Fall 2011 Program Preview of the
2011 Annual Turfgrass Conference & Tradeshow… Celebrating 50 Years of Growing Together! Preparing for the
Iron Bowl Top 10 Do’s and Don’ts for Employers under the Alabama Immigration Act
Plus,
ATA Member Spotlight on James Bartley, Incoming ATA President
Fall 2011
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ATA Member Spotlight — 8 James Bartley, Incoming ATA President Upcoming Event — 10 Celebrating 50 Years of Growing Together… ATA Annual Conference & Tradeshow, October 10–12, 2011
Special Feature — 14 The More We Grow, the
More We Stay the Same, Part 2
Turf Talk — 18 Preparing for the Iron Bowl 10
Business Matters — 22 Top 10 Do’s and Don’ts for Employers under the Alabama Immigration Act
Turf Tips — 24 Timely Advice for Golf,
Lawn, Sports and Sod Turf
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www.AlaTurfgrass.org
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From the President’s Pen ATA Annual Sponsors News from ATA — Slate of 2011–2012 ATA Leaders Calendar of Events Advertiser Index
The Alabama Turfgrass Association serves its members in the industry through education, promotion and representation. The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the association, its staff, or its board of directors, Alabama Turf Times, or its editors. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or their identification as Alabama Turfgrass Association members, does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services featured in this, past or subsequent issues of this quarterly publication. Copyright © 2011 by the Alabama Turfgrass Association. Alabama Turf Times is published quarterly. Subscriptions are complimentary to members of the Alabama Turfgrass Association. Third-class postage is paid at Nashville, TN. Printed in the U.S.A. We are not responsible for unsolicited freelance manuscripts and photographs. Contact the managing editor for contribution information. Advertising: For display and classified advertising rates and insertion please contact Leading Edge Communications, LLC, 206 Bridge Street, Franklin, TN 37064, (615) 790-3718, www.LeadingEdgeCommunications.com
From the President’s Pen >>> Tom Wolf
Join Us as
We Celebrate!
As
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the high temperatures slowly fall on the thermometer, the excitement over the ATA conference is steadily rising. In honor of the Alabama Turfgrass Association turning 50 years old, we are throwing a party! The ATA Annual Turfgrass Conference and Tradeshow will be a true celebration, full of surprises and new events. I encourage every member to come join the fun in Auburn on October 10–12! Some of the exciting events of the conference include a tradeshow/field day, complete with equipment demonstrations at Beck’s Turf Farm, a tour of the new indoor practice facility at Auburn University, a Turf Bowl similar to the collegiate event at the GCSAA Show and, of course, a Celebration Party featuring the Jason Albert Band. We also still have our conference favorites, like the live auction, Membership Dinner, golf tournament at Grand National Golf Course and tons of educational sessions, including breakout sessions and tent topics during the tradeshow. We want you there, so please make your plans to attend this memorable event! I hope that you were able to attend one of the immigration compliance seminars that our association was fortunate to host along with the Alabama
2011 ATA Annual Sponsors The companies listed here support the ATA and its members. Please keep them in mind when making your purchasing decisions.
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Employers for Immigration Reform. These seminars touched on all facets of the new immigration law that employers will need to adhere to, and they also served as a sounding board for comments and concerns regarding this law. In case you missed them, our conference keynote speaker, Thomas Eden, Esq. of Capell & Howard, P.C., will address the immigration law along with timely updates. Another great reason to attend the Conference! In closing, I want to express my appreciation for the opportunity to serve as your president this past year. It has been a remarkable year, and I feel honored to have served our organization in this manner. The Alabama Turfgrass Association unites all industries of turfgrass, and I am proud of our association’s ability to serve our members. The ATA board of directors works hard for you and strives to make your membership worth every dollar. Thank you for your membership and the confidence you bestowed in me as your president. I look forward to seeing you at the conference next month. Tom Wolf 2011 ATA President
GOLD
BRONZE
Beard Equipment Company Greenville Turf & Tractor Golf Ventures West Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation
AGRI-AFC, LLC Agromax BASF Bayer Environmental Science DuPont Professional Products Harrell’s, Inc. Humphries Turf Supply Southern States
SILVER Agrium Advanced Technologies Ewing John Deere Landscapes Syngenta T&O Products
Alabama Turf Times is the official publication of the: Alabama Turfgrass Association P.O. Box 70 Auburn, Alabama 36831 Tel: (334) 821-3000 Fax: (334) 821-3800 Email: mailbox@alaturfgrass.org www.alaturfgrass.org Published by: Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street Franklin, Tennessee 37064 Tel: (615) 790-3718 Fax: (615) 794-4524 Email: info@leadingedgecommunications.com Executive Director Tricia Roberts Alabama Turf Times Editor James Horton Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Executive Committee President Tom Wolf Coosa Valley Turf Farms
