has experienced in parallel to the
global economic slow-down. In the U.K., we no longer see costly entry fees and waiting lists. Competition has grown between local courses. Playability has become vitally important. There is, however, a modest sense of optimism in line with a slowly recovering economy. In Europe the situation is more varied and depends on the East/West divide, the industrial success of each economy and the way the social values have developed — compare Russian golf to German or Scandinavian golf, for example. Things are very tight across Europe, in general, and investment is still restricted. In Asia, similar differences exist to those in Europe. Each economy produces a different situation — compare the restricted Chinese market with the growing Thai market, the competing Malaysian market and the stagnant but developed Korean market. Add to that complex mix, Japan with years of cuts behind it, and you can begin to understand the huge differences across the region. India and the Emirate states have not even been mentioned in this mix. The U.S. market also displays many regional differences, but taken as a whole, it certainly is more stable today than over the last
three to four years. Confdence is creeping back slowly, but I doubt we’ll ever return to those heady days of the mid-’90s. Now there is a lot of focus on becoming more cost-effective, giving member’s value for money and paying attention to environmental concerns. I think we have lots of scope for growth in the U.S. markets.
GCM: Supporting the industry through education and programs such as the one that brings BIGGA members to the U.S. for the Golf Industry Show has always been important to you and to Bernhard and Co. Why have those things been such a priority for you, and why do you think this industry as a whole has embraced such concepts the way that it has? SB: I’d like to think you are right when you say the whole industry has embraced such concepts, but I know we have taken the education of our colleagues in the Industry far more seriously than many. For Bernhard, I think we are more involved because we are smaller and therefore more in touch with people on the ground. Maybe that has forced us to focus on trying to provide education based on our prac-
tical experience gained over 35 years working with them. The only way we can really support the industry at large is to help maintain, as much as possible, the true professionalism of the leaders. These tend to be the superintendents, their assistants and their equipment managers and, of course, general managers. We’ve always tried to share those practical lessons we have learned along the way with those who are potentially our customers, and that is what’s given us our good name. We value that enormously.
GCM: Since advances in grinding technologies have impacted putting greens as much as any feature on a golf course, I’m curious about your views on the increasing demand for faster, frmer putting surfaces in some corners of golf. Is it healthy overall? Is there a difference in the level of expectations at courses in England vs. the United States, for example? Is there any such thing as too fast and too frm? SB: You cannot, in any sport, halt the changes in the customers’ expectations. We recognize this, and our job is to support these
expectations. The feedback we have from greenkeepers all over the world is that golfers want fast, frm, true surfaces. Now, whether or not “fast” is something we agree with 100 percent is a different matter. Mike Morris, CGCS, at Crystal Downs Country Club (in Frankfort, Mich.) — one of the world’s experts on this topic — and I share the common belief that communication is a vital part of this debate. Clever supers are much more inclined today to offer improved and more consistent playing surfaces, and the best of them do so with increased heights of cut. Now that takes real skill and places us right at the center of the debate.
GCM: For many years, Bernhard has sponsored a program that has brought a group of British greenkeepers to the United States for the annual Golf Industry Show, and the company is considering reviving a program to bring U.S. superintendents to England for the annual BIGGA Turf Management Expo. What has this program meant to both you and the company, and to the turf professionals who have participated in it? SB:
For me, this program has always
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been about giving back to an industry that has been good to me. Our business community is unique. It is full of committed people who, almost without exception, love what they do. The nature of their profession can be quite isolated, and there are too few opportunities to share doubts, concerns and anxieties. So I do think that our unique trip inspires these professionals and offers them the opportunity, as a group, to observe practices in the U.S. and to discuss all sorts of ideas that may otherwise just not come their way. As a company we build lifetime relationships and, working closely with the delegates, our team gets a unique opportunity to learn more about how one of our target audiences works and what their needs and expectations are.
GCM: Although Bernhard is an English company, you do a signifcant amount of business in the United States. From your perspective, what are some noteworthy differences — and noteworthy similarities — between the job of a superintendent in the U.S. and course managers in the U.K.? How have those things changed over the past 10 to 15 years?
“Clearly, everything we do in our business today is much faster and more scrutinized than ever before. The Internet has impacted all that we do, and the media play a huge role too.” SB: I’d like to use a quote sent to us by a past Bernhard delegate, Stuart Yarwood, following his visit to Las Vegas in 2012. “For me, the USA dispelled lots of myths. I imagined it would be all surface, but in fact, it was so professional. I realized that in the U.S., education comes from the top down — everyone learns management skills, people skills along the way, side by side with their practical knowledge. I have been trying to apply this back home, to think like the person I want to be perceived as. “In the U.K., we tend to start at the bottom and work up, learning on the way, so that for many people, when they fnd themselves in a managerial position, they don’t have any of the basic skills to do that job. “Education defnitely comes from the top down. Now I have seen that frst hand, it makes such sense to me. That’s one of the reasons why U.S. superintendents are such a strong professional body. They are so well organized and their systems are so good. They put in the investment.” Stuart’s comments are spot on, and it is this sort of recognition that inspired him and many like him with the support of BIGGA to continue to improve the values of management skills in the profession of greenkeeping. Of course there have been huge changes over the last several years, but that is so with almost all aspects of our life. Clearly, everything we do in our business today is much faster and more scrutinized than ever before. The Internet has impacted all that we do, and the media plays a huge role too. That all takes us back to your point about “customer expectations.”
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“When the PGA tour comes in, they preach one thing over and over. CONSISTENCY. They want all 18 greens to be the same consistency. They want every bunker the same depth and firmness. They want our roughs to be the exact same height, no matter where you land. So when you’re trying to put together a competition for the world’s best, or even for your own members, it’s all about consistency. In my opinion, TifEagle is head and shoulders above all the other ultradwarfs. It’s absolutely the most consistent greens grass out there.”
Paul Kaufman Superintendent Prestwick Country Club, Myrtle Beach SC
Matt Masemore Director of Golf Course Maintenance Ibis Golf & Country Club, West Palm Beach FL
“To be honest, Champion was on my mind early on, because it was the sexy, in-vogue pick. But I put in a test green with TifEagle, MiniVerde and Champion, and after 2 years of playing around with all three, I got to see the limitations and strong points of each grass. I also looked at a lot of TifEagle courses. In the end, my bosses and I agreed that TifEagle was by far the best ultradwarf for Prestwick.”
“After two really dry, cold winters we started seeing some mutations in our existing bermudagrass greens. When it started to affect ball roll, we knew we had to do something. We tossed around MiniVerde and TifEagle and ultimately decided on TifEagle since it’s such a genetically stable variety.”
Berry Collett Director of Golf Maintenance Sea Island Golf Club, St. Simons Island GA
“I’ve got TifEagle greens here that are almost 17 years old with zero mutation and no contamination. It’s going to be very interesting to me to see how the other new ultradwarfs do as they age.”
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“It’s worth noting that Bernhard is a long-standing name in horticulture. We have been immersed in the world of landscape construction, nursery production and began the frst U.K. garden center.”
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GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT 02.15
GCM: You recently received a great honor, being named Master of the Worshipful Company of Gardeners, one of 110 livery companies in London dating back to 1345. This is all a bit foreign to an American audience, so could you explain a little about this honor, its signifcance and what it’s meant to you and where it ranks among your many career accomplishments? SB: The Worshipful Companies are a historic and deep part of the city of London’s everyday function as the world’s center of fnance. There are now 110 livery companies. Mine dates back to 1345. Essentially, these companies were set up to foster the professions, build standards of professionalism, manners of behavior. They protected members and educated newcomers. They were the standard bearers of individual professionals, bringing them together, setting rules, building trust. Today’s livery companies are living institutions who have survived by doing what they have always done — fostering their profession, crafts and trades, promoting modern skills and professional development, serving the community, supporting charities and the city of London. The liveries give over £27 million ($42
million) to charity annually, and they own over 65 famous schools. There are around 28,000 members including Freemen. Members are entitled to drive their sheep across London Bridge and do so once a year in full costume (the livery of each company). I did this a few weeks ago! The members are sometime seen as immensely powerful and the core of the City Corporation’s life. The city of London has its own laws, own police, own army and is a law unto itself. It dates back to before the Magna Carta when law began. For me, it is a huge honor and privilege to become Master of my own livery, the Worshipful Company of Gardeners. The livery means a lot to me. My father, Jeffrey, and both my children are members too, as is my sonin-law. Having three generations of one family in the livery is a rare occurrence and is a great honor. It’s worth noting that Bernhard is a long-standing name in horticulture. We have been immersed in the world of landscape construction, nursery production and began the frst U.K. garden center. Today we also specialize in sports surfaces and turf maintenance equipment and have done so for two generations. This is truly my life.
2015
Dog Days of Golf
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And the 2015 Dog of the Year is? This is LebanonTurf’s 12th year of hosting the annual Dog of the Year contest in conjunction with the Golf Industry Show. The 2015 contest will be held in San Antonio, February 25th and 26th. Meet the contestants! One of these calendar pups will be crowned the 2015 Dog of the Year. The winning dog earns a grand prize of a $3,000 donation to its superintendent’s local golf course association and a cash reward of $500. This year, LebanonTurf is excited to partner with GCSAA for a $1,000 donation to the Train a Dog, Save a Warrior (TADSAW) Foundation. Come to LebanonTurf’s booth #9099 in San Antonio to support your favorite Dog Days of Golf contestant and your local chapter by casting your ballot. Photographs and a description of each dog’s personality will be on display. For information about the 2016 LebanonTurf calendar, please contact Cynthia Andrews at 1-800-532-0090, ext. 253.
AT THE TURN Kristen Pope
Jackson Hole (Wyo.) Golf & Tennis typically has 2 to 4 feet of snow by the end of winter. Photos courtesy of Andy Erskine/Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis
(business)
Keeping the green at 20 below “We just work together to help each other. The industry as a whole is like that, but especially here because we’re so isolated.” — Dan Tolson, CGCS
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GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT 02.15
Extreme winters and native wildlife present unique challenges for golf course managers in Jackson, Wyo. While superintendents in Florida may struggle with keeping gators out of their ponds, working in the shadow of the Teton Range comes with its own unique set of challenges, including temperatures that plunge well into the negative double digits and animals that gobble up the greenery. Three Jackson, Wyo., superintendents — Dan Tolson, CGCS, from Three Creek Ranch; Mike Kitchen, CGCS, from Teton Pines; and Andy Erskine from Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis — share how they battle the extreme conditions and keep their greens and fairways shining bright. Though only a few miles apart, the three courses each face their own unique challenges, as they are in varying microclimates. However, the local course managers stay in frequent touch and are always eager to help each other out. “All the superintendents in the valley are a pretty close-knit group of guys that help each other a lot,” says Tolson, a 15-year GCSAA member. “That’s a lot of our success through the year — that we can count on each other when needed.” This assistance extends to borrowing equipment and sharing course monitoring observations. “If I call Mike and he has snow mold on March 3, I know I’ll have snow mold the week after or vice versa,” Tolson says. “We just work together to help each other. The industry as a whole is like that, but especially here because we’re so isolated.”
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Dan Tolson, CGCS, and his wife, Dancy
Andy Erskine
Mike Kitchen, CGCS
Tolson is used to the camaraderie, as he grew up in the golf business — his father was a superintendent — and Tolson spent his summers working on courses, caddying in high school, then working on management crews, majoring in turf science at Colorado State and working at several courses before becoming the superintendent at Three Creek Ranch in 2007. Kitchen has experience at a variety of western mountain courses, from Coeur d’Alene and McCall in Idaho to Colorado to the
Tetons. He has been superintendent at Teton Pines for 14 years. After a career in the fnance sector, Erskine wanted a change, so he headed back to school in South Carolina, earning a degree in agricultural sciences with an emphasis on golf course management and later becoming the superintendent of the Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club.
area where the lowest recorded temperature — in nearby Grand Teton National Park — was -63 F. The town of Jackson recorded a record low of -50 F, and every year brings temperatures well into the negative double digits, with January being the coldest month. Approximately 320 days a year have frost potential. With temperatures so low, the ground can freeze up to 5 feet deep in the winter, creating challenges in a feld where soil temperature is key. These short seasons create one of the big-
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The extra-short growing season in Jackson creates multiple management challenges at Three Creek Ranch. Photos courtesy of Three Creek Ranch
gest challenges Tolson, Kitchen and Erskine face. Even when the weather is pleasant in spring and early summer, the soil temperature remains cool well into the summer. “We don’t have a strong biological cycle until the Fourth of July,” Tolson says. Later in the summer, the ground quickly cools, lowering the grass’s recuperative potential, as cart compaction and other factors create challenges. Working toward winter is constant due to the short season. “Just when you get the golf course where you want it, you start beating it up again to prepare for winter,” Kitchen says, referring to aerifcation and other intensive practices. Managers have to be creative during the short seasons, balancing maintenance needs while maximizing playing potential, as Jackson-area courses generally do not close for extensive maintenance work during the short season. “A lot of the work we need to do to keep the grass healthy has to be done in a short season when the golfers also want to be out there using it,” Tolson says. “We’re trying to balance getting out there and working and keeping it healthy but keeping it playable and staying out of golfers’ way.” Sometimes this balance means getting to work well before the sun rises. “You have to be creative in your approach and how you aerify, fertilize and topdress,” says Kitchen, a 22-year member of GCSAA. “Sometimes you have to be here at 3 a.m. for a jump-start.” With such short seasons, winter is always on the minds of the superintendents — even on a sunny, 85-degree summer day. “Almost every agronomic decision I make has to start with the question, ‘How will this impact us going into and coming out of winter?’” says Erskine, a nineyear GCSAA member. The winter of 2013-2014 was a challenging one in the Jackson area, as snow cover was light early on, paired with bitterly cold temperatures. Then, rain created an ice layer, followed by a month of heavy snow. “It was go-go-go since February, blowing snow, chopping ice, aerifying, covering,” Kitchen says, as keeping the greens alive through the winter is key. “To me, the challenge of this area is that it isn’t a terribly diffcult place to maintain grass if it makes it through the winter,” Kitchen says. “But if it doesn’t, by Fourth of July you use every tool. It’s a challenge to survive winter and if you don’t, it’s crazy.”
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Ready for the deep freeze Resuscitating dead turf is a time-intensive and diffcult job, so course managers focus their attention on being proactive and keeping it alive through the winter. “Winterizing the course properly will save a lot of sleepless nights during the winter months,” Erskine says. For Erskine, winterizing includes making sure his irrigation system is ready for the deep freeze. With miles of pipe and 3,000 irrigation heads, this crucial component needs a lot of attention. “Blowing out our irrigation system is crucial due to the fact the ground can freeze up to 4 or 5 feet deep during our long winters,” he says. “This is one of the more stressful processes we undergo, and there is always some anxiety in the spring when we charge the system and really fnd out how good of a job we did the prior fall.” When the season gets cold and the snow fies, the courses switch gears and focus on winter recreation and maintenance activities, including plowing, grooming ski trails and preparing ice-skating ponds. And there’s a lot of snow. At an elevation of 6,300 feet, Jackson is a prime skiing destination, and nearby Jackson Hole Mountain Resort received over 40 feet of snow last winter. Teton Pines, just down the road from the ski mountain, receives approximately 25 feet of snow each winter. Other courses receive less, though the Shooting Star course, right at the base of the ski hill, receives far more. Snow serves as an effective insulator, protecting the course from the cold. Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis typically has 2-4 feet of snow by the end of winter, providing a nice blanket for the turf, though low snow years can be problematic. “Exposed turf can become desiccated and die due to extreme cold and windy conditions, which will suck all the moisture out of the plant, even when dormant,” Erskine says. However, while the snow insulates, it also obscures. “The hardest part of snow cover is not knowing exactly what is happening underneath,” Erskine says. He digs pits on the greens to examine the subsurface microclimate. He and his crews also blow snow off the greens two or three weeks before the spring “melt off” in order to curtail potential
The “elk damage brigade” repairs a green at Three Creek Ranch.
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damage from freeze-thaw cycles. When snow melts, particularly midwinter, it pools beneath the surface, refreezing when temperatures plunge again. “It essentially suffocates the turf where it can’t breathe,” Tolson says. “Gas flls up and it’s toxic to the grass.” Snow mold is another foe in the region. Since the fungus thrives in dark, cold, wet environments and under prolonged snow cover (more than 90 days), Jackson is a prime spot for outbreaks. Preventive sprays are used, and managers have various techniques to deal with outbreaks, including cutting out and resodding dead patches and overseeding dead spots, in hopes they will return to their prior glory. Summertime stress Even the summertime weather in the mountainous region can cause problems. “We have microbursts out here all the time,” Kitchen says. “We have our chain saws ready to go.” From time to time, lightning strikes also damage Tetons Pines’ sprinkler system, which is wired into an electrical grid of copper. While precipitation can make life a challenge, superintendents also concern themselves with wastewater and runoff in such a pristine location.
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Even during ideal summer conditions, the grounds crew at Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis must begin to defend the turf against winter’s fury. Photo courtesy of Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis
“Jackson Hole is a pretty important area ecologically and environmentally, and managing a golf course in the midst of that is a pretty important responsibility that I take seriously,” Tolson says. “In my opinion, golf courses are adding to and contributing to wildlife of the area, but it also means we can’t go out and liberally use fertilizers and herbicides. We have to be pretty careful.” During the construction of Three Creek Ranch, drainage systems were installed to fl-
ter the water before its release into ponds or groundwater. Extensive monthly testing is conducted at multiple sites to ensure the highest-possible water quality leaving the property. The water on Three Creek Ranch feeds into Spring Creek, a tributary of the Snake River that serves as a spawning area for cutthroat trout. Where the wild things are When the climate isn’t causing concerns,
“It doesn’t take a lot of elk to do a lot of damage. It takes a lot of man-hours to fx.” — Tolson
Keeping Teton Pines groomed for winter activities keeps the grounds crew busy — even when the temperature drops well below 0 F. Photos courtesy of Teton Pines
the wildlife is. As part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem — one of the largest intact ecosystems in North America — wildlife can be a challenge any time of year. Each of the three courses faces its own wildlife problems. At Three Creek Ranch, elk are the primary concern, as 1,300 head live very close year-round, taking a brief hiatus to head to a feeding ground south of town for two months each winter. “They live here and love nothing
more than to come on our golf course and eat our fairways,” Tolson says. “It doesn’t take a lot of elk to do a lot of damage. It takes a lot of man-hours to fx.” The course has night security that maintains a presence, encouraging elk to stick to their native forage. “It’s not foolproof,” Tolson says, citing a recent night when 30 elk were on a hole, causing considerable damage. “They weigh 900 pounds and leave a pretty good-
sized footprint that requires repair. Putting through elk tracks is not much fun.” Animal waste also creates maintenance challenges. “They urinate on the grass, and that will kill the turf pretty handily,” Tolson says. “If you’ve got 100 elk on a fairway and they urinate two times apiece during the night, that’s 200 areas the size of a basketball of dead grass that you have to take care of.” Moose also winter at the Three Creek Ranch course, browsing on willows and dogwoods, eating them down to the level of the snow. Adjacent to Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis has an elk mi-
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Although the snow insulates the greens at Teton Pines from certain kinds of problems, it also masks other problems that may be developing underneath. gratory route bisecting the property, with hundreds of elk passing through twice each year. Bison live on the range year-round and it is also critical moose winter range. “Our mantra here in the maintenance department is, ‘Wildlife has the right of way,’ and we train our staff accordingly, as we are guests in their habitat,” Erskine says. Bears are occasional visitors at Teton Pines, as well as elk. Last spring, the grounds crew
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found grizzly tracks near the equipment bunker, and black bears often pass through, seeking berries in the fall. However, moose are the principal animal at Teton Pines. “They’re out here yearround,” Kitchen says. “When we groom the cross-country trail, it’s like a moose highway. There’s a lot of vegetation and not a lot of people — it’s packed down and easy for them to walk on.”
The moose also like to destroy fagsticks, so the crews take them down each evening to avoid damage. During spring, mothers and newborn calves tend to stay in populated areas, seeking safety from predators, but causing few problems on the course. But come fall, large bull moose come out for the rut, or mating season, when they clash and display their prowess. “That’s when we start having problems,” Kitchen says. “Last year, there were baby bulls out there sparring on my freshly seeded nursery.” Despite all the challenges, and thrills of living and working among the Tetons, superintendents admit that sometimes Mother Nature wins. “God didn’t put golf at 6,000 feet for a reason,” Kitchen says. “Sometimes there are challenges we can’t control.”