Vice-President James Bartley Southern Lawns
Treasurer Glenn Hedden Town of Loxley
Past President Jeff Oelmann, CGCS
Grand National Golf Course
Board of Directors Golf Jeremy Sutton
Montgomery Country Club
Lawncare Kim Byram
University of Alabama
Parks & Recreation Raymond Sexton City of Troy
Sod John Carter
Carter Sod Farm
Industry Bobby Farley
The Capstone Club
Institution Jason Cooper
Southern Scape, LLC
At-Large Scott Herron
Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation
Jeff Hill
Cullman Golf Course
Craig Jones
Alabama Lawns
Officio/Education Advisors Dave Han, Ph.D. Auburn University
Jim Jacobi, Ph.D. ACES, Birmingham
ATA Member Spotlight >>>
ATA Member Spotlight on
James Bartley, Southern Lawns and Incoming ATA President
By Tricia Roberts, ATA Executive Director
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J
ames Bartley is no stranger to the Alabama Turfgrass Association. In fact, he is a second-generation member of ATA. His father, Paul C. Bartley Sr., was head of the grounds at Ft. Rucker and was a member of ATA back in the 1960s and 1970s. James has been a member of the Alabama Turfgrass Association since 1979 and served on the board of directors four times over those thirty-two years. Being that his father worked at Ft. Rucker, James was born and raised in Ozark, Alabama. Within a couple of weeks after graduating from Carroll High School, James enrolled in the summer quarter at Auburn University in wildlife management. After two quarters, James realized that the job outlook for that field was poor, so he took his father’s advice and tried something in agriculture. Dr. J.T. Hood sold him on agronomy and soils, and after a few classes, James knew that was the right direction for him. In 1977, when James graduated and lawn care was in its infancy, James was hired to start Southern Lawns, which 8
grew to two offices (in Montgomery, Alabama, and Columbus, Georgia). After 33 years, Southern Lawns was sold a year ago except for the territory that was retained in east Alabama. James’ office is now in Auburn, and he spends most of his time troubleshooting landscapes, customer service, marketing, sales and personnel management. James is married to Donna Tussey Bartley, a native of Auburn and who is excited to be back home on the plains. James enjoys hunting and fishing, but his true love is farming fruits and vegetables at his farm in Chambers County. James is an active member of the Eastwood Presbyterian Church and serves on the board of trustees for the Alabama Turfgrass Research Foundation. We are honored to have James as our incoming president. His history of our organization, along with his leadership abilities, will move us forward in our 51st year. If you don’t personally know James, please make sure to meet him at the Annual Turfgrass Conference and Tradeshow in October. v
Upcoming Event >>>
Celebrating 50 Years of Growing Together…
ATA Hosts the 2011 Annual
Turfgrass Conference & Tradeshow,
October 10–12
We’re Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Fa ll 2 011
having a celebration, and YOU’RE invited! This year’s ATA Annual Turfgrass Conference and Tradeshow will be full of surprises, and we encourage every member to come enjoy the festivities we’ve planned for ATA’s 50th Anniversary.
Our biggest change will be our tradeshow. It’s turning into a full-scale field day with equipment demonstrations at Beck’s Sod Farm, located just minutes from the host hotel. We’ll have exhibitors from all segments of the industry — chemical companies and distributors, greens mowers, spriggers and sod installers, utility vehicles and sod harvesters. Lunch will be served at the tradeshow, followed by “tent topic” educa-
tional sessions under the big-top tent. We’ll wrap the day with a turkey-calling contest for some additional fun. Come see it all, and practice your turkey calls if you dare… there will be something for everyone at the tradeshow. Our most popular event of the conference, the Membership Dinner & Auction, will also have an additional twist. We have high hopes of raising over $10,000 again this year with the live auction, so we’re having a party to
celebrate this victory and, of course, ATA turning the big 5-0! The Jason Albert Band, a Huntsville-based band (featuring members Jason Albert, Mike Myerson, Jason Miller and Chopper Wilson) has been secured for an evening of music, dancing and fun! The Jason Albert Band has a fan base that extends throughout the Southeast because of its great mix of classic rock to country, oldies to R&B. Come enjoy the eclectic sounds of the The Jason Albert Band at our Celebration Party. With all the fun we have planned, we also have some amazing educational sessions designed for every turfgrass manager. A new tradition we are starting is the ATA Turf Bowl. It’s based on the format of the collegiate GCSAA version, but we’ll add some humor Continued on page 12 >>
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SCHEDULE at a Glance Monday, October 10
Wednesday, October 12
12 p.m. Golf Tournament, at Grand National Golf Course 1 – 5 p.m. Registration, at Auburn University Hotel & Conference Center (AUH&CC) 5 p.m. Welcoming Reception, at AUH&CC
8 a.m.
ATA Business Meeting, at AUH&CC
9 a.m.
Celebrate ATA!, at AUH&CC
Tuesday, October 11
12 – 4 p.m. Tradeshow & Equipment Demonstrations, at Beck’s Turf Farm
7:30 a.m. ATRF Business Meeting, at AUH&CC 7 a.m. – Registration, at AUH&CC 5 p.m. 8 a.m. Sports Turf Tour, at Jordan Hare Stadium, Auburn University 9 – 11 a.m. ATA Turf Bowl, at AUH&CC 11:30 a.m. Auburn University Research Luncheon, at AUH&CC 12:30 p.m. Toomer Trees: Living or Dying by Scott McElroy, Auburn University, at AUH&CC 1:00 p.m. Management of Southern Weeds by Scott McElroy, Auburn University, at AUH&CC 2 – 5 p.m. Breakout Educational Sessions, at AUH&CC Pest Management
Landscape Management
“ When Do You Need Phosphorus?” Beth Guertal, Auburn University
“ Controlling Poa annua in Bentgrass Greens — the California Perspective” Jim Baird, University of California
“ Six Major Essentials for Successful Pond Management” David Cline, ACES
3 p.m.
“Sustainable Lawncare Practices” Dave Han, Auburn University
“ Turf Health “Centipede Care” & Zoysia Jim Jacobi, ACES Challenges” Beth Guertal, Auburn University
4 p.m.
“ Novel Strategies for Turfgrass Water Conservation” Jim Baird, University of California
“ Baits for Fire Ant Management” Fudd Graham, ACES
2 p.m.
“ Bringing Color to Your Landscape” James Horton, Birmingham Botanical Gardens
12 p.m. Lunch at Tradeshow, and Toss the Turf Competition, at Beck’s Turf Farm 1 p.m.
Tent Topics, at Beck’s Turf Farm
• “ Conversion from Bentgrass to Ultradwarf” Jeff Oelman, Dennis Weber, etc.
• “ Overview of New Turfgrass Varieties” Brian Swartz, University of Georgia
• “ Fertility between Grow-In and Harvesting” Beth Guertal, Auburn University
3 p.m.
Turkey Calling Contest, at Beck’s Turf Farm
4 p.m. CEU Sign-Ups & Adjournment, at Beck’s Turf Farm 4 p.m.
Exhibitor Move-Out, at Beck’s Turf Farm
Auction Donations Needed! We’re on a mission to raise $10,000 at our live auction, and we need your help! Please consider donating an item to the cause. Popular items include hunting trips, golf packages, sports equipment, lawn equipment, tickets to sporting events, loads of sod and anything unique! Big or small, it will help us make our goal! Bring your donations to the Annual Conference, or contact the ATA office to make arrangements to have your item picked up. Thanks in advance for your help!
6 p.m. Membership Dinner & Auction, immediately followed by the Celebration Party, featuring The Jason Albert Band, at AUH&CC 11
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Turfgrass Management
9:30 a.m. Keynote Presentation: “Alabama Immigration Law Compliance,” by Thomas Eden, Capell & Howard, P.C., at AUH&CC
Upcoming Event >>> Continued
and fun competition to the event, while making it a review of turf-management practices. We’ll also have sessions on weed control, disease identification and management, proper fertilization, water conservation and managing insects. We’re changing the research breakfast into a research lunch and throwing in an update on the Toomer’s Trees, landscape color, construction and maintenance of irrigation ponds, sustainable lawncare practices, conversion to ultradwarf and new turfgrass varieties. Our keynote guest speaker is attorney Thomas Eden, of Capell & Howard, P.C., who will address the new immigration law. This will be a timely presentation, as many things are changing with the lawsuits and the upcoming legislative session. As with every ATA conference, the program has been approved for con-
tinuing educational points for Alabama Pesticide Recertification (as well as surrounding states), GCSAA, STMA, CCA and CPAg. We are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Alabama Turfgrass Association, its achievements and you, the
member! Make your plans to be at this celebration. Register on-line at www. alaturfgrass.org, and make your hotel reservations at the host hotel, the Auburn University Hotel & Conference Center at 1-800-228-2876. We look forward to seeing you in October! v
News from ATA >>>
Alabama Turfgrass Association
2012 Slate of Officers and Board of Directors
V Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Fa ll 2 011
oting on the positions listed below will be held at the ATA Business Meeting during the Annual Conference, on Wednesday, October 12, at 8:00 a.m. (at the Auburn University Hotel & Conference Center). Please be sure to attend this important meeting so that you can vote on your ATA leaders for next year.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (1-year terms) President James Bartley, Southern Lawns (1 year) Vice President Glenn Hedden, Town of Loxley (1 year)
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Treasurer John Carter, Carter Sod Farm (1 year)
Industry Steve Sanderson, AGRI-AFC, LLC (2 years)
Past President Tom Wolf, Coosa Valley Turf Farms (1 year)
Institution Kim Byram, University of Alabama (1 year)
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Lawn Care Craig Jones, Alabama Lawns (2 years)
At Large Jeff Hill, Cullman Golf Course (1 year) Sidney Whitaker, S & S Lawn Care (2 years) Jason Cooper, Southern Scape, LLC (2 years) Golf Jeremy Sutton, Montgomery Country Club (1 year)
Park & Recreation Raymond Sexton, City of Troy (1 year) Sod Tres’ Wilkinson, South Dallas Turf (2 years) Ex Officio/Education Advisors Dave Han, Ph.D., Auburn University Jim Jacobi, Ph.D., AL Cooperative Extension System v
Special Feature >>>
The More We Grow, the More We Stay the Same (Part 2)
By Tricia Roberts, ATA Executive Director
S
ince the Alabama Turfgrass Association is celebrating its golden year, it’s a perfect time to reflect over the accomplishments, observations, advice and challenges from the last 50 years. In pulling quotes from past association newsletters and magazines, it is evident that the more we grow, the more we stay the same. In the Summer issue of Alabama Turf News, we reprinted several of those “words of wisdom.” Here are many more!