Kristen Pope (Kristen@kepope.com) is a Jackson, Wyo.based freelance writer and the managing editor of JHStyle Magazine.
Trade Show Trends
Three-for-all Flags Three Texas-based Gail’s Gail Semaan owned Gail’s Fabrics. Her companies — Gail’s husband, military veteran Fred Semaan, was in golf equipment sales. When he traveled to Flags, All Seasons golf courses in the 1970s, he often would feld question: Turf Grass and thisDo you have fags? In time, to Gail’s sewing skills, he Focus Golf Products sure did. Thatthanks is the genesis of Gail’s Flags of — will stay in the Fort Worth, Texas. The company’s fags can be found at golf courses throughout the state of Lone Star State to Texas, including The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch in San Antonio, a site for the GCSAA Golf display their goods Championships. at the Golf Industry Gail’s Flags is a Texas-based company that is one of several businesses from the Lone Star Show in San Antonio. State that will be represented at the Golf IndusHoward Richman
Trade Show
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Missy Raulins (left) and Candace Cline.
try Show. “There’s probably not too many of us that haven’t placed an order from them (Gail’s Flags),” says GCSAA Class A member Mark Semm, director of agronomy at Cordillera Ranch and a 19-year member of the association. “It has been a while since I have gone away from their fags. I’ve tried to go quote-unquote cheaper, but I found the material wasn’t there. They (fags) didn’t last as long. Now it would be abnormal for me to call someone else besides them (Gail’s Flags).” Fred and Gail Semaan have passed away. Their daughters, Missy Raulins and Candace Cline, run the business now, which has branched out (Gail’s Flags also is a supplier for a wide range of golf course equipment and accessories). Cline remembers how the golf fag business included the family garage as a place where much of the work was accomplished. She recalls Carol Cottrell, one of Gail’s Flags’ frst seamstresses. Raulins, whose husband Dan (a former golf course superintendent) is the company’s general manager, remembers her dad loading his trunk with fags that were ready for delivery. Now Gail’s Flags produces more than 100 fags daily. It takes some additional time for embroidery. “I remember us printing in the garage. It would be 105 degrees in there,” Missy Raulins says. “I’d have to dab Dad’s forehead to keep him from sweating on the screen.” Eventually, Gail’s Flags outgrew the garage and has since moved to larger facilities multiple times. “Our motto is to give the customer what they need when they need it. We have products on our trucks to get them to (customers) immediately,” Dan Raulins says. “It’s important to our clients, many of them superintendents, that they have a good experience.” Part of that experience means never having to leave a voice mail message during business hours. “We know how busy customers are,” Dan Raulins says. “When we hang up the phone with them, we want them to know they have been taken care of.” Cline thinks her father would approve of what Gail’s Flags has become. She says whenever a customer asked her father if they could secure a fag, his response was two words. You bet. “Mom and Dad were ahead of their time,” Cline says. “They came up with ideas before anybody else, and this has just grown.”
Nowadays, Wayne Pfaff is all about designing golf course products to help golfers enjoy their experience. At frst, though, his very frst product invention had everything to do with helping himself enjoy the game. “My frst product was the wind gauge. Built it for myself,” Pfaff says. “I had a severe confdence problem with club selection.” Pfaff, owner of Focus Golf Products in Irving, Texas, has come quite a long way since developing the pocket-sized wind gauge (it comes with a club selection guide). In all, Focus Golf Products includes a stable of more than a dozen different products that were created for distribution through training organizations. He has a fve-year plan to develop a complete product line that currently is transitioning into the marketing phase. It is intended to go to market as new and unique offerings that are quick to learn and affordable. Pfaff attends events such as the Golf Industry Show to promote what he hopes will become staples for golfers who may need a little bit of help. “I want to give back to the industry for the enjoyment that I have gotten out of it,” Pfaff says. This is one of those better-late-than-never stories. After all, Pfaff is 79. He doesn’t have to do this. Pfaff, though, likes to dabble. He is an inventor and mechanical designer at heart and wants to translate that passion into business. He started Plastronics, an international multimillion-dollar company, in 1969. In the early 1980s, Pfaff designed a computer chip socket. In time, he developed an interest in golf. “Forty years ago I spent $25 for a pull cart, balls and tees and went to play. I fgured that if I didn’t like it, I really didn’t have a big investment in it. But by the third hole I was hooked. It
(golf) has been my mistress ever since,” he says. Pfaff’s training aides are also designed to help golf course managers and generate more revenue for golf courses. They include tee ball marker signs that help in pace of play, train golfers to choose the proper tee box and remind them of golf rules and putting mats that let golfers come indoors in inclement weather or during slow portions of the season. Although diabetes prevents Pfaff from playing as much golf as he would like, he sees no reason why he can’t give others who want to learn a fghting chance. “I’m not in it for the revenue. I am interested, though, in effective, affordable products for weekend golfers. There are a lot of people with two kids and a mortgage who can’t play all the time but want to enjoy it. I want to try to help them,” Pfaff says.
02.15 GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT
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Trade Show
Focus Golf Products
All Seasons Turf Grass It all began with a small amount of St. Augustine. Willie Gavranovic, born into a Texas farming family, launched his own career by growing crops such as cotton, corn, milo, soybeans and rice. In time, he transformed the business, in those days known as Horizon Grass Farms, into a turfgrass-driven operation. Now, more than three decades following his entry into the feld, it certainly appears that what is now All Seasons Turf Grass of Brookshire, Texas, has achieved new heights. Tiger Woods obviously is a believer. Woods is using turf that was grown by All Seasons Turf Grass for the very frst golf course he is designing in the United States. Bluejack National, located in the Houston, Texas, suburb of Montgomery, will feature Zeon and L1F zoysiagrass (Bladerunner Farms in Poteet, Texas, is the Willie Gavranovic (in orange shirt) with his extended family. breeder of the grasses). Grassing began in December at Bluejack National. “Being involved with Tiger is a big, prestigious event,” says Scott Sipes, who works in sales and projects for All Seasons Turf Grass. No doubt, too, that All Seasons Turf Grass still remains a family affair. “Everyone is involved one way or another,” Sipes says. “Brothers. Sisters. Husbands. Wives.” That includes his wife, Irene, co-owner of the company. She is Gavranovic’s daughter and heavily involved in the business side of it. AcOver 500 exhibitors who cover more than 178,000 square cording to GCSAA Class A superintendent feet of space in the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center at Terry Gill of Braeburn Country Club in Housthe Golf Industry Show in San Antonio have plenty of equipton, she absorbed what is needed to be a success ment, products, etc., to show you. Here are a few of the new in the business. products that will be on display. “Irene is the smartest businesswoman I’ve • ClearWater’s Washpad Water Recycling System is ever met,” says Gill, 24-year member of the association. “She has studied her grasses and designed for turf maintenance machinery. The United Kinghas put together a great team. They have been dom-based company is launching its product in the U.S. for good supporters of our organization, and that the frst time at the Golf Industry Show. Highspeed Group says a lot about them, too. Their service, qualLtd. developed the product. ity, is impeccable. That’s what we’re all looking • Sustainable Low Maintenance Grass LLC offers Cutting for, isn’t it?” Edge Professional Grass Seed. It is designed to reduce the All Seasons Turf Grass employs 25 individuals plus hires contract drivers to make delivconstant need for watering, excessive fertilizers, chemicals, eries. It has eight strategically placed locations herbicides and pesticides. in Texas. “If we get rained out at one farm, we • Maredo Commercial LLC will showcase the MT200 tractorprobably can harvest at a different farm and mounted verticutter. It fts a compact tractor and features meet our customers’ demands,” Sipes says. three independent heads that follow undulations perfectly. Gavranovic, meanwhile, remains active in The entire unit swings behind the tractor. the business as he closes in on the big 7-0. Really, really active, Sipes says, which keeps every• Younility Inc. introduces Younility. It provides a way to manone on their toes. age the golf course with maintenance software and is “He drinks instant coffee in the morning designed to save the staff hours and realize a more because he does not have time for it to brew. effcient operation. He’s out the door before the sun and rarely • Standard Golf Co. is launching Spray Smart, a propellanthome before dark,” Sipes says. “There’s no telling when he’s going to show up at one of the free turf paint spray system. The paint is sold in pouches farms.” and pressurized by the device. Paint can be applied in any
First appearances
Trade Show
weather condition. — H.R.
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GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT 02.15
Howard Richman (hrichman@gcsaa.org) is GCM’s associate editor.
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Golf Industry Show/sponsors and advertisers Golf Industry show
Trade Show
GIS - Answers on the Hour
Collegiate Turf Bowl
GIS - Attendee registration bags
Credential email confrmation
GIS - Coffee sleeves
Education sessions
GIS - Column wraps
ELGA Awards
GIS - “Express Pass” registration monitors
GCSAA TV Live
GIS - General Session
MVT Awards
GIS - International Resource Center
Opening Session/Opening Night Celebration
GIS - Lobby banners
Seminar pens
Registration pens
GCSAA Golf Championships
GIS - Stay Connected
Golf Championships
GCSAA Education Conference
Breakfast sponsor
Badges and lanyards
On-course beverage sponsor
Certifcation luncheon
Hole sponsors
Closing celebration
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GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT 02.15
Invest in Certifcation
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 GCSAA’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 frst step towards achieving this success. Call us at 800.472.7878 to develop your plan for achieving certifcation.
The Toro Company Is Committed to Supporting the GCSAA and the Golf Industry Over the years, Toro has invested millions of dollars to help advance the game of golf, assist in facility success, and provide funding for the professional development of the superintendent and golf personnel. “We are very focused on listening to our customers and determining what problems they are dealing with, then developing innovative solutions to those problems,” stated Tony Ferguson, Senior Golf Marketing & Business Development Manager. “We know that Toro’s success is dependent upon the success of the golf industry and our customers.” Decades of listening has spawned numerous innovative products and a strong reputation for delivering outstanding service. It has also allowed Toro to establish an ongoing collaborative effort with GCSAA members to deliver an enjoyable golfng experience while also providing owner/operators the tools they need to run a successful operation. Toro’s support and long-term commitment to GCSAA, GCSAA A , its members, and to the game of golf cannot be overstated. The Toro team features a breadth and depth of experience and expertise that delivers cutting-edge products and services. Those innovations have served to not only improve golf course conditions, increase productivity, and reduce operational expense, but to do so
in an environmentally responsible manner. You may see the Toro name on the turf maintenance equipment at your course, but you will also see it displayed prominently on numerous GCSAA programs including; the GCSAA National Championship and Golf Classic which is set for Feb. 21-23 in San Antonio TX, the Watson Fellowship Grant, Rounds for Research, the GCSAA Environmental Golf Course Profle, and the Melrose Leadership Academy. The Toro name is also prominent at local chapter meetings due to the additional investments by our Distributor Partners. Through Toro’s generous support, GCSAA continues to provide you with the tools and resources you need to be successful. Golf course management is a challenging profession, but thanks to partners like the Toro Company, unwavering support is always at your side. Tony concluded, “Strong relationships, built on integrity and trust, are at the core of our business. Toro’s long-term investment in academic and technical programs furthering agronomic, environmental and economic advancements in turf management, as well as our support of organizations working to grow the game, refect our enduring commitment to the golf industry and to our many end-user customers around the world.”
Trade Show Map
TRADE SHOW AT THE GOLF INDUSTRY SHOW
February 25-26, 2015 • Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio
TRADE SHOW AT THE GOL February 25-26, 2015 • Henry B. San Antonio,
TOWER OF THE AMERICAS GCSAA Opening Night Celebration
WED., FEB. 25: Distributor Preview: 8-9 THURS., FEB. 26: Trade Sh
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Syngenta
Bayer
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John Deere Golf
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Brookside Laboratory
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Dow AgroSciences
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Dakota Equip 4063
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Turf Drainage Co of America
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Performance Nutrition (A Division of LidoChem, Inc.)
Organic Sediment Removal
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AquaMaster Fountains & Aerators
Clow Valve
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National Golf Graphics
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HENRY B. GONZALEZ CONVENTION CENTER SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
LILA COCKRELL THEATRE • GCSAA Opening Session • GIS General Session • GCSAA Closing Celebration
Presenting Partners: GRAND HYATT GCSAA Headquarter Hotel
Participating Partners:
NATIONAL GOLF FOUNDATION
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GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT 01.15
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Hydro Engr Sip Corp Inc 20' 20'
Stabilizer Solutions
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Greensmiths Golfdom/ North Coast Media 8069 8063 8065
Equipment
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8075
Paige Electric
20'
70'
Champion Turf Farms
Milorganite Fertilizer
12137
11098 20'
10080 20' 20'
8068 Progressive Turf Mi-T-M
6045
20' Spyker Spreaders 20'
40'
20'
30'
30'
6037
5035
Turfco
30'
Aquatrols
20'
Dura 20' Plastic
30'
Sensient Industrial Colors 30' 6026
9057
Kubota Tractor 50' Corp
7045
Salsco Inc 40'
40'
Golf Flag 5011
50'
20' Barenbrug USA 20'
20' Broyhill, Inc 20'
30'
Knox 20' Fertilizer
20'
30'
9055
8045
40'
ESD Waste2Water
7021
20'
9045
Pennington Seed 20' 20'
Grigg Brothers/ Brandt/Ihammer
7026
5003
9039
9037
UPI
20'
20'
7015
7009
30'
JRM, Inc.
8034
8026 Precision USA 30' 30'
8008 Moghu USA
20'
20' Watertronics 20'
Amega Sciences
11131 11133
30'
Ewing Irrigation
30' 10010
30'
Signature20' Control
O/H DOOR
20'
Wxline, LLC 12131
12130 12132 20' Leemco, Geoponics Aqua Control 20' Inc 20' 3M Electrical 20'
East Registration
FEBRUARY 25 WEDNESDAY
Distributor Preview: 8 – 9 am Trade Show: 9 am – 5 pm
FEBRUARY 26 THURSDAY
Trade Show: 9 am – 5 pm
GOLF INDUSTRY SHOW
Association Clubhouse • Answers on the Hour • Exhibitor Business Lounge • GCSAA Career Consulting • GCSAA Career Photo Booth • GCSAA Golf Championships • GCSAA & NGCOA Member Services • New Product Showcase/LIVE • San Diego 2016 • Silent Auction • Skin Cancer Screenings • Stay Connected • Tech Tips on the Half • Test Drive Technology Center • Trade Show Management Office • Travel Planners
B. Gonzalez Convention Center nio, Texas
8-9 am • Trade Show: 9 am-5 pm ade Show: 9 am-5 pm wa
BO
ll
3x5M
BO
Concessions
NGCOA Meeting Room
6x5M
GCSAA
Photo Head Shots
4'
BO
70"
Mon itor
BO
ck ' Ba
6'
6'
10
5M Exhibitor Meeting Rooms
6'
35' Meeting Room BO
FIRE EXIT
4 1/2 M
BO
35'
BO
BO
TC 35'
CS
6'X30"
Charging Station
GCSAA Member Services
CS BO
STAGE
BO
8'dx16'wx18"h
San Diego
BO
6x42
6x42
BO
BO
BO
Housing
6x42
6x42
35'
BO
NGCOA Member Services
Member Service Kiosk
BO
6x42
Silent Auction
Lit Rack
Member Service Kiosk
BO
Test Drive Technology
20' BO
BO
BO
BO
BO
BO
40'
BALLROOM B 30'
CMF Global
13018
20'
ABM Golf
20'
20'
20' Pepsi Co
20'
30'' 30 20'' 20
iGolf
16026 16028
16019 16021 16023
From Tee To Green
ASGCA 20'
Teesnap
Dorfman Rocky Mt Mtn n Pacific Sunscreen
Golf Sign
ETS Corp
American Expr OPEN
17015
20'
All Seasons Turf Grass
15052 15054 15056 15058
15060
15053 15055 15057 15059
15061
Mirimichi Green XGD Sys Express
16042 16044 16046
16060
16062 16064
16061
16063
Cheesebrough
Miltona Turf Products U.S. Battery
PGA of America
17038
17052 17054
20'
17044
17039
Par Aide Prod Co
Bag Boy
Platinum Thomson TE Perrett Paspalum & Lobb
Zhengzhou Lumigreen Golf AS Fertilizer
Linne Ind LLCPondHawk
30'
Golf Insurance Services/ EPIC
20'
20'
ADS, Inc.
Bannerman
Kochek Co
Golf Safety
17058
17060
17062
FIRE EXIT
17053 Redexim North USA
R & R Prod Inc.
50'
50'
60'
Trojan Battery 20' 20'
Naiad Co 19022
30'
50'
19015
EXHIBITOR REGISTRATION
Stenten's Golf Cart Accessories 20'
LIT BIN
LIT BIN
SIGN IN COUNTER
40' 19027 19029 19031
4'-6"
19043 19045 19047 19039 Redden Nets Atlantic A.P.E. TerraMax
Plant Food Company
PEM Colorado Surface Lining Creations
40'
ATTENDEE REGISTRATION
West Registration
ATTENDEE BAG STRUCTURE
Younility Inc
16056 16058
17034
18023
40' Storage
3'-5"
Heritage Links
Range Range Servant Servant Inc USA In c 20'' 20
Blue Planet Enviro
15063
Better Billy Bunker
16052
16053 16055 16057
16039 16041 16043 16045 16047
15062 15064
US Golf Hole Target
20'
Pentair Aquatic Eco-Sys
14063
WeatherBug
Koenders Water Solutions
"Grn Fxr"
16038
20'
14061
15046
Green Valley Turf
20'
King Ranch TurfgrassMini Verde Greens
17031
18022
Pure Seed
16032 16034
40'
20' Tee-2-Green Corp 20'
Yamaha Golf Car 40'
ISCO Ind
14053 14055 14057 14059
ASB TaskTracker
15042
15039 15041
Club Prophet
14060
15045 15047
20' Kesmac Brouwer Turf
15038
15035
14056 14058
Gail's Dream Flags Inc Turf
Profitable 1-2-1 Food Marketing Facilitie Facilitiess
Prestwick Golf Group 17026
20'
17014 17016 17018 17020
20'
VinylGuard Golf
15032
Dong Guan Lvtong Golf & Sightseeing Car Co. Lt Ltd d
ezLocator
EZLinks Golf
16018 16020
16015
16007
20' 20' 20'Foundation
20'
Golf
16014
20'
20'
ForeUP
14052
Fleetwood
GreenGuardCovers.com
Registration Merchandise/Bookstore Clubhouse & Outdoor Facility Solutions Colleges/Universities Booth Entrance
20'
Duininck Golf
20' 20'
14039 14041 14043 14045 14047 The Power House
13061
SMG Golf
Jacobsen Certified Pre-Owned Equipment
Ez Hybrid Jett Ent Turf Inc Inc
20'
15027 15029
Course Trends
FIRE EXIT
13053 13055 13057 13059
13045
Nordic ProAngle Plow
20'
Dongfeng Electric Vehicle Co., Ltd
15026
15018 15020 15022
PNC Equip Finance Hospitality Assoc
20'
20'
Golf Course Builders Assoc of America
Golf Course Builders Association of America
Perry The Fairway Enovativ Enovative e Weathe Weatherr Golf Buddy Tech Consulting
Tripp Davis
FIRE EXIT
FIRE EXIT
Slope
14038 14040
20' Eagle Parts Part & Prod
Gloves
15015 15017 15019 15021 15023 Best Approach
Golf Course Management Magazine
16005
16001
9167
20'
15014
15007
United States Golf Association 20' 20'
Golf.com
Landscapes Unlimited
15008
15001
90'
20'
National Golf Foundation
20'
15000
The Toro Company
TCF Equip Finance
Turfscience
Wesco
13039 13041
50'
14026
14020 14022
14019 14021 14023 14015 Nice Radios Shot Tee-On Golf For Golf
14009 14011
30'
Toro Irrigation
Brookside
Turf Care NuTec Soil Agra 13030 13032 13036 13038 13040
Samsung
Links Links Bridge Bridgess
14014 14016
20'
Central Fiber
13024
Shemin Landscape Supply Suppl y
Playbooks Playbooks for Golf
Zelup
FIRE EXIT
FIRE EXIT
20' Capillary Concrete
13015 13017 13019 13021 13023
J. Davis Marking
FIRE EXIT
NPS Live
New Product Showcase
120'
Concessions
Stay Connected
6x42
Answers on the Hour
FIRE EXIT
BO
Answers on the Hour
10'
4 1/2 M
Skin Cancer
BO
BO
Career
Golf Champ
30'
Crown Battery
20038
20044
20023
20029
20033
20039
Diversified Power Int'l
Dr. Bob's Divot Rx and Perfecto Cigar
Paragon Sports
Golfco Int'l
20'
Peat, Inc
20045 20047
20057 20059 Wee One Foundation
TifEagle, TifSport & Sea Isle Growers
21024
21014 21016 21018 21020
Turf Pride
20054
Verdesian Life Sciences
30'
Humate Carbtrol Rogers PlantStar Int'l Corp Sprayers
Gro-Power
30'
Agriguard
20032
Green Flush Tech
21004 21006
20'
Liberty Tire Recycling
20028
20019 RIBBON WALL
Brushes
Installations
20'
Zequanox by MBI
ThatchAway
Best Sand/ Fairmount Sports & Rec
20'
20'
Applied Biochemists, A Lonza Business
G.G. Markers
21032
21040
20'
TIP Inc
20' Port Industries & Sheltons Drainage
21044 21046
21052
MacLean Kasco Highline Marine
Achieva Rubber
Focus Golf
21056 21058 21060
21068 21070
21080 21082 21084 21086 21088
EXPRESS PASS COUNTERS
ATTENDEE BAG STRUCTURE
BADGE HOLDER KIOSK
22000
21005
21013 21015
21009
AgSource Harris
Eagle Golf & Laboratories Spectrum Landscape 20' Tech 20' 20' Ajinomoto North SGM Ind 20' 22004 22006
22025
Bayco Golf
Coursigns
21037 Wood Bay Turf Technologies
40'
DHR Construction StollerPRO
Armada Tech
21045 DryJect Inc.
40' 20'
Smithco Inc.