We have a common bond — turfgrass. United, we stand!
This is our industry; we have the same goals and aspirations, to produce/manage the best turf possible. Learning from each other is the most powerful benefit to every ATA member. ttendance at our conference and other meetings helps A to provide the continuing education that all professional turfgrass managers strive to attain. — Stephen Wood, 1986
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ne advantage of belonging to an assoO ciation is a sense of professionalism. We are professionals and deserve the respect, remuneration and rewards commensurate with the services we render. — Coleman Ward, 1986
he Alabama Turfgrass Association reached a milestone at T its annual conference in September, when more than 500 participants were registered. Attendance at our annual conference has doubled in just five years. How did we do it? We did it by the collective help of each member. It all starts with attendance by members, and by members soliciting others to attend. — Ruby Nixon, 1992
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he potential for networking with your T colleagues while attending ATA meetings is enormous, and I have seen, firsthand, many people resolve puzzling issues while sharing their questions with others. I hope, in the years to come, that more people see the need for additional education; this will lead to a larger and stronger ATA. — Randy Bodine, 2006 s the year draws to an end, I can’t help but think that A this year was a tremendous challenge for most, if not all, of us. As they say, what doesn’t break you will only make you stronger. I commend the membership of the ATA for investing in yourself and for sticking together during tough times. — Pat White, 2009
ATA always strives to better the association and its membership benefits.
From the very beginning, ATA has sought to improve the member benefits and offerings. We continue to address this concern at every board meeting. he association’s board of directors took a giant step T forward at their August meeting, authorizing the creation of the position of executive secretary. Effective October 1, 1985, Mrs. Judy Copeland of Auburn, AL, will serve the association in this capacity. — Stephen Wood, 1986
Executive Secretaries of ATA Judy Copeland (1986 – 1988) Emily Robeson (1988 – 1994) Rebecca Nixon (1994-1999) Pat McWhorter (2000) Tricia Roberts (2001 – present)
A reflection of the first 50 years of the Alabama Turfgrass Association, from the words of past presidents, editors and industry contributors.
ur Scholarship Committee is putting the O final touches on our new ATA Scholarship Award that will make its debut at this year’s ATA Conference. It brings me great satisfaction to know that our association is making a significant contribution to our industry in the form of financial assistance towards a qualified recipient’s turfgrass education. — Mark Cleveland, 2001 new event was scheduled for the HuntsA ville area that will mirror our other seminars that are held in Mobile and Birmingham. It is the intent of our association to provide quality education to our membership, and we are moving forward in offering these possibilities all throughout the state. — Kevin Goolsby, 2005 elcome to your new Turf Times. I hope W you like the changes from our old newsletter. To make this change, the ATA partnered with Leading Edge Communications of Franklin, Tennessee, who has a proven track record of publishing first-class magazines for the turfgrass industry. — Lee McLemore, CGCS, 2008
We’ve had some great accomplishments over the last 50 years. Thank you to every exceptional turfgrass manager across Alabama that elevated our profession to new heights. he superintendent’s responsibility is of paramount T importance to the playability of this great game of golf. — Gary Bethune, 1979 I am proud of what the chemical lawncare industry has done in the twelve years of its existence. Our potential is unlimited, and the opportunities will go right along with our growth. — Ronnie Zwiebel, 1980 ongratulations to Shoal Creek on having been selected C as the site for the 1984 PGA Golf Tournament. This event will be the first major tournament held in Alabama. — Donnie Arthur, 1980 I am privileged to serve as editor of the Alabama Turfgrass Association newsletter because I believe we have an outstanding professional membership with an opportunity to grow and develop an organization that is second to none in the Southeast. — Coleman Ward, 1984 he ATA has been fortunate to have quality people and T educators in our industry, and it needs to congratulate and support our professors and researchers for the outstanding job they have done in promoting our “green industry.” — Joe Williams, 1987
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his year, we embarked on a new tradiT tion of sharing our time and expertise to give to those in need. The “New Beginnings” project kicked off this summer, as we held a workday at the Gulf Coast Youth-Reach home in Summerdale. — Pat White, 2009
Sometimes, we need to toot our own horn!
Continued <<< Special Feature
Advice to take to heart… S upport your organization. If you know turfgrass professionals in your area who are not members of the association, encourage them to join. Strength is in UNITY! If you are not certified for pesticide application, take the necessary measures to be certified; if you are, attend meetings, stay up to date, and stay that way. — Ken Dillard, 1978 ontinuing education in turf has never been more imporC tant than today. — Max McGill, 1991 he ATA provides members a chance to interact with T fellow professionals. It is always refreshing to hear “what the other person is doing.” — Rodney Guy, 1992 I f there’s one constant in this business, it’s that things are constantly changing, and the person(s) who can juggle the most balls and adapt will succeed. From wet springs, hot dry summers, hurricanes and too much rain, you never know what to expect. — Bill Haberstroh, 1995
he turfgrass industry in Alabama is strong and will T continue to have opportunities for growth in the future. Be proud of the part you play in our industry. Also, share your story with those outside our industry about the importance turfgrass plays in their lives. — Lee McLemore, CGCS, 2008
We’ve come a long way from the organization that formed 50 years ago under the name of the Alabama-North West Florida Turfgrass Association. However, we have the same goals: to unite and educate turfgrass managers, promote the benefits of turfgrass and support research, teaching and extension efforts at Auburn University. If the first 50 years are evidence of what we have to offer, it will be amazing to see what the next 50 years have in store for the Alabama Turfgrass Association. We hope each of you will be part of the success! v
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Turf Talk >>>
Preparing for the
Iron Bowl By Dave Han, Ph.D., Auburn University
The
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Iron Bowl. Those three words conjure up a lifetime of images for college football fans in the South. If you are an Auburn Tiger fan, you remember Bo over the top, Punt Bama Punt or The Camback. If you bleed crimson and white, it’s Kenny Stabler running in the mud, The Kick or Bear Bryant’s 315th to become the winningest major college coach of all time. Though other rivalries have been played more often, none is contested so fiercely. For two people, however, the most important image they hope to provide for the Iron Bowl is an immaculate field, perfect in both appearance and playability. For Scott Urbantke, Director of Athletic Grounds and Facilities at the University of Alabama, and Eric Kleypas, Athletic Turfgrass Manager at Auburn University, and their crews, the Iron Bowl is the culmination of an entire year’s worth of hard work and preparation.
Game week begins
For Urbantke, a Texas A&M graduate who has been with Alabama since 1999, the week of the Iron Bowl starts pretty much like every week. “We start on Sunday, painting the practice field,” he
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says. “We spend much of Monday and Tuesday away from the stadium.” The same is true for Kleypas, who has been in charge of the athletic turf at Auburn for nine years and has worked with the athletic department ever since he was
a graduate student working on his master’s degree in agronomy. Both Urbantke and Kleypas must juggle responsibilities around the athletic department, since they are also responsible for the baseball, softball and soccer fields, plus track and field facilities and practice facilities. “Fortunately for us, by the week of the Iron Bowl, soccer is usually wrapped up,” says Urbantke. Monday and Tuesday at both BryantDenny and Jordan-Hare are fairly routine, with mowing and irrigation (if needed) being the main items on the agenda. Kleypas says that on the Tuesday before a Saturday game, he will check the lines on the field at JordanHare stadium to make sure that they haven’t wandered over the course of the season. “I’ll pull strings [from fixed reference points] and check because if
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At right: Photo 1 — The University of Alabama’s field, prior to the Iron Bowl. Photo courtesy of Scott Urbanke. Photo 2 — Eric Kleypas, Athletic Turfgrass Manager at Auburn University.
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Photo 3 — Scott Urbantke, Director of Athletic Grounds and Facilities at the University of Alabama.
you are just a little bit off each time you paint, it can add up, and the field can get out of alignment,” he says.