Salvarani NA
22012 22014 22016 22018
20'
21051
21055 21057
Turf Merchants
EverBank Commercial Finance
20' 20'
30'
Sunbelt Rentals
22050
Dryject Infuse
21063 21065 21067 21069 21071 Golden West Golf
Corbins Bunker Baled Pine Compass Magic Straw, Inc Minerals
Thor Guard
20'
20'
Thermoil Battery De-Mister
Diamond K Gypsum
Columbia Seeds
22062
22066 22068 22070
22054
Dongguan Excellence Golf & Sightseeing Car Co
21083 Exacto Inc.
20' Xiamen Dalle Electric Car Co., Ltd
21089
21095 21097
21099
22094 22096
22098
Bunker Solutions
20' 20'
20'
22076
FIRE EXIT
20' 20'
22088
22082
60' 50' 22005 22007
23000
Kiosk
Grp Transportation Services
22013
Nutrite/ Solu-Cal
Golf Preservations
Spraying 20' Devices Inc 20' 20' Burlingham Seeds NDS Inc 20' 23008 23004
ACCOUNTING OFFICE
Kiosk
30'
Hole in
50'
COFFEE SHOP
Kiosk ATM
24011
Floratine Products Group, Inc 20'
Baroness
20'
30'
Jacobsen
100'
HydroGear
OTR Wheel
Chemical Containers
Audubon
3 Tier Tech
23056
23062 23064 23066 23068
20' Prestige Flag 20'
Pomp's Tire Service 20'
24050
40'
Hustler Turf Equipment 25050
25024
20'
50'
25007
Golf Course Industry
AccuProducts
30'
FIRE EXIT
FIRE EXIT
FIRE EXIT
Propex
Stevens Water Monitoring Systems
20' 20'
Origination 26002 26004
Greenleaf Flight Sys Tech Industrial
Eagle One Golf Products
25015 25017 25021 Weed Delta-Q Tech TurfTime Man Lawn Equip
20'
Care
20'
20'
Bridgewell Chapin Int'l Resources 26008 26012 26014 26018
S&S Tire Co. DBA Affordable Turf and
24066 Engage Agro USA 20' 20'
RGF Environmental Grp Inc
20'
30'
30'
26024
26032
26003 26005 26007 26009 26011 26013 26015 26017
26023 26025
26031 26033
University University Texass Texa Tarleton Texass Texa Michigan Michiga n University University of of Rhode Rhode Tech Stat State e A& A&M M State Univ of of Island Connecticut University University University Turf Club Georgia Georgia
University of Arizona
Penn University of Wisconsin Wisconsin State Stat e Stout Stout University
Mississippi State University Career Center
40'
26036
The Charles Machine Works, Inc. dba
25068
22077 g2 turftools
22083
20' 20'
20' 20'
20'
Maredo BV 26044
Dennis & Sisis 20'
26052
25067
30' Greenman Machinery Company
Watermaze 23082
23088 23090 23092 23094 23096
20' GT Airinject Inc 20'
24080 23083
23085 23089 23091 23093 23095 23097
FIRE EXIT 24084 24088 24090 24092 24094 24096
25076
24081 24083 24085 JD James Inc. d/b/a Nature Bridges
Team Zoysia
24089 24091 24093 24095 24097 24099
26060
20'
Ventrac by Venture Products 20' 20'
Cylex Signs
25080 25082 25084
25088 25090 25092 25094 25096 25098
FIRE EXIT
25089 25091 25093 25095 25097
Statewide Turf Greenscan 3D
26076 26078 26080 26082 26084
26041 26043
26047 26049
26053 26055 26057 26059 26061 26063 26067 26069 26071 26073 26075 26077 26079 26081 26083
The Ohio Rutgers Rutger Stat State e University University
Oregon Iowa State State State University University
University of Guelph
26088 26090 26092 26094 26096
FIRE EXIT
BALLROOM A
FIRE EXIT
Greenstester (Orpang Ltd)
20'
25077 25079 25081 25083 25085
Kansas State University
FIRE EXIT RESTROOM
FIRE EXIT
Trimax Mowing Systems 20' 20'
24076
20'
FIRE EXIT
22101
Holganix 23076
26035 26037 Penn State Worl World d The Campus of Th e State Pennsylvania Stat e University Universit y
22089 22091 22093 22095 22097 22099
Witch 30'
Specialty Tire
20' 20'
25062 25064
25036
FIRE EXIT
FIRE EXIT
FIRE EXIT
GCSAA CollegiateTurf Bowl Competition FIRE EXIT
FIRE EXIT
FIRE EXIT
8'
FIRE EXIT
8' 8' 8' 8'
6'
8'
8'
FIRE EXIT
8' Security Cage
FIRE EXIT
25009
20' Landmark Turf and Native Seed
Campey20' Imants
30' 25001
Fairway The Fountainhead Stone 20' Ma'an Shan Green Friend Machine Mfg
30'
24056
40'
25000
22063 22065 22067 22069
ClearWater Recycling Systems
30'
E-Z-GO/ Cushman
24000
Baroness
Evergreen Turf Covers
23028
50'
20'
40'
Ryan
20'
PlanetAir Turf
23024
25012
Foley United
22057
23050
OR Fine & Tall Fescue Commission
40' 40'
Easy Picker Golf Products White 23012 23020
50'
Conv Center Info
Kiosk
22021
Wheelchair Ramp
NGCOA COUNTERS
8'
8' AIRWALL 8'
8'
8'
8'
AIRWALL
8'
8' 8' 8'
8' 8' 8'
8'
8' 8' 8'
HILTON
8'
8'
8' 8'
8'
8' 6'
8'
6'
FIRE EXIT
8' 8'
MARRIOTT RIVERWALK
8'
FIRE EXIT
MARRIOTT RIVERCENTER
CROCKETT HOTEL
NGCOA Headquarter Hotel
NGCOA Overflow Hotel
FIRE EXIT
FIRE EXIT
FIRE EXIT
FIRE EXIT
FIRE EXIT
02.15 GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT
111
Meet the exhibitors Editor’s note: The following is a list of trade show exhibitors for the 2015 Golf Industry Show in San Antonio as of Jan 15, 2015
1-2-1 Marketing 3 Tier Technologies 3M Electrical Markets Division
16034 23064
Atlantic Installations Audubon International
11131
B
A
GIS exhibitor list
A & L Western Laboratories 11063 A M S Inc 10027 A P E Brushes 19045 ABM Golf Services 14016 Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College 26057 AccuProducts Intl 25007 Ace Golf Netting 4070 Achieva Rubber Corp 21060 ADS Inc 17054 Aerway by Saf-Holland 8063 AFT Trenches/Great Lakes Inter-Drain 12077 Ag Specialties 7130 Agriguard Co 20038 AgSource Harris Laboratories 21005 Ajinomoto North America Inc 22004 Algaegreen 4008 All Seasons Turf Grass 15052 Amega Sciences Inc 12137 American Express OPEN 17016 Amvac Environmental Products 8015 The Andersons 9147 Anertec & Gandy Co 5041 Applied Biochemists, A Lonza Business 21030 Aqua Control Inc 12132 Aqua-Aid 6075 AquaMaster Fountains & Aerators 3039 Aquatrols 9063 ARAG 22018 Arborjet Inc 6013 Armada Technologies 22016 ASB TaskTracker 15046 ASGCA 16007
112
GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT 02.15
Bag Boy Bannerman Barenbrug USA Baroness BASF Bayco Golf Bayer Bernhard & Co Best Approach Best Sand/Fairmount Sports & Rec Bestway Inc Better Billy Bunker BIGGA Bishop Enterprises Inc Blinder Bunker Intl Blue Planet Enviro Brandt Bridgewell Resources Brookside Agra Brookside Laboratory Broyhill Inc Buffalo Turbine Bunker Magic Bunker Solutions Burlingham Seeds
19043 23062
16057 17058 9057 25012 4111 21015 7081 4081 15015 20059 11034 16052 5099 10019 16062 16041 8034 26018 13036 6065 7045 4045 21065 21089 23004
C Campbell Scientific Campey Imants Capillary Concrete Carbtrol Corp Central Fiber Champion Turf Farms Chapin Intl Cheesebrough Corp Chem Turf Chemical Containers Inc
12119 24066 13024 21018 13030 10080 26014 16039 10023 23056
Chick’s Irrigation Developments14043 Civitas - Suncor Energy Inc 5129 Clarion Water 24089 ClearWater Recycling System 22057 Clow Valve Co 3043 Club Car Inc 9127 Club Prophet Systems 15035 CMF Global Inc 13018 Colorado Lining International Inc 19027 Columbia Seeds 22066 Compass Minerals 21069 Corbins Baled Pine Straw Inc 21067 Coremaster Intl 26036 Course Crafters 16058 Course Trends 15021 Coursigns Inc 21013 Crop Production Services 8123 Crown Battery 20044 Crystal Green by Ostara 11085 Cub Cadet Golf 4027 Custom Agronomics Inc 3046 Cylex Signs 25088
D Dakota Equipment 4063 Dakota Peat 4064 Decagon Devices Inc 11030 Delta-Q Technologies 25017 Dennis & Sisis 26052 Devant Sport Towels 16057 DHR Construction 22012 Diamond K Gypsum, Inc 22062 Ditch Witch 25068 Diversified Power Intl 20023 DLF International Seeds 7123 Dong Guan Lvtong Golf & Sightseeing Car Co Ltd 15029 Dongfeng Electric Vehicle Co Ltd 15032 Dongguan Excellence Golf & Sightseeing Car Co Ltd 22070
You’re always raving about your technician. Give him something more than a pat on the back. Give your tech the recognition he deserves and a chance to win $2,500 cool ones. It’s simple and fast. Just go to GCSAA.org or stop by the Foley United booth (24000) at GIS in San Antonio and nominate him for the GCM Most Valuable Technician Award.
Sponsored by:
Presented by:
Congratulations to Past MVT Winners
2014 — Joe Stefanick, Seven Lakes Golf and Tennis Community, Fort Myers, Fla. 2013 — Brian Heywood, The Valley Club, Hailey, Idaho 2012 — Jim Stuart, Stone Mountain (Ga.) Golf Club 2011 — Gene Pascarelli, Colorado Springs Country Club 2010 — Ramon Salas, Azusa Greens Country Club, Azusa, Calif.
Dorfman Pacific Co Inc Dow AgroSciences Dr Bob’s Divot Rx and Perfecto Cigar Holder Dream Turf Drill & Fill Mfg DryJect Inc Dryject Infuse Duininck Golf Dura Plastic Products Dura-Line Corp
16021 5091
13059 25024 21009 26024 15026 7015
Engage Agro USA 25064 Enovative Technologies 15022 EnP Turf 4094 Entegra 9143 Enviro Protection Industries 3042 Environmental Manufacturing Solutions 3028 EPIC Creative 6135 ESD Waste2Water Inc 7021 Essensa 15058 ETS Corp 17020 EverBank Commercial Finance21055 Evergreen Turf Covers 23028 Ewing Irrigation 10091 Exacto Inc 21083 Ez Hybrid Turf Inc 14038 EZLinks Golf Inc 16020 ezLocator 16026
10081 10089 23012 4026
The Fairway Golf Buddy Fairway Stone Fiber Bond Corp
20029 14055 6081 21045 21057 14052 6045 2027
E E-par USA Inc E-Z-GO/Cushman Eagle Golf & Landscape Prod Eagle One Golf Products Eagle Parts & Products Earthway Products Inc EarthWorks Natural Organic Products East Coast Sod & Seed Easy Picker Golf Products Ecologel Solutions
F 15020 22067 11032
First Products Inc Fisher Barton Blades Fleetwood Services Flight Systems Industrial Products Floratine Products Group Inc Flowtronex a Xylem Brand FMC Corp Focus Golf Products Foley United The Fountainhead Group Forestry Suppliers Inc ForeUP From Tee To Green
6055 12084 14047 26012 25000 4003 4091 21080 24000 22069 10084 15027 16015
G G G Markers Inc g2 turftools inc Gail’s Flags Inc GCSAA TV GenNext Biotech Geoponics Corp Global Turf Equipment Golden West Golf
21040 22077 14053 6131 8009 12130 11074 21063
STRIKE AT THE ROOT
OF THE PROBLEM NATURALLY CONTROLS NEMATODES ON CONTACT. Nematodes wreak havoc on your turf’s roots and harm the playability of your course. Promote a healthy root system with MultiGuard Protect®. This natural liquid nematicide works to manage nematodes on contact and won’t leave harmful residue on your course. Protect your turf from nematodes by striking at the root of the problem with MultiGuard Protect®. Learn more at multiguardprotect.com or call 908-272-7070.
© 2014 Agriguard Company, LLC.
Golf Preservations Inc. Nationwide Golf Course Drainage Company
Specializing in Drainage Installation on Existing Greens, Approach and Fairway Drainage
Golf Course Builders Association of America 16001 Golf Course Builders Association of America Foundation 16005 Golf Course Industry 25001 Golf Course Management Magazine 15007 Golf Course Trades 15054 Golf Flag 5011 Golf Hospitality Association 16018 Golf Insurance Services/ EPIC 16061 Golf Preservations Inc 22007 Golf Safety 17062 Golf Sign Co 17018 Golf Status Inc 14022 Golfco Intl Inc 20039 Golfdom/North Coast Media 8069 Gowan USA 7069 Graden 3019 Green Flush Technologies 20019 Green Valley Turf 15045 GreenGuardCovers com 14041 GreenJacket 4030 Greenleaf Technologies 26008 Greenman Machinery Co 26060 Greenscan 3D 26076 GreensGroomer WorldWide Inc 5053 Greensmiths Inc 8065 Greenstester (Orpang) 24085 Grn Fxr 15047 Greg Norman Golf Course Design 9085 Grigg Brothers 8034 Gro-Power Inc 21006 Ground2Control 15023 Group Transportation Services 22005 Growth Products 5123 GT Airinject Inc 24076
H
Golf Preservations Inc. 504 Gloucester Ave Middlesboro, KY 40965 606-499-2732 www.golfpreservations.com Email: golfpreservations@yahoo.com
Hahn Application Prod Haifa North America HARCO Fittings Harper Industries Healthy Grow Healthy Ponds by Bioverse Heritage Links Hole in White
10045 11087 5047 11143 4088 6073 16056 23020
Holganix Honda Engines Howard Johnson Enterprise Huma Gro Turf Humate Intl Inc Hunter Industries Hustler Turf Equipment Hydro Engineering Inc Hydro-Gear
23076 5065 8045 11041 21014 4073 25050 5135 22063
I I-MOL, From The Ground Up IGCEMA Inc iGolf Ihammer Inject-O-Meter Fertigation Pumps Iowa State University ISCO Industries IVI-Golf / Sandtrapper
9011 4103 16028 8034 5102 26049 15039 9062
J J Davis Marking J R Simplot Agribusiness Jacobsen Jacobsen Certified PreOwned Equipment JCM Industries Inc JD James Inc d/b/a Nature Bridges Jett Enterprises Inc John Deere Johnston Seed Co JRM Inc
14014 11116 25036 13045 4042 24081 14040 6093 7134 9045
K K100 Fuel Treatment 13055 Kansas State University 26037 Kasco Marine Inc 21058 Kelly’s Green Team 10090 Kesmac Brouwer Turf 15042 King Innovation 11084 King Ranch Turfgrass Mini Verde Greens 16038 Kirby Markers 23020 Klingstone Inc 12101 Knox Fertilizer Co 7026 Koch Agronomic Services 11106 Kochek Co 17060 Koenders Water Solutions Inc 15053 KSAB Golf Equipment AB 3030 Kubota Tractor Corp 7051
L Lambert Peat Moss Inc Landmark Golf Course Products Landmark Turf and Native Seed Landscapes Unlimited LASCO Fittings Inc Lastec Lebanon Turf Leemco Inc Lely NA Inc Lester Electrical Letrika USA Inc Liberty Tire Recycling Links Bridges Linne Industries-PondHawk Logan Labs Lone Star Flags & Golf Lumigreen AS
10035 10049 23068 15014 10063 6127 9099 11127 11019 4038 15061 20032 14020 16043 10085 12127 16047
M M & M Vehicle Corp Ma’an Shan Green
11081
Friend Machine Mfg Co 23066 MacLean Highline Products 21056 Macro-Sorb Technologies 7062 Magnation Water Technologies 8012 Maredo BV 26044 Maruyama US Inc 10037 McDonald & Sons Inc 10087 MCI 8003 Mi-T-M Corp 8068 Michigan State Univ Turf Club 26013 Milliken & Co 9066 Milorganite Fertilizer 9018 Miltona Turf Products 17038 Mirimichi Green Express 16042 Mississippi State University Career Center 26025 Mitchell Products 6020 Moghu USA 8008 Mountain View Seeds 12089
N Naiad Co Inc 19022 National Golf Foundation 15008 National Golf Graphics 4078 Nature Safe Natural & Organic
Fertilizers NDS Inc Neary Technologies Neff Rental Nelson Aerial Netex Netting Inc Nice Shot Golf Gloves Nivel Parts & Mfg Co Nordic Plow Nufarm Americas NuTec Soil Inc Nutrite/Solu-Cal
4105 23008 24000 3045 14019 11023 14023 10055 13039 4135 13032 22013
O Ocean Organics The Ohio State University Oldcastle Enclosure Solutions OR Fine & Tall Fescue Commission Oregon State University Organic Sediment Removal Systems Origination Inc OTR Wheel Engineering
11072 26041 7132 22021 26047 3031 26004 22065
GCSAA Partners SupportYour Future PLATINUM PARTNERS
GOLD PARTNERS
SILVER PARTNERS
KOCH AGRONOMIC SERVICES, LLC
GCSAA’s industry partners support you and 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.