Keeping secrets safe
3
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One aspect of Iron Bowl week that is different from a routine game is the security aspect. Both teams are keen to prevent the other from stealing game plans and any special plays they might have saved for the Iron Bowl, so keeping a tight lid on practices is a priority. For Alabama, this usually means practicing in their indoor facility. This allows Urbantke to work on the stadium field on his own schedule. For security at Auburn, the week of the Iron Bowl will sometimes include the team practicing in JordanHare Stadium. This means that Kleypas and his crew of six full-time employees
Turf Talk >>> Continued
work around the team’s schedule. “Some years, they practice in the morning, and we mow and paint in the evening, and some years, they practice in the afternoon,” he says. “It all depends on the team’s schedule when we do our work.” With Auburn completing its own fullsize indoor practice facility this summer, Kleypas hopes that the Tigers, like the Tide, will practice there and give him more flexibility with scheduling. “It would be nice,” he says, “and it’s a lot easier to secure that building. The visiting team usually arrives on the day before the game (Friday afternoon, for a Saturday game) and either does not practice or has a very short walk through at the stadium before settling in at their hotel. “I know, if I were the coach, I wouldn’t want to show anything in the game plan at the other team’s stadium,” says Kleypas.
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Countdown to kickoff Both Kleypas and Urbantke follow similar schedules during the second half of game week. Both fields are irrigated for the last time on Wednesday because both managers want the field to be fast and firm for game day (if Mother Nature allows). The fields are mowed daily during the week. Both also spray foliar fertilizer with liquid iron on Tuesday to enhance the field’s color for the weekend. Kleypas usually begins to paint on Wednesday, working around the team’s practice schedule, and finishes on Thursday. Urbantke’s crew paints on Thursday and Friday. Both begin with lines, hash marks and numbers first, and they paint the logos in color last. Urbantke will mow on Friday morning, and Kleypas usually rolls the field. In both cases, this is primarily to touch up the striping and make the field neat for the game. Kleypas and his crew have one superstition that they follow throughout the season: they never climb up into the stands to look at the field until all the painting is completely finished. “When I was a student here, we had issues… people would go up to look, and sure enough, as soon as that happened, somebody would walk through wet
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paint and track it around, or knock over a bucket, or something,” he recalls. “So we don’t go up to the upper deck to look until it’s done.”
Managing the media These days, dealing with television crews has become routine for both Alabama and Auburn, not just a feature of big games like the Iron Bowl. “TV usually sets up on Thursday,” says Urbantke, “except that CBS gets here on Wednesday.” Kleypas comments, “They will drive all over the place, and we just try to keep them off wet paint and let them do their job.” The advent of HD broadcasting and the latest innovation, 3D, has meant that the number of cameras at games has multiplied in recent years. Urbantke notes that if a game is broadcast in 3D, those cameras must be put in different locations than the standard and HD cameras. “They want a lower angle so they can get the depth,” he says. “A 3D game means there are double the cameras.” Kleypas adds, “With the inhouse cameras for the scoreboard, the HD and the 3D broadcasts, TV needs a lot of electricity.” One difference between the Iron Bowl and other games is the amount of media from around the state that the game attracts. “We get maybe six stations here for a regular game, but fifteen for the Iron Bowl,” says Urbantke. “They roam all over campus.” Kleypas says that local media like to set up for reports from the stadium. “They will ask us to turn off mowers or painting equipment, so we work around that, and keep them off the wet paint,” he points out. “Between the TV crews and media, it can turn into Talladega Super Speedway in the stadium on Iron Bowl week.”
Game day!
On game day, the work begins for both crews about six hours before game time. Pre-game preparations include any last-minute hand watering that might be needed, and a morning mowing or rolling of the field. Urbantke likes to mow, while Kleypas rolls to
avoid cutting off any paint. Urbantke recalls one game (not an Iron Bowl) when coach Nick Saban requested that he mow about 90 minutes before game time, but says those requests are rare. “The coaches allow us to do our job,” he says. Most of the game day ritual is the same throughout the season at both fields. The crews put out sideline tarps, set up the bench areas, set out the pylons and goal-post pads, plug in the 25-second clock controller, take care of power needs for the TV crew and put up the United States flag and other flags around the stadium. At BryantDenny, the grounds crew also opens the press-box windows. “Why do we do that?” says Urbantke, “I don’t know. We’ve just always done that. We used to open up the cheerleaders’ rooms, but now they take care of that themselves. We also don’t clean bathrooms anymore.” The grounds crews are finished with the bulk of the pre-game preparation two hours before game time, when the teams come out for warm-ups. After the game, it’s time to clean up. The crews remove the sideline tarps, benches, pylons and pads and will again either mow or roll the field to smooth it out and help push divots back in, although major divot repair often waits until Monday. A final irrigation rounds out what can be a very long day. Twelve to fifteen hours is not unusual on any game day, and the Iron Bowl, of course, is no exception.
No turkey for the turfies
The Iron Bowl’s traditional schedule as the last game of the season means that this entire week of preparation takes place during Thanksgiving week. “I don’t get Thanksgiving when the game is here,” says Urbantke. But neither would give up the chance to do what they love and have their field showcased on national television. As Kleypas says, “Just like you want your team to beat Alabama, you want the field to look and play better. Urbantke and I are good friends, and I can call him for help at any time, but I don’t want my field to look worse than his.” v
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Business Matters >>>
Top 10 DO’S and DONtion’TActS for Employers under the Alabama Immigra By Tommy Eden, Attorney, Capell & Howard, P.C.
On
June 9, 2011, Alabama Governor Robert Bentley signed into law the Beason-Hammon Alabama Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act (the “Act”). This is a sweeping act to crack down on illegal immigrants, an act that both supporters and opponents call the toughest of its kind in the country, going well beyond a 2010 Arizona law that caused an uproar and was appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Alabama Act is generally effective starting on September 1, 2011. Several of the new provisions govern employers and impose significant new obligations. The following list is a do’s and don’ts summary of the employer obligations contained in the 70-page Act.
#1. Don’t knowingly employ, hire for employment or continue to employ an unauthorized alien to perform work within the state of Alabama.
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You must verify the status of every new employee through the federal E-Verify procedures, and you must fire unauthorized aliens.
#2. Do enroll in E-Verify.
By no later than April 1, 2012, each and every business entity or employer must enroll in E-Verify to verify the employment eligibility of every new employee. E-Verify provides a safe harbor so that an employer who uses the E-Verify system “shall not be
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deemed to have violated [Section 15] with respect to the employment of that employee.” A business entity or employer that uses E-Verify to verify the status of an employee in good faith “and acts in conformity with all applicable federal statutes and regulations is immune from liability under Alabama law for any action by an employee for wrongful discharge or retaliation based on a notification from the E-Verify program that the employee is an unauthorized alien.” Do schedule Form I-9 Supervisor Training because the E-Verify system is only as good as the information collected. Do put an E-Verify policy in your employee handbook, and make sure you are using the latest version of Form 1-9. Do have an outside audit done of your Form I-9s and Immigration Practices. E-Verify is an employer’s only get-out-of-jail card with Immigration Compliance and Enforcement (ICE) and the only safe harbor under the Alabama Immigration Act.
#3. Do terminate any employee if you become
aware of his or her illegal status.
If you don’t do so, you could face severe penalties involving probation and suspension of your business license.
#4. Don’t deduct from state income or busi-
ness taxes any wages, compensation or remuneration of any kind, whether monetary or otherwise, for services paid to an unauthorized alien. A business entity or employer who knowingly fails to comply will be liable for a penalty equal to 10 times the business expense deduction claimed.
#5. Don’t discriminate.
An employer may be liable for failure to hire a job applicant who is a United States citizen, or who is an alien authorized to work in the United States, while retaining any employee that the employer knows, or reasonably should have known, is an unauthorized alien. The employer can be sued by the unsuccessful applicant in an Alabama civil action for discrimination under Section 17 and awarded compensatory relief, court costs and reasonable attorney’s fees.
#6. Don’t enter into contracts with illegal aliens.
The Act provides that no court shall enforce the terms of, or otherwise regard as valid, any contract between a party and an alien unlawfully present in the United States.
The Act makes it illegal to stop a vehicle on a street, roadway or highway “to attempt to hire, or hire
#8. Don’t house an illegal alien.
It is illegal to “conceal, harbor or shield” an alien from detection in any place, including any building or vehicles, if the person knows or recklessly disregards that the alien is illegal in United States. Similarly, it is illegal to induce an alien to come to or reside in Alabama if the person knows or recklessly disregards the fact that the alien will be in violation of federal law.
#9. Don’t transport an illegal alien.
It will be illegal to transport an alien “in furtherance of the unlawful presence of the alien in the United States, knowingly or in reckless disregard to the fact that the alien has come to, entered or remained in the United States in violation of federal law.”
#10. Don’t rent to an illegal alien.
It is illegal to harbor an unlawful alien by entering into a rental agreement with the alien, if the person knows or recklessly disregards the fact that the alien is in the United States illegally.
About the author: Tommy Eden is a Lee County native and an attorney with Capell & Howard, P.C., and a member of the ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law, and he has presented throughout the state of Alabama on Immigration Workplace Compliance and also to the Governor’s Commission in 2011. Tommy can be contacted at tme@chlaw.com or 334-501-1540. A more detailed summary of the Act is at www.alabamahrlaw.com. v
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#7. Don’t pick up day labor in your vehicle.
and pick up, passengers for work at a different location if the motor vehicle blocks or impedes the normal movement of traffic.” This applies regardless of citizenship or alien status.