Otterbine Barebo Inc Otto Trading Inc
5067 10030
P P E M Surface Creations 19029 Paige Electric Co 11133 Par Aide Products Co 17031 Paragon Sports 20033 PBI Gordon Corp 5081 Peat Inc 21004 Penn State University 26033 Penn State World Campus of The Pennsylvania State University 26035 Pennington Seed 8054 Pentair Aquatic Eco-Systems 16046 Pepsi Co 17014 Performance Nutrition (A Division of LidoChem Inc ) 3027 Perma Bunker 4099 Perry Weather Consulting 15018 PGA of America 17052 PICKSEED 8075
Pinhigh Lapping Compound 4099 PlanetAir Turf Products 23024 Plant Food Co 19031 Plant Food Systems Inc 12086 Plant Marvel Laboratories Inc 4044 Plant Science Inc 10013 PlantStar 21016 Platinum TE Paspalum 16053 Playbooks for Golf 13017 PNC Equipment Finance 16014 Pomp’s Tire Service 24050 Porous Pave Inc 15059 Port Industries & Sheltons Drainage 21052 PowerFirst Charger 22068 The Power House Inc 14039 Precision Laboratories 8021 Precision USA 8026 Prestige Flag 24056 Prestwick Golf Group 17026 PrimeraOne Apex 3026 Prince Minerals 3034 ProAngle 13041 Profile Products 10067
Profitable Food Facilities Progressive Turf Equipment Propane Education & Research Council Propex ProTea Botan Pumpstation Professionals com Pure Seed
16032 7063 13019 26002 3037 10031 15041
Q Quali-Pro Quantum BioTek Quest Products Corp
7073 2026 7072
R R & R Products Inc 17039 Radios For Golf com 14021 Rain Bird Corp 9109 Range Servant America Inc 17034 Redden Nets 19039 Redexim North America 17053 Redox Turf 4011 Regency Wire 11065
RGF Environmental Group Inc Richway Industries Riksha Rocky Mountain Sunscreen Rogers Sprayers Inc Rutgers University Ryan
25062 9037 16057 16023 21020 26043 23050
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At their service Jack Fry, Ph.D. jfry@ksu.edu
Gourlay emphasized that customers will drive 30 miles out of their way to return to a location if they’ve had an enjoyable experience. Likewise, it only takes one bad experience at a location for a customer to decide he or she will never return.
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It was 15 below zero during a not-sounusual Kansas City February afternoon in 1977. I was standing outside, glaring through the vehicle’s window that was shielding its driver from exposure to this bone-chilling air, trying to read her lips and interpret erratic hand gestures. After several seconds, I determined she wanted her oil level and tire pressure checked. I was a teenager at the time, working the full-service islands at my father’s Standard Oil service station. Full service: a distant memory. I reluctantly addressed her request, but honestly, at that time, excellent customer service was less important to me than maintaining feeling in my toes. Years later, as superintendents, general managers and others interact with undergraduate golf course and turf management students in my classes at K-State, the customer service topic never goes away. This autumn, one of my students queried Randy James, owner of Growing Concerns Inc. in Manhattan, Kan., what the key was to the growth of his business and solid portfolio of loyal customers. He responded simply, saying, “If you tell a customer you’re going to do something, do it. Building trust is critical and encourages customer retention.” David Gourlay, CGCS, general manager at Lakewood Country Club in Westlake, Ohio, and a 36-year member of GCSAA, emphasized the importance of customers experiencing quality service from the time they arrive at the golf course to the moment they depart. For example, golf cars should be delivered shortly after the customer arrives in the parking lot and clubs promptly loaded; frst impressions go a long way. Excellent service should continue as the customer passes through the pro shop, from food-and-beverage staff as they move from hole to hole on the course and, fnally, at the bar and restaurant after the round. Gourlay emphasized that customers will drive 30 miles out of their way to return to a location if they’ve had an enjoyable experience. Likewise, it only takes one bad experience at a location for a customer to decide he or she will never return. Dick Stuntz, CGCS, former general manager and superintendent at Alvamar Golf Club in Lawrence, Kan., and a 37-
year member of GCSAA, frequently advised students to know the primary mission of the golf facility. In his case, real estate sales were of utmost importance to the ownership group. If, on a Monday morning, when the course was typically closed, a potential buyer was visiting and wanted to play golf, every effort was made to accommodate that individual and make him feel special. We can all recount experiences of good and bad customer service. My list of favorite businesses all have the common theme of offering excellent service. My late father, Claude, had a natural way with people and knew what excellent customer service required. I recall the banker from across the street once pulling into the fullservice bay requesting that I clean the white walls on his Cadillac’s tires. Remember white walls? I politely let him know that such service wasn’t standard fare. He quietly strolled back to my father’s offce. A few minutes later, my father was cleaning his white walls. Indeed, my dad knew the importance of excellent customer service and that his effort to please this individual would pay dividends later. Have you communicated to your employees how important customer service is at your golf course in this climate of unparalleled competition for golfers? Are they willing to go out of their way to “put air in the tires” or “clean the white walls?” As you review resolutions for 2015, reemphasizing the importance of excellent customer service should be on the list.
Jack Fry, Ph.D., is a professor of turfgrass science and the director of the Rocky Ford Turfgrass Research Center at Kansas State University in Manhattan. He is an 18-year educator member of GCSAA.
We understand that your professional reputation and livelihood are dependent on the quality of the turfgrass you manage. We also know that you have many choices when it comes to foliar nutrition, and Floratine is not always the least expensive option. But with so much at stake, we refuse to take short cuts in the design, formulation and technical support of our products. Yes, there are lower-grade raw materials and ‘all-in-one jug’ solutions on the market, but that’s not what we’re about. As a family-owned company, we proudly manufacture our products in our own facility in Tennessee, using only the highest-grade raw ingredients to ensure you get nothing but the best in every jug. With so much on the line, staying Rooted in Science™ is our commitment to you. Sincerely,
Kevin Cavanaugh, Co-Owner (901) 493-7211 | kcavanaugh@foratine.com
Mike Cavanaugh, Co-Owner (215) 588-5594 | mikecavanaugh@foratine.com
Disease updates Editor’s note: Each year, reports of previously unknown diseases, sightings of diseases in areas where they have not been seen previously and other news of diseases related to turfgrass are published in the scientifc literature. From time to time, GCM will publish this information in its research section. In this issue, we are publishing reports that appeared in the journal Plant Disease during the past year.
(Report) First report of plantparasitic nematodes on seashore paspalum in Barbados P.C. Mc Groary, Ph.D.; J.L. Cisar, Ph.D.; R.M. Giblin-Davis, Ph.D.; O.F. Ruiz Jr., D.P.M.; and E.J. Nangle, Ph.D.
Seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum Swartz) is a warm-season perennial turfgrass commonly used for golf courses that are grown in saline environments or are using saline water for irrigation. However, seashore paspalum is also used in non-saline conditions because of its low fertilizer and water requirements. Seashore paspalum Sea Isle Supreme sprigs were imported from Georgia (United States) to Barbados and were planted
Three genera of nematodes were found on Sea Isle Supreme seashore paspalum on a newly constructed golf course in Barbados. Photos by Don Roberts
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in 2006 and 2007 on greens, tees, fairways and rough on a newly constructed golf course. Golf greens were constructed according to USGA recommendations. Tees and fairways were constructed using native soil. Two years after the grow-in, the putting greens began to exhibit irregular chlorotic patches, followed by gradual thinning and decline of turfgrass stand density in those areas. Additionally, turfgrass roots sampled from the symptomatic
patches appeared to be abbreviated compared to non-symptomatic areas of the greens. A survey was conducted in May 2013 to determine whether the presence of plant-parasitic nematodes coincided with the observed symptoms, which were similar to those described in a previous report. Consequently, two samples were collected from each green with a total of four greens sampled. Each sample consisted of 20 soil cores (6 inches deep Ă— 0.5 inch in diameter [15 centimeters Ă— 1.2 centimeters]) from either symptomatic areas or non-symptomatic areas of the greens. Nematodes were extracted from 6-cubicinch (100-cubic-centimeter) soil samples. No plant parasitic nematodes were present in any of the samples from the non-symptomatic
areas. Three genera of plant parasitic nematodes were found in all the samples from the symptomatic areas. The genera (and their average populations per 6 cubic inches [100 cubic centimeters]) are: Helicotylenc us (30), Mesocriconema (60) and Pratylenc us (200). Populations of the genera Helicotylenc us and Mesocriconema were below the action threshold levels for seashore paspalum used by the University of Florida Nematode Assay Laboratory. Currently, no threshold exists for Pratylenc s for seashore paspalum. However, the genera Helicotylenc us, Mesocriconema and Pratylenc us were found in association with the irregular chlorotic patches but not with the non-symptomatic areas. To our knowledge, this is the frst report of
plant parasitic nematodes associated with seashore paspalum maintained as putting greens in Barbados. Source: Plant Disease, July 2014, 98(7):1018. http://dx.doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-08-13-0832-PDN P.C. Mc Groary (pmcgroary@aleastern.com) is the agronomist and general manager at A&L Eastern Analytical Laboratories, Richmond, Va.; J.L. Cisar is a professor in turfgrass and water management and R.M. Giblin-Davis is professor of entomology and nematology at the Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; O.F. Ruiz Jr. is an agronomist at A&L Analytical Laboratories, Memphis, Tenn.; and E.J. Nangle is director of turfgrass programs at the Chicago District Golf Association, Lemont, Ill.
(Report) First report of Trichodorus obtusus on turfgrass in North Carolina W. Ye, Ph.D. Y. Zeng, Ph.D. J. Kerns, Ph.D. In May 2014, 11 sandy soil samples were collected at a depth of about 2 to 6 inches (5 to 15 centimeters) from a golf course community in Wilmington, N.C. The site was composed of bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) from the fairway, St. Augustinegrass (Stenotap rum secundatum) from the lawn, and zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica) from the tee, all of which showed spotted yellowing and necrosis. Plant-parasitic nematodes were extracted from soil samples by a combination of elutriation and sugar centrifugal-fotation methods at the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Nematode Assay Lab, Raleigh, N.C. The results revealed the presence of several plant-parasitic nematodes, with a stubby-root nematode (Trichodoridae) present. Population densities of stubby-root nematodes were 10 to 90 (average 50) nematodes per 30.5 cubic inches (500 cubic centimeters) of soil. This species was clearly different from the parthenogenetic stubby-root nematode Nanidorus minor (Colbran, 1956) Siddiqi, 1974
A female (top) and a male (bottom) Trichodorus obtusus nematode from North Carolina. Photos by Weimin Ye
commonly found in North Carolina because males were present and the nematode’s body size was larger. Morphological and molecular analyses of this nematode identifed the species as Tri odorus obtusus Cobb, 1913. Morphological features of T. obtusus specimens were examined in glycerol permanent mounts. Males (n = 5) had a ventrally curved spicule, three ventromedian precloacal papillae (one ventromedian cervical papilla anterior to the excretory pore, one pair of lateral cervical pores at the level of the ventromedian cer-
vical papilla), and a tail with a non-thickened terminal cuticle. Males were 860 to 1,120 (average 1,018) micrometers long; body width, 38 to 48 (42) micrometers; onchiostyle, 53 to 60 (56) micrometers; and spicule, 54 to 62 (59) micrometers. Females (n = 5) had a pore-like vulva, a barrel-shaped vagina, and one or two postadvulvar lateral body pores on each side. Females were 990 to 1,330 (1,148) micrometers long; body width, 43 to 56 (48) micro meters; onchiostyle, 50 to 64 (58) micrometers; and vulva position, 49.0% to 57.5%
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(53.0%). The morphology agreed with the description of T. obtusus. DNA was prepared by squashing a single nematode (n = 3) on a microscope slide and collecting DNA in 50 microliters of AE buffer solution. The resulting DNA sequences were deposited in GenBank under the accession numbers KM276665 (18S) and KM276666 (28S D2/D3). Data from KM27665 were 100% homologous with two populations of T. obtusus (JX279930, 898 bp; and JX289834, 897 bp) from South Carolina and one (AY146460, 634 bp) from an unknown
source. Data from M27666 was less than 90% homologous with many Tric odorus species, but no T. obtusus sequence data were available. Tric odorus obtusus is known to occur only in the United States and to damage turfgrasses. It is reported in the states of Virginia, Florida, South Carolina, Texas, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, New York and South Dakota. This nematode has been reported as a pathogen of bermudagrass in Florida and South Carolina, but pathogenicity to St. Augustinegrass and zoysiagrass is unknown. To our knowledge, this is the frst report of T. obtusus on turf-
grasses in North Carolina.
mon in sandy, disturbed soils and can also be found in home lawns and sport felds where low turf density facilitates its establishment. In July 2013, after a period of frequent rainfall and heavy dew, symptoms of dollar spot-like lesions (1) were observed on sandbur plants growing in a mixed stand of turf-type and native warmseason grasses in Logan County, Okla. Lesions, frequently associated with leaf sheaths, were tan and surrounded by a dark margin. Symptomatic leaves were surface sterilized and plated on potato dextrose agar amended
with 10 ppm rifampicin, 250 ppm ampicillin, and 5 ppm fenpropathrin. After incubation, a fungus morphologically identical to Sclerotinia omoeocarpa Bennett was consistently isolated. The DNA products were sequenced and compared with sequences in GenBank. The sequence for isolate SLC2 was identical to accession EU123803. The ITS sequence for isolate SLC3 was identical to accession EU123802. Twenty-fve-day-old seedlings of C. incertus were inoculated by placing 5-millimeter-
Source: Plant Disease, February 2015, 99:291; published online as http://dx.doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-08-140830-PDN. Accepted for publication Oct. 15, 2014. W. Ye (Weimin.Ye@ncagr.gov) is section chief of the Nematode Assay Section, Agronomic Division, North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Raleigh, N.C.; and Y. Zeng is a visiting scholar and J. Kerns is an assistant professor and Extension specialist in the department of plant pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C.
(Report) First report of dollar spot of sandbur caused by Sclerotinia homoeocarpa in Oklahoma Francisco Flores, Ph.D., and Nathan Walker, Ph.D. Sandbur (Cenc rus incertus Curtis) is a warm-season, annual, noxious, grassy weed native to southern North America. It is com-
In Oklahoma, dollar spot has been observed on sandbur, a noxious grassy weed. Photos by Erin Jenkins
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diameter agar plugs, colonized by mycelia of each S. omoeocarpa isolate, onto two of the plants' leaves. Two plants were inoculated with each isolate and sterile agar plugs were placed on two leaves of another seedling as control. Plants were incubated in a dew chamber at 68 F (20 C) and a 12-hour photoperiod. After three days of incubation, water-soaked lesions surrounded by a dark margin appeared on inoculated plants only.
Fungi that were later identifed as S omoeocarpa isolates SLC2 and SLC3 by sequencing of the ITS region were re-isolated from symptomatic leaves, fulflling Koch's postulates. To our knowledge, this is the frst report of dollar spot on sandbur.
Francisco Flores was a graduate student at the time of this discovery and has since received his Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University, and Nathan Walker, Ph.D. (nathan. walker@okstate.edu), is a professor in the department of entomology and plant pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Okla.
Source: Plant Disease, August 2014, 98(8):1160 http://dx.doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-03-14-0244-PDN
(Report) First report of Meloidogyne marylandi infecting bermudagrass in Oklahoma Nathan Walker, Ph.D. Meloidogyne marylandi is a nematode commonly associated with turfgrasses and has been reported to occur in Texas and Arkansas. In fall 2013, a stand of ultradwarf bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon × C. transvaalensis) plants in a sand-based, research putting green in Stillwater, Okla., exhibited symptoms of decline. Roots of the affected plants had small galls and, upon staining of the root system, numerous egg masses were evident. Egg masses were collected and placed in water, and the morphology of 20 hatched, second-stage juveniles were examined. The characteristics of the juveniles were: body length averaged 393.1 ± 19.87 (range: 361425) micrometers, mean width averaged 16.6 ± 0.7 ( a range of 15.6-17.8) micrometers, stylet lengths averaged 12.1 ± 0.7 (10.4-12.9) micrometers, dorsal gland orifce from stylet base averaged 2.9 ± 0.4 (2.5-3.6) micrometers, tail lengths averaged 53.7 ± 3.8 (46.260.4) micrometers, and the hyaline region of the tails averaged 10.4 ± 1.1 (8.4-12.7) micrometers. Six females were removed from roots, and their genomic DNA was extracted, amplifed and sequenced. Genetic testing showed that the sequences exhibited 97% identity with two sequences from M. marylandi (KC473862.1 and KC473863.1); the next most similar species was M. graminis
The nematode Meloidogyne marylandi was discovered in fall 2013 in a stand of ultradwarf bermudagrass plants in a sand-based research putting green in Stillwater, Okla. Photos by Nathan Walker
(JN241898.1) with 83% identity. To our knowledge, this is the frst report of the root-knot nematode M. marylandi in Oklahoma. As bermudagrass becomes more commonly used for putting greens in the turfgrass transition zone, M. marylandi may become a more common and damaging pathogen in the region. Source: Plant Disease, September 2014, 98(9):1286. http://dx.doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-04-14-0399-PDN Nathan Walker, Ph.D. (nathan.walker@okstate.edu), is a professor in the department of entomology and plant pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Okla.
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(Report) Severe symptoms of mosaic and necrosis in Floratam St. Augustinegrass associated with sugarcane mosaic virus in St. Petersburg, Fla. Philip F. Harmon, Ph.D. Ricardo Ivan Alcalá-Briseño Jane Polston, Ph.D. Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) (family: Potyviridae, genus: Potyvirus) causes a mosaic disease of St. Augustinegrass (Stenotap rum secundatum [Walt.] Kuntze) frst documented in Florida in 1963 (Todd, 1964). At that time, symptomatic St. Augustinegrass was found in lawns, pastures and sod farms near Canal Point and Belle Glade, Fla., an area that was dominated by sugarcane production. In the 50 years since the frst report in Florida, the disease was rarely observed and had never been reported in a lawn outside these sugarcaneproducing areas. A survey to identify the virus in St. Augustinegrass in central and northern Florida in the early 1970s found no disease in these areas of the state. The disease also was not diagnosed on any of approximately 4,400 St. Augustinegrass samples processed by the University of Florida Plant Diagnostic Center from 2003 through December 2013, when this outbreak occurred (C. Harmon, Director, University of Florida Plant Diagnostic Center, personal communication). In December 2013, symptoms of mosaic and necrosis on St. Augustinegrass were reported from more than 50 residential lawns within a 6-mile (10-kilometer) radius of the Bayway Isles community in south St. Petersburg, Fla. Samples were collected from Floratam sod that had been purchased and installed in spring 2013, and then, according to the turfgrass manager, had developed severe mosaic and later necrosis by September 2013. The presence of SCMV was confrmed with triplicate assays from two Floratam samples from two different lawns using a commercial DAS ELISA kit with appropriate controls (SRA 18100, Agdia, Elkhart, Ind.). Genetic testing of two symptomatic Floratam plants was used to confrm the ELISA results. The nucleotide sequences from the two plants were 98.9%
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Sugarcane mosaic virus has recently surfaced as a pest of St. Augustinegrass lawns in central Florida. Photos by Philip Harmon
similar to each other. Pairwise similarity analysis indicated that the CP nucleotide sequences of the two St. Augustinegrass isolates were 90.7% and 90.3% similar to those of SCMV-Ohio and SCMV-JAL-1, respectively. Five additional lawns with mosaic were sampled in December 2013 and tested positive for SCMV. Fifteen additional samples were collected in September 2014, and they also tested positive for mosaic virus. This is the frst report of a large-scale outbreak of mosaic and necrosis associated with SCMV in central Florida and signifes an important movement of the pathogen geographically within the state to an area where
no sugarcane is produced. This is also the frst report of the disease occurring on the most predominant cultivar of St. Augustinegrass used for lawns in Florida, Floratam. The disease has killed Floratam lawns, and diagnosticians should be alerted to the potential for outbreaks outside sugarcane growing regions. Source: Plant Disease. Accepted for publication. http://dx.doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-11-14-1140-PDN Philip F. Harmon (pfharmon@uf.edu) is an associate professor, Ricardo Ivan Alcalá-Briseño is a research scholar and Jane Polston is a professor in the plant pathology department at the University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla.
Eric Watkins, Ph.D. David S. Gardner, Ph.D. John C. Stier, Ph.D. Douglas J. Soldat, Ph.D. Rodney A. St. John, Ph.D.
Nick E. Christians, Ph.D. Aaron D. Hathaway, M.S. Kenneth L. Diesburg, Ph.D. Steven R. Poppe, A.A.S. Roch E. Gaussoin, Ph.D.