Turf Tips >>>
TurfforTips Fall
Sod production
Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Fa ll 2 011
By Dave Han, Ph.D., Auburn University
Golf
Lawncare
Remember that August/September is the time to make your preventative fungicide applications for spring dead spot (SDS) control. The DMI fungicide Rubigan (fenarimol) continues to be very effective for controlling this disease. Banner MAXX (propiconazole) has also been effective in many research trials. Although tebuconazole (Torque) has been effective against SDS in some trials, it also has been known to injure bermudagrass, especially ultradwarfs. At this time, I recommend steering clear of Torque for SDS control on ultradwarfs until there are more data on injury to greens. Strobilurin fungicides such as Heritage (azoxystrobin) have been very inconsistent in SDS control, and I would recommend using a DMI instead. If you are looking for control of other diseases at the same time and want to use a strobilurin, consider one of the products available that combine a DMI with the strobilurin, such as Headway or Instrata, in order to get good SDS control also. See more information at the turfgrass disease blog at www.turfdiseases.org/.
How late in the season can you establish new turf? It all depends on the method. August 1 is a good rule-ofthumb deadline for sprigging warmseason lawns. Although sometimes you can get good establishment when planting later, it is by no means guaranteed. Sod remains the same viable option that it is throughout most of the year. Remember that sod laid in August and early September is suffering through the hottest part of the year and will require more irrigation to keep from drying out than sod laid in the spring, late fall or winter. No matter what method is used to establish a lawn, I never recommend overseeding a lawn during its first year. Give the turf at least one growing season after establishment, and it will tolerate overseeding much better in the long run.
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nessee Valley, overseed is typically planted sometime in mid-September. In central Alabama, the last half of September or the first part of October usually is a good time to establish an overseed. Along the Gulf Coast, middle to late October is typical. The exact date depends on the weather. Waiting until the daytime high temperatures are consistently below 85°F will improve germination. If possible, before overseeding, mow the turf as closely as possible without scalping. A shorter cut than usual will make it easier for the seeds to fall down to the soil. However, if the area to be overseeded is under constant and heavy use (like a football field) during the overseed process, it is best not to stress the underlying grass by drastically reducing the mowing height.
Athletic turf When is the best time to overseed? It varies from north to south. In the Ten-
Sod that goes into the fall in good condition will remain healthy and harvestable all winter long, while sod that is weak and won’t hold together going into winter must wait until the next growing season to be harvested. Remember to plan your management around maintaining strong and health roots, rhizomes and stolons. While dark green foliage looks good, pretty sod that won’t hold together is worth nothing. Make sure to soil test annually, and follow the recommendations. If your recommendations call for a lime application, make it this fall so that it can react over the winter, and the sod will benefit at the start of next year’s growing season. Do not over-apply nitrogen, especially in mid-to late fall. As foliar growth slows down, fungal diseases can become more of a problem in the fall, especially during wet weather. Be sure to sign up for the sod producer’s field day on October 12 at Beck’s Turf in Tuskegee, AL. The field day is the culmination of the 50th Anniversary ATA Conference and Tradeshow in Auburn at the Auburn University Hotel and Conference Center. See this issue for details, and we’ll see you in October! v
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Turf Events >>>
October 10–12, 2011 2011 ATA Annual Turfgrass Conference & Tradeshow Auburn Univ. Hotel & Conference Center Auburn, AL
October 27–29
Green Industry & Equipment Expo Kentucky Exposition Center Louisville, KY
January 10–14, 2012
STMA Annual Conference & Exhibition Long Beach Convention Center Long Beach, CA
Index of Advertisers >>>
January 22–25, 2012
APRA 65th Annual Conference (AL Parks & Recreation Association) Auburn University Hotel & Conference Center Auburn, AL
February 27 – March 2, 2012
Golf Industry Show & GCSAA Conference Las Vegas, NV
AGRI-AFC, LLC www.agri-afc.com...... Inside Front Cover The Anderson Technologies, Inc. www.andersonsgolfproducts.com...........21 Bayer www.bayerprocentral.com..............Inside Back Cover DuPont Professional Products www.proproducts.dupont.com................ 7 Ewing Irrigation www.Ewing1.com.......................................... 5 Greenville Turf & Tractor, Inc. www.greenvilleturf.com............................13 Humphries Farm Turf Supply / Golf Ventures West www.humphriesturf.com..........................8 Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation www.jerrypate.com.....................................21 Kesmac Inc. / Huntsville Tractor and Equipment www.kesmac.com.........................................9 Penn State World Campus www.worldcampus.psu.edu........................ 25 Quali-Pro www.quali-pro.com.................... Back Cover Riebeling Farms, Inc..................................12 Southern Specialty Equipment www.ssequip.net..................................................7 Southern States Cooperative www.southernstates.com........................ 25 Sur-Line Turf, Inc..........................................17 The Turfgrass Group......................................3 www.theturfgrassgroup.com Trebro Manufacturing...................................................16 www.trebro.com
Al ab ama Tu rf Tim e s > >> Fa ll 2 011
Tri-Est Ag Group, Inc. formerly Hendrix & Dail..........................26 www.hendrixanddail.com
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