Low-input turfgrass species for the north-central United States Several species of low-input turfgrasses are suitable for use in the north-central region of the United States. Concerns about current drought conditions, potential future water shortages and the environmental effects of fertilizer and pesticide inputs on turfgrass have contributed to the development of turfgrass species that can thrive with fewer inputs. These grasses also must be able to tolerate the traffc levels that occur on golf courses and athletic felds. Researchers have tested low-input turfgrasses to determine their suitability throughout the north-central region (Figure 1) and other parts of the northern United States and Canada. Studies have shown that several species either are well-adapted to the northern United States (tall fescue [Festuca arundinacea], hard fescue [Festuca trac p lla], sheep fescue [Festuca ovina], colonial bentgrass [Agrostis capillaris], Chewings fescue [Festuca rubra var. commutata]) or have the potential to be used in the future (prairie junegrass [Koeleria macrant a], tufted hairgrass [Des ampsia cespitosa]). The objective of this study was to evaluate multiple cultivars of several species with known adaptation to low-input environments in the north-central region. Field trials Twenty-fve turfgrass cultivars and selections representing 10 cool-season grass species were planted at eight locations throughout the north-central region of the United States (Table 1, Figure 1). Plots were established in late summer 2007 at recommended seeding rates and were irrigated during establishment. Fertilization. At the time of seeding, a single application of a starter fertilizer was applied, providing 28.7 pounds of phosphorus/
North-central region
ND
MN
SD NE KS
WI MI
IA IL
IN
OH
MO
Figure 1. Researchers have tested various low-input turfgrasses to determine whether they are suitable for the northcentral region of the United States. Research sites were located in eight of the states in the region: Ames, Iowa; Olathe, Kan.; East Lansing, Mich.; Morris, Minn.; Lincoln, Neb.; Columbus, Ohio; Carbondale, Ill.; and Madison, Wis.
acre (32.2 kilograms/hectare). During establishment, each location used a different fertilizer product with approximately 65.2 pounds of nitrogen/acre (73.1 kilograms/hectare) and 54.1 pounds of potassium/acre (60.7 kilograms/hectare). Lower rates were used at the Olathe, Kan., location, where nitrogen was applied at approximately 48.98 pounds/acre (54.9 kilograms/hectare) and potassium at 28.7 pounds/acre (32.2 kilograms/hectare). Mowing and inputs. All plots were maintained at a 3-inch (7.6-centimeters) mowing
height and mowed monthly with the clippings returned. After establishment, beginning in spring 2008, plots did not receive any irrigation, fertilizer or pesticides during the trial. Turf quality Turfgrass quality was rated on a scale of 1-9, where 1 = dead, brown turf; 5 = minimum acceptable; and 9 = best quality. Data were collected monthly during the growing season (April to October) at each location and monthly quality ratings were combined
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into mean quality ratings for the entire growing season for both 2008 and 2009 (Table 2). Monthly quality ratings were also pooled to produce mean quality ratings for the summers (June to August) of 2008 and 2009 (Table 3). There were no signifcant differences in turfgrass quality between years, but there were signifcant differences among locations. Therefore, data for each location were analyzed separately (Tables 2, 3). Location signifcantly affected establishment results, so establishment data were analyzed separately for each location. Results Tall fescue, Chewings fescue, hard fescue and colonial bentgrass were the best performers at most locations, and prairie junegrass and
Location, rainfall and soil information Rainfall (millimeters)† 2008 2009
Location Ames, Iowa Olathe, Kan. East Lansing, Mich. Morris, Minn. Lincoln, Neb. Columbus, Ohio Carbondale, Ill. Madison, Wis.
842 970 522 520 829 635 721 724
247 895 683 446 431 652 1126 696
Soil type
pH
Soil organic matter (%)
loam silty clay loam sandy clay loam silt loam silty clay loam silty clay loam silty clay loam silt loam
5.8 6.8 7.0 7.3 6.7 7.5 6.2 7.2
3.3 3.9 NA‡ 5.6 3.2 NA 2.6 3.2
†
Rainfall, April 1-Oct. 31. Soil organic matter information not available.
‡
Table 1. Precipitation (April 1-Oct. 31), soil type, soil pH and percent soil organic matter at eight trial locations for a lowinput turfgrass trial.
Visual quality ratings for the growing season, 2008 and 2009 Cultivar or selection Falcon IV Rebel Exeda Jamestown II Barlexas II Culumbra II Intrigue SR 3150 Revere Reliant IV Barking Predator Firefly SRK SR 6000 Thermal Blue Azay Diva Barleria Barok Barcampsia Azure Bandera Dura Blue ShadeChamp Spike LSD//
134
Spp.
IA
2008-2009 quality (April-Oct.)† KS MI MN NE OH
TF TF CF TF CF CF HF CB HF CB HF HF PJ TH HB SF KB PJ SF TH SF HB HB TH IB
5.0 5.3 5.7 3.6 5.6 5.6 6.6 5.7 6.2 5.5 6.2 5.8 5.7 4.3 3.9 5.9 3.4 5.4 5.8 3.6 4.9 3.6 4.3 3.7 3.5 0.7
7.2 7.2 5.9 7.4 5.9 6.5 6.3 4.8 6.9 4.7 6.4 6.2 6.2 6.6 4.9 5.4 5.6 6.3 5.3 5.5 5.9 4.6 4.3 4.7 2.4 1.0
‡
§
GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT 02.15
6.5 6.2 5.9 6.2 6.1 6.0 5.2 5.5 5.0 5.5 4.8 3.8 4.2 3.7 4.8 3.2 4.5 4.1 2.8 3.7 2.9 4.1 3.8 2.7 2.7 0.8
7.1 6.9 7.0 7.1 6.9 6.9 7.9 5.7 7.1 5.6 7.3 6.7 6.9 5.8 6.4 6.4 6.3 6.7 5.4 6.7 6.1 6.2 5.6 5.9 3.4 0.6
7.6 7.2 6.6 7.7 5.9 6.4 6.1 5.8 5.9 6.5 5.9 5.4 5.8 5.7 6.0 5.2 6.5 5.9 5.0 6.0 5.2 5.9 6.1 5.3 3.4 1.1
5.4 5.8 5.4 5.3 5.2 5.4 6.5 4.6 6.3 4.8 6.3 5.6 5.4 4.1 4.9 6.0 4.5 4.5 4.8 3.3 5.4 4.0 2.8 2.3 2.7 0.9
IL
WI
7.1 7.2 6.0 6.3 6.6 6.4 2.7 7.0 3.1 6.7 2.7 3.1 2.1 3.9 4.6 2.3 3.4 1.8 3.3 3.8 2.3 3.0 2.4 1.9 2.5 1.2
6.0 5.1 6.4 5.1 6.4 5.0 5.8 5.9 4.3 5.4 3.3 4.2 4.3 5.1 3.5 4.0 4.0 3.0 4.6 4.2 3.6 3.2 2.8 2.6 2.2 1.6
†
Average of multiple quality ratings in 2008 and 2009 at each location (1–9 scale, where 9 = best turfgrass quality). Quality components included plot cover, uniformity, color, density and freedom from disease and insect damage. ‡ Species: TF = tall fescue, CF = Chewings fescue, SF = sheep fescue, HF = hard fescue, CB = colonial bentgrass, PJ = prairie junegrass, HB = Kentucky bluegrass × Texas bluegrass hybrid, TH = tufted hairgrass, IB = Idaho bentgrass. § IA = Ames, Iowa; KS = Olathe, Kan.; MI = East Lansing, Mich.; MN = Morris, Minn.; NE = Lincoln, Neb.; OH = Columbus, Ohio; IL = Carbondale, Ill.; WI = Madison, Wis. // Least signifcant difference. Table 2. Visual quality ratings of low-input turfgrass species in 2008 and 2009 for the growing season (April–October) in a low-input turfgrass trial planted at eight locations. Entries are listed in order by overall performance.
Visual quality ratings in summer 2008 and 2009 2008–2009 quality (June-Aug.)† Cultivar or selection
‡
Spp.
§
IA
KS
MI
MN
NE
OH
IL
WI
Falcon IV
TF
5.1
6.8
6.4
7.3
8.1
5.2
7.8
5.8
Rebel Exeda
TF
5.4
6.8
6.0
7.0
7.5
5.6
7.6
4.6
Barlexas II
TF
3.9
7.1
5.7
7.3
7.8
5.2
7.3
4.8
Culumbra II
CF
5.7
5.3
5.9
6.9
6.0
5.5
7.0
6.6
Jamestown II
CF
5.8
5.5
5.7
6.9
6.4
5.3
6.3
6.9
Intrigue
CF
5.8
6.2
5.8
6.8
6.5
5.6
6.8
5.1
SR 3150
HF
6.8
6.0
5.0
7.9
6.1
6.7
2.6
5.9
Barking
CB
6.2
4.3
5.3
5.7
7.0
4.8
6.5
5.9
Revere
CB
6.4
4.4
5.3
5.6
6.0
4.1
7.0
6.0
Reliant IV
HF
6.2
6.6
5.0
6.9
5.8
6.4
2.8
4.3
Predator
HF
6.2
6.2
4.9
7.3
6.0
6.4
2.3
3.2
Firefly
HF
5.7
5.7
4.0
6.7
5.8
5.7
2.7
4.1
SRK
PJ
5.8
5.8
4.3
7.1
6.3
5.2
2.0
3.8
Thermal Blue
HB
4.1
4.4
5.0
6.3
6.8
4.6
4.8
3.8
SR 6000
TH
4.6
5.9
3.7
5.9
5.9
4.1
4.3
4.9
Barleria
PJ
5.4
6.1
4.2
6.7
6.6
4.4
1.7
2.7
Diva
KB
3.3
5.1
4.7
6.1
7.2
4.5
2.9
3.9
Azay
SF
5.7
4.9
3.2
6.8
5.0
6.0
1.7
4.1
Barcampsia
TH
3.8
5.0
3.7
6.8
6.1
3.1
4.5
3.9
Azure
SF
4.9
5.5
2.9
6.2
5.3
5.5
2.3
3.7
Barok
SF
5.7
4.7
2.8
5.3
4.9
5.1
3.3
4.4
Bandera
HB
3.6
4.4
4.3
6.2
6.4
3.7
3.2
2.9
Dura Blue
HB
4.5
3.9
3.9
5.8
6.7
2.9
2.5
1.8
ShadeChamp
TH
4.0
4.0
2.7
6.1
5.9
2.2
2.1
2.6
Spike
IB
3.6
2.2
2.7
3.4
2.5
2.7
2.7
2.1
0.9
1.1
0.9
0.6
1.3
0.9
1.2
1.6
LSD
//
†
Average of multiple quality ratings in 2008 and 2009 at each location (1–9 scale, where 9 = best turfgrass quality). Quality components included plot cover, uniformity, color, density and freedom from disease and insect damage. ‡ Species: TF = tall fescue; CF = Chewings fescue; SF = sheep fescue; HF = hard fescue; CB = colonial bentgrass; PJ = prairie junegrass; HB = Kentucky bluegrass × Texas bluegrass hybrid; TH = tufted hairgrass; IB = Idaho bentgrass. § IA = Ames, Iowa; KS = Olathe, Kan., MI = East Lansing, Mich.; MN = Morris, Minn.; NE = Lincoln, Neb.; OH = Columbus, Ohio; IL = Carbondale, Ill.; WI = Madison, Wis. // Least signifcant difference. Table 3. Visual quality ratings of low-input turfgrass species in 2008 and 2009 for the summer months (June through August) in a low-input turfgrass trial planted at eight locations. Entries are listed in order by overall performance.
02.15 GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT
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tufted hairgrass also performed adequately at many locations (Tables 2,3). Poor performers included Idaho bentgrass, the Kentucky bluegrass × Texas bluegrass hybrids, sheep fescue and Kentucky bluegrass. The poor performance of the Kentucky bluegrass × Texas bluegrass hybrids and the one Idaho bentgrass entry indicates that they are not adapted to the north-central region. However, because of their ability to tolerate heat stress, the hybrids compared well to other cultivars in Nebraska in this study, and Idaho bentgrass has performed well as a low-input grass in other parts of the country (5). Tall fescue Tall fescue generally had very good turfgrass quality at almost all locations (Tables 2, 3). A poor rate of establishment (data not reported) may have been the reason for poor performance by a single cultivar at a single site (for example, Barlexas II in Iowa). Because prolonged ice cover has been shown to result in severe losses in Wisconsin and in Minnesota (as much as 70%, depending on the cultivar), tall fescue should not be used in areas prone to freezing of fooded or saturated soils. Fine fescues Chewings fescue, which has been shown to be an effective low-input turfgrass in other studies, was the most widely adapted of the three fne fescue species tested, with quality at an acceptable level (over 5.0) in most locations in both years (Table 2). The species has a bunch-type growth habit and is known to be very aggressive. Some cultivars have been found to naturally suppress weed populations (1), which would be benefcial in a low-input system. Hard fescue did well at most locations, with the exception of Michigan, Wisconsin and southern Illinois. Hard fescue had lessthan-acceptable quality in two other trials in Wisconsin and one other in southern Illinois, Falcon IV tall fescue (top left) and Jamestown II Chewings fescue (top right) established well in Ohio, where all four of probably due to low precipitation in Wisconthese photos were taken, but Kentucky bluegrass × Texas bluegrass hybrid Dura Blue (bottom left) and Azay sheep fescue (bottom right) had a poor rate of establishment. Poor establishment of low-input turfgrasses results in greater weed inva- sin and high temperatures in southern Illinois sion and lower quality. Photos by David Gardner (3,6). One of the weaknesses of the fne fescues may be low levels of heat tolerance, especially when water is limiting. The hard fescue Berkshire provided acceptable turf quality at the same location in Michigan in a previous trial, indicating that cultivar performance will vary with environmental conditions at a specifc site (6). Sheep fescue cultivars exhibited relatively
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GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT 02.15
poor performance (Tables 2, 3), but earlier studies using different cultivars showed good performance by sheep fescue in low-input conditions (3,6). Sheep fescue has great diversity, with some cultivars of blue hard fescue erroneously designated as sheep fescue (2). Sheep fescue would be adapted to many low-input turfgrass environments in the north-central region and it exhibits minimal vertical elongation, which makes it suitable for unmowed areas. Colonial bentgrass Colonial bentgrass performed well at all locations, and previous trials have shown other cultivars to perform well in some, but not all, states of the north-central region (3,6). In many cases, it performed as well as the topperforming cultivars and had signifcantly better quality compared to the cultivars or species in the lowest tier of performers (Tables 2, 3). Relatively little research has been published on maintenance needs for colonial bentgrass, particularly outside of a golf course situation. Colonial bentgrasses resist invasion of Poa annua better than fne fescues when the turf is closely mowed (4). In a previous lowinput trial, with no irrigation during establishment, colonial bentgrass, hard fescue, tall fescue and sheep fescue performed better than a number of non-traditional or less commonly used grasses (6). Temperature tolerance and fertility needs of this grass at higher mowing heights are less well documented. Ot er species Prairie junegrass entries did well at many locations (Tables 2, 3). Although prairie junegrass is typically listed as a North American species, the entries in this trial were derived fully from germplasm collected in Europe. Previous research has shown that some European germplasm shows excellent turf quality, though seed production and seed quality of European material can be quite inconsistent. Populations of this species native to the United States are being developed for low-input turfgrass use, but limitations such as poor mowing quality and poor establishment rate will be diffcult for plant breeders to overcome. Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) was included in this study because it is widely used in the north-central region as a higherinput turf. The cultivar Diva has exhibited high levels of performance at high-, mediumand low-input management regimens in the NTEP trials. In this trial, Diva performed at
Performance of tufted hairgrass was mixed, with adequate overall turf quality but unacceptable summer quality in some locations. This species may lack the traits necessary for adequate performance under severe heat and drought stress. The cultivar SR 6000 (shown here) had acceptable summer quality in Kansas, Minnesota and Nebraska, but not in the other states, including Wisconsin, where this photo was taken. Photo by Douglas Soldat
02.15 GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT
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an acceptable level in only three locations for summer quality (Table 3). Kentucky bluegrass cultivars vary widely in their adaptation to fertility, mowing and water requirements. Performance of tufted hairgrass was mixed. At most locations, the tufted hairgrass entries performed adequately for overall turf quality (Table 2), but summer quality was not acceptable for either ShadeChamp or Barcampsia in multiple locations including Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois and Wisconsin (Table 3). This species may lack the traits necessary for adequate performance under severe heat and drought stress. Conclusions We have shown that species available for use as low-input turf in the north-central region are widely adapted and multiple cultivars may be used. The performance of multiple cultivars of these species in diverse environments that experienced varying levels of precipitation is noteworthy. Research trials are often limited to one or two locations over a period of two or three years. By using a large set of research sites over two years, we were able to test these grasses under a wide range of conditions.
The RESEARCH SAYS • Twenty-five turfgrass cultivars and selections, representing 10 grass species, were evaluated for turf quality and density under low-input conditions at eight locations in the north-central region. • After establishment, plots were maintained at 3 inches with no inputs of pesticides, fertilizer or supplemental irrigation. • Tall fescue, Chewings fescue, hard fescue and colonial bentgrass performed well at most locations. • Sheep fescue, tufted hairgrass and prairie junegrass performed adequately at some locations and poorly at others. • Texas bluegrass hybrids and the one Idaho bentgrass entry were not well adapted to most of the region.
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These species are underused throughout the north-central region (with the possible exception of tall fescue, which is more commonly used in the southern parts of the region). Research results from this and other studies clearly show that these grasses provide acceptable turf in lower-maintenance environments and can also be used for turf areas that have traditionally been maintained with higher inputs. Nevertheless, there has been minimal adoption of these species in the north-central region, including species that have been in commercial production for decades. Consumers are willing to pay a signifcant premium for turfgrass seed that possesses certain low-input characteristics such as reduced water use and reduced mowing requirement (8), which suggests that the seed industry could beneft from marketing these grasses. Turfgrass managers should use these lowinput species as replacements for higher-input turfgrasses such as perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and Kentucky bluegrass when typical inputs are either unavailable or undesirable. Selecting the right species or combination of species is of greatest importance, and cultivar differences can also be signifcant. Turfgrass practitioners should consult turfgrass performance data collected by unbiased sources before investing signifcant resources in a seeding project. It is now well established that these grasses can be used in low-input turf areas. Use of these species in higher-input situations such as golf courses, athletic felds and other fne turf should be done with caution. Nevertheless, the use of these alternative low-input grasses on golf courses has been investigated (7) and continues to be pursued. Acknowledgments The original version of this paper was published in 2014 in the journal Applied Turfgrass Science as “Cultivar performance of low-input turfgrass species for the north central United States” by Eric Watkins et al. (doi: 10.21324/ ATS-2013-0101-RS).
Literature cited 1. Bertin, C., R.N. Paul, S.O. Duke and L.A. Weston. 2003. Laboratory assessment of the allelopathic effects of fne leaf fescues. Journal of Chemical Ecology 29:1919-1937. doi:10.1023/A:1024810630275. 2. Bonos, S.A., and D.R. Huff. 2013. Cool-season grasses: Biology and breeding. Pages 591-660. In:
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
J.C. Stier et al., eds. Turfgrass: Biology, Use, and Management. ASA-CSSA-SSSA, Madison, Wis. Diesburg, K.L., N.E. Christians, R. Moore et al. 1997. Species for low-input sustainable turf in the U.S. Upper Midwest. Agronomy Journal 89:690–694. doi:10.2134/agronj1997.000219620089000 40024x. Gregos, J., M.D. Casler and J.C. Stier. 2011. Resistance of closely mown fne fescue and bentgrass species to snow mold pathogens. Plant Disease 95:847-852. doi:10.1094/PDIS-11-10-0791. Johnson, P.G. 2008. Native grasses as drought-tolerant turfgrasses of the future. Pages 619–640. In: M. Pessarakli, ed. Handbook of turfgrass management and physiology. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla. Watkins, E., S. Fei, D. Gardner et al. 2011. Low-input turfgrass species for the north central United States. Applied Turfgrass Science. doi: 10.1094/ATS-20110126-02-RS. Watkins, E., A.B. Hollman and B.P. Horgan. 2010. Evaluation of alternative turfgrass species for lowinput golf course fairways. HortScience 45:113-118. Yue, C., K. Hugie and E. Watkins. 2012. Are consumers willing to pay more for low-input turfgrasses on residential lawns? Evidence from choice experiments. Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics 44:549-560.
Eric Watkins (ewatkins@umn.edu) is an associate professor in the department of horticultural science at the University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minn.; David S. Gardner, is an associate professor in the department of horticulture and crop science at Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; John C. Stier, is assistant dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tenn.; Douglas J. Soldat, is an associate professor and Extension specialist in the department of soil science at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wis.; Rodney A. St. John is an agronomist at Ryan Lawn and Tree, Overland Park, Kan.; Nick E. Christians is a professor in the department of horticulture at Iowa State University, Ames. Iowa; Aaron D. Hathaway is a research assistant at the Hancock Turfgrass Research Center at Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich.; Kenneth L. Diesburg is an assistant professor in the department of plant, soil and agricultural systems at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Ill.; Steven R. Poppe, is senior horticulture scientist at the University of Minnesota’s West Central Research and Outreach Center, Morris, Minn.; and Roch E. Gaussoin is head of the department of agronomy and horticulture at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Neb.
(verdure)
Starting 2015 with a look back in time Beth Guertal, Ph.D. guertea@auburn.edu twitter: @AUTurfFert
References • Burton, Glenn W. 1966. Tifway (Tifton 419) bermudagrass (Reg. No. 7). Crop Science 6:93-94. • Burton, Glenn W. 1966. Tifdwarf bermudagrass. (Reg. No. 8). Crop Science 6:94. • Hanna, Wayne W., and William F. Anderson. 2008. Development and impact of vegetative propagation in forage and turf bermudagrasses. Agronomy Journal 100:S-103-S-107. Author’s note: This is an excellent and very entertaining account of bermudagrass breeding at Georgia. Well worth a read.
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In 1936, Glenn Burton, Ph.D., a U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) geneticist, arrived at the University of Georgia Coastal Plain Experiment Station in Tifton, Ga. Among his many achievements was that he was one of the frst to clearly demonstrate that large stands of bermudagrass could be successfully established via vegetative propagation. He started this vegetative establishment project with the pasture bermudagrass Coastal, but the frst bermudagrass turf cultivars came from the same hybrids from which Coastal was selected in 1943. That 1943 selection brings us right up to today, with some of the vegetatively propagated hybrid bermudagrasses that are still in use. When a new cultivar is introduced, it is often done so via a Crop Registration, which is sort of the birth certifcate for that release. Until recently, that registration was announced in a short article in Crop Science, the primary scientifc journal of the Crop Science Society of America (CSSA). A Crop Registration signals that a new release has been made. It provides details — who are the parents, how it was selected/tested, what makes it special or deserving of its unique name. This is changing a bit, as we now have plant patents and registrations that are published in a sister publication of CSSA, Journal of Plant Registrations. Regardless of what we do today, in 1966, two new crop varieties were registered, and these two short pages in Crop Science changed bermudagrass selection and management in golf courses. The two new releases were Tifway and Tifdwarf. Tifdwarf was found as 18-inch (45-centimeter) diameter patches on a golf green at Sea Island (Ga.) Country Club. But it was also found on a golf green at the Country Club in Florence, S.C. In his Crop Science article, Dr. Burton said, “A careful evaluation of all evidence indicates that Tifdwarf is a vegetative mutant that occurred in Tifgreen at Tifton before the frst planting stock was sent out.” Basically, the two golf courses got a few sprigs of the better bermudagrass, and over time those sprigs performed better than the grass
around them. Dr. Burton selected those to bring back to Tifton for testing. After three years of evaluation, Tifdwarf was shown to have higher quality than Tifgreen and tolerated a lower height of cut (all the way down to 3 ⁄16 and ¼ inch heights!). In general, Tifdwarf was a higher-quality, darker green and denser bermudagrass than Tifgreen, and it was to remain the industry standard for almost 30 years, or until the introduction of the ultradwarf bermudagrasses such as TifEagle, MiniVerde and Champion. Two of those ultradwarf bermudagrasses, MiniVerde and Champion, have Tifdwarf as a direct parent; that is, they are improved vegetative selections from Tifdwarf. Tifway, which also was listed as Tifton 419 in the registration, was a chance hybrid between a Cynodon transvaalensis (the female) and a Cynodon dactylon (the male) that appeared in a seed lot from 1954. Dr. Burton fgured this parentage out by counting the chromosomes in this particular plant: C. transvaalensis has 18 chromosomes, C. dactylon has 36, and the resultant sterile hybrid cross that is Tifway has 27 chromosomes. The initial benefts of Tifway, as mentioned in the article, were a very dark green color, enhanced frost resistance and tolerance of golf cart traffc. It was noted that Tifway suffered winter damage when planted in Beltsville, Md. Overall, Dr. Burton recommended Tifway as a superior bermudagrass for lawns, fairways and tees. Ironically, his last sentence in the Crop Science article said that Tifawn (an older release) was “still the best heavy-duty grass for football felds and school grounds.” Forty-nine years later, you probably can’t fnd a single sod production feld of Tifawn, but many (if not the majority) of bermudagrass fairways, tees, lawns and athletic felds in the South are Tifway hybrid bermudagrass.
Beth Guertal, Ph.D., is a professor in the department of agronomy and soils at Auburn University in Auburn, Ala., and the editor-in-chief for the American Society of Agronomy. She is a 17-year member of GCSAA.
CUTTING EDGE Teresa Carson
PGR, seed should be aerated and soaked for 8 hours. Soaking duration and water temperature were not critical factors for PGR. — Julie H. Campbell (julie.campbell@uconn.edu); Jason J. Henderson, Ph.D.; Victoria H. Wallace; John C. Inguagiato, Ph.D.; and Anthony Minniti, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Conn.
Cultivar and irrigation frequency affect cool-season turf germination The objective of this greenhouse study was to evaluate the effect of irrigation frequency on the germination and establishment of cool-season turfgrass cultivars with various levels of drought tolerance. Nine
drought-sensitive cultivar Pop in daily or 3/d treatments; at six weeks after seeding, turfgrass cover was 67%, 80% and 100% greater than Pop under the daily, 2/d and 3/d regimes, respectively. The drought-tolerant TF cultivars Virtue II and Justice averaged four and six days faster germination than the drought-sensitive cultivar Crackle in 2/d and 3/d treatments, respectively; at six weeks after seeding, Virtue II and Justice averaged 50%, 90% and 110% greater cover than Crackle under the daily, 2/d and 3/d regimes, respectively. The drought-tolerant KBG cultivars Mystere and Water Works germinated 14 days faster, on average, than the drought-sensitive cultivars Snap and Geronimo in daily
Photo by A. Minniti
Optimizing pre-germination techniques for three turfgrass species Rapid seed germination and subsequent development are critical to overseeding. The objectives of this research were to determine the effects of water aeration, soaking duration and water temperature on the mean germination time and percent germination of three turfgrass species: Kentucky bluegrass (KBG), perennial ryegrass (PRG) and creeping bentgrass (CBG). Two separate studies were conducted. In the frst, treatments were arranged in a split-plot design with aeration/no aeration as the main plot split by species and soaking duration (8, 24, 48 and 72 hours) with an untreated control. Treatments were replicated three times within three runs completed at (68 F) in a growth chamber. The second experiment examined the effect of soaking duration (8, 24 and 48 hours) and water temperature (39 F, 68 F, 86 F) on seed germination for the three species. A total of three runs were completed, each consisting of three treatment replications. Water aeration had little effect on treatments across turfgrass species, except PRG. Therefore, aeration is not recommended for pre-germinating KBG and CBG. Soaking duration and temperature had signifcant effects for KBG and CBG only. KBG mean germination time was optimal at 68 F water temperature for 24 hours. CBG mean germination time was optimal at 68 F for 48 hours. To optimize mean germination time of
Photo by D. Sandor
tall fescue (TF), seven Kentucky bluegrass (KBG) and seven perennial ryegrass (PRG) cultivars were evaluated. Cultivars were subjected to irrigation frequencies of: 0.2 inch daily, 0.4 inch every two days (2/d) or 0.6 inch every three days (3/d). Germination data were collected visually, and percentage turfgrass cover was evaluated using digital image analysis. Drought-tolerant cultivars germinated sooner and exhibited greater turfgrass coverage than drought-sensitive cultivars within each species. The droughttolerant PRG cultivar Penn APR 2105 germinated four or six days faster than the
and 3/d treatments, and 12 days faster in the 2/d treatment. At six weeks after seeding, Mystere and Water Works exhibited +200% greater turf coverage than Snap and Geronimo in the daily and 3/d regimes. These results provide a potential solution for turfgrass managers and homeowners establishing turf under restricted irrigation practices. — Daniel Sandor (dsandor@email.uark.edu); Douglas E. Karcher, Ph.D.; and Michael D. Richardson, Ph.D., University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Ark.
Teresa Carson (tcarson@gcsaa.org) is GCM’s science editor.
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(Product news)
Kioti
Gator
XUV Curtis Industries announced it is producing replacement aluminum doors for John Deere Gator XUV. The doors are rustproof with reinforced frames and high-quality door latch hardware to provide strength in extreme conditions and rough terrain. Large shatter-resistant acrylic lower window panels reduce the risk of breakage, especially when working in areas where fying debris, small stones, rocks, gravel and other hazards are common. Gas shocks provide smooth operation and protect the door from swinging open in windy conditions. Both driver and passenger doors have window sliders to add cab ventilation while driving. Contact Curtis Industries, 508-853-2200 (www.curtiscab.com).
Kioti Tractor added six models to its NX Series. Each model (NX4510, NX4510H, NX5010, NX5010H, NX5510 and NX5510H) meets strict EPA certifcation standards. The tractors ensure precision and power and include an open station platform design for easy access and operator comfort, ergonomic controls and dual hydrostatic transmission pedals for easy forward and reverse operation. The tractors’ power takeoff (PTO) cruise function allows operators to set and control PTO rpm speeds with the press of a button. All six models also are equipped with independent rear braking, remote three-point control, a lift arm adjustment handle and diesel particulate flter. The tractors’ engines gross 45 to 55 hp, deliver a rear PTO speed of 540 rpm and support a 3,177-pound lift capacity. Optional equipment includes a canopy, single or dual remote hydraulic valves, front and rear weights, mid-PTO and rearview mirror. The new models also can be augmented with the Kioti KL6010 quick-attach front-end loader and Kioti KB2485 backhoe. Contact Kioti, 877-465-4684 (www.kioti.com).
Atlas Copco’s new Tier 4 Final QAS 275 Generator meets Tier 4 emission standards without
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a diesel particulate flter (DPF) and features the latest technology that simplifes maintenance. The QAS 275 generator incorporates an MTU engine and after-treatment system that meets Tier 4 emission standards without a DPF. MTU’s exhaust after-treatment includes a diesel oxidation catalyst and a selective catalytic reduction process that converts mono-nitrogen oxides, or NOx, into harmless nitrogen and water vapor. This eliminates the need for a DPF and the maintenance that comes with it, such as regeneration and flter cleaning. With its standard Deep Sea 7310 controls, the QAS 275 generator is easy to set up and minimizes startup times. The Deep Sea controls can include an optional telematics system that provides added security and helps minimize maintenance times. The generator’s heavy-duty frame and enclosure withstand harsh working environments. Contact Atlas Copco, 800-732-6762 (www.atlascopco.us). Moss Melt from Green Spear Inc. is an environmentally friendly moss control herbicide for use in commercial applications and has received EPA registration for use on roofs, lawns, turf, and outdoor surfaces and structures. The active ingredient in Moss Melt concentrate is an emulsifed d-Limonene, which acts as a natural degreaser. It strips away the waxy surface of moss and algae for quick desiccation without the need for direct sunlight or warm temperatures and is rainfast within one hour. It also features a nonstaining formula that will not discolor concrete, brick, pavement, stucco or wood and will not damage gutters, metal fashing or downspouts. This opens up the opportunity to use a single product for controlling moss and algae on most outdoor surfaces as
well as lawn and turf. Moss Melt does not foam and leaves behind a fresh citrus scent after application. Moss Melt is a highly concentrated low-dose material. Standard labeled use rate is a 2 percent solution and a spray volume of 3.8 gallons per 1,000 square feet of surface area. The product can be administered without harming people, pets or the environment, the company says. Contact Green Spear, Inc., 503-799-4551 (www.mossmelt.com). E-Z-GO has an exclusive agreement with TEKGPS Enterprise Inc. to be the preferred supplier of GPS management solutions for E-Z-GO feet golf cars. Offering three distinct options, the TekVue 7, TekVue 7EX and TekVue 10EX, the systems are available worldwide via E-Z-GO’s sales network. TekGPS offers a unique suite of management systems, specifcally developed to provide effective, real-time vehicle management, multimedia communications and state-of-the-art golfer conveniences. TekGPS has a unique open platform confguration that can evolve and grow based on a facility’s need for future integrated value-added apps. TekVue models install on the golf car canopy, are simple to use via a high-resolution touchscreen display and operate via a built-in internal battery. The system receives automatic software updates and TekVue provides the golf facility with standard extended care service that includes technical assistance an unlimited customer support. Contact E-Z-GO, 800-241-5855.
Bobcat The Echo CS-590 Timber Wolf Chain Saw was awarded Power Equipment trade magazine’s Dealer Choice Award in the handheld product category. More than 1,000 lawn and garden power equipment dealers participated in the survey. CS-590 Timber Wolf is Echo’s general-purpose saw. It is targeted to the large landowner, farmer, rancher, frewood cutter and homeowner. Aquatrols and St. Andrews Links Trust reached a three-year agreement on use of products. Aqua-
trols is supplying Revolution and other Aquatrols products to all seven courses at St. Andrews through 2017. The Bobcat 3400 and 3400XL utility vehicles that feature four-wheel drive include improved suspension systems, new payload and towing, faster travel speeds and more integrated accessories. Both models have a sealed constant velocity transmission and are available with two engine confgurations: a 40-hp gas engine or a 24-hp diesel engine. The gas and diesel engines provide operators with greater performance — up to 40 mph with a dealer-installed kit. The 3400 and 3400XL gas units provide easier startup and responsive acceleration with an electronic fuel injection system, which adjusts to temperature and altitude changes. Both units have automatic glow plugs that adjust to colder starting conditions. An ergonomic lever allows 3400 and 3400XL utility vehicle operators to shift between high, low, neutral and park positions. Both vehicles feature an adjustable independent front dual A-arm suspension and an adjustable rear de Dion multilink suspension system. Enhancements include modern interior and exterior styling. Contact Bobcat, 800-743-4340 (www.bobcat.com).
Echo
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(Industry news)
Quivira Golf Club Quivira Golf Club has opened in Los Cabos, Mexico. The Jack Nicklaus-designed course is marked by huge, windswept dunes, sheer granite cliffs and rolling desert foothills located 10 minutes from downtown Cabo San Lucas. “This is one of the great pieces of property in the world,” Nicklaus says. “We tried to create some excitement on the mountain and in the dunes, and I believe we’ve created a golf course that plays as spectacular as it looks.”
Superintendent
HONORED Anthony Williams, CGCS, was chosen the 2014 Superintendent of the Year by the Georgia Golf Course Superintendents Association. Williams, director of grounds at Stone Mountain Golf Club by Marriott, received the honor at the association’s annual awards banquet at The King and Prince Resort on St. Simons Island. Williams and his family encountered tragic, diffcult moments last year. He lost a brother to a heart attack. In September, his wife, Phyllis, suffered a heart attack but survived. Less than three weeks later, Williams collapsed and underwent emergency heart surgery to replace an aortic valve and repair an aneurysm. Williams has penned “Noble Habits,” a book he calls a “practical guide for recurring excellence,” scheduled for release this month.
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Anne Footle was appointed marketing and membership manager for Turfgrass Producers International. Footle received a bachelor’s degree in graphic design/visual communications from Eastern Illinois University. “Anne is a highly self-motivated individual who has broad experience in marketing and project management, is an effective communicator, a strategic thinker and has partnership development skills,” says Melanie Stanton, executive director. Kelly Searight was named national sales manager for Billy Casper Golf (BCG). Searight directly oversees group outings, tournaments, banquets and other events at select BCG properties. She also will assist BCG on-site and regional sales teams with lead generation, qualifcation and placement of functions sponsored by businesses, charities and groups of all sizes. Searight previously was director of sales at Bear Creek Golf Club in Dallas. Rain Bird Corp. was the winner of the 2014 European Irrigation Association (EIA) Golf Gold Award, presented for the industry’s most innovative golf product. Rain Bird developed the Rain Bird IC Integrated Control System, which provides rapid two-way communication, real-time diagnostics and centralized control directly to
individual rotors from a central control computer, tablet, radio or smartphone. By using 90 percent less wire and 50 percent fewer splices than a traditional decoder system, the IC system is easy to install, expand and adapt as golf courses grow and evolve, Rain Bird says. Kelly Langdon, Jim Cobb and Brendon Burton were the top three winners, respectively, in Kioti’s Biggest Tractor Fan Giveaway. The contest, which was conducted through Facebook during National Customer Service Week, featured contestants submitting testimonials describing why their Kioti dealer is the best. Part of Langdon’s testimonial read, “We found a local dealer, The Tractor Place, in Knightdale, N.C. When we drove into the little parking area, the owner walked up to us and acted just like we were part of his long-lost family.” The three winners each received free Kioti parts and services. For sharing their stories, Langdon received $500, Cobb $250 and Burton $100 toward parts and services. Syngenta Turf and Landscape is offering new resources for golf course superintendents interested in creating and expanding Operation Pollinator habitats. The process is designed so that golf courses can use the available communications tools to help tell their story about why they are involved with Operation Pollinator. Sample templates for a news release and an e-newsletter provide a starting point for golf courses to express how they support native pollinators and bee health while enhancing the course’s overall appearance and overall playing experience. Information can be downloaded at www.greencastonline.com/operationpollinator. Craig Ketelsen, CGCS, received the Distinguished Service Award from the Georgia Golf Course Superintendents Association, marking a 25-year
Ketelsen
Makowski
relationship with the organization. Ketelsen is a territory manager for John Deere distributor Greenville Turf and Tractor. He retains a consulting role with Orchard Hills Golf Club in Newnan, Ga., where he was the superintendent for 22 years.
southeastern states. In 2014, 12 students received scholarships totaling $18,000. Since its inception, the fund has helped award more than $455,000 in scholarships. Applications can be found at www.sbmsef.org.
Chris Makowski is a new territory sales manager for Jacobsen. Makowski came to Jacobsen from Grassland Equipment and Irrigation in Rochester, N.Y., where he spent 13 years as a sales representative. Earlier in his career, Makowski was assistant grounds superintendent at Webster Golf Club in Rochester. Makowski is working in New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire and Cape Cod.
The Andersons announced that the Patent Trial and Appeal Board of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Offce upheld the validity of three dispersible granule technology patents owned by The Andersons. The patents were challenged in response to a patent infringement lawsuit fled by The Andersons in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida against Enviro Granulation LLC of South Carolina; Enviro Granulation Ltd. of Ontario, Canada; Plant Science Inc. of Ontario; and Harrell’s LLC of Lakeland, Fla. The decision allows The Andersons’ lawsuit to continue. The board ruled that the petitions failed to establish a reasonable likelihood of prevailing in challenging the validity of the claims of any of the three patents. The Andersons introduced its dispersible granular technology in 2004 under the brand name Contec DG.
The Sidney B. Meadows Scholarship Endowment Fund is accepting scholarship applications for 2015 awards. Industry members are asked to advise all eligible students of the availability of the scholarship, and horticulture students who are eligible are encouraged to apply. The deadline is May 29. The scholarship selection committee will make fnal selections by July 1, and recipients will be notifed soon thereafter. Awards will be made July 22 in Atlanta at Southern Nursery Association (SNA) 2015. Created in 1989 by SNA, the Sidney B. Meadows Scholarship Endowment Fund provides academic scholarships in 16
Turf & Soil Diagnostics is the result of a merger between Hummel & Co. Laboratory of New York and Turf Diagnostics & Design of Kansas. Sam Ferro, president of the company, says, “The fusion of the two companies will allow us to bring the
John Deere
NETWORKING The John Deere World Championship returned to its roots at the PGA West Stadium Course in La Quinta, Calif., in December. Dean Miller, director of agronomy, welcomed the 28th annual event. The team that won the traveling trophy comprised Cole Combs (holding trophy) and Alan Nietenhoefer of P&K Equipment (far left); Derron Day of FireLake Golf Club (far right); and Kyle Phillips of VGM Club (second from left). They scored 101, triumphing in the two-day event on the Nicklaus Course. The World Championship is an opportunity for international golf course maintenance professionals to join their colleagues and John Deere personnel for team-building and professional networking. The 2014 event included 57 golfers from the U.S., Canada, United Kingdom and Sweden.
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best of both labs into each location to form a powerhouse laboratory network.” The company’s new laboratories will work together on test procedures, quality control programs and customer service. Pacifc Golf & Turf launched a massive remodel and reconstruction of the nearly 18,000-square-foot building in southeast Portland, Ore., that previously housed Bob’s Rentals and Sales. As regional golf car and turf equipment sales continue to climb, Pacifc Golf & Turf needed to fnd more warehouse, parts, service and showroom space. Updates include new landscaping, parking lot striping and signs. The facility, situated on nearly 2 acres, provides Pacifc Golf & Turf with nearly twice the external inventory storage area of its previous location as well as additional indoor storage space. Annika Sorenstam, GCSAA’s Old Tom Morris Recipient in 2014, announced her golf course architecture business plans to design its frst course in Europe.
Estonia Golf & Country Club, located 20 minutes outside Estonia’s capital city of Tallinn, will be part of a seaside family leisure resort and spa. The groundbreaking event is scheduled for 2016; plans call for the course to open in 2019. The new 18-hole course will replace the club’s existing nine-hole Stone Course and will complement its 18-hole Sea Course. Olivas Links Golf Course in Ventura, Calif., reopened its driving range following a renovation that continues its commitment to environmental stewardship. The drought-tolerant 12.5-acre range includes 29 hitting stations with both artifcial and natural grass tee options. The key component of the project was converting the practice facility to include artifcial surface greens with decomposed granite surrounds. The natural look and feel will require minimal use of water and eliminate the need for fertilizer and pesticides. Project EverGreen announced its
2015 offcers and board of directors. The offcers are: Bill Vogel, Spring Valley, president; Dave Ravel, Syngenta, president-elect; Mike Dauer, Real Green Systems, secretary/treasurer; and Mike Sisti, Weed Man, immediate past president. Serving on the board of directors: Linda Beattie, Schiller Ground Care; Dan Carrothers, Weed Man; Sean Casey, Nufarm; Scott Cole, BASF; Tom Delaney, PLANET; Pete Farno, Bayer; George Furrer, Sipcam Advan; John Marchionda, Husqvarna; Pierre Pereira, Billy Goat; Maureen Thompson, FMC; Anthony Williams, Marriott Golf; and Murray Wingate, Lebanon. Architecture frm Leo A. Daly received an Honor Award from AIA Minnesota for its design of The Toro Co.’s corporate headquarters in Bloomington, Minn. Daly designed a 75,000-square-foot expansion of Toro’s headquarters. The design engages the environment through the use of windowed passageways that incorporate the company’s innovative history, and a purposeful use of green roofs that demonstrate Toro’s drip irrigation and water conservation technology. The U.S. Recreational Golf Association (USRGA) launched its new website (www.usrga.org). USRGA was founded last year by industry veterans John B. Hoefich and David L. Felker to serve the needs of recreational golfers, golf courses and golf companies. Its focus is on growing recreational golf awareness and participation. The website displays membership information, golf etiquette, the USRGA golf rules, equipment reviews, deals and promotion for members. Fountains Country Club in Lake Worth, Fla., now is being managed by KemperSports. There are three 18-hole golf courses at the site. Founded in 1968 on a former tomato farm, Fountain Lakes CC has been the site for U.S. Open regional qualifers, Honda Classic and Allianz Championship qualifers. BoardRoom magazine named KemperSports its Club Management Company of the Year for the third year in a row. KemperSports representatives will accept the award in March at
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the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA) Conference in San Antonio. Capital City Country Club in Tallahassee, Fla., and Harmony Golf Preserve in Winter Garden, Fla., now are being operated by Integrity Golf Co. Capital City CC, designed by the famed A.W. Tillinghast, is located less than 2 miles from the state capitol. Harmony Golf Preserve was co-designed by Johnny Miller. The Royal Country Clubs, a collection of four Chicago-area clubs, are now being managed by Troon. The clubs are The Royal Fox Country Club, The Royal Hawk Country Club, The Grove Country Club and Klein Creek Golf Club. David Kidd was chosen to design the second course at Sand Valley Golf Resort in Nekoosa, Wis. The groundbreaking is scheduled for this spring and the plan is to be open for play in the summer of 2018. Michael D. Roberson, PE, CPESC, CPSWQ, Ph.D., of Profle Products recently received his doctoral degree in hydraulics from Colorado State University. Roberson, technical development manager for Profle Products, has more than 15 years of experience in hydraulics, erosion and sediment control and storm water management. Currently, he oversees the technical development of Profle’s comprehensive line of erosion control, sediment control, turf reinforcement and stormwater treatment devices. In addition to his new degree, Roberson hold’s a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a master’s in hydraulics from Colorado State. He has been an active member of the International Erosion Control Association since 1998 and is actively involved in the American Society for Testing and Materials international committees on erosion and sediment control as well as geosynthetics.
MEMBERS ONLY
ON COURSE Feb. 5-8 — PGA Tour, Farmers Insurance Open, Torrey Pines (South), La Jolla, Calif., Blake Meentemeyer, superintendent.
(Climbing the ladder)
Feb. 5-8 — LPGA, Pure Silk Bahamas LPGA Classic, Ocean Club Golf Course, Paradise Island, Bahamas.
Feb. 5-8 — European Tour, Maybank
Eric Gifford Was: Is:
Grounds supervisor for the state of Utah Superintendent, Riverside Country Club, Provo, Utah
Malaysian Open, Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Feb. 6-8 — Champions Tour, Allianz Championship, The Old Course at Broken Sound, Boca Raton, Fla., Shannon Easter, director of golf; Phil Peterson, superintendent. Feb. 12-15 — PGA Tour, AT&T
Getting to know you Eric Gifford just may have brought new meaning to preparation when he interviewed for the job he now has at Riverside CC. Gifford, who had served there in the past as an assistant, assembled a 15-page document that featured his fve-year plan for the club, which is the home for the Brigham Young University men’s and women’s golf teams. And, talk about bringing it: Gifford had it bound and laminated. Obviously, his effort was rewarded. Gifford accepted the club’s offer Oct. 26, 2014. He started the next day. “I was highly motivated and I was thankful for the opportunity to make my pitch for my vision,” Gifford, 30, says.
Q:
You participated a few years ago in the Green Start Academy, in which 50 assistants were chosen to attend events at Bayer and John Deere in North Carolina. What is one of the important lessons you learned from the experience?
A: Advice I got from Pat Finlen (CGCS, GCSAA president in 2013). He’d moved from Kansas to northern California, and I wanted to move from California to Utah. He said to just get a job, call people, have patience and make them tell you no. His advice was very helpful. It helped lead me to where I am now.
Q: When did you get your foot in the door, so to speak, in this business? A: I’m from Bartlesville, Okla., and when I was in high school I got a job with the crew at Hillcrest CC. To make $7 an hour was pretty good at that age. Q:
You graduated in turf management from Oklahoma State University. Where was your frst job following graduation?
A: Cherry Hills Country Club (in Denver, site of Arnold Palmer’s U.S. Open victory in 1960). I was crew leader. I had been an intern there in 2006. Q: What is a major challenge for 2015? A: Preparing for the Utah Open (in August). It’s the biggest tournament we have in the state. We’ll be ready for it.
Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach, Calif., Chris Dalhamer, CGCS.
Feb. 12-15 — European Tour, Thailand Classic, Black Mountain Golf Club, Hua Hin, Thailand.
Feb. 13-15 — Champions Tour, ACE Group Classic, TwinEagles Golf Club (Talon), Naples, Fla., Bruce Bach Jr., GCSAA Class A superintendent.
Feb. 19-22 — PGA Tour, Northern Trust Open, Riviera Country Club, Pacifc Palisades, Calif., Matt Morton, superintendent.
Feb. 19-22 — LPGA, ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open, The Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Melbourne, Australia.
Feb. 19-22 — European Tour, Hero Indian Open, Delhi Golf Club, New Delhi, India.
Feb. 21-23 — Symetra Tour, Visit Mesa Gateway Classic at Longbow Golf Club, Mesa, Ariz., Greg Gavelek, superintendent. Feb. 26-March 1 — PGA Tour, The Honda Classic, PGA National (Champion), Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., Lukus Harvey, director of agronomy; Andrew Fike, superintendent.
— Howard Richman, GCM associate editor
Feb. 26-March 1 — LPGA, Honda
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LPGA Thailand, Siam Country Club, Pattaya Old Course, Chonburi, Thailand.
Feb. 26-March 1 — European Tour, Joburg Open, Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Feb. 28-March 2 — Symetra Tour, Volvik Championship, Industry Hills Golf Club at Pacifc Palms, Eisenhower Course, City of Industry, Calif., Adam Kloster, CGCS.
Feb. 4-5 — Landscape Industry Show, Ontario Convention Center, Ontario, Calif. Phone: 916-830-2780 Website: www.californiagcsa.org
Feb. 5 — GCSAA Webcast: Talk Better, Listen Better Contact: GCSAA Education Phone: 800-472-7878 Website: www.gcsaa.org/education/ webcasts.aspx Feb. 10-11 — Idaho GCSA Spring
COMING UP Feb. 4 — Northern Great Lakes Education Conference, Comfort Suites, Green Bay, Wis. Phone: 630-639-9395 Website: www.maagcs.org
Feb. 4 — GCSAA Webcast: How True are Your Putting Greens? Contact: GCSAA Education Phone: 800-472-7878 Website: www.gcsaa.org/education/ webcasts.aspx
Meeting & Trade Show, Red Lion, Boise. Phone: 208-344-7691 Website: www.idahogcsa.org
Feb. 10-12 — Western Pa. Turfgrass Conference & Trade Show 2015, Four Points Sheraton, Mars, Pa. Phone: 814-237-0767 Email: info@paturf.org
Feb. 12 — GCSAA Webcast: Grow Your Own! The Value in Veggies — Establishing a Golf Course Vegetable Garden Contact: GCSAA Education Phone: 800-472-7878
Website: www.gcsaa.org/education/ webcasts.aspx
Feb. 16 — Spray/Irrigation Technicians Seminar, Idle Hour GC, Macon, Ga. Phone: 706-376-3585 Website: www.ggcsa.com
Killington Ski Resort, Killington, Vt. Phone: 203-387-0810 Website: www.cagcs.com
Feb. 16-19 — Turfgrass Producers
March 9-11 — SDGCSA Conference and Trade Show, Best Western Plus Ramkota Hotel & Conference Center, Sioux Falls, S.D. Phone: 605-484-2003 Website: www.sdgcsa.org
International Education Conference & Field Day, Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, Carlsbad, Calif. Phone: 800-405-8873 Website: www.turfgrasssod.org
March 16 — CTGCSA Turf Show, Landa Park, New Braunfels, Texas. Phone: 512-507-8233 Website: www.ctgcsa.com
Feb. 17— Lakes Area Educational Outreach Event, Grand View Lodge, Brainerd, Minn. Email: jack@mgcsa.org Website: www.mgcsa.org
March 18 — GCSAA Webcast: Triple Trouble Series, Part I: Shade Contact: GCSAA Education Phone: 800-472-7878 Website: www.gcsaa.org/education/ webcasts.aspx
Feb. 21-26 — GCSAA Golf Industry Show and Education Conference, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio, Texas. Phone: 800-472-7878 Website: www.golfndustryshow.com
March 5 — Nor’Easter Ski Day,
March 19 — GCSAA Webcast: Phosphite — Fertilizer or Fungicide (or Both)? Contact: GCSAA Education Phone: 800-472-7878 Website: www.gcsaa.org/education/ webcasts.aspx
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(In the field)
Florida Ralph Dain I was watching my boys practice for their flag football teams last weekend, and I noted how far they have come from their first involvement with the sport. They are beginning to understand the nuances of their pass routes, and they are getting much more adept at catching the football. In the same fashion that my boys’ coaches provide training for them, GCSAA provides training for our members to help them fine-tune their skills. Coming up in San Antonio this month, we have the Super Bowl of education events at the 2015 Golf Industry Show. Why is all this training so important? Just like my boys’ flag football efforts, the GCSAA education that you or your assistants or your technicians participate in helps to build a more complete team. The stronger the individuals are, the better the team will function as a whole. With a high-quality group of key individuals, you can go a long way to successfully achieving your goals. Obviously, the team needs a strong superintendent to lead them. But it is also critical to have well-trained and complementary individuals supporting the superintendent in the positions of assistant superintendent, equipment manager and the other technicians on staff. If these key positions can come together as a cohesive unit and assist in training the rest of the individuals in the department, then you as the superintendent may well be on your way to success. Training, training, and more training at each level of your team helps ensure the quality standards you have set are met. GCSAA can provide the educational offerings that will strengthen the team at your facilities. We are hopeful that you, the members, will see the benefit of being an inclusive association that provides for the training of all your key individuals and thus making your team solid at every position. Now let’s go out there and win one for the Gipper!
Southwest Jeff Jensen The Hi-Lo Desert GCSA, with significant financial support from the California Alliance for Golf, California Golf Course Owners Association, Golden State Chapter of CMAA, Greater Palm Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau, Southern California Golf Association and the Southern California PGA, has contracted Oxford Economics to conduct an economic impact study for the Coachella Valley golf industry. The valley is home to 123 golf courses and these facilities are an integral part of the local economy, as well as a year-round activity for both residents and visitors. The study will calculate direct, indirect and induced economic impacts for the golf industry in the region. Oxford Economics will be requesting the following information: • Revenue by type (rounds, merchandise, memberships, food and beverage, lodging, meeting space rental, equipment rentals, etc.) • Taxes paid • Employment numbers and associated income • Customer residence (local/visitor) • Investments (equipment, renovation and construction) • Major events (fan attendance, sponsorships and media) In addition, average visitor spending data will be compiled from Tourism Economics’ work with Palm Springs to calculate the spending of golf visitors outside of the resort/golf course. Finally, government data on golf compiled from Census and Bureau of Labor Statistics information will anchor the results to known measurements for employment, personal income and sales. By monitoring the full economic impact of the Coachella Valley golf industry, our allied golf organizations can inform the media, public and, most importantly, policy makers about the relevance and importance of the golf industry to the region. If you have any questions, please contact me at jjensen@gcsaa.org or Hi-Lo Desert GCSA President Dean Miller at dmiller@ pgawest.com.
For the latest blog posts from all of GCSAA’s feld staff representatives, visit www.gcsaa.org/ community/regions.aspx.
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March 19 — 31st Annual Forum, Naperville CC, Naperville, Ill. Phone: 630-639-9395 Website: www.cagcs.org
March 23 — Spring Educational Symposium, Rio Bravo CC, Bakersfeld, Calif. Phone: 559-298-4853 Website: www.centralcaliforniagcsa.com March 23-24 — USGA Regional Conference, Hope Valley CC, Durham, N.C. Phone: 800-476-4272 Website: www.carolinasgcsa.org
March 25 — GCSAA Webcast: Triple Trouble Series, Part II: Drainage Contact: GCSAA Education Phone: 800-472-7878 Website: www.gcsaa.org/education/ webcasts.aspx
March 30-31 — Peaks & Prairies GCSA “Almost Spring” Meeting and USGA Green Section, Snow King Resort Hotel, Jackson Hole, Wyo. Phone: 406-273-0791 Website: www.ppgcsa.org April 1 — GCSAA Webcast: Triple Trouble Series, Part III: Air Movement Contact: GCSAA Education Phone: 800-472-7878 Website: www.gcsaa.org/education/ webcasts.aspx ——— 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. ——— 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.
ON THE MOVE ALABAMA Matthew T. Devine, formerly (Supt. Mbr.) at Limestone Springs, is now (Supt. Mbr.) at NorthRiver Yacht Club in Tuscaloosa. ARIZONA John N. Lambrecht, formerly (C) at TPC of Scottsdale, is now (C) at Pinnacle Peak Country Club in Scottsdale. Dustin W. Peterson, formerly (Supt. Mbr.) at TPC of Scottsdale, is now (AF) at Rain Bird Corp.-Golf Div. in Tucson. CALIFORNIA Christopher Bien, formerly (C) at La Quinta Resort & Club, is now (Supt. Mbr.) at Greg Norman Course at PGA West Stadium Clubhouse in La Quinta. Jonathan Moulton, formerly (C) at Martis Camp Club, is now (Supt. Mbr.) at Resort at Squaw Creek in Olympic Valley. Roger Smidstra, formerly (C) at Green Hills Country Club, is now (C) at Diablo Country Club in Diablo. Ryan Zuehlsdorf, formerly (A) at Roddy Ranch Golf Club, is now (A) at Monarch Bay Golf Club in San Leandro. COLORADO Benjamin W. Getman, formerly (C) at The Denver Country Club, is now (Supt. Mbr.) at The Denver Country Club in Denver. Brett Klahr, formerly (S) at Penn State University, is now (C) at Maroon Creek Club in Aspen. CONNECTICUT Timothy Nadeau, formerly (C) at Wethersfeld Country Club, is now (C) at Rockledge Golf Club in West Hartford. FLORIDA Carlos Arraya, CGCS, formerly (A) at Hawks Nest Golf Club, is now (A) at Venice Golf & Country Club in Venice. Joseph G. Figurella, formerly (A) at The Breakers Rees Jones Course, is now (A) at The Wanderers Club in West Palm Beach. David J. Forrey, formerly (A) at Shadow Wood Country Club, is now (C) at Copperleaf Golf Course in Bonita Springs. Andrew K. Fortman, formerly (C) at SaddleBrooke HOA #1, is now (C) at Jupiter Hills Club & Village Course in Jupiter. Patrick J. Franklin, CGCS, formerly (A) at Westwood Country Club, is now (A) at
Country Club of Winter Haven in Winter Haven. Robert A. Vanlerberghe, formerly (Supt. Mbr.) at Black Creek Golf Club, is now (Supt. Mbr.) at Hidden Hills Country Club in Jacksonville. Russell Wilson, CGCS, formerly (A) at Osprey Ridge Golf Course, is now (A) at Tranquilo Golf Club in Golden Oak.
NEBRASKA Matthew Neumann, formerly (C) at Ocean Reef Club, is now (C) at Beatrice Country Club in Beatrice.
GEORGIA Russell Hill, formerly (Supt. Mbr.) at Griffn Bell Golf Links, is now (Supt. Mbr.) at Forsythe Country Club in Forsyth.
NEW YORK Jeff M. Campbell, formerly (S) at Michigan State University, is now (C) at Quaker Ridge Golf Club in Scarsdale. Nicholas Ciaccio, formerly (C) at Diamond Hawk Golf Course, is now (C) at River Oaks Golf Club in Grand Island. Joe Gikis, formerly (C) at Westchester Country Club, is now (Supt. Mbr.) at Westchester Country Club in Rye.
HAWAII Leslie B. Jeremiah Jr., CGCS, formerly (A) at DHR Construction Inc., is now (A) at Hoakalei Country Club at Ocean Pointe in Ewa Beach. IDAHO Alex A. Bliss, formerly (C) at Sun Valley Resort, is now (Supt. Mbr.) at Sun Valley Resort in Sun Valley. Cody A. Kuhn, formerly (S) at Michigan State University, is now (C) at Huntsman Springs Golf Club in Driggs.
NEVADA Ryan W. Sitler, formerly (S) at Rutgers University/Cook College, is now (C) at Anthem Country Club in Henderson.
NORTH CAROLINA Jonathan Stephens, formerly (C) at Brier Creek Country Club, is now (Supt. Mbr.) at Brier Creek Country Club in Raleigh.
OHIO Lance Bailey, formerly (C) at South Course at Mill Creek Park, is now (Supt. Mbr.) at South Course at Mill Creek Park in Boardman. Kyle Smith, formerly (C) at Westfeld Group Country Club, is now (Supt. Mbr.) at Westfeld Group Country Club in Westfeld Center. PENNSYLVANIA Eric C. Millard, formerly (S) at Penn State University, is now (C) at Westmoreland Country Club in Export. SOUTH CAROLINA Robert Valente, formerly (C) at Pinecrest Golf Club, is now (Supt. Mbr.) at Rose Hill Golf Club in Bluffton. TEXAS Don M. Alexander, formerly (I), is now (C) at River Place Country Club in Austin. Jason E. Barrington, formerly (Supt. Mbr.) at Chamberlyne Country Club, is
MARYLAND Justin M. Gladhill, formerly (C) at Medinah Country Club, is now (C) at Baltimore Country Club in Baltimore. Andrew Robertson, formerly (C) at Bretton Woods Recreation Center, is now (Supt. Mbr.) at Manor Country Club in Rockville. Cory M. Wesselman, formerly (C) at Hillendale Country Club, is now (C) at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville. MICHIGAN Thomas Ham, formerly (C) at Battle Creek Country Club, is now (Supt. Mbr.) at Battle Creek Country Club in Battle Creek. MINNESOTA Jacob Kocak, formerly (C) at Somerby Golf Club, is now (C) at Wayzata Country Club in Wayzata. Maxwell D. Lenz, formerly (C) at Whistling Straits Golf Course, is now (C) at Interlachen Country Club in Minneapolis. MISSOURI Chad Fetter, formerly (C) at The Country Club of St. Albans, is now (Supt. Mbr.) at Bogey Hills Country Club in St. Charles.
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now (Supt. Mbr.) at LakeRidge Country Club in Lubbock. Michael B. Bellmon, formerly (C) at Pinnacle Country Club, is now (C) at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth. James M. Hutton, CGCS, formerly (A) at River Hills Country Club, is now (A) at Longwood Golf Club in Cypress. Justin R. Lonon, formerly (Supt. Mbr.) at April Sound Country Club, is now (Supt. Mbr.) at Pebble Creek Country Club in College Station. Reagan W. Olson, formerly (C) at Cowan Creek Golf Club, is now (C) at Legacy Hills Golf Club in Georgetown. Toby C. Schrock, formerly (C) at Quail Valley Country Club, is now (Supt. Mbr.) at Quail Valley Country Club in Missouri City. UTAH Kenneth Steed, formerly (C) at Sunbrook Golf Club, is now (Supt. Mbr.) at Southgate Golf Course in Saint George. VERMONT Joshua M. Fontaine, formerly (S) at SUNY Cobleskill, is now (C) at Ekwanok Country Club in Manchester. VIRGINIA David P. Callahan, formerly (C) at Hidden Valley Country Club, is now (Supt. Mbr.) at Spring Creek Golf Club in Gordonsville. Joseph R. Wagner, formerly (C) at Greenbrier Country Club, is now (C) at Belle Haven Country Club in Alexandria. BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS Richard S. McNabb, formerly (A) at Sandals Golf & Country Club, is now (A) at Nail Bay Golf Club in Nail Bay. CANADA John Ingham, formerly (C) at Ladies Golf Club of Toronto, is now (C) at The Summit Golf Club in Richmond Hill, Ontario.
SPAIN Andrea Patussi, formerly (C) at Loch Lomond Golf Club, is now (C) at Capdepera Golf Club in Illes Balears. Editor’s note: The information in this report was pulled from GCSAA’s member data base on Dec. 26, 2014.
NEW MEMBERS ARIZONA Harold G. Mitchell, Student, Tucson CALIFORNIA Allan D. Heath, Supt. Mbr., Oakland Manuel A. Langarica, Class C, Rancho Mirage Cody S. Semingson, Class C, La Quinta Thomas J. Sheehan, Associate, San Jose COLORADO Maxwell D. Brotherton, Student, Fort Collins Johnathan A. Doncilovic, Class C, Colorado Springs Mathew H. Fellows, Class C, Rangely Jeff J. Gustafson, Associate, Aspen CONNECTICUT Thomas D. Panton-Lula, Student, Waterbury FLORIDA Lance K. Hawk, Class C, Estero Richard M. Maddox, Class C, Gainesville
Erik R. Dittmar, Class C, Joppa Scott B. Hebert, Student, College Park William H. McNeal, Class C, Rockville Edwin A. Pinto, Class C, Chevy Chase Alan Wilber, Affliate, Delmar MASSACHUSETTS Ryan D. Boudreau, Class C, Framingham Rick T. Gagnon, Class C, Framingham MICHIGAN Seth Sheldon, Class C, Bridgman MINNESOTA Tim Roddy, Associate, Edina MISSISSIPPI Andrew R. Greene, Student, Mississippi State MISSOURI Josh Jackman, Associate, Ballwin NEW HAMPSHIRE Alex J. Craigie, Class C, Newbury NEW JERSEY Kevin E. Eickholt, Class C, Rumson Philip Knudsen, Class C, Galloway Joseph C. Recine, Student, New Brunswick Tyler J. Robb, Student, New Brunswick NEW MEXICO Ralph D. Thornton, Associate, Roswell
IOWA Lennis Berkland, Supt. Mbr., Ankeny
NEW YORK Timothy J. Elliott, Associate, Bedford Jamison R. LaPan, Class C, Mamaroneck Callahan N. Tyler, Class C, Port Washington Evan F. Weymouth, Class C, Scarborough
MARYLAND
NORTH CAROLINA
ILLINOIS Alicia Gillman, Affliate Co. Rep., Aurora
Daniel R. Anderson, Class C, Charlotte Joshua L. Purvis, Supt. Mbr., New Bern OHIO Joshua L. King, Class C, Loveland Dylan John Taylor, Student, Columbus OREGON Matt Bollie, Associate, Portland Andrew M. Stice, Class C, Newberg PENNSYLVANIA Michael E. Barlow, Student, University Park Melinda A. Wesley, Associate, Clarks Summit RHODE ISLAND Michael R. Dalton, Class C, Rumford TENNESSEE Andrew W. Foster, Class C, Memphis Jon P. Odgers, Supt. Mbr., Franklin Jeffery C. Tucker, Class C, Nashville TEXAS Timothy J. Alligood, Class C, Glen Rose Roberto Cruz, Class C, Burleson Tim R. Davis, Class C, Austin Christopher L. Dekkers, Associate, Canton Adrian Perez, Associate, Burleson Alejandro Perez, Associate, Burleson Jason A. Perkins, Class C, Humble WASHINGTON Karen Christy-Earles, Class C, DuPont Mathew Cole, Associate, WInthrop John Royce Havens III, Student, Walla Walla Jeff L. Williams, Associate, Seattle WISCONSIN Nicholas E. Gmeinder, Student, Madison Nick J. Jensen, Class C, Luxemburg
Golf Course Management
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Stillings; and grandson, Trevor Lamphier. BRUNEI Brad Revill, ISM, Sengkurong Muara CANADA Jesse R. Booker, Class C, Caledon, Ontario Michael Joseph Shoemaker, Associate, Toronto, Ontario Jeff N.R. Smith, Student, Guelph, Ontario CHINA Darren Ian McLaughlan, Student, Shenzhen ENGLAND Kevin O’Neill, ISM, Lower Stondon Andrew Wight, Educator, St. Albans
Rodney L. Myers, 64, died Oct. 22, 2014. Mr. Myers, a 32-year member of GCSAA, was golf course superintendent (and architect) at Fox Ridge Golf Course in Helena, Mont., at the time of his death. During his career, Myers was involved in the development of Green Meadow Country Club, Bill Roberts Golf Course and Norwegian Wood Golf Course. In his spare time, he was team captain of his bowling team. Myers is survived by his daughters, Jennifer (Aaron) Peterson and Sabrina (Brandon) Wood; grandchildren, Becca Wood and Cole Wood, Nathan Peterson and William Peterson; and brothers Randy Myers, Larry Myers and Barry Myers.
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SPAIN Angel Chacon Pineda, ISM, Marbella Jesus V. Herrera, ISM, Estepona Malaga Jose Angel Sanchez Alcala, ISM, Marbella SWEDEN Daniel Gustav Johan Karlsson, Student, Askersund Editor’s note: The information for this report was pulled from GCSAA’s member data base on Dec. 26, 2014.
NEWLY CERTIFIED
Paul A. Colleran, 54, died Oct. 8, 2014. Mr. Colleran, a 30-year member of GCSAA, was the only superintendent at Aldarra Golf Club in Sammamish, Wash. He was superintendent for 10 years at Tacoma Golf & Country Club before being brought in during the development phase at Aldarra GC in 1999. Colleran played for two years on the University of Oregon golf team. He took a year off from school to work on the greens crew at Broadmoor GC in Seattle. Eventually, he transferred to Oregon State University, where he earned a turfgrass management degree. He is survived by his wife, Joan Colleran, a PGA professional; and sons Troy Colleran and Bryce Colleran.
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Keith M. Bennett, CGCS, Charleston Springs Golf Course, Lincroft, N.J. Eric K. Ritter, CGCS, Wild Marsh Golf Club, Buffalo, Minn.
IN MEMORIAM Frank E. Lamphier, 80, died Sept. 24, 2014. Mr. Lamphier, a 53-year member of GCSAA, received GCSAA’s Col. John Morley Distinguished Service Award in 2013. He was a superintendent for 28 years at Aspetuck Valley Country Club in Bethel, Conn. His efforts in the late 1960s helped save and resurrect the GCSAA Golf Championships. He oversaw the event from 1968 though 1988, which helped make it viable again. He was a graduate of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Lamphier is survived by sons Ed Lamphier and Darrell (Leslie) Lamphier; sister, Ruth
02.15 GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT
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(photo quiz answers) By John Mascaro President of Turf-Tec International
(a)
PROBLEM The depression on this collar and green was caused by a 12-inch-deep drilland-fll aerifcation. Over 30 years ago, this course installed bank heads, the locations of which are not marked on the as-built plans and not remembered by anyone currently working at the course. These rarely used heads weren’t run for a couple of weeks after the drill-and-fll project. The morning after that portion of the irrigation system was fnally turned on, the crew came in and saw this dimple in one of the greens. When they checked the rest of the course, they noticed eight greens had the same dimples. When they excavated the frst dimple by removing the sod and digging down 12 inches deep, they found drilled holes in the irrigation pipes for the bank heads and realized that the pipe had been buried directly under the green in some areas, causing the problem. The pipe was repaired, the holes were flled and leveled, the sod was replaced and the area was tamped and rolled. The following year they had the contractor set the drill-and-fll machine to 10 inches deep and had no further surprises. Photo submitted by Michael P. Johnston, irrigation specialist at DuPont Country Club in Wilmington, Del., where John F. Klempa, a 19-year GCSAA member, is the superintendent.
(b)
PROBLEM
The yellow area in this space between the teeing grounds resembles the spot in the carpet beneath a leg of your living room couch because it, too, was caused by wear. The area in the photo is a small “island” of turf between the teeing areas of the course’s 5th and 15th holes, which are two parallel par 4s. The grass here is 419 bermudagrass maintained at a height of 2 inches. It is also the area where all on-course food and beverage stations — usually comprising a tent with a bar — are placed for golf events. For this particular two-day member tournament, the food and beverage people provided something new: a hot dog cart. The discolored area is where the person manning the grill stood for two days and the portion of the turf that looks best is what was under the cart. Judging from the wear on the turf, the cart was a welcome addition. Over the course of the two-day event, they served approximately 300 hot dogs! Since the area is out of play, the superintendent simply allowed the turf to recover on its own. Photo submitted by Matthew Wharton, CGCS, the superintendent at Carolina Golf Club in Charlotte, N.C., and a 17-year member of GCSAA.
If you would like to submit a photograph for John Mascaro’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. If your photograph is selected, you will receive full credit. All photos submitted will become property of GCM and GCSAA.
Presented in partnership with Jacobsen GCM (ISSN 0192-3048 [print]; ISSN 2157-3085 [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.
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GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT 02.15
5 COURSES. 81 TOTAL HOLES. 365 DAYS A YEAR.
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1.888.922.TURF | www.jacobsen.com Pebble Beach Golf Links ® is maintained by Jacobsen equipment. Pebble Beach ®, Pebble Beach Resorts ®, Pebble Beach Golf Links®, The Lone CypressTM, The Heritage Logo and their distinctive images are trademarks, service marks and trade dress of Pebble Beach Company. Use is by permission. ©2014 Jacobsen division of Textron. All rights reserved.
ADVERTISING INDEX & MARKETPLACE PLATINUM PARTNERS John Deere Co. ................................................4-5 (800) 257-7797 .............www.johndeere.com/Golf The Toro Co. .......................................IFC-1, 72-73 (888) 664-7489 ..........www.toro.com/leaderboard
PBI Gordon Corp...............................................21* (800) 971-7233 .................... www.pbigordon.com
Golf-Lift Div. Derek Weaver Co., Inc. ................... 158 (800) 788-9789 ............................www.golf-lift.com
Pifer ................................................................. 157 (888) 442-8442 ..........................www.pifergolf.com
Precision Laboratories, Inc. .............................. 93 800-323-6280...................www.precisionlab.com
Golf Preservations ............................................. 116 (606) 499-2732 .............www.golfpreservations.com
PlanetAir Turf Products ..................................... 27 (877) 800-8845 .........................www.planetair.biz
Quali-Pro........................................................... 37 (888) 584-6598 ......................www.quali-pro.com
Greenleaf Technologies................................... 146 (760 )485-2936 .....................www.turbodrop.com
Playbooks for Golf........................................... 103 (913) 221-8052 ................ www.goplaybooks.com
R & R Products Inc. ........................................... 59 (800) 528-3446 ....................www.rrproducts.com
GreensGroomer Worldwide, Inc......................... 91 (888) 298-8852 ext. 500 ....................................... http://www.greensgroomer.com/
Ryan ................................................................ 122 (866) 469-1242 .......................... www.ryanturf.com
Standard Golf Co.......................................Insert 65* (866) 743-9773 ....................www.standardgolf.com
GOLD PARTNERS Jacobsen ...................................................31, 155 (800) 232-5907 ......................www.jacobsen.com Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC ................. Cover 4 (909) 308-1633 ..................................................... www.syngentaprofessionalproducts.com Bayer Environmental Sciences ....................78, 79 (800) 331-2867 ............ www.backedbybayer.com
Tee-2-Green Corp. ......................................... 42-43 (800) 547-0255 .................... www.tee-2-green.com
ADVERTISERS AgSource Harris Laboratories ......................... 152 (402) 476-0300 .... http://harrislabs.agsource.com AMVAC .............................................................. 57 (888) GO-AMVAC ........www.amvac-chemical.com
Aquatrols Corporation ....................................... 39 (800) 257-7797 ..................... www.aquatrols.com Bernhard & Company Limited......................... 149 (800) 323-6280 ....................www.bernhard.co.uk
The Andersons, Inc. .......................................... 11 (800) 253-5296 .............. www.AndersonsPro.com Barenbrug USA ................................................33* (800) 547-4101 ......................... www.barusa.com Baroness........................................................... 19 (707) 283-0610 .........................www.baroness.us BASF ................................................................ 97 (888) 566-5506 .................www.betterturf.basf.us Club Car ............................................................. 49 (800) 445-6680 ........................... www.clubcar.com Civitas Fungicide (a.k.a.Petro Canada) ............. 51 ............................................. www.civitasturf.com Cushman (a.k.a. E-Z-GO)..................................... 71 (800) 774-3946 ........................ www.cushman.com Floratine Products Group ................................ 127 (901) 853-2898 ....................... www.foratine.com FMC Professional Solutions ...Barn Door Cover, 13 (800) 235-7368 .......... www.fmcprosolutions.com Foley United ...............................................53, 113 (800) 225-9810 .................. www.foleyunited.com Koch Agronomic Services, LLC ......................... 17 (888) 547-4140 ......................... www.kasturf.com Lebanon Turf .................................... 14, 15, 84-85 (800) 350-6650 ............... www.lebanonturf.com/ Par Aide Products Co. ......................................2-3 (888) 893-2433 ........................ www.paraide.com
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Growth Products Ltd. ........................................ 25 (800) 648-7626 ...........www.growthproducts.com Hunter Industries................................................. 63 (760) 744-5240 .......................www.huntergolf.com
Aqua-Aid Inc. .................................................... 95 (800) 394-1551 ....................... www.aquaaid.com
SILVER PARTNERS
Grigg Bros. ........................................................ 75 (888) 623-7285 .....................www.griggbros.com
Billy Goat Industries........................................... 151 (816) 524-9666 ..........................www.billygoat.com BoardTronics...................................................... 6-7 (800) 782-9938 ............................boardtronics.com Bobcat ............................................................... 35 (877) 745-7813 ...............http://bobcat.com/allnew6 Buffalo Turbine ................................................. 92 (716) 592-2700 ..............www.buffaloturbine.com Carbtrol Corporation ....................................... 159 (800) 242-1150 .............http://www.carbtrol.com/ Champion Turf Farms ......................................... 8-9 (888) 290-7377 ..........www.championturffarms.com East Coast Sod & Seed ...................................... 158 (856) 769-9555 ...................www.eastcoastsod.com Frost Inc. .......................................................... 153 (800) 621-7910 ......................... www.frostserv.com Georgia Seed Development Commission.....Insert 81* (303) 431-7333 ........................... www.tifeagle.com GCSAA Services.... 21*, 65, 100-101, 107, 108-109, 117, 119, 121, 123, 125, 147, 153 (800) 447-1840 ...............................www.gcsaa.org GCBAA ...................................................... 41*, 139 (402) 476-4444 .............................. www.gcbaa.org GCSAA TV .......................................................... 81 ..........................................................www.gcsaa.tv
GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT 02.15
Johnston Seed Co. ......................................... 54-55 (800) 375-4613 .................. www.johnstonseed.com King Ranch ....................................................... 105 (800) 445-2602 ....................... www.miniverde.com Kirby Markers ..................................................... 76 (949) 737-1783 ...................www.kirbymarkers.com Kochek Company Inc ...................................... 157 (800) 420-4673 .........................www.kochek.com Lastec ............................................................... 82 (866) 902-6454 ..........................www.lastec.com Lely USA Inc .................................................... 158 (888) 245-4684 .........................www.lelyusa.com Maredo BV ....................................................... 157 (877) 627-3362 ...................... www.maredo-bv.com Maruyama USA ................................................. 120 (940) 383-7400 ............... http://maruyama-us.com/ Milorganite ........................................................ 90 (800) 287-9645 ..................... www.milorganite.com Mi-T-M Corporation........................................... 114 800-553-9053 ................................ www.mitm.com MultiGuard ....................................................... 115 (908) 272-7070 ............www.multiguardprotect.com Neary Technologies ............................................. 69 (800) 233-4973 ......................... www.nearytec.com New Life Turf ..................................................... 41* (803) 263-4231 ...................... www.newlifeturf.com Nufarm Americas Inc. ....................................... 87 (800) 345-3330 .................. www.nufarm.com/US Otterbine Barebo Inc. ........................................ 118 (800) 237-8837 ..................................................... www.otterbine.com/aerating_fountains.com Ostara Nutrient Recovery Technologies, Inc. .......... 80 (604) 408-6697 .............................www.ostara.com Peat, Inc. .......................................................... 158 (800) 441-1880 ........................... www.peatinc.com Penn State University ....................................... 77 (800) 233-4973 .........www.worldcampus.psu.edu
Salsco, Inc. ......................................................... 61 (203) 271-1682 .............................www.salsco.com Seago International, Inc. .................................... 159 (800) 780-9889 ........................www.seagousa.com Smithco, Inc................................................. Cover 3 (877) 833-7648 .......................... www.smithco.com Stabilizer Solutions, Inc........................................ 94 800-336-2468 ..............www.stabilizersolutions.com Steven’s Water Monitoring ................................... 83 215-908-0044 .....................www.stevenswater.com TRIMS Software International Inc. .................. 157 (800) 608-7467 ............................www.trims.com Trojan Battery Company ...................................... 29 (800) 423-6569 ....www.trojanbattery.com/competition TurfCo ................................................................ 67 (800) 679-8201 ............................. www.turfco.com Turf Screen ......................................................... 23 (267) 246-8654 ....................... www.turfmaxllc.com Tyler Enterprises ................................................. 99 (877) 658-9537 ......... http://www.masterblend.com/ Underhill .......................................................... 88 (800) 328-3986 ......................... www.underhill.us Vinylguard Golf ................................................... 98 (866) 254-5201 ................. www.vinylguardgolf.com Wiedenmann North America ............................. 89 (866) 790-3004 .........www.wiedenmannusa.com Wood Bay Turf Technologies ............................. 96 (800) 661-4942 ......... www.woodbayturftech.com * Denotes regional advertisement Bold denotes affliate member
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Photographer: Noy Sparks • Title: GCSAA Class A Golf Course Superintendent • Course: Fossil Trace Golf Club, Golden, Colo. • GCSAA membership: 10 years • The shot: Who knew there was anything artistic about blowing out a golf course’s irrigation system for winter? Sparks captured this shot, taken from the Fossil Trace clubhouse looking down on the par-4 10th hole and toward the Golden Valley, while his crews took to the course to do just that, as evidenced by the two tractors and compressor in the foreground. • Camera: Samsung Galaxy Note 4
I N N O VAT O R C O M M U N I C AT O R BUDGET ADVISOR E N V I R O N M E N TA L I S T I N D U S T R Y A D V O C AT E LIFE ENTHUSIAST TURF MANAGER MENTOR
